THE interim government, tasked with the critical responsibility of stabilising the nation during a challenging transition, faces an uphill battle in restoring order and efficiency to the civil administration.
An English newspaper reported on Tuesday, more than seven weeks into its tenure, the civil service, which plays a pivotal role in ensuring the continuity of governance, remains in a state of disarray.
While it was expected that the civil administration would enjoy the most favourable work environment after the fall of the fascist rule and have the best opportunity to work without fear or favouritism under the competent interim government, the current bureaucratic stalemate is unjustifiable.
It seems the ghost of the ousted Hasina regime’s despotism still lingers within the administration.
With 34 secretaries appointed during the previous Awami League government and 15 under the current administration, the fractured chain of command is evident.
Uncertainty grips those appointed in the previous regime, while newly promoted officials have yet to gain a firm grasp on their roles.
The vacuum of leadership has been further exacerbated by the absence of secretaries in six ministries, leaving policy implementation in limbo.
It is concerning that the secretary committee on administrative development, a critical body responsible for key decisions, has not convened since the interim government assumed office.
The result is a bottleneck of pending proposals and a delay in the functioning of ministries.
What is particularly troubling is the ripple effect this has caused at the local level.
The delayed appointments of divisional commissioners and district commissioners, the backbone of local governance, have sparked protests and dissatisfaction.
A recent incident involving a scuffle over DC appointments highlights the internal discord and lack of clarity.
While the interim government has taken steps to rectify this, including disciplinary actions against officials involved in the protest, the unrest underscores the need for a more transparent and decisive approach.
We must emphasize that the interim government must strike a balance between addressing past grievances and appointing capable, honest officials to lead the administration forward.
Only then can we expect the smooth functioning of governance that the country so desperately needs during this transitional period.
The interim leadership, headed by Nobel Laureate Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, must rise to the challenge of ensuring an efficient, dynamic, and accountable civil service. The nation’s progress depends on it.
