Contractual appointments, promotion spark frustration in public admin

A growing reliance on contractual appointments, repeated changes in postings, and controversies surrounding recent promotions have triggered concerns over stagnation within bureaucracy, according to serving and former civil servants as well as governance experts.

Senior officials say expectations were high that the new elected government would inject greater dynamism into the civil service through merit-based administration. Instead, they argue that frequent reversals of administrative decisions, delays in appointments, and uncertainty over promotions have weakened morale and slowed decision-making.

According to officials familiar with the matter, contractual officers are currently serving in nine of the administration's top positions. At the same time, nine secretaries have been designated as Officers on Special Duty (OSD), while several appointments to ministries and field administration have reportedly been cancelled and replaced shortly after being announced.

The situation has been compounded by internal tensions within the administration cadre, dissatisfaction over inter-cadre issues, and debates surrounding the reinstatement of some officials previously accused in connection with the July movement.

The controversy intensified following the government's promotion of 179 deputy secretaries to joint secretary. Allegations that the list included retired officials, officers who had faced disciplinary action, and other controversial names have raised questions about the integrity of the Superior Selection Board (SSB), the body responsible for recommending promotions to senior administrative positions.

Officials say the government has defended contractual appointments as a means of utilizing the experience of senior retired bureaucrats in key institutions. Since assuming office, retired officials have been appointed on contract to several strategic positions, including the Cabinet Division, Prime Minister's Office; Ministries of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Land, and Religious Affairs; Planning Commission, Election Commission, National River Conservation Commission.

However, many serving officials argue that prolonged dependence on retired officers has affected the career expectations of regular civil servants. They contend that officials returning after retirement often require time to adapt to digital governance systems, updated regulations, and changes in administrative culture, potentially slowing policy implementation and coordination.

Concerns have also emerged over prolonged acting appointments in important ministries, delays in final administrative decisions, and instances where officers were promoted, transferred, and subsequently recalled within a short period.

The SSB, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, includes the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Secretaries of Home Affairs, Finance, Public Administration, and Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs. While the board makes promotion recommendations, officials in the Ministry of Public Administration prepare the briefing papers and background information on which decisions are based.

Administrative experts argue that any failure to accurately present information regarding disciplinary records, retirement status, or pending legal matters could undermine the board's decisions. They stress that if such information was omitted from official documents, responsibility lies with those preparing the files; if the information was available but overlooked, accountability extends to the decision-makers themselves.

Governance campaigner Badiul Alam Majumdar, Secretary of the Citizens for Good Governance (SHUJAN), said promotions should be determined solely on merit, competence, and professional integrity. He warned that politically influenced promotions could repeat mistakes seen under previous administrations.

Former Cabinet Secretary and public administration expert AKM Abdul Awal Majumdar defended contractual appointments in principle, saying retired officers currently serving possess significant experience. However, he emphasized that promotions should follow proper verification procedures and vacant positions, adding that the controversy surrounding the latest promotions suggests weaknesses in information verification rather than the promotion system itself.

Analysts believe the broader issue extends beyond individual appointments to institutional capacity. They argue that maintaining administrative stability requires transparent promotions, timely postings, accurate information verification, and a balance between benefiting from experienced retired officials and preserving the career progression of regular civil servants.

Public administration specialists note that contract appointments are internationally accepted when used selectively to address shortages of specialized expertise or during exceptional circumstances. However, they caution that they should not become a substitute for the normal career progression of permanent civil servants.

Analysts argue that long-term administrative effectiveness depends on transparent promotion systems, predictable career pathways, and merit-based appointments rather than prolonged reliance on retired officials.