The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

German Ambassador Frank Meyke suggested that the current anti-corruption drive should be balanced with economic growth and public interest so both the tasks advance concurrently. "It needs a right balance-fight against corruption and protect economy and public interest," he said, adding that the fight against corruption should not lead to more harm than good to the general people.

Meyke made the remarks at a talk with Dhaka Diplomatic Correspondents Association Bangladesh (DCAB) at DRU auditorium Monday. The envoy said volume of bilateral trade has decreased in first six months of 2007 due to political unrest and extreme political confrontation in the second half of last year. However, he expressed the confidence that the election roadmap and legally binding reforms of political parties would be "decisive factors in regaining the confidence of buyers and achieving strong export growth for Bangladesh again". In recent years, bilateral trade increased-to 1.86 billion Euro in 2006 from 988 million Euro in 2002. This represents 88 percent increase in four years. Meyke said German investment in Bangladesh amounts to about 50 million Euro only, but he said there is considerable potential for expansion.

The European diplomat spoke in favour of creating a "sustainable political climate congenial to foreign investment, with democracy and human rights stabilized and strengthened".

Asked about lifting ban on political activities and withdrawal of the state of emergency, he said the restrictions could be withdrawn gradually with the progress on party reforms and the election roadmap. As a drive against corruption in high quarters continued in the interim period, the envoy reiterated that due process should be followed in trying people on charges of corruption. He welcomed the process of electoral and political party reforms and anti-graft drive for improving governance.

UNB, Narayanganj

Unruly garment workers went on the rampage, vandalized factories and locked in clash with army and police personnel here Monday, leaving at least 30 people wounded, including five cops.

Witnesses and official sources said the Fatulla industrial belt and Shibu Market area were rocked by violence as the workers staged protest against retrenchment and demanding withdrawal of cases filed against the workers of Marina Apparels.

The troubles erupted in the morning as a group of garment workers gathered in Post Office Road area about 8am and barricaded the road.

The management of Marina Apparels filed a case against some of its workers on Friday on charge of assaulting the factory owner and officials on Thursday.

Amid the raging unrest, the rioters attacked and damaged 8/10 factories and called these factories' workers to join them in the demonstrations. A number of vehicles were also damaged on Narayanganj Link Road.

As RAB and army troops asked them to calm down, the enraged workers started pelting them with brickbats that triggered chase and counter-chase, the sources said.

"The entire area turned into a veritable battlefield," says an eyewitness account of the clash, one of a few fiercest incidents of unrest in the interim period.

As the news spread, authorities of about 50/60 garment factories in the troubled industrial belt declared leave for their staff members out of apprehension about further outbreaks.

Police reinforcements were called in and deployed in the area.

Chittagong Correspondent

The much-talked about former Jamaat-e-Islami MP Shahjahan Chowdhury, who went into hiding after the January 11 changeover, surrendered to a court in the port city yesterday morning. Court sources said the Jamaat leader surrendered to a special tribunal at about 11:30am in a graft case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and sought bail.

Judge Mirza Mohammad Ayub Ali, Fifth Additional District Judge of the special tribunal ordered to send him to jail, turning down his bail prayer. The judge also set November 3 for framing charge in the case.

Earlier, Shahjahan Chowdhury went to the court along with a large number of Jamaat leaders and activists.

The ACC filed the case against Shahjahan Chowdhury on July 1 under the Anti-Corruption Act and the Emergency Powers Rules (EPR), on charge of concealing wealth information in his wealth statement submitted to the anti-graft watchdog.

In the complaint ACC accused him of hiding the information about

possessing a luxury car which he imported at a cost of Tk 51.49 lakh during the alliance government's regime under the privilege of importing duty-free car. The car will now cost Tk 1.5 crore.

Shahjahan Chowdhury later sold the car to Pacific Motors, a car sale company owned by Faisal Morshed Khan, son of former Foreign Minister and BNP leader M Morshed Khan. Faisal Morshed Khan is also an accused in the case.

ACC seized the posh car from the showroom of Pacific Motors at Uttara in the capital at the end of August. It may be mentioned that Shahjahan Chowdhury was elected an MP from Satkania constituency of Jatiya Sangsad in the 8th parliamentary election defeating the then BNP standing committee member Col (Retd) Oli Ahmed. There were allegations of widespread ballot rigging and terrorist activities against him in the election.

Staff Reporter

Educationists, local government experts and representatives of the civil society at a roundtable in the city lamented the weakness of the local government and stressed the necessity for empowering it for serving the people.

They said the local government bodies are weak because of their limited power. These organisations are dominated and controlled by the bureaucrats from the central government. As a result, all the departments of the local government are facing various problems in their day-to-day discharge of duties.

"If these organisations are fully empowered and local government commission is formed then, it would benefit people enormously," they added.

They said this at the roundtable on 'Local Government Commission: Proposals on its responsibilities and functions' jointly organised by 27 development organisations at CIRDAP auditorium yesterday.

Dr Akbar Ali Khan, former adviser to the Caretaker government, said, "Reforms in various sections of the society are occurring at present. This is the high time to form local government commission. The commission will take all decisions regarding local government. Later on, it will be expanded on the basis of division of labour, wealth and power."

"If the local government commission is formed, there will be no problem for the local government bodies in discharging all sorts of functions," he added. Dr Atiur Rahman, Chairman of Unnayan Shamannaya, said previous governments failed to flourish local government. As a result, huge number of people living in villages could not see the light of development.

Dr Salauddin M Anisuzzaman, Professor of Public Administration Department of Dhaka University, in his keynote paper said that the local government commission should be an independent and constitutionally recognised institution, which should fix up its own functions, financial allocation, audit and management. Hans Hoffmeyer, Senior Adviser of Danida, said the local government bodies should be strengthened and added that as democracy cannot be forced upon, so local government must be left to develop on its own ability and capability. Mohsin Ali, Coordinator of Governance Coalition, said, "Decentralisation of power is necessary for establishing good governance in the country. The only way of decentralising power is to make local government organisations stronger."

Dr Akhter Hossain and Dr Zarina Rahman Khan, professors of Public Administration Department of Dhaka University, took part in the discussion. Dr Zarina said, "Local government bodies must coordinate with each other. Otherwise, they cannot be self-sufficient."

Dr Tofael Ahmed, local government expert, Taleya Rahman of Democracywatch, Abdul Quiyum, Joint Editor of Daily Prothom Alo, also spoke.

Jamal Uddin Jami

Dhaka University authority has decided to increase subsidy for food served by the residential hall canteens as the food quality is decreasing day by day.

It was decided to increase the subsidy to Tk 14 lakh from Tk 8 lakh. As per the allocation, university halls will get Tk 82,353 each per year.

Students welcomed the decision, as the university authority paid heed to their long-standing demand, but they believed the allocation was not enough to ensure quality food.

Terming the allocation very poor, Zafar Iqbal Rocky, 3rd year student of Accounting and Information System Department, said the University authorities could collect money from affluent sections of the society to enhance the amenities of the students. He said the affluent people of the country would respond, if the university authority urged them to come forward in this regard. Sources said education ministry would allocate especial funds to the DU for increasing students' facilities, while the university authority will spend some money from the fund for DUCSU in this regard. Vice-chancellor of the University Prof SMA Faiz directed the Hall Provosts to ensure that the hall canteens were kept neat and clean and also to monitor it regularly. He said this while addressing a meeting of Hall Provosts yesterday.

"The food quality has to be ensured as far as possible although the price of essentials were increasing daily," said the VC and added that the environment of the canteens must be suitable for enjoying the meal. He also asked the hall authority to fix the meal rates that would be bearable to the students. Students have to expend Tk 20 to Tk 22 per meal that was Tk 15 to Tk 16 a few months ago.

Meanwhile, the authority has decided to serve improved diet to the students on November 16, as the university could not serve it during Eid-ul-Fitr due to unscheduled closure.

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a view exchange meeting in the city held IMF responsible for increasing the price of essential commodities in the local market.

They urged people not to welcome the IMF President Rabert Joyelik in Bangladesh. They also said soon he would face Peoples' Tribunal for the crime against humanity.

They criticised the policy of World Bank, IMF and IDB in the meeting on "Domination of IMF: Economic Crisis in Bangladesh" organised by Ganotantrik Bam Morcha at the National Press Club yesterday.

Former Justice Golam Rabbani, Prof Anu Muhammad of Economics Department of Jahangirnagar University, Khalequzzaman, Coordinator of BSD, Dr Piash Karim of Economics Department of BRAC University, Prof Akmal Hossain of International Relations Department of Dhaka University, Adv Abdus Salam, Jonayed Saki, Coordinator of Ganosanghati Andolon, Moshrefa Mishu, leader of Biplobi Oikya Front, Tipu Biswas, among others, spoke, while Saiful Haque of Workers Party moderated the meeting.

Anu Mohammad said, " We are dependent on imported essential items. Our economy gets unstable by the effect of increasing price of essential items in the international market."

"By implementing IMF-WB-ADB's regional strategies our local industry has been destroyed. When these organisations talk about privatisation, they mean global capital not national capital" he added.

In his welcome address Khalequzzaman said in the last five years, Bangladesh received loan of Tk 142 crore 60 lakh USD which was half of what IMF assured. Bangladesh received foreign funds, which was only 2 to 3 per cent of the total national income.

But every year Bangladesh shoulders a large liability of interest on the loans. In the fiscal year 2007-08 about 13.5 per cent of the total Budget that is Tk. 10 thousand 785 crore was allocated for the purpose. Last year the Government spent Tk 9 thousand 154 crore on payment of interest on the loans.

UNB, Mymensingh

Speakers at a workshop stressed the need for strengthening publicity campaign in rural areas for sanitation and hygiene and intake of safe water to free the country from various diseases.

Mass awareness is needed at every village to ensure intake of safe water, sanitation and hygiene as 80 percent of the country's population live in rural areas, said Deputy Commissioner of the district M Shamsul Alam.

He said this while addressing as chief guest at a workshop held at Zila Parishad auditorium on Sunday.

BRAC and District Administration jointly organized the workshop titled "Water, Sanitation and Hygiene". Additional Deputy Commissioner Begum Yasmin Afsana presided. Programme head of BRAC health programme Milan Kanti Barua called upon all, including teachers, Imams, government officials, journalists and public representatives, to extend all out cooperation to aware people about the importance of sanitation and hygiene.

Chief of the district Public Health Engineering Department M Sarwar Hossain presented the keynote paper at the workshop. Chief executive of the Zila Parishad Abul Kashem Talukdar, civil surgeon Dr SM Shamsul Alam and BRAC official Afroza Sultana, among others, spoke at the workshop.

About 60 persons, including government officials, teachers, Imams and journalists, took part at the workshop.

UNB, Dhaka

A young man was shot dead allegedly by his friends in the city's Dhanmondi area early Monday. The dead was identified as Jasim, 30, son of Julhas Sarkar of West Rajabazar under Tejgaon thana. Jasim was a book vendor in Farmgate area.

Police said Jasim's friends called out him from home at about 1am and took him to Dhanmondi road 28 (old). They later shot him twice on his abdomen and chest at point blank range, leaving Jasim seriously injured.

One of Jasim's friends, Iqbal, then rushed him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead. On suspicious, the on duty police in the Emergency Department of the DMCH caught Iqbal. According to his statement, police also arrested another youth Jony. Police said the killing might be the sequel to previous enmity.

Staff Reporter

A two-member delegation of the European Commission yesterday met former president and Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh president Prof Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury at the KC Memorial Clinic.

They discussed about the present political situation of the country, Election Commission's road map and the B Chodhury's proposed government of national consensus.

Charles Whiteley, First Secretary (head of political, trade, economic, press and information sector) and Jonatan Henriksson, Attache of the EC were in the delegation. Apart from Dr B Chowdhury, Secretary General of BDB Maj (Retd) Abdul Mannan, Organising Secretary of BDB Mahi B Chowdhury and Presidium Member of BDB Brig Gen (Retd) Giasuddin Ahmed Chowdhury Bir Bikram, among others, were present at the meeting.

Prof B Chowdhury said after the next general election the ruling party and the opposition party should not behave like before for that the concept of government of national consensus was so far the best.

He said, "The country is in crisis and we need to take the country out of the crisis situation."

The BDB chief said he had explained his concept of government of national consensus to the EC delegation and they expressed positive views about it.

Brig Gen (Retd) Giasuddin in a briefing said the European Commission gave 15 million euro to the Election Commission for the next general elections.

BSS, Dhaka

The government is going to set up five more special courts in different parts of the country to accelerate the disposal of the graft cases filed against the alleged corrupt persons.

Five more special courts would be set up very soon and the Law Ministry has already completed the process, ACC Secretary Mokhles- ur Rahman told reporters on Monday during its regular briefing.

He said the existing law of the commission is being amended to give the enquiry and investigation of a case to a same officer to quicken the probe into the graft cases.

The amendment, he said, is now under process and the increased number of courts would bring momentum in disposing the graft cases as per schedule before the next general elections.

The ACC secretary said the government would decide where the new special courts would be set up according to the requirements. So far 15 cases were tried in lower courts out of which nine are at the appeal stage in the High Court, he said.

Mokhles-ur Rahman said the commission also asked its law wing to take necessary steps to file writ petitions against 526 cases and 967 revision cases in the higher courts lodged against public servants ranging from union parishad (UP) members to former ministers.

UNB, Dhaka

Potential Japanese investors are watching carefully the situation in Bangladesh as they always think of a long-term perspective on their investment, Japanese Ambassador Masayuki Inoue said, as the country is now at a crossroads. "Direct investment from Japan to Bangladesh is very important. Japanese businessmen are watching very carefully what is going on in Bangladesh. I encourage them to come to Bangladesh, but the businessmen always think of long-term perspective," he said in an interview with UNB Monday. Asked whether the Japanese investors will wait until the installation of an elected government, Inoue said steps announced by the Chief Advisor of the present caretaker government for elections are very important. "I sincerely hope a free and fair election would be conducted after good preparations according to the announced roadmap." The Ambassador said what is important is stability and prosperity, and "an important agenda of our foreign policy is creating an Arc of freedom and prosperity".

Japanese investment in Bangladesh amounted to US$ 127 million, as of June 2006, particularly in EPZs wherein 24 companies are currently operating. Inoue stressed the need for quick repayment of L/C complying with international business practices and setting up comprehensive "One Stop Service" to attract investment from Japan, an economic powerhouse of Asia.

Asked about a new loan package of US $ 312 million for Bangladesh, he said that the latest package of Yen loan is threefold, and all the three components are utmost important for future development of this country. One is a $154 million dollar credit for New Haripur Power Plant Development Project, another is $112 million Dhaka-Chittagong Railway Project and the third is $46 million Water Resources Development Project conceived to increase agriculture and fishery production.

BSS, Dhaka

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday urged all concerned to accommodate ethical values in the learning process of the students to raise their moral standard at the desired level.

" As the center of higher education and place of free thinking, universities have a great role to play in imparting modern and need-based education to the students," he told the convocation of People's University of Bangladesh (PUB) at Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC).

Chairman of board of governors of PUB Sirajul Islam Mollah and Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Aslam Bhuiyan addressed the ceremony. Prof Anisuzzaman was present as the convocation speaker. Prof Iajuddin Ahmed said the intrinsic value of education is aimed at flourishing the latent talents of human being and illuminate the future way of every individual.

Narsingdi Correspondent

Four out of six units of the Ghorashal Thermal Power Plant, the country's largest power production unit, have been shutdown due to mechanical fault according to the control room of the plant.

Unit-3, which produced 210 megawatt of electricity per day, was shutdown due to carbon-di-oxide related problems Sunday night. Unit-2, with the capacity of 55 megawatt, was shutdown Saturday night. Two hundred and ten megawatt capacity Unit-5 remains closed since September 28 and Unit-1 of the power plant remained closed for modernisation work for the last one year.

According to the plant officials, the life span of each unit is 20 years and it needs overhauling every five years, but the authority did not do it. As a result the units are becoming weak and vulnerable day by day.

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Bank has increased the Export Development Fund (EDF) to US$ 150 million from existing US$ 100 million to help maintain the growth trend of the export-oriented industries.

Single borrower credit limit from the Fund has also been raised to US$ 1.5 million from US$ 1.0 million, said a Bangladesh Bank circular to the commercial banks today (Monday). The revised guideline for the low-cost fund will be effective from Thursday (November 1).

The central bank revised the EDF following a demand from

Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), which they placed at a recent meeting with Bangladesh Bank, said a senior official.