Upazila vice chairmen warn of tougher movement

Leaders of Bangladesh Upazila Vice Chairmen Samannaya Parishad here yesterday urged the government to immediately strengthen and make upazila parishads (UP) effective bodies for the development of people at grassroot level.
The leaders warned of waging tougher movement if their specific duties, post status and proper use of power are not ensured by November 30.
They were addressing a press conference organised by Chittagong unit of the parishad at Chittagong Press Club auditorium.
Parishad central Vice President Rasheda Akter presided over the press conference while Chittagong unit President Noor Mohammad read out a written statement.
The leaders also announced month long programmes to press home their demands.
The programmes include view exchange meeting and human chain from October 11 to October 25, rallies at divisions and submission of memorandum to the prime minister on October 30.
No step was taken within the last 20 months to make the UP strong and effective, they alleged.
“Different quarters are spreading propaganda to split us. We are aware not to involve ourselves with anything that violates rules,” Nur Mohammad read in the statement.
“The upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) are not following laws and gazettes sent to them from time to time by the cabinet and LGRD secretaries. They are trying to keep the elected representatives inactive,” he alleged.
Chairman parishad's Chittagong unit General Secretary Ehsanul Haider Chowdhury Babul said the government should not neglect the UP chairmen and vice chairmen, as the next national election will be held during their tenure.
Vice chairman parishad's Chittagong unit General Secretary Muhammad Jasim Uddin, Banskhali upazila Vice Chairman Noor Hossain, Central Finance Secretary Jafrul Islam Chowdhury, Feni unit General Secretary Jannatul Ferdous and Kaptai upazila Vice Chairman Jirgar Hossain were present at the press conference.
Later, the parishad leaders formed a human chain in front of the Chittagong Press Club.