The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The banks and financial institutions have played a significant role in recovering agricultural credit during the fiscal 2006-07 ( FY 07 ) increased by 12.30 percent to Taka 46.76 billion against the recovery made in FY 06.

The significant increase in the agricultural loan recovery was attributed mainly to special drive taken by the Nationalised Commercial Banks (NCBs) and two others specialised banks-Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) and Rajshahi Krishi Unnyan Bank (RAKUB) and concerned institutions, said the just released Bangladesh Bank annual report for FY 07.

The recovery of outstanding agro credit of banks including Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB), also involved in agricultural lending, improved during FY 07, the Bangladesh Bank report said.

The incentive measures introduced previously for recovery of stuck-up loans also continued in FY07, which included persuasion through various types of fairs, negotiations, demand notice and intensive supervision.

The central bank hoped that banks should strengthen their recovery drive and continue incentive measures so that the recovery of agricultural loan get improved further in the years to come.

The actual disbursement of Taka 52.93 billion during the FY 07 against the disbursement target of Taka 63.51 billion, was 3.69 percent lower, compared the total disbursement of Taka 54.96 billion during FY 06. The target attainment in FY 07 was 83.34 percent as against 93.28 percent in the previous year, the BB report said.

The disbursement of FY 07 fell short the target due mainly to non-achievement of disbursement targets in crops loan, purchase and installation of irrigation equipments, livestock, fisheries and poverty alleviation. On other hand, disbursements have exceeded the targets both in marketing of agricultural goods and other agricultural sectors in FY 07.

Total outstanding loan in the agricultural sector in FY 07 decreased by taka 7.94 billion or 5.16 per cent to Taka 145.82 billion over the previous year's level. The decreased in outstanding balance was due to increase in recovery of the outstanding loan of banks. BKB and RAKUB, four NCBs and Bangladesh Rural Development Board played key roles in disbursement of agricultural and rural finance, which fell short of targets by 12.86 per cent,7.88 percent, 33.46 per cent and 7.36 per cent respectively during FY 07.

The outstanding role also played by Grameen Bank and large NGOs through their micro-credit for revamping the rural economy in the country is widely acclaimed. With efficient disbursement and recovery position, their disbursement during FY 07 amounting Taka 158.4 billion was 199.3 per cent higher than the agricultural loan disbursement of the institutional lenders, the BB report said.

Staff Reporter

Rotarians from home and abroad yesterday began a two-day district conference, aiming to decide their agenda for the greater cause of humanity and serve better the people who need supports.

The district conference, biggest annual event in Rotary calendar, is being attended by some 2,000 Rotarians who contribute money and endeavours to improve the quality of lives of the poor through supports for health, education, employment and disaster management.

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury formally opened the District Conference 2008 of Rotary District 3280 Bangladesh at Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre in the city yesterday.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed will attend the concluding session of the event at the same venue this afternoon as the chief guest. "Rotarians have a proven record of serving humanity over centuries and I give them thanks for their recent endeavours to stand beside the cyclone-hit people in the coastal areas of the country," Dr Iftekhar said declaring the conference open.

The Foreign Adviser said the institution-building reforms of the Caretaker Government are designed to create a pluralistic society in Bangladesh which would be corruption-free and where values of justice, equality and human rights would prevail.

"The Rotarians who are considered to be solvent and enlightened part of society, can contribute significantly to fulfill the agenda," he added.

Rotary International President's personal representative Manjit S Sawhney, district governor Rafiq Ahmed Siddique, district governor elect for 2008-09 Md Hafizullah, district governor nominee for 2009-10 AKM Shamsul Huda, past district governor Mustafa Zaman Abbasi, Mosud Mannan and Conference Chairman Dr Ishtiaque A Zaman also spoke on the occasion.

"The funds that will be saved from the conference would be spent for the construction of multi-purpose cyclone shelters in the coastal regions," Conference Chairman Dr Ishtiaque Zaman said, citing the long history of Rotary International services in various fields, including emerging infectious diseases and natural disasters.

Dr Zaman, who is the Head of the External Relations and Institutional Development at ICDDR,B, also said the district conference would discuss about what the Rotarians in Bangladesh needed to be done in the days ahead.

Some 2,000 Rotarians from 151 clubs, who are attending the two-day district conference, were present.

Later, the Foreign Adviser spoke to media about prices of rice. When asked to comment on the overall rice situation, he said: "You have all seen in the newspapers today that the market is stabilizing. Under the leadership of Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed the government has made a series of decisions."

He added: "As you have already seen, we all, including the Foreign Ministry, are working relentlessly in a coordinated manner to address the situation and to ensure that Bangladesh continues to progress along the path of development."

Staff Reporter

The ongoing 13th Dhaka International Trade Fair-2008 witnessed a great rush yesterday as visitors found the occasion as the best choice in the city to enjoy an off-day outing.

It was the first Friday since the fair officially opened on January 1. A fair turned festival became an outing spot for visitors of all ages.

Long queues of visitors were reported waiting at the main entrance. Despite excessive traffic control, many commuters faced difficulties in searching a place to park their vehicles.

"We just came here to enjoy the event. Till now, we have no plans to buy anything," said a visiting couple holding their kids along. "Event managements and varieties of stalls are impressive in the fair," said a visitor told this correspondent.

According to stall owners, majority visitors are just enjoying window-shopping. They are expecting greater presence following weeks.

However, some stalls were seen have been opened on the day and a few of them were still completing their furnishing jobs.

Trade fair administration however expressed their satisfaction with the management, while talking to The New Nation. So far, there was no report of mismanagement or security breach, said an official.

BSS, Dhaka

A massive search is underway in African coast of Atlantic Ocean as Bangladesh Army Captain Rajibul Kabir went missing in the sea in Liberia, an ISPR statement said here yesterday.

"Until now the body of Rajib could not be found," it said.

But, the statement said, UN helicopters, divers, fishermen and local police were mobilised when the Liberian radios continued to broadcast the report of the mishap in all local languages so the people at the coastlines in neighbouring Sierra Leon, Ivory Coast and the islanders of the region or fishing boats and ships in the Atlantic could detect him dead or alive.

Some 20 kilometre area off the coast was kept under intensive observation while the makeshift army camp was set up near the spot to monitor the rescue search.

Referring to local experience, the statement said, due to the geographic and environmental obstacles it was very difficult to carry out underwater search and recover a body in the coast of Atlantic.

Munshiganj Correspondent

Bodies of five labourers, who died in a trawler capsize at Dhaleshwari river in Munshiganj on December 31 last, were recovered yesterday (Friday).

The bodies were found floating near the Munshiganj launchghat in the morning. With these the bodies of six workers have so far been recovered. Heartrending scenes were seen as the bodies of Shukur Ali, 50, Jahed

Mia, 40, Manjur Mia, 30, and Julhas Mia, 20, arrived at their respective village homes in Nasirnagar upazila in the afternoon.

With 40 brick-field labourers the trawler sank in Dhaleshwari river after it was hit by a launch on December 31. Of them, 32 labourers managed to reach the riverbank by swimming. However, the rest eight labourers remained trapped inside the sunken trawler.

These labourers came to Munshiganj from Brahmanbaria for work.

Rescue vessel Rustam could not salvage the ill-fated trawler till yesterday although five days have already passed after the trawler capsized.

After the recovery of the bodies, Munshiganj Deputy Commissioner gave Tk 10,000 and burial cloths for each of the deceased.

Staff Reporter

Leaders of different political parties called for unity among all nationalist forces, who believe in religious values to develop the country and to fill the vacuum created in political leadership in the country.

They urged the government to make the elections free from black money and evil forces. They hoped that the Caretaker Government would hold a free and election as per the election roadmap.

They were addressing a discussion on "the Present Political Situation and Implementation of the Election Roadmap" organised by Shaukat Hossain Nilu-led National Peoples' Party (NPP) at the National Press Club Auditorium yesterday.

Jatiya Party leader Begum Raushan Ershad, Shafiul Alam Prodhan, President of Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (Jagpa), Jamaat leader M Kamaruzzaman, BNP leader Maj (Retd) Akhtaruzzaman, NNP leader Khalequzzaman Khan Dudu and Fariduzzaman Forhad, former Minister Syeda Razia Faiz, Islami Okyajote leader Moulana Mohiuddin Khan and leader of Islami Shashantantra Andolan ATM Hamayet Uddin, among others, addressed the discussion.

The leaders also demanded resignation of food adviser Tapan Chowdhury for his recent irresponsible comment on price hike of rice.

Begum Raushan Ershad demanded of the Government to bring the price hike of essential commodities under control.

She said corruption could not be removed from society by the anti-corruption campaign for one or two years, as the campaign must go on for a long time.

Jagpa President Shafiul Alam Prodhan said Bangladesh is now facing a dangerous conspiry. All should be aware about the plot.

Jamaat leader Kamaruzzaman said Bangladeshi people would never allow anything without the election.

Kamaruzzaman said the Caretaker Government had to handover the power to the political leaders elected by the people soon to overcome the present crisis.

Jamaat leader said the government with the help of all quarters should overcome the existing food crisis in the country.

BNP leader Aktharuzzaman demanded the release of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

Shawkat Hossain Nilu said Food Adviser Tapan Chowdhury should resign, as he failed to control rice prices. The prices of rice had jumped from Tk 15 to 16 per Kg, said Nilu.

Nilu also said Bangladesh could import rice at cheap rates from Vietnam, Myanmar and Pakistan.

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Chairman of the Regulatory Reform Commission Akbar Ali Khan Friday recommended that, alongside the sale of rice under the OMS programme, rice provided free of cost to around 1.5 crore people to face the present crisis.

In an exclusive interview with bdnews24.com Friday, he spoke on several issues including the escalating price of rice and other essentials.

"Many may be surprised at my proposal. But this is not a new proposal at all," Akbar said. "The budget for current fiscal also mentions supplying free rice to 25 lakh poor people. I have only increased the figure to 1.5 crore considering the magnitude of the crisis."

"Poor people cannot survive buying rice at Tk 35 per kg. The government should immediately distribute rice to the hard core poor people free of cost on an urgent basis, considering the humanitarian ground."

Mentioning that distribution of free rice to poor people is nothing new Akbar Ali Khan said, during the Awami League and BNP government free rice was delivered to the poor through Vulnerable Group Development and Vulnerable Group Feeding programmes.

The current budget also provides for assisting the poor in other ways through social safety net programmes, said the former adviser to a caretaker government. Replying to a question Akbar said: "The present food stock in the government silos is not adequate compared to the need. Food stock need to be increased by importing on an emergency basis."

"Food should be imported in any way, from any country to increase the government stock of food," the RRC chairman stressed. "If there is any negligence in this regard we will have to pay a bigger price."

The government must make decisions quickly, Akbar added. Akbar said the government had been asked over the past one year to take effective steps to increase agricultural production.

"But no such steps were taken." "It is a long term process. But some short term measures can also be taken to increase agricultural production. Unfortunately such measures are not visible."

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

The Awami League's student front Bangladesh Chhatra League has vowed to free AL chief Sheikh Hasina through a movement.

The declaration came as the organisation was celebrating Friday its 60th founding anniversary. "The government is harassing Sheikh Hasina by implicating her in false cases one after another. We will free her through movement," BCL president Mahmud Hasan Ripon told activists.

He kicked off the celebrations at 9am by cutting a 60-pound cake at Curzon Hall of Dhaka University. "It is very sad that we have to celebrate our founding anniversary without our leader," the BCL chief said.

Ripon also demanded that the detained Dhaka University teachers, students and BCL central leaders be freed.

"The normal activities of the university cannot continue with the teachers detained in prison. They have to be immediately released."

On student politics, Ripon said student organisations must work for student welfare. They will stand by students when they are in trouble and take strong steps during national crisis.

BCL's DU unit president Sohel Rana Tipu and general secretary Sajjad Sakib Badsha were present.

Later, the BCL leaders paid respect to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreath at Bangabandhu Memorial in Dhanmondi Road No. 32.

Later, they went to meet Hasina in special jail on Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban premises and handed a wreath to jail authorities for her.

The AL's student wing has also arranged a discussion meeting for 3pm at the AL's office in Dhanmondi Road No. 3.

Staff Reporter

Awami League leader Tofail Ahmed at a book launching ceremony in the city called for forging national unity forgetting political identities to face the current crisis created by price hike of rice and other essentials.

Tofail, a presidium member of the AL, said this as special guest yesterday at the uncovering ceremony of a book titled 'Chhatra League-er Itihash Bangalir Itihash' (The history of Chhatra League is the history of Bangalees) at the Liberation War Museum.

Another presidium member of the party Abdur Razzak was present as chief guest.

Hailing Thursday's statement of Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed Tofail said the Army Chief had realised the severity of the situation prevailing in the country after the abnormal price hike of rice.

"Now the situation can be faced only by forging a greater national unity," he added.

He also demanded immediate release of the detained party chief Sheikh Hasina and urged the government to take steps to bring down the prices of the essentials.

Abdur Razzak said, "We have achieved national independence but not economic, social or cultural emancipation. The fight is still on for economic, social and cultural freedom."

He urged the Chhatra League to continue its movement for establishing peoples' right.

The book launching ceremony was organised by Chhatra League, Biani Bazar unit to mark the 60th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Chhatra League.

Central leaders of the Awami League and former Chhatra League leaders Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Sheikh Shahidul Islam, Sultan Monsur Ahmed, Mainuddin Hasan Chowdhury, Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique of Dhaka University, former Chhatra League leaders Baloram Poddar and Shahajada Mohiuddin, among others, were present at the function.

AFP, Islamabad

A Scotland Yard team that arrived in Pakistan on Friday to help investigate the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto will fail to shed any light on the murder, her party said.

"This Scotland Yard teamt what will it do here? It will work under the patronage of the government. It is going to be a meaningless exercise," said Farooq Naik, a lawyer and Bhutto's top aide.

He said the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) would not cooperate with any investigation other than one held under the auspices of the United Nations, such as the UN-led probe into the assassination of Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri in 2005.

"We reject it, we will not join it," Naik said.

"An international investigation commission should be set up, appointed by the UN and answerable to the UN and nobody else."

The government has already ruled out any UN-led inquiry into the assassination of Bhutto at an election campaign rally in Rawalpindi on December 27.

Bhutto supporters have blamed President Pervez Musharraf for failing to provide adequate security for the two-time former prime minister, who had survived an earlier suicide bombing in October which left scores dead.

UNB, Dhaka

An alleged terrorist was killed in a shootout between his cohorts and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) at Agargaon in the city early Friday.

The deceased was identified as Abdul Hannan alias Hanna, 30, an alleged top terror in Agargaon area. Hannan, arrested on December 21 by RAB, was wanted in 17 cases including murders and extortion.

RAB sources said a team of RAB-2 took Hanna to the Music College at Agargaon at about 1:30pm looking for his associates and also to recover hidden firearms.

As the RAB team reached the area, Hanna's associates opened fire on them forcing the elite force to fire back triggering a gun-battle. Hanna was caught in the line of fire during the one-hour gunfight and killed on the spot while trying to flee at about 2:15am. His cohorts, however, managed to elude the RAB members.

The RAB team recovered two revolvers, 4 rounds of bullet and a CNG-run three-wheeler from the spot.

"The CNG (three-wheeler) was used by the terrorists for committing crime," a RAB official said.

Hanna's body was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy.

A case has been filed with Mohammadpur police station.

Staff Reporter

The Grameen Bitek Ltd. has introduced their latest product 'Energy Saving Light- Grameen Alo.'

The product was formally introduced in an inaugural ceremony at the Grameen Bitek stall in the Dhaka International Trade Fair-2008 yesterday.

Chairman Grameen Bitek, Muhammad Khaled Shams inaugurated the new electric appliance, which is the first ever domestic manufactured Energy Saver Light. Managing Director A K M Shamsul Huda was present.

Introducing the new product, Shamsul Huda said that the Grameen Alo is capable of generating light consuming even lower electricity against similar other products available in the market.

"We manufacture 90 per cent of this product in our own factory, by our trained labours," said Shamsul Huda while talking to the reporter.

Only the filaments and the tubes are imported from China, as we don't have adequate technologies to produce them. All other parts are locally produced and assembled within our industries, he explained.

"If the Government supports us logistically and financially, we can even produce better technologically improved electric appliances, instead of importing them from abroad," said Muhammad Khaled Shams.

He asked the Government to lift production taxes from all such locally manufactured products as to encourage quality products and to make them available in cheaper cost.

"If we are encouraged by the government, we would sell our products in cheaper price. By this, the Government can save a significant amount of foreign exchanges," Khaled Shams added.

BBC star questioned over death

BBC Online: BBC children's presenter Mark Speight has been released on police bail after being arrested in connection with a woman's death at a north London house. Presenter Natasha Collins, believed to be Speight's girlfriend, was reportedly found dead in the bath. Speight, who is the host of CBBC art show SMart, was arrested at the scene on Thursday.

Police said a man in his 40s had been bailed to return to a central London police station next month. Officers were called to a house in north-west London at 1320 GMT on 3 January after reports of the sudden death of a woman in her thirties. A post mortem examination will be carried out later, but the death is being treated as "unexplained", a police spokesman said. According to reports, Speight and Ms Collins shared a house in the St Johns Wood area.

Boy dies in India school shooting

BBC Online: A schoolboy has been shot dead by a fellow student at a school in India's Madhya Pradesh state, police say. The two boys, one aged 15 and the other 13, were students of a village school in Satna district. The older boy has been taken into custody, police say. He used his father's locally made crude gun in the assault, police said. Last month, a 14-year-old boy was shot dead by two classmates at a school near Delhi. Incidents of gun crime at Indian schools and colleges are rare. The two boys started fighting after an exam at their government-run school in Chorwari village in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, police said. "The attacker fired at the junior student, identified as Dharmu, with a crude revolver.