Stern punishments should be handed down to those who are holding top government offices with fake freedom-fighter certificates, a former bureaucrat and a senior lawyer suggest.
Published : 15 Sep 2014, 12:40 AM
They fear that this idea of getting a fake certificate for special facilities might spread if these fraudsters do not face fast measures and punishments.
The Anti Corruption Commission had recommended revoking the freedom-fighter certificates of five government officials and legal measures against them after it found proof that they had got their certificates through illegal means.
The government on Sunday decided to revoke the freedom-fighter certificates and relevant gazettes of four secretaries and a joint secretary.
They are Health Secretary Niaz Uddin Miah, Public Service Commission 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 an OSD now.
Reacting to that, former cabinet secretary Akbar Ali Khan on Sunday night told bdnews24.com: "This is unethical. Revoking the certificate is not enough, these five should not be in any government job from now on."
"It will take a long time to take actions against them in line with the public service rule," said Khan, who worked at the top level of the administration for a long time.
"That will continue. But they extended their service tenure by obtaining fake freedom-fighter certificate and that is a criminal offence. Stern measures should be taken against them right now," said the former caretaker government advisor.
These five senior government officials allegedly obtained the freedom-fighter certificates to extend their service tenure by a year.
Masud Siddiqui was the secretary to the liberation war affairs ministry when he obtained the certificate.
According to the rules, one has to show his/her freedom-fighter credentials while joining public service.