Morelganj (Bagerhat) Correspondent

A discussion meeting was held in Morelganj, Bagerhat, focusing on strengthening the local government system by identifying Union Parishad budget needs, increasing allocations, and ensuring effective budget implementation and monitoring.

The event was organized by the EVOLVE project of DORP on Monday in the conference room of the Upazila Parishad.

The meeting was presided over by Md. Khalilur Rahman, President of the Civil Society Network, and moderated by Pratibha Bikash Sarkar, Coordinator of the EVOLVE project. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Md. Nazmul Islam, was present as the chief guest.

Special guests included Upazila Women Affairs Officer Ramendra Nath Biswas, Upazila Food Officer Dhrubo Mondal, Upazila Youth Development Officer Iktiar Uddin, and Project Implementation Officer Abdullah Al Jaber, among others.

Speakers emphasized the importance of aligning the Union Parishad budget with the needs of the local population, increasing allocations for climate-related initiatives, and ensuring transparency and accountability in budget activities. They also provided recommendations for improving the budget monitoring and tracking process.

Other attendees included Panel Chairman of 13 No. Nishanbari Union Md. Mostafizur Rahman Babul, Civil Society Network members Nahida Akter and Tapas Chandra Kar, President of Morelganj Upazila Press Club H.M. Shahidul Islam, and senior journalists Mashiur Rahman Masum, Ganesh Pal, and Fazlul Haque Khokon.

The speakers stressed the need to ensure transparency and a participatory approach in budgeting to make local government activities more people-oriented. They also called upon journalists to play an active role in this initiative.

The discussion meeting produced a series of recommendations aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of local government systems, with the hope of having a positive impact on future Union Parishad activities.