Local Self Government And Its Reorganization In Bangladesh PDF Download

Abstract: "Since Independence in 1971, various reform measures have been undertaken by different regimes in Bangladesh to establish sef-government at the local level through decentralisation. This study explains, analyses and evaluates these reforms during the three main regimes (Mujib, 1971-75; Zia, 1976-81; and Ershad, 1981-90) particularly considering a number of themes: the level of decentralisation of administration, the development of local self-government and the tension between politicians and bureaucrats to secure control of the reform process. A number of conclusions emerge from the study. Firstly, most of the reform was focused on rural local government. Secondly, every government initiated its own policies to reform local government and did not continue the preceding government's policies in the process of refroms. Thirdly, it was the Ershad government which achieved the greatest level of reform by deconcentrating field administration and at the same time, devolving local government at the Upa-zila level. The Mujib and the Zia governments' decentralisation and self-government policies were largely not implemented. The dissertation concludes that devolution is necessary to fully establish local self-government and that mixing different forms of decentralisation such as deconcentration and devolution tends to increase the tension between politicians and bureaucrats.