Overview : The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), located in the south-eastern corner of Bangladesh with an area of 13,344 square kilometers and the estimated population of about 1.58 million , is one of the most diverse regions of the country in terms of geography, ethnicity, culture and tradition of the peoples. The CHT consists of three districts: Bandarban, Khagrachari and Rangamati and is home to 11 distinctive indigenous/tribal groups and Bengalis. Each group retains a unique language, culture and tradition. The region remained largely outside the mainstream of development assistance for more than 25 years due to protracted conflict, which ended with the signing of the CHT Accord in December 1997 between the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) and Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS). Relevant institutions (Ministry of CHT Affairs, Regional Council and Hill District Councils) have been established to support this process. The government administrative system in the Chittagong Hill Tracts is different from other parts of Bangladesh. A decentralized Local Government system is being followed, with responsibilities for the management of development activities delegated to the CHT Regional Council (CHTRC) for supervision and coordination and three Hill District Councils (HDCs). The Ministry of CHT Affairs (MoCHTA) is responsible for overseeing all activities in the CHT and approves the staffing for the CHTRC and three HDCs. As per the HDC Acts of 1989 (as amended after the 1997 CHT Accord), a total of 33 subjects/departments are supposed to be transferred from the different line Ministries to each of the three HDCs. Of these, over half have already been transferred, including health and education. The HDCs with their own funds or fund received from the Government of Bangladesh can formulate and implement development plans on the subjects/department transferred to them. The concerned Ministries, Divisions. Departments are expected to implement through the HDCs, all development works undertaken by the Government at the national level, on the subjects transferred to the HDCs. Besides the decentralized Local Government system, the national general administrative system does exist; this is part of central government and in the CHT includes the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, the Upazila Parishad (UzP), Union Parishad (UP) and Pourasava. However, efforts are made to transfer UzP and UP in the CHT, under the decentralized CHT government system. The CHT also practices a traditional system of administration, alongside the central and decentralized Local Government systems, based on customs and practices of the indigenous/tribal peoples. The CHT Regulation of 1900 (Act No. I of 1900) constituted three administrative Circles in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (Mong, Chakma and Bohmong) each with their own Chief or Raja. The administrative areas of the Mong, Chakma and Bohmong Chiefs broadly correspond to the decentralized Local Government administrative areas of Khagrachari, Rangamati and Bandarban Hill Districts. The Circle Chiefs are advisers to their relevant HDC and are also engaged in other formal governance networks. Headmen lead the Mouza (covering several villages) and are appointed by the Deputy Commissioners on recommendation from the Circle Chiefs, and Karbaris (village head) are appointed by the Circle Chiefs to lead a village/para. UNDP through its’ CHT Development Facility (CHTDF) provided support to the CHTRC, three HDCs and three Circles Offices to develop their own long-term strategic visions and goals in accordance with the CHT Accord. These institutions, with support from CHTDF, developed and implemented their multi-year capacity development plan and strengthened capacity through technical, logistical and financial assistance from CHTDF to provide local services as per the CHT Accord. Furthermore, Upazila Parishads and Union Parishads were supported in terms of logistic, capacity development, development coordination and human resources for implementing Millennium Development Goal (MDG) acceleration activities by engaging local communities in the planning process. Furthermore, HDCs with support from CHTDF, implemented health, education, agriculture and MDG acceleration actions to ensure services for the local communities in the CHT. |