United News of Bangladesh

Chief Whip Nurul Islam on Wednesday said the government and the opposition will jointly bring a proposal on amending the Constitution, expressing optimism that existing differences will be resolved through dialogue. “Although there are some differences of opinion between us and the opposition on the issue of constitutional amendment, we will reach a consensus and place a joint proposal,” he told reporters at the Jatiya Sangsad complex. He said the main goal is to strengthen democracy, uphold independence and sovereignty, and advance the country’s constructive development. “We want to be enriched through discussion and criticism in Parliament and it is only a matter of time before we reach a consensus from a place of patriotism,” he added. The Chief Whip also urged the media to highlight positive developments alongside negative reporting. Referring to recent coverage on the shutdown of Eastern Refinery PLC Ltd, the country’s only state-owned oil refinery in Chattogram, he said related developments such as two vessels carrying around 200,000 metric tonnes of oil anchoring at the port also deserved attention. He said the prime minister has been working for the overall welfare of the country, focusing on building a humane state, consolidating democracy, and safeguarding independence and sovereignty. On employment and human resource development, Nurul Islam stressed the importance of language skills to enhance overseas job opportunities. He mentioned the need for learning Arabic for the Middle East, Mandarin for China, Italian for Italy, Korean for South Korea, and Japanese for Japan. He, however, emphasised English as a crucial second language given its global relevance.

Land Minister Md. Mizanur Rahman Minu on Wednesday told parliament that the government has taken a series of steps to curb irregularities and corruption at upazila-level land offices across the country. Replying to a written question from NCP lawmaker Akhter Hossen (Rangpur-4), the minister said e-mutation services have been made mandatory to eliminate the interference of middlemen. “Citizens are now required to submit applications online and they receive SMS notifications at every stage of the process such as notice issuance, hearings, and approvals to prevent any illicit intervention,” he said. Minu said the introduction of an online land development tax system has significantly reduced opportunities for cash-based irregularities at union land offices. He said  citizens can now pay land development taxes directly to the government treasury using their National ID through bKash, Nagad, Rocket, and other online banking platforms, bringing illegal financial transactions close to zero. The minister also said strict directives have been issued to ensure the presence and accountability of field-level officials. He added that regular surprise inspections are being conducted by deputy commissioners and upazila nirbahi officers alongside monitoring visits by ministry officials. “Immediate show-cause notices and departmental actions are being taken against officials found negligent or absent from duty,” he said. The minister added that citizens can lodge complaints directly by calling the hotline 16122 if they face bribery demands or harassment by broker syndicates. He said the hotline remains operational 24/7 and all complaints are monitored directly by the Ministry of Land. To prevent map or land record forgery, he said the government has launched pilot digital surveys using drones and modern technologies which will produce more accurate maps and reduce human error in record correction. “The initiative will gradually be expanded nationwide,” he added. The minister further said that citizens can receive services free of cost at the Tejgaon Citizen Service Centre in Dhaka. Through the official land service portal, he said people can access land records (khatian) of any mouza and obtain certified copies by post upon payment of prescribed fees, reducing dependence on middlemen and extra costs. He added that a land service mobile app, grievance redress system, land acquisition system, lease and settlement system, and other software solutions are being developed to enhance transparency and service delivery. “These initiatives are expected to further reduce corruption in the land sector,” he added.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo on Wednesday told Parliament that the government has undertaken a series of comprehensive measures to protect the country from the adverse impacts of climate change. The Minister said this in replying to a starred question from independent lawmaker elected from Brahmanbaria-2 Rumeen Farhana during the day’s question-answer session in the House. In absence of Rumeen Farhana, the question was raised by another independent lawmaker elected from Kishoreganj-5 Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal. Mintoo said a Locally Led Adaptation Framework (LLAF) has been formulated to ensure grassroots participation in adaptation activities and their effective implementation. He also said the Ministry has prepared the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to strengthen climate resilience and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to implement mitigation actions. “These plans are being executed through relevant ministries, divisions and agencies,” he said. Besides, the Department of Environment has initiated the formulation of Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) to guide sustainable, low-carbon development. To enhance international climate financing, strengthen project development capacity and promote coordination among national and international partners, the government has established the Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership (BCDP). Highlighting carbon market initiatives, Mintoo said a comprehensive framework has been developed under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement to ensure transparent participation in international and voluntary carbon markets. “This is expected to attract foreign investment and boost climate financing through carbon credit trading,” he said. As part of immediate action, Mintoo said the government has undertaken projects across the country including Brahmanbaria district under a 180-day short-term plan. These include forest restoration in government forest areas, mangrove afforestation in coastal char regions, and plantation of 15 million saplings along roads, highways, embankments, rivers and canals, as well as other marginal lands. The Minister said priority has been given to research, innovation, training and extension activities to address climate change impacts, with necessary action plans being developed. He further said the government formed the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (CCTF) from its own resources to implement the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP), 2009. The fund aims to enhance local capacity and promote climate-resilient technologies through various projects. From the fiscal year 2009–10 to 2025–26, the government has allocated a total of Tk 4,151.71 crore (approximately US$495 million) to the trust fund. As of March 2026, he said around Tk 4,383.95 crore has been earmarked for 985 projects—924 government and 61 non-government. Of these, 828 projects (771 government and 57 non-government) have already been completed, while 153 government projects are currently under implementation. The Minster said all approved projects are being implemented at district and upazila levels to strengthen climate resilience nationwide. Replying to a supplementary question from Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal, Mintoo said the adverse impacts of climate change cannot be mitigated in a single day, emphasising that the government’s efforts to address the issue will continue in a sustained and planned manner. The Minister noted that climate change is a gradual process and therefore its remedies also require long-term, continuous initiatives. “As climate patterns evolve, the government will adopt new plans and strategies to reduce the negative consequences,” he said. He further added that the government’s process of taking adaptive and preventive measures remains ongoing to minimize climate-related risks.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said the government is actively considering establishing an institutional framework in the 2026–27 fiscal year to ensure the sustainable and long-term development of the blue economy. “We are actively considering, if necessary, establishing an institutional framework in the 2026–27 fiscal year to ensure balanced coordination among marine resources, fisheries, tourism and environmental protection and to promote the sustainable and long-term development of the blue economy,” he said. The government has already taken steps to formulate a Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) framework in view of the potential benefits and opportunities of the country’s maritime resources, the Prime Minister said while replying to a starred question from M Nurul Islam (Barguna-2) during the question-answer session in Parliament. He said the BNP’s election manifesto includes a plan for developing the blue economy through the science-based and sustainable use of the country’s vast maritime resources as well as the establishment of a National Blue Economy Authority. The Prime Minister said the then BNP government formulated the Coastal Zone Policy 2005, which marked an important milestone in the development and protection of coastal areas. In response to a supplementary question, he said the ruling party’s election manifesto also includes a fairly detailed plan on the blue economy. “A large population of Bangladesh lives in coastal and maritime areas including Bhola, Barguna, Patuakhali, Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram among others. Naturally, if we can gradually develop the various components of the blue economy by assessing their economic potential, we will be able to improve the living standards of many people,” he said. Tarique also said an extensive economic zone will emerge around the coastal region which will further strengthen the country’s overall economy. “Taking all these factors into consideration, we have placed special importance on the blue economy in our election manifesto and various ministries have already started formulating plans in phases,” he said. The parliamentary session began in the morning with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed in the chair following a recess on April 10, with the Prime Minister’s question-answer session scheduled first on the day’s agenda. Members of Parliament took part in the scheduled question-answer session at the start of the sitting.

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan on Wednesday told Parliament that the official recognition of 481 non-freedom fighters were rebuked since August, 2024 following recommendations from the Jatiya Muktijoddha Council (Jamuka). “Based on complaints, the Jatiya Muktijoddha Council conducted verification and investigations and based on its recommendations, the ministry cancelled the gazette notifications, Lal Muktibarta and Indian lists of 481 individuals,” he said. The minister made the remarks responding to questions from NCP lawmaker Akhter Hossen and ruling party lawmaker Md Jahander Ali Miha (Madaripur-2) during the question-and-answer session in the House. In his question, Akhter asked whether any steps would be taken against alleged fake freedom fighters, noting that various media reports and government reviews suggest that out of around 250,000 gazetted freedom fighters more than 100,000 people are fake freedom fighters. The Liberation War Affairs Minister said that since August 2024, a total of 842 complaints related to non-freedom fighters have been forwarded to Jamuka for scrutiny. He said when allegations are received, a subcommittee formed with members of the council conduct investigations and hearings. If an individual is proven not to be a genuine freedom fighter, recommendations are made to cancel their gazette status, he said. Ahmed Azam said the process of reviewing such complaints is ongoing and a regular function of Jamuka. “If any allegation is raised against a listed freedom fighter, it will be verified through investigation and hearing, and if proven false, the name will be recommended for removal from the list,” he added. ‘Fifth Primary Education Development Programme’ to begin July 1: PM He also informed the House that since its establishment, Jamuka has held 103 meetings and recommended cancellation of gazette status for a total of 6,465 persons. In reply to a starred question from treasury bench lawmaker AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon (Noakhali-1), the minister said there are currently 198,037 recognised freedom fighters in the country, according to the integrated database maintained in the ministry’s Management Information System (MIS). He further said that each freedom fighter receives a monthly honorarium of Tk 20,000, two festival allowances of Tk 10,000 each annually and a Pahela Baishakh allowance of Tk 2,000 and also a Victory Day allowance of Tk 5,000 for living freedom fighters. The minister, however, said that there is currently no plan under government consideration to increase the honorarium for freedom fighters.

The government has appointed Md Shahabur Rahman as Deputy Press Secretary and AFM Mahfuzur Rahman Khan as Assistant Press Secretary to the President. The Public Administration Ministry issued two separate notifications in this regard on Tuesday. According to the notification, both officials have been appointed on a contractual basis for a period of one year from the date of joining. The appointments have been made on the condition that they will relinquish any engagement in other professions, businesses, or associations with government, semi-government, private institutions or organisations. Md Shahabur Rahman has been appointed under Grade-5 of the national pay scale while AFM Mahfuzur Rahman Khan under Grade-6. Other terms and conditions of their appointments will be determined by the contract agreement, it said.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain on Tuesday said an initiative has been taken to expand dialysis services in government hospitals across the country, with a plan to introduce dialysis services in 59 hospitals by 2027. He said this while replying to a written question placed in Parliament by treasury bench member S.M. Jahangir Hossain elected from Dhaka-18 constituency. The minister said a project titled “Upgradation of existing kidney dialysis centres to 50-bed capacity in medical college hospitals and establishment of 10-bed kidney dialysis centres in district Sadar hospitals (1st revised)” is currently under implementation under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Under the project, infrastructure development, supply and procurement of medical equipment are currently underway in 15 medical college hospitals and 44 district Sadar hospitals across the country. He said that once the project is completed by December 2027, kidney treatment would be more accessible and affordable to the patients at divisional and district level.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain on Tuesday told parliament that necessary initiatives are being taken to recruit some 100,000 health workers in line with the current government’s election manifesto. He said this responding to a starred tabled question placed by treasury bench member elected from Naogaon-4 Ikramul Bari Tipu. The minister said the government has been working relentlessly to ensure adequate manpower to improve the quality of healthcare services and maintain continuity in service delivery across the country. He said on January 22 this year, a total of 2,984 assistant surgeons and 279 dental surgeons were recruited through the 48th BCS, while 98 assistant surgeons (MBBS) and 22 dental surgeons were appointed through the 44th BCS. Earlier, on December 18 last year, 162 assistant surgeons (MBBS doctors) were appointed through the 27th BCS.

Nepal has expressed interest in working with the new government in Bangladesh to take the bilateral relations between the two countries to a new height. Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Md Shafiqur Rahman on Monday paid a courtesy call on with Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Vice-President of Nepal, in his office to extend the invitation to the celebration of the 55th anniversary of the National Day of Bangladesh. The Vice-President kindly accepted the invitation to grace the event as the chief guest. During the call on, they exchanged views on issues of mutual interests pertaining to the long-standing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Nepal. The Vice-President congratulated Bangladesh for successfully holding the elections and expressed interests to work with the new government to take the bilateral relations between the two countries to a new height. In response, Bangladesh Ambassador conveyed the keenness of the new government of Bangladesh to work closely with the new government of Nepal, which is on the process to be formed very soon.

The week-long vacation for Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival for Muslims, concludes today (March 23), and government offices, courts, banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, and stock markets will reopen tomorrow (March 24). Life in the capital is set to return to its usual pace tomorrow (Tuesday), as the offices reopen. The last working day before the Eid Holiday was March 16. The seven-day vacation began on March 17, with Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated across the country on March 21. A significant influx of people returning to their workplaces has already been observed at major transit points. Long queues and heavy crowds were reported at Sadarghat Launch Terminal, Kamalapur Railway Station, and the bus terminals in Sayedabad, Mohakhali, and Gabtoli as holidaymakers head back to Dhaka. While many government officials and employees are expected to join their duties tomorrow, a segment of the workforce has extended their holday. Those who managed to secure additional leave for March 24 and 25 will enjoy a 12-day vacation, returning only on March 29 after the Independence Day public holiday (March 26) and the subsequent weekend (March 27-28). The continuous seven-day break was finalized after the government declared a holiday on Wednesday, March 18, via an executive order. Originally, March 17 was a holiday for Shab-e-Qadr, and the official Eid holidays were scheduled from March 19 to 23. By declaring March 18 a holiday, the Ministry of Public Administration ensured an uninterrupted travel window for millions of citizens heading home to celebrate with their families, fulfilling demands from various quarters to ease the holiday rush.