BAESA rejoinder and our reply

The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Scientists Association (BAESA) has issued a rejoinder to a report published by The Business Standard on 8 May, titled "Why Atomic Energy Commission resists joining govt's digital payment system," calling it misleading, partial and inaccurate.

In a statement signed by BAESA General Secretary Md Golam Rasul raised several issues saying "as a statutory specialised organisation, BAEC (Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission) retains the legal right to manage its own financial system independently of iBAS++, forcing BAEC to use iBAS++ disregards its legal autonomy."

The association explained, "Appointments to revenue posts at BAEC are conducted through government-approved selection committees in accordance with the BAEC Service Rules, 1985. Therefore, the allegation of recruiting 900 officers without government approval is completely baseless, fabricated, and misleading."

It continued, "According to Section 18(2) of the BAEC Service Rules, 1985, the salaries and benefits of BAEC scientists are equivalent to those of public university faculty. As such, BAEC's Chief Scientific Officers and equivalent scientists receive Grade-2 and Grade-1 benefits, just as university professors do. This has been formally approved through Ministry Memo No 39.006.00.00.006.031.2014.58, dated 09/02/2017, and legally validated by High Court Ruling in Writ Petition Nos 3692-3704/2003. Despite the legal and regulatory backing, raising questions about these entitlements is misleading, intentional, and disrespectful to the dignity of scientists."

The BAESA further said, "The claim that BAEC pays 12 bonuses a year from its own revenue is completely false and fabricated. In reality, as per Section 20 of the BAEC Service Rules, the revenue-sharing policy approved by the Ministry of Finance on 25/07/1992, and Section 19(2) of the BAEC Act 2017, the Commission may use up to 40% of its own income as incentives for its scientists, officers, and staff. This incentive structure is legally supported by government orders, existing regulations, and a High Court ruling (Writ Petition No. 6651/2004)."

Refuting the statement of the ministry's senior secretary, the association said, "In a published statement, the ministry's senior secretary wrongly described postdoctoral research as employment. This is highly disappointing. Postdoc research is classified as training in the BAEC Service Rules and as advanced research in the 2023 Policy.

"In a published comment, the senior secretary of the ministry stated that BAEC's main role is research and development. This is a partial interpretation that does not reflect the Commission's full responsibilities. According to Section 10(4) of the BAEC Act, 2017. To implement development projects related to nuclear power plants and electricity generation and to carry out all necessary activities related to electricity generation therefrom. Thus, BAEC's role is not limited to research it includes implementation and operation of nuclear power plants."

Our reply

The Business Standard published the report based on official reply of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission's Acting Chairman Quamrul Huda against explanation called by the science and technology ministry.

The ministry sought five separate explanations over the demand raised by employees' association in a press conference held on 22 April, as reported by TBS.

The science and technology ministry also briefed journalists explaining its stance against the demand raised by commission employees, which was included in our report.