'Central government hinders independence of urban local govts'
Speakers at a seminar in Chittagong University (CU) yesterday said urban local governments can not function independently though they are elected through voting since 1994.
The seminar titled “Urbanisation and democratisation in Bangladesh” was organised by geography and environmental studies department of CU at the department.
Speakers said urbanisation in the Indian subcontinent gained momentum after 1947, accelerated by people shifting to urban areas for economic impoverishment and environmental disasters.
Governance and urban management are in a poor state as control of the central government is still overwhelming. Urban local governments, even within a democratic framework, do not enjoy proper autonomy and power.
Empowerment of mayors and councillors is very much important for the smooth running of urban local government system, they said, adding that proper democratisation is required for proper urbanisation.
University Grants Commission Chairman Prof Nazrul Islam, speaking as the chief guest and presenting a paper, said public universities and institutes for higher education should be established at various parts of the country to reduce increasing urbanisation.
This would create job opportunities, decrease rural to urban migration and lessen environment pollution at metro cities to a great extent, he said.
CU acting Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Alauddin inaugurated the seminar, chaired by the department Chairman Dr Alok Pal.
Prof Emeritus Dr Jamal Nazrul Islam, Dean of Biological Sciences Faculty Prof Dr Md Nural Anwar and Resident Editor of the Daily Prothom Alo Abul Momen also spoke.
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