State Minister for Land and Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs, Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, has said that it is rare in the last 20 years of Bangladesh’s history to get a government job without any lobbying or bribery for just 125 taka.

He made this comment as a special guest at the orientation program for newly recruited candidates at the central seminar hall of the Land Records and Survey Department of Bhumi Bhaban in Tejgaon in the capital on Monday (July 28).

The state minister said that the newly recruited candidates got jobs in a completely transparent and merit-based process for just 125 taka. The description of their experience is a reflection of the government’s transparent recruitment system. He said, “For the past 20 years, the country was plagued by corruption and irregularities. Due to some dishonest individuals at the field level, the entire land management had to bear the responsibility of corruption. Therefore, everyone should perform their duties with honesty and integrity.”

He also said that the government’s goal is to ensure harassment-free and easy services to the people. Government officials and employees should remember that the people are the real owners of the state and providing them with the best service is the main responsibility of the administration.

The State Minister said that in the light of the 31-point program announced before the elections, the government is implementing a 180-day special program on priority basis. He called for working with the spirit of ‘Bangladesh first’ to provide services to the marginalized people by establishing a non-discriminatory and just society.

Speaking as the chief guest at the event, Land Minister Md. Mizanur Rahman Minu said that the honesty and mentality of the new recruits who joined the service through completely transparent and merit-based recruitment is commendable. He called for creating a corruption-free working environment as well as performing their duties with dedication for the welfare of the people.

The event also said that strict vigilance will be maintained to ensure that no citizen is harassed while coming to avail land-related services. At the same time, the government has strengthened the ‘Citizen Service’ program and ensured the promotion of the posts of Kanungo who have been stuck for a long time.

On behalf of the newly recruited, Ms. Farhana Khatun, Md. Shihab Uddin and Shakil Ahmed expressed their gratitude to the government for providing them with jobs in a completely transparent and corruption-free process.

The program was presided over by Director General of the Department of Land Records and Survey Md. Abul Hasanat. At that time, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Land ASM Saleh Ahmed, Chairman (Secretary) of the Land Appeal Board Md. Abdullah Al Baki, Chairman (Secretary) of the Land Reform Board AZM Salahuddin Nagri and senior officials of the ministry and the department were present.