Study suggests full autonomy for union parishad
Friday, 15 August 2008
An independent study has suggested complete autonomy of union parishad (UP), the lowest tier of local government, by making the local government system independent from the central government, reports BSS.
The report of the study entitled "Functioning of Local Government (UP): Legal and Practical Constraints" was presented at a function organised by Policy Advocacy Forum (PAF) in CIRDAP auditorium in the city Thursday.
The report recommended formation of a separate commission for monitoring of local government bodies. The local government representatives would remain accountable to the commission for their activities.
For enhancing the ability of UPs, the study said the organogram of the local body should be changed. To assist the secretary, there should be an assistant secretary, a tax assessor and an accountant, and all of them must be computer-literate.
Administrative tangles should be removed from the decision- making process and the activities of the UPs be kept free from politics and the influences of political parties, the study recommended.
Besides making recommendations, the study identified a number of problems faced by the UPs. It said interference by the government and political parties has become a regular phenomenon, which is hampering the overall activities of the UPs.
On the other hand, the UPs have become a means for a particular class to attain their vested interest, the report added.
Dr Mohammad Mohabbat Khan, professor, Department of Public Administration, Dhaka University, presented the study report, which was followed by an open discussion.
Former MP Shahiduzzaman, senior journalist and columnist Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury, Syed Nurul Alam, executive director, South Asia Partnership-Bangladesh, Bangladesh Union Parishad Forum President Mahbubur Rahman Tulu and General Secretary Atharul Islam Bulbul, among others, took part in the discussion, which was chaired by Dr William J Althaus, chief of party, DLGP- RTI.
Taleya Rehman moderated the function on behalf of the PAF.
The study report said the absence of financial administration has turned the UPs into 'weak and unacceptable' institutions. The UPs have to follow the development plans imposed by the government, it said and added there is no alternative to financial autonomy for overall development of the UPs.
Lack of 'far-reaching' long-term plans is also a problem for the UPs, the report said and added the short-term plans can bring temporary benefits but fail to make any lasting effects.
The study found resource constraints as one of the reasons for UPs' weakness in resource management and balanced distribution. Presently, the UPs' mentionable source of income is local tax, but it is not possible to take up any project depending on this income.
Unilateral influence of the UP chairmen hinders the members' playing their due roles. This also creates problems in decision- making, project making and financial management, according to the study.
In its recommendations, the study suggested that the salaries of the chairmen and members be increased. The monthly salary of a UP chairman can be at least Taka 15,000 while that of a member can be between Taka 5,000 and Taka 10,000.
The study report said the relations between the local government bodies and the members of parliament should be cordial and reciprocal. Interference by MPs in the activities of the UPs is not desirable.
If the UPs are provided with funds and adequate manpower, they would be the best in identifying the local problems and implementing plans accordingly, the study report said.
The report of the study entitled "Functioning of Local Government (UP): Legal and Practical Constraints" was presented at a function organised by Policy Advocacy Forum (PAF) in CIRDAP auditorium in the city Thursday.
The report recommended formation of a separate commission for monitoring of local government bodies. The local government representatives would remain accountable to the commission for their activities.
For enhancing the ability of UPs, the study said the organogram of the local body should be changed. To assist the secretary, there should be an assistant secretary, a tax assessor and an accountant, and all of them must be computer-literate.
Administrative tangles should be removed from the decision- making process and the activities of the UPs be kept free from politics and the influences of political parties, the study recommended.
Besides making recommendations, the study identified a number of problems faced by the UPs. It said interference by the government and political parties has become a regular phenomenon, which is hampering the overall activities of the UPs.
On the other hand, the UPs have become a means for a particular class to attain their vested interest, the report added.
Dr Mohammad Mohabbat Khan, professor, Department of Public Administration, Dhaka University, presented the study report, which was followed by an open discussion.
Former MP Shahiduzzaman, senior journalist and columnist Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury, Syed Nurul Alam, executive director, South Asia Partnership-Bangladesh, Bangladesh Union Parishad Forum President Mahbubur Rahman Tulu and General Secretary Atharul Islam Bulbul, among others, took part in the discussion, which was chaired by Dr William J Althaus, chief of party, DLGP- RTI.
Taleya Rehman moderated the function on behalf of the PAF.
The study report said the absence of financial administration has turned the UPs into 'weak and unacceptable' institutions. The UPs have to follow the development plans imposed by the government, it said and added there is no alternative to financial autonomy for overall development of the UPs.
Lack of 'far-reaching' long-term plans is also a problem for the UPs, the report said and added the short-term plans can bring temporary benefits but fail to make any lasting effects.
The study found resource constraints as one of the reasons for UPs' weakness in resource management and balanced distribution. Presently, the UPs' mentionable source of income is local tax, but it is not possible to take up any project depending on this income.
Unilateral influence of the UP chairmen hinders the members' playing their due roles. This also creates problems in decision- making, project making and financial management, according to the study.
In its recommendations, the study suggested that the salaries of the chairmen and members be increased. The monthly salary of a UP chairman can be at least Taka 15,000 while that of a member can be between Taka 5,000 and Taka 10,000.
The study report said the relations between the local government bodies and the members of parliament should be cordial and reciprocal. Interference by MPs in the activities of the UPs is not desirable.
If the UPs are provided with funds and adequate manpower, they would be the best in identifying the local problems and implementing plans accordingly, the study report said.