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Ecnec postpones Tk 236-crore project of Teletalk to save dollars
The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday suspended a Tk 236-crore project of Teletalk on commercial introduction of 5-G services in the capital as a part of the government's austerity measures amid the global crisis.
But the Ecnec approved seven other development projects with the estimated cost of Tk 2,007.57 crore (only additional costs of the three revised projects were counted here).
The approval came from the Ecnec meeting held at the NEC conference room. Prime Minister and Ecnec chair Sheikh Hasina joining it through a virtual platform from her official residence Ganobhaban.
Also read: PM: BNP plundered national resources during its rule
"Today's meeting approved seven projects, but postponed a fresh project of Teletalk," said Planning Minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters.
He said the Teletalk project was postponed as it would cost dollars from the country's reserve of foreign currencies but it is so much essential right now.
The minister said the project was not cancelled. It will be implemented later, he added.
The new project titled " Commercial Introduction of 5-G technology in the Teletalk Network in Dhaka Metropolitan area" involving Tk 236.54 crore was designed to implement by December 2023.
The main objectives of the project include to introduce 5-G technology commercially, to raise interest among the people over 5-G technology, and encourage other mobile phone operators to introduce 5-G services.
The largest project among four fresh ones approved in the meeting is "Land Acquisition, providing compensation to the victims and their rehabilitation in order to establish the divisional headquarters for Mymensigh Division Project" with the cost of Tk 1,224.81 crore.
Also read: PM urges the youth to acquire skills to become entrepreneurs
Three other new projects are "Strengthening research activities of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA)" with the estimated cost of Tk 164.01 crore; "Procurement of Equipment and Machineries from Belarus for Selected Municipalities and City Corporations" with Tk 150.62 crore; and "Extension and Modernisation of Dhaka Central Drug Addiction Treatment Centre" with Tk 162.34 crore.
The three revised projects are Rehabilitation of 67A, 67, 67B and 68 polders along the Naf River in Ukhia and Teknaf Upazilas to improve the border security on Bangladesh- Myanmar Border (first revised) project" with additional cost of Tk 227.02 crore (Now the cost raised to Tk 368.67 crore); Uttara Lake Development (1st revised) Project with additional cost of Tk 53.41 crore (now cost is Tk 90.74); and Jail Training Centre, Rajshahi (1st revised) project with additional cost of Tk 25.36 crore (now cost is Tk 98.78.crore).
Rains likely to quell heat in Bangladesh
Expect some respite from the scorching heat and frustrating humidity, as the weather department has predicted monsoon showers at many places across the country in 24 hours.
“Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty winds is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country,” the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said in its forecast.
Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country, it added.
Read: Dhaka is world's third most polluted city
The Met office recorded the highest 113mm rainfall in Mymensingh district in 24 hours till 6am on Tuesday.
The mercury reached 35.7 degrees Celsius – the highest – in Khulna, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 23.5 degrees in Mymensingh.
Meanwhile, the monsoon trough runs through Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal to Assam across the central parts of Bangladesh.
Monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh and weak to moderate elsewhere over the North Bay, as per the bulletin.
Dhaka is world's third most polluted city
Air pollution still remains one of the top most challenges for Bangladesh -- its capital has been ranked the third most polluted city in the world.
On Tuesday, the capital's air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 161 at 10.40am. The air was classified as ‘unhealthy’.
Chile's Santiago and Pakistan’s Lahore occupied the first and second spots in the list with AQI scores of 164 and 162, respectively.
Read: Global pollution kills 9 million people a year, study finds
An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups.
Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, is used by government agencies to inform people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy during winter and improves during monsoon.
Read: Light pollution threatens birds in cities
Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
Global Covid cases near 583 million
The overall number of Covid cases is gradually nearing 583 million amid a rise in new infections in some parts of the world.
According to the latest global data, the total case count mounted to 582,905,496 and the death toll reached 6,421,737 on Tuesday morning.
The US has recorded 93,225,110 cases so far and 1,055,576 people have died from the virus in the country, the data shows.
Also read: Covid forces suspension of production at Barapukuria Coal Mine for 15 more days
According to India’s federal health ministry data released on Monday morning, 10,640 new cases of Covid were reported in 24 hours, taking the total tally to 44,046,915 in the country.
The country also logged 39 related deaths in the past 24 hours, pushing the overall toll to 526,396 since the beginning of the pandemic, the ministry said.
New Zealand recorded 7,382 new community cases of Covid and 34 more deaths, the Ministry of Health said on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, South Korea reported 111,700 new cases and 16 new deaths.
Also read: Global Covid cases top 582 million
Health authorities in Australia reported 27,955 new cases and 53 new deaths during the period.
Covid in Bangladesh
One more person died from Covid and 349 tested positive for the virus in Bangladesh in 24 hours till Monday.
The country's total fatalities and caseload reached 29,292 and 2,005,606, respectively, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily case positivity rate dropped to 5.86% from Sunday's 6.38% as 5,953 samples were tested.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.46%. The recovery rate rose to 96.90% from Sunday's 96.87%.
Prof Yunus launches partnership with World Football Summit
Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus has recently launched a long-term partnership with one of the world’s largest business platforms in the football industry - the World Football Summit - to help solve human and environmental problems via the world’s most popular sport.
The World Football Summit regularly brings together the football industry’s leading stakeholders to spark discussion, generate knowledge and promote innovation to drive progress for the game and the industry.
The partnership will begin at the 2022 World Football Summit event on 28 and 29 September, in which Professor Yunus and the Yunus Sports Hub will participate in different activations, both before and during the summit.
Read: Case against Prof Yunus: Final hearing on scrapping case on Aug 11
Yunus, Founder of the Grameen Bank and recipient of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, has long advocated for the world’s most significant institutions to solve human and environmental problems.
As the pioneer of the global social business movement, Professor Yunus has spent the last 30 years working with social entrepreneurs all over the globe to build and grow enterprises that help others out of poverty and are not measured purely by profit.
Recognising the unique power of sport to galvanise the world, in 2018 Professor Yunus launched the Yunus Sports Hub; a social business itself. In 2021, he became only the second recipient of the Olympic Laurel, recognising his extensive work in sport for development with organisations including the International Olympic Committee and the Paris 2024 Organising Committee.
ACC investigation into Grameen Telecom underway
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Monday sent a letter to Grameen Telecom after starting an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of money.
The ACC sent a letter on Sunday (July 31) asking for the information of four members of the board of directors of Grameen Telecom including Muhammad Yunus.
Earlier, ACC Secretary Mahabub Hossain informed that the ACC has started an inquiry against the board of directors of Grameen Telecom.
An inquiry committee has been formed to investigate the allegation, he added.
Read: ACC to grill Shilpakala Academy DG on Jan 16
According to sources of ACC, ACC Director Syed Iqbal Hossain has been appointed as the supervising officer in the investigation committee while deputy director Gulshan Anwar Pradhan has been made the team head and the other members are assistant director Jasmine Akhtar and Noore Alam Siddiqui.
Alongside, the four members of the board of directors have been asked to know various information.
The ACC is investigating the charges against them, including misappropriation of 5 percent of the dividend reserved for distribution among workers, illegal deduction of 6 percent as advocate fees and other fees while paying workers' dues, interest allocated to workers' welfare fund, embezzlement of Tk 45 crore 52 lakh 13 thousand without distribution and embezzlement by transfer of Tk 2977 crore from the company to the bank accounts of various subsidiaries for the purpose of money laundering.
Big jump in import, Bangladesh witnesses highest ever $18.70 billion BOP deficit in FY22
The fiscal year 2021-22 ended with a record USD $18.70 billion deficit in the Balance of Payments (BOP) due to a big jump of imports, said Bangladesh Bank (BB) updated report released on Monday.
In the previous fiscal year (2020-21), this index was only $4.57 billion deficit in the balance of payment.
Never before such a large deficit has been seen in any financial year. Economic researchers believe that the important indicators of the economy have deteriorated due to the jump in imports.
Ahsan H Mansur, executive director of the Policy Research Institute (PRI), economist and a researcher, believes that this shortfall has emerged as a concern in the macroeconomy.
He told UNB, "Due to the abnormal increase in imports, this huge shortfall in foreign transactions has occurred. It is true that there is a positive side to increasing imports. Investment in the country increases; creating employment. There is momentum in the economy.”
Read: Bangladesh receives 2.09 billion remittance in July; highest in 14 months
But the balance of payments deficit of about $19 billion is really a matter of concern. Due to this shortage, instability or crisis has occurred in the foreign exchange market market, Mansur said.
He said, "The higher price of all kinds of things including fuel oil, food products in the world market is a reason for the increase in import cost.”
“Despite taking various initiatives from the government and Bangladesh Bank, the cost of imports cannot be controlled. Due to this increase in expenditure, inflation is also increasing. All in all, the crisis in the economy is increasing,” Mansur added.
In this situation, Mansur suggested the government and central bank take more strict measures to reduce imports.
According to the Central Bank data, the outgoing FY 22 started with a deficit in the current account balance. In the first three months July-September, this deficit amounted to $2.31 billion. At the end of four months (July-October) it increased to $4.77 billion. In this way, the balance of payment deficit has increased every month along with the increase in import expenditure.
BEPZA EZ gets $28m more in investment
Nova Intima, a Hong Kong-British Virgin Island-owned ladies' undergarment manufacturing company, will invest $28 million in BEPZA Economic Zone (BEPZA EZ) in Mirsharai, Chattogram.
The company signed an agreement with the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) in Dhaka Monday.
Ali Reza Mazid, member (investment promotion) of BEPZA, and Vijay Uttam, managing director of Nova Intima, signed the deal. Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, executive chairman of BEPZA, was also present.
Read: Dutch Co. to invest $ 10.52 million in BEPZA’s Economic Zone
Nova will annually produce 60 million units of ladies' undergarments and fabrics and accessories for producing those clothing items, employing more than 5,625 Bangladeshis.
Two other companies in Chattogram and Karnaphuli EPZs, under the same owner, invested around $22 million in the production of ladies' undergarments, employing around 6,000 Bangladesh nationals.
ACC files case against chairman of Lakshmipur Model Union
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Monday filed a case against chairman of Lakshmipur Model Union of Chandpur Sadar Upazila and the owner of Shapla Media Production Company Salim Khan as the commission found illegal wealth of TK 34 crore and concealing the information of about Taka 67 lakh.
ACC Assistant Director and Investigation Officer Ataur Rahman filed the main case wirh Dhaka Co-ordinated Office-1 of ACC.
As the complaint against Salim Khan was initially proved, a notice of submission of assets statement was issued against him with the approval of the commission, the ACC Secretary said.
After verifying the asset statement submitted by him, evidence of concealment of information of assets of Tk 66 lakh 99 thousand. In addition, the investigation of the ACC found evidence of assets outside the known income of TK34 crore 53 lakh 81 thousand and the case has been approved against him under Section 26 (2) and 27 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2004.
Also read: ACC sues Khulna food inspector, wife
Earlier, on April 26, Metropolitan Sessions Judge KM Imrul Kayes banned Salim Khan from traveling abroad for 60 days in view of ACC's application. Later the time is extended in view of reapplying.
On September 20, 2020, the ACC issued a notice to Salim Khan and his wife Shahanara Begum asking for an account of their assets as preliminary evidence of illegal assets was found during the investigation. After checking various documents including income tax statement of Salim Khan, his family expenditure account was found to be TK34 lakh 88 thousand 800 taka while his total income is 61 lakh 72 thousand taka including the salary and allowance received as the chairman of the union council.
A notice to file a statement of assets was issued after the ACC's investigation found evidence of illegal assets,he added.
Also read: ACC's spree continues against relatively small fry
In addition, on April 6 of this year, an enforcement team led by ACC assistant director Rafi Nazmus Sa'dat conducted an operation by the enforcement team for verifying the allegations against Salim Khan.
During the operation, the ACC team made a spot inspection of the proposed land for Chandpur Science and Technology University at a distance of 800 meters from the Meghna River along the Chandpur-Haimchar road at Lakshmipur Mauza of Chandpur Sadar Upazila.
The education minister's family has recently been accused of irregularities in the acquisition of land for the proposed Chandpur University of Science and Technology.
It is alleged that the education minister's family members, relatives and his close friends bought and sold land in Lakshmipur Mauza of Sadar Upazila while his elder brother Dr. Jawadur Rahim Wadud 99 percent of one acre land in 6 deeds, his cousin Zahidul Islam 61 percent of one acre and Laxmipur UP chairman Salim Khan also bought 19 acres of land there.
Bangladesh receives D-8 peace award
Bangladesh has got an "International Peace Award " as one of the founding member of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation.
The award was given in memory of the Prime Minister Prof. Dr. Necmettin Erbakan of the Republic of Turkey.
President of the Board of Trustees of Prof. Dr. Necmettin Erbakan Foundation, Dr. Fatih Erbakan sent a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina informing her of the matter, said a press release of PM’s press wing.
Also read: Rani Yan Yan in race for Women Building Peace Award
Mosud Mannan, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Turkey accredited to Georgia, Turkmenistan and D-8 handed over the crest of the award along with the letter from Dr. Fatih ERBAKAN to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Also read: PM receives ‘Tagore Peace Award 2018’