The proposals called for increasing the power of the president, reducing the number of ministries to 20, strengthening the Supreme Judicial Council, creation of two posts of deputy speaker -- one each from the treasury and opposition benches -- and formation of citizens' committees to curb corruption of police.

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) also suggested creating six provinces in Bangladesh, with Dhaka metropolitan area having the status of a special autonomous zone. Each province will have a provincial government and police department, it proposed.

The FBCCI recommended reviving upazila system for further decentralisation of power and making provisions requiring all ministers to face confidence vote in parliament every two years for more accountability.

FBCCI President Abdul Awal Mintoo released the proposals titled "FBCCI proposals to resolve national crises, political problems and confrontational politics towards achieving socio-economic development" at a press conference.

"We have sent the proposals to the prime minister and leader of the opposition. We will also send it to different political parties and trade and professional bodies," he said.

Mintoo said the business community condemned the government's 'mass arrests' to foil the opposition bid to unseat the BNP-led alliance government by April 30. Such arrests go against the spirit of the constitution that guarantees human rights of all citizens.

They do not also support any unconstitutional change of government, he added.

Urging the feuding political leaders to take time to "cool off", the FBCCI said, "The cool-off period will be six months and we appeal to all groups and professionals to back us for the sake of national interest. We urge the opposition parties not to call hartal and the government not to crack down on activists of opposition parties to pave the way for dialogue for reconciliation."

The FBCCI proposals recommended that political parties would not support any siege to land and sea ports, highways and rail lines and would not go for programmes on streets and highways. Political parties will also not have trade unions as their fronts.

According to the proposals, political parties will not patronise any professional bodies, organisations of teachers and students and trade bodies to check politicisation of every sphere of national life.

Members of parliament (MPs) will only be loyal to their own parties on the formation of government, no-confidence vote in the House, budget proposals and amendment to the constitution, the FBCCI said.

The government has to abolish the public secrecy laws and enact laws to ensure people's right to know government information for transparency and accountability, it said.

It called for making provisions for one parliament seat for women in each district and direct election to that seat. It suggested formation of a constitution court to deal with cases concerning the constitution.

The FBCCI recommended formation of a national committee for selecting the chief justice and heads and members of various constitutional bodies like the Public Service Commission, chief election commissioner, Bangladesh Bank governor and Securities and Exchange Commission chairman.

It suggested formation of separate and independent regulatory bodies like commission for human rights and consumers rights. The government should put priority on weekly holiday on Sunday and annual holidays should not exceed 20 days, it said.

The proposals called for making provisions for compensation due to hartal and other political programmes.

The FBCCI stressed constitution of a national committee, comprising three members each from the BNP and Awami League and one each from other political parties that have representation in parliament, to resolve political problems and differences.

The committee will continue meeting till preparation of a position paper to reach consensus on key national issues.

FBCCI proposals also called for organising a convention for reconciliation and national unity aiming at reaching comprehensive political settlement of national conflicts. Headed by chief adviser of a caretaker government, others to attend will include political leaders from all parties, Speaker, former chief justice, cabinet secretary and representatives from professional associations nominated by the president.

The government must implement the recommendations of the convention to change the political trend of the country.