Harsh realities of the city corporations' power
Amidst the high hopes created by the exuberant mayoral campaigning comes a cold splash of reality. According to a report by The Daily Star, the providing of civic services by the city corporations is a virtually impossible task. This is because of the lack of coordination with innumerable other agencies, all of which are related one way or another, to various aspects of city development and execution of basic services. Internal corruption, according to urban planning experts, is another major bottleneck in the way of proper functioning of the city corporations.
The fact that the development activities of Dhaka city alone is carried out by 18 ministries and 56 government departments provides enough room for confusion and miscommunication. Experts have said that unless the city corporations are given precedence over other agencies it will be not possible for them to function effectively. Thus a revision of the city government system is crucial with the elected councillors working closely with the elected mayor in providing the services we, the taxpayers, pay for year after year. Supply of water, electricity and gas, for instance, are dependent on four different government bodies including WASA, and Titas Gas and Rajuk is responsible for construction of buildings.
A major revamping of the city's management is obviously crucial. The reforms should be aimed at making the city corporations stronger by freeing them from bureaucratic hurdles and corruption, providing them with adequate, competent manpower and a realistic budget to carry out their functions. The city corporation polls will bring about meaningful changes only if they result in better civic services to the taxpaying voters, something that has been lacking for decades.
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