Bangladesh Administrative Service Association’s statement on Public Administration Reform Commission
Nation News Desk:
In the ongoing pursuit of national reforms following the July Uprising, the government established the Public Administration Reform Commission, which is undoubtedly a commendable initiative. The officers of the BCS Administration (Bangladesh Civil Service) cadre have welcomed the government’s initiative from the very beginning, as it aims to build an efficient, citizen-oriented, impartial, and accountable public administration.
However, some groups are attempting to undermine the government’s good intentions by prioritizing their own interests over the broader welfare, creating divisions among members of various services instead of promoting solidarity.
The Bangladesh Administrative Service Association supports all government reform programs and is committed to actively contributing to the success of the current government’s initiatives.
Among the recommendations submitted by the Commission, several positive proposals are noted. However, the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association believes that some proposals require further review regarding their feasibility and implementation. One such proposal is the Commission’s suggestion to include the positions of Joint Secretary and Additional Secretary, above the 5th-grade position of Deputy Secretary in the Administration Cadre, into the ‘Superior Executive Service’. The Commission has also recommended that 50% of promotions for the Deputy Secretary position should be allocated for officers from the Bangladesh Administrative Service, while the other 50% would be open to officers from other services.
This proposal conflicts with a ruling from the Supreme Court, which resolved the matter after nearly 10 years of litigation. In 2016, following an appeal and review by the Honorable Appellate Division, it was concluded that 75% of the Deputy Secretary promotions should be reserved for the Administrative Service cadre, acknowledging their historic and experiential connection to the position.
The Appellate Division had ruled that given the relevant work experience and historical relationship between the Administrative Service cadre and the Deputy Secretary position, it is the inherent right of the Administrative Service cadre to advance to the higher positions from Deputy Secretary onward, and this right does not extend to other cadres. Hence, the Commission’s stance directly contradicts the verdict of the highest court.
Furthermore, the Commission’s recommendation to reduce the 75% quota for promotions to Deputy Secretary from the Administrative Service cadre to 50% is not valid. In fact, no quota was ever implemented for the Administrative Service cadre for promotions to Deputy Secretary; rather, the quota was introduced in 1989 specifically for officers from other services.
The Appellate Division’s observations in the case also clarified that those who placed high on the merit list among the various cadres and opted for the Administrative Service, should be given the opportunity to be promoted to vacant posts within the BCS Administration cadre. Reducing the quota to 50% would undermine the merit-based recruitment system, leading to unequal treatment of candidates based on their merit, potentially destabilizing the established balance in governance.
Additionally, this proposal does not align with global or regional civil service practices. After the merger of the BCS (Secretariat) and BCS (Administration) cadres in 1992, all Secretariat Service positions, such as Assistant Secretary, Senior Assistant Secretary, and Deputy Secretary, became part of the Administration Service. According to the hierarchical system, the feeder position for Deputy Secretary is Senior Assistant Secretary, and for Senior Assistant Secretary, it is Assistant Secretary. Therefore, it would not be logical to consider lateral appointments instead of promoting the Administrative Service officers to Deputy Secretary, which is their inherent right based on the established system.
In light of the Supreme Court’s final decision on this matter, the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association urges the government not to implement the Public Administration Reform Commission’s proposed revisions.
The interim government is relentlessly working to ensure a people-eccentric governance system. The Bangladesh Administrative Service Association’s members remain fully committed to the successful implementation of all reform initiatives and activities undertaken by the interim government.