Authorities on Wednesday said no one would be allowed to import, culture, transport, sell, supply or conserve suckermouth catfish anymore in Bangladesh. In a gazette notification, the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry announced the decision signed by its Deputy Secretary Mrinal Kanti Dey, according to a press release. The release said the decision to ban the two varieties of the fish was taken following the ‘Protection and Conservation of Fish Act-1950’. Read more: Govt bans fishing in Bay of Bengal for 65 days “No person shall import, breed, culture, carry, sell, receive or take, market, stock, expose and possess any species of fish of Sucker mouth catfish and Clarias gariepinus, locally known as African Magur,” it added.

The government on Monday waived Value Added Tax (VAT) on all types of edible oil to try to rein in the soaring prices of the essential commodity. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) issued a gazette notification in this regard. The notification stated that this tax relief will be effective from Monday. Traders will get this facility till next June 30. The traders have been demanding withdrawal of VAT at the import stage, but the NBR notification did not say anything about import. Earlier on Thursday, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal told a reporter after a government procurement meeting that the VAT has been withdrawn to control the market prices of edible oil. Also read: Consider maximum cut in import VAT on edible oil: Cabinet directs NBR Later, the finance minister said that the tariffs on essential commodities including edible oil, sugar and peas will be withdrawn soon. The NBR imposed 15 per cent VAT on soybean at production level and 5 per cent at the consumer level. Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi at a press briefing at his secretariat on the occasion of consumers’ rights day said that VAT on edible oil imports will be reduced by 10 per cent and VAT at the consumer level by 5 per cent. Also read: 5-litre can of soybean oil: The best gift a newly married couple could get At the same time, 15 per cent VAT will be withdrawn at the edible oil production level, he said.

The government on Saturday appointed M Shaheen Iqbal chief of Bangladesh Navy after promoting him to the rank of vice-admiral from rear-admiral. 

The government officials including officials of private and autonomous organisations have been asked not to leave their work stations during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha holiday to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Planning Division Secretary Md Asadul Islam has been promoted as Senior Secretary.   The Public Administration Ministry issued a gazette notification in this regard on Tuesday. Secretary Md Asadul Islam will be appointed as the Senior Secretary of the Planning Division, said the gazette notification.

A writ petition has been filed with the High Court (HC) on Monday challenging a gazette notification sanctioning 60 percent fare hikes in public transport.

Eighteen judges, who served as additional justices to the High Court, have been made permanent.

The government has issued a gazette notification allowing limited operation of public transport and offices from May 31 to June 15 amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The government has appointed 97 new assistant judges to the subordinate courts which are grappling with a staggering 3.1 million cases.