Quota abolished officially

Groups demonstrate in capital for reinstatement of quota in govt jobs

A day after the Cabinet approved the report of the high-power committee, the public administration ministry yesterday (Thursday) published a gazette notification, abolishing the quota system in Class-I and II government jobs. “The government has amended the existing quota system for direct recruitment in all government, semi-government/autonomous bodies and different corporations for Class-I (Grade-9) and Class-II (Grades 10–13) posts on the basis of merit by abolishing the existing quota system for the posts,” the notification said. “The gazette notification will be implemented with immediate effect,” the notification added. The Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sontan Command and the Bangladesh Adibashi Quota Songrokhon Porishod rejected the gazette notification and started agitating in different parts of the country, including the capital’s Shahabagh area, demanding restoration of the quota system for children and grandchildren of freedom fighters and ethnic minority groups.

When contacted, Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) chairman Dr Muhammed Sadique said the recruitment of 1,903 Class-l cadre officials under the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) exams of the 40th batch would be on the basis of merit. “But over 5,000 doctors (health cadre) under special BCS of the 39th batch would be recruited on the basis of the quota system, as the PSC published the advertisement before the decision of abolishing the quota system,” he added.

The Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sontan Command and the Bangladesh Adibashi Quota Songrokhon Porishod have warned of a tougher movement against the gazette notification abolishing the quota system for Class-2 govement jobs. Muktijodhngsad Santan Command, an organisation of the children of freedom fighters, are carrying out a movement from Wednesday night to protest against the abolition of quota. It has staged a sit-in programme at the Shahbagh intersection, demanding retention of 30 per cent quota privileges in government jobs for freedom fighters.

Members of this organisation are still on that spot. They have put barricades at the roads leading to the intersection. They have vowed to continue their protest until their demand met. l Mamun, general secretary of Muktijoddha Sangsad Santan Command, said: “We’re refusing the gazette notification abolishing the existing quota system. We’ve never thought that this kind of gazette could be published. We think that this is a conspiracy of the opposition power against the consciousness of 1971.”

“Some bureaucrats are against the Liberation War. They are responsible for this gazette notification. We’ll not go back to our homes until this notification isn’t removed. We’ll launch a tougher movement across the country,” he also said.

“We’re at the Shahabag intersection from last night. But no higher authorities have communicated with us. This is really frustrating,” he added.

Al Mamun said they will organise a big rally at Shahabag at 3pm on Saturday.

Former Muktijoddha Sangsad Santan Command president Mehedi Hasan said: “We’re talking with senior lawyers about the matter. We’ll file a writ petition where freedom fighters and their children will be the writ petitioner.”

The Bangladesh Adibashi Quota Songrokhon Porishod also registered its protest againsy the gazette notification by the government. It has staged a protest processionont the Dhaka University campus and then brought out a rally in front of National Museum.

Bangladesh Adibashi Quota Songrokhon Porishod coordinator William Nokrekh said: “This is clearly a conspiracy against us. The PM said at the press briefing that anyone needing quota can protest against the decision. Such comments are rather provocative.”

He also said they will brought out more tougher protest across the country against the abolition of quota.

However, Quota reformists joint convener Nurul Hoque Nur said: “ We’ve heard about the gazette notification. We’ll check it and then announce our official reaction.”

Earlier, 56 per cent of government jobs were reserved under the quota system. Of these, 30 per cent were allocated for children and grandchildren of Liberation War fighters, 10 per cent for women, 10 per cent for backward districts, 5 per cent for ethnic minority groups and 1 per cent for the disabled.

On April 11, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina first announced in Parliament that the quota system would be abolished following a student movement to reform the quota system.

Quota abolished officially

Groups demonstrate in capital for reinstatement of quota in govt jobs

A day after the Cabinet approved the report of the high-power committee, the public administration ministry yesterday (Thursday) published a gazette notification, abolishing the quota system in Class-I and II government jobs. The government has amended the existing quota system for direct recruitment in all government, semi-government/autonomous bodies and different corporations for Class-I (Grade-9) and Class-II (Grades 1013) posts on the basis of merit by abolishing the existing quota system for the posts, the notification said. The gazette notification will be implemented with immediate effect, the notification added. The Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sontan Command and the Bangladesh Adibashi Quota Songrokhon Porishod rejected the gazette notification and started agitating in different parts of the country, including the capitals Shahabagh area, demanding restoration of the quota system for children and grandchildren of freedom fighters and ethnic minority groups. When contacted, Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) chairman Dr Muhammed Sadique said the recruitment of 1,903 Class-l cadre officials under the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) exams of the 40th batch would be on the basis of merit. But over 5,000 doctors (health cadre) under special BCS of the 39th batch would be recruited on the basis of the quota system, as the PSC published the advertisement before the decision of abolishing the quota system, he added. The Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sontan Command and the Bangladesh Adibashi Quota Songrokhon Porishod have warned of a tougher movement against the gazette notification abolishing the quota system for Class-2 govement jobs. Muktijodhngsad Santan Command, an organisation of the children of freedom fighters, are carrying out a movement from Wednesday night to protest against the abolition of quota. It has staged a sit-in programme at the Shahbagh intersection, demanding retention of 30 per cent quota privileges in government jobs for freedom fighters. Members of this organisation are still on that spot. They have put barricades at the roads leading to the intersection. They have vowed to continue their protest until their demand met. l Mamun, general secretary of Muktijoddha Sangsad Santan Command, said: Were refusing the gazette notification abolishing the existing quota system. Weve never thought that this kind of gazette could be published. We think that this is a conspiracy of the opposition power against the consciousness of 1971. Some bureaucrats are against the Liberation War. They are responsible for this gazette notification. Well not go back to our homes until this notification isnt removed. Well launch a tougher movement across the country, he also said. Were at the Shahabag intersection from last night. But no higher authorities have communicated with us. This is really frustrating, he added. Al Mamun said they will organise a big rally at Shahabag at 3pm on Saturday. Former Muktijoddha Sangsad Santan Command president Mehedi Hasan said: Were talking with senior lawyers about the matter. Well file a writ petition where freedom fighters and their children will be the writ petitioner. The Bangladesh Adibashi Quota Songrokhon Porishod also registered its protest againsy the gazette notification by the government. It has staged a protest processionont the Dhaka University campus and then brought out a rally in front of National Museum. Bangladesh Adibashi Quota Songrokhon Porishod coordinator William Nokrekh said: This is clearly a conspiracy against us. The PM said at the press briefing that anyone needing quota can protest against the decision. Such comments are rather provocative. He also said they will brought out more tougher protest across the country against the abolition of quota. However, Quota reformists joint convener Nurul Hoque Nur said: Weve heard about the gazette notification. Well check it and then announce our official reaction. Earlier, 56 per cent of government jobs were reserved under the quota system. Of these, 30 per cent were allocated for children and grandchildren of Liberation War fighters, 10 per cent for women, 10 per cent for backward districts, 5 per cent for ethnic minority groups and 1 per cent for the disabled. On April 11, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina first announced in Parliament that the quota system would be abolished following a student movement to reform the quota system.