The New Nation - Internet Edition

Shah Abdul Hannan

Recently, two doyens of Bangladesh civil service died, one of them was M. Nurul Islam, former secretary and former governor of Bangladesh Bank and the other was M Mahbubuzzaman , former cabinet secretary and Minister .

I worked with both of them and I have fond memories. Mr. Nurul Islam became first chairman of National Board of Revenue and I joined as its first second secretary in the customs and the then excise side. There was no member for only customs side and also no first secretary .I had to deal with the Chairman almost direct. I had heard about him before but I did not work with him. He was Chairman for a short time and he handed over charge after some time to Mr. Kafiluddin Mahmud, an officer of his batch. They were among the officers of first or second batch of the then Pakistan Civil Service. I found Mr Islam a totally professional, competent and soft-spoken officer. He would not talk much but he was the epitome of a gentlemen. I remember that it was decided to reduce duty on machinery from 30 percent to eighteen percent because of devaluation made of taka to dollar. He asked me to draft a new notification with a new schedule. I then suggested to him that this exercise was not necessary and that the figure 30 percent in the earlier notification can be replaced by 18 percent, it would do. He thought for a moment and then agreed with me and asked me to do that way.

On another occasion in 1974 probably, he was commerce secretary, Late Kazi Mosharraf Hossain was the Chairman of the NBR and I was the first secretary. It was decided by the government to raise more revenue and Mr. Nurul Islam suggested imposition of a development surcharge which was very easy to do and practical but Kazi Musharraf was not agreeable. He said that an import sur-charge should be imposed. Mosharraf sahib was a tough arguer and Nurul Islam sahib could not convince him. Finally Mr. Nurul Islam did agree to an amendment of Import and Export law and a new import license tax was imposed. This shows a kind of bureaucratic power-mongering which I saw throughout my service life .On the other hand I found Nurul Islam sahib very different and very understanding.

My last direct experience with him was in 1986 or 87 when as a D.G. of the Bureau of Anti-corruption I was investigating an alleged graft case of one hundred thousand dollar against an officer who later became Minister. The then President wanted to see the file because somebody close to him reported the matter to him. After meeting with the President I met Nurul islam sahib on his advice. Mr Nurul Islam took certain papers from me but told me very politely that there was no hope for the investigation. He was only telling me practical aspects of such cases, the realities but also false allegations that are galore in our country to defame and destroy others.

Mr Mahbubuzzaman was another great soul He was probably from 1954 batch of civil service. I found him as Cabinet secretary and Cabinet Division used to supervise the work of Bureau of Anti-Corruption. I have found hardly such well-behaved, knowledgeable, competent and courageous officer. His example would be rare like Nurul Islam sahib. He used to preside over the Anti-Corruption council of that time where prosecution decision about important cases of corruption used to be taken.

I was myself not very prosecution minded because I had very grave doubts about the complaints and investigating officers and I used to take very few cases there. I found him more considerate in giving clearance for prosecution .He backed me very much during my days in that organisation and did help me somewhat when I was being challenged by a junior officer of civil service cadre in the Bureau. I was facing a difficult time in my life at that time but I decided to pass this crisis coolly with patience as Almighty Allah has taught humanity. Mr Zaman knew the matter and used to console me though he did not take any further action at that time. Service solidarity in this country is more important than truth and justice. It is only a few who can pass this test.

I faced the same situation when my promotion as secretary became due to me .I was by passed by thirty officers though my record as the key person who introduced VAT in this country and also my record in major reform in the Banking sector was well-known. I wish justice become the guiding principle in our life.

Mr Mahbubuzzaman used to tell everybody and also me 'Apni' (you in respectful sense) and he had great affection for me. He did visit me several times after his retirement and I always tried to help him whenever it was possible.

Mr Islam and Mr Mahbubuzzaman have gone from us almost silently with no publicity or discussion to mention. I feel a little pained that such great sons who have built the administration in Bangladesh have gone in this manner. I pray for them, Allah may reward them for all their good works for the nation.

(The writer is former secretary, Government of Bangladesh)