Food inspectors from across the country today (1 October) staged a demonstration in front of the office of the Directorate General of Food in Dhaka, protesting the appointment of 69 officials under the 13th grade as upazila food controllers.
They claimed that despite the presence of qualified officers, the food ministry gave “current charge” of upazila food controllers to the 69 officials, violating the policy of the Ministry of Public Administration.
Bangladesh Food Inspectors’ Association President Md Abdur Rahman Khan said, “If they were qualified, we would not have any complaint. We do not understand why unqualified employees were appointed. We demand the immediate cancellation of their appointment and appointment of those who are eligible.”
The food inspectors said employees of posts such as chief assistant, accountant and superintendent were appointed as food controllers, violating rules of seniority.
There are rules for appointing them as food controllers, if their tenure is at least 11 years but none of those who were appointed had a tenure of more than 5-6 years, they claimed.
Former Food Secretary Md Ismail Hossain said, “There is a quota rule for recruitment of the food directorate where 18% should come from clerical posts. That’s what we did.
“It is true that none of them have served for 11 years, but if they were not appointed, the posts would have remained vacant.”
