Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain Bakul has warned that administrative delays and negligence will not be tolerated, reiterating the government's zero-tolerance policy towards corruption.
“We have declared zero tolerance for corruption. Administrative delays will not be tolerated. We live comfortably on taxpayers’ money, the hard work of ordinary people and the hard-earned income of expatriates. They must be freed from administrative procrastination. No negligence will be tolerated under any circumstances. We want to ensure peace for the people,” he said.
The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at a greeting exchange and donation programme at the Monohardi Hindu Para Sarbojanin Durgabari Puja Mandap in Narsingdi on Tuesday night.
Speaking about healthcare, Bakul said major changes would be introduced in the country's health services over the next two years to bring medical care closer to the public.
New healthcare buildings would be constructed in every union of the upazila and staffed by MBBS-qualified doctors, he said. The government was also working to raise awareness among rural women about healthcare and make medical services more accessible to them.
The minister said this year's Durga Puja celebrations reflected the spirit of communal harmony through people's joy and attitudes. He noted that the highest number of Puja celebrations since independence was being held this year.
He added that the government had provided its largest-ever grant for the festival for the first time. Sarees had also been distributed as Puja gifts, while security arrangements had been extended across the country to enable people to celebrate without disruption.
“We are ready to take every necessary step to establish Bangladesh as a non-communal country that can stand tall before the world,” he said.
The programme was chaired by Monohardi Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahmudul Hasan and conducted by Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Sajib Mia.
Among those present were Narsingdi Deputy Commissioner Israt Jahan Keya, Superintendent of Police Abdullah Al Faruk, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Abu Taher Mohammad Shamsuzzaman, Monohardi Upazila BNP Member Secretary Aminur Rahman Sarkar Dolon, Monohardi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jahangir Badsha, Municipal BNP Member Secretary Advocate Abdul Hannan Mia, Upazila BNP member Golam Mostafa, Monohardi Bazar Banik Samity President Kamruzzaman Bakul, Municipal Sramik Dal President Saiful Islam Shipon, Hindu Para Sarbojanin Durga Bari Temple President Shyamal Roy and General Secretary Suman Barman, among others.
Later, the minister provided donations to five Puja mandaps in Monohardi Municipality and distributed sarees as gifts for the festival.
