The interim government has formed five reform commissions -- media, labour, womens affairs, health and local government-- to address critical issues and promote comprehensive development in the country.
According to separate summary documents issued by the cabinet division on Sunday, each commission has been instructed to initiate its activities immediately and after taking opinions from all stakeholders concerned has to submit a detailed report to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus within 90 days.
The chief and the members of the commission will get status and salary and enjoy benefits to be determined by the government. But, if any one of them wants to work voluntarily, without taking benefits, he or she must take permission from the chief adviser.
Local Government Reform Commission
An eight-member Local Government Reform Commission has been formed with Professor Tofail Ahmed, former chair of the public administration department at Chittagong University, as its chief.
The commission has been tasked with enhancing the effectiveness of local governance structures.
The other members of the commission are -- Prof Dr Ferdous Arfina Osman, former chairman of Public Administration Department at Dhaka University; AMM Nasir Uddin, former secretary; Advocate Abdur Rahman, Supreme Court; Dr Mahfuz Kabir, a director at Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS); Mashuda Khatun Shefali, executive director of Nari Uddug Kendra; Prof Dr Md Tariqul Islam, a teacher of Government and Politics Department at Jahangirnagar University; and a student representative.
Healthcare Reform Commission
The 12-members Healthcare Reform Commission, led by Prof AK Azad Khan, president of the Bangladesh Diabetic Society, has been formed aims to ensure universal access to healthcare.
The members of the commission are: Professor Md Muhammad Zakir Hossain, Public Health and Health Informatics Department at BSMMU; Prof Dr Liaquat Ali, chairman of Pothikrit Foundation; Prof Dr Sayera Akther, a gynecologist; Prof Dr Naila Zaman Khan, Department of Pediatric Neuroscience; MM Reza, former secretary; Prof Dr Muzaherul Huq, former regional adviser (South-East Asia Region) at the WHO; Dr Azharul Islam, ICDDR,B; Prof Dr Syed Md Akram Hossain, Square Cancer Centre, Square Hospital; Prof Dr Syed Atiqul Haque, chief consultant of Green Life Centre for Rheumatic Care and Research; Dr Ahmed Ahsanur Rahman, scientist, Child and Maternal Health Department, icddr,b, and Umayer Afif, a 5th-year student of Dhaka Medical College.
Labour Reform Commission
The government has formed a ten-member Labour Reform Commission with Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, executive director of the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies, as its chief.
Other members of the commission are-- Dr Mahfuzul Haque, former secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr Jakir Hossain, professor at the Institute of Bangladesh Studies at Rajshahi University, Tapan Dutta, president of the Chattogram divisional committee of the Bangladesh Trade Union Centre, Advocate AKM Nasim, former president of Bangladesh Labour Court Bar Association, M Kamran T Rahman, former president of Bangladesh Employer Federation, Chowdhury Ashikul Alam, president of Bangladesh Trade Union Sangha, Shakil Akhter Chowdhury, General Secretary of Bangladesh Labour Federation, Taslima Akhter, photographer and labour movement organiser and one student representative.
The commission will engage with stakeholders to draft a report that prioritises labour rights and prosperity.
Media Reform Commission
An 11-member Media Reform Commission has been established, headed by senior journalist Kamal Ahmed.
The other members in the commission are Gitiara Nasreen, professor at Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Dhaka; Shamsul Haque Zahid, editor of The Financial Express; Akhtar Hossain Khan, secretary of the Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB); Syed Abdal Ahmed, former general secretary of the National Press Club; Fahim Ahmed, chief executive officer of Jamuna TV; journalist Jimmy Amir; Mostafa Shabuj, Bogura correspondent for The Daily Star; Titu Datta, deputy editor at The Business Standard; a representative from the Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO); and Abdullah Al Mamun, a student representative.
Women's Affairs Reform Commission
The government formed a 10-member Women's Affairs Reform Commission with Shireen Parveen Haque, a founding member of Nari Pakkha, as its chief.
The commission has been tasked with proposing reforms to strengthen women's participation and empowerment across all levels of society.
Other members of the commission are: Maheen Sultan, senior fellow, Brac Institute of Governance and Development; Sara Hossain, executive director, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (Blast); Fawzia Karim Firoze, president, Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association; Kalpona Akter, president, Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation; Halida Hanum Akhter, women's health expert; Sumaiya Islam, executive director, Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra; Nirupa Dewan, former member, National Human Rights Commission; Ferdousi Sultana, former senior social development advisor, Asian Development Bank; and Nishita Zaman Niha, a student representative.
