Home ›› 20 Dec 2022 ›› Governance
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Monday rolled out a 27-point of ‘Structural Reform of the State’ — proposing radical changes to the state system including balancing the executive powers of the president, prime minister and the Cabinet, and introduction of the upper house of legislature.
The party standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain at a press conference at Westin Dhaka hotel read out the points prioritising the formation of government of national unity ousting the Awami League government.
The outline proposed limiting stay in office of the president and prime minister for maximum of two consecutive terms.
The outline also proposed formation of a ‘national reconciliation commission’ based on nationalism to implement the party's elusive dream of a ‘Rainbow Nation’ – a country of diverse races and cultures and far away from conflicts and divisiveness.
The outline has been prepared in line with BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman's ‘19-Points’ and BNP's ‘Vision 2030’ declared by party chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
Senior BNP leaders, leaders of like-minded parties and intelligentsia were also present at the press conference where the party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman also spoke joining it virtually from London.
A brief outline of the proposed structural reforms
1. A ‘Constitution Reform Commission’ will be set up to repeal/amend all unreasonable, controversial and undemocratic constitutional amendments.
2. An inclusive ‘Rainbow Nation’ will be established based on Bangladeshi nationalism, as opposed to the politics of vengeance. A ‘National Reconciliation Commission’ will be formed in this regard.
3. An ‘Election Time Non-party Care-Taker Government’ system will be introduced.
4. The executive power of the President, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers will be balanced.
5. No one shall serve as the President and the Prime Minister for more than two consecutive terms.
6. In addition to the existing legislative system, an 'Upper House of the Legislature' will be established to run the state with expertise.
7. The issue of amendment of Article 70 of the constitution will be examined, in order to ensure scope to the Members of the Parliament to express an independent opinion in the Parliament.
8. The existing ‘Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Appointment Act, 2022’ shall be amended.
9. All constitutional, statutory and public institutions will be reconstituted.
10. Effective independence of judiciary will be ensured.
11. An ‘Administrative Reforms Commission’ shall be set up for restructuring the administration.
12. A 'Media Commission' will be set up for comprehensive reforms.
13. There will be no compromise on corruption. A white paper will be published on investigating money-laundering and corruption. ‘Ombudsman’ will be appointed as given under the constitution.
14. Rule of law will be established at all levels. Human rights will be implemented as per Universal Human Rights Charter.
15. An ‘Economic Reforms Commission’ consisting of experts will be constituted.
16. Every individual will enjoy the right to perform respective religious activities based on the principle of ‘Religion belongs to respective individual; state belongs to all.’
17. Fair wages of the working class will be ensured in keeping with inflation.
18. All black laws including the Indemnity Act in the power, energy and mineral sector will be
repealed.
19. The national interest of Bangladesh will be given the highest priority in case of foreign relations. No terrorist activity shall be tolerated on the soil of Bangladesh. Stern measures shall be taken against terrorism, extremism and militancy. The use of terrorism as political tool to suppress the dissents and opposition political parties by misusing the anti-terrorist law will be stopped. This will facilitate identify the real terrorists and ensure punishment under the
process of law.
20. The Armed Forces shall be appropriately developed imbibed with the supreme spirit of patriotism for safeguarding the sovereignty of the country.
21. Local government institutions will be made more independent, strong and empowered for greater decentralization of power.
22. A list of the martyrs of the liberation war will be prepared under state initiative.
23. Modern and time-befitting youth development policies will be formulated in keeping with the vision, thoughts and aspirations of the youth. Unemployed educated youth will be given 'Unemployment Allowance' till he/she gets employed, or for one year, whichever occurs earlier. Increase in age-limit for entry into the government service will be considered in keeping with the international standard.
24. Specific programs will be adopted to ensure women-empowerment.
25. Need-based and knowledge-based education will be given priority.
26. Based on the principle of ‘health for all’, universal health care will be introduced in line with ‘NHS’ in the United Kingdom.
27. Fair price of agricultural produce will be ensured.
