Standing on the ruins we are now starting everything anew. We are reforming the state to establish a democratic system ensuring everyone's rights. The countrymen still have full trust in the interim government to carry out this difficult job. There is no alternative but to succeed of the interim government after the fall of the fascist government. The government has already resolved many problems. However, two issues continue to embarrass the government. One is law and order, and the other is economic stagnation. Various forces are working to maintain the law and order. But there has been virtually no initiative to vibrant the economy. Private investors, industrialists, and businesspersons, the main driving forces of the economy, are not receiving the necessary support. There has been no new private investment in the country in the last seven months. As a result, there has been no new employment in the private sector. Factories are shutting down one after another. Many business organizations are becoming weak. There are no new industrial initiatives. Businesspeople are voicing their concerns to relevant individuals or organizations. They have expressed expectations of full cooperation from the government. But nobody is listening to them. No action is being taken to resolve their problems. The finance adviser himself said that the country's economy is on the brink. In the new Bangladesh, if our industry is destroyed, and businessmen and industrialists are unable to survive, then neighbouring India will benefit. In this situation, the question arises – who profits from the destruction of trade and industry? In whose interest are businessmen and industrialists being made opponents?
Since the country’s independence, the interim government has had more economic experts. The head of the interim government Dr Muhammad Yunus is an economist and social business pioneer. He has created a global impact through social business. Finance adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, planning adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, and Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur are economic giants. I think no one would dare to challenge their expertise in economics. Many of their students are leading economic direction across the world. Despite that, why do the country's businessmen and industrialists have to go from door to door for help? Why are they not receiving proper support, security, and incentives? Everyone knows that it will not be possible to build a stable democratic country without the business community. In the past, under the previous state system in Bangladesh, it was only with indirect or direct payments to the government and its associates that a businessman could run a business. Only the victims know the fact. Businessmen were forced to do many things under pressure. All those who are in the government now, are realizing that. Despite that, businessmen are still under pressure. In the past, various unethical pressures were applied to businessmen to keep them in favour of the government. Businessmen were forced to attend various events with the prime minister and make promises under pressure from the intelligence agencies. They were forced to extend support and loyalty to the government. Although the mastermind of that syndicate, Salman F Rahman, is now in jail, other associates of the fascist government like former finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal (Lotus Kamal), former secretaries of the Finance and Banking Division, former Bangladesh Bank Governors -- Dr Atiur Rahman, Fazle Kabir, and Abdur Rauf Talukder, former NBR chairman Abul Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem, and former Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Moinuddin Abdullah, remain out of justice. Former minister Saifuzzaman was one of the businessmen who laundered money from the country with state sponsorship. He has 360 houses in London. S Alam looted the banks with state sponsorship. Those who looted the country and fled abroad, are safe and now joying their life. On the other hand, industrialists who have created factories and provided employment for millions of people, striving to stimulate the economy, are now facing an adverse situation. Many factories, built with the hard work of industrialists, are now shutting down, and they are not receiving the assurance of new investments. As a result, they are losing investment interest. The country’s economy will not recover by relying solely on remittances and the garment industry. For this reason, the government should move forward with the businessmen and industrialists.
This is the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is an Arabic word. Its root is Ra-Mim-Da'ud. Its Arabic meaning is extreme heat, intense sunlight, burning, thirst, and melting. During Ramadan, due to righteous deeds, all past sins are forgiven and dissolved. For this reason, this month is named Ramadan. Ramadan is a month of mercy, blessings, and forgiveness. Therefore, this month is very important to everyone. People are eager to maximize the benefits of this month. Everyone sincerely wishes to purify themselves and begin a pious life. Regarding the significance of fasting, Almighty Allah said, “Fasting is exclusively for me, and I will give its reward.”
Unfortunately, there is no sign of self-purification to be seen during such a blessed month. Even non-Muslims all over the world respect fasting and fasting individuals. They offer special discounts on food and various daily essentials during Ramadan. But in our country, the opposite is happening. In our country, Ramadan has become a business season. All do business during Ramadan. A Tk 5 lemon becomes Tk 20. Cucumber becomes Tk 100 from Tk 50 per kg. Many essential products disappear from the markets. Adulterated food is served for Iftar. After all, there is no product whose price doesn’t increase during Ramadan. Whether it is elite shopping malls, small markets, or street shoppers, the same excuse is given "It’s Ramadan, so the price is higher." This price hike may not matter much for rich people. But the country has also middle, lower-middle, and impoverished groups. The high cost of daily necessities during Ramadan is a punishment to them. If the government had held a meeting with the importers of consumer goods at least a month before the start of Ramadan and sought their cooperation in controlling the market, the situation could have improved. Because all businessmen want the success of the interim government. But no such initiative was taken by the government.
Revolutionaries have formed a new political party named the National Citizen Party (NCP) in order to reform the state and society and establish the rule of law. NCP's convener Nahid Islam said that a constituent assembly election and a new Constitution are necessary to build the new republic. The NCP will work to fulfil the aspirations of the country’s Liberation War and all democratic movements.
Akhtar Hossain, member secretary of the NCP, said that the original motto of independence remains unfulfilled. The NCP is committed to implementing it. The party will operate as a centrist entity, avoiding the division between leftists and rightists.
No matter what commitments the NCP leadership makes, the countrymen have still trust in them. The countrymen have accepted the youths with great hope to build a new country. They have seen the capacity of revolutionaries on August 5. Youths united the country and bid farewell to the fascist government. All 217 members of the National Citizen Party were at the forefront of the revolution. Thousands of others were their associates. The interim government is the result of the blood and sweat of the revolutionaries. If this government succeeds, the revolutionaries will be honoured and proud. If it fails, the revolutionaries will get the pain most. The dream of thousands of martyrs and thousands of injured will remain unfulfilled. Now the main job of the revolutionaries’ party is to work for the success of the government. There is gossip that another government is working within the government. Keeping the government of Dr Yunus behind is the ill effort of the inner government. This inner government is the key player creating distance between the government and the industrialists and businessmen. If the National Citizen Party takes the initiative to bridge the gap between the government and the industrialists and businesspersons, it will have a positive impact on the economy. Businessmen’s fear will disappear. The country’s trade and commerce will become vibrant. Private investments will increase. New employment will be created. The path to build a new Bangladesh will be smoothed which is crucial at this moment.
Writer: Executive Editor, Bangladesh Pratidin. He can be reached at [email protected]
