Local governments have nothing to do except giving nationality and birth certificates now, they said at the meeting organised by Satkhira Sadar upazila unit of the National Union Parishad Forum (NUPF).

Held at the local NUPF office with Labsha UP chairmen Abdul Alim in the chair, the meeting was addressed by, among others, UP chairmen Shahidul Islam, Samsul Alam, Habibur Rahman, Abdul Mazid, Shahiduzzaman and members Alokesh Roy, Halima Khatun.

They alleged that ministers and parliament members dictate local governments, keeping those handicapped. This hinders development.

After the meeting, the UP chairmen and members brought out a procession in the town and submitted a memorandum to the LGRD Minister through the Deputy Commissioner to press NUPF's 17-point demand.

The demands include giving local governments power to lease markets and water bodies and to finalise development projects involving up to Tk five lakh and stopping interference in finalising development projects.