Corruption in Development Programmes
Lawmakers, UZ chairmen at loggerheads
Lawmaker and local government representatives blamed each other yesterday for corruption in implementing different development programmes and aid projects at a roundtable discussion.
They, however, unanimously slammed the role of bureaucrats in implementing different development programmes.
Governance Advocacy Forum, a platform of 35 organisations, held the programme titled "The Stand of Governance Advocacy Forum on the Recent Discussed Issues on Local Government" at the National Press Club.
Mentioning bitter experiences with bureaucrats, speakers said the initiative of appointing administrator at local government level is anti-democratic in spirit.
Lawmaker from Rangpur-2 constituency Anisul Islam Mondol alleged that local government representatives embezzled money from aid programmes.
He said, "The country will go further if the lawmakers have accountability and honesty."
Muhibur Rahman, co-convener of Bangladesh Upazila Chairman and Vice Chairman Oikya Parishad, however, refuted the allegation saying MPs demand money against aid programmes.
Former justice Mohammad Golam Rabbani laid emphasis on implementing the section 59 and 60 of the constitution to scrap the power of bureaucrats and empower local government.
"Section 59 and 60 have been introduced in the spirit of the Liberation War. Any new act will be conflicting with the sections", he said.
Chairman of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said there are two ways to empower local government -- through patronisation of central government, self-governing system. "I want the second way", he said.
Local government bodies are not given the deserved power to run independently, he observed.
Criticising the role of bureaucrats, lawmaker Fazle Hossain Badsha said democratic decentralisation is needed to empower the local government system.
Among others, advocate Sanjida Khanam MP, Dr Sarwar Jahan, Prof of Department of Urban and Regional Planning of BUET and Abdul Mazid, convener of Bangladesh Upazila Chairman and Vice Chairman Oikya Parishad spoke while convener of Governance Advocacy Forum Mohsin Ali moderated the programme.
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