Posted on July 10, 2024 at 11:12
Star Digital Report
In the public sector of Bangladesh, job reservations for specific disadvantaged groups have existed since independence. The most recent quota system, which included provisions for up to 56 per cent of jobs to be allocated to those falling within various quotas, was abolished for first- and second-class jobs in 2018 following a government circular. However, earlier quota systems reserved an even higher percentage of jobs for various groups.
The history of the civil service in this region dates back to the British period. Until the early 20th century, the Imperial Civil Service (ICS), as it was then known, was largely dominated by European officers. After the First World War, following a British parliamentary resolution, a quota for Indian candidates in the ICS was instituted. The aim was to create a mix of 40 per cent European officers, 40 per cent Indian officers and 20 per cent officers who were promoted from the Provincial Civil Service. The British Raj also made provisions for the direct recruitment of Indian minority groups such as Muslims, to increase their representation in the ICS.
Photo: Amran Hossain
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Photo: Amran Hossain
Following the partition in 1947, in the newly formed country of Pakistan, the civil service came to be known as the Civil Service of Pakistan (CSP). Alongside these, there were other central services of the government, apart from the provincial services. Soon after partition in 1947, quota provisions for recruitment into the civil service in Pakistan were made by an executive order. By the constitution of 1956, these provisions were consolidated.
One of the earliest quota provisions that can be found in the Pakistan period was the one regarding the Central Superior Services (CSS), which included recruitment for important posts in excise and customs, railways, and foreign service, among others. Under it, only 20 per cent of the recruitment quota was earmarked for merit posts. The remaining 80 per cent was reserved for people from the various provinces of Pakistan. Being the largest and most populous province, East Pakistan was allotted a quota of 40 per cent.
After 1971, the quota system was retained and modified to reflect the needs of the newly independent Bangladesh. In 1972, through an order issued by the Ministry of Cabinet Services, the quota system was introduced for the new Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS), according to a 2008 Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPC) study titled “Quota System for Recruitment in Public Service in Bangladesh: An Explanatory Analysis”.
Photo: Rashed Shumon
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Photo: Rashed Shumon
In this initial quota system, 30 percent of the jobs were reserved for freedom fighters, 10 percent for women affected by the Liberation War and 40 percent for residents of the various districts. This left 20 percent merit-based allocation for recruitment into government jobs.
In 1976, the district allocation was reduced to 20 percent and 40 percent of the jobs were reserved for those who qualified on merit.
However, until 1985, the quota for war-affected women remained virtually unclaimed. Then an amendment was made to reserve 10 per cent of jobs for all women, while the 30 per cent quota for freedom fighters remained unchanged, while the district-based quota was reduced to 10 per cent. A new 5 per cent quota was introduced for members of indigenous communities. This left 45 per cent of government jobs reserved for those who qualified on merit.
In 1997, when the number of people applying for freedom fighter spots began to decline, the government expanded the quota to include children of freedom fighters. In 2010, it was further expanded to include grandchildren of freedom fighters.
In 2012, BPSC added a one per cent quota for persons with disabilities, raising the total percentage of jobs reserved for quota to 56 per cent, compared to 44 per cent reserved for merit.
In 2018, following nationwide protests against this quota system, a government circular cancelled the quota system for first and second class jobs. However, on June 5, 2024, the High Court ruled on a writ petition filed by the descendant of a freedom fighter and six others. The High Court said that the 2018 circular was illegal, meaning that quotas were reinstated in government recruitment once again. The government has appealed this decision.
Students have once again taken part in large-scale protests demanding reform of the quota system. Widespread lockdowns across the country have created hardships for ordinary people. The appeal hearing on the Supreme Court ruling will be held on Wednesday, July 10.
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