Mr. A.K.M. Tariquel Alam, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (MoLGRD&C), and National Project Director (NPD) of the “Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Phase III (AVCB-III)” project, visited YPSA’s working areas in Chandpur and Cox’s Bazar on 20–21 May 2025.
Workshop Held in Chandpur
A workshop was organized in Chandpur with Union Parishad administrative officers to discuss the progress and challenges of the AVCB-III project. The event was chaired by Mr. Mohammad Mohosin Uddin, Deputy Commissioner of Chandpur.
Mr. Alam attended as the chief guest, with distinguished participants including: Mr. Bibhash Chakraborty, National Project Coordinator, Md. Shahadat Hossain, Project Analyst, Suman Fancies Gomes, Communication and Outreach Analyst, UNDP, Nasim Banu, Director of YPSA and Project Focal Person, Farhana Idris, Assistant Director, YPSA and Project Coordinator, Mamtaz Begum, District Manager, AVCB Project, Chandpur, Md. Najmus Shahadat Fahim, Assistant Director, Local Government (ADLG), Chandpur, Deputy Director of Women and Children Affairs, Chandpur, UNO of Chandpur Sadar Upazila and others.
The workshop began with a welcome speech by Mr. Golam Zakaria, Deputy Director, Local Government (DDLG), who provided an overview of the project’s implementation in Chandpur.
Ms. Mamtaz Begum presented a detailed progress report, including achievements and challenges, through a PowerPoint presentation. The Deputy Commissioner highlighted the current state and challenges facing village courts in the district and requested continued support from MoLGRD&C.
The chief guest actively engaged in the discussions, responding to concerns raised by Union Parishad officers. Representatives from UNDP addressed legal aspects and clarified the roles and responsibilities of local government officials.
Visit and Discussion in Cox’s Bazar
On 21 May, Mr. A.K.M. Tariquel Alam attended a discussion meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Room in Cox’s Bazar. The meeting was presided over by Deputy Director Rubaiya Afroz and attended by Mr. Irfanul Hoq, Assistant Commissioner (Local Government).
Mr. Syed Mohon Uddin, District Manager of AVCB-III in Cox’s Bazar, delivered a comprehensive presentation highlighting the project’s status and operational challenges in the district.
In his remarks, NPD emphasized that the Village Court is a unique and affordable mechanism for resolving minor disputes at the grassroots level. He stressed that Union Parishad Administrative Officers (UPAOs), as government representatives, bear significant responsibility in activating and sustaining the village court system. He instructed UPAOs and district officials to enhance monitoring and ensure the effective functioning of village courts.
