Introduce cards for OMS: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked the authorities concerned to introduce cards for Open Market Sale (OMS) as she has noticed mismanagement and a lack of discipline in the way the programme is going on at present.

How the OMS programme will be conducted through cards will be decided after discussing with the ministry concerned, said Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain at a press briefing at the Secretariat after the Cabinet meeting on Monday.

Under the OMS programme, the government sells rice and flour at low prices. One can buy a maximum of 5kg of rice at Tk30 per kg and a maximum of 2kg of flour at Tk24 per kg.

The government has sold 4.10 lakh tonnes of rice and 1.34 lakh tonnes of flour under OMS across the country until 16 February, which was 2.75 lakh tonnes in the previous fiscal year. This year, the government reduced the supply of flour as its prices doubled.

Flour is sold only in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur and Narsingdi districts. Rice is sold in the other districts.

Not just low-income people, lower middle-income people are also buying rice and flour from OMS trucks or sale centres – due to the upward trend of inflation – as the OMS prices are lower than those in the market.

But, many businessmen also buy rice and flour to sell for making profits.

Bangladeshis having citizenship in 44 countries to get dual citizenship

In Monday's cabinet meeting, it was also decided to give dual citizenship to Bangladeshis who got citizenship in 44 countries. Earlier, the government gave such benefits to Bangladeshis having citizenship in 57 other countries. However, Bangladeshis who have renounced their citizenship to get citizenship in another country, will not get this benefit.

The Security Services Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs will issue a notification in this regard. 

The government has taken this decision in view of the applications of Bangladeshi citizens who have obtained citizenship in different countries.

Nineteen of the African continent, 12 of the South American continent, 12 of the Caribbean region and only Fijian Bangladeshi citizens of the Oceania continent will be given the benefit of dual citizenship. These citizens will have the same rights to their property as the citizens of the country.

Countries, where Bangladeshi citizens will get this benefit, are Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, Algeria, Sudan, Morocco, Ghana, Rwanda, Burundi, Tunisia, Sierra Leone, Libya, Congo, Liberia, Central African Republic, Eritrea, Gambia, Botswana and Mauritius in Africa; Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, Suriname, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Uruguay and Guyana in Southern America; Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bahamas, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, St Lucia, Barbados, Saint Vincent, Grenadines, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean region; Fiji in Oceania.

1,129 members of armed forces to go to Qatar on deputation

In the meeting, it was said that 1,129 members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces will go on deputation to Qatar. In this regard, the draft agreement between Bangladesh and Qatar was approved on Monday's meeting. 

Implementation of Delta Plan and Smart Bangladesh

The cabinet secretary said that a plan has been taken to implement Delta Plan and Smart Bangladesh and achieve the goals of SDG. The main point of this plan is that in the future, all ministries will conduct activities considering the impact of climate change risks in their activities. There will be initiatives to increase technical development and revenue collection. The government aims to create a roadmap to move from crisis to resilience and development. 

He said the implementation of this plan will cost $80 billion till 2041. If the plan is implemented properly, it will add $50 million to the GDP every year. On the other hand, the GDP that is decreasing due to climate change will stop.

Another resolution also approved the draft Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan 2022-2041.

Tenure of BSMMU VC, Pro VC, treasurer made 4 years

In another proposal, the term of appointment of the vice chancellor, vice chancellor and treasurer of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University has been increased from three years to four years. Syndicate members have been increased by one to 31. Besides, it has been decided to keep one woman among the three members of parliament nominated by the speaker in the syndicate. And the director general of the health education department has been added.

A total of eight issues were discussed on Monday's cabinet meeting. Among these, four matters were related to informing about the foreign visits of three ministers.

A total of eight issues were discussed in the cabinet meeting. Among these, four matters were related to informing about the foreign visits of three ministers.