Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged citizens, public institutions, and private organisations across Bangladesh to adopt more responsible and efficient electricity consumption practices, stressing that energy conservation must begin with leadership and example.
Demonstrating this principle, the Prime Minister personally reduced electricity usage in his office at the national secretariat by switching off half of the lighting and lowering the air-conditioning level. Officials say the move was intended both to conserve energy and to encourage similar measures across government offices and other establishments.
According to Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Ruman, the Prime Minister arrived at his office at the secretariat at approximately 9:10 a.m. on Thursday. Shortly after entering his chamber, he switched off around 50 per cent of the lights and set the air-conditioning temperature to 25.1°C, a level widely considered energy-efficient while still maintaining a comfortable working environment.
The Prime Minister also applied the same policy during official meetings. Upon entering the cabinet conference room for a scheduled cabinet meeting, he instructed officials to turn off half of the room’s lights and reduce the cooling intensity of the air-conditioning system.
Secretariat Building No. 1 houses the Prime Minister’s Office along with several departments operating under his direct authority, including the Cabinet Division. Following his initiative, similar electricity-saving measures were immediately introduced across all rooms within the Prime Minister’s Office. Staff members were instructed to reduce unnecessary lighting and maintain air-conditioning at energy-efficient levels.
The Prime Minister further called on all ministries, government offices, courts, and private institutions throughout the country to adopt similar practices. He also encouraged shopping centres, commercial buildings, and residential households to minimise unnecessary electricity consumption.
In addition, he advised people to rely more on natural daylight during working hours. Opening curtains and allowing sunlight into offices and homes, he said, could significantly reduce the need for artificial lighting during the daytime.
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Key Energy-Saving Measures
| Measure | Description | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Lighting Reduction | About 50% of lights switched off in offices and meeting rooms | Reduced electricity consumption |
| Air-conditioning Adjustment | Temperature maintained at 25.1°C | Lower power demand and improved efficiency |
| Use of Natural Light | Curtains opened during daytime | Less dependence on electric lighting |
| Nationwide Appeal | Public and private institutions encouraged to follow the practice | Broader national energy conservation |
Language Training to Expand Overseas Employment
In a separate policy initiative, the Prime Minister directed relevant ministries to establish language training centres across the country to prepare skilled workers for employment abroad.
The instruction was issued during a meeting of the government committee responsible for expanding overseas employment opportunities and promoting expatriate welfare. The Prime Minister emphasised the urgent need to develop skilled manpower among unemployed youth so that they can access a wider range of job opportunities in foreign labour markets.
Officials indicated that the proposed language centres would employ both domestic and international instructors, enabling trainees to learn languages commonly required in destination countries for migrant workers. The initiative is expected to improve the employability of Bangladeshi job seekers and help them adapt more easily to overseas workplaces.
The meeting was attended by Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, State Minister Nurul Haque Nur, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin, Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, and other senior officials from relevant ministries.
Proposed Support Measures for Migrant Workers
| Initiative | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Language Training Centres | Provide language skills needed for overseas employment |
| International and Local Trainers | Ensure high-quality training |
| Low-Interest Bank Loans | Assist prospective migrant workers with travel and processing costs |
| Simplified Loan Procedures | Reduce financial barriers to overseas employment |
The Prime Minister also instructed authorities to introduce low-interest bank loans and simplify loan procedures so that individuals seeking employment abroad would not have to sell property or personal assets to finance their migration.
Free Wi-Fi at International Airports
The government has also decided to introduce free Wi-Fi services at the terminals of the country’s three international airports: Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram, and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet.
The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism to implement the service in line with facilities available at major international airports worldwide, aiming to improve passenger convenience and digital accessibility.
Temple Renovation in Dhaka-17
The Prime Minister has also taken steps to fulfil campaign commitments made in his parliamentary constituency of Dhaka-17. Renovation work is scheduled to begin on Saturday on a Hindu temple located near the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital in Mohakhali.
The work is expected to commence at 11:00 a.m., in the presence of Dhaka city administrators Abdus Salam and Shafiqul Islam Milton, along with Professor Farhad Halim Donar, who served as the Prime Minister’s election coordinator in the constituency.
‘Family Card’ Programme to Launch on 10 March
Meanwhile, the government’s “Family Card” social assistance programme is scheduled to be launched on 10 March at 10:00 a.m. The inauguration ceremony will take place at the T&T ground near the Korail settlement in the capital.
At the same time, the programme will also be launched simultaneously at 14 additional locations across the country. Officials say the initiative is designed to provide targeted support and essential benefits to low-income families.