TIB urges JS to not pass civil service bill

Transparency International Bangladesh yesterday called upon the Jatiya Sangsad not to pass the bill for the “Sarkari Chakori Ain-2018”, pointing out a discriminatory provision in it which is contradictory to the country's constitution.

In a statement, the anti-graft watchdog expressed deep concern over the bill's placement before parliament on Sunday.

The provision in question makes it mandatory for the Anti-Corruption Commission to take permission before arresting any public servant. As per the bill, no public servant can be arrested until a court frames charges against them unless prior permission is obtained from the authorities concerned.

The proposed provision is discriminatory and contradictory to the constitution, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said in the statement.

“While permission will not be required in case of [taking action against] common people and public representatives for similar kind of offences, adding the provision for [obtaining] permission in case of a certain quarter is contradictory to the constitutional article, which granted that all citizens are equal before law,” he said.

If the bill is passed as it is, it will also be contradictory to the National Integrity Strategy, which was passed during the tenure of this government and is now being implemented, he added.

The contested provision is further contradictory to section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 (CrPC), Iftekharuzzaman said, adding that it would be an obstacle in ensuring honesty, transparency, and high professionalism of state servants, as well as an impartial public administration.

Issuing a separate statement, rights body Ain O Salish Kendra also expressed strong apprehensions over placement of the bill in the parliament, keeping such a provision.

“Such provision will give government employees a kind of impunity and widen the scope for misusing power,” it said.