Clearance to nab bent govt officials raises concern

Send
Shafiqul Islam
Published : 23:00, Sep 30, 2019 | Updated : 23:04, Sep 30, 2019

File photo of Bangladesh SecretariatThe government employment law-2018 is being implemented with a provision allowing the arrest of service holders in criminal cases. A notice in this regard was issued from the ministry of public administration on Sept 26 last. If all goes well, the law will come into force from Tuesday (Oct 1).
In 2013, when such a law was passed, queries about curtailing of the power of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) were raised. Later, a writ was lodged against the bill by a humanitarian organization.
On Jan 30, 2015, last, the High Court ordered the cancellation of the amendment.
State minister for the ministry of public administration, Forhad Hossain, says: “This law is being implemented to add impetus to administrative work; no one will be spared under the law because the government wants to ensure good governance at all levels.”
Former cabinet secretary, Ali Imam Mazumdar, adds: “Only a few in government service commit crimes and treating everyone by the same yardstick is embarrassing.”
“If a crime is committed then based on the nature of the committed offence, a case will be lodged and law enforcers will take necessary steps. If permission is needed to arrest someone, there will be delays.”
An additional secretary adds: “This law gives protection to government officials but we don’t want this. We want to work honestly; if permission is needed to arrest a government official then using the time needed for the approval, a perpetrator may scarper.”
As a result, some dishonest officials would get a reprieve, he said.
The government law was issued via gazette on Nov 14, 2018, which retained the provision of taking permission from the authority before arresting an official.
The law also says that departmental action can be taken against anyone, facing a criminal case at any court of the country. The 42nd clause of the notice states that if any official is handed a prison sentence for over a year or a death sentence then that his service will be terminated from the date of the verdict.
But there is a provision under which the president of the country can give amnesty to the punished person and reinstate him/her to the previous position.
Clause 32 states that as light punishment an official can be rebuked, have salary and benefits suspended, face demotion or made to pay compensation if any property has been damaged.
There is also the provision for not employing a terminated person to any work of the state.

/tf/ab/
Top