Every penny of public money must be spent in the country’s interest: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman has directed government officials to be vigilant and responsible so that every paisa of public money allocated for implementing development projects is spent properly, in the interest of the country and its people.

The Prime Minister said this yesterday at a meeting reviewing the ministry’s activities and the progress of various development projects, held in the conference room of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

At the meeting, officials concerned briefed the Prime Minister on the ministry’s ongoing activities, the development projects undertaken, and future action plans and targets.

Addressing the meeting, the Prime Minister said, “You have undertaken many projects and set many targets. The government will certainly provide budget allocations to achieve those targets. But this is public money. I hope all of you will pay attention to ensure that every paisa of public money is spent properly, in the interest of the country and for the welfare of the people.”

Urging officials to see public responsibility as a special opportunity to work for the people of the country, he said that, compared with the country’s overall population, those holding public office are in a privileged position. This opportunity should be used for the welfare of the people.

The Prime Minister said, “Compared with the overall population of Bangladesh, all of us who are here are privileged. Almighty Allah has given us an opportunity to work for our country and our people.” He said, “Whatever opportunity each of us has to work, we must be able to do that work sincerely. All of us must make that effort.”

The Prime Minister further said that the opportunity to serve does not always exist. Therefore, whoever holds a responsibility at any given time must make proper use of that opportunity for the welfare of the country and its people.

At the end of the meeting, calling on everyone concerned to carry out their duties with sincerity, the Prime Minister said, “Come, let us all try, for as long as the opportunity is in our hands, to make proper use of it for the people and the country.”

The Prime Minister also urged officials to offer their opinions more actively at the meeting. He said the field-level experience and observations of officials working at various levels could play an important role in the government’s decision-making.

Saying that the progress of the ministry’s activities would be discussed again in the future, the Prime Minister expressed hope that officials would present their experiences, observations and opinions more openly in subsequent meetings.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid, State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku, Secretary Delwar Hossain and senior officials of the ministry were present at the meeting.