The government has undertaken a wide range of initiatives with the goal of transforming Bangladesh into a clean, disciplined, and people-friendly state. With a vision to bring smiles to মানুষের faces and turn every public space into a livable and well-maintained urban environment, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been working tirelessly. Under his leadership, members of the cabinet, party parliamentarians, and officials at various levels of the government are collectively striving to enhance national development and improve the quality of public services.

To ensure integrity within public institutions, the government has already implemented several effective measures to curb corruption. Increased monitoring and stricter evaluation of officials’ performance have been introduced to guarantee transparency and accountability. As a result, administrative efficiency is improving, and, according to experts, the prevalence of corruption is gradually declining.

These efforts are not confined to the central government alone. From district council administrators to city corporation কর্মকর্তারা, local-level authorities are actively engaged in implementing policies on the ground. This coordinated approach enables the rapid identification of everyday problems and facilitates immediate solutions. The government’s proactive stance in addressing long-standing issues caused by years of mismanagement and neglect has already generated positive responses among the জনগণ.

Since assuming office, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has issued firm directives to government officials, cabinet members, and সংশ্লিষ্ট stakeholders to perform their duties responsibly. He regularly monitors their performance to ensure discipline and accountability. It is reported that the Prime Minister works nearly 16 hours a day to address national concerns and resolve urgent issues. His dedicated team of aides also works tirelessly, making government operations more dynamic and responsive.

The Prime Minister’s role extends beyond policymaking; he directly oversees the progress of work across various sectors. He remains vigilant about whether citizens are facing harassment or whether any government or party-affiliated individuals are engaging in unethical activities. He has taken a strong stance against crimes such as extortion, terrorism, and snatching, prioritizing public safety. Even incidents involving harassment by party activists are closely monitored under his নির্দেশনা.

The core objective of these initiatives is to establish a democratic, transparent, and participatory governance system. The Prime Minister has emphasized that the country belongs to its people, not to any individual or group. Therefore, public interest is being prioritized in every aspect of governance. To achieve this goal, all units of the government and administration have been instructed to work in a coordinated manner, according to responsible sources.

The government is also focusing on resolving long-standing infrastructural challenges, social inequality, and administrative complexities. Various projects have already been launched to improve roads, modernize sanitation systems, enhance urban planning, and develop rural infrastructure. Beyond urban centers, efforts are underway to bring modern facilities to rural areas through the Ministry of Local Government and সংশ্লিষ্ট institutions.

Transforming rural areas into urban-like environments is expected to open a new horizon for national development. This initiative will help reduce migration pressure on cities while strengthening the rural economy. The government has set clear goals to improve education, healthcare, communication systems, and employment opportunities in rural regions, thereby raising the overall standard of living.

Speaking on the matter, the Prime Minister’s Industrial Affairs Adviser and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi stated, “The Prime Minister is working more than 16 hours a day to build a modern Bangladesh free from terrorism and extortion.” He added that all units of the government are actively engaged in resolving long-standing issues and have already achieved visible progress in various sectors.

Analysts and the general public have responded positively to these initiatives. They believe that the swift resolution of problems and increased administrative efficiency will accelerate the country’s development. However, maintaining this momentum and ensuring good governance remain significant challenges for the government.

In conclusion, the government’s comprehensive plan to build a clean, safe, and democratic Bangladesh holds great promise. If successfully implemented, these initiatives will significantly improve the quality of life for the দেশের মানুষ. The government’s relentless efforts, combined with the active participation of responsible stakeholders, are expected to further accelerate the nation’s path toward sustainable development.

Eviction drives aimed at clearing sidewalks in the capital, Dhaka, are not new. However, recent initiatives to remove street hawkers without any clear rehabilitation plan or alternative employment arrangements have raised serious concerns among various quarters. A large section of economists, social analysts, and political observers believe that such a decision could produce adverse consequences and potentially backfire on the government, pushing it into a difficult situation.

In Dhaka, an estimated 500,000 hawkers earn their livelihoods through small-scale businesses on footpaths. Most of them belong to low-income groups, for whom street vending is the only source of income. According to relevant sources, nearly 5 million people depend directly or indirectly on these hawkers. In other words, eviction would not only affect half a million individuals but would also directly impact a much larger population, including their families. The consequences could extend beyond the capital, potentially creating an adverse socio-economic environment across the country.

If similar eviction drives are carried out in cities nationwide, analysts warn that nearly 10 million people could become unemployed, putting more than 25 million individuals at risk of economic hardship. Such a scenario could significantly disrupt the country’s socio-economic stability.

Experts caution that the sudden eviction of hawkers without alternative employment opportunities would push them into severe financial distress. A large portion of this population could fall into unemployment, poverty, and uncertainty. This, in turn, may increase the risk of social crimes such as theft, mugging, and robbery, as individuals struggle to survive.

As one economist noted, “Street hawkers are an integral part of the urban informal economy. They not only sustain themselves but also generate employment opportunities for many others through supply chains. Eliminating this sector abruptly would have multidimensional negative impacts across various sectors of the economy.”

The current economic context makes the issue even more sensitive. The country has yet to fully recover from the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to face multiple challenges, including sluggish industrial growth, rising inflation, and pressure on foreign exchange reserves. Additionally, political instability and recent major national events, including sudden changes in government, have further strained the economy, according to analysts.

Political observers warn that decisions restricting livelihoods during an already fragile economic period may trigger significant political repercussions. In particular, communities directly affected by such measures may develop deep resentment, which could translate into broader public dissatisfaction.

There are also indications of quiet discontent within the ruling party. Several leaders, speaking on condition of anonymity, have expressed concern that such a decision should have been made with greater consideration of ground realities. According to them, “The combination of economic pressure and hawker eviction could provoke negative reactions among the public.”

They further warn that if the income of half a million hawkers is abruptly cut off, many may be forced into criminal activities out of desperation. This could lead to a deterioration in law and order, ultimately posing a significant challenge for the government.

Meanwhile, the global situation remains uncertain. Rising geopolitical tensions, particularly ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, are beginning to impact the global economy. Increasing fuel prices, higher import costs, and mounting pressure on foreign currency reserves are making conditions more difficult for developing countries like Bangladesh. Under such circumstances, additional internal economic disruption could worsen the situation further.

In this context, experts emphasize the importance of maintaining internal economic stability. They argue that putting a large informal sector like street vending at risk could impose additional strain on an already fragile economy.

However, urban planners acknowledge that keeping sidewalks free from encroachment is necessary. Ensuring smooth pedestrian movement, reducing traffic congestion, and maintaining urban order are all valid priorities. Nevertheless, they stress that any eviction process must be planned and humane; otherwise, the consequences could be severe.

According to one urban planning expert, “The focus should not be on eviction alone, but on rehabilitation. Designated markets or stalls can be developed to relocate hawkers. This would help maintain urban order while also preserving livelihoods.”

Analysts also point out that in many developed cities, authorities allocate specific zones where street vendors can operate under regulations. Introducing similar measures in Bangladesh could offer a sustainable and balanced solution.

Overall, many observers consider the eviction of hawkers without alternative arrangements to be short-sighted. They argue that such a move could have not only economic but also social and political repercussions, potentially placing the government in a difficult position.

Experts suggest that the government should reconsider the policy and engage with all relevant stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategy. Initiatives such as rehabilitation programs, access to microcredit, skills training, and alternative employment opportunities could help mitigate the impact.

Ultimately, sustainable development can only be achieved when its benefits reach all segments of society. The key challenge for policymakers now is to strike a balance between maintaining urban order and protecting the livelihoods of millions of vulnerable people.

Mahdi Amin, Adviser to the Prime Minister, and Abu Abdullah M. Saleh (Shibly), Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, have been appointed as spokespersons of the Prime Minister’s Office.The information was disclosed in an official notification issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Sunday (April 5). According to the notification, under Rule 28(4) of the Rules of Business, 1996, Mahdi Amin and Abu Abdullah M. Saleh (Shibly) will serve as spokespersons responsible for disseminating and providing official information of the Prime Minister’s Office to the press, media, and other platforms.Mahdi Amin, who holds the status of a state minister as an adviser, is currently entrusted with responsibilities related to the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Mahdi Amin played a significant role in the BNP’s central election management committee, where he also served as a spokesperson. During the election period, he regularly presented the party’s positions on various issues from the party’s election office in Gulshan.

Mahdi Amin has contributed extensively to policy formulation, seminars, workshops, and public engagements focusing on education, training, employment, youth and women empowerment, as well as inclusive development and state reforms based on a 31-point framework. In 2014, he was appointed as an adviser to Tarique Rahman, the then Senior Vice Chairman of the BNP.

In 2024, he became a member of the BNP’s Foreign Affairs Advisory Committee and undertook various important responsibilities prior to Tarique Rahman’s anticipated return to the country. He has long been associated with socio-economic development policy frameworks in South Asia and has been working closely with the current Prime Minister.

On the other hand, Press Secretary Saleh Shibly has had a distinguished career in journalism, having worked with several media outlets including UNB, Daily Manabzamin, Banglabazar Patrika, and Channel i. He served as General Secretary of the Dhaka Reporters Unity in 2004 and of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association in 1994.

Shibly also served as Press Secretary to Tarique Rahman during his tenure as Acting Chairman of the BNP. During the period of the Four-Party Alliance government, he worked as First Secretary (Press) at the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata.

Over the decades, Saleh Shibly has maintained a close professional association with BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

In Moulvibazar, allegations have surfaced that a BNP-affiliated individual has been using political influence to secure government advertisements for a newspaper, bypassing established rules and procedures. The issue has sparked widespread criticism among local journalists and various segments of society.

The Accused has been brought against Bakshi Mizbaur Rahman, editor of the daily Swadhinotar Chetana, who is known as a close associate of former BNP Organizing Secretary and current Member of Parliament M. Naser Rahman. According to sources, Rahman has allegedly leveraged his political connections to obtain advertisements from government offices without following the required regulatory framework.

As per government policy, advertisements are supposed to be distributed through a structured process that includes approval, eligibility criteria, and proper documentation. However, it is alleged that these procedures are being ignored, and advertisements are being directly secured through influence. This has reportedly deprived other media outlets that follow due process.

Sources claim that Rahman developed connections with various government officials while accompanying MP M. Naser Rahman at official meetings. He is said to have used these connections to obtain advertisements from multiple departments, including the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Superintendent of Police’s Office, Public Works Department (PWD), LGED, Roads and Highways Department, Upazila Administration, District Council, Municipality, and the Department of Public Health Engineering.

Local journalists have expressed concern, stating that such practices undermine transparency and fairness in the media sector. They argue that if influence overrides policy, it creates an uneven playing field and damages the integrity of journalism.

“This kind of activity is against the principles of fair media practice,” said one journalist, requesting anonymity. “Authorities must investigate the matter and take appropriate action.”

The issue has also triggered strong reactions on social media, where many users are questioning how such activities can continue in apparent violation of government regulations.

Attempts to contact the accused for comment were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, there has been no official statement from the relevant government authorities.

Concerned stakeholders are now calling for an immediate and impartial investigation to ensure accountability and restore fairness in the distribution of government advertisements.