The Local Government (Union Parishad) (Amendment) Bill 2024 was tabled in Jatiya Sangsad to make a provision for appointing administrators at union parishads on the expiry of the five-year tenure of the elected representatives.
Local government minister M Tajul Islam tabled the bill, which was sent to the standing committee on the local government ministry for further examination.
The committee was asked to submit its report in seven days.
The bill stated that the government can appoint administrators at union parishads after the expiry of tenure. But the appointment will be for maximum 120 days.
In case of failure to form the elected council due to natural calamity, the government will have the power to extend the period by another 60 days. In special cases of epidemics or pandemics, the government can extend the period up to a reasonable time, said the bill.
With the proposed change, a UP chairman will in no way get scope to hold the office after the expiry of the tenure.
At present UP chairmen in some cases hold offices on different excuses despite the expiry of tenure.
The bill proposed transforming the office of UP secretary into UP Administrative Officer.
As per the bill, the elected body will have to sit in its first sitting in 10 days after taking oath.
The Local Government (Union Parishad) Act, 2009 stipulates no timeframe for the first sitting of the new council.
The first sitting is important as the five-year tenure starts following the sitting.
The bill proposed that the fine of a chairman or administrator for failure to handover the charge within the stipulated timeframe to be increased to Tk聽50,000 from the existing Tk 10,000.
According to the bill, the chairman and members of the union parishad will get honorarium fixed by the government during the term of office.
As per the bill, the government will appoint a competent officer or a competent person as an administrator for the performance of functions after the declaration of union of an area or the expiry of the term of the council.
The administrator shall perform all the duties of the union council until the elected council is formed in accordance with the provisions of the act, said the bill.
According to the bill, the functions of the union parishad include the performance of duties assigned by the government and taking of necessary activities for the management of village courts and the protection of law and order.
