Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan today said the government’s utmost priority ahead of the holy month of Ramadan is to control commodity prices, maintain a normal law and order situation, and ensure uninterrupted power supply across the country.

He made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists after attending the meeting between newly appointed ministers and state ministers and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at Bangladesh Secretariat here.

“The Prime Minister has given us advice on these three specific issues,” Swapan said, adding that the ministers of the concerned ministries will place detailed action plans to the Prime Minister within the next one or two days.

Referring to the 31-point reform outline announced by the BNP, the minister said the government has undertaken a 180-day priority-based programme aimed at addressing   national pressing issues.

“A realistic timeframe is necessary to implement any goal. We have prepared a 180-day draft plan to solve pressing issues and it will be presented to the country very soon,” he said.

Speaking on media freedom, Swapan reiterated that freedom of the press and the free flow of information will remain among the government’s core political commitments.

“Ensuring media freedom is one of the key promises with which we came to power. We have long spoken about this, and now we are working to establish a clear and effective implementation mechanism,” he said.

The minister also noted that the government has received proposals from a commission formed during the interim administration and is currently reviewing the reports to formulate a practical and workable plan.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yeaser Khan Chowdhury was also present at the meeting, among others.