People’s voice and role of Bangladesh Water Development Board

In 2005, six Reflect circles Ananda, Golap, Bandhan and Bhumihin of Holokhana and Tori and Jagoroni of Chhinai Union in Kurigram Sadar Upazila identified two severely damaged points in Dharla protection embankment and taken it as an action point. They raised the issue with Thana Risk Reduction Society (TRRS) to draw attention urgently. TRRS also submitted memorandum to the relevant authority back in 2005 and kept tracking their response.

As a result, Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) allocated Tk 4,00,000 in February 2007 and started to set boulders on the embankment. In March 2007, they have completed the repair work that covered 1500 meters from Dakhhin Holokhana to Kowahaga of Chhinai Union. As a result, this year about 10000 families of 6 villages of the 2 Unions and crops of 45 acres of cultivable land have been protected from flood. With the support of circle members and community people, TRRS of Kurigram Sadar Upazila has been successful in ensuring accountability of the government officers and therefore solving a major problem of their community.

ELBAG groups in Bangladesh have been working with communities, duty bearers & the State. They’ve been playing a leading role in bringing people face to face with their representative. AAIB and its partners worked closely with the Parliamentarians this year, jointly organising a series of pre-budget and post budget sessions. Discussions and debates for gaps in budgets and alternatives to those gaps were structured around issues related to citizens with disabilities and farmers. People’s issues like disability, food security were also raised through this platform.

Community participation in Union Parishad Budget

With assistance from ActionAid Bangladesh and its local partner Uttaran, Khalilnagar Union parishad in Satkhira organized its local government budget 2006-07 presentation event for the 3^rd year in succession. Last year,  the Union Parishad (the lowest and closest local government institution where people have the easy access.

Usually they do not have enough knowledge about their roles and responsibilities) was adjusted as the best UP in the country by the Ministry of Local Government. This was reflected by the number of participants which amounted to more than 1000 people. They critically analyzed and presented the budget demanding their priorities to be included, yet praised the initiative undertaken by the LG mentioning, "It is an exceptional event. No LG could do it earlier. This process will lead to the accountability mechanism of the LG. This has brought peoples participation in the budget. We are happy."