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Empower UPs for dev UP

chairmen, members suggest govt at Dhaka seminar

Staff Correspondent
The government should focus on strengthening the local government bodies, especially Union Parishad (UP), for development, said UP chairmen and members yesterday.
The country's overall development is not possible without empowering the local bodies. Since UPs are the lowest tire of local government system, special priority should be given to make it more functional and effective, they said.
They were speaking at a seminar titled "Union-based action of plan is essential to achieve Vision 2021" jointly organised by Bangladesh Union Parishad Forum, Prattasha 2021 Forum, and Hunger Free World at the capital's Jatiya Press Club yesterday.
They pushed for implementation of their pre-announced eight-point
demand, including government's direct allocation to UPs, increasing honourarium of chairmen and members and government's declaration settling their official status.
An UP on an average annually gets government allocation of around Tk 2 crore through different government department, upazila parishad and upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs).
"...we have to face difficulties in disbursing the funds. That's why, people do not get proper benefit," said Kazi Moazzem Hossain, chairman of Amratoli UP in Comilla.
For discharging their duties, the honourarium should be raised to Tk 15,000 from Tk 3,300 for a UP chairman and it has to be increased to Tk 5,000 from Tk 1,800 for a member, said M Shampa Mahmud, chairman of Hatisharipur Union Parishad in Kushtia. Although they are elected by
people, government officers at grassroots level want to influence them.
"So, their status as chairmen and members should be included in the Warrant of Precedence," said Hafizur Rashid Manju, chairman of Itakhola UP in Nilphamari.
In response to the demands, State Minister for LGRD Mashiur Rahman Ranga, who attended the function as the chief guest, assured them of taking necessary steps to meet their demands and strengthen UPs.
Speaking as the special guest, road safety campaigner and film star Ilias Kanchan urged the chairmen and members to play more proactive role in ensuring road safety in rural areas.
Bangladesh Union Parishad Forum President Mahbubur Rahman Tulu chaired the function attended by over 100 chairman and members from across the country.