Bangladesh, July 15 -- A few weeks ago one member of cabinet of the present government announced that Bangladesh is aiming to build a welfare state. This is the first time that anyone in the inner sanctum of power in Bangladesh where policies are made gave vent to the ambitious plan for an inclusive and just society. This is an aspirational goal at the moment but cannot be said to be totally unrealistic. A new government is expected to be visionary and want to leave the beaten track. The announcement about a structural change in economic governance is a welcome gambit.

Advertisement As is well known, a welfare state guarantees basic needs of food, education, utilities, healthcare, transport and housing at reasonable costs to users. Unli...