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PROGGA and ATMA push for 63% tobacco tax hike
To safeguard public health, research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) have called for an effective hike in the prices of tobacco products in the upcoming FY 2024-25 national budget.
The two organizstions have presented their tobacco taxation and pricing related proposals for upcoming FY today (20 April 2024) during a press conference held at the National Press Club.
Dr. Mahfuz Kabir, Research Director of Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), proposed to raise the supplementary duty to 63 percent from 58 percent.
"Currently 75 percent of total cigarette users belong to the low tier. However, the supplementary duty (SD) in this tier stands at only 58 percent. Raising the SD to 63 percent would certainly reduce the prevalence of cigarette use and raise revenue inflow for the government. The additional revenue would also play a major role in tackling the ongoing financial crisis,” he said.
An analysis of the average retail prices of essential commodities in 07 metropolitan cities of the country (Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet, Barisal, and Rangpur) between 4 July 2021 and 04 July 2023, as reported by the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM), shows that price of loose sugar has seen an 89 percent hike in this period, the hike is 87 percent for potatoes, 75 percent for loose flour, 47 percent for pangash fish, 43 percent for eggs, 34 percent for soybean oil, 30 percent for powdered milk, and 27 percent for broiler chicken.
However, during this same timeframe, the hike in the prices of different tiers of cigarettes ranged between 6-15 percent only.
The proposed tobacco pricing and taxation adjustments outlined during the conference advocate for a significant upsurge in prices across various product tiers. Notably, the suggested retail price for low-tier cigarettes would rise to BDT 60 for 10 sticks from the current BDT 45, complemented by a 63 percent supplementary duty. Similar adjustments were recommended for medium, high, and premium tiers, with corresponding price increments and supplementary duties.
For non-filtered bidis, the retail price should be BDT 25 for 25 sticks. In the case of filtered bidis, the retail price for 20 sticks should be set at BDT 20. Both prices should be followed by a 45 percent supplementary duty.
Regarding smokeless tobacco, the retail price for 10 grams of jarda and gul should be BDT 55 and BDT 30, followed by 60 percent supplementary duty. The budget proposals also suggest continuing the existing 15 percent VAT and 1 percent health development surcharge (HDS) on the retail prices of tobacco products.
The implementation of these proposals is anticipated to yield a substantial additional revenue of BDT 10,000 crore, which holds the potential to alleviate the prevailing financial constraints. Moreover, in the long term, these measures are projected to avert the premature deaths of 1.1 million Bangladeshis, including nearly half a million youths.
In support of the budget proposals, economist and convener of the National Anti-Tobacco Platform, Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said, that tobacco products becoming cheaper over time compared to the prices of essential commodities is an ominous sign for public health.
“Considering hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, diseases, detrimental effects on environment and ecosystem- all caused by tobacco, the upcoming national budget must effectively hike the prices of tobacco products to bring it beyond the purchasing power of the people,” he said.
The panel of speakers in the event include Md. Abdus Salam, Program's Manager (Bangladesh) for Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), Mortuza Haider Liton, Convener, ATMA and ABM Zubair, Executive Director, PROGGA.
37.8 million adults in Bangladesh use tobacco products (smoked and smokeless). Tobacco claims 161,000 lives every year in Bangladesh. In 2017-18, the toll of tobacco use in the national economy (due to medical expenses and loss of productivity) stood at BDT 30,560 crore while the revenue generated from the tobacco sector stands at only BDT 22,810 crore.
Last tributes paid to Shib Narayan Das at Shaheed Minar
People from all walks of life bid farewell to Shib Narayan Das, one of the designers of the first flag of Bangladesh and a freedom fighter, by placing wreaths on the coffin of deceased at the central Shaheed Minar.
When the body of Shib Narayan Das was taken to the central Shaheed Minar at 10:30 am on Saturday a guard of honor was given district administration.
Representatives from various cultural organisations, institutions paid tributes to him by laying wreathes till 12 pm.
State Minister Naheed shocked at Shib Narayan's deathShib Narayan Das died at 9:25 am on Friday in the ICU of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital at the age of 78.
According to the family, Shib Narayan Das's eyes have been donated to 'Sandhani' and his body will be donated to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.From Shaheed Minar Shib Narayan Das' body was taken to his village in Cumilla. His body will be handed over to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in the afternoon after people from all walks of life pay tribute there.
National flag’s first designer Shib Narayan passes away
Arnab Aditya Das, son of Shib Narayan Das, said, "My father was a man who never compromised with injustice, corruption and lies. He never compromised with the spirit of the Liberation War and non-communal politics."
Heat wave: Assembly at all govt primary schools suspended
In the wake of the current heat wave condition, the daily assembly at government primary schools across the country will remain suspended until further notice.
The Primary and Mass Education Ministry issued a notice, signed by its senior information officer Mahbubur Rahman Tuhin, in this regard on Saturday.
The ministry is observing the prevailing heat wave situation, it said.
10,000 primary teachers to be recruited by June: state minister
A mild to severe heat wave is sweeping different parts of the country for the last several days.
The highest temperature in the capital was recorded at 38.4 degrees Celsius on Friday while Chuadanga experienced the season’s highest temperature at 41.3 degrees Celsius.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Friday issued an alert saying that the prevailing heat wave over the country may continue and increase further in the next 72 hours commencing 9 am on Friday.
Primary, secondary schools to remain closed during Ramadan: HC
“Due to moisture incursion, the discomfort may increase,” said the Met office special bulletin.
No respite from heat wave for five days: BMD
Severe heat wave is sweeping Khulna division and Rajshahi, Pabna and Tangail districts, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
The heat wave condition will remain unchanged for the five days commencing 9 am on Saturday, it predicted.
Heatwave sweeps over 8 divisions as temperatures soar
Country’s highest temperature was recoded in Chuadanga at 41 degree Celsius on Friday. The district also experienced the season’s highest temperature in the previous three days.
A mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping Barishal division, rest part of Dhaka and Rajshahi divisions and Chandpur and Moulvibazar districts and it may continue, it said.
Heatwave to continue in Dhaka, 3 other divisions for 72 hours: BMD
Besides, rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Mymensingh, Sylhet and Chattogram divisions with hails at isolated places.
Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.
Heatwave in Dhaka, other districts; rain likely in parts of country
Day and night temperatures may rise slightly over the country. Due to the increase of moisture incursion, the discomfort may increase.
A trough of westerly low lies over West Bengal and adjoining area.
Rotary will partner with PMO to achieve SDGs in Bangladesh
Rotary in Bangladesh has declared that hundreds of its clubs and thousands of Rotarians across the country will work with the government to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by Bangladesh as part of its focus on serving humanity.
In a daylong Incoming Leaders Training Seminar (ILTS) held at BIAM Auditorium in Dhaka, the Rotary leaders declared on Friday evening that they were working to build partnership with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to promote the SDGs. Rotary as an international humanitarian organisation works in seven areas including water, sanitation, providing clean water, saving mothers and children and protecting the environment.
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The Rotary leaders said that many of the UN-declared targets under the SDGs with a 2030 deadline are aligned with Rotary’s seven areas of focus, and thus Rotary’s partnership with the government would be a win-win proposition.
Akhter Hossain, Senior Secretary and Principal Coordinator of the SDGs, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), said Bangladesh is progressing in achieving many of the SDG targets under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He said that the government is keen to partner with a reputed humanitarian group like Rotary, which has an international standing to serve humanity through service projects in Bangladesh and else where to achieve the target of the SDGs.
Monirul Islam, Additional Secretary on the SDGs, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Bangladesh, made a detailed presentation on the SDGs and its advancement in Bangladesh.
The session was moderated by Rotary International President’s Special Advisor and Past District Governor Ashish Ghosh while Past District Governor in Bangladesh and Chief Training Coordinator Ishtiaque A Zaman also spoke.
President urges Rotary to work for public welfare
Data Magfur, a prominent Rotary trainer, led the daylong training programme with trainers lecturing on budgeting, club administration, public image and building leadership.
The Rotary leaders said they expect Rotary would soon sign an agreement with the Prime Minister’s Office to work together in the field of the SDGs.
In Friday’s event, some 1200 Rotarians and young Rotaractors from across the country discussed their preparation for the next year 2024-2025. Rotary year starts on July 1 and ends on June 30 next year.
Rotary, headquartered in Illinois in the Unites States, is a global network of 1.4 million neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe.
Bangladesh has a network of more than 300 Rotary clubs.
Dhaka's air unhealthy for sensitive groups this morning
Dhaka's air quality was categorised as “unhealthy for sensitive groups” this morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 121 at 8:53 am, Dhaka ranked 10th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.
Thailand’s Chiang Mai, India's Delhi, Nepal’s Kathmandu and Indonesia’s Jakarta occupied the first four spots on the list, with AQI scores of 173, 167, 164 and 162, respectively.
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
No improvement in Dhaka’s air quality, still ‘unhealthy’ for sensitive groups
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.
Dhaka’s air quality ‘unhealthy’ this morning
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.
PM taking nation forward by removing all obstacles: Hasan Mahmud
Foreign Minister and Joint General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League Hashan Mahmud on Friday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is taking the country forward by overcoming all the obstacles and challenges.
He said Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina did not get upset after repeatedly returning from the valley of death, instead she took forward the caravan of people's struggle with a more solid position, and put the country on the seat of dignity and honor in the heart of the world.
Hasan Mahmud attends "9th Our Ocean Conference" in Greece
Hasan made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a book launching ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He unveiled of the book 'Bhubanjora Sheikh Hasinar Asankhani" written by journalist and Director General of Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) Zafar Wazed, who was awarded the Ekushey Padak.
Bangladesh participates in Fashion World Tokyo
Bangladesh participated in Fashion World Tokyo (FaW) held from April 17- 19 in Japan's Tokyo Big Sight.
It the largest trade show for the fashion industry in Japan with around 800 exhibitors from all over the world participating this year’s event showcasing all kinds of fashion wear, apparel, bag, shoes, textile, leather goods, fashion accessories and fashion sourcing.
Under the market development initiative of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Ministry of Commerce, 12 exporters from the apparel and leather goods industry participated in this fair.
In addition, 6 companies participated through their own arrangement.
Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan Shahabuddin Ahmed inaugurated Bangladesh pavilion on 17th April and visited Bangladeshi booths as well as NRB exhibitors.
In the evening on the same day, the Embassy of Bangladesh organized a Seminar on ‘Made in Bangladesh Textile, Leather, and Jute Goods’ at Tokyo Big Sight.
Ambassador Shahabuddin Ahmed delivered a welcome speech at the event. The Ambassador is his speech urged the Japanese companies to source more ‘Made in Bangladesh’ quality products from Bangladesh.
US-Bangla launches flight to Abu Dhabi
Private carrier US-Bangla Airlines launched its first-ever flight to Abu Dhabi on Friday marking the third UAE destination served by one of the country's leading airlines.
This initiative will fulfil the growing demand of Bangladeshi expatriates living and working in Abu Dhabi.
The private carrier will operate flights from Dhaka to Abu Dhabi every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and from Chattogram every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday at 5.50 pm. It will land at 9:10 pm local time in Abu Dhabi, according to a press release.
Return flights will depart Abu Dhabi at 10:00 pm local time, landing in Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 4:50 am every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday and Chattogram every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.
The inaugural flight, a Boeing 737-800 carrying 174 passengers, departed Chattogram at 5:50 pm and is scheduled to arrive in Abu Dhabi at 9: 10pm local time. And will fly to Dhaka at 10:10 PM local time from Abu Dhabi and land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 4:50 am BdST, reads the release.
The decision to operate US-Bangla flights to Abu Dhabi will further strengthen the ties between the two countries. Senior US-Bangla officials personally bid farewell to passengers on the inaugural flights from Dhaka and Chattogram.
Apart from international routes, US-Bangla Airlines is operating domestic flights, especially from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Sylhet, Saidpur, Jashore and Rajshahi.
With the addition of four new flights on the Dhaka-Chennai route, US-Bangla has increased its weekly flight frequency to a total of 11 starting on Friday (April 19), it added.
State Minister Naheed shocked at Shib Narayan's death
Naheed Ezaher Khan, state minister of Cultural Affairs, has expressed profound shock at the death of the country's war-time national flag designer and valiant freedom fighter Shib Narayan Das.
In a condolence message, she prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.
In her condolence message, the state minister said that Shib Narayan will stay forever in the hearts of people and will be remembered for his works. "In his death, the nation lost an ideal patriot."
Shib Narayan Das, who had designed the first flag of Bangladesh just before the independence, breathed his last on Friday morning at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in the capital.
He was born in Cumilla to a martyr's family. His father Satish Chandra Das was captured and killed by the Pakistani army during the liberation war in 1971. He is survived by his wife Gitashree Chowdhury and their son Arnab Das.