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Covid-19: Bangladesh registers 43 more deaths; positivity rate hits 11.03%
As Coronavirus-related deaths and infections keep growing in Bangladesh again, the country recorded 43 more deaths in the past 24 hours till Saturday morning.
Besides, 1,447 new cases were registered during the period, taking the country's caseload to 809,314.
With the latest death toll, the total number of fatalities rose to 12,801.
The daily infection rate climbed to 11.03% from Friday's 10.40% while the mortality rate remained static at 1.58%, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The new cases were detected after testing 13,115 samples.
Dhaka and Rajshahi divisions saw the highest fatalities during the period with 12 deaths each while Chattogram division witnessed eight deaths, Khulna five, Rangpur three, Mymensingh two and Sylhet one.
Of the deceased, 30 were men while 13 women.
Of them, one was below 10 years, one in his 20s, five are 30 years old, two of 40, 13 are of 50 old and 21 are above 60 years.
READ: 1st USAID consignment of Covid-19 response relief on way to Bangladesh
However, 749,425 patients have recovered so far, keeping the country’s recovery rate at 92.60%.
Bangladesh reported its first Covid cases on March 8 last year and the first death on the 18th of that month.
PM calls for massive tree plantation to save environment
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday urged the people to go for massive plantation of trees to protect the country from the adverse impacts of climate change.
The prime minister was inaugurating the ‘National Tree Plantation Campaign-2021’ marking the World Environment Day.
“We’ll have to protect the environment. This country is ours. If we want to protect the country from the adverse impacts of climate changes, we’ll have to promote greenery further in this green Bengal (Sabuj Bangla),” she said.
READ: BGB, Banayan sign MoU for tree plantation
She launched the campaign by planting saplings at official residence Ganobhaban here.
Noting that she planted saplings with her own hands, Sheikh Hasina called upon the people to plant trees in the whatever places available to them.
“Plant at least one sapling. But it would be best, if you can plant three saplings. I want you to plant three saplings –-one for fruit, one for timber and one herbal,” she said.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin and its Deputy Minister Habibun Nahar were present on the occasion.
This year, the National Tree Plantation Campaign is being observed with the theme “Mujibborshe Angikar Kori, Sonar Bangla Sabuj Kori” aimed at motivating the people to make Bangladesh even greener in the Mujib Year.
READ: Tree plantation to transform Bangladesh’s tourism: Mahbub
The day is being observed across the world with the theme of ‘Ecosystem Restoration’ on Saturday.
The prime minister said Bangladesh has achieved a remarkable success in afforestation increasing the country’s forestation to 22 per cent thanks to different measures taken by her government.
She mentioned that the trees not only protect the environment, but also provide financial solvency and other benefits to the people.
READ: PM to launch tree plantation campaign July 16
Sheikh Hasina also called upon the people to take proper care of trees. “It is not enough to plant saplings only. You’ll have to take care of these as well.” she said.
Two die after inhaling toxic gas inside septic tank in Bhola
Two workers died while three others fell sick after inhaling toxic gas inside a septic tank in the East Ilisha area of Bhola's Sadar upazila on Saturday morning.
The deceased have been identified as Abdul Malek, 45, and Jashim, 40.
Local people said the five workers had only built the septic tank in the house of Nirob Bulai in the Ponditer Pole area of East Ilisha a month ago.
On Saturday morning, Abdul went to Nirob's house to inspect the newly built septic tank.
READ: 2 die in Kushtia after inhaling toxic gas inside septic tank
Abdul first got down into the septic tank. When he failed to return, the others entered inside to check on him.
Later local people rescued all the five and rushed them to Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared Abdul and Jashim dead, said medical officer Dr Amanullah.
READ: Youth’s body recovered from septic tank in Feni
Kabir and Shahabuddin are recuperating at the hospital, while Nabi has been released after first aid, the doctor said.
Nine more Covid patients die in Chapainawabganj
The district has logged nine new Covid-19 deaths and as many as 107 fresh cases in the past 24 hours, health officials said on Saturday.
The new infections have raised the total case count in Chapainawabganj to 2,347. The district's death toll, on the other hand, has risen to 54, as per official figures.
Some 1,129 people have recovered so far in the district, officials said.
Meanwhile, the lockdown, which has been imposed in the country due to a surge in Covid-19 cases, entered its 12th day in the district on Saturday.
Read:Covid-19: Bangladesh sees 25 more deaths, 1,441 new cases
All vehicles stayed off the roads, though the restrictions were waived for ambulances, goods-laden vehicles and cars carrying patients to hospitals. Vehicular movement restrictions prevailed on Rajshahi-Naogaon border also.
Besides, the local administration has also mobilised mobile courts for taking action against people violating Covid-safety protocols.
Also read: Week-long lockdown to contain Covid in Chapainawabganj
On May 24, authorities in Chapainawabganj imposed a week-long lockdown to break the chain of Covid transmission.
On May 31, the local administration extended the lockdown in Chapainawabganj by one more week due to the worsening Covid-19 situation.
Global Covid deaths top 3.7 million
With the Covid-19 situation worsening around the world by the day, the global death toll from the virus surpassed 3.7 million on Saturday.
According to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count and fatalities currently stand at 172,449,514 and 3,708,280, respectively.
Besides, a total of 2,043,089,118 vaccine doses have been administered across the world to date, as per the university data.
READ: Global Covid cases near 172 million
The US, which remains the world’s worst-hit hit country in terms of deaths and cases, has so far logged 33,343,073 cases and 597,001 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins.
Brazil on Friday registered 1,454 new deaths from Covid-19 in 24 hours, raising the total tally to 470,842, the health ministry said.
A total of 37,936 new infections were detected during the period, pushing up the country's total caseload to 16,841,408, the ministry said.
Brazil has the world's second-highest Covid-19 death toll, after the United States, and the third-largest caseload after the United States and India.
The pandemic continues to ravage India. The neighbouring country registered 132,364 new Covid cases on Friday, the federal health ministry said.
India's Covid tally currently stands at 28,574,350, according to the ministry.
Besides, 2,713 deaths have been reported since Wednesday morning, raising the nationwide death toll to 340,702.
Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh on Friday logged 1,887 new cases in 24 hours, after health authorities tested 18,151 samples. The fresh cases has raised the country's total case count to 807,867.
Also, the daily infection rate rose to 10.40% from Thursday's 9.94%, while the mortality rate remained static at 1.58%, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
READ: Global Covid cases top 171 million
Meanwhile, the country confirmed 34 more deaths during the same period, pushing up the fatality figures to 12,758.
Lockdown in districts
Due to the recent rise in Covid infections in frontier districts, authorities have imposed lockdown in Rajshahi, Khulna, Satkhira and parts of Naogaon districts to curb the transmission of the virus.
The district administrations have been given the authority to enforce lockdown in areas under their jurisdiction if the Covid-19 situation worsens.
Vaccination drive
Bangladesh launched its vaccination drive on February 7 with Oxford-AstraZeneca doses bought from India's Serum Institute.
READ: Global Covid cases top 172 million
So far, four vaccines – Oxford-AstraZeneca (Covishield), Sputnik-V, Sinopharm, and Pfizer-BioNTech – have got emergency use authorisation in the country.
However, the country, the prime recipient of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, has suspended the registration for Covid-19 jabs due to vaccine shortage amid a delay in the arrival of shipments from India.
IEDCR study
Delta, the coronavirus variant first found in India, turned out to be 80% of some 50 genomes sequenced in Bangladesh since May 16 by IEDCR. There is also evidence of community transmission of the variant, according to research jointly carried out by IEDCR and IDSHI.
The study also identified one "unknown variant" and found eight of the samples (16%) to be infected with the South African variant.
IEDCR and IDSHI collected and analysed 50 samples from across the country, including border districts and the capital since May 16.
The research also found 40 out of the total 50 cases as Delta variant, known as Indian variant, in samples collected from Chapainawabganj, Gopalganj, Khulna, Dhaka, Dinajpur, Gaibandha, Bagerhat, Jhenaidah and Pirojpur.
Satkhira goes into lockdown for 7 days
Authorities in Satkhira on Saturday imposed a week-long lockdown in the district, following a sudden spike in Covid-19 cases.
The decision has been taken to break the chain of coronavirus transmission after the positivity rate in the district was found to be 53 percent, officials said on Saturday.
On Friday, two women, who were undergoing treatment at Satkhira Medical College and Hospital for Covid, succumbed to the virus, while three more persons with corona symptoms also died the same day.
READ: 6 Noakhali unions set for 7-day special lockdown at dawn
According to the administration officials, more Covid cases have been detected in three upazilas -- Sadar, Kalaroa and Kaliganj -- bordering India. The infection is on the rise in other upazilas too.
During the week-long lockdown, all modes of public transport will stay off the roads. However, the movement restrictions won't apply on vehicles providing emergency services.
Though kitchen markets will be allowed to operate from 9 am till 12 noon daily, other shops and markets will remain closed.
Activities at Satkhira Bhomra Land Port will continue for limited hours, from 8 am to 2 pm, but the shops and markets in the area will remain closed.
Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh
READ: Lockdown in 7 villages of Chuadanga
Bangladesh on Friday logged 1,887 new cases in 24 hours, after health authorities tested 18,151 samples. The fresh cases has raised the country's total case count to 807,867.
Also, the daily infection rate rose to 10.40% from Thursday's 9.94%, while the mortality rate remained static at 1.58%, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
READ: Lockdown extended in Rohingya camps, Teknaf upazila
Meanwhile, the country confirmed 34 more deaths during the same period, pushing up the fatality figures to 12,758.
Growth target achievable if GDP-Investment ratio increases: FICCI
Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) on Friday said the GDP growth target of 7.2% in the proposed budget is achievable provided that GDP-Investment ratio increases to the expected level.
The Chamber also expressed concern for bridging the deficit from banking sources which may tighten the liquidity situation but appreciated notable allocation for health sector, education and key mega projects.
The FICCI highly appreciated the Government’s plan to vaccinate 80% of the population in phases against the novel coronavirus.
"From the Chamber, we expect this would include all the foreign nationals as well, working for our member companies, who have been relentlessly working and contributing towards the journey of recovery from the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic," said the Chamber.
The Chamber also noted the Government initiative on allowing SMEs' to access to finance to determine the GDP growth into a positive direction through employment generation, which will result in safeguarding consumers’ spending as well. "This is really commendable."
The Chamber expresses its concern on the following issues:
Continuation of cap on promotional expenses of the company to 0.5% of turnover may increase the effective tax rate from 5% to 15% depending on the size of the company.
No changes has been brought in the VAT Act to reinstate the fundamental principle of the new VAT Act which was part of the original VAT Act in terms of Input definition, automation and simplification of VAT documentation.
No change in appeal fee to Commissioner Appeal and to Appellate Tribunal from 10% t0 20%, will ultimately increase the overall deposit up to 50% of the disputed amount, will create huge adverse issue and harassment for the entire industry.
The Chamber said it would have been happier, if some of the serious concerns, which it requested to address were considered in this budget namely:
Withholding tax provision for B2B supply with consideration of a small scale of suppliers and withholding tax rate for non-resident service providers to a reasonable rate.
Withdrawal limit of business promotional expense to relief unjustified extra tax burden.
Withdrawal of minimum tax provision (for Telecom it is 2% of gross receipts, while for Tobacco it is 1%, individuals 0.25% and others 0.6% of gross receipts).
Exemption on withholding tax on interest payable against foreign currency loans/deposits obtained by OBUs from outside Bangladesh.
Withdrawal of existing ceiling on Royalty expenses and Head office expense to promote more conducive business environment for foreign investors.
The Chamber appreciated that the proposed budget retains the feature of continuity even during the crisis period.
It also emphasizes putting right level of resources and efforts for proper implementation of the budget, which is an area of concern over the years.
The Chamber particularly appreciates the following proposals, made in the proposed budget - reduction of corporate tax rate by 2.5% for both listed and non-listed companies; waiver of 5% corporate tax rate in case any company recruits 100 members of the transgender community as part of inclusion in the society, reduction of AT by 1% (from 4% to 3%), reduction of AIT from 3% to 2% for Cement Industry, making payments over Tk. 50 thousand via Banking Channel/MFS.
IEDCR study of 50 samples finds 40 are Delta
Delta, the Coronavirus variant first found in India, turned out to be 80% of some 50 genomes sequenced in Bangladesh since May 16 by IEDCR. There is also evidence of community transmission of the variant, according to research jointly carried out by IEDCR and IDSHI.
The study also identified one "unknown variant" and found 8 of the samples (16%) to be infected with the South African variant.
IEDCR and IDSHI collected and analysed 50 samples from across the country, including border districts and the capital since May 16.
The research also found 40 out of the total 50 cases as Delta variant, known as Indian variant, in samples collected from Chapainawabganj, Gopalganj, Khulna, Dhaka, Dinajpur, Gaibandha, Bagerhat, Jhenaidah and Pirojpur.
Also read: Indian Variant: The New Concern
Also, among the 40 patients, eight were tested positive after returning from India while 18 others came in contact with overseas returnees although they did not travel abroad.
Meanwhile, among the samples collected, 14 infected people neither went abroad nor came in contact with people with travel history. So, it is clear that the Indian variant is being transmitted at the community level inside the country, the research said.
On May 8, the Indian variant was detected in Bangladesh for the first time. All of the infected people returned from the neighbouring country.
The "highly contagious" Indian Delta variant was first detected in October last year. The World Health Organization labelled it a "variant of concern."
Also read: 8 Indian variant cases identified in Jashore
Allocation in budget for agriculture 'enough' for Dr Razzaque
Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque on Friday said enough allocation was given for the agriculture sector in the proposed national budget of 2021-22 fiscal year.
“I feel no deficit in the allocation to operate our activities. We’ve been given enough allocation,” he said at a virtual post-budget press conference.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal also addressed the press conference arranged a day after he placed the proposed budget in Parliament.
The Agriculture Minister said though the allocation for agriculture declined in terms of percentage, it did fall in amount. The amount of agriculture loans was Tk 14,000 crore to Tk 15,000 crore in the past, which has increased at some Tk 22,000 crore in the upcoming fiscal year during the corona-period. And the interest rate of the loans was lowered, he said.
He said the government had given the highest priority to agriculture also during its first tenure after assuming power in 2009.
Also read: New budget unveiled with focus on protecting lives and livelihoods
Abdur Razzaque said the agriculture production has significantly increased. “So, now the goals of the government are to sustain productivity and to boost production further,” he said.
Since Bangladesh attained self-sufficiency in food, now another goal of the government is to expedite agricultural mechanisation and commercialization of agricultural products through promoting food-processing industry in the country, he said.
“The production in all the agricultural sub-sectors went up. Now we’ll go for processing the agricultural products in mills and factories and then supply to local market and export to international market. Such measures have been taken in this budget,” said the Minister.
He said the Agriculture Ministry started implementation of a Tk 3000-crore project for agricultural mechanisation to reduce the production cost amid the high wages of agricultural workers as the farmer don’t make profit in many cases now.
In this budget, Tk 680 crore has been allocated for the project implementation in the upcoming fiscal year, he said.
Also read: New budget: Tracking prices going up and down
“The budgetary allocation for agriculture is good enough. There will be no problem with (this allocation),” he said.
If needed, there is an instruction of the Prime Minister to allocate more funds to agriculture from any other sector except health, said the Agriculture Minister.
Planning Minister MA Mannan, PM’s Economic Affair Dr Mashiur Rahman, Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir, Senior Secretary of Finance Division Abdur Rouf Talukder, National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem, among others, spoke at the conference.
Businessmen given highest benefits with objective to create jobs: Finance Minister
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has defended his tweaks to the law and budget items to provide businessmen the highest number of benefits in the proposed national budget for the fiscal year 2021-22, under an objective that they would reinvest in business, which would ultimately create more jobs.
He made the remarks while addressing a virtual post-budget press conference on Friday against the background of the Tk. 6,03,681 crore (Tk 6.03 trillion) budget placed Thursday in parliament, equivalent to 17.5 percent of GDP, for which in turn he set a target to achieve 7.2 percent growth in the 2021-22 fiscal.
In the budget, the overall deficit was outlined at Tk 2,14,681 crore, which is 6.2 percent of GDP. Kamal's plan is to meet it by mobilizing Tk. 101,228 crore from external sources, and Tk 113,453 crore from domestic sources. Two-thirds of the domestic financing, Tk. 76,452 crore, Kamal expects from the banking system, and the rest (Tk 37,001 crore) from savings certificates and other non-bank sources.
The revenue income was estimated to be at Tk 389,000 crore, which is 11.3 percent of GDP.
The Finance Minister said he placed the budget to keep the country’s economy on the trajectory of development and growth offsetting the fallout of Covid-19 as in the past.
Also read: New budget unveiled with focus on protecting lives and livelihoods
“This budget will create scopes for attracting new investment, generate new employment, protect the lives and livelihood of the marginalised people, and development. It is our firm belief,” he said.
He said more than 6.1 percent GDP growth is being attained in the outgoing fiscal year. "We’ll be able to attain 7.2 percent-plus GDP growth in the next fiscal year facing the corona situation,” he said.
Responding to a question as to what specific measures were taken to create employment since many people lost their jobs due to the pandemic, the Finance Minister said the top-most priority was given to the promotion of business in the national budget.
“The private sector has to be in the driving seat to generate employment. Government alone cannot create employment,” he said.
Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzak, Planning Minister Abdul Mannan, Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir and Senior Secretary at Finance Division Abdur Rouf Talukder and National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem also spoke on the occasion.
Mustafa Kamal said many fiscal measures were taken in the budget to ease the business-related laws in order to promote business.
In many cases, taxes were lowered as the government’s main objective is not revenue collection, he said defending his position.
Also read: Allocation in budget for agriculture 'enough' for Dr Razzaque
He said works are going to determine the effect on the poorer sections by the Covid-19. “We have not received the complete data on the issue. Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) and Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) have separately been working on the issue.”
The government will take measures after receiving the findings of their studies, he said.
About a question on black money whitening, the Finance Minister said it is "not yet decided" whether the scope will continue or not. That’s why the issue did not come in the budget speech.
He admitted there is a strong argument that the provision goes against equitable justice, although many people are in favor of its continuation. “But things will be clear within a month.”
In some of his strongest comments, he grew adamant to make the point that black money and undeclared money are not the same, as the latter is created due to flaws in the country’s economic system.
Defending the target of achieving 7.2 percent GDP growth, he said the economy has been performing better with huge growth of 39.4 percent in remittances and 13.69 percent growth in export business.
“So, like previous years, it will not be impossible to achieve this target,” he said.
Responding to a question on the country’s military budget, Finance Minister said this is an important sector, but it was not mentioned separately in the budget due to time constraints.
Finance Secretary Abdur Rauf informed that the military budget received an 8 percent higher allocation than the current fiscal year.