Bangladesh
India trying to send vaccine jabs to Bangladesh soon: Doraiswami
India is doing its best to resume the export of Covid vaccine jabs to Bangladesh soon as per its earlier deal, its High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami said on Sunday.
The envoy said he is going to New Delhi to discuss how India can expedite the supply of the remaining doses of Covishield jabs produced by Serum Institute of India.
Also read: Doraiswami keen to push Covaxin as Covishield exports disrupted
Doraiswami made the remarks during a visit to Akhaura land port immigration check post.
Bangladesh was scheduled to get three crore doses of vaccines from India under a tripartite agreement signed last year. New Delhi halted the export after sending only 75 lakh doses in March citing high domestic demand.
Earlier, Doraiswami informed that the delivery of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine to Bangladesh was under discussion. Any update will be conveyed to Dhaka when the production increases in India, he said.
Also read: Bangladesh to get vaccines quickly, urgently: Doraiswami
The Indian envoy said the Akhaura-Agartala railway project has been delayed a bit but he is hopeful that the train services will start on this route within December.
Covid kills 225 more in Bangladesh as cases cross 1.1 million-mark
With Covid’s Delta variant spreading fast, Bangladesh is now facing the worst scenario as the caseload crossed 1.1 million-mark in the country on Sunday.
The country also recorded 225 fresh deaths in 24 hours till this morning.
The total caseload from Covid now stands at 1,103,989 while 11,578 fresh cases were reported during the 24-hour period, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The new numbers pushed the country’s death tally to 17,894.
The fresh cases were reported after testing 39, 806 samples which took the case positivity rate to 29.09% from Saturday’s 29.06%, said the DGHS.
BIWTC officer suspended for not wearing mask
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport and Corporation(BIWTC) authority has temporarily suspended an officer Sunday for not wearing a mask while attending a program with the State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury.
BIWTC ordered the suspension of naval officer Md Jakir Hossain in an office notification issued today.
READ: Super Cyclone ‘Amphan’: BIWTC suspends ferry services
The violation occurred on July 15 during the inauguration two ferries, Kadam and Kunjalata, by the state minister at Shimulia ferry terminal.
All other officials of BIWTA and BIWTC except Zakir were seen maintaining health guidelines, said the notice.
The flouting of health safety rule was spotted in a photo published by Somoy TV.
By not wearing mask Zakir the minister, chairman of the organization, special guests and everyone present at the program at risk, which is tantamount to defying government’s order and goes against the discipline of government service, said the notice.
READ: Bus driver who knocks down BIWTC official held
RMG industry earns global recognition for strides in safety, sustainability: BGMEA
The readymade garment industry of Bangladesh has made significant progress in the areas of sustainability, especially workers wellbeing and industrial relations, says BGMEA chief.
“Starting from the elimination of Child Labour in mid-nineties, and the emerging compliances issues including timely payment of wages, ensuring the minimum wage, overtime, hygiene at workplace, and so on, the industry has responded well on all the issues of compliance and workers’ rights”, said Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan.
He made the remarks while addressing a seminar on inclusive business as the chief guest.
Dutch-Bangla Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DBCCI) organized the “Seminar on Wellbeing of RMG Workers through Inclusive Business Initiative” at a city hotel on Saturday evening.
READ: BGMEA wants end of RMG goods theft on highways
The BGMEA President said since the tragic building collapse accident in 2013, a paradigm shift had taken place in the areas of structural, fire and electrical safety at workplace which was supported by the international brands and donors like ILO, in addition to the lead role played by our government.
Moreover, the Labour Law was amended twice in 2013 and in 2018, and Labor Rules was promulgated in 2015 to ensure workers well-being and safety at workplace.
Formation of safety committee in every factory has been made mandatory, workers participation committee has also been made mandatory through elections.
A central fund has been created under the supervision of the government where garment factories are contributing $10 million of their export receipts to be used for the workers’ welfare purposes, he added.
Faruque Hassan said the industry earned global recognitions through these unprecedented strides over the years.
A recent survey report by Hong Kong-based supply chain compliance solutions provider, QIMA, ranked Bangladesh’s garment industry second in “Ethical Manufacturing”.
Faiyaz Murshid Kazi, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the program as guest of honour while Md. Anwar Shawkat Afser, President, DBCCI made the concluding remark. Shaikh Saif Al Rashid, CEO, Apon Wellbeing Ltd.; Tawhida Shiropa, Founder & CEO, Moner Bondhu; Mamunur Rahman, Founder, Ella Pad; Md. Jalalul Azim, CEO, Pragati Life Insurance Ltd; Syful Alam Mallick, Compliance Manager, South Asia, Auchan took part in the seminar as discussants.
Jamal Uddin, Inclusive Business Advisor, SNV made the keynote presentation at the seminar.
READ: BGMEA wants better cargo handling services from Biman
Khaleda receives vaccination SMS: Dr Zahid
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has got an SMS to receive the first dose of Covid vaccine as she got registered online through a government-approved app, ‘Surokkha’, 10 days back.
“Madam got an SMS as a formality to have the first dose of the Covid vaccine,” said her medical team member and BNP vice-chairman Dr AZM Zahid Hossain told UNB on Sunday.
He said the BNP chief is likely to get vaccinated any day before Eid-ul-Azha.
READ: Khaleda registered online for Covid vaccine: Dr Zahid
Replying to a question, he said Khaleda will go to Sheikh Russel Gastro Liver Institute and Hospital in the city’s Mohakhali to receive the vaccine maintaining health safety rules.
On July 8, the BNP chairperson got registered for the vaccine.
During the registration, Zahid said, the BNP chairperson mentioned the National Gastroliver Institute and Hospital as the centre for having the vaccine.
On April 11, the 76-year-old BNP chief tested positive for Covid-19 and she was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27.
A 10-member medical board, headed by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, was formed for the treatment of Khaleda at the Evercare Hospital a day after her admission there.
She tested negative for Covid-19 on May 8, 27 days after she had been infected with the deadly virus.
On June 19, Khaleda Zia got back home from the hospital after 53 days of treatment for Covid infections and other physical complications.
READ: Govt violating HR by blocking Khaleda’s treatment abroad: BNP
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.
Covid claims 51 more lives in Khulna division, another 1,345 infected
Fifty one more people have died of Covid-19 in different districts of Khulna division in the past 24 hours until Sunday morning, health officials said.
According to the health director's office, another 1,345 people have tested positive with Covid-19 during the period.
Khulna has emerged as one of the fast spreading hotspot of coronavirus in June and July as number of cases and deaths has been increasing every day.
Also read: Covid: Khulna division sees 40 more deaths in a day
On Saturday, 539 people tested positive for Covid-19 in the division and 40 deaths were reported.
With the fresh numbers, the total death toll in the division has crossed 1,895, said the health officials.
Some 81,421 cases have been detected in 10 districts of the division since the onset of Covid, of which 53,323 patients have recovered so far.
Also read: Khulna division logs 47 Covid deaths
In Khulna division, the first case of Covid was detected in Chuadanga on March 19, 2020.
Eid-ul-Azha: People crowding Shimulia ferry terminal to go home
With only two days left for Eid ul Azha, homebound people started leaving the capital for home overcrowding Shimulia ferry terminal on Sunday to cross the River Padma ignoring the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
Currently, 15 of the 19 ferries and 84 launches, out of 87, are moving on this route.
All the ferries are not operating due to strong current in the river while authorities did not allow the operation of three launches for not having their updated documents, said the terminal authorities.
Also read: Ferry services only for ambulances, goods-laden vehicles
Being unable to control the unusual pressure of vehicles and passengers, authorities brought two more ferries – ‘Kakoli’ and ‘Kolmilata’ from Chandpur to deal with the pressure but the queues of stranded trucks and other vehicles are getting longer and longer.
FM-level Bangladesh-Kuwait Joint Commission proposed
Foreign Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah has proposed Bangladesh forming a Joint Committee at Foreign Ministers level to take forward the relations through joint efforts.
He also sought Bangladesh’s assistance and cooperation in strengthening health institutions, food security, education, IT and cyber security.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen had a meeting with the Kuwait Foreign Minister on the sidelines of international conference titled “Central and South Asia: Regional connectivity, Challenges and opportunities” held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan recently and discussed the issues.
Also read: FM for joint efforts to boost connectivity among countries in Central, South Asia
Dr Momen expressed his gratitude to the Kuwait Government for supporting resolution on Human Right Commission to repatriate Rohingas to Myanmar. He also proposed assisting Bangladesh under Kuwait Development Fund, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
Bangladesh to receive 3 mn doses of Moderna vaccine Monday
Bangladesh will receive a consignment of Moderna vaccine doses on Monday evening.
The 3 million vaccine doses from the USA under COVAX facility are expected to reach at 7:20pm at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Also read: 'It's just the beginning': US ambassador on Moderna shipment's arrival
Health Minister Zahid Maleque will remain present at the Airport.
Earlier, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller announced that Bangladesh will receive 3 million doses of Moderna vaccine under the COVAX facility.
Working to build a service-oriented administration: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the aim of her government is to build a fully service-oriented administration to ensure the welfare of people.
“Our aim is to build an administration that will serve people and ensure its accountability to people,” she said at a function marking the signing of the Annual Performance Agreement (APA) of ministries and their subordinate bodies.
The programme was arranged at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium with the PM joining it from her official residence Ganobhaban.
Mentioning that remaining in power does not mean enjoying government facilities, Hasina said, “We’ve our responsibilities to the people. Our responsibilities are to ensure the welfare of people and their interests and change their fate,” she said.
Also read: Promote right persons in Army: PM Hasina
At this time of the Covid-19 pandemic, she said, the government aims to make sure that mass people must not face suffering in any way. So, the government has fulfilled their demand for food and is providing medical facilities and assisting them economically to get rid of the curse of pandemic,” she said.
She mentioned that the government from the beginning of the pandemic started giving stimulus packages and announced 28 packages worth Tk 131,641 crore and implemented those.
The Prime Minister thanked all for their sincere efforts which resulted in keeping the national economy moving since March 2020.
As coronavirus is a global problem, Bangladesh alone has nothing to do, she said, adding: “We’re trying to contain the transmission of the virus, protect the lives and livelihoods of people keeping the socioeconomic condition moving.”
She also said the government wants to make sure that its efforts to change the fate of people should not stop in any way. “Coronavirus virus put the whole world into a deep crisis. This type of crisis was never seen in the past. It has hit socioeconomic development hardest unlike any time before. But the painful fact is that the government was moving the country towards development before the pandemic that suffered a huge shock.”
The Prime Minister thanked the administration, law enforcement agencies and armed forces for their courageous role. “They worked in a very abnormal situation. Or else, the situation could have been much worse.”
Also read: Increase oxygen supply, Corona beds: PMO
Regarding vaccination, the Prime Minister said her government has long been working tirelessly to ensure it free for all. “We’ve taken the move so that all could get vaccines gradually, we’ve started giving vaccines; it’s coming. We’ll procure all vaccines that will be needed for the people of the country. We want no one to be left out from the vaccination,” she said.
State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam, Finance Division’s Senior Secretary Abdur Rouf Talukder and ICT Division Secretary NM Zeaul Alam also spoke at the programme.
The senior secretaries and secretaries in charge of various ministries and divisions handed over a copy of their respective Annual Performance Agreement to the prime minister.
The cabinet secretary, on behalf of the prime minister, signed the APA.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq received the APA on behalf of the prime minister.
Under the agreement, the ministries will set their visions, missions and strategic goals in line with the development priorities of the government, take short- and long-term plans as per budgetary allocations.
The government introduced the method of the APA in the 2014-2015 fiscal year for the public sector to ensure institutional transparency, accountability, proper utilisation of resources and, above all, enhancing the institutional efficiencies.
Also read: Can’t put lives of students in danger: PM about school, college closure
The main purposes of introducing APA are moving the focus of the ministry from process-orientation to result-orientation, and providing an objective and fair basis to evaluate the overall performance of the ministries and divisions at the end of the year.
The APA is an internal mechanism of the civil administration from top to the grassroots level to ensure accountability of the government officials aimed at evaluating their yearly performances and making them accountable to their responsibilities.
The government has signed the APA with the ministries and their subordinate bodies which also included divisional, district and upazila-level offices of the government.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq, on behalf of the Prime Minister, handed over the APA and national integrity service awards among 10 winners.