Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stressed the importance of establishing good governance everywhere for the overall development of the country.
“Law and order, and everything else are related with good governance,” she said.
The premier said this while inaugurating the five-day annual conference of deputy commissioners (DCs) at Shapla Hall in the Prime Minister’s Office on Sunday, reports UNB.
She also issued a 31-point directive to the deputy commissioners (DCs) asking them towork towards eradicating terrorism, drugs, corruption, and other social menaces.
She said those who offer, and receive bribes are equally guilty. “If we work keeping this in mind, then it will be possible for us to get rid of this unethical practice."
Mentioning that the government is tirelessly working to spread the touch of development, Sheikh Hasina said: “Our development is not for a handful of people, but also for changing the lifestyle of the people at the grassroots."
Talking about the overall development of a district, the prime minister asked the field-level employees of the republic to consider the population, and geographic area of a particular district.
Mentioning that the country has developed a lot in the last ten years, she said: “We have proven that it is possible to develop the country if anyone wants to do so.”
“The geographic position of Bangladesh in South Asia is in a very important place. We can build Bangladesh as a bridge between the east, and the west.”
Regarding the population of the country, Sheikh Hasina said: "Some people think that population is a burden but I don’t agree. I think that if we can transform this population into a skilled workforce, then this population will become our main power.”
The prime minister gave utmost importance to the planned use of the fertile land, and said the government is establishing some 100 economic zones across the country.
She also asked the field-level officials to formulate plans, down to the union level, for various kinds of purposes including land, and waste management.
Prime minister's 31-point directive to the DCs
They include taking necessary steps to celebrate the centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 2020, celebrate the golden jubilee of independence in 2021, remain careful that no-one is harassed or neglected while seeking government services, taking stern actions on eradicating militancy and terrorism, and continuing anti-narcotic drives.
She also directed the DCs to be more sincere regarding eradication of poverty, encourage mass people to use ICT, work with the public representatives for ensuring overall good governance.
She also said she wanted to empower the local government with an aim to decentralize the administration.
State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain, the PM's Principal Secretary Md Nozibur Rahman, and Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam also spoke at the conference held at the PMO.
Divisional Commissioner of Khulna Lokman Hossain Miah, Tangail DC Mohammad Shahidul Islam, Sherpur DC Anar Koli Mahbub, and Chittagong DC Mohammad Ilias Hossain spoke on the occasion on behalf of the divisional commissioners, and deputy commissioners.
Deputy Commissioners’ (DCs) Conference is an annual meeting of the heads of districts with government policymakers, aimed at discussing policy matters, and development strategies to gear up the field level administration.
The conference plays an active role in determining, and solving problems and strategies for implementation of government policies and programs at the grassroots level.
Ministers, Prime Minister’s advisers, state ministers, deputy ministers, senior secretaries, and secretaries concerned attended the function.
A views-exchange meeting was also held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after the inaugural session.
At least 24 working sessions will be held in this year's conference. Ministers, advisors, state-ministers, deputy ministers, and senior secretaries of 54 ministries and divisions will participate in it.
Some 333 proposals made by the DCs will be discussed during the conference this year.
