Day: March 21, 2023

Speakers at a view-exchange meeting urged the authorities concerned to take measures so that prices of the essentials remain at a tolerable level in the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.

Leaders of the kitchen markets and different business communities pledged to sell the essential commodities at fair prices.

They also told the meeting that they will also monitor the kitchen markets before and after the Ramadan.

With Khulna deputy commissioner (DC) Khondokar Yasir Arefin in the chair, representatives of Khulna Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), President and General Secretaries of different kitchen markets and shopping malls, law enforcement agencies, government officials and journalists, among others, were present in the meeting.

The meeting also decided that beef will be sold at Tk 700 per kg while mutton will be sold at Taka 950. Chicken especially broiler will be sold at reasonable price.

The DC informed the meeting that mobile courts have already started monitoring the kitchen markets against price hike and food adulteration.

The government has taken necessary steps for increasing the imports of consumer goods to stabilize the market with sufficient supply during the month of holy Ramadan, he said.

Besides, the government has instructed the respective people to ease the opening Letters of Credit (LCs) for essential commodities in order to keep their prices at a tolerable level during the Ramadan going to begin on March 23 or 24.

Ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, essential products are available at market as LCs have been opened recently, said Gopi Kishan Mundra, Vice-President of KCCI in Khulna.

While talking to BSS, several wholesalers of Khulna said, prices of some essential products have decreased due to its huge imports.

The law enforcement agencies have also been instructed to monitor and ensure reasonable prices of essential commodities.

The government has already taken food friendly programs including, OMS and TCB, for low-income people, the DC added.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Finland Ambassador to Bangladesh Ritva Koukku-

Ronde today termed Bangladesh as a global role model for many aspects,

including women empowerment and gender equality.

She made the remark while paying farewell call on State Minister for Foreign

Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam at the foreign ministry here, a foreign ministry's

press release said.

During the meeting, the non-resident Finnish envoy lauded the socio-economic

advancements taking place in Bangladesh.

The State Minister briefed the Finnish Ambassador on the steady socio-

economic development of Bangladesh over the last 14 years under the visionary

leadership of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Alam also touched upon Bangladesh's spectacular achievements in green RMG

factories, solar home systems and women's increased participation in

workforce.

The two sides also discussed various other bilateral and international issues

of mutual interest and concern, including renewable energy and waste2energy,

digital technology and cyber security, shipbuilding and ship-recycling, bio-

based material development, climate change, food and energy security,

Rohingya crisis, war in Ukraine and cooperation in international fora.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Strict enforcement of the amended Tobacco Control Act (TCA) in all the restricted places and transports can be the best ways of saving thousands of non-smokers from passive smoking and human lives.

The use of smoking and non-smoking tobacco products is posing a real threat to human civilisation because those are killing millions of people in the globe annually.

Administrative, police and health officials and other stakeholders came up with the observation while addressing an anti tobacco seminar at the office conference hall of Divisional 'Commissioner here today (Tuesday).

National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) and Department of Health Services jointly hosted the divisional level meeting under the control programme of smoking and tobacco products largely attended by government and non-government officials concerned, development activists and other stakeholders.

Commissioner of Rajshahi division GSM Zafarullah addressed the meeting as chief guest, while Additional Commissioner Dr Moksed Ali talked about the devastating impacts of tobacco consumption during his keynote presentation.

Divisional Director of Health Dr Habibul Ahsan Talukder, Additional Deputy Inspector General of Police Saiful Islam and NTCC Coordinator Hossain Ali Khandaker spoke as panel discussants.

Hossain Ali Khandaker told the meeting that around 57,000 people are dying in Bangladesh annually consuming tobacco products and 1.2 million others are suffering from lung cancer, cerebra-vascular, coronary artery, chronic obstructive pulmonary and other tobacco-attributable diseases.

He said imposing restrictions on smoking in public places and transports is very important for protecting many non-smokers from various non-communicable diseases caused by smoking.

Frequent smoking in the restricted places affects the non-smokers more than the direct smokers. So, there should be a strong civil society to fight malpractice.

Use of tobacco items causes many non-communicable diseases like cancers, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, tuberculosis and chronic respiratory disorder.

Hossain Ali expressed grave concern over gross violation of tobacco control law everywhere in the society and urged the authorities to take punitive measures to resist the violation.

Some tobacco companies are expanding their market through promotional activities in the name of corporate social responsibilities, which must be stopped, he added.

Dr Habibul Ahsan Talukder highlighted the objectives of the seminar.

In his remarks, Commissioner Zafarullah said the government has amended the law to make it more stringent because of growing tobacco use in the country. As per the law, the selling of cigarettes to those below 18 has been banned.

He said mobile courts should be conducted against all sorts of violations of the law, adding that all the district administrations should supplement Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's announcement of freeing the country from tobacco use by 2040.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Speakers at a seminar here today said, the mass media can play a vital role to face the challenges of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR).

“There is no alternative to build ICT based skilled manpower to face the future challenges.

The improvement of the civic facilities should be ensured for the people aiming to build Smart Bangladesh,” they said while speaking at the seminar on “Fourth Industrial Revolution, Role of Mass Media,” held at the Journalists Humayun Kabir Balu auditorium at Khulna Press Club.

Regional Office of the Press Information Department (PID) organized the Seminar with Deputy Principal Information Officer (DPIO) of the PID ASM Kabir in the chair.

Director of Khulna Export Promotion Bureau Zeenat Ara Ahmed, Khulna Press Club President S M Nazrul Islam and Khulna Journalists Union (KUJ) President Faruk Ahmed addressed as special guests.

Additional District Commissioner (ADC-Land Acquisition) Atiqul Islam addressed the seminar as chief guest while assistant Professor of the Mass Communication and Journalism Discipline of the Khulna University (KU) Mamun-ur-Rashid presented the keynote paper while Senior Information Officer of the PID Mehedi Hasan delivered the welcome speech.

Assistant Information Officer of PID Md Atiqur Rahman conducted the programme.

The Chief guest said the entire world has been changing rapidly through ICT based knowledge . ,

“Opportunities for the third world countries like Bangladesh have been created in various sector including agriculture, education and health through maximum use of fourth industrialization revolution,” he added.

He also said that the journalists can play a vital role through earning ICT based knowledge.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin today urged the developed countries to take urgent and ambitious actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and provide financial and technical supports to vulnerable countries to help address the adverse impacts of climate change.

He made the call while addressing the breakout session on Loss and Damage in the first Copenhagen Climate Ministerial held at Eigtveds Pakhus in Copenhagen of Denmark, according to a message received here.

Shahab Uddin said the government of Bangladesh reiterates its commitment to working with all to address the loss and damage caused by climate change.

He said Bangladesh welcomes the decisions taken at COP27 regarding the operationalisation of the Santiago Network, and the establishment of the loss and damage financing arrangement.

"We believe that these decisions are critical steps in addressing the impacts of climate change in vulnerable countries like Bangladesh," the Bangladesh minister said.

He said the operationalisation of the new funding arrangements could be similar to that of Green Climate Fund (GCF) or Adaptation Fund, ensuring provision for more representation from vulnerable developing countries.

The sources of the new fund for loss and damage should be 'new' and 'additional,' including from innovative sources, and should not divert resources from adaptation, Shahab Uddin said.

He said Bangladesh also recognises the importance of mobilising financial resources to address loss and damage.

"We believe that the loss and damage financing arrangement should prioritise the needs of the most vulnerable countries, including LDCs and SIDS, and provide timely and adequate financial support for addressing loss and damage," he said

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A joyous environment has been prevailing at Noagaon Ashrayan Project here as beneficiaries will formally receive their houses tomorrow as part of total 39,365 such abodes to be donated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina across the country.

The Prime Minister will virtually hand over 100 two-room semi pucca houses here to landless and homeless people under the fourth phase of the Ashrayan-2 Project.

Since the beneficiaries of the houses have already been allotted their respective homes, many of them were seen decorating their homes.

"We are very much happy to imagine that I am going to own a semi pucca house that actually gives a sustainable solution to my landless and homeless status," said Rina Begum with a wide smile on her face while she was cleaning her house with water.

Landless Rina and her husband Md Shaser Ali were living on land of others for generations erecting mud-made home with straw roof, which was very much vulnerable to floods and cyclonic storms.

Since Sylhet is one of the most flood prone regions, Gowainghat upazila is the prime entrance of the flood water.

"Every year, our houses are inundated with flood water, which drastically damages the houses making those unlivable until further renovation," said Rina.

Her five-member family, including three daughters, is now hoping to lead a better life as the Ashrayan house ignites a hope of giving them a permanent solution to their housing problem.

"I still cannot imagine that we will pass nights under such a wonderful infrastructure from tomorrow. I hope this will give us a relief from regular cost of house renovation," said Rina.

Like Rina, Noor Md Laden and Mst Perveen Begum are also getting the house at the Ashrayan Project area tomorrow.

"This house is not merely an abode to me, but also a symbol of my dignity that improves our social status giving a permanent address," said Perveen.

"As Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina blessed us with her heartfelt affection, my first priority is now making the children educated," said Perveen, who is now leading her family with income of her 13-year-old son and working at other's homes herself.

According to Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Tahmilur Rahman, a total of 170, including 100 houses at Noagaon Ashrayan Project, will be handed over tomorrow in the upazila.

About Noagaon Ashrayan Project, he said, "This site has been developed considering other facilities for its beneficiaries".

After ensuring electricity, water supply is being ensured through 10 overhead tanks, one for each 10 families, he said, adding, a one-kilometre canal and a pond have been dug surrounding the project area that is ensuring water supply for its beneficiaries along with irrigation facilities.

Noting that this project is going to create a new environment as the project site has been developed on uncultivated land surrounded by agricultural land, Tahmilur said the families, which are set to get home here, came from different areas of the upazila.

"So, we hope this project will help create a new atmosphere with the coexistence of people from different parts of the upazila," he added.

Earlier, 895 landless and homeless families were rehabilitated at the upazila, the UNO said, adding more 124 houses are now under construction.

However, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will declare seven districts and 159 upazilas as homeless and landless free areas tomorrow.

With handing over 39,365 more houses among homeless and landless people across the country tomorrow, the total number of distributed houses will stand at 2,15,827 under Ashrayan-2 Project.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-5, in an anti-crime drive, arrested two alleged top-listed firearms traders with four firearms in the metropolis last night.

The arrested persons were identified as Rezaul Karim, 38, son of late Sekendar Ali, of Hasbaria village and Abu Raihan, 30, son of late Abul Kasem of Sherpara village both under Lalpur Upazila at Natore district, RAB sources said this morning.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of the elite force conducted a drive at Belpukur Railway crossing under Belpukur Police Station around 9.45 pm and arrested them.

The RAB team seized four one-shooter guns from their possessions.

Another team of the elite force arrested an alleged drug-peddler identified as Jasim Uddin, 28, son of late Azizul Sarder of Tangan village under Charghat Upazila in the district, with 397 bottles of phensedyl after conducting an operation early this morning.

Two separate cases were filed with the respective police stations in these connections and the arrested persons along with the seized firearms and phensidyl were handed over to the police.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The government has taken initiatives to sell

three key essential commodities-- milk, egg and meat-- in fair price in the

city during the holy month of Ramadan.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim is scheduled to inaugurate

the programme for selling essential commodities at 3pm on March 23 on the

premises of Department of Livestock, an official release said here today.

Under the initiative, 20 spots have been selected for selling the three

essential commodities. Price of per kilogram (KG) beef has been fixed at Taka

640, mutton at Taka 940, dressed boiler meat at Taka 340 while milk per litre

has been fixed at Taka 80 and per piece egg is Taka 12.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will hand over 39365 more houses under Ashrayan-2 project to landless and homeless families tomorrow as part of the government's target of ensuring housing for the landless and homeless people.

This is the fourth phase of the Ashrayan-2 project while 63,999 houses were distributed in first phase, 53,330 in second phase and 59,133 in third phase. With the distribution of 39365 more houses, the total number will stand at 2,15, 827 under the Ashrayan-2 Project.

Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Mohammad Tofazzel Hossain Miah disclosed the information at a press conference at Karabi Hall of Prime Minister's Office (PMO) here this afternoon.

PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin, PMO Director General (Administration) Mohd. Ahsan Kibria Siddiqui and Project Director of Ashrayan-2 Project Abu Saleh Mohammad Ferdous Khan were present on the occasion.

Under the project, the landless and homeless people will get good quality tin-shed semi-pucca houses on two decimals of land.

The Principal Secretary said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will hand over houses along with lands in the fourth phase by virtually joining the ceremonies in three upazilas of the country from her official Ganabhaban residence.

The premier will directly exchange views with the beneficiaries of Nayapara Ashrayan project under Sreepur upazila in Gazipur district, Noagaon Ashrayan project under Gowainghat upazila in Sylhet and Uttarpar Ashrayan project under Banaripara in Barishal.

Tofazzel Hossain Miah said the Prime Minister will also declare seven districts and 159 upazilas as homeless and landless free areas tomorrow. Earlier, she declared Panchagarh and Magura as homeless-landless free districts.

With tomorrow's announcement, the total number of homeless-landless free districts will be nine and upazilas will be 211, he said.

The principal secretary said if anyone of these areas becomes homeless and landless due to river erosion, natural disaster or any other reason, they will be given houses along with land.

Replying to a question, he said ownership of land is given to both husband and wife and land registration and mutation are also given after the names of both husband and wife.

Tofazzel Hossain Miah said the government is not only building houses of the project on khas land rather lands are being bought from Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust to build houses.

Donations from individuals are also received to this end, he mentioned.

Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman introduced the rehabilitation programme for homeless people in 1972.

Following the footprints of Bangabandhu, her daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took the initiative to provide ownership of houses and lands to homeless and landless people through the Ashrayan Project in 1997.

Under the Ashrayan project, a total of 7,71,301 families have been rehabilitated so far since 1997. The number of rehabilitated people is 38,56,505 (estimated as five persons in a family).

Ashrayan Project of the PMO has already rehabilitated 5,54,597 families directly while 2,16,704 families were rehabilitated under different programmes of concerned government offices, including Land Ministry and Disaster Management and Relief Ministry.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said actually BNP leaders don't want that the party chief Begum Khaleda Zia gets release from jail.

"If they wanted her release, they must have faced the cases in court with eminent lawyers. But they didn't face the cases," he said.

Hasan added: "If Begum Khaleda Zia gets release, Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other BNP leaders will lose their supremacy. That is why, they don't want her release."

The minister was addressing as the chief guest a discussion marking 103rd birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children's Day at Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium at Khamarbari here.

Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary, said: "Some days ago, BNP leaders said that Khaleda Zia is so ill that she will die unless she is not taken abroad. Hearing their comments, it seemed that they wanted Khaleda's death. But she has become well getting treatment from Bangladeshi physicians."

He said if anyone hears BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's comments, he or she will think that there has been no development in the country in the last 14 years.

"They (BNP leaders) held public rallies after crossing Padma Bridge by driving vehicle and then they said no development took place in the country. After crossing flyovers, they said no progress took place," he mentioned.

Urging Fakhrul and other BNP leaders to look back in the past, he said: "What did you gift the country? You made the country champions in corruption for five consecutive times".

During the BNP period, series bombings were carried out at 500 locations across the country and the country saw the emergence of terrorists like ‘Shaykh Abdur Rahman’ and ‘Bangla Bhai’, he recalled.

"You had run a parallel government by building Hawa Bhaban. You had also built 'Khwab Bhaban' for entertainment. You had installed electric poles but could not provide electricity. Today Sheikh Hasina reached electricity every house," he said.

Hasan came down heavily on Mirza Fakhrul for issuing statement on Monday demanding resignation of the road transport and bridges minister.

The minister said the country has witnessed a remarkable a progress in roads and highways under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Road Transport and Bridges Ministry did the task and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader is the minister of the ministry, he said.

"Today's Padma Bridge has been implemented under the ministry. Karnaphuli Tunnel, Metro-Rail are also being implemented under the ministry. He (Obaidul Quader) is a successful minister. BNP is now demanding his resignation. Actually Mirza Fakhrul Islam should resign," he said.

"Now there is no issue. BNP didn't get any benefit by making issue over Khaleda Zia's illness. December 10 programme has also failed. Their leaders and workers didn't respond to their programme. Now there is no issue. Now they are talking about road accidents," he said.

About the country's development and progress, he said today Pakistan wants to be country like Bangladesh.

"These are successes of establishing the country by Bangabandhu and running the country by Jananetri Sheikh Hasina. Today the entire world is lauding the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," he said.

Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, Awami League Organizing Secretary Mirza Azam, MP, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, Central Working Committee Member Anwar Hossain, AL National Committee Member Abdul Baten Mia and Dhaka district AL General Secretary Paniruzzaman Tarun addressed the discussion, among others.

Dhaka district AL President Benjir Ahmed, MP, chaired it.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumdar today warned that stern action would be taken against those involved in creating artificial rice crisis in the country.

“There is no shortage of rice in the country. If anyone creates artificial rice crisis to increase its price, action will be taken against him or her,” he said while speaking at a view-exchange meeting.

The meeting was held at the conference room of the Food Directorate here today, aiming to keep the price of rice stable during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.

Speaking as the chief guest, Sadhan said the government monitors market supply and prices in various ways.

“Not only in the month of Ramadan, this monitoring is going on and will continue throughout the year. None can sell rice in this country without license. To do this, traders must have food grain licenses. Dealers must have this license too,” he said.

After every 15 days, the dealers have to submit the return of how much rice they bought and how much they sold, the minister said.

Sadhan said when a meeting is held with the traders, the price of rice decreases and then it increases again.

Calling on the rice traders to leave the tendency of price hike, he said after the announcement of the World Bank that there might be a famine in 2023, many people have unjustly increased the price of rice and stockpiled it.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Both the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of

Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) and the Bharat Chamber of Commerce (BCC) are

keen to strengthen Business to Business (B2B) relations and commercial

activities between Bangladesh and India.

The leaders of FBCCI and BCC had a discussion regarding this during a meeting

held today at the FBCCI office in the capital.

The visiting delegation of the Bharat Chamber of Commerce (BCC) was led by

its president NG Khaitan, said a press release here.

Speaking on the occasion, FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin said: "ASEAN, North

American countries, and other alliances have made significant progress by

strengthening regional trade. But, SAARC countries are still lagging behind.

The G2G (Government to Government) relationship between Bangladesh-India has

come a long way and getting stronger day by day. Now we have to take more

initiative to strengthen the relationship between B2B (Business to

Business)."

Jashim said: "Bangladesh has now emphasized on Agro mechanization and Food

Processing. As India is one of the leading countries in the Agro Machinery

manufacturing sector, Indian Agro Machinery manufacturers should set up

factories in Bangladesh to grab the market."

BCC President Khaitan praised Bangladesh's development and said that India

has always been a friendly country to Bangladesh.

He said, "We share the same culture and language, so there is a huge market

for us to work on. The connectivity with the people of west Bengal and with

the people of Bangladesh, should only not be based on trade, commerce, and

industry, but also there should be more facilities where people should come

and visit Bangladesh and India respectively."

As for Indian people, Khaitan said they want to come and enjoy Bangladesh,

Bangladeshi Culture, fish, sea beaches, etc. "Same thing we want from

Bangladeshi people. We want them to visit our places, the Himalayas, and so

on."

"The 21st century belongs to Africa and the Asia Pacific region. So, we have

to connect ourselves more and more. We can do that by interacting more," he

added.

The BCC President also said that Bangladesh is very strong in garments,

Cement, and other industries while just like Bangladesh, India is also a

self-sustained and self-sufficient country.

"When both neighbors are self-sustained and self-sufficient, why shouldn't we

interact more? Why shouldn't we have more connection with each other?" he

added.

FBCCI Vice-President M A Momen, Md. Amin Helaly, Director Priti Chakraborty,

President of Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) and FBCCI Director Anwar

Ul Alam Chowdhury, Senior Vice-President of BCC Naresh Pachisia were present,

among others, at the meeting.

After the courtesy meeting, a B2B meeting was held between businessmen of

both countries. The FBCCI organised the B2B meeting.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha