The New Nation - Internet Edition

Hasina released for 8 weeks: Set to leave for US today:AL team led by party chief joins dialogue with govt advisers

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina breaks down in
tears as she stands on the balcony of her Sudha Sadan
residence soon after her release from detention yesterday.
FocusBangla

Advisers of the Caretaker Government Dr Hossain
Zillur Rahman, Maj Gen (Retd) Golam Kader, Dr Iftekhar Ahmed
Chowdhury and Hassan Ariff holding talks with Awami League
President Sheikh Hasina at her Sudha Sadan residence
yesterday evening. Photo: Sharif

Staff Reporter

Exit deal: Release order can be cancelled anytime without assigning any reason, AL chief can’t make any statement while abroad, Refraining from street agitation at home and abroad, Participation in polls as per roadmap, Release of those leaders who are convicted in graft case cannot be demanded, Return to the country as per commitment.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was released yesterday after 16 months on parole for eight weeks for medical treatment abroad on condition that she would not issue political and anti-government statements at home and abroad during the period.

Her party the Awami League (AL) claimed that the party President was released unconditionally for an interim period for her overseas treatment.

A Government handout said Sheikh Hasina was released under an executive order signed by Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed on Tuesday night on the directive of President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed.

"The Government may cancel the release order any moment without assigning reason," the brief press note said, hinting that her freedom was temporary and conditional. Earlier, an official medical board recommended the Government to send her abroad for medical treatment.

She was released from her high-security prison-bungalow on the premises of Parliament building complex at about 1:50pm exactly after 329 days of isolation from the world. She was arrested on July 16 last year in connection with graft charges.

Political and diplomatic circles in Dhaka termed her release as a major development in national politics, saying that it would help resolve the political stalemate in the country. They expressed the hope that the other detained Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia would also be released soon and go abroad for medical treatment.

In an important development, Sheikh Hasina, at an emergency meeting of AL Central Working Committee (ALCWC) at her Sudha Sadan residence with herself in the chair yesterday night, proposed that the party would sit for dialogue with the Government under the leadership of party Acting President Zillur Rahman.

Earlier, she had a closed door meeting with the AL Presidium, the highest policymaking body of the party at the same venue. The ALCWC unanimously accepted her proposal to join the dialogue. The AL President said she would join the political dialogue on her return from the US.

She sat for a dialogue meeting with four Advisers of the Caretaker Government after 9:00pm at her residence, as the official policymakers visited her.

The four Government policymakers were-Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Education and Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Law Adviser Advocate Hassan Ariff and Commerce Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader.

The outcomes of the meeting could not be known till filing of this report till midnight last night.

Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to leave Dhaka this morning for London by a British Airways flight to the US via Canada for medical treatment.

When reached over telephone, her only son Sajib Wazed Joy, who lives in the US, told that his mother would meet her younger sister Sheikh Rehana in London and her daughter Saima Wazed Putul in Canada. "We have made arrangements for her medical treatment in the US," he said, adding, "The Government has released my mother for her medical treatment."

Immediately after her release, Sheikh Hasina, under foolproof security and surrounded by hundreds of party leaders and supporters drove directly to the historic Bangabandhu Bhaban and placed wreaths on the portrait of her assassinated father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

She broke into tears, when party Presidium member Begum Matia Chowdhury embraced her at the Bangbandhu Bhaban.

Later at about 2:32pm, Sheikh Hasina along with other leaders of the AL, surrounded by her supporters drove to her Sudha Sadan residence at Dhanmondi Road No 5, from where she was arrested in connection with a corruption case filed by businessman Azam J Chowdhury.

Witnesses said thousands of party workers showered flower petals and shouted welcome slogans as her car slowly moved towards Bangabandhu (Bhaban) Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi amid tight security.

"Jeler Tala Bhengechhi, Sheikh Hasina Ke Enechhi (We've broken the jail lock, brought out Hasina)," chanted her ardent followers.

Wearing off-white printed cotton Sari, a smiling Hasina waved to thousands of her supporters from the balcony of Sudha Sadan.

Sheikh Hasina has been suffering from acute problems with her ears and eyes following deadly grenade attacks on her public rally in Dhaka on August 21, 2004.

Sources close to the negotiators, who brokered the deal of the former Prime Minister's release on parole, told The New Nation that Sheikh Hasina earned her temporary freedom as per a written agreement signed by her and senior AL leaders.

The conditions include an assurance from her that she would not issue any political or anti-government public statements at home and abroad, she would return home as per commitment, the AL would take part in the general elections as per the polls-roadmap, it would refrain from launching an anti-government agitation and she and her family would cooperate with the Bangladesh Missions abroad to know the progress of her medical treatment.

Besides, she has promised that the AL would refrain from demanding the release of its leaders, including her former Cabinet colleagues, who were already been convicted in graft cases, sources close to the AL mediators said.

ALWC meets: Zillur to lead AL in formal dialogue: Hasina demands lifting of emergency, budget announced violating constitution

Staff Reporter

Awami League acting president Zillur Rahman will lead the party to dialogue with the caretaker government in absence of just released party chief Sheikh Hasina, who is likely to leave the country this morning for treatment abroad.

This was decided at the party's working committee meeting held at Sudha Sadan in Dhanmondi last night.

Besides, four Advisers of the caretaker government went to Sudha Sadan last night to meet with Hasina and discuss with her about her party's joining the dialogue with the government.

A senior leader of Awami League who was present at the working committee meeting, said Sheikh Hasina will remain absent for two months for her treatment in the United States.

He said at the working committee meeting, Sheikh Hasina demanded the lifting of the state of emergency as early as possible to create appropriate democratic environment ahead of the election.

Hasina, who presided over the meeting also asked the government to stop the current crackdown on political workers and demanded release of her party members by withdrawing all "false" cases against them.

Briefing reporters on the meeting, acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said Hasina expressed concern over the price hike of essentials and asked the government to tackle it to assuage people's sufferings.

The former premier criticised the announcement of the national budget twice by the caretaker government, saying that it is a "violation of the constitution" to impose taxes without the sanction of parliament.

"Such situation cannot be repeated," she was quoted as saying.

During the meeting, Hasina expressed gratitude to AL leaders for remaining united that secured her interim release.

She expressed solidarity with the 6-point demand earlier put forward by the Awami League.

Ashraf said AL president Hasina would join in the political dialogue after her treatment overseas.

Meanwhile, in a dramatic turn of events four Advisers of the caretaker government last night went to Sudha Sadan to meet just released Awami League president Sheikh Hasina, for political dialogue.

Advisers Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader, AF Hassan Ariff, Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman and Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury entered Sudha Bhaban at 10-15pm, about one hour behind the schedule.

Awami League sources told The New Nation that the party leadership placed 6-point demand that included lifting of emergency and parliamentary election prior to local body polls at the dialogue with the Advisers.

Release of Khaleda, sons under govt consideration

Begum Khaleda Zia

Tarique Rahman

Arafat Rahman Koko

Shahidul Islam

Sending her elder son Tarique Rahman abroad for medical treatment and returning of the money he laundered abroad are delaying the release of detained Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and her younger son Arafat Rahman Koko release on parole, sources close to the negotiators told The New Nation yesterday.

Begum Zia, also the BNP Chairperson, is pressing for the release of her elder simultaneously along with her and Koko while the official negotiators telling that Tarique Rahman will meet them abroad later on.

Assurance to return the illegally siphoned of money abroad by Tarique Rahman is one of the main impediments that has not yet settled, the sources added. In addition to graft cases like Begum Zia and Koko, Tarique is facing trial in Bashundhara Group's Director Sabbir Murder Case.

The other pre-conditions for their release include an assurance from her that she or her sons would not issue any political or anti-government public statement at home and abroad, the BNP would take part in the general elections, refrain from launching an anti-government agitation and her family would cooperate with the concerned Bangladesh Missions abroad to know the progress of their medical treatment.

Official negotiators are also pressing that the BNP would refrain from demanding the release of its leaders, including Begum Zia's former Cabinet colleagues, who were already been convicted in graft cases, as agreed by the other former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was released yesterday, sources close to the BNP mediators said.

Meanwhile, Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, who reportedly had backstage parleys with both the former detained Prime Ministers recently, yesterday told journalists that the Caretaker government was attaching the highest importance to releasing Begum Zia and her two sons for medical treatment on humanitarian considerations.

A source yesterday claimed that Begum Zia, following the release of her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina, yesterday might agree to go abroad for medical treatment along with Arafat Rahman Koko. She sought assurance from the Government that Tarique would join them abroad after her departure.

When asked, BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain said he did know any such arrangement. "We don't support the pre-condition to send Begum Zia abroad for releasing her sons for medical treatment abroad, as she does not want to leave the country," he said.

However, Khandaker Delwar, a top lawyer for Begum Zia's family, would not say as to why they were not moving the Court seeking exemption from personal appearance during the trial for the former Prime Minister and her two ailing sons-Tarique Rahman and Koko-as was done by Sheikh Hasina's lawyers.

Their counsel Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokan after meeting Begum Zia at her prison-bungalow yesterday evening told this Correspondent that they were expecting to move the Court seeking the exemption from personal attendance during the trial within a day and two, when the issues might be resolved.

"Begum Zia does not want to go abroad. She wants her both the sons to be allowed medical treatment abroad," he said.

Barrister Khokon, however, hastened to add, "We will move the Court seeking exemption from personal appearance during the trial for Tarique Rahman and Koko as per Section 540 (A) of the CrPC, the moment Begum Zia gives her consent to do so."

"This is the primary legal way, which was applied in the case of former Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina, before getting the Government order to release them from prison as per concerned sections of the emergency power rules (EPR)," Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal, one of the counsel of Begum Zia, told The New Nation.

"Otherwise, even the Government cannot issue an executive order to release an under trial detenue since EPR does not allows a trial Court to entertain bail petition," Barrister Kazal Added.

Meanwhile, wife of Begum Zia's younger brother Maj (retd) Saeed Eskandor Ms Nasreen Eskandor, who met her in the Special Court on Tuesday, informed the BNP Chairperson about the arrangements for the medical treatment of Tarique and Koko both in Singapore and Bangkok.

Saeed Eskandor, a former BNP MP, who was promoted to the post of one of the many Vice-Chairmen of the party by her sister just weeks before Begum Zia arrest on September 3 last year, is now staying in Bangkok. He lives in Singapore in an undeclared self-exile.

It, however, could not be ascertained till filing of this report last night as to whether Begum Zia would prefer their treatment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or Singapore or any other country.

Aug 21 grenade attack: Ex-minister Pintu, Hannan among 28 chargesheeted

Abdus Salam Pintu and Muti Hannan

Staff Reporter

A charge sheet was submitted to court yesterday in sensational August 21 grenade attack case making 28 accused including former education minister Abdus Salam Pintu and banned Islamist outfit Harkatul Jihad leader Mufti Hannan.

The charge sheet was submitted after long four years of barbaric and heinous attack on Awami League rally at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city on August 21, 2004 that left 24 people dead and several hundred seriously injured.

The Criminal Investigation Department of police submitted the charge sheet mentioning the names of 28 persons as accused including former deputy education minister of the BNP-led four-party alliance government Abdus Salam Pintu, his younger brother Moulana Tajuddin alias Taj and Harkatul Jihad leader Mufti Hannan.

Fazlul Kabir, Senior ASP of CID, submitted the 500-page charge sheet to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Dhaka. Along with the charge sheet, some 5000-page documents were also submitted to the court.

Sources at the CMM Court said perhaps it is the biggest charge sheet in the history of Bangladesh. No such lengthy charge sheet was ever submitted to the court in the country's history.

Other accused are Mufti Hannan's younger brither Mofizur Rahman Ovi, Moulana Abu Taher (Dhaka), Sharif Shahidul Islam Bipul (Sylhet), Moulana Abu Sayeed alias Daktar Abu Zafar (Gafargaon), Mufti Moyeen alias Abu Jandal (Narail), Abul Kalam Bulbul (Jhenidah), Jahangir Alam (Kushtia), Arif Hasan alias Suman alias Abdur Razzaque (Dhaka), Jewel (Narayanganj), Hosayn Ahmed alias Tamim (Faridpur), Rafiqul Islam Gazi alias Shafiq Sabuj (Magura) and Ujjal Hossain alias Ratan (Magura).

Besides, two other accused of the case are now detained in Tihar Jail of India. They are two brothers-Anisul Mursalin alias Shuja and Mohibul Muttaqin alias Shahin (Faridpur).

Among the accused, 14 have been arrested so far and now in jails, while the six accused are absconding. They are Moulana Tajuddin (Tangail), Iqbal (Jhenidah), Moulana Abu Bakar (Barisal), Moulana Liton alias Zobayer alias Delwar (Gopalganj), Khalilur Rahman Khalil (Magura) and Jahangir Hossain alias Jahangir Badar (Dohar, Dhaka).

ASP Fazlul Kabir was the last police officer who investigated the case. Earlier, seven police officials of the Detective Branch and CID investigated the case.

In the charge sheet, the investigation officer mentioned the names of 412 witnesses including Awami League President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Eight of the arrested accused in the case gave confessional statements to the court. They are Mufti Hannan, his brother Mohibullah, accomplices Shahedul Alam Bipul, Moulana Abu Sayeed, Abul Kalam Azad Bulbul, Jahangir Alam, Arif Hasan alias Suman and Rafiqul Islam Sabuj.

Sub-Inspector Sharif Ahmed filed a case with the city's Motijheel Police Station on August 22, 2004 in connection with the incident of grenade attack at Bangabandhu Avenue. The responsibility of investigation into the case was given to the CID on August 23, 2004. The first investigation officer of the case was Ashrafuzzaman, the then AC of DB.

Price of fertiliser raised after 11 years

Staff Reporter

The Government yesterday re-fixed the price of Urea fertilizer to minimise the huge financial loss incurred by factories due to high price of gas, power and excessive maintenance cost.

As per the Government decision the factory point price of per ton of urea now stands at Tk 10,000 at the rate of Tk 10 per kg. And at the buffer end it is Tk 10,700 per ton and Tk 10.70 per kg. "The Government has to give Tk 47,300 per ton and Tk 47.30 per kg as subsidy to urea fertilizer despite re-fixation of the price," said Chief Adviser's Special Assistant in charge of industries, civil aviation and tourism, youth and sports ministries Mahbub Jamil yesterday at a press briefing at the Press Information Department in the city. He said the price of urea fertilizer was fixed for the last time on June 3 in 1997. Then the per ton price at factory point was Tk 4,800 while the production cost was Tk 4,652. The price at the buffer end was Tk 5,300 and the import cost was Tk 8,086.

He said the Government's total subsidy on Urea fertilizer would stand at Tk 5,405 crore for the fiscal 2008-09.

Explaining the necessity of price hike he said, in the last 11 years the price of coarse rice has increased 2.5 per cent from Tk 11 to Tk 30 per kg. But the price of urea remained the same.

From 1988-99 the urea fertilizer was sold at a lower price than that of its production cost. As a result the factories of the country are now incurring financial loss to the tune of Tk 1,010 crore, he added.

He said in the last eleven years the Government had paid subsidy of Tk 6,052.31 crore on fertilizer import.

He also said in 1997 the average import price of per ton of urea was Tk 8,086. But it is now at Tk 58,000.

He said though the price of gas, power and other factory related expenses have increased in recent years but the price of Urea remained the same.

"If the financial loss continues than the fertilizer factories might stop productions," Mahbub Jamil said adding that the outstanding gas bills of fertilizer factories maintained by Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCISC) stand at Tk 211 crore.

Explaining the justification of increasing urea price the CA'S Special Assistant said the decision to increase urea price would help create awareness among farmers for proper use of urea and stop smuggling.

He said that this move would also reduce irrational use of urea to non-agriculture purposes.

He, however, said foreign revenue earning tea gardens and some other major factories could use urea.

Replying to a query the Mahbub Jamil said the Government has decided to set up two new fertilizer factories under public and private partnership to reduce dependence on fertilizer import.

"If the factories start operation than an additional 3 to 4 million metric tons of urea would be produced annually," he mentioned.

At present the country has 6 fertilizer factories with a target of producing 23 million metric tons of urea annually. But due to financial crisis and maintenance problems those factories could not reach the target.

Secretaries of Agriculture and Industries ministries were also present on the occasion.

BRAC won’t interfere in primary school affairs: Improvement of teachers' quality only goal: Abed

Fazle Hasan Abed

Staff Reporter

Founder chairperson of BRAC Fazle Hasan Abed has said the BRAC was not interested to interfere in the administration of government primary schools.

"We want to ensure that BRAC will not interfere with any of the administrative affairs of the schools. The government has only vested the duty of improving the quality of the teachers," he said at a press conference at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel yesterday.

At present, the quality of education at BRAC schools is better than that of government-run primary schools, he claimed.

"There is no guarantee that persons holding Honours or Masters degrees will be good teachers. Training is a must to be a good teacher."

Abed alleged that a large number of poor-quality teachers were given appointment to the country's primary schools during the previous Awami League and BNP government through corruption and bribe causing serious harm to the education system.

"During the reigns of both Awami League and BNP governments a large number of people, having poor quality education were appointed as teachers to the country's primary schools. Meritorious people were not given appointment as teachers. As a result, the primary education has become worst victim," he said.

Defending the government's decision to work with BRAC for imparting training to teachers at government primary schools in 20 upazilas, he said BRAC has only been given the responsibility of imparting training to teachers. "BRAC will keep its activities limited to ensuring quality education at primary schools in 20 upazilas, and it will not interfere in any administrative activities.

The press conference was organised in the backdrop of a strong protest by the primary school teachers against what they claim that the government has allowed the BRAC to supervise and monitor all the primary schools in those upazilas.

Being suspicious about the BRAC's intention, they also alleged that the BRAC would carry out its micro-finance activities and gradually take over the administrative responsibilities if it is allowed to enter the primary schools in the name of imparting training to teachers.

In protest of the government's move to allow BRAC to offer training to teachers at schools in 20 upazilas, the primary school teachers started wearing black badges from yesterday.

"BRAC strongly believes that it is the responsibility of the state to ensure quality primary education for all and it does not believe in privatisation or commercialisation of primary education" Abed said clarifying the stance of his organisation on the issue.

He said the BRAC initiated a pilot project jointly with the government to improve the quality of education at government and registered primary schools in 20 upazilas of nine districts under a pilot project.

The objectives of the pilot programme are to increase attendance, reduce high dropout rates, raise course completion rates to over 80 per cent and improve overall quality of teaching and learning at those schools, he said.

This will be done by providing teachers with skill training, making school management committees more active, organizing guardians' meeting and regular teachers' review meeting headed by the headmasters.

The training would be given to the teachers with their consent, no pressure will be mounted on them to have the training, he said.

He said they would sit with the leaders of the primary school teachers in the next week to clear the ongoing misconception or confusion in this regard.

BRAC Deputy Executive Directors A Mushtaque R Chowdhury and Aminul Alam, Director of Education Programme Shafiqul Islam, Coordinator of Educational Research Unit Samir R Nath and Public Affairs and Communications Director M Anwarul Haq were also present at the press conference.

Govt aware of health condition of Khaleda, Hasina

BSS, Dhaka

The government is always aware of the health condition of former prime ministers Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, an official Handout said yesterday.

Meanwhile, the government has ensured the highest available medical facilities for them in the country, it added.

In March 2008, an application was submitted to the government on behalf of the family of Sheikh Hasina for allowing her treatment abroad. In this regard, a medical board was formed by the government on June 5, 2008 to asses the progress of her treatment and also to determine the necessity for better treatment.

The government, the Handout said, decided to allow her the opportunity as per her desire to get treatment abroad on the basis of recommendations of the medical board and after completion of due legal process.

Similarly, necessary arrangements will be made by the government through coordination of legal process regarding the treatment of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia either at home or abroad, the Handout said.

Khaleda happy over release of Hasina

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Detained former prime minister Khaleda Zia yesterday expressed satisfaction over the release of her political rival Sheikh Hasina from jail, a lawyer said.

"I am happy to know she has been released," Khaleda was quoted as saying by barrister Mahbubuddin Khokon.

Mahbubuddin went to the special jail yesterdaay with Anticorruption Commission assistant director Noor Mohammad and Major Redwan of joint forces, who had interrogated Khaleda about the funds of Zia Orphanage Trust.

Khaleda demanded that her two sons-also behind bars-be sent abroad for better medical treatment, the lawyer said.

Khaleda was quoted as telling the officials that she did not know anything about the funds as "she was not a member of the Trust".

Her lawyers said the Trust had been established in the memory of the late president Ziaur Rahman with Tk 2.3 crore provided by an ex-Kuwaiti ameer.

The anticorruption officials also questioned Khaleda's sons Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Coco at the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University hospital.

The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court for Dhaka gave permission to interrogate Khaleda and her two sons Monday following an appeal.

The ACC said the interrogation was part of a probe into an allegation of misappropriation of funds from the Trust.

Lawyers Ahmed Azam Khan and Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas also accompanied the interrogators.

Bangladesh face India today

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh Cricket team will face India Cricket team today in their last league ODI match of the Tri-Nation Kitply Cup at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Bangladesh Television will telecast the match live from 2.45 PM from the big bowl. Bangladesh made a poor start as the Tigers lost to Pakistan by seventy runs in their opening match on June 8 at the same venue.

Later, Pakistan tasted a massive 140-run defeat by India on June 10 at the same venue.

Before today's match, Bangladesh faced India in 17 ODI matches. Of them, India won the 15 games while Bangladesh got victory in the two ODI matches.

Today's match is do-or-die encounter for Bangladesh. If Bangladesh want to play in the final, Bangladesh have to win in this match and if they earn a better run rate than Pakistan, then, Bangladesh will move into the final.

Skipper Mohammad Ashraful said, "If we can play better cricket than our opponent and our batsmen and bowlers show better performance we could win the match."

On the other hand, Garry Kirsten, the Coach of India said, "If we can play to our ability we can beat any team in the world".

When asked to comment about Bangladesh side, the South Africa said," We will look at their positions where we can dominate and earn a positive result for us."

The Cricket lovers of the country want to watch that the Tigers will fight to show good cricket against their stronger opponent.

RU run on adhoc basis?

RU Correspondent

The teachers and students of the Rajshahi University have urged the president, who is the Chancellor of RU, to appoint full-fledged vice-chancellor, registrar, dean and syndicate members to run the affairs of this highest seat of learning of the northern region on a sound footing.

They pointed out that the education of the students of various departments of the university has been suffering to a great extent in the absence of full-fledged vice-chancellor, registrar, deans and syndicate members. The persons adorning these important offices were appointed on an adhoc basis and political consideration in the past.

Sixyteen vital posts of the university including that of the vice-chancellor are now being manned by the persons who were appointed on an adhoc basis, they noted.

Citing an example, they said that acting vice-chancellor of RU Prof. Mamnunul Keramat holds three other key posts in addiction to the office of vice-chancellor. The acting vice-chancellor has to look after the offices of pro-vice-chancellor, ex-officio treasurer and dean office of the agriculture faculty, according to a teacher of the university.

Similarly, acting registrar Prof. Mohammad Shafi has to run three other offices and departments.

University sources said that Prof. M Altaf Hossian, VC of RU University, was removed in May in what was said people's interest. He was earlier appointed VC of the university on political consideration, sources claimed.

The terms of the elected deans of faculty of arts, law and justice, science and social science expired in March last year. Election to fill up these posts has not been possible due to emergency rule in the country, sources said.

Malpractices and irregularities of all sorts are stated to be rife in various branches of administration of the university due to lack of strict monitoring of their activities in the absence of permanent VC , deans of various departments and directors of different branches of administration.

When contacted, VC M Mamnunul Keramat said he is simply an acting VC. " I can't take any major decision without consulting the Ministry of Education, University Grant Commission and high officials of RU", he added.