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The Upazila System is the Second tire of the local Govt. of Bangladesh.
This system is the successor of the previous sub-division which was
introduced by the ex military autocrat HM Erashad. The local
government Ordinance 1982, provided details on the structure and
functions of the Upazila. The Upazila replaced the oldest institution
called Thana. It has been created as a local administration under the
decentralization program of the Government. Therefore, present study
aimed to analyze and to evaluate the local government system, the
Upazila System, its origin, development, composition, functions in old
and recently promulgated new format i.e. in local government
Ordinance 1982 and Upazila Parishad Act. 2009 (mainly 1982) format
etc.
Foreword
Local government is very essential for the development of country;
local government means the decentralization of administrative powers
into different local bodies. Bangladesh has experienced various types
of developmental models since the end of British Colonial rule, and
also during the period of Pakistan (1947-1971). Since 1971 as an
independent state Bangladesh has established her own administrative
system. The results of such development efforts have not been very
encouraging, in spite of some evidence of growth at certain brief
stages, the curative effect has been rather depressing, overall
economic condition has deteriorated, particularly distressing it’s the
fact that gaps between groups of people have widened. The second
tire of rural local government in Bangladesh is the Upazila Parishad.
The system of Upazila Parishad came into the process of
decentralization of administration. One of the most significant current
policy initiatives in Bangladesh is the decentralization of administration
in order to ensure peoples participation in local administration
particularly in the formation and implementation of development
activities which affect their lives. As the first step towards this process,
the 460 of the country have been upgraded in to Upazilas with
functional and financial powers. The Upazila system has been playing
significant Role in ensuring public participation in mass level, which is
considered as the key of democracy. It can ensure the accountability
and transparency of the government. In Bangladesh the rural
development is obviously possible through an effective, free and
political interference free Upazila System. It also ensures the
decentralization of power.
Local Government
Local Govt. is a term used in the decentralization of administration of a
country. Local governments are administrative offices that are smaller
than a state. The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state
level, which are referred to as the central government, national
government, or (where appropriate) federal government.
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county, prefecture, district, city, township, town, borough, parish,
municipality, shire and village. However all these names are often
used informally in different countries & local government is the legal
part of central Government.
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Composition, Power & Functions of the Upazila Parishad. Now we shall
discuss it in accordance with the local government ordinance 1982,
which was promulgated by the ex-military ruler HM Ershad. Now in
Bangladesh there have 482 Upazilas and 599 administrative thanas.
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1. All development activities at the Upazila leve; formulation of Upazila
level development plans and programs and implementation,
monitoring and evaluation thereof.
2. Preparation of Upazila Development plans on the basis of Union
Development plans.
3. Giving assistance and encouragement to Union Parishads in their
activities.
4. Promotion of health, family planning and Family Welfare.
5. Provision for management of environment.
6. Training of Chairman, members and secretaries of Union Parishads.
7. Implementation of
8. Government policies and programmes within the Upazila.
9. Supervision, control and co-ordination of functions of officers
serving in the Upazila except Mnsifs, Trying Magistrates and officers
engaged in regulatory functions.
10.Promotion of socio-cultural activities.
11.Promotion and encouragement of employment generating
activities.
12.Such other functions as may be specified by the Government from
time to time
13.Promotion and extension of co-operative movement in the Upazila
14.Assistance to Zilla Parishad in development activities.
15.Planning and execution of all rural public works programmed.
16.Promotion of agricultural activities for maximizing production.
17.Promotion of educational and vocational activities.
18.Promotion of livestock fisheries and forest
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Upazila parishad members. The women members of the reserved seat
of the union parishad will elect them. The Upazila parishad chairman
and vice-chairpersons will have to resign from their party posts if they
hold any. The vice-chairpersons will elect a two-member chairman
panel within one month of the first meeting of the parishad. A vice-
chairperson from the panel will serve as the chairman if the elected
chairman fails to carry out their duty for absence, illness or any other
reason. Upon suggestions of the Local Government Commission, the
government can suspend any chairmen, vice-chairpersons and women
members temporarily if their work goes against the parishad’s interest
or seems “unexpected” from administrative point of view. But, they
will be allowed to give their statement before that
Executive Powers
The chairman of the Upazila parishad will enforce executive power to
implement the decisions taken by the parishad. An Upazila parishad
chairman’s duties include chairing and conducting parishad meetings,
monitoring and controlling all officers and employees, meeting
financial expenditure of certain limits fixed by the government and
commission. The chairman will also prepare the annual confidential
reports of all officers and employees of the parishad. The chairman will
supervise all accounts of the parishad with the join signature of the
Upazila nirbahi officer (UNO).
Functions
The functions of Upazila parishad include dealing with administrative
and establishment issues, ensuring law and order and services related
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to peoples’ welfare, and formulation and implementation of local
economic and social development planning. Preparing development
planning for five-year terms or so, construction, repair and
maintenance of linking road under the Upazila, initiating and
implementing small irrigation projects, creation of jobs and initiating
programmes to reduce poverty are major duties of the parishad.
Besides, the parishad will regularly send report on the Upazila’s law
and order to the district committees on law and order and other high
authorities. The parishad will also publish citizens’ charter
accommodating the description, conditions and duration of the service
it would render to the people.
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members will be bound to give information to the auditor, who will
inform the DC if anybody defies.
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officials will be given chance to explain themselves before a parishad
is abolished.
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pecuniary interest in its affairs, or is a dealer in essential
commodities appointed by the Government.
Electoral roll –
1. There shall be an electoral toll-for every Upazila for the election of
Chairman lo by prepared-by the Election Commission.
2. A person shall be entitled to be enrolled on the electoral roll of the
Upazila if s/he—
a. is a citizen of Bangladesh ;
b. is not less than eighteen years of age .
c. does not stand declared by a competent court to be of unsound
mind; and
d. is or is deemed to be resident of that Upazila.
Right to vote:
Every the time being entered in the shall be entitled to vote at an
Upazila.
Oath of office.
Every Chairman shall, before he enters upon his office, make and
subscribe in the presence of such officer as the Government may
specify in this behalf, an oath or affirmation
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3. A resign9tion under this section shall become effective and the
office concerned shall become vacant, on the-date on which the
notice of resignation received by the addressee.
Explanation.
a. In this sub-section, "misconduct" means-misuse of power,
corruption, jobbery, favoritism, nepotism and willful
maladministration and includes any attempt at or abatement of,
such misconduct.
b. A Chairman shall not be removed from his office any ground
mentioned in sub-section unless at a special meeting of the
Parishad called for the purpose in the prescribed manner, a
resolution to the effect that he is liable to be so removed is
passed by the votes of not less than four-fifths cf the total
number of representative members of the Parishad and unless
the resolution is approved by the Government: Provided that, no
such resolution shall be passed unless the Chairman has been
given a reasonable opportunely of showing cause against the
resolution proposed to be passed with respect to him.
c. Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provision of this
Ordinance a person who has been removed from the office of
Chairman under sub-section (2) shall not be eligible for election
lo office for the term following his removal.
d. The Government may, after such enquiry as may be considered
necessary, remove any woman member or nominated member of
a Parishad from office en any ground mentioned in sub section
(1)9
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b. He fails to make the oath referred to in section 13 within the
period of thirty days after the date of publication of his name in
the official Gazette, unless the Government, for good cause
shown, extends the period.
c. He resigns his office under section 12;
d. He is removed from his office under section 13; or
e. He dies,
Acting Chairman.
At any time when the office at Chairman falls vacant or when the
Chairman is unable to discharge the functions of his office on account
of absence, illness or any other cause, a representative member
nominated by the Government shall act as Chairman until a new
Chairman elected to fill such vacancy enters upon his office or until the
Chairman resumes the functions of his office, as the case may be.
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b. In the case of a vacancy in the office of Chairman occurring by
reason of death, resignation or removal of the Chairman, an
election to till vacancy shall be held within nimiety days after the
occurrence of the vacancy.
Conduct of election.
1. All elections of Chairman shall be organized, held and conducted by
the Election Commission in accordance with the rules, and such rules
tray provide for all or any of the following matters, namely :—
a. the appointment of returning officers, assistant returning officers,
presiding officer and polling officers for the conduct of election,
and powers and duties of such officers;
b. the nomination of candidates, objections to nominations and
scrutiny of nomination.
c. the deposits to be made by candidates and the circumstances
under which men deposits may be refunded to candidates or
forfeited to the Parishad ;
d. the withdrawal of candidature ;
e. the appointment of agents of candidates ;
f. the procedure in contested and uncontested elections;
g. the date. time and place for poll and other matters relating to the
conduct of elections;
h. the manner in which votes are to be given '
i. the scrutiny and counting of votes, the declaration of the result
and the procedure to be followed In case of equality of votes;
j. the custody and disposal of ballot papers and other papers
relating to elections;
k. the circumstances under which polls may be suspended and
fresh polls may be held ;
l. the election expenses;
m. the corrupt or illegal practices and other election offences and
penalties therefore; and
n. any other matter connected with or Incidental to election.
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2. The name of the person enlaced as Chairman shall, as soon as may
be after the election, be published in the official Gazette by the
Election Commission.
Final interpretation
Local government as a political institution to ensure public
participation in development activities is yet to take proper shape in
Bangladesh. In Bangladesh there have been six major attempts to
reform local government under six different governments. The
objective of all, at least at the level of rhetoric, was to introduce
participatory and accountable local governance through
decentralization of functions and powers to locally elected institutions.
All these governments also recognized the relevance of the role of
decentralized local institutions in planning and implementing need-
based development projects for poverty alleviation and reduction of
socio-economic inequality. The Upazila Parishad is one of the efforts of
this Process.
2. http://www.unescap.org/huset/lgstudy/country/bangladesh/bangl
adesh.html#descript
3. http://www.news.org.bd/?p=14012
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6. Local Government of Bangladesh: An Overview
8. http://www.wikipedia.org/laocalgovt./lgstudy/country/bangladesh/
bangladesh.html#descript
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