In view of the changing political landscape of the country, the government has instructed government employees to take special precautions. The Ministry of Public Administration has sent 9-point instructions to all secretaries.

A recent letter signed by Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Dr. Md. Mokhles Ur Rahman provided information about these instructions.

The instructions have asked the secretaries, heads of divisions and organizations, and top officials of the field administration to inquire about a few things before attending the event.

The instructions signed by Senior Secretary of the Ministry Dr. Mokhles Ur Rahman include whether the invitation has come from any organization, who is behind the event. It has also been suggested to seek the cooperation of intelligence agencies if necessary to get a clear idea about these issues.

The Ministry of Public Administration also said that due to the lack of elected public representatives at the top level and the lack of advisers to the interim government, government employees are having to lead the secretariat and field administration. In the meantime, news of embarrassment due to exceptional incidents at some events has come to light. The nine-point instructions were mainly given to avoid these problems.

In this letter containing instructions from the Ministry of Public Administration, he mentioned that considering the current political situation in the country, it is necessary for government employees to perform their duties with greater caution. Recently, news of the activities of some field-level offices have been published in various media outlets, which has created an embarrassing situation, which is undesirable. In the existing situation, I think that an instruction can be issued for the attached offices and field-level offices under your ministry/department on the following issues or adding some more issues as per your consideration.

>> Before accepting the final invitation to attend any event within your jurisdiction, collect information about the activities of the organizing institution/organization and finalize the invitation.

>> In order to avoid controversy, collect information about other guests invited to the event; if any controversial person is on the guest list of the event, avoid that event.

>> Check whether there is any objectionable/controversial material in the invitation/banner/leaflet/flag/any other printed paper description, logo or slogan etc. of the organized event.

>> Take the help of law enforcement and intelligence agencies to ensure the security of the event.

>> Check the invitation/banner/letter/Power Point presentation/decoration/certificate/trophy-medal/souvenir etc. of your own event carefully; ensure that all these documents or mementos do not contain any objectionable or controversial material or statements.

>> Be careful not to celebrate the days that have been declared canceled by the government through a gazette notification.

>> Take measures to remove all the memorials/crests/pictures/souvenirs etc. of the previous years of the days declared canceled by the government from all offices.

>> Prepare and read written statements for each formal meeting/event; Refrain from saying any words/slogans/exclamations/phrases outside the written statement as much as possible.

>> Keep yourself and all your colleagues in your jurisdiction away from any kind of rumors.

He further mentioned in the letter, I hope that if you issue an informal letter to your departments/organizations and field offices under the above mentioned matter, your colleagues will be more careful in performing their duties. I request your personal initiative in this regard.

The instructions of the Ministry of Public Administration further state that it is necessary to ensure that the days that have been canceled after the current government took office are not observed. It has also been instructed to remove any books, souvenirs, crests, memorials related to the canceled days or individuals in the office.

The Ministry of Public Administration has said that any slogans or exclamations outside the written statement should be refrained from at all types of events. In addition, instructions have also been given to ensure that employees of their respective departments and organizations are not misled by rumors.

The instructions of the Public Administration Secretary sent to all government secretaries state that the concerned secretary will issue a non-formal letter to inform everyone in the departments, organizations or offices under his jurisdiction about these government instructions, so that government employees at all levels can know the details about the issues.

Dhaka: The Bangladesh Planning Commission has been newly formed. The chief adviser has been appointed as the chairperson of this commission. The adviser to the Ministry of Finance has been given the responsibility of the alternate chairperson.

A notification in this regard was issued by the Cabinet Division on Monday (November 4).

It said that the government has formed the 'Bangladesh Planning Commission'. The adviser to the Ministry of Planning has been made the vice chairperson and the members of the Planning Commission have been made members of this commission. The secretary of the Planning Division has been made member-secretary.

The commission's terms of reference state that it will review the overall economic situation of the country, finalize the draft of the Annual Development Program (ADP) and Revised Annual Development Program (RADP) for submission to the National Economic Council for approval, review and give instructions for updating the implementation of short, medium and long-term plans for submission to the National Economic Council, review important issues related to the implementation of the national plan and resolve inter-ministerial differences on important strategic issues of the national plan. 

Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk-e-Azam said that Bangladesh is one of the disaster-prone countries in the world due to its geographical location. Due to lack of awareness and knowledge, Bangladesh is constantly facing man-made disasters.

Faruk-e-Azam said these things at a workshop titled ‘Urban Disaster Management: Problems and Remedies’ organized by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief at the Multipurpose Hall of the BIAM Foundation in Dhaka on Tuesday (November 5).

He said that a more important issue than natural or man-made disasters is our poverty. 50 to 80 percent of the population of about 75 upazilas of Bangladesh lives below the poverty line. Poverty-related malnutrition will create a weak nation, the extent of which will be terrible. Therefore, I am working towards that goal by considering poverty as a disaster.

The adviser believes that strong early warning systems, improved building codes and better urban planning are needed to save lives.

He said, the risk will be reduced only if people are aware. The task of making everyone aware is very difficult. This awareness has to start from each of our homes and make it a habit. In addition, we have to create volunteers in every way, without depending on the government.

The adviser said, it is the demand of the hour to create effective models in our own way and keep everyone prepared through training by utilizing the experience of other countries that are experts in earthquake management.

The disaster management advisor said, we have to ensure the use of our own innovations and technology to increase the capacity of all our organizations. This requires sufficient research. I hope the young generation will play a leading role in these areas.

The program was presided over by Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Md. Kamrul Hasan, and Professor of Civil Engineering Department of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology Dr. Mehedi Ahmed Ansari presented the keynote paper.

The workshop was also attended by - Director General of the Disaster Management Department Rezwanur Rahman, Joint Secretary Md. Ahmedul Haque. In addition, 70 representatives of various universities and organizations and institutions participated.

Home Affairs and Agriculture Adviser Lieutenant General(RTD) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that the law and order situation in the country is improving. It will not take long to become completely normal, it will be normal soon.

He said this after meeting a delegation led by Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh Haakon Arald Gulbrandsen on Tuesday (November 5).

The adviser said that the number of police officers who have not joined work is very low. Recruitment of police officers to various posts is ongoing. Necessary activities are underway to boost the morale of the police. The ambassador also said that Norway is interested in cooperating in police reforms.

The agriculture adviser said that the recent floods have greatly damaged the production of food grains in the country. Due to crop damage, some food grains will be purchased.

When the Norwegian ambassador expressed his interest in working closely with the government on food security, the agriculture adviser thanked him and expressed the interest of the Ministry of Agriculture and the government in this regard.

The adviser requested Norway to recruit young researchers from Bangladesh in the agriculture and fisheries sectors. The ambassador assured the adviser that he would work sincerely on this matter.

Senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Norwegian Embassy were present at the time.