Drawing pay and perks for doing nothing - The Daily Star

We are surprised to learn that a secretary of the railway division under the former communication ministry (now ministry of road transport and bridges), who was made OSD (Officer on Special Duty) in 2011, has gone on post-retirement leave with the same status. Going by our report on September 16, 2011, he (then an acting secretary) along with 18 self-confessed corrupt officers of the ministry were made OSD following a spree of media reports involving them with corruption. Although the person in question was made an OSD, the reason for this could not be known as nothing was mentioned in the office order. At that time, sources at the ministry claimed that he was not performing well. But strangely enough, he was promoted to the rank of secretary only a few months after he was made OSD.

What kind of a punishment is this when the said official is getting his salaries and other perks and privileges without performing any duty? And if he was made OSD as a punishment, why then was he promoted to the rank of a secretary? If someone is not fit to perform or if there is a genuine ground to punish a government official, shouldn't that be done following the proper procedures and as per the law? Also, how long can a government official continue as OSD?

According to our report, around 500 government officials now have OSD status who are just drawing perks and privileges doing nothing. There is a provision for OSD in the government's service rules according to which OSDs must play some specific roles and responsibilities, for a particular duration. But unfortunately, making OSD has become a tool of punishment or sidelining an officer on political grounds.

It is time we questioned this practice and the serious lack of transparency in the whole process. It is a waste of public money to have so many officers on “special” duty.

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