The dialogue styled 'Political economy of aid challenging conditionalities' was organised by Voices of Interactive Choice and Empowerment (Voice) at the National Press Club.

"Millennium Development Goal (MDG) is not framed for development, rather it has become a tool for trade on development issues and incurring poverty", Dr Salimullah Khan, an eminent researcher, said, adding this is high time that the WB and IMF should be withdrawn and the nation has to give hard thought to alternatives.

He castigated the economists who failed to frame a befitting development policy for the country.

"People of Bangladesh are made more indebted due to WB and IMF projects making them more vulnerable. But the horse of Troy remains hidden and those who own fatty lives must be detected," he urged.

Saiful Haque, general secretary of Workers' Party, said the chronicle started from the 60's Green Revolution and the target of the developed countries was to grab the market of 15 crore people.

The aggression has taken its violent form now, he added.

Aminur Rasul, head of the secretariat of the Campaign for Good Governance, showed how the media, civil society and common mass were able to ward off the evil move of the government to snatch away the right to sue the WB and seek justice.

He apprised the audience of an ulterior programme of the government to handing over the water routes to private ownership, like the process initiated in railway sector.

"With this privatisation, the government would lose control over the entire water bodies," he said.

Tanim Ahmed, senior staff correspondent of The New age, delineated the grim experience of Bolivia over water treatment plant.

Aiming at supplying water through Saidabad Water Treatment Plant, the new authorities have started controlling pipeline and billing system and days are not far way when they would take the entire system in their grip depriving the people of the utility service, he explained.

The speakers alleged that the WB and IMF are mainly responsible for dismantling price controls and doing away with price support for food, transportation, health and education sectors.

They also compelled the government for privatisation of state-owned enterprises and devaluation of currency which will surely undermine the development of the nation.

Golam Mahmud, central organising secretary of BSD, and Shamima Nasreen, leader of Swadhin Bangla Garments Sramik Federation, also spoke on the occasion.