United News of Bangladesh

The government on Monday formed a five-member committee to recommend suitable candidates for appointment as commissioners of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The Cabinet Division issued a notification in this regard on Monday. The committee will be headed by Justice Md. Rezaul Haque of the Appellate Division. ACC begins process to bring back Benazir Ahmed from UAE  According to the notification, the committee has been constituted under Section 7 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004 with the objective of recommending qualified individuals for appointment as ACC commissioners. The other committee members are Justice Razik Al Jalil, the Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh, the Chairman of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC), and the Cabinet Secretary. The search committee will recommend two candidates against each of the three vacant commissioner posts. The President will subsequently appoint the commissioners. The Cabinet Division will provide the necessary secretarial support to the committee. On March 3, ACC Chairman Dr. Mohammad Abdul Momen and Commissioners Mia Muhammad Ali Akbar Azizi and Brigadier General (Retd.) Hafiz Ahsan Farid simultaneously submitted their resignation letters, creating the current vacancies in the commission.

The process to bring back former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, who was arrested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is progressing rapidly, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said. He made the remarks while briefing reporters after awarding 15 police members with certificates, financial rewards and special recognition for their dedication, bravery and public service in four separate incidents at the Home Ministry conference room at Bangladesh Secretariat on Saturday. Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry Monzur Morshed Chowdhury, Inspector General of Police Ali Hossain Fakir and senior officials of the ministry and police were present at the event. The minister said UAE Federal Police arrested Benazir Ahmed based on an Interpol Red Notice and the UAE authorities had given 30 days to submit necessary documents for the next legal process. However, the Home Ministry prepared, translated and sent 144 pages of required documents through diplomatic channels to the UAE government within only three days. He said Abu Dhabi’s Federal National Central Bureau informed Bangladesh’s NCB through email on June 12 that the accused had been arrested following Bangladesh’s request based on the Red Notice. The minister also described the four incidents for which 15 police personnel were honoured, including Traffic Constable Mohammad Kamruzzaman, who received recognition for clearing plastic waste from a drainage outlet at Kuril Bishwa Road flyover during heavy rain to reduce public suffering. He said the Home Ministry has introduced a “punishment and reward” policy under which sincere and honest police members are rewarded while those involved in negligence, inactivity or corruption face departmental action. Regarding crime-prone areas in Dhaka, including Mohammadpur, the minister said such areas cannot be made crime-free overnight, but the ministry has prepared specific plans that will be implemented gradually to eliminate criminal activities. The four award-winning incidents included exemplary traffic police service to reduce public suffering, arrest of armed muggers in Adabor, solving the sensational mother-daughter murder case in Anwara, and bringing suspects in a robbery and gang rape case in Chakaria to justice. The honoured police members included officers and constables from different units for their outstanding contributions in these cases.

The government is working relentlessly to ensure safe and pure drinking water for every citizen in urban and municipal areas as part of its ongoing development agenda, Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku said today. Various infrastructural development projects are being implemented across the country in line with the development programs announced by the Prime Minister to improve people’s living standards, the State Minister said. Tuku was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of a 680-cubic-meter capacity overhead water tank near the Eidgah field in Ward No. 6 of Tangail Municipality. The project is being implemented by the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) under the Water Supply System Expansion and Development Project. The State Minister said that the construction of the overhead water tanks in Ward No. 6 and the Ashekpur Bypass area will significantly improve public health by providing local residents with seamless access to safe drinking water. Such initiatives will further accelerate the pace of local development, he added. Prior to the event, Sultan Salauddin Tuku laid the foundation stone for another overhead water tank in the Ashekpur Bypass area to guarantee pure water supply for the town’s residents. Sanjay Kumar Mohanta, Additional District Magistrate (General) and Administrator of Tangail Municipality; Mahmudul Haque Sanu, former member secretary of district BNP; local public representatives, municipal officials, and political leaders were present at the event, among others.

The Cabinet on Thursday approved in principle and gave final approval to four draft laws aimed at updating Bangladesh’s legal framework on gambling, narcotics control, public examination offences and higher education. The approval came at the 10th meeting of the Cabinet held at the Cabinet Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair. The Cabinet gave approval in principle to the draft Gambling Prevention Act, 2026. The proposed law seeks to replace and modernise the Public Gambling Act, 1867 in the wake of the rapid expansion of online and offline gambling facilitated by advanced technology. The new law aims to maintain public order, reduce crime, prevent social, economic and psychological harm, and establish a modern legal framework to regulate gambling activities while safeguarding the country's moral and economic stability. The draft introduces definitions for various gambling-related terms, including gambling, gambling premises, gambling equipment, digital assets, digital gambling platforms, digital wallets, totalisators, online and remote gambling, betting, bookmakers, and match-fixing or spot-fixing. It also proposes different categories of punishment, including fines, imprisonment or both, depending on the nature and severity of the offence. The Cabinet also gave the final approval to the draft Public Examinations (Offences) (Amendment) Act, 2026. The amendment updates the Public Examinations (Offences) Act, 1980 to address examination-related crimes committed using digital technology. Under the amended law, hacking or illegally altering public examination results or merit lists has been recognised as a new offence under the category of "Digital Manipulation." The offence will carry a maximum punishment of five-year imprisonment along with a fine. The amendment also includes stricter penalties and fines for organised examination fraud and criminal syndicates involved in such offences. The Cabinet further approved in principle the draft Bogura University Act, 2026. The proposed law replaces the Bogura Science and Technology University Act, 2001, on which a gazette was published on July 15, 2001, but never became operational. The government has decided to transform the planned specialised science and technology university into a fully-fledged public university offering education and research in science, life sciences, engineering, technology, arts, social sciences, business administration, law, agriculture, medical sciences and other emerging fields to produce skilled human resources. The Cabinet also approved the draft Narcotics Control (Amendment) Act, 2026. The amendment seeks to strengthen the existing Narcotics Control Act, 2018 (amended in 2020) in response to changing patterns of drug trafficking, technology-based narcotics crimes and challenges faced during judicial proceedings. The proposed amendment provides for the establishment of Narcotics Crime Suppression Tribunals to strengthen judicial proceedings in drug-related cases. It also introduces new provisions to tackle cyber-enabled narcotics offences, particularly those committed through cyberspace. The draft includes measures to enhance coordination among agencies in preventing drug smuggling in border areas and conducting joint operations. In addition, it proposes the formation of specialised dog squads to improve the detection and identification of narcotic substances.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday approved five development projects involving an estimated cost of Tk 7,003.36 crore. Of the total project cost, Tk 4,536.10 crore will come from the government’s own funds, while Tk 2,467.26 crore will be financed through project loans. Pre-budget ECNEC meeting discusses development projects, proposals The approval came at an ECNEC meeting chaired by Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Among the approved projects, three are new and two are revised. The approved projects include the “Supporting Infrastructure Project for Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone” under the Prime Minister’s Office. The Ministry of Water Resources secured approval for three projects: rehabilitation (first phase) of Muhuri-Kahua Flood Control, Drainage and Irrigation Project in Feni district; Karatoa River System Development Project; and project(first revised) for protecting Talbaria area in Mirpur upazila and Komarkandi area in Shilaidaha Union of Kumarkhali upazila in Kushtia district from erosion by the Padma River. The fifth project, titled “Establishment of One Technical School and College in Each of 100 Upazilas (Third Revised)” under the Ministry of Education was also approved . The meeting was also informed about four projects costing less than Tk 50 crore each that had already been approved by the Planning Minister under delegated authority. These projects are: construction of an airmen’s barrack complex at Bangladesh Air Force Base Cox’s Bazar; establishment of Navy School and College, Savar; construction of physical infrastructure to improve educational standards and teaching capacity at the existing BAF Shaheen College in Bangladesh Air Force Station Shamshernagar; and the fourth phase of the Pagoda-based pre-primary and Tripitaka education programme. Officials said the approved projects are expected to strengthen infrastructure, improve flood control and river management, expand technical education facilities and support industrial investment in the country.

The government has approved the establishment of Narsingdi Medical College, paving the way for expanding medical education and healthcare services in the district. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued a notification in this regard on Sunday. Currently, academic activities are being conducted at 37 government medical colleges across the country. Medical colleges in Narayanganj, Munshiganj and Thakurgaon have already received government approval.

The BNP government is likely to propose a new legal provision requiring individuals to disclose previously undeclared investments or property transactions and pay applicable taxes, along with a 20 percent penalty on the undisclosed amount, as part of efforts to strengthen tax compliance. The proposal will be placed in Parliament on Thursday by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in his budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year aiming to advance Bangladesh’s transition towards a more investment-driven and “trillion-dollar economy” through higher growth targets, regulatory reforms and expanded fiscal measures.  Bangladesh needs people-centric budget with stronger tax system, say speakers at NCP discussion The total outlay of the budget is likely to be set at Tk 9.38 lakh crore, the largest national budget in the country’s history. This will be the first budget of the BNP government this time following a landslide victory in the parliamentary election held on February 12 this year. According to Finance Division officials, the budget is being prepared under the broad theme of “Economic Democratisation and Deregulation: Bangladesh’s Journey Towards a Trillion-Dollar Economy.” The special proposal has been incorporated into a new section titled “Disclosure of Undeclared Investment” under the Income Tax framework. According to the draft provision, no individual will be questioned by any authority regarding the source of funds used for previously undisclosed investments or property purchases, provided they voluntarily disclose the investment and pay the required taxes. It covers transactions involving the purchase or sale of land, buildings or apartments where the actual transaction value exceeds the value stated in official documents. In the case of property purchases, if the actual purchase price is higher than the declared deed value, the taxpayer will be allowed to legalise the undisclosed additional amount by paying income tax under existing rules. Similarly, where the actual sale price of land, buildings or apartments exceeds the amount recorded in documents, the seller will be required to pay income tax on the undeclared portion of the proceeds. However, the draft law stipulates that taxpayers availing themselves of the disclosure facility must also pay an additional tax equal to 20 percent of the undisclosed excess purchase or sale amount. The undisclosed income regularised under the provision must be reported in the taxpayer’s income tax return under the schedule relating to “sources of funds and accumulated assets.” The proposed facility will not apply if the taxpayer is already facing legal proceedings or investigations in Bangladesh or abroad over a predicate offence, including money laundering or other criminal activities linked to the undisclosed assets. The measure is part of the government’s broader efforts to bring untaxed wealth into the formal economy while maintaining safeguards against the legalisation of proceeds derived from criminal activities.

Post, Telecommunications and ICT Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam on Tuesday said there are plans to establish franchise post offices and post pick-up points through entrepreneurs under the supervision of the Postal Department. “The process of selecting suitable locations for these facilities is currently underway,” he said while responding to a written starred question of Jamaat MP M Mahbubur Rahman (Belal) elected from Rangpur-3. The Minister said that government has undertaken a range of initiatives to modernise and expand postal services for citizens across the country. He said several citizen-centric services are already being delivered through the postal network, including home delivery of land documents, bulk delivery of passports and home delivery of driving licences. To meet growing customer demand, Bangladesh Post Office is also processing plans to introduce cash-on-delivery services for e-commerce products, he added. Under the traffic management activities of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, video-based traffic violation notices and other traffic-related notifications are being sent to recipients through postal services, the minister informed the House. To support the country’s expanding e-commerce and f-commerce sectors, 14 fulfilment centres have been established in different parts of the country. These centres will facilitate product collection, storage, processing, booking, sorting, transportation and distribution activities. The minister said efforts are also underway to expand real-time online tracking and tracing facilities through the Domestic Mail Monitoring System (DMS) software. He noted that Bangladesh Post Office  continues to provide the country’s lowest-cost postal and parcel delivery services and offers affordable international parcel delivery through its Express Mail Service (EMS). In addition, seasonal fruits from major fruit-producing regions are being transported safely and quickly at minimal cost through services issued by post offices, he said. He expressed hope that once the ongoing initiatives are fully implemented, postal services will become more efficient, accessible and beneficial for the public.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday told parliament that the government has been implementing a range of refinance schemes to promote youth entrepreneurship and tackle unemployment through soft-term and low-interest financing. Responding to a starred question from ruling party lawmaker Mohammad Abdul Malek (Sylhet-3) during the question-answer session, the minister said there is currently no interest-free loan scheme for young entrepreneurs operated by Bangladesh Bank. Khosru said Bangladesh Bank has expanded its Cottage, Micro and Small Enterprise (CMSE) New Entrepreneurs Refinance Scheme from Tk 100 crore to Tk 500 crore using its own funds. Under the scheme, new entrepreneurs can obtain loans of up to Tk 10 lakh without collateral at a maximum interest rate of 7 percent, while loans of up to Tk 35 lakh are available with collateral. To further support startups, a Tk 500 crore Start-up Fund has been introduced, allowing entrepreneurs to access loans at a reduced interest rate of 4 percent, he said. The minister also noted that Bangladesh Bank in partnership with 39 scheduled banks has established the Bangladesh Start-up Investment Company PLC to provide equity financing support to startup ventures. Highlighting skills development initiatives, Khosru said aspiring entrepreneurs are receiving month-long entrepreneurship development training under the Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program (SICIP), implemented by Bangladesh Bank’s PIU-SICIP. “Through this programme, aspiring entrepreneurs receive 100-hour entrepreneurship development training in different districts,” he said. The training is provided free of charge, and participants who successfully complete the course receive a stipend of Tk 5,000. Graduates are also given priority in accessing loan facilities. Replying to a supplementary question from lawmaker Md. Mahbubul Alam(Kurigram-2), the finance minister said educated unemployment remains a major national challenge. He observed that a large proportion of unemployed young people in Bangladesh come from the general education stream rather than technical or vocational backgrounds. The government is therefore prioritising skills development programmes and expanding vocational education nationwide, he said. Under the initiative, training institutions are being strengthened to provide job-oriented education, while certification systems are being developed to enhance employment opportunities both at home and abroad. Khosru said the government’s focus is not only on training but also on ensuring employability through practical skills development, enabling young people to secure jobs in domestic and international markets.

Two days before the placement of the national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) was held on Tuesday. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired the meeting, which began at 10:00am at the Public Administration Conference Room of the Cabinet Division at Secretariat and concluded at 1:15pm, said Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Power and Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, Agriculture Minister Aminur Rashid Yasin, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman, Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon, and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, among others, attended the meeting. State ministers, advisers and secretaries of different ministries were also present. Senior officials from the relevant ministries and agencies placed and discussed various development project proposals at the meeting. The national budget for FY2026-27 is scheduled to be placed in Parliament on June 11 by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. Earlier, on May 18, the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, approved an Annual Development Programme (ADP) involving an outlay of Tk 308,924.83 crore for the next fiscal year. Before that, on May 12, ECNEC approved nine major projects, including the Padma Barrage Project involving an expenditure of more than Tk 33,000 crore.