Day: June 29, 2024

A couple was buried in a landslide along with their house at Kandebas in Galkot municipality-8 of Baglung. Prem BK,55, and his wife Basanti,50, were buried in the landslide that took place last night, said Superintendent of Police Rishiram Kandel of the District Police Office. A police team has been sent to the spot this morning. Meanwhile, the Baglung section of Midhill highway has been blocked due to landslides triggered by continuous rainfall since Friday. The Kaligandaki corridor and Baglung-Kushmishera road also remain blocked. Source: National News Agency RSS

Opposition leader in the parliament Golam Muhammad Quader today urged the government to introduce rationing system immediately for the lower income people to supply daily commodities regularly in fair price. "We are proposing to the government to introduce rationing system immediately for the middle, lower middle and poor people aiming to provide essentials in fair price for next one year", said the opposition lawmaker while participating in a budget discussion for FY2024-25 at the JatiyaSangsad here with Speaker Dr Shirin SharminChaudhury in the chair. Taking part in the discussion, the opposition leader said the proposed budget has given importance to the infrastructure sector and given less importance to the agriculture and social security while the country's eighth-five year plan has given importance to the social security sector. Terming the budget as a weapon of killing poor, GM Quader, who also Chairman of Jatiya Party, said the proposed budget will not bring any benefit to the poor. "We have to he lp the poor for their surviving and that's why rationing system should to be introduced immediately for next one year considering the current commodity price inflation," said the JP Chairman. The opposition leader said although the proposed budget has reduced commodity import tax from 3 per cent to one per cent which is very insignificant and this initiative will benefit the traders not the consumers. In the proposed budget, he said the allocation on agricultural incentives has been reduced by 40.1percent, agriculture ministry's allocation reduced by 22.3 percent, allocation for the food distribution under the Open Market Sale(OMS) also has been reduced by 29.5 percent and it is less compare to the last year. At the same time, the allocation for the food subsidy has been reduced by 19.4 per cent from the earlier allocation of Taka 3631 crore, he said, adding, "So, how the budget will help the poor people who will be benefitted from the proposed budget". On June 6, Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali 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. "The proposed 53rd budget titled "March towards Smart Bangladesh Following the Path of Sustainable Development" which is only 4.6 percent bigger than that of the current fiscal year. Earlier, the lawmaker paid 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

SANGSAD BHABAN: The Finance Bill 2024 was passed today at Jatiya Sangsad with some minor changes alongside keeping the provision for legalizing the undisclosed money at a rate of 15 percent. Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali moved the bill and it was passed by voice vote with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair. Ali accepted some 16 minor proposals on the finance bill in section 2 and 2-Ka and Schedule 3. The other 11 amendment proposals were rejected by voice vote. Leader of the House and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and opposition leader GM Quader also spoke on the Finance Bill. The finance minister accepted an amendment that reduced the highest tax rate from 30 percent to 25 percent. Earlier on June 6, Ali proposed to increase the rate while placing the Taka 7,97,000 crore budget for FY25 in the House. As a result, the highest tax rate remained at 25 percent as before. As a result, the tax free income ceiling will be Taka 350,000, for next Taka one lakh the tax is 5 percent, for the next Taka 4 lakh the tax rate is 10 percent, for the next Taka 5 lakh the tax rate is 15 percent, for next Taka 5 lakh the tax is 20 percent and for the rest amount of income the rate is 25 percent. The opportunity to whiten undisclosed money remained for one year from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 at the rate of 15 percent. Besides, the companies themselves have the opportunity to legalise this undisclosed amount by paying 15 percent tax. As per the amendments, individuals have to pay surcharge for multiple vehicles, but not by companies. Submission of returns have been made mandatory for only city corporation community centre booking while income from universal pension scheme will be tax free as well as individuals, companies and trusts have to pay 15 percent gain tax. The other amendments are donations/gifts to any member of the family will not be taxed at source and audit will be exempted, if returns shows 15 percent income up compared to the previous year. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to contribute effectively to United Nations (UN) Police activities. He said this while speaking as the first speaker in the main session of the Fourth Conference of UN Police Chiefs held at the UN headquarters in New York. The conference titled "Innovative Strategies in Peacekeeping Operations and Potential Conflict Areas" was held on Thursday (yesterday), said a press release today. The home minister is leading the Bangladesh delegation, comprising Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations Mohammad Abdul Muhith, Additional Inspector General of Bangladesh Police Kamrul Ahsan, and senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Bangladesh Police, at the two-day conference of the UN police chiefs. Emphasizing the importance of relevant and specific target-based policing in the current situation, he said it is necessary to enhance the capacity of the law enforcement and security agencies of the countries wher e peacekeeping operations are underway. Kamal called for giving priority to the issue of cooperation in increasing the peacekeeping capacity of the respective states. He reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to increasing the number of women police personnel in UN peacekeeping operations. During the conference, ministers of interior held separate bilateral meetings with Gambia's Minister of Interior, Abdoulie Sanyang, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations of the UN Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support Atul Khare, added the release. In the meeting, Bangladesh's Home Minister highlighted Bangladesh's readiness and capacity to face new challenges in peacekeeping operations and adapt to changing situations. At this time, both Under-Secretaries-General highly appreciated the professionalism and contribution of Bangladesh in peacekeeping operations and requested to send more peacekeepers from Bangladesh. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said BNP-leaders do not understand the difference between agreement and memorandum of understanding (MoU). "I don't know why they can't understand the difference between agreement and MoU. Some MoUs were signed during the Prime Minister's visit to India and some MoUs were renewed. But no agreement was signed," said Hasan, also Awami League (AL) Joint General Secretary. He was addressing a seminar titled 'Bangladesh Awami League and Bangabandhu' held at Bangabandhu Hall of Chattogram Press Club under the arrangement of Chattogram North District unit of AL as chief guest marking the 75th founding anniversary of AL. Mentioning that all the agreements were made in the interest of the country, the foreign minister said the government wants to increase the connectivity of Dhaka-Kolkata, Khulna-Kolkata and Dinajpur-Siliguri. "We have signed an agreement to import hydropower from Nepal through India. Talks are also underway with Bhutan. We also want to increase that connect ivity with Nepal and Bhutan," he added. The government wants to increase connectivity for the economic prosperity of the region, he said, adding that BNP, however, is creating confusion over it. All the achievements that Bangladesh so far achieved, had been made under the leadership of Awami League, Hasan said, adding that 75 years of AL's path was always difficult. He said Ziaur Rahman and Ershad both military dictators have tortured Awami League leaders-activists. North District AL president and former Jilla Parisad chairman MA Salam presided over the seminar while its Vice Presidents Professor Md. Moinuddin, Abul Kalam Azad, Zilla Parishad Chairman ATM Payrul Islam, AL leaders Debashish Palit, Iftekhar Hossain Babul, Bedarul Alam Chowdhury Bedar, Sarwar Shamim and District Women AL Senior Vice President Syeda Rifat Akhtar Nishu, among others, spoke on the occasion. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A leopard that killed domestic animals has been captured in Gulariya municipality-1, Shankar Basti of the district. A team of the Division Forest Office took control the leopard using a cage. Praveen Bidari, Head of Division Forest Office, Bardiya, informed that the leopard was entrapped in a cage before taking the jungle cat under control. Adult male leopard was sent to the Bardiya National Park. He said after the locals reported that the leopard had killed domestic animals in the village, the camera was installed to monitor its movement. The leopard was trapped in the cage for two days. Locals had informed the forest office that there was another pair of leopards which has been rampaging in the village. The forest office said the wild beasts will be monitored and taken under control. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Veteran journalist Bhairab Risal has been provided with the "Rotary Lifetime Achievement Award'. Risal was given a purse of Rs 100,000 in cash and a letter of appreciation. On the occasion of the establishment day of Rotary International District 3292, seven journalists including Risal were prized for recognizing their contributions to society through their writings. Ramu Sapkota was prized under free writing, Amar Sunar on economic and social development, Tilak Tiwari on drinking water and sanitation, Basanta Pratap Singh on safe motherhood and child health, Bidya Rai on education and literary, Swostik Shrestha on disease prevention and treatment, and Tanka Panta on peace and conflict management. The journalists received Rs 51,000 each. Source: National News Agency RSS

DHAKA: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) are providing emergency assistance to communities affected by the severe flooding in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts in northeast Bangladesh. Starting on June 27, WFP's Sylhet Field Office, in support of the relief efforts of government authorities, began distributing fortified biscuits to over 23,000 families to help them meet their immediate food and nutritional needs. "Our priority is to ensure that the most vulnerable families, who were already facing hardships and are now having their lives and livelihoods upended again by the floods, can meet their essential food and nutritional needs," said Simone Parchment, Deputy Country Director and Officer-in-Charge of WFP Bangladesh. The devastating floods, caused by continuous heavy rainfall in both Bangladesh and the upstream regions of India, have affected approximately 1.4 million people. The distribution of food assistance was done in partnership with local NGOs Friends In Village Development Bangladesh (FIVDB) and Center for Natural Resource Studies (CNRS). Following the distribution, WFP plans to continue its response through cash assistance for these 23,000 households and an additional 48,000 households that WFP has pre-identified as part of its preparedness efforts. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: As many as 10 persons died in the incidents of natural disaster in different parts of the country. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), nine people were killed in the landslides occurred in Gulmi, Baglung and Syangja and one lost the life in Dang due to lightning strike. Five members of a same family died after being buried in landslide in Gulmi. Similarly, a couple died in Galkot municipality-8, Kandebans of Baglung and a mother and daughter in Syangja, while Bhumisara Budha Magar, 39, of Rajpur rural municipality-2 of Dang died due to lightning. NDRRMA spokesperson Dr Dijan Bhattarai said three persons were injured in the incidents. Since the onset of monsoon this year, 38 people have lost their lives in disaster-related incidents. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Nepali Congress (NC) founder leader and former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai has been remembered as one of the world's unique and extra-ordianry politicians. At a programme organised by the Santaneta Krishna Prasad Bhattarai Kendra here today on the occasion of his birth centenary, the speakers said no political leaders in the world except Kisunjee had announced emancipation (nirvana) as their end goal during their prime ministerial term. Kisunjee never gave up his spiritual practice and trust even when he was in the top executive position of the country, the speakers highlighted. Delivering a lecture on Bhattarai's life and personality, spiritual leader Bodhisatwo Swami Ananda Arun said he was on the spiritual path due to Kisunjee's love and encouragement. Saying that Kisunjee had inaugurated Osho Tapoban in Kathmandu when he was the Prime Minister for the first time, Swami Arun shared people from 80 different countries are currently coming to Tapoban for meditation and its meditatio n centers have been opened in 20 countries. Osho Tapoban International, which was incepted with the inspiration of Bhattarai, now has been established as a meditation centre, he said. "Satya Sai Baba at his first sight on Kisunjee said this man has an angel's heart, but we could not recognize such a person. Had he won the election in 2048 BS, the country's situation would have been different", spiritual leader Arun shared. Swami Anand noted that during his long association he found Kisunjee as a leader of ideals with strong commitment to the principles. Referring to his imprisonment at Sundarijal Jail during the Panchayat period, he said Kisunjee had spent more than 20 months in jail than BP Koirala and Ganehsman Singh for his stand not to accept the condition of the Panchayat regime and sign their documents. "Kisunjee used to speak the truth without hiding his weaknesses even when he was in politics. Kishunjee was established a politician with truth and open expression when he publicly said he was not a virgin despite being unmarried", Swami Arun explained. "He did not even go to India being rather continued struggle against the Panchayat regime from the home land and established the Nepal Students' Union for the movement for democracy. He had to spend three more years in jail for the reason", Arun went on saying. Swami Arun further said that he found Kisunjee as a spiritual leader even more than India's non-violent leader Mahatma Gandhi. Commenting on Nepal's politics, Swami Anand Arun said, "Even the Ranas and monarchs could not get Ganeshman and Kisunjee out from the Congress but its leaders had compelled the veteran leaders to leave the party they had founded". Kisunjee had worked for resolving the Maoist problem when he was the Prime Minister for the second time, he said, adding that the saint leader was not even allowed to go to France where he had a plan to visit the Maoist leaders there to settle the issue of armed struggle. Kendra Chair Lokesh Dhakal said the organization had to be established as there was no programme on the occasion of Kisunjee's birth centenary year. According to him, the birth centenary year of Kisunjee had started from December last year and various programmes will be organized on the occasion till coming December 23. "Why did Kisunjee leave the party he founded? Only after searching for it will you have true respect for him, Dhakal asserted, adding, "He left the party, did not the ideals, the center was established to enliven respect to him. Dhakal shared that the Kendra's central member and NC leader Komal Lamichhane donated Rs 50,000 for the establishment of a resolving fund. Source: National News Agency RSS

Entire households in the Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality in Mustang district have been provided with e-stoves for free for cooking. The municipality and Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) distributed the e-stoves meant for the reduction of climate change impacts and environment conservation. The distribution of e-stoves is expected to reduce the consumption of firewood and LP gas. Rural Municipality Chairman Raju Bista handed over one each to all 454 households in all five wards for free. Bista said, "There has been a serious impact on the environment after falling the trees for firewood and cooking in the desert-like geography of the Upper Mustang. We have made attempts to save the environment by promoting e-stoves as an alternative firewood." Chairman Bista said that the distribution of e-stoves would contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions and lower the consumption and import of cooking gas. The rural municipality has disturbed Rs 800,000 for the distribution of electronic s toves and Rs 900,000 from the ACAP for the same heading in the current fiscal year. The people's representatives and ACAP officials visited all wards of the rural municipality this week to distribute the electronic stoves. Source: National News Agency RSS

DHAKA: Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been asked to keep hoisted local cautionary signal number three as gusty or squally weather may affect ports, the North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh. 'The low-pressure area over West Bengal and adjoining coastal areas persist. Under its influence, deep convection is taking place and steep pressure gradient lies over North Bay,' said a weather bulletin today. All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha