Prime Minister’s Adviser and PMO Spokesperson Mahdi Amin on Monday said the elected government has set a unique example of humane and people-oriented politics during its first 100 days in office and ensured the empowerment of the people.
“After a long period of misrule, the bloody July mass uprising and 16 years of democratic struggle and sacrifice, the country, under the visionary and people-friendly leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has overcome deep crises and ensured the empowerment of the people,” he said.
Mahdi Amin made the remarks while speaking at a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) at Tejgaon, marking the government’s “100 days in office.”
Following the BNP’s landslide victory in the February 12 general election, its Chairman Tarique Rahman was sworn in as Prime Minister on February 17. The government will complete its 100 days in office on May 27.
The PMO spokesperson said the visible steps taken by the Prime Minister during the first 100 days have brought positive changes to people’s lives.
The press conference was organised by the Prime Minister’s Press Wing at the PMO’s Karabi Hall, where he presented a review of the government’s first 100 days.
Mahdi Amin said the BNP secured an absolute majority in the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12 this year and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman took oath as Prime Minister on February 17.
He said the government began taking “quick, visible and effective” steps from the very first day to implement its election pledges. “All ministries were instructed to prepare sector-based 180-day action plans.”
Highlighting various initiatives, the PMO spokesperson said the government has strengthened women-focused social safety programmes through the introduction of the “Family Card” scheme.
He said honorarium programmes for imams, muezzins, khatibs and other religious leaders have also been launched in line with election commitments.
Mahdi Amin said extra monthly charges on prepaid electricity meters have been withdrawn, while agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000 for small farmers have been waived, including interest.
He also mentioned the introduction of “Farmers’ Card” scheme to bring agricultural management under a digital framework.
The PMO spokesperson said the nationwide canal excavation programme is expected to bring long-term positive changes to irrigation, agriculture and water management.
He said the government has taken initiatives to implement the Padma Barrage project to improve agriculture, water and environmental management in the south-western region.
On media freedom, Mahdi Amin said the government is working to ensure “maximum freedom” for journalists and media outlets, though he warned against “propaganda, hatred and divisive politics in the name of free speech.”
Mahdi Amin said the BNP government has attached the highest priority to freedom of expression and media freedom, following the tradition of previous BNP governments, led by late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
He, however, alleged that some people are misusing freedom of expression through character assassination, offensive behaviour and misinformation.
“Traditionally, every elected BNP government under Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia ensured the highest level of freedom of speech. Following that tradition, the BNP government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has also given top priority to freedom of expression and media freedom,” the spokesperson said.
“Unfortunately, many people are misusing that freedom. Offensive behaviour, sensitive misinformation campaigns or character assassination should never fall under freedom of speech,” he added.
Mahdi Amin said the government wants to ensure justice as well as protect the dignity and honour of every citizen.
He said many people have become victims of character assassination, misinformation and disinformation.
The spokesperson also alleged that senior state figures are being targeted with “poisonous propaganda and abusive politics”, which he said contradicts the spirit of the mass uprising.
“As part of a transparent and accountable state system, if we want to protect people’s rights and freedom, the government must ensure safety not only in physical life but also in cyberspace and online,” he said.
Mahdi Amin said the government is working on the issue and future steps may be taken through a consultative process involving stakeholders.
“Many people are aware of propaganda being spread in the name of freedom of speech. Naturally, some legal reforms may be needed,” he said, adding that any future legal measures will reflect public expectations as people are the governments’ strength.
The spokesperson claimed BNP governments never imposed laws from above, but rather reflected the aspirations of different sections of society.
Referring to online harassment and cyber abuse, he said many people, especially women, want protection of their dignity and respect in cyberspace.
On the murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, the spokesperson said the government considers the case a priority. “The Prime Minister has spoken about this issue for a long time. As part of ensuring media freedom and journalists’ safety, we see this as a major concern,” he said.
“We believe the trial of the Sagar-Runi murder should take place. It is one of our priorities. We said this during the election and we are still saying it,” he added.
Asked about road accidents during Eid travel, Mahdi Amin said every death is tragic and the government’s top priority is to ensure safe journeys for people travelling home for Eid. “We are hopeful that visible improvements will be seen in the coming days before Eid. Let us all work together to build a prosperous, self-reliant and developed Bangladesh,” he said.
He said the government has coordinated with banks, factory owners and labour organisations to ensure workers receive salaries, allowances and Eid bonuses before Eid-ul-Azha.
Special trains and launch services have been introduced to ease Eid travel, while separate train coaches for women and a special monitoring cell have also been arranged, the spokesperson said.
He said the government has instructed authorities to remove sacrificial waste within eight hours during Eid and ensure fair prices and proper preservation of rawhide.
Mahdi Amin also said airfare for Hajj pilgrims has been reduced.
He mentioned that preparations have begun for implementing an economic corridor from Teknaf to Tetulia.
The PMO spokesperson said work on the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is progressing with a target to inaugurate it by December 16 this year.
Among other initiatives, he mentioned expansion of bank guarantee facilities for higher studies abroad, launching of high-speed free Wi-Fi at airports and trains, and introduction of sports and cultural programmes for youths.
In the health sector, Mahdi Amin said, nearly all eligible children have been brought under measles vaccination coverage and maternity leave has been increased.
The government is also moving to gradually allocate 5 percent of GDP to the health sector, he said.
Referring to the murder of child Ramisa Akter in the capital’s Pallabi area, the spokesperson said the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Law Minister visited the victim’s family and assured them of speedy justice.
He noted that in a separate child rape case in Meherpur, a court awarded the death penalty within 29 working days, calling it a rare example of swift justice. “Now victims no longer go to the Prime Minister; rather, the Prime Minister is reaching out to the people,” he said.
Mahdi Amin also said initiatives have been taken to restore the phrase “except Israel” in Bangladeshi passports.
He also said the government has set a target to turn Bangladesh into a trillion-dollar economy by 2034.
The spokesperson said assets worth Tk 4,264 crore belonging to S Alam Group have been seized, while agreements have been signed with several countries to bring back laundered money.
He also said Bangladesh recorded the highest remittance inflow in its history last month, reaching around $3.75 billion.
Mahdi Amin said the government has also initiated a “Probashi Card” scheme and plans to provide state identity cards to around 200,000 freelancers.
He also touched on a special Tk 60,000 crore fund to reopen closed factories and generate employment opportunities.
The spokesperson said the Prime Minister is proving himself not as a distant powerful figure, but as a representative of the common people and an ordinary member of society.
At the beginning of the press conference, PM’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon highlighted several tree plantation initiatives taken by the Prime Minister, saying the BNP government is “a tree-loving government.”
Prime Minister’s Speechwriter SAM Mahfuzur Rahman, Deputy Press Secretaries Jahidul Islam Rony, Mostafa Zulfiquar Hasan (Hasan Shiplu), Md Suzauddhowla (Sujon Mahmud) and Shahadat Hossain Shadhin, and Assistant Press Secretaries Asrofa Emdad, Md Nazmul Haque Khan and Abdullah Al Mahmud Shahriar were present at the press conference.