Local government system will be reformed again. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has recently approved the proposal to form a commission for this. Now the local government department has started the process of formation of the commission and other ancillary activities.
There are five types of local government laws. There are laws on districts, upazilas, union parishads, city corporations and municipalities. The laws were made long ago that last modified in 2009. The commission will give its opinion on making these laws up-to-date.
The commission will look into whether there are any inconsistencies in the laws.
An official of the Local Government Department said that local government institutions have been strengthened to transform into more welfare institutions, play an intensive role in establishing good governance, create opportunities to meet their own expenses by increasing their own income, contribute effectively to the development of their areas and transparency of income and expenditure. The government wants to establish accountability. To this end, a commission is being formed to review the relevant laws and prepare amendments and to review the reports submitted by various commissions and committees already formed for the purpose of reforming the local government institutions and to make necessary recommendations to increase the financial capacity.
The local government system of the country has five levels. These include 'City Corporation' under 'Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009', 'Municipality' under 'Local Government (Municipality) Act, 2009', 'Zila Parishad' under 'Zila Parishad Act, 2000', 'Upazila Parishad' (Re-enactment and amendment of repealed law). The Upazila Parishad is governed by the Act, 2009 and the Union Parishad is governed by the Local Government (Union Parishad) Act, 2009.
The official of the local government department further said that the local governments will be asked to send proposals to amend or add or subtract their laws in a timely manner. City corporations have already been asked to make proposals on the Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009. Others will be told as well. These proposals will then be presented to the Commission. The Commission will take these into consideration and make recommendations.