Don’t act on impulse: President to deputy commissioners

President Abdul Hamid has asked district heads – deputy commissioners – to not act on impulse.

He made the call while addressing deputy commissioners or DCs at his official residence Bangabhaban on Wednesday.

DCs from across the country are currently in Dhaka to take part in a three-day conference which began on Tuesday.

“Don’t do anything on impulse. It may embarrass the government,” he said, in the backdrop of the government's decision to remove two DCs accused of harassing a civil servant.  

The civil servant in question is Tariq Salmon, Upazila Nirbahi Officer or UNO in Barguna, who was sent to prison for defamation after being accused of distorting the image of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the nation.

While serving as UNO of Barisal's Agailjhara, Salmon used a fifth grader's drawing of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on an invitation card for Independence Day celebrations.

The defamation case against Salmon filed by a Barisal-based Awami League leader was later withdrawn amid heavy public criticism.

President Hamid said district heads should be more careful in performing duties and refrain from corrupt practices because the government has increased their salaries.

He urged them to take measures for preventing damage caused by natural calamities.

“Drive off the encroachers from forests, rivers, hills and other water bodies. Stop the illegal extraction of sand from rivers and illegal hill cutting,” he said.