OSD
I was indeed saddened to read “Other side of OSD” in DS (30 Aug). My sympathies are entirely with Shahidur Rahman's family members at this dark hour.
Over the years, I have known many dear friends in the upper echelons of the bureaucracy, who have progressively suffered from this malaise at the whims of dictators and dictatorial/democratic administrations. You are right in saying that what was once a temporary phase between leave and/or postings has now become an instrument of torture and punishment. There is also no accountability of the huge sums being paid to OSDs for just passing the time of day. In addition to the vocations mentioned by you, many today, also do a little dalali on the side in getting files moving in the Secretariat.
For the younger generation, this little story could just about sum up the status of OSDs true today as it was then. I happened to be in the Secretariat one day, many decades ago, looking up an old friend. I found him in the unofficial OSD 'Club” Room (yes, they had these chatting rooms then also). Just then a new entrant walked in and was greeted with a lot of good humoured banter and ribbing before my friend asked him, “Tui ki grade pa-e-se?” In answer, the newcomer smilingly held up 2 fingers. At my perplexed look my friend explained:
There are 4 unofficial grades of OSDs. Grade 4 is the normal “Officer on Special Duty”. Grade 3 is “Officer in Some Difficulty”. Grade 2 is “Officer in Serious Difficulty”. And top of the heap is Grade 1, “Oi Shala-ke Dhor”!!
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments