The failure and unwillingness of a government to implement policies is a real problem that needs to be discussed, said Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Chairman Prof Rehman Sobhan yesterday.

The government is usually uncomfortable with the process of ensuring accountability, he said while making the introductory speech at a programme marking 30 years of CPD.

The think tank organised the programme titled "The CPD Journey: Commemorating Thirty Years of CPD" at BRAC Centre Inn in Dhaka.

Rehman Sobhan said that from policy-making to the democratic process and beyond, the government essentially controls the entire domain.

Civil society, including academic and business communities, workers, and non-government organisations, should have their say in the policy-making process, he said.

"Most times policies are not implemented," he said.

"So no matter how radical or revolutionary you may want to be in terms of the reforms, you have to see how much they are going to be implemented," he said.  They constantly wanted to keep the government accountable on this issue, he added.

Once finance ministers were willing to sit with them, he said, adding, "But in recent years, the word 'rubbish' was used when intelligent observations were made about policy-making and implementation."

Regarding CPD's establishment in 1993, Rehman Sobhan said it aimed to create a space where all relevant stakeholders discuss problems and find solutions.

He said year after year cabinet members took part in CPD discussions in the presence of opposition leaders.

"Sadly, over the last 15 years or so, instead of progress, in some ways there was recession. The scope for having civilised dialogues to solve problems became much more adversarial over the years," Rehman Sobhan said.

"Up to the 2014 election, every finance minister used to come to the CPD budget dialogue, but afterwards, no finance minister attended such a programme," he said.

Meanwhile, Prof Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser to the interim government and CPD trustee member, yesterday lauded the organisation, terming it a reputed think tank both at home and abroad.

He made the remarks in a video message played at the programme.

"CPD has consistently stood against the tide, offering independent advice to policymakers for the betterment of the country," Yunus said.

He said, "CPD has always strived to establish a democratic, just, and accountable society. Its research and public awareness activities have played an important role in creating the mindset of the recent mass upsurge."

At the programme, CPD Distinguished Fellow Prof Rounaq Jahan said CPD can be a useful resource if this or the next government really wants to remove discrimination.

She hoped that there will be a democratic environment in the country in the future so that CPD and others can discuss and make criticisms fearlessly.

"Now I see a lot of risks in expressing a lot of opinions. Not all of it is coming from the government; many people don't want to hear from others," she said.

BNP standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury lauded CPD's role, saying it has become an alternative voice outside political parties, providing a space to share opinions in the public interest.

"Democracy is not just about voting; it's about the daily accountability of an elected government, which has been absent for the last 15 years due to stolen voting rights," he said.

Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, said CPD is liked by the media as it provides authentic, factual, and evidence-based information and analysis.

He said CPD has become part of the intellectual journey, creating a mindset of tolerance.

"But the culture of tolerance and free-thinking faced attacks during the last 15 years," he said, adding that a free media ensures accountability every day.

"Gagging the media was one of the reasons behind the fall of the immediate past government. If the then government allowed media freedom, she [Sheikh Hasina] could get true feedback…", he added.

Mahfuz Anam echoed Amir Khasru on the issue of voting rights and said a free election helps ensure accountability.

"By taking away the voting, you take away the right to expression, all kinds of freedom, and creative thoughts. All these happened due to the manipulated elections in these 15 years," he said.

Nihad Kabir, a board director of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Taslima Akter Lima, president of Bangladesh Garments Sramik Sanghati, spoke at the programme.

CPD Executive Director Fahmida Khatun chaired the programme.