UNOs granted full powers where Upazila Parishad chairmen are absent

The Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) have been temporarily granted full financial and administrative powers of the Upazila Parishad chairmen in areas where both the chairmen and panel chairmen are currently absent, as per a new government directive.

The move is aimed at maintaining uninterrupted public services amid a growing leadership vacuum.

An office order from the Local Government Division’s Upazila-1 branch, issued on Wednesday, states that the directive is effective from August 14, 2024.

The order emphasizes the ongoing absence of numerous Upazila Parishad chairmen and their deputies, despite efforts to contact them, resulting in a halt to various administrative activities and public services.

“In light of the current circumstances, it has become necessary to ensure that public services do not suffer due to the absence of key officials,” the order reads, underscoring the need for temporary measures to keep local governance functional.

The situation comes in the wake of significant political upheaval in the country. On August 5, following the ‘Long March to Dhaka’ organized by the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country, leading to the dissolution of the cabinet.

This triggered the formation of an interim government on August 8, with Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus appointed as the Chief Adviser, alongside 16 other advisers.

The political fallout has driven many Awami League leaders and their affiliates into hiding, including numerous Upazila Parishad chairmen who were aligned with the party. Their absence has raised concerns about the continuity of local governance, prompting the government to take decisive action to ensure that essential services are maintained.