'Politicisation puts union level democracy at stake’

The lowest tier of local government is losing its traditional grandeur over hindrances to development.

Yet out of social responsibility, local people at some unions are using their own merit and resources to achieve a transparent and accountable local government.

This was revealed by union parishad (UP) chairmen, members and local people while talking to a group of newsmen from different national dailies and electronic media during a two-day visit to Maria, Sardaha and Shilmaria unions of Rajshahi.

They said the achievement of their unions that they earned following one to four-day animator (Ujjibok) training in last three years could be an example for others.

The Hunger Project is developing the animators for imparting training to volunteers who mobilise others for self-reliant development and gender equality.

The animators told the reporters that they themselves were moved by the enthusiasm of the local people to transform their villages and end their own despair, hunger and poverty.

Chairman Sazzad Hossain of Shilmaria union parishad under Puthia upazila said his union has achieved 100 percent success in sanitation and birth registration, 93 percent in adult literacy and 71 percent in general education.

"Ninety-five percent children of my union now attend primary schools and all people are now aware of nutrition, health, evil effects of dowry and child marriage, " he added.

He said there is an avayaranna (sanctuary) for birds at Pachamaria village of the union where some 5000 guest birds always stay and a reading centre where around 100 people come everyday to read newspaper.

"All these developments have taken place thanks to 139 trained animators who mobilised their communities for self-reliant," said Sazzad.

"Political parties spend more than the annual budget of a union like Shilmaria on decoration over visit of their party leaders. Under this situation, people should act themselves," said eminent litterateur Hasan Azizul Haque.

"UPs are now almost ineffective institution due to politicisation. Development funds are usurped by lawmaker and their henchmen," said Motiur Rahman, chairman of Sardaha UP under Charghat upazila while exchanging views with local elite and journalists.

Motiur himself took animator training and along with 400 male and female animators, is working to alleviate hunger and poverty.

Chairman Abul Hossain Sardar of Mougachhi union under Mohonpur upazila alleged discrimination in development allocations over political consideration.

But hundreds of trained individuals are now engaged in changing their own fate as well as the society gradually, he added.