PM for 3 divisions in Dhaka

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stressed on administrative decentralisation and said she prefers breaking down Dhaka into three separate divisions.

She has also urged the public administration ministry to speed up the process.

In a meeting with its officials on Sunday, she said the government wanted to decentralise power gradually.

The prime minister said Dhaka was the most densely-populated division with 17 districts making it "very difficult" to handle its administration.

"We've already announced to make Mymensingh a division," she said.

Recent media reports claimed Hasina had ordered carving out an eighth division at a cabinet meeting.

She said administrative decentralisation was a must to serve the people and work for their development.

"It'd have been best if we could divide Dhaka into three divisions," the prime minister said without divulging further.

Hasina went to the public administration ministry, a portfolio which she had kept to herself, on Sunday as a part of her ongoing visits to all the ministries after being re-elected.

"This ministry has a lot of responsibilities and should work with speed," she told a meeting with ministry officials.

The prime minister instructed officials for quickly filling up vacant positions.

"Vacant posts should be filled up and promotions should not be delayed," said Hasina.

She stressed appointing more teachers, doctors and police. "The number of police is very low compared to the population."

The prime minister said the government would implement the new pay-scale for public servants recommended by the pay commission as soon as it gets the final report.

The public administration ministry is the 'heart of the administration' she said . "So its responsibilities are huge."