During the previous government, the country’s administration was politically hostage, claimed the head of the white paper drafting committee. Devapriya Bhattacharya.
He made this demand in a briefing of the white paper drafting committee organized at the NEC conference room in Agargaon of the capital on Sunday (November 3).
Today the White Paper Committee discussed with 85 high level officials of the government. 32 secretaries and senior secretaries were present in the meeting. He briefed the journalists after that meeting.
In the briefing, he said that the administration was politically hostage during the Awami League government. The then secretaries and senior secretaries told the white paper drafting committee that there was political influence in accepting and implementing the project for looting money. Debapriya Bhattacharya also said that now they have demanded the opportunity to work independently.
Dr. Devapriya Bhattacharya said that the government officials said that irregularities in the purchase of land were found before the project was taken up. Corruption has been committed to buy the necessary equipment for the project. Irregularities have also been done in the appointment of contractors.
He said that there was political influence in approving all the projects during the previous government. At that time, the discourse created in the name of development, if anyone does anything against it, action has been taken against him.
The speakers in the discussion said that they were all victims of the situation. They also said that some were victims of harassment. Debapriya Bhattacharya said that the weakness of the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Department (IMED) under the Ministry of Planning needs to be cut and accountability will be ensured if the establishment of democracy and the ongoing reform work are done properly.
The head of the White Paper Committee said that the White Paper will be handed over to the Chief Advisor soon. The government will then decide what to do about it.
In the briefing, why the professional associations of the bureaucrats could not provide protection, in response to the question of the White Paper Committee, they said that the professional structure of the bureaucracy was dismantled. Organizations were factionalized. Organizational leaders became part of opportunistic politics. As a result, there was no opportunity to play a joint role.
Debapriya Bhattacharya said, in many cases, corruption has occurred due to the three-way connection between development administration officials, politicians and businessmen.
Some specific projects were also discussed in today’s meeting; Like hi-tech park, Karnaphuli tunnel, energy sector, social security, revenue collection, role of Bangladesh Bank. The role of the government in the banking system and the appointment of directors of state-owned banks were also discussed, said Dr. Devapriya Bhattacharya.
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Interview between Time.news Editor and Dr. Devapriya Bhattacharya
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Bhattacharya. Your recent statements during the briefing of the white paper drafting committee have sparked considerable discussion. You mentioned that the previous government held the administration “politically hostage.” Can you elaborate on what you meant by that?
Dr. Devapriya Bhattacharya: Certainly. What I meant by “politically hostage” is that during the tenure of the Awami League government, there was significant political influence over bureaucratic decisions. Many government officials have shared with us that their ability to make objective decisions was undermined by political pressures, especially in project approvals.
Time.news Editor: That’s quite a serious claim. You gathered insights from 85 high-level officials, including 32 secretaries and senior secretaries. What was the general consensus in this meeting about the politicization of administration?
Dr. Devapriya Bhattacharya: The consensus was alarming. Many officials confirmed that there was a tangible political influence in key decisions, which led to irregularities, particularly regarding project implementation and financial allocations. They reported instances of corruption in land purchases and contractor appointments, which ultimately hampered the development process.
Time.news Editor: Given these claims, what changes do you propose, especially regarding accountability within the bureaucratic system?
Dr. Devapriya Bhattacharya: We believe it is crucial to strengthen the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Department (IMED) under the Ministry of Planning. For accountability to be enforced, we need a transparent system that allows officials to operate without political pressure. Additionally, the establishment of democracy and ongoing reform efforts will play a significant role in empowering the bureaucracy to act independently.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like you’re advocating for significant systemic change. How receptive do you think the current government will be to your findings and recommendations when you present the white paper?
Dr. Devapriya Bhattacharya: While I am hopeful, the response will largely depend on the government’s commitment to genuine reform. Our white paper will be handed over to the Chief Advisor soon, which will provide an opportunity for the government to reflect on these issues seriously.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned that during the previous government, dissent against certain practices led to repercussions for officials. Can you elaborate on that culture of fear within the bureaucracy?
Dr. Devapriya Bhattacharya: Yes, the environment created during that time was one of intimidation. If anyone questioned the prevailing narratives or practices in the name of development, they often faced harassment or punitive actions. This culture suppressed honest dialogue and criticism, ultimately undermining the integrity of governance.
Time.news Editor: In light of this cultural context, what do you view as the most pressing challenges for bureaucrats today in reclaiming their independence and effectiveness?
Dr. Devapriya Bhattacharya: The primary challenge lies in overcoming the legacy of fear and restoring trust in the system. Bureaucrats must be empowered to report irregularities without fear of backlash. Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from both current leaders and advocacy from the public and civil society to create an environment where accountability can flourish.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Bhattacharya, for sharing your insights and outlining such important issues. We look forward to seeing how your recommendations evolve into actionable reforms.
Dr. Devapriya Bhattacharya: Thank you for having me. It’s essential to keep these discussions going. Only then can we hope for positive change in our governance system.