Chaos, instability prevail in public administration

Though the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus has been trying to bring back discipline by reshuffling officials in the public administration since the fall of Sheikh Hasina, disorder and instability have been escalating inside it with a breakdown of the chain of command.

The interim government, which has been in power for over a month, has yet to restore order within public administration.

Moreover, field administration is also experiencing a degree of instability, leading to a standstill in various administrative functions.

Meanwhile, some officials are preoccupied with securing promotions, transfers to desirable positions, and lobbying for roles such as Deputy Commissioners (DCs). Regularly, numerous officials from different batches are gathering the Public Administration Ministry to lobby for these posts.

Following the fall of the Awami League government, the interim administration has undertaken the task of restoring order in field administration by replacing partisan officials with more skilled and experienced ones.

As part of this effort, the interim government has appointed new DCs in 59 districts the past week, sparking controversy and discontent among officials.

On September 10, an unprecedented incident occurred at the Public Administration Ministry. Some officials alleged that the DC appointments were influenced by financial transactions favoring Sheikh Hasina's "beneficiaries," leading to demands for the cancellation of two DC appointment notifications.

The discontented officials, including those from the BCS 24th, 25th and 27th batches, claim that Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed and KM Ali Azam, two joint secretaries in the Appointment, Promotion and Deputation (APD) division of the Ministry of Public Administration, played a major role in these appointments.

Officials who feel wronged by the process have expressed frustration and dissatisfaction for not securing DC positions. They are calling for the cancellation of controversial appointments and the issuance of new ones.

An altercation reportedly occurred on September 10 in the office of KM Ali Azam, leading to a video of the scuffle spreading on social media.

The altercation stemmed from a confrontation between the disgruntled DC candidates and APD division officials Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed and KM Ali Azam, where the candidates questioned how such individuals were appointed as DCs. The situation escalated when Joint Secretary Ali Azam cited objections from the Cabinet Secretary as the reason for not appointing the "disadvantaged" officials, further fueling the unrest. Security forces were called in, and police and military personnel were stationed outside the offices of Ali Azam and Ziauddin.

On the following day, aggrieved DC candidates from the BCS 24th, 25th, and 27th batches staged a sit-in outside the Secretary's office and the APD wing of the Public Administration Ministry.

Several officials have blamed Ali Imam Majumder, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser with the rank, status, and perks of an adviser, for the unpleasant situation surrounding the DC appointments. They allege that he has favored pro-Awami League officials for key positions.

Ahsan Kabir, Director General of the Principal Adviser’s Office, is also implicated, given his close ties with ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The appointment of such officials is raising questions about the interim government's decisions, according to the disgruntled DC candidates.

According to various ministry officials, the level of disorder in the administration concerning promotions, appointments, and DC placements is unprecedented. Incidents of junior officers detaining senior officials and other forms of disrespect are being reported, signifying a complete breakdown of the chain of command. Restoring order in the administration is deemed crucial to avoid further stagnation in administrative functions.

Following the altercation on September 10, a committee was formed by the Health Services Division's Senior Secretary to investigate the incident.

Senior Secretary MA Akmal Hossain Azad of the Health Services Division told UNB that the disturbances related to DC appointments were noted through media and social networks. Decisions will be made based on a thorough review of the situation.

Senior Secretary Mokhlesur Rahman of the Public Administration Ministry informed UNB that discussions are underway with the Chief Adviser on the issue.

He confirmed that appointments of eight out of 59 newly appointed DCs have been cancelled and a fitness list was prepared under the leadership of the Cabinet Secretary before the appointments, and if any complaints arise, appointments will be reconsidered. The cancellation of the DC appointment of PKM Enamul Karim, the then ADC during the Nusrat murder case, has already been implemented.

The senior secretary also mentioned that several appointments have been reviewed, and some have been canceled based on complaints and media reports. The recently formed DC Fitness List Committee had reviewed and canceled the appointments of eight DCs.

Changes have also been made in four districts: the DC of Tangail has been transferred to Panchagarh, the DC of Nilphamari to Tangail, the DC of Natore to Lakshmipur and the DC of Panchagarh to Nilphamari.

The officials from the BCS 25th and 27th batches had hoped for a higher number of DC appointments from their batches but expressed disappointment as only a few from these batches were appointed. They consider the process discriminatory.

Coordinator Nurul Karim Bhuiyan of the DC aspirants' deputy-secretaries said that two DC appointment notifications should be canceled. Their main demand is to remove officials involved in various misconducts and who have acted against the public’s aspirations and the ongoing revolution.

Discontented officials claim that those appointed as DCs are mostly beneficiaries of the Awami League, having secured good positions due to their loyalty to the previous government. Allegations of harassment of colleagues, ties with the Awami League and student organizations, and connections with former ministers have also been raised.