Yunus’s 559-Day Administration Passed Amid Extreme Chaos
From 8 August 2024 to 17 February 2026 after a continuous 559 days in power the interim government led by Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus stepped down. However, throughout this extended period, the administrative headquarters at the Secretariat down to the grassroots level remained at the center of unprecedented instability, disorder, and resentment. Throughout the entire tenure, the administration was marked by widespread grievances and irregularities. According to concerned officials, since independence, Bangladesh has never witnessed such a chaotic state within its administration.
Collapse of Chain of Command and ‘Mob’ Culture
Following the assumption of office by the Yunus government, divisions among officials and employees intensified sharply, with party labels allegedly being used to categorize them. Incidents of public harassment, physical assault, and forced resignations of officials inside the Secretariat became frequent. There were also instances where district commissioners (DCs), upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs), and divisional commissioners were removed through mob pressure. Government officials and employees staged demonstrations in front of the Secretariat, DC offices, and UNO offices, at times shutting down offices to press various demands for positions. In an unprecedented incident, deputy secretaries were involved in physical altercations inside the Secretariat over DC appointments.
Demands and Confinement of Advisers
Government employees staged protests throughout the tenure demanding dearness allowance and a new pay scale. In one unprecedented incident, the finance adviser was reportedly confined in his office at the Secretariat until midnight amid protests over these demands. He was later escorted home under police protection.
According to insiders, draft recommendations from the Public Administration Reform Commission and a lack of coordination among various cadre officials further intensified administrative unrest.
Reform Commission Report and Cadre Disparity
Rather than bringing dynamism, the recommendations of the Reform Commission allegedly heightened instability within the administration.
Inter-cadre disparity: Under the slogan “The ministry belongs to the cadre,” various cadres launched movements. Recommendations to abolish the BCS (Statistics) cadre and to merge the three groups of the BCS (Information) cadre angered and distressed concerned officials.
Discontent among pensioners: Pensioners kept pressure on the administration throughout the period with three-point demands, including an increase in medical allowance.
Demand for dearness allowance: Failure to fulfill the demand for a 30 percent dearness allowance for employees in grades 11 to 20 reportedly led to stagnation in field administration.
Cancellation of Promotions and Appointments
During the 18-month or 559-day tenure of the Yunus government, indecision in administrative matters, deprivation of promotions, and repeated cancellation of appointments created severe unrest within the administration. This disorder persisted until the government’s final day, spreading from the Secretariat to field administration.
Promotion Deprivation and Frustration Among Officials
At present, at least one thousand officials are reportedly passing days in deep frustration due to not receiving promotions. A total of 574 eligible officials including 337 regular officers from the 24th batch and 43 left-out officers — are awaiting promotion to the rank of Joint Secretary. Similarly, 542 officials from the 30th batch and other cadres are awaiting promotion to Deputy Secretary, but no decision has been made regarding them. Deprived officials have reportedly been staging sit-ins and demonstrations in front of the Public Administration Secretary’s office almost daily.
Retrospective Promotions and New Disparities
While serving officials were not promoted, on 9 February 2024 the Yunus government granted retrospective promotions to 764 retired officials, from Deputy Secretary up to Secretary. Although these promotions were given on claims that they had been deprived during the Awami League tenure, the move created intense dissatisfaction among serving officials. Secretariat officials described it as “another layer of discrimination,” which effectively rendered the administration dysfunctional.
Top-Level Reshuffles and Record of Appointment Cancellations
A series of appointments followed by swift cancellations highlighted what critics described as lack of foresight in government decisions.
DC appointment controversy: Physical altercations occurred among officials over district commissioner appointments, and later the appointments of nine individuals were canceled.
Secretary and ambassador appointments: The appointment of the BIWTC Chairman as Shipping Secretary was canceled two days later, and the appointment of Elahi Dad Khan as Food Secretary was canceled just one day after issuance. Additionally, the appointment of an ambassador to Poland was revoked ten days later.
PSC controversy: On 2 January this year, six members of the Public Service Commission were appointed, but amid controversy the appointments were canceled within 11 days, on 13 January.
Drama Over the Cabinet Secretary Position
In the final phase of the government, dramatic developments unfolded regarding the Cabinet Secretary position. Although outgoing Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid resigned, the government issued a notification canceling his contractual appointment, which was widely discussed as damaging to his dignity. Within hours, the Principal Secretary was given responsibility but he also resigned. Eventually, just before the swearing-in of the new cabinet, Home Secretary Nasimul Ghani was appointed as contractual Cabinet Secretary.
Observation
An unnamed former Cabinet Secretary observed that efficient administration is crucial for governance and that the Yunus government demonstrated serious failure in this regard. According to him, administrative instability persisted throughout the entire tenure.
On Tuesday (17 February), the newly elected government’s cabinet took oath. Officials and employees at various levels are now hoping that this prolonged administrative instability will come to an end.
