A dialogue titled 'Democratic Decentralization and Reformation of Local Government in Light of Mass Aspirations' was held in Rajshahi today. Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, Feb 5, 2025 (BSS)- Speakers at a divisional-level dialogue unanimously viewed that strengthening local government institutions (LGIs) through reformation can be the crucial means of reflecting the hopes and aspirations of the grassroots populations.

Basically, the LGIs act as the symbol of hopes and aspirations of both the urban, sub-urban and rural people so there is no way but to strengthen those.

Experts, development activists and members of the civil society came up with the observation while sharing their insights in the dialogue titled "Democratic decentralization and Reformation of Local Government in the light of Mass-aspirations" here today.

Governance Advocacy Forum (GAF) organized the dialogue at Victoria Convention Hall supported by UNDP. 

During his concept paper presentation, Aniruddha Roy, Assistant Director (Governance, Rights and Justice) presented a draft reform proposal illustrating its necessity to strengthen the local government institutions. 

With Executive Director of Barendra Unnayan Prochesta Foyzullah Chowdhury in the chair, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Valiant Freedom Fighter Nazrul Islam, Haragram Union Parishad Chairman Abul Kalam Azad, Director of RULFAO Afzal Hossain, Director of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association Advocate Dil Sitara Chuni and Director of Anagrasar Samaj Unnayan Sangstha Raj Kumar Shaon.

Deputy Director of Wave Foundation Kaniz Fatima moderated the discussion.

Various issues, including making the services of local government institutions people-friendly, freeing the local government institutions from political influences and generating accountable working atmosphere in the institutions, were discussed in the meeting elaborately.

The meeting was told that the proposals and recommendations received from the dialogue will be sent to the Local Government Reform Commission that will submit a report consisting with the proposals for establishing a strong local government system.