Why local govt reps shouldn't be sacked?

The High Court yesterday questioned failure of the elected representatives of people in stopping child marriages in their areas.

The court issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government to explain in four weeks why the union parishad chairmen and members, and the ward councillors of city corporations and municipalities will not be held responsible for the recurrence of child marriages in their respective areas.

It also asked the respondents to show causes why appropriate action should not be taken against them (union parishad chairmen and members and ward councilors of city corporations and municipalities) and why they should not be terminated if child marriage takes place in their areas.

Secretaries to the ministries of public administration, local government, rural development and cooperatives, law, home, women and children affairs, and social welfare have been made respondents to the rule.

It is not acceptable that the elected representatives of the people cannot play role in stopping child marriage, as they are very much informed about the people of their respective areas, the court said.

The bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Mohammad Ullah came up with the rule and order on a suomoto (voluntary) move following a report on eight child marriage incidents prevented in 24 hours published in  Prothom Alo on October 29 .