Dhaka – Finance minister on Thursday said bureaucracy is the main obstacle for restructuring of local government to strengthen it to continue the present GDP growth rate.
“I think restructuring of the local government is the main problem in Bangladesh. Area of the country is small but the size of population is big as well as people are below educated,” said Muhth while addressing as a seminar organized by Policy Research Institute (PRI) at Banani in the city.Basically the lower level government servants implement these activities that the local governments perform, he said.
“It is a big challenge to change this trend and tougher one. Because there are 18 lakh bureaucrats in Bangladesh and they don’t want to lose their power. Always they want to be the superior,” Muhith acknowledged.
Muhith said the GDP growth may reach to 8 to 10 per cent if the local government will be strengthened.
He emphasized on reformation of administration and handing over power for taking decision and implementation.
Muhith said the size of the national budget for the next fiscal year will be about Tk 4 lakh crore.
Muhith admitted that the mind set of the government is not transparent regarding the local government issues.
Finance minister also said work is done very less in the local government level.
“Local government works as a subordinate organization of different bodies the government that are involved with the development activities,” he noted.
He suggested for strong political decision regarding the local government issues.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s stance is also same for restructuring the local government, responsibility, and financing issues to keep remain 7 per cent GDP growth, he said.
Muhith also suggested to transfer at least half lakh of the government servants to the local government bodies in district level where their career will be decided. Then it will change the local government.
There are 50 to 60 countries in the world, smaller then Bangladesh and same number of countries with equal areas. This mean the district unit of our country is similar to autonomous state, said finance minister.
We should formed state to ensure 8 to 10 per cent GDP growth, he opined.
Vice chairman of PRI Sadik Ahmed made a key note presentation in the seminar.
In his paper he said everything is positive in Bangladesh except income inequality.
“We have to reduce income inequality to move into higher mid income country,” he added. Besides, Prof. Zillur Rahman Khan, and Tazin Morshed presented separate key note paper in the seminar. – Staff Reporter
