Govt steps in as protests over recruitment spread

The recruitment of field-level data collectors and supervisors for the much-discussed Family Card programme has come under growing scrutiny, prompting the Social Welfare Ministry to suspend or cancel results in some areas and order re-verification amid allegations of irregularities and protests across the country.
State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin on Thursday acknowledged shortcomings in parts of the recruitment process, saying some applicants were not properly tested and allegations had emerged of irregularities in the examinations.
“In some cases, the applicants were not properly tested or there were allegations of irregularities in the testing process. In some places, there have been allegations that people associated with the Awami League were more tested. The matter is very sad,” she said.
“Because of this, the results need to be suspended or cancelled in some places or the matter needs to be re-verified,” she added.

The controversy intensified after initial recruitment lists were published in several upazilas

The intervention came after The Daily Observer published a report on August 12 titled “Family Card Census: Allegations of corruption, nepotism galore”. The newspaper has since received further allegations from different parts of the country, indicating that the controversy has spread beyond individual recruitment centres.
Even before the Family Card programme formally begins, allegations of political influence, nepotism and manipulation in the selection process have triggered protests and administrative intervention in several areas.
The controversy intensified after initial recruitment lists were published in several upazilas. Protesters alleged political considerations and exclusion of qualified candidates. Demonstrations included rallies, human chains and broom and shoe processions, while several UNO offices and government establishments were locked or vandalised. Administrations in a number of upazilas subsequently postponed the results.
In Bagatipara, Natore, protesters accused authorities of political bias. The UNO office was reportedly vandalised and a journalist assaulted. In Lalpur, two journalists were allegedly assaulted during a sit-in outside the UNO office. Protesters demanded cancellation and re-verification of the results.
In Gangni, Meherpur, the upazila Jamaat-e-Islami unit submitted a memorandum to the UNO, alleging partisan influence in the recruitment list and warning that genuinely qualified and disadvantaged candidates could be deprived of employment.
In Patgram, Lalmonirhat, initial results announced on August 6 triggered allegations from job seekers and local BNP leaders and activists. At one point, UNO Tanvir Hossain was reportedly confined to his office. The administration postponed the results the following day, citing “unavoidable reasons”.
Similar complaints were reported in Paikgachha, Khulna; Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar; Chitalmari, Bagerhat; Raiganj, Sirajganj; and Bagha and Tanor in Rajshahi.
In Nachole, Chapainawabganj, BNP and Chhatra Dal leaders and activists locked the UNO office and several government offices, alleging irregularities and nepotism. In Jhikargachha, Jashore, an application was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner seeking an investigation.