Dhaka, August 18 — The Ministry of Public Administration has promoted 201 Deputy Secretaries to the rank of Joint Secretary, according to an official notification issued on Sunday. The promoted officers have been designated as Officers on Special Duty (OSD) within the ministry, pending further appointment orders to new roles as Joint Secretaries.

This wave of promotions comes shortly after the government elevated 117 officials who had previously been denied promotion to the rank of Deputy Secretary. The newly promoted Joint Secretaries had been serving in Deputy Secretary or equivalent positions. Their promotions are retroactive, taking effect from the date when they were initially superseded by junior officers, with arrears to be disbursed accordingly.

The promotion notification specifies that the newly promoted officers are required to submit their joining letters either in person or via email to the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration. If any officer has been transferred to a different workplace since the promotion order was issued, they must include the name and address of their current office in the joining letter.

The ministry’s directive also includes a cautionary note that any adverse or conflicting information discovered about an officer could lead to the amendment or cancellation of their promotion.

This latest round of promotions is part of a broader shake-up in the civil administration following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, amid a nationwide student-led anti-discrimination movement. The period since has seen heightened activity among government officials, particularly those who felt they were unfairly overlooked for promotions. These officials have been gathering at the secretariat almost daily, advocating for their advancement within the administrative ranks.

The Ministry of Public Administration has been under increased scrutiny as it navigates these promotions, which reflect ongoing efforts to stabilize the civil service amid the country’s shifting political landscape.