Coordination lax between upazilas, municipalities: Dual service units waste public funds

Reza Mahmud :

There has been a longstanding lack of coordination between municipalities and upazila administrations, which is costing the public considerable amounts of money without significantly improving citizen services.
Sources indicate that there are approximately 330 municipalities within the country’s 492 upazilas. Both municipalities receive government allocations to run their services, while the upazila administrations also provide services within the same areas.
Experts suggest that these dual administrative units often serve as a means to provide political posts to local leaders, rather than delivering tangible services. Such allocations of political positions are seen as a primary reason for the wastage of public funds without delivering adequate results.
When contacted, Dr. Tofail Ahmed, chief of the Local Government Reform Commission, told The New Nation, “There is a significant lack of coordination between municipalities and upazila administrations in local governance.” He added that the government could save substantial public funds by implementing reforms in this area.
Professor Mahbub Ullah, also speaking to The New Nation, stated, “When one organisation can serve the people in the same area, there is no need for another. It is unsustainable to waste public resources merely to provide political leaders with titles.”
Experts have pointed out that, given the country’s heavy burden of providing essential services to its citizens, the existence of these additional organisations places an unnecessary strain on the government.
The Local Government Reform Commission has urged the government to reorganise the local government structure in these areas promptly. They believe that implementing the commission’s recommendations could lead to significant improvements, aligning with the aspirations of the country’s citizens.
Experts argue that a long-term vision for local government reform is essential to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Despite commitments made in successive five-year plans, sufficient steps have not been taken to strengthen local government bodies, which could ease the development burden on the central government.
An interim report, containing preliminary recommendations from the Local Government Reform Commission, was released on February 22. The commission, formed in the second phase of state reforms, was announced by the Cabinet Division on November 18, 2024. The eight-member commission, led by Dr. Tofail Ahmed, was tasked with recommending necessary reforms to strengthen and improve the effectiveness of local government.