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Published : 15 Apr 2026, 10:45 PM
Around 943,340 children have received the measles-rubella vaccine across Bangladesh in eight days, according to Information and Broadcasting Advisor Zahed Ur Rahman.
Speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat on Wednesday, he said an “emergency vaccination initiative” began on Apr 5 in 30 Upazilas across 18 districts to tackle the measles outbreak.
The campaign was expanded from Apr 12 to Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Mymensingh and Barishal city corporation areas.
“The vaccination initiative will begin in the rest of the country from Apr 20,” he said, adding that nearly 943,340 children were vaccinated between Apr 5 and Apr 13.
Free Wi-Fi at Airports, Stations
The advisor also said free Wi-Fi services have been launched at Shah Makhdum Airport in Rajshahi, Saidpur Airport, Dhaka Airport Railway Station and Cox’s Bazar Railway Station.
“All processes have been completed to launch free Wi-Fi within the next 15 days at Shahjalal International Airport, Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram, and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet,” he said.
Under a rural broadband project, 311 Wi-Fi hotspots have been installed as of Apr 6.
A total of 356 km of optical fibre have also been handed over to mobile operators.
Power Board Deficit Near Tk 604bn
Zahed said the subsidy demand from the finance division stands at Tk 370 billion for the ongoing 2025-26 fiscal year.
He added that the total deficit of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) is expected to reach Tk 604 billion, considering power imports, government-owned companies and its own plants.
“Although the government provides subsidies against deficits arising from power purchase from IPPs, no subsidies are given for power imports, including Adani, government power companies and BPDB’s own plants, creating a gap between total deficit and subsidy demand,” he said.
Regarding liabilities, he said BPDB owes Tk 202 billion to IPPs, Tk 29 billion to Adani Power, Tk 64 billion to joint ventures, Tk 100 billion to Petrobangla, and Tk 73 billion to government power companies.
Hajj Flights from Apr 18
Hajj flights will begin on Apr 18, the advisor said.
“The prime minister will formally inaugurate the Hajj flights at 11:30pm on Apr 17 at Shahjalal International Airport,” he said.
A total of 78,500 pilgrims from Bangladesh will perform Hajj this year, with visas for all pilgrims already completed.
He also said monthly honorariums have been introduced for imams, muezzins and khadems of mosques, as well as priests of temples and heads and deputies of Buddhist monasteries.
In the first phase, under a pilot scheme, allowances were distributed before Eid-ul-Fitr to personnel from 4,908 mosques -- one from each union and municipality.
Allowances were also given to religious leaders from 990 temples and 144 institutions across 72 Upazilas.
Tk 425 Crore for Canal Excavation
To fulfil an election pledge, the disaster management ministry has undertaken a drive to excavate, re-excavate and renovate around 7,000 km of canals between 2025 and 2030.
For the 2025-26 fiscal year, a target of 1,500 km has been set.
“This initiative is being implemented under the Employment Generation Programme for the Poorest (EGPP), with an allocation of Tk 425.33 crore (4.53 billion) this fiscal year,” he said, adding that trees will be planted along canal banks to support ecological balance and medicinal needs.
He also said a draft list of 145,000 volunteers has been prepared to respond to earthquakes, alongside the formation of an inter-ministerial taskforce.
Farmer Cards and Land Fair
In the first phase, 21,014 farmers across eight divisions have received Farmer Cards.
“Through these cards, landless, marginal and small farmers will receive an annual incentive of Tk 2,500 on average. The cards will also facilitate access to agricultural loans,” he said.
All farmers in 15 Upazilas will be brought under the scheme, he added, noting that a nationwide land service fair will be held in mid-May.
