BNP refutes hint at bureaucrats' role in putting it in power

Deputy Speaker Akhtar Hamid Siddiqui, who chaired yesterday's sitting, expunged the allegation from the speech to parliament by Abdul Kader Siddiqui, the lone lawmaker of the Krishak Sramik Janata League.

The allegation came as a reaction to a circular by the education secretary, which banned attaching ministers' and lawmakers' recommendations with promotion and transfer applications, and Siddiqui accused the official of doing favour to the BNP to come to power without mentioning him my name.

Education Secretary Shahidul Alam issued the circular to keep administration free from what the education ministry called political and party influences.

But Siddiqui described it as an attempt to undermine the rights of ministers and lawmakers.

Agriculture Minister MK Anwar and Chief Whip Khandakar Delwar Hossain protested the opposition lawmaker's allegation and demanded expunction of the statement from parliament proceedings.

"The BNP is a pro-people party and did not come to power with assistance of any government official. People gave the BNP a clear mandate,'' said Anwar, also BNP vice-chairman.

The chief whip dubbed Siddiqui's speech as contrary to the constitution and the Rules of Procedure.

Siddiqui walked out of the Jatiya Sangsad as he was denied the floor to speak on Education Minister Osman Farruk's statement that justified the circular as an instrument to discipline postings and transfers in line with public service rules.

Enclosing recommendations of any minister or lawmaker with the applications is a misconduct and a punishable offence, the education ministry said in a press release yesterday.

Such a practice runs counter to Section 20 of the Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1979, and is a punishable offence under Section 3(B) of the Government Employees Discipline and Appellate Status, 1985, while Section 30 explains that political influence in government service is prohibited, says the press release.

Last night, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law Ministry submitted to the House three reports on as many bills sent to the committee earlier for scrutiny.

The bills are the President's (Remuneration and Privileges) (Amendment) Bill, 2003, the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2003 and the Bangladesh Legal Practitioners and Bar Council (Amendment) Bill, 2003.

The House is likely to take up the bills for passage at today's sitting.