Government is going to convert the ‘Bangladesh Water Development Board’ into ‘Bangladesh Water Resources Department'. Ministry of Water Resources has already drafted the ‘Bangladesh Water Resource Development and Management Act, 2019’. The draft law also demands for the creation of a new cadre called ‘Bangladesh Civil Service (Water Resources’).
Water Resources Ministry officials said that the Water Development Board will run within the ‘Bangladesh Water Development Board Act, 2000’. Most of the engineers appointed at the Water Development Board cannot be retained because of lack of good employment opportunities, including promotion. For this, it is imperative to form a water cadre and convert the board into a directorate.
The Department of Water Resources officials said the acquisition would bring more momentum to the company's work. Secretary of the Ministry Kabir Bin Anwar said, “We have drafted a law on this (directing the Water Development Board). Although it is still in its initial stage. It will have a consultation with stakeholders (concerned). After several more steps it will be finalized.
"We employ engineers on the water development board, but 40 percent go away every year," he stated. He also mentioned, they go away when you get a good chance. Since there are other job opportunities, including promotion to the board, the good officials don't want to come.
He further added that they think that being a cadre service is a prestige, so they get the chance. That is why many positions on the board always remains empty. Kabir Bin Anwar stressed that this was the prime reason for the shift to transfer the board to the department. The Secretary later added, "For implementation of the Prime Minister's Declared Delta Plans and other plans, we think it would be better to synchronize with the Ministry if it is taken over by the Department. ”
He expected that, the methodological complexity in the work will be reduced and it will be more dynamic. As per the draft law, the Directorate shall has a Director General and a maximum of six additional Directors. The Government shall determine the appointment, promotion and terms of service of the Director General and Additional Director General. The Director General will be the Chief Executive of the Department.
The draft law states that there will be a cadre called 'Bangladesh Civil Service (Water Resources') for integrated and sustainable development and efficient management of water resources. All laws and regulations applicable to Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) shall apply to this cadre service and its members.
It is also the responsibility of the Directorate to formulate and implement water related development and management projects to achieve the objectives of Bangladesh 'Bay Island Plan, 2100' and the national policy formulated by the Government from time to time.