Experts suggest reforms in recruitment, promotion system

Experts and former civil servants have opined that reforming the recruitment, promotion, transfer and posting systems is crucial for bringing discipline and transparency to the administration, reports UNB.

They have also emphasised the need for legal and structural changes in these areas to achieve this goal.

The interim government has formed a commission to bring reforms in public administration. On October 3, the Cabinet Division issued a notification announcing the formation of an eight-member Public Administration Reform Commission (PARC), headed by Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, Chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines and a former adviser to the caretaker government.

The commission also comprises former secretary Mohammad Tarek, senior secretary of Ministry of Public Administration Md Mokhlesur Rahman, former additional secretary Md Hafizur Rahman, Rizwan Khair, Prof A K A Firoz Ahmed from Department of Public Administration at Dhaka University, and a student representative.

The PARC has said its primary objective is to establish a public-oriented, accountable, efficient and impartial administrative system. Its report is to be submitted to the chief adviser of the interim government within 90 days.

Abu Alam Md Shahid Khan, a former secretary, noted that to ensure discipline and transparency in administration, it is essential to prioritise reforms in recruitment, promotion, transfer and posting procedures.

He suggested that if these areas can be properly addressed, transparency would improve significantly. For a public-oriented, accountable, efficient and impartial administration, the PARC must develop stringent policies and effective measures.

Shahid Khan said clear policies must be established for recruitment, training, posting and promotion, and these policies must be effectively implemented.

Although various policies currently exist in this regard, these are often applied arbitrarily, and there are loopholes that must be rectified. The persons involved in the policy-making phase tend to benefit, creating conflicts of interest that must be addressed by the PARC.

The former secretary also underscored the need for transparent guidelines in these areas to avoid undue influence.

Mohammad Firoz Mia, another former secretary, said the current promotion process is outdated, and it does not reflect the modern practices found in many countries.

He suggested that if systematic changes are implemented, it would prevent political biases from influencing promotions.

According to Firoz Mia, the current manpower structure is outdated, and it requires a complete overhaul to adapt to new demands as they arise.

He insisted that there should be no political influence in recruitment, stating that the Public Service Commission (PSC) should appoint chairpersons and members based on merit rather than political considerations.

Meanwhile, the PARC chairman said the first meeting of the committee took place on 14 October at the Secretariat. The commission has decided to engage in discussions with various stakeholders, including the government employees and field-level workers.

Muyeed Chowdhury mentioned that the PARC aims to listen to the public as well as consult with local job holders and chambers of commerce before commencing its actual work.

He noted that establishing a public-oriented, accountable, efficient and impartial administrative system is the PARC's primary objective.

"We have discussed about various aspects that need addressing. We will gradually process these discussions and move forward. We are expected to have a clear outline within two months."

When asked about the commission's priorities, he said the government's directives would dictate its focus. "Determining our priorities will require more time."

The PARC chairman hoped that if the reforms are implemented successfully, corruption and nepotism in recruitment, promotion, transfer and posting would diminish.

When asked about the feasibility of submitting a reform recommendation report within three months, he said, "The government has given us three months. We will certainly strive to complete it within that timeframe."