A series of hurried and controversial decisions taken by the interim government in the final days of its tenure have triggered widespread debate, with analysts warning that these moves could place heavy pressure on the next elected government.
From approving a Ninth Pay Commission for government employees to undertaking luxury housing projects for ministers and senior bureaucrats, signing agreements related to Chattogram port operations, and issuing sensitive ordinances, the government has acted at what many describe as “rocket speed.” Critics argue that although the current administration may not implement these decisions itself, it is creating confusion and obligations that the next government will be forced to confront.
Those concerned have raised the question of whether these initiatives are working more for the interests of domestic or foreign groups than for the public interest.
Some of the decisions taken involve sensitive issues such as long-term economic risks and national security. The next elected government and the people will have to bear the burden and responsibility in the long term. These projects are being taken when the government has almost no time left to implement them.
The concerned said that the current government is not taking the responsibility of implementing these decisions itself. A kind of last-minute mess is being created by putting it on the shoulders of the future elected government. The big project that the government hastily announced is the new pay scale for government employees.
One of the most debated moves is the acceptance of the Ninth Pay Commission report. Under the proposal, the highest basic salary for government secretaries would increase by more than 100 percent, potentially pushing total monthly pay beyond Tk 3 lakh.
Currently, around Tk 85,000 crore is allocated annually for salaries and allowances. If the new pay scale is implemented, this figure could rise by an additional Tk 1 lakh crore, creating a significant fiscal burden for the next government. The interim administration has stated that it has only accepted the report and will not implement it within its remaining days in office.
An ordinance has been issued providing criminal immunity and legal protection to those who participated in political resistance activities during the July mass uprising. This ordinance was issued in a gazette published on January 25.
The gazette states that the students participated in an all-out mass uprising in July and August 2024 to overthrow the fascist regime and establish democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Which was later recognized as the July mass uprising. Many are talking about various legal complications as to why this immunity gazette was published at the last moment of power.
Many believe that it may be identified as a burden for the next government. Instead of issuing this ordinance within 17 months, the gazette has been issued at the last minute.
Legal experts say that the speed with which this gazette was issued can create many legal inconsistencies and crises later.
The government will build 9,030 square feet flats for ministers. This government has taken the initiative to build three buildings in Mantripara, Dhaka. There will be 72 flats in these buildings, the area of which will be 8,500 to 9,030 square feet. A project of Tk 786 crore is being taken for this. The three new buildings will be on Bailey Road and Minto Road.
The new project has been said to provide accommodation for important government officials, including ministers, state ministers, deputy ministers and heads of constitutional bodies. There is no good answer as to why the current government has taken up this luxurious project. The concerned people believe that this project can put pressure on the next government. What is the purpose of building such a large flat for ministers? No one can say.
Ignoring the recommendations of the Media Reform Commission, initiatives have been taken to form two institutions called the Media Commission and the Broadcasting Commission. Even 10 months after the Media Reform Commission submitted its report, no recommendations have been implemented.
However, now, at the very end of the government's term, initiatives have been taken to form a National Media Commission.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has prepared a draft of the 'National Media Commission Ordinance, 2026' to ensure media freedom and the protection of journalists. It has even given only three days to give its opinion on the formation of this commission. Ignoring the recommendations of the Reform Commission, the National Media Ordinance is being hastily drafted and is being prepared in a hurry.
The Media Reform Commission submitted its report to the interim government in March last year. Senior journalist Kamal Ahmed was the head of the Reform Commission. He opposed this step taken by the government in a hurry. The government has started the process of issuing broadcasting policies with strict provisions.
Regarding the draft National Media Commission and Broadcasting Commission ordinances, TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said that it is a farce of the government to seek opinions only three days after the creation of these two organizations. It has been proposed to form two institutions completely under the authority of the bureaucracy in all aspects including the composition and status of the proposed commission, the rank and performance of the commissioners, and administrative and financial management. TIB has urged the government not to hastily draft the two drafts into ordinances.
The government has signed an agreement with China's state-owned enterprise China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) International under a G-2-G (government-to-government) framework to establish an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone manufacturing, assembly factory and technology transfer in the country.
Under this agreement, the Bangladesh Air Force and CETC International will jointly establish a state-of-the-art UAV or drone manufacturing and assembly factory in Bangladesh.
The current government started making efforts to lease the Chattogram New Mooring within a few months of taking power.
In this context, the government backed down a bit due to the workers' movement in Chattogram. However, the government announced that an agreement would be signed to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to Dubai-based DP World on February 1.
In the meantime, a writ was filed in the court opposing this agreement. In view of that writ, the High Court ruled that the agreement made by the government was valid. Now the government is rushing to sign the agreement as soon as possible. This agreement to lease is going to be signed at any time!
25 projects worth Tk 45,000 crore approved at the last minute:
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved 25 projects with a cost of Tk 45,191 crore 27 lakh. Of this, government financing will be Tk 10,881 crore 40 lakh, project loan Tk 32018 crore and the organization's own financing Tk 2,291 crore 78 lakh.
This approval was given in a meeting held on January 25. It has been alleged that most of the projects have been taken to please the government's favorite person. There have even been allegations that the projects have been taken with emphasis on a particular area. These projects are becoming a field for looting at the last minute of the government. The implementation of a few small projects worth Tk 50 crore has been started without the approval of ECNEC in the meeting that day - which was only informed in the meeting.
The government is hastily appointing assistant teachers in government primary schools. The government has decided to purchase 163 vehicles for RAB to keep the law and order situation under control in the upcoming elections and to make RAB's operational activities more dynamic.
In-principle approval has been given to purchase these vehicles through direct procurement instead of open tender. Although final approval has been given to purchase 163 vehicles through direct procurement, the government has not disclosed how much money will be spent in this sector.
The Advisory Council on Government Procurement has decided to import five LNG cargoes in the short term from Singapore-based company 'Aramco Trading (Singapore) Pte Limited' for the current fiscal year.
A statement issued by the Democratic Rights Committee on the government's hasty project said that the decision to build luxury flats in Dhaka's Mantripara for the ministers of the next government and for the officials in charge of elections remains in force.
Nearly several lakh people have lost their jobs in the last one and a half years. Just 12 days before the election, the interim government is secretly working to sign a concession agreement with DP World to operate the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of the Chittagong Port and a trade agreement with Japan six days before the election.
The opacity, secrecy and haste in the interim government's activities regarding the long-term lease of the New Mooring Container Terminal of the Chattogram Port and the trade agreement with Japan without proper consultation, ignoring all logic, information and national interests, are very suspicious. They mentioned in the statement that it is 'harmful and dangerous' for the country in the long term.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
