The new ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers attended their offices yesterday morning, a day after being sworn-in to the cabinet, with the ninth parliament still in effect.
More than half of the newly formed cabinet is composed of new faces.
Most of the ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers talked with reporters from different media.
LGRD Minister
LGRD Minister and Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said the government would continue its efforts towards dialogue to resolve the current political crisis.
Ashraf said: “Awami League and BNP had come close to reaching a consensus in the three meetings that were held under the initiative and negotiation of UN envoy Taranco.”
He believed BNP would soon "realise" the "mistake" it had made by not participating in the January 5 polls.
When asked about the current government’s term, Ashraf said the government was set to serve for the five years that it had been elected for.
“There is no scope of dissolving the parliament even one day before its tenure,” he said.
Commerce Minister
The new government will rule the country for five years, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said.
“The decision of calling off hartals and blockades proves that BNP’s politics was wrong and they have realised it now,” the senior politician said.
Regarding Jatiya Party’s dual role in government and opposition, Tofail said: “The JaPa will make constructive criticism of the government while staying with the government.”
The aim of his commerce ministry was to boost the trade at home and abroad, he said.
Health Minister
Health Minister Mohammad Nasim praised BNP for withdrawing their agitation programmes.
“We believe that they are assisting the government by not declaring hartals and blockades. If they continue with such assistance the government will help them in return,” he said.
“If BNP severs ties with Jamaat-e-Islami and avoids violence, a peaceful atmosphere will be created for holding a dialogue,” he said at his ministry office.
“There is no point in denying that there have been some irregularities in the health sector,” the minister said.
These problems will be addressed, he said.
Law Minister
AnisulHaque told the Dhaka Tribune that the task of the law ministry was a challenge and that he was determined to uphold the rule of law.
Primary Education Minister
Primary Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman said he was committed to maintaining the progress of his ministry in line with Awami League’s manifesto.
Water Resources Minister
Ensuring a fair deal on water sharing would be his main challenge, Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud said on his first day in office.
The Teesta sharing deal, promised during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2011, was stopped by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Though the issue was repeatedly raised during the last government’s tenure, the Awami League-led alliance failed to make any real progress in this particular matter.
India welcomed the January 5 parliamentary poll, which was boycotted by the BNP, and was the only major international observer during the polls.
However, the minister from Jatiya Party did not elaborate further on the issue.
Regarding the government’s formation, Anisul Islam said: “We do not want to be an opposition like BNP. They boycotted most of the parliament sessions,” he said.
When asked how long this government would stay in office,the minister said, “I cannot say this beforehand.”
Land Minister
Land Minister Shamsur Rahman Sharif said the work of the ministry would be the development of lands and a reform of the land sector.
Food Minister
Food Minister Kamrul Islam said: “The people do not care what kind of election was held in the country or who wants caretaker government. They only want peace. We will have to uproot militancy, terrorism and sabotage from the country, if we want to ensure peace,” he said.
Junior Home Affairs Minister
State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said improving law and order by checking unlawful activities would be his priority.
Kamal promised that he would visit the areas where minority communities had come under attack.
“The situation there is coming back to normal. The Hindus who came under attack are starting to come back to their homes,” he said.
Junior Land Minister
SaifuzzamanChwodhury said his main work would be ensuring a transparent, efficient and digital land ministry.
“No irregularities will be tolerated in this ministry. There will be no land grabbers,” he said. “We will try to be transparent and honest all the time.”
Junior Rural Development and Cooperative Minister
Mashiur Rahman Ranga said he would be honest in discharging his tasks as a minister.
“Actions will be taken if we find corruption or irregularities in the ministry,” he said.