Under existing regulations, ministers are allowed to appoint their own personal secretaries (PSs). This has been the case for the previous cabinet.
In a break of tradition, PSs for ministers were appointed through recommendations from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the first time in history.
According to sources concerned, this step was taken to ensure good governance. Assistant personal secretaries (APS) were also supposed to be appointed through the prime minister’s recommendation.
However, this move generated some controversy, so the process for appointing APSs is on hold.
A joint secretary of the Public Administration Ministry, on condition of anonymity, said the decision regarding appointment method of APSs for minister could be finalized by next Sunday.
The Ministers, Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers (Remuneration and Privileges) Act, 1973 allows ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers can handpick their PSs and APSs.
The Public Administration Ministry chose a different approach for the present cabinet.
The ministry has already advised newly appointed personal secretaries for the ministers to discharge their duties with sincerity and honesty. A workshop will also be organized in the future to further the skills of PSs and APSs.
Confirming the matter, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said: “Cabinet members of the incumbent government will be allowed to handpick their assistant personal secretaries (APSs).
“The government will make its decision public in a couple of days.”
Commenting on the issue, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said: “The Public Administration Ministry has appointed PSs for the cabinet members through recommendation from the prime minister.
“I instructed my newly appointed PS to begin working for me. However, if my PS is not up to the task, I will inform the matter to the prime minister.”
Sources from the ministry said the new method for appointing PSs were implemented to curb irregularities and corruption allegations found against them.
