The government will adjust electricity prices four times a year to reduce subsidies. It will be gradually extended for the next three years.

The government's power division said this in a meeting with the IMF delegation at the secretariat on Thursday (May 2).

According to the sources of the meeting, the price of fuel oil may increase again this month. It will automatically increase the price in coordination with the global market. However, if the global market decreases, it will also decrease here. A directive has been issued in this regard on Thursday.

Stating that the price of electricity is being increased mainly in the name of adjustment, experts say that the government can also adjust the subsidy by reducing the cost. The government is not focused on reducing the cost of electricity production by curbing irregularities, corruption and wastage. Rather, even if there is no demand, they are increasing the cost of this sector by building one power plant after another without bidding.

The IMF delegation also held a meeting with the Division of Energy and Mineral Resources, Petrobangla, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) on Thursday. According to the sources of the meeting, Petrobangla and BPC have told the IMF in almost the same way that there is no pressure for new subsidies on gas and fuel oil. The IMF said to introduce the automatic method of oil prices (increases in the international market, increases in the country, decreases if it decreases), it has been done. Fuel oil prices are adjusted every month. It will never have to subsidize fuel again. In the first two rounds, the prices were slightly reduced, but in the last round, the prices increased. This is being practiced for three months.

In this regard, the State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid said that this year the price of electricity will be adjusted several more times. This will continue for the next three years. However, in which month the adjustment will be made is yet to be decided.

Regarding the price of fuel oil, he said, adjustment will be made from the first week of March. But it seems to me that even if the adjustment is made, the price of fuel oil will not increase much. But if it changes it will depend on the global market.

It is known that since the Awami League government came to power in 2009, the price of electricity has increased 13 times.

In last April, the income from the export of goods from the country was 3 thousand 916.99 million US dollars. This export is 0.99 percent less than the same period last year.

This information is learned from the updated statistics published by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

The Ministry of Commerce set an export target of 471 dollars in April, falling short by 16.78 percent.

In the first 10 months of the current fiscal year 2023-24, there has been an increase of 3.93 percent in the export of goods compared to the same period of the previous year, during which the total export value was 4 thousand 747 million dollars. It was Tk. 4,568 crore during the same period last year, which was 6.87 percent less than the target of 5,970 crore dollars.

Export-oriented industry experts said that during Eid-ul-Fitr, the factories received less work orders. The number of export shipments also decreased due to prolonged holidays. Due to this, the export of goods is going down, but the businessmen mentioned it as a normal phenomenon in Bangladesh.

Now the duty-free market facility in commodity exports is helping to keep Bangladesh competitive. However, in 2026, if it leaves the list of least developed countries (LDC) and becomes a developing country, that advantage will no longer exist. According to the joint declaration of the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the concerned countries will enjoy tariff-free market facilities for three years even after transition from LDCs. This facility will be determined on the basis of negotiation between the importing and exporting countries.

Economists said that the facilities we get as LDCs will not exist in the future. Then new strategies or initiatives will be needed to increase exports. Diversification of goods and services and increased investment are needed to increase domestic export capacity. On the other hand, the political consent of the government will be needed to enter into trade agreements with various countries.

Ten people were killed by lightning strikes in different parts of the country during the relief rains after intense heat. Among them, four died in Cumilla, three in Rangamati, two in Cox's Bazar and one in Khagrachari.

This incident happened on Thursday (May 2) morning and afternoon.

Farmer Daultur Rahman (47) son of Sundar Ali of Kismat-Srimantapur area of Barkit union of Chandina upazila of Cumilla, Alam Hossain son of Kuddus Mia of Panchora area of Rajapur union of Burichong upazila, Mokhleshur Rahman of Dhamati area of Debidwar upazila and Atiqul Islam of Suryapur village of Goliara union of Sadar Dakshin upazila killed by lightning.

Nazir Hossain (50), a resident of Siletipara area of Rangamati Sadar Upazila, Hill District, Baharjan Begum (55), wife of Lal Mia, Muslim Block village, Rupakari Union, Ward No. 7, Baghaichhari Upazila, and Tanibala Tripura (25), sister of Mithun Tripura, a shopkeeper, Betling Mouja, Luinthian Para, Ward No. 7, Sajek Union death occurs

Didarul Islam (35) son of Zamir of Jarulbunia area of Shilkhali Union of Pekua Upazila of Cox's Bazar and son of Jamal of Charipara area of Rajakhali Union. Armaan (25) died due to lightning.

A schoolboy named Yasin Arafat (13) was killed by lightning while picking mangoes in the gusty wind at Matiranga of Khagrachari.

Matiranga Upazila Nirbahi Officer Daisy Chakraborty said that a school student died in the morning due to lightning. She said that initiatives have been taken to help the family of the deceased.

It will rain today (May 2); Met Office said. The waiting started in the morning. In the sweltering heat of the day, the bells tick and remind us that it will rain on May 2; much wanted rain.

The rain that will wash away the heat wave fatigue, lethargy. Summer brings a message of calmness to nature by reducing the frenzy of the sun. The torrential rain in Chattogram in the morning intensified the wait. On the streets, in the office-court, in the net world; A question - when it rains everywhere?

Then came the relief news; In the evening, some areas of the capital have seen rain! Then the question is where the rain is? Finally the rain came, the much awaited rain of relief…. It came with flashes of lightning and thunder. Due to the gust, torrential rains drenched the capital. Raindrops have come as a relief in the midst of scorching sun and heat.

It rained in different areas of the capital on Thursday (02 May) at 12:15 pm. But it didn't last long, even though city life got some temporary respite from the scorching heat.

It can be seen on the surface, the intensity of rainfall was high in the beginning, but it has gradually decreased. It is now drizzling. As the rain of tranquility after the prolonged heat wave, a breath of relief has come to public life from the breath of heat.

Soon after the rain started, many expressed their relief on social media. Expressing relief on the news of rain, a young woman named Faria wrote, "Allah finally.. rain, Alhamdulillah what a beautiful wind of peace!"

A young man named Robin said, the long wait for rain has come to an end. It feels so good. But if it rained for a while, the weather would be cold.

Afsana Azad Tama, a resident of Khilkhet, came down the road with her relatives after many days of rain.

Meanwhile, it has been seen on social media that a small child has fallen into the sijdah of Allah in the calm rain in the Badda area of the capital!

Monwar Hossain, meteorologist of the Department of Meteorology, said that there may be rain in some places of Dhaka Division on Friday as well. However, he said that there is little chance of rain in the capital.

Earlier, the Meteorological Department had predicted rain. According to that forecast, rain has occurred in some parts of the country including Chattogram apart from Dhaka today.

Incidentally, for the past one month, a severe heat wave has been sweeping over Bangladesh. Day and night temperatures are almost the same due to the intensity of the sun. As a result, even if the sun goes down, the suffering of people does not decrease. Everyone is seen panting in the heat even at night.