The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Education and Cultural Affairs Adviser Dr Ayub Quadri yesterday resigned from his post in the wake of widespread criticism over the missing of two 1,500-year-old terracotta statues of Hindu god Vishnu from Zia International Airport on Saturday.

Quadri wrote his resignation letter addressing the President Prof Iajuddin Ahmed and sent it to the Cabinet Division in the afternoon.

"I have resigned from my post on personal grounds," Quadri told The New Nation last night over telephone.

Earlier, the resignation letter was handed over to the Cabinet Division at 4:30pm.

The resignation came three days after two Vishnu statues went missing from Zia International Airport when a second consignment of 147 rare ancient artefacts representing the country's history, culture and heritage was being sent to France for exhibition in Guimet Museum in Paris.

The Adviser himself took the decision to send the artefacts to France without taking any prior approval of the Advisory Council of the Carteaker Government. The decision sparked widespread protests among the country's intellectuals, writers, artists, art connoisseurs, and even people from all strata of the society.

Quadri had earlier said he must take the responsibility for the lost artefacts as the head of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

The Adviser also hinted his resignation on Monday when he spoke to reporters on the theft of the artefacts at a press conference at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

The Council of Advisers of the caretaker government Tuesday cancelled the sending of the second consignment of artefacts and relics to Paris, which was up for display at the Guimet Museum in Paris.

Staff Reporter

Stabilizing the inflation rate will be a major challenge for the policymakers (in Bangladesh) in the days ahead because a low and stable rate of inflation is critical for accelerated economic growth and poverty reduction, said Bangladesh Bank in its annual report released yesterday.

The report has drawn attention to several near and medium term downside risks and uncertainties originating from (i) the rising inflationary pressures, (ii) the sustained high global fuel oil prices, (iii) under-pricing of energy products, (iv) infrastructure constraints (especially power, ports, and transportation), (v) probable adverse effects in the RMG sub-sector from 2008 onwards due to the expiry of restriction imposed on China, (vi) restoring business confidence for strengthening private sector investment activities, and (vii) the political developments and outcome of the next general elections scheduled to be held in late 2008.

Apart from these risks, economic prospects in the near and medium term particularly for the current fiscal year are likely to be affected by the repeated floods and cyclone Sidr in the first half of the financial year.

"Taking into consideration of the present state of economy and future challenges as well as opportunities, Bangladesh Bank has estimated that GDP growth will range between 6.2 to 6.5 per cent in the current fiscal year," the report said.

The report has pointed out that there is a possibility of higher inflation in emerging markets and developing countries, particularly in South Asian region in the coming days.

Presently, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries have been experiencing inflationary pressures, mainly because of rising world commodity prices including food, fuel oil and increasing demand from rising income. Furthermore, in Bangladesh, production losses due to natural calamities have added to the inflationary pressures with a tentative prediction by 12-month average consumer price inflation (CPI) in the range of 8.1 to 8.5 per cent in FY08, the report said.

In its report, the Bangladesh Bank cautioned that the sustained high global oil prices have heightened pressure on country's balance of payments, threatened fiscal and monetary stability alongside adversely affecting the economic activity.

In this regard, the Bangladesh Bank suggested that a pricing system providing for automatic adjustment of domestic fuel prices to international market prices might be considered, with some mechanisms to protect the poor from hardships. Besides, there is a need to reduce dependency on imported petroleum products by maximizing the use of alternative indigenous fuels and enhancing the efficiency of energy use.

The Bangladesh Bank report observed that maintaining a favourable investment environment and a sound macroeconomic management are important to strengthen private sector investment in the economy. After declaring a state of emergency on January 11 last, the present Caretaker Government has taken strong steps focusing on the economic front. Though the rapid actions to anti-corruption and anti-hoarding drives are causing interruptions to some extent in the business activities, it may be noted that economic activities will further gear up when the reforms are successfully implemented.

According to the report, after the expiry of MFA quota, Bangladesh achieved a successful exports growth during the last two years. But, the probable adverse effects from the quota elimination for Bangladesh may come into reality after 2008, when the restriction imposed on China will expire. Therefore, for survival in the increasingly competitive global garment trade, a competitive RMG sector needs to be built with upgrading infrastructures, developing financial capacity of manufacturers, labour compliance standards, design and product development capability, advanced production facilities, long-term business relationship, and the development of internationally reputed customer bases. On the other hand, to reduce the overwhelming dependence on RMG, measures needed to be taken to diversify the exports.

The report suggested that Bangladesh needs to work hard to ensure a significant proportion of proposed aid for trade package for LDCs in the form of market access privileges, less stringent disciplines, and assistance in trade related capacity building. In the absence of critical breakthrough in WTO negotiations, Bangladesh also needs to continue its efforts addressing the issue of market access through bilateral and regional agreements, especially under SAFTA and BIMSTEC.

UNB, Dhaka

Hearing on framing charges in an extortion case against ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was adjourned on Wednesday till December 31 as the defense counsel sought time to receive material documents of the case.

As the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions court resumes this morning, the state prosecution proposed for framing charges against Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and cousin Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim in the extortion case of Tk 3 crore filed by a private power company chief executive Azam J Chowdhury.

Chief Public Prosecutor Sharfuddin Mukul read out the First Information Report (FIR) in support of framing charges in a makeshift court set up in the parliament building complex. But defence counsel Barrister Shafique Ahmed sought time to receive material documents placed before the court by the prosecution for advancing his arguments.

After hearing the both sides, judge M Azizul Haque fixed December 31 for next date of hearing.

Earlier, at 9:35 am principal accused Awami League president Sheikh Hasina appeared in the dock along with co-accused ex-Health Minister Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim amid tight security.

Another accused Sheikh Rehana now living in London did not appear before the court. Prosecution sources said Rehana will be tried in absentia.

Witnesses said Hasina looked cheerful and confident when the prosecution read out the FIR. The case was filed against her on June 13 while she was arrested on July 16.

Court Correspondent

Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's lawyer Advocate Sanaullah Mia was not allowed to see his client till yesterday, although the lawyer had been given permission to see her before the holy Eid-ul-Fitr. Meanwhile, former State Minister Amanullah Aman's wife Sabera Aman, convicted in an extortion case, was not yet freed although the High Court Division had granted her bail on December 9.

However, Begum Khaleda Zia was allowed to sign vokalotnama engaging Barrister Rafiqul Hoque and Advocate Sanaullah Mia to conduct the Niko case on her behalf in the High Court Division and lowyar Court respectively Both lawyers yesterday got respective vokalatnama.

While talking to some court correspondents in the Judge Court Complex, Advocate Sanaullah has disclosed that alone with Junior lawyers Abdullah-Al-Mamun, Mohiuddin Chowdhury and Joynal Abedin Mesba he went to the sub-jail yesterday at about 2 PM and stayed there up to 4 PM to see the former premier but they were not allowed to see her.

Convicted Sabera Aman, who has been suffering from cancer, was allowed bail by the High Court Division of the Supreme Court on December 9, Enamul Haque Hiru, Chairman of Hazratpur Union Council in Keraniganj of Dhaka was made guarantor of the bail. But Hiru was not allegedly, allowed to come to the court from Keraniganj for signing the necessary bail bond.

However, he has been able to reach the court yesterday (Wednesday) to sign the bail bond when the prosecution raised objection to the effect that as Hiru himself is on bail with Amanullah Aman in another case, he cannot be guarantor on behalf of Aman's wife Sabera. The defence lawyers also have opposed the objection, while Judge Md Feroz Alam of Special Court No.1, set up in the Parliament complex, fixed today, Thursday, to pronounce his order about the issue.

Staff Reporter

No decision was taken to bring 42 artefacts back from France at the meeting of Council of Advisers yesterday.

With Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair, the meeting of the Council of Advisers was held at the Chief Adviser's Office in the city.

At the meeting, Cultural Affairs Adviser Ayub Quadri apprised the Council of Advisers about the latest situation concerning the missing artefacts supposed to be sent to Paris for exhibition and the steps taken by the government in this regard.

Forty-two artefacts in 10 cartons were shipped to France on December 1 for exhibition at the Guimet Museum in Paris.

Two seventh century relics-statues of Lord Vishnu-were found missing, while the second consignment of 145 artefacts were to be shipped out in 13 crates on December 22.

Meanwhile, police have been conducting a massive hunt for the last four days in different parts of the country, including the capital Dhaka to recover the two 1500-year-old rare terracotta statues of Hindu god Vishnu.

However, police could not make any headway in their investigation into the recovery of the statues till last night although four days have already been passed after the incident.

The 15 suspects, including the officials of Air France and Homebound courier service and airport ground handling operators who were arrested following the theft incident from the airport and later placed on a five-day remand are now being interrogated at the Taskforce Intelligence Cell.

Apart from police, officials of different intelligence agencies are interrogating them.

Sources at the police administration said they would interrogate the owner of Homebound courier services which was responsible for shipment of the stolen statues at ZIA.

Police Commissioner Nayeem Ahmed said they were examining information divulged by the suspects.

He said police also inquiring about the people who might have involved in the theft incident.

Besides, the Interpol was already contacted about the stolen statues. It is learnt that Interpol sought information about the stolen statues from the Bangladesh Police before launching a formal investigation. A senior police official told The New Nation yesterday that they had already sent necessary information about the missing statues to the Paris-based Interpol.

Samar Chandra Pal, Director General of Bangladesh National Museum, said 12 crates of artifacts which were brought back from the Zia International Airport on Tuesday have been kept in the National Museum under stringent security measures. No decision has so far been taken about these artifacts.

Failing to retrieve the lost relics, the government decided on Tuesday not to send the remaining artefacts abroad, and bring them back from Air France authorities to the National Museum.

A high-powered committee headed by the cabinet secretary was formed Tuesday to investigate and report fully on the incident within three workdays.

Staff Reporter

Citibank N.A. yesterday announced disbursement of another Tk 400 crore in January for rehabilitation work in cyclone Sidr affected areas of the country.

"It could be disbursed by January next after completion of necessary formalities," Mamun Rashid, Managing Director and Citigroup Country Officer, told journalists at a press conference at the National Press Club in the city yesterday.

Senior executives of Citibank NA Bangladesh, including Omar Faruque were present at the press conference.

Mamun Rashid said the Citibank N.A. has already disbursed credits worth over Tk 100 crore through its partner NGOs in the affected areas after the cyclone Sidr battered houses, schools, shops and other establishments in the country's southern districts.

Besides, the Citibank N.A. donated Tk 10 lakh to the Chief Adviser's Relief Fund for the rebuilding purpose and distributed clothes, drinking water and kitchen utensils in the affected areas. He said Citi Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Citigroup, has donated US$ 50,000 or Tk 34 lakh to support the relief work of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society on November 29 last.

Mamun Rashid also disclosed that Citibank N.A. would help rebuild some educational institutions, damaged by the cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh, with the contributions from the staffs and employees of the banking group's worldwide network.

"Citibank NA Bangladesh will rebuild all the educational institutions in at least two upazilas of the Sidr affected southern region," he said.

He said the number of educational institutions to be rebuilt would depend on the resources to be available by January next, but they would try to cover all the institutions in two upazilas to be selected by the government.

Mamun Rashid said Citibank NA Bangladesh circulated a request through its internal communication channels to Citibank offices and employees all over the world for them to assist the Sidr victims in the country. Many Citibank branches have also placed donation boxes for collection of contributions.

"So far, this initiative has received good response especially from India and other Asian countries, and it is expected to draw more funds," Mamun Rashid said.

The Citigroup Country Officer said the Citibank would also be engaged in school and boat repairs and in providing fishing nets and rickshaw vans with active assistance from its NGO partners.

Bangladesh Bank has repeatedly been asking the commercial banks operating in the country to contribute to the rural economy through

providing funds to the agriculture and other rural economic sectors.

"We're trying to reach hungry streams of the two floods and Sidr hit areast we're working with seven NGOs in the country," Mamun Rashid said, adding that the funding programme would be coming on field by next few months.

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) will start land filling for construction of a modern one-storey abattoir at Gabtali with a meat-processing unit, slaughtering shed, pump house and by-product processing room on 2.58 acres of land.

The house will be equipped with modern machines for slaughtering animals and processing of meat and leather and it would have the facility to slaughter and process 200 cows and 300 goats in a shift, said a DCC official.

The project is waiting the approval of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), the highest policymaking body of the government, for long time. The DCC has a plan to complete the project with its own fund in phases if it fails to get clearance from the ECNEC, said the official.

"We will develop the land and build the boundary wall in three months spending Tk 2 crore from our own fund and ECNEC will approve the Tk 24.90 crore project by this time," he said.

"If the government fund is not available yet, the DCC is ready to go ahead with the project considering need of the city dwellers for modern slaughterhouse," he added.

The DCC earlier undertook a project to construct four abattoirs in the city involving Tk 151 crore, but it failed to get attention of the donors in over two years.

The LGRD and Cooperatives Ministry asked the DCC last year to submit a proposal, which was revised for the second time, for one abattoir instead of four due to lack of positive response from external funding sources.

The DCC then decided to construct an abattoir at Gabtali and submitted the project to the Planning Commission for the ECNEC approval fixing the estimate cost at Tk 24.90 crore. The proposal has remained pending with the commission since then, said another DCC official.

As per the revised proposal, the one-storey abattoir will be constructed on 2.58 acres of land.

At present, the DCC has five abattoirs at Kaptanbazar, Hazaribagh, Mohammadpur, Mirpur-1 and Mirpur-11. All of the abattoirs are running under a very pitiable condition.

Two other slaughterhouses at Kashaituli and at Gulshan had been closed down about three years and one-year back respectively, said the official.

Dr Azmat Ali, Veterinary Officer of the DCC, said, "On completion of the construction of the abattoir, no cows or goats will be allowed to enter into the city as animals slaughtered at the abattoir will meet the demand of meat of the city people."

The modern abattoir would help save the city dwellers from diseases like viral encephalitis, anthrax and food poisoning, he said.

Staff Reporter

It is the responsibility of the government, not of the Election Commission to try the war criminals of 1971, said Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain yesterday.

"The government will have to take the decision whether it wants to try the war criminals. It is not the responsibility of the Election Commission," he said while speaking at an opinion sharing meeting before inaugurating the photograph attached voter list preparations in Kaliganj of Gazipur district yesterday..

He, however, said Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh would have to bring some amendments to its constitution for registration as a political party with the Election Commission.

Deputy Commissioner of Gazipur Syed Mizanur Rahman presided over the meeting.

Election Commissioner Sakhawat Hossain said expenses in the coming parliamentary election would be less compared to the election expenses in the previous general elections.

"The Election Commission will have the right to cancel the candidature of any candidate if his or her election expenditures cross the specific limit," he said.

When asked whether the trial of the war criminals would actually be held or not, Sakhawat said it is a legal process. "Law will decided about it. And, the trial of war criminals is under the jurisdiction of the government, not under the Election Commission. The government itself will have to take the respeonsibility in this regard," he said.

Replying to a question about registration of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh as a political party with the Election Commission, the Election Commissioner said they (Jamaat-e-Islami) would have to bring some changes to its constitution for registration as a political party with the Election Commission.

UNB, Dhaka

Some city roads have been made off-limit to traffic for 10 hours from 8pm on December 31.

In a press release Wednesday, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and Dhaka University areas would come under the restriction on the 31st night to maintain discipline and avert untoward incidents that might hurt the cultural and religious sentiments of the people.

Drivers of motor vehicles have been asked to use Kakoli crossing, Phoenix crossing and Natun Bazar crossing to enter Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara from 8pm on December 31 to 6am January 1.

The DMP has also requested the residents of the nearby areas of Gulshan Club crossing, Warless Gate bridge, Shooting Club bridge, Gudaraghat bridge, Jatisangha bridge and Shahjadpur bridge of Gulshan 1 and 2 and Avenue road to reach their destinations before 8pm on December 31.

It said no vehicle would be allowed to enter the Dhaka University Campus through Polassey, Bakshibazar, Chankharpul, Nimtoli and Government Employees Hospital, but Shahbag crossing, Nilkhet and Old high Court crossing would remain open.

The instruction will not be applicable for the vehicles of the residents of Dhaka University area, but they would be allowed to enter the six roads after security check.

All the roads mentioned above, except Kakoli crossing, Phoenix crossing and Notun Bazar crossing and Nilkhet, Old high Court crossing and Shahbag crossing, will remain closed to traffic on the night.

However, people of the areas can come out with their vehicles using any roads.

Fire service vans, ambulances and other vehicles of emergency services will remain out of the purview of the restriction.

The DMP has sought cooperation of all in enforcing the restriction to maintain discipline in the city.

In another press release, the DMP called upon all to refrain themselves from the activities that might hurt the religious and cultural sentiments of the people.

Chittagong Correspondent

Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury was produced before the Divisional Special Judges' Court here yesterday in a graft case over running a private TV station.

The CCC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Imtiaz Hossain Chowdhury, a co-accused in the case, also appeared before the court.

Judge of the Divisional Special Court SM Solaiman asked the accused to appear before the court on January 1, 2008 again in the absence of gazette notification endorsing the CCC Chief Engineer Mokhter Alam as the co-accused in the case.

Public prosecutor Zahirul Haque told the reporters that the court had to defer the proceedings for want of gazette notification that would endorse the names of the co-accused.

"The court will move ahead and fix the next date of hearing if the gazette notification is not published by January 1, 2008," PP Zahir added.

Deputy Director of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Abu Mohammad Aref Siddique charged three bigshots of the CCC - Mayor, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Engineer (CE) - for misappropriating public funds amounting not less than Tk 80 lakh in the name of launching a private TV channel "Bijoy TV".

Assistant Director of the ACC Abul Kalam Azad who investigated the alleged graft case, finally detected looting of huge public funds. He submitted charge sheet before the court on November 22. The CCC mayor had earlier appeared before court on December 4.

Mayor Mohiuddin, who was brought to Chittagong Central Jail from the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in Dhaka yesterday, was taken back to Dhaka by road.

BSS, Dhaka

Gano Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday said the people would have to be integrated in the process of facing national challenges.

"Expectation of all is an elected parliament through fair polls. We want multi-party democracy, but it needs to have democracy within the parties." he said while addressing a civic meeting entitled 'National Unity in Facing National Challenges', organized by the party at the Institution of Engineers here.

Former Adviser of Caretaker Government Advocate Sultana Kamal, former ambassador CM Morshed, Gano Forum General Secretary Saifuddin Ahmed Manik, Samajik Andolon chairman Ajoy Roy and United Lawyers' Council leader Advocate Subrata Chowdhury took part in the discussion, among others.

Dr. Kamal Hossain said the nomination of candidates to take part in the polls should be made transparent and in a democratic process.

Besides, he urged the government to provide the farmers with necessary fertilizers for cultivation of boro and potato crops. He also called for various steps including rehabilitation of the cyclone-hit people and sanctioning loans for them to bring dynamism in economy.

The Gano Forum chief also demanded trial of the war criminals as he said that there should not be any concession in this regard in trying these elements including militants and terrorists.

Dr Kamal Hossain urged the people to raise their voice against criminalization of politics in the country.

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh central bank's net profit rose by Tk 10.6 billion (44.2 per cent) to Tk 34.6 billion ($505 million) in the 2006/07 financial year that ended in June.

"From the net profit an amount of Tk 7.6 billion and Tk 0.2 billion were transferred to foreign exchange revaluation reserve and gold and silver revaluation reserve respectively," the Bangladesh Bank said in its annual report released yesterday.

Profit rose as foreign currency reserves increased by Tk 2.0 billion in the last financial year, and also due to refinancing tobanks and appreciations of exchange rate, said a senior official at the Bangladesh Bank.

A total of Tk 3.8 billion were transferred to statutory fund, interest reserve account and other funds and Tk 1.1 billion to asset renewal and replacement reserve account, the central bank said. "The surplus amount of Tk 21.9 billion was transferred to the government account," it said.

Staff Reporter

The government has decided to increase postal charges of Bangladesh Postal Department both for domestic and foreign posts from first of January considering the increase in various related costs.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Council of Advisers with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair at the Chief Adviser's Office yesterday.

The price of a postcard has been fixed at Tk 1.50 instead of existing Tk 1, while price of an envelope has been fixed at Tk 3 instead of Tk 2. Besides, an additional 20 per cent service charge will be added to the actual cost of sending all foreign mails.

The meeting was informed that postal charges for foreign mails were not increased since 1984 while those of domestic mails since 1989 but the airfare, service charge and other related costs have increased manifolds during the period.

The meeting approved a proposal for the signing of an additional protocol between Bangladesh and Qatar to facilitate more manpower export to Qatar.

The protocol is expected to be signed in Dhaka in the first week of next month during the proposed visit of a high-level delegation of Qatar led by its Labour and Social Affairs Minister. The meeting discussed drafts of 'The Bangladesh Environment Protection (Amendment) Ordinance-2007' and 'The Environment Court Ordinance-2007' and asked the authorities concerned to place the drafts before the council again after further review and necessary examination.

Adviser for Cultural Affairs Ayub Quadri apprised the advisers of the latest situation concerning the missing artefacts and the steps taken so far to retrieve those by the government.

The meeting was informed that 10 'Sidr'-hit villages have been selected for reconstruction by the Indian government that earlier offered to exclusively reconstruct 10-cyclone hit villages. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will inform the Indian government soon.

Besides, the meeting also selected another village for a British Company that proposed to rebuild one cyclone-hit village.

The meeting apprised that the country has so far received 380 million US dollars as pledged by the development partners for rehabilitation of cyclone-hit areas in the southern part of the country.

The meeting also discussed the matter of procuring rice from abroad.

After the meeting Adviser for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Barrister Mainul Hosein told reporters that no decision has so far been taken on brining back the relics already sent to France for display at the Guimet Museum before the exhibition begins.

Advisers of the Caretaker Government attended the meeting while the Cabinet Secretary, the Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser and secretaries concerned were present.