Govt launches administrative cleanup to curb political bias

Bangla Press Desk:   The BNP-led government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has launched a sweeping drive to overhaul the public administration, tighten office discipline and curb batch-based politics within the civil service, officials said.

Senior sources said the new administration plans to restructure key positions that officials with specific political affiliations secured during the previous interim government.The government aims to appoint new officers and restore what it describes as merit-based governance across ministries and departments.

The Cabinet began work at the Secretariat on 17 February, a day after taking oath. Tarique Rahman has maintained a regular presence at his office and has monitored attendance of ministers and state ministers. Officials at the Secretariat have reported increased activity since the change in government.

Sources said the government may cancel several politically motivated appointments, including postings of secretaries, additional secretaries and heads of agencies.

Authorities have already cancelled the contracts of nine secretaries appointed on a contractual basis and removed three others from their posts.

The administration also transferred two secretaries and appointed retired secretary Manjur Morshed Chowdhury as senior secretary of the Home Ministry on contract.

The government plans further reshuffles among regular secretaries and senior officials, including additional and joint secretaries who hold key positions in different ministries.

It also intends to fill the vacant post of head of the Administration, Promotion and Deputation Division, which oversees appointments and transfers across the civil service.

During his first meeting with secretaries, Tarique Rahman instructed officials to act in accordance with the Constitution and existing laws. He told them the government would judge performance on merit and work, not political belief.

A former secretary, AKM Auwal Majumder, said governments often initiate administrative reshuffles after assuming office and stressed that competent officers should not fear reform.

The government has also adopted a strict stance on office hours. Many employees previously arrived late despite the official start at 9am, which affected productivity.

The Cabinet Division has issued a directive requiring all officials and staff of government, semi-government and autonomous bodies to attend office on time and refrain from leaving before the scheduled closing hour without permission.

The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs has warned that employees who fail to report by 9am or leave early without authorisation will face disciplinary action.

During Ramadan, officials must remain at work until 3:30pm, and after Ramadan they must stay until 5pm.

Officials said the administration seeks to restore discipline, transparency and efficiency in public service through these measures.

Source: daily Sun

BP/SP