LAXMIPUR, Apr 16: Nineteen union parishads (Ups) in the district have been operating without their own office buildings for decades, forcing officials to run activities from rented houses, tin sheds, or even small market shops. As a result, citizens are facing disruption in services and enduring long-standing hardship.
At Dalal Bazar UP in Sadar Upazila, activities have been conducted from a rented shop for the past 30 years. The office has no toilet facilities, limited seating, and inadequate storage for documents. During village court sessions, complainants and defendants crowd into the small room while dozens more wait outside in the sun or rain.
The situation is similar at Tumchar UP, where activities have been carried out for 25 years in a tin shed built in front of the chairman's house. The cramped office lacks ventilation and space, forcing staff to work in congested conditions. The parishad pays Tk 5,000 in monthly rent for the shed.
Residents of Dalal Bazar said the office is so small that people often have to wait outside for services. "Even for urgent needs like using a toilet, we must look for nearby houses. This has been our suffering for years," one resident said.
Dalal Bazar UP Chairman Nazrul Islam said, "We have applied many times for a new building but received no allocation. We rent a shop for Tk 4,000 a month. During court sessions, most people have to stand."
According to district administration data, Laxmipur has 58 UPs across five upazilas. Of these, 19 have no permanent office buildings. Proposals have been sent to the Local Government Division, but allocations are yet to be made.
The affected unions include Hajirpara, Dakshin Hamchadi, Dalal Bazar, Char Ruhita, Bangakha, Shakchar, Tumchar, and Char Ramani Mohan in Sadar upazila; Char Kalkini, Saheber Hat, Char Lawrence, Patorir Hat, Hajirhat, and Torabganj in Kamalnagar; Char Algi, Char Abdullah, Char Badam, and Barokheri in Ramgati; and Bhatra in Ramganj.
Digital centres in these unions are also struggling, with entrepreneurs operating from tiny rented rooms. Citizens seeking birth and death certificates, citizenship documents, or inheritance certificates often wait for hours in long queues.
Administrative officer Abul Basher, who previously worked in Char Ramani Mohan Union, said, "There was no building, so we had to use the chairman's house as an office. Now in Tumchar, the situation is the same."
Officials said land disputes are a major reason for the delay in construction. Without land provided locally, the government cannot allocate buildings.
Local Government Division Deputy Director Md Jasim Uddin said, "All processes for three UP buildings have been completed. We will soon send the report. The government does not acquire land for union offices; it must be provided locally. Once land is available, buildings will be constructed under government projects."
