Promotion Delays Trigger Discontent in Public Administration

A prolonged delay in regular promotions has sparked growing discontent within the public administration, leaving hundreds of officials across three tiers frustrated and uncertain about their career progression.

Officials familiar with the matter said nearly 800 eligible officers are still awaiting promotion, including around 350 qualified for the rank of additional secretary, about 345 for joint secretary and at least 84 for deputy secretary. Many say the continuing delay has created widespread resentment within the civil service.

Senior officials and administration experts noted that uncertainty over promotions has intensified since the announcement of the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election, even though the election process poses no legal obstacle to routine career advancement.

“If regular promotions are blocked, the country will be left with a frustrated and demoralised administration. That will inevitably slow down decision-making and day-to-day governance,” said former secretary AKM Abdul Awal Mazumdar.

The number of officers deprived of promotion at the deputy secretary and joint secretary levels is also rising. Recently, 79 officers from the 30th BCS batch were denied promotion from senior assistant secretary to deputy secretary. Almost all of them have applied to the Ministry of Public Administration seeking a review.

Former additional secretary Mohammad Firoz Mia said delays in promotion consistently breed resentment within the administration.
“If qualified officers are not promoted on time, frustration and anger grow and administrative work suffers. The election schedule is not a barrier to regular promotions. If necessary, approval can be taken from the Election Commission to ensure timely action,” he said.

Ministry sources said at least 183 officers from the 24th BCS batch were deprived of promotion to joint secretary under the regular batch system. On March 20, a total of 196 officials were promoted to joint secretary, but only 137 were selected from among 320 officers of the regular batch, leaving out 183, including five serving deputy commissioners.

For promotion from joint secretary to additional secretary, the 20th BCS batch is being considered as the regular batch. Around 300 officials—244 from the administration cadre and a significant number from other cadres—are under consideration. However, ministry sources said 43 officers who served as deputy commissioners and 40 who worked as personal secretaries to ministers during the tenure of the Sheikh Hasina government are not being considered this time.

The recruitment process for the 20th BCS batch was completed in 1999. Although they became eligible for promotion to joint secretary in 2019, they were promoted only in 2021. Under service rules, they became eligible for promotion to additional secretary in 2023 after completing two years as joint secretary.

The Superior Selection Board (SSB) has finalised the promotion list after reviewing service records, but the gazette notification was not issued at the last moment.

Beyond the administration cadre, more than 150 officers from other cadres are also eligible for promotion to joint secretary but have yet to receive it. Most have applied for a review, prompting several SSB meetings.

Ministry sources said officers facing allegations of irregularities or corruption, those with ongoing cases by the Anti-Corruption Commission or departmental authorities, and those who served as ministers’ personal secretaries or deputy commissioners during the previous government are not being considered.

Public Administration Secretary Ehsanul Haque said the government is aware of the issue and is gathering information on officers who have missed out on regular promotions. “A decision will definitely come on this,” he said.

Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid said multiple applications have been received and several meetings held.
“We are working on the issue. Let us see how much can be done within this time,” he said.

Administration experts warn that failure to ensure timely promotions could seriously disrupt government operations, weaken morale within the civil service and ultimately undermine public service delivery.