Day: June 28, 2024

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent visit to India has created a new horizon to establish an energy connectivity with Nepal and Bhutan via India that can help Bangladesh reduce dependency on fossil fuel. Aaqib Md Shatil, a Research and Communication Consultant at the Sydney Policy and Analysis Centre, wrote an article on the prospect of the Sheikh Hasina's India visit, which was published in the prestigious magazine - The Diplomat - today (June 28, 2024). Following is the full article: Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was in India just a fortnight ago to attend the swearing-in of the Narendra Modi government, was back in New Delhi on June 21-22 on a bilateral state visit, which was the first by a foreign leader after the inauguration of Modi's third term as prime minister. In a press conference at the end of her visit, Hasina described it as "brief but fruitful." The visit appears to have cleared the air in New Delhi regarding speculation about Bangladesh's much-talked-about tilt towards China, supposedly undermining Indian interests in the region. The most notable outcome of the visit was a rail connectivity agreement between the two countries that will allow India to use Bangladesh's rail network to transport goods to its northeast. India has also agreed to extend transit facilities to Nepal and Bhutan for Bangladeshi goods through its railway networks. Bangladesh also has given its approval for India to send its experts to evaluate the Teesta River Project. China submitted a proposal to develop the project, which has raised concerns in India. While some commentators predicted a tug-of-war between India and China over the project, Hasina observed in her post-India visit comments that India has a fair chance of winning this bid since that will solve the longstanding water-sharing issue with India around the river. While most other agreements and mutual understandings revolve around capacity building in different sectors, Bangladesh has a huge opportunity to gain from one deal in particul ar: the opening up of energy connectivity with Nepal and Bhutan via India. According to the joint statement issued at the end of the visit, India and Bangladesh have committed to expanding "power and energy collaboration" and developing "intra-regional electricity trade." This will start with expediting the construction of a 765 kV high-capacity grid with suitable Indian financial assistance. Due to the volatile condition of fuel and energy markets since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, fossil fuel prices have faced much tumult, often rising beyond anticipated limits. Thanks to Bangladesh's subsequent energy policies, the country's efforts to electrify all households by 2021 resulted in a heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels, primarily gas and coal. Bangladesh's import payments data shows a jump in petroleum product imports. The World Bank identified petroleum products as a driver of Bangladesh's surging imports in April 2023. This, along with other principal commodities, created pressure on the country 's balance of payments, forcing Bangladesh to impose import restrictions and slowing down the economy. High fuel costs and imports are also driving electricity generation costs in Bangladesh, which grew from 7 cents/kWh in 2020 to around 11 cents/kWh in 2023. More than half of all electricity produced in 2022-23 FY in Bangladesh came from gas-fired power plants. The average electricity generation cost from gas remained much lower for decades thanks to the natural gas reserves. However, Bangladesh turned to importing LNG as the natural gas reserves are depleting due to growing demands. According to Bangladesh's power division estimates, the cost of producing electricity from LNG stood at around 15 cents/kWh. In this context, the cost of generating electricity is expected to grow with the current power mix unless the price of imported fuels drops drastically. This is where the energy connectivity with Nepal and Bhutan can provide Bangladesh with a respite. Nepal and Bhutan are among the few countries that produce almost 100 percent electricity from renewables. Nepal alone has an economically viable hydroelectricity potential of around 40,000 MW. Its power demand is estimated to be around 13,000 MW in 2035. It plans to increase its generation capacity by utilizing its full potential and exporting the excess electricity to neighboring countries. Bangladesh, Nepal, and India have been in talks over power transmission from Nepal to Bangladesh through India for the last few years. According to Daily Observer, a pro-government daily in Bangladesh, the tariff is below 7 cents/kWh. Although it is unclear whether the tariff includes India's service charge, this figure is significantly lower than Bangladesh's average power generation cost and half of the cost of electricity coming from LNG-fired power plants. Hence, the energy connectivity deal with India will allow Bangladesh to import cheaper and cleaner electricity produced from renewable sources in Nepal and Bhutan, thus reducing their dependency on imported fossi l fuels for power production. Bangladesh already has a plan in place to import 9,000 MW of electricity from neighboring countries. Nonetheless, some significant challenges persist. Bangladesh has dozens of active, long-term power purchase agreements with power plants commissioned in the last decade. If Bangladesh plans to import a large part of its electricity from neighboring countries - Nepal, Bhutan, and India - the Bangladeshi power plants are expected to sit idle, and Bangladesh will be forced to pay a large sum of money in capacity changes to them. For Nepal, the challenge is around accumulation of resources and funding for power generation and transmission, as the country aims to produce around 30,000 MW by 2035 and export a large portion of it. With India's active support, a collaboration between the public and private sectors in Nepal and Bangladesh, backed by the development financial institutions (DFI), can help overcome the challenges. Global hydropower giants can also be invited to invest in these projects. Meanwhile, to reduce the burden of capacity charges and fuel imports, Bangladesh can consider entering into a bargain with the existing fossil fuel power plants to plan for early phase-out. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: The construction of towers for the 400 kV Karnali Corridor Transmission Line has started from today. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Shakti Bahadur Basnet laid a foundation stone for the tower at Sukkhad in Kailali district today. There will be altogether 256 towers throughout the transmission line with two towers as tall as 120 metres. The transmission line will stretch from Phukot to Dododhara via Betan. According to Netra Prasad Gyawali, CEO of the National Transmission Grid, some 3,000 megawatts of electricity generated from Phukot-Karnali, Betan-Karnali, Tila I and Tila II project will be connected to the national transmission grid. The double circuit transmission line is owned by government and aims to meet country's demand for electricity and export surplus electricity. It is a national transformative project deemed as the 'Transmission Highway' for Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces. It is believed that this project would aid in development of a different kind of su pplementary infrastructures thereby contributing to the overall development of electricity in the country. The 125-km transmission line will begin from Regil village of Kalikot district in Karnali Province and stretches from Achham and Surkhet districts and will be connected to Dododhara sub-station in Kailali district. Thereafter, the line will be connected to Bareilly in India under the cross-country transmission line. Present in the foundation stone laying ceremony were Vice-Chairperson and members of Sudurpaschim Provincial Policy and Planning Commission, ministers, Joint-Secretaries and people's representatives of Kailali Province and Chief District Officer among others. Project Manager Biken Bajracharya said the contract agreement was signed with the Indian construction company, Kalpatru Project International Ltd., last year for the construction of the transmission line. According to him, the total estimated cost of the project is Rs 8 billion and the goal is to complete it within the next three ye ars. Source: National News Agency RSS

President Mohammed Shahabuddin has directed the members of the Special Security Force (SSF) to ensure the highest security for the VVIPs without disrupting their (VVIPs) public relations. He also asked the SSF members to maintain good relations, close communication and coordination with all partner agencies to create a foolproof security zone for VVIPs. The Head of State was addressing a function of SSF marking its 38th anniversary celebration followed by a dinner and cultural function at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) here tonight. "All powers of the republic belong to the people . . . You should always keep a watchful eye so that people do not suffer in any of your behavior," he told the SSF. The President asked the SSF members to always exert high morale, unquestioning loyalty and best practice of professionalism to meet the challenges and obstacles of the ever-changing security situation. Terming every area of SSF's duty as "very sensitive", the President said the security of very very important persons (VVIPs) is always very important and challenging due to the political context of Bangladesh, the conspiracy of anti-independent forces and above all international terrorism. He said VVIPs are very popular and legendary among people and followers of different classes and professions, but they cannot always meet for security reasons. The Head of State also instructed to consider very carefully that no distance or misunderstanding is created between the leader and the people due to extreme strictness and security vigil for the VVIPs. "Security and public involvement should be given equal importance . . . Maximum security should be ensured not by creating distance from people, but by showing professionalism while keeping public involvement normal," he added. The President said apart from increasing professional skills through proper training, the SSF members should also be given serious consideration to attain moral strength, improved discipline, honesty, responsibility and humane qualities. Besides, President Shahabuddin urged the members of this special force to ensure proper uses of state resources as well as the maximum uses of limited resources. He hoped that through competent leadership, right direction and professionalism, patriotism and sincerity of the SSF members would move forward on the path of prosperity and earn the trust of all as the 'ideal security providing force'. President's wife Dr Rebeka Sultana, special security adviser to Prime Minister retired Major General Tarique Ahmed Siddique, senior civil and military officials were present on the occasion. Director General of SSF Major General AKM Nazmul Hasan delivered the welcome speech on the occasion. SSF was formed as a smart force consisting of professional, skilled and specially trained officers of Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Ansar forces to ensure the safety of important persons. On 15 June, 1986, the President's Security Force (PSF) was formed. Later it was renamed a Special Security Force (SSF) after restoration of parliamentary government in the country. The SSF, a law enforcement agency of the country, provides protection to the President, the Prime Minister, the Bangabandhu family and anyone designated as a VVIP as per state protocol, including visiting foreign dignitaries. It (SSF) takes necessary measures to prevent future threats to VVIPs and to protect VVIPs from active threats in coordination with civil administration and security and intelligence agencies. SSF is also responsible for the security of offices and residences of VVIPs. The President enjoyed the cultural program there. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: A student from Zambia has passed this year's Secondary Education Examination (SEE) from a Nepali school based in Tokyo, Japan. He is Chisa Tyris Kaweza, a student at the Everest International School located in the central part of Tokyo. Kaweza scored 2.95 GPA in the examination, said the School Principal Bishnu Prasad Bhatta. From this school, 23 students, including nine boys and 14 girls, had appeared in SEE this year. They have all passed in the examination. Principal Bhatta said a majority of the students who took SEE from this school this year have passed the exam, scoring more than 3.8 GPA, he said. "All those students who took SEE have passed the exams with the best results," he added. The Embassy of Nepal in Tokyo has been monitoring the SEE conducted at this school. More than half the students who sat for SEE-2023 have failed in the test, according to the SEE results published on Thursday by the National Examinations Board (NEB). Only 47.86 percent of the total students who took SEE pass ed the exams this year. In this backdrop, it is viewed positive that a student from an African country has passed SEE from this school based overseas. The fourth batch of students had appeared in the SEE this year from this school established in 2013. There were 16 students at the school in the beginning and presently it has 450 students including Nepali and foreign ones. Six Japanese students are also studying at the school at present. The school runs classes according to the Nepali curriculum. The government of Japan has recognized the school as an international-standard school. Sixty-two teachers from various countries including Nepal, Japan, India, Philippines and America are teaching at this school. According to the School Principal Bhatta, the Everest International School in Tokyo is the only secondary school outside of Nepal that is run according to the Nepali curriculum. Source: National News Agency RSS

As per the population census conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the total population of the district is 26, 21, 756. "Of them, male is 12, 41, 113 and female is 13, 20, 967 while the number of Hijras or transgenders are 153," according to the sources. This was disclosed by Deputy Director of the BBS here Md. Enamul Haque in a publication ceremony on a report regarding population and housing census of the district at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the district on Thursday. The District Administration and District Statistics office (DSO) under BBS arranged the function to brief the officials and public representatives and journalists about the census conducted by the BBS under the ministry of Planning. ADC (ICT and Human Resources Management) Sushanta Kumar Mahato addressed the function as the chief guest on behalf of DC Kazi Nahid Rasul and Additional Police Super Ibrahim Hossain was present as special guest. The guests said proper data is very esse ntial to accept the plan of any development work of the government and non-government organisations to implement their works successfully. So there is no alternative to update the census to push forward the country towards its desired goals," they added. Earlier, a presentation was also screened by the DD of BBS here Md. Enamul Haque. In the presentation, he said the number of Bengali people is 25, 57, 930 and the ethnic minorities is 4,150, he said, adding: "The number of Muslim people in the district is 23, 79, 978, Hindu is 1, 77, 590, Budhist is 3502, Christian is 111 and other religion is 899." The population census was conducted by the enumerators assigned by the BBS in the month of June, 2023, he continued. District Commandant of Ansar and VDP Md. Arifur Rahman, District Election Officer Abdul Mottalib and Deputy Director of Islamic Foundation here Mirajul Islam addressed the function among others on behalf of the participants. Then the DD also gave answers to the questions regarding pop ulation census raised by the participants during the open discussion session. The DD also requested the participants to communicate with him to know any data regarding population and household's census. Later, the chief guest unveiled the cover of the report through a festive mode and thanked the concerned for publishing a report on population and household census in book format. Almost all district level officials, public representatives and invited guests including journalists attended the ceremony. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Speaker Devraj Ghimire has said there would be positive support from his side to upgrade the Madan Bhandari College to a university. Inaugurating the 23rd anniversary of Baneshwor-based Madan Bhandari Memorial College today, Speaker Ghimire expressed the view that this college should be managed in such a way that it should be accessible to all, as problems have arisen in recent period in making education of quality, affordable and accessible. "There will be my positive support in the plan of upgrading Madan Bhandari College to university. I am also sensitive to bring a policy making the education practical," he mentioned. Speaker Ghimire stressed that the future generation should follow leader like Madan Bhandari and his ideology of society transformation, pointing out the need of building capable human resources able to make people understand the Bhandari's ideology. On the occasion, outstanding and gold medal winner students were honoured. Similarly, College Principal Dr Baburam Adhikari sai d that the quality of education at the college is constantly improving, adding the College has been able to figure among the top five colleges across the country due to this. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said that the government was trying to prepare the basis for socialism by institutionalizing the achievements of revolutions and changes. Launching a memoir 'Sahashik Yoddha Jagat Bahadur Bohora (Valiant Warrior Jagat Bahadur Bohora)' related to Jagat Bahadur Bohora here today, PM Dahal reiterated that the government was moving ahead with good-governance, social justice and prosperity as its priorities. "We have come to socialism-oriented federal democratic republic on the foundation laid by the sacrifices and the sufferings of thousands of martyrs, forcefully disappeared combatants and tens of thousands of revolutionary warriors. We should embark on the journey of socialism by institutionalizing these achievements," asserted the PM. Recalling Bohora who delivered keeping emancipation of country and people, and changes in centre in any challenging situations, the Head of the Government said that Bohora also made a significant contribution in Peop le's War that was in favor of revolutionary transformation of Nepali society. Bohora was injured in a peaceful cultural programme staged against the single-party autocratic Panchayat system at Piskar in Sindhupalchowk district in 2040 BS. Ile Thami and Bir Bahadur Thami along with other protestors were killed while remaining others were brutally suppressed. Dozens of warriors including Chhatra Bahadur Bohora, Man Bahadur Thami, Meghnath Poudel, Arun Nepal, Suresh Nepal, Gopal Thapaliya among others were detained and put behind the bar. Bohora was one among those critically hurt in the incident. Present in today's book launch programme were CPN (Maoist Centre) Spokesperson Agni Prasad Sapkota, CPN (UML)'s Amrit Kumar Bohora among others. Source: National News Agency RSS

As part of different anti-drug drives in the capital, the members of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested 21 people on charges of selling and consuming drugs during the last 24 hours till 6am today. According to a release issued by the DMP, police conducted these operations against the drug sellers and consumers in different areas under various police stations of the metropolis. They also detained a total of 21 drug traffickers and recovered huge drugs from their possession from 6am of June 27 to 6 am today. During the anti-drug raids, police seized 207 pieces of contraband yaba tablets, 91 grams of heroin and 18.590 kilograms of cannabis (ganja) from their possession, the release added. Police filed 13 separate cases against the arrestees in these connections with respective police stations under the Narcotics Control Act. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Rumana Ali today said that children are the artisans of 'Smart Bangladesh' and the torch-bearer of the nation. The state minister said this while addressing the national level 'Neel Kamal Award 2024' distribution ceremony organized by the Bangladesh Girl Guides Association at the Guide Auditorium on New Bailey Road here as the chief guest. The award was distributed to 10-year-old girls, who were also known as 'Holdey Pakhi' in the association, a press release said. Rumana Ali said that the role of Girl Guides is very important to stimulate and inspire children with human values. She handed over the crests and certificates to 31 'Holdey Pakhi'. Later, she enjoyed a cultural program there, the release added. With Bangladesh Girl Guides Association National Commissioner Kazi Jebunnesa Begum in the chair, the event was attended, among others, by ex-Senior Secretary Zuena Aziz and Directorate of Madrasha Education Director General Habibur Rahman. Source: Bangl adesh Sangbad Sangstha

Landslides occurred at different locations in the Karnali corridor have disrupted vehicular movement on the highway today. At least five stretches of the highway were disrupted due to the landslides in Dailekh section. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of Dailekh Sunil Neupane said landslides have taken place at five sites along Paletada to Paduka river. DSP Neupane said security personnel have been mobilized to clear the obstructions. Likewise, the Rukum section of the Mid Hill Highway was also obstructed after a landslide at Kitani of Musikot Municipality in Rukum Paschim. Chief District Officer of Rukum Paschim Hari Prasad Pant said that efforts are ongoing to resume vehicular movement by clearing the obstructions. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: The 73rd birth anniversary of Madan Kumar Bhandari, then secretary-general of the CPN (UML), is being marked by organizing various programmes today to recall his contributions to Nepal's communist movement. The Madan Bhandari Foundation is holding a seminar on People's Multiparty Democracy: Political Development and Stability this afternoon at the central office of the CPN (UML) in Chyasal, Lalitpur. Madan Bhandari Rastriya Puraskar is also being handed over at the event. The People's Multiparty Democracy championed by Bhandari and tabled in the party's fifth national general convention is the guiding principle of the UML. Born in Taplejung district in 2009 BS, Bhandari died in a road mishap at Dasdhunga of Chitwan while coming from Pokhara in 2050 BS. Bhandari is considered an innovative explainer of Marxism and communist ideologue in Nepal's political spectrum. Source: National News Agency RSS

A morotable bridge was constructed over Raute river at Temkemaiyung Rural Municipality-9 in Bhojpur. The bridge was developed 15 months before the given deadline, the officials said. The total cost of the bridge construction stands at Rs 35.7 million, the Infrastructure Development Office said. The bridge has connected Raute and Lekharka villages in the rural municipality. Chief of Office Rajeshwor Mahato said that the bridge was completed 15 months before the deadline and added that construction works were expedited considering the local people's woes. With the construction of the bridge, vehicular movement and other services have been accessible to the local community in the district. Source: National News Agency RSS