PM orders secys to curb extortion, graft
Special Correspondent :
The Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday directed the secretaries, the heads of ministries and divisions in the civil administration, to urgently implement measures addressing commodity prices, curb extortion from goods-carrying vehicles, ensure law and order, implement the election manifesto, combat corruption, and scrutinize future projects.
She also emphasized the need for strict action against those engaging in street extortion, contributing to the rise in commodity prices across the country.
These instructions were issued during the first meeting between the Prime Minister and secretaries of the new government at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The meeting, held at the Secretariat’s Cabinet conference room, commenced at 10 am and lasted until 1.30 pm, with the Cabinet Secretary, M. Mahbub Hossain, presiding over it. The Prime Minister, serving as the chief guest, joined the meeting.
Cabinet Secretary M. Mahbub Hossain briefed the media after the meeting, stating that while there was no specific agenda, the aim was to understand the Prime Minister’s expectations and instructions.
Over the three-and-a-half-year meeting duration, the PM provided detailed directives covering numerous sectors relevant to public interest.
The Prime Minister instructed the secretaries to enhance market monitoring to control the prices of essential commodities and maintain law and order.
Specifically addressing the issue of extortion-related price hikes, she urged vigilance to prevent extortion anywhere.
Regarding the PM’s directives, Cabinet Secretary Hossain mentioned, “The PM asked the secretaries to take strict measures so that prices cannot be hiked. Prices are usually hiked due to uncontrolled extortion. It must be stopped. The authorities concerned have been asked to stay in the field so that no one can collect money from goods-laden transports.”
Expressing gratitude to the public administration, ministries, divisions, and secretaries for their roles in conducting a free, fair, and acceptable election, the PM stated that democracy has strengthened with the January 7th election.
The meeting also covered discussions on the progress of implementing the PM’s previous instructions. Over 16 secretaries participated in the discussion, with 11 secretaries presenting specific proposals.
Key topics addressed in the meeting included the implementation of election pledges and the manifesto, stability of commodity prices during Ramadan, food security, agriculture production and stock, fertilizer management, education, employment, power supply, energy security, technological advancement for building a smart Bangladesh, project preparation and implementation, law and order review, overall economic conditions, inflation control, and capacity enhancement in the financial sector.”
