HC stays DGFP notification cancelling FWI selection process
FE REPORT | Tuesday, 30 January 2024
The High Court (HC) on Monday stayed the effectiveness of a notification issued by the Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP) that cancelled the selection proceedings for the posts of family welfare inspector (FWI).
The HC also directed the authorities concerned to maintain status quo on the subject matter of the selection proceedings.
An HC bench comprising Justice Naima Haider and Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed by 25 job aspirants who already passed a written examination and appeared for the viva voce.
It also issued a rule upon the bodies concerned of the government to explain as to why the notification issued by the DGFP cancelling the selection proceedings should not be declared illegal.
The HC also wanted to know in the rule as to why the respondents should not be directed to complete the selection proceedings with the candidates.
The health education and family welfare secretary, the DGFP director general, the DGFP director (Admin) and other respondents have been asked to comply with the rule within four weeks.
Lawyer Siddique Ullah Miah appeared in the court hearing for the writ petitioners.
"The DGFP issued a circular on March 10, 2020 to appoint 1,080 family welfare inspectors. The authorities also held written examination on February 18, 2023 and 7,621 candidates qualified. They also held viva voce on May 25 in 2023 and June 18 in 2023," he said.
"However, without publishing the results of the viva examination the authorities issued a notification on January 14 this year, cancelling the selection process saying that irregularities took place in the written examination."
Challenging the legality of the notification, 25 candidates who already passed written examination and appeared for the viva voce filed a writ petition with the HC. Upon hearing the petition, the HC issued the order.