United News of Bangladesh

The government has taken comprehensive measures to ensure security and smooth trading at cattle markets across the country ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, including the installation of counterfeit currency detection machines and on-site banking services, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid said on Sunday. Speaking to reporters after inspecting the Diabari cattle market in the capital, he said fake note detector machines have been installed at cattle markets to prevent the circulation of counterfeit currency during the busy Eid trading season. The minister said dedicated banking services have also been arranged at markets, enabling sellers to deposit their earnings safely or open bank accounts instantly to secure their money. Responding to a question, he said the country has an adequate supply of sacrificial animals and this year's Eid demand can be fully met through locally reared livestock. “The number of cows, goats and buffaloes produced by domestic farmers and ranchers is more than sufficient to meet national demand.” Addressing concerns over missing or stolen animals at cattle markets, Aminur said administration officials, law enforcement agencies and volunteer teams are working round the clock at major markets. He said measures such as announcements through loudspeakers, strict monitoring and dedicated assistance cells have been put in place, adding that in most cases missing animals are being quickly traced and returned to their owners. On the issue of illegal cattle inflow through borders, the minister reiterated the government's zero-tolerance stance in this regard. He said necessary directives had already been issued to border guards, local administration and law enforcement agencies during an inter-ministerial meeting held ahead of the Eid season. When asked about cattle prices, Aminur said the country's livestock trade still largely depends on bargaining based on an animal's health, size, build and appearance, which often leads to price variations among similar-looking animals. He suggested introducing a live-weight pricing system in the future to make transactions more transparent and standardised. The minister also ruled out the possibility of market manipulation, saying the large number of buyers and sellers participating in cattle markets makes it difficult to form any artificial syndicate. “Animal prices are determined by market competition and the forces of supply and demand.” He further said adequate personnel have been deployed to maintain discipline, security and smooth transactions at cattle markets in the capital and elsewhere in the country, and that the measures will remain in force until Eid day. Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Md Shahzaman Khan and Director Dr Md Bayzer Rahman were present during the visit.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday said the government wants to build a modern, technology-based and citizen-friendly land management system so that people no longer have to suffer harassment or make unnecessary visits to government offices for land services. “There is no alternative to a transparent, accountable and people-friendly land management system for building a just and modern state,” he said while inaugurating the three-day nationwide “Land Service Fair-2026.” The Prime Minister also said providing services for citizens is not an act of charity but a responsibility of the state. "I would like to draw the attention of the minister of the Land Ministry and all officials and employees concerned that providing services is not a favour to the people; rather, ensuring public service is our duty. Our goal is to build a land management system where people will no longer have to go from office to office unnecessarily to receive land services, nor will they have to suffer from corruption or harassment,” he said. Tarique Rahman also said the government aims to establish a corruption-free, harassment-free, technology-driven and citizen-friendly land management system that will further accelerate the country’s sustainable development. He inaugurated the fair by pressing a button at the “Bhumi Bhaban” at Tejgaon. The fair is being held simultaneously in districts and upazilas across the country from May 19 to 21. The Prime Minister described land not merely as a property but as a source of security, economic stability, livelihood and future certainty for people. “From this realisation, the present government is working to deliver state services at people’s doorsteps with a commitment to making land management free from harassment and corruption.” Referring to the growing pressure on land resources, he said the amount of per capita land is decreasing due to population growth, while the economic value of land is increasing rapidly. “As a result, land disputes, lawsuits and complications are also increasing. In many cases, these disputes are destroying peace in individuals and families and are also creating obstacles to national development activities,” Tarique Rahman said. In this context, he stressed the importance of planned land use, accurate record preservation and efficient management. At the beginning of his speech, the Prime Minister highlighted the government’s initiatives to simplify land-related services through digitalisation. Narrating the government’s digitalisation efforts, he said people are now getting opportunities to complete many land-related services online from home, including payment of land development tax and e-mutation applications. Tarique Rahman said people previously had to visit land offices physically for matters related to ownership, khajna, deeds, khatian, mutation, mouza records and surveys, including CS, RS and DS. “With technological advancement, land management has also become modernised. Service recipients can now complete land-related processes online from home,” he said. For those unable to use online systems independently, the Prime Minister said, the government has introduced land service assistance centres. He also mentioned that 893 land service assistance centres have already been launched in 61 districts under private management to help citizens who are unable to access online services on their own. Tarique Rahman said the government plans to gradually establish such centres in every union across the country. He also mentioned the launch of the mobile app “Bhumi” to bring land services directly into the hands of citizens. The Prime Minister said modernising land management and introducing more technology-based services will help reduce land disputes and the suffering of citizens, while also limiting the influence of middlemen in land offices. He also said the ongoing land fair will help increase public awareness regarding modern land management systems and citizens’ responsibilities. Tarique Rahman said the Ministry of Land is working to prepare accurate land records through digital surveys and modern technology. “Efforts are also underway to bring almost all land administration services under digital platforms for faster and easier public access.” He said the BNP had pledged in its 31-point reform plan and election manifesto to modernise land management and organise land service fairs across the country. “Through this fair, the government has fulfilled another commitment made to the people,” he said.

The government has appointed 96 more candidates who had long been deprived despite passing the 27th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a gazette notification on Wednesday appointing them to different BCS cadres following recommendations by the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC). Earlier, on December 18 last year, the ministry appointed 673 candidates from the 27th BCS nearly two decades after they won a prolonged legal battle. The newly appointed officials have been asked to join their respective cadre-controlling ministries or divisions by May 18. If no further instruction is issued by the authorities concerend, they must join on that date. According to the notification, failure to join within the stipulated time will be considered as unwillingness to accept the appointment and the appointment order will stand cancelled. The notification also said the appointments will be considered effective retrospectively from the date the first appointment notification for their batch was issued in order to preserve their seniority. Their notional seniority will remain effective from the joining date mentioned in the original batch notification. However, they will not be entitled to any arrear financial benefits as a result of the retrospective effect. The results of the first viva voce examination of the 27th BCS were published on January 21, 2007, during the BNP-led government, where 3,567 candidates passed. Later, on June 30 that year, the then military-backed caretaker government cancelled the viva results over allegations of irregularities and corruption during the state of emergency. The successful candidates challenged the cancellation in the High Court, but on July 3, 2008, the court upheld the government’s decision. The petitioners later filed a leave-to-appeal petition with the Appellate Division against the verdict.

The government will review the trade agreement signed with the United States instead of moving immediately towards cancellation said Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday. The matter will be examined and investigated, he said at a press conference on the progress of various government activities at Press Information Department (PID) conference room at Secretariat. “If we look at the agreement, we will see there is an option to cancel it. It can be cancelled with a 60-day notice. That is one aspect. Another condition in the agreement is that the two countries can modify different provisions through discussions.” “From my position, I think we can at least first review the agreement at the government level,” he added Referring to public discussions on the agreement, he said newspapers columnsanad video commentaries highlighting possible problematic aspects should continue. Zahed said he has discussed the issue with the Prime Minister. “We are reviewing the agreement within the government. It is a very strong agreement and we understand the impact if it is cancelled, as well as the context in which it was signed,” he said. “However, we can consider revisiting certain problematic areas that we think may be harmful to the state. We would like to enter negotiations with them. Cancelling it may again create complications in bilateral relations or reciprocal tariffs,” he added. Responding to another question, he said there are different types of agreements including contracts and memorandums of understanding (MoUs). “Some agreements are legally binding. In many cases, the legal bindings are so strict that leaving them can be more harmful than staying,” he said. He also said that a democratically elected government considers multiple factors in such decisions.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday said his government is committed to ensuring that people of all faiths can live in peace and security and enjoy equal rights, stressing that it does not want to use religion for political gain. “The current government does not want to do politics in the name of religion. We do not want to exploit religion for political interests, and we have not done so in the past either,” he said while exchanging greetings with leaders of the Buddhist community on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. The programme was held at the Public Administration Hall of the Cabinet Division at the Secretariat around 10:00am. The Prime Minister said the government’s foremost responsibility and commitment is to build a state and society where every citizen can freely practise, observe and enjoy their respective religious beliefs, customs and rights without any obstruction. “The government is committed to ensuring an environment where every person, regardless of party affiliation, religion or caste, can live in peace and security,” he said. Tarique Rahman said the government’s guiding principle is that religion is a personal matter, but the right to security belongs to everyone. “Regardless of religion, ethnicity or belief – Bengali or non-Bengali, believer or non-believer – everyone will enjoy equal rights in all spheres, which remains the policy of the current government.” He also said the freedom fighters achieved the independence of Bangladesh with the aspiration of building a safe country for all, irrespective of religion or belief. The Prime Minister noted that Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians fought together and sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence. “During the Liberation War, no one asked who belonged to which religion, or who was a believer or a non-believer. So, this independent Bangladesh belongs to you, to me, and to all of us.” He said one of the government’s political philosophies is “Bangladeshi nationalism”, which has repeatedly proven to be the most effective way of ensuring peaceful coexistence among people of all religions, ethnicities and communities. Tarique Rahman urged everyone not to consider themselves as minorities, adding that the identity of the state belongs equally to all citizens and that every citizen shares the common identity of being Bangladeshi. He said there are many religions in the world, each with a large number of followers. “Every religion guides people towards welfare and has its own set of rules and principles.” The Prime Minister said the great religious leader of Buddhism – Gautama Buddha – gave his followers the Five Precepts (Pañca Sīla) which include abstaining from killing living beings, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxicants. He also mentioned that love, non-violence, and compassion for all living beings are key teachings of Buddhism and these principles are important for every human being to follow. “I think alongside state laws, if every citizen properly follows the teachings of their respective religion, we can all together build a humane state and society,” Tarique Rahman said. He wished that the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima brings joy and significance to the Buddhist community. At the programme, he also extended his heartfelt greetings to Buddhists in Bangladesh and around the world on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, marking the birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha. On behalf of the Buddhist community, the leaders presented the Prime Minister with a commemorative crest and a replica of a statue of Gautama Buddha. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad), Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan and State Minister Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin, Prime Minister’s Special Assistance on Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Ethnic Affairs Bijon Kanti Sarkar, lawmaker from Bandarban Saching Prue, BNP-nominated MP candidate for reserved women’s seat from the hill region Madhabi Marma and BNP Chairman’s Advisory Council Member Dr Sukomal Barua, among others, were present at the programme

Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee on Thursday said the government has taken a plan to excavate and re-excavate some 20,000 kilometres of canals across the country over the next five years. He made the disclosure while replying to a starred tabled question by treasury bench member from Gaibandha-4 Mohammad Shamim Kaiser in Parliament. The minister said in line with the government’s election manifesto, canal excavation and re-excavation activities are currently underway in different districts under a nationwide programme for dredging rivers, canals, sanctuaries and other water bodies. He added that under the government’s 180-day action plan, ongoing projects implemented by the Ministry of Water Resources, Local Government Division and the Ministry of Agriculture will complete excavation and re-excavation of 1,204 kilometres of canals across the country by June 2026. “In addition, a total of 20,000 kilometres of canals will be excavated and re-excavated over the next five years through both ongoing and new projects,” Anee said. He informed the House that the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief will re-excavate and rehabilitate around 1,500 kilometres of canals by June 2026 under KABIKHA, KABITA and TR programmes. The minister noted that three canal re-excavation projects are currently being implemented in Gaibandha district under the supervision of the Local Government Division and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. “A large-scale project for canal excavation is also under formulation at the Ministry of Water Resources,” he added.

The government has initiated a ‘Tourism Mega Plan’ aimed at attracting 5.57 crore tourists and generating over 2.19 cr jobs by 2040, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam told Parliament on Wednesday. "Under the mega plan, we have set a target to attract 5.57 crore tourists and create employment opportunities for 2.19 crore people by 2040," she said replying to a tabled starred question from BNP lawmaker AE Sultan Mahmud Babu (Jamalpur-2). Afroza Khanam stated that a series of initiatives are underway to encourage private investment and create new jobs within the sector. She noted that the ministry has adopted a comprehensive plan to promote entrepreneurship specifically encouraging women by facilitating access to low-interest loans and providing policy support in line with the government’s election manifesto. The government considers tourism a major driver of economic growth, she said, adding that the long-term ‘Tourism Mega Plan (2026–2040)’ will include a clear investment roadmap. The minister highlighted that the government is emphasizing public-private partnerships (PPP) to develop infrastructure and ensure sustainable growth. She also told the House that the National Tourism Policy is being updated in 2025 to increase sustainability and inclusivity. To support small and medium entrepreneurs, she said banks are already offering loans on easy terms, with plans to expand these facilities. Additionally, a One-Stop Service (OSS) will be introduced to assist both tourists and investors. Regarding capacity building, the minister said between FY 2021-22 and 2024-25, training was provided to 1,943 tour operators, 1,215 tour guides, 1,527 street food vendors, and 3,085 tourism volunteers. She added that the Bangladesh Tourism Board has formulated the ‘National Tourism Human Capital Development Strategy (2021–2030)’ to build a skilled workforce. Currently, about 51.9 lakh people are employed in the industry, a figure projected to rise to 72.8 lakh by 2030. Focusing on sustainable tourism, the minister said investment is being encouraged in eco-tourism and green infrastructure, particularly in Kuakata and coastal regions. Plans are also in place to expand community-based tourism to boost rural economies, she said. On women’s participation, she said initiatives are being taken to create a women-friendly environment in the hospitality sector and increase female workforce participation. Efforts are also underway to promote the festivals and handicrafts of small ethnic communities, she added. Regarding large-scale investment, the minister noted that private investment is being encouraged through the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) to establish an Exclusive Tourist Zone (ETZ) at Sabrang in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. Furthermore, projects on Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation land in Cox’s Bazar are being implemented via PPP.

Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid on Wednesday told parliament that a digital platform titled ‘Smart Agriculture Market’ will be developed to directly connect farmers, wholesalers, retailers, entrepreneurs, and consumers, ensuring transparency and fair pricing. The Agriculture Minister said this while replying to a starred tabled question from opposition lawmaker elected from Netrakona-5 Masum Mostafa. He said the government has undertaken a series of initiatives to modernise the agriculture sector, increase production, and ensure fair prices for farmers through the use of advanced technologies and market reforms. “High-value and high-yielding crop varieties are being developed to boost production through agricultural modernisation. At the same time, farmers are being supported to cultivate these crops efficiently,” he said. He said the government has introduced modern, data-driven precision agriculture to reduce production costs and increase farmers’ income. Technologies such as remote sensing, artificial intelligence, drones, and nanotechnology will be incorporated to transform agriculture into a smart, efficient, and sustainable sector, said the minister To ensure fair prices for agricultural produce alongside increased production, Amin Ur Rashid said the government has adopted several measures. The Minister said that on the first day of the Bengali New Year, Pahela Baishakh, the Prime Minister inaugurated the pre-piloting of the Farmer Card in 11 upazilas. “Among the ten services embedded in the card, one key benefit is enabling farmers to sell their produce at fair prices.” Under the Partner Project, he said one-stop service hubs will be established to provide agricultural inputs, advisory services, collection points, marketing facilities, and washing services. Additionally, 25-member Farmer Business Schools are being formed, bringing together farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, and traders to help ensure fair pricing through collective action, he added. The Minister also said that seed prices produced by contracted growers under Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) are being fixed in alignment with local market rates and production costs to guarantee fair returns to farmers.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday told Parliament that the government is committed to maintaining the law and order situation and has undertaken a series of comprehensive and coordinated measures to ensure it across the country. “The present democratic government remains firmly committed to maintaining law and order in the country and Bangladesh Police has undertaken plans to materialise the various goals of maintaining law and order and are implementing a range of operational strategies in line with government directives,” he said in response to a starred tabled question from independent lawmaker elected from Brahmanbaria-2 Rumeen Farhana.  “Based on intelligence inputs, regular and special drives are being conducted to recover illegal arms, explosives and narcotics, and legal actions are being taken accordingly,” he said. He added, “Checkposts have been set up at key points on roads and highways and both day and night patrols have been strengthened to prevent criminal activities.” Visible police patrols alongside enhanced intelligence surveillance are being carried out to prevent theft, robbery and mugging, he added.. “Community engagement has been strengthened through beat policing, community policing and open house day programmes to ensure public participation in maintaining law and order,” said the minister. The minister also said that modern technology is being increasingly used to combat crime. “Installation of CCTV cameras at important locations and the use of information technology are helping identify criminals and bring them to justice,” he said. He further informed the House that capacity building of police personnel is ongoing through modern training at home and abroad. The Case Data Management System (CDMS) is being used to store records of cases and crimes, which is assisting investigation processes,he added.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque on Monday told Parliament that the current government has taken a plan to build sports villages in 64 districts of the country. “The present government has a plan to build sports villages in 64 districts of the country as per its election manifesto. There will be arrangements for the development of cricket under this plan,” he said while replying to a starred question from ruling party lawmaker Mohammed Fakhrul Islam (Noakhali-5) in the House. Earlier, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, tabled the question-and-answer session at the outset of Monday’s sitting. The state minister also said the government has initiated the process of undertaking a project titled "Construction of an International Standard Sports Tourism Complex in Cox's Bazar District". Under this project, an international standard cricket stadium will be constructed in Cox's Bazar district, he said. Besides, a plan has been taken to build an international standard cricket stadium in Purbachal, Dhaka, said Aminul Haque.