The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

A daring burglary has been committed in Dhanmondi branch of BRAC Bank Ltd at the city's Sukrabad area, breaking as many as 75 safe deposit lockers in its vault.

Police are suspecting that staff of the bank might have been involved in the heist.

Bank officials said a security guard found 75, out of 103 lockers of the vault broken when he entered the strong-room along with a customer

on Sunday morning. Of the looted lockers, 62 belonged to depositors.

He instantly informed the bank authority of the matter. The bankers later informed Mohammadpur police station about the heist.

DMP Commissioner Nayem Ahmed, high officials of different intelligence agencies, officer-in-charge of Mohammadpur police station and Deputy Commissioner of the Detective Branch of police rushed to the spot.

Surprisingly, the management of the private-sector bank run by the NGO-kingpin BRAC apprised some of the customers of the lockers of the break-in over phone yesterday (Monday), a day after the incident came to light. Even, the bank has no modern alarm system to alert about any unusual incident.

As the authorities also served a letter to the depositors, they rushed in to know about their valuables.

There was a commotion staged by the agitated depositors as the management refused to take responsibility for the stolen goods, citing Clause 8 of the terms and conditions of the bank. The clause states that the bank will not be responsible for missing valuables from the lockers due to theft, robbery and fire or any other reason.

However, the victims alleged that the bank did not impose such terms and conditions during the signing of the agreement.

One of the customers, businessman Giasuddin, said he had kept around 350 bhories of gold ornaments and a Rolex wristwatch in the rented strongbox.

Another customer, Farida Yasmin, kept wailing: "I'm undone-I had over 200 bhories in my locker."

However, the bank authority could not figure out the extent of the stolen treasures as many of the customers were yet to be informed about the matter.

Police suspected that the burglars might have got into the strong-room of the bank located on the 1st floor of a four-story building at Sobhanbag in the posh Dhanmondi residential area in-between Friday night and Saturday night as the bank remained closed at the weekend.

On the second and third floors of the building there is a residential hotel named Hotel Nidmahal.

Police said the thieves rented the Room No. 103 and 104 of the hotel, just atop the vault, and entered the bank digging the floor of the Room No. 103 with shovels and hammers in the darkness of night.

The hotel receptionist, Wasim, said one Abdus Salam and Jalal rented

a room on the third-floor of the hotel on December 1, 2007.

"They later shifted to the Room No. 103 and 104 recently and checked out this morning," said Wasim.

However, police arrested four employees of the hotel in connection with the bank-break.

A case was filed with the Mohammadpur Police Station.

Staff Reporter

The High Court, asked for more detailed submission, yesterday and sent back a writ petition of Sheikh Rehana seeking direction to allow appointment of a lawyer to defend her against the graft charge filed by Azam J Chowdhury.

The writ petition challenged the prosecution of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for showing Rehana 'absconding' in the Tk 3-crore extortion case that she has been facing along with her elder sister ex-PM Sheikh Hasina and cousin Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim.

Earlier, Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's court that is holding hearing of the case for framing charges rejected Rehana's application for appointing her lawyer, since police showed Rehana, who lives in London, as a fugitive.

Barrister Ajmalul Hossain who moved the case for Rehana told the court that Rehana was the daughter of the independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

"She has long been living abroad. She owns a home and her children study there. She is not a fugitive," he said.

Another counsel, Barrister Rafiqe-ul Huq, said the case mentioned that Rehana lived in England and the US.

"So an order on her to be present in the court must be notified through the embassies of those countries. But it has not been done," Huq submitted before the court.

The summon and subsequent warrant of arrest were sent to an address in Dhaka where she does not live.

Barrister Huq argued that the prosecution did not exhaust all legal procedures before declaring her 'absconder'.

In response, the court said those details had not been included in the petition and returned it to the counsels for the addition. Before passing the orders, the High Court said an accused "must be present in court during trial-that is the legal system".

The bench comprising Justice ABM Khairul Haque and Justice Md Abdul Awal, however, asked her counsels to re-file the petition putting their submission in detail.

"We'll plug the holes and file the petition again," Barrister Ajmalul Hossain told reporters later.

Staff Reporter

As an effort to combat price hike of food grains the Government Monday allowed Bangladesh Rifles to import another one-lakh tones of rice, which became dearer during the last couple of weeks.

The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs approved the proposal alongside exempting BDR from government restrictions to complete import of 90,000 tones of rice for which they were earlier given approval.

After the meeting, held at the finance ministry, Adviser AB Mirza Azizul Islam told newsmen that BDR has been given the permission to import one-lakh tones of rice as they have showed success in importing rice and delivering it to the people at fair price.

Out of the 90,000 tones that BDR were permitted to import, they have imported 71,000 tones so far. Out of this amount they sold 51,000 tones to the food ministry and BDR themselves sold the remaining 20,000 tones.

BDR would import the additional one-lakh tones under the same process.

The meeting also gave permission to the food ministry to buy two crore pieces of sacking and relax the import policy on them, for the ongoing process of food grain procurement. Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation has been approved to supply the sacks.

Azizul also informed reporters that the Rural Electrification Board has been given permission to buy 6,000 transformers to keep the irrigation pumps operational over the next season.

To ensure quick import and supply of these transformers the rules of international tender have been relaxed to make the tenure 10 days instead of 21 days. The meeting also gave a nod to the proposed Dhaka City Underground Railway project for enlisting it with the Private Infrastructure Committee (PICOM) for considering it as per Bangladesh Private Sector Infrastructure Guideline.

A Thai private firm offered the government to construct a 52-km underground subway across the capital at a cost of Tk 6,000 crore.

The project is considered to be a prime solution to Dhaka city's vexing traffic congestion.

As per the proposal, the Thai private firm will implement the project on BOT basis within three years from signing of the contract.

The committee also decided to form a high-level committee, headed by the Energy Secretary, to further scrutinise the proposal for holding the 3rd round of international bidding for hydrocarbon exploration in the country's maritime area.

As per the Advisers' Committee's decision, representatives from Finance Ministry, IMED, NBR, Law Ministry, Navy and Bangladesh Bank will be included in the Energy Secretary-led committee, which was asked to place its report before the Cabinet within two weeks.

The meeting attended by other members of the committee included Communications Adviser MA Matin, Food and Energy Adviser Tapan Chowdhury and Health Adviser ASM Matiur Rahman.

Staff Reporter

Adviser for Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Information Barrister Mainul Hosein yesterday alleged that a vested quarter had been hatching conspiracy to create chaos and anarchy in the country with a view to bring back the state before the 1/11 by destabilising the market.

But the nation does not want to make it happen again, he said while inaugurating a seminar on Freedom of Press and People’s Right to Information at the conference room of the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) in the city.

The Information Adviser said the freedom of press is a very responsible right and it has a strong link with the democracy and for this it is unrealistic to think that the freedom of press will be ensured where the democracy is not secure.

He said the freedom of press and the democracy should be uttered in one single breath.

The Adviser assured that the present government would make the law for right to information. “The law, which was not enacted even in 36 years, has been prepared and we will make it,” he said.

Barrister Mainul Hosein said the prices of rice started falling since the imported rice had been supplied to the market despite problems in the international markets.

The Adviser said the present caretaker government is trying to lead the people towards a beautiful future and the cooperation of the mass media is essential for this purpose.

“A responsible newspaper can work with a good government as a partner,” he said, adding that any- one can become the owner of a newspaper but the editor of a newspaper must be from journalists.

He advised journalists not to report whatever they see and think but write with responsibility considering the public interest and the prevailing circumstance.

Acting Information Secretary Jamil Osman, who presided over the seminar, said the prime task of the newspapers should be disseminated with objectivity.

He said the government ensured the freedom of press though there is a state of emergency in the country as the government wants to hold a free and fair election.

Director General of the PIB Md Nazrul Islam delivered the welcome address while PIB's senior trainer Oliur Rahman presented the keynote paper. Among others, the seminar was also addressed, by Dr Shakhawat Ali Khan, Prof Kazi Abdul Mannan, Dr Golam Rahman, Jatiya Press Club President Showkat Mahmud, AP Bureau Chief Farid Hossain and New Age City Editor Saiful Huda.

Mostafa Kamal Majumder

A controversy is now on regarding a series of changes that have been brought to the school text books published by the National Curriculum and Text Book Board. Allegations are there that some of the changes have gone even beyond the bipartisan types of changes to contents of books that the nation observed during the 15 years of two-party rule beginning in 1991.

If NCTB books create controversy even during the rule of the non-partisan caretaker government, then the relevant authorities may possibly have to consider also reform of the NCTB with a view to making it neutral. What, for instance, the NCTB has aimed to achieve by deleting the role of those great leaders who envisioned the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and had taken it to a shape before its formal launch in 1985.

From where school students would know that the proposal to form the regional group, mooted by Bangladesh, was at the beginning viewed with suspicion by both India and Pakistan which have over time emerged as its very influential players. From where pupils would learn that it was former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at who's instance the words 'Association for' were added to the first proposed name 'South Asian Regional Cooperation,' of the group, and that the move to form the group was from its very outset spontaneously greeted from two capitals - Kathmandu and Colombo.

The changes that have been made to the books for the 2008 academic year relate not only to the contributions of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman which were highlighted more during the five years of the Awami League and those of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman whose contributions were in greater focus during the two terms of the BNP government. They even include interpretation of political movements and elections in a partisan manner, it has been alleged.

The chairman of the NCTB has been quoted as saying that the changes have been made by a committee which, if need be, can be modified. Question, however, arises as to whether NCTB authorities thought they would make their marks only if they change the emphasis that had been given in some chapters of different books. Could not they have done changes by avoiding the creation of fresh controversies?

When SAARC was formally launched in this historic city of Dhaka 23 years ago, only the host head of state and another head of government refrained from making reference to its founder - the late Ziaur Rahman. Five other heads of state or government had paid glowing tributes to him in their inaugural addresses that for some technical reasons were not broadcast live from its venue - the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

Supplements sponsored by the then government and published in Dhaka dailies did also avoid making mention of Zia's name although news reports and analyses did not commit this omission. That's now history. Has the NCTB taken on itself the task of rewriting it, that too under a non-partisan government? Responsible quarters probably need to consider bringing the NCTB also under the process of institutional reforms - as has been done in respect of the Election Commissioin, the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Public Service Commission - so that text book lessons do not change with the change of government in future.

UNB, Dhaka

The Advisers' Committee on Economic Affairs Monday gave a nod to the proposed Dhaka City Underground Railway project for enlisting it with the PICOM for considering it as per Bangladesh Private Sector Infrastructure Guideline.

Private Infrastructure Committee (PICOM) is a highest policymaking body of the government to deal with the private sector-sponsored infrastructure projects which are planned to be implemented on Build-Own-Operate (BOO) or Build-Own-Transfer (BOT) basis.

A Thai private firm moved an unsolicited offer to the government to construct a 52-km underground subway across the capital city at a cost of Tk 6,000 crore.

The project is considered to be a prime solution to Dhaka city's vexing traffic congestion.

As per the proposal, the Thai private firm will implement the project on BOT basis within three years from signing of the contract.

Finance Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam presided over the meeting of the Economic Affairs Advisers' Committee, also known as the Cabinet Economic Affairs Committee.

The committee also decided to form a high-level committee, headed by the Energy Secretary, to further scrutinise the proposal for holding the 3rd round international bidding for hydrocarbon exploration in the country's maritime territory.

The Energy Ministry moved the proposal to invite international bidding and also placed a Model Production Sharing Contract for the committee's consideration.

As per the Advisers' Committee's decision, representatives from Finance Ministry, IMED, NBR, Law Ministry, Navy and Bangladesh Bank will be included in the Energy Secretary-led committee, which was asked to place its report before the Cabinet within two weeks.

The Cabinet Committee also nodded to a proposal of the Food Ministry to buy 2 crore pieces of jute bags from the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation without giving a mandatory 10 percent performance guarantee payment.

Shahidul Islam

Where has the imported rice gone? And what is the rational behind the soaring price of the food grains through which unscrupulous traders have illegally pocketed Tk 900 crore by triggering panic in the market after the Eid-ul-Azha?

These questions were posed by some experts yesterday comparing the soaring price spiral of rice in the retail market, the official statistics about domestic stock and the record growth of import of the staple food during the first six months of the current fiscal (2007-2008) year.

Most of them are supportive of Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed allegation that the unscrupulous traders and hoarders pocketed Tk 900 crore after the Eid-ul-Azha through illegally tampering market price. The Army Chief made the allegation on Saturday while speaking at the Conference of Representatives of the Local Government Institutions in the capital.

The experts said according to the latest Bangladesh Bank statistics nearly 9.5 lakh (0.95 million) metric tonnes (MT) of rice were imported during July-December period of 2007 compared to that of 1.73 lakh MTs imported during the corresponding period of the previous calendar year.

Rice import, thus, recorded a 443.35 per cent growth in terms of quantity over that of the corresponding period of the previous year.

The Government has repeatedly said it has enough food, the market could be feed till June (this year) and the major paddy harvest of Boro and IRRI would be completed in April and May. Besides, there is paddy to the farmers’ household of most areas of the country after the Aman crop harvest, Secretary of the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management Mohammd Aiyub Mian said yesterday.

“There was no reason for such price hike of rice,” he said, adding that there should have been natural rice and wheat stock to the private traders and millers.

Noted economist Prof Dr Atiur Rahman said a nexus among the unscrupulous traders, hoarder and millers might be responsible for the recent rice-price havoc.

He pointed out that the price was manipulated in a calculated manner through spreading panic that a food crisis was imminent. They were successful to create panic under plea of repeated crop failure due to the two consecutive floods and the devastating Cyclone Sidr, price hike in the international market, including the sudden price hike by India.

He wondered that there was no effect on price of rice in the retail market despite the regular news of reduction of price in the wholesale market during the last few days.

Retailers are complaining that they were not able to collect rice from wholesale market at the reduced rate, which is being reported everyday, as the nexus is still active, Dr Atiur observed.

A senior official of the Bangladesh Bank has questioned rationale of price spiral in domestic market as the average cost of a tonne of rice imported during July-December period of 2007 was US $316, exactly US $184 less than that of the latest Indian price.

As no letter of credit (LC) has so far been opened for the import of rice at $500 per metric tonne fixed by the Indian authorities on a few days back (on December 27), there is no rational for the sudden rise of price in the domestic market.

He, however, acknowledged that the import of rice witnessed a rise by 728.16 per cent, in term of value, to $296.98 million during the period compared with $35.86 million of the same period of the previous year.

The wheat import declined to 830,000 tonnes in the period compared to 988,000 tonnes imported during the same period of the previous year while import of edible oils came down to 525,000 tonnes from 578,000 tonnes, he added.

DU Correspondent

The classes of Dhaka University will resume today after Eid-ul-Azha, Christmas and winter vacation.

However, classes will be held keeping four teachers and eight students of the university in jail.

The detainees were supposed to be freed before resumption of the classes as per government promise but the situation remained unchanged.

On the first day of the reopening of the university, some teachers and students will wear black badges to press home for the release of the detained teachers and the students.

Students of the University have already returned to the dormitories as classes and examinations of different Departments begin today.

Sources said the teachers belonging to the Blue panel and a group of students under the banner of 'Nirjaton Birodhi Chhatra Jote' will put on black badges.

Resentment is prevailing among the teachers and students due to the continued detention of the teachers and students.

Sources said a section of the students were likely to launch agitation programme within a few days over the teachers and students issue.

Earlier, some students under the banner of general students observed silent procession and formed human chain on the campus for the same reason.

On condition of anonymity, a teacher said the government gave promise twice to free the teachers before the reopening of the university. But we are not seeing any positive indication in this regard as yet, he said.

The teacher said the government should make clear its position about the release of the teachers and students.

The teachers belonging to the White panel urged the government in a statement to release the detained teachers and students as it was necessary to hold the remaining admission tests for the first year honour course.

The teachers hoped that the university authority would get the detainees free by accelerating the present procedure.

Staff Reporter

Thailand's PTT Exploration and Production PTTE.BK said its PTTEP Bangladesh subsidiary had signed agreement with a subsidiary of Total to explore two offshore blocks in the north of the Bay of Bengal, Forbes Magazine reported from Bangkok yesterday.

The agreement, which needed approval from the Bangladesh government and other partners in blocks-17 and 18, was PTTEP's first investment in South Asia and gave PTTEP Bangladesh a 30 per cent stake in the project, PTTEP president Maroot Mrigadat said in a statement.

Total E & P Bangladesh, a wholly owned unit of French oil group Total, owned 30 per cent, Tullow Bangladesh, a unit of British gas and oil group Tullow, owned 32 per cent, Okland Bangladesh Limited and Rexwood Offshore Holdings Limited each owned 4 per cent.

The two blocks, covering an area of 13,724 sq km (5,298 sq mile), had been identified to have gas potential, PTTEP statement said.

PTTEP has invested in 37 oil and gas exploration and development projects in the Middle East, Africa and Asia and is looking to buy new gas and oil assets at home and abroad in a bid to increase reserves and capacity.

Court Correspondent

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court of Dhaka yesterday permitted three lawyers to see former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in the sub-jail set up in the Parliament premises for discussion with her about two cases filed against her.

Earlier, a petition was submitted to the CMM Court seeking permission for lawyers. Senior Advocate Khandaker Delwar Hossain, Advocates Sanaullah Mia, Khorshed Alam, Masud Ahmed Talukder, Shamsur Rahman,

Simul Biswas, Ahmed Ajam Khan and Barrister Nawshad Zamir Sarker and Nasir Ahmed Jasim to see detained Begum Khaleda Zia for discussion about Gatco and Niko graft cases filed against her and others, while Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Golam Rabbani ordered to allow three lawyers: Advocates Khandaker Delwar Hossain, Md. Sanaullah Mia and Barrister Nawshad Zamir Sarkar.

Meanwhile, the inquiry report in Gatco graft case was not submitted even yesterday and the Magistrate refixed February 7 for submission of the report.

Court Correspondent

Prosecution yesterday sought a 7-day remand against BNP's Senior Joint Secretary General Tareque Rahman in Gulshan Thana's extortion case No. 103(3) 07 to quiz the detained accused Tareque, elder son of former Primer Minister Khaleda Zia.

The date for remand hearing in presence of the accused has not been declared till writing this report. Meanwhile, the court yesterday received four bail bonds submitted on behalf of BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tareque Rahman. However, ACMM Golam Rabbani has ordered, the detainee to be freed after the Principal of some Government College stands for his bail.

The four cases are: Shahbagh Thana Case No. 14(4) 07, Gulshan Thana Case No. 102(3) 07, Dhanmondi Thana Case No. 2(4) 07 and Kafrul Thana Case No. 68(3) 07.

Besides, the court also received a bail bond submitted on behalf of Begum Khaleda Zia's younger son detained Arafat Rahman Koko.