United News of Bangladesh

Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested two people on charge of embezzling money through trading confidential information of National Identity Card (NID), birth registration certificate and Covid-19 vaccination card. The arrestees were identified as data entry operators of Election Commission Md. Jamal Uddin and Liton Mollah. Based on secret information, two separate teams of the Intelligence Analysis Division of the CTTC unit conducted raids and arrested Liton Mollah from Bagerhat and Jamal Uddin from Pabna on Tuesday. Briefing reporters at DMP Media Center on Thursday, Additional Commissioner of the DMP and also chief of the CTTC unit  Md. Asaduzzaman said CTTC detected forgery by the gangsters while monitoring social media. Their movements were monitored for a long time and their locations were identified before the arrests. After the arrest, the interrogation revealed that Md. Jamal Uddin is a data entry operator in the Election Commission. With his help Liton Mollah used to collect NID-related information from Election Commission servers, he said. The CTTC unit chief said the arrested persons used to provide fake NID, copy of lost NID, correction of NID information, digital copy of birth registration and correction of name, covid-19 vaccination card and copy of his TIN certificate in exchange of money. During preliminary interrogation, the arrested persons admitted to the police that they had given NID and other certificates online in exchange for money. He also said that in exchange for such work, they used to take up to Tk 3000 according to the importance of the work. They used to collect customers through WhatsApp groups. According to the demand of the customer, Liton, who was arrested, created these fake certificates through his own website and gave them to the customers and received money through mobile banking. In this way they admitted making crores of rupees. A case has been registered against the arrested in Ramna police station of the capital. They are currently in police custody on court orders. The investigation into the incident is continuing.

Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on Thursday said money laundering is increasing due to online gambling, gaming and hundi. The minister said this in response to a question of Awami League MP M Abdul Latif from Chattogram-11. The finance minister in a written answer said that the level of transactions through Mobile Financial Services (MSS) and digital payments has increased to a large extent due to the wide spread of financial inclusion in the country. “Taking advantage of this development in technology, some unscrupulous circles have become involved in criminal activities such as online gambling/betting, gaming, forex/cryptocurrency trading and hundi,” he said.  As a result, he said that money is being smuggled out of the country and a lot of foreign currency is being lost. “Therefore, the economy is suffering," he said. Mentioning that the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) and other related law enforcement agencies are working together to prevent money laundering through online gambling/betting and hundi, the minister said BFIU has so far suspended 48,586 personal MFS accounts for suspected involvement in online gambling/betting and hundi. The minister added information of 5766 agents were sent to Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for taking punitive actions. Of them, 5029 MFS agentship were scrapped for their alleged involvement in hundi transactions. Besides, the minister also said that transactions of 10,666 MFS agent account have been blocked as per the instruction of BFIU for their suspected involvement in illegal hundi, gaming, betting and cryptocurrency. He said, a total of 1096 websites, 182 apps and 1002 social media pages/links (Facebook, YouTube and Instagram) related to illegal hundi gaming, betting, cryptocurrency have been identified and provided to BTRC and concerned law enforcement agencies for necessary action. Intelligence report containing information of 6 MFS distributors suspected to be involved in hundi process has been sent to CID. Out of these activities of two distributors have been closed down. Study Papers on Online Gambling, Betting, Gambling, Forex and Cryptocurrency Trading has been prepared and delivered to various stakeholders. He said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been requested to take necessary measures by the Bangladesh Embassies in the concerned countries to prevent hundi by illegally using the logos of various MFS organisations abroad.

The pilot, Mohammad Asim Jawad, who lived only 32 years, one month 20 days on this earth, did many things for the country. Asim Jawad, son of Dr. Md Aman Ullah and Nilufa Akhtar Khanam, was born on 20th March 1992 in Gopalpur village under Saturia thana in Manikganj district. After completing his HSC from Savar Cantonment Public College in 2009, he joined the Bangladesh Air Force on 10 January 2010 and was commissioned in the GD (P) wing on 01 December 2011 with the Sword of Honour, the highest award for cadets. Probe committee formed to investigate BAF fighter jet crash in Ctg Later, he completed his BSc from Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) in 2012. During his services, he held important positions in various bases and units of the Air Force. He received 'Mofiz Trophy', 'Chief of Air Force Trophy' and Chief of Air Staff's Certificate in recognition of his professional skills and achievements. He also received the 'Chief of Air Staff's Trophy for Best in Flying (Indian Air Force)' in recognition of his success by attending courses in the Indian Air Force. He also participated in various professional courses at home and abroad and completed them successfully. Pilot dies as Air Force training fighter jet crashes in Ctg The pilot, Mohammad Asim Jawad, suffered serious injuries after a training fighter jet of Bangladesh Air Force crashed into the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram on Thursday around 10:25am. Later, he succumbed to his injuries around 12:30pm while undergoing treatment at BNS Issa Khan Hospital in Patenga. He left behind his wife, a daughter, a son and a host of well-wishers to mourn his death.  

The second session of the 12th Parliament that started on May 2 was prorogued after six working days. Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury read out the prorogation of the President at 8:55pm. PM Hasina urges inclusion of public companies in capital market The 'Village Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2024' was passed in this session while four bills were placed. A total of 38 questions were received for the Prime Minister while she answered 15 questions.  The session received 902 questions for different ministries while the number of the answered questions was 364. Junior finance minister gets coy over keeping provision for whitening black money in next budget Under the call attention notice, some 242 notices were submitted while six were taken and four notices were discussed in Parliament.  Some 64 notices were given scopes for two minutes discussion.

State Minister for Finance Waseqa Ayesha Khan on Thursday said there would have been a possibility of keeping the provision for whitening black money in the next budget (for 2024-25 fiscal) if it was there in the budget for the current, outgoing fiscal ((2023-24). “If this provision is there in the previous budget (current fiscal), there is a possibility of keeping this provision in the next budget as well,” she said. The State Minister said this while responding to a supplementary question of Sohrab Uddin MP in Parliament,  he absence of Finance Minister AH Mahmood Ali. She said that the budget for the next fiscal year is at the formulation stage and she does not know whether this option of legalising undisclosed money is in the proposed budget till now. “I cannot say at the moment whether it is in the proposed budget. It is not possible to say at this moment. The budget proposal is still being finalised. If there was an opportunity to legalise undisclosed money in the one budget, there is that possibility in the next budget as well,” she said. The provision was left out of the budget or the current fiscal. Currently, the undisclosed money can be legalised by paying extra taxes on top of the regular tax rate.

Referring to those who are paying tax, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) is imposing more tax on them, the Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Advisor Salman Fazlur Rahman said those who have TIN certificates all should be brought under the tax net. "We need to widen the tax net and lower the tax rates; this is the only way to increase revenue," he was talking to journalists after the inaugural ceremony of 29th Annual US Trade Show at the InterContinental Hotel on Thursday. The countries around the world that have reduced tax rates and increased tax nets have seen revenue rise, he added. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, many people are doing good business in the upazila and even in the rural areas. So, he urged authorities concerned to bring them under tax. Regarding dollar price, he said there was no alternative to increasing the price of the dollar to face the economic challenges. A rise in the value of the dollar will have a huge impact on the country's exports. As a result, remittance income and export-oriented industries will benefit, he said. The pressure on the dollar will de if the currencies of the countries from which we import more are traded, he stated. Expressing concern over inflation, the PM's advisor said increasing the price of the dollar will not put any pressure on the country's economy because the country is doing very well in the agricultural sector.

A three-day exhibition on the overall healthcare and food industries began at International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), in Dhaka on Thursday. The expo, organised by CEMS-Global USA, an event management company, will showcase healthcare equipment, health tourism, food and agro machineries. Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder inaugurated the ceremony as the chief guest. According to organisers, the exhibitions are showcasing medical equipment, surgical and dental instruments, healthcare, hospital equipment and supplies from across 150 companies representing over 15 countries including Bangladesh, India, China, Singapore, Germany, Turkiye, Thailand, and South Korea. The individuals considering healthcare options abroad are open to consult directly with international hospitals and consultants to explore advanced healthcare solutions through the expo. The Food and Agro is a leading international exhibition on food and beverage products, packaging, food and agricultural equipment and machinery from more than 10 countries represented by over 100 companies. The countries include India, China, Germany, Turkiye, South Korea, Singapore, Germany, and Sri Lanka. A number of seminars are lined out during the exhibition within the Expo premises in Hall 4, Noboratri. CEMS-Global and Exportable Mango Production Project (Department of Agricultural Extension) organised a seminar titled “Strategies & Challenges for Exporting Mangoes from Bangladesh” on 9 May. Another seminar titled “The Future of Food and Agriculture in Bangladesh” will be held on 10 May while “The Journey of Dynamic Growth” and “Driving Business Growth Through Digital Transformation” will be organized on 11 May.

One more death was reported from dengue in 24 hours till Thursday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 29 this year. During the period, 31 more patients were hospitalised with viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Of them, eleven patients were hospitalised in Dhaka city, while the rest were outside the capital. A total of 128 patients are now receiving treatment at several hospitals across the country. A total of 2,391 dengue cases have been reported since January 1, 2024. Last year, a total of 1,705 people lost their lives due to dengue, making it the deadliest year on record. The DGHS recorded 321,179 dengue cases and 3, 18,749 recoveries last year. Last year’s September was the deadliest month for the dengue outbreak, with 396 fatalities and 79,598 cases, according to DGHS data.

A high-level probe committee has been formed over the crash of a training fighter jet of Bangladesh Air Force into the Karnaphuli river in Chattogram on Thursday morning that left a pilot dead. The probe body was formed as per the order of the Air Force chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan, according to the Inter-Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR). Earlier, a pilot died and another was injured after a BAF training fighter jet crashed into the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram around 10:25am. The pilot, Mohammad Asim Jawad, breathed his last around 12:30 pm while undergoing treatment at BNS Issa Khan Hospital in Patenga. The injured pilot is Wing Commander Md Sohan Hasan Khan. A rescue operation is on to retrieve the aircraft, ISPR said. Assistant Chief of Air Force (Planning) Air Vice Marshal Mu Kamrul Islam reached the spot from Dhaka and gave necessary directions to all those involved in the rescue operation. Air Commander Air Vice Marshal AKM Shafiul Azam of Air Force Base Zahurul Haque is supervising the post-accident operations. Meanwhile, Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of pilot Asim Jawad.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Thursday approved 10 development projects, including Tk 1,875-crore one to establish a medical university in Khulna by December 2026. The approval came from the Ecnec meeting presided over by Ecnec chair and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the NEC conference room in the city. The total estimated cost of the 10 projects is Tk 5,563.68 crore. Of the amount, the government will finance Tk 5,203.21 crore and the rest Tk 360.47 crore will come from the foreign sources. Health promotion authority a must for sustainable health development: Speakers The ten projects include eight new schemes and two revised projects. the 10 projects approved today (Thursday), one important project was designed to set up a burn unit in Chattogram, for the first time outside Dhaka and another one is to establish a medical university in Khulna,” said Planning Minister Abdus Salam while briefing reporters after the meeting.About the medical university project, Planning Division Senior Secretary Satyajit Karmaker said the project titled ‘Land acquisition and development and construction of basic infrastructures for establishment of Sheikh Hasina Medical University, Khulna’ was undertaken as part of the government’s  plan to set up a medical university in each eight divisions of the country. According to the Planning Commission, the burn unit project will be implemented at Chittagong Medical College Hospital at the cost of Tk 284.75 crore by December 2025. The six new projects include ‘Capacity Building of Statistics Service Based on Platform’ project involving Tk 144.07 crore; ‘Development of Important Rural Infrastructures in Pirojpur and Jhalakathi districts’ with Tk 1,100 crore; Development of Important Rural Infrastructures in Barishal district’ with Tk 1,000 crore; ‘Programme for Sustainability in the Textile and Leather Sector (STILE)’ project with Tk 81.44 crore; ‘Construction of a new modern Circuit House Bhaban in place of existing one in Dhaka district’ with Tk 334.46 crore; and ‘Construction of different infrastructures for Border Guard Bangladesh’s newly created Gazipur Battalion (63 BGB)’ with Tk 223.02 crore. Bangladesh, UNOPS sign MoU to enhance gender equality, inclusive development The Ecnec cleared two revised projects, increasing the cost by Tk 527.77 crore for ‘Conversion of Wet Process to Dry Process of Chhatak Cement Company Limited (CCCL), Chhatak, Sunamgonj (2nd revised)’ project; and slashing the cost by Tk 6.4 crore for Urban Resilience Project (URP): DDM Portion (3rd revised).’