Task force to protect environment
The deputy commissioner (DC) of Dhaka district has decided to form a task force of concerned government authorities to protect against environmental pollution, especially water pollution, air pollution
New Age (Bangladesh)
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Major river systems keep rising
The Brahmaputra-Jamuna river system on Sunday kept swelling upstream, said the flood forecasting and warning centre. The swelling is likely to continue for the next 72 hours. The Ganges-Padma river system was also swelling on Sunday at a slow place, inundating more areas, the warning centre said. The centre said flooding in Munshiganj, Manikganj, Faridpur, Madaripur, Shariatpur, and at Dohar and Nawabganj in Dhaka would worsen slowly in a couple of days.
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Adviser to resume meeting today on expediting food procurement
The food ministry's meeting with the representatives of the North Bengal Rice Mill Owners' Association was adjourned at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday with the millers mounting pressure on the government to continue supply of rice at Tk 28 a kilogram from its stock. The mill owners also demanded incentives to offset the losses they were reportedly incurring from selling rice at the prices fixed by the government, said meeting sources.
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Number of child labourers on rise in Patuakhali
The number of child labourers is increasing alarmingly in the coastal district of Patuakhali as poverty forces them to work for earning livelihood, according to a study. At present, over 21,000 children below 12 years of old are engaged in different odd jobs in the district, says the study conducted by Human Development Association, a non-governmental organisation. Poverty is the key reason for the continued rise in the number child labourers in the district as poor parents send their children to work to earn livelihood, the study says.
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Call to sow date, palm seeds to maintain ecological balance
Sowing of date and palm seeds has began from July 19 in the district amid much enthusiasm in order to meet the demand of sugar and to maintain the ecological balance. An inaugural function organised by Sundarganj Upaz-ila administration was held at the Baidyanath Government Primary School at Sonaroy union under the upazila on Saturday. Deputy Commissioner (DC) addressed the function as the chief guest and UNO M. Barad Hossain Chowdhury was present as special guest.
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Smokers fined for using public places
A mobile court during separate drives in the city yesterday fined six people with Tk 50 each for smoking at public places while Hotel Sheraton with Tk 1,000 for naming one of its lounges as Dunhill Lounge. The mobile court, led by Magistrate Mohammad Kamruzzaman, conducted the drives at Kamalapur Railway Station area and collected Tk 300 as fine from the people for smoking at public places. In another drive, the magistrate fined Tk 1,000 to Hotel Sheraton for violation of Narcotics Control Acts-2005.
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Fresh areas flooded in Munshiganj
More low-lying areas were submerged in Munshiganj yesterday due to water level rise in the river Padma. Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre sources said the Padma at Bhagyakul point was flowing above 10 centimetres of danger level yesterday. Three rivers Padma, Kobadak and Surma are now flowing above danger level, according to the FFWC. Water level at Kanaighat point of Surma river have been flowing above 18 centimetres of danger level while it is above 40 centimetres at Sunamganj point.
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Environment ministry, ERD at loggerheads
The environment ministry and the Economic Relations Division are at loggerheads over accepting foreign loans to finance programmes on climate change adaptation. While the division is pushing for loan-based multi-donor trust fund sponsored by the World Bank, the environment ministry is pursuing grant-based bilateral funding from developed countries.
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Emerging economies stand firm against rich nations at WTO
Emerging economies challenged rich countries to prove their goodwill on Tuesday at crucial World Trade Organisation talks, which were hamstrung by the absence of the Indian trade minister. Ministers from about 35 key nations are meeting in Geneva this week to break seven-year deadlock over a new global trade deal. But so far, emerging markets have expressed frustration at the lack of concrete moves from big developed parties such as the United States and the European Union.
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3-day tourism fair begins in Dhaka
The Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Mart, a tourism fair, will start at the Bashundahar City exposition centre in Dhaka tomorrow with a view to disseminating tourism-based information among travellers. Amazing Holidays, a travel agency, and the BRAC Bank are organising the three-day fair, disclosed the organisers in a press conference at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Tuesday.
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Vietnam to raise poverty threshold
The national poverty line of Vietnam is to be raised to 300,000 dong ($18) and 390,000 dong ($23) per capita per month in rural and urban areas respectively to reflect rising inflation. The poverty line is the minimum level of income considered necessary to achieve an adequate standard of living. The new figures were formulated following consultations between the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the General Statistics Office.