Govt signs $18m grant with UNDP for implementing LICP

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An agreement was signed Monday between government and UNDP on a $18 million grant for implementing the Learning and Innovation Component Programme (LICP) of Local Governance Support Project, reports UNB.
Under the deal, UNDP, UNICEF, the European Commission and DANIDA will jointly provide the assistance to the government for strengthening Union Parishad system with a view to establishing effective local governance system.
Joint Secretary of the Economic Relations Division AHM Mostain Billah, Additional Secretary of Local Government Department Md Abul Kashem and acting country director of UNDP Larry Maramis signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC conference room in the city Monday.
ERD secretary Md Aminul Islam Bhuiyan was present at the signing ceremony.
In addition to the aid, the government will spend Tk 858.7 million (85.87 crore) for implementing the programme.
Local Government Depart-ment will implement the programme in 388 union parishads of Sirajganj, Habiganj, Satkhira, Feni, Barguna and Narshingdi districts.
Under the programme, the existing capacity of the union parishads will be raised in providing basic services with a view to eradicating poverty, achieving millennium development goals, improving expenditure management of local government, institutionalising accountability at local levels, developing organisational structure of union parishads for human resource development and training, policy formulation and coordination.