Need for effective local government
Local government is a hotly debated issue in Bangladesh. Union Parishad elections have been held on a regular basis but still UPs are regarded as an ineffective institution. There is little initiative for developing a comprehensive monitoring system to oversee its entire performance by the government. It is not very effective and vigorous. Some of the NGOs are trying to introduce this system in a limited way. So far as we know they achieved some results like participatory budget, women's involvement in the decision making process and community mobilisation. In this process, people will assume the role of monitors to asses the performance of UPs and, on the other hand, they will assist them on a voluntary basis to run the UP related activities efficiently.
I think the government and other NGOs should launch this type of programmes jointly so that a pro-people, accountable and responsive governance will be ensured at the grassroots level.
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