Muktinagar Union turns into a people oriented institution

“We have learned the development techniques of Union parishad from VERC. From 2001, we have been involved with the development efforts of VERC. Since then we have been learning many things, still now we have not put them all into practice but continuously trying to apply them in practice jointly. We are hopeful that through collective efforts we will succeed in bringing a positive change in the management of Union parishad. - Chairman, Muktinagar Union parishad.

Muktinagar Union is the best union parishad in Saghata Upazila in Gaibandha district from the all kind of assessment. Mr. Aziz Mohammad Dudu is the most successful and popular up chairman in the district. Because of his peoples oriented policy every body are very much concerned about the union parishad and a faithful relation has been established with the community.

Formerly, due to mismanagement and negligence of official responsibility, the union parishad members were not trustworthy to people. They did not take any kind of development initiative for the people. Utilization of local resources was very poor. There was no transparency and accountability of UP. People were fully in darkness about what happens in the union parishad and what should it be doing. For lack of participatory process practice development activities were insignificant.

Since 2001, the transition has started taking place as the union parishad was attached with the project activity through a local organization named Udayan Sabolombi Sangstha. Then, a 10 day participatory strategic planning event was conducted with the participation of 40 representatives from different UPs of Saghata Upazila and non-government organizations which in-fact initiated the sustained development process. Under this prospective initiative towards enhancement of transparency, accountability and skill, many programs like union parishad management, gender analysis and planning training, open budget declaration process, technical support for official jobs and standing committee reorganization, specially support to develop participatory strategic plan and practice on it were adopted. After that period different follow-up and refreshers meetings were held time to time as well as yearly plan was prepared and open budget was also declared as a norm.

Key achievements are as follows:
 Coverage of 100% birth registration
 Coverage of 100% Sanitation
 Open Budget declaration and Practice of participatory budgeting process
 LGSP going on successfully
 Monthly meeting regularization of union parisad
 Revitalization and continuation of UP standing committees activities
 Continuing the GO, NGOs coordination
 Office file maintenance is regular and update
 Village Court reactivate and regular
 Health Watch Committee developed and on going

The union parishad has become the best union of Saghata upazila and LGSP project has been implementing very successfully. Muktinagar has proved that strong leadership, transparency, accountability and participatory process can bring success to a union parishad.