United News of Bangladesh

The government will begin providing honorariums to khatibs, imams and muezzins in some areas before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, as part of implementing an election pledge. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Saturday. Talking to reporters at the PMO gate, the Prime Minister’s adviser Mahdi Amin said the government promised monthly honorariums and festival allowances for khatibs, imams, muezzins and religious leaders of other faiths. “Our election commitments were discussed today. The Prime Minister particularly spoke about the pledge to provide monthly honorariums and festival allowances for respected khatibs, imams and muezzins and religious leaders of other faiths,” he told reporters. “Following the Prime Minister’s directive, a decision has been taken that, InshaAllah, after completing preparations we will gradually start the programme before Eid. In some areas, respected khatibs, imams and muezzins will be given an honorarium, InshaAllah," Mahdi added. He, however, said the amount of the honorarium has not yet been fixed and will be finalised at an inter-ministerial meeting. Mahdi also said the government discussed wider election promises, including creating employment opportunities on merit without discrimination across public and private sectors, entrepreneurship and overseas employment. He said reforms in education, especially technical and vocational training, and policy changes for business and industry were also discussed to help create skilled manpower and faster job opportunities. Earlier, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly said Saturday marked the Prime Minister’s third working day in office and that he issued several directives to implement election pledges. PM Tarique begins work at Tejgaon PMO for first time State Minister for Local Government and Cooperatives Shahe Alam and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon were also present at the briefing. PMO sources said a meeting on strengthening religious and social harmony was first held at the PMO in Tejgaon in the afternoon with the Prime Minister in the chair. Ministers, state ministers and relevant senior officials attended the meeting held at the Cabinet Conference Room of the PMO. Later, another meeting on establishing a cheerful and career-oriented education system, creating employment opportunities, and expanding sports infrastructure and training facilities was also held at the PMO. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired the meeting. Ministers, state ministers and senior officials concerned were present at the meeting. The Prime Minister began work at the PMO on Saturday for the first time after assuming office. Though it was a public holiday, he went to the office at 10:10am, where Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon received him.