Change mindset or face music

ACC Commissioner AFM Aminul Islam said people are being deprived of getting public services due to corruption and negligence of some dishonest and unscrupulous government officials, which is ultimately hampering the country's development.

He was speaking at a public hearing of the Anti-Corruption Commission on public services on the premises of Independent Square in Gaibandha on Wednesday, aiming to raise awareness against corruption.

Aminul warned that the national anti-graft body will not hesitate to take harsher actions against corrupt government officials if they do not change their mindset.

“Due to the active participation of people alongside the officials concerned, the public hearings have become an effective tool in checking graft in the public sector,” he said.

ACC's Coordinated District Office in Rangpur, and the World Bank jointly arranged the event with support from the district administration.

The speakers said the public hearing will play an effective role in changing the mindset of all government officials and employees to ensure transparency and accountability in performing their duties.

About 100 allegations on different offices, including land, sub-registrar, settlement, electricity, BRTA, passport, relief, treasury, education, and health, were placed at the hearing.

ACC Director (Rajshahi divisional office) Abdul Aziz Bhuyan, Superintendent of Police Mashruqur Rahman Khaled, Mayor of Gaibandha Municipality Shah Masud Zahangir Kabir Milon and UNO Rafiqul Islam also spoke at the public hearing with Deputy Commissioner Gautam Chandra Pal in the chair.

President of ACC's District Corruption Prevention Committee Prof Moklesur Rahman delivered the welcome speech.