Seven new ministers of state took the oath on Friday as members of the cabinet led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new state ministers at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban at 7:30pm.
After the swearing-in ceremony, they signed the oaths of office and secrecy.
The newly inducted cabinet members are Md Abdul Wadud, MP for Rajshahi-5 constituency; Md Shahiduzzaman Sarker, MP for Naogaon-2 constituency; Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, MP for Chittagong-14 constituency; and lawmakers from reserved women's seats, Begum Shamsunnahar, Begum Wasika Ayesha Khan, Begum Nahid Ezhar Khan and Begum Rokeya Sultana.
Awami League President Sheikh Hasina formed her fourth consecutive government on January 11 with 37 ministers, including 26 ministers and 11 state ministers.
With the new additions, the total number of ministers and state ministers stands at 44. There are now 26 ministers and 18 state ministers.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was present at the oath-taking ceremony. Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain conducted the oath-taking function, while several hundred guests were invited to witness the event.
Who are the new state ministers?
Shahiduzzaman Sarker took charge as state minister for the Planning Ministry. He is a former whip of parliament and a four-time elected lawmaker from Naogaon district.
Abdul Wadud Dara assumed the role of state minister for the Rural Development & Co-operatives division of the LGRD Ministry. He is general secretary of the Rajshahi District Awami League and a three-time lawmaker from Rajshahi district.
Nazrul Islam Chowdhury became state minister for the Labour and Employment Ministry. He is a three-time elected lawmaker from Chittagong district.
Rokeya Sultana was appointed as state minister for the Health Ministry. She is the Education Affairs Secretary of the Awami League Central Working Committee.
Shamsunnahar Chapa takes charge as state minister for Education. She is education affairs secretary of the Awami League Central Executive Committee. Her brother, Awami League Presidium Member Dr Abdur Razzaque, was dropped from the Agriculture Ministry this time.
Wasika Ayesha Khan took on the role of state minister for the Finance Ministry. She is the Financial Affairs Secretary of the Awami League Central Working Committee. She is the daughter of the late Ataur Rahman Khan Kaiser, a prominent leader of the Awami League.
Nahid Ezhar Khan has taken over as state minister for the Cultural Affairs Ministry. She is the daughter of veteran freedom fighter Colonel Khandaker Najmul Huda, who was killed on 7 November 1975. She is in her second consecutive term as a reserved seat MP..
