Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Zlllur Rahman has said that the government would ensure economic emancipation of the people by giving institu tional shape to local govern ment bodies at the grass-root level to luifill its electoral pledges, reports BSS

Ine minister was addressing the first high-level meeting of the Local Government Reconsu tution Commission at the conference room of the ministry yesterday

Zlllur Rahman said, there is no alternative to strong local government bodies to ensure participation of the people in development activities and make the country self-reliant

Referring to the formation of the local government commission. the minister said the government would introduce a Bill in the next session of the Jatiya Sangsad on local government structure as per the Prime Min ister's announcement.

He said the government would ensure equal development of all areas of the country through proper distribution of wealth by making every tier of local government bodies more democratic and representative.

He said the Union Parishad would be made more effective and pro-people so that every village is represented. He said the financial power of the Union Prishad would be increased to ensure its autonomy so that participation of the village people at the grass-root level is ensured.

Zlllur said the objective of tiie government Is to develop a pro people local government structure by electing all mem bers of the Upazila Parishad. Including Ils chairman, by di reel votes oi the people. He said the government also wants to ensure proper coordination between Union Parishad and Upazlla Parishad and make the Zula Parishad effective.

He said the Commission would also consider the matter of incorporation of historic and traditional shafish" commit tee with the development activities.

State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Syed Abul Hossain. Member of Local Government Commission Suranjit Sen ' Gupta. Advocate Fazle Rabbi, Begum Taherunnesa Abdullah. Borhanuddin Khan Jahangir. Kazi Azhar All and member secretary of the Commission AHH Abdul Hye were present in the meeting.