PM sets strict punctuality tone at Secretariat

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has begun his time at the Secretariat with a strict focus on administrative discipline, monitoring whether ministers, state ministers, and secretaries have been maintaining office hours since assuming office on February 18.

On his first day, he noticed several ministers arriving late. The following day, he had attendance checked across ministries and found that a number of ministers and state ministers were not maintaining office hours.

By the third day, he personally asked about which officials had yet to arrive at the Secretariat and expressed displeasure over their tardiness.

Tarique, who has himself attended the office on time and worked through the weekend, reminded colleagues at a meeting yesterday of the importance of punctuality and urged cabinet members and senior officials to ensure timely attendance and strict adherence to office hours.

Seeking anonymity, a state minister said, “While Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been maintaining office hours properly, some ministers and state ministers have reportedly overlooked it. The prime minister is firm on the issue of punctuality and discipline.”

“The prime minister has made it clear that the practice of arriving late, as may have been tolerated in the past, will not be accepted under his leadership. He has instructed all concerned to adhere to fixed office hours and ensure regular attendance,” he told this newspaper.

Tarique has formed a 49‑member cabinet, including 25 ministers and 24 state ministers. During Ramadan, office hours for public institutions have been fixed from 9:00am to 3:30pm.

The prime minister has also been monitoring appointments of private secretaries, viewing them as indicators of how ministers intend to run their offices.

During yesterday’s meeting, he emphasised the need for efficiency, transparency and accountability in the functioning of his office.

He noted that public expectations are high following the national election and that the government must set the standard for governance.

“He wants the ministry to function in a disciplined and result-oriented manner. Election pledges and other public welfare-related work must be prioritised,” a senior official at the secretariat said, requesting anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

Another officer said, “The prime minister has set a clear message: competence, responsibility and transparency will be central to the functioning of his office as the new administration moves to implement its policy priorities.”

The prime minister wants experienced individuals with a clean image to avoid controversy and accelerate development activities, sources said.

Tarique is also making a note of which officials performed their duties properly and with responsibility, sources added.

The premier has directed senior officials to monitor progress regularly and submit performance updates.

Yesterday, the prime minister held meetings with the foreign minister, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador, and senior cabinet members. He also chaired a session on the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

In the final meeting of the day, a programme titled “Building a Healthy Bangladesh” was discussed.

The government plans to appoint one lakh new health workers, 80 percent of them women, for door-to-door screening of common diseases, in line with the BNP’s health sector election pledges.

Officials discussed how to implement the programme effectively so that the public can benefit properly, said sources.