The Cabinet on Thursday gave final and in-principle approval to the draft of the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Allowances) (Amendment) Act, 2026, scrapping the duty-free vehicle facility for lawmakers.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired the meeting at the cabinet room in the Sangsad Bhaban on Thursday night, according to a cabinet division press release.
The remuneration and allowances of MPs are currently determined under the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Allowances) Order, 1973. Under Article 3C of the order, MPs enjoy the facility of importing duty-free vehicles.
The Cabinet, considering the current economic realities and the Prime Minister’s far-sighted approach, approved the amendment to withdraw the facility.
The Cabinet also approved two other proposals, including bringing the Purbachal New Town Project area under the jurisdiction of Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Dhaka WASA.
Under the decision, parts of the Purbachal project located in Rupganj Upazila of Narayanganj and Kaliganj Upazila of Gazipur will come under Dhaka district.
According to the summary, the Ministry of Housing and Public Works placed the proposal to ensure administrative services, safety and security of properties, and civic service delivery in the project area under Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK).
The Cabinet also approved a proposal from the Commerce Ministry to change the observance date of National Tea Day.
Bangladesh currently observes National Tea Day on June 4. However, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has been observing International Tea Day on May 21 since 2020. Several tea-producing countries, including India, Sri Lanka, China, Kenya and Vietnam, also observe the day on May 21.
Following this, Bangladesh will now observe National Tea Day on May 21 instead of June 4, aligning with the FAO observance.
The Cabinet further gave final approval to the drafts of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (Amendment) Act, 2026, and the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act, 2026, subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division.
Both proposals, placed by the Financial Institutions Division, remove existing age limits for appointing the chairman and commissioners of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and the chairman and members of the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA).
Under existing rules, the maximum age limit is 65 years for BSEC officials and 67 years for IDRA officials.
The Cabinet observed that these limits created obstacles in appointing qualified and experienced professionals and approved the amendments in the public interest.
It noted that many Asian countries, including Malaysia and Sri Lanka, do not impose such age restrictions.
