‘Earn confidence of people’
President Abdul Hamid yesterday urged government officials to earn the confidence of people regarding availing government services without any lobbying.
“There’s a lack of confidence among people when it comes to availing various services from government organisations. You (public servants) need to raise public awareness in this regard,” he said. The president said this while addressing the Public Administration Awards 2019 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city.
President Hamid said there is a need for developing a relationship of trust between government officials and people of the country. “Almost all government offices have citizen charters...It’s necessary to monitor whether people can avail the government services,” he added. The president also said government officials have a greater role in formulating plans and implementing those with due emphasis on public interest. Hamid said many roads and culverts are built in rural areas without proper planning, obstructing the natural flow of water. “In some cases, the quality of construction is so poor that those require reconstruction even before completion of the works.”
He further said, “The government has been implementing various development projects in the country but still we need to do more to ensure the desired progress.” Underscoring the need for a transparent, skilled and accountable administration, President Hamid asked the authorities concerned to ensure transparency and accountability at every level to achieve the desired goals of sustainable development.
“The British had introduced public administration in the subcontinent to rule and loot it. Public welfare was not their concern,” he said, adding, “Today, we’re citizens of an independent country and the main aim of the administration is to serve people. So, there’s no alternative to changing the traditional attitude of public servants.”
President Hamid said transparency and accountability will have to be ensured at all levels. “Only then the development activities of the government will be sustainable. Remember, administration is for the people and not the other way around.” The current government has taken admirable steps in reforming civil service, he said.
Referring to various social problems, the president urged all to stay alert so that opportunists cannot create instability in the country. The National Public Service Day-2019 is being observed with an objective to encourage and motivate government officials to perform their duties with an aim to ensure welfare of the people. President Hamid also greeted and gave away awards. State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain presided over the function while Public Administration Secretary Faiz Ahmed delivered the welcome speech.
Comments