Autonomy of city corporations stressed

Speakers at a workshop yesterday stressed the need for autonomy of all city corporations.
The lack of operational autonomy works as a major hindrance to achieving an efficient and effective city governance system, they said.
Ministries or other government agencies frequently interrupt and intervene in the operations of city corporations, says a recent study carried out by the International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB).
IBFB organised the workshop titled "Improving City Governance and Private Sector Development" at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel yesterday.
In the existing organogram of the city corporations, some vital positions are filled up mostly with civil-service cadres, according to the study.
Most officials of city corporations do not perform works effectively as they seldom own the full sense responsibility as being a part of the city corporation.
They think this because their stay at the corporation is of temporary nature.
"Unless a complete overhaul of our city governance system is ensured, the country may not be able to attract foreign investments and this may lead to a major economic setback," said Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, president of IBFB.
The new unified City Governance Act of 2009 lacks provision for authority and power of the corporation as an elected body.
The unified local government law of 2009 has seriously undermined the elected offices of mayor or councillor as they can be suspended by just filing a criminal case, said Chowdhury.
"Corruption has become so rampant at the city corporation offices that one cannot have a job done without bribing people at the city corporation offices," said M Anis Ud Dowla, president of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Dhaka City Corporation is the most corrupt among the city corporations in Bangladesh, he alleged.
"The private sector should be encouraged to participate in the city governance system," said Shawkat Ali, deputy speaker of parliament.