Promotions and performance in government
Naturally,
once someone becomes partisan, its difficult to maintain the
neutral image of the bureaucracy
In a reshuffling move, the government may promote 500 administrative officers to the posts of deputy, joint and additional secretary respectively. Since, currently 1600 officers of the ranks mentioned are in excess, the news of promotion will certainly come as hope-inducing for many officers, who may have felt that they were stuck in one place.
For administration to work efficiently, promotions are essential. This shows that the government relies on those who run the complex operation of the state and is willing to recognize their contribution. However, in Bangladesh, the trend has always been to promote officers who are blatantly aligned to the government in power, leaving out those who are apolitical or, those who refrain from wearing their political allegiance
in public.
The basic rule for all administration is much like that of journalistskeeping aside ones political tilt to carry on with the work objectively. Naturally, once someone becomes partisan, its difficult to maintain the neutral image of the bureaucracy.
Therefore, it is expected that the government would promote on the basis of skill and talent and, not on political loyalty.
Its not possible for any government in the world to maintain total neutrality. Accepting this, we ask for a certain level of balanced assessment to be done when considering candidates for promotion.
This government came to power riding on promises of democracy that can ensure transparency and accountability in governance. Let that pledge be implemented during the impending promotions.
If this is done then the government can state emphatically that unlike the previous governments, it did not blindly elevate those who are politically allied.
Regarding the existence of 1600 excess officials, we suggest that many of them can be deputed as heads or government representatives in development agencies, NGOs, banks and education institutes. That way, someone from the authority will be directly involved in the operation of non-government agencies, which have been regularly found to be flouting norms and regulations.
Following the British system, certain government officials without portfolio can be asked to form quangos, probing public sectors like power, electricity and sport.
The harsh fact is, in todays world, talent is hardly taken into account with reference given the top priority. Countries which have minimized this format have larger degree of accountability with high level of public trust. Unfortunately, in Bangladesh, where who you know is of paramount importance and the well-placed uncle or aunt can do wonders, real talent often is left unheralded.
Will the government, for once, disregard this and set an example which all of us can unanimously praise?
