Latest news with #MuhammadYunus
The Star
6 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Solar push in govt institutions to tackle energy woes
THE caretaker leader has ordered all government institutions including ministry buildings and schools to install solar panels to ease chronic power problems in a country regularly hit by deadly heatwaves. The South Asian nation of 170 million people has set itself a target of generating 20% of its power from renewable energy by 2030 – a four-fold increase – and rising to 30% by 2040, the government said in a statement. 'Bangladesh is lagging far behind its neighbouring countries,' the statement issued by the office of interim leader Muhammad Yunus read. 'Only 5.6% of our total requirement is currently met from renewable sources,' it added, noting that in neighbouring India, it is 24% and in Sri Lanka, nearly 40%. The government's rooftop solar programme will see all government offices, schools, colleges and hospitals installed with panels immediately, the statement issued late Thursday said. The micro-finance pioneer said the panels would be installed and operated by private sector companies, unlike the largely failed push by since-ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to install panels by using government power agencies. 'The private sector will handle overall maintenance and keep the systems operational for their own business interests,' the statement said. 'The government will only provide them with rooftop access'. The government has also initiated tender processes for 55 solar power plants with a total 5,238 megawatts capacity. Bangladesh relies heavily on importing cross-border power from neighbouring India, as well from Nepal, especially when demand soars during the blistering heat when consumers rely on energy-hungry air conditioners to keep cool. Dhaka also began construction of the Russia-backed nuclear plant at Rooppur in 2017. The much-delayed 2,400-megawatt project will be Bangladesh's largest power station by generating capacity once fully operational. — AFP
NDTV
14 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
India Bans Imports Of Certain Jute, Other Items From Bangladesh Via Land
India on Friday banned imports of certain jute products and woven fabrics from Bangladesh through all land routes amid strained relations between the two countries. However, imports are allowed only through Nhava Sheva seaport in Maharashtra, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification. The goods under these curbs include jute products, flax tow and waste, jute and other bast fibres, jute, single flax yarn, single yarn of jute, multiple folded, woven fabrics or flex, and unbleached woven fabrics of jute. Such port restrictions will not apply to Bangladeshi goods transiting through India to Nepal and Bhutan, it added. It further said re-exports of these products from Bangladesh to India through Nepal and Bhutan will not be allowed. "Import from Bangladesh shall not be allowed from any land port on the India-Bangladesh border. However, it is allowed only through Nhava Sheva seaport," the DGFT said, adding that "imports of certain goods from Bangladesh to India are regulated with immediate effect". Earlier in April and May, India announced similar curbs on imports from Bangladesh. On May 17, India imposed port restrictions on the import of certain goods like readymade garments and processed food items, from the neighbouring country. On April 9, India withdrew the transhipment facility it had granted to Bangladesh for exporting various items to the Middle East, Europe and various other countries except Nepal and Bhutan. These measures were announced against the backdrop of the controversial statements made by the head of Bangladesh's interim government Muhammad Yunus in China. The comments did not go down well in New Delhi. It also drew sharp reactions from political leaders in India across party lines. India-Bangladesh relations have nosedived dramatically after Yunus failed to contain attacks on minorities, especially Hindus. Bangladesh is a big competitor of India in the textile sector. The India-Bangladesh trade stood at USD 12.9 billion in 2023-24. In 2024-25, India's exports stood at USD 11.46 billion, while imports were USD 2 billion. Bangladesh's perceived growing proximity with Pakistan and China and the implications of India's strained ties with its eastern neighbour were also discussed at a parliamentary committee meeting on Friday, according to sources.
Mint
15 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
India bans import of jute, other items via land routes amid strained Bangladesh ties: Details here
India on Friday tightened trade restrictions on Bangladesh, announcing a ban on imports of certain jute products and woven fabrics through all land routes, citing strained relations between the two countries. These measures were announced in the context of the controversial statements made by Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh's interim government, in China. Under the new directive from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), imports will be allowed only through the Nhava Sheva seaport in Maharashtra, PTI reported. The goods under these curbs include jute products, flax tow and waste, jute and other bast fibres, jute, single flax yarn, single yarn of jute, multiple folded, woven fabrics or flex, and unbleached woven fabrics of jute. This effectively closes all land border crossings for these specific goods, a significant disruption for cross-border trade. Such port restrictions will not apply to Bangladeshi goods transiting through India to Nepal and Bhutan, it added. The DGFT further said re-exports of these products from Bangladesh to India through Nepal and Bhutan will not be allowed. "Import from Bangladesh shall not be allowed from any land port on the India-Bangladesh border. However, it is allowed only through the Nhava Sheva seaport," the DGFT said, adding that "imports of certain goods from Bangladesh to India are regulated with immediate effect". The latest ban is not an isolated incident. Earlier in April and May, India announced similar curbs on imports from Bangladesh. On May 17, India imposed port restrictions on the import of certain goods like readymade garments and processed food items, from the neighbouring country. On April 9, India withdrew the transhipment facility it had granted to Bangladesh for exporting various items to the Middle East, Europe and various other countries except Nepal and Bhutan, the news agency reported. The new measures were announced after Yunus' comments that irked New Delhi. They also drew sharp reactions from political leaders across party lines in India. India-Bangladesh relations have deteriorated after Yunus failed to contain attacks on minorities, especially Hindus. Bangladesh is a big competitor of India in the textile sector. The India-Bangladesh trade stood at $12.9 billion in 2023-24. In 2024-25, India's exports stood at $11.46 billion, while imports were $2 billion. Bangladesh's perceived growing closeness with Pakistan and China and the implications of India's strained ties with its eastern neighbour were also discussed at a parliamentary committee meeting on Friday, according to the news agency.
Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
On demolition of temple, Bangladesh says it was set up last year on rail land
NEW DELHI: A day after India denounced the destruction of a Durga temple in Dhaka, the Bangladesh government said on Friday that the shrine was demolished, along with many other unauthorised structures built along railway tracks, but only after the idol was removed and immersed in a nearby river. The removal of unauthorised structures to recover government land is a 'regular and lawful administrative activity'. Against the backdrop of a sharp downturn in bilateral ties since the installation of a caretaker administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus last August, the external affairs ministry criticised Bangladeshi authorities on Thursday for the demolition of the Durga temple in the Khilkhet area of Dhaka. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that 'extremists were clamouring for demolishing the Durga temple' and the interim government had 'projected the episode as illegal land use' instead of providing security to the temple. Bangladesh's foreign ministry said in a statement that during last year's Durga Puja, the local Hindu community installed a makeshift 'puja mandap' on a piece of land owned by Bangladesh Railways without prior permission. The railways permitted this on the condition that the organisers would remove the mandap as soon as the puja celebrations were over. 'Regrettably, after the Puja was over in October 2024, the organisers declined to remove the makeshift Mandap violating the mutual agreement. Rather they established a 'Maha Kali' (Kali Murti) there,' the statement said. In December 2024, the railway authorities held consultations with local community representatives and organisers of the mandap and issued a notification asking for the removal of all unauthorised installations, including vendors, hundreds of shops and offices of political party 'illegally built' on either side of the rail tracks, the statement said. After repeated reminders to those who illegally occupied the land, Bangladesh Railways asked for the removal of all unauthorised installations during June 24-25. 'Finally, on 26th June, following due process, Bangladesh Railways proceeded to peaceful eviction of all unauthorised structures along the rail track in Khilkhet area,' the statement said. 'In the course of the eviction process, the idol of the makeshift Mandap was immersed in the nearby Balu River, in due reverence, with the participation of the members of the local Hindu community,' the statement said. The removal of unauthorised structures to recover government land is a 'regular and lawful administrative activity'. The statement added, 'While the laws of the land ensure full protection to all places of worship without discriminating against any built in conformity with law, it is not permissible for any to build any religious structure encroaching public land under any circumstances.'
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
India-Bangladesh trade: India curbs cetain jute imports from Bangladesh via land, allows only Nhava Sheva port access
India on Friday banned imports of certain jute products and woven fabrics from Bangladesh through all land routes, permitting entry only via the Nhava Sheva seaport in Maharashtra, amid increasingly strained relations between the two nations. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), in a notification, said 'Import from Bangladesh shall not be allowed from any land port on the India-Bangladesh border. However, it is allowed only through Nhava Sheva seaport.' It added, 'Imports of certain goods from Bangladesh to India are regulated with immediate effect.' The restricted items include jute products, flax tow and waste, jute and other bast fibres, single and multiple jute yarns, woven fabrics of flax, and unbleached woven fabrics of jute, PTI reported. The DGFT clarified that these restrictions will not apply to Bangladeshi goods transiting through India to Nepal and Bhutan. However, re-exports of these products from Bangladesh to India via Nepal and Bhutan will not be allowed. This move marks the third such curtailment in recent months. On May 17, India imposed similar port restrictions on imports from Bangladesh, including ready-made garments and processed food items. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Earlier on April 9, the government withdrew transshipment facilities previously extended to Bangladesh for exports to the Middle East and Europe, with exceptions made only for Nepal and Bhutan. The fresh restrictions come against the backdrop of controversial remarks made by Bangladesh's interim head of government Muhammad Yunus during his visit to China—comments that drew criticism from Indian political leaders across party lines. Tensions have escalated in recent months as India expressed concern over Yunus' failure to curb attacks on religious minorities, especially Hindus. The issue was reportedly discussed at a meeting of a parliamentary committee on Friday, which also flagged Bangladesh's growing proximity with China and Pakistan, according to sources as quoted by PTI. Bangladesh is a significant competitor to India in the textile sector. Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $12.9 billion in 2023–24, with India's exports at $11.46 billion and imports at $2 billion. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
