Amid a cabinet secretary-led panel reviewing the existing quotas in civil service, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina says there’s no scope to abolish posts reserved for Freedom Fighters’ children and grandchildren.
Addressing the parliament on Thursday, she referred to a previous High Court verdict for her argument.
“The High Court has ruled in favour of quotas for Freedom Fighters. How can we violate it? We will face contempt of court charges. No one can do it,” said the Leader of the House.
The existing system allows coming applicants from the merit list, if eligible candidates are not found under the Freedom Fighters’ quota, she said.
On arrests of quota reformists’ leaders, Hasina said those involved in vandalising the vice-chancellor’s residence are being detained.
“Violence will not be tolerated. The attackers damaged the CCTV cameras inside the residence, but suspects are being identified from footages collected from security cameras in the area. The perpetrators will not be spared,” said the ruling Awami League’s chief.
Currently, 56 percent of government jobs are reserved under the quota system. The system allocates 30 percent for the children of freedom fighters, 10 percent for women, 10 percent for economically backward districts, 5 percent for minority ethnic groups and 1 percent for the disabled.
Students and job seekers have been long demanding reforms to the quotas.
On Apr 11, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced in parliament that the system would be abolished altogether.
On Jul 2, a committee was formed to review the quota system after fresh protests were launched for a gazette notification clarifying the abolishment of quotas.
“We have formed a committee led by the cabinet secretary. They (protesters) have seen it. Then what’s their problem?” Hasina said.
The demonstrators are not clear about their demand, observed the prime minister. “They have been repeatedly asked, but could not spell it out clearly.”