Day: April 8, 2024

The voters in Ilam constituency number 2 are excited to elect their representative to the House of Representatives, the lower house of the Federal Parliament. The by-election is taking place on the 27th of this month. The by-election is being held here following the death on September 12, 2023 of Subas Chandra Nembang who was elected the HoR member from this constituency. Altogether 20 candidates are in fray in the by-election. Kuber Rai of Mahamai, Ilam Municipality-8 is excited with the by-election vivacity in the constituency these days. "We had no representative to voice our pressing problems like determining the price of tea, market for our dairy products and the poor condition of the Mechi highway in the federal parliament for the last seven months," he said, adding that they are eagerly waiting for the by-election to choose their representative for the same. Bishal Dhakal of Sandakpur Rural Municipality-3 echoed Rai, saying, "All the candidates are asking for votes visiting the doorsteps of the e lectorate. We are telling them that we will give our votes to them. But the voters will elect the qualified candidate." Stating that the electorates have many problems and complaints, he said they will press their elected representative to raise these issues in parliament and have them addressed. Raghunath Bhandari of Phakphokthum Rural Municipality-4 said he will vote for the candidate who can bring about improvements in the condition of roads, health services, education and agriculture. "The roads are lying unrepaired, there is no subsidy for farmers, we are deprived of quality health services and education. The representative to be elected from the by-election should address these demands," he added. Arpana Paudel of Chulachuli Rural Municipality-1 said that she will give her vote to the candidate who have come with a positive thinking and are genuinely committed to the development of the constituency. "We cannot blindly support the candidates in the name of independents or new political party," she add ed. Among the registered candidates are Suhang Nembang, the common candidate of the CPN (UML) and CPN (Maoist Centre) alliance, Dambar Bahadur Khadka of Nepali Congress, Milan Limbu of Rastriya Swatantra Party, Prem Bahadur Limbu of the Janamat Party, and Shyam Bahadur Darji of the Nepal Workers and Peasants' Party. Additionally, Mani Bahadur Limbu of Mongol National Organisation, Dhanraj Rana Magar of National Republic Nepal, Laxmi Gurung of Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Jit Bahadur Rai of CPN (Unified Socialist), Jayawant Bikram Shah from National Liberation Movement Nepal, Ganesh Bahadur Chauhan of RPP Nepal, and Resham Bahadur Sunar Nepali of Nepal Janata Dal have also filed nominations. The independent candidates include Dak Prasad Gautam, Manoj Niraula, Arjun Kumar Shahi, Keshab Kumar Chapagain, Dipesh Bohora, Yogendra Gurung, Raj Basyal and Dakendra Singh Thegim representing Pahichanbadi (pro-identity group), according to the Office of the Election Officer. The Election Commission has announced that April 9 is the day for publishing the final list of candidates and allocating election symbols to them. The by-election will take place across 79 polling stations and 149 polling centers from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. Source: National News Agency RSS

The National Logistic Policy-2024 today was approved here at a cabinet meeting aimed at achieving sustainable and desired economic progress of Bangladesh. The National Logistic Policy got the final approval for the first time in Bangladesh to expedite economic progress through building world class technology-based, time consuming, efficient and environment-friendly logistics system, an official release said. A National Logistic Council-led by Prime Minister will be formed for the guidelines and coordination aimed at implementing the National Logistic Policy-2024. Besides, a National Logistic Development and Coordination Committee led by Prime Minister's principal secretary will be formed for reviewing and evaluating for implementation of the policy. The logistic sector plays an important role in maintaining export capability at the global trade, achieving competitive capability of increased prices of products and reducing transport time and maintaining supply discipline. All cabinet members lauded for f ormulating the national Logistics Policy and hoped this policy will play a game changer role in the development of Bangladesh. Besides, a total of seven appendixes have been incorporated in the national Logistics Policy. The appendixes include important definitions related to logistics sector, list of relevant and important policy of the logistic sector, detailed reformation proposal of logistic sector, Institutional capacity, lack of skill demand of manpower in the logistic sector, potential investment in logistic sub-sector, research-based recommendations for the development of the logistic sector and work plan has been incorporated in the national logistic policy. The most important activities for implementation of the National Logistic Policy-2024 are building multidimensional logistic hub, economic zone, international economic corridors, airports, river ports, sea ports and land ports. The national Logistic Policy-2024 also included introducing environment friendly transport, development of technolog y-based logistic system and introducing modern cargo services at all domestic and international airports. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Bangladesh Film Archive under the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Getty Images, a visual media company of the United States, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an objective to collect and preserve the footages on the great Liberation War and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The MoU was signed on Friday at the Getty Images office in New York, said an official release of the ministry here today. Dr Md Mofakkharul Iqbal, director of the project on "Collection and preservation of audio visual documents of the Liberation War from local and foreign sources and capacity building of Bangladesh Film Archive" and Arran Birchenough, Asia Pacific director (TV and sales) of Getty Images, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides. Senior Secretary of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry Humayun Kabir Khandaker, officials from Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC and Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN in New York attended the function. Af ter the declaration of independence by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the first hour of March 26, 1971, the news was circulated in different media of the world. During the long nine months of the Liberation War, various international media published various pictures and news on the war. Through this MoU, Getty Images will assist Bangladesh Film Archive in collecting and preserving these priceless documents, the release added Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Members of Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) of police today arrested a member of banned militant outfit 'Ansar Al Islam' from Korail Adarshanagar in the city's Banani. The arrested was identified as Md Samshul Haque alias Eman, 27 of Burirchar village in Barguna, said ATU Media and Awareness Wing police super Barrister Mahfuzul Alam Russel. He said Eman along with other members of the organization were planning to carry out sabotage attack in the country. A case was filed with Banani police station in this regard. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon Brazil to import directly Readymade Garment (RMG) products from Bangladesh. "RMG goods from Bangladesh have been being exported to Brazil on a limited scale through the third party. It will be more affordable for Brazil if the country directly imports RMG items from Bangladesh," she said. The premier came up with the remarks while a delegation of Brazil led by its Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira paid a courtesy call on her at her office here this morning. PM's Speech Writer M Nazrul Islam briefed the newsmen after the meeting. Stressing the need for ensuring trade balance between Bangladesh and Brazil, Sheikh Hasina said the trade balance between the two countries has highly tilted to Brazil. Brazil can import more products including jute and jute goods and leather items from Bangladesh to make sure the trade balance between the two countries, she continued. The prime minister said Bangladesh mainly imports sugar, soyabin oil and cotton from Brazil. "There are huge scopes to increase bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Brazil," she said. Sheikh Hasina has also stressed the need for enhancing the existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Brazil. The Brazilian foreign minister has conveyed an invitation letter of his country's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the Bangladesh premier to attend the final meeting of the G20 Task Force for the creation of a global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty to be held at Rio de Janeiro on July 24. Mauro Vieira has also highly praised the socio-economic development of Bangladesh under the prudent leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He said Brazil wants to use the experience of Bangladesh's journey towards development for its advancement. The Brazilian minister said Brazil and Bangladesh have same size of population and have been working to fight poverty and hunger. He also appreciated Bangladesh's stance on Gaza issue, saying his country is also against the Israeli attack on Gaza. The Banglade sh premier said Bangladesh and Brazil cherish same opinion on different international issues. Sheikh Hasina described the attack on Gaza by Israel a genocide as women, children and aged people have been killed even in the attacks on hospitals and shelter centers. "Women, children and aged people don't get any respite from the attacks," she said. The prime minister recalled with due respect that Brazil being a South American country first recognised Bangladesh as an independent country on May 15, 1972. She also sought help from Brazil for the development of Bangladesh football. The Brazilian foreign minister as well gifted a jersey of his country's national football team inscribed with Sheikh Hasina to the prime minister. PM's Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah and Senior Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Masud Bin Momen were present. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

District administration today distributed cheques worth Taka 9.40 lakh among 19 patients with chronic diseases from the Prime Minister's Relief and Welfare Fund at the conference room of Deputy Commissioner here today. Lawmaker Md Abul Kalam Azad joined the cheque distribution programme virtually as the chief guest with Deputy Commissioner Md Shafiur Rahman in the chair. A total of 19 patients who were suffering from various critical ailments like kidney, cancer and heart diseases received the money for treatment. Jamalpur Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mehnaj Ferdous, District Awami League Vice-president Syed Atiqur Rahman Sana, its Organising Secretary AFM Zafar Ikbal Zafu and Jamalpur Sadar Upazila AL president Dr MA Mannan were present, among others. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a telegram of consolation to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the dam break and flood in the Orenburg region, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. "In the message, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, on behalf of the DPRK government and people and on his own behalf, extended deep consolation to the Russian president and, through him, to the Russian government, people and victims upon the sad news that a lot of material losses were caused by flooding in the Orenburg Region," the statement says. In his message the North Korean leader hoped that the government and people of Russia "would eradicate the aftermath of the natural disaster at an early date and that the inhabitants in the afflicted areas would regain their peace as soon as possible under the leadership of the Russian president." Kim Jong Un noted that "the people of the DPRK would always be with the Russian people" The partial collapse of a dam in Orsk, Orenburg Region, occurred in two places on the night of April 6. Another breach occurred in the evening of the same day. Rising water from the Ural River flooded 6,100 homes, according to the latest data. The bodies of two people were found in the flooded area, but they weren't killed by the emergency, officials said. Authorities have declared a regional-level emergency situation and are urging residents to evacuate. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Family members of 25 government staff, who either died or become physically disabled, were given Taka 1.80 crore as grants aimed at mitigating their financial constraints. Among them, three were given Taka eight lakh each and another one was given Taka 4.25 lakh. District administration distributed bank cheques of the grants among the family members at its conference hall today. Deputy Commissioner Shamim Ahmed accompanied by Additional Deputy Commissioner Kolyan Chowdhury and Executive Magistrates Shamsul Islam, Saquib Hassan Khan and Oyan Farhan Shams handed over the cheques formally. Shamim Ahmed expected that the financial support will benefit the affected families in terms of mitigating their constraints. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: A committee has been formed to investigate into the incident of fire that occurred at the store room of the Armed Police Force at Satungal of Chandragiri municipality in Kathmandu today. A nine-member probe commit has been constituted under the leadership of APF's Additional Inspector General Bamshiraj Dahal, APF's SSP Rajendra Khadka told RSS. The committee has been formed to identify the reasons behind the fire, he said. Khadka further shared that the fire incident occurred due to short circuit as per the preliminary investigation. Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane had instructed the APF to form a committee to probe the incident Source: National News Agency RSS

A court here today set May 5 for holding hearing on charge framing in a money laundering case against seven people including Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu, former assistant personal secretary (APS) to BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Today was fixed for holding hearing on the matter. But as prison authorities couldn't produce Apu because of his poor health, Judge Mohammad Nazrul Islam of Dhaka Special Judges' Court-10 set the new date. The other accused in the case are- Atikur Rahman Atik, Mahmudul Hasan alias Ferdaus, AM Ali Haider alias Nafiz, Joynal Abedin, Alamgir Hossain and Fayejur Rahman. Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on December 24 in 2018, raided an office situated at Motijheel City Centre and recovered huge sum of money. The money was allegedly kept there for using to influence the December 30, 2018, Jatiya Sangsad polls and incite violence. RAB-3 nayek subedar Ibrahim Hossain later filed the case with Motijheel Police Station. Investigation agency CID on June 13 in 2021 filed charge-sheet against seven. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has appreciated the roles carried out by Sisnopani Nepal for ending wrongdoings and ill-practices in the society. At a programme organized on Monday at Nepal Academy, the PM said the role of organizations like Sisnopani Nepal is crucial in making the leaders aware. PM Prachanda viewed that the programmes of Sisnopani Nepal have helped politicians to become transparent and remain cautious. Coinciding with the Ghodejatra festival, Sisnopani Nepal organized the event titled 'Rastra' to create national sentiments among the citizens. Inaugurated by President Ramchandra Paudel, Speaker of the House of Representatives, ministers, lawmakers and leaders of different political parties were present at the event. On the occasion, President Paudel honoured singer Menuka Poudel with Rs 100,000 in cash and a copper plaque. Also speaking at the programme, Minister for Education, Science and Technology Sumana Shrestha emphasized bringing about positive changes in the education sector. Similarly, cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Bhagwan Koirala argued that an efficient bureaucracy was the heart of the country and it was the responsibility of the politics to keep it in good shape. "Politics should create an enabling environment for the bureaucracy to deliver effectively," he asserted. During the programme, senior singers sang Bhajan Siromani Bhaktaraj Acharya's devotional song in memory of late Acharya while comedian Manoj Gajurel and Chandra Dawadi staged a play named 'Shahid Gate'. Poets Arjun Parajuli and Laxman Gamnage recited their poems satirizing the political and social anomalies in the country. The programme was conceptualized by Tanka Acharya. Source: National News Agency RSS

Brazilin foreign minister Mauro Vieira today said the similar views of Brazil president Lula da Silva and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and their identical pursuit of socio-economic improvement set the ground to upscale Dhaka-Brasilia ties. "Considering the similarities between President Lula's and Prime Minister Hasina's world views, policies and priorities, in particular their quest for development and social justice, conditions are set for our bilateral relations to upscale," he said. Vieira was speaking at a seminar on "2024 G20: Priorities for Brazilian Presidency" organized by Bangladesh foreign ministry at the Foreign Service academy here. Brazilian foreign minister arrived here yesterday on a two-day official visit and held meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, foreign minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and state minister for commerce ministry Ahsanul Islam Titu. Referring to his meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Vieira said "I was delighted to hear from her the high esteem she has for Brazil and for President Lula, which is reciprocal". Mentioning that he is the first ever Brazilian Foreign Minister to visit Bangladesh, Vieira said his presence in Dhaka is a testimony to the importance that Brazil attaches to its relations with Bangladesh. He said the ties between Dhaka and Brasilia have grown considerably in many areas, in tandem with the extraordinary economic leapfrog that Bangladesh has been enduring in recent years. He highlighted Brazil's priority as G20 presidency in 2024 that Brasilia took over from India on December 1st, 2023. In terms of priorities, he said, Brazil has placed the topic of inequality, in all its dimensions, at the center of the G20's agenda. Under the motto "Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet", he said President Lula defined three general priorities - social inclusion and the fight against hunger and poverty, energy transitions and the promotion of sustainable development in its economic, social, and environmental dimensions; and reform of glo bal governance institutions. "Brazil believes that the G20 is one the forum that is particularly well placed to foster collective solutions for global challenges," he said. Due to its combined share of the world's population and GDP, as well as its diverse membership, the group has a unique and influential role to play in shaping a global agenda for a more equitable and sustainable future, he observed. To fulfill that expectation, he said, Brazil believes that the G20 must set ambitious goals and unlock the full potential of multilateral cooperation. Vieira said Brazil believes that the G20 should explore the role of economy-wide platforms and a renewed engagement of the financial sector to achieve our common goals under the United Nations Framework Agreement on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement. Global challenges are interconnected and can only be addressed through reinvigorated multilateralism, reforms and international cooperation, he said. In that spirit, Vieira said, Brazil's G20 Pres idency believes that the group should work towards a United Nations that is more effective in its purposes, while tackling main inequalities in its decision-making processes. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha