Bangladesh
Bangladesh reports 31 more dengue cases
Thirty-one more people were hospitalised with dengue in the 24 hours to Thursday morning.
However, no fatalities were reported during this period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Also, the DGHS has not reported any dengue death in the first five days of this year. The country recorded 281 dengue deaths in 2022 – the highest on record after the 179 deaths recorded in 2019.
Read more:Two more dengue patients die, new cases 462
A total of 214 dengue patients, including 101 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
The DGHS has recorded 207 dengue cases and seven recoveries so far this year. It recorded 62,423 cases and 61,971 recoveries last year.
Over 1.27 lakh Bangladeshis likely to perform Hajj this year, Deal with KSA on Jan 9
The government will sign an agreement with Saudi Arabia on January 9 on Hajj and it hopes that over 1.27 lakh Bangladeshis will be able to perform Hajj this year if the previous quota is upheld by the KSA government.
Mohammad Anowar Hossain, senior public relations officer of the Religious Affairs Ministry, told UNB that a three- member team led by State Minister for Religious Affairs Faridul Haque Khan will leave for Saudi Arabia on January 7.
The Bangladeshi state minister and Saudi Hajj and Umarh Affairs Minister Dr Tawfiq Bin Al Rabiah will sign the agreement on the behalf of their respective countries.
According to the officials concerned of the ministry, the Saudi government may allow some 1, 27, 198 Bangladeshis to perform Hajj this year considering its population and the improved Covid-19 situation.
Of them, 15, 000 people will perform the Hajj under government management while 1, 12, 198 under private management, the public relations officer said adding that a draft has been prepared as per the plan.
Besides, Bangladesh will request to lift the embargo which restricts people over 65 years to perform Hajj, he said.
Read more: A hajj closer to normal: 1 million Muslims begin pilgrimage
On November 13, 2022, Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed a bilateral document on ‘Route to Mecca’ which will ease visit of Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims to the kingdom.
Under Route to Mecca service agreement, Pilgrims would be able to complete their immigration in Dhaka prior to their departure to Saudi Arabia.
According to the ministry, 1, 27,000 people from Bangladesh performed Hajj in 2019 while the KSA government increased quota for Bangladeshi pilgrims by 10,000 in 2020. But Hajj was not held in the year for Covid-19 pandemic.
Only 60,000 people from Bangladesh were allowed to join the Hajj in 2022 as the Saudi government halved the quotas for pilgrims in different countries.
Read more: PM opens Hajj conference and fair
France lauds Bangladesh's steady, outstanding development
Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy on Thursday applauded Bangladesh's "steady and outstanding" development, which supports its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2041.
The newly appointed Ambassador of France met Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed issues of mutual interest.
Both sides exchanged views on cooperation in aviation, food processing, clean and green energy, climate change, food security, repatriation of the Rohingyas; and free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
The Foreign Minister assured the new Ambassador Marie Masdupuy full support and cooperation during her tenure in Bangladesh.
Read more: Bangladesh hopeful of France's support for its bid for GSP+ facility beyond 2029
Both sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two friendly nations.
The Foreign Minister congratulated Ambassador Marie Masdupuy on her appointment as the Ambassador of France to Bangladesh and expressed his satisfaction at the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries.
He also recalled the support of France and contributions of the French intellectuals like André Malraux during our War of Liberation in 1971.
Read more: Study in France: Scholarship Opportunities and Overview for Bangladeshi Students
Parliament adopts condolence motion
Parliament on Thursday unanimously adopted a condolence motion expressing profound grief at the demise of eight former lawmakers, including one former minister, two former state ministers and an opposition whip, as well as other noted personalities.
The eight former lawmakers include former minister ABM Ghulam Mostafa (who was MP from Cumilla-4), two former state ministers Shah Muhammad Abul Hussain (Barishal-4) and Jafrul Islam Chowdhury (Chattogram-15) and former opposition whip Mashiur Rahman (Jhenaidah-2).
Read more: JS adopts condolence motion at deaths of 5 ex-MPs, noted personalities
The four other ex-lawmakers are Dr SA Malek (Faridpur-1), Dr Alauddin Ahmed (Kishoreganj-1), SM Farooq (Erstwhile Bogura-9) and Shahjahan Khan (Patuakhali-3).
Besides, the House expressed deep shock at the death of a number of noted personalities including former Chinese president Jiang Zemin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Heeraben Modi, Brazilian soccer legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento Pele, Rowmari Upazila Awami League president and also an organizer of the great Liberation War Azizul Haque Sarker and Square Group founder Samson H Chowdhury’s wife Anita Chowdhury.
The Parliament also expressed profound grief at the loss of lives in different accidents at home and abroad.
Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury moved the motion in the House in the beginning of the session.
A one-minute silence was observed and a munajat offered seeking eternal peace for the departed souls. State Minister for Religious Affairs Faridul Haque Khan conducted the munajat.
Read more: JS adopts condolence motion
21st Parliament session to continue till Feb 9
The 21st session of the current parliament that began Thursday will continue till February 9.
The session will start at 4:15pm on each working day.
On January 10, a special discussion will be held on the Homecoming Day of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The decisions came at a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the current parliament held at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka.
Read more: Parliament back in session; to continue till July 4
Committee Chair and Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury presided over the meeting.
It also decided to hold a special session in April to observe the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad. President Abdul Hamid will address the session and general discussion will be held on Thanksgiving motion of his speech.
It also decided that the Speaker may extend or cut the working days of the current session.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Opposition Leader Raushon Ershad, Amir Hossain Amu, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Obaidul Quader, Rashed Khan Menon, Hasanul Huq Inu, Deputy Speaker M Shamshul Huq Tuku, Anisul Huq, Golam Mohammad Quader, Anisul Islam Mahmud and Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury attended it.
Read more: 19th JS session to continue till September 1
BERC (amendment) Ordinance placed in JS allowing adjustment of gas, electricity prices without public hearing
The “Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (amendment) Ordinance, 2022” was placed in Parliament on Thursday which paved the way for the government to adjust the prices of gas and electricity without public hearing.
Law Minister Anisul Huq placed the ordinance in the House.
President Abdul Hamid promulgated the ordinance on December 1 last year amending the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Act-2003.
The law ministry issued a gazette on December 1 announcing the amendment that allows government to adjust the prices of gas and electricity.
Previously, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources used to adjust the prices of fuel including diesel, octane, kerosene and petrol without any public hearing. Where, the prices of gas and electricity were adjusted by the BERC through public hearings.
Read more: JS passes Bangladesh Patents Bill, 2022
With the amendment of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Act-2003, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources will not be required to hold a hearing to decide new prices for gas and electricity.
The BERC is an autonomous body which was established based on the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Act 2003, aiming at improving power and energy infrastructure in Bangladesh. The law was amended thrice in the past.
The Cabinet on November 28 approved an amendment to the BERC Ordinance 2022 to empower the government to set fuel tariff on its own under special circumstances without waiting for the commission’s public hearing and decision.
Read more: JS passes Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation Bill, 2022
Parliament goes into winter session Thursday
The 21st session of the 11th Parliament, also known as winter session, began on Thursday afternoon with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.
President Abdul Hamid started addressing the Jatiya Sangsad during the maiden session of 2023 as per the Article 73(2) of the Constitution.
Later, there will be a discussion over a thanksgiving motion on the President’s speech in the House during the session.
Read more: Parliament’s winter session begins on January 5
The House went into the session after a recess of 59 days as the 20th session of the current parliament was prorogued on November 06 last.
On December 19, the President convened the 21st session, exercising the power bestowed upon him as per the Clause (1) of Article 72 of the constitution.
Misconduct with Judge: HC summons B’baraia Bar Association president, 2 lawyers
The High Court on Thursday summoned three lawyers including Brahmanbaria Bar Association president for misbehaving with the district Woman and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Mohammad Faruq.
Those summoned are Bar Association president Advocate Tanvir Ahmed Bhuiyan, Secretary (Administration) Advocate Md Akkas Ali and Advocate Zubair Islam
The HC bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil passed the order on a suo moto move.
The court asked the trio to appear before the court on January 17 to explain the matter.
The court also issued a rule questioning as to why punitive action will not be taken against them on contempt of court charge.
Read more: HC summons ACC IO over exemption of accused in Sonali Bank loan scam case
On January 4,district Woman and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Mohammad Faruq sent a written complaint to the High Court to take action against those involved in this incident. Later, on the instructions of the Chief Justice, the Registrar General of the Supreme Court sent the written complaint of the judge to the HC bench.
On January 2, Bar Association president advocate Md Tanvir Bhuiyan, Secretary Advocate Md Akkas Ali and around 10-15 lawyers including Zubair Islam came and rudely asked the judge to leave the courtroom. Advocate Tanvir hurled abusive words at the court, as per the complaint.
One of the policemen present at the courtroom videoed the incident which was attached to the complaint.
Read more: HC summons 3 Khulna lawyers to face contempt charges
Considering the misconduct with a judge during the court session, it is necessary to settle the complaint in the interest of the safety of the judges and the image of the judiciary, reads the complaint.
HC seeks BCIC’s explanation over embezzlement of 72,000 tonnes fertiliser
The High Court on Thursday asked Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) authority to give an explanation over the embezzlement of 72,000 tonnes of imported chemical fertilisers that caused the government a loss of Tk 582 crore.
The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the order on a suo moto move after taking a report published in a national daily into cognizance.
BCIC chairman has been asked to submit an explanation in this regard on January 20.
Read more: HC questions legality of primary school teacher recruitment on quota basis
Besides, the court ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate the matter and submit a report within 60 days.
The HC also issued a rule questioning why the failure and negligence of the authorities concerned to take action against those involved in the embezzlement should not be declared illegal.
Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan appeared for the ACC in the court while Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik and Assistant Attorney General Anna Khanam Koli represented the state.
A national daily published a report today (Thursday) stating that Poton Traders, the contractor in charge of transportation, has allegedly embezzled 72,000 tonnes of government imported chemical fertilisers without delivering them to the warehouse after release from the port. The government has suffered a financial loss of Tk 582 crore for this embezzlement.
Read more: HC issues rule on migration system in admission process
Former Member of Parliament Kamrul Ashraf Khan (Poton) is the owner of Potton Traders.
The fertiliser embezzlement by Potton Traders has come to light in two investigations by the BCIC, a government body under the Ministry of Industry that imports fertilizer.
The fertilisers were released between November, 2021 and May 15, 2022.
BCIC has not taken any legal action even after seven months of non-supply of fertiliser. BCIC sent a letter to the Ministry of Industries December 20 last year seeling instructions for taking legal action.
Digital X-Ray machine lies inoperative at Jhenaidah Hospital for years
A digital X-ray machine at Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital has been lying inoperative for lone due to negligence of the hospital authorities, depriving treatment seekers from the service.According to hospital sources, the government sent a Listem 500MA Digital X-ray machine for Jhenaidah Shishu Hospital in 2008 at a cost of TK 60 lakh.
Though the machine was very important for diagnosis and treatment of children, it was not even unpacked for six years at the hospital.
Then it was brought to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital in 2014, said Shafiqul Islam, in-charge of the X-ray department of the hospital.
Read more: X-ray machines at most Feni govt hospitals not working for years
"When it was unboxed, it was found that rats entered the X-ray machine and cut the wires of the machine into pieces, leaving the fluoroscopy site damaged," he added.
“Though the radiography site was operational at that time, now the whole machine is out of order due to lack of repair.”
“It remained inoperative for the last 8 years. The machine will be repaired next June if we get government allocation”, said Shafiqul.
When contacted, Dr. Ali Hasan Farid, head of Jhenaidah Shishu Hospital, said he can't say anything about it as he joined the hospital in 2021. He, however, said that they have sent a list of requirements to the ministry for many equipment including x-ray machines for the hospital.
Read more: Govt to set pvt hospitals’ service fees: Health Minister