|
EDITORIAL
System loss in utility services
Whatsoever may be the denotation of the jargon 'system loss', in this country the term is euphemistically used to mean illegal prettification obtained by dishonest employees of utility services like power, water, gas, telephone departments and municipalities. This country has been a paradise [and indications suggest she will remain so in the foreseeable future, come Anti-Corruption Commission or whatever unless loopholes are plugged] for greasing palms, graft, scam etc. Even now under military-controlled caretaker government bribing continues in government, semi-government or autonomous agencies and corporations, and newspapers publish astonishing reports of amassing wealth by unscrupulous officials and low-level members of staff. The Transparency International has found 2 per cent increase in corruption during July 2006 - June 2007.
A contemporary has front-paged last week a report of how Tk 35cr is trickled away from WASA through one hundred thousand illegal connections in the supply network every year taking advantage of ubiquitous systems loss. As the story runs, pipes are connected to a Dhaka WASA water supply line at Mirpur-11 in the capital. This caused mainly by illegal connections, cracks in supply lines and underhand dealings of unscrupulous officials.
Over the past two decades extreme shortage of water in the city has caused untold suffering to the city dwellers, and there were protest rallies in front of the WASA headquarters on several occasions. Presently it produces 170 crore litres of water a day against the demand for 210 crore litres in the capital and Narayanganj, which means there is a large shortfall of 40 crore litres. Pilferage points of a hundred or so connections may be ignored but how can a hundred thousand illegal connections exist without the knowledge of senior engineers and supervisory staff? Simply put, this is beyond our comprehension. Over two months back it was decided that troops will be deployed at WASA pumps to ensure uninterrupted supply of water during the summer. But that has not happened yet.
It will be pertinent to spotlight another vital utility, Dhaka Electric Supply Authority (DESA). The whole nation is practically reeling under the trouble of load-shedding and the current power generation capacity is 4000 MW while actual demand for it is well over 5000 MW. Last month it was reported that a diploma engineer of DESA resides in a palace valued at Tk 15 crore in the city in addition to owning over 500 kathas of land in and outside the city and other property worth Tk 100 crore. The most pressing problem in the power sector has been with the distribution system, which is characterised by heavy system loss and poor collection performance.
The people have not forgotten the news about some lower grade millionaire staff members of the Titas Gas Company, yet another public sector enterprise. No less corrupt are a section of Dhaka City Corporation employees. And the list goes on and on.
Bangladesh has been a test field for quixotic and impractical experiments World Bank (WB) policymakers. With no knowledge and hindsight of what can be the consequences and implications of its decisions it imposes, ignoring public needs and requirements, one directive after another. It is the WB which suggested formation of the DESA many years ago; and after its creation it proved to be nothing but old wine in a new bottle with the previous malaise remaining unhealed. It is learnt that the donor agency is contemplating making fresh plans for various sectors. Unless strong monitoring and supervision can be ensured in a foolproof manner no novel ideas will work.
 ^ TOP OF THIS PAGE ^ MAIN PAGE
POLITICAL CHANGE AND ETHICS
Political expediency, immorality should be discarded
Dhiraj Kumar Nath
"There is no last word in politics"- a common sermon propelled by politicians is swallowed by many as a maxim and a reality. Former Speaker of the Parliament late Abdul Malek Ukil, on different occasions advised his followers with this gospel to justify some major shift in political ideology and loyalty. In fact, late Jagjivan Ram, a political leader of India, mostly representing the deprived community, propagated this principle of politics to facilitate his frequent shifting in political allegiance and to remain in power with the change of politics. As a result he proved to be the most successful Indian politician after India became independent and succeeded to remain in the Indian cabinet until his death.
Example of shift
There are many examples of unabashed shift to different ideology that visibly appeared to be incongruous and sometimes ended up in catastrophe. There was an unprecedented mass upheaval in 1990 in Bangladesh to get rid of the rule of an autocratic dictator. The movement of the people won and former autocratic president H M Ershad had to resign in an ignominious manner although his success as an administrator was widely appreciated.
But the nation has observed a somewhat incongruous situation in 2006 when BNP had reached an understanding with Jatiya Party of former President Hussein Muhammad Ershad to facilitate easy sailing in the 9th Parliamentary election. Likewise, Bangladesh Awami League also compromised with former President Ershad - once termed by them as brazen-faced dictator - in the month of December 2006 as a matter of electoral strategy to gain the advantage of his political popularity and agreed to concede as many as 52 seats for his party candidates. Former President also took the opportunity of his bargaining power and shifted from BNP to BAL and declared himself to be a free bird in the public meeting at Paltan maidan of great alliance on 22nd December, 2006
Unhealthy competition
Both the alliances led by BNP and the BAL were visibly in competition to get Ershad's support as an ally in their election battle. However, at one stage when Ershad's nomination papers were rejected by returning officers on 27th December, 2006 it complicated the whole the election process. Apparently, this prompted the BAL-led grand alliance to withdraw the nominations of all their candidates on 3rd January 2007 making the prospects of a credible election more complicated, questionable and uncertain. Although this is a recent story and everybody should remember it, I have repeated the same to highlight how the 'politics of convenience' or the cliché 'there is no last word in politics' can create a disaster in a democratic environment. In fact, deviation from the ethics of politics is more dangerous than any strategic shift in politics.
There was another incident of such a shift in the fundamental principle of political party when Bangladesh Awami League (BAL) formally reached an electoral alliance with Bangladesh Khilafat Mazlish on 23rd December 2006. After the agreement, even strong supporters of BAL could not reconcile with such a departure of a historical party that led and achieved the independence of the country, based on its strong ideology of secularism. Professor Kabir Choudhury one evening came out of the Sudha sadan with frustration after his discussions with Sheikh Hasina on the rationale of such memorandum of understanding allowing the Khilafat Mazlish the right to issue 'fatoa'. This was totally opposed to the manifesto, ideology and fundamental principles of Bangladesh Awami League. Of course, there were many who agreed to such a strategy to win the election.
Constitutional amendment
Former President H M Ershad, as I understand, does not believe in fundamentalism and not quite ready to make a revolution in the name of religion. But he amended the 8th amendment of the Constitution, making Islam as the official religion with the expectation that such a step might help him to get support from the religious people and political parties committed to makes changes to make Islam as an official religion. While the secular civil society representatives raised objections but many maintained their silence knowing that such a step was contradictory to the spirit of war of liberation and would help the autocrat to prolong his stay in power.
In fact, any departure from ethics, norm, and truth in the name of political expediency does help any political party to gain much as has been experienced in the past. Every political party must have well documented manifesto and party constitution that needs to be followed strictly like a sacred book as was practiced in China during the regime of Chairman Mao Tse Tung.
Political reforms
The election of the 9th Parliament is not far away, only six months ahead. No political party has taken any initiative to revisit their manifesto for reformation or institutionalize the democratic norms in their working procedure. On the other hand, those who have proposed any reformation were shown the door. Only Bangladesh Awami League has organized a grand meeting of local councillors to elicit their views on certain critical issues. Many other parties are silent about any reformation to ensure discipline in the party or impose deterrent punishment to members or workers in case of detecting any corruption or breach of law of the land. The reformation process might retain the dedicated souls and drive away the opportunists like the shifting of players during the beginning of a football league.
The political parties are not concerned about the amendments of the Constitution specially Article 70 and power and functions of the President and the Prime Minister. Not a single workshop or seminar was organised by any political party with the participation of representatives of other political parties and members of the civil society to exchange views on different national issues to arrive at a consensus. In many cases, national consensus is necessary for the proper functioning of the parliament, with special reference to frequent walk outs, boycott, floor crossing, strikes, abstinence from pursuing the cases of criminals, influencing the executives, interference in the administration of local government and so on.
Above all, there should be commitment that no politicians shall in any way show disregard to the ethics, norms and law of the land. The last word of politics should be that the development of the nation, alleviation of poverty and help emerge Bangladesh as a powerful, prosperous nation in the South and Southeast Asia regions.
^ TOP OF THIS PAGE ^ MAIN PAGE
VIEW POINT
Will underground railway be ideal for Dhaka?
O. H. Kabir
It is reported that because of tremendous traffic jams and untold sufferings of the people the authorities concerned are contemplating building an underground railway in Dhaka city at a cost of about Taka six thousand crore.
Indeed, this is what we need to tackle today's chaotic, almost nightmarish transportation system in the capital city of Dhaka. But before we make a final decision on the matter let us consider, examine, answer and find out solution to the following problems which are also extremely important:
1.Electricity: How are we going to ensure smooth operation of the proposed underground railway when we have been suffering from acute shortage of electricity and load shedding?
2.Floods: Dhaka is prone to floods. Indiscriminate filling up of water bodies in and around Dhaka by the developers for construction of buildings without paying any heed to the laws of the land has closed all outlets of rain waters. As a result, even a few minutes of rainfall flood the city roads as the rain water has nowhere to go. Prolonged water logging during the monsoon becomes a normal sight in Dhaka. In view of this situation would the underground railway remain safe from flood waters?
3. The total area of Dhaka city is small. It is thickly populated, congested and crowded with narrow roads, streets, lanes and by lanes. Is it possible to have underground railway stations near important residential and commercial areas, govt. offices, educational institutions etc like Secretariat, Dhaka Stadium, Motijheel, Hatkhola, Saidabad, Jatrabari, Gandaria, Sadarghat, Islampur, Armanitola, Lalbagh, Karwan Bazar, Mohakhali and Gabtoli bus terminals, Zia International Airport, Rampura, Azimpur, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Mohammadpur, Dhanmondi, Elephant Road, Dhaka University, Mouchak, Rampura, Gulshan No. 1 &. 2, Jahangirnagar University, Mirpur and so on?
4. Will the number of motor vehicles, buses, cars, trucks, taxis, scooters, rickshaws and push carts decrease after start of the underground railway service?
5. Would it be wise to have an underground railway without first preparing a Master Plan?
6. Almost everyday we experience that most of the traffic jams are caused due to stoppage of vehicles while crossing the roads, passing through road squares, road signals, haphazard parking of vehicles, political processions and rallies and occupation of roads and streets by hawkers and vendors. Would we be able to stop these disorders?
7. Is it not possible to construct some one-storied, two-storied and three-storied flyovers for movement of motor vehicles round the clock? These should connect Farm Gate square, Gulistan square, Bangla Motor square, Shahbagh square, New Market, Gabtali-Mirpur Road, Mohakhali, Jatrabari and Hatkhola corner, Dhanmondi, Gulshan No. 1 & 2, Dhanmondi-Elephant Road, Nawabpur-English Road square and so forth?
^ TOP OF THIS PAGE ^ MAIN PAGE
LETTERS
AI and human rights
Dear Editor:
Amnesty International's (AI) recent report said that countries that have committed crimes against humanity should apologise. Do they mean US should apologise for Hiroshima and Nagasaki killings, which was unnecessary after surrender of Germany. Over 655,000 Iraqis were killed by US under Bush. Harry Truman ordered to drop Atomic bombs on Japan-which killed as many as 140,000 people in Hiroshima and 80,000 in 1945.
Did they ask US to become member of International Criminal Court, which can punish US soldiers and their mafia bosses for their crime against humanity for the last 60 years before they shout against China or Burma.
Yes, history would be differently written. BBC,CNN and other western media shouldn't mesmerise conscious people by showing establishment of rules of Law any more on background of Abu Ghraib, Guantamo or Mai Lai
People are optimistic about Barack Obama. But Obama cannot go against the strong Jewish Lobby of US. So Foreign policy is not going to change. So no magic will happen unfortunately. 21st century Gladiators will have to shed more blood before real liberty.
The Western countries have made this world difficult to live in. Nobody is protesting including the so-called think tanks. So they are united to press poor people of Asia and Africa including Bangladesh to lift subsidy through WTO and World Bank. Actually the West is surviving on looting others. Plea for attack on Iran can open their mask and open new Pandora's box.
My dear Amnesty International, your annual reports save face of international thugs and their united attack on real human rights.
Dr Azizul Karim,
GP, Australia, mounaj@optusnet.com.au
No philosophical approach
Dear Editor:
My social contacts are pessimistic-no bonus at the end of the year. We strip off our philosophical approach first, then dress up for the new reunion. All Bangladesh is a stage for the last three decades.
We suffer from deadlocks; and open sesame blocks. We always agree to differ. Our household is pucca Bangalee-if there is a free gift buy the item whether needed or not. Can't ride on a camel's back, but cheaper substitutes are available. Opposition creates a link of ambivalence between the subject and another who can always become the subject's alter ego, because the object of desire is the same for both. The subject's hatred is all the stronger because unconsciously, this struggle is for possession of an object that bears the narcissistic illusion of perfect continuity between self and other.
We are too urbanised and live in high-rise buildings. But sick parades could be arranged.
A. Z.,
Dhaka.
Double standards
Dear Editor:
The salutations of the letter entitled, "An open letter to the Chief Adviser and Army Chief" was published in the daily Jugantar, on February 12, 2008 by an eminent columnist, a British national, living in London was, 'Dear Army Chief and dear Chief Adviser.
Protocol demands that the Chief Adviser should be addressed first and then the Army Chief in the salutations of the letter. But the columnist addressed the Army Chief first and then the Chief Adviser. By doing so he wanted to establish that he is not at all against the Bangladesh armed forces. Our people know it well that he maintains double standards and is driven by Chanyaka doctrine.
I thank for the letter captioned 'A traitor should be treated as traitor' published in your esteemed weekly on February 29, 2008. I think the writer has forgotten to point out salutations of the letter as stated above.
A. M. K. Chowdhury,
West Masdhair, Narayanganj.
Obama's global effect
Dear Editor:
Even if Obama loses the US presidential election, which appears unlikely, the effect on the American voters would create ripples for a long time; sending waves of changes in the global outlook. The price of oil might shoot up to US$200 per barrel, according to international analysts. White House would be working overtime to finetune the situation internally, externally and economically. The erosion of the dollar is a new phenomenon; and the economic impacts would create tsunamis in the first and third worlds, lasting for more than a decade.
One solution for the industrialised countries is to diversify and spread out, through relocation of factories and Internet call centres.
In Dhaka, the frequency of visits by foreign dignitaries has speeded up, sparking speculations about the future masters in South Asia. Change is the current theme in the US while political vacuum is being filled by religious fanatics. The artificial dynamism creeping into international politics would erode the US monopoly of international affairs. Sparks would be flying around (remember Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine).
Cosmetic Western Democracy failed to deliver in the third world; and the liabilities have to be shared by the rich political fashion designers. The mobile phone and jobs abroad have introduced digital cohesion in the traditional communication gap between the urban and rural residents. The global village is a tough shield for Uncle Sam.
Abdad Khan,
Dhaka.
Corruption and system losses
Dear Editor:
During the last two decades Bangladeshis were introduced to an old but hidden culture and the term "system loss" frequently appeared in the media news and reports. Some examples from daily life are cited below.
Beware of adopting shortcuts in life. Nothing in life is free, you have to pay or compensate for it directly or indirectly. For bank loans, one has to pay interest; a consultant gets his fees and an employee gets salary and allowances. For shopping you need cash for buying your supplies you can buy on credit, but you have to pay more.
There is the eternal law of compensation, which applies in natural and man-made situations (in economics, politics, public services, etc). Newton's Third Law is a part of it: every action has equal and opposite reaction. Apply it to incidents in your own life and see what happens.
Now apply it to bribery and corruption, based on your own observations. Black-marketing is one example: making excessive profit. Corrupt practices in public services are very common; consider the economic law of supply and demand in a market. In capitalism, competition reduces prices, and enhances services. Look at the mobile telephone market in Bangladesh today; and compare with the BTTB landline services; BTTB is now being privatised. Now pre-paid cards are available; no queues for payment of bills. Open more one-stop service centres-less palm-greasing points!
In the least developed countries (LDCs), the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) run most of the services and a monopoly develops. In any monopoly, the supply usually falls short of demand. It gives rise to bribery, corruption, hoarding and black marketing, leading to the creation of black wealth.
How to explain one low-salaried employee (for example lineman, meter reader) having several plots of land and flats/apartments in a city? Black wealth is now being investigated officially; income and expenditure have to match. Note the sudden change in the standard of living of persons known to you.
Have you noticed how many veteran political leaders have announced their retirement? No one has done so. Man is mortal. Then think about checks and cross-checks by the authorities concerned; the system of monitoring and feedback in the past was extremely poor and those involved in the job were corrupt. The inspectors and field officials have to detect, catch and prosecute. The irregularities in processing a case in an office have to be checked and pointed out and the rules have to be followed and applied, neutrally, without fear or favour. But some VIPs in politics and business think they are above the law and should not be touched.
If a system is infected, the virus spreads. To check corrupt practice is not a one-person job. It needs a lot of dedicated persons to form a chain. What we see today is the application of a simple formula, "easy come; easy go". What the political leaders are parroting today in the media? A return to the good old days?
A. Husnain,
Mohammadpur,
Dhaka.
Human rights for all
Dear Editor:
A lot of our politicians are now in jail and most of them are not in good health. Since many of them are aged, they need regular checkup and already they are used to expensive medical checkups.
If you are giving the former head of any govt. the chance to visit abroad for checkup why not all others who want to get treatment abroad?
Asifami Rahman Saikat,
Dhaka.
What has happened to our collective wisdom?
Dear Editor:
The politicians, specially the leaders, are evading comments on how to regenerate a society that has been degenerated by political corruption. The moral responsibility (for decades) is squarely on the shoulders of the successive political regimes.
Now the political campaign is concentrated on two aspects: release of the unworthy leaders; and quick holding of the general elections. The party leaders were and are morally responsible for the poise and stance of the relevant party.
The very foundation has to be replaced before new structures and superstructures are erected after the elections. The old style of politics (as a backdoor, profitable business) can no longer be tolerated - that is why the caretaker government was created (necessity is the mother of invention).
What has happened to our collective wisdom? Has it turned into an ad hoc fashion show? Our gift of the gab is displaying negative virtues. What is the effect on the third generation as the second generation is already spoilt? Today the society is like floating kochuripana (water hyacinth). The physical image of Dhaka metropolis reflects the political image: high-rise buildings, lack of roads and traffic jams, roadside garbage, and absence of elementary discipline in the society (absence of deterrence).
There are invisible backdoor and backlash effects: brain drain; urban migration; rampart corruption; and breakdown in the law and order situation. Then why stress the urgency of prompt elections? Putting the cart before the horse? Creation of misleading public opinion is neither honesty nor wisdom.
Do we need a silent, peaceful revolution? The right types of missing platforms have to be erected; before going into details. Media has a role to play; although indirectly (negative publicity has a harmful effect, turning crooks into saints and heroes).
A. Mawaz,
Dhaka.
^ TOP OF THIS PAGE ^ MAIN PAGE
|
