United News of Bangladesh

A Dhaka court on Tuesday set February 2 for delivering its verdict in a case filed over the misuse of power in securing a 10-katha government plot in the Purbachal area of the capital against Sheikh Hasina, her niece UK MP Tulip Siddiq and 15 others. Judge of the Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 Rabiul Alam fixed the date after hearing the law-point arguments in the case. Only one accused of the case. former RAJUK official Khurshid Alam, was produced before the court while the others remained absconding. So far, 31 witnesses gave their deposition in the case. The court also fixed January 18 for hearing another case over Rajuk plot scam against 18 people including Sheikh Hasina and her family members. A total of six cases were filed in connection with the Rajuk plot scam against Sheikh Hasina and her family. On November 27, last year, a court sentenced Sheikh Hasina to 21 years in jail in three cases over irregularities in plot allocation by Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk). On December 1, a Dhaka court sentenced Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and Rehana’s daughter and British MP Tulip Siddiq to different jail terms in a case filed over the misuse of power in securing a 10-katha government plot in Purbachal area of the capital. According to the case statement, ACC Deputy Director Salahuddin filed the case on January 13, last year, accusing Sheikh Rehana of unlawfully obtaining a 10-katha plot at Purbachal New Town through abuse of power and procedural irregularities. On July 31, last year, the court framed charges against the accused.  

Members of Coast Guard in a drive seized 100 kgs of deer venison from Gholer Khal in Koyra upazila of Sundarbans in Khulna district. Tipped off, a team of Coast Guard conducted a special drive in the area around 4 pm on Monday and recovered the venison and four metres of deer poaching traps, said Lieutenant Commander Md Muntasir Ibne Mohsin (media) of Coast Guard west zone on Tuesday. Read More: Coast Guard arrests leader of gang abducting tourists in Sundarban  However, the Coast Guard members could not arrest anyone as the poachers managed to flee the scene. The seized items were handed over to Kagadobeki forest camp in Sundarbans.

The government on Tuesday approved separate proposals for procuring one crore liters of refined soybean oil and 40,000 metric tons of fertiliser to meet the growing demand for the country. The approval came from a meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase at the Secretariat with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair. During the meeting, a total of four purchase proposals from different ministries and divisions namely from the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industries, and the Road Transport and Highways Division were approved. As per a proposal from the Ministry of Commerce, the government would procure one crore litres of refined soybean oil through the local Open Tender Method (National) method from Sonargaon Seeds Crushing Mills Ltd., Dhaka at around Tk 180.85 crore with the per liter price at Tk 180.85. In response to a proposal from the Ministry of Industries, the government would import 40,000 metric tons of bulk granular urea fertiliser from SABIC Agri-nutrients Company, Saudi Arabia with around Tk 191.41 crore with per ton price at US$390. Responding to another proposal from the Road Transport and Highways Division, the day’s meeting entrusted with the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) for procurement of non-consultancy service for delivery of commercial driver training under Package with around Tk 230.72 crore under the “Bangladesh Road Safety Project,” jointly financed by the Government of Bangladesh and the World Bank. Another proposal from the Road Transport and Highways Division was placed for the construction of the Nalua–Baherchar Bridge over the Pandab–Paira River including approach road, service road, river training works, toll plaza, electro mechanical and ancillary works at the 27th km of the Barishal (Dinerarpool)–Laxmipasha–Dumki Road. The project is being implemented by the Roads and Highways Department with joint financing from the Government of Bangladesh and the OPEC Fund. Hidden hands in the fields: Dealers blamed for artificial fertiliser shortage in north After detailed discussions, the work was awarded to the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), China with a total cost of Tk 899.62 crore.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said the auditors of five banks whose shares have recently been reduced to zero would face action, as the government is examining the context in which shareholders had purchased those shares. The banks are First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank Limited (SIBL), EXIM Bank, Global Islami Bank and Union Bank. Talking to reporters after a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Government Purchase and Economic Affairs at the Secretariat, Dr Salehuddin said the authorities are scrutinising the circumstances under which shareholders invested in these banks. “We are examining in what context the shareholders bought the shares. And yes, action will be taken against the auditors of these five banks. That process is under review,” he said. Responding to a question about compensation for general shareholders, the finance adviser acknowledged that the issue is complicated. Earlier, before the merger of the five banks, the government had indicated that the matter of compensating ordinary shareholders would be considered. However, the shares of the five banks have already been written down to zero as part of the restructuring process that led to the formation of a new bank. “The issue of shareholders is complicated. You cannot just demand and expect a decision. These things cannot be decided so easily,” he said. Bangladesh Bank rolls out risk-based supervision to rebuild depositor confidence Dr Salehuddin emphasised that the government’s priority is to protect depositors, making it clear that their money will be returned in full. “What we are saying is very simple—depositors will get their money. Anyone who has deposits will get their money back.” He drew a distinction between depositors and shareholders, noting that shareholders voluntarily invest in banks with the intention of ownership and with an understanding of market risks. “Shareholders bought shares in a certain context—whether at market price or otherwise. Shareholders wanted to be owners. They understand that this is voluntary,” he said. Journalists pointed out that many shareholders claim they purchased shares after reviewing audited financial statements, which showed profits in the period before August 5, 2024. In response, the finance adviser said that this issue is precisely what the authorities are now investigating. “That is exactly what we are examining—under what context the shares were bought. We will see what can be done,” he said. When asked whether action would be taken against the auditors who approved the financial statements of these banks before August 5, Dr Salehuddin replied in the affirmative, though he refrained from giving further details. “Action will definitely be taken. It is under consideration. However, everything cannot be disclosed at this moment,” he said. The government has recently undertaken major restructuring measures in the banking sector, including the merger of several weak banks, as part of broader efforts to restore stability, improve governance and protect depositors’ interests.  

The Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs on Tuesday approved in principle the withdrawal of 250-bed ‘New Modern Medical College & Hospital on the unused land in Khulna’ from the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project list. The decision was taken at the committee’s meeting held at the Secretariat with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair. Cabinet Division officials said the Ministry of Railways submitted the proposal. The project, originally planned to be implemented by Bangladesh Railway aimed to address the shortage of modern medical education and healthcare facilities in south-western Bangladesh. Located in Khulna, the country’s third-largest economic hub, it had an estimated capital cost of US$80–100 million and received approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on August 14, 2013. Economic Affairs Committee okays import of crude oil The original plan included a medical college with 50 seats and a 250-bed modern hospital with a projected implementation period of 2013–2017.

The female tiger rescued from the Sundarbans in critical condition is showing gradual improvement, officials said on Tuesday. The 3–4-year-old tiger had been trapped in a poacher’s snare for three to four days, sustaining a severe injury to her front left leg. Veterinarians at the Khulna Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center said that although many damaged cells in the wound have died the injury remains at risk. Zulkernine, veterinary officer at Gazipur Safari Park, said, “Many cells in the wound have died, but the injured area is still at risk. We are dressing it twice daily and providing medicines and injections. The tiger is weak but showing signs of recovery.” Khulna Wildlife and Nature Conservation Department DFO Nirmal Kumar Pal added, “The tiger is eating regularly and moving around. She shows aggression if approached. Necessary treatment is ongoing, and she is under continuous monitoring. She is now out of immediate danger.” Read More: Tiger trapped in poachers’ snare in Sundarbans; rescue operation underway Sundarbans East Division DFO Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said a special operation has been underway since January 5 to recover poachers’ traps. “Poacher activity has increased raising concerns for our forest staff. Controlling poaching will benefit wildlife and forest resources in the Sundarbans,” he noted. The tiger was tranquilised on January 4 near a poacher trap in Bagerhat’s Monla area and transported to the center in a metal cage. Over the past eight days, the Forest Department has removed numerous traps and rescued an injured chital deer. According to forest officials, camera-trap surveys recorded 125 tigers in Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans as of October 2024, up from 114 in 2018 and 106 in 2015. Each tiger occupies a home range of 14–16 square kilometers within the protected mangrove forest.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said the government has prepared a long-term energy strategy recognising fuel security as one of Bangladesh’s major challenges. “Energy remains a critical issue for the economy as both power and energy sectors rely heavily on a secure supply. Without assured fuel supply local production will be affected,” he told reporters after separate meetings of the Advisers Council Committee on Public Purchase and the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs at the Secretariat.  “There are two dimensions—power and energy. A comprehensive approach has been taken. This includes offshore drilling initiatives and utilisation of coal including domestic coal resources. All these have been consolidated into a single framework,” he said. Responding to another question over the interim government’s success the adviser said it is not that everything has been done or that we have achieved 100 out of 100. “Definitely, there were expectations we could not meet due to limitations,” he said, citing procedural rules, the need for inter-agency coordination, the role of government officials, availability of skilled manpower, and commitment as key challenges. “Without addressing these, implementation cannot happen just because we planned or wanted it,” he added. Responding to a recent Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) report claiming advisers exercise more power than formal institutions, Dr Salehuddin said such narratives are common and not unusual. “Sometimes people speak louder, sometimes less. It is not correct to say nothing has been done, nor is it correct to claim everything has been achieved. There are realities and constraints,” he said. On reports that some countries including Iran and Nepal were reluctant to engage economically with Bangladesh, he said he was unaware of the specific context but insisted Bangladesh’s overall economic position remains stable. “Bangladesh is being viewed positively by many. For example, in terms of SDG financing, even the United Nations says Bangladesh has the capacity to mobilise funds and that other countries follow when Bangladesh agrees,” he said. “Bangladesh is doing quite well. There may be occasional political or economic shocks but no country develops in a straight line. Economic progress is never linear anywhere,” he added. Addressing concerns over persistently high inflation, Dr Salehuddin said, “High inflation is not just about supply and demand, nor can it be solved simply by increasing the policy rate. Supply-side issues, market dynamics, people’s behavior, cooperation, and above all governance play a major role,” he said. Prices can’t be controlled simply by sending inspectors or magistrates and that does not work anywhere, he added.

A fire gutted a jhut (garment waste) warehouse in Salna area of Gazipur on Tuesday morning. The fire broke out at the jhut warehouse around 12:30 pm and engulfed the adjoining houses, said Hiron Mia, station officer of Bhogra Modern Fire Service Station. On information, four firefighting units rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze after an hour. The fire also gutted a number of tin-shed houses near the warehouse, he said. No casualties were reported in the incident. The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage will be determined after an investigation, he added.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday summoned Myanmar Ambassador Kyaw Soe Moe and expressed deep concern of Bangladesh at the recent incident of gunfire from Myanmar towards Bangladesh near Whykong Union of Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. A 12-year-old Bangladeshi girl was severely injured during the cross-border firing on Sunday. Bangladesh reminded that the unprovoked firing towards Bangladesh is a blatant violation of the international law and a hindrance to good neighbourly relationship. Bangladesh asked Myanmar to take full responsibility and requisite measures to stop such cross-border firings in future. Bangladesh also asked to ensure that whatever happens between the Myanmar authorities and the armed groups in Myanmar should not anyway affect lives and livelihoods of the people in Bangladesh, according to the MoFA. The Myanmar ambassador assured that his government would take measures to stop such incidents and expressed their sincere sympathy to the injured and her family.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said that the Pay Commission is carrying on its work without interruption and the government will announce a submission date for its report at an appropriate time. “I will speak about the pay scale on the day I feel it is appropriate,” Dr Salehuddin said. Talking to reporters after the meetings of the Advisers Council Committee on Public Purchase and the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs at the Secretariat, the adviser dismissed speculations surrounding the progress of the Pay Commission and said premature comments would not be helpful. “The Pay Commission has not stopped its work at all. They are working continuously and uninterruptedly. Whether they are communicating with us regularly or not is not the main issue.” He said the commission, comprising 21 members, is examining the matter in detail, taking into account all relevant considerations. “It is a substantive task. It requires detailed analysis.” Dr Salehuddin indicated that discussions with senior officials could take place shortly, after which the commission would return with its findings. He also said separate inputs are being prepared for different services. “There is a separate report for the judiciary. For defence, there is a sub-committee. These are distinct components.” Addressing questions about the timeline, the adviser said a specific date for submission of the report would be fixed and communicated later. “I will announce a date. When you know the date of the report’s submission, you will know it officially,” he said, adding that implementation would be a separate stage altogether. “Receiving the report is one thing; implementation is another. Once the report is received, the government will examine it carefully before moving forward,” Dr Salehuddin said. Responding to queries about the role of the Bangladesh Bank governor, the finance adviser made it clear that the central bank has no authority over the national pay scale. “The governor has nothing to do with the pay scale. He may speak about Bangladesh Bank matters, but the pay scale is a separate issue that applies to the entire government.” Dr Salehuddin also said the Pay Commission has been open to feedback and interaction with stakeholders. “Many people have submitted representations, many have met the commission. We encouraged the formation of different committees and open interactions so that all views can be heard,” he said. The adviser reiterated that the government is treating the pay scale revision as a serious and comprehensive exercise, stressing that decisions would be taken only after due scrutiny of the commission’s recommendations.