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Govt officials to work neutrally: Syed Ashraf

July 21, 2015 00:00:00


Newly-appointed Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam said on Monday government officials will continue to work neutrally as Awami League does not believe in the politicisation of the administration, reports UNB.

"We don't believe in the politicisation of the administration…government officials will continue to work neutrally and efficiently," he said.

Syed Ashraf, also Awami League secretary general, came up with the remarks as he took over the charge of the Public Administration Ministry five days after he was given its portfolio.

A week after being stripped off the portfolio of LGRD and Cooperatives Ministry, he was made Public Administration Minister on July 16.

Syed Ashraf said he needs a little bit of time to get familiar with the Public Administration Ministry as he is new in this ministry since he had earlier worked in Biman, Tourism and LGRD.

About Eid holidays, the minister said the Eid holidaymakers this time have got less vacation but hurried to add that works in his ministry will continue and there will be a gear-up when all will be back.

Earlier on July 9, Ashraf was removed from the LGRD and Cooperatives Ministry and made a minister without portfolio following the Prime Minister's displeasure over his absence in an ECNEC meeting.

Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain then replaced Syed Ashraf.

Amid speculations that Ashraf may turn inactive in politics and go to London for a long period, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina summoned him to her official residence Ganobhaban on Monday last and convinced him to call off his London tour, Awami League sources said.

Following the meeting with the Prime Minister, there had been a rumour for a while that Ashraf would be given a bigger responsibility than what he had performed earlier. Finally, he has been made the minister to look after Public Administration Ministry, a portfolio Hasina kept to herself so long


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