The class III and IV employees, who were 'illegally' recruited in April 2004, have been allowed to apply against 350 newly advertised posts.

There are recommendations from officials for the 546 employees whereas none of over 50,000 general applicants for the posts has been called for written test or interview, informed sources said.

Rajshahi University, already facing a huge deficit budget, will have to spend over Tk 3 crore annually due to the fresh recruitment while the total allocation for 'education purposes' of the university in this fiscal year is Tk 5.80 crore, sources said.

The RU authorities have already spent Tk 2.5 crore from development and stipend funds for daily basis salaries of the 546 employees and Tk 15 lakh on cases filed over their 'illegal' recruitment in April 2004.

"Rajshahi University is heading towards a serious crisis simply due to political reasons," Workers Party politbureau member Fazle Hossain Badsha said pointing to incidents of violence and chaos on the campus following the recruitment.

Badsha, also a former vice president of RU Central Students Union, hinted that the RU move would be legally challenged soon.

TEACHERS, OFFICIALS CONCERNED
Expressing concern over the recruitment move, several senior teachers and officials said the disputed employees don't have the qualification and experience while many of them are criminals and political cadres who usually indulge in acts of violence for Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir.

Those employees often neglect official work.

"Their presence is hampering educational and administrative activities", said a RU teacher.

"They [the 546] intimidate and embarrass us. Our security will be threatened if their job is confirmed," commented a senior official.

POLITICAL BEHEST
Political considerations and dealings with bribes are behind the new move to confirm the jobs of the controversial employees, sources said, adding that makeshift political offices set up in and around the campus are dealing with the applicants.

In three such offices, influential pro-government employees who have close ties with top BNP-Jamaat leaders of the city are seen maintaining liaison with the RU authorities and spending time with those job seekers.

Motihar thana BNP President Ansar Ali, Secretary Mukhtar Hossain and Organising Secretary Khazdar Ali are attached to Binodpur office while local BNP activist Ashraful Hasan Bachchu and BNP ward no 26 President Ruhul Amin are running the offices at Kajla and RU station.

The BNP leaders, however, refuted the allegations and said they were gearing up electioneering ahead of the next general polls.

LEGAL EVENTS
Over the public interest litigation (PIL) of Rajshahi Bar Association member Abu Aslam, the First Senior Assistant Judge's Court on June 23, 2004 termed the recruitment of 546 employees illegal and ordered temporary injunction on confirmation of jobs, salaries and assigning any duties to the employees.

On July 14, the Second Additional District Judge's Court of Rajshahi allowed a RU appeal and set aside the trial court's decision. The plaintiff Abu Aslam contested the judgement to higher court.

On June 25, 2005, a High Court bench of Justice Abdul Aziz reaffirmed the trial court decision.

"Humanitarian consideration and emotional thoughts can not substitute legal consideration," the HC bench rule said.

Following an appeal by the RU, the Supreme Court stayed the HC bench ruling while the case is still pending.

VICE-CHANCELLOR'S VERSION
Talking to The Daily Star, RU vice chancellor (VC) Prof M Altaf Hossain said there was no legal barrier against recruiting afresh the 'disputed' employees.

"We are doing no unethical act this time and the disputed employees can respond to advertisements," he said, adding that the recruitment is not unnecessary as RU needs to appoint many more employees.

Asked what if the fresh recruitment is challenged, Prof Altaf said, "We [RU authorities] negotiated with the plaintiff and he will not go against the fresh one."