CHAPTER V CHAPTER V III
8.31 Existing organisation pattern of the Ministry may continue
. " I The present Directorate of Commerce under the Commerce Division may be. appropriately reorganised' fpr taking over the additionalft *<,
t | * ^ a j * \ j * » -
fuijf.tioi'i of civil supplies.
Ministry, of Home Affaira;*
0 2 Since thiS’Ministiy deals With' important subjects, such as, public security/law' and' order, for6igners‘, ‘citizenship* nationality and press iMvs? tile’ SefifStary of Ministry Should be a seniof civil servant Tn View of'the importance cfrlato arid 6rder today, the Minister should be aided by a Minister of State.
Ministry of Industries
8.33 The existing’ functional Divisions of (1) Industries and (2) Nationalised Industries in the Ministry of Industries should continue. A new Wing for fuel supplies should be created in the Industries Division for an ,effective management of fuel supplies including coal, POL (petroleum, oil and lubricant) and gas. The industries are the major users of POL. The Ministry of Industries Should) thus, ?be made* responsible' for procurement and distribution of POL. The organisation and functions of the Nationalised Industries
^Division “may foe such fas' to enable it to effectively co-ordinate and - assist the sectp£COi;poratipns without in any way'impeding their opera
tional,autonomy. The Ministry should, retain the direct responsibility for the .supervision of. the, (i) organisational set-up,, (ii) personnel management matters, (iii) pricing policy, (iv) budgetary matters, and (v) investment of the sector corporation. It should delegate full res
ponsibility for all other matters to the corporations. This would be
•discussed in, greater Retail in- a separate .part on Public Corporation. A JVlini^ter of State, may be appointed to assist the Miriister-in-charge,
^Ilnistry of Information and Broadcasting
8.34 This Ministry consists of tw o Divisions:—
(a) Information, and
(b) Radio and Television.' • * * ' *
It may be worthwhile to examine if the Radio and T. V. could be com*
bined under a single self-financing autonomous corporation.
Ministry of Jute
8.35 In view of the importance of jute in our national economy in terms of employment potential and foreign exchange earnings, we recommend that a separate Ministry of Jute be established. This Ministry should be concerned with pricing,- processing1, marketing, export of jute and research on Jute, and jute products. For functional treasons, the cultivation of jute should remain within the pyrview ojUhe Ministry of Agriculture. The jute industry,, in case of the establish
ment of a.separate Ministry- of Jute, should be transferrd here from,the Nationalised Industries Division.
Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare
8.36 The Ministry consists of two Divisions:—
(a) Labour, and ' (b) Social Welfarfe.
This is also a clientele organisation and the present set-up may con
tinue.. ?
Ministry of Land Administration, Land Reforms and Local Govern
ment
8.37 We are of the view that the Land Administration* Land Reforms (including Land Revenue) aind Local Government should be combined into, a single Ministry to be known as the Ministry of Land Administration, Land Reforms and Local Government’consisting i!of two main ^Divisions:— '
(a) Land Administration dnd Land Reforms; and- (b) Local Government.
The Minister should be aided by a Minister of State. Traditionally, the officers connected with Land Administration have been dealing
220
with General Administration* and Local: • Government-(Aclministr atiorf.
It will he administratively more convenient Jo copibin,e Local Govern
ment w ith^aijd Administration.
i ‘ '
Ministry of Law and Parliamentary Affairs
» *
,8.38 This .Ministry has two Divisions:—
(a) Law, and
(b) Parliamentary Affairs. .
<We feel that in th,e jco.ntextiof Bangladesh, 3 Special Cell, in the L$w Biyisipn;may be established for, an ; early .adaptation of the existing ia ^ s and introducing reforms in the legal system.
(The Min^try of Natural Resources
8.39 -Apart from the Ministry of FlqodQontrol, Water Resources and Power, there is also a separate Ministry of Natural Resources, -.Scientific and Technological sRe^earch, and Atomip Epergy. We have recommended Ithat th$ Scientific) and Technological Research,Division should;be‘ transferredi'to,the Ministry o£»Educat-i;o,p.f > remaining subjects ,that;is%‘ natural!resoyrees ancJ,a)torfy;c.;energy should, be placed fuijdej^the Ministry qf Flpod-jCpj^ql* W ^fijResdurces a n d r^o \y er,;^ d sajljthese should, *be ^qjjjbjned^m fp,,,3. sin g lg j.^ lin is^ Natural .JResq^irces.
‘Th’e-'scieiitifib expidt&iotfbf the rierfvirkT'f^sources'ofBangla- d^shi^an'im pbr’tW ^u n ctio h of*‘the?f 'GoVdrnmefit. These-'resources are”yet1 Jto b'e*tapped ori" a f^ysfefriafic51'manrier orifwaP Sigtiific&ht''scale.
This calls fo r a barfefut ptariHingf and an* ecdriomld ‘use df Rattan’s lihii- ted resources. This Ministry should consist of the following 'Divi
sions:—
(a) Mineral Resources, (f>) Power, anci ' .
(c) Flood Control and "Water Resources.
The folloWihg Departnierits shoiild be attached td'this Ministry's' (i) Survey of Bangladesh,
f *tu >’ v . ■ ' i w L • .
(ii) Geological Survey 'of Bangladesh, and
(iii) Meteorological Department (from the Ministry of Defence).
8.41 ' A canVprefiensive natibhal development progfaVhme cannot be realistically conceived and implemented Without a'pow erful cata
lytic centre which provides the. motive force and leadership to the
* ‘<f S i ' -t* 1 * r i l * t i i t i i
whole endeavour. This has proved to be true of every country which has undertaken a major development programme. 'With a view to lending focus and drive to all agencies and elements' ’engaged in national socio-economic planning effort 'of BanfgladesH, ‘thefe rntast be ffreated^a %trbhgf co-ordinating arid energi&hg agency which imparts '6¥fc!atiVe sbciat afitf eeOnomib' visfon to ’ this- massive rUftdfe'rtakirf|.
Without such leadership’ -and ‘mbtiVktioir, fhe-progr'ahitffe'5 may -well flounder. Strong, imaginative, bold and vigorous political leadership is of paramount importance during this critical" period "of transition'to a socialist economic order under a parliamentary democracy.
8.42 The-‘Planning Commission, &s *it’ exists /tdday,' has nevdr Been 6ast in ;the-role-of ;&stron£ overall -planning arid programming agency. The Planning Coihmission should be broad-based iri ifs orga
nisation covering' -all major and significant sectors of life, knowledge 'and expertise. The Planning Commission created for central and National teadershipf unction should:1 (a) be located at the highest1 level in the governmental structure where it can partake of the perspective and authority q£ the Cabinet itseff and where it can transcend the inte
rests of specialised iyiini^tries; (b) be independent in its approach, and authority; and (c) be, given, the most effective support in its effort fo set up an adequate organisation and to attract the best qualified staff avail
able. >
8.43 Planning to be realistic and effective on the one h a n d /it must reflect the socio-economic goals of the political regime in power and on the other hand, it shoul4 have close links with the operating Ministries and agencies. Because of the central role It has to play in directing., the/ reconstruction and, i development programme pf , |he country, its place should be in the office of the Prime Minister. The decision to put planning under the Prime Minister is' a jnove in the Ministry of* Planning and Planning Commission,
'231
-aright direction.- B ut'there’ is«ne&l for ■u substantial overhauling of Uhef composition and'Structure'bf the Plafming Commission.
8.44 To be fully effective in providing the leadership and invigo
rating element's" so, .crucial to the*successful operation of the develop- ment jprogrammesy-it will be necessary;to invest*the Planning Commis
sion with broader powers*and functions than*would be-appropriate in a more fully developed governmental situation. In view of the com-
‘mitrAenf of the GovernAient to a socialist economic order and' until such time‘as thb'regular instrumentalities’’are better organised and equipped lo r Both planning arid implementation’ the Planning C6m- t mission should accordingly be, cast in t&e'role o f a very strdng, co-
ordinatiHg ancf stimiilatiri^ agency! * It should lead principally by the authority of its competence, its ideas, its breadth and depth of know
ledge and vision, and its high status in the scheme of the Government fWe..are, .however, npt suggesting thatthe. Planning Commission.should
assume any administrative or-operative role..
8.45 The Planning Commission has a distinct set of functions the preparation of national plans (annual, five-year and perspective
• * plans) and within the plan framework the preparation of annual deve
lopment programmes and* the formulation- of economic policies to achieve the'plan objectives. The preparation of'annual development
^programme involves'-the processing of- individual development p ro 1 ^jeCts/programmes for the approval of-the National Economic Council/
Cabinet. Once the plans and prografttitfes and policies are approved, it is the responsibility of the executive Ministries and agencies to imple
ment the sai^ic. Any involvement of the Planning Commission in day- to-day, operatipnai problems is counter' productive as it interferes un- : ji^cessarily jn the working of thet executive Ministries. The Planning Commission should, however, involve itself in the monitoring and eva
luation of .various programmes and evaluation of broad economic choices for consideration of the Government. This wifi be in line with
* * - I - 1 '* ’ n r ‘ * . i ‘ * ) v
I the almost,(univer sally (in, ther centrally,planned as well^as mixed eco
nomies) accepted principle that planning is a staff function and plan
ning organisation a staff unit as distinct from line functions and
iexe<;«tive organisations. -- As sijch’JJie Planning Commission should be the advisory and recommending body to; the, executive organisation; of the Government, i.e., the Ministries and the Cabinet.
8.46' In the circumstances and in accordance with the concept developed, it is recotttrii ended that -tire -Planning’Commission ‘be (entrus
ted With the lolloping dotieg and Tesponsibilities:1*-
(a) Economic-Assesspient: To .maintain a pontinying review of the economic conditions of Bangladesh and the effectiveness of its econo-
* . * . • ,i » i > Z I . J* *» i ) * < . » ) ‘ 1 » *
mic policies; ;to prepare, an,annual survey report with recommenda
tions, covering the economic situation and the ^position of dgvetopment and accurate and reliable indicators pf economic trends and sound .analysis <pt' ,tj3eiir meaning an^ significance on. the basts of economic
policy,ancl planning;
■(b f ‘Planning i To preparej and!ittaintaiiv regularly in the present form a national plan of development .to^achievethe maximum Utilisa
tion of the human, natural and financial resources .of the natipn; and
,r J f J | .>\} tit*/. * ,<J * i , j* *
to prepare a perspective plan, a nve-vear plan and' annual development plan;
{c)'-'Project Review: To .examine schemes, groups sof schemes,.pro
grammes and proposals ffoni the. various Ministries, autonomous and
■ semi-autonoftioyS governmental and pufelis, agencies for..ensuring son- fonnity with; the 'basic national, objectives, programme balance, and specific, contribution.' to.- development, jobje^tiyeskr
' (d) Development. Progress and. 'Appraisal: To'maintain a'regular and continuous review of.'the progress and iMpiem^ntafiBn of Ike4 deve
lopment programmes.,* to help remove? the' obstacles' arftf'impediment's, to evaluate the'benefils pf cpmpleted pro^cts^in termVbFth&r'original planned returns and'to maintain, a vigorous’follow up and; evaluation 'measures, the 'Commission should have a Mi-tittie stuff for 6h-the:spot inspection arid the InspectibrfiTfeanit may corisist'bf the representatives of the PlanningJCoiTimissi6n. 'Minist'rV 'ofrinance and of the*concerned Ministries;
m
*nn(i€)r;Programming'vf Foreig^f'AidlvTkStgtvVg'a&'lhQ'ageifcy of tffe
^Qyernmenl! in the planning .of ‘foreign- economic aid' offered- by the United- Nations',- mother ^.international ‘agerfcies,- governments and .private/groups^)(/The ? rationale forliocatirig^this?responsibility- iri the Pl^nntsgi Commission.iies^in the fact that-itewill befeiristhe m<5StJstrategic position of,sail• .government 'agencies to-.understand ancD Ss'sess! the requirements! of >foreign aid, tojmeet the ^economic needs* of the country.
If wHJjfo&y.e. it singer* nvith'd regular. continuity - on the «Conomic pulsfe 0ft;the-jee?untJ5yV and,sinee;tlie Plahning:Gommissroh- itself ;will-be-setting jdeyejctpinenlj prioritiest itf< will- ?be > dn the ■ best1 pdsition' to advise* the Government on the most effective utilisation of foreign aid -which ris mainly for development purposes.
rr;i?,8^7biuThe PlanningiGommission'will have*to?deal* with the vafious Ministries,, autonomous and senii-autonolnDTis»t>ddie£ and different foreign and, internationals agencies in working; out1 integrated’ ffro- grammes for the best- f*possible utilisation »of. foreign aids ^and loans. The detailed planning of the projects, preparation of f ' ' !' Hu r v >■< u > p . j 1, % v * ‘f1'!’*' contracts, and execution of aid and loan agreements would con- tiliu'e tb1 be: tiife’'responsibilities of the'M inistries concerned witfi' the assistance ’of tn& fcommission. No projects or requests should be stib- niitted'tbJthe foreign or international agencies except through the Plan
ning Commission wllich would co-ordinate tliem into a unified pro
gramme.
* 8:48 **At present,1 th'6 Plafiiting Commission‘is exclusively manne'd by .‘professional-economists, andJ this is not without its limitations. ' Ex
pertise in Economics is undoubtedly necessary but it is" not adequate for planning which today is an extremely complex socio-economic task and as such calls for a multi-disciplinary ^approach. Its membership should Be broad-based covering las m any1 of th ‘e! m ajor aiid significant disciplines &s possible: ' The ihemb'efs1 of thd ‘Commission should' be able to bring to their task broad experience; economic insight, adminis
trative and managerial competence, and a social1 vision of the destiny of Bangladesh^1 It is, therefore, recommended that membership o f the Planning Commission should include, in addition to two professional 7
economists, at least one eminent scientist of Engineer, a senibt adminis
trator and an experienced. sociologist or educationist. Tire Planning Minister should Jbe the Vice-Chairman of the Commission. An- emi
nent professional, economist shoukl >be dtesignattd^as theitepllty Ch&ifr man of the Planning Cbnimissioh a s Sts executive' ^nd technical head.
As the Planning Commission would irot have any> operational foie'and since the Deputy. .Chairman would 'b&dt&;executive head; it Weed1 IVot have any-'Secretar^ to the (Government*-! Thfelfe may fbe'& Secretary t6
<he ComiiiiSsiort preferably in, the rank &hd- Staters df & Joint'S'ecfetarj to the; Government to look; after theoiiitermd admililstrativfc ivmiteirs Of -the Commission.
8.49 At present, there is no Public Administration Division in the. Planning* Commission, f We recommend ¥hat thefii should'lie'such a division in the Planning, Commission. The absence” df such *a " Divi
sion ill,the Commission' in such, an iin p o rtah t subject)sedms to be“d.
significant omission in the set-up oft 'tlie' Gomlnis'sion.-
8.50 "T he Planning' Commission,: with it& present strength of ,323 Class I officers together with,a larger number of supporting, sta^f, is the single largest Secretariat organisation. is. important tliat such an agency is efficiently organised in regard to both the t size and quality pf staff and functional set-up. ’ ilte re should be scope of improving upon the present set-up on tHe ’basis of experience from its operations scffar, and from experience of other countries. For this, a review o£ the organisation, and its staffing ,is> recommended. .The ;organisation should be adequate to- perform, its ^?asip .funoti'ons of pl&n formulation and evaluation.,
External Resource^, Division
8.51 The External R,esourpes Division- of the<Planning,Commis
sion ds presently concerned with Jhe. .mobilisation;=.and -utilisation.-of external financial and technical/assistance and,the maintenanceJof other foreign economic relation^ , It has close links .with ^the, .planning Com:
mission in the formulation of py^rall.aid strategy. -Ijt§ links are equally close with the Mipistry_of-Financ^.JYhiQh:®rep§r^.jthQ.anni|al (budget
235
the foreign Exchange budget and isresp'onsible'for foreign debt manage
ment. The important point to note is that the E xternal1 Resources Division is unlike any other sectoral or economic division of the Plan-
. —, . . l*i I U\i ) $* * j. * \v--* " * -
mng Commission. It is operationally similar to any other Division of the Government. Therefore, this Division should be headed by a Secretary and function as an independent liivisioii under the overall supervision and Control df the t)eputy Chairman of the Planning Com- i p i ^ i o j i t , , fc<$veve*? tinaking it (a. part q£ the Planning Commis-
¥!ni#®r?w^ d, ^ viCTsly be the Minister for this Divjsipnj ( .(The./atiofiale. for locating thijS responsibility with the Plan- Ipjig.Mi^ist^r lje^ i$ the.-ffiCt.that he .will be in the most strategic posi- tiq ^ ,t^ .p 4 9 r? ^ d f iftpd1 a?s?ss the,requirements of foreign aid to tneet tJiq^qQ^omj^ fngeds qf-tfye, country, ,Sjnce the Planning Commission under his charge }yjill jjp-settijig* development priorities and process development schemes and programmes, he will be in a position to represent the Government, intelligently and effectively5 in matters rela
ting to the mobilisation, $i)d, utilisation- of external, .assistance. It should be specifically noted that the bulk of external assistance come as development assistance and hence*naturally ^concern the Planning Ministry rriost; directly^ Furthermore;, the.tied* nature of much of the development assistance with regard.both , to the .source- of supply and specific development projects, makes the negotiations of such assistance a part of the very process of project'evolution*. I t would be efficient-, therefore;, to lpcate b.oth these functions in the .same Ministry. ,
8.52 The Ministry of Planning should thus, in our yiew, be