United News of Bangladesh

Parliament on Tuesday passed a Tk 9,38,000 crore national budget for 2026-27 fiscal year, setting ambitious targets to accelerate economic growth to 6.5 percent and bring inflation down to 7.5 percent after prolonged price pressures eroded living standards for much of the population. The budget, the first presented by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, is 19 percent larger than the Tk 7,90,000 crore budget for the current fiscal year. The fiscal deficit has been projected at Tk 2,43,000 crore, equivalent to 3.6 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), while the overall budget size represents 13.7 percent of the projected GDP for FY2026-27. As part of the government's economic roadmap, the finance minister unveiled a "3R Strategy" aimed at reviving the economy and supporting Bangladesh's ambition of becoming a $1 trillion economy. The strategy comprises Recovery and Stabilisation, Restoration, and Reconstruction for Acceleration, and will be implemented in three phases over a period of one to five years. Key features of the budget include a revenue collection target of Tk 6,95,000 crore, of which the National Board of Revenue (NBR) is expected to collect Tk 6,04,000 crore. To facilitate implementation of the budget, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury moved the Appropriation Bill, 2026, seeking authorisation for government expenditure amounting to Tk 15,15,439 crore. The bill was passed by voice vote. Earlier on Monday, Parliament passed the Finance Bill, 2026 with several significant amendments, including raising the tax-free income threshold and abolishing the provision requiring disclosure of investments. Before passage of the Appropriation Bill, ministers concerned presented justifications for expenditure under their respective ministries through 59 demands for grants covering both development and non-development spending. The House also rejected, by voice vote, 1,343 cut motions submitted by opposition lawmakers against the 59 demands for grants. A total of 43 MPs from Jamaat, the National Citizen Party (NCP) and independent members moved the cut motions and participated in discussions on 36 ministries and divisions. The 36 ministries, divisions and offices included in the opposition's list for cut motions are: the Prime Minister's Office, Cabinet Division, Ministry of Public Administration, Bangladesh Public Service Commission Secretariat, Finance Division, Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh, Internal Resources Division, Financial Institutions Division, Economic Relations Division, Planning Division, Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED), Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Law and Justice Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Secondary and Higher Education Division, Ministry of Science and Technology. Besides, Health Services Division, Information and Communication Technology Division, Ministry of Social Welfare, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of Land, Ministry of Water Resources, Road Transport and Highways Division, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Posts and Telecommunications Division, and the Anti-Corruption Commission. Upon the request of Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman the Speaker expedited the passage of the demands for grants imposing guillotine. Opposition and independent MPs were present in the House when the Appropriation Bill was passed and did not object to its adoption.

Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Thursday told Parliament that the government has devised plans to increase the production and export of jute goods. He said small entrepreneurs are being provided with training to produce export-oriented diversified jute goods through Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) PLC. Replying to a starred tabled question placed by ruling party lawmaker from Naogaon-6 Sheikh Md Rezaul Islam, the minister said initiatives have been taken to modernise two jute product testing laboratories in Dhaka and Khulna to enhance export diversification, competitiveness and quality of raw jute. “A feasibility study project has also been undertaken to expand technology-based jute and seed production, which will significantly increase the export of quality jute goods once implemented,” he said. Muktadir said the government is providing cash incentives to exporters to encourage the export of jute goods. He informed the House that Bangladesh currently exports jute goods to some 138 countries, including China, Iran, Spain, Belgium, the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, Indonesia, Jordan, India, Japan, Germany, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Russia, Poland, Vietnam, Nepal, Tunisia, Thailand and South Korea. The minister said JDPC is participating in various international fairs, meetings, seminars and symposiums abroad to boost jute exports. Besides, training in diversified jute product export, export documentation, export certification, design and product development, quality improvement, awareness workshops and buyer-seller conferences are being organised to enhance exporters’ capacity, resulting in a steady increase in jute goods export.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said that necessary initiatives have been taken regarding the signing of Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) Treaty/Agreement with 10 countries in order to receive necessary information, evidence and other necessary assistance in a bid to recover the money smuggled from Bangladesh. Govt measures to tame inflation soon: PM tells Parliament The prime minister said this in Parliament while replying to a tabled question of opposition Jatiya Party MP Mujibul Haque Chunnu during the question-answer session. She also said that a strategic paper on the recovery of laundered money has been prepared, which after approval by the National Coordinating Committee formed to prevent money laundering and financing of terrorist activities has been sent to all relevant ministries, departments and agencies to implement the recommendations of the said strategy paper. Women now empowered in Bangladesh: PM Sheikh Hasina said that money laundering through hundi or any other means is investigated by the CID of Bangladesh Police. “In this regard, the law enforcement authorities of Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) are increasingly communicating with their foreign counterparts for the purpose of mutual cooperation in order to recover money in cases of money laundering detected abroad,” she added. Bangladesh and BIMSTEC to work together: PM Hasina

The Bank Deposit Insurance Bill (Amendment) 2023 was placed in Parliament on Sunday, aiming to double the amount of compensation of depositors. Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal placed the Bill and it was sent to the respective scrutiny committee for further examination. The committee was asked to submit its report within one month. Also Read: No case for harassment to ensure fair, neutral polls: Law Minister tells JS As per the current law, a depositor gets the highest Tk 1 lakh as compensation within 90 days if any scheduled bank or financial institution goes into liquidation. The amended law proposed to increase this compensation from Tk 1 lakh to Tk 2 lakh. In Bangladesh, deposit insurance was introduced in August, 1984, while the amount of insurance coverage was Tk 60,000 which was later extended to Tk 1 lakh. Only banks were mentioned in the previous act, while in the proposed law, financial institutions have been newly included extending the limit for depositors of financial organisations. Besides, the Deposit Insurance Trust Fund (DITF) of Bangladesh Bank, a specific fund for depreciated depositors will be named as the “Deposit Safety Trust Fund.” Also Read: Bill placed in JS to allow maximum 3 members of a family in bank boards  The following type of money shall be deposited to the fund - (a) money received from insured banks as well as financial institutions; (b) income received from the bank wound up under section 7; (c) money received from the investment of money from the fund; and (d) money received from other sources. According to proposed Bill, the fund shall not be spent out except for payment of debt to the depositor creditor of the bank wound up. The proposed act suggested that the Bangladesh Bank can primarily restrict receiving deposits by the banks and financial organisations if they fail to pay insurance premium for consecutive two times. Moreover, the central bank will have the authority to shut or liquidate them if the same incident is repeated for the third time. Also Read: WB had brought false allegations against Bangladesh govt, PM tells JS After the order of liquidation of banks and financial organisations, the Bangladesh Bank will have to pay insurance money or Tk 2 lakh highest to the depositors from the Deposit Safety Trust Fund. Each depositor will get the same amount of repayment even if they had several accounts with the banks or financial organisations, the draft act stated. Deposit Insurance Systems is an institutional initiative to protect depositors against the loss of their deposits. All scheduled banks or commercial banks including the branches of foreign banks functioning in Bangladesh are insured by the Deposit Insurance Systems.    

The Election Commission has said 186 applications have been submitted so far regarding the redrawing of the boundaries of parliamentary constituencies. “On February 26, the preliminary list of the boundaries of the parliamentary constituencies was published. The deadline for submitting claims and objections to the list was March 19. A total of 186 applications have been submitted during this period," the Election Commission's Joint Secretary SM Asaduzzaman told reporters on Monday. The highest number of applications have been received in Comilla (84). The lowest number of applications have been filed in Mymensingh (1) and Chattogram (1).   Meanwhile, no applications were filed in Rangpur and Sylhet, Asadduzzaman said. Among other districts, 43 applications have been received from Rajshahi, 29 from Barisal, 18 from Dhaka, and five each from Khulna and Faridpur. Election Commissioner Anisur Rahman said: “The applications will be arranged based on constituencies. Then, the secretariat will work on how many objections have been received in which constituencies. The committee will then hold a hearing where the decision on any redrawing of constituencies will be made.”    

Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytskiy has said his country wants to continue cooperation with Dhaka – namely, in trade and economy, and the implementation of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant – despite the "sanctions pressure by the US and the countries of the collective West" Mantytskiy said this during a meeting with the Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury. During the conversation Thursday, the mutual commitment to strengthening friendly relations between the parliaments of Russia and Bangladesh was confirmed, including under the auspices of the relevant friendship groups established for the exchange of the best practices of national legislation. Read more: Moscow thanks Dhaka in light of UN vote  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said no one should raise any concern about the election being free and fair under the AL government following the recent by-elections in six parliamentary seats  and Rangpur City Corporation. “These have proved that fair elections are held during the Awami League period,” she said. The prime minister said this while participating in the discussion on the thanksgiving motion on President's speech in parliament.  She said that six by-elections were held just a few days ago where Jatiya Party won in one seat. She mentioned that in another seat, the BNP MP who resigned from the parliament returned as an independent candidate. “Moreover, we left one to Rashed Khan Menon’s party where the Jatiya Party candidate won. Another was given to Hasanul Haque Inu’s party and it won in Bogra,” she said. She said that AL candidate won only in Bogra and Chapainawabganj. “No one could complain about Rangpur mayor election.  But Jatiya Party won that election, Awami League lost.” Therefore, she said, “we have been able to prove that the election has been fair, free and impartial during the Awami League government.” “I hope no one gets a chance to raise anything about the election after this (by-elections and mayor election).” She mentioned that AL always has fought for people's right to vote.   “I think it is our responsibility to ensure the right to vote.” PM Hasina said that the government has built the Padma Bridge with its own funding, which was a challenging job.   “This one decision has changed the image of Bangladesh internationally. Those who earlier thought that Bangladesh will never be able to stand up proved wrong.  Those who seized power after 1975 tragedy (assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) had wanted that,” she said. Hasina said that the international status of Bangladesh has increased as the country has proved that it can. She said that digital services are being launched in all areas and now the documents of land can be taken at home while any bill can be paid from home. She said that the government is working for the overall development of the people of the country. The premier recalled the election during Ziaur Rahman's tenure.   The people had seen how the presidential election of 1981 was rigged, she said. She also said that during his time General Ershad (founder of Jatiya Patty) changed the election results by withholding the counting for 48 hours.   She recalled that no party could form the government in the 1991 elections on its own and so BNP joined hands with Jamaat to form the government.  And they held a election without participation of voters on February 15, 1996. People don't let go if votes are stolen.  Khaleda Zia had to resign on March 30.” The PM said that there was a conspiracy in 2001 regarding the sale of country’s gas. She said that Bangladesh is sending medical teams, medicines, dry food to help the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria.      

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman University, Naogaon Bill, 2023 was passed in Parliament on Tuesday. Education Minister Dipu Moni moved the bill and it was passed by voice vote. The proposed university would be prototypes of other public universities. As per the bill, there will be a business incubator to make the university students entrepreneurs and give them all kind of assistance at preliminary stage. The university will also cooperate students or teachers to use their invention, intellectual property in processing, marketing, and its usage commercially. As per the bill, the disciplinary committee will propose the syndicate to take appropriate steps for resisting and preventing sexual harassment, violence and ragging. It said that the Chancellor, the President of the country, will appoint an eminent educationist in the vice-chancellor post for four years. But no one will be appointed as vice-chancellor for two terms. The chancellor will also appoint pro vice-chancellor for four years tenure, but not more than two terms. But for the treasurer post of the university, one needs to have at least 20 years of experience as teacher in any public university.    

Tarikat Federation chairman Syed Najibul Bashar Maizbhandari on Wednesday said that BNP and Jamaat would do subversive activities later this year to destabilise the country ahead of next general elections. Bashar said that while the country is moving forward under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina there is a conspiracy to destabilise the country by the BNP and its alliance Jamaat. He said that he has information that BNP and Jamaat will start killing again from next August.   “They want to take the country towards another direction in August, September, October and November. Killing, militancy will increase,  I am asking the government to be aware of this.” “No matter what conspiracies they do, the next election will be held as per the constitution,” he said. He made the statement while participating in the discussion on the thanksgiving motion on President’s speech in Parliament. Bashar said that Hasina will return to power through next national elections. He said that he will also be elected as MP in the upcoming parliamentary elections.   “In the next election, the prime minister will be the prime minister again.  I will also be an MP from the Tarikat Federation, there is no (chance of any) mistake,” he said. Mentioning that the national election will be held in the first week of January next year, he said, "whether BNP comes or not, it does not matter at all.” He said that the election will be held under the leadership of the 14-party alliance leader Sheikh Hasina.  He called on all the pro-liberation forces to unite under the leadership of Hasina. Ruling party MP Kujendra Lal Tripura said that 50 to 60 percent of Khagrachari area has come under electrification. “Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board through the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs is trying to light up the area with Tk 217 crore solar panels.  We want electricity in the areas where it is possible to reach.” Jatiya Party MP Pir Fazlur Rahman said that earlier Begum Para was in Canada.   “Now Begum para is being established in many countries of the world.  Not only politicians, but also government officials are buying houses abroad.”  Pir Fazlur said that many are buying 10-20 houses in Canada, Dubai.   “No action is taken against money laundering from the country.” He also raised questions about how the central bank monitors.   He said that the defaulted loan in the bank is Tk 1.5 lakh crore. “If you do the actual calculations, it will exceed Tk four lakh crore. The owner of one bank is taking loan from another bank.  Actions should be taken against them.”  The Jatiya Party MP said that everyone talks about development.   “But some leaders do not see development.  They visit their area occasionally.  They are leaders of Awami League, but want to be elected in the future.” Criticising the sluggish implementation of development projects and the increase in project cost, Pir Fazlur said that if the duration of the project increases, the cost also increases.   “Corruption is inextricably linked with it.”    

The Zakat Fund Management Bill -2023 was passed in Parliament on Wednesay, aiming to make Zakat (obligatory charity in Islam)  an important tool to eradicate poverty from the country. As per the proposed Bill, it also aims to engage a zakat receiver in any profession or activity to make the person self-reliant and rehabilitated. State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan moved the bill and it was passed by voice vote. The proposed 'Zakat Fund Management Act, 2023' will replace the Zakat Fund Ordinance, 1982. Also read: JS passes bill to introduce Universal Pension Scheme The Bill said that there will be a Zakat Board consisting of 13 members. Religious Affairs Minister or State Minister will be the Chairman of that Board. Other members are-the Secretary of the Religious Affairs Ministry, an official from the ministry with minimum joint secretary level, an official of the Finance Ministry with minimum  joint secretary level, an official with minimum joint secretary level from the legislative and parliamentary affairs division, government selected five eminent islamic scholars (Fakih), two representatives from country’s trade body organisation and the Director-General of the Islamic Foundation. Their appointment will be valid for three years and they will hold at least two meetings per year. A fund will be formed called the Zakat Fund which shall consist of voluntary payment of Zakat by the Muslims. After the law is enacted, anyone from home and abroad will be able to give zakat at any government scheduled bank. The moneys credited to the Fund shall be kept in non-interest bearing accounts of scheduled banks. As per the objective of the Bill, Islam is a complete religion and way of life. Zakat is an important provision for the socio-economic welfare and security of people. Allah has made Zakat obligatory upon a compliant Muslim who possesses a Nisab amount of wealth as determined by the Shari'ah.  Zakat is a tool for poverty alleviation and rehabilitation. Zakat is not a voluntary donation, rather Zakat is a fixed portion of the wealth of the rich to be paid to the poor and needy by Allah.  Although zakat system has been in operation at the individual level for a long time in this country, the desired benefits were not being obtained from zakat due to various reasons.  Poverty was once possible to be eradicated throughout the Muslim world through the system of Zakat.  Therefore, the government formed the Zakat Board by enacting The Zakat Fund Ordinance, 1982 for the purpose of proper utilisation of Zakat and the permanent welfare of the destitute Muslims according to the provisions of Islam. The Zakat Fund Management Bill -2023 was placed in parliament in order to repeal the military regime ordinance in line with a verdict of the High Court.