Dhaka: The Public Administration Reform Commission (PARC) has recommended transforming Bangladesh into a provincial administrative system, with the capital Dhaka to be managed under a Capital City Government, akin to New Delhi in India, which is governed by the federal government.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the recommendation was detailed in a report submitted today to Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus by the PARC, led by Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury. The proposed system aims to decentralize service delivery for the country’s growing population, thereby reducing the potential for power centralization by the current unitary government structure.
The PARC noted that the current administrative and local government framework is insufficient to meet the needs of the people, with ministries often burdened with the minutiae of regional or local issues. The report suggests dividing the country into four provinces, each comprising four old administrative divisions, to address these challenges.
Additionally, the commission recommended that Dhaka be governed under a ‘Capital City Government’, following New Delhi’s example, given its significant population and service delivery requirements. This would involve creating an elected legislative assembly and local government for Dhaka, potentially including nearby areas like Tongi, Keraniganj, Savar, and Narayanganj within the ‘Capital City Government’ jurisdiction.
The report highlighted that this new system would mitigate the centralization of power and alleviate pressures on the capital city. Furthermore, the commission proposed abolishing the district council system, noting that their chairmen were never directly elected by citizens and that most councils lack a robust revenue source. The resources from these councils could be redirected to the proposed provincial governments.
The PARC also recommended enhancing municipal bodies due to their significance, suggesting that their chairmen be elected for a fixed term by ward members to ensure accountability. Additionally, the commission advised further strengthening the Upazila Parishad but recommended abolishing the position of Vice Chairman within the local government unit.