1. INTRODUCTION
This research is an endeavor to identify the extent
of influence of Member of the parliament (MP) over Upazila administration in
the recruitment process at Upazila level. There are many ways whereby both
parties come together. It may be administrative, legal and/or functional. Hereby we try to focus only on recruitment aspect. Functional
relationship can also be conveyed in a number of ways but we will figure out
the status co of informal and undue pressure from MPs and the cause of absolute
obedience by Upazila officials to the MPs.
1.1
RESEARCH PROBLEM
A number of researchers have studied the
relationship between MPs and Upazila administration. It is widely believed that
Upazila administration helps to implement the decentralization policy of
government . UNO (Upazila Nirbahi Officer) is supposed to coordinate the
functions of different ministries at upazila level. He also provide assistance
to the chairmen of Upazila parishad in implementing government policy
(Abdullah, 2011).[i]
 |
| Attached department |
Despite all of our knowledge the problem is
identifying the degree of of MP's influence over the Upazila administration about
recruitment. Though government incumbents are supposed to be adherent to the laws
when it comes to recruitment and promotion
they shows more obedience to the elected MPs . Officials of Upzila
administration behave more passively than actively when it comes to cooperation
or hearing to the unethical advice of
MPs. So, due process of business is not working in the system.
The scenario create need for tracing out the
underlying framework for existing power
of mps deciding recruitment, promotion and transfer. To confront this problem I
made a perspective that enables researchers
to conceive the invisible hand of MPs over the Upazila administration.
In this situation, the informal relationship between them has been an important
issue that needs serious attention for better understanding and maintain rule
of law.
1.1.1
RESEARCH QUESTION
On the basis of above argument
the following research questions are set to search for. The key research
questions are
1) To what extent MPs are influencing recruitment, promotion
and transfer at Upazila level right now.
2) What
are the factors which enforce Upazila administration to hear to the advice of
MPs in recruitment
3) In
which way the due process of recruitment and promotion is being violated by MPs
and upazila administration
1.1.2 OPERATIONAL
DEFINITION
Recruitment:
Includes the all non cadre recruitment at Upazila level and promotion of the
civil servants at Upazila level. Because promotion is anther kind of
recruitment.[iii]
MP:
Member of the parliament are those who have been elected by people to go to
legislature.
Upazila
Administration: This is the Ultimate field
administration tier of the government and headed by a UNO (BCS, Admin) who is
supported by other staffs.
1.2
METHODOLOGY
In qualitative research the focus lies on
respondents view and objective issues.[iv] This
research was mainly based on secondary source. Secondary source includes books,
journals, articles from newspaper, TV report etc. I also made an effort for
studying existing scientific literature, narrowing the research question, and
perceive better understanding of the current relationship status between
Upazila administrations and MPs. Through the literature review we fixed and
defined the research questions. Later on I moved my focus to more practical
issues related to the coercive relationship between MPs and Upazila
administration. Finally after collecting data I organized and analyzed all
information and put them down in the thesis report.
DRAWBACKS
AND LIMITATION
Every research has some default limitations. This
study has some limitations as well. Because of time constraint only secondary
source is considered for this study. During reviewing the previous works on
Upazila administration current situation may go missing. Moreover, the study
will be done with a view to analyze the informal relationship between MPs and
Upazila administration which is considered non-public issue. Sufficient
information to perceive the status co of the relationship might be big hurdle.
Last but not least, sufficient research works might not be found in this
regard.
1.3 LITERATURE REVIEW
Here in this
part we pay heed to the outcomes of literature review. Three key issues arises
during literature review are 'lack of clear guidance' so far as relationship
between MP & UP administration is concerned, Junior-Senior conflict in
UP administration & finally 'lack of people's participation' in development
work at Upazila level.
1.3.1 LACK OF CLEAR
GUIDANCE
Literature shows that there is lack of clear guidance
about the overall recruitment process. In this loopholes MPs entered with his influential
hand. A member of primary teachers' association exclaimed about this.[v]
1.3.2 LACK OF AUTONOMY OF RECRUITMENT AGENCY
The recruitment agencies are also not empowered enough
to ignore the advice of MPs. Even in departmental recruitment MPs plays major
role. So there is no way of UNO to defy the command of MP.[vi]
1.3.3 INAPPROPRIATE
REPORTING SYSTEM
The current reporting system is one way peditorian
type. Lower officers have little autonomy over their decision. In most of the
cases APR, previous ACR, is highly misleading which rarely reflects the
reality. So, to some extent Upazila administration is also responsible for the
current disparity. There is lack of clear reporting system which could ensure the
most transparent way of recruitment. [vii]
1.4
LEGAL & THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
The Constitution of Bangladesh is
taken as mother guiding principle of public servant recruitment. There are
certain articles which describes the philosophy of recruitment. Article 29 of
the constitution says about the equal opportunity for public employment. Besides
this there was provision which allows creating quota provision for the
backwards. Under this guidance there are several policies and acts which
conform constitutional principles. UNO is responsible for managing governing
bodies of colleges and schools at Upazila level. Managing committee is
responsible for recruitment of staffs at colleges and schools. Besides this UNO
is supposed to write ACR report of officers to D.C. It signifies the promotion
question. (UNO charter). Let's see the legal framework for recruiting grade 4
employees at upazila level so far as the peons for primary schools is
concerned. In the previous policy framework committee for recruitment was
headed by the chairman of school managing committee and supported by Upazila
education officer and Head master as members. But MPs has influenced the policy to be changed. The new policy
arrangement allows UNO to lead the recruitment committee. MPs has also taken the
membership in the process (Kalerkontho, 4 may 2015).
To talk about the legal framework
of Upazila administration it is headed by an UNO (Upazila Nirbahi Officer) and
assisted by other staffs. He plays the co-coordinating role at Upazila level
and works as a representative of the central government with rank of senior assistant secretary. This officer is
from Admin cadre (BCS) (MOPA, 2011). The recruit process of civil servants at
Upazila Administration is supposed to be regulated by promotion and transfer
policy under the ministry of Public Administration. There are 18 ministries and
government agencies who represent at Upazila level. In the current legal
framework recruitment of primary teachers is operated by the Committee for
primary teachers selection under the education policy 2011. The UNO and Upazila
education officers are also involved in the recruitment process under the law.
As ministry of public administration is responsible for the recruitment,
promotion and transfer of most of the government officials so UNO has to play crucial
role in the recruitment process (Rules of Business, 1996), (Promotion policy,
Ministry of Public administration).[viii]
Here is the Prototype framework of recruitment,
maintenance and promotion of government officials at Upazila Level.
|
Who involved in
the legal framework
|
|
Position/ Posts
|
Figure
1 : Recruitment of officers
& employees at Upazila level
Source: peons recruitment
policy -2015, Kalerkontho
In the legal framework there is no scope of
advice from MPs so far as ministerial recruitment at Upazila is concerned .
1.5
CONTINGENCY FACTORS WHICH AFFECT THE RECRUITMENT
PROCESS (ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK)
Here are some serious factors which badly
affect the overall recruitment process at Upazila level.
MPs and Activists: In the legal framework there is
no correlation between MPs, activists and the recruitment process. But de-facto defies de-juro. MPs advice to UNO
and campaign of political activists of ruling party often play major role in
the recruitment process.
The other factors
happen to be Upazila administration, ministries ,Upazila Education Officer, political Identity and affiliation .
2.
ANALYSIS OF MPS' INFLUENCE IN RECRUITMENT PROCESS
OVER UPAZILA ADMINISTRATION
From now on here is an attempt made to critically analyze
the role of MPs in the recruitment process at Upazila level, how Upazila
administration is enforced to hear to the advice from MPs. What are the
loopholes of policies and acts in which MPs become so much dominant when it
comes to recruitment of officers and teachers at Upazila level. So the analysis
will be on the basis of the above mentioned analytical framework.
EXTENT
OF MP's INFLUENCE
Some recent investigation report shows the prevalence
of MPs influence in the process of
recruitment. It takes different shapes. From our study it is found that MPs
influence play significant role in terms of recruitment. Recently A DUE letter has come to the UNO office and Upazila
education officer from the local MP
Bagmara, a upazila of Rajshahi district, for the recruitment of 50 peons cum
night guard at different primary schools. There was certain claim of taking 20
million TK as bribe. In the previous policy framework committee for recruitment
was headed by chairman of school managing committee supported by other members,
Upazila education officer and Head master. But MPs influenced to change the
policy. The new policy arrangement allows UNO to lead the recruitment committee.
MPs has also taken membership in the process. The committee was enforced to
obey the advice of the local MP. Even candidates against quota provision were
deprived in the process. [ix]
This is because the new policy provides absolute
power to MPs deciding who is going to be recruited. MP's advice is the last
line so far as the latest policy is concerned. 'In the new policy there is no scope to claim against
MPs and it allows politicization and recruitment trade." said a member of
primary teachers' association. [x] Badiul
Alam,General director of SUJON, exclaims it as he said " It's a horrendous
decision, involving politicians with the recruitment process will spoil the
system." [xi]
The more important thing is that there has been no reporting system to District
education officer for the violation of the due process, MP's advice is decisive
as per the new policy.[xii]
POLITICAL
ACTIVISTS UNDER MP'S PATRONAGE
Report shows that in some time political activist
under the patronage of local MP goes too far to tolerate. Though there is no
legal way of their involvement in the recruitment process they showed their
muscle power in Nababganj, a upazila of Dinajpur district. They, led by local
MP, reportedly harassed and abused UNO for not recruiting all the member of the
list prepared by MP for recruitment at schools. It is claimed that MP took
bribe from more people than the available posts. [xiii]
UPAZILA
ADMINISTRATION
Though
upazila administration is supposed to follow the rules of business it often
shows inclination for the local MPs. There exist some cases as testimony to the
blind obedience of UNO to MPs. This also indicates that the UNO, de facto,
plays a central role in facilitating and distributing the MP’s patronage which
is more of patron client relationship. In fact, not following the directives of
the MP has a negative implication for UNOs as they fear forced job transfers to
remote areas.[xiv]
MINISTRIES/
DIVISION
The police head quarter, under the
ministry of home affairs, is responsible
for the recruitment of officers and employees bellow ASP (assistant
superintendent of police), like SI, constable etc. But de-facto defies the
de-juro. In Chapay-nawabgonj local MP
took bribe from 30 candidates promising giving job of constable.[xv]
So it clearly indicates how they
influence recruitment process in the Upazila level. Now question is how comes
this is related the upazila administration. The answer is in Upazila SI has
dual responsibility, both to OC and UNO. So when someone get advantage from MP
he is supposed to show more inclination to political leader rather than
administrative chain of command.
In Shibaloy, a upazila of Manikgonj,
another disparity is experienced. Local MP distributed the resources of Upazila project to his fellow relatives and
party men. Though it is supposed to be monitored and executed by Upazila
project office and Upazila administration. Even there was clear incidence of recruiting
project employees as per the MP's list.[xvi]
In the promotion question of officers of ministry of health and family
welfare an MP is found to send DUE letter to the department of Health. Even
some health assistant were promoted upon MP's due letter violating the
promotion policy. Even health minister reacted about the incident saying that
there is no scope of illegal and undue request of MPs. Things should have gone
as per the policy out there. [xvii]
POLITICAL IDENTITY AND AFFILIATION
The situation in Gaibandha Sadar, a Upazila of
Bangladesh, is worse than its counterparts. Here the decisions taken by MP's
wife come into play. With her rigorous
power in her husband's name she single handedly manage the recruitment process superseding
the Upazila administration. She herself reserves the position of the chairman
of the managing committee in different high schools and primary schools. In
this way her decision de facto comes into play when it comes to recruitment of
staffs at primary and high schools. [xviii]
3.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Here are to mention
some recommendations to improve the current situation in the recruitment
process. Those are as follow:-
Firstly,
there is an urgency for creating certain
laws, policies to guide the recruitment policy. In many cases it is found that
MP influences the UNO in the presence the loopholes in laws of recruitment. Even a
UNO sent a letter to cabinet division for considering formulating specific laws
for recruiting staffs at Upazila level. Secondly,
MPs and political activists should be kept apart from the recruitment process.
Because it promotes the culture of deprivation and bribe. Younger generation
becomes despair in the current process. Thirdly,
There should have safeguard for UNOs for not hearing MP's illegal and undue
advices. In no way, MP should have been
given the power to influence the promotion and transfer of UNO and other
officers. Fourthly, MPs should have
been questionable to the parliamentary committee for any claim against him
about violating the recruitment policy. This could have reduced the frequency
of corruption. And finally, the culprits and bribe givers should penalized for
attempting to manipulate the recruitment process. Such a way rule of law can be ensured.
[i] Soliman M,.
(2016). Bureaucracy and the Upazila
Parishad. Retrieved 24 February 2016, from http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=174667
[ii] S.
Junaid,. (2009). Chaos over MPs' Upazila
role. Retrieved 24 February 2016, Retrieved from http://bdnews24.com/politics/2009/02/17/chaos-over-mps-upazila-role
[iii]
MOPA(2016). Retrieved 28 February 2016, from http://www.mopa.gov.bd/uploads/2015/archive/acts/File-3.pdf
[iv] Kalof, L., Dan, A., & Dietz, T.
(2008). Essentials of social research.
England: Open Univ Press.
[v]
L. Ali Hasan. (2016). International
Journal Of Public Administration. Retrieved from
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.
[vi] M. Hannan,. (2016). দপ্তরি নিয়োগও এমপিদের হাতে | কালের কণ্ঠ. Retrieved 28 February 2016, from http://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/first-page/2015/05/04/217852
[vii] Mohammad Altaf Hossain,. (2013). The Relationships between Elected Members
& Government Officials of Upazila Parishad Dhamrai Upazila: A Case Study. Dhaka: Jahangirnagar University Press
[viii] ibid
[ix] Kalerkantho,. (2016). দপ্তরি নিয়োগও এমপিদের হাতে | কালের কণ্ঠ. Retrieved 28 February 2016, from
http://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/first-page/2015/05/04/217852
[x] ibid
[xi] ibid
[xii] ibid
[xiii]
The Daily Sangram,. (2016). দিনাজপুরে ইউএনও পেটানোর ঘটনায় এমপি শিবলীর বিরুদ্ধে তীব্র ক্ষোভ. Retrieved 29 February 2016, from
http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=159758
[xiv]
S. Shahriar,. (2015). Mp’s
role in upazila parishads : A deterrent to decentralisation - New Age.
Retrieved 29 February 2016, from
http://newagebd.net/154185/mps-role-in-upazila-parishads-a-deterrent-to-decentralisation/
[xv]
ajkerpotrika.com,. (2016). তদন্ত শেষ না হতেই পুলিশে নিয়োগ চূড়ান্ত. Retrieved 29 February 2016, from
http://ajkerpatrika.com/first-page/2015/05/06/32764
[xvi] Daily
Vorerpata,. (2016). এমপি দুর্জয়ের আমলনামা-২ - Daily Vorerpata. Retrieved 29
February 2016, from http://dailyvorerpata.com
[xvii] Jugantor.com,.
(2016). আসামিদের পদোন্নতির সুপারিশ করেছিলেন এমপি জগলুল. Retrieved 29 February 2016, from http://www.jugantor.com/old/news/2015/12/21/27220
[xviii] Bn.mtnews24.com,.
(2016). স্বামী এমপি, সবকিছুর খবরদারি স্ত্রীর!. Retrieved 29
February 2016, from http://bn.mtnews24.com/Gaibandha/1578
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