United News of Bangladesh

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Amin Ur Rashid on Friday said ensuring the welfare of farmers and marginal people is one of the main election pledges of the current government. He said improving the lives of farmers and marginal communities will help uplift the living standards of the country’s largest population group and strengthen the national economy. The minister made the remarks while speaking at a meeting with officials of the fisheries and livestock, agriculture and food ministry departments of the Cumilla region at the Cumilla Circuit House conference room. He said people have placed their trust in the current government to work for the overall welfare of the country and its citizens, especially hardworking people and farmers. He added that the government  has given the highest priority to agriculture as around 70 percent of the population is directly or indirectly linked to the sector. The minister said development of agriculture will strengthen the financial base of a large section of people and make the national economy more resilient. Addressing field-level officials, he urged them to raise farmers’ awareness about soil health, pH levels, efficient use of fertilisers and modern technology. He said maintaining proper soil pH can significantly reduce fertiliser use and production costs. He stressed the need for officials to give direct advice and guidance to farmers at the grassroots level. Although he recently took oath as a minister, he said he has long been directly involved in farming and has first-hand experience of the sector’s challenges and potential. He noted that agriculture production, storage, food management, fisheries and livestock were previously run separately, creating coordination gaps. Steps have now been taken to bring these sectors under an integrated framework, in line with the government’s latest policy direction. The minister said while governments serve for fixed terms, field-level officials remain in service for much longer. Stocks adequate to keep Ramadan market stable: Commerce Minister Their responsibility and sincere cooperation are crucial to ensure sustainable development, he added. Replying to a question, he said establishment of the Cumilla division and stopping illegal soil extraction from the Gomti River are among his top priorities. The government will follow a zero-tolerance policy on illegal soil extraction and will not allow even a single handful of soil to be taken illegally, he said, urging the administration to act firmly with public cooperation. Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Md Reza Hasan chaired the meeting. Among others, Director General of the Department of Fisheries Dr Abdur Rauf, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Dr Abu Sufian, Superintendent of Police Md Anisuzzaman, and senior officials from the fisheries and livestock, agriculture and food departments were present.  

Commerce, Industry and Textile and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir on Thursday said the government has adequate food stocks to keep the market stable during the upcoming month of Ramadan. He said one of the key responsibilities of the Ministry of Commerce is to keep prices of essential commodities stable, and this duty becomes more important during Ramadan. “Although there was no time to take special steps after assuming office, the existing stock situation is positive and sufficient to maintain price stability,” he added. The minister made the remarks while replying to journalists after exchanging greetings with officials of different government departments and party leaders at Osmani International Airport. Responding to a question on development plans for Sylhet, he said he had highlighted these plans during his long election campaign and in the election manifesto. He said the he wants to work on issues directly linked to improving the living standards of people in Sylhet. He said priority will be given to job creation, expansion of IT-related professions and the establishment of an AI centre in the region. The minister said Bangladesh must build capacity to compete globally. Over the next five years, the government will use every day effectively to move the country forward in the global arena with sincerity. Replying to a question on job creation at the Sylhet IT park, he said investment is essential to create employment. He said special policy support is needed for expatriate and local investors in Sylhet, adding that work is underway and visible progress will be seen soon. Among others, Sylhet-3 MP MA Malek, Divisional Commissioner Khan Md Reza-un-Nabi, Range DIG Md Mushfekur Rahman, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abdul Quddus Chowdhury, Deputy Commissioner Md Sarwar Alam, the acting president of Sylhet Metropolitan BNP, and other party leaders were present at the time.

A mobile court in Keraniganj conducted a market drive on Friday afternoon to keep prices of essential commodities under control during Ramadan, fining 15 shop owners and sealing two meat shops for irregularities. The mobile court was carried out at Zinzira Bazar under Keraniganj Model Police Station area to strengthen market monitoring and prevent overpricing. Officials collected around Tk 20,000 in fines from 15 shops for various violations, including selling goods at higher prices and failing to display price lists. During the drive, one beef shop and one poultry shop were temporarily sealed for ignoring government instruction and not displaying the approved price list. The operation was led by Keraniganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Umar Faruq and Assistant Commissioner (Land & Revenue) South Keraniganj Aftab Uddin Ahmed. The UNO said Ramadan is a month of restraint and compassion, and the administration remains strict to prevent unscrupulous traders from creating artificial shortages, overcharging customers or selling adulterated products. He added that such drives will continue throughout Ramadan to ensure market discipline, transparency and stable prices of daily essentials. Authorities said the mobile court drives will continue throughout Ramadan to keep prices of essential commodities stable and ensure transparency and discipline in the market in line with consumer rights protections. Aftab Uddin Ahmed said regular market monitoring is being carried out and immediate legal action will be taken against any kind of wrongdoings. He urged traders to properly display and follow the government-approved price lists, ensure accurate weights of products and maintain hygienic conditions while selling goods.

The government has reportedly allocated portfolios to eight advisers appointed to PM Tarique Rahman with the status of minister and state minister. Officials said the responsibilities were assigned through a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Friday. According to the notification, among the five advisers holding the status of minister, Mirza Abbas Uddin Ahmed, Nazrul Islam Khan and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed have been appointed as Political Advisers. Besides, Md Ismail Zabiyullah has been given charge of the Ministry of Public Administration, while Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir will oversee the Ministry of Finance. Among the advisers holding the status of state minister, Brig Gen (retd) Shamsul Islam has been assigned the Ministry of Defence. Mahdi Amin has been entrusted with the Ministry of Education; Ministry of Primary and Mass Education; Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment; and the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Meanwhile, Rehan Asif Asad has been given charge of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Science and Technology. Earlier, 10 advisers were appointed on Tuesday.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Friday pledged sweeping changes to the country’s economy and capital markets, vowing that a 'revolutionary transformation' is on the way. Talking to reporters at Shah Amanat International Airport as he arrived in Chattogram after assuming office, Khosru said the government would move away from patronage-based politics and pursue reforms aimed at restoring confidence in the economy and the stock market. “In the coming days, there will be a revolutionary change in the country’s stock market and economy,” he said. The upcoming national budget would not be a conventional one, signalling a break from past approaches, the minister said. Khosru said the government has worked out multiple plans to recover funds siphoned off abroad and would prioritise economic uplift. Employment generation would remain at the centre of policy efforts, as job creation is currently the country’s 'biggest problem', he said. Khosru emphasised that Chattogram, widely regarded as Bangladesh’s commercial hub, would be developed further as a trade centre through increased investment and modernisation of port operations. "The development of Chattogram means the development of the country,” he said, adding that employment and investment growth would guide policy direction. He said steps would be taken to upgrade port infrastructure and create an investment-friendly environment, with the aim of positioning Chattogram as a regional and international trade centre. Port modernisation, infrastructure development and investment facilitation would receive particular focus. Later, in the day, addressing a meeting of port users at his residence in Mehedibag, the minister said he had instructed relevant authorities to ensure that activities centred around Chittagong Port Authority do not contribute to higher commodity prices, especially during Ramadan. Following the meeting, Khosru told journalists that certain port-related factors were contributing to price increases ultimately borne by consumers. He said the government would identify the causes of rising prices and take corrective measures through inter-ministerial coordination. Finance Minister Amir Khosru unveils ambitious reform plan on day one Participants at the meeting called for port tariffs to be set at a rational level. It was attended by Chattogram Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain, officials of the Chittagong Port Authority, the Chattogram Customs Commissioner and representatives from various user groups. Khosru reiterated that making the port more dynamic and efficient would be essential to boosting trade, containing costs and supporting broader economic reforms.

The nation is set to observe 'Amar Ekushey', the Language Martyr's Day and the International Mother Language Day early Saturday, marking the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes for upholding the dignity of the mother tongue, Bangla. The day will also be observed around the world as UNESCO recognised Ekushey February as the International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999. Walking barefoot to Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar with wreaths and flowers singing 'Amar bhaiyer rokte rangano Ekushey February', people from all walks of life will pay their respect to the heroes of the Language Movement who sacrificed their lives for achieving the recognition of Bangla as the state language of erstwhile Pakistan. On February 21, 1952, students and common people in Dhaka took to the streets in protest against the then Pakistani government's denial of Bangla as the national language and imposition of Urdu as the only official language of Pakistan. Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and a few other brave sons of the soil were killed in police firings on this day in 1952 when students came out in a procession from the Dhaka University campus breaching section 144 to press home their demand for the recognition of Bangla as a state language of then Pakistan. The day is a public holiday. In a message the eve of the day, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman extended his sincere greetings and congratulations to all Bangla-speaking people as well as speakers of all languages and ethnic groups across the world. “The movement to protect the mother tongue not only established linguistic rights but also strengthened the foundations of the Bengali people’s struggle for self-rule, democracy and cultural identity. Following the blood-stained path of February 21, the nation eventually achieved independence through the great Liberation War,” he said. The Prime Minister said the government aims to build a self-reliant, secure, humane and democratic state by upholding the aspirations of all martyrs, including the language martyrs, those who laid down their lives in the Liberation War of 1971, the struggle to protect independence in 2024, and all democratic movements in the country. He called upon all concerned to work together to uphold the dignity of all languages across the world. DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali said on Friday that around 15,000 police personnel would be deployed in and around the Central Shaheed Minar to ensure the safe and orderly observance of Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day. No security threat around Ekushey February programmes: DMP Commissioner He was speaking after inspecting security arrangements at the memorial, where large crowds are expected to gather to pay tribute to the language martyrs. There is no security threat surrounding this year’s Ekushey February observance in the capital, he said. National dailies will publish supplements, marking the day, while Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television and private radio stations and television channels will air special programmes on the occasion.

An inmate at Dhaka Central Jail died after falling ill, officials said on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Abdul Khaleque, 65, son of the late Kafil Uddin. Prison guard Abdullah said Khalek fell ill inside the jail. On the instructions of the authorities, he was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital at around 00:30am, where doctors declared him dead. Khaleque’s prison identification number was 6718/A. Officials did not disclose the nature of the case in which he had been imprisoned. Inmate dies after falling ill at Dhaka Central Jail Inspector Md Faruk, who is in charge of the police camp at the hospital, said the body has been kept in the morgue for a post-mortem examination. A medico-legal report will be prepared in the presence of an executive magistrate. Once the necessary formalities are completed by the prison authorities, the body will be handed over to his family.  

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain on Friday said people will no longer have to run after doctors as the government aims to ensure that doctors reach out to patients at their doorsteps. “We will build the Health Ministry as a completely corruption- and syndicate-free ministry,” he said while addressing a civic reception accorded to him at his ancestral home at Hafizpur village i. Monohardi upazila of Narsingdi. The minister said healthcare services would be made easily accessible and universal. “We are moving forward with the mindset of delivering medical services at the doorsteps of citizens,” he said. He said the government bears equal responsibility towards all citizens, regardless of whether they voted for the ruling party or not. Responding to the long-standing demand for establishing a medical college in Narsingdi, the minister sought prayers and cooperation from the people to expedite the process. “We will work to establish a medical college in Narsingdi as soon as possible. Similar initiatives will be taken wherever necessary across the country,” he said. Health Minister announces on-the-spot monitoring of doctors’ services He also said steps would be taken to make the 250-bed Narsingdi District Hospital fully functional at the earliest and to introduce two ICU units in the district. Among others, Narsingdi Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration) Md Kalimullah, Superintendent of Narsingdi District Hospital Dr ANM Mizanur Rahman and leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies were  

An auto-rickshaw driver was killed as a pickup hit his vehicle near Azimpur Orphanage in Lalbagh in Dhaka. The deceased identified as Amzad Hossain, 68, from Jainki village in Dohar upazila of Dhaka. His son, Sakib, said his father left home in the morning as usual to drive his auto-rickshaw. “A fast-moving pickup struck my father’s vehicle and fled the spot. He was severely injured and later died,” he said. Hossain was rushed to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition where doctors declared him dead. Inspector of DMCH police camp Md. Faruk said the body has been kept in the morgue and police have been informed for further investigation.

Thousands of Muslims poured into the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram on the first Friday of the holy month of Ramadan to offer Juma prayers in an atmosphere marked by devotion, restraint and spiritual reflection.