Day: May 7, 2024

The livestock farmers from Matihani in the district have been provided tree fodder's seeds. They got the seeds of tree fodders (dale ghans) under the small farmers and youth entrepreneurship scheme. The Matihani municipality and Heifer Project jointly provided the seeds of bakaino (meliaceae), maidalo and bhatmase. These are nutritive foods for livestock. More than 200 women associated with various groups were provided the seeds of nutritive dale ghans, according to Mahesh Yadav, project coordinator. After receiving the support, Bimala Khatwe from Matihani-2 shared, "We were forced to collect grass even during adverse time, but we will sow the seeds which would be good tree fodder in near future." Lalita Devi Mandal from Matihani-3 and Bachchhi Devi Safi from Matihani-9 also shared happiness over the support for livestock feed. The nutritive food for the cattle will be available at their farmstead soon, they univocally said. With the support from project, the women associated with various groups have b een keeping hybrid goats and heifers. Matihani municipality mayor Hari Prasad Mandal informed that the project had supported the women well and it helps them make good income. The livestock farming has made them financially stable. Mayor Mandal further said they have been providing technical support along with seedlings and seeds of fruit, vegetable and cereals. The recent project has encouraged women to keep goat and heifers, he added. Another farmer from Matihani-2, Sujita Yadav, viewed, "We are gradually becoming self-reliant with the project support. We feel confident that we can do anything on our own for family income." Moreover, the project provided few laptops and printers to seven women cooperatives to facilitate in office works and data management. The women's cooperatives also received crates to carry locally produced fruits and vegetables to the market. Source: National News Agency RSS

SANGSAD BHABAN, Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today expressed gratitude to her party leaders and activists as well as the mass people for welcoming her at the airport, ignoring the one-eleven's government's ban while returning home from abroad. 'I was arrested repeatedly. There were many obstacles, such as direct gun shots. Today, I am able to serve the people by overcoming all the bombs and grenade attacks. I'm working for the people after stepping up with courage. We're moving forward with the strength of the people,' she said. The Leader of House told these at the parliament while referring to her return to the country from the United States via London on May 7, 2007 during the army-backed caretaker government. Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdur Rahman initiated an unscheduled discussion in the parliament about Sheikh Hasina's homecoming (on May 7, 2007) during the government of 1/11. The Prime Minister said that many advisers of the caretaker government also advised her not to return to the country. 'We (the caretaker government and advisers) will do whatever is required to keep you out of the country. Some people even threatened me and said that I would be killed at the airport if I returned to Bangladesh. I said, Alhamdulillah, I will die on the soil of Bangladesh, but I shall return to my country,' she said. Sheikh Hasina recalled that all airlines were asked not to provide me a boarding pass, saying that 'I stood at the American airport for three hours and argued with them and then I came to London by British Airways. After arriving there, when I went to board again, I was not allowed to board.' "That day I promised to return to Bangladesh at any cost," she said, adding, 'Even when I left for the airport, many people called and told me not to come, they (1/11 government) will kill you. I didn't care.' Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

SANGSAD BHABAN, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat today told the Jatiya Sangsad that steps would be taken to close all unregistered online news portals. The ministry will send to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) the total list of all online portals which are registered, under process for registration and applied for registration, asking it to stop operation of the unregistered portals and those which didn't apply for registration at all, he said. The state minister said this responding to a supplementary question from treasury bench member Feroz Ahmed Shawpan of Satkhira-1 during parliament session with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair. 'Many nonprofessional news portals have mushroomed in the country, which are engaged in malpractice and creating problems in the society by spreading misinformation,' he said, adding, 'We are hurdling to deal with those issues.' Appreciating the professional journalists to come up with the demand f or closing the operation of the unregistered online news portals, the state minister said professional journalists are very much concerned over the unethical practice of so-called journalists. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

SANGSAD BHABAN, The Village Court (amendment) Act, 2024 was passed unanimously in the Jatiya Sangsad today with an amendment enhancing the authority of village courts to fine Tk 3,00,000, raising the amount from the existing Tk 75,000. Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives Minister M Tajul Islam moved the bill in the House, which was passed by voice vote with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair. After placing the bill, the minister said the government is set to enhance the authority of village courts, enabling them to raise fines from Tk 75,000 to Tk 3,00,000. The bill will be enacted after bringing an amendment to the Village Court Act, 2006. He said a village court comprises five members, including the union parishad chairman. In some cases, the court cannot function if any member remains absent. In this situation, the absent member would get seven days to be present at the meeting. If the member cannot be present, then the chairman has the power to give one additional vote, he said. In 2013, by amending the Village Court Act, the government increased the power of this court to impose fines from Tk25,000 to Tk75,000. According to the objective of the bill, the Village Courts Ordinance 1976 was enacted to ensure speedy and easy settlement of minor disputes among local people in rural areas. Later, the Village Courts Act, 2006, was enacted by repealing the Ordinance, and some sections of the Act were amended in 2013. The government is working to promote the concept and process of alternative dispute resolution in minor disputes to reduce the pressure on the institutional judiciary system and to ensure easy as well as speedy access to justice for poor and disadvantaged people. Village Court is a semi-formal dispute resolution mechanism founded on the concept of alternative dispute resolution. Through this process, the people of the village, especially women from poor and backward communities, are getting the opportunity to settle their minor disputes at the local level through the village courts quickly and at a low cost. During the successful implementation of the Village Courts Act, 2006, several limitations have been felt at the grassroots level, which hinders efforts to create access to justice. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, The 163rd birth anniversary of Biswakabi Rabindranath Tagore, who reshaped Bengali literature and music as well as arts of Indian subcontinent with contextual modernism, will be celebrated tomorrow in a befitting manner. On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Rabindranath, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages today paying rich tributes to the great poet. The government has taken up elaborate programmes to celebrate the 163rd birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore at national level tomorrow. On the 25th of Baishakh in 1268 Bengali calendar, Rabindranath, the fountainhead of Bengali wisdom, was born at Jorasanko in Kolkata. Nobody had influenced the minds of so many Bengali-speaking people before or after him. His influence has been compared, by many, to William Shakespeare in the English-speaking world. Marking the birth anniversary, as part of the national programme, local administration will arrange different programme at Patisar under A trai upazila in Naogaon district, at Shilaidaha Kuthibari under Kumarkhali upazila in Kushtia, Shahjadpur in Sirajganj and Dakkhindihi and Pithavog in Khulna, the places where Rabindranath had memories. Rabindra fair, discussions and cultural events will be organized to mark the birth anniversary of the great poet. Besides, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has taken a three-day programme including cultural functions. Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury will inaugurate the three-day programme at 11am tomorrow at Jatiya Natyashala auditorium of Shilpakala Academy. Chhayanaut, a leading cultural organization of the country, will organize a two-day Rabindra Utsab at its auditorium on May 8-9. The programmes include performance of solo and chorus songs, dance and poem recitations. Apart from artistes of Chhayanaut, invited artistes and groups will take part in the festival. The programme will begin at 7pm every day. The organization will air the programme live on its facebook page. Bangla Aca demy will also arrange programme marking the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. Our Naogaon Correspondent Reports: With the cooperation of the Cultural Affairs Ministry, district administration will arrange a daylong programme at Patisar under Atrai upazila in the district to celebrate the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. State Minister for Planning Md. Shahiduzzaman Sarker will inaugurate the programme at Debendra Manch of Patishar at 3pm. Later, artistes of district and Atrai upazila and Raninagar upazila units of Shilpakala Academy will perform in a colorful cultural function. Our Kushtia Correspondent Reports: The 163rd birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore will be celebrated amid different programme at Shilaidaha Kuthibari in the district. A two-day village fair will be arranged on the premises of Kuthibari. Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif will inaugurate the birth anniversary programme. A total of 59 musical groups from home and abroad will perform in the cultural function at Kuthibari. The youngest of 13 surviving children, Tagore, nicknamed 'Rabi', was born to a Brahma family of Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi at Jorasanko in Kolkata. Rabindranath's novels, short stories, songs, dance-dramas and essays always speak about political and personal life of people. Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Gora (Fair-Faced) and Ghare-Baire (The Home and the World) are his best-known works and his verse, short stories and novels were acclaimed for their lyricism, colloquialism, naturalism and unnatural contemplation. Author of Gitanjali, profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse, Rabindranath became the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. Sometimes referred to as "the Bard of Bengal", Tagore's poetic songs were viewed as spiritual and mercurial. His compositions were chosen by two nations as national anthems: Bangladesh's Amar Sonar Bangla and India's Jana Gana Mana. The Sri Lankan national anthem was inspired by his work. The legend ary poet breathed his last at his paternal residence in Kolkata on 22nd of Sraban of Bangla year 1348 (August 7, 1941). Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, After record-breaking heatwave spell, Bangladesh gets respite from prolonged extreme hot weather event as much of the country already has witnessed heavy rainfall with thunderstorms for two consecutive days. "Severe heatwave is unlikely to sweep over the country . . . but moderate to light heatwave may prevail in southwestern and northwestern regions of the country from mid-May," Omar Faruq, meteorologist of Bangladesh Meteorological Department(BMD), told BSS today. He said the entire country may witness heavy to very heavy rainfall along with thunderstorms (locally known Kalboishaki) from today and it will continue till May 14 meaning temperature will continue to fall during the period. On April 26, Bangladesh set all-time heatwave record as the Met Office recorded 24 days of heatwave breaching previous 23 days of heatwave in 2019. "Twenty-three days of heatwaves were logged during two months of April and May in 2019, which were considered the prolonged heatwaves in the history of the country. Bu t the April alone crossed the grim milestone setting new record of heatwave days," BMD meteorologist Dr Abul Kalam Mallik said. Explaining the three key indexes of hot weather - - heatwave, severe heatwave and very severe heatwave, the BMD meteorologist said, "We consider temperatures above 36 degrees Celsius for at least two consecutive days as heatwaves while temperatures between 40 degrees and 42 degrees are severe heatwaves and temperature of above 42 degree Celsius is very severe heatwave." The weather expert said earlier, the western and northern regions -- Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur of Bangladesh are considered heatwave-prone areas. Some south-western parts of Barishal division and Dhaka division experienced heatwave, he continued. "Since the 90s, days of heatwave have been increasing alarmingly in Bangladesh giving a clear signal that the country may face prolonged heatwaves in future . . . Simultaneously heatwaves are spreading across the country," Mallik added. "Once, heatwaves were confined in t he western, northern and central parts of Bangladesh. But this year the entire country witnessing heatwaves. It means weather pattern in Bangladesh has changed drastically extending heatwave coverage areas with its intensity," he added, According to the BMD collected data, 18 days of heatwave were recorded between April 13 and 14 in Dhaka in 1999, 13 days of heatwave were posted in Dhaka in May in 2004 and 18 days, 19 days, 20 days of heatwave in Jashore in 2014, 2016 and 2017 respectively. The BMD also added that 13, 10, 17 days and 13 days of heatwave were reported in 2014, 2016, 2019 and 2022 in Rajshahi respectively while 19 and 23 days of heatwave in 2014 and 2019 respectively in Chudanga. "Khulna and Rajshahi divisions bore the brunt of the heatwave as maximum temperatures above 40 degree Celsius were recorded in most weather stations at the beginning of last month," Bazlur Rashid, meteorologist of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said. "Finally, Khulna division recorded heavy rainfall sin ce yesterday afternoon while another hardest-hit Rajshahi region received little rainfall," the meteorologist forecasted rainfall is likely to occur in Rashahi and Khulna divisions. Jashore and Chuadanga experienced highest temperature in almost every day since the sweltering heatwave blasted the country since the onset of the summer this year sending mercury as high as nearly 44 degrees Celsius. The year's highest temperature of 43.8 degrees Celsius was recorded in the southwestern district of Jashore on April 30 while the second highest temperature of 43.7 degrees Celsius was recorded in another south-western district of Chuadanga. Bazalur said Dhaka city and its adjacent districts recorded a significant amount of rainfall. He said Chattagram and its adjacent districts received significant amount of rainfall with thunderstorm (locally called Kalboishakhi) since yesterday afternoon and last night. Supplementing the comments of Bazlur Rashid, BMD meteorologist said when the entire Bangladesh is grappling with a brutal heatwave since April 1 setting all-time record of prolonged heatwave days, much of the country witnessed significant rainfall with thunderstorms. Rainfall of last two days has brought much needed relief bringing down average temperature by three to four degrees Celsius across the country, Monwar said adding mercury has dipped significantly at some weather stations up to six degrees Celsius meaning very cool weather is prevailing almost entire country. Unlike previous month of April, residents will get respite from blistering heatwave throughout the month of May as mercury will maintain the tolerable temperature with impact of rainfall and thunderstorms, the BMD meteorologist added. According to the weather bulletin issued by BMD on May 7, Dhaka city and its adjacent districts recorded a significant amount of rainfall, he said adding, "The Met Office recorded 97mm at Madaripur, 63mm at Gopalganj, " The country's highest rainfall was recorded in Feni with 130 mm while 118 mm were recorded in C hattogram, 70mm at Swandip, 57mm at Sitakunda, 89mm at Chandpur, 33mm at Bandarban, 75mm at Khulna, 67mm at Sathkhira, 25mm at Jashore, 75 mm at Barishal, 45 at Patuakhali, 80 mm at Khepupara, 69mm at Bhola, 63mm at Sylhet, the bulletin added. Monwar said after mid-May, mild to moderate heatwave will sweep some regions including Khulna and Rajshahi and "We are expecting Bangladesh will not face deadly heatwave like the month of April." Mallik suggested avoiding to stay outdoors during the hailstorm as intensity of hailstorms is increasing accompanied with frequent lightning impacted by climate change, which are largely responsible for casualties. The Met Office recorded 34.6 degrees Celsius on May 6 at Jeshore while the temperature in Dhaka was recorded at 32.6 degrees Celsius during the same day. Visibly for the first time the meteorologists acknowledged that the climate change phenomenon caused the erratic weather pattern with gradually expanding areas of heatwave, joining the voice with the climate exp erts and activists. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reaffirmed their commitment to fostering deeper economic collaboration between the two nations. The commitment was made at a meeting between Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and State Minister of Foreign Trade of the UAE Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi held in Abu Dhabi. The meeting underscored the shared aspirations of both countries to bolstering trade, investment, and development cooperation for mutual prosperity, said a press release here today. They stressed on exploring new and emerging areas of collaboration including energy security with particular focus on renewable energy, management of sea ports, aviation, construction of infrastructure, artificial intelligence and other new technologies. Ali stressed on elevating the bilateral ties to the level of comprehensive economic partnership. Both the ministers stressed on the need to activate the Joint Business Council and concluding the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA ) in near future while both the countries are celebrating 50 years of establishment of the diplomatic relations. A high-level delegation from the UAE side is expected to visit Bangladesh in the coming months to explore the investment opportunities in Bangladesh and to identify new areas of engagement for mutual benefit. Bangladesh side also requested for increased financing by ADFD (Abu Dhabi Fund for Development) and other UAE financial institutions. In addition to bilateral matters, the ministers also deliberated on regional and global economic challenges, affirming their commitment to multilateral cooperation and coordination to address shared concerns and promote sustainable development. Ambassador of Bangladesh to the UAE Abu Zafar and Additional Secretary of ERD Anwar Hossain accompanied the Finance Minister during the meeting while the UAE State minister was assisted by senior officials of his ministry. The finance minister is on a three-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the invitation of the UAE government to attend the 13th AIM (Annual Investment Meeting) Congress-2024 scheduled in Abu Dhabi from May 7-9, 2024 with the theme Adapting to a Shifting Investment Landscape: Harnessing New Potential for Global Economic Development. The finance minister attended the opening ceremony of the Congress and few other sessions this morning. AIM Congress is an Initiative of the AIM Global Foundation, an Independent International Organization fully committed to empower the world's economy by boosting effective Promotion Strategies and facilitating opportunities for economic productivity and expansion. More than 10,000 participants from 175 countries including ministers, industry leaders, policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and experts from around the world are gathering here to explore innovative strategies and opportunities for economic growth and prosperity. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

KHAGRACHHARI, Voting in four upazila parishads of the district will take place tomorrow in the first phase of sixth upazila parishad election. The upazilas are Ramgarh, Matiranga, Manikchari and Luxmichari. Returning Officer and district Election Officer Mohammad Kamrul Alam said all necessary preparations have been taken for holding a peaceful and fair election. He said polling will be held at 90 centers in the four upazilas of the district. A total of five policemen and 12 Ansars will be deployed at each center, he added. Mohammad Kamrul Alam also said eight platoons of BGB will be deployed in Luxmichari and Manikchari upazila while six platoons will be enforced in Ramgarh and Matiranga upazila each. Voting equipment was distributed this morning. Helicopters carried the equipment and officials in the remote area of the four upazilas in the hilly district. A total of 13 candidates are contesting for the post of Upazila chairman in the four upazilas. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Almost entire Bangladesh witnessed much needed rainfall for two consecutive days bringing respite from deadly heatwave that griped the country since April 1. 'Khulna and Rajshahi divisions bore the brunt of the heatwave as maximum temperatures above 40 degree Celsius were recorded in most weather stations at the beginning of last month," Bazlur Rashid, meteorologist of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) told BSS today. 'Finally, Khulna division recorded heavy rainfall since yesterday afternoon while another hardest-hit Rajshahi region received little rainfall,' the meteorologist forecasted rainfall is likely to occur in Rashahi and Khulna divisions. Jashore and Chuadanga experienced highest temperature in almost every day since the sweltering heatwave blasted the country since the onset of the summer this year sending mercury as high as nearly 44 degrees Celsius. The year's highest temperature of 43.8 degrees Celsius was recorded in the southwestern district of Jashore on April 30 while th e second highest temperature of 43.7 degrees Celsius was recorded in another south-western district of Chuadanga. Bazalur said Dhaka city and its adjacent districts recorded a significant amount of rainfall, he said the country's highest rainfall was recorded in Feni with 130mm while 118 mm were recorded in Chattogram. He said Chattagram and its adjacent districts received significant amount of rainfall with thunderstorm (locally called Kalboishakhi) since yesterday afternoon and last night. The BMD meteorologist much of northeastern and central and shouth-eastern parts of Bangladesh witnessed moderate to heavy rainfall with thunderstorm resulting in cool weather across the country. Supplementing the comments of Bazlur Rashid, BMD meteorologist said when the entire Bangladesh is grappling with a brutal heatwave since April 1 setting all-time record of prolonged heatwave days, much of the country witnessed significant rainfall with thunderstorms for two consecutive days bringing respite from sweltering wea ther conditions. Rainfall of last two days has brought much needed relief bringing down average temperature by three to four degrees Celsius across the country, Monwar said adding mercury has dipped significantly at some weather stations up to six degrees Celsius meaning very cool weather is prevailing almost entire country. Unlike previous month of April, residents will get respite from blistering heatwave throughout the month of May as mercury will maintain the tolerable temperature with impact of rainfall and thunderstorms, the BMD meteorologist added. According to the weather bulletin issued by BMD on May 6, Dhaka city and its adjacent districts recorded a significant amount of rainfall, he said adding, "The Met Office recorded in Dhaka 36mm rainfall, 37.8mm at Faridpur, 36.8mm at Madaripur, 37mm at Gopalganj, 32mm at Nikli." The country's highest rainfall was recorded in Srimangal with 124mm while 37mm were recorded in Chattogram, 60mm at Rangamati, 28mm at Feni, 17mm at Cox's Bazar, 22mm at Bandarba n, the bulletin added. Monwar said after mid-May, mild to moderate heatwave will sweep some regions including Khulna and Rajshahi and "We are expecting Bangladesh will not face deadly heatwave like the month of April." After 34 days of record heatwave spell, northeastern, central and south-eastern parts of Bangladesh witnessed much awaited rainfall with thunderstorms last night bringing respite from intense heatwave, Omar Faruq, meteorologist of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said. "Bangladesh is likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall with thunderstorms from today and it will continue throughout the month," commented BMD meteorologist Dr Abul Kalam Mallik, who was supported by Monwar Hossain as well. He said as rainfall with thunderstorm will continue hoping to bid farewell the sweltering heatwave that battered the country forcing school closure and staying the people indoors and causing many heat-related diseases. Northeastern, central parts including Sylhet division and some parts o f Mymensingh and Dhaka division are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall nest week simultaneously south-western and north-western regions will witness rainfall with thunderstorms, he added. Mallik suggested avoiding to stay outdoors during the hailstorm as intensity of hailstorms is increasing accompanied with frequent lightning impacted by climate change, which are largely responsible for casualties. The Met Office recorded 37.6 degrees Celsius on May 6 at Jeshore while the temperature in Dhaka was recorded at 29.8 degrees Celsius during the same day. The BMD official said the country witnessed the longest duration of the heatwave for the past 34 days since April 1 and the met office warned the phenomenon would continue throughout the next month. "But unlike the previous heatwaves, this year it spread all over the country," he added. Visibly for the first time the meteorologists acknowledged that the climate change phenomenon caused the erratic weather pattern with gradually expanding areas of heatwave, joining the voice with the climate experts and activists. On April 26, Bangladesh set all-time heatwave record as the Met Office recorded 24 days of heatwave during the current month of April breaching previous 23 days of heatwave in 2019, Mallik said. "Twenty-three days of heatwaves were logged during two months of April and May in 2019, which were considered the prolonged heatwaves in the history of the country. But the April alone crossed the grim milestone setting new record of heatwave days," he added. Explaining the three key indexes of hot weather -- heatwave, severe heatwave and very severe heatwave, the BMD meteorologist said, "We consider temperatures above 36 degrees Celsius for at least two consecutive days as heatwaves while temperatures between 40 degrees and 42 degrees is severe heatwaves and temperature of above 42 degrees Celsius as very severe heatwave." "Since the 90s, days of heatwave have been increasing alarmingly in Bangladesh giving a clear signal that the country may face prolonged heatwaves . . . Simultaneously heatwaves are spreading across the country," Mallik added. "Once heatwaves were confined in the western, northern and central parts of Bangladesh. But this year the entire country is witnessing heatwaves. It means weather pattern in Bangladesh has changed drastically extending heatwave coverage areas with its intensity," he added. On May 5 (Sunday), the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Bangladesh, with UNICEF's support, launched the National Guidelines on Heat-Related Illnesses to protect children and vulnerable populations, including pregnant women from heat-related health risks, a press release of UNICEF said. This event marks a critical step in keeping children safe as Bangladesh is increasingly buffeted by the impacts of climate change. In alignment with UNICEF's Healthy Environments for Healthy Children global program framework, launched in 2021, the National Guidelines, jointly developed by DGHS with UNICEF support, underscore the importan ce of a primary healthcare approach in protecting vulnerable populations from the adverse effects of climate change. These National Guidelines, developed in collaboration with experts from health and other sectors, provide a comprehensive framework for responding effectively to heat-related health risks. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: The Make in Nepal-Swadheshi Summit-2024' has concluded here on Tuesday with a 35-point declaration. The summit was organized by the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) with the goals of empowering local industries and increasing domestic production and encouraging consumption. The declaration was handed over to Minister for Finance Barshaman Pun during the closure of the conference. Minister Pun pledged to make utmost efforts to incorporate the important recommendations collected from the panel discussions in the conference in the upcoming budget. The government would adopt the policy of increasing domestic production and promoting indigenous products and the procuring domestic products for public offices, he assured. Stating that the Prime Minister had instructed him to move ahead by adopting flexible policy for the private sector, Pun reaffirmed to introduce upcoming budget that would encourage private sector. The declaration includes issues ranging from taking initiatives for reformi ng existing laws and devising industry-friendly laws to address the policy, legal, procedural and practical difficulties seen in creating favorable industrial environment to holding dialogues to create enabling environment for investment. Furthermore, efforts will be made towards making domestic products and services the first choice of Nepali consumer. Likewise, the declaration stated that an easy and smooth supply of raw materials should be ensured and the customs rates of the finished goods and raw materials should be differentiated to promote domestic industries. Furthermore, the declaration calls for establishment for a specialized financial institution to invest in industrial sector, putting a provision that the government and government agencies should use locally made products while gifting and establishing a 'Domestic Product Identification Portal' to identify domestic products among others. Moreover, the declaration draws attention of the government towards implementing separate Terms of Referen ce to effectively operate One Stop Service Centre, implementing Integrated Industrial Development Strategy for development and promotion of industrial areas and taking forward the construction of industrial infrastructures in public and private partnership. The declaration also presses for positive intervention by the government while importing the goods or products in which Nepal has gained self-sufficiency. The declaration sees need to encourage production and import of domestic products by identifying comparative advantage and competitive areas. Similarly, the declaration suggested that fine should be imposed on the erring or accused industrialists rather than lodging criminal charges against them as detention and misbehaving the alleged industrialists in financial offence cases would tarnish their reputation. Provision has been demanded that until the accused industrialists are proven guilty, they should not be detained. A separate Act should is sought to regulate the industrial sector as , the declara tion mentioned, the industrial and investment environment tend to deteriorate while taking action as per the criminal law against the erring industrialists. The declaration also calls for timely review of the bilateral and multilateral agreements and treaties Nepal inked in regard to trade and investment. Attention has been drawn towards forging a common viewpoint among the major political parties on the agenda of economic prosperity and industrial development for stability at policy level to effectively implement budget. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Minister for Education, Science and Technology Sumana Shrestha has directed the Tribhuvan University (TU) to conduct exams and publish results by developing and adhering to a calendar. At a press conference organized by TU here today, Minister Shrestha instructed the TU to determine the annual work calendar and carry out actions accordingly. She also directed the university administration to ease the process of obtaining equivalence and transcripts from TU. On the occasion, Education Minister Shrestha said the Ministry would form a high-level probe committee to investigate into the encroachment of TU land. Also on the occasion, TU's Vice chancellor Prof Dr Keshar Jung Baral pledged to advance the restructuring of the TU. "The government education policy, 2076 BS and TU Vision, 2030 have also mentioned the issue of restructuring the university", he said, adding, "We have crafted a vision to develop three different campuses to degree awarding institutions. Source: National News Agency RSS

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia has announced new regulations regarding the issuance of Hajj visas, specifying that the visa will only permit travel to the cities of Jeddah, Medina and Makkah. According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the visa will exclusively serve as the entry permit for pilgrims participating in the Hajj rituals in 2024, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said recently. The ministry emphasised that the Hajj visa is not valid for work, residency, or travel outside the designated cities. Violations of such restrictions may result in a ban on future Hajj participation and potential deportation. The international visitors, except from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries that require a Hajj permit, must obtain a Hajj visa. The Hajj visa is only valid for the duration of the Hajj season, and holders are prohibited from performing Umrah or engaging in any form of employment, whether paid or unpaid, during this period. The ministry has introduced electronic registration through the visa plat form of the ministry of foreign affairs. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha