Local Government in Bangladesh: An Agenda for Governance

Abstract

A+ t present Bangladesh lacks a comprehensive and consistent vision of local government. Little progress has been made in building a consensus on the role of local government, institutionalizing democratic processes for managing local issues and agenda, developing structures of local governance at key subnational levels, and clarifying a realistic division of functions and resource allocation between national government and local governments. The existing local government system in Bangladesh is weak in four key areas: financial, managerial, informational, and personnel. Constant changes in its form and process by successive governments have also destabilized the system, so that it is not integrated with the community and society it serves. Nevertheless, if one examines the constitution of Bangladesh, its preamble, fundamental principles and articles specifically on local governments, clear guidance exists on the role, structure and processes for autonomous local government. An emphasis on the democratic process to realize economic and social justice as a fundamental aim of state policy is noted in the preamble. Fundamental principles of state policy encourage local government institutions (article 9) at all administrative levels in which effective participation by the people through their elected representatives should be ensured (article 11). More specifically, article 59 reiterates that local government should be vested in elected bodies in every administrative unit, and that the scope of local government work should cover administration and the work of public officers, maintenance of public order and preparation and implementation of plans for public services and economic development. To give full effect to the above, article 60 enjoins Parliament to make laws to confer powers to local government bodies, including the power to impose taxes. Notwithstanding this clear guidance, significant weaknesses in the implementation of constitutional provisions and building of institutional mechanisms and practices has resulted in a local government system which is poorly functioning and much maligned. The existing local government system is viewed as ineffective because of its inability to serve its constitutional purposes. This is the conclusion of this study on strengthening of local ggovernment in Bangladesh. The study is based on an analysis of 56 Pourashavas, 37 Union Parishads, 10 Thanas comprising of 60 additional Union Parishads, interviews with over 400 people as well as extensive literature review of local government documents and publications. The final report is a synthesis of reports prepared by 17 national consultants in the following areas: (1) participation, (2) organizational efficiency and effectiveness, (3) interface among organizations involved in local activities, (4) management and leadership training, (5) resource mobilization, (6) best home grown practices; and (7) role and function of local government.