"Reassessing the Role of Local Government in Bangladesh: Problems and Future Prospects"

Local government has historically played a central role in the socio-political fabric of Bengal, though its form and structure have evolved across different eras. In post-independence Bangladesh, repeated attempts have been made to constitute and reconstitute the local government system, yet numerous challenges continue to impede its effective functioning. This study aims to examine the problems facing local government in Bangladesh and to propose comprehensive strategies for strengthening it. Major obstacles include excessive financial control, dominance of the central government, limited budgetary allocations, and undue political interference etc., all of which hinder decentralization and local autonomy. The study relies primarily on secondary data and incorporates the perspectives of various scholars to build a broad understanding of the issues. Based on these insights, it suggests reform strategies designed to enhance institutional capacity, improve fiscal independence, and promote accountability—thereby ensuring that local government can function as an effective instrument of grassroots democracy and development in Bangladesh.