Dhaka, Feb. 17 -- A total of 211 officials have gathered at the South Plaza of the parliament complex to assist the cabinet secretary with ministerial protocol and reception of guests at the swearing-in ceremony of the prime minister and other ministers.

The Cabinet Division had earlier said around 1,200 guests would attend the ceremony.

However, the division has assigned 211 officials to assist with various tasks, including ministerial protocol. Of them, only six are personal staff, protocol officers, and peons, while the rest are officers from the administration cadre.

The move has triggered speculation among officials at the Secretariat. Some say it is a ploy to get close to the new ministers, while others question the need for so m...