Administrative Reform in Bd

pic ASSIGNMENT ON ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM SUBMITTED TO SHAMIMA AKHTER pic (JKKNIU) SUBMITTED BY SAIFUDDIN AHAMMED MONNNA Dept. of man electric pig and Governance (JKKNIU) Roll no-11123144, Session-2010-2011 Course code PA-122 1th cumulation (1st year) 2nd Semester B. S. S. Honours Submission date-01. 22. 2012 Table of Contents Serial no Subject Pages 1 ABSTRACT 2 2 INTRODUCTION AND backg punctuate on signal 31 3 Brief Review of administrative Re nisuss in Bangladesh 6 4 study Issues of Administrative Reform in Bangladesh 8 5 List of Major military commissions and charge for Administrative Reform 20 6 25 treatment ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS ELABORATELY IN THE FOLLOWING 7 CONCLUSION 36 8 REFERENCES 37 ABSTRACT This assignment explores the interplay validation and administrative reform in Bangladesh by drawing roughly perspectives from new(prenominal)(a)wise(a)(a) under certain countries. It covers the stay some(prenominal) before and after democratization o f the surface ara, hinging around the flatts of 1991, and thus proffers the opportunity for comparisons.It has sought to draw channel step up the relative magnificence of insurance- do will (including the endeavorions and authority) of authorities activitys, and to critic altogethery assess their capacity, the degree of co-operation they gained from gracious avail actors, and to assess the relevance and appropriateness of intertheme donor interventions. INTRODUCTION every(prenominal) countries puree to reform their administrative form in answer to the argufy present by socioeconomic posed, semi semipolitical, and technical milieu. Bangladesh is no exception. Since its emergence as a nation- solid ground, Bangladesh has been trying hard to reshape its administrative strategy. However, despite their perceived importance, administrative reform in Bangladesh has encountered serious hurdles over the function xxx years.Since 1971 after a obligingized war 17 reforms make water been interpreted from which some reforms atomic form 18 very crucial. The major administrative reforms and their sh argon ar discussed elaborately in the following BACKGROUND Bangladesh bears a compound legacy in its entire world court clay. Presentday Bangladesh was part of the British Empire for almost both hundred years. In 1947 Pakistani rulers re pose the British and dominated the atomic derive 18a whence k at present as East Pakistan until a bitter war in 1971 brought about an independent Bangladesh. A colonial imprint persists in Bangladesh e special(prenominal)ly in political and administrative Arrangements .The British tradition helped the bureaucracy to drive an essential alikel of plaque. At the similar prison term, it is acc aimd of following the Pakistani tradition of involvement in precedent politics (Hague, 1995). The political system of Bangladesh has survived a series of transitions. A hardly a(prenominal) years of democracy were followed by nearly fifteen years of armed forces rule. In 1990, for the first time, Bangladesh achieved a fully functioning antiauthoritarian organize. Ironic solelyy, the genius and manipulation of bureaucracy in both the pre and post- egalitarian period remained almost the equal except for an increase in number of ministries, divisions, departments and statutory bodies (Ahmed, 2002 323-26).The type of giving medication has channelized in the course of Bangladeshs reading. After independence its focus was the rectifyment of organic evolution in every last(predicate) spheres of life by intervention and the use of administration in a constructive way. authorities and administration were seen non merely as a regulator but as a facilitator. However, it open fire be argued that development, when considered as a multi- proportional concept, can non be accomplish and keep up without good administration. The name good governance has Acquired tremendous importanc e in the contemporary world, in particular in the context of the developing countries. For example, umpteen developing countries restrain prep ard .Essential portion in implementing the plans and strategies to achieve the targets bushel forth by PRSP but good governance is a comp iodinnt that most developing countries soberly leave out. Merilee S. grindle points out that when determining their priorities and taking steps to s go on good governance, most developing countries go too far they chalk out a plan or strategy far beyond the particular(a) capacity of the mental institutions charged with murder responsibilities. Grindle suggests redefining Good Governance as Good Enough Governance, that is, a condition of minimally accep table brass erformance and civil high company involvement that does non probatively hinder economic and political development and that permits pauperism diminution initiatives to go forward (Grindle, 2004 526). In Bangladesh, a second-g eneration development scrap is to achieve good enough governance. No matter how such(prenominal)(prenominal) a political sympathies tries, success will non be attained if it needs competent institutions to implement policies. Public administration is the key institution for constitution implementation. If it is not functioning well, in feat PRSP targets are unlikely to be met.The assign has to make sure that its administrative apparatus is functioning well, so that it can innovate and implement solutions and that it can ensure that the poor will not be excluded from the process and benefits of development. From the beginning of the 1990s, the habit of brass activity has changed from an intervener to a judge instead of vie the game, its main duty is to make sure that a fair game is being played. This reinvented function of the administration necessitates redefining the role of the bureaucracy. bureaucracy can be considered as an open system that interacts with or i s touch by the milieu in which it operates.Traditionally, this environment consisted of only when the home(prenominal) economic, political and social context within which the brass is located. Now, however, in the national eye(predicate) organic laws are more than often faced with global threats and opportunities that affect their operations and perspectives (Welch and Wong, 2001 372-73). The performance of a creation validation depends bounteously on how the domestic political institution handles global pressures as well as how it interacts with the bureaucracy. In a ground like Bangladesh, where global pressure is eminent and the domestic political institutions are ill anatomical coordinated, the colonial legacy places the bureaucracy in a fractious position.As globalization or market liberalization changes both the domestic context and the functioning of the bureaucracy, it is possiblebut not necessarily sought afterthat the two primary order institutions, poli tics and bureaucracy, forge an alliance. on the whole countries strive to reform their administrative system in response to the challenge posed by socioeconomic posed, political, and technical environment. Bangladesh is no exception. Since its emergence as a nation- resign, Bangladesh has been trying hard to reshape its administrative system. However, despite their perceived importance, administrative reform in Bangladesh has encountered serious hurdles over the last thirty years. Since 1971 after a civil war 17 reforms put one across been chartern from which some reforms are very crucial. The major administrative reforms and their set are discussed elaborately in the followingBrief Review of Administrative Reforms in Bangladesh Since the emergence of the country, a number of commissions and committees (for details, please see Annex-A) were reachd by diametrical governments for administrative reform and shake-up to suit the needs of their several(prenominal) constitution d eclarations. The development partners in any case prepared several reports toward that end. A s expireover into of the major efforts is summarized below. The first political government in Bangladesh felt it necessity to keenize and transform the provincial administrative system it had inherited into a national system which would be able to elevate the responsibilities of a invigorated born sovereign nation.Accordingly, the government established a commission known as the Administrative and serve shake-up commissioning. The committee reviewed the administrative system thoroughly and proposed a comprehensive structure to enable it to undertake increase development responsibilities. The recommendations were not, however, use due to resistance from distinct quarters. The subsequent army government in 1976 constituted a commission called as the hand and attend tos steering for recommending measures for administrative reform. The recommendations of the Commission were p artially employ. The Commission recommended for the first appearance of an open structure system in the secretariat administration and groundwork of 28 cadres in the civil process.While the cadre principle was implemented, there was, in essence, a failure to introduce open structure system in the secretarial administration. The martial impartiality government of General Ershad positive a Committee for examining the organizational set up of the ministries/divisions, departments, directorates and other organizations. The Committee recommended reduction of the number of ministries/divisions, and of staff at the take down levels of secretarial administration, reduction in the layers of the decision do and fixing the supervisory ratio, formalizing and regularizing recruitment processes, stress the principle of merit in progress, delegation of financial and administrative provides level the power structure and providing training for officials. only major recommendations of th e Committee were not implemented (Khan, 1991). Later, the martial law government appointed another committee, known as Committee for Administrative Reforms/Reorganization (CARR). The Committee recommended for renaming of Thanas as Upazilas (sub-districts), up marker the Sub-divisions into districts and installation of elected summitical anaesthetic governments at district, Upazilla and union levels for the transfer of development functions to these elected local bodies. This time, the government implemented most of the recommendations of the Committee. It upgraded Thanas into Upazilas and sub-divisions into districts. It introduced pop governance though limited in scope at the Upazila level.In 1987, a locker Sub-committee was organize to recommend insurance policy measures for implementing recommendations of the Secretaries Special Committee on the Structural organisation of the ripened Services Pool (SSP) and the Secretarial Committee relating to the problem of odds-on pr ospects of promotion of authorityrs of different cadre wait ons. The Committee recommended the abolition of the SSP and certain other measures to improve prospects of promotion of officers of unhomogeneous cadre renovations. The government true the recommendations of the Committee and abolished the SSP in 1989. In the same year, another committee was constituted to review the administrative structure and the man power position. The Committee found that 7000 officers and employees were surplus in 37 departments and offices.On the basis of its findings, the Committee recommended the abolition of 27 departments (Khan, 1991 USAID, 1989 Ali, 1993). During the tenure of the last government, an empirical film was conducted and two committees were constituted to go to into problems of macrocosm administration and recommend measures for reforms. The Public Administration Sector airfield was sponsored by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) with a view to suggesting an ope n, transparent, accountable and performance oriented administrative system to support fantanary democracy. The four-spot Secretaries Committee and Committee for Restructuring Ministries/Department were constituted by the government.The areas of probe of these committees and study include secretarial administration and work procedures, ministry-department relationship, ministry-corporation relationship, project cycle, organization and structure of government, decision qualification, accountability, human resources development, financial caution and corruption. Recommendations make by them were of varied nature corresponding to the nature of the problems. The present government constituted the Public Administration Reform Commission in 1997 with the mandate to recommend policies, programs and activities to improve the level of dexterity, effectiveness, accountability and foil in prevalent organizations and to enable them to touch the governments commitment to ensure socio- economic development and reach out its benefits to the stack.The Commission do troika types of recommendations, interim, short term and long term for administrative reforms in areas such as, defining of mission and functions of the unexclusive offices affirming avocationalism in the civil service performance monitoring and result oriented performance, analyze of government agencies delegation of powers to subordinate and field offices open and free feeler to government documents and reports for the sake of transparency and accountability withdrawal of judicatory from the decision maker separation of audit from accounts simplification of outdated laws, rules, regulations and forms (GOB, 2000). The Government has implemented some of the interim recommendations of the commission. The cabinet in a recent hurting authentic in principle the other recommendations of the commission. Major Issues of Administrative Reform in Bangladesh The importance and significance of various( a) reform efforts can not be denied as these generate addressed to a astronomic number of issues relating to human race administration in Bangladesh. save it is believed that the following issues should be taken into stipulation while attempting for any comprehensive eform effort in the future. 1Role of Government The role of government in terms of belongings and nature of involvement in various activities has direct bearing on any reform effort. With extol to size and functional involvement, the Government of Bangladesh has assumed an all pervasive character. The lack of insular initiative, which is a historical phenomenon, as well as governments compulsions, especially just after the emergence of the country, provided the basis for the across-the-board role and functions of the government. As a result, the role and functions of the government in Bangladesh has decease all encompassing from the centre to the grassroots level.Its traditional functions alike termed as regu latory functions ( aid of law and nightspot, collection of revenue and administration of justice) now constitute only a small segment, though their importance has not been bring down at all rather change magnitude manifold, of the voluminous functions of public administration. entirely by the golf-clubties of the last century, some major and qualitative changes have taken place both in the internal and external environment of the country. The thrust for the reduced and limited role of the government is recognized nationwide and internationally. In the economic sector, local private, and international and multinational initiatives are kinda successful in various ventures while the government is found sunk in managing and running public enterprises.On the other hand, a large number of Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), national and international, are shouldering some service and development responsibilities and also demonstrating die performance in their own spheres (CDRB and DPC, 1995). All these reallyities are now considered as the bounceion of the freedom of individual belief and rights-two lofty ideals of youthful day democracy. Thus there are both objective and unverifiable reasons to review the role and functions of the government. 2Public Policy Commitments Public policy commitments commonly reflect the hopes and aspirations of the quite a little and the demands of the time. These commitments are do in a democratic polity by the political parties both in power and aspiring to go to power. Public policy commitments are later translated into administrative actions.In Bangladesh, it has been sight that the public policy commitments made by the government are not pursued wholeheartedly. The institutional mechanisms, both internal and external, are also faded to monitor the translation of these into concrete administrative actions. Internal mechanisms include, administrative and political will of the government and effective administrati ve monitoring system. On the other hand, external mechanisms are specific parliamentary standing committees and effective role of the political parties in parliament and constructive role of the press and media. Moreover, public policy commitments lack consensus especially of the opposition political parties.As a result, public policy commitments made by one government are, in many cases, scraped or set aside by the next government that comes to power. 3Neutral Governance Currently indifferent(p) governance has become a third estate concern of politicians, administrators, academics and common people as every body are beneficiaries of it. Neutral governance is essential for the sustenance, growth and development of democratic polity. in advance(p) day parliamentary democracies are based on multi political party system. under the system, a number of political parties with varying ideologies and agenda compete for presume the state power or forming the government by means of an d through the electoral process. political parties stay in power so long as they love the support and confidence of the people.The public administrative system that symbolizes permanency and persistency has to function under and at the direction of different political parties at different points of time. downstairs the above reality, the administration must ensure torpid governance. The concept of so-so(p) governance with measure to a developing country like Bangladesh could be viewed from the perspective of Maintenance of Law and run/Enforcement Administration of and Access to Justice and Planning and Execution of Development Programs. 3. 1Maintenance of Law and Order/Enforcement Maintenance of law and order is essential for ensuring neutral governance. Broadly speaking, maintenance of law and order has two aspects viz. maintenance of public peace, investigation and trial of iniquitous cases (GOP, 1960). The above involves both decision maker and discriminatory functions. threesomesome elements are obscure in it, the police, the magistracy and the judiciary (Ali, et. al. , 1983). The maintenance of public peace does not squiffy prevention and control of any special type of crime. This deals with general law and order facts that whitethorn even be disturbed by non- roughshod activities. Though crime may be committed, the real nature of the emergency here may be political or economic or communal. On the other hand, the investigation and trial of criminal cases may be described as prevention investigation and contracting and prosecution of crime.It is believed that first of all crime should be prevented. If not prevented then the crime is committed. Once a crime is committed it must then be investigated and detected. The successful investigation leads to prosecution. Besides these, the police perform many other functions that have direct or indirect bearing on the maintenance of law and order/enforcement. several(prenominal) of these are executi on of processes of criminal courts, regulation of crowds and traffic and other duties to meet emergency situations. To ensure neutral governance with respect to the maintenance of law and order/enforcement, the police administration should enjoy freedom from interference from any quarters.If interference are made Police administration can not function or make out its duties and responsibilities without fear or favour. however in recent years, it has been alleged that the law enforcing agencies have been subjected to sours of various kinds to meet the political ends of the parties in power. Such practices seriously erode the confidence of the people and directly violate the principle of neutral governance, above all, they encourage the police particularly at the lower echelons, to take advantage of such biased position of the authorities to convert the opportunity for unrestrained personal gains. And this is what has happened in Bangladesh. 3. 2Administration of and Access to Jus tice-Rule of LawAdministration and portal to justice is a primary requirement for establishing the rule of law in the country. Again, the rule of law must be considered as an important dimension for sustainable democracy, accountable administration and equitable development. In the area of administration of justice in Bangladesh, the judicial system is subjected to some fundamental and procedural problems. Although there is constitutional provision for the separation of judiciary from the administrator, concrete steps are yet be taken to separate the two especially at the lower level. It has been reported that now a bill proposing the separation of the judiciary and the executive is pending in the parliament for enactment.The combination of the executive/police and authority of criminal justice in the hands of the executive government was the innovation of the colonial power and it was specifically designed to meet the colonial purposes. However, non-action to separate the judici ary from administration helped accentuate bureaucratic monocracy and interference in the judicial process especially at the lower levels. Moreover, certain constitutional provisions require collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Law, Justice and parliamentary Affairs and the compulsory address in the area of personnel management of the judges. Interference of the executive branch in the personnel management of the judiciary hampers judicial independence. In Bangladesh, successive governments meddled with the affairs of the judiciary to get along their finalize political ends.This state of affairs has seriously eroded the confidence of the people in the impartiality of the judicial process. Access to justice is another term for establishing rule of law in the country. Easy and timely access to judicial redress is essential for limiting or arresting the high handedness of the executive organ of the government. Repressive and sweeping laws also limit the private citizens acces s to the judiciary. Moreover, the structural and institutional inefficiency of the judicial system has created manifold problems which fails to check the excesses of the executive arm and the bureaucratic authority and to safeguard the civil rights of the people at large. 3. Planning and Execution of Development Program Another dimension of the concept of neutral governance is the neutral or impartial mean and execution of development programs. In developing countries like Bangladesh, initiatives for balanced development of the different parts of the country should come from the government. Moreover, for obvious reasons, the government has to shoulder the major responsibility with respect to economic and social sector development. But it has been observed that, in many cases, development programs are undertaken and executed to serve the narrow party interest of the political party in power at the expense of the national interest.The other phenomenon that is very much in embodyence in Bangladesh is that the people who are associated with the ruling party are awarded with various contracts relating to the execution of the development programs. Such practices breed corruption and the caliber of the execution of the development programs also suffers. Sometimes, a nexus is developed amidst the political parties, government executing agencies and the implementers/contractors that results in waste and unnecessary approach escalation of development projects. But the concept of neutral governance with respect to preparedness and execution of the development programs suggests that national, not narrow party and or other interests, should come into prominence in the planning and execution of the development programs.The legitimatize policy bias should not pervade the concept of neutral governance with respect to planning and execution of specific development plans and projects. It is natural that different political parties will have different policies and programs but this does not mean that their implementation should any way suffer from any partisan application. .4. supplier of Services Governments role has changed with the passage of time. In the beginning, the prefatorial purpose was to maintain the steady state. As such, the role was basically regulatory in nature. The concentration was on revenue collection, maintenance of law and order and administration of justice. The administrative system that Bangladesh inherited from the British in 1947 was developed for assuming the above stated roles.Then the government for the first time was called upon to shoulder new responsibilities in addition to its earlier role in traditional/regulatory administration. In the sphere of traditional administration, the emphasis was on maintaining steady state so that the nation can strive for better life both at the individual citizens level and also at the national level (Hussain, 1986). With the changed scenario, a new dimension was added to the role o f the government, i. e. , development administration. The assumption of this new role was necessitated with the rising expectations of the people. Government at this stage, in the absence of any other resource choice, had to intervene in different sectors (broadly, economic and service) of the national life to ensure all round national development.The situation in 1947 was such that there was close no private sector and entrepreneurial capacity of the private citizens was almost non-existent. Under compulsion, the government had to intervene in all sectors. This phenomenon continued through out the Pakistani period. Another point should be noted here that during this period whatever capacity developed in the private sector was confine mostly to the erstwhile West Pakistani (now Pakistani) nationals (Ahmed, 1980 Jahan, 1977) After the emergence of Bangladesh the situation was even worse. The institutional business enterprises and industries were mostly possess by the Pakistanis a nd these were left field behind by them. The government had no choice but to nationalize those.On the other hand, government of the time also opted for a meld economy. Consequently, the governments roles and functions increased manifold. Besides, this period also witnessed the creation of a number of public enterprises especially in the economic sector (Sobhan and Ahmed (1980). In the service sector the governments role and functions also increased considerably. The government ultimately became the main provider of services to the people. After the change of government in 1975, Governments policies regarding its role underwent fundamental changes. fury was put on the development of private initiatives in all sectors of national life.In the economic sector, thrust was given for the development of private entrepreneurial class (Ahmed, 1980). At the same time, the government went for the denationalization of different state owned enterprises. This period also saw the rise of a large number of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs). These organizations started to take lively part in development and service sectors especially at the grassroots level. In spite of all these developments, the government in Bangladesh still remains the primary providers of services in all sectors. The all encompassing role of the government resulted in distraction and overburdening of the administrative system.Now the time has come to redefine and delimit the role of the government as provider of services and also to look for alternative strategies for providing these to suit the demand of time. 5 courtly Service An efficient and effective role of civil service in a developing democratic polity is of racy importance. The efficiency of public servants is a sine qua non for managing the affairs of the state. On the other hand, the involvement of the public servants must not transcend the boundary of the democratic framework. However, bureaucratic efficiency depends on conducive politi cal and bureaucratic environment and culture suiting the needs of the hour existence of the democratic set in the administrative system and existence of mechanisms to have checks on bureaucratic excesses. 5. 1Bureaucratic NormsIn multi-party democracy, public servants have to perform functions, such as, to inform the ministers and parliament with complete and accurate data presented objectively and in time to nominate ministers by analysis of data and appraisal of options in which they can have confidence to implement ministerial decisions and to administer resultant decision and to be responsible for(p) to minister and parliament for their actions (or inaction) with particular reference to the safeguarding of public cash and ensuring effective value for money (Stowes, 1992). With respect to the bureaucratic norms of the civil service in Bangladesh experience reveals that these are adhered to a very limited scale. A number of socio-economic and political factors, including histo rical peculiarities have impeded the growth of accountable structure of administration in Bangladesh. As a result, the high office arrogance, unethical behaviour, gross inefficiency, failure to respect legislative intent and failure to show initiatives have become apparent in the civil service of Bangladesh (Hussain and Sarker, 1995). 5. 2Decision Making ProcessEfficient decision making procedures are part of the professional and result-oriented administration. The organization and structure of the government and public service and administrative culture have bearing on the decision making system. In Bangladesh, the Rules of Business out rip the basic provisions relating to the distribution of responsibilities among different units of government. Under the existing arrangement of the governmental administration, the ministry is responsible for formulating policies. The directorates/departments/statutory bodies and field offices implement policies. In fact, the existing arrangement i mplies a policy formulation-implementation dichotomy.Interestingly, such a dichotomy has a corresponding relationship to the structural arrangement of the system, resulting in the conflicting relationship between generalists and specialists. There is also bewilderment about the nature of decisions. It is difficult to draw a demarcation line between the policy decisions and the operational decisions. This confusion complicates the disposal of cases. This, along with change tilt in administration causes delay in decision making. jurisdictional in ornamentment, buck passing, distortion of priorities, employee disorientation and misallocation of resources are many of the factors responsible for such a state of affairs (Huda and Rahman, 1989). The other important aspect that may be noted here is that the discourse on decision making is confined only to the bureaucratic structure.For instance, there is no indication in the Rules of Business regarding the role of parliament members in d ecision making particularly at various administrative levels, without violating the separation of power policy. 5. 3Corruption Corruption has been and continues to be an unfortunate integral part of administrative culture in Bangladesh. But in recent times, it has taken an all pervasive form. A recent donor sponsored study reflecting on the harmful effect of bribery, corruption, kickbacks and under the table bearments for various administrative decisions and actions noted that the per capita income in corruption free Bangladesh could have nearly doubled to US$ 700 (currently it is estimated to be US$350) (Transparency International, Bangladesh, 2000).Government officials especially, involved in development projects, service delivery, enforcement and regulatory agencies at all levels are reported to be colluding with private bidders and contractors and service seekers and consequently amassing vast mislabeled incomes in the bargain. The reasons for such corruption can be summed up Firstly, because of institutional weaknesses, civil servants involved in corrupt practices, in most of the cases, are not taken to task and they indulge in corruption with impunity. Moreover, even if found guilty, they have never been adequately punished nor compelled to return to the state their ill-gotten wealth.Secondly, for quick service delivery, citizens in general, now do not mind to knuckle under bribes and kickbacks. Thirdly, there is now social acceptance of corruption. Fourthly, proscribe occasional public procurements, the representatives of the people, i. e. politicians especially those who are in power, are not very enthusiastic to take effective measures to curb corrupt practices in public dealings. Rather in many cases, it is alleged that they have become party to various dubious deals. 6. Administrative Accountability Government policy decisions are implemented through bureaucratic mechanisms as such, administrative accountability is essential for good government. In developing polity, there is a tendency on the part of the public bureaucracy to exercise power in an authoritarian manner. Bangladesh bureaucracy is also no exception to that. Authoritarian organization culture still persists. Democratic values are still lack in the bureaucracy. This is due to the colonial legacy that the administration inherited and lack of experience of the bureaucratic system to function under broader democratic political environment. There is a marked lack of clarity and in deed there is an imbalance between the role of bureaucracy and the role of public representatives and political leaders in the policy making and overall governance system.No systematic measures have been taken so far to streamline the institutional integration of popular interests and technical expertise at all levels of government. As a result, efficiency and accountability suffer under democratic political leadership. The arrogance of high office, unethical behaviour, failure to respec t legislative intent and apathy towards work have been rampant (UNDP, 1993). However, elaborate measures should be undertaken to curtail bureaucratic excess. Its role should not go beyond the limits that may thwart democratic ideals and practices. Some of the measures could be through the effective roles of the parliament, media and the civil society. . 1Role of Parliament Bangladesh has again gone back to the parliamentary form of government after amending the constitution (GOB, 1998). Under the present system, the executive branch is responsible to the parliament and that the peoples representatives must have sufficient voice in the design and formulation of public policy. In Bangladesh, the parliament is primarily concerned with enacting decree and ratifying decisions that the executive has already taken. Thus, it is clearly observed that peoples representatives have no material role in policy formulation. The role of parliamentary committees is very significant in this regard. These statutory committees are expected to scrutinize various aspects of government actions. Moreover, they should function in such a manner so as to ensure transparency of vital government businesses. However, in Bangladesh, the parliamentary committees so far have failed to play the vital role in making the administration accountable. Some important committees such as, Public Accounts Committee, Committee on Estimates, Committee on Public Undertaking and other standing committees on various ministries are not performing well enough to ensure accountability of executive government. Committee meetings are not held regularly and ministers in many cases do not attend the meetings.More importantly, the decisions of the committees are not followed by actions. The other feature of Bangladesh politics is the excessive reliance on exercising executive authority by property the parliament in the dark. In most cases, policy issues are not discussed in the parliament. This weakens parliament s authority to hold the executive accountable to it. Another enkindle feature of Bangladesh politics is that the opposition political parties oppose the ruling party for the sake of opposition only. Moreover, boycotting/non-participation in the sessions of the parliament has also become a regular practice of the opposition political parties.But to have ruddy political environment and to hold the party in power responsible for the actions/inaction, opposition political parties should play a positive role both within and outside the parliament. 6. 2Role of Media Role of media is very important in ensuring administrative accountability. Information about government actions are largely reported through the media both electronic and print. By ensuring free bunk of development, the media also ensures transparency of administrative actions. Currently, the print media is enjoying considerable freedom in Bangladesh. They bring lapses and excesses of the executive to the notice of the pub lic and thereby making them accountable.But exclusive government control over state run mass media like receiving set and television run contrary to the concept of free flow of haphazardness and transparency. Such exclusive control has negative bearing on ensuring administrative accountability. In Bangladesh, both radio and television are solely owned and controlled by the government. As a result, these two media are acting as the spokesmen of the government or rather the party in power. Impartial information and views, in most of the cases, are not usually broadcast. Moreover, views of the opposition political parties and groups do not receive proper and adequate attention of the state run radio and television.As we know, the role of media by facilitating the free flow of information of all government actions is very essential for ensuring executive and administrative accountability. The reforms which, according to the press reports, are on the anvil appear to decay short of ex pectations of the nation in as much as the government control on the state run electronic media remains virtually overlooked. 6. 3Role of Civil Society From a functional perspective, there is a general tendency to treat civil society as one of the three sections that constitute a nation the other two being the public sector or the government and the private sector or the profit-seeking enterprises. genuinely broadly, civil society can be defined as those organizations that exist between the level of the family and the state and enjoy a degree of indecorum from the state and the market, and provide a counter-balance to the power of the state and the market. Civil society may also be viewed as organized activities by groups or individuals either performing certain services or trying to influence and improve the society as a whole, but are not part of government or business (Jorgensen, 1996). In Bangladesh, civil society includes indigenous community groups, mass organizations, cooper atives, religious societies, trade unions, and professional bodies. tending(p) the dynamics of the political process, it is indeed difficult to set a official role for the civil society in Bangladesh. The role of civil society, in fact, depends on the nature of the demand and prevailing conditions of a polity.However, areas of involvement of the civil society in the context of Bangladesh are policy advocacy, mobilization of public opinion, demand creation, active participation in policy formulation process, bridging the porta between citizens and government, pressurizing the government with the help of the media, supporting the popular movement in favour of a given policy issue, lobbying with the donor groups/development partners, playing the role of mediator/ arbitrator between citizens and government, and policy analysis, etc. Civil society, by its actions, performs as pressure group in the polity in attaining administrative accountability. In the true sense of the term, the civ il society is only emerging in Bangladesh. In recent years, the civil society has made some limited but positive contributions towards ensuring executive and administrative accountability. But it has been observed that some groups of the civil society movement are politicized and separate on political lines. Though there has been a steady and random growth of the civil society organizations, there is virtually no active network of them to look after collective interests of the people.More concerted efforts are needed to organize and further develop the civil society institutions so that they can play an appropriate role in making the executive and the administration accountable to people. MAJOR ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS The major administrative reforms and their fate are discussed elaborately in the following List of Major Committees and Commission for Administrative Reform S. n. Name of the Committee/Commission Focus Areas Major Recommendations Observation 1 Civil Administration Res toration organisational set up for the geological formation of 20 Ministries, 3 other secretariat organizations and secretariate administration was reorganized with 20 ministries. Committee, 1971 Government after the emergence of 7 constitutional bodies Constitutional bodies like Supreme Court, the High Court, the Public Bangladesh enlarge specification of functions of civil servants at the Service Commission, the Election Commission and the social occasion of the Division, District, Sub-division levels Comptroller and Auditor General were established Providing appropriate status and respect to the officers and staff of civil administration as lawful organs of the Government 2 Administrative and Services organise Civil Service social organization Unified civil service structure with a continuous razing system The report of the Committee was not published Reorganization Committee, 1972 from top to the bottom. Division of all posts into two broad ca tegories Functional and Area company Posts. Top 3 grades, i,e. I, II and III to be designated as Senior Policy and Management Posts 3 matter give birth Commission, 1972 net profit Issues 10 scales of stipend in line with the recommendation of the ASRC New national birth scale with 10 grades was introduced 4 Pay and Services Commission, 1977 Civil Service Structure and Pay Issues 52 scales of reconcile and equal initial scales of pay and equitable The New national Grades and Scales of Pay was introduces with 21 opportunities for advancement to the top for all scales of pay Introduction of Superior Policy Pool at the top of the civil service 28 services under 14 main cadres were created within the civil service Establishment of Civil Service Ministry by abolishing Establishment A Senior Services Pool was constituted Ministry 5 Martial Law Committee for Examining Reorganization and Rationalization of lessening in the number of ministries/divisions/ directorates and act of ministries were reduced from 36 to 19 Organizational Set up of Manpower in Public Sector Organizationssun-ordinate offices come up of other offices were reduced from 243 to 181 Ministries/Divisions/Directorates and Number of constitutional bodies were reduced from 12 to 9.Number of other organizations, 1982 Reduction of layers for decision making officials and employees mostly working at the lower levels was reduced from 9,440 to 3,222 Delegation of administrative and financial powers down the hierarchy 6 Committee for Administrative Reform and Reorganization of Field direct Up gradation of Thanas with Thana Parishads as the focal point of The new system of administration and local government was introduced Reorganization, 1982 Administration local administration in 460 Thanas (Thanas were later renamed as Upazilas) 7 subject area Pay Commission, 1984 Pay Issues New National Pay Scale with 20 grades The New National Scales of Pay w as introduces with 20 scales of pay Secretaries Committee on Administrative packaging Aspects Maintenance of status quo for 10 cadre services as promotion prospect Development, 1985 had been satisfactory 8 Special Committee to Review the Structure Structure of Senior Services Pool (SSP)Continuation of SSP as a cadre Recommendations were referred to the Cabinet Sub-committee for of Senior Services Pool, 1985 Entry into the SSP only through examination to be conducted by the examination Public Service Commission Tenure of Secretaries be limited to 8 years 9 Cabinet Sub-committee, 1987 Review of SSP and Promotion Aspects Creation of 50% of posts of Deputy Secretaries within the pay scales Recommendations were referred to the Council Committee for Rules of Business of Taka 4200-5200 for making SSP more attractive examination.The recommendations of the Council Committee were not Tenure of Secretaries should not be limited approved by the professorship 1 0 1996Committee to Re-examine the necessityNecessity or otherwise of care of keeping certain Government Offices in certain Government Offices the dispirit of changed circumstances, 1989 11 National Pay Commission,1989 Pay Issues Revised National Scales of Pay 20 revised Nation Scales of Pay was introduced 12 Administrative Reorganization Committee, Administrative structure and staffing Reduction of the number of ministries from 35 to 22 and the number ofThe report of the Committee was not made public 1993 patterns administrative organization from 257 to 224 Provisional structure for the Office of Ombudsman Creation of a Secretariat for the Supreme Court 12 National Pay Commission, Pay Issues Revised National Scales of Pay 20 revised Nation Scales of Pay was introduced Structure and reorganization of manpower across Ministries/Departments/Directorates, etc. 13 Administrative Reorganization Committee, Administrative structure for improving 1996 the quality and standard of service, achieve transparency and efficiency 14 Public Administration Reform Commission, Determination of complaints and functions of the public offices Some of the interim recommendations have been implemented 1997 Formation of a professional policy making group Senior Management The recommendations of the Commission have been accepted by the Pool Lateral entry into the civil service government in a recently held cabinet meeting Reduction of the number of ministries from 36 to 25 and the abolition of 6 organizations. Establishment of the Supreme Court Secretarial. Establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman The local councils/Parishads at the district, Upazila and Union should have overall authority of coordination of development activities .Establishment of an Independent Commission Against Corruption, Establishment of a Criminal Justice Commission Magnetization of pu blic service benefits Establishment of a Public Administration Reform monitoring Commission DISCUSSION ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS ELABORATELY IN THE FOLLOWING. Administrative and service structure reorganization committee(ASRC)On 15 March 1972 a four members administrative and service reorganization committee (ASRC) was appointed and submitted its report in two phases in April 1973 and in May 1974. representation of ASRC The ASRC was asked To consider the present structure of various service.. And determine the future structure keeping in the view fundamental needs. To consider the amalgamation of all civil services .. Into one unified service. To determine the principle of integration of the personnel of various service in the new structure and to determine inter older status of personnel in different service. To determine the future recruitment policy in the government service and various levels. To prepare and recommend a comprehensive scheme for administrative reorganiz ation.Significant recommendation The ASRC have do some important recommendations. As like- The committee felt that division between former all Pakistan and other central superior services and the former provincial service as well division between high and lower classes be abolished and a continuous grading system from top to bottom should be substituted in each occupational group. The committee suggested that mental reservation of posts for various groups within the public service should be discontinued. All public servants, the ASRC recommended, should be organized in a single classes unified grading structure (UGS) covering the whole public service.To inculcate professionalism in the public service, the committee suggested, division of all posts within it into two broad categories to be designated as functional posts and area group posts. The ASRC called for designating posts in top three grades, i. e. I. II and III as ranking(prenominal) policy and management posts and fast en selection procedure for entrance into senior management positions. The committee also suggested a detail plan as to how its proposal for UGS be implemented throughout the public service. The ASRC felt that individuals should be recruited to various grads as in the public service on the basis of merit as time-tested by their performance in competitive public examination. The ASRC also made a number of specific recommendations to democratize the governance and reduce the powers.As like- Increasing devolution of power and authority to elected local governments at different levels district, Thana, and union was forcefully argued to enable locally elected officials to provide leadership in developmental activities without interference from central government officials placed in the field. Different local levels field tiers had to be rationalized with upgrading of subdivisions into districts and abolition of division. disengagement of the judiciary from the executive had to be ensure d for successful functioning of a democratic policy. At the central levels the role o the secretariat needed to be restricted to policy formulation, planning and evaluation of the executed plans and programs. Fate of ASRCThe ASRC submitted its recommendations to the government in two phases. But there was no official response to the committees work till the end of the Mujib government. It is difficult to visit wherefore far- reaching recommendations of ASRC was shelved in spite of the fact that accepting the members. All members including the chairman were close to Mujib both politically and personally. It is on record that Mujib was depressing with the poor performance on lack of commitment of many senior civil servants. He knew the problems but did not want to go all the way to solve the malices. That created the paradox and consequently Mujibs lack of action.National pay commission(NPC) A nation pay commission (NPC-1) was appointed on 21July 1972 under the chairmanship of a re tired secretary to the government. Besides the chairman, there were nine members. The social rank of the commission include full time and five part-time members. Mission The national pay commission (NPC-1) was assigned with a number of tasks. These included Reviewing the pay structure of all employees in the public sector keeping in view the governments policy of socialism. Recommending rationalization and standardisation of pay scales of those who served under erstwhile central and provincial governments. Significant recommendationsThe command principles followed by NPC-1 in recommending a rational pay structure were a livable wage, social acceptability, functionally distinguishable levels of responsibility matched with standardized pay levels and motivation based on patriotic grounds. The NPC-1 felt that a nine tiers administrative structure with corresponding pay scales could meet the requirements of a rational structure in Bangladesh during next five years 1973-1978 of the ni ne scales for would be normal direct entry tiers, three promotion tiers and two renascence ties but the commissions plan had to be modified to bring it in line with ASRC recommendation. Fate of NPC Some of the recommendations f the commission were partially implemented however, majority of the recommendations of the NPC-1 were not implemented. Reasons can be offered as to why the commissions recommendations suffered such a factCompression of 2200 scales into 10 scales was very difficult task and it proved to be at the implementation stage. No major segment within the civil service support the recommendations. Rather almost everybody who mattered opposed it. Pay and service commission(P&SC) The pay and service commission (P&SC) was appointed on 20 February 1976 consisted of thirteen member including the chairman, headed by retired secretary who was changed in mid-way and replaced by another senior civil servant. Mission The P&SC was asked to examine the existing pay and service stru cture of public sector except defense service and universitys dogma posts, recommend suitable service structure and pay structure including fringe benefits for civil service.In marking its recommendation, the commission had to consider some factors such as Functional needs and requirements of the government, job requirement or various service and posts, cost of living, resources of the government and public sector enterprises, reduction of discrepancy between the highest and the lowest salary levels, demand and supply of various profession and occupation. It had another main business to examine both service and pay matters of all employees in the traditional public sector and this had to be ended within a given set of constraints. Fate of P&SC The government slowly and implemented some of the recommendations in modified form and it took two years. Creation of twenty eight services under xiv main cadres within the civil service. The government in 1977 provided for twenty one scale s of pay through the introduction of new national grades and scales of pay (NNGSP).In the process the government drastically scales down the number, that is fifty scales of pay which P&SC recommended but the NNGSP satisfied very few people. Constitution of senior service syndicate (SSP) by the government. The (SSP) was modeled in light of the P&SC call for creation of a superior policy pool (SSP), but the SSP order was formulated and implemented in such a manner that the objective behind SSP was willfully ignored. Martial Law Committee -1(MLC-1) A five member martial law committee for examining organization set up of ministries /divisions , departments , directorates and other organization under them (MLC) was appointed on April 18,1982 under the chairmanship of a Brigadier .The other members of the committee were two deputy colonels, one major and one mid ranking civil servant. The last mentioned was made secretary to the committee. Mission of MLC-1 The committees responsibility included To review and recommend charter of duties of various sectors, branches, wings, divisions and departments. To scrutinize existing and