They said the civil servants cannot deny their involvement in corruption cases for which few former ministers are in jail.

So reform is also necessary in bureaucracy, they opined.

The seminar titled 'Changing Role of Bangladesh Civil Service' was organised by Bangladesh Institute of Administration and Management (Biam) Foundation at its multipurpose hall in the city to mark the International Public Service Day.

Mohammad Abu Hena, ex-secretary and former chief election commissioner, attended the seminar as chief guest while Dr Abul Hossain, project director of multi-sectoral programme on violence against women, and Najibur Rahman, assistant country director of UNDP, presented separate keynote papers.

With Abu Md Maniruzzaman Khan, rector of BPATC, in the chair,

the seminar was also addressed by Dr MA Momen, managing director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and Iqbal Mahmud, additional secretary to establishment ministry.

"Access to information, quality public service, public-private partnership and improving the quality of electoral process are the key issues in building trust in government," said Abu Hena.

He suggested for an independent local government commission with appropriate power to look after the local government affairs.

Dr Abul Hossain suggested setting up a permanent civil service commission, administrative service commission and separate pay commission to ensure reforms and select meritorious officials.

Dr MA Momen said no head of the state or government has ever asked the bureaucrats to be politicised.

"It is we, the civil servants, who become politicised to serve our own interests," he added.

Mentioning the arrest of few former ministers on charges of corruption, Dr Momen questioned, "Can we [civil servants] deny our involvement in those corruptions?"