HC clears way for Baira election

The High Court today stayed for three months the commerce ministry’s decision to extend the tenure of executive committee of Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (Baira), clearing the way for holding its election on June 24.

In response to a writ petition, the court also issued a rule asking the respondents to explain why the decision to extend the tenure of Baira’s executive committee should not be declared illegal.

Secretaries to the ministries of commerce and expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment, deputy secretary concerned of commerce ministry, director of the trade organisation under commerce ministry, Baira’s president and general secretary and its election board have been asked to respond to the rule.

The HC bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal came up with the order and rule following a writ petition collectively filed by 10 members of Bairaon May 27 challenging the commerce ministry’s decision to extend the tenure of its (Baira) executive committee.

There is no legal bar for holding the Baira election on June 24 following the HC order of stay, Deputy Attorney General Motaher Hossain Sazu, and Barrister Rashna Imam, a counsel for the writ petitioners, told The Daily Star.

Barrister Rashna said that as per relevant rules, the Baira’s present committee's (2016-2018) tenure will end on July 12 this year and the next executive committee was scheduled to be elected on June 24.

In response to a letter of Baira President Benjir Ahmed on April 3, the commerce ministry, in an order on May 8, extended the tenure of the committee till March 31, 2019 on the grounds of Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, Hajj, rainy reason, Eid-ul-Azha and upcoming national election, she said.

The lawyer also said such extension of the tenure of executive committee of Baira is illegal.

Barrister Akhtar Imam and Barrister Reshad Imam appeared for the petitioners.