In quest of a pro-people civil administration

In modern states, civil administration is an integral part of the governance framework. It serves as the backbone of a nation's development, ensuring public services, policy implementation, and the rule of law. The quality and character of governance are profoundly shaped by the efficiency, integrity, and professionalism of civil servants. Unfortunately, Bangladesh's civil administration has long been mired in politicisation and favouritism, and eroding public trust, which have been hindering the state's progress.
In recent years, civil administration in Bangladesh has suffered severe damage due to excessive politicisation. Instead of acting as neutral and professional public servants, civil servants increasingly became tools for advancing the agendas of the ruling party. Political loyalty replaced merit and competence as the primary criteria for promotion and posting. This trend reached a peak during the last regime, where appointments and advancements were often determined by allegiance to the ruling elite rather than qualifications or performance.
Such politicisation not only undermined the principles of good governance but also allowed oligarchs to manipulate the system for personal gain. Some civil servants actively supported corrupt practices, enabling massive financial irregularities. This transformation of the bureaucracy into a partisan institution compromised its ability to serve the people effectively. Honest, skilled, and efficient officers were marginalised, while corrupt and unprincipled bureaucrats occupied positions of influence. The result was chaos within the governance system, creating mistrust between the administration and the public.
The recent change in government has brought hopes of reform. The interim administration has initiated an overhaul of the civil administration, promising to address past wrongdoings. However, these efforts have been met with skepticism. Protests within the Secretariat reveal growing dissatisfaction among civil servants who allege that the current processes for promotion and posting are still flawed. Allegations of bribery influencing decisions have further tarnished the credibility of these reforms.
Over the last three months, more than 500 officials have been promoted and around 80 made Officers on Special Duty (OSD). However, this large-scale reshuffling appears to mirror the practices of the previous regime. Where once pro-Awami League officers were prioritized, now anti-Awami League officials are allegedly receiving preferential treatment. This merely replaces one form of bias with another, perpetuating the cycle of politicisation. Such superficial changes fail to address the deep-rooted issues within the civil administration.
True reform of Bangladesh's civil administration requires a paradigm shift. The objective must be to establish a merit-based, transparent, and accountable system that prioritises public service over political loyalty. Civil servants should function as impartial executors of government policies, ensuring their alignment with the interests of the people.
One critical aspect of this reform is to dismantle the traditional hierarchy that allows civil servants to dominate elected representatives. The role of civil servants must evolve from that of controllers to facilitators. Their primary responsibility should be to assist elected officials in implementing policies and delivering services effectively. Such a shift would empower elected representatives to fulfill their mandates while ensuring that the bureaucracy remains professional and non-partisan.
Furthermore, robust mechanisms must be put in place to ensure transparency and accountability in promotions, postings, and disciplinary actions. Independent oversight bodies should be empowered to investigate allegations of corruption and favouritism. Adequate training and capacity-building programmes should also be introduced to equip civil servants with the skills necessary to meet the challenges of modern governance.
The civil administration's primary purpose is to serve the people, not political parties or individuals. If reforms are implemented with genuine intent and commitment, the civil administration can regain public trust and contribute meaningfully to nation-building. The interim government has got a historic opportunity to lay the foundation for such a transformation. However, it must act decisively and transparently to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated.
Only through a truly pro-people civil administration can Bangladesh aspire to achieve its governance and development goals, ensuring justice, equity, and progress for all its citizens.

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