graft, irregularities galore in Technical Education Board part-II
No halt to contractual appointments
Corruption, irregularities and mismanagement have allegedly gobbled up the Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB) thanks to an “all powerful syndicate”. The Independent has unearthed the malpractices going on inside this education board and will try to throw some light on the dark dealings there in a four-part report. The second part contains appointments on contractual basis in violation of rules and regulations
HARUN UR RASHID
The Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB) has allegedly appointed persons, with the rank of quality assurance officer, on a contractual basis, violating the governments rules and regulations, sources in the board said. As per the governments directives, no one can be appointed on a contractual basis for the BTEB, and any such appointment would be in sheer violation of rules. In January 2016, the BTEB wrote to the education ministry, requesting contractual appointment of a driver for its secretary Nayeb Ali Mondol. But the Technical Education Division of the education ministry rejected the request on February 4, 2016, saying there was no opportunity for contractual appointment at this stage. The BTEB Chairman, Mostafizur Rahman, was informed of the matter and the attention of the secretary was drawn.
But the BTEB on March 20, 2016, with the permission of its chairman, appointed Md Tozammel Hossain as quality assurance officer on a contractual basis for six months, with a consolidated salary and other allowances in accordance with the National Pay Scale 2015.
The BTEB fixed his salary at Tk 29,200 till June 30, 2016, and from July 1, 2016 it was fixed at Tk 35,600. The quality assurance officer is a Class-I post, but Tozammel Hossain is currently doing a job which actually fits for Class II level employees.
It is learnt that appointment at the BTEB on a contractual basis is opposed by the government because there was trouble over such appointment in the past. The matter even went to the court and it closed the door of appointments.
It is gathered from the BTEB that there are eight posts for quality assurance officers, but only one person is working on deputation and people are working on the remaining posts on a contractual basis for six months. Instead of making regular appointments, the board has been giving contractual appointments for six months and extending the tenure of the persons.
The quality assurance officer mainly works for the development of tools and modules of different courses.
I have been appointed on a contractual basis for the post of quality assurance officer. I do whatever my superior tells me to do. At present, I am working in the controller section as per the directions of the board, Tozammel Hossain told
The Independent last week. Asked why his tenure of job has been increased for two terms, he said: The board is satisfied with my job.
Tozameel is one of many employees appointed on contractual basis as per the wish of board chairman Mostafizur Rahman and secretary Nayeb Ali Mondol, the sources said alleging that no rules and regulations regarding skills and competence are taken into consideration during such appointments.
Also, there are financial involvements in such appointments, the sources claimed. Asked why Tofazzel Hossain was appointed on a contractual basis when the ministry rejected a request for contractual appointment of a driver, BTEB chairman Mostafizur Rahman said: I dont know. I dont want to talk about it. The administrative department can explain it.
He also said he does not know about the process of appointment of persons on a contractual basis. BTEB secretary, Nayeb Ali Mondol, said: As per our rule, the chairman can appoint persons to the quality assurance officers post on a contractual basis for six months by dint of his own authority.
Told when the ministry had rejected the boards request for the appointment of a driver for him on a contractual basis, how could the BTEB appoint quality assurance officers on a contractual basis, Mondol said: The chairman has the authority and he knows better about it.
He said he could not remember whether the board had requested the government for the recruitment of a driver for him. But when the ministry rejected the plea, it was informed through separate letters given to him and the chairman.
