United News of Bangladesh

Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid on Thursday told the Parliament that Bangladesh has around 2.18 crore acres of arable land, accounting for nearly 60 percent of the country's total area. “The total arable land area of Bangladesh is about 88,29,000 hectares (2.18 crore acres), which is about 59.7 percent of the total area of the country,” he said, while replying to a question from MP Khairul Kabir Khokan (Narsingdi-1). Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad tabled the question-and-answer session for Thursday, immediately after the day’s business started at 3:00pm. The agriculture minister said a huge amount of cultivable land is being lost every year due to unplanned urbanisation, housing and industrialisation in Bangladesh. To address this situation and ensure the country's food security, the government has recently taken several tough and significant steps, including the enactment of the Land Use Control and Agricultural Land Protection Act, 2026. Amin Ur Rashid said the government is providing quality seeds, irrigation facilities, and agricultural loans on easy terms to farmers to convert one-crop or two-crop lands into three-crop lands, so that farmers are motivated to cultivate their land instead of leasing or selling it for non-agricultural purposes.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Thursday clarified that MPs are not required to bow to the Chair when entering, leaving, taking or vacating their seats in the House, as the relevant provision was removed from the Rules of Procedure two decades ago. Delivering a ruling from the Chair, the Speaker said the issue was raised through points of order by lawmaker Mohammad Mujibur Rahman of Rajshahi-1 on June 16 and lawmaker Joynal Abdin Faruk of Noakhali-2 on June 17 regarding the practice of showing respect to the presiding officer by bowing. The Speaker said he had earlier informed the House that the matter would be examined and a decision communicated after reviewing the relevant rules and records. Referring to Rule 267(1) of the Rules of Procedure, he noted that the current provision states: “During a sitting of Parliament, a member shall show respect to the Chair when entering or leaving the House and when taking or vacating his or her seat.” He said the word “bowing” was removed from the rule through an amendment adopted in 2006. The Speaker explained that the Standing Committee on the Rules of Procedure of the Eighth Parliament submitted a report to the House on September 20, 2006. The report was considered and adopted by Parliament on September 26, 2006, and included the amendment to Rule 267(1). “Therefore, the word ‘bowing’ no longer exists in Rule 267(1) of our Rules of Procedure,” he said. The Speaker said the existing rule only requires members to show respect to the Chair and does not prescribe any specific form of salutation or gesture. “In accordance with their respective religious customs and practices, honourable members may show respect to the Speaker’s Chair or to the presiding officer,” he said.

Post and Telecommunication and ICT Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam on Sunday told Parliament that the government has continued expanding financial and institutional support for young scientists, researchers and innovation-driven activities across the country. Responding to a question of Selina Sultana (Women Seat-35), the minister said during the 2025-26 fiscal year, a total of 4,282 researchers received grants amounting to Tk 25.45 crore under the National Science and Technology (NST) Fellowship programme. The Ministry of Science and Technology has been providing NST fellowships to students and researchers pursuing MS, MPhil, PhD and postdoctoral studies in science and technology-related disciplines at universities, he said. The minister said the ministry is also encouraging science-based higher education and research through grants for Research and Development (R&D) projects aimed at developing new technologies and improving the quality of scientific research. In the current fiscal year, 358 scientists and researchers received Tk 3.97 crore in grants under the R&D programme, he added. The ministry has also provided Tk 30 lakh in grants to 30 science-based organisations and institutions during FY2025-26 to support scientific activities, development programmes, journal publications and the organisation of seminars, symposiums, workshops and exhibitions. Special research grants are being provided to teachers, researchers and young scientists from public and private universities, as well as researchers from various public and private organisations, to promote scientific research and technological innovation, he said. He said the government has undertaken a range of initiatives to encourage research and innovation among young scientists and facilitate the development and commercialisation of their projects. These include financial and technical support for innovative research through universities, research institutions and science-based organisations, as well as the organisation of science fairs, innovation exhibitions, seminars, workshops and training programmes. The minister said the National Institute of Biotechnology, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, is providing training, research facilities and access to laboratories for students, researchers and young scientists. He added that the institute regularly offers research training, internships, thesis support and access to modern biotechnology laboratories for undergraduate and postgraduate students, contributing significantly to the development of skilled researchers in the country. Highlighting support for research institutions, the minister said the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research approved 143 projects with allocations of Tk 6.62 crore in FY2024-25, while 94 projects received allocations amounting to Tk 6.19 crore in FY2025-26. He also informed the House that the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission awarded 15 special research grant projects to its scientists during FY2025-26 with a total budget allocation of Tk 80.75 lakh. Once implemented, these projects are expected to make significant contributions to agriculture, food production, healthcare, nuclear medicine, public health, and science and technology sectors, he said.

The first budget session of the 13th parliament started at 3:00pm on Sunday with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram in the chair. In the first day of the session, a condolence motion was adopted in the House, expressing grief at the death of 16 former ministers and MPs including Tofail Ahmed as well as noted educationist Prof Dilara Hafiz (the Speaker’s wife), eight-year-old Ramisa Akter, who was raped and murdered, and some other noted personalities. Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury will place the proposed national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year on June 11 (Thursday). It would be the first budget after BNP formed the government following the national election held on February 12, 2026. Earlier on May 07, President Mohammed Shahabuddin summoned the parliamentary session. The first session of the 13th Parliament ended on April 30. During that session, a total of 94 bills were passed after 25 working days.  

Parliament is set to go into the first budget session on Sunday after BNP formed the government following the national election held on February 12, 2026. The session, the second session of 13th parliament, will begin at 3pm in the Jatiya Sangsad. Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury is likely to place the proposed national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year on June 11 (Thursday). Earlier on May 07, President Mohammed Shahabuddin summoned the parliamentary session. The first session of the 13th Parliament ended on April 30. During that session, a total of 94 bills were passed after 25 working days.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Thursday underscored the importance of journalists as a bridge between Parliament and people, saying that lawmakers and media professionals must work together to move the country forward. The current Parliament carries enormous public expectations and must remain closely connected to people, he said while speaking at an exchange of views with members of the executive committee of the Bangladesh Parliament Journalists’ Association (BPJA) at his conference room in Parliament. Calling for responsible journalism, he said media professionals should “call white white and black black” and provide constructive criticism to help make Parliament more effective. The Speaker said the present Parliament was established through huge sacrifice and bloodshed and therefore bears a responsibility to fulfil the aspirations of  people. He said  the country’s institutions have deteriorated over the past two decades and stressed the need for people-oriented politics and a strong relationship between Parliament and citizens. “If this Parliament fails to meet public expectations, people will become disappointed,” he said, expressing hope that journalists would contribute to meeting those expectations through their professional work. Hafiz Uddin said damage done to journalism during the BAKSAL- era had never been fully overcome. He said many journalists had remained influenced by that legacy and argued that the country’s media now enjoys greater freedom. He criticised the previous Awami League government, alleging enforced disappearances, the establishment of secret detention facilities and widespread economic misappropriation during its tenure. He said the strength of ordinary citizens, students, youth and their families ultimately compelled the party to leave power. The Speaker stressed that national interests must remain paramount and welcomed what he described as a relatively constructive role by the opposition. “The opposition’s job is to criticise the government’s mistakes and shortcomings, and they are doing that. The government’s responsibility is to make Parliament effective. Both sides must work together to strengthen Parliament,” he said. During the meeting, BPJA leaders highlighted several difficulties encountered in parliamentary reporting, and the Speaker pledged to take steps to resolve those issues. The BPJA delegation was led by its President Harun Jamil and General Secretary Shawkat Ali Khan Litho. Among others present were Joint General Secretary Mizanur Rahman, Office Secretary Nazmul Islam (Tanim Ahmed), and executive committee members Mashiur Rahman, Monirul Islam and Habibur Rahman Panchayet. Officials of the Parliament Secretariat also attended the meeting.

The first meeting of the parliamentary committee on “Private Members’ Bills and Private Members’ Resolutions” was held at the Parliament House on Tuesday with committee chairman Md Shahjahan in the chair. Following an introductory session, the meeting was briefed on the activities of the committee relating to private members’ bills and resolutions. The members also held detailed discussions on the committee’s scope of work, private bills and various constitutional and procedural issues related to resolutions and proposals. During the meeting, emphasis was placed on making the committee’s activities more dynamic and effective. Committee members were advised to play an active role in encouraging lawmakers to raise private members’ bills on issues of public importance. The meeting also recommended that the Legislative Drafting Unit of the Parliament Secretariat extend necessary support to MPs in preparing drafts of private members’ bills. At the beginning of the meeting, prayers were offered seeking eternal peace for the souls of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and those who sacrificed their lives during the long anti-fascist movement. Officials concerned from the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat were present at the meeting. Committee members including Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman, Md Amanullah Aman, Md Abul Khayer Bhuiyan, Tahsina Rushdir, Muhammad Nowshad Zamir, Shahjahan Chowdhury and Md Nurul Islam attended the meeting.

Parliament will go into the Budget session on June 7, said a Parliament Secretariat press release on Thursday. President Mohammed Shahabuddin has summoned the second session of the 13th Parliament at 3pm on that day, which will also be the first budget session of the current parliament. According to the release, the President convened the session exercising the powers vested in him under Article 72(1) of the Constitution. Sources at the Parliament Secretariat said Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury is scheduled to place the proposed national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year on June 11 (Thursday) As it is a budget session, the sitting is expected to be a lengthy one. The duration of the session will be finalised at a meeting of the Parliamentary Business Advisory Committee before the House goes into session. The first session of the 13th Parliament ended on April 30. During that session, a total of 94 bills were passed after 25 working days. Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 that year, the budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year was presented by Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed of the interim government.  

BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday expressed hope that newly elected MPs from women’s reserved seats will play a meaningful role in the Jatiya Sangsad. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after paying tribute to BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at their graves at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, along with reserved seat MPs from the ruling party. They offered Fateha at the graves. Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni was also present. Fakhrul expressed optimism that the MPs will contribute to strengthening democratic institutions and making Parliament more effective. “We hope they will perform their responsibilities properly and play their due role in Parliament,” he added. Earlier, around 1:00pm, Fakhrul led the newly elected women MPs in placing wreaths at Ziaur Rahman’s grave. After paying tribute, newly elected MP Arifa Sultana Ruma said she is committed to working for women across the country, especially the poor, helpless and oppressed. A lawyer by profession, she said she aims to provide legal assistance and dedicate her life to the country. Arifa said she is inspired by the political ideals of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, which are now being carried forward by Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. She stressed that national progress is not possible without ensuring the inclusion and empowerment of women. The newly elected women MP also highlighted initiatives such as family cards to empower women at the household level, expressing hope that such measures will contribute to self-reliance at the family, social and national levels. Of the 50 reserved seats for women in Parliament, 36 are from the BNP alliance. The newly elected MPs took the oath on Sunday night at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, administered by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan, Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni and other whips were present at the oath-taking ceremony.

Parliament on Thursday witnessed an unusual and unprecedented debate after the passage of two key financial sector bills, despite no provision in the rules of procedure allowing discussion once a bill has been passed. The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (Amendment) Bill 2026 and the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill 2026 were passed in Parliament by a voice vote after Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury moved those. After the passage of the two bills, there was a debate between the treasury and opposition benches. Except for independent MP elected from Brahmanbaria-2 Rumeen Farhana, no one else had proposed sending the two bills to the public opinion or scrutiny committee. As a result, no member except Rumeen got the opportunity to discuss the bill. But several members of the opposition party raised their hands to discuss the bill. In her discussion, Rumeen Farhana said one of the pillars of the Bangladesh economy is the insurance sector. “If we discuss it honestly, the condition of the insurance sector is not very good.” In response, the Finance Minister said he completely agreed that the insurance industry in Bangladesh is going through a very difficult situation. “Many insurance companies have been born due to mismanagement, corruption and government patronage. Those who do not care about the law and regulations.” At this stage, several members of the opposition bench sought a chance to speak. Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal said there is no chance for speaking at this stage. However, he gave a chance to Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman. Shafiqur Rahman said they did not get the papers of the bills in due time, calling for suspending the bills. However, the Deputy Speaker said, according to the rules, the reports of the bills were given on Wednesday, and then he proceeded with the process of passing the bills and those were passed. Then National Citizen Party MP Akhter Hossen said two laws have just been passed, questioning the aim of the amendments. Referring to the lifting of age cap in the Securities and Exchange Commission Act and the Insurance Corporation Act, he said, "Is this being done keeping a person in mind or a policy in mind? Our idea is that if the age constraints of this law are lifted, keeping some special people in mind, like an appointment to the Bangladesh Bank, then it will create a contradiction from the place where the minister talked about skilled and qualified people. The law has been passed, but we are expressing our concerns here on behalf of the opposition party.” Akhter said when the BNP came to power in 2001, they increased the age limit of the Chief Justice from 65 to 67 to appoint the caretaker government chief adviser as per their own wishes. “After that, the nation had to endure a long suffering.” At this stage, the Speaker requested the Finance Minister to say if he had anything to say. At that time, Khosru said in almost every country in the world where the Securities Exchange Commission is operating successfully, there is no such obstacle. “If qualified and skilled people want to come here, you have to keep these in mind.” Then the opposition leader stood up again, saying qualified people need to be given space in the right place. “Morning shows the day. All the activities of the government in the basic areas like the Bangladesh Bank in the last two months have gone against the wishes of the people.” He referred to the appointment of the current central bank governor and the dismissal of the former one. “All the changes that have been made so far are not supported by the people and the democracy. We could not even keep the playing field open. We went there and got into trouble too.” Shafiqur Rahman said if everything is politicised and groups and families are given in particular areas, the country will not move forward. In response, the Finance Minister said there was no opportunity for such discussions after a bill was passed. He said every time the BNP has come to power, all the appointments made in the Bangladesh Bank and Securities Exchange Commission have been non-political. Khosru said the BB governor is not a member of any party. “The performance of the governor is better than the performance of any other governors.” He referred to the increase in the age limit of the BB governor in the past, saying the current opposition did not raise any objection at that time. The Finance Minister said the Prime Minister has already decided that no political figure will be given an appointment in the financial sector. Then Deputy Leader of the Opposition Syed Abdullah Md Taher said, "The Prime Minister has decided not to appoint party members to any financial institution. We are very happy if that is the case. I will thank him for that.” But, he said, the current BB governor has an identity. “That is, he was a member of the BNP election steering committee.” When the Speaker asked the Finance Minister to clarify the issue, he said supporting a party does not mean that the person is a party member. “And supporting a party in election activities does not mean being a party member. Surely many people from your party have helped with your election activities. Those who are not from your party."