Intensify anti-terror measures

Against the backdrop of the recent series bomb attacks in Sri Lanka, the cabinet yesterday directed the law enforcement and intelligence agencies to step up anti-terror security measures and vigilance in the country.

The directives came during the cabinet meeting, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair at her office.

“The cabinet asked for intensifying security and monitoring measures in Bangladesh,” Cabinet Division Senior Secretary (coordination and reforms) Shamsul Arefin told reporters at a briefing at the secretariat.

Expressing deep sorrow at the casualties in the series bomb attacks and the death of Zayan Chowdhury, a grandson of Awami League leader Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, in one of the attacks, the cabinet adopted two condolence motions, said the senior secretary.

The cabinet expressed profound sympathy to the bereaved family members of the victims.

The meeting also approved the draft of Bangladesh Industrial and Technical Assistance Centre (BITAC) Bill, 2019 for strengthening the management and function of the centre.

“The BITAC is a statutory body which is being run under a resolution of 1962. The bill was brought to make a full-fledged law to strengthen the management of the centre,” Shamsul said.

According to the bill, there will be an 11-member BITAC board of directors, headed by the industries secretary.

The cabinet endorsed the draft of the Agreement on Cultural Cooperation between Lebanon and Bangladesh for signing the deal.

The senior secretary said the meeting was also informed about the PM’s recent three-day official visit to Brunei.

RAMADAN OFFICE TIMING

The cabinet also approved the office timing for the upcoming Ramadan from 9:00am to 3:30pm for all government, semi-government, autonomous and semi-autonomous institutions.

Shamsul said there would be a 15-minute break from 1:15pm to 1:30pm for Zohr prayers.

He said banks, companies and financial institutions would fix their own office timing ahead of the Ramadan.