United News of Bangladesh

Seven additional secretaries have been promoted to the rank of secretary. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification in this regard on Tuesday. The newly elevated secretaries have been posted to the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the Statistics and Informatics Division, the National Parliament Secretariat, the Cabinet Division, the Bridge Division and the Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Division. Among them, Mahbubur Rahman, Additional Secretary of the Information and Communication Technology Division, has been appointed as Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, while Kamal Uddin, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, has been appointed as Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. Zaheda Parveen, Additional Secretary of the Cabinet Division, has been promoted to Secretary (Coordination and Reform) in the same division. Aleya Akhter, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, has been appointed as Secretary of the Statistics and Informatics Division. Besides, Md Tajul Islam, Chairman (Grade-1) of the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC), has been appointed as Secretary of the Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Division. Md Mizanur Rahman, Registrar of the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms, has been appointed as Secretary of the National Parliament Secretariat. Action to be taken against negligence by law enforcers, warns Home Adviser Mohammad Abdur Rouf, Additional Project Director (Additional Secretary) of the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project, has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Bridge Division.

Shafiqul Alam, the Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, has been granted the status of Senior Secretary. A notification in this regard was issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Tuesday (February 18). The notification stated that during his tenure as the Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, he has been accorded the rank of Senior Secretary. Govt enters second phase as national consensus talks begin: Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, a senior journalist who was head of AFP in Dhaka, was appointed as the Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser on August 13 last year, following the fall of the Awami League government due to a mass uprising on August 5. At that time, he was granted the rank of Secretary.

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued instructions to take action against government employees posting on social media without adhering to established guidelines. A letter was sent to secretaries, senior secretaries, divisional commissioners, and district administrators on Thursday instructing them to take immediate steps against employees violating social media protocols. ACC seeks info on dual citizenship of govt employees The letter said certain government officials are using social media to post status updates that not only undermine the government’s image but may also jeopardise national security. In its communication, the Ministry pointed out that a number of employees have been disregarding the “Social Media Usage Guidelines for Government Institutions, 2019.” These employees have been sharing documents and posting content that embarrasses the government or creates unnecessary controversy, which goes against the service rules for government personnel. Govt employees to receive dearness allowance The Ministry’s warning said that such behavior is both a breach of the official code of conduct and, in some cases, could be deemed harmful to national security. The Ministry’s guidelines clearly state that employees must refrain from engaging in conduct that is detrimental to the government or violates the code of ethics for public servants. Such actions can be categorized as misconduct under the 'Government Employee Discipline and Appeal Rules, 2018.' Govt employees must submit wealth statement by November 30: Senior Secretary To address these concerns, the Ministry has urged relevant authorities to take necessary actions in line with established regulations. The letter stressed the importance of vigilant monitoring and adherence to the social media usage guidelines, with strict consequences for violations.

The Ministry of Public Administration will hold a meeting for the reconsideration of the applications of 227 candidates who were excluded from the 43rd BCS (Bangladesh Civil Service) examination. The meeting will be held on February 9 at 11:30 am chaired by the Senior Secretary of the Ministry Dr. Mokhlesur Rahman. The Ministry issued a notice regarding the meeting on Sunday. According to the notice, among 2,163 candidates recommended by the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) for the 43rd BCS, notification for the appointment of 1,896 candidates was issued. However, due to adverse remarks in intelligence reports, notification for appointing 227 candidates was withheld. Ministry to reconsider applications of excluded 43rd BCS candidates On January 2, the ministry announced that it is now accepting applications for reconsideration from candidates excluded from the 43rd Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) recruitment process.  

A group of retired government officials who were reportedly deprived of promotion and service benefits during the Awami League government staged sit-in at the secretariat demanding a committee's recommendations for their promotion. Around 50 to 60 deprived officials gathered in front of the office of Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Md. Mokhles Ur Rahman around 10:30am. The officials got agitated when the Public Administration Secretary stepped out of his office around 11:30 am to calm the situation. 1,919 doctors who passed 42nd BSC demand immediate appointment They expressed their frustration loudly with some even demanding the resignation of the Public Administration Secretary. Mokhles UR Rahman  said he has not received any filed from the Chief Adviser’s office yet regarding the promotion of the deprived officials. He assured them that once the file reached he would process it promptly. Despite his explanation, the protesting officials remained unconvinced and continued their demonstration. The Public Administration Secretary then returned to his office but the protestors declared that they would remain outside the office until an official notification regarding their promotion was issued. Govt employees to receive dearness allowance On December 10, the committee reviewing the applications of retired officials reportedly deprived of promotion submitted its report to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The committee, headed by former Finance Secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan, recommended the promotion of 764 officials to the ranks of Deputy Secretary, Joint Secretary, Additional Secretary, and Secretary.

The Ministry of Public Administration on Thursday issued a notification regarding the review of applications from officers who were deprived or retired between 2009 and August 4, 2024. This follows the decision of a government-formed committee tasked with reviewing such cases and providing necessary recommendations. The ministry invites all officers, excluding BCS admin — who were retired from working in the 3rd grade or above in other cadres (for which the Superior Selection Board’s recommendation is required for promotions) during the specified period, who wish to get redress through this committee — to submit written applications. Deadline for 47th BCS online application revised These applications should state the type and reason for deprivation and must be sent to the Senior Secretary/Secretary of the relevant controlling Ministry/Department by December 23, 2024. To expedite the committee's work, officers are requested to fill out a form in this regard and provide a copy of their personal PDS when submitting their applications to the concerned ministry/department, the notification said.  

Application fees for all government jobs, including BCS, and recruitment in banks and insurance companies have been capped at a maximum of Tk 200. This decision was taken during the Secretary Committee on Administrative Development meeting on Wednesday, said Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Md Mokhlesur Rahman. BCS viva marks reduced to 100 The notification for the reduction of fees would be issued within a week. The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) would issue an order regarding the reduction of the application fee for BCS job seekers, he said. In addition, it was clarified that disabled applicants for BCS will no longer have to pay any extra amount beyond the set fee, in line with other applicants. "Earlier, the application fee for BCS in the PSC was Tk 700; they proposed Tk 350. However, today the Secretary Committee decided that it will be Tk 200. To apply for the 47th BCS at the PSC, Tk 200 will be required,” said the senior secretary. "Another issue was that we thought this was low, but it is not low – for disabled applicants, there was a separate fee of Tk 100. It was proposed to reduce this to Tk 50. They would pay this additional amount on top of the fee (like other applicants), as a special arrangement for them. From today, this additional amount will not need to be paid. This is a flat rate: for the 47th BCS and any BCS application, the fee will be Tk 200,” he added. Additionally, another order is being issued through the Finance Division, specifying that the application fee for jobs in banks, insurance companies, semi-government institutions, and entities referred to as extensions of the government will be capped at Tk 200. "Currently, there are many institutions in banks and insurance companies that charge application fees ranging from Tk 1,500 to Tk 2,000. For a job where only two people might get selected, perhaps 200 people apply, no one needs to pay Tk 1,000," Mokhlesur also said. “No application fee exceeding Tk 200 will be collected for government, semi-government, or extension of the government positions. This order will be issued by the Finance Division. Now, we are waiting for the notification order on this matter,” he said. 47th BCS circular published for 3,688 positions "We will also request in a letter from the Finance Division that private institutions try to follow this directive. This request could also be communicated by the Ministry of Public Administration,” he also added.

Deputy secretaries from 25 different cadres, who have been deprived of promotions, will receive their due advancements in December, said Md Obaidur Rahman, additional secretary of the Recruitment, Promotion, and Transfer (APD) of the Ministry of Public Administration on Tuesday. “We are working with the deputy secretaries who are qualified for promotion among the 25 cadres other than the administration cadre,” he told UNB at the Secretariat during a briefing on the APD subdivision of the Ministry of Public Administration. Pilkhana Massacre: Human chain in Kurigram demands fair investigation and reinstatement of dismissed border guard members “The members of the SSB have told us, 'Complete this task first.' We are working on that. We will set a date and proceed with it,” he said. The APD clarified that those with an ACR (Annual Confidential Report) and DP (Departmental Proceeding) will not be eligible for promotion. “There are different types of reports. We will promote those who are qualified. We are trying to complete this work by the end of December,” the APD added. Senior officials from the Ministry of Public Administration told UNB that they will consider those who are a bit more senior and those who became deputy secretaries late.  Benapole Transport Owners announce indefinite strike, disrupting cross-border travel If an individual has a total service period of 15 years and has served more than five years as a deputy secretary, there is a provision for promotion to joint secretary, they said. Furthermore, if an individual has a total service period of 20 years and has served more than three years as a deputy secretary, there is also a provision for promotion to joint secretary.

Bangladesh's interim government is grappling with a significant administrative slowdown since assuming power in August. Ministries, including the Ministry of Public Administration, are facing sluggish work progress, and development projects appear similarly stagnant. An environment of uncertainty and fear is palpable among government officials, which is contributing to the slowdown. A visit to the Secretariat revealed apprehension among officials across various departments. There is widespread concern regarding transfers or potential reassignment to less desirable roles, particularly among those appointed or promoted during the Awami League government. As a result, there is little momentum in executing tasks. Several ministries still have secretaries from the previous government, who are also anxious about being made Officers on Special Duty (OSD) or facing enforced retirement. Meanwhile, eight secretaries, who had been deprived of promotions during the Awami League tenure and have now been reappointed on a contractual basis, are encountering challenges in adjusting to their roles. The current officers who held positions under Sheikh Hasina's administration appear hesitant to fully accept them, which has resulted in slower operational progress. "These new appointments are struggling to match up with others as they return to the administration after long gaps in service," an official noted. Some key ministries reported that interim government advisers have instructed budget cuts for projects initiated during the previous administration. Advisers are taking time to understand ongoing projects, and in some cases, work has been halted. There are no signs that the interim administration plans to introduce new projects, adding to concerns about the overall development pace. In addition to project-related delays, various field-level development tasks and social allowances are not being disbursed properly. Complaints have emerged, particularly about pensions for widows, the elderly, and people with disabilities under the Ministry of Social Welfare. Rural development projects under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, such as “Kabita” and “Kabikha”, are also stalled. Sharmeen S Murshid, adviser to the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, attributed the difficulties to resistance from existing government staff. "Whenever a government assumes office, it needs its own team," she remarked at an event this week. "The old team has to step aside for things to function smoothly." Read: Experts suggest quick reforms in recruitment for transparency in administration Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, adviser to the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, echoed similar concerns, stating, "A revolution has taken place in our country. After a revolution, things do not function as they did before, yet we are clinging to the previous system. Some members of the administration are creating stagnation through non-cooperation. If needed, the government will consider replacing uncooperative officials." Acknowledging the stagnant work environment, Nahid Islam, the Information and Broadcasting Adviser, said during a press conference last month, "Yes, there is stagnation in the administration. We are observing this and facing non-cooperation from various places. Hopefully, the stagnation will dissipate soon." The lack of appointed secretaries in at least seven ministries and divisions further exacerbates the issue. Additional secretaries managing these departments are only performing routine tasks without making any policy decisions, contributing to the overall lack of progress. Amid this slowdown, officials from various batches who have been deprived of promotions are demanding proper placement in senior positions. At least 100 officials appointed on a contractual basis during the Awami League regime have had their contracts terminated. Conversely, eight officials who had been sidelined during Hasina’s tenure were reappointed as secretaries and subsequently promoted to senior secretary positions. Among these appointees, Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid, Md Siraj Uddin Mia, Dr Mokhles-ur-Rahman, Dr M.A. Momen, M.A. Akmal Hossain Azad, Ehsanul Haque, and Dr Nasimul Ghani are now said to have significant control over the administration. In addition, Siddiq Zobair and A.S.M. Saleh Ahmed have been appointed as senior secretaries in the education and land ministries, respectively. Promotions have been scarce for long-serving officials from other batches, sparking discontent. Some argue that even junior colleagues have surpassed them in rank. Abu Mohammad Yusuf, a retired additional secretary, lamented, "Despite being qualified, I was not made a secretary. Officials who were junior to me have now taken senior positions." Dr Mokhles-ur-Rahman, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, explained that addressing these issues, which have persisted for over 16 years, would take time. He expressed optimism, saying, "We hope to complete the placement of suitable individuals in all ministries and departments soon, which will then accelerate progress." Read more:Chaos, instability prevail in public administration as chain of command collapses The interim government faces significant challenges as it attempts to restore momentum in the administration while managing the demands of marginalised officials and overcoming resistance within the ranks.  

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued an order appointing 2,064 candidates from the 43rd Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination to various cadres. This appointment comes nearly 10 months after the recommendation by the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC). The recruitment order, issued on Tuesday by the New Recruitment Division of the ministry, includes appointments to several cadres: 293 in the Administration cadre, 96 in the Police cadre, 25 in the Foreign Service cadre, 32 in the Audit and Accounts cadre, and 22 in the Information cadre, among others. The entire recruitment process for this BCS took almost four years to complete. Hire 3rd, 4th class employees through PSC: President to BPSC According to the order, the appointed candidates must report to their assigned offices under the controlling ministries by November 2. If no further instructions are provided by the cadre-controlling ministries, they are expected to join their respective ministries by the given date. Failure to join by the deadline will be considered a refusal to accept the position, and the appointment will be canceled. The appointees are required to undergo basic training at the Public Administration Training Center or another government-designated institution, followed by professional and specialized training at their respective workplaces. The order also states that the appointees will serve a two-year probationary period. If deemed unfit for continued employment during this time, they may be dismissed without notice or consultation with the Public Service Commission. The results of the 43rd BCS were published by BPSC on December 26 last year, recommending a total of 2,805 candidates for recruitment, including 2,163 for cadre positions and 642 for non-cadre roles. The preliminary exam for the 43rd BCS took place on October 29, 2021, with 442,832 applicants, the second-highest number of applicants in BCS history.