Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman today (16 October) pledged a tough stance against corruption and irregularities, saying there will be no scope for commission trading in development projects.
Government allocations come from taxpayers' money, so local residents must monitor whether development projects are being implemented properly and report any irregularities, he said.
The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at the 2026 annual general meeting of the Dhaka-based Digannagar Union Welfare Association of Shailkupa upazila at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, in Ramna, Dhaka, this evening.
He said elected representatives alone could not solve all the problems facing their communities, stressing the need for social organisations and conscious citizens to come forward.
Public opinion, constructive criticism and suggestions help elected representatives perform their duties, he said, adding that citizens' failure to point out mistakes could lead representatives in the wrong direction.
As public funds are used to implement development projects, ensuring their quality is a collective responsibility, the minister said.
He urged residents to report cases of substandard work in road construction and other infrastructure projects so that the contractors and engineers concerned could be held accountable.
Lottery system introduced for sub-registrar transfers
As part of efforts to improve transparency in administrative activities and reduce opportunities for irregularities, the government has introduced a lottery system for transferring sub-registrars in Dhaka, Asaduzzaman said.
The initiative aims to make the transfer process more transparent and address negative perceptions surrounding it, he added.
Zero tolerance for drugs and crime
The minister said a zero-tolerance policy had been adopted against drugs in Shailkupa.
Law enforcement agencies must take action against offenders in accordance with the law, regardless of their political affiliation or influence, he said.
Using political connections to seek favour for anyone involved in drug-related or other crimes is unacceptable, he said, adding that attempts to influence criminal investigations and judicial proceedings must also be resisted.
Asaduzzaman also called for action against political vendettas, attacks on homes, vandalism, looting and organised harassment.
He stressed the need to ensure that no one becomes a victim of injustice and that no one takes the side of crime or corruption. Maintaining impartiality is essential to ensuring justice and social equity, he added.
395 more roads listed for development
Speaking about development in Shailkupa, the minister said several projects, including road improvements, were under way in different parts of the upazila.
Road development work is also being implemented in Digannagar Union. Around 395 additional roads in Shailkupa have recently been included in the road list of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), he said.
He expressed hope that continued development work would improve road connectivity across the upazila over the next five years.
The minister said initiatives had also been taken to involve people from different professional backgrounds in Shailkupa's development.
Separate subcommittees have been formed on education, law and order, development and other issues to enable distinguished local residents and professionals to contribute regardless of political affiliation, he said.
Asaduzzaman said the government and citizens must work together to promote national development and good governance, adding that constructive criticism, responsible public participation and accountability were important for building a just society.
The meeting was chaired by freedom fighter Z A Wahed, president of the Dhaka-based Digannagar Union Welfare Association. Former secretary Khandaker Shahidul Islam and others also spoke at the event.