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Govt mulls MP power back in upazila

May modify ordinance to ensure their authority over local govt

M Abul Kamal Azad
The newly elected Awami League (AL)-led alliance government is likely to modify the Local Government (Upazila Parishad) Ordinance to bestow some autiiority on lawmakers which the immediate-past caretaker government removed by promulgating the ordinance.
LGRD and cooperatives ministry sources say the Ordinance might be passed in parliament incorporating some roles of lawmakers in local development in the face of pressure by many MPs.
Giving the impression, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday said, "The MPs should not play their role in making only laws. They have also made some pledges to the people of their constituencies."
Some AL lawmakers told The Daily Star last night the matter whether MPs should have a role in local government bodies would be debated in parliament before the ordinance is ratified.
Talking to reporters at his ministry yesterday, Ashraf said achievement of overall devel-
opment is not possible ignoring the lawmakers. He however said his government would strengthen the local government bodies.
Earlier, US Ambassador James F Moriarty, Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty and UN Resident Coordinator Renata Lac Dessallien called on the minister at his Secretariat office separately and expressed their keen interest in strengthening the local government system in Bangladesh.
Ashraf said the role of MPs in the local government affairs will be discussed and redefined in parliament. "I have discussed the matter with the local government commission and more discussions are needed. A decision will be made considering every aspect."
He said the ruling AL has no objection to any provisions of the Ordinance promulgated by the caretaker government excepting the provi sions for the role of MPs.
Citing an example of India where MPs get a special allocation of about Tk 2 crore for local development, he pointed out that MPs of the country should also have an opportunity for local development work.
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On the meetings with the foreign diplomats, he said there was a meaningful discussion with them where both sides agreed on bilateral cooperation for strengthening local government bodies.
Talking to journalists after the meeting, the US Ambassador said local government is very important to find a way to democracy. The present government is committed to making sure that local government plays an important role, the US envoy said.
The upazila system was first introduced in 1985 but after the general election the next year MPs were made adviser of the local body making the role of upazila chairman minor.
With the system the local administration had to face complexities over whether it would act as per the direction of the adviser or the chairman. In many places conflicts surfaced between the MPs and chairmen, disrupting development activities severely. The situation was worse where there were MPs from the ruling party and chairmen from the opposition.
BNP after assuming power in 1991 nullified the system. Although they formed different committees to introduce new laws regarding local government bodies, they failed to make any decision.
The AL government in 1996 amended the upazila ordinance but kept the power of announcing the election date in its hands, leading to the Election Commission's failure to hold the polls after repeated attempts.
After returning to power again in 2001, the BNP-Jamaat alliance government tried to fix the role of the MPs on the local government but failed. Finally, Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed-led caretaker government after the 1/11 change-over promulgated Upazila Panshad Ordinance excluding any influence of MPs on local government.
The ordinance also created two vice chairman posts including one reserved for women.
The upazila election will be held in 481 upazila parishads tomorrow.