Qualitative political
FROM PAGE 3
Presenting the keynote, Prof Kazi Maruful Islam of Dhaka University said although Bangladesh gained independence through the Liberation War, its administrative structure was never aligned with the aspirations of a free nation.
He said over 20 administrative reform commissions have been established since independence, but their recommendations remain largely unimplemented.
This resulted in a lack of accountability and fostered authoritarian tendencies within the administration, he added.
“The current socio-political landscape is different. The mass uprising for an equitable Bangladesh offers a vision for change. If proper steps are taken, it’s possible to establish a new framework for administrative reform,” he said.
Khandaker Aminur Rahman, former additional secretary and member of Public Administration Reform Commission, pointed out that corruption remains one of the biggest challenges in public administration.
He emphasised that most corruption occurs in project management rather than among civil servants.
He stated, “Corruption persists due to the lack of democratic accountability. In many cases, corrupt individuals are promoted while honest officers are sidelined. This culture must be changed by prioritising integrity and competence in promotions.”
Dr Rizwan Khair, another member of the reform commission, said reforming administration is a long-term and difficult task.
He said, “We have missed many opportunities for reform since independence. Now is a turning point, and we cannot afford to miss this chance. Governance requires people with strong backbones, not yes-men. Bureaucracies cannot function effectively without robust leadership.”
Asif Mahmud Shahan, professor of Development Studies at Dhaka University, traced the roots of authoritarian tendencies in Bangladesh’s administration back to 1972.
He said while the country gained independence, it failed to create its own administrative framework.
“From 1975 to 1990, the state was governed under authoritarian rule, during which laws and regulations were crafted to empower civil servants. These frameworks were never reformed post-1991, despite opportunities,” he explained.
Elira Dewan, member of Local Government Reform Commission, highlighted the marginalisation of indigenous communities in government employment.
She criticised the reduction of quotas for indigenous groups from five percent to one percent, which is shared with other categories, including persons with disabilities.
Kamrul Islam Khan Hridoy, a visually impaired business development professional, criticised the equalisation of the age limit for government job applicants at 32 years for both disabled and general candidates.
Dr Mizanur Rahman, additional secretary of public administration ministry, asserted that political will is the foremost requirement for administrative reform.
Comparing Bangladesh to India, he said, “India took immediate steps to reform their administrative structure after independence. Unfortunately, we failed to learn from them.”
The roundtable also included participants such as Prof Ferdous Arfina Osman of DU, BCS Administration Academy Rector Dr Omar Faruq, ICT Division Additional Secretary Abu Sayeed Mohammed Kamruzzaman, BRAC University Senior Academic Coordinator Mohammad Sirajul Islam, and DU student Maisha Farah, among others.