Unrestrained criticism will not guarantee good governance: seminar

Speakers at an international seminar have called for stopping 'unbridled criticism' and working responsibly to ensure democracy and good governance.

The Prime Minister's Economic Affairs Advisor Mashiur Rahman on Thursday said good governance acted as the "clearing house" for the government to make good decisions.

He said "mutual mistrust" hindered the government's efforts to work properly.

"Careless criticism only triggers tension. Everyone must act responsibly to ensure clarity, accountability and good governance," Rahman added.

Canadian High Commission's Chargé d'affaires Brian Allemekinders said Bangladesh needed to ensure good governance and eliminate corruption to become a middle-income country.

He stressed that good governance was key to democracy and development.

Allemekinders highlighted the Awami League-led alliance's victory in the Jan 5 polls boycotted by the BNP and also the violence in the run-up to elections.

The government has shot down the BNP's demand for an interim election supervised by a 'neutral body'.

Former caretaker government advisor Wahiduddin Mahmud said, "Bangladesh's performance in ensuring civil and human rights is still poor although the government has accomplished many things.

"However, the country is gradually progressing on socio-economic indices despite a lack of good governance."

Mahmud observed that a large sum of government allocation in the 'social safety' sector never made it to the grassroots level due to partisan politics, lack of good governance and irregularities.

He said the socio-economic development initiatives undertaken in the 80s were yielding results.

The economist advocated moving ahead to address problems while maintaining this achievement.