No police verification required for passport: Yunus
Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus announced on Sunday that police verification would no longer be required for obtaining a passport. He urged deputy commissioners to ensure that this decision is effectively communicated to the public.
The Chief Adviser made this statement during the inauguration of the DC Conference at Shapla Hall in his office.
He stated, "A passport is my fundamental right as a citizen. Whether I am a thief or a dacoit, that is for the police to determine separately. The birth certificate I received was not issued through police verification, nor was my National ID."
He further emphasized, "While we make laws, they have not reached villages and towns yet, even though decisions are made here. This gap should not exist. People are unnecessarily harassed, and it seems that harassment has become a norm. The government must not be about harassing people; we need to change this. The government’s job is to ensure that your rights reach you."
The Chief Adviser will engage in an open discussion with the deputy commissioners today. Later in the evening, the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association will meet with the Chief Adviser, followed by a dinner.
Earlier on Saturday, February 15, at a press conference at the Secretariat, Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid mentioned that the implementation rate of decisions made at the previous District Commissioner conference was lower than in previous years. Only 46% of the decisions made during the 2024 conference have been implemented so far.
The Cabinet Secretary added that a total of 381 decisions were made at last year's DC conference, covering short, medium, and long-term measures. Of these, 177 decisions have been implemented, and 204 are still pending. The implementation rate stands at 46%.
He also noted that this year's conference would feature 30 working sessions with various ministries and departments, as well as four special sessions, including the inaugural session, a meeting with the Chief Justice, an open discussion with the First Adviser, and a meeting with the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association.
Ahead of the conference, 354 proposals have been received from the DCs and Divisional Commissioners. A total of 1,245 proposals were submitted, of which 354 have been included in the conference agenda.
