A high-powered commission on local government will be formed soon to make the grass-roots level institutions more powerful, effective and people-oriented, reports UNB.

The commission will propose a strong local government structure after reviewing the effectiveness of the past upazilla system, said LG RD and Cooperatives Minister Zillur Rahman, adding It will find out ways and means how to make the system effective, timely and welfare oriented.

The minister was talking to a delegation of the United Na tions Development Programme (UNDP) in Dhaka yesterday.

He mentioned that role of local government institutions will be expartded further to set up a strong rural communication network and protection of environment.

The minister said Union Parishad would be in the cen tre of development programmes in the overall local government structure.

Members of the delegation informed fiat the UNDP is ready to give the local government commission necessary fund and technical assistance.

Besides, the UN organ has already taken economic assist tance expansion programme for poverty alleviation In urban and rural areas, protection of environment and socio-eco- nomic development of rural women.

The meeting was told that an integrated and effective training programme will be taken up by the UNDP for skill developmei t of the elec ed union parishad chairmen and members for rural infrastructural development and poverty alleviation.

The UNDP will also provide necessary assistance for the slum development programme in the urbar areas.

The meeJng was attended among others by State Minis ter for Local Government. Rural Development and Cooperatives Syed Abul Hossain, UN Resident Coordinator Eimi Watanabe and senior officials of the ministry .