The New Nation - Internet Edition

'Prices of essentials lower at BDR-run sale centres'

BSS, Dhaka

Prices of essentials were cheaper in BDR-run open markets compared to those in the city's ordinary markets on Monday, said a BDR market survey released here on Tuesday.

Flour in packet was sold between Taka 39 and 42 per kg in different ordinary markets. The flour was sold at Taka 42 at BDR run open markets. The price of one-kg flour in Kolkata is equivalent to Taka 22.41.

Coarse rice was sold at Taka 31-33 per kg in different markets in the city. Rice was sold at Taka 32 at BDR- run open markets while the item is being sold at Taka 20.68 in Kolkata markets.

Lentil (imported) was sold in different city markets at Taka 80 to Taka 86 per kg. The lentil was sold at Taka 82 at BDR run open markets. In Kolkata the price of per kg lentil was Taka 89.65.

Onion (imported) was sold at Taka 13 per kg in BDR-run open markets. Price of onion was in other city markets ranged between Taka 13 and 17. The item is available in Kolkata at Taka 6.89.

Potato was sold in different city markets at Taka 12 to Taka 13 per kg, while it was Taka 13 at BDR-run open markets. In Kolkata, the price of the item is Taka 8.62.

Sugar is being sold at Taka 34 to 36 per kg in different city markets against Taka 33 at BDR-run open markets. In Kolkata, its price was Taka 25.86.

Salt was sold at Taka 12 per kg in different city Markets. Salt was sold at Taka 15 at BDR run open markets. The item is available in Kolkata at Taka 08.80,the report said.

Soybean oil was sold between Taka 110 and Taka 113 per liter in the ordinary markets, while it is available at Taka 109 at BDR-run open markets. In Kolkata, the price of soybean oil is Taka 124.13 per liter.

Palm oil was sold at Taka 100 to Taka 103 per liter in the ordinary markets, compared to Taka 101 per liter at BDR-run open markets. In Kolkata, the price of palm oil is Taka 108.62 per liter.

Besides, Hilsa fish was sold in different markets at Taka 260 to Taka 320 per kg yesterday, the release added.

'Amrao Manush' to benefit 10,000 pavement dwellers

BSS, Dhaka

Concern Worldwide, Bangl-adesh Monday launched 'Amrao Manush', a five-year project aimed at improving the livelihood of more than 10,000 people living on the streets of Dhaka.

Concern Worldwide, Bangadesh in partnership with SAJIDA Foundation, Nari Maitree, Social and Economic Enhancement Programme, Coalition for Urban Poor and Dhaka City Corporation is implementing the project in seven locations of Dhaka city, said a press release of Concern Worldwide.

Addressing the launching ceremony as the chief guest, acting chief executive officer (CEO) of DCC Golam Mustafa said NGOs and the private sector have not yet come forward with enough investment for changing the livelihood of pavement dwellers.

"Amrao Manush ('we are humans too') project will work to improve the quality of life of pavement dwellers through expanding NGO and government services in Dhaka city by building their capacity to access resources," said Concern Worldwide Country Director Kieron Crawley while presiding over the function.

The ceremony at Spectra Convention Centre at Gulshan-1 in the city included exhibition of drawings by pavement dweller children, and photographic exhibition highlighting the life of pavement dwellers.

Eminent artist Professor Rafiqunnabi was present as the special guest on the occasion.

Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of sufferings and ultimate elimination of extreme poverty. It has been implementing development programmes in Bangladesh since its independence.

Govt. takes steps to bar illegal workers from going to Kurdistan

BSS, Dhaka

The government has taken some steps to stop Bangladeshi workers from going illegally to Iraq and Kurdistan including introducing 'ok to board' system experimentally at Dubai airport under Biman's initiative.

The decision was taken yesterday at an inter-ministerial meeting with adviser for foreign affairs and expatriate welfare and overseas employment Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury in the chair at the foreign ministry.

The meeting also decided to carefully perform immigration formalities of the workers bound for Kuwait and Dubai on tourist and transit visas, according to a press release. The government, however, put restriction on sending workers to Iraq.

The meeting also discussed about the possibility of putting a ban on workers travelling to Kuwait and Dubai on tourist and transit visas since those routes are considered safe for sending workers to Iraq and Kurdistan.

A final decision in this regard will be taken after getting detail information on how many passengers are going to those places on tourist and transit visas, the meeting was informed.

Later talking to newsmen, the adviser said that a record number of 8.32 lakh workers were employed abroad last year and the number has been increasing this year.

He hoped that remittances from the expatriates might reach nine billion US dollars. "Our workers are not revenue earning machines, he said adding we must look after their interest so that they are not cheated or harassed," he said.

Foreign secretary M Touhid Hossain, expatriate welfare secretary Abdul Matin Chowdhury, civil aviation and tourism secretary Syed Mohammad Zubair, BMET director general Abdul Malek, managing director of Biman Dr MA Momen and additional IG of special branch of police Baharul Alam were present.