The Public Administration Ministry on Tuesday formed a five-member full-fledged committee to provide recommendations to the government regarding the demands for increasing the service entry and retirement ages.
In a notification issued on Tuesday, the ministry outlined all the terms of reference and the working scope of the committee. The Ministry's Additional Secretary, Obaidur Rahman, signed the notification.
Following protests in front of the Chief Adviser's residence and a clash between the demonstrators and the police, the government announced on Monday the formation of a committee led by Abdul Mueed Chowdhury, a former secretary and adviser to the caretaker government, and the Senior Secretary of the Public Administration Ministry, to advise on increasing the service entry and retirement ages.
According to the notification, Mueed Chowdhury will lead the committee as convener, with the Senior Secretary of the Public Administration Ministry acting as member secretary.
The new members of the committee are former Joint Secretary Kawser Johura, former Additional Secretary Mohammad Iqbal, and Finance Division Additional Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam.
The committee has been given seven working days to submit its report to the government, and the decision will take effect immediately upon submission, according to the notification.
Earlier on Monday, a large number of government jobseekers gathered at the Chief Adviser's official residence, Jamuna, at around 11:00 AM to submit a memorandum demanding an increase in the service entry and retirement ages. They began demonstrating at the site.
As police stated that protests at the Jamuna area are strictly prohibited, they attempted to disperse the protesters. At one point, the situation turned violent, and the police moved to scatter the demonstrators.
The protesters later regrouped, announcing plans to begin a sit-in in front of Jamuna. At around 5:20 PM, a delegation was allowed to enter the Chief Adviser's residence to submit the memorandum, according to witnesses.
Bangladesh Administrative Service Association (BASA) Secretary General Muhammad Mahbubur Rahman recently submitted a petition to the Cabinet Division, demanding the extension of the service entry age to 35 years and the retirement age to 65 years, following the demands of government jobseekers protesting across the country, including in Dhaka.
The Cabinet Division, on 18th September, forwarded the petition to the Public Administration Ministry, requesting it take necessary measures, as this issue falls under the ministry's jurisdiction.
On 30th September, Public Administration Ministry Senior Secretary Dr. Md. Mokhles Ur Rahman stated, "The government has not yet made any decision to extend the service entry age to 35 years or the retirement age to 65 years. A committee has been formed, and the decision will be finalised following the committee's report."
