The water-logging is a symbol of the load-logging in the metro offices (DCC, Rajuk, Wasa, BTTB and innumerable committees and co-ordinating bodies, plus brimful of advisory reports from foreign agencies). Too many cooks spoil the broth. Gourmet starvation?

The structural reforms of DCC and Rajuk are a must, with more professional inputs, and less political interference. Who obey Rajuk directives, and bother to tackle DCC indolence?

There is a persistent bad image around: the elected politicians cannot deliver. And, the political leaders always skirt the issue of political continuity in successive regimes. The ready answer (mantra) is: corrupt deals in the preceding regime. Where is the self-cure project?

Political election of mayors do not seem to work in developing countries in a consistent and reliable way. Personality and nepotism interfere with public interest criteria. The Chittagong CC set a new trend it remains to be seen whether the pious intentions would last a couple of years. Something rotten in the state of Bangladesh, and the top leaders are not pointing to solutions, but only dabbling in problems (to quote Tony Blair).

Unless the foundation (base) and the structures are modernised, the infrastructure and co-ordination just won't work. Our society lacks discipline and formality, and back doors are preferred to front entrances. In addition, now there is the addition of a new culture dependence on the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Why the role of the government secretariat has been down-graded? There is no explanation to political whims and preferences.

The British Raj had one secret: the regular transfer system. The municipalities perhaps need a cadre service to keep officials on the move; providing no scope for building up mini-empires or zamindaris. Pull up the roots of corrupt practices. There are no jawar-bhata (tides) in the closed bureaucracy and public offices; plus lack of fresh change of air. Also, Dhaka is overloaded with too much centralisation, a typical under-developed syndrome. How to break the vicious circle?

Opening ceremonies and public speeches will not reduce the systems losses in public administration. There is a breakdown in the mechanism for tackling problems at the daily routine level, without noisy interference from the top.

This is ad hoc administration, through knee-jerks.

Foreign advice cannot solve local human problems. We are bugged with the 'human' element at each and every step. It needs something extra at the top leadership level. Independence, or dependence on sycophants?