Govt decides to revoke freedom-fighter certificates of 4 secretaries, a joint secretary

The government has decided to revoke the freedom-fighter certificates of four secretaries and a joint secretary.

Liberation War affairs ministry spokesperson Sufi Abdullahhil Maruf told bdnews24.com that the decision was taken at a meeting of the Freedom Fighters Command Council on Sunday.

He said the decision came as there were 'procedural errors'.

The five government officials, whose credentials have been revoked are Health Secretary Niaz Uddin Miah, Public Service Commission's Secretary AKM Amir Hossain, former PMO Secretary Molla Waheeduzzaman, now chairman of the Privatization Commission, former Liberation War Affairs Secretary KH Masud Siddique, currently OSD (officer on special duty), and the same ministry's Joint Secretary Abul Kasem Talukder, also a OSD at present.

A recent investigation by the Anti Corruption Commission revealed that the five had obtained their freedom-fighter certificates by 'illegal means'.

In its report, the ACC recommended the Liberation War Affairs ministry and the public administration ministry to cancel their certificates and initiate legal procedures against the five.

According to the public service rule, the five may face charges of fraud and breach of discipline.

These senior government officials allegedly obtained the certificates to extend their service tenure by a year.

Secretary KH Masud Siddique was in charge of the Liberation War Affairs ministry while he obtained the certificate.

According to the rules, one has to show his/her freedom-fighter credentials while joining public service.

The Liberation War Affairs Ministry had cancelled the certificates of 182 government employees and ordered departmental steps against them.