Specific guidelines for local govt soon: PM

---

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the government will be formulating specific working policy guidelines for the local government stipulating specific duties and tasks for Members of Parliament (MPs), upazila chairmen and upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs), reports UNB.
"Under the policy, upazila chairmen, UNOs and MPs will have their own duties and responsibilities delineated. And all must work in unison in line with their respective tasks and duties," the Prime Minister (PM) said.
She was addressing the inaugural function of a workshop titled "Upazila Council Management and Digital Bangladesh" at the ICC conference room of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Monday.
Hasina said the government believed in decentralisation of power and it would take every necessary step for strengthening the local government.
"Without decentralisation of power, balanced development cannot be achieved from the grassroots to central level," the PM said.
Three upazila chairmen - Badiuzzaman Badshah of Nalitabari Upazila in Sherpur district, Harun-ur-Rashid Hawlader of Dumki Upazila in Patuakhali and Abdul Majid of Saturia Upazila in Manikganj district on behalf of the upazila charimen spoke on the occasion.
The upazila chairmen in their speech presented several demands to the Prime Minister.
These included specifications of their jurisdiction and partnership in development projects, assigning responsibilities of making and sending annual confidential report (ACR) of the government officials, particularly the UNOs, and ensuring their dignity.
Besides, the upazila chairmen also demanded of the PM to establish their participation in the upazila law and order maintenance committee.
They also alleged that they were yet to receive the government's notifications regarding their specific duties and tasks.
The Prime Minister in her address assured the chairmen that their scope and facilities in the government's development projects would be appropriately delineated.
She also said the government would look into the matter of the chairmen's participation in the upazila law and order maintenance committee.
Hasina further directed the upazila chairmen to work for people's development, abiding by all rules and regulations and laws of the land.