United News of Bangladesh

The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) on Saturday urged the government to halt new fossil fuel-based power projects, revise what it called inflated demand projections and bolster parliamentary oversight to put Bangladesh’s power and energy sector on a fiscally sustainable and climate-aligned path CPD said Bangladesh’s power and energy sector is at risk of fiscal stress, stranded assets and stalled renewable energy transition due to overestimated demand projections, fossil fuel lock-in and weak regulatory transparency. Presenting a research paper titled 'New Government’s Priorities in Addressing Socio-economic Challenges: Introducing Knowledge-based Decision Making in the Executive and Legislative Process' at CPD’s Dhanmondi office, CPD Research Director Khondaker Golam Moazzem outlined a series of structural weaknesses in the sector and recommended urgent reforms within the first 180 days of the new government. The study identified 'Power and Energy: Reviving for Energy Transition' as the seventh priority sector and found that procedural transparency, accountability, and implementation efficiency remain the weakest pillars of decision-making in this sector. CPD noted that existing master plans project electricity demand to reach 40-50 gigawatts (GW) by 2040, while independent estimates suggest a more realistic requirement of around 30 GW. The study warned that inflated GDP-demand linkages, rather than actual industrial consumption data, have been used to justify aggressive expansion targets. This could lead to massive surplus capacity that would be 'difficult to undo', increasing fiscal burdens through long-term contractual obligations. Spatial planning mismatch was also highlighted, with Dhaka receiving disproportionately high projections compared to emerging industrial hubs such as Chattogram and Sylhet. CPD recommended that Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and Power Cell adopt rigorous econometric forecasting methods and subject revised projections to independent validation and parliamentary review. The report underscored the structural burden of capacity payments to independent power producers (IPPs), even for idle plants. Despite recent tariff hikes reaching Tk 8.95 per unit in 2024 — fiscal stress persists. According to the study, plant-by-plant payment details and the rationale behind tariff adjustments lack transparency, while public hearings by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) have often been bypassed. CPD recommended introducing a 'No Electricity, No Pay' clause in future Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to eliminate unconditional capacity charges. It also called for renegotiation of rigid 'take-or-pay' contracts, though acknowledging the legal complexity involved. The think tank warned of growing dependence on imported LNG and coal, raising concerns about stranded assets and fiscal instability. It said long-term price volatility impacts are systematically downplayed and that insufficient assessment has been conducted regarding risks associated with new LNG terminals and coal-based infrastructure. CPD proposed adopting a clear 'No New Fossil Fuel-Based Power Generation' policy and urged reassessment of planned coal projects, including Matarbari Phase 2, through parliamentary debate to ensure fiscal and climate accountability. The study also called for scaling up regional power trading with Nepal and Bhutan to import hydropower and balance solar intermittency. While the interim government approved the Renewable Energy Policy 2025, CPD observed that grid absorption capacity for variable renewable energy (VRE) remains capped at 20%, and smart grid implementation has been deferred to 2040-2050. Private renewable energy developers face bureaucratic hurdles in securing grid interconnection approvals, the report said. CPD recommended that Power Grid Bangladesh (PGB) conduct a technical grid stress test to determine upgrades required to absorb at least 30% renewable energy by 2030. It also proposed establishing an Independent System Operator (ISO) to separate grid management from BPDB and ensure institutional neutrality. A 'Resource-to-Grid Data Hub' integrating real-time renewable energy potential mapping across districts should be developed under parliamentary monitoring, the study added. In the primary energy segment, CPD highlighted a persistent daily gas shortage of around 1,200 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd), with total demand at 3,800 mmcfd against supply of just over 2,600 mmcfd, including LNG imports. The report argued that increasing LNG imports alone would deepen financial burdens and recommended prioritising domestic gas exploration instead. It stressed that overemphasis on new LNG infrastructure and domestic coal exploration reflects weaknesses in evidence-based analysis and stakeholder engagement. A central theme of the CPD study is embedding knowledge-based decision-making in both executive and legislative processes. The report called on the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Power and Energy to review all major generation, fuel mix and procurement decisions to ensure statutory compliance and transparency. It noted that suspension of the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act 2010 by the interim government is a positive step toward restoring competitive procurement and judicial oversight. CPD, however, warned that without institutional restructuring, real-time data transparency and structured parliamentary scrutiny, reform efforts may remain partial. Immediate and Long-term Priorities For the next 180 days, CPD recommended: 1. No approval of new fossil fuel-based power plants 2. Independent validation of revised demand projections 3. Introduction of “No Electricity, No Pay” clauses in future contracts 4. Engagement with export-oriented industries in designing a National Solar Rooftop Programme 5. Institutionalising parliamentary review of all major sectoral decisions Beyond 180 days, the study proposed grid modernisation, establishment of an Independent System Operator, zonal energy audits, smart grid pilots, and legislative-backed accountability frameworks. Moazzem said the success of the new government would depend on its ability to align fiscal prudence, climate commitments and energy security through transparent, evidence-driven policymaking. “Without structural reforms and parliamentary oversight, the sector risks repeating past mistakes of overcapacity, high tariffs and fiscal stress,” Moazzem added.

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked 4th on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI index of 188 at 9:26 am on Saturday. Dhaka’s air was classified as ' unhealthy', according to the air quality and pollution city ranking. Pakistan’s Lahore, India’s Delhi and Nepal’s Kathmandu occupied the first, second and third spots in the list, with AQI scores of 308, 263 and 190 respectively. When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. Dhaka's air quality remains ‘unhealthy’ The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five 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.  

The government has imposed a two-month ban on catching all types of fish, including hilsa, in the Padma River and Meghna River from Saturday midnight to boost hilsa production and conserve jatka. The restriction will remain in force from March 1 to April 30, during which fishing, sale, transport and stocking of fish in the designated river stretches are prohibited. Authorities warned that strict action will be taken against violators. District Fisheries Officer Mohammad Fakhrul Islam said a nearly 70-km sanctuary has been declared from Satnal in Matlab Uttar upazila to Char Bhairabi in Haimchar via Chandpur Sadar. About 47,000 registered fishermen will refrain from fishing during the period. To support affected fishermen, 39,400 of them will receive VGF rice assistance—40 kg per month for four months (February to May), totaling 160 kg per person. However, several fishermen along the Meghna riverbanks said the food aid is insufficient to run their families and urged the government to provide additional cash support during the ban period. Chandpur Sadar Senior Fisheries Officer Mirza Omar Faruk said district and upazila task forces will enforce the ban and conduct mobile courts against illegal jatka fishing. Naval Police SP Syed Mosfiqul Rahman said river patrols will remain active throughout the ban, and legal action will be taken under fisheries laws against offenders. District Administrator Md Nazmul Islam Sarker called on all stakeholders to cooperate in conserving jatka, while hilsa researcher Dr Anisur Rahman stressed that protecting jatka today will ensure higher hilsa production in the future.

Newly appointed administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Abdus Salam on Friday pledged to transform the capital’s southern zone into a 'clean city', calling on residents to actively cooperate in maintaining sanitation and civic discipline. “Household and shop wastes must be kept at designated places from where city corporation workers will collect it. If more than Tk 100 is charged for collecting waste from any house, the approval of the contractor concerned will be cancelled,” he said. The made the remarks while speaking briefly before an iftar programme organised by Ward No. 24 of BNP’s Dhaka South city unit at Lalbagh Hridoy Party Centre. Referring to directives from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Salam said efforts have already begun to transform both Dhaka South City Corporation and Dhaka North City Corporation into clean and green cities. He sought full cooperation from city dwellers to make Dhaka a cleaner and better liveable city. Emphasising the preservation of Old Dhaka’s heritage, the new administrator said its traditional food culture and historic sites must be protected. PM shares warm moments with children after Jum'a prayers at Banani “We have to plan in such a way that local and foreign visitors feel encouraged to visit these historic places in Old Dhaka,” the administrator said, adding that the south city corporation will take initiatives in this regard. Salam also warned that there would be no compromise against extortion, mugging and drug-related crimes in the capital. “Those involved in crimes like extortion and mugging will not be spared, no matter which party they belong to or how powerful they are,” Salam said. Stating that mosquito infestation has increased in Dhaka, he said the corporation will strengthen its drives to control mosquitoes and prevent the spread of dengue.

A three-day printmaking workshop titled “Impressions of Rokeya–2”, conducted by eminent artist Rokeya Sultana, began on Friday at Cosmos-Atelier71 at Cosmos Centre in the city. The workshop was inaugurated in the presence of Rokeya Sultana, Professor of the Department of Printmaking under the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Dhaka, who received the Ekushey Padak in 2025 for her contribution to painting. Director of COSMOS-Atelier71 Tehmina Enayet, Executive Editor of United News of Bangladesh Nahar Khan, artists, students, and art enthusiasts were also present at the inauguration. Speaking on the occasion, Tehmina Enayet said Rokeya Sultana has long been closely associated with COSMOS-Atelier71, not only as an artist but also as a mentor and collaborator. She said the idea of organising the workshop emerged shortly after Rokeya’s return from abroad and was arranged within a very short time due to the enthusiastic response from participants. Rokeya Sultana, in her address, expressed gratitude to the organisers and participants. She said the workshop was designed particularly for those outside the formal printmaking discipline to introduce them to the creative possibilities of the medium. Describing printmaking as a “search of the mind,” she highlighted the freedom of expression and experimentation the process allows. During the workshop, Rokeya introduced participants to the collagraph process—a versatile printmaking technique where textured printing plates are created by attaching materials such as paper, fabric, leaves, sand, string, and cardboard onto a rigid base. The plates can be printed using both relief and intaglio methods, producing richly textured and expressive images. Rokeya Sultana is a distinguished name in Bangladesh’s contemporary art scene. A former chairperson of the Department of Printmaking at the University of Dhaka, she has exhibited her works widely at home and abroad. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Dhaka and a Master of Fine Arts from Visva-Bharati University, Shantiniketan, India. Her works are noted for strong narratives, sensual exploration, and abstract compositions. “My Ekushey Padak salutes the strength of Bangladeshi women:” Rokeya Sultana

Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan on Friday said the government will ensure the highest level of media freedom by clearly defining the scope of accountability through consultations with journalists and all relevant stakeholders. “The aim is to guarantee unrestricted access to information for the people while determining accountability based on the opinions of journalists and other stakeholders,” he told reporters after a meeting with district-level government officials at the Barishal Circuit House in the morning. The minister said the government wants to bring the overall media system under a modern management framework, acknowledging that the information ministry was established at a time when technology-based media did not exist. “We have yet to fully adapt to the new media ecosystem driven by modern technology. The rapid expansion of technology-based media requires adjustments that could not be achieved earlier,” he said. He added that the government would gradually ensure free flow of information to the public by holding discussions with all concerned as part of its policy-making process. Information Minister calls for transparent family card distribution in Barishal Earlier, the minister distributed grant cheques of the BRTA among victims of road accidents. A total of Tk 21.7 million was distributed among 61 beneficiaries. Barishal Deputy Commissioner Khairul Alam Sumon and other government officials were present at the programme.

Children watched the puppet show with wide-eyed fascination as the second day of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair began in a lively atmosphere amid their cheerful presence.  The fairgrounds gained a different level of vibrancy from the morning, with a strong presence of young visitors on the weekly holiday, Friday. The second day of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair, Bangla language and literature’s largest celebration, started in the morning with a variety of events. The day’s formal proceedings began at 9:30am at the Bangla Academy premises with a children’s drawing competition, followed by a recitation contest at 10:30am. The fair opened to visitors at 11:00am, and the designated ‘Children’s Hour’(Shishu prohor) continued until 1:00pm. During this time, the Bangla Academy grounds buzzed with drawing and recitation activities. Tomorrow’s Children’s Hour will feature music. One of the major attractions of Children’s Hour was an educational puppet show that captivated young audiences. Near the Muktomancha inside Suhrawardy Udyan, the ‘Kaktaruya Puppet Theatre: Traditional Puppet Show’ has been set up. Through the performances, children are being taught various educational messages, like reading books, avoiding excessive mobile gaming, and eating green vegetables. However, the absence of the popular ‘Sisimpur’ segment, a fixture in previous years, has created some disappointment among children. Still, the alternative puppet show has managed to keep them entertained. After Children’s Hour ended at 1:00pm, the number of visitors of all ages gradually increased. On the ground, however, there was not much crowd in front of the stalls before evening. Many stalls at the Bangla Academy premises and Suhrawardy Udyan are still not fully ready; construction and book arrangement work were seen ongoing in several stalls. This year’s fair has been shortened to 18 days due to various considerations. With Ramadan approaching, vendors are somewhat concerned about visitor turnout and sales. However, they remain hopeful that sales will increase once stall preparations are complete and the holiday mood intensifies. Publishers said holidays are extremely important for them. Like previous years, they expect good sales on Fridays and Saturdays, though there is some concern about the impact of Ramadan. Boi Mela 2026 to be held spanning Dec-Jan in view of election, Ramadan According to the fair schedule, the event runs daily from 2:00pm to 9:00pm, while on holidays it remains open from 11:00am to 9:00pm. Children’s Hour is being observed every Friday and Saturday from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Meanwhile, the main stage of the fair hosts thematic seminars daily from 3:00pm to 4:00pm, followed by cultural programmes from 4:00pm to 5:00pm.

Qatar Charity (QC) has launched its Ramadan Campaign for 1447H (2026) in Bangladesh by distributing essential food assistance to orphan and underprivileged communities across the country. This year, the initiative has benefited 12,470 people, helping to ease financial hardship and ensure food security during the holy month of Ramadan, said a press release. The food parcels were carefully prepared to meet the nutritional needs of families for at least one month. Distribution activities were carried out at several locations, including Qatar Charity’s orphan care centres and rural communities. In line with its humanitarian values, Qatar Charity’s field teams made special efforts to reach remote and hard-to-access households. Priority was given to orphans, widows and families facing extreme hardship. In many cases, food packages were delivered directly to beneficiaries’ homes to ensure their comfort and dignity. Staff from Qatar Charity’s Bangladesh office actively supervised and took part in every stage of the distribution process, ensuring transparency, respect and smooth implementation. Beneficiaries expressed heartfelt appreciation for the timely support. Commenting on the initiative, Zakarya Al Motair, Country Director of Qatar Charity’s Bangladesh Office, said, “Ramadan is a month of compassion, solidarity and generosity. Through this campaign, we aim to ensure that vulnerable families, especially orphans and widows, can observe the holy month without the burden of food insecurity. Qatar Charity remains committed to standing beside the people of Bangladesh and expanding our humanitarian efforts to reach those most in need with dignity and respect.” As part of its ongoing Ramadan activities, Qatar Charity’s Bangladesh office is also preparing to distribute Zakat al-Fitr to needy families ahead of Eid, further extending support to those in need.

An earthquake shook Dhaka and several other parts of the country on Friday afternoon. It was third tremor that hit Bangladesh within a span of 40 hours. According to Bangladesh Meteorological Department(BMD), the earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale was felt at 1:52 pm. The epicentre was located in Assasuni  upazila of Satkhira District, said meteorologist Shahnaj Sultana of  BMD. According  to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the epicentre was located 47 kilometres southwest of Khulna district town and 29 kilometres southeast of Satkhira. However, there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. UNB’s Khulna correspondent reports that a moderate earthquake was also felt in Khulna and Ashashuni upazila of Satkhira at around 1:52pm. Md Mizanur Rahman, a weather officer at the Khulna Meteorological Department, said the quake was of moderate intensity. In Satkhira, many residents rushed out of their homes in fear when the tremor struck. However, no structural damage was reported immediately. Earlier, a mild earthquake was felt in Dhaka, Sylhet district and adjoining areas on Wednesday night.  The tremor, measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, was recorded at 10:53pm, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). Another mild quake struck Dhaka and various parts of the country on Thursday.  The Earthquake Observation and Research Centre of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department said the tremor, which occurred at 12:04pm, had a magnitude of 4.6 on the Richter scale.

Three members of the same family, including a woman, were seriously injured in a fire caused by a gas leak from an air conditioner in their home in the Narinda area of the capital early Friday morning. The victims were identified as Moktar Bepari, 55, Selina Akhter, 45, and Mohammad Selim, 33. Assistant Professor Dr. Shaon Bin Rahman, resident physician at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, said the three were brought to the hospital at around 1:00am with burn injuries. Moktar Bepari suffered burns over 22 percent of his body, Selina Akhter 20 percent, and Mohammad Selim 100 percent. Selim’s condition is critical. Local sources said several AC gas cylinders were stored in the house, which is part of a five-storey building. The explosion occurred on the second floor, causing a wall to collapse and a tin sheet to fall.  Residents later recovered multiple AC gas cylinders from the building.