President asks DCs to serve grassroots people

President M Abdul Hamid today asked the divisional and deputy commissioners (DCs) to serve the country and its people as real "public servants" discarding typical bureaucratic attitude.

"Discharge your duties as the servant of the country and people giving priority to people's interests, discarding the old and typical bureaucratic attitude," he told the administrative chiefs of divisions and districts at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban this evening.

The president said the administration in the current age has to be pro-people and development-oriented and therefore the bureaucrats needed to give up the old-fashioned bureaucratic culture.

"Being the prime coordinator of different government activities at grassroots level, utilize your talents and skills to build a country free from hunger, poverty and exploitation dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman," he said.

The president particularly asked the DCs to visit schools routinely to ensure their qualitative standards and instill in the children the sense of patriotism and spirit of Liberation War.

He urged the commissioners and DCs to discharge duties with honesty and patriotism staying above from all sorts of fears, greed, and affection or disliking.

The president addressed them as the commissioners and DCs rallied in the capital to join the annual DC conference to interact with policymakers on development and governance issues and set out priorities and guidelines for work for the subsequent one year.

The president said Bangladesh is a bright example of communal harmony and secularism and asked the field level administrators to intensify the campaign to root out terrorism and militancy at any cost.

He said the dissemination of the essence of religion among people and especially among the new generation as part of the campaign as "real religious values never support the acts of communalism, militancy and terrorism".

The president suggested the DCs to spread cultural activities at grassroots and involve the new generation in sports and cultural programmes.

Terming corruption as a key barrier to country's overall development and good governance, the President asked the DCs to take pragmatic steps to uproot the menace and ensure exemplary punishment to the corrupt individuals.

About the existing land management countrywide, President Hamid underscored the need for making land management system more efficient, modern, easy and people-friendly.

"Stop people's harassment centering land management . . . Provide people-friendly service always," the president added.

President Hamid also asked deputy commissioners to give attention to the environment-friendly agricultural management and proper marketing of commodities and take tough action to stop black marketeers and hoarders. Considering the heavy torrential rain, flood and river erosion in many areas, especially haor region, the president asked the DCs to take necessary measures for keeping the loss of people to a minimum level and rehabilitate the homeless people as the government is firm to do everything necessary for the affected people.

He gave a number of directives to the DCs on different socio-economic and cultural issues including infrastructure development, education, environment and youth development.

The president asked them to raise public awareness against constructing unplanned houses and establishments and ensuring drastic action against corrupt individuals at their respective jurisdictions C abinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam made the welcome speech while Sylhet Divisional Commissioner Dr Mosammat Nazmunara Khanam and Naogan District Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr M Aminur Rahman gave the vote of thanks.

Secretaries to the President, all divisional commissioners and the deputy commissioners were present at the conference.