The New Nation - Internet Edition

Adviser’s remark on Hasina’s release irks AL leaders

Staff Reporter

Senior leaders of the Awami League yesterday warned that they would launch greater movement demanding immediate release of their detained party chief Sheikh Hasina.

Addressing a signature campaign programme at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city they called upon the party leaders and activists to turn the demand for the release of the former premier into an international issue.

The AL leaders warned if the Government delayed the release of Sheikh Hasina the movement would be turned into a mass upsurge.

Referring to the remark of the Adviser for Home Affairs that the caretaker government is not thinking of sending two detained leaders Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia abroad for their treatment at this moment, the AL leaders said dialogue with the government would be meaningless if the remark is true.

Organised by Jubo League, a front organisation of the AL, the signature campaign programme was inaugurated by party senior presidium member Amir Hossain Amu. Among others, the function was also addressed, by AL leaders Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta and Motia Chowdhury.

Amir Hossain Amu called upon partymen to turn the demand for release of party chief into an international issue.

He alleged that the Government is not taking proper action against the leaders of four-party coalition who is responsible for the 1/11 changeover but it is pressing false charges against the AL chief to keep her behind bar.

Demanding unconditional release of the detained leader, Abdur Razzak said the people would no longer wait for her release.

"It will be good both for the nation and the caretaker government if immediate steps are taken to send our ailing party president abroad for treatment," he observed.

Abdur Razzak said the country is affected by open famine and people are starving, but the Government is sitting idle.

Tofail Ahmed said the programme for release of Sheikh Hasina is being kept indoor for now but they will broaden outdoor if the government does not release her soon.

Suranjit Sengupta urged the government to clear its stand on sending Sheikh Hasina abroad for better treatment.

Presided over by Jubo League presidium member Dr Mizanur Rahman the inaugural programme was also addressed by AL leaders Abdul Mannan and Adv Qmarul Islam and Jubo League leaders Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, Faruq Hossain, Abdus Sattar Masud, Ataur Rahman Ata and Mohiuddin Mahi.

Chaotic growth of shopping malls vitiates city life

Chandrima Super Market run by the City Corporation
at the New Market area developed many cracks posing
impending danger to the life of the pedestrians. Focus
Bangla

UNB, Dhaka

Dhaka, one of the world's worst mega city of over 10 million people, continues to see a chaotic growth of its skyline with multistoried shopping malls added to the old ones almost every month targeting the neo middle class.

There is hardly any locality in the city where there is no multistoried shopping complex although only a handful of people has the money to go shopping.

A good number of multistoried markets have sprung up from Malibagh to Moghbazar intersections while some others are under construction. There are also some schools and residential apartments on Eskaton Road, a busy commercial street where there should not be any apartments or educational institutions.

"Once there was only one prominent shopping complex, 'Mouchak Market', in the area. Seeing its success in attracting huge middle-class shoppers everyday, another multistoried shopping complex, 'Century Arcade', was constructed a few blocks west off Mouchak Market only to be marked by failure," said a permanent resident of Bara Moghbazar.

"Even then more multistoried shopping complexes were built from Malibagh to Moghbazar, including one on a land owned by a former President."

He went on: "Let alone Malibagh-Moghbazar area, posh Dhanmondi, Gulshan and Banani, which were developed as residential areas, have also turned out to be either commercial or semi-commercial areas, denying the residents a peaceful civic life."

Visits to a number of roads in Dhanmondi, including roads no. 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, reveal that there are nearly 20 schools, 12 hospitals and an umpteen number of commercial establishments and NGO offices in the area.

A former Rajuk official, wishing anonymity, said such multistoried buildings were being built in increasing numbers in flagrant violation of the rules and the builders often encroach upon nearby footpaths.

However, there are cases against many builders for violating the rules. Sources said several thousand such cases are pending with the High Court as the defenders went to the court seeking stay orders.

Rajuk and PWD rules require builders to set aside a 23-sqm parking space for a 200-sqm commercial building and in case of shopping complexes 23 sqm for every 100 sqm.

When contacted, University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman Prof Nazrul Islam, an urbanisation expert, said those who construct the high-rise shopping complexes do so after assessing the demand. "So, there is a demand. But the things need to be taken care of by the city authorities are: Whether the high-rise shopping mall is being constructed in any residential area; whether there is any possibility of creating traffic jam on nearby roads, and whether there is enough parking space available."

He laid emphasis on construction of low-cost high-rise buildings where there will be power-saving measures, as power supply is a major problem in the country.

Asked whether a city like Dhaka should have so many shopping complexes, Prof Nazrul Islam said the city is overpopulated. "So, decentralisation is necessary to ease the pressure on this overcrowded city."

He said steps should also be taken to increase the attractions of other faraway cities and towns of the country apart from building satellite towns nearby capital Dhaka. "The policymakers and the leaders need to come up to set examples."

About consumer culture, the former Dhaka University professor said that in a consumer society there is a trend of spending and overspending, as the businesspeople try to take away all the money the buyers have and it happens in all countries.

Prof MM Akash of Dhaka University Economics department said there is a neo middle class in the country and the business community is out there targeting them, and this is a problem of 'dependent capitalism'.

He stressed the importance of diffusion of wealth, power, investment and loans to save Dhaka. And to make that happen, the country needs to have nationalist political leaders, he said.

About poverty alleviation, Prof Akash said the government is not trying to alleviate poverty, but merely managing it with short-term measures and that is not the solution.

Meanwhile, the prospects of the country's economy are worsening more quickly than expected amid the soaring food prices and increasing lifestyle expenditure.

According to a study conducted by Consumers' Association of Bangladesh (CAB), the lifestyle expenditure of the people increased by 16.78 percent in 2007 against 13.52 percent in the previous year.

Developing knowledge-based agri sector emphasized

Staff Reporter

Agriculture Adviser Dr Chowdhury Sajjadul Karim yesterday stressed the need for developing knowledge-based agriculture sector for ushering in a new chapter of green revolution.

He was addressing as chief guest a day-long motivational field trip programme on "Expansion of Urea Deep Placement (UDP) Technology in 80 Upazilas of Bangladesh during Boro 2008", at Gazimura under Laksham Upazila in Comilla.

Over 100 farmers from Feni, Noakhali, Lakshipur and Laksham participated in the programme organised by the International Centre for Soil Fertility and Agriculture Development.

Karim said the country has been facing tremendous pressure due to climate change.Besides, the world is now under the threat of food security. Money alone can not address the food problem. So we have to depend on our own production for ensuring for food security, he added.

He urged the farmers not to keep a single square inch of land uncultivated to make the country self-sufficient in food.

If we go for optimum utilisation of our cultivable land, we shall be able to export foodgrains like garment products after meeting our home demand, the Agriculture Adviser noted.

He held out the assurance that the government would extend all-out Cooperation and help to the farmers for augmenting food production. The government has for the first provided Tk 250 as diesel subsidyto 66 lakh farmers for Boro production from Pahela Baishakh, he added.

The Agriculture Adviser informed that the price of urea has now shot up to Tk 35,000 per tonne from Tk 12,500 last year.He, therefore, called for using guti urea in increased quantity to reduce the cost of

Production. " Farmers have used Guti urea on 2.5 lakh hectares of land this year as against 25m000 hectares last year,"he said.

He further said that the application of Guti urea has increased the productivity of land and it is also cost effective for our farmers.

He congratulated the farmers who have achieved the target of food production in their lands with their own finance , labour and risk after the flood and cyclone Sidr.

The farmers urged the Agriculture Adviser to ensure availability of Guti urea in the markets.

M Abdul Aziz, secretary, Agriculture Ministry, was present on the occasion as special guest Md Shamsul Alam, Director General of the Department of Agriculture Extension, John H Allgood, Director of IFDC, Ismat Jahan, Resident Representative of IFDC Asia Division and Shahidul Islam, Director, Department of Agriculture Extension attending the function, among other.

Later, the agriculture adviser distributing cash as diesel subsidy among the farmers of Laksham.

Call to turn huge population into skilled human resources

Staff Reporter

The huge population of Bangladesh must be converted into skilled human resource by imparting proper training to make the country democratically strong and economically sound, said Former Chief Justice Syed JR Modassir Hossain while addressing a conference yesterday at the Institute of Diploma Engineer's Bangladesh organised by Industrialists and Businessmen Welfare Foundation (IBWF).

"The people of Bangladesh are too much jealous. One always tries to pull back another. That is why we are lagging behind. We must revolutionise our thoughts. The growth of economy completely depends upon proper industrial management and smooth running of business transaction. The business community should run their business being imbibed with honesty, integrity and patriotism to achieve the ultimate goal and to safeguard country's freedom and sovereignty", he added

IBWF is an organisation working for the betterment of the businessmen of the country. The purpose of IBWF is to develop relationship among members, to influence the policymakers of the Government to preserve the interest of the business community, to resolve the problems prevailing over the business sector and to maintain liaison with the international business organisations.

Anawar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury, President of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said, Bangladesh had achieved reputation through exporting garments, medicine and ceramics. The economic growth of Bangladesh was interrupted due to political unrest. The political leaders should avoid destructive politics for the interest of country's entire development.

He urged the Government to set up industries in partnership with private entrepreneurs for the country's economic growth.

Kazi Harun Or Rashid, Secretary General of IBWF and Director of Islami bank, said everyone should concentrate on collective development and not on individual development.

Dr Shafiuzzaman, President of Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Industry Society; Md Jamal Uddin, Vice-President of Bangladesh Textile Mils Association (BTMA); Alamgir Mahiuddin, Editor of Dainik Naya Diganto, among others, were present at the conference.

RAKUB implements small uplift project in N region

BSS, Rajshahi

Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB) is implementing an uplift project, providing funds to the small entrepreneurs side by side with raising the scope of development activities in several parts of the country's northern region.

According to RAKUB officials, the five-year "Small Enterprise Development Credit Project" is being implemented in 46 upazilas of Greater Rajshahi, Pabna and Bogra districts and in one upazila of Kurigram district by spending around Taka 59.98 crore since July, 2003.

The project has been devised for poverty alleviation through direct increase in non-farm income of the small entrepreneurs and indirect creation of non-farm employment by supporting various initiatives in the development fields.

In addition to increasing the number of development schemes and expansion of the existing ones, the project is creating as well as flourishing women entrepreneurship side by side with establishing efficient project management in its implementation areas.

Out of the total project costs, the officials said, RAKUB has been spending Taka 26.14 crore while the Royal Norwegian Government (NORAD) is providing Taka 33.84 crore.

Describing the northern region as highly potential for agricultural production, they said there is immense possibility to create job opportunities for the unemployed rural folks, particularly women, in different non-traditional sectors.

They also said that the entrepreneurs, who lack access to commercial banks' credit facilities, are benefiting from the project, which will start for another five years if the first phase ends with a success in June 2008. During the second phase, it will cover the whole of Rajshahi division, they added.

The project is extending technical and financial help to the development enterprises, engaged in production, manufacturing, trading and service oriented activities. It has a target to help increase women enterprises in the region, where at least 20 percent of the total has been earmarked for the women entrepreneurs.

Priority is being given on the small agro-based manufacturing activities including food processing, repair works, transport, weaving factories, carpentry and pottery having good market potentials based on local technology and small service sector initiatives.

The project is also providing loans for non-traditional agricultural products including poultry, fishery, animal husbandry and plant nursery. However, the officials said, the primary agricultural activities like crop production have been kept outside the credit facilities.

Apart from promoting the creation of a small entrepreneur class, the project has been providing priority assistance to the suitable unemployed educated youths and graduates of micro- finance institutions. Some 12,500 small enterprises are getting financial and technical supports, they said.

Similarly, the project has a target to provide entrepreneur development training to about 12,500 borrowers and basic orientation training to more than 13,125 borrowers.

On successful implementation, the officials hoped, the project is expected to create about 37,500 new jobs for the rural folks side by side with raising the number of beneficiaries by at least 30 percent with non-farm income least 30 percent.

Poll monitors share Nepal experiences

Staff Reporter

A group of election monitors in the light of their experiences in the Constitutional Election of Nepal at a press conference in the city urged the Government to use transparent ballot boxes in the next general election.

They also urged the government to ban banners, posters and wall writings before and during the election period.

They also urged the Election Commission (EC) to make registration of the political parties as per 'Code of Conduct' of the EC mandatory.

They recommended the Caretaker Government (CG) to appoint volunteers in all polling centres to be fixed by the EC.

The Press Conference was organised by Bangladesh Manobadhikar Samannay Parishad (BMSP) at Dhaka Reporters Unity to share experiences on the recent constitutional election that was held in Nepal. A 19-member team including seven women visited Nepal to monitor the election.

Hafiz Uddin Khan, former adviser to the CG, AHM Nouman, President of Development Organisation of the Rural Poor (DORP), Muhammad Shamsuddin, Director of BMSP, Syed Nilufer Kaderi, Vice President of Annanya Samaj Kalyan Sangstha and Nazmul Haque Shah Chowdhury, Vice President of Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights, shared their experiences at the conference.

While relating their experiences the speakers said in Nepal the polling centres were open to sky and about 1,08,000 volunteers monitored the election. Of them, 200 were foreigners. Fifty-four political parties attended the election, while candidates were 3,947 and voters were 1,76,11,000.

They said Nepalese Army was not deployed on the election day. Voting system was absolutely electronic. There was supply of pure drinking water for voters in all polling booths.

In the ballot papers, there was no name of candidates or their political parties and mobile connection remained open on the election day in Nepal, said the speakers at the conference.

Strong political will can help develop health service

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a roundtable in the capital yesterday said only a strong political will can develop the country's health service.

Delivery of proper health service to the people calls for the adoption of effective health policy and enhancing counselling programmes and extensive research, they noted.

Pharmacy Graduates' Association, Bangladesh and Doctors for Health and Environment jointly organised the roundtable on "the Responsibilities of Government, Professionals and Service-takers to develop the health service" at the National Press Club in the city.

Prof AK Azad Chowdhury, former Vice Chancellor, Dhaka University, Prof AK Azad Khan, Chief of Bangladesh Diabetics Samity, Prof Kazi Kamaruzzaman, Chairman, Dhaka Community Hospitals and Dr M Iqbal Arsenal, among others, addressed the roundtable which was presided over by Prof Rashid-E-Mahbub, former president, Bangladesh Medical Association.

Prof ABM Faruk, Pharmacy Department, University of Dhaka and Kazi Faruk, General Secretary, Consumers' Association of Bangladesh presented two keynote papers separately.

Speakers pointed out that psychological treatment, awareness on health rights, health friendly environment and involvement of doctors as well as pharmacists in the counselling programmes could play a pivotal role in the health delivery service.

They called for adoption of an effective health policy like the successful Drug policy of 1982, which resulted in reducing import of drugs to 3 per cent from 70 per cent.

They suggested involvement of the elected representatives of the local bodies in the management of the health service.

Prof Ak Azad Chowdhury said the primary health care needed to be prioritised by providing adequate allocation in the national budget.

Criticising the role of NGOs in the health service, he said these non-government organisations only contribute one per cent of the total expenditure in the health sector, while the government and households contribute 37 per cent and 62 per cent respectively.

More health research should be conducted in the perspective of our own culture and society by providing a sufficient allocation, he added.

Prof AK Azad Khan said the nursing system in the government hospitals still leaves much to be desired. Patients do not get proper psychological treatment from the doctors and others concerned. Most of the doctors in our country have no enough time to counsel the patients, because of imbalance ratio in the number of patients, doctors and hospitals, he added.

Businessmen urged to share profits with employees

Staff Reporter

Underscoring the need to deal with the persisting food crisis concertedly the Finance and Planning Adviser Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam yesterday called upon the entrepreneurs to introduce food-rationing systems for the workers of their respective organisations.

The adviser said different quarters have appealed to the Government to introduce rationing system for the workers of the industries in view of the recent price hike.

"The government alone could not provide food rationing to people of all sections. And entrepreneurs themselves could help in resolving the issue" he said as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Alumni Association Day- 2008 of Dhaka University yesterday at a city hotel.

He called upon the business owners to look after the welfare of their workers.

The entrepreneurs as well as IBA professionals could play an important role in contributing portion of their profits for the welfare of their employees, he added.

Syed Abu Naser Buktear Ahmed, president, gave the welcome address while M Rafiqul Islam,general secretary of the organisation gave the vote of thanks.

Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam laid emphasis on improving the culture of corporate social responsibility for ensuring the welfare and betterment of labourers and employees of the industries.

"Many entrepreneurs have accumulated profits but spent a meagre amount for the overall uplift of the employees and labourers," he mentioned.

Highlighting the role of IBA professional,the Finance and Planning Adviser Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam said they could contribute to promoting the country's economy and accelerating the growth by utilising their knowledge and experiences.

" Members of the IBA Alumni Association are instrumental in promoting management efficiency in different sectors of the national economy" he mentioned and called upon them to continue their efforts for the equitable development of the country's economy.

He called upon the IBA professionals to promote human resources development by imparting training and knowledge to their junior fellows.

"Many of our industries have not yet met their desired level of expectation" he mentioned and called upon the entrepreneurs for the diversification of industries through improving professional managements.

The association conferred five Alumni award to four distinguished personalities and a foreign bank for their professional excellence in their respective fields and five IBA students have been awarded with scholarships.

Bangladeshi killed by BSF

UNB, Lalmonirhat

One Bangladeshi and two Indian cattle traders were killed and two other Bangladeshis injured when Indian Border Security Force (BSF) sprayed bullets on them on Burimari frontier at Muglabari village in Patgram upazila early yesterday.

The deceased Bangladeshi cattle trader was identified as M Ainul Huq, 32, son of Kandura Mia of the village while two Indian citizens are Sri Amal Chandra, 22, and Khokon Mohanta, 19, of Chengrabandha thana in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal.

The injured Bangladeshi cattle traders-Mofazzal, 23, son of Hanifar Rahman, and Dulu Mia, 35, son of Aminul of the village-were admitted to Sadar hospital in critical condition.

3 killed as bus rams motorcycle in Gazipur

UNB, Gazipur

A bus rammed into the motorcycle at Bhubonchala Muchibari area on Dhaka-Kapasia road yesterday , killing three bike riders.

Police and local sources said the Kishoreganj-bound bus from Dhaka rammed the bike coming from opposite direction at about 11:30am, leaving two riders killed on the spot while one at local health complex.