An Overview of Local Government: The Case of Union Parishad

Abstract

The present study titled “AN OVERVIEW OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT: THE CASE OF UNION PARISHAD” aims to explore the historical development and the structural forms and the functional responsibilities of local government, discerning barriers of Union Parishad’s representatives and discovering the people’s perception about Union Parishad’s services. The study areas named Laukati, Badarpur, in Patuakhali Sadar Upazila and Pangashia Union Parishads in Dumki Upozila under Patuakhali District. The inhabitants of these Union Parishads are closely related and depended on the services of Union Parishad. This is Union Parishad-based micro level study, finds that inhabitant and representatives who are facing constraints performing their responsibilities as well as people are suffering from this situation. This study has shown that, majority of the representatives are facing different kinds of barriers in conducting their responsibilities regarding with maintaining law and order, performing agricultural activities, implementing public health and family planning program, maintaining local resources and natural disaster. This research has also discerned the various constrains and barriers which are faced by local representatives in the context of carrying birth, death registration and voter list preparation, playing active role in collecting tax, performing economic activities, fighting violence against women, dowry and child marriage, conducting sanitary latrine, supplying drinking water, managing education related funds and cultural activities. For gaining in-depth understanding of the situation several research methods such as observation, informal interviews, in-depth interview, case study, questionnaire and household survey have been carried out for this study. The study has seen the evidence and significant existence of various constrains in terms of performing local representatives’ responsibilities. The study has discovered the people perceptions about Union Parishad’s services and responsibilities. Discovered perceptions are in the context of health services of Union Parishad, education services, social safety nets programs, taken initiatives against dowry and child marriage, family planning and disaster management. Taking these aspects into account, it has been argued that, for mitigating the constrains in performing and functioning the responsibilities of local representatives, the smooth operation of Union Parishad’s functions, an integrated UP policy needed to be formulated along with separate budgetary allocation and strong monitoring and supervision mechanisms.