A total of 196 deputy secretaries (DSs) in Bangladesh's civil administration have been promoted to the rank of joint secretary (JS).
The Public Administration Ministry issued two separate notifications on Thursday, elevating their ranks following recommendations from the Superior Selection Board (SSB).
With these promotions, the number of joint secretaries has risen to 1,039, against the approved posts of 502. As of 10 March, the number stood at 862.
In August last year, the interim government promoted 201 deputy secretaries to joint secretary rank shortly after assuming office on 8 August, replacing the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government.
According to the Public Administration Ministry notification, 194 of the newly promoted joint secretaries have been designated as officers on special duty (OSD) for further posting. Two joint secretaries-Reza-E-Rabbi, counsellor (labour) at Bangladesh's Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Layla Munjerina Dina, counsellor at the Bangladesh Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal-will continue in their current roles until further notice.
Public Administration Ministry officials stated that officers from the 24th batch of the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) cadre were considered for this round of promotions. Additionally, senior officers from other batches who had been previously overlooked for promotion were also considered.
