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Holding commodity prices in checks and uninterrupted electricity supply ahead of the fasting month Ramadan alongside bettering law-and-order situation come first in the priorities the new government set on the first day of its function.
Newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued a slew of "zero-tolerance" directions from the maiden cabinet meeting Wednesday with a paramount priority of stabilising the country, reeling from political upheavals.
Laying the highest emphasis on the above-mentioned three issues, the first cabinet meeting also decided on a 180-day action plan for guiding Bangladesh into an inclusive developing nation.
The Prime Minister sat for two separate meetings with his cabinet members and all the secretaries in the Cabinet Division at the secretariat.
After the cabinet meeting was over, at least four ministers informed journalists that the new government's first priority is keep the essential commodity prices stable, electricity supply uninterrupted and a better law-and-order situation.
"Since the holy month of Ramadan is beginning tomorrow, the Prime Minister placed the highest emphasis on three immediate pillars: commodity price control, uninterrupted electricity, and law and order," said Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said the government's priority at the moment is control commodity prices ahead of the holy Ramadan, law and order, and uninterrupted electricity supply, especially during Tarawih and Iftar.
The ministers said the PM instructed all the ministries to make a 180-day action plan to implement the priority tasks the BNP pledged in its manifesto before the national elections.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman ordered strict market monitoring to curb the "syndicate" influence and prevent artificial price hikes of essential commodities like dates, edible oils, and pulses, State Minister for Finance and Planning Zonayed Saki told reporters.
After meeting with the new cabinet members and advisers, the head of government held a meeting with the secretaries. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the prime minister told the secretaries that the people had given their verdict according to the BNP's election manifesto.
Therefore, the PM urged the secretaries to be sincere in implementing the promises of that election manifesto according to the constitution and laws.
Salahuddin said, "We have told everyone that we will not look at who has what affiliation. We will evaluate everyone based on merit."
In this regard, Senior Secretary of the Land Ministry ASM Saleh Ahmed told reporters that the people had given their verdict after seeing the manifesto of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
"Of course, they like the manifesto. It is good for the country to use the merit of all the secretaries and work professionally so that manifesto meets the expectations of the people," he added.
ICT Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury told the FE that the PM directed them to implement the election manifesto as they have pledged to the people.
"Every government typically takes a 100-day programme. Our government is taking a broader 180-day programme to ensure measurable results in rebuilding state institutions," Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said following the briefing.
The plan is designed to guide the nation toward becoming a "humane and inclusive" state.
The cabinet meeting also highlighted a symbolic shift in governance. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced he would use his personal vehicle and pay for his own fuels, a move designed to signal a new era of "austerity and accountability".
"This 180-day plan isn't just a list of promises--it's a contract with the people to restore the ownership of the state to its citizens," one minister quoted the premier as saying.
Meanwhile, the new cabinet members were sworn in on Tuesday afternoon following the BNP's landslide victory in the first polls after the July-Augusts 2024 uprising that overthrew the then Awami League government.
Apart from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the new cabinet comprises 25 ministers and 24 state ministers. In addition, 10 advisers were appointed with the ranks of minister and state minister.
On the first day after assuming office, the prime minister and the cabinet members paid tribute to independence martyrs at the National Memorial in Savar. From there they came to the secretariat.