Form Capital City Govt, similar to Delhi proposed 

The Public Administration Reform Commission has recommended establishing a federally-controlled "Capital City Government" for Dhaka, similar to the model in New Delhi, considering the city's population and service needs.

In its report, the commission made over 100 recommendations, including streamlining the public-sector recruitment process with a smaller timeframe, reducing the number of ministries to streamline governance, abolishing the "senior secretary" post, eliminating interest-free car loans for high officials at the secretariat and forming citizen committees with student representatives at district and upazila levels.

The commission's Chief Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury handed over the report to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna yesterday.

Capital city govt

The commission recommended a federally-controlled government for Dhaka. Like provinces in other countries, there could be an elected legislative assembly and local government here too.

The size of the "Capital City Government" may vary and include Dhaka Metropolitan City, Tongi, Keraniganj, Savar and Narayanganj. 

The commission also recommended dividing the country into four provinces and revising the designation of deputy commissioners (DCs), along with forming two new divisions.

BCS exams within a year

The commission proposed setting a specific timeline for completing the recruitment process in government jobs, especially Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS), as the current process is too long and needs to be simplified.

It also proposed an annual calendar. It said the notice of the Public Service Commission (PSC) examination should be given in the second week of January. 

The results of the preliminary exam should be published in May. The main exams should be held in June and the results published in the second week of December. 

The declaration of the final results can be done in the third week of April. Offices will be appointed to respective ministries by the first of July.

The syllabus for the BCS main written examination should undergo modifications, including the introduction of six compulsory subjects and an integrity test to assess candidates' problem-solving abilities and psychological attributes. 

These subjects include Bengali Essay (100 marks), English Essay (100 marks), English Composition and Precis (100 marks), Bangladesh Constitution, History, Heritage, and Culture (100 marks), International and Current Affairs (100 marks), and General Science & Technology, Society & Environment, and Geography (100 marks).

Additionally, a three-attempt limit is being proposed for candidates failing the exam consecutively.

Besides the compulsory subjects, the BCS main written examination should also include six optional subjects (each carrying 100 marks) from Arts, Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, Commerce, and Law. 

However, candidates will not be allowed to select more than two subjects from the same group.

An integrity test should be introduced as a preliminary screening for candidates who pass the written exam. 

Furthermore, a minimum passing score of 60% was recommended for both the written and viva examinations.

The reform commission has recommended that police verification of candidates should only be conducted after the results of written and oral examinations are announced.

Additionally, it has proposed abolishing the practice of involving the police or intelligence agencies in determining a candidate's political affiliation for promotion purposes. 

The report stated that politicisation in public administration begins at this stage. 

The report further recommended abolishing police verification for civil services related to passports, dual citizenship, and the formation of boards for social service organisations or NGOs.

Reduce ministries, divisions 

The commission proposed reducing the number of ministries to 25 and divisions to 40 to ensure better governance, reports UNB.

It recommended categorising all ministries into five clusters: Statutory Administration, Finance, Industry and Trade, Physical Infrastructure and Communication, Agriculture and Environment, and Human Resources and Social Development.

It also recommended eliminating corruption in public services as bribery, favoritism and nepotism hinder the service delivery process within the public service system.

It said all necessary measures must be taken to eliminate corruption in public service.

To ensure an efficient and impartial public service, political bias and partisan considerations must be avoided in these activities, said the report.

Nagorik Committees at district, upazila levels

As per the report, the commission suggests that similar to how parliamentary standing committees monitor the activities of various ministries, the District Nagorik Committees and Upazila Nagorik Committees should be formed, comprising representatives from diverse social classes, including students.

These Nagorik Committees should hold meetings every four months to review government services and submit their findings to the deputy commissioner and the heads of relevant departments.

Abolish 'senior secretary' post

The commission suggested reorganising ministries and creating multiple departments within them to improve efficiency. 

To ensure effective coordination between these new departments, it recommended the appointment of a "principal secretary." An officer currently holding the rank of "senior secretary" can be appointed to the position of "principal secretary." 

The posts of cabinet secretary, principal secretary, and secretary will not have a fixed pay grade or scale; instead, their salaries, allowances, and benefits will be determined by the government.

The position of senior secretary was not originally part of the fundamental structure of public administration. It was introduced through an executive order by the Awami League government on 9 January 2012. At the time, public administration professionals and experts viewed the creation of this post as a means to form a loyal group of bureaucrats and reward them.

Cancel interest-free car loans for secretariat officials

The commission recommended the cancellation of interest-free car loans for government officials at the deputy secretary level and high-ranking positions.

The report stated that currently, deputy secretaries in the secretariat are eligible for interest-free loans of up to Tk30 lakh to purchase a car. Additionally, they receive a monthly allowance of Tk50,000 for vehicle maintenance.

However, this benefit is not available to government officials from other services outside the secretariat.

"By cancelling this benefit, the government can save money and create a more equitable system for all government officials," the report added.

The report also highlighted that similar benefits are extended to high-ranking officials in the armed forces and judicial services. Judicial officers with 15 years of service are also eligible for interest-free car loans.