Sheikh Hasina
Hasina, Modi jointly unveil Rampal Power Plant’s unit 1
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi today (September 6, 2022) jointly unveiled unit 1 of Maitree Super Thermal Power Project in Bagerhat’s Rampal.
Constructed under India’s concessional financing scheme, the project will add 1320 MW to Bangladesh’s national grid.
Earlier, Hasina and Modi witnessed signing of seven bilateral instruments after holding talks at Hyderabad House in India’s capital city.
Read Chinese-Bangladeshi consortium, BPDB to sign deal for Mongla wind power plant
The first unit of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant will go into commercial operation early October, in a major stride in growing Bangladesh-India power sector cooperation, an official told UNB.
Unit 1 of the 1320 (2x660) MW coal-fired power plant in Rampal was successfully synchronized with the national grid on August 15.
Once both units are commissioned, Rampal power plant will be one of the largest in Bangladesh, Subhash Chandra Pandey, project director of Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Pvt.) Limited, told UNB.
Read Deal signed to set up waste-based power plant in Narayanganj
Unit 2 of the power plant, also known as Rampal coal-fired power project, is expected to be commissioned early next year, he said.
Rampal power plant is being set up at a cost of approximately US$ 2 billion and is located in the Bagerhat district of Khulna division, said an official describing the project features in detail.
It is being built by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) for the Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Private Ltd. (BIFPCL), a 50:50 joint venture company between India's National Thermal Power Company (NTPC) Ltd and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), said the officials.
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The project director said the Rampal power plant is being set up with super critical technology to actively mitigate environmental impact.
Construction of an advanced ship un-loader for coal as well as a fully covered coal stock yard, along with use of high grade imported coal with low Ash and Sulphur content, among other measures, are in place, he said.
On April 6, the 400 kV GIS switchyard and interconnecting transformer of the Rampal power plant was energized.
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Momen not in PM’s entourage in India, cited “illness” as reason: Official
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen did not accompany Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India.
“He (Momen) is feeling unwell. He didn’t go with the PM,” an official told UNB today (September 5, 2022).
At the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bangladesh PM Hasina is paying a state visit to New Delhi from September 5 to 8.
Read: PM flies to India on four-day visit
Hasina is visiting India after three years. She last visited India in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic broke out.
The latest visit is significant for both Bangladesh and India, said the government of Bangladesh.
The visit will further strengthen the multifaceted relationship between the two countries based on strong historical, cultural ties, mutual trust and understanding, said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
Read “Activating Tongi Power Station that tripped moments later, BNP’s only achievement”
“Not only Bangladesh, in India minorities suffered too at times”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that her government strongly believes in the values of secularism and any attempt to disrupt communal harmony are immediately dealt with.
“As long as we are in power, we will continue to prioritize that and I always tell them (minority communities) that you are our citizens… this is your country too,” PM Hasina said in an interview with Indian News Agency ANI ahead of her visit to India.
Hasina, however, said that extremism was not limited to Bangladesh as many countries, including India, were witnessing it.
She said one of the reasons for the ongoing rise in extremism was social media.
Read: “Differences can be resolved through dialogue, Bangladesh-India do precisely that”
“Some incidents take place but we immediately take action… These are unwanted situations but you know very well, it is not only Bangladesh, in India minorities suffered too at times,” she said.
“… You know Bangladesh is a secular country and we have many religions here… there is religious harmony here. So, one or two incidents, when these happen, immediately... especially my party... my party activists, they are very conscious about it and my government as well. We immediately take action,” she said.
Asked to comment on the role of the community of bloggers and others on social media, Hasina said that it is not desirable that people write things to hurt each other and added that her government tried to curb such cases.
“Look, extremism is everywhere… even in India and other countries... Because of social media it has become very... very bad nowadays,” Hasina said.
Read Teesta mainly depends on India: PM Hasina tells ANI
Hasina told ANI that while some incidents have occurred, Bangladesh has a tradition where people of all religions take part in all celebrations.
“Together we celebrate... In Bangladesh, during Durga Puja, people celebrate together. So, the religious harmony is there but now some incidents happen here and there… Our government immediately takes action against it,” the PM said.
Asked about the prevalence of cattle-smuggling from India into Bangladesh, Hasina said the issue was under discussion and the magnitude of the problem had also been reduced a lot.
Read CEPA to be win-win for both countries: IBCCI President
“Differences can be resolved through dialogue, Bangladesh-India do precisely that”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said there can be differences but those should be addressed through dialogue – noting that in a number of areas, Bangladesh and India have done precisely that.
PM Hasina, during an interview with Indian news agency ANI, referred to the neighbouring country as a “tested friend”, and said that India stood by Bangladesh in its hour of need, first in 1971 and then at later times as well.
“We always recall their contribution during the 1971 (Liberation) war. In 1975, when we lost our family members, the then Prime Minister gave us shelter in India… We are neighbours, close neighbours, and I always give priority to friendship with our neighbouring countries,” she said.
Hasina lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative towards rescuing Bangladeshi students who were stuck in eastern Europe, when the Russia-Ukraine war broke out.
Read: PM’s India Visit: Bilateral instruments on water management, defence, railway likely to be signed
In a free-wheeling television interaction with ANI, Prime Minister Hasina, who is set to visit India tomorrow (September 5, 2022), also lavished praises on the Modi government’s gesture of providing Covid-19 vaccines to neighbouring countries under its “Vaccine Maitri” programme when the pandemic was at its peak.
The Bangladesh prime minister emphasized on closer cooperation between the two neighbours.
She marked out two areas for special praise where the Indian government’s support helped Bangladeshi citizens.
“I would like to express my thanks to Prime Minister (Modi)… during this war between Russia and Ukraine, many of our students were stuck and they went to Poland for shelter. When they evacuated your students, Indian students, they also brought our students back home... You have shown a clearly friendly gesture. I thank the Prime Minister for this initiative,” Hasina said.
Read: Teesta mainly depends on India: PM Hasina tells ANI
She was responding to a question about remarks often made, especially by western observers, that there was a lack of cooperation among SAARC nations. To another question about the Indian government’s Vaccine Maitri programme, Hasina said it was a “prudent” initiative taken by Prime Minister Modi.
“I really thank Prime Minister Modi for this initiative, and the way he... you know, contributed vaccines to not only Bangladesh, but also other South Asian countries, and it’s been really very helpful.”
“…Besides, we bought vaccines with our own money, and also many other countries contributed,” Hasina said.
Hasina also gave details about her country’s vaccination programme. Bangladesh has administered Covid-19 vaccines to 90 percent of its population.
Read Bangladesh is building a modern transport system: PM
“Usually, people from our country, especially at the village level, even in some towns also, I found many people very reluctant to take the vaccine. They don’t want to take the... you know... the prick of the needle, so... we had to pursue them. We told them that this is nothing, it will save your life… this Vaccine Maitri itself... very good initiative,” she said.
The relationship between the two countries should be for the betterment of their citizens, she said.
Hasina said even during the Covid 19 period, Indian leadership had shown their positive intentions as both the then President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bangladesh as it celebrated its Independence Day.
“I thank Prime Minister Modi and also your honourable president. Both of them visited Bangladesh when we were celebrating the birth centenary of our Father of the Nation and also 50 years of our independence, and our friendship with India. India recognised Bangladesh early on, so that bond, I think that is our main priority. That their visit at such a time, even that time there was a Covid-19 pandemic but beside that both of them honoured us, honoured our people,” Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina said during her interview with ANI.
Read “Not only Bangladesh, in India minorities suffered too at times”
BNP demands probe into alleged conspiracy to kill PM Hasina
BNP lawmaker Md Harunur Rashid on Thursday demanded an investigation to determine whether there is actually a conspiracy to kill prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
He came up with the demand while taking part in an unscheduled discussion in the parliament.
Abul Kalam Azad, a member of parliament of the ruling Awami League and former information minister, on Wednesday claimed that there is a conspiracy to kill the prime minister and some AL people are also involved in this plot in exchange for money.
Referring to Azad’s allegation, Harun it deserves a clear explanation since a ruling party lawmaker made the claim in the House.
“There is no way to brush it aside. A deep investigation is needed to find out whether such a conspiracy is really happening or not and who is involved in it,” he added.
Slamming the government on the issue of enforced disappearance Harun said the victims are unable to get protection of the law.
"People being shot dead in the moveent is one thing and missing is a completely different matter. Human rights and freedom of expression need to be discussed. The ruling party says that the country is on the highway of development," he said.
He questioned whether corruption, money laundering, rising commodity prices, or road accidents have decreased or not.
He also questioned what has been the development of the electoral process.
The BNP MP said that India is using the ports of the country. But transit is not being given to Bangladesh.
He criticised Bangladesh’s very soft attitude towards India.
Protesting the attack on BNP’s procession, another BNP MP Rumeen Farhana, said that the prime minister had given clear instructions that the programmes of the opposition would not be obstructed.
“But the behaviour of police administration is different. The prime minister is giving some sort of assurance. And the activists of Juba League, Chhatra League are behaving differently with the opposition party,” she said.
Rumeen dismissed Awami League’s claim that they are in the field to prevent sabotage.
“Why are police being used if Awami League leaders and activists are in the field to prevent vandalism?”
Rumeen said that the government claims that there is democracy in the country, but it does not exist in practice.
About the death of two members of the BNP in Bhola, Rumeen said that there was no investigation into the murders.
She claimed that more than 70 places were attacked in the programmes of BNP which started on August 22.
Responding to Rumeen, AL lawmaker Tofail Ahmed said that before the start of the procession that day, BNP leaders and activists attacked the police with sticks and bricks.
Awami League leaders and activists did not take to the streets that day, Tofail said adding in the 2001 election, they could not even stay at home, he said.
Also read: Plot to assassinate PM Hasina on, warns AL lawmaker
Plots to kill Sheikh Hasina: Obaidul Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said there are still conspiracies afoot to assassinate Sheikh Hasina fearing their (evil forces) defeat in the upcoming elections.
He made the remarks while addressing a discussion marking National Mourning Day at the Secretariat premises arranged by Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees Oikya Parishad on Tuesday.
Quoting BNP leaders and Mirza Fakhrul Islam's speech, Obaidul Quader said Sheikh Hasina repeat the speech of conspiracy as plotters tried to kill her 20 times.
"When August 21 comes, they (Plotters) can see their images in the mirror," Obaidul said.
Read: Not worried over allies’ protesting fuel price hike: Obaidul Quader
He also said conspirators killed Bangabandhu as he was very famous. He can't be defeated in the polls. Sheikh Hasina was the main target of the August 21 grenade attack. Plotters know that there is no alternative to kill Sheikh Hasina to defeat her in the elections. As a result, they are hatching a conspiracy to kill her.
Mentioning that they (Awami League) are alert about any conspiracy, the senior leader of the party said they are observing the whole situation conspiracies at home and abroad.
Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees Oikya Parishad president Mohammad Moinul Islam presided over the discussion while LGRD Minister Tajul Islam and Deputy Minister for Water Resources Enamul Haque Shamim, among others, spoke.
Assassination attempt on Hasina: HC rejects bail plea of 4 convicts
The High Court (HC) on Tuesday rejected the bail petition of four convicts in a case over the attack on the motorcade of then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina in Satkhira in 2002.
The four convicts are- Md Yasin Ali, Md Tofajjal Hossain, Md Abdus Sattar and Advocate Abdus Sattar.
The HC bench of Justice ASM Abdul Mobin and Justice Md Atoar Rahman passed the order.
The court also sought the documents of the case after suspending their fine.
Read:HC calls Teknaf UNO ‘wrongheaded’ over verbal abuse of journalists
On August 30 of 2002, a group of terrorists attacked the convoy of then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina in front of Kalaroa Upazila BNP office in Satkhira on her way to Magura after visiting a freedom fighter’s wife at Sadar Hospital.
In 2015, a chargesheet was submitted to the court in the case.
On February 4 last year, Satkhira Chief Judicial Magistrate Court sentenced three people including former lawmaker Habibul Islam Habib to 10-year imprisonment and 47 others to different jail terms in the case.
Will offer tea if BNP comes to seize my office: Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said she will offer tea to the BNP leaders and give them a patient hearing even if they come to seize her office (Prime Minister's Office) as she believes in democracy.
"I will offer them tea, I will give them a place to sit. I will listen to them whatever they want to say. Look, I believe in democracy," she said.
The prime minister said this while speaking at a meeting of her Awami League party's Dhaka North and South units.
The meeting was held at AL's central office at 23 Bangabandhu Avenue, while the PM, also the Awami League president, joined it virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban.
She, however, warned that stern actions will be taken if BNP leaders and activists resort to hurling bombs and vandalism in the name of political programmes.
"But, if they hurl bombs and engage in vandalism they will get a befitting reply. That is the reality," she said.
Hasina said that she has directed the police not to put barricades on their way even if BNP wants to seize the Prime Minister office.
Read: Work for people who pay for your salaries, PM tells public servants
"Especially the barricade at Banglamotor has been withdrawn completely. There is no restriction on their (BNP) procession, wherever they want they can go by foot," she said.
The AL supremo once again questioned about the leadership of BNP. "Who is running the party now?, she asked
"As per the constitution of BNP, no convicted criminal can be the leader of the party. But BNP is doing that," she said.
She said that a leader of the BNP, who is also convicted, has been living abroad lavishly with the money he embezzled from the country.
Hasina dismissed BNP leaders' allegation that the government does not allow them to speak.
"After speaking all day, they allege that they are not allowed to speak," she said.
"Let them speak. Someone has to speak," she said.
The PM observed that the number of participants in BNP's processions is very much insignificant.
"But they allege that people are not allowed to participate in their processions. Why will people participate in their political programmes," she questioned.
No conspiracy can stop country’s development spree: Quader
No conspiracy can stop Sheikh Hasina's trend of development and prosperity, said Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday.
"No matter how much BNP tries and conspires along with its domestic and foreign allies, this country can never be suppressed," he said at a press briefing at his official residence.
Before talking about the indemnity in the power sector, did BNP forget - they gave indemnity to protect Bangabandhu's killers, the Awami League general secretary said, adding that Khaleda Zia also gave indemnity during Operation Clean Heart.
Read:Fakhrul’s demand to restore democracy frightens people: Quader
He said the BNP's indemnity was to protect the killers and the Sheikh Hasina government had given indemnity in the interest of continuing development and for the welfare of people.
Terming BNP as a party of money looters and plunderers, he said, "BNP is a terrorist group which has been proved by foreign courts. They want this country to become a failed state, but the people of this country will not allow it to happen."
Quader said that the BNP leaders have revealed their hateful nature by expressing anger against the government on the holy day of Eid.
Their comments made people upset who are passing their Eid holidays with loved ones in a festive mood, he added.
Obaidul Quader claimed that the BNP had plunged the country into darkness and the Sheikh Hasina government has enlightened the country.
PM: Vested quarter conspiring to oust the AL government
Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Monday warned that a vested quarter has been trying to oust her Awami League government despite its stellar success in putting the country on the road to development and prosperity.
"Why do they want to thwart the Awami League government? What is its crime? She wondered during a meeting with leaders and activists of Tungipara and Kotalipra upazila Awami League, its front and associate bodies at Kotalipara upazila AL office in Gopalganj district.
The premier, who is also the president of Awami League, arrived in Tungipara early in the day on her first visit to her hometown through the Padma Bridge since its opening by her on June 25.
Also read: Cheerful PM’s photo with Joy, Putul from Padma Bridge takes netizens by storm
She told the meeting that her government has been working tirelessly to transform Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous nation free from poverty and hunger as envisioned by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
She asked her party leaders and activists to make sure that none of the people including her party members and workers would have to suffer pain owing to Covid-19 outbreak and Russia-Ukraine war.
"Make sure that not a single activist of mine and the people has to suffer pain," she told the party leaders and activists.
She urged the AL leaders and activists to stand beside the people to pursue the government move that none will remain poor, homeless and hunger anymore.
"Each Awami League leader and worker has to work for changing the mindset that of enjoying everything alone," she said.
The PM said that the world is now going through a critical juncture due to the double blow of the ongoing Coronavirus and Russia-Ukraine war and reiterated her call for all to exercise austerity in every sector particularly in using energy and electricity.
"We're still in a good position and trying to be well. It requires help from all the citizens," she said.
Hasina again asked all to bring every inches of land across the country under cultivation to grow foods so Bangladesh does not suffer such crisis.
She said her government has built the Padma Bridge, supplied electricity to every house and is giving home to every landless and homeless people and ensuring food security for all.
The Awami League president described grassroots activists as the lifeline of her party saying, "The grassroots activists always take right decision and uphold the party."
Also read: PM Hasina's first trip to Tungipara by Padma Bridge, pays homage to Bangabandhu
She asked the party leaders to inquire about the wellbeing of every party member and stand by them if required.
In this connection, the she recalled the inhuman torture on the leaders and activists of Awami League during the regime of Zia, Khaleda, Ershad, Ayub and Yahiay Khan.
On her day’s visit to Tungipara Hasina was accompanied by her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and daughter Saima Wazed.
The PM offered prayer at Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's mausoleum in Tungipara there seeking eternal peace for his departed soul of and of other martyrs of August 15, 1975 massacre.
She also placed a wreath at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu.
After laying the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the architect of the independence, who was brutally killed by some disgruntled army men on the dreadful night of August 15, 1975 along with most of his family members.
On her way to Tungipara, Hasina with her son and daughter spent some time on the Padma Bridge and took rest for a while at Jajira point's service area.
She left Tungipara for Dhaka this afternoon
The PM, who became the first national to pay toll to cross the country's longest Padma Bridge during its opening on June 25 last, also paid toll this time too on both legs of her visit.
Hasina said that all post-1975 governments except the Awami League-led one o served only their own interests.
Referring to the pandemic and flood, she praised the leaders and workers of her party saying they came forward to help people affected by Covid-19 and now the floods. machineries.
About the opening of the 6.15km Padma Bridge the prime minister said it will now ease long-distance traffic and transportation of commodities from the southern region.
It will also play a significant role in helping the southern region of the country thrive economically, she said adding that only two and a half hours are needed now to come from Dhaka to Tungipara.
She however requested the people in the southern region to make efforts to be self-dependent using the benefits of the Padma Bridge.
Hasina urged them to be engaged in various productive works to supplement the efforts of the government to increase production.
She said like other countries, Bangladesh is also passing through a critical time due to the crisis in the world.
She also asked AL and its associate bodies to plant saplings during this rainy session to make the country greener.
She said though she is now aged she will continue to work for the cause of the country and its people as long as she lives.