The newly formed government led by Tarique Rahman has instructed Cabinet members to prepare a draft 180-day special action plan to implement commitments made ahead of the national elections.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed all ministries to promptly submit detailed outlines to the Prime Minister's Office, specifying their responsibilities and planned initiatives under this action plan.
Addressing the first cabinet meeting on Wednesday, he emphasized that the government has received a clear mandate from the people based on its election manifesto and is committed to ensuring that the will and expectations of the public are fully upheld.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, several ministers, including Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Information Minister Jahir Uddin Swapan, shared key priorities.
Salahuddin Ahmed said, "The government's main priorities include controlling commodity prices, improving law and order, keeping the supply chain running, and monitoring gas and electricity to prevent any energy crisis."
He added, "While governments usually adopt a 100-day plan, our government has extended this to 180 days. Details will be announced soon." He further stressed that all secretaries and officials will act according to institutional codes, national laws, and business principles, and merit will guide personnel decisions, not political affiliation.
Information Minister Jahir Uddin Swapan noted that keeping commodity prices under control during Ramadan is a top priority, along with maintaining law and order and ensuring uninterrupted power supply so that citizens face no hardship during Iftar and Tarawih. He added that concerned ministers would submit their action plans to the Prime Minister within days.
Swapan also mentioned that the Prime Minister had announced a 31-point action plan to repair the state, which involved all democratic political parties. This will guide the government's 180-day program.
State Minister for Finance and Planning Junayed Saki said the Prime Minister instructed ministries to take necessary measures to provide relief to the people in commodity prices, law and order, and power and energy, particularly with Ramadan starting tomorrow.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam stated that ministries were directed to work in line with BNP's promises to the public, while Md Nurul Haque Nur of the Ministry of Labour and Employment emphasized working transparently and expanding the labor market abroad.
Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Jahedur Rahman said the Prime Minister instructed control of prices during Ramadan and smooth homecoming arrangements for Eid. He clarified that advisers were present as observers and the meeting was not a formal cabinet meeting.
Senior Secretary of the Land Ministry ASM Saleh Ahmed urged secretaries to utilize their expertise professionally to fulfill the manifesto and cooperate fully with the government. Another secretary added that, in addition to the 180-day plan, the administration should actively provide relief during Ramadan and prepare for the rapid introduction of family cards.
Tarique Rahman officially assumed office at the Secretariat for the first time through this cabinet meeting. The new cabinet, sworn in on Tuesday, includes 25 ministers, 24 state ministers, and 10 advisers with ministerial rank. On his first day, the Prime Minister and cabinet members paid tribute at the National Memorial in Savar before proceeding to the Secretariat.
