Thirteen days after Sheikh Hasina's government fell to mass protests and ten days into Dr Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, the administration remains in turmoil.
Official paperwork has come to a standstill, with frustration, protests, and conflicts among administrative officials becoming increasingly public.
The unrest is visible from the upazila administration, through districts and divisions, all the way up to the Secretariat.
Officials and employees who were long denied promotions are now branding the top officials as agents of the previous Sheikh Hasina government.
During this period of government transition, many are busy exploiting the situation.
While continuing with protests, rallies, and demonstrations, they are also obstructing the work of those who remain in top positions.
According to the protesters, they are conducting a campaign to get rid of the corrupt officials. As a result, many government services have come to a halt, depriving ordinary citizens of various public services.
Investigations into different levels of the administration, from the Secretariat to various district and upazila administrations, have revealed incidents of clashes, violence, retaliation, power grabs, and looting.
Regardless of their qualifications, everyone from secretaries to janitors and sweepers who did not receive their desired positions under the previous government now claims to have been victims of discrimination.
They are now demanding that those currently in senior positions be removed and that they be appointed in their place.
Faced with these demands and protests, some have voluntarily resigned, while others have been forced to step down under threat.
Those who remain are anxious, fearing they could be removed at any moment.
What officials say
When asked about the unrest in the administration, a deputy commissioner (DC) of Barisal Division, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "Now is not the time to comment. It’s not appropriate for us to comment on anything right now. We’re already under pressure and can’t really do any work. We don’t know when we might have to leave, so we’re living in fear."
A similar sentiment was expressed by an upazila executive officer (UNO) working in the Rangpur Division. He said: "We’re not doing any work right now. We’re just waiting to see when the order to leave comes. On top of that, there’s a lack of security. Since we’re government employees, we can’t really speak out openly."
Former Secretary Abu Alam Shahid Khan said: "The unrest in the administration must be resolved quickly. If it isn’t, government work will come to a complete standstill, which will hinder public services or citizen services."
Highlighting that contractual appointments in the administration disrupt the normal promotion process, he said: "This is harmful to an independent civil service, though the matter is different when it comes to experienced individuals."
In this regard, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said: "Unrest in the administration is never desirable. This unrest must be addressed by any means necessary. If stability isn’t restored in the administration, the government's primary objectives will be hampered."
Changes in position
Meanwhile, the anti-discrimination student movement has also demanded the removal of those who held top administrative positions under the previous government, particularly those appointed on a contractual basis, including several secretaries.
In response to student demands, the chief justice and six Appellate Division judges have resigned. Prior to this, the attorney general had also resigned.
Following the cancellation of contractual appointments, the inspector general of police and the former principal secretary to the prime minister were removed.
Several heads of public universities and various government departments, including the vice-chancellor of Dhaka University and the chairman of the University Grants Commission, have also resigned.
A group of officials from Bangladesh Bank, led by the governor, has resigned under pressure from employees. Earlier, four deputy governors of the central bank had also resigned.
Recently, the chairman of the National Board of Revenue, as well as the directors-general of the Shilpakala Academy and the Bangla Academy, have been forced to resign.
According to sources in the Ministry of Public Administration, on August 14, Public Safety Division Secretary Jahangir Alam was sent into retirement.
On August 15, Prime Minister’s Office Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin was made an Officer on Special Duty (OSD).
On Saturday, for the first time since the interim government took office, five retired officials were appointed on a contractual basis as secretaries in various ministries. At the time of their retirement, they were additional secretaries.
In October, the contract of Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain is set to expire.
Several other officials are also expected to retire or have their contracts expire later this year.