Supreme Court critical of bureaucratic attitude

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The Supreme Court (SC) Sunday was critical of bureaucratic attitude in compliance with the highest court's orders for providing supporting staff, transport and other logistics for smooth run of the district-level judicial magistracy, reports UNB.
The apex court's oblique remark came as it found "no material headway" in the government progress report submitted by the Attorney General, as asked for, following the separation of the judiciary from the executive fetters since November.
"Bureaucrats appear in testing the court orders alike guinea pig before it comes into effect," Chief Justice M Ruhul Amin, apparently irked, told the chief government law officer, Fida M Kamal.
Reminding the bureaucrats of their duties and responsibilities, Chief Justice Amin said bureaucracy is for serving the people, not for themselves, as it runs with the money of taxpayers. "Why the public will suffer for their notion?"
Responding to the court, the Attorney General told the 7-member full hierarchy of the Appellate Division that he would communicate the apex court's views to the government immediately.
After a brief hearing, the SC fixed February 20 as the deadline for the government to publish a gazette notification with regard to appointment of supporting staff, including UD clerks, for the district judicial magistracy.
bdnews24.com adds: On January 31, the SC ordered the government to submit a progress report on providing the judicial magistrates with "necessary staff and vehicles" by February 17.
After submitting the report on compliance with the SC order, attorney general barrister Fida M Kamal said the government was sincere about completing the procedural activities relevant to separation of the judiciary from the executive.
"The government would like to accomplish the tasks as soon as possible," he said.
The court asked the attorney general to explain why the government was not doing so then.
Fida M Kamal said the bureaucracy has its own way of work and the bureaucrats are following their "methodical ways" of doing the job.
Earlier on December 12, the SC had ordered the government to provide the judicial magistrates with required staff and other logistic supports.