STAFF CORRESPONDENT:

The High Court has declared the decision to cancel the quota system, including the first and second-class freedom fighter quota in government jobs is illegal.

The High Court bench of Justice KM Kamrul Quader and Justice Khizir Hayat announced the verdict on Wednesday (June 5) after declaring the rule issued in this regard as appropriate.

Deputy Attorney General Sheikh Md. Saifuzzaman confirmed the verdict. Earlier, on October 4, 2018, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a circular to implement the cabinet’s decision by abolishing the existing quota system for direct recruitment to first and second-class posts in government jobs.

The order signed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Faiz Ahmad, states, “In the case of direct recruitment to the jobs of all government departments, autonomous/semi-autonomous institutions and various corporations, the quota system mentioned in the Ministry’s Memorandum No. (Rule-1)S-8/95(Part-2)-56(500) dated 17/03/1997 has been amended as follows:

(a) In case of direct recruitment to the posts of 9th Grade (formerly 1st Class) and 10th-13th Grade (formerly 2nd Class) the appointment shall be made based on merit.

(b) The existing quota system for direct recruitment to the posts of 9th grade (formerly 1st grade) and 10th-13th grade (formerly 2nd grade) was abolished.

The circular also mentions that this order will be effective immediately.