United News of Bangladesh

The government has imposed a ban on all meetings, rallies and gatherings inside the Bangladesh Secretariat as part of heightened security measures. Officials wishing to remain on the premises after 6pm must notify the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Public Security Division under the Home Ministry issued a notification in this regard on Tuesday. According to the notification, it is said the security of every building inside the Bangladesh Secretariat is extremely important as it is the nerve centre of the country's administration. Multiple decisions have been made to ensure the security of each building and premises located within the secretariat, it said. Single-use plastic to be banned at Secretariat from Oct 2 : Cabinet Secretary The directives include: · All forms of processions, rallies or mass gatherings inside the Secretariat are strictly prohibited. · No unauthorised meeting or gatherings should be held in the conference rooms of various ministries or departments located within the secretariat, nor shall any meeting, conference or gathering of a professional organisation or association be allowed. · Prior permission from the Home Ministry is required for officials to remain inside the Secretariat after 6 pm, on weekends or public holidays for official duties. · Officials and staff working inside the Secretariat must display their entry passes at all times. ·Distribution of leaflets or display of banners and festoons within the Secretariat premises is prohibited. · Security personnel will conduct necessary checks on vehicles and individuals entering the Secretariat to ensure safety. It also requested all concerned to comply with the instructions mandatorily.

In a move to control rising rice prices and stabilise the market, the government has authorised 242 private companies to import a total of 5 lakh metric tonnes of rice, including both parboiled and uncooked varieties. A letter from the Ministry of Food was sent to the Commerce Ministry on Sunday, requesting permission in favour of the allocated companies, according to a press release. Of the total volume, 4.61 lakh tonnes will be parboiled rice and 39,000 tonnes uncooked rice. All imported rice must contain no more than 5 percent broken grains. As per the conditions, importers must ensure the entire allocated quantity is marketed within Bangladesh by 30 September. In addition, detailed information regarding the quantity, warehousing, and distribution must be submitted to the respective District Food Controller. The letter also specifies that no Import Permit (IP) may be issued or used beyond the approved allocation. Rice procurement faces disruption due to 0.5% source tax Imported rice must be sold in original packaging—repackaging under a different company name is prohibited. This measure is part of the government’s pre-emptive strategy to maintain price stability amid concerns that Aman rice production may be impacted by recent flooding. The decision was finalised at a meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee, held at the Secretariat on 15 July.

BNP will be given permission to hold its rally on December 10 at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital based on some conditions, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said on Thursday. “They (BNP) will be informed that they can hold the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan. But we request them not to indulge in any violence, create any obstacles and public suffering,” he said. The minister made the remarks while talking to reporters after inaugurating a luxury motor launch at Sadarghat Launch Terminal. He said they also asked the Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to give BNP permission to arrange their programme at Suhrawardy Udyan as they sought the venue. “We think BNP is a political party and they have the right to do politics. We’ve nothing to say if they do politics in a systemic and constructive way,” Asaduzzaman said. He, however, said the government will have objections if BNP tries to violate political etiquette and do anything bad. Read: DMP to decide venue for BNP's Dec 10 rally: Home Minister The minister said the government is allowing BNP to hold rallies all over the country. He said BNP leaders’ various remarks about bringing 25-30 lakh people to the capital have manifested that they would try to put the entire Dhaka city to a standstill. “That’s why we told them to go to any bigger venue.” Asaduzzaman said BNP finally sought permission to hold the rally at t Suhrawardy Udyan. “So, we have asked the (DMP) commissioner to inform BNP (about the permission for Suhrawardy Udyan). This’s also the directive of the Prime Minister.” Contacted, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir said they were not still informed about it by the government. He, however, said they will take a decision on whether they will hold the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan through discussions at the party forum. Earlier on November 15, a delegation met Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq and sought permission to hold their much-talked-about rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office in the capital on December 10. The DMP Commissioner, however, asked BNP to give the name of any other alternative venue. Read: BNP to avoid AL's trap over December-10 rally: Gayeshwar As part of the move to continue the pace of its ongoing movement, the BNP on September 27 announced a series of public rallies in 10 divisional cities to denounce the price hike of daily essentials and fuels, the death of five party men in previous police action in Bhola, Narayanganj, Munshiganj and Jashore, and to ensure the freedom of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. The party has already arranged rallies in Chattogram, Mymensingh, Khulna, Rangpur, Barishal,  Faridpur, and Syleht braving various obstacles and transport strikes. BNP will conclude the divisional rallies through a mass gathering in Dhaka city on December 10, coinciding with International Human Rights day. The BNP has long been demanding that the next general election be held under a caretaker government, not under any political government--a demand sharply rejected by the ruling Awami League as the constitution does not contain any such provision.

Globally renowned Bollywood actress-dancer Nora Fatehi has finally been granted permission to arrive in Bangladesh, the Ministry of Information said on Monday after much speculation and controversy regarding her arrival in the country. Women's Leadership Corporation, a community organisation, had previously applied to the government for permission to welcome the Indian-Canadian actress to shoot for a documentary titled "Women Empowerment in Bangladesh," as part of the organisation’s Global Achievers Award on November 18. In a letter issued by the Ministry of Information on Monday, it was stated that the government has granted permission to the artist, exclusively for the shooting of the aforementioned documentary. She will be allowed to visit Dhaka on November 18 just for the purpose of filming. Sharna Maria Mrittik, President of Women Leadership Corporation, confirmed the news to the media on Monday. Social media handles of the event have also been referring to her as the special guest of the event.  The clearance was granted subject to five conditions, according to a circular from the Ministry of Information that was signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam. Except for travel time, the actress is only permitted to enter the country for one day to participate in documentary filming and is not permitted to work or participate in any other activities during this period. Nora Fatehi was scheduled to arrive in Dhaka in mid-December to perform at an awards event, but the permission was denied by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs due to the dollar crisis. Read more: Bollywood: Katrina Kaif & Vicky Kaushal get death threats The dancer-actress gained popularity for item songs including "Saki Saki" and "Dilbar," and worked in several Bollywood films including "Baahubali: The Beginning," "Kick 2," "Sher," "Loafer," "Satyameva Jayate," "Stree," "Bharat," and more. She also performed in the music video of the song “Light The Sky” as part of the FIFA World Cup 2022 Soundtrack. Read more: Bollywood actress Sunny Leone arrives in Dhaka

Internationally acclaimed Bengal singer-lyricist-composer Kabir Suman is all set to go ahead with his concerts in Dhaka as scheduled -- but the venue has changed. The three concerts will be held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB), auditorium instead of Bangladesh National Museum on October 15, 18 and 21. This is because Kabir Suman has not been given the permission to hold the concerts at Bangladesh National Museum in Shahbagh, Mir Arif Billah of event management firm Peephole, told UNB on Friday. “I am just saying that Kabir Suman will sing at IEB. Permission is almost done. I will reveal the details later," he added. Read: No DMP permission for Kabir Suman concert at National Museum On Thursday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said that it did not give permission for the Kabir Suman concert, as Bangladesh National Museum is a key point installation. DMP commissioner MD Shafiqul Islam said, "We did not give permission for the concert at Bangladesh National Museum, as the venue is a key point installation. But if the organisers seek permission to hold the event elsewhere, we will consider it.” The concerts are set to mark the 30-year anniversary of Kabir Suman’s popular album 'Tomake Chai'.

Internationally acclaimed West Bengal singer-lyricist-composer Kabir Suman is scheduled to perform for fans in Dhaka with three concerts — from Saturday — at the National Museum. On Thursday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said that it did not give permission for the Kabir Suman concert, as National Museum is a key point installation (KPI). DMP Commissioner MD Shafiqul Islam confirmed the matter to UNB, saying, "We did not give permission for the concert at Bangladesh National Museum, as the venue is a key point installation. The three-day event is being organised by event management company Peephole, which disclosed the details of the event at a press conference at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro on Wednesday. Peephole executives Fuad Bin Omar and Mir Arif Billah revealed the arrangement of the concert at the press conference. They, however, did not mention whether they secured permission from DMP or not. Read: Leading Indian singer Kabir Suman hospitalised Tickets for the Kabir Suman concert on October 15 and 21 were sold out within 72 hours and tickets for October 18 were nearing being stocked out, the organisers said at the press conference. They also informed that there will be virtual tickets for Sumon fans at home and abroad. UNB tried to reach Omar and Billah for comments, but they were unreachable till the time of filing this report.   The concerts were set to mark the 30-year anniversary of Kabir Suman’s popular album “Tomake Chai”.