The New Nation - Internet Edition

German envoy meets Finance Adviser

UNB, Dhaka

German Ambassador Frank Meyke called on Finance Adviser Dr AB Mirza M Azizul Islam at his office yesterday.

During the meeting, they exchanged views on different aspects of development cooperation, including economy, said a hand out.

The Ambassador praised various reform activities, including institutional one, taken by the present government and also assured of continual support and assistance from his government.

Later, Ambassador of North Korea Mun Song Mo also met with the Finance Adviser at his office and discussed bilateral issues.

10 ACI directors fined

Staff Reporter

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has fined 10 directors of ACI Limited Tk two lakh each for non-compliance of securities laws regarding non-dissemination of price sensitive information of the company.

They are Anis Ud Dowla (Chairman/Director), Najma Dowla, Syed Manzur Elahi, Ziaul Haque Khondker, Rafiqul Islam Khan, Dr Arif Dowla (Director/Managing Director), Shusmita Anis Salam, Waliur Rahman, Wajed Salam and Sheema Abed Rahman.

The stock market regulator also fined the Mercantile Bank Ltd. the same amount for non-compliance of securities laws regarding declaration for sale of directors' shares.

Road blockade for fertiliser

Satkhira Correspondent

Thousands of farmers staged demonstrations and put up road barricade for four hours on the Satkhira-Khulna Highway demanding fertiliser yesterday.

The protesters withdrew after receiving assurance from the upazila administration of getting fertiliser regularly.

Sources said local farmers did not get fertiliser for the last 10 days. As a result, they gathered in front of Zakir Traders, local fertiliser dealer at Madanpur market and protested yesterday.

Religious leaders warn against women's equal right to property

UNB, Dhaka

Religious leaders yesterday strongly warned the government against allowing women equal right to property, which is repugnant to the holy Quoran.

"It will be a clear violation of the holy Quoran if the women are given equal right to property," Mufti Fazlul Haq Amini, secretary general of Islamic Law Implementation Committee, told a press conference in his office.

He added, "Not only the government but the entire country will go into flame if the authority moves ahead with such a provision under the National Women Development Policy."

IOJ leader announced that all devotees after the Juma prayer on Friday (March 14) would bring out procession across the country to protest the government move.

Mufti Amini, also secretary general of Islami Oikya Jote, a component of the previous BNP led alliance government, asked the caretaker government to refrain from taking anti-Islamic law. "Otherwise, you will not escape the wrath of the people. Even the conservative women will come out to the street in protest."

He thought that alien force not friendly to Bangladesh is behind the move.

He urged the Imams and Khatibs of all mosques to make the people aware of the heinous anti-Islamic move of the government at the Juma prayer on Friday.

Maulana Mohiuddin, editor of monthly magazine Madina, also speaking at the press conference observed that Bangladesh would be isolated from the Muslim Ummah if the government implement the anti-Islamic law.

"Nowhere in the world, even in Europe, such law was imposed. The Muslim world will not tolerate such law," he said.

Four kgs heroin seized in Benapole four arrested

UNB, Benapole

The officials of Department of Narcotics Control, Jessore arrested four people along with four kilograms of heroin from Durgapur village yesterday afternoon.

According to the Department of Narcotics Control, the officials raided the house of drug peddler Alamgir and seized four kgs of heroin worth Tk 4 crore.

They also arrested four peddlers - Alamgir, Jahangir, Ibrahim and Tarun-from the house.

Of them, Alamgir was arrested from Chhoto Achra but was released on bail recently. A case was filed.

HC cannot resolve political question, says Dr Kamal

Staff Reporter

Eminent jurist and counsel for the Election Commission Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday opined that that in exercise of its power under writ jurisdiction the High Court cannot embark on resolving a political question.

The rule hearing of the writ on the impugned action of the Election Commission before the High Court bench of Justice Mirza Hussain Haider and Justice Mamnoon Rahman remained inconclusive for the seventh day yesterday, keeping the EC in anxious waiting with its plan of electoral dialogue with the BNP.

Citing three-count legal principles, Dr Kamal said it was settled that the High Court in exercise of writ jurisdiction cannot act as an appellate forum for deciding a question that involves interpretation of party constitution on the internal affairs of a political party.

Secondly, he contended, it was also settled that the High Court in exercise of its power under writ jurisdiction does not embark on resolution of political question, having regard to the lack of judicially discoverable and manageable standards for resolving such a question.

Thirdly, it was settled that the summary procedure of writ jurisdiction was not appropriate for adjudication of issues involving disputed question of fact, which requires consideration of evidence and contested factual issues, he argued.

Dr Kamal submitted that the affidavits filed by the respondents found material facts disputed. Under the circumstances, the court, to adjudicate on these, would need to hold an investigation on the basis of evidence, which it cannot do in the writ jurisdiction.

Dr Kamal further argued that the issue in question involving internal proceedings of a political party could be resolved by those involved in this dispute, or by an appropriate court based on evidence.

He told the court that the Election Commission (EC) had already complied with the High Court's interim order canceling the scheduled November 22 meeting with Maj (retd Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on electoral reforms. "Thus the writ petitioner had already obtained full relief."

Since the meeting for the Nov 22 dialogue had been cancelled, it would be a futile exercise to pass any declaration that the Nov 5 EC letter of invitation for dialogue is of no legal effect, Dr Kamal said. The date on which the meeting was to be held is a long past, he added.

Dr Kamal, also Gono Forum president, submitted that the direction sought to be given to the EC for inviting Khandaker Delwar Hossain to a meeting for dialogue on Nov 22 would similarly be an infructuous exercise.

Earlier, TH Khan, the counsel for BNP chairperson, opposing Dr Kamal Hossain, submitted that it is very risky to define for the jurists and judges what is pure political question of disputed fact. There is no such element in the writ petition, he said, so it can come under judicial review.

"Our case is very simple and clear…we have challenged the validity of the decision of the Election Commission and its action that caused political leadership dispute in BNP," Khan told the court.

"We have come here with a complaint that the EC has done wrong," he went on, adding that the High Court in exercise of its writ jurisdiction can resolve the issue as it has wide ambit of jurisdiction.

He said that his client, although a political party chief, has not come here seeking remedy for solving any political issue.

The court resumes tomorrow.

Counsel of expelled BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuyian Barrister Masod Reza Sobhan and acting secretary Maj (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed's counsel Dr Shadeen Malik, among others, were present during the hearing.

Demand for CEC's resignation very unfortunate: Hafiz

UNB, Dhaka

Acting secretary general of BNP Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on Tuesday described the demand for resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda by some leaders belonging to his party's rival faction as very unfortunate, saying that it would only hinder the election process. "Some individuals demanded resignation of the CEC. It is very unfortunate and this demand will hinder the election process," he said while talking to reporters at his Banani residence, where he blamed his rival colleagues for playing a divisive role that brought "disaster" for the party.

Hafiz called for a meeting of the BNP Standing Committee to overcome the disaster facing the immediate-past ruling party in the changed political context in the interim period.

Reflecting on the controversial meeting of the Standing Committee on October 29, 2007, he hoped that this policymaking body would play a role to rid BNP of the crisis it is facing at the moment, now that its chief is detained in jail.

About the four members of the Standing Committees who don't recognize the meeting on the day he said that their going to court three months after the meeting has a motive.

The acting secretary general described the party constitution as undemocratic and said the way the party is run at the moment is not the right way.

"The way the party is run today is not the right way. BNP constitution is undemocratic," he categorically said, justifying their defiant move for party reforms suiting the demand of the time.

Hafiz viewed that the party is heading for disaster due to absence of reform of the party. "We never closely looked into the BNP constitution. Therefore, there has not been any democratic culture in the party which is why time and again party faces disaster prior to election."

He lamented that while there should be a Standing Committee meeting once a year, it was not held year after year.

Providing an explanation of vesting the responsibility of the party in Saifur Rahman, Hafiz said that since the party chairperson is in prison, Saifur was vested with the responsibility since he is the senior-most in the BNP hierarchy after Khaleda. In an oblique reference to role of some young pro-Delwar leaders, he said the junior leaders should not take on the role to lead the party rather senior leaders should be given the opportunity to do so. About the unity of the party, Hafiz said, "We want unity of the party. Saifur has invited Delwar to sit across the table for discussion. But, Delwar doesn't want to sit. We think it's unfortunate for us that they don't sit together." About chairperson's adviser Hannan Shah's letter through messenger to Saifur, he said Shah could have a cup of tea with Saifur instead of sending a messenger.

He urged his rival faction to sit together, shirking issuance of statements, to do good to the party and country at large.

'Essential's prices lower at BDR-run sale centres'

BSS, Dhaka

Prices of essentials were lower in the BDR-run sale centres and markets than those in the city's ordinary markets yesterday, according to a BDR market report released here on Tuesday.

Flour in packet was sold between Taka 43 and 45 per kg in the ordinary markets, it said adding, the item was sold at Taka 42 in BDR-run markets and Taka 35 in the BDR-run sale centres. The price of one-kg flour in Kolkata is equivalent to Taka 24.13.

Coarse rice was sold in different markets between Taka 30 and Taka 31 per kg, while in the BDR-run open markets it was sold at Taka 29 and BDR- run sale centres sold at Taka 25. In Kolkata markets, it sells at Taka 25.86.

Onion (imported) was sold at Taka 15 per kg in the BDR-run open markets. Price of onion in other city markets ranged between Taka 16 and 18. The item is available in Kolkata at Taka 10.34.

The price of potato was ranged from Taka 12 to Taka 14 per kg in the ordinary markets, while it is Taka 11 in the BDR-run open markets. In Kolkata, price of the item is Taka 8.62.

Sugar is being sold between Taka 41 and 44 per kg in different markets of the city against Taka 39 in BDR-run open markets. In Kolkata, its price stands at Taka 32.75.

The price of soybean oil ranges between Taka 110 and Taka 124 per litre in the ordinary markets, while it is available at Taka 117 in the BDR-run open markets and Taka 92 in BDR sale centres. In Kolkata, price of the soybean oil is Taka 124.13 per litre.

Palm oil was sold between Taka 96 and Taka 107 per litre in the ordinary markets, compared to Taka 111 per litre in the BDR- run open markets. In Kolkata, price of palm oil is Taka 106.89 per litre.

Hilsa fish is being sold in different markets at Taka 250 to Taka 300 per kg yesterday.

Salt is being sold at Taka 10 per kg in the BDR-run sales centres. Price of salt in other city markets varies from Taka 12 and 14. The item is available in Kolkata at Taka 13.92, the report said.

Delegation of Munshiganj Zila Muktijuddher Chetona calls on President

BSS, Dhaka

A delegation of Munshiganj Zila Muktijuddher Chetona on Tuesday called on President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban here.

During the meeting, the members of the delegation briefed the President about different activities of the organization including upholding the freedom-fighters through according reception to them.

They apprised the President about different problems in Munshiganj sought the President's cooperation in ensuring supply of gas, establishing digital telephone exchange and setting up a medical college in the district.

They also expressed their satisfaction at the opening of the bridge over the river Dhaleshwari at Muktarpur.

The President gave a patient hearing to them and expressed his satisfaction at different activities of the organization in upholding the rights of the freedom-fighters in the district and preserving the their memory.

Press Secretary to the President Abdul Awal Howlader was present.

Nine killed in road mishaps

BSS, Dhaka

Nine people were killed and over 10 others injured, five of them critically, in separate road accidents at Tangail and Madaripur districts on Tuesday.

In Tangail, five persons were killed and 10 others injured in two separate accidents at Pathailkandhi, eastern part of Jamuna Bridge and Namdar Kumudini under Basail upazila.

The first accident took place at Pathailkandhi when a iron laden truck fell into a road side ditch as the driver of the vehicle lost control over the steering resulting four workers died on the spot.

Of them, two identified as Azizul Islam, 38 and Abu Rahian, 35, but identity of the rest two could not be known immediately.

In another accident, one person died when a sand laden truck also fell into a road side ditch while giving side to a passenger bus. The victim identified as Anowar, a sand labour.

During the accidents, 10 persons were injured, five of them critically and admitted into different hospitals at Tangail district.

Separate cases were filed with respective police stations in these connections.

In Madaripur, four persons including woman and children were killed in separate incidents at Madaripur sadar, Rajoir and Shibchhar upazilla during the last 24 hours.

The victims identified as Shohag, 16, a brick labour, Golapi, 40, Abdul Malek Bepari, 48, minor boy Raju, 4.

Separate cases were filed in respective police stations in those incidents.

Bangladesh gets $15m export orders from ASAP show in Las Vegas

BSS, Dhaka

The Bangladesh companies were very successful in earning export orders to the tune of US$ 1.36 million as confirmed and US$ 13.2 million as prospective one from ASAP Show in Las Vegas, USA.

Some of the participating companies informed that negotiation is still going on with the newly contacted buyers to materialise those orders.

Besides, 119 business enquiries were received and 160 new contacts established during the fair. Most of the companies were highly optimistic about achieving significant business from the buyers contacted through our participation in ASAP Show.

Bangladesh participated in the 13th edition of ASAP (Apparel Sourcing Association Pavilion) Global Sourcing Show, a premier Apparel Exposition held recently in Las Vegas, USA, an export promotion bureau press release said here on Tuesday.

Thirteen garments exporting companies, members of BGMEA & BKMEA took part in the show under the auspices of Export Promotion Bureau.

The show was held in Sand Exposition Hall of very famous Venation Hotel.

Apart from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Macao, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Chain, Korea, Sri Lanka, Israel, were among the other nations attended the show.

A wide variety of woven and knit garments such as T-Shirt, Polo Shirt, Sweat Shirt, Tank-Top, trousers, Shirts were exhibited in Bangladesh Stand during the fair.

Bangladesh Stand have had a befitting look along side other participating countries and successfully made impact on the visiting importers and buyers.

Almost 400-500 hundred buyers registered with the ASAP visited the show and were seen enthusiastic about Dhaka's apparel products.

Besides these registered buyers, some buying agents of world famous Wal-mart, K-mart, Kumer Group, Nautica, GAP, Target also visited Bangladesh Stand.

All the visiting buyers had a lot of praise for Bangladeshi garments. They also discussed some key issues like child labour, timely shipment, compliance issue, quality management and shipment under LDP system to augment Bangladesh's export to the US market.

Bangladesh Ambassador to United States Humayun Kabir visited Bangladesh pavilion and discussed various issues and strategy with the participants and as well as with the buyers.

Expressing the same opinion, the ambassador requested the participating companies to address the issues raised by the visiting buyers to take advantage of the huge US market.