Curbs on secretariat visitor access on cards

PM asks officials to review visiting hours, entry rules

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has asked officials to consider reducing visitor numbers and shortening visiting hours at the secretariat after noticing large crowds during recent visits to ministries.

At least three sources at the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed the development to The Daily Star.

Visitor entry is currently barred on Mondays and Thursdays. However, on Thursday, October 15, the prime minister noticed large gatherings while descending from the 14th floor of Building 6 after inspecting the environment ministry.

He then summoned the home ministry’s deputy secretary (security), the deputy commissioner of police and the additional deputy commissioner responsible for secretariat security to his office in the complex.

After being briefed on visitor management, the premier instructed them to submit a proposal through the home ministry.

This correspondent spoke to at least five officials, including two who briefed the prime minister.

One official, requesting anonymity, said internal discussions were underway and the home ministry would submit a proposal after the Puja holidays.

“The prime minister asked us to consider limiting visiting hours to 2:00pm-4:00pm. We are also considering reducing visitor access to two days a week.”

Visiting hours currently run from 12:00pm to 4:00pm.

Another official said cancelling all temporary passes was also under consideration, but a decision would follow a review of the arrangements.

The official said some passes issued under successive governments for political reasons remained in use.

“Although they are issued in the names of businessmen and contractors, we will not make a decision on this; it must come from the political level.”

However, no changes are being considered for retired officials’ passes. Secretaries, additional secretaries and joint secretaries retain lifelong access to the secretariat after retirement.

Home ministry sources said at least 27,000 access cards are held by employees working inside and outside the secretariat, while around 2,500 visitors enter daily using one-time passwords (OTPs).

At least 7,000 passes have also been issued, including temporary passes for contractors, businessmen, former officials and people working on projects under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works.

Under existing rules, secretaries can issue five daily passes, additional secretaries three and joint secretaries two. Ministers and state ministers can issue 10 each.

The secretariat is one of the country’s key points of interest.

Previous prime ministers generally worked from the Prime Minister’s Office, visiting the secretariat for cabinet meetings and other important discussions.

Since taking office, Tarique Rahman has worked from the secretariat almost every day, occasionally holding meetings at the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturdays.

However, security arrangements have largely remained unchanged.

The Cabinet Division recently issued a nine-point directive to the home ministry to tighten security and regulate visitor access to the secretariat.