Dhaka: The Council of Advisers at its weekly meeting today gave approval to six ordinances and three proposals along with discussing the interim government’s performance since its inception in August 2024. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus chaired the meeting at his office in the city’s Tejgaon area this morning.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed the media at the Foreign Service Academy this afternoon, highlighting that the advisory council addressed a series of agendas and provided necessary approvals.
The advisory council granted final approval to the drafts of several ordinances, including the Workplace and Educational Institutions Ordinance 2026, the Domestic Violence Prevention Ordinance 2026, the Bangladesh Gas (Amendment) Ordinance 2026, the Postal Service Ordinance 2026, the Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation Ordinance 2026, and the Bangabandhu National Agriculture Award Trust (Amendment) Ordinance 2026.
The press secretary noted that with the approval of the Bangabandhu National Agriculture Award Trust (Amendment) Ordinance 2026, the award’s name will change to the National Agriculture Award.
Additionally, the Council approved a proposal to exempt 7.5 percent VAT on LP gas at local production and trader levels and 2 percent advance tax on import while imposing only a 7.5 percent VAT at the import stage of LP gas. This decision is anticipated to reduce the overall tax burden on LP gas, potentially leading to a decrease in its prices in the local market.
Another proposal endorsed by the advisory council involves establishing the Urban Safety and Resilience Institute (USRI) Bangladesh as a public trust under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works. Though the name might change in the future, the institution’s establishment proposal has been approved.
In addition to these decisions, the council approved the proposal for fixing office hours during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. Office hours will be from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, with a 15-minute break from 1:00 pm to 1:15 pm for Zuhr prayers.