Local Government

Local Government refers to that administrative unit which is a political sub-division having authorization on a fixed geographical area and is constituted by law and has substantial influence on local affairs. Generally. The governing body of such entity is elected or locally selected. While serving a small area, the local government exercises only the delegated powers. While central government is focusing on the formulation of the policies, the next step that is policy implementation is totally vested upon the local government unit which reaches to the root level of the state. Within a fixed jurisdiction area, the local government bodies have to perform numerous activities which also extends for the welfare activities of the locality. The idea of local government is not a new concept in Bangladesh. Traditionally, Local Government (LG) in Bangladesh has limited jurisdiction over specific (and limited) developmental functions. The area of regulatory administration has always been kept aside from the purview of the role and functions of these bodies. Most of the developmental functions for which Local Government units are made responsible under the legal framework, such as: family welfare, education, public health, social welfare, etc., are administered by different agencies of the national government. The above facts reveal that the Local Government units in Bangladesh are being constantly controlled by the national government through various mechanisms for almost every aspect of their operation and functioning. Such practices, in reality, have turned the local government institutions in Bangladesh into mere extension of the national government and of their various agencies.