Month: January 2023

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Cattle trader shot dead ‘by BSF’ along Lalmonirhat border

A Bangladeshi cattle trader was shot dead allegedly by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) members along Burimari border in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat early Sunday.

 

The deceased was identified as Bipul Hossain 23, of the upazila.

 

According to locals, a group of cattle traders including Bipul tried to bring Indian cows through Patgram border in the early hours of Sunday.

 

Read more: Bangladeshi shot dead ‘by BSF’ along Lalmonirhat border

 

Bipul sustained bullet when BSF opened fire at them, Omar Faruq, officer-in-charge (OC) of Patgram police station.

 

He succumbed to his injuries on the way to Rangpur Medical College and Hospital, he added.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

 

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We remain better prepared in 2023: Shahriar Alam

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Sunday said the government remains better prepared in 2023 to achieve its goals overcoming the challenges both from domestic and international fronts.

 

“If it seems to be more challenging, I would say we remain better prepared for that,” he said while talking to a small group of journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

The state minister described the year 2022 a very successful year in terms of its engagement with the international partners with opening of new markets.

 

He, however, said it is a failure that the Rohingya repatriation is yet to begin.

 

Shahriar Alam said they saw a kind of “overenthusiasm” (from diplomats) at the end of 2022 but they are handling it diplomatically.

 

He hoped that everyone will remain respectful to their “rules of engagements” as Bangladesh does not oppose those recommendations and advice which are beneficial for Bangladesh.

 

“Everyone appreciates that Bangladesh remains engaged and listens to….,” said the State Minister.

 

Regarding democracy, he said there is no “fit for all” formula for democracy and everyone knows it and Bangladesh is doing much better compared to other countries.

 

Responding to a question, Shahriar said the government remains engaged with the USA to withdraw sanctions on the Rab as an institution at least keeping in mind that Rab played a very strong role in combating terrorism and militancy in the country sacrificing their lives.

 

“Painfully, it’s a slow process. We will strengthen our efforts,” he said.

 

He said there is a need for a law to deal with misinformation and other issues but surely the Digital Security Act is not for harassing journalists.

 

Responding to a question on human rights issues, the State Minister said the UN member states know Bangladesh’s true intention.

 

Asked why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had to share a non-paper note with foreign missions in Dhaka centering BNP’s December 10 programme, he said there was nothing wrong in it. “It’s a proactive engagement as they (diplomats) might have asked the questions on the issue the following day.”

 

The government says they shared the information with the foreign missions stationed in Dhaka to leave no room for “misinformation” and “confusion.”

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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BNP pays last respect to Khandaker Mahbub

BNP on Sunday paid its last respects to the party’s vice-chairman and senior lawyer Khandaker Mahbub Hossain by placing wreaths on his coffin.

 

Mahbub’s coffin was taken to BNP’s Nayapaltan central office at about 11am and kept on a stage, enabling party leaders and activists to have a last glimpse of the deceased, who passed away on Saturday night.

 

On behalf of BNP, its standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Nazrul Islam Khan, placed wreaths on the coffin of the veteran lawyer and draped it with a party flag as a mark of respect.

 

Earlier, the third Namaz-e-janaza of Mahbub was held in front of the BNP central office participated by several hundred party leaders and activists.

 

In a brief address, Khandaker Mosharraf said, “We’re very shocked over his death. He was our beloved leader and a vice chairman of BNP who fought for the party, for the country, for the people, and for the nationalist forces in the courts for establishing truth and justice.”

 

He said the loss BNP suffered through Mahbub’s death is irreparable. “Lawyers lost their guardian and we lost a leader of nationalist ideals.”

 

Mosharraf prayed for the salvation of Mahbub’s departed soul and conveyed his profound sympathy to the bereaved family members.

 

Khandaker Mahbub Hossain died at Evercare Hospital Saturday night at the age of 84.

 

His first janaza was held at Bashundhara residential area mosque and the second one on Khandaker Mahbub Hossain Eye Hospital premises at Mirpur.

 

On Wednesday, the BNP leader was put on a ventilator at Evercare a day after being admitted there with respiratory problem.

 

Mahbub, former vice-president of the Bangladesh Bar Council and president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, was one of the lawyers of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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Many TIN holders failed to submit tax returns by extended deadline

Though the government has made mandatory the submission of tax returns to get more than 40 services, the response remained poor.

 

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) extended time twice for return submission in the fiscal year 2022-23, despite this move, the number of returns remained around 30 lakh out of around 82 lakh TIN holders, NBR sources said on Sunday.

 

As per the provisional data of NBR around 36 percent of TIN holders have submitted income tax returns. As a result, the direct tax volume of NBR is not increasing despite time extension and raising awareness.

 

According to the Income Tax Act, November 30 is the deadline for submission of income tax returns, but the NBR extended the time by one month in view of the demands of professional organizations including FBCCI.

 

There are currently over 82 lakh Tax Identification Number (TIN) taxpayers in the country. In 2016, the Income Tax Ordinance changed and it was decided not to file returns after National Tax Day on November 30. So the path to time extension is closed.

 

However, last two years the period was extended by one month considering the Covid-19 pandemic and the global situation in the domestic economy.

 

The income tax fair was not held under one roof to meet the expectations of taxpayers. All 31 tax offices of the country provided services to taxpayers in a festive atmosphere in November.

 

As per Income Tax Guidelines 2022-23, proof of return filing has been made mandatory for 40 types of services. Due to this e-TIN holders have no option to file returns. If not, people will have to face various complications to get different services.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

 

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Narail boat capsize: Death toll rises to 4

The death toll from the boat capsize in the Nabaganga River in Narail rose to four with the recovery of two bodies Sunday noon.

 

Two people drowned and five others went missing after their boat capsized in the river off the coast of Kalia upazila on Friday night.

 

The bodies of Labu, 32, son of Tuku Chowkidar of Babupur village, and Khanze Sheikh, 55, son of Matiar Sheikh of Jokar Char village, were recovered today.

 

Fire service divers fished out the bodies from the Nabaganga River in Kalia upazila, said Sheikh Tasmeem Alam, office-in-charge (OC) of Kalia police station.

 

“The bodies were handed over to the Naval Police. They will take necessary legal steps,” said OC Tasmeem.

 

Efforts are on to find the others who went missing after the accident, he added.

 

The boat with 17 people on board capsized around 8:30 pm while heading towards Bahirdanga from Baghbari of Kalia municipality. Ten of them managed to swim to ashore.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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Motorcyclist killed in N’ganj road crash

A motorcyclist was killed in a road accident at Mouchak in Siddhirganj upazila of Narayanganj district on Sunday.

 

The deceased was identified as Jewel Chowdhury, son of Ebayedullah of Noakhali district.

 

The accident occurred in the area early in the morning when Jewel was heading towards Narayanganj from Noakhali, leaving him critically injured, said Inspector Bachhu Mia, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital police camp.

 

Later, he was taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries around 11:30 am.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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Fire incidents reported from different areas in Dhaka during New Year celebrations

Fire incidents were reported from Lalbagh, Tejgaon, Sadarghat and Mohammadpur areas in Dhaka in the early hours of Sunday due to use of sky lanterns for New Year celebrations, according to Fire Service.

 

Besides, Adabar area of the city faced blackout as lanterns fell on electrical lines and fire spread on the wires around 12am, said Fire Service and Civil Defence Control Room Duty Officer Ershad Hossain.

 

However, no injuries or causalities were reported.

 

In Sadarghat, a fire broke out at the hawkers market from a sky lantern fell from a nearby building. Later, two units of fire fighters rushed to the spot, but it was doused by locals.

 

Fire broke out in a building at Lalbagh and another building at Tajgaon which were also doused soon.

 

However, the fire that broke out in a multi-storied building at Mohammadpur was massive and fire fighters doused the fire after a frantic effort, said the duty officer.

 

Read more: No outdoor celebrations on 31st night: DMP Commissioner

 

Meanwhile, a fire broke out in Adabar area as a lantern fell on an electric line, causing blackout in the entire area, he added. “It is not known whether electricity supply was restored there or not.”

 

Last year, around 10 fire incidents were reported on the 31st Night.

 

Dhaka dwellers used firecrackers and flew sky lanterns (fanush) on the 31st night despite Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s (DMP) restrictions.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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Scam-hit Islami Bank earns operational profit in 2022, Basic Bank reports loss

Despite criticism of mismanagement and loan scams, the Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) has secured a top position in making operational profit in 2022, according to a Bangladesh Bank report.

 

The IBBL has now the highest deposit holding in the country. The depositors rushed to withdraw their money from the bank amid reports of loan scams in last November and December.

 

Banks have prepared financial reports based on their branch office information on disbursed loans and their collection update. The BB report released late Saturday found that the operating profit of most of the banks increased in 2022, compared to the same period of the previous (2021) year.

 

According to the report, IBBL is at the top among the banks in gaining operational profit. In 2022 (January-December), the bank made an operating profit of Tk 2,646 crore.

 

In the previous year in 2021, the profit of the bank (IBBL) was Tk 2430 crore. In 2020, it was Tk 2350 crore.

 

Among other banks, in 2022, the state-owned Sonali Bank made an operating profit of Tk 2,520 crore. In 2021, it was Tk 2100 crore.

 

But operating profit is not the actual profit of the bank. Net profit will be calculated after saving provision or safety stock at fixed rate against debt from operating profit and payment of corporate tax. Net profit is the actual profit of the bank.

 

State-owned BASIC Bank could not make operating profit in 2022. On the contrary, they incurred a loss of Tk 371 crore; Last year also the loss was Tk 80 crore. Apart from this, Citizen Bank has made an operating profit of Tk 2.54 crore in six months. The bank started operations in mid of 2022.

 

Economist and former adviser of caretaker government Dr. ABM Mirza Azizul Islam told UNB, “Bangladesh Bank is giving special benefits to the defaulters and showing the interest of such loan to the income sector. In this case, the financial report of the bank is being shown well on paper.”

 

Read More: BB disburses Tk 4000 crore as liquidity support to 5 Islami banks

 

He also said, “Political commitment and goodwill are needed to restore order in banks.”

 

According to the data of the Central Bank, in the quarter of September 2022, the defaulted loan amount in the banking sector of the country has increased to more than Tk1.34 crore, which is 9.36 percent of the total loan.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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Bone-chilling cold disrupts normal life in Panchagarh

The people of Panchagarh district have been experiencing bone-chilling cold for the last three days that disrupted their normal activities.

 

The minimum temperature was recorded 10 degrees Celsius in Tetulia at 9 am on Sunday, said Rokonuzzaman Rokon, an officer of Tetulia Weather Observatory Centre.

 

The minimum temperature was recorded at 8.7 degree Celsius in Tetulia on Friday and Saturday.

 

The low-income people including day labourers, children, the elderly are worst hit by shivering cold.

 

The sun remains unseen most of the time while most of the day labourers can’t go out in search of work due to biting cold.

 

Many locals were seen trying to keep warm by burning tree branches and dry leaves as the temperature keeps falling.

 

Bone-chilling cold disrupts normal life in Panchagarh

 

Vehicles were seen plying on the roads keeping their headlights on in daytime.

 

Besides, the hospital outdoor were found filled with patients suffering from cold-related diseases.

 

Dr Toufique Ahmed, resident medical officer of Panchagarh Modern Sadar Hospital, said 164 people are currently undergoing treatment at the 100-bed hospital. As a result, many patients are being forced to take treatment staying on floor.

 

Already the local administration has distributed 25,000 blankets among the destitute people.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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Bangladesh logs 17 more Covid cases

Bangladesh reported 17 more Covid cases in the 24 hours till Sunday morning.

 

With the new numbers, the country’s total caseload rose to 2,037,142, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

 

The daily case test positivity fell to 1.07 from Saturday’s 1.27 percent as 1,585 samples were tested during the period.

 

The mortality and recovery rate remained unchanged at 1.45 percent and 97.59 percent respectively, it added.

 

In November, the country reported 10 Covid-linked deaths and 1,345 cases.

 

Bangladesh registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 the same year.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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41 more dengue patients hospitalised in 24 hours

Forty-one more people were hospitalised with dengue in 24 hours till Sunday morning.

 

The official death toll from the mosquito-borne disease remained unchanged at 281 as no death was recorded during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

 

Of the new patients, 21 were admitted to the hospitals of Dhaka and 20 outside it, said DGHS.

 

A total of 249 dengue patients, including 152 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.

 

The DGHS has recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries the past year and first day of the new year.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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Bangladesh gets $10.49 billion inward remittances in July-December: Central Bank

Bangladesh received USD $1.70 billion inward remittance in December 2022 through the banking channel, up by 4.23 percent compared to the same month of the previous year.

 

In November, the expatriates sent home $1.59 billion through the legal channel, according to Bangladesh Bank an updated report released on Sunday.

 

The central bank has been trying to increase inward remittance flow through banking channels by offering incentives and higher exchange rates of the US dollar.

 

A review of the remittance flow showed that the total remittance received in the first 6 months of the fiscal year 2022-23 (July- December) was $ 10.49 billion.

 

In the same period of the previous financial year, the expatriates sent $10.24 billion in remittances. Accordingly, in the first 6 months of this fiscal year, Bangladesh received $287 million more in remittances.

 

The BB spokesperson Mesbaul Haque told UNB that in order to increase remittance inflow, the central bank has increased the exchange rate of US dollar.

 

In addition to a 2.5 percent hassle-free incentive for remittance, several banks also provide additional incentives to attract foreign exchange, he said.

 

Banks will not cut any charge or fee for sending remittances in the legal channel, he said.

 

Research by Bangladesh Bank found that more than 40 percent of remittance of expatriate income is sent in the country through hundi or unofficial channel.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh