Thirteen Secretary Positions Remain Vacant in Administration

The senior echelons of Bangladesh’s civil service currently face a notable vacuum, with thirteen positions at the level of senior secretary and secretary remaining unfilled. While the government plans to fill these posts in the near future, behind-the-scenes lobbying and scrutiny continue, particularly for contract-based appointments. Sources indicate that the newly formed BNP government intends to prioritise merit, professional competence, and integrity in these key appointments.

Political analysts caution that while the government publicly stresses merit and professionalism, the actual implementation of these principles will be closely watched. Observers note that while contract-based appointments may be necessary in the short term to ensure administrative continuity, any perception of politicisation or partisan bias could have serious consequences for governance.

When approached for comment on the government’s stance regarding secretary-level appointments, Senior Secretary Md. Ehsanul Haque of the Ministry of Public Administration declined to offer remarks.

Importance of a Competent Bureaucracy

Administration expert Mohammad Firoz Mia told The Daily Star that an effective and skilled bureaucracy is essential for the government to implement its election manifesto successfully. “Without competent officials at senior levels, government policies may not be executed effectively, and corruption could increase, undermining public trust,” he said. Mia suggested that short-term contract appointments of honest, qualified officers could provide immediate relief, though long-term reliance on contractual arrangements is not feasible.

“The government must carefully balance political objectives with administrative professionalism to restore efficiency,” he added.

Vacant Key Positions

Currently, several crucial ministries and divisions are without secretaries, including the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, the Information and Communication Technology Division, the Health Services Division, the Health, Education and Family Welfare Division, and the Secondary and Higher Education Division.

Additionally, three secretary-level posts within the Planning Commission remain unfilled. The positions of member for the Physical Infrastructure Division, member for the Socio-Economic Infrastructure Division, and member for the Industry and Energy Division are also vacant. Other significant vacancies include the Director General of the National Academy for Planning and Development, the Chairman of the Land Appeal Board, and the Senior Secretary serving as Chief Coordinator for the SDGs.

Recruitment Dynamics

Sources reveal that behind-the-scenes competition for these positions is intense. Analysts highlight that officers who were historically overlooked for promotion under the previous Awami League government are now considered prime candidates for key appointments, provided they are seen as competent, trustworthy, and professional. In line with this approach, a senior secretary from the 1986 batch has already received a contract-based appointment in a key ministry, and appointments from the 1984 batch may follow shortly.

Many of the officers eligible for promotion to secretary were closely associated with the previous government, while others who received late promotions under the former regime lack extensive experience in key administrative roles. Analysts emphasise that delaying promotions for professional and qualified officers would be counterproductive, particularly when rapid administrative efficiency is a priority.

Moving Forward

Civil service insiders suggest that if the government adheres strictly to merit, competence, professionalism, and integrity as the sole criteria for appointments, administrative momentum can be restored quickly. Beyond these principles, no alternative approach is expected to yield effective results.