Thirty three meetings of the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) have been held. Fourteen councillors, who were absent for three consecutive meetings of the last 12, were served a show cause notice. But, local government specialists have called this ‘selective’ and said this decision was not correct.
They feel that in issuing show cause, all meetings need to be taken into account. They said that if those given show-cause go to court then DNCC authority would not be able to give an answer.
The councillors given notice are from wards: 3, 5, 6, 20, 25, 26, 29, 31, 36 and 47. Women councilors from reserved seat, 3, Meherunnessa Huq, Khaleda Bahar of ward 7, Aleya Sarwar Daisy of ward 12 and Ilora Parvin of ward 16 were also given notices. Almost everyone filed replies.
One woman councilor said: “In 2018, I could not attend three meetings due to illness, of which I informed the panel mayor at that time. I was present at all the other meetings held earlier. I want to know why those who were absent at the first 21 meetings were not asked to show cause for their absence.”
Local government specialist, Dr Tofail Ahmed said: “If DNCC only gives notice to those who were absent in the last 12 meets, it will be selective and not the right method. All meetings are of equal importance so if those absent from the first 21 meets are not show caused then questions may be raised alter.”
General secretary of Bangladesh Institute of Planners and a teacher of urban planning of Jahangirnagar University, Dr Adil Muhammad Khan, observed: “Law has to be equal for all; DNCC should show cause everyone who were absent at the meetings.”
Meanwhile, all those who were given notices have reportedly given their responses.