Editorial
A blunder
Splitting DCC into two
THE inexplicably hurried move to split the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) into two parts is ostensibly to provide better services to the city dwellers. But the popular impression is that it has been done to reap political gain.
The move, therefore, is already suspect on political grounds and what lies in store is anybody's guess. In essence, it has been entirely an unnecessary and uncalled-for step. Actually, if the motivation was to provide services, then decentralisation of the DCC should have been the ideal way forward, and not its bifurcation.
The important point to stress is that decentralisation and bifurcation are not the one and the same thing. For effective decentralisation, we have to have a uniform structure and not one divided into two entities. In the case of other mega-cities of the world, the city administrations are operationally decentralised, but under a unified command.
If the argument is that the over-populous Dhaka city demands cutting of the DCC into two for efficient service delivery, then by the same token, most mega-cities of the world should have more than one mayor.
Speaking of service delivery again, what is most needed is effective coordination between utility services like water, electricity, gas and so on, which are better ensured under the unified command of a mayor.
So, far from being a solution, the move will only add to problems generating confusion all around in matters of service delivery.
Apart from the thoughtless move, what we find extremely unacceptable is the manner in which it has come about. The citizens were not even told of what was coming, no effort was made to inform them of the government's rationale, if any, to carry forward this thoroughly indefensible project.
Quite frankly, the way the decision was taken has baffled us. It is an undemocratic imposition on the people. It will create new bureaucracies, new vested interests, spawn corruption and conflictual situation in the city's management.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments