It was a day with a difference for the people of a remote village in Romjannagar union of Shyamnagar upazila.

Hundreds of enthusiastic people from all walks of life took part in a daylong mock budget session at Bhetkhalibazar village near the Sundarbans on Sunday.
The budget session unique of its kind was aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in local government bodies.

Local non-governmental organisation (NGO) Agragati Sangstha organised it in collaboration with Manusher Jonney, a major NGO working for people's welfare.

The entire session was presided over by Romjannagar Union Parishad chairman Sheikh Alamgir Haider. Lawmaker Gazi Nazrul Islam MP, was present as chief guest. Former Dhaka University teacher Professor Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar (Ph D), ex-Principal of Satkhira Government College Principal Professor Asit Kumar Majumdar and director of a citizens' body, Nagarik Udjog, Zakir Hossain were present as special guests.Abdus Sabur, director of a local NGO, Agragati Sangstha, also spoke. The chief guest said the budget session would bring people and administration closer by ensuring transparency and accountability in local government institutions.

'This will go a long way in the establishment of good governance,' he said. In his address Professor Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar said the large gathering proves that people are serious to ensure their rights. Union chairman's accountability to public is a precondition to strengthen local governments, he told the meeting.

Zakir Hossain told that people's participation here proved that they would launch an agitation for greater allocation to local government bodies from the national budget. It is their demand because it will help local government bodies to undertake development projects independently, he opined.

Principal Asit Kumr Majumder said people will be aware about their rights by taking part in such budget session. Citizens will demand their budgetary allocation proportionately, he told the participants. UP chairman Sheikh Alamgir Haidar presented last year's budget at the session. He also submitted his plan for the coming year.

Earlier, Agragati Sangstha director Abdus Sabur, narrated various aspects of the project which was aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability of local government institutions.