Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday said the government has begun its tenure with a debt burden of Tk30 lakh crore.
He made the remarks while inaugurating the four-day District Commissioner (DC) Conference 2026 at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.
“The current government has taken charge during one of the weakest economic periods in the country’s history,” he said. “Although there has been some improvement over the past two and a half months, the situation is still not satisfactory. We have started working with a debt burden of Tk30 lakh crore left by the previous government.”
Addressing the DCs, the prime minister said they must remain prepared to respond to the country’s political and social challenges, including natural disasters such as floods and droughts.
“You are the ones who maintain the government’s relationship with the people,” he said. “The government is dependent on you. Honesty, talent and efficiency will be the basis for promotion and transfer.”
He warned that compromising professionalism for personal gain could harm the state and foster corruption, undermining administrative neutrality.
Tarique Rahman also said the government would implement every provision of the July Charter and take a zero-tolerance stance on corruption.
“It has been proven that fair elections are possible when public opinion is reflected,” he said, referring to recent polls. “The nation has also seen what happens when district administrations are not allowed to function independently.”
He alleged that the previous government had made the country overly dependent on imports and weakened key institutions, including the judiciary, education sector and Anti-Corruption Commission, while leaving the health system fragile.
“The government is also dealing with public suffering amid the ongoing global situation,” he added, noting that initiatives have been taken to build a welfare state.
The prime minister instructed DCs to strengthen mobile court operations, ensure prompt redress of public grievances, protect communal harmony and prevent child marriage. He also called for strict action against food adulteration.
Earlier in the morning, Tarique Rahman walked from the Bangladesh Secretariat to the Osmani Memorial Auditorium to attend the conference, greeting people along the way.
According to Cabinet Division sources, the conference will continue until May 6, with participation from divisional commissioners of all eight divisions and deputy commissioners from 64 districts. A total of 498 proposals out of 1,729 submitted by DCs are set to be discussed at the event.