Desk Report: Process for recruiting 42 night guards for the primary schools of Baupal upazila under Patuakhali district has been stopped due to unwarranted interference of the upazila high-ups, reports Daily Observer. The budget of about Tk 2 crore allocated against the position as their bonus and salary has returned, creating outrage among the prospective candidates.
According to the sources, on June 12 in 2017, the chairman of the recruitment committee Abdullah Al Mahmud Zaman, then the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Bauphal, issued notification for the recruitment of 42 night guards. After publication of the notification, more than 400 applications were submitted.
The UNO requested the upazila chairman to name his representative for the selection process. But the upazila chairman did not send his representative for the selection process, leaving the recruitment process held up. An official on condition of anonymity said the upazila chairman wanted to recruit 21 people according to his choice, creating dissatisfaction among the members of the recruitment committee.
Bauphal Upazila Education Officer Riazul Haque said the activities of the concerned schools are being hampered due to non-appointment to 42 night guards. Besides, a total of Tk 2 crore, as Tk 7 lac salary and allowance payable to the night guards per month, has already returned to government exchequer. Bauphal Upazila Chairman Mazibur Rahman Munshi, however, denied the allegations of interference, and said that the UNO can better be talked about the non-appointment.

Former UNO said he could not appoint the night guards as the upazila chairman did not nominate the committee member. An appeal has been made to the Secretary of the Primary and Mass Education Ministry to resolve the matter.

Current Upazila Nirbahi Officer Pijus Chandra Dey said, “I have recently joined. However, a meeting will be convened on the issue of recruitment of night guards soon.”