The government has distributed parliamentary responsibilities among ministers for conducting the parliamentary affairs of various ministries and divisions in the 13th National Parliament. The notification also specifies who will perform the responsibilities in the absence of the concerned minister.

The Cabinet Division issued the notification on Monday (August 24). Signed by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, the notification said the designated ministers would continue to perform the parliamentary responsibilities of their respective ministries until further orders.

Three Ministers to Take Charge in Prime Minister’s Absence

According to the notification, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will handle the parliamentary affairs of the Prime Minister’s Office.

In his absence, the responsibilities will be performed sequentially by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Minister for Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare A.Z.M. Md. Zahid Hossain, and Minister for Industries, Textiles and Jute and Commerce Khandaker Abdul Muktadir.

Responsibilities of Other Ministries

Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives: Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan will handle the parliamentary affairs. In his absence, State Minister Mir Shahe Alam will perform the responsibilities.

Ministry of Food: Afroza Khanam will be responsible for parliamentary affairs. In her absence, Fisheries and Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid will take charge.

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: Andalib Rahman will handle the parliamentary affairs. In his absence, State Minister Yaser Khan Chowdhury will perform the responsibilities.

Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism: M. Rashiduzzaman Millat will handle the parliamentary affairs. In his absence, State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin will take charge.

Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs: Saching Prue will handle the parliamentary affairs. In his absence, State Minister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin will perform the responsibilities.

The notification further stated that all other provisions of the previous notification on the matter would remain unchanged. The order came into effect immediately.

Portfolios Allocated to New Ministers and State Ministers

Earlier, six new members of the Cabinet were sworn in on August 21. Following their oath-taking, portfolios were allocated among them, while the responsibilities of one existing minister were also reshuffled.

Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan was given the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives. M. Rashiduzzaman Millat was assigned the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. Saching Prue was given the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, while Andalib Rahman Partha was assigned the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Meanwhile, Afroza Khanam, who had been serving as Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, was given charge of the Ministry of Food.

State Minister Humayun Kabir was assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while Shamim Kaiser Lincoln was given charge of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Following the allocation and reshuffling of portfolios among these seven ministers and state ministers, the government has now made a fresh distribution of parliamentary responsibilities for various ministries and divisions in the National Parliament.