Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) protested against unwarranted interference and authoritarian conduct of the ministry at a press conference held at its auditorium in Paramanu Bhaban in the capital on Tuesday.
Leaders of different BAEC affiliated organizations on behalf of scientists, officers, and staff of all levels at BAEC participated in the protest alleging that ongoing unwarranted interference by the ministry and its authoritarian behavior have undermined the commission's autonomy, according to press statement.
Background and important of the commission
They said, BAEC established in 2017, BAEC is a specialized body created to conduct peaceful applications, development, expansion, related research, services, and education in nuclear energy.
It is also responsible for implementing development projects concerning nuclear power plants and related matters in Bangladesh in accordance with the principles set forth by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
With 40 institutions under its jurisdiction, the Commission conducts specialized research, education, and medical and service-oriented activities related to nuclear science.
Annually, over 800,000 individuals and more than 100 institutions benefit from various services provided by the Commission including affordable cancer diagnosis and radionuclide therapy, radioisotope supply to hospitals, tissue banking, radiation checks on imported food and sterilization of life-saving drug materials.
It also conduct radioactive waste management, irradiation of export goods, various sample analyses, calibration of radiation equipment, exploration of radioactive minerals, and operation of a 3 MW research reactor and a 3 MV Tandem accelerator.
The BAEC also supports higher education by allowing over a hundred students from various universities to complete Master's and PhD theses each year at no cost. Over the past 50 years, it has built international-standard capabilities through sustained nuclear research. Under the direct supervision of its scientists, the country's first nuclear power plant is currently being constructed at Rooppur, Pabna.
Current crisis and discrimination The commission however lack of autonomy despite its intended structure, which includes a chairman with scientific expertise and four members. But key leadership positions remain vacant causing operational stagnation.
Currently, only one acting chairman and one member are at work. Lack of a full commission and continued ministerial interference have deprived BAEC scientists, officers, and staff of the rights and benefits granted under the BAEC Act and 1985 Service Rules.
BAEC is facing obstruction to Higher Education and Training. About 2,500 people, including 600 scientists from diverse fields and unique eligibility criteria apply, requiring at least three first-class degrees.
Until 2011, the Commission issued necessary orders (GOs) for higher education and training abroad. However, that authority was transferred to the Ministry of Science and Technology, leading to systematic deprivation of these opportunities for scientists.
Despite having full scholarships, bureaucratic delays and unjust denials of GOs are preventing young scientists from pursuing education and training abroad. Instead, ministry officials are being nominating for foreign trips, some of which are unrelated to their qualifications.
Pay Discrimination and Demotion also protested. According to BAEC Service Rules (1985), scientific positions are meant to be equivalent to public university faculty, both in rank and benefits.
Until 2015, BAEC scientists received comparable salaries to university teachers. However, after the abolishment of the selection grade, teachers were granted Grade-1 and Grade-2 positions through special orders, while BAEC scientists were excluded due to ministerial interference.
Additionally, newly created positions have been downgraded. For example, the Principal Scientific Officer post, which should be Grade-3, has been approved as Grade-4. So far, 58 scientific officer and 44 staff positions have been downgraded, leading to administrative and financial complications.
The interference is undermining BAEC's Role in Rooppur Nuclear Power Project. According to Nuclear Power Plant Act of 2015, BAEC is designated as the owner organization, while the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Ltd. (NPCBL) serves as the operator.
Despite BAEC is holding all major contracts and licenses, the Ministry is attempting to sign the Power Purchase agreement between the Power Development Board (PDB) and NPCBL excluding the commission.
The allegation further says despite significant growth in research, services, and educational activities over the last 50 years, there has been no proportional increase in posts, positions, or recruitment, hindering BAEC's ability to serve society effectively.
The allegation further says lack of special benefits to meritorious students who join BAEC to pursue higher education abroad, overcoming numerous challenges to further their careers in nuclear science.
Unfortunately, due to the lack of special incentives and authoritarian behavior from the Ministry, attracting and retaining this talent is becoming increasingly difficult.
Recently, many young scientists have left the Commission for other professions, hampering scientific progress in the country, they alleged urging the authorities to correct the indiscipline.
