| Author | Islam, Md. Nurul |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.HS-85-09 |
| Subject(s) | Rural Development--Bangladesh
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| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Engineering and Technology |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The present study examines the efficacy of the Upazila approach which was introduced in 1982 as a new strategy for decentralized development in Bangladesh, replacing the earlier Thana system. The approach is particularly aimed at development of rural areas. A large number of development experiments between 1947 and 1982 have generally widened the gap between urban and rural areas and between rich and the poor and worsened the economic condition in general. Thana system which had inherited many weaknesses of the earlier systems, was itself ridden with several serious problems, particularly, the l ack of people's representation and participation, lack of proper coordination, absence of planning procedures and preponderance of bureaucracy . Moreover corruption was rampant. The Upazila approach aims at solving all these problems a nd to achieve real development. Under Upazila system more power has been delegated to the peoples representatives to take decisions, to initiate plans and to implement these in a coordinated manner at the local level; higher level officials have been appointed and more financial allocation ensured. But the present study shows that although the institutional and administrative strength has been increased, operationally the approach has not yet been very successful. Particularly no mechanism has yet been evolved to benefit the majority rural poor in real terms, such as by generating new employment opportunities. Also still very much lacking are sincere and committed leadership, trained manpower, effective participation of the local people in the planning and the development process and sectoral and horizontal coordination. The study also looked at the role played by the Upazila centres as rural service and it appears that these centres offer only limited services to the majority of rural population, due mainly to their low purchaing power but also because of referential treatment from the Government officials at these centres towards the priviledged groups. Notwithstanding it's many serious limitations, the Upazila system still has prospects as a positive strategy, particularly because of it's promise to democratize the decentralized development by making the peoples representative as the principal decision maker in the Upazila. However, genuine popular participation of the people has to be ensured for a real success. The study is based on a through a critical analysis of official documents and secondary materials and also on interviews with national level policy makers and development experts (20 in all), Upazila level officials (38 at 3 Upazilas in three regions of Bangladesh) and village level people (84 at two villages in each of the three Upazilas). |
| Year | 1985 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology (SET) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Human Settlement (HS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Islam, Nazrul |
| Examination Committee(s) | Dias, Hiran D. ;Guimaraes, Joao P. C. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1985 |