Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Md. Mokhlesur Rahman, who had been serving on a contractual basis, has been removed from his post and reassigned as a member of the Planning Commission. The decision was announced through an official circular issued on Sunday by the Senior Appointment-1 branch of the Ministry of Public Administration. The circular, signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Rafiqul Haque, stated that the order was made in the interest of public service and would take immediate effect.

The reshuffle comes at a time of significant administrative changes in the country, following the recent political transformations. Earlier, after the student-people’s uprising that led to the formation of the interim government, the then Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Mohammad Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury, was removed from his position. Following his removal, Mokhlesur Rahman had been appointed as the Senior Secretary of the ministry on a two-year contractual basis. However, only 13 months into his tenure, his appointment at the ministry has now been curtailed, marking yet another shift in the top administrative hierarchy.

Mokhlesur Rahman, a seasoned bureaucrat, had been entrusted with leading one of the most crucial ministries of the government, responsible for overseeing the entire administrative structure of the country. His appointment in the aftermath of the political changes was seen as part of an effort to stabilize the bureaucracy during a turbulent period. With his sudden removal from the ministry and transfer to the Planning Commission, questions are being raised about the underlying reasons for this decision and the future course of leadership in the Ministry of Public Administration.

The Ministry of Public Administration plays a central role in personnel management, policymaking, and coordination across all government ministries and agencies. Any changes at the senior-most level are closely watched, as they directly impact the efficiency and direction of the administrative machinery. The Planning Commission, on the other hand, though highly significant in shaping the country’s development agenda, is often considered less politically exposed compared to the Ministry of Public Administration.

Observers note that the transfer of Mokhlesur Rahman could reflect the government’s desire to bring new leadership into the public administration ministry, possibly to align it more closely with the current priorities of the interim administration. At the same time, his posting to the Planning Commission ensures that his expertise and long experience in government service will continue to be utilized in national development policymaking.

This move underscores the continuing reshuffles in key positions within the civil service as the country navigates through a transitional phase. For many within the bureaucracy, the decision highlights the uncertainty that often accompanies contractual appointments at the top levels of administration. Although Mokhlesur Rahman’s initial appointment was for two years, the early termination of his role at the ministry after just over a year illustrates the dynamic nature of decision-making under the current circumstances.

While official sources have framed the decision as a measure taken in the interest of public service, there has been no detailed explanation regarding the factors leading to the change. For now, the Ministry of Public Administration is expected to come under new leadership, while Mokhlesur Rahman prepares to begin his duties at the Planning Commission, where his role will focus on contributing to the evaluation, formulation, and monitoring of the country’s economic and development plans.