New security measures for secretariat
THE move by the government to introduce electronic identity cards for secretariat employees as well as visitors is a response to the problem of entry that has persisted for long. There are two important reasons why such a move should be welcomed. The first is that security is fundamentally a concern for any government, especially in these days when security threats happen to be casting a shadow on a smooth functioning of administration.
The second, more germane to conditions in Bangladesh, is that over the past few years maintaining discipline inside the premises of the secretariat has turned out to be a difficult act. That has had to do with an onrush of visitors as well as the rather lax security measures traditionally observed at the secretariat gates. Of course, this is not to suggest that such has always been the case. Indeed, the administration, through the police, has often resorted to stringent moves to keep the secretariat free of the chaos which results from an unimpeded stream of visitors.
But these periodic instances of toughness have clearly not helped. This is borne out by the fact that every day the secretariat in general and the various ministries housed there in particular literally are besieged by people intent on a redress of grievances or seeking favours from various tiers of officialdom. Understandably, during periods of political government, ministers often have to deal with their constituents and followers who make it a point to visit the secretariat either to air some grievances or as part of lobbying for favour. At times like that, individual citizens with genuine grievances and needing to meet the relevant officials have found it rather difficult to enter the secretariat or have their problems looked into.
The wider difficulty here is that with so many people thronging the corridors of the secretariat, it becomes nearly impossible for the ministries to conduct their routine business. That only leads to a stultification of administrative work and sloth tends to affect the work culture. For such reasons alone, it is highly desirable that the authorities should be mulling the new security measures. That they are actually in the process of planning and implementing the steps is encouraging.
While on the subject, we also think that a change in mindset among those working inside the secretariat is necessary. They ought to be able to discourage their followers and party people and other political elements from barging into the secretariat with their grievances and instead, if necessary, see them at their official residences. Indeed, clear lines should be drawn where dealing with personal matters, constituency issues and official business is concerned.
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