Staff Reporter :
Members of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Forces (VDF) have voiced their dissatisfaction over perceived disparities at the upazila level and presented a nine-point demand to address these issues.
The demands were submitted to the Secretary of the Public Security Department of the Interim Government and the Director General of the Ansar Force.
Despite their crucial role in maintaining internal security, managing peace and order, and responding to disasters, upazila Ansar and VDP officials have reported significant discrimination in their career advancement.
According to these officials, while most other upazila heads have been promoted from Grade X (second class) to Grade IX (first class), the upazila Ansar and VDP officials have faced prolonged delays in similar advancements.
The nine-point demand includes upgradation of the post of Circle Adjutant or Upazila Ansar and VDP Officer or Assistant Adjutant to Grade IX, upgradation of the post of Upazila Trainer or Trainer to Grade X, promotion to the post of Assistant Director for Circle Adjutant Bar Upazila Ansar and VDP Officer, with 50 percent of posts to be filled, and implementation of a supernumerary system for promotions in cases of delayed promotions or unavailability of vacancies.
Previous attempts to address these promotion issues have faced setbacks due to reluctance from BCS Ansar cadres and bureaucratic complications, despite efforts from past Director Generals to address the concerns. Recent promotions have seen some upazila head posts moved from Grade X to Grade IX, but many officials feel these measures are insufficient.
The upazila Ansar and VDP officials have raised these concerns annually during the Ansar and VDP national gatherings, but they claim that only minimal, symbolic actions have been taken in response. An official stated, “The various demands and wishes of the cadre officers are given utmost importance and fulfilled as much as possible. However, the level of discrimination and neglect towards upazila officials continues to increase over time.”