Govt scraps duty-free car import facility for MPs

The government has decided to abolish the duty-free car import facility for members of parliament in view of the current economic realities and the need to reduce public expenditure.

The decision was made at a meeting of the cabinet committee held tonight (23 April) at paliamnent, presided over by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, according to a press release issued by the Cabinet Division.

The press release said that the draft of "The Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Allowances) (Amendment) Act, 2026" received final approval to revoke the existing provision for duty-free vehicle imports under "The Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Allowances) Order, 1973."

The move reflects the government's broader effort to rationalise spending amid prevailing economic conditions, it added.

The issue had earlier been addressed within the ruling party, as the prime minister instructed party lawmakers not to avail themselves of the duty-free car import facility on the day they took oath, during a parliamentary party meeting.

The opposition party Jamaat-e-Islami had also announced before the election that its members would not utilise the facility.

However, opposition lawmakers recently proposed that instead of allowing duty-free imports, the government should provide vehicles to members of parliament in a manner similar to those allocated to district and upazila chairmen, deputy commissioners and upazila nirbahi officers.

During an unscheduled discussion in parliament on Tuesday, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam said the government has decided to establish a well-equipped room for members of parliament in each upazila parishad complex.

Following the announcement, Cumilla-4 lawmaker and NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah thanked the government and suggested that transport facilities would further support parliamentary duties.

Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, he clarified that neither he nor the opposition sought the duty-free car import facility, and instead called for the provision of vehicles for official use during their tenure, similar to arrangements for local government and administrative officials.

"Members of parliament will be required to return the vehicles to the government once they are no longer in office," Hasnat suggested.

Age limits for BSEC and Idra leadership removed

In addition to the decision, the cabinet committee meeting approved a proposal to abolish the maximum age limit for appointing the chairman and commissioners of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission.

Under the existing "Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission Act, 1993", the maximum age for appointing the chairman and commissioners is set at 65 years.

Citing that the age restriction has been acting as a barrier to appointing skilled and experienced individuals to these positions, the press release said that the cabinet, therefore, approved the proposal to amend the law to remove the maximum age limit.

Similarly, a decision was made to abolish the maximum age limit of 67 years for the chairman and members under the "Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority Act, 2010." 

The government said this would facilitate the appointment of qualified and experienced professionals in the insurance sector.

Other approvals

The meeting also approved a proposal to bring the Purbachal New Town Project area under the jurisdiction of Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Dhaka Wasa.

In addition, the cabinet decided to observe National Tea Day on 21 May instead of 4 June.