Others
Ashrayan-2: 32,904 families to get homes ahead of Eid
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the distribution of houses among 32,904 landless and homeless families across the country under the third phase of the Ashrayan-2 Project on Tuesday ahead of Eid-Ul-Fitr.
According to sources at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Prime Minister will join the inauguration programme virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban at 11am.
She will be connected virtually with Kaichail union of Nagarkanda under Faridpur district, Gourichonna union of Barguna Sadar under Barguna district, Khokshabari union of Sirajganj Sadar under Sirajganj district and Barkhain union of Anwara Upazila under Chattogram district.
This will be part of the government’s initiative to provide houses to all landless and homeless families on the occasion of “Mujib Borsho” as the Prime Minister has mentioned several times that no one in the country will remain without a home.
Also read: Ashrayan-2: 59 Bede families dream of a new life with permanent homes
PMO Senior Secretary Md. Tofazzel Hossain Miah in a press briefing held at the PMO said that each unit has two rooms, a kitchen, a toilet and a veranda costing Tk 2,59,500 without tax and VAT.
“The amount is Tk 3,30,000 with tax and VAT,” he said.
Alongside the houses, the ownership documents of a two decimal land will be given to each family.
In the first phase the government has given 63,999 houses on January 23, 2021 while 53,330 houses on June 20, 2021.
In the third phase approval has been given to build 65,674 houses while 32,904 houses will be handed over on Tuesday.
The number of allocated single houses in 2021-22 fiscal is 1,83,003 worth Tk 3972.07 crore.
The number of specially designed houses for the island areas is 1242. Portable houses are given to homeless families staying in Char lands so that they can move their houses during soil erosion.
The PMO senior secretary said that the recovered Khas lands from the illegal occupation across the country is 5512.04 acres with an estimated price of Tk 2967.09 crore.
The government purchased 168.32 acres of land for the Ashrayan project till now which cost Tk 115.33 crore.
The Ashrayan Project also rehabilitated 5,07,244 landless and homeless families from 1997 to December 2022.
“The houses and lands are being given to the poor families as part of the government’s aim to ensure that none will remain homeless,” the PMO senior Secretary said.
There is no such instance in the world where so many houses with land ownership are provided to the homeless families at a time, he said.
“The Prime Minister is setting the example in the world by giving houses to so many homeless families,” he said.
None will remain homeless in the country, he quoted the Prime Minister as saying.
Also read: 3rd phase of Ashrayan-2: some 65,474 families to get sustainable houses
So, the government will continue allocating funds for houses for the homeless families until their right of accommodation is ensured, he added.
Describing Ashrayan project as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s model for inclusive development, Md. Tofazzel Hossain Miah said, “The living standard of a person improves radically (after getting a permanent house). It will help implement eight targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
3 flyovers, Nalka bridge in North Bengal route to be opened Monday to tackle Eid rush
Three flyovers from Joydebpur to Alenga to Hatikumrul will be opened for traffic on Monday to control the rush on the roads ahead of Eid, according to Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Md Nazrul Islam.
“I went to inspect these in person yesterday. Opening these three flyovers will solve the traffic problem a lot,” he said.
He also hoped that the homebound people will not suffer during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.
Also read: Eid holidaymakers likely to face tough journey on Dhaka-Paturia highway
The secretary said this in a response to a question from reporters at the handing over ceremony of the first phase check of Dhaka Bypass Expressway under construction in a private-public partnership at the Secretariat on Sunday.
Nowjor, Safipur and Gorai - these three flyovers are opening tomorrow, informed the secretary.
DNCC Mayor orders permanent preservation of Cricketer Mosharraf’s grave
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) mayor Md Atiqul Islam on Sunday directed the department concerned of DNCC to take steps to preserve the grave of former Bangladesh national cricketer Mosharraf Hossain Rubel on humanitarian grounds.
Earlier, Rubel's wife Chaiti Farhana had verbally appealed to the mayor through the media to preserve Rubel's grave permanently.
Also read:Cricketer Mosharraf succumbs to brain cancer
Expressing grief over the death of cricketer Rubel, the mayor said, "Mosharraf Hossain Rubel did not play for himself, he played for the country. His contribution has made the people of the country proud. That is why I think it is our responsibility to preserve his grave permanently.”
Mayor Md Atiqul Islam is currently in Mecca to perform Umrah. He said proper measures will be taken as per the rules to preserve the grave after he returns to the country.
On April 19, former cricketer Mosharraf Hossain Rubel died of brain cancer at hospital in the capital. He was 40.
He was laid to rest at Banani Graveyard in the city. It costs about Tk one crore to buy land in this graveyard. The grave of Rubel will be removed to bury others after two years which made his wife appeal for preserving the grave permanently.
Mosharraf got the first of his 5 caps for Bangladesh, all in ODIs, back in 2008.
His last international appearance was in 2016, when he was called up abruptly for a series against Afghanistan. Before this series, he was out of the national set-up for more than eight years.
Also read:Mosharraf Hossain Rubel: The late cricketer's major achievements as a player
An allrounder who bowled left-arm spin and batted left-handed, Mosharraf was the player of the final in the Bangladesh Premier League 2013. He had numerous match-winning performances in the domestic level in a career spanning more than 15 years.
Mosharraf bagged more than 500 wickets in competitive cricket, with 20 five-fors. He also had two First-class centuries and 16 half-centuries under his belt.
Bangladesh must stay alert against Covid-19 infections: Minister
As neighbouring India is seeing an increase in Covid-19 infections, it may affect Bangladesh too, said Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Sunday.
“Covid-19 in Bangladesh is under control and the mortality rate is under zero level. We have to keep it this way and remain alert,” he said while speaking at a function at NIPSOM Auditorium, Mohakhali, on the occasion of National Nutrition Week-2022.
Also read:WHO says global COVID cases, deaths declined again last week
He said Bangladesh has vaccinated 100 per cent of the country's targeted population only except those who are reluctant to take the jabs.
But all the eligible citizens have to be brought under vaccination, he said.
Zahid said the government has implemented development programmes in primary health care and people can easily get medical services at their doorsteps through community clinics.
He stressed need for putting efforts on primary health care services.
Also read:PM Hasina lauds Dhaka-Delhi cooperation on Covid-19 pandemic
The minister also inaugurated the seven-day long National Nutrition Week-2022.
Seven messages will be made public during the week. This include breast feeding of newborn babies and encouraging mothers to breastfeed their babies for two years after birth.
Bangladesh logs 24 new Covid-19 cases, no death
Bangladesh logged 24 fresh Covid-19 cases in 24 hours till Sunday morning taking the total caseload to 19,52,556.
As per the latest government data, the country’s total fatalities remained unchanged at 29,127 as no death was reported during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Also read: WHO says global COVID cases, deaths declined again last week
The daily positivity rate slightly dropped to 0.41 per cent from Saturday's 0.55 per cent after testing 4,708 samples during the period.
On Saturday, the number of infections was higher as 26 new cases were reported with zero death.
Besides, the mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.49 per cent.
The recovery rate rose to 96.97 per cent with the recovery of 329 more patients during the 24-hour period.
In March, the country reported 85 Covid-linked deaths and 8,000 new cases while 66,639 patients recovered from the disease, according to DGHS.
Among the 85 deaths during the period, 44 were unvaccinated patients, 11 were vaccinated with the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, 28 with the second dose and two with the third dose.
Also read:Bangladesh must stay alert against Covid-19 infections: Minister
The country reported its first zero Covid-related death in a single day on November 20 last year, along with 178 infections, since the pandemic broke out in Bangladesh in March 2020.
On January 28, Bangladesh logged its previous highest daily positivity rate at 33.37 per cent reporting 15,440 cases and 20 deaths.
Besides, the country registered the highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year, while the highest number of daily fatalities was 264 on August 10 last year.
Abul Hossain elected President of DWP
Bangladeshi businessman Abul Hossain has been elected President of Diplomacy for World Peace (DWP).
Managing Director of Fazila Group and the Honorary Consul of Uganda to Bangladesh Abul Hossain has been appointed the DWP President for 2022-2023 at a meeting held in Washington DC, said a media release on Sunday.
Also read: Nurul Hoque re-elected REMA Trust chairman
Diplomacy for World Peace is a private and non-profit corporation aiming at resolving conflicts and promoting peace under the tagline of Peace through Diplomacy, it said.
Abul Hossain is also involved in the activities of FBCCI, the apex trade body and the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) .
As the President of DWP, Hossain in his term will extend his effort to expand the activities of the corporation to more countries, said the media release.
Mild heat wave sweeping over parts of country
A mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over Khulna division and the regions of Rajshahi, Pabna, Gopalgonj and Patuakhali and it may spread further.
Besides, Rain or thunder showers with intense lightning flashes accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions.
Also read: Mild to moderate heat wave likely to spread across the country
Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.
Day temperature may rise by (1-2)°C and night temperature may rise slightly over the country.
Delivery man Nahid killing: 2 people identified
Police have identified two people involved in the killing of delivery man Nahid Hossain during the recent clashes between the students of Dhaka College and New Market shopkeepers.
Sharif Mohammad Farukuzzaman, assistant commissioner (New Market Zone) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said after scrutinising a video footage and other evidences police identified two people.
Police are trying to arrest those for their suspected involvement in the killing, he said adding “We are also trying to identify other attackers after scrutunising the video footages of the incident.”
20-year-old Nahid Hossain, a delivery man for Dlink courier service, who was severely beaten during New Market clashes, died on April 19.
READ: New Market clashes: Another case filed over Mursalin’s death
Nahid and another youth were killed and over 30 people, including journalists and students, were injured as students of Dhaka College locked into a series of clashes with shopkeepers of New Market at the Nilkhet intersection on April 19.
Meanwhile, more than 1,300 people have been booked in connection with Tuesday’s violent clashes on April 21.
New ferry terminal to be launched before Eid to ease holidaymakers’ journey
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) is working relentlessly round the clock to launch a new ferry terminal at Majhir Ghat in Shariatpur to mitigate the sufferings of homebound people and ensure smooth services during Eid-ul-Fitr.
The BIWTA authorities expect that they can inaugurate the new ferry terminal on April 28.
During a recent visit to Majhir Ghat, the UNB correspondent found workers are installing a new ferry pontoon after removing the existing launch terminal at Jajira point in Shariatpur.
Meanwhile, the transport workers and lease holders of the ghat area feared that the commuters may face immense sufferings due to lack of parking yard and wide road in the ghat area.
Mokhlesur Rahman Madbar, a lease holder of Majhir Ghat, said the Shariatpur-Majhirhat road is one of the busiest roads of the district.
READ: Ferry services resume on Paturia-Daulatdia route after 4 hours
The government introduced ferry service in the area five months ago without any parking yard and wide road, leading to 3-4 kilometer long tailback every day, he said.
If the government launched a new ferry service without taking any steps about parking then the public sufferings will remain the same as it was before.
Abdul Motaleb, Manager of BIWTA said “They are working to open the new ferry terminal by April 26 to April 28 and we hope that this year homebound people will enjoy a hassle-free and jam- free journey.”
Ansar Al Islam member held in city
Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested a member of banned militant outfit Ansar Al Islam from Mohakhali area in the city on Saturday.
The arrestee is Ujjal Mia alias Ujjal Khandaker, 23, son of Sunahr Khandaker of Habiganj district.
READ: 2 ‘Ansar Al Islam men' held in Narail
Police also seized one mobile phone set, some Jihadi books, leaflet from his possession, said a press release of CTTC unit.
A case was filed with Banani Police Station.