Perform duties neutrallyduring UP polls

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday asked deputy commissioners to perform their duties neutrally and efficiently in holding the forthcoming union parishad elections in a peaceful manner.

He said soon after the UP polls, gram sarkar elections would also be held at the lowest tier of local government.

Addressing the deputy commissioners, who are in the capital to attend a two-day national conference, he said the present government assuming power held election to municipalities and city corporations in a peaceful manner.

The forthcoming UP elections would also be held in peace with the help of district and other local administrations, he added.

Emphasising the role of DCs in implementing government decisions, the ruling party leader called upon them to help the government in strengthening the local government institutions.

He regretted that chairmen in different municipalities are not realising taxes in fear of their defeat in future elections. 'But this is a wrong notion,' he said and called upon the DCs to help realise municipal taxes. Otherwise, local government would not be strengthened.

Bhuiyan, also Secretary General of the ruling BNP, directed the DCs to visit the local government institutions frequently and monitor their function.

He also regretted less collection of revenue from leasing of haats and bazars. He said performance of divisions except Rajshahi, in raising taxes from haats and bazars is not satisfactory.

The LGRD Minister also directed the chief executives of district administrations to monitor activities of various NGOs who are working for arsenic mitigation at field level and also birth registration.

Bhuiyan said the government is trying to involve the elected women commissioners and members of city corporations and union parishads with development activities, but they are still facing hurdles from their male counterparts.

He told the DCs that of every three projects, the government decided to give one to an elected woman representative. He asked them to see whether the women are getting the development schemes.

The minister directed the deputy commissioners to provide the government with correct statistics so that the government could make proper strategies and plans.

Cabinet Secretary, LGRD Secretary and other high officials were also present in the meeting held at Secretariat.