In the past 15 years under the Awami League government, a total of 23,063 individuals have been recruited into the police force under the freedom fighter quota. The majority of these recruits, about 90%, hold ranks such as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Sub-Inspector (SI), Sergeant, and Constable.
The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has led the way in terms of recruitment under this quota, with 29,485 individuals appointed as head and assistant teachers in government primary schools. This recruitment accounts for nearly half of the total number of people appointed under the freedom fighter quota during this period. On average, 300 to 400 people were recruited in each district for assistant and head teacher positions.
Following the fall of the current government, an interim government took charge on August 15. The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has requested detailed records from all ministries regarding the recruitment of employees under the freedom fighter quota. A letter was sent to 61 ministries and departments seeking information on the name of the candidate, the post they were appointed to, and the freedom fighter to whom they are related, among other details.
The response, which covers recruitments from September 1 to December 10 of that year, totaled 89,286 individuals. The Ministry of Freedom Fighters Affairs is currently in the process of verifying the submitted information, with one-third of the scrutiny already completed. According to the verified data, 60% of those appointed under the quota are the grandchildren of freedom fighters.
This quota system continues to be a subject of discussion, with supporters emphasizing its role in recognizing the contributions of freedom fighters, while critics question its implementation and impact on recruitment practices in the public sector.
Breakdown of Freedom Fighter Quota Job Appointments across Ministries: A detailed report on job appointments made under the freedom fighter quota over the years has revealed how various ministries in Bangladesh have utilized the quota system. Here is a breakdown of the number of appointments made in key ministries and departments: Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges: 12, Ministry of Planning: 29 (Planning Division), Financial Institutions Division: 4,286, Technical and Madrasa Education Division: 56, Bangladesh Election Commission: 79, Ministry of Commerce: 39, Ministry of Science and Technology: 209, Energy and Mineral Resources Division: 10, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs: 45, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division: 9, Information and Communication Technology Division: 27, Statistics and Information Management Division: 22, Rural Development and Cooperatives Division: 681.
Other significant allocations include: Local Government Department: 1,191, Ministry of Social Welfare: 489, Road Transport and Highways Department: 18, Internal Resources Department: 810, Housing and Public Works Department: 268, Ministry of Railways: 14, Ministry of Textiles and Jute: 225. Ministry of Defense: 811, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs: 328, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education: 29,485, Bangladesh Police: 23,063, National Parliament Secretariat: 56, Health Care Department: 4,835, Ministry of Shipping: 997, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: 303, Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change: 257, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief: 68, Finance Department: 189, Additional appointments were made in the Ministry of Food (1,252), Ministry of Industries (542), Security Services Department (2,101), Secondary and Higher Secondary Department (1,732), and other government entities such as the Ministry of Youth and Sports (101) and Liberation War Museum (13).
A total of 7,407 people were appointed under the quota in the Public Service Commission Secretariat, and 132 in the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.
While most of these appointments were made between 2010 and mid-2012, ministry sources have indicated that a portion of these appointments may have been based on false information. A verification process is ongoing, with findings expected to be made public once the full investigation is complete.This report sheds light on the significant use of the freedom fighter quota in public sector recruitment and highlights the need for thorough scrutiny of these appointments.
