Day: August 27, 2023

Awami League (AL) presidium member and Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque today called upon the AL leaders and activists to remain alert so that BNP-Jamaat cannot create anarchy in the country centering the upcoming national elections.

"We all have to remain alert so that BNP-Jamaat cannot create any anarchy in the country. We must deal with their conspiracy or any situation," he told an AL meeting in the capital.

Dhaka South City AL organised the emergency extended meeting at the Gulisthan Mahanagar Natya Mancha, aiming to make an AL rally, which will be held in Dhaka on September 2, a success.

Dr Razzaque said BNP-Jamaat is hatching various conspiracies ahead of the elections.

"They (BNP-Jamaat) don't abide by the country's constitution. They have no faith in people. So, they are hatching plots to halt the polls instead of joining it. All conspiracies of BNP will be resisted," he said.

Stating that the roots of BNP-Jamaat would be removed by defeating them in elections, the AL presidium member said a new movement should be built again to uproot the BNP-Jamaat.

Highlighting various development activities of the incumbent government, he said Bangladesh has achieved unprecedented progress in economy, infrastructure development, health, education and ICT sectors.

"This development has been recognised all over the world. But a vested quarter wants to destroy this change through murder, arson attack and vandalism. They are planning to create anarchy again in September next," Dr Razzaque said.

AL organising secretary Mirza Azam, among others, spoke at the meeting with Dhaka South City AL president Abu Ahmed Mannafi in the chair.

Dhaka South City AL general secretary Md Humayun Kabir moderated the meeting.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the countrymen would resist BNP if they try to foil the next election.

“BNP is giving threat to boycott the polls like the city polls. But the countrymen didn’t boycott that elections and more than 50 percent votes were cast,” he said.

BNP have the rights of boycotting the elections. But people would certainly resist them in iron hand if they try to halt the polls,” Dr Hasan said while addressing a discussion here today.

Ivy Rahman Parished organized the discussion marking the 19th death anniversary of Awami League former women affairs secretary and late President Md Zillur Rahman’s wife Ivy Rahman at Jatiya Press Club.

Hasan Mahmud warned that present situation is not the same to 2013 or 2014. The countrymen would not allow anyone to carry out sabotage like 2013, 2014 and 2015, he said.

AL Cultural Affairs Secretary Ashim Kumar Ukil addressed the meeting as special guest while convenor of the Parishad and chairman of the board of directors of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Professor Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique was in the chair.

Dr Hasan said Khandakar Mushtaq and Ziaur Rahman had carried out the August 15, 1975 carnage while August 21, 2004 grenade attack was happened at the instigation of Tarique Rahman. In fact, BNP pursue the politics of killing and Ziaur Rahman killed hundreds of members of the armed forces to cling to his power, he added.

Ziaur Rahman’s wife Begum Khaleda Zia was in power for ten years. But, she did not take any step for trial of Zia killing, he noted.

The information minister said BNP under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman could not come out of the politics of killings. They killed innocent people in many ways including petrol bombs and putting fire on them. They had burnt about 500 schools and rampantly burnt different modes of transports including launches and trains, he added.

He said the politics of hatred and revenge must be stopped forever for the sake of healthy politics. The politics of confrontation would not end if the BNP and Jamaat, who perpetrated August 15 carnage and August 21 attacks, exist in the politics, he said.

The minister said three senior leaders of BNP are now visiting Singapore. But media report came whether their visit was for treatment or with an aim to hatch conspiracy to come to power, he said.

Dr Hasan said Chhatra Dal put the BNP office in Chattogram under lock and key and it’s uncertain when they would take same decision about BNP Nayapaltan office.

Paying glowing tribute to Ivy Rahman and martyrs who were killed on August 21, 2004 in barbaric grenade attack, the information minister said Awami League has lost a very dedicated and kind leader at her death.

AL leader Advocate Balaram Poddar, AL the US unit president Dr Siddiqur Rahman, Jubo Mohila League president Daizy Sarwar, AL leader MA Karim, Freedom Fighter Akram Hossain, Ivy Rahman Parishad joint convenor Aktharuzzaman Khoka and Muhammad Rokan Uddin Pathan, among others, addressed the meeting.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid today said that the government wants to build a transmission line between Bangladesh and Nepal.

“We want to install transmission line from Bangladesh to Nepal, so that we can export electricity to Nepal in winter. Apart from this, import of hydropower from Nepal is almost final,” he told Pankaj Gupta, South Asia Regional Director (Infrastructure) of the World Bank (WB) at his ministry office.

The WB regional director paid a courtesy call on Nasrul Hamid and discussed various issues related to mutual interests.

Informing about the ongoing and upcoming projects run by the World Bank, the state minister said a power hub is being built in the southern part of the country, which requires funding for transmission lines and smart grid.

“Investment is needed to the power sector, as the wind mapping is done. About 10,000 MW of electricity generation from renewable sources has been approved,” he added.

Nasrul Hamid said that efforts have been made to replace new gas pipeline, adding, “We want that the World Bank to be on our side on a bigger scale.”

The World Bank Director said, “I would like to work with Bangladesh on various projects. Energy security, renewable energy, energy efficiency and private sector financing can be supported.”

He emphasized on speeding up the work of gas prepaid metering project.

During the meeting, they discussed various issues related to Strategic Policy Dialogue, Future Engagement and Power and Energy Sector Portfolio.

Petrobangla Chairman Janendra Nath Sarkar, Energy Division Additional Secretary Humayun Kabir, Power Division Additional Secretary Nurul Alam, World Bank Energy Practice Manager Simon J Stolp, World Bank Operations Manager Gayle Martin were present during the discussion.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay

Verma today said digital connectivity is a rapidly emerging dimension of

India-Bangladesh partnership going beyond trade, transport and energy

connectivity.

He made the remark when jointly laid the foundation stone of the Knowledge

Park at Chattogram being built with Indian government's concessional Line of

Credit, said a press release issued by Indian High Commission here.

The envoy hoped that it would propel economic and technological partnership between the two countries to newer heights.

Highlighting the project's importance in India-Bangladesh cooperation in ICT

sector, Verma also mentioned that the recently launched India-Bangladesh

Startup Bridge to connect the Startup communities of India and Bangladesh, as

well as proposals to link digital payment systems of the two countries.

The IT Park at Chattogram is part of the project for establishment of IT/Hi-Tech Parks in 12 districts of Bangladesh under the government of India's concessional Line of Credit worth nearly US$ 250 million.

The project will also advance the goal of Digital Bangladesh and the vision

to transform from Digital to Smart Bangladesh by 2041.

High Commissioner Verma expressed confidence that these IT parks will go a

long way in promoting the IT industry and IT-enabled services in Bangladesh

by helping in establishing standards, creating hubs and incubation centres,

developing entrepreneurship, and building capacity in new and emerging

technologies like Internet of Things, machine learning, robotics, artificial

intelligence, extended reality and other advanced and cutting-edge subjects.

The IT Parks will nurture a technologically-skilled workforce that is crucial

for rapid growth and development of our economies in the 21st century, he

added.

Each Park is expected to generate direct employment for 3,000 people and

train over 1,000 people every year.

The direct and indirect benefits from the parks will, therefore, be

transformative. It is also notable that this project will involve

construction of Green Buildings, which are energy efficient and

environmentally friendly.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal today underscored the need for active role of polling agents in the upcoming elections, saying that their role is important for holding the elections in a free and fair manner.

"I have emphasized that the role of the polling agents is important for the elections to be free and fair," he told reporters after holding a one-and-half-an-hour meeting with British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke at Nirbachan Bhaban in city's Agargaon.

Mentioning that Sarah Cooke talked about holding participatory and acceptable elections, he said that they will encourage the polling agents with positive vibes so that they could play their respective roles with courage.

"This will reduce the risk of irregularities in the polling stations," he added.

Pointing out that the role of the media in the election also came up in the discussion, he said, "The issue of the observer was also discussed."

"In this regard, we informed her (Sarah Cooke) that we are very focused on transparency. For this, I am expecting objective support from the observers and the media."

He hoped that media would act as a mirror during the coming elections.

Regarding guidelines of EC for media, CEC Kazi Habibul Awal said EC prohibited plying of motorcycle considering its misuse as there is a possibility of creating anarchy by musclemen.

"Similarly, the demand of the media is also logical as it will be difficult for them to cover election activities without motorcycle . . . That's why we said, it's under review. We will change the provision."

Mentioning that a 'constructive discussion' was held with CEC, Sarah Cooke told reporters, "We discussed the roles of independent and strong institutions and media, civil society and impartial observers."

"This is my first courtesy call with the Chief Election Commissioner. The discussion was constructive," she added.

During the meeting, Election Commissioner Md Anisur Rahman and EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam were present.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The Institute of Management Consultants

Bangladesh (IMCB) has welcomed their new executive committee elected through

an election held on August 23 at a hotel in the capital.

M Zakir Hossain was re-elected as the Chairman of the organisation.

Nadeem A Chaudhury and Brigadier General (retd) M Mofizur Rahman was elected

as the president and first vice-president respectively for the term 2022-

2024, said a press release here today.

Dr. Abdur Rahim Khan, chairman of the Election Commission (EC), declared the

results.

M Zakir Hossain requested the Chairman of the EC to form three sub-committee.

He also sought cooperation and wholehearted support of the members to

strengthen the financial capacity of the IMCB.

Chief Advisor of the IMCB and Vice-Chancellor (VC) of IUBAT Professor Dr.

Abdur Rab, Chairman of Election Commission Dr. Abdur Rahim Khan, its member

Syed Ahmed Ali, Chairman of the IMCB M Zakir Hossain, its President Nadeem A

Chaudhury and first vice-president Brigadier General (retd) M Mofizur Rahman

along with treasurer and other members of the executive committee were

present on the occasion.

Followed by the chairman's speech, chief guest Prof Abdur Rab, chief advisor

of the IMCB and Chairman of the CMC Assessment and Certification Committee

congratulated the newly-elected executive committee.

He advised them to continue their relentless efforts for institutional

capacity building of the IMCB and undertake income generating activities. Dr.

Rab also gave his commitment to extend all possible cooperation for the

development of IMCB and its future endeavors.

Nazrul Islam, member of the CMC Assessment and Certification Committee, and

Saiful Islam Helaly were also present, among others, on the occasion.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A man and his seven-year-old daughter were killed in a landslide in the city's IW Colony area under Solosohor today.

The deceased are Md Sohel, 35, and his daughter Bibi Jannat.

Abdullah Harun Pasha, deputy assistant director of Chattogram Divisional Fire Service, said a heavy chunk of a 50-foot hill fell on Sohel's tin-roofed house when they were asleep leaving four members of his family injured.

Locals and firefighters rescued them and took them to the Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) where doctors declared Sohel and his daughter Jannat dead, Nur Alam Ashek, in-charge of CMCH police outpost, said.

A number of people die in Chattogram due to landslides caused by random hill cutting, unauthorised human settlements and deforestation.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun today said that stern actions will be taken if anyone tries to destabilize law and order situation of the country ahead of the general elections.

“During the election period, police will perform their duties under the Election Commission (EC),” he told the journalists after a special welfare meeting with senior officers and policemen at district police lines here.

Barisal Metropolitan Police (BMP) and Barisal Range Police jointly organized the meeting.

The IGP said Bangladesh Police is over a hundred and fifty year old traditional institution and it has the capacity and experience to ensure free and fair elections.

He said after assuming power of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, manpower, logistics and technical capabilities of Bangladesh Police have been increased.

Chowdhury Mamun said that there was a holy game of militancy and terrorism in the country once upon a time specially in the south-western part of the country.

“In line with the Prime Minister's 'Zero Tolerance' policy against militancy and terrorism, we all have been able to suppress militancy and terrorism by working together. As a result, stable law and order situation prevails in the country now and economic development has been increased along with the per capita income,” he added.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Police Headquarters Md Anwar Hossain, Police Commissioner of BMP Md Saiful Islam, DIG of Barisal Range Md Jamil Hasan, Superintendent of Police of Barisal District Wahidul Islam, Superintendents of Police of Barisal range were present in the meeting.

Later, the IGP planted a sapling at the District Police Lines premises.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, August 27, 2023 (BSS) - President of Police Women's Welfare Association (PUNAK) Dr Tayyaba Musarrat Jahan Chowdhury has underscored the need for social resistance against any kind of repression on women.

"Society, family and state should take strong steps to prevent women's oppression," she said while addressing a seminar on ''Complications and Prevention Ways after Oppression of Women' at its Bhaban in the city yesterday. Law Wing of PUNAK organized the seminar.

Associate Professor of ZH Sikder Women's Medical College (Forensic Department) Dr Nashid Tabassum Khan, Assistant Professor of Dhaka Medical College (Forensic Department) Dr Mumtaz Ara and PUNAK general secretary Nasim Amin spoke on the occasion. PUNAK members and vice presidents attended the event.

PUNAK President said girls should talk openly with their families about puberty problems and the subject should be included in the school curriculum, adding, "Awareness should be built at workplace."

Dr Nashid Tabassum Khan presented the main article in the seminar. She said sexual harassment prevention committee should be formed in every educational institution. In this regard, the media should play a role in building awareness, she added.

PUNAK general secretary Nasim Amin said, "Social awareness should be built so that women do not face various types of hurdles in society."

Barrister Sabrina Jerin participated in the question-answer session and gave legal opinions and advices.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The Directorate of National Consumers Right Protection (DNCRP) has started market surveillance to stop the price manipulation of green coconut at retail level.

To this end, the directorate is conducting nationwide campaigns.

DNCRP has instructed its field level officials to continue strict monitoring until the price stabilises at the retail level.

Talking to BSS, DNCRP Director General AHM Shafiquzzaman said green coconut price increasing spree is going on at every level of wholesale and retail as no one keeps any voucher or sales receipt for it.

"We have already started working against it across the country. As a result, the price of green coconut has started to decrease," he added.

He said they have already given instruction to continue the market surveillance until the maximum retail price of green coconut comes within Taka 100 per unit.

Shafiquzzaman said that due to the increase in dengue infection, the demand for green coconut has increased at a great rate.

Taking advantage of this, he said, green coconut traders are unethically increasing the prices.

He said that traders have already been fined in some parts of the country for selling green coconut at excessive prices.

Besides, traders are being warned to sell green coconut at the right price and keep the vouchers, he added.

DNCRP is going to organise an awareness meeting tomorrow on buying and selling green coconut at a reasonable price at its head office in the city.

Officials of the directorate and related traders will be present there.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha