Mashrakha Jahan Mona 

The government has initiated a move to identify qualified public servants from among those who were deprived of promotions and key postings for a long time, as part of preparations for a second major reshuffle in top administrative posts.

Around 50 officers are currently under consideration for appointment to key posts, including secretaries and equivalent positions. The list includes regular batch officers as well as those who remained sidelined for years.

To prevent lobbying for these coveted positions, the government has taken a strict stance. A recent instruction from the Cabinet Division warned that if any government employee attempts to lobby through third parties for job-related matters, departmental action will be taken against them under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules.

Officials familiar with the development said being "deprived" alone will not guarantee a promotion or posting. A holistic evaluation is being conducted taking into account an officer's duration of deprivation, service record, seniority, administrative capability, experience, integrity, professionalism, and suitability for specific roles. While this creates new opportunities for long-sidelined officers, it also places them before a rigorous competency test.

Moreover,  details regarding who lobbied on behalf of an officer and for what purpose will be permanently recorded in their service dossiers. Administrative insiders view these concurrent measures as a clear two-fold message: genuine deprivation may yield opportunities, but lobbying will not secure a post.

Sources said political considerations during the long tenure of the previous Awami League government led to many capable officers being deprived of promotions and key assignments. Some were promoted but denied postings in important ministries or field administration, while others were made Officers on Special Duty (OSD). This disparity affected officers across several batches starting from the 9th batch.

The biggest hurdle for candidates will be the evaluation by the Superior Selection Board (SSB). Factors such as remaining tenure before retirement, field and ministerial track records, and relevance to specific portfolios will be closely scrutinized.

Selecting the right officer is particularly crucial for key ministries such as Finance, Economic Relations Division (ERD), Financial Institutions Division, Public Administration, Defense structures, and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), where policy execution depends heavily on administrative leadership.

Former Secretary and public administration expert AKM Abdul Awal Mazumder noted that lobbying has historically damaged the civil service. "If the government truly wants to curb lobbying, anyone who seeks external influence should be declared ineligible. Officials must maintain both financial and moral integrity," he said.

Former Secretary Anwar Farooq emphasized that the government needs officers capable of aligning with core policies. "Efficiency varies among officers, so task distribution must strictly prioritize competence and experience," he added.

The prospects of a major reshuffle have led to intense lobbying pressures at the Ministry of Public Administration, particularly for lucrative postings such as Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs), and key deputation roles.

This pressure has extended to an influx of visitors at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Following concerns raised to the Prime Minister, instructions were issued to limit unauthorized entry.

At a high-level meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, it was decided that no person or vehicle will be allowed inside the Secretariat without proper pass clearance and mandatory security checks. Measures are also being discussed to restrict movement between individual ministry buildings.

Departmental actions have already been taken against 15 police personnel over the past five months for illegally facilitating visitor entry into the Secretariat.

Addressing the situation, State Minister for Public Administration Md. Abdul Bari said,  that the government is strictly implementing a merit-based policy free from political or external influence. He reaffirmed that efficiency, integrity, and capability remain the sole criteria for promotions and postings.