PM says corruption must be contained for undisrupted development

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DHAKA, July 13, 2019 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked senior government officials to act promptly against corruption so the menace could not hinder her government’s development endeavours as she witnessed the signing of annual performance agreements (APA) of different ministries with the cabinet division.

“You (senior government officials) will have to give instructions to the grassroots officials (of civil administration) to stop corruption, so the development which has been achieved due to our relentless work, isn’t hampered for corruption,” she said while addressing the signing ceremony at the Shapla Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) here.

The prime minister has voiced a note of warning against corruption saying, “We will not tolerate it (corruption) anymore.”

She also asked the senior government officials to take appropriate measures to make the government officials aware of corruption.

The prime minister labeled bribe both taking and giving as crimes and requested all to stay away from the menace.

Sheikh Hasina asked the government officials to exercise national integrity strategy for stopping corruption, adding that the countrymen will get benefit of massive developments made during the regime of the Awami League government if corruption can be contained.

The premier highly appreciated the government officials for working sincerely to implement the APA, saying “You (government officials) have been working sincerely since we assume office. We have been able to achieve 8.1 percent growth in GDP and increase per capita income to $ 1909 alongside acquiring the middle income country status from the least developed one.”

She instructed the government officials to be more dynamic in implementing the APAs signed for the FY 2019-20.

She urged the senior government officials to take decision about the matter beneficial for their ministries and work accordingly.

The premier also asked the government officials to work in such a way so that every people of the country can meet their minimum basic needs.

Mentioning that her government wants to forward the country fast, she said “We want to transform the country into a prosperous and developed one free from poverty, corruption and militancy.”

Sheikh Hasina said her government is taking the country ahead with a specific and well-thought-out plan for which the country has achieved honour in the world, adding “We have to maintain it in the future.”

In this context, she also said “We are always working with long term plan as it will not be possible to go forward without it and now we are implementing the seventh five-year plan and second perspective plan (2021-2041) to make the country a developed and prosperous one by 2041.”

Cabinet secretary on behalf of the prime minister and secretaries or senior secretaries on behalf of the ministers concerned signed the APA.

Secretaries or senior secretaries handed over the APA to the prime minister after signing the agreements.

Cabinet members, PM’s advisors, secretaries, heads of various departments, senior officials and diplomats of different countries were present.

State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam, Principal Secretary to PMO Md. Nojibur Rahman and Senior Secretary of Power Division Dr Ahmed Kaikaus spoke on the occasion.

Chief Coordinator on SDGs in the PMO Abul Kalam Azad was present on the dais.

A video documentary highlighting various activities under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) was also screened on the occasion.

Stressing the need for formulating a master plan for up to upazila level to save arable lands from haphazard house construction across the country, the prime minister said “You (govt. officials) will have to look into the matter so the people can’t build houses here and there without proper plan.”

She said “I want to see every village as a town where people will get all urban facilities and employment opportunity as well under “My Village, My Town” project to stop the tendency of the people to go to towns.”

Sheikh Hasina said her government assumed power in 1996 targeting some specific plans. At that time, she said, the county had achieved many successes in the areas of socio-economic development. But the success could not be sustained due to change of the regime in 2001, she added.

The premier said the government employees should enhance their efficiency and accountability through implementing the programs taken by the government for welfare of the people.

The prime minister however assured that in the way the government had successfully implemented the Development Goals (MDGs), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will also be implemented in that way.

She said the APA makes the officials responsible up to the grassroots level which helps complete the development works in a specific timeframe and people enjoy its benefits.

“The APA is an internal mechanism of the civil administration, ensuring accountability of government officials aimed at evaluating their yearly performance and making them accountable to their responsibilities,” she said.

About the possible flood situation in the country the premier also said the government has taken all-out preparation to tackle possible flood in the country.

The prime minister handed over certificate to Power Division under Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry for securing first position in overall performance for implementing the APA of the fiscal 2017-2018.

Secretaries of Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Division under the Ministry of Planning and Energy and Mineral Resources Division under Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry received certificate from the premier for securing second and third position respectively.

Integrity award of 2017-18 was given to Information and Communication Technology Division.

The premier also gave certificate to Information Secretary Abdul Malek for his ministry’s outstanding performance in implementing the APA.

Secretaries of Science and Technology Ministry, Liberation War Affairs Ministry, Women and Children Affairs Ministry, Security Service Division under the Home Ministry and Agriculture Ministry also received the certificate from the prime minister for the same reason.