United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Bank on Thursday announced that it will take administrative action against officials involved in Wednesday’s ‘mob’ incident at its headquarters, according to the bank’s Human Resources (HR) policy. Arief Hossain Khan, Executive Director and Spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, made the disclosure during briefing reporters held at the central bank on Thursday. Responding to a query from journalists, the spokesperson said the newly appointed Governor has pledged to establish good governance within the institution. "Action will be taken against those involved in 'mob culture' in accordance with the existing HR policy," Khan said. Earlier in the day, the new Governor officially assumed his duties and immediately held a high-level meeting with senior officials. Later, the press briefing was organised to share the outcomes of the meeting. During the meeting, the Governor urged officials to actively cooperate in initiatives aimed at reopening closed factories. He emphasised that the central bank would provide the necessary policy support to make the economy more growth-oriented and focused on employment generation. The spokesperson further noted that the Governor’s primary focus would be restoring discipline and ensuring a stable environment for the country's financial sector.

The Election Commission (EC) has postponed the observance of the 8th National Voter Day scheduled to be held on Monday next (March 02). In a letter on Thursday, the EC directed the central celebration committee and its field-level offices keep all programmes of the 8th National Voter Day suspended until the further directives. “The Voter Day’s programmes have been postponed due to by-polls to Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3 as well as lack of preparation to make the celebration colourful amid the month of holy Ramadan,” said EC Director (Public Relations) Ruhul Amin Mollik on Thursday. The National Voter Day is likely to be marked across the country after Rahman, he told UNB. The EC sent the letter to the Convener of the Central Celebration Committee, the regional election officers and Upazila or Thana election officers. Earlier, the Commission decided to mark the national voter day 2026 in the capital, divisional cities, district towns and Upazila headquarters across the country. The EC also fixed ‘Empowered Voters, Liberated Democracy’ as the theme of the day this year. Voter Day to be observed in Bangladesh on March 2 National Voter Day was introduced in 2019 following a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on April 8 April, 2018. But the cabinet on January 15, 2020 issued another notification to observe the day on March 2 every year instead of March 01, cancelling the previous notification.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday said the government is taking steps to prevent artificial increases in commodity prices and to dismantle syndicates that have controlled the sector for the past 10 to 15 years. “Instead of following traditional methods, we will ensure the security of business and trade through new and innovative approaches,” he said. The minister made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with members of the board of directors of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) at his ministry office in the afternoon. Salahuddin said maintaining law and order and ensuring stability are the government’s main priorities to create a favourable environment for businesses and trade. The government aims to meet both the short-term and long-term expectations of the people, he added. The minister also said steps would be taken to restore discipline in the transport sector, including measures to eliminate extortion across the country. The drive will begin in divisional and major cities, he said, adding that cooperation from the administration, police and other stakeholders is essential. DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed sought the minister’s support in improving law and order, preventing extortion and restoring discipline in the transport sector. DCCI Senior Vice President Rajib H Chowdhury, Vice President Md Salem Solaiman, and Secretary Dr AKM Asaduzzaman Patwary were also present.  

The government will take strict action in accordance with existing laws and regulations against officials and employees who fail to attend office on time, said Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani on Thursday. “If government officials and employees do not attend office at the scheduled time, strict action will be taken in line with the prevailing laws and rules,” he told reporters after the weekly cabinet meeting. Referring to Prime Minister Tareque Rahman’s punctuality, Gani said the prime minister arrives at his office before 9:00am every day. He said the prime minister often reaches the Secretariat early in the morning without protocol arrangements, in an effort to ease public suffering and avoid traffic congestion. According to the cabinet secretary, the prime minister’s timely presence has created awareness and ‘positive pressure’ among officials regarding punctuality. Responding to a question about the prime minister’s use of the Secretariat, Gani said he has a designated office there and may hold office on any day at his discretion. On the issue of an administrative reshuffle, the cabinet secretary said such changes are a normal process and would take place in due course. He also said that cabinet meetings will be held every Thursday.

Another 175 Bangladeshi nationals returned home from Libya on Thursday. They arrived at Dhaka at 8:00 am on Burak Air chartered flight, according the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The repatriation was coordinated by the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The returnees had been staying in Libya illegally. Two babies among 53 dead or missing after migrant boat capsizes off Libya, UN reports Most of the returnees had entered Libya with the intention of traveling illegally to Europe via human traffickers. Many had experienced abductions and abuse during their stay. Officials from the foreign ministry and the IOM welcomed the returnees at the airport and requested them to share their difficult experiences to raise public awareness. Each returnee received travel allowances, food supplies, basic medical care, and temporary shelter from the IOM.

Dhaka North City Corporation has suspended Md Mizanur Rahman, acting executive engineer of Zone 05, for negligence of duty. The suspension order signed by DNCC Secretary Muhammad Asaduzzaman was issued on Thursday afternoon. According to the office order, administrative action was taken after inspections found various irregularities in ongoing road construction and repair works in  Mohammadpur area under DNCC Zone 05. On Wednesday, State Minister for Education Bobby Hajjaj visited several road construction and repair sites in Mohammadpur area. During the inspection, cracks, subsidence and other defects were identified at different locations.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday said efforts would continue to secure UN recognition for Bangla and proposed turning the Amar Ekushey Book Fair into an international event in the coming years. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 at Bangla Academy, he also stressed the importance of promoting reading habits and increasing the publication of research-based books. “In the course of time, you may consider whether, in the coming years, the Amar Ekushey Book Fair could be organised as the Amar Ekushey International Book Fair,” the prime minister said. Tarique said an international Amar Ekushey Book Fair will not only introduce our citizens to world literature but also encourage them to learn about and understand multiple languages and cultures. “I believe that, in today’s global village, it is essential to be familiar with not only our mother tongue but also with several other languages,” he said. To achieve prosperity and dignity in this competitive world, the Prime Minister said there is no alternative to building a knowledge- and talent-based society. “We must enrich ourselves through knowledge, science, technology, and skill. At the same time, our efforts to secure recognition for Bangla as an official language of the United Nations will continue,” he said. The Prime Minister also reflected on the distinctive identity of Bangladesh’s book fair. He noted that while book fairs are held in many countries, the Amar Ekushey Book Fair is unique, symbolising the achievement of language rights and the establishment of Bangla as the state language. “Although the size and scale of the fair increase every year, there is currently scope for thought on whether research-based publications are increasing at the same rate, and whether citizens’ reading habits are developing accordingly,” the prime minister said. Recalling the supreme sacrifice of the language martyrs of 1952, Tarique said February 21 is now observed globally as International Mother Language Day. “We observe Ekushey every year with pride in memory of those who sacrificed their lives to establish the dignity of our mother tongue. The day now belongs not only to Bangladesh but also to the whole world,” he said. The Prime Minister said Bangla Academy carries the spirit of the Language Movement and that the Amar Ekushey Book Fair is one of its most important creative initiatives. He said the fair should not remain just a marketplace for selling books. “Let Amar Ekushey Book Fair become a centre for the growth of education and culture. Let it be a meeting place of hearts.”

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Thursday arrested a Project Implementation Officer (PIO) in  Sonagazi upazila of Feni while he was taking bribe of Tk 100,000. The arrested official is Md Al-Sayeed, Project Implementation Officer of Sonagazi Upazila office. His associate, office assistant Abu Naser, was also arrested during the operation. According to the complaint, a contractor completed work on five projects under Sonagazi Upazila Project Implementation Office through sub-contract agreements and submitted the bills for payment. ACC files 2 cases against ex-Jessore-1 MP Sheikh Afil Uddin, wife As a condition for releasing the bills, Al-Sayeed allegedly demanded Tk 12 Lakh as bribe. Finding no other option, the complainant agreed to pay part of the bribe money  and subsequently filed an application with the ACC’s Noakhali district office seeking a trap operation. Following approval from the Commission, an ACC team conducted the operation and caught Md Al-Sayeed red-handed while accepting Tk 100,000 in cash. Abu Naser was arrested at the same time for his involvement. ACC to file case over Tk 1,325cr loan scam involving Bashundhara Group, National Bank officials ACC officials said legal proceedings are underway and the accused will be produced before a court after filing a case.

Police have detained 100 people in a special drive aimed at curbing crimes of teen gangs, extortion and mugging in the capital’s Mohammadpur and Adabor areas. The special drive was conducted from 10:00pm on Wednesday until 2 am on Thursday in different parts of Mohammadpur and Adabor in the city. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ibne Mizan of Tejgaon Division told the media that the drive was conducted to put an end to the growing activities of juvenile gangs, extortionists and muggers in the area. DMP to provide escort service for transport of cash and valuables ahead of ramadan, Eid He said the objective of the operation was to ensure that such criminal elements cannot further deteriorate the law and order situation. The DC also said police operations will continue so that no criminal or organised group can take advantage of the situation during the holy month of Ramadan and the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. Law enforcers will remain vigilant to ensure overall security and public safety in the capital.

The cabinet has approved a plan to waive agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including accrued interest, in a move aimed at easing pressure on small-scale farmers and strengthening rural resilience. The decision was taken at the first cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on Thursday morning, said Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani. Briefing reporters, Gani said the waiver aligns with the government’s election manifesto and is intended to provide social protection to marginal farmers. The measure will cover agricultural credit of up to Tk 10,000 taken for crops, fisheries, livestock and other farming activities, along with accumulated interest, he said. PM Tarique Rahman presides over first cabinet meeting  Data from Bangladesh Bank show that outstanding dues eligible under the scheme, including interest, total about Tk 1,550 crore as of February 25, Gani said, adding, that the loans were disbursed by state-owned commercial banks, specialised banks and private commercial lenders. The waiver is expected to directly benefit around 1.2 million farmers nationwide once implemented, according to the cabinet secretary. The initiative comes as policymakers seek to help out vulnerable rural borrowers from mounting repayment pressures and reinforce the agricultural sector, which remains a key pillar of Bangladesh’s economy and employment base.