'Even a small bribe? Tell me - I'll make their life hell': Agri secy issues stern warning against officials involved in corruption
There is zero tolerance for corruption. And by zero, I mean absolutely zero, says the secretary
Agriculture Secretary Dr Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian has issued a stern warning against bribery in promotions and transfers within institutions under the Ministry of Agriculture, saying any such act will not be tolerated.
"If anyone engages in even the smallest financial exchange for promotion or transfer, report it to me — I will make their life hell," the secretary said today (26 June).
"There is zero tolerance for corruption. And by zero, I mean absolutely zero," he said while addressing officials at a national workshop held at the Soil Resource Development Institute in Dhaka.
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The event was part of the Department of Agricultural Extension's (DAE) project on year-round fruit production for nutrition development (Third Amendment).
He assured that individuals who provide credible evidence would be considered for career advancement, and their identities would be kept strictly confidential.
Mian announced a new, transparent appointment process for Deputy Directors (DD), stating that appointments will be made through polling for eligible candidates from batches 20 to 27 who have yet to become DDs or wish to do so.
Candidates will be assessed on merit, eliminating lobbying or undue influence. This process will also apply to Upazila Agricultural Officers and Project Directors.
Emphasising training, he noted that prospective DDs must complete 15 days of intensive training before appointment, while Upazila Executive Officers undergo two months of training, and Agricultural Officers receive at least 15 days to ensure readiness for field duties.
The workshop was chaired by Md Saiful Alam, director general of DAE, and attended by Additional Secretary Md Mahbubul Haque Patowari, DAE's Director of Administration and Finance Habibullah, and Horticulture Wing Director SM Sohrab Uddin.
Project Director Abdul Halim presented the main paper, reporting that sapling production at horticulture centres has risen from 15 million to 50 million.
The project aims to cultivate fallow land in hilly and coastal areas, contributing to a 50% increase in fruit production over the past decade.
