A task force in a report has suggested fielding anti-goon squad to check widespread extortions largely blamed for affecting every sphere of life and a ban on campus politics.
The 12-member task force led by KAS Murshid, former director general of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, also suggested closing down the Financial Institutions Division, introducing a special bench for money-related cases, a separate entity of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines under private management, among others, for redesigning the economic strategies.
Indicating abortive attempts in the past to check extortions, Murshid at a briefing on Monday said that they recommended fielding anti-goon squad out of frustration.
鈥楽omething should be done to disturb the extortionists,鈥� he said, highlighting that extortion became entrenched and extended beyond public services to markets, transportation systems and construction sites.
Planning adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud who also participated in the briefing held at the Planning Commission said that the task force would be a success if any of its recommendations was implemented.
He made the observation while answering to a question whether it is possible to implement the recommendations by bureaucrats who are allegedly offering less cooperation with the current reform initiatives take by the interim government.
Wahiduddin lamented that none of the recommendations under a previous task force led by economist Rehman Sobhan was implemented.
The task force in which Wahidiuddin was also a member was formed after the fall of the military dictator Ershad鈥檚 regime in 1990.
The current task force on re-strategising the economy and mobilising resources for equitable and sustainable development submitted its report to chief adviser Muhamamad Yunus on January 30.
Asked to comment on the recommendation for a ban on the campus politics, Murshid said that they always wanted students participating in opinion building and taking part in policy making.
But the way students and teachers are involved in so-called politics to control colleges and universities should be stopped, he said.
Wahiduddin added that for the first time in the country鈥檚 history, much space had been created in management of halls after they came under authorities of universities with the fall of fascist regime of Awami League on August 5, 2024 amid a student-led mass uprising.
Students who are used for controlling educational institutions by political parties are not acceptable, he said.
Most of the other members of the task force said that they suggested closure of the FID for the restoration of regulatory independence of the Bangladesh Bank.
CPD executive director Fahmida Khatun said that incapable bureaucrats were appointed as BB governor in the past to reduce the regulatory role of the central bank.
The planning adviser appreciated the recommendation for transforming controversial Boat Club operated by former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed, now a fugitive, into a research centre.
Calling the place ideal for researchers from home and abroad, he informed that once he had tried to enter into the club to see its interior setting just out of curiosity.
鈥業 was refused to enter into the club,鈥� he said.
Calling the national flag carrier Biman as losing concern, he lauded the task force recommendation for setting a parallel company to be run by foreign private management.
