Focus on more allocation to local govt bodies

Speakers at a view-exchange meeting on Sunday emphasised more financial allocation to local government bodies for ensuring citizens' services.
They said the local government bodies might face financial crunch and might not be able to pay salary and allowance to their employees after implementation of the new pay-scale, which will ultimately hamper citizens' services.
They also focused on financial decentralisation with the inclusion of local government budget in the upcoming national budget for the fiscal year (FY) 2015-16.
Municipal Association of Bangladesh (MAB) and Bangladesh Union Parishad Forum (BUPF) organised the programme at the National Press Club, which was presided over by Mayor of Bera Municipality Abdul Baten.  
Mayor of Singra Municipality and general secretary of MAB Prof Shamim Ali Razi delivered the address of welcome.
State Minister for Finance M A Mannan was present as the chief guest. Former vice-chancellor of Jahangirnagar University Prof Amirul Islam Chowdhury presented the keynote paper. Adviser to MAB Advocate Azmatullah Khan was also present.
The municipality mayors presented a set of recommendations including formulation of budget for the local government bodies, formation of a local government commission, giving responsibility to the local government bodies for maintaining 'khas' land, wetland and other local resources, formulation of a national decentralisation policy, separate budget for women empowerment, and ensuring salary and allowance of the municipality employees in line with the new pay-scale.
The state minister for finance assured them that the government will consider the recommendations.       
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