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Auto-rickshaw workers seek action against extortionists
Bangladesh Auto-Rickshaw Light Vehicle Transport Workers Federation (BALTWF) has demanded that the government take strict action against extortionists in the transport sector ahead of the resumption of public transport after a two-month break.
95pc people following govt directives: State Minister
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday said it would be wrong to judge Bangladesh with the presence of a few thousand people crowding the ferry terminals.
“Ninety-five percent of the people are following the decision of the government,” he said at a views exchange meeting in Dinajpur’s Birol.
Thousands of people left the cities for their home districts before the Eid and started returning to their workplaces after the religious festival. Images of people thronging the ferry terminals flooded social media and health experts feared that the country could see a higher number of coronavirus cases in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the government has decided not to extend the general holidays, aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus, and partially lifted restrictions, allowing offices and transports to resume on limited scale.
Health experts told UNB that the only way to keep the coronavirus situation under control is to properly follow the health directives issued by the government.
Launch, steamer services to resume Sunday on 34 river routes
Launch and steamer services on 34 river routes across the country will resume on Sunday after about two months.
“Primarily, 40 to 50 launches will operate on these routes and their number will be increased depending on the number of passengers,” said AKM Arif Uddin, joint director, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).
He said launch and steamer services will connect a number of districts through 34 routes.
Passengers can travel from Dhaka on Barishal route including Chandpur, Shariatpur, Muladi, Bhola, Patuakhali, barguna, Jhalatathi, Pirojpur, Bhandaria, Khulna, Morellganj from the day, he added.
18 High Court judges sworn in virtually
Permanently appointed eighteen judges, who served as additional justices to the High Court, have sworn in on Saturday virtually.
Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain administered the online oath to the judges at 3pm, said Md Saifur Rahman, special officer of Bangladesh Supreme Court.
Justices of both divisions of Bangladesh Supreme Court were present online during the oath taking programme which was led by Registrar General Md Ali Akbar.
Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs issued a gazette notification of appointing 18 additional justices as permanent.
Nurse dies from coronavirus in Sylhet
A nurse of Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital died from coronavirus in Sylhet on Friday night.
Ruhul Amin, a senior staff nurse of the hospital which is dedicated for coronavirus treatment, died around 10:15pm, said Israil Ali Sadek, general secretary of Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hosital Nurses’ Association.
As his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to the ICU at the hospital in the evening, where he died later.
Meanwhile, in Sylhet division, total coronavirus cases reached 884 till Friday.
Besides, so fat 16 people died from coronavirus in the division.
8 pairs of trains to run from Sunday; Tickets to be available online only
Eight pairs of trains will start running on different routes from Sunday after suspension of the services for over two months following coronavirus outbreak.
IMF approves US$732mn to address COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a disbursement of SDR 177.77 million, about US$ 244 million or 16.67 percent of quota, under the Rapid Credit Facility (RCF).
It also approved a purchase of SDR 355.53 million, about US$ 488 million or 33.33 percent of quota) under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
This will help finance the health, social protection and macroeconomic stabilization measures, meet the urgent balance-of-payments and fiscal needs arising from the COVID-19 outbreak, and catalyze additional support from the international community, according to IMF.
The COVID-19 pandemic is severely impacting the Bangladeshi economy, said the lending agency in a media release issued from Washington.
Two major sources of external financing, namely exports of Ready-Made Garments (RMG) and remittance inflows, are projected to decline rapidly.
Necessary policy responses to prevent a domestic pandemic, including the shutdown of major cities, will inevitably affect economic activities and slow growth, it said.
The authorities have started implementing several measures to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and preserve the country’s macroeconomic prospects.
In addition to increasing health expenditures, the government’s immediate response has focused on expanding food distribution and cash transfer programs to vulnerable populations, ensuring the payment of wages in export-oriented industries, and facilitating the provision of working capital to businesses and farmers.
The authorities remain committed to promoting strong and inclusive growth while preserving macroeconomic stability.
Key policy challenges include tax revenue mobilization, addressing the non-performing loans in the banking sector, and improving infrastructure and governance to enhance the business environment and attract foreign direct investment.
The IMF said it continues to monitor Bangladesh’s situation closely and stands ready to provide further advice and support if needed.
The authorities have also committed to put in place targeted transparency and accountability measures to ensure the appropriate use of emergency financing.
Following the Executive Board’s discussion on Bangladesh, Antoinette Sayeh, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, said the outbreak of COVID-19 is severely affecting the two main sources of Bangladesh’s external earnings, exports of ready-made garments and remittances.
Together with the measures to contain the spread of the virus in the country, the outbreak is expected to result in a significant slowdown of economic growth and the emergence of fiscal and balance of payments needs, said Sayeh.
The IMF’s emergency financial assistance will help cover the financing gap and support the authorities’ effort to contain the adverse impact of the outbreak and catalyze additional support from the international community.
Sayeh in a statement said the authorities have responded quickly to the COVID-19 outbreak with a comprehensive set of measures aimed at containing the spread of the pandemic, providing immediate relief to the most vulnerable households and affected businesses, and preserving the country’s macroeconomic prospects.
A temporary increase in the fiscal deficit is necessary, and it will be important to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of all emergency spending, said the Acting Chair.
“The Bangladesh Bank took appropriate steps to ease liquidity conditions and allow the financial sector to support the economy. Further easing could be considered if the economic situation deteriorates and inflation remains moderate. A gradual increase in exchange rate flexibility should be allowed to adjust to the external shock while preserving foreign reserves," said Sayeh.
“Once the crisis abates, the authorities are committed to re-focus on addressing banking sector problems, including nonperforming loans and the poor performance of the state-owned commercial banks. They are also committed to ensuring fiscal discipline and debt sustainability by broadening the tax base and strengthening tax administration and compliance.”
PM orders greater engagement of local representatives in COVID-19 fight
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday directed the authorities concerned to engage the local public representatives in a greater way in containing novel coronavirus in the country.
50% bus seats must be kept vacant: Quader
Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Saturday said 50 percent seats of buses must be kept empty while plying on roads from Monday.
Besides, passengers will have to maintain 3 feet distance from each other while travelling, he said while briefing journalists from his residence.
Stern action will be taken against the people concerned for failure to abide by the government directives, he said.
The Minister also said that passengers, drivers, helpers, counter workers, must wear face masks while hand sanitiser, soaps and hand washing facilities must be available at terminals.
He directed bus owners, labourers’ organisations and other stakeholders to form terminal-based monitoring team and arrange counseling for drivers and helpers to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) on Saturday recommended raising bus fare by 80 percent as bus owners have been directed to carry 50 percent passengers following head guidelines.
The government on Thursday issued a gazette notification allowing limited operation of public transport and offices from May 31 to June 15 amid the coronavirus outbreak.
It said public transports – buses, trains and vessels – will have to maintain health guidelines.
The notification also said that all government, semi-government and autonomous offices will resume under self-management but ailing staff and pregnant women have been asked to refrain from joining work.
BRTA recommends 80% bus fare hike
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) on Saturday recommended raising bus fare by 80 percent as bus owners have been directed to carry 50 percent passengers to prevent the transmission of coronavirus.
“Road, Transport and Bridges Ministry will take the final decision” BRTA acting Chairman Yunus Ali Molla told UNB.
The government on Thursday issued a gazette notification allowing limited operation of public transport and offices from May 31 to June 15 amid the coronavirus outbreak.
It said public transports – buses, trains and vessels – will have to maintain health guidelines.
The notification also said that all government, semi-government and autonomous offices will resume under self-management but ailing staff and pregnant women have been asked to refrain from joining work.