The three-day Deputy Commissioners (DC) Conference, which started on Sunday, concluded on Tuesday with the demands of increasing power and facilities for the DCs to eradicate the political pressures on them and combating the corruption from the administration.
They have also proposed military training for Bangladeshi youths, authority to write annual confidential reports (ACR) of the Superintendent of Police (SPs), increasing BGB deployment at the borders, comprehensive drives to control law and order across the country including the hill and border regions, and deployment of armed forces during the eviction drives.
Responding to the proposals of the DCs, the policymakers of the government urged them to work for combating corruptions and protect the country's rivers, hills and forests from illegal occupants.
In the opening day of the three-day conference, the DCs proposed that the government prepare specific guidelines for members of parliament and local government representatives, to prevent undue pressure on them.
As the DCs do not want to be used politically by MPs, local government representatives and political leaders, they requested necessary guidelines to control these political persons in the future.
The proposals were placed before the Chief Adviser during the open discussion session of the conference, inaugurated by Chief Adviser Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus in the Shapla Hall of the Chief Adviser's Office in Tejgaon. This is the first DC Conference of this interim government after its six-month tenure.
The working sessions of the conference were held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.
Though it was a tradition to have a session with the President and joining his luncheon, there was no schedule with the President this year.
On the second day, the DCs were instructed to bring doctors in districts, upazilas, and rural areas, who have substantial income but evade taxes, the under tax net.
Same time, they have also been asked to provide due services to the service seekers and ensure air-conditioner (AC) power at below 25°C in all government offices, banks, homes and mosques. A special monitoring cell has been formed to monitor the issue and ensure that the country could save electricity.
In the last day of the session with Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the DCs recommended the deployment of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel in a greater number in the frontier areas to bolster national security in addition to enhanced security measures for waterways.
Briefing followed the third-day session included discussions under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture, Jahangir Alam said, "In our session, the primary focus was on improving law and order and advancing the agricultural sector. The deputy commissioners suggested increasing the deployment of BGB personnel along border areas, strengthening waterway security through a higher presence of river police and augmenting manpower in Gazipur Metropolitan and Industrial Police units. We are reviewing these matters with great importance and have assured necessary consideration."
He said that the overall law-and-order situation remains satisfactory but has room for improvement.
"Law enforcement operations are progressively enhancing security. To ensure continued progress, Operation Devil Hunt is being conducted across the country," he added.
Highlighting corruption as the nation's most pressing issue, Jahangir said, "If corruption is not eradicated at its roots, the country's desired progress will remain unachievable. It is essential to curb corruption at all levels. Accordingly, instructions have been given to the deputy commissioners."
While briefing after the session, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Adviser Asif Mahmud Sojib Bhuyain said he emphasized the necessity of holding local elections ahead of the national polls.
"Deputy commissioners and divisional commissioners are currently shouldering additional responsibilities in various local government positions, which is creating difficulties for them. They want local elections to take place. The issue has been discussed in commission meetings with political parties, but no final decision has been reached. The government is actively considering the matter, as holding local elections is crucial for maintaining law and order and ensuring a fair national election," he added.
In the session with Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Hafiz, the DCs proposed introducing universal military training for youths to involve them in the country's defence efforts.
The meeting further explored how the Bangladesh Navy could assist civil administrations in safeguarding resources in the country's rivers, particularly in anti-jhatka (Ilish fry) operations.
Hafiz also expressed concerns about the impact of the Kuki-Chin National Front's terrorist activities in the hill tracts, which have severely disrupted the tourism industry in several districts.
After his session with the DCs, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said in Bangladesh, not only technical training centres (TTCs) but also many other institutions have buildings and staff but lack proper services.
Reflecting on his past six months of experience, Asif Nazrul said, "We are making relentless efforts to improve the situation and bring about positive changes."
Addressing the deputy commissioners, he urged them to ensure that students who complete their SSC and HSC exams utilize the gap period to enroll in TTCs for skills training.
Commenting on recommendations made by the deputy commissioners during the meeting, the Adviser said that a database should be created for all aspiring migrant workers, not just those who have already received training.
"We are also considering initiating a database for those seeking opportunities abroad in the near future. The commissioners have also highlighted raising awareness at the district and divisional levels and strengthening BOESL, the government's recruitment agency," he said.
He added, "We found their suggestions quite valuable as we, too, have been thinking along similar lines."
Discussions in the meeting also covered several key topics, including establishing BOESL cells at district-level TTCs to strengthen its role in manpower export, launching an expatriate property management board to protect migrants' assets, and arranging pre-departure orientation sessions for outbound workers at the district level.
Environment, Forest and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan issued clear directives to the Deputy Commissioners to ensure the protection of the country's rivers, hills and forests.
She instructed strict legal action against those responsible for hill cutting, emphasizing the importance of demarcating the Madhupur Sal Forest, eliminating illegal encroachments and updating official records to protect reserved forests, rivers and wetlands.
During a session of the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) conference, the adviser ordered the cancellation of the Cox's Bazar District Administration's 51-acre housing project, which was planned on a protected forest area along a hillside near a highway, underscoring the necessity of evicting the Raja Kashem Ship Breaking Yard from forest land.
These directives were delivered on Tuesday afternoon during her address at the DCs Conference at Osmani Memorial Auditorium.
She stressed the need to identify and conserve century-old trees and directed that at least one river in each district should be freed from encroachment and pollution.
Furthermore, she emphasised the importance of developing and enforcing specific guidelines to regulate tourism in coastal areas, haors, islands and forests.
Adviser Rizwana underscored that environmental clearance from the Department of Environment must be obtained before extracting sand and stones.
Calling for the deployment of adequate magistrates for anti-pollution drives and, if necessary, for joint forces' assistance in enforcing environmental regulations, she also instructed continuous monitoring of polluting industries and urged authorities to take wildlife-related complaints seriously.
To address human-elephant conflicts, she called for effective mitigation measures, directing the preparation of lists of environmental offenders, volunteers dedicated to environmental conservation, and nominees for the Environment Award and Tree Plantation Award.
Regarding pollution control, the Adviser stressed the need for strict action against illegal brick kilns and the immediate launch of crackdown programs on polythene production sites and markets, suggesting promoting alternative solutions by engaging private organizations in producing reusable fabric bags from old clothes.
She instructed all government offices to become single-use plastic-free and emphasized launching awareness campaigns for horn control.
Additionally, she called for preparing an inventory of all ponds, reclaiming encroached water bodies from land grabbers-including Totail Beel, Belai Beel, Benai Beel, Arial Beel, Gacha Khal, and various canals in Noakhali district-and removing illegal occupations from Water Development Board lands.
She recommended that, where appropriate, these lands be developed into urban forests, parks, or public spaces.
Stressing the crucial role of DCs in environmental conservation and sustainable management, she said that ensuring the protection of the nation's natural resources is a fundamental responsibility of the administration.
The session was presided over by Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid. Also present were Dr Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Nazmul Ahsan, Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources and the heads of relevant agencies under both ministries.
Divisional Commissioners and DCs from across the country highlighted various environmental and water resource-related challenges in their respective regions.
The adviser assured them that all concerns would be reviewed and addressed accordingly.
Later, at a press briefing, Adviser Rizwana responded to questions from journalists on various environmental issues.
