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One Year of Caretaker Government
muscle-power. The Election Commission has also announced a roadmap for holding elections before December 2008, after preparation of voter list with photographs is completed within October 2008 It is endeavounng to put in place a legal framework that would encourage honest and dedicated politicians to join the electoral race and ensure transparency and accountability in the workings of political parties.
The government has already lifted the embargo on indoor politics in order to facilitate holding of political discussions A principal precondition for a truly democratic election is the participation of political parties which are run in a transparent and democratic manner in accordance with the country?s constitution and law. For ensuring this, there is urgent need for internal democratic reforms within major political parties of Bangladesh.
Anti-Corruption Drive: Despite commendable efforts in the past by the public and pnvate sectors for improving the lot of the common man. the country's socio-economic arena was perennially tainted by corruption. But the majority people should not be allowed to suffer due to corruption and irregularities committed by a minonty. The caretaker government, therefore, declared a war on corruption since its very first day. Since then, highly corrupt people are being put to trial on a regular basis, irrespective of their status or position, under existing laws of the land.
The Anti-Corruption Commission was reconstituted by the government for taking preventive, curative and punitive measures against corruption. Its institutional structure has been strengthened and necessary rules and regulations have been approved for making it fully independent and effective. Special tribunals have been constituted at different places of the country for swift disposal of corruption-related cases. Trial and delivery of verdicts in these cases are now in full swing. Bangladesh has also signed and ratified the UN Convention against Corruption, which has bnghtened the country's image in the international arena.
Separation of Judiciary: After 200 years of colonial rule and 36 years of independence. the present government has completely separated the country's judiciary from the executive branch with effect from
1 November 2007. The magistracy has been bifurcated into judicial and executive ones, and all judicial courts have been placed under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court. The people are now more optimistic than ever before that justice would prevail at all strata of society and governance in the country.
Good Governance: The government has also taken multifarious measures for establishing good governance Institutions like the Public Service Commission. University Grants Commission and the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority have been fully revamped. New bodies like Regulatory Reforms Commission and Better Business Forum have been formed to simplify official rules and regulations and strengthen the role of government as a facilitator of private initiatives. Constitution of a National Human Rights Commission has been approved by the cabinet for the first time in the country. Devolution of powers to local governments is underway within the framework of a strengthened 3-tier local government system. Concepts like citizens? charter, service standard, model police stations, help-desk, helpline and one-stop service centres have been introduced for improving services delivered by puolic sector organizations. Steps have been taken to process pensions and retirement benefits of government employees as quickly as possible. Passports can now be obtained within stipulated time from the offices of 17 district administrations, in addition to central and regional passport offices.
Macro-Economic Successes: On the economic front, a growth rate of 6.5 percent was achieved during the previous fiscal year, despite losing 3 valuable months on account of political unrest. In spite of various adversities on the global plane, export growth was recorded at 16 percent, while growth in remittances sent by expatriate Bangladeshis was an unprecedented 25 percent higher. Because of various bilateral and multilateral
initiatives taken by the government, the number of Bangladeshi workers sent abroad has almost doubled during 2007. Foreign exchange reserve during the year has consistently remained at over 5 billion dollars, which is a record. Fifty-seven percent of the current year's revenue and development budget has been allocated for direct or indirect programs of poverty alleviation.
Budgetary Measures: The micro-credit and vulnerable group feeding programs have been expanded to cover marginalized population living in disaster-affected and Monga-prone areas Budgetary allocation for social security and empowerment has been raised from 4 5 percent last year to 10.5 percent this year Taka 350 crore has been allocated for agricultural research, keeping an eye on long-term sustainable growth of the sector' Initiative has been taken to restructure the country’s ailing jute sector in order to enhance its viability
Twenty-five percent of the current year's budgetary resources have been allocated for education and health sectors, considered most vital for human resource development Sustained efforts have been made by the government for further mainstreaming of the disadvantaged population, such as women, children and the disabled The government has ratified the UN Convention on the disabled Maternity allowance has been introduced for pregnant women in order to reduce maternal and child mortality. The honorariums for war-wounded freedom fighters and the families of martyrs have been raised by 50 percent Monthly allowances for insolvent freedom fighters have also been raised by 20 percent.
Improvements in Ports and Power Management: Significant improvements have also taken place in the management of the country's sea-ports as well as generation and supply of power. System loss has been reduced to a record level in the power sector, while efforts are underway to build much needed additional electricity generation capacity. Whereas average production of electricity in the country was 2800 megawatt in January 2007, it is now around 3800 megawatt An additional 1000 megawatt would be produced within December 2008. Besides, contracts would be awarded through tenders before the end of 2008 to produce additional 1350 megawatt of electricity in the private sector and 1450 megawatts in the public sector.
The efficiency of Chittagong sea-port has now improved by 40 percent compared to the past. The turn-around time for ships have been reduced to 3 days from the previous 11 days Over 10 billion taka is being saved annually through various reform measures, including introduction of berth-operating system in place of traditional stevedoring. Customs formalities in the ports have been simplified. Decision has been taken to appoint a private operator for New Mooring Container Terminal at Chittagong, which would greatly enhance the port's capacity.
Development works have also been undertaken at the country's second sea-port of Mongla in order to make it viable. Initiative has been taken to develop and expand the infrastructure of the country’s most important land-port at Benapole. Besides, private operators have been appointed for proper management of landports at Sona-Mosjid. Hilli, Banglabanda, Biral. Bibir Bazar and Teknaf.
Natural Calamities: The year 2007 brought more than a fair share
of natural disasters for Bangladesh. The country was hit by two consecutive waves of devastating floods in July and August. They took many lives and extensively damaged crops and infrastructure. Estimates of output costs from floods exceeded 27 billion taka. Loss of Aman crop was estimated at about one million metric tons. As people started to grapple with the aftermath of floods came Sidr in November, the fiercest cyclone since 1970. It ruthlessly robbed innumerable people of their lives, homes and all forms of savings and livelihoods.
Around nine million people were affected by the floods and more than eight million by the catastrophic cyclone. To tackle the postflood situation, the government had reallocated a food safety net budget of Taka 21 billion for relief operations. After the cyclone, the government has been coordinating all public and private efforts to ensure maximum synergy in post-cyclone relief operations. Vulnerable Group Feeding or VGF cards numbering 2.6 million have been issued in the coastal districts to feed the cyclone victims for four months. Micro-credit lenders have eased their lending and repayment terms for the affected. Donors and development partners are generously participating in the relief and rehabilitation process.
Long-term Disaster Management: In addition to short-term measures, the government is also thinking of medium to long-term solutions for the country's recurring environmental challenges. Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed has appealed to the international community for their support in undertaking a massive long-term plan to protect the coastal areas from the fallouts of recurring natural disasters. The one billion dollar program would include building road networks, 2000 new cyclone shelters, repairing and constructing new embankments,
rebuilding educational institutions and restoration of the world's largest mangrove forest ? the Sundarbans
External Shocks: External developments have also not been very kind to Bangladesh during the year. Oil prices approached US dollar 100 per barrel during the year, reaching an all-time high. So have many other energy products and basic commodities. Surging demand for bio-fuels has pushed up the prices of agricultural products. Food prices peaked globally, eroding severely the buying powers of consumers in importing countries like Bangladesh. The caretaker government took numerous measures to offset these external shocks, but those had moderate successes because of global constraints.
Foreign Relations: On the external front. Bangladesh has moved ahead with her policy of ?friendship to all and malice towards none? Economic diplomacy has also been geared up both on the bilateral and multilateral plane Special initiatives were undertaken for closer ties with neighbours including India. Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed took new initiatives for forging closer regional cooperation dunng the Fourteenth SAARC Summit held in New Delhi The Chief Adviser also visited New York in September to address the United Nations General Assembly He highlighted Bangladesh's quest for improving governance, leading role played by Bangladesh in the UN Peacekeeping Missions all over the world, progress made in achieving Millennium Development Goals, successes in micro-credit programs for poverty alleviation and the vulnerability of the country to climatic shocks due to global warming He cancelled his visit to the Commonwealth Summit in Uganda in November m the aftermath of the devastating cyclone 'SIDR' Bangladesh has also remained steadfast throughout the year as a staunch partner of the international community In the global war against terrorism.