PM declares zero tolerance on graft
Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the present government would not tolerate any type of corruption as it is pledge-bound to establish good governance in every sphere of society.
She said the Anti-Corruption Commission would be further strengthened to make it more effective in eradicating corruption from the soil of Bangladesh.
The premier made the remark when World Bank (WB) Country Director Xian Zhu paid a farewell call on her at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
PM's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed newsmen after the meeting.
Hasina observed that corruption occurred not only at individual level but "the whole system was corrupted" during the last BNP-Jamaat government.
"The four-party alliance government had politicised every department, institution and organisation during its five-year rule," she said.
PM said that when persons inside a government become busy making money through various businesses, corruption cannot be removed during such politico-business nexus.
"Our government will make its best effort to ensure maximum welfare of the people as we have come to power to serve the people."
She informed the WB official about her new government's priority sectors--good governance, physical infrastructure (power and energy, roads and bridges), poverty alleviation, ICT, agriculture and rural development, empowerment of women and building social infrastructure, including social protection for the poor and vulnerable groups.
PM thanked the development partners of Bangladesh for their support and assistance in holding the December 29 parliamentary polls in a free, fair, neutral and acceptable manner.
As the transition to democratic governance came after ordeals during the interim period, she said every person in the present government always keeps it in mind that the people have reposed a great responsibility on the government to serve the nation.
Hasina and the WB official discussed the disastrous impacts of the global climate change on Bangladesh and other poor countries though they contribute little to the increasing global warming.
PM said her government is taking various initiatives to protect the people of Bangladesh from recurrent natural calamities.
She apprised the executive of the multilateral donor agency that capital and maintenance dredging will be launched in the country's major rivers to save people from unexpected flooding.
"Besides, steps will also be taken to keep Mongla seaport always active," she said.
Hasina also mentioned her talks with the WB about its assistance for various development sectors of Bangladesh when she was in the USA last year.
She thanked the WB for its continuous support in various socioeconomic sectors of the country.
In reply, Xian Zhu assured the prime minister of WB assistance in various sectors, including power, energy, river dredging and construction of Padma Bridge.
He praised the PM for her "visionary" leadership and hoped that Bangladesh would be able to attain its desired development and prosperity under the present government.
"The way the prime minister has been successful in solving various crisis in the last few months has earned appreciation from the world community," Azad quoted him as saying during the meeting.
PMO Secretary Mollah Waheeduzzaman, former ambassador M Ziauddin and WB Director Tahseen Sayed were also present.
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