Dhaka: The government has officially established an eight-member Local Government Reform Commission, appointing Professor Tofail Ahmed as its chief. The formation was formalized through a gazette notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Sunday.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the commission is composed of notable academics and professionals. The members include Professor Tofail Ahmed, the former chairman of the Public Administration Department at Chittagong University, who will serve as the commission’s chief. Other distinguished members are Prof Dr Ferdous Arfina Osman, former chairman of the Public Administration Department at Dhaka University; AMM Nasir Uddin, a former secretary; Advocate Abdur Rahman from the Supreme Court; Dr Mahfuz Kabir, a director at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS); Mashuda Khatun Shefali, executive director of Nari Uddug Kendra; Prof Dr Md Tariqul Islam from the Government and Politics Department at Jahangirnagar University; an
d a student representative.
The commission is set to commence its work immediately, with a mandate to gather opinions from all relevant stakeholders. It is expected to compile a comprehensive report to be submitted to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus within a 90-day timeframe, as outlined in the notification. The commission’s chief and members are entitled to government-determined status, salary, and benefits. However, individuals who choose to work voluntarily without remuneration must seek permission from the chief adviser.