Local bodies ineffective for lack of policies
Say speakers
In spite of enacting laws to strengthen local government bodies four years ago, the government is yet to formulate policies in light of those laws, causing the bodies to turn almost ineffective, said speakers yesterday.
The speakers, among whom were a ruling Awami League lawmaker, some elected union and upazila parishad representatives and experts, also said the present government itself was ignoring parliament by not implementing those laws.
The discussion was organised by Municipal Association of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Union Parishad Forum at the capital's Jatiya Press Club.
All the political parties strongly speak in favour of strengthening the local government bodies but act just the opposite after coming to power, they said.
Awami League lawmaker AKM Mozammel Haq said elected representatives of union parishad and upazila parishad, for want of policies, have no authority to run the local government bodies.
He, however, advised chairmen and councillors of upazila parishads to exercise their authority on upazila nirbahi officers in running the local government body if the government fails to formulate the policies soon.
Prof Salahuddin M Aminuzzaman of Dhaka University said it is imperative to formulate policies on “inter-government fiscal transfer” (disbursing funds to local government bodies) and decentralisation to strengthen the local government bodies.
DU Prof MM Akash said mere discussions will not be able to put pressure on the government. “Time has come to wage a movement to meet the demands,” he added.
Prof Tofail Ahmed, Prof Dilara Choudhury, Tongi Municipality Mayor Azmat Ullah Khan, Natore's Singra Municipality Mayor Shamim Al Razi and Sahapara Union Parishad Chairman Mahbubur Rahman Tulu also spoke at the discussion.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments