UZ chairmen allege they can’t work for UNOs & legal framework

Polls to Zila Parishads by 2010: LGRD Minister
Leaders of Upazila Chairmen’s Association alleged that UZ chairmen have become inactive due to indecision of government and non-cooperation of the UNOs.
After a meeting with LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, association head Badiuzzaman Badsha said although they were elected several months ago but they cannot work effectively due to disturbance by the UNO and lack of legal framework.
They submitted a letter to LGRD minister comprising 11 demands including cancellation of the UNO post. They asked for amending laws with a view to transforming UNO post to UZ secretary who will remain under a chairman.
They demanded of the government to introduce a provision whereby UZ chairmen will be able to write ACRs of the UNOs instead of their higher authorities namely ADCs or DCs. They asked for cancellation of present law providing that UZ chairmen will contact the government but through the local MPs.
It has been demanded to vest executive power of UZ parishad on chairmen changing the present law saying that executive power can be entrusted to any member or officer of the respective UZ parishad.
The UZ leaders asked for scrapping the decision that chairmen will have to undertake development scheme in consultation with the local MPs and decisions of every meeting will have to be informed to MPs within 14 days.
Although there was no condition that chairmen cannot be head of any standing committee in 1998 law but in recent law of 2009 there is such provision which has been requested to be cancelled.
Thereafter they called for bringing primary and secondary education departments, rural development departments, Ansar and VDP department under the authority of the UZ parishad.
LGRD Minister said that most of their demands are eligible to be implemented and that the law will be changed if needed.
He said “Nobody is above the people’s representatives. I am also a people’s representative. Do not be frustrated. Government will take all necessary steps to make UZ effective,”
LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam has said elections to the district parishad will be held next year, but in which procedure the election will be held is being examined by the government.
“Will it be a mini cabinet or votes of all voters in a district will be cast. There may be a district where total voters might be one crore. Is it possible to cast all votes and what may be alternatives are being mulled by the government,” he said.
He also said remaining elections to all branches of local governments likely UP, UZ and city corporations will be held by December, 2009.

Courtesy of The Bangladesh Today