SUST Studies, Vol. 15, No.1, 2012; P:76-84 Problems of Strengthening Local Government in Bangladesh: Towards a Comprehensive Solution (Submitted: August 26, 2010; Accepted for Publication: July 25, 2011) Zayeda Sharmin 1 , Md. Amdadul Haque 1 and Fakhrul Islam 2 1 Department of Political Studies, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh 2 Department of Public Administration, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh, Email: zayeda_sharmeen@yahoo.co.in, amdadulhaque85@yahoo.com, fakhrul.bs11@gmail.com Abstract Local government is an integral part of body politics of the country. Historically, local government was always there in Bengal. Only its forms differed from age to age. The ancient and medieval governments of Bengal were heavily dependent on village institutions, which made the structure of the local government. After the independence of Bangladesh, many changes have been made to constitute and re-constitute the local government system. This study is an effort mainly to know about the local government problems in Bangladesh and provide a comprehensive solution in order to strengthening local government properly. Various problems rigorously restricted the local government system from realism such as financial control, control by central government, limited budgetary allocations, and interruption of politician. The study has been conducted depending on secondary sources of data. Moreover different scholars’ views have been incorporated so that a comprehensive reform strategy can be provided properly. Key Wards: Local Government, Democratic Process, Grass Root Level, Decentralization. Introduction Local government is an integral part of body politics of the country, recognized or created under law for the management of local affairs of human settlement with geographic boundary. Decentralization of local government institution in Bangladesh can create political leadership, ensure popular participation and develop an accountable administration that helps to plan and implement people-oriented development activities. The institution of local government can help to establish democratic process and practice as well as ensure participatory development at grass roots. Without doubt local government has a tremendous role to play in the efficacious existence and maturation, Syndromes of democracy. Local Self Government institutions in every country are the significant breeding grounds for democracy. They help the rural people understand democratic spirit and value. By taking part in the local bodies the people can taste the fruit of democracy. During the British colonial rule in Indian sub- continent and after 1947 the long quasi-colonial rule, various kinds of changes had taken place and after the independence of Bangladesh, a number of attempts have been made to tinker with local government bodies. Changes have been made time-to-time but the initiatives did not direct linkage with strengthening local government bodies. The local government bodies had never been independent in Bangladesh. Since the emergence of Bangladesh it can be pointed out easily that units are being used by the periodical government for its own political gains (Rahman and Zaman: 2004). The issues of local self governments should be taken into consideration in any future attempt to reform and reorganize to make them truly decentralized, institutionally effective, financially viable, participatory gender sensitive, transparent and accountable in nature. It is possible if proper reform system can be undertaken with specifying all the concerned parts of the local government. Therefore, comprehensive reform strategy is needed to strengthening local government system. In order to make a strong and sound decentralized local government, these problems are required to be solved. It is obviously clear that a comprehensive solution must be taken to remove the weakness of local bodies.