They said delegation of more power to local government will ultimately strengthen the central government.

The daylong seminar titled "Democratic local government and good governance: An experience from southwest region" was organised by Rupantar, an NGO, in collaboration with USAID at LGED Bhaban in the city.

The speakers said there is no alternative to political consensus to strengthen the local government.

They said only political will can bring positive change in the overall infrastructure and financial sector by strengthening the local government.

Quoting the examples of some union parishads in southwest region, they said it is already established that if locals and representatives of local government act together, they can play significant role in accumulating internal resources to implement different development works in their area.

Speaking as special guest Awami League lawmaker Dr Abdur Razzak said local government is now weaker than any time before.

He stressed the need for making upazila parishad more functional and posed question whether there is any need for 'gram sarkar' (village government) in the country.

Dr Razzak said the role of lawmaker should be made clear to reduce clash with the representatives of local governments over different development works.

He said a lawmaker has to work in his constituency keeping an eye on the next election but this should not be confined to distributing wheat only.

Former vice-chancellor of Jahangirnagar University Dr Amirul Islam Chowdhury said local government is a traditional democratic body and in western country it is the biggest democratic institution.

He stressed the need for defining the role of lawmakers before the next general election to stop their interference in local development works.

Executive Director of Khan Foundation Rokshana Khondokar, USAID Mission Director Gene V George and Rupantar Director Rafiqul Islam Khan also spoke at the discussion chaired by Rupantar Chief Executive Swapan Guha.