Judge us by our work, not early criticism: State Minister

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shahe Alam on Thursday urged critics to give newly appointed public officials time to prove themselves, saying premature criticism and personal attacks discourage capable individuals from serving the country effectively.

"If I am targeted from the very beginning, I will not be able to utilise whatever talent Almighty Allah has given me in serving the state. People should at least give us an opportunity to work before passing judgment," he said while speaking at a Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) dialogue at the Secretariat Media Centre.

The discussion was chaired by BSRF President Masudul Haque and moderated by General Secretary Ubaidullah Badal.

Mir Shahe Alam said he had risen from the grassroots and wanted to be judged by his performance rather than criticism before delivering results. 

Referring to development initiatives in Bogura, he said he had established several educational institutions over the past two decades, including a government primary school, a technical school and college, agricultural and fisheries colleges, a madrasa and a veterinary institution.

He said many of the institutions had remained outside the government's Monthly Pay Order (MPO) system for years because of his political affiliation with the BNP. Applications had now been submitted for MPO enlistment so teachers could receive government salaries.