BCS Cadres eye on much talked report of the Public Administration Reform Commission. Not only the cadres, but also non-cadre officers are paying their interest on the report’s findings and recommendations.
There are various discussions going on about whether the inter-cadre crisis will increase or decrease once the report is published. The commission’s report is also nearing completion and will be submitted on 15th of January.
Talking to several officials, employees, and leaders of cadre organization, the reporter found the scenario.
The interim government formed the commission under the leadership of Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury on September. Although the commission was supposed to submit the report on 31st December, the government prolonged the deadline as the report was incomplete.
Commission member Dr Mohammad Ayub Mia told Bangladesh Pratidin they have completed 95pc of the work and expressed his hope of completing the remaining work in time.
A member of the commission seeking anonymity said the citizen service and merit are two issues that are being given great importance. There will be recommendations to ensure that people are not harassed by the bureaucracy and that everyone gets services with an ease.
Another member of the commission said Bangladesh Pratidin on condition of anonymity: “Justice will be served as the commission is paying importance on merit. There will be recommendation of bringing officers to top level considering their brilliance.”
Exams or other modern methods could be followed in bringing talented people to the top position, said the member, adding: “Talent will get the importance in all levels from PSC.”
Another member said: “There will be a proposal to make public administration more people-friendly, increase accountability, and be impartial.”
Commission Chairman Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury brought some draft recommendations to light last month when speaking at a view exchange program. The recommendations face criticism, and unrest erupted amongst cadre officers.
All admin cadres expressed their anger as the commission recommended to make a 50:50 ratio between admin and other cadres when they are promoted as deputy secretary. According to a Supreme Court ruling and long-standing custom, the administration was given 75 percent and other cadres 25 percent in the promotion of deputy secretary.
Bangladesh Administrative Service Association (BASA) strongly condemned and demanded the establishment of a “Bangladesh Administrative Service” by combining the posts from Assistant Commissioner (initial post) to Secretary.
In addition, the education and health cadre officers are also angry as they are set to propose a separate organization for the education and health cadres.
Although they were happy with the 25 percent quota so far, this time they rejected the commission’s proposal by demanding 100 percent on the basis of merit, and 25 cadre officers, except for the administration, went on a strike and human chain.
Amidst the unrest the commission said: “There is a chance to amend the draft recommendation.”
However, officials of all cadres are keeping an eye on what is in that amendment. The administration officials have raised the question of why they would give up their own positions to others.
Even though the rest of the cadres have chosen to enter their respective professions, now everyone is desperate to come to the administration. The foreign affairs and police cadres are largely silent spectators in this regard.
A lot of inter-cadre conflicts have come to the fore in the form of these reforms.
However, experts and former officials believe that only a proper report from the commission can play a role in resolving these conflicts. In the last few days, it was learned from talking to various officials in other divisions/organizations outside the secretariat and others that they are keeping an eye on the report of this commission.
Administration officials are keeping an eye on whether the administration cadre is being squeezed or not. And other cadres are keeping an eye on what benefits are increasing for them. They are also keeping an eye on whether the recommendations of the merit-based ministry are being passed or not.
Public administration expert and former secretary AKM Abdul Awal Majumder said: “All sides have both logical and irrational things to say. The report of the commission is not important to me here, but rather how much the government is accepting it is important.”
The work of the committee formed with advisers is also important, which can play a big role in all the government's activities going forward, he continued.
The former official said: “The administration often does not hold meetings for the promotion of others properly, and the ministry of merit that other cadres want is nowhere in the world.”
The leaders of the administration cadre organizations said that there is a sinister plan to weaken the state system by destroying the administration cadre.
And several leaders of the agriculture, fisheries, and food cadre organizations said: “Injustice is being done to meritorious people. We are not being given space in many fields. Why should we remain deprived for years?”
The leaders of the organizations of various cadres said that at the moment they will see and understand what the report of the commission is and then take their own actions or comments.
Meanwhile, there are various grievances of this class regarding the non-inclusion of employees belonging to grades 10 to 20 outside the cadres in the commission.
Translated by Afsar Munna
