"It has to be ensured that our public administration can face the challenges of 21st century with skill," he said this after receiving the PSC's annual report for the year 2006.

PSC Chairman Prof Dr ZN Tahmida Begum submitted the annual report to the President at Bangabhaban. The President thanked the PSC chairman and members for submitting the report in time.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Tahmida requested the President to give necessary directive to raise the minimum pass marks by PSC for the BCS examinations and to reduce the rate of quota reservation.

She informed the President that at present, the number of applicants has increased substantially than in the past. "As a result, the duties and responsibilities of the members of the Commission have increased, but facilities relating to physical infrastructure have not been raised," she said.

PSC members Prof M Mahfuzur Rahman, M Abdur Rouf, Latifur Rahman, Prof Dr M Ashraful Islam Chowdhury, Col. (Hon) Prof Dr Mahmudur Rahman, Muhammad Ashraf, Prof Dr KAM Shahadat Hossain Mondal, M Anwarul Haq and Prof Dr M Fazlul Haq were present on the occasion.

Military Secretary to the President Maj Gen M Aminul Karim, Secretary to the President's Office M Sirajul Islam and PSC Secretary M Abdus Sattar were also present.