United News of Bangladesh

The government on Wednesday approved three variation proposals worth over Tk 50.73 crore for the additional supply of anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs, GeneXpert diagnostic cartridges and anti-retroviral medicines under the Health Services Division. The approvals came at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) held at the Cabinet Division conference room with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in the chair. Under one proposal, the committee approved a variation worth Tk 15.51 crore for the additional supply of anti-TB drugs. As part of the variation, an additional 10.77 million tablets of 4FDC (Anti-TB Drug), equivalent to 20 percent of the original contracted quantity of 53.86 million tablets, will be procured from M/s Renata PLC. The original contract value of Tk 77.56 crore will increase to Tk 93.07 crore following the approval. The committee also approved a variation proposal worth Tk 31.70 crore for the procurement of an additional 296,400 GeneXpert cartridges. The cartridges, widely used for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis and other infectious diseases, will be supplied by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). With the variation, the contract value will rise from Tk 158.48 crore to Tk 190.18 crore. In another decision, the committee approved a variation proposal worth Tk 3.52 crore for the procurement of Anti-Retroviral Drugs. The variation accounts for 19.99 percent of the original contract value of Tk 17.61 crore. Following the increase, the revised contract value will stand at Tk 21.13 crore. The contract has been awarded to M/s S. S. Scientific Corporation.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP on Wednesday approved four separate proposals for the import of refined petroleum products worth an estimated Tk 17,033.42 crore to meet the country’s fuel demand during the June-August 2026 period. The proposals, submitted by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, were approved through the international open tender method under four different procurement packages. The approvals came at a meeting of CCGP chaired by Finance Minister Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury  According to official sources, the largest proposal involves the import of Gas Oil (0.005 percent sulphur) and Jet A-1 fuel at an estimated cost of Tk 7,672.66 crore. Singapore-based Unipec Singapore Pte Ltd was selected as the lowest responsive bidder. Another proposal for the import of Gas Oil (0.005 percent sulphur) and Jet A-1 fuel was approved at an estimated cost of Tk 6,711.75 crore. Singapore-based Vitol Asia Pte Ltd emerged as the recommended supplier for the package. The committee also approved a proposal for the import of Furnace Oil 180 CST at an estimated cost of Tk 1,900.05 crore. Singapore-based Trafigura Pte Ltd was selected as the successful bidder. In addition, the committee cleared a proposal for the import of Gasoline 95 Unleaded at an estimated cost of Tk 748.96 crore. Vitol Asia Pte Ltd secured the contract for supplying the fuel.

Train services on the Dhaka-Mymensingh-Jamalpur route resumed after about three hours of suspension following the derailment of a coach of an intercity train and a relief train in Mymensingh. Md Akhtar Hossain, officer-in-charge of Mymensingh Railway Police Station, said a coach of the Dhaka-bound ‘Brahmaputra Express’ from Dewanganj in Jamalpur derailed at around 9:30 am at the College Road level crossing, disrupting train services on the Jamalpur-Dhaka route. Later, a coach of a relief train from the Keotkhali Locoshed also derailed near the outer signal area of Mymensingh Railway Station, disrupting train services on the Mymensingh-Dhaka route. However, train services on the routes resumed at around 12:30 pm after another relief train from Mymensingh rushed to the spot and salvaged the derailed coaches, said Akhtar Hossain.  

Warning against past attempts to tarnish their image at home and abroad, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday urged armed forces members to uphold professionalism, unity, discipline and chain of command to preserve the force’s honour and dignity. “The main message for uniformed forces is that it is difficult to maintain honour and dignity without professionalism, unity, discipline and chain of command,” he said at a programme marking the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment. The government is working to gradually modernise the armed forces and police for UN peacekeeping missions and international duties, the Prime Minister. Addressing members of the armed forces, he said the military is a symbol of the country’s independence, honour and courage. “A major of the army declared the independence of Bangladesh. I believe this glory and pride will remain an eternal source of inspiration for our armed forces. So, it is the duty of the armed forces to ensure that this honour is never diminished in any way,” Tarique Rahman said. He said Bangladesh’s armed forces have earned global recognition through their role in UN peacekeeping missions though attempts were made at different times to create confusion and damage the image of the forces at home and abroad. “There have also been attempts, both at home and abroad, to tarnish the image of the armed forces. Overcoming all such conspiracies and challenges, the Armed Forces united under the leadership of the Proclaimer of Independence and regained their footing on November 7, 1975,” Tarique said. Despite that, he said attempts to undermine the unity of the Armed Forces continued at different times through various incidents. The Prime Minister referred to the “major blow” suffered by the armed forces during the BDR mutiny in February 2009, saying the consequences of the incident were well known to the nation. He said instead of merely reflecting on the past, a scope has now been created for the state to establish itself with dignity and full integrity by learning from past experiences in a fascism-free Bangladesh. “Those serving in the armed forces, government, or public administration are all citizens of Bangladesh. This country belongs to all of us. Wherever we serve, at home or abroad, let it be our commitment today to perform our duties properly and responsibly,” Tarique Rahman said. Highlighting global challenges, he said the world is now passing through a complex situation where peacekeeping missions have become more risky and multidimensional due to changing geopolitical realities and rapid technological advancement. “Besides conventional warfare, cyber warfare, misuse of artificial intelligence, media propaganda and climate-induced security threats have emerged as new obstacles to global peace,” the Prime Minister said adding that future peacekeeping missions must be more modern, visionary and technology-based. He also reaffirmed Bangladesh’s strong commitment to peace, global stability and humanity on the international stage. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh firmly believes in the principles of independence, sovereignty and mutual respect among nations.“As an independent and self-respecting nation, Bangladesh will always remain committed to peace, global stability and humanity in the international arena.”

A Dhaka court on Wednesday acquitted cricketer Nasir Hossain and his wife, Tamima Sultana Tammi, in a case filed over their alleged illegal marriage. Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam passed the order. Earlier, on May 6, the court fixed June 10 for delivering the judgment in the case. Tamima married Rakib Hasan on February 26, 2011 and they have an eight-year-old daughter. Later, she married cricketer Nasir Hossain on February 24, 2021. Photographs of their wedding went viral on social media, drawing the attention of Rakib Hasan. Rakib filed a case against them, alleging that Tamima had married Nasir without divorcing him. On September 30, 2021, Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) submitted chargesheet against Nasir and Tamima. According to the PBI report, Tamima did not divorce her first husband Rakib and Rakib did not get any divorce notice from her. Rather, Tamima made a fake divorce notice. So, Tamima is still the wife of Rakib, said the report. On February 7, 2022, a court framed charges against them. On February 7, 2022, a court framed charges against the couple.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) on Wednesday approved two major contracts worth a combined Tk 474.38 crore for the development of Bhomra and Burimari land ports under a World Bank-funded regional connectivity project. The approval came at a meeting of the committee chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury where separate procurement proposals were submitted by the Ministry of Shipping. Under the first proposal, the committee approved awarding the contract for the development of Bhomra Land Port, including the construction of parking yards, sheds, warehouses and other ancillary facilities, at a cost of Tk 233.11 crore. The work will be implemented under the “Accelerating Transport and Trade Connectivity in Eastern South Asia (ACCESS) – Bangladesh Phase 1 (BLPA Component)” project being carried out by the Bangladesh Land Port Authority (BLPA). The recommended contractor for the package titled “Development of Bhomra Land Port – Construction of parking yard, sheds and warehouses with other ancillary facilities is TIANEN-DIENCO Joint Venture. In a separate proposal under the same project, the committee recommended approval of a Tk 241.26 crore contract for the development of Burimari Land Port. The project includes the construction of parking yards, sheds, warehouses and other supporting facilities. TIANEN-DIENCO Joint Venture was also recommended as the successful bidder for the Burimari project. The ACCESS project aims to strengthen transport and trade connectivity in Eastern South Asia by improving infrastructure and facilitating cross-border trade through key land ports in Bangladesh.  

The government on Wednesday approved five construction contracts worth more than Tk 1,057 crore under the World Bank-assisted Resilient Infrastructure for Adaptation and Vulnerability Reduction (RIVER) (1st Revised) project for the construction of government primary schools-cum-flood shelters in several districts. The approvals were made at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) following proposals submitted by the Local Government Division. Under the project, to be implemented by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) with financing from the World Bank and the Government of Bangladesh, a total of 121 government primary schools-cum-flood shelters will be constructed in Bogura, Sirajganj, Pabna, Rajbari and Faridpur districts. The committee recommended awarding a contract worth Tk 177.05 crore for the construction of 21 government primary schools-cum-flood shelters in Bogura district . The contract is proposed to be awarded to Wahid-Ahad JV. Another proposal involving Tk 191.91 crore was recommended for the construction of 22 such facilities in Sirajganj district .The recommended contractor is YCL-WEL JV. For Pabna district, the committee approved contract worth Tk 179.97 crore for constructing 22 government primary schools-cum-flood shelters. The proposed contractor is SCL-MCPL (JV). In Rajbari district, a contract valued at Tk 187.88 crore was approved for the construction of 21 government primary schools-cum-flood shelters. The Engineers and Architects Limited was selected as the recommended bidder. The largest package, valued at Tk 319.96 crore, relates to the construction of 35 government primary schools-cum-flood shelters in Faridpur . Wahid Construction Ltd was recommended for the contract. The RIVER project aims to strengthen climate-resilient infrastructure and enhance disaster preparedness in flood-prone areas through the development of multipurpose facilities that serve as both educational institutions and emergency flood shelters.

The government has approved a proposal to procure vaccines worth Tk 412.71 crore through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for use under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) during the 2025–26 fiscal year. The approval came from the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) at a meeting chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Wednesday at the cabinet division meeting room. According to official sources, the Health Services Division placed the proposal seeking approval for the direct procurement of vaccines through UNICEF, the recommended supplier. Officials said the vaccines will be used in the implementation of the country's EPI activities aimed at protecting children and other target groups from vaccine-preventable diseases. The committee reviewed the proposal and recommended it for approval under the direct procurement method, considering UNICEF's role as the designated international procurement agency for EPI vaccines. The procurement is expected to ensure an uninterrupted supply of vaccines required for the national immunisation programme throughout the fiscal year.

Police have rescued two teenage girls who went missing from the capital’s Pallabi area, tracing them to Nilphamari district with the help of information technology, officials said on Tuesday. The two girls, both garment workers, were recovered from the Domar area of Nilphamari at around 3:05 am, seven days after they disappeared. According to Pallabi Police Station, the girls left their homes on the morning of June 2, telling their families they had personal matters to attend to. When they failed to return, their families searched for them but could not find any trace. On June 3, the families filed two separate general diaries (GD Nos. 182 and 183) with Pallabi Police Station. Following the complaints, a police team launched an investigation and used technology-based tracking to identify the girls' location. Acting on the information, officers conducted an operation in Domar and rescued them early Tuesday. Police said their investigation found no evidence of abduction or involvement of any criminal group. Instead, the two girls had allegedly left home voluntarily because of their close personal relationship and had planned to live together away from their families, police said. The rescued girls were later handed over to their guardians through the GD process. The information was confirmed by Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, NM Nasiruddin.

Doctors and public health experts on Tuesday urged the government to significantly raise tobacco taxes and retail prices in the national budget for FY2026-27, warning that tobacco use remains one of the leading risk factors behind Bangladesh’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which account for nearly 71 percent of all deaths nationwide. They said the low prices and easy availability of tobacco products continue to attract new users, particularly among young people, undermining public health efforts and placing an increasing strain on the country’s healthcare system. The call was made at a seminar titled “Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Reducing the Risk of Non-Communicable Diseases”, held at the National Press Club in Dhaka.  The event was organized by the Platform of Medical and Dental Society with technical support from the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh. The seminar was inaugurated with a welcome address by Dr. Irfanur Rahman, General Secretary of the Platform of Medical and Dental Society while the keynote paper was presented by Dr. Muntaha Farhan, Director and Head of Human Resources of the organization. The keynote presentation highlighted that around 37.8 million adults currently use tobacco in Bangladesh. Nearly 200,000 people die prematurely every year from tobacco-related diseases. Tobacco use among young people aged 15–24 stands at 10.3 percent.  A recent joint study by the University of Dhaka and Johns Hopkins University found that tobacco use and production caused health and environmental losses worth nearly TK 87,000 crore in 2024. In contrast, government revenue from the tobacco sector was only about TK41,000 crore during the same period. The presentation proposed major reforms to the cigarette tax structure in the FY 2026-27 budget. These include merging the low- and medium-tier cigarette categories and setting the retail price of a 10-stick pack at TK 100. It also proposed a specific supplementary tax of TK 4 per pack and increasing the prices of high-tier and premium cigarettes to TK 150 and TK 200 respectively. Professor Dr. Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of the Dept. of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute, said that NCDs are now the country's biggest public health challenge as tobacco use is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases.  "People who start using tobacco at a young age face a much higher risk of developing NCDs later in life. Therefore, increasing tobacco prices through taxation is essential to protect young people," he said. Public health expert Dr. Mohammad Mushtuq Husain said that raising tobacco taxes benefits both public health and the economy. Evidence from around the world shows that higher tobacco prices reduce consumption, especially among young people and low-income groups. At the same time, government revenue increases.  Special guest Dr. Sakhawat Hassan Jiban, Member of Parliament for Habiganj-2, stressed the importance of effective tobacco taxation in reducing the burden of tobacco-related diseases. The proposal to merge the low- and medium-tier cigarette categories  would reduce the affordability of cigarettes, discourage youth smoking and increase government revenue. Professor Dr. Khandoker Abdul Awal Rizvi, President of the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, said that effective tobacco taxation is not only a public health measure but also an important development strategy.  He noted that the proposed tax reforms could encourage nearly 500,000 adult smokers to quit and prevent more than 372,000 young people from taking up smoking. In the long term, the reforms could prevent around 370,000 premature deaths.  The seminar was attended by medical students, physicians, public health professionals and journalists. The session was moderated by Dr. Aruna Sarkar, Coordinator of the Tobacco Control Program.