United News of Bangladesh

Parts of Dhaka witnessed hours of power cuts on Thursday following the partial collapse of the national power transmission grid in the morning. Data released by Power Grid Bangladesh revealed a power shortage of 498MW at 4:00pm when the supply of power stood at 14,379MW against the power demand of 14,900MW, which is just half of Bangladesh’s current installed power generation capacity of 28,197MW. The power grid collapse undermined the promise to provide an uninterrupted power supply during the Durga Puja celebration, which is just days apart. Power cuts during the Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the minority Hindu community, could compromise security measures. “The transformer is not yet back in full operation,” BM Mizanul Hassan, chief engineer, PGB, told UNB around 7:30pm. The transformer in Ghorashal tripped around 5:00am, Mizan said, after a fire broke out. The reason for the fire could not be known. “Ghorashal is a power hub. A very important one,” said Mizan. Ghorashal connects parts of Dhaka, Tongi and Joydevpur to the national power supply grid. The partial collapse of the national power transmission grid worsened Bangladesh’s already bad power supply situation. Rural areas have been witnessing hours of power cuts every day since the beginning of the month, which was rather drier and hotter compared with the previous three months. The fuel crisis, mainly due to the dollar crisis, has been responsible for inadequate power generation. Bangladesh can barely use half of its gas-based power generation capacity. Coal-based capacity also remains substantially unused because of non-payment of bills and coal shortage. “We are not able to use furnace oil capacity as well for the need to cut costs,” said Jahurul Islam, member, generation, Bangladesh Power Development Board. Furnace oil-based power generation capacity accounts for a fifth of the overall power generation capacity. At 4:00pm, the power generation from using furnace oil stood at 2,181MW against its total generation capacity of 5,641MW. The gas capacity generation was 5,393MW at the same hour. The total gas generation capacity is 12,512MW. 30-year-old man electrocuted in Dinajpur The total coal generation capacity is 5,683MW. At 4:00pm, the generation of electricity from coal stood at 4,092MW. The power shortage further worsened following a drop in the power supply from Adani on Thursday. The 1,496MW Adani power plant maintained a supply of around 1,000MW during most of the daytime. The supply even dropped below 1,000MW at 10:00 am and 11:00am. The BPDB could not clarify the reason behind Adani's reduction in its power generation. The latest power grid failure reinforced the grid’s unreliability, which is a cause of concern for industries. Bangladesh’s industries mostly rely on captive power generation, which is worth 2,800MW in addition to the overall installed power generation capacity. On April 26, nearly two dozen districts suffered a blackout after what the PGB described as a technical failure triggered by a kite string. In the first half of March, another power grid failure hit Dhaka following a fire. Earlier in October 2023, the Aminbazar substation saw one of its transformers blast, leading to an outage in Dhaka. Exactly a year ago, the national power grid collapsed, causing power outages in four divisions for up to 10 hours.

Bangladesh Railways has decided to operate special trains to manage the expected surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming Durga Puja holidays. To address demand in the eastern region, four pairs of additional (tourist special) trains will be run from 30 September on the Dhaka–Chittagong, Chittagong–Dhaka, and Dhaka–Cox’s Bazar–Dhaka routes. The decision was made at a coordination meeting held on Thursday at the Ministry of Railways, chaired by Secretary Md. Fahimul Islam. All tickets for these special trains will be sold online. Besides, the weekly off-days of two intercity trains — Padma Express and Modhumoti Express, running on the Rajshahi–Dhaka–Rajshahi route — have been suspended ensuring smoother travel during the Durga Puja, the biggest religious celebration for the Hindu community. The Padma Express will operate on September 30 (Tuesday) and the Modhumoti Express on 4 October (Saturday), aligning with the increased passenger demand. Both trains will follow their regular schedules on these additional days, and tickets can be purchased online. The weekly off-days will resume as usual from the following week. This year’s Durga Puja coincides with a stretch of government holidays from 1 to 4 October, resulting in four consecutive public holidays. Additionally, all educational institutions across the country will remain closed from 28 September to 8 October, further contributing to the expected travel rush. To prevent passenger harassment and control ticketless travel, mobile courts will be deployed at Kamalapur Railway Station and Biman Bandar Railway Station in Dhaka.  A vigilance team, formed by the Ministry of Railways, will also be active to monitor the overall situation and ensure smooth operations. Preparations for the holiday period have already been completed by the Ministry of Railways and Bangladesh Railways, with additional security and operational measures. Festive fervor grips Shankhari Bazar ahead of Durga Puja During the meeting, necessary directives were issued to ensure smooth travel and maintain law and order throughout the holiday period. Md. Afzal Hossain, director general of Bangladesh Railway, Md. Rupam Anwar, additional secretary, as well as senior officials from the Railway Police (GRP), Railway Security Force (RNB), and other departments, were also present.  

The Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has called for amendments to the Competition Act 2012 to enable fair competition. This demand came from a consultation session with the Bangladesh Competition Commission to discuss the “Competition Act 2012 and the Functions of the Bangladesh Competition Commission” with the FICCI. The session was chaired by FICCI President Zaved Akhtar, with Bangladesh Competition Commission Chairperson AHM Ahsan as the chief guest. The event was held at the FICCI Auditorium on Thursday. The FICCI board member Sumitava Basu, senior Commission officials, and representatives from FICCI’s member companies attended the programme. Speaking on the occasion, the Commission Chairman Ahsan highlighted the law's importance in strengthening market fairness. "The Competition Act is a cornerstone for a healthy free-market economy," he said. "Enacted in 2012, it empowers the Commission to curb cartels and syndicates, protect consumer interests, and foster investment. Effective enforcement will encourage innovation, create jobs, and drive sustainable economic growth", he added. FICCI President Zaved Akhtar reaffirmed the Chamber's commitment to fair business practices. "Our members believe in fair competition and a level playing field. We want a strong and effective law that protects both industry and consumers, while ensuring regulations do not unintentionally hinder business growth," he stated. The FICCI represents nearly 200 leading companies from 35 countries across 21 sectors. The session, moderated by FICCI Executive Director TIM Nurul Kabir, included constructive input from Commission officials and FICCI members, who shared their perspectives on the law's implementation and potential amendments.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Thursday filed a case against former Agrani Bank Managing Director (MD) Syed Abdul Hamid and 10 others, including a director of Nurjahan Group, over the embezzlement of Tk 189.80 crore through irregular loans from the bank’s Asadganj branch in Chattogram. ACC Director General Md. Akhter Hossain confirmed the development. The accused are: former Agrani Bank MD and CEO Syed Abdul Hamid; former Principal Officer and General Manager of Asadganj branch Mostaq Ahmed; former Deputy General Manager Md. Abul Hossain Talukder; former General Manager (Dhaka Circle-2) Md. Obaid Ullah Al Masud; former General Manager Mohammad Shams Ul Islam; former Deputy General Manager Tajrina Ferdousi; former General Manager Md. Mofazzal Hossain; and several Nurjahan Group officials including a director. According to the case statement, Nurjahan Group opened an account at the Asadganj branch under the name of a fictitious company. The account was operated by Zahid Ahmed, managing director of the group’s associate company, Jasmeer Vegetable Oil. A large loan was sanctioned in the name of the new entity. However, without ensuring compliance with loan sanction conditions, the bank officials in collusion with the company facilitated the withdrawal of Tk 51 crore, which has now swelled to Tk 189.80 crore with interest. The accused have been charged under Sections 409/109 of the Penal Code and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.

Bangladesh Bank has scrapped the mandatory requirement for exporters to retain 10 percent of their advance export earnings received from foreign buyers, a move aimed at boosting cash flow and simplifying business operations. The central bank issued a circular on Thursday, lifting the retention obligation to facilitate the procurement of raw materials, streamline production activities, and simplify the supply of goods. The new directive, however, includes several safeguards to ensure genuine transactions. Under the guidelines, exporters must have a confirmed Letter of Credit (LC) or a valid contract. Additionally, exporters must have a satisfactory track record of previous export activities and the capacity to fulfil the order. The advance payment must also be interest-free. Business leaders have welcomed the decision, calling it a significant relief for exporters. They believe it will make the sourcing of raw materials, production, and order fulfilment much easier. They also noted that the bank's continued supervision would ensure compliance with the rules and regulations.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism is yet to know a specific date for the opening of the much-anticipated third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, despite progress in construction and preparation. Speaking at a press conference held at the Secretariat on Thursday to mark World Tourism Day, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Nasreen Jahan and Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin addressed questions from journalists regarding the terminal’s operational timeline. In response, Nasreen said that although significant work had been completed, some critical components—particularly in operation and maintenance, which she described as “the lifeblood of aviation”—were still ongoing. “We need time to complete all processes required for launching an international-standard airport,” she said. “Once everything is in place and we receive the final clearance, we will proceed immediately. Only then can we confirm the opening date.” When pressed further on whether the ministry had a target timeframe, she said a target can only be set once we have full clarity. She added that when those responsible for implementation hand "the terminal over to us, we’ll be in a position to announce a date." Regarding the handover of operations to a Japanese company, the secretary said that the issue remains at the government-to-government negotiation stage, and no official statement could be made until the process is concluded. Adviser Bashiruddin said that the process involves two key phases: selecting an operator and conducting an operation readiness test. “We are currently working on selecting an operator. Following that, the readiness assessment will take a few more months. Once consultants complete the test, the airport will be ready to open,” he added. The adviser underscored the government's urgency and commitment to launching the terminal. He mentioned that the government has invested Tk 21,000 crore in this project, not the Japanese. “So, there’s a strong economic interest here, and we, at the ministry, are making every effort to move forward as quickly as possible,” he said.

The British Council, UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, has invited applications for the twelfth edition of its prestigious Study UK Alumni Awards. The awards are dedicated to honouring leaders who have leveraged their UK education to make significant contributions to their communities, industries and countries, said a press release issued on Thursday. The Study UK Alumni Awards celebrate outstanding achievements and impact across four categories: Science and Sustainability; Culture, Creativity and Sport; Social Action and Business and Innovation. Eligible applicants can compete at both the National and Global levels. The four global winners are chosen from the 28 global finalists by our judging panel members. Global Alumni Award winners will have the opportunity to raise their international profiles, expand professional networks and enhance their careers through a dedicated networking visit to the UK. In addition, Bangladesh will host a national ceremony to honour its finalists. The last date to submit applications is October 16, 2025. The winners of Bangladesh awards will be announced in December 2025 whereas, the Global winners will be announced in August 2026 and celebrated through a digital campaign highlighting their remarkable stories and successes. Speaking about the Alumni Awards 2026, Stephen Forbes, Country Director Bangladesh, British Council, said, “The Study UK Alumni Awards is a unique opportunity for alumni returned from the UK to demonstrate their work and contributions to their home country. It also underscores the lasting impact of a UK education in countries worldwide. It is encouraging to see the contributions in so many dynamic sectors, including in particular Science and Sustainability, Culture, Creativity and Sport, Social Action, and Business and Innovation. I believe that participating in this opportunity will not only inspire alumni to reflect on their journey with pride and confidence but will also motivate the next generation to pursue their aspirations and create positive change in society.” Last year, the award received almost over 1300 applications from international UK alumni from nearly 100 countries across the UK. The eleventh edition of the Study UK Alumni Awards was a resounding success, with the national ceremony held in Dhaka in February 2025 to celebrate winners and finalists from diverse fields and countries. Building on this momentum, the British Council now invites applications for the 12th edition, continuing its mission to honour alumni who are shaping industries, driving innovation, and making a lasting impact on societies worldwide. The Study UK Alumni Awards provide a unique opportunity to showcase the achievements of UK-educated alumni on a global stage. The winners will get to elevate their international profile through global press and digital coverage, expand their professional networks and business connections, and enjoy an exclusive professional networking visit to the UK. For comprehensive details on how to apply, categories, application process and eligibility criteria, please visit https://www.britishcouncil.in/study-uk/alumni-awards    

Police in a dive arrested the executive member of the banned Awami League's cultural affairs sub-committee and President of the Bangabandhu Foundation from Gulshan area of the capital on Thursday. The arrestee was identified as Mozammel Haque, 67. Tipped off, a team of DMP police conducted a drive in Gulshan-1 area around 12:30 pm and arrested him, said Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). Mozammel used to provide financial support to Awami League leaders and activists through various channels, according to police, said Talebur.    

While digital banking in Bangladesh is growing rapidly, speakers at a seminar on Thursday cautioned that customers continue to face significant risks from security lapses and fraudulent transactions. The seminar, titled ‘Digital Banking for All: Bridging Gap in Financial Inclusion’, was organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI) at its Motijheel auditorium. The speakers said that fraudulent activities in banks and mobile financial services (MFS) have increased alarmingly. Victims often struggle to seek remedies because scammers use fake information when opening accounts or MFS outlets, making them difficult to trace. It was reported that fraudulent groups siphon off between Tk 10 crore and Tk 20 crore every month. Shish Haider Chowdhury, Secretary of the ICT Division, was the chief guest, while Dr Md Rezaul Islam, Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank, attended as the special guest. The event featured a keynote presentation by Sanjida Hossain, Head of Commercial Partnership at Robi Axiata PLC. Panel discussants included MD. Elius Zillu, Additional Deputy Commissioner of DB Police, DMP; Arif Khan, Vice Chairman of Shanta Asset Management; Kazi Azizur Rahman, Additional Managing Director of City Bank; Shahee Mirzar, Chief Cyber Operation Officer of Beetle Cyber Security Ltd.; and Rezwan Ali, Director of Omega Exim Ltd. Taskeen Ahmed, President of DCCI, moderated the event. ICT Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury emphasised the need to introduce a digital verification and identification system to support the growth of digital banking and a cashless economy. He also highlighted the importance of a coordinated effort among Bangladesh Bank, commercial banks, MFS providers, the ICT Division and the police to establish a truly cashless society. Bangladesh Bank Executive Director Dr Rezaul Islam stated that the central bank is actively issuing licenses for digital banks to promote a cashless payment system for all transactions. DB Police Additional Deputy Commissioner Elius Zillu noted that around Tk 10–20 crore has been stolen monthly from banks and MFS sectors by fraudsters. He stressed that service providers must prioritise the security of their clients’ money. Arif Khan of Shanta Asset Management suggested that Bangladesh should introduce a personal credit rating system, similar to those in the USA, China, and Singapore, to assess customer credibility. DCCI delegation to join Taiwan Smart Agriweek Expo He said such a system would make digital banking more accessible once implemented and cover all citizens. City Bank Additional Managing Director Kazi Azizul Islam called for reforms in financial laws, pointing out that financial cases can take at least five years to settle, which contributes to scams and loan defaults. He proposed establishing a separate court to handle financial cases more efficiently. Despite these security challenges, the seminar highlighted the significant progress made in digital financial services, as MFS and Agent Banking have played a key role in promoting financial inclusion, particularly in rural areas. Launched in 2011, MFS is now used by approximately 54 percent of the population. By 2024, 85 percent of the rural population had access to formal banking through Agent Banking. Internet banking users have increased to 44 percent of the population. Payment systems such as Bangla QR, BEFTN, NPSB and BD-RTGS have made transactions faster and more secure.  

Experts at a seminar on Thursday said Bangladesh cannot sustain its development journey without meaningful decentralisation and stronger local government institutions. The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh (PRI) hosted the event, the second in its two-part series titled “Can Bangladesh Develop Without Decentralising? – Some Lessons from East Asia and Thoughts on the Local Government Reform and Other Commissions’ Reports”. PRI Executive Director Dr Khurshid Alam called for inclusive dialogue on strengthening local governance as a cornerstone of broader reforms. Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, member of the National Consensus Commission, warned that decentralisation must go hand in hand with political reform. “If politics continues to operate as a business rather than a public service, honest people will remain reluctant to join it,” he said. He said principle of subsidiarity—resolving issues at the level closest to citizens—as the guiding motto for reform. Delivering the keynote, PRI Director Ahsan presented evidence that Bangladesh is among the most centralised countries of its size globally. He said this structure undermines service delivery in education, health, sanitation, and infrastructure. Citing East Asian experiences, he argued that well-designed decentralisation—anchored in accountability, transparency, and performance monitoring—is essential for sustained growth. Bangladesh’s leather sector stuck at $1bn; $5bn could be tapped: Experts Ahsan endorsed many recommendations of the Local Government Reform Commission but criticised proposals for indirect elections of local government representatives and overlapping jurisdictions, warning these could weaken accountability. He also urged clarity in fiscal and administrative decentralisation to avoid fragmentation. Dr M. Masrur Reaz, Chairman and CEO of the Policy Exchange of Bangladesh, highlighted that economic activities remain overly concentrated in Dhaka and Chattogram with Dhaka’s traffic congestion alone causing an estimated $4 billion in annual losses. He stressed stronger coordination between local and central governments to cut waste and improve public services. The seminar concluded with a question-and-answer session reaffirming that decentralisation is central to building a more inclusive, accountable, and resilient development model for Bangladesh. The seminar brought together leading policymakers, economists, and governance specialists to examine how decentralisation could improve public services, reduce economic overconcentration, and make development more inclusive.