For infusing dynamism in an apparently sluggish official function, the CA stressed the need for scrapping the outmoded acts and rules and regulations of the ministries to simplify the modus operandi.

It, he said, is imperative to make sure that people get their desired service in short time and scope of rent-seeking behaviour and corruption is reduced.

He asked the bureaucrats to frequently go for interaction with the media, adopting a proactive strategy to disseminate government's activities, policies and actual position to the people, as now there is no parliament in existence.

The CA also asked for hanging client-charter at every government office to help people get services promptly and "without any harassment".

The head of the caretaker government made the directives and remarks during a meeting with the secretaries of the ministries in the conference room of the Cabinet Division at Bangladesh Secretariat.

It was his second address to the top bosses of the civil administration after January 23 since he assumed the office of the chief adviser to the caretaker government on January 12, 2007.

"Your attitude will have to be positive and problem-solving one from the service-seeker's point of view. You will have to find out ways of resolving problems instead of creating obstacle and raising question in providing service," he told the civil servants.

He categorically said the general election earlier stalled by political crisis will be held in a free and fair manner after creating a level playing field.

The chief adviser said his government is committed to holding free, neutral, peaceful and acceptable elections through creating a level playing field to fulfill people's aspirations. He noted that doing this is a sine qua non to free the people from the clutches of terrorism and corruption through establishing good governance in all spheres of the statecraft.

The chief adviser said his government is committed to holding free, neutral, peaceful and acceptable elections after creating a level playing field in line with the hopes and aspiration of the people. He noted that doing this is a sine qua non to free the people from the clutches of terrorism and corruption through establishing good governance in all spheres of the statecraft.

He said the reconstituted Election Commission has prepared a draft for amending laws and guidelines related to polls as well as started exchange of opinions with civil society and different professional groups with the objective of holding a free and fair election.

The CA said the Election Commission will begin a pilot programme in an area adjacent to the capital for preparing voter list with photographs from next month.

On price hike of essential commodities, the caretaker chief said some measures are being taken in the upcoming national budget to keep the prices at tolerable level of the common people.

He also disclosed that the government is examining the option of importing some goods at public level to effectively mange the market and a quick decision will be taken in this regard.

The CA also informed that the government has approved a project to set up four wholesale markets at four corners of the capital as the problem of inadequate wholesale-market centers in Dhaka has been influencing the market for long time.

Besides, Dhal-Bhat Programme of BDR for the benefit of ordinary consumers will continue and be strengthened during the holy Ramadan, he said.

Mentioning his government's various pragmatic steps to check prices of essentials, the CA said despite taking various steps, the trend of price hike could not be checked to desired extent as maximum goods are import-dependent and there has been price hike on the international market.

He also suggested holding dialogue with all stakeholders to check prices of essentials and stressed high economic growth for keeping inflation at a tolerable level, which would help in arresting the spiraling prices of essentials.

The CA directed the Secretaries to take stern action against corruption and rent-seeking practice in their respective ministries and departments.

"You have to create example for others by maintaining the highest degree of honesty in your working areas," he told the top officials in the administration.

Referring to his government's tough stand against corruption, the CA mentioned various steps to reactive the Anti-corruption Commission through its reconstitution, promulgation of the Anti-Corruption Commission (Amendment) Ordinance 2007 and ratification of the UN Convention on Anti-corruption, which have brightened Bangladesh's image in the international arena.

On power situation, he said 600MW electricity will be added to the national grid by the end of this year through completing overall maintenance of the power plants.

"We are making effort to reduce load shedding during summer through load-management," he told the government officials, adding that short, mid and long-term plans have been taken up to meet the growing demand for electricity.

Mentioning people's complaint regarding standard of government service sectors, he said the public utility services will have to be proactive and client-friendly.

Besides, he stressed strengthening the drive of snapping illegal power connections and realising outstanding bills along with giving exemplary punishment to those responsible for this illegal act to discourage its recurrence.

About restoration of image of the administration, he said the government has made necessary reshuffle in different spheres of the public administration to re-establish its neutral image.

He regretted that lengthy project implementation process in different ministries and departments often hampers timely and proper execution of the ADP and utilisation of loans and grants from the country's development partners.