Tech-Driven Transparency: Minister Urges Digital, Accountable Administration
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahid Uddin Swapan has called for moving away from the tendency to equate the government with the state, urging the establishment of an accountable, efficient, and technology-driven administrative culture focused on public welfare.
He made these remarks on Thursday, 14 May, during an exchange meeting held at the ministry’s conference room with officials from various wings of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Bangladesh.
The minister stated that the state is not a personal device of any individual or government. “The will of the people is the primary driving force of the state, and no government can sustain itself if it becomes disconnected from public expectations,” he said.
He added, “The collective opinion of the people governs the state. The responsibility of an elected government is to implement the will of the people.”
Addressing the officials, he emphasized that as an employees of the republic, all must work sincerely to implement the government’s public welfare commitments. He also noted that no activity should be carried out beyond the framework of the Constitution, laws, and regulations.
“Our Constitution is the foundation of all laws and rules. The rule of law must be ensured at every level of governance,” the minister said.
Highlighting the importance of utilizing the skills and capabilities of ministry officials in a coordinated manner, he noted that aligning dispersed capacities toward specific goals could significantly enhance administrative effectiveness. Drawing an analogy, he said that just as scattered light becomes far more powerful when transformed into a laser, similarly, collective skills and commitment can make administration more productive when properly harnessed.
He further remarked, “There is no greater knowledge than collective knowledge.”
The minister encouraged officials to share their opinions and suggestions freely and stressed the need to reduce bureaucratic distance by fostering a participatory work environment. He also underscored the urgency of accelerating digitalization across all levels of administration.
“Lack of transparency in information breeds unnecessary suspicion. Therefore, transparency, accountability, and technology-driven management must be ensured in all activities of the ministry,” he added.
Information Secretary Mahbuba Farzana and other senior officials from various departments and divisions of the ministry were present at the meeting.
DBTech/IA/EK/OR
