Bangladesh
Decision on legal steps against GCC mayor to be known soon: Tajul
Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam said the decision about taking legal steps against Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) Mayor Jahangir Alam will be known within a day or two.
“The government is reviewing the legal issue and the decision will be known within a day or two,” he said.
The minister came up with the information while talking to reporters at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
“Legal action will be taken after scrutinizing the city corporation law, and we’ll let you know about it,” said Tajul.
Also read: Gazipur Mayor to seek review of his expulsion decision
On Friday, Awami League expelled its Gazipur unit general secretary and city mayor Jahangir Alam for life for his controversial comments on Bangabandhu and other local leaders.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Awami League Central Working Committee at Ganobhaban on Friday evening with party chief and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
On October 3, Awami League issued a show cause notice to Jahangir Alam for his recent viral video with controversial comments on Bangabandhu, regarding the number of people martyred during the Liberation War and other local leaders.
He was asked to reply to the notice within 15 days.
The notice said Jahangir’s viral comments damaged the image and popularity of the political organization.
It is equal to going against the interest of the organization and breaking its disciplines which is a punishable offence according to the party’s constitution, it said.
Also read: Awami League expels Gazipur mayor Jahangir
Jahangir was asked through the letter to explain why organizational action should not be taken against him.
The mayor claimed that conspirators and anti-election groups have spread the 'technologically manipulated video' as propaganda against him.
Cabinet approves President’s draft speech to be delivered in Parliament
The Cabinet on Monday approved the draft speech of President Md Abdul Hamid to be delivered in the 15th session of the 11th Parliament on November 24 next on the occasion of 50 years of the country’s Independence.
The approval came at a virtual meeting of the cabinet held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
The PM joined the meeting from her official residence Ganobhaban, while others got connected from the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Also read: President to deliver speech in Parliament on Nov 24
“The President will deliver the speech in Parliament on November 24 during a special discussion on the occasion of 50 years of the country’s Independence. The Cabinet today approved the speech,” said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam while briefing reporters after the meeting.
As part of the yearlong celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the country’s Independence, the special discussion will be held on November 24 and 25 next.
Also read: President Hamid, PM Hasina mourn writer Hasan Azizul Huq's death
Zila Parishad representatives can’t hold posts after tenure
Zila Parishad chairmen and members cannot hold posts after the 5-year tenure on any excuse as per the draft of the Zila Parishad (Amendment) Act 2021, which was approved by the Cabinet on Monday.
The approval came in a virtual meeting of the cabinet held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
The PM joined the meeting from her official residence Ganobhaban, while others got connected from the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Also read: Balanced development: Govt creates 3 new upazilas in 3 districts
“Zila Parishad representatives will have to leave their posts on the expiry of their tenure. The government would appoint administrator/s to run the local body until the formation of the next council (parishad),” said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam while briefing reporters after the meeting.
S Korea to provide $ 100mn loan to help Bangladesh’s economic recovery
The government of South Korea has approved US$ 100 million in concessional loan from Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) to help the recovery of Bangladesh’s economy hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The new concessional loan of US$ 100 million will be used to implement several projects aimed at advancing public finance management system and improving small and medium-sized businesses struggling from the repercussion of the pandemic.
The amount would be released as soon as the loan agreement is signed between the Korea EXIM Bank and the Bangladesh Government which is expected to be done within the year.
Also read: Korea promotes young entrepreneurs’ development through business curriculum at universities
EDCF is a Korea’s development financing program for assisting the socio-economic development of developing countries.
The Republic of Korea has already provided US$ 50 million of EDCF loan as budgetary support in December 2020 to to help Bangladesh’s efforts for fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the second provision of this type of concessional loan.
It will be the first EDCF loan to be implemented under the new EDCF Framework Agreement for the years 2021 through 2025 which was signed between the two Governments on 24 October 2021, said the South Korean Embassy in Dhaka on Monday.
Also read: S Korean envoy Lee for diversifying collaboration with Bangladesh
According to the agreement, the Korean government will provide up to US$ 700 million of concessional loans to the government of Bangladesh for the five year period.
Bangladesh is the second largest recipient of the EDCF loans worldwide in aggregate amount.
So far, the Republic of Korea has funded 24 development projects of Bangladesh with total amount of USD$ 1.2 billion US dollars through the EDCF.
EU envoy hosts special school children at his residence
Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley on Monday hosted special children with different abilities at his residence and enjoyed their cultural performances putting emphasis on their inclusion in society.
A new book titled “Amar Nam Runa” (My Name is Runa) was also launched at the event and reading of the book is expected to lead to more inclusive and open society.
The book tells the real life story of Runa depicting how she grew up and what are the difficulties she faced and what is the current way of living life for her.
Also read: Will follow next polls very closely amid Bangladesh’s growing importance globally: EU
“The book is about the life experience of a girl with disabilities and of appeal for new school building,” said EU Ambassador Whiteley.
Fire at Meena Bazar Lalmatia outlet under control
A fire that broke out at Meena Bazar superstore in the city’s Lalmatia area has been brought under control.
Fire service sources said the fire broke out at the super shop around 13:04 pm on Monday and spread soon.
Read: 4 of a family burnt in Mugda fire
On information, four firefighting units rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze around 13:55 pm.
However, the extent of losses caused by the fire could not be known immediately.
Read: Journo among 20 hurt as BNP men, police clash in Natore
4 of a family burnt in Mugda fire
Four members of a family, including a child, suffered burn injuries as a fire broke out in a flat at Mugda in Dhaka on Monday morning.
The injured are- Sudhangsu, 35, his wife Priyanka, 32, their son Arup, 5 and Priyanka’s mother Shefali, 55, residents of the area.
Read: SSC examinees, others suffer as transport strike begins in Sylhet
Priyanka's brother Palash said the fire broke out when Priyanka attempted to light the gas stove with a matchstick in the morning, leaving the four members of the family seriously injured.
The injured are undergoing treatment at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
Read: Journo among 20 hurt as BNP men, police clash in Natore
Ayub Hossain, a resident surgeon at the hospital, said Sudhangsu sustained 25 percent burn wounds while Priyanka 75 percent, Arup 67 percent and Shefali 35 percent.
The condition of three of the injured is critical, he added.
Journo among 20 hurt as BNP men, police clash in Natore
At least 20 people, including a journalist, were injured in a clash between BNP activists and police at Alaipur in Natore town on Monday.
Witnesses said BNP leaders and activists gathered in front of their party office at Alaipur around 10 am to hold a rally as part of their central program demanding its chairperson Khaleda Zia’s release for her treatment abroad.
Read: Medical staffers go on flash strike at Natore Sadar Hospital over attack on guard
At one stage, police obstructed them, triggering a clash.
BNP men attacked police with brick chips and a chase and a counter-chase took place, leaving 20 people wounded.
Police fired several rounds of tear gas shells to bring the situation under control, said superintendent of police Liton Kumar Saha.
After a seven-hour mass-hunger strike on Saturday, BNP announced to hold rallies across the country, including the capital, on Monday, demanding the immediate release of 'critically' ill Khaleda Zia for better treatment abroad.
Read: UP member found dead in Natore
Party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the program while concluding their hunger-strike program in front of BNP’s Naya Paltan central office.
He said their party’s all units of metropolitan cities, district towns, and upazila headquarters will hold rallies.
SSC examinees, others suffer as transport strike begins in Sylhet
An indefinite transport strike, enforced by Bangladesh Road Transport Workers' Federation (BRTWF), began in Sylhet division on Monday to press for their five-point demand.
Commuters, including SSC examinees and office-goers, continued to suffer as all modes of public transport, including buses, CNG-run auto-rickshaws and freight trucks went off the roads in the division.
However, vehicles carrying SSC examinees, patients, foreign-bound people have been kept out of the purview of the strike.
No long-haul buses have left Sylhet since morning due to the strike and transport workers were seen picketing on the roads.
Read: Indefinite transport strike in Sylhet from Monday
Private vehicles were seen dominating the streets in Sylhet city in absence of public transport.
Talking to UNB, a number of passengers expressed anger and frustration over the frequent transport strikes.
Hossain Ahmed, a bank official waiting at the Sylhet Central Bus Terminal, said, “Transport owners go on strike for simple reasons. They want to realise their demands, making us hostage. This is very unfair.”
He demanded an end to such strikes in the emergency services sector by enacting a law.
Khaleda’s treatment abroad: BNP to submit memo to DC offices Wednesday
BNP will submit memorandums to all the Deputy Commissioner (DC) offices across the country on Wednesday demanding that its Chairperson Khaleda Zia be allowed to go abroad for advanced medical treatment.
Party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programme at a rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Monday.
Read: Khaleda’s treatment abroad: Now BNP to hold rallies Monday
“Our leaders and activists together with people will submit memorandums to all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) offices on November 24 (Wednesday) demanding the release of our leader (Khaleda) for her treatment abroad,” he said.
Fakhrul warned that they will come up with harsher programmes if their demand is not met by the time. “We don’t have any other alternative to intensifying the movement.”
As part of their countrywide programme, Dhaka south and north city units of BNP arranged the rally to mount pressure on the government to let Khaleda go to any advanced centre overseas for treatment.