Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) unveiled its electoral manifesto vision 2030 in hotel Westin of capital Dhaka in 10th May, 2017. The vision comprised of total 256 articles to complete its vision. BNP planned to transform Bangladesh into a higher middle income country by 2030 and the party planned to make few administrative reforms.
The key pointsof vision 2030 is review of Constitutional changes during AL government since 2009, curbing Prime Ministers power and balancing power between Prime Minister and President, Starting Ombudsman, Examination of the plan to introduce two-chamber JS. All students' Union election will be introduced including DUCSU elections. Reforms promised to be made in Public Administration and Police service. Improvement of information technology and research development will be ensured in every sector.
But curbing Prime Ministers power and introducing two chamber JS needs Constitutional changes. BNP also wants to balance between power of President and Prime Minister. To make Constitutional changes the party will need two-third majority in the Parliament.
If they cannot win two-third majority in the parliament, BNP will fail to amend the provisions of the Constitutions. Two-third majority in the Parliament is a must for the reforms of BNP. BNP also wants to restore referendum system in the Constitution and participatory Governance system.
The proposals are enough good and to meet the people's expectations. Many proposals like free Wi-Fi zone to schools, unemployment benefit to educated youth with other social security beneficiaries and residential facilities for lower income groups like Garment workers promised Bangladesh to make a developed country. Gross National Income as $5000 dollar is too ambitious to attain. Research and Development facilities also promised to increase for further development of various sectors.
BNP will make freedom fighters and martyred list in independence war in 1971 transparently. The monthly allowance of freedom fighters will be increased as per commodity price. Quota for freedom fighters grandson, granddaughter will be abolished. Quota will be remained only for the sons and daughters of freedom fighters, ethnic communities and women. Currently excessive quota system dominates recruitment of Government jobs.
Bangladesh had become champion of corruption according to Transparency International's report for five consecutive times while BNP were in office from 2001-2005. The new vision says BNP will be against corruption and try to reduce corruption from every sector.BNP wants to abolish Special power act 1974, ICT acts 57 number provision if they are voted to power. Journalist duo Sagor-Runi and all other journalist murder case will be trialed if they can come to power.
BNP wants to start new style politics of cooperation with opposition political parties. The Vision 2030 also promised to appoint Deputy Speaker of Parliament and many Parliamentary standing committee President will be made from opposition political parties.
The Parliamentary standing committee President will be given as equal status to state Minister to strengthen Parliamentary activities. Examination of two houses National Parliament draws huge attention as it is a new concept in Bangladesh.
BNP's vision 2030 has been well accepted by the people, civil society members and political parties. This Vision 2030 ensures that they will participate in the next national Parliamentary election. AL politically opposed the vision in the day of the visions disclosure. Finance Minister AMA Muhith acclaimed the vision for the welfare of people.
TIB Director Dr. Ifftekharujjaman and other civil society members are concerned about the practicability of achieving the vision. The provision of Ombudsman has been stated in the Constitution since the inception of Constitution in 1972. But the elected and unelected Governments of Bangladesh failed to introduce Ombudsman.
BNP were in Government power for several times. Would they become able to introduce Ombudsman? Ombudsman is described in article 77 of the People's Republic of Bangladesh's Constitution to oversee Governments activities.
Reform in the police administration is good initiative. Many times police don't take case of opposition people or poor people. BNP proposed online GD system and online monitoring the activities of police force.
BNP also planned to make administrative reform. It's a shame for Bangladesh that there is no act for Public Administration. Current Awami League Government made a draft of Public Administration act in 2010. The draft of Public Administration act yet to get final approval to be implemented as act. As there is no guideline for the administration yet, the administration has been politicized over the years.
BNP planned to introduce e-governance in every sphere of governance. Recruitment, promotion, training facilities of administrators will be ensured from above political consideration. Public Administration act might be introduced to ensure effective and competent administration.
Unemployment benefits will be given to educated youths. It's a good proposal for taking work less educated youths under social security. BNP proposed various technical education and practical professional training to curb Unemployment. Other social security benefits of old age allowance, widow allowance and disabled allowance will be increased as per the price of necessary commodities. BNP proposed a pension fund for private sector employees.
This vision normally targets young voters in the coming election. However, BNP don't demanded Caretaker Government system for the coming election in their vision. It is a good sign that they are planning to prepare themselves in taking part in Parliamentary election under the current Constitutional framework.
The writer is a member of Jahangirnagar University Journalist Association and Joint Secretary of Rotaract Club of Jahangirnagar. He can be contacted at
[email protected]
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