No scope to reform freedom fighters' quota: Minister

There is no scope to reform the existing 30 percent quota in civil service for freedom fighters, said Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque.

Therefore, freedom fighters, their families and those who believe in the spirit of the Liberation War don't need to be worried over the issue, the minister said according to Bangla Daily Prothom Alo.

He made the comments while briefing reporters on quota-reform at the secretariat.

The minister quoting the High Court verdict said that despite a provision to recruit people based on merit if the Freedom Fighters' quota is not filled; there is still an obligation to keep the thirty per cent Freedom Fighters' quota.

In February, students of different public universities and jobseekers under the banner of "Bangladesh Sadharan Chhatra Adhikar Sangrakkhan Parishad" launched a movement demanding quota reforms in the civil service.

On April 11, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in parliament spoke of abolishing all types of quotas in public jobs.

As no gazette notification was issued in this regard, the protesters started preparing for fresh programmes. But they were attacked on the DU and RU campuses.

On July 2, the government formed a seven-member committee “to review or reform or cancel” the quota system for the civil service.