United News of Bangladesh

Police have arrested two members of an organised honey trap gang in Jatrabari and recovered Tk 67,000 looted from a businessman. The arrestees were identified as A. Gaffar Sarker, 45, and Shirin Akter alias Sumaiya, 25. According to Jatrabari Police Station sources, the gang lured a businessman to a house near Noor Mosque in the Gobindapur area on March 25. Once there, several accomplices assaulted him, threatened him, and extorted Tk 2,59,700 after recording compromising footage to blackmail him. Police said Sumaiya, who had prior acquaintance with the victim, initially called him to meet in the Shonir Akhra area and then took him to the house where the incident took place. Acting on information and using technology, police conducted drives in Shonir Akhra and Gobindapur on Sunday and arrested the two key suspects. Tk 67,000 was recovered from their possession during the drive. Efforts are underway to arrest other members of the racket and recover the remaining money, said Arifa Akhter Priti, Assistant Police Commissioner (Media & Public Relations), Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Legal action is being processed in connection with the case, she said.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has urged the continuation of special support measures for a defined period after countries graduate from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category to help maintain economic stability. Speaking on the third day of the ongoing WTO Ministerial Conference, the minister participated in various thematic sessions and emphasised Bangladesh’s position on key global trade issues, including WTO reforms. He also called for the adoption of an LDC graduation-related package at MC14 to support countries like Bangladesh in the post-graduation phase.   Muktadir stressed the importance of ensuring an effective, predictable, and rules-based dispute settlement system, called for the prompt restoration of a fully functional two-tier dispute settlement mechanism, including the revival of the Appellate Body, noting that a strong and impartial system is essential to safeguard the interests of developing and LDC countries. On fisheries subsidies, the minister highlighted that Bangladesh’s contribution to harmful subsidies is close to zero, while major fishing nations account for the bulk, urged stricter discipline on harmful subsidies alongside ensuring Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) for developing and LDC countries. He also called for full exemption for small-scale and marginal fishers to ensure fairness and sustainability. At the conference, Bangladesh announced its accession as the 129th member to the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement, marking its first participation in a plurilateral agreement under the WTO framework. The minister expressed hope that this move would improve Bangladesh’s investment climate and send a positive signal to foreign investors. The step was welcomed by several partners, including the European Union, Japan, Korea, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong. On agriculture, Muktadir underscored the sector’s critical role in ensuring food security, livelihoods, and poverty reduction, called for the swift resolution of long-standing issues such as public stockholding, special safeguard mechanisms, and trade-distorting subsidies by developed countries. He reiterated that S&DT must remain central to agricultural negotiations. Reaffirming Bangladesh’s strong support for the LDC package, the minister emphasized the importance of a smooth and sustainable transition, said special benefits should continue for a specified period after graduation to help maintain economic stability and urged adoption of the package at MC14. Bangladesh also supported extending the moratorium on non-violation and situation complaints (NVSCs) under the TRIPS Agreement until the next ministerial conference. The minister noted that such complaints could undermine policy space for developing countries, particularly in areas like public health and education, and called for a permanent solution. He further said WTO reform efforts must be grounded in its core principles of transparency, inclusiveness, and fairness, adding that adherence to these values would help preserve trust and credibility in the multilateral trading system. The minister reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to a fair, inclusive, and development-oriented multilateral trading system, expressing hope that MC14 outcomes would guide future reforms while ensuring the interests of developing and LDC countries are protected.

The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) on Sunday night welcomed the government’s decision to withdraw the monthly charge on prepaid electricity meters, describing it as a pro-consumer move. In a statement, CAB Vice-President SM Nazer Hossain congratulated the government for taking the decision in response to long-standing demands from electricity consumers across the country. He said the monthly meter charge had been a source of discomfort and dissatisfaction among consumers for years, and the decision reflects the government’s responsiveness to public demand. “The move indicates that the current government remains committed to addressing public concerns and will continue to formulate policies and regulations in favour of consumers.” Nazer also stressed the need for more consumer-friendly policies to ensure better electricity services, adding that scrapping the meter charge is a commendable step in that direction. At present, prepaid electricity users have to pay a fixed amount every month as ‘meter rent’, which, according to CAB, imposed an additional financial burden despite regular payment of electricity bills. CAB noted that various civic groups and consumers had long been demanding the withdrawal of what they termed an “unjustified and unreasonable” charge. CAB expressed hope that the decision would ease monthly electricity expenses to some extent and help reduce public dissatisfaction. Earlier in the day, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku announced the decision to abolish the prepaid meter monthly fee following widespread criticism and consumer demands. The minister said dissatisfaction had persisted among users over additional deductions in prepaid systems. After reviewing the issue upon assuming office, the government decided to withdraw the charge as part of a consumer-friendly initiative. The minister added that steps are being taken to make electricity services more public-oriented and to reduce the financial burden on consumers, and the decision will be implemented soon.

Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain has said that, regardless of the challenges facing the health sector, no irregularities or corruption will be tolerated. “There are various crises in the health sector. Everyone’s cooperation will be needed to address them,” he said while speaking at the inauguration of the 17th Asia Pharma Expo at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal on Sunday. The minister also urged all stakeholders to work together to prevent corruption. The three-day expo, organised by the Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Industry Association, runs from March 29 to 31 and features around 400 companies from 20 countries, aimed at promoting Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry globally. Health Secretary Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, speaking as a special guest, said the event is more than an exhibition; it is a step to advance the country’s pharmacy sector. He highlighted the role of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in developing the sector, noting that current entrepreneurs continue to enrich it. Abdul Muktadir, chairman and managing director of Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and president of the Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Industry Association, said Bangladesh exports medicines worth $300 million annually and plays an important role in global pharmaceutical production. He stressed that the sector, including the API industry, needs further policy support to grow. Vice Chairman and CEO of the Export Promotion Bureau Mohammad Hasan Arif, Director General of the Bangladesh Drug Administration Major General Md. Shamim Haider, GPE Expo Ltd. CEO Paresh Jurmarvala, and Dr. Md. Zakir Hossain, secretary general of the Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Industry Association, also addressed the event.

The government on Sunday withdrew two secretaries, cancelled the withdrawal order of another, and made new appointments in key ministries through a series of notifications. The Ministry of Public Administration issued six separate gazette notifications in this regard. According to the notifications, Secretary of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs Israt Chowdhury and Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Md Mofidur Rahman have been attached to the Ministry of Public Administration. Officials must be in office 9-9:40 am, comply with energy-saving rules: Ministry of Public Administration Meanwhile, an earlier order issued on March 25 attaching Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) Secretary Sirajun Noor Chowdhury to the Public Administration Ministry has been suspended until further notice. In a fresh appointment, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Md Ashraful Islam has been promoted to secretary and posted to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. Kaniz Mowla has been appointed as Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. She was serving as Secretary of the Parliament Secretariat and was transferred to IMED as secretary on March 25. In another development, Zakaria, who was promoted and appointed as Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division on March 25 from his previous role as Chairman of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, has now been made a Member (Secretary) of the Planning Commission.

Government officials are required to remain in their offices from 9:00 to 9:40 am daily, the Ministry of Public Administration said on Sunday. In a notification, the ministry said the directive follows earlier instructions from the Cabinet Division aimed at ensuring responsible behaviour in offices, saving electricity and energy, and maintaining cleanliness. The ministry noted that deviations from the instructions have been observed and requested strict compliance. Delay in regular promotion in public administration sparks discontent The directive states that officials must remain in their office rooms during the specified time period. It also advises making use of natural light whenever possible and using only the necessary number of lights, fans, air conditioners, and other electrical appliances. Air conditioner temperatures should be set at 25°C or above. When leaving offices, all electrical appliances—including lights, fans, air conditioners, computers, printers, and scanners—must be switched off. Unnecessary lighting in corridors, stairs, washrooms, and other areas should also be avoided. The ministry added that offices should be kept clean, including rooms, corridors, toilets, stairs, and handrails, and each department or organisation must form vigilance teams to monitor compliance with these instructions.

A high-level training workshop on ‘Circularity in the Built Environment’ took place in Dhaka on Sunday, gathering key stakeholders from government, development partners, academia, and industry to advance sustainable and resource-efficient practices in Bangladesh’s construction sector.” The workshop was organised under the leadership of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works (MoHPW), in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). WaterAid workshop reviews WASH gains for urban poor in Bangladesh The initiative is part of the project “Transforming the Built Environment through Sustainable Materials in Bangladesh,” funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Held at the Renaissance Dhaka Gulshan Hotel, the workshop focused on advancing circular economy principles to reduce carbon emissions, improve resource efficiency, and support climate-resilient construction practices in Bangladesh.

A six-member investigation team formed by the Shipping Ministry visited Daulatdia 3 No. Ferry Ghat in Rajbari on Sunday, five days after a passenger bus sank in the Padma River. Headed by Additional Secretary, Md. Muhidul Islam of the ministry, the team arrived at the Daulatdia ghat around 10:30 am on a speedboat from the Paturia ghat. During his visit, the head of the team, Muhidul Islam described the incident as ‘extremely tragic’ and vowed that measures will be taken to prevent such accidents in the future. Padma bus plunge: Rescue operation continues for 5th consecutive day He also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. A detailed report would be submitted within the scheduled time frame, he said. The probe body also inspected key areas related to the accident, including the location where the bus sank, pontoon stability, the vehicle loading approach road, and the so-called ‘Zero Point’ of the ferry terminal. Officials responsible for vehicle control at Zero Point were also interviewed and communication systems between the ghat and other terminals were checked.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday approved submitting a charge sheet against Mahmuda Khatun and her husband Hujjat Ullah, a manager of Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC), in a case filed over alleged acquisition of assets beyond known sources of income. According to ACC sources, the case was filed with the Integrated District Office, Dhaka-1 on July 8, 2024. The accused Mahmuda Khatun resides at Flat-201 (first floor), House-16, Road-5, Block-C, Banasree Project, Rampura, Dhaka while their permanent address is in Betbari village under Gopalpur upazila of Tangail district. The case was filed by Selina Akhter, former director of the ACC (currently on PRL), while ACC Deputy Assistant Director Md Rubel Hossain conducted the investigation. According to the investigation report, Mahmuda Khatun’s net assets, excluding liabilities, amount to Tk 35,74,681. Besides, she incurred family and other expenses worth Tk 27,34,492 from the 2004–05 to 2020–21 tax years. As a result, the total assets acquired in her name, including net assets and expenses, stand at Tk 63,09,173. However, investigators found that her acceptable sources of income totalled only Tk 13,66,372 during the period. This indicates that assets worth Tk 49,42,801 were acquired beyond her known sources of income, which the ACC said is inconsistent with her declared earnings. According to the ACC, Mahmuda Khatun illegally acquired and possessed assets worth Tk 49,42,801, committing an offence punishable under Section 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004. The investigation also found that she concealed information about assets worth Tk 8,11,600 and submitted false statements, which constitutes another offence under Section 26(2) of the same law. Her husband Hujjat Ullah , manager (Administration) at DPDC, has also been accused in connection with the case, ACC officials said.

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) on Sunday arrested the truck driver from Bagharpara upazila in Jashore district in connection with the killing of a filling station manager in Narail. The arrestee was identified as Sujat Ali of Peroli village. Tipped off, a team of Rab-6 conducted a drive in Bagharpara upazila and arrested Sujat, said commanding officer of Rab-6, Major ATM Fazle Rabbi while briefing to the reporters. However, the law enforcers seized the truck from Benapole area of Jashore district. Earlier in the day, Nahid Sardar, 33, manager of M/s Tanvir Filling and Gas Station in Tularampur union under Sadar upazila, was killed and another worker of the filling station, Jihad Molla 27, injured when a truck hit a motorcycle carrying them near Tularampur rail bridge area while returning to their respective home around 2:00 am following an altercation over fuel selling. The truck driver identified as Sujat Ali arrived at the filling station on the Jashore–Narail highway to refuel and an altercation ensued between Sujat and Nahid as he refused to supply diesel due to its unavailability. The injured Jihad was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment. CCTV footage shows that despite an altercation late Saturday night, the truck driver remained at the filling station. At around 2:10am, Nahid left the pump on a motorcycle with his colleague Jihad after finishing work. The truck was then seen chasing them at high speed immediately after they exited the station.