National
PM to Declare 12 More Districts Landless, Homeless-Free This Wednesday
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to deliver 22,101 homes to landless and homeless families as part of the Ashrayan-2 project on Wednesday (August 8). This move comes alongside the announcement of 12 more districts being declared free from homelessness and landlessness. With the addition of these districts and their upazilas, the total count of such districts across the country will reach 21, encompassing 334 upazilas. The declaration was communicated by Mohammad Tofazzel Hossain Miah, the Principal Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, during a press conference at Karabi Hall. The event was attended by officials including PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin and Ashrayan-2 Project Director Abu Saleh Mohammad Ferdous Khan.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to inaugurate the distribution of semi-pucca houses through a video conference from her official residence, Ganabhaban. The homes will be furnished with keys and ownership documents for a two-decimal land plot. Approximately 115,000 individuals will be beneficiaries of this initiative on the given day.
The Principal Secretary highlighted that under the Ashrayan project and various related programs, over 820,607 families have been rehabilitated since 1997. This effort has benefited around 4,148,035 individuals, assuming an average of five persons per family. Of these, 555,617 families (equivalent to 2,778,085 individuals) have been directly aided by the Ashrayan Project.
Tofazzel Hossain Miah emphasized that this initiative stands out globally, as it provides not only houses and lands, but also essential utilities like electricity and water supply. He noted that due to this comprehensive approach, Bangladesh’s rehabilitation program has significantly reduced the numbers of extreme poverty and floating populations.
The Prime Minister will preside over the distribution of houses at three locations: Barasat Sonar Bangla Palli Ashrayan project in Terokhada upazila (Khulna district), Chakla Ashrayan-2 project in Bera upazila (Pabna), and Amanullahpur Ashrayan project in Begumganj (Noakhali).
Moreover, during this event, the districts of Manikganj, Rajbari, Mymensingh, Sherpur, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Naogaon, Natore, Pabna, Kushtia, Pirojpur, and Jhalakathi will be designated as landless and homeless-free areas.
This marks the second phase of the fourth stage of the Ashrayan-2 project. In the first stage of this phase, 39,365 houses were distributed on March 22, 2023. The prior stages of the project distributed 63,999 houses under the first phase, 53,330 under the second phase, and 59,133 in two stages during the Mujib-Barshao celebration.
After the distribution of 22,101 homes in this phase, the overall count under the Ashrayan-2 Project will reach 238,851. Additionally, the Principal Secretary noted that the government plans to offer houses and lands to those who might become homeless due to reasons like river erosion, natural disasters, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Through this endeavor, the government aims to provide land ownership to both spouses, ensuring equal rights and registration. Furthermore, Tofazzel Hossain Miah highlighted that the houses are not solely built on government-owned land; they also purchase land from the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust and receive donations from individuals.
He addressed queries regarding future plans, stating that the government will extend assistance to those who are in need of better housing or whose homes are dilapidated after the current landless and homeless rehabilitation process concludes.
The upcoming declaration of 123 upazilas as landless and homeless-free areas encompasses various regions, spanning from Shariatpur to Sunamganj. This initiative is aligned with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s commitment to following her father’s legacy, initiated by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1972, to provide housing and land to those without homes.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has received five fresh complaints of murder, genocide and crimes against humanity against a total of 228 people including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Confirming the matter to BSS, ICT prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim said the complaints were filed with the office of the chief prosecutor on Sunday.
Charges were brought against Sheikh Hasina and 64 others over the killings of college students Nure Alam Siddique Rakib and Zubayer on the Mymensingh-Kishoreganj Highway on July 20. Rakib’s father Abdul Halim and Zubayer’s father Anwar Uddin filed the complaint yesterday.
Sheikh Hasina and 27 others were accused of the killing of Maruf Hossain in front of BRAC University in the capital’s Badda area on July 19. Maruf’s father Mohammad Idris filed the complaint.
One Shafikul Islam Sarkar filed the third complaint against Sheikh Hasina and other unnamed accused over the killing of his son Faisal Sarkar on July 19 in Uttara Abdullahpur area.
Hasina was accused along with 75 others in another complaint filed over the killing of Mahfuzur Rahman, 25, in Mirpur-10 intersection area on July 19. Mahfuzur’s father Abdul Mannan filed the complaint.
One Mohammad Amanullah filed another complaint against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 57 others over the killing of his son Samiu Aman Nur, 13, in Uttara Azampur Footover Bridge area on August 5.
The holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi, commemorating the birth and demise of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), is being observed across Bangladesh today with profound religious reverence. The observance was confirmed during the National Moon Sighting Committee’s meeting on September 4, held at the Islamic Foundation’s Conference Room in Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The meeting was chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Md Abdul Hamid Jamaddar, as announced in a press release.
The committee confirmed that the moon of Rabiul Awal 1446 Hijri was sighted in the sky of Bangladesh on September 4, marking the beginning of the holy month of Rabiul Awal from September 5 (Thursday).
On this day in 570, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, bringing divine blessings and messages of peace to humanity. He passed away on the same date, 12th Rabiul Awal, of the Hijri calendar.
In honor of the occasion, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and the Chief Adviser to the interim government, Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus, issued separate messages, extending greetings to the people of Bangladesh and Muslims worldwide.
To mark the day, Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar are airing special programmes, while various national newspapers have published supplements underscoring the significance of the event. The day is also observed as a public holiday throughout the country.
In a meeting held on Saturday (14 September), garment factory owners across the country unanimously agreed to resume operations starting today. However, it was also decided that individual factories may be closed according to legal procedures, in order to protect the industry and national interests, while safeguarding workers’ employment. This measure would apply particularly if workers refuse to work, leave the premises, or attempt to instigate disturbances.
The decision came during a discussion on the current crisis facing the ready-made garment (RMG) industry, held at the BGMEA complex in Uttara, Dhaka. The meeting, chaired by BGMEA president Khandaker Rafiqul Islam, was attended by key government advisers and leaders from BGMEA, BKMEA, and labor unions.
Expressing serious concern about the ongoing labor unrest, participants warned that the instability could jeopardize the vital export-oriented garment sector. The advisers urged factory owners to continue operations and assured them of government support, including enhanced security measures, should unrest arise.
