News Watch (19-01-2018)

Efforts on to end Padma Bridge work by Dec

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader told Parliament on Thursday that all-out efforts are going on to complete the construction work of the Padma Bridge by December 2018. "Efforts are on to complete the bridge by December through installation of the remaining spans in phases alongside pile driving and installation of pair columns." The minister said this while responding to a question from Awami League MP Salina Begum. He, however, said the finalisation of design of its piles is getting delayed slightly at 14 locations due to difference in the river's soil layers. Process is going on to solve the problems fast in consultation with local and foreign experts. The overall physical progress in the project is 50 per cent. — UNB

Literacy rate now 71pc: Minister

The country's literacy rate has risen to 71 per cent from 46 per cent in 2009, according to statistics placed by Planning Minister A H M Mustafa Kamal in Parliament on Thursday. "The literacy rate was 46.15 per cent on January 1, 2009 (Statistical Year Book Bangladesh 2009). Now the literacy rate is 71 per cent (Bangladesh Sample Vital Statistics 2016)," he said while replying to a question from treasury bench MP A K M Zahangir Hossain. The minister said the literacy rate among men is 73 per cent, while it is 68.9 per cent among women. In reply to another question from Jatiyo Party MP Nurul Islam Milon, he said the poverty rate in the country has declined to 22.3 per cent, and the number of people who are living under the poverty line is 3,56,58,000. The main goal of the 7th Five-Year Plan is alleviating poverty rapidly. — UNB