‘We demanded quota system reformation, not abolishment’

Quota reformists today said that their movement was for logical reformation in the civil service quota system, not for total abolishment.

So, the government has to take all the responsibilities if any untoward incident occurs following the scrapping of the quota system, said leaders of Bangladesh Sadharon Chhatra Odhikar Songrokkhon Parishad, the platform that led the movement for reformation in civil service quota system.

They were addressing a press conference in front of the Central Library premises at Dhaka University campus.

Faruk Hasan, a joint convener of the platform, said, “We have accepted every decision of the government positively. However, we think that all classes of people are not happy with the government move to scrap all quotas in for class-I and class-II jobs.”

“We urged the government to bring reformation in the quota system in line with our five-point demand,” Faruk said.

They also demanded immediate withdrawal of all cases against the leaders and activists of the movement.

Nurul Huq Nur, another joint convener of the platform, said, “We wanted reformation in the quota system in all class of government services, but the circular has abolished quotas only in class-I and class-II jobs. We think there should be a logical provision of quota system for the indigenous people, women and some underprivileged freedom fighters.”

In the circular, it was mentioned that the quota system can be reinstated if necessary, Nur said adding that it was “nothing but a farce”.

On October 4, the government issued a circular abolishing the quota system for class-I and class-II jobs in the civil service.

According to the circular, recruitments to grade-9 (class-I) and grade-10 to 13 (class-II) at all government departments, autonomous, and semi-autonomous institutions, would be based solely on merit.

Until then, about 56 percent of government jobs had been reserved for candidates from various quotas. Of this, 30 percent were for freedom fighters' children and grandchildren, 10 percent for women, 10 percent for people of underdeveloped districts, five percent for members of indigenous communities.

Meanwhile, protesters demanding reinstatement of the 30 percent quota for freedom fighters' children and grandchildren in class-I and class-II government jobs yesterday called an indefinite countrywide blockade.