What’s Behind the PSC Cadre Split Drama?

Bangladesh’s civil service is buzzing with talk of significant changes. The administrative cadre, a pillar of governance for decades, is about to get a makeover. Soon, it could be known as the Bangladesh Administrative Service (BAS). This transformation and the recommendations to split up other key cadres and form an additional Public Service Commission (PSC) hold the promise of a more efficient and specialized workforce. Let’s explore these changes and their potential positive impact on the country.

Why Change the System?

The idea of reforming the administrative cadre isn’t new. The reform commission has been talking to former members of various public service cadres, and their findings suggest that turning the administrative cadre into the BAS makes sense. What’s interesting is how much support this change has from the administrative officers themselves. They believe it’s the right move—and with their backing, the reform commission sees no significant roadblocks.

Relevant reading BASA’s Fiery Response to Public Administration Reform Commission!

However, the reform process hit a roadblock when the commission’s recommendations were leaked before they were formally submitted. This unexpected breach of confidentiality left the government in a scramble to control the fallout. One senior policymaker even called the leak ‘unprecedented,’ highlighting the challenges and unexpected hurdles that can arise during such significant reforms.

Education and Health: The Big Debate

On December 17, commission members dropped a bombshell during a meeting with journalists. They proposed separating the education and health cadres and introducing a 50:50 promotion ratio between administrative and other cadres. This move is stirring up controversy, with some seeing it as a step towards a more balanced and fair promotion system. In contrast, others fear it could lead to increased competition and potential dissatisfaction among the cadres.

While administrative officers seem fine with these changes, education and health officials are not. They argue that the current system works well enough and worry that these changes will create more problems than they solve. Their resistance has sparked protests, leaving the administrative cadre to forge ahead solo.

Will BAS Make a Difference?

So, what could the BAS bring to the table? A former secretary shared this perspective:

“There won’t be any immediate changes, but the long-term impacts could be significant. This model succeeded in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Singapore. But to make it work, recruitment and promotion rules need a serious overhaul.”

In India, for example, the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) enjoys clear distinctions. Other cadres rarely rise to top positions outside their domains. If Bangladesh adopts a similar approach, it could streamline promotions and improve morale within specialized cadres. But would it work in Bangladesh’s unique context?

Key Questions to Consider (FAQ)

Promotion Politics: A Sticky Issue

Currently, 75% of deputy secretary promotions go to administrative cadre officers, while the remaining 25% are split among 26 other cadres. However, officers from non-administrative cadres often struggle when posted in ministries. According to an additional secretary,

“Ministries are reluctant to take officers from other cadres because they lack training in ministerial work.”

This highlights a training gap. Administrative officers receive broad governance training, while others, like those in audit or taxation, focus on niche skills. Bridging this gap could be key to smoother reforms.

Lessons from the Past

Reform isn’t new in Bangladesh. Once, the country had two separate PSCs—one for general public service and another for third and fourth-class employees. Over time, these were merged, and the PSC’s workload grew, especially with teacher and doctor recruitment. Efforts to create a separate PSC for private teacher recruitment 2008 failed due to legal and stakeholder resistance.

Similarly, healthcare reforms during the Ershad era aimed to decentralize administration through regional health authorities but were shelved after public protests. These past attempts show how challenging reforms can be.

International Inspiration: Lessons and Limitations

In the UK, for example, the National Health Service (NHS) is managed by professional administrators, not doctors. This separation of technical expertise and management ensures efficiency. Could Bangladesh adopt a similar model? A former public administration official thinks so:

“Doctors and teachers should focus on their professions, not administrative roles. The current system encourages them to prioritize bureaucracy over their core expertise, which weakens the services.”

But would this work in Bangladesh’s context, where centralization and uniformity have long been the norm?

Moving Forward: Striking the Right Balance

Reforming Bangladesh’s civil service isn’t just about renaming cadres or restructuring systems. It’s about creating a fair, efficient, and specialized workforce that serves the people better. Whether through decentralization, cadre-specific PSCs, or revamped promotion policies, these changes are urgent. The ultimate goal should be improved governance, and these reforms are a step in that direction.

Summary

The proposed changes to Bangladesh’s administrative system have sparked debates, protests, and confusion. While the Bangladesh Administrative Service sounds promising, its success will depend on thoughtful and responsible implementation. Will these reforms elevate governance or add more red tape? Only time will tell, but it’s up to us to ensure they are executed carefully and carefully for all stakeholders.

Disclaimer: The main article was written By Ashraful Haque and Tapashi Rabea Akhi in Bengali in Here, we restructure and publish it here with rephrasing and rewriting.