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US doesn't support any particular political party, Uzra tells Salman F Rahman
RTV News
28 Oct 2023, 12:29
Prime Minister’s Adviser for Private Industry and Investment, Salman F. Rahman, held a meeting with the US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya on Friday, October 27.
The meeting was held at the US Department of State in Washington DC.
In that meeting, Adviser Rahman and Under Secretary Zeya discussed a wide range of bilateral issues including further enhancing the existing excellent economic partnership between Bangladesh and the USA.
They also discussed recent conflicts in the Middle East, Rohingya issue and Bangladesh’s election.
Uzra Zeya praised Bangladesh’s generosity for hosting over 1.2 million Rohingya population and assured continued US support for them.
On the election issue, both acknowledged that in democracy, the only means to changing the government is through elections. Adviser Rahman reiterated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's firm commitment to ensure that the upcoming elections are held in a free, fair and peaceful manner.
Under Secretary Zeya reaffirmed that the US does not support any particular political party, instead is keen to see the continuation of democracy in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Mr. Muhammad Imran, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Ms. Afreen Akhter and senior officials of Bangladesh Embassy and US State Department were present at the meeting.
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Advance sale of train tickets started for Eid
On the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Adha, the advance sale of train tickets has started.
The sale of these tickets started on Sunday (June 2) from 8 am. Tickets of June 12 started to sold on June 2 and tickets of June 13, 14, 15 and 16 will be sold on June 3,4,5, and 6 respectively.
100% advance tickets are being sold online. No tickets are being sold from the counter.
Meanwhile, return tickets for June 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 can be purchased on June 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, respectively.
How to purchase
Passengers can easily buy tickets from the website of Bangladesh Railway. For this, you have to register once on the railway website. And those who have already registered, they can buy tickets by logging in directly.
Those who have not registered in advance should enter the website of Bangladesh Railway and click on the section 'Registration' at the top. Later a new page called Registration will appear. The required personal information must be provided accurately. Then a One Time Password (OTP) will be sent to the mobile number. After filling it correctly and clicking on the verify button, the registration will be done successfully. Later a new page named Bangladesh Railway will come. There the user will be automatically logged in. Then you can buy tickets.
To buy tickets, first you need to log into the website of the railways. If one is not logged in automatically, login by using email and password. Then on the page that appears, fill in the desired travel date, departure station, destination station category and click on the 'Find Ticket' button. Next page will show train name, seat availability and train departure time. From there you have to click on the 'View Seats' button according to the train and select the preferred seat subject to availability and click on 'Continue Purchase'.
In case of payment, an e-ticket will be automatically downloaded if you pay by Visa, MasterCard or Bkash. A copy of the ticket will also be sent to the e-mail of the passenger. After printing the ticket from the e-mail inbox, the pre-departure printed ticket can be collected from the concerned station by printing the e-ticket along with the photo ID. But there is no problem even if you don't print the ticket, you can show it from your mobile phone.
ACC to file two cases against Benazir, his wife and daughters
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, his wife and two daughters. The agency is preparing the case on the basis of the evidence found in the investigation of their illegal wealth.
Confirming the matter, a reliable source of ACC said that the ACC summoned Benazir on Thursday (June 6). His wife Zeeshan Mirza, eldest daughter Farheen Rishta bint Benazir and younger daughter Tahsin Raisa bint Benazir have been summoned on June 9.
Sources said that the former IGP fled the country with his wife and daughters. In this situation, the ACC will file two cases.
According to sources, a case will be filed against Benazir and her family on charges of acquiring illegal wealth. The ACC will also file another 'non-submission' case. If found guilty of amassing wealth beyond known sources of income, the punishment is 10 years in jail. In addition, Benazir and his wife and daughters could be sentenced to three years more in the non-submission case.
On condition of anonymity, an ACC official said notices will be sent to Benazir and her family members soon seeking their account of assets. If no one is found to receive the notice, it will be hung on the wall of the house. However, according to the news, it is believed that Benazir Ahmed will not be able to receive the notice as she has left the country with her family. In this case, there will be a 'non-submission' case.
In March, a national daily published a report accusing former IGP and Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Benazir Ahmed of amassing huge wealth. Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman, MP of Habiganj-4 (Madhabpur-Chunarughat) constituency, appealed to the ACC chairman to investigate the matter.
30pc freedom fighters quota reinstate in govt jobs
The High Court has ordered to reinstatement 30 percent quota for freedom fighters in government jobs.
On October 4, 2018, a circular was issued abolishing 10 percent quota for women, 30 percent for freedom fighters and 10 percent for district quota.
On December 6, 2021, the High Court issued a rule asking why the circular should not be declared illegal.
The order was passed on Wednesday (June 5) after hearing the rule. It has been said that the circular issued in 2018 is illegal.
Secretaries to the Cabinet Division, Liberation War Affairs Ministry, Public Administration Ministry, Public Service Commission Chairman and others concerned have been made respondents to the rule which is returnable in seven days.
Budget 2024-25: Commodity prices may go up and down
Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali presented the first budget of the 12th National Parliament on Thursday (June 6) at 3 pm. He started raising the proposed budget of Tk 7 lakh 97 thousand crore for the new financial year.
Every year after the announcement of the new budget, the prices of several products change. By withdrawing duties and taxes on some products, the prices of some products are reduced. Again, due to the imposition of new taxes on some products, the prices of many products increased.
The budget proposes to increase and decrease the prices of the following products.
Commodities those prices may rise:
Cigarettes
The price of all types of cigarettes is set to increase. A 60 to 65.5% supplementary duty hike on various categories of cigarettes has been proposed.
Phone and Internet services
The supplementary duty may increase SMS and call rates and internet costs.
Oils
Prices of furnace oil, lubricants, mineral lubricants, and base oil are likely to increase.
CNG Conversion Kits, and Cylinders
Import duty is proposed to increase from 3% to 5% on these goods. So, the expenditure may grow in this sector.
Power Plants
Import duty on equipment and materials for the Rampal power plant as well as various power generating stations has been increased from 0 percent to 5 percent.
Establishments at Economic Zones
It has been proposed to levy a 1 percent customs duty instead of a subsidised facility (duty-free) on the import of capital machinery and construction materials in economic zones.
Air conditioners and Refrigerators
Import duties on compressors and steel sheets used in AC production as well as raw materials for refrigerators have been proposed to increase. As a result, the price of air conditioners and refrigerators may increase.
Water Filters
The price of household water filters may increase as the import duty on these has been proposed to increase from 10 percent to 15 percent to promote the local manufacturers.
LED Bulbs
A proposed 10 percent import duty on energy-saving bulb manufacturing materials may raise the price of LED bulbs.
Car
Currently MPs can import cars at duty-free facilities. The finance minister has proposed to impose 25% supplementary duty and 15% VAT on the import of cars in the proposed budget by canceling this benefit in the budget to reduce inequality. On the other hand, some specific conditions have been added in the proposed budget to exempt hybrid and non-hybrid type cars to prevent duty evasion in luxury cars. As a result, prices of luxury cars are likely to increase.
Generator
Again, the use of generators in homes or industries is increasing to deal with load shedding. NBR has also looked there. One percent duty is being levied on the import of materials or parts used in the assembly and manufacture of generators. Therefore, the price of generator may increase in the market of the country.
Soft drinks and Energy drinks
VAT on soft drinks, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, mango bar may be increased from 5 to 10%. Apart from this, the minimum tax on carbonated beverages may be increased by another 2% to 5%. As a result, these products have to be bought at a higher price.
Fruit Juice
Apart from this, in the new budget, the finance minister proposed to increase the VAT rate from 5% to 15% on the production of mango bar, fruit juice, tamarind juice, guava juice, pineapple juice etc.
Cashew Nuts
A 5% to 10% import duty on shelled cashew nuts has been proposed as part of safeguarding the domestic industry. So, the price of these delicacies may increase.
Hospital Equipment
Importation of medical devices and equipment is allowed at duty free facility of referral or specialized hospital at 1% duty subject to compliance of certain conditions. In the next budget, the finance minister has proposed to increase the import of over 200 medical devices and equipment to 10%, which may further increase the medical expenses of critically ill patients.
Cosmetics
VAT is being increased on cosmetic products in the budget. Supplementary duty is being increased on cosmetics, lipstick, hair care products. Therefore, the prices of cosmetics items may increase.
Mobile Talking
If the scope of revenue collection is increased, the consumer will have to pay more for talking on mobile. At present, a consumer can talk about 73 taka if he recharges his mobile by 100 taka. The mobile operators deduct the remaining 27 taka as VAT and supplementary duties. If the 5 percent supplementary duty on mobile services is increased in the proposed budget, the consumer will be able to talk about 68 taka.
Security Services
In addition, security services have become almost essential in various sectors including homes, offices, and business establishments in big cities including the capital Dhaka. Now 10% Value Added Tax (Musak) or VAT has to be paid for taking such security services. The finance minister has proposed to increase it to 15% in the next budget.
Lease of Markets
In order to increase non-tax revenue, the rental price of markets at district, upazila and even union level will increase slightly in the next budget. Along with that, the land registration fee will also increase.
Entertainment Expenses
Many people visit amusement parks and theme parks to spend time with their families. Currently, 7.5% VAT is levied on entry and rides in amusement parks and theme parks. It is being increased to 15%. This will increase the cost of visiting the park.
Excise duty on the Rich
Of course, the rich are being overtaxed this time. Currently, the rich class pays income tax at 25%, in the future it will be 30%. Income tax at the rate of 30% will be paid if the annual income reaches 38 lakh 50 thousand taka. On the other hand, the bank excise duty is also being increased. Excise duty of Tk 1 lakh per year will be deducted from bank accounts above Tk 5 crore.
Other Products
Prices may also increase for products such as ice cream, amusement parks, and tourism services as the ministry also proposes VAT on these sectors.
Commodities whose prices may fall:
Essential commodities
The import duty of 30 essential commodities including rice, edible oil, sugar, chickpeas, milk and wheat has been proposed to be reduced.
Aircraft Engines & propellers
VAT withdrawal on imports of aircraft engines and propellers has been proposed considering the prospect of the aviation sector.
Powdered milk
A 20% supplementary duty on the import of packaged powdered milk has been withdrawn. This may reduce the price of imported powdered milk.
Laptops
VAT has been withdrawn on the import of laptops to stop the import of used laptops. Import duty has been reduced to about 20.50% from 31%.
Motorcycles
Import duty on engine parts has been reduced which may bring down the price of motorcycles under 250cc made in the country. However, price of motorcycles above 250cc is expected to rise.
Dengue test kits
Exemptions of import duty, value-added tax, and advance tax on rapid dengue detection test kits, dengue re-agents, and platelet and plasma test kits for dengue treatment have been proposed.
Kidney treatment
The import duty on dialysis filters and dialysis circuit products, the most popular tools for treating kidney patients, has been reduced from 10% to 1%.
Cancer Treatment
Import duty waiver on some equipment used in the treatment of cancer has been proposed. Apart from this, the concessional facility for the import of raw materials required for the production of medicines, medical equipment and health protection equipment will continue in the next financial year.
Carpets
Import duty on polypropylene yarn, the main raw material for making carpets, has been reduced from 10% to 5%.
Electric Motors
A subsidy has been proposed to increase the import of parts used in the production of electric motors.
Methanol: Methanol is one of the raw materials of industries such as medicine, washing plants, paint etc. The import duty rate has been reduced from 10% to 5% if this product is imported in bulk.
Agricultural machinery
Prices of agricultural machinery may decrease. Tariff benefits on import of agricultural inputs will be continued.
Foreign Chocolates
In the proposed budget, the Finance Minister has proposed to reduce the supplementary duty on import of chocolate from 45% to 20%. Due to this, the price of imported chocolate may decrease.
Switch-Socket
The price of switch-sockets used in households may decrease. Because the import duty of raw materials used in the production of switch-sockets, holders manufactured in the country is being reduced.
New price determination of gold
Bangladesh Jewelers Association (BAJUS) set the price of 22 carat solid gold at Tk 1 lakh 15 thousand 882 after reducing the price by Tk 1 thousand 295 in the market. It will be effective from Sunday (June 9).
This information was given in a press release signed by Masudur Rahman, Chairman of the Price Determination and Price Monitoring Standing Committee of Bangladesh Jewelers Association (BAJUS) on Saturday (June 8).
Diarrhea germs found in 6 street foods including Chatpati-Cholamuri
Excessive Escherichia coli (E-coli), Salmonella spp and Vibrio spp bacteria were found in 6 street foods of the capital, including Chatapti, Cholamuri. These bacteria can cause various problems in human stomach including diarrhea.
This information came out at the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) research results notification seminar on Sunday (June 9) morning.
The results of this study were presented in the training room of BFSA. The head of the Food, Nutrition and Agriculture Research Laboratory of Dhaka University and the head of the research team Dr. Md. Latiful Bari and his team conducted this research.
The research team conducted this study on chatpatti, cholamuri, sandwich, sugarcane juice, aloe vera syrup and mixed salad. 450 samples of these street foods were collected from 37 zones of Dhaka North and South City Corporation and tested.
The results of the study showed that on average, 72 million E-coli, 750 Salmonella and 750 Vibrio bacteria were found in each plate. In other words, 7 crore 2 lakh 1 thousand 500 bacteria were found in one plate. 7.5 lakh 40 thousand E-coli, 2 thousand Salmonella and 3 million Vibrio were found in Cholamuri. 2 thousand E-coli, 2 thousand Salmonella and 160 thousand Vibrio were found in the sandwich. 65,000 E-coli, 17,000 salmonella and 13,000 Vibrio were found in sugarcane juice. 56,000 E-coli, 18,000 salmonella and 14,000 Vibrio were found in aloe vera extract. E-coli 1,800, Salmonella 510 and Vibrio 300 were found in the mixed salad.
For every 10,000 people eating these street foods, 2 people get sick due to E-coli bacteria, 4 people get sick due to Salmonella bacteria and 1 person gets sick due to Vibrio bacteria.
In the seminar, Latiful Bari said, due to contaminated water, dirty towels, unclean hands, dusty environment, such germs are mixing in food. Due to lack of knowledge and awareness of vendors about health and sanitation, germs are getting into food and juice. People are getting infected with bacteria like E-coli, Salmonella and Vibrio by eating various street foods. But not getting sick. It is not known why people are not getting sick. However, to make street food safe, emphasis should be placed on training and daily monitoring of vendors.
At that time, Director General of National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate AHM Shafiquzzaman said that the number of food licenses in each district and who is selling food outside the scope of this license should be brought under scrutiny.
Announcement of new schedule of Bank transactions
Bangladesh Bank announced the new schedule of bank transactions.
In a circular issued by Bangladesh Bank on Sunday (June 9), it is said that from June 19, bank transactions will continue from 10 am to 4 pm.
Apart from this, the offices of the banks will be open from 10 am to 6 pm. There will be weekend on Friday and Saturday.
Bangladesh Bank issued this directive under the authority of Section 45 of the Bank Companies Act, 1991.
Meanwhile, currently bank transactions are open from 10 am to 3:30 pm and bank offices are open from 10 am to 5 pm.
