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a large number of people dead, which is very unexpected, they said, while urging the concerned ministry to be more active.

At least 274 people were killed and over 1,500 injured across the country during the 10-day Eid-ul-Fitr travel period, according to the Road Safety Foundation.

Instructions were also given to place progress reports before the prime minister today on three key ministries: the power, energy and mineral resources ministry; road transport and bridges ministry and the foreign ministry.

The move is aimed at allowing the government to closely monitor the performance of ministries that are now facing public attention and policy pressure.

The meeting also decided that ministers and lawmakers should take advance preparation for the upcoming parliamentary session, where the opposition may raise questions or criticism over the work of these three ministries.

Preparations would include reviewing recent steps taken by the ministries, identifying weak points and preparing clear responses so that the government can explain its position in parliament in a more organised way.

At the meeting, 45 lawmakers were selected to take part in discussions on these matters in parliament.

The government wants to ensure that ministers are better prepared, facts are presented clearly and debate on key issues remains constructive during the next session.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also announced that cabinet members will brief the members of parliament about their activities.

Monthly briefings will be arranged for MPs to discuss government performance and plans so they can speak in the parliament and take measures in their constituencies.

Tarique also directed the authorities to take stern action against those responsible for creating an artificial fuel crisis and to prevent fuel smuggling.

The leader of the House also urged the members of the parliament to remain vigilant and work closely with local administrations to ensure that fuel prices do not surge and people do not suffer from sudden price hikes.

“There is a risk of smuggling taking place,” Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni told reporters after the meeting.

To stop smuggling, he instructed the home minister to take strict measures, after which tougher actions will follow. At the same time, raids will be carried out against those engaged in hoarding, stockpiling fuel or attempting to create an artificial fuel crisis, he quoted the PM as saying.

Due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, the global economy is unstable and fuel prices have risen worldwide. Yet in Bangladesh, the government is making every effort to keep prices steady, even providing subsidies of nearly Tk 200 crore per month, Moni said.

Tarique informed the MPs of this situation, urging them to remain vigilant so that people do not suffer from sudden price hikes. He directed the MPs to coordinate with district commissioners and local administrations to ensure necessary measures are taken without disruption.

He also mentioned that the energy minister will brief the parliament following Section 300 of Rules of Procedure of the parliament.

Moni said that it was clarified that fuel supply is sufficient: a ship carrying 200,000 tonnes of fuel has already docked and another of equal capacity is loaded and on its way.

“Thus, there is no shortage of supply; the crisis is being artificially created by certain media outlets, opportunists and smugglers. Decisions were taken today to prevent this.”

Although fuel prices have risen in neighbouring countries and many parts of the world, keeping the prices stable in Bangladesh can be considered a success of the government. This was achieved through prior planning, said Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed.

“To ensure that farmers do not face difficulties during the Boro season, the government is supplying fuel with subsidies. The issue of fuel smuggling has come to the government’s attention and strict measures will be taken to stop it,” he told reporters.

The meeting, which was adjourned and will resume tomorrow at 1:30pm, also expressed deep shock and grief at the death of Dilara Hafiz, wife of Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.