Those notable events of 2023 garner attention

Another year is about to pass in just one day. The year 2023 was crucial for everyone as it witnessed significant events on the national front. The year unfolded with remarkable developments in national issues. Alongside this, there were upward trends in commodity prices, political tensions surrounding the upcoming Twelfth National Parliament Election making the year eventful.

Universal pension starts

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 17 in 2023 rolled out the much-anticipated Universal Pension Scheme aiming to bring the country's all citizens aged above 18 under the coverage. Four different packages - Pragati, Surokkha, Samata and Prabashi-out of total six planned ones were initially introduced under the universal pension scheme to ensure the lifetime pension facility for the participant citizens. Any citizen aged above 18 can participate in the universal pension scheme to get the pension facility during the retirement life, by paying installments till the person reaches the age of 60. An individual aged even above 50 can join the scheme but the person will need to pay installments for 10 consecutive years.

Bangladesh joins nuclear energy club
Marking the historic moment Bangladesh became the 33rd nation to be a user of nuclear fuel, Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 5 in 2023 termed the Rooppur power plant a symbol of strong bilateral ties between Dhaka and Moscow.

Oil in gas field found
After 1986, the country has seen a hopeful year in the quest for oil in its soil. State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has announced that from Well No. 10 in the Haripur field of Sylhet Gas Field, an estimated 500 to 600 barrels of oil per day can be extracted.

At the press conference, the state minister said that drilling at a depth of 2576 meters has been successfully completed in Sylhet-10 well. This well, with four levels, reveals the presence of gas. The lowermost level, tested at 2540-2550 meters, yielded a flow of 25 million cubic feet of gas per day with a flowing pressure of 3250 psi. The current reserves are estimated at 43-100 billion cubic feet. Another promising gas level is found at 2460-2475 meters, and it is anticipated that a test at this level could yield 25-30 million cubic feet of gas per day.

Inauguration of Bangabandhu Tunnel
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Bangabandhu Tunnel at Patenga in Chattogram on October 28, 2023. In terms of connecting two regions of the country, the 3.32km tunnel is the second "dream scheme" in road transport sector after the Padma Bridge. The tunnel has been built following the "one city two towns" model like Shanghai in China. The tunnel connects the Chattogram port city on the north end of the Karnaphuli with Anwara upazila on the south of the river.

Dhaka-Cox's Bazar rail line opens
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today on November 11 inaugurated the much awaited 102km Chattogram's Dohazari-Cox's Bazar Rail Line at a cost of Taka 18034.47 crore opening a new era in railway connectivity in the country. The new rail track ushers new hope in strong footing of country's economy with boosting tourism, industrialisation, business and trade as well.

Metrorail on Uttara-Motijheel route opens
Through the Metro Rail, the two-hour journey will now take only 30 minutes. Starting from December 31, all Metro Rail trains will stop at every station from Uttara to Motijheel and vice versa.

Prior to this, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on December 28 inaugurated the train service from Uttara to Agargaon, marking the liberation of commuters from traffic congestion. Following this, step by step, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has decided to open a total of 16 stations from Uttara to Motijheel.

Price hike of essential commodities
Over the past year, the record high prices of essential commodities have burdened the common people. Market analysis reveals that at the beginning of July, the price of beef reached a record high in Dhaka, selling at a maximum of 650 Taka per kilogram. However, outside Dhaka, the price of beef had risen even further, reaching up to 900 Taka per kilogram. In the final phase, prices dropped again to the range of 500-600 Taka. Simultaneously, in some districts outside Dhaka, the price of green chili also increased. At this time, onions were being sold at prices ranging from 1,000 to 1,200 Taka per kilogram.

In addition, the government had set the onion price for the first time in the farewell year, but it did not have the desired impact in the market. Instead, imposing a ban on onion exports by India had a more significant effect on the country's market. Overnight, the price of onions surged from 100 Taka to 250 Taka per kilogram. In response to the relaxed export ban, the government resumed onion imports from India. However, in the past few days, the price of onions in the local market has decreased, now selling at 80-90 Taka per kilogram.

Political disputes over elections
At the beginning of the outgoing year 2022, the government appointed Kazi Habibul Awal as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and formed a new Election Commission (EC). However, the main opposition party, BNP, claims that the new Election Commission has been formed with individuals sympathetic to the government. From the outset, the party leaders announced that they would not participate in elections under the newly formed Election Commission. Instead, the government proceeded to form the new Election Commission with individuals aligned with its interests.

Furthermore, on November 15 of the ongoing year (2023), Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal announces the details of the upcoming Twelfth National Parliament election. Following this announcement, political tensions escalate, reaching a climax towards the end of the new year.

On October 28, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) called for a nationwide daylong hartal in protest against the arrest of opposition leaders and activists during the grand rally on the same day. Subsequently, on October 29, the party announced another nationwide strike for November 2, demanding the resignation of the Awami League government. Following this, the BNP decided to boycott the upcoming Twelfth Parliament Election and initiated a series of strikes and blockades under the banner of demanding a neutral and independent election under a non-partisan government. In addition, the party also called for a general strike on December 31 and January 1, with plans for mass communication and leaflet distribution as part of their ongoing protest.

Ruling party Awami League officially started preparations for the 12th national parliament election amidst the anti-government movement of BNP and like-minded parties. Candidates from different districts started collecting nomination papers from the central office of the party two days after the election schedule was announced. Awami League then announced the names of party nominees on November 27. Awami League candidates are spending busy time in the election campaign after the allocation of symbols from the Election Commission.

Meanwhile, GM Quader-led Jatiya Party announced to participate in the upcoming national elections. On the other hand, on November 29, Rowshan Ershad, the leader of the opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad and the main sponsor of the Jatiya Party, announced that he would not participate in the election, blaming GM Quader and Chunnu.

However, the EC has taken various steps to make the 12th National election free, fair and neutral. Among the steps, the EC has already approved the transfer proposal of 338 police station OCs and 158 UNOs. However, there are doubts whether the election will be acceptable without the participation of BNP. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) told journalists that the acceptability of the Twelfth National Parliament Election will be determined after the election. He further added that if the BNP participates, the election will be much more participatory."