Important changes in portfolios of ministers

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Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain has been given the newly restructured ICT ministry amid corruption allegations that led the World Bank (WB) to suspend its loan commitment of US$ 1.34 billion for the Padma Bridge Project, reports UNB. The suspension of the loan commitment by the WB put the Sheikh Hasina's government in an awkward situation as her political opponents and members of the civil society demanded Abul Hossain's removal. In the small but important changes to the portfolios, Commerce Minister Lt Col (retd) Mohammad Faruk Khan, who earned the wrath of common people due to spiralling price rise of essentials, has been transferred to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism to replace Jatiya Party leader GM Qader who got the vital Ministry of Commerce. GM Qader has been reportedly feeling uncomfortable for a pretty long time because of differences of opinion between his Ministry and the authorities of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Newly appointed minister Obaidul Kader got the prize portfolio of the Ministry of Communications (roads and highways and bridges) while another newly appointed minister, Suranjit Sengupta was given the Ministry of Railways, separated Sunday from the Ministry of Communications. Both Obaidul Kader and Suranjit were inducted into the Cabinet on November 28. On Sunday, the government split the Ministry of Science and Information & Communication Technology (ICT) into two -- Ministry of Science & Technology and Ministry of Information & Communication Technology (ICT). Abul Hossain shares with architect Yeafesh Osman the two newly restructured ministries. Yeafesh Osman retained his position as State Minister and now holds the charge of the Ministry of Science and Technology while Syed Abul Hossain was given the Ministry of Information & Communication Technology (ICT).