The caretaker government is looking for individuals who maintain financial integrity, demonstrate competence and demonstrate professionalism when selecting secretaries within the administration.

Furthermore, those who are financially dishonest and abuse political power will face forced retirement, the Daily Star learned from people in the ministerial division and the Ministry of Public Administration involved in the proceedings.

Those who are not financially corrupt but have benefited from political patronage will be appointed as officers on special duty (OSD).

Finally, incompetent officers who have been promoted to the post of Secretary will be transferred to lesser positions or remain OSD.

Currently, the government structure has 55 ministries and divisions, 24 of which received new secretaries following the appointment of the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus.

However, eight ministries and divisions do not have secretaries.

However, the secretaries of the Economic Relations Division; Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Division; Defense (IMED); Posts and Telecommunications; Science and technology; Electoral Commission; agriculture; Environment and forests; and the Medical Education and Family Welfare Division have survived the crisis as they are known for their commitment to compliance with the law and regulations, despite being appointed by the Government of the Awami League.

For example, IMED Secretary Abul Kashem Md. Mohiuddin is cited as a respected figure, known for his integrity and competence, regardless of which party is in power.

Similarly, Election Commission Secretary Shafiul Azim took decisive action by canceling a foreign trip of the Chief Election Commissioner after the mass uprising.

There is no advisor in charge of the Ministry of Public Administration.

“The chief advisor is positive about those who are honest, efficient and professional among the secretaries,” Ali Imam Majumder, the special assistant to the chief advisor, told the Daily Star.

If a credible complaint is found against someone, they are removed from office.

“This government has no political organization, so there is no one to call its own people. The administration will operate under the leadership of secretaries who work professionally and defend the public interest,” he said. -he added.

Secretaries with a history of financial misconduct or abuse of political power have been targeted for forced retirement and, in some cases, face legal consequences.

For example, Interior Minister Jahangir Alam, Health Secretary Md Jahangir Alam and Food Secretary Ismail Hossain were forced into retirement.

Similarly, Tofazzel Hossain Miah, principal secretary to the Prime Minister, had his contractual engagement terminated and all three face legal action.

Former Interior Minister Jahangir Alam is already detained.

Officials accused of political favoritism, but not financial malfeasance, are reassigned to less senior roles.

For example, former secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Mesbah Uddin Chowdhury, was appointed OSD.

Several current secretaries could be given similar assignments if they are deemed politically biased without financial malfeasance.

The government is considering alternative placements for those who are not accused of corruption but do not have proven administrative capabilities.

Among them is former TCI secretary Shamsul Arefin, currently involved in a homicide case.

Responding to the absence of secretaries in six ministries, Public Administration Secretary Mokhles Ur Rahman mentioned the importance of selecting the most qualified officers and ensuring that candidates for promotion are evaluated according to strict standards.

“Certain criteria must be respected when selecting officials. We will not say everything publicly. But good officers should not worry,” he added.

Despite the government’s assurances of support for honest and competent officials, some secretaries remain concerned, particularly following recent comments from two advisors: Sharmeen S Murshid and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan.

Murshid, the advisor to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, suggested a complete replacement of the old teams.

“There was no mass uprising in Bangladesh that followed the rules. If you do not cooperate, the government will not follow the rules in the future. If necessary, the system will be broken and new people will be appointed ” said Bhuiyan at an event in Chattogram.