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Air Vice Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan takes over BAF Command
Newly appointed Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan on Saturday took over the command of Bangladesh Air Force, an Inter Service public relations ( ISPR) press release said.
He took over from the outgoing Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat at a ceremony at Chief of Air Staff’s secretariat.
Also read: BAF's Command Safety Seminar held
Principal Staff Officers along with other senior officers of Air Headquarters were present during the occasion, ISPR said.
Earlier in the morning, the outgoing Air Chief paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.
Also read: 13 trainee officers get BAF Flight Safety Officers' Course certificate
He also laid wreaths at Shikha Anirban to pay homage to the members of Armed Forces who were martyred during the War of Liberation in 1971.
BGMEA gets global recognition for green factories
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has won the prestigious "US Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership Award" for its efforts in developing Bangladesh as the home of green garment factories of the world.
BGMEA is the first organisation in the world to receive such an award and it is a big international recognition, said BGMEA President Faruque Hassan Saturday during a virtual media briefing from the association's office in the capital.
Bangladesh now has 143 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified garment factories – the highest in the world.
Also read: BGMEA urges govt to simplify RMG export procedures
Of these factories, 41 are platinum rated and the rest are gold and silver-rated ones certified by the USGBC.
Also, around 500 more apparel factories are waiting to be certified by the USGBC as green factory buildings, the BGMEA president said.
"As the country's pioneering export industry, the apparel industry holds the responsibility of running the engine of economic growth. But while we do it, we cannot stay indifferent to the negative externalities of growth – especially when it comes to the environment," Faruque Hassan said.
Also read: BGMEA seeks customs support for garment industry
"Green factory buildings are environment friendly in planning, design, construction and operation, which reduce or eliminate negative impacts and improve our quality of life through its lifetime."
"These buildings have cleaner air circulation, more access to daylight, less pollution, harm-free chemical paints and finishing, which create a healthier working environment. The improved quality of the environment does not only reduce the prevalence of asthma and respiratory allergies but also encourages workers and boosts retention rate and productivity," the BGMEA president said.
BGMEA Vice-President Md Shahidullah Azim and directors Barrister Shehrin Salam Oishee and Md Mohiuddin Rubel were also present at the briefing.
Jatrabari-Demra 4-lane project: Development marches on
Only 42% work on the Jatrabari-Demra highway four-lane project has been completed so far although it was scheduled to be completed by 2020.Due to various complications and slow pace of work, the project is now expected to be extended till 2022.Besides, 6 flyovers are being constructed on the highway alongside sidewalks for pedestrians.On January 22, 2019, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved the upgradation of the Jatrabari (Mayor Hanif Flyover)–Demra (Sultana Kamal Bridge) highway into four-lane project with Tk 368.87 crore in a bid to facilitate vehicular movement and reduce traffic congestion.Under the proposed project, the road would be upgraded to a 4-lane highway, with a width of 15.60 meters, and including separate service lanes for slow-moving vehicles.
Extortion by any other name
Upon visiting the Demra Staff Quarters area of the capital, UNB photographer Adnan Adid that the sub-tenants were collecting tolls in the name of various vehicle tolls. The extortion was going on in many alleys including the main road from Dhaka North City to Dhaka South City.
Illegal, totally unauthorised tolls of up to Tk30 are collected through receipts from every battery-powered auto rickshaw(which itself is illegal) Laguna, CNG, pickup and truck in this area.
Also read: Corruption, terrorism, extortion will not be tolerated: LGRD minister
The receipts even have separate colours and names. For example, the yellow receipt is called ‘Uttara Chaka’.
The drivers alleged that extortion on the roads of Dhaka South in the name of toll has created chaos on the road. They demanded that Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) take initiatives to stop such extortion in the name of toll.
Also read: Dhaka-Aricha highway blocked protesting extortion
Dhaka consumes 46% of the electricity Bangladesh generates: Nasrul Hamid
Dhaka city alone consumes 46 percent of the electricity Bangladesh produces, while the remaining amount is consumed by the rest of the country.
Disclosing the data, State Minister for Power and Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said this is not only a difficult situation, but also a dangerous one.
“We’ve to generate power in northern and southern regions of the country and bring it to Dhaka spending huge money,” he told a webinar titled “Sustainable Development of Energy-Power Sector & Budget for FY 2021-22” on Saturday.
The virtual seminar, organised by Energy and Power magazine, was also addressed by economist Dr Ahsan H Mansur, eminent energy expert Dr M Tamim, Summit Group Chairman Mohammad Aziz Khan, former NBR Chairman Dr Mohammad Abdul Mazid, and former president of Dhaka Chamber Abul Kasem Khan.
Power Cell director general Mohammad Hossain presented the keynote paper at the seminar conducted by magazine editor Mollah Amzad Hossain.
Also read: Consumers to be urged to be more economical in power consumption
Noting that no major infrastructure is being developed in other areas of the country, Nasrul Hamid said the industrial sector failed to consume as much electricity as expected.
Dismissing a claim made by economists that there is a big surplus in power production, he said now the country’s highest consumption is 15,000 MW of electricity while the actual demand is 17,000 MW and the generation is 24,000 MW-plus. “Some 7,000 MW is not a big surplus in power generation.”
Hamid said the technology in power generation is changing fast and the country may not require in the future to install any new power plant.
2021 Hajj: Registrations limited to Saudi citizens, residents
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has limited registration for this year's Hajj pilgrimage to its citizens and residents for the second time in a row amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday conveyed the decision.
The annual pilgrimage, scheduled to be held at the end of July, will be limited to 60,000 vaccinated residents of the kingdom, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced in a statement Saturday.
Also read: Hajj pre-registration to continue throughout this year
"In light of what the whole world is witnessing from the continuing developments of the coronavirus pandemic and the emergence of new mutations, Hajj registration will be limited to residents and citizens from inside the Kingdom only," the Saudi ministry said.
Those wishing to perform Hajj must be free of chronic diseases and only vaccinated people – aged between 18 and 65 – will be able to take part, the ministry added.
Last year, only 1,000 people residing in the kingdom were selected to perform Hajj after meeting certain criteria.
Also read: Bangladesh makes Covid vaccine mandatory for Hajj pilgrims
CSOs, MPs demand Tk 150 bn for coastal protection
A group of civil society organisations (CSOs) and MPs from coastal areas on Saturday urged the government to allocate at least Tk 150 billion for coastal protection, particularly for climate-resilient embankment construction.
Speaking at a virtual seminar, they said the government can make the allocation from the revenue in the national budget for the fiscal year 2021-22.
Read: Priotise embankment for protection of coastal population
The environmental experts suggested the government develop an embankment maintenance strategy and ensure effective involvement of local government in the process.
The seminar was jointly organized by the COAST foundation, Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihood (CSRL), Center for Participatory Research & Development (CPRD), and Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN).
Saber Hossain Chowdhury, MP, the Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, attended the programme as the chief guest while Aminul Hoque of COAST presented the keynote paper.
Narayon Chandra Chanda, MP from Khulna-5, Mushtaque Ahmed Robi, MP from Satkhira-2, Nurunnabi Chowdhury, MP from Bhola-3, Nahim Razzaq, MP from Shariatpur-3, Asheq Ullah Rafiq, MP from Cox's Bazar-2, Shameem Haider Patwary, MP from Gaibandha-1, Zafar Alam, MP from Cox's Bazar-1, Dr Ainun Nishat, Professor Emeritus BRAC University, Md Shamsuddoha of CPRD and Hasan Mehedi of CLEAN also spoke at the programme.
In his keynote presentation, Aminul Hoque said cyclone and monsoon floods are damaging the livelihoods and structures in coastal areas every year, causing immense sufferings to people living there.
“But the government has ignored the sufferings of people by placing a traditional budget for embankment construction which is not appropriate to address the issues,” he said.
Aminul said the government will have to allocate at least Tk150 billion every year as the minimum requirement for embankment construction. “Local government authorities have to be given the mandate with an adequate budget for embankment maintenance.”
Saber Hossain Chowdhury said a national risk assessment is needed to support the government in allocating appropriate resources.
He demanded a roadmap on this issue along with preparing an embankment policy.
Dr Ainun Nishat said political biases should be minimised when it comes to prioritisation and budget allocation for the protection of the coastal embankments and preparing an appropriate embankment planning.
“The projects under the “Delta Plan” have been taken without considering local knowledge,” he observed.
Asheq Ullah Rafiq said it is necessary to give a district-wise allocation for the embankment construction and protection.
Nahim Razzaq said a comprehensive water management system and planning is essential to reduce the effect of coastal disasters. “This is only possible by ensuring inter-ministerial coordination. We can form a “Caucus” with coastal MPs to strengthen the advocacy on this issue.”
Covid-19 in Bangladesh: Positivity rate hits 14.12%, highest in 50 days
Bangladesh registered 1,637 new Covid cases with the positivity rate hitting 14.12% in 24 hours until Saturday morning.
The positivity rate went up again from Friday’s 13.39 percent, said a handout of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
This is the highest in 50 days since April 23 this year when the country reported 14% Covid positivity rate.
Also read: Covid-19: Positivity rate now 62% in Natore sadar, municipality
Besides, 39 people died due to Covid-19 during the period, pushing up the death toll to 13,071, while the caseload reached 8,24,486 with the logging of the new cases.
However, the fatality rate rose to 1.59% from Friday’s 1.58%, said the DGHS handout.
Of the deceased, Khulna division recorded the highest 11 deaths while Dhaka division 10.
Also read: Bangladesh loses 43 more lives to Covid-19, toll crosses 13,000
Meanwhile, seven people died in Rajshahi, six in Chattogram, two each in Rangpur, Barishal and one in Sylhet divisions.
Virtual IPF, DTG trade exhibitions in July, August
Two virtual exhibitions will be held in July and August to improve the international communication between local enterprises and global supply chain amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Covid-19 has slowed down the pace of the world causing an economic recession. But Bangladesh relies heavily on exports, foreign investments and imported raw materials, and cannot break its connection with the world.
To improve the international communication between the local enterprises and global supply chain, the trade show organizer-- Yorkers Trade & Marketing Service Co., Ltd -- will launch the online expos for both the Bangladesh Int’l Plastics, Printing & Packaging Industry Fair (IPF) jointly with Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BPGMEA), and the Dhaka Int'l Textile & Garment Machinery Exhibition (DTG) along with Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA).
IPF online expo will be held from July 5 to 8 and DTG online expo will be available from August 2 to 5.
The annual IPF and DTG are both the largest international trade fair of its kind for suppliers and local companies, said the organizers on Saturday.
Suppliers from all over the world will interact with local customers through the time of the exhibition and develop new cooperation opportunities.
The exhibitions have been postponed for two years amid pandemic due to the international travel ban.
International suppliers are looking forward to having a platform networking with local buyers.
The show organizers then have developed an online exhibition system to offer a safer and real-time platform for exhibitors to increase their brand awareness in the market and build relations with potential buyers beyond geographical boundaries.
The show is also expected to bring a series of online keynote speeches and seminars, for sharing industry insights and up-to-date technology to online attendees.
IPF online expo will be joined by 483 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions including Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and Vietnam.
DTG online expo will be available with 1,200 exhibitors from 35 countries and regions.
Bangladesh’s maritime ports asked to hoist signal No 3
The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal No three as a low pressure formed over Northwest Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh.
Under its influence, a deep convection is happening over North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh, said a met office bulletin.
A squally weather is likely to affect the maritime ports, North Bay and adjoining areas.
READ: Maritime ports asked to hoist local cautionary signal No 3
All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay have been advised to come close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice.
According to the regular bulletin of the met office, light to moderate rains or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind are likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions and at a few places over Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at isolated places over the country.
The day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
READ: Maritime ports asked to hoist Cautionary Signal 1