To strengthen democracy, local government must be strengthened: President

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has emphasised the need to strengthen local government to give democracy an institutional form.

He made the remarks when the administrators of the country’s 33 district councils paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban on Sunday afternoon. President’s Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam informed BSS of this during a briefing.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “Democracy must be given an institutional form. And to strengthen democracy, local government must be strengthened.”

He described local government as the greatest strength of democracy. He also stressed that the district council administrators must work actively and vigilantly to free themselves from the corruption left behind by the fascist regime.

During the meeting, the district council administrators placed various demands before the President, including an upgrade of their status. Assuring them, President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “This is a government of the people. Swift steps will be taken to resolve the problems.”

He also said the government is working seriously to strengthen the local government system for the decentralisation of power.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir gratefully recalled the active participation of the district council administrators in the restoration of democracy and the long struggle against fascism.

He further gave necessary guidelines to the administrators to accelerate the development activities of the district councils, ensure citizen services at the local level and maintain administrative transparency.