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Local Government Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan has said action will be taken against those involved in corruption and irregularities in the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives over the past 17 years, following due process.
He said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) does not believe in the politics of vengeance. However, action against corruption would be taken in accordance with the law and relevant regulations.
The minister made the remarks at a press conference on Sunday (August 23) after holding a meeting with officials of the Local Government Division on his first working day at his office at the Secretariat.
State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam was also present.
Dr Moyeen Khan said the desired development of poor and marginalised people had not been achieved due to mismanagement over the past 17 years.
“My main goal will be to meet the needs of poor people and ensure that government services reach them properly,” he said. At the same time, he said, efforts would be made to make the ministry free from corruption and restore its traditional reputation.
The minister said there are around 50 ministries in the country, but the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives is different from others because it works directly with the people.
“The government’s main objective is to serve the people, and this ministry works directly with them. The local government system is an important component of a democratic system. If it functions properly, the overall management of the state will also become more effective,” he said.
He said if the ministry could properly deliver services to the people, the entire country and the government would benefit. “We have taken responsibility with this goal in mind,” he said, adding that he would also learn from State Minister Mir Shahe Alam’s experience in local government affairs.
Addressing the officials, Dr Moyeen Khan said that although the government was very powerful, that power did not belong to the government itself. “The people are the source of this power. Through elections, people vote those they want to send to power, and they run the government. We must use the power entrusted to us by the people properly to take the country forward,” he said.
He said affluent people could meet many of their needs on their own, while poor people depended more heavily on government assistance and services. Therefore, ensuring their rights and needs would be given the highest priority, he said.
Dr Moyeen Khan said a large number of people in Bangladesh still live below the poverty line in one way or another. Their rights had been undermined by mismanagement over the past 17 years, he said.
He also referred to initiatives such as the Tarique Rahman Family Card and Farmers’ Card aimed at improving the living standards of poor people.
Speaking about his political ideology, the minister said the name of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman was associated with Bangladesh’s declaration of independence. He said that when the nation was in a state of confusion during the Liberation War, Ziaur Rahman courageously declared independence and took part in the frontline fighting.
“In recognition of his contribution to the Liberation War, the people of Bangladesh awarded him the title of ‘Bir Uttam’,” he said.
Dr Moyeen Khan said he entered politics through his father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, and was one of the founding members of the BNP.
Describing his appointment to the Local Government Ministry as a major responsibility, Dr Moyeen Khan said he wanted to serve the country by engaging with the people, standing alongside them and making use of the state minister’s experience.
The minister also alleged that the independence of the judiciary had been undermined in the past. He claimed that judges had not been allowed to write judgments independently and that judgments were prepared by the ministry.
“We want to make the Local Government Ministry effective in delivering services to the people,” he said.
To achieve this goal, the minister urged officials and employees of the ministry to perform their duties with sincerity, dedication and integrity.
