Biman to incur loss of Tk. 1800 crore in mixed fleet



Ishtiaq Hussein, Special Correspondent, Barta24.com
Photo: Collected

Photo: Collected

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National flag carrier Bangladesh Airlines needs aircraft. And so Biman has also been busy procuring new aircraft. But the problem is whether Biman will buy Airbus or Boeing aircraft for its fleet.

And a new information has emerged in this discussion. According to the information, if the aircraft goes to a mixed fleet (Boeing and Airbus) then the company will incur a loss of Tk 1,800 crore.

Boeing, the US aircraft manufacturer, says that Boeing has detailed studies on this. Their study says that if Biman builds a mixed fleet, there will be an additional loss of 150 million dollars over the next 20 years. This extra money will be spent mainly on training, maintenance, spare parts and training of pilots. If a fleet consists of 10 Boeing 787 and 10 Airbus A350 aircraft, more pilots will be required.

According to Boeing, airlines with mixed fleets have a different calculation. For example, Indigo is buying Airbus to save on mixed fleet costs. As they already have Airbus in their fleet. However, this will not apply to aircraft. Boeing says why Biman will spend 150 million dollars more on building a mixed fleet.

According to CAAB audit, Bangladesh's airports handled about one crore international passengers in 2022, Airbus says. In 2019, this number was a little over 85 lakh. By 2031, the number of passengers in Bangladesh airspace will double. To achieve this new passenger capacity, the airline will need a large number of aircraft.

Biman's purchase of aircraft from Airbus came into discussion during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Bangladesh in September last year. From then on, Boeing's race to sell aircraft began. Boeing has long been negotiating with Biman to sell new aircraft. But when it was seen that Biman had advanced a lot to get Airbus aircraft, then their arrival and departure by plane also increased. Apart from Boeing officials, US Ambassador to Dhaka Peter Haas also met with Biman.

Meanwhile, Biman has already set up a committee to take forward the entire process, including proposal vetting and negotiation, regarding the purchase of Airbus. Based on the report of that committee, Biman will proceed. It has been found that Biman has advanced a lot regarding the purchase of Airbus.

Boeing's vice president of sales and marketing for India and South Asia Ryan Wyer, managing director of marketing for Eurasia and Indian subcontinent Ashwin Naidu and Boeing sales director Kanti Bhubnagiri spoke to reporters.

In a press conference a few days ago, the Ambassador of France in Dhaka clarified that an agreement will be reached in this regard before Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's next visit to France.

Boeing says that if Biman transports passengers with the 787 Dreamliner, it will make them more than 5 million US dollars a year. In addition, the Dreamliner will use 6 percent less fuel, reduce maintenance costs by 30 percent, and offer lower-cost aircraft than Boeing's competitors.

Biman has offered to sell four 787 Dreamliners and two 777 Freighters (wide body freighters).

They gave Biman all kinds of evidence about Bangladesh's concern over Boeing's security issue. Besides, they also proposed to bring an expert from the United States to Dhaka if necessary to be more sure about the matter.

Boeing is saying that it could be due to the recent windshield breakage of Biman's 787 Dreamliner aircraft. But they don't believe it's a product quality issue because an airplane moves through different conditions. Because of this, the windshield can unfortunately become cracked.

The national flag airlines currently have 12 only Boeing aircraft. These aircraft were purchased at a cost of around Tk. 19 thousand crores.

Is the profit and loss due to the plane?

Aviation experts say, due to lack of proper planning, 100% of these Boeing planes are not being used. We have not been able to launch new routes according to this fleet, besides there is shortage of other manpower including pilots. Those concerned say that all this has happened due to the poor planning and management of the aircraft.

What is the plane saying?

Shafiul Azim, managing director and CEO of Biman, says that the major airlines of the world have aircraft of both Boeing and Airbus companies. Moreover, if Airbus is bought, it will reduce the dependence on Boeing alone.

"Airline network will be expanded when new aircrafts arrive. More flights to Canada will be increased, New York flights will be launched, he added.

What the experts say

However, aviation experts disagree with the statement of the aviation authority. They say Biman will have to spend a lot of money to train pilots, cabin crew and engineers for the new company's aircraft. And aircraft are still not able to fully utilize their current capabilities.

   

3 pharmacies in Cumilla sealed, 10 pharmacies fined



District Correspondent, Barta24.com
Photo: A joint operation was conducted by the Medicines Administration

Photo: A joint operation was conducted by the Medicines Administration

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A joint operation was conducted by the Medicines Administration, RAB and District Administration at a medicine complex in Alekharchar area of Cumilla Sadar. Due to various irregularities, 10 pharmacies were fined Tk. 260,000. Along with that, 3 pharmacies were sealed by the mobile court.

The operation was conducted on Tuesday (June 25) from morning to noon at the Medicine Complex for about 4 hours. The 3 sealed pharmacies are Apoorba Drug House, Moni Medical and Ujjal Medical. Cumilla District Administration Executive Magistrate Fahmida Afroz confirmed the matter.

She said - 10 pharmacies were slapped with a total fine of Tk. 260,000 due to the crimes of storage of prohibited drugs, sale of physician samples, sale of expired drugs, sale of antibiotics without prescription, sale of drugs at high prices etc.

She further said that in the raid, drugs worth approximately Tk. 3 lakh were seized and destroyed.

The mobile court also included Medicine Supervisor Shahjalal Bhuiyan and Inspector Kazi Mohammad Farhad, RAB team led by Additional SP Deepak Mazumder.

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Bank accounts of Matiur and his dependents are freezed



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Photo: Matiur Rahman

Photo: Matiur Rahman

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The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has ordered the suspension of the bank accounts of Matiur Rahman, a former member of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and his wife and children, who were discussed in the goat scandal.

According to BFIU sources, this instruction has been given to suspend the eight bank accounts of Matiur along with his wife and children for the next 30 days. It is said that this intelligence agency of the financial sector is working after the instructions of the ACC.

According to sources, Matiur Rahman, his first wife Laila Kaniz, second wife Shammi Akhtar Shibli, second wife's daughter Iftima Rahman Madhuri, second wife's son Mushfiqur Rahman Ifat, first wife's daughter Farzana Rahman (Ipsita), first wife's son Ahmed Taufiqur Rahman and second wife's son. A total of eight bank accounts of son Irfanur Rahman Irfan have been instructed to be suspended.

BFIU directed to provide this bank account opening form, KYC, transaction statement etc. information within next five working days. The letter sent by the intelligence agency of the financial sector has been sent to the top officials of all stock market intermediaries and mobile financial services operating in Bangladesh.

There are rumors that the discussed Matiur Rahman has already moved abroad.

Meanwhile, the court has banned Matiur Rahman, his wife college teacher Laila Kaniz and son Ahmed Taufiqur Rahman Arnab from traveling abroad following the appeal of the Anti -Corruption Commission (ACC).

On Monday (June 24), Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Assamas Jaglul Hossain gave this order in view of the court application.

Besides, the discussed Matiur Rahman was removed from NBR on Sunday (June 23) and attached to the Internal Resources Division of the Ministry of Finance.

Mokima Begum, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, said in the notification that President of Customs, Excise and VAT Appellate Tribunal Matiur Rahman has been attached to the Internal Resources Division of the Ministry of Finance.

This time, Matiur Rahman's son Ifat started a discussion while buying a goat for Tk. 15 lakh from Sadiq Agro in Mohammadpur of the capital on Eid al-Azha. After that the discussion about his movable and immovable assets, the amount of money collected in the bank, income and expenditure information. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is looking into it. The NBR itself is said to have decided to scrutinize the information provided in its income tax returns.

Basically, since the time when Matiur Rahman was working as a customs commissioner, there were allegations of corruption against him. Several applications were submitted to different government institutions including ACC to investigate and bring him under punishment.

Even as an ordinary employee, he has made hundreds of millions of money so far. Owns a two crore flat in Bashundhara and a luxurious 7 storey house in Dhanmondi on 5 kathas. The price of which is about Tk. 40 crores. He also owns the Global shoe factory on about 300 bigha land next to the seed store area of Bhaluka. Apart from this, there is 60 percent land.

There is a joint developer company called JSIX. Bashundhara has 14 storied commercial buildings. Gazipur Sadar has 60 percent land in 8 Khatians. The price of which is about Tk. 40 crore. His wife Laila Kanij owns 14.03 percent land in Bilamalia Mauza of Savar police station and 62.16 percent in Khilgaon Mauza of Gazipur police station.

Son Ahmed Taufiqur Rahman Arnab owns 14.50 percent of land in Gazipur. The price of which is about Tk. 90 crores. He owns several expensive cars in the name of himself and his family members. FDR of more than Tk. 50 crore has been deposited anonymously in various banks in his name. He has married more than once. He also has relationships with various women.

Dr. Matiur Rahman obtained an honors degree in finance from Dhaka University and first rank in first class in Masters from the same university. In addition, he obtained a PhD degree from Preston University in the United States. He has received training in VAT and Customs from home and abroad.

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A female doctor committed suicide giving a Facebook status



District Correspondent, Barta24.com
Photo: Dr. Aparna Basak

Photo: Dr. Aparna Basak

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An MBBS female doctor named Dr. Aparna Basak (27) committed suicide in Mymensingh by set fire to the body writing a post on Facebook.

This horrific incident took place on the ground floor of Lal Das Bhavan in Panditpara area of Mymensingh city on Tuesday (June 25) morning. However, when the incident came to light this afternoon, a commotion was created through social media.

Earlier, the deceased Dr. Aparna Basak wrote in her personal Facebook post to her lover Khandokar Mahabub Elahi - 'Be good, I can't do it anymore'. Maybe I lost like everyone else. I released you.

In-charge (OC) of Kotwali Model Police Station Md. Main Uddin said, when the family told us about the incident around 9:30 in the morning, we broke the door of the kitchen and recovered the charred body of the deceased. After the autopsy of the deceased in this incident, the body was handed over to the family in the afternoon.

Initially, it is believed that this suicide happened due to love affairs. However, no complaint has been filed by the family yet. To whom the Facebook post was directed, We are looking for him. Details will be announced later.

According to the police, the female doctor is a resident of Sarishabari area of Jamalpur district. However, currently she was working as a doctor in the Charpara area of Mymensingh city for the last one year at Pranta Specialized Private Hospital. But till now no trace of Khandokar Mahabub Elahi involved in this incident has been found.

In this regard, Mashiur Alam Chandan, the proprietor of Pranta Specialized Private Hospital, said that the woman doctor was working as a medical officer in our hospital for the past one year. I heard that she committed suicide in Panditpara area of the city early this morning. But I don't know why or what caused this incident.

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A huge fleet in the service of Hajids, no one can be found in need



Special Correspondent, Barta24.com
Photo: Collected

Photo: Collected

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A senior journalist is now staying in Medina after performing the holy Hajj. On Monday (June 24), he wrote on Facebook, "I went to Medina for the Hajj mission with body aches and 103 degree fever." They don't seem to have time to listen to the whole narrative. The doctor prescribed Azithromycin and Paracetamol. They also gave the same antibiotic to a patient for hand blisters. Antibiotic is the medicine of all diseases! When will this crisis of Hajj mission end?

Under that status, one commented, 'I took my mother who was sick, but they didn't care a bit; Didn't even give medicine - grossly negligent. Their job is to be busy with themselves.' Another wrote, 'When I first visited in 2000, I was still disappointed to witness the activities at the mission.'

Complaints about Hajj mission of Bangladesh in Medina are not new, there are many complaints about Hajj mission in Makkah as well. Many people have complained that the people of the Hajj mission were not seen in Mina-Arafat and Muzdalifah during the five days of Hajj. However, 453 people have gone for Hajj at government expense this year with the aim of providing round-the-clock services to Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims. The government will spend Tk. 15 crore for this. But speaking to Barta24.com, government and private officials complained that none of this huge fleet was seen at the required time.

Arafat Maidan, Muzdalifa and especially in Mina, people have to suffer a lot. In Muzdalifah going from the open Maidan to the Jamarat and not recognizing the particular tent of the pilgrims who defected from the Jamarat had to wander from street to street tired and hungry. Volunteers from different countries were seen to help in the hot environment without shade and water, but no Bangladeshi volunteer was found.

Apart from this, there is a serious mistake in the map uploaded by the Bangladesh government on Hajjportal. No. 58 and No. 59 Maktab have been swapped. Looking at this map, I had to go around more. Apart from this, there is no effective helpline for Hajj pilgrims from the Bangladesh government. Getting services from the vast fleet of Hajj service providers at government expense has become a matter of sheer luck. This is how a pilgrim from Saudi Arabia was talking about their helplessness and suffering.

The retired bureaucrat who went to perform Hajj under private management was very consciously talking about the suffering of other pilgrims instead of his own suffering. According to him, Mina-Arafat-Muzdalifah and Jamara are all Hajj. If there is no volunteer to be found here, then there is nothing sadder than that.

A woman named Sumayya is staying in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj with 7 members of her family. Her experience is worse. According to her, I do not know what happened this year! I had to go through a lot these few days. All pilgrims had to suffer. Neither the Saudi government nor the Bangladesh government nor Moyallem behaved well. People have been crying for 1 bottle of water in 45 degree heat. People were crying all around. Everyone sought some shelter and shade in the intense heat. A large number of volunteers from Pakistan and India served the Hajis of their respective countries on the streets. But no Bangladeshi volunteers were found.

This year, the government decided to stop going to Hajj at government expense in the name of Haji service. The Ministry of Religion did not accept that decision. Because this time 30 officials of different ministries have gone for Hajj. Again, a group of 10 members went to Hajj at the government expense to assist the Hajj pilgrims with providing news about Hajj management.

Officials related to the Ministry of Religion said that officials of various ministries, divisions and some media workers have joined the group to go for Hajj with state funds by lobbying in various ways. Apart from this, the Secretary and Minister of the Ministry of Religion have added some of their choice to this group. This list also includes people who have performed Hajj more than once. Although about Tk. 15 crore were spent, Hajis were not benefitted in any way, it is quite clear from Haji's words.

Although those sent to serve the Hajj pilgrims are conditioned to provide round-the-clock service to the Hajj pilgrims. But it is not clear who will provide what kind of services. It is further stated that the team members will be deemed to be on full-time duty. But nothing is said about their personal food and rest. Many people on the Hajj list at government expense have no knowledge of Hajj.

Barta24.com spoke to several of the enlisted men, who could not be specific about their duties, but got a general answer that they went to 'serve Haji Sahib'.

And the Ministry of Religion says that according to the decision of the Saudi government, members of the Hajj service team have no opportunity to perform Hajj. Those enrolled say that every year they are told that Hajj cannot be performed. But everyone came for Hajj.

According to the sources of the Ministry of Religion, this time the people who went for Hajj at the government expense have deposited Tk. 1 lakh 94 thousand 800 taka for the air tickets. Apart from this, each person has to deposit Tk. 35 thousand to the Hajj office for the cost of food. A senior official of the ministry said that the government will bear all the expenses except the air fare. The government will spend Tk. 4 lakh for each.

Many groups have gone to Saudi Arabia this year to serve Hajis. The Hajj delegation led by Religion Minister Faridul Haque Khan includes seven secretaries and senior secretaries of various ministries and divisions, two additional secretaries, two parliamentarians and an election commissioner. In the 55-member Hajj administrative team, there are 22 officials from various ministries and divisions and 33 from the Ministry of Religion. The 74-member Hajj administrative support team includes 22 peons and 12 drivers from the Ministry of Religion. The 25-member technical team includes seven computer operators from the Ministry of Religion. There are 289 people in the integrated Hajj medical team. Among them 85 doctors, 55 nurses, 24 pharmacists, 25 OT/lab assistants. Here too, the number of people working in the Islamic Mission project of the Islamic Foundation is large. The concerned officials said that many officials of these groups do not know anything about the work of the concerned groups.

On the other hand, there have been allegations of forming groups with non-journalists in the name of journalists to perform Hajj at government expense. The Minister of Religion and the Secretary made a list of 10 people with the names of three journalists from their respective areas. Here too, the Ministry of Religion resorted to trickery. In the announcement of publication of the list of journalists, without mentioning who is working in which media, the announcement is published with their names and passport numbers. They have been asked to assist Hajj pilgrims by providing news about Hajj management in Bangladesh including Makkah, Medina, Mina and Arafat Maidan. But except for two people, no one else reported any news.

Last year (2023) 7 people were warned for traveling to Taif without informing the Hajis. On the other hand, the High Court upheld the suspension of the nine nurses who were not named in the medical team one or more times for various irregularities including registration as a nurse without being a nurse in the integrated Hajj medical team, overage, and so they could not go to Saudi Arabia. Earlier, the Ministry of Religion excluded four persons from the revision of the list due to various complaints.

In these cases it is easy to guess, why so desperate to go to Saudi Arabia in the name of service? Contacting several officials of the Ministry of Religion and Hajj Mission to know about the complaint did not get any response.

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