Solution to quota issue should come from court: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said quota issue in the government jobs should be settled in the apex court.

“The High Court pronounced verdict regarding quota system and movement is being held in a sub judice issue. We can’t say anything like them from the government. Since the High Court gave the verdict, solution should come from the court,” she said.

The prime minister said this while the Jubo Mohila Leage leaders met her at her official residence Ganabhaban this morning marking their organisation’s 22nd founding anniversary.

She said there is no logic to stage such movement against the apex court verdict regarding restoration of the quota system in the public services leaving study.

“What is now going on in the name of movement (against quota) is to waste time of study. I don’t think it has any logic,” she said.

The prime minister reminded all that her government had earlier rescinded the quota in the public services.

Questioning what benefit had come from the cancelation of quota, she said it was seen that the women were not getting chances as much as they were availing during the period of quota.

She also said many people from the remote areas and districts had been deprived of getting public services in case of cancelling the quota.

“This is the reality,” she added.

The premier said any of the deprived persons went to the High Court and it had given a verdict (against the government decision of cancelling the quota in the public services).

“We always honour the High Court verdict,” she said.

She continued that another attempt is being made to raise movement to cancel quota system in the freedom fighter and women categories in the government jobs.

The premier also said it needs to know that how many people who did movement against quota in the past took part in the public service commission’s job exams and how many from them got chances.

“A statistic needs to be done to find out (their numbers),” she said.
The premier asked the demonstrators to prove that they had passed more PSC examinations.

On June 5, the High Court declared illegal the October 4, 2018 circular of the Public Administration Ministry regarding the abolishment of the quotas, including those for freedom fighters, in first and second-class government jobs.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Thursday last upheld the High Court’s verdict for now.

About the pension scheme, Sheikh Hasina, also President of the ruling AL, said they have introduced the universal pension scheme for all in accordance with the Awami League’s election manifesto of 2008.

“Only the government officials get pension and others are being deprived. So, several pension schemes were announced as none can be deprived,” she said.

The prime minister said they who are involved in the politics including the Jubo Mohia League should join the universal pension scheme for their protection in future.

Recalling the contribution of the Jubo Mohila League to different movements, she said they had always been on the streets in every movement and struggle and were subjected to inhuman torture both by the police and armed cadres of the BNP.

“I have no word to denounce the inhuman torture carried out on the Jubo Mohila League leaders and activists. They even did not show any mercy considering them women,” she said.

The Awami League had been able to come to power with the mandate of the people confronting all the hurdles and facing inhuman tortures, she added.

The prime minister recalled the role of Jubo Mohila League in collecting signature demanding release of her from the jail during the tenure of the last caretaker government.

“We did not bow down in face of untold tortures. We wanted one thing that is to establish democracy,” she said.

The prime minister briefly described her government measures for the overall development of the country that include the women empowerment.

Earlier, the Jubo Mohila League leaders greeted the prime minister with flower marking its founding anniversary.

The prime minister inaugurated the website of the Jubo Mohila League established on July 6 in 2002.  (BSS)