Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked all quarters concerned to stay prepared to tackle floods, as water levels of the rivers are rising.

“The water level in different areas, especially in the basins of the Jamuna and the Padma, is rising. That’s why directives have been given to remain alert,” Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam told the media after a cabinet meeting at the Secretariat.

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The prime minister joined the meeting virtually from the Gono Bhaban.

Enamur Rahman, state minister for disaster management and relief, talked about the ministry’s preparations, said Anwarul, adding that Education Minister Dipu Moni has already issued a set of instructions for the schools located in flood prone areas.

The PM has asked the agriculture minister to ensure that farmers can plant T-Aman paddy even in flood-affected areas.

The cabinet also cleared a proposal for the extension of the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act 2010 for another five years till 2026.

Anwarul said the cabinet gave the final approval to the draft in order to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity and energy for the sake of Bangladesh graduating to a higher middle-income country by 2030 and a developed country by 2041.

The cabinet also gave the go-ahead to the draft of Public Debt Bill 2021.

Anwarul said the Public Debt Act 1944 is a very old law and was extended several times since the debt system witnessed a radical change, adding that the Finance Division designed the new law.

“At any cost, depositors will get their money back… In many cases, you’ve seen that depositors don’t get their money back when private banks or financial institutions are dissolved…  But now, people will get their money back.”

The cabinet secretary also said a new provision was incorporated in the proposed law that allows running a Shariah-based deposit system alongside the normal one.

He added that if anyone provides false information while obtaining the issued certificates under the government security and saving certificate schemes, he or she would face a maximum six-month imprisonment and Tk 1 lakh fine or both.

The meeting also approved in principle the draft of Bangladesh Police (Subordinate Employees) Welfare Fund Bill 2021 to replace an ordinance of the military regime.



Stay ready to tackle floods: PM
Source: Trend Viral Philippines