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4 restaurant staff sustain burn injuries in fire in Dhaka
Four staff including two women of a restaurant sustained burn injuries in a fire in Bhatara area of Dhaka on Wednesday.
The injured are Four Star Restaurant's Chef Tarikul Islam Tarik, 39, his assistant Md Harij, 30, female staff Laily Begum Khadija, 43 and Rohima Begum, 38.
Also read: Fire at Korail; 4 FF units engaged
Of them, two are now undergoing treatment at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka.
Also read: 15 houses gutted in Rangamati fire
The restaurant’s waiter Babul Hawlader who brought the injured to the hospital said a fire broke out in the kitchen from an electric short-circuit located behind Bhatara police station when all were engaged in working around 9am, leaving the four injured.
Gas cylinders were used as fuel in the restaurant, he said.
Also read: 7 sustain burn injuries in Gazipur filling station fire
The Burn Institute’s physician Dr Tarikul Islam said chef Tarik sustained 7 percent burn, Haris 12 percent, Khadija and Rahima 3 percent each.
Of them, two injured were released after giving first aid, he added.
NBR revenue grew 15.38 percent in July, VAT by 21.51 percent
The revenue collection has picked up at the beginning of the fiscal year, which saw a 15.38 percent growth in revenue collection in July on a year-on-year basis.
Among the three sectors under the National Board of Revenue, the VAT Division has been able to make 21.51 percent growth, which is the highest in these 3 divisions-VAT, customs, and income tax.
The Customs Division’s revenue earning has grown by 13.70 percent and Income Tax by 9.65 percent. On the other hand, VAT Division’s revenue earning has increased by 21.51 percent in July on a year-on-year basis.
The VAT collection grew by 10.58 percent during the same period of Fiscal Year 2023.
According to the NBR, the VAT collected in July is Tk7,654 crore. In July last year, this amount was Tk 6,299 crore. Tk 1,355 crore was collected more in the current fiscal year.
LTU VAT Commissionerate is at the top in VAT collection in July. The total collection of LTU is Tk 3,561 crore, which is Tk 860 crore more than before. The growth of this commissioner is 31.86 percent, which is a record for VAT collection in recent times.
Read: Appellate Division orders Dr Yunus to pay NBR Tk 12 crore tax on donations
Besides, Cumilla, Sylhet, Khulna, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Dhaka East, Dhaka South, Rangpur, and Jashore Commissionerate have done relatively well in July of the current financial year. All of them have double-digit growth.
The highest VAT collection in the month of July was in the cigarette sector. The total collection in this sector was Tk1,211 crore, which is 25.92 percent higher than earlier. Other major sectors also have done well.
Growth has also been noticeable in the effort-dependent sector. The collection in this sector is 27.52%. On the other hand, VAT has come from the deduction at the source category of 12.68 percent.
Read: NBR Chairman defends min Tk 2,000 tax for TIN holders
In this regard, it is noteworthy that the VAT collection of sweet shops has increased by 28 percent. In the budget of the current financial year, the VAT in the sweet sector has been reduced from 15 percent to 7.5 percent. Despite this, the VAT collection in this sector has not decreased but has increased.
This information on the effort sector means that the activity and supervision of the field-level VAT officers have increased comparatively. A realistic strategy has been laid down by identifying various potential sectors.
VAT Division officials expect that this high growth rate of VAT collection in July this year will continue.
Read more: NBR-private sector partnership crucial to achieve high revenue target: DCCI President
It is noted that despite various challenges in the economy, the VAT division has seen the highest growth of 16% in the last fiscal year 2022-2023.
Experts call for prompt ban on single-use of plastic, enforcement of laws
Environmental activists and experts have urged the government to impose an immediate nationwide ban on single-use plastic with strict enforcement.
They made the call at a policy dialogue on "Plastic Pollution Towards Plastic Treaty Negotiation, organised by Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) in the city on Wednesday.
Addressing the event, Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP, Chairman of the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, said that plastic pollution is a vital problem for both humanity and the environment.
Seminar on ‘Innovation for Plastic Circularity’ held in Dhaka
He said reducing plastic pollution requires collaboration between the government and the public, eventually leading to a global agreement.
Syed Marghub Murshed, chairperson of ESDO and former secretary of the government, who chaired the policy dialogue, said that it is quite alarming that Bangladesh is one of the most plastic-polluted nations in South Asia.
He said plastic exerts a significant influence on the environment. “We've already put a stop to the use of polythene bags. Despite our efforts, plastic pollution remains a problem we cannot solve.”
Dr. Mahfuzul Haque, Adjunct Faculty, Department of Sociology, BUP, and former secretary of the government, said: “When each person makes environmentally conscious choices, it adds up to a significant positive impact on the environment. Small actions, like reducing single-use plastics, using alternative products, and choosing to refill, can collectively result in substantial changes.”
Integrated efforts needed to prevent plastic pollution: Minister
SK Rafiqul Islam, Chief Controller, Office of the Chief Controller of Imports & Exports, mentioned that the rivers of Bangladesh are a representation of the country's scenic beauty since it is a riverine country. However, plastic pollution mostly contaminates these rivers.
“We need to stop plastic pollution at the source and properly segregate our waste at the source” he said.
It was informed in the function that Bangladesh banned plastic bags two decades ago, but non-biodegradable items are still found in kitchens, public spaces, and upscale retail centers.
Polythene bags are still being made, bought, and used in Bangladesh despite being banned in 2002. The government of Bangladesh has been sluggish in implementing this law to be advantageous.
Chattogram City Corporation, Unilever Bangladesh Limited and YPSA sign MoU towards plastic circularity
Last year, a study of ESDO revealed that each day, 18 transboundary rivers in Bangladesh carry approximately 15,345 tons of single-use plastic waste of which 2802 tons originate from India and Myanmar. 2519 tons come from India and 284 tons from Myanmar.
Approximately 2.6 million tons of single-use plastic waste enter the Bay of Bengal every year, of which nearly half a million tons are trans boundary wastes.
The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change reportedly gave all parties concerned instructions to prohibit using single-use plastic totally from 12 coastal areas of Bangladesh by 2023 following an order from the High Court published in this gazette. Only four months remain in 2023 as of August 2023, yet the implementation process is moving very slowly.
Dr. Shahriar Hossain, the Secretary General of ESDO, has stated that this plastic treaty has more meaning than just a piece of paper.
Plastic pollution puts ecosystems in great danger: speakers
He said, “Plastic waste is present in even the most isolated areas of our planet, suffocating marine life and littering beaches. It's a worldwide issue that impacts every nation, group, and individual. Despite this disaster, the Global Plastic Treaty gives us hope.”
Siddika Sultana, the Executive Director of ESDO, said the organisation has been engaged in advocating and campaigning against plastic pollution with various stakeholders.
“The network has empowered young people to become a global voice to end plastic pollution.”
Board members of ESDO, academicians from different renowned universities, representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Food, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Tourism BIWTA, NBR, Consumer FBCCI, JDPC, BELA, students and green club member of ESDO from Lalmatia Girls High School and College and Lalmatia Housing Society School and College along with media representatives actively participated at the event.
3 ‘smugglers’ arrested with 2.9 kg gold from Benapole border
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrested three suspected smugglers along with 4 gold bars weighing 2.9 Kg from Daulatpur border of Benapole in Jessore district on Wednesday morning,
The arrestees were Saidur Rahman Majed, 33, son of Mohiuddin of Pirojpur village of Jhenaidah district, Saiful Islam, 36, son of Nasir Ali of Bagdanga village in Jessore Sadar upazila and Masud Chowdhury Babu, 31, son of Rezaul Chowdhury of Nischintapur village in Sharsha upazila of Jessore.
Read: BGB seizes six gold bars worth Tk58 lakh near Satkhira border
A special BGB patrol team arrested the three suspects from a private car around 11 am, said Lt Col Tanvir Rahman, commander of Khulna-21 BGB battalion.Later, the gold bars worth Tk 2.65 crore were seized searching their bodies.
Read: BGB recovers Indian sarees, cosmetics worth Tk 4cr along Sylhet border
With this, 21 BGB Battalion seized 112 kg of gold worth Tk 100 crore in the last one year.
A case will be filed with Benapole Port Police Station and the gold will be deposited to the treasury branch of Jessore, the BGB official said.
Dhaka air world’s most polluted for second consecutive day
Dhaka has topped the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality for the second consecutive day with an AQI of 176 at 8:58 am today (August 30, 2023).
The air was classified as 'unhealthy'.
An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy' while 201-300 is 'very unhealthy', and 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing severe health risks to residents.
Dhaka’s air quality 4th worst in the world this morning
Indonesia’s Jakarta, India’s Kolkata and Pakistan's Lahore occupied the second, third and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 163, 158 and 154, respectively.
The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka's air quality 'moderate' this morning
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
Dhaka's air quality still in 'moderate' range this morning
BPDB’s chairman’s term extended by a year
The tenure of the chairman of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) Engr Md Mahbubur Rahman has been extended for one year.
The Ministry of Public Administration issued a gazette notification confirming the notification on Tuesday.
Also read: Mahbubur Rahman appointed as new BPDB chairman
The notification said Mahbub will serve for another one year from September 1 in continuation of his appointment as BPDB chairman.
Earlier, he was appointed as BPDB chairman on January 31, 2022 as the BPDB chairman. Prior to his current position he served as Member (Company Affairs) of the organisation.
Also read: Load shedding in Sylhet: PDB engineer receives threat; GD filed
He is the 38th chairman of the BPDB, the state-owned principal organisation in the power sector.
Also read: Deal period with rental, quick rental power plant owners can’t be extended: BPDB Chairman
Engr. Mahbubur was born in Shariatpur district on 1 September, 1963. He obtained B.Sc. Engineering (Civil) degree from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in 1986. He did his M.Sc. Engineering (Hydro-Power) degree from the Norwegian University of Engineering & Technology, Norway in 1995 with a full scholarship from the Norwegian government.
Low-cost pregnancy-intervention measures can avert 1 million stillbirths and newborn deaths in developing nations
Multiple studies under "The Lancet Series on Small Vulnerable Newborns" showed that only eight types of accessible and cost-effective interventions tailored for pregnant women in 81 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), could potentially prevent an estimated 566,000 stillbirths and 5.2 million instances of premature or underweight births annually.
The subsequent benefits could lead to long-term health improvements and enhanced economic productivity.
Ahead of the regional launch of "The Lancet Series on Small Vulnerable Newborns (SVN)" on Wednesday, highlights were presented on Tuesday at a press meet in the Sasakawa Seminar Room at icddr,b, in Dhaka's Mohakhali.
Also read: Coronavirus can destroy the placenta and lead to stillbirths
Dr Ahmed Ehsanur Rahman, scientist at the Maternal and Child Health Division (MCHD), icddr,b presented the highlights of the four papers in the series.
Among these eight interventions are measures such as multiple micronutrient supplements, balanced protein energy supplements, aspirin, syphilis treatment, smoking cessation education, malaria prevention during pregnancy, treatment for asymptomatic bacteriuria, and vaginal progesterone supplementation.
Additionally, two proven strategies to mitigate preterm birth complications—antenatal corticosteroids and delayed cord clamping—are included.
Also read: One stillbirth occurs every 16 seconds: Joint UN report
These combined interventions also have the potential to prevent 476,000 deaths among newborns.
The estimated cost of implementing these measures is $1.1 billion by the year 2030.
A separate analysis within the Lancet Series addressed the issue of small vulnerable newborns. This term encompasses babies born preterm or underweight with a low birth weight.
Of the 135 million live births in 2020, approximately 35.3 million fell into the SVN category.
These births occurred across the globe, with a significant concentration in southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Also read: 5 years of USAID MaMoni Maternal and Newborn Care Strengthening Project: Achievements in collaboration with Health Ministry
Despite global commitments to address the challenges of preterm birth and low birth weight, progress has been insufficient.
The Global Nutrition Target, aiming for a 30% reduction in low birth weight by 2030 from a 2012 baseline, has seen an annual reduction rate of just 0.59%.
This stagnation prompted the Lancet Series to call for enhanced quality of care for pregnant women and birthing procedures.
Also read: 1 pregnant woman or newborn dies every 7 seconds: WHO report
Specifically, the authors advocate for the widespread implementation of pregnancy interventions in 81 LMICs.
This effort, they estimate, could potentially prevent about 32% of stillbirths, 20% of newborn deaths, and 18% of all SVN births within these countries.
Dr Per Ashorn, the lead author of the series, said, "Despite several global commitments and targets aimed at reducing SVN outcomes since 1990, every fourth baby in the world is 'born too small' or 'born too soon'."
Also read: New oral polio vaccine creates antibodies in unvaccinated newborns: Study
"Our series suggests that we already have the knowledge to reverse the current trend and save the lives of 100,000 babies a year at a cost of $1.1 billion, a fraction of what other health programmes receive. We need national actors, with global partners, to urgently prioritise action, advocate, and invest," he said.
Dr Per Ashorn, professor of paediatrics and director of the Tampere Centre for Child, Adolescent, and Maternal Health Research at Tampere University in Finland, and the lead author of the Lancet Series on SVN, Professor Samina Chowdhury, former president of the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB), Professor Md Abdul Mannan, secretary-general of the Bangladesh Perinatal Society (BPA) and Member of the (National Technical Working Committee-Newborn Health (NTWC-NBH), and Dr Ahmed Ehsanur Rahman, scientist at MCHD, icddr,b and Member of the NTWC-NBH, participated as panellists in the event.
icddr,b is hosting the regional launch of The Lancet Series on SVN with support from the Small Vulnerable Newborn Consortium.
The day-long event on Wednesday will be attended by around 150 participants, from different government officials working in the health sector, policymakers, and different programme managers.
The programme will feature an array of scientific discussions and presentations. Also, around 150 participants will join online from around the globe.
No concern among US businessmen about upcoming elections: Salman F Rahman
Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F. Rahman said on Tuesday that there is no concern among US businessmen about the upcoming elections in Bangladesh.
He said that the US businessmen do not see any risk in spontaneous investment here and they are optimistic about Bangladesh's potential.
Also read: Salman F Rahman asks Pakistan president to apologise for 1971 atrocities
“If there was any doubt about the ongoing political situation, such a large business delegation would not have come to the country before the elections,” he added.
Salman said this to reporters after a meeting with a high-level delegation of the US Chamber of Commerce and Industries in the conference room of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) building at Agargaon on Tuesday.
Also read: US delegation attends dinner hosted by Salman F Rahman
A delegation of 40 members of the US Chamber of Commerce and Industry met with Salman F. Rahman to further accelerate the bilateral commercial partnership between Bangladesh and the United States.
The list includes the world's largest equity company Black Stone, technology company Meta, energy sector company Accelerate Energy, Chevron, ExxonMobil and aircraft company Boeing.
Also read: BNP preparing in secret to take part in next elections: Salman F Rahman
In the meeting, US businessmen expressed interest in investing in several sectors including energy, aerospace, digital economy, and health sector.
Ecnec nods setting up 50 technical training centres
The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday approved a project worth Tk 3,751.09 crore to set up some 50 upazila-level technical training centres in a bid to impart skills among uneducated and semi-educated youths who would wish to seek overseas jobs in line with the foreign labour markets.
The approval came in a meeting, which nodded a total of 20 projects worth Tk 14,077.86 crore.
Also read: Ecnec clears Tk 6,345 cr project to improve urban governance, infrastructure in 88 municipalities
Prime Minister and Ecnec Chair Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting at the NEC conference room in the city’s Sher-e Bangla Nagar area.
“Today’s meeting approved 20 projects involving an overall estimated cost of Tk 14,077.86 crore,” said Planning Minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters after the meeting.
Of the total cost, Tk 12,409.44 crore will be financed by the government, while Tk 1,049.04 crore will come from foreign sources and Tk 619.38 crore from the funds of the organisations concerned, he said.
Also read: Ecnec clears 18 projects with estimated cost of Tk 11,388 cr
Of the approved 20 projects, 13 are new while seven are revised projects.
The meeting also approved the extended timeframes of five projects without increasing their costs.
As per the project factsheet, the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) under the Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry will implement the Establishment of 50 Upazila-level Technical Training Centres by March 2028.
The project objectives also include to attain economic prosperity and progress, to create employment scopes and alleviate poverty through skills development training.
Also read: Ecnec clears Tk 4,168-cr project to revive four rivers in dry seasons
In the Ecnec meeting, the Prime Minister again put emphasis on reining in inflation and prevention of unnecessary expenditure and wastage of the public fund, said Mannan.
Sheikh Hasina suggested for building up green belt or afforestation surrounding islands as like in the Sundarbans.
The other approved projects include Climate and Disaster Resilient Small-Scale Water Resources Management Project with Tk 2,235.80 crore, Smallholder Agricultural Competitiveness Project (SACP), 2nd revised with an additional cost of Tk 419.76 crore, Important Rural Infrastructures Development of Gopalganj district, 2nd phase with Tk 815 crore, Implementing protection works for protecting the infrastructures built on Noler Char at Hatia upazila of Noakhali district from the river erosion of Meghna River with Tk 378.05 crore, Shubhadda Khal re-excavation alongside development and protection of both sides of the Khal under Keraniganj upazila in Dhaka district, 1st phase with Tk 317.59 crore, Mohananda River Dredging and Construction of Rubber Dam under Chapainawabganj Sadar Upazila, 2nd revised with an additional cost of Tk 64.30 crore, Modernisation of Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy Children’s Park with Tk 603.80 crore, Inauguration of two connecting roads from Purbachal 300-foot road to Madani Avenue with Tk 310 crore, and Construction of new building for Bagerhat Collectorate with Tk 130.20 crore.
The other projects are: Construction of Patuakhali Export Processing Zones with Tk 1,442.78 crore, Construction of Borobhanga Bridge on the 25th kilometer of Sylhet (Telikhal)-Sultanpur-Balaganj (Z-2013) Highway under Sylhet Division with Tk 126.77 crore, Ramerkanda-Lakirchar connecting road development project under Munshiganj Roads Division with Tk 514.57 crore, Establishment of 500-bedded hospital and ancillary building in Jashore, Cox’s Bazar and Pabna and Abdul Malek Ukil Medical College and Nurul Haque Modern Hospital, Noakhali, 1st revised with an additional cost of Tk 1,312.43 crore, Child, Maternal and health management component: Modernization of diagnostic imaging system at medical college hospitals of 8 divisional cities, 1st revised with an additional cost of Tk 194.55 crore, Expansion of infrastructures and academic operations of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, 1st revised with an additional cost of Tk 387.33 crore, Leaving No One Behind: Improving Skills and Economic Opportunities for the Women and Youths in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh with Tk 176.88 crore, Establishment of gas distribution pipeline network at Rangpur, Nilphamari, Pirganj town and adjacent areas, 1st revised with an additional cost of Tk 68.50 crore, Construction of Syedpur 150 MW Simple Cycle based power plant, 1st revised with an additional cost of Tk 248.93 crore and Economic Census 2023 with Tk 579.53 crore.
Govt to provide Tk 16.20 crore more as incentive to boost summer onion production
The government will provide an incentive of Tk 16.20 crore to 18,000 farmers in 2nd phase in the current year to increase the production of onion during summer, said the Agriculture Ministry.
Under the scheme, a farmer will get one kg seeds of Nabi (Late)variety onion, 20 kgs of DAP and 20 kgs of MoP fertilizer free of cost, said a handout of the ministry issued on Tuesday.
Besides, they will also get Tk 2000 in cash for preparing land or to wages for labours.
Govt nods import of onion from 9 countries
The Nabi variety onion will be planted from November to December and it will be available in the local market in January and February, it said.
The incentive is being given from the regular budget of the ministry.
Onion import through Dinajpur’s Hili port falls after India imposes 40pc export duty
Already an order in this regard has been issued and the distribution of incentives will start soon in the field level.
Earlier, the government provided Tk 16 crore to 18,000 farmers to increase the production of onion in the country in the first phase.
Onion prices cross Tk 100 per kg in Dhaka after India imposes extra duty