United News of Bangladesh

The government has formed a Cabinet Committee on Law and Order and a Cabinet Committee on National Awards. The Cabinet Division issued a notification in this regard on Wednesday. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has been named convener of the 10-member Cabinet Committee on Law and Order. Other members include the Minister of Social Welfare, Minister of Industries, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Law, Minister of State for Power, Minister of State for Land, Minister of State for Local Government, and Minister of State for Social Welfare. Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been appointed convener of the Cabinet Committee on National Awards. Its members include the Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Culture, Minister of Industries, Minister of Information, Minister of Water Resources, Minister of Relief, Minister of State for Shipping, and Minister of State for Labour.  

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam on Wednesday condemned the attack on the convoy of Noakhali-6 MP and party leader Abdul Hannan Masud in Hatia, Noakhali. In a post on his verified Facebook page, Nahid Islam alleged that activists of the BNP and Awami League carried out the attack. “Local BNP and rehabilitated Awami League activists jointly attacked Hannan Masud during his visit to Prakasam Bazar in Chanandi union. Several NCP leaders and activists were reportedly injured,” he said. “I strongly condemn such a heinous attack on an elected member of parliament,” the NCP chief added. He also demanded a proper investigation, alleging that law enforcement personnel present at the scene failed to take action. “The failure to protect an elected MP from criminals is alarming for the overall law and order situation in the country,” he said. He also demanded the investigation of every attack in Hatia since the election and arrested those involved.

The Supreme Court has said that necessary legal action has been taken over the disorderly incident during a session at the Barishal Additional Chief Metropolitan Court on Tuesday. In a statement on Wednesday, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court said that on February 24, a group of lawyers created a ruckus inside the courtroom, misbehaving with the judge on duty. Video footage showed benches and other furniture being damaged, and aggressive behaviour towards the judge. The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate adjourned the session and moved to a private room due to the hostile environment, severely disrupting normal court proceedings. The lawyers also staged protests inside and outside the court, demanding the removal of the judge. The incident came to the notice of the Supreme Court, which said legal action has been taken. A double bench of the High Court Division issued a contempt of court rule on February 25. Meanwhile, the Additional Chief Metropolitan Court, Barisal, has filed a case under sections 4 and 5 of the Crimes Prejudicial to Law and Order (Speedy Trial) Act, 2002, and sections 186, 189, 190, 228, and 353 of the Penal Code, 1860. Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to take prompt action. The Supreme Court urged all concerned to exercise restraint, act responsibly, and respect the law to protect the dignity and independence of the judiciary and ensure the smooth functioning of courts. Meanwhile, a case was filed against 20 people naming 12 senior lawyers by Barishal’s Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court’s bench assistant Rajib Majumdar, said an official of the court. Following the filing of the case, Barishal Bar Association President Linkon was arrested in the morning and subsequently sent to jail on charges of vandalism in the courtroom and contempt of court. Al Mamun Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Barishal Kotwali Model Police Station, said that the main accused in the case has been arrested. A drive is underway to arrest the remaining accused.  Hafiz Ahmed Bablu, Barishal's Assistant Public Prosecutor and Organizing Secretary of the District Jubo Dal, said that lawyers will not participate in court proceedings in Barishal for an indefinite period in protest against this arrest and the case.

Bangladesh Railway will start selling advance train tickets for Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of the Muslims, from March 3 to March 9. Besides, it will operate five pairs of special trains in addition to regular services for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr to ensure safe and convenient travel for homebound passengers. The return journey tickets will be sold from March 13 to March 18. All tickets will be sold online. The decision was taken at a preparatory meeting held on February 22, at Rail Bhaban to discuss arrangements for the upcoming festival. The special trains will operate on the following routes: Chattogram–Chandpur–Chattogram, Dhaka–Dewanganj–Dhaka, Bhairab Bazar–Kishoreganj–Bhairab Bazar, Mymensingh–Kishoreganj–Mymensingh and Joydebpur–Parbatipur–Joydebpur routes. Besides, weekly off-days for intercity trains will be suspended from March 16 until the day before Eid. Divisional and zonal monitoring cells will be formed to ensure punctuality and passenger safety. However, extra coaches will be attached as per demand and relief trains will remain ready for emergencies. Goods trains, except container and fuel trains, will be suspended from March 19 midnight to 6 pm on Eid day. Law enforcement agencies, including Government Railway Police (GRP), RAB, BGB, and local police, will check entrance of ticketless passengers at the rail stations. Passengers are requested to not to rely on social media links for ticket purchases and report any fraudulent sources to the authorities.

Bangladesh Bank has announced the immediate transfer and reassignment of five senior officials in the wake of Wednesday’s leadership change, according to an official directive. The central bank’s official directive, signed by Director (HRD-1) Md Tarikul Islam, affect four directors and one additional director, with several key departmental moves at the institution’s headquarters. ·         Md. Zabaidul Islam, Director, has been shifted from Human Resources Department-1 to the Financial Institutions Inspection Department. He is to join the new department after completing his current recreational leave. ·         Md. Shahid Reza, Director, moves from the Financial Institutions Inspection Department to Human Resources Department-1. ·         Md. Bayezid Sarkar, Director, has been reassigned from Banking Regulation and Policy Department-1 to the Motijheel Office, where he will serve as In-charge Executive Director (Core). ·         Gazi Md. Mahfuzul Islam, Director, previously acting as In-charge Executive Director at the Motijheel Office, is transferred to Banking Regulation and Policy Department-1. ·         Md. Kamrul Islam, Additional Director, has been moved from the Governor’s Office to the Sadarghat Office. Bangladesh Bank extends loan rescheduling deadline for raw jute exporters All changes are effective immediately, reflecting the central bank’s broader administrative realignment amid a transition in top leadership.

During this holy month of Ramadan, affluent and well-off people stand beside underprivileged and disadvantaged people of the society by increasing their acts of charity, including sadaqah and Zakat. However, despite having good intention, it often becomes difficult to ensure that donations reach the right recipients due to constraints of time, distance, and trust. Digital financial services have helped bridge the gap. Through bKash, Zakat and donations can now be easily sent to more than 50 charitable and volunteer-based organisations working across the country, ensuring that financial assistance reaches thousands of vulnerable people in need, said a media statement on Wednesday. Tk 1,000 discount & cashback on bKash payment at superstores this Ramadan Throughout the year, bKash enables users to donate directly to various trusted institutions, including As-Sunnah Foundation, Mastul Foundation, Bangladesh Thalassemia Foundation, Anjuman Mufidul Islam, Mojar School, Obhizatrik Foundation, JAAGO Foundation, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Center for Zakat Management, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, Quantum Foundation, icddr,b, UNICEF, World Food Programme (WFP), National Liver Foundation of Bangladesh, DoNation Foundation Trust, Prothom Alo Trust and etc. Additionally, customers can also contribute through merchant accounts of various social and voluntary organisations. To donate through bKash app, customers need to click on the ‘Donation’ icon from the bKash app. Then, the preferred organisation can be selected from the list, and the customers need to submit their name, email and donation amount. If donors want to hide their identity, they can tick the ‘I don’t want share my identity’ option. In the next step, the customer will get an acknowledgment note after completing the donation process with bKash PIN. Expatriates remit Tk 200bn via bKash in 2025 Details about the organisations that the customer is donating can be seen by clicking on the ‘Know More’ section below the name of each organisation. Donors can also contact respective organisation though the e-mail given in the acknowledgment note to know where the money is being spent. In addition to the bKash app, customers can also donate through this weblink-- https://www.bkash.com/en/products-services/donation.

The Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) on Wednesday approved an additional allocation of Tk 100 crore to strengthen its safe water and sanitation interventions, raising the total allocation for the sector in the current fiscal year to Tk 427.26 crore. The decision was taken at the 264th meeting of PKSF’s Governing Body. The fresh allocation is expected to accelerate national efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. PKSF signs deal with World Bank to develop skills among youth At the same meeting, the Governing Body also approved an additional Tk 500 crore for the development of the microenterprise sector. With the new allocation, the total funding for microenterprises in the current fiscal year has reached Tk 5,741.57 crore. PKSF officials said its Partner Organisations are expected to supplement this allocation with funds from their own internal and external sources. The combined financing is projected to enable disbursement at the grassroots level amounting to nearly 20 times the PKSF-allocated amount. The expanded support is expected to strengthen the capacity of micro-entrepreneurs, create employment opportunities and inject further momentum into local economies across the country. PKSF, BARC join hands to boost agricultural research and growth The meeting was held at PKSF Bhaban-2 in the capital’s Shyamoli area and was presided over by PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan. Governing Body members Dr Shahid Akhtar Hossain, Nurun Nahar, Farzanah Chowdhury, Dr Md Taufiqul Islam and Lila Rashid, PhD, attended the meeting. PKSF Managing Director Md Fazlul Kader was also present.

Former secretary Md Sarwar Alam joined this Wednesday as Press Secretary to the President Mohammed Shahabuddin on a contractual basis for one year. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification in this regard on Tuesday. Sarwar, an officer of the BCS Information '84 Batch, also served as deputy press secretary to former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Earlier, he served as the senior information officer to the home minister Abdul Matin Chowdhury. In 2022, he went on post- retirement leave while serving as Director (Joint Secretary) of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority. In 1994, he was posted to Bangladesh Deputy High Commission, Kolkata and served there as second and first secretary (Press). An alumnus of the top -ranked Notre Dame College and Motijheel Ideal High School, he obtained M.S.C and B.S.C (Honors) in Geography and Environment from the University of Dhaka in 1983 and 1982 respectively achieving a First-Class distinction in the both examination.  

Acting on the directives of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the newly-appointed administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Wednesday instructed officials to work with the highest level of professionalism and dedication to transform Dhaka into a modern ‘Green City and Clean City.’ Administrator Abdus Salam issued the directive during separate coordination meetings held at Nagar Bhaban with senior officials and the Waste Management Department of DSCC. To make Dhaka a more livable and aesthetically pleasing city, four priority programmes were finalized at the meetings.  Those are tree plantation and large-scale greening, restoration and dredging of canals to ensure natural water flow, modern waste management, and effective mosquito control. The meeting also decided that a comprehensive action plan will be prepared within one week and submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office for implementation of the programmes. In view of the recent surge in mosquito infestation, several DSCC wards have been identified as “high-risk” areas. To ensure 100 percent effectiveness of mosquito control activities, the meetings decided to form a strong monitoring team comprising senior officials. Emphasis was also placed on engaging local civil society to raise public awareness. The administrator warned that strict legal action, including mobile court operations, will be carried out if mosquito larvae are found or the environment is polluted due to negligence, even after awareness measures. Addressing officials, Abdus Salam said, “The City Corporation is a service-oriented institution. Upholding our responsibility and commitment to the people must be our foremost duty. Good work will be rewarded, while negligence will invite reprimand and strict action. "  To realize the Honorable Prime Minister’s ‘Green City, Clean City’ vision, he called for demonstrating the highest level of professionalism. He further announced that from today all civic services of DSCC will remain fully functional and uninterrupted. Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain visited DSCC’s central mosquito insecticide storage facility at Dhalpur. DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam accompanied him during the visit. The minister expressed satisfaction over the overall environment and management of the storage facility and stressed the need to maintain the quality of insecticides used in mosquito control operations.  

A Dhaka court on Wednesday sentenced former Dhaka South Jubo League president Ismail Hossain Chowdhury Samrat, an alleged kingpin of the illegal casino business in Dhaka, to 20 years in jail in two separate cases. Judge of Dhaka Special Judge court-6, Md Zakaria Hossain sentenced 10 years jail to the former Jubo League leader in connection with money laundering case and fined Tk 10 lakh, in default to suffer six months more in rigorous imprisonment. The same court also sentenced ten years in jail in a case of amassing wealth beyond known income sources and fined Tk ten lakh in the case. The court also asked to confiscate the property of the ex-Jubo League leader. On July 17, last year, the court framed charges against Samrat in two cases and issued a warrant for his arrest. Samrat came under the spotlight after an anti-casino drive led by the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) exposed illegal gambling operations in Dhaka’s Motijheel on September 18, 2019. Following the operation, he went into hiding. On October 7, 2019, Rab arrested Samrat and his close aide Enamul Haque Arman from Cumilla’s Chauddagram. Later that day, Rab conducted a five-hour search at his Kakrail office in the capital. During the raid, the elite force said they recovered a foreign pistol with bullets, 1,160 yaba pills, 19 bottles of foreign liquor, two kangaroo hides and electric devices allegedly used for torture. Due to possession of the unauthorised wildlife items, a mobile court sentenced Samrat to six months in jail under the Wildlife Conservation Act. Later, Rab-1 filed separate cases with Ramna Police Station under the Arms Act and the Narcotics Control Act. After investigation, police submitted the charges to court on November 6 next year. The tribunal recorded testimonies of 10 witnesses before delivering the verdict on Tuesday. He walked out of jail on bail in August,2022 and went into hiding after August 5,2024. In November 2019, ACC filed a case against Samrat for amassing wealth of Tk 2.94 crore beyond known sources. A year later in November 2020, ACC submitted chargesheet against Samrat on charge of accumulating wealth of Tk 222.88 crore beyond his known sources of income.