‘Ensure good governance in local govt institutions for grassroots people’

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RAJSHAHI, Nov 28, 2020 (BSS)- Speakers in a participatory discussion underscored the need for ensuring good governance in the local government institutions (LGIs) to make those fully functional, democratic and transparent entities for welfare of the grassroots people.

They viewed that most of the rural people are largely dependent on the local government bodies especially Union Parishad and Upazila Parishad to meet up their basic needs so the roles and responsibilities of the union and upazila parishads must be realistic and transparent.

They came up with the observations while addressing the Rajshahi Divisional Conference of Bangladesh Upazila Parishad Association (BUPA) at Shilpakala Academy auditorium in the city today.

BUPA hosted the conference to mark the Mujib Barsha-2020, birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Rajshahi Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton addressed the meeting as chief guest with Pabna Sadar Upazila Chairman Mosharraf Hossain in the chair.

BUPA President Harun Or Rashid Hawlader inaugurated the conference, while its General Secretary Saiful Islam Hiru addressed the meeting as focal person.

BUPA leaders Nur Hossain, Advocate Rina Parveen, Abul Kalam Azad and Advocate Layed Uddin Lablu also spoke.

In his remarks, Mayor Liton said all the existing services, being delivered towards the grassroots people need to be more coordinated for smooth service delivery.

He said many government and non-government organisations are now implementing projects for public welfare. So, there is no alternative to contributing to the empowerment of local citizens through a democratic, transparent, inclusive and effective local government system, he added.

Apart from this, he focused on some other key issues including enhancing capacity for women leadership roles in local government institution structures, mobilizing citizens groups to influence their service delivery, mainstreaming pro-poor and pro-women local governance practices and ensuring collaboration and interaction.

Liton stressed on providing training on tax assessment and collection, financial management and record keeping, participatory planning and budgeting, roles and responsibilities of UPs and UZPs and standing committees and creating strategic planning.

BSS/AH/ARS/2043 hrs