The New Nation - Internet Edition

CA urges textile entrepreneurs Ensure welfare of workers

Visitors at a stall on the opening day of 3-day-long
TexBangla Expo at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference
Centre in the city on Wednesday. Focus Bangla

UNB, Dhaka

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed Wednesday called upon all entrepreneurs of the country's textile sector to give proper attention to all the relevant matters of the workers for ensuring their welfare.

He assured that the government would always remain beside the entrepreneurs as dedicated supporter and auxiliary force for industrialization and hoped that the entrepreneurs would put in all-out strength in industrialization in the country in the days ahead.

The head of the caretaker government made the call while inaugurating a 3-day exposition of textiles styled TEXBANGLA 2008, fourth of its kind, organized by Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

'Made in Bangladesh' is the theme of this year's expo that got off with a different form as it coincided with the silver jubilee of the BTMA.

TexBangla is the prime display event of the products of the BTMA member-mills. The exhibition is designed to showcase world-class textile products-from yarn to fabrics manufactured in private sector textile mills of Bangladesh. A total of 44 textile mills and factories and groups are participating in the exhibition. The number of spinning-mills in private sector rose to 301 in the first part of this year (2008) from 84 in 1995. Some 1340 million kilograms of yarn and 1700 million meters of fabrics are manufactured per year, the function was informed. The industry provides livelihoods to around 45 lakh people.

Yarn produced by BTMA member-mills meets 85 to 90 percent demand of export-oriented knit garment industries while 40 percent demand of fabrics of oven garment exporters.

Overall textile sector, including primary textiles, adds 13 percent to national income. It is keeping signification contribution to employment generation and poverty alleviation, after manpower export and agriculture sectors.

A video presentation was made at the function on the Primary Textiles - on the success and advances of Textile Industry in Bangladesh-highlighting the past history of textile sector and its future potential.

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam, Textile and Jute Adviser M Anwarul Iqbal, Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman and BTMA president Abdul Hai Sarkar also spoke at the inaugural function.

Long-term plan needed for disaster recovery: Education sector mostly affected

Staff Reporter

Experts at a seminar in the city said due to geographic features, Bangladesh frequently suffers from devastating floods, cyclones, storm surges, tornadoes, riverbank erosion and drought. Along with losses in life and livelihood, property and infrastructure, the country usually experiences enormous losses to education sector in particular at primary and secondary levels.

School infrastructures are destroyed and remain closed for a longer time and continue to reduce the contact hours. Along with hampering the process of imparting quality education, disaster directly contributes to enhancing the dropout rate caused by engagement of students in economic activities and deteriorations of health condition, they said.

Education infrastructure in Bangladesh needs long-term planning for sustainable recovery, they added.

Natural disasters impose hindrances over the goal of ensuring equitable access and enhancing the quality of education and thereby restraining the pace of attaining Millennium Development Goal (MDG) -2, 'Universal Education for All' by 2015. Hence, mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in the education sector, especially at primary and secondary levels is most essential to make reduced national risk associated with frequent disasters, sustain economic growth with decreased vulnerability of marginalised segments of the society, said the experts.

The seminar on 'Disaster Risk Reduction Education and Culture' was held at Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban yesterday jointly organised by Advancing Public Interest Trust (APIT) and Shaptahik.

Dr M Anwarul Huque, former director general of NAEM, and Maliha Shahjahan of APIT, presented two papers, while Moniruzzaman Miah, former Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University, chaired the session.

Shashanka Saadi, Project Manager of UNDP, moderated the seminar, while Selina Hossain, writer, Mamtaz Jahan, curriculum specialist, Dr Md Hedayet Hossain and Syeda

Tahmina Akhter, Professors of IER of Dhaka University, SA Hasan Al Farooque, Coordinator of Actionaid, among others, spoke at the seminar.

Speakers said children are among the most vulnerable population group at time of natural catastrophe like earthquake, especially those attending school.

They urged the government creating budget provision or creating income-generating provisions for meeting operation and maintenance costs of schools both during no-disaster and also during post disaster restoration.

Involvement of the learners, teachers in the school infrastructure vulnerability analysis will provide them the understanding of the idea and also motivate them to replicate the learner and build a culture of disaster resilience within the whole community, said the experts.

Later another session on 'Sustainable, flexible and recovery plus visioning of resilient infrastructure for education system in Bangladesh' was held at the same venue where Munaz Ahmed Noor, Associate Professor of Department of Civil Engineering of BUET, presented keynote paper, while Mehedi Ahmed Ansary, Professor of Department of Civil Engineering of BUET, chaired the session.

Tarique’s trial: SC rejects ACC motion

UNB, Dhaka

The Supreme Court Wednesday refused to entertain Ani-Corruption Commission plea for clearing the way for it to proceed with Tarique trial in a graft case.

A 7-member full hierarchy of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court rejected the ACC petition for extending the highest court's stay on the High Court order that had stalled the case proceedings against the detained BNP senior joint secretary general, Tarique Rahman.

The full court, headed by Chief Justice M Ruhul Amin, passed the order turning down the Anti-Corruption Commission plea for afresh stay as it prefers leave to appeal against the High Court orders. The apex court, however, fixed April 28 for hearing the leave-to-appeal petition against the High Court orders. Today's court orders set at rest the graft-case proceedings against Tarique, detained former premier Khaleda Zia's elder son. On October 4 last year, the Appellate Division, upon an ACC prayer, had stalled for three weeks the High Court order of stay on the proceedings of the graft case against Tarique, directing the ACC to file a regular leave petition in the meantime.

The apex court in its order also had given a warning to the anti-corruption watchdog that, if it failed to do so, the SC stay 'shall stand vacated'.

Earlier on October 1, the High Court, following a writ petition filed by Tarique challenging the validity of the graft case, had issued a rule upon the ACC and stayed the operation of the case proceedings. The case is now pending with the court of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Dhaka.

No credible polls without Hasina: Zillur

UNB, Dhaka

Acting Awami League president Zillur Rahman Wednesday said that free, fair and credible elections can't be possible in the country without release of detained party chief and ex-Prime Minister Shekh Hasina.

"Advisors of the caretaker government assured us of holding election as per announced roadmap during the pre-dialogue talks and we believe that election would be held during the scheduled time," he said. But release of Sheikh Hasina is the only way to ensure free and credible polls, he observed.

Zillur was talking to reporters at his Gulshan residence when Jubo Mohila League leaders handed over a memorandum with two-lakh signatures from the women community demanding unconditional release of Sheikh Hasina.

He said the leaders and workers of the party are agitating for freeing the party president and it is not possible for them at this moment to control the protestors. "We don't want to go for creating any awful circumstances and the government should have to understand this," the AL leader cautioned.

Zillur said the government pledged to hold the election in time several times and hoped that the government would keep its word and hold the parliamentary elections by the end of 2008. He, however, observed that there couldn't be fair and credible election without Sheikh Hasina's presence.

Responding to a query about the party's demand at the pre-dialogue regarding release of Hasina, the acting AL president said they were hopeful that Hasina would be freed ahead of the formal talks with the government.

He expressed his apprehension over the latest health condition of Sheikh Hasina and alleged that the jail authority is playing hide-and-seek games with them about her health. He asked the government to send her abroad for her better treatment. AL leaders Amir Hossain Amu, Tofael Ahmed, Motia CHowdhury, Abdul Mannan and Captain (Retd) Tajul Islam and Jubo Mohila League leaders Nazma Akter, Apu Ukil and Sabina Akter Tuhin were present among others at the programme.

Subsidy in agri sector

Contd from page-8

imported food soon after the flood". Since the godown in the country could store only 26 lakh tonnes of potato against our total production of 75 lakh tonnes, the Government could buy all the excess quantity of potato from farmers to encourage them to cultivate it on a wide scale.

Secretary of Sammobadi Dal, Dilip Barua said, "production in the agriculture sector is closely linked with land administration system and change in this system will greatly help increase food production, he noted.

Rejoinder

Staff Reporter

The Bangladesh Steel Re-rolling Mills (BSRM) in a rejoinder has contradicted a news item published in The New Nation on Wednesday titled 'BSRM blamed for price hike of iron rod.'

The rejoinder, signed by BSRM General Manager Tapan Sengupta, said, "BSRM has less than 6 per cent market share in the country of iron rods and therefore has no power to influence the market. Moreover, BSRM believes in strong ethics and values and will never hoard material to artificially increase prices in connivance with other companies."

BSRM pays the highest income tax in the country.

It does not believe in speculation and only imports raw materials for production and not for stocking, hence whatever stocks are imported, are converted to finished products and sold to customers.

It said BSRM also has never stopped selling its iron rods to customers, sold more than those quantities and are still struggling to meet their delivery commitments. BSRM cannot be blamed for price increase because this is a purely market economics.

The rejoinder said the main reason of the price increase of iron rod are multiple, starting from high international billet and other raw material price, high prices of materials of ship breaking and a vibrant demand in the country, BSRM said.

Call to implement: Noise Pollution Control Act

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a press conference in the city urged the government to implement the Noise Pollution Control Act to save the people from sound pollution.

Though the government enacted the Noise Pollution Control Act in 2006, the rate of noise pollution is increasing everyday due to lack of monitoring, they said.

The press conference on 'Noise Pollution' was jointly organised by WBB Trust and University of Asia Pacific (UAP) at the Conference Room of WBB Trust yesterday to observe International Noise Awareness Day.

Prof Dr MR Kabir, Pro Vice Chancellor of UAP, presented keynote paper, while Syed Mahbubul Alam, Progarmme Manager of WBB Trust, Naznin Kabir, Project Officer, among others, were present on the occasion.

Speakers said sound from bus, truck and other vehicles, industries in industrial areas, brick breaking machine, generator and mikes are creating panic to people everyday.

According to a survey conducted by WBB Trust and UAP, rate of sound pollution is high at the Sayedabad Bus Terminal area- 102 decibel. Due to increase of sound pollution, people suffer from various diseases including hearing loss problem, they said.

Though the government has taken some steps in the capital area, but the overall condition across the country is worsening day by day, said the speakers.

They urged the government to create awareness among the people about the noise pollution. They also urged all to come forward in this regard.

Seminar in city told: Promote concept of self-help

Staff reporter

The speakers at a seminar in the city yesterday said the individuals should promote the concept of "Self-Help" for the sake of their own existence and improving their life style.

Self-Help Promotion Network, an NGO, organised the seminar titled "Sharing Experience to Reduce Poverty With Self-Help Promotion" at the ICDDRB auditorium.

Speaking on the occasion Professor Mozaffar Ahmed, Chairman of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), said, development of any sort could not be achieved without self help. Everyone should be active for the betterment of one's own lot through innovative ideas and plans, he added.

He also laid stress on the improvement of ecology for community development.

Khairul Kabir, Directorate General Of Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), said, self-help is the only way to bring about a real change in the lives of individuals and the community. Education facilities must be spread out to the masses for exploiting their talents. The NGOs should conduct campaign programme to create awareness among the people about the benefits and achievements self-help, he noted.

He also urged the NGO's workers to influence the policy makers of the government to incorporate the self-help principles in the development agenda.

Dr Abbas Bhuyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustee of Self Help Network; Alien Cuvelier, Inter Cooperation delegate; Dr Shaik A Daiyan, Acting country director of plan Bangladesh, among others, were present at the seminar.

The Self-Help Promotion Network started its journey in 2001 at the initiatives of some national and international development organisations. These are Plan Bangladesh, ICDDRB, German Red Cross, and UNDP. Later Inter Cooperation, Commilla BARD, The Hunger Project Bangladesh came forward to promote the concept of self-help for sustainable development. Currently around 236 development organisations are associated with the self-help regional network.

Cable TV expo begins in city

Staff Reporter

A three daylong Cable TV Exhibition-2008 organised by the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB) begins at the Basundhara city in the capital on April 24.

This was stated at a press conference in a city hotel yesterday. its president SM Anwar Parveez and General Secretary Nizam Uddin Masud addressed the press conference.

The fair will be inaugurated at 11:00 am on the opening day. COAB General secretary said this was the second time they were going to organise the exhibition with a view to introducing cable TV operators and viewers with the latest cable TV technology and equipment.

A good number of companies involved in producing TV equipment and developing technologies from India, Taiwan, Chine, Korea and USA are expected to participate at the fair.

Al-Jazeera, ESPN, Sony and other channels will also participate in the fair, which will remain open for the visitors till 7:00pm but on the opening day till 5:00pm, he added.

Besides, COAB will also arrange few workshops and seminars, which will be conducted by eminent technologists in the country.

Replying to a question, COAB President said now COAB has about 3600 operator members.

No entry fee will be required for the visitors and riffle draw and cultural ceremony will also be arranged for the visitors, COAB leaders informed.

Joint Secretaries Deen Islam Kazi Borna, Publication Secretary Kamrul Alam Shamim and Technical Secretary Hasan Kamrul Rakib, among others, were present at the press conference.

Trade body not happy with 1% lending rate cut: BB to continue efforts to reduce it: Governor

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed Wednesday assured a leading trade body of continuing the central bank's efforts to reduce interest rates on bank loans.

"BB hopes that in near future there will be a positive trend in reduction of interest rate, charges and fees," he told a meeting with Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) at the chamber's conference room.

He gave the assurance when chamber President Latifur Rahman said the reduction of highest lending rate by 1 percent is somewhat misleading and said it should be applicable for different categories of outstanding loans. The trade body expected a requisite move by the central bank in this regard at the earliest.

Steel millers demand duty waiver on raw materials of iron rod

Staff Reporter

Re-Rolling and Steel Millers yesterday urged the government to withdraw import duty, advance income tax and VAT on raw materials of iron rod temporarily to help bring down the soaring price of the item which have hit the housing sector.

They said they would not oppose if the government re-impose the tax and VAT once the price of iron materials in the international market decreased in the future.

They also calls for re-fixation of VAT at production and delivery stage to Tk 1,500, Tk 1,300 and Tk 2,600 from existing Tk 3,000, Tk 2,500 and Tk 5,000.

The Bangladesh Re-Rolling Mills Association and the Bangladesh Steel Mill Owners Association at a press conference in the city also pleads for withdrawal of import duty on generator of electricity. This will help reduce the demand of electricity, they said.

Blaming the pre-shipment companies (PSIs) for not doing their duties properly the millers urged the government to withdraw those from the process.

They pointed out that during the re-fixation of price of iron rod the joint force did not invite the Bangladesh Re-Rolling Mills Association and the Bangladesh Steel Mill Owners Association. They had not considered the price of raw materials and the production cost, they alleged.

On April 11, the joint force re-fixed price of 60-grade iron rod at Tk 62,000 and 40-grade iron rod at Tk 58,000 per ton.

Bangladesh Re-Rolling Mills Association General Secretary Sheikh Masadul Alam Masud and Bangladesh Steel Mill Owners Association Secretary General Fazlur Rahman Bakul spoke on the occasion.

Bus plunges into canal: 41 school children killed in India

AP, Ahmadabad

A bus plunged nearly 50 feet (15 meters) into a canal in western India early yesterday, killing at least 41 schoolchildren going to take an examination and three others, an official said.

Forty-four bodies have been pulled out of the canal near Vadodara city in Gujarat state, and rescuers were searching for the 14 missing passengers, according to district official Vijay Nehra. Four children swam ashore and have been hospitalized, Nehra said.

Earlier, Nehra said at least 45 people had died.

The bus driver was among those killed, said Superintendent of Police Amit Vishwanarain. The state government ordered an inquiry into the accident and rushed medical teams to the scene, 150 kilometers (95 miles) south of Ahmadabad, the key Gujarat city.

The flow of water into the six-meter (20-feet) -deep canal from a dam has been stopped to help rescuers locate the missing people, Nehra said.

The students from a village school traveling to a nearby town, Bodeli, to take an examination when the accident occurred, Nehra said.

he bus driver appeared to have lost control of the vehicle while trying to pass another bus, he said. The vehicle smashed through a concrete barricade into the canal. Residents of a nearby village rushed in to help with rescue operations, he said.

Bangladeshis sentenced: President writes to Saudi King for clemency

UNB, Dhaka

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed has addressed a letter to Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud seeking clemency for eight Bangladeshis sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia on charge of killing an Egyptian national.

"Diplomatic efforts are underway to liaise with the family of the murdered person to obtain release through payment of blood money," said a Foreign Ministry spokesman yesterday.

At the same time, the Bangladesh Ambassador in Saudi Arabia has been asked to urge the community over there to raise the requisite amounts for payment of the compensation.

UNCTAD confce in Ghana: Dhaka to press for global food security compact

BSS, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury yesterday said that Bangladesh would press for a Global Food Security Compact asking UN to initiate informational cooperation for expanding food availability, at the forthcoming UNCTAD XII Conference in Accra, Ghana, next week.

The Foreign Adviser was sharing views on the upcoming conference with the media at his office here.

He observed that the recent worldwide shortage in grain supply is significant issue for the United Nations to focus on as a priority. New Green Revolutions should be inspired through more research and development on food, production and distribution of high-yielding seed varieties, and expanding acreage in agriculture, should constitute elements of this 'thrust- programme'.

"Bangladesh will press for this, along with a package of other ideas, as Chairman of the Group of Least Developed Countries in order to mainstream them in the global economy, at Accra conference," he told the newsmen.

The UNCTAD Conference, an event that takes place every four years, will begin on April 20. On April 19, there will be a Ministerial Conference of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to finalise the LDC position in that Conference.

15 BCL activists hurt in factional clash at JU

JU Correspondent

At least 15 Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists of Jahangirnagar University were critically injured in a clash that broke out between two rival groups of the student front of JU unit while they were trying to hold sway over a residential hall.

Tension was running high on the campus as renewed infighting may erupt any time.

The critically injured BCL activists were admitted to a local clinic in Savar. Some 25 rooms of Al Beruyni Hall were ransacked in the attack. Sources said some 110 to 130 BCL activists belonging to Sharif group from Shaheed Salam, Barkat Hall, Maulana Bhashani Hall, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall attacked their rival group activists at midnight when they were in deep sleep, leaving 15 activists wounded.