End of bureaucratic elitism? Reform commission blueprint eyes equity, efficiency in civil service

The Public Administration Reform Commission is set to propose sweeping changes to create a more accountable, efficient, and impartial civil administration.

These proposals aim to address disparities and create a fairer environment for promotion and opportunities within government services.

One of the key recommendations includes the replacement of the term “cadre” with “civil service” and enhancing balance in promotions and benefits to eliminate discrimination.

The commission is also focused on providing long-term, sustainable solutions with a justice-oriented approach for all services, said Mohammad Ayub Mia, a former secretary and member of the commission.

"We are focusing on ensuring that balance is maintained within public administration," said another commission member, former additional secretary Mohammad Hafizur Rahman.

The commission's report, which includes more than 100 recommendations, will be submitted to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus at 12:30pm on Wednesday.

The commission's chief Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury said the report would have been submitted earlier, but due to ongoing work, the final version would now be signed off and submitted.

The commission took feedback from district and sub-district levels, as well as opinions gathered online, to shape the recommendations.

Formed on Oct 3, the commission was given 90 days to complete its report, later extended to Feb 15.

CONTROVERSY OVER DISCRIMINATION

The commission’s report may propose a new rule for promoting officials to the rank of deputy secretary, suggesting that 50 percent of the positions should be filled by candidates from the administration cadre and the other 50 percent from other cadres.

Currently, 75 percent of promotions are allocated to the administration cadre, and 25 percent to officials from other cadres.

This proposal has sparked protests, with members of the administration cadre demanding the abolishment of the quota system.

Abdul Muyeed had earlier suggested that promotions to the deputy secretary position should be determined through an examination, with a reduction in the quota for the administration cadre from 75 percent to 50 percent.

This proposal was met with resistance from the administration cadre, leading to protests at the public administration ministry.

However, ministry officials have stated that all misunderstandings will be resolved once the commission's report is submitted.

JUSTICE FOR ALL: AYUB MIA

Commission member Ayub Mia told bdnews24.com that the report would be submitted to the chief advisor on Wednesday but refrained from revealing the specifics of the recommendations before submission.

He said the commission has held at least 50 meetings, gathering feedback from various sectors, including field-level consultations and public opinion surveys, which were given significant importance.

When asked about any immediate solutions for the current instability in the administration, Ayub Mia clarified: “We have not dealt with recent issues; our focus has been on providing sustainable recommendations for the long term.

“Immediate matters like promotions are not within our scope, and they are being handled separately by the government,” he said.

Regarding the demands related to inter-cadre discrimination, Ayub Mia said: “We have strived to maintain suitable justice for all. Our recommendations are aimed at ensuring justice for everyone.”

The report also indicates possible recommendations for contractual appointments, promotions through examinations, and administrative restructuring.

REFORM PROPOSAL AIMS TO REDUCE DISPARITIES: HAFIZUR RAHMAN

A member of the Public Administration Reform Commission, former additional secretary Md Hafizur Rahman, has said the commission’s report will provide a structured outline to ensure administrative balance and decentralisation.

“The report will be organised chapter by chapter. It will be finalised today. Our report includes analyses, discussions, and recommendations,” he said.

The commission is likely to recommend dividing the country into four administrative provinces — Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, and Khulna.

Addressing the long-term impact of decentralisation, Hafizur said: “A province is a big issue. After receiving the report, political parties and stakeholders may discuss and decide. The population was 70 million before; now, it is 180 million. There are advantages and challenges, and debates continue over the issue.”

The report also contains recommendations to eliminate inter-cadre disparities and resolve long-standing promotion issues, he added.

“We have prepared a proposal to ensure proportional opportunities for all. The purpose of government jobs is to serve, not just to receive benefits—everyone gets a salary. The focus should be on national development and public welfare. A comprehensive recommendation has been made based on collective opinions,” he said.

On promotions, he added: “People expect recognition for their work, and we acknowledge that. Considering all aspects, we have outlined a framework.”

The former bureaucrat also noted that after receiving the commission’s recommendations, the government’s experts would review, analyse, and consult stakeholders before implementation.

‘CADRE’ TO BE REPLACED BY ‘SERVICE’

The reform commission has recommended replacing the term “cadre” with “service” in government job classifications.

Hafizur explained: “We are considering a structure where all services are standardised. The term ‘cadre’ has different implications, so we propose using ‘service’ instead. For example, Bangladesh Health Service, Agriculture Service, and other similar designations.”

Currently, the Bangladesh Civil Service, or BCS, has 26 cadres.

According to the Public Service Commission, or PSC, the BCS recruitment process follows the Bangladesh Civil Service (Age, Qualification and Examination for Direct Recruitment) Rules, 2014, conducting a three-tiered examination to appoint suitable candidates to these cadres.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVINCES “NOT FEASIBLE”, ANALYST OPPOSES 50-50 QUOTA

The reform commission’s recommendations on provincial administration and a 50-50 quota for promotions have drawn criticism from public administration researcher AKM Abdul Awal Majumdar.

However, he has praised the proposal to remove the term “cadre”.

The former secretary said, “Nowhere in the world does this system exist. Whether in Africa, Europe, India, Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, or the UK — everywhere with a civil service structure, it operates as a service. The commission has done well to remove the bracketed classifications.”

He noted that Majedul Haque had introduced a service-based structure in 1979, similar to the Civil Service of Pakistan, Police Service of Pakistan, and Pakistan Foreign Service.

“Reverting to the service-based model is logical,” he said.

However, he disagreed with the 50-50 quota for promotions.

Identifying himself as a student and researcher of public administration, Abdul Awal said: “In India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Singapore, the UK, and South Korea, officers develop within their respective fields. Since the 40th batch, quotas have been removed. Officers should be trained where they are recruited. It is very difficult for someone to suddenly become a deputy secretary after 10-14 years and adjust.”

He explained that globally, civil service systems follow two models.

“Countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the UK, and South Korea follow a line promotion system, where officers advance through promotions. In contrast, the US, Canada, and Australia have an open selection system.

“In open selection, when a position, such as principal or SP in Dhaka, becomes vacant, it is advertised, and qualified candidates from both within and outside the service can apply. An independent commission or committee then selects the most suitable candidate. In contrast, in the line promotion system, an officer starts as an assistant commissioner and moves up to DC, commissioner, and secretary.”

Since quotas have been abolished, he argued that the previous justification for maintaining a 25 percent quota no longer applies.

“Previously, someone from Cumilla might have scored higher but ended up in a lower-preference cadre, while someone from Lalmonirhat with a lower score might have secured a better cadre due to quotas. Now, recruitment is based on merit, marks, and preferences.”

The former administration cadre officer said, “Only those joining the administration should be prepared for secretariat roles. They will develop their skills through fieldwork and secretariat experience, as CSP officers did. Other cadres should be provided with better opportunities, but lateral entry should not be the norm. The president has the authority to induct 10 percent of officers if necessary.”

He believes improving facilities for other cadres would eliminate inter-cadre conflicts.

He also opposed the idea of competitive exams for promotions, arguing that each service should have its own promotion rules.

Regarding administrative decentralisation, Abdul Awal said Bangladesh has not yet reached the level required to establish four provinces — Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, and Khulna.

“This will only increase corruption and overhead costs. It will not benefit the people. Some individuals might secure jobs and enjoy privileges, but it won’t serve the public interest.”

[Writing in English by Arshi Fatiha Quazi]