The interim government is looking for individuals who can maintain financial integrity, demonstrate competence and uphold professionalism while selecting secretaries within the administration.

In addition, those who are financially dishonest and abuse political power will face forced retirement, The Daily Star learned from people in the cabinet division and ministry of public administration who are involved in the proceedings.

Those who are not financially corrupt but have benefited from political favoritism will be appointed as Officers on Special Duty (OSD).

Finally, incompetent officers who have been promoted to the post of Secretary will be transferred to lesser posts or remain OSD.

Currently, there are 55 ministries and divisions in the government structure, 24 of which received new secretaries following the appointment of the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus.

However, eight ministries and divisions are without secretaries.

However, the secretaries of the Economic Relations Directorate; Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate; Defense (IMED); Post and Telecommunications; science and technology; Electoral Commission; agriculture; Environment and Forests; and the Medical Education and Family Welfare Division survived the chop as they are known for their commitment to legislation and regulatory compliance despite being appointed by the Awami League government.

For example, IMED secretary Abul Kashem Md. Mohiuddin is cited as a respected figure known for integrity and ability, regardless of the party in power.

Similarly, Election Commission Secretary Shafiul Azim took decisive action by canceling a foreign trip of the Chief Election Commissioner after the mass riot.

There is no councilor responsible for the ministry of public administration.

“The chief counsel is positive about those who are honest, efficient and professional among the secretaries,” Ali Imam Majumder, special assistant to the chief counsel, told The Daily Star.

If a credible complaint is found against someone, they are dismissed from office.

“This government has no political organization, so there is no one to appoint its people. The administration will run under secretaries who work professionally and support the public interest,” he added.

Secretaries with records of financial misconduct or political abuse of authority have been targeted for forced retirement and, in some cases, face legal consequences.

For example, Home Minister Jahangir Alam, Health Service Secretary Md Jahangir Alam and Food Secretary Ismail Hossain were forced into retirement.

Similarly, Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, had his contractual appointment terminated, with all three facing legal proceedings.

Former Home Minister Jahangir Alam is already detained.

Officials accused of political favoritism but not financial wrongdoing are reassigned to less significant roles.

For example, former secretary of the ministry of public administration Mesbah Uddin Chowdhury was appointed OSD.

Several current secretaries could face similar assignments if they are found to be politically biased without financial misconduct.

The government is considering alternative placements for those without corruption charges but who lack proven administrative capacity.

Among them is former ICT Secretary Shamsul Arefin, currently involved in a homicide case.

In response to the absence of secretaries in six ministries, Public Administration Secretary Mokhles Ur Rahman noted the importance of selecting the most qualified officers and ensuring that aspirants for promotion are assessed against strict standards.

“Some criteria should be followed in the selection of officials. We will not say everything publicly. But good officers should not be worried,” he added.

Despite the government’s assurances of support for honest and competent officials, some secretaries remain concerned, more so about recent comments by two advisers: Sharmeen S Murshid and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan.

Murshid, adviser to the ministry of women and children’s affairs, suggested a complete replacement of the old teams.

“There has not been any mass uprising in Bangladesh that followed the rules. If you don’t cooperate, then the government will not follow the rules in future. If necessary, the system will be broken and new people will be appointed,” Bhuiyan said at an event in Chattogram.