DHAKA: Government has increased the allowance of mobile handsets from Tk 15,000 to Tk 75,000 for Minister, State Minister, Deputy Minister and Secretary ranked officials. Moreover, their phone bill has also been made to unlimited amount.

The cabinet has approved the draft of ‘Government Telephone, Cellular, Fax and Internet Policy 2018’ in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (May 21).

After the meeting, cabinet division secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam briefed reporters.

The secretary said allowance of mobile handsets for Minister, State Minister, Deputy Minister and Secretary ranked officials has been raised Tk 60,000 and also the phone bill is unlimited now. At the same time, phone bill for joint secretaries has increased from Tk 600 to Tk 1,500. 

According to the proposed policy, Minister, State Minister, Deputy Secretary, Cabinet Secretary, Chief Secretary, Senior Secretary, Member of Planning Commission, Inspector General of Police, Secretary, Head of Department, Controller General of Accounts, Managing Director, Divisional Commissioner, Deputy Inspector General, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Additional Police Commissioner, Deputy Police Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) will be able to use unlimited telephone, mobile and internet services.

Moreover, telephone guidelines for justices and telephone roaming facility for Chief of Protocol of Foreign Ministry have been added in the policy, the secretary added.

BDST: 1450 HRS, MAY 21, 2018
AP/SMS