More GO-NGO collaboration for citizens' charter stressed
Khulna City Mayor Talukdar Abdul Khaleque speaks at an experience-sharing meeting on local citizens' charter at Brac Centre Inn in the city yesterday. Manusher Jonno Foundation organised the event. Photo: STAR
Speakers at an experience-sharing meeting yesterday underscored the need for more collaboration between government and non-government organisations (NGO) to make citizens' charter effective. According to a keynote paper of Manusher Jonno Foundation written by Arf H Khan, citizens' charter is a document developed with the participation of the people. Details such as what kind of service public institutions will provide, within what time span, the fee needed and how and where citizens will lodge complaints are provided in the charter, it says. Citizens' charter is a powerful tool to promote good governance in agencies providing public service by ensuring their transparency and accountability, said the speakers. As it is a living document, citizens' charter should be widely publicised, implemented and monitored, they added. MJF organised the meeting titled 'Local Citizens' Charter' at Brac Centre Inn in the city. Representatives from Population Services and Training Centre (PSTC), Rupantar and Nagorik Forum, working with government agencies on the charter, shared their experience. They said the charter's effectiveness failed because of outdated information about the services in it. The speakers also suggested involving local communities, beginning from formulation to implementation and monitoring of the charter. They suggested increasing the number of charters on display, setting it up on main thoroughfares and publishing it in leaflet form in densely populated areas. Speaking as the chief guest, Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Mayor Talukdar Abdul Khaleque said KCC set an example as all its 31 wards hung the charter. "It is a very good initiative as people can now be more aware of the services from the public service providers and also ensure accountability of the providers," he said. Praising the NGO's role, he suggested spreading the charter in union level to make people aware of their rights. Abu Taj Mohammad Jakir Hossain, deputy secretary of establishment ministry, said the charter is a supplement to Right to Information. The service standard can reach a desired level if people know what service they can ask for and what the agencies can provide, he said. He stressed on the need to change attitudes of public servants in delivering the services and urged NGOs to help implement and monitor the charter's activities. Moderating the meeting, MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam said citizens' charter helps expedite good governance and thus should be replicated in every city corporation. Farzana Naim, director (governance) of MJF, said a periodic assessment of the charter is essential for its proper functioning.
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