Bureaucracy & politics
Why Dhaka city's streets are so overcrowded, and parliament looks so empty? It is the political magic in Bangladesh; practised for so many decades since 1972.
The Regulatory Commission failed to click and had to be disbanded. First, the lingering effects of the past colonial rule (for 200 years); and then the iron control of the bureaucracy by the political masters; (due to the poor non-dedicated leadership at the top). The latter is imperious to changes due to the deep-rooted dynasty rules of two alternating groups; maintained to continue the umbrella effect.
It means living in the past. We Bengalees seem to be ruled by the heart, although we have good brains. There is another over-crowding effect: the high density of population (per sq km); all controlled from deeply centralized Dhaka metro capital. Bureaucracy and political governance cannot cope with such governance. It is the lack of dedication by the have-not minds. Did we achieve freedom in a too short period of time? The period of paying compound interest seems never to be ending.
An overcrowded society has the gift of the gab; and this talent is being applied negatively by the nation. The lack of elbowroom creates psychological problems; weakening national unity. the insecurity syndrome rules the days.
The reformed bureaucracy could be a powerful tool of governance, if the right reforms are carried out; and the management and administration are allowed to work in a neutral manner, in public and national interest; without political interference from the top.
But we are very sensitive to office-bearership; which encourages misuse of power. This is evident from the negative activities of the political field workers all over the country. The sense of discipline is badly eroded; and rules draw scant respect from those who wield position and power. We talk about corruption; but hardly concentrate on the hens that lay the bad eggs.
The enforcement of discipline inside the political parties is not being stressed in the media (this is a common weakness in the LDCs); and now harassment of the news media has started. The governance is easier when the average standard of living is adequate enough; but the political masters have to work harder at the foundation stages in a newly emerged nation.
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