Poor power structure makes Zila Parishads dysfunctional: TIB

The rigid control over the local government bodies by MPs and the government officials’ unwillingness to ensure people’s participation in power domains has made the Zila Parishads virtually dysfunctional, says TIB.
 “Although the Zila Parishad is an important local government institution, it could not be made effectively functional due to poor power structure and lack of elected representatives,” the TIB (Transparency International Bangladesh) said in its latest study.
TIB deputy programme manager (research and policy) Nahid Sharmin unveiled the findings of the study, ‘Zila Parishad in Local Government System: Challenges of Good Government and Way Forward’, at a press conference at Biam auditorium Wednesday.
TIB trustee board member M Hafizuddin Khan, TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, deputy executive director Dr Sumaiya Khair and director Rafiqul Hasan were present, according to a news agency.
The study says despite commitments by the political parties in their election manifestos to decentralise power, they have not yet taken any effective step to strengthen the Zila Parishad.