The New Nation - Internet Edition

CEC rules out disruption in election roadmap

Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda
enrolling himself as voter at Gulshan Model School on
Wednesday. Focus Bangla

Staff Reporter

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday said there was no possibility of disruption in election roadmap or holding election by December this year since the Commission has enough alternative to address complexities.

"The election will be held in accordance with the roadmap. It will not be deferred under any circumstances. There is no possibility to defer it even if any case is filed," he said while talking to reporters after registering himself and his wife as voters at Gulshan Model School and College centre in the city.

Dr Shamsul Huda categorically said the voter list is going to be a complete one this time and there will be no scope of raising a question on it.

"Our goal is to hold a free and fair election in the country using a flawless voter list," he said.

Replying to a question the CEC said the voter list will be preserved through database, which cannot be destroyed.

He informed that on an average about one crore people are becoming voters in a month.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Regulatory Reforms Commission and former Adviser of the Caretaker Government Akbar Ali Khan who also registered his name as voter at the same centre told reporters that the general election should be held within 90 days of the completion of the voter list.

He said voter lists with photos are the only method suitable for today and one can ensure a foolproof voter list using the process.

Abul Hasanat, Agoiljhara UNO asked to appear before court

Barisal Correspondent

Two separate courts in Dhaka and Barisal summoned Abul Hasanat Abdullah, former AL Chief Whip and Abdul Latif Molla, upazila Nirbahi Officer of Agoiljhara to appear before the court on Thursday.

Court sources said Azjijul Huq, Metropolitan Session Judge of Dhaka, Monday issued summon to Abul Hasanat Abdullah to appear before his court on Thursday for facing trial of a case lodged by Anti Corruption Commission.

Sub Inspector Abdur Rashid, prosecution officer of the court, said the order given in the case lodged by ACC about illegally earning and possessing properties worth Tk.1.7 core.

ACC lodged the case September 6, 2007 with Dhanmondi police station of Dhaka and charge sheet submitted against Hasanat January 16, 2008.

If Hasanat fails to surrender before the law, then trial will continue in absentia of him.

On other hand Mainuddin Islam chief metropolitan magistrate of Barisal, summoned Abdul Latif Molla, the upazila Nirbahi Officer of Agoiljhara, to appear before this court Thursday to face investigation of a case lodged against him under Repression on Women and Children (Prevention) Act.

'Demand for banning religion-based politics illegal’

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a roundtable yesterday claimed, labelling anybody war criminal or anti-liberation force as 'unconstitutional'.

They also said the demand for banning religious-based political parties as 'illegal' as per the Constitution of the country.

They were speaking at a roundtable on ' Human Rights and Justice' organised by Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) at National Press Club.

Presided over by former Chief Election Commissioner Justice Abdour Rouf, former secretary Shah Abdul Hannan, Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant General Secretary Barrister Abdur Razzak, Dhaka University Prof Dr Mahbub Ullah, Prof Dr UK Rowjatur Romman, Prof Mojahedul Islam, Islamic University Prof Dr ABM Mahbubul Islam Eng Fazla Ali, among others, took part at the discussion.

Terming the Code of Criminal Procedure(CRPC) and Penal Code 'a colonial law' , Abdur Rouf emphasised on the need for changing the British law considering present day's needs. Shah Abdul Hannan, former Islamic Bank Chairman said killing by crossfire and detaining without trial , torturing in police custody are not only violation of human rights but also anti-Islamic acts.

Barrister Abdur Razzak alleged that in the last ten years, some quarters attempted to control the High Court through the back door.

He said the judiciary must be independent for the greater interest of all including those who are on the driving seats of the government.

Dr ABM Mahbubul Islam of Islamic University protested the demands of banning religion -based parties.

Calling someone war criminal or anti-liberation force is unconstitutional and illegal, he claimed.

Abdus Shahid Nasim, Executive Director, CPS moderated the roundtable.

Fake mint unearthed: 4 held

Four forgers including two women were arrested with
fake banknotes worth about Taka 70,000 by RAB-1 from city's
Uttara area on Tuesday night. Banglar Chokh

Staff Reporter

A forged banknote manufacturing factory was unearthed at the city's Uttara on Tuesday night.

It is learnt that Tk 100 fake banknotes and Tk 500 fake banknotes were used to be produced at the factory using Tk 5 and Tk 100 original banknotes respectively.

Four persons were arrested during the raid into the factory after Tuesday midnight. Arrested person were identified as Sathi, Hena, Hridhoy and Neaz Sheikh.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-1 led by its deputy director Major Saif raided a residence at Jasimuddin Road at Uttara Model Town under the Turag Police Station on Tuesday night and unearthed the fake banknote manufacturing factory at the first floor of the house.

During the raid, the RAB-1 members seized huge quantity of forged note manufacturing papers, computers, printer, computer discs, hard discs, chemicals, and Tk 70,000 forged notes of Tk 100 and Tk 500 denominations.

Besides, the RAB personnel recovered forged Indian rupees.

Major Saif, told the reporters that they had found forged Indian banknotes for the first time apart from Bangladeshi banknotes. "This is something unusual," he said.

He said, the CDs and hard discs seized during the raid would be examined to find out more information about the arrested persons.

"We're expecting to nab other members of the gang soon," he said.

NBR likely to start door-to-door survey next month

UNB, Dhaka

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is likely to start a door-to-door zonal survey from next month to bring more individuals under the tax net aiming to collect more revenue without increasing tax rate.

Each zonal office of the NBR would conduct the survey in their respective area and send the findings to the Board.

The last such zonal survey was held in 2003.

"It is nothing special or new for NBR; it's routine for us," said an NBR high official. The NBR already held a meeting in this connection and conveyed the message to all its zonal offices.

Recently, NBR chairman Muhammad Abdul Mazid told the reporters that they were working to expand the tax net, instead of raising the tax rate, to increase its revenue collection.

As per the NBR data, there are more than two million (20 lakh) of Tax Identification Number (TIN) holders in the country, while only 645,617 individuals submitted income tax returns this year (2007-08).

Operating Lease to be introduced soon

Staff Reporter

Leasing industry is going to introduce a new product titled 'operating lease' which will allow lessee to rent equipment, vehicles and technology required for day to day business.

Chairman of Bangladesh Leasing and Finance Companies Association Anis Khan disclosed this at a press conference at a city hotel.

"Operating lease is an SME-friendly product, it requires no collateral, involves no asset risk, can be tailored to a specific usage period and can be less expensive than traditional leasing," he said.

He said, operating lease is essential for an emerging market like Bangladesh because of its large segment of its small and medium enterprises and the scarcity of collateral to secure financing.

The operating leasing will result in the creation of a second-hand market for many equipment which are currently unaffordable by many SMEs in Bangladesh.

Chairman of Amembal and Associates Sudhir Amembal, Programme Manager of IFC-SEDF Roger Handberg and Vice Chairman of Bangladesh Leasing and Finance Companies Association Mafizuddin Sarker also spoke on the occasion.

Tea export up by 121 pc

Staff Reporter

The country's tea exports has increased by about 121 per cent to 10.6 million kg in 2007 due to higher yields and improved quality, official sources said yesterday.

Lower production in China and higher prices in India also contributed to higher exports from Bangladesh, exporter said.

Production in the year (2007) was 57.96 million kg, despite repeated floods and a severe cyclone, against 53.41 million kg in the previous year.

Exports fell to 4.8 million kg in 2006 from 9.0 million kg the previous year (2005), when production was 60.14 million kg.

"There is no complacence (about) the export jump last year, because we need to export at least half of our production, as we did in the past," said Mohammad Idris, an executive of a leading tea-exporting house.

Domestic buyers are the key players at the country's sole auction centre in Chittagong, where registered brokers through a weekly sale distribute the entire produce.

"Bangladesh tea export is falling, while domestic demand is increasing," said auctioneer Rafaay Nizam.

The country exported a record 34.4 million kg in 1982, against an output of 40.9 million kg. But since then, exports have been falling although yields have been rising.

The average price of Bangladesh tea rose 2.44 per cent to 101.42 taka (US $1.48) per kg on higher demand at the auction on Tuesday, brokers said.

Buyers for Pakistan and Bangladesh participated in the auction, said the National Brokers Ltd, the largest tea broker in the country.

The country was losing its tea export markets because local producers were not putting enough effort into producing export-quality teas, another exporter said.

"We are (trying) to bring more land for tea cultivation, so that we can get some surplus for export after meeting local demands," a senior official of Bangladesh Tea Board said. The country now plants tea on some 53,000 hectares (132,500 acres) of land.

Leading importers of the country's tea, included Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Afgha-nistan, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

BGMEA urges govt to give ration to RMG workers

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association has urged the government to provide garment workers with foodgrains under the system of ration for at lease one year because of its high price.

A BGMEA delegation led by its president Anwarul Alam Chowdhury Parvez met with the Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam Wednesday afternoon with a three-point demand that also include reduction of bank interest and waiving of interest of sick factories.

Chowdhury later told newsmen that the Adviser assured them of looking into the demands.

He said the Finance Adviser was apprised of the difficulties of garment workers because of spiraling price of essentials. The factories are also not in a position to raise their wages. The owners cannot expand the export market in the face of tough competition.

"We have pleaded for introducing rationing system to supply rice, lentil and oil for at least one year. The apparel sector can't face further anarchy. Instability is apprehended in the garments sector because of spiraling price of essentials," Chowdhury said. Asked whether providing ration to over 20 lakh workers is practical he cited example of India where low-income group is given ration to obviate the outcome of price hike.

"Anarchy can easily be made in our garment factories since they are located in particular areas. The recent incident at Mirpur was not merely for wage or allowance. It was the outburst of sufferings from high price of essentials," said the BGMEA president.

He said garments sector of India and China enjoying easy bank facilities at low rate have posed tough competition to Bangladeshi exporters. The competition is going to be tougher with USA and European countries lift ban on China.

Chowdhury said they have also urged the Finance Adviser to reevaluate the 270 sick garment factories identified by the previous government.

"We have appealed to waive the sick factories' interest and allow it to pay the principal amount in easy installments. None of the factories are defaulter. They fell sick due to various reasons," he added.

BSF clash with Indian villagers in Tripura, 20 injured

Agencies

At least 20 people were injured, 12 of them seriously, when Border Security Force (BSF) troopers and a violent mob clashed along Tripura's border with Bangladesh, officials yesterday said, reports IANS.

A police spokesperson said the trouble began late Tuesday at Kathalia in western Tripura, 60 km from here, over the opening of a gate along the border to allow Indian villagers to cross a barbed wire fencing.

"There are a number of houses and paddy fields of Indian villagers that are outside the barbed border fencing that separates the two countries," Tripura police spokesperson Nepal Das said.

There are a number of such gates along the border and BSF troopers open the gates to allow Indian villagers to cross over.

"Villagers became agitated after the delay in opening of the gate, leading to a clash between the paramilitary troopers and locals," Das added.

India has been erecting barbed wire fencing along the 4,095-km India-Bangladesh border that touches West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalaya to check crimes and infiltration besides trans-border movement of militants.

SAFTA-Plus needed to promote intra-regional investment

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a regional seminar here yesterday stressed the need for a 'SAFTA-Plus' agreement to promote intra-regional investment and service trade among the member countries of the SAARC.

'SAFTA-plus' agreement is needed to include regional cooperation mechanism in the area of investment, finance, service trade, trade facilitation and technology transfer as the existing South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) treaty should go beyond the mere agreement in 'trade in goods', they said.

The seminar 'SAFTA and Its Implication for the Member Countries' was organised by South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) at BRAC centre at Mohakhali here. Chairman of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Professor Rehman Sobhan chaired the inaugural session while Executive Director of SANEM Dr Selim Raihan presented a keynote paper titled 'SAFTA and Bangladesh Economy'.

Ambassador to Commonwealth Secretariat in London Edwin Laurent, Senior Economist of World Bank Dr Ziadi Sattar and Professor of North South University AKM Atiqur Rahman also spoke, among others.

Dr Selim said, the existing SAFTA treaty is predominantly centred on 'trade in goods', which presumed that Bangladesh cannot hope for too much gain from the treaty to enhance its growth opportunities merely by promoting exports to the regional market.

"Maintaining the sensitive list for some of the critical products produced by India will not help Bangladesh to increase its export share within the South Asian countries," he observed.

Therefore a new agreement, may be named 'SAFTA-Plus' could enhance Bangladesh prospects for getting larger investment inflows from the more developed partner countries in the region, Dr Selim argued.

These investments, he said, whether 100 percent ownership by regional investors or joint ventures, should help improve the country's export supply capability and boost exports both to the region and to the outside world.

Sundarbans shows sign of revival

BSS, Bagerhat

The Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest of the world, affected by cyclone Sidr has revived again.

The damaged trees of the Sundarbans are getting new life gradually blooming its leaves. Experts said the beauty of the Sundarbans will return soon as collection of all kinds of its assets are stopped.

Forest Department sources said the government has taken a 13-point programme to reshape the sanctuary for birds and animals.

Katka to Kachikhali, Sharonkhola, Dublar Char, Nilkamal and Manderbaria area of the Sundarbans have been largely damaged by the devastating cyclone.

Sources said amount of the damage of the forest is Taka one thousand crore and damage of infrastructure of the forest department here is Taka about 20 crore.

A total of 38 deer, one tiger and a large number of monkeys died during the cyclone Sidr.

Cold spell hits normal life in N-region

BSS, Rajshahi

The intensity of biting cold increased in the city as well as the northern region as the temperature dipped due to western depression in last 24 hours.

According to sources concerned, the cold winds from the north and northwestern directions added to the sufferings of the common people affecting normal life in the region yesterday.

Met Office here said the minimum temperature was recorded at 11.7 degree Celsius against the maximum of 18 degrees. The sky remained covered with cloud throughout the day.

Drizzling was also observed in some places of the region.

Sufferings of the distressed and poor people in different districts of the region increased. Residents of the sandy chars are the worst affected as the speed of blowing cooler winds is much higher in those areas.

Meanwhile, the number of patients suffering from pneumonia, asthma and respiratory complications increased in the upazila and district hospitals with intensity of cold biting, hospital sources said.

A large number of people, especially infants and elderly persons, are falling sick and being rushed to the nearby health complexes and district hospitals.

Voluntary organisations, political leaders and social workers have intensified distribution of warm clothes in the region.

Retrial of Zia killing demanded

Staff Reporter

Convenor of Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Dr Ferdous Ahmed Quareshi yesterday demanded re-investigation of Ziaur Rahman's murder case and trial of the actual architects of the murder plot.

He demanded of the government to form an investigation commission to find out the people behind Zia's murder.

Dr Quareshi said this yesterday at a discussion meeting to mark the 72nd birth anniversary of President Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam and the founder of BNP organised by the PDP at its central office.

"The unfinished trial of Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujibur Rahman should be finished quickly and the murder case of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman should be reinvestigated," the PDP chief said. "Truth had been hidden by hanging some freedom fighter Army officers on charge of Zia murder. Now the trial of it should begin again to find out the masterminds behind the killing of Ziaur Rahman," he added.

Addressing the meeting as chief guest Dr Quareshi said Zia had turned an undisciplined Army into a disciplined one.

He said, "During Zia's rule, 23 coups were hatched in the Army and his handling of the situation by hanging some of the army officers by court marshal was right at that time otherwise, hundreds of coups would have been staged in the Army."

He urged the government to hold talks with his party saying the government should hold dialogue with parties who believe in the democratic politics of post 1/11.

Dr Quareshi urged all political parties to pay due honours to all national leaders of the country.

The meeting was presided over by joint convenor of the party Golam Sarwar Milon which was also addressed by joint convenors of the party Nur Mohammad Khan, Maj Gen (Retd) Rafiqul Islam, central leaders Parvez Kabir, Khalekuzzaman Chowdhury and Md Shamsul Haque.

Gen Rafiq also demanded reinvestigation of the Zia murder case to find out the true plotters of the murder.