Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that no decision can be taken regarding the banning of battery-powered rickshaws without providing livelihood. The prime minister gave this directive in an unscheduled discussion at the cabinet meeting on Monday.

At that time, the Prime Minister gave instructions to regulate the issue and asked to divide specific areas for its movement.

Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain announced the decision of the meeting in a press conference at the secretariat in the afternoon.

He said that the incident that happened with the battery operated rickshaw has come to the notice of the Prime Minister. He clearly instructed that no decision can be taken ignoring their livelihood. Their livelihood should be considered very seriously. It should be regulated through a regulation and training should be provided for them. They have to share specific areas. They will not go beyond that.

However, he has instructed the Road Department and the Home Ministry to take necessary measures to ensure that they do not go on the highway or major roads under any circumstances.

The Cabinet Secretary said that the Prime Minister was not aware of this (decision to ban battery-powered rickshaws). He said it was not brought to his notice. The Prime Minister did not think it was logical to take a decision without providing livelihood.

The Cabinet Secretary said that the Prime Minister has emphasized on making a suitable structure or model with the battery operated rickshaw machine.