Category: Government Policy

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today castigated BNP's issuance of 48-hour ultimatum saying time has come for BNP politics to go to 'graveyard'.

"BNP gave an ultimatum that it would send Awami League to graveyard within 48 hours. Time has over. BNP's ultimatum is fake one. Now time has come for BNP's politics to go to graveyard," he told a grand rally of Krishak League at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque south gate here.

Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, came down heavily on BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for calling the government as illegal and questioned if the government is illegal, then why they appeal to it for release of their party chief court convict Begum Khaleda Zia.

The minister said if BNP tries to blockade road and carries out arson attacks and any subversive activities in the name of movement, they will be dealt accordingly.

Noting that the country, its democracy, people's voting rights, security, spirits of independence and Liberation War are not safe to BNP, he said BNP didn't want Bangladesh in 1971 and it wants to turn Bangladesh a safe haven of killings and terrorism.

AL Presidium Member and Deputy Leader in House Begum Matia Chowdhury said as like as other profession-based communities, the fortune of farmers are also being changed at the same pace as they are getting seeds and fertilizers and other equipments as per their demand as well as they are getting fair price of their produced agricultural products.

Today when the farmers in the entire country remain happy, BNP becomes unhappy and they are making evil efforts to misled the people and create disorder and chaos in the country, she said.

Agriculture Minister and AL Presidium Member Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government gives highest importance to agriculture so that Bangladesh is now self-reliant in food and agricultural products.

Price of rice is now in declining tread and it is lower compared to previous two-three years, he mentioned.

Prices of some products like potato and onion are higher due to production and "I know low income group including rickshaw and van pullers are facing trouble for that. We are trying our level best to reduce prices of these products".

Once Bangladesh roamed around the world begging foods, but now Bangladesh is self-reliant in food, he said.

Pointing to BNP, AL Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said the party is of killers and terrorists and urged the party to see their own faces in mirror before making bigger talks.

The people don't want to see BNP in power any more, he said.

AL Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim said Bangladesh under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's able leadership is now a role model of development in the world. None will be able to suppress this development spree of the country, he said.

Nasim said the next general elections will be held in due time and none will be able to thwart the polls and none will be allowed to make damage to the country.

Krishak League President Samir Chanda chaired the rally while AL Organizing Secretaries Ahmed Hossain, SM Kamal Hossain, Afzal Hossain and Mirza Azam, Agriculture and Co-operatives Secretary Faridunnahar Laily, Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Aminul Islam Amin, Central Working Committee Member Nirmal Chattarjee, Dhaka City North AL President Sheikh Bazlur Rahman, General Secretary SM Mannan Kachi, Dhaka City South AL acting President Nurul Amin Ruhul, General Secretary Humayun Kabir and Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash spoke.

Krishak League General Secretary Umme Kulsum Smriti conducted it.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Former Vice-chancellor of Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata Professor Dr Pabitra Sarkar has said there is a deep relationship among language, literature and culture.

"The society of the subcontinent has changed a lot in the post-colonial period through language and culture following the strong role of the intellectual class of the region," he said at a two-day international conference that ended here this evening.

The Faculty of Arts of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) organised the event on 'Postcolonial History, Language and Literature' at the cafeteria of the university in the city.

Academics, researchers, teachers and students of different universities from Bangladesh and India participated in the two-day conference.

Earlier, Professor Sarkar formally inaugurated the event in the opening ceremony on Friday with Dean of the Faculty of Arts of BRUR Professor Dr. Abu Sala Mohammod Wadudur Rahman in the chair.

Vice-chancellor of BRUR Professor Dr. Md. Hasibur Rashid attended the inaugural and concluding functions as the chief guest.

Pro Vice-chancellor of BRUR Professor Dr. Sarifa Salowa Din and its Treasurer Professor Dr. Mojib Uddin Ahmed addressed the functions as special guests.

Head of the Department of English of BRUR Asif Al Matin moderated different sessions in the two-day event.

A total of 42 articles were presented in different sessions of the two-day conference, including 16 on the inaugural day and 26 on the second day today.

Academics, researchers, teachers and students from different universities of Bangladesh and India participated in open discussions on the articles.

Former Vice-chancellor of Rabindra Bharati University Professor Dr Pabitra Sarkar, former Vice-chancellor of the Islamic University Professor Dr. Md. Harun-Ur-Rashid Askari (Rashid Askari), Professors of the Department of English of Jahangirnagar University Mashrur Shahid Hossain and Dr Shafiq Ashraf, Professor of Department of History of Rajshahi University Shaikhul Islam Ziad Mamun, Assistant Professor of the Department of Bengali of Presidency University in India Mostaq Ahmed, Assistant Professor of Koochbehar Panchanan University in India Sablu Barman and Professor Dr. Abu Sala Mohammod Wadudur Rahman spoke.

In his speech, Professor Dr. Md. Hasibur Rashid said an international conference has been organized for the first time by the Faculty of Arts at BRUR to effectively benefit researchers, teachers and students of different universities of the two countries.

"Through such international conferences, the university's recognition will spread across the world beyond the boundaries of the country," he hoped.

In her speech, Professor Dr. Sarifa Salwa Dina said the international conference with the participation of renowned academicians and researchers from home and abroad would enrich BRUR.

"Such arrangements will continue in the future," she hoped.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The Roshi Rural Municipality in Kavre district has offered health insurance services to 1,780 households (HHs) for free. The rural municipality has paid the amount of the benefitted locals' insurance premium. Likewise, the health insurance scheme is offered to 886 other families from the federal government.

Chairman of Roshi Rural Municipality Dinesh Lama said that the beneficiaries include people from 60 years and above.

Likewise, 54 people with complete physical disabilities have been provided with insurance scheme and half of the insurance premium amount of three HHs of the women volunteers is also paid.

The rural municipality said that 401 HHs have paid their health insurance premium on their own.

With this, a total of 37.31 per cent of the total citizens of Roshi Rural Municipality received their health insurance, Chief of Health Section of the rural municipality Ganga Shrestha said.

For the health care of the senior citizens, the rural municipality spent Rs 6.25 million in the last fiscal year.

According to Chairman Lama, the health insurance scheme was implemented in the rural municipality to insure the treatment of every citizen from the municipality and to leave no one for lack of proper health care services.

Meanwhile, the rural municipality has also begun the anti-rabies vaccination drive from Wednesday. The anti-rabies vaccine is being given for dog and cat for free.

Source: National News Agency RSS

Member of Parliament (MP) and Whip of the Nepali Congress parliamentary party Sushila Thing has shared that the dual responsibilities of lawmaking and carrying out development works have added to the sufferings of the lawmakers.

Talking to the RSS for 'RSS with Lawmaker, the NC MP said, "Getting focused on development issues is not our interest, it is a compulsion".

She argued that allegation labelled against the lawmakers for their engagements on development works is unfair though their key priority should be on lawmaking.

HoR Member Thing added that failure to participate in the country's development discourse will result in wrong impression for the lawmakers since they 'seek conditional vote for development construction in the time of elections'.

She states that a broad initiative and effort of political parties, government and civil society is needed to make people understand the problems of the lawmakers and institutionalize enabling system in the state.

"The lawmakers are in trouble due to the distressing circumstance where the people's even a single demand is not addressed," according to MP Thing.

Starting her political journey in 2047 BS, Thing was elected the HoR Member in 2079 BS. Prior to this, she was the deputy-mayor of Kamalamai Municipality in Sindhuli.

Sharing her 10-month-long experiences in the HoR, Thing said she is firm on discharging her duty as a good parliamentarian by contributing in making good laws.

She shared that the priorities and targets of the House have affected due to a divided mentality among the political parties and for being a hung Parliament.

Stating that the parliament spent some time for the elections of the President, Vice President and Prime Minister, MP Thing shared there has been some delay in lawmaking due to different reasons but it is not true that nothing has happened.

Thing told the RSS that intentions of particular political parties are wrong than the policies for the successful operation of the parliamentary system.

She viewed that separate interpretation of a same political party from the ruling and opposition bench is a wrong trend.

She also pointed out the need for deep study of the lawmakers on several issues including the laws, parliamentary regulations, constitution and others.

On parliamentary development fund, MP Thing said that the verdict of the Supreme Court should be taken into consideration though it brings about good result after its meaningful use since there were evidences of misappropriations in the past.

"The voters have sent the lawmakers for lawmaking process. So, the government should also make arrangements for the entire focus of the MPs for this issue," MP Thing concludes.

Source: National News Agency RSS

Rastriya, Sept 29:Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal's Chair Upendra Yadav left here for the United States of America to attend the seventh General Convention of Association of Nepali Teraian in America (ANTA). The event has been scheduled to take place on September 30.

According to party publicity department chief Purna Basnet, the party leader departed for the US on the Qatar Air flight at 2: 15 am today. He will return home on October 10. ---

Source: National News Agency RSS

President Mohammed Shahabuddin today called upon all to resist all conspiracies and move forward towards the ongoing 'March of Development and Progress' designed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

"Resist all plots . . . Move towards the ongoing march of development and progress," the President told the traditional "Boat Race" prize distribution function in the Ichamati River of the Santhia Upazila here.

The Head of State added: "We will move forward towards progress . . . towards development. The country will move forward braving all conspiracies".

The boat-race was organized marking the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 77th auspicious birthday celebration. President and his spouse Dr Rebecca Sultana along with other family members enjoyed the event.

Deputy Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Shamsul Haque Tuku, Nuruzzaman Biswas, MP, of Pabna-4 Constituency, Pabna Zila Parishad Chairman ASM Abdur Rahim Pakon, Pabna district Awami League president Rezaul Rahim Lal, Santhia Municipality Mayor Mahbubul Alam Bachchu and Bera Municipality Mayor Advocate Asif Shams Ranja, among others, were present there.

Referring to the fertile field of Bengali folk-culture like traditional 'boat race' in Pabna district, he put emphasis on finding out the scattered elements of local culture and spread those in different parts of the country with proper treatment.

"There are various elements of culture scattered in different parts of the country . . . Those need to be found and taken care properly," the President added.

Mentioning "Boat" as one of the main vehicles of rural Bangla, he said, the 77th birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has added a new dimension to the festival of boating.

A very festive mood prevailed on the two banks of the Ichamati river as huge number of spectators gathered to enjoy the event.

The President said Bengali is a nation of heroism and this independent country was achieved under the charismatic leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who fought till his death for the political and economic emancipation of his peoples by enduring prison-tyranny and torture.

The Head of the State said, "Even though Bangabandhu is not with us, his ideals are the guide and inspiration for Bangalees to move forward".

Despite various challenges including Corona epidemic and Russia-Ukraine war, Bangladesh is moving forward by facing the negative situation of the economy, the President said.

Construction of Padma Bridge, Metrorail, 3rd Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Karnaphuli Tunnel, Elevated Expressway and Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant have been completed timely, he said, adding that the people have started getting its benefits.

President Shahabuddin enjoyed the spectacular boat race sitting a riverside dais and thanked the organizers for presenting this Bengali tradition to the people.

Later, the President distributed prizes among the champion and runner-up teams.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and Secretary of the CPC Xizang Autonomous Regional Committee, Tibet, Wang Junzheng, held a meeting here on Wednesday. Prime Minister Dahal is on a week-long official visit to China.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal said his China visit has been very exciting, adding it has made a significant contribution to take Nepal-China relations to a new height under leadership of Wang as the Chinese government has given responsibility of in-charge of Nepal-China relations to Wang.

He further mentioned that the government of Nepal was ready to collaborate in every sector for the bilateral interests between Nepal and China.

Similarly, Secretary Wang said they were very happy from China and Tibet visit of Prime Minister Dahal, adding he would be more active to take China-Nepal relations to a new height.

The members of the Nepali delegation led by PM Dahal were also present on the occasion. Secretary Wang hosted a dinner in honour of Prime Minister Dahal today itself.

Source: National News Agency RSS

Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud today said BNP is now like an old vehicle and their battery has gone down.

"BNP is declaring different programmes so that their battery is not down. But, BNP will also be stopped suddenly like an old vehicle, no matter how much you start it or no matter how much you charge its battery. They would not be able to take their movement ahead," he said.

The minister was addressing a peace rally organized by Awami League south city unit at Jathrabari in the capital this afternoon.

Jatiya Sangsad Deputy Leader Begum Matia Chowdhury addressed the meeting as the chief guest with Nurul Amin Ruhul, MP, in the chair.

AL Presidium Members Abdur Rahman, Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzak, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Shahjahan Khan and Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Organising Secretary Advocate Afzal Hossain, and AL south city unit Humayun kabir, among others, addressed the meeting.

Dr Hasan said BNP is announcing different programmes to create anarchy across the country and to foil the upcoming election. Awami League, as a government party, has a responsibility as none can destroy peace and security of the public, he said.

For this, AL announces the peace rally, he continued.

He said BNP had declared that they would hold their rally in front of Naya Paltan in December last. But finally they went to Golapbag cattle market field and their movement 'died' on the field, he added.

The information minister said the BNP leaders warned his party men of facing difficult times in the coming days to make a breakthrough with one-point demand (ousting the government). They are desperately trying to give momentum to one-point demand for long which actually 'died' in the Golapbagh cattle market, he added.

He said BNP should not be excited over the US visa policy as the policy is applicable against the persons who would create any obstacle to hold free and fair election.

Later, the information minister joined the premier show of a film titled 'Dushahoshi Khoka' (the brave son), based on the childhood and teenage life of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Dr Hasan said the movie would inspire the future generation in building an ideal life. The film would also help all to know about the childhood of Bangabandhu, he added.

He said the film portrayed how a teenage boy became conscious about politics, how he became a protester and at the same time as a humanitarian.

"So far I know that this is the first movie about the childhood of Bangabandhu," said Hasan Mahmud.

Director of the film Mushfiqur Rahman Gulzar, Chitra Grahak Samiti president Abdul Latif Bachchu, Film Editors Guild president Abu Musa Debu, actors Riaz and Manoj Sen Gupta, Film Archive director general Md Jashim Uddin and Bangladesh Betar director general Nasrullah Irfan, among others, were present.

It is expected that the movie will be released on September 29 at cinema halls.

After the function, Dr Hasan replied to queries of reporters on the US visa policy.

The information minister said, "Our mass media is independent and they work freely. Even, the freedom of press and the expansion of media in Bangladesh are examples for other developing countries. So, I become astonished when I hear that the visa policy will also be impeccable on mass media too. I think it is not appropriate to control the mass media of other countries."

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Outgoing Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique today said that they are not worried about the US visa policy as Bangladesh is an independent and sovereign state.

"We achieved independence in exchange of an ocean of blood. Those, who opposed the Liberation War, are now opposing. So we are not anxious about the visa policy," he said.

He made the remarks while replying to a question from journalist on his last working day as the country's 23rd chief justice since newly appointed Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan is set to replace him following the oath taking ceremony at 11am at Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban tomorrow.

"I personally have never visited America. I will never go in the future as well," Siddique said.

"As the chief justice, I have worked tirelessly for the welfare of the judiciary during my tenure. I never thought about myself or my family. I have encouraged and given instructions to judges all over the country to solve the backlog of cases," he said.

Noting that he visited 24 districts during his tenure, the outgoing chief justice said, "For the benefit of the justice seekers, we have started the process of setting up Naykunja on the court premises across the country. We have set up a mediation center in the Supreme Court to reduce the backlog of cases through the mediation".

The construction work of four storied eye soothing Supreme Court Mazar Mosque has started, Siddique said.

Newly appointed Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan and justices of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court were present on the occasion, among others.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', who is on an official visit to China, attended a reception dinner hosted in his honour by the Nepali Embassy here this evening.

Prime Minister Dahal attended the ceremony organized by Nepali Ambassador to China Bishnupukar Shrestha to welcome the Prime Minister and his delegation.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Prakash Saud, Minister for Water Supply Mahindra Yadav, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Prakash Jwala, Secretaries, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song, Nepalis nationals in China and members of the Chinese community also took part in the reception.

On the occasion, Ambassador Shrestha emphasized on the need to learn from China's unique development and progress model and work on how Nepal can benefit from its prosperity. The embassy is working to strengthen the historical relationship between Nepal and China, he added.

Prime Minister Dahal is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang on Sunday.

Source: National News Agency RSS

Former King Gyanendra Shah has performed pooja at Taleju Bhawani and Aakash Bhairav Temple in Bhaktapur district on Sunday.

The former King reached Bhaktapur at the invitation of the local residents of Bhaktapur.

It is for the first time former King Gyanendra went to these temples to offer prayers and worship since the declaration of republican system in the country.

Locals assembled at the Durbar Square in droves to receive him. The locals fluttered the national flag of Nepal while a troupe of artistes played cultural traditional musical instruments.

A cultural procession was also organized in honour of the former Head of the State.

In presence at the welcome ceremony coordinated by Ananta Prasad Dhaubadel, a local resident of Bhaktapur, were parliamentarians of Rastriya Prajatantra Party, former high-ranking officials of Nepali Army and locals.

The former King, who arrived Bhaktapur's Durbar Square in a four-wheeler, walked up to the 15th century old-Taleju Bhawani Temple dedicated to Goddess Bhawani and walked up to the Aakash Bhairav Temple at Taumadhi to worship.

Thereafter, he held meetings with the locals at a hotel at Sallaghari. Responding to the queries of the journalists, the former King remarked that he was happy to meet the locals of Bhaktapur.

Furthermore, the septuagenarian former monarch said that he was elated to see immense love and affection of people of Bhaktapur coming out for him.

He further said that he felt love for the people who came to see him and demonstrated love towards him and was happy to see their confidence towards him.

Source: National News Agency RSS

President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Chandra Dhakal has said Nepal is looking forward to support from the Government of China in operating direct flights to two new international airports, Bhairahawa and Pokhara, operational in major tourist destinations of Nepal.

Furthermore, he said Nepal's hospitality industry is ready to welcome Chinese tourists, with numerous standard hotels catering to their needs and significant progress in tourist infrastructure, including the two airports.

Speaking at the Nepal China Business Summit, held during the official visit of

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' to China in Beijing earlier today, he said facilitating cross-border trade and ensuring the smooth movement of goods and people is crucial for bilateral socio-economic integration. "The removal of trade barriers, including non-tariff measures, along with the full implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, will lead to increased mutual benefits from bilateral trade," he added.

He also invited the Chinese business community to invest in Nepal's hydropower sector, both for domestic consumption and export to neighboring countries including China itself. Apart from hydropower, investment in tourism infrastructure, such as cable cars, theme parks, and resorts, holds great promise in Nepal.

Nepal has already proven to be a trusted destination for Chinese investment, with Chinese investment accounting for over 35 per cent of the total approved foreign direct investments. Furthermore, China is Nepal's second-largest trading partner. However, while we import 16 per cent of our total goods from China, our exports to China remain modest.

Nepal is committed to further opening up to foreign investment, technology transfer, public-private partnerships, and investment-related policies to attract both global and regional FDIs. We anticipate a boost in FDI inflows from China, maintaining China as the largest source of FDI for Nepal, he added.

Dhakal also said FNCCI, as the apex private sector representative body in Nepal, is always ready to cooperate on all fronts to further promote economic relations between Nepal and China.

Source: National News Agency RSS