The New Nation - Internet Edition

A philanthropist to donate $130 m for Sidr victims

UNB, Dhaka

In an enviable gesture of benevolence, a philanthropist will donate 130 million US dollars for rebuilding the battered life of Sidr victims in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. Islamic Development Bank (IDB) will implement the donation programme in association with the government of Bangladesh. A four-member IDB team, led by head of Special Assistant office of IDB Dr Mohammad Hassan Salem, held discussion in this regard with Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam at Planning Ministry on Tuesday.

"The donation is dedicated for the cyclone victims in the worst-affected areas in coastal Bangladesh," Salem told reporters after the meeting.

He said the funds would be used mostly for rehabilitation and reconstruction of primary schools in the affected areas and a soft element would be used for agriculture and fisheries rehabilitation. Asked about the generous philanthropist, he said the donor wished to be anonymous.

Replying to another question, he said IDB would also support rehabilitation and reconstruction projects after final assessment of the damages done by the devastating cyclone.

Dr Aziz told reporters that US$ 110 million would be used for rehabilitation and reconstruction of schools and shelters while the rest US$ 20 million for agriculture and fisheries. An ERD official told UNB that an agreement between the government and the donor agency (IDB) to this effect would be signed on February 4.

Election can't be held without trial of corrupt persons: PDP

Staff Reporter

Convenor of Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Dr Ferdous Ahmed Quoreshy said election could not be held without the trial of the corrupt persons who are detained now.

About the recent demands of some leaders of the two major political parties to free the top leaders of the parties Dr Quoreshy said, "If someone is accused of specific graft and extortion charges then he or she must be tried. Otherwise the country would go to the pre-1/11 chaotic situation."

The PDP chief was speaking at a joining ceremony of some leaders and activists of the Shecchhashebok Dal, an organ of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, to the PDP.

Answering a query whether the verdict against the two top leaders of the country would go against the sentiment of the people Dr Quoreshy said people would decide whether the allegation were right or not.

Dr Quoreshy said the present caretaker government was doing a wonderful job especially the anti-corruption drive and it must continue.

He uttered that the country has no scope to go to the pre-1/11 situation.

About the writ of the HC asking the government and the EC why the election could not be held within 90 days he said, whole nation did not want the stage-managed election of January 22 and thus the election did not take place. "Now the present government would hold it in the shortest possible time," he said.

Joint Convenor of the party Nur Mohammad Khan and other central leaders of the party were present at the ceremony.

Former PWD chief engineer, his wife charge-sheeted

UNB, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday submitted charge-sheet against former chief engineer of Public Works Department (PWD) AFM Manjurul Islam and his wife Akhter Jahan Ruby in a case filed for concealing information and acquiring wealth beyond their known sources of income.

ACC deputy director Syed Iqbal Hossain submitted the charge-sheet with the Chief Metropolitan (CMM) Magistrate court in the case filed against the couple for concealing information of assets worth about Tk 38 lakh and acquiring wealth worth over Tk 1.01 crore that do not match their legal sources of income.

The charge-sheet was submitted under sections 26(2) and 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, section 109 of the Penal Code and 15(D)(5) of the Emergency Power Rules, 2007.

Complying with the Commission's directive, Manjurul, one of the corrupt suspects, submitted his wealth statement on July 6 last year.

Following inquiry into his wealth statement, ACC assistant director Sheikh Mizbahuddin filed the case with Gulshan police station against Manjurul, now retired, and his wife on September 6, 2007 for concealment of information and acquiring wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income.

One held with 200 Yaaba tablets

UNB, Dhaka

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested a drug dealer along with 200 Yaba tablets from a house at Basabo in the city on Monday evening.

Acting on a tip-off, RAB team raided the residence of Wazuddin Chowdhury at 69, East Basabo and arrested Humayun Kabir, 45, at about 7:30pm. Some 200 Yaba tablets were seized from his possession. The associates of Kabir managed to escape.

On interrogation, Kabir admitted his involvement in drug trade.