Day: April 4, 2024

Kathmandu: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, has said the government is carrying out works to provide public services in a easy manner at their home itself. He said so while launching the new 'module' inaugurated from today by the Department of Consular Services. Through this module, the Nepalis living in foreign countries can easily register their complaints and problems through the embassy concerned. On the occasion, DPM Shrestha mentioned that the present government has been carrying out works as per its commitment, made since the beginning, of providing public services to the people in a smooth and easy manner. "We have launched this service to provide the government's services to the people in a prompt, efficient and flawless manner at their home using the information technology," he said, adding that with the start of this service Nepali citizens living abroad will be able to express their problems and complaints from home, and also be able to acquire info rmation online regarding the initiatives to address their complaints and problems. According to the DPM and Foreign Minister, the Department has made arrangements as per the government's pledge before this by which the police certificate can be taken online. At the programme, Department director-general Prakash Mani Poudel gave information about the available services in the new module. "A new folder is created in the module once the service-seeker enters his/her passport number and date of birth. The folder has features in which one can write one's problems and complaints and also get information on measures to address them," he said. Director-general Poudel said this service has been started to facilitate the Nepali embassies abroad to carry out the works of maximum number of service-seekers through limited number of their staffs. Source: National News Agency Nepal

A total of 153 poor, widow and disabled people of the district received Taka 7.65 lakh from the Government's Zakat fund at a function here today. On the occasion, the cheques distribution ceremony was held at the conference room of Deputy Commissioner under the joint auspices of Manikganj District Administration and Islamic Foundation Manikganj District Office. Deputy Commissioner, also the President of District Zakat Board, Rahana Akther distributed the Zakat money among the poor and distressed people under seven upazilas of the district as the chief guest. Each of the recipients got the cheque of Taka 5000.00. Deputy Director of Islamic Foundation Hares Sinha and its other officials were present, among others, on the occasion. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A Dhaka court today convicted and sentenced Indian citizen Samir Sarkar to one and half years in prison in a case lodged over recovery of four kilograms of ganja in capital's Shanir Akhra area in 2021. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Afnan Sumi pronounced the judgment this morning. The court also issued arrest warrant against the convict as he is on run and was tried in absentia. Samir,35, son of Didan Sarkar of Puran Rajbari area in Bilunia, Tripura, India, was detained by police from Dhaka's Shanir Akhra area on February 22, 2021. Police recovered four kilograms of ganja from his possession. Jatrabari Police Station sub-inspector Bishwajit Sarkar filed the case under sections 36 (1) and 19 (a) of The Narcotics Control Act, 2018. The convict at the time had given confessional statement before court. The court today came up with the judgment after examining three witnesses on different hearing dates. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal today vowed for taking stern action against those who were involved in armed attack and bank robbery in Bandarban. 'Bank robbery is not a small incident. Necessary measures will be taken as directed by the Prime Minister to strictly suppress the Kuki-chin menbers,' he told the journalists at his ministry office. Kamal said those who committed incidents like bank robbery, armed looting and kidnapping of Sonali Bank Manager at Ruma and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban, will be ensured exemplary punishment. 'We will ensure exemplary punishment. We will identify whoever behind the cause of this incident and take action." Replying to a question about geo-political issue, the minister said, "We don't have any such information yet. There could be many things. We cannot say anything without getting proper information.' 'We don't know why they suddenly did such an incident. But whatever for their purpose they do these things; we will not spare any of them. We are searching for th em,' he said. The minister said all sorts of measures will be taken-after getting information about the robbery and kidnapping and snatching firearms. He also said that his ministry has been working in the same way as intelligence agencies are providing information. Kamal said, 'We have not yet received any information about sabotage on Pahela Baishakh or anything else. Even if it doesn't come again, our precautions are being taken. We will find out the reason for the attack. Those who are responsible will be identified and brought to book.' He said that all hideouts of Kuki Chin were eliminated by the RAB and Army, adding, 'Later they crossed our border and took shelter in some other countries and started their activities again. They were also staying there.' 'Now they came from where and how we don't know, sometimes their representatives talk to us. They also told that they want peace. But suddenly attacks and bank robberies were new to us. Moreover stern action will be taken against those involved in these incidents,' he added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The first meeting of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry's committee on digitalizing the cable television network was held at the ministry's conference room in Bangladesh Secretariat here today. Convener of the committee and Deputy Secretary (TV-2) of the Ministry Mohammad Shariful Haque presided over the meeting through which the committee started its activities to take opinion from the stakeholders and make recommendations over digitalizing the cable television network, said a press release. Earlier, a 13-member committee headed by Mohammad Shariful Haque was constituted on March 24 at the directives of State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat. Committee members Bangladesh Television Controller/License Manager Md Zulfiqar Rahman Quraishi, Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO) representatives Navidul Haque and Rafid Quader Rivu, BEXIMCO Communication (Akash) Head of Regulatory Affairs Prakash Kanti Dash and Head of Legal Md Imtiaz Rahman, Broadcast Journalist Cen ter (BJC) Member Secretary Shakil Ahmed, Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB) President ABM Saiful Hossain and General Secretary Syed Mosharraf Ali Chanchal, and Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) Md Emdadul Hoque and Secretary General Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan joined the meeting. In the meeting, the concerned people gave their opinions over taking steps to digitalize cable TV network as per the Cable Television Network Management Act 2006 and Cable Television Network Management and Licensing Rules-2010 (Amended-2023). The committee members put special emphasis on the necessity of cable TV digitization to implement the directives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for building the 'Smart Bangladesh'. In the meeting, the committee members have been asked to submit opinions of their respective organizations over cable television network digitization in written form to the committee by April 20. Based on their opinions, the committee will formulate an integrated recommendation r egarding the cable TV network digitization within a short time and submit it to the state minister for information and broadcasting. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

House of Representatives (HoR) member Mangal Prasad Gupta stressed the need to put measures for corruption control so as to sustain and consolidate parliamentary system. Talking to RSS, he underlined the need for the general public to remain aware of the characters of the candidates in the elections. "People should be sensitive to link their vote with the development of the constituency", he added. Public should keep vigil on the parliamentary members even while operating the House sessions, Gupta noted. "Corruption and conflict of interests should never be a subject of priority. Parliamentary committees should be made active to avert anomalies". The process of foreign employment cannot be stopped unless the country's economy is strengthened, lawmaker Gupta asserted, stressing the need to place policy measures to address the problems in foreign employment sector. "There is no alternative but to manage the sector and prioritize industrialization and agriculture modernization to check brain drain", he mentio ned. Gupta is the directly elected parliamentary member from Kapilvastu constituency-3. Source: National News Agency Nepal

People from all walks of life are rushing towards all modern and traditional shopping malls even at footpaths in the port city to buy clothes and other stuff as only five days left for Eid-ul-Fitr. Shop owners told BSS that sale was showing as peak trend over the last couple of days as people especially, most of the private and public service holders have already received their salaries and Eid bonuses. All markets in the city and its adjacent districts were seen busy with selling their commodities as customers are moving one shopping centre to another from morning to midnight with huge enthusiasm. While visiting different modern shopping centers and footpaths in the port city today, it was found that salesmen of different markets, footpaths, makeshift sales centers were bustling with shoppers. Appreciating the government steps for creating favorable trade atmosphere during Ramadan, businessmen, market association leaders and shoppers said they are doing good business in a safe and secured environment. D eployment of law enforcers at different strategic points and market places has created a foolproof security arrangement for businessmen as well as shoppers, said traders at different shopping malls. "We are doing good business this year as people seem to be relieved from sense of insecurity. Even as a businessman, I have not faced any untoward situation during the holy month of Ramadan, said Khurshed Alam, President of New Market Shop Owners' Association. He said people with their family members are now coming for shopping even at midnight as the law and order situation has improved remarkably. "Sales are showing an upward trend since the last couple of days. We are passing a busy time for selling all kinds of clothes, especially cotton 'Panjabi' and 'shalwar', said Mohammad Mofizur Rahman, a manager of Mahima Fashion, in city's business hub Terribazar. Shop owners said local products particularly three-pieces for girls, shoes, sarees with embroidery and stone work, panjabis, shirts and trousers produced by different local fashion houses are the main centre of attraction to the customers. According to importers and wholesalers, sarees and cosmetics from India are still dominating the country's Eid market while three piece, trousers, toys, readymade garments and electronic items from China, Taiwan, Pakistan and Thailand have occupied a good place in the market. While talking to BSS, most of the shop owners in Shopping Complex, New Market, Amin Centre, Mimi Super Market, Reazuddin Bazar, Central Plaza, Oscan City Shopping Complex, Moti Tower, Lucky Plaza, Singapore Market and Zahur Hawkers Market in the city said they were happy so far with the sale of their products. "We really feel comfort and enjoy the pleasure to be part of Eid shopping spree as miscreants seem to be driven out of the city", Jahed Alam, a shopper at Reazuddin Bazar, said. Earlier, Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) said they took area-wise security measures deploying additional forces while over 35,00 law enforcers will guard the port city during the Eid vacation. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kaluhati shoe village here are humming with production of diversified footwear ahead of Eid, heralding a new horizon in making standard local shoes. Owners along with workers of most of the shoe and other footwear factories in the district are passing their busiest times on the Eid festival. Sources said consumers' demand for attractive design and good quality shoe has been doubled this year. In the village, having pitch carpeting road and situated nearly 30-km away from the Rajshahi city, the factories are seen manufacturing adequate finished products to meet the gradually mounting demand of shoes and other footwear items in the region. More than 5,000 shoe workers are working in the factories while other 2,500 women laborers are making shoe boxes. The village under Charghat upazila is famous for its footwear products among businessmen. The village has around 50 shoe factories employing around 6,200 male and female workers. They supply shoes to most of the districts in the northern region. The factory owners are getting massive responses from all quarters which is a positive sign of furthermore expansion of the business. Apart from working in the factories, many women have already become small entrepreneurs in manufacturing shoe-packets, bags, key-ring, purse and wallet. The people are taking advantage of establishing such types of factories with small investment. Sources said each of the factories is now functioning round the clock ahead of the Eid. The demand for footwear produced in these factories increased heavily this time in comparison to the past. Shoe-maker Firoj Ahmed said each of the workers earns at least Taka 12,000 to 15,000 during the Eid season. Abida Sultana, owner of a packet and box factory, said their goods are sold in both wholesale and retail markets. She said, "We receive more orders in the Eid season." Additional 2,500 labourers remain engaged in various works like designing, sewing, cutting, sole making and painting," said Sohel Rana, general secretary of Kaluhati Shoe Indus try Owners Cooperative Limited. He had started business with Tk 20,000 around twenty years back and his capital investment is around Tk 25 lakh at present. He has been supplying finished goods to Aarong and some other posh shops in Dhaka at present. Abdul Mannan, President of the association, said their business is facing competition due to the imported footwear. He also said the shoes and sandals manufactured in the village have earned fame throughout the country. "We are supplying products of at least 40 designs to most of the districts in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions and some districts in Khulna division," he added. He mentioned that Shahriar Alam, MP, had taken some time-fitting steps to take the industrial sector forward around ten years back. With his initiative, Dhaka Bank Limited provided a loan of Taka one crore in the same year. Last year, the bank also provided another loan of Taka five crore through SME Foundation that has now been adjudged as the turning point for the industry owners. Hundreds of people, both male and female, have become self-reliant and they are contributing to the local economy through manufacturing shoes in the village and its adjacent areas. Once, 15 people from the village used to sell shows on bicycles in Rajshahi city and adjacent areas. Over the years, the mode of the business has changed and shoes are now being manufactured in local factories enhancing the distribution chain. At present, most of the families are solvent and self-reliant. Many families now live in brick-built houses with electricity. In reality, the shoe village has been contributing a lot towards vibrating the socio-economic condition of the surrounding areas together with empowering the women concerned either directly or indirectly, Abdul Mannan added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha