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At a Glance:
Key Reforms and Changes in the First Month of the Interim Government
Rtv News
08 Sep 2024, 11:35
Photo: Collected
On August 5, Sheikh Hasina's government was overthrown following a student-led coup. Three days later, on August 8, an interim government was established, headed by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. This interim administration consists of 21 members, including the Chief Advisor. Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, key coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, have been appointed to the advisory board. Additionally, the Chief Advisor is supported by two Special Assistants and a Special Envoy for International Affairs. The interim government has already initiated reforms in areas such as human rights, the economy, administration, law enforcement, and public safety.
Highlights in a month include:
Human Rights
- The government has decided to withdraw criminal cases filed against students during the protests from July 1 to August 5.
- Steps are being taken to fast-track the dismissal of false and harassment cases under the Anti-Terrorism Act and Cyber Security Act.
- The United Nations will investigate deaths related to the student movement, while a commission has been formed to investigate disappearances.
- Bangladesh signed the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
- A foundation will be set up to support the families of those involved in the student uprising.
- The President of the Emirates pardoned 57 Bangladeshis imprisoned for their involvement in protests, following a request from the Chief Advisor.
Parliament, Judiciary, and Election Commission
- On August 6, President Sahabuddin dissolved the 12th National Parliament.
- Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury resigned on September 2.
- Chief Justice Obaidul Hasan and five Appellate Division judges resigned on August 10, replaced by Justice Syed Refat Ahmed as Chief Justice.
- Asaduzzaman was appointed Attorney General on August 8.
- The Election Commission led by Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal resigned on September 5.
Politics
- BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was released by executive order on August 6.
- On August 28, the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami was lifted.
- The government stated that fascist parties would remain barred from rehabilitation until their trials are completed.
Financial Sector and Anti-Corruption
- The boards of 10 banks and one financial institution have been reconstituted, including nine owned by S Alam Group.
- Bank accounts of former ministers, MPs, and pro-Awami businessmen, police, and military officers have been suspended.
- A market-based dollar rate has been introduced.
- Administrators were appointed to mobile financial services companies.
- A committee is investigating stock market irregularities and allegations of money laundering against Beximco, S Alam Group, and Chowdhury Nafiz Sarafat.
- The ACC is investigating influential figures from the former Awami government, and a white paper on the economy is in progress.
- A new governor has been appointed for Bangladesh Bank.
Administration and Local Government
- On August 19, all Upazila Parishad chairmen, Zilla Parishad chairmen, city corporation mayors, and municipal mayors were replaced by administrators.
- Contractual appointments across various administrative posts have been canceled.
- Government employees are now required to disclose their assets.
- Changes have been made in top public administration and police positions, with promotions to Deputy, Joint, and Additional Secretary levels.
Law and Order
- 24 individuals, including former ministers, MPs, and police officers, have been arrested in connection with the mass movement.
- A special operation to recover weapons began on September 4.
Energy
- Electricity and gas prices will now be set through public hearings, not by executive order.
- A review committee was formed for power and energy contracts, and no new contracts will be signed under the 2010 special provisions law.
Health
- A committee was formed to provide assistance to families affected by the movement.
- On September 3, a 12-member expert committee was established to reform the health system and improve medical services.
Education
- School programs resumed with the reintroduction of science, humanities, and business streams in secondary education from September 1.
- The government canceled the postponed HSC exams on August 20 following student protests.
- Leadership changes occurred at universities, including Dhaka University, with a call for teachers to resign and end harassment.
Sports
- On August 21, Nazmul Hasan resigned as BCB president, and former national cricket captain Farooq Ahmed took over.
- Presidents of other sports federations were also removed.
Executive Orders and Decisions
- On September 5, Ganabhaban was designated as a "July Uprising Memorial Museum."
- The Advisory Council approved the repeal of the "Protection of Family Members of the Father of the Nation Ordinance, 2024" on August 29, removing special security for Bangabandhu's family.
- The national holiday for the Day of Mourning on August 15 was cancelled.
- An advisory committee was formed to regulate the naming of state institutions.
- On September 4, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus instructed government secretaries to implement reforms at all levels.
Comments
323 Municipal Mayor across Bangladesh dispels
Mayors of 323 municipalities across the country have been removed. The local government department issued a notification removing the mayors of 323 municipalities elected during the Awami government.
This information was informed through a notification signed by Deputy Secretary Mahbub Alam on Sunday (August 18).
It is said that by applying section 32(a) of the Local Government (Municipalities) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024, the mayors of the following municipalities in Bangladesh have been removed from their respective posts.
Click here to view the list of municipal mayors.
60 Zilla Parishad Chairman, 95 Upazila Chairman removes
The chairman of 60 zilla parishads and 495 upazila parishads of the country have been removed.
A notification has been issued from the Local Government department on Monday (August 19).
According to the order, District Commissioners (DCs) will replace the removed Zilla Parishad chairmen and Upazila Executive Officers (UNOs) will perform duties in place of Upazila chairmen.
Apart from this, notification has also been issued removing the mayors of 323 municipalities elected during the Awami League government.
It is said that by applying section 32(a) of the Local Government (Municipalities) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024, the mayors of the following municipalities in Bangladesh have been removed from their respective posts.
Earlier, last Saturday, the interim government issued separate ordinances to amend the municipal, upazila, district and city corporation laws, leaving the power to remove local government representatives and appoint administrators in special circumstances.
Since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, this initiative to amend the law was taken in the context of the disruption of civic services due to the absence of Awami League supporting chairman, vice chairman, mayor and councilors in the zilla parishad, upazila parishad, city corporation and municipality.
City corporation Mayors being removed this time
According to the ordinance, the mayors of the city corporation are being removed this time. Administrators will be appointed after their removal.
On Monday (August 19), this information was revealed by the source of the local government department.
An official of the local government department, who did not disclose his name, said that the senior officers of the divisional commissioner's office will be appointed as administrators. The file regarding removal of City Corporation mayors has been sent to the Office of the Chief Adviser.
It is known that currently there are 12 mayors in 12 city corporations of the country. The relevant branch of the local government department has prepared a notification regarding the removal of 12 persons. At the same time the notification for appointment of Administrator has also been prepared. Notice may be issued at any time.
Currently Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh in Dhaka South City Corporation, Atiqul Islam in Dhaka North City Corporation, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury in Chattogram City Corporation, Talukdar Abdul Khalek in Khulna City Corporation, AHM Khairuzzaman Liton in Rajshahi City Corporation, Abul Khair Abdullah in Barisal City Corporation, Mostafizur Rahman Mostafa in Rangpur City Corporation, Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury in Sylhet City Corporation, Ikramul Haque Titu in Mymensingh City Corporation, Tahseen Bahar Shuchona in Comilla City Corporation, Zayeda Khatun in Gazipur City Corporation and Selina Hayat Ivy in Narayanganj City Corporation are in service.
Earlier on Sunday (August 18) 876 representatives were removed by the local government department. Among them there are 60 district council chairmen, 493 upazila chairmen and 323 municipal mayors. Administrators have been appointed in all 61 vacant Zilla Parishads.
On the other hand, a separate notification has been issued appointing 495 Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) to the post of Upazila Parishad administrators. Besides, 7 municipal administrators have been removed from their duties.
Bangladesh receives 13 thousand crore remittance in 17 days
Sheikh Hasina left the country after resigning from the post of Prime Minister on August 5 in the face of student uprising. Since then, the amount of remittances coming through legal channels has increased.
In continuation of this, 13 thousand 374 crores came in the first 17 days of August.
The updated information of Bangladesh Bank says that the remittance received till the first 3 days of this month is 9 crore 56 lakh 50 thousand dollars. And remittance received from August 4 to 10 is 38 crore 71 lakh 20 thousand dollars.
Bangladesh Bank also says that in the first 17 days of August, remittances have arrived through legal means of 114 crore 42 lakh 20 thousand dollars. In Bangladeshi currency (as per dollar 118 taka) which amounts to more than 13 thousand 374 crore taka.
At this time, 15 crore 29 lakh dollars came through the state-owned banks, about 3 crore 77 lakh dollars came through one of the 2 specialized banks (Krishi Bank). More than 94 crore 14 lakh dollars came through private banks and 2.15 million dollars came through foreign banks.
The total number of banks which did not receive any remittance during the discussed period is 10. These include Bangladesh Development Bank or BDBL, the specialized Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB). Private Sector Community Bank, Citizen Bank, ICB Islami Bank, Padma Bank, Shimanto Bank. Foreign sector banks include Habib Bank, National Bank of Pakistan, State Bank of India and Woori Bank.
Incidentally, expatriates had announced to send money in hundi expressing no confidence in the recently departed Sheikh Hasina government. This suddenly reduces the speed of remittance. But after the fall of the government, that picture changed. Remittances are coming in a legitimate way.
Pentagon looking forward to work with Bangladesh's govt.
Pentagon, US Department of Defense spokesman Major General Pat Ryder said the United States has a defense relationship with Bangladesh and is looking forward to working with the interim government.
He said these in response to a journalist's question about the fall of the Awami League government and the assumption of power by the interim government at a press conference on Tuesday (August 20) local time.
Major General Pat Ryder said, 'The Pentagon looks forward to working with the interim government to advance issues such as a free and open Indo-Pacific, emphasizing the shared values and common interests of the two countries.'
He said, 'We must expect the Bangladesh government to protect human rights and avoid any violence. However, the US State Department should be contacted for details on US-Bangladesh relations.'
Fire breaks out in a building at Dhanmondi, 6 units under control
Fire breaks out in a building at Dhanmondi, 6 units are under control
A fire broke out on the eighth floor of a 12-storey residential building on road no. 5 of Dhanmondi this morning. Six fire service units are working to control the fire.
The fire started at 10:25 am on Wednesday (August 21). The duty officer of the fire service, Lima Khanam, confirmed the matter.
He said, 'At 10:25 in the morning, I received information about the fire on the eighth floor of the 12-storey building at Dhanmondi number five. After that, six units started working to control the fire.
However, initially, Lima Khanam could not give any information about the cause of the fire and the casualties. So far 3 trapped people have been rescued with
Farooq Ahmed assigned as new BCB President
Farooq Ahmed has become the new president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
He was assigned to the BCB President post on Wednesday (August 21).
Former national cricket team captain Farooq Ahmed served as chief selector in BCB for two terms earlier.
Rumors in the sports arena for the last few days that Nazmul Hassan Papon is stepping down from the post of BCB president. And former Tiger captain Farooq Ahmed is going to replace him. That rumor came true on Wednesday with Papon's official resignation.
It should be noted that Farooq Ahmed served as the chief selector of BCB for two terms. He served in the first term from 2003 to 2007 and in the second term from 2013 to 2016. In the second term, he resigned due to a dispute with the board over the election process.
