The newly formed interim government has initiated sweeping changes across all levels of administration, aiming to restructure and rejuvenate the bureaucracy. This move comes as part of broader reforms to ensure the effective governance of the country during this transitional period.
Major shifts are underway within the Bangladesh Secretariat, with significant changes at the top levels, various agencies, and the field administration. Notably, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the heads of the Special Branch (SB) and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), and several police commissioners have been replaced. Additionally, superintendents of police (SP) in various districts and officers-in-charge (OC) at police stations are being reassigned.
Following the formation of the interim government, a wave of protests erupted among officers in both cadre and non-cadre services who felt overlooked for promotions under the previous administration. These officers have been rallying daily at the Secretariat, submitting petitions to the Secretary of Public Administration and the Chief Adviser, seeking redress.
Sources within the administration indicate that officials known for their loyalty to the previous Awami League government currently hold key positions across ministries, divisions, and departments. With the political shift, many of these officials are expected to lose their positions. The interim government is likely to replace them with officials who have been sidelined for the past 16 years, focusing on those with neutral or transparent reputations. This includes potential changes at the divisional and deputy commissioner levels, as well as among Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO).
Several officials, wishing to remain anonymous, informed UNB that if the interim government were to remove the secretaries appointed during the Awami League’s tenure and appoint new ones, it would significantly enhance the efficiency of the administration.
According to multiple officials, the interim government must not retain the old administration if it hopes to succeed. They argue that those who benefited under the Awami League regime may attempt to undermine the current government, and therefore, swift action is needed to replace them with previously marginalized, qualified officers.
Already, the contract of Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Md. Tofazzel Hossain Miah has been canceled. On August 14, the contracts of 10 out of 19 full secretaries who were appointed on a contractual basis were terminated, with the remainder expected to be dismissed soon.
The list of those whose contracts have been terminated includes high-profile figures such as Abu Hena Rahmatul Muneem, Chairman of the National Board of Revenue; K.M. Abdus Salam, Secretary of the National Parliament Secretariat; A.B.M. Amin Ullah Nuri, Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division; Lokman Hossain Miah, Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA); Satyajit Karmakar, Senior Secretary of the Planning Division; Mokammel Hossain, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism; Begum Wahida Akter, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture; Md. Ali Hossain, Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology; Dr. Md. Humayun Kabir, Secretary of the Ministry of Railways; and Md. Khairul Islam, Executive Member (Secretary) of BIDA.
In addition, senior secretaries and secretaries identified as close allies of the Hasina government are being considered for reassignment as Officers on Special Duty (OSD) or to less significant roles. Many officials who were denied promotions for political reasons remain in the administration, and the interim government is under pressure to address their grievances.
Mahbubur Rahman, President of the Forum for Deprived Government Officers and Employees, and an officer of the 13th BCS batch, expressed his frustration to UNB, saying, “My batchmates were promoted to secretary positions a year and a half ago, yet I am still a senior assistant secretary. Despite being recognized as a competent officer, I was not made OSD, but I’ve been denied promotions for 16 years due to political bias. Many officers like me have remained in the same position for years. Hundreds have retired as OSDs. We demand justice from this government and immediate promotions for those of us who have been overlooked.”
In the field administration, those appointed as divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners are perceived as trusted and capable officers. Currently, the divisional commissioners of Dhaka and Khulna belong to the 15th batch, while the others are from the 17th batch. Deputy commissioners mostly hail from the 24th, 25th, and 27th batches of BCS officers, with many preparing to return to Dhaka.
Former Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan commented, “The administration plays a crucial role in ensuring the government’s efficiency. Officials known for their staunch support of the previous government may be made OSDs or transferred to less important roles. Those who have been sidelined for years will likely not be posted in major positions unless they receive overdue promotions. Instead, officers with a neutral and transparent image may take on significant roles during this transition.”