DHAKA, April 23, 2026 (BSS) - The Cabinet today gave final and in-principle approval to the draft of the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Allowances) (Amendment) Act, 2026, scrapping duty-free vehicle facility for the lawmakers. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired the meeting at the cabinet room in the Sangsad Bhaban here tonight, according to a cabinet division press release. The remuneration and allowances are usually determined under the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Allowances) Order, 1973. According to Article 3C of the Order, Members of Parliament (MPs) enjoy the facility of importing duty-free vehicles.  However, considering the current economic realities and in light of the far-sighted approach of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet gave approval to the draft of the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Allowances) (Amendment) Act, 2026 to scrap the duty-free vehicle facility for MPs.   Besides, the cabinet approved two proposals, including incorporating the Purbachal New Town Project area under the jurisdiction of Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, and Dhaka WASA.  As per the approved proposal, the portions of the Purbachal project located in Rupganj Upazila of Narayanganj district and Kaliganj Upazila of Gazipur district will be brought under Dhaka district.  According to the summary, the Ministry of Housing and Public Works placed the proposal aimed at ensuring administrative services, safety and security of the properties and the delivery of civic services in the project area under the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK).  The Cabinet also approved another proposal placed by the Commerce Ministry to change the date for observance of the National Tea Day. Currently, Bangladesh observes the day on June 4. But the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) has been observing the International Tea Day on May 21 since 2020.  Several tea-producing countries such as India, Sri Lanka, China, Kenya, and Vietnam also observe the day on May 21.  Therefore, Bangladesh has taken the initiative to observe the National Tea Day on May 21 aligning with the FAO instead of June 4. Besides, the Cabinet gave final approval to the drafts of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (Amendment) Act, 2026, and the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act, 2026, subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division. Both bills, placed by the Financial Institutions Division, proposed removal of existing age limits for appointment of the chairman and commissioners of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and the chairman and members of the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA). Under the existing law, the maximum age limit is 65 years for the BSEC chairman and commissioners, while it is 67 years for the chairman and members of IDRA. The Cabinet observed that the age limits were obstacles in appointing qualified and experienced professionals and approved the amendments in the public interest. Many Asian countries, including Malaysia and Sri Lanka, do not impose such age restrictions.