Debapriya says reforms lost momentum
Centre for Policy Dialogue distinguished fellow Debapriya Bhattacharya stated that bureaucrats and advisers failed to advance the chief adviser’s reform agenda effectively. The economist told reporters on Thursday that initial momentum from economic white papers and task force formations stalled without proper follow-through. He addressed journalists after a Citizen’s Platform regional consultation meeting at a Sylhet hotel.
Bhattacharya emphasized that election manifestos must guarantee reform continuity for the incoming government to maintain progress toward middle-income nation goals. He described opposition to reforms as an alliance that could be dismantled through manifesto commitments. The current administration cannot finish all initiatives before its term ends and must document completed work alongside remaining tasks.
The economist criticized past infrastructure focus that neglected teacher and student quality improvements in educational institutions. He termed the economic system’ flunkey capitalism,’ which produced corruption through the exploitation of the state apparatus by anti-reform cronies. He acknowledged the difficulty of implementing reform despite easier design phases.
Professor Mustafizur Rahman noted that political parties have historically broken campaign promises but expressed optimism about change following last July’s transformation. The Citizen’s Manifesto will incorporate discussion perspectives from meeting participants. Bhattacharya characterized the interim government period as a transitional transformation.
