Day: May 13, 2024

BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan today said US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu is not so important to BNP. "Donald Lu is not so important to us. The activity of Chattogram Hill Tracts Kuki-Chin armed group is more important than Donald Lu to us," he told a press briefing at BNP chairperson's Gulshan office here. Replying to a query of journalist about Donald Lu's visit to Bangladesh, Nazrul Islam said: "We are concerned about our own country, Donald Lu's matter is not so important to us". Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has predicted more than average rainfall in monsoon this year. Speaking at a programme organised by the National Monsoon Forum here today, Department's meteorologist Sudarsan Humagai said rainfall more by 35.4 to 55.4 per cent than average has been predicted in most parts of the country in the coming monsoon. The north-west part of the Sudurpashim Province, the south-east part of Bagamati, the central part of Madhesh and the central and mid-west parts of Koshi Province are likely to see more rain (35.4 per cent to 65.5 per cent) than average this time. Similarly, the western part of the Karnali, central part of Gandaki, and north-east part of Koshi are likely to witness rain more by 35-45 per cent than average. The minimum precipitation in most parts of the county is likely to be more than average by 35-65 percent. Source: National News Agency RSS

The government has taken initiatives to take up housing projects for the low-income people, especially the slum dwellers, in various cities across the country. In this regard, a meeting was held today in the conference room of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works with Minister RAM Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury in the chair, said a press release. Housing and Public Works Secretary Md Nabirul Islam, additional secretaries, National Housing Authority Chairman Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) Chairman Major General Md Siddiqur Rahman Sarker (Retd) and senior officials of various departments/organizations of the ministry were present. The minister, according to the instructions of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, directed to prepare the necessary project proposal for the construction of rental flats for the low income people and send it to the ministry as soon as possible. In the implementation of the project, the minister suggested environmental protection, necessary forestation , preservation of open space, setting up of playgrounds, sewerage treatment plants, maximum use of solar energy, use of block bricks instead of traditional bricks, provision of rainwater harvesting, and maximum use of surface water. Initially, he directed the implementation of the proposal under the National Housing Authority to construct 12,600 flats in 100 multi-storied buildings in three phases in Dattapara of Tongi at the earliest. Feasibility study of this project has already been completed. In the first phase of the project, a total of 2,142 residential flats will be constructed in 17 buildings. Proposals for construction of 5,922 flats in 47 buildings in the 2nd phase and 5,436 flats in 36 buildings in the third phase are under process. The minister directed the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) and Public Works Department to take up projects for construction of flats for low-income people in Karail slums and T andT Colony slums of the capital through separate projects. He gave verbal instructi ons to the chief architect to take necessary measures to prepare a standard design for these flats of 750 square feet gross area. The minister also said that 10 acres of land has been earmarked for the housing of low-income people in the Uttara Housing Project (Phase III) under implementation by Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK). Muktadir directed to prepare project proposals for the construction of flats for the housing of low-income people on the said land as soon as possible. He said that in addition to own financing for the implementation of the project, financing from various development aid organizations will also be accepted if possible. The National Housing Authority has constructed 533 rent-based flats for the slum dwellers in Mirpur area in the capital. They are living comfortably in these flats, Muktadir said. The landless slum dwellers in Kobdas of Sirajganj district have been rehabilitated through a project. The minister suggested using the experience of these projects in taking up the next project. Along with that, he suggested for positive publicity about these philanthropic activities of the government. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has expressed his confidence that the deadlock in the Parliament will end soon. PM Dahal, also chairman of CPN (Maoist Centre), said this while talking to party cadres here in eastern Chitwan today. He said that the formal and informal talks were in progress with party leaders regarding resuming the House proceedings and these talks will give result very soon. He further shared that they will reach to a conclusion to end the House deadlock by this evening. On another note, Prime Minister argued that there was no confusion in continuity of the present ruling coalition partners. He said that they will forge consensus to pass the policies and programmes of the government and upcoming budget. The PM also opined that there will be proper relations between the policies and programmes with the budget. According to him, the government will put the agriculture sector in high priority along with promoting the agro based industries. "The budget will address the issues o f marginalized, disadvantaged and poor people and sectors," the PM added. Prime Minister Dahal said that the government has worked effectively to control the crime and has brought the 143 ropanis of lands of Lalita Niwas under the possession of Nepal Government. Source: National News Agency RSS

Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury today urged all concerned to make all out efforts to bring children with special needs including those, who are suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), to the mainstream of society. "As autism is a specialized matter, so a massive campaign has to be carried out across the country that children with autism need special attention," she said while inaugurating "Blu Sky", a school for children with special needs run by Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) here. Air Chief Marshal Sheikh Abdul Hannan and Chairman of Dhaka Mercantile Co- Operative Bank Limited Group Captain Abu Jafar Chowdhury (Retired) spoke on the occasion as the special guests. President of Bangladesh Air Force Women's Welfare Association (BAFWA) Central Council Tahmina Hannan was present, among others. Dr. Shirin Sharmin said the present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working relentlessly for building a prosperous Bangladesh for the future generation. She also has taken various pragmatic programmes for the welfare of the children with special needs. In this connection, she referred that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had promulgated a number of laws and preserved the rights of children for their welfare. "All development programmes have to be taken attaching special emphasis on children with special needs for flourishing their latent talent," Chowdhury said, adding that everybody has to come forward for building an inclusive humanitarian society. She thanked Saima Wazed, daughter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Bangladesh Air Force for working for the development of children with special needs. Later, the speaker unveiled the cover of two books-- "Kobitay Mujib (Mujib in Poetry) and "Bangamata". She also witnessed a cultural function presented by the students of the school. Senior officials of the Air Force, teachers, students of the school and guardians, among others, attended the function. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said the relevancy of federalism will be provided that local governments ensure the dispatch of citizens-friendly services. In his address to a ceremony organised to mark an anniversary of the Khairahani municipality in Chitwan today, the Prime Minister sought accountability in services meant for the citizens. "The relevancy of federalism will be established if the local governments could deliver the citizens -friendly services and promote good governance," he said. It is the responsibility of the local governments to implement rights meant for local levels, according to the Prime Minister who wanted to see citizens -friendly approach in the performance of local representatives, employees and security agencies. He expressed his hope that the Khairahani municipality would contribute to strengthening the federal governance system. The Prime Minister claimed that the incumbent government has worked significantly in the areas of good governance and social ju stice, adding that such efforts as he said would help further strengthen the federal democratic republic. As he said, in the past 16 months of his term as the head of the government third time, he greatly focused on the enforcement of the federalism. During this period, two meetings of the National Coordination Council were concluded with significant decisions, he added. Conservation and multidimensional mobilization of natural resources, empowerment of rural economy, and the promotion of social indicators are among the works of a strategic importance that local governments could do with the delivery of other services in the best interests of citizens, according to the Prime Minister. "The proper implementation of a list of concurrent rights of the province and local governments will have a quality contribution to the strengthening of a rural economy and the building of a national economy," he added. Stating that he was saddened to hear the frequent news of loss of life and property due to the human-wild life conflict in areas around the Chitwan National Park, although the Park enlisted in the World Heritage Site list is a matter of pride for all, PM Dahal shared that the Forest Act is to be amended to create a condition so that the locals can take maximum benefits from the national park by minimizing and managing the human-wildlife conflict. "The problem of flooding and erosion during the rainy season causes loss of life every year in eastern Chitwan including Khairahani. The government will coordinate with the local levels for the safety of the citizens by embanking the rivers such as Rapti Khola, Kayar Khola, Dhungre Khola, among others," he added. PM Dahal said he is aware of the municipality's tireless efforts to serve the people, advance the journey of development and prosperity here, stating that disparity between East Chitwan and West Chitwan will not be allowed. He said that east Chitwan is a fertile ground for democratic and left-wing movements. "The question whether east Chitwan has been given d ue importance by the state and the government is raised by the public. I have also felt about it." Prime Minister Dahal said that the government is in the final preparation of the policies, programmes and budget for the next fiscal year, and efforts will be made to address the problems of East Chitwan. He mentioned that the problem of the people here will be solved through the next year's budget. "For the development and prosperity of East Chitwan and Khairahani municipality, it will be included in the next year's policy and programme and budget on behalf of the state," he said. Prime Minister Dahal mentioned that the government is also working to end the conflict between wildlife and humans. "Some laws related to the said problem have been amended by ordinance. It has opened the way to reduce the conflict between animals and people and to move forward in a new way on the structure of the buffer zone and the national park," the PM further added. Source: National News Agency RSS

The cultivation of Jute, the biggest cash crop of the people of Manikganj district is going on in full swing in all the seven upazila of the district, the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources said. A total of 4,765 hectares of land has been brought under Jute cultivation in all seven upazilas of the district with a production target of 64,580 bales of jute during the current season. Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) office sources said the soil of the district, specially, Singair upazila, Manikganj Sadar upazila and Saturia upazila, is suitable for jute cultivation. The DAE sources said cultivation of jute has been increasing every year as growers are getting fair prices for their products, adding that the cultivation of Jute more than sixty percent has already been completed in the district. Last year a total of 4,500 hectares of land were brought under jute cultivation and 56,935 bales of jute were produced, the sources added. The DAE officials said that the distribution of free of cost Jute seeds has already been completed among 2000 poor and marginal farmers of the district to boost the cultivation of Jute in all seven upazilas in the district. Under the programme each of the jute cultivators get one kilogram of Tosha jute seed for cultivation of one bigha of land. The Deputy Director of DAE Abu Mohammad Enayet ullah said the present pro-farmer government is distributing special agriculture incentives among the small and marginal farmers which is encouraging the farmers to cultivate crops in due time and they are getting good production as the government distributed quality seeds among the farmers. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

James Harris "Jim" Simons, the founder of the Nick Simons Foundation and the Nick Simons Institute, passed away on last Friday. He was 86. The Nick Simons Institute has provided significant support to the Nepal's healthcare system. According to Nick Simons Institute chairperson Vidhyadhar Mallik, Jim, a renowned mathematician, pioneering investor and a great philanthropist, passed away in his Manhattan-based home in America on last Friday. Nick had developed a special affinity for Nepal with his visit to Nepal in 2002. He died in Indonesia in 2003 and Jim began contributing to the Nepal's healthcare system through the Nick Simons Foundation and the Nick Simons Institute in Nepal. As a mathematician, he received the national award from the United States of America for his outstanding contribution to geometry. Jim is greatly acknowledged for his contribution to the Quantum Field Theory and String theory in mathematics and Condensed Matter Physics. Following a successful career in mathematics, Jim decided to switch to an investment sector in his 40's by establishing the Renaissance Technologies, an investment management firm. He was a determinant of a fortune on the Wall Street. Source: National News Agency RSS

The government has suspended Dhaka district registrar Wahidul Islam, who is now behind bars in a graft case filed by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Law and Justice Division in a notification dated May 12, said as Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Court on April 30, took into cognizance the charge-sheet filed in the case and sent Wahidul to jail, he is being suspended in line with section 39 (2) of the Public Service Act, 2018. Wahidul would remain attached to the Directorate of Registration during his suspension period and get subsistence allowances and other benefits as per provision, it read. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Court on April 30 sent Wahidul, 47, to jail as he surrendered before the court and pleaded for bail. ACC assistant director Mohammad Jinnatul Islam filed the case on September 21, 2021, for amassing illegal wealth of Taka 1.21 crore and giving false statement regarding wealth of Taka 94.50 lakh. The anti-graft body on January 9 in 2024 filed charge-sheet against Wa hidul and his wife Pervin Hossain Bhuiyan. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said that development has been achieved many times more after the establishment of the republic than during the period of monarchical rule. Addressing a programme after laying the foundation of the 'Signature Bridge' to be constructed over the Narayani river here today, he said it is wrong to create a negative narrative that nothing has taken place in the country without making a comparative study. "Anyone making a comparative study of the 250 years period of monarchical rule and the two decades of the republican period that many times more development has been achieved in the last two decades than during the 250 years," PM Dahal said, adding that Nepal has made a good progress in terms of development of physical infrastructures as the road infrastructure, education, health communications, drinking water, electricity, and also in terms of humanitarian development like social security, service delivery, simplification of services and their effectiveness, amo ng others. Stating that the road network has expanded in a miraculous manner after the latest political change, the Prime Minister said more than 90 per cent of road users can reach their residence within an hour's walk. "A negative narrative that 'nothing happened in Nepal' has been created by not comparing the development process with pre-republic and post-republic conditions, but by making comparison with highly developed and developed countries. It is necessary to develop the positive thinking and energy that 'it is possible and it can be done' within the country, based on proper study and analysis of the recent development of Nepal," PM Dahal explained. Noting that the Department of Roads has been taking positive initiatives in the roads infrastructure sector, being based on the Government of Nepal's short-term, medium-term and long-term plans, PM Dahal said more than 149 bridges have been constructed in the current fiscal year alone. He added: "The breakthrough has been made of the Nagdhunga tunnel road in Kathmandu. Similarly, a breakthrough has been recently made in the Multi-purpose Marin Diversion Project. These have given the national and international message that the country has entered the 'tunnel age', and have also made contribution to achieving the goal of graduating the country to a developed nation status until 2026. According to the Prime Minister, a 'flyover' is currently being constructed at Gwarko in Kathmandu under the Department of Roads and a 'signature' bridge is being constructed over the Madi and Seti rivers on Prithvi Highway. He expressed the confidence that the traffic on the East-West Highway will be eased and well-managed after the construction of the 'Signature Bridge' connecting Bharatpur Metropolitan City and Gaindakot Municipality located in the middle of this highway. Source: National News Agency RSS

Prices of the most varieties of rice witnessed a sharp fall in the city markets for the last two weeks and this trend is expected to continue till the next two months. Market experts have attributed the declining trend of rice prices to the good harvest of Boro, one of the main paddy crops in Bangladesh. While visiting city's Kawran Bazaar and Mohammadpur Government Krishi Wholesale markets, it was found that the prices of all medium and coarse varieties of rice have declined up to Taka 3 per kilogram, compared to the prices a week ago. Medium fine quality Miniket rice is being sold at Taka 66 per kg, which was sold at Taka 68 last week at the retail level. At the wholesale market, the price of a 50-kg sack of Miniket rice is now being sold at Taka 3,215, down by Taka 287 from the previous price of Taka 3,500, said Morshed Alam, a wholesaler of Mohammadpur Government Krishi Market. "The rice price is declining with a range of Taka 100-150 per 50-kg sack, on an average. The downward trend is likely to c ontinue for one and a half months",he said. Even the coarse variety 'BR-28' is being sold at Taka 52 per kg, down by Taka 3, from the previous price of Taka 55. The price of per 50-kg sack has come down to Taka 2500 from the last week's Taka 2730-2750]. About the current rice price, noted farm economist Dr Jahangir Alam said, 'There is no chance to increase rice price in the next two months as the overall yield of Aman and Boro has crossed the optimum level." Dr Alam said that the rice price is likely to maintain falling trend in coming days as the good harvest of Boro is contributing 54 percent of the total rice output. However, the lower rice price situation will not continue for a long period as the Boro yield in the haor area was although good, but the other areas across the country was not up to the mark due to prolonged drought", said Nirod Baran Saha, general secretary of Rice Arotdar Samity. The Arodar Samity leader said the Boro production witnessed a fall by three to five maunds in a bigha in different areas excepting the haor region and the haor area contributes only 13 percent of the total Boro output. About Boro production, Badal Chandra Biswas, Director General (DG) of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said, "We're expecting optimum Boro production this year against the production target of 2.22 crore tonnes set for FY2 and the overall yield is standard'. Data released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) on the production of dry season crop Boro showed that the country bagged 2.07 crore tonnes of the staple grain during the Boro season in FY23, up 3 percent from the previous fiscal year. Total rice production grew 2.5 percent year-on-year to 3.91 crore tonnes, the highest on record, in FY23. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' said a special programme would be announced for boosting production and creating job opportunities through upcoming fiscal year's policy, programme and budget. Laying the foundation stone of the 'signature bridge' to be constructed over the Narayani River today, PM Dahal said the government was doing ground work to run integrated projects associated to employment and productivity. "It is today's national need to run projects of integrated nature related to infrastructure development, rural economic empowerment, production growth and employment generation", he further said. The government would lay emphasis on quality and sustainability aspects of road network across the country, the PM shared, adding attention would be paid on bringing reforms in infrastructure, vehiles and traffic systems in order to ease transport service and reduce road accidents. He highlighted the need to create positive narrative that the country itself can execute the projects in an ap propriate manner based on evidence-based study and analysis. Nepal has made good shifts in infrastructure, education, health, communications, drinking water and electrification as well as social security and service delivery, the PM claimed. It may be noted that the Department of Roads is constructing over 149 bridges in different parts of the country now. "The tunnel way of the Nagdhunga road section has seen a breakthrough", PM shared, adding other several developments taking place in game changing projects would contribute Nepal to graduate to developing country by 2026". Source: National News Agency RSS