It can be mentioned here that from long time Non Government Organizations has been maintaining close working relations with this recognized and effective tier of local Government i.e Union Parishad. During this long involvement trough formal sharing and discussion with non government organizations have identified the problems and challenges related to Union Parishad. Again, to make the understanding different non government organizations conducted various sharing and discussions and identified problems and challenges which were related to Knowledge base, Awareness, Community participation and performance of Union Parishad. Therefore, the identified problems and Challenges are categorize into three major area:
AWARENESS:
1) Lack of exposure to and awareness of democratic principles, citizens role, human rights and importance of community participation :
• Need to deeper understanding about democracy and how it works and the inherent values of inclusiveness particularly women and minorities in the political process
• Need for greater knowledge of the roles of citizens in a decentralized government to define their interests, identify public concerns, articulate corresponding policy option, exercise their rights to franchise, and hold public officials accountable to serve public interests
• weak general consensus among citizens that elected officials and local government employees serve the public interest and lack of awareness that there are legitimate mechanisms they can employ to make local elected governing bodies more responsive and accountable to them as constituents.
• lack of understanding about public service and legal rights and protections of citizens particularly of women, ethnic minorities and other marginalized persons
• Lack of awareness about the importance of women's participation as candidates, elected officials and active constituents to the success of strengthening democratic local governance and civil society.
• Lack of understanding about human rights and social justice
2) Lack of clarity by both citizens and elected officials over the roles and functions of local government in Bangladesh:
• Lack of knowledge about the respective roles and functions of union and Upazila level authorities
• Confusion about the legitimate jurisdiction and authority over public resources and policy matters due to recent shifts in power favoring local elected bodies at the union level
• Persistent reliance on traditional power structures by citizens in contrast to democratically confirmed local authority
• Low commitment to ensuring the full participation of all elected or appointed officials particularly women and lack of awareness about the affect of such practices on democratic process.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
Poor community access to and representation in local government particularly by women:
• Poor representation of diverse interest groups including women in local government affairs
• Absence of established for a for community expression of felt needs and expectations.
• Lack of access to participate in the election process
Poor community participation and coordination in identifying and directing development efforts:
• Lack of community based consensus building in selecting and implementing local development initiatives.
• Lack of coordination with local development Organizations and service providers
• Tendency to rely on autocratic leadership styles
• General bias towards infrastructure development activities in contrast to services for the poor.
PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL ELECTED BODIES:
Inability or low commitment to identify and address constituent needs or public interest:
• Lack of commitment by Union officials to identify constituent needs and concerns
• Lack of ability to assess the local development needs and priorities of their constituents
• Lack of responsiveness by local elected bodies to constituents interests and felt needs
Poor development Planning and management
capacity of union authorities:
• No clear mandate to the Union Parishad
• Limited access to guideline from national government ( i.e. Planning Commission Performa and Union Plan Book
• No sectorally integrated planning or implementation strategy
• No long range strategic planning
• No training in strategic planning for development
• Lack of transparency and accountability in terms of service delivery and project selection
• Lack of co-ordination with other unions and higher level of government
Poor financial and office management capacity of union authorities:
• Lack of skill to prepare annual and multi year budget
• Unwillingness to publicly disclose payable and receivable
• Lack of transparent systems and accountability in terms finances.
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