BSS, Rajshahi :
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are being achieved through the Union Parishads (UPs) more because these are very important among other local government institutions in the country. Large-scale implementation of Union Parishad (Local Government), Law 2009 has become crucial to materialize Bangabandhu’s Sonar Bangla. To this end, each and every UP chairman must arrange ward meetings regularly thereby hopes and aspirations of the grassroots population can be reflected.
Some high officials came up with the observations while unfolding SDG-friendly five-year (2019-24) plans formulated by five UPs and annual reports of three other UPs at the conference hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) in Rajshahi on Wednesday.
District administration and the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) jointly hosted the function under the Efficient and Accountable Local Governance (EALG) Project.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of the EALG project which is being implemented in two upazilas and eight UPs in the district.
Additional Secretary to the Local Government Division Muttakim Billah Faruki addressed the meeting as chief guest, while DC Abdul Jalil and EALG Project Coordinator Shariful Haque spoke as special guests with Deputy Director of the Local Government Division Shahana Akhter Jahan in the chair.
The discussants unanimously said effective and meaningful (UP) has become indispensable for achieving the SDGs and all the government and non-government officials and public representative concerned should work together to make UP strong, efficient and accountable.
In his remarks, Muttakim Billah said ensuring transparency, accountability and citizens’ participation in different development works is very urgent to establish good governance in local government institutions. He stressed the need for strengthening local government institutions for strong democracy and its institutionalisation at the grassroots level.
