The government has finally taken a move to address students movement for abolition of quotas in government jobs and public university teachers demand for withdrawal of Prottay Pension Scheme, so that the agitations don turn into anti-government movement.
To determine the steps, concerned ministers and state ministers including ruling Awami Leagues general secretary held a confidential meeting in the AL Presidents Dhanmondi Office in the capital on Monday, according to AL sources.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Law Minister Anisul Huq, Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nawfel, State Minister for Education Shamsun Naher Chapa and State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat attended the meeting.
Among others, AL Office Secretary Biplab Borua also attended the meeting.
Sources said that Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury and MA Arafat were waiting at Biplab
Boruas room. Obaidul Quader joined them after he briefed the media about contemporary issues including political developments.
Later, Anisul Huq and Shamsun Naher Chapa joined them.
Sources said that as the quota issue is subjudice once, Law Minister Anisul Huq has been given responsibility to look in to it, so that the issue can be resolved properly.
The ministers and state ministers discussed about aspects of the movement and the course of actions of the government regarding the quota issues as countrys major opposition BNP, opposition in Parliament Jatiya Party (JP) and some other opposition parties have already extended their support to the movements.
The overall political situation was also reviewed in the meeting.
However, none of them gave any statement in this regards after the meeting.
Sources said, ruling Awami League is for retaining reasonable and logical quotas in government jobs.
They think that quotas could be reserved only for freedom fighters, ethnic minorities and physically challenged persons. But, the matter is now in the court. So, the Law Minister has been given responsibility to oversee and take necessary steps in this regards.
Regarding the meeting, Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury told the media that various issues were discussed in the meeting.
In response to a query whether or not the issue of quota was discussed, he said, "Its a subjudice matter. It is now in the court. We cannot talk about it. We have to wait for the courts decision. The government has already filed an appeal. Our stance is clear that until getting the courts decision, we will not speak on the matter."
Arafat said that it was a routine meeting and various issues were discussed.
