The interim government, which promised a break from the old political order, appears to be resorting to the same tactics to appease the bureaucrats ahead of the upcoming elections by offering them pay hikes, perks and luxury vehicles.
According to public administration experts, the government’s latest moves mirror a long-standing practice by ruling parties to ensure bureaucratic loyalty in election years. The question now being raised is why a non-political interim authority is following the same path.
However, an adviser and a top bureaucrat dismissed the notion, stressing that all these activities are mere routine and necessary.
New governance but old habits
Following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, took office pledging to hold a free and fair election. Yet, in many ways, its policies resemble those of past political administrations accused of using state machinery to entrench themselves in power.
Over the past year, the interim government has taken legal action against a number of bureaucrats alleged to be loyal to the Awami League, sending several senior officials to jail without clear charges.
Experts say such actions have bred fear and uncertainty in the civil service. The wage bill keeps rising while taxpayers shoulder the cost of inflated salaries and benefits, they said, noting the strain on public finances.
“The bureaucracy is in a chaotic situation regarding appointments and promotions. We have formed a committee to bring order, and the situation is improving,” Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud told TIMES of Bangladesh.
Pay commission and incentives
In July, the government formed the National Pay Commission 2025 to review the existing salary structure and propose a ‘time-befitting’ framework — a move widely seen as paving the way for a fresh pay hike.
Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed also announced special financial incentives for government employees and pensioners to offset rising living costs. Under the scheme, employees in grades 1 to 9 will receive a 10% annual increase in basic pay from 1 July this year, while those in grades 10 to 20 will see a 15% rise.
The move comes even as inflation remains high — 8.29% in August, the lowest in 37 months but still straining low- and middle-income groups, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).
“Typically, elected governments take such steps to win favour with public servants. It is surprising that an interim administration is doing the same,” said Professor Sadik Hasan, who teaches public administration at Dhaka University.
Adviser Mahmud dismissed the notion that the new commission was formed merely to raise salaries. “We will see whether there is any valid reason to increase pay. Personally, I do not support raising the salaries of senior officers.”
Promotions without postings
The Ministry of Public Administration has recently promoted 268 civil servants to the rank of deputy secretary, including 192 from the admin cadre, even though the ministry could not assign most of the promoted officials to higher posts, as there were no vacant posts, leaving the officials remaining in their previous roles and doing the same work as before. Officials from the 30th BCS cadre, who completed 10 years in service in 2022, were also considered in the list.
According to ministry data, there are currently 1,593 deputy secretaries against only 1,000 sanctioned posts. Many promoted officials continue to work in their previous roles due to the absence of new postings, though they receive higher salaries and allowances.
After three years in the new rank, deputy secretaries will also qualify for interest-free car loans. In total, 785 officials have received regular promotions over the past year.
Experts say the trend mirrors that of past political governments that handed out promotions to maintain loyalty.
“There is politics even in promotions. Officials branded as Awami League supporters are being sidelined, while others with different political leanings are getting perks and promotions,” said Sadik Hasan.
The public administration now has 6,518 officials ranging from assistant secretary to senior secretary. Among them, 84 hold senior secretary, secretary or equivalent positions, while 343 serve as additional secretaries — exceeding the 337 total sanctioned posts.
The imbalance persists across other levels as well: there are 1,027 joint secretaries against 502 sanctioned positions, and 1,873 senior assistant secretaries and 1,533 assistant secretaries. Number of permanent posts for these two positions is not specified.
Luxury vehicles amid austerity
In another controversial move, the interim government is moving forward with plans to purchase 220 new vehicles, including 195 Pajero jeeps for upazila nirbahi officers and 25 microbuses for the offices of the deputy commissioners at a total cost of Tk343 crore.
This comes despite a government circular issued on 8 July, banning new vehicle purchases under both the operating and development budgets except for cars over 10 years old, subject to approval from the Finance Division.
Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud defended the move, saying the vehicles were meant to replace outdated ones at the field level.
“It does not mean we are providing additional vehicles to DCs or SPs. Old vehicles in poor condition will be surrendered and replaced with new ones,” he said.
When contacted, Public Administration Secretary (routine charge) told TIMES that the pay hike, promotions and purchase of vehicles of field level officials are all routine work.
“These [initiatives] are not timed to the election, and these are not intended to favour someone in the election,” he said.
