Bangladesh’s social security spending is currently not on the right track, primarily due to misallocation of funds and an inadequate focus on the most vulnerable populations. While the increase in the overall social security budget reflects a positive intention by the government, the effectiveness of this spending is significantly compromised by how the funds are distributed and what is categorized as social security. A major concern is the broad definition of “social security” used by the Bangladeshi government, which includes...
Editorial
Chinmay Prasun Biswas : Mysterious death of Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of Iran, is the most talked about issue during the last few days. He died on 19th May in...
Fariya Alam Jerin : The first recorded evidence of the death penalty in human history is found in the Babylonian king Hammurabi’s Code of 1800 BC. Hammurabi’s law was based on the principle of ‘an eye for an eye’. That means – if someone kills anyone illegally, the killer would also be killed as his punishment. Earlier, the practice of the death penalty was common throughout the world. Currently, only 58 countries impose the death penalty while some 95 countries...
Does Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister know that devils are hiding their face in shame as they have been defeated in orgy to a person who is called a human being ? Palestinians are dying like flies, every construction is destroyed, Israel is on a killing spree and laughing with glee. Why is America supporting Israel? How could US President Joe Biden say what is happening in Gaza is not genocide?” We are asking if it is not genocide then...
The 15 upazilas of Chattogram are facing a water crisis of alarming proportions, exposing the fragility of the region’s environment and social fabric. The stark reality is evident in the staggering number of over 24,000 dysfunctional tube wells – a testament to unsustainable water management practices and excessive industrial water use. The blame lies squarely with the heavy industries and factories concentrated in areas like Sitakunda, boasting around 300 such entities. Their insatiable thirst for water, fueled by high-powered pumps,...
The recent dialogue hosted by the Centre for Policy Dialogue paints a grim picture of Bangladesh’s banking sector. Economists and experts raise a critical issue – the oligarchs’ abuse of the system, jeopardizing good governance, transparency, and public trust. This erosion of trust stems from multiple factors. Bangladesh Bank, the central bank, faces accusations of weakness in asserting its authority. Influential figures exert undue pressure, leading to erratic policy changes and a lack of accountability for problematic banks Dual policies...
The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has been using Anwara Udyan in the city’s busiest area as metro rail project office and for keeping construction supplies with permission of the public works department. According to media reports, the metro rail authority is supposed to restore the park to its original state once the construction work is finished. The construction work of Uttara- Motijheel is now almost complete. Instead of doing so, DMTCL is planning to construct a metro rail...
Bangladesh’s industrial output growth, a key economic barometer, has encountered a significant hurdle. This year’s 6.66 percent expansion rate marks the slowest pace since the pandemic’s peak, raising serious concerns about the country’s economic trajectory. Several factors are dampening industrial activity. High inflation squeezes consumer spending, reducing demand for domestically produced goods. Additionally, rising energy costs, import restrictions, and a weakening local currency make it more expensive for factories to operate and export their products. Economists and business leaders warn...
A recent revelation by the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) has exposed a critical vulnerability in our national data security. Sensitive citizen data, including National ID details and call records, was compromised and sold through social media platforms. This alarming breach, spanning millions of individuals across Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram groups, reveals a severe lapse in how government employees safeguard our personal information. The NTMC’s investigation uncovered a disturbing pattern. Government officials entrusted with protecting data, specifically Farhana Yesmin (Superintendent...
The current state of the Bangladesh Railway reveals a system struggling under the weight of its outdated infrastructure. The extensive use of locomotives, carriages, wagons, and relief cranes beyond their economic lives significantly contributes to the substandard services provided to passengers. Despite ongoing development projects worth thousands of crores of taka, the railway’s capacity to deliver quality service remains hampered by its reliance on ageing rolling stock. Statistics reveal a troubling picture: Nearly 40% of locomotives, 46% of passenger carriages,...
Dhaka, a city known for its unwavering spirit, now faces an existential threat: Climate change. A recent study reveals a drastic rise in scorching temperatures, placing Dhaka among the top 5 hottest cities globally. This alarming trend poses a significant risk to public health, especially for vulnerable populations. The recent heatwave, the longest in Bangladesh’s history, tragically claimed lives and disrupted daily life. Dhaka’s rapid warming stems from a combination of factors. A concrete jungle of towering buildings traps the...
Waterlogging of the capital city has been going on for a long time. When the rainy season comes, the city dwellers face various kinds of problems. Many areas including the roads and streets of Dhaka get submerged in the slightest rain. After several hours of continuous rain, water rose up to two-three feet in many areas. But it takes four to five hours and in some cases one to two days for this water to go down. As a result,...
Dhaka’s choked streets are a daily ordeal for commuters. While many factors contribute to the gridlock, the rising tide of illegal rickshaws is a major source of frustration. These unregulated vehicles, both pedal and battery-powered, weave in and out of traffic, creating bottlenecks and disrupting the flow. The frustration is compounded by the sense that these illegal operations are tolerated, if not outright enabled. Despite the High Court’s ban on battery-powered rickshaws, they seem to be multiplying. This begs the...
AB Siddique : Another opportunity is being given to turn black money into white. It is known that in the upcoming budget, an opportunity to whiten black money is being kept with 15 percent tax. In the past 50 years of independence, a total of 21 times have been given opportunities to whiten black money in various ways. Generally, black money earned within the country is given an opportunity to be white. However, in the financial year 2022-23, money smuggled...
