Stating that every position in public administration is vital for the government, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday emphasized that government officials must maintain the mentality to work in any assigned role.

Addressing the inaugural session of the four-day Deputy Commissioners’ (DCs) Conference 2026 at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium, the Prime Minister warned that "if professionalism is compromised only for promotion or posting in one’s preferred place, you may benefit temporarily, but it negatively affects the efficiency and neutrality of public administration as a whole."

He formally opened the conference at 10:30 am, marking the first such gathering since the BNP-led government took office in February.

The Prime Minister, who also serves as the ruling BNP chairman, observed that the desire for specific postings is a primary driver of corruption and unprofessionalism.

"Therefore, my special request to you is to consider every path in public administration as important and inevitable. Keep you mentally prepared to perform duties in any position of public administration, at any place in the country, at any time," he told the gathered administrators.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to honesty, merit, and efficiency as the core principles for recruitment and promotion, promising a stronger Public Service Commission (PSC) and the formulation of private service rules to ensure accountability across the administrative structure.

In a gesture of simplicity, the Prime Minister walked from the Bangladesh Secretariat to the auditorium at 10:20 am, responding to the greetings of citizens lined along the road.

During his speech, he thanked the officials for their professionalism during the last national election, noting, "You have proved in the 12 (February) election that if public administration works properly, the people's verdict is definitely reflected. On the other hand, we have also seen in 14, 18 or 2024 what can happen if you are not allowed to work."

Drawing inspiration from a children’s sports event he attended the previous day, he added, "I think the main spirit or motto of today’s deputy commissioners’ conference should be that motto of those children. That is, moving forward—let that be the spirit of today’s event."

Acknowledging the challenges faced by the new administration, the Prime Minister noted that the government began its journey amid a fragile economy and a divided administration inherited from "fascist rule" and "looting."

He highlighted that the current global war situation has added further strain, yet he maintained that "our effort is how we can all together face the situation without increasing the suffering of the people."

He pointed out that initiatives such as the Family Card, Farmer Card, and monthly honorariums for religious leaders have already been launched to establish a "justice-based welfare state."

He further urged the DCs to avoid using legal complications as excuses for inaction, stating, "Let’s try to develop the mentality of taking realistic, effective and public-interest-related decisions at all levels of administration so that people can receive the expected benefits of every government programme on time."

Highlighting the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), he remarked, "To survive in global competition, public administration officials must also keep themselves prepared to face the times."

He specifically instructed the DCs to focus on controlling commodity prices, maintaining market discipline, and making mobile court operations more visible and regular to protect the interests of farmers and consumers alike.

The Prime Minister concluded by emphasizing the need for national unity, stating, "Differences of opinion may exist among us. But in the interest of the country, personally as a political worker, I believe ‘Bangladesh First’."

The conference, which continues until May 6, includes 34 sessions involving 56 ministries.

Officials confirmed that 1,729 proposals were submitted by the DCs, with 498 selected for the working papers, the highest number of which relate to the Health Services Division. Cabinet members, advisers, and senior military and civil officials were also present at the inauguration.