Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud on Sunday criticised the general belief that reform commissions will do some magic and resolve all of the country’s problems, saying such thinking is wrong.

“We have a conception that reform commissions are like a magic, forming reform commissions means all problems are solved which is a very wrong conception,” he said while addressing a kick-off workshop on protection of forest-dependent people from forest destruction, plantation economy, climate change and land grab at CIRDAP auditorium.

The event was organised by the Society for Environment and Human Development (SHED), with Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) Executive Chairman Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman presiding over the session.

Dr Wahiduddin noted that although the interim government has formed several reform commissions with participation from civil society members like himself their effectiveness hinges not just on their composition.

“It does not mean that they will always be practical,” he said.

He also said that focus has to be given on how the recommendations will be implemented and who will implemente those.

“Will those recommendations be acceptable politically, focus has to be given on that also,” he said.

Addressing criticism over the lack of a dedicated education reform commission, Dr Wahiduddin said that Bangladesh has already seen three education commissions in the past. “Have we witnessed any development from them? If anything, there’s been a steady decline,” he added.