Speakers at a seminar on Thursday expressed their concern over little participation of civil society in the government planning process especially in vision 2021 and 7th five year plan, which are being considered as graduation strategies towards becoming middle income country.
In view of Istanbul Plan of Action (IPOA) 2011, government is obliged to ensure civil society participation, they said at a seminar organized by LDC (Least Developed Country) Watch and Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD ) at the National Press Club in the city.The speakers also urged the government to address increasing inequalities along growth approach in development strategies mentioning that in view IPOA human and social development should be one of the priority areas in this regard.
Moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD; key note presentation was given by Prerna Bomzan, Advocacy Officer LDC Watch.
Among others,. State Minister for Planning and Finance Mr MA Mannan spoke, Gouri Prodhan, International Coordinator LDC Watch, Ziaul Haque Mukta of CSRL, Monowar Mostafa of Synergy Institutie, Qumrul Islam Chowdhury Secretary of National Press Club, Sayed Aminul Haque of Equity Bd, Shamima Akhter and Ferdous Ara Rumee of Rural Women Day Observation Alliance, Badrul Alam of Bangladesh Krishok Forum and Prodip K Roy of Online Knowledge Centre, spoke in the seminar.
In his addressed, State Minister MA Mannan said that Bangladesh cannot wait for overseas development assistance for her development. Domestic resource mobilization has to be increased, he added.
Prerna Bomzan from LDC Watch also emphasized the implementation of eight principles in respect of IPOA where voice and representation, human rights and balances role of state and market have been mentioned.
Monowar Mustafa mentioned that it is acceptable that domestic resource mobilisation has to be increased but it should not be mostly dependent on value added tax which is regressive to the poor.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury the moderator of the seminar mentioned that the government is now obsessed with growth and so called middle income approach, but it should not only pursue income growth but also enhancement of life standard especially with equality which should get priority. – News Desk
