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Bangladesh’s Food Security Remains Strong Amid Global Challenges: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has assured the Parliament that despite ongoing international challenges, Bangladesh’s food security remains robust. Responding to a query from Awami League lawmaker Md Shahiduzzaman Sarkar, she underscored that Bangladesh has not only successfully managed the COVID-19 pandemic but has also maintained food security during the prevailing global crises.
Sheikh Hasina commended Bangladesh’s achievement of food self-sufficiency, emphasizing the government’s relentless efforts in this regard. She acknowledged the disruptions in the global supply chain for various commodities, including food, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In response, the government has implemented a series of national and international measures to ensure food security in the face of these challenges.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Bangladesh’s food grain production has surged over the years, exemplifying the nation’s remarkable progress. She noted the construction and expansion of highways, bridges, and infrastructure during her three tenures, underlining Bangladesh’s commitment to development.
Additionally, Sheikh Hasina disclosed that the proposed investment in economic zones has reached $26 billion, with numerous companies initiating commercial production and creating jobs. The government has streamlined investment-related services through a one-stop service portal, enhancing ease of doing business.
Regarding the power and energy sector, the Prime Minister highlighted the development of the “Power System Master Plan (PSMP)-2016” aimed at ensuring quality and uninterrupted power supply at a reasonable cost. Bangladesh aims to generate 40,000 megawatts of electricity by 2030 and 60,000 megawatts by 2041, exploring various energy sources, including coal, diesel, furnace oil, nuclear, and renewable energy.
In response to a query about the recognition of the 1971 genocide, Sheikh Hasina explained international efforts to commemorate December 9 as the International Day for the Prevention of Genocide. While acknowledging the complexity of achieving international recognition of the 1971 genocide in Bangladesh, she affirmed the government’s commitment to continuing these efforts.
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.
