14 officials dismissed for expressing opinion about administration on social media, retired BCS cadres claim

Fourteen government officials were allegedly dismissed from service without being given the opportunity to defend themselves for expressing opinions about public administration on social media, according to the Coordination Council of Anti-Discrimination Retired Officers of 25 Cadres.

The allegation was made at a press conference held at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) today (25 October).

Presenting a written statement, Ahmed Ali Chowdhury Iqbal, member secretary of the council and former director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, said the officials were terminated for expressing concerns about inequality and fairness within the civil service.

"In contrast, no action was taken against officers of the Administration Cadre who made indecent or offensive posts on social media. Such discriminatory treatment goes against the principles of justice and fairness in public administration," he said.

He also alleged that officers outside the Administration Cadre were deprived of retrospective promotions.

While around 778 retired and deceased officers from the Administration Cadre received promotions with full salaries, allowances and benefits, only 72 officers from the other 25 cadres were granted limited financial privileges.

"Many eligible officials were excluded during the so-called verification process," he added.

Ahmed Ali Chowdhury said even those 72 officials received only partial benefits, such as arrear basic pay, gratuity and pension adjustments, unlike the full financial packages extended to their counterparts in the Administration Cadre.

He demanded that all pending applications from the 25 cadres be reviewed and equal financial benefits ensured.

He also called on the government to promote officials still in the third and fourth grades to higher positions to establish parity.

Speakers at the event said the Public Administration Reform Commission had made several important recommendations, many of which remain unimplemented.

They pointed out that significant disparities persist among cadres, particularly in education and health services, in terms of pay structure and promotion opportunities.

They noted that education cadre officials carry out both teaching and administrative duties but receive fewer promotions and limited financial benefits, while administration cadre officers enjoy multiple promotions within the same period.

The speakers further stated that recent PARC proposals grant special privileges to the Administration Cadre while overlooking the education, health and other cadres, worsening dissatisfaction and inequality in public service.

They also criticised the recent transfer of seven Dhaka metropolitan colleges to a new administrative circle, saying it has caused academic and administrative challenges for education cadre officers and may affect the quality of education.

The speakers urged the government to ensure fair representation of all cadres in policymaking and planning processes, reduce the dominance of the Administration Cadre, and establish balance and good governance in the civil service.

Among others present were SM Golam Kibria, former director general of the Department of Films and Publications; IK Selim Ullah Khondoker, former principal of Dhaka College; Professor Mohammad Kafil Uddin, former president of the BCS General Education Association; Md Mahbubur Rahman, former director of the Department of Livestock Services; Syed Mahfuz Ahmed, former additional chief engineer of the Public Works Department; and Professor MA Samad, former president of the BCS General Education Association.