Dhaka City Corporation
Encyclopedia
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 is 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 North and South city corporation.
is the incumbent mayor, after being elected in 2002.
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.
, the civil society, and even by members of the incumbent government. Incumbent mayor Khoka (who loses his seat once the gazette of the bill is published) 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.
The move was considered autocratic by the civil society as no public opinion was taken before the bifurcation. There were calls by the civil society to go for 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. 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
defines Dhaka the capital of Bangladesh, 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 wasn't illegal or unconstitutional.
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
. The incorporated area is 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
President of Bangladesh
Since 1991, the President of Bangladesh is the head of state, a largely ceremonial post elected by the parliament. Since 1996, the President's role becomes more important after the term of the government has finished, when his executive authority is enhanced as laid down in the constitution of the...
's approval, making way for a North and South city corporation.
History
Dhaka City Corporation was established as the Dacca Municipality on August 1, 1864. The first elected chairman was Ananda Chandra Roy. Prior to that, a Committee for the improvement of Dacca was formed in 1823. The Act of 1884 added the provision of elected representatives called commissioners. In 1978, it gained status as Dhaka Municipality Corporation, and in 1990, it became Dhaka City Corporation. It is divided into 90 wards. In 1982, two adjoining municipalities -- Mirpur and Gulshan -- were merged with Dhaka Municipality. In 1983, it was renamed as Dhaka Municipal Corporation. Finally, in 1990, it was renamed as Dhaka City Corporation. Until 1994, mayors were appointed by the Government. The first elected mayor by popular vote took office in 1994. Sadeque Hossain KhokaSadeque Hossain Khoka
Sadeque Hossain Khoka is a Bangladeshi politician, ex-minister and mayor of the capital Dhaka. He is also Vice Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party....
is the incumbent mayor, after being elected in 2002.
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 BangladeshJatiyo Sangshad
Jatiya Sangsad or National Assembly is the national parliament of Bangladesh. The current parliament of Bangladesh contains 345 seats including 45 women reserved seats distributed on elected party position in the parliament, the occupants of which are called Members of Parliament or MPs...
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.
Opposition to the dissolution
The split was condemned by opposition party BNPBangladesh Nationalist Party
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party , commonly referred to as the BNP, is the mainstream center-right political party in Bangladesh. BNP ruled Bangladesh total 18 years since her independence, the longest than any other party in Bangladesh...
, the civil society, and even by members of the incumbent government. Incumbent mayor Khoka (who loses his seat once the gazette of the bill is published) of BNP
Bangladesh Nationalist Party
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party , commonly referred to as the BNP, is the mainstream center-right political party in Bangladesh. BNP ruled Bangladesh total 18 years since her independence, the longest than any other party in Bangladesh...
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.
The move was considered autocratic by the civil society as no public opinion was taken before the bifurcation. There were calls by the civil society to go for 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. 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
Constitution of Bangladesh
The Constitution of Bangladesh is the supreme law of Bangladesh. It declares Bangladesh as a secular democratic republic where sovereignty belongs to the people; and lays down the framework defining fundamental political principles of the state and spells out the fundamental rights of citizens...
defines Dhaka the capital of Bangladesh, legal experts believe that the law may be challenged as a violation of the constitution. To this end, Khoka filed a writ
Writ
In common law, a writ is a formal written order issued by a body with administrative or judicial jurisdiction; in modern usage, this body is generally a court...
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 wasn't illegal or unconstitutional.