Efforts must be built to make an efficient and corruption-free bureaucracy

THE type of bureaucracy depends mainly on the type of government of the country.

When the foundation of democracy is weak or when an authoritarian regime is established, bureaucrats also become authoritarian.

One example of this is the long decade and a half rule of the Awami League government and the bureaucracy, which played a major supporting role in that regime.

The July 2024 mass uprising provided an opportunity to overthrow the fascist AL government and also to restructure the bureaucracy.

However, the interim government did not make any use of that opportunity.

That government could not show the desired success in holding government officials and employees accountable and ensuring exemplary punishment of corrupt officials.

Instead, there are allegations that in the process of appointment, priority has been given only to those who have suffered political deprivation in the past, rather than merit and competence.

So, most of the promises made by the interim government regarding bureaucratic reform have remained unfulfilled.

Later, when an elected government takes charge of the country, the responsibility of bureaucratic reform falls on the new government.

Experts believe that due to bureaucrats’ excessive influence in the past, it is not easy to reorganize the administrative structure based on merit and competence.

But even though it is difficult, it is necessary to maintain the continuity of bureaucratic reform.

The change in the long-established head-heavy administration does not happen overnight.

Therefore, the government must always strive to develop a people-friendly and efficient administration.

To them, if the administration is weak, biased or inefficient, the government’s policies are not implemented or come into question.

Discussions on bureaucratic reform have been going on for a long time, in continuation of which the current government is also talking about forming a merit-based bureaucracy.

But the reality is that strong political will is needed most for this.

There have been allegations that political loyalty has been considered more than professional competence in appointments, promotions and postings in the administration.

As a result, many qualified officials have fallen behind, while many have advanced on the strength of relationships rather than institutional capacity.

Such a culture has not only made the administration inefficient, but has also discouraged honest and talented officials from working.

It is important to remember that how efficient and professional the bureaucracy will be will depend on the structure of the government.

An efficient bureaucracy is needed to strengthen the foundation of democracy.

Therefore, the expectation is that a balanced relationship should be developed between the country’s political leadership and bureaucracy.