Dhaka: Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Spokesperson Mahdi Amin stated that the government's ten people-oriented initiatives for Eid-ul-Azha significantly improved Eid management, facilitating smooth celebrations of the nation's second-largest religious festival.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Mahdi Amin elaborated at a press conference at the Karobi Hall of the PMO that these initiatives were taken under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's directives. The measures aimed to ensure hassle-free Eid celebrations included facilitating seamless travel, ensuring timely payment of workers' wages and allowances, protecting the domestic cattle market, expediting waste removal, maintaining order in public transport, curbing extortion and syndicates, providing uninterrupted power supply, ensuring public safety, managing the rawhide sector efficiently, and stabilizing essential commodities' prices.
Mahdi Amin emphasized that the coordinated implementation of these initiatives demonstrated the government's commitment to making public services more responsive to citizens. He acknowledged the challenges of reversing the institutional decline from the past 16 years within a mere three months of the new government but highlighted the administration's responsiveness during Eid.
He praised the efforts of ministers, advisers, parliament members, and officials who worked diligently to ensure the first Eid-ul-Azha under the elected government was celebrated smoothly. He also noted that extended public holidays and improved traffic management contributed to easing congestion on highways during Eid travels.
The spokesperson reported that most garment workers received their wages and bonuses on time, fostering a peaceful atmosphere in industrial areas. Strict measures were implemented to prevent illegal cattle inflow, supporting local farmers and ensuring a stable supply of sacrificial animals. The relocation of cattle markets from roadsides reduced traffic congestion significantly.
Regarding waste management, Mahdi Amin highlighted that most sacrificial waste in Dhaka was cleared within 8-12 hours after Eid, marking an improvement from previous years. Efforts to manage the transport sector, curb overcharging, and enhance safety measures contributed to a more orderly holiday period.
He noted that actions against extortion and syndicates in cattle transport helped stabilize market prices, while uninterrupted electricity was maintained despite high demand. Enhanced market monitoring kept essential commodity prices in check, though structural economic challenges persisted.
Mahdi Amin reiterated the government's resolve to improve coordination among agencies and strengthen public service delivery for future national festivals. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's clear directives to public representatives to celebrate Eid in their constituencies were highlighted as promoting a culture of accountability and citizen-centric governance.
He also addressed the legacy of what he termed 16 years of "fascist misrule and lack of accountability," asserting that, despite these challenges, the government's sincerity and welfare-oriented administration were evident during the Eid period.
The press conference aimed to highlight the government's initiatives during Eid-ul-Azha, with Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon commenting on the Prime Minister's active role in public service and development efforts. Rumon urged media caution in verifying content authenticity to prevent misinformation.
Prime Minister's Speechwriter Mahfuzur Rahman and other press secretaries were present at the event.