Biman grounded

Corruption is so entrenched that any shopper can go to Baitul Mukarrum market (footpath stalls) and buy many items available in the Biman stores. The sudden strike by BB staff without adequate notice needs deterrent action in the way union regulations are formulated and implemented (the political parties depend too much on labour union support).

Not only the basic structure of Bangladesh Biman has to be restructured, but the moral rearmament of the civil service has to be re-anchored. It is too late one year before the general elections.

The regime has other problems: violent religious politics. It reveals lack of political vision and foresight. Reap your own harvest! Jute, airlines and sugar industries are in sunset years. More will follow, as it is too late to stem the negative trend. The cost of doing business has gone up, and the cost of public services has also risen.

Unless politics becomes open-ended, there is no end to our troubles. A grey garland is like a cordon (no entry or exit for outsiders). Delivering speeches on physical development projects is not going to get us out of the woods.