A significant restructuring has occurred in the upper echelons of the public administration.
Yesterday, thirteen secretaries, including the secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office, were relieved of their duties. As of 10:45 pm, no official announcements had been made regarding the appointment of replacements for these vacant positions.
Among those affected, eight were serving on a contractual basis under the interim government. Notable individuals whose contracts were terminated include SM Akmal Hossain, Mokhles-ur-Rahman, and Kaiyum Ara Begum from the Planning Commission, Saidur Rahman from the Health Services Division, Shish Haider Chowdhury from the Information and Communication Technology Division, Siddique Zobair from the National Academy for Planning and Development, Mohammad Yusuf from the Land Appeal Board, and Mumtaz Ahmed from the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.
Additionally, Sharifa Khan, the alternate executive director of the World Bank appointed during the Awami League’s tenure, saw her contract revoked. Furthermore, three other secretaries who were promoted during the interim government have been reassigned to the public administration ministry.
Insiders at the ministry indicated that the cancellation of contractual appointments was anticipated with the change in government, and a reshuffling of regular secretaries was also likely in the works.
According to sources within the Cabinet Division, Public Administration Adviser Ismail Zabiullah, Minister of State for Public Administration Abdul Bari, and Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar held a meeting with Tarique Rahman yesterday. Subsequently, a significant directive was issued to the public administration ministry’s APD (Appointment, Promotion, and Deputation) wing, leading to a series of official orders being issued.
In a separate development, former secretary AHM Nurul Islam was removed from his position as chairman of the Board of Directors of Eastern Lubricants Blenders PLC (ELBPLC) by the government, as confirmed in an official memorandum from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division to the chairman of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation.
Sources within the secretariat suggest that the prime minister is committed to streamlining the administration for improved efficiency through necessary changes. To this end, efforts have been made since the inception of the new government to enhance operations both within and outside the Secretariat.
Close associates of the prime minister revealed his desire to eliminate the traditional bureaucratic inertia within government offices. He is actively monitoring the attendance of ministers and secretaries to ensure accountability.
In response to these developments, various ministries and divisions have initiated precautionary measures. The law ministry, for instance, has taken a firm stance against irregularities in office attendance, warning officers and employees of potential disciplinary actions for tardiness or early departures without authorization.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a joint secretary from the Cabinet Division informed The Daily Star that the administrative transformations are just commencing, with more significant changes anticipated in the future.