The BNP government has been on a “relentless journey” to consolidate democratic values, ensure good governance and fulfil its election pledges during its first 180 days in office, PM’s Adviser and Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said today.
“The government’s 180-day journey is a direct reflection of accountability, transparency and responsibility to the people,” he said while exchanging views with journalists at the International Conference Centre “Shapla” at the PMO to mark the government’s first 180 days.
He said the government’s journey, guided by the principle of “Bangladesh First”, has focused on people’s welfare as it works to build a prosperous, self-reliant and welfare-oriented country.
The government, formed through the continuation of the anti-discrimination movement and a 15-year-long struggle against fascism, received unprecedented public support, he said.
During the programme Mahdi presented statistics on the government’s activities and achievements over the past 180 days, as well as its future plans.
Outlining initiatives taken to implement the government’s election manifesto and welfare programmes, he said implementation began immediately after the election in line with the manifesto, the 19-point programme of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia’s Vision 2030, the BNP’s 27-point programme and the joint movement’s 31-point programme.
At its first cabinet meeting, the government waived loans, including interest, of up to Tk10,000 for 1.3 million farming families, he said.
The government also introduced the "Farmers Card” and “Family Card” for women, while initiatives for a “Probashi Card”, honorariums for imams, muezzins and religious leaders of other faiths, as well as nationwide canal excavation and tree plantation programmes, had been revived.
Referring to measures taken during Ramadan and Eid, Mahdi said the government had worked to prevent artificial syndicates and keep commodity prices under control while ensuring workers’ salaries and bonuses.
He said Tk 2,000 crore had recently been released to clear outstanding dues of retired MPO-listed teachers.
A record number of ordinances had been converted into laws in parliament and a revised anti-terrorism ordinance had been used to ban a “fascist political organisation”, he added.
The government had also introduced new subjects into the education curriculum, provided free education for girls up to graduation, launched mid-day meals in primary schools and taken initiatives to provide free Wi-Fi facilities and opportunities for students to attend parliament, besides organising sports and innovation competitions, he said.
Mahdi said initiatives had also been taken to introduce 200 electric buses in Dhaka and an AI-based traffic management system.
Highlighting the government’s tough stance on law and order, the PMO spokesperson said steps had been taken to establish a police force and administration free from political harassment.
He also said the United States had relaxed its travel advisory for Bangladesh to Level 2 and that visible progress had been made in several widely discussed cases, while legal procedures concerning the repatriation of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina were continuing.
On the energy crisis, Mahdi said the government had been holding discussions with leading companies from Malaysia, China and the United States to find solutions.
The programme was moderated by Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly. PM’s Political Adviser Nazrul Islam Khan, Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon also spoke.
Ministers and advisers responded to questions from journalists on various issues.
State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yaser Khan Chowdhury, Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health SM Ziauddin Haider, Special Assistant on Environment, Forest and Climate Affairs Saimum Parvez and Chief Coordinator at the Prime Minister’s Office Prof SM Abdul Awal, among others, attended the programme.
