Existing civil service not prioritising professionalism: Inter-cadre Discrimination Prevention Council

The existing civil service system in Bangladesh is failing to prioritise professionalism, said Muhammad Mofizur Rahman, Coordinator of the Inter-Cadre Discrimination Prevention Council. 

Speaking at a seminar titled "Expected Civil Service for Fulfilling Public Aspirations" in the capital today, Mofizur criticised the dominance of inexperienced admin cadre officials in policymaking roles, which he claimed undermines the efficiency of the civil service and harms public interests.

 "Officials make wrong decisions due to not having experience and skills, which causes harm to the nation and deprives people of services," Mofizur said.

The recommendation by the Public Administration Reform Commission to keep 50% of deputy secretary positions for administration cadres is contrary to the spirit of the July uprising, Mofizur opined.

Presenting the keynote paper, Mofizur said, "The existing civil service has three problems--not prioritising professionalism, quota system in promotions to deputy secretary and above positions and inter-cadre discrimination." 

Mofizur Rahman also said, "Officials from the admin cadre, lacking sector-specific expertise, focus on routine tasks, bypassing skilled officials. Funds are often rushed through at the last moment, leaving critical projects incomplete after their transfer. This wastes public money, delays development, and erodes trust in the government."  

He added, "An unbalanced civil service dominated by a single cadre fosters proximity to the political government."  

On inter-cadre discrimination, he said, "Despite identical recruitment processes, the admin cadre controls the other 25 cadres, hindering their empowerment and depriving the public of effective service."

Professor Nasrin Begum remarked, "The centralisation of power within a single cadre must end to eliminate this discrimination."

Agriculturalist Ahmed Ali Chowdhury Iqbal stated, "For years, deputy commissioners (DCs) and superintendents of police (SPs) have often functioned as extensions of the ruling political party, using their authority to serve its interests rather than the public. Their actions increasingly alienate a government from the people."

General Secretary of the SCBA Constitution Preservation Committee Syed Mamun Mahbub, stated that students should wage a movement against cadre-based discrimination. 

He criticised Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, Chief of the Public Administration Reform Commission, for neglecting to engage in dialogue with the 25-cadre alliance. "It is unfortunate that our voices go unheard unless we resort to protests," he remarked.

Retired senior district judge Shahjahan Saju stressed the urgent need for reform, pointing to the monopolisation of key positions by the admini cadre in various departments, including the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, SPARSO, and the Fisheries Department. "This is the ideal time for comprehensive reform of the posting and promotion systems," he stated.

Junaid Saki, chief coordinator of Ganasanghati Andolon, criticised Bangladesh's bureaucratic system as a remnant of colonial era. "This is a pivotal opportunity to overhaul the system and ensure effective public services. These same bureaucrats managed the elections of 2024, 2018, and 2014," he remarked.

Student representative Sadek ur Rahman Sani from Dhaka University said, "A specific cadre has sustained a fascist regime for the past 16 years. We previously resisted the quota system, and we stand ready to protest against such discrimination again if necessary."

Earlier, officials from 25 cadres in the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS), under the council's banner, announced protests against the admin reform commission's recommendations to allocate 50% of deputy secretary positions to the admin cadre and exclude other cadres.  

Following a meeting at Dhaka's Purta Bhaban on 24 December 2024, they observed a one-hour pen-down strike the same day.

A human chain was held on 25 December, with a Dhaka rally planned for 4 January to announce further programmes. In areas without regional rallies, gatherings were organised to increase public engagement.