Day: July 3, 2024

Kathmandu: Nepali Congress (NC) has called its central work execution committee meeting to chart out the party's strategy after reviewing the recent political development in the country. The meeting is taking place at the Budhanilakantha-based residence of the NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba at 9.00 am today. NC central office chief secretary Krishna Prasad Poudel said the meeting would discuss on the latest political developments in the country. The two major parties in the parliament, the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (UML), had reached a new agreement on Monday for the power equation. The meeting would also discuss the issue. The NC and UML reached an agreement to form a national consensus government with various 'agendas', including constitution amendment. Source: National News Agency RSS

Prime Minister and Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina today told the parliament that the Awami League doesn't sell the country rather Khaleda Zia, Ershad and Ziaur Rahman did it. "Who had sold the country? It had done by Khaleda Zia, Ershad and Ziaur Rahman. They had sold the country. The Awami League doesn't sell the country," she said. In this regard, she referred to several incidents during the period of the trio that included giving a bond for selling Bangladesh's gas to India by Khaleda Zia prior to 2001 general elections. She made the remarks while giving valedictory speech in the third and budget session of the 12th parliament with Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair. The Prime Minister came down heavily on some opposition parties who have been making blanket allegations of selling the country to India over signing of some MoUs during her recent India visit. She told the parliament that they did not come to power in 2001. "Why didn't we come to power? We didn't come to power as we d idn't agree with the American company which was extracting our gas (at that time), wanted to sell that to India," she said. She continued: "I was deadly against the selling of gas while Khaleda Zia gave her consent to sell the gas." As a result, Awami League had failed to form the government in 2001 despite getting majority of the votes, she said. Highlighting the benefit of the transit facilities with neighbouring India, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh can't shut its door in the age of globalization. "Today's world is a global village. One is dependent to other in terms of trade and commerce and communication. So, it is not possible to shut our door," she said. The Premier said to tap potential of the benefit as a member of the Global village Bangladesh has to link with the Trans Asian Highway and Trans Asian Railway. There are now many discussions over the transit facilities with India, she said. "We already have the transit facilities as buses are coming Dhaka from Tripura, going from Dhaka to Kolkata . What lost has occurred due to it. Rather, we are getting the fare of the road. People of the country are getting its benefit and many of them are earning huge money," she said. The entire world, the Premier said, has now come under a communication network. "We have built transit facilities with Nepal and Bhutan through India. It is not a transit facility with country rather it's a regional transit facility and it has made for building better communication system," she said. Sheikh Hasina said they are working to develop a communication system connecting the four countries -- Nepal, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh. Bangladesh is going to purchase hydro electricity from Nepal (through the transmission line of Indian), she said. The Prime Minister said they are now opening the already closed rail lines with India after the war of India and Pakistan in 1965 for mutual benefits of the neighbouring countries. A road, she said, is going to Thailand from Bhutan via Myanmar bypassing Bangladesh. India wanted that the road will be going to Thailand from Bhutan through Bangladesh, India and Myanmar, she added. The Premier said but Khaleda Zia had declined the proposal for which Bangladesh will fail to tap its potential for increasing its trade, commerce and connectivity. After coming to power for the first time in 1996, she said she had tried to connect Bangladesh with the initiative, but failed. The Premier said Bangladesh is bringing oil from Rumaligar in Assam of India to its Parbotipur Depot through pipeline which will extend to Natore. "What loss has occurred? Rather, we can purchase oil at cheaper rate. It will help industrialization in the north Bengal," she said. Khaleda Zia had also lost the chance of bringing gas from Myanmar, she said, adding that China, Japan and India wanted to purchase the gas from Myanmar. India had wanted to import the gas from Myanmar through Bangladesh, she said, adding that Bangladesh could get one portion of the gas from India. "If we could avail the opportunity, the Chittagon g Hill Tracts and its surrounding areas could never face the crisis for gas," she opined. The Premier said Khaleda Zia had also declined to get the submarine cable line free of cost plea for stealing the country's information. Sheikh Hasina said the government of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman signed an agreement with India over water sharing of Ganges and land boundary agreement. After the assassination of Bangabandhu in 1975, Ziaur Rahman, Ershad and Khaleda Zia did nothing to this end, she observed. The Prime Minister said after assuming office in 1996, the Awami League government had signed an agreement for 30 years over the water sharing of the Ganges River. Her government, she said, had implemented the land boundary agreement with India which set an example on the global stage to settle down land boundary problems between two the neighbouring countries through dialogue. Ziaur Rahman and Ershad did nothing to solve enclaves and Tin Bigha corridor issues and Khaleda Zia f orgot to raise the Ganges water treaty issue during her visit to India in 1990s. Sheikh Hasina sought cooperation from all the parliament members to make sure proper implementation of the national budget for FY 2024-25 and annual development programme (ADP). About the Ashrayan project, she said a total of 8,67,977 (8.68 lakh) landless and homeless families have been rehabilitated under the scheme since the initiative taken in 1997. The total number of beneficiaries is more than 43.39 lakh, she added. The Prime Minister said there are no homeless and landless in 58 districts and 464 upzials across the country. "These are free from homeless and landless," she said. The Premier reiterated her commitment that there will be no homeless and landless in Bangladesh. Seeking cooperation from all to ensure accommodation for all and change their fortune, she said, "We are marching ahead, we will build Smart Bangladesh. We will also continue our stride to change the fate of our countrymen." The homeless and landle ss people smile after getting the houses free of cost, Sheikh Hasina said, adding that her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman wanted to bring smile in the faces of the distressed people. "I have nothing to lose. I have only one target to ensure food, clothes, accommodation, treatment and education for all. I will make the country developed further," she said. The Prime Minister said her government's Ashrayan Project has globally recognized as a model for inclusive development. The housing scheme has been helping to attain the targets of the sustainable goals set by the United Nations, she said. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The valiant Freedom Fighter, retired Master warrant Officer of Bangladesh Air Force and elderly Lawyer Advocate Abdur Rashid left his last breath at his resident at the village Hijuli under Manikganj Poura sava last night(Tuesday night). He was 78. Late Advocate Abdur Rashid left behind his wife and three sons, a lot of co-fighters, relatives and well wishers to mourn his death. He had been suffering from old-age complications. Late Advocate Abdur Rashid was buried at his paternal village graveyard of Pashchim Mokimpur under Krishnapur Union of Manikganj Sadar upazila today with State honour. The people of all walks of lives including government officials, Freedom Fighters and lawyers took part in his Namaz-e-Janaza. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid today said that it is essential to take proper management and integrated initiatives to extract sea resources under the Blue Economy. "All possibilities should be successfully completed by proper coordination between public and private organizations," he told while presiding over the Breakout Session titled on 'Blue Economy Infrastructure on the theme of the Ocean Prosperity: Catalyzing Blue Economy in Bangladesh' with collaboration of Asian Development Bank on the occasion of World Ocean Day at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center. Nasrul Hamid said that the government formulated offshore model PSC-2023 in the country keeping the highest interest of Bangladesh considering the global context and the Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) of neighbouring countries. Under the Offshore Model PSC, Bangladesh Offshore Bidding Round-2024 was announced on 10th March, 2024 and the last date for submission of bids was fixed on 9th Septembe r, 2024, he added. "The power division has taken up 15,000 MW power generation program by 2050 by harnessing solar power generation and sea power in coastal areas and islands. With cooperation of ADB, the feasibility study of generating electricity from offshore wind was verified at 22 potential locations," Nasrul Hamid said. He said that preliminary approval was given for 500 MW power generation from offshore wind, adding, "The ministry is also working to encourage universities and research institutes to conduct research work for development of technology in the renewable energy sector." Besides, the ministry has been thinking about setting up a tidal base power plant. Former Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University Real Admiral Md Khaled Iqbal (retd) moderated the programme, while Science and Technology Ministry Secretary Md Ali Hossain, Secretary of Maritime Affairs of Foreign Ministry Rear Admiral (retd) Mohammad Khorshed Alam, Director General of Coastal, River and Por t Expert Unit of ADB Jane Henry, Dhaka University Professor Anwar Hossain and Dhaka University Energy Institute Director Dr SM Nafis Shams spoke on the occasion. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the upcoming Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's China visit is important to expedite the Bangladesh's development advancement. "This China visit is certainly very important ... our priority (during the visit) will be development," he told reporters after inaugurating the digital library at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to pay a bilateral visit to China from on July 8-11. The foreign minister said the current government wants to move forward the country maintaining good relations to all following the doctrine of Bangladesh's foreign policy - Friendship to all malice towards none - set by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Dr Hasan said China is the major development partner of Bangladesh while the country's many iconic establishment including Padma Bridge, Bangabandhu Tunnel and Bangabandhu Convention Centre were built by either Chinese contractors or Chinese fund. Responding to a question , the foreign minister said, India has never objected to Bangladesh's relations with Beijing. Bangladesh, he said, shares its borders with India on three sides, so "We only can advance our country by maintaining good relegations with India". The foreign minister also highlighted various features of his successful visit to Saudi Arabia where he led the Bangladesh delegation at the second political consultation between Dhaka and Riyadh. He said Dhaka and Riyadh decided to form a joint task force aimed at protecting the Bangladeshi job seekers to Saudi Arabia from fraud. The foreign minister said he urged Saudi Arabi to enhance its investment in Bangladesh's special economic zones and to explore opportunities for Saudi Arabian funds to be deposited in Bangladesh's offshore accounts. Earlier, the minister also unveiled the Foreign Service Academy Journal at the event. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Heavy rainfall triggered by active monsoon submerged much of two northeastern districts Sylhet and Sunamganj creating havoc for the people in rural areas as the two districts witnessed third spell of flood within one month. As monsoon has arrived early impacted by cyclone Rimel, the fresh round of flood inundated vast areas of several districts of the country, officials and residents told BSS today. The third wave of devastating flood battered wide swaths of two north- eastern districts Sylhet, Sunamganj and other parts of Bangladesh as third round of flood hit northeastern parts in a shorter time meaning this unusual phenomenon will linger suffering life and livelihood, they added. FFWC Executive Engineer Sardar Udoy Raihan said, "Northern regions of Bangladesh and some states of India have witnessed torrential rainfall as monsoon is set early impacted by the cyclone Rimel resulting in flood for third time in Sylhet and Sunamganj". He forecasted flood situation will be prolonged as almost entire coun try experienced heavy rainfall triggered by active monsoon. Due to massive amounts of rainfall, major rivers are overflowing submerging vast tract of land along the rivers, Raihan added. According to the local administration, thousands of people have been marooned in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts as flood water submerged a large portions of the two districts. Rezaun Rahman, Director General of Department of Disaster Management, told BSS that, "We are overseeing the flood situation in Sylhet and Sunamganj round-the-clock . . . initially, we are working with local administration and other relevant agencies to provide emergency assistances for minimizing sufferings of the flood-hit people." As part of emergency assistances, the department of disaster-management is distributing cash, dry food and pure drinking water among the flood-affected people in the north-eastern districts, he added. Aftermath of the prolonged flooding, relevant ministries including agriculture and the road transport and bridges mini stry will submit a complete report on damages caused by the flood, the DG added. Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Sheikh Reshel Hasan said the fresh spell of flood triggered by heavy rainfall submerged low-lying areas in the district. "Flood affected people are battling with three cycles of flood as life and livelihoods are damaged severely in the northeastern district Sylhet," he added. The first spell of flood affected thousands of people in 13 upazilas and municipalities of Sylhet district in late May and the flash flood prolonged in the first week of the current month, leaving a large number of people marooned. The Sunamganj district administration sources said flood water submerged 11 upazilas and Sunamganj municipality. Mayor of Sylhet City Corporation Anwaruzzaman Choudhury said, "Volunteer teams of city corporation are working to extend assistances for flood-hit people. We have arranged adequate amount of food at shelter centres." A devastating flood, triggered by heavy rainfall and onrush wat er from hilly regions, have affected 20 lakh people in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts, according to a statement of UNICEF issued recently. The statement, signed by Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh, read among 20 lakh flood affected people in two northeastern regions - Sylhet and Sunamganj - 7.72 lakh are children. Water levels at 83 river stations monitored by Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) have marked rise while 27 stations recorded fall. Among the 110 monitored river stations, water levels at 16 stations are flowing above the danger level, a bulletin issued by the FFWC said here today. The Brahmaputra river at Noonkhawa, Hatia and Chilmari, the Jamuna at Saghata, the Surma river at Kanaighat, at Sylhet, the Kushiyara river at Amalshid, at Sheola, at Sherpur-Sylhet, at Markuli, the Manu river at Manu Rly Bridge, at Moulvibazar, the Khowai river at Ballah, Habiganj, the Someshwari at Kalmakanda are flowing 14cm, 20cm, 09cm, 05 cm, 87cm, 02cm, 04cm, 135cm, 43cm, 20cm, 40cm, 28 cm, 48cm, 90cm, 35cm and 53cm cm above the danger level respectively. In the next 24 hours, the flood situation in the low-lying areas in Kurigram district along Brahmaputra river may deteriorate somewhat. In the next 24 hours, the overall flood situation in various low-lying areas of North-eastern region may remain in steady state. Significant rainfall was recorded at some stations in different districts during the last 24 hours ending at 9 am today. A total of 127 mm rainfalls were recorded in Rajshahi and 98mm in Dinajour while 69mm rainfalls were posted at Durgapur (Netrokona), 61mm at Pabna, 55mm at Kaunia (Rangpur), 52mm at Jafflong (Sylhet), 116mm at Noakhali, 81mm at Cox's Bazar, 67mm at Jariajanjail (Netrokona), 60mm at Badarganj (Rangpur), 54mm at Mohadebpur, 51mm at Gaibandha, 101mm at Teknaf (Cox's Bazar), 76mm at Itakhola (Habiganj), 62mm at Lama (Bandarban), 56mm at Khulna, 52mm at Rohanpur (Chapai Nawabganj) and 46mm at Narayanghat (Chattogram). During the last 24 hours, significant rainfal ls (mm) were recorded in some states like West Bengal, Assam and Meghalaya, of India, the bulletin added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Various documents presented at the 10th National Congress of CPN (Unified Socialist) party have been approved. Party Secretary Jeevan Ram Shrestha shared that political, socialist programs, statutes and organizational documents have been approved by the congress delegates. The convention which is being held from June 30 to July 4 will elect a 299-member Central Committee with 21 office-bearers. A total of 1,840 are taking part in the voting to be held through electronic voting machine. Source: National News Agency RSS

The Dhaka University, the country's highest echelon of academic excellence, has been achieving better spot in different global university ranking in recent times for its intense focus on research activities. In the US News and World Report ranking 2024-25, the university has ranked the 560th position among the 2,250 universities from over 100 countries along with securing 146th position among the best universities in Asia with a score of 52.3. Earlier, DU was ranked 554th in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings:2025, published in the first week of June, making a significant jump from its 2024 ranking of 691-700 to 554th in 2025. The country's oldest university have never attained a place inside 600 as it had been placed in the 801-1000 range for five consecutive years from 2019 to 2023. The university's previous highest ranking was 601+ in 2012. It was ranked 701+ from 2014 to 2017 and 701-750 in 2018. The university also saw an improvement in its position last year too, securing 691-7 00 spot In the US News and World Report ranking 2023-24. "Dhaka University has been improving in such ranking as the ranking is being conducted and evaluated mostly on research activities and there is no requirement for internal income or teacher-student ratio", said DU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr ASM Maksud Kamal. Some recent steps taken by the DU authorities, including providing the teachers grants for publication of research papers in recognised international journals and increasing the university's collaboration with foreign universities across the world, have contributed to its leaps in global rankings recently, said the Vice Chancellor. In recent years, the university has been making different plans and intensely working on research activities, the VC said, adding, "A lion portion of the allocation university got during the centenary celebration have been spent on research activities in a very planned way". Earlier, in agreement signed by the faculties they have condition to publish at least one researc h in recognized international journals, and thus citation, quality publications have been increased which is being reflected in the rising improvement of the university in different global rankings, said Maksud Kamal. "As per our recent academic master plans, each faculty will be given a specific target on research not only just conducting research but also to publish the research in the international journal", said Prof Maksud. The university will see more improvement in global ranking within two years as a result of the plans introduced already, he added. In the recently published US News and World Report ranking, four other Bangladeshi universities-Rajshahi University (1,076th), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (1,396th), Jahangirnagar University (1,414th) and Bangladesh Agricultural University (1,775th)- have also secured positions in the global ranking. Among the Asian universities, Rajshahi University ranked 342nd with a score of 41.3 while Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) ranked 488th with a score of 35.7, Jahangirnagar University 500th with a score of 35.5 and Bangladesh Agricultural University stands 689th with a score of 29. In the rankings, Harvard University holds the first position with a perfect score of 100 out of 100 followed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, University of Oxford and University of California Berkeley at top five. Seven of the top 10 universities are from the US, while three are from the UK. China has 422 universities included in the rankings, with 37 in the top 300. A total of 140 universities from neighboring India were in the list, all placed beyond 600. Pakistan has 32 universities in the rankings, with four in the top 600. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: A taskforce formed to forge a consensus on dissenting provisions in the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Bill held its first meeting today. The meeting focused its discussions on the dissenting issues over the Bill designed to amend the Acts concerning the Commission of the Enforced Disappeared Persons, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. According to task force member Mahesh Bartaula, the discussions aimed to find a consensus on the differing voices over the Bill, focusing on primarily the provisions about serious violations of human rights, the definition of murder, incidents that took place during the armed conflict and the conflict-affected, and the Auditor General's role in the cases of serious human rights violation. "The taskforce is expected to find a conclusion soon," he added. Another task force member Ramesh Lekhak said the meeting went positively while another member Janardan Sharma expressed hope to find a consensus soon. The task force formed a few days ago consists of Lekh ak from the Nepali Congress, Bartaula from the CPN (UML) and Sharma from the CPN (Maoist Centre) as its members. It is mandated to build a collective opinion on four dissenting provisions in the Bill. Source: National News Agency RSS

Civil Aviation and Tourism minister Muhammad Faruk Khan today said that his ministry will take action against its line organizations which fail to achieve the targets set by the Annual Performance Agreement (APA). The civil aviation and tourism ministry will strictly monitor its bodies on a regular basis over the year in this regard, he added. The minister was addressing the APA signing ceremony between the Civil Aviation and Tourism ministry and its line departments and organizations for fiscal year 2024-25, a press release said here. Khan asked the officials to make quick decisions and execute tasks efficiently. He also urged high officials of the ministry and bodies under it to take advantage of "Digital Bangladesh" in delivering its services to the people at the field level. The minister said APA has been playing an important role in ensuring transparency, accountability, dynamism and enhancing institutional efficiency of the government works. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Chairman AKM Aftab Hossain Pramanik, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Commodore Sadikur Rahman Chowdhury, Bangladesh Tourism Board CEO Abu Tahir Muhammad Zaber, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and CEO M Zahidul Islam Bhuiyan, Bangladesh Service Limited Managing Director M Atiqur Rahman signed the APAs on behalf of their respective sides with the Civil Aviation and Tourism secretary Md Mokammel Hossain. The Bangladesh government has introduced a performance evaluation system, known as Annual Performance Agreement (APA), for all government offices since the 2014-15 financial years. The purpose of APA is to encourage activities that are result- oriented as well as to ensure institutional transparency, accountability, proper utilization of resources and above all enhancing institutional efficiency. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: All the eight ministers representing the CPN-UML in the current coalition led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal have resigned en masse. The ministers handed over their resignations to Prime Minister Dahal earlier today. Prior to this, Chairperson of CPN (UML) KP Sharma Oli had instructed the UML Ministers to resign. The secretariat meeting chaired by Oli on Tuesday had urged Prime Minister Dahal to resign from his post within 24 hours to pave the way for a new government. After Prime Minister Dahal did not resign during the deadline, all UML ministers submitted their resignation collectively to Dahal this afternoon. Party chair Oli had also sent a letter to Prime Minister Dahal withdrawing his party's support to the government, saying that the initiative to form a new government was taken with the aim of providing political stability with the formation of a government of national consensus. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: All the eight ministers representing the CPN-UML in the current coalition led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal have resigned en masse. The ministers handed over their resignations to Prime Minister Dahal earlier today. Prior to this, Chairperson of CPN (UML) KP Sharma Oli had instructed the UML Ministers to resign. The secretariat meeting chaired by Oli on Tuesday had urged Prime Minister Dahal to resign from his post within 24 hours to pave the way for a new government. After Prime Minister Dahal did not resign during the deadline, all UML ministers submitted their resignation collectively to Dahal this afternoon. Party chair Oli had also sent a letter to Prime Minister Dahal withdrawing his party's support to the government, saying that the initiative to form a new government was taken with the aim of providing political stability with the formation of a government of national consensus. Source: National News Agency RSS