PM's 28 initiatives in 28 days

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's advisor Mahdi Amin has described the '28 initiatives PM took in 28 days' after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won the 13th parliamentary election with an absolute majority and formed the government; as an 'unprecedented campaign'.

On Tuesday (March 17) morning, he highlighted the Prime Minister's 28 steps in a status on his Facebook.

Mahdi Amin said, today is March 17. Exactly a month ago, BNP formed the government under the leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who was elected by the people's vote. In just 28 days, he has worked tirelessly to fulfill his election promises at every moment of running the state. These steps were not just administrative activities but a clear reflection of the Prime Minister's commitment to the people.

In the status, Mahdi Amin highlighted the steps taken by the government in the 28 days and said that these steps have illuminated every aspect of social security, economy, administration, education, health, security, and state values.

The Prime Minister's 28 steps in 28 days, written in Mahdi Amin's Facebook status, are summarized below.

Social protection and humanitarian assistance

1. Family Card Program - As part of the implementation of the main promise of the election manifesto, the government has provided family cards to 37,567 families, with a monthly assistance of Tk 2,500 per card. The implementation of such a big promise in just 21 days is an example of the government's humanitarian priority.

2. Honorarium to Imams, Muazzins and Religious Servants - 4,908 Imams-Muazzins of mosques, 990 priests of temples, 144 abbots of Buddhist monasteries and 396 pastors and pastors of churches are receiving monthly honorarium.

3. Distribution of relief and gifts on Eid - Sarees, three-pieces and Haji Rumals have been allocated to the helpless and poor people of the constituency. These have also been given as Eid gifts to all sanitation workers.

4. Institutional Zakat System - Initiative to introduce an institutional Zakat system in the context of discussions with scholars and shaykhs to reach the poor and support welfare activities.

Agriculture and Rural Economy

5. Farmer Card and Agricultural Loan Waiver - Activities will begin soon by providing the much-awaited Farmer Card to about 27,000 farmers, loan waiver of up to a maximum of Tk 10,000 for about 1.2 million small and marginal farmers, and assistance in new farming ventures.

6. Nationwide canal digging program - 20,000 kilometers of canals and reservoirs dug, already started in 54 districts. Irrigation will improve, waterlogging will reduce, and employment will increase.

Administrative Reform and Good Governance

7. Weekly office and office hours - The Prime Minister is also in office on Saturdays; officials are required to be present by 9 am.

8. Reduction of VVIP protocol - The Prime Minister's very simple movements have led to unprecedented changes in the traffic system, and the public is also encouraged to obey traffic laws.

9. Limited formalities at the airport—a senior minister, the Chief Whip, the Cabinet Secretary, and the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister will be present.

10. Cancellation of special benefits for MPs - A historic decision not to accept duty-free cars and government plots, which will reduce state expenditure and restore public confidence.

Economy and market stability

11. Market monitoring and energy stability - Prevent price increases during Ramadan and Eid, purchase spot LNG to keep power supply running even amid global energy instability.

12. Facilitation of foreign investment - Removal of the requirement of prior approval from the Central Bank for repatriation of foreign investment up to Tk 100 crore.

13. Ensuring salaries and bonuses of workers - Timely payment of outstanding salaries and Eid bonuses of workers of all industries. Tk 2,500 crore allocated for export-oriented industries including garments.

14. Reopening of sick and closed industrial establishments - Increase employment by gradually reopening closed government-owned factories and industrial establishments.

15. Increase local entrepreneurship and employment - Prepare a list of underutilized economic zones, EPZs, BSCIC areas, hi-tech parks and industry clusters and start creating an ecosystem with potential businesses and local universities there.

Education and Human Resource Development

16. Cancellation of re-admission fee and cancellation of lottery - Cancellation of re-admission fee every year; decision to replace lottery with modern admission test or interview, increase facilities for teachers.

17. Assistance for higher education abroad - State financial assistance with a maximum of 1 million taka, unsecured bank guarantee.

18. Recruitment of religious teachers - Recruitment of 9,000 teachers, strengthening moral and religious values.

19. Sports development and new bud program - Educational institution grounds are open to children and adolescents; new bud culture, sports and Quran recitation initiative; Recruitment of a total of 18 sports teachers, 3 in each of 6 sports at the upazila level has begun.

Health and Public Welfare

20. E-Health Card and Medical Centers - E-Health Card launched to provide healthcare; Recruitment of 1 lakh health workers started, 80% of whom will be women.

21. Dengue Prevention Campaign - Weekly national cleanliness campaign; activities in coordination with local administration and community.

Law and order and security

22. Measures against extortion - Intelligence and law enforcement agencies are taking swift action, maintaining law and order is the top priority.

23. Women's safety and pink buses - Instructions to launch pink buses operated entirely by women; prevention of cyberbullying.

State discipline and values

24. Limiting state iftars and saving electricity - Half the fans and ACs in government offices; Iftars are limited to prevent waste.

25. Eviction of illegal shops - Eviction of illegal shops at Sugandha Sea Beach, Cox's Bazar after 20 years and a coordinated initiative across the country.

26. Martyr's Day - In addition to declaring and observing 'National Martyr's Day' on February 25, emphasis was placed on a transparent trial of the Peelkhana massacre.

27. Third Terminal of Dhaka's Shahjalal Airport - Initiative to quickly launch the third terminal through high-level meetings and multilateral discussions and work strategies.

28. Free internet at airports and moving trains - Free WiFi system like developed countries has been ordered at Shahjalal, Shah Amanat and MAG Osmani airports in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet and inaugurated at Syedpur airport.

At the end of his Facebook status, Mahdi Amin said, the steps taken in the first 28 days of the formation of the government are a reflection of Tarique Rahman's strong leadership, tireless work and commitment to the people. In this way, his leadership is capturing the hopes and feelings of the common people, implementing dreams and aspirations. This unprecedented journey will prepare the new generation for the future of the country, InshaAllah. That is why he (the Prime Minister) said, 'We will all work together, build the country, Bangladesh first.'

Meanwhile, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, urged the countrymen to have faith in the government and said, "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, we are working for the welfare of the people with utmost sincerity from our respective positions in running the country. Therefore, you should have faith in the BNP government."

When asked about the steps taken by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the last 28 days, State Minister Tuku told this reporter that the government will definitely implement every promise made by BNP to the people in the election manifesto in phases. To ensure that these programs are carried out properly and without any kind of corruption, irregularities and abuse of power, the government is playing a very generous and positive role in the freedom of the press, which is known as the conscience of the nation.

The government will not accept any kind of interference in this regard. Journalists will be able to perform their professional duties completely independently and impartially, he added.

The State Minister stressed on responsible journalism and said that the constructive and positive role of the media is very important in the development of the country, upholding democratic values ​​and maintaining social order.

He also expressed hope that journalists will play a leading role in nation-building by presenting objective and information-based news.

Highlighting the government's various development initiatives, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku said that work is underway relentlessly to implement the promises made by the Prime Minister to ensure the overall welfare of the people.

It is worth mentioning that Mahdi Amin is an influential politician of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). He is the education and research advisor to the BNP chairman. He also served as the spokesperson of the BNP's central election management committee in the recently concluded 13th national parliamentary election.

Recently, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman appointed Mahdi Amin as an advisor in the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, and Ministry of Labor and Employment with the rank of State Minister.

On the other hand, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) formed the government after winning an absolute majority in the 13th National Parliament election. In a big surprise in Tarique Rahman's new cabinet, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, BNP's central publicity secretary, was elected as a member of parliament from Tangail-5 (Sadar) constituency for the first time and appointed as a state minister for three ministries. Later, Tarique Rahman gave Tuku the responsibility of state minister for the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to bring proper supervision and dynamism in the activities.

Despite the indescribable torture and imprisonment during the previous fascist government's rule, Tuku could not be swayed even a single point from his loyalty to the Zia family and BNP. Most BNP leaders and activists believe that Tuku has been given this responsibility in recognition of his countless sacrifices, devotion to the party, organizational skills and long political experience.