Tarique Rahman's Government Marks 28 Days with 28 Key Initiatives
The government led by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has completed one month in office today. During this period, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has undertaken a range of initiatives to fulfill electoral commitments. These activities were presented by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Education, Overseas Employment and Information Technology, Mahdi Amin.
In a statement titled “28 Steps in 28 Days of the Prime Minister: An Unprecedented Work Drive,” posted on Tuesday (17 March) morning, Mahdi Amin highlighted various social, administrative, and economic initiatives, including free internet at airports and on moving trains, and the introduction of e-health cards.
He wrote, “Today is 17 March. Exactly one month ago, the BNP government was formed under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, elected by the people’s vote. In just 28 days, he has worked tirelessly at every moment of governance to fulfill electoral promises. These steps are not merely administrative actions but a clear reflection of accountability to the people.”
He added that the major steps taken within these 28 days have illuminated all spheres, including social protection, the economy, administration, education, healthcare, security, and national values.
Social Protection and Humanitarian Assistance
Under the Family Card programme, 37,567 families have been provided with cards, each offering a monthly assistance of Tk 2,500. The initiative was implemented within just 21 days. Monthly honorariums have been introduced for religious service providers, including imams and muezzins of 4,908 mosques, priests of 990 temples, heads of 144 Buddhist monasteries, and priests and pastors of 396 churches. Relief and Eid gifts, including sarees, three-piece outfits, and Haji towels, have been distributed among the underprivileged, along with Eid gifts for all sanitation workers.
A nationwide canal excavation programme covering 20,000 kilometers has been launched, already underway in 54 districts, aiming to improve irrigation, reduce waterlogging, and generate employment.
Administrative Reform and Governance
The Prime Minister has introduced a six-day workweek by working on Saturdays, with mandatory office attendance for officials by 9:00 am. VVIP protocols have been reduced, leading to notable improvements in traffic management and encouraging public compliance with traffic rules.
Formalities at airports have been minimized, limiting attendance to one senior minister, the Chief Whip, the Cabinet Secretary, and the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister. MPs’ special privileges, including duty-free cars and government plots, have been scrapped to reduce state expenditure and restore public trust.
Economy and Market Stability
Market monitoring measures have been strengthened to prevent price hikes during Ramadan and Eid. Spot LNG purchases have been made to ensure uninterrupted power supply amid global energy volatility.
Foreign investment processes have been eased by removing the requirement of prior central bank approval for repatriation of up to Tk 100 crore. Workers’ wages and Eid bonuses across industries have been ensured on time, with Tk 2,500 crore allocated to export-oriented sectors, including garments.
Efforts are underway to reopen sick and closed industrial enterprises under government ownership to boost employment. Lists of underutilized economic zones, EPZs, BSCIC areas, hi-tech parks, and industrial clusters have been prepared to foster local entrepreneurship and ecosystem development in collaboration with universities.
Education and Human Resource Development
Re-admission fees have been abolished, and admission lotteries replaced with modern entrance tests or interviews, alongside improved benefits for teachers. Financial support for higher education abroad includes a collateral-free bank guarantee of up to Tk 10 lakh.
A total of 9,000 religious teachers are being recruited to strengthen moral and religious values. Sports development initiatives include opening school fields for youth, launching “Notun Kuri” cultural, sports, and Quran recitation programmes, and recruiting 18 sports teachers per upazila (three each in six sports).
Health and Public Welfare
E-health cards have been introduced to expand healthcare access, alongside recruitment of 100,000 health workers, 80 percent of whom will be women. Weekly nationwide cleanliness drives have been launched to prevent dengue, coordinated by local administrations and communities.
Law and Order and Security
Authorities are taking swift action against extortion, prioritizing law and order. Measures have been introduced to ensure women’s safety, including the launch of women-operated “Pink Bus” services and efforts to prevent cyberbullying.
State Discipline and Values
State-sponsored iftar programmes have been limited to prevent waste, and energy-saving measures introduced in government offices, including reduced use of fans and air conditioners. Illegal shops have been evicted from Cox’s Bazar Sugandha Sea Beach after 20 years, as part of a nationwide initiative.
The government has declared 25 February as “National Martyred Army Day” and emphasized a transparent trial of the Pilkhana massacre. Initiatives have been taken to expedite the launch of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport through high-level meetings and multilateral discussions.
Additionally, directives have been issued to introduce free Wi-Fi at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Shah Amanat International Airport, and Osmani International Airport, with services already inaugurated at Saidpur Airport, as well as free internet on moving trains.
Mahdi Amin further stated that the steps taken in the first 28 days reflect Tarique Rahman’s strong leadership, tireless efforts, and accountability to the people. He said this journey embodies the hopes and aspirations of ordinary citizens and will prepare the new generation for the country’s future, adding, “Together we will work, build the nation—Bangladesh first.”
DBTech/MAR/MUM/OR
