Govt
Govt relaxes conditions for returnees from India through Benapole
Government has relaxed the existing conditions for Bangladeshi passengers returning from India through Benapole.
A circular signed by Director (disease control) of the Directorate General of Health Services(DGHS) professor Nazmul Islam was sent to the immigration department at Benapole on Sunday.
The circular mentioned relaxation of conditions for four categories of Bangladeshi passengers.
Also read: Indian traders suspend trade through Benapole to protest BSF harassment
According to the notice, cancer and kidney disease patients or pregnant women and fully vaccinated passengers were exempted from the condition of staying in institutional quarantine but the authorities have to ensure they remain isolated at home.
Those who have only received one dose of Covid vaccine will need to stay in 14-day institutional quarantine on their own expenses as per the previous conditions, said the notification.
Every passenger will have to secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Bangladesh consulate in Kolkata and will have to manage a Covid-negative certificate within 72 hours.
However, apart from the four categories, all India-returned passengers will have to maintain the mandatory institutional quarantine following the earlier regulations.
Also read: Passengers can travel to India every day, but return on 3 days through Benapole
Ahsan Habib, in-charge officer of the Benapole Immigration said according to the new notice India going passengers will not need to seek prior approval from the Home Ministry anymore.
They have been following the directions of the circular from Sunday, he said.
Govt. sends 3 top officials to new postings
Two secretary-level officials and an additional secretary have been transferred to new postings, according to a notification of the public administration ministry on Monday.
According to the notification, Mohammad Mashiur Rahman, ndc, chairman of Land Appeal Board has been appointed as the secretary of Rural Development and Cooperatives ministry while Ehsan E Elahi, chairman of Land Reform Board has been made the secretary of Labour and Employment ministry.
Dr. Nahid Rashid, additional secretary of Economic Relation Division has been made the Director General of Bangladesh Employees Welfare Board.
Govt feels self-complacency working for only some people: Sultana Kamal
Noted human right activist advocate Sultana Kamal on Sunday criticised the current budget for ‘not having clear support plan’ for the disadvantaged community in this Covid pandemic, saying that the government feels self-complacency protecting the interest of some people.
“I would like to share my analysis that isolation has occurred between the government and the common people, which we’ve seen more acutely in this Covid situation,” she said at a media briefing.
Citizen's Platform for SDGs Bangladesh arranged the media briefing over “Implementation of National Budget 2021-22: What benefit will the disadvantaged people get?” through a virtual platform.
Sultana Kamal, also a member of the Citizen’s Platform, said, “Though we say that we are living in a democratic society….. But we have many words (questions) over the election, which is the first and foremost step for democracy.”
Also read: Country makes tremendous development in corruption: Sultana Kamal
“Questions can also be raised over how much we think those who govern the State as our men or how much they (Govt) think us as their men,” she said.
If the budget is evaluated from this perspective, there is isolation between the government and the common people or community particularly the disadvantaged people, she said adding that the government may have relations of interest with the people who are surrounding it or who assist it politically and socially or any other ways.
“We’re in such a political system that if those of us who are in charge of governing the State can protect the interests of some people, they feel self-complacency. They get praises from them (the particular section of people) and can understand that what they (government) did is a very wonderful job,” said Sultana Kamal.
Noting that the national budget for 2020-21 had to be adopted last year amid unknown and sudden Covid-19 situation, she said this time the government got a full year before the preparation of the budget, but the new problems caused by the pandemic were not recognised there.
Also read: ‘Indigenous leaders removed from decision-making in CHT’: Sultana Kamal
She said it is as usual budget having nothing for the recovery from the Covid-19 fallout. “Some ad-hoc based steps were taken and works have been done, but the steps, which are very essential to rebound from this distress, unfortunately remain missing here,” she said.
“Some 3-3.5 crore people have become poor afresh. We’ve not find any clear plan to pay attention to them in the budget,” said Sultana Kamal, also the Executive Director of Ain o Salish Kendra.
Convenor of Citizen’s Platform Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya said the government should provide direct food and cash support for the disadvantaged people as they may be awaiting tougher situations in the current fiscal year than the last fiscal.
“We fear that the disadvantaged community may be more distressed in 2021-22. Because, we fear that the pressure would increase on them further for the current pandemic situation,” he said.
Alongside providing free foods, the government also needs to expand open market sale (OMS) of foods at subsidized prices up to grassroots level in order to keep food price stable as the food inflation has recently witnessed a big jump, said Dr Debapriya.
“If we don’t provide direct cash support to them, not only the community will become poorer or deprived, but also their next generation will face malnutrition, physical and mental disabilities. It will emerge as a big national problem in future,” he said, adding that some 80 per cent people cut down their food expenses according to a recent survey.
Noting that the government stimulus packages, he said though the government has so far taken 30 Covid-related support interventions (including five new ones) amounting to Tk 128,194 crore, there is a very low share of fiscal and food support compared to hybrid ones (subsidized and interest based stimuli).
He said there are 13 fiscal and 4 food support interventions accounting for less than 20.5 per cent of the total allocation, while hybrid amounting to nearly 79.53 per cent.
Besides, nearly 39 per cent of fiscal stimulus packages were disbursed, while over 75 per cent of hybrid stimulus packages were disbursed within June 2021, he noted.
Dr Debapriya said the targeted GDP growth rate for 2020-21 fiscal was revised down from 8.2 per cent to 5.2 per cent, but the final figures would obviously be lower.
Prof Mustafizur Rahman, a member of the Citizen’s Platform said it is essential to strengthen direct cash transfer and OMS programmes in the current fiscal year just not considering the present food inflation rate.
“Rice prices witnessed over 20 per cent hike last year. If I say now that the inflation rate is 4-5 per cent, it will not give us a real picture,” he said, adding that the marginalized people are facing trouble to purchase food due to lower income and food price hike.
Besides, members of the Citizen’s Platform Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Shaheen Anam, Rasheda K Choudhury, Asif Ibrahim and Dr Mustaque Reza Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion.
Govt trying to ‘obstruct’ Khaleda's treatment abroad: BNP
BNP on Tuesday alleged that the government is deliberately trying to obstruct the advanced treatment of its ailing chairperson Khaleda Zia.
“Our leader Khaleda Zia is currently seriously ill. When her family members submitted an application to send her abroad in May last, the law minister himself said Khaleda Zia's travel abroad was possible only if the conditions under which she was released were revised,” said party organising secretary Syed Emran Saleh Prince.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Naya Paltan central office, he said the law minister’s such remarks were published in various international media, including the BBC and Al-Jazeera, and also in the local media.
Also read: Khaleda has to seek presidential pardon to go abroad, says law minister
“But now he (the law minister) is saying it’s not possible to make a U-turn. It’s manifested that the government is deliberately obstructing the treatment of our leader,” the BNP leader said.
He criticised Information Minister Hasan Mahmud for his remark that the government needs to rethink about taking back Khaleda to jail, saying the minister issued such a threat as BNP is raising voice in favour of people at this difficult time of the country.
“The government is trying to hush up its failure to deceive people by spreading a smear campaign against the BNP and issuing the threat of jail and repression,” Prince observed.
Also read: BNP hits back at PM over her remarks on Zia, Khaleda
He said their party chief is not completely freed yet from jail as she is apparently in prison with various conditions. “The government is now trying to hamper her treatment with those conditions.”
Prince alleged that the police keep arresting BNP leaders and activists in different districts, including Chattogram, Mymensingh, Kishoreganj, and Bagerhat, amid the countrywide strict lockdown.
Stating that a day-labourer, Din Isalm, in Munshiganj's North Muktarpur killed himself out of hunger on Sunday, he alleged that the government is not providing necessary relief assistance to the poor and helpless people during the lockdown.
Also read: No reason to seek presidential clemency by Khaleda: BNP
Prince urged the government to ensure adequate food and financial assistance for low-income and jobless people affected by the lockdown, including public transport workers, hawkers, shop workers, small traders and day-labourers.
Refuting the ruling party leaders’ comment that many BNP leaders are trying to join Awami League, he said Awami League is now a ‘sinking’ ship. “No one wants to get on a sinking ship. Those who are passengers of the ‘sinking’ ship are making such comments to hide their failures. You'd rather see in the future how many people are jumping out of the sinking ship to save themselves.”
Govt to reach food to one crore families before Eid: Quader
About one crore poor and helpless families will get food aid from the government during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha considering their hardships caused by coronavirus, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said on Tuesday.
The aid package is part of the government’s numerous initiatives to provide financial and food assistance to the helpless and working people who have been affected by the pandemic, Quader said in his regular briefing.
Referring to floods in parts of the country the AL leader urged his party’s members to stand by the affected people with relief and whatever else they need.
Also read: Govt to give Tk7.70 crore to Covid, disaster-hit families
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already directed the administration to take early preparations to mitigate the possible damage and sufferings floods may cause.
Quader urged the administration as well as Awami League leaders and workers in the flood-hit areas to stand by the people.
He said it has always been the Awami League who reaches the affected people with relief and help during natural disasters.
Also read: Covid: 77pc families in Bangladesh hit hard by first wave, says study
Death penalty for rape: Law Ministry sending amendments to Cabinet
The Law Ministry is proposing the death penalty as the highest punishment for rape.
Govt will continue its support to agro processing sector: Agriculture Minister
Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on Saturday said the government will continue its support to agro-processing sector.
Govt imposes restrictions during general holiday
The government has announced a number of restrictions on movement as it is about to extend the general holidays to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The Cabinet Division issued the directives on Thursday.
May 21 will be considered as holiday as Shab-e-Qadr while May 22-23 and May 29-30 will be included as weekly holidays and May 24, 25 and 26 will be counted as holidays for Eid-ul-Fitr, said the directives.
This time, the movement of people and running of vehicles from one district to another and one upazila to another will be monitored strictly by the local administrations and law enforcement agencies.
“Shops will be allowed to remain open after ensuring social distance and following health guidelines during buying and selling,” it said.
Vehicles and workers employed at various emergency services will be out of the purview of the holidays. Besides, goods-laden vehicles and cargo vessels will be allowed to ply as usual.
Those who are engaged in processing of agricultural products, insecticides, foods, industrial goods, kitchen markets and pharmacies will remain out of the restriction, said the directives.
Physicians, health workers, vehicles for transporting medicines and other medical equipment, and media workers will remain out of the purview of the holidays.
Educational institutions will remain closed as before, the directives added.
People have been asked to remain in their respective homes and refrain from going outside without emergency purpose from 8pm till 6am, it said.
Bangladesh Bank will issue necessary directives regarding banking hours considering the continuation of business activities ahead of Eid.
The official concerned of all ministries and divisions will have to follow the 13 directives issued by the government and no one will be allowed to leave their place during the Eid holidays.
All inter-district transport will remain suspended during the holidays.
In case of Eid congregation, all have to avoid big congregation and follow the existing directives issued for attending mosques.
On March 23, the government declared general holidays from March 26 to April 4 to curb the spread of coronavirus. Later, it extended the holidays to May 16.
The government closed all educational institutions and shut down rail, road, river and air communications to prevent the spread of the highly contagious virus.
Amid high risk of coronavirus transmission, some garment factories reopened on April 26 and factory owners claimed they were operating with workers available in Dhaka maintaining hygiene issues.
Coronavirus COVID-19, first reported in China in December last year, is affecting 212 countries and territories around the world. Bangladesh confirmed 17,822 coronavirus cases and 269 deaths until Wednesday
Govt trying to reopen some sectors gradually: PM
Mentioning that people are suffering a lot due to the COVID-19 shutdown, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the government is trying to reopen some sectors gradually so that the poor can earn their livelihoods.
“We’re trying to reopen some (sectors) gradually. We’re taking measures so that people can earn some livelihoods because this is the month of holy Ramadan,” she said while receiving donations for her relief and welfare fund.
Over 55 government agencies, public and private organisations, and educational institutions on Sunday provided donations to the Prime Minister’s Relief and Welfare Fund to help the poor affected by COVID-19 fallout.
The Prime Minister said, “We know people are suffering a lot. We’ve been trying our best to reach them food at their doorsteps.”
Since the paddy (of this season) has almost been harvested, people are not supposed to suffer that much (from food shortage), she said calling upon farmers who harvested huge paddy to stand beside the poor at this crisis period.
Noting that the country’s economy has badly been affected by COVID-19 pandemic, Hasina said the people who were dependent on day labour have lost their work.
“Many people have become jobless in our country. It’s difficult for them to make a living, though we’ve been trying our best to help them,” Hasina said.
Govt to take steps to recoup losses: Fisheries and Livestock Minister
Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim on Sunday said the government will take all necessary steps to recoup the losses, caused by coronavirus outbreak, in the Fisheries and Livestock sector.