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Download PDF Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said the government is working to strengthen the local government so that it can take its services to people’s doorsteps and bring transparency and accountability in all sectors.
A high-powered experts committee formed earlier will next month submit its recommendations on strengthening the local government structure, he said while addressing top bureaucrats at the Cabinet Division yesterday.
He asked the secretaries of different ministries and departments to focus more on output and outcome while implementing government programmes so that people get the best from all inputs in the socio-economic sectors.
This was Fakhruddin’s third formal meeting with the secretaries since assuming office on January 12.
“Our main focus should be on the output of all work. The government has initiated a number of reforms which aim to meet people’s expectations and ensure good governance,” the chief adviser said.
He emphasised the need for dissemination of government actions, decisions and achievements through mass media so that people can take advantage of these.
He said the government is continuing its activities aimed at holding a free and fair election and creating a level playing field for the political parties with the ultimate objective to ensure good governance.
He said the Election Commission (EC) is now discussing with political parties the reforms of election-related rules and regulations, and will then finalise the electoral reforms.
He asked all government officials to extend necessary help to the EC in performing its duties.
Referring to the reforms in the EC, Anti-Corruption Commission, University Grants Commission, Public Service Commission and separation of the judiciary from the executive, he said, “The ultimate objective [of these reforms] is to ensure that the people benefit from these and face no hassles in getting the services.”
The chief adviser said strengthening of the local government and decentralisation of power imply delegating powers of the central government. “With decentralisation comes accountability,” he noted, hoping that the institutional reforms will continue in future too.
He instructed officials concerned to complete preparations, including finalisation of contracts, for procurement by December and implement the plans in next six months to avoid unusual hurry in spending funds at the fag end of a financial year.
He noted that many officials, while planning, wait for getting the money at hand, which causes delay in implementation of the plan.
The Regulatory Reforms Commission has already started its work to amend century-old administration rules and regulations and suggest time-befitting ones, he said, adding that the outcome will be friendly to trade, business and investment as well as common people.
He said the proposed Better Business Forum will come into effect soon and play an important role in brining local and international investment.
Fakhruddin asked the secretaries to share power with other officials in their offices and called for close supervision and monitoring of their work for dynamism. He also urged them to take action if any official does not carry out his responsibilities properly.
He also asked them to update the laws and rules if they are found to be a barrier.
On post-flood rehabilitation, Fakhruddin said the ongoing repair work of physical infrastructure and embankments will have to be expedited and monitored assiduously.
He said the government’s food safety nets for the poor, including vulnerable group feeding (VGF), and test relief to feed the poor and destitute will begin soon.
Stressing the importance of agricultural rehabilitation, he asked officials concerned to ensure proper distribution of fertiliser among the farmers who at some places are not getting fertiliser due to distribution problems.
He said the government spends a lot of money in subsidy for fertiliser. Calling for close monitoring and taking necessary steps so the farmers get fertiliser in time, he urged all in the administration to cooperate with the agriculture ministry for the distribution of fertilisers.
He also asked officials concerned to assist farmers in getting bank loan.
While speaking on price hike of essentials, the chief adviser asked officials for constant monitoring and keeping adequate stock of rice and wheat.
UNB adds: The chief adviser said the government has taken many steps to check the price hike and those have already produced some positive results. But the desired downtrend in prices could not be achieved due to increased prices on international market.
He said the government will continue its efforts to control price hike, but increasing the supply is important for controlling prices and to increase supply it is necessary to raise production. The government will have to play the key role in this regard.
He asked the secretaries to prepare reports after visiting a place at home or abroad and share it with colleagues in the ministry and other ministries concerned.
The chief adviser termed the separation of the judiciary on November 1, 2007 an “institutional reform”.
Cabinet Secretary Ali Imam Majumder, who conducted the meeting, said the caretaker government has so far implemented 187 of its 273 decisions and promulgated 20 ordinances of public importance.
The chief adviser thanked the secretaries for their efforts in achieving success in various government activities and expressed his hope that they will put in their best efforts to serve the people.
After the meeting Press Secretary to the chief adviser Syed Fahim Munaim briefed reporters on it at the Press Information Department auditorium.
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