Service rules for tourism board soon

After three years of formation, Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) is going to get its service rules soon.
The organisation, conceived to emerge as an effective promoter of the country's tourism sector, has so far been suffering from manpower shortage to run its activities in full swing.
The government formed BTB in September 2010 to give the tourism sector a boost. Later, its 17 board members were appointed, including 12 bureaucrats.     
 "We got the organogram long ago, but BTB could not appoint necessary manpower, as no rules were incorporated after the Tourism Act 2010 was passed," Akhtaruzzaman, a senior official of the board, told The Financial Express.
He said: "The ministry concerned has informed us that the rules will be finalised within a month or less than a month."
Sources said a total of 154 posts have been created in the BTB organogram, where 30 top slots will be filled by government officials.
At present, BTB is being run through hiring staffs on contractual basis and conditional recruitment. A joint secretary is working as its chief executive officer (CEO).
Chairman of Tour Developers Association of Bangladesh (TDAB) Zamiul Ahmed Zamil said: "The expectations behind the formation of BTB could not be fulfilled due to its inadequate manpower. The organisation could not do anything significant during the last three years."
He also expressed dismay over the presence of scores of bureaucrats in BTB, as it should be operated mainly by professionals.
BTB sent a proposal to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism for recruitment of 149 staff to run the organisation. However, the ministry asked BTB to revise the proposal.
Later, BTB sent a fresh proposal for recruitment of 154 personnel to the Ministry of Public Administration.