Atomic Energy scientists, staff to protest ministry's 'unlawful intervention'
BAESA General Secretary Dr Md Golam Rasul said, “For the next two days, we will observe sit-in demonstrations till 12pm in front of all institutions under the commission across the country”
Highlights:
- The protest centres on ministry's actions regarding the Rooppur nuke plant
- They say BAEC's authority in power purchase agreements has been bypassed
- For the next two days, sit-ins will be held till 12pm in front of all institutions under the Commission
Scientists, officers, and employees under the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) will stage sit-ins in front of all BAEC offices across the country, protesting what they allege as unlawful intervention and authoritarian behaviour by the Ministry of Science and Technology, centring the Rooppur power plant, among other grievances.
The announcement came at a press conference organised by several BAEC platforms at its headquarters in the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar today (22 April).
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Addressing the briefing, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Scientists' Association (BAESA) President ASM Saifullah alleged that ministry officials are "violating the rights and lawful benefits of scientists and employees by abusing their authority."
Speaking to TBS after the briefing, BAESA General Secretary Md Golam Rasul said, "For the next two days, we will observe sit-in demonstrations till 12pm in front of all institutions under the Commission across the country."
In a statement, Saifullah highlighted the issue of jurisdiction over the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, saying, "The BAEC signed a deal with Russia's JSC Atomstroyexport in 2015 to build two 1,200-megawatt units of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. According to Section 4(2) of the Nuclear Power Plant Act 2015, the Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL) is the operating organisation, while Section 4(3) designates the BAEC as the owner organisation.
"Despite the BAEC being the legal owner, the ministry is now trying to bypass the commission in the power purchase agreement with the PDB by involving the newly-formed company NPCBL directly. This is a clear attempt to undermine the BAEC's authority."
The BAESA president further said, "Young scientists are being discouraged from pursuing higher education, facing obstructions in promotions, and are being deprived of financial benefits. These issues are pushing many away from the commission, some have already left the profession. As a result, the future of nuclear science in the country is now under threat."
He said that salaries and allowances have not been paid for two months to around 600 scientists and 2,500 officers and staff of the Atomic Energy Commission.
Saifullah said although the Commission is supposed to be formed with a chairman experienced in science and technology along with four members, the top positions have remained vacant for a long time. "As a result, the overall functioning of the Commission has come to a standstill."
Highlighting that obstacles are being placed in the higher education and training of the scientists at the Commission, the BAESA president said that in 2011, the then government revoked the Commission's authority to issue government orders and vested that power in the Ministry of Science and Technology. Since then, scientists have been deprived in various ways when it comes to pursuing higher education and training, he added.
