The budget session began yesterday with Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury presiding over. The Finance Minister will place the budget for the 2019-20 fiscal tomorrow. Earlier in the afternoon, Business Advisory Committee of the parliament also attended by Leader of the House and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina decided that the budget session will continue till July 11.
Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury inaugurated a budget information help desk at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka yesterday. The Speaker speaking on the occasion expressed her hope that the help desk will play an important role in assisting the lawmakers in delivering informative, constructive and lively speech in the on-going budget session.
The 11th anniversary of Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s release from prison was observed yesterday. The leaders of Bangladesh Awami League and its associate bodies greeted the Prime Minister by presenting her with bouquets at Ganabhaban. Information Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud speaking at a press conference at AL President’s political office at Dhanmondi in Dhaka yesterday said, on this day in 2008, the then government was forced to release Sheikh Hasina from the special sub-jail after remaining captive for nearly 11 months. The Minister also said, June 11 is not only Sheikh Hasina’s release day but also the day of release of democracy.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader emphasizing on strong and responsible opposition party in protecting democracy has urged Jatiya Oikyafront to play a strong and responsible role both in and outside parliament. The Minister made the urge at a joint meeting of Awami League and its associate bodies at party’s Bangabandhu Avenue Central Office in Dhaka yesterday.
The Government will procure additional 2.50 lac tonnes of Boro rice to ensure fair price for the farmers. Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said this at a press conference at his ministry in Dhaka yesterday. The Food Minister said, the government is planning to establish 200 paddy silos having five thousand metric tons storage capacity of each in different areas of the country.
UNICEF Country Representative Tomoo Hozumi presented his credentials to Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen at his ministry in Dhaka yesterday. The UNICEF Country Representative speaking on the occasion praised Bangladesh’s remarkable achievements in the field of child education and health and assured that UNICEF would continue to work with the government for the overall development of the children.
Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen will brief diplomats stationed in Dhaka today on current issues with special focus on Rohingya issue. The Foreign Minister yesterday in a letter sent to honorary consul of different countries working in Bangladesh and abroad has urged them to engage their governments and civil society members in the repatriation process of Rohingyas.
Chinese Ambassador Zhang Zuo visited Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar yesterday. He discussed the possibilities of repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar. Zhang Zuo made the visit ahead of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hanisa’s planned visit to China in first week of July. European Union Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore also visited Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar yesterday.
The UAE has conveyed its interest to hire 3,000 drivers from Bangladesh. UAE Ambassador to Bangladesh Saed Mohammed Al Mheiri expressed the eagerness as the Envoy met Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment State Minister Imran Ahmad at his ministry on Monday.
The government has instructed Bangladesh missions abroad not to issue any travel pass to Bangladeshi citizens who have no travel and other documents, without taking permission of the Home Affairs Ministry. This is being done to prevent the entry of militants into the country. The Security Service Division of the Home Ministry recently issued an order in this regard.
The government has appointed A F M Gousal Azam Sarker, currently serving as the DG at International Organisations Wing of the Foreign Ministry, as Bangladesh’s new Ambassador to Iran.
- Press Wing, London, 12 June 2019