The Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) have been temporarily granted full financial and administrative powers of the upazila parishad chairmen in areas where both the chairmen and panel chairmen have been absent from their posts, according to a new government directive.

The move is aimed at maintaining uninterrupted public services amid a growing leadership vacuum.

The order highlights the continuous absence of many upazila parishad chairmen and their deputies, despite attempts to reach them, leading to a standstill in various administrative activities and public services.

The situation comes in the wake of significant political upheaval in the country. On August 5, following the ‘Long March to Dhaka’ organized by the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country, leading to the dissolution of the cabinet.

The political fallout has driven many Awami League leaders and their affiliates into hiding, including numerous upazila parishad chairmen who were aligned with the party. Their absence has raised concerns about the continuity of local governance, prompting the government to take decisive action to ensure that essential services are maintained.

bd-pratidin/GR