TIB concerned over draft civil service act

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) today expressed concerns over some “controversial” terms included in the draft Bangladesh Civil Service Act 2017.

The anti-corruption watchdog also urged the authorities to review the draft in towards building an accountable and transparent public administration with skilled manpower.

Coming up with the call in a press statement, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, said some debatable conditions, including the provision of seeking permission from authority before arresting an accused government employee, has been kept in the draft act.

There is also a recommendation in the draft to not sack any government employee instantly after being punished by the court for a year, he said.

"This is a discriminatory provision and against the spirit of the country's constitution; also contradictory to the government’s pledge in curbing corruption in the government sector," Iftekharuzzaman said.

Authority of the Anti-Corruption Commission will be reduced if the draft act is incorporated, he said, demanding removal of the provision from the draft act.

Some other provisions of the act should be revoked so that the public administration can work ignoring the political influence and pressure, he added.

He called upon the authority to make public the draft act through website and keep the window open for inclusion of new proposals so that the stakeholders can put forward their opinions for greater public interest.