150 former military officers granted retrospective promotions, normal retirement

The government has decided to grant retrospective promotions or normal retirement to 150 retired, dismissed, discharged and removed officers of the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force. Among them is Brigadier General (retd) Abdullahil Aman Azmi, who will receive arrears of salary and allowances, other financial benefits, and a special financial incentive of Tk 1 crore.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Defence, the decision was made considering that these officers had been "victims of deprivation, injustice and revenge" in their careers during the Awami League government's tenure from 2009 to August 4, 2024.

Abdullahil Aman Azmi was compulsorily retired on June 24, 2009. After the change of government in 2024, his dismissal order was cancelled and converted to premature retirement. He has now been given retrospective promotion to Major General from December 26, 2011, and to Lieutenant General before his retirement on December 26, 2014.

As a result, he will receive arrears of salary and allowances for the ranks of Brigadier General and Major General, other financial benefits as per rules, and a special financial incentive of Tk 1 crore. He will also be eligible for appointment to government or autonomous institutions based on age and qualifications.

The list of retrospective promotions also includes Major General Syed Fatemi Ahmed Rumi, former Director General of the Special Security Force (SSF), who has been granted normal retirement instead of compulsory retirement.

Among the 150 officers, 115 are from the Army, 21 from the Navy and 14 from the Air Force. The notification shows that most officers have had their compulsory or premature retirements cancelled and have been given normal retirement with service extended until the age limit.

Many officers have also been given retrospective promotions to the ranks of Lieutenant General, Major General, Brigadier General and Colonel, making them eligible for arrears of salary and allowances for their respective service tenures.

Special financial incentives ranging from Tk 50 lakh to Tk 1 crore have also been provided for several officers. They will also be eligible for appointment to government or autonomous institutions based on age and qualifications.

The notification further stated that the decision was made based on recommendations from a high-level committee formed to review the applications of retired, dismissed, discharged and removed officers.