The New Nation - Internet Edition

Power sector in doldrums: Frequent tender cancellation, changing decision blamed

Frequent power out age in city compounded the misery
of the owners of vehicles in front of CNG filling station
yesterday. Focus Bangla

UNB, Dhaka

Canceling decisions frequently on flimsy grounds, toying with tender process and finally inordinate delays in decision making are being blamed for putting the country's power sector in the doldrums, especially in this sultry summer.

Experts believe these unexpected reasons are putting the power sector's development into a vicious circle and the present post-1/11 caretaker government is also not being able to get out of this predicament of the power sector. They said it has been a common practice that without inviting three to four times, the PDB cannot finalise any bidder for any power-plant project.

A recent incident of cancellation of a tender, for which the Power Development Board (PDB) spent more than a year, again exposed the similar weakness.

According to official sources, the Advisors Committee on Economic Affairs recently refused to approve a tender for installing a 100MW power plant in Sylhet on the plea that the tender was not invited in due process.

The committee said that the tender was invited under "One Stage, Two Envelop" system, which is not compliant with the Public Procurement Regulations (PPR) 2003. The PPR 2003 provides for "Two Stage, Two Envelop" system.

But PDB sources said when they had proceeded with the tender proposal on "One Stage, Two Envelop" basis, the Power Ministry, the Finance Ministry and finally the Chief Advisor's Office gave their go-ahead with the proposal considering the project as "emergency" one in view of the nagging power crisis.

After receiving the approval, the PDB invited tender in May 2007 and completed all the procedural works to select a bidder to install the 100MW gas-turbine plant under the 150MW combined-cycle project.

It took about a year to pass all the way of approval to reach the Advisors' Committee on Public Purchase.

When the proposal was placed in the meeting of the Purchase Committee, it referred the proposal to the Advisors' Committee on Economic Affairs. The Finance Advisor is the chairman of both the committees.

When the proposal was placed with the Economic Affairs Committee, the committee refused its nod to the proposal, saying that the tender process was not in keeping with the rules.

Now the question has arisen if the Purchase Committee and the Economic Affairs Committee should reject the tender proposal, why the Finance Ministry and the Chief Advisor's office gave their earlier nod to it, on the basis of which the PDB proceeded and spent a year's time.

Now, after the refusal, the PDB has again to invite international tender for the project and it will take at least a year to reach the final stage of approval.

When the PDB placed the proposal with the Purchase and Economic Affairs Committees through power ministry, it was certified (by PDB) that all the process was followed in compliance with the set rules.

This happens to be the fourth time that tender was invited for the Sylhet project as earlier three times the tender had been cancelled after invitation on various reasons.

Virgin-Robbar award: Ten newscasters honoured

Robbar Editor Syed Tosharaf Ali, ATN Bangla adviser
Saiful Bari, dramatist Ramendu Majumder and newscaster
Khaleda Ferdous are seen alongwith the receipients of the
Virgin-Robbar award. Photo: Sharif Khan

Staff Reporter

The Weekly Robbar, a leading weekly magazine of the country, at a function yesterday awarded ten newscasters with Virgin-Robbar Star Award for their outstanding contributions in the field of news presentation.

Noted media personality and Chief Adviser to ATN Bangla Saiful Bari attended the function as the chief guest, while Deputy Managing Director of Global Beverage Company Ltd Yasser Rizvi as special guest.

Those who were awarded with the Virgin-Robbar Award were Serajul Mazid Mamun, Tajul Islam, Khaleda Ferdous, Ramendu Mazumder, Mahmudur Rahman, Rokhsana Anwar, Ashrafur Rahman Khan, Imtiaz Ahmed Siddique, Nurul Hasnat Jilan and Shahnaz Parveen.

Editor of the Weekly Robbar Syed Tosharraf Ali chaired the function. Speaking on the occasion, Saiful Bari said those elderly newscasters who received the Virgin-Robbar Award had been playing a very significant role in the field of news presentation. "I'll be very happy if our young newscasters receive the Virgin-Robbar Award like their predecessors," he said.

A statement of the publisher of Weekly Robbar Saju Hosein was read out at the function.

In her statement, Saju Hosein congratulated those who received the Virgin-Robbar Award.

She said the society is grateful to the award recipient newscasters for upgrading the news presentation to the status of art. "You (elderly newscasters) are bright examples to the young newscasters. We feel pride by giving recognition to you all," she said.

It may be mentioned that those who were honoured with the Virgin-Robbar Award belonged to Bangladesh Television.

Saju Hosein said, at present, there are many talented newscasters working at different

private television channels. Their news presentation is also praiseworthy. "We are also considering to honour them in future," she said.

In this regard, she also mentioned about honouring three talented singers through the Aktel-Robbar Star Award by the Weekly Robbar earlier.

Saju Hosein also expressed her gratitude to Global Beverage Company Ltd for sponsoring the programme.

Besides, she thanked Sheltech, Rangs Properties, Green Delta Housing, Biswas Builders, Eco-Village and Century Realty for co-sponsoring the programme.

Press freedom must to remove all injustices: Seminar on crisis in media

Staff Reporter

Democracy should be restored to overcome the prevailing crisis in the mass media of the country and freedom of press is a must for the survival of the nation as it is the most effective tool to eliminate all the injustices from the society, said speakers at a roundtable in the capital yesterday.

They made this observation while addressing the discussion on 'The Present Crisis in Mass Media in Bangladesh: Way to Overcome' organised to celebrate the publication ceremony of the bimonthly magazine 'Prostab' by Dhaka University Journalists' Association (DUJA) at the University's Senate building.

Prof SMA Faiz, Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, inaugurated the function, which was presided over by DUJA president Mahabubur Rahman.

Language movement hero Abdul Matin was present as the chief guest.

Among others, former DU VC Moniruzzaman Miah, the Bangladesh Observer Editor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, DU teacher Anisuzzaman, National Press Club President Showkat Mahmud, acting Chairman of Mass Communication and Journalism of DU AAMS Arefin Siddique spoke on the occasion.

Abdul Matin called upon all to contribute their mite in getting rid of the critical situation the country is passing through at the moment

Terming the fund crisis as the major problem of mass media of Bangladesh, Moniruzzaman Miah said the rate of government advertisements should be doubled to salvage the industry from the present crisis.

Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Editor of Bangladesh Observer, urged the government to restore democracy immediately to surmount the prevailing crisis in media.

Academician Anisuzzaman laid emphasis on honesty and objectivity of journalists to feed people with right information. Full existence of democracy will absolutely help the media industry flourish. The mass media must have to survive as it reflects the sufferings of the people and their aspirations, he added.

Showkat Mahmud, President of the National Press Club, said he was looking forward for such a type of democracy where the freedom of speech would not be curtailed.

He also urged the caretaker government to implement the Right to Information Act before their exit in the greater interest of the nation.

Arefin Siddiqe, former President of Dhaka University Teachers' Association (DUTA), said the journalists are scared to provide objective and investigative reports due to the absence of democracy.

United stand of the journalist community could be the main way to overcome the existing crisis in mass media in Bangladesh. Journalists should have full commitment to their profession, otherwise they will not be able to make contribution what the nation needs, he added.

Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, Editor Of Dainik Manb Jamin, said return to democracy through a free and fair election is the sole means to solve the crisis in the all sectors including the mass media.

DU teacher and columnist Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque, GM Chowdhury, Raquibuddin Ahmed, journalists Abdul Hye Siddique, Ilias Khan, Saleh Shiblee, Quader Goni Chowdhry, Sahabul Haque Shabu, Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron and Khomenee Ihsan also spoke on the occasion.

'Road turned death trap’

A section of the road which has become
impassable.

Talha Bin Habib

Normal traffic movement in front of Motijheel Ideal School and College is being disrupted for a long time due to the negligence of the authority in repairing the road following completion of the drain linkage work.

Local people, students and pedestrians are facing difficulties in crossing one of the busiest roads in the city from Pir Janghi Mazar to Kamalapur. Disruption of normal vehicular movements and recurrence of accidents have become a common phenomenon as several potholes have developed on the earth-filled dugouts.

Road accidents have become a regular feature in the area since the authority is apathetic to the local people's agonies.

The locals said the authority concerned has excavated the road for linking drainage system on both the sides of the road with a view to prevent water stagnation during rainy season nearly one month ago.

They said that during daytime they could manage to cross the road. But at night it is difficult for them as most of the roadside lamps were inoperative. As a result vehicles moving in high speed often fall into the potholes and overturn with a big bang.

Some people of the area said they lodged several complaints with the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC), but it was yet to bring any positive results.

They called upon the authority to address the issue on an urgent basis for easing their troubles.

When contacted a high official of the DCC admitted the problem and said that initiatives are underway to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.

Appropriate policy for sustainable development urged: 10 crore people living below poverty line

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a seminar said yesterday Bangladesh will have to formulate appropriate policy for the sustainable development of the country and alleviating the poverty of 10 crore people.

Of the 10 crore people living under the poverty line, more than 4 crore are the extremely poor, they told.

Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA) organised the seminar on "the present economic situation of the country and commodities' price" at the Planning and Development Academy auditorium in the city's Nilkhet area.

Chief of the Association Prof Dr Quazi Kholiquzzaman presided over the seminar, while former FBCCI President Yousuf Abdullah Harun, former Secretary Syed Yousuf Hossain and Professor of Biochemistry and Human Nutrition Department of Dhaka University Dr Harun Kader Yousuf presented three separate keynote papers.

General Secretary of the Association Prof Abul Barakat delivered the welcome speech.

Speakers said the number of the poor people in the country increasingly rose during the last one and a half years. Now about 80 per cent of the people are facing food crisis, they claimed.

Prof Quazi Kholiquzzaman said BEA suggested the government to keep 10 per cent allocation of the next budget for creating direct employment.

Though the government said that number of the extreme poor in the country is three crore and poor is six crore, the actual number is much higher, he claimed.

He further said after two phases of flood and cyclone Sidr attack, many non-poor people became poor, while the poor became extreme poor. Now people of the lower-middle class have turned into the poor.

Prof Abul Barakat said the average rate of the essential price hike was 50 per cent during the last one and a half years, though the government put it at only 12 per cent.

After the Floods, BEA had suggested the government to make definition of the essential commodities and form the Essential Commodities Act, but the government did not pay heed to its suggestion, he added. He said now the unemployed people in the country are about four crore, but according to the government statistics, the number is only 22 lakh. About one crore people lost their job during the last one and a half years due the wrong policy of the present caretaker government, he noted.

About 30 lakh people lost their job only due to eviction of the vendors and shops from the footpaths, he further said.

He informed that the trend of investment had fallen due to fear factors which had emerged from strict steps taken by the Caretaker Government after one-eleven. Fall of investment's trend caused the high rate of unemployment, he added.

He urged the government to adopt immediate damage reduction strategy to save the poor people of the country. The strategy should include large food allocation among the poor people, introduction of the rationing system, further stock of 20 lakh tons food and monitoring the markets, he suggested.

Speakers also suggested the government to ensure balanced distribution of asset and commodities for alleviating poverty and facing food crisis.

They also called for increasing for food production, promotion of small and medium industries, introducing appropriate agro and industrial technologies to face the present crises in the country.

Sher-e-Bangla’s anniversary of death today

Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Haque

BSS, Dhaka

The 46th death anniversary of Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Haque will be observed across the country today in a befitting manner and with due respect to the great leader.

President Prof. Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in separate messages on the eve of the day paid rich tributes to the memory of Sher-e-Bangla.

In his message, President Prof Iajuddin Ahmed said the people of the country recall with deep respect the contribution of Sher-e-Bangla to the socio-economic development of the peasants and labourers.

"His (Sher-e-Bangla's) extraordinary personality, wisdom, firm conviction in democracy and his determination will inspire us in building the country and nation," the President said and prayed for eternal peace of his departed soul.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, in his message, said Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Haque was a legendary personality in the politics of this subcontinent. He made immense contributions to poverty elevation, economic emancipation and expansion of education in the region, he added.

Sher-e-Bangla saved the farmers from exploitation through formation of Rin Salishi Board, the chief adviser recalled and said his ideals would inspire the nation forever.

Meanwhile, different political and socio-cultural organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the death anniversary of Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Haque.

Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) will hold a discussion meeting on the occasion at 4 PM today at its Shegunbagicha office, said a press release.

Import of steel products uncertain

UNB, Dhaka

The government move to cool down the overheated market of MS rods and other steel products through allowing their frequent imports is unlikely to be successful due to counter-measures taken by neighbouring countries.

According to industry insiders, India has already imposed ban on export of MS rods and withdrawn all import duties to facilitate the import of steel products to cool down its domestic market. Local steel millers said after the Indian government's such move, it will be very difficult for Bangladeshi traders to import MS rods or other steel products at cheaper rates than local products. The country's steel products' market has been volatile for the last few months, as the prices continued to go up abnormally. The prices of MS rods have doubled in the last six months on the domestic market for various reasons.

The 40-grade MS rod is now selling at between Tk 65,000 and 66,800 per ton against Tk 40,000 six months ago, while the 60-grade MS rod is now selling at Tk 72,000 per ton against its previous rate of Tk 52,000.

In the wake of the steep rise in the prices of steel products, the major elements of construction works, the government has taken a move to regulate the market.

As part of the government efforts, the Army-led Joint Forces launched drives at different steel mills and ship-scrap breaking depots, and finally fixed the prices of MS rods. But the government steps did not work.

Later, the Commerce Ministry convened a meeting of the stakeholders to discuss the issue and formed a high-powered committee to find out the reasons why the prices of steel products kept rising. The committee is still working and kept holding meetings with different stakeholders, including ship-scap breakers, scap importers and steel and re-rolling millers.

The Commerce Ministry meeting also took a decision to consider the opening up of import of MS rods through slashing down the existing high import duty.

But the market players are in doubt about the success of the move, as India has already imposed ban on export of MS rods. Even the Indian government has withdrawn all import duties to facilitate the import of steel products to cool down its own market. The local steel millers said after the Indian government's such move, it will be very difficult for Bangladeshi traders to import MS rods or other steel products at cheaper rates than local products. They said the prices of steel products have gone up due to the booming economies of the BRIC countries like Brazil, Russia, India and China.

They said Bangladeshi producers can always provide competitive rates because of cheaper gas and labour in the country. "But Indian producers don't have these advantages," said Abul Quasem Majumder, Vice President of Steel Mill Owners' Association. General Secretary of Re-Rolling Mills' Association Sheikh Masadul Alam Masud echoed the same view and said the prices of raw materials, particularly that of the melting crap, has doubled in the last six months on the international market which led to the price hike back home.

He said now they have to import melting crap at US$ 650 per ton, which was just below US$ 350 barely six months back. Similarly, he said, short supply of ship-scrap, which is also used to produce MS rods, is another major reason behind the recent price hike. He said only a limited number of traders are allowed to import ship-scrap and they have had a monopoly on the market. "This sort of monopoly should go and ship-scrap import should be opened up for steel millers too," he said adding that this could effectively cool down the market.

He also demanded steps like withdrawal of import duty as the Indian government has taken to cool its domestic market.

Chinese rail link to Nepal via Tibet in 5 years

AFP, Kathmandu

China has started to build a rail link between Tibet and Nepal that could drastically reduce Kathmandu's trade reliance on its giant southern neighbour India, officials said Saturday.

Beijing is bringing the railway line from Lhasa-the capital of Chinese-controlled Tibet-to Khasa, a town along the Nepal-China border, Aditya Baral, the premier's foreign affairs adviser, told AFP.

"Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala was told by a visiting Chinese delegation during a meeting Friday the Chinese government has begun the railway extension project on its side to link with the Nepal-China border," Baral said.

The Chinese communist party delegation told Nepalese officials that the railway link would be ready in five years time, said Baral. The Nepal border town of Khasa lies some 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of the ancient capital Kathmandu.

BCU’s founding anniversary observed

Chhatra Union activists brought out a procession on
Dhaka University campus marking the 56th founding
anniversary of the organization on Saturday. Banglar
Chokh

DU Correspondent

Bangladesh Chhatra Union (BCU), a left leaning student organisation, observed its 56th anniversary by holding colourful procession and rally at the Dhaka University campus yesterday.

The BCU, established in 1952, brought out a procession from Modhu`s canteen after placing wreath at the Raju monument in the morning and held a rally in front of DUCSU building.

The leaders and activists of the organisation from different colleges and universities thronged the campus to observe the day.

Presided over by Khan Asaduzzaman Masum, President of the BCU, the rally was participated by Manabendra Dev, BCU general secretary, Mahmudur Rahman Birol, Ferdous Ahmed Uzzal, Ashikur Rahman and Mehedi Banu Mita.

Besides, former leaders and activists of the organisation and well-wishers attended the rally.

Addressing the rally, Khan Asaduzzaman Masum said a vested quarter is trying to create anarchy in the educational institutions to resist the spirit of revolutionary line student movement and urged the students to take preparation to awake the liberal line.

Trader stabbed to death in city

UNB, Dhaka

A 'Bakorkhani' trader was stabbed to death by some extortions at Doyaganj under Sutrapur thana in the city yesterday.

The dead was identified as Renu Miah,40, a Bakorkhani(Old Dhaka's traditional food item) trader of Doyaganj area.

Sources said 4/5 youths of the area went to the shop of Renu Miah and demanded toll from him at 10.30 am.

When Renu Miah refused to give them the toll the extortionists hit him with a sharp cooking tool on his chest, leaving him injured seriously.

He was first rushed to Chest Diseases Hospital first and then shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where he succumbed in the afternoon.

A case was filed.

Low over Bay

BSS, Dhaka

A low pressure which has developed in the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining area since Friday remained unchanged, Met Office sources said.

We are watching it. But so far it remained unchanged, a met office source told BSS yesterday afternoon.

So far it poses no threat to the Bay or the coastal areas, he said.