Administrative structure in Bangladesh

Introduction
The administrative structure of a country is a vital framework that determines how governance, public
services, and development initiatives are carried out. In the case of Bangladesh, a densely populated
and rapidly developing nation in South Asia, the administrative structure plays a crucial role in
ensuring effective governance, decentralization of power, and the efficient delivery of services to its
citizens. With a multi-tiered system that spans from the national level to the grassroots, Bangladesh's
administrative structure is designed to foster local development, empower local government bodies,
and drive sustainable progress throughout the country.

This introduction aims to provide an overview of the administrative structure of Bangladesh, shedding
light on the key levels of government, their functions, and the interplay between them. By
understanding this structure, one can grasp the mechanisms that drive governance, policy-making, and
service delivery in Bangladesh, and appreciate the significance of a decentralized system in a diverse
and geographically expansive nation like Bangladesh.

Present Status of Public Administration

By the constitution of Bangladesh, the present structure of administration is recognized. In the
constitution of Bangladesh, articles of 48 to 58 about the executive branch, articles 65 to 93 about the
legislative branch, articles 94 to 116 judiciary branches, and articles 59 to 60 about local government
are discussed clearly.

Legal Structure of Administration of Bangladesh

As per the constitution of the republic it comprises three basic organs:

1. Legislative Branch

2. Executive Branch

3. Judicial Branch

Legislative Branch:

Unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 300 seats elected by popular vote from single
territorial constituencies and 45 reserved for female members who serve five-year terms. The
Parliament of Bangladesh (known as the House of the Nation) is vested with the legislative powers of
the Republic. Parliament is the apex institution in Bangladesh‟s accountability system. It is
Parliament that empowers the government and gives it its legitimacy. It is through Parliament that the
enfranchised citizens determine who is to rule.

Executive Branch:

Prime Minister as Chief Executive and a President as the Head of State with very Circumscribed
powers. The president‟s duties are normally ceremonial. The cabinet is selected by the prime minister
and appointed by the president President is elected by the National Parliament for a five-year term.
The Prime Minister appoints and heads a Cabinet of Ministers which is collectively responsible to
Parliament. The Executive is organized on the basis of Ministries and, within Ministries, by Divisions.
A politically appointed Minister heads each Ministry, while a permanent civil servant (usually a
secretary) is the Ministry‟s administrative head and Chief Accounting Officer. There are currently 37
Ministries and 49 Divisions with close to one million public employees.

Judiciary Branch:

Supreme Court (the chief justices and other judges are appointed by the president). The Constitution
provides for the separation of powers with an independent judiciary, though up to now the
administration of the lower judiciary has been in the hands of the Ministry of Law. The Bangladesh
judicial system comprises four judicial institutions:

a) The Supreme Court,

b) The Subordinate Courts,

c) The Magistracy, and

d) The Administrative Tribunals.

The government organization in Bangladesh can be conceptualized as a two-tier administrative

system-

✓ Central secretariat at the national level.

✓ Field administrative at the sub-level.

Central Administration
The government of Bangladesh has a two-tier administrative system. The upper tier is the central
secretariat at the national level consisting of the ministries and divisions to provide policies and to
perform clearinghouse functions. The other tier consists of „line‟ departments/directorates attached to
the ministries and divisions that are mainly responsible for general administration, service delivery to
citizens, and implementation of various government development programs at the sub-national level.
At present, in Bangladesh, there are 37 ministries, 11 divisions, 54 departments, and 173 statutory
bodies (ADB, 2005). The internal organizational structure of a ministry reflects a hierarchical order. A
minister is in charge of a ministry and is normally the “political head” of that ministry. A ministry
consists of at least one division. A secretary or, in his absence, an additional secretary, is considered
the “administrative head” of the ministry.

✓ Secretary

✓ Additional Secretary

✓ Joint Secretary

✓ Deputy Secretary

✓ Senior Scale Assistant Secretary

✓ Assistant Secretary.

Responsibilities of Central Administration:

 Secretary: The secretariate receives, processes, reproduces, circulates, verifies, and stores
documents submitted by Presidential nominees and appointees.
 Additional Secretary: is the permanent head and principal advisor to the minister and is
responsible for all matters of policy and administration.
 Joint secretary: same responsible as additional secretary.
 Deputy secretary: is in charge of a branch and responsible for all cases within his
jurisdiction but with no police involvement.
 Assistant secretary: in charge of a section.
Field administrative at the sub-level
Field administration is the extension of central administration at the field level to implement
government programs and policies. General administration, delivery of public services, and
implementation of development programs and so on, are carried out at sub-national levels-divisions,
districts. thanas (upazilas)- representing the central level ministries and divisions as well as the line
departments/directorates attached to the ministries/divisions.

✓ Commissioner (DC)

✓ Deputy Commissioner

✓ Thana Nirbahi Officer (TNO)

✓ Magistrate

✓ Assistant Commissioner

Responsibilities of Field administrative:

 Commissioner: primary role is to act as the supervising authority over the Deputy
Commissioners in respect of revenue and judicial work done in the districts.
 Deputy Commissioner: The Deputy Commissioner is a representative of the Government in
the field of law and order, land administration, disaster management, and general and local
elections.
 Thana Nirbahi Officer: He will be the staff officer to the elected chairman of Thana
Parishad. He will also be the chief executive officer of the Parishad; shall be responsible to
the chairman of Thana Parishad and assist him in the implementation of policies and decisions
of the Parishad.
 Magistrate: follow structured decision-making processes and case law to reach fair
decisions.
 Assistant Commissioner: An Assistant Commissioner of the administration also acts as an
Executive Magistrate and can exercise vast executive and limited judicial power in their
respective jurisdiction.
Why the secretariat is called the nerve centre of Bangladesh's
administration?
The Secretariat in Bangladesh is often referred to as the "nerve centre" of the country's administration
due to its central and crucial role in coordinating and facilitating the functioning of the government.
There are several reasons why the Secretariat is attributed with this title:

1. Centralized Decision-Making: The Secretariat houses the offices of top-level bureaucrats,

including the Prime Minister's Office and various ministries. It serves as the hub for high-
level decision-making and policy formulation, where key administrative decisions are made,
and government policies are developed and implemented. As the central administrative hub,
the Secretariat is responsible for coordinating and aligning the actions of different ministries,
ensuring effective governance and policy coherence.

2. Administrative Coordination: The Secretariat acts as a coordinating body for different

government departments and agencies. It facilitates communication, collaboration, and
information flow between various ministries and departments, ensuring smooth functioning,
cooperation, and effective implementation of government programs and initiatives. The
Secretariat serves as a platform where administrative matters are discussed, coordinated, and
streamlined across different levels of government.

3. Service Delivery Oversight: The Secretariat plays a crucial role in overseeing and
monitoring the delivery of public services. It sets policies, guidelines, and standards for
service delivery across various sectors, ensuring efficiency, accountability, and quality in
public service provision. Through its administrative functions, the Secretariat ensures that
government services reach the citizens effectively and in a timely manner.

4. Policy Implementation: The Secretariat acts as a focal point for policy implementation. It
provides administrative support to ministries, monitors the progress of policy implementation,
and addresses any challenges or bottlenecks that may arise. The Secretariat serves as a key
interface between political leadership and the bureaucracy, translating government policies
into actionable plans and facilitating their implementation on the ground.

5. Information and Communication Hub: The Secretariat serves as a central repository of

information, expertise, and knowledge. It collects, analyzes, and disseminates information
relevant to the administration, enabling evidence-based decision-making and policy
development. Additionally, the Secretariat acts as a communication hub, facilitating the flow
of information between the government, civil society, and other stakeholders.
 Conclusion
The administrative structure of Bangladesh is designed to ensure effective governance,
decentralization of power, and provision of services to the citizens at all levels. This multi-tiered
system allows for the participation of elected representatives, from the national level down to the
grassroots level, fostering local development and efficient service delivery. By understanding this
administrative structure, one can appreciate the complexity and effectiveness of the governance
system in Bangladesh, as well as the importance of coordination and collaboration between different
levels of government in achieving national goals.

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