Ministers’ vehicle fuel cut by 30pc, interest-free car loans for govt officials suspended

As part of fuel conservation and government expenditure reduction, the Prime Minister, ministers, and state ministers will reduce by 30 per cent the monthly fuel allocated for their official vehicles.

Additionally, interest-free loans for government officials to purchase cars will remain suspended until further notice.

These decisions were taken at the cabinet meeting held on Thursday, according to a government press note issued today, Friday.

The press statement elaborated on various measures adopted at the meeting, based on a briefing by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani.

According to the press release, amid the current global situation, a target has been set to save around 3,100 megawatts of electricity daily through an integrated action plan of the Power Division to address the power and energy crisis.

In implementing this plan, emphasis has been placed on ensuring irrigation for agricultural land, production, storage, and proper distribution of fertiliser, and maintaining necessary fuel supply to the industrial sector to sustain production and growth.

The press statement also stated that all forms of decorative lighting across the country must be avoided for the next three months. To raise public awareness about energy-saving measures, including avoiding decorative lighting, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will undertake campaigns in print and electronic media. If necessary, mobile courts will be deployed in sufficient numbers.

Government and private offices will operate from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Banks and financial institutions will remain open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, with banking services available from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Except for emergency services, all office buildings, shopping malls, and commercial establishments must close by 6:00 pm.

The press statement noted that the Ministry of Education will consult stakeholders and present a proposal at the next cabinet meeting regarding the implementation of energy-saving measures in educational institutions.

Quoting the Cabinet Secretary, the statement further said that to reduce fuel use and environmental pollution, the proposal to allow duty-free import of brand-new electric buses for registered educational institutions, and a total of 20 per cent duty for other cases, has been approved. It was also decided to gradually remove vehicles emitting black smoke and those that have exceeded their lifespan from the roads.

When asked about closing shopping malls at 6:00 pm, an official of the Cabinet Division told Prothom Alo that the relevant ministries will now implement the cabinet’s decision.

The press statement said all foreign training funded by the government will remain suspended. Domestic training expenses, excluding core training costs, must be reduced by 50 per cent. Hospitality expenses at meetings and seminars must be cut by 50 per cent, and seminar and conference expenses by 20 per cent.

In addition, travel expenses will be reduced by 30 per cent, purchases of vehicles, watercraft, aircraft, and computers in the public sector will be completely halted, and fuel use for government vehicles will be reduced by 30 per cent on a monthly basis. Fuel, electricity, and gas use in the government offices must also be reduced by 30 per cent.

Furthermore, it was decided to reduce expenditure on residential building beautification by 20 per cent, non-residential building beautification by 50 per cent, and land acquisition costs by 100 per cent.