FROM PAGE 1

Currently, 75 percent of promotions to deputy secretary are allocated to administration cadre officials, with the remaining 25 percent going to other cadres.

The reform commission recently proposed changing this ratio to 50:50, sparking protests from both sides. Administration cadre officers are demanding that 100 percent of promotions be reserved for them, while officials from other cadres are calling for equal opportunities.

The protests have included rallies, work stoppages, human chains, and discussions.

Despite the ministry’s warning, officials from the 25 non-administration cadres are planning a discussion at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in the capital on January 3.

Mohammad Mofizur Rahman, coordinator of the non-administration cadre officials’ movement, said, “We will hold a discussion that will not violate the code of conduct. Therefore, we will proceed with the programme as planned.”

In its notice yesterday, the public administration ministry said some government officials had violated the code of conduct through activities such as protests, human chains, and inappropriate social media posts.

The ministry warned that such actions tarnish the image of government employees and emphasised the need to comply with Rule 30 of the code.

The Rule 30 prohibits publicly opposing or obstructing government decisions or orders, directly or indirectly; expressing dissatisfaction or discontentment publicly with government decisions; exerting undue influence to alter, revise, or cancel any government decision; and creating or inciting dissatisfaction or hostility among government employees.

According to the notice, violations of these rules will be considered misconduct under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018, and the offenders will face disciplinary actions.

MINISTRY FOR ACTION AGAINST SEVEN OFFICIALS

The public administration ministry has recently written to several other ministries urging actions against at least seven cadre officials for violating the rules.

Among the seven, Sadiqur Rahman Sabuj, former regional executive officer (administration cadre) of Gazipur City Corporation, has already been suspended for making inflammatory remarks about other cadres on Facebook.

The public administration ministry has attached copies of the officials’ controversial social media posts to the letters. The Daily Star has seen these copies.

Criticising the officials’ actions, Firoz Mia, a former additional secretary and public administration expert, said, “They are behaving like trade union [CBA] leaders, which is unacceptable. The government should have taken stricter measures against them earlier.”