A strong local government is a prerequisite for a people-centered and development-oriented local government. Good governance at the local government level involves the grassroots people in the development process, gives them the ability to raise questions, and provides them the opportunity to ask for their development which, in turn, is likely to enable strong local government and facilitate local development. In recent years, good governance in the local government institutions has featured prominently in the country-specific development agenda. However, Bangladesh’s local government, unfortunately, has not yet been able to ensure governing its system well. Although the issue of strengthening and ensuring good governance at the local government level has been declared as a matter of priority by the government of Bangladesh, a kind of anarchy and deadlock is still going on, particularly in the Pourashava, Zila, and Upazila level administrations. This chapter seeks to answer the question of what the stumbling blocks are to ensure good governance in the local government of Bangladesh and whether this governing system affects the economic growth in the local areas or not. It observes that the local government institutions in Bangladesh are making a pivotal contribution to the social and economic development of the rural areas of the country. However, compared to the investment for the rural areas, the development is not observed in a similar manner due to corruption, poor governance, lack of good political will, and interference of central government, ruling political party, and local bureaucracy.

Akon, M. S., Mia, M. J. and Raj, S. M. R. (2024). Good Governance and Economic Growth: A Case Study on the Local Government of Bangladesh. In: R.C. Das (Ed.) Good Governance and Economic Growth: Complimentary or Problematic? (pp. 159-171). Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003530688-12