Tofail Ahmed, Kazi Firoze lament 'bureaucrats given more importance over politicians'

Ruling Awami League's senior lawmaker Tofail Ahmed and Jatiya Party MP Kazi Firoz Rashid in parliament today expressed their frustration and anger over the growing presence of government bureaucrats in various jobs without importance being given to politicians.

Speaking on the proposed budget for 2021-22, Tofail said, "I'm sorry, I don't know how reasonable it would be to say that. Now the administrative officer has been given the responsibility in our district. People think that all the help we gave to them during coronavirus was given by administrative officials."

"But the administrative officials did not even go to the area. The person who has been given responsibility in my area didn't even come for a day," he said.

The veteran politician said, "It is unfortunate-- there is not a single MP in this parliament who did not stand by the poor and distressed during this coronavirus period…I have given relief to 40,000 people in my area. But people think that administrative officials have given all of these."

He said the authority and job of politicians has faded away today. The minister also said that according to the warrant of precedence, MPs position is above that of secretaries.

"We need officials from the administration, but not in exclusion of politicians," he said.

Tofail said politicians are elected representatives and they should have a specific standing and jobs and should remain there.

At the beginning of his speech, Jatiya Party MP Kazi Firoz Rashid also echoed Tofail Amed's sentiments.

He said there is no politics in the country today and Tofail Ahmed has pointed out the issue rightly.

Firoz said the prime minister spoke to Deputy Commissioners at different programmes but MPs in those programmed remained at a distance. And after the programmed ended MPs would have to request DCs to talk a little with the prime minister.

The senior Jatiya Party MP said, "the political arenas are slowly being occupied by businessmen. Who is running the country? Businessmen and bureaucrats are running the country."

"We politicians are now standing in the third line. This is our bad luck. But this country has been liberated by politicians," he added.