Dhaka Bureau: The High Court canceled Section 33 of the Upazila Parishad Act. As a result, the lawyers said that the UNOs did not have absolute authority over the upazila chairmen. From now on, UNORA will provide secretarial support to the upazila parishads.
The High Court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Ahmed Sohel announced the verdict on Wednesday (March 29). Barrister Azmalul Hossain QC and Barrister Hasan MS Azim appeared for the writ in court. Additional Attorney General Mehdi Hasan Chowdhury heard the state’s side.
Earlier, the High Court ordered the upazila parishad (UP) chairmen of the country to provide security like the upazila executive officers (UNOs). Later on September 16, 2021, after the signature of the High Court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice SM Moniruzzaman, the written copy of these orders was published.
In its order, the court ordered that the signboard of the upazila parishad building be replaced with a signboard saying ‘Upazila Parishad Office’ instead of the office of the upazila executive officers.
On that day, the court issued a ruling asking why Sections 13(a), 13(b), and 13(c) of the Upazila Parishad Act 1998 would not conflict with the constitution.
Apart from this, another rule was issued as to why Section 33 of the Upazila Parishad Act regarding the post of Chief Executive Officer (UNO) in the Upazila Parishad should not be repealed.
Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice SM Moniruzzaman of the High Court Bench and Justice Md. Mojibur Rahman Mia and Justice Md. Kamrul Hossain Mollar of the High Court Bench issued a separate ruling.
On June 15, 2021, a writ was filed in the High Court regarding the legality of upazila executive officers and curtailing the powers of upazila chairmen. Dasmina Upazila is chairman of Patuakhali. Abdul Aziz, along with three upazila chairmen, filed this writ.
