The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr Ahmed Chowdhury on Tuesday urged the Saudi government to resolve the problem of long queues of Bangladeshi workers seeking reconfirmation of their tickets on Saudi Airlines.

The Foreign Adviser, who chaired the meeting in the Foreign Ministry, said that the matter had also attracted the attention of the Chief Adviser.

During the meeting, Saudi Airlines officials informed Dr Iftekhar Ahmed that a number of measures have been adopted, which is expected to resolve this problems soon.

It was also informed that during Hajj the number of Saudi Flight was reduced to six a week but from January 25 it will be increased to 12. In fact, 44 Saudia flights will operate between December 23 last year to January 23, which will carry 16,233 passengers.

Also the staff of Saudia at Sonargoan Hotel ticket counters will be increased from 14 to 20.

Meanwhile, a delegation has arrived in Bangladesh that will choose an additional office site in Chittagong.

Speaking to the media afterwards, Dr. Iftekhar Chowdhury expressed the hope that Saudia Airlines would adopt these steps as planned soon so that the problem ceases.

Civil Aviation Secretary Sheikh Altaf Ali, Expatriate's Welfare Secretary Abdul Matin Chowdhury, BMET Director General Abdul Malek, Charge D' Affairs of Saudi Embassy Sami J. Hindi, Country Manager of Saudia Airlines Abdullah A Al-Qadi attended the meeting.

UNB, Khulna

Detained Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Mayor Sheikh Tayebur Rahman was moved to Dhaka for better treatment as his health condition deteriorated Tuesday.

Khulna Jail supper Soloman Ali told UNB that the mayor was suffering from various diseases, including chest pain, diabetes and arthritis and cold for the last few days, but his health condition deteriorated this morning.

He was sent to Dhaka this evening.

Soloman Ali said the mayor was likely to be admitted to Bangabandhu Sehikh Mujib Medical University Hospital Tuesday night.

Mayor Tayebur Rahman was arrested from Gulshan in capital Dhaka on November 2 after a KCC officer filed an extortion case against him with Khulna Sadar thana on November 1.

A total of eight cases-six of corruption, one of arms and another of narcotics-have so far been filed against the Mayor.

BSS, Dhaka

Preventive measures and motivational campaign would be an effective mechanism to protect society from the vicious cycle of corruption instead of combating the menace.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Lt. Gen. Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury said while addressing a series of meetings with the members of district and upazila level corruption prevention committees of Rajshahi division at ACC head office here yesterday.

The ACC Chairman made a fervent appeal to the committee members not to act as a combating force against corruption excepting considering them as simply volunteers dedicated to raising awareness against corruption among the general people.

"You have to understand the preventive measures and acquire some knowledge about the cause of corruption and ways and means to contain vice effectively instead of combating it," he said.

Terming the responsibility of the grassroots committees as a very sensitive one," he said, "you have to probe that you are not involved with the ACC to realise any personal interest, but to serve the nation.

Commissioner Habibur Rahman, Secretary of the ACC Mokhles-ur Rahman, Director General (research) Abu Taleb Mia and a number of members of the corruption prevention committees spoke, among others, on the occasion.

Around 376 members of district and upazila committees of seven districts in Rajshahi division turned up in the meeting on the first day of the three-day programme.

On the second day, 302 members of 48 upazilas of Noagaon, Joypurhat, Bogra, Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi and Natore districts will take part and on the final day, 157 members of 25 upazilas of Gaibandha, Sirajganj and Pabna districts will attend.

The ACC chairman said more then 70 percent people of the country do not opt for corruption despite facing financial hardship. So, why you will allow other 30 percent people to continue the malpractice at the cost of the nation? he asked.

Appreciating the efforts of the members of the grassroots committees, he said it's good news for me and for the nation that you have submitted your wealth statement to the ACC before being the member of the committee.

"I sincerely hope that none of you will go for any persuasion or show interest in any matter with regards to anti- corruption drive or cases in your areas," the ACC chairman requested the members.

He urged them to involve the cross section people including youths, women, farmers, day-labourers, professionals, businessmen, students and new generation with the motivational drive against corruption to turn it into a social campaign.

To a suggestion from the participants to introduce a separate chapter on anti-corruption issues in the textbook, the ACC chairman said a chapter has already been incorporated for the college students.

The Commission will request the government to introduce a similar chapter for the students at secondary level, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, members of the grassroots level committees said the anti-corruption drive will have a very remarkable impact on not only erasing the bad name of Bangladesh, but also changing the political and socio-economic condition of the country.

DU Correspondent

Dhaka University Journalist Association (DUJA) demanded withdrawal of the name of a campus journalist from the charge sheet submitted by Shahbagh police yesterday.

They said in a statement the journalist was injured during discharging his professional duties on the campus on August 20 and was rushed to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for treatment, which was published in different media.

So it is not true that the journalist was involved in the act of setting fire to the Army car on August 21, they added.

The DUJA members met the DU Vice Chancellor Prof SMA Faiz in this regard and he assured the journalist that he would take steps to the best of his ability.

Staff Reporter

Comrade Siraj Sikdar was a symbol of hope and expectation of the exploited labours-farmers and people of the country, speakers said at his memorial meeting in the city yesterday.

Speaker also said Siraj Sikdar had strongly protested against the invasion of capitalism and the ruling classes who exploited the people of the country. He had organised the labours-farmers and people against all repressions and exploitations, they added.

The 33th death anniversary observance committee of Shaheed Comrade Siraj Sikdar organised the memorial meeting chaired by the committee's Convener Abdul Mannan to mark his death anniversary at Shaheed Tajul Auditorium in Paltan.

Veteran Journalist Fayez Ahmed, Chief Co-ordinator of Jatiya Ganofront Tipu Biswas, Central Convener of Noyaganotantrik Ganomorcha Shibli Kaiyum, Vice President of Jatiya Biplabi Front Shamsul Haque Sayem, daughter of Siraj Sikdar Shikha Sikdar and his brother Najmul Haque Sikdar, among others, addressed the meeting.

They called a unity of all left leaning parties and people to implement the dreams of all shaheed revolutionaries including Siraj Sikdar, as many dreams of Siraj Sikdar were not fulfilled yet.

Siraj Sikdar was killed on January 2, 1975.