Day: May 8, 2024

Kathmandu: Former Finance Minister Dr Yubraj Khatiwada has pointed out the need for second-tier regulation of cooperatives. Commenting on the working paper presented on the second day of the national seminar of the Account Supervisory Committee (ASC) on Wednesday, Dr Khatiwada said Nepal was at immediate need for second-tier regulation and supervision of the cooperative sector in the wake of emerging problems surrounding it. The National Federation of Savings and Credit Cooperative Unions Limited (NEFSCUN) organised the seminar which began on Tuesday. On the occasion, he blamed that none of the agencies had become responsible to resolve the problems facing cooperatives. The former Finance Minister warned, "We will be pushed to a condition that warrants other's interference if we fail to carry out activities and sort out problems on our own." Both accountability and autonomy are essential in cooperatives. Anarchy leads to crisis. Therefore second-layer regulation is most necessary to end anarchism, he reite rated. He said there were unique challenges in cooperatives which need legal redress. He further argued new problems surfaced after the cooperatives began running as financial companies. On the occasion, Erik O' Hern, International Advocacy and Regulatory Counsel for World Council of Credit Unions, shared that account supervision of cooperatives should be strong for their sustainability, while capable workforce at ASC is equally significant. The account supervision committee should play a responsible role, providing advice in a right way, she said, adding financial literacy, adherence to rules and regulations, and credibility of members were other necessities in cooperatives. "Many countries have different practices. The Account Supervisory Committee is an independent body. The Committee has its own role and responsibility. Though ASC and Board of Directors are complementary to each other, ASC should be stronger than Board of Directors", she opined. Presenting the working paper, Hern briefed about intern ational practices on supervision and regulation of cooperatives. Source: National News Agency RSS

TANGAIL, One person was killed and another injured in a head-on collision between a CNG-run auto rickshaw and a motorcycle on the Sakhipur-Gorai road in Boali Pandit Bari area under Sakhipur upazila of the district today. The deceased was identified as Babul Ahmed, 50, son of Shamsul Haque of Baruha village of Tangail Sadar Upazila. The accident occurred in the area when he was going to Tangail by a CNG-run auto rickshaw. On the way, the auto-rickshaw collided head-on with a motorcycle coming from the opposite direction around 10:30am. Babul Ahmed and the motorcycle rider were seriously injured, officer-in-charge (OC) of Sakhipur Police Station Sheikh Shahinur Alam said. The injured were taken to Sakhipur Upazila Health Complex, where on-duty doctor declared Babul Ahmed dead. Later, the injured motorcyclist was sent Dhaka Medical College and Hospital for better treatment, OC added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: A five-year action plan has been brought to make effective the government spending. The National Planning Commission (NPC) introduced the public investment management action plan (2081/82-2085/86) in a bid to ensure effectiveness in project spending to be made as per concept of government, public corporation and public-private investment. The action plan was endorsed by the NPC's meeting on April 23. Information officer at NPC, Dr Divakar Luintel, informed that it was brought after realizing the need of long-term strategy to give a pace to the development projects, spur capital spending and to assure effectiveness of public investment. At a time when a huge chunk of budget on infrastructure construction is left unspent by all three-tiers of government, the action plan is expected to eliminate nagging problems in this sector. As the development projects are not completed in time, both the time and cost soar, which ultimately dents state's coffers and image, thereby keeping citizen at receiving end. In order to wipe out such upsetting problems, the action plan has set seven goals. As per the plan, a regular and transparent central monitoring will be in place to manage well the capital project portfolio, while national project bank will be reformed in a phase-wise manner. The electronic public procurement system will be improved so that public procurement will be made more transparent and effective. The public structures and infrastructures will be renovated regularly, for which a directive will be made. The chief of the project is assigned with responsibility. Wiping out doubling in the development project is another goal of the action plan. There is no integrated data and details on the projects and spending on them by the three-tier government. In response to the criticism that government failed to show efficiency on selection of project and programmes in annual budget, the action plan has emphasized on adequate preparation of the projects so that they would get budget, while those unviable would be ditched. Source: National News Agency RSS

DHAKA, The fifteen death anniversary of eminent nuclear scientist with international repute and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's husband Dr M A Wazed Miah is tomorrow (Thursday). The nuclear scientist, who had a colorful working life experience, was born on February 16, 1942 in a respectable Muslim family of Laldighee Fatehpur village in Pirganj upazila of Rangpur. He passed away on May 9, 2009. He was laid to eternal rest with full state honour at his family graveyard in Laldighee Fatehpur village. On the occasion of his death anniversary, the Pirganj upazila administration, Awami League (AL) and its associate bodies, Dr Wazed Smriti Sangsad (DWSS), Dr Wazed Foundation, Begum Rokeya University, family of Dr Wazed and other organizations have taken up elaborate programmes in Rangpur city and capital Dhaka. The observance will begin with placing of wreaths at the grave of Dr Wazed, who was fondly called Sudha Miah, in village Laldighee Fatehpur in the morning followed by offering Fateha, Milad mehfils and distribution of foods to the poor. Biggyani Wazed Miah Smrity Pathagar will organize a discussion at 3.30pm at Mohammadpur Town Hall in Dhaka tomorrow. Awami League (AL) Presidium Member and Textiles and Jute Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak will attend it as chief guest. Dr Wazed was the youngest among four sons and three daughters of his late father Abdul Quader Miah and late mother Moyzunnesa. He studied up to class four at the primary school at his native village and then up to class six at a high school in Pirganj town. He passed matriculation course from Rangpur Zilla School in 1956 in first division with distinctions and then enrolled in Rajshahi Government College from where he passed the Higher Secondary Certificate Examinations brilliantly. Wazed Miah was admitted to the Department of Physics at Dhaka University in 1958 and secured first class in both B.Sc. (honors) and M.Sc. examinations in 1961 and 1962 respectively. He joined the then Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission on April 9, 1963 and obt ained his diploma from Imperial College of London after completing the 'Diploma of Imperial College Course' in 1963-1964. Wazed Miah returned home in September, 1967 after obtaining his Ph.D. degree in physics from Durham University in the United Kingdom and joined as a Scientific Officer at the Atomic Energy Research Centre in Dhaka. In 1969, Dr. Wazed got the associate-ship of Italy-based International Theoretical Physics Research Centre of Nobel Laureate Professor Dr Salam where he was engaged in a research project. Later, he was engaged in post-doctoral research on nuclear science from November, 1969 to October, 1970 at Daresbury Laboratory in Washington DC of the USA. After returning home, he resumed work at the Atomic Energy Research Centre. Wazed Miah married Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on November 17, 1967. They have a son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and a daughter, Saima Wazed Putul. In 1975, Wazed Miah was in the then West Germany to pursue higher training on atomic reactor science. Sheikh Hasina was also with him at that time. Dr. Wazed also conducted research work at the New Delhi-based laboratory of Indian Atomic Energy Commission from 1975 to 1982. On return home, the nuclear scientist, who has a colorful working life experience, rejoined the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and retired as its Chairman in 1999. Apart from his publications on scientific research and nuclear science, Dr Wazed also authored a number of books on social and political issues, including one on the memories of Bangabandhu. Dr Wazed was a completely greedless and honest man. He was an amiable person but never compromised on anything unjust. He always maintained a low profile in personal life and led a very simple life. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Chief Whip of the Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party, Ramesh Lekhak has said the government was egregiously ignoring the significant issues raised by the major opposition party in the parliament. Talking to journalists at the office of the party's parliamentary party in Singh Durbar on Wednesday, Chief Whip Lekhak informed the NC was firm on demand of investigation into the misappropriation of money in cooperatives. He insisted on taking actions against the fraudsters because money deposited by thousands of common people in cooperatives was found embezzled. He further underlined the need of clean up in the cooperative sector which is one of the important pillars of the national economy. On another note, he clarified that his party was not interested to fail the incumbent government and to form a new one in collaboration with CPN UML. The Chief Whip was however for forging minimum consensus with major political parties to address people's need and aspirations. According to him, it was essential to ensure effectiveness of parliament and assure people that it was the platform for their voices. The parliament should be given business, otherwise it would turn a weak institution, Lekhak opined. Source: National News Agency RSS

DHAHA, With positive response, seven international oil companies (IOCs) joined Bangladesh's offshore international bidding for energy extraction, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said today. "Many foreign companies are interested to work in Bangladesh. Around 15 international oil companies (OICs) took part in a promotional seminar on "Bangladesh Offshore Bidding Round 2024," in Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel today," he added. Nasrul Hamid said state-run Petrobangla organised the seminar to share the incentives it has offered to the IOCs to take part in the bidding round. He said Petrobangla floated tender this year considering Bangladesh's interest first, so that the contract could be signed following a win-win situation. US based energy giant Chevron, ExxonMobil, Chinese CNOOC, ENI took part in the seminar. A total of 24 offshore blocks -- 15 in deep water and 9 in shallow water -- have been offered in the bidding round to be closed on September 9. Adviser to Prime Mini ster Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, BB and State Minister Nasrul Hamid were present as chief guest and special guest respectively in the seminar. Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry Ziaur Rahman, Petrobangla Chairman Zanendranath Sarkar also spoke on the function. Energy secretary Md Nurul Alam presided over the seminar. Later, foreign participants joined answers and questions lively. They also showed their interest in Bangladesh's energy and its future activities. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has said that the Additional Postal Services will be gradually phased out. In a meeting of the House of Representatives, the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee today, the government Spokesperson said the announcement to withdraw the additional postal services in the budget speech for the current fiscal will be implemented gradually. The quota in such services will be scrapped with the retirements of employees and this policy was pursued following a meeting among various trade unions in the service, Finance Ministry, and the Prime Minister. As per the revised regulations (fifth amendment-2080 BS) regarding the additional postal services, employees will have to go for a compulsory retirement with the completion of 58 years of age. The positions that are already lying vacant shall be automatically removed with the commencement of the rules, she said. As the Minister said, with the development of a paperless e ra, the relevancy of postal services has been almost over. The postal service is in use just for the exchange of official documents. Source: National News Agency RSS

DHAKA, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon the United Kingdom (UK) to help repatriate the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their motherland Myanmar. "Use your good office to repatriate Rohingyas to their country," she said when UK Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at her official Ganabhaban residence here this afternoon. The Prime Minister said the Rohingyas have become a burden for Bangladesh and their numbers have been increasing day by day. PM's Speech Writer M Nazrul Islam briefed newsmen after the meeting. As Trevelyan raised the issues of education, training and employment for Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar camps, Sheikh Hasina said the camps are overcrowded and it is impossible to ensure those facilities in those camps. She, however, said her government has built houses with all the facilities in Bhasanchar Island for the Rohingyas. "The facilities in Bhasanchar include accommodation, healthcare services and employment oppo rtunities," she added. During the meeting, the Bangladesh premier also called upon Britain to invest in Bangladesh in a larger volume. She said she has offered Britain a place in the special economic zones being set up across Bangladesh to make direct investment there for mutual benefits. Bangladesh is likely to sign a SOP (standard operating procedure) with Britain to bring back illegal Bangladeshi migrants in Britain. "We want none to go abroad illegally and we have announced zero tolerance to this end," she said. Both the countries are scheduled to sign the SOP this month for the identification and return of persons without any authorization to stay. The UK minister of state welcomed the move to sign the SOP soon. Raising the issue of illegal migration, Trevelyan said the UK welcomes legal migration. She further said that illegal migration is a problem for the United Kingdom. The British minister said they want return of Bangladesh nationals who are in irregular situations in the UK. As the issue of climate change came up for discussion, the Prime Minister appreciated the UK as it is the only country which complied with their promises and is giving compensation from the Loss and Damage fund to the countries affected by adverse impact of climate change in accordance with the Parris Accord. She said that other developed countries are doing very little to this end. Bangladesh and the UK had signed climate accord last year, she said, adding that Britain is extending support to Bangladesh in fighting climate change impacts. About the airbus procurement, the premier said Bangladesh will procure 10 air buses in phases. Trevelyan arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday morning on a two-day visit to strengthen the economic, security and migration partnership between Bangladesh and the UK. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' reached Bir Hospital this afternoon to get dental checkup. He reported at the Hospital for undergoing teeth examination after suffering from a toothache since the morning today, the Prime Minister's Secretariat said. A team of dentists led by Ritu Shrestha is carrying out dental examination on and treatment to the Prime Minister. Source: National News Agency RSS

DHAKA, A meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee will be held tomorrow (Thursday) to review the information on the appearance of the new moon of the holy month of Zilqad of 1,445 Hijri, the 11th month of the Islamic calendar. The meeting scheduled to be held at 6:45pm in the Islamic Foundation's conference room in Baitul Mukarram Mosque will be chaired by Religious Affairs Minister and National Moon Sighting Committee President M Faridul Huq Khan , said a press release. People have been requested to inform the concerned district administrator or the Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO) over telephone or fax if the moon of the holy Zilqad month is seen anywhere on the sky of the country. The telephone numbers are 02-223381725, 02-41050912, 02-41050916 and 02- 41050917. The fax numbers are 02-223383397 and 02-9555951. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma suggested the lawmakers not to include any provisions that would put the Prime Minister in a minority position while devising laws. In the meeting of the House of Representatives, State Affairs and Good-Governance Committee today, Minister Sharma said so while deliberating on the Bill to amend the Constitutional Council (Functions, Duties, Powers and Procedures) Act-2066 BS. The proposed Bill primarily focuses on revising the Council's decision-making procedures and quorum requirements. A minimum of four members is considered a quorum for a Constitutional Council meeting where the Chairperson of the Council presides over the meeting. During today's meeting, Minister Sharma asserted, "It would be difficult if the provision on requirement of quorum puts Prime Minister in a tight spot. Let's take forward the discussions on the issues in consensus of the Prime Minister." Sharma suggested the Committee to finalize on the Bill at the earliest and work in such a manner that it could be presented in the next session of the parliament. Since there have been extensive discussions on the Bill in the past, today's meeting agreed to conclude on the Bill in next meeting by considering deliberations on some important issues at top level. The Committee members, recalling the history of the Committee that all the Bills that were tabled in the Committee had been endorsed unanimously, saw the need to finalize the proposed Bill in the next session of the parliament by forging consensus among the political parties. They suggested that the Bill should be amended in such a manner that would put an end the trend of absenteeism and encourage attendance of its members in the Committee meeting. Some members underscored making a proper schedule to deliver well on the duties of the Bill that are presented in Committee. They ranted that every governments in the past had attempted to make the Constitutional Council that would serve their interest which result ed in some wrongdoings. They viewed that the qualifications and competence of the person entrusted with the responsibilities of the Council should not be questioned. The Committee currently has four Bills under deliberation. Source: National News Agency RSS

DHAKA, A court here today placed Sohel Siraj, owner of the Bailey road's "Kacchi Bhai" restaurant, on a two-day police remand in connection with a case filed over the fatal fire incident on February 29. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Tahmina Haque gave the order after investigation officer of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Masud Parvez produced Sohel before the court with a five-day remand prayer. Immigration police arrested Sohel Siraj as he reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) from Malaysia on Tuesday night. On March 1, Mohammad Shahidul Islam, sub-inspector of Ramna Model Police Station, filed the case against Amin Mohammad Group and three others, bringing allegations of causing death by negligence and attempt to murder. The fatal fire at the Green Cozy Cottage shopping mall on Bailey Road on February 29 claimed 46 lives, including 8 children and 18 women. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha