by 
Officials and employees of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) are continuing their protests, demanding the restoration of the commission’s autonomy, an end to unwarranted interference by the Ministry of Science and Technology, protection of nuclear information, halting the downgrading of senior scientific officer posts, and increased funding for research, among 11 specific demands. Despite six months of agitation, the government has shown no response. Two memoranda submitted to the ministry have yielded no positive outcome. Instead, salaries and allowances of officials and employees were withheld, an unprecedented humiliation in the commission’s 52-year history, sparking widespread resentment among the protesters.
The officials allege that keeping key positions vacant and the ministry’s authoritarian behavior have weakened the commission, turning it into a submissive entity. Even after the fall of the previous authoritarian regime, the situation has not improved. The ministry’s undue interference continues to undermine BAEC’s autonomy, negatively impacting the morale, efficiency, and dignity of its personnel, and severely hampering research and service activities. They assert that without operational independence, quality research outcomes are unattainable.
BAEC oversees 40 institutions engaged in high-quality research and services. To ensure adequate funding and address their 11-point demands, the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Scientists’ Association, BAEC Officers’ Association, and Employees’ Welfare Association have announced plans to intensify protests starting in July.
**11-Point Demands:**
1. Immediate permanent appointments to vacant chairman and member positions.
2. End the ministry’s authoritarian behavior to restore BAEC’s autonomy.
3. Return authority for approving higher education and training to BAEC.
4. Ensure the security and confidentiality of nuclear information.
5. Exclude BAEC from the IBAS system and manage funds as per BAEC Act 2017.
6. Eliminate bureaucratic complexities in administrative processes.
7. Stop harassment through demands for irrelevant information.
8. Upgrade downgraded posts to their designated grades to address disparities.
9. Ensure Grade-2 and Grade-1 status for senior scientific officers, akin to public university professors.
10. Cancel the decision to execute PPAs between NPCBL and PDB, bypassing BAEC.
11. Permanently appoint temporary posts, create new posts, increase research funding, and stop ministerial interference to ensure a research-friendly and dignified work environment.
Dr. ASM Saifullah, President of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Scientists’ Association, stated, “Due to our protests, the ministry halted fund disbursements, leaving 2,500 employees without salaries before Eid. Research funding is inadequate, and the government remains indifferent.”
Sirajul Arefin, President of the BAEC Officers’ Association, said, “We want BAEC to be an autonomous institution to ensure unhindered research. The ministry seeks to control us like other entities. We will announce tougher programs to press our justified demands.”
Efforts to contact Md. Mokabbir Hossain, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls.
