A sweeping administrative reshuffle has taken place at the Ministry of Local Government following the appointment of a new adviser. Thirteen senior officials, including the private secretary to the previous adviser, have already been transferred, and further changes are expected in the coming weeks. Several projects initiated under the former adviser are also being re-evaluated and, in some cases, returned for revision.
Last year, three months after the formation of the interim government, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiya, a young leader associated with the student uprising, assumed the role of Local Government Adviser. He resigned on 10 December to contest the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections. The following day, the ministry was assigned to Adilur Rahman Khan, who also oversees the Ministry of Housing and Public Works as well as the Ministry of Industries.
Over the past two weeks, the ministry has witnessed a substantial reshuffle. The large-scale transfer of officials has sparked discussion both within the civil service and beyond. Sources within the administration noted that it is standard practice for a new adviser to reorganise the ministry in line with their approach, much like Asif Mahmud did during his tenure. However, some officials claim that individuals with pending allegations have been specifically removed.
The notifications indicate that officials of the rank of Deputy Secretary and Joint Secretary have been transferred to other ministries. On 14 December, two Deputy Secretaries, Nure Alam and Mohammad Shamim Bepari, were transferred to the Planning Division, and were required to join their new postings by 18 December to avoid being relieved from the Ministry. Both officials have since reported for duty.
Other notable transfers include:
| Name | Previous Position | New Posting | Transfer Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abul Hasan | PS to Adviser (Deputy Secretary) | Energy and Mineral Resources Division | 24 Dec |
| Md. Najmul Huda Shamim | Joint Secretary | – | 24 Dec |
| Wahedur Rahman | Joint Secretary | – | 24 Dec |
| Al-Mamun | Joint Secretary | – | 24 Dec |
| Monirul Islam | Joint Secretary | – | 24 Dec |
| Al-Amin Sarkar | Joint Secretary | – | 24 Dec |
| Fazle Azim | Joint Secretary | – | 24 Dec |
| Akbar Hossain | Deputy Secretary | – | 24 Dec |
| Ebadat Hossain | Deputy Secretary | – | 24 Dec |
| Shaheenur Alam | Deputy Secretary | – | 24 Dec |
| Robiul Islam | Deputy Secretary | – | 24 Dec |
| Aknur Rahman | Additional Secretary | Local Government Ministry | 24 Dec |
| Roksana Khan | Joint Secretary | Local Government Ministry | 24 Dec |
| Hosna Afroza | Joint Secretary | Local Government Ministry | 24 Dec |
| Nazrul Islam | Deputy Secretary | Local Government Ministry | 24 Dec |
| Ashraful Afsar | Deputy Secretary | Local Government Ministry | 24 Dec |
Meanwhile, several projects initiated by Asif Mahmud are being returned for further review. For instance, a project for dredging Archi and Buri rivers in Muradnagar, estimated at BDT 460 million, and another for dredging Ghungur River and canals in Burichang and Brahmanpara, estimated at BDT 450 million, have been sent back by the Planning Commission. The commission cited procedural gaps, including a lack of proper manpower assessment and mandatory survey requirements for projects classified as “red category.”
Similarly, a BDT 24 billion project for rural infrastructure development in Comilla has been returned for further procedural review, though it remains under consideration. Planning Commission Secretary Mostafizur Rahman confirmed that the project is pending final approval.
The reshuffle signals a significant shift in the ministry’s administrative landscape, with a clear focus on streamlining operations and revisiting projects initiated under the previous adviser’s tenure. Sources indicate that further transfers are expected among officials who have held long-standing positions in the ministry.