Pledge for trial of war criminals, free health care, metro and circular water way in AL election manifesto

by Wahidur Rahman
December 16, 2008

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/139/pledge-for-trial-of-war-criminals-free-health

AL central working committee approved the party's manifesto for the December 29 general elections, with pledges of food security and economic emancipation on its agenda.

Awami-League pledged to continue the ongoing drive against corruption, employment for one youth in every family, take measures for agricultural and industrial development and trial of war criminals.

The manifesto said, if voted to power, AL would ensure employment of a youth in every family across the country. AL will create employment targeting young people as 30% of the total voters are young. Later, AL Chief, Sheikh Hasina made it public through local media. AL would do its best to increase food production for food security, increase power generation by up to 2000 Megawatt and increase agricultural production with adequate subsidy in the sector. Community Health Clinics introduced during AL rule [1996-2001] which were shut down by BNP government in their term would be resumed if people entrust them with their verdict in favor of AL through upcoming election on December 29, 2008. They also pledged to provide health care for all freedom fighters for free.

AL would not pass any laws or formulate any regulations which run contradict to the Qur'an and the SUNNAH. Anti-Corruption Commission would be strengthened to reduce corruption and keeping it beyond any political purposes. AL would continue the ongoing drive against militancy.

AL would introduce a system for the prime minister, ministers and members of parliament to disclose their wealth every year. They will withdraw all false cases against journalists.

AL president Sheikh Hasina and other party leaders started their election campaign officially through visiting the Holy shrines of great saints, Shahjalal [RA] Shahfaran [RA] at Sylhet.

To turn the capital Dhaka into a modern city and free it from bad congestion, Underground Railway [subway] will be installed and the circular waterway reintroduced.

If voted to power, AL would propose and initiate the establishment of a South Asian task force to combat the growing menace of terrorism in the region.

Sheikh Hasina at the meeting engaged party leaders, who were not nominated, in election-related jobs and withdrew the expulsion orders on party leaders, who were expelled or barred from party activities after the 2001 elections.

AL will outline a strategy paper containing both mid-term and long-term plans to implement its election pledges, says the manifesto.

AL also promises construction of hanging bridges on the Padma and Karnaphuli rivers, connecting Bangladesh with Asian Highway and railway, and building a deep-sea port. It also promises to take an initiative to formulate a comprehensive regional water policy with India, Nepal and Bhutan for regional water security.

AL also pledges100% enrolment at primary-level education and supply of pure drinking water for all will be ensured by 2011. Besides, they pledge to make the country self-reliant in food, bring each house under hygienic sanitation, increase annual growth rate to 8% and generate 7000 megawatt of electricity by 2013.

Bangladesh Awami-League's vision:

AL election manifesto also includes party's vision for 2020 and 2021. They plan a grand celebration of hundredth anniversary of the birth of the great leader of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and golden jubilee of the country's independence respectively. It may be noted, in 2021, Bangladesh will enter its 50th year of independence. 100% literacy rate and 10% annual growth rate by 2017 includes in its vision. AL's aim is poverty elimination, not reduction, says the manifesto. Nutritional needs of 85% of the people and housing for all will be ensured by this time.

No anti-Islamic law if AL voted to power:

Matia Chowdhury, presidium member of Awami League says, the party will not formulate any anti-Islamic law if voted to power since the party is committed to restoring the image of Islam as a religion of peace and equality. Ms. Chowdhury said, AL strongly opposes the forces that use the name of Islam for political purposes. "The extremists have tarnished the image of Islam as a religion of peace. Awami League will do everything to restore the image of Islam," Ms. Chowdhury said.

AL's Election manifesto in the eyes of the economists:

According to the economists, the problem with the manifesto, however, is elsewhere i.e., in the question of implementation and financing.

Its target for an 8 percent GDP growth by 2013 in medium term and 10 percent by 2017, reduction of poverty to 25 percent from the current 45 percent in five years, massive social safety network, village level rationing, employment schemes for the jobless, all sound good. But as said before, the problem lies with implementation and financing. Looking at the total manifesto, a part of it needs political will and a part -- economic acumen. The AL showed its political will in the past by signing the Ganges deal and the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Treaty. It will need such wills again for realizing the intentions of joining the Asian Highway and Railway, and building the deep seaport.

Bangladesh has been striving for an 8 percent growth for quite some time, but that dream figure is yet to be achieved. Besides corruption and lack of infrastructure, what has held Bangladesh back from arriving at the figure is the lack of investment. Investment in the past was at best around 24 percent of the GDP. To reach the 8 percent figure, it will need an investment of at least about 32 percent of GDP, a big jump and a daunting task. This will need a bigger Annual Development Program, which should not be a big issue. The hurdle would be to improve implementation capability, which despite years of efforts remains dismal. A tumbling ADP would also mean a crumbling GDP growth. And in a time of deepening global economic crisis, 8 percent still might look lofty.

The manifesto makes a number of ambiguous and difficult policy choices such as an expanded safety net program such as rationing and free education up to the undergraduate level. First, these options call for mustering a huge public finance. The tax-GDP ratio has been almost stagnant around 11% for the past few years. There should be a strong framework to convince others that it would see a magical improvement. At a time of difficult global outlook, with foreign financing uncertain, ambitions and targets can easily get beaten down.

Perhaps the most time-bound target set in the manifesto is the power production included in the top five priority issues. The party categorically says by 2011 power production would be increased to 5,000 megawatt (mw) and by 2013 it would be further increased to 7,000 megawatt. Such a goal seems uninspiring in light of the POWER SYSTEM MASTER PLAN. PSMP aims at 7000 Mega Watt power generation in 2011 and around 8500 Mega Watt in 2013, in order to ensure POWER FOR ALL BY 2020, 'a popular slogan'. Even if target is achieved, the country will still not have a power surplus but it will cover the main power demand of the country.

The present power demand is around 5200 mega Watt, while the Power Development Board is providing only 3800 Mega Watt, while its actual capacity is around 4200 Mega Watt. AL speaks of a three-year crash program that covers new large and small power generation, plus power import from neighboring countries having power surplus, also repair and overhauling of old power plants to increase power production. This is perhaps the first time a political party is talking about power import which is most likely from India or Bhutan.

The AL also promises implementation of ROOPPUR Nuclear Power Project, prioritizing oil and gas exploration, increasing gas and LPG supply, and arranging gas supply to the north and western regions of the country. Special initiatives are promised to ensure economic use of the coal available so far, and also to develop coal-based power plants. Priorities are set for exploration and exploitation of new coal fields and other mineral resources. These are the burning issues for both oil and coal sector investors as well as for pressure and rights groups, who are all now waiting for a political government's decision. The manifesto seems to have taken this interest into cognizance.

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