The attention of the members of the BCS (Information-General) Cadre has been drawn to the reform report prepared by the Public Administration Reform Commission. The report mentions the formation of a service called Bangladesh Information Service by merging three different groups “General”, “Events” and “Messages”. The working nature of the three groups is so different that if they are merged into a single service, it may become a non-functioning service.
In this regard, the BCS Information Association is presenting the following information in the public interest:
- The work of the Information-General Cadre is “Propaganda”; the work of Bangladesh Betar is “Broadcasting”.
- The work of the Information-General Cadre is “Media Management”, “Public Relations” and “Mass Communication”; the work of Bangladesh Betar is “News and Program Broadcasting”. Betar as a media house will do this specific work, media management or public relations are not their job.
- Broadcast management is carried out by a specific group of workers. Special technical arrangements are essential for this work. For this reason, the “Programs” and “News” sub-sections of Betar were included in the professional cadre. Several years ago, the “Programs” and “News” groups of Bangladesh Betar were included in the general category cadre. But the nature and subject of their work remained the same. Thus, there was a type of difference between the work and the manpower.
- On March 15, 2021, the Ministry of Information was renamed the “Ministry of Information and Broadcasting” (Cabinet Division Notification No. S.R.O. No. 76-Act/2021). Earlier, for a few years, officials of Bangladesh Betar took the initiative to form an independent “Broadcasting Cadre” and as a result of that initiative, the name of the ministry was changed as a primary task.
- The composition, cadre rules, recruitment rules, cadre schedule, designation and rank, work distribution and promotion qualifications/conditions and process of the three groups of BCS (General Information) and Bangladesh Betar, “Anushan” and “Barta”, are completely different.
- The Public Administration Reforms Commission report has mentioned the “Anushan” and “Barta” groups of Bangladesh Betar as sub-cadres of BCS (General Information) cadre. In fact, the name of the cadre is a sub-cadre of BCS (Information) and BCS (General Information). [The word “General” is not part of the name in any general category cadre including BCS (Administration), BCS (Family Planning). The word “General” is used as the name of the sub-cadre in BCS (General Information) cadre. Traditionally, the word “general” cannot be used in the name of the “programs” and “news” sub-cadres/groups of the radio.]
In light of the above information, merging any part of Bangladesh Betar with the BCS (General Information) cadre does not seem to be logical for any reason, such as improving the quality of work of the concerned departments, welfare of the officials or public interest. In the existing reality, Bangladesh Information Service can be made with only the BCS (General Information) group. In addition, an independent “Broadcasting Service” can be formed for Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television, keeping in line with the name of the administrative ministry.
The officials of the BCS (General Information) cadre expect the good consideration of the government in this regard.
The current interim government is working relentlessly to establish good governance including reforms in various important areas of the state. All members of the BCS Information Association are determined to provide cooperation in the implementation of the government’s reform programs and other activities.
