Chief of the Public Administration Reform Commission, Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, has warned that future revolutions could be more catastrophic as police power belongs to the state to suppress the criminals.
He said: “People are not the same as before. If something happens, people will not remain silent; they will protest—something that did not happen in the past.”
He stressed that measures need to be in place to prevent people from taking the law into their own hands.
He made these comments after a meeting with officials and dignitaries from the Rajshahi division and district at the Public Administration Reform Commission on Tuesday.
He further said: "Cadre discrimination is not our issue, but we cannot close our eyes to it. We will discuss this matter. We can give some suggestions to the government. The power is not mine; the power belongs to the state. It has been observed in the past that officers loyal to the ruling party received promotions and benefits, while those considered opposed to the government were denied opportunities."
He highlighted this issue to address discrimination and bring justice to the public administration.
Abdul said: "I have worked under various governments, both under the Awami League and the BNP. I have never compromised on anything, and I have had no problems. I became a secretary. Even those with an MBBS or engineering degree can enter the BCS. No one has been prohibited from that. Many are joining the BCS administration."
During the meeting, senior secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration and commission member Dr Mokhlesur Rahman, commission members Dr Syeda Shahina Sobhan, Mehedi Hasan, Rajshahi divisional commissioner Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir, and district commissioner Afia Akhtar were also present.
Earlier in the morning, another exchange of views took place at the Rajshahi district commissioner’s conference room.
In his address, Abdul Muyeed said: "We want to present a report based on reality. We are here to listen to what the people want. Our goal is to present a comprehensive picture to the government and figure out how to improve service delivery from the current administration."
He also said: "In the past regime, the process of verifying job applicants' political affiliations through the police and NSI was meaningless. There is no need for so much verification. What matters is the candidate's qualities as a person. The main issue is whether a government employee is performing his duties properly."
He expressed hope that with everyone’s collective effort, a visible change would occur in the country within one to two years.
Commission member and student coordinator Mehedi Hasan said: "Equality, justice, and humanity were the commitments of our liberation war. The student movement arose because the people did not receive these from the previous government."
He called for the adoption of a new vision for change in August and urged a change of mentality for employees appointed in public administration.
