Bangladesh
Cabinet clears RTA policy to protect export markets in post-graduation era
The Cabinet on Monday cleared the draft of Bengali and English versions of Regional Trade Agreement (RTA) Policy, 2022 in a bid to protect and expand the country’s export markets overcoming the post-graduation challenges.
The approval came from the Cabinet meeting held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in chair at her office.
Since Bangladesh has graduated from the status of a least developed country (LDC), it needs to come trade agreements with many countries, said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam while briefing reporters at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
“To protect and expand our export markets as well as ensure duty-free access for our products by overcoming the challenges of LDC graduation, we’ve taken steps to go for regional trade agreements. So, the policy has been taken for it (signing RTAs),” he said.
Besides, the meeting approved the draft of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation Act, 2022 in a view to making the industrial entities under the BSCIC more effective, said the Cabinet Secretary.
The proposed law will particularly promote women entrepreneurs as the existing law -Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation Act, 1957— is an old one, which hadn’t focused on women properly.
The Cabinet also approved in principle the draft of International Mother Language Institute (Amendment) Act, 2022 aiming to form a language research trust under the institute.
Scholarship and fellowship will be given from the permanent fund of the trust for language research and development, said Anwarul Islam adding that its name will be ‘Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Language Research Trust.’
READ: Cabinet orders prompt action against rice hoarders
The meeting endorsed the ratification proposal for an agreement to be signed between Bangladesh and Oman on the mutual visa exemption for the holders of diplomatic, official, special or service passports.
The cabinet approved the proposal for providing the transit facilities to Nepal under the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal-Motor Vehicle Agreement (BBIN-MVA) by cancelling its earlier decision over the Operating Modalities for the Carriage of Transit Cargo between Nepal and Bangladesh.
Padma Bridge to be open to a super-gorgeous ceremony: Cabinet Secy
The inauguration of Padma Bridge will be 'super gorgeous' as there will be replication of the original gala event in all the 64 districts in the country simultaneously, said the Cabinet Secretary.
The long-cherished Padma Bridge is scheduled to be opened to traffic on June 25 next.
Rains to lash eight divisions
A reprieve from the sweltering summer heat is on the way, as showers are likely to drench the eight divisions of Bangladesh in the next 24 hours, the weather department said Monday.
Rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rajshahi and Khulna divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
READ: Rains to drench Bangladesh
The highest temperature today was recorded at 36 degrees Celsius in Rajshahi, while the minimum temperature was 22.5 degrees in Khulna.
The weather department recorded 75mm of rainfall – the highest – in Chattogram's Hatiya in the last 24 hours till 6pm Monday.
Day temperature may fall slightly, and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged, the BMD said.
Revenue collection target to be set at Tk4.33 trillion in budget for next fiscal
The government is to set an ambitious revenue collection target of Tk4.33 trillion for the national budget of fiscal year (FY) 2022-23, comfortably the highest ever, although meeting this target has never been the point.
Bangladesh’s national budget is set to be placed in parliament on June 9, 2022, for the next fiscal, 2022-23. The size of the national budget is to be set at Tk 6.77 trillion (TK677864 crore) which is 15.4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), sources in the Finance Ministry said.
The national board of revenue (NBR), a wing of the internal resources division (IRD), usually collects revenue for the government. The upcoming budget is set to have a Tk4.33 trillion revenue target that is Tk 44000 crore more than the target in the budget for the current fiscal and 9.8 percent of GDP. That target has of course not been met - it never has been in the era of the expansionary budgets adopted by ex-finance minister, the late A.M.A. Muhith. But that hasn't stopped them from expanding. It goes to show Muhith's legacy is still very much alive in the country's governance.
Given the very low tax-GDP ratio, it is better to aim high and miss, than aim low, has been the driving philosophy to the approach.
READ: Govt aims at boosting revenue collection amid recovery from Covid shocks
Though the government is raising the revenue collection target for NBR, the margin of the missed targets of the revenue board has been widening over the last several fiscal years. Lack of technical know-how of officials, friendly revenue collection approach and backdated technology are obstacles for the revenue board.
As per the calculation, the budget deficit would stand at Tk2.44 trillion that is 5.5 percent of GDP.
According to sources of the Finance Ministry, the government would borrow Tk128,341 crore from the domestic sources and Tk1,16,523 crore will be borrowed from abroad to meet the budget deficit, in the proposed budget.
Of the domestic borrowing, Tk 93,889 crore would be borrowed from the banking system while Tk 34,452 crore from savings certificates.
There will be no food crisis: Minister
There will be no food crisis in the country as Bangladesh’s soil can yield gold, said Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Monday.
“Farmers are harvesting Boro, Aush and Aman paddy and we’ll do everything whatever is needed against the illegal hoarders. Rice will be imported to make consumers comfortable after reducing taxes, if needed,” he said.
The minister said this while speaking at a virtual view-exchange meeting on ‘Boro procurement and market monitoring’ at the Secretariat.
Also read: Strict action if anyone tries to destabilise rice market: Food Minister
He also urged the traders to show their humanity to the consumers and not to think about excessive profit.
Sadhan also asked the authorities concerned to complete 70 per cent procurement by June.
The minister asked the authorities concerned to take steps so no farmer or mill owners faced any unwanted harassment during rice, paddy procurement.
Also read: Budget 2022-23: Govt to increase fertilizer subsidy to ensure food security
He also asked the mill owners to ensure quality of rice as there will be no compromise with the quality.
25-year-old found dead at Khulna rehab centre
A 25-year-old youth was found dead under mysterious circumstances at a rehabilitation centre near Royal Mor area of Khulna city on Monday morning.
The deceased was identified as Nabin Biswas, son of Narayan Chandra Biswas of Haroria village of Narail district.
Nabin, a drug addict, was admitted to Pragati Mental Illness and Drug Rehabilitation Center on May 24, according to the centre.
Also read: Missing man found dead in Sylhet
Tanmoy Biswas, a sub-assistant medical community officer said, Nabin went to the veranda after brushing around 8:30 in the morning.
Around 9am, "we found him hanging from the grille of the window with a towel".
Later, he was taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival, Tanmoy added.
Meanwhile, Hasan Shahriar Siam, another patient at the rehab centre, said, "Nabin often told me that he didn't want to stay here and he wanted to go home.
Also read: College student found dead in Sylhet
Khulna Sadar Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Hasan Al-Mamun said, "we are not sure whether Nabin Biswas committed suicide or not. "We will investigate the death," he added.
2 sentenced to life for murder in Kushtia
A Kushtia court on Monday sentenced two people to life imprisonment for killing a farmer in Kumarkhali upazila in 2015.Kushtia Additional District and Sessions Judge Court-1 Judge Muhammad Tajul Islam passed the order.The accused Md Bappy Pramanik and Alamin Sarder have also been fined with tk 25,000, and will have to spend an additional year in jail if they fail to pay.The convicts were present at the court during the hearing and they have been sent to Kushtia jail after the order, said Public Prosecutor advocate Anupam Kumar Nandi.
Also read: Man gets death sentence for killing wife over dowry in TangailOn September 12, 2015, Sabu Mia, 20, son of Md Swapan Mandal from Jagannathpur union went to Chapaigachi Bazar from his house and did not return home.The next day, his body was recovered from a local named Kader Biswash’s banana orchard.A murder case was filed in this regard at Kumarkhali police station following the complaint of Sabu’s father Swapan Mandal.After a long investigation the investigative officer filed a chargesheet against Bappy and Alamin in this case.
Also read: Triple murder in Kushtia: 3 sentenced to jail unto deathThe court fixed Monday for final hearing in this case after hearing testimonies of 18 witnesses, said PP Anupam Kumar.
Regional commander-level meeting in progress between BGB and BSF
A four-day long Region Commander of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Frontier IG level of Indian Border Security Force (BSF)-level border conference begins in Sylhet on Monday.
The frontier talks between Region Commander, BGB (Sarail, Chattagram and Cox's Bazar Region and Mymensingh Sector) and Frontier Inspector General (IG), BSF (Meghalaya, Mizoram and Kachar, Guwahati and Tripura frontier) have begun under management of BGB Sarail Region headquarter. it would end on Thursday, said Public Relation Officer (PRO)of the BGB Headquarter Md Shariful Islam.
Region Commander of BGB's Chattragram Region Headquarters Brigadier General Tanvir Gani Chowdhury has been leading a 13-member Bangladesh delegation, while Inspector General (IG)of India's Tripura Frontier Shri Sumit Sharan has been leading a six- member Indian delegation in the conference.
Also read: BGB destroys seized drugs worth Tk 395 crore in Cox’s Bazar
Apart from senior BGB officials, the Bangladesh delegation also includes officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs and the Department of Land Records and Survey.
Various important issues like border killings, illegal entry, other smuggling including drugs, trafficking of women and children, various development activities within 150 yards of the international border, development of existing bilateral relations between the two countries would be discussed in the four-day long border conference. Besides, various initiatives to enhance mutual trust between BGB and BSF would be also discussed.
Also read: 10 held by BGB for 'illegally entry'
It may be mentioned that after the conference, the BSF delegation will return to India on Thursday.
Bangladesh, Portugal to sign MoU to establish direct shipping links
Bangladesh and Portugal are working to connect the two countries through direct shipping links to create new prospects for fast, cost-effective and reliable shipping for the Bangladeshi exporters while sending regular consignments to Europe by sea.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam has expressed his satisfaction on the progress achieved towards signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Chattogram Port Authority and Leixoes Port Authority for the establishment of direct shipping link.
He also expressed satisfaction over the progress towards formation of a working group for the timely implementation of the MoU and assured his full support in this regard.
Also read: Bangladesh seeks productive partnership with Portugal; identifies priority areas
The State Minister received the Leixoes Port Authority delegation, led by the President of its Board of Directors Eng. Nuno Araújo at the Embassy during his current visit to Portugal.
Cabinet orders prompt action against rice hoarders
The Cabinet on Monday directed the relevant authorities to find out why the rice price is so high during the peak harvest season.
The directive came from the Cabinet meeting held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair at her office.
The meeting decided to conduct drives against illegal rice hoarders like the recent drives carried out against the edible oil hoarders in the country, said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam.
Also read: Strict action if anyone tries to destabilise rice market: Food Minister
“Today a directive was given to take quick action, if anyone is engaged in the unauthorized business and hoarding of rice,” he said, adding that prices of rice and oil were elaborately discussed at the meeting.
Anwarul said the Cabinet instructed to go on action after conducting a market survey to know why the prices of rice went up in the full season and whether the rice is being hoarded and whether anyone is engaged in rice business illegally.
He said there is information that some (businessmen or companies) might get engaged in rice business breaking the memorandum of association. So, the meeting asked to monitor and supervise the rice market strongly, he added.
Also read: PM urges fixing war-disrupted global supply chains to tame rising prices
An instruction was given to the commerce minister, the food minister, the commerce secretary, the food secretary and the agriculture secretary to sit in a meeting for conducting the market survey soon in order to find out the reason behind soaring rice price.
Bagerhat: Man jailed until death for raping woman & killing two grandchildren
A Bagerhat tribunal on Monday sentenced a man to life imprisonment unto death in a case filed for violating a woman and killing her two grandchildren in 2014.
Bagerhat Woman and child Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Md Nure Alam handed the punishment to Bachchu Mridha, 58.
The tribunal also ordered the convict to pay a fine Tk 20,000 to the rape survivor.
Also read: Rape at police station: fugitive police inspector sent to jail on surrender
The tribunal acquitted an accused of the case identified as Khokon Khan as allegations brought against him could not be proved.
According to the prosecution, Bachchu along with his associates barged into the house of Farhad Mridha on September 11, 2014 and violated the woman when she was sleeping with her two grandchildren—Mirajul and Riajul.
When the two children woke up they started screaming.
Later, Bachchu and his associates killed them and dumped their bodies in a water body adjacent to the house.
They also beat the woman up and left her presuming her to be dead.
Also read: Triple murder in Kushtia: 3 sentenced to jail unto death
Lokman Hossain lodged a complaint with Morrelganj Police against five people and police later registered an FIR in this connection the following day.
On July 10, 2015, police submitted charge sheet against two people