Mahbubur Rahman Khan

Prices of Essentials: Key ingredients getting out of reach for many

Although the prices of some daily commodities have decreased, middle- and low-income families are still struggling to make ends meet due to the recent hike in prices of essential grocery items such as eggs, chicken, onions, and potatoes.

1y ago

Hilsa production growth rate declining

Despite an upward trend in the overall catch, year-on-year growth rate of hilsa production has been declining in recent years. The reasons include illegal netting of brood and jatka hilsa, widespread use of banned gillnet and the impact of climate change such as erratic rainfalls.

1y ago

Veggies too costly

The drop in the price of rice and flour could not bring relief among low income people as the vegetable price is soaring.

1y ago

Spices, Other Essentials: Runaway prices put consumers in a tight spot

With the consumers already feeling the pinch of the soaring prices of essentials, most of the spices are becoming pricier ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha.

1y ago

Eid gift for 1.25cr ultra-poor families

The government is set to distribute 10 kilograms of rice to each of the 1.25 crore ultra-poor and destitute families ahead of Eid-ul-Azha to soften the blow of a spiralling inflation.

1y ago

Universal Pension Scheme: Govt to set up an authority soon

The government is set to form the National Pension Authority (NPA) to execute the Universal Pension Scheme formulated to provide pension services for the common people.

1y ago

Tax bill proposes clipping ACC wings

Although tax returns are a key document for investigating illegal wealth, the Income Tax Bill 2023 proposes making it impossible for Anti-Corruption Commission officials to access a suspect’s tax files without a court order.

1y ago

Allocation to tackle graft unclear

The government’s high-ups have talked about their “firm stances” against graft to protect the country’s GDP on multiple occasions. However, there is little reflection of that stance in the latest budget disclosure as to how the government will curb corruption and money laundering.

1y ago
May 15, 2023
May 15, 2023

Don’t increase tax burden on ordinary people

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed the National Board of Revenue not to increase the ordinary people’s tax burden as it looks to improve its revenue collection by 16 percent in the upcoming fiscal year.

April 25, 2023
April 25, 2023

When everything comes crashing down

Ten years have passed since the collapse of Rana Plaza, but for Sabujan, a survivor of the tragedy, the wounds of that fateful day still run deep. Her life, once filled with hope and dreams, has turned into a never-ending struggle. Her story is one of heartbreak, loss, and resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity.

April 7, 2023
April 7, 2023

Revised budget down 2.5pc

The finance ministry has already finalised the revised budget for this fiscal year and the concerned ministries are informed about it but it will not be made public until June.

April 5, 2023
April 5, 2023

It was a long time coming

Four years ago, the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence declared that the Bangabazar Shopping Complex, one of the biggest clothing markets in the country, was at risk of fire.

April 4, 2023
April 4, 2023

Bangabazar complex marked as major fire risk 4 years ago

Four years ago the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence declared the Bangabazar Shopping Complex a fire risk.

March 30, 2023
March 30, 2023

Meth smuggling rose by 3 times in a year

From 2021 to 2022, the seizure of crystal meth increased by three times.

March 29, 2023
March 29, 2023

The ordeal to get land documents

Farhana Nasrin applied for a copy of a khatiyan (land-record document) for a piece of land owned by her through the government’s online portal on May 8 last year, hoping to get a hassle-free service.

March 28, 2023
March 28, 2023

10 days turn into interminable wait for some RS khatiyan applicants

An applicant is supposed to get a khatiyan and mouza map in 10 days after submitting the application. In the applicant's dashboard at eporcha.gov.bd, it is seen that Nasrin was supposed to get her khatiyan on May 18, 2022 but her application was still on the waiting list.

March 23, 2023
March 23, 2023

Price Manipulation: 3 laws there, but not much enforcement

There are at least three laws and as many government bodies to protect the consumers from price manipulation, but it goes on unabated due to lax enforcement of the laws and a lack of coordination among the government organisations, say commodity experts.

March 23, 2023
March 23, 2023

Low-Income People: Decent meal a luxury this Ramadan

Taking Tk 300 from her rickshaw-puller husband, Moni Begum went to Mirpur-11 kitchen market in the capital yesterday in the hope of buying some good food for her three children to eat on the first day of Ramadan.