bangladesh
Meeting on reopening educational institutions Sunday
An inter-ministerial meeting will be held on Sunday to take a decision on reopening educational institutions.
“We might receive opinion from the National Technical Advisory Committee over the matter tomorrow (Thursday) and on Sunday and then the ministry will hold a meeting to come to a decision,” MA Khair, public relations officer of the Education Ministry, told UNB.
Earlier, on Aug 26, the government extended the closure of secondary and higher secondary-level educational institutions until September 11.
The government shut the educational institutions on March 17, 2020 after the country reported its first Covid-19 cases on March 8 and later the closure was extended several times.
Read: Covid positivity rate shrinks to 10%, cases and deaths continue declining
Preparations for reopening
On Aug 24, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Zakir Hossain said schools, which remained closed since March last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will be reopened after receiving directives from the highest level of the government.
“We can’t reopen the schools suddenly. We have taken all-out preparations, and if the Prime Minister orders us today we’re ready to reopen the schools tomorrow,” he told reporters.
Zakir said experts favour reopening schools as the students are out of classes for the past one and half years.
Besides, the education authorities on the same day issued some guidelines as part of preparations to reopen the educational institutions.
The teachers of primary schools have been instructed to return to their workplaces from Tuesday.
The Primary Education Directorate asked the upazila/thana education officers to inspect the schools in their jurisdiction within a week.
Besides, it has given instructions to keep the institutions neat and clean to prevent dengue.
Read: Decision on vaccinating school students soon: DGHS DG
The primary school authorities were instructed to prepare their wash blocks accordingly.
The Directorate of Secondary & Higher Education (DSHE) also asked the regional directors to make necessary preparations to reopen the schools and colleges.
According to sources at the Education Ministry, most teachers and staffers of the educational institutions have been vaccinated.
Sources at the University Grants Commission claimed that around 80 % students of Dhaka University got their Covid jabs.
However, schools will reopen only after the covid positivity rate comes below 5 %, said a source at the education ministry.
US assures Covid cooperation to continue as 1-mn doses of Pfizer's vaccine received
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R. Miller and Senior Secretary of the Health Service Division Lokman Hossian Miah on Wednesday welcomed the arrival of one million doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine in Bangladesh.
The vaccine doses are donated by the United States as part of the U.S. Government’s commitment to donate 500 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine globally.
Bangladesh is expected to receive another 5 million doses of the same vaccine from the US this month.
They build on earlier donations of the Moderna vaccine, for a total of 6.5 million doses gifted by the U.S. Government and the American people to the people of Bangladesh.
Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Professor Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Kathryn Stevens were also present at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to receive the shipment of vaccines, facilitated through COVAX.
Read: Covid positivity rate shrinks to 10%, cases and deaths continue declining
3 burnt as manhole explodes in capital
Three friends enjoying a day out in Hatirjheel suffered burns, when a manhole close to where they were sat 'exploded'. It happened on the west side of the Hatirjheel Metropolitan Bridge on Wednesday afternoon.
The injured have been identified as Siam (18), Al Kabid (22) and Farhad Akash (21). They are currently undergoing treatment at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, where an officer on duty in the evening told UNB that they each have 5-15 % burns on their bodies.
Their identities were confirmed to UNB by Sub-Inspector (SI) Aminul Islam, who led the team rescuing the three youths.
Manhole explosions have been reported everywhere from the United States to China. In both countries they are said to be common in certain places, or certain times of the year.
In China they usually occur when methane released from the sewers catches fire. In the U.S., they are said to be usually caused by electrical fires in underground cabling.
In Bangladesh they seem to be rarer, or less reported anyway, with sporadic incidents from Jatrabari, Indira Road reported in the media in the last two years.
Action against unregistered news portals, IPTVs soon, says Hasan Mahmud
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday warned that stringent measures will be taken against unregistered online news portals soon.
“Online portals are being launched every now and then by anyone and everyone which has become a matter of great headache for all concerned,” he said.
“We have recognised the authentic ones and some have been shut down,” he said adding that registration process is still going on.
“After registering a few more, we will start taking actions against the unregistered ones,” the minister said.
Also read: Govt. to permit some IPTVs this month, says Hasan Mahmud
He said that the same procedure will be followed for IPTVs.
He added that no IPTVs around the world are allowed to publish news.
“Even the personnel of registered IPTVs won’t be able to carry press cards like reporters,” he said.
The minister came up with this information while speaking at an event of Bangladesh Crime Reporters Association on Wednesday.
Also read: Hasan Mahmud warns of clampdown on IP TVs
A portal of the organisation, crabnewsbd.com was launched at the event,
Earlier on Aug 2, Hasan said approvals will be given to some Internet Protocol Televisions (IPTV) within a month.
“We did not give any permission to any IPTV yet. We have asked the authorities concerned to apply for registration and some 600 applications have been submitted. We will give approval of some IPTV within this month after scrutiny,” he said.
Covid test camp: 3 ‘fraudsters’ held in Dhaka, Jhalakathi
Detectives conducted simultaneous drives in the capital’s Tejgaon area and Jhalakathi district on Tuesday and arrested three ‘fraudsters’ on charge of embezzling money in the name of conducting Covid-19 test.
The arrestees are Abdullah Alamin Managing Director of TKS group, its chairman Abul Hasan Tushar and marketing manager Mohammad Shahin Mia.
Various types of fake documents including appointment letters, ID cards, visiting cards, tax certificates and computers were recovered from their possessions.
Briefing reporters at the DMP’s media centre here on Wednesday, Joint Commissioner of DB (North Division) Mohammad Harun Ur Rashid said the fraudsters formed an organisation named TKS Healthcare Service located on the 2nd floor at Al Razi Complex of Shaheed Sayed Nazrul Islam Sarani in Dhaka city.
Then they applied for permission to conduct Covid-19 test to the Health Ministry on July 11.
READ: 4 members of teen gang ‘Gazi group’ held in Dhaka
In their application, they mentioned that a total of 5,126 health workers are ready to conduct free Covid-19 tests in eight divisions, 64 districts, 492 upazilas and 4,562 unions of Bangladesh, he said.
He said as they knew that they would not get permission from the Health Ministry to set up booths, recruit people and set up camps they made fake documents for sample collection, recruitment and setting up of camps.
Using the fake documents, the fraudsters embezzled money from people in the name of recruiting various persons as Upazila Co-coordinators and Field Officers of Dhaka and Jhalakathi districts, the DB (North Division) said.
They were trying to embezzle a total of Tk 2 crore in the name of giving dealership of each camp.
He also urged people to remain aware of fraudulence in the name of conducting Covid-19 test." If anyone sets up camp in the name of free Covid-19 test then inform police and police will take action.”
A case has been filed against the arrestees with Shahbagh police station.
Prof Ali Ashraf was a versatile person: Sheikh Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday paid tributes to late Prof Ali Ashraf praising his versatility as a seasoned parliamentarian , teacher, businessman and politician.
“He (Ali Ashraf) was a knowledgeable person. He was a professor, did business and also politics. We’ve lost a versatile parliamentarian, which is very unfortunate for us,” she said, participating in the discussion over a condolence motion placed to express profound grief at the death of sitting MP Prof Ali Ashraf (Cumilla-7).
Sheikh Hasina said Prof Ashraf served as deputy speaker in 7th Parliament and also discharged his responsibility competently in all other forums including different parliamentary committees as either chairman or member.
She said Ali Ashraf always protested the August 15 carnage and met her in London in 1980. He also testified against the killers in the 1975 November 3 jail killing case.
She said that the veteran parliamentarian was elected MP in five parliamentary polls.
Talking about his Cumilla-7 constituency (Chandina), the prime minister said Bangabandhu’s killer Col (Abdur) Rashid hailed from Chandina. But Begum Khaleda Zia brought the killer to Parliament and made him the leader of opposition in the House.
READ: PM mourns former AL lawmaker Mizanul Haque's death
“Ziaur Rahman awarded the killers (of Bangabandhu) giving them indemnity and jobs in different foreign missions of Bangladesh. But Begum Khaleda Zia perhaps went one step forward and brought a killer in the parliament,” said Sheikh Hasina.
She said Khaleda Zia brought two killers of Bangabandhu -- Col Rashid from Chandina and Maj Huda from Chuadnga-- in Parliament through the 1996 February 15 voter-less election that boycotted all other political parties.
The PM said Prof Ashraf later was elected MP from the constituency. The new parliamentarians could learn many things from the five-time lawmaker. “We lost a seasoned parliamentarian,” she said.
Mentioning the names of different books written by Prof Ashraf, the PM said he was also a good writer beyond his political life. He wrote 15 books on contemporary politics, economy and international affairs. The young parliamentarians can learn a lot from his books.
Sheikh Hasina said the professor also published a research-based book titled “Rural Economy and Development of Bangladesh,” which will greatly contribute to building Bangladesh in future.
READ: PM mourns death of journalist Zahiduzzaman Faruk
She prayed for salvation of the departed soul and expressed deep sympathy to his family members.
At the beginning of the 14th session of the current parliament, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury moved the condolence motion, expressing deep shock at the death of the sitting MP, seven former MPs including an ex-state minister and some noted personalities.
The Parliament adopted the condolence motion unanimously by a voice-vote following discussion.
Besides, Law Minister Anisul Huq, Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Md Tazul Islam, Deputy Opposition Leader Ghulam Muhammed Quader, Opposition Chief Whip Mashiur Rahman Ranga, AL MPs Mazibul Hoque (Cumilla-11), Matia Chowdhury (Sherpur-2), Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim (Gopalganj-2) and Muhammad Faruk Khan (Gopalganj-1), Jatiya Party MPs Kazi Firoz Rashid (Dhaka-6) and Anisul Islam Mahmud (Chattogram-5), Ganoforum MP Sultan Muhammed Mansur Ahmed (Maulvibazar-2), Tarikat Federation MP Syed Nazibul Bashar Maizvandary (Chattogram-2) and Bikalpadhara MP Abdul Mannan (Laxmipur-4) participated in the discussion.
The Parliament also expressed deep shock at the death of a state minister and six former MPs. They are Afaz Uddin Ahmed (MP of 9th Parliament from Kushtia-1), Tofazzal Hossain Sarkar ( MP of 1st Parliament from Rangpur-22), Jamal Uddin Ahmed (MNA, 1970 from Dhaka-13), Khurram Khan Chowdhury (MP of 2nd, 4th, 5th and 8th parliaments from Mymensingh-5, 8 and 9), Md Reza Khan (MP of 4th Parliament from Jamalpur-5), former state minister for cultural affairs Prof Jahanara Begum (MP of 5th and 6th parliaments from a reserved seat and Rajbari-1), and Anwar Hossain (MP of 4th parliament from Dhaka-8).
The House also deeply condoled the death of a number of noted personalities including freedom fighter and legendary singer Fakir Alamgir, noted lyricist Fazl-e-Khuda, (known for his famous song Salam Salam Hajar Salam), Freedom fighter and the High Court Division Justice Amir Hossain, freedom fighter and former PM’s Principal Secretary SA Samad, Bangladesh’s true friend British journalist Simon Dring and legendary German footballer Gerd Muller.
Besides, it mourned the death of the physicians and health workers at home and abroad, the members of administration and police, political leaders, business and social dignitaries, government and private employees, who lost lives in the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Parliament expressed profound shock at the casualties in some recent incidents including Rupganj fire in Narayanganj, lightning strike in Chapainawabganj, Haiti earthquake (a Caribbean country), and the recent accidents taken place at home and abroad. The House also conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved families.
A one-minute silence was observed and a munajat was offered seeking the eternal peace of the departed souls. AL MP Md. Hafiz Ruhul Amin Madani (Mymensingh-7) conducted the munajat.
As per the tradition, the day’s business of Parliament was adjourned after the adoption of the condolence motion over the death of the sitting Awami League MP in order to pay respect to him.
Prof Ashraf, also a valiant freedom fighter, died on July 30 last. He was born at Gallai village in Chandina Upazila in 1947.
According to the obituary reference, Ali Ashraf, who completed graduation (in 1967) and post-graduation (1968) degrees in economics from Dhaka University, was a successful businessman and industrialist. He became a Member of Parliament in 1973, 1996, 2008, 2014 and 2018.
Beximco LPG sings deal with Jamuna Oil to sell LPG at pumps
Beximco LPG Unit – 1 Ltd has signed a deal with Jamuna Oil Company Ltd, a subsidiary of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, to sell its auto-gas by setting up pumps at the registered filling stations of the state-owned company.
The signing ceremony took place at the Chottogram office of Jamuna Oil Company on Wednesday.
According to the agreement, it will ensure rapid penetration of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for use in automobiles across the country.
Also read: Public hearing on LPG pricing postponed
LPG is also known as auto-gas while is used in the motor vehicles.
As per the deal, Jamuna Oil and Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation will each receive a royalty of Tk 0.50 per liter of LPG that is sold by Beximco LPG through their established Auto LPG pumps.
Currently, Jamuna Oil has a network of 750 filling stations while Beximco LPG was granted 500 franchise licenses for Auto LPG stations and 25 licenses for Conversion Workshops by the Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources earlier in 2016, said a press release of the Beximco.
Also read: LPG to cost more from Aug 1 as regulator refixes retail price
The agreement was signed by Gias Uddin Ansary, managing director of Jamuna Oil and Mrinal Roy, chief executive officer of Beximco LPG.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mehedi Hasan, GM, Sales & Marketing of Beximco LPG, said, “This agreement with Jamuna Oil Company will stand as a milestone for the rapid progress and development of the automotive fuel sector of the country.
He said Beximco LPG commits delivery of the best quality LPG mix of Propane and Butane to ensure that the fuel reaches the required Octane number and causes no damage to the engine of the vehicle.
PM greets Tigers for first ever T20 win against New Zealand
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday congratulated Bangladesh Cricket Team for their first ever T20 win over New Zealand.
Bangladesh team outplayed New Zealand by seven wickets in the first T20 played at Sher-e-Bangla national cricket stadium.
Read: Bangladesh overpower New Zealand on tricky surface
With this win, the host country is leading the five- match T20 series with 1-0.
BRAC to strengthen advocacy to ensure gender equality at workplaces
Development organization BRAC has taken up a plan to give maximum importance to issue of equal facility and partnership of women at all humanitarian activities, including work places, alongside men in the days to come.
BRAC will strengthen advocacy campaign in future for further raising awareness among its employees in this regard.
It was shared at a training programme titled ‘Gender Mainstreaming in Humanitarian Activities’ at two seperate hotels in Cox’s Bazar district town on Wednesday.
With the financial support of the Australian government, Humanitarian Crisis Management Programme (HCMP) of BRAC organized the two -day programme for raising awareness aimed at ensuring equal scope and participation of males and females at work places.
The two-day training will conclude Thursday.
Senior and field level employees of six partner NGOs of BRAC are taking part at the programme.
BRAC’s six partner NGOs are: SHED, PULSE, JNUS, AKLAB, NONGOR and Help Cox’s Bazar.
Read: HSBC, BEZA, Brac team up to make Mirsarai Economic Zone greener
Md. Hamidul Huq, Area Manager of Gender, Justice and Diversity (GJD) Programme under HCMP of BRAC; Malobika Sarker Choitei; Mohammad Nahiduzzaman; and Nilufa Yesmin; under the same programme conducted the training.
Tanjima Zaman, Programme Manager of GJD Programme at BRAC Head Office; Subrata Kumar Sharma, Technical Manager of same programme at Cox’s Bazar Regional Office; were present as associates at the training.
Speaking at the event, Hasina Akhter Huq, Area Director of HCMP of BRAC, said the matter of equality of both men and women at work places is important at the present perspective.
She told that BRAC will hold more advocacy programmes in the days to come for further raising awareness among the employees about the issue.
PM: Govt has arranged to bring one crore Covid vaccine doses a month
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told Parliament that the government has taken steps to get over one crore coronavirus vaccine doses every month.
“Steps have been taken to ensure more than one crore vaccines every month,” she said.
She made the statement while answering a tabled question from ruling party MP Shahiduzzaman Sarker during PM’s question-answer session.
Sheikh Hasina said that as per the schedule Bangladesh will get two crore vaccine doses each month from Sinopharm from next October. Until December some six crore jabs will come from Sinopharm, she said.
She also said that so far (August 30) some 1,82,89,018 persons got first dose of vaccine while 78,40,169 persons got second shot. In total 2,61,29,187 doses of vaccines have been given.
Read: Decision on vaccinating school students soon: DGHS DG
“Collection of vaccines is on while providing the shots free to the people,” she said.
The prime minister said that the government has established contacts with all vaccine producing organisations.