Reform of the civil service, though long overdue, is unlikely to come in our life time because the existing colonial system serves the interests of the politico-bureaucratic coterie very well. The present system allows the bureaucrats to enjoy whatever small comforts this poor country can offer without having to face any question for inaction or even wrong action. The poliUcians have found it very convenient to leave the management of the affairs of the state with the bureaucrats and engage in total politics which also includes, as alleged, collection of forage. The previous government arranged a mock play of reform by sending four secretaries abroad for studying the civil services of other countries. The UNDP provided funds generously to make the pleasure trip very comfortable.

It is not surprising that Mr Hedayet Ahmed (DS 12-10-96) had proposed restructuring of only the administrative cadre of the civil service. But sorry, we could not agree with his pro □osals regarding this matter. He nad virtually proposed another elite service similar to the erstwhile CSP. Unfortunately, we do not have a pleasant experience about this particular cadre. Its members, though talented and initially dedicated, could not deliver any good for the people. Ail along they haw behaved like masters not only of the people but also of the officials of other cadres They are on record for consciously serv Ing the Interests of the political and military power groups that have been ruling the country Those with practical experience know that the so called effi ciency of the CSPs is not a true reflection of capability and ded ication. it is the weight of their unchallenged power that has always acted in their favour Most of them are more arrogant than persuasive and Inspiring specially to their subordinates Ine claim of Mr Ahmed about the competence. Integrity and loyalty of the members of the cadre is a matter of the past With due respect to the honest ones. 1 am sorry to say that many members of the cadre have also degraded and per

verted themselves. These people have realised that power is not enough, money is more important for remaining at the top of the society Mr Ahmed had sug gested a lucrative economic package for the members of the reconstituted cadre. How is it possible ignoring the other employees oft he republic?

There are other reasons for not supporting an elite administrative cadre. This is an age of complex technology and the government functions are extended to multifarious development activities. For this reason the top policy level people must have technical background in their respective fields. The best talents are needed in those areas of activities that offer the prospects of economic progress of the country. Planning, research, teaching are some of these areas. The elite bureaucrats have failed to deliver any Innovative idea from which the country benefited substantially. The stunts like canal digging, self-sufficiency (Stuaniritar) advocated by some bureaucrats proved abortive. The country needs humble, creative servants, not proud, arrogant rulers. A person of any background having some commonsense can do the type of jobs that the senior bureaucrats are doing now. The so called talents that they are claimed to possess are used for purposes other than the service of the nation

In the past, useless cosmetic changes were made In the ctvtl service and those were passed as reform If a serious reform is Intended. It should be done in its totality. My Idea about reform is as below

1 The whole government should be reorganised into 25 ministries. Any change in this number should required the approval of the parliament

2 Ministers should be the executive heads of the min istries There can be deputy ministers for the big mln Istries

3 All officials of the republic (both government snd au tonomousl should be grouped Into the same number ot cadres as there are ministries Each

cadre will have the reauired number of sub cadres. There should be a number of feeder cadres like administration, audit and account, planning etc.

4 The secretariat should be abolished and replaced by ministerial Each ministry should be manned by its own cadre officials. The present nonsense of appointing an officer of the cus toms cadre as an additional secretary (Planning) of the ministry of education, for example, must go. The administration and audit/account cadres will depute officials to different ministries and their subordinate organisations. The ministries should be small and their functions should be confined to the following : a) Policy formulation and planning: bl Co-ordination and monitoring of the activities of the subordinate oganisations: c) Inter-min-Istry liaison etc.

5 Functions of the ministries should be decentralised as far as possible.

6. The organisations under the ministries should also be restructured and reduced In size

7 The ministries may be divided Into the appropriate number of divisions, each headed by a cadre official of the rank of a secretary

8. The ministers will be accountable to the cabinet and the parliament for all activities of their ministries.

9. At the district and thana levels elected representatives will be the heads of admtnls 1 ration and personnel of the administrative cadre will act as co-ordtnators/facilltators

10. Details of the proposed system should be worked out in consultation wtth all interested quarters

The myth that the country will collapse it there are no powerful administrators at every tier of the government machinery is no longer acceptable The public representatives must shed off their hypocritic evasion of responsibility and come forward to shoulder the task of making the government an effective machine for the prv*if of the nation Let the hollow slogan People are the source ol all power acquire some mean