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Newly appointed Food Minister Afroza Khanam has called on officials to ensure that the benefits of government food programmes reach genuine beneficiaries.
She said visible changes must be brought to the Food Ministry’s activities to make them more transparent, accountable and people-oriented.
The minister made the remarks during an interaction with senior officials of the ministry and its subordinate agencies at the ministry’s conference room on Sunday, her first working day in office.
At the meeting, officials briefed the minister on the ministry’s overall activities, ongoing programmes, foodgrain procurement, government food stocks, supply management, food distribution and future plans.
A PowerPoint presentation was also made on the ministry’s activities and progress. It highlighted measures to ensure food security, manage government food stocks, procure foodgrains from farmers and supply food to consumers.
“Food Ministry has an important responsibility in ensuring the country’s food security. Alongside ensuring food security for the people, government food programmes must be implemented in a more effective, transparent and people-friendly manner,” Khanam said.
She stressed the need for transparency and accountability in food management, as well as efficiency and discipline at every stage of food procurement, storage, transportation and distribution.
The minister also urged officials and employees to perform their duties with sincerity, professionalism and dedication while maintaining cooperation among themselves.
“We all want to bring positive and visible changes to the activities of the Food Ministry. Transparency, accountability, efficiency and the quality of public services must be further improved for the welfare of the people,” she said.
Khanam said the Food Ministry would have an important role in implementing the vision and commitments of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
“To this end, officials and employees at all levels of the ministry must work together in a coordinated and dedicated manner,” she said.
The minister also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and thanked him for his confidence in appointing her to the post.
During the meeting, officials welcomed the new food minister and assured her of their full cooperation in making the ministry’s activities more dynamic, effective and people-oriented.
Food State Minister Md Abdul Bari, Food Secretary Abu Taher Md Masud Rana, Director General of the Directorate General of Food, and senior officials from the Food Ministry, Directorate General of Food and Bangladesh Food Safety Authority attended the meeting.