Bangladesh
Bangladesh allows green chilli import as price keeps rising
The Ministry of Agriculture has allowed the import of green chilli in the wake of surging prices in the local market ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
The ministry permitted 30 importing firms to import a total of 11,600 metric tonnes of green chillies, said a release on Sunday (25 June).
Read: Cow rawhide price increases by 6 percent this year: Tipu Munshi
Besides, 68 companies have been granted permission to import 55,600 MT of tomatoes, it added.
The price of green chilli has significantly risen in the local market recently.
Tk 2,000 min tax for TIN holders won't be imposed; Finance Bill 2023 passed in parliament
Finance Bill 2023 was passed on Sunday (June 25, 2023), dropping the much-debated proposed provision for Tk 2,000 for every TIN holder during submission of their income tax return.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal moved the bill and it was passed by voice vote.
The finance minister accepted some other minor proposals on the finance bill in section 2 and 2-Ka.
The other amendment proposals were rejected by a voice vote.
Read more: Several reform initiatives on the cards as govt moves to shore up economy
The finance minister accepted an amendment scrapping specific duty on import of fuel oil by reinstating the previous tax on value as concerns grow over a significant hike in prices of petroleum products under the new tax measures.
The specific duty on oil imports came into effect on June 1, 2023, under the ‘Provisional Collection of Taxes Act 1931 (Act No. XVI of 1931) in the Finance Bill placed before parliament on that day.
Customs Duty, VAT and Advance Tax on the import of fuels have been reinstated in the Finance Act 2023, as those were scrapped in the bill.
The proposed value-added tax (VAT) on the manufacturing of ballpoint pens has been cut to 5 percent from 15 percent.
Read more: e-TIN: Online registration process in Bangladesh
In the Finance Bill on June 1, the finance minister proposed Tk 2,000 as minimum tax on those who have no taxable income but need to submit tax returns for availing government services.
‘UN to give special consideration to recruit more peacekeepers from Bangladesh’
Visiting UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Jean-Pierre Lacroix on Sunday assured that he would give special consideration to the recruitment of more peacekeepers from Bangladesh. Lacroix made the assurance when he met acting Army Chief Lieutenant General Ataul Hakim Sarwar Hasan at the military headquarters on Sunday.
Read: UN USG Lacroix commends Bangladesh’s proactive role to increase number of women peacekeepersDuring the meeting, they exchanged greetings and discussed various issues related to the UN peacekeeping mission. During the discussion, the current status of the Mali mission and the future activities of the said mission was given utmost importance, says an Inter Service Public Relation (ISPR) Directorate media release. The Acting Army Chief requested the visiting UN Under Secretary General to recruit more Bangladeshi peacekeepers for the peacekeeping missions.Lacroix highly praised the contribution of Bangladeshi peacekeepers engaged in the UN missions and assured that he would give special consideration to the recruitment of more peacekeepers from Bangladesh. He also thanked Bangladesh and especially the Bangladesh Army for sending the highest number of peacekeepers for a long time.
Read: Those trying to undermine peacekeepers’ achievements are Bangladesh’s enemies: ShahriarDuring the meeting, the appointment of Bangladeshis and especially women peacekeepers for important appointments in future peacekeeping missions was also discussed. The Acting Army Chief thanked the UN official. The UN Under Secretary General is on a visit to Bangladesh to attend the Peacekeeping Ministerial-2023 Preparatory Conference to be held in Ghana's capital Accra in December this year. This conference titled “Women in Peace” is being organised jointly by Bangladesh, Canada and Uruguay. Bangladesh has been in a leading position in the dynamic trend, which the United Nations has developed in peacekeeping missions over the past few decades. Bangladesh has also been standing the number one country for sending peacekeepers for the past few years. The number of members sent from Bangladesh is increasing every year. Bangladesh is also in a strong position in decision-making posts in peacekeeping missions.
AL must be in power for Bangladesh's graduation to developing country: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the people of Bangladesh need to keep Awami League in power to attain the final graduation of Bangladesh as a developing country by 2026.
“We know it is we who are needed to make the graduation of Bangladesh as a developing country,” she said, joining the general discussion on the national budget for 2023-24 fiscal year in Parliament.
Sheikh Hasina, the Leader of the House, said today Bangladesh has gained the status of a developing country.
“Who will be able to implement it if we don’t come (to power again)? Show me a person who will be able to do it. Show me a person who will work selflessly for the country. If you (can) show me such leadership, I have no objection,” she said.
Read: Next national polls will be free, fair: Momen
Pointing at the people of the country, the PM said since the people voted Awami League to power time and again, the AL governments have been able to serve the country and bring it on the development track.
She said her government has been able to reduce the poverty rate significantly. Today the unemployment rate is only 3 percent, she added.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal unveiled Tk 761,785-crore national budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year in Parliament on June 1.
The PM said her government has been taking proper steps to keep the wheels of the economy moving despite facing obstacles, resistance and criticism.
Hadn’t there been the Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, Bangladesh could have gone too far on its development journey, she said.
She, however, said there is nothing to fear as it is normal that problems come from time to time.
“Don’t be upset seeing problems. Rather it has to be faced. We hear many things that the government will be overthrown today and other things will be done tomorrow,” said Sheikh Hasina.
Read: Cow rawhide price increases by 6 percent this year: Tipu Munshi
Lambasting the critics of the budget, she said many persons have called this budget as ambitious or unimplementable. “We hear such things always.”
She said some people are there who always show a negative attitude and they see nothing positive, which is the most unfortunate thing for the country.
The PM said the critics perhaps never went to the rural areas where the poverty rate declined largely than the urban areas. There is no such suffering among the rural people, she added.
She said Bangladesh has been able to witness massive progress as stability has been prevailing in the country for the last 14 and a half years.
The government has been able to place a record budget of Tk 761,785 crore amid tough time across the world, which emerged due to aftermaths of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, she added.
Read: Bangladesh will never be like Sri Lanka: MA Mannan
“When the economies of many developed countries are struggling, we’ve been able to give this huge budget,” she said.
About the budget deficit, the premier said her government keeps the budget deficit within 5 pc to 5.5pc every year. “This time the budget deficit has been kept within 5pc. There is nothing to worry about it,” she said.
Talking about the target of 7.5 percent growth rate in the budget, she said this target can be achieved.
Sheikh Hasina expected the universal pension scheme can be introduced within the upcoming fiscal year of 2023-34.
Government employees to get 5pc of basic as special incentive:
The PM, in her speech, gave instructions to Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal to take action to consider paying 5 percent of the basic salary as a special incentive.
"I request the Finance Minister to consider paying 5 percent of the basic salary as a special salary to the government employees during this emergency. I hope the honourable Finance Minister will accept this matter. We will give them 5 percent of the basic salary as a special incentive," she said.
The Prime Minister highlighted the various steps taken by the government to control inflation and raised her government’s development successes in different sectors.
Three schoolgirls drown in Narayanganj
Three schoolgirls drowned in a pond while taking a bath in Golakandail union of Rupganj upazila under Narayanganj district on Sunday afternoon.
The deceased were identified as Afsana Akter Maria, daughter of Rukan Uddin of Gandyabpur area of Tarab municipality in Rupganj upazila, Subarna Akter, daughter of Salam Mia of Durgapur area of Netrokona district and Maria, daughter of Roman Mia of Nabiganj upazila under Habiganj district. All the deceased were students of Horgaon Government Primary School.
Read: 2 children drown in a pond in Jamalpur
Mostafizur Rahman, inspector of Bhulta police outpost, said three schoolgirls drowned in a pond of Horgaon area in the afternoon when they went to take bath as none of them knew how to swim.
Later, locals rescued the girls and took them to the local US Bangla Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared them dead.
Read: Man’s body recovered from tea garden in Sylhet
Man jailed for life for killing girl in Shariatpur
A Shariatpur court on Sunday sentenced a man to life term imprisonment for killing a teenage girl in 2016.
The man is Mizanur Rahman alias Mizan Bagha, son of Abdur Rob Bagha of Gosairhat upazila of Shariatpur district.
Read: Four war criminals sentenced to death
Senior District and Sessions Judge Sheikh Mafizur Rahman handed down the judgement this noon. The court also fined the convict Tk 10,000, in default, to suffer six months more in rigorous imprisonment.
According to the prosecution, a 12-year old Sahida Akter Nipa of the same upazila was going to her sister's home at 8pm on August 4, 2016. On her way, Mizanur introduced himself as her relative and gave her a cake to eat.
Read: Man on the run after ‘beating elder brother to death’ in Ctg, 2 more injured
Later, he took her to an isolated place and strangled her to death over an old enmity and left her body beside a canal.
A case was filed with Gosairhat police following a complaint lodged by the victim's father Manik Sardar.
Bangladesh will never be like Sri Lanka: MA Mannan
Bangladesh will never experience the Sri Lanka situation and there is no possibility, rather its situation will be like Europe, Japan and China, said Planning Minister MA Mannan on Sunday.“Do not fear, Bangladesh will now be a country like in Europe, Japan and China. For the past one year, a vested quarter is provoking people in many ways, but to no avail,” he said while speaking at a programme after disbursing financial aid to some destitute people in Sunamganj district.
Read: Next national polls will be free, fair: MomenReferring to BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi’s comment that the country has become isolated from the world, the minister said “The country will not become isolated because of the word of one single person as the United Nation itself has no idea that Bangladesh becomes isolated. Then how would Rizvi know? ”Talking about the upcoming national election, MA Mannan said the next general election must be free and fair. “Elections have been fair in the past and our party will not obstruct any party from participating in the election.”On a warning note, the minister said “No one dares to create chaos and if anyone tries to create chaos, trigger violence and arson then they will be dealt with.”
Read: Cow rawhide price increases by 6 percent this year: Tipu MunshiMentioning the price hike of onion, the minister said that some unscrupulous businessmen were behind it. “From now on, if anyone tries to increase the price of essentials then we will take action,” he said.He also distributed Tk 1270 to 417 destitute people each in the district.
Cow rawhide price increases by 6 percent this year: Tipu Munshi
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Sunday announced that the price of cow rawhide (salted) this year has been increased by 6 percent ahead of the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Azha, which is going to be held on June 29.
The minister, however, warned that if the rawhide traders manipulate the price, the government will allow export of salted rawhide.
Read: Next national polls will be free, fair: Momen
The minister said this while talking to reporters after a meeting held at the conference room of the Commerce Ministry to review the issues of pricing and proper management of cow-rawhide on the occasion of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.
“The price of salt-applied cow-rawhide this year has been fixed at Tk 50-55 per square foot in Dhaka and Tk 45-48 outside Dhaka,” he said.
Besides, the price of salted mutton and goat hide remained unchanged, he added.
Read: Govt fixes rawhide prices ahead of Eid-ul-Azha
Responding to a question on whether any action will be taken against those rawhide traders who create instability in the market through reducing the price of hide, Tipu Munshi said, "If the rawhide traders deliberately manipulate the price, then we will allow the export of rawhide abroad. We hope that won’t happen.”
“Arrangements have been made to monitor jointly from the Ministry of Commerce, Local Government Division, Ministry of Home Affairs and the concerned ministries…Besides, a monitoring committee with deputy commissioners, divisional commissioners and police has been formed. The monitoring team will look after it so that necessary action can be taken,” he said.
All are requested to ensure that no rawhide will come to Dhaka from outside in the next seven days of Eid to secure proper management, he said, adding that salt- applied hides from across the country will be brought to Dhaka in phases.
Read: Salted rawhides collection starts Thursday
Commerce Ministry Senior Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh and senior officials of the local government division, Ministry of Industry, Fisheries and Livestock Ministry, Bangladesh Bank and other institutions under the Ministry of Commerce were present on the occasion.
Next national polls will be free, fair: Momen
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen MP on Sunday said that the government would definitely hold next general elections in a free and fair manner.
“I don't listen to rumours. We will definitely hold free and fair elections. We have proved it in the last few elections. Each of them has been free, fair and violence-free,” he said.
He made the statement while participating in the general discussion on the proposed budget for the financial year 2023-2024 in Parliament.
Momen hoped that people would stand against the conspirators who want to create uncertainty in the country.
“You have proved again and again that you are not defeated by any foreign power. This time too, you will unite with the government and build a developed, prosperous country by confronting all kinds of foreign conspiracies,” Momen said.
Read: UN USG Lacroix commends Bangladesh’s proactive role to increase number of women peacekeepers
He said that his ministry was emphasising on national and regional stability.
“(It is) so that the state and regional stability are not disturbed because of any kind of madness and terrorist activities and socio-economic instability. Various sections have attempted to destabilise the country. Beware of them,” he said.
Requesting the people of the country, he said: “Do not bring misfortune to the country by any kind of persuasion or urge.”
“We support you to achieve internal and regional stability in the country... A vested quarter may have grudge against the government of Bangladesh. They are moving towards the destruction of the country because of their hatred towards the government. We will tell their friends to be careful. Destroying the country will also harm you,”he added.
Read: Rohingya repatriation: Bangladesh determined for a ‘small trial’, says Shahriar Alam
The minister made two proposals to increase the budget revenue and number of tax payers.
The first one is that all Bangladeshi citizens who have National Identity Cards should file their tax returns and the second one is those who transact above Tk 25,000 should do that through banks and cheques.
The foreign minister felt that national and regional stability is necessary to sustain the development of the country in the last 14 and a half years.
He said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is emphasising on national and regional stability.
He said that for the overall development of the country the government should be more efficient in implementing the projects.
Read: Power Division opens control rooms to ensure smooth electricity supply during Eid-ul-Azha
The minister pointed out that many times the duration of the proposed projects is unnecessarily prolonged.
“This increases the cost of the project as well as the cost of the government. Hence more supervision is required to complete the projects within the stipulated time.”
In this regard, he mentioned about a country where if a project director fails to complete the project within the stipulated time he is suspended, jailed and fined.
“As a result the duration of the project does not increase…. I will be happy if you give attention to this matter,” the minister said.
IEEE Bangladesh organises 'Robotics for Climate Change' competition
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Bangladesh Section organised a competition titled 'Robotics for Climate Change' at the Council Hall of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in the capital’s Ramna on Saturday (June 24).
IEEE President Professor Dr. Saifur Rahman was the chief guest at the event while Bangladesh Awami League's science and technology secretary and President of The Engineers Institution Engineer Abdus Sabur and IEEE Women in Engineering Chair Professor Dr. Celia Shahnaz were special guests.
Read: Google should break up digital ad business over competition concerns, European regulators say
Prof. Saifur Rahman said it is a great honor and pride to lead IEEE as a Bangladeshi. The children of Bangladesh are progressing a lot. For sustainable development, women need to be seen not as women but as human beings, to build an inclusive society in technology.
Solar energy or natural energy (wind and water) can play a major role in the coming days to solve the electricity problem and mitigate the damage caused by climate change, he opined.
Speaking as a special guest at the event, Engineer Md. Abdus Sabur said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has repeatedly said that the problem of climate change is the problem of the whole world. Solving this problem requires putting pressure on the rich countries of the world that emit too much carbon. Incentives should be arranged for more affected countries like Bangladesh. He called upon young engineers and entrepreneurs to come forward in building Smart Bangladesh.
Read: IT Competition for Youths with Disabilities ends