Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD), AF Hassan Ariff, announced on Tuesday that the government plans to appoint "full-time administrators" for city corporations, municipalities, and upazila parishads to ease the challenges faced by service seekers.
He said this while speaking at a meeting with the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
The adviser explained that government officials were temporarily assigned to manage city corporations, zilla and upazila parishads, and municipalities following the removal of local representatives.
With the goal of improving public service delivery, full-time administrators will now be appointed for these organisations, he added.
Speaking about the current temporary administrators, Ariff noted, “There are often delays in services due to a lack of sufficient manpower. We are addressing this issue. Very soon, you will see that we are moving towards appointing a full-time administrator. This is currently under consideration.”
He emphasised that it is challenging for a single administrator to provide all necessary services in large city corporations, upazilas, zilla parishads, or municipalities.
“There is a need for a full-time administrator to ensure consistent oversight and fulfil all responsibilities,” he said. “We are actively working on this, and you will receive updates soon.”
BSRF President Fasih Uddin Mahtab chaired the meeting while its General Secretary Masudul Hoque conducted it.
Hassan Ariff has said the tenure of governance in the country should be four years instead of the current constitutional provision for five years.
“If a major global power like the United States can have a four-year term, there should be no issue in having a four-year term for governance in Bangladesh. This is my personal opinion," he said.
The adviser said this at a views-exchange meeting with the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) held at the Secretariat media centre, as the chief guest.
Ariff said the term for Union Parishads was once three years, but was later extended to five.
However, he claimed that there is no noticeable benefit from this two-year increase, nor has it ever been evaluated. “I believe the term for elected chairmen and members should be three years.”
He said with a three-year term, five elected representatives would serve over 15 years, allowing a greater number of public representatives the opportunity to work within the institution.
In response to a question about the removal of Union Parishad chairmen and members, the adviser said no decision has yet been made on the matter.
The meeting was presided over by BSRF president Fosih Uddin Mahtab and moderated by BSRF general secretary Masudul Haque.
