United News of Bangladesh

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan on Wednesday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening state institutions, saying lessons have been drawn from the shortcomings of the previous government. “The main goal of the government is to run the state in line with the people’s mandate, as the people are the owners of the state and we are their servants,” he said while addressing a view-exchange meeting with officials from various departments at divisional and district levels at the Chattogram Circuit House conference room. He said the Prime Minister had clearly instructed at the first cabinet meeting that the government must ensure accountability to the people. The administration, he added, is committed to building a strong institutional framework by preventing partisanship and misuse within the executive branch. The minister said work has already begun to implement the government’s election pledges. A pilot project under the family card programme has been launched, and he expressed hope that visible progress would be achieved before Eid. He urged the relevant administrative units to take necessary preparations in advance. Highlighting the Farmers Card programme, he said services such as fertilisers, seeds, pesticides, agricultural machinery and loans would be delivered directly to farmers through smart cards to prevent middlemen and curb corruption. He added that a decision to waive interest on agricultural loans up to Tk 10,000 is in the process of implementation. He also said an allowance programme has been introduced for mosque imams, muezzins and support staff, with a transparent card-based management system to be developed. The meeting was chaired by Divisional Commissioner Dr Md Ziauddin. Accreditation card plan to resolve Secretariat entry issue: Info Minister Among others, Director General of the Department of Mass Communication Md Abdul Jalil, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah, and officials from various departments at the district and divisional levels in Chattogram, were also present. Earlier, the minister addressed a meeting organised by the Chattogram Press Club and the Chattogram Metropolitan Journalists Union at the Press Club auditorium.