Dhaka:The government is taking steps to revive the 'Village Government System' to enhance grassroots governance, improve transparency in public services, and increase local participation in development initiatives. A new law has been proposed and is now open for public feedback.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Local Government Division has developed the draft Village Government Act 2026 and is inviting public opinions until November 17 via an email address provided on its website. Once public feedback is reviewed, the draft will be finalized and forwarded to the Cabinet Division for further consideration.
The proposal to reinstate the system was discussed at a Cabinet meeting on October 5, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The draft law revises the Village Government Act 2003, which was repealed in 2009. If enacted, the law would restore the system after nearly 17 years.
Under the proposed legislation, each ward of every union parishad would form a village government comprising 17 members, including a chief, an adviser, and 15 other members. The elected union parishad member would serve as the chief, with the reserved-seat member acting as adviser. The remaining members would be chosen through a voting process requiring participation from at least 10 percent of registered voters.
The system aims to involve about 700,000 local leaders across more than 4,500 union parishads and approximately 41,000 wards nationwide. Village governments would be responsible for preparing development plans, improving infrastructure, resolving disputes, and monitoring project progress and finances. They would also work on preventing violence, supporting education, and promoting healthcare, agriculture, and social safety-net programs.
Village governments would hold meetings every two months and general meetings biannually, with committees to oversee specific tasks. A separate fund would support each body, with contributions from union parishads and other sources. Inspections of activities could be conducted by upazila parishad officials and union parishad chairmen, with the possibility of dissolution by a deputy commissioner after due process.
AKM Abdul Awal Majumdar, a former secretary and advocate for good governance, noted that the initiative could facilitate direct interaction between political representatives and citizens. However, he cautioned that success would hinge on the integrity and competence of those in charge. The system's historical context dates back to its introduction in 1980 and subsequent abolishment in 1982, revival in 2003, and final repeal in 2009 following legal challenges.
Officials emphasized that the draft is preliminary and must go through several stages, including parliamentary approval, before becoming law.