Bangladesh appoints administrators to lead 12 city corporations

The mayors of the city corporations have been removed from duty

Amid widespread reshuffles, Bangladesh’s interim government has removed mayors from the 12 city corporations across the country and replaced them with administrators.

A notice signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Shamsul Islam of the Local Government Division issued on Monday says that the Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Barishal, Narayanganj, Cumilla, Rangpur, Gazipur, and Mymensingh city corporation mayors have been relieved of duty.

Twelve officials in the administration were given responsibility for these city corporations in a separate notice on Monday. They will remain on duty until further notice as per the local government ordinance.

Local Government Division Additional Secretary Muhammad Sher Ali has been appointed to lead the Dhaka South City Corporation, while Additional Secretary Md Mahmudul Hasan is leading the Dhaka North City Corporation.

The divisional commissioners of the Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Barishal, Rangpur, and Mymensingh divisions have been given the responsibility of their respective city corporations.

Local Government Division Additional Secretary AHM Khairuzzaman will head the Narayanganj City Corporation, the Bangladesh Rural Development Academy director general (additional secretary) will take the Cumilla City Corporation, while the Dhaka divisional commissioner will also be responsible for the Gazipur city corporation.

Administrators shall exercise the powers and duties of the mayor of the City Corporation. These officers will perform administrative duties in addition to their duties, for which they will receive duty allowance as per rules. They will not get additional financial or other benefits.

Earlier on Sunday, 495 chairmen from Upazila councils were removed and the Upazilas’ executive officers were made administrators in their place. In addition, the mayors of 323 municipalities in the country were dismissed from their posts, and the government appointed administrators to replace them.

Most local government representatives have gone into hiding due to fear of attacks after Sheikh Hasina resigned from her premiership in the face of a mass student-led movement on Aug 5.

Nearly all the top positions at the district, Upazila Parishad, city corporation, and municipality levels were occupied by Awami League leaders and activists.

Some of them have reportedly left the country. Under the circumstances, government services were being disrupted as the regular activities of local government institutions were hindered.