The government plans to introduce monthly honorariums and festival allowances for religious leaders ahead of Eid, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin said today, describing the move as part of the ruling party’s election commitments.

Speaking to reporters outside the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka's Tejgaon this afternoon, he said the payments would be provided to mosque imams, muezzins, khatibs and other religious figures.

He added that the amount has not yet been finalised and a committee has been formed to determine the figure.

The scheme will be launched on a pilot basis in selected areas before Eid-ul-Fitr, with plans for a gradual nationwide roll-out, he said.

Mahdi further mentioned that the allowances were one of BNP’s key pledges ahead of the election and that the government has decided to begin implementation soon after taking office.

Separately, the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Abu Abdullah M Saleh said it was the third working day in office for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and that several directives has been issued to implement the party’s campaign promises.