Editorial
Is this change real or cosmetic?
Contradictions in the act need to be allayed
THE passing of the bill vesting executive powers of the upazilla parishads in the chairman instead of the parishad itself is apparently in line with the long-standing demand to strengthen local government bodies. The bill authorizes the chairperson to prepare the annual performance report for the parishad officials while upgrading the latter from secretary to principal executive officer. This will give the executive officer the power to implement the parishad's decisions and maintain financial discipline. Undoubtedly the bill has given a more meaningful function for the chairmen who have often expressed their frustration at being mere figureheads of bodies that are vital for spearheading real development especially in the rural areas. But the fact remains that the bills have retained the power of the MPs to be advisers to the parishads of their constituencies effectively allowing them to interfere in the functions of these bodies if they so choose.
The bill therefore can only be regarded with a pinch of skepticism as how empowered the chairmen will be in running the parishads will depend on how independently they are allowed to work. The new functions of the upgraded principle executive officers as well as the advisory powers of the MPs should in no way undermine the decisions and responsibilities of the chairman. This is a prerequisite to local government strengthening as declared by the country's constitution and promised by the ruling party's manifesto.
This is not to say that the chairman of each upazila parishad will not be accountable for his or her actions and the bill has enough provisions for that. The government can take strong actions against poor performing or errant chairpersons including removal from the position.
Thus there are enough buffers to make sure the chairpersons do not misuse their power. What there is a dearth of are guarantees to allow them to work with the autonomy required to promote the economic and social development of their parishads. Whether the unsavoury title of being mere 'puppets' will be eliminated or whether the new bill will bring about an unprecedented surge of strength in local government only time will tell.
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