The New Nation - Internet Edition

India imposes total ban on rice export: Decision taken in an emergency cabinet meeting

The rush of people is growing everyday to buy rice
at fair price from OMS shops. This picture was taken from
Mirpur in the city onTuesday. NN photo

Agency, NewDelhi

The Indian government has banned the export of non-basmati rice to try and control soaring domestic food costs. The Basmati rice is no mass food item.

The decision, one of a series of measures to curb inflation, was taken during an emergency cabinet meeting.

The price for exports of aromatic basmati rice has also been raised to $1,200 per tonne to discourage exports.

The move could have an impact on rice prices globally as the country is the third largest exporter of the grain - a staple food in many countries.

The move is the latest in a series of increases in the export price of non-basmati rice.

The price of such rice was increased from $650 to $1,000 per tonne in the month of March alone.

The government imposed a total ban on non-basmati rice exports last October but lifted it following protests from exporters.

India is the second-largest rice producer in the world. It usually exports more than four million tonnes of rice a year.

The government also announced that it would be scrapping import duty on all crude edible oils as part of its inflation-curbing measures.

India ended its reliance on food imports in the 1970s, largely to the government's so-called Green Revolution.

But two years ago, it imported wheat for the first time in six years following a significant drop in its stockpiles. The government wants to avoid a similar situation for its rice stocks.

In mid-March, in an attempt to bolster its stocks, India abolished import duties on rice.

The problem is an international one, as global rice stocks have reached a 25-year low.

Deadline to quit NAM flats goes unheeded: Former MPs firm to stay till 9th Parliament is constituted

NAM flats at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar

Shamim Jahangir

A total 187 former parliament members are yet to hand over their NAM flats in spite of the expiry of the ultimatum issued to vacate the flats by March 31 by the Ministry of Housing and Public Works.

Finding no other alternatives, the ministry concerned is going to file certificate cases against the MPs as they have not been paying their outstanding rents for using the flats since January this year.

Sources at the Ministry of Housing and Public Works told The New Nation yesterday that the certificates cases would be filed against the former lawmakers in accordance with the existing laws.

The former MPs have been occupying the 187, out of 324 luxury flats since the dissolving of the 8th Jatiya Sangsad in October 2006. The Housing and Public Works Ministry asked the former MPs to vacate the flats through two separate letters to the Jatiya Sangsad secretariat on March 19 and March 25 last.

However, Speaker Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar on Saturday wrote a letter to the Chief Adviser suggesting that it would necessary to hold a tripartite meeting among Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat, Housing Ministry and parliament members to resolve the ongoing crisis over the issue of vacating the allotted flats or following the advice of the court regarding the issue.

The Speaker, in his letter, also mentioned that "the Sangsad (Parliamentar) Secretariat is the sole authority of the NAM flats, not the Housing and Public Works Ministry."

"That is why it is not possible to vacate the flats allotted to the MPs according to the letters of the Housing and Public Works Ministry," he said, adding: "Only the parliamentary committee concerned is authorised to cancel the flats of the MPs."

Sircar further stated that the Housing and Public Works Ministry was not the legal authority to ask the MPs to vacate the flats.

"The Sangsad Secretariat earlier allocated a total of 187 flats of the former MPs belonging to Awami League, BNP and other political parties," the Speaker informed.

Besides, 137 flats allotted to the high officials of different ministries, Anti-Corruption Commission and Special Security Forces till the formation of the next Jatiya Sangsad, he said.

"It is not possible to vacate the flats before the gazette notification of the 9th Jatiya Sangsad," Sircar asserted.

He also advised the caretaker government to form a committee led by Law Adviser to resolve the issue of NAM flats.

The Housing and Public Housing Ministry re-fixed Tk 2,000 for 1200 square feet of flats and Tk 2,500 for 1800 square feet flats.

"After vacating the flats, any MP can apply for fresh allocation of the flats by attaching the receipts of previous payment of rents with the application forms to the Housing and Public Works Ministry," the ministry said its letter.

Since the former MPs have not vacated their flats and refrained from applying afresh showing the proofs of the payment of flat rents in accordance with the letters, the ministry concerned is now taking preparations to file certificate cases against them for not paying outstanding arrears under the Public Demand Recovery Act 1913, sources said.

On the other hand, a total of 50 former MPs led by former AL MP Shahajahan Khan have already announced that they would not vacate the flats through a press conference.

"Only the parliamentary secretariat can ask us to vacate the flats, because it is the sole authority to do so," they said.

Evans named new UK HC to Bangladesh

Stephen Evans

BSS, Dhaka

The UK has named Stephen Evans as new High Commissioner to Bangladesh.

Evans will replace Anwar Choudhury, who will shortly be completing his four-year tenure as British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, said a High Commission press release here on Tuesday.

Choudhury, whose position in Bangladesh had been extended by a year in April 2007, has been confirmed in his new appointment to a critical senior diplomatic position at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.

His new role, as the Director for the UK's policy and relations with International Institutions, particularly the UN, the EU, NATO, the G8, the Commonwealth, the US, the World Bank and the IMF, encompasses one of the UK's top international priorities, and will involve working very closely with Number 10 Downing Street. Evans, a highly-experienced and accomplished diplomat with in-depth experience of South Asia, will take up his appointment in June 2008.

He has previously served as British Ambassador to Afghanistan, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Head of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office's South Asia Department, the release said.

Govt urged to stock food grains for lean period

Staff Reporter

The government should aim at achieving self-sufficiency instead of self-reliance to ensure food security by increasing production and sufficient procurement from local and foreign sources.

However, the prices of cereals--- rice and wheat--- are unlikely to return to its past level although some downtrend in prices is most likely.

Dr Mahabub Hossain, Executive Director of BRAC and former Director General of BIDS said this at a seminar on 'Food Security in Bangladesh: Present and Future Challenges' held at PKSF auditorium.

Institute of Microfinance organised the seminar with its Chairman Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud in the chair. Executive Director of the organisation Prof M A Baki Khalily and ADB Country Director Hua Du also spoke on the occasion.

Dr Mahabub said the main cause of price hike of food grains in Bangladesh is shortage of global production. The regular importing countries have imported higher quantities for buffer stock.

He said the increase of global production is impossible. Moreover, some countries have started to use food grains to produce bio-fuel and as animal feed.

"The present time is the beginning of the end of the era of cheap food," he observed.

Referring to the projection of continuation of the trend of high price of cereal until 2012 Dr Mahabub said the immediate crisis in Bangladesh is alarming.

"Doubling of the price within one year seriously erodes the capacity of below poverty-households to access staple food," he said describing the national scenario of food crisis.

He said the availability of substitute food--- potatoes and vegetables--- may induce poor households to change food habits under pressure. The groups at high risk are industrial workers and low-paid government employees with fixed income, he said identifying the victims of the present food crisis.

Dr Mahabub suggested the government to engage in substantial domestic procurement of food grains to build-up stocks to check possible deterioration of the situation in October-November. "Dependence on global market for food will not be good strategy."

"The government must increase capacity to operate a subsidise food distribution system to stabilise prices and assist the vulnerable groups," he said adding, " We must target to increase production by 0.35 million tons of rice every year to feed an extra nearly 2 million people per annum."

He suggested for adoption of hybrid seeds, use of quality seeds, reduce yield gaps through better crop management and efficient operation of input markets to avert food crisis.

Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud said the price hike of cereals in the international and domestic market has created pressure on people as well as small economies like Bangladesh.

"We should think of the affect of the continuous price hike of cereals on our economy," he said.

He wanted to know if Bangladesh will be able to achieve self sufficiency in food production.

Zillur demands immediate release of Hasina: AL workers stage hunger strike

Shechhashebok League activists observed a token
hunger strike at the Awami League central office at
Bangabandhu Avenue yesterday demanding unconditional release
of Sheikh Hasina. AL Acting President Zillur Rahman and
other central leaders expressed solid

UNB, Dhaka

Demanding immediate unconditional release of detained ex-PM and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina, acting party chief Zillur Rahman yesterday warned the caretaker government that it would be dangerous for the government if people lost their patience.

"Bangladesh is gradually roaring…If people lose their patience, it will bring serious consequences for the government," he said while talking during a token hunger strike at party central office at Bangabandhu Avenue. Awami Swecchasevok League organized the seven-hour-long hunger strike to press their demand for unconditional release of Sheikh Hasina.

The fast started at 10:30 am and ended at 5:30pm with fruit juice offered by Zillur Rahman to the fasting activists.

Zillur asked the government to send Hasina to the USA without wasting time for her ear treatment under the recommendations by her physicians. He also demanded proceedings of all cases against the ailing Hasina be suspended until she completely recovers from her illness.

He criticized the jail authorities for "misbehavior" with Sheikh Hasina and for forcibly shifting her to the makeshift jail from the Square Hospital.

Talking at the programme, AL presidium member Tofael Ahmed asked the government to send Hasina to America immediately after her unconditional release. Otherwise, he threatened, their announced mid-April mass hunger strike would turn into a "mass upsurge".

He demanded of the government to start dialogue with political parties soon and said they would raise the issues of Hasina's release, lifting state of emergency and election schedule during the conversation with the government.

Another presidium member, Suranjit Sengupta, demanded immediate withdrawal of the state of emergency and declaration of parliamentary election schedule.

"Uncertainty has been created among the people over holding election as per announced electoral roadmap…Now government should declare election schedule to dispel the doubt from public mind," he said.

Swecchasevok League leaders demanded unconditional release of Sheikh Hasina and their general secretary Pankoj Debvath and other detained leaders of AL and its front organizations. They also demanded withdrawal of cases filed against their president Bahauddin Nasim.

AL leader Dr Abdur Razzaq, Dr Hasan Mahamud, Adv Shahara Khatun and Adv Qumrul Islam, Jubo League leaders Dr Mijanur Rahman and Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, Swecchasevok League leaders Mollah Mohammad Abu Kawser, Motiur Rahman Mati, Protik Saha, Probal Roy and Saidul Karim Mintu, among others, also spoke at the programme.

BB to hold forex reserve: Precautionary measure to meet increased import payments

Staff Reporter

As a precautionary measure to meet the increased import payments in the days to come Bangladesh Bank would hold tight the present level of foreign exchange reserve.

As of Tuesday, the foreign exchange reserve was US$ 5.6 billion, which is equivalent to import payments for three months.

"We will have to spend the reserve cautiously as we will have to meet increased payments for import of food, capital machinery and power plants," Central Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin told newsmen replying to a question after a meeting with the CEOs of financial institutions.

The Governor was asked about borrowing of US$ 220 million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as BoP (Balance of Payment) support despite a comfortable reserve position.

Dr Salehuddin said the IMF loan would help avert unexpected pressure on the BoP as the country is now going through huge import pressure. The bi-monthly payment of Asian Clearing Union (ACU) also increased substantially, he added.

Replying to another question, he said the government has got better offer from Standard Chartered Bank than the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to take a loan of US$ 300 million for Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC).

Turning to the meeting with top officials of financial institutions (FIs), the Governor said two FIs have provision shortfall against their classified loans while the classified loans of eight FIs have increased.

The Central Bank would hold separate meetings with the individual banks to overcome the problem, he added.

He said the meeting decided to form a committee to look into the delay in issuing IPOs of seven FIs in the capital market.

The committee will be formed with representation from Bangladesh Bank, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms, and the association of the FIs.

The meeting was told that the IPOs of the FIs could not be issued due to some complexities raised by the SEC and the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms.

DU students demand reduced tuition fees

Dhaka University students staged a demonstration on
the campus yesterday demanding the reduction of increased
academic fee. FocusBangla

DU Correspondent

The 1st year students of Dhaka University yesterday staged a demonstration on the university campus demanding realisation of the five-point demands including reduction of examination fees and publication of their examination's results soon.

The students are carrying out the movement for some days to meet their demands.

The demands are: to fix the amount at Tk 2,500 for two semesters as well as admission fee, give chance to the less successful students to appear at the next semester examination and fix Tk 100 as the fee of each improvement course, publish the result within one month after ending of the examination and make available information to the students about semester system from the beginning of the first semester.

They brought out a procession on the campus and held a rally at the Aparajeyo Bangla where they declared that they would continue the movement until the demand was met.

Sources said the students became agitated when the academic council decided to take Tk 1,000 as the second semester fee, which was earlier Tk 400 for the first semester.

Sardar Aminul Islam, Chairman of Sociology Department of the university, said the university authority fixed the amount considering the overall condition of the students.

He said the semester system is more experience than other examinations, so the amount was fixed which was not so high.

The university authority increased the examination fees under the semester system as some extra Tk 27 lakh is required to conduct the semester system examination, he added.

Union Parishad oikya jote meet: Local govt election before national polls demanded

Desk Report

Commerce and Industry Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said the government is taking effective initiatives for strengthening the local government bodies.

He disclosed that the policymakers of the present caretaker government are considering to form a commission in this regard.

He was speaking as chief guest at a meeting organised by Union Parishad Okayjote demanding effective, dynamic and independent local government for democracy, development and good governance at the Engineering Institution in the city yesterday.

We must look at the rural economy of the country for the overall economic progress, Dr Zillur observed

Presided over by M Feroz Siddiqi, convener of organization's Dhaka Divisional region, former minister Lt Gen (Rtd) Meer Shawkat Ali inaugurated the conference while former minister Gulam Sarwar Milon, former Jatiya Party lawmaker GM Kader, Prof Dr Nazmul Ahsan Kalimollah, Meer Enayeet Hossain Montu, Mahbubur Rahman Tulu, and Matiur Rahman Tapan, among others, addressed the function.

Dr Zillur said developing every village is a must for a sustainable development of the country adding '' If the Dhaka city or Chittagong is developed only, people will not get the benefits at all from such kind of incomplete development.''

Referring to the demands raised by the local elected representatives , he said he fully agree with them to hold local government election before holding parliamentary election.

Lt Gen (Rtd) Meer Shawkat Ali in his speech urged the Government to take proper initiatives for strengthening the local government ignoring ' ill motivated' demands by some political parties.

''I think they are not interested in good governance and effective democracy in Bangladesh,'' he said.

Since the election is held without party affiliation, political parties have no right to oppose the election before general election, he added.

Former minister Gulam Sarwar Milion also the coordinator of the organisation said this is a golden opportunity to take measures for powerful and functional local government while GM Kader stressed on political commitment in this regard.

About twelve thousand chairmen and members of different Union Parishad took part in the convention and described their various difficulties in running their jobs during the previous political government.

They demanded of the Government to hold local government election before the general election to resist the political parties influence.

Most of them said political interference are the major obstacles for them.

Jalil's parole extended for more10 days

BSS, Dhaka

The Government has extended the parole of Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil, who is now undergoing treatment in Singapore, for another 10 days from yesterday.

A Home Ministry release said that the government had extended the parole on humanitarian grounds and in the interest of his treatment following a prayer from the ailing leader.

The Ministry also sought all papers and documents relating to the treatment of Abdul Jalil for its perusal. The government on March 2 granted 30-day parole to "critically ill" Abdul Jalil allowing him to go abroad for treatment under several conditions.

Before going to Singapore on parole Abdul Jalil, who was in the Central Jail after his arrest, was treated at the LabAid Hospital since July 15, 2007 for "multiple organ disorder".

A five-member medical board suggested him the "renal replacement therapy" in the form of dialysis or kidney replacement.

The board also suggested that transplantation should be carried out at a super specialty foreign hospital because of the critical nature of his multi-organ diseases, including kidney, heart, ophthalmologic and orthopedic problems.

Hannan Shah says: BNP to announce programmes from central office

UNB, Dhaka

BNP chairperson's adviser Brig Gen (retd) Hannan Shah yesterday asked the Juba Dal members to remain ready disregarding BNP's unity issue as the party is planning to announce its programmes from the Juba Dal office housed in the BNP central office building now under lock and key.

Addressing a meeting of Juba Dal at the Diploma Engineers Institute marking the Independence Day, he said Khaleda Zia will be released through party programmes if the legal means fail. He said BNP cannot be destroyed through repression as President Zia's ideology could not be erased through his assassination.

"Give elections soon and hand over power. No political party will concede to any hanky-panky. BNP will salvage democracy from conspiracy," Shah said, adding that BNP will launch its programmes soon after BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain's return from New York.

Deploring the keeping of Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina in detention on this year's Independence Day, Shah said there would be a unique celebration if both the former Prime Ministers are released immediately.

The BNP leader said the incumbent government would be made accountable to the people for all of its activities if BNP returns to power.

He questioned how the Finance Adviser can take a loan of Tk 3,500 crore from a foreign bank on hard terms to run the government despite having so many national banks in the country.

Presided over by Juba Dal acting president Mia Mohammad Selim, the discussion was addressed, among others, by BNP leaders Goyeshwar Chandra Roy and Mohammad Shajahan, party acting office secretary Rizvi Ahmed, Juba Dal vice-president Mohibbul Alam Swapan, acting general secretary Adv Abdus Salam, organising secretary Khairul Kabir Khokon and Juba Dal assistant secretary Asiqur Rahman Ahsique.

Imon's hitman Ponir killed in encounter

Staff Reporter

The chief hit man of the infamous Imon gang and the main accused of Jubo Dal leader Shibli murder case was killed in 'crossfire' during an encounter between RAB officials and his group at Jigatola in the city early yesterday, official sources said.

A release from the Rapid Action Battalion gave his identity as "serial killer" Taj Mohammad Ponir alias 'killer Ponir', 36, suspected as the main hitman in the group of arrested top-terror Imon, recently brought back from his hideouts in India.

Hailed from Srinagar in Munshiganj district, Ponir was wanted in a number of criminal cases, including murders and abductions, the sources said.

The elite-force RAB said based on the confessional statement of Imon, now on remand, plainclothes RAB troops chased a white microbus at Jigatola crossing because of its suspicious movement.

Sensing the presence of RAB personnel, the microbus turned around and Ponir fired gunshots from the vehicle, forcing the RAB men to fire back, its release said.

He was caught in the crossfire trying to flee the scene at about 3am and died on the spot, it added.

After the gun battle, the law-enforcers recovered a pistol and some ammunition from the micro.

His body was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue.

Ponir had started his underworld activities in 1991 through the killing of a man in the city. He also allegedly committed a number of murders, including that of JCD Hazaribagh unit general secretary Shibli in March.

A case was filed with Dhanmondi police station in connection with the encounter.

Soaring food, fuel prices biggest challenge for E Asia : World Bank

AFP, Singapore

Soaring food and fuel prices are now East Asia's biggest challenge, even more than the US financial turmoil which is roiling global markets, the World Bank said on Tuesday.

In its half-yearly report on East Asia, it said the region could see an aggregate income loss of one percent of gross domestic product due to price increases, which it said were hitting the poor especially hard.

"Dealing with high food and fuel prices probably constitutes a greater challenge to governments in East Asia than the financial turmoil in the United States and a slowing global economy," it said.

The bank defines East Asia as including Southeast Asia and most other countries in the region, including China but not Japan.

Oil and rice, a food staple across the region, are among those items now seeing soaring prices.

"Rising food prices are exacerbating headline inflation and hurting the incomes of the poor," the bank said.

"These developments could stall or even set back the progress made in reducing poverty over the last decade, while heightening political tensions," it said.

"Income losses of this size perhaps could have been overlooked when the region's economy was growing very rapidly in 2006-07," the World Bank said.

But it warned that if the global credit crisis leads to significantly lower growth in East Asia, the losses "could have a more negative effect."

Food expenses in East Asia account for 31-50 percent of the consumption basket compared with 15 percent in the United States, according to the bank.

"The sharp rise in international food prices is likely to have a significant impact on the living standards of the poor throughout the developing world, posing one of the more urgent and difficult problems facing governments today," it said.

Measures such as price controls may stabilise the situation but are likely to be temporary and could backfire in the long term, it said.

Countrywide OMS of rice begins

BSS, Dhaka

The Government stared open market sale (OMS) of rice across the country at Taka 25 per kilogram (kg) yesterday with a view to controlling the market.

The OMS programme will continue until the harvesting of Boro crop. A person of low-income group will be able to buy highest five kgs of rice under the programme.

Rice was sold yesterday on trucks, outside the selected spots, in the Dhaka city areas that are densely populated with labourers, particularly garment workers.

Food Ministry sources said OMS programme has been strengthened so that the poor people can purchase rice at a low price as per their requirements.

A total of 1.20 lakh tonnes of rice will be sold under the programme. The number of dealers has been increased to 6,330 from 2,530 to make the programme a success.