The Office of the Chief Counsel (CA) has given in-principle approval to merge the Division of Public Safety and the Division of Security Services within the Department of Internal Affairs, a move expected to improve coordination and reduce costs.

A letter signed by CA Office Director AKM Muniruzzaman was sent to the Cabinet Secretary yesterday, instructing the next steps for the merger. The decision aims to streamline responsibilities and increase efficiency given the overlapping functions of both departments.

Confirming the development, a source in the CA Office told The Daily Star: “The chief counsel gave the approval on the request of the home ministry. Now, there will be further scrutiny by the secretary-level committee, the finance ministry and the public administration ministry.”

The two departments frequently faced problems with coordination.

The Public Safety Division oversees police-related matters, while the Security Services Division is responsible for police-enforced immigration. The source, who requested anonymity, said the merger is expected to resolve such conflicts and improve departmental efficiency.

Sources from the interior ministry stated that the ministry was initially divided into two parts on January 19, 2017, in order to increase functionality. Two secretaries were appointed from both departments.

Since then, there has been a dispute between the Public Safety Division and the Security Services Division over facilities and responsibilities.

Sources said Public Security Department senior secretary Mohammad Abdul Momen has already given the responsibility of the Security Services Department. After taking responsibility, Momen held a meeting with Security Services Department officials to discuss the merger.

A ministry official, who requested anonymity, said the merger of the two departments would eliminate internal tensions and speed up functions.

According to the database, currently Bangladesh Police, Bangladesh Border Security, Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defense Force, Bangladesh Coast Guard, International Crimes Tribunal Investigation Agency and National Telecommunications Surveillance System are under the jurisdiction of the Public Security Department.

On the other hand, the Immigration and Passport Department, Prisons Department, Bangladesh Fire and Civil Defense Department and Narcotics Control Department are under the jurisdiction of the Security Services Department.

According to sources, the two department officials had a falling out over the lack of overseas posting opportunities. There are Bangladeshi passport offices abroad and the dissatisfaction was always related to this posting.

Since the issue of passports was carried out by the Security Services Department, the department’s employees had the opportunity to work abroad.

According to sources, at one stage a circular was issued allowing employees in both departments to go abroad equally.

Another source said police members carry out passport verification and immigration work within the Security Services Division. However, the Department of Public Security is responsible for deploying the police.

This is another cause of discomfort and dissatisfaction between both divisions and the proposed merger is expected to eliminate these conflicts by combining responsibilities under one unified division.