National
PM Launched Universal Pension Scheme
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the highly anticipated Universal Pension Scheme on Thursday (17 Agust), with the aim of extending pension coverage to all citizens aged above 18 in the country. The inauguration took place during a virtual ceremony held at her official residence, Ganabhaban. Participants and beneficiaries joined from various locations, including Gopalganj, Bagerhat, Rangpur districts, and the Bangladesh embassy in Saudi Arabia.
The Universal Pension Scheme introduces four out of the planned six packages: Pragati, Surokkha, Samata, and Prabashi. These packages cater to different segments of the population, such as private job holders, self-employed individuals, low-income earners, and expatriate Bangladeshis. The remaining two packages are set to be launched at a later date.
Citizens aged 18 and above are eligible to enroll in the scheme, which provides a pension upon retirement. Participants contribute through installments until the age of 60. Even those above 50 years old can join the program, but they are required to pay installments for a continuous period of 10 years.
During the event, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal and Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder also addressed the audience. The function was moderated by PM’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah, while the welcome speech was delivered by Senior Secretary of the Finance Division, Fatima Yasmin. A video documentary outlining the Universal Pension Scheme was also screened.
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.
