Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan on Monday said the DC (Deputy Commissioner) Conference has not been called for discussing how the elections will be held; rather it is for giving directives to the DCs for full implementation of the government’s development works.“DC Conference isn’t for discussing election issues. Election (national polls) isn’t the key agenda for the DC Conference,” he told reporters at a press conference at the Cabinet Division conference room.
Musharraf said giving directives to the DCs for full implementation of the government development works will be the focus area of the DC Conference.
The Election Commission (EC) will issue directives when the time comes about how the elections will be conducted, he added.
The cabinet secretary said the grassroots level administration will extend full support to the EC for holding fair and peaceful elections.
The three-day DC Conference 2013 begins on Tuesday, which will have a total of 24 sessions including 20 working sessions.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the conference at 9:30 am at Shapla Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office, which will be followed by an open discussion between the PM and the DCs.
“It’ll be an opportunity for the grassroots level officials of the government to have face-to-face discussion with the PM,” the Cabinet Secretary said.
Referring to various newspaper reports, he said there is nothing like placing demands in the DC Conference. “There might be some proposals and the DCs might seek some logistic support. It’s not about placing any demand.”
Musharraf said since the law and order situation will be discussed in the conference ahead of the next national election, it can be ‘remotely’ linked. Law and order is important for fair and peaceful polls. “Election issue will come later.”
He said issues related to land management, strengthening local government, poverty reduction, controlling prices of essentials, education and its standard and law and order will be discussed in the meeting,
“The number of issues this year is less than the previous year as many issues have already been discussed over the last four years, reducing the number of pending issues.”
Replying to a query, the Cabinet Secretary said there are some proposals for giving more power to mobile courts to run those more effectively. “Mobile court drives have been successful. But you’ll know details about it from the Minister concerned after the conference.”
He also said the DCs will mention the hurdles and challenges, if any, for implementing the government’s directives in various sectors.
Ministers, State Ministers, Advisers to the Prime Minister and Senior Secretaries of various Ministries will be present in the conference. – UNB
