Cabinet approves bill scrapping duty-free vehicle facility for MPs

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 the lawmakers.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired the meeting at the cabinet room in the Sangsad Bhaban tonight, according to a cabinet division press release.

The remuneration and allowances are usually determined under the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Allowances) Order, 1973. According to Article 3C of the Order, members of parliament (MPs) enjoy the facility of importing duty-free vehicles. 

However, considering the current economic realities and in light of the far-sighted approach of the prime minister, the cabinet gave approval to the draft of the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Allowances) (Amendment) Act, 2026, to scrap the duty-free vehicle facility for MPs.

Besides, the cabinet approved a proposal, incorporating the Purbachal New Town Project area under the jurisdiction of Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, and Dhaka WASA. 

As per the approved proposal, the portions of the Purbachal project located in Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj and Kaliganj upazila of Gazipur will be brought under Dhaka district. 

According to the summary, the Ministry of Housing and Public Works placed the proposal aimed at ensuring administrative services, safety and security of the properties and the delivery of civic services in the project area under the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK). 

The cabinet also approved another proposal placed by the Ministry of Commerce to change the date for the observance of National Tea Day.

Currently, Bangladesh observes the day on 4 June. But the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) has been observing International Tea Day on 21 May since 2020. 

Several tea-producing countries, such as India, Sri Lanka, China, Kenya, and Vietnam, also observe the day on 21 May. 

Therefore, Bangladesh has taken the initiative to observe National Tea Day on 21 May, aligning with the FAO instead of 4 June.

Besides, the cabinet 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 bills, placed by the Financial Institutions Division, proposed the removal of existing age limits for the appointment of 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 the existing law, the maximum age limit is 65 years for the BSEC chairman and commissioners, while it is 67 years for the chairman and members of IDRA.

The cabinet observed that the age limits were obstacles in appointing qualified and experienced professionals and approved the amendments in the public interest.

Many Asian countries, including Malaysia and Sri Lanka, do not impose such age restrictions.