Secy denies decision, minister has no idea

Around nine years after its formation, the railways ministry has decided to transfer its office from Rail Bhaban, the headquarters of Bangladesh Railway, to the secretariat, according to a ministry document.

However, the ministry's secretary denied the decision, while the minister says he has no idea about it. 

The ministry will write to the housing and public works ministry seeking allocation of office at secretariat, as it has been facing office space crisis at Rail Bhaban, according to point 3.7 of the meeting minutes, that was available on the ministry's website till last evening.  

The decisions came at the monthly coordination meeting of the ministry held on August 5. This was the first meeting after February due to the Covid-19 outbreak; and also the first meeting for Salim Reza, who joined the ministry as its secretary on May 5.

"Officers are struggling to get office space as the ministry is situated at only one floor of Rail Bhaban. The problem would be intensified once the manpower of the ministry is increased," it said.

"Besides, a letter has to be sent to the housing and public works ministry to shift the ministry to the secretariat, to maintain its distinctness," reads the minutes.

Secretary Salim Reza, who chaired the meeting, said: "We didn't take any such decision [to shift the office]."

When asked about the meeting minutes, the secretary did not give any direct answer. "Where will we get office space? New building has to be built [inside secretariat] for office space. We didn't take any such decision."

Contacted, Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan said, "I have no idea about any such decision. I don't know what incident happened that prompted [to take such decision] to shift ministry from Rail Bhaban to secretariat."

When this correspondent referred to the meeting minutes, the minister said: "A wrong decision might have gone [to the website]. I have to check it."

Bifurcating the then communications ministry, the government on December 4, 2011 established the railways ministry. Since its inception, the ministry has been operating from Rail Bhaban.

At the beginning, a small wing of the ministry was at the secretariat, but later shifted to Rail Bhaban. Currently, the ministry is working on one floor, with some rooms on two other floors.

Talking to this correspondent, a mid-level BR official said: "In my personal opinion, it would be good in the long run if the ministry is shifted from Rail Bhaban. However, it would reduce BR officials' access to the minister."

Explaining the matter, he said ministry officials think as minister is readily available at Rail bhaban, BR officials can go to him and change their decisions easily, which is undermining the ministry officials. So they wanted to move the office to the secretariat. "But BR has to wait for more time to get any final decision," he said wishing anonymity.

On the other hand, high-ups of BR are in dilemma over the issue, as they would lose the easy access to the minister if the ministry is shifted.

But they support the move to shift the ministry as their subordinates can now directly talk with ministry officials, even "lobby" to change BR decisions, which undermines high-ups' authority, he said.

"So, they support the move for establishing strong chain of control. A strong chain of control in BR is need for its betterment in long run," he said.

A joint secretary, who was present at the meeting, said: "The discussion to shift the ministry [from Rail Bhaban] has been going on for long. Now it comes to the fore again. But it would take quite long time to implement the decision."

Contacted yesterday, BR's Director General Md Shamsuzzaman said, "I have no idea about it. Besides, I have no jurisdiction to comment over it. You better talk to the secretary [of railways ministry]."

INCREASING MANPOWER

Besides, the ministry is also going to take a move for increasing its manpower and restructuring its organogram, they said.

According to the ministry's annual report for 2018-19, it has a 135 officers and staffers. This correspondent could not know whether the number has been changed in last one year.

"Manpower of the ministry has to be increased. A new cell -- Reform Management and Policy Research -- has to be established and the organogram of the ministry has to be restructure after increasing manpower. Quick steps have to be taken to reshape the manpower structure," reads the meeting minutes.

Officials concerned were asked to take immediate steps in this regard.

The meeting also asked the officials concerned to take steps for publishing ministry's activities through its website and Facebook page.