Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday directed the deputy commissioners (DCs) to step up vigilance to contain price hike of commodities and maintain law and order during Ramadan beginning next week.
Addressing the inaugural session of a three-day DC conference at the Prime Minister's Office, she cautioned that vested quarters may become active during Ramadan to make extra profit by hoarding essentials or by other means.
"They want to fill their pockets by increasing the prices of essentials and fleecing people. This is very unfortunate. So you [DCs] will have to take action against such unscrupulous people," said Hasina, also president of ruling Awami League.
The PM, however, asked the DCs to be careful while dealing with the sensitive matter of market.
"If you go too tough on them [businessmen], they will become inactive and that will create another problem," said the premier, adding, "We have to keep the prices of essentials within the reach of the common people."
Hasina asked them to work as public servants, not as rulers, and be more pro-people sice the colonial ways were long gone. "We renamed the Establishment Ministry as Public Administration Ministry to ensure public service."
She said the priorities of her government are to develop the overall situation of the country and improve the living standard of people.
"As field-level top officers, you will have to implement the development programmes for the people as your salaries and allowances come from the taxpayers."
Commissioners from seven divisions and DCs from 64 districts are attending the conference to discuss their performance and receive directives from the government high-ups.
A total of 20 working sessions will be held at the cabinet division of Bangladesh Secretariat where activities of 36 ministries and their associate departments and divisions would be evaluated.
This is the second conference of the DCs since the Awami League-led grand alliance assumed office in January, 2009.
Source : The Daily Star
