State Minister for Religious Affairs Faridul Haque Khan on Sunday told Parliament that a total of 1981 people were sent to Saudi Arabia to perform the holy hajj at the government's cost since 2014.  He said this replying to a tabled question from Awami League lawmaker Didarul Alam after the day's sitting of the House started with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair in the afternoon. The state minister however said none was sent to hajj in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 pandemic. Also Read: Biman to use own aircraft for Hajj flights this year In 2014, the government started a programme to send a certain number of Muslims to Saudi Arabia for performing hajj at lowest package price, he said  Among 1918 who performed hajj at government cost, 125 people were sent in 2014, 268 in 2015, 283 in 2016, 334 in 2017, 340 in 2018, 314 in 2019 and 254 in 2022.    

Dr Shamsul Alam, a member of Planning Commission’s General Economy Division (senior secretary), will take oath as State Minister for Planning on Sunday. Contacted, Dr Shamsul Alam told UNB that he was asked to be present at 7:30 PM  at Bangabhaban on Sunday. Read:Rupganj factory: Legal action against owner if negligence found, warns State Minister Asked whether he is going to take oath as state minister he said, “A summary in this regard was sent to the Prime Minister from the Cabinet Division yesterday, and she signed it. So far, I know it.” Sources at the Cabinet Division said he is likely to be state minister for planning under technocrat quota.