Officials on deputation dominate Biman

Biman Bangladesh Airlines officials, who came on deputation from other government offices, are dominating and controlling all the important positions of the state-owned organisation, even though they have no experience of working at an airline. Since they control promotions and postings, Biman’s own employees remain deprived and frustrated for a long time. 

There is also a kind of resentment among the workers as they are facing bureaucratic tangles. Even though the civil aviation and tourism minister himself has given instructions for appointing qualified manpower, that has not been implemented because of the influence of the officials on deputation.

Former Biman chairman Sajjadul Hasan recommended not to appoint admin cadre officers on deputation so that the organisation’s own and experienced employees could be given important positions. This, he thought, would help transform Biman into a dynamic and profitable company. But the recommendation went unheeded. The officials coming on deputation have a tight grip on the crucial posts, including those that have policymaking roles.

It is rare in Biman for an individual to become the director of two important organisations within two months of getting appointed on deputation. But that is currently the situation. Since the departure of former managing director Shafiul Azim and the joining of new

Managing Director Md Zahidul Islam Bhuiyan, fresh instability has arisen.

Biman's own employees say admin cadre officers who came on deputation behave in a rogue manner. The civil aviation minister ordered many of them to give important responsibilities but they did not obey it. Instead, they appoint officials from their admin cohort who they like in those positions. 

The father-in-law of a Biman officer is a listed Razakar. The officer, Hayat-ud-Daula Khan, himself is BNP-Jamaat-minded. Just two months into his appointment, all employees are reeling from his influence. He is also the director of customer service as well as marketing and sales departments. He has additional duties as the director of marketing and sales department. It is rare in aviation for the same person to be director of two important departments at the same time.

Biman's own officials say appointing Hayat-ud-Daula in two important posts indicate the airline has no experienced official for those roles. However, Biman has workers with 25-30 years of experience and skills who have worked dedicatedly for the company. 

Besides, Biman officials say Hayat-ud-Daula was previously the deputy commissioner of Brahmanbaria and the deputy secretary of fisheries and livestock ministry. There are allegations of corruption against him. That is why Biman officials are questioning his appointment to such an important position. They claim that workers in other departments are in an uncomfortable situation due to his influence.

However, Hayat-ud-Daula said that it is a matter of the department. “Since the post was vacant here, I was given the current duty. “I'm going to leave once someone comes.” He denied the allegations of corruption against him.

His father-in-law Asadullah Shah is a listed Razakar of Mohanpur upazila of Rajshahi. Also, his wife Fahmida Sultana is Consular General of Canada under BCS Foreign Service. There are also questions about how a listed Razakar's daughter has such an important position in the high echelon of the government.

Biman's Director (Administration and Human Resources) is Motiul Islam Chowdhury (Joint Secretary), General Manager ABM Roshan Kabir (Deputy Secretary), Director of Finance (CFO) Naushad Hossain (Deputy Secretary), Director of Cargo (Joint Secretary) Mahmudul Alam, Abdullah Al Mamun (Joint Secretary). Managing Director (MD) and CEO (Additional) is Secretary Zahidul.

Investigation revealed that Rashed Meher Chowdhury is Biman's own employee. Currently, he is DGM of Legal. He was the company secretary a few days ago. Even though he is a Biman employee, he is a terror to the staff. He fixes the promotion and posting of other employees of Biman by keeping a liaison with senior officials. Many have accused him of conspiring against Biman’s own employees.

Immediately after Motiul Islam Chowdhury got the responsibility as the director admin, he removed Basra Islam, who was in charge of general manager administration. Another admin cadre ABM Orshan Kabir was brought there. Basra was transferred to General Manager Public Relations Branch. There was a lot of anger about this. Currently, since the new MD came, there has been renewed unrest regarding who will be posted in which position or where. Basra Islam said, “We have come to work. The decision of higher authorities must be accepted.”

Mohammad Mominul Islam is one of the most experienced officers of Biman. This former army officer has been engaged in Biman for almost 38 years after leaving the army service. He is the power of attorney for Boeing Rajhangshi. Even though he once held an important position at Biman, he was the victim of abuse by the admin officers at the end of his career. An attempt was also made to forcefully retire him from service the moment he was almost nominated for the post of DMD of Biman. Later he got his job through a writ petition in the High Court. But since his arrival, he was not well received by the cadre officials.

Although Mominul Islam has all the qualifications to become DMD and Director Admin, he was omitted. All the officials did not listen to the minister's recommendation in this regard. To avoid criticism, this officer was given the responsibility of director of logistics and procurement. He is currently in this position.

He said in a very disappointed voice, “Biman could not take the experience I have gained for 38 years. Even though the minister talked about me as director admin, they did not keep me.”

He said, “I have contributed in various fields of Biman with hundred per cent honesty in my life. But it is very sad that they failed me at the end. Many of my army friends are major generals, if I was in the army I would have been a major general.”

He said, “Biman is the business organisation of the state. Even though the admin cadres never had any idea about Biman, the decision or influence they exert here is unprecedented. It should be run by people who understand the sector. In this case, it is necessary to keep veterans who have worked in the army, air force or Biman for a long time in important positions.”

He said, “MD and CO could be from admin cadre. Other important positions should be handled by experienced people.”
Biman employees say that any problem of Biman has been taken care of by the prime minister herself. They drew the prime minister's attention to the matter.