A good number of officials who have been strategically transferred or promoted are deemed as "favourable" who would give extra service to the alliance parties. Some officials who enjoyed favouritism for the five years were transferred to lower profile posts as a 'protection'.

At least three officers given forced retirements were deemed as "unfavourable" for the BNP-led alliance in the upcoming national election. Inspector General (IG) of Prisons Liaqat Ali was made Officer on Special Duty (OSD) soon after the alliance took over the power in October 2001. After serving as OSD throughout the five-year term of the government, he has been given the forced retirement.

Besides, a number of officials who were deprived of promotions or transfers in the last five years without any explicit reasons were given promotions in this 'last minute bid'.

This desperate bid was executed from Monday, through the Eid holidays till Thursday. The establishment ministry was kept open on Thursday and some of the orders were issued with back dates, sources said.

The country's administration saw unprecedented politicisation in the last five years, while the BNP's political office Hawa Bhaban has got the reputation of running a parallel government.

The alliance government at its early stage gave forced retirement to 90 senior officials on political consideration. In addition, services of 223 officers of armed forces were terminated and 46 police senior officers were given forced retirement. Disregarding the rules, 2,238 officials were promoted to the posts of deputy secretary, joint secretary, additional secretary and secretary. But promotion of around 2,000 qualified officials remained stopped. Besides, 370 officers have been made OSD on political consideration.

PREPARATION FOR WRAPPING UP
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) directed the establishment ministry to remain on duty on Monday. Establishment Secretary Dr Muhammad Mahbubur Rahman rushed to the PMO at 8:00pm that day where he worked late night. From then on, the orders of transfers, promotions and forced retirements, many issued under back dates, started rolling out one after another.

FORCED RETIREMENT
The PMO considered 11 names for forced retirement, sources said. However The Daily Star could confirm only three names who were given this retirement: Liaqat Ali, IG (Prison), OSD (joint secretary) Shoilen Odhikari and OSD (joint secretary) ASM Ali Kabir.

PROMOTION
Nine officials were promoted on the same day. They are acting Chairman -- Land Reforms Board Muhammad Murtaja Hossain Munshi, Transport Commissioner--Government Vehicles Directorate Mohammad Osman Goni, Chairman -- Tariff Commission Mohammad Abdul Wahab, acting Secretary -- Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Kamrul Hasan, Director General -- Manpower, Employment and Training Bureau Sheikh Muhammad Wahiduzzaman, acting Secretary -- Cultural Affairs Ministry ABM Abdul Haque Chowdhury, Secretary -- Food and Disaster Management Ehsanul Hauqe Fattah, Telegraph and Telephone Board Chairman -- Mohammad Akram Hossain and acting Secretary -- Rural Development and Cooperatives Sheikh Enayetullah.

TRANSFER
Secretary at the president's office Jafar Ahmed Chowdhury was transferred to IMED department, Rafiqul Islam secretary, IMED department, to president's office, Additional Secretary of the Health Ministry CQK Mustaque Ahmed to agriculture ministry, Personal Secretary-1 to the Prime Minister Monirul Islam to the health ministry as additional secretary, Joint Secretary of Home Ministry Akhtar Ahammed to Election Commission Secretariat, Ataul Haque Mollah, secretary, land ministry, to establishment ministry, OSD (joint secretary) Pius Costa to land ministry, Abul Hussain Miah, establishment ministry joint secretary, to finance ministry, BRTA Chairman Abu Bakar Muhammad Shahjahan as Rajshahi divisional commissioner, land ministry Joint Secretary Abdur Rouf Chowdhury as Barisal divisional commissioner, home ministry Joint Secretary Anwarul Karim to commerce ministry, OSD (joint secretary) SM Harunar Rashid to social welfare department, Nilphamari DC Rabindranath Roy Chowdhury to environment and forest ministry as joint secretary, OSD (deputy secretary) Dr Muhammad Aminul Islam as DC to Joypurhat, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Ministry Abul Hasnat Muhammad Ziaul Haque as DC to Sherpur, ADC Bhola Ahsan Habib as DC of the same district, Sherpur UNO Muhammad Al Amin as DC of Joypurhat, Shariatpur sadar UNO Hamidur Rahman as ADC to Narshingdi, director on deputation at Mymensingh Medical College Brigadier General Mohammad Golam Mostafa to Bogra Medical College, Managing Director on deputation at Khulna Shipyard Commodore MK Azad as deputy director of the Coastguard and commodore SHM Kolimullah to Khulna Shipyard as managing director.

WITHDRAWAL
Bhola DC Munshi Shafiul Haque, Sherpur DC MAN Siddique, and Chuadanga DC DM Golam Faruq were withdrawn from their positions and recalled to Dhaka.

POLICE FORCES
On Monday last, the government promoted 93 officers at one go. They are 10 additional DIGs, 38 additional police superintendents and 45 assistant police superintendents. Earlier on 15 October, seven additional DIGs were promoted to the rank of DIG. These officials have been deputed in different posts across the country.

Besides, the government in the last six months promoted and transferred a total of 300 police officials.

RAB
Promotions made among police officials also affected the services of two directors of the RAB who were on deputation from the police as additional DIG. They are director (administration) and director (investigation). Both these vital posts are now awaiting to be filled.

Besides, two out of 12 Rab Commanding Officers (COs), serving on deputation from the army, will soon return to their original posts in the barracks as the authorities have issued their posting orders. They are the COs of Sylhet and Rab-11. Sources said that the Sylhet CO's performance was excellent.

Rab sources pointed out there is a possibility that Director of Intelligence Col Gulzar, who has led many daring missions, including those against JMB kingpins, might also return to the army due to his promotions. Gulzar has been recently promoted to the rank of colonel from that of lieutenant colonel.

BUSY CABINET DIVISION
A few sections of the Cabinet Division regarding the oath ceremony of the caretaker government spent a working holiday on Thursday, just one-day after the Eid-ul-Fitr, to finalise the formalities of the caretaker government's assuming office.

MORE CHANGES TO COME
A massive reshuffle of the secretaries will be done under the caretaker government, sources said, adding that a list 16 secretaries for change from their current offices has been sent to the would be chief adviser KM Hasan.