Dhaka, March 25, 2026 :

Bangladesh Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan held a press briefing in the meeting room of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the Secretariat on Wednesday.

Bangladesh Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan highlighted the progress of various developmental programs of the government and said that the government is implementing multifaceted initiatives and programs aimed at touching every arena of social security, economy, administration, education, health, security and state values.

Today (Wednesday) he highlighted the significant steps taken by the government in the press briefing organized in the meeting room of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yaser Khan Chowdhury, Advisor to the Ministry Zaheed Ur Rahman and Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Mahbooba Farzana were present at this time.

In the press conference, the Information Minister said that according to the latest census, there are 4 crore 10 lakh families in the country.

The government has planned to give ‘family card’ to the head female member of every family. He also said that this card has already been distributed among more than 37 thousand families under the pilot project.

These families will get cash assistance of Rs 2,500 per month. All the families of the country will be brought under this program gradually. Referring to the steps taken for the welfare of religious servants, Zahir Uddin Swapan said, honorary allowances have been introduced for imams, muezzins and other religious servants.

Already, 4 thousand 908 imams, 990 priests, 144 principals of Buddhist monasteries and 396 church priests have come under this allowance. All the religious institutions of the country will be brought under this program in the next four financial years.

Referring to the steps taken for the welfare of religious servants, Zahir Uddin Swapan said, honorary allowances have been introduced for imams, muezzins and other religious servants. Already, 4 thousand 908 imams, 990 priests, 144 principals of Buddhist monasteries and 396 church priests have come under this allowance.

All the religious institutions of the country will be brought under this program in the next four financial years.

The information minister also said that sarees, three-pieces, lungis and cash have been distributed among the poor people on the occasion of Eid. Besides, initiatives have been taken to institutionalize the Zakat system. Highlighting the progress of the agriculture sector, the minister said that the government has already taken the initiative to launch the ‘Krishak Card’. This card will be distributed experimentally among 21 thousand 14 farmers in 11 upazilas of 8 divisions from next Pahela Boishakh.

He also said that the government has planned to dig 20 thousand kilometers of canals across the country. As part of this, work has already started in 54 districts. A target of 1,200 km of canals has been set in the first 180 days.

Citing examples of the government’s austerity and abandoning the VIP culture, the information minister said parliamentarians have decided not to take advantage of tax-free cars and plots.

At the same time VIP protocol has been reduced and initiatives have been taken to ensure frugality in government expenditure. About the energy situation, he said, despite the pressure of the global situation, the government has not taken any decision to increase the price of energy so far.

He urged people to curb rumors and refrain from ‘panic buying’. He also mentioned that the requirement of prior approval for repatriation of investments up to Tk 100 crore has been waived to encourage foreign investment. Talking about the steps taken by the government to prevent worker dissatisfaction, the minister said that about 2,500 crore rupees have been allocated to ensure the payment of outstanding salaries and bonuses to the workers before Eid.

As a result, there was no unrest in the industrial sector. Highlighting the progress of the health sector, the Information Minister said that e-‘Health Card’ has been launched and initiatives have been taken to recruit one lakh new health workers. 80 percent of which will be women. Also preventive measures are being taken to prevent dengue.

Regarding law and order and social security, the minister said that special measures have been taken to suppress extortion and ensure the safety of women.

An initiative has been taken to launch ‘Pink Bus’ to facilitate the travel of women passengers.

He also said that there is a plan to make sports education compulsory from the primary level and appoint sports teachers in every upazila to make sports a profession. Apart from this, Zahir Uddin Swapan also mentioned the government’s initiatives regarding loan waiver for small and marginal farmers, Pravasi Kalyan Foundation Act and introduction of free Wi-Fi at the airport.

The Information Minister also said that the government has relaxed the conditions for granting loans of up to 10 lakh taka through the Pravasi Kalyan Bank for those traveling to Japan on language student visas.

He said that arrangements will be made to provide loans of up to 10 lakh taka as evidence of bank solvency or financial ability for students for higher education.

The Information Minister expressed hope that the government is working on an integrated plan to ensure the overall development of the country. These initiatives will be successful with the active cooperation of the people.

SOURCE: WSN24 AND NEWS AGENCIES