Telecom Ministry Terms BTRC’s Recruitment Clarification ‘Unacceptable’
The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has rejected the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission’s (BTRC) explanation regarding the investigation report on the irregular appointment of 29 employees, calling the response “unacceptable.”
In a letter sent to BTRC, the ministry stated that the appointment of 29 junior consultants to various revenue-funded posts in violation of recruitment regulations could not be accepted. The ministry issued this opinion under Article-1 of the Serious Irregularity Framework (SIF) for the fiscal years 2016–2017 to 2019–2020.
The letter clarified that the consultants were appointed on a “contract basis for specific tasks and specific timeframes.” It further raised questions over the decision to forego written examinations, despite mentioning competitive tests, and instead conduct only oral interviews that favored “departmental candidates.” The ministry also noted that the 29 individuals were not appointed to any revenue posts approved or included in the BTRC organogram, disqualifying them from being considered departmental candidates.
The ministry directed BTRC to determine responsibility for the irregular appointments and submit a response with opinions from the relevant administrative and public administration ministries. The letter, signed by Assistant Secretary Laila Karim on October 16, was officially received by BTRC on October 21, according to ministry sources.
A senior official, requesting anonymity, said the letter was issued based on substantial documentation and evidence gathered through continuous investigations. “We have sought clarification from BTRC on how recruitment was made under the revenue budget bypassing the finance and public administration ministries,” the official said, adding that the entire process had proven to be unlawful.
Among those irregularly appointed and still serving at the commission are Deputy Directors Khalid Faisal Rahman, Nahidul Hasan, Sharmin Sultana, Tasmia Tahmid, Mirazul Islam, Towhid Hossain, S.M. Taifur Rahman, Rokhsana Mehjabeen, Raisul Islam, Md. Asaduzzaman, Towhida Nahar, Nafisa Mallik, Mahreen Ahsan, Samira Tabassum, S.M. Golam Sarwar, Mehfuz Bin Khaled, and Shamsujzoha. Several others appointed as assistant directors have since resigned.
The investigation report also found that Assistant Directors Kawsar Ahmed and Shamsul Alam, Deputy Directors Rezaul Karim and Dewan Md. Faruk Ahmed, and Personal Officer Rashedul Islam were appointed by manipulating age limits and disregarding recruitment rules.
Earlier, on July 20, a letter signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Mohammad Shahidullah instructed that six officers—Director General Ashish Kumar Kundu, Directors M.A. Taleb Hossain, Aftab Md. Rashedul Wadud, and Md. Ayub Ali Bhuiyan, and Deputy Directors Md. Asaduzzaman and Begum Sharmin Sultana—be made Officers on Special Duty (OSD) for various irregularities. It also ordered necessary action against others irregularly appointed.
Following this directive, the commission’s 298th meeting in August decided to make the six officers OSD and seek explanations from others involved. On September 15, BTRC issued letters directing 42 irregularly appointed officials to submit explanations within ten working days, which all accused officers have since provided.
Reports over the past 15 years have repeatedly documented widespread irregularities and favoritism in recruitment and promotion at BTRC — from drivers, cleaners, and office assistants to directors, commissioners, and consultants. Based on these findings, the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology ordered disciplinary action against those responsible on August 10.
The same directive included information on the 29 junior consultants irregularly appointed under the revenue budget and those who received jobs despite exceeding the age limit. The ministry’s list showed that many lacked the required educational qualifications or were otherwise ineligible. They were unlawfully shifted from project-based to revenue-funded posts.
In a 2020 audit, over a hundred individuals — including commissioners — were found to have been recruited or promoted through favoritism and policy violations. Twenty-nine officers, including 27 assistant directors and administrative staff, were appointed in 2009 without any examination. Despite none being eligible as departmental candidates, they were falsely categorized as such. Following these revelations, the ministry formed an inquiry committee in 2021, which confirmed the irregularities. Another committee, formed in 2023 during the interim government, also recommended action against those responsible.
Although the latest committee submitted its report in January this year, BTRC has yet to take concrete action on the matter.
Repeated attempts to contact BTRC Director General (Administration) Md. Mehedi-ul-Sahid for comments regarding the latest ministry letter went unanswered, as he neither responded to calls nor replied to text messages. As of the time of writing, no official statement was available from BTRC.
