My son-in-law qualified in BCS written exams. Since I was a middle ranking civil servant, my daughter and he came to me with the good news. They informed me that they have got a `source' and if they pay Tk.400,000.00 he would be selected in his desired cadre. They requested me to either pursue the PSC for his selection or allow him to pay Tk.400,000.00 to the source. They informed me that they have got assurance from the source that if he is not selected the source would pay the money back. What they had to do was to give them half the said money as advance and half after the results are published. I didn't believe the story and branded that as baseless.

My in-law didn't get the selection that time. I consoled myself thinking that it might happen to anybody. Then the next year, for the second time, after getting the chance in the written exams again, they came to me with the same proposal. They also informed me that some of their friends, who paid the said amount of money to the source, had got selected. My daughter told me that I didn't have to pay anything for them; just they were seeking my advice and recommendation. "Getting a civil service post can't be possible in lieu of money," I opined very firmly. I declined to request or suggest them to pay money, since it was not ethical and realistic. This time I could read the annoyance and frustration on their faces.

The result was the same. They have stopped coming to me. Where to complain about this misery I don't know. The government should look into the matter to save the civil service from total ruination.