Bifurcation of DCC will not serve purpose

The process is almost complete for bifurcation of the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC). It would be surprising if the lobbyists in favour of the move are not aware of people's resentment across the social spectrum. This paper has no intention of delving deep into the tricky question if it is politically expedient or not. What is vitally important is the protection of interests of the people living in this mega city permanently or temporarily or visiting it for business or other purposes. In fact, looking at the issue from an apolitical point of view, one is likely to encounter a few uneasy questions. Without answering those questions, the implementation of the decision would be not only hasty but also reckless. Bangladesh has a recognised capital unlike the two capitals of Indian Kashmir (capital shifts between Srinangar and Jammu for six months each). Now where will that capital be when the city is split into DCC North and DCC South? Or are to follow the Kasmiri rotation? For election purposes, quite practically, Dhaka is divided into several constituencies which are denoted by numbers and then the metropolis is divided into wards under the local government system. Since the lawmakers are supposed to deal with all matters related to laws in parliament, the executive part of administration ought to be a responsibility of the DCC authorities with a mayor heading it and ward commissioners looking after matters at the grass-roots level of the metropolitan governance. The branching of the city-corporation administration is the same as the tapering down of the local government. Strengthening the local government could do the trick. But instead of strengthening the metropolitan governance, why the government is bent on implementing the arcane concept of two city corporations for the capital is a mystery. If the purpose is to improve delivery of services rendered by different public or private utility companies or agencies, all must get their acts together under a single city corporation. Even larger metropolises in other countries are managing businesses, rather efficiently, with a single city corporation under a mayor. Making the city governance unencumbered by allowing it the financial freedom truly counts. Unless that happens, many such divisions will only make the matters worse with the increase in expenditure. No wonder the incumbent mayor has appealed not to bifurcate the DCC and he would rather not compete for the mayoral position provided his appeal is granted. Quite evidently, the bifurcation of the DCC may give rise to some awkward complications requiring further move to put the record straight in several other areas. From land registration to moving offices or residence from one area to another will call for a lot of paper work involving time, money and energy. The concept of local government has been relegated to the backburner and no government has been serious about devolving power to the locally elected representatives of the people. Had people got the opportunity to participate in the process of decision-making at the local level on matters concerning their welfare, the quality of development work, social responsibility and even politics would have received a shot in the arm. Against the backdrop of widespread corruption and yawning socio-economic gap, nothing less than devolution of responsibility will prove equal to the task of dealing with the problems at the grass-roots level.