Speakers at a seminar here have called for making a legal framework for engagement of the civil society in implementation of development projects.

The seminar was participated by lawmakers, civil society organizations and experts who observed that government’s top-down planning strategy hinders civil society engagement.

They said sustainable development would hardly be achieved through existing development planning and implementation paradigm.

The seminar was jointly organized by a network of COAST  Foundation, Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihood (CSRL) in  a city hotel on Wednesday.

Read: Development projects must not harm environment: Hasina

Asheq Ullah Rafiq MP Cox's Bazar-2  spoke as the chief guest.

It was moderated by Rezaul  Karim Chowdhury from COAST and Ziaul Hoque Mukta of CSRL, where Sayeda Rubina Akter, MP, Women  Seat 28, and Gloria Jharna Sarker, MP, Women Seat 30 participated as special guests.

Dr. Rezaul Houqe Management Director –BCCT, (Bangladesh Climate Change Trust],  Md. Shamsuddoha, Chief Executive, CPRD, Md. Masum , CDP, Md. Bazlur Rahaman, BNNRC, Mr. Nikhil Chandra Vadra, Coastal Protection Movement, Aminur Rasul Babul also spoke.

The key note was presented by Syed Aminul Hoque of COAST.

Aminul said that the government has been giving thousands of development projects every year but those are unable to ensue effective monitoring by Internal Monitoring & Evaluation Division.

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He proposed two major changes on this issue.  A legal framework through parliamentary process to make obligatory for all ministries and development authorities to engage civil society while they develop and implement their project,

Asheq Ullah Rafiq MP said that the civil society is the fourth eye of any country that aware government on any irregularities, ensure accountability and transparency. We should strengthen this stake with proper law and regulatory framework, he said.

Dr. Rezaul Hoque opined that there are lot of challenges to be face in integrating civil society with project implementation monitoring. But this initiative is very good and prospect in future we have to work more on this issue, he added.