The New Nation - Internet Edition

Pre-dialogue parley at State Guest House: Advisers wait, BNP (Khaleda) leaders did not turn up

Invitation goes unheeded: Advisers Hussain Zillur,
Anwarul Iqbal and Hasan Ariff seen leaving the State Guest
House Meghna last night as Pro-Khaleda faction of BNP
refuses to attend an instant meeting with the advisers
following invitation through SMS.

Staff Reporter

Pro-Khaleda BNP faction led by Khondoker Delwar Hossain was invited to pre-dialogue talks with the government through a mobile-to-mobile sms.

Adviser for Commerce and Education Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman invited BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain late yesterday afternoon.

The meeting was scheduled to be held at the state guesthouse Meghna at 8:30pm.

However, the meeting did not take place as Khondoker Delwar requested the adviser to reschedule the meeting because they were yet to get ready to take part in it.

Khondoker Delwar had a meeting themselves and told the adviser over telephone that the meeting did not end before the scheduled time for the pre-dialogue talks.

Sources said the Adviser informed Khondoker Delwar that they would let him know the next schedule for the talks later.

Four advisers of the Caretaker Government Ghulam Quader, Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, M Anwarul Iqbal and Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman were waiting at the Meghna to join the meeting with BNP. And later they left the venue being informed that the BNP leaders will not come according to the schedule.

Meanwhile, BNP meeting sources said that the leaders decided to join the talks with the government as they have got the green signal from their detained party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

The government has already held talks with the other faction of the BNP led by Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

EC urges BNP factions to join dialogue unitedly

CEC Shamsul Huda flanked by election commissioners
Sohul Hossain and Brigadier General (Retd) Sakhawat Hossain,
ASM Hannan Shah, Pro-Khaleda BNP faction leader and
Hafizuddin Ahmed, BNP Reformist briefing newsmen separately
after talks at the EC Secretar

Staff Reporter

The Election Commission (EC) yesterday asked both the two factions of the BNP to unite and join the dialogue on electoral reform together.

"During the meeting with both the factions of the BNP, we have asked them to come unitedly within next two to three days. We have told them that the Commission does not want to be involved in such divisions, rather we want to sit with united BNP," Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda told reporters after holding informal meetings with leaders of pro-Delwar and reformist groups of BNP at the commission office.

Leaders of the pro-Delwar BNP said they urged the CEC to send invitation letter to Khondoker Delwar Hossain and then they would be able to join the dialogue unitedly within 72 hours.

On the other hand, leaders of pro-reformist BNP urged the EC to announce poll schedule immediately. They also hoped that they would be able to join the dialogue unitedly.

Election Commissioners-Muhammad Sohul Hossain and Brig Gen (Retd) M Shakhawat Hossain-attended both the meetings.

Asked which faction would get the letter to join the dialogue, the CEC said since both the sides assured that they would be able to come together, the commission would sen, letter when the two factions will come jointly.

"We will take our decision if they fail to get united within the stipulated time," he said.

The CEC said if the two sides stood united and informed the commission, then the date for dialogue with BNP would be determined.

A 16-member delegation of pro-Delwar BNP led by party standing committee member Chowdhury Tanveer Ahmed Siddiqui joined the meeting with the CEC at about 12:45pm.

The members of the delegation include standing committee member Dr RA Gani, BNP Chairperson's Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) ASM Hannan Shah, Joint Secretary Generals Nazrul Islam Khan, Goyeswar Chandra Roy and Selima Rahman, Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Sohrab Hossain, Gazi Mohammad Shajahan, Mohammad Shajahan, Barrister Nasir Uddin Ashim, Selim Reza Habib, Khairul Kabir Khokon and Abdul Momin Talukdar.

Briefing journalists, Tanveer Ahmed Siddiqui said that they had sincere discussions with the Commission.

"BNP is an election party and is prepared to take part in the next elections," he noted.

ASM Hannan Shah said they have told the CEC that Khondoker Delwar is the secretary general of the party.

"Let the Commission invite him formally, we will sit unitedly with them within 72 hours," he said.

Replying to a question, the outspoken Hannan Shah pointed out that previously they had not been allowed to step in the EC Secretariat.

Nazrul Islam Khan said they lodged a strong protest to the EC for not addressing Khandaker Delwar Hossain as BNP secretary general in the invitation letter sent to him on Wednesday.

He said they told the Commission that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia should be released for creating congenial atmosphere to hold the election in a free and fair manner.

The BNP leader said they also told the Commission that it would not be possible to hold elections if the state of emergency is not lifted and election atmosphere created.

Earlier, a four-member delegation of the pro-reformist BNP led by senior party leader Lt Gen (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman joined the meeting with the CEC at about 10:40am

The other members of the delegation are acting secretary general Maj Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Mofazzal Karim and former lawmaker Fazlul Azim.

After hour-long meeting, Mahbubur Rahman told reporters that they have told the CEC to announce election schedule as soon as possible to implement the election roadmap.

He hoped that both the factions would be able to join the dialogue unitedly.

Maj Hafiz Uddin said they met the CEC with no agenda rather it was a courtesy call.

He said there is no division within BNP and hoped they would be able to join the dialogue unitedly.

Meanwhile, leaders and activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal demonstrated outside of the Commission.

When pro-reformist leader Mahbubur Rahman was leaving the commission they shouted at him.

Seeing the situation the other leaders left the commission through other road with police security.

Food festival: Taste of Dhaka begins in city

A colourful rally of hackney carriages was brought
out in the capital yesterday at the initiative of Dhaka
Samity in celebration of 400 years of the capital. Focus
Bangla

BSS, Dhaka

The three-day traditional food festival titled 'Taste of Dhaka' began yesterday at the Kalabagan playground marking the 400th Founding Anniversary of the capital city.

Nearly 60 renowned food shops of the city with traditional items, including biriani, khichuri, kebab, bakharkhani and sweets participated in the fair. The Dhaka Mahanagar Samity with the help of Spellbound, an event management organisation, arranged the fair for the first time as part of its programme to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the old city.

The celebration began with a colourful procession featuring, among other things, 26 horse carriages at 10 AM from the samity office at Nayabazar. The rally was terminated at the venue of the food fair.

The fair will remain open from 8 AM to 10 PM daily. Traditional lathi khela, recitation from 'puthi', kawali, baul and other traditional songs, music and circus will also be performed every evening.

Noted cultural personality Syeed Ahmed inaugurated the fair while President of the Samity M Sirazul Islam was in the chair.

Vice-chairman of the samity Alhaj Abdus Salam, General Secretary Abu Horayra and Director of the Spellbound M Sadekul Arefeen were also present at the inaugural function.

Raise tax exemption limit to Tk 2 lakh: CPD suggests 30pc DA to govt staff, but tells nothing for those working in private sector

Staff Reporter

Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), a local think-tank, yesterday proposed the government to raise the income tax exemption limit to Tk 2,00,000 from the existing Tk 1,50,000 considering the current inflationary pressure in the economy. The minimum threshold could be kept at Tk 2,000, it suggested.

Handing over a set of proposals to Finance and Planning Adviser Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam yesterday in view of the upcoming budget 2008-09, the CPD proposed to consider introducing a 30 per cent dearness allowance on basic salary of all government employees in view of the recent price hike of essentials.

However, the CPD did not make any proposal for thousands of those who are working in the private sector. These private sector employees often become the victims of exploitation at their working places.

A four-member delegation led by Professor Mustafizur Rahman, Executive Director of CPD handed over the proposals to the Finance Advisers. Other members of the delegation were Dr Uttam Deb, Head, Research Division, Dr Fahmida Khatun, Senior Research Fellow and Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Research Fellow.

In view of the rise in house-rent, the CPD proposed that the ceiling of tax-free house rent allowance might be refixed at 60 per cent (currently 50 per cent or Tk 15,000, whichever is lower) of the basic salary.

The current campaign needs to be continued to identify potential tax assesses and broadening tax net. The ambit of the large taxpayer units (LTU) needs to be expanded to enhance opportunities for tax mobilisation.

For dividend income when reinvested, tax may be waived (currently taxed at 10 per cent at source). It may be noted that, non-resident foreign investors in EPZ are already enjoying tax free reinvestment of dividend income.

Given the current depressed investment situation, the CPD suggested that NBR might consider for an extension of tax holiday facilities for industries by another five years as the existing tax holiday scheme is set to expire in June 2008.

Besides, limit of investment allowance may be enhanced to 25 per cent from the existing 20 per cent (in this case existing limit of Tk 250,000 could be enhanced to Tk 300,000 to encourage investment).

Tax on not-for-profit research institutions should be waived since such taxes amounts to tax on knowledge.

Moreover, 4.5 per cent VAT on coaching centers, English-medium schools, private medical and engineering colleges and private universities may be withdrawn. A device needs to be designed so that entrepreneurs of such services have to pay the tax, but are not able to pass the burden on to their clientele.

Taking cognizance of the need to further curtail the population growth rate, government may device an incentive package for all government employees who have only one child.

This could be considered an added advantage in case of promotion and placement.

On corporate income tax, the CPD proposed that corporate credit cards might be introduced in order to distinguish between personal and corporate expenditures. To reduce the possibility of misuse of these cards, use of the corporate credit card may be allowed only against adequate supporting documents/evidence.

Turnover tax limit for SMEs may be revised from annual turnover of Tk 20 lakh to Tk 30 lakh.

On customs duty, the CPD proposed that customs duty on capital machinery and intermediate goods should be reduced considering the recent declining import trends of such items. These rates were increased to 10 per cent and 15 per cent respectively in the budget for FY2007-08.

Supplementary duty (SD) may be enhanced on high-value vehicles and other items generally used by the richer segments of the society. Abolishing the SD on raw materials and components is necessary to ensure interests of the local industries.

Regarding the land price and registration charge, the CPD proposed that the government should decrease high transfer registration cost to reduce propensity to evade tax and to protect the current revenue intake under this head.

It proposed that large agricultural landowners must be brought under the tax net. Simplify land registration procedure.

For export promotion, all dyes, chemicals and other raw materials used in textile sector for the purpose of export may not have more than 5 per cent import duty.

The plastic industry is emerging as a major contributing sector in our foreign earnings. The government should consider providing 10 per cent cash incentives to this industry.

Similarly, in recent years export of jute goods has grown significantly and it is currently enjoying 7 per cent cash incentives. It is proposed that the 7 per cent be increased to 15

per cent.

In order to enhance ship building sector in the country the government should provide bonded warehouse, tax exemption on raw materials and cash incentive facility to this sector. The government should also declare this sector as a thrust sector when announcing its export policy.

Regarding the social sector and social protection schemes, the CPD observed that the amount of money provided for destitute and widow women which is now Tk 220/person per month is too low for the survival of a person especially in the prevailing inflationary period. Allowance for the destitute and widow women may be raised from the current level of Tk 220/person per month to Tk 300/person and coverage should be increased up to 10 lakh from the current 7.5 lakh.

In order to generate employment, the government may consider introducing a Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for the unemployed. For a beginning, in view of regional disparity, this scheme may be introduced in three Divisions-Rajshahi, Khulna and Barisal. This scheme may seek to provide guaranteed employment to one member of every household below a threshold income level (hard core poor) for at least 100 days a year, especially in the lean (Monga) season. The minimum wage could be Tk 150 per day.

In the last budget Tk 550 crore were allocated for employment generation in rural areas outside the ministry-based employment generation programmes, a portion of which was implemented by Palli Karma Shahayak Foundation (PKSF) through their associate NGOs. This year this amount should be increased for the disaster affected people in the southern Bangladesh.

The government could consider creating a development fund under Ministry of Overseas Employment and Expatriate Welfare for development of skill, language course and other training facilities for workers going abroad, and also for providing loans.

Besides, special fund should be allocated for the rehabilitation and employment generation of the Sidr affected people in the southern districts.

For the coastal areas funds should be allocated for the construction of more cyclone shelters for both human and livestock, especially in the char areas.

In the upcoming budget needs of the urban poor, char landers, disaster prone or monga prone people and low income groups should receive proper budgetary allocation.

Steps should be taken for rehabilitation for senior citizens and uprooted people.

Considering the prevailing inflationary situation in the country, allowance for senior citizens may be increased to Tk 300/person per month from the current Tk 220/person per month. The coverage under the programme should be increased up to 25 lakh from current 17 lakh.

On education, CPD proposed that scaling up of scholarships and incentives for disadvantaged girls and boys from very poor families would be a good initiative.

Government may consider tax waiver on educational expenses up to Tk 10,000 per annum.

For essential price stabilization, the CPD proposed to continue with zero-tariff on import of edible oils (crude and refined), lentils and essential food commodities including rice (proper monitoring to discourage over invoicing needed).

Adequate allocations will need to be made to cover the difference between procurement price and OMS price.

Higher allocation is needed for greater coverage and higher entitlement under various safety net programmes.

Obama can win White House this fall, says Hillary: Sudden change in campaign course

AP, Washington

Hillary Rodham Clinton said emphatically Wednesday night that Barack Obama can win the White House this fall, undercutting her efforts to deny him the Democratic presidential nomination by suggesting he would lead the party to defeat.

"Yes, yes, yes," she said when pressed about Obama's electability during a campaign debate six days before the Pennsylvania primary. Asked a similar question about Clinton, Obama said "Absolutely and I've said so before" - a not-so-subtle dig at his rival who had previously declined to make a similar statement about him.

In a 90-minute debate, both rivals pledged not to raise taxes on individuals making less than $200,000, and said they would respond forcefully if Iran obtains nuclear weapons and uses them against Israel.

"An attack on Israel would incur massive retaliation by the United States," said Clinton.

Obama said, "The U.S. would take appropriate action."

They differed over Social Security when Obama said he favored raising payroll taxes on higher-income individuals. Clinton said she was opposed, her rival quickly cut in and countered that she had said earlier in the campaign she was open to the idea.

Under current law, workers must pay the payroll tax on their first $102,000 in wages. Obama generally has expressed support for a plan to reimpose the tax beginning at a level of $200,000 or more. The debate was the 21st of the campaign for the nomination, an epic struggle that could last weeks or even months longer.

Pennsylvania, with 158 delegates at stake, is a must-win contest for Clinton, who leads in the polls and hopes for a strong victory to propel her through the other states that vote before the primary season ends on June 3.

Obama leads in the delegate chase, 1,643-1,504, with 2,025 needed for the nomination. And despite a recent gaffe, he picked up endorsements during the day from three superdelegates from a pair of states with primaries on May 6 - Reps. Andre Carson of Indiana and Mel Watt and David Price of North Carolina.

After primaries and caucuses in 42 of the 50 states, Obama leads his rival in convention delegates, popular votes and states won. She is struggling to stop his drive on the nomination by appealing to party leaders who will attend the convention as superdelegates that he will preside over an electoral defeat at a moment of great opportunity after eight years of Republican rule.

The former first lady has never denied published reports that she once told New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson that Obama couldn't win when he called to tell her he would be endorsing the Illinois senator.

And at a news conference earlier this month in California, Clinton sidestepped when asked directly whether Obama would win if he were the Democratic nominee. "I am sure we will have a united Democratic Party. I will do everything possible to make sure we can win and I am confident we will have a Democrat in the White House next year," she said at the time.

Asked a similar question at the debate, she provided a similar answer at first. "I think we have to beat John McCain and I have every reason to believe we're going to have a Democratic president and it's going to be Barack or me."

Pressed by George Stephanopoulos of ABC News to answer the question directly, she said, "Yes, yes, yes t Now I think I can do a better job."

In a debate that moved swiftly between politics and policy, Clinton issued a first-ever public apology for having claimed erroneously that she landed in Bosnia under sniper fire in 1996 as first lady.

"I may be a lot of things but I am not dumb," she said, adding that she had written in her book that there had been no gunfire during the episode. She said she was embarrassed by her error. "I'm sorry I said it," she added.

She previously had explained her incorrect comments by saying she had misspoken.

Obama later erred by saying he had never favored a ban on handguns even though as a state Senate candidate in 1996 he filled out a questionnaire from an Illinois voter group saying he would support such a ban.

"My writing wasn't on that particular questionnaire t as I said, I have never favored an all-out ban on handguns," Obama said, even though his handwritten notes did appear on its front page. The reponse to the question about guns was typed.

Obama had more explaining to do moments later, when he was asked about his controversial comment that small town Americans become bitter because of economic adversity, and "cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them" as a result.

He said he was attempting to say that because voters feel ignored by government, "they end up being much more concerned about votes around things like guns where traditions have been passed on from generation to generation. And those are incredibly important to them."

"People don't cling to their traditions on hunting and guns" out of frustration with their government, Clinton said. She added that Obama had a fundamental misunderstanding on the role of religion and faith.

Both Obama and Clinton sidestepped when asked if they would place their rival on the ticket as vice presidential running mate in the fall.

"I think very highly of Senator Clinton's record, but I think it is premature at this point to talk about who the vice presidential candidates will be because we're still trying to determine who the nominee will be," Obama said.

Clinton was similarly noncommittal. "I'm going to do everything I possibly can to make sure that one of us takes the oath of office next January. I think that has to be the overriding goal," she said.

Neither rival was willing to say they would ask President Bush to serve in any capacity after he leaves office. Obama volunteered he would be "more likely to ask the advice of the current president's father. He said, that as president, George H. W. Bush had presided over a "wise foreign policy" at the time the Cold War was ending.

ABC News sponsored and televised the debate, with Charles Gibson and Stephanopoulos moderating.

Power plant scam: Case against Hasina adjourned till Apr 21

Staff Reporter

A special anti-graft court yesterday adjourned the trial of three barge-mounted 100MW power plants case against Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and seven others till April 21.

On the other hand, the newsmen, covering the case, walked out of the court for the second day following police misbehaviour. They boycotted the court demanding withdrawal of a police officer and his unconditional apology for his misbehaviour with them on April 15.

On September 2 last year, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Deputy Director Sabbir Hasan lodged the case with Tejgaon Police Station, accusing Hasina and six others of using their influence through mutual understanding in helping a foreign company and its local partners win a deal for setting up the barge-mounted power plants in Haripur, Khulna and Shikalbaha, depriving the lowest bidder.

Hasina's co-accused at the time were former energy secretary Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, former Power

Development Board (PDB) chairman Noor Uddin Mahmud Kamal, Managing Director of Summit Industries and Mercantile Corporation Private Ltd Aziz Khan, its Director Farid Khan, United Group Chairman Hasan Mahmud Raja and its Director Abul Kalam Azad,

Morshed Alam, deputy director of the ACC, submitted the charge sheet in the case on January 10 of this year including the name of Bangabandhu Memorial Trust (BMT) Curator Siddiqur Rahman.

Body to probe rod price hike

Staff Reporter

The government yesterday decided to form a probe committee to identify the causes of abnormal price rises of MS rod in the local market, amid protest from different stakeholders.

In the recent days price of iron rod of 60-grade rose to Tk 74,000 per ton that hit hard country's construction industry. Most of the construction works both in the government and private sector became stalled leaving the implementation of Annual Development Programme (ADP) at lower rate.

Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman at his office in an emergency meeting with the stakeholders took the decision and directed the committee to submit its findings by April 25.

Leaders of steel manufacturers, real estate developers and other government agencies like National Board of Revenue and port authorities were present, among others, in the meeting.

Following the request of manufacturers the meeting also made a number of decisions in order to make the sector more competitive.

The decisions include widening the scope of importing scrap ship, undertaking necessary measure to keep import of finished rod of 60 grade open and to fix reasonable rates of duty by determining the differentials between the duty structures for re-rolling mills and ship-breaking industries.

Commerce Secretary Firoj Ahmed and Additional Secretary Golam Mostakim, TCB chairman Mohammad Ziaul Islam, NBR member M Farid Uddin, President of Bangladesh Re-rolling Mills Association Ali Hossain and REHAB president Mokarram Hossain were, among others, present at the meeting.

The Commerce Ministry will again sit with the stakeholders of steel and construction sectors on April 25 where the big players in the sector will be asked to be present.

After the meeting, Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman told newsmen that the enforcement of the VAT law would provide the scope to know the stock position of any business.

"So far, such law has not been enforced, but now we have decided to enforce it under the legal coverage to find out actual reasons and the persons responsible for the abnormal price escalation," he said. "But the spirit behind the decision is not to punish anybody," he added.

"The decision of importing 60-grade MS rod will create huge investment opportunity in the country's ship-scrap industries," Zillur further said.

Now the ship-crap business is confined within 22 business houses in the country, only 10 of whom are active who have scope to run syndicated business.

It may be mentioned here that an intelligence agency has reported the government that one leading iron rod manufacturer is manipulating the market and making extra profit. Some of the manufacturers joined the company and running a syndicate and destabilising the market.

Call for return to democratic governance

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a roundtable yesterday urged the people to forge national unity and launch a platform, brushing aside political differences, safeguard the national sovereignty and restore democracy.

Hizbut Tahrir, Bangladesh organised the roundtable on "the Change of One-Eleven and Regional Politics: the Ways to safeguard Bangladesh's Sovereignty and Security" at a city hotel.

Former Chairman of Board of Investment (BoI) Mahmudur Rahman and former BNP MP Maj (Retd) Akhtaruzzaman, Language Veteran Prof Abdul Gafur, former BDR

Chief Maj Gen (Retd) Fazlur Rahman, Journalists Amanullah Kabir and Mobaidur Rahman, Secretary General of Bangladesh Muslim League Atiqul Islam, Secretary General of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan Moulana Zafarullah Khan and Joint Secretary General of Islami Shasontantra Andolan Prof ATM Hamayet Uddin, among others, addressed the meeting.

Mohiuddin Ahmed, Chief Coordinator and also spokesman of Hizbut Tahrir, Bangladesh, presented keynote paper at the roundtable presided over by Joint Coordinator of the party Kazi Morshedul Haque.

Mahmudur Rahman stressed the need for an immediate return to elected democratic governance. "Otherwise the national sovereignty and security would be at stake," he said, adding, "Because a non-elected government like the present Caretaker Government is vulnerable to external pressure."

Prof Abdul Gafur said the country should formulate foreign policy, identifying our natural friends and strategically friends.

"We want to see our neighbouring countries as friends, not as our masters, he said in an oblique reference to the recent Indian machination of rice export to Bangladesh.

Maj (Retd) Aktharuzzaman said Bangladesh should enhance its image internationally and establish its identity as moderate liberal country and avoid any conflict with others. "If Bangladesh can do so, it will be able to tap huge development opportunities including export of manpower to the western countries," he added.

Journalist Amanullah Kabir underscored the need for building knowledge based society in the country and adopt appropriate strategies in the foreign policy to safeguard the country's sovereignty and national security.

More social protection for S Asian children urged

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a symposium yesterday stressed the need for more social protection in particular for children in South Asian countries for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's) by the year 2015.

They pointed out that there are half a billion children and young people in the region that comprises 40 per cent of the total population. Social disparities and economic inequality are increasing despite rapid growth and economic development in South Asia, they added.

Some of them expressed apprehensions that the MDG's target might not be achieved by the target year of 2015 if social disparities and economic inequality persist.

"Social protection could be underpin the efforts for MDG's achievements" they observed at the concluding session of the South Asia Regional Policy Makers symposium on ' Social Protection' organised by Unicef, Dhaka office at a city hotel.

"Social inequality and disparities are still challenges for South Asia" they said adding proper implementation of laws are important for establishing social rights and protection.

Jafar Ahmed Chowdhury, Secretary of Planning Commission said Bangladesh has achieved robust economic growth despite natural calamities.

"Our commitment in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP) is helping us in achieving the MDG's," he added.

Yoriko Yasukawa, associate director of Policy Advocacy and Knowledge Management of Unicef assured all kinds of assistance in South Asian countries for ensuring social protection.

Gabriele Kohler, regional adviser on social policy, Unicef ROSA, Prof Naila Kabeer, Institute of Development Studies, Sussex also spoke on the occasion.

Women Dev policy: Khatib committee submits recommendations

UNB, Dhaka

A 19-member committee headed by acting Khatib of Baitul Mukarram Mosque, Mufti Noor Uddin, yesterday submitted its recommendations to Law Advisor AF Hassan Ariff after reviewing the proposed National Women Development Policy that triggered anger among a section of Islamic parties.

"The country will be saved from conflict if the recommendations are implemented soon," said Maulana Jainul Abedin, Principal of Tamirul Millat Madrasa, who is also a member of the committee. He told reporters at the Law Ministry that it would be better if they

were requested to make their recommendations on the proposed policy. "If our recommendations are implemented it will be good for the country."

Earlier, Khatib Noor Uddin said, "We've made our recommendations after examining the policy. We're simple people and we tried to perform our responsibility."

He said some propositions in the policy are objectionable and, "we've made our recommendations."

The Law Advisor hoped that the recommendations made by the Alem committee would remove the gap created over the women development policy. "We hope it will settle the problems created over the policy," he said.

The Advisor said the committee members told him that a section of opportunist people had created chaos by taking advantage of the situation and they did not support it.

The policy sparked off violent protests around Baitul Mukarram Mosque last week as radical Islamic outfits termed the policy anti-Quranic and demanded cancellation of the policy and resignation of Women and Children Affairs Advisor Rasheda K Chowdhury.

Taskforce to investigate corruption in BSMMU

Staff Reporter

As part of its campaign to combat institutional corruption in the service-providing sector, the Anti-Corruption Commission has formed a taskforce to look into corruption in the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

ACC Director General (Admin) Col Hanif Iqbal said at the Commission's regular briefing yesterday that "three-member taskforce, headed by ACC Director Major Maqsudur Rahman, will find out how much money has been misappropriated in purchasing medical, X-ray and laboratory equipment. "It'll also look into corruption and irregularities in tender process," he added.

The two other members of the taskforce are ACC Assistant Director Nasim Anwar and Assistant Inspector Khandaker Akhteruzzaman.

Hanif said the Commission has already written to the BSMMU Vice Chancellor to extend cooperation to the taskforce in appointing a liaison officer, allocating room for it and providing files and documents required by the taskforce.

Replying to a question, the director general said there has been primary communication and investigation would begin in full swing from Sunday.

Earlier, the Commission has formed a four-member special team to look into rampant corruption in Roads and Highways Department.

About the progress of investigation into the Roads and Highways Department, Hanif said the committee has investigated corruption in 11 projects by making spot visits and they would submit investigation report on each project separately.

On the issue of amendments to the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, he said it is a continuous process. "If the Commission faces any problems, it might be necessary to bring amendments to the related law and rules. When the Commission will feel the necessity for

the amendments, it would be placed before the government," he informed.

Responding to a question, he said the Commission's Legal and Prosecution Department has been given the responsibility to ascertain what amendments are needed. When they would be placed before the Commission in the shape of proposals, the next steps would be taken after the approval of the ACC, he added.

About inquiries into the wealth statements submitted by former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, Hanif said the inquiry reports are under process and next steps would be taken with the Commission's approval when the reports would come to ACC.

Asked about filing case against former prime minister Khaleda's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, he said the matter is under the Commission's consideration and the next step is expected to be taken in due time.

On the progress of investigation into the Barapukuria graft case against Khaleda and others, Hanif said the investigation officer has already visited the place of incident and he is working on files and evidences relating to the case.

Replying to a question, he said he is not aware whether the Commission has received any lists of corrupt officials from Titas Gas and Civil Aviation Ministry.

Asked about the corruption allegation made by a member of public against a serving Lieutenant Colonel of Bangladesh Army, Hanif said he has no knowledge about that and he would have to know about it before making any comment.

Expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia deserve greater attention

Special Correspondent

Inaction of the Bangladesh diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia is blamed for adverse media publicity against migrant Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia some of whom are ill paid and some others deceived by a section of greedy manpower employment agents.

Meanwhile, some interested quarters started propaganda against the Bangladeshi workers there alleging that they are involved in all sorts of criminal activities. There are even web sites through which such propaganda is circulated.

The Saudi English daily The Arab News reported some time ago that a group of exploited Bangladeshi labourers were abandoned by the Bangladesh Embassy there.

According to the report, a particular company recruited Bangladeshi workers for very low wages and after the first month the workers were paid one third of the promised amount. After one month the workers were left to themselves to find their own work and destiny.

Saudi Arabia employs about one third of over five million Bangladeshis now on employment abroad and accounts for about one-third of remittance of foreign exchange by wage workers to Bangladesh. The government is learnt to have been planning to send two 4-member teams to Malaysia and Dubai next month to investigate the affairs of the recruiting agents, but no such team is being sent to Saudi Arabia that employs the largest number of Bangladeshi workers.

The propaganda is so motivated and dangerous that the other day even the Arab News published an article which said, "It is unfortunate that our media has focussed on the misdeeds of a few to tarnish the image of a whole group of hard working expatriates who are performing vital services across the Kingdom."

When contacted the Director General (Saudi Arabia) of the Foreign Office told the New Nation that the matters relating to problems faced in sending expatriate workers there had been settled. At one point several months ago the Saudi authorities had stopped issuing visa to Bangladeshis because of adverse campaigns made by some groups. He said following the recent visit to Bangladesh by a Saudi Minister the matter has been resolved and Saudi visa is now being issued as normal.

The secretary, ministry of expatriate welfare and manpower employment, Abdul Matin Chowdhury said that the government has taken initiatives to stop the adverse propaganda being perpetrated by some interested quarters. He said that the web site www.anti-rate has been closed down, and contacts are being maintained to make sure that adverse propaganda stops.

The manpower employment secretary said steps have been taken to publish stories narrating the points of view of Bangladeshi workers in Saudi newspapers. He said that the government has reached an understanding that the whole Bangladeshi community there would not be blamed for crimes committed by a handful of people.

According to the International Labour Organisation, (ILO) "The Saudi Minister of Labour way back in 2002 signed into law new labour rules that allow workers in Saudi Arabia - both national and foreign - to establish committees to guard their interests at workplaces where 100 or more are employed." The Migrant workers rights have been recognised by the Saudi Arabian Authorities.

The pertinent question is, whether the Bangladesh mission in Saudi Arabia is aware of this development. Most possibly not. Otherwise, mission officials could have taken up cases of the deceived migrant workers instead of abandoning them from time to time. Mission officials should also tell Banladeshis working in Saudi Arabia that they can take advantage of the law to safeguard their legitimate rights against manipulations of a section of greedy manpower agents.

Violence over women dev policy Instigators warned

UNB, Dhaka

Home Adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin yesterday (Thursday night) issued a tough warning against recurrence of last Friday's incidents today (Friday) over the National Women Development Policy.

"We'll be tough if needed. We were tolerant last Friday, but it should not be considered as the government's weakness," he told reporters after a meeting on Law and Order situation at his ministry.

He said a committee, headed by acting Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Mufti Noor Uddin, yesterday submitted its recommendations to Religious Affairs Adviser AF Hassan Ariff after reviewing the Women Development Policy.

He said the government would examine those recommendations.

The adviser made it clear that the government would not enact any law contrary to Quran and Sunnah saying that the Women Development Policy is not a law, but only a guideline.

He urged the quarters concerned not to create any law and order situation today (Friday). "The law will take its own course," he said.

Asked if he apprehends any sabotage behind this agitation, the Home Adviser said, "It seems to me some quarters are trying to sabotage."

He said the government would face if attempts are made to stage any situation like that of last Friday.

Radical Islamic parties gave the government until April 17 to cancel the policy, or else, they would announce a greater action programme after Jum'a prayers tomorrow (Friday).

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