179 Deputy Secretaries promoted to Joint Secretary

The government has promoted 179 deputy secretaries to the rank of joint secretary in a major reshuffle within the public administration.

The Ministry of Public Administration issued two separate notifications on Thursday (July 9) to formalize the promotions.

Under the first notification, 172 deputy secretaries were promoted to joint secretary. A second notification promoted an additional seven deputy secretaries currently serving at Bangladesh's embassies, high commissions, and other government offices abroad to the same rank.

This is the first major round of promotions in the civil administration since the new government assumed office. Officials from the 25th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) administration cadre have also been promoted to the rank of joint secretary for the first time.

The list of promoted officials includes several deputy commissioners (DCs).

According to the notification covering the 172 officials, if any officer has already been transferred from the workplace mentioned in the promotion order, they must submit their joining report indicating their current place of posting.

The notification also states that the government reserves the right to revise or cancel any promotion if adverse or contradictory information regarding a promoted officer emerges at a later stage.

The newly promoted joint secretaries may submit their joining reports directly to the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration or via email at sal@mopa.gov.bd.

The order has taken immediate effect in the public interest.

In a separate notification concerning the seven officers serving abroad, the ministry said that, in accordance with the Ministry of Public Administration's directive issued on March 24, 2014, the respective ministries and divisions will issue the necessary orders upgrading the salary scales of the officers holding deputation posts.

After assuming their new positions, the promoted officers will submit their joining reports to the Ministry of Public Administration through their respective controlling authorities. They will be entitled to the salary and allowances of the higher post from the date they join.

However, foreign allowances and entertainment allowances will continue to be paid at the rates applicable to the officers' original positions at the respective embassy or mission.

The notification further states that the upgraded pay scale will remain effective until the relevant post becomes vacant due to transfer or any other reason.

The order, issued in the public interest, takes effect immediately.