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Fire service ready to handle Cyclone Mocha
The Fire Service and Civil Defence is fully prepared to deal with Cyclone Mocha that is likely to make landfall on Bangladesh’s coastal regions on May 14.
Director General of the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence Brig Gen Md Moin Uddin has canceled the leave of all the officers and employees of 149 fire stations in 19 districts of the coastal areas and instructed everyone to remain alert, said a press release of the Fire department,
Besides, eight search and rescue teams, five first aid teams and six specialised rescue teams have been kept ready at each fire station to deal with the emergency situation in the coastal disaster-prone areas. There are 10,603 volunteers trained by the fire service in these areas.
Ambulances, gemini boats, chains, hands, rotary rescue kits, spreaders, megaphones, ram jacks or air lifting bags, first aid boxes have been kept ready along with the required number of firefighting and rescue equipment, said the release.
Also read: Cyclone Mocha likely to make landfall in Bangladesh May 14
Before the cyclone, the fire service will be engaged in precautionary measures to take people to safe shelters. Apart from this, the fire service will be engaged in the post-cyclone search and rescue work and making the roads traffic-friendly. In these areas, the services of the fire service can be taken 24 hours a day for any work related to the protection of life and property.
All divisional control rooms, including the fire service's central control room, will be engaged in news gathering at all times. All are requested to call the hotline number 16163 of the fire station, divisional control room or central control room near the fire service to avail services in case of any emergency, the press release added.
2 kids die as tree branch falls on them during storm in Mymensingh
Two minor girls died after a branch of a mango tree fell on them while collecting mangoes during a storm in Muktagacha upazila of Mymensingh on Wednesday afternoon.
Jerin Akter, 6, and Afreen Chan Moni, 4, were daughters of Moslem Uddin and Amirul Islam respectively of Paratungi Moddho area of the Muktagacha municipality. The victims were cousins, said Amzad Hossain, municipality councillor of ward No.4.
Jerin was killed on the spot and Afreen was injured severely when the branch of the mango tree fell on them, he said.
Afreen was rushed to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital where physicians declared her dead, the councillor said, adding that trees and boro paddy were also damaged in the incident.
Muktagacha Upazila Nirbahi Officer AKM Lutfor Rahman said they were aware of the casualties.
Financial support will be given once the victims’ families apply to upazila administration or district administration, he added.
SSC candidate stabbed to death, another injured in Dhaka’s Jatrabari
A SSC candidate was stabbed to death and another one was injured in an attacked allegedly carried out by 15-20 persons in the Dania area of Dhaka’s Jatrabari on Wednesday evening.
The deceased was identified as Tajun Islam (18) of Jurain’s Muradpur area. The injured is Md Sayem (17). Both of them are SSC candidates from AK High School and College.
The incident happened in from of Dania College around 6:00pm on Wednesday, Inspector Bacchu Miah, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College Hospital Police Outpost confirmed the matter.
Both the students were severely injured after 15-20 persons allegedly attacked them. Later they were brought to DMCH where the duty doctor declared Tajun dead, said the police official.
His body has been kept in the morgue for an autopsy and the matter has been reported to the concerned police station, added the inspector.
The reason behind the attack could not be identified, immediately.
PM Sheikh Hasina-led govt will oversee next polls: Information Minister
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday said that the present government will serve as the election-time government and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be its head to oversee the next general election.
“In other democratic countries like India, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom and various countries of continental Europe, the governments that have been serving …also serve as the election-time administration, and the same will happen in our country according to the constitution,” the minister told journalists during a views exchange meeting on contemporary issues at the ministry's meeting room at the Secretariat.
Responding to a question about BNP's representation in the election-time government and similar proposals made by the Awami League in 2014, Hasan Mahmud said, "Our party General Secretary Obaidul Quader has commented on the election-time government in response to a journalist's question. This is not a proposal for anyone, it is not yet time to say whether it will be or not.”
If BNP boycotts the election or if they stick to their demand for not joining the election without a caretaker government, there is no question of all these discussions, the minister said.
“We want to have a festive and international standard election with the participation of all political parties. Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina has said in the UK that we want to hold a beautiful election like the UK. And to do that, we need the support of all political parties,” the information minister said.
He also said that if another political party wants to disrupt the election, it is not possible to organise a good election.
Being optimistic about BNP’s participation in the election, the minister said, “I hope BNP will take part in the election and help organise a good election in a festive atmosphere."
“We didn't start playing with anyone ahead of the election. We want to play during the elections and urge the BNP to play in that game. We want to play with them and score goals,” he said.
When asked about the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Pakistan and the protests and the warning for the movement of Pakistani citizens in other countries, Hasan Mahmud said that it was an internal matter of Pakistan.
"The matter is internal for Pakistan. However, the way the protests are taking place after the arrest of Imran Khan, which is also spreading in other countries, proves that he has a huge popularity among a section of the people,” he said.
On a question about the BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam’s comment that 'Pakistan was good', the minister said, "In the context of the chaotic situation in Pakistan today, journalists can ask Mirza Fakhrul for an explanation of his comments."
Huawei organizes workshop for local PV solution installers
Huawei South Asia Digital Power Department organized a workshop recently for Bangladeshi PV (photovoltaic) solution installers to increase their understanding and efficiency to support the end user’s need of solar power solutions.
The workshop titled “Huawei Installer Workshop 2023” will help Bangladesh in achieving renewable energy generation target, according to a press release.
Liang Weixing, managing director of Digital Power, Huawei South Asia presented his keynote at the session in presence of officials of ecosystem partners of solar industry, apart from the mentioned PV solution installers.
The participants attended various training and experienced the latest power solutions of Huawei, said the release.
Apart from the workshop, a certificate of authorization was issued to Genetic Power and Engineering Ltd.
“Huawei South Asia has been taking impactful initiatives in the digital power sector to help the country move towards a more efficient and greener source of energy. Our plan is to promote green energy that will ultimately help Bangladesh in achieving 40% power generation from renewable energy sources. This workshop will help solar technicians to increase their efficiency,” said Weixing.
“As a leading solar installer company, we are delighted to get this authorization from Huawei. Huawei has advanced level inverters in their inventory. This authorization of keeping local stock of Huawei inverters will help us to serve the renewable energy sector of Bangladesh in a better way,” Lutfor Rahman, chairman and MD of Genetic Power and Engineering Ltd.
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ACC files case against 3 WASA officials for graft charges
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday filed a case against three officials of Dhaka WASA for embezzling Tk 248.55 crore from the Programme for Performance Improvement (PPI) project in 10 years.
ACC secretary Mahbub Hossain briefed the reporters in front of its head office in Dhaka.
ACC Assistant Director Ashikur Rahman filed the case on Wednesday with its integrated district office in Dhaka-1.
The accused are – former WASA revenue inspector and co-chairman of the PPI project Miah Md Mizanur Rahman, former revenue inspector Md Habib Ullah Bhuyain, and Computer Operator (outsourcing) Md Naimul Hasan.
According to the case statement, the defendants abusing their powers in collaboration with each other have withdrawn and embezzled nearly Tk248 crore.
Want model polls in Gazipur City Corporation: CEC
Gazipur City Corporation election is important as there will be parliamentary elections in the future, said Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Wednesday.
"Gazipur election is very important for us. Because there will be parliamentary elections in the future. We think that an election of such a large scale before this will carry a lot of national significance. That's why the Gazipur election should be a model,” he said while exchanging views with the rival candidates of Gazipur City Corporation election at Shaheed Ahsanullah Master Auditorium in Gazipur.
Gazipur Returning Officer Faridul Islam presided over the meeting. Election Commissioner Md Alamgir, Secretary of the Election Commission Jahangir Alam and Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sadirul Islam were present as special guests, among others.
“Let this election set an example. Let us make a good choice. Countries around the world are talking about our election and we are unable to stop them from doing so,” the CEC said.
“We must progressively escape from black culture. Our voting system is still rife with rotten and black culture. With your help, there may come a time when everyone will go to the polling booth in peace and exercise their right to vote,” he also said.
“No one should worry about black money. No matter how much black money is distributed. Vote for whomever you trust, whom you think is good. Because there will be no candidates at the time of voting,” he added.
At the meeting, the candidates raised their grievances and demands. Election officials assured everyone of a free and fair election. Mayoral candidates and general ward councillor candidates and reserved women councillor candidates attended the meeting.
In addition to the eight mayoral candidates, most of the councillor candidates of 57 wards and women councillor candidates for 19 reserved posts participated in the meeting.
The number of voters in Gazipur City Corporation election is 11,79,476. Of them, 5,92,762 are male voters, 5,86,696 are female voters and 18 are hijra voters.
A total of 480 polling stations have been set for this election. The total numbers of polling booths in these centres are 3,497. Of these, there will be 491 temporary voting booths.
JS body recommends setting up exclusive zone for foreign tourists in Cox’s Bazar
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry has recommended the government to set up an exclusive zone for foreign tourists in Cox’s Bazar Sea Beach on an emergency basis.
The recommendation came from the 37th meeting of the committee on Wednesday to attract a larger number of foreign tourists to the world’s longest sandy sea beach.
Chairman of the parliamentary committee RAM Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury presided over the meeting held at Parjatan Bhaban here in Dhaka, said a press release.
Besides, the parliamentary watchdog asked the ministry to take necessary steps for expanding the Barishal airport.
Committee members State Minister for Civil Aviation Md Mahbub Ali, Asheq Ullah Rafiq and Sayeda Rubina Akter attended the meeting.
Letter to be sent to NBR to extend duty exemption on sugar import: Commerce Secretary
A letter will be sent to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to extend the period of duty exemption on sugar import due to the increase in sugar price and dollar price in the international market, said Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh on Wednesday.
“Duty exemption on sugar import is still in force. It will be over on May 31. We will send a letter to the NBR to continue duty exemption on sugar import,” he said.
The secretary said this while speaking with media personnel after a workshop on informing the stakeholders about the Import Policy Order-2021-2024 to ensure the quality of imported food at the conference room of the ministry.
Tapan Kanti said that Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission was asked to take a decision to adjust the sugar price following a letter sent by Bangladesh Sugar Refiners Association a few days ago as the price of sugar and dollar in the international market increased which caused reduction in sugar imports.
The Tariff Commission recommended to raise the price of loose sugar to Tk 120 per kg and packaged sugar to Tk 125 per kg.
Responding to a question about the price hike of edible oil, the secretary said that the duty exemption period on edible oil ended on April 30.
“We also wrote a letter to continue the duty exemption on oil but the NBR did not continue," he said.
Bangladesh logs 22 more Covid-19 cases
Bangladesh reported 22 more Covid-19 cases in the 24 hours till Wednesday morning.
With the new numbers, the country's total caseload rose to 2,038,406 according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
However, the official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,446 as no new fatalities were reported.
The daily case test positivity dropped to 1.52 percent from Tuesday’s 1.57 percent as 1457 samples were tested.
The recovery and death rates remained unchanged at 98.40 percent and 1.44 percent, respectively.
Bangladesh registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 in 2021 and highest number of fatalities of 264 on August 10 the same year.