Strengthening local govt institutions
As public
representatives, the chairpersons and
members of union parishads are the
custodians of the
local people
State Minister for Food Nuruzzaman Ahmed, MP, has said the present government has been strengthening the local government institutions for institutionalising democracy and ensuring accountability at the grassroots levels, according to a report in this newspaper yesterday. We welcome the governments initiative. In fact, development of a country cannot be expected ignoring the local government institutions. As the public representatives the chairmen and members of union parishads are the custodians of the local people. They can stand by the people in their weal and woe. They can do a lot for the people if they are vested with sufficient powers by the relevant authorities.
Since UP chairmen and members are the elected representatives of the people, they are aware of the problems and prospects of their respective jurisdictions. Who can better address the problems of their localities than them? They can play their roles in establishing the rule of law, in poverty alleviation, eradicating illiteracy, resisting child marriage, drug addiction, health care, human trafficking corruption and other vital social issues. They can also contribute to prevention of criminal activities. But they should be given freedom to exercise whatever power they are given.
Over the years the UP chairmen and members played positive roles for the welfare of the people in their areas. But unnecessary interference in their activities by the higher authorities like local members of parliament may pose problems for them. It is heartening that the present government has put due emphasis on strengthening capacities, expertise, efficiencies and abilities of elected public representatives, union and upazila parishad bodies. What is needed now is ensuring better coordination among the upazila level government officials, union parishad chairmen and members and working unitedly in implementing various development projects of the government.
The country has achieved the lower middle income status. It will have to achieve much more in the years to come. Concerted efforts by all are needed for achieving those, including the economic progress from the grassroots level. As the public representatives at the grassroots level, the local government institutions can play their dominant roles. Establishment of democracy and rule of law is not possible without delegating powers to the local bodies.
