Abdul Khaleque Khandker: The country is now in the ruthless grip of the Covid-19, the most pernicious human foe of the present century.

More than a hundred people are dying every dayof Corona virus inour country over the recent days. Most alarming news is that as many as 153 people died yesterday alone of Covid-19. 

In order to save people’s life, Government has imposed tight lock down through out the country which is known to all and sundry.

But right at this moment, the country is going to celebrate one of the two biggest religious festivals for the Muslims, the Eid ul Azhawhich is knocking at the door. Like the world Muslims, the Muslims of Bangladesh sacrifice animals as the obligatory part of the worship.

The experts have expressed grave concern about the dire consequence of the infection in the densely populous cattle markets.

But it is very wise of government and on the part of the Dhaka North City Corporation to make a concrete arrangement of the online cattle markets or hats, so that people can buy and sell sacrificial animals sitting at homes averting the heavy jostling and pushing of the buyers and viewers in the crowded markets.

DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam has said, as many as one hundred thousand cattle will be conveniently available in the online market and the payment will be safe and secured under the direct supervision pf the Bangladesh Bank.

The reports said, eralierDhaka North City Corporation has launched the ‘Digital Haat’ for the sale of cattle online on the occasion of upcoming Eid-ul-Azha so that city people can buy sacrificial cattle avoiding public gathering in COVID-19 situation.

Local government minister Md. Tazul Islam inaugurated the online market at a webinar chaired by Dhaka North city mayor Md Atiqul Islam Islam.

DNCC mayor Atiq said, there would be no hassle of tax on the sale of cattle at the online platform rather they will be offering different opportunities for the customers as well as the viewers.

Commerce minister Tipu Munshi, Fisheries and Livestock minister SM Rezaul Karim, State minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Dhaka divisional commissioner Mostafizur Rahman, Bangladesh Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries president Sheikh Fazle Fahim, among others, were present in the Digital Cattle Hat inauguration ceremony on Saturday last.

Local government minister Tazul Islam bought cattle from the market as first customer while Commerce minister expressed interest in buying cattle from the online platform for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.

DNCC, Access to Information and E-Commerce Association of Bangladesh will collaborate on this online platform, said a release.

E-Commerce Association of Bangladesh president Shomi Kaiser also addressed the event. Centre for Policy Dialogue senior research fellow Khandaker Golam Moazzem was also present.