Parliamentary committee suggests new, easy quota system for civil service jobs

The parliamentary standing committee on public administration affairs has suggested reforming the quota system for the civil service jobs to make it easy.

Amidst raging agitations for changes to the quotas by students and jobseekers, the panel discussed the issue even though it was not on the agena of the meeting held at the parliament building on Sunday.

“The prime minister has rightly spoken about the abolishing quota system. But we have some accountability towards the country, history (liberation war), regions and backward ethnic groups,” Chairman of the committee HN Ashiqur Rahman told reporters.

The Constitution says the State shall ensure equality of opportunity to all citizens, he pointed out. “Taking everything into account, we have recommended making quota system easy by going for reforms that are rational,” Ashiqur added.

Currently, 56 percent of government jobs are secured for different quotas; 30 percent for children of freedom fighters, 10 percent for women, 10 percent for districts, 5 percent for small ethnic groups and 1 percent for people with disabilities.

‘The Council to Protect Bangladesh General Students’ Rights’ has been staging protest for last two months to a reduction in quotas in government jobs down to 10 percent.

The students seeking reforms clashed with police and pro-government Bangladesh Chhatra League on the Dhaka University campus on Apr 8. The residence of Vice-Chancellor Md Akhteruzzaman was also ransacked.   

Perturbed at the protest by students, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced in parliament on Apr 11 that the entire quota system will be abolished.

The prime minister had also announced constitution of a committee, led by the cabinet secretary, for reforming the quota system.

The platform of the students postponed their protests and demanded immediate implementation of the prime minister’s announcement.

An official who took part in Sunday’s meeting said, “Md Mozammel Haque Khan in the meeting said they are waiting for the prime minister’s order. Now she is abroad. We will work as per her direction.”

Ruling Awami League leaders say the protests have been waged with the support of the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami.

Ashiqur Rahman, who also the treasurer of the party, said the panel also called for vigilance against the conspiracy and ill-intent surrounding the protests.

The panel also recommended reviving the previous system to recruit the non-government primary school teachers, abolishing the current one.

“The recruitment system of NCRTA has many problems. The current system does not do justice to excellence. That’s’ why we suggested appointment of the successful candidates through the governing committee.”

The panel also recommended setting up a government college in every Upazila and making the MPO process faster in the next year.

In addition, it asked the education ministry and district administrations to formulate a policy to bring unapproved educational institutors under a guideline.