Cabinet
Purchase committee clears 42.5MW waste-to-energy project
The Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase has approved 16 proposals, including the setting up of a 42.5 MW waste-to-energy plant and four solar power plants with the total capacity of 181 MW.
The approval came from a virtual meeting of the committee held on Wednesday with Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal in the chair.
As per the approvals, Canves Environmental Investment Company Ltd, China, will set up the 42.5 MW waste-to-energy project at Kaultia, Gazipur from where state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) will purchase electricity under a contract for over a period of 25 years at US21.50 Cents, equivalent to Tk 17.20, per kilowatt hour (peach unit).
READ: Cabinet body approves proposal for 30 oxygen plants
The BPDB will have to spend Tk 14,408 crore to buy the power during the contract period.
Another three private companies will set up three separate solar parks at three places.
The BPDB will buy electricity from each of the projects at a tariff of US 10.60 cents, equivalent to Tk 8.48, considering US dollar rate at Tk 80, over a contract period of 20 years.
Of the projects, Bangladesh-China Renewable Energy Company (Pvt) Limited will set up a 60 MW grid-tied solar park at Suzanagar Upazila, Pabna, and a 68MW solar park at Sirajganj Sadar upazila while Cyclect Energy Pte. Ltd, Singapore will set up a 50MW solar park at Jibonnagar, Chuadanga.
The BPDB will have to spend Tk 1649.12 crore to buy electricity from the Suzanagar project, 1,798.48 crore from Sirajganj project and 13,22.40 crore from Jibonnagar project for buying electricity during the contract period.
The Western Renewable Energy Pvt. Ltd., will set up a 3MW solar-battery-diesel run hybrid power plant at Monpura upazila, Bhola from where the BPDB will buy electricity at Tk 21.25 per kilowatt hour over a period of 20 years.
It will have to spend Tk 459 crore to purchase electricity from the plant over the contract period.
The CCPP approved three separate proposals for the import of 90,000 metric tons (MT) of urea fertilizer and 30,000 MT of phosphoric acid by Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), and another three separate proposals for the import of 90,000 MT of MOP fertilizer by Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC).
READ: Cabinet committee approves 4 proposals, including LNG import
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved in principle a proposal to implement the 'Dhaka East-West Elevated Expressway' project under the public private partnership.
The project cost was estimated at Tk 16,000 crore. It will connect the Dhaka-Aricha highway to Dhaka-Chittagong highway via Savar and Sonargaon, Narayanganj.
Cabinet approves President’s draft speech to be delivered in Parliament
The Cabinet on Monday approved the draft speech of President Md Abdul Hamid to be delivered in the 15th session of the 11th Parliament on November 24 next on the occasion of 50 years of the country’s Independence.
The approval came at a virtual meeting of the cabinet held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
The PM joined the meeting from her official residence Ganobhaban, while others got connected from the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Also read: President to deliver speech in Parliament on Nov 24
“The President will deliver the speech in Parliament on November 24 during a special discussion on the occasion of 50 years of the country’s Independence. The Cabinet today approved the speech,” said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam while briefing reporters after the meeting.
As part of the yearlong celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the country’s Independence, the special discussion will be held on November 24 and 25 next.
Also read: President Hamid, PM Hasina mourn writer Hasan Azizul Huq's death
Zila Parishad representatives can’t hold posts after tenure
Zila Parishad chairmen and members cannot hold posts after the 5-year tenure on any excuse as per the draft of the Zila Parishad (Amendment) Act 2021, which was approved by the Cabinet on Monday.
The approval came in a virtual meeting of the cabinet held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
The PM joined the meeting from her official residence Ganobhaban, while others got connected from the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Also read: Balanced development: Govt creates 3 new upazilas in 3 districts
“Zila Parishad representatives will have to leave their posts on the expiry of their tenure. The government would appoint administrator/s to run the local body until the formation of the next council (parishad),” said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam while briefing reporters after the meeting.
Cabinet approves 22 public holidays for 2022
The cabinet on Thursday approved the proposed list of 22 holidays for the 2022 calendar year, but six holidays would be coincided with weekends (Fridays and Saturdays).
The holidays include 14 general holidays and eight more that will come with the executive orders of the government.
The approval came from the virtual Cabinet meeting held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Also read: E-commerce firms must get registered within 2 months: Cabinet
The Prime Minister joined the meeting from her official residence Ganobhaban, while other cabinet members from the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Three days each among 14 general holidays and eight other public holidays would be coincided with weekends, said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam while briefing reporters after the meeting.
Besides, the government employees can enjoy three optional holidays on the occasion of religious festivals, he said.
Also read: 8 projects get go-ahead of Cabinet Purchase Committee
Similarly, the employees from various small ethnic groups will have the scope to enjoy two optional holidays on the occasion of their major social festivals.
Bangladesh to extend deal with India on power import
The cabinet committee on public purchase (CCPP) on Sunday approved a proposal to extend the agreement with India by another five years to import electricity from its Tripura state.
Now Bangladesh will, however, import 160 MW of electricity instead of previously agreed 100 MW at a relatively lower tariff, said Shamsul Arefin, additional secretary to the Cabinet Division, while briefing reporters.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal presided over the meeting, attended by the ministers who are the members of the committee.
Also read: Bangladesh’s power import to go up to 9,000 MW by 2041: State Minister
As per the new proposal, Bangladesh will now pay Tk 7.13852 (Rs 6.27) per kilowatt hour (each unit) to India instead of Tk 7.99 (Rs 7.01).
Arefin said that Bangladesh could save Tk 706 crore for the lower tariff.
The new import deal will take a retrospective effect from Mar 17, 2021 and remain valid up to March 16, 2026, keeping all other conditions unchanged. But the annual escalation rate in tariff will be static at 2 percent, he added.
Bangladesh has been importing electricity from India since September 2013 and now its total import stands at 1,160 MW of which 1000 MW is being imported from West Bengal through Bheramara border while 160 MW from Tripura through Cumilla border.
There has been another agreement with Indian private company, Adani Group, to import another 1600 MW for which transmission lines are being installed.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid recently said the government plans to increase its electricity import to 9000 MW from neighbouring countries, including Nepal, Bhutan and India.
Also read: Speakers at a webinar suggest use of gas mainly for power generation
A deal is ready to import 500 MW from an Indian company’s power plant in Nepal.
Bangladesh will need to spend Tk 4,188 crore over the next five years to import the 160 MW power from India.
Municipal polls must be held within 5-year timeframe; law being amended
The Cabinet on Monday cleared the draft of the Local Government (Pourasava) Amendment) Act, 2021, aiming to strictly follow the timeframe for holding the municipal polls regularly in every five years.
The approval came from the virtual Cabinet meeting held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
The PM joined it from her official residence Ganobhaban. Other Cabinet members got connected with the meeting from the Bangladesh Secretariat.
While briefing reporters after the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said sometimes it is seen some pourasava chairmen move the court seeking stay order on holding the next elections at the end of their tenures.
READ: Toughest Covid lockdown across country from Thursday: Cabinet Secretary
This is how, he mentioned, some chairmen prolong their stay in office for over five years -- even 15-16 years -- taking advantage of a clause in the existing law that stated that the present chairman will remain there till the next election is held.
“To stop this practice, the government has made this amendment in the 2009 law,” he said.
On completion of five years, the proposed law said, the government can appoint an administrator either from the government services who has administrative experience or any other eligible person.
“The appointed administrator will remain in the post for maximum six months, and the elections have to be held by this time,” the cabinet secretary said.
The meeting also decided to make the eligibility for enlistment of any new pourasava which has the minimum population of 2,000 per kilometer as it is now 1,500 per kilometre.
It also changed the name of pourasava member as pouro executive officer.
The meeting decided that the proposed law will include another clause mentioning that if any pourasava fails to pay salaries and other wages of its officers and employees for 12 months the government can abolish its status as a pourasava.
The Cabinet meeting also cleared the drafts of Essential Services Act, 2021 integrating Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1952 and The Essential Services (Second Ordinance), 1958.
After the passage of this proposed law, the Cabinet secretary said, the government will be able to declare any service essential when it will be necessary.
He said the services that will be included as essential are post, telecommunications, internet services, ICT, digital services, mobile financial services, digital financial services, power generation and distribution related services, railways, passenger and goods transportation through water, road and air ways.
READ: Cabinet body okays 10 proposals including import of petroleum fuel, LNG
Anwarul Islam said the government can declare this essential status for maximum six months. After the declaration, no strike, shut-off and lay-off will be allowed in that service.
Any breach of this law will be a punishable offence and if any labourer does that he or she will be fined by Tk 25,000 to Tk 50,000 and six months’ imprisonment or by both. For the owner, the punishment is Tk 100,000 maximum or one year’s imprisonment or both.
For enforcing any illegal strike, the punishment will be expulsion from the job or six months’ imprisonment or Tk 25,000 fine or both.
If anyone instigates others for breaching the law that person will be fined Tk 50,000 or one year’s imprisonment or both.
The Cabinet also approved the draft of Chittagong Division Development Board Ordinance, 1976 (repeal) Act, 2021 which will abolish the existing law as per the directives of the court that said all laws enacted during the military regimes will be scrapped.
The cabinet secretary said the meeting also discussed the offers from some African countries, including South Sudan, to take agricultural land on lease and produce agricultural products.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked the Foreign Ministry, Agriculture Ministry and Commerce Ministry to look after the matter quickly and explore the opportunities.
She also asked them to explore more markets for the country’s agricultural products, and mentioned that Scandinavian countries welcome Bangladesh’s vegetable.
The government has allotted two acres of land in Purbachal for the Agriculture Ministry to establish an international standard laboratory to test and provide certificates to the outgoing products of the country for expediting export.
The meeting also discussed the delay of resuming classes in universities of the country.
The Cabinet secretary said the Education Minister informed the meeting that resumption of classes in any universities depends on the decisions of their syndicates.
She also said there might be delay in resuming academic activities in the universities as their dormitories are in bad shape since those were under lock and key for more than one and a half years.
The minister said the government has already announced two public examinations and those will be held in due time if the present situation continues or improves further. “There’ll be no problem in holding examinations if there’s no sudden deterioration in the situation,” the cabinet secretary said.
The PM also asked the Health Ministry to explore the technical side to vaccine the under-18 people.
The Cabinet also gave its nod to ratify article 29 of the forceful labour related ILO convention 1930.
This ratification will ease the country’s export in European countries as they have tagged a condition to ratify it for sending products to their countries.
Cabinet purchase body clears procurement of huge wheat, fertiliser
The cabinet committee on public purchase (CCPP) at a meeting on Wednesday approved 11 procurement proposals, including the import of 50,000 metric tons of wheat and 90,000 mt of fertiliser.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal presided over the virtual meeting.
As per the approvals, Agrocorp International Pte Ltd., Singapore will supply the 50,000 mt of wheat at a cost of 29.1069 million (equivalent to Tk 179.50 crore) under an international quotation invited by the Directorate General of Food.
Each metric ton of wheat will cost $421.38.
Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) will import 90,000 mt of urea fertiliser from three companies under three separate lots under state-to-state contracts.
Of these, the Fertiglobe Distribution Limited, UAE will supply 30,000 mt of bulk granular urea at $10.3524 million (equivalent to Tk 115.16 crore) -- each ton at $ 450.833.
Muntajat of Qatar will supply 30,000 MT of bagged granular urea at $10.314 million (equivalent to Tk 111.71 crore) -- each MT $436.83.
Read: Cabinet body okays imports of rice & fertilisers
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) will supply 30,000 mt bulk granular urea at $10.2775 million (equivalent to Tk 108.90 crore) – each mt at $425.83.
Two proposals of Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) also received the CCPP nod.
Of these, the BREB will award a Tk 84.42 crore contract to MANS Electrical Ltd, for the supply of 13,040 distribution transformers for the electricity distribution network expansion project at Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions.
It will ward a Tk 71.23 crore contract to Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory Ltd, for the supply of 51,359 SPC poles for the same extricate distribution project.
Read: Fertiliser demand rescheduled for fiscal year 2020-21
The committee approved a tender proposal to award a Tk 123.91 crore contract MONICO Ltd, Dhaka for the construction of a land port at Ramghar in Khagrachari district under “Bangladesh Regional Connectivity Project-1: Development of Sheola, Bhomrah, Ramgarh Land Ports and upgradation of Security System of Benapole Land Port ''.
The committee also approved a proposal for appointing a consultant for Cox’s Bazar airport runway construction project and awarding two separate contracts for administration building construction of Sheikh Hasina University, Netrakona and its land development project.
Quick energy supply: Cabinet approves 5-yr extension of special provision
The Cabinet on Monday cleared a proposal for the extension of the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act 2010 for another five years till 2026.
The approval came from the virtual cabinet meeting held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
The PM joined it from her official residence Ganobhaban. Other cabinet members were connected with the meeting from the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Read: Cabinet body okays proposal for setting up 42,500 solar systems in 3 hill districts
“Since the tenure of the existing law is going to expire in 2021, the proposed law was brought to extend it by another five years till 2026,” said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam while briefing reporters after the meeting.
He said the cabinet gave the final approval to the draft of Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in order to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity and energy for the sake of making Bangladesh into a higher middle-income country by 2030 and a developed country by 2041.
The tenure of the special provision, enacted in 2010, was extended on several occasions in the past, he said.
“But no change other than time extension has been made to the proposed law,” said the Cabinet Secretary.
Museums in Bangladesh to be made dynamic; draft bill cleared
The Cabinet on Monday approved the drafts of three bills, including Bangladesh National Museum Bill, 2021 and Bangladesh Zoo Bill, 2021 to make the country’s museums dynamic and vibrant.
The approval came from the virtual Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who joined it from Ganobhaban. Others concerned attended the meeting from the Cabinet Room of the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Read:Cabinet body approves proposal for 30 oxygen plants
The meeting gave the final approval to the draft of the Bangladesh National Museum Bill, 2021 to replace an ordinance of the 1980s, said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam at a press briefing.
He said the highest punishment of museum-related crimes is 10 years’ jail, Tk 10 lakh fine or both in the proposed law which would be effective for other museums alongside the national museum.
The Cabinet approved in principle the draft of Bangladesh Zoo Bill, 2021 to modernise the animal collection, rearing and conservation processes as well as the management of zoos.
If any visitor does not pay enter any zoo not paying entry fee, the punishment would highest two months’ jail, maximum Tk 1000 fine or both, said Khandker Anwarul Islam.
The Cabinet also directed the authorities concerned to incorporate a fresh provision in the proposed law keeping punishment for harming zoo animals.
The meeting also approved in principle the draft of the Government Primary School Teacher Welfare Trust Bill, 2021 to replace an ordinance of 1985.
If any teacher gets registered under the law and pays its fees, his or her family will get benefits from the trust fund, said the Cabinet Secretary.
Read:Contract award for construction of 500-bed hospital gets Cabinet nod
In the case of the death of any teacher (member of the trust), his or her minor children will get their educational expenses from the welfare trust until they become adults, according to a new provision included in the proposed law, he said.
Besides, the Cabinet cleared a proposal for observing every 6th October as the National Birth and Death Registration Day in order to promote the death registration as well.
In the past, the 6th October was observed as only the Birth Registration Day. “This proposal has been brought as we need death registration in many cases like birth registration,” said the Cabinet Secretary.
According to the Clause-8 of the Birth and Death Registration Act, 2004, it is mandatory to register birth or death within the subsequent 45 days. “So, they (the authorities concerned) want to observe the day to make it (the birth and death registration) more effective, promote common people and workers (engaged in registration services) and make them more conscious over it,” he said.
He said there is also a target of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for enhancing both birth and death registration rates at 80 percent by 2030. But Bangladesh would be able to attain the target before 2030, said Anwarul Islam.
Replying to a question over the rationale behind the decision to allow 50 percent public transport on the streets from August 11, the Cabinet Secretary said the decision was taken to prevent a larger number of transport vehicles at a time from entering Dhaka and Chattogram cities.
Read: Cabinet committee approves 4 proposals, including LNG import
He said the decision came as per a suggestion from a law enforcement agency. The local administration, including DC and SP at district level, will sit with transport owners and worker leaders to take the decision for allowing 50 percent vehicles alternately, he said.
The permission for opening the recreation centres or mass gatherings has not been given yet, said the Cabinet Secretary.
Vaccination at union level to start on Aug 7: Home Minster
The Covid-19 vaccination programme at union level will start across the country on August 7, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Tuesday.
The minister announced the government's decision while talking to reporters after a meeting held at the conference room of the Cabinet division.
“The prime minister has ordered speeding up the vaccination drive. One can get vaccinated at the union level showing his or her NID card. Vaccination centres will be set up in unions across the country before August 7,” he said.
Also read:Covid fatality rate 90% among elderly villagers, says health minister
Those who do not have any NID will be vaccinated under a special arrangement, he added.