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Subsidy on coarse rice withdrawn: BDR-run outlet to remain closed till June 9

A BDR outlet at Karwan Bazar for selling daily
necessities including coarse rice is seen closed to
disappointment of many. NN photo

Talha Bin Habib

The BDR-run fair-price shops in the city remain closed for four days from June 6 yesterday to June 9 as the government stopped subsidy on coarse rice catered by the paramilitary force from these outlets in the wake of price hike.

Official sources said the government decision forced closure of 75 outlets run by the troops of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) from yesterday in the city.

The rice was sold at Tk 25 per kilogram at the 'Fair Price Outlets' under operation 'Dal-bhat', cheaper than prices on the overheated open market. Poor people were the buyers of this coarse variety of rice.

The Director General of BDR, Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed, in an interview with a private TV channel yesterday said they (BDR) would start selling rice at Tk 30 per kg after reopening of the BDR shopping outlets on June 10.

He said as the Government had withdrawn the subsidy on rice, it is not possible for the paramilitary force BDR to sell rice at Tk 25 per kg.

Thousands of men, women and children returned empty-handed yesterday from the 75 outlets so far run by BDR men under operation 'Dal-bhat' programme in the city.

"I hoped that the prices of rice would fall to a tolerable level after harvesting of Boro. But it did not happen. And now that the BDR has closed shop, where shall we go?" questioned a rickshaw puller.

Under the circumstances the lower income group people were forced to buy rice in high price that had added extra financial burden on their meagre income.

Meanwhile, the prices of vegetables and fish have slightly decreased yesterday, as the supply was adequate.

But the prices of soyabean oil and powder milk and other perishable items like egg, broiler chicken meat remained unchanged.

While visiting different kitchen markets this Correspondent found people of different income groups were upset over the high trend of rice prices.

Rice traders at Babu Bazar said erratic power supply in the rice mills caused disturbances in smooth rice processing, which had contributed to the tight supply of rice in the markets.

They said the Government rice procurement drive and growers reluctance to sell paddy at lower prices did not let the price come down.

They, however, forecast that there was no possibility of a further increase in the rice prices but would remain the same.

As per market survey yesterday coarse variety rice like 'lata' was selling between Tk 32 and Tk 33 per kg. 'Pari' at Tk 32 to Tk 33 per kg. Fine quality of nazirshail rice was selling at Tk 36 to Tk 40 per kg, minicate at Tk 38 to Tk 43 per kg, while 'sarna' and 'paijam' were selling at Tk 34 and Tk 37 per kg and 'BR-29' at Tk 34 to Tk 36 per kg.

Local variety of lentils was selling at Tk 98 to Tk 102 per kg and imported ones at Tk 85 per kg in the retail markets. Soybean oil was sold at Tk 110 to Tk 112 per kg.

Different brands of five litre-canned soyabean were selling at Tk 565 to 570. Sugar was at Tk 32 to Tk 33 per kg. Per hali (4-pieces) of eggs was at Tk 22 to Tk 24.

The price of chicken was Tk 115 to Tk 120 per kg. Green chilli was selling at Tk 20 to Tk 25 per kg, potato at Tk 13 to Tk 14, cucumber at Tk 18 to Tk 20, korola at Tk 22 to Tk 24, tomato at Tk 24 to Tk 28 and barbati at Tk 16 to Tk 20 and jingha at Tk 20 to Tk 22 per kg.

The price of different types of fish still remain high as Ruhi was selling at Tk 150 to Tk 180, medium size Hilsha at Tk 280 to Tk 300. Prices of red meat like beef was at Tk 180,while mutton at Tk 250 to Tk 260 per kg.

Obama, Hillary hold private meeting: Speculation ripe over possible role of Vice Presidency

Hillary Clinton and Obama get in the ring.
Internet

AFP, Washington

Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have held a private meeting, their campaigns said, amid feverish speculation over whom he will choose as his vice presidential running mate.

"Senator Clinton and Senator Obama met lastnight and had a productive discussion about the important work that needs to be done to succeed in (the election in) November," their campaigns said in a joint statement, US media reported late Thursday.

No further details were given on the talks, but the news -- and the secrecy -- only fueled rumors about a possible Clinton role in Obama's campaign.

The former first lady had earlier sought to quash any suggestion that she was agitating to be picked as Obama's vice president after he won their epic battle for the Democratic Party's White House nomination on Tuesday.

After promising to throw the full weight of her formidable support behind Obama at a farewell event on Saturday, Clinton disowned an orchestrated drive by some of her followers to force her onto Obama's ticket.

"She is not seeking the vice presidency, and no one speaks for her but her," said her campaign. "The choice here is Senator Obama's and his alone."

The brief statement made no mention of whether the New York senator would be willing to accept the job if it were offered.

With scant information about Thursday's hush-hush meeting made available, speculation was rife.

According to the New York Times, Clinton initiated the meeting in Washington after a day of talks between their aides. Obama was campaigning in Virginia and canceled a plan. The Washington Post reported that Obama and Clinton met at the home of Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein in the US capital. CNN suggested the gathering was just the two of them and a few close aides.

On Tuesday, as Obama clinched enough delegates to represent the party in November's election, Clinton told New York lawmakers that she was open to the idea of serving as his vice president.

Since then, some of her backers have been lobbying on her behalf, arguing that her support among working-class voters and women would guarantee a November sweep against Republican John McCain.

Noting Clinton's 18 million primary votes and victories in swing states, New York Representative Charlie Rangel told CBS that "we should expect a landslide if they had this dream ticket."

But Obama said he would not be bounced into a choice as a three-member team began to vet vice presidential contenders on his behalf.

Interviewed by CNN Thursday, the Illinois senator reiterated a line he used repeatedly on the primary campaign trial: "Senator Clinton would be on anybody's shortlist."

ned flight homThe Washington Post reported that Obama and Clinton met at the home of Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein in the US capital. CNN suggested the gathering was just the two of them and a few close aides.

On Tuesday, as Obama clinched enough delegates to represent the party in November's election, Clinton told New York lawmakers that she was open to the idea of serving as his vice president.

Since then, some of her backers have been lobbying on her behalf, arguing that her support among working-class voters and women would guarantee a November sweep against Republican John McCain.

Noting Clinton's 18 million primary votes and victories in swing states, New York Representative Charlie Rangel told CBS that "we should expect a landslide if they had this dream ticket."

But Obama said he would not be bounced into a choice as a three-member team began to vet vice presidential contenders on his behalf.

Interviewed by CNN Thursday, the Illinois senator reiterated a line he used repeatedly on the primary campaign trial: "Senator Clinton would be on anybody's shortlist."

He stressed, however: "What I've also said is, the vice presidency is the most important decision that I'll make before I'm president.

"I'm a big believer in making decisions well, not making them fast and not responding to pressure."

At a rally in Virginia Thursday, Obama paid tribute to Clinton and vowed to unify the party for the general election.

"I know we won't be divided because whatever differences between me and Hillary Clinton, they pale in comparison to the differences we have with the other side," he said.

Following concerted pressure from some of her own backers frustrated at her refusal so far to bow out, Clinton announced she would end her dogged quest to be America's first female president at Saturday's event in Washington.

"I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Senator Obama if he were the Democratic Party's nominee, and I intend to deliver on that promise," she said in a message to supporters.

Hitting the campaign trail on Thursday, Obama challenged voters in Virginia -- who have not backed a Democrat in the presidential elections since 1964 -- to break the mold and support him over McCain.

"This is our moment, this is our time, and if you will vote for me, I will win Virginia, we will win this election, and we will change the course of history," he said.

Pakistan Cricket team arrives

Pakistani cricket players who arrived in Dhaka
yesterday to participate in tri-nation cricket series
scheduled to begin on June 8 are getting enlisted their
names at Hotel Sheraton. Hard hitter Shahid Afridi is seen
among all. Focus Bangla

Sports Reporter

Pakistan Cricket team arrived in the city yesterday noon to take part in the Tri-Nation Series scheduled to be held at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium from June 8 to June 14.The other teams which will participate in the Tri-Nation Series are: hosts Bangladesh and India.

Bangladesh will face Pakistan in the opening match tomorrow.

Pakistan will meet their arch rivals India on June 10.

Bangladesh will take on India on June 12.

The top two teams will face each in the final on June 14.

NEC to approve Tk. 25,600 crore new ADP today

Staff Reporter

The National Economic Council (NEC) will sit today to approve an Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the next fiscal year (2008-09) beginning from July 1.

NEC chairman and Chief Adviser of the Caretaker Government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed is expected to chair the meeting.

Total 876 projects costing Tk 25600 crore will be placed before the NEC that have been lined up in the draft development budget for implementation in the upcoming fiscal.

Out of the total ADP outlay, 53 per cent will be supplied from the internal resources while the rest from the external sources (foreign aid).

The nature of the new ADP as well as the budget is going to be exceptional from the traditional process. The Government, shifting from the usual trend of increasing the ADP allocation every year, is going to lower it for the first time.

The New ADP will be Tk 900 crore less than the original allocation of the current ADP. In the current budget, the ADP is Tk 22,500 crore downsized (due to failure in implementation) from original Tk 26,500 crore.

Experienced from the records of poor ADP implementation in the previous years, the government has decided to limit it in planning the next year's development. Rather, the government will increase subsidy in various sectors including agriculture, fuel and social safety-net schemes.

During the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, a total of Tk 12,233 crore has been spent to implement the ADP. This expenditure is 54 per cent of revised ADP of Tk 22,500 crore and 46 per cent of original ADP (Tk 26,500 crore).

Agriculture, water resources, rural development and education will get priority in the new ADP which will be given 24 per cent allocations from the total outlay.

Education, power and transportation sectors received close to 14 percent each of the total ADP allocations, followed by health 10 percent, and physical infrastructure and housing about 9 percent.

In absence of the parliament, the annual budget for FY 2008-09 is set to be announced through radio and television channels on Monday. According to available information, the size of the overall budget for the next fiscal year (2008-09) would be Tk 99600 crore.

The budget for the running fiscal stands at Tk 79,614 crore excluding Tk 7,523 crore liabilities of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation.

Hotel blast Injured Sri Lankan dies in city

Staff Reporter

The Sri Lankan national AR Samontha Lake succumbed to his burn injuries at City Hospital here yesterday morning, raising the death toll of the incident to three.

He was fighting for life since the serial explosions at Hotel Orchard Plaza in the city's Naya Paltan on Sunday.

Source said Samontha Lake, admitted to the High Dependable Unit (HDU) of the hospital's burn unit following the Sunday night's explosions in the hotel, died at about 7:30am.

Samontha, an information system auditor, came to Bangladesh on May 30 to monitor the bank activities in the country.

The body was taken to the mortuary of the Square Hospital. But it could not be ascertained whether it would be shipped to Sri Lanka.

Earlier, hotel staffs Ali Azam Chowdhury and Meer Hossain alias Miron

died in the same incident on Monday and Wednesday respectively.

The serial explosions occurred in a suite on the 7th floor of the Hotel Orchard Plaza at about 9:30pm when a Sri Lankan national, AR Samontha Lake, eit a cigarette, leaving around 50 people injured including some other foreigners.

Anti-crime drive: 2,039 more arrested, arms recovered

Staff Reporter

At least 16,000 people, including activists of mainstream political parties, have been arrested by law enforcing agencies in the anti-crime crackdown launched across the country till May 28.

A press release issued by the Police headquarters yesterday said 2,039 people were arrested in the past 24 hours. The law enforcers also recovered

six firearms, 18 hand bombs, and 270 rounds of bullet during the period, it added.

Besides, 54 motorbikes were seized for not having valid documents and 316 cases were filed under the Motor Vehicle Act during the drive. Benapole, RAB members recovered a pistol and two rounds of bullet from Bhaberber village here early Friday. None, however, was arrested in this connection.

In another drive, police recovered 100 bottles of phensidyl and arrested three drug traders, Firoza Begum, Halima Begum and Ikramul, from Sadipur village at the same time.

Budget on Monday

BSS, Dhaka

Finance and Planning Adviser Dr AB Mirza M Azizul Islam will announce the national budget for 2008- 09 financial year on Monday (June 9) at 3 PM over radio and television.

The budget speech, summary of the budget, and books on annual financial statements would be available on website. The Press Information Department (PID) will also distribute the documents at 3 PM on the day, an official Handout said yesterday. To make the budget more participatory, all information and important documents of the budget could be read and downloaded by any person or institution at home and abroad from the website, www.mof.gov.bd., the Handout said.

Opinions and recommendations on the budget could be given by filling a feedback form on the website by 5 PM on June 16.

Besides, written opinions and recommendations on the budget can be sent directly or by post. All the opinions and recommendations would be considered and measures be taken for reflection of reasonable suggestions in the budget.

After finalisation of the budget in this process, it would come into force through promulgation of an Ordinance, the handout said.

To ensure wider participation, the link of Finance Division website will also be available on the following government websites-www.bangladesh.gov.bd, www.nbr-bd.org, www.plancomm.gov.bd,www.imed.gov.bd,www.bdpressinform.org and www.cao.gov.bd.

The finance adviser will address a press conference at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar NEC auditorium at 3:30 PM on June 10.

The government hopes that the print and electronic media will circulate properly all information and documents regarding the budget and help in participation of all and sending their opinions.

Participation of all would make the national budget for 2008- 09 welfare-oriented, said the handout.

Lottery syndicate making windfall gains from draws

Mamunur Rashid

A well-organised lottery syndicate was making a windfall gains from the lottery draws by violating the rules of the Information Ministry.

After the liberation of the country at least 60 lottery draws were held, but only seven people claimed their first and second prizes, no body else claimed the rest of the wining prizes. The welfare organisations National Heart Foundation, Krira Unnyan Tahabil, Red Crescent Society, MANOSH Madak Nitamay Society, Adunik etc organised most of the lottery draws.

The National Heart Foundation source said they arranged more than 20 lottery draws in the country and only seven persons claimed their prizes. But the organisation did not note down the names and addresses of the prizewinners.

Any welfare organisation can apply for approval to arrange lottery draws for raising funds for their originations. The approval was not transferable and the collected money from the sale of lottery tickets to be used for the welfare of the underprivileged, according to the Information Ministry.

According to sources the MANOSH sold one lottery approval letter in violation of the rule of the ministry to JK International for only 35 lakh.

The sources said that the corrupt syndicate earned at least Tk 2 crore per draw, but only Tk 30 to Tk 40 lakh goes to the organisation's coffer that has taken the approval to conduct the lottery draw.

Razzak Ali, a lottery ticket seller, told the New Nation that he had been selling lottery tickets from the last 10 years in the New Market area, but he had never heard of anybody wining the first prize.

Building Construction Rules `08: 2 Katha landowners allowed 67.5pc land for building structures

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

The Government has allowed 67.5 per cent of a plot for constructing buildings in the 'Building Construction Rules 2008.'

According to the new rule, which amended Building Construction Rules-2007, owners of up to two kathas of land will be allowed to use highest 67.5 per cent of their plot to construct a building, said an official of the Department of Architecture (DoA).

Under the new rule, while constructing a building, a builder will have to leave 0.8 metre spaces at the edges instead of the previous one metre, he added.

The changes were made as small landowners had been expressing dissatisfaction over the 'Building Construction Rules-2007,' according to an official of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK).

According to the new rules, owners, having two to three kathas of land, will be able to use 65 per cent of the land for the construction. Owners of three to five kathas will be able to use 62.5 per cent of the land, owners of five to nine kathas 60 per cent, owners of nine to12 kathas 57.5 per cent, owners of 12 to 14 kathas 55 per cent, owner of 14 to 18 kathas 52.5 per cent, and owners of 18 kathas and above will be able to use 50 per cent of the land for constructing their structures.

The new rules allow owners, who constructed their buildings according to the old rules, to internally modify their buildings leaving alone the length, width, height and total floor space of buildings.

An owner constructing a building under the 'Key Point Installation' or Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh height-restricted area would be able to use all the land after leaving the minimum space around the building. The ground coverage rule of constructing buildings will not be applicable for them, said the new rules.

The One-window Cell, a cell that allowed people to have all permits from one place under the Building Construction Rules-2007, has been removed.

However, a special cell similar to the 'One-window Cell' will be set up for special building projects only.

Landowners, who want to construct high-rise buildings, would have to get all the permits from different government agencies, a RAJUK official said.

The Government has published the new rules on June 3. The amendment has been made in line with suggestions of the sub-committee of the Urban Development Committee of the RAJUK, formed on September 26, 2007 to review the rules.

BNP will follow its own path: Hannan Shah

Staff Reporter

BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) ASM Hannan Shah yesterday said the BNP would not bow to the Awami League and party leaders and activists would also not accept such step.

Talking to reporters at his DOHS residence at Mohakhali he criticised party Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain for his call to AL for unity and said he (Delwar) has tarnished the image of the party by making this statement.

“It was his (Delwar’s) personal opinion and BNP has not taken such decision. The BNP will be able to launch movement with its own force in future like the previous,” he said.

Khondoker Delwar on Thursday appealed to Awami League for launching a united movement to overcome what he called grave crisis and restore democracy.

Meanwhile, Khondoker Delwar Hossain told reporters that the BNP is now contemplating moving forward with its allies to launch movement to overcome the price spiral crisis before the general elections.

“We will sit with our allies soon and discuss with them future action programs,” he said while talking to reporters at his NAM Flat residence in the city yesterday.

Hannan Shah said hundreds of thousands of party leaders and activists would not accept that the BNP bows to someone.

He said the BNP is not depended to anyone; rather any party leader or activist can pass his/her opinion if the statement of any leader or activist of party tarnishes the image of the party.

Replying to a question he said a temporary recess in the unity process is on. He expressed his optimism about the unity between the two factions of the party.

“The unity process has to be taking forward in accordance with the direction of party chairperson,” he said.

About dialogue, the BNP leader said there are huge doubts on the success of the dialogue. “The BNP would not contest the election without the party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

The outspoken leader said that he came to know that dissolving party committees and terminating someone has been stopped with the direction of Begum Khaleda.

Khondoker Delwar Hossain BNP would also consult with its front organizations and district leaders options for mapping out future course.

“We will walk our own path,” he said.

Asked about Awami League’s rejection of his proposal, Delwar said he would not make any instant comment about it.

“We are with the people and people are also with the Madam,” Delwar said.

Hasina, Koko advised treatment abroad

Shahidul Islam

Three high-powered official medical boards have examined the two detained former Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia and the latter’s younger son Arafat Rahman Koko in prison separately during the last couple days, triggering speculations in the political and diplomatic circles in the capital yesterday.

Highly placed official sources said the medical boards would submit their reports, including recommendations, to the Government tomorrow and Monday.

As per the Government’s previous announcement, only those high-profile detained VIPs, would be sent abroad for medical treatment on parole on the recommendation of the boards.

When contacted yesterday evening, Inspector General (Prisons) Brig Gen Md Zakir Hasan confirmed that three separate medical boards have examined Begum Khaleda Zia, Sheikh Hasina and Arafat Rahman Koko, in presence of the prison officials. All od them are suffering from multiple ailments, he added.

Separate medical boards examined Sheikh Hasina and Arafat Rahman Koko on Thursday, while Begum Zia yesterday afternoon. Sheikh Hasina, who is the President of the Awami League, and Begum Zia, the BNP Chairperson, were examined at their respective prison-bungalows on the premises of Parliament building complex, while Arafat Rahman Koko at his Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) prison cabin.

Five-member each medical boards-Prof Dr Syed Maruf Ali and Prof Dr Saleh Ahmed of the National Eye Science Institute and Hospital led the teams of medical experts for Sheikh Hasina and Begum Zia respectively, while Prof Dr Mustafizur Rahman of the Institute of Diseases of the Chest & Hospital (IDCH) headed the team for Koko.

There were speculations in the city following the breaking of the news of the medical check up of the VIP prisoners that the Government has started the process of sending Sheikh Hasina and Arafat Rahman Koko abroad for treatment on parole, while Begum Zia was screened to ascertained her latest health condition.

Informed sources said the medical boards were formed following backstage parleys between senior leaders of the two major political parties-the AL and BNP-and the Government.

Earlier, in the first week of March, Sheikh Hasina's scientist husband Dr Wazed Mia, in a letter to Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, requested the Government to send her abroad for medical treatment on parole. Sheikh Hasina also gave her consent to go to the US for medical treatment and replacement of her hearing aid.

The AL, however, asked the Government formally on March 12 to free her for treatment abroad without any precondition, which foiled Dr Wazed’s move to free his wife on parole. Dhaka City AL later submitted a memorandum signed by over 18 lakh people to the Chief Adviser’s Office for her release.

Begum Khaleda Zia, while appearing in a Special Court in connection with GATCO scam case on Wednesday requested the Government to send her younger son abroad for treatment, as Koko’s health condition deteriorated in the Courtroom in her presence.

Sources close to their family said yesterday Koko’s wife Sharmili Rahman meanwhile applied to the Chief Adviser to send her husband abroad.

Sources close to the AL leadership told this Correspondent that the senior party leaders have assured the Government of not launching any anti-administration street agitation, if Sheikh Hasina was sent abroad for treatment.

Another source said a top diplomat of a powerful western country brokered a deal between the Government and Sheikh Hasina and her party leaders. The Government is insisting that the AL should sit for dialogue before Sheikh Hasina was sent abroad, while her party prefers to sit after her departure.

When contacted, influential AL Presidium member Amir Hossain Amu expressed satisfaction as the Government medical board examined Sheikh Hasina.

“We hope that the Government will send Sheikh Hasina abroad for treatment this time,” he said. He, however, would not say whether they had any deal with the authorities.

BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Brig Gen (retd) ASM Hannan Shah yesterday at a press conference requested the Government to send Arafat Rahman Koko abroad for treatment as per law of the land.

IG (Prisons) Brig Gen Zakir Hossain, however, expressed his ignorance about any such arrangements.

“We don't know anything about sending them abroad. That will be decided at the highest level of the government. But everything will depend on the reports of the medical boards,” he said when asked whether the medical boards examined them as part of the official process to send them abroad.

US to probe why Guantanamo detainees talked

AP, Guantanamo

U.S. military officers responsible for defending Guantanamo detainees said they will investigate why five men accused in the Sept. 11 attacks were allowed to talk among themselves at their arraignment, allegedly pressuring one of the defendants to reject his lawyers