Month: June 2023

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BNP does not worry about welfare of country, its people: Quader

Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said that BNP, born in the womb of dictatorship, never cares about the welfare of the country and the people.

"The non-political and evil activities of BNP, born in the womb of dictatorship, are conducted only in the orbit of conspiracy to seize power. BNP never thinks about the welfare of the country and the people," he said.

The minister said these in a statement sent to the media condemning and protesting the statement given by BNP Secretary General Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on the so-called 'outline of non-partisan government'.

About BNP, he also said whenever BNP comes to power, it has engaged in the festival of corruption and looting.

"In continuation of that, they (BNP men) have already finalized the outline of conspiracy and robbery," Quader added.

In the name of so-called 'Take Back Bangladesh', the people of the country will not support for returning to the terrible era of corruption and looting of Hawa Bhaban-Khawab Bhaban and brutal killings like August 21st, militancy and terrorism, the veteran AL leader continued.

Obaidul Quader said that the nation is not interested in any 'outline' prepared and prescribed by the Favorite son ('Bar Putra') of corruption, murderer and fugitive Tarique Rahman.

The people of the country will not allow their daydream of taking power through the back door, he said.

He said that the so-called joint declaration and 'all-out movement' announced by Mirza Fakhrul or BNP is nothing but a mockery with the people.

The threat of their movement is nothing but a fake roaring, he said, adding that after Eid and monsoon and (student's) exams, people have seen many threats regarding their movement.

AL General Secretary went on saying that the people of Bangladesh have repeatedly rejected the call of BNP to create an 'imaginary mass-uprising'.

Noting that their (BNP-men's) agitations are like creating arson-terrorism, anarchy and disrupting normal public life, Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader said in future, the people will resist their apolitical policy of killing people.

He added that BNP, which has been rejected by the people repeatedly, is always engaged in politics of conspiracy.

Mentioning that BNP's tool of conspiracy is spreading defamation and slander against the country and tarnishing the character of Awami League leaders through fictitious and baseless allegations.

BNP men also hatch conspiracy regarding spreading anti-state propaganda by employing or hiring lobbyist firms spending millions of dollars.

For conducting all those ill-activities, they (BNP men) spend money obtained and laundered through corruption, he said.

Quader hoped that leaders and workers of AL will resist all these anti-national conspiracies with the support of the people.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

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Government announces public holiday on June 29 for Baker Eid

The government has decided to observe a public holiday on June 29 the occasion of the Baker Eid, also known as Eid al-Adha.

Issuing a notice today, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced a public holiday on coming Thursday on the occasion of the Eid festival of the Muslim community.

As the Ministry Spokesperson Kedarnath Sharma said, the decision to give a public holiday on Baker Eid was taken as per the notice issued in the Nepal Gazette on March 16.

Source: National News Agency-Nepal

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Only three visitors of a passenger allowed to enter TIA to welcome, see off

An arrangement has been made for allowing only three visitors of a passenger to enter the Tribhuvan International Airport to see off and welcome.

TIA Spokesperson Teknath Sitaula said the Airport Security Committee took the decision in this regard in view of possible air safety risk following increasing crowd at the domestic and international terminal building premises.

He shared such decision was taken after problem surfaced in management of traffic as well as risk of accident heightened and the passengers started facing problems following the huge crowd at terminal buildings.

The International terminal witnesses an enormous crowd till 10:00 pm from the evening. Family members and relatives of passengers used to gather to see them off. Thirty air service providers including three Nepali have been operating international flights at TIA while 20 air service providers including 11 helicopter companies towards domestic.

Source: National News Agency-Nepal

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Government urged to withdraw decision to scrap Dairy Board, remove gold ornament from Pashupati

Lawmaker Mahesh Basnet demanded the government withdraw its decision to scrap the National Dairy Development Board, terming the move against the interests of farmers.

Airing his views in a special hour of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, the lawmaker said, "The decision to annul the Board is capable of promoting milk imports, discouraging the domestic production."

"Is there any need to dissolve the Board which is serving three million dairy farmers, 600 dairy industries, 1800 cooperatives and around 10 million consumers each day," he questioned. "This is against the interests of farmers and the nation. The government should take this proposal back." The government had in the budget speech for the fiscal year 2023-24 announced to scrap the Board.

The CPN (UML) lawmaker also urged the government to take back its proposal to scrap the Cotton Development Committee in Banke.

Similarly, Pratima Gautam demanded the government remove the gold 'Jalahari' (ornament) from the Pashupatinath Temple and maintain its originality.

As she said, the gold ornament was placed unnecessarily in the temple and disputes over it had hurt the sentiments of the Hindus. She expressed her concerns over the inscription of names of 13 individuals on the object.

Source: National News Agency-Nepal

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Nepal Airlines to operate Bhairahawa-Hong Kong flights

Nepal Airlines Corporation is to operate direct flights from Bhairahawa to Hong Kong.

The national flag-carrier which is presently conducting direct flight to Hong Kong from Kathmandu is making preparations to operate direct flight to Hong Kong from Bhairahawa also with the goal of bringing maximum number of tourists through air connectivity between Hong Kong and Lumbini, the birth place of the Buddha.

Nepal Airlines also plans to operate flight from Bhairahawa to New Delhi, India, soon. Ramesh Poudel, spokesperson for the Nepal Airlines, said the final preparations are being made to operate direct flights from Bhairahawa to Hong Kong and New Delhi.

"We have made preparation for the Bhairahawa-Hong Kong flight. It will be finalized in a day or two. We also plan to expand flight to other countries as well, including New Delhi of India," he said.

According to spokesperson Poudel, ticket bookings would be opened within 15 days from now for flights to both Hong Kong and New Delhi. Nepal Airlines is planning to operate flights to more destinations as Dubai and Doha as well.

Nepal Airlines is operating weekly two flights to Hong Kong from Kathmandu at present and daily two flights to New Delhi.

Poudel said how many flights would be operated to these destinations from Bhairahawa is not finalized yet.

Nepal Airlines has been operating regular flights from the Bhirahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport from June 12. It has been operating flights on Bhairahawa-Malaysia and Malaysia-Bhairahawa-Kathmandu routes.

Bhairahawa Airport came into commercial operation since May 16, 2022. The Jazeera Air had been operating flights to this airport since then, but has suspended flights lately citing technical reasons.

Source: National News Agency-Nepal

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All set to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha on Thursday

All preparations have been completed to celebrate the holy Eid-ul-Azha, the second biggest religious festival of the Muslims, on Thursday (June 29) across the country with due solemnity and religious fervor.

Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated on the 10th of Zil Hajj month of the Hizri calendar as Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), on this day, some 4,500 years ago, offered to sacrifice his beloved son Hazrat Ismail (AS), who willingly submitted to the will of his father to please Allah.

But the Almighty Allah in His benign mercy spared Hazrat Ismail (AS) and instead sent a ram to be sacrificed.

To commemorate this historic event, the Muslims across the country will offer prayers in congregations and sacrifice animals in the name of Almighty Allah.

They will also offer munajat seeking divine blessings for peace, progress and prosperity of the country as well as welfare of the Muslim Ummah.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages, greeting the Muslims in Bangladesh and all over the world on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Azha.

The main Eid congregation will be held at the National Eidgah near the High Court Bhaban here at 7.30am, said the Dhaka south city corporation (DSCC). It said the corporation has adequate preparation to hold the main congregation at the National Eidgah despite inclement weather condition.

Eid congregation will be held at the historic Sholakia ground in Kishoreganj.

A total of five Eid congregations will be held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.

The first Eid jamaat will be held at 7am while the next four Jamaats will be held at 8am, 9am, 10am and 10.45am respectively, said a press release.

Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Pesh Imam Hafez Maulana Ehsanul Haque will conduct the first Eid jamaat while the Mosque's Khadem Abdul Hadi will perform the duty of Muqabbir in the prayers.

Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Pesh Imam Maulana Muhiuddin Kasem will conduct the second jamaat while other three jamaats will be led by Mawlana Dr Abu Saleh Patowari, Islamic Foundation Director and Imam Maulana Md Anisuzzaman Sikder and Islamic Foundation's Imam Maulana Mohammad Abdullah, Mufti respectively.

Maulana Zakir Hossain, Deputy Director of Islamic Foundation will act as an alternate Imam if any Imam fails to be present during the aforesaid five Eid-congregations.

Eid Jamaat will be held at the South Plaza of the National Parliament at 8am while Chief Whip of Parliament, whips, cabinet members, lawmakers and Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat officials and employees and devotees will join the jamaat there.

In the Dhaka University, Eid Jamaats will be held at university central mosque -Masjidul Jamiya.

Adequate security measures have been taken by the law enforcement agencies to ensure law and order across the country, including the capital Dhaka marking the holy Eid-ul-Azha. Law enforces have also been asked to ensure smooth movement of vehicles on highways, waterways and train routes.

State-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar as well as other TV channels and radio stations would broadcast special programmes on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Azha.

On Eid day, improved diets will be served to inmates of government hospitals, prisons, orphanages, safe homes and shelter centers.

Meanwhile, Dhaka south and north city corporations have taken preparations to remove garbage of sacrificial animals within the 24-hour period from the city. The corporation authorities have requested the city dwellers to extend cooperation to their officials-employees to clean the city properly.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

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Main Eid-jamaat to be held at Jatiya Eidgah despite inclement weather: Taposh

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh today said that the main Eid-jamaat (congregation) marking the holy Eid-ul Azha will be held at Jatiya Eidgah maidan despite inclement weather.

"The information we received from the Meteorological Department is that there may be stormy rain on Eid day. Even if there is heavy rain and storm, we have made arrangements so that the worshipers can perform their Eid-prayers properly. We have also taken measures for preventing water-falls to fix water-logging from anywhere," he said.

The mayor was talking to the journalists after inspecting the overall preparations for organizing the main congregation of Eid-ul-Azha at the National Eidgah Maidan.

Calling upon the people of Dhaka to complete the Qurbani related activities within 2 days on humanitarian ground, Taposh said: "It will be my humble request. Many people sacrifice animals on the third day of Eid. All the workers involved in our Qurbani related activities need rest as they will have been working continuously for 72 hours. So it becomes inhumane to make them work again."

He said DSCC has made extensive preparations for the removal of sacrificial animal waste.

"We will start monitoring and waste removal operations through the central control room from 2 pm on the day of Eid," he added.

Noting that last year, DSCC removed the animal-waste within 24 hours, he said: "We have such preparations this time as well. We will use over 350 vehicles and equipment. There will be around 10,000-manpower deployed for waste-removal activities at field level."

DSCC Mayor Taposh said that the main Eid congregation will be held at 7:30am on Eid day and he also called upon the Dhaka dwellers to perform the Eid congregation at the National Eidgah Maidan with their families.

He gave Eid greetings to the people of Dhaka in advance.

He also told the media that around 35 thousand worshipers will be able to offer prayers inside the pandal at the National Eidgah Maidan.

Besides, the congregation for the holy Eid-ul-Azha prayers will be held at 8:00 am at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) on Eid day.

Worshipers from the area including Chief Whip, Whips, Cabinet Members, Members of Parliament and staff of Parliament Secretariat will participate in the congregation (Jamaat), said a release.

It is open for all. The Parliament Secretariat has requested all interested to participate in the congregation by being present at the JS South Plaza on time.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

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ADB Provides 400 Million USD For Bangladesh Rail Project

The Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Bangladeshi government, yesterday signed a loan agreement for 400 million U.S. dollars, to build a dual-gauge railway, connecting the country’s seaport city Chattogram, some 242 km south-east of Bangladesh’s capital city of Dhaka.

Sharifa Khan, secretary of Bangladesh’s Economic Relations Division, and Jiangbo Ning, ADB deputy country director for Bangladesh, signed the agreement, on behalf of their respective sides in Dhaka.

The loan will help complete the construction of the 102 km of the new railway line, between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar, one of the world’s longest unbroken sandy beaches, about 400 km south-east of Dhaka.

The assistance forms the third part of 1.5 billion dollars in ADB loans, for the SASEC (South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation) Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Railway Project.

“The ADB is assisting the government to shift from road to rail, which is a climate-friendly, safe, affordable, and efficient mode of transport,” said Ning.

“The project is a priority investment and will open up the unserved areas of Cox’s Bazar region, by promoting investment, trade and tourism,” the deputy country director said, adding that, the project also integrates features that are friendly to the elderly, women, children, and people with disabilities.

The new rail link, expected to open this year, aims to transport 2.9 million passengers annually between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar by 2024.

The construction of this railway section is one of several ADB railway projects, to help Bangladesh meet its targets, under its Eighth Five-Year Plan and Railway Master Plan.

Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Railway is part of the Trans-Asia Railway network, an initiative led by the United Nations, aiming to provide seamless rail links between Asia and Europe, to better connect people and markets

Source: Nam News Network

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Waling municipality vaccinates cattle against lumpy skin

The Waling municipality in Syangja has vaccinated 2,000 cattle against lumpy skin. The vaccine was provided free of charge and it followed a rising cases of lumpy skin lately in the municipality.

According to Livestock Service Branch office, vaccines for lumpy skin, a viral disease that affects cattle, were purchased by the local government on its own and provided in the affected and the probable vulnerable areas. So far, Waling reports over 150 cases of lumpy skin.

Lumpy skin originally found in Africa is caused by a capripox virus. Fever, excessive salivation, lacrimation and skin eruptions are among the medical signs of the disease. Its virus is primarily transmitted by biting insects such as mosquitoes, flies and ticks. ---

Source: National News Agency-Nepal

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TK 7,61,785 cr budget for FY 2023-24 passed in parliament

The Jatiya Sangsad (JS) on Monday passed the Tk 7,61,785 crore national budget for the Fiscal Year 2023-24 with an immediate effect from July 1.

The theme of the budget is "Towards Smart Bangladesh Sustaining the Development Achievements of a Decade and a Half" aiming to build 'Smart Bangladesh' by 2041 as envisioned by the incumbent Prime Minister amid adverse impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the economy.

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal moved the Appropriations Bill, 2023 seeking a budgetary allocation of Tk1110840,76,97,000 which was passed by voice vote.

Earlier on Sunday, the House passed the Finance Bill 2023 with bringing some important changes including scarping of proposed annual tax payment of Taka 2,000 for every TIN holders.

Following the proposal mooted in the House by the Finance Ministry for the parliamentary approval of appropriation of funds for meeting necessary development and non-development expenditures of the government, the ministers concerned placed justifications for the expenditures by their respective ministries through 59 demands for grant.

Earlier, the House rejected by voice vote a total of 502 cut-motions that stood in the name of opposition members on 59 demands for grants for different ministries. Highest allocation was Taka 46703,92,00,000 proposed for the local government division while the lowest was Taka 32,20,00,000 for the President Offices.

A total of ten MPs from the Jatiya Party, Gono Forum, and Independent submitted their cut motions on the budget.

They are Fakhrul Imam, Rustam Ali Farazi, Mujibul Huq, Mokabbir Khan, Shamim Haider Patwari, Begum Rawshan Ara Mannan, Pir Fazlur Rahman, Kazi Feroz Rashid, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and Rezaul Karim Bablu.

They were, however, allowed to participate in the discussion on the Commerce Ministry and the Health Service Department.

Later, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury applied guillotine to quicken the process of passing the demands for grants for different ministries.

Opposition and independent MPs were present at the House when the Appropriation Bill was passed in Parliament and they did not object to the passage of the bill.

The finance minister on June 1 placed a Tk7,61,785 crore-national budget for FY2023-24.

This is Kamal's fifth budget and the 52nd budget of the Bangladesh government.

The proposed budget has kept the GDP growth target at 7.5% and the GDP size is estimated at Tk 50,06,782 crore.

The proposed budget will be 15.2 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the budget speech of the finance minister.

Of the total proposed budget, Tk 436,247 crore is allocated for operating expenditures, and the rest Tk 277,582 crore, for development purposes.

The revenue target is set at Tk5 lakh crore, while the budget deficit is Tk2,61,785 crore or 5.2% of GDP. The average inflation in the budget was kept at 6.0%

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

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IFC provides $50m to BRAC Bank to support trade finance and safeguard employment

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is extending BRAC Bank Limited (BBL) a $50 million loan to aid small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) emerge from the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This investment will contribute to the preservation of jobs and bring foreign exchange liquidity into BBL to help support the working capital and trade finance requirements of the Bank's SME importer- and exporter- clients.

This investment, along with a similar loan to Prime Bank in February, will also send a positive signal to the market and contribute towards attracting additional international investors to support the foreign exchange financing needs of local banks and SMEs, said a press release.

The financing package is part of IFC's $8 billion global COVID-19 fast-track financing facility to support companies during the ongoing public health crisis.

This new investment comes under the Working Capital Solutions (WCS) program of the COVID-19 response envelope, which is providing $2 billion globally to emerging-market banks, enabling them to support struggling firms.

This project will also be supported by the International Development Association's Private Sector Window Blended Finance Facility, which is also rendering aid to IFC's WCS program.

BBL is Bangladesh's third largest private bank and the only SME-focused bank in the country.

"Our SME and corporate clients continue to confront challenges arising from the disruptive effects of COVID-19. The insufficient availability of foreign exchange has additionally impeded their regular trading operations," said Selim R. F. Hussain, the Managing Director and CEO of BBL.

The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a global economic slowdown, influenced by a series of factors, including geo-political events.

"IFC has been supporting the banking sector in export-driven economies like Bangladesh, which have been facing declines in foreign exchange reserves due to various macroeconomic and geopolitical headwinds," said Joon Young Park, IFC's Portfolio Manager for South Asia.

"IFC plans to continue providing its steadfast support to key banking partners in Bangladesh who have significant SME portfolios, such as BRAC, with whom IFC has had equity and debt commitments over the past 19 years." added Park.

IFC has invested more than $3.6 billion to promote the growth of the private sector in Bangladesh since 2010, thereby creating job opportunities for the country's citizens.

And since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, IFC has provided over $360 million in working capital solutions and liquidity support to banks and companies in Bangladesh.

"After three long years of grappling with the impact of the pandemic, businesses in Bangladesh continue to face challenging market conditions," said Martin Holtmann, IFC Country Manager for Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.

"By supporting BRAC Bank, we are continuing our efforts to help Bangladesh recover and foster a resilient post-pandemic economic landscape," added Holtmann.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

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Import-export thru’ HLP suspended for six days

Import and export activities will remain suspended for six days from June 27 to July 2 next through Hili Land Port (HLP) under Hakimpur upazila in Dinajpur on occasion of the Eid-ul-Azha festivity.

General Secretary of the Customs, Clearing and Forwarding Agents Association of HLP Jamil Hossain Cholonto said import and export activities will remain suspended through the land port during the period.

"Imports, exports, customs clearance, loading and unloading of import and export goods will again resume through the land port from July 3 next," Cholonto said.

Officer-in-Charge of the immigration check post (ICP) at HLP Md. Ashraful Alam said movement of passport-visa holder citizens will remain normal through the ICP during the period despite closure of import and export activities.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha