No progress in quota reform committee

Quota reform activists are holding a human chain on the premises of Central Shaheed Minar. Photo: Prothom Alo
Quota reform activists are holding a human chain on the premises of Central Shaheed Minar. Photo: Prothom Alo

There was a proposal to form a committee led by the cabinet secretary in connection with removal, preservation and reform in the quota system for government jobs. But no committee has been formed officially so far.

It has not been possible to start work in this connection either. Over a month ago, the public administration ministry sent a proposal to the government about forming a quota reform committee.

Several officials of the public administration ministry said, given the prevailing circumstances, the quota system should not be abolished. If it is abolished, the beneficiaries of the system may file cases. They said, ‘something’ will be done on the issue, but did not specify.

Several officials from the cabinet ministry shared the same view.

Cabinet secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said he had no news about the quota issue.

Currently, 55 per cent of the first and second grade government job positions are filled by preference. The remaining 45 per cent are recruited by merit.

There are various quotas in the third and fourth grade jobs too.

The students and job seekers have been long demanding reforms in the existing quota system.

During the movements, police attacked the agitators in March. On 8 April the law enforcers beat the protesters at Shahbagh and fired teargas at them. This created unrest.

The following day the movement spread across educational institutions in the country.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina then declared abolition of quotas on 11 April.

As no notification was issued regarding reforms, the agitating students called a press conference Saturday at the Central Library compound in Dhaka University. They wanted to declare their stand at the conference. Just before the press programme a group of ruling-party-backed BCL (Bangladesh Chhatra League) leaders attacked the activists of the movement.

A senior official at the public administration ministry told Prothom Alo, “If any committee had been formed, you would certainly know.”