Problem of Local Govt.

System

Abstract

Local government is the generic term used to describe transferring power

from central government to local authorities. Local authorities have been
playing important role in ensuring democracy. They undertake a variety of activities and
actions as provided for within local government laws.

In Bangladesh, from our investigated area , local government has been facing a number of
problems. My aim is to uphold the local government problem in Bangladesh. The discussion
has been conducted depending on primary sources of data.

Absence of Real Autonomy

A serious obligation on both rural and urban local government is its dependence on central
government. Limited powers, functions and jurisdiction of local government are all
representated by central government, which reserves a high control in both rural and urban
areas. This effectively limits the autonomy and efficiency of local government.

Financial Control over Local Bodies

Local government bodies have been chronically resource-poor in Bangladesh. Local

Government bodies are compelled to take loan from central government at almost every
aspect of Union Parishad. Local self government bodies in Bangladesh are in constant
shortage of funds.

Over Controlling by the Administrative Official

According to the constitution , the government should encourage the local government
institutions, not control them, but administrative officials run some local government
institutions, which is a violation of the constitution.

Limited Budgetary Allocations

Inadequate budgetary allocation for the local government institutions leads to rural poverty,
widening economic disparity between rural and urban areas.

Problem Related to Present Upazila System

Conflict between the Upazilla Council Chairmen (UCC) and the Members of Parliament
(MP) is a much talked about issue in Bangladesh now. It was expected that government and
the lawmakers would ensure the rights of local governments as per the direction of
Constitution. But is has been observed that neither the government nor the lawmakers
empowered local government representative in a proper manner.

Lack of Training

The related person of local government are not professionally trained. Public training
institutes such as the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), the Rural
Development Training Institute (RDTI) have been associated with local government training
from time to time. However, their responsibility for local government training was never
defined.

Improper participation and accountability

There is a lack of public participation and accountability in local

government bodies. Public participation should be ensured with a view
to making local government bodies effective. But at present public
participation is only evident at the time of election of local government
bodies. People are not in position to involve with decision making process of
local government bodies. It should be borne in mind that the accountability
of local government bodies cannot be ensured without the participation
of the public.

Recommendation for Local Govt. Development

1. Sustainability of the policy
2. Proper patronization of government
3. Vital role of policy makers
4. Ensured sufficient allocation for development
5. Ensured people’s participation
6. Application of law, policy.
7. Make proper coordination and cooperation
8. Institutional capacity building
9. Positive role of some actors (NGO, Civil Society, Political Parties, Govt. Agencies
etc)
10. Organized sufficient training
11. Ensured responsiveness to community needs
12. Organized election in time
13. Political Commitment and will
14. Properly decentralization