Even officials accused of graft make hay

FE Team | Published: September 04, 2024 00:15:31

Recent promotions in Bangladesh's administrative ranks have sparked some controversy, with numerous officials accused of corruption and misconduct reportedly advancing in their careers by aligning themselves with different political factions, reports UNB.
Several high-ranking officials, who claim they were 'deprived' of promotions under the previous Awami League government, have now secured advancements, despite several of them facing allegations of financial irregularities and professional misconduct.
In the wake of the interim government's formation following the fall of the Awami League government, a wave of promotions has swept through the Secretariat. Some officials who had previously enjoyed significant advantages during the Awami League government are now presenting themselves as 'victims' of the former regime.
Multiple sources within various ministries have confirmed that several of these officials, known for their affiliations with the Awami League, had held key positions over the past 15 years. These included strategic roles in important departments and even field administration, such as the Deputy Commissioner (DC) position. However, in a dramatic shift, these same individuals are now positioning themselves as supporters of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami and deprived of career advancement, thereby securing promotions in the current political climate.
Reports indicate that some ministry secretaries are verbally recommending their preferred officials for promotions, leading to concerns that corruption-tainted individuals and those who previously benefited under the Awami League regime are still receiving favourable postings.
For instance, Babul Miah, a Senior Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs who was made Officer on Special Duty (OSD) over 'crest fraud', has managed to secure three consecutive promotions within a single week under the interim government. Babul, a 15th BCS cadre officer who once served as the private secretary to a state minister during the Awami League regime, was promoted to deputy secretary on August 13, then to joint secretary on August 15, and just five days later, on August 18, he was further elevated to additional secretary.
These promotions have sparked discontent among officials who were genuinely deprived of career advancements under the previous regime. Some officials fear that these promotions could destabilise the administration, as those previously aligned with the Awami League are now presenting themselves as supporters of other political parties to secure their positions.
The recent wave of promotions included 131 joint secretaries being elevated to additional secretaries, while earlier, 223 were promoted to joint secretaries and 117 to deputy secretaries.
Despite the large number of promotions, the administration is facing an imbalance in the number of positions available versus the number of officials. According to the Ministry of Public Administration, there are currently 72 officials working as senior secretaries and secretaries against 69 approved positions, and 524 additional secretaries against 142 approved positions, indicating an excess of 382 officials at this level. Similarly, there are 886 joint secretaries for 332 approved positions, leaving a surplus of 554 officials.
In contrast, there is a shortage in the ranks of assistant secretaries and senior assistant secretaries, with 1,217 officials working against 2,975 approved positions for senior assistant secretaries, and 1,217 assistant secretaries for 1,393 approved positions. This imbalance highlights the ongoing challenges in managing the administration's human resources amid political shifts and allegations of corruption.