The Administrative Reform Commission has recommended changing the titles of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).
On Wednesday, the chief of the Administrative Reform Commission, Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, presented the commission's report to the Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna.
The report proposed that the title of the deputy commissioner be changed to "District Magistrate and District Commissioner" and the title of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer be changed to "Upazila Commissioner."
The Administrative Reform Commission’s report also suggests changing the title of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) to "Additional District Commissioner (Land Management)."
Power to accept cases
The proposal suggests granting the district commissioner the authority to accept cases.
The recommendation is for the district commissioner to have the authority to accept cases under the role of District Magistrate for CR (Court Registrar) cases based on the nature of the complaint.
He can instruct an upazila officer or local distinguished individuals to investigate or mediate the complaint.
If the complaint is valid in the preliminary investigation, the police will be instructed to accept the case, which will then proceed through the legal process.
The commission says that this will make it easier for the general public to file cases.
Additionally, minor disputes being resolved outside the court would reduce the unnecessary burden on courts.
However, the complainant cannot take the same issue to court again.
The commission suggests taking the Supreme Court’s advice before implementing this proposal.
Establishment of upazila magistrate courts
The commission has also recommended re-establishing civil and criminal magistrate courts at the upazila level.
The commission believes this will significantly benefit the general public and also suggests seeking advice from the Supreme Court on this matter.
Recommendation for upazila security officer post
The Administrative Reform Commission has recommended creating the post of "Upazila Security Officer."
It suggests that an assistant police superintendent could be appointed as the upazila security officer to oversee the duties of the officer-in-charge of the police station and manage law and order at the upazila level.
