The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has extended the deadline for submitting online returns under the e-VAT system until March 29, 2026. The decision was announced in a letter signed by Nahid Naushad Mukul, the NBR’s First Secretary (Additional Charge), on March 15, 2026.

According to the letter, the extension was granted in the public interest due to an extended government holiday period for Eid-ul-Fitr and Independence Day, as well as slower service performance in the e-VAT system. The NBR exercised its authority under Section 64(1a) of the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012, to implement this change.

The new deadline applies specifically to the online return submissions for the February 2026 tax period under the e-VAT system.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will formally inaugurate the farmer card distribution program on Pahela Baishakh. The announcement followed a meeting held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat, where the Prime Minister presided over discussions on the initiative.

According to the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman, the meeting was attended by Agriculture Minister Aminur Rashid, State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku, Economic and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, ICT Adviser Rehan Asif Asad, and State Minister for Local Government, Cooperatives and Rural Development Mir Shahe Alam, among others.

The meeting marked a key preparatory step for the upcoming launch, signaling the government’s focus on agricultural support and digital facilitation for farmers through the new card system.

A severe hailstorm struck Madhyanagar upazila in Sunamganj late Saturday night after three consecutive days of heavy rain, raising fears of extensive crop damage across the haor region. The storm, which lasted for more than ten minutes, caused widespread panic among residents as hailstones damaged crop fields and pierced tin roofs of houses in several villages.

Continuous rainfall has already left low-lying haor lands waterlogged, threatening embankments built to protect ripening crops. Farmers reported that paddy plants had just begun to form ears, and such an untimely hailstorm had not occurred before this stage of the season. Many expressed deep concern over potential losses to boro paddy and other crops, while damaged homes have left families struggling to cope.

Madhyanagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ujjal Roy confirmed that both croplands and houses were affected and said data collection was underway. Authorities plan to identify households with damaged roofs and take necessary measures for assistance.

India may postpone its planned trade agreement with the United States for several months, according to four unnamed Indian sources cited by Reuters. The delay follows a new U.S. investigation into alleged excess industrial production capacity among trade partners, which has heightened tensions between the two countries. India had expected to sign an interim deal in March before finalizing a broader agreement, but the timeline has now been pushed back.

Officials from both sides said they remain in contact to pursue a mutually beneficial deal, though no new signing date has been set. Talks reportedly slowed after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump in late February, and Washington’s focus shifted to conflict with Iran. India has reduced but not halted imports of Russian oil, while U.S. officials have urged New Delhi to increase imports to ease global energy shortages.

Analysts said India’s cautious approach is reasonable given ongoing tariff uncertainty and the Section 301 investigation under the 1974 Trade Act. India may present its case to the U.S. Trade Representative or take the matter to the World Trade Organization if needed.

The government of Bangladesh has withdrawn the rationing system in fuel marketing and supply, effective immediately. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit announced the decision on Sunday at a press conference held at the Secretariat. He stated that the rationing system had been introduced earlier due to concerns over possible supply disruptions caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East, but current fuel reserves are now stable and there is no shortage.

According to the minister, the decision aims to ensure uninterrupted travel during the upcoming Eid holidays and to maintain adequate electricity supply for irrigation season. He added that the directive will remain in effect until further notice.

The minister also clarified that the government has no intention to increase fuel prices despite global price hikes, emphasizing that the decision was made considering public interest.

Bangladesh’s Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced on Sunday that the government has ended all fuel rationing for public transport across the country. The decision, effective immediately, follows an improvement in fuel supply conditions. The minister stated that fuel distribution and sales will continue normally, as they were before the onset of the Iran war crisis. The move aims to ensure smooth travel and goods transport during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holiday period.

Fuel rationing had been introduced on March 6 amid public panic over a possible shortage linked to fears surrounding the Iran conflict. At that time, the government limited daily fuel allocations for different vehicle types, ranging from 2 liters for motorcycles to 220 liters for long-distance trucks. The restrictions were later eased, including an increase in the motorcycle fuel limit to 5 liters and a reduction in overall rationing from 25 percent to 15 percent.

With the Eid travel surge approaching, the government has now fully withdrawn the rationing system to stabilize transport operations and meet public demand.

A severe shortage of marine fuel and diesel has disrupted both foreign vessel bunkering and domestic lighter ship operations at Chattogram Port. Dealers authorized to supply specialized 0.5 sulfur marine fuel reported that state-owned oil companies Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna have failed to meet their demand despite formal requests. The crisis has also hit lighter vessels transporting goods from mother vessels to inland ports, with daily diesel allocations dropping to one-fifth of requirements.

Officials from the Bangladesh Water Transport Cell (BWTCC) said such a fuel crisis is unprecedented and warned that it could cause congestion at outer anchorage and instability in essential goods markets. They have already informed the government’s top level seeking adequate diesel allocation. Bunker dealers added that high domestic fuel prices compared to Singapore have limited sales, though recent global price hikes have reversed the trend, straining local reserves.

Port authorities expressed concern that continued shortages could force Chattogram to be declared a “no bunkering port,” lowering its international standing. However, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) assured that blending diesel with furnace oil can sustain marine fuel supply and prevent such a declaration.

Fuel traders in 15 districts, including Khulna, have voluntarily stopped lifting and marketing fuel from the depots of Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna since 8 a.m. on Saturday. They allege that the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has failed to supply fuel according to demand, forcing them to take this decision. The traders claim that the current supply from the Khulna depots is only 9 lakh liters daily, against a demand of 40–45 lakh liters across the 15 districts.

An emergency meeting of four fuel business organizations was held at the Khulna Tank Lorry Owners’ building, where leaders said that BPC is citing global crises to justify reduced supply. They had proposed an additional 4.5 lakh liters daily from the three depots, but the proposal was not accepted. The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Murad Hossain, vice president of the Bangladesh Fuel Oil Distributors Association.

In Rajshahi, the District Petrol Pump Owners Association warned that if adequate supply is not ensured by Monday, they will also stop lifting fuel. They reported a 30–40 percent supply shortfall and raised concerns over security and administrative cooperation.

Bangladesh’s government has lifted fuel purchase limits for public transport ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, as millions prepare to leave Dhaka amid an ongoing energy crisis caused by the Iran war. Road, Rail and Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that from Saturday night, buses and other public vehicles can buy fuel as needed. The government has also extended holidays and ordered 24-hour operation of fuel stations for seven days before and five days after Eid to ensure smooth travel.

Despite these measures, concerns remain about overcrowding and fuel shortages as more than 15 million people are expected to leave Dhaka within a few days. Passenger welfare groups have accused transport operators of charging double or triple fares, calling the minister’s terminal inspections superficial. Transport owners deny the allegations, saying fare hikes are unauthorized and will be punished if found.

To ease river travel, special launch services have been introduced from Baachila and Shimulia tourist terminals, while the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority confirmed additional vessels will operate from March 17. The inland shipping association has urged adequate diesel supply to prevent disruptions in river transport during the holiday period.

A special operation by the Coast Guard in Mongla, Bagerhat, led to the seizure of 197 bottles of foreign liquor worth about 1 million taka from the residence of Tania Biswas Lithi, vice president of the local unit of the Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal. The raid took place on Friday, March 13, following a tip-off, and one person, Shanto Parai, was detained at the scene. Locals identified him as Lithi’s husband.

According to Coast Guard sources, the liquor was recovered from a house near Chila Bazar, and Shanto Parai, described as a drug trader, was caught while attempting to flee. Lithi admitted that liquor was found in her home but claimed it belonged to an acquaintance of her husband who had asked to store it temporarily. The incident has sparked widespread criticism and curiosity in the area.

Mongla Upazila BNP President Abdul Mannan Howlader stated that the party maintains a strict stance against drugs and promised organizational action if any member is found involved. The seized liquor and the detainee were handed over to Mongla Police for legal proceedings.

The Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) arrested two Rohingya nationals with 8,200 yaba pills during an operation in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area. The detainees were identified as Md. Jubayer, 29, and Md. Hedayetullah, 22, both residents of the Leda Camp in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. The arrests were confirmed by Shamim Ahmed, Deputy Director of the DNC’s Dhaka Metro (North) office.

According to the DNC, the arrests were made based on secret information through separate operations. During preliminary interrogation, the two admitted to collecting yaba tablets from Teknaf and distributing them in Dhaka and other parts of the country. Two separate cases have been filed against them.

The operation highlights the continued efforts of the DNC to curb drug trafficking networks linking Cox’s Bazar and the capital.

The United States has initiated investigations into whether Bangladesh and several other countries are engaging in industrial overproduction and failing to prevent the use of forced labor in manufacturing. The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) announced on Wednesday that sixteen countries, including Bangladesh, are being investigated for overcapacity, followed by a Thursday announcement expanding the probe to sixty countries regarding forced labor. Countries found to be involved in unfair trade practices could face import tariffs under US trade law.

The investigations will assess national laws, policies, and enforcement related to banning imports made with forced labor, as well as whether such practices burden or restrict US trade. Each government must respond in writing by March 17, with hearings scheduled for early May. The move follows the US Supreme Court’s annulment of former President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff policy and the non-implementation of the US-Bangladesh Reciprocal Trade Agreement.

Bangladesh’s commerce secretary said the government sees no immediate risk from the investigation and will respond if formally asked. Economists noted that the US may use the probe to justify new tariffs and urged Bangladesh to prepare for negotiations to safeguard its trade interests.

A mobile court in Ishwardi, Pabna seized 6,000 liters of hoarded fuel and fined a trader for underweight sales. The operation took place on Saturday afternoon at the Railgate area of the municipal town, where the owner of Messrs Karim Petroleum Agency, Md. Abdul Karim, was fined 20,000 taka. The mobile court was led by Ishwardi Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Md. Asaduzzaman Sarkar.

The raid was conducted based on information from the National Security Intelligence (NSI). According to the executive magistrate, evidence was found that the trader had stored fuel illegally and sold less than the proper amount to customers. The seized fuel was ordered to be sold immediately to the public at the government-fixed price.

Authorities stated that the action aimed to ensure fair fuel distribution and prevent manipulation in the local market.

Bangladesh’s Road, Bridges, Rail and Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that fuel stations along highways will remain open 24 hours a day for seven days before and five days after Eid-ul-Fitr. The decision, effective from Saturday night, aims to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply for long-distance buses and other public transport during the holiday rush. The minister confirmed that the previous fuel purchase limits for public transport have been lifted to prevent any disruption in travel.

During a visit to Dhaka’s bus terminals, the minister said sufficient fuel supply has been arranged and strict instructions issued to prevent fare hikes or ticket cancellations under the pretext of fuel shortages. He noted that BRTC buses are operating on schedule and charging only approved fares.

Authorities have identified 207 potential traffic congestion points nationwide. Special coordination among highway police, BRTA, transport operators, local administration, and law enforcement has been arranged to manage traffic flow. Construction materials have been cleared from highways to keep at least two to three lanes operational, with all four lanes open where available.

A mobile court in Bilmaria Bazar of Puthia upazila, Rajshahi, fined an oil trader for selling petrol at a higher price than allowed. The operation took place on Saturday afternoon, led by Puthia Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Shibu Das. During the inspection, price lists of various oil sellers were checked, and trader Adil Hossain was fined 2,000 taka for overpricing petrol.

According to the Puthia upazila administration, such drives will continue to ensure compliance with official pricing and to prevent unjustified price hikes. The administration also stated that strict measures will be taken against those responsible for increasing prices unlawfully.

The fine reflects ongoing local enforcement efforts to stabilize fuel prices and maintain transparency in market operations, as part of broader administrative monitoring in the region.