277 govt officials promoted to deputy secretary

The government has promoted 277 officials to the post of deputy secretary, including 190 officers from the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) Administration Cadre.

Another 72 officials from various professional cadres have been promoted to the deputy secretary level, while 15 officials serving at Bangladesh missions abroad have also received the promotion.

The Ministry of Public Administration issued separate notifications today (17 August) announcing the promotions.

According to the notifications, the largest group of officials promoted from outside the administration cadre – 22 – are from the General Education Cadre.

The other promoted officials include five from the Agriculture Cadre, four from the Livestock Cadre, nine from the Health Cadre, three from the Family Planning Cadre, three from the Police Cadre, three from the Statistics Cadre, five from various branches of the Information Cadre, two from the Postal Cadre, three from the Railway Engineering and Transport Cadre and two from the Food Cadre.

In addition, one official each from the Fisheries, Cooperative, Labour, Public Works, Public Health Engineering and Roads and Highways cadres has been promoted.

Three officials from the Education and Accounts Cadre and two from the Railway Engineering Cadre have also received the promotion.

The ministry also promoted one official from the General Branch of the Information Cadre and four from its Radio and Radio Engineering branches.

The notifications said the promoted officials have been appointed as officers on special duty (deputy secretary) at the Ministry of Public Administration.

The ministry will take necessary steps regarding their subsequent postings and responsibilities, according to the notifications.

The promotions bring officials from various professional cadres into the deputy secretary-level administration alongside administration cadre officers, potentially increasing the participation of officials with specialised expertise in central policymaking and government operations.

Separately, 15 officials working at various Bangladesh missions and diplomatic offices abroad have been promoted to deputy secretary.

A separate notification issued on Monday said the promoted officials would join upgraded posts in accordance with the relevant provisions of a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on 24 March 2024.

They will be entitled to the pay and allowances of the upgraded posts from the date of their promotion.

However, for foreign and entertainment allowances, the rates applicable to their existing posts will remain in effect until the posts at their respective missions become vacant.

The upgraded pay scale will also remain in effect until the posts become vacant due to their transfer or other reasons.