Committee formed to review quota system in govt job recruitment
The committee has been tasked to submit its report within 30 working days
The government has formed a committee to review and provide recommendations on the implementation of the existing quota system in government job recruitment, following the complexities that arose after the fall of the Hasina government.
The Ministry of Public Administration today (25 March) issued a notification announcing the formation of the 11-member committee, chaired by the Additional Secretary of the Rules Division.
The committee has been tasked with submitting its report to the government within 30 working days.
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The committee comprises one Joint Secretary-level official from each of the following institutions: The Chief Adviser's office, the Cabinet Division, the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Finance Division, the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, the Health Services Division, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, and the Public Service Commission.
Additionally, the Deputy Secretary of the Rules-1 Section within the Ministry of Public Administration has been appointed as the Member Secretary.
The committee is responsible for reviewing the implementation of quotas in government job recruitment, which includes a 5% quota for the children of freedom fighters, martyred freedom fighters, and Biranganas; a 1% quota for small ethnic communities; and a 1% quota for persons with disabilities and individuals of the third gender.
Furthermore, the government has empowered the committee to co-opt additional members if necessary.
In July last year, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement initiated a protest demanding reforms in the quota system for government jobs.
Amid widespread protests, the previous government issued a notification on 23 July last year, introducing a new recruitment policy. Under this policy, 93% of government job placements would be based on merit, while 7% would be reserved for quotas.
Despite the government's initiative of quota reforms, the protest led by students soon transformed into a broader, single-point campaign calling for the government's resignation.
This wave of protests ultimately led to the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August.
An official from the Ministry of Public Administration stated that the fall of the Hasina government created certain complexities surrounding the implementation of quotas, which necessitated the formation of this committee.
As a result, a committee has been established, comprising government officials, to provide a clear stance on the application of quotas.
