In a refreshing departure from rigid bureaucratic protocol, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Hajiganj in Chandpur district has removed formal barriers at his office entrance, inviting citizens to enter without permission and push open his doors. This citizen-centric initiative, introduced on September 15, aims to dismantle the traditional fear, hesitation, and intimidation that ordinary citizens frequently experience when seeking assistance at government offices.
Visiting the office on Sunday, the first working day of the week, revealed a transparent and accessible environment where service seekers met directly with the administrator without prior appointments. The UNO was observed patiently listening to grievances and addressing public needs to the best of his ability. During the visit, a 70-year-old woman named Khairunnesa was seen conversing closely with the administrator, eventually touching his head affectionately to offer her blessings after he attentively resolved her issue.
Local residents and community figures have widely lauded the administration for making public services readily accessible without bureaucratic formalities. Rokeya Sultana, head teacher of Hajiganj Model Government Primary School, noted that educators previously had to navigate cumbersome permission processes to enter the office, a hassle that has now been entirely eliminated, allowing for direct communication. Similarly, Jasim Rahman, a local businessman in Hajiganj Bazar, recalled that visitors were previously made to wait outside while guards or office staff sought entry permission, a barrier that no longer exists.
Explaining the rationale behind the innovative measure, UNO Md. Ibne Al Zayed Hossain emphasized that marginalized citizens often feel reluctant or timid when visiting government offices for assistance. Although office doors remain fundamentally open to the public, the explicit signage and open-door policy were implemented specifically to eradicate lingering apprehension and hesitation.
Service seekers across the upazila have expressed optimism that this progressive administrative model will inspire similar open-door practices in other government departments, ultimately fostering a more welcoming and barrier-free public service delivery system nationwide.
