PM reminds private sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the private sector employers to implement six-month maternity leave for their staff. “It is very unfortunate that many private sector employers do not allow six-month maternity leave to the expectant mothers working in their organisations, though all the government offices have
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Indigenous issue draws arguments
Against the backdrop of much debate over constitutional recognition of non-Bangalee indigenous communities, Law Minister Shafique Ahmed yesterday said in light of the ILO convention no 169 they are “tribal” people, not “indigenous”. There are two criteria in the International Labour Organization (ILO) convention no 169, he said
Rajuk, DCC among grabbers
River taskforce to seek PM’s help Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) and Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) have been filling up portions of Baunia and Ramchandrapur canals to build roads in another instance of violation of environmental laws by government agencies. The river taskforce yesterday expressed concern over the filling up of the two canals and decided ... Read more
Chemically treated fruits flood city’s markets
Fruits sprayed with various chemicals have flooded the city’s markets, seriously threatening the health of the public who consume a good amount of fruits during Ramadan, warned officials and physicians. The sellers are using chemicals either to ripen the fruits or to keep them looking fresh, said officials of the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution
Income fixed, expense wild
Salaried people give up on savings to grapple with rising food inflation, cost of living A newborn usually brings a sense of happiness to family members and relatives, but the joy of becoming the parents of a second child is tinged with worries for Rafeza Khanam and her husband. Concerns over the means to build ... Read more
Chitra river rots with jute
A portion of the Chitra river has become seriously polluted, as farmers are rotting jute plants in it. The pollution that extends some 40km on both sides of the river very badly affected nearly 40,000 people of Narail sadar and Kalia upazilas of the district. Fishes and other aquatic creatures are dying in hundreds, and ... Read more
PM warns against water, power supply disruptions
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the ‘culprits’ who are behind load-shedding and water crisis during Iftar and Sehri will be identified and be given exemplary punishment. “We don’t have that much of power and water shortage which may cause sufferings to people during the Iftar and Sehri,” she said during a meeting with ... Read more
Eat less, Faruk says
Minister gives solution to avoid food adulteration Commerce Minister Faruk Khan on Thursday advised consumers to limit consumption to curb food adulteration. “Please eat less than your requirement. This technique will ease all problems. If you eat minimum, it will reduce many problems. If you control your eagerness of eating, the businessmen will get a ... Read more
BNP MP, two other lawyers arrested
Three lawyers including BNP lawmaker Syeda Asifa Ashrafi Papiya were arrested on Thursday afternoon just after a High Court judge felt embarrassed to hear their bail plea in connection with a criminal case filed against them. The other two lawyers are Towhidul Islam and his associate Abu Bakar Siddiqiue Rajan. The 10 others accused lawyers ... Read more
Turn in wealth info in 30 days
HC asks Rajuk boss to examine graft by his officials The High Court yesterday directed the officials of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) to submit their wealth statements to the Rajuk chairman in 30 days. The officials will have to do so, so that the chairman can asses whether they are performing their duties honestly or ... Read more
Remarks of judges motivated: Alamgir
Scuffle at Court BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s advance remarks on different issues are being reflected in the judgments of the higher courts. He has alleged that the government has forced people and judiciary to stand face to face bringing political matters in the court ... Read more
Dipu Moni’s statement draws flak
Expressing concern about Foreign Minister Dipu Moni’s recent statements about the country’s indigenous people, 15 noted rights activists yesterday said such statements betray the spirit of the Liberation War and insult those who believe in diversity and plurality. In a statement, they said the spirit of the Liberation War was of democracy, pluralism and
It’s indigenous or adivasi
Insist leaders of the community Leaders of the indigenous people have respelled their demand for constitutional recognition as “indigenous” or “adivasi” people instead of tribal or small ethnic groups as they fulfil all the United Nations criteria to that end. Ahead of the International Day for Indigenous People, the leaders said it at a press ... Read more
Commuter train by next year
20 Chinese trains to ply in Dhaka, Ctg Modern trains will be introduced in Dhaka and Chittagong by the next year to make commuting with their adjoining districts fast and easier. Bangladesh Railway (BR) and Tangshan Railway Vehicle Company Ltd, a Chinese private firm, inked an agreement on the $58.31 million project at the railway ... Read more
Women entrepreneurship and our commitment
Tarique Afzal for The Daily Star “Entrepreneur” is a French word that means “undertake”. Women entrepreneurship is inherent as they are naturally endowed with the qualities of entrepreneurship. Instincts of a woman generate enormous strength and determination that drive the fear away from them. Entrepreneurship for a woman remains an innate quality and thus is ... Read more
Dhaka to hand over Chetia by mid-Aug
Bangladesh will hand over the general secretary of United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), Anup Chetia, and others members of the front to India by the middle of August this year. Home minister Sahara Khatun on Wednesday said Bangladesh had started the legal process for the purpose. “We have asked the authorities concerned to complete ... Read more
DU in serious financial crisis
UGC yet to disburse budgetary allocation; July salaries provided from other sources Dhaka University is facing an acute financial crisis as it has not yet received its budgetary allocation from the University Grants Commission. The DU authority had to pay the salaries of its teachers, officials and other employees for July with money collected from ... Read more
JS goes into session on August 18
The 10th session of the ninth Jatiya Sangsad will begin on August 18 amid uncertainty about the return of the boycotting main opposition BNP to the House. President Zillur Rahman called the session as per article 72 (1) of the Constitution, a parliament secretariat source said on Wednesday. President called the 10th session during the ... Read more
Kindergarten schools come under watch
200 of over 75,000 institutions obtain registration The government has made registration mandatory for nursery, preparatory or kindergarten schools, apparently bringing an end to the long-standing practice of not following any rules while establishing or running these institutions. From now on, anyone seeking to establish a nursery or kindergarten school has to follow some
40 industries get gas link, no hope for 57 CNG filling stations
Amid the ongoing gas crisis, the government has given new connections to some 40 industries, but there is no hope for 57 CNG filling stations waiting for their turns for the last two years. The domestic and commercial consumers and captive power producers will also have to wait till 2013 to see an improvement in ... Read more