Termination of jobs, forced retirement, violation of seniority and denial of promotion to qualified officials, making of officers on special duty (OSD) which is considered a punishment and such other steps on political considerations during the tenure of this government have led to widespread resentment in the civil bureacracy that might take a serious turn if not addressed urgently, the sources pointed out.

Alhough the government has promoted hundreds of officials in the last three years to remove promotion backlog, a large section of the civil servants are not happy with the government moves as, they think, the steps are part of politicisation process, and not aimed at building an efficient and neutral administration.

Many of the aggrieved officials said they had hoped to get rid of political victimisation by the previous government as the ruling coalition in its polls pledges had committed to free the administration from political influence but the commitment is mow largely ignored.

Although the prime minister herself holds charge of the Ministry of Establishment, its operations appear to be influenced by a handful of junior officials at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), they said.

"Due to wrong handling by immature junior officials of the PMO and influence of a section of political leaders, certain quarters in the civil administration are getting undue benefits, depriving the majority," a top official said seeking anonymity.

" Repeated publication of leaflets and secret group meetings of politically victimised officials indicate the situation is worsening," he added.

Intelligence agencies reported pro-Awami League (AL) officials held a series of group meetings outside the Secretariat in a bid to mobilise the aggrieved officials.

According to official estimates, the alliance government first sacked some 310 officials on charge of joining the "Janatar Mancha" in 1996, transferred over 2,000 officials and filed departmental cases against 123 others. Besides, it sent into forced retirement around 100 officials.

The number of OSDs in August 2001 under the AL rule was 194 but it rose to 355 by July last year under the alliance rule and stands at around 250 now. They include many efficient and honest officials, sources said, Contractual appointees numbered 37 in July 2001 while their number stood at 245 in July last year, including 35 secretaries.

Moreover, the government has allegedly given contractual appointments to a good number of ruling alliance men in important positions in the administration.

To remove the promotion backlog, the government has promoted several hundred officials of the civil administration, but political consideration appeared to have been the basis of these promotions.

Many officials who failed to fulfil promotion criteria were promoted under the president's 10 percent quota because they had close links to the ruling alliance, it is alleged.

Officials of the 1973 BCS batch are said to have been the worst victim of politicisation.

And officials of the 1977 and 1979 BCS batches are beneficiaries of the alliance government as most of them have been promoted to the posts of joint secretary and additional secretary. Officials of other BCS batches were largely ignored in cases of promotion, sources said.

" There are clear instances that the government has ignored the criteria for promotion set by itself. Merit, professional excellence and track record were not considered," said a top official declining to be named.