The New Nation - Internet Edition

Chief Adviser urges farmers: Redouble efforts to increase production

UNB, Mithapukur (Rangpur)

Assuring necessary government support, Chief Advisor Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed urged farmers to redouble their effort to increase production of food by turning single-crop farmland into two-crop land.

"We don't have any alternative to food production as acreage of land is squeezing due to urbanization, industrialization and infrastructure development," he told a meeting of representatives of cross-sections of people at the Upazila auditorium.

Dr Ahmed, now in Rangpur holding a meeting of the Council of Advisors, said instructions were given to departments concerned to timely supply agricultural inputs like fertilizer, diesel and irrigation to farmers in order to boost boro paddy production this year.

The head of caretaker government said the Rural Electrification Board has been provided with money to buy electric transformers to help irrigation for the boro farming. Besides, shops and markets have been ordered to close at 8pm to save power for irrigation.

He said the government has set the target of procuring 28 lakh tons of fertilizer this year, 3 lakh tons more than previous year's, to support increased agricultural production.

The fertilizers will be distributed from 12,000 to 14,000 points so that farmers could get it timely.

"Turn your one-crop land into two-crop land and two-crop into three-crop land. Government will provide all-out support to you in increasing production, " he said.

Dr Ahmed noted that the incumbent government has prioritized the agriculture sector with increased allocation in ADP. Besides, Tk 350 crore has been earmarked for agriculture research to increase the production of food-grains.

Explaining the reason for holding the Council-of-Advisors meeting in Rangpur, he said, "We want to take government to the doorstep of common people. Rangpur has been selected as it is far away from the capital Dhaka."

He said the Council meeting asked the Advisors to identify the problems in the northern region and take effective measures to resolve those. From now on, the Advisors will visit different districts and meet people to know their problems and find solutions.

About the coming general election, the Chief Advisor said, "We are moving towards the elections to be held towards the end of this year."

He said the Election Commission is preparing a voter list with spontaneous support of the people.

Dr Ahmed mentioned that the Council of Advisors has approved an ordinance making the Election Commission independent. " Our aim is not only to hold an election in a free and fair manner this year but all elections in the future."

Presided over by Rangpur DC Khandaker Atiar Rahman, the meeting was also addressed by Moslem Uddin Pramanik for farmers, Shahana Begum for teachers, Abdul Halim for journalists, Shah Mohammad Hafizur Rahman for UP chairmen and Rangpur Municipal chairman Abdur Rouf Manik.

The local representatives raised various demands, including establishment of industrial units and cold storage in the laggard region.

The Chief Advisor said the government would extend all cooperation if the private sector took initiative for setting up industries.

Zillur for coordination of stakeholders interest to develop responsible market

BSS, Natore

Adviser for commerce and education Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman today laid emphasis on coordinating the demands of large number of stakeholders operating in the market with a view to developing it on strong foundation.

He made this comment while exchanging views in the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner with officials, civil society leaders, farmers, representatives of local producers and printing industry.

The commerce adviser said coordination of divergent interest of four broad- based stakeholder groups is important to bring discipline in the market. These groups include consumers, producers, businessmen and various government agencies to make sure they are behaving in a cohesive way.

And more important to all of them, he said is the collection of correct market information and its proper maintenance.

The meeting witnessed free, frank discussion on how to achieve the development of the district and the participants shared their views on wide ranging issues affecting their life and the development of the district.

They exchanged views on prices of essentials, problems affecting education and agriculture and the challenges arising out of market distortions. They emphasised the need for solving these problems in the light of the realities on the ground.

Dr Hossain Zillur said he would convey the views of the people to the relevant agencies of the government to bring remedial actions where it is required.

School for distressed opens in Rangamati

BSS, Rangamati

Children, who carry food for policemen in the district, do not have leisure time now as a Primary School has been set up for them.

Superintendent of Police (SP) of the district Md Abdul Baten, who is the initiator of the institution, on Saturday formally inaugurated the night school styled 'Education Activity for Orphans and Distressed Students'.

The boys, who work for policemen, orphans and distressed children, who live adjacent to the school, will get chance for studying in the school, the SP said in the opening ceremony at Police Lines Government Primary School as the chief guest.

Classes and examinations will be held every month and the students, who will score 1st, 2nd and 3rd places, will get Taka 200 as stipend, the SP said adding that Taka 100 will be given for regular attendance.

The school starts its journey with 28 students.

Additional SP Amena Begum and Circle ASP Shaikh Joynuddin were present as special guests.

Editor of the Giridarpan AKM Maqsud Ahmed and Headmistress of the Police Lines Government Primary School Chikochi Mogh, among others, spoke.

Later, education equipment, including books, khatas and pens, were distributed among the students of the new school.

AL leader among 5 killed in Ctg road mishaps

Chittagong Correspondent

Five persons including a leader of the Awami League and three kids were killed and as many as 10 people suffered fatal wounds in three road accidents occurred at places in the district yesterday.

The deceased were identified as Mohammed Absar Chowdhury (40), president of Bazalia unit of Awami League, Sheikh Ahmed (25), an auto-rickshaw driver, Sadia (7), Morsedul Alam (8), son of Mohammed Sayod and Roksana Begum (7), daughter of Abdus Salam.

Quality seeds can help increase crop production

BSS, Dhamoirha

Agriculturists at a day-long Farmers' training course on quality seeds in Dhamoirhat Upazila town in Naogaon on Thursday said production of all crops could be increased through using quality seeds and the latest agro- technology.

They said the government's efforts for poverty alleviation would be accelerated further, with small and marginal farmers achieving self-reliance, if every inch of land all around could be brought under crop farming using quality seeds.

The upazila administration and Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) jointly organised the course at the Upazila Parishad auditorium with a view to creating awareness among the farmers about quality seeds and disseminating the latest agro- technology.

Chaired by Upazila Agriculture Officer Shamsul Haque, the course was attended by Engineer Rikim Uzzaman as the chief guest. Assistant Engineer Nazmul Huda, Headmaster Golam Mostafa, Veterinary Surgeon of the Livestock Department Dr Hadiuzzaman and Upazila Fisheries Officer Selim Akhter were present as the specialist trainers and special guests.

The experts and trainers stressed the need for encouraging the small and marginal farmers and common people to produce more high-valued crops by providing them quality seeds, need-based training, latest available technology and necessary inputs.

Fisherman killed by tiger in Satkhira

UNB, Satkhira

A fisherman was killed in an attack by a tiger when he was catching fishes at Chuna River in Sundarbans Saturday.

The deceased was identified as Shahjahan Morol, 55, resident of Burigoalini village in Shyamnagar thana.

Local forest department said a tiger swooped on Morol and took him away at about 9:30am when he was catching fishes at Barakel canal deep inside Sundarbans.

Pry teachers training course inaugurated in Baraigram

Our Correspondent, Barigram

Subject Basis Training (English) of teachers of Primary Schools was inaugurated at Bonpara Resource Centre under Baraigram upazila on January 29.

This inaugural meeting was presided over by the Instructor Md Kamrul Hasan. The chief guest was upazila Education Officer Md Abdul Latif Mollah. It was addressed, among others, by Md Saifur Rahman, Abdul Mannan, Mrs Sabina Begum Abdul, Jobber and Md Saiful Islam. This training includes only 25 teachers in each batch. A few batches of teachers will take this training.

Govt urged to expedite rehabilitation programmes in Bagerhat

Our Correspondent, Bagerhat

Worst-affected Sidr-hit people of Soronkhola upazila. Bagerhat are now unitedly waging demonstration, holding human chain, organising opinion sharing meeting with mediamen, different professional groups, local administrations realise their three point demand, namely, construction of 4km length to Soronkhola town protective embankment, compensating the aggrieved businessmen, waiving off interest of loan incurred earlier and disbursing loan credit on soft term.

The Sorankhola town protection embankment implementation action committee also urged upon the to expedite massive rehabilitation programmes recoup the colossal damage of the horrific cyclon Sidr for greater public interest.

New police station set up in Noakhali

BSS, Noakhali

A newly established police station, Kabirhat Thana, was inaugurated today to cover seven Unions and a Municipality in the district.

Deputy Inspector General of Chittagong Police Range AKM Shahidul Haque opened the police station saying the government efforts were underway to modernise further the law enforcement agency to ensure security in public life.

"The police force will have to discharge its responsibility as the friend of people," he said while inaugurating the ninth police station of the district.

Deputy Commissioner Habibul Kabir Chowdhury, Commander of the joint Forces stationed in Noakhali Lieutenant Colonel Ejaj Hakim Afrid and senior police officials were present at the function chaired by police superintendent Mushfiqur Rahman.

The police station launched its activities with five officers and 20 constables.

News briefs

Valuables gutted

SYLHET, Feb 4: A devastating fire broke out in a house at Buraiya village in Chhatak upazila of Sunamganj district on Friday. Witnesses said the fire originating from an electric short circuit at Arfan Ali's house gutted cash, a licensed rifle, a passport, 10 tolas of gold and other valuables. The house owner claimed that cash and valuables worth about Tk 50 lakh were gutted in the fire. Local people brought the blaze under control after three hours of frantic efforts, reports UNB.

Pneumonia claims two lives in Sirajganj

SIRAJGANJ, Feb 4: Two children died of pneumonia in Tarash Upazila of the district on Thursday night. The deceased were identified as Kazoli, 5, daughter of Quamrul Islam of Lalson village and Shafiq, 4, of Daliba village in the Upazila. A number of children have also been affected by the disease in the district as cold wave is sweeping over the district for last few days making the life of the people miserable, reports UNB.

Bombs recovered

CHAPAINAWABGANJ, Feb 4: Seven bombs and some drugs were recovered in separate drives in the district on Thursday on Friday. In a drive, RAB-5 men recovered seven bombs from under the pile of straw at the house of Alfaz at Bhobanipur village in Shibganj Upazila at 1.30 AM on Friday. Later, the bombs were handed over to the police who defused those. In another drive, the elite force arrested Sani, 20, along with 50 grams of heroin from Huzrapur area of the district town at 7:30 PM on Thursday. Meanwhile, the elite force also seized 16 bottles of Indian liquor from Kamlakantapur area in Sadar Upazila at midnight on Thursday. Sensing the presence of the RAB men, the drug peddlers managed to flee, reports UNB.

Terrorist killed in encounter in Kushtia

KUSHTIA, Feb 4: An alleged terrorist was killed in an encounter between members of the police and the terrorist at Uttarmul village under Kumarkhali Upazila in the district on Friday morning, police sources said. The dead was identified as Ekdil, 32 of Uttarmul village here, reports BSS.

Blankets distributed

CHUADANGA, Feb 4: Some 2,000 pieces of blanket have been distributed among the cold-hit people at different places of the district by the district administration, Upazila administration, Pourasabha and Union Parishad authorities on Friday. The district administration distributed 150 blankets among the inmates of Akondobaria cluster village of the Sadar Upazila. Besides, 500 blankets were distributed in Mominpur Union, 500 blankets in Alamdanga Pourasabha, 500 blankets in Jibannagar Upazila, 200 blankets in Bhangbaria Union and 150 blankets in Begumpur Union of the district, reports BSS.

Eye camp held in Gaibandha

GAIBANDHA, Feb 4: An eye camp organised by Samaj Kalyan Sangstha was held on the premises of Monohorpur UP Complex under Palashbari Upazila in the district on Thursday aimed at providing free medicines and treatment for the poor. As many as 1,191 patients were provided with different medical cares including eye testing, operations, lens replacement and other free of cost at the camp, reports BSS.

30 arrested in Rangpur

RANGPUR, Feb 4: Police arrested 30 persons including suspected criminals from different parts of the district during on Saturday afternoon. Police sources said the arrested persons included dacoits, thieves, muggers, extortionists, absconding accused in different cases, cheats, warrantees, drug peddlers and traffickers, suspected criminals and anti-social elements, reports BSS.