Adopting Meritocracy in Bangladesh Civil Service (bcs) Cadre Recruitment

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However, the time has come thought about as people from all walks of life including politicians and even freedom fighters are raising their voice in favour of revising this quota. Importantly, the PCS who are the recruiting agency has already sent their opinion to the ministry mentioning the necessity of restructuring existing quota system.

10. Existing debates on quota: The current debates on quota policy can be summarized into three distinct opinions:

First, quota beneficiaries usually favour the existing policy although there are significant exceptions. The exception opinions are: for examples, many freedom fighters believe that they basically fought against the then Pakistani government’s discrimination and inequality policy towards Bangladeshi people. After liberation if freedom fighters and their children reserve posts for civil service it would be a discrimination against the rest of the people. Similarly, some female activists and female candidates believe that the reservation of women quota undermine their merit and self-dignity.

Second, the rationalization of quota in line with the number of population size of the real disadvantaged group is the most popular opinion. In this connection, only indigenous and physically challenged people quota deserved to be preserved with rationalization and all other quotas need to be abolished.

Third, for effective and efficient services, civil bureaucracy must be redressed with the high quality people and accordingly merit is the only criteria needs to be considered in the recruitment.

11. Considering above evidences, analysis and options the following changes in the existing quota policy could be one rational and pragmatic option of policy revision.

Proposed rational option (Merit dominant)

Existing ( quota dominant)

Merit: 86%

Merit: 44%

Quota : 14%

Freedom fighters’ children: 5%

Women: 5%

District: 0%

Tribal (excluding Chakmas) : 3%

Physically challenged: 1%

Quota : 86%

Children of freedom fighters: 5%

Women: 5%

District: 5%

Tribal: 5%

Physically challenged: 1%

12. However, given the issue as a nationally sensitive, this brief does not recommend to approve above proposal straightway, rather it commends to appoint an advisory committee to work on this proposed option with the consultation of all relevant stakeholders.

13. You are recommended to chair the committee where as the Secretary will work as a member secretary. The other members of the committee will be nominated from the respective ministries, former iconic bureaucrats and PCS. The draft terms of reference of the advisory committee are at attachment.

Recommendation

14. That you:

- Approve the proposed (merit based) rationalization of existing quota dependent recruitment policy on which advisory committee will work.

- Approve the proposal of constituting an advisory committee and the draft terms of reference of the committee

- Also note that, a list of suggested members of the advisory committee will be placed before you after your approval of this brief.

Attachment 1: Draft terms of reference of the advisory committee

The advisory committee will:

- Examine the proposed rationalization of the existing recruitment policy

- Take views from all relevant stakeholders with necessary coordination and consultations

- Assess driving and restraining forces of adopting merit based recruitment policy

- Formulate action plans to overcome the possible challenges if any

- Finalize the necessary amendments in existing policy

- Provide final recommendation with implementation strategies.

Bibliography

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Government of Bangladesh (GOB) 1981, Bangladesh Civil Service Recruitment Rules. Ministry of Public Administration.

Islam, M.S. 2013. Quota versus Merit: From Affirmative Action to Meritocracy, Centre for Governance Studies, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Viewed 23 March 2015,

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Public Administration Reform Commission (PARC), 2000. Public Administration for 21st Century: Report of the PARC, Vol.1. Dhaka: PARC.

The Daily Star, 13 July 2013. Review of Quota System: Govt sits on PSC recommendation, The Daily Star newspaper, Bangladesh,

Transparency International Bangladesh, 2007. Bangladesh Public Service Commission: a diagnostic