Interim Era: Govt moves to restore order in public service
City Desk:
A year after the July Uprising laid bare the disarray within public administration, the government is intensifying efforts to restore order through a series of tough reforms aimed at strengthening institutional discipline and accountability.
Since the interim government assumed office in August last year, officials at various levels of the civil administration have engaged in rallies, sit-ins, human chains, and “pen break” protests, particularly in response to the restructuring and division of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), reports UNB.
The government has responded with disciplinary action against those participating in such movements.
Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Mukhlesur Rahman told UNB that the government is maintaining a firm position on disorderly conduct by officials.
“Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has directed a strict stance on such issues. From now on, if any government official or employee engages in unjustified movements against the government, legal action will be taken,” he said.He mentioned that the administration is adhering to a ‘zero tolerance’ policy to ensure transparency and accountability in the civil service.
Mukhlesur Rahman said this is the government’s most serious effort yet to restore discipline ahead of the elections.
Over the past year, employees of NBR, various ministries and field administrations have staged frequent demonstrations.
These included sit-ins, rallies, and symbolic work stoppages in protest, particularly over the proposed restructuring of the NBR.
The unrest has negatively affected revenue collection, disrupted trade operations and complicated customs and supply chain processes, causing significant losses for businesses.
Tensions peaked when protesting NBR officials reportedly tore up two recent transfer orders, denouncing them as retaliatory and oppressive. In response, the government has temporarily suspended 14 officials recently.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has also launched an investigation into several officials. In parallel, the Ministry of Public Administration has issued a directive to all ministries, departments and local administrative bodies, urging officials to exercise caution on social media.
The circular warned that misconduct on digital platforms could violate multiple regulations, including the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1979, the Guidelines for the Use of Social Media in Government Institutions, 2019, and the Government Servants Discipline and Appeal Rules, 2018.
Officials were reminded that unauthorised social media activity could compromise national security, damage the integrity of the civil service and result in disciplinary action as per existing government service laws.
The directive mandates strict adherence to the 2019 guidelines and empowers authorities to take legal measures against violators to uphold decorum in public service.
Amid ongoing administrative unrest and employee agitation in the secretariat, the government has approved a series of flexible amendments to the Government Services (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 to ensure due process in disciplinary actions.
Under the new provisions, it is now mandatory to form a three-member investigation committee before taking disciplinary action against any government employee.
A show-cause notice must be issued within seven days of receiving a complaint, and a decision must be made within seven working days of the employee’s response.
Besides, the previous provision allowing punishment solely on the basis of notice has been scrapped.