Citizens Rights

enhancement or abscission.

A Comparative Disucssion
before and after the
dividation of DCC

Course Title: Local government and Administrative Law

Course Code: LAW- 347
Submited To:
Name: Saybur Rahman
Lacturer of UAP
Sumited By:
Name: Jahirul Islam
ID: 12111034
Department: Law & Human Rights
University of Asia Pacific
Date of Submission: Jan28, 2015

Jahirul islam
Univercity of Asia Pacific
1/27/2015

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Table of Contents
Executive Summary....................................................................................................................................... 3
1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 4
1.1 Background of the study ..................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 Statement of the Problem .................................................................................................................. 5
1.3 Objective of the study ......................................................................................................................... 5
1.2.1 Main Objective ............................................................................................................................. 5
1.2.2 Specific objectives ........................................................................................................................ 5
1.4 Methodology of the study .................................................................................................................. 5
1.4.1 Sampling....................................................................................................................................... 5
1.4.2 Data source .................................................................................................................................. 5
1.4.3 Data Analysis ................................................................................................................................ 5
2. Background ............................................................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Basic facts about Dhaka ...................................................................................................................... 6
2.2 Review of relevant documents to understand the overall governance situation of the Corporation6
2.3 Brief history of the Corporation:......................................................................................................... 8
2.4 Laws applicable to Dhaka City Corporation (DSCC) .......................................................................... 10
2.5 Structure and functions of the corporation ...................................................................................... 11
2.5.1 Wards: ........................................................................................................................................ 11
2.5.2 Administration of the Corporation ............................................................................................ 11
2.6 The functions of the corporation ...................................................................................................... 11
2.7 The powers of the corporation in relation to its duties and functions............................................. 12
3. Principles of openness and transparency as required by the law .......................................................... 13
3.1 Guidelines on records management, access to information or proactive disclosure of information
................................................................................................................................................................ 13
3.1 Legal provisions governing proactive disclosure .............................................................................. 14
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3.2 Legal provisions governing committee meetings ............................................................................. 15

4. Analysis ................................................................................................................................................... 16
5. Findings ................................................................................................................................................... 23
5.1 Findings from secondary Data Source .............................................................................................. 23
5.1.1 Dissolution ................................................................................................................................. 23
5.1.2 Dhaka North City Corporation ................................................................................................... 23
5.1.3 Dhaka South City Corporation ................................................................................................... 23
5.2 Findings from Survey/ Primary data Source ..................................................................................... 24
5.2.3 Opposition to the dissolution ............................................................................................................ 25
5. Practical Recommendation ..................................................................................................................... 26
6. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 26
7. Reference ................................................................................................................................................ 26
8. Annexure ................................................................................................................................................. 27
8.1 Questionnaire ................................................................................................................................... 27

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Executive Summary
With a view to providing better services and amenities Dhaka City Corporation has been proposed
to be split into two parts- Dhaka North City Corporation and Dhaka South City Corporation. Local
Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Bill, 2011 was introduced at the national parliament
last 23rd November to divide one of the most over populated cities of the world. Present
government is trying to say that city corporation is in trouble to provide good services to one crore
people by one body and it is facing problems to develop and maintain its infrastructures. Under the
plan the North will be consisted of Uttara, Gulshan, Badda, Mohakhali, East Rampura, Tejgaon,
Mohammadpur, Mirpur, Pallabi and Kafrul while Dhanmondi, Ramna, Motijheel, Sabujbagh, Demra,
Khilgaon, Sutrapur, Kotwali and Lalbagh will make the South.

However, this proposal is being highly refuted by the civil societies and other experts of the country
as they think it will create a deep complication. The main opposition party is also showing their
apprehension to this issue as they are taking it as a blue print by the ruling party to keep the
opposition party away from the scene. As the local government system of Bangladesh is
problematic, the local government experts have been critical of the governments decision as they
pointed out that reforming the whole system can deliver here not by splitting the Dhaka City
Corporation. Moreover the proposal is not economically viable which has been pointed out by the
economists of the country. Conducting any kind of social cost benefit analysis we may get the clear
picture that this will hamper the heritage, customs and creeds, cultural, social and political scenario
of the city. This division will create a contrast in economic transactions, geographical distinction
and many others communal idiosyncrasy.

The present government has taken a devastating decision of dividing the DCC into two. There is a
lot of things to think about the city corporation but the government put this into a hap hazardous
situation. We can find out our loop holes of the local government administrative system very easily.
If we take the experiences of India and her different local government institutions we can simply
get some good lessons to ease up our administration. Minimizing the corruption and introducing
on-line system will reduce the administrative and compliance cost of the city corporation and will
enhance its power to provide civic services to the city dwellers. Taking a sudden decision of
splitting it without doing any kind of cost benefit analysis and public pole may make the equation
even more complex.

Although the city grew in stature and in population in the subsequent years, it developed
dramatically only after the departure of the British in 1947 and its becoming the capital of a new
province. In 1947 the city extended up to 12 square miles with a population of some 250,000.
Thereafter Dhakas political, administrative, economic, industrial, educational and even military
importance grew so much that its local government was to be change to suit the new situation.
However, it did not change overnight rather took a very long time in view of the prevailing political
situation in the country.

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1. Introduction
1.1 Background of the study
Dhaka is the fastest growing mega-city in the world, with an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 new
migrants, mostly poor, arriving to the city annually.1 Its population is currently around 12 million
and is projected to grow to 20 million in 2020, making it the worlds third largest city. Dhaka City
Corporation With the birth of Pakistan in 1947, Dhaka became the capital of the new province of
East Bengal. This elevation in the status of the city did not immediately alter the status of its local
government, which was a municipality. The municipal government of Dhaka, established in 1864
was suitable for the type of urban center, which then it was - a small divisional headquarters. It
then covered an area comprising roughly some 20.72 square kilometers with a population of some
52,000. The Dhaka Municipality created under act III of 1864 was entrusted to provide civic
services to this little town and small population, which included maintenance of roads,
conservancy, health services and education, and for which it was authorized to levy rates and taxes
and was occasionally provided with government grants.
Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) is the former self-governing corporation that is associated with the
task of running the affairs of the city of Dhaka. The incorporated area was divided into several
wards. Each ward has an elected ward commissioner. The mayor of the city is elected by popular
vote every five years, although the last mayoral election took place in 2002. The Corporation was
dissolved by the Local Government (City Corporation) Amendment Bill 2011 on November 29,
2011, passed in the Parliament of Bangladesh, and formally ceased to exist on December 1, 2011,
following the President's approval, making way for a Dhaka North and a Dhaka South city
corporation.

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1.2 Statement of the Problem

After the Dividation of Dhaka City Corporation a new debate has arisen. Pointing on this debate I
want to discuss on two pointsI.

II.

Are the citizens' rights enhanced after deviation of Dhaka City Corporation?

Are the citizens' rights abscissioned after deviation of Dhaka City Corporation?

1.3 Objective of the study

1.2.1 Main Objective

The main objective of this report is to compare the citizens' rights before and after the deviation of
Dhaka City Corporation by analyzing various types of Data.

1.2.2 Specific objectives

Specific objectives are-

To have exposure to the Dhaka City Corporations Activities.

To disclose the current situation of DCC.

1.4 Methodology of the study

My research was deductive and I took a quantitative research approach for my research.

1.4.1 Sampling

I have select citizens of both city corporations of Dhaka randomly as my study Sample. My sample
was both male and female and their age 25-50 year & my sample size was 20.

1.4.2 Data source

The report is based on both primary and secondary sources of information.

i) Primary Sources Close ended questionnaire Survey

Face to face conversation with the official staff.
ii) Secondary Sources Report
Research paper
Website

1.4.3 Data Analysis

For an effective analysis I have used MS WORD, EXCEL and some statistical tools.
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2. Background
2.1 Basic facts about Dhaka
Dhaka currently hosts a population of approximately 14-16 million (GOB/BBS 2010, World Bank
2007). So, the DSCC has a population of 7-8 million approximately.
In recent studies conducted by the World Bank (2007) and UN-HABITAT (2008) Dhaka has been
identified as the fastest growing mega city in the world. With an annual population growth rate of
4.4 percent it has been projected that by 2020 Dhaka would become the third largest mega city.
Like most other fast growing mega cities in developing countries, Dhaka's rapid population is
attributed to rural in-migration and associated with the resultant expansion of slums and the
growth of the urban informal economy. It has been estimated that 300,000 to 400,000 migrants
come to Dhaka from different parts of Bangladesh every year, drawn by the relatively higher wages
and job opportunities that the national capital offers.
The UN-HABITAT's State of Cities 2010-11 (UN-HABITAT, 2011) report notes that Dhaka is a highly
divided city where space is allocated and used for the benefit of a privileged few, while
marginalizing the rest of the population from access to key social amenities

2.2 Review of relevant documents to understand the overall governance

situation of the Corporation

Municipal autonomy is undermined when DCC is heavily regulated by the central government,
leaving little space to make and administer decisions at the local level. The Local Government (City
Corporation) Act, 2009 itself has paved the way for central governments interference in three key
aspects. First, Section 42 (1) of the Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009 empowers the
central government to withdraw any institution or activity to its control from the purview of City
Corporation. Second, the authority to appoint the Chief Executive Officer of the City Corporation
rests with the government and his/her withdrawal from the Corporation has been made
procedurally very difficult (Section 62 of City Corporation Act, 2009). Third, central government
has the power to make any changes to the Corporations budget (Section 76(3)). Furthermore, the
Central governments authority supersedes over all other delegated institutions, as it has the
provision to abolish the formation of any City Corporation (Section 108). Applying this authority,
the government has on November 29, 2011, abolished the DCC and split it into two parts DCC
North and DCC South by passing the Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Bill 2011.
The Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009 stipulates that the City Corporations could
invite Heads of different agencies in the Corporations meetings; but they are not obliged to attend
the meetings. DCCs immediate past Mayor Mr. Sadek Hossain Khoka, in an interview with the
authors, said that the legal provision of participation of Heads of different agencies is quite
superficial in practice (IGS 2012).
The Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009 allows every City Corporation, including the
DCC to undertake any development plan and its implementation under the approval of the
Governments Local Government Division. In practice, the subjection of the DCC to the purview of

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the Local Government Division leaves limited space for autonomy to the DCC. Third schedule of the
Act lists 28 types of activity of the Corporation; but little scope exists for the Corporation to
undertake any major step that may impact the lives of city dwellers in a greater way. Central
government agencies are mainly responsible for major urban services. Meanwhile, local people see
the elected representatives of the municipal Corporation as the designated authority to meet their
needs although they do not have the statutory power to do so.

On the back of weak formal governance, an informal governance structure has been active in
providing urban services and securing livelihoods, especially for the poor and excluded in the city.
This informal governance structure mediates with the formal one and imposes an unofficial system
of charges and/or bribes on those aiming to secure a livelihood in the city from garments workers,
to hawkers and rickshaw pullers. Hawkers, for instance, have become organized under informal
leadership and wield their political influence through participation in political demonstrations in
streets and neighborhoods.

The informal governance structure is largely defined by patron-client relations. Clientelistic

relationships have personalized the nature of politics in the city. A personal contact with politicians
or officials is often a more successful solution to grievance resolution than formal complaint
channels, particularly in service delivery (Banks 2006 cited in IGS 2012).
Both horizontal and vertical structures of patron-clientelism are witnessed in the city governance.
In horizontal patron-clientelism, the ruling party creates loyalties and allegiances and colludes with
key state actors and organizations. This patron-clientelism is predominantly evident in urban
administration where all kinds of appointments, promotions and transfers are often decided based
on political party affiliation.
The vertical patron-client relationship depicts that followers of the party are rewarded based on
their loyalty to the immediate party leaders. Entrance into his relationship which spreads
downwards in a chain of neta-karmi3 (leader-follower) relationships, is determined by kinship and
personalized ties (Panday and Jamil 2010 cited in IGS 2012). The relationship produces mastaans4
who collect extortion and mobilize a vote bank for the collection, and promotion within the party
hierarchy. Their role has grown up as the formal institutions fail to deliver.

Weak institutions provide the space for informal actors to deliver services through patron-client
relations. When state institutions exclude the poor from services and fail to provide entitlements to
the middle class such as right to security, the masttans fill the institutional gap between the state
and the citizens. Access of citizens to this informal governance is highly expensive.

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2.3 Brief history of the Corporation:

1840 Committee of Improvement existed in Dhaka as early as 1823. Dhaka Committee was
formed in 1840.

1864 Dhaka Municipality was established on the 1st August, 1864 with the introduction of
District Municipal Improvement Act (Act III B.C. of 1864). Lt. Governor had power to appoint
municipal Commissioners from among the inhabitants and their number was not to be less than
seven.
1884 The Act of 1884 recognized for the first time the elective principle in unambiguous term.
The first elected Chairman was Mr. Ananda Chandra Roy and the first elected Vice-Chairman was
Mr. Khawaja Amirullah.

1922 Bengal Municipal Act of 1922 extended franchise to women also, who had so far been
denied this right.
1947

Dhaka became the provincial capital of the then East Pakistan in 1947.

1947 Municipal Committee was superseded by the Govt. on the 19th of November, 1947 for
collection of taxes development activities etc. Supersession was extended by annual orders on the
score of non-preparation of electoral rolls, until 1953.
1953 In December, 1953, the elected Chairman took over his office, and again in August, 1959,
Municipality was superseded.

1960 The Municipal Administration Ordinance of 1960 repealed all previous municipal laws and
provided that the chairmen would be an official member appointed by and holding office during the
pleasure of the Govt.
1960 The Government in 1960 divided the city area into 25 Unions, which were later enhanced
by 30 Unions in 1964.

1977 City area was divided into 50 wards and election of Ward Commissioners was held with the
introduction of Pourashava Ordinance, 1977.
1977

Ward Commissioners elected one of their members as the Chairman of the Municipality.

1982

Municipal Corporation was superseded by the promulgation of Martial law in March, 1982.

1978 In 1978, Dhaka Municipality was awarded the status of Corporation and the existing
Chairman became the Mayor of the Corporation.

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1982 Two adjacent municipalities, namely Mirpur and Gulshan Municipalities were merged with
Dhaka Municipality in 1982. As a result the number of wards increased to 56. Later, number of
wards was increased to 75 and Administrators/Mayors were appointed by the Govt. till 1994

1977 Dhaka Municipal Corporation Ordinance, 1983 repealed the application of Pourashava
Ordinance, 1977.
1990

In 1990, the Dhaka Municipal Corporation was renamed as the Dhaka City Corporation.

1993 In 1993, the Government, with a view to democratize the City Corporation, made drastic
amendments and made provision for the Mayor and the Commissioners to be directly elected.
1994 The election of the Corporation was held on January, 1994 and Mr. Mohammad Hanif
became the first elected Mayor and Md. Sadeque Hossain Khoka was the second elected Mayor of
Dhaka.

2011 The Local Govt. (City Corporation) Amendment Act (2011), Dhaka City Corporation has
divided as the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) on
04.12.2011.

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2.4 Laws applicable to Dhaka City Corporation (DSCC)

The Local Government (City Corporation) Amendment Act 2011 is shown on the website, but its
content is missing. However, The Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009 remains the basis
of the functions of the Corporation.
Here are some basic parts of the act:

The Local Government (City Corporation) Act 2009 provides for several sections on taxes. Sections
83 through 90 of the law deal with the notification, imposition, schedule, instruction, liability,
collection, and assessment of taxes and levies. Section 83 provides that all taxes, sub-taxes, rates,
tolls and fees fixed by the Corporation need to be notified through government gazette notification,
and if not otherwise instructed by the government, those have to be pre-disclosed (proactively).
Section 86 states that the Corporation has to impose taxes on an individual or goods, it has to notify
and call for necessary information including documents, records or those goods in the first place.
Section 89 provides that Corporation can impose taxes on a job or grants, but in such case, the
Corporation has to notify provider or employer of that job or grants beforehand for the due taxes.
However, as regards disclosure of information, the Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009
provides that:

The Corporation will prepare reports on its administrative and development activities in
prescribed format of government, and will submit the same with the 30th September of
next fiscal year (Section 43).
The Corporation will publish a document titled Citizen Charter with description on the
services to citizens, conditions for the services, timeline of the services etc. (Section 44).
The Corporation will, in its first meeting of the year in the immediate next to it, will form
standing committees on the following areas. The committees will function for period of 2
years and 6 months, and after this period, new committees will be formed (Section 50).
It says if any meeting is not held exclusively as unanimously decided by the majority of the
councilors, such meeting will remain open for the people (Section 54(1)).

Any citizen will have right to information regarding Corporation in the defined system.
However, sub-section 2 says that Corporation, through gazette notification, can classify any
records or documents to the interest of the people and of the administrative security; that
citizens will lose their right to access those classified records or documents; and that
Corporation can deny any such requests from the citizens. It further says that the
government can instruct Corporation to publish list of information deliverable to the
citizens (Section 110).
The Corporation can make regulations regarding information disclosure process etc.
(Section 110).

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2.5 Structure and functions of the corporation

2.5.1 Wards:
There are 56 wards5 under Dhaka South City Corporation.

2.5.2 Administration of the Corporation

Enactment of the Local Government (City Corporation)(Amendment) Act, 2011 replaced some of
the sections of the previous Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009 regarding the
administration of the divided City Corporations. Section 4(1) of the act says if a new Corporation is
formed under this act, the government will appoint a competent person or first class public official
as its administrator. As regards the functions of the Mayor and Councilors, the act stipulates in
section 6(2) that when this act divides an existing City Corporation, the structure of that City
Corporation will be defunct, and the Mayor and the Councilors will lose their positions.

2.6 The functions of the corporation

The Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Act, 2011 only amends few of the sections
of the Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009. The law of 2009 broadly specifies the
standing committees of the corporation (Section 50). However, the website categories the DSCCs
function as below:
Public Health
Public Safety Civil defense
Sanitation
Floods
Removal and disposal of refuse
Famine
Unsanitary buildings
Dangerous and offensive articles
Latrines and urinals
Burial and burning places
Birth, death and marriage registration
Infectious diseases
Health and maternity centers
Public health
Hospital and dispensaries
Medical aid and relief

Social welfare
Social welfare
Culture
Library
Fairs and shows

Building Control

Development
Development plans
Community development project
Commercial schemes
Health development project
Slum development

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Education
Education
Compulsory education
General Provision about education.

Trees, Parks, Gardens and Forests

Arboriculture
Gardens
Open Spaces
Forests
Nuisances pertaining to tree

Tank and low-lying areas

Water Supply and Drainage
Water Supply
Private sources of water supply
Drainage schemes
Bathing and washing places
Dhobi ghats & washer men
Public water courses
Public ferries
Public fisheries
Control of foods and drinks
Bye laws
Milk supply
Public markets
Private markets
Slaughter house.

DCC

Streets
Public streets
Streets
General provision about streets
Encroachment
Streets lighting
Streets watering
Traffic control
Public vehicles

Urban Planning
Master plan
Ward Base GIS Base Map & Database
Site development schemes
Execution of site development
scheme
Management and control of animals
Animals husbandry
Stray animals
Animal hones and farms
Registration of sale of cattle
Livestock improvement
Dangerous animals
Cattle show, zoos etc.
Disposal of carcasses

2.7 The powers of the corporation in relation to its duties and functions
According to the Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Act, 2011, the functions of the
DSCC are currently administered by the public officials in both the central and zonal offices. The
Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009 broadly specifies the functions (Section 50), and
stipulates that further rules and regulations will be made, but no such rules and regulations could
be found on the functions of the Corporation.

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3. Principles of openness and transparency as required by the

law
The Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009 contains several sections requiring publishing
and publicizing the documents and information to the citizens. However, at the same time, there are
sections and sub-sections in the same law, which allow the government to classify information.

3.1 Guidelines on records management, access to information or

proactive disclosure of information

The Local Government (City Corporation) Act 2009:

The law has provisions for disclosure of information on the one hand, and for classifying
and restricting information on the other. Section 110 deals with the citizens right to
information in the following manner:
Any citizen will have right to information regarding Corporation in the defined system.

Sub-section 2 says that the Corporation, through gazette notification, can classify any
records or documents in the interest of the people and of the administrative security; that
citizens will lose their right to access those classified records or documents; and that the
Corporation can deny any such requests from the citizens.
It further says that the government can instruct Corporation to publish list of information
deliverable to the citizens.

Right to Information Act, 2009:

Under Section 6:
Every authority shall publish and publicize all information pertaining to any decision taken,
proceeding or activity executed or proposed by indexing them in such a manner as may
easily be accessible to the citizens.
In publishing and publicizing information under sub-section (1), no authority shall conceal
any information or limit its easy access.

Every authority shall publish a report every year, which shall contain the following
information, namely:
o Particulars of its organizational structure, activities, responsibility of the officers
and employees, or description and process of decision making;
o Lists of all laws, Acts, Ordinance, rules, regulations, notifications, directives,
manuals, etc. of the authority, including the classification of all information lying
with the authority;
o Description of the terms and conditions under which a citizen may get services from
the authorities in obtaining any license, permit, grant, consent, approval or other
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benefits and of such conditions that require the authority to make transactions or
enter into agreements with him;
Particulars of the facilities ensuring right to information of the citizens, and the full
name, designation, address, and, in cases where applicable, fax number and e-mail
address of the assigned officer.

If the authority frames any policy or takes any important decision, it shall publish all such
policies and decisions and shall, if necessary, explain the reasons and causes in support of
such policies and decisions.
The report prepared by authority under this section shall be made available free of charge
for public information and its copies shall be stocked for sale at nominal price.

All the publications made by the authority shall be made available to the public at
reasonable price.
The authority shall publish and publicize the matters of public interest through press note
or through any other means.
The Information Commission shall, by regulations, frame instructions to be followed by the
authority for publishing, publicizing and obtaining information and all the authority shall
follow them.

3.1 Legal provisions governing proactive disclosure

The Local Government (City Corporation)(Amendment) Act (2011) does not provide details of
proactive disclosure provisions, but replaces and revises some of the sections of the Local
Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009. Some of the sections of the 2009 law have proactive
disclosure obligations, but no rules or regulations thereof were made so far.
Section 43 of the law deals with publication of report on administration and development activities.
It says that the Corporation will prepare reports on its administrative and development activities in
prescribed format of government, and will submit the same with the 30th September of next fiscal
year.
Section 44 of the law deals with the citizen charter, and states the following.
The Corporation will publish a document titled Citizen Charter with description on the
services to citizens, conditions for the services, timeline of the services etc.
This charter will be updated once in a year.

The Corporation can make guidelines regarding an ideal citizen charter.

The Corporation can bring necessary changes and additions in the charter subject to the
notification to the government and the commission.
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The charter will include accurate and clear description of the services, charges of such
services, eligibility of receiving and demanding services and the processes thereof, specific
timeline of the services, responsibilities, assurance of services to the citizens, disposal of
complaints related to services, and consequences of violations of the promises.

Section 54(1) tells about peoples participation in the meeting. It says if any meeting is not held
exclusively as unanimously decided by the majority of the councilors, such meeting will remain
open for the people.
Section 59 of the law provides that all agreements signed by or in favor of City Corporation will be
finalized after approval by the meeting of the Corporation, and such agreements will be considered
as accomplished in the name of Corporation.
Section 62 of the law provides that (the Corporation will) preserve all documents in proper
manner. It further says the Corporation will prepare reports and statements, and publish them. The
Corporation will disclose information as the government asks for, from time to time.

Section 110 deals with the citizens right to information in the following manner:
Any citizen has the right to information regarding the Corporation

However, sub-section 2 says that Corporation, through gazette notification, can classify any
records or documents in the interest of the people and of administrative security; that
citizens will lose their right to access those classified records or documents; and that
Corporation can deny any such requests from the citizens.
It further says that the government can instruct the Corporation to publish a list of
information deliverable to the citizens.
The Corporation can make regulations regarding information disclosure process etc.

3.2 Legal provisions governing committee meetings

Section 50 deals with the standing committees of the Corporation as saying that the Corporation
will, in its first meeting of the year, form standing committees on the following areas. The
committees will function for period of 2 years and 6 months, and after this period, new committees
will be formed. The committees are as follow:

Finance and Establishment

Waste management
Education, health, family planning and sanitation
Town planning and improvement
Audit and accounts
Town infrastructure development and preservation
Water and electricity

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Social welfare and community center

Environment improvement
Sports and culture
Birth and death registration
Communication
Supervision, monitoring and control of market prices
Disaster management

Section 49 (3) deals with the meeting of the Corporation as saying that the Corporation on any
working day in the first week of a month will hold a meeting and fix a date for the next meeting.

Section 54 (1) tells about peoples participation in the meeting. It says if any meeting is not held
exclusively as unanimously decided by the majority of the councilors, such meeting will remain
open for the people.

4. Analysis
I have done a comparative study on dividation of City Corporation by analyzing data, collected from
Questionnaire and other facts. I have shown some analysis on important question here.
I.

Do you think the Public health factors have developed by the dividation of DCC?

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II.

Do you think the social welfare system has been improved by the dividation of DCC?

III.

DCC

Dont you think the culture has changed due to dividation of DCC?

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IV.

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Do you think educational institution has increased for the dividation of DCC?

Dont you admit that infastucture of this area has been improved by this separation?

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VI.

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Dont you think that was a perfect urban planning?

What about the water supply & drainage system of this area after this separation?

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VIII.

IX.

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Do you think your waste management system has been increased by this dividation?

What is the status of the administrative & the management system of DCC after its
dividation?

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X.

XI.

A Comparative Discussion before and after the dividation of DCC

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Does anybody loss their property due to this separation?

What is the current situation of the quality of the DCCs Services?

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XII.

XIII.

A Comparative Discussion before and after the dividation of DCC

DCC

What is your opinion about the reducing of complexity and ensuring the availability of the
services of DCC after its separation?

Dont you think that a political intention has worked for this dividation?

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5. Findings
5.1 Findings from secondary Data Source
5.1.1 Dissolution
The Awami League government on 29 November 2011 dissolved the Dhaka City Corporation by the
Local Government (City Corporation) Amendment Bill 2011 passed by the Parliament of
Bangladesh after being placed in the Parliament on November 23. The city corporation will be split
into two corporations, North and South, with the southern wing holding more territory than the
north. Each corporation will be a self-governing entity, thus giving the city of Dhaka two mayors.
The government holds that bifurcation would ensure better quality of civic services to the Denizens
of the city.

5.1.2 Dhaka North City Corporation

Dhaka North City Corporation consists of 36 wards covering the thanas of Mirpur, Mohammadpur,
Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Pallabi, Adabor, Kafrul, Dhaka Cantonment, Gulshan, Banani, Badda, Uttara &
some others.

5.1.2.1 Services

Road Cutting Permission

New Holding Number
Procedure of Holding Tax Service
Transfer of Holding Name
New and Renewal of Trade License
Birth / Death Registration
Smoke Free Guideline
Burial ground booking/reservation
Community Center Booking
No Objection Certificate for Multistoried Building
Purchase of GIS based Map

5.1.2.2 Other Services

Birth Registration
Trade license
No Objection Certificate for Multipurpose Building
Tax Appeal Form (P)
Transfer of Holding Name
Shop Allocation Form

5.1.3 Dhaka South City Corporation

Dhaka South City Corporation consists of 56 wards covering the thanas of Dhaka Kotwali, Motijheel,
Sutrapur, Ramna, Bangsal, Wari, Gendaria, Chwokbazar, Lalbagh, Hazaribagh, Dhanmondi,
Shahbagh, New Market, Khilgaon, Kamrangirchar & some others.

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5.1.3.1 Services

Hospital
DSCC Hospital
Road/Drain/Footpath
Markets
Museum
Burial/Burning Ground
Street Light
Gymnasium
Community center
Maternity center
On Street Car Parking
Library
Music anc school
Bus Terminals
Public Toilet
Playground

5.1.3.2 Other Services

Birth Registration
Trade License Rate
Trade License
No objection certificate for multistoried building
Tax appeal Form (P)
Transfer of holding name
Shop Allocation Form

5.2 Findings from Survey/ Primary data Source

Here are the findings from the survey

From the analysis I have noticed that among 20 person 7 peoples have denied that Public
health factors have developed by the dividation of DCC but the more interesting thing is that
those persons are from the south city corporation. On the other hand, Six people from north
city Corporation has accepted it.

Most of the people think that the social welfare system has not improved yet.

Most of the people think that their culture has not changed due to the dividation.

More than 80% percent people say that their educational institution has not increased and
it has remained unchanged yet.

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More than 85% people think that the infrastructure has not improved or changed yet, but I
found some difference between the opinion of North City Corporation People to South City
Corporation.
Half of my sample population believes that this urban planning was perfect, but the rest
50% did not comply with them.
Many people think water & Drainage system system has not changed yet and many others
think the quality is going down day by day.

Again, I have seen some dissimilarity with the opinion of the people in both parts. Most of
the people of the north city Corporation told me that the waste management system has
been increased than before, but on the other hand south city corporation people told me the
vice versa.
Most people told me that the service quality is going down & its become poor than before.

Some people of the north city corporation have lost their property because of the
formulation of the New city corporation infrastructure.
Al most 90% people think that the current service quality is poor.

North city people admit that by the new city corporation, they get some advantage specially
availability and the reducing of complexity, but south city people do not agree with that.
Finally, the most interesting finding is that all most all people think that behind this
dividation political influence is stronger than others.

5.2.3 Opposition to the dissolution

The split was condemned by opposition party BNP, some citizens, and even by members of the
incumbent government. Incumbent mayor Khoka (who lost his seat) of BNP promised that he
would not contest the next city elections if the government would let the city not be split. He also
promised that the split will be scraped once BNP returns to power. Incumbent councilors as well as
staff of the former City Corporation went on strike if the bill was passed. Protesting staff of the
Corporation were met with an armed police force.
There were calls by some for a referendum before the split was made.
Since only the corporations are being split without a split in service providing agencies, this may
give rise to a messy situation with a bureaucratic bottleneck, causing coordination failure amongst
the services provided to the citizens. Some have suggested that the creation of two corporations
will result in a greater payment in taxpaying money for administrative expenses, without a
guarantee of improvement in civic services.
Since the Constitution of Bangladesh names Dhaka as the capital of Bangladesh, some legal experts
believe that the law may be challenged as a violation of the constitution. To this end, Khoka filed a
writ petition at the High Court challenging the new law after it was passed; the court, in turn, asked
the government to show cause as to why the split was not illegal or unconstitutional.

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5. Practical Recommendation
Here some recommendation to enhance Citizens Rights DCC should develop a feasible urban planning.
They must improve their service quality.

DCC should keep their eye on the Social welfare system.

Management should develop some educational institute to have an educated society.

They should develop their infrastructure like IT, Medical & Health etc.
They should improve water, Drainage & waste management system.

Finally, all of us should think about our future generation, our country rather than personal
benefits.

6. Conclusion

At the final stage of my report I want to state that, We have many good plans but lack of
implementation of those plans of miss guide of those plans we cant enhance our rights. But if we
can use the with good intention, we may enhance our rights. Relation with citizens rights to
dividation of DCC is the hottest topic to debater. In my opinion it can be good way decentralize the
Dhaka city if we use it with the good intention.

7. Reference

Research Initiatives Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2015. REPORT OF THE STUDY OF PROACTIVE

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION BY DHAKA SOUTH CITY CORPORATION, available at http://ribrtibangladesh.org/publications/Report%20of%20the%20study%20on%20DSCC
%2026.12.'12-1.pdf
Banglapdia.org, 2012. History, available at- http://www.banglapedia.org/HT/D_0177.htm
Wekepedia, 21 October 2014. Dhaka City Corporation, available at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhaka_City_Corporation
Dhaka south city corporation, Nov 25, 2014. Available at
http://www.dhakasouthcity.gov.bd/

Dhaka North city corporation, 2014. Available at http://www.dncc.gov.bd/

Shagor Talukder, 2015. Administration department, discussion on service procedure and

rights of citizens of DCC. Personal communication, Jan 5, 2015.

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8. Annexure
8.1 Questionnaire
Date Sir,

I am sharmin Akhter. I am studying at University of Asia Pasific (UAP) in 6th Semester. I am

preparing a Report on Cityzens Rights enhancement or abscission- A comparative discussion
before and after the dividation of Dhaka City Corporation For comparative analysis I need
some data from you. I expect it would be very effective for you because you can express your
opinion & share your experience with Dhaka City Corporation by this report to them.
I ensure that your identity will not be enclosed and this data will use only for academic
purposes.

So I expect that you are kind enough to associate with me for completing this report and also my
better future.

Thankfully
Jahirul Islam
ID: 12111034
Program: LLB (Hons)

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Please chose answer by giving Tick mark

1. Do you think the Public health factors have developed by the dividation of DCC?
a) Yes

b) No

c) Unchanged

a) Yes

b) No

c) Unchanged

a) Yes

b) No

c) Unchanged

a) Yes

b) No

c) Unchanged

a) Yes

b) No

c) Unchanged

a) Yes

b) No

2. Do you think the social welfare system has been improved by the dividation of DCC?
3. Dont you think the culture has changed due to dividation of DCC?

4. Do you think educational institution has increased for the dividation of DCC?
5. Dont you admit that infastucture of this area has been improved by this separation?
6. Dont you think that was a perfect urban planning?

7. What about the water supply & drainage system of this area after this separation?

a) Yes

b) No

c) Unchanged

d) Poor than before

8. Do you think your waste management system has been increased by this dividation?
a) Yes

b) No

c) Decreased

9. What is the status of the administrative & the management system of DCC after its
divination?

a) Yes

b) No

c) Unchanged

d) Poor than before

10. Does anybody loss their property due to this separation?

a) Yes

b) No

11. What is the current situation of the quality of the DCCs Services?
a) Good

b) Bad

c) Poor

12. What is your opinion about the reducing of complexity and ensuring the availability of the
services of DCC after its separation?

a) Yes

b) No

c) Unchanged

13. Dont you think that a political intention has worked for this dividation?

a) Yes

b) No

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