The government has backed down after directing the implementation of two austerity measures: halving the Tk 50,000 maintenance allowance for privileged officers and requiring government employees to take "study leave" instead of going on "deputation" for studies abroad.

Officers of the rank of deputy secretary and above receive a one-time Tk 30 lakh from the revenue budget to purchase a car, alongside Tk 50,000 per month for fuel and maintenance. Officers of the judicial service, armed forces, Parliament Secretariat, and Election Commission also enjoy this privilege.

Currently, officers pursuing higher education abroad may receive deputation benefits, including full pay and allowances. With government approval, they are treated as being on active duty throughout their studies. The finance ministry had moved to abolish this benefit and replace it with a study-leave arrangement.

On July 9, the finance ministry instructed the secretaries concerned to implement the two decisions. However, within a week, it sent fresh letters to five secretaries directing them not to proceed with the initiatives.

As part of the government’s austerity drive to maintain macroeconomic stability, the Finance Division had earlier written to the secretaries of the public administration, law and defence ministries, as well as the Election Commission and Parliament Secretariat, asking them to review the proposals and take the necessary action.

Sources said an inter-ministerial meeting on the issue was scheduled to be held at the public administration ministry today, but it was cancelled following verbal instructions from high-ups.

The Finance Division's letter had mentioned the prime minister's directives regarding the implementation of the decisions. After the contents of the letters became known, privileged officers at the Secretariat reacted internally. The matter was subsequently brought to the attention of the head of the government, who gave consent to cancel the decisions, according to at least two sources at the Secretariat.

Contacted, Ali Imam Majumder, former cabinet secretary and adviser to the interim government, told The Daily Star, “The government could have made a decision on this by determining the costs of drivers, fuel, and repairs. Before taking such a decision, the justification should have been determined through a committee."