Nazrul Islam and Mustafizur Rahman
The government on Thursday amended a few provisions of the Rules of Business 1996 to enhance the prime minister’s authority regarding appointment and assignment of persons in her aid.
The amendments were published in an official gazette on the day, less than a month after the Awami League-led alliance government had assumed office, allowing the prime minister to appoint as many ‘advisers and special assistants on such terms and conditions as he may deem expedient in public interest.’
‘The prime minister may assign to an adviser or a special assistant any subject or subjects to provide advisory services to him in respect thereof. An adviser or a special assistant shall also dispose of such special tasks as may be assign to him by the prime minister from time to time,’ reads the amended Rules of Business.
The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, already appointed six advisers assigning them with administrative tasks in various areas under her jurisdiction. They were given the status of minister.
According to the amendment, the advisers and special assistants will be allowed to attend cabinet meetings.
‘The prime minister may require any adviser or special assistant appointed under Rule 3B to attend any or all the meetings of the cabinet or any committee or committees thereof.’
The immediate-past military-controlled interim government of Fakhruddin Ahmed amended the Rules of Business to accommodate the chief adviser’s special assistants to lessen the workload of the council of advisers who ran the administration for about two years.
The council of advisers of the caretaker administration had 11 members, including the chief adviser. The interim government had six special assistants to the chief adviser.
The present government, headed by the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, promised to keep the cabinet small and began its journey on January 6 with a 32-member council of ministers. It was expanded to 38 in three weeks with the induction of six junior ministers Saturday. With the advisers, the number of officials with the rank of minister now stands at 44.
The previous BNP-led alliance government was criticised for having 60 members in the council of ministers.
After the appointment of the advisers, Hasina’s government set the terms of references for them outlining new areas of responsibilities.
The adviser to prime minister on establishment and administrative affairs, HT Imam, will be helping the prime minister to establish governance through increased efficiency in bureaucracy.
He will be the chief coordinator of the internal activities in the Prime Minister’s Office and work to rid the administration of political influence, infuse sense of respect and obligation to uphold democracy, sprit of the war of independence and the constitution.
Moshiur Rahman has been asked to assist the prime minister in implementing the government’s economic agenda and development programmes. He will also apprise the prime minister of the state of economy.
The health adviser, Modasser Ali, will be assisting the prime minister in implementing the government’s pledges and programmes in health and family welfare sector. He will also collect health-related data and keep the prime minister informed of the health sector.
Alauddin Ahmed will be responsible for education, social development and political issues. He will be in touch with the civil society actors and political parties.
Another adviser, Toufique-e-Elahi, yet to be designated, is expected to look after power and energy in aid of the prime minister while Tarik Siddiuqe is expected to look after security affairs.
Although the provision for special assistant has been carried forward from the previous interim government, the new government is yet to appoint any special assistant to the prime minister.
Courtesy: newagebd.com
