‘It will give govt officials indemnity’
Communist Party of Bangladesh yesterday condemned the government for enacting the Public Service Act-2018.
In a statement, the left-leaning party said a provision of the law, which states government permission will be needed to arrest government officials and employees accused in criminal cases or corruption cases before court accepts charge-sheet against them, will give public servants one kind of “indemnity”.
Signed by CPB presidium member Abdullah Kafi Ratan, it said the provision is contradictory to the constitution, will cause a rise in corruption, and delay necessary steps against government officials even after their misdeeds are visible.
Party chairman Mujahidul Islam Selim and general secretary Md Shah Alam in the statement also urged the government to reconsider the law and cancel the provision.
Meanwhile, Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) yesterday also demanded that the government bring required changes in the Public Service Act-2018, after reviewing the same provision.“If such provision comes into effect, then chance of misuse of power will increase and scope for establishing rule of law will shrink,”ASK said in a statement.
The country’s constitution guarantees equal rights for each citizen, which this provision contradicts, it adds.
ASK said news reports are often published on allegations against government officials and employees, as well as law enforcers, of involvement in unlawful activities.
Amid this, such scope incorporated in the law may look like an attempt to give public servants immunity, it said.
ASK said the law -- which comes into effect on October 1, was passed overlooking concerns from civil society.
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