United News of Bangladesh

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said it is not feasible to suddenly shift from the traditional macroeconomic framework and formulate a revolutionary budget overnight. “Many people thought we would propose a dramatic revolutionary budget, we would bring heavy revenue…this is not possible, but it is also not true that we are just following the footprints of the previous government,” he said. The Adviser made the statement while speaking at a post-budget press conference held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. He said the interim government aims to make the budget realistic, implementable and pragmatic, despite facing challenges such as inflation, energy concerns, issues in the banking sector and revenue shortfalls. Talking about the move to get rid of the narrative of growth during the previous Awami League regime, he questioned who the beneficiaries of this growth were. “It was not transferred to everyone properly, it is fine to have growth, but we want to improve the livelihood of the common people, make it easy, increase their purchasing power, ensure peace and discipline in the country, and improve the atmosphere for the business. We have decorated the budget like that,” he said. Salehuddin mentioned that it was possible for the government to overcome all challenges. “The path is Bumpy and tough in the future,” he added. Change in budgtory proposal in whitening black money may be considered: Finance Adviser  About addressing all public demands, the Adviser said the government respects those but it would not be possible to meet all of them. “Overall the budget is a pro-people and pro-business one,” he claimed. The Finance Adviser also called upon the people of the country and the media personnel to come up with a collaborative approach and make positive criticism to implement the budget and thus take the country ahead. “Historically, the performance of Bangladesh is good. Our pace was a bit sloth before we assumed responsibility, but we’re trying to move forward…our goal is to make the livelihood of the common people, putting due attention to safety nets. Every country of the world alongside the development partners poses a very positive impression about Bangladesh,” he added. Citing the immense potentials of the country, he urged all to seize such potentials keeping pace with time. Mentioning that reforms are going on in different sectors, he said this government would carry out reform initiatives as much as it can and thus leave a footprint before the successive government to pursue those. Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, Home and Agriculture Adviser Lt Gen. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Power, Energy, Mineral Resources, Road Transport and Bridges and Railways Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin, Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur, Finance Secretary Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder and NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan, among others, spoke at the press conference. Earlier, on Monday, Dr Salehuddin Ahmed unveiled a Tk 7,90,000 crore national budget for the FY26 through a pre-recorded televised speech since the Jatiya Sangsad is not in place.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Tuesday said no specific information on possible subversive activities ahead of upcoming Eid-ul-Azha has been found so far, based on intelligence gathering and cyber monitoring. However, the elite force remains on high alert and fully prepared to prevent any untoward incidents through increased surveillance and monitoring in both physical and cyber spaces. Wing Commander M Z M Intikhab Chowdhury, Director of RAB’s Media Wing, disclosed the information at a press briefing held at the RAB Media Centre in the capital’s Karwan Bazar on Tuesday. He said necessary measures, including mobile courts, has been taken to prevent incidents of eve-teasing or harassment targeting women at Eid events and public gatherings. “Anyone facing any kind of harassment is urged to immediately inform nearby on-duty RAB members. We will take strict action against those involved,” he said. RAB has intensified security measures across roadways, waterways, and railways to ensure the safe return of holidaymakers to their hometowns. Besides, control rooms and watchtowers will be set up at major terminals to facilitate services for travellers, he added. Surveillance and patrols have also been increased to prevent overcharging, harassment, extortion, and mugging during the holiday rush. Legal actions will be taken through mobile courts in case of irregularities, the RAB official warned. He also mentioned that steps have been taken to prevent black market sales of tickets ahead of Eid. Regarding Eidgahs getherings, Wing Commander Intikhab said large prayer grounds will be secured with security sweeps and CCTV coverage. RAB teams will also conduct regular patrols to curb extortion on cattle-carrying trucks, while its cyber monitoring cell is actively observing online livestock trading platforms. He acknowledged the possibility of syndicates being active in the hide trade and said RAB will take all necessary measures to counter such illegal activities. Special security measures are also in place at shopping malls to ensure a safe and festive shopping experience for all. “During the Eid holidays, there will be surveillance and patrols across residential areas, workplaces, shopping malls and other key locations across the country,” he said. Referring to the ongoing drive against counterfeit currency production and distribution, the RAB's media official expressed hope that Eid would be celebrated in a festive and peaceful environment, as in previous years.  

The proposed national budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year has been welcomed as market-friendly by the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the DSE Brokers Association of Bangladesh (DBA), and the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), due to several capital market-supportive measures, including a separate corporate tax benefit for listed companies. At a post-budget press conference on Tuesday, CPD Executive Director Fahmida Khatun said the proposed budget offers separate tax facilities for companies listed on the capital market. According to the proposal, companies that are listed and comply with transaction-related conditions will be subject to a reduced corporate tax rate of 20 percent, while non-listed companies will continue to be taxed at 27.5 percent. New budget inconsistent with principles of an equitable society: CPD CPD views the increased tax differential positively and believes it will encourage foreign companies to become listed on the country’s capital market. In a press release issued by the DSE, Chairman Mominul Islam expressed gratitude to Economic Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed for presenting what he described as a capital market-friendly budget. Mominul Islam said the widening of the corporate tax gap between listed and non-listed companies, the reduction in corporate tax for merchant banks, and the cut in the tax deducted at source (TDS) on share transactions would positively impact the market. He also expressed the hope that in future budget proposals, the government would take steps to offload shares of multinational companies in which it holds stakes, list profitable state-owned enterprises on the capital market, and offer incentives to large local private companies to encourage them to go public—moves that could help revive the country’s capital market. In a separate press release, the DBA also expressed satisfaction with the budget. DBA President Saiful Islam said the TDS on securities transactions by brokerage firms has been reduced from 0.05 percent to 0.03 percent. Besides, the tax differential between listed and non-listed companies has been proposed to be increased from 5 percent to 7.5 percent, and the corporate tax rate for merchant banks has been reduced by 10 percentage points to 27.5 percent. “These proposals, if implemented, will play a significant role in the development and advancement of the capital market. They will also offer business advantages to all stakeholders, including domestic and foreign investors, issuer companies, stockbrokers, and merchant banks,” said Saiful. The DBA also thanked the relevant authorities for what it described as the government’s clear understanding, goodwill, and effective steps concerning the capital market.  

The government is going to form a high-level committee to review the recently promulgated Government Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 due to widespread objections from government employees. Law Adviser Asif Nazrul made the announcement while speaking to reporters after receiving a memorandum from leaders of the Secretariat Officers and Employees Unity Forum on Tuesday. “There are concerns among government employees regarding the ordinance. The government is fully open to listening to their objections. So far I know, a high-level advisory committee will be formed. The committee will be tasked with thoroughly reviewing their objections and making appropriate recommendations,” he said. Adviser Asif Nazrul trashes report by Indian portal as false, defamatory The adviser said the decision to form the committee indicates the government’s willingness to reconsider the ordinance. “The committee will be formed today or tomorrow. A decision has been taken to constitute it at the advisory level,” Asif Nazrul said. The Adviser said the government is approaching the matter with the highest level of humanitarian consideration. “If I am included in the committee, I will sincerely listen to their concerns and try to present them in the meeting of the advisory council,” he added. When asked about the employees' leaders’ warning of tough programmes after Eid-ul-Azha if the ordinance is not repealed Asif Nazrul said, “That is their decision.” Co-chairman of Secretariat Officers-Employees Unity Forum Md Badiul Kabir said, “We will meet again on June 16 after the Eid holidays. We expect a complete resolution within a short time. This repressive and black law must be repealed.”  

The Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP) alongside Jamaat-e-Islami on Tuesday proposed that not only the next national election but also the local government elections be held under a non-party caretaker government. “Everyone wants the national elections to be held under a non-party neutral government. And it will be better if the local government elections are also held under a non-party neutral government,” said NCP joint convener Sarwar Tusher. He was talking to reporters during the lunch break of Tuesday's discussion of the second round of dialogues with the National Consensus Commission at the Foreign Service Academy. NCP delegation to meet Prof Yunus following BNP-Jamaat meetings About the tenure of the election-time government, Sarwar said NCP agreed with the proposal of four-month tenure for the election-time caretaker government.  "Some parties support a six-month duration. This matter has not yet been discussed thoroughly. We are flexible about whether the tenure should be three or four months. If the local government elections are included, four months might be necessary,” he said. However, BNP wants only the national election to be held under a non-party caretaker government and supports a 90-day tenure for such an administration. The NCP also supported amending Article 70 of the Constitution to allow MPs to vote independently on all issues except for the finance bill and vote of no confidence, said Sarwar Tusher. Earlier Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher told reporters that his party proposed that both national and local government elections should be held under a non-party caretaker government. Tuesday’s session of the second round of talks began at 11am with Commission Chairman Prof Ali Riaz in the chair. Nearly 30 parties, including BNP, Jamaat, and NCP, joined the day’s discussion. On Monday, Chief Adviser and Commission Chairman Prof Muhammad Yunus inaugurated the second phase of the dialogue. The Consensus Commission began its first round of talks with political parties on March 20 to forge a national consensus on state reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. The Commission held discussions with 33 parties and alliances, including BNP, Jamaat, and NCP, before concluding the first round of dialogues on May 19. Formed on February 15, 2025, under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, the Commission has been tasked with building a unified national stance on key reform agendas.    

A woman, who is said to be mentally ill, gave birth at a railway station in Jashore early Tuesday during heavy rainfall and was rescued following an emergency call to the national emergency helpline 999. The incident occurred around 3:45am at Rupdia Railway Station under Kotwali Police Station in Jashore, according to a press release issued by 999’s (Media and Public Relations Officer) Inspector Anwar Sattar. Station Master Babul Akter called 999 to report that a woman had delivered a baby on the station platform amid torrential rain, said the release. He urgently requested an ambulance to save the lives of the mother and the newborn. Constable Din Islam, a 999 call operator, received the call and immediately alerted the Jashore  Kotwali Police Station and local fire service to arrange for rescue operations. In response, a team from Kotwali Police Station and an ambulance from the Fire Service promptly reached the station. The mother and her newborn son were rescued and transported to labour ward-2 of Jashore District Hospital through the fire service ambulance. Initial reports suggest that the woman is approximately 25 years old and mentally unwell. As of the filing of this report, both mother and child are under treatment at the hospital.      

Government officials staged demonstrations for the 11th consecutive day at the Secretariat on Tuesday, demanding the repeal of the 'Government Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025'. The protesters staged a demonstration in front of the No 4 building of the Secretariat around 11 am and brought out a procession. Later, they staged a sit-in in front of the Cabinet Division and submitted two memorandums to Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed and Law Adviser Asif Nazrul seeking the cancellation of the ordinance. Govt employees continue protests, disrupting activities at Secretariat Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees Unity Forum, an alliance of all staff and officers' associations, led the protest. Forum Co-Chairman Md Nurul Islam said, "There is no indication of a dearness allowance in the national budget unveiled on Monday. Instead, this black law has been imposed on us. We will announce fresh action programme.” He also threatened to go for a tougher movement if they don’t get a positive response by June 15, he said.  After the end of demonstration and the sit-in programme, the protesters submitted memorandums to the two advisers. The ordinance issued on May 25 allows for the dismissal of government employees through a simple show-cause notice for four types of disciplinary violations, bypassing formal departmental proceedings. The draft of the ordinance was approved at a meeting of the Advisory Council on May 22. The secretariat staff associations have been jointly protesting the ordinance since May 24.   

The interim government has announced a special allowance for government employees with effect from July 1, according to a circular issued by the Finance Division under the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday. Under the new provision, employees in Grade-1 and above to Grade-9 will receive a 10 percent allowance, while those in Grade-10 to Grade-20 will get 15 percent. The allowance will be at least Tk 1,000 for in-service employees and Tk 500 for pensioners. The benefit will apply to civil government employees under the national pay scale, as well as personnel of autonomous and state-owned bodies, banks, insurance and financial institutions, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and the police. Pensioners whose pensions have been reinstated will also be eligible. Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed proposed the increased allowance in the 2025-26 national budget, presented on Monday. Secretariat employees hold sit-in to demand special ration, allowances In his speech, he cited the absence of a revised pay structure since 2015 as the reason for introducing the measure. The much-discussed dearness allowance did not materialise in name, but the special allowance has been introduced as an alternative. "We are actively considering a dearness allowance," Salehuddin had earlier told reporters. "A committee has been tasked with this. There is a fair chance, but it may take time," he added. According to the circular, employees on post-retirement leave (PRL) will receive the special allowance based on the basic salary drawn before going on PRL. Pensioners receiving reinstated pensions will get the allowance on their current pension, in line with their grade. Good news for teachers; allowances to increase: Ex-Edu Adviser Retired employees who have already withdrawn their full pension as a one-time gratuity and are not yet eligible for reinstatement will not receive the special allowance. Employees on unpaid leave will also be excluded from the benefit.

No unfit vehicle will be allowed to operate on roads even after their facelift during the upcoming Eid travel, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Choudhury said on Tuesday. “Sometimes vehicle owners try to cover unfit vehicles by giving them a fresh coat of paint and then send them onto the roads. But let me be clear -- no such vehicle will be allowed to ply under any condition,” he said while talking to reporters in front of his office at the Secretariat. Jatri Kalyan Samiti demands ban on unfit vehicles during Eid travel He urged transport owners to ensure adequate rest for drivers ahead of long journeys. “We often see cases where a driver takes a vehicle to Rajshahi and is asked to return immediately. We have directed transport owners to make proper rest arrangements for drivers.” The government has cancelled all leave for law enforcement personnel across the country to ensure the safety of people and property, the adviser said. Crackdown on Unfit Vehicles: Police take action on Mawa Expressway “Sufficient law enforcement officials have been deployed in Dhaka and all over the country to prevent any kind of disturbance. The members of the law enforcement agencies are on full vigilance,” Jahangir said.  

Two employees of a ship died in a vessel apparently after sustaining injuries due to snapping of a rope in the Karnaphuli river of Chattogram on Monday night. The deceased were identified as Mohammad Altaf, 40, sukani of FV Sea Heart-1 and Nur Uddin, chief chef of the ship, both hailed from Hatiya upazila of Noakhali district. Officer-in-Charge of Sadarghat river police station Mohammad Nizam Uddin said the ship had run aground on a shoal in the river during high tide earlier. Another vessel from the same company was attempting to tow it with a rope but the rope snapped, injuring three workers, he said. Over 400 Rohingya feared drowned in twin shipwrecks off Myanmar coast: UN The injured were taken to Ma O Shishu Hospital in Agrabad where two of them succumbed to their injuries on Monday night, he said. Sub-Inspector Kamal Uddin of the police station said the families of the victims applied for the bodies without autopsy but no decision has been taken yet. Expressing grief over the deaths, ship owner MA Kader said he is now out of Chattogram.