Bangladesh: Extreme bad instance

by Srabanti Majumder
January 9, 2009

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/155/bangladesh-extreme-bad-instance

Newly elected members of cabinet in Awami League led Grand Alliance government went to their offices on Wednesday, January 7, 2009. This was the first day in office for the members of the cabinet. But, surprisingly a section of over-enthusiastic members of civil administration rallied at the entrance gates of the Bangladesh Secretariat holding placards, banners, flower bouquet etc thus chanting slogans like Awami League activists.

This is for the first time in the history of Bangladesh that civil servants behaved like party cadres during the very first day in office of the newly elected ministers.

According to service rules, civil servants are expected to be above any affiliation with any political party. But, the image of entire civil administration was terribly dashed when some of the top ranking officials in the administration formed Janatar Manch [People's Dias] in support of political movement of Bangladesh Awami League in 1996. Many of such elements were duly rewarded by Awami League when it succeded in forming the government. Dr. Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir is one of such kingpins leading the group of civil bureaucrats to a political platform.

This time, when Awami League led alliance won the election, an official named Muhammed Musa [who also was a prominent figure in the Janatar Manch] organized hundreds of fellow government employees in rallying at the entrance gates of various ministries to accord floral welcome with political slogans to the newly appointed members of the cabinet.

Although many of the ministers were over whelmed by such enthusiasm of the government employees, some ministers like Begum Motia Chowdhury or Syed Ashraful Islam were rather annoyed. Syed Ashraf in particular told the government employees and civil bureaucrats that they were not supposed to behave like party cadres. He said, civil administration should perform their duties by keeping neutrality. But, on the other hand, some ministers like Engineer Musharraf Hussain or Syed Abul Hussain were extremely delighted to see the Awamileagalization of the civil administration.

It may be mentioned here that, Muhammad Musa was one of the close aides of former millitary dictator Hussain Muhammed Ershad when he was posted as the Deputy Press Secretary to the President.

Later during Awami League government [1996-2001] he managed to get the long term lease of a very expensive house at city's Gulshan area, although the house was not for someone within the rank of a deputy secretary. During the present government, Muhammed Musa is one of the most influential government officials as he also heads an organization named 'Mujibnagar Government Employees Union'. It is learnt from various sources that Muhammed Musa's residence has already turned into a bargain house where various businessmen and other professionals are seen with monetary proposal for business or other benefits. Various intelligence agencies are already keeping eyes on the activities of this controversial civil servant.

On condition of anonymity, a highly placed source in the ministry told this correspondent that many of the government officials were affraid of taking bribe during the past interim government due to its massive offensives on corruption. After the return of political government such officials are extremely happy as from now they can return to their old habit of taking bribe from people in clearing various files. "The interim government has made us virtual pauper in past two years", said an official.

Although all the ministers expressed their willingness of dedicating in salvaging country's economy from devastating situation, the Commerce Minister, Lt. Col [Retired] Faruk Khan has already been able to show certain charisma by bringing down the price of rice and edible oil to a significant amount just in a day. Faruk Khan has decided to personally visit and monitor the market situation on a regular basis to ensure that prices of essentials are not controlled by any business syndicate in the country like previous days. People are already appreciating the efforts of this new minister.

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