In the grip of crises

Waterline will remain suspended unless 'proper authority' is 'pleased' adequately. Similarly, until meter reader of electricity supply authority is satisfied with his demands, ghost electricity bill will land on the desk of the consumer. In this connection, reference may be made to a news item appeared in The Daily Star with regard to gas meter reader, who slashes out one crore taka in charity every year. No file in the secretariat or in the Department of Roads and Highways will move unless proper authorities are duly buttered up. This is real picture of the state of affairs in the country. We do not have to see the state of affairs through the prism of international transparency. The government is fully aware of this unhealthy situation but remedial or punitive action has not yet been initiated against any one concerned so far.

Killing and extortion have become rampant. Kidnapping of business people has added a new dimension to the present unhealthy chaotic situation in the country. The government as of now has not succeeded in rescuing kidnapped business personalities, which shows failure of the administration in maintaining law and order. Exporters and importers are also having problems with customs officials. Without parting with a piece of the cake no clearance is given to export or import consignments, which in fact hamper the interest of business people and thus deprives the government of revenue in the form of tax. The petty business people are generally suffering.

Recent statement to electronic media by the State Minister for Home Affairs that the crime situation has improved is diametrically opposite the picture that we receive, during holy Ramadan, about the killing spree including that of activists of the ruling BNP and vandalism by unruly garment workers at Narayanganj, not to speak of Bashkhali and Pabna carnage. The law and order situation has deteriorated alarmingly in the country, surpassing the record of previous Awami League government. The voters cast their valuable votes in favour of BNP in 2001 only because of its pledges to get rid of corruption and for improvement of law and order situation. But alas! The people have to become frustrated again.

The entire country is today passing through unprecedented crises -- price hike of essential commodities, lawlessness, mal-administration, corruption and smuggling. The life of the general masses is at stake. The people ridden with problems and poverty are now at a loss what to do in such situation hitherto unknown to them.

The law and order situation will continue to deteriorate unless main problems of youth community are identified and addressed properly and judiciously. Presently, it seems the society is been divided into two groups: the haves and have-nots -- powerful and powerless. Dhaka city itself presents a glaring example. Skyrise residential buildings and shopping malls in posh areas surrounded by shanties, and of slums not very far away. The gap between the rich and the poor is increasing every day. Majority the youth community feel deprived of job opportunities. The scope of going abroad in search of job has also been shrinking. No measure has been adopted by the government to re-employ young and energetic workers the shut down mills. Absence of good governance, rise of lawlessness and of continuing political instability are holding back investment in the country which has caused economic stagnancy.

Workers, on the other hand, are being exploited by corrupt political elements to meet their selfish interest. Trade union leaders are also exploiting innocent and uneducated work force to get wealthy themselves. Politically exploited work force in the mills and factories are, by and large, responsible for making the industries losing concerns.

The administration should have dealt with this menace duly instead of pampering them to seek their votes and line up in the Paltan Maidan to raise their voices in favour of the political leaders. Regrettably, we have noted that both the major political parties have miserably failed to deliver goods to the country.

This is one side of the story. The improvement of law and order also lies with the separation of judiciary from the administration. There should not be any interference in judiciary by the administration to bring the criminals to justice. Judgement of the court should be executed as promptly as possible without any grudge. It is a constitutional obligation to separate judiciary in the interest of the people.

Some one should take a lead to make the country free from corruption, nepotism. The people are looking forward to welcome only those who can run this country honestly and sincerely.

Mohammad Amjad Hossain is a former diplomat.