United News of Bangladesh

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday told Parliament that a search committee will be formed anytime to recommend names for reconstituting the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), expressing optimism that a stronger anti-graft body will be established. "Maybe you think the government is not sincere. However, the government is truly sincere. A search committee will be formed to constitute the Anti-Corruption Commission,” he said. The home minister said this while speaking during the discussion on the cut-motions over additional demands for the ACC in the supplementary budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year in the House. He said the Chief Justice on Sunday sent the name of his representative for the search committee, clearing the way for its formation. “Now, the search committee will be formed," he said. Salahuddin said a strong ACC will be established with a chairman and commissioners through the search committee. He said though an ordinance related to the ACC, which was promulgated during the interim government, was not ratified by current Parliament, the earlier law had been revived, which also includes provisions for a search committee. The minister further said the current arrangement is an interim step and that a more powerful ACC will be formed once the proposed ACC Bill is passed in Parliament. Responding to the remarks made by independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana, he said corruption is widespread across society, but the politicians are blamed for all faults. In most cases, politicians have to sign off on the final stage of files, so they are blamed for all irregularities, Salahuddin said. Earlier in her speech, Rumeen Farhana criticised the ACC’s effectiveness, alleging that corruption remains deeply entrenched in the country and questioning the political will to strengthen the commission. Noting that bureaucracy and politics are top most corrupt professions in Bangladesh, she said, “Politics generates money, which is probably only possible in a country like Bangladesh.” Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Md Shafiqul Islam also expressed concern over the independence of the ACC, saying political and administrative influence continues to affect its functioning.

Parliament on Monday passed the supplementary budget of Tk 56,117 crore for the fiscal 2025-26 to meet the increased expenditures under different ministries and divisions. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury placed the supplementary budget in the House on June 11 along with the national budget for the next fiscal year. In the FY26 financial year, the total budget was Tk 7,90,000 crore in favour of 62 ministries and divisions. In the supplementary budget, the expenditure in 27 ministries and divisions increased by Tk 56,117.59 crore while expenditures in 35 ministries and divisions were cut by Tk 59,348.67 crore. As a result, the budget allocations for these ministries and divisions got reduced by Tk 2,000 crore and the total allocation now stands at Tk 7,78,000 crore. On Monday, the finance minister moved the Appropriation Bill, 2026 in the House following general discussion on the supplementary budget. Later, the bill was passed by a voice vote. Different ministries, divisions and institutions sought an increased amount under 25 demands for grant. As many as 304 cut-motions were moved by 11 members. Discussions were held on three cut-motions – on Finance Division, Planning Division, Commerce Ministry, Science and Technology Ministry, Local Government Division, Water Resources Ministry, Food Ministry and Anti-Corruption Commission. These motions were brought by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami MPs Shahjahan Chowdhury, Md Mujibur Rahman, GM Nazrul Islam, Md Abdul Gafur, Md Quamrul Hassan, Muhammad Nazibur Rahman, M Abdul Aleem, Al Faruq Abdul Latif, Md Ruhul Amin, Muhammad Ali Asgar, M Amir Hamza, Md Afjal Hossain, M Shafiqul Islam, Shaikh Monzurul Haque (Rahad), Md Masud Parves and Independent MPs Rumeen Farhana, and Sk Mozibur Rahman Iqbal. However, those cut-motions were rejected by voice vote. The Finance Division got the highest allocation of Tk 28,655 crore while the Textiles and Jute Ministry the lowest Tk 0.45 crore. The Parliament Secretariat got Tk 16.59 crore while Cabinet Division Tk 15.67 crore, Supreme Court Tk 19.77 crore, Election Commission Tk 1,389.65 crore, Public Service Commission Tk 30.01 crore, Financial Institutions Division Tk 1690.81 crore, Planning Commission Tk 12,407.83 crore, IMED Tk 21.97 crore, Commerce Ministry 301.93 crore, Foreign Ministry Tk 59.97 crore, Law Ministry Tk 84.74 crore, Public Security Division Tk 171.68 crore, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division Tk 0.87 crore, Science and Technology Ministry Tk 4,923.48 crore, ICT Division Tk 722.46 crore, Women and Children Affairs Ministry Tk 293.35 crore, Information and Broadcasting Ministry Tk 112.58 crore, Religious Affairs Ministry Tk 220.41 crore, Local Government Division Tk 1,809.56 crore, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry Tk 75.61 crore, Land Ministry Tk 97.71 crore, Water Resources Ministry Tk 2,177.04 crore, Food Ministry Tk 683.91 crore, Liberation War Affairs Ministry 122.19 crore and ACC Tk 11.68 crore. 

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Saiful Alam on Monday demanded a statement under Rule 300 of the Rules of Procedure in Parliament over an incident in which Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman was reportedly prevented from entering India and kept waiting for two hours at a Delhi airport. Raising the issue on a point of order in the House, he said the adviser was not initially allowed to enter India despite the submission of the necessary diplomatic communication. “Yesterday (Sunday), our Prime Minister’s Information Adviser was not allowed to enter India. As far as I know, despite proper diplomatic correspondence, he was kept waiting for two hours at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport,” Saiful Islam said. He alleged that although permission was eventually granted, the adviser decided to return to Bangladesh instead of proceeding with the visit. Questioning whether there had been any diplomatic failure on Bangladesh’s part, the lawmaker urged the government to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident and sought a ministerial statement under Rule 300 of the Rules of Procedure. “I demand a statement from the minister concerned under Rule 300 on whether there was any diplomatic failure and what measures have been taken in this regard,” he said. In response, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said the matter did not qualify as a point of order. “If a notice is submitted, it will be considered,” he told the House.

The growing availability of low-cost synthetic fibres worldwide have put the country's jute products under threat in the global market, said Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir in Parliament on Monday. “Jute products are under threat in the global market due to the increasing availability and use of low-cost artificial fibres worldwide,” he said, while replying to a scripted question from ruling party lawmaker Selina Sultana (Women Seat-35). Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, tabled the question-answer session at the outset of the day's business in the House. Move afoot to bolster mechanism to curb market dominance: Muktadir The textile and jute minister said although there is significant potential for exporting jute products to international markets, the sector continues to face a number of challenges, including the easy availability and increasing use of inexpensive synthetic fibres worldwide. Raising other challenges, he said, most jute mills are struggling to remain competitive internationally due to outdated technologies and machinery in the country. Besides, exporters face obstacles in shipping jute and jute goods because Bangladesh lacks internationally accredited laboratory testing facilities, he said. Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir said the country is also lagging behind in exploring new markets and carrying out branding activities for jute products. However, he highlighted various government initiatives aimed at overcoming these challenges. In reply to a separate question from treasury bench member Mostafizur Rahman Babul (Jamalpur-3), the Textiles and Jute Minister said the production operation of 25 mills under the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) were shut down on July 1, 2020 in line with a government decision and later 20 mills were selected to be reopened under private management through lease agreements. He said lease agreements have already been signed for 14 mills, of which nine have resumed operations. Out of the 20 mills, the process is underway to lease out the remaining six mills, he said. The minister expressed hope that the remaining mills would also be brought under private management and become operational by December this year in line with the government's 31-point reform agenda.

The government is formulating a policy to ensure auto-rickshaws, battery-powered rickshaws, Nasimon, Karimon and Bhotbhoti operate on local roads instead of highways, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam said on Monday. The proposed framework includes mandatory registration of three-wheelers and similar vehicles, driving licences for operators and stricter route-control measures, the minister told Parliament. “Legal action is being taken against violators under the Road Transport Act, 2018.” Despite a High Court ban, auto-rickshaws, battery-powered rickshaws and locally made vehicles continue to operate on highways across the country, he said. Responding to a question from Rangpur-3 lawmaker Md Mahbubur Rahman Belal in Parliament, the Rabiul said joint drives involving Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), Highway Police and district administration are being conducted at key highway points to address the situation. In reply to a question from Tangail-7 MP Abul Kalam Azad Siddique, he said BRTA records show that 4,997,090 motorcycles are currently registered in Bangladesh. The minister added that owners of motorcycles that have not yet been registered can obtain legal registration numbers by submitting the required documents through the prescribed process. Answering a question from National Citizen Party lawmaker Abdullah Al Amin, he said Narayanganj city has been incorporated into the proposed alignment of MRT Line-2. The proposed 30.40-kilometre route will run from Gabtoli through Mohammadpur, Science Lab, New Market, Azimpur, Lalbagh, Chawkbazar, Mitford, Naya Bazar, Dholaikhal, Dayaganj, Kajla, Demra, Signboard, Bhuighar, Jalkuri and Shibu Market before terminating at Narayanganj, Rabiul said. He said a proposal has been sent to the Planning Commission as part of efforts to arrange a development partner. A feasibility study will be conducted after the approval and financing decisions are obtained. The minister also said Exim Bank of South Korea has completed a feasibility study for the proposed 16-kilometre MRT Line-4 from Kamalapur to Madanpur in Narayanganj, combining elevated and underground sections. Further steps will be taken after review of the report. Responding to a question from Munshiganj-1 MP Md Abdullah, he said work is underway to formulate the “Dhaka-Chattogram Highway Development” project in line with plans for a national expressway grid and the construction of the Dhaka-Chattogram Expressway. “The project will move forward subject to the availability of foreign financing.” In response to a question from reserved-seat MP Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, Rabiul said toll is currently collected on 67 bridges nationwide. He noted that toll collection on nine bridges stopped completely after 5 August 2024. Toll collection has since resumed on two of those bridges, while collection remains suspended on seven others. Replying to a question from Jamalpur-3 MP Md Mustafizur Rahman Babul, the minister said the Second Jamuna Bridge is one of the current government's major election pledges. The Bangladesh Bridge Authority’s master plan recommends implementation of the project by 2033, he said, adding that consultant recruitment for the feasibility study is underway and negotiations have already been completed, with a contract expected to be signed shortly. The study will determine the most suitable location, including options between Sariakandi in Bogura and Madarganj in Jamalpur, or between Balashi Ghat in Gaibandha and Dewanganj Ghat in Jamalpur, said Rabiul, who is also railways minister. Responding to a question from reserved seat MP Nipun Roy Chowdhury, he said Bangladesh Railway has initiated plans to generate solar power using unused railway land and rooftops. The initiative will follow the OPEX model under the Net Metering Guideline-2025. Private investors will be invited to participate, with the first phase covering rooftops at Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram and Sylhet railway stations, as well as railway office buildings in Dhaka, the minister said. Answering a question from NCP lawmaker Hasnat Abdullah, he said Bangladesh Railway identifies repeated password-reset requests and frequent credential changes as suspicious activities. Over the past three months, 7,810 suspicious accounts have been blocked, including 4,334 in March, 413 in April and 3,063 in May, Rabiul said. He added that the current contract between railway ticketing service providers Shohoz-Synesis-Vincen and Bangladesh Railway will expire on 24 March next year. “Appropriate action will be taken if intelligence agencies provide specific allegations or evidence of wrongdoing.” The minister also said Bangladesh Railway is considering establishing a fully self-managed server system once institutional capacity is strengthened. Responding to a question from Chapainawabganj-3 MP Md Nurul Islam, he said the government has a clear plan to modernise the railway network and bring it up to international standards. Under the Bangladesh Railway Master Plan (2016-2045), major and high-traffic sections will be gradually upgraded to double-track lines, Rabiul said. However, he said it is neither economically nor technically feasible to double-track all railway lines simultaneously and so, projects are being prioritised based on traffic density and commercial importance.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Monday said the government has made adjustments to the expenditure and budget deficit in the supplementary budget to address economic challenges while continuing social safety net programmes. Moving the Supplementary Budget Bill in Parliament, he said since assuming office, the government has undertaken effective measures to improve people's living standards and revive the economy. Amir Khosru's first budget lays out his reform agenda for capital market The minister noted that rebuilding the economy remains one of the government's key priorities amid global uncertainties, structural weaknesses within the economy and inflationary pressures. "We are trying to reduce wastage in public expenditure, curtail non-priority spending, lower administrative costs and ensure greater efficiency in government spending," he told the House. At the same time, Khosru said, the government is working to implement commitments made in the BNP election manifesto. However, due to the global economic situation, he said, adjustments were made to electricity and energy subsidies, while social safety net programmes expanded through initiatives such as Family Card, Farmers' Card and allowances for imams, muezzins and priests. To accommodate these measures, the government made adjustments to expenditure and the budget deficit in the supplementary budget, the minister added. Considering the slower pace of government spending, particularly the implementation of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) before the election, the revised budget proposed a reduction of Tk 2,000 crore, bringing total net expenditure down to Tk 7.88 lakh crore. Khosru said the revised budget proposed a deficit of Tk 2 lakh crore, equivalent to 3.3 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to him, allocations for 27 ministries, divisions and other institutions have been increased by Tk 56,117.59 crore under the supplementary budget, while allocations for the remaining 35 ministries and divisions have been reduced by Tk 59,348.67 crore. Thanking lawmakers for what he described as a lively discussion on the supplementary budget, the minister urged Parliament to approve the grants sought for expenditures other than charged expenditures outlined in the supplementary financial statement. He formally requested all members of parliament to endorse the supplementary budget proposals for the current fiscal year.

A total of 185 educational institutions including 128 Madrasha under the country's 11 education boards recorded a zero-pass rate in the SSC and equivalent examinations held in 2024 and 2025, said Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon in Parliament on Sunday. “No student from a total of 185 educational institutions under the nine general education boards, Madrasa Education Board and Technical Education Board could pass the SSC and equivalent examinations of 2024 and 2025,” he said, while replying to a scripted question from treasury bench lawmaker Abdul Kalam (Cumilla-9). SSC results to be published on July 20: Milon According to data placed by the minister, 51 institutions, including 42 madrasas, recorded a 100 percent failure rate in the SSC and equivalent examinations in 2024. The number increased to 134 institutions, including 86 madrasas, in 2025 under the country's 11 education boards. Stating that the government is treating the issue with utmost importance, Milon outlined a number of measures taken to improve the quality of education in institutions where no student passed the examinations. He said the institutions have been brought under special monitoring by the respective education boards. Training and academic support programmes have also been undertaken for heads of institutions and subject-based teachers to improve teaching standards, he said. The government has strengthened regular inspections and monitoring to identify the causes behind the poor results, the minister added. He said instructions have been given to assess learning gaps and implement remedial and catch-up education programmes for the students. Besides, continuous evaluation and monitoring of academic performance are being carried out by the education boards, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), and the respective district and upazila education officers, he said. The government aims to ensure that no educational institution continues to record a zero pass rate and that students across the country receive quality education, said the Education Minister.

Parliament witnessed heated exchanges on Sunday after a ruling party lawmaker made remarks about the attire of female opposition MPs from Jamaat-e-Islami, triggering strong protests from opposition MPs and prompting the Deputy Speaker to expunge part of his speech. The controversy erupted during the general discussion on the supplementary budget for fiscal year 2025-26 when ruling party MP Monirul Haque Chowdhury (Cumilla-6) delivered a speech that included comments about opposition lawmakers. Chaotic scenes in JS over Home Minister’s remarks about Shibir leader Jisan Referring to Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, Monirul recounted a story involving Opposition Deputy Leader Abdullah Mohammad Taher dating back to 2001. While narrating the story, he made remarks about Taher’s wife that drew laughter in the House. He then turned to the female opposition MPs, congratulating them on becoming lawmakers and praising their educational qualifications and speaking abilities. However, he went on to make comments questioning their identity and appearance, apparently referring to their attires. His remarks immediately triggered protests from opposition MPs including female members who stood up and voiced objections. The uproar briefly disrupted parliamentary proceedings. Deputy Speaker Kaikar Kamal intervened, saying that personal freedom should not be discussed in Parliament. As opposition members continued their protests, Monirul insisted that he had not intended to insult anyone and said he was merely recounting a past incident. He later added that if anyone felt offended by his remarks, he apologised and had no intention of belittling anyone. The Deputy Speaker subsequently announced that the portion of Monirul’s speech concerning personal freedom would be expunged from the parliamentary record. Following the decision, opposition MPs applauded and thanked the Chair. Issuing a ruling, the Deputy Speaker reminded lawmakers that all members were elected representatives of people and must uphold the dignity and decorum of the House. The debate resurfaced after the Asr prayers break when Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam raised the issue on a point of order. Thanking the Deputy Speaker for expunging the remarks, Nahid said the comments crossed the limits of parliamentary norms and constitutional rights. He accused Monirul of mocking the wife of the Opposition Deputy Leader and criticised his remarks about the attire of female opposition MPs. “Every individual in a democratic state has religious freedom and freedom of dress. As a Member of Parliament, he has violated those freedoms through such derogatory comments,” Nahid said. He further described the remarks as reflective of a discriminatory mindset and said they amounted to a form of racist behaviour. Nahid urged all lawmakers to refrain from making similar comments in Parliament in future. In response, the Deputy Speaker reiterated his earlier ruling, saying the relevant portions of the speech was expunged for being inconsistent with parliamentary norms. Later, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie sought to speak on the matter, but the Deputy Speaker did not allow further discussion.

The Jatiya Sangshad witnessed chaotic scenes on Sunday after Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed made a statement about Jamaat e Islami student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir leader Mohammad Jisan Miah Prodhan, who had apparently concocted a missing person situation to deal with a personal issue , and was tracked down by police. The Home Minister, in his statement delivered under rule 300, said Jisan, who had gone into hiding and was later recovered by police from Laksam in Cumilla, was "involved in rape and forced abortion,” in the words of police.  Police pour cold water over claims of Shibir leader's 'abduction' Immediately after his remarks, lawmakers from Jamaat-e-Islami protested and Deputy Opposition Leader Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher took the floor, demanding that the statement be withdrawn and expunged from the parliamentary record. When the Home Minister again sought the floor, Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal, who was chairing the House at the time, asked him to remain seated. Members from both the treasury and opposition benches then stood up and shouted, creating a noisy situation in the House. In an attempt to restore order, the Deputy Speaker issued a ruling, assuring lawmakers that the matter would be examined and a decision taken later. In his statement, Salahuddin said Jisan Miah Prodhan, a central leader of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir holding the post of assistant secretary for international affairs, went missing from Daudkandi Bazar in Cumilla on June 11, 2026. Following his disappearance, his cousin Mohammad Russell Ahmed filed a general diary (GD) with Daudkandi Police Station. Police later recovered him from Laksam in Cumilla. The minister said Jisan became acquainted with a woman through Facebook around five to six months ago, and the two later developed a romantic relationship and allegedly raped the woman on several occasions after promising to marry her, resulting in her becoming pregnant. Jisan allegedly later pressured her to destroy the fetus and threatened to kill her if she refused. Fearing for her life, the woman eventually agreed to the abortion, after which Jisan allegedly purchased abortion pills and gave them to her. Two to three days later, the fetus was destroyed, he said. The home minister further said that the woman subsequently pressured Jisan to marry her and that he eventually agreed to do so on Friday, June 12. However, he alleged that on June 11 Jisan went into hiding to avoid the marriage and his cousin Russell Ahmed to file a missing-person report with Daudkandi Police Station. The woman later appeared at the police station and filed a case, naming Jisan as the prime accused and three others as co-accused on charges related to rape, assisting in the rape and causing the termination of the pregnancy, said the minister. He also said the accused persons had given confessional statements under Section 164 before a judicial magistrate and now the investigation into the case is underway. “Since many people tried to portray his disappearance differently on verified Facebook pages and sought to blame the government, we think the real facts should be presented before the nation,” said Salahuddin. Earlier in the same statement, the Home Minister disclosed that former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed had been arrested in the United Arab Emirates and said the government was taking steps to bring him back to Bangladesh through the extradition process. With the announcement over Benazir Ahmed, MPs across the board applauded by thumping desks in the House. Following the minister’s statement, Taher took the floor and said the Speaker shouldn’t have allowed the Home Minister to talk about the second issue under the same statement under Rule 300. He said the statement regarding the former IGP is a significant and commendable initiative. “It is a success of Bangladesh Police and we thank the police for it,” he said. “But taking that opportunity, he made a statement targeting a political party. You should not have allowed it without proper consideration,” Taher said, addressing the chair. The Jamaat leader alleged that the Home Minister had intentionally included the matter to condemn a particular party. “First, I want to know where Jisan is now. Secondly, why are journalists or other people not being allowed to talk to Jisan and the woman?” he asked. The Jamaat leader questioned why he raised the issue. “Is any plot being created? From the Home Minister’s statement today, it seems that the police may have acted as part of a plot,” Taher alleged. “I think the Home Minister should withdraw the statement, or you (the Speaker) should expunge it,” he added. As the deadlock continued amid loud protests from lawmakers, the Deputy Speaker repeatedly urged members to calm down and take their seats. “We will examine the matter and if anything is found to be beyond parliamentary rules and conventions, an appropriate decision will be taken later,” Kayser Kamal said. Failing to restore order immediately, the Deputy Speaker finally ruled that if any remarks were found to be unparliamentary or contrary to parliamentary practices, a decision would be taken after further examination.

Bangladesh's proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27 has reinstated the opportunity to legalise undisclosed money through real estate investment, reversing a pause maintained during the interim government's tenure. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, presenting the country's largest-ever budget of Tk 9,38,000 crore on Thursday, introduced a new mechanism under which individuals can whiten black money by purchasing plots and declaring previously hidden property values in their tax returns. Under the new provision added to the income tax law, a buyer who concealed the actual value of land, building or apartment in registration documents will be allowed to disclose the difference between the actual price and the registered value in their tax return, paying a 30 percent tax on that gap. Sellers who similarly concealed actual transaction values will face a 15 percent capital gains tax on the difference. If either party had already faced legal action before making a voluntary disclosure, an additional 20 percent penalty on the payable tax will apply. Crucially, anyone availing this provision will be shielded from scrutiny under any other existing law regarding the source of the funds, provided no court has previously convicted them of criminal offences or that no case against them is already pending. Real estate developers have welcomed the move. REHAB, the association of housing entrepreneurs, called it timely and constructive. “We commend the government for providing this opportunity to legalise black money through plot purchases,” said REHAB President Ali Afzal, adding that the decision would help boost the housing industry. The provision mirrors similar schemes offered in previous budgets, which critics have long argued reward tax evasion while undermining fiscal transparency.