Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed the Minister of State for Commerce to start strict market monitoring to rein in commodity prices.

She gave this order in an unscheduled discussion at the cabinet meeting held on Monday (May 20).

The cabinet meeting was held in the morning at the Prime Minister's office. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting. Later in the afternoon, the Cabinet Secretary Md. Mahbub Hossain announced the decision of the meeting in a press briefing at the Secretariat.

The Cabinet Secretary said that the Prime Minister emphasized on market monitoring. The Prime Minister asked the Minister of State for Commerce to focus strongly on market monitoring.

In this regard, the Cabinet Secretary also said that despite the lack of supply problems in some products, the trend of price increase has been seen. For this, the Prime Minister directed the Minister of State for Commerce to start strict market monitoring.

The government has launched the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Peace Medal for various contributions including contribution to the establishment of peace. The award will be given to one person every 2 years. The person who gets the medal will get 1 lakh dollars (1 crore 17 lakhs in Bangladeshi taka). He will also be presented with an 18 carat gold medal weighing 50 grams (more than four loads).

Cabinet Secretary Md. Mahbub Hossain said this after the Cabinet meeting on Monday (May 20). Earlier, the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was held at the Prime Minister's Office.

Md. Mahbub Hossain said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave directives to the cabinet division to make policies on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman receiving the 'Julio Curie' peace medal. In the light of that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Peace Medal Policy-2024 (Draft) was prepared. The draft was approved in the May 20 meeting.

He said, to contribute to the establishment of world peace, to take effective initiatives and contributions to resolve wars, to take effective initiatives to establish peace in conflict situations, to make an important contribution to the establishment of human rights, to play an effective role in creating a world free from hunger and poverty, through sustainable social, environmental and economic development of the state and overall welfare of the society - will be taken into consideration in awarding the award.

He also said that the government of a country, head of state or members of parliament of that country can send proposals. Heads of foreign embassies in Bangladesh or heads of international organizations can nominate names for the award. Heads of high commissions or embassies of Bangladesh posted abroad can also send proposals. A head of any UN agency can also propose a name. However, no individual can claim the prize himself. The name of the award will be announced on Bangabandhu's birth anniversary (March 17), and the award will be handed over in the near future.

On May 23, 1973, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was officially awarded the Julio Curie Medal. It will be the 52nd anniversary of receiving that medal.Bangabandhu received Jolio Curie international recognition after the independence of Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed the concerned to take measures to run battery-powered auto-rickshaws in certain areas of Dhaka.

Secretary of the Cabinet Division Md. Mahbub Hossain said this decision after the meeting of the Cabinet on Monday (May 20). Earlier, the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was held at the Prime Minister's Office.

Cabinet Division Secretary Md. Mahbub Hossain said that the draft of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Commissioners (Rewards and Privileges) Act-2024 has been given final approval. The new law fixed the salary of CEC at Tk. 105,000 and that of other commissioners at Tk. 95,000.

Earlier, the salary of CEC was said to be equal to that of Appellate Division Judge. Now the same has been kept equal, but the number has been determined, said the Cabinet Division Secretary.

Special allowance will be 50 percent of basic pay. Baisakhi allowance, controller allowance and other benefits remain as before. Earlier it was in English, now it will be in Bengali, he said.

The OC of Ramganj Police Station has been instructed to take action against Anwar Hossain Khan, Member of Parliament of Lakshmipur-1 (Ramganj) Constituency.

Returning officer Prionkya Dutta gave this written instruction to take action against the MP who raised allegations of violation of code of conduct in Ramganj Upazila Parishad elections.

The letter to the OC mentions that in the election campaign and favoring the rival candidate in violation of the Election Conduct Rules has been filed against Anowar Hussain Khan MP of Laksmipur -1 constituency. A copy of the complaint has been sent herewith for taking necessary action as per the rules regarding the said complaint.

On Sunday (May 19) night, this instruction was given based on the complaint made by Imtiaz Arafat, the candidate for the chairman of the upazila parishad election.

Imtiaz Arafat, candidate with the pineapple symbol, made a written complaint to the Returning Officer on Saturday (May 18) in this regard.

In his letter to the returning officer, Imtiaz alleged that MP Anwar Hossain Khan is making various plans to win over his rival candidate Delwar Hossain Dewan Bachchu by violating the code of conduct. Former Chairman of Noagaon Union and former President of Union Awami League Rana was picked up from Noagaon Bazar and took him to Khan Tower. He took him there and threatened him in various ways to do election work for Dewan Bachchu. Later, Rana managed to escape from there which is against the electoral code of conduct.

When asked about the letter, Ramganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Solaiman said on Sunday night, "I have not received the letter." Action will be taken according to the letter if received.

It is to be noted that the 2nd phase of the Sixth Upazila Parishad election will be held on May 21 in Ramganj of Lakshmipur.