New government's three priorities set

The first meeting of the new cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has set the government's three primary priorities. The meeting held at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday afternoon decided to control commodity prices, improve law and order, and maintain normal power and energy supply.

Earlier, the new cabinet members took oath on Tuesday. Apart from the Prime Minister, the cabinet has 25 ministers and 24 state ministers. In addition, 10 advisors have been appointed in the rank of minister and state minister. On the first day of assuming office, the Prime Minister and cabinet members paid tribute to the National Memorial in Savar.

After the meeting, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters that the cabinet meeting was held as per tradition on the first day of the government. The government is also setting a 180-day priority plan, which will be announced later. He said that maintaining the supply of goods in the market, further improving law and order, and avoiding problems in gas and electricity supply have been given importance.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said that keeping price control in view of Ramadan, maintaining a tolerable law and order situation for the people and maintaining normal power supply especially during Iftar and Tarawih are now the government's priorities. The ministers concerned will soon submit an action plan in this regard to the Prime Minister.

In a separate meeting with the secretaries after the cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister said that we will have to work sincerely according to the constitution and law to implement the promises of the election manifesto. In this regard, the Home Minister said that in the case of officials, importance will be given to merit and professionalism, not political involvement.