DHAKA, July 14, 2019 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked the deputy commissioners (DCs) to further speed up their activities to keep up the ongoing development spree to make Bangladesh a developed and prosperous country.
“It is absolutely needed to maintain the pace of the ongoing development of the country to transform Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous one by
2041. You (DCs) should work keeping it in mind,” she said while inaugurating the five-day DCs Conference at her office here.
The premier said that the progress of the country should be continued to achieve the cherished goal of independence and make Bangladesh a poverty and
hunger free nation.
“We are running the country with a specific target to turn it into a developed and prosperous one and want to take it (the country) in a dignified position for which we have formulated the plan as well as budget,” she said.
In this context, she said that the poverty rate has already been reduced and it can be further reduced by 2 or 3 percent by 2021 to make the Bangladesh’s poverty rate at least less than one percent than the USA as its
current poverty rate is 18 percent.
The premier asked DCs to work with sincerely and promisingly for implementation of the government’s endeavour.
She also asked them to work with more devotion to maintain peace, discipline and stability in all areas by eliminating militancy, corruption and drugs.
State Minister for Public Administration M Farhad Hossain and Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam spoke on the occasion while Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Md. Nojibur Rahman was present
on the dais.
On behalf of the divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners (DCs), Divisional Commissioner of Khulna Lokman Hossain Mia, DC of Tangail Shahidul
Islam, DC of Sherpur Anar Kali Mahbub, and DC of Chattogram M Ilias Hossain also spoke.
A video documentary on various measures including innovative ideas by local administration for the welfare of the people was also screened at the event.
The premier asked the deputy commissioners to remain always ready to address the natural calamities like flood, saying “The flood which is now being seen at different parts of the country will spread slowly to its middle
areas and the lower portion of the country might be undaunted late August.”
She however said her government is well prepared to tackle any kind of natural calamities like flood.
The prime minister said the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference is an opportunity for direct exchange of views of field officials with the policy level of government.
“This is very important for taking the right decision and its successful implementation….whatever plan we take for development, it depends on you to be executed,” she said.
The premier said the country will celebrate the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 2020 and golden jubilee of
independence in 2021, adding that “You (DCs) can take own programmes to observe the events.”
Sheikh Hasina said ultimate aim of the present government is to build a happy, prosperous, justified, knowledge-based ‘Digital Bangladesh’ free from
the curses of hunger, poverty, militancy, corruption and drugs.
She said her government wants to reach every civic amenity to the villages under “My Town My Village” programme so none of the countrymen is lag behind.
The premier said the government will further introduce district-wise budget to ensure balanced development taking into consideration the diversified geological location, population and length as some districts are hilly, some costal and some surrounded by haor and baor.
Sheikh Hasina asked the DCs to take legal action against mills and factories built in unplanned way.
The premier stressed the need for formulating master plans up to union levels aimed at saving arable land, environment and ecology as none can build
mills and factories here and there.
She asked the DCs to take prompt action to select location for constructing mini stadiums.
The prime minister also asked them for conducting regular surveillances to prevent public from being harassed or deprived of any kind of public service.
She called for continuation of the anti-drug operation and protecting the youths from the menace.
The premier asked the DCs to play a leadership role in establishing good governance at the grassroots level and work together with the public representatives.
Increasing transparency and efficiency in the land administration, the prime minister urged the deputy commissioners to take effective steps to
protect the government lands.
About ensuring sound health and well-being of the poor and disadvantaged people, she said the community clinic activities should be enhanced while public awareness should be accelerated to protect the environment and proper application of laws and regulations to be applied in this regard.
The prime minister called upon DCs for raising a fund in their respective areas to rehabilitate beggars.
She instructed them for taking proper plans for mitigation of natural disaster and helping the people get public services.
Sheikh Hasina also asked DCs for undertaking special measures for the welfare of the disabled, autistic and backward communities.
Deputy Commissioners’ (DCs) Conference is an annual meeting of the heads of districts with policy makers of the government 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 the problems and taking strategies for implementation of government policies and
programmes at the grassroots level.
As many as 340 decisions out of 366 taken in the last year’s DC conference have already been implemented, sources said.