Staff Correspondent
Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mian on Tuesday stressed the need for public officials to earn citizens’ trust through improved service delivery, saying public expectations can only be met when people receive services easily, quickly and without harassment.
“Village Courts can be an important foundation for building public confidence in government services and local justice,” he said while addressing a district-level half-yearly coordination meeting on Village Court activities at the PTI Conference Hall in the city.
The meeting was organised by the Chattogram district administration under the Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh (Phase III) project of the Local Government Division.
Presided over by Golam Mohammad Moinuddin, deputy director (deputy secretary) of the Local Government Division, the meeting was attended by upazila nirbahi officers, assistant commissioners (land), union administrative officers from 191 unions, and other officials.
The DC said officials should focus not only on plans and statistics but also on the actual impact of their work on people’s lives.
“We need to ask ourselves whether we have truly brought about change and whether citizens are receiving the services they deserve,” he said.
He noted that government officials have a responsibility not only to the state but also to society, urging them to create positive change in their respective workplaces.
Referring to the weekly public hearings conducted by the district administration, Zahidul Islam said many grievances brought by citizens could have been resolved at the local level.
“The large number of complaints we receive every week shows that many issues could have been addressed earlier if responsibilities had been carried out more effectively,” he said.
Highlighting the significance of Village Courts, he said around five million cases remain pending in courts across the country, causing lengthy delays in the delivery of justice.
“If minor disputes can be settled quickly at the local level, pressure on the formal judiciary will be reduced and people will receive justice faster,” he said.
Describing Village Courts as a successful initiative, he said the mechanism provides rural people with access to justice in a simple, speedy and cost-effective manner.
He also called for improved infrastructure, increased manpower and greater participation of all stakeholders to strengthen the system.
Addressing officials, the DC urged them to ensure that every citizen seeking services receives the assistance they need.
“People should be able to see public officials as symbols of trust and reliability,” he said.
Golam Mohammad Moinuddin expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Village Courts project and stressed the need for a service-oriented mindset among officials.
He also underscored the importance of raising public awareness about Village Courts to increase their accessibility and effectiveness.
During the meeting, officials reviewed the performance of Village Courts across the district. Particular attention was given to several unions in Mirsharai where the number of cases remains very low or zero.
Participants recommended intensifying awareness campaigns, strengthening public confidence in the system and taking steps to make Village Court activities more effective at the grassroots level.
The meeting also emphasised proper maintenance of case records and administrative documents, and agreed on measures to strengthen Village Courts, promote good governance and ensure access to justice at the local level.
