The High Court has issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the 40 per cent dependent quota provision for recruitment in Bangladesh Railway should not be declared illegal.
An HC bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice S M Masud Hossain Dolon issued the rule on Sunday after hearing a writ petition filed by a Supreme Court lawyer, Md Rokonuzzaman.
The court directed the secretaries of the railway and law ministries to comply with the rule within four weeks.
The petition was filed on May 26 challenging the legality of the quota system for Bangladesh Railway jobs and demanding its abolishment.
The petition argues that the railway's 40 per cent quota is discriminatory and violates the Public Administration Ministry's 2018 circular on quota cancellation, as well as constitutional provisions.
Lawyer Rokonuzzaman said the recent introduction of a 40 per cent quota in Bangladesh Railway employment is unconstitutional.
Expressing concern, the lawyer said this practice unfairly disadvantages a significant portion of the population. The lawyer further said that the constitution provides option for quota system for the backward section of citizens.
However, children of government employees cannot be treated as the backward section of citizens.
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