PM urges all to build graft-free society

Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina yesterday called for concerted efforts to free the society from corruption for achieving desired progress at all levels.
"The BNP-Jamaat-led alliance government has corrupted the country. Now we have to come up to free the society from their corruption" she said while exchanging views with local AL leaders and its associated bodies and local administration at Bangabandhu Bhaban here.
Hasina who arrived here by a helicopter yesterday morning to offer munajat at the mazar of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman also talked to the cross-section of people of the district and enquired about their well-beings.
Later, PM's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed the newsmen.
When a young man requested her to arrange jobs for deprived people only for being the inhabitant of Gopalganj during the BNP-Jamaat-led alliance government, Hasina asked them to get prepared to compete in written test for job.
"You will get job proving your talent and on the basis of educational qualifications. We will not politicise any institution like the BNP-Jamaat alliance government," she said.
The PM called upon all to be self-sufficient by reducing dependency on import of goods.
"You can be self-reliant by producing various kinds of crops apart from paddy and using each inch of cultivable lands."
In this context, she asked them to boost fish cultivation in the open water bodies and poultry industry for ensuring balanced development of the country.
Referring to different development initiatives of the government, Hasina said, not for a particular zone but for all regions her government is working relentlessly to achieve equal development across the country.
The PM directed the local administration to help ensure balanced development of the country to ensure ultimate welfare of the people.
About her One farm in One Homestead project, she said, her government will provide support in selling their produces on cooperative basis.
Mentioning the government's river dredging programmes, Hasina told the local people that a project has already been launched to re-excavate the Modhumati river to ensure navigability of the river.
The entire situation would be changed if the river is dredged, she added.
Later, the PM conveyed the holy Eid and Durga Puja greetings to the locals.
Commerce Minister Faruk Khan, Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan, Awami League Religious Affairs Secretary Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, among others, attended the meeting.
PM's Principal Secretary M A Karim, Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad, ambassador M Ziauddin were present on the occasion.