The government is still mulling over a proposal to grant male public servants paternity leave, the Ministry of Public Administration’s Senior Secretary Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury said after meeting with deputy commissioners (DCs) in the secretariat.
“The government has yet to make a decision on the deputy commissioners’ proposal. It may take more time to decide because it is a government policy-level decision.” he said.
No decision had been made on another proposal to upgrade the post of the divisional commissioner to a Grade-1 post with secretary status.
“Until the government decides, the ministry can do nothing. We, however, always examine proposals deputy commissioners submit to the ministry,” he said yesterday.
The deputy commissioners proposed that the government grant 15- day paternity leave to public servants. Female public servants and employees are currently granted six months’ maternity leave.
“DCs have asked the government to renovate the aging infrastructure including the circuit houses. We have assured them that we’ll look into it. We have instructed DCs to offer innovative ideas to improve the service so that the ministry can implement them to ensure good public service,” he added.
The DCs were also instructed to operate a special cleansing drive in their respective districts to ensure a fresh environment.
When asked about proposals made by the DCs to increase the public service entry and retirement ages, State Minister for Public Administration Ismat Ara Sadique said: “We have already increased the retirement age. But have not decided on changes to the entry age.”
Asked about conflicts between the civil and police administration, Ismat said: “That is a matter for the home ministry. It was not discussed in their meeting with us. The home ministry will look into the matter.”
