Resource mobilization from non-traditional sources in South Khosbas Union Parishad : a case study

Abstract

Union Parisad is the oldest and smallest institution among the local government institutions in Bangladesh. It has some traditional or formal and non formal sources of income. Local resource mobilization is one of the means which play a crucial role to increase the fund of UP and to improve the socio-economic conditions of the rural people. There are many way to accumulate fund from non formal sources of UP as well. But UP is institutionally weak to collect funds. There are also policies with progressive constitutional provisions, framework for strong and effective local government. Due to some ambiguity in the policy, lack of resource generation capacity, lack of coordination and collaboration with other government and non government organization, lack of institutionalization UP could not able to generate resource properly and perform the development activities for the rural poor. It was found that the people of the study area were very much aware about the sources of income of the UP and they are willing to pay the taxes. UP can utilize this positive motivation to mobilize the other local resources to raise the fund. This study is an effort mainly to find out the sources of non traditional sources of revenue generation of the Union parisad. The study has been conducted depending on primary sources. Moreover, different secondary information also incorporated in the study. There was intervention through a project in the village area implemented by the BARD and ETEA Foundation, Spain to strengthening UP and institutionalize the village organizations. By this effort additional source of revenue earning UP has made a fund to do the welfare of the people of the union and capable to bring confidence of the people to the UP. This effort was able to build up the capacity of Union Parishad and institutionalize village organizations to support the vulnerable sections of people for their livelihood development through people’s participation and ensuring good governance. Union Parishad is the most popular democratic institution at the grassroots level. Therefore, resource mobilization from non traditional sources through collaboration with GO’s, NGO’s at this level is crucial and deserves special attention for better service delivery to the rural area as well as build the capacity and strengthening the Union Parisad . This study tries to explore the various potential non traditional sources of income and its benefits. Study findings would immensely give some direction to make the Union Parisad more effective.