Three Deputy Secretaries Made OSD Over Freedom Fighter Quota Fraud Allegations

The Ministry of Public Administration has made three deputy secretaries Officers on Special Duty (OSD) over allegations of fraud in appointments under the freedom fighter quota. The decision was effected through three separate notifications on the night of October 28. In the case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), allegations of irregularities in their appointments have been brought against them.

The officers made OSD are — Mohammad Tofazzal Hossain, Zonal Settlement Officer of the Jamalpur Zone; Rakibur Rahman Khan, Director of the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA); and Nahida Barik, Secretary of the Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation. All three had joined the administration cadre through the 29th BCS examination.

The allegation states that the appointment records of these three officers show recruitment under the freedom fighter quota. However, it has been alleged that they did not apply under that quota when they sat for the examination. In other words, the ACC has questioned the matter of securing appointments by showing quota benefits in the documents.

ACC Case and Investigation

The case filed by the ACC details the allegations of irregularities in appointments under the freedom fighter quota. The agency believes appointments were made in the name of the quota without verifying actual eligibility and process. It is learned that action will be taken if anyone else's involvement is found in the investigation.

According to public administration experts, questions have long been raised about the transparency of the quota system in government jobs. If such allegations are proven, it damages the credibility of the entire recruitment process.

Meanwhile, the process of taking departmental action against these three officers may also begin after they were made OSD, sources said. However, no formal statement from the ministry was available on the matter.

It is worth noting that when made OSD, officers are removed from their regular duties and kept as Officers on Special Duty. This is generally done during an ongoing investigation or as part of disciplinary measures.

Source: The Daily Ittefaq, Nationwire