President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said democracy must be institutionalized and local government must be strengthened to consolidate democracy.

The President said this when administrators from 33 district councils of the country paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban this afternoon, President's Press Secretary Sarwar Alam told BSS.

Mentioning local government as the biggest strength of democracy, the president urged district administrators to work actively to eradicate the corruption left behind by the fascist era.

The district council administrators placed various demands to the President, including raising their status.

The President assured them of extending cooperation to resolve the problems saying “this government is the government of the people and take quick steps in this regard.”

Fakhrul Islam said the government is working seriously to strengthen local government system for decentralization of power.

The President recalled the active participation of the district council administrators in restoring democracy and in the long-standing movement against fascism.

He also asked them to bring dynamism in the development activities, ensure local-level citizen services and administrative transparency.