A sense of disgruntlement has taken over the civil administration over discussions to appoint retired officers to top positions in key ministries through contracts.
Following the removal of 13 secretaries on Monday, the public administration ministry is now working on replacing secretaries in another dozen ministries and divisions, while the secretaries of several other ministries may be transferred to lesser important posts but with the same status to make way for the contractual appointments.
The names of at least 8-10 officers who retired several years ago but received retroactive promotions to the rank of secretary during the interim government’s tenure are being discussed at various levels of the administration.
Among them, Abdul Khaleq of the 1984 batch; Kamruzzaman, Baki Billah and Touhidul Islam of the 1985 batch; Zakir Hossain Kamal of the 1986 batch; and Faridul Islam of the 11th batch may be considered for appointment on a contractual basis.
Last night, Manjur Morshed Chowdhury, who had received a retroactive promotion, was made the senior secretary to the home affairs ministry on a one-year contract.
Earlier, the new government appointed ABM Abdus Sattar from the 1982 batch as the principal secretary to the prime minister on a contractual basis.
Those being discussed for contractual appointments have undoubtedly endured difficult times in the past, said an additional secretary awaiting promotion to the post of secretary.
However, through retroactive promotions, they have already received their titles and financial compensation.
“Now, if they occupy the positions that we deserve, the legacy of deprivation will continue. This is creating new discrimination -- we are not seeing a new culture then,” he said on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.
Despite the BNP’s election manifesto promising “meritocracy”, the government is beginning its journey by making contractual appointments to the most crucial positions, said another additional secretary on the condition of anonymity.
Appointing one person on a contract at the top level blocks the promotion and career progression of at least two or three talented subordinate officers, leading them to perform their duties half-heartedly, he said.
“Escaping the clutches of the bureaucracy is no easy task -- contractual appointments do not align with the public support and positive image with which this new government has started its journey,” said Badiur Rahman, a former secretary.
Citing examples of how both Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina were ultimately harmed by relying on contractual appointments in top administrative posts, he said: “The main architects behind the failure of the recent interim government were these contractual secretaries. If this government also chooses officers who retired years ago for contractual roles, then there is nothing more to say.”
Although the contractual appointments of the nine secretaries were cancelled on Monday, there are more still in service, such as in the cabinet division, the public administration ministry and the expatriate welfare and overseas employment ministry.
Meanwhile, the public administration ministry issued notifications yesterday regarding the transfer of two secretaries: Md. Abdur Rahman Tarafder, secretary of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission Secretariat, has been appointed as the secretary to the labour and employment ministry, while Md. Sanwar Jahan Bhuiyan is going the other way.
