Chaos in public admin: 194 deputy secretaries demand promotion to joint secy

• Officials allege unfair treatment under previous govt and seek better positions
• Some call for removal of officials with favoured AL postings
• Protests arose following appointment of DCs in 59 districts
• DC appointments in 8 districts were cancelled amid protests
• Nearly 2,500 retired officials seek to recover benefits lost under AL govt

The demands for promotions within the public administration continue as 194 deputy secretaries have now called for promotions to the position of joint secretary.

Claiming to have been unfairly treated during the previous Awami League government, many officials have been regularly visiting the Ministry of Public Administration with proposals for promotions and improved positions.

Alongside this, another group is advocating for the removal of those who received favourable postings under the Awami League regime. The situation has led to a sense of instability within the administration.

On 10 and 11 September, 60 to 70 deputy secretaries, who were not appointed as deputy commissioners, expressed their frustration by visiting the senior secretary's and a joint secretary's offices at the public administration ministry. 

On 10 September, they detained a joint secretary and caused a commotion at the senior secretary's office, resulting in heated arguments.

Less than a week later, on Tuesday, 194 officials who were promoted to deputy secretary from 25 different cadres, excluding the administration cadre, presented their demands for promotion to the position of joint secretary.

They met with Senior Secretary Mokhlesur Rahman and Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain, requesting their promotion.

Deputy Secretary Nurul Amin, from the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, was among those demanding promotions. He told reporters, "While officials from the administration cadre have been promoted repeatedly, those from other cadres have only been given assurances. The public administration ministry has not acted on this issue.

"Out of the 25 different cadres from the 13th to the 22nd BCS, 194 deputy secretaries are still awaiting promotion. We have been demanding promotions since 2023."

Amin added, "Today, the secretary of Public Administration mentioned that if the Cabinet secretary, who is the president of the Superior Selection Board, provides a date, a meeting will be called.

"We approached the Cabinet secretary, who said he was unaware if the secretary of Public Administration was ready to call the meeting. He would provide a date if requested by the secretary of Public Administration."

The situation escalated following the appointments of DCs in 59 districts on 9 and 10 September. Officials who claimed to be deprived alleged that many of the appointed DCs were corrupt and had received undue benefits during the Awami League government, leading to protests at the public administration ministry.

As a result, the appointments of DCs in 8 districts were cancelled on 11 September. An investigation committee led by Senior Secretary MA Akmal Hossain from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been formed to examine the issues.

Secretary of Public Administration Md Mokhlesur Rahman described the behaviour of the protesting officials as "indecorous and undesirable" on 11 September.

In a related development, nearly 2,500 retired officials who were deprived of promotions from 2009 to August 4, 2024, under the Awami League government, have applied to the public administration ministry to regain their benefits.

On 16 September, the secretary of Public Administration announced the formation of a five-member committee, headed by former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan, to address these grievances and ensure fair opportunities for the deprived officials.

A senior official from the public administration ministry said, "After the fall of the former government, the interim government planned to overhaul the administration. The government also has a principled stance on compensating deprived officials. However, some officials are exploiting this situation, and not all claims are justifiable."

The official added, "The way the government is handling promotions, appointments, and postings has encouraged such claims."

Another official warned that unless forced promotions and postings stop, the chaos in the administration will continue.

In the past week, at least one secretary, three additional secretaries, and six deputy secretaries told TBS that they are eagerly awaiting their transfer orders. They expect to be moved soon due to pressure from certain officials and external influences, which have already led to many of their colleagues being transferred.

On 5 August, Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister and left the country amid public protests. An interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus was formed three days later. Since then, there has been a major reshuffle in the administration, including significant changes in the police and Ansar forces.

Over the past month and a half, several hundred senior officials have been transferred, appointed, or recruited in ministries such as Home Affairs, Public Administration, and Local Government.

Many have been assigned as Officers on Special Duty, and several have been retired compulsorily. Most top officials appointed on a contract basis during the Awami League's tenure have been removed, with some resigning voluntarily.

However, officials with permanent positions in the public administration ministry say that such protests over promotions and postings are rare.