Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed held a view-exchange meeting with the heads of various departments in the ministry’s meeting room at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Feb 23 (BSS) - Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has announced that orders have been issued to recruit 2,701 constables in the police on an urgent basis to address manpower shortages across the force.

“We have a shortage of manpower at all levels of the police. Currently, 2,701 constable posts are vacant. I have ordered that these positions be filled urgently through the existing recruitment process, which will begin soon,” he said.

The minister made the announcement today after a view-exchange meeting with heads of various departments at the ministry’s meeting room at the Bangladesh Secretariat here.

He also said they are going to reinstate the jobs of around 650 sub-inspectors and sergeants, who were “unfairly” disqualified at the final recruitment stage in 2006.

The home minister stated that the government’s primary objective is to manage the law and order forces in line with public expectations.

He emphasized the need to restore discipline and the chain of command within the police.

In a significant policy shift, the minister announced the cancellation of the  lottery-based system for appointing Officers-in-Charge (OCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs), which was introduced during the interim government.

“The appointment through lottery was not transparent. From now on, postings will be based on service records, skills, and qualifications. Only those deemed competent by the police department will be assigned to appropriate positions,” he said.
He also directed district Superintendents of Police (SPs) to refrain from providing political protocol and to strictly follow statutory guidelines.

To reduce public suffering at passport offices, the minister revealed plans to appoint “enlisted assistants” following the model of sub-registry offices. These registered representatives would provide services for a fixed charge, particularly assisting people unfamiliar with online systems.

He noted that the initiative would both create employment opportunities and curb the influence of brokers.