Union Parishad leaders protest govt order

They also demanded more powers for local bodies for development of rural areas.

The UP chairman and members were speaking at a recent day-long meeting on 'Union Parishad Networking', held at Moulvibazar Pourasava auditorium.

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"Now, a Union Parishad chairman has only one function-- to sign nationality certificates", a frustrated UP chairman said addressing the meeting.

The networking meeting was organised by USAID funded Local Government Initiative (LGI)-ARD Bangladesh in collaboration with Prochesta, a local NGO.

It was presided over by Muazzem Hussain Matuk, chairman of Nazirabad UP and joint secretary of Moulvibazar district BNP.

Dr Zerina Rahman Khan, Deputy Chief of Party of the ARD-LGI Bangladesh was the chief guest while its Senior Training Specialist Kajal Chatarjee and Consultant Jamil Ahmed were special guests.

Nawab Ali Noki Khan, Chairman of Prithim Pasa UP and executive director of Prochesta delivered the address of welcome.

More than 100 chairman and members including women members from the six upozilas of the district attended the meeting.

They shared their views on activities of UPs. Some UP chairman who are members of ruling BNP also criticised the government for the LGRD ministry order. They also said local MPs are ignoring UPs in rural development activities.

The meeting formed a 15-members district Network Committee of Union Parishad Forum with Moazzem Hussain Matuk, Abdul Muktadir and Abu Sufian Chowdhury as president, general secretary and treasurer respectively.