Follow rules of seniority strictly in recruitment, promotion

PM asks army officials

15 July 2010, 18:00 PM

Bss, Dhaka

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presides over a meeting of the Army Headquarters Selection Board-2010 at Dhaka Cantonment yesterday. Photo: PID

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the authorities concerned to strictly follow the rules of seniority, qualification, merit and efficiency during recruitment, posting, and promotion in the armed forces. The prime minister said this while inaugurating the Army Headquarters Selection Board-2010 at Dhaka Cantonment. “I think that faith in the spirit of Liberation War, professional efficiency, leadership, discipline, honesty, truthfulness, loyalty and effectiveness should be considered while giving promotion as the promoted officers will lead the armed forces in future,” she said. Sheikh Hasina, also the defence minister, said she had confidence in the wisdom, judgment and impartiality of the senior officers and hoped that they would select the appropriate persons for promotion rising above personal likes and dislikes. She said the Armed Forces that started its journey with a limited number of officers and soldiers during the country's War of Liberation is now very experienced and well-organised. Sheikh Hasina said Awami League government always believes in development, expansion and modernisation of Armed Forces and it implemented massive programmes for strengthening the Armed Forces during its previous tenure from 1996 to 2001. Referring to her initiative to recruit female officers in the army, the first ever in the country's history, Sheikh Hasina said it is her government which improved the quality of food, including introduction of rice in two meals of the army. After assuming office this time her government has undertaken a number of projects, including bringing uniformity in giving ration to Army, Navy and Air Force, increasing budgetary allocation for per capita protein intake, implementing new pay scales and constructing multistory housing complex for members of the armed forces. She said her government has adjusted the ranks of officials of Bangladesh Army to international standards in order to strengthen their participation in the UN peacekeeping missions abroad. Besides, she said during her government's previous term she established Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training at Rajendrapur so the Bangladeshi troops can serve more smartly in peacekeeping missions. She said Bangladesh is the first country to send Integrated Brigade to peacekeeping missions. The prime minister said the people of the country always remember the role of armed forces during natural calamities with gratitude. The democracy-loving people would also remember the contribution of the armed forces on preparing a flawless voter list before the last national general elections in 2008, she added. Defence Secretary, Chief of Army Staff and lieutenant generals and major generals of Bangladesh Army were present in the meeting. Prime Minister's Defence Adviser Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique and Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad were also present.