Minister for Local Government Zillur Rahman yesterday stressed the necessity of strengthening Institutional capacity and efficiency of union councils enabling to take active part In the local development activities for expediting the current socio-economic development programmes, reports BSS.

During a meeting with a delegation of Bangladesh Union Council Chairmen Association at his office in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban yesterday, the minister said Die present government has established a powerful union council at the country's grass-root level for ensuring a better life of the rural masses.

"The government is now implementing a Taka 50 crore Capacity Building Project with Funds from the UNDP for strengthening institutional capacity and efficiency of the

Union Council/’ he said.

Zillur Rahman called upon the union council chairmen to play their bold role to speed up the revenue collection throughout the country and also the ongoing development programmes including construction and reform of rural infrastructures, preservation of public health and sanitation, protection of environment and removal of illiteracy and poverty from the country.

Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government Baciiur Rahman was present on the occasion. The delegation led by the association president Meer Enayet Hussain Mantu handed over a 12-point demand to the minister who assured them of taking due step in this regard.

Other members of the delegation were Abdul Khaleque. Abdul Wahab Khokan, Sahabud-dln. Golam Sarwar Monlr and Golam Mostafa.