PM asks public admin officials to be 'servants, friends of people'

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (25 April) urged public administration officials to move beyond a bureaucratic mindset and serve as 'servants and friends of people,' saying their integrity, efficiency and accountability are key to the government's success.

"You are the link between making policies and putting them into action. Your honesty, competence and accountability form one of the key foundations of the government's success," he said while addressing officials after the inauguration of the new Training-cum-Dormitory Building of BIAM Foundation at its auditorium in Dhaka.

Highlighting the need to modernise governance, he said the world has already entered the era of artificial intelligence and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, making it essential for public administration officials to keep pace with technological changes.

"The use of AI, automation and digital technologies can make our administration more efficient, transparent and accountable," Tarique said, adding that the government aims to deliver public services at citizens' doorsteps through information technology.

He also assured continued support to strengthen the Bangladesh Institute of Administration and Management (BIAM) Foundation to build a skilled and future-ready civil service.

Focusing on economic competitiveness, the prime minister stressed the importance of simplifying business processes through initiatives like single-window clearance, one-stop services and fully digital workflows.

"Our development vision must be inclusive, sustainable and humane. We want to build a Bangladesh where the benefits of development gradually reach every level of society, inequality declines, and eventually disappears," he said.

The prime minister underscored the role of women and youth as key drivers of growth and said environmental protection and climate resilience must be integral to all policies.

Tarique Rahman first laid the foundation stone for the third building of BIAM Foundation in Eskaton and later addressed officials at the BIAM Foundation auditorium.

Emphasising the importance of training, he said there is no alternative to building a transparent, efficient and people-friendly administration to achieve the country's desired goals.

"Modern administrative competence is not just about knowing rules—it also requires the use of technology, data analysis, quick decision-making and a creative approach to public service," Tarique said.

The prime minister said the government is working to modernise training systems, expand advanced courses, and increase opportunities for research and policy-oriented education.

Referring to the government's electoral pledges, he said those commitments are not merely political promises but a contract with the people.

"The government is determined to implement every commitment of its manifesto and the July Charter in letter and spirit," he said urging officials to contribute with their merit and professionalism.

He also stressed the need to uphold transparency, accountability and ethical practices to maintain public trust, noting that civil servants play a key role in ensuring the effectiveness, continuity and stability of the state machinery.

Tarique also asked the civil servants to work with integrity, professionalism and a deep sense of responsibility, saying a strong and accountable administration is essential to building a modern Bangladesh.

"The current government is committed to developing merit-based, confident, creative and responsible human resources. There is no alternative to building a merit-driven, transparent, efficient and people-friendly public administration," he said.

After more than one and a half decades, he said the country's freedom-loving and democracy-loving people directly elected a democratic government through their votes.

Tarique said the current government reflects the aspirations of ordinary people who have long yearned for an accountable, just and welfare-oriented system of governance.

He said the mass uprising of July-August 2024 once again made it clear that the people are the true owners of this state.

"So, as public servants, your foremost responsibility is to protect the interests and ensure the welfare of people, who are the rightful owners of the state…Your decisions can affect a family, a region, or even the entire nation. That is why your responsibilities are not only administrative but also deeply moral and constitutional," the prime minister said.

He said the government has already taken steps to fill vacant posts swiftly, strengthen the Public Service Commission and implement key administrative reforms.

Tarique expressed hope that BIAM's curriculum and training environment would further enhance officials' professional skills, problem-solving abilities and innovative thinking.

Founded on 29 December, 1991, BIAM was later transformed into the BIAM Foundation in November 2002.

BIAM officials said the newly inaugurated building is expected to significantly enhance its training capacity and residential facilities.