Day: June 23, 2024

Kathmandu: Heavy rain is likely in some places of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini this afternoon and night. According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, currently there is influence of Monsoon system in most parts of Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces and eastern part of Lumbini province and partial influence of local and westerly winds in the rest of the country. The weather at present is generally cloudy with some places in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini experiencing light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning. Later this afternoon, the weather will be partly to mostly cloudy across the country with a possibility of light to moderate rain in some places of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces as well as some places in the rest of the country. There is also possibility of heavy rain at one or two places in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini. Similarly, tonight the weather will remain partly cloudy to mostly clear in hilly parts of the country including Kos hi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini. There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning at some places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces as well as at some places of Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces. In the next 24 hours, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning in some places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces as well as in some places of Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces. Source: National News Agency RSS

Deputy Speaker Shamsul Hoque Tuku adjourned the House at 8.40pm today. The House proceedings will resume at 5.00 pm on June 24 (Monday). Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Bangladesh Awami League (AL) and its front and associate organisations today celebrated its 75th founding anniversary with the call for taking the country furthermore forward through strengthening the hands of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. To mark the day, the Rajshahi city unit of the party paid glowing tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths on his portrait and four national leaders in front of the party's local office. In addition to hoisting national and party flags and cutting cake, they also held a discussion at the party office highlighting the significance of the day. With city unit president Kamal Hossain in the chair, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Nur Kutub Alam Mannan, Nawsher Ali, Dr Tabibur Rahman Sheikh, Mustaque Hossain, Advocate Aslam Sarker, Moniruzzaman Khan and Abdul Momin. The speakers unanimously viewed that Awami League is not only the oldest and largest political party of the country but also an incarnation of the mainstre am democracy and secular ideologies. They added that the present government has been working relentlessly to improve the living and livelihood conditions of the public in general through implementing need-based programmes. The meeting also called upon the party leaders and workers to be united for further strengthening the hands of Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina to take the nation forward successfully. Rajshahi University (RU) administration also celebrated the day in a befitting manner. Marking the day, Pro-vice-chancellors Prof Sultan-Ul-Islam and Prof Humayun Kabir and Treasurer Prof Obayedur Rahman Pramanik and scores of teachers, students and staff brought out a rally on the campus. They also placed wreaths on the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman paying rich tribute to him. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Treasury bench lawmakers today said BNP had implemented 70 percent of its budgets while the ruling Awami League implemented over 87 percent during their fifteen years tenure. Taking part in the general discussion on the national budget for 2024-25 fiscal at the Jatiya Sangsad here, the lawmakers said BNP had implemented only 70 percent of its budgets while the ruling Awami League has implemented over 87 percent of its budgets during their last fifteen years tenure. Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on June 6 unveiled a Taka 7,97,000 crore national budget for 2024-25 fiscal setting the GDP growth target at 6.8 percent amid an economic meltdown across the world due to ongoing Ukraine-Russia war and Hamas-Israel-Palestine conflict. "After coming to power in 2001, BNP gave Taka 44,854 crore in 2002 and their last budget was Taka 61,000 crore as BNP increased only Taka 4,000 crore every year during their five years tenure", said Whip Saimum Sarwar Kamal of Cox's Bazar-3. On the other hand, the ruling A wami League started with its budget outlay with Taka 4,00,266 crore, it was Taka4,64,573crore in FY2018-19, Taka 7,61,784crore in FY 2023-24 and Taka 7,97,000 crore in FY 2024-25 fiscal as the budget has been increased by Taka70,000 crore yearly in the last five years, said the Whip. Budget implementation rate during the BNP's five years was only 70 percent while it was over 87 percent during the last five years by the ruling Awami League, he told parliament. "Bangabandhu led the struggle of independence while his daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is marching the country ahead for building a smart Bangladesh", said Amir Hossain Amu of Jhalokati-2. Criticizing the proposed budget, Jatiya Party lawmaker Masud Uddin Chowdhury of Feni-3 said the provision of whitening money by giving 15 percent tax would discourage the genuine tax payers. Terming the proposed as land mark, Zahid Ahsan Russel of Gazipur-2 said, "The proposed budget has emphasized on curbing the price hike of the essentials for the greater benefit of the cross section people." Participating in the discussion, Independent lawmaker Abdul Kader Azad of Faridpur-3 said "The real tax payers is giving upto 30 percent tax why the black money owner give only 15 percent tax to make their money legal". Treasury bench members, M Sohrab Uddin of Kishorganj-2, Meher Afroz Chumki of Women seat-39, Joya Sen Gupta of Sunamganj-2, Independent candidate M SiddiqulAlam of Nilphamari-4, and Jatiya Party lawmaker AKM Mustafizur Rahman of Kurigram-1 took part in the discussion. Earlier, they paid their cordial tributes 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

After Eid holidays, mango trading has gained momentum in different markets of Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and Naogaon districts with the appearance of delicious varieties of the seasonal fruit amid high prices. This year, mango production is comparatively lower due to prolonged heat triggering the market prices that caused economical pains among the consumers in general as a whole. With the mercury rising to unbearable levels, farmers of seasonal fruit were very much worried that the heat may affect the harvest. In spite of the odd situation, the markets famous for mango business including Baneswar, Shaheb Bazar, Haragram, Upashahar, Shalbagan, Rajabari, Godagari, Kansat and Rohanpur have got an eye-catching look at present making the local economy vibrant. The sweetest varieties of mango - like Langra, Khirsapat and Himsagar- are now on the final stage, while the farmers and traders have been harvesting some other varieties following the instruction of local administration. Harvesting of Fazli and Amrapa li has been going on for the last couple of days. Ashwina and BARI Mango-4 varieties will be harvested within the next couple of weeks. Abu Sayeed, a trader at Baneswar Bazar in Puthiya upazila, said all the varieties are being sold at high prices according to size and quality in wholesale markets at present. Many of the small-businessmen are seen selling mango on roadsides or vending at localities on rickshaw-vans and modes of carriers. Currently, most kitchen and vegetable markets have become flooded with the newly harvested mangoes in the region creating traffic congestion, particularly the morning hours. Montu Sarker, lease-holder of Baneswar Bazar, said farmers and traders are seen harvesting mangoes after getting instruction from the district administration this year. That's why mangoes appeared in the markets as Gopalbhog, Himsagar and Langra, Lakhna and some other indigenous varieties have ripened naturally. Abu Forman Ali, 53, a wholesale trader said Langra and Himsagar mangoes are being sold a t Taka 3,500 to 4,500 per mound according to quality, while the native varieties are sold at Taka 3,500 to 4,000. In addition to the market, hat and other growth centres, the mango-based trade and business has changed the rural economic scenario of the region as a whole. "We are selling 30 mounds of mangoes at Taka 3,500 to 4,500 per mound on an average every day," said Jamal Uddin, a mango trader of Shaheb Bazar. Besides, large quantities of mangoes are being sent to other places in the country including capital Dhaka from Rajshahi, Naogaon and Chapainawabganj by passenger-coaches, trains, trucks and private vehicles every day. Meanwhile, trading of mangoes online has gained a peak everywhere in the region benefitting both the sellers and buyers. Business on online platforms has gained popularity to reach the mangoes towards the doorsteps of the buyers amid the pandemic situation. Many of the young entrepreneurs in the region are selling mangoes online after the best uses of facebook and WhatsApp like various social media. With this breakthrough, employment scopes for many people have been generated on one hand and the mango growers are getting fair prices on the other hand. Apart from this, the consumers are getting formalin-free and fresh mango according to their demands timely. Mahmudul Faruque, additional director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), said there are more than 2.65 lakh mango growers and orchard owners in the region comprising Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Natore and Naogaon districts. Around 1.30 lakh people are engaged in various activities related to mango harvesting, segregating, packaging, transporting and marketing. He said 12,07,263 tonnes of mangoes were harvested last season But there is an apprehension of declining mango yield this year. In Chapainawabganj, there are orchards on 37,604 hectares of land with the prediction of yielding 4.5 lakh tonnes of mangoes. In Naogaon, another mango producing district, around 4.32 lakh tonnes of mangoes are expected from 30,3 00 hectares of land. Rajshahi district is expected to yield around 2.60 lakh tonnes of mangoes from 19,602 hectares of land this year. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Netrakona district unit of Awami League (AL) and its front organizations today observed the 75th founding anniversary of AL with a call to steering the nation towards progress and prosperity under the dynamic leadership of prime minister Sheikh Hasina. To mark the founding anniversary, Netrakona district unit of AL and its front organizations took elaborate programs. The programs included hoisting of national and party flags atop of the party office, placing of wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, bringing out a colourful rally in the district town and holding of discussion meeting. As part of the programs, president of the Netrakona district unit of AL Advocate Amirul Islam and general secretary of the AL Netrakona district unit Advocate Shamsur Rahman Liton formally hoisted party and national flags atop of the party office in the morning. Then, former state minister for social welfare and valiant freedom fighter Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru, MP, and front ranking AL leaders paid homage to the Father of the Nation by placing wreaths at his portrait. A colorful rally was brought out in the district town from the party office. The rally after parading the main roads of the town ended at the Netrakona central Shaheed Minar premises. Later, a discussion was held at the Shaheed Minar premises. Chaired by president of Netrakona district unit of AL Advocate Amirul Islam, the meeting was addressed by front ranking AL leaders, including former state minister for social welfare Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru, MP, chairman of Netrakona zila parishad Asit Kumar Sarker Sazal, mayor of Netrakona municipality Nazrul Islam Khan and vice presidents of Netrakona district unit of AL Prasanta Kumar Ray and Nur Khan Mitu. The meeting was conducted by the general secretary of Netrakona district AL. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today paid glowing tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman marking the 75th founding anniversary of the ruling Awami League (AL). She paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum on Dhanmondi-32 at 7 this morning. After laying the wreath, the prime minister stood in solemn silence for some times as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu. Later, flanked by senior party leaders, Sheikh Hasina, also president of the Awami League, paid tributes to Bangabandhu by placing another wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation on behalf of her party. Bangladesh Awami League was formed on this day in 1949, which later emerged as the biggest political party in the country to lead struggles for freedom, the War of Liberation and all democratic movements. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman was adorned with the new rank badge of General in the presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban here this afternoon. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan adorned the Army Chief with the rank badge of General. Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary KM Shakhawat Moon confirmed the matter to BSS. After the ceremony, he said, the premier congratulated the new Army Chief by presenting a bouquet and wished him success. The Army Chief also greeted the Prime Minister by presenting a bouquet and sought her blessing. Prime Minister's Security Affairs Adviser Major General (rtd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Md. Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division, Lieutenant General Mizanur Rahman Shameem, Defense Secretary Md. Ashraf Uddin, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Md Nayeemul Islam Khan, among others, were present. General Wak er-Uz-Zaman replaced former Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed. The new Army Chief has been appointed as the Chief of Army Staff for three years. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The Pokhara Metropolitan City (PMC) has announced the 'Pokhara for all seasons' scheme to attract tourists and boost tourism businesses. The programme will be implemented in partnership with the private sector to lure visitors to the city famed for lakes and enchanting landscapes. Similarly, the PMC is to observe 2025 as the Pokhara Visit Year. Mayor Dhan Raj Acharya shared this information while unveiling the Metropolis's annual policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year 2024/25 on Sunday. The Metropolis will coordinate with federal government, provincial government and private sectors to attract at least 1.5 million tourists in 2025. An action-plan will be devised to implement the Tourism Capital Pokhara Integrated Strategy so that planned development would be forwarded in Pokhara, the provincial capital of Gandaki Province, said Mayor Acharya. Furthermore, 'one ward one special programme' will be conducted to identify the original and specific identities of each 33 wards and to leverage the ir possibilities, he informed. The newly unveiled policies and programmes mentioned that investment meetings/events would be organized to attract and encourage domestic and foreign investments to invest in potential projects by ensuring policy and procedural reforms. Electronic medium will be optimally utilized for the tourism promotion. The destination profile of major tourist spots in the Metropolis would be prepared. Source: National News Agency RSS

Senior politicians leading different political parties have greeted Awami League appreciating its founding principles and historic role, expecting it to adhere to those core values as the party celebrates today the platinum jubilee. 'AL had emerged as a non-communal nationalist party. In different stages, its leaders and activists led Language Movement, nationalist movement, the Liberation War and the movement for autonomy and created a glorious history from the frontline,' Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASOD) President Hasanul Haq Inu told BSS on the occasion. He said under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Awami League leaders and activists established a 'nation state' in independent Bangladesh and presented the countrymen a constitution. 'I wish Awami League to be imbued with the spirit of its past successes. I expect it to keep its due role in the current situation and go ahead. My good wishes for Awami League,' Inu said. Workers Party of Bangladesh President Ra shed Khan Menon said AL was founded in 1949 as a non-communal democratic political party to establish democracy against the autocratic ruling of the then Pakistan's Muslim League. Though it emerged as Awami Muslim League, it was later renamed as Awami League to manifest its non-communal spirit, he added. 'Since the Pakistan period, we witnessed AL waging movements to establish people's democratic rights like right to voting and equity,' Menon said. The left-leaning senior politician said 75 years after it was born Awami League is now leading the nation in the independent country in a new context. 'We expect them (AL) to govern the state based on their commitment, that they made during the party's emergence with the spirit of non-communalism and democracy guiding its path,' Menon said. He, however, said off late a social discrimination is being observed in the country contradicting the Liberation War spirit and the four founding principles of the country which were set in 1971. Jatiya Party (JP) Presiden t Anwar Hossain Manju and Secretary General Sheikh Shahidul Islam issued a joint statement greeting AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and all party leaders, activists and well wishers on the occasion of the ruling party's platinum jubilee. 'AL is one of the oldest organisations in the country. The independent sovereign Bangladesh was born following the country's Liberation War under the leadership of AL led by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,' the statement read. It said all the movements in this country since 1949, especially the Language Movement of 1952, the anti-military rule movement against Ayub Khan in 1958, the six-point movement of 1946, the mass movement of 1962, the mass uprising of 1969 and the great Liberation War of 1971, were organised under the leadership of Awami League. Noting that numerous leaders and activists of AL embraced martyrdom and many of them were jailed and made sacrifices during these movements, the statement said Bangabandhu himself had to suffer 14 years of imprisonment and face death sentence twice. On the occasion of AL's platinum jubilee, they recalled AL founding president Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, AL leader Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy, AL former president Maulana Abdur Rashid Tarkabagish and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 'We wish AL continued success on the occasion of its 75th founding anniversary. We hope that as like in the past, it will lead the nation in the future to build a developed Bangladesh and ensure economic emancipation of the people', they said. General Secretary of Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal Dilip Barua recalled AL's glorious roles in the country's all democratic movements and said AL was intensively involved in the country's all major movements. From the Language Movement to the Liberation War, AL led many historic movements with their all-out efforts,' he said. 'We now expect a non-communal democratic Bangladesh from them (AL),' Barua said. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: National Assembly (NA) Vice-Chairperson Bimala Ghimire has said that the people-to-people relations between Nepal and China have deepened on a solid foundation. Addressing the Sichuan (China) and Nepal Technological Cooperation Promotion Conference on Sunday, the NA Vice-Chairperson said the exchanges of trade, investment, knowledge and skill have provided crucial impetus to the mutually beneficial bilateral relations. Ghimire added that Nepal has expected a remarkable role along with resource management from China for sustainable and balanced development in Nepal adding that China's assistance to Nepal was imperative in Nepal's bid to LDC graduation. On the occasion, the Sichuan Province Committee Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Xie Shaghua said that Nepal and China are true friends to each other. Xie said that the relations between Sichuan and Nepal have advanced steadily and the economic and trade ties have further deepened. "Our cultural excha nges and cooperation have produced positive results," he added. He also expressed the commitment to strengthen relations in Nepal in the areas of science and technology, energy and other sectors. Also speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song said China attaches great importance to its relations with Nepal for being a strategic partner. Ambassador Song said China would continue to share the dividends of scientific and technological development with developing countries including Nepal. Similarly, former Ambassador of Nepal to China Leelaman Paudyal said that China's success in new energy development, agriculture, automobile, data science, manufacturing machine and equipment has become a miracle in the development of efficient technologies. "Nepal is endowed with immense potential to develop renewable energy, high-value agriculture crops, medicinal herbs, data science including artificial intelligence," Paudyal said. Leveraging geographical proximity and the existing multifaceted connec tivity network, Sichuan is highly placed to promote relations between Nepal and China in the areas of tourism, agriculture, investment, digital economy and data science, trade and cultural cooperation where science and technology act as a crosscutting subject matter. Source: National News Agency RSS

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has started a probe into corruption allegations against National Board of Revenue (NBR) official Matiur Rahman. The Commission today formed a three-member body to conduct inquiry into the alleged accumulation of illegal wealth by Matiur Rahman. The probe body comprised of ACC deputy director Md Anwar Hossain (team leader), its assistant director Mahmudul Hasan and deputy assistant director Sabikun Nahar. Taking to reporters at the ACC headquarters here today, ACC Secretary Khorsheda Yasmin said the national anti-graft watchdog on June 4 last decided to launch a probe against NBR member Matiur Rahman for allegedly amassing illegal wealth and siphoning off money. The Commission has already formed the three-member probe body to this end and it has started inquiry too, she said. Matiur, who was the president of the NBR's Customs, Excise and VAT Appellate Tribunal, has been transferred to the Internal Resources Division (IRD) of the Finance Ministry following the recent c ontroversy over his illegal wealth. The graft of Matiur came into limelight after his son Mushfiqur Rahman Ifat posted a photo of a sacrificial goat on social media claiming to have bought it at Taka 12 lakh, which raised questions about the income of the NBR official. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha