Confusion has emerged over the leadership of the Ministry of Public Administration after the Cabinet Division’s official gazette notification distributing portfolios among ministers and state ministers didn’t name any full minister for the key position.

The notification, issued following the formation of the new cabinet, assigned Joypurhat MP Abdul Bari as state minister for public administration. However, it did not designate any full minister to head the ministry.

Under established administrative practice, ministries without a full minister are typically placed under the direct charge of the prime minister. In this instance, however, the gazette notification issued late last night did not assign the Ministry of Public Administration to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman either, deepening uncertainty over its ministerial oversight.

Tarique is overseeing the Cabinet Division, the Ministry of Defence, and the Armed Forces Division.

Ministry of Public Administration plays a central role in the functioning of government, overseeing civil service management and policy decisions critical to the administration of the state.

Attempts to obtain clarification from Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani were unsuccessful, as calls went unanswered.

Cabinet Division Secretary (Coordination and Reform) Zaheda Parveen declined to comment when contacted.