DHAKA, July 16, 2923 (BSS) - Local Government, Rural Development and 
Cooperatives Minister Md Tajul Islam today said a strong and self-reliant 
local government system should be developed at the union level as Union 
Parishad (UP) is the means of delivering government services to the 
grassroots people.

"Union Parishad is the trusted and reliable place for the marginalized people 
to solve their problems and get the advantages and opportunities. And thus, 
it should be strong, independent and self reliant," he said.

The minister was addressing a view-exchange meeting with a delegation of the 
Bangladesh Union Parishad Chairman's Association at the conference room of 
the Local Government Department in the ministry here today.

He said if the union parishads can be made financially self-sufficient, 
strong and independent, they will be able to solve their problems by own.

Referring to South Korea's new community movement in local government 
management, he said: "We have to develop a similar management and move 
forward together with everyone."

Emphasizing on making people aware of the revenue collection, Md. Tajul Islam 
said if the people can see that their revenue is being used for their 
development and welfare, their reluctance to pay revenue will be removed. 

Secretary of Local Government division Muhammad Ibrahim, President of 
Bangladesh Union Parishad Chairman's Association Md Belayet Hossain Gazi, 
Acting General Secretary Md Sharif Kamal and senior officials of the ministry 
were also present in the meeting.