The government is embarrassed over the issuance of a notification to cancel the much contentious quota system.
A few leading figures in authority say that the government does not want the system to be revoked.
During the quota reform movement, several people from the government tried to tell opponents to the system that this is actually for their benefit. They also tried to reason with them by saying that if the system is rescinded then another section may lodge a writ against it in the high court.
But no effort from the government convinced the reformers and during a meeting with AL general secretary and roads, transport and bridges minister, Obaidul Quader, on 9 April, a decision was taken to solve the matter within a month.
But no step was taken after the passing of the time, which has enraged the quota protesters.
Requesting anonymity, a reformer said: “the government wanted to take away the impetus of the movement by asking for time.”
Meanwhile, on 11 April, in the face of mass student uprising, the PM verbally cancelled the quota system, saying that those with disabilities will be provided employment under another system.
The PM also said that a decision will be declared following an assessment by a committee led by the cabinet secretary.
On 27 June, the PM supported a parliamentary statement by opposition leader Rowshon Ershad, who said: “quota for freedom fighters cannot be reduced.”
On 2 July, at a press conference, secretary Md. Shafiul Alam said that the committee could not start work as it was still with the policymakers.
On the same day, ministry for public administration issued a notification of a seven-member committee with the cabinet secretary as the head.
The notification said that the committee, after evaluation of the current system, will submit recommendations within 15 working days.
Cabinet secretary, Shafilul Alam, says: “we have not received any direction as yet.”
An official of the ministry of public administration, says: “since the declaration to cancel the quota was made by the PM in parliament, a directive will come from the parliamentary secretariat to the cabinet or the ministry of public administration.”
The order may also come from the PM’s office, the person added.
Former senior secretary of the ministry of public administration, Mozammel Huq Khan told journalists: we shall proceed as per the PM’s instructions.
Led by the cabinet secretary, the seven-member committee formed to provide a recommendation to revoke the quota system features: secretaries of public administration, finance, liberation war affairs, legislative and parliamentary affairs, public service commission, and acting secretary of PM’s office.
An additional secretary of the ministry of public administration will perform secretarial duties of the committee.
Since no specific notice has been declared to annul the quota, students have come back on the streets and blocked several main thoroughfares of the city.
It’s believed the PM is irked on the matter.
A source quoting the PM said: “this is a long process, relevant people are working on it and, it will be reformed in the end.”