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PM Hasina pays homage to Bangabandhu on Mujibnagar Day
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of the historic Mujibnagar Day.
She placed a wreath at Bangabandhu's portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi, Dhaka.
After laying the wreath, the prime minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of independence.
Mujibnagar Day to be observed tomorrow
Flanked by central leaders of Awami League, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of the party, placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of Awami League.
On this day in 1971, Bangladesh's first government in exile was formed at the Baidyanathtala mango orchard in Meherpur, under the then Kushtia district.
The place was later renamed Mujibnagar as a tribute to Bangabandhu who was declared the president of the government-in-exile.
Mujibnagar Day observed in Washington
Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed the acting president in the absence of Bangabandhu.
Bangabandhu was arrested and taken to West Pakistan after the then Pakistani military regime launched a brutal crackdown in the night of March 25 in 1971.
Tajuddin Ahmad was appointed the first prime minister, while Captain M Mansur Ali and AHM Quamaruzzaman were made cabinet members.
The successful leadership of the core cabinet steered the Liberation War to victory on December 16 that year.
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No improvement in Dhaka’s air quality, still ‘unhealthy’
Dhaka's air quality has been identified as ‘unhealthy’ this morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 159 at 08:56am, Dhaka ranked 4th on the list of cities around the world with the worst air quality.
Pakistan’s Lahore, Nepal’s Kathmandu and India’s Delhi occupied the first three spots, with AQI scores of 172, 167 and 163, respectively.
No improvement in Dhaka’s air quality, still ‘unhealthy’
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 151 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', and a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants — particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka’s air quality 5th worst in the world this morning
Dhaka has long grappled with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in the winter and improves during the monsoon.
Palak delivers speech on Smart Bangladesh in Singapore
State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak has said Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, has declared her next vision to build Smart Bangladesh and it is to transform Bangladesh into an inclusive, innovative, sustainable, knowledge-based, smart nation.
While delivering a keynote speech in Singapore, he said Smart Citizens, Smart Economy, Smart Government, and Smart Society are the four major pillars of Smart Bangladesh.
"Based on those, we have different kinds of policies and partnerships with different stakeholders, like industry, academia, government, and international players," he said.
Back in 2008, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared her vision to build Digital Bangladesh. "Back then, we started introducing policies regarding Digital Bangladesh and started to collaborate with different stakeholders," Palak said. Over the 15 years of time, he said, they have been able to provide 2 million jobs, nearly $2 billion in export income from the IT sector, and develop nearly 7 lakh freelancers.
"Now, we are looking forward to introducing frontier technology-based government services and meeting the necessities of the private sector by developing our strategies and introducing new laws," Palak said.
Recently, he said, they introduced a cybersecurity law. "Now we are drafting our private data protection act, and are going to make an AI policy."
So far, 2500 government services have been digitized.
And nearly a thousand services are available online.
"We have introduced 52 thousand websites. We are combining AI tools to provide our government services. Recently, we have decided to introduce four pre-trained Transformer GPT services, including constitution, education, health, and investment," Palak said.
He said they have organized hackathon to capture the ideas of young entrepreneurs and innovators.
"We are connecting our private entrepreneurs with government mechanisms. This is how we are achieving all of these successes within a short period of time," Palak said.
IMF downgrades Bangladesh's GDP growth projection again for current fiscal
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) again has revised downward the growth forecast of Bangladesh's economy to 5.7 percent for the current fiscal year of 2023-24.
The IMF made the revised projection in its World Economic Outlook released on Tuesday (April 16).
The IMF growth forecast highlighted different global and local challenges, including persistently high inflation, unemployment, lower remittance flow, and a fell industrial investment target.
The global lender for the second time cut economic growth forecast for Bangladesh. In October last year, it projected 6 percent growth, cutting down its previous prediction from 6.5 percent for the FY2023-24.
The IMF growth forecast comes a week after the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Bangladesh's GDP will expand 6.1 percent in FY 2023-24, riding on exports.
Early this month, the World Bank said Bangladesh will register subdued growth for reduced private consumption affected by high inflation.
It said the GDP will expand 5.6 percent in FY 2023-24, which is below the average annual growth rate of 6.6 percent over the decade before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Action to be taken against unregistered online outlets: Arafat
Muhammad Ali Arafat, State Minister of Information and Broadcasting, has said that action will be taken against unregistered and illegal online portals. He said this during an exchange of views with the executive members of Online News Portal Association Bangladesh (ONAB) at the Ministry meeting room at the Secretariat today, Tuesday (April 16).
The state minister said, the government does not monitor or control, but there is some need for discipline. Many people are managing online media beyond the registration process. The media here is so free, open and independent that it can operate without registration and surveillance and control.
"I will say again, there is no question of control or surveillance. We don't support them, we don't want to do them. We don't believe in them. We believe in free media and independent journalism. However, many flashy, untrue, defamatory and disinformation campaigns are carried out through unregistered online portals. It is a good thing that journalists want to develop disciplined journalism," Arafat said.
He said,"We have 426 registered online portals. Of these, 213 are electronic and print media. And 213 online news portals. A few more are in process."
The State Minister of Information said that if new persons want to come up with an online news portal, they need to be given time to prove themselves.
"I think nothing is right illegally, they cannot play a positive role in society," Arafat said. "I will take action against them. And this is your (journalists) demand. As the state minister of the government, I declare to fulfill your demands. As a minister of state in the government, I announced that I will stop unregistered online, the headlines will be tomorrow - the government is strangling the media. I don't want that."
ONAB President Mollah M Amjad Hossain, Vice President Latiful Bari Hamim and Soumitra Deb, Joint Secretary Siddiqur Rahman and Ashraful Kabir Asif, Executive Members Nazrul Islam Mithu, Tauhidul Islam Mintu, Rafiqul Basar, Hamid Md. Jasim, Mohsin Hossain, Ayan Ahmed, Khokon Kumar Roy and others were present there.
Gas supply situation slightly improves, load shedding continues
The gas supply situation has improved to some extent but the country has still been reeling from load shedding.
The official data of state-owned Petrobangla shows that the gas supply has increased by 210 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) to 2,555 MMCFD on Tuesday from 2345 MMCFD on Monday.
Despite Summit’s LNG terminal resuming, gas supply still lags as Bibiyana goes on maintenance
It also shows that there is still a huge gap of about 1000 MMCFD gas between demand and supply of gas for power plants that resulted in the shutdown of a number of gas-fired power plants.
Official sources said the Chevron-operated Bibiyana gas field has returned to its full-scale production capacity of 1200 MMCFD gas. But it was producing 600 MMCFD gas against its full capacity.
Govt to import 3 cargoes of LNG to raise gas supply
“We’re now capable of supplying 1200 MMCFD gas. But the government is not receiving full supply from Bibiyana field. That's why the field was supplying 600 MMCFD gas,” an official of Chevron told UNB.
Petrobangla officials also admitted that they are not receiving full supply from Bibiyana field saying that power plant authorities said they have no further requirement for gas.
The country’s largest gas field Bibiyana went on a three-day scheduled maintenance on April 3 and came back to production on time, said the officials.
Ashulia to be without gas supply for 12 hours on Monday
They said the supply of imported LNG to the national grid also has increased as the country was getting 972 MMCFD gas from two LNG terminals at Maheshkhali against their capacity of 1,100 MMCFD.
Meanwhile, the data from state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) shows that the country was experiencing a huge load shedding due to shortages in supply from generation end.
The data shows that the day peak demand of electricity was 13,000 MW while evening peak demand of electricity was 15,000 MW.
In the daytime, the highest load shedding was recorded at 501 MW at 10 am on Tuesday morning when the country was generating 12,275 MW against demand for 12,800 MW.
Officials fear that the extent of load shedding may increase in the peak evening periods if hot weather conditions remain unchanged.
54,000 join universal pension scheme in eight months
The number of enrollments in the universal pension scheme (UPS) is growing slowly with around 54000 people having joined the scheme in eight months.
Golam Mostofa, member of the National Pension Authority (NPA) and additional secretary of the Ministry of Finance, confirmed this to UNB on Tuesday.
He said around Tk43.62 cores have been deposited in government funds through participation in four schemes.
“Out of which, 598 people have been enrolled under migration scheme ‘Probash’, 11,105 people to the Progoti, 16376 people to the ‘Surakkha’ and 26580 people to the Samata scheme,” he pointed out.
Among these schemes, is 'Probash' for Expatriate Bangladeshi Citizens): Any Bangladeshi citizen working or staying abroad can participate in this scheme by paying the prescribed rate of contribution in foreign currency.
“The way people are participating, very soon that number will go to lakhs. It was slow for a while in between, but now people's interest and participation have increased. Hopefully, this momentum will continue. We are holding a pension fair for the campaign,” Mostofa said.
According to the pension rules, in the universal pension system, the more money is deposited, the more pension will be given at the end of the term.
On the other hand, this initiative will not divert the low-income people either. For those who will deposit Tk500 monthly, there will be another Tk500 subsidy from the government from the beginning. All in all, there is an additional multifold profit for everyone at the end of the specified period.
Despite attractive return scope after the specific tenure, people are enrolling in very slow space due to a lack of trust in the funds returning, said economists and sector insiders.
In this regard, Golam Mustafa said that the NPA is very much conscious of protecting people's deposits. The government cannot take any loan from this fund.
Rather, “We invest in treasury bills and bonds so that the income in the investment in bills and bonds is guaranteed. As a result, there will be no apprehension among people about this fund,” he said.
For the first time in its history, Bangladesh on August 17, 2023, entered the era of a much-hyped uniform pension scheme. The initiative is meant for the entire population of the country aged above 18, who will start enjoying lifetime pension facilities upon turning age at 60 years old.
Economists say that a large portion of the population of the country is still not aware of this financial protection. This is why the NPA wants to make it easier for expatriates to participate. Besides, attractive initiatives are being taken to promote UPS among the people of the country.
Economist Dr. ABM Mirza Azizul Islam told UNB that due to lack of trust among the people and lack of institutional good governance are to blame for this poor response to the pension scheme.
He said people are still not aware of where the pension scheme money will be invested, how it will be profited from here or what will be if there is a loss.
Youths to be involved in fighting climate change: Environment Minister
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Tuesday said the government will involve young people specially women in combating climate change and promoting equitable solutions for the climate victim communities.
“Our youths have a vital role to play in shaping policies and driving initiatives that protect our planet and its people,” he said.
The minister made this remark while delivering Professor Dr. Saleemul Huq Memorial Public Lecture on "Promoting Climate Justice: Roles of Courts and Youth" at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) in Dhaka.
Recognising the potential of young people as powerful agents of change, he called upon the young generation to take an active role in advocating for climate justice and holding leaders accountable.
Saber Hossain said the time for action is now. “We must leverage the passion of our youth to drive meaningful change and secure a just and sustainable future for all,” he said.
He described Bangladesh as a country of solutions, built by its youths. . “Their involvement is essential for a prosperous and resilient future,” he added.
The environment minister put emphasis on the importance of investing in the younger generation. “Topics such as environment, biodiversity, and climate change will be included in textbooks to prepare children for the future,” he said.
Saber Hossain paid tribute to the late renowned climate scientist and advocate for climate justice Professor Dr. Salimul Haque.
Professor at New York University School of Law Dr Cesar Rodriguez –Garavito, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed, former Principal Secretary Nojibur Rahman, IU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Tanweer Hasan, Climate Expert Dr Ainun Nishat and BELA Executive Director Syeda Rizwana Hasan spoke in the occasion.
Light showers bring little relief
A light rainfall that lashed parts of the capital on Tuesday afternoon brought a little relief to the city dwellers when different parts of the country are reeling under scorching heat.The sky turned gloomy before the rains started at 3 pm, bringing some relief from sweltering heat.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department earlier forecast rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind at one or two places over Dhaka, Mymensingh, Rangpur and Sylhet divisions with hails at isolated places.
Heavy rains lash UAE and surrounding nations as the death toll in Oman flooding rises to 18Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.A mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and it may continue.
Severe heat wave sweeps Chuadanga, Pabna; rains likely in Dhaka, 7 divisionsDay and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
34 dengue patients hospitalised in 24hrs
No fresh death due to dengue was reported in Bangladesh in the 24 hours till Tuesday morning, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
However, thirty-four patients were hospitalised with viral fever during this period, according to the DGHS.
Of them, five were admitted in Dhaka hospitals, while the rest was outside the capital.
A total of 87 patients are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
So far, 1,839 dengue cases have been reported since January 1, 2024.
Last year, a total of 1,705 people lost their lives due to dengue, making it the deadliest year on record.
The DGHS recorded 321,179 dengue cases and 3, 18,749 recoveries last year.
Last year’s September was the deadliest month for the dengue outbreak, with 396 fatalities and 79,598 cases, according to DGHS data.