"As officials of the republic, you have to be completely free of individual, group or political influence. You (civil servants) have to be proactive in establishing an honest, impartial and neutral image. The people's trust and respect have to be earned. There is no scope for compromise on these issues," said Fakhruddin in his first address to deputy commissioners (DCs) and superintendents of police (SPs) of all the districts.

Advisers to the caretaker government (CG) and secretaries were also present at the meeting held at the International Conference Centre of the CA's office.

Fakhruddin said the country urgently needs sincere, honest, knowledge-based and enlightened public administration to establish good governance down to the field level, which is the demand of time.

"We have taken numerous steps to restore neutrality and transparency in public administration and increase its accountability and speed," he said.

The CA hoped that the civil servants would now work only in public interest by strictly following government rules and regulations to make this process a success.

Initiatives are being taken to create a structure for efficient methods of promotion, and proper use of the human resources in public administration, he said.

Reminding the administration and police officials that laws should be applied for the welfare of the people, Fakhruddin said "The law is for the people, and not the people for the law."

He mentioned that the CG has initiated fundamental reforms to achieve its main objective of holding free, fair and credible elections. It has paved the way for creation of a just society, and the process of reforms in politics, economy and society must be continued, he stressed.

The administration and the law enforcement agencies are to play a leading role in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people, he noted.

Disparity in the society has widened, politics and economy have been polluted and have gone backwards due to endless greed of some dishonest people who misappropriated state resources. Such a situation could not be allowed to continue, the CA said.

Corrupt leaders of any party and godfathers of criminals are the enemies of the state and the people, he said. "I hope the law enforcement agencies would act against these dark forces by staying above all fears and free from influence."

Fakhruddin asked them to root out with an iron hand corruption, the scourge of black money and criminal activities that have prevented Bangladesh from moving forward. The administration and law enforcement agencies have now got an opportunity to play a vital role in this situation.

He however warned that in the ongoing drives, the poor, vulnerable and honest people must not be harassed or harmed.

The CG is committed to rejuvenating the economy and keeping the prices of essentials at a tolerable level, the CA said. He asked both administration and police officials to play their role in ensuring a stable supply of goods in the market. "Divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners have been given orders in this regard," he added.

"Continue your drive against the business syndicates and ill-motivated wholesalers to maintain reasonable prices of essentials. Be proactive in taking legal action against smugglers, loan defaulters and people who adulterate food products. Especially, take initiatives to expedite the legal processes," said Fakhruddin.

The CA also asked the officials to help ensure proper transport and distribution of fertilisers among farmers to prevent any future crisis of it.

A number of corrupt officials assisted land grabbers to take advantage of unbridled corruption, anarchy and unplanned urbanisation. Stern action against them is being taken, and all out efforts to recover the already grabbed land will continue, he said.

Cabinet Secretary Ali Imam Mazumdar advised the officials to follow the motto of "Protecting the weak and attacking the evil."