Calling to increase actual allocation for local government to 5 percent in the next budget, analysts stress decentralisation to empower the local governments.
The call came during Governance Advocacy Forum (GAF)-organised discussion on Wednesday, where experts said the real allocation for local governments was under two percent in the last few budgets.
Minister of Information, Hasanul Haq Inu, was the chief guest and lawmaker Fazle Hossain Badsha was present as a special guest.
‘’If the capacity for implementation of development activities is not created, establishment of self-governing local government will not be possible,’’ said Fazle Hossain Badsha.
Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said: “For sustainable development, sustainable politics is mandatory, where a strong local democratic government can play its role to the full extent.”
He thinks removing corruption and the waste of resources on a local level will be a way to ensure good and effective local governance.
“Local government institutions are dependent on the national government for the resources. Most local governments lack adequate resources and the lion’s share of local income goes to the central government. This is how local public representatives end up having very little authority over their activities,” said GAF Coordinator and Wave Foundation Executive Director Mohsin Ali.
Dr Kazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, chairperson of GAF said local government needs political, administrative, and financial empowerment.
‘’Although the economic development of Bangladesh has increased, discrimination has also increased. To reduce this discrimination, the local government has to be used. And the local government has to play a major role in reducing poverty.’’ he added.
Prof Akther Hossain, MAB President Abdul Baten, Anowarul Haque, Director of Extreme Rural Poverty Program, Care Bangladesh, and representatives of various local governments also spoke at the program.