Dhaka, December 5 (The Daily Star): The Hotel and Restaurant owners in India’s Tripura state have lif ted the temporary ban on Bangladeshi medical tourists, fearing a decline in business.
The All Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners’ Association made the announcement in a statement today, mentioning that Bangladeshi nationals holding medical visas will now be allowed to avail hospitality in Tripura’s hotels and restaurants.
The association’s decision comes just days after it had announced, on December 2, a temporary ban on Bangladeshi travellers.
The protests in Tripura, which included incidents of vandalism and desecration of Bangladesh’s national flag at the Assistant High Commission in Agartala, had escalated tensions, prompting the association to impose the initial restrictions.
However, with many businesses in Tripura and Kolkata relying significantly on Bangladeshi nationals, particularly medical tourists, the association reconsidered its stance.
In a statement issued today, the association clarified, “There was no incident of mistreatment of Bangladeshi nationals in Tripura. In order to strike a balance between national sensitivities and the principles of hospitality, our announced ban has been revised.”
1.5 lakh tonnes of rice will be imported from Myanmar, India
The government plans to import a total of 5 lakh tonnes of rice for this fiscal year of 2024-25 through government-to-government arrangements and open tenders. Photo: Star/file
The government is set to import rice from Myanmar and India as part of its efforts to bring down the high price of the staple, replenish stocks and ensure distribution under social safety net schemes.
Under the plan, 1 lakh tonne of white rice will be imported from Myanmar at $515 per tonne and 50,000 tonnes of basmati boiled rice from India at $467.7 per tonne.
The proposals were approved yesterday by the cabinet committee on public purchase chaired by Salehuddin Ahmed, finance adviser to the interim government.
Politics would not come in the way of trade and commercial dealings with India, Ahmed told the media after the meeting.
“We will import from those who give us items at competitive prices, in a speedy manner and with due quality — it can be India or any other country. We are talking with India, Myanmar and even with Vietnam,” he added.
Earlier, the government had allowed the import of 1 lakh tonnes of boiled rice from India under open tender.
The current rice stock is below the 10.5 lakh tonne recommended by experts for enabling market interventions by the government to foil price manipulation by private millers and traders.
Public food stocks stood at 10.90 lakh tonnes, which includes 6.69 lakh tonnes of rice, on December 4.
Meanwhile, food ministry officials said they have initiated efforts for both government-to-government arrangements and open tenders.
Bangladesh has signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam and Myanmar for rice imports and the deals are valid until 2027, they said.
In addition, the advisory committee on government purchases recently eased public procurement rules for rice imports through open tender, bringing down the time needed to 15 days from 42 days.
The advisory committee on economic affairs has also decided, in principle, that the government would import 5 lakh tonnes of rice.
Estimates by the Department of Agricultural Extension show that Aman acreage declined to 57.35 lakh hectares this season from 57.5 lakh hectares in the previous one.
The Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission in a report on October 29 cited the DAE estimate and said the recent floods had caused a production loss of 8.39 lakh tonnes.
The Chief Advisor of the Interim Government Dr.Mhammad Yunus said that his interim government envisions a “New Bangladesh” where everyone can access accurate information.
“We must make this happen,” he said while addressing a meeting with leaders of different religious communities at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.
At the meeting with religious leaders Dr.Yunus called for achieving national unity amid attempts at what he termed as efforts to undermine his government’s effort to build a new Bangladesh.
Addressing the religious leaders, the chief adviser emphasised the urgency of achieving this goal and said, “We cannot just look to the future; we must take action now.”
Recalling his earlier speech delivered at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon his return to the country on August 8, before taking the oath, Yunus said, “At that time, I said we are one family. We will have diverse opinions, different religions, and various traditions, but we are all members of the same family.”
He reflected on how he had underscored that despite differences, the people of the country are not enemies of one another.
“When it comes to our nationality and identity, we stand united. We are Bangladeshis, members of the same family,” he reiterated.
Yunus expressed his distress over reports of the persecution of minorities after he assumed office. “It deeply saddened me. Soon after, I went to the Dhakeshwari Temple, where I reiterated that we are all members of the same family.”
The chief adviser highlighted his government’s efforts to ensure security during Durga Puja. “It [Durga Puja this year] had turned into a national festival. At that moment, I felt a sense of satisfaction, knowing that I had contributed in some way,” he said.
However, he said that new issues involving minority communities have emerged, compounded by discrepancies in media reporting. “This is not right. This must come to an end,” he said, stressing the importance of uncovering the truth amid contradictory information.
In this regard, he sought advice from religious leaders on how to gather accurate information about the issues faced by minorities.
His government, he said, aims to establish a process to ensure accurate and timely information.
“In a large country, anything can happen, but we want to know the truth. We need immediate information so that the situation can be resolved. If someone is guilty, they must be brought to justice; it is the government’s responsibility,” he added.
Yunus further mentioned the need to create an environment where such incidents do not occur. “If they do, immediate action must be taken,” he said.
“As members of the same family, we can take collective responsibility. In this, information and remedy are key issues,” Yunus added.
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