The New Nation - Internet Edition

Steps for consensus on constitution review: adviser

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

The government will explore all avenues to build a national consensus to constitute a commission to review the constitution, said commerce adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman yesterday.

Cabinet members held a meeting with Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Khalequzzaman) at the Chief Adviser's Office as part of the ongoing political dialogue.

"Taking part in today's dialogue, Samajtantrik Dal mentioned a number of inconsistencies in our constitution and talked about the need for constituting a review commission to address the anomalies. I fully agree with the party leaders," said the adviser, who attended the meeting.

"A consensus among related parties will be built to form a commission or a committee. Once the body makes recommendations, the next elected government may implement them," he said.

Talks with BSD continued for two hours from 10:00am.

Led by chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, the government delegation included law adviser AF Hassan Ariff, communications adviser Ghulam Quader, local government adviser Anwarul Iqbal and foreign affairs adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury.

BSD representatives led by its convenor Khalequzzaman included Mobinul Haider Chowdhury, Abdullah Sarkar, Shuvrangshu Chakavarti, Bazlur Rashid Firoz, Rajekuzzaman Ratan and Saifur Rahman Tapan.

Khalequzzaman said: "We have asked the government to lift the state of emergency."

Clarifying the government stance on the issue, Hossain Zillur said: "The matter is under active consideration."

On the inconsistencies between the constitution and the reality, Khalequzzaman said, "The unemployed do not get any allowances in the country. The constitution speaks of a uniform educational system, whereas we are practising at least three separate systems."

A number of sections of the constitution also need to be amended or annulled as soon as possible, Khalequzzaman said.

Asked to comment on the government's promised efforts to bring the Awami League and the BNP to dialogue, the adviser said: "The process will continue until it produces positive results within a reasonable span of time."

"The talks scheduled to be over by the end of June may be extended through July, if necessary," he said.

The government sat to discuss the burning issues with businessmen Tuesday and made a plan to hold talks with local government representatives, workers, women, different professional groups and the media, the adviser said.

"Regional talks will be held outside Dhaka," Hossain Zillur said.

Khalequzzaman said, "We demanded that the government ensure that all citizens get bail legally under any circumstances. The black money holders, loan defaulters and exploiters of religious sentiments should also be barred from national polls."

To help dispel doubts about the elections, the BSD asked the government to announce a specific election date.

"BSD has asked the government not to ban general strikes and hartals by enacting laws," said Hosssain Zillur.

He, however, stressed the need for a nationwide consensus by which vandalism, arson and such other destructive activities are not resorted to during the political or other strikes or protests.

The government will sit with the Islami Oikya Jote on the morning of June 10.

Muggers stab butcher in city three arrested

UNB, Dhaka

Three muggers were injured in mob beating when they stabbed a butcher and snatched Tk 50,000 from him at Tajmahal Road of Mohammadpur in the city yesterday afternoon.

Police and witnesses said four muggers in a CNG-run three wheeler intercepted butcher Mansur Bhandari alias Mansur Kosai, 40, in front of Central College when he was returning home after encashing Tk 50,000 from Al Arafa Islami Bank, Tajmool road branch, at about 2:30pm.

They stabbed Mansur when he tried to resist them from snatching the money leaving him seriously injured.

Hearing the victim's screams, locals chased and caught three of them Selim, 30, Anwar, 40, and Jahir, 28, -- and handed them over to the police after giving them good beating.

Later, police recovered Tk 4,100 of the looted money from the possessions of the three muggers.

Meanwhile, the injured butcher was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

'Prices of essentials cheaper at BDR-run sale centres'

BSS, Dhaka

Prices of essentials were cheaper in BDR-run sale centres and markets compared to those in the city's ordinary markets on Tuesday, said a BDR market survey released here on Thrusday.

Flour in packet was sold between Taka 41 and 42 per kg in the ordinary markets, it said adding, the item was sold at Taka 42 at BDR-run open markets and Taka 35 at BDR-run sale centres. The price of one-kg flour in Kolkata is equivalent to Taka 22.41.

Coarse rice was sold at Taka 31 to Taka 32 per kg in different markets in the city. Rice was sold at Taka 32 at BDR- run open markets and Taka 25 at BDR-run sale centres while the item is being sold at Taka 21.55 in Kolkata markets.

Lentil (imported) was sold in different city markets at Taka 82 to Taka 86 per kg which is Taka 74-80 at BDR-run sales centres and Taka 89.65 in Kolkata markets.

Onion (imported) was sold at Taka 12 per kg in BDR-run open markets. Price of onion was in other city markets ranged between Taka 13 and 18. The item is available in Kolkata at Taka 8.62.

Potato was sold in different city markets at Taka 12 to Taka 13 per kg, while it was Taka 12 at BDR-run open markets and Taka 10 at BDR-run sale centres. In Kolkata, the price of the item is Taka 8.62.

Sugar is being sold at Taka 34 to 36 per kg in different city markets against Taka 33 at BDR- run open markets. In Kolkata, its price stands at Taka 25.86.

Salt was sold at Taka 11 to Taka 12 per kg in different city markets, while it was sold at Taka 9 to 10 per kg at BDR-run sale centers. The item is available in Kolkata at Taka 08.98,the report said.

Soybean oil was sold between Taka 110 and Taka 113 per liter in the ordinary markets, while it is available at Taka 109 at BDR-run open markets. In Kolkata, the price of soybean oil is Taka 124.13 per liter.

Palm oil was sold at Taka 100 to Taka 103 per liter in the ordinary markets, compared to Taka 101 per liter at BDR-run open markets and Taka 98 at BDR run sale centres. In Kolkata, the price of palm oil is Taka 108.62 per liter.

Besides, Hilsa fish was sold in different markets at Taka 265 to Taka 320 per kg on Tuesday, the release added.

President, CA greet Danish Queen, PM

BSS, Dhaka

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed on Wednesday felicitated the Queen and the Prime Minister of Denmark on the occasion of their country's Constitution Day.

The President in a message to Queen Margrethe II said, "Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Denmark enjoy excellent bilateral relations, which I am confident, will be further strengthened in the years ahead."

Prof Iajuddin expressed his best wishes for the Queen's health, happiness and long life and for continued peace, progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Denmark.

The Chief Adviser in a separate message to Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Bangladesh deeply values its relations with Denmark and is committed to further strengthen and deepen the close ties existing between the two countries.

Dr Fakhruddin expressed his confidence that the friendly relations between Bangladesh and Denmark would grow in depth and dimensions during the coming years.

He wished good health, happiness and long life for Rasmussen and continued peace, progress and well being of the people of Denmark.

FBCCI team off to China to join business forum

BSS, Dhaka

A business delegation of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) left here yesterday for Kunming, China, to attend the third China-South Asia Business Forum to be held June 4-6.

Wan Jifei, chairman of China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), will inaugurate the forum which has the support of business leaders of regional and apex chambers of South Asian countries.

It will tackle a number of regional and international economic issues from the perspective of private sector's role in economic and social development.

During the visit, the 32-member FBCCI delegation will meet Vice Prime Minister of Yunan province, Chairman of CCPIT and the Governor of Yunan province.

The FBCCI leaders will also have meetings with their counterparts and dignitaries of the province.

The delegation will attend the opening ceremony of Kunming Import and Export Commodities Fair. The FBCCI leaders will interact with Chinese entrepreneurs at the fair. They will also visit Guanzi city.

S M Shafiuzzaman, director of FBCCI, is leading the delegation.

Other members of the delegation are Obaidur Rahman, Shafquat Haider, Md Jalal Uddin, Mahbub Islam Runu and Abdul Matlub Ahmad, directors of FBCCI and its general body members.

The delegation is expected to return home on June 9.

2 rare manuscripts on Nazrul soon

BSS, Dhaka

Nazrul Institute is going to publish two rare manuscripts on national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam-one about British attitude towards the rebel poet and another on his songs, noted Nazrul scholar Prof. Rafiqul Islam said on Wednesday.

"One of the manuscripts is titled 'Nazrul Sangit Kosh' that contains Nazrul songs and relevant references compiled by Brammomohon Thakur of the West Bengal of India," he said while addressing a seminar here.

'British Raj and the Rebel Poet' would be the second manuscript, said Dr Rafiq.

He said the second text, written by Shishir Kar, would provide complete information on British attitude towards Nazrul based on the secret documents of then imperialist forces.

Dhaka Sub Editor's Council (DSEC) and the Daily Ittefaq jointly organised the seminar on 'Rabindra-Nazrul and the Modern Trends in Journalism' at the Jatiya Press Club.

DSEC president Shah Mohammad Motasim Billah chaired the function, which was also addressed by Ittefaq editor Rahat Khan, executive editor Syed Tosharaf Ali, Prof. AASM Arefin Siddiqui and Dr. Bishawjit Ghos of Dhaka University, journalist Arif-ud- Doula and DSEC general secretary Mohammad Al Mamun.

Prof Rafiq said the first manuscript would be a complete work on the songs of Nazrul, while the second one would be on British attitude towards the poet.

"It is my last wish to see these two manuscripts along with the second edition of a book on Nazrul by American scholar Winston Langley are published during my life," said Dr. Rafiq, also the vice chancellor of the private Liberal Arts University.

Other speakers in the seminar said both Nazrul and

Rabindranath Tagore had made tremendous contribution to Bangla journalism through their active involvement as editors in the periodicals and dailies.

BIWTC earns profit first time from passenger ship

BSS, Dhaka

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) is counting profit by running a passenger ship on Chittagong-Sandwip-Hatiya-Barisal route.

This for the first time that BIWTC is earning profit by operating a passenger ship, 'MV Baro Awlia', a speedy coastal vessel, officials said here on Wednesday.

In the last week of May, MV Baro Awlia made a net profit Taka 44,220 by plying between Chittagong and Barisal via Hatiya and Sandwip. Earlier, this route was completely non-profitable due to high fuel cost.

In the public interest, BIWTC has been operating ship and sea truck services between coastal islands and districts and the mainland.

On May 22 last, MV Baro Awlia earned Taka 2.84 lakh against fuel cost of Taka 2.78 lakh making a profit of Taka 6,000. On May 29, the ship earned Taka 3.17 lakh against fuel cost of Taka 2.78 lakh and the profit margin stood at Taka 38,220.

On every Thursday, MV Baro Awlia leaves Sadarghat in Chittagong for Barisal via Swandip-Hatiya at 9am and it reaches the destination at 11pm. On Saturday, the ship starts for Chittagong via Hatiya-Sandwip from Barisal at 8.30pm and arrives in Chiitagong at 5pm.

Besides, the ship runs from Chittagong to Hatia via Sandwip on Monday and Tuesday every week.