Secys to blame in event of graft

Reiterating her stance against corruption, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday warned secretaries that they will have to shoulder all responsibilities if any corruption takes place in their respective sectors.

Hasina came up with the warning while participating in Sachib Sabha (secretary-level meeting), conducted by Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam, at the capital's NEC Conference Room. She joined the meeting virtually from the Gono Bhaban.

"Secretaries are the principal accounting officer of their respective ministries. So they will have to take the responsibility if any graft happens in their ministries," a meeting insider  quoted Sheikh Hasina as saying.

Usually, secretary-level meetings are held randomly and the PM remains present once a year. But this time, the  PM joined the Sachib Sabha after about four years. The previous Sachib Sabha was held in 2017.

Standard practice is that the PM holds Sachib Sabha immediately after formation of a new government, to inform various government policies to the highest-level bureaucrats.

But yesterday's meeting was the first meeting after the incumbent Sheikh Hasina-led government assumed office in 2019. The PM, however, had visited several ministries after the government was formed.

Hasina told the secretaries that the government was providing all benefits to them, so she would not tolerate any corruption. She threatened to take tough actions against corrupt public servants, said sources.

The PM also warned that she would not accept any misuse of power and public money, the sources said.

At the meeting, Hasina said agricultural land was being lost to different development work and asked secretaries to take new development plans only after saving agricultural land.

She called upon the secretaries to make their highest efforts in inviting foreign investments to their respective sectors, said sources. Besides, the PM emphasised on establishing good governance.

At the meeting, the education secretary informed the premier of his ministry's preparations for reopening educational institutions, which have remained closed since March last year due to the pandemic.

The PM then asked the secretary to make sure that the Covid situation and the number of vaccinated students, aged 18 and above, are taken into consideration before the reopening, said sources.

In her introductory speech, the PM emphasised the need for reopening of the educational institutions and asked the authorities concerned to make a quick move regarding this, reports UNB.

"Not only universities, but also schools have to be reopened; this is the most important matter now, kids are suffering from mental pain staying at home [for a long time], we have to give attention to this issue," she said.

About corruption, she said, "There must be a reward for any good job, but punishment must be given for any involvement in corruption."

About the Covid vaccines, Hasina said her government has taken measures to produce vaccines in the country.

Besides, she said, her government will procure whatever the amount of vaccines required and the government already has taken steps in this regard.

The premier asked secretaries to maintain the current pace of development in the country.

"We have to continue our activities so that Bangladesh could maintain its forward march in the future like it is doing now," she said.

Hasina said the prime task of the government is to provide a better life to people at the grassroots.

"People should be free from poverty, have a better life, get a chance to avail of all the basic rights, including food, clothes, shelter, healthcare and education," she said.

She asked the secretaries to take care of the development projects that the government has taken so that the country could maintain the current pace of economic development.