Anisur Rahman Khan :
At least 18 officials of the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC) are holding the top posts of the state-owned corporation by violating Recruitment Rules, 1985, and recommendations of the then Establishment Ministry now Public Administration Ministry.
This issue has created much anger among its more than 500 regular officials who are much qualified and experienced than them.
According to the BSFIC officials and Industries Ministry, more than 500 officials from various levels working under the corporations have been deprived of getting their promotions in due time because of the direct appointment of the 18 officials to the posts of manager (finance), a grade-5 (equivalent to deputy secretary) by violating the service rules and opinion of the Establishment Ministry.
They claimed that the officials were appointed in the manager’s post directly in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2010 by showing their certificates from Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB) as additional qualification.
In 2005, two persons were recruited while four persons in 2007, two more in 2008 and 10 persons in 2010. Of them, three persons have already left their jobs.
According to the aggrieved officials, though the ICMAB certificates were shown as post-graduate degree, the University Grants Commission (UGC) hasn’t yet recognized the certificates as post graduate as per equivalent measurement.
According to the Service Rules, 1985 of BSFIC, there is no scope of recruiting an official directly in the rank of a manager, which is a grade-5 post and equivalent to the status of a deputy secretary without 13 years working experiences.
When this direct appointment issue to the post of manager came to fore in 2005, the BSFIC and the Industries Ministry have sought the opinion of the-then Establishment Ministry. The Establishment Ministry opined that there is no scope of recruiting an official directly to a grade-5 post. Instead, the ministry recommended the concerned authority to fill up the posts of managers promoting the experienced officers.
Violating the Service Rules and Establishment Ministry recommendations, the 18 officers were given appointment during the period of its former acting chairman Md. Delwar Hossain, who was an influential member of ICMAB during that time, went on retirement in 2020 after their appointments.
In a written complaint submitted to the Secretary to the Industries Ministry on June 20, this year, an aggrieved officer Nazmul Huda said, of the remaining 15 officers, seven persons were already promoted to the rank of general manager (grade-3, equivalent to the status of joint secretary) post. The authority has already started procedures to promote the rest eight officers to general managers (grade-3) post.
In the complaint, he sought proper justice from the authority conducting a neutral investigation.
Following his compliant, the Industries Secretary has recently sent a letter to the BSFIC Chairman to submit a report after investigation on the matter by forming a probe committee. The BSFIC Chairman has formed a two-member committee led by its Director (Finance), who is also an interested person as the supervising authority of the 18 officials.
When contacted, BSFIC Chairman Arifur Rahman Apu, also an additional secretary to the administration, said that the BSFIC’s Director (Finance) Khondker Azim Ahmed was given the responsibility as an admin cadre officer. “Hope, he will submit a neutral report considering the interests of all parties.”
Regarding appointment of an officer directly to the post of deputy secretary, he said, “I think there’s no scope of such recruitment in the service rules. Otherwise, no one can approve such appointment. So far I know they were appointed as specialized officer for cost management. However, their performance is also like the traditional officers.”
“The probe body investigated all issues and submitted a report following the requirement of the ministry. If necessary, the service rules of the corporation will be amended,” he added.
According to the aggrieved officials, the head of the probe body has been working to probe the matter consulting with the beneficiary officials. At the same time, he had several tours with the officials even after getting the responsibility of probing the matter. “The probe cannot be a neutral one with the body,” sources said.
It is also alleged that the head of the probe body has recommended sending a female official, who is in the list of beneficiary, for training in India.
When contacted, BSFIC Director (Finance) Khondker Azim Ahmed, also a joint secretary, said that the committee is working on the matter. They will submit the report to the authority soon.
Regarding the allegations, he said, “I haven’t taken the charge of probe body willingly. If the authority wishes, it may change the committee.”
