SIRAJGANJ, Jan 3: Out of 83 union parishads (UPs) in the district, 26 do not have own buildings. They are running their activities in tin-shed or rented houses.
Meanwhile, all seven UPs in Chouhali Upazila are also running their activities in a similar way. As a result, the UP office are facing setback to provide required services to the people.
Concerned sources said allocations have been granted for setting up buildings at some UPs, and the construction work of the buildings will start soon.
Besides, due to space scarcity and other complexities, the demand letter seeking allocation for setting up buildings at other UPs could not be sent to the department concerned. The district Local Government Division (LGD) considers this as one of the main reasons of the barrier to construct the buildings at the UPs.
Chairman of Koyra UP under Ullahpara Upazila Helal Uddin said, "As there is no UP building, we are running our activities at a rented house which is costing us much. Due to space scarcity, we are facing setback to arrange furniture and put documents in secure places. Besides, due to furniture scarcity, the people coming to seek service cannot take a seat."
District LGD sources said, "Of the total 83 UPs, 26 do not have own buildings. But, allocation has been granted for constructing buildings at Natuapara, Khasrajbari and Tekany UPs under Kazipur Upazila, Koyra UP under Ullahpara Upazila, and Mechhra UP under Sadar Upazila. The construction work of the buildings at Jhaoil UP under Kamarkhand Upazila and Chalitadanga UP under Kazipur Upazila is going on while the work of Sadar Union building under Belkuchi Upazila has been completed."
Concerned sources said after the end of the construction work, the people will not face any problem in getting the required services from the UPs. Besides, due to a disputed land, the demand letter seeking allotment to construct the building for Ratankandi UP under Sadar Upazila could not be sent to the concerned department.
But, after the end of the construction of the buildings following allocation and through solving different complexities, a total of 18 buildings will still remain unconstructed, the sources said. The question arises how the activities of those UPs will go on.
Deputy Director of district LGD Abu Nur Md Shamsuzzaman admitted the public harassment due to absence of UP buildings and said, "We have got allocation for constructing five UP buildings while the construction of two is going on. In total, 64 UPs will have their own buildings within 2018 while the rest will be constructed in phases."
He further said, "Chouhali is an erosion-prone area where many tracts are going under the river every year. So, it is hard to find out any permanent land for the seven UP buildings. But, we have sent letter to the concerned department informing the matter."
