Retired officials from 25 BCS cadres have demanded equal treatment and financial benefits similar to those enjoyed by the administration cadre, along with the immediate implementation of key recommendations made by the Public Administration Reform Commission to eliminate inter-cadre discrimination.

The demands were raised at a press conference organized by the Baishommo Birodhi Obosorprapto 25 Cadre Somonnoy Parishad (Anti-Discrimination Coordination Council of Retired 25 Cadres) at Dhaka Reporters Unity in Segunbagicha on this week.

Presenting the statement on behalf of the council, Coordinator Agriculturist Ahmed Ali Chowdhury Iqbal said that during the previous regime, the interim government took initiatives to address long-standing disparities by granting retrospective promotions to 778 retired and deceased officials of the administration cadre. However, only 72 officials from the remaining 25 cadres received such promotions — leaving many eligible officers excluded without justification.

He alleged that even within the limited retrospective promotions granted to the 25 cadres, further discrimination was practiced. The council demanded a review of all pending applications and equal benefits, including back pay and allowances, for all affected officials.

Speakers at the event also criticized the weakening of the Public Administration Reform Commission’s July Charter, claiming that many crucial recommendations were omitted while less significant and impractical ones were included — such as the proposal to form three separate public service commissions and to divide the audit and accounts departments.

They warned that separating the audit and accounts functions could eliminate the pre-audit process, undermining financial accountability and transparency.

The council further noted that despite repeated calls for merit-based recruitment to the post of deputy secretary through open competition among all cadres, the commission’s recommendation to reserve 50% of such posts for the administration cadre goes against the spirit of the July reforms.

The retired officials said the dominance of the administration cadre continues to foster inequality within the civil service, hindering the development of a people-oriented, service-driven public administration. They urged the government to issue an ordinance incorporating the reform commission’s key recommendations to remove long-standing disparities.

The speakers also expressed concern over the recent policy changes regarding Dhaka’s seven historic colleges, saying the move has created confusion and division among students. They urged the authorities to protect the identity of these colleges and take decisions based on expert opinions and stakeholder consultations to ensure quality education.