United News of Bangladesh

Jamaat-e-Islami MP Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem on Sunday questioned the postponement of a scheduled discussion in Parliament on push-ins through border and border killings. The discussion was slated to be held under Rule 147 of the Rules of Procedure following a general motion submitted by the MP. According to the parliamentary agenda, the proposal was included for discussion during Sunday's sitting. In his motion, Bin Quasem said that effective measures, including necessary diplomatic and state-level initiatives, were essential to stop the growing trend of push-ins by India's Border Security Force (BSF), border killings and the publicly declared push-in activities by the West Bengal government. He said the issue was of significant public importance and warranted discussion in the Jatiya Sangsad in the interest of protecting the country's sovereignty, citizens' security and human rights. Raising the matter on a point of order at the beginning of sitting, Ahmad said he had been officially informed by the Parliament's adjournment branch that the proposal was accepted for discussion and that copies were sent to the Home Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "However, a short while ago, I was informed by the adjournment branch that due to unavoidable circumstances, the proposal, which had already been accepted and communicated to the relevant ministries, has been postponed," he said. The Jamaat MP questioned what could be more important than the loss of citizens' lives and why such a significant public issue, which he said was not linked to any party agenda, had to be deferred. He also sought clarification on when the discussion would be scheduled again. In response, Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal said the notice was before him and described the postponement as a temporary measure. "The budget session is currently underway and we have time constraints. It is a very fundamental issue. We expect that the matter will be discussed at an appropriate time," he said. Parliament Secretariat sources said the Parliament's Adjournment and Privileges Branch informed Bin Quasem through a letter on Sunday that Speaker had postponed the discussion on the notice due to unavoidable circumstances.    

Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) – Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant – is expected to begin supplying electricity to the national grid by the end of August this year, Science and Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam told Parliament on Sunday. Replying to a starred question from ruling party lawmaker Md Mustafizur Rahman Babul (Jamalpur-3), he said the plant has entered the commissioning and startup phase – the final and most critical stage before commercial power generation begins. Describing the project as a landmark achievement in the country's energy sector, the minister said the RNPP is Bangladesh’s first nuclear power facility and has now reached the concluding phase following years of planning, construction and preparatory work. “The commissioning and startup phase is the final, most complex and critical stage before electricity generation begins,” he said. Faqir Mahbub Anam informed the House that fuel loading activities under Stage-B (Fuel Loading and Physical Startup) of Unit-1 began on April 28, 2026. He said nuclear fuel is currently being installed in the reactor, while boric acid addition, reactor and primary circuit testing, safety verification, sub-criticality tests and other commissioning activities are underway. The next phase will involve bringing the reactor to a critical state, conducting integrated tests of the control and protection systems and operating the reactor at low power levels as part of the startup process, the minister added. According to the project schedule, the reactor’s power output will be increased gradually. Initially, it will operate at around 10-12 percent capacity and later at 35-40 percent capacity to facilitate various technical tests and evaluations. “The reactor power will be raised in phases. Once all required tests and commissioning activities are successfully completed, the generator is expected to be synchronised with the national grid approximately 114 days after the commencement of fuel loading,” the minister said. Expressing optimism about the project’s progress, he said, “According to the contractor’s schedule, we hope that by the end of August 2026 the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will be able to supply around 300 megawatts of electricity to the national grid for the first time.” The 2,400-megawatt Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, being built at Ishwardi in Pabna with Russian assistance, is expected to play a transformative role in strengthening Bangladesh’s long-term energy security and diversifying its power generation mix.

Post and Telecommunication and ICT Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam on Sunday told Parliament that the government has continued expanding financial and institutional support for young scientists, researchers and innovation-driven activities across the country. Responding to a question of Selina Sultana (Women Seat-35), the minister said during the 2025-26 fiscal year, a total of 4,282 researchers received grants amounting to Tk 25.45 crore under the National Science and Technology (NST) Fellowship programme. The Ministry of Science and Technology has been providing NST fellowships to students and researchers pursuing MS, MPhil, PhD and postdoctoral studies in science and technology-related disciplines at universities, he said. The minister said the ministry is also encouraging science-based higher education and research through grants for Research and Development (R&D) projects aimed at developing new technologies and improving the quality of scientific research. In the current fiscal year, 358 scientists and researchers received Tk 3.97 crore in grants under the R&D programme, he added. The ministry has also provided Tk 30 lakh in grants to 30 science-based organisations and institutions during FY2025-26 to support scientific activities, development programmes, journal publications and the organisation of seminars, symposiums, workshops and exhibitions. Special research grants are being provided to teachers, researchers and young scientists from public and private universities, as well as researchers from various public and private organisations, to promote scientific research and technological innovation, he said. He said the government has undertaken a range of initiatives to encourage research and innovation among young scientists and facilitate the development and commercialisation of their projects. These include financial and technical support for innovative research through universities, research institutions and science-based organisations, as well as the organisation of science fairs, innovation exhibitions, seminars, workshops and training programmes. The minister said the National Institute of Biotechnology, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, is providing training, research facilities and access to laboratories for students, researchers and young scientists. He added that the institute regularly offers research training, internships, thesis support and access to modern biotechnology laboratories for undergraduate and postgraduate students, contributing significantly to the development of skilled researchers in the country. Highlighting support for research institutions, the minister said the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research approved 143 projects with allocations of Tk 6.62 crore in FY2024-25, while 94 projects received allocations amounting to Tk 6.19 crore in FY2025-26. He also informed the House that the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission awarded 15 special research grant projects to its scientists during FY2025-26 with a total budget allocation of Tk 80.75 lakh. Once implemented, these projects are expected to make significant contributions to agriculture, food production, healthcare, nuclear medicine, public health, and science and technology sectors, he said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday praised a range of eco-friendly products developed by young innovator Sajjadul Islam of Moulvibazar and assured necessary support for further research and development. Sajjadul Islam, a student from Sreemangal Government College, met the Prime Minister at his office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday. His father, Nazrul Islam, was also present during the meeting, said Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. Sajjadul has developed environment-friendly alternatives to plastic, carbon and silicon-based products. His innovations include tiles and corrugated sheets made from banana tree fibres, as well as biodegradable polythene produced from starch extracted from rotten and unused vegetables. During the meeting, Sajjadul briefed the Prime Minister on his inventions and showed the samples, including biodegradable polythene, corrugated sheets, tiles and boards. The Prime Minister highly praised the environment-friendly innovations and their potential contribution to sustainable development. He assured Sajjadul of government support for his innovative work and encouraged him to continue his research and development activities. Tarique Rahman also stressed the importance of further research to ensure quality improvement and practical application of such products. He assigned relevant officials, including State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam, Prime Minister’s Adviser on IT and Posts and Telecommunications Rehan Asif Asad, and SDG Affairs Chief Coordinator Prof SM Abdul Awal, to provide necessary support for the young inventor.

The government has taken a decision to organise a three-day nationwide programmes in all 64 districts and 74 remote upazilas across the country from June 18 to 20, marking the Nazrul Year, said Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury. “Marking the 127th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs organised a three-day programme in Trishal, Mymensingh on May 23 where Prime Minister Tarique Rahman declared the May 25 this year to May 25 next year as “Nazrul Year”, he said while speaking at a press conference on the observance of Nazrul Year held at Secretariat on Sunday. Highlighting extensive preparations for the observance, the minister said a national committee has been formed while a Nazrul Year logo, posters and calendar have been prepared. A commemorative postage stamp will also be released in this regard, he said. Nitai Roy said the Ministry of Cultural Affairs will organise three-day programmes across the country from June 18 to 20 to mark the inauguration of Nazrul Year. Funds have been allocated from the ministry’s current fiscal year budget for programmes in all 64 districts and 74 remote or special upazilas. The minister said plans are in place to organise year-long events as part of the observance.  “The celebration of Nazrul Year will not be limited to cultural programmes alone. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs will take initiatives to encourage research on Nazrul’s literary works, music and other contributions,” he said. Efforts are also being undertaken through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote Nazrul’s works internationally, he said.

A teenage girl has allegedly been gang-raped at Kalabagan in Ashuganj upazila of Brahmanbaria district. Quoting family members, police said the girl’s mother sent her to buy bread from the nearby shop around 8:00pm on June 10. When she was heading towards the shop, three young men, including Zakaria and Anik, took her to the 4th floor of a nearby building and violated her there. They also threatened to kill her family members if she would disclose the matter to anyone. Although the girl did not disclose the matter initially, she narrated the incident to her mother two days later after she fell ill. Later, the victim was taken to Brahmanbaria General Hospital. Ratan Kumar Dhali, superintendent of the hospital, said the allegation of rape can be confirmed once the results of her medical examination are received. Officer-in-Charge of Ashuganj Police Station Shafiqul Alam Chowdhury said no written complaint was lodged in this regard and action will be taken after getting complaint.  

The government has placed the restoration of macroeconomic stability at the centre of its economic recovery, restoration and reconstruction agenda, pledging a series of fiscal, monetary and institutional reforms aimed at curbing inflation, strengthening public finances and reducing debt dependence. As per the budget document, the government acknowledged that persistently high inflation over the past several years has significantly eroded household purchasing power and weakened the country’s overall economic foundations. Inflationary pressures have been driven not only by global factors but also by domestic challenges, including supply chain inefficiencies, market distortions, inadequate competition and various structural bottlenecks, it said. To shield citizens from the impact of rising prices, the government said, it will focus on strengthening foreign exchange reserves, enhancing external sector resilience and ensuring greater stability in the foreign exchange market. The document noted that Bangladesh’s import-dependent economy remains vulnerable to exchange rate fluctuations, with the depreciation of the Taka against major foreign currencies contributing significantly to domestic inflation. The government also pledged to maintain close coordination between monetary and fiscal policies while ensuring adequate credit flows to productive sectors. Efforts will be made to improve external balances through export growth, facilitation of remittance inflows and prudent management of non-essential imports. Finance Ministry officials believe these measures, combined with improved expenditure efficiency and sound fiscal management, will help keep the budget deficit within sustainable limits, restore market confidence and create a more favourable environment for investment and production. A major component of the government’s fiscal strategy is strengthening domestic resource mobilisation. As part of an institutional reform initiative, the government has begun separating revenue policy formulation from revenue administration. Under the new framework, tax policy will be developed through a dedicated system supported by professional expertise, evidence-based analysis and broad stakeholder consultations. The government has also adopted a medium-term revenue strategy focused on broadening the tax base, improving compliance and enhancing transparency and efficiency in revenue administration. Planned reforms include expanding the taxpayer base, digitising tax registration and return filing, strengthening monitoring systems, modernising VAT administration, improving withholding tax compliance and introducing risk-based audit mechanisms. At the same time, taxpayer services will be expanded and procedures simplified to encourage voluntary compliance. The budget also announced a comprehensive review of tax expenditures and exemptions to improve transparency, efficiency and accountability. Future tax incentives will be subject to stronger oversight and clearer justification. According to the budget document, Bangladesh’s revenue-to-GDP ratio currently stands at around 8 percent, while the tax-to-GDP ratio is approximately 6.8 percent. The government aims to raise these ratios to 11 percent and 9.6 percent, respectively, by fiscal year 2030-31 through a combination of policy and administrative reforms. The budget document also highlighted growing concerns over public debt sustainability, attributing current pressures to large-scale borrowing undertaken for what it described as corruption-ridden and poorly planned “vanity projects” implemented during the previous regime. The government said the resulting debt burden has placed considerable strain on the country’s fiscal position. To address these challenges, the administration has set a target of improving Bangladesh’s debt risk rating from the current “moderate” category to a “low” risk category. It plans to achieve this by enforcing stricter fiscal discipline, increasing revenue collection, maintaining sustainable budget deficits and modernising debt management practices. The government further signalled a strategic shift away from what it termed a debt-driven growth model, emphasising the need to build a self-sustaining economy driven by production, employment generation and private sector investment. “Policies will be pursued to systematically reduce debt dependence and promote investment-led growth as the foundation of sustainable economic progress,” the budget document stated.

Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi will organise a festival titled “Barsha Utsab-1433’ in Dhaka on Monday to welcome the rainy season. The programme, featuring a series of cultural performances, discussions and recitations, will begin at 6:30am at Panthakunja at Karwan Bazar under the theme: “Asharer Gorjone Nabojatrar Dak, Baisamya Binase Manush Jege Thak” (The roar of Ashar heralds a new journey; let people rise against inequality). Udichi has been organising the annual festival since 2009 to celebrate the arrival of the monsoon, which symbolises rejuvenation, vitality and the regeneration of life in Bangladesh’s seasonal landscape, according to a press release. President of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) Nur Mohammad Talukdar will inaugurate the festival. The programme will include music, recitation, discussions and collective cultural performances by artists from various branches of Udichi across the country. Renowned singers, recitation artists, dancers and cultural groups are also expected to participate in the event and present performances highlighting the beauty of the rainy season and the country's rich cultural heritage.

An alleged Indian smuggler was injured in firing by members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at the Baralekha border in Moulvibazar on Saturday night. The incident occurred at around 8:45pm during a routine patrol in the border area, BGB Headquarters said in a press release. According to the release, a BGB patrol team was confronted by two suspected Indian smugglers who allegedly attempted to attack the personnel with sharp weapons. In response, BGB members opened fire in self-defence and to bring the situation under control, injuring one of the suspects, it said. The injured smuggler and his accomplice subsequently fled across the border into India, the release added. BGB said intelligence gathering and other legal procedures related to the incident are underway. The border force reiterated its commitment to preventing smuggling and maintaining law and order in border areas.

The families of two victims who were killed in the tragic launch accident at Sadarghat while travelling to Barishal during Eid-ul-Fitr have received financial assistance from the Ministry of Shipping. State Minister for Shipping Md Rajib Ahsan, MP, handed over the financial assistance to the families of the deceased, Sohail and Miraj, residents of Mehendiganj upazila in Barishal district, at a ceremony held in the upazila on Friday morning. At around 10:30am, cheques worth Tk 5 lakh each were distributed to the two families on behalf of the Trustee Board of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority. During the event, officials also announced that an additional Tk 25 lakh in financial support would be provided to the affected families. Expressing deep condolences to the bereaved families, the state minister assured them of continued government support. He said the government remains committed to ensuring passenger safety on waterways and will continue taking necessary measures to prevent such accidents in the future. Officials of BIWTA, local public representatives and political leaders were present at the cheque distribution ceremony.