Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that it is her government’s responsibility to contain corruption for safeguarding all development programs.
"Let corruption not be an obstacle to our path of development, let not corruption ruin all of our achievements. So, it's our responsibility to contain corruption," she said on Sunday, reports UNB.
Her remarks came during her first meeting with officials of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) after taking oath as the prime minister for a third consecutive term, following the December 30 general election.
Hasina, however, said it was not possible for any country in the world to contain corruption 100%.
"Some corruption may occur whenever there is work," she said, but added that her administration was very much sincere to bring down the level of corruption.
The prime minister said the government had conducted an anti-terrorism drive, while an anti-narcotics drive was still going on. "The drives against terrorism, militancy and drugs will continue,” she said.
Praising the people of the country, including the public servants, for working for democracy, she said: "This attitude is very important for the socioeconomic development of our country.”
Thanking the people for voting Awami League to power again, Hasina invited all to work hard, as they did during its previous tenures, for the country’s progress.
"This hard labour will be for the countrymen, you have to keep that in mind...The fruits of this hard labour are for the people," she said.
She urged all to remain vigil so that anti-liberation forces cannot come to power again. "Whoever comes to power must be the pro-liberation one. They must believe in the spirit of the Liberation War. We will advance the country with the spirit of our independence."
Hasina asked the public servants to keep in mind that Bangladesh must move forward with the same pace as the world.
"We must stand on our own feet as the world is moving fast, new technologies are emerging, and the use of technology is increasing. All other countries are marching ahead, we also must move with them.”
The prime minister said her government in its previous tenures took every step and plan for the country's development. "We have chalked out immediate and long-term plans, we have taken initiatives to implement those. We have proved that anything can be achieved if the proper plan is there.”
