DHAKA, 15 November 2022, (TON): Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said “some 6500 people become homeless every year due to climate change in Bangladesh.”

He said while talking to reporters "around 6500 people have been displaced every year due to climate change and they are facing difficulties in working and most of them lose their jobs. As a result, they flocked to the cities.”

He added “the Bangladesh government has taken steps to build houses for them in a bid to rehabilitate them every year.”

Momen said "Global warming has been noticed due to climate change and we are not responsible for that. Due to global warming, vast tracts of land have been eroded and many amounts of money were spent due to the erosion.” 

DHAKA, 15 November 2022, (TON): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said “Bangladesh wants to maintain an open and transparent relationship with the World Bank.”

She made the statement when World Bank Vice President for South Asia region, Martin Raiser, and newly appointed World Bank Country Director Abdoulae Seck called on her at her office.

PM's press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

By TON Nepal

On September 16, 2022, the Ministry for Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation’s suggestion to withdraw the Electricity Bill, 2020 was passed by the National Assembly, thus removing the option of any electricity-related legislation being enacted anytime soon. This Bill was predictable to deliver a statutory basis to advance major reform activities in Nepal’s power sector and its removal marks a major impairment for the sector, which has been wish to attain new heights after Nepal’s recent progress in its electricity generation capacity. Withdrawal of the Electricity Bill, 2020 is a reverting step that will delay reforms in power sector in Nepal.

The power sector reforms include actions like corporatization of utilities, deregulation and de-licensing, open access to transmission infrastructures, opening of vertically integrated utilities, privatization of utilities, race in wholesale and retail, reformation of a distribution utility into smaller utilities, renewable energy integration, etc. In a nutshell, power sector reforms are frequent, if not incessant, processes oriented towards decreasing prices, maintaining price stability, and increasing the reliability of electricity.

The Electricity Bill had proposed, among other things, to open Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), recognize power trade and electricity supply services as licensed activities, introduce competition in development and operation of electricity projects, and de-license captive generators. Additionally, the bill, upon enactment, provided the needed push for the operationalization of open access, which has been deferred only because of vagueness prevailing at the regulatory or policy levels.

Nepal has had a very structured electricity sector since the enactment of the Nepal Electricity Authority Act 1984, which provided monopoly powers to NEA for generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity. Later, the Electricity Act 1992 opened the doors to some reforms, like allowing entry of the private sector into the electricity sector and providing for a separate entity for consumer tariff determination. For long, the electricity markets in most countries were dominated by vertically integrated monopolies, and an independent regulator would determine tariffs chargeable by them.

Competition in the electricity industry was practically non-existent as the competition often meant building similar infrastructures in the same area, which augmented hazards for investors and prices for the end-consumers. However, as the electricity legislation was being implemented in Nepal, the global landscape pertaining to electricity was changing, and many countries had begun pushing for reforms which included unbundling and wholesale and retail competition. The importance of these reforms for Nepal was also realized immediately, but it was the height of the energy crisis in the early 2010s that necessitated some conclusive action.

After lurching and meandering for over two decades, Rastriya Prasaran Grid Company and Vidyut Utpadan Company were established in 2015 and 2016, respectively by the Government of Nepal as to-be successors of NEA’s transmission and generation businesses, separately. However, the recent political discord and ambiguity of the subject in the political sphere prevented the passage of the Electricity Bill, which would otherwise have provided the legal impetus for power sector reforms.

Despite the dilemma at the political level, Nepal’s necessity for these improvements cannot be exaggerated. Unbundling of NEA will lead to the formation of smaller utilities that shall carry out separate designated functions with higher operational efficiencies. Moreover, it will bring about transparency and reduce any special treatment that inclines to restrict the competition. NEA’s improving balance sheet, thanks partly to the recent growth in generation capacity and improved cross-border connectivity, might have eclipsed the urgency of restructuring for the time being. However, Nepal mustn’t lose sight of the fact that unbundling of NEA was envisioned to deliver higher reliability and price-stability of electricity to end-consumers.

Another appropriate improvement proposed by the Electricity Bill was the development and operation of power projects through competition. Although NEA has been able to sell additional electricity at a reasonable price through the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX), high generation tariffs might still pose threat to Nepal’s prospects, both locally and abroad. The present way of generation tariff determination adopted by the Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC) is reminiscent of how NEA resolute the generation tariffs in the past and how it doesn’t incentivize developers to build power projects proficiently. However, mechanisms based on competition may offer chances to reduce generation tariff, likely through prioritization of construction of cheaper projects.

Licensing of power traders and electricity suppliers and de-licensing of captive generation projects are particularly important for bringing about competition and offering more choices to consumers. Currently, NEA is the sole off-taker of electricity in Nepal, and it has been selling electricity within and outside the country. However, licensing of power traders and electricity suppliers and de-licensing of captive generators shall offer more channels for power to be traded both here and abroad.

To sum up, the electricity bill had sought to substitute a structured power market with a more compound one, but while doing so, it could provide opportunities for substitute business models to flourish, which, in turn, would inspire innovation and increase competition. While the threats of radical steps to the reform electricity industry should not be undervalued, as sometimes, they can even aggravate the problems. By now, there are enough examples for Nepal to take lessons from. California, in the late 1990s, deregulated the electricity market in favor of competition in an attempt to reduce its wholesale price of electricity.

This not only failed to reduce the wholesale price, it also led to the biggest utility in California filing for bankruptcy. Similarly, in the UK, past attempts of reform have failed to keep electricity prices low in the long run and have failed to curb the monopoly influence of utilities. In the case of India, different states are in diverse stages of reform, and while Delhi and Maharashtra are showing considerable progress after the restructuring of the electricity market, other states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are still lagging. Nepal can closely examine such examples and chart its course accordingly so that the country doesn’t suffer the same fate. Since Nepal has already recognized the ERC, it must be empowered to ensure that these reforms are carried out securely.

The current Electricity Act 1992 is often greeted as an achievement in encouraging private sector contribution in electricity generation, but it did have its inadequacies. The private sector wasn’t actually cheered by the merit of the act alone but by the government’s policy to offer discounts to the power projects after the advent of the energy crisis in the early 2010s. The act’s restrictive provisions also didn’t allow new business models to flourish and may be partly deemed liable for the crisis.

So, further delays to enact suitable electricity legislation may cause Nepal to lose various opportunities or worse, bring in new problems. In light of the government of Nepal having recognized electricity as a conveyor of the prosperity of the country and because these reforms must not be further delayed, there is a need for Nepal to prioritize power sector reform as a matter of national priority. The subject must remain above petty political squabbles and the government must proactively work to foster consensus among all stakeholders. The enactment of a new electricity legislation should be the bottom-line of such consensus. The House of Representatives election, which is just around the corner, can be an opportunity for the political leadership to initiate meaningful dialogues and show commitment in this matter.

By Ali Hasan

 Since its formation as an influential political party in Bangladesh on 1 September 1978 by former Bangladeshi President Zia ur Rahman after the Presidential election of 1978, with a view of uniting the people with a nationalist ideology, BNP has faced many challenges and obstacles from internal and external entities as well.  The party leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP always faced hurdles in the way of the progress of the party and state with strong determination and strength. Moreover, under the leadership of Khaleda Zia, this party has ruled Bangladesh three times, marked as the golden period of Bangladesh’s history. 

Begum Khaleda Zia, who is famous for her strong leadership faced a downfall after the elections of 2007, as Awami League won the elections and Sheikh Hasina was appointed as Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Since then, BNP’s leaders and activists are being demotivated by imposing situations and conditions within the state. Moreover, the party leader Begum Khaleda Zia was arrested on corruption charges and other serious allegations. The acting chairperson Tarique Rahman, son of Begum Khaleda Zia has long been in exile being subjected to the government’s political vengeance.

Besides facing all the serious situations in the state, the party leader of BNP, Begum Khaleda Zia never give up and kept on struggling hard to restore her party position although she was accused of serious allegations. The elections of 2014 and 2018 remained highly controversial in the history of Bangladesh which BNP showed its reaction by boycotting the elections as democracy was under threat and being overruled by the ruling party, AL’s head Sheikh Hasina. Furthermore, the Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh Ito stated that Japan expected that the next general elections in Bangladesh would be free and fair expressing concern over the 2018 elections as it was more focused on violence. According to a report from the United News of Bangladesh, the Japanese ambassador also depicted that it was unlikely to see a full-scale Rohingya repatriation anytime soon due to the situation in Myanmar at this moment.

 He further stated that Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char and not a single Rohingya was repatriated over the last five years. More than five years have passed. The situation is very unfortunate. Repatriation is of course the priority and Japan is ready to work with the government of Bangladesh for the repatriation of the Rohingyas.

 Moreover, in the forthcoming elections of 2023 in Bangladesh, BNP has risen with great manpower and public strength as it never compromised on the ideology of the state and remained patient in times of trials and situations. The organization of peaceful rallies and protests by using democratic rights in Bangladesh and focusing on the common people and citizens’ rights in Bangladesh, is another positive gesture for Bangladesh as BNP has always prioritized democracy and never exceeded the limits. But still, now BNP’s leaders and activists are in crisis as police arrested three BNP men on 14^th November 2022 in connection with cases filed against them earlier in Habiganj. The three are Hafizur Rahman Khan, president of the Gupaya union unit of BNP, Vice President Abdul Hamid of the same unit, and its former convener Md Shaheen Mia. Moreover, Habiganj district BNP Senior Joint Convener GK Gaus announced, a mass rally is scheduled to be held in Sylhet on November 19. So, to disrupt the work surrounding, The police picked up three of the leaders of the BNP from their homes. Moreover, he claimed that There was no case against them. Moreover, Police arrested five people, including Rubel Ahmed, president of Maulvibazar district unit Chhatra Dal, in the Chaumuhana area of ​​Moulvibazar on 13^th November 2022 while they were distributing leaflets for their party's Sylhet divisional rally.

Besides facing all the hurdles and difficulties, BNP is standing firm to support the people of Bangladesh and the state. The party has enhanced its determination and strong will to restore Bangladesh’s ideology under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia. It seems that no allegation or obstacle can stop BNP to participate in forthcoming elections with full potential and strength. The public support and the ideological strength of the BNP could help come up with the expectations of the public and the party itself as a leading party in forthcoming elections in December 2023.

References;

• The Daily Star MONDAY, November 14, 2022, 3 BNP men arrested ahead of Sylhet rally

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/3-bnp-men-arrested-ahead-sylhet-rally-3168941

• https://www.newagebd.net/article/186393/japan-wants-free-fair-polls-in-bangladesh-says-envoy

• https://www.refworld.org/docid/560b91664.html

TAIPEI, 14 November 2022, (TON): China’s military flew 36 fighter jets and bombers near Taiwan, the Taiwanese defense ministry announced, part of a long-running campaign of intimidation against the self-ruled island democracy that Beijing claims as part of its territory.

Ten of the aircraft on Saturday flew across the median line in the Taiwan Strait that separates the island from the mainland, the ministry said. It said they included six Shenyang J-11 and four J-16 aircraft.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 following a civil war that ended with the Communist Party in control of the mainland. The island never has been part of the People’s Republic of China, but Beijing says it is obliged to unite with the mainland, by force if necessary.

DENPASAR, 14 November 2022, (TON): When world leaders arrive for the G20 summit in Bali, they will be picked up by electric vehicles in a symbolic move showcasing Indonesia’s commitment to energy transition.

The upcoming summit will take place on Nov. 15 to 16, culminating Indonesia’s presidency of the group of 20 biggest economies and more than 200 working group meetings and side events held throughout the year.

The largest Muslim-majority nation and the world’s fourth most populous, Indonesia had focused its chairmanship of G20 on steering post-coronavirus pandemic recovery, energy transition, and digital transformation.

DUBAI, 14 November 2022, (TON): Bahrain recorded its largest voter turnout with 73 percent of eligible residents casting their ballots on Saturday to elect 40 representatives to the Council of Representatives and 30-member municipality councils for a four-year term.

News agency said “the success of the record turnout was a ‘culmination of the democratic progress’ led by the country’s leadership, Nawaf bin Mohammed Al Mua’awda, minister for Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments and head of High Committee for Elections for 2022.”

The minister also noted that the elections were fair, free, and impartial with voting continuing without interruption across the country.

KYIV, 14 November 2022, (TON): Russian forces destroyed key infrastructure in Ukraine’s southern city of Kherson before fleeing, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, as his counterparts in Russia and Iran vowed to deepen economic, political and trade ties.

Zelensky described as hellish battles in the eastern region of Donetsk, where pro-Moscow forces were putting up a much stiffer fight after Russia abandoned on Friday the only regional capital it had captured since the war began in February.

Jubilant residents of Kherson welcomed arriving troops while Zelensky said authorities, in their efforts to stabilize the region, had dealt with nearly 2,000 mines, trip-wires and unexploded shells left by the departing Russians.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s assistant Shoura Council speaker stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral relations during a meeting with an MP from Finland.

Dr. Hanan Al-Ahmadi met Sultan Sayed Ahmed at the council’s headquarters in Riyadh.

Al-Ahmadi said “the Kingdom, based on its Islamic and political weight, had made great efforts to combat terrorism, reject hate speech and promote ​​of moderation and civilized communication to achieve international peace.”

The meeting was also attended by Shoura Council member and head of the Saudi-Finnish Parliamentary Friendship Committee, Hazzaa bin Bakr Al-Qahtani.

PHNOM PENH, 14 November 2022, (TON): Russia’s foreign minister on Sunday accused the United States of driving increased militarization in Southeast Asia, saying that Washington was trying to contain Beijing and Moscow’s influence in the region.

Sergei Lavrov was speaking to reporters at Phnom Penh’s airport after attending the East Asia Summit in Cambodia and before flying to Bali for the G20 summit where China’s leader Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden will meet.

Earlier on Sunday, Biden said he would establish “red lines” with Xi.

Washington is attempting to boost its influence in Southeast Asia, worried by Beijing’s increasingly assertive behavior in the region, which it views as its strategic backyard.