Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s cabinet witnessed a minor reshuffle amid an oath-taking ceremony promoting a state minister to a minister and inducting a new face into the council of ministers, at Bangabhaban in Dhaka this evening.

State Minister for Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Imran Ahmed was sworn in as a full minister while ruling Awami League Women Affairs Secretary Fazilatunnesa Indira as a state minister.

President M Abdul Hamid separately administered the oath of office and secrecy of the cabinet members in presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Bangabhaban.

Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam conducted the ceremony which began with recitation from the holy Quran at 7:37 pm.

Later, the Cabinet Secretary told BSS that Imran Ahmed has become the Minister for Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry and Fazilatunnesa Indira is the State Minister for Women and Children Affairs.

The appointments in their respective positions came into effect soon after taking oath, he added.

Earlier, the President of the Republic in line with the Section-56 (Article-2) of the Bangladesh Constitution gave them appointments as the minister and the state minister.

Earlier, a six-time MP from Sylhet-4 constituency Imran Ahmed was made a state minister on January 7 last.

A former general secretary of ruling AL’s women front- Mahila Awami League, Fazilatunnesa Indira is an MP from the women reserved seat for the second term.

At the outset of the ceremony, the President along with PM Sheikh Hasina entered the Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban at 7:32 pm.

The new cabinet members took oath pledging to preserve, protect and defend the national constitution and state sovereignty.

After the swearing-in ceremony, they separately signed the oath of office and oath of secrecy.

Subsequently the head of the state and the premier also exchanged views with them jointly at the President palace.

The Awami League-led Grand Alliance achieved landslide victory in the 11th Jatiya Sangsad election on December 30, 2018.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s cabinet took oath on January 7, 2019 for a third consecutive term.

Later, a minor reshuffle in the cabinet took place on May 19.

The head of the government reallocated portfolios of five cabinet members, curtailing the powers of two ministers and increasing the powers of two state ministers.

With this minor reshuffle of the 47-member council of ministers, it now becomes 48 with 25 ministers, 19 state ministers and three deputy ministers.

Guests present at the glittering Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban included Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s daughter Saima Wazed Hossain, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam and secretaries concerned to the Bangabhaban, PM office and ministries concerned, and senior civil and military officials.

The ceremony over, the guests were entertained with snacks.