—Dr Habib Zafarullah–

Despite nearing almost six decades of independence, Bangladesh’s administrative system remains stuck in the past, a relic of British colonial rule. Originally designed to serve foreign rulers, this bureaucracy now appears more interested in protecting its own privileges than advancing the nation. Outdated methods of handling paperwork and communication create unnecessary obstacles, slowing decisions and holding back progress.

One glaring example of delay is the “noting system,” where files must pass through multiple hands for comments and approvals before any action is taken. This confusing process loses time and money that could be used for better purposes, such as building schools, hospitals, and other infrastructures. Even now, high-ranking officials often behave like kings, expecting their staff and the public to show them the same respect people did in colonial times. This old way of thinking focuses more on strict rules than on getting things done and values appearance over helping others.

Despite numerous reform attempts, the core structure of the civil service has barely changed. The Civil Service of Pakistan (CSP), which evolved into Bangladesh’s administration cadre, retained its elite status and privileged position. This has created a bureaucratic class that sees itself as the guardian of the state rather than as public servants. As a result, they resist meaningful reforms that could challenge their authority and disrupt their control over government operations.

This rigid system affects every aspect of the country’s development. Simple tasks, like getting a business permit or accessing land records, become complicated, time-consuming, and prone to corruption. Resistance to change has also slowed the adoption of digital governance. Instead of using technology to improve services, many bureaucrats view it as a threat to their power. While other Asian countries have successfully implemented e-governance, Bangladesh struggles with endless delays and bureaucratic roadblocks. Digital systems would make processes more transparent, potentially reducing corruption—something many officials are unwilling to risk.

Another problem is that the promotion system is old-fashioned and tends to prefer generalists instead of specialists. As a result, leadership roles often go to people who lack the needed technical skills, leading to the creation of useless policies and bad execution. This stops the country from having the skilled leaders needed to deal with on Thursday problems.

The connection between this ineffective system and Bangladesh’s growth challenges is obvious. Although the country has improved in many ways, slow and complicated government processes are holding back economic growth, social progress, and public services.

What makes this situation even more frustrating is how stubbornly the system resists change. Experts point to an “iron triangle”—a powerful alliance between politicians, bureaucrats, and business elites—who benefit from the current system and work together to block meaningful reforms that could improve governance.

The colonial influence on Bangladesh’s bureaucracy is still evident in many ways. District commissioners, for example, still live in grand colonial-era residences and follow traditions that appear outdated in a modern democracy. But this isn’t just about appearances—it reflects a deeper issue. The system continues to treat citizens as subjects to be controlled rather than as active participants in governance. This concentration of power in the hands of a few makes it harder for ordinary people to influence decisions that affect their lives.

However, there are signs of hope. A new group of civil servants, trained in modern management and aware of the best practices from around the world, is advocating for change from within the system. Young leaders in local areas are changing how things are done by focusing on serving the community instead of trying to rule them. Their method questions long-standing rules and shows what a better system might look like.

For Bangladesh to progress, it is important to make a strong effort to improve the public service. The government should focus on hiring and promoting people based on their skills and qualifications to make sure the best individuals lead. Technology should be fully applied in governance to make operations smoother, increase speed, and lower crime rates. We need better ways for citizens to give feedback so that government leaders are held accountable and serve the people accordingly.

The cost of maintaining the current system is becoming unsustainable. In a world where nations compete based on innovation and adaptability, Bangladesh’s bureaucratic inefficiencies threaten to undermine its economic growth and development goals.

Bangladesh’s bureaucracy doesn’t just need reform—it needs reinvention. A system designed to serve colonial masters must be transformed into one that meets the aspirations of its citizens for a modern, efficient, and responsive government.

The real tragedy of Bangladesh’s bureaucratic maze isn’t just the wasted time and resources—it’s the dreams delayed, and opportunities lost. But with growing public demand for change and reform-minded officials gaining influence, there is hope. The question is no longer whether change will come, but whether it will happen soon enough to meet the challenges of the 21st century. For millions of Bangladeshis that change can’t come soon enough.