Tarique Rahman has been sworn in as the prime minister of Bangladesh for the first time, leading a 49-member cabinet as the party assumes power for the fifth time.
The swearing-in ceremony took place on Wednesday at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, after which the new cabinet members, comprising 25 ministers and 24 ministers of state, departed for their residences in official flag-bearing vehicles.
The new administration is entitled to approximately 13 types of facilities, including salaries, housing, and full medical coverage, as governed by the Ministers, Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers (Remuneration and Privileges) Act.
A new policy on privileges and transparency
In a significant departure from previous political norms, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced that BNP members of Parliament will not accept duty-free vehicles or land plots.
This policy aligns with a similar pledge made by Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, during the election campaign.
In accordance with Article 74 of the Constitution, all elected representatives are now required to submit wealth statements for themselves and their families within three months of being elected. These records will be published on the Election Commission’s website and updated on an annual basis.
Remuneration and housing benefits
The financial remuneration for the new executive is clearly defined, with the prime minister receiving a monthly salary of Tk1,15,000, a house rent allowance of Tk1,00,000, and full coverage for entertainment expenses.
Full ministers will receive a monthly salary of Tk1,05,000, while ministers of state and deputy ministers will receive Tk92,000 and Tk86,500 respectively. Ordinary Members of Parliament are set to receive a monthly salary of Tk55,000.
Regarding accommodation, cabinet members are provided with rent-free, furnished official residences maintained at the state’s expense. Ministers who choose to reside in private or rented housing will receive a monthly allowance of Tk80,000, while ministers of state and deputy ministers will receive Tk70,000, alongside an annual maintenance allowance equivalent to three months’ rent.
The government will also cover all utility costs, including electricity, gas, water, and telephone services, and provide annual home decoration allowances of Tk5 lakh for ministers and Tk4 lakh for ministers of state.
Transport and travel allowances
Transport facilities for the cabinet include a government vehicle with a daily fuel allocation of 18 litres, with jeeps provided from agencies under their respective ministries for constituency visits.
For domestic travel, ministers receive a daily allowance of Tk2,000 while deputy ministers receive Tk1,500, with air travel insurance coverage set at Tk10 lakh. The state will also bear the full cost of medical treatment for cabinet members without a fixed legal limit, provided that relevant vouchers are submitted to the Cabinet Division.
Staffing support and discretionary funds
Staffing support for a minister includes a private secretary of deputy secretary rank, an assistant private secretary, two personal officers, a jamadar, an orderly, two office assistants, and a cook.
Ministers of state and deputy ministers receive slightly reduced staffing support. Additionally, ministers receive a monthly entertainment allowance of Tk10,000, while ministers of state receive Tk7,500 and deputy ministers receive Tk5,000.
For development work in their constituencies, such as for religious institutions and charities, ministers are allocated Tk10 lakh annually, with ministers of state receiving Tk7.5 lakh and deputy ministers Tk5 lakh. Within this fund, a minister may grant a maximum of Tk50,000 to a single individual.
State protocol and precedence
In terms of state protocol and the warrant of precedence, the speaker of the House ranks immediately after the prime minister. The chief whip and the leader of the Opposition hold the rank of a full minister, as does the deputy speaker. Whips and the Opposition chief whip are accorded the rank of a minister of state.
