The High Court has issued a rule asking the authorities concerned why the provision of 40% dependent quota of the total vacancies in Bangladesh Railway jobs from 14th grade to 20th grade should not be declared contradictory with the constitution.
Secretaries of the Railway Ministry and the Law Ministry have been asked to respond to the rule.
After the preliminary hearing of the writ filed by a lawyer of the Supreme Court in the public interest, the High Court bench comprising Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice SM Masud Hossain Dolan issued a rule on Sunday.
The petitioner's lawyer Roknuzzaman heard on behalf of the writ in the court.
The writ petition was filed on May 26 with the High Court Divission challenging the legality of the provision in keeping 40% quota for the children appointing public servants in Bangladesh Railway.
A circular was issued on November 22, 2020 regarding “Bangladesh Railway Non-Gazetted Service Recruitment Rules, 2020”.
It is stated in sub-rule 3 of rule 3 of these rules that notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rules (1) and (2), 40% of the total vacant posts of grades 14 to 20 shall be reserved for qualified candidates under children quota.
Regarding the rule, lawyer Md Roknuzzaman told reporters that according to Article 29 of the Constitution, special provisions should be made in favour of any backward section of the citizens so that they can get appropriate representation in the work of the republic. But government employees are not backward citizens. Then why 40% quota would be applicable for their children.
The court asked the respondents to reply to the writ within 10 days.