Local govt leaders protest move to reduce 'rights'
Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi
The National Union Parishad Forum, a national organisation of local government leaders, on Wednesday denounced a proposal for amendment of Article 59 of the Constitution.According to press reports, the cabinet recently approved in principle a bill seeking insertion of Sub-article 59 (1) A and 59 (1) B into Constitution after 59 (1) for appointment of administrators to run different local bodies after expiry of tenure of elected representatives. In a press conference at Rajshahi Metropolitan Press Club, local government representatives threatened to go to court challenging the amendment if government passes the (amendment) bill. More than 50 UP chairmen and members of the northern region were present at the press conference. Forum president Golam Sarwar said that the move will reduce rights of the local government representatives. The forum proposed declaration of the election schedule 60 or 90 days before expiry of the term. They also demanded enforcement of the Upazila Parishad Act 1998 and the Zila Parishad Act 2000 for holding election to local government bodies.
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