Dhaka //

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) believes that the interim government’s efficiency and action plan in managing the administration after the fall of the Awami League government are lacking.

The organization said that the government lacks a strategy and roadmap.

The organization mentioned these in its research paper at a press conference organized at the Midas Center in Dhanmondi on Monday afternoon on the occasion of ‘New Bangladesh: Observations of 100 Days after the Fall of the Authoritarian Government’. The research paper was read by the organization’s chief researcher Shahzada M Akram.

The TIB research report at the press conference said that on the one hand, the new government has taken office and an unprecedented opportunity has been created to build a ‘New Bangladesh’ through state reforms and new political and social agreements. Where the multidimensional basis of the interim government’s power and the role of stakeholders will play an important role in the transformation.

The organization said that there are multifaceted challenges and risks on the path of the government. The opportunity to formulate the necessary strategies and roadmaps in a timely manner to implement the responsibilities entrusted to the interim government has not been taken, which is still absent.

Stating that there is controversy over the appointment of judges and government advisors, the TIB said that various important decisions, including the ad hoc tendency in government decision-making, the formation of advisory councils and the distribution of responsibilities, have been controversial.

The TIB also said that the government’s lack of efficiency and action plans in managing the administration has been observed, and there has been a lack of coordination among the government’s responsible persons in decision-making.

TIB’s research on occupation and trade in various places after the fall of the government says that the culture of occupation and domination is still ongoing in almost every case. It can be seen that one group of vested interests and party formation has been replaced/changed by another group.

TIB also mentioned in their research paper that there is a noticeable lack of patience on the part of various stakeholders, including political parties, in giving the government the necessary time for reforms.

The organization said that after the change of direction, the move to close down some media outlets, including targeted attacks and threats, on the media is posing a threat to media freedom. Gender, religious, cultural and ethnic diversity is under threat due to violence and force.

The TIB study also said that India’s failure to accept the reality of the fall of authoritarianism and its missteps have increased the risk for the government and the country in terms of strained diplomatic relations with India.

While the international community’s attitude towards the interim government is positive, there is concern that the proposed economic assistance, especially the conditions related to loan assistance from organizations such as the World Bank, ADB and IMF, will create additional debt repayment obligations, especially with interest, according to the TIB.