The Bangladesh Secretariat has 26 different cadres under the civil service, divided into general and technical or professional categories. To date, 38 batches have entered service under the Ministry of Public Administration. Each cadre has its own association or organization, and separate organizations exist for every recruited batch. Since the interim government assumed office, various programs have been held under these cadre-based organizations’ banners, presenting numerous demands. Unfortunately, these activities are disrupting public service delivery. It appears that organizational influence now takes precedence over service delivery and adherence to service regulations.
The legal framework defining the roles of public servants was last updated through the Public Service Act, 2018 (Law No. 57). This act’s Section 25 mandates timely service delivery, stating that if an individual submits an application or request for a public service or task, it must be resolved or delivered within the specified time frame or, where no timeframe is defined, within a reasonable period. Any employee who habitually or intentionally violates this provision will be deemed guilty of misconduct or, where applicable, incompetence.
Additionally, a circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration in 2019 emphasized that officials cannot remain absent from work without prior approval. The Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1979, explicitly prohibit any government employee from publicly expressing dissatisfaction or discontent against any order or decision of the government or authorities, participating in protests, or inciting others to do so. It also bars applying undue influence or pressure on the government to change, modify, amend, or repeal any order or decision.
Among these cadre-based organizations, the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association (BASA) representing the administration cadre has drawn significant attention. The group has faced both praise and criticism for its recent activities. BASA previously attracted widespread criticism in 2021 following its controversial statement regarding an attack on the residence of the UNO of Barisal Sadar Upazila. Recently, other cadre-based organizations, including those representing education and medical professionals, have also gained attention for their activities. In response to perceived exclusion in promotions, officials from the remaining 25 cadres formed the ‘Inter-Cadre Discrimination Elimination Council.’ This group has staged programs like pen-down strikes and human chains, sparking further debate.
BCS officials across various cadres are now engaged in opposing stances over demands like promotions and other benefits. Using cadre-based organizational banners, they are prioritizing self-interest over collective service. Analysts believe this not only exacerbates inter-cadre conflict among bureaucrats but also disrupts public service delivery and erodes the moral foundation of the state. While there’s no legal restriction on government officials joining organizations, analysts argue that taking to the streets with political-style programs like human chains and protests violates both service regulations and overall discipline.
For years, officials across different cadres have harbored psychological tensions over issues like benefits and status. These tensions have recently escalated after the Public Administration Reform Commission floated potential recommendations, such as reducing the quota for administrative cadre officers in the deputy secretary position. This has led to increased polarization, with administration cadre officials taking a defensive stance against the remaining 25 cadres.
During a discussion with journalists on December 17, the head of the Public Administration Reform Commission, Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, spoke about their potential recommendations concerning public administration. He stated that they would recommend allocating 50 percent of promotions to the rank of deputy secretary for the administration cadre and 50 percent for all other cadres. Additionally, he suggested forming separate commissions for health and education, similar to the Judicial Service Commission, instead of keeping them under the BCS cadre system.
Following the disclosure of these potential recommendations, various organizations, including the Inter-Cadre Discrimination Elimination Council (comprising 25 cadres), the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association (an organization of administration cadre officials), and the BCS Health Cadre Association, have started opposing the recommendations through various programs.
Public administration experts have pointed out that BCS cadre organizations were initially formed to safeguard the interests of their respective cadre members. However, these organizations now focus on their own status and benefits, affecting public service delivery and undermining the moral foundation of the state.
Professor Dr. Sadik Hasan of Dhaka University’s Public Administration Department told Bonik Barta, “In the new scenario, everyone is trying to pressure the government to gain advantages. These organizations are playing a significant role in this process. People are exploiting their capacity to exert pressure, which not only damages the state but also harms its moral foundation. Public servants should not use such pressure tactics, as they are primarily associated with workers. Laborers, rickshaw pullers, CNG auto-rickshaw drivers, and transport workers usually resort to such actions. However, government employees are doing something similar but in a more sophisticated manner. This affects the moral foundation of the state because their job is to serve the people. Instead, they are preoccupied with their own status and privileges, preventing them from fully serving the public.”
Administration cadre officials argue that implementing the reform commission’s recommendations would reduce their promotion quota. On December 18, the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association expressed strong dissatisfaction through a statement in response to the reform commission chief’s comments. In their statement, they remarked, “The recommendations of the Public Administration Reform Commission are not aimed at creating a public-focused, efficient, neutral, and modern administration.”
Later, on December 22, they staged a public gathering within the Secretariat to demonstrate their firm stance.
On December 23, the BCS Health Cadre Association organized a press conference at the National Press Club, presenting two demands. Their first demand was that officials from the health cadre should be appointed to all policymaking positions within the Ministry of Health. The second demand was to conduct an open recruitment test for inclusion in the deputy secretary pool.
The following day, at a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), the BCS General Education Association presented 15 demands, including withdrawing the plan to exclude the general education cadre and ensuring equal opportunities for officials of all cadres for promotion to the rank of deputy secretary.
Former Cabinet Secretary Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told Bonik Barta, “The organizations are legally valid. There are no legal restrictions on officials and employees joining such organizations. However, they cannot adopt activities resembling political programs. When an organization releases a press statement or written statement, it should be understood as their stance.”
He added, “When the government makes a decision, it considers everything. Some may be satisfied, while others may be displeased—that is their right. However, everything must adhere to regulations. Many could not accept the recent incident in Barisal. When someone crosses the line, others naturally express disagreement.”
Currently, when promoting to the rank of deputy secretary from among the officers of 26 cadre services in the country, 75 percent are chosen from the administration cadre, and 25 percent from other cadres. The 1975 Service Act had provisions for promotions to the deputy secretary rank based on merit. At that time, the Ministry of Public Administration issued regulations initially allocating 25 percent and later 75 percent quota for administration cadre officers in the deputy secretary pool.
Regarding the current activities of officers from various cadre services, former Additional Secretary and public administration expert Firoz Mia told Bonik Barta, “When officials and employees have demands or matters of interest to convey to the government, they do so through their organizations. There is a procedure for this, such as submitting memoranda, applications, or lobbying. However, they cannot take to the streets, hold rallies, form human chains, or issue threats to the government. These actions are against overall discipline. Cadre officers are considered associates of the government, and their behavior sets an example for others. Therefore, they should always remain restrained.”