Dhaka: Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam on Monday said government officials will continue to work neutrally with their merit and efficiency as Awami League does not believe in the politicisation of the administration.

‘We don’t believe in the politicisation of the administration… government officials will continue to work neutrally where they are because of their merit and efficiency,’ he said.

Syed Ashraf, also Awami League secretary general, came up with the remarks as he took over the charge of the Public Administration Ministry five days after he was given its portfolio.

A week after being removed from the portfolio of LGRD and Cooperatives Ministry, he was made Public Administration Minister on 16 July.

Syed Ashraf said he needs a little bit of time to get familiar with the Public Administration Ministry as he is new in this ministry.

About Eid holidays, the minister said the Eid holidaymakers this time have got less vacation but added that works in his ministry will continue and there will be a gear-up when all will be back.

Earlier on 9 July, Ashraf was removed from the LGRD and Cooperatives Ministry and made a minister without portfolio following the Prime Minister’s displeasure over his absence in an ECNEC meeting. Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain then replaced Syed Ashraf.

Amid speculations that Ashraf may turn inactive in politics and go to London for a long period, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina summoned him to her official residence Ganabhaban on Monday last and convinced him to call off his London tour, Awami League sources said.

Following the meeting with the Prime Minister, there had been a rumour for a while that Ashraf would be given a bigger responsibility than what he had performed earlier. Finally, he has been made the minister to look after Public Administration Ministry, a portfolio Hasina kept to herself so long.