Don’t abuse power

President Abdul Hamid yesterday asked the deputy commissioners not to abuse power while discharging their duties.

The exercise of power is essential to discharge responsibilities properly and efficiently, but it is even more important to ensure that power is not abused, he said while virtually addressing the DC Conference at Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

Hamid reminded the officials of the great leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the creation of an independent Bangladesh.

"We should not forget that since the country became independent under the leadership of Bangabandhu, today I have become the president, you have become the secretary, divisional commissioner or deputy commissioner," he told the conference.

Stating that getting services is the right of the people, he said, "You will have to perform duties as servants of the people.

"Deliver government services to the doorstep of the people. It should be remembered that we run our families with people's money. So, providing government services is not a matter of kindness or benevolence."

He also told the officials, "You have to come up with effective leadership to meet the basic needs of poor people of the country, and ensure social protection and public empowerment of the people, especially women empowerment."

He said land records and survey management was being digitised to ensure the best use of land and land-related services. "But during land records, a group of dishonest employees is doing irregularities in collaboration with locally influential brokers taking illegal facilities. It is increasing public sufferings."

He asked the officials to be strict in these matters and take a firm step to stop all irregularities.

Describing corruption as the biggest obstacle to development, he said, "Sustainable development is being interrupted due to graft. Transparency and accountability in each level of field administration must be developed."