PM names loyalist Kamal Chowdhury as principal secretary

Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, due for retirement next month, has been named by the prime minister as her principal secretary in a major civil service decision giving a long-time loyalist the job to run her office.

Now senior secretary at the public administration ministry, his new position will be a promotion that will put him at par with the Cabinet secretary in civil service rank.

In Bangladesh’s warrant of precedence, the principal secretary is just below the Cabinet secretary but above the chiefs of the army, navy and air force.

Kamal Chowdhury, a well-known poet, will replace Abul Kalam Azad, another prime minister confidante, who will retire from civil service on Dec 1 but is likely to get an important role in her administration.

Chowdhury, a 1982 BCS recruit, had helmed ministries of information and education before becoming head of the public administration ministry.

His services will in all probability be extended beyond Dec 30 when he is due to retire.

Chowdhury holds a PhD in anthropology but is more known for his work in literature with a large volume of publications.