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Urea fertilizer price to readjusted in line with global market rate: Minister
Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on Wednesday said that price of Urea fertilizer in the local market will be readjusted in line with rate in international market.
The hike in Urea price by Tk 6 per kilogram won’t have any impacts on food production in the country, he said.
Razzaque said these while talking to reporters before attending a workshop in Barishal city.
“The government has been emphasizing on the balanced use of Urea fertilizer for a very long time. Farmers have a tendency to use Urea excessively. The DAP fertilizer contains 18 percent of ingredients found in Urea. That’s why we’ve reduced the price of DAP fertilizer to increase its use instead of Urea,” Razzaque said.
Razzaque also said the government hopes that use of Urea will decrease due to price hike.
Read: Bangladesh is mechanizing agriculture to boost harvest: Razzaque
“Price of Urea in the global market is Tk 81 per kg. The additional price which has been fixed by the government is very nominal. After the hike, prices of Urea will be Tk 20 per kg at the dealer level and Tk 22 per kg at the farmer level, which are still very low compared to the international market,” added Razzaque.
Replying to another question, the Minister said that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is trying to reap benefit from the global crisis.
“The people of Bangladesh are conscious and realistic. They haven’t forgotten the misrule, plundering and corruption that BNP leaders committed during their tenure. No matter how much they try, people will keep supporting the Awami League (AL) as it’s the only people-centric political party of the country,” said Razzaque.
The workshop was presided over by Md Sayedul Islam, Secretary of the Agriculture Ministry.
Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah, Mayor of Barishal City Corporation (BCC), Shahjahan Kabir, Director of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and Benojir Alam, Director General (DG) of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), among others, were present at the workshop.
BNP happy over talks with Gono Odhikar Parishad
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday voiced satisfaction with the outcomes of their talks with Gono Odhikar Parishad as they reached a consensus on waging a simultaneous movement for ousting the current regime and ensuring the next polls under a neutral government.
The dialogue between the two political parties was held at Gono Odhikar Parishad’s central office in the capital’s Purana Paltan.
As part of their move to unite opposition parties for launching a simultaneous movement, Mirza Fakhrul together with party standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and media cell convener Jahiruddin Swapan sat in talks with a seven-member delegation of Gono Odhikar Parishad, led by its Convener Reza Kibria at 11am.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Fakhrul said, “We're very satisfied with the outcomes of our talks with Gono Odhikar Parishad. We’re glad that they agreed with us on all issues, especially on not joining any polls under the current government.”
He said they also reached a consensus that the present government cannot be allowed to remain in power as it has very conscientiously and cunningly destroyed the achievements of Bangladesh, including democracy, freedom of speech, social values and the right to justice.
“That’s why we have agreed on initiating a united and simultaneous movement together with the people to remove this government,” the BNP leader said.
He said BNP and Gono Odhikar Parishad are in the same position on issues like the resignation of the government, dissolution of the parliament, formation of an election-time neutral government and the reconstitution of the Election Commission.
"We want to establish a people's parliament and government with the genuine representatives of people through holding an acceptable election,” Fakhrul said.
After that election, he said their party will form a national government with all their movement partners to repair the state.
Read: BNP sits with Ganosanghati Andolan
Reza Kibria said they had a very positive discussion with BNP and they agreed on many issues.
“After discussing the overall situation of the country here, we have understood that we are on the same path with the same thoughts. We don't have much disagreement with BNP. It is good news for all opposition parties and for those who want a change in Bangladesh," he observed.
Reza said they have no plan to go to the elections under the current government as they think no fair election can be held under Awami League.
“Discussions are underway with many parties and more will follow as a process of building a national unity has begun. The position of our two parties is very similar and we’ll work together to topple this despotic, corrupt and fascist government. All those who want democracy in the country will work together under the same banner,” he observed.
Gono Odhikar Parishad member secretary Nurul Haque Nur said they discussed what to do to overcome the ongoing crisis in the country. “There’s not much difference between us and BNP in the perception about what we should do to overcome the crisis. We have agreed on the 10 issues that we had in today's discussion.”
He said they also agreed with BNP's demand for a simultaneous or a united movement with other political parties to oust the 'fascist' government.
Earlier on Tuesday, Nurul in a discussion meeting said BNP and Awami League have the same character and the country cannot be run by the two major parties.
As journalists drew his attention to such a dissimilar position, Nur said it is fact that Awami League and BNP were in power for 34 years and they have much in common in their governance. “Now where Bangladesh stands, new arrangements and management are needed. In that case, BNP has moved away from its old position. They announced to form of a national government after the election to bring a change in the current system (of governance).”
On May 24, BNP formally began the dialogue with other opposition parties with the first meeting with Nagorik Oikya aimed at forging unity among opposition political parties.
The party also had talks with Labour Party, Ganosanghati Andolon, Bangladesher Biplobi Workers Party, Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar), National Democratic Party, JAGPA, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Nap (Bhasani), Muslim League, Islami Oikya Jote and Jamiat Ulama-e Islam, Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal and Democratic League (DL), Bangladesh People's League, Bangladesh NAP, JSD-Rob, Jatiya Dal and a faction of Gonoforum,
PM: August 15 conspirators are again out to oust my government
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said that the yet-to-be-executed killers and conspirators involved in the August 15 massacre of 1975 are still working to oust her government as the country heading towards another national election.
“They are still continuing their conspiracies. I know all of them (conspirators),” she said, adding she has all the information about who is doing what.
The premier said this while the newly elected board members of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society paid a courtesy call on her at her official residence Ganabhaban.
She mentioned that the conspirators were out on their mission before 2014 and 2018 elections. “Now that the next election is coming nearer they are very much active.”
Hasina wondered how the conspirators would gain by ousting her government. But one thing, she said, is certain that the people will be the sufferers.
She recalled the brutal killing of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with most members of his family on August 15, 1975.
“The killers even did not spare Russel (her 10-year-old brother),” she said in an emotion-choked voice.
“How could they do this!,” she said expressing her utter disbelief.
She said that killers Noor, Dalim, Ziaur Rahman and Khandaker Mustaque used to frequent the residence of Bangabandhu at 32 No Dhanmondi.
“They killed my father, mother and other close relatives. By this killing they could not bring any welfare for the country and its people, rather the condition of mass people plunged into a dark era,” she said.
Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana survived the carnage as they were abroad at that time.
The PM said she is one of the family members still “alive and in power.”
She explained why the conspirators are still active against her.
“Many don’t like that I’m attaining success for the country and have elevated Bangladesh’s status as a developing nation,” she said. “I know that they are very much vibrant in their activities,” she added.
Read: PM: Public trust in AL is key to government success in development
Dengue: 77 new patients hospitalised in 24 hrs
Another 77 dengue patients were hospitalised across the country in 24 hours till Wednesday morning, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Among them, 59 patients were hospitalised in Dhaka while the 18 in other places, it said.
As many as 333 dengue patients including 258 in the capital are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
On Tuesday, this year’s death toll from the mosquito-borne viral disease rose to 12 with two more deaths reported from Cox’s Bazar.
Read:Dengue death toll rises to 12 as 2 more die; 65 new patients hospitalised
Among the total deaths, eight were reported from Cox’s Bazar while four from Dhaka.
On June 21, the DGHS reported the first death of the season from the viral disease.
In July, the country reported 1,571 dengue cases with nine deaths.
This year, the DGHS has recorded 2,889 dengue cases and 2,544 recoveries so far.
ACC holds mass hearing against 42 govt agencies
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) listened to over one hundred complaints lodged by people against services of 42 government agencies during a mass hearing at Chattogram Medical College auditorium on Wednesday.
Attending the event as chief guest, ACC Commissioner (Investigation) Mohammad Mozammel Haque Khan said that in 70 percent of cases, the accused have been punished and the rest of the cases will be disposed of soon.
“Not only petty criminals but ACC has arrested some very influential people who are still in prison. ACC won’t spare anyone who are involved in corruption. ACC will ensure that no one can embezzle government resources,” Mozammel said.
Mozammel added that ACC doesn’t rush while filing cases.
“Rather, we take time to file the cases. We file a case only when enough investigation is done. That’s why the possibility of mistakes in ACC cases remains very low,” Mozammel added.
Read: ACC chair addresses Reporters Against Corruption
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Chattogram Mohammad Mominur Rahman presided over the hearing.
Md Ashraf Uddin, Divisional Commissioner of Chattogram, AKM Sohel, Director General (DG) (Resistance) of ACC, Krishnapad Ray, Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) and Md Mahmud Hasan, Commissioner of ACC’s Chattogram Divisional Office, among others, were present at the event.
Economy moving to comfortable zone as inflation eases: Planning minister
Planning Minister MA Mannan on Wednesday said that Bangladesh economy is moving toward a comfortable position with the restoration of global food supply after Russia’s recent deal with Ukraine allowing export of food grains.
The minister said this at a press briefing at his office in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, while releasing the inflation data prepared by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). He also spoke on the current state of the economy.
He said the government plans to prepare a list of most consumed 20-22 products to measure a separate inflation rate. These items are usually consumed by the marginal and lower middle-class people.
Mannan said the overall inflation rate decreased by 0.8 per cent to 7.48 per cent in July from the 7.56 per cent in June. “This is a good news,”
The government has opened the door to importing rice and other food items easing the process. The increasing supply has already brought down the prices of edible oil, rice, vegetables, and some commodities, he said.
The inflation rate will come down gradually as the supply of rice and other commodities increased in the domestic market along with easing the global supply chain, the minister said.
Read: Bangladesh ahead of other nations in reining in inflation: AL
Dhaka's air quality remains 'unhealthy'
Dhaka's air quality remains 'unhealthy for sensitive groups'.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 154 around 10am on Wednesday, the metropolis ranked fourth in the list of world cities with the worst air quality.
Chile's Santiago, Pakistan's Lahore and Saudi Arabia's Riyadh occupied the first three spots, with AQI scores of 162, 160 and 155, respectively.
An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups.
Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, is used by government agencies to inform people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
Read: Global Covid cases top 584 million
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
NSU student found dead at Bogura hotel
A 24-year-old student of North South University (NSU) was found dead in a hotel room in Bogura. Police suspect he committed suicide.
The deceased was identified as Tanvirul Islam alias Aqib, a 4th-year student of the university. He was from Kolagachia village of Barguna's Bamna upazila and son of Nazrul Islam.
Read: Schoolgirl dies after being hit by microbus in Bagerhat
Aqib, police said, checked into Shyamoli Hotel around midnight on Monday. The hotel staff informed cops after Aqib did not respond despite repeated knocks on the door on Tuesday noon, the officer said.
"Upon breaking down the door and entering the hotel room, we found the body hanging from the ceiling of the hotel room. He may have committed suicide,” said Salim Reza, OC of Bogura Sadar Police Station.
Police recovered the body and sent it to the Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College and Hospital morgue for an autopsy.
Global Covid cases top 584 million
The overall number of Covid cases has now surged past 584 million amid a rise in new infections in parts of the world.
According to the latest global data, the total case count mounted to 584,040,671 and the death toll reached 6,423,422 on Wednesday morning.
The US has recorded 93,319,702 cases so far and 1,055,975 people have died from the virus in the country, the data shows.
India reported 13,734 new cases of Covid-19 in 24 hours, taking the total tally to 44,060,649 in the country, according to federal health ministry data released on Tuesday.
The country also logged 34 related deaths during the past 24 hours, pushing the overall death toll to 526,430.
Read: US lauds Bangladesh’s response to Covid-19
The daily positivity rate stands at 3.34 percent and the weekly positivity rate was 4.79 percent.
The Chinese mainland Tuesday reported 38 locally transmitted confirmed Covid cases, including 12 in Hainan and 10 in Gansu, according to the National Health Commission's report Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Singapore reported 10,230 new cases of Covid on Tuesday, bringing the total tally to 1,728,995.
Four more deaths were reported from Covid on Tuesday, bringing the total death toll to 1,524, the country's health ministry said.
Covid in Bangladesh
Bangladesh reported 142 Covid-linked deaths and 31,422 cases in July, the highest death toll and cases in the last five months since March this year, said the health authorities.
Among the deceased, 57 were unvaccinated while seven received the first dose, 52 the second dose and 26 the third dose of a Covid vaccine according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read: Covid-19 vaccine consignment for kids arrive in Dhaka
Besides, 34,901 patients recovered from the disease during this period.
The country recorded 85 deaths with 8,000 cases in March while 1,114 cases with five deaths in April, 816 cases with four deaths in May and 20,278 cases with 18 deaths in June.
On Monday, it reported single death with 349 new cases.
So far, the country's total fatalities reached 29,292 and caseload 2,005,606.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.46 percent. The recovery rate rose to 96.90 percent on Monday.
Bangladesh reported its first zero Covid death on November 20 last year since the pandemic broke out here in March 2020.
The country registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 in the same year.
Mahmuda gets USAID's Laura W. Bush Award
Mahmuda Rahman Khan has been chosen as the recipient of USAID's Laura W. Bush Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Global Women's Equality.
USAID Bangladesh made the announcement on Tuesday.
Mahmuda is USAID's longest-serving gender advisor in Asia -- and likely in the rest of the world.
She has 17 years of dedicated, exemplary service.
Mahmuda's many achievements include fostering collaboration with the government of Bangladesh (GOB) and other stakeholders to advance women's empowerment, helping the GOB develop its National Action Plan on Violence Against Women, integrating gender in its various Five Year Plans, initiating the Embassy's first-ever celebration of International Women's Day in 2006 -- and every year since.
Read: Make world free from threat of nuclear weapons: Dhaka
Mahmuda has worked tirelessly working to build the capacity of USAID and Embassy staff, as well as USAID partners, to integrate gender into their work.
"Congratulations, Mahmuda! We are so proud of you and grateful for your contributions to USAID and Embassy Dhaka -- and to gender equality in Bangladesh," USAID Bangladesh said in a Facebook post.