Day: June 26, 2024

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested an alleged drug peddler from Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila on Tuesday evening. The arrested person was Md. Alamgir, 45, a resident of Chandpur village under Charbagdanga union of the upazila. On a tip-off, an operation team of RAB-5 conducted a raid in the house of Alamgir around 6.30 pm and recovered the heroin after searching his house, a RAB official said. Later, the team arrested Alamgir. A case was filed with Sadar Police Station in this connection. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The government has appointed Andalib Elias as the next High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. He will be replacing Ambassador Tareq Md Ariful Islam in this capacity, a press release said here today. Elias, who is a career diplomat belonging to the 20th batch of Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS)- Foreign Affairs cadre, joined the service in 2001. Currently, he is serving as the Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Kolkata, India. In his diplomatic career, he has served in both Permanent Missions of Bangladesh to the UN in Geneva and New York as well as in Bangladesh Missions in Manila and Brussels in different capacities. At the headquarters, Elias held several important positions such as Director General of Multilateral Economic Affairs Wing as well as of West Europe and European Union Wing. He also had served as Director at the Foreign Minister's Office. Elias was Chair of the LDC Group in Geneva and New York, and worked as Chief Negotiator of the Group of 77 on economic and financial issues on several occ asions. He obtained his MSS in Economics from the Dhaka University and he also completed several professional training courses at home and abroad. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

This is the season for jackfruits and Gazipur is the hub of the national fruit of the country. Garden owners are collecting jackfruits in the morning from their trees and bringing those fruits to the local bazar loading van and pickup. Hundreds of people are involved in collecting and sailing jackfruits in Sreepur upazila. Well infrastructures help garden owners and wholesalers to do their business well. Jackfruits in the highland are well-known to the countrymen. Hundreds of thousands jackfruits are sold every day in the bazar of the district. There have been set up temporary bazar for jackfruits everywhere in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur. The largest jackfruit's bazar is been set at Joina bazar in Sreepur. The national fruits are sold at the Hat from morning to evening. Wholesalers come to the Hat from different parts of the country and bring the jackfruits to their destination including capital Dhaka. There is also jackfruit bazar at Kapasia, Amraid, Bormi, MC Bazar, Nayonpur, Bagher Bazar, Rajabari, B aniarchala and Bhabanipur in the district. Nurul Haque Bablu, a garden owner in Sreepur upazila has 70 jackfruits trees in his garden. He is happy for bumper production and fair prices of the fruit. Nuru Mia, a wholesaler from Saver said the demand of this fruit is high this time. For this reason garden owners are getting fair prices, he added. Agriculture Officer of Sreepur upazila Sumaiya Sultana said 60,000 tonnes of jackfruits will be produced this year. 'We are inspiring people to cultivate jackfruits as it is good for health' she added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Experts at a workshop today laid emphasis on developing the crop sector investment plan to face climate change challenges as Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries affected by global warming. They said extreme weather events like heatwave, flooding and salinity intrusion have been affecting crop production in Bangladesh and that is why climate risks should be considered in preparing investment plan in the crop sector. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO),in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture, organised the validation workshop on the Priority Investment Plan-Crop Sector (PIP-CS:2024-2030) at BARC conference room in Farmgate here. Agriculture Secretary Wahida Akter, FAO Representative in Bangladesh Jiaoqun Shi, former Vice Chancellor of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Prof Dr Md Shahidur Rashid Bhuiyan, former Secretary and Chairman of Bangladesh Krishi Bank Md Nasiruzzaman, Additional Secretary of the agriculture ministry Dr Maloy Chowdhury and Director General of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) Dr Md Shahjahan Kabir, among others, spoke at the workshop with Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) Dr Shaikh Mohammad Bokhtiar in the chair. FAO's PIP technical team lead Bhaskar Goswami made a thematic presentation on the key areas of the Priority Investment Plan-Crop Sector (PIP-CS). Speaking as the chief guest, Wahida Akter said: "We have been working together with FAO towards transforming the crop sector in Bangladesh to achieve the national development goals in implementation of the National Agricultural Policy." Stressing the need for minimising crop loss, she said if the crop loss is reduced, the country's food security will be enhanced. Citing the data of Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Nasiruzzaman said the country's temperature has increased 1.5 degree Celsius on average in the last 50 years. Mentioning that heatwave is significantly affecting the country's agriculture, he said crop production has declined by 20-30 percent in north- western region of Bangladesh due to temperature rise, pointing out that a vast area of arable land remained fallow there due to scarcity of water. Jiaoqun Shi, FAO Representative in Bangladesh, said: "FAO is happy to support the preparation of Priority Investment Plan for the crop sector, providing technical assistance under FAO's flagship Hand-in-Hand Initiative." The workshop brought together multiple stakeholders including private sector, development partners, government, researcher, academia and civil society organisations, while key areas for potential investment in the crop sector were presented. FAO is providing technical support to the government of Bangladesh in developing the Priority Investment Plan in the Crop Sector (PIP-CS) to identify potential investment areas and providing a platform under its Hand- in-Hand Initiative to bring together stakeholders to mobilise funding for an economically diversified and sustainable agricult ure. The PIP-CS was drafted in collaboration with a technical team set up by the Ministry of Agriculture comprising experts from relevant ministries, agencies, academia, and the private sector. In preparation of this validation workshop, about 700 local stakeholders from the private sector, civil society, researcher, non-state actor and academia participated in regional consultations conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with FAO in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Barisal, Cumilla, Jashore, and Mymensingh in July and September 2022. These consultations identified four priority investment areas: agro- processing, value addition and marketing; specialised, multipurpose cold storage, post-harvest management, supply chain management; irrigation and water management; and climate smart agriculture. By prioritising these actions, the government of Bangladesh aims towards enhancing farmers' income, protecting consumer's health and the environment, enhancing growth in its agricultural sector and th ereby contributes towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Bangladesh should consider framing a legal framework with India for joint protection of shared GI (geographical identification) products, said the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) today. The leading think-tank came up with the suggestion after Sundarbans' honey was displayed as a GI product of India. The information came to light through a tweet by the West Bengal Forest Department on May 16. CPD said West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Limited applied for GI rights for Sundarbans honey on July 12, 2021, and the GI tag was issued on January 2, 2024. 'GI products are a grand asset of our country. In order to integrate the resources into the modern economy, these products need to be protected. A legal framework needs to be created with neighboring India for joint protection of shared GI,' said Debapriya Bhattacharya, distinguished fellow of the CPD, at a press conference at its Dhanmondi office here. Large part of Sundarbans territory lies within Bangladesh but Sundarbans' honey was displayed as a GI product of India which is really a matter of concern for Bangladesh side, he added. Debapriya Bhattacharya said Bangladesh is the primary extractor of Sundarbans' honey and about 200-300 tonnes of honey is extracted from the forest annually, although there is no official record about the amount of collected honey. Bangladesh's Department of Patent, Designs and Trademark (DPDT) has listed 31 GI products as of April 30, 2024. This list does not include the Sundarbans' honey. However, the district administration of Bagerhat filed an application for the GI tag of Sundarbans honey on August 7, 2017, and there has been no development since then, the CPD said. CPD urged the government to join the European Union's Regional Agreement and the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement, 2015. Once both Bangladesh and India sign up for the Geneva Act, discussions can be initiated on submitting joint applications under the law for all trans-border GIs, it added. The GI is a name or sign used on some particular products to ce rtify that they possess certain qualities enabled by the environment, weather and culture of a country. This facilitates branding highlights traditions and reputations in the global market and creates a separate demand for the product. CPD Executive Director Fahmida Khatun, its distinguished fellow Professor Mustafizur Rahman and Programme Associate Naima Jahan Trisha also spoke at the event. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The International Mother Language Institute (Amendment) bill, 2024 was placed in the parliament today, aiming to make the International Mother Language Institute more functional. Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury placed the bill before the House with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in chair. The bill was sent to the respective ministry for further scrutiny. The committee was asked to submit its report within the next 30 days. While placing the bill, the education minister said it would amend the existing law, which was enacted in 2019. He said the proposed bill was formed in line with the agreement signed between the government and UNESCO in 2016. As per the agreement, the member secretary of the institute's board of directors will be the director of the institute. Currently, the director-general is the head and member secretary of the board of directors, which creates a conflict of interest, according to the proposal. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: A total of 44 incidents of natural disaster occurred in the past 24 hours across the country. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, (NDRRMA) 14 people have been confirmed dead and two are missing in such disastrous incidents. Authority's Spokesperson under-secretary Dr. Dijan Bhattarai informed that 10 people sustained injuries in these incidents and property worth over Rs 1.9 million has been destroyed. He informed that roads were blocked in 10 different areas and 14 cattle were killed. According to the information received from the authority this evening, eight people died and five injured in the landslide; five died and three injured in lightning and one died and two went missing in the floods. Bhattarai said that two people who were injured in the landslide in Sernathumki, Chisangkhugadhi rural municipality of Okhaldhunga were rescued via helicopter and brought to Kathmandu for further treatment. According to the authority, Okhaldhunga, Sankhuwasabha, S unsari, Udayapur, Ilam, Dhankuta, Lamjung, Kaski, Morang, Jhapa, Rolpa, Dailekh and Baglung were badly affected by the disaster today. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun said here today that police are giving service to the people round the clock with professionalism and utmost sincerity. 'We have taken various initiatives to make smart police for ensuring 'Smart Bangladesh' by 2041 as dreamt by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,' he said, inaugurating different projects of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) in the city as chief guest. The projects inaugurated by the IGP are office dormitories for cops at Khalishpur, six-storey building of Boyra police outpost, multipurpose shade of police lines, four-storey building for arms and ammunitions preservation depot and 600-kw power sub- station. The police chief inaugurated all projects by unveiling stones followed by munajat. Admiring Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's role and investment for the law enforcement agencies, he said the country's cops are also giving the return by serving the people, he said. The chief guest said police will achieve people's confidence and love by giving service with utmost honesty and sincerity. 'Police are now capable of facing any challenge to keep the country's law and order situation stable as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has increased logistic and necessary manpower supports for them and arranged training facilities at home and abroad. The IGP also planted an Amloki sapling on Boyra Police Lines premises of KMP. KMP commissioner Md Mozammel Haque, DIG of Khulna (Commandant) Md Nisharul Arif, Khulna Range DIG Moinul Haque, additional police commissioners Sarder rakibul Islam, Taslima Khatun superintendent of police of Khulna Md Sayedur Rahman, among others, were present. Later, the IGP joined a view exchange meeting with cops at KMP headquarter in the city. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: 'E-gate pass' system will be introduced for entering the main administrative hub of the country, Singha Durbar from July 16 onwards. Joint Secretary and Spokesperson of the Home Ministry Narayan Prasad Bhattarai informed the secretary-level meeting held on June 20 decided to cancel all temporary passes issued by the ministries. It is shared the Home Ministry will make necessary coordination to introduce the new entrance system. Spokesperson Bhattarai shared with the implementation of the new entry system, records of the visitors would be managed properly. Informing that the temporary passes issued by the ministries were found misused, now they are about to be cancelled, spokesperson Bhattarai said. The new entrance pass with QR codes will be used, he added According to the ministry, visitors should go to 'Singha Durbar Pass' website, create an account, enter an user ID and password, request it to online and fill up basic details to obtain gate pass. Source: National News Agency Nepal

A divisional level workshop on Prime Minister Education Assistance Trust was held here today aimed at infusing dynamism into its implementation activities. Integrated Stipend Scheme of the trust organized the workshop at Rajshahi College auditorium discussing and devising ways and means on how to expedite the disbursement of the stipend. Commissioner of Rajshahi division Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir addressed the workshop as chief guest, while Director of the trust Farhad Siddique was in the chair. Director of the scheme Muhammad Asabul Haque, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi Mohinul Hassan, Regional Director of the Department of Secondary and Higher Education Prof Biswajit Banerjee and Principal of Rajshahi College Prof Abdul Khaleque also spoke. The meeting was told that the Prime Minister's Education Assistance Trust has been giving stipends to some 5.4 million underprivileged and meritorious students in the secondary level through Nagad, a leading mobile financial service provider in Bang ladesh, with a view to ensuring their enrolments in schools. Under the stipend disbursement programme, students from classes 6 to 10 are getting Taka 5,000 each in one-time assistance. Every year, underprivileged and meritorious students at the secondary, higher secondary and graduate levels have been provided one-time assistance. In his remarks, Dr Dewan Humayun Kabir said the National Parliament passed the 'Prime Minister's Education Assistance Trust Bill' in 2012, with an aim to ensure the education of poor and talented students who are deprived of education opportunities due to lack of money. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is the chairperson of the five-member advisory council of the Education Assistance Trust. The other four members are the finance minister, the planning minister, the education minister and the primary and mass education minister. The overall activities of the trust are run by a 26-member Board of Trustees. The trust launched an admission assistance service from the 2014-15 financial year, for admission of poor and meritorious students to educational institutions, providing Taka 5 thousand for each secondary level student, Taka 8 thousand for higher secondary level and Taka 10 thousand for graduate and equivalent level. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: A team led by human rights activist Rubi Khan has returned home after signing a deal with the government. The 16-member team comprising Khan had been protesting at Maitighar Madala, putting forth different demands including justice to Nirmala Kurmi and Sumadrani Tharu of Banke, who were killed in mysterious incidents. The agitating side and government signed the five-point pact on June 24 after having discussion at the directive of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rab Lamichhane. Also the chairperson of Women's Rights Forum, Khan, said, "Agreement was signed with the government for the fourth time. The agreement signed for the third time has not been fully implemented. We returned home with a belief that the government will dispense justice to the victims this time. We are fully confident that the situation to launch agitation will not repeat again". Source: National News Agency Nepal

The authorities of Dhaka University (DU) today announced a proposed budget of Taka 9.45 billion for the fiscal year 2024-25 which was Taka 9.13 billion in the current fiscal year. In the proposed budget, allocation for research has been increased by Taka 5 crore from last year totalling total research allocation to Taka 20 crore which is 2.12 percent of the total budget, according to the budget. DU treasurer Md Mamtaj Uddin Ahmed placed the new budget for approval in the annual session of the university senate with vice-chancellor Prof Dr ASM Maksud Kamal in the chair at the Sir Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban this afternoon. Like the previous years, a big chunk of the budget will be spent for salary and allowances of teachers and officials-employees of the university. Of the total amount, 31.65 percent has been allocated for salary, 23.12 percent for allowances, 23.33 percent for supply and service expenses, 11.95 percent for pension and retirement benefits, 2.12 percent for research g rants, 2.94 percent for capital grants, 3.68 percent for other grants, 0.21 for other capital grants, 0.18 percent for transport, 0.45 percent for ICT logistics, 0.29 percent for special facilities for retirement allowance beneficiaries and the lowest 0.08 percent for health. Altogether 85.11 percent of the budget that is about Taka 804.41 crore has been sanctioned by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and 9.52 percent or Taka 90 crore will come from the university's internal sources while the rest Taka 74.45 crore or 5.37 percent has been showed as the deficit. DU Pro-VC (education) Dr Sitesh Chandra Bachar, Pro-VC (Admin) Dr Mohammad Samad, Proctor Dr Masudur Rahman and senate members, among others, were present on the occasion. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha