Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressing a Deputy Commissioners’ Conference at the International Conference Centre in the Premier’s Office on July 23, 2013.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called upon the deputy commissioners on Tuesday to work attentively so that unconstitutional government does not return to power in future.
“The people of the country in the past were suppressed due to the rules of the military government, quasi military government or army- backed caretaker government. You will have to remain alert so that such governments do not assume office in future,” she said.
The prime minister said this while inaugurating the three-day Deputy Commissioners’ Conference 2013 at the International Conference Centre in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in the capital.
PM’s Adviser on Public Administration HT Imam and Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan addressed the function.
Divisional Commissioner of Dhaka AM Shamsuddin Azad Chowdhury, Md Tofazzal Hossain of Comilla, Md Mostafizur Rahman of Jessore and Khandakar Mostafizur Rahman of Bhola also spoke on behalf of the DCs and divisional commissioners.
Ministers, advisers to the prime minister, secretaries, divisional commissioners and senior officials of the government were also present.
Hasina also reiterated that the next election will be held in the way the democratic countries stage election. “The next polls will be held in the manner so that the democratic process continues in the country,” she said.
Underscoring the need for protection of democracy, the prime minister said people could mistake or may be confused while casting vote.
“But they will learn from the mistake. We let the process start..as long as the process would not begin, democracy won’t sustain and socioeconomic development of the people won’t be made,” she said.
Mentioning that the next elections will be held in a free, fair and peaceful manner, Hasina said: “I believe that your strong role, work efficiency and intentness in flourishing the healthy democratic trend would continue.”
The prime minister said the 15th amendment to the constitution has paved the way of flourishing democracy.
“For the first time in the country, an independent, neutral and strong Election Commission has been constituted through discussion,” she said.
She said about 6,000 elections including Jatiya Sangsad by-polls were held during the tenure of the present government. “No questions were raised about the elections as every poll was held in free, fair and impartial manner thanks to the good intention of the government and united efforts of all concerned,” she said.
She directed the DCs so that none can create religious fanatism in the name of Islam and cannot use children in such works.
“I would like to request you to create mass awareness about the use of the children of the madrasas in evil works,” she said.
Urging the DCs to work with attitude of service and sacrifice, the prime minister gave 17-point directives to them.
Hasina urged them to resist any evil design strongly to hike the prices of essential commodities during the month of Ramadan by creating artificial crisis. “Regular monitoring on demand, stock and supply will have to be done,” she said.
The prime minister advised the DCs to give special attention so that the people do not become victims of harassment and deprivation in getting the government services.
“You will have to work to stop women and child repression and trafficking, misuse of drugs and check spreading of social vices like dowry, eve-teasing and early marriage,” she said.
Hasina suggested the DCs to give special focus on various issues among their various pro-people works.
The issues are undertaking special steps for the welfare of the disabled and underprivileged community, giving leadership for the development and flourishing information and communication technology to reach the services to the people’s doorsteps, working together with the public representatives to establish good governance at the grassroots level.
Source: The Daily Star
