DHAKA, Oct 16, 2024 (BSS) - Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) has arranged a workshop on '31-Point Outline for Structural Reforms in Bangladesh' unveiled by the party last year aimed at reforming the constitution and state system and ensuring economic emancipation.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman addressed it as the chief guest virtually at BNP Chairperson's political office at Gulshan here today.

Central leaders of Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal (JCD) participated in the workshop organised by BNP training affairs committee.

BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan presided over the workshop while BNP standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan and Salahuddin Ahmed, BNP Chairperson's advisory council member Ismail Zabihullah, and party acting Chairman Tarique Rahman's advisor Dr Mahdi Amin attended the workshop as trainers.

On July 23 in 2023, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman presented the 31-Point Outline for Structural Reforms in Bangladesh.

The speakers said the victory of democratic forces through a free, fair, impartial and participatory election is necessary to return the rights and ownership of the state to the people.

And after this victory, the consensus national government will undertake transformational reform programs of the state in the light of 31 points, they added.

The points of the outline for structural reforms in Bangladesh are: (1) Formation of a constitutional reform commission, (2) Formation of a 'national reconciliation commission, (3) Re-introduction of neutral caretaker government system, (4) Establishing the balance of state power, (5) Determining the term of office for the Prime Minister, (6) Introducing an upper chamber legislative assembly, (7) Amending Article 70 of the Constitution, (8) Reforming the Election Commission and electoral system as well as amending related laws and regulations, (9) Reconstituting all state, constitutional and statutory institutions, (10) Constitution of the Judicial Commission and Reintroduction of the Supreme Judicial Council, (11) Formation of the Administrative Reforms Commission, (12) Formation of the Media Commission, (13) Taking visible and effective measures to prevent corruption and appointment of ombudsman, (14) Establishing rule of law and protecting human rights, (15) Formation of Economic Reforms Commission, (16) Ensuring maximum guarantee of religious freedom, (17) Ensuring fair wages for workers considering inflation, (18) Modernization of power, mineral, industry and energy sectors and establishment of good governance, (19) Development of foreign relations by ensuring priorities to national interest, (20) keeping defense forces above all controversies, (21) Making local government institutions self-governed and empowered with the aim of decentralization, (22) Granting state status and recognition to martyred freedom fighters, (23) Formulation of modern and up-to-date youth development policies, (24) Taking appropriate steps to empower women, (25) Building an educated population capable of facing future challenges, (26) Materializing the policy of "Health for All", (27) Ensuring fair price of agricultural products, (28) Modernization of roads, railways, waterways and establishment of multi-dimensional communication system, (29) Take effective measures to deal with climate change crisis and natural disasters, (30) Developing the information and communication technology, space research and nuclear energy sector and ensuring optimum utilization of the resources, and (31) Formulating and implementing modern, planned, environment-friendly housing and urbanization policies.

The 31-point outline has been formulated in light with BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman's '19-point' and its Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's '27-point' which was later amended and enlarged with the consensus of all political parties involved in the simultaneous movement.