United News of Bangladesh

A total of 3.70 lakh positions out of 19.151 lakh government jobs remain vacant, Public Administration Minister Farhad Hossain said today. The minister revealed this information during a dialogue organized by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF). Addressing a question about women lagging behind in the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS), the minister noted that out of 58 secretaries under Public Administration, 11 are women. Besides, there are 75 female additional secretaries, 164 female joint secretaries, 394 female deputy secretaries. Additionally, there are 658 senior assistant secretaries, seven female deputy commissioners, 151 female UNOs, and 88 female AC land officers. State Minister for Public Administration showcaused for violating electoral code of conduct “We are making progress in women empowerment, with women constituting 29 percent of government job holders,” he stated. “In the 35th BCS, 27.95% are female governments officials, in 36th BCS, the number of female officials are 26.22%, in 37th BCS, 24.37% are female officials, 26.91% female officials found in 38th BCS, the rate of female officials in 40th is 26.03% and in 41st BCS the number stands at 26.71%,” he said. In the 29th BCS, 46.81% females were appointed as government officials while the rate surpassed to 49.02% in the 42nd BCS, said the minister. The minister said, even after the cancellation of 10 percent women quota, women are getting recruitment as before. There was no disruption here. From the 40th BCS, there is no quota for women, he said, adding that the rate of women in BCS has not decreased. A total of 26-27 percent women were recommended for each BCS, he said. PM Hasina distributes 'Bangabandhu Public Administration Award to 28 officials, 2 departments   Responding to a question about allegations against 351 government officials from grade-1 to grade-9 over the past ten years, Farhad Hossain said that 41 received severe punishment and 140 received light punishment. In total, 181 officials were punished, while 170 were discharged. Regarding concerns about not maintaining policy in promotions, the minister assured, “Promotions and postings are conducted following proper policies. We have a well-ordered system. It’s important to consider various factors such as officers studying abroad under government scholarships, assignments in embassies abroad, and health issues of some officers. We take all these factors into account. BSRF president Fasih Uddin Mahtab and its general secretary Masudul Haque administered the programme. Over 3.55 lakh posts vacant in public administration: State Minister

It is up to the prime minister to decide whether AK Abdul Momen will remain the foreign minister or not, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said today (September 7, 2022). The minister made the remark while speaking at a programme organised by Bangladesh Secretariat Reporter’s Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat in Dhaka. The foreign minister is also “a human being and he can be unwell”, Quader added. Read: Lawyer moves SC seeking Momen's disqualification “I have no authority to say whether he will remain a minister or not… He said certain things a few days ago that were a slip of the tongue. The jurisdiction (to decide whether Momen will retain his post) belongs to the Prime Minister,” he said. Besides, the foreign minister does not always have to accompany the prime minister during every state visit, said Quader. “Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited here, was (the India) foreign minister with him?” he asked. Read:Momen not in PM’s entourage in India, cited “illness” as reason: Official BSRF general secretary Masudul Haque presided over the dialogue chaired by its president Tapan Biswas. On Monday, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen did not accompany Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her India visit citing “illness”. At the invitation of Indian PM Narendra Modi, Bangladesh PM Hasina is on a state visit to New Delhi from September 5-8. Read 2 tubes of Bangabandhu Tunnel likely to open this Oct, Nov: Quader Hasina, now in New Delhi, is visiting India after three years.

The inauguration of Bangabandhu Tunnel, under Karnaphuli river, will be done in two segments and open to traffic in October and November this year, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said today (September 7, 2022). “As it (the tunnel) has two tubes, the first tube will be inaugurated in October and the other in November. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate both tubes of the Bangabandhu tunnel,” he said. The minister revealed this information while speaking at a programme, organised by Bangladesh Secretariat Reporter’s Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat in Dhaka. Read: Chinese firm CCCC tipped for toll collection, maintenance of Bangabandhu Tunnel Besides, construction work of Kalna Bridge will be finished this month (September) and the PM will inaugurate it any time in October, he said. Talking about Dhaka Metro Rail project, the minister said 94% work of the metro rail – from Uttara to Agargaon point – has been completed, which will be inaugurated this December. Metro rail from Uttara to Motijheel point is expected to be inaugurated in December, next year. He also said, 52% of construction work of the Elevated Expressway has been finished and it is going on in full swing. Read Light at the end of Karnaphuli tunnel BSRF general secretary Masudul Haque presided over the dialogue chaired by its president Tapan Biswas.

Action will be taken over allegations of corruption and nepotism in recruitment of Biman Bangladesh Airlines pilots, state minister for civil aviation and tourism Md Mahbub Ali warned today (September 6, 2022). He was speaking at the 'BSRF Dialogue' organised by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat. The state minister said several newspapers have reported on the allegations regarding the pilots' recruitment. Read: Biman launches flights to China’s Guangzhou "It has been investigated by the highest level, through various agencies. We have also investigated the issues through our ministry, and the airline has its own investigation too," the state minister said. Likely, nine of the initially appointed pilots were selected and were dropped or they did not join, he added. He said some are currently in simulation training. Read:ACC approves charges against 3 former, 1 current Biman high-ups “This is the latest information I have. Reviewing their performance from the training, a final decision will be made on their appointments,” he said. "We will also take action against those who initially selected them (pilots), following the investigation report," Mahbub added. Bangladesh Pilot Association (BAPA) also sent a letter to the airlines' managing director on August 28 demanding investigation into irregularities, corruption and nepotism in recruiting pilots. Read US-Bangla to operate international flights on four routes from Saturday Regarding the harassment at the tourist center, he said the deputy commissioners (DCs) of Cox's Bazar and other tourist destinations were directed to monitor everything closely. "I asked the magistrate to see the price list." The state minister also hoped that the newly-built third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport will be able to operate from October next year. At the third terminal, arrangements are being made so that passengers can get transport at all times, he added. Read US-Bangla resumes Chattogram-Kolkata flights September 1 He also said initiatives have been taken to upgrade Cox's Bazar Airport to an international standard. Besides, aesthetically pleasing and modern terminals have been constructed in Saidpur and Jashore. "We will also take the initiative to construct an airport in Barishal." Regarding gold smuggling, the state minister said, "We have instructed airport authorities to check all passengers as soon as they get off flights." Read US-Bangla to operate two daily flight from Dhaka-Kolkata from August 4 BSRF general secretary Masudul Haque presided over the dialogue chaired by its president Tapan Biswas.

The number of dengue cases is expected to decline within a month, said Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam on Monday. “Many people had left Dhaka for a long time due to restrictions for Covid-19 and Eid vacation  and during this period Aedes mosquitoes breed in stagnant water in the houses and under-construction buildings, leading to dengue outbreak . But the situation will improve within one month,” he said. The minister was speaking at  ‘BSRF Dialogue’ organised by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the secretariat. Read: 'National laws need to be revised to tackle dengue menace' Replying to a question, Tajul said, “This year, dengue cases marked a sharp rise comparing to the previous two years and the main reason behind it is Covid restrictions and Eid holidays,” There was no planed initiative in controlling mosquitoes in 2019 and the country witnessed 1405 dengue cases as some steps were taken in 2020, said the minister adding “We witnessed rise in deaths and cases in 2021. The main reason behind the outbreak is climate change.”  Citing the dengue outbreak in different countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore and Philippines, the minister said Bangladesh’s dengue situation is better than those countries.  “Many children died of dengue and many people lost their relatives this year. We don’t want to lose anyone and we’ll take steps from this years’ experience.” Referring to the foreign tour of Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor during dengue outbreak, Tajul, said the DSCC mayor went abroad due to family problem and he had informed me about it.  Talking about the Detailed Area Plan (DAP), the LGRD minister said it is expected to be finalized in December. Read: Faulty designs in Chattagram waterlogging projects will be rectified: LGRD Minister “There is no scope to build Dhaka like other beautiful cities in the world as many high-rise buildings have already been built in an unplanned way  and it is the abode of about 2 crore people. We can’t ask people to leave Dhaka forcibly. That’s why we are expanding civic amenities to the urban areas,” said the Minister. Speaking about the development and the renovation works  during monsoon, Tajul said “We are thinking about it and the process to take action against those involved in irregularities is underway.” BSRF President Tapan Biswas and its general secretary Masudul Hoque , among others, spoke.