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DHAKA, Jan 31, 2025 (BSS) - As the Buriganga River is on the brink of extinction, urgent action is needed for the survival of both the river and Dhaka, according to a report of a taskforce.

Education and Planning Adviser Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud handed over the report of the taskforce on "Re-strategising the Economy and Mobilising Resources for Equitable and Sustainable Development" to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus here on Thursday.

The report says the government must send a decisive message affirming its commitment to this critical undertaking.

"If necessary, emergency legislation should be enacted to facilitate immediate, unimpeded action for this project. Leadership should come from a dedicated minister or adviser, supported by a strong technical and legal team," it observes.

Given the expected resistance from vested interests, it is vital to seek special judicial dispensations to avert potential sabotage.

"With rivers granted the right to life under the law, this emergency response would be fully warranted. Let the restoration of Dhaka begin with its rivers," the report recommends.
 
About the rural school and clinic reform, the report proposes initiating a pilot project focused on reforming a rural government school along with a community clinic.

While the foundational principles align with those for the public hospital, this initiative will be tailored to address the unique challenges and scale of rural educational and healthcare environments.

Regarding reform in the Bangladesh Road Transport Association (BRTA), the report suggests robust performance monitoring and the integration of user feedback.

The taskforce strongly suggests that an entire ministry of the government be taken up on a pilot basis to establish a monitoring and evaluation system that will serve to generate critical key performance indicators in real-time to allow the top leadership to quickly review performance of projects and programmes being carried out under its and different departments, directorates and divisions.
 
The 12-member taskforce was formed on September 10 to reframe the development strategies, find out leakages in financial system and restore discipline in project implementation.