Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has said that the decision on a new pay commission for government employees will be taken by the incoming administration. He also mentioned that inflation has eased slightly.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday, after meetings of the Advisory Committee on Government Purchases and the Advisory Committee on Economic Affairs, the finance adviser shared these updates.

He noted that rice prices are relatively manageable, although non-food inflation has increased. According to him, transportation costs and house rent have gone up.

The adviser also discussed various measures the government has taken to stabilise the market. Steps have been initiated to import urea and TSP fertiliser, as well as parboiled rice. Overall, he said, the administration is trying to keep food prices within people’s reach, and he believes the situation is currently satisfactory.

During the briefing, it was further stated that the government will begin Aman paddy procurement on 30 November. This year, paddy will be bought at Tk 34 per kg, atap rice at Tk 49 per kg, and parboiled rice at Tk 50 per kg.

The government aims to collect 50,000 metric tonnes of paddy and atap rice, along with 600,000 metric tonnes of parboiled rice.

IMF Loan

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed also said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will decide on releasing the sixth tranche of the ongoing loan programme after discussions with the elected government. Another IMF mission is expected to visit Bangladesh in February next year to review the situation and make a decision.

We told the IMF that we don’t need the next instalment right now. Let them assess the situation first. The February mission will talk with the elected government about its loan needs, and the funds may be released afterward,” the adviser said.

According to him, the IMF has agreed that Bangladesh took the right approach. The organisation has also offered several suggestions, such as increasing revenue collection and raising expenditure in the social safety net.

The finance adviser added that the next government will be provided with a complete briefing on the IMF loan programme, along with all associated reform conditions and requirements.