Dhaka: Non-governmental research organization Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) believes that if prices are set based on market-based and international standards, it is possible to reduce fuel oil prices by Tk. 10-15. Because it is not clear how regulatory agencies set prices.

CPD gave this information at a dialogue titled 'Market-based Fuel Pricing: Government-led Initiatives and Possible Corrections' at a hotel in the capital on Thursday. The keynote address was presented by CPD Research Associate Helen Mashiat Priyoti and Program Associate Faisal Qayyum. CPD Research Director Khandaker Golam Moazzem, Special Fellow Dr. Mostafizur Rahman and Energy Expert Professor Dr. M Shamsul Alam were present. Golam Moazzem said that reforms are underway in all sectors. It is also felt in the energy sector. There is an opportunity to set fuel oil prices considering the interests of consumers. BPC does not need subsidies because they make big profits. Adjusting this profit will prioritize consumer interests, and will also have a positive impact on electricity.

In the main article, CPD said that if the price is determined based on market-based and international standards, it is possible to reduce the price of fuel oil by 10 to 15 taka. It is not clear how the regulatory agencies determine the price. CPD proposed to give the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) the responsibility, authority or legal framework to determine the price of fuel oil. They say that BERC will take the opinion of consumers through public hearings. In addition, it is important for the organization to quickly implement the pricing policy. CPD said that if you want to determine competitive prices, the interests of the consumer should be kept in mind. The price of fuel oil needs to be kept within the purchasing power of the consumer. In addition, if the price increases due to currency depreciation, it can be adjusted later. The main article says that it is not clear under which model or law the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) sets fuel prices. Consumers are also not comfortable with the prices. They have not received subsidies since 2015, because they make a profit. They adjust the losses by increasing the price of fuel oil.

Dhaka: The head of the Election Reform Commission, Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder, has said that they will review the three controversial national parliament elections and make a proposal. The three former chief election commissioners of the controversial elections may be called for this. The reason will be asked.

On Thursday (November 21), after a meeting with media editors, the head of the Election Reform Commission, Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder, announced such a plan.

Journalists asked him whether the reform commission would call the last three commissions and hear about the irregularities that occurred during their time. In response, Badiul Alam Majumder said, we have discussed the three former commissions. We are reviewing them again. Election crimes may apply to them. And we have also reviewed so that this does not happen in the future. The media should also do an investigative report on what irregularities occurred in the last three elections, why they could not hold fair elections. We are also trying to collect information. We will make a proposal based on those lessons learned after reviewing the last three elections.

In response to the question of why the last three commissions could not hold fair elections, Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder said, "Will they come? I don't think so. We will take it into consideration."

In 2014, a record of 153 people being elected unopposed was recorded in the elections held under the commission led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed. At that time, BNP and like-minded parties did not participate.

There are allegations that 'night voting' was held in the 2018 elections under the commission led by CEC KM Nurul Huda. Although BNP participated in that election, it won five seats. And the alliance won seven.

On the other hand, in the 2024 elections under the commission led by CEC Kazi Habibul Awal, like-minded parties including BNP did not participate in the elections. There were allegations of widespread voter fraud.

Dhaka: The propaganda about Bangladesh in various Indian media is not at all desirable for the relations between the two countries, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tawfiq Hasan. He also said that the Indian High Commissioner has been informed about this.

Tawfiq Hasan said this at the weekly briefing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday (November 21) afternoon.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that propaganda about Bangladesh is going on in various Indian media. This is not at all desirable for the relations between the two countries. The Indian High Commissioner has been informed about this.

Tawfiq Hasan said that progress has been limited in the last 100 days on the re-evaluation of agreements and memorandums of understanding between India and Bangladesh. However, the Foreign Ministry hopes that there will be progress in the coming days.

However, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that a secretary-level meeting between India and Bangladesh will be held in December. It is expected that the relations between the two countries will gain momentum through this.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh has received a request from Pakistan to start direct flights, said spokesperson Tawfiq Hasan, adding that the matter is being examined by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Dhaka: Anu Muhammad, a former professor of the Department of Economics at Jahangirnagar University, has commented that people may lose trust in the current interim government if a specific roadmap for the election is not given soon.

On Thursday (November 21), at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club, he made this comment in response to a question at a press conference titled ‘To what extent has the interim government’s proposal for immediate action been implemented in 100 days?’ organized by the Ganatantrik Adhikar Committee (GAC)  at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club.

In response to a question about how many days is it necessary to hold elections for the current interim government? Anu Muhammad said that the search committee formed by the current interim government to form the Election Commission will submit names today. The government will form the Election Commission based on that name. There has been practically no election in Bangladesh since 2008. Hasina’s government has been an expired government or an unelected government since 2014. Therefore, we think that the collapse that occurred in the election system must be repaired or reformed. It is the responsibility of the government to reform it and create a properly acceptable electoral framework. The government needs to take initiatives in that regard as soon as possible.

He said, there are many reforms, which are long-term reforms, which cannot be implemented without an elected permanent government. However, as an interim government, this government can create many foundations. It will be created through various commissions. That process can continue. But Bangladesh needs to prepare for the elections, take a specific announcement about when the elections will be held, and by what methods they will proceed. If this announcement is not made properly, if it is prolonged, there is a possibility of distrust or uncertainty. To avoid that, we think that a specific roadmap should be announced.

He also said, we cannot say exactly how long we want the elections. However, we think that if you take all the work seriously and do it efficiently, then it will take as long as it takes, and if you do not take it seriously, it will take more time. I think the government will take this seriously and give a clear statement to the people on the matter as soon as possible. Otherwise, an uncertainty is being created; there is a possibility of distrust. We are seeing some instability in different areas so that they are stopped. That is why the government needs to take this initiative.

In response to another question, Professor Anu Muhammad said, in different places, different people and different groups, different sections are coming forward with their demands. Their demands must be considered very seriously. Because for many years, there has been deprivation among the people, there are many kinds of anger among the people; there are many kinds of problems. The government should consider them seriously. This tendency of force or arrest or tagging someone if they protest, which was during the previous government, should not continue. Like the battery- rickshaw drivers say or other professionals say, the problem will not be solved by force. It must be resolved by discussing with them, we must move towards a solution.

He said, "If the government plays its role with respect for the people and their dignity, I think many problems will be solved. We will be saved from the tendency of violence or coercion in society." In response to a question about constitutional reform, he further said, "Our main demand is to repeal the articles that have been added to the constitution for dictatorship or centralization of power and wealth. Another is that we must ensure that there is no discrimination against people of different races, religions, genders, and languages in Bangladesh. They must have constitutional recognition. And our multi-ethnic, multi-religious character must be ensured in the constitution. And education and medical care must be ensured as basic constitutional rights of the people. Measures must be taken in that way because no previous government could ensure that." Also present at the press conference at that time were Dhaka University (DU) teachers Mosaida Sultana, Michael Chakma, CPD presidium member Abdullah Al Kafi, Dr. Harunur Rashid, Joint Convener of the GAC Maha Mirza, Seema Dutta and others.