No special force under DCs

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan yesterday rejected a proposal from the deputy commissioners to form a special police force under the district administrations.

State Minister for Public Administration Md Farhad Hossain said the government would, however, consider the DCs’ proposal to set up a bank for the admin cadre.

DCs, who are the chief administrative and revenue officers of districts, have placed around 333 proposals during their annual conference this year. The five-day conference ended yesterday.

After a session at the secretariat, Asaduzzaman told reporters that there was no need for a separate police force under the DCs. “Police work in line with the directives from the DCs. They [police] always provide assistance to them,” he said.

In their written proposals, the DCs of Cox’s Bazar, Cumilla, Bagerhat and Chuadanga had proposed establishment of a special force under district administrations for maintaining security at DC offices, circuit houses and for the operation of mobile courts.

Yesterday, the home minister also said he directed the DCs to take a firm stance against drug abuse, militancy, terrorism and extremism.

“Our ongoing drive against drugs will continue. The DCs will work with everyone else to raise awareness [on this issue],” he said.

GOVT TO CONSIDER

‘JANAPRASHASAN BANK’

Earlier at the conference, the DC of Noakhali had recommended establishing “Janaprashasan Bank” for the admin cadre.

After a session of the conference yesterday, Md Farhad Hossain, the state minister, said, “We have told them [the DCs] their proposal will be considered.”

Replying to a query, he said a corruption-free and public welfare-oriented society would be established to implement the ruling party’s election manifesto.

He said they discussed ways to speed up services and make operations smooth.

Referring to public sufferings at district and upazila offices, he said measures must be taken quickly to resolve various problems at the AC Land offices. DCs will take steps to speed up the digitalisation process there, he said.

Besides, the DCs have been asked to enhance monitoring to improve the standard of education at schools where they are the governing bodies’ chairmen, the state minister said.

ACC CHIEF MEETS DC

Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Iqbal Mahmood, after a session with the DCs, said activities done in good faith while discharging duties were not crime in line with the CrPC. “But you have to ensure that work was done in good faith.”

Iqbal told the DCs that the commission was working to send the message to all that no one is above the law.

Seeking cooperation from the DCs to root out corruption, Mahmood said there was a connection between the ACC and the Cabinet Division. “That is why the Cabinet Division is informing the government about all reform activities of the ACC,” he said.

Urging the DCs to take more actions to curb corruption, he said a coordinated effort in the education sector was necessary to wipe out graft, irregularity and unethical activities from the society.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, while inaugurating the DC conference, gave 31 directives to them and stressed the importance of good governance for the country’s development.