Role of MPs & UZ Chairmen in local dev
Balance of power in Upazila-level stressed
Sahidul Islam Rana
There should be a ‘balance of power’ between the Upazila Parishad Chairmen and the Member of Parliament (MPs) to ensure smooth functioning of different development works in local levels throughout the country.
Hoping for massive development, including infrastructural and others, some grassroots-level political leaders and activists as well as a section of general people said, “Whatever the role of the elected representatives would be, it must be people-oriented and as per the election-pledges of voted leaders.”
Almost all, who talked to The Bangladesh Today, expressed their different opinions with regards to the ongoing much-talked-about the ordinance of Local Government (Upazila Parishad) promulgated by the erstwhile Army-backed Emergency Government but they highly appreciated the Upazila system as part of decentralisation of power for the interest of common folk.
They also opined that in the ordinance, the elected representatives of the Upazila Parshad had authorised excessive power that should be reduced to ensure more accountability in their activities while the MPs should be connected in their (Chairmen) works also but their (lawmakers) role must not be exercised absolutely.
“As the MPs have promised to ensure different development works like infrastructural development, distribution of all Government’s grants and Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) cards and others while the Upazila Chairmen-elect had pledged almost same. But no proper development can be ensured if there is a tug of war between the two local representatives. A system should be endorsed in the ninth Parliament directing them to ensure all activities through consultation with each others,” they observed.
One Khalilur Rahman Mohon, former Vice-President (VP) of Jahirul Haque Hall Students’ Union of Dhaka University said, “No such system has yet developed where the UZ Chairmen would be able to work with full liberty in Bangladesh. This local government system would be very effective by decentralisation of power but the MPs should be made advisers of the Upazila Parishads. Besides, mutual coordination is a must in this regard.”
Giving preference for curtailing some administrative authorities in UZ-level, an incumbent Awami League leader said, “The Local Government Ordinance of the Caretaker Government may inspire the UZ Chairmen to misuse the chair as a king of the Upazila.”
“The parliament should ratify this ordinance through changing some of its provisions. I, however, support the provision that the elected representatives would quit from the party’s post before taking oath. Such system would create new leadership as well,” he observed.
One Mohammad Hossain, a Jubo League activist of Jhalokati Upazila in Barisal admitted that the balance of power between the MPs and UZ Chairmen is a vital issue but the MPs should act as advisers of Upazila Parishads “It’s all right that the lawmakers will enact laws in the Jaitya Sangsad but they promised to do something during the election that should be fulfilled. Otherwise, the party will be loser in the long run,”
Meanwhile, talking to this correspondent, one Mojibur Rahman, an inhabitant of Siddhirganj Upazila under Narayanganj district said, “The power of the Upazila Chairmen must reduce. It’s not graceful that an Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) would perform his duty as a secretary under the UZ Chairman. The Chairmen must have academic qualification with at least graduation degree. On the other hand, the laws should be enacted so that no MPs can play an autocratic role ignoring the position of UZ Chairmen.”
Referring to the ongoing tussle centering the concerned ordincces earlier placed before the House on January 25, the octogenarian said, “The MPs are in favour of cancellation of the ordincces while the UZ Chairmen-elect are on the attempt to form a greater unity not to curtail their administrative power. People are anxious about this. The government should have solved the issue before arranging the Upazila Parishad polls.”
One Jahidul Islam, a school teacher of Bhajna Government Primary School of Mirjaganj Upazila in Patuakhali, expressed his grave concern about the ongoing debate over the role of MPs and UZ Chairmen in local level developments.
He said, “If the government fails to settle this issue wisely, the 1/11 political changeover across the country would be fruitless as this system would play a very significant role in checking widespread corruption at the district levels. If it marches towards wrong directions, irregularities and corruption would intensify centering various public works like fair distribution of government grants, relief materials -like corrugated iron (CI) sheet, VGF cards and other issues.”
Here it may be mentioned, the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) on Wednesday witnessed five-minute’s uproar by the treasury bench members, who were demanding their enhanced role in implementing development works at the Upazila level.
Courtesy of www.thebangladeshtoday.com
