The BNP-led government has adopted a five-year master plan to revive dead canals and waterways across Bangladesh, aiming to complete the program by 2030. Under the plan, a total of 7,000 kilometers of canals will be excavated, re-excavated, and renovated. In the current year, 1,500 kilometers of nearly dead canals, drains, and water bodies will be restored. Excavation and re-excavation work on 18 canals in 12 districts will be inaugurated on March 16 and 17. The Water Resources Ministry will act as the lead authority, coordinating with the Agriculture, Disaster Management and Relief, and Local Government ministries.

According to ministry sources, the project will expand irrigation coverage, boost agricultural production, and increase fish supply, helping to restore traditional livelihoods. It is also expected to reduce waterlogging in urban areas, including the capital. The government plans to use a hybrid model combining modern machinery, skilled workers, and laborers under the Employment Generation Program for the Poorest (EGPP). Excavated soil will be used for local development or sold through open auctions.

Officials emphasized environmental protection and transparency, with regular monitoring by district administrations. Experts cautioned that political neutrality and transparency will be crucial for the project’s success.

A legal notice has been issued to lifestyle brand Aarong, urging it to stop charging customers extra for shopping bags after purchases. The notice was sent on Sunday by Supreme Court lawyer Saddam Hossain Abhi through registered mail to the Commerce Secretary, the Director General of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, and Aarong’s Managing Director. It warns that if no action is taken within 15 days, a public interest writ petition will be filed in the High Court Division of the Supreme Court.

According to the notice, Aarong has been collecting additional money for shopping bags since September 1, 2025, which the lawyer claims violates Bangladeshi law. The notice states that no other business in the country engages in such a practice, and many customers have expressed frustration on social media after being forced to pay extra or carry clothes by hand.

The lawyer argues that Aarong’s actions financially and mentally harm consumers and breach business ethics. The notice calls for an immediate halt to the practice and urges the consumer rights authority to investigate and ensure all customers receive free shopping bags in the future.

A high-level World Bank delegation paid a courtesy visit to Bangladesh Bank Governor Md. Mostakur Rahman on Sunday at the central bank’s headquarters in Dhaka. The delegation included South Asia Regional Vice President John Jut, Bangladesh and Bhutan Division Director Jean Pesme, IFC Director Imad Najib Ahed Fakhoury, Operations Manager Dr. Gail H. Martin, IFC Manager Wilfred Tamegnon, and Senior External Affairs Officer Meherin A. Mahbub. From Bangladesh Bank, Deputy Governors Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman and Dr. Md. Kabir Ahmed, along with other senior officials, attended the meeting.

Discussions focused on the progress of ongoing development projects between Bangladesh and the World Bank and explored prospects for future collaboration. Governor Rahman assured the delegation of continued support from Bangladesh Bank in implementing current projects and expressed interest in expanding cooperation to strengthen the financial sector and accelerate economic growth. The World Bank representatives conveyed a positive outlook on maintaining close cooperation with Bangladesh.

The meeting also reviewed the country’s recent economic situation and development potential. It concluded in a cordial atmosphere, with the governor thanking the delegation for their visit.

Major airlines including Qantas, SAS, and Air New Zealand have announced fare increases following a sharp rise in jet fuel prices triggered by U.S.-Israel attacks in Iran. The conflict disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, driving oil prices up and destabilizing global air travel. Air New Zealand said jet fuel prices jumped from 85–90 to 150–200 dollars per barrel, prompting it to suspend its 2026 financial forecast.

SAS stated that it raised ticket prices to offset costs and maintain operations, while Qantas is considering rerouting aircraft to Europe to avoid Middle East airspace. Finnair, which had hedged over 80 percent of its first-quarter fuel needs, warned that prolonged conflict could threaten fuel availability. Hong Kong Airlines announced a fuel surcharge increase of up to 35.2 percent, particularly affecting flights to South Asia. Some European carriers, such as British Airways’ parent IAG, said they have sufficient fuel hedging and no immediate plans to raise fares.

Oil prices briefly peaked at 119 dollars per barrel before easing, and airline stocks fluctuated sharply. Analysts warned that sustained high fuel costs and restricted airspace could further strain the global travel industry.

The State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Anindya Islam Amit, has issued nine directives to all district commissioners to strengthen oversight of fuel supply and distribution across Bangladesh. The instructions were given on Sunday during an online meeting on discipline in fuel supply and marketing management, attended by the Cabinet Secretary, the Public Administration Secretary, and all district commissioners. The ministry confirmed the details in an official press release.

The directives include daily verification of depot stock, ensuring supply from depots to petrol pumps, monitoring all categories of fuel customers, investigating pump closures, preventing illegal hoarding and smuggling, maintaining depot security, and ensuring that no fuel is sold at inflated prices. The minister emphasized that offenders must face exemplary punishment and called for increased surveillance at the district level.

He also urged local administrations to promote electricity conservation by limiting decorative lighting, maintaining air conditioner temperatures at or above 25 degrees Celsius, and turning off signboard lights after business hours. The minister sought cooperation from district administrations to address the ongoing global energy challenges.

Kenyan authorities reported that at least 62 people have died in severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall across the country. The death toll, previously 42 a week earlier, rose sharply as rivers overflowed and infrastructure was damaged. The Kenya Red Cross said 11 people were rescued from a minibus trapped in floodwaters in Nairobi, while two children were saved from a submerged house.

Continuous rainfall over the past week has led to widespread flooding, damaging homes, roads, power, and water systems. A bridge collapse in Nairobi forced the closure of key roads, and several schools were inundated. The Interior Ministry warned that ongoing heavy rains could worsen the situation and urged residents in low-lying areas to move to safety. More than 2,000 people have already taken shelter in relief centers.

President William Ruto announced that emergency food and medical aid were being delivered to affected communities, and drainage clearing operations were underway. Experts cited poor urban planning and climate change as major factors behind the disaster, noting that rising global temperatures are increasing the risk of extreme rainfall events.

Dr. Helal Uddin, Naib-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka South, stated that commodity prices would drop by half if extortion could be eliminated. He urged the government to either stop extortion or provide subsidies to ease public suffering, suggesting that such subsidies should come from party funds or commissions rather than loans. He made these remarks on Sunday morning while addressing a program in Shantinagar, organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Paltan Thana, where Eid gifts were distributed among the poor and underprivileged.

Helal Uddin blamed the rising prices of essential goods on syndicates of ruling party businessmen and extortion by party activists. He argued that controlling these practices would bring prices within people’s purchasing capacity. According to him, the continuous price hikes have increased public hardship and contributed to a rise in poverty.

The event was presided over by Advocate Maruful Islam, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Paltan Thana, and conducted by Secretary Manjurul Islam. Several other party leaders also spoke at the event.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to slow down the implementation of the new national pay scale due to financial constraints. As a result, uncertainty has arisen over when the long-awaited pay scale for government employees will take effect. The issue may be discussed in the upcoming session of the national parliament.

According to the Finance Division, nearly all of the Tk 40,000 crore reserved in the 2025–26 budget for the pay scale has already been spent on other sectors. Of this, Tk 24,000 crore went to fuel subsidies, Tk 15,000 crore to agricultural loans and social safety programs, and Tk 38.07 crore to the Family Card project. Only Tk 961.93 crore remains available for the pay scale. Officials said implementing such a large-scale financial reform is unrealistic under current conditions, as global energy market volatility and import costs have heavily impacted fiscal planning.

Government employees have expressed disappointment but hope for at least partial adjustments. The proposed scale suggests a minimum salary of Tk 20,000 and a maximum of Tk 160,000, with 20 grades and a reduced ratio of 1:8 between the lowest and highest pay levels.

Bangladesh Bank has increased the maximum loan limit against credit cards to Tk 4 million, up from the previous Tk 2.5 million. The central bank also raised the unsecured loan ceiling to Tk 2 million from Tk 1 million. The Banking Regulation and Policy Department issued a guideline on Sunday outlining these changes.

According to the guideline, the use of credit cards in Bangladesh is steadily rising due to convenience, improved security, more electronic point-of-sale terminals, and various incentives from issuers. Bangladesh Bank stated that the updated framework aims to ensure safe, secure, and efficient credit card operations while promoting digital payments.

The new directives are designed to strengthen risk management, encourage responsible lending, and enhance financial discipline among cardholders. Bank officials noted that the higher limits could increase lending volumes and profitability for banks, though they also acknowledged a potential rise in credit risk.

Commerce, Industry, Textile and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that the Ministry of Commerce will form a fact-finding committee to investigate the causes of unreasonable price differences between wholesale and retail markets. He made the statement on Sunday after inspecting the price situation at Chattogram’s Khatunganj wholesale market and attending a discussion titled “Middle East Conflict: Review of Consumer Goods Supply and Price Situation.” The committee will include business representatives, administration officials, and other professionals if necessary, and will provide recommendations after a detailed review.

The minister said Bangladesh remains import-dependent, and global price hikes, dollar appreciation, or higher transport costs naturally affect domestic markets. However, the government is alert to prevent unjustified price increases due to internal mismanagement. He also mentioned that the government may consider policy measures to keep essential imported fruits like apples, grapes, and oranges affordable, while luxury fruits will not receive tariff reductions.

Muktadir urged traders to prioritize fairness during Ramadan and commended the relatively stable edible oil market. He warned against overpricing despite adequate supply and held discussions with local officials and business leaders in Chattogram.

Speedboat operations on the Kumira-Guptachhara route in Sandwip, Chattogram resumed at 6 a.m. on Sunday after being suspended for eight consecutive days. The restart comes as a relief for residents traveling home ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. RK Enterprise, the service operator, announced that regular services will continue depending on favorable weather conditions.

RK Enterprise director Joglul Hossain Noyon said the disruption ended after a 9,000-liter octane tanker arrived at the terminal on Saturday evening. He confirmed that fares would remain fixed at 250 taka and that strict measures would be taken to prevent passenger harassment. Former BNP leader Engineer Belayet Hossain stated that he held multiple discussions with Meghna and Jamuna Petroleum officials to resolve the fuel shortage, while local MP Mostafa Kamal Pasha played a key administrative role in ensuring fuel supply.

According to the report, normal daily demand is 3,000 liters of octane, rising to 4,500 liters during Eid. The current supply can sustain operations for only two days, while about 80,000 liters are needed for the full Eid season.

The Chattogram Customs House has announced the auction of 378 containers of goods under directives from the National Board of Revenue (NBR). According to an NBR press release issued on March 15, 2026, the auction will be conducted entirely through an e-auction system to ensure transparency and accountability. A total of 180 containers in 49 lots will be sold under a special order, while 198 containers in 74 lots will be auctioned under a standing order. Interested bidders can inspect the goods throughout March and submit bids online via the official Bangladesh Customs e-auction portal.

The containers include a wide range of items such as chemicals, machinery, plastic scrap, art paper, bitumen, fabrics, household items, vehicle parts, capital machinery, passenger elevators, metal scrap, and kraft liner paper. No reserve prices have been set for the consignments under the special order. Successful bidders must comply with the applicable provisions of the Import Policy Order 2021–2024 when clearing the goods.

The NBR stated that the auction aims to reduce container congestion at Chattogram Port, mitigate related safety risks, prevent wastage of state resources, and enhance port efficiency. Tender boxes for e-auction-2/2026 and e-auction-3/2026 will be opened on March 31 and April 8, respectively.

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.