Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered the authorities concerned to take immediate action in a bid to reduce inflationary pressure on consumers.

The prime minister came up with directives during the first cabinet meeting held with the new cabinet colleagues at her office in Dhaka on Monday.

“Take measures to alleviate the burden on consumers and farmers, maintaining a balance between prices and essential items,” said Hasina while chairing the cabinet meeting.

Conspirators remain active in hatching their efforts to inflate commodity prices, aiming to create a negative perception against the government, added the prime minister.

Emphasising her party's election manifesto, Hasina, also president of the ruling Awami League said, "A challenging environment still exists both home and abroad against our government and we must progress forward, confronting these challenges.”

Before the meeting, the new cabinet members conveyed their greetings to the prime minister by presenting her with a bouquet of flowers.

Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain presented a bouquet of flowers to the prime minister. Subsequently, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq extended a similar warm welcome to the premier.