30pc Freedom Fighters’ quota to remain unchanged: Minister

AKM Mozammel Huq
AKM Mozammel Huq

Minister of liberation war affairs AKM Mozammel Haque said there will be no intervention in the 30 per cent quotas in government jobs for freedom fighters.

The minister said this at a press conference on Tuesday morning held by the liberation war affairs ministry at the information and communications department conference room in the secretariat. The conference gave an update on the recent activities and about the reservation of quotas in government jobs for the freedom fighters.

The minister also said that, there is nothing to worry for the freedom fighters, their families and the people who believe in the spirit of the liberation war.

Referring to the High Court verdict, Mozammel Haque said, there remains the opportunity to fulfil the vacant positions with merit list candidates if eligible freedom fighters' candidates are not available. But, it is compulsory to reserve 30 per cent quota for the freedom fighters. There is no option to ignore or evade the order. To do anything other than this would be a violation of the court, he added.

The minister expressed hope that the secretary-level committee formed by the government for quota review would take their decision consciously. Also the copy of the court verdict has been forwarded to the committee, he said.

A High Court bench on 5 March, in answer to a writ petition seeking cancellation of quota, passed an order in favour of upholding the system in government jobs.

On 2 July, the government formed a seven-member secretary-level committee headed by the cabinet secretary in the face of growing protest seeking quota reforms across the country by students and job seekers.

The newly formed committee has already held a meeting. In this backdrop, the liberation war affairs minister called the conference on the quota issue.

The prime minister in parliament declared an abolition of quotas and the quota review committee has started to work on the matter.

Minister Mozammel Haque said, as long as the court order is upheld there is no scope for revising the freedom fighters' quota. If the government wants it must approach the court.

The minister said, 'The committee can give their opinion after reconsidering the rest of the quotas other than this one for freedom fighters. Then the government can act accordingly."

The minister also spoke about the other activities of the liberation war affairs ministry.