First day at work: Ministers prioritise three key tasks
These include ending mob culture, stabilising the law and order situation, controlling commodity prices, improving the power and energy sectors, building a democratic economy, preventing bribery and corruption, and ensuring better standards in health and education.
On their very first day in office under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, members of the new cabinet outlined a range of plans aimed at transforming the country.
These include ending mob culture, stabilising the law and order situation, controlling commodity prices, improving the power and energy sectors, building a democratic economy, preventing bribery and corruption, and ensuring better standards in health and education.
Although implementing these plans will require time, the new cabinet has pledged to execute a 180-day action plan focused on controlling prices, improving electricity and energy supplies, and restoring normalcy in law and order.
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This morning (18 February), after laying wreaths at the National Memorial and at the graves of martyred president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his ministers began entering the Secretariat after noon. They were welcomed with bouquets by secretaries and senior officials of their respective ministries.
Ministers shared both their personal and government agendas with journalists. Some also spoke to reporters again after the cabinet meeting at 3pm while returning to their offices.
Analysts say the government's top three priorities are timely.
Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), views the ministers' initial plans and remarks positively. "If the government succeeds in reducing prices, improving power and energy supplies, and strengthening law and order, many other crises will also ease," she said.
"If the ministers can implement the plans they mentioned — such as reducing commodity prices, stopping re-admission fees for students promoted to the next class, postponing LDC graduation, implementing a pay commission, abolishing the FID to restore transparency in the banking sector, and ending mob incidents — people will be extremely happy. This would bring about a fundamental transformation in the country," she said.
Responding to journalists at the Secretariat, BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, along with BNP Standing Committee member and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, issued a stern warning that mob incidents would no longer be tolerated under any circumstances. They also emphasised the importance of improving the law and order situation.
Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir pledged not to deliver mere "sound bites" while working to prevent market syndicates and stabilise the market, saying instead that he would demonstrate results through action.
He stated that the government would take effective measures to monitor the market and control supply. According to him, the current stock of goods and those in the pipeline are sufficient to keep the market stable during Ramadan and afterward. There is no reason for concern.
The new Finance Minister, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, spoke of ending patronage-based economics and establishing a democratic economic system. He also mentioned plans for deregulation to reduce legal complexities in order to improve the investment and business climate, as well as measures to increase revenue collection.
Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said efforts would be made to reduce suffering in the judiciary. Advising that judges whose salaries are insufficient should consider leaving their posts, the former top state law officer signalled a firm stance on establishing the rule of law.
Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque announced that from now on, no new admission fees may be charged from students promoted to the next class. He said the education sector needs not only a "high jump" but "more and more jumps."
Sitting beside Oxford graduate State Minister Bobby Hajjaj, he added that instead of repeatedly changing the curriculum as in the past, it would be reviewed to ensure world-class education.
New Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain Bokul declared plans to build a corruption-free health ministry. He said no syndicates would be allowed to operate in the ministry, no corruption would be tolerated, and no work would be done under pressure. "We will work for the welfare of the people," he said.
He also warned that doctors cannot report to a 9am office at noon. Within one month, initiatives will be taken to ensure that physicians are present at their workplaces at the designated time.
