What ministers said on their first day

thedailystar.net · Feb 19, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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5 hour(s) ago UPDATED 5 hour(s) ago Staff Correspondent Democratic values to be guiding principleSays LGRD ministerMirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co‑operatives, yesterday said rebuilding the nation through democratic values is the main challenge facing the new government.Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on his first day in office, Fakhrul said the country has just gone through a major political transition.“A big storm has passed over us. It is not reasonable to expect that everything will be fixed instantly in such a situation.”Asked whether a white paper would be published on the undertakings of the interim government, Fakhrul said it was unnecessary.“They took responsibility at a special moment. The core issue was the transition to democracy, and they completed that. Credit should be given to them. They have done many good things.”Replying to a question on whether an election without the Awami League was inclusive, Fakhrul said the election has been recognised nationally and internationally as inclusive and acceptable.On the government’s decision regarding the Awami League, he said the issue would be clarified after discussions within the government.Responding to concerns about the economy and foreign policy, Fakhrul said the situation was not as bad as portrayed.“In the economy, macroeconomic stability has largely returned. The banking sector has come under much greater control. These sectors were nearly destroyed. With coordinated efforts, we believe they can be improved further.”Asked about the key challenges ahead, Fakhrul said the challenge was to build the nation and added that democratic values would guide all government actions going forward. Judges must uphold honesty, or resignSays law ministerMd Asaduzzaman, minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, yesterday stressed that judges must uphold honesty, warning that anyone involved in corruption will face both administrative and legal action.“Those who feel a judge’s salary cannot cover family expenses and those who believe they cannot sustain themselves on this salary may resign. This is my clear message,” he said while speaking at an introductory meeting with officials and employees on his first day at the ministry.“There is no separate definition of an honest judge. Integrity is inherently associated with the word judge,” he added, noting that honesty is a fundamental expectation of the judiciary.The minister warned that corruption would not be tolerated. “If anyone thinks they can get away with corruption, they will not. We will take administrative measures and also file corruption cases. Everyone must keep this in mind.” Will minimise load‑shedding this RamadanSays power ministerIqbal Hassan Mahmood, minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, yesterday said ensuring a stable power supply during Ramadan and the irrigation season is the top priority of the new government.“We are stepping into this sector at a critical time -- fasting begins tomorrow [today]. Nothing functions without electricity. We will try to minimise load‑shedding during Ramadan.”However, he noted that outages caused by technical reasons are a separate matter. “After managing power supply during Ramadan and irrigation, we will move to future planning.”The newly elected minister made the remarks while speaking to reporters after an introductory meeting with officials on his first day in office at the Secretariat.During the meeting, the minister sought the officials’ cooperation, saying the prime minister had emphasised a “Bangladesh first” policy.“For us as well, Bangladesh comes first. We do not want the ministry to be run by partisan interests. We want an administration focused solely on Bangladesh.” Need big leaps, not small stepsSays education ministerANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, minister for Education and Primary and Mass Education, yesterday said the government would undertake wide‑ranging reforms to modernise the country’s education system, stressing that the sector now requires “big leaps” rather than incremental change.He made the remarks while speaking to reporters on his first day in office at the Secretariat.“In the education sector, we now need not just small jumps, but much bigger leaps. That is what I believe, and we will work accordingly.”Asked whether the government was planning another curriculum overhaul, Milon ruled out abrupt changes. He added that the curriculum would be reviewed, not replaced.“The world is now a global village. We must build our education system in line with international standards.”Milon noted that the country must adapt to the Fourth Industrial Revolution by incorporating nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and robotics into education. Will ensure attendance of doctorsSays health ministerSardar Sakhawat Husain, minister for Health and Family Welfare, yesterday vowed to ensure timely attendance of doctors in all rural hospitals.“They [doctors] must be present at their workplace on time... I will ensure it within 30 days,” Sakhawat told reporters at his secretariat office.“I will make surprise visits and take necessary action if I find them absent.”The minister said his first priority would be making the ministry corruption‑free. “This ministry must be and shall be corruption‑free... I will dislodge the syndicate. There will be no corruption, no nepotism, and no syndicate.”Replying to a question, the minister said he would not seek treatment abroad unless unavoidable. He stressed that facilities and service quality must be improved to discourage people from seeking treatment overseas.Apart from maximising the use of existing infrastructure, the new government will develop a new framework to make health services more accessible, particularly in rural areas. Planning to ease suffering of passengersSays state minister for civil aviationM Rashiduzzaman Millat, state minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, yesterday said the government plans to ensure that air passengers receive their luggage promptly after completing immigration, as part of efforts to improve airport services.Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on his first day in office, he said authorities have begun planning changes to ease passenger inconvenience from ticketing to baggage collection.“We want to redesign airport processes so that passengers do not face difficulties from ticketing to luggage handling,” he said.Millat said the initiative aims to end long waits at baggage belts, where passengers often spend one to two hours for their luggage, and to curb corruption linked to the process.Addressing complaints about ticket shortages, he alleged that in many cases flights operate with empty seats while passengers are unable to obtain tickets, allegedly due to syndicates behind the system. Work must begin on polls commitmentsSays state minister for finance, planningZonayed Saki, state minister for Finance and Planning, yesterday said work must begin immediately to implement commitments made in the election manifesto, with discussions covering short‑, medium‑ and long‑term measures.He noted that the prime minister would soon present a 180‑day plan before the cabinet.Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat after the first cabinet meeting, Saki said the prime minister raised the matter during the session.Saki stressed that time must not be wasted and commitments must be implemented. “With Ramadan beginning tomorrow, ensuring public comfort, from market stability to law and order, is everyone’s responsibility.”Responding to a question about corruption, the state minister said cabinet members had been instructed to remain vigilant so that no one could use them for corruption or political shelter. “The government has made a commitment to maintain transparency,” he added. Middle Eastern labour markets to be reopenedSays state minister for expatriates’ welfareNurul Haque Nur, state minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, yesterday said the government is working to reopen Middle Eastern labour markets that have narrowed in recent years. “We have placed this matter before the prime minister from our ministry, seeking special attention to restoring access to key labour destinations in the Gulf. Necessary steps will be taken,” he said while speaking to reporters at the secretariat.“Our labour market was opened during the time of former president Ziaur Rahman and continued during Khaleda Zia’s government. But since then, especially under the Awami League government, many markets were restricted.”The state minister said expanding overseas employment remains a top priority, given the critical role remittances play in supporting the national economy.Earlier in the day, while visiting the ministry’s offices after formally assuming charge, Nur told journalists reducing the high cost of overseas migration and curbing fraud would be his immediate focus.“First of all, our focus will be on stopping fraud, reducing extra costs, and ensuring proper facilities for our migrant workers.”Referring to his dual responsibilities in the expatriates’ welfare and labour portfolios, Nur described both as “complex sectors” with entrenched challenges, including delayed wage payments during Eid, inadequate labour welfare officers at foreign missions, hardships faced by workers abroad, and the soaring cost of migration.“Our economy depends heavily on remittances. So protecting expatriate workers and ensuring their benefits is not just a duty… it is essential for Bangladesh.”Nur said assuming office carried added significance for him, given his past involvement in rights-based movements.“Before, I spoke at seminars and stood at the press club. Now I am at the policy-making table. That makes this my priority.”Urging patience as he settles into his new responsibilities, the state minister said the ministry had only just begun its work under the new leadership.“Give us some time to understand everything. Please stay w