The New Nation - Internet Edition

City transport in chaos: Most filling stations go dry, as CNG price doubles

Most of the CNG filling stations remained closed in
the city yesterday following the enhanced rate of Compressed
Natural Gas putting the transport sector in disarray. NN
photo

Staff Reporter

Commuters in the city are bearing the brunt of the recent doubling of the price of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) by the government, as the drivers of CNG-run cabs and three-wheelers were charging exorbitant fares on the first day of the price hike yesterday.

The doubled CNG price put autorickshaw and taxicab drivers in a difficult situation and in most cases it led to quarrel and even scuffle with the passengers. As a result many passengers faced difficulties in reaching their destinations.

Most private car owners who recently converted their vehicles to CNG for its cheap price have expressed resentment over the doubling of CNG price.

On Thursday the Government has raised price of CNG from Tk 8.50 to Tk 16.75 per cubic metre effective from Friday.

After the decision of price hike, CNG-run buses on different city routes have suddenly cut their services due to shutdown of most of the CNG filling stations yesterday fearing attacks on their pumps by disgruntled people.

While visiting city filling stations this correspondent found several CNG pumps at key points and bus terminals closed. Some pump owners said they had closed their stations to avoid untoward incidents. They said that they would open their establishments after monitoring the situation for a while.

As a result city dwellers were found facing difficulties in reaching their destinations in the afternoon.

"We are fearing that the sudden price hike of CNG could prompt the bus owners to raise the price when our income remains the same" said a private bank official, a daily commuter between Uttara and Motijheel.

Passengers who are mostly dependent on CNG-run buses, as mode of transport demanded of the government to prevent the bus owners from raising the fare.

Talking to this correspondent some bus owners said they were planning to raise the fare with a view to minimise their loss.

However, officials of the concerned ministry said the Government would not allow bus and truck operators to raise their fare.

But they said the re-fixing of CNG-run autorickshaw and taxicab fare would be considered positively.

It is leant that the Ministry of Communication is likely to re-fix the fare of CNG run autorickshaw and taxicab in a couple of days.

The CNG price was last fixed on June 13 in 2005 at Tk 8.50 from which the pump operators received Tk 6.02 and the government share was Tk 2.43.

After the newly increased price the pump operators will get Tk 0.75 as additional cost from the total price and the government will get the rest Tk 9.97 per cubic metre of CNG.

Meanwhile, talking to the media yesterday the Finance and Planning Adviser Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam said the increase of CNG price was 'logical' despite some sufferings as 'subsidy cannot go for long'.

Rice price comes down, soyabean up

Staff Reporter

The prices of different varieties of rice still remain high despite starting of 'Boro' harvest at different parts of the country.

In the city's retail and wholesale outlets prices of various categories of rice have fallen by Tk 1 to Tk 2 per compared to the price level of the last week.

Rice traders are expecting that the prices of rice will come down to a tolerable level with the completion of 'Boro' harvest.

They called upon the government to procure 'Boro' rice from the farmers soon after its harvest.

They hoped that the price of rice would continue to come down continuously in the days ahead easing the sufferings of the customers.

They suggested government to intensify vigil at the border belt of the country to check smuggling of the newly harvested 'Boro'.

"If the procurement of 'Boro' crop is done rightly and store properly then the prices of rice are expected to fall within the purchasing power of the common people," said one of the rice traders at Babubazar rice market.

Rice traders are of the view that the ongoing Open Market Sale (OMS) of rice is containing its price -hike and benefiting the common people.

Some OMS dealers told this correspondent that if the OMS continues till the completion of 'Boro' the people of low-income group would be highly benefited.

Customers of OMS rice told this correspondent that though they were getting rice at a reasonable price and procedure to get it is killing their valuable time.

The price of vegetables were static while soybean oil registered a slight increase. Soybean price per litre has gone up by 10 taka.

Coarse rice like 'Lata' was selling between Tk 32 and Tk 33 per kg. Pari Tk 32 and Tk 33 per kg. Fine quality of Nazirshail rice was selling at Tk 39 to Tk 43, Minicate at Tk 38 to Tk 43 per kg. And a kg of 'Sarna' and Parija and BR-28 were selling for Tk 33 and Tk 37.

The price of coarse rice came down by Tk 80 to Tk 100 per maund and fine quality of rice also decreased by Tk 60 to Tk 70 per maund.

On the other hand local variety of lentils was selling at Tk 95 to Tk 98, while imported ones at Tk 85 per kg in the retail markets. Soybean oil was sold at Tk 110 to Tk 112 per kg which was Tk 106 in the previous week. The price of chicken was Tk 120 per kg as the supply is not enough against the demand. People have started buying chicken in large numbers after the bird flu scare disappeared.

Green Chilli was selling at Tk 25to Tk 30 per kg. Potato at Tk 13, cucumber at Tk 16to Tk 20, Korola at Tk 22 to Tk 24, Tomato at Tk 22 to Tk 24 and beans at Tk 22 to Tk 24 per kg. The price of different varieties of fishes still remain high as 'Ruhi' was selling at Tk 150 to Tk 180, Hilsah at Tk 280 to Tk 300 per kg. Prices of red meat like beef was at Tk 180, while muttion at Tk 240 to Tk 250.

Heat wave disrupts city life: Leads to outbreak of diseases across country

A dip in the pond is worth the experience in this
sultry weather: NN photo

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

The heat wave now sweeping the country is telling heavily on the health of the people, disrupting their normal activities and slowing down production in the industrial units.

Failing to adjust themselves with unbearable heat, a large number of people have been suffering dehydration and heat stroke. Children, day labourers and elderly people are bearing the major brunt of the sweltering heat for the last couple of days.

People standing in queues for hours before open market sales outlets are also the worst sufferers of heat exhaustion.

The authorities of many schools in Dhaka city have taken precautionary steps to minimise the sufferings of the students from heat wave. Some of them have stopped the routine assembly of students before the start of classes temporarily. Classes in some others have been down to lower floors to save the young students from the scourge of heat.

On a visit to some areas in the city it was found that bitumen on the road has melted under the scorching heat of the sun-creating problem in smooth running of vehicles.

Business and other activities appeared sluggish. Movement of transports was thin in most of the Dhaka streets during the last few days. People by and large prefer to stay inside their houses nowadays because of intense heat and burning sun outside. They are not venturing out of their houses unless it is very essential.

Rickshaw-pullers in Dhaka city were charging higher fares. Many of them declined to carry passengers at the middle of the day because of blazing sun and intense heat.

The sale of cold beverages as well as the fruit juices in roadside stalls has more than doubled in the capital. Green coconuts are selling like hot cakes.

A number of people suffering from heat stroke have been admitted to different clinics and hospitals in the city. Frequent power failure and insufficient water supply have aggravated the problem of all sections of people.

The number of heat stroke and dehydration patients, both children and adults, has sharply increased in the past few days, according to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital sources.

Heat stroke is a form of 'hypothermia' with accompanying physical and neurological symptoms. Unlike heat pain and tiredness, two less severe forms of hypothermia, heat stroke is a true medical emergency that can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated, according to medical experts.

"The symptoms of heat stroke are like those of heart attack, and sometimes a person experiences symptoms of heat exhaustion before progressing to heat-stroke," said Kazi Din Muhammad, a neuro-medicine expert.

Symptoms of heat tiredness may include sickness, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, headache, muscle cramps and pains, and faintness. Many individuals can develop symptoms of heat stroke suddenly and rapidly, without warning.

The heat-stroke patient must receive immediate treatment to avoid permanent organ damage. First and foremost, the victim has to be cooled, said a physician of the DMCH.

Physicians suggested taking the heat stroke victim to a shady area, removing his or her outer clothing, applying cold water to the skin by spraying and fanning the victim to stop sweating. If possible, ice packs should be placed under armpits and groins of the victim, they said.

To prevent the heat overtiredness and heat stroke, drink extra amounts of liquids to replace the body fluids lost through perspiration. Water, fruit juices or fruit-based drinks, such as lemonade or limeade, are preferable to tea, soft drinks and iced tea or coffee, said the medical experts.

People should stay out of the sun as much as possible and keep cool by using fans or opening the windows to let the air circulate, they suggested.

Release of Hasina: AL to launch vigorous street agitation

UNB, Dhaka

Awami League leaders yesterday pledged to launch vigorous street agitation for the release of detained party president Sheikh Hasina, if she is not freed through party's ongoing peaceful movement.

They alleged that the party is compelled to launch tougher movement against the government, as it is not showing any positive attitude following their peaceful movement.

The AL leaders said this while addressing a programme at the party's central office at Bangabandhu Avenue, as city AL leaders handed over a memorandum containing mass signatures demanding unconditional release of Sheikh Hasina. Party presidium member Amir Hossain Amu received the memorandum.

Speaking on the occasion, Amu said they hoped that the government would free Sheikh Hasina prior to launching any agitation.

He said the Awami League is being run under the directive of detained party chief Sheikh Hasina and the next course of movement would be taken under her instructions.

"If the government wants to hold any other polls bypassing the parliamentary elections, it would prove that it is misleading the people over holding elections," Amu said and warned that any such move would be resisted.

He said the caretaker government has no right to hold any other elections except the parliamentary election and called for holding general elections as early as possible after withdrawing the state of emergency.

AL organizing secretary Abdul Mannan said the party would declare a tougher movement to free Hasina, as the government has not yet shown any positive attitude following their peaceful, constructive programmes.

He said dialogue as well as general election would not be possible in this country without Sheikh Hasina's presence.

Dhaka City AL acting general secretary Adv Qamrul Islam said the mass signature campaign and token hunger strike are the final stage of the constructive movement. "If our leader Sheikh Hasina is not freed through this constructive movement, then we'll have to launch street movement to free her."

Presided over by Dhaka City AL organizing secretary Shah-e-Alam Murad, the programme was attended, among others, by AL leaders Aktaruzzaman and KM Jahangir, and city unit leaders MA Aziz, Jamal Mostofa and Ilias Mollah.

Subsidy on gas, fuel, fertiliser can't continue for long: Aziz

UNB, Dhaka

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam yesterday said subsidies on gas, fuel and fertilizer at the present rate should not continue further as such incentives have long-term adverse effects on economy.

He admitted that there would be some sufferings from the latest hike of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) price.

"Indeed, there will be some sufferings from CNG price-hike. But how long will you continue to give subsidies on some materials like gas, fuel and fertilizer? Subsidies at the present rate cannot go on further. Such practices have long- term adverse impact on economy," the Finance Adviser said.

He was talking to journalists on the sidelines of a seminar 'Official Statistics: Collection and Dissemination' arranged by Bangladesh Statistical Association at the National Economic Council (NEC) auditorium in the morning.

Presided over by Statistical Association president Prof. Quazi Mafizur Rahman, the seminar was also addressed, among others, by association vice-president Prof. Samad Abedin and secretary general Abdur Rashid Sikder.

The finance adviser said that at the beginning of this fiscal year, some Tk 6,000 crore had been allocated as subsidy. But later, the government had to increase the amount of subsidy to Tk 15,000 crore.

Asked whether the price-hike of CNG is timely, he said: "No time is good enough.

If the price of CNG was not increased, then the government would have been forced to realize the extra expenses (of subsidy) through increasing tax or through deficit budget."

Dr Aziz said price of many things like gas or other fuels are many times lower in Bangladesh than the neighboring countries.

Addressing the seminar as chief guest, the finance adviser urged the Bangladesh Statistical Association to come up with "timely, reliable and objective statistics without being politically influenced."

Without authentic data, no development project can be implemented successfully, he said.

Recognition to physiotherapy treatment urged

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a meeting yesterday emphasised the need for giving recognition to the physiotherapy treatment in the country to avert substandard treatment.

"The country has been victim of so-called non-trained and inexperienced physiotherapists due to failure of the government to accord proper recognition to the standard procedure of physiotherapy treatment," said former adviser to the Caretaker Government ASM Shahjahan while addressing the meeting as the chief guest.

He urged the Government to appoint physiotherapists at each hospital across the country saying that physiotherapy treatment is necessary to keep human resources active.

The former adviser regretted that the condition of health management of the country is unhealthy.

The meeting was informed that there is one graduate physiotherapist in Bangladesh against its 5,00,000 people where as the ratio in India is 1:75,000 and in USA it is 1:4,285.

Bangladesh Physiotherapist Association (BPA) organised the function at CRP, Mirpur in the city to mark the celebration of obtaining the membership of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) and Annual General Meeting (AGM).

In recognition to the vital role of the BPA in improving the physiotherapy treatment in the country, the WCPT during its 16th General Meeting in Vancouver in June last year awarded its full-fledged membership to the BPA, formed in 2001

Eminent journalist ABM Musa, who addressed the meeting as special guest empathised the need for creating awareness among the mass people about the importance of taking physiotherapy treatment.

He suggested appointment of physiotherapists at least in each Upazila level hospital of the government through PSC.

Presided over by BPA president Dr Md Obaidul Haque, the meeting was also, addressed, among others, by BPA adviser Dr Altaf Hossain Sarker, Helal Uddin Akbar, Dr I Manik, Delwar Hossain, Zakir Uddin, Dr Delwar Rahman and BPA general secretary MD Sohrab Hossain.

Implementation of Women Dev Policy demanded

Staff Reporter

The leaders of the "Samajik Protirodh Committee (SPC)" announced to go for tougher movement if the Women Development Policy would not be implemented immediately and announced to hold grand rally on March 7.

They demanded the suspension of the Khatib of Baitul Mokarram Mosque as he led the fundamentalists to create anarchy violating emergency and to bring the war criminals under trial

These demands were set at a press conference organised by SPC at Kabi Sufia Kamal auditorium at Jatiya Mahila Parishad yesterday to press home their demand.

Earlier they scheduled to hold a grand rally at Central Shahid Minar. Later they were forced to postpone the programme, as the Dhaka Metropolitan Police did not approve their appeal.

They placed five point demands at the press conference. These are: to dissolve the so-called review committee; to de-link the religious organizations from the political parties; to promise to the masses to ensure the equal rights for the women by implementing the policy as per the constitution; to issue press note to clarify the government's situate about the policy; to take firm initiative to implement the policy

Ayasha Khanam, President of SPC, recited these demands while addressing the press conference.

Sharir Kabir was read out of the silent role of the government and its indifference towards the violent act of some people at Baitul Mokaram. He accused the government of its complicity in such acts and demanded the immediate withdrawal of emergency.

The Islamic militants remained silent when our womenfolk are harassed, assaulted and exploited. But they react sharply when they (women) cry for their rights, he added.

Human Rights Worker Barrister Shara Hossain expressed her queries that how can one or two advisers form the review committee without any meeting of advisers' body.

The fundamentalists group has engaged in conspiracy of pulling back the women to keep them behind the light. The contribution of women in the countries economy is noticeable. They should be facilitated with equal rights to be involved more in country's economic development to achieve the millennium development goal, Shara added.

Dr Hamida Hossain of Ayeen O Shalish Kendro; Selina Haque of Bangladesh Mahila Samity; Professor Mamataz Begum of Mahila Muktijuddha Sangsad; Khadiza Lina of BRAC; among others were, present at the press conference.

China offers help for nuclear power project

BSS, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury yesterday said Dhaka and Beijing are "partners in the new Asian age" as his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi left here ending a two-day visit.

During the two-day trip, Yang Jiechi offered assistance to Bangladesh for setting up a nuclear power plant and a 60 million yuan free grant for this year.

Both countries also signed letter of exchange to construct an exhibition centre in Bangladesh.

"Bangladesh and China are partners in the new Asian age and the visit of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will further cement this relationship," the foreign adviser said after seeing off Yang at the Zia International Airport as he left for Pakistan.

The Chinese foreign minister in the past two days held bilateral talks with Chowdhury and called on Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed and Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed.

"China shown keen interest in "even a bigger role in the development of Bangladesh" including construction for the proposed Rooppur nuclear power plant", the foreign adviser said.

"He (Yang) has said Bangladesh-China peaceful nuclear power cooperation can be built on the China-Pakistan model," Chowdhury said.

During the bilateral talks Dhaka renewed its stance for One- China policy, he added.

"We have talked matters pertaining to Tibet are internal affairs of China. We have agreed to forthcoming Olympics in Beijing will be an occasion of pride for all Asians and must not be politicised."

Chiwdhury said they discussed regional and international politics when "I have explained to him the warmth of our relations with India and Pakistan, and the growing cooperation with all SAARC countries".

"Very importantly we have talked about going ahead with the idea of a tripartite understanding among Bangladesh , Myanmar and China regarding a road linkage, something that I had raised with him earlier at a bilateral meeting in Manila ," he said.

Asked about Chinese view on the caretaker government, the foreign adviser said "Yang Jiechi has lauded it. I have told him we have scheduled elections for December, and he was pleased with the progress of our roadmap leading to the polls".

The Chinese foreign minister has conveyed invitation to Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, Chief Adviser, on behalf of the Chinese Prime Minister and to the foreign adviser on his behalf.

"We will need to work out the details," the foreign adviser observed with regard to the schedules of such visits.

On arrival in Bangladesh capital Yang Jiechi yesterday said Dhaka's "firm support" for One China policy and recent Chinese actions in Tibet testifies that Bangladesh is a 'true friend of China'.

Yang expressed his government's willingness to push forward relationship with Bangladesh and see it as an "important actor" in regional and international affairs.

In a brief appearance before the press yesterday Yang also took a shot at the Western media, saying they have not reported that two-thirds of world countries are supporting Chinese actions in Tibet.

"Public opinion was not reflected due to their control over global media," he said.

ICT device to stem private tuition proposed

Staff Reporter

To build a conscientious society we should establish a 'knowledge-network' across the country with the help of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to lessen students reliance on private tuition speakers opined in a roundtable discussion yesterday.

Due to corruption in the education sector, Dr Akbar Ali Khan, Chairman of Regulatory Reforms Commission (RRC), said, "Our educational system now hovers between light and darkness." Emphasising on morality of teachers for ensuring quality education in the country he said, "The main objective of the teachers is to provide knowledge, not to make money."

The RRC chairman pointed out that the business houses should not be given the responsibility of managing educational institutions.

He proposed the authorities concerned to introduce rating system for evaluating the performance of the public and private universities in the country. "After every six months, the rating of the universities can be published," he said.

Grameen Nagarik Federation and the SNN Media jointly organised the roundtable titled 'Corruption in education, Problems in Higher Education and its Importance in National Development' at the National Press Club.

Vice Chancellor of Southeast University Prof Dr Shamsher Ali, political scientist Syed Rashed Ahmed Chowdhury, Prof Dr Sakhawat Ali Khan and Prof Zaheda Ahmed of Dhaka University, educationist Shaheda Obayed, Prof. Quazi Md Akhtaruzzaman of Jagannath University and journalist Habibur Rahman Milon took part as discussants at the roundtable. Poet Mostafa Allama chaired the event.

Dr Shamsher Ali stressed the need for reorientation of primary and secondary levels of education for producing brilliant students, especially for tertiary education.

He suggested the authorities concerned to stop the "business with education"

He opined through proper coordination between the private and public universities' education system we could ensure quality education.

Recommending the government to formulate a teacher recruitment commission to ensure the appointment of good teachers in the educational institutions he said, "The commission after examining all aspects, will send its recommendations in a book form to all institutions,"

Mentioning that corruption in education sector is an open secret, Prof Sakhawat Ali Khan said that in the field of higher education, there is lack of coordination between the public and private universities.

He said it is imperative to give utmost emphasis from the very beginning of education for producing good students for the development of the country.

Syed Rashed Ahmed Chowdhury put emphasis on English language learning

and teaching the pupil about the tolerance that humanism teaches. "For occupying better position, our students will have to be adept at least in one foreign language," he said.

Corruption in education affects other sectors: Akbar Ali

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Corruption in the education sector fuels corruption in other sectors, said Regulatory Reforms Commission chairman Akbar Ali Khan yesterday.

In his speech to a roundtable on education organised by Grameen Nagorik Federation and Special News Network at the National Press club, Khan said it might be possible to rid all other sectors of corruption in a matter of years, but the nation has to bear the burden of a corrupt education sector for generations to come.

"It won't be possible to end corruption in education by punishing the guilty alone. Profiteering has to be removed from the sector and moral values restored," Khan said.

"The government will have to realise income tax from the sector and all that's required to discourage and stop commercialisation of education. No businesses should be permitted to operate educational institutions," Khan said.

"We are a small country having no other resources but humans and there's no other alternative to educating people if we must develop them," Khan said.

"Now corruption poses a serious threat to developing our human resources, as corrupt practices are ruining people's faculty of differentiating good from bad," he said.

Khan proposed a plan to 'rate' private educational institutions as per quality of education they provide.

Dr Shamsher Ali, vice-chancellor of South East University, proposed forming a 'teacher recruitment commission'.

In his speech as special guest, he said: "This recruitment commission will publish a national teachers' qualifications chart, based on which eligible teachers will be recruited for schools, colleges and universities."

Ali also proposed building 'knowledge networks' to spread IT-related education and information economically to the grassroots people.

Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan said: "National development will remain a far cry until we get meritorious students."

He proposed equalising private and public universities' faculty and staff salaries and allowances.

UN chief to host food crisis summit in Swiss capital

AFP, Geneva

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will host a meeting of key agencies next week in the Swiss capital Berne to discuss the growing global food crisis, the UN said Friday.

"The global food crisis and the solutions that the UN can bring to it will be at the centre of the discussions" which will take place behind closed doors on Monday and Tuesday at the offices of the Universal Postal Union, UN spokeswoman Elena Ponomareva told journalists.

Ban will be joined by the head of the World Food Programme (WFP), Josette Sheeran, as well as World Bank head Robert Zoellick and the director of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation Jacques Diouf.

He will also meet Swiss President Pascal Couchepin and Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey in the evening, before travelling to Geneva on Tuesday to give a lecture at the UN headquarters on the Millennium Development Goals.

Rising populations, strong demand from developing countries, increased cultivation of crops for biofuels and increasing floods and droughts have sent food prices soaring across the globe.

The WFP has warned of a "silent tsunami" as an extra 100 million people who previously did not require help now cannot afford to buy food.

Key parties reach consensus on 3 vital issues: Govt Advisers mum

UNB, Dhaka

Although the government-political party formal dialogue hangs in limbo, there has been a general consensus among key parties on three major points during the Advisers' pre-dialogue talks in the past few weeks.

The key points upon which Awami League, BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and left-leaning political groups made identical proposals include holding of parliamentary elections before any other elections, lifting of the state of emergency and the release of former Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina and Some splinter groups like Bikalpa Dahara of Prof Badruddoza Chowdhury, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, JSD led by Abdur Rab, Progressive Democratic Party of Ferdous Ahmed Querishi and Kalyan Party of Maj Gen (retd) Syed Mohammad Ibrahim made different views on these three crucial points.

However, Awami League, BNP and Jamaat that ruled the country since

1991 in turns demanded the release of Hasina and Khaldea first so

they can participate in the formal dialogue with the government and

make it a success.

These parties opposed the holding of local boy elections before the parliamentary elections. They also demanded withdrawal of a 16-month-old state of emergency to create an atmosphere conducive to electioneering.

Bikalpa Dhara president Badruddoza Chowdhury favoured local body election prior to national election while HM Ershad's Jatiya Party and Ferdous Querishi's PDP opined that the national elections could be held under the emergency.

Five Advisers - Hassan Ariff, Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader, Anwarul Iqbal, Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman- held the pre-dialogue talks with these parties in a bid to create a ground for the formal dialogue which was earlier expected to be held this month.

The pre-dialogue talks with BNP loyal Khaldea Zia were scheduled for Wednesday last, but it was later re-fixed for today.

Although the pre-dialogue interactions with parties were almost complete, the government side cannot say when the formal dialogue will start. The Advisers had earlier given clear indications that it would be held within this month, but now they cannot exactly say when it would be held.

Education and Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur told reporters Wednesday that the Advisers would submit a report on the outcome of their consultations to the Chief Adviser and his Council of Advisers for consideration.

What is important that at the initial stage of pre-dialogue talks the Advisers also gave a hint that the issue of freedom of Hasina and Khaleda will come into consideration at the formal dialogue. But recent remarks by Home Affairs Adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin that the government was not thinking about sending Hasina abroad disappointed the Awami league negotiators.

Awami league leaders criticised what they called the government's double standard on the question of Sheikh Hasina and called for clearing the government stance about her.

Last week acting Awami league president Zillur Rahman declared that his party would not participate in the elections without Sheikh Hasina's presence.

BNP secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain demanded resignation of the incumbent 3-member Election Commission and declared to boycott the elections under this "biased" Commission.

Political observers say after perceiving the clear stands of Awami league, BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami on three major issues, Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed may not be encouraged to sit for the formal dialogue. If the dialogue is held at all, the observers say, it would not be productive at the end of the day without reaching a consensus on these three points.

Realising the government's mind through its remarks and body language, Awami League leaders have decided to observe countrywide mass hunger strike on April 29 before going for a bigger movement to meet their demands.

BNP chairperson's adviser Brig gen (retd) Hannan Shah also stated that their party would draw up action plans reflecting the sentiment of their party leaders and workers alongside their efforts to have Beum Zia released through legal means.

Judge doesn’t need clapping, must act within law: CJ

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Justice M Ruhul Amin yesterday urged the judges to ensure dispensation of justice by remaining accountable to their conscience, not to seek applause.

"A judge does not need clapping. He should give judgment by staying within the framework of laws," he told a six-day workshop of Senior Assistant Judges.

The Chief Justice said a judge should not consider who will be happy or who will not by his judgment.

He said if a judge considers it, then it will not only hamper the dispensation of justice but also put the entire judicial system into question.

Chief Justice Ruhul Amin also urged the judges to give special attention to the cases of women and children.

Dr Kamal Hossain, who presided over the inaugural session of the workshop, said there is no scope of autocracy if the constitutional rule exists.

He said everything must be done in accordance with law as none is above the law.

Twenty senior assistant judges are taking part in the workshop.

Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs (BILIA) organized the workshop at its auditorium.

Juba Dal leader Alal released on parole

UNB, Barisal

Former BNP MP Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal was released on parole for two hours to attend his mother's namaj-e-janaza yesterday.

Family sources said Alal was brought to Barisal central jail from Rangpur central jail at about 1am. He was released on parole for two hours (8:40am-10:45am) to attend his mother's namaj-e-janaza and then sent back to Barisal central jail at about 11am.

His mother passed away Thursday at the age of 80.

Alal, also secretary of central Juba Dal, was arrested in Dhaka on February 8 this year under the Emergency Power Rules (EPR). He was shifted to Rangpur central jail from Dhaka Central jail on March 8.

He was released on bail Wednesday, but police re-arrested him at the Rangpur jail gate soon after his release.

Nizami on war crime trial: Certain quarter trying to reopen settled issue

Staff Reporter

The Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and former Minister Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami yesterday addressed the opening of a day-long conference of District Ameers of Jamaat-e-Islami held at Magbazar Al-Falah auditorium in the capital. In his address the Ameer-e-Jamaat said, that the present Caretaker Government has been reconstituted after declarance of state of emergency. This Caretaker Government is only obliged to hand over power to an elected government through holding a free, fair and neutral election acceptable to all with participation of all political parties along with carrying out its day- to-day state affairs. But it cannot do any work beyond its obligatory mandate contrary to the Constitution of the country.

Since it passed long 16 months, the present Caretaker Government has proved that there is no alternative rather than an elected government to run the country smoothly as the same can take practical steps to resolve all the national crisis.

Among others present at the conference were Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer of the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Maulana Abul Kalam Muhammad Yousuf, Nayeb-e-Ameer Janab Moqbul Ahmad, Prof. A. K. M Nazir Ahmad, Secretary General and Former Minister Janab Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed, Former Parliamentary deputy leaders Maulana Muhammad Abdus Subhan and Maulana Delawar Hossain Sayeedi, Assistant Secretary Generals of Jamaat Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, Abdul Quader Molla, ATM Azharul Islam and Barrister Abdur Razzak, Members of the Executive Council Maulana Rafiuddin Ahmad, Prof. Mujibur Rahman & Maulna Muhammad Abu Taher, Central Publicity Secretary Prof. Muhammad Tasneem Alam, Ameer of the Dhaka City Jamaat Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan and other members of the Central Working Committee.

Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami further said, the State of Emergency was declared after the chaotic situation and inhuman killing of people by Logi and Boitha on the 28th October in 2006. The general election scheduled for January, 22 in 2007 could not be held as the Awami League, led 14-party combine created chaos boycotting the poll and hue and cry from different angles instigated them to claim that without their participation the election won't be accepted.

He referred to a press conference in New York by a Canadian Lawyer who recently visited Bangladesh and said that beating to death of people on 28th October, the canceling of 22 January election and declarance of Emergency were pre-planned. Not only that one leader of the 14-party combine while on a visit to the US recently termed the declaration of the state of emergency as pre-planned.

So, it is known to all who were behind the screen for the proclamation of state of emergency resorting to create anarchic situation using Logis and Boithas. This black event thus led to the disruption of democratic process and as a result, the pace of economic development has been obstructed. There is doubt on whether the restoration of democracy will be possible and politicians and economists are not hopeful as to how to come out of this situation in the next 20 years. A report of Transparency International Bangladesh-TIB also said that crime and corruption have spread out at the field level as well.

The Ameer of Jamaat said, a circle is putting pressure on the Caretaker Government illegally on the issue of war crimes which has already been settled by the previous government. Even when in power two times in the past this circle did not take this decided issue into their account. So, the government should apprehend why they are making hue and cry by putting pressure on the government.

Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami noted that an Adviser of the Caretaker Government has termed the Ulema as fundamentalists on the issue of national women development policy and made a call to resist them which further heated the delicate situation.

Welcoming the statement of the Adviser that no law will be passed contrary to Quran and Sunnah, Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami said, the anti-Islamic laws should immediately be repelled by amending the clause in the Women Policy as suggested by the Alim Society of the country.

The Ameer of Jamaat expressed his grave concern over the unnatural rise in prices of essential commodities, particularly footstuff resulting in the unthinkable and unbearable sufferings of people.

He urged the government to cordially call the politicians and businessmen together for taking practical measures to resolve all the crises.