National
Contractor Firm Secures Deal to Run Canteen at MRT Line-6 Depot
Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has leased a 7,580 square feet staff canteen at Uttara Depot of MRT Line-6 for Tk1,000.
The information came to light in a notification signed by Md Nazrul Islam, general manager (Operation and Procurement).
According to the notice, the tender submitted by contractor firm Khandaker Enterprise on January 1 to operate the 7,580 square feet staff canteen located at Uttara Depot of MRT Line-6 under Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited at a total price of Tk12,000 (excluding VAT and income tax) for one year, at the rate of Tk1,000 per month as rent, has been considered acceptable by the company.
Within seven days of the issuance of this notice, the contractor has been asked to inform in writing that they have agreed to execute the contract for three years.
It was also asked to deposit Tk3 lakh as security on March 28.
In this regard, Nazrul Islam said all procedures were completed as per government rules and it was an open tender.
When questioned about the rent discrepancy, he argued that the canteen measured 1,000 square feet, not over 7,500 square feet.
Talking to some people working at the metro rail depot, it was known that the depot works in three shifts.
On average, about 150 people work in the depot. Besides, various workshops are also organized in the depot to improve the efficiency of the employees.
No contractor company was willing to take charge of the canteen due to some of DMTCL’s conditions.
Some of the conditions are that the authorities would fix the price of food in the canteen, nothing could be cooked in the canteen, and catering services would have to be provided.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
