Sharique of Brac Institute of Governance and Development, Brac University, ran the research from 2006 until this year, where it found that 98.5% union parishads (UP) conducted their annual open budget meeting.
The study finds were revealed in a day-long programme titled “National conference of local governance programme” jointly organised by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, HELVETS Swiss Intercooperation and Sharique at Hotel Le Maridien in Dhaka on Wednesday.
Tarik Sikder of Sharique presented 10 years of countrywide research activities during the opening speech.
For the study, Sharique worked with 207 UPs and 29 upazila parishads in four districts.
During the study, the researchers found that open tender method is hardly followed in public procurement at UP level, and union development plan is hardly ensured.
In addition, there is a lack of budget classification and sufficient full-time technical staff, which creates an obstacle for the elected UP body to maintain uninterrupted work flow.
Assuring that local government would be strengthened, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mashiur Rahman Ranga said in future, local government would work more independently and MPs would not influence or interfere in their work.
To strengthen the local government in Bangladesh, Switzerland pledged to extend its support, and as part of that pledge, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation was with Sharique's project for 10 years, said Christian Fotsch, Swiss ambassador to Bangladesh, while addressing the function as a special guest.
Mani Shankar Aiyar, former minister in India who delivered the keynote speech, emphasised democracy, good governance and people participation in government for development.
He also emphasised accountability of lawmakers to their people and empowering women in democracy and development.
Shah Kamal, secretary at the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, said being in the downstream, Bangladesh experiences huge flood during monsoon as transnational rivers from the neighbouring countries – i.e. India, Bhutan, China and Nepal – carry more water downstream.
“If we could learn about the flood conditions in those countries in the rainy season, it would be easy for Bangladesh to deal with the flood and losses could be minimised in disaster-prone areas,” he added.
Budget needs to be increased in the local governing bodies so they can operate smoothly and to bring more services to its people, especially in possible disasters or flood, said Habibur Rahman, joint secretary at the Ministry of Finance.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
