Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission seems to be reluctant to implement a ministry directive on the entrance of four ex-BRTC officials into the regulator’s office, citing the existing civil service rules.
On August 30, State Minister for Post and Telecommunications Tarana Halim had earlier issued an order to refrain those former BTRC officials, now working for different mobile operators, from entering into telecommunications division and BTRC’s office.
The regulatory body is not paying any heed to the directive as the fourare still being allowed to enter the offices of the telecommunications division and BTRC, defying a ban imposed by the state minister.
The telecom regulatory body, at a recent meeting, has reportedly shown its unwillingness to implement the directive of the ministry on the ground of the constitutional rights of the former colleagues.
Newly appointed BTRC Chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmood presided over his maiden meeting while BTRC Vice-Chairman Ahsan Habib Khan and all other commissioners attended the meeting.
Tarana’s move was made as the executives of different operators were reportedly taking undue benefits for their organisations by lobbying government and BTRC officials.
An official of the regulatory body told the Dhaka Tribune that the BTRC got the office order regarding the restrictions on August 2 this year.
According to meeting sources, “The BTRC officials, who attended the meeting, strongly opposed the restriction imposed on four ex-officials, citing their constitutional rights.”
As per constitution, any persons of the country can move any places of Bangladesh unless there is any special allegations or charges. Relieved those 9-graded officers in no way could influence any decision of BTRC, they argued at meeting.
Besides, there is no such law in Bangladesh service rules (BSR) to prohibit the entrances of the retired civil servants to his or her previous office. If the commission imposes the telecom division’s office order, it might contradict with the constitutional rights.
“Without specific charges, the regulatory body can’t restrict anyone’s entry into BTRC after retirement from the commission,’’ they added.
Those officials are seeking extra benefits for their companies using their personal previous links with their former colleagues, which affects the overall work environment, alleged Tarana Halim while talking to the journalists.
“We are looking for finding out legal ways to refrain the government officials from joining any telecom companies immediately after their retirement,” she pointed out.
