Bangladesh
No hike in fertilizer price in coming years: Agri Minister
The government has no plan to raise the prices of fertilizers in the coming years, said Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on Sunday.
“The prices of fertilizers will not increase further and the government will ensure that the farmers get enough fertilizers,” he said while talking to reporters after attending the meeting of ‘National Coordination and Advisory Committee on fertilizer’ at the Secretariat.
“We won’t allow any crisis to be created over fertilizer for the continuation of food production and the government will take measures so that the farmers would not face any harassment. If they (farmers) face any harassment regarding fertilizer we will see poor crop production ,” he said.
There is a demand of 27 lakh tonnes of urea fertilizer while 5-6 lakh tonnes of DAP fertilizer in the fiscal year 2023-24 but the government has now fixed it sy 16 lakh tonnes, he said.
Besides, there is a demand of 7.5 lakh tonnes of TSP fertilizer and 9 lakh tonnes of MOP fertilizer, he added.
Replying to a question about how much fertilizers is in stock now, the minister said there are four lakh tonnes of urea fertilizer in stock and 2 lakh tonnes of TSP, 2.5 lakh tonnes of DAP, 2 lakh tonnes of MoP fertilizer in stock.
“If the gas supply remains undisrupted, a little amount of fertilizer will be imported from abroad as the capability of Bangladesh Chemical industries Corporation (BCIC) has been increased. But many factories keep their production suspended due to shortage of gas,” said Razzaque.
He also assured of holding a high level meeting to produce urea fertilizer locally and the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources will be requested to provide sufficient gas to the fertilizer factories.
Bangladesh losing tax revenue of Tk84000 crore from informal sector: CPD
Bangladesh is missing tax revenue of Tk84000 crore each year due to irregularities, institution inability and tax avoidance tendency, according to study of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) published on Monday.
The study also found that around 68 percent of people do not pay income tax even after earning taxable income.
The CPD, a think tank, presented the study in a media briefing at its Dhanmondi office.
The study has been entitled “Corporate Tax Transparency Issues and Concerns in Bangladesh Its Implications on Tax Losses and Social Spending.”
Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director of CPD, presented the research paper. CPD Executive Director Fahmida Khatun moderated the programme.
Dr Moazzem said that 68 percent of people do not pay income tax even after earning taxable income. That is, two-thirds of people do not pay tax even when they are eligible to pay tax. This is the major reason why the tax GDP ratio has not increased.
On the other hand, 2.13 lakh companies are registered in Joint Stock Company, but only 45 thousand companies have filed returns, he said.
He said, the size of the informal sector in Bangladesh is 30 percent of GDP. The amount of tax in the informal sector was Tk22000 crores in 2010, which increased to Tk 84,000 crores in 2021.
About Tk 84,000 crore tax loss occurs in the shadow economy which is also called informal economy. If this money was included, then the expenditure on the social security sector could be tripled. In other words, the main obstacle to the growth of the tax net is the informal sector, the study said.
A large portion remains out of tax, resulting in the tax loss that is increasing day by day, Dr Moazzem said.
Huawei plans to develop 50,000 ICT talents in South Asia
Huawei has planned to develop 50,000 ICT talents in South Asia in the next five years.The strategy will include various programmes including building ICT academies, different ICT and startup competitions, online course enrollment, fresh employee recruitment, among others.The announcement was made during an event titled “Building a Smart Talent Ecosystem in South Asia, for South Asia” held on Monday at Huawei’s representative office of South Asia, according to a press release.Yuying Karl, country director of Huawei Bangladesh, South Asia Public Relations Department, shared the insight and plan at the event.Recently Huawei has formed its South Asia representative office in Dhaka, involving Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, and Bangladesh itself. This segment will be a sub-region of Huawei Asia Pacific region.Huawei developed more than 6,000 ICT talents last year in South Asia. And now it plans to develop 50,000 new ICT talents by next five year, said the release.ICT Academies are being built with different engineering universities in South Asia so that students can enroll for their desired programmes and achieve globally accepted certificates, it said.“Three things have been very important to Huawei, supporting the industry with cutting-edge technology and infrastructure, sustainable development, and cultivating ICT talents. Huawei is one of the leading companies that invested significantly in research and development. That helps us to provide the best technology to the ecosystem partners so that we can grow together,” Yuying said.“Besides, countries that have adopted digital strategy recently will largely depend on skilled youth. Huawei, as a responsible partner of ICT development, has fixed a solid plan for talent development,” he said.“By the end of 2022, we established Huawei ICT Academies with more than 2,200 universities across the globe. Through this programme, we train an average of more than 200,000 students each year,” he added.
2 more dengue patients hospitalised in 24 hrs
Two more people were hospitalised with dengue in the 24 hours till Monday morning.
The new patients were admitted to hospitals in outside Dhaka, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Fourteen patients, including nine in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
So far, the DGHS has recorded 852 dengue cases, 829 recoveries, and nine deaths this year.
The country logged 281 dengue deaths in 2022 – the highest on record after 179 deaths recorded in 2019. Also, it recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries last year.
PM Hasina hails Bangladesh’s progress in medical science
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said that doctors in Bangladesh are now capable of performing critical operations, including kidney transplant as the country has advanced in healthcare.
"Bangladesh has made a huge progress in medical treatment. Doctors are now capable of carrying out many critical operations, including kidney transplant," she said.
The prime minister said this when a delegation of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) led by its vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Sharafuddin Ahmed paid a courtesy call on her at the latter's official residence Ganabhaban.
PM's Deputy Press Secretary KM Shakhawat Moon briefed reporters after the meeting.
Hasina said her government has reached healthcare services to every doorstep following the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
She said her government has given topmost priority in extending healthcare services to the people.
Also read: PM on forex reserves: Better to spend on people's welfare than keep it idle
The physicians who have recently performed the first successful transplantation of organs from brain-dead patient Sara Islam were present at the meeting along with Sara’s mother. Also present were Shamima Akhter and Shabnam Sultana, who successfully received the kidneys donated by Sara.
The successful kidney transplantation was done on January 19 by a team of physicians led by Prof Dr Habibur Rahman Dulal at BSMMU hospital.
It was the first cadaveric kidney transplant performed in the country.
They took the kidneys from Sara Islam, a 20-year-old patient at the intensive care unit who was declared clinically dead in the afternoon of January 18, after her mother gave her consent for the operation.
Kidney transplantation from living donors began in the country in 1982. But taking a kidney from a clinically dead patient was legally restricted until it was amended in 2018 allowing collection of organs from the clinically dead with consent from relatives.
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Eid journey: Nat’l Committee demands bike ban on highways for 9 days
Bangladesh's National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways today (April 03, 2023) demanded a ban on motorbike movement on all highways for at least 9 days before, during and after Eid.
The organisation also called for taking strict action to stop the movement of three-wheelers and charging extra bus fare on all inter-district roads, including highways, during Eid travel.
The national committee President Haji Mohammad Shahid Mia and its general secretary Ashis Kumar Dey made this call in a statement.
Besides, leaders of the civic organisation demanded to stop the movement of unregistered, defective and unauthorized vehicles on all roads and highways of the country.
Read More: National Committee for taking action against lakhs of illegal vessels
They also urged Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) to strengthen the operation of mobile court and law enforcement agencies, including police, to implement these demands.
Emphasizing safe and hassle-free Eid travel, the statement said that the number of motorcycle accidents across the country is increasing at a geometric rate. Motorcycle accidents accounted for more than 40 percent of all road crashes last year. There is a fear of more mishaps during the Eid season due to the long-distance commute on these two-wheelers.
Small and unsafe vehicles slow down larger vehicles like buses and trucks on highways and inter-district roads, the statement said. This increases the risk of accidents and traffic jams. Despite the government ban, various types of three-wheelers including battery-powered rickshaws and numerous locally made vehicles such as Nasimon, Karimon, Bhotbhoti and Alam Sadhu are plying the highways and inter-district roads across the country.
Read More: National Committee for reducing metro rail fare by 50%
Citing examples from the near past, the statement of the national committee alleged that on many roads, various transport companies charge commuters one-and-a-half to double the fare on every Eid trip. As a result, bus owners and workers earn extra money, but general people are suffering financial losses.
Prothom Alo reporter Shams granted bail in DSA case
A Dhaka court on Monday (April 03, 2023) granted bail to Prothom Alo reporter Shamsuzzaman Shams in a case filed under the Digital Security Act (DSA).
Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Asaduzzaman Nur granted the bail on a bond of Tk 20,000.
A Dhaka court on Thursday sent him to jail rejecting his bail petition. Another petition was filed on Monday seeking bail.
Later, the journalist was shifted to Kashimpur Central Jail from Keraniganj on March 31. Meanwhile, he was taken back to Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj from Kashimpur Central Jail on April 1.
Also read: Journalist Shamsuzzaman taken back to Dhaka Central Jail
On March 29, members of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in plainclothes picked up Shams from his residence in Ambagan area, adjacent to Jahangirnagar University, around 4:30 am.
The same day, a Jubo League leader filed a case under the Digital Security Act against Shams, accusing him of publishing a "false and fabricated report" on the Prothom Alo website.
On March 29, an FIR was filed by a lawyer named Abdul Malek (Mashiur Malek), accusing Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman, reporter Shamsuzzaman Shams, an unnamed “assistant cameraman”, and unnamed others of “using print, online, and electronic media to tarnish the image and reputation of the state.”
In the FIR, the lawyer also mentioned that the accused were “purposefully spreading misinformation to deteriorate the law and order situation of the country.”
Read More: Prothom Alo Editor seeks anticipatory bail in DSA case, hearing yet to begin
The High Court on Sunday (April 02, 2023) granted six weeks anticipatory bail to Prothom Alo Editor and Publisher Matiur Rahman in a case filed under the Digital Security Act.
EC announces election dates for five cities
The Election Commission (EC) on Monday announced the election schedules for five city corporations –Gazipur, Khulna, Barishal, Rajshahi and Sylhet.
The election to Gazipur will be held on May 25, while Khulna and Barishal on June 12 and Rashahi and Sylhet on June 21.
EC Secretary Jahangir Alam announced the election schedules at a press briefing after a meeting of the Election Commission at the Nirbachan Bhaban here in the city’s Agargaon area.
The election to the five cities will be held with the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) instead of traditional ballot papers and close circuit cameras will be installed to monitor the polls, he said.
In the cities, the balloting will be held from 8:00am to 4:00pm without any recess. The EC’s own officials will act as returning officers in the five city election, he added.
In Gazipur city, the deadline for submission of nomination paper is April 23, while scrutiny of nomination paper is on April 30 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is May 08, as per the election schedules.
The Dhaka regional election officer will act as the returning officer of the Gazipur city election.
In Khulna and Barishal cities, the deadline for submission of nomination paper is May 16, while scrutiny of nomination paper is on May 18 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is May 25.
The Khulna and Barishal regional election officers will act as the returning officers of the two city elections.
Besides, Tarakanda Upazila Parishad in Mymensingh, Cox’s Bazar municipality and Araihazar municipality in Narayanganj will also go to polls on June 12 following the same schedule announced for Khulna and Barishal city corporations.
In Rajshahi and Sylhet cities, the deadline for submission of nomination paper is May 23, while scrutiny of nomination paper is on May 25 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is June 1.
Also read: 'Gaibandha by-election was an isolated case': Election Commissioner
The Rajshahi and Sylhet regional election officers will act as the returning officers for the two city elections.
Also, three municipalities –-Talora in Bogura, Basail in Tangail and Gopaldi in Narayanganj – will go to election on June 21 following the same schedule announced forRajshahi and Sylhet city corporations.
As per the laws, the Election Commission has an obligation to complete election within 180 days before the expiry of the five-year tenure of any city corporation and other local bodies. But the tenure started with the first sitting of the elected representatives of any local body.
The last city election was held in Gazipur on June 26, 2018, while in Rajshahi Sylhet and Barishal on July 30 2018 and in Khulna city on May 15, 2018.
Death in RAB custody: Rajshahi police receives Jasmine’s postmortem report
Rajshahi police has received the postmortem report of Naogaon land office employee Sultana Jasmine who died in RAB custody .
The forensic department of Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) handed over the report to police on Sunday afternoon.
Rafiqul Alam, a spokesperson of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) said, "I am aware of it." But I can't reveal what's in the report."
Also Read: Custodial death of Sultana: HC raises questions about RAB’s jurisdiction
No one will discuss this sensitive matter until the report is submitted to the High Court, said the officials concerned.
On March 25, following Jasmin's death, a three-member medical board performed the autopsy at RMCH's morgue.
Also Read: ‘Strong possibility head injury led to brain haemorrhage, no sign of high blood pressure’: RMCH director on Jasmine Sultana’s death
The report was handed over to the police within office hours, said Kofil Uddin, the board's chairman and also the director of the hospital's forensic department.
“I cannot disclose to the media what caused the death,” he said.
Subhash Chandra Barman, Sub-Inspector (SI) of Rajpara police station and the investigating officer of the case, did not want to comment on the report either.
Ruhul Amin, officer-in-charge (OC) of the city's Rajpara police station, said he did not inquire about the report.
“Everyone will know once it’s submitted before the court,” he said.
The High Court sought the police report and postmortem report on March 27.
The court also sought details about RAB personnel who arrested and interrogated Sultana.
The bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Ahmed Sohel passed the orders after taking newspaper reports into cognizance regarding the issue.
Union land office employee Sultana was detained by RAB members from Muktirmor area of Naogaon city on March 22 morning and died at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital on March 24.
However, the elite force denied the allegation of torture. They claimed that the victim was arrested for interrogation as there was an accusation of fraudulence against her.
Next national election to be held using ballot papers, not EVMs: EC secretary
Electronic Voting Machines(EVMs) will not be used in the 12th national election, said Election Commission (EC) Secretary Md. Jahangir Alam on Monday (April 03, 2023).
Voting will be held using ballot papers in 300 seats, he told reporters after a meeting of election commissioners at the EC Secretariat.
The EC secretary said they took the decision to use ballot paper due to lack of political consensus and necessary resources.
On August 23, the EC decided to use EVMs instead of traditional ballot papers in maximum of 150 constituencies in the next general election – likely to be held early next year.
Read More: BNP won't come to power whenever election is held: Quader
On September 19 last year, the Election Commission approved a Tk 8,711 crore project to procure electronic voting machines (EVMs) for 150 constituencies, out of 300, for the 12th parliamentary election.
The decision received strong opposition from BNP and its allies, who did not join talks with the CEC that continued throughout the month of July.
However, the ruling Awami League welcomed the decision as it was their demand to use EVMs in all 300 seats in the next election.
On January 23, this year the government decided not to proceed with purchasing 2 lakh electronic voting machines (EVMs) citing the global economic recession.
Read More: Cabinet nods 2 to 7 years’ imprisonment for election disruptions