Local government bodies

We have been saying time and again about the importance of balance and trust among the various tiers of the government. Experts at a seminar in the city recently stated that the ideal way to institutionalise democracy is to strengthen elected local government bodies ensuring transparency and accountability. Unfortunately the concept of decentralisation and strengthening of local government bodies is yet to take roots in Bangladesh. More often than not the decentralisation process has been infrastructural rather than institutional which ought to be the case.  We do admit that in terms of efficiency all local government representatives are not always capable enough to properly manage administrative and development activities. The solution lies is effective and democratic coordination between local and central government –but this should not result in undue bureaucratic and political interference in local government activities. Local government being much closer to their constituents would obviously be more responsive to local needs. Consequently they will be able to provide public services in a more efficient manner.

Bangladesh’s constitution in Article 59 and 60 has laid down the framework regarding the functions of local government bodies. The Constitution urges direct participation of the people in forming the local bodies and in managing the affairs of such bodies.

The ground reality, however, is that these bodies remain weak. The Union Parishads, for instance, has been in existence for a long time but these have very limited powers and are subject to interference from the top down.  A Transparency International Bangladesh survey revealed that the overwhelming majority of the Members of Parliament (MPs)–instead of legislative activities– are involved in controlling the decision making process of local government administrations. There have been allegations of MPs’ interference in test relief, food-for-work, and other social safety net programmes carried out at local government levels. There are hardly any other country where the lawmakers’ main concern and interest are in test relief, appointments in local educational institutions, and other such activities at local level. If this continues to be the case the demand for strengthening local governments would be rendered into meaningless inane platitudes. It goes without saying that the lawmakers should attend to making laws, for which they are elected.

It is only powerful local governments that can ensure development at the grassroots level. The goal of transforming Bangladesh into a developed nation with a transparent political culture and ensuring a corruption free society, will not be achieved unless a strong, honest and dedicated local level government system is in place and allowed to perform without undue interference.

 

Local government bodies

We have been saying time and again about the importance of balance and trust among the various tiers of the government. Experts at a seminar in the city recently stated that the ideal way to institutionalise democracy is to strengthen elected local government bodies ensuring transparency and accountability. Unfortunately the concept of decentralisation and strengthening of local government bodies is yet to take roots in Bangladesh. More often than not the decentralisation process has been infrastructural rather than institutional which ought to be the case. We do admit that in terms of efficiency all local government representatives are not always capable enough to properly manage administrative and development activities. The solution lies is effective and democratic coordination between local and central government but this should not result in undue bureaucratic and political interference in local government activities. Local government being much closer to their constituents would obviously be more responsive to local needs. Consequently they will be able to provide public services in a more efficient manner. Bangladeshs constitution in Article 59 and 60 has laid down the framework regarding the functions of local government bodies. The Constitution urges direct participation of the people in forming the local bodies and in managing the affairs of such bodies. The ground reality, however, is that these bodies remain weak. The Union Parishads, for instance, has been in existence for a long time but these have very limited powers and are subject to interference from the top down. A Transparency International Bangladesh survey revealed that the overwhelming majority of the Members of Parliament (MPs)instead of legislative activities are involved in controlling the decision making process of local government administrations. There have been allegations of MPs interference in test relief, food-for-work, and other social safety net programmes carried out at local government levels. There are hardly any other country where the lawmakers main concern and interest are in test relief, appointments in local educational institutions, and other such activities at local level. If this continues to be the case the demand for strengthening local governments would be rendered into meaningless inane platitudes. It goes without saying that the lawmakers should attend to making laws, for which they are elected. It is only powerful local governments that can ensure development at the grassroots level. The goal of transforming Bangladesh into a developed nation with a transparent political culture and ensuring a corruption free society, will not be achieved unless a strong, honest and dedicated local level government system is in place and allowed to perform without undue interference.