2024-07-13 11:06:11
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that the quota law will proceed at its own pace, saying that the demands and statements of the anti-quota activists are against the constitution and the principles of state governance.
He said this at a press conference at the Awami League president’s political office in Dhanmondi in the capital on Saturday (July 13).
Obaidul Quader said, ‘There is a need for quota in the current context of the country. A cabal is trying to take advantage of the anti-quota movement.’
He said, ‘Because of the lack of quota in the last few years, the participation of women is disappointing. Marginal communities have also fallen behind.
He also said, ‘Article 19 of the Constitution regarding state management states that the state will ensure the facilities of all citizens. It is further stated that the State shall take effective measures to ensure equitable distribution among citizens and to ensure equal opportunities for economic development throughout the Republic in order to prevent socio-economic inequality among people.
Obaidul Quader said, “It is said in the constitution that the participation of women in all aspects of national life should be ensured. But the inclusion of women in government jobs has depressingly declined in the last few years.’
‘Due to no quota, only four women officers got a chance in the police, only two got a chance in the foreign service. In 50 districts women were not allowed to join the cadre service. In 23 districts not a single person got a police job. The purpose of the mentioned provisions of the constitution is that all sectors including government jobs should get equal opportunities in the administration of the state. That is why arrangements have been made.’
Obaidul Quader said, ‘Recruitment in merit list in BCS exam is about 70 percent. In the three BCSs 33, 34, 35, 72 percent of candidates were recruited on the basis of merit, while 28 percent were recruited on the basis of quota. The vacant posts are taken from the merit list. If candidates are not available in the quota, there is no justification for the movement where it is being filled from the merit list.’
‘Bangladesh has the lowest number of quota-based recruitments in South Asia. At present quota is 60 percent in India, 92.5 percent in Pakistan, 45 percent in Nepal, 50 percent in Sri Lanka. These statistics show that there is a need for quota in our socio-economic reality.
Obaidul Quader claimed that the anti-quota has come down to evil forces and said, ‘Existing inclusion, it is logical. A cabal, capitalizing on young students, is conspiring to destabilize the state. We have information that when the anti-quota movement took place in 2018, these politically defeated evil forces relied on quota and conspired to politicize the movement on the streets. Then our Dhanmondi party office was also attacked by this evil force. That group tried to make the state system completely ineffective and prepare the ground for creating a hostile attitude among the students towards their historical heritage.’
He said, ‘We believe in the power of youth. We believe that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will build a developed and prosperous Bangladesh by giving everyone equal opportunities to build a smart Bangladesh from Digital Bangladesh.
Before the press conference, the Minister of Road Transport and Bridges held a meeting with the representatives of university teachers agitating for pension. Bangladesh University Teachers Association Federation President Aktarul Islam and General Secretary Professor Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan led by 13 teacher representatives participated in the discussion.
At that time, about 2 million people in 15 districts of the country were affected by floods, said the bridge minister, adding that the people’s representatives and activists of Awami League are cooperating with the government as well as these people.
Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Organizing Secretary BM Mozammel Haque, Mirza Azam, Afzal Hossain, Sujit Roy Nandi, Office Secretary Biplab Barua, State Minister for Education Shamsunnahar Chapa, Prime Minister’s Advisor on Education and Culture Kabi Kamal Abdul Central Awami League leaders including Nasser Chowdhury were present at the press conference.