FROM PAGE 3

determined under the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Allowances) Order, 1973. Under Article 3C of that order, MPs have been allowed to import cars without paying duty, said a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office.

The new amendment aims to remove this facility in view of the current economic situation, it added.

According to the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Allowances) Order, 1973 (President’s Order), a member shall be entitled to import another new car or microbus after the expiration of a period of five years from the date of his last import at the same terms and conditions provided in the sub-section.

Earlier, in their first parliamentary party meeting after taking oath at the Jatiya Sangsad in February, BNP lawmakers had decided not to take duty-free cars and government plots.

Opposition Jamaat-e-Islami had also taken a similar decision.

​There has been widespread criticism of the duty-free car privilege for MPs in previous terms. Allegations also surfaced that some MPs purchased cars without paying taxes and later sold them at a high profit.

The cabinet also approved a proposal to bring Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj and Kaliganj upazila of Gazipur under Dhaka district.

Besides, it gave approval to include the Purbachal New Town project area within Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, and Dhaka Wasa.

The cabinet has decided to change the date of National Tea Day. Bangladesh will now observe it on May 21, in line with International Tea Day, instead of June 4.

In addition, the cabinet approved a plan to remove the age limit for the chairman and commissioners of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission.

The draft of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (Amendment) Act, 2026 was approved, subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division.

Under subsection (6) of Section 5 of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission Act, 1993, the maximum age limit for appointing the chairman and commissioners is 65 years. The amendment seeks to remove this limit to allow more experienced individuals to take up these positions.

Similarly, the cabinet approved a proposal to abolish the age limit for the chairman and members of the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority.

The draft of the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act, 2026, was also approved, subject to vetting.