Juniors get a boost

State ministers, deputy ministers can attend committee meetings in absence of ministers

Henceforth, state ministers and deputy ministers will be able to attend cabinet committee meetings in the absence of ministers. They will be able to represent ministries and divisions. So says a circular issued by the cabinet division yesterday (Thursday) and signed by its additional secretary (committee and economic), Md Mustafizur Rahman. It says: “The government has decided to allow state ministers and deputy ministers to perform their duty in the cabinet committees in the absence of ministers.” Cabinet ministers observed that it would encourage state ministers and deputy ministers to do their work with a sense of responsibility. Cabinet secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam told The Independent that this would help cabinet committees take decisions in the absence of ministers. “No decision will remain pending even if a minister is not present,” he said. A source in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said the circular was issued after getting instructions from the premier. “Some state ministers and deputy ministers had complained to the Prime Minister that they are unable to do anything other than putting their initials on files. To keep them busy and contented, the government has taken the decision,” the source added. State Minister for health and family welfare Zahid Malek said he is doing his job in cooperation with the minister. "We have no problem in working together. We share the work,” he said. There are 58 high-powered bodies headed by the prime minister, senior ministers or senior bureaucrats in different ministries and divisions.

 

Juniors get a boost

State ministers, deputy ministers can attend committee meetings in absence of ministers

Henceforth, state ministers and deputy ministers will be able to attend cabinet committee meetings in the absence of ministers. They will be able to represent ministries and divisions. So says a circular issued by the cabinet division yesterday (Thursday) and signed by its additional secretary (committee and economic), Md Mustafizur Rahman. It says: The government has decided to allow state ministers and deputy ministers to perform their duty in the cabinet committees in the absence of ministers. Cabinet ministers observed that it would encourage state ministers and deputy ministers to do their work with a sense of responsibility. Cabinet secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam told The Independent that this would help cabinet committees take decisions in the absence of ministers. No decision will remain pending even if a minister is not present, he said. A source in the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) said the circular was issued after getting instructions from the premier. Some state ministers and deputy ministers had complained to the Prime Minister that they are unable to do anything other than putting their initials on files. To keep them busy and contented, the government has taken the decision, the source added. State Minister for health and family welfare Zahid Malek said he is doing his job in cooperation with the minister. We have no problem in working together. We share the work, he said. There are 58 high-powered bodies headed by the prime minister, senior ministers or senior bureaucrats in different ministries and divisions.