1. Changing Pattern of Local Government: Phases of Development Presented by Dr. AMM Shawkat Ali

2. The structure composition and functions changed from time to time. Various phases of changing pattern can broadly be grouped into (i) Colonial period (1757-1947), (ii) Pakistan period (1947-1971) when Bangladesh formed the eastern part of Pakistan known first as the province of East Bengal and later as East Pakistan and (iii) Bangladesh period (1971-till date).

3. Each of the above periods can also be subdivided under different periods coinciding with political and administrative development of the colonial era. Attempts were also made to create village level bodies in 1870 under Village Chankidari Act. Villages were grouped into Unions. The creation of Unions was the foundation for rural local government system. The emergence of some kind of local government is often linked to repair and improvement of rural roads through Ferry Funds Committee prior to 1870. The DC then known as the District Magistrate and Collector was the head of the committee. In 1871, these committees were formally recognised under formally recognised under the District Road Less Committee. The DC became the President of the District Road Less Committee. It included non-official members who were nominated. It consisted of official members to the extent of 1/3 rd and unofficial members not exceeding 2/3 rd.

4. The recommendations of the Royal Commission on Decentralization led to the creation of Circle system consisting of one or more police stations (Thana) with a Circle Officer as the head of the unit. This was essentially a unit of rural development. Circle Boards though recommended to be established were not done during the British period. The recommendation to constitute Circle Boards, as we shall see later, it provided the basis for Thana Councils during the sixties. The above, however, is subject to the qualification that after the introduction of Bengal Local Self-government Act 1909, Subdivisional Boards at Subdivisions were also established but was later abolished. In reality, Union Boards and District Boards continued to operate till end of the British Colonial Rule.

5. Alongside the rural local government system, urban local bodies came into existence in cities and towns. These were of three types. (i) Municipalities, (ii) Municipal Corporations in big cities and (iii) Town Committees in small urban areas. The creation of Town Committees mainly at subdivisional level was premised on the ground that municipalities should not be created in a haste. As the small urban areas grow in size and provide evidence of a larger urban population, it may graduate into municipalities.

6. It is necessary now to discuss about the composition and functions of both rural and urban local bodies. During the initial days of Union Boards under the Village Chaukidari Act, 1870. Union Boards were essentially an appointed body. The Chairman and Members of the body. In respect of District Boards, they consisted of both official and nominated members with the DC as the Chairman of the Council. Under the local government reforms of 1920, the Chairman became an elected person. Overtime, the members were also elected.

7. The enactment of The Bengal Local Self Government Act, 1885, marked the beginning of a two-tier system of local government. District Boards, and Union Committees were established. District Boards were set up in each district. The government used to determine the number of members. In no case, it would be less them nine. The District Magistrate used to be the ex-officio chairman. The tenure of District Boards was five years. In 1886, the District Road Less Committees were abolished. The funds and functions of the committee were transferred to the respective District Boards. The Act provided for elected members. In reality, all members were nominated by the District Magistrate who retained all powers. A junior officer used to be the member secretary. The functions of the Boards included all local development activities. The areas included schools, roads vaccination, hospitals, disaster management, census, exhibitions, railways etc. Local taxes, fees, fines and government grants used to be the sources of funds of the District Boards.

8. In 1919, The Bengal Village Self-Government Act was enacted. It led to a two-tier system of local government: District Boards and Union Boards. In 1936, the Bengal Local Self Government Act, 1885 was amended. It led to the abolition of Local Boards. It also provided for 3/2 rd elected and 1/3 rd nominated members. Only persons of 21 yrs and above were given the right to vote. In addition, the eligibility criteria included 8 annas Less and 6 annas Chaukidari Less. Some kind of educational level was also part of the criteria. The females did not have the right to vote. In 1920, provision was made for an elected chairman in each District Board. At provincial level, a Local Government Department was created with a minister as its head. The functions of District Boards included public health and sanitation, water supply, birth and death registers, charitable hospitals and Dak Bungalow. Besides, the District Boards played an important role in education sector. The sources of fund, in addition to what existed before, included fees for use of ferries and motor vehicles.

9. Thank you