Retired officials seeking redress can apply until 30 September

The interim government has taken an initiative to compensate officials who retired between 2009 and 4 August this year under the ousted Awami League regime and did not receive their rightful entitlements.

Such officials can apply to the public administration senior secretary until 30 September, according to a circular issued by the ministry on Wednesday (25 September).

A five-member committee, headed by former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan, will scrutinise applications and submit its final report with recommendations to the government within the next three months.

According to Wednesday's circular, all officials who retired during this period and feel deprived are encouraged to seek remedy through the committee formed on 16 September. They are advised to apply by 30 September, stating the type and reason for their deprivation.

Applications should be addressed to the attention of the additional secretary of the recruitment, promotion, and posting section of the Ministry of Public Administration.

Officers who have already submitted applications to the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration are not required to reapply.

However, to assist the committee in its work, applicants are encouraged to provide specific details. A table outlining the required information has been included in the notification published on the Ministry of Public Administration's website.

According to the table, applicants are asked to provide their name, ID number, date of joining service, date of promotion to deputy secretary and joint secretary, along with their retirement rank, and the name and ID number of the junior officer who was promoted to these positions.

Additionally, applicants must indicate the date they became eligible for promotion to the posts of joint secretary, additional secretary, and secretary, as well as the date they went on post-retirement leave, and the reason for their deprivation.

According to sources at the Ministry of Public Administration, several officials have already submitted their applications, outlining their grievances. In these applications, the applicants stated that they were not promoted in a timely manner and that many were designated as Officers on Special Duty (OSD).

Additionally, numerous officials have reported being compelled into retirement and have expressed that they were deprived of various government benefits, including equitable promotions and training opportunities, the sources added.