RAJUK's recruitment notice for 118 posts cancelled due to unavoidable reasons

April 20, 2025

The recruitment notification for 118 posts in the revenue sector of the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK) has been cancelled. This information was given in a RAJUK notification published on May 12. The notification mentioned that the recruitment notification was cancelled due to unavoidable reasons.

The notification said that this recruitment notification was published on October 17, 2023, for the purpose of temporary recruitment for 118 posts. The application started on October 19 of that year and continued until November 19. Candidates from any district of the country had the opportunity to apply for this recruitment.



Directed the administration to stop increasing the price of medicine

April 20, 2025

The High Court has ordered the Health Secretary and the Drug Administration to take measures to stop arbitrary increases in drug prices. A High Court bench headed by Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam issued the order on Monday.

The court ordered the Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services to inform the government within 30 days about the action taken against the pharmaceutical companies. The pharmaceutical companies have been told not to import raw materials without government approval.

In addition, the High Court has issued a rule on why it is not illegal for the country's pharmaceutical companies to not take action to stop illegal drug pricing.

 



The Prime Minister returned home after his visit to Thailand

April 20, 2025

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returned home from Bangkok after a six-day official visit to Thailand.

The flight carrying him landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital at 11:30 am on Monday (April 29).

Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Bangkok on Monday morning (local time).

Sheikh Hasina arrived in Bangkok on the afternoon of April 24 as part of both a bilateral and multilateral visit to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Sreetha Thavisin.

Sheikh Hasina was given a red carpet welcome upon her arrival at Don Mueang International Airport, where she was given a 19-gun salute and a guard of honor.



Directorate General of Defense Procurement tender fraud, 2 accused remanded

April 20, 2025

A court has granted a one-day remand to two employees of Medi Graphic Trading Ltd in a case of embezzlement and damage caused by forging tenders of the Directorate General of Defence Procurement. The accused taken on remand are Md. Rabiul Karim (45) and Shantanu Kumar Das (46).

The accused were produced in court from the jail on Monday (April 29). Then, a hearing was held on the application filed by the investigation officer, Gulshan Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Bilal Al Azad, on April 24, to take the accused on a five-day remand. On that day, the lawyers applied for bail for the accused. After the hearing, the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Farah Diba Chanda rejected the bail of the accused and granted a one-day remand.

On April 24, the investigating officer of the case presented the accused in court and applied for a five-day remand for the sake of a fair investigation of the case. On the other hand, the accused applied for the remand to be canceled and bail was sought. Hearing both sides, the court rejected the bail of the accused and ordered to send them to jail. At the same time, it fixed April 29 for the remand hearing.

Police Sub-Inspector Shah Alam, an officer of the General Registration Branch of Gulshan Police Station, confirmed this information in court.

According to the complaint, according to the employment rules of the company (Medi Graphic Trading Ltd.), no employee can work in the business of similar products or in any other organization while employed. The company has been working as the sole distributor of Japanese companies Fuji Film and Shimadzu for a long time. Accused No. 1, namely Md. Rabiul Karim, was instructed to conduct official activities in the Directorate General of Defense Procurement, Ministry of Defense on behalf of the company. On April 1, the company came to know through a show cause notice from the Directorate General of Defense Procurement, Ministry of Defense that while employed in the company, accused No. 1 participated in a tender for another organization called The Creative International with the aim of defrauding and embezzling government money by concealing information from government organizations. And signed as the CEO and managing partner of that organization. He is also associated with another organization called Technology International. From the show cause notice, the company learned that the second accused, Shantanu Kumar Das, has been doing such illegal activities for a long time as a business partner of the accused Rabiul. The accused Rabiul fraudulently issued a letter from the Directorate General of Defence Procurement on April 13, using a forged company letterhead and a forged signature, stating that he was the company's representative.

By concealing information, accused No. 1 embezzled a huge amount of money from his personal and the company named The Creative International Medi Graphic Company and the accused acquired many properties anonymously under different names. Although they were employed in the company with a small salary. Through illegal acquisition, accused Rabiul became the owner of 4 luxurious flats in Dhaka, a garden house in Rangpur, and 50 bighas of land in Natore. When the accused were asked for the account of the sale of goods, they failed to provide the account. Accused Shantanu illegally and illegally embezzled the company's money through various forgeries and frauds and deposited a large amount of money in the bank anonymously.

The accused participated in the tender in the name of The Creative International and embezzled money from Medi Graphic Trading Ltd. by creating fake documents showing the full cost. From December 22, 2021 to April 1, 2024, they embezzled about twenty crore taka from Medi Graphic Trading Ltd. and caused a business loss of about thirty crore taka.

In this incident, Medi Graphic's admin officer Sheikh Zakir Hossain filed a case with Gulshan Police Station as the plaintiff. In the case, the accused were charged with forgery with the intention of defrauding, using forged documents, embezzling company funds and causing damage.



On Tuesday, 25 districts of schools-colleges-madrasas were announced to be closed

April 20, 2025

The Ministry of Education has announced the closure of schools in a total of 25 districts, including Khulna, 16 districts of Rajshahi division, 6 districts of Dhaka division, 2 districts in Rangpur and one district in Barisal, on Tuesday (April 30) due to severe heatwave.

Abul Khair, public relations officer of the Ministry of Education, gave this information on Monday (April 29).

Abul Khair said that due to the ongoing heat wave in the country, in consultation with the Meteorological Department, all secondary schools, colleges, madrasas and technical educational institutions in all districts of Khulna and Rajshahi divisions, Dhaka, Tangail, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Gazipur and Manikganj districts of Dhaka division, Kurigram and Dinajpur districts of Rangpur division and Patuakhali district of Barisal division will be closed tomorrow (April 30).

The districts of Khulna division are Jessore, Satkhira, Meherpur, Narail, Chuadanga, Kushtia, Magura, Khulna district. The districts of Rajshahi division are Rajshahi, Natore, Naogaon, Chapainawabganj, Pabna, Sirajganj, Bogra and Joypurhat.

Meanwhile, the High Court has ordered the closure of classes in primary and secondary schools and madrasas until May 2 amid the ongoing heat wave. However, the order states that this order will not apply to schools that have AC facilities or where exams are ongoing, as well as to O Level, A Level exams, and colleges and universities.

While primary schools were declared closed until Thursday in compliance with the High Court's directive, secondary, vocational, madrasa and college levels were declared closed only until Tuesday.

Meanwhile, no one in charge of the Ministry of Education agreed to comment on the High Court's directive. However, public relations officer Abul Khair suggested talking about it at the ministerial or secretary level. However, no statement was received from the Education Minister, State Minister, or Secretary.

An additional secretary, on condition of anonymity, told Dhaka Post that the High Court is saying that the school will remain closed until Thursday, but Wednesday is May 1. It is a public holiday for International Workers' Day. Tuesday is closed and Wednesday is a public holiday. If the weather conditions improve, the school will be closed for one day instead of declaring a continuous closure on Thursday. In the meantime, if the weather conditions improve, the school will be opened from Thursday. And if a continuous closure is declared or the holiday is canceled, there will be more criticism.

Yesterday (Sunday), the Ministry of Education announced in a message that all secondary schools, colleges, madrasas and technical educational institutions in Dhaka, Chuadanga, Jessore, Khulna and Rajshahi districts will remain closed on Monday (April 29) due to the ongoing heat wave. The ministry said that this decision was taken in consultation with the Ministry of Health and the Meteorological Department. However, educational institutions that have air-conditioning systems can remain open if they wish.

Earlier, all educational institutions across the country opened on Sunday after a total of 1 month and 3 days of holidays, including seven days due to Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr and intense heat. However, secondary schools, madrasas and technical institutions were declared closed on Sunday due to injuries to students and teachers in many parts of the country.



400 metric tons of potatoes came from India

April 20, 2025
400 metric tons of potatoes came from India

To control market prices, 400 metric tons of potatoes have been imported from India in two days through Benapole port in Jessore's Sharsha upazila. The government has allowed the import of potatoes along with rice, pulses, wheat, eggs, onions and green chillies. Revenue officer of the Benapole port's checkpost cargo branch Aziz Khan confirmed the import of potatoes.

The importer of the potatoes is Integrated Food and Beverage. The exporter is PepsiCo India Holdings of India, according to the port authority. A company called Transmarine C&F Agent has submitted the necessary documents to release the potato shipment from the port.
Masum Billa, representative of Transmarine Logistics Limited C&F agent, said that 400 metric tons of potatoes were imported in 16 Indian trucks on Wednesday and Thursday. The import cost of each metric ton of potatoes was 194 US dollars. The potato consignment will be unloaded on Sunday.
In this regard, Benapole Land Port Director Rezaul Karim said, "400 metric tons of potatoes have been imported in two consignments through Benapole Port. The consignment of potatoes is still at the port. The importers are being assisted for quick clearance."
Hemant Kumar Sarkar, Deputy Assistant Officer of the Port's Plant Quarantine Center, said, 400 metric tons of potatoes have been imported from India at the port. Permission will be granted to release the potatoes after quality testing if the importer submits the necessary documents. Earlier, 74 tons of potatoes were imported in three trucks on December 2. No more potatoes have been imported since then.


The size of ADP has decreased by Tk 18 thousand crores

April 20, 2025
The size of ADP has decreased by Tk 18 thousand crores

The Annual Development Program (ADP) has been reduced by Tk 18,000 crore. After the cuts, the size of the ADP stood at Tk 2,45,000 crore due to the inability to spend the allocated money in favor of the ministry. The size of the original ADP was Tk 2,63,000 crore. The revised ADP was approved at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the NEC conference room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Tuesday. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting.

According to the commission sources, not all ministries are able to spend the allocated money on time. As a result, the expenditure is being reduced every time in the implementation of the ADP. The highest allocation of 25.82 percent of the total Revised Annual Development Program (RADP) is being given to the transport and communication sector. Which is Tk 63,263 crore 31 lakh. After that, the second highest allocation has been given to the power sector, which is Tk 37,896 crore.
The Planning Commission said that the revised ADP for the current fiscal year 2023-24 has a decrease in its own financing of Tk 7.5 billion. The ADP had a decrease of Tk 1.69 billion from Tk 1.61 billion. This is a decrease of Tk 1.61 billion. In addition, the allocation from foreign aid has decreased by Tk 10.5 billion. This will bring the amount of foreign aid in the revised ADP to Tk 83.5 billion.


Govt to take tough stand against unscrupulous traders: Foreign Minister

April 20, 2025
Govt to take tough stand against unscrupulous traders: Foreign Minister

Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud said, "Just as the government is determined to take strict action against unscrupulous traders to keep commodity prices stable during the month of Ramadan, we also urge the people to be vocal." He said this while exchanging views with journalists at the Foreign Ministry auditorium in the capital's Segunbagicha on Monday afternoon.

Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr. Hasan Mahmud said, despite the sufficient supply of goods, a class of unscrupulous traders illegally hoard goods and artificially increase prices to make extra profits, which is very sad. Prices of goods decrease during festivals all over the world, but unscrupulous traders keep prices high in our country. The government is determined to take action against unscrupulous traders. The campaign is also ongoing. He also raised the question of where the people will go when they form a front against the syndicate of unscrupulous traders.
Before the exchange of views, Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud briefed on his successive visits to Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. He said that he had met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignacio Cassis on the sidelines of the Anatolia Forum in Turkey on March 1. He said that the meeting discussed various bilateral issues, including Rohingya repatriation and cooperation in combating climate change.
His meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and OIC Secretary General Hissene Brahim Taha on March 5 was very fruitful.
Hassan Mahmud shed light on his meetings with the country's Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Minister of Human Resources and Emiratization Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Awar during his visit to the United Arab Emirates on March 8 and 9.


Order to disconnect gas and electricity of unauthorized buildings

April 20, 2025

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has ordered the disconnection of gas and electricity connections of unauthorized buildings. He gave the order at a briefing in Chittagong on Wednesday. On the same day, he inaugurated the data center of the prepaid meter project of Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company.

The State Minister for Power said, "We must be aware so that accidents like Bailey Road do not happen again. Gas connections cannot be provided without the approval of the appropriate authority. Even if a connection is provided earlier, if it is used for illegal purposes, the connection will be disconnected. If commercial activities are carried out with the permission of a resident, if the fire extinguishing system is not proper, or if the design is violated, the gas and electricity connections of that building will be disconnected." Instructing the concerned in this regard, he said that gas connections will not be provided anywhere except in approved industrial areas.

Stating that all customers in Chittagong will be covered by prepaid meters within three years, the State Minister said, 'The meters that are being installed are from Japan. This program is being carried out with the assistance of JICA.' In response to a question, he said, 'The gas companies have more arrears in power plants and fertilizer factories. Several thousand crore taka have accumulated in these two sectors. If you want uninterrupted gas, you will have to pay the arrears. If the fertilizer factories do not pay the arrears, they will not be given gas.' Petrobangla Chairman Janendra Nath Sarkar was present at the time.

The State Minister for Power earlier visited the construction site of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation's own building in Chittagong and the facilities of Padma, Meghna and Jamuna Oil Companies. He said, 'Uninterrupted oil transportation is being arranged throughout the country. Fuel oil unloading, storage and transportation will come under automation.' He said that oil pricing and management will be paperless and humanless. Experimental oil transportation is underway in the Single Mooring (SPM) line project. This will save about a thousand crore taka annually. Oil will be transported to Patenga depot through a pipeline from the deep-sea mother vessel in Maheshkhali.

The State Minister for Power said, "The depots are being automated. A pipeline is being built from Patenga to Godnail in Narayanganj. The tankers will also be modernized." He said, "There is going to be a big change in the price of fuel oil in the country today, Thursday. From now on, the price will be fixed in the first week of the month. If we can introduce automated management and operation, we will save money there too." BPC Chairman ABM Azad, along with the managing directors and senior officials of the companies, were present at the time.

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Historical March 7 today

April 20, 2025

Today is the historic 7th of March. An unforgettable day in the history of the liberation struggle of the Bengali nation. On this day in 1971, the architect of independence, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, gave a historic speech at a public meeting at the then Ramna Race Course Maidan (Suhrawardy Udyan) in Dhaka, rousing the nation on the issue of independence. 'This time's struggle is our struggle for freedom, this time's struggle is the struggle for independence' - Bangabandhu declared the main motto of the liberation of the Bengalis from the oppression of Pakistan in his speech that day.

Bangabandhu's historic speech later became the seed mantra of the freedom struggle. Basically, the Bengalis started preparing for the liberation war based on the call given in Bangabandhu's speech. Later, after the brutal massacre by the Pakistani forces on the night of March 25, Bangabandhu declared the country's independence in the early hours of March 26. The armed liberation war officially began. On October 30, 2017, Bangabandhu's historic March 7 speech was recognized as a world heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). On the occasion of the day, President Md. Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages.

They termed the day as a glorious chapter in the history of Bengalis. On the occasion of March 7, Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and various private TV channels and radio stations will broadcast special programs. Special articles will be published in newspapers.

The Awami League's programme to commemorate the day includes hoisting the national and party flags at Bangabandhu Bhaban at 32, Dhanmondi and party offices across the country at 6:30 am; paying homage to the portrait of the Father of the Nation at Bangabandhu Bhaban at 7 am; and a discussion meeting at Dhaka District Awami League Bhaban in Tejgaon at 4 pm. Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will preside over it.

Apart from this, various organizations and institutions including Dhaka Metropolitan North and South Awami League, Mahila Awami League, Jubo League, Jatiya Sramik League, Swechchhasebak League, Krishak League, Jubo Mahila League, Chhatra League, Tanti League, Swadhinata Chikitsik Parishad, Bangabandhu Awami Ajib Parishad, Muktijoddha Sangsad, Bangabandhu Parishad, Bangabandhu Sangsiktrik Jote, Joy Bangla Sangsiktrik Oikya Jote will organize various programs on the occasion of the day, including flag hoisting, offering wreaths at the portrait of the Father of the Nation, doa and milad mahfil, cultural competitions, discussion meetings.

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, in a statement, called on the leaders, activists, supporters of the party and its associate organizations, and the people of all walks of life to observe the day with due dignity by adopting a program consistent with the center on the occasion of March 7.