RAB to be replaced by SRB under police

The Cabinet has given final approval, subject to vetting, to the draft Special Response Battalion (SRB) Act, 2026, providing for the dissolution of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and creation of the SRB as a specialised police unit. The decision was taken at the 17th Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman on Monday. RAB’s personnel, powers, funds, property, records and other assets will be transferred to the SRB. A multi-party grievance redress committee will also be formed to address complaints from citizens and internal grievances of SRB members.

The Cabinet also congratulated the Bangladesh national cricket team for defeating Australia by nine wickets in the first Test in Darwin, marking Bangladesh’s first Test victory on Australian soil. It said the historic win reflected Bangladesh’s growing confidence, discipline, team spirit and competitiveness in international cricket. The Cabinet approved a plan to shift Bangladesh’s fiscal year from July-June to April-March to allow infrastructure projects to be completed before the monsoon, reducing delays and public suffering. Fiscal year 2027-28 will serve as a nine-month transitional year from July to March, while the new April-March fiscal year will begin in 2028-29. Necessary legal and technical changes will be made, with a committee involving relevant ministries and agencies to determine the implementation process.

The Cabinet also approved a proposal to reduce the tax burden on imported green chillies and tomatoes from the existing 61 percent to 20.5 percent in the first month after notification and 31 percent in the following month, aiming to maintain supply and keep prices affordable. A meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman also agreed in principle to use environmentally friendly vetiver, or binna grass, in road and embankment projects to prevent erosion. A technical committee led by Finance and Planning Adviser Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir will identify suitable projects, while guidelines on its use will be prepared in coordination with the Planning Ministry. The grass has deep roots that hold soil firmly and can survive extreme weather and saline water.