Staff Reporter :
Gazette notification abolishing quota system in public services is being delayed as the Public Administration is waiting for the PM office’s directives.
A ministry official disclosed the information to the New Nation on Wednesday amid increasing confusion across the country about the PM’s assurance given in the Parliament.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in the face of countrywide demonstrations of students and job seekers, announced in the Jatiya Sangsad that the quota system would be totally cancelled.
The protesting students who postponed their agitation following the announcement are now at a loss what to do. They are now wondering whether the quota system has been abolished or not.
The public service recruitment process is, however, going on in full swing.
The Cabinet Division and the Public Administration Ministry are in a dilemma, as many questions remain unanswered.
No committee has been formed yet to decide about quotas for disabled and ethnic minorities.
No one has a clear idea about how the current recruitment process will proceed, creating confusion among the countrymen over the fate of PM’s announcement in the Parliament.
Top government officials said, the quota issue is a complex one as it is hard to please all parties.
“The government has to analyze the issue before taking a final decision,” they argued.
Several student leaders told The New Nation that the government’s main target was to stop the movement.
They accuse the police and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leaders of harassing the common students, who participated in the movement from the halls and on the campus.
The recent harassment of three top student leaders by law enforcers on the campus has increased the protesters’ doubt over the PM’s announcement.
On condition of anonymity, a student leader told the New Nation: “We do not believe that the Prime Minister will backtrack from her announcement, but we are confused what will happen actually, due to the aggressive activities of different law enforcers and BCL leaders.”
Public Administration Ministry officials however, said there is no room for confusion, as the PM herself made the announcement.
However, a gazette is needed to clear the matter. They are waiting for directives from the Prime Minister’s office.
In the meantime, different organisations of Freedom Fighters and their children took to the streets in and outside Dhaka. They have called for a grand rally at Shahbagh in the capital on April 28.
Many women organisations are also demanding the system to be in place however, there is debate over district quotas.
Replying query of reporters, Senior Secretary of Public Administration Ministry Mozammel Haque Khan said that there is no need to be worried over the quota system in public services.
