President Hamid to DCs: Don’t abuse power while discharging duties

President Abdul Hamid on Tuesday asked the deputy commissioners (DCs) not to abuse power while discharging their responsibilities to the citizens.

"The exercise of power is essential for the proper and efficient discharge of responsibilities,” the president said addressing virtually the DC Conference at Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

“But it is even more important to ensure that power is not abused. So consciously maintain the difference of responsibility and power in the workplace," he told the top district-level officials.

President Hamid reminded the officials of the great leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the creation of independent Bangladesh.

"We should not forget that since the country became independent under the leadership of Bangabandhu, today I have become the president, you have become the secretary, divisional commissioner and deputy commissioner," he said.

Stating that getting services is the right of the people, he said you will have to perform duties as a servant of the people.

"Deliver government services to the doorstep of the people. It should be remembered that we run our family with peoples' money. So providing government services is not a matter of kindness or benevolence," he said.

Mentioning social security programmes as an effective medium for poverty alleviation and social justice, the president said the officials concerned must ensure benefits of the programme reach the real poor.

"You have to provide effective leadership to meet the basic needs of poor people of the country, social protection and public empowerment of people, especially women empowerment," he also said.

He said land records and survey management is being digitized to ensure the best use of land and land related services. 

"But during the land record, a group of dishonest employee is doing many irregularities in collaboration with local influential brokerage and taking illegal facilities. It is increasing the public sufferings," he said.

He also asked the officials to be strict in these matters and take a strong step to stop any irregularities and ensure the punishment against the involved officers and employees.

Describing corruption as the biggest obstacle to the development, he said "Durable development is being interrupted due to corruption. The culture of transparency and accountability in each level of field administration must be developed."

Hamid said that the Deputy Commissioner Conference is an important forum for discussions about the activities taken up for people at the field level.

Cabinet Secretary Khandhakar Anawarul Islam delivered the welcome speech while deputy commissioner of Sunamganj Jahagir Hossain and divisional commissioner of Chittagong division Kamrul Hasan spoke at the session.