Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said her government has no objection to any movement by the opposition parties, but no arson violence will be tolerated.
“I never tolerate any arson violence. It can never be accepted. But we’ve no objection to whatever movement or struggle they do,” she said.
The premier said this while addressing the award-giving ceremony of 'Bangabandhu Public Administration Award (BPAA)-2023' in the city’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium.
She conferred the award to 28 officials and two government departments on the occasion of the National Public Service Day for their outstanding performance in different fields.
Hasina said none will be allowed to play ducks and drakes anymore with the fate of the country’s people.
“Keep in mind that the mental enmity has not gone yet from those who did not support us in our great Liberation War. We’re progressing overcoming it,” she said, adding that Bangladesh must continue to advance.
The prime minister asked the admin officials and employees not to be afraid, seeing a little movement and struggle as long as the people will remain with her government. “There is nothing to get afraid of,” she said.
She said she doesn’t want to see anyone in gloomy face rather want to see everyone in happy and smiling face,” she said.
The PM said it is normal that there are problems in life, but the morale and power are required to overcome the problems. “If we move with this power (morale), Bangladesh inshallah will move forward. I believe it,”
The premier said her government is implementing various measures for the livelihood of people from different classes, even downtrodden communities.
She said people's sufferings from the commodity prices are not as bad in the rural areas as in the urban areas.
The PM asked the government employees to stand beside the people as it is their and even her responsibility to serve the people.
She asked the government officials to always search for innovation and use these in their respective workplaces to take the country forward in the era of modern technology.
“There is much more innovative power among the young officers. Now it is the age of new technology. When you discharge duty in your respective workplaces, always think about what innovations can be done and how the country can be taken forward further,” she said.
The award under different categories was introduced in 2016 to encourage efficiency, mindfulness and innovative efforts of the officials of the public administration in various fields.
The National Public Service Day is celebrated every year on July 23. But this year's award ceremony was not held on July 23 as the date coincided with the prime minister's official visit to Italy to attend the UN food summit.
The recipients of the award can use the title BPAA at the end of their names. Each recipient was provided with a gold medal (weighing 15 grams) and a certificate with a state monogram as prizes. Tk 2 lakh was given for individual contribution, while Tk 5 lakh for team contribution.
State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain, Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Administration Ministry HN Ashequr Rahman and Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain spoke on the occasion, while Public Administration Secretary Mohammed Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury delivered the welcome speech.