Day: June 11, 2024

Kathmandu: Nepali Congress leader Dr Sekhar Koirala said time has come for democratic forces to work actively for political stability in the country. Frequent changes in government put country's development in casualty, he said while addressing the 15th memorial day of former vice president of NC and democratic fighter, Shailaja Acharya, on Monday. "Unless we maintain political stability, development eludes the country," he said, urging the democratic forces to mull reality why country is desperately waiting for political stability, economic development and good governance. He remembered the late leader Shailaja Acharya as a bold political figure. NC can restore its image if it works by respecting BP Koirala and Shailaja Acharya, Dr Koirala suggested. On the occasion, leader Dr Sashank Koirala said the late Acharya had played a significant role in nation's development. She was a bold and assertive figure in the party, he added. According to him, the party failed to address the contribution she made to na tional politics. Leader Dr Minendra Rijal recounted the role the late Acharya played to keep Nepali Congress intact. She was able to maintain equal relations with different leaders, he mentioned. It was Shailaja Acharya who truly adhered to BP's ideology, leader Mahesh Acharya said, expressing concern over eroding policy, leadership and morality in NC at present. Moreover, former chief secretary of Nepal government, Dr Bimal Koirala, remembered that Shailaja Acharya was a person with honesty, devotion and integrity. She had forwarded the policy of small hydropower projects when she was the minister for water resources, which, he argued, helped Nepal make a stride in hydropower development. Chairperson of Shailaja Acharya Adarsha Society, Durga Ghimire, underscored the need for spreading the ideal of the late Acharya to ensure clean politics. Source: National News Agency RSS

DHAKA, The Oman government has assured Bangladesh of legalizing 96,000 illegal Bangladeshi workers. State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare, Overseas and Employment Shofiqur Rahman Choudhury told journalists today at his office in the city's Eskaton. '96,000 workers are living illegally in Oman,' said Shofiqur Rahman Choudhury who recently visited Dubai, Oman, and Qatar to discuss the labour market issue. The state minister said the Oman government will charge a penalty for their legalization but Bangladesh has requested them not to charge the penalty. 'The Oman government has assured us of taking more skilled workers from Bangladesh in 12 categories,' he said. He also said that Dubai has already made a demand for 3,000 workers. Of them, 400 workers have already left and 500 workers will leave soon, he added. About the labour market in Malaysia, the state minister said the ministry has already formed a probe committee which has been given five more working days to submit report with explanation on why a large number of workers was not able to go to Malaysia. Around 16,970 migrant workers failed to go to Malaysia within the deadline of May 31 announced by the Malaysian government despite getting BMET clearance. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

JOYPURHAT, A motorcyclist was killed after being hit by a truck on the Joypurhat-Bogura road in Harail area of the district town on Monday night. The deceased was identified as Raihan Hossain, 40, son of Shukur Ali of Rangta village of Amdai union under Sadar upazila of the district. The accident occurred in the area when a speeding truck hit the motorcycle from behind around 8:30pm last night, leaving him seriously injured, officer-in-charge (OC) of Joypurhat Sadar Police Station Humayun Kabir said. Later, locals rescued him and took him to Joypurhat 250-bed General Hospital where he died around 9.30pm while undergoing treatment, he said. A case was filed in this connection, the OC added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury has urged all nations to prioritise climate actions and water sustainability in development agendas. He made the call while addressing the 3rd High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action 'Water for Sustainable Development' held in Dushanbe city of Tajikistan on Sunday evening, according to a message received here today. The conference brought together global leaders and experts to discuss pressing water-related issues and sustainable development goals. Speaking at the conference, Quader said this is time for action to protect the planet's water resources and ensure a sustainable, resilient future for all. He said nations must adopt a holistic approach that integrates climate resilience into water management strategies. "This includes strengthening our scientific understanding, investing in innovative solutions, and fostering collaboration across borders," he added. The environment minister high lighted the critical challenges posed by the ongoing climate crisis, emphasizing the significant impacts of rising emissions and temperatures on the cryosphere. As emissions and temperatures continue to rise, glaciers worldwide are retreating and melting at an alarming rate, he said. Saber Hossain said the challenges facing the cryosphere, including ice-sheets, snow and permafrost, have become existential threats that demand immediate and sustained actions. He underscored the need for integrated actions for water sustainability and climate change, pointing out that the melting of glaciers not only threatens water supplies but also exacerbates sea level rise, affecting millions of people globally. He called for enhanced international cooperation and a robust commitment to climate actions to address these urgent issues. Saber Hossain shared Bangladesh's initiatives and experiences in tackling water and climate challenges. He highlighted the country's efforts in climate adaptation, including the constructi on of resilient infrastructure, promotion of sustainable agriculture and implementation of early warning systems. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

KHULNA, Khulna City Corporation (KCC) authorities have fixed 141 spots in the city for slaughtering sacrificial animals and requested the city dwellers to use those places during the holy Eid-ul-Azha. "As per the direction of the Local Government Division, we are preparing for slaughtering sacrificial animals at all fixed 141 spots under 31 wards in KCC. The list of the spots had already been sent to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) last week, KCC officials told BSS today. While talking to BSS, the Veterinary Officer of KCC, Dr. Peru Gopal Biswas said everyone should sacrifice animals at the 141 designated spots. With a view to execute the initiatives, a total of Taka 6,000 to Taka 6,500 will be distributed among the 31 wards of Khulna City Corporation (KCC), he added. Chief Conservancy Officer Eng. Md. Anisur Rahman said, at least 67 vehicles of KCC will be engaged in removing the garbage of the sacrificial animals before 8:00 pm on Eid day. A total of 16 units of KCC will be deployed to remove animal s' garbage and each unit will work for each ward, he said adding that KCC will provide 4,000 kg bleaching powder 400 litre savlon for cleaning. "A campaign will be carried out from three days ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha to raise awareness so that people feel encouraged to slaughter their sacrificial animals at the places fixed by the city corporation authorities," he said. The designated slaughtering grounds will have butchers, cleaning staff as well as an 'Imam' to conduct the slaughtering of sacrificial animals on Eid day. KCC staff will be deployed for two days from Eid ul Azha to clean animals' garbage to ensure an environment-friendly atmosphere in the city. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, A total of 96,928 women will be given Taka 20,000 each under Investment Component for Vulnerable Group Development (ICVGD) project undertaken by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA) and World Food Programme (WFP). State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Simeen Hussain Rimi today inaugurated the cheques distribution programme organized by MoWCA at a function at Shishu Academy auditorium here. Under the project a total of Taka 193.85 crore would be distributed among women of 64 upazilas of 64 districts to boost up their income generation activities or running their business, said a release here. The ministry is implementing the 'Vulnerable Women Benefit Programme' aimed at enhancing women's role in country's GDP. Addressing the occasion Simeen Hussain Rimi said the government support for development of livelihood of womenfolk would continue. WFP Bangladesh country director Dom Scalpelli, MoWCA secretary Nazma Mobarak and Department of Women Affairs DG Keya Khan, among others, we re present. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

MANIKGANJ, The government allocated 858.70 tonnes of rice under Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme among 85,870 poor and distressed families of the district. Under the programme, 14,628 families in Manikganj Sadar, 16,285 families in Singair, 14,582 families in Daulatpur, 8,286 families in Saturia, 9,956 families in Shibalaya, 7,468 families in Harirampur and 6,963 families in Ghior upazila and 4,621 families in Manikganj Municipality and 3,081 families in Singair Municipality are getting the rice for celebrating the holy Eid - ul- Azha. District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO, incharge) Md Shamsuzzaman Asif told BSS that each of the family is getting 10 kgs of rice. The distribution is carried out according to the list made by ward level committees which was approved by the upazila authorities, he said, adding that the respective authorities were asked to distribute VGF rice completed before the holy Eid. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

SANGSAD BHABAN, Terming the proposed national budget as realistic and pro-people, the treasury, opposition benches, and independent lawmakers today said this budget would help remove the ongoing economic uncertainty and crisis, apart from containing inflation. Taking part in the general discussion on the proposed national budget for 2024-25 fiscal at the Jatiya Sangsad here, the lawmakers said the budget will gradually bring the country's economy back to the path of dynamic economic growth that existed before the Corona pandemic and the ongoing wars in the world. The budget will contain inflation within 6.5 percent in the next fiscal year (FY25) with the help of the policies and strategies adopted by the government, they hoped. The lawmakers said that the government successfully managed the adverse impact of COVID-19 on the economy. However, the geopolitical instability of the world has created fresh risks for Bangladesh. They also said that the budget was placed with a prime focus on maintaining econom ic stability and augmenting steps to materialise the government's "Smart Bangladesh" vision. Earlier, on June 6, Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali placed the Tk. 7,97,000 crore national budget for the next fiscal year (FY25) at Jatiya Sangsad (JS) amid the growing challenges of containing inflation, maintaining a sound foreign currency reserve, maintaining a stable exchange rate, and generating more revenues. He placed the country's 53rd budget and the 25th of the Awami League (AL) government in six terms. This budget is also the 21st under the rule of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in different terms. Treasury bench members SM Kamal Hossain, Naimuzzaman Bhuiyan, Habibun Nahar, Md Towhiduzzaman, Abu Zahir, Ashrafun Nesa, Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Mahbubur Rahman, Kazi Keramat Ali, Md Mostafa Kamal, Nilufar Anjum Popy, HM Ibrahim, Abul Kalam Azad, Nadira Binte Amin, Noor Mohammad, and independent member Hamidul Haque Khandkar took part in the general discussion on the proposed national budget. Earli er, they paid their cordial tribute to the memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders, martyred freedom fighters, and also those who made their utmost sacrifices during the War of Liberation and all subsequent democratic movements in the country. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, The government has named Chief of General Staff (CGS) Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman as the new Chief of Army Staff. "Chief of General Staff (CGS) Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman, OSP,SGP,PSC, has been promoted to general post and appointed as the Chief of Army Staff for three years from afternoon of June 23," said a gazette notification of Defence Ministry today. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

NILPHAMARI, A total of 50 new luggage vans will be included in train service to transport agricultural and other goods smoothly in different parts of the country. Sheikh Hasanuzzaman, acting divisional supervisor of Syedpur Railway Factory, said that 28 luggage vans have been handed over to the traffic department from Syedpur railway factory after scrutiny while remaining 22 will be transferred quickly before the holy Eid. If these vans are added to various intercity trains, the revenue and the quality of passenger service will increase, he hoped. To make comfortable the journey of the holiday makers, he said, a total of 72 old passenger-coaches, including 59 broad gauge and 13 meter gauge ones, are under repair. After repairing and testing, these coaches will be handed over to the traffic department before Eid, he added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader left Dhaka for Singapore this morning as part of routine health check- up. Quader also General Secretary of the ruling Awami League (AL) left the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:00 am boarding on a flight (BG0584) of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines, said an official release here. The minister is expected to return home soon after necessary health check-up at Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, A Dhaka court today scrapped the plea for bail by accused Silisti Rahman in a case lodged over the abduction and murder of Awami League lawmaker of Jenaidah-4 Anwarul Azim Anar in Kolkata, India. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Torikul Islam passed the order as counsel of Silisti pleaded for her bail. The court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Tahmina Haque on June 10 had turned down bail pleas of another two accused Shimul Bhuiyan and Tanvir Bhuiyan. Earlier separate courts showed Shimul, Tanvir, and Silisti Rahman arrested in the case and placed them on a total 13-day remand each on two terms. The three have already given confessional statements in the case. The victim's daughter Mumtarin Ferdous Dorin filed the case on May 22 with the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station. Anwarul, a three-time MP and also president of Kaliganj upazila unit Awami League, went to India on May 12 on a personal visit to receive treatment. He went missing on May 13 after leaving the flat in Kolkata's Borah Na gar area. According to the Kolkata police sources, Anwarul was taken to a flat in New Town in Kolkata, where he was believed to be strangled to death and his body was cut into pieces. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha