Editorial
Follow through on deliberations at DCs' conference
Expeditious and balanced outcome is now imperative
ON the second day of the three-day conference of deputy commissioners in the capital, a session dominated by their exchange of views with different ministers, the DCs focused on the multi-faceted tension triggered between government officials on the one hand and MPs and upazila representatives on the other relating to control of various aspects of development programmes. These programmes include food for work, vulnerable group feeding (VGF) and vulnerable group development (VGD). This inevitably led to a lack of coordination in field level activities, according to the DCs. Such a conflictual situation, we believe, is putting up roadblocks to implementing development programmes.
The DCs have demanded amendments to the Union Parishad Act, Upazila Parishad Act and District Parishad Act. It is worthwhile to note that in the first place the government had amended these laws, empowering MPs with supervisory authority over the functionaries of the local bodies. Local Government and Rural Development Minister Syed Ashraful Islam has said that the standing committee on his ministry is seized of the prevailing complexities and is trying to find solutions to these issues. Earlier, in an editorial on this specific subject, we had pointed out that in light of practical experience the amended laws might still need to be fine-tuned to strengthen the working of the local government system.
On an equally important note, so far as governance and service delivery issues go, the district level officials have to ensure maximum and effective coordination in combating extremism, maintaining law and order and ensuring the provision of other services to the people.
Following the recital of problems by the DCs, what the government must now do is go for a serious and concentrated consideration of the various views expressed at the conference. Here we would urge the government to seek the opinions of academics, former civil servants and members of civil society and take these on board towards adopting a solution-oriented work plan. That to our mind is the crux of the matter. It must now be ensured that the ideas and recommendations which have come out of the DCs' conference are not consigned to oblivion but are instead worked upon. In effect, expeditious study and balanced implementation should now be the priority.
While on the subject, we cannot but note with distress the suggestion made by some deputy commissioners that they should be given the right and authority to remove temporarily from office elected upazila officials in certain circumstances. The idea is silly at best and outlandish at worst. At a time when the national effort is on a building and consolidation of democracy, the suggestion that appointed government officials should be empowered to remove elected public representatives from office sends out a very disturbing signal. It can only intensify the very conflict the DCs themselves have been feeling so distraught about.
The nation expects a judicious and positive outcome from the DCs' conference. Let the momentum that has been generated not be lost, for it is the future of government and how it functions that are of the essence here.
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