inter-cadre promotion: Admin pandering bogs down bureaucracy
Reza Mahmud :
The preferential treatment given to the administration cadre has paralyzed the bureaucracy, with 25 other government cadres facing discrimination in inter-cadre promotions.
There are 26 Bangladesh Civil Service cadres in total, but current rules allot 75% of promotions to the administration cadre, leaving the other 25 cadres with only 25% of promotions. In practice, however, the disparity is even greater.
This year, non-administration cadres received only 17% of the promotions, further aggravating frustration among these officials.
Many officials, speaking anonymously, revealed that higher-ups in the administration cadre repeatedly manipulate the system to ensure their own dominance, ignoring the High Court’s directive to maintain the 75:25 promotion ratio.
The marginalized cadres submitted a memorandum to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on September 9, demanding a fair and transparent promotion process.
When approached for comment, former Cabinet Secretary and Adviser to the interim government, Ali Imam Majumder, dismissed claims of chaos, saying, “There is no anarchy in the administration. The issue is more about certain cadres’ attitudes toward promotions.”
He pointed out that cadres like police and engineers often resist promotions to the Deputy Secretary post, which is critical for secretariat functions.
He added that many positions remain vacant and expressed optimism that these issues will soon be resolved.
Majumder also confirmed that the memorandum has been forwarded to the law ministry, which is now reviewing the matter.
Badiul Alam Majumder, head of the electoral reform commission and Secretary of Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujan), emphasized the need for reforms, saying, “Bangladesh Civil Service cadre services have become increasingly complicated, undermining the fair evaluation of officials’ performance, integrity, and merit.”
He recommended a thorough restructuring to enhance the effectiveness of the system.
The administrative instability intensified after the fall of Hasina’s regime on August 5, with the bureaucracy divided between officials loyal to the former government and those marginalized during its tenure.
Many officials close to the previous administration have become inactive, slowing the bureaucracy’s overall functioning.
In this turbulent environment, promotion-deprived officials are increasingly vocal about their grievances, demanding immediate solutions.
Some officials warn that failure to address the promotion disparities could further destabilize the administration.
However, others remain hopeful, noting that the numerous vacant posts could provide an opportunity to resolve the issue.
“We are waiting for the Chief Adviser’s Dr Muhammad Yunus response and are optimistic that he will prioritize the matter,” said one official on condition of anonymity.