Photo : Collected
Highly partisan bureaucrats from various administrations are being blacklisted, with plans to include the names of identified officers from each batch. This list will detail their past activities and the benefits they have received as government party cadres.
According to anonymous sources from the Ministry of Public Administration, the process of blacklisting these ultra-partisan officers is nearing completion. Each officer will be marked with a blacklist designation next to their name, batch, and contact number. However, the authorities emphasize that special care will be taken to ensure that no honest, fearless, and dignified officers are unfairly targeted.
After the fall of the Awami League government in the mass uprising of the students-people on August 5, the interim government was formed on August 8 in the changed political situation. But despite various irregularities of the previous government, the interim government took the policy decision to run the government with the administration left by them.
There appears to be a syndicate actively working to discredit the current government and obstruct its operations. Since taking charge, officials and employees across various government departments have been making efforts to disrupt the functioning of the secretariat, the central hub of administration, through various demands and actions.
On Sunday night, despite the formation of a committee by the Ansar members, the secretariat was still blocked in various ways. The situation escalated when students were reportedly beaten and injured, which has caused significant disruption and shaken the interim government.
Being a close and confidant of the government, the then Awami League government, Mahbub Hossain was made the Cabinet Secretary. Later, instead of retiring from regular service, he was given a one-year contractual appointment. After the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, the contract-based appointments of many officials in important positions have been cancelled, but the cabinet secretaries are still in place. Serious complaints have also been raised by the deprived officials that he is creating obstacles in various ways in the promotion of those who have been denied promotion for 15 consecutive years.
Efforts are underway to reform the administration and remove party influence that was entrenched during the previous Awami League government. This includes promoting qualified, deprived, and retired officials to the position of secretary to ensure a more impartial and effective administration.
There are also allegations that Moinul Islam, the brother of the Cabinet Secretary, is being appointed as a secretary. Moinul Islam is a 13th batch officer of the customs cadre. This development has raised concerns about potential nepotism and favoritism in the appointment process.
The promotion process has faced criticism for alleged political nepotism. Many deserving individuals were reportedly denied promotions, such as the position of deputy secretary, due to accusations of political favoritism. Additionally, Mohammad Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury, who is the current senior secretary of public administration, is noted to be the nephew of Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, former principal secretary to Sheikh Hasina.
There are allegations that efforts to depoliticize the administration are being hindered due to the continued presence of the Cabinet Secretary and the Senior Secretary of Public Administration in key positions. Their tenure is reportedly enabling many individuals who were beneficiaries of the Awami League to remain in influential administrative roles. This situation is causing disruptions in the normal functioning of the administration and complicating the process of removing political influence from the bureaucracy.
The process of blacklisting is focusing on compiling detailed lists of officials from each batch in the administrative service, particularly those with affiliations to the Awami League or who were involved in political activities during their student years. This effort spans appointments from the 9th BCS batch to the present, covering 15 years of government. The special attention is being given to the 13th, 15th, 17th, 18th, 20th, 22nd, and 27th batches. The goal is to create a more neutral and non-partisan administration, addressing concerns about political influence and ensuring that the administration functions effectively without party biases.
Jahangir Alam, previously with the health department and an 11th BCS batch officer, has been reassigned to the Planning Commission. Despite being a former APS to the prime minister and his known partisan ties, his influence persists in the administration under the interim government. Similarly, Khalilur Rahman, a 13th BCS batch officer and current Secretary of the Ministry of Land, faces accusations of financial misconduct, including embezzlement from mayors during his tenure as DC of Mymensingh and in the Municipal-1 branch of local government.
Nazmul Ahsan, the former DC of Satkhira and current Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, is also facing accusations of benefiting from his party affiliations. Reports suggest that at least a dozen other officers from the 13th BCS batch, similarly factionalized, continue to hold influential positions in the administration, despite the changing political landscape. These officials have been accused of wielding significant power, leaving those who were previously marginalized and denied benefits feeling powerless.
Additionally, Abul Hasnat Humayun Kabir, a 15th BCS batch officer, has been identified as aligning with Ehsanul Haque Milan, the former Education Minister of BNP, despite his previous association with the Awami League.
Syed Salma Nasreen is alleged to have secured a job in the Jhenaidah district quota through fraudulent means, despite her permanent residence being in Chandpur. There are also rumors about her affiliation with JU VC Alauddin. The list of individuals accused of opportunism includes Keramat Ali, AKM Sohel, and Akhtaruzzaman, who are linked to the Bakshal era.
Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sabirul Islam is reported to be leading a faction of officials, including those from the Public Administration and Cabinet Secretary positions, who are allegedly working to destabilize the interim government. A recent meeting held in Bashundhara, where it is claimed that trusted officials from the previous Awami League government participated, reportedly involved planning various disruptive activities. In response, Sarjis Alam, a coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, has announced plans to remove these partisan officials from their positions.
Messenger/Fameema
