Politics
Will build planned cities in all districts: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the government will build planned cities in all districts of the country, not only in Dhaka.
"We’ll make planned housing in every division and district…it’ll no longer be Dhaka-centric one so that people have a better life [everywhere]," Sheikh Hasina said.
Also Read:Will work together to overcome Covid crisis: Hasina to Mamata
The Prime Minister said this while addressing a function marking the handover of plot documents to 1,440 original residents and affected people of Purbachal New Town Project.
She joined the programme, held at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC), virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
She said the government is also taking steps so that people in rural areas can avail themselves of civic amenities that the city dwellers are enjoying.
"Everyone has a desire to live in a city. So, we’ve decided that the people living in villages will be provided with facilities like that of a city," she said.The government is constructing roads, bridges and appropriate infrastructures across the country, Hasina said, adding that a project, 'Palli Janopod', has been taken so that one can buy a flat if he/she wants to live in a flat.
Also read:Antimicrobial resistance can even threaten food security: PM Hasina
The Prime Minister said the government is taking various steps so that people can manage their livelihood living in flats.
The Prime Minister reiterated her firm commitment that no one in the country will remain homeless. "We’ll arrange a shelter for everybody whatever and however we could.”
She also said every house will have the electricity connection which will illuminate it. "Every house will have educated people. The country will march forward with education and knowledge, and it’ll have a glorified position in the world.”
Hasina went on saying, “Bangladesh is now a developing nation, and this country will advance further. We’ll be the wonder of the world."
New variant of coronavirusTalking about the new variant of coronavirus that spread widely in neighbouring India, she said all have to remain alert and must wear masks.
"As the neighbouring country is hit hard by the new variant. There’s a possibility for it to enter Bangladesh," she said.
Also Read: As India surges, Bangladesh lacks jabs, faces virus variants
She criticised a section of people for their desperate bid to go to their village homes defying all the restrictions at this critical time of pandemic.
"All are travelling together in ferries and other vehicles. You don’t know who’s infected with coronavirus. You’re carrying that virus to your family members. You’re going to infect them, too. You’re going to put their lives in danger as well," she said.
Hasina questioned what problem they will face if one Eid is celebrated without all other family members and relatives. It will help save all from coronavirus infections, she said.
State Minister Housing and Public Works Ministry Sharif Ahmed, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Housing and Public Works Ministry Engineer Mosharrof Hossain , Housing and Public Works secretary Shahid Ullah Khandaker also spoke on the occasion.
Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi was present at the dais.
Also read: Celebrate Eid where you are: PM Hasina
Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) Chairman ABM Amin Ullah Nuri delivered the welcome speech.
State Minister Housing and Public Works Ministry Sharif Ahmed handed over the allotment papers on behalf of the Prime Minister.
Noted citizens demand release of detained students before eid
A group of noted citizens, including Dr Kamal Hossain, on Saturday demanded the release of over 50 students, belonging to Chhatra Odhikar Parishad arrested around two months backs, on bail before Eid-ul-Fitr.
They made the demand at a press conference at the conference room of the Gonoshasthaya Kendra in the city’s Dhanmondi area.
On May 5, 18 eminent citizens sent a letter to Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain requesting him to take steps to remove the barriers to the release of the arrested students on bail.
The students were arrested during their protests against the Digital Security Act and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Bangladesh.
Joining the press conference virtually, Gonoforum President and veteran jurist Dr Kamal Hossain said the arrested students should be granted bail. “Bail is a matter of rights, not a matter of mercy.”
He said students always work to mobilise public opinion and wage movements on different important and time-befitting issues. “We’ve always encouraged this practice. So, the students should be granted bail.”
Mentioning that the judiciary has a long tradition of granting bail to student leaders, he said even the lower court played a courageous role in giving bail to students in the past.
“We can recall that leaders had been taken to jail for their various remarks during the tough movements in the past. But they were given bail by the court immediately after filing petitions.”
He said people had been kept in jail by implicating them in Agartala conspiracy case. “We then showed the power of court by securing bail for them. “The lower court used to grant bail whoever was caught in the past.”
Speaking at the press conference, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury said getting bail is people’s human and legal right. “Now our main problem is that judges are no longer driver by conscience. They’re heavily controlled by the government and the police.
He said it has been over a month since the cases were filed against the students, but they are not being granted bail. “Five similar cases were filed and it’s necessary to get bail in all the cases which is a long trial process. A specific directive should be given by the Chief Justice in this regard.”
Stating that eid will be celebrated within a few days, he urged the Chief Justice to ensure bail for the students before the festival exercising the judiciary’s constitutional power. “It must be remembered that these students have been created today's Bangladesh. The Bengali language was established as the students waged the language movement.”
Earlier, Dhaka University teacher Prof Asif Nazrul read out the letter sent to the Chief Justice by the 18 eminent on citizens on May 5 in this regard.
Freedom fighter Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon Zonayed Saki, writer and anthropologist Rehnuma Ahmed, noted photographer Shahidul Alam, and former vice president of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) Nurul Haque Nur, among others, spoke at the programme.
Eighteen noted citizens who sent the letter to the Chief Justice include Dr Kamal Hossain, Professor Serajul Islam Choudhury, Dr Zafrullah, Barrister Mainul Hosein, Hafizuddin Khan, ASM Abur Rob, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Badiul Alam Majumder, Prof Dilara Chowdhury, Rehnuma Ahmed, Dr Reza Kibria, Asif Nazrul and Zonayed Saki.
Health sector collapsed due to corruption: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday alleged that the health sector has co collapsed amid coronavirus pandemic due to ‘widespread corruption and irregularities, putting the entire nation in danger.
"On one hand, they’re lying about corona tests and indulging in corruption and irregularities over treatment on the other, leaving the country in jeopardy,” he said.
He came up with the allegation while inaugurating an app developed by Ziaur Rahman Foundation to provide healthcare services to coronavirus-infected patients.
Also read: Intensify efforts to procure vaccines for alternative sources: BNP
The BNP leader said, “We saw a few days ago that two hospitals have disappeared. The health sector has collapsed due to widespread corruption in the health ministry during the coronavirus pandemic.”
Fakhrul said the government has announced stimulus packages to ensure people’s livelihoods and tackle the Covid fallouts. “But they’re resorting to corruption there as well. No arrangement has been made for easing the public sufferings.”
Also read: Govt doing business in Covid’s name: BNP
He said the government is hardly concerned about ensuring people’s livelihoods and security of their lives since it has no accountability. “The government has completely become isolated from people. The entire nation has been suffering due to the irresponsibility of the current regime.”
The BNP leader alleged that the coronavirus has spread in the country due to the government’s extreme incompetence and ignorance since the beginning of the pandemic. "Unfortunately, no effective step has so far been taken by the government to ensure proper treatment of the Covid patients and develop the treatment system.”
Also read: Engaging single organisation in buying vaccines a ‘suicidal’ move: BNP
He said it is not possible to deal with a serious crisis like the corona pandemic without a democratic government. “We need to establish a democratic governing system and a democratic government and parliament to ensure accountability and state responsibility towards people.
Stating that their party chairperson Khaleda Zia has been receiving treatment at a city hospital for her serious illness, Fakhrul urged all to pray for her speedy recovery.
No specific allocation for low-income people, bemoans BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said though the lowly-paid workers and day-labourers have been the worst victims of the pandemic, the government has not yet made any specific allocation for them.
Speaking at a virtual discussion, he also alleged that pro-ruling party people are mainly taking benefits of the stimulus packages announced by the government for the pandemic victims.
“We’ve repeatedly said the government should help mainly those who live from hand to mouth and those who work in the informal and SME sectors during the corona period. Our poor brothers and sisters have been suffering most since the outbreak of the pandemic, but there’s no allocation for them in the packages announced by the government. There’s no specific allocation for them,” Fakhrul said.
He said their party proposed providing each affected worker with a one-time incentive of at least Tk 15,000 for three months, but the government did not pay heed to it. "Government officials and the cohorts of Awami League are taking away all the incentives that have been announced for owners.”
Also read: Govt doing business in Covid’s name: BNP
Jatityatabadi Sramik Dal, the workers’ wing of BNP, arranged the virtual programme marking its 42nd founding anniversary and historic May Day.
Fakhrul criticised the government for extending the lockdown without taking any step to mitigate the sufferings of the poor, workers and the day-labourers.
“The government has enforced the lockdown without taking any step for easing the sufferings of the day-labourers and other lowly-paid workers and the poor. They did it to make their political gains by carrying out crackdowns in the name of the lockdown.”
The BNP leader said the government has been arresting the leaders and activists of different Islamic and student organisations taking advantage of the lockdown. “They (govt) are arresting those who speak against them. The entire nation has become hostage to them.”
He urged the young generation and the workers to get united and play a leading role in a movement for establishing a pro-people government and people’s basic rights.
Also read: Engaging single organisation in buying vaccines a ‘suicidal’ move: BNP
Khaleda’s condition
About the health condition of their party chairperson Khaleda Zia, Fakhrul said she was moved to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of the Evercare Hospital on Monday due to the shortness of breath.
“She’s is still in the CCU, and she’s being given oxygen. Her condition is now stable,” he said.
Fakhrul said doctors are hopeful that Khaleda will recover soon. He urged all to pray for her speedy recovery.
Khaleda, tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup.
On April 28, 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.
Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 on April 10 as eight people at her residence were infected with the virus. She underwent the second Covid-19 test on April 24 and her report was positive.
Take mega projects to improve healthcare system: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Tuesday urged the government to make adequate allocations in the upcoming budget for taking mega projects to improve the country's healthcare system.
“Mega projects need to be implemented to improve Bangladesh’s healthcare system. The implementation of mega projects in the health sector has become imperative considering the humanitarian aspects and people’s basic rights,” he said.
In a statement, GM Quader said, “People want to see an outline and necessary allocations in the upcoming budget for implementing mega projects in the health sector.”
Also read: Procuring vaccine from one source was a wrong move: GM Quader
He said the ICU facilities must be ensured in public hospitals in every district of the country to save people's lives.
The Jatiya Party chief said necessary steps should be taken for ensuring the facilities for all types of medical tests in all the government hospitals, including the upazila health complexes.
“All the hospitals should have adequate beds with the facility of free supply of medicines. The necessary number of doctors, nurses and technologists should be recruited as soon as possible,” he observed.
Also read: Eid-Ul-Fitr: JaPa leader GM Quader greets PM
GM Quader said the coronavirus pandemic has exposed how helpless even the developed world when it comes to healthcare systems.
”So, better treatment facilities must be ensured in the country. If we can do that, no one will have to go abroad for treatment. It’ll save people's time and money in addition to ensuring the basic rights of ordinary people,” he added.
Eminent citizens demand unconditional release of anti-Modi student protesters
Parents, rights activists, teachers and eminent citizens, under the banner of "Udbigno Obhibhabok O Nagorik" (Concerned Guardians and Citizens) Monday demanded the immediate and unconditional release of anti-Modi protesters and student leaders across the country.
Around 50 parents and family members of arrested protesters staged a sit-in protest at the Central Shaheed Minar premises from 11am to 1pm today.
Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder and trustee Zafrullah Chowdhury, Nagorik Oikya convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Ganosamhati Andolan chief coordinator Zonayed Saki, Dhaka University law department Professor Dr Asif Nazrul, former DUCSU VP Nurul Haque Nur, and photographer Shahidul Alam also joined the protest.
Nur, who demanded immediate release of student leaders, said: "Government arrested our leaders unjustly to intimidate us. Students, civil society, left-leaning organisations, and intellectuals – everyone protested Modi's visit peacefully but police attacked and arrested many of us."
"If you uphold Bangabandhu's ideology, you will free students' leaders immediately. We are ready to sacrifice our lives to meet our demand," he added.
Manna said, "Unnerved by the student leaders, the government arrested them. But why were they not granted bail? We demand the immediate unconditional release of all anti-Modi protesters."
Zafrullah Chowdhury also demanded the immediate release of student leaders and urged the government to stop harassing and threatening political activists and student leaders.
Intensify efforts to procure vaccines for alternative sources: BNP
Voicing concerns over the suspension of administering the first dose of Covid vaccine in Bangladesh, the BNP standing committee has urged the government to intensify its efforts for collecting the jabs from alternative sources.
“Our standing committee is worried over the vaccine crisis and the suspension of the vaccination programme. The government couldn’t collect the necessary vaccine doses due to its irresponsibility and incompetence,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Sunday.
Speaking at a virtual press conference on the outcomes of BNP standing committee’s meeting held on Saturday, he said the government has also failed to take the right decision on the vaccine import as it has become “isolated from people”.
Also read: Govt doing business in Covid’s name: BNP
“Corruption is the main reason behind such a vaccine crisis. They’ve taken a wrong decision on procuring the vaccine from a single source in India through a corrupt company owned by a leader of their party,” the BNP leader observed.
Fakhrul said their party and the country’s health experts had warned the government of the consequences of procuring the vaccine from a single source, but it did not change its stance.
“They (govt) didn’t look for an alternative source of the corona vaccine as it always thinks of benefits of its leaders, not people…the government is running the country with some mafias and the mafias are playing the important role in making decisions and running the country,” he alleged.
Also read: Engaging single organisation in buying vaccines a ‘suicidal’ move: BNP
The BNP leader said there is no alternative to installing a pro-people government through a credible election under a non-party administration to get rid of the current situation of the country.
He said the Serum Institute of India has violated the agreement on providing three crores of vaccine to Bangladesh by stopping the supply after only giving 70 lakh jabs, but the government did not raise voice against it.
Fakhrul said their standing committee urged the government to take necessary steps for increasing oxygen production in the country alongside immediately procuring the vaccine from alternative sources.
Govt doing business in Covid’s name: BNP
Taking a swipe at the government for the current crisis over the Covid vaccine, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday accused it of indulging in business in the name of coronavirus.
“The government is not accountable to anybody as it has no connection with people. So, it’s doing business with the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.
The BNP leader said, "We had warned the government earlier that the vaccine shouldn’t be taken from a single source. But they’ve taken the vaccine from only one source for their own benefit. As a result, the country is now facing a vaccine crisis.”
Fakhrul made the remarks while speaking at a programme at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.
Also read: Engaging single organisation in buying vaccines a ‘suicidal’ move: BNP
At the programme, he, on behalf of party acting chairman Tarique Rahman, presented eid gifts to the family members of those leaders of BNP and its associate bodies who were subjected to enforced disappearance and killing during the current government.
He alleged that the government did not take effective steps to tackle coronavirus and ensure proper treatment for people over the last one and a half years. “They’ve only worked on how to make money, how to indulge in corruption. So, people are not getting treatment and they’re going from one hospital to another for ICU beds.”
The BNP leader said their party had called on the government over a year back to contact Russia and China as alternative sources for vaccines, but they did not pay heed to it. “They’re now going to sign deals with China and Russia after killing plenty of time. They’re now drinking muddy water ignoring the fresh one.”
He said the government should have taken united steps to tackle a national disaster like coronavirus by sitting with all the political parties and relevant stakeholders.
Also read: Coronavirus: BNP urges govt to shut borders with India
Pointing at the family members of the victims of enforced disappearance, Fakhrul said their party has no strength to recover the losses they have suffered with the disappearances of their loved ones. “That’s not possible either. Every year such events make us emotional, and when I appear before you like this, I feel guilty as we’ve so far not been able to change the situation.”
Fakhrul said BNP's over 500 leaders and activists were subjected to enforced disappearance over a decade.
Referring to different rights bodies’ statistics, he said 601 people were made disappeared during 2009 to 2019 while 2,817 were subjected to extrajudicial and other killings.
"So many people have had to give their lives and so many young people have had to leave… The government and Awami League must be accountable one day to the victims’ families and the entire nation for this," the BNP leader warned.
Procuring vaccine from one source was a wrong move: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Thursday said it was the government’s wrong decision to procure the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine from one source without keeping any other alternative source.
In a statement, he also said Bangladesh showed its shortsightedness in international vaccine diplomacy.
The Jatiya Party chief said the government must take steps for importing and co-producing China's Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine and Russia's Sputnik V.
Also read: Bangladesh approves local production of Russian, Chinese Covid vaccines
Besides, he said, the government must continue its efforts to get AstraZeneca’s Covishield from India as many people are waiting to receive the second dose of it.
“Lakhs of people in the country are still anxiously waiting for the second dose of Covishield vaccine. It’s now proved that the decision to import only the vaccine of Oxford/AstraZeneca without keeping any other alternative source was wrong,” he added.
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said there would have been a bright possibility of getting the vaccine from the domestic source at this time, had the Global Biotech been given the full support in producing its Bangavax vaccine within the country.
Also read: Engaging single organisation in buying vaccines a ‘suicidal’ move: BNP
He said the government can still take necessary steps to promote the potential local vaccine producer Global Biotech.
The Jatiya Party chief said it is not clear whether the government has any specific plan regarding the coronavirus vaccine. “People want to know the details about its vaccine plan.”
Khaleda to be taken to hospital tonight for tests
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who was infected with coronavirus, will be taken to Evercare Hospital tonight (Tuesday night) for some medical tests, including CT scan, said her personal medical team member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.
"Madam (Khaleda) will be taken to Evercare Hospital around 8 pm for a few tests, including CT scan. All the arrangements have been made in this regard at the hospital,” he said.
Also read:Khaleda temporarily released after over 25 months ...
Zahid said the BNP chief will return to her Gulshan house right after the tests.
He said though Khaleda tested positive for Civid during the second test on April 24, she has no symptoms of the virus.
On April 14, Khaleda was taken to the Evercare Hospital for the CT scan and later doctors said a very nominal infection was found in her lungs.
Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 on April 10 as eight people at her residence were infected with the virus.
Also read:Khaleda undergoes fresh Covid test
She underwent the second Covid-19 test on April 24 and her report came out to be positive.