Quota reform for government jobs sees no progress

The government is yet to make any progress in abolishing the quota system in civil service jobs since the announcement made by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in parliament more than a week ago.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 19 April 2018, 12:07 PM
Updated : 19 April 2018, 12:07 PM

“There is no progress on the issue,” Senior Public Administration Secretary Md Mozzammel Haque told bdnews24.com.

“We are yet to receive any directive on the formation of a quota reform committee headed by the cabinet secretary.”

According to the system, 56 percent posts are reserved for different quotas, including 30 percent for children of freedom fighters, 10 percent each for women and particular districts, 5 percent for small ethnic groups, and 1 percent for people with disabilities.

Over the last two months, students and job seekers under the banner of Bangladesh General Students' Rights Protection Council have been waging protests against the quota system for government jobs.

The protests turned violent on Apr 8 when police fired teargas shells and charged batons to disperse them on the Dhaka University campus. During the protests, some unidentified men ransacked the residence of the DU vice-chancellor on Apr 9.

That prompted the prime minister to announce a plan in parliament to abolish the entire quota system on Apr 11. Protesters postponed the programme but threatened to go for waging protests if their demand is not met.

After a week, anti-quota demonstrators issued a seven-day ultimatum for the authorities to withdraw the cases filed over the attacks on the vice chancellor's residence.

Nurul Haque Nur, a leader of the loose forum, demanded the quick implementation of the prime minister’s decision.

“I believe it’s not a complicated issue. We are waiting for the PM’s order,” said the public administration secretary.

Hasina, now on an eight-day visit in London, is expected to return on Apr 23.