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Eid journey: Construction work on all roads to be stopped 7 days before holiday
Construction work on all roads in the country will be stopped seven days before Eid-ul-Fitr to ensure smooth travel of holidaymakers. It will resume three days after the Eid.
The announcement was made at a preparatory meeting held at the BRTA headquarters on Thursday.
ABM Amin Ullah Nuri, secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division, said that construction work will be stopped on all roads during the Eid holidays to ensure smooth traffic.
More rains likely to drench Dhaka, 7 other divisions
All kinds of construction materials will also have to be removed from the roads, he added.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, former minister and transport workers’ leader Shahjahan Khan, and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, among others were present at the meeting.
Worst air quality in the world today: South Asian cities make up top 4
More rains likely to drench Dhaka, 7 other divisions
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted rains or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind at a few places over eight divisions including Dhaka in 24 hours commencing 9 am on Thursday as a seasonal low lies over the South Bay.
According to the BMD, “Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely at many places over Chattogram division, at a few places over Sylhet division and at one or two places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna and Barishal divisions.”
Worst air quality in the world today: South Asian cities make up top 4
Day temperature may rise by (1-3)°C over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh and
Khulna divisions and it may remain nearly unchanged elsewhere over the country.
Night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
Besides, a trough of westerly low lies over West Bengal and adjoining area.
Minimum Fitra fixed at Tk 115 per person
This year the minimum Fitra has been fixed at Tk 115 per person while the maximum at Tk 2,970.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Fitra Fixing Committee held on Thursday chaired by the committee's head and Baitul Mukarram National Mosque’s Khatib Hafez Maulana Mufti Mohammad Ruhul Amin.
Faruk Khan calls for coordinated public-private efforts in aviation, tourism development
The rate of Fitra is fixed on the basis of market prices of flour, dates, cheese, raisins and some other essentials.
Fitra is an obligatory charity distributed to the poor at the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Fitra is paid to the poor before the jamaat (congregation) of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Dhaka’s air 3rd most polluted in the world today
Dhaka ranked third on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality on Thursday morning.
Its air quality continued to be in the 'unhealthy' zone with an air quality index (AQI) score of 168 at 9 am.
An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups.
Pakistan’s Lahore and Nepal’s Kathmandu occupied the first two spots on the list, with AQI scores of 207 and 171, respectively.
Dhaka’s air quality 5th worst in the world this morning
An AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.
Dhaka’s air quality 3rd worst in the world this morning
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
3 suffer burn injuries as gas cylinder blasts in Malibagh
Three people were injured in a gas cylinder explosion following a fire at a restaurant in the capital's Malibagh area on Wednesday evening.
The injured are Md Sabuj, 20, Md Maruf, 16, and Julhas, 18. They all are the staff of "Shahjalal Hotel and Restaurant".
Towhid, a colleague who brought them to the hospital, said that in the evening they were selling iftar in front of the restaurant. Suddenly, a fire broke out following the leakage of the pipe of the gas cylinder that left three of them injured.
Inspector Md Bachchu Miah, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) Police Outpost, said all the victims suffered burn injuries in their hands and parts of their legs.
They are undergoing treatment at the hospital, he added.
RMG workers will get salary, bonus before Eid: State Minister
Readymade garment workers will get their salary and festival bonus before the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, State Minister for the Labour and Employment Nazrul Islam Chowdhury said on Wednesday.
He made the announcement while talking to reporters after attending the 17th meeting of the tripartite advisory council on RMG sector at the Secretariat.
The state minister further said no workers can be laid off before Eid. "It is a strict directive from the government for the owners. Owners, employees and the government have discussed various issues together,” he added.
“There is no way for any dissatisfaction among the workers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. Because both owners and workers are working together to solve their problems in a friendly environment. Many problems have already been solved,” the state minister said.
He also said rations will be given to the garment workers.
Faruk Khan calls for coordinated public-private efforts in aviation, tourism development
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan has laid emphasis on ensuring a coordinated public-private effort for further development of the country’s aviation and tourism sector.
The minister was speaking as the chief guest at the view exchange meeting and iftar organised by the newly elected executive committee of Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) at Police Convention centre in Dhaka on Tuesday, according to a press release.
Probashi Palli becomes land partner of Nagad’s mega campaign
Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md. Mokammel Hossain spoke as the special guest while Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and CEO Mr. Shafiul Azim was also present.
ATAB President Abdus Salam Aref presided over the meeting while Secretary General Afsia Jannat Saleh moderated it.
Germany's experience in technology can help Bangladesh develop wind power: Nasrul
Aref said the ATAB is committed to working for the development of the country's aviation and tourism sector by initiating modern, contemporary and smart systems in collaboration with the government.
Gas supply to Uttara Khan, Dakkhin Khan halted following leakage in pipeline
Gas supply to Uttar Khan and Dakkhin Khan areas under Dhaka North City Corporation has been suspended following a leakage and damage in the gas pipeline by a contractor of the DNCC.
According to Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company, the repair work is in progress.
It expects the gas supply situation will be normalised soon.
Titas Gas Authority regrets the temporary inconvenience of the consumers.
‘Prottoy’ pension scheme launched for employees of autonomous and statutory bodies: Ministry of Finance
The government has introduced a new scheme named "Prottoy" under the Universal Pension Scheme (UPS) for newly recruited employees of autonomous, state-owned, statutory, and their subordinate bodies.
The Ministry of Finance in a notification on Wednesday said this scheme will be effective from July 1, 2024.
According to the SRO (No-47-Law/2024) issued on March 13 this year, all self-governing, autonomous, state-owned, statutory organisations and their subordinate bodies, officers or employees who joined on July 1 this year and after that will be entitled for the new additions.
Besides, through the SRO, the outline of the certification scheme applicable to the employees of these institutions has been announced.
The introduction of the "Prottoy" scheme will not prejudice the interests of the existing officers/employees of these institutions and their existing pension/gratuity benefits will remain intact, said the notification.
19,158 citizens contribute Tk 28.67 crore to Universal Pension Scheme in 6 months
However, those who have a minimum of 10 years of service remaining can participate in the new scheme if they express interest.
“The future financial security of newly joined officers, employees on and after 1st July of this year will be guaranteed by participating in the "Prottoy" scheme as they will be entitled to a monthly pension during retirement,” stated in the finance ministry notification.
Most of the employees working in such establishments are covered by the gratuity and the Contributory Provident Fund (CPF). In that system, employees are entitled to a lump sum as a retirement benefit at the end of service, but no monthly pension.
As a result, they often face financial uncertainty in post-retirement life. The government introduced the "Prottoy" scheme' as an alternative to the existing system to provide financial and social security to employees in their post-retirement life.
In the "Prottoy" system,10 percent of the basic salary of the concerned officer or employee or a maximum of Tk5000, whichever is less, will be deducted from the salary of the officer or employee and an equivalent amount will be paid by the concerned establishment or institutes for participation in the scheme.
Bangladesh Bank instructs bringing employees of financial institutions under universal pension scheme
Then both the amounts will be deposited as quantity of that officer/employee under the management of the National Pension Authority.
For example, after depositing the amount for 30 years from the institution or organization concerned the person will get a pension of Tk62330 taka per month after retirement at the age of 60 years.
In this case, for 30 years, the total amount of contribution paid from the employee's own salary is Tk 9 lakh (depositing Tk2500 per month) and the total amount of contribution paid by the concerned institution/organisation is Tk 9 lakh.
The total amount of contributions for the organisation and related employees will be Tk18 lakh. If the beneficiary dies at the age of 75, that person will get a pension of Tk1.12 crore and more in 15 years, which is 12.47 times the employee's own deposit, said the ministry in clarifying the benefits.
Bangladesh’s progress is not a miracle, it’s the result of strategic policymaking: PM in WhiteBoard interview
In an in-depth interview with WhiteBoard, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina outlined the significance of policy research for future governance, emphasizing how the successful implementation of Bangladesh’s 12-year-long Perspective Plan showcased the power of strategic, long-term planning. She attributed the nation’s progress to the diligent execution of this long-term agenda, a stark contrast to the empirical approach lacking in previous administrations.
Read the interview on WhiteBoard: https://whiteboardmagazine.com/4257/the-politics-of-development-a-conversation-with-sheikh-hasina/#_ftn3
“When my administration took charge in 2009, we were quick to prepare the plans for different time spans. The 12-year long-term plan we called the Perspective Plan and it served as a future-bound reference tool for shorter-term plans,” said the PM.
She detailed her administration’s policy design process: “At the onset, we carry out a needs analysis; then, we chart out policies into three timelines: present, mid-term, and long-term.”
Bangladesh’s development paradigm: An exclusive insight from PM Sheikh Hasina in an interview with WhiteBoard
Reflecting on her time in incarceration by the military-controlled government in 2007, Hasina shared, “I used the prison time to devise the next development plan for Bangladesh. I set time-bound targets on indicators like literacy, nutrition, income, and healthcare. The skeleton for a long-term plan was developed during my imprisonment.”
“This policy design strategy was put to the test because my administration was still around for the next 12 years. By 2021, the policy design had yielded successful results for Bangladesh,” added the premier, pointing out a lesson for future policymakers.
Future policymakers should understand that Bangladesh has progressed as a result of strategic policy-making. “Its progress is not a miracle. There is a formula that combines local know-how, flexibility, a progressive vision and long-term planning, all backed by policy research,” Sheikh Hasina said in the WhiteBoard interview.
Charting the Future: Policy experts unveil comprehensive solutions in WhiteBoard's latest issue
“Our policymakers have to factor in issues like our strategic location, our topography, our people’s needs, our history, our environment and our resources. A foreign prescription for development never works.”
“Foreign dependency has been reducing, and this is because of a deliberate approach by my administration. This kind of dependency was deep-rooted and to change this culture we had first to change the mindset. In this effort, you have to start viewing yourself as an equal. These issues need to be tackled in a nuanced way. Political leadership and money play a big role here,” she said.
Speaker echoes policy magazine WhiteBoard's editorial note in parliament
On how she reduced donor dependency, the Prime Minister said, “When other administrations formulated a budget for development projects, the lion’s share would come from foreign financing. Their fiscal policy was essentially ‘donor-dependent.’
“On top of this, public spending capacity was miniscule. I flipped this policy by rejecting foreign-borrowed money that makes us dependent.”