United News of Bangladesh

Yemen’s internationally recognised government and the Iran-backed Houthi movement have agreed to release about 2,900 detainees in the largest prisoner exchange since the country’s civil war began more than a decade ago, Saudi and Houthi officials said on Monday. Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohamed AlJabir announced the agreement in a post on X, saying it was reached under the supervision of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The deal, he said, will allow detainees from all sides to return to their families. AlJabir praised the negotiating teams for resolving a key humanitarian issue, noting that the agreement could help reduce tensions and build confidence between the rival sides. Houthi officials confirmed that the exchange includes Yemeni detainees as well as foreign nationals. Abdelkader al-Murtada, head of the Houthis’ National Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs, said the deal covers the release of seven Saudi and 23 Sudanese detainees in addition to Yemeni prisoners. Houthi spokesperson Mohamed Abdulsalam also acknowledged the agreement. The deal was reached during talks in Oman’s capital, Muscat, with the involvement of Saudi officials. It marks the largest exchange between the Houthis and the internationally recognised government since fighting erupted in 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of northern Yemen. The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, welcomed the agreement, calling it a positive and meaningful step that could ease the suffering of detainees and their families across the war-torn country. The agreement followed a 12-day round of negotiations in Oman and was the 10th meeting aimed at advancing commitments under the 2018 Stockholm Agreement, which calls for the release of all conflict-related detainees, the envoy’s office said. ICRC Yemen head Christine Cipolla said the organisation stands ready to implement the releases, transfers and repatriations to ensure families are reunited safely and with dignity. The ICRC previously facilitated the release of more than 800 detainees in 2023 and over 1,000 prisoners in October 2020 as part of similar efforts. Source: AP 

The top officials of the field administration and police on Tuesday identified a range of challenges before the Election Commission (EC) in ensuring a polls-friendly environment ahead of the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12. They said the recovery of illegal arms, curbing AI-generated disinformation and controlling digital money transfers have emerged as major concerns in maintaining law and order and ensuring a credible electoral process. Besides, the granting bail of identified criminals, inter-party conflict and intra-party conflicts, scarcity of transport vehicles are among other challenges raised by the field-level officials including Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Inspectors General, Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police. The field-level officials placed the challenges and sought stronger mechanisms and necessary instructions to address the challenges at a view-exchange arranged by the Election Commission at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. The views-exchange and briefing on electoral management affairs for deputy commissioners (DCs), superintendents of police (SPs) and other field-level high officials was held ahead of the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional reform) Implementation Order, which is scheduled to be held simultaneously on February 12 next year. Besides, the briefing was attended by the Inspector General of Police, divisional commissioners, metropolitan police commissioners, deputy inspectors general (DIGs) of police, regional election officers and district election officers.   Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, in his concluding speech in the event, asked the officials to apply the law equally for everyone. “The rule of law means the law will be blind.” Calling on the field administration to give the highest priority to communal harmony, the CEC said, for example, a Hindu body ‘burnt’ in Mymensingh. “Bangladesh may face many such instances of incitement. Communal harmony must be maintained. Those in the administration and police must keep maintaining communal harmony as their top priority,” he added. Earlier in his opening speech, the CEC urged the returning officers (ROs) and field-level administration to act rightly and effectively on time to dispel the blame of failure in delivering a credible election. “I hope that we all together will discharge the huge responsibility that has fallen on our shoulders. InshAllah, we will fulfill this responsibility properly without any deviation. We will do the right work at the right time, effectively,” he said. The CEC said he had earlier stated deliberately that the Election Commission wanted to demonstrate what the rule of law truly means, as the Commission and the government administration have been facing collective blame for destroying the electoral system. “We all are being blamed that we have absolutely failed our responsibility particularly in delivering credible elections. We are being blamed for destroying the election system. It is alleged that we arranged a staged and managed election,” he said. Nasir Uddin said they want to prove that they can conduct a proper and beautiful election. “We want to be free from this blame. We want to dispel this blame. We want to prove that we can conduct a proper and fair election, and this is possible only through the rule of law,” he said. During the open discussion, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam warned that the growing practice of blocking roads and highways over trivial issues must stop immediately, or else it will hamper the police’s ability to provide full security support for the national election. “We see attempts to create instability in society through road and highway blockades with minor demands or trivial matters. We think the time has come to stop these (practices). If we cannot establish order everywhere, it will not be possible for us to provide all-out support to the Election Commission for conducting the elections,” he said. Reflecting on past challenges, IGP Alam said police faced significant difficulties in maintaining law and order due to the reality during the post-July movement period in Bangladesh. “We must overcome such situations. I believe that we have enhanced our capabilities enough at this stage ahead of this election. We seek the Election Commission’s continued support for taking strict measures (to maintain the order),” he said. The IGP pledged that the police would exert their utmost efforts to ensure the elections are conducted successfully and peacefully. “On behalf of Bangladesh Police, I assure the Chief Election Commissioner and all election commissioners that we will be able to hold this election successfully, fairly and peacefully with all our strength and with all our efforts, and we have the full capability to do so. You can have faith in it," he said. The IGP said the EC issues directives on Superintendents of Police (SP) or senior officer postings, but clear guidelines are needed regarding transfers of lower-ranking personnel such as constables or sub-inspectors. The Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner warned about the growing threat of AI-generated fake photos and videos influencing elections. He said the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is often approached to block such content, but fact-checking and takedown take time, which can affect elections. He proposed forming division-wise cyber patrolling teams, noting that police expertise and manpower in cyber monitoring remain limited. On digital money transfers, he suggested restricting electronic money transfers seven days before polling, while proposing a transaction ceiling through Bangladesh Bank to avoid adverse economic impacts. He also stressed the need for maximum emphasis on illegal arms recovery, noting that 455 police-recorded pistols remain unaccounted for, and suggested announcing incentives to boost arms recovery drives. The Mymensingh Divisional Commissioner suggested coordination with the judiciary to check granting bail for identified criminals, and urged enhanced border security support from the Home Ministry and uninterrupted power supply during the election period particularly during the vote-count. The Chattogram Deputy Commissioner highlighted challenges in remote and hard-to-reach areas, including Sandwip, calling for urgent arms recovery operations and, if necessary, the arrangement for helicopters and speed boats to address the issue. He also warned that electronic money transfer systems could be misused to influence voter turnout and suggested suspending such services for a specific period before polling. The Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner said no official directives had yet been issued on depositing licensed firearms and urged immediate instructions. He also sought a comprehensive policy decision to counter AI-generated misinformation. He further asked for guidance regarding voting by prisoners released after registering for postal ballots. The Kishoreganj SP said a lack of transport was hampering arms recovery efforts, though operations were continuing through checkpoints. He added that both inter-party and intra-party conflicts were creating law-and-order challenges. The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police of Chattogram Range expressed concern over what he described as excessive negative portrayal of the law-and-order situation in media and social platforms, warning it could negatively impact voter turnout. “We are trying our best in arms recovery. We may be falling short, but we are not getting enough support,” he said. The Sylhet Deputy Commissioner stressed the importance of cyber patrolling to counter fake news originating both domestically and abroad, suggesting engagement with social media platforms for content moderation. CEC Nasir, Election Commissioners in Jamuna for meeting with CA The Cumilla Superintendent of Police suggested appointing presiding officers for a constituency outside that parliamentary seat as many officials might have a good relation with candidates in many cases. Later, in the afternoon, Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Home Affairs Khuda Baksh Chowdhury also briefed the officials in Nirbachan Bhaban. But none of them briefed reporters. Besides, Information Adviser Information Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan met the CEC.  

Climate activist Greta Thunberg was detained by police in central London on Tuesday while showing solidarity with pro-Palestinian activists who are on a hunger strike to protest their continued detention as they await trial over earlier demonstrations. The group Prisoners for Palestine released footage showing the 22-year-old Swedish activist holding a placard in support of the hunger strikers and Palestine Action, an organisation that was designated a terrorist group by the British government earlier this year. The arrests occurred during a broader protest in the City of London, the country’s financial district, where two activists sprayed red paint outside the premises of an insurance company. Prisoners for Palestine said the firm was targeted over its alleged links to Elbit Systems, an Israeli defence manufacturer. City of London Police said officers arrested a man and a woman on suspicion of criminal damage. A third woman was later detained on suspicion of expressing support for a proscribed organisation. Police in Britain typically do not identify individuals before charges are formally filed. According to Prisoners for Palestine, eight members of Palestine Action have launched a hunger strike to challenge their detention without bail while facing charges related to protests held across the UK. The group said the first two participants have been refusing food for 52 days and are now in a critical condition, warning that their lives are at serious risk. The UK government has declined to interfere in the matter, maintaining that decisions regarding bail and detention fall under the jurisdiction of the courts. Thunberg was previously acquitted in February 2024 of failing to comply with a police order to leave a protest blocking access to a major oil and gas conference in London. She has also faced fines in Sweden and the UK in connection with acts of civil disobedience linked to various protest movements. Source: AP 

Amid growing tensions between Dhaka and Delhi, India on Tuesday summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah. This development came hours after the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned his Indian counterpart Pranay Verma to express Dhaka’s ‘grave concern’ over a series of incidents in India targeting Bangladeshi diplomatic missions. Dhaka-Delhi ties deep, multi-layered; future to be shaped by trust, dignity, mutual respect: Envoy This is the second time the envoys to India and Bangladesh were summoned amid tense ties between the two countries following violent anti-India protests in several parts of Bangladesh. Meanwhile, India deployed 15,000 security forces in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.  

Cambodia on Tuesday underscored the primacy of ASEAN centrality and advised Bangladesh to have sustained engagements with ASEAN, both collectively and bilaterally. Bangladesh sought Cambodia’s support towards realising its interest in joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) overseen by ASEAN. Cambodia reaffirmed its support for Bangladesh’s bid to become an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner at the first-ever Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held in Phnom Penh. The support was conveyed by FOC Co-Chair Un Kheang, Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to his Bangladesh counterpart Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Secretary (Bilateral), Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The first FOC meeting was convened following the signing of an MoU back in 2020 during a bilateral Joint Commission meeting at the Ministerial level in Dhaka, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The FOC agenda covered the entire gamut of bilateral relations and stressed the need for activating the various Agreements and MoUs concluded between the two countries. Both sides noted steady growth in bilateral trade and emphasized deepening business to business contacts. They agreed to convene the first Joint Trade Council meeting at the earliest convenient time in Phnom Penh next year. Secretary Nazrul mooted the proposal for undertaking a feasibility study on a potential Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. Secretary Un acknowledged the need for both countries to further diversify their trading partners during the lead up to their respective LDC graduation. The Cambodian side flagged that more than 1,100 pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh were registered in their market. They proposed the formation of a Joint Working Group to discuss enhanced cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector, including for regulatory capacity building. Thailand, Cambodia set to resume border ceasefire talks The Bangladesh side expressed interest in possible investment in rice and cashew nuts processing in Cambodia for buy back arrangements. The two delegations also agreed to convene meetings of the Joint Working Groups on agriculture and aquaculture in the near future. The Bangladesh Secretary thanked Cambodia for hosting registered migrant workers in construction and RMG sectors. Both sides exchanged views on means to promote safe, orderly and regular migration and reaffirmed their commitment to jointly combat trafficking in persons and online fraud. The Bangladesh side thanked the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training of Cambodia for publishing awareness materials in Bangla on migration procedures to Cambodia. The two sides acknowledged the need for concluding an Air Services Agreement to facilitate direct flights. The Cambodian delegation expressed interest in developing joint tourism products for enhanced people-to-people contacts. Secretary Nazrul briefed his Cambodian counterpart about the current situation with the Rohingya humanitarian crisis. He also elaborated on the reform initiatives undertaken by the Interim Government and the preparations for the next general elections in February 2026. Secretary Un shed light on Cambodia’s position on the ongoing armed conflicts along the border areas with Thailand. The two sides stressed the pressing need for return to dialogue and diplomacy in the spirit of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration agreed upon earlier this year. The Bangladesh Secretary offered to host the next round of FOC in Dhaka toward the end of next year. He also shared the government’s active consideration of opening a full-fledged resident Mission in Phnom Penh. The Cambodian delegation at the meeting comprised nearly 40 officials representing various Ministries and agencies. Following the FOC, Secretary Nazrul had a bilateral meeting with Eat Sophea, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They discussed a number of priority issues of mutual interest to sustain the momentum of bilateral relations. Faiyaz Murshid Kazi, Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand and Cambodia was, among others, present at the meetings.  

The government on Tuesday approved a proposal to dig five gas wells in Bhola at an estimated cost of Tk 907.29 crore to boost domestic gas production, reduce reliance on imported fuel and strengthen national energy security. It also endorsed several large-scale power distribution projects aimed at modernising and expanding electricity infrastructure in the Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions. The approvals came at a meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchaseat the Cabinet Division Conference Room of the Bangladesh Secretariat with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair. The committee approved the proposal from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division to drill five new gas wells in Bhola. These include Shahbazpur-5, Shahbazpur-7, Bhola North-3 and Bhola North-4 and Shahbazpur North East-1. The wells will be drilled through an international tender process using a one-stage, two-envelope procurement method on a turn-key basis. Bangladesh to drill 3 new gas wells as govt clears Tk 1,136cr exploration plan Following technical and financial evaluation, Sinopec International Petroleum Service Corporation of China was recommended as the responsive bidder. It is also expected to support industrial growth and ensure a more stable gas supply for power generation and other economic activities. In the same meeting, the committee reviewed and approved four major power distribution procurement proposals under a special revised project titled “Modernisation and Capacity Enhancement of BPDB Power Distribution System (Dhaka–Mymensingh Division).” The project include construction and augmentation of 12 air-insulated 33/11 kV substations on a turn-key basis, six substations at a cost of Tk 130.00 crore, another six substations costing Tk 113.82 crore. Two other approved proposals are construction and augmentation of 14 gas-insulated 33/11 kV substations, seven substations at an estimated cost of Tk 220.90 crore,  seven more substations costing Tk 207.91 crore. The committee noted that the power distribution projects would help meet rising electricity demand, reduce system losses, improve grid reliability and ensure a better quality of power supply across the Dhaka–Mymensingh division.

The upward trend in remittances sent by Bangladesh expatriates has continued in December, with receiving over US $2.42 billion in 22 days of the month. Bangladesh received $15.46 billion inward remittance so far in the current fiscal year FY 2025-26. Blessings on the remittance, the gross forex reserves of Bangladesh increased to $32.72 billion on Monday (December 18). As per the IMF standard BPM6, the forex reserves stood $28.03 billion. Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur in a discussion meeting recently said that the forex reserves may cross $35 billion by this month. Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank (BB) said the $2.42 billion remittance figure for December 1-22 is an increase by 11.6 percent compared to the same period last year. In December of the previous year (2024), the country received around $2.17 billion in 22 days. Gross forex reserves hit $32.72 billion on strong remittances The growth is attributed to several factors, including incentives offered for sending money through legal banking channels, increased encouragement for using the formal system, and the active role of exchange houses. Remittance inflow has shown robust growth throughout the current fiscal year (FY 2025-26). From July 1 to December 22, 2025, the total remittance inflow reached $15.46billion. This represents an increase of $2.17 billion compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year (FY 2024-25), when the total stood at $13.31 billion. The year-on-year growth rate for the fiscal year to date is 16.2 percent.

What began as a tense standoff over seat sharing between the BNP and its allies is now giving way to cautious optimism, as leaders are signalling that a breakthrough has been reached, paving the way for a united front ahead of the election after days of behind-the-scenes negotiations. Talking to UNB, senior BNP and alliance leaders said negotiations over seat sharing have been concluded and a workable compromise has been reached. They, however, said a major challenge now facing BNP is how to manage internal party resistance in constituencies that may be shared or given up for allies. Though BNP has already finalised the seats it will share, the party has not officially disclosed how many seats it will leave for its partners. A BNP Standing Committee member, wishing anonymity, said the final announcement on seat sharing with allied political parties will be made very soon as the process has already been finalised. A key feature of the understanding, he said, is that some allied candidates may ultimately contest the election with BNP’s electoral symbol, the sheaf of paddy. Under the existing Election Commission rules, candidates from registered parties cannot contest polls under another party’s symbol, even if they are part of an alliance. To overcome this hurdle, the BNP leader said the party has adopted a new strategy. “Some selected candidates from allied parties will dissolve their parties or formally leave them and join BNP, enabling them to contest the election with the sheaf of paddy symbol.” He also said leaders of unregistered parties had already agreed earlier to contest the polls using the BNP symbol. Such discussions have already reached an advanced stage, as Shahadat Hossain Selim, chairman of the Bangladesh Liberal Democratic Party (BLDP), dissolved his party and joined BNP on December 8. Later, on December 22, Syed Ehsanul Huda, chairman of Bangladesh Jatiya Dal, also joined BNP after dissolving his party. Talking to UNB, Mustafa Jamal Haider of Jatiya Party (Zafar) and Dr Fariduzzaman Farhad of the National People’s Party (NPP) said their discussions with BNP have been productive and they would contest the election with the sheaf of paddy symbol. On contesting under the BNP symbol, Bobby Hajjaj of the National Democratic Movement (NDM), who has been given a signal to contest from the Dhaka-14 seat, said political realities sometimes require strategic decisions. “If I take any such step, it will be taken purely as part of political strategy. However, a BNP source said several leaders, including Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Saiful Haque, Andaleeve Rahman Partho, Zonayed Saki and Nurul Haque Nur, are not willing to resign from their parties to contest the election with the BNP symbol, as they want to run with their own party symbols. BNP senses ‘dangerous conspiracy’ against Bangladesh’s democratic transition The same source said Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chairman Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed’s son, Professor Omar Farooq, and the party’s Secretary General Dr Redowan Ahmed will also contest the polls with their own party symbol. BNP is expected to leave those two seats for them. Talking to UNB, Saiful Haque said his party’s discussion with BNP over seat sharing ended with a promise of leaving the Dhaka-12 seat for him. “If BNP finally offers Dhaka-12, we will take a positive decision,” he said, adding that there is a mixed reaction within his party over seat sharing with BNP, as they expect BNP to offer more seats. Haque, however, said he will contest the polls with his party’s symbol spade. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh has emerged as an important party for BNP in seat-sharing negotiations which will also contest the election with its own ‘Date Palm Tree’ symbol. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the party will share four parliamentary seats with its alliance partner Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. “Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh will contest the upcoming election with BNP on the basis of an understanding. BNP has left Nilphamari-1, Narayanganj-4, Brahmanbaria-2 and Sylhet-5 constituencies for Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, where the party will contest the election with the ‘Date Palm Tree’ symbol,” Fakhrul said. The Jamiat candidates are Maulana Md Manjurul Islam Afendi in Nilphamari-1, Mufti Monir Hossain Kasemi in Narayanganj-4, Maulana Md Ubaidullah Faruq in Sylhet-5 and Maulana Junayed Al Habib in Brahmanbaria-2. Contacted, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the party has already held discussions with its allies over seat sharing. “We hope the matter will be resolved within the next couple of days and announced formally,” he said. “Our understanding with alliance partners has been completed, and our bond with them has become even stronger,” Fakhrul added. Asked how many seats will be shared with alliance partners, he said the party will disclose the details in due course. “You will have to wait a little longer. Nothing can be said at this moment.” According to the Election Commission schedule, the 13th parliamentary election and referendum will be held on February 12, while the deadline for submitting nomination papers is December 29. BNP has already announced party candidates for 272 seats in two phases ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election. Sense of insecurity gripped nation ahead of Tarique’s homecoming: Abbas Of the remaining 28 seats, four have now been allocated to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh as part of the alliance arrangement. Earlier, BNP confirmed former Bangladesh LDP chairman Shahadat Hossain Selim as its candidate in Laxmipur-1. A BNP leader said the party earlier announced candidates in some seats that are now to be shared with alliance partners. “It is now awkward for these candidates to step aside, as they have already been campaigning with the party symbol. In some other constituencies, the party may face strong rival candidates if those seats are shared with alliance partners,” he added.  

Bangladesh’s stock market opened on a positive note on Tuesday, the third trading day of the week, but the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) failed to hold the gains by the end of the session, while the upward trend continued at the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE). At the DSE, the benchmark index DSEX fell by 13 points at the close. Among the other indices, the Shariah-based DSES dropped 4 points, while the blue-chip DS30 inched up by 1 point. Most stocks ended in the red, with prices of 242 companies declining against gains by 84 companies, while share prices of 63 issues remained unchanged. The turnover at the DSE increased, with shares and units worth Tk 407 crore traded during the day, up from Tk 395 crore in the previous session. Apex Foods Limited topped the DSE gainers’ list, soaring nearly 8 percent, while Premier Leasing and Finance Limited ended as the worst performer, shedding around 9 percent. Meanwhile, the bullish momentum continued at the CSE, where the overall index CASPI rose by 12 points. DSE, CSE begin sessions on positive note At the CSE, prices of 76 companies declined, while 68 advanced and 28 remained unchanged. The turnover also edged up at the port city bourse, with shares and units worth Tk 16 crore traded during the session, compared to Tk 15 crore a day earlier. Prime Bank 1st ICB AMCL Mutual Fund topped the gainers’ chart at the CSE with a 10 percent rise, while Hami Industries PLC ended at the bottom, plunging 10 percent.  

The government has approved several proposals including imports of rice, edible oil and lentils to strengthen food security and stabilise prices ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. The approvals were given at a meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase, on Tuesday at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at the Secretariat with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed presiding. The meeting recommended two proposals from the Ministry of Food to procure a total of 100,000 metric tonnes of rice. Of this, 50,000 metric tonnes of non-basmati parboiled rice will be imported from India through the international open tender method at an estimated cost of Tk 217.53 crore while another 50,000 metric tonnes of white rice will be imported from Pakistan under a government-to-government arrangement at around Tk 241.52 crore. Officials said the rice imports would help maintain adequate public food stocks and curb market volatility during Ramadan when demand for essentials rises sharply. The Directorate General of Food will implement the procurement to ensure timely arrival of consignments and strengthen buffer stocks. To keep edible oil prices stable, the meeting also approved the procurement of 4.75 crore litres of edible oil. This includes 1 crore litres of refined rice bran oil from local sources and 3.75 crore litres of soybean oil from international sources through direct purchase methods. Govt to procure 50,000 mt of non-basmati parboiled rice, 80,000 mt fertiliser The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh is expected to distribute the oil through subsidised sales across the country. In addition, the committee approved the procurement of 10,000 metric tonnes of lentils through the national open tender method at an estimated cost of Tk 72.20 crore. The lentils will be procured in 50-kg bags and distributed through government channels to stabilise the market and support low- and middle-income consumers.