EDITORIAL : THE DAILY STAR, BANGLADESH

         

 

Ministerial absenteeism in JS

A blow to functioning of parliament

Irked by 80 per cent of the ministers remaining absent from budget discussion Tuesday, a member of parliament came down heavily on what he saw as ministerial absenteeism. It is learnt that ministers' attendance in parliament ranges between 40 and 60 per cent. While the prime minister and Leader of the House despite her busy schedules could make time to attend parliamentary discussions regularly, absenteeism of others comes to bold relief . And the persistent issue of lack of quorum, not to speak of the Opposition's frequent boycott of the JS, completes the erosion of parliament as an institution and a cornerstone of democracy.

In a manner of speaking the JS has been reduced to two-member House in that whatever the prime minister commands is followed by Awami League lawmakers, while whatever the Opposition leader says and does the BNP MPs abide by. Small wonder in place of lively and worthwhile debates on issues one often finds much of MPs' speeches is filled with introductory remarks of expression of loyalty to the leader of the House.

The favourite theme in the ruling party is whatever is being said and done by the party in power is an example of unmixed good. On the other hand, all that had been said and done during the BNP rule deserved to be condemned.

The above is a narrative of the gradual decline of parliament as a vibrant and a functional institution of democracy. It is a House of the people which cannot be denigrated and rendered dysfunctional either by absentee ruling party MPs or by boycotting opposition.

And finally, they must live up to their given roles as the elected representatives of their constituencies and the trust of the electorate vested in them.

Import of scrap ships

Enforce rules strictly

We had been alerted to contaminated ships heading towards our shores in the recent past. That Bangladesh coasts have become a dumping ground for contaminated scrap ships is an impression difficult to be brushed aside.

There has been marked increase in import of scrap ships over the last four years. Seventy one No Objection Certificates (NOCs) were issued by the Shipping Directorate for import of old ships in only forty one working days from April 7 to June 7, this year. Moreover, a whopping 23 NOCs were given in just one day.

All these in defiance of the High Court orders banning import of old ships without environment clearance documents from concerned authorities. In addition, the court also set 18 conditions to be met by the importers prior to import of old ships, including, meeting safety requirements of the workers and the yards and opening of training centre for them. The directives have been dodged by the concerned authorities and the business operators.

A high official of the Shipping directorate informs that it is not possible to scrutinize a ship before it arrives. On arrival, it is thoroughly examined by members of special committee and if found free of hazardous elements and meeting other conditions it is then allowed to berth in the yard.

However, it is most unlikely that the operators are meeting the requirements set by the court. There have been dreadful accidents in the ship breaking yards; there are hardly any safety measures in operation for the workers; and there is no training arrangements for them as of today, not to speak of poor pay and service conditions of the workers.

By importing toxic ships just for business gain we are not only damaging our environment but also endangering human lives.

The shipping and environment ministry and the business operators have vital roles to play in organizing this industry along proper lines. They should come up with a policy with utmost consideration to health and environment factors, ensure strict implementation of business rules and most notably, stop malpractice in the sector.