Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the formation of a three-member high-level committee to identify the challenges facing government agencies responsible for ensuring food safety, maintaining product quality standards, and conducting anti-adulteration drives, with the aim of resolving these issues promptly and making the institutions more effective and dynamic.
The directive was issued during a meeting held at the Prime Minister's Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat at 3:30 pm on Monday (July 6).
Officials from the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), city corporations, and field-level officers responsible for anti-adulteration drives and mobile courts attended the meeting.
Prime Minister instructed the formation of the committee comprising Public Administration Adviser Ismail Jabiullah, State Minister for Public Administration Abdul Bari, and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Nasimul Ghani. The committee has been asked to submit a report within one month, identifying both short-term and long-term challenges along with recommendations for necessary actions.
Officials at the meeting informed the Prime Minister that anti-adulteration operations are being hindered by manpower shortages at the district level, a lack of modern laboratories and advanced testing equipment, and security risks faced while conducting operations against influential syndicates. They also called for expanding the authority of mobile courts.
The Prime Minister listened carefully to the concerns raised by the officials and assured them that the problems would be addressed promptly.
Addressing the meeting, he said, "Challenges will always exist. Nevertheless, we must continue moving forward despite them. We cannot afford to remain idle. Many countries that were once less developed than us have progressed significantly. We too must move forward. If everyone works sincerely, it is certainly achievable. For the sake of the country, everyone must become more responsible and conscientious."
Emphasizing the importance of public awareness, the Prime Minister cited the example of Gulshan Lake, saying, "Many of our lakes are becoming filled with garbage. Sadly, it is often educated members of society who are responsible for littering them. Transforming the country requires not only government initiatives but also responsible citizens."
Later the same day, during a separate meeting on the conservation of the Gulshan�"Banani�"Baridhara Lake, prevention of water pollution, and integrated waste management, the Prime Minister issued necessary directives to the relevant authorities.
Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Hasan Shiplu said the Prime Minister stressed coordinated efforts among the relevant ministries, city corporations, and responsible agencies to ensure proper waste disposal from lakeside buildings, inspect sewerage connections, control water pollution, and protect the environment.
The meeting also discussed establishing a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) for the Gulshan�"Banani�"Baridhara�"Niketan area, regularly cleaning canals connected to the lake, and adopting an effective action plan to prevent waste from the Korail slum from being discharged directly into the lake.
