Retired officials seek equal opportunities in civil service

Retired officials from 25 cadres, excluding the administration cadre, have demanded equal opportunities and dignity in the civil service by eliminating longstanding discrimination. They alleged prolonged deprivation in matters of retrospective promotions, salaries, allowances, and other financial benefits, urging the swift implementation of key recommendations made by the Public Administration Reform Commission.

The demands were raised at a press conference organised by the Anti-Discrimination Retired 25 Cadre Coordination Council on Saturday, October 25, at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in Segunbagicha.

Speakers at the conference said that, while around 778 retired officials from the administration cadre had received retrospective promotions, only 72 officials from the other 25 cadres had been granted the same opportunity. They alleged that a large number of eligible officers had been excluded under the pretext of verification and scrutiny. Even among those promoted, disparities persisted in rank and financial benefits.

They further claimed that many significant recommendations of the Public Administration Reform Commission were ignored, while unnecessary elements were added, weakening the overall reform process. The proposal to form three separate public service commissions and to separate the accounts division from the audit division was described as risky for administrative accountability and financial discipline.

The council also criticised the proposal to reserve half of the posts at the deputy secretary level for the administration cadre, labelling it discriminatory. They demanded the abolition of the quota system for such posts and called for merit-based recruitment through examinations open to all cadres.

Speakers argued that long-standing discrimination in the civil service stemmed from the dominance and authoritative attitude of the administration cadre. To end this inequality, they urged the government to promptly implement the key recommendations of the Public Administration Reform Commission and issue the necessary ordinances.

The speakers also expressed concern over the ongoing academic crisis at Dhaka’s seven historic colleges. They stressed that, to preserve the heritage and quality of these institutions, decisions should be taken based on expert advice rather than experimental or assumption-based courses.

According to the organisers, ensuring equal dignity and opportunity for officials of all cadres would make the administration more people-friendly, efficient, and accountable.