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PM Directs Measures to Prevent Excessive Compensation Claims in Development Projects
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has emphasized the importance of vigilance in preventing excessive compensation claims during land acquisition for development projects. She stated that the government offers compensation to affected individuals at three times the market value of the land and cautioned against individuals hastily constructing makeshift structures to claim additional compensation. Prime Minister Hasina issued this directive during her leadership of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting, held at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
The Prime Minister urged authorities to take photographs of project sites during their initial visits to deter fraudulent compensation claims. In addition, while approving a revised project for the Solar Power Plant at Sonagazi, she instructed the executing agency to maintain standard pole heights for the solar plant to maximize air, water, and sunlight circulation for improved land cultivation. Prime Minister Hasina stressed the importance of accurate project designs to avoid design revisions during project implementation, referring to a design error in a bridge project over the River Nabaganga in Narail district.
She expressed dissatisfaction with the need to demolish two sections of the under-construction bridge due to low height, resulting in increased project costs. The Prime Minister underscored the importance of conducting integrated feasibility studies and comprehensive project designs to prevent wastage of public funds. Regarding the approval of the Chandpur Medical College and Hospital and Nursing College project, she directed the Ministry of Water Resources to protect project site embankments from erosion and proceed with the necessary construction.
At the start of the meeting, the ECNEC congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government on the inauguration of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway. The Planning Minister highlighted the public’s excitement and support for development projects and acknowledged the possibility of completing the remaining portions of the expressway. He also mentioned the upcoming metro rail operation from Uttara to Motijheel.
Regarding the timing of the Elevated Expressway’s partial opening, the Planning Minister noted that such developments are not unusual before a national election and emphasized the importance of engaging with voters. He assured transparency in sharing general inflation data when it becomes available. State Minister for Planning Dr. Shamsul Alam clarified that the expressway’s progress followed its natural course and discussed the inherent ups and downs in a country’s economy. He also highlighted the positive impact of the metro rail, with approximately 80,000 people using it daily to alleviate transportation challenges
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.
