They also suggested strengthening coordination among the utility service providers such as Water and Sewerage Authority (Wasa), Dhaka Electric Supply Authority (Desa) and Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB) to ensure that the citizens receive quick services and are not harassed.

The call came at a press conference organised by Nagorik Odhikar Sangrakkhan Forum (a forum to protect citizens' rights) in association with Resource Integration Centre (RIC) and Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) at the National Press Club in the city.

"The ministries appear to like centralised power very much. They do not want to decentralise the administration, which is why the initiative to introduce city government system, which was taken during the tenure of the previous government, could not be implemented," said eminent economist Prof Muzaffer Ahmad.

The bureaucracy here is control-oriented rather than service-oriented, he said, adding that the same is the case with the DCC (Dhaka City Corporation), Rajuk (Rajdhani Unnyan Kartripokkho) and Wasa.

"These service providers do not have any accountability," said Prof Muzaffer Ahmad, also the president of Shushashoner Janney Nagorik (Shujan).

Politicisation of the DCC and widespread bribery among its officials and employees are gradually destroying the institution, he said, adding that such practices have deprived the lowest bidders of contracts for any work.

Prof Muzaffer suggested introducing the post of deputy mayor who will be elected as an individual not as a member of any political parties in order to make the city corporations more active.

He also suggested that the city corporation should divide the city into several zones and make available all services in each zone so that residents of a zone do not need to go far away to receive services. "Such system will significantly reduce the traffic jam," he said.

In a written speech, acting convenor of Nagorik Odhikar Sangrakkhan Forum Selima Mashir said the lack of coordination among the service providers hampers their activities, causing a huge loss of public money.

The authorities should bring about legal reforms to strengthen coordination among the private and public service providers at central and ward levels, she said.

"The power of the mayors should also be decentralised," she said.

Demanding introduction of public hearing for making the service providers accountable, Selima said the public services should be delivered equally to all citizens instead of providing any special services to the residents of any particular posh areas.

RIC Director Abul Hasib Khan demanded introduction of a system ensuring the residents' access to information about service providers' activities at the ward level.

He also suggested introducing area-based community policing, as there is a shortage of law enforcers.

RIC Urban Governance Programme Project Coordinator SMA Muyeed moderated the press conference.