Public Administration Minister Farhad Hossain announced on Tuesday that the decision regarding the recruitment of government officials under Grade 13 to 20 (Class-III and IV) through the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) will be finalized within three months after reviewing the recommendations of the committee formed by the ministry.
Speaking at a dialogue organized by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) in the Media Center at the Bangladesh Secretariat, Farhad Hossain stated, "A committee led by an additional secretary of the ministry submitted a report on January 11 recommending the recruitment of government officials under grade 13 to 20 through BPSC. A scrutiny is underway in this regard. Recommendations from some stakeholders will also be taken into account before finalization."
BSRF President Fasih Uddin Mahtab presided over the dialogue, while its general secretary Masudul Haque administered.
"We will take a final decision over it as there was some complexity in it as well as some technical problems.
Once the stakeholders give their opinion and recommendations, it will be finalized," Farhad Hossain added.
Regarding the purchase of 261 vehicles for the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs), the minister explained, "Of these, 61 will be allocated for DCs while the rest for UNOs. The DCs and UNOs have been facing problems working properly as they have been using vehicles bought before 17 years ago, which are not functioning properly and they need new vehicles."
"We will need Tk 1,45,70,000 for each of the vehicles to purchase, but the actual price is only Tk 35,38,720.
The government has to provide a tax of Tk 1,10,31,280 per vehicle. NBR and the Finance Ministry got the money. The tax money will remain in the governments treasury," he further added.
Farhad Hossain also mentioned that the DCs and UNOs have been using similar vehicles bought in 2007, and due to the dollar price hike and inflation, the price of the vehicles increased slightly.
Regarding the punishment of government officials for their misdeeds, the minister informed that some 121 government officials have been punished in the past ten years. From 2019 to 2024, investigations were conducted against 178 government officials under Grade-1 to Grade-9, and divisional cases were filed against them.
Among the 178 government officials, the highest punitive action was taken against 22 people, light punishment against 69, and 77 were relieved from the charges.
From 2014 to 2014, allegations have been brought against 351 government officials from grade-1 to grade-9 over the past ten years. Of them, 41 received severe punishment, 140 received light punishment, while 170 were discharged.
Regarding promotion and left-out (promotion deprive) issues, Farhad Hossain assured that the government promotes officials following the recommendations of the Superior Selection Board (SSB) led by the Cabinet Secretary, considering merit, efficiency, qualification, and performance, without any political consideration.
He further assured that necessary steps will be taken for promotion if there is any example acknowledged.
