Strong local govt system a must for sustainable democracy
Union parishad (UP) chairmen and members of Barisal Division yesterday called for a strong, autonomous local government system to ensure sustainable democracy and promote good governance in the country.
They said lawmakers, ministers and administration officials have always wanted to keep local government bodies in their control in the past, rendering them incapable of working freely.
The UP officials were speaking at a meeting at Ashwini Kumar Hall in Barisal, organised by Bangladesh Union Parishad Oikya Jote.
Prof Dr Anisuzzaman, chairman of philosophy department at Dhaka University, was chief guest at the programme. He called for active participation of the armed forces in government for the sake of democracy.
About eight hundred chairmen and members from 339 union parishads of Barisal Division took part in the programme.
The UP officials complained that although the lowest tier of the local government system has been given budgetary power on paper, vested quarters have always stood in the way of implementing the provision.
They said they prefer local-body elections before national polls because this would ensure elections free from political interference and administrative control.
Calling for the elimination of gender discrimination in status and power, female UP members said even though they represent three wards in a union parishad council, their roles have always been insignificant.
Dr Anisuzzaman said union parishads should be strengthened as democracy cannot survive without a powerful local government.
He put emphasis on the active participation of the defence force in a democratic government, saying development of the nation would not be possible otherwise.
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