[🇧🇩] New Government (BNP) in Bangladesh

[Saif]

Ministers’ vehicle fuel cut by 30pc, interest-free car loans for govt officials suspended

These decisions were taken at the cabinet meeting held yesterday, Thursday, according to a government press statement release issued today, Friday.

en.prothomalo.com

Ministers’ vehicle fuel cut by 30pc, interest-free car loans for govt officials suspended

Special Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 03 Apr 2026, 22: 32

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presides the cabinet meeting at the Cabinet Room of the Parliament Secretariat on 2 April 2026.Facebook/Prime Minister’s Office

As part of fuel conservation and government expenditure reduction, the Prime Minister, ministers, and state ministers will reduce by 30 per cent the monthly fuel allocated for their official vehicles.

Additionally, interest-free loans for government officials to purchase cars will remain suspended until further notice.

These decisions were taken at the cabinet meeting held on Thursday, according to a government press note issued today, Friday.

The press statement elaborated on various measures adopted at the meeting, based on a briefing by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani.

According to the press release, amid the current global situation, a target has been set to save around 3,100 megawatts of electricity daily through an integrated action plan of the Power Division to address the power and energy crisis.

In implementing this plan, emphasis has been placed on ensuring irrigation for agricultural land, production, storage, and proper distribution of fertiliser, and maintaining necessary fuel supply to the industrial sector to sustain production and growth.

The press statement also stated that all forms of decorative lighting across the country must be avoided for the next three months. To raise public awareness about energy-saving measures, including avoiding decorative lighting, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will undertake campaigns in print and electronic media. If necessary, mobile courts will be deployed in sufficient numbers.

Office hours and shopping malls

Government and private offices will operate from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Banks and financial institutions will remain open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, with banking services available from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Except for emergency services, all office buildings, shopping malls, and commercial establishments must close by 6:00 pm.

The press statement noted that the Ministry of Education will consult stakeholders and present a proposal at the next cabinet meeting regarding the implementation of energy-saving measures in educational institutions.

Quoting the Cabinet Secretary, the statement further said that to reduce fuel use and environmental pollution, the proposal to allow duty-free import of brand-new electric buses for registered educational institutions, and a total of 20 per cent duty for other cases, has been approved. It was also decided to gradually remove vehicles emitting black smoke and those that have exceeded their lifespan from the roads.

When asked about closing shopping malls at 6:00 pm, an official of the Cabinet Division told Prothom Alo that the relevant ministries will now implement the cabinet’s decision.

Other decisions

The press statement said all foreign training funded by the government will remain suspended. Domestic training expenses, excluding core training costs, must be reduced by 50 per cent. Hospitality expenses at meetings and seminars must be cut by 50 per cent, and seminar and conference expenses by 20 per cent.

In addition, travel expenses will be reduced by 30 per cent, purchases of vehicles, watercraft, aircraft, and computers in the public sector will be completely halted, and fuel use for government vehicles will be reduced by 30 per cent on a monthly basis. Fuel, electricity, and gas use in the government offices must also be reduced by 30 per cent.

Furthermore, it was decided to reduce expenditure on residential building beautification by 20 per cent, non-residential building beautification by 50 per cent, and land acquisition costs by 100 per cent.​

 

[Saif]

BNP govt being tested by turmoil

The BNP-led government is navigating multiple challenges in running the country and managing its own ranks, party leaders and political analysts said.

www.thedailystar.net

BNP govt being tested by turmoil

Ministers grapple with fuel crisis, measles, backlash over reforms

Sajjad Hossain

The BNP-led government is navigating multiple challenges in running the country and managing its own ranks, party leaders and political analysts said.

Since assuming office on February 17, the government has been dealing with multiple crises, including the fallout of the US-Israel war on Iran, a surge in measles cases, and opposition demands over the July charter.

The war, which broke out in late February, has severely strained fuel supplies. Long queues at filling stations and rising fuel import costs have compounded the crisis.

The rise in measles cases has also added pressure on the government. Cases have surged since January, as routine vaccination programmes, particularly for measles, were disrupted by vaccine shortages after the previous interim government failed to release funds on time, according to government sources.

Political analyst Mohammad Mojibur Rahman said the government is facing multifaceted pressure -- political, cultural, social, and economic -- but decisions are being taken in haste. “These things will create problems for the government,” he told The Daily Star.

Mojibur, also a professor at the Institute of Education and Research at Dhaka University, said the party needs committed and skilled people to make governance more effective, which in turn will help tackle the crises.

“There were many talented and qualified individuals the party could have used in different ministries and other areas,” he said, adding that it should have had a think tank to guide it on ongoing problems.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed insisted the government is doing its best to cope with the situation.

“Like many other countries, Bangladesh is facing challenges from the US-Israel war on Iran. Under the prime minister’s direction, we are moving forward. Prices have not increased yet, but depending on the situation ahead, decisions may be taken if needed,” he told The Daily Star.

Salahuddin, also a BNP Standing Committee member, said the government has already taken several steps to handle the situation, including austerity measures.

According to party insiders, the situation has been further complicated as some cabinet members are still adjusting to key ministries after a long absence from government.

“Some of our cabinet members are inexperienced, which makes it difficult to handle complex responsibilities and urgent national challenges,” said a senior party leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding that the number of experienced officials is also limited.

A minister and a state minister said separately that fulfilling the party’s election promises had become a challenge, but they insisted the promises would be kept.

The administration is also facing political pressure over the July charter and the handling of reforms and ordinances in parliament.

Apart from these external pressures, senior leaders say the party itself is facing organisational problems that require urgent attention. Since the national polls, grassroots activities have slowed in many districts due to a lack of coordination. The party needs to reorganise quickly for the local government elections, they added.

However, Salahuddin said preparations for local polls are already underway.

“Since the election, we have been busy with many issues. Step by step, we are focusing on reorganising the party and making it stronger,” he said.

“The party is also considering holding the BNP council this year. With many important issues ahead, including the budget session, decisions are being made after considering all aspects.”

Adding to internal pressure, the party has yet to finalise candidates for reserved seats for women in parliament. Party insiders acknowledged that BNP is also trying to control the activities of some members whose conduct has harmed party image.

Political analysts said the government’s ability to manage this phase depends not only on administrative performance but also on how the BNP strengthens its organisation from grassroots to national levels with capable people.

“BNP needs to give more attention to reorganising the party now,” said Al Masud Hasanuzzaman, former professor of government and politics at Jahangirnagar University.

“New faces are being seen in the government. The head of government probably thinks that by giving them responsibility, he can test their ability. In some cases, the results are satisfactory, but some are falling short of what is needed,” he added.​