B Mirror Report: The Council of Advisers, in its weekly session today, sanctioned six significant ordinances and three strategic proposals while reviewing the interim government’s performance since its start in August 2024.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus presided over the meeting at his office in the Tejgaon area this morning.
Later, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy, stating that the council scrutinized several agendas and granted approvals.
The advisers gave final clearance to the drafts of the following ordinances:
Due to the approval of the amendment for the Bangabandhu National Agriculture Award Trust, the award’s name will now be officially changed to the National Agriculture Award, Shafiqul Alam added.
The council also endorsed a tax adjustment proposal for LP gas: exempting 7.5 percent VAT at local production and trader levels, a 2 percent advance tax on imports, and imposing only a 7.5 percent VAT at the import stage. According to the press secretary, this reduction in overall tax burden is expected to lower LP gas prices in the domestic market.
Additionally, the advisers approved a proposal to establish the Urban Safety and Resilience Institute (USRI) Bangladesh as a public trust under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works. While the institute’s name may be revised in the future, the proposal for its creation and operation has received approval.
Finally, the council approved a proposal setting office hours during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. Offices will operate from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, with a 15-minute break from 1:00 pm to 1:15 pm for Zuhr prayers.
