Honourable Prime Minister (HPM) Sheikh Hasina directed Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Bangladesh Coast Guard and local administrations for making all-out combined efforts to lessen people's sufferings and protect their lives and properties in the greater Sylhet region in the wake of devastating flood. As many as 600 shelter centers have been opened for flood-affected people in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts while a large number of people also took shelter there. Upon visiting flood hit areas, HPM Sheikh Hasina has already instructed the authorities concerned to cut the roads if necessary to ensure quick removal of floodwater from the flood-hit region. Moreover, relief packages containing necessary essentials are also distributed among affected families.

To keep emergency telecommunication services in full operation in the flood-hit areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj, Netrokona and North Bengal, Bangabandhu Satellite-1 is being used to continue communications. As per the direction of the relevant ministry, Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited has provided VSAT equipment to ensure uninterrupted telecommunication services including Internet. A total of 12 VSAT equipment were handed over to the Bangladesh Army to ensure telecommunication services in the flooded areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj districts.

The country's people aged 18 to 50 years would be eligible for the universal pension scheme, to be introduced by the government after becoming 60 years old, thanks to the visionary leadership put in display by HPM Sheikh Hasina. Each person of the country, on the basis of availing the scheme, would start to receive the pension after becoming 60 years old as the Cabinet today gave final approval (upon the vetting of the law ministry) of the draft of "Universal Pension Management Act, 2022". This move stands as a shining testimony to HPM Sheikh Hasina’s commitment for expanding social safety scheme that already lifted millions of lives from the menace of poverty.

HPM Sheikh Hasina paid glowing tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman marking the 73rd founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Awami League (ALBD). The party president paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32 here this morning. Hundreds of leaders and activists held some events marking the day vowing to stand for the party and fight against all the odds from radical quarters. Being the country’s largest and oldest political party, Awami League, under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of the nation, has been credited for leading the nation to the great liberation war that gave birth to this country against Pakistani forces.

A good number of foreign diplomats, stationed in Dhaka, have lauded Bangladesh for constructing the country’s biggest infrastructure undertaking Padma Bridge defying a sea of hurdles including a flimsy allegation raised by World Bank to pullout from funding of the bridge. Honourable envoys of European Union, Japan, China, India, Saudi Arabia and the Russian embassy congratulated Bangladesh for the bridge to be inaugurated on June 25. Appreciating Bangladesh premier’s “far-sighted vision and political astuteness”, Honourable Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki has said the completion of Padma Bridge demonstrates what Bangladesh can do for its economic development and stability.

Remittance inflow is rising again to cross $20 billion for the second time in history in the outgoing fiscal year. It is the second highest to stand at $20.01 billion during 11 and half months this fiscal, thanks to devaluation of money against US dollar and incentives to remitters. A fairly good amount of remittance poured in during April-May and the momentum has increased further in June, the last month of the current fiscal 2021-22. Expatriates have sent $964.20 million in the first 16 days of this month. Economists and bankers have expressed hope that remittance inflows will further increase in the country during the remaining days of this fiscal ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

At the directives of HPM Sheikh Hasina the government has formulated ‘National conservation strategies, action plans, and non-determent findings’ to protect endangered sharks and rays from extinction. The action plan would play an important role in controlling the cross-border trade of sharks and water lilies, ensuring sustainable and productive fishery livelihoods for the coastal community and improving the marine ecosystem. According to media reports, the country’s efforts in research, policy formulation and protection of their important habitats related to shark and ray have received international recognition and support.

The sixth population and housing census 2022 started last week and continued till June 21 across the country. The census, using digital technology for more accuracy and reliability, will collect complete data on the overall population, its composition, workforce, density, housing, demarcation and other socio-economic indicators vital for formulating proper economic and other policies. Each household and its members will be included in the enumeration process on a certain reference date of the census. The BBS last published a population census report in 2011 that estimated Bangladesh’s population at 140.98 million.