DHAKA : Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today urged the divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners to work impartially for the welfare of the country and its people.
“The greatest asset of the state is the trust of the people. Therefore, you should work fearlessly and impartially for the welfare of the country and the people,” he said.
The Prime Minister added: “Through transparency and accountability of the government and administration, trust gradually develops in the minds of the people. I firmly believe that you will also remain careful about the matter.”
Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman, made the remarks while addressing the annual conference of the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association (BASA) at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area this evening.
Noting that the government will give support to any legal and humanitarian initiatives of deputy commissioners and divisional commissioners, he said, administration is not only an instrument for enforcing law, it is a medium of serving people too.
“I deeply believe one thing, we have countless problems, but our possibilities are not less. If we can take advantage of our country’s demographic dividend and transform our young and working population into skilled manpower, then this population will turn into human resources. (Please) keep trust, they will be able to change our beloved Bangladesh,” the premier added.
Addressing field-level government officials, the Prime Minister urged them to move forward with the mentality of helping people as much as possible.
“We need to find all possible ways to keep the religious and social values of the state and society alive. We must be inspired by family values,” he said.
“We should remember one thing that family is the smallest unit of a state. In the same way, our state is a culmination of millions of families. Thus, if families remain inspired by religious and social values, state values become consolidated,” Tarique Rahman added.
The annual conference of the BASA was held on the occasion of the closing of the four-day deputy commissioners (DCs) conference. Prime Minister’s spouse Zubaida Rahman, cabinet members and chiefs of the three services were present at the function. Family members of the association members also took part in the conference.
At the event, the Prime Minister was presented with the association’s crest.
Earlier, the Prime Minister inaugurated the four-day DC conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city on May 3.
During the four-day conference, ministers concerned gave directional speeches to DCs in separate meetings on behalf of their ministries and answered various questions of the DCs.
Besides, the deputy commissioners and divisional commissioners met President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury.
Stating that the DCs have been briefed with the updated information about the administrative matters, the Prime Minister said, “After the closing ceremony of the four-day conference of divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners, almost all of you will return to your workplaces tomorrow and start work as usual.”
“In this four-day conference, on one hand, you have received updated information about administrative matters. On the other hand, you have become practically aware of the goals, objectives and programmes of the current government,” he continued.
Noting that the country’s people supported the ruling party’s election manifesto that was formulated aimed at ensuring welfare for the country and its people, the Prime Minister said, “Therefore, it is no longer BNP’s party manifesto, rather it is now the manifesto of the country’s people. It is now the government’s manifesto for the people.”
The government is committed to implementing the manifesto, he said, the main responsibility of implementing the government’s public welfare activities lies on public administration.
Therefore, the success of the administration in implementing the government’s programmes ultimately becomes the success of the government, the Prime Minister said, adding, “I say public administration officials, especially divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners, are the government’s administrative ambassadors at the field level.”
Mentioning that public expectations from the current government are very high, Tarique Rahman said, “The current democratic government is committed to fulfilling all the justified expectations of the people to the best of its ability. This is our commitment to the people.”
“We often say that the people are the owners of the state. If the people are truly the owners of the state, then when these owners go to offices and courts with their problems, let them feel at least some ownership of the state through your services. I think ensuring that is part of your responsibility,” he continued.
The Prime Minister said when an ordinary person goes to a government office, he or she evaluates or tries to evaluate the entire government system through the concerned officer or the office management.
Citing an example, he said, “Suppose an ordinary citizen or a day laborer goes to your office to correct a birth registration certificate. He or she may not even know which table to go to, which officer to approach and how. In such a situation, if the service recipient receives sincere behavior from the concerned officer, it increases the public confidence and trust in the state and the government.”
“And if he or she becomes a victim of harassment, then he or she is not only deprived of one service; rather, at the same time, his respect and trust in the state and the government are damaged. Therefore, your activities play a role in building trust between the people and the state and government,” the premier added.
Stating that it may not be possible to solve everything immediately, Tarique Rahman said, “But at least the victim should be understood that you or your offices are sincere about solving his or her problem.”
Emphasizing on building a people-oriented public administration, he said, “We must build the administration as a people-oriented one. It depends almost entirely on your role.”
“Our government wants such a people-oriented administration where ordinary people receive services with respect, quickly, transparently and without harassment at government offices. You are capable of ensuring this matter,” the head of the government added.
Noting that law is certainly important, but humanity is even more significant, the premier said, “When an elderly or sick person stands in front of your office or in queue for service, along with resolving their matters legally, humane behavior toward them is also very important.”
“Your sincerity and sense of responsibility toward service recipients create a positive perception about the state and the government’s system. These matters may seem small to many of us. But their impact on the public mind is much greater. (So), I am drawing your attention to being more attentive and careful about these matters in the future,” the Prime Minister said.
After his speech, Tarique Rahman enjoyed a cultural event and took part in the dinner.
Earlier at 7:30 pm, the Prime Minister himself drove from his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat to the ‘Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center’ at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the city to attend the event. His spouse Dr Zubaida Rahman was with him in the car.
Prime Minister’s Adviser Md Ismail Zabihullah, State Minister for Public Administration Md Abdul Bari, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani and Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar spoke at the event, among others, with BASA President and Secretary of the Cultural Affairs Ministry Kaniz Moula in the chair.
