Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that she does not understand the logic behind the movement demanding reformation of the existing quota system in government job
"What is the reason behind this sudden movement against the quota system? We do not understand," she said on Tuesday, reports UNB.
She said those who appear in the Bangladesh Public Service Commission's (BPSC) examinations have to go through serious scrutiny before getting any job.
"Are those who appear in the exams not meritorious? All are brilliant here. The BPSC exams are very tough, and without being brilliant nobody can pass these exams," she said.
The prime minister was speaking at the inaugural function of electronic distribution of honorary allowances among freedom fighters to their bank accounts (government to person) in Cox's Bazar through videoconference from her official residence, Ganabhaban, in Dhaka.
"Only the talented ones can pass the BPSC exams, and then get the government jobs,” she said.
Hasina said the government had also introduced the non-cadre jobs, adding: "How much talented are they (quota reformists) to utter that those who are getting jobs through BPSC exams are not brilliant? How dare they talk such nonsense?"
Also Read- PM: Freedom fighters’ quota reform not possible
She said she could understand the quota reform movement, but she was unable to understand the logic behind ransacking the Dhaka University (DU) vice-chancellor’s (VC) residence after midnight.
"We, as DU students, cannot believe the university's students can enter the VC's house in such manner... We cannot believe that any student can do that. I feel ashamed even thinking about this, and if those involved in the attack were really DU students, then it's more embarrassing for us."
She said the quota reform movement was indirectly against the facilities enjoyed by 1971 freedom fighters and their family members in getting government jobs.
She said the Awami League government had ensured the quota for the freedom fighters and their family members so that they could take part in running the republic.
"When an anarchic situation erupted in the name of the quota reform movement, I declared to remove the quota system. But we have to be careful so that the anti-liberation element and war criminals cannot return to power and get government jobs," the prime minister said.
Also Read- PM says no more quotas in government jobs
She said there was a petition in the High Court about freedom fighters quota and as per its verdict the unfilled posts should remain vacant.
"But the government moved the Appellate Division seeking a review. The Appellate Division said the vacant posts can be filled with people from the merit list."
Hasina said the government could not fully scrap the quota system due to the verdict. But it formed a committee to further examine the system and make recommendations.
Electronic distribution of allowances
Some 342 freedom fighters of Cox's Bazar will get the allowances directly through electronic system.
Later at the function, the prime minister also talked to the beneficiaries through videoconference.
She asked the local administration, public representatives and people to look after the Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar.
Hasina also directed them to make sure the local people must not suffer due to the influx of the refugees who fled brutal perscution in Myanmar.
Liberation War Affairs AKM Mozammel Huq delivered the welcome speech at the program. The chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Liberation War Ministry, Captain (retd) AB Tajul Islam, was also present, among others.
