National
Govt to Procures 10,000 Tons of Sugar, 8,000 Tons of Lentils
The government has greenlit separate plans to acquire approximately 10,000 metric tons of sugar and 8,000 metric tons of lentils to address the nation’s increasing demand. This approval was granted during the 6th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) for the current year, chaired by Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali at the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Following the meeting, Cabinet Division Secretary (Coordination and Reforms) Md. Mahmudul Hossain Khan briefed reporters, stating that a total of 13 proposals were approved. He highlighted that, as per a proposal from the Ministry of Commerce, the state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will procure around 10,000 metric tons of sugar from the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC) using the Direct Procurement Method (DPM). This decision aims to meet the increased demand during the ongoing Holy Month of Ramadan, with an allocated budget of Taka 160 crore, at a cost of Taka 160 per kilogram of sugar.
Additionally, Mahmudul mentioned that TCB will also obtain 8,000 metric tons of lentils through the DPM method from Agrigo Trading Pvt Ltd, India, with an estimated budget of approximately Taka 76.65 crore, at a cost of Taka 100.80 per kilogram of lentils.
He further elaborated on two separate proposals from the Ministry of Industries, stating that the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) would acquire 25,000 metric tons of rock phosphate from M/S Desh Trading Corporation, Dhaka (Manufacturer: OCP, SA, Morocco), with an allocated budget of around Taka 94.51 crore. Similarly, BCIC will procure 30,000 metric tons of phosphoric acid from M/S Agro Industrial Input, Dhaka, and M/S Desh Trading Corporation, Dhaka, with a budget of approximately Taka 189 crore.
In a proposal from the Ministry of Shipping, the contract for the “Design, Manufacture, Supply, and Installation of Container Handling Equipment, Terminal Operation System, and Security System (package 2A)” under the ‘Matarbari Port Development Project’ has been awarded to Mitsui E&S Machinery and Tec International Consortium (Mitsui E&S), Japan, at a cost of around Taka 799.49 crore.
Furthermore, the CCGP meeting also approved one proposal from the Ministry of Industries, one from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, three from the Local Government Division, and three others from the Ministry of Shipping.
Prior to the CCGP meeting, the 5th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) for the current year, also chaired by Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, took place.
Mahmudul noted that during this meeting, two proposals were approved in principle. These included a proposal from the Ministry of Shipping for the implementation of the “Development of Container Terminal-1 of Payra Port under PPP Model” and a proposal from the Medical Education and Family Welfare Division for the implementation of the “Establishment of International Nurses and Midwives Skills Training Institute,” both under the PPP initiative.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued forecasts of rain or thundershowers for Dhaka, Rangpur, and five other divisions, commencing from 9 am today and extending over the next 24 hours. This weather forecast encompasses Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, and Sylhet divisions, where accompanying gusty or squally winds are anticipated during the rainfall. Additionally, Chattogram division is expected to experience some activity, albeit in fewer places, with the potential for hail in isolated areas.
The BMD bulletin highlights that various areas within these seven divisions may witness significant thunderstorm activity, accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds, with isolated occurrences of hail.
Temperature levels across the nation are projected to remain consistent, both during daytime and at night. Over the past 24-hour period, Rajshahi recorded the highest temperature in the country at 34.7 degrees Celsius, while Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, experienced the lowest temperature at 21.2 degrees Celsius.
Dhaka witnessed the most substantial rainfall, measuring up to 87mm. Residents in the affected divisions are advised to prepare for adverse weather conditions and stay informed about further forecasts from the BMD.
The Jashore Education Board has achieved the highest pass rate of 92.32% among the nine boards in the 2024 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination, according to official data.
Conversely, Sylhet remained at the bottom with a pass rate of 73.35%, continuing its trend from last year when it also recorded the lowest pass rate of 76.06%.
Data from the education board website reveals that the Dhaka board secured a pass rate of 83.92%, while Rajshahi board achieved 89.25%, Cumilla board 79.20%, Barishal board 89.13%, Chattogram board 82.80%, Dinajpur board 78.40%, and Mymensingh board 84.97%.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received the results of this year’s SSC and equivalent examinations. Students have been able to access their results through the official website.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the 2024 Hajj program (1445 hijri) in Ashkona, the capital, today, May 8th.
Subsequently, she exchanged pleasantries with the Hajj pilgrims at the Ashkona Hajj camp.
The maiden Hajj flight is set to depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Saudi Arabia on Thursday (May 9).
Dedicated Hajj flights will also operate from Chattogram and Sylhet airports, landing at Jeddah and Medina airports.
This year, 85,257 Bangladeshi pilgrims are expected to undertake the holy journey. Among them, 4,562 will be under government management, while 80,695 will be managed privately.
The Hajj is tentatively scheduled for June 15th, contingent upon the moon sighting.
In attendance were Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqur Rahman, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Religious Affairs Ministry Mohammad Huchamuddin Chowdhury, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan, and president of Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) Shahadat Hossain Taslim.
Religious Affairs Minister Md Faridul Haque Khan chaired the inaugural function, while Religious Affairs Secretary Md A Hamid Zamadder delivered the welcome address.
