Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is returning 10% of his monthly salary to the state treasury, following the example set by his father, BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain said on Monday.

Speaking as the chief guest at a programme organised by the Bangladesh Midwifery Society in Dhaka, the health minister said the prime minister recently encouraged cabinet members to voluntarily contribute a portion of their salaries to the government.

Quoting the prime minister, Sakhawat said Tarique told cabinet members that they were free to accept or reject his suggestion, adding that he had carefully considered the matter before raising it.

According to the minister, the prime minister said his father used to donate 10% of his salary every month to the government treasury to support poor people and meet public needs. He added that although he currently receives a salary, he deposits 10% of it back into the government’s account each month.

The prime minister’s basic monthly salary isTk 115,000, and he contributes Tk11,500 to the state treasury after receiving his salary, the minister said.

Sakhawat said the prime minister requested his cabinet colleagues to consider making similar monthly contributions if they were willing and able to do so.

The health minister added that cabinet members welcomed the proposal and appreciated the prime minister’s initiative.