HIGHLIGHTS:

• Demand for resignation of reform commission chief
• One-hour pen-down strike observed across country yesterday
• Rally to be organised in Dhaka on 4 January

TDS Desk

Former and current administrative cadre officials have demanded Abdul Mueed Chowdhury’s resignation as head of the Public Administration Reform Commission.

“We demand his removal within 48 hours. Otherwise, the administrative cadre knows how to arrange for his removal,” said ABM Abdus Sattar, president of the BCS (Administration) Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited, during a meeting in the capital’s BIAM Foundation Auditorium.

He also called for the implementation of the Bangladesh Administrative Service.

The meeting was held in protest of the Public Administration Reform Commission’s recommendation to appoint 50% of deputy secretaries from the administration cadre and another 50% from the rest.

Several hundred current and former officers of the administrative cadre participated in the meeting, organised by the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association and the BCS (Administration) Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited.

During the meeting, the officials also said there is no longer a need for the Reform Commission to issue reports. Some have called for the restructuring of the commission.

“You did not get promoted through an examination. Since you have done this, you should resign immediately from the Reform Commission,” said Zakir Hossain, an officer from the 1986 batch, addressing the reform commission head.

He demanded restructuring of the Public Administration Reform Commission, coordinated by senior officers of the administrative cadre, following Mueed’s resignation.

On 17 December, the head of the Public Administration Reform Commission told the media that they would recommend promotions through examinations for the positions of deputy secretary and joint secretary.

Zakir Hossain said unity is necessary against those creating obstacles in establishing a discrimination-free Bangladesh.

He also demanded ‘clearing’ officers from other cadres who joined the deputy secretary pool under a 25% quota.

The protest meeting was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association and the BCS (Administration) Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited.

During the meeting, speakers also raised demands for establishing a new type of administrative structure and implementing the Bangladesh Administrative Service.

They also demanded that promotions to the deputy secretary position be made 100% from the administrative cadre.

ASM Saleh, the senior secretary of the Ministry of Land, said the report of this commission would be “useless” and would “end up in the trash.”

He advised everyone to stay united.

The event was conducted by Mahbub Hossain, a member of the Planning Commission, and chaired by ABM Abdus Sattar.

Earlier yesterday (24 December), officials from 25 cadres of the Bangladesh Civil Services (BCS), other than the administrative cadre, observed a one-hour pen-down strike across the country.

They were also protesting the commission’s recommendation to remove education and health cadres from the civil service and demanding the establishment of a ministry based on professional roles.

On 21 December, the officials announced a series of protests over the Public Administration Reform Commission’s recommendation, including each cadre association issuing statements regarding the situation.

Besides, they said a rally will be organised in Dhaka on 4 January, and the next programmes will be announced there.

Furthermore, in areas where no regional rally has been held, the council will organise gatherings and increase public engagement.