Day: May 27, 2024

DHAKA, A total of 180-member strong contingent of Bangladesh Police today left Dhaka for joining the UN peacekeeping mission in Democratic Republic (DR) Congo by a chartered aircraft of the United Nations (UN). They left the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at about 12:41 am for Kinshasa, capital of the DR Congo under the UN Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) to establish peace, said a press release here. Apart from the stipulated forces working with different peacekeeping missions under the United Nations (UN), Police Super Kazi Rubayat Rumi is leading the Bangladesh Formed Police Unit-1 (BANFPU-1, Rotation-16) team, as Commander to establish peace in volatile MONUSCO DR Congo. Additional Inspector General of Police to the Police Headquarters Md Anwar Hossain and concerned officers were present at the airport to see off the peacekeeping team, the release added. Since last 35 years, Bangladesh police have been working under the UN peacekeeping missi ons to establish peace in different areas of the world. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Ramkrishna Subedi, on Monday, visited a photo exhibition organised by the National News Agency (Rastriya Samachar Samiti-RSS) on the occasion of the Republic Day-2081 BS. The event is themed "Accomplishment of the Republic: Infrastructure for Prosperity" and during the observation, the secretary said Nepal is witnessing significant progress in the area of infrastructure development. During the visit, RSS executive chair Dharmendra Jha, deputy-general manager Somnath Lamichhane, RSS board of directors' member Krishna Adhikari, and Chief Editor Uttam Silwal briefed the secretary about the features of photos put in the exhibition. The exhibition underway since May 23 features 90 photos illustrating various infrastructure development projects from the central to local levels which were used by the RSS photo service. These photos are about the historic monuments rebuilt after the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, human, education, health, and industrial developments, roads, drinking water, electricity projects, and so on. The exhibition highlights development endeavours from all seven provinces. The RSS organised this kind of photo exhibition for the first time last year on the occasion of Republic Day and the theme of the exhibition was "Our Culture: Our Heritage". Photos related to energy, airport, tourism, roads, bridges, reconstructed heritages, postal highway, Mulpani Cricket Ground, Kathmandu-Madhes fast track, Sunkoshi-Marin diversion multi-purpose project, solar panel, 4G towers of telephone, national pride projects and pride projects of provinces have been put on display in the exhibition. Source: National News Agency RSS

DHAKA, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) organised a workshop on "Implementation of Audit Practice Software for CA Firms in Bangladesh" at ICAB Auditorium here today. ICAB President Mohammed Forkan Uddin, Former President and Council Members Mohammed Humayun Kabir and Md. Moniruzzaman, Former President Muhammed Farhad Hussain, CEO Shubhashish Bose, and Chief Operating Officer Mahbub Ahmed Siddique spoke and described the importance for smooth accomplishment of the audit activities, said a press release. ICAB Vice President and Chairman of the Project on Development and Implementation of Audit Practice Software for CA Firms in Bangladesh Maria Howlader made an introductory speech on the theme of workshop while the keynote paper on CaseWare Working Paper and Audit International was presented by Ken Chan, Product Specialist of CaseWare Asia Pte Ltd. A live demo session on Audit Practice Software: CaseWare Working Paper was conducted by Audit Software Experts Golam Fazlul Kabir and B hola Nath Kundu. Practicing Members of ICAB participated in the workshop. Discussants of the workshop were two other audit software experts Ali Amjad Choudhury and Al Amin Redwanur Rahman. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The Lahan Expo: Madhesh Province International Festival 2080' held in Lahan from April 12 to 22 recorded transactions exceeding Rs 15.9 million. The event was organised by the District Chamber of Commerce, Lahan. Information about the details of the event transactions was shared through a press meet on Sunday. The net profit from the event is Rs 1,079,656 while the organisers contributed Rs 872,564 as revenue to the government. As part of their social responsibility policy, fifteen percent of the profit was allocated to procuring relief materials for the fire victims in Saptari. The remaining funds will also be spent in social sectors, according to Chamber President Bikash Sarada. Source: National News Agency RSS

DHAKA, Bangladesh and Canada have expressed mutual commitment to transforming the existing excellent Bangladesh-Canada bilateral relations to comprehensive partnership. The two friendly countries are keen to advance bilateral trade, investment, educational cooperation, technological innovation, migration and mobility, climate change, cyber security, maritime security, and cooperation on regional and international issues of mutual interest and concerns in this regards. These were observed when Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen held a meeting with visiting Canadian Deputy Minister of International Development Christopher MacLennan on Sunday afternoon at the foreign ministry here, said a press release today. At the meeting, they also expressed eagerness to explore cooperation under the Bangladesh's Outlook and Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy. The Foreign Secretary highly appreciated Canada's development cooperation to Bangladesh over the years since 1971 and highlighted the progression of the Bangladesh-Cana da relations beyond the traditional development cooperation-driven relationship to robust trade partnership over the last decades. As Bangladesh will graduate from the LDC status by 2026, the Foreign Secretary suggested that Canada may take advantage of Bangladesh's strategic location and economic infrastructure coupled with enabling policies to boost trade and investment between the two countries. Canadian Deputy Minister highly appreciated Bangladesh's economic progress over the last one and a half decade and expressed Canada's eagerness to adopt a more mature approach in leveraging development assistance to Bangladesh. He indicated that Bangladesh's graduation from the LDC status will facilitate robust economic partnership between the two friendly countries. The Canadian Deputy Minister appreciated Bangladesh for hosting the forcibly displaced Rohingyas. The Foreign Secretary expressed concern over the ongoing situation in Myanmar, which has hindered the Rohingya repatriation. He thanked Canadian gov ernment for its humanitarian support to the Rohingyas, temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh and its political support towards resolving the Rohingya crisis. High Commissioner for Canada in Bangladesh Her Excellency Lilly Nicholls and Bangladesh foreign ministry's acting Director General (Americas) Kazi Russel Pervez, among others, were also present at the meeting. Christopher MacLennan, Deputy Minister of International Development of Canada, is on a 3-day maiden official visit to Bangladesh. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The Himalayan Literature Festival has kicked off in Thamel, a major tourist destination of the federal capital from today. A two-day literature festival has started at Kathmandu Guest House in Thamel. The festival is jointly organized by the New York Writers Workshop and White Lotus Book Shop Lalitpur. The festival was jointly inaugurated amidst a function today by Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Bhagwati Chaudhary and British Ambassador to Nepal Rob Fenn. Addressing the event, Minister Chaudhary said that the festival will play an important role as a bridge to connect Nepali literature with world literature. She noted that discussions on contribution of poet and dramatist Gopal Prasad Rimal in such literature festival was a matter of pride for Nepali literature. Minister Chaudhary urged the writers to highlight the world's environmental protection, climate change, issues of women, children and senior citizens, and promotion of tourism through literature and arts. Similarly, the British A mbassador Fenn mentioned that such programme plays an important role in connecting world literature to Nepali literature. On the occasion, ambassador Fenn also recited his poetry. Founder of White Lotus Book Shop, Yuyutsu RD Sharma, informed that in the festival, which will be conducted till Tuesday, there will be group discussions, poetry recitations, book releases, and drama performances. The programme will be divided into three separate thematic sessions. On the occasion, 'Chamero: Corona Kavita' (Poems on COVID-19 Pandemic) penned by Shyam Rimal will be released. Writers and poets from Nepal, Panama, Greece, Britain, America, Hong Kong, India, Philippines, South Africa and other countries will present their writings in the festival. According to organizer, more than 35 writers from five continents are participating in the festival. Source: National News Agency RSS

DHAKA, After losing house caused by erosion of the Kangsha river, Sahera Banu Sarkar had been living in temporary shelters for nearly two decades. But she had a dream to be the owner of a house that she could not fulfill. At last the governments come forward to accomplish her dream by providing her a brick-built house that apparently brought joy and happiness to her and her family. Speaking from the house provided by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government, Sahera Banu, a sixty-year-old resident of Charpara village under Raipur union of Barhatta upazila in Netrokona district, shared her story. Following the sudden death of her husband in 1999, Sahera, left with two daughters to care for, struggled to make ends meet by doing odd jobs in the village. Despite the challenges, she managed to marry off her daughters with the help of locals. In 2021, she was blessed with a fully furnished house under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Ashrayan-2 project, bringing immense happiness to her life. Sahera expressed he r gratitude, amazed by the unexpected turn of events, "I never imagined I would have a brick-built house of my own in this lifetime. Thanks to Allah's mercy, Sheikh Hasina provided us with a home." Visiting Sahera's residence showcased her contentment as she now lives comfortably with her daughter and granddaughter in a house equipped with two rooms, a kitchen, a toilet and a front balcony, complete with sewerage and electricity. Her granddaughter, Azmina, is happily attending school. "I have a home now. Moreover, I receive the full widow's allowance on my mobile phone. I pray for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's well-being," Sahera expressed gratefully. Sahera is not the only one benefitting from this initiative. Samela Rani, the wife of the late Shuklal Ravidas, and four other victims of river erosion in Charpara village have also received government-provided houses, marking a significant improvement in their lives. Local resident Golam Mustafa praised the government's efforts, stating, "This initiative i s truly commendable. Those who once lived in others' homes are now dreaming of a brighter future in their new government-provided houses." Chairman Atiqur Rahman Raju of No. 7 Raipur Union informed, "We have allocated around 30 houses in various villages within the union." The district administration distributed semi-brick-built houses and land to 925 vulnerable families across ten upazilas, including Haor areas in Netrokona district. These houses and land deeds were distributed as part of a project costing Taka 1.90 lakh each, initiated by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Deputy Commissioner Md. Shahed Parvez mentioned efforts to build houses with land in some areas and construct homes for those in need. Moreover, the district is focusing on poverty alleviation through housing support and livelihood opportunities for marginalized communities. The distribution of houses prioritizes vulnerable groups like the physically challenged, widows an d individuals in need. In villages like Barhatta, Atpara, Khaliajuri, Purbadhala and Mohanganj, residents of government-provided homes engage in various occupations such as rickshaw driving, household work, small-scale trading, fishing, goat and poultry farming and vegetable cultivation, showcasing a newfound sense of stability and self-reliance. Bilkis Begum from Baragaon village, residing in one of the government shelters, expressed gratitude, "As poor people, we never thought we would have our own kitchen. I thank Allah for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina." Kajli Begum, a resident of the Ashrayan project in Narayandohar village, shared her joy, "We were once homeless, but now we have a place to call our own. I am truly happy." Highlighting the government's commitment to ensuring every citizen has a home, the DC emphasized the various welfare initiatives aimed at uplifting rural marginalized communities. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Fifteen public enterprises including the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) have been operating at a loss for a couple of years or more. This has been stated in an annual review report of the status of public enterprises presented in the parliament on Sunday. The review report shows that of 44 public enterprises that were in existence till the fiscal year 2079-80 BS (2022-23), 26 were at a profit, 15 were at a loss, and the business transactions of three organizations were nil. According to the report, in the fiscal year 2079-80 BS (2022-23), the NAC incurred the highest loss among all public enterprises, and this trend was followed by Nepal Water Supply Corporation, Daily Development Corporation (DDC), Udaypur Cement Industry Ltd, and the Nepal Television. During the last fiscal year, NAC's net loss amounted to over Rs 650 million while the accumulated loss of the corporation exceeded Rs 16 billion. The NAC has been continuously operating at a loss since the fiscal year 2076/77 (2019-20). "Altho ugh the net loss of NAC last fiscal year reduced compared to the fiscal year 2078/79 (2021-22), the financial status of the organization is not satisfactory," the report states. Challenges in the payment of loans and interests, high administrative expenditures, low business, delayed flights, and the lack of the effective implementation of a corporate plan are cited as reasons behind the NAC facing continued loss. Nepal Water Supply Corporation and Nepal Television have been at a net loss since the fiscal year 2075-76 BS while the Udaypur Cement Industry continues to report a loss since the fiscal year 2076-77 BS (2019-20) and DCC since the fiscal year 2077-78 BS (2020-21). Last year, the Water Supply Corporation incurred a net loss of over Rs 546 million, and the accumulated loss amounted to Rs three billion 30 million. The net loss reported by DDC is over Rs 484 million while the accumulated loss is Rs one billion 850 million Udaypur cement incurred a loss of over Rs 362 billion and the accumulated loss amounted to Rs five billion Rs 788 million. Hetauda Cement incurred a loss of Rs 254 million and the accumulated loss amounted to Rs one billion 158 million while Nepal Aushadhi (Drugs) Limited suffered a loss of Rs 155 million and the company's accumulated loss amounted to Rs two billion 135 million. Nepal Orind Magnesite Pvt reported a net loss of Rs 165 million and the accumulated loss was Rs five billion 37 million. Similarly, Butwal Spinning Mill had a net loss of 34.03 million, with an accumulated loss of Rs two billion 1.2 million. When Food Management and Trading Company Limited earned a net profit of Rs 129. 02 million in the given time, its accumulated loss so far has amounted to Rs 782.02 million. Although Nepal Oil Corporation Limited is one of the institutions reporting the highest net profits, it still incurs an accumulated loss of Rs four billion 850 million. When Nepal Ban Nigam Limited incurred a net loss of Rs 74.03 million, it presented the accumulated profits of Rs 70 million. The Nat ional Productivity and Economic Development Center Limited incurred a net loss of Rs 4.33 million while the accumulated loss was worth Rs 112.09 million. Nepal Railway Company Limited presented a net loss of Rs 199.06 million, with an accumulated loss of Rs 559.06 million, while the Cultural Corporation incurred a net loss of Rs 14.08 million with an accumulated loss of Rs 284.02 million. Although Janak Education Materials Center Limited made a net profit of Rs 193.06 million last fiscal year, it still had an accumulated loss of Rs one billion 198.07 million. Nepal Television had incurred a net loss of Rs 351.02 million with an accumulated loss of Rs two billion 408 million. National Housing Company Limited was operating with a net loss of Rs 10.04 million and an accumulated loss of Rs 118.05 million last fiscal year. Source: National News Agency RSS

DHAKA, Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of former Awami League president of Companiganj upazila in Sylhet district, freedom fighter Mohammad Nurul. In a condolence message, Quader prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family. Nurul passed away at his residence in Sylhet on Monday night. He was 74. He left behind his wife, 2 sons, 2 daughters, and a host of relatives, colleagues and well-wishers to mourn his death. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A marauding gang of looters plundered Dolphu village of Mugum Karmarong rural municipality-1 in Mugu district, taking advantage of the absence of villagers on Saturday. The villagers had left their homes for combing highland meadows in search of precious herb, yarshagumba. The armed looters ransacked houses and made away with cashes, jewelries and other goods, according to Chairman of Karmarong rural municipality, Chhiring Kyapne Lama. "There were only elderly and children in the village in which the armed gang took advantage of. Of 50 houses, the gang plundered assets from 23 houses," he informed, adding that even a priest at a shrine was beaten by the gang. The gang did not spare even the dogs guarding the houses. Meanwhile, Chief District Officer Topendra KC informed that a police team was deputed from Pulu police post, a five-hour trek from the village, immediately after receiving the information. Mugum Karmarong-1 Chairman Tunduk Lama had informed police about the looting spree. The assailants had come with guns, scimitars and khukuris. Jewelries, ancient pots, medicinal herbs, and clothes were looted by them, he added. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Birendra Thapa, informed that the incident site had no access to communications, so it was difficult to contact with police persons mobilized there. Ward no 1, 3 and 4 of Mugum Karmarong rural municipality fall in the Tse Phoksundo National Park. After the local level gave permission to collect yarshagumba for this season, the locals had left villages since May 23. Source: National News Agency RSS

At a time when the advocacy has been continued for quite a while, seeking an atmosphere conducive for the industrial development to contribute to national economy, Rupandehi district recorded a grim status last year. In a year (2080/81BS) alone, a total of 207 industries were closed down in the district. Chief of Cottage and Small Industries Office in Rupahendi, Netra Prasad Bhusal, said 207 industries were shut down till the end of Baisakh in the current fiscal year. In the same time last year, this number was 217, he added. Office chief Bhusal reasoned sputtering economy behind the closure of industries in the district. The industrial outputs were on decline. "Not only the closure of industries, but also the registration of new industries was in decline," he said, adding that a total of 1,130 industries were registered in the fiscal year, 2079/80, while the registration dropped to 727 this year. The commerce sector also bears unpromising reality. In the last fiscal year, total 1,304 business firms were registered, which downed to 1,175 this year. The number of business firm closing business last year was 19, which increased to 26 now, according to Bhusal. The economic downturn took a toll especially on production industries, said Thakur Kumar Shrestha, Chair of FNCCI in Rupandehi. "Rupandehi is known as an industrial hub. Here are large industries as well. But, some industries are closed and those in operation are at 30 to 40 percent production capacity." Moreover, 10 cement factories are closed in the district. The business and construction industries are also facing hard times. The government must pay heed to the suggestions the businesspersons furnished. Shrestha underlined the need for addressing private sectors' agenda in the forthcoming budget. Source: National News Agency RSS

A total of 207 small-scale industries have been closed in 10 months of the current fiscal year 2023-24 in Rupandehi district due to economic crisis. According to Netra Prasad Bhusal, chief of Cottage and Small Industries Office, Rupandehi, two hundred and seven industries are closed till April this year. Similarly, 217 industries were closed in last fiscal year in the district. Bhusal shared that the effect of the economic recession was also adversely seen in the district which has directly affected the industry sectors. He said that along with the decrease in production, commercial transactions are also decreasing. Economic recession has also affected in operation of new business as well, Bhusal said. As 1,304 businesses were registered last year, only 1,175 have been registered in the current year. Likewise, the number of business closures was 19 in last fiscal year, while 26 businesses have been closed so far in the current fiscal year, Chief Bhusal informed. According to Thakur Kumar Shrestha, chair man of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rupandehi chapter, manufacturing industries are also badly affected by economic crisis. He said that the situation of business and other construction industries is also critical. He is of the views that the government should implement the suggestions given by the businessmen on time. He emphasized that the issues raised by the private sector should be addressed in the upcoming budget. Source: National News Agency RSS