United News of Bangladesh

Amid mounting fiscal pressure and growing development needs the government has embarked on a medium-term reform agenda aimed at making every taka of public spending count while strengthening revenue collection and safeguarding debt sustainability. The strategy outlined in the FY2026-27 national budget seeks to improve the quality and efficiency of public expenditure, raise the country’s revenue base, and reduce reliance on debt-driven growth as Bangladesh navigates a challenging economic environment marked by inflationary pressures and global uncertainties. At the heart of the reform agenda is a strategic expenditure framework designed to ensure that public spending is aligned with national development priorities and delivers maximum economic and social returns. Priority sectors include infrastructure, education, healthcare, energy, agriculture and employment-generating activities, according to budget document. It also states that public investment in education and healthcare will be gradually increased to 5 per cent over time. Future development projects will undergo economic appraisal, cost-benefit analysis and implementation-readiness assessments to ensure value for money and maximise development impact. The budget document notes that the government intends to improve expenditure efficiency through the rationalisation of non-priority spending and stronger fiscal discipline across public institutions. Subsidy programmes are expected to become more targeted and efficient so that benefits reach intended recipients while limiting fiscal pressures. Support for agriculture, food security and energy supply will continue, although inefficient subsidy arrangements will be reviewed and reformed, according to the document. The document also highlighted reforms aimed at making social protection programmes more targeted, inclusive and effective through greater use of technology, digital beneficiary databases and enhanced monitoring systems. Technology-based systems in public procurement, project implementation and budget management are also expected to be strengthened to improve transparency, accountability and efficiency, it added. Bangladesh’s revenue-to-GDP ratio currently stands at around 8 per cent, while the tax-to-GDP ratio is about 6.8 per cent. The government aims to raise these ratios to 11 per cent and 9.6 per cent respectively by FY2030-31 through policy and administrative reforms. The document said that the government seeks to improve the country’s debt sustainability and restore Bangladesh’s debt risk rating from the current “moderate” category to a “low” risk category through stronger revenue mobilisation, sustainable budget deficits and modernised debt management. The government intends to reduce dependence on debt-financed growth and promote production, employment and private investment as key drivers of long-term economic development, it added. For FY2026-27, the government proposed a record public expenditure programme of Tk 9.38 lakh crore, marking an increase of about 19 percent from the original Tk 7.90 lakh crore budget of the previous fiscal year.  The expansion reflects the government’s strategy to stimulate economic recovery, strengthen public services and accelerate infrastructure development amid ongoing fiscal and inflationary pressures.  Total public spending is estimated at around 13.7 percent of GDP, up from 12.7 percent in FY2025-26, indicating a more expansionary fiscal stance.  Of the total outlay, the Annual Development Programme (ADP) has been set at Tk 3 lakh crore, a 30 percent increase over the previous year’s allocation, with Tk 1.90 lakh crore expected from domestic resources and Tk 1.10 lakh crore from foreign loans and grants.  The government prioritised investment in transport and communication networks, power and energy, education, healthcare, agriculture, employment generation and social protection programmes to enhance productivity and support long-term growth.  Revenue collection has been targeted at Tk 6.95 lakh crore, leaving a budget deficit of roughly Tk 2.43 lakh crore, which will be financed through domestic and external borrowing.  The budget also placed emphasis on improving expenditure efficiency through a strategic expenditure framework, under which major spending decisions will be assessed based on their economic and social returns.  According to budget documents, non-development expenditure stands at around Tk 6.38 lakh crore, reflecting significant commitments to salaries, pensions, subsidies, interest payments and social safety net programmes.  The increased spending is expected to support the government’s growth target of 6.5 percent and inflation target of 7.5 percent while advancing reforms aimed at modernising infrastructure, strengthening human capital and fostering inclusive economic development across the country.  

Thousands of residents in Narail’s Lohagara upazila continue to suffer recurring floods and crop losses as a long-awaited embankment project along the Madhumati River remains incomplete even seven years after its approval. The unfinished project has left at least 6,000 acres of cropland and hundreds of homesteads in four unions vulnerable to seasonal flooding. Local people said they had hoped the embankment would provide a permanent solution to decades of hardship. However, despite the project’s approval in 2019, visible progress on the ground remains limited, the said. Local administration and the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) sources said continuous riverbank erosion over the years has washed away paved roads along the Madhumati River. Now river water regularly inundates vast stretches of agricultural land and residential areas, damaging crops and homes alike. To address the situation, the then government approved a Tk 342 crore project at an Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting in 2019. The project involves constructing a 3.1-kilometre embankment from Kotakol to Ghagha Chairman’s House area in Dhaloitala under Lohagara upazila. But legal disputes and objections from local residents delayed implementation for years. After overcoming court-imposed restrictions, the BWDB and district administration formally began work on the project in 2023. Although the project was originally scheduled for completion by June 2025, progress has remained slow despite two extensions of the deadline. Residents claimed that apart from excavation work in some sections, there has been little visible advancement. They also point to unresolved land acquisition issues as a major obstacle. Official data show that of the 161 affected landowners whose land is required for the project, only 24 have so far received compensation. People living in at least 15 villages across four unions have urged the authorities to expedite the construction, saying the embankment is essential to protect both farmland and homes from recurring floods. “We have been waiting for years. Every monsoon brings uncertainty. Crops are damaged and water often enters our homes. The embankment must be completed as soon as possible,” said Monu Mia, a resident of the affected area. However, some landowners whose properties fall within the project area insist that construction cannot proceed unless they receive compensation. The contract value for the embankment construction has been fixed at Tk 5.95 crore. Md Milon Ali, manager of SA UBJ, the contracting firm implementing the project, said the company has been facing significant difficulties due to unresolved land acquisition issues. “We have not yet received possession of the entire project area from the Water Development Board. Whenever we try to work in certain locations, local residents obstruct the work, saying they will not allow construction until compensation is paid. As a result, we can only work in some sections. Once the land is fully handed over, the project can be completed quickly,” he said. BWDB Executive Engineer Abhijit Kumar Saha said the project remained stalled until 2022 because of court orders, despite being approved in 2019. “Construction activities started in 2023. However, local resistance and land-related complications have prevented the contractor from working regularly. Even after land boundaries are marked, the markers are sometimes removed. We hope the work can be accelerated once these issues are resolved,” he said. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Hosne Ara Tanni said the district administration had repeatedly identified and handed over the required land to the BWDB. “So far, compensation cheques have been distributed to 24 verified claimants. Applications and documents submitted by the remaining affected landowners are being scrutinised, and compensation will be provided in phases,” she said.  

Every summer the arrival of Haribhanga mangoes brings a wave of excitement to northern Bangladesh. But in Rangpur and surrounding districts, the famed sweet and juicy fruit represents far more than a seasonal treat. From orchard owners and traders to transport workers and online entrepreneurs, thousands of people now depend on the GI-recognised mango for their livelihoods, turning what was once a region marked by seasonal hardship into a growing hub of rural prosperity. Rows of mango trees laden with clusters of ripe fruit now dominate the landscape in Rangpur and surrounding districts. The sight reflects not only a successful harvest but also the growing prosperity of farming communities that once struggled with poverty and seasonal unemployment. Rangpur’s geographically indicated (GI) Haribhanga mango entered the market earlier than usual this year. While the official marketing season generally begins around June 20, an intense heatwave accelerated ripening, prompting growers to start harvesting ahead of schedule. The season was formally inaugurated on June 15 by Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ruhul Amin at an orchard in Padaganj of Mithapukur upazila. Since then, harvesting and trading activities have gained full momentum. The main production hubs—including Padaganj, Khoregachh, Paikarhat, Moyenpur, Changmari, Balua Masumpur, Kutubpur, Gopalpur, Lohanipara, Ramnathpur and Kalupura—have turned into bustling trading centres where growers, traders and buyers negotiate prices from dawn to dusk. The economic impact of the fruit extends far beyond orchard owners. Farm labourers, seasonal workers, traders, online entrepreneurs, transport operators and courier service providers are all benefiting from the mango season. The entire supply chain becomes active during these few months, generating employment and income opportunities across northern Bangladesh. “We have cultivated mangoes on 10 acres of land this year,” said orchard owner Mashiur Rahman. “Some fruits were damaged by storms and hail, but the current market prices are encouraging. We hope to recover our losses and make a profit.” Wholesale trader Ranga Mia said large buyers from Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and other parts of the country have already started placing orders. “Demand is strong, and if market conditions remain favourable, both traders and farmers will benefit this season,” he said. Haribhanga mangoes are now available in markets across Rangpur city, including the Central Bus Terminal Road, City Bazaar, Lalbagh, Modern Mor, Dhap Bazaar and Shapla Chattar areas. Vendors are also selling the fruit door-to-door in neighbourhoods. As in previous years, prices are relatively high at the beginning of the season. Depending on size and quality, wholesale prices currently range from Tk 1,200 to Tk 2,400 per maund. Mango entrepreneur Hanifur Rahman Sajib said weather conditions prompted many growers to harvest early this year. “Haribhanga is highly popular because of its taste. Individual fruits typically weigh between 150 and 500 grams,” he said. However, he noted one major challenge: the fruit ripens within four to five days after harvesting, leading to significant post-harvest losses every year. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Haribhanga mango cultivation has expanded significantly across five northern districts—Rangpur, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat. This year, the fruit has been cultivated on nearly 6,000 hectares of land, with a production target of about 45,000 metric tonnes. Average yields range from 10 to 12 tonnes per hectare. Growers and traders estimate that total sales could exceed Tk 300 crore if weather and market conditions remain favourable. DAE Additional Director Md Sirajul Islam said Bangladesh currently exports mangoes to more than 30 countries while following Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). “We are working to expand exports further in the coming years,” he said. Local authorities view Haribhanga mango as a strategic economic asset. Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ruhul Amin said the district administration has prioritised the development of the Haribhanga sector and plans to support increased exports through infrastructure improvements, road development, banking services and better logistics, including initiatives such as a dedicated mango train. Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Shahidul Islam said efforts are underway to expand cultivation and strengthen export opportunities. The success of Haribhanga mango cultivation has already transformed many rural communities. Areas once marked by seasonal hardship now witness thriving economic activity during the harvest season. Farmers have diversified their income sources, local businesses have expanded, and thousands of people find temporary employment linked to the mango trade.

Every day hundreds of anxious parents arrive at Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute (BSHI) with critically ill children, hoping for treatment that could save young lives. But the country’s largest specialised paediatric hospital has long been under pressure, struggling with rising patient loads and limited capacity for advanced care. Now, the government has undertaken a Tk 344.02 crore expansion project aimed at transforming the hospital into a more advanced and comprehensive centre for specialised child healthcare. The proposed “Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute Expansion Project-2”, scheduled for implementation between July 2026 and June 2028, seeks to expand infrastructure, introduce cutting-edge treatment facilities and strengthen specialised services that remain limited across Bangladesh. Responding to Growing Demand The expansion comes at a critical time when demand for specialised paediatric treatment is rising steadily due to population growth, improved disease detection and greater public awareness of children’s healthcare needs. According to project documents, the expansion will include the addition of 100 new beds and six cabins, five state-of-the-art operation theatres and nearly 1,400 advanced medical equipment. The project also envisages the procurement of more than 1,700 furniture and the introduction of extensive hospital automation through 36 software packages, aimed at improving patient management and service delivery. At the heart of the initiative is the vertical expansion of the hospital’s existing C-Block at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. The building will be extended from the fourth floor to the ninth floor, creating an additional 4,461 square metres of floor space without requiring any new land acquisition. Planning Commission officials said the site already possesses the structural foundation necessary for vertical expansion, reducing implementation risks and avoiding the delays often associated with land acquisition and utility relocation. Bringing Advanced Care Within Reach The expansion will facilitate the introduction and strengthening of paediatric urology, kidney transplantation, surgical oncology and orthopaedic surgery services. For many families, these are treatments that currently require referrals abroad or lengthy waits at a handful of specialised facilities. The hospital is also set to establish a comprehensive paediatric cardiac care programme, including a catheterisation laboratory (Cath Lab), cardiac intensive care beds, dedicated operation theatres and post-operative recovery units. Congenital heart diseases remain among the leading causes of childhood illness requiring specialised intervention. Health experts believe expanded cardiac facilities could significantly improve survival rates while reducing treatment costs for families. Strengthening Diagnostics The project further seeks to improve diagnostic accuracy and speed through the installation of advanced imaging technologies, including CT scan and MRI facilities. Such equipment plays a crucial role in diagnosing neurological disorders, cancers, congenital abnormalities and other complex childhood diseases. Doctors say delayed diagnosis often contributes to poor treatment outcomes, particularly for patients arriving from remote districts. Reducing Medical Migration Bangladesh has made notable progress in child health indicators over the past decades, including reductions in child mortality and improvements in immunisation coverage. However, access to specialised paediatric treatment remains uneven, forcing many families to seek expensive care abroad, particularly in neighbouring countries. Health sector officials believe the planned expansion of BSHI could help bridge that gap by making advanced treatment available domestically. A Legacy Nearly Five Decades in the Making The story of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital is closely intertwined with the country’s post-independence healthcare development. Founded in 1972 by noted philanthropist Prof Tofayel Ahmed with support from voluntary organisations and the government, the institution began modestly with a 50-bed inpatient facility operating from a rented house in Dhanmondi and outpatient services from a tent in Sukrabad. What started as Bangladesh’s first specialised children’s hospital gradually evolved into the nation’s premier paediatric healthcare and training centre. A landmark decision by the National Economic Council in 1974 paved the way for the construction of a dedicated 250-bed hospital, later designed for expansion to 500 beds. The institution moved to its permanent Sher-e-Bangla Nagar campus in 1977. Over the decades, the hospital expanded beyond patient care to become a major centre for medical education and research through the Bangladesh Institute of Child Health (BICH), established in 1983. Today, it trains specialists in paediatrics, neonatology, nephrology, cardiology, neurology, pulmonology, haemato-oncology and paediatric surgery, while also producing skilled nurses and allied health professionals. In 2021, Parliament elevated the institution’s status through the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital Act, formally transforming Dhaka Shishu Hospital into Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute. Investing in the Future The government’s Election Manifesto 2026 places particular emphasis on strengthening maternal and child healthcare services, and the new expansion project aligns closely with that commitment. Beyond bricks and mortar, the investment represents a broader recognition that specialised healthcare for children is essential to the country’s future human development. For families arriving from distant districts with critically ill children, the expansion promises something more tangible: shorter waiting times, improved access to advanced treatment and the possibility of receiving world-class care closer to home. If implemented successfully, the project could mark another major milestone in the evolution of Bangladesh’s premier children’s hospital—from a small post-independence initiative into one of South Asia’s leading centres for paediatric healthcare.  

A spell of rain often brings more worry than relief for the students of Gobindaganj Government Primary School in Chhatak upazila of Sunamganj. Just an hour of continuous rainfall is enough to leave the school compound submerged, disrupting classes and turning the daily journey to school into a challenge for hundreds of children. Located in Chhatak’s Gobindaganj area, the school has been grappling with severe waterlogging for years.  Students said the playground, walkways and areas surrounding classrooms go underwater after even moderate rainfall, creating an unhealthy environment and hampering academic activities. The school currently serves 467 students under the supervision of one head teacher and nine assistant teachers.  However, recurring waterlogging has made regular attendance and classroom activities increasingly difficult. A recent visit to the school revealed stagnant rainwater covering much of the playground. Mud and scattered waste mixed with the water, creating slippery and unhygienic conditions.  Many students were seen carrying their shoes in their hands while wading through muddy water to reach their classrooms. Others had no choice but to sit through lessons in wet clothes. Teachers say the situation not only disrupts lessons but also affects students’ concentration and overall learning experience. “My daughter studies in Class One. Whenever it rains, she does not want to go to school,” said guardian Nilima Nasrin. “Even after an hour of rainfall, water enters the classroom premises. It is ruining the learning environment for young children.” Parents and local residents blame the problem on the absence of an effective drainage system.  They fear that prolonged waterlogging could expose children to waterborne diseases, skin infections and mosquito-borne illnesses. According to locals, the institution has been suffering from the same problem for years. They allege that inadequate drainage infrastructure and the dumping of waste around the school premises have worsened the situation over time. Head teacher Mostak Ahmed said the situation becomes particularly difficult during the rainy season. “Rainwater frequently enters the school compound and reaches the classrooms. Conducting classes under such conditions is extremely challenging,” he said. “The problem has intensified because waste materials have been dumped around the school, blocking the natural flow of water.” The issue has drawn the attention of local education authorities. Upazila Primary Education Officer Mohammad Shahjahan Ahmed said he had been informed about rainwater entering the school premises. “We have heard about the situation. We will investigate the matter and take necessary steps accordingly,” he said. Chhatak Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohi Uddin also assured action. “We will look into the matter and discuss it with the relevant authorities to find a solution,” he said. As the monsoon season gains momentum, parents, teachers and residents hope that promises of action will soon translate into tangible improvements, ensuring that rainfall no longer stands between children and their education.

A female Royal Bengal tiger rescued from a poachers’ snare in the Sundarbans and nursed back to health in a rehabilitation centre in Khulna is set to return to its natural habitat later this month. The tiger, estimated to be between nine and 10 years old, was found trapped in an illegal snare near Bairagi Bari, adjacent to Sharkir Khal in the Sundarbans East Forest Division under Mongla upazila of Bagerhat district in early January. Forest officials rescued the tiger on January 4 after tranquilising it with a dart gun. By then, the animal had spent several days trapped in the snare, suffering severe injuries to its front left leg where deep wounds had become infected and begun to rot. The tiger was taken to the Wildlife and Nature Conservation Division’s rehabilitation centre in Khulna, where a six-member medical board was formed to oversee its treatment. Veterinary Officer Dr. Julkar Nain of Gazipur Safari Park, who was involved in the treatment, said the tiger’s condition was critical when it was rescued. “The left leg had sustained extensive damage and infection. From January through March, the tiger received continuous treatment, including antibiotics, injections and wound dressing. It started recovering in April and is now fully healthy,” he said. Dr. Nain said the tiger has resumed normal feeding habits and has regained the physical ability and predatory instincts necessary to hunt in the wild. Chief Conservator of Forests Amir Hossain Chowdhury said a meeting of tiger experts held in May decided that the animal should be released back into the Sundarbans. “The tiger has fully recovered and will be released into the forest by the end of June,” he said. Forest officials had also discussed fitting the tiger with a satellite collar to monitor its movements after release. However, experts attending the meeting could not reach a consensus on the proposal and the plan was ultimately dropped. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Forest Division Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said the tiger’s injuries had affected skin, muscle and tissue across much of its front left leg.  “Through intensive care and proper treatment, the tiger has made a complete recovery. It has regained its natural aggression and hunting behaviour and is ready to return to the wild,” he said. The DFO said the Forest Department has strengthened anti-poaching efforts across the Sundarbans. Officials now conduct extensive foot patrols in remote forest areas, while eight drones are being used to monitor illegal activities. Smart patrolling systems have also been introduced, they said. According to forest department data, authorities recovered around 116,000 feet of illegal snares from the Sundarbans over the past year. The traps had been set by poaching gangs targeting deer and tigers. “The activities of poaching networks have declined significantly due to intensified enforcement,” Rezaul Karim said. Wildlife expert and Chief Executive of WildTeam Professor Anwarul Islam, who attended the expert meeting on the tiger’s future, praised the Forest Department for saving the animal despite limited resources. “The tiger should be able to resume a normal life in the forest. It may face some challenges hunting because of its age, but even then, a tiger should be allowed to live and die as a tiger,” he said. He added that equipping the tiger with a satellite collar would have helped researchers monitor its adaptation to the wild. Professor Islam also stressed the need to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Forest Department. “Without stronger conservation efforts, neither the Sundarbans nor its wildlife will survive in the long term. Fortunately, wildlife protection in the forest has improved significantly in recent years,” he said. Forest Department surveys show that the tiger population in the Bangladesh portion of the Sundarbans has been gradually increasing. According to the latest camera-trap survey conducted in October 2024, the forest is home to 125 tigers, up from 114 recorded in 2018 and 106 in 2015.

Nearly five years after construction began, a bridge in Patuakhali that was meant to improve connectivity remains unusable, leaving around 10,000 residents of eight villages struggling with daily hardships. Initiated by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in 2021 at a cost of about Tk 3.5 crore, the bridge was designed to connect Kuripaika with neighbouring Bhuria Union and ease transportation for local residents. Although the main structure has largely been completed, the absence of approach roads on both sides has prevented the bridge from being opened to traffic. Locals  are being forced to use temporary wooden ladders to cross the structure, exposing themselves to safety risks on a daily basis. “I was going to Patuakhali Sadar Hospital for treatment when I slipped from the wooden ladder while trying to climb the bridge,” said Ramzan Ali, a resident of Kuripaika village. “Fortunately, I was not seriously injured, but I could not continue my journey that day. Crossing the bridge is extremely difficult for elderly people like us,” he said. Local people said residents of at least eight villages—Kuripaika, Bhuria, East Kuripaika, West Kuripaika, Kamalapur and Soula—depend on the route for their daily movement. Students, farmers, fishermen, traders and office-goers use the crossing as one of the area’s key communication links.

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have identified significant interference challenges in parts of the Enhanced GSM (EGSM) spectrum, particularly in areas close to Bangladesh’s international borders, during a technical assessment conducted under the supervision of the telecom regulator. Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is considering allocating spectrum in the EGSM band to strengthen mobile network capacity and improve weak network coverage and internet service quality across the country. As part of the process, the regulator approved a Proof of Concept (PoC) test to evaluate interference levels in the 850 MHz and EGSM (900 MHz) bands, according to official documents. The four-week assessment was carried out from April 12 to May 8, 2026, using 8.4 MHz of spectrum in the 880-888.4 MHz and 925-933.4 MHz ranges allocated exclusively for testing purposes. All four mobile operators participated in the exercise, deploying the spectrum across different divisions and using 2G technology to assess performance and interference impacts. According to the findings, the EGSM band appears to be the more practical short-term option for Bangladesh, as nearly all mobile handsets in the country already support the band for voice calls, SMS and low-speed data services. A committee formed to compare the 850 MHz and EGSM bands, recommend spectrum pricing and identify technical challenges found that low-band spectrum could significantly improve indoor coverage in densely populated urban areas while helping operators extend services to remote regions. However, the assessment identified frequency pollution originating from India as the principal source of interference affecting parts of the EGSM spectrum. To determine the extent of the issue, operators monitored interference levels in Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Cumilla, Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal and Cox’s Bazar, alongside several locations in Dhaka. Except for Dhaka, most testing sites were situated between approximately five and 50 kilometres from international borders. For analysis purposes, the committee divided the 8.4 MHz spectrum block into two segments. The first segment, Block A, consists of 5 MHz of spectrum in the 880-885 MHz and 925-930 MHz ranges. The report noted that this portion is particularly valuable because of its superior propagation characteristics, allowing signals to travel longer distances and penetrate buildings more effectively. Interference levels in Block A were found to be minimal in Rajshahi and Khulna. However, substantial interference was detected in Rangpur, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Cumilla and Chattogram, especially in border-adjacent areas. The committee estimated that interference in this block could affect around 40 to 50 percent of the country’s geographical area. The second segment, Block B, comprises 3.4 MHz of spectrum in the 885-888.4 MHz and 930-933.4 MHz ranges. The report found comparatively lower interference levels in this block, with significant disruption observed only in Rangpur. Most other regions remained largely free from interference. According to the committee, interference in Block B would likely affect only around 5 to 10 percent of the country, making it a more commercially viable option for operators. The report also said no interference was detected in Dhaka’s Kachukhet and Cantonment areas or anywhere in Barishal division, indicating that these locations could be considered for initial deployment. It further recommended direct inspections and practical assessments by BTRC to address the issue of cross-border frequency pollution. Commenting on the PoC results, Banglalink said it deployed the entire 8.4 MHz spectrum block between 880 MHz and 888.4 MHz using 2G technology during the assessment. According to the operator, the lower portion of the spectrum, between 880 MHz and 885 MHz, experienced heavy interference across much of the country including Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensingh and Rangpur divisions, as well as parts of Dhaka, Rajshahi and Khulna. The upper portion, between 885 MHz and 888.4 MHz, was affected mainly in Rangpur division and some eastern and northern border areas. Robi, in its observations submitted following the PoC, said Block I (880-885 MHz) was usable in Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi and Barishal, while Block II (885-890 MHz) was found suitable for deployment nationwide except in Rangpur. The assessment came as operators continue to seek additional low-band spectrum to improve network quality and expand coverage. Earlier, Grameenphone obtained 10 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band through an auction, while Robi and Banglalink did not participate in acquiring spectrum in that band. Subsequently, state-owned Teletalk was allocated another 10 MHz in the same frequency range. The 700 MHz band is widely regarded as a strategic spectrum resource because of its ability to provide wider coverage and stronger indoor connectivity, particularly in rural, remote and underserved areas, while requiring fewer network installations than higher-frequency bands.

Bangladesh's capital market has recently shown its strongest performance since the political storm of August 2024, with daily turnover crossing Tk 1,000 crore for nine consecutive trading days, marking the highest sustained level in nearly two years. The hint of a recovery comes as market stakeholders express cautious optimism that the bourse may finally be able to shake off its long-standing "casino" tag - a term Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury himself used at a pre-budget event in April, acknowledging that good companies avoid the market because they perceive it as a casino where no credible business would want to be listed. The market's troubled history dates back to the 2010 share market scam, which wiped out the savings of lakhs of investors. Though the market should ideally rank second only to banks in the finance sector, it instead became synonymous with manipulation and investor despair, dominated by a small group of market manipulators. When the Awami League government fell following the student-mass uprising in 2024, sweeping changes followed in nearly every sector, but the capital market saw little positive impact initially. Khondoker Rashed Maqsood was appointed chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) in August 2024, but he failed to win back investor confidence during his tenure. The Shibli legacy Much of the market's troubles can be traced back to the tenure of Professor Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam, a Dhaka University academic appointed BSEC chairman by the Awami League government in May 2020. Combined with rampant loan defaults in the banking sector, manipulation across every segment of the capital market under Shibli's leadership pushed the economy into what observers describe as a dark chapter. After the Awami League government's fall, a string of irregularities under Shibli came to light. He is currently in jail in connection with an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) case involving bribes amounting to nearly Tk 4 crore. Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) director Minhaz Mannan Emon, who had spoken out against Shibli's irregularities, even faced a lawsuit over his remarks. Describing that period, Minhaz said it was a genuinely dark time for Bangladesh's capital market, when no credible investors came forward and no good companies agreed to get listed. He said only companies from which the Shibli commission could personally benefit were listed over those four years. According to Minhaz, after taking charge in 2020 the commission listed shell companies through IPOs without due diligence, raising hundreds of crores of taka from the market - the fallout of which became visible from 2023 onward, discouraging fresh listings and eroding investor confidence altogether. Investor confidence had begun to return after the change in government, evidenced by DSE turnover crossing Tk 2,000 crore on August 11, 2024, alongside rising share prices. However, this rally proved short-lived. General investors say they had expected the interim government to appoint someone who genuinely understood market dynamics. Instead, they allege the Maqsood commission effectively halted the rally and focused on reform measures that further dampened sentiment. Tarek Hossain, a general investor, acknowledged that the market had indeed been riddled with corruption, with several low-quality companies involved in insider trading and manipulation. However, he argued the commission should have been mindful that lakhs of small investors had their money locked into the market, and abrupt decisions risked wiping out their capital. Another investor, Adiba Akter, said that following the change of government, several companies were fined, directly affecting the market. Investors holding Beximco shares found themselves in particular difficulty, while several companies shut down altogether. She said the commission should have pursued reforms through a structured process rather than daily ad-hoc decisions that kept dragging the market down. From September 2024, market conditions kept steadily deteriorating under the Maqsood commission. Turnover, which had touched over Tk 2,000 crore two months earlier, fell to around Tk 300 crore in the first week of October. On October 3, a section of investors staged protests in front of the BSEC office in Agargaon demanding the commission's resignation, at one point locking the main gate of the commission's office. Mizanur Rashid, president of the Bangladesh Capital Market Investors' Unity Council, who led the protests, said good companies had collapsed in the market while large investors withdrew funds out of disillusionment. He noted that daily turnover that once exceeded Tk 300 crore within the first few hours fell to around Tk 300 crore for the entire day, sometimes even less, leaving protest as the only option. Mizan added that the period under the Maqsood commission was nothing short of nightmarish for investors who had taken margin loans to invest, many of whom lost their principal and were left in debt instead of returns, driving them to take to the streets out of desperation. Despite repeated demands for its resignation, the Maqsood commission remained in place beyond the interim government's tenure and survived roughly three months even after the national election. In May, the BNP government, aiming to overhaul the capital market, appointed a new BSEC chairman along with three new commissioners. New leadership, new momentum On June 4, corporate figure Masud Khan was appointed BSEC chairman, with Nahid Mahtab, Tanvir Habib Rahman and Nafeez Al Tarik appointed as commissioners. Since the new commission took charge, the market has shown clear signs of recovery; notably, turnover exceeded Tk 1,000 crore on all nine trading days between June 2 and June 14. According to investors, floor prices imposed on shares of Islami Bank PLC and Beximco Limited had been weighing on the broader market. One of the new chairman's first decisions was to lift these floor prices, with an assurance that no floor price would be imposed on any company's shares going forward, allowing the market to function on its own dynamics. Masud Khan said the commission will grant stock exchanges full independence in market monitoring and oversight of listed companies to ensure transparency and accountability, with their powers to be expanded further if needed, as long as exchange decisions do not harm investor interests. Budget roadmap raises hopes Another major positive signal for the market came through the proposed national budget for FY2026-27, where the finance minister outlined a separate roadmap for the capital market, detailing the government's vision and upcoming measures. In his budget speech, the finance minister said unnecessary complexities, delays, excessive cost-approval hurdles and ambiguities will be reduced to encourage good and promising companies to get listed, aiming to make the market more transparent, diversified and confidence-driven. He also said the IPO process will be made time-bound and technology-driven, with the entire process moved online, and information exchange among issuers, issue managers, stock exchanges, the Central Depository Bangladesh Limited (CDBL) and the regulator integrated through a unified digital platform. The minister expressed hope that repatriation and reinvestment of legitimate foreign investment profits, as well as proceeds from share or securities sales through Non-Resident Investor Taka Accounts, will be completed within a single working day going forward. Market stakeholders view the appointment of the new chairman alongside the budget's emphasis on the capital market as positive developments. Brokerage officials believe the government's clear policy commitment to developing the market into an effective platform for long-term capital raising will have a positive impact. DSE Brokers Association of Bangladesh (DBA) president Saiful Islam said the capital market has long failed to play its expected role due to a crisis of confidence, limited investment products and overreliance on bank financing. He said if the policy commitments made in this budget to establish the capital market as a key driver of the economy are implemented, it will boost both domestic and foreign investment, create opportunities for new entrepreneurs to raise capital, and accelerate employment and industrialisation. Market analysts also stressed the importance of building on reforms already introduced during the interim government's tenure in mutual funds, IPO and margin loan policies. They expect that if good companies can be brought to the market, the bourse will finally shed its image as a casino or a haven for insider trading. Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) chairman Abu Ahmed said the capital market had deliberately been kept underdeveloped for years, despite having the potential to bring about major change in the country's economy, an opportunity no government has effectively utilised so far. Expressing hope that the entry of a single good company could transform the market's character and bring back investors who had permanently exited, Abu Ahmed said multinational companies listed in the capital markets of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka remain absent from Bangladesh's market, and the reasons behind this reluctance need to be identified and addressed. He also proposed bringing major infrastructure assets under securitisation to further enrich the market. Investors, meanwhile, hope that the new government's effective measures will help restore the respect long denied to those who invested in the capital market, who had often been dismissed as mere speculators.  

For residents of several villages in Ullapara upazila in Sirajganj, a journey stretching just a few kilometres has become a daily struggle due to the wretched condition of the Gonaigati Road. The approximately 2.5-kilometre road stretches from Gonaigati Kheaghat on the western bank of the Gohala River to Kumar Bridge on the Suja-Kaliakoir road. Once a key route for local people, it has now turned into a muddy, pothole-ridden track, causing immense hardship for thousands of residents. Locals say the road has remained unrepaired for years despite repeated appeals to the authorities. Even light rainfall leaves the road nearly impossible to traverse, as water accumulates in large potholes and muddy sections. As the monsoon approaches, fears are growing that the situation will worsen further. Students are among the worst sufferers. Local residents said many school and college students now need up to two and a half hours to travel a distance that would normally take around an hour. “During the rainy season, it becomes almost impossible to walk on the road. Sometimes we have to take long detours to reach school,” said a local student. Farmers are also paying a heavy price. The area is known for its agricultural production, but poor transport links make it difficult for growers to take paddy and other produce to nearby markets. Auto-rickshaws and other small vehicles often get stuck in the mud, forcing passengers and drivers to push them through damaged sections. Minor accidents are also reported regularly. Residents of villages including Kayemkhola, Kaliakoir, Shuja and Kaibartagati said the condition of the road has disrupted daily life and affected access to schools, markets and healthcare facilities. “The suffering of farmers, students and ordinary people is endless. We have submitted applications several times, but no effective action has been taken,” said a local resident. Many villagers expressed frustration that repair work has yet to begin despite the road's importance to the area's economy and daily life. Ullapara Upazila Engineer M Shahidullah said several roads in the upazila have already been included in development projects under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). “The Gonaigati Road will also be brought under a development project soon,” he said. Sirajganj LGED Executive Engineer Rezaur Rahman said steps are already being taken to include the road in a development scheme. He expressed hope that the project would be approved in the public interest, bringing long-awaited relief to thousands of residents who depend on the road every day. Until then, however, people in the area remain stuck on a road that has become a symbol of neglect and an obstacle to daily life.