The New Nation - Internet Edition

Hasina’s release hailed: Free Nizami, Khaleda immediately: Jamaat

Staff Reporter

Jamaat-E-Islami General Secretary Ali Ahsan Mujahid yesterday welcomed the release of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and demanded immediate release of his party chief Moulana Matiur Rahman Nizami and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

At a press briefing Mujahid also demanded the release of detained two sons of Begum Zia to facilitate their proper treatment abroad.

Replying to a question, he said that his party would not participate in the dialogue, if Nizami and Khaleda were not released.

He further said the Caretaker Government has no legal right to hold local government elections including municipal and city corporation elections.

Jamaat General Secretary pointed out that earlier they had demanded the release of Khaleda and Hasina for making dialogue successful and holding credible election, but the government did not pay heed to the demand.

He further said the government has created an adverse environment by detaining Jamaat Amir Nizami. None could prove any corruption against Nizami, who was put behind the bar only for harassment, he added.

Assistant Secretaries General of the party ATM Azharul Islam and Prof Mujibur Rahman, Publicity Secretary Prof Tasnim Alam, Dhaka City Amir Moulana Rafiqul Islam Khan and Secretary Hamidur Rahman were present at the press briefing.

Govt to consider FBCCI proposal for duty cuts

Staff Reporter

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam yesterday agreed to reconsider some budgetary proposals, as the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) requested him.

A delegation of the Apex business body led by its president Annisul Haque called on the Finance Advisor at Finance Ministry and placed some proposals including further duty cuts on raw materials and allowing unquestioned investment of undisclosed money.

The FBCCI said customs duty on raw materials should be reduced to 5 per cent from the proposed 7 per cent and the taxable ceiling of the small enterprises' annual turnover should be fixed at Tk 50 lakh in place of the proposed Tk 24 lakh.

The finance adviser assured the business leaders to consider the proposals after discussion with the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

"FBCCI leaders welcomed the new budget with some suggestions, which I'll consider after consulting the NBR," Dr Aziz told reporters after the meeting.

He said, "FBCCI raised the issue of administrative complexity, revenue impacts and I've assured them of looking into the matters."

Later at a press conference Annisul Huq said the new budget is business-and investment-friendly. The caretaker government has taken some measures in the budget as suggested by the FBCCI, which would have positive impacts on business and investment.

The FBCCI president noted that the budgetary measure extending the tax holiday until 2011 and introduction of a 4-tier duty structure would promote business.

Agreeing with exporters' observation that the budget has failed to pay due attention to export promotion, the apex- chamber president said, "We recognise their concerns and the government should look into the matter." He also demanded the withdrawal of one-per cent indemnity duty on capital machinery import. Annisul Huq said the 30 per cent deficit to be a "major challenge" for the government in implementing the fiscal measures. Some Tk 13,000 crore would be borrowed for deficit financing resulting in squeezed credits for private sector, increased bank interest rate and inflation.

"We think this will definitely affect the economy as it will put a pressure on banking sector, and there might be a liquidity problem."

Defending the FBCCI recommendation for allowing the undisclosed money to be invested in manufacturing sector, Annisul Haque said if there is a package of 10 per cent tax for such money, it would give a boost to the industrial sector.

He said the existing system for whitening the legally earned undisclosed money would not discourage much the businesspeople.

Emphasising creating political stability in the country, the FBCCI president said, "It's good to see the government's negotiations with political parties moving forward."

He said a political stability is imperative for the sake of implementation of the budget, worth Tk 99,962 crore-the biggest recipe ever for the nation.

Electrical Products Fair 2008 begins June 26

Staff Reporter

The second Bangladesh Electrical Products Fair 2008 begins on June 26 in the city to display different standard home made electrical goods to the people.

The three-day fair, organised by Bangladesh Electrical Merchandise Manufacturers Association (BEMMA), is expected to be inaugurated by Adviser for Commerce and Education Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman at Hotel Sonargaon.

Organisers expect that 60 to 70 industries would take part in the exhibition to display their electrical products.

President of BEMMA Enayet Hossain Chowdhury yesterday told reporters that the aim of the fair is to familiarise people and policy makers of the government with homemade electrical goods.

Talking to reporters at his association office, he said there is huge markets for electrical goods in different countries across the globe including Europe and Middle East.

The BEMMA president said Bangladesh is near about self-sufficient in electrical goods and accessories.

"Apart from some 5 per cent sophisticated items 95 per cent electrical products are made in Bangladesh," he claimed adding that the country is at the last edge to be self sufficient in producing all kinds of fans.

Enayet Hossain hoped Bangladesh would be self-sufficient in cable production within two to three years.

There is huge prospect of exporting electrical goods abroad and we need government help in this regard, he said.

He referred that an electrical company has received order from Canada to export energy saving bulbs.

BEMMA Senior Vice President Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan and Vice President Shahin Ahmed were present on the occasion.

The products which would be displayed in the fair include electrical accessories, sub-station equipment, household electrical appliances, tube light and incandescent bulb, electrical and electronic ballast, supper enamel copper wire, energy saving bulb, voltage stabiliser, electrical cables, electric motor, electric meter, transformers, light fittings, electrical fan, capacitor, IPS-UPS and varnish.

Policy for elimination of child labour soon

BSS, Dhaka

The formation of a national policy for elimination of child labour is at the final stage, against the backdrop of 3.2 million working children in the country at present.

"The National Policy for Elimination of Child Labour will come into force the next month," Labour and Employment Secretary Dr Mahfuzul Haq said while presiding over a seminar in the city yesterday on the occasion of World Day Against Child Labour.

The theme of the day this year is "Education is right response to child labour".

The seminar on 'Child Labour and Education' was jointly organised by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education with the cooperation of ILO, UNICEF and UNESCO at Sheraton Hotel here.

Secretary of Primary and Mass Education Ministry M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, Bangladesh Employers' Federation Secretary General C.K. Hyder, NCCWE Representative Dr Wahedul Islam Khan, UNESCO Bangladesh Director Malama Meleisea, UNICEF Country Representative David Bassiouni, and ILO Dhaka Director Panudda Boonpala, among others, addressed the seminar.

The seminar was told that there are 218 million child labourers between the age of five and 17 in the world. Of them, 126 million are performing dangerous tasks or working in hazardous conditions.

Besides, at least 72 million primary-age children are not enrolled in school globally, while the number of such children in Bangladesh is 8.6 million.

In his address, Mahfuzul Haq said the government is pledge- bound to eliminate child labour and implement education programme for the children.

Along with the government, 30 non-government organisations are also working to withdraw children from hazardous jobs, he added.

The labour secretary said child labour monitoring cell would be introduced by September to expedite child labour elimination and ensure rights of the children.

An ILO research report presented in the seminar said investment in education sector is a very positive decision. Bringing children in education from work is profitable, both socially and economically.

A one-year additional education for a 14-year - old child can enhance income by 11 per cent in future, the report said.

The ILO representative said different ILO programmes are going on in 88 countries to help 430,000 child labourers. Of them, 203,000 children were withdrawn from work.

Help disabled exercise rights of franchise: President

BSS, Dhaka

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed on Thursday called upon all concerned including the Election Commission (EC) to extend allout cooperation to the disabled persons in exercising their rights of franchise in various ways including setting up polling centers fit for them.

"The government is putting in its best efforts for holding a free and neutral election by ensuring everybody's participation and I hope the disabled persons along with others will also take part in the electioneering side by side with exercising their own voting rights in a festive mood," he said.

The President made the call while addressing the inaugural session of the 4th National Convention on Democratic Rights of Persons with Disabilities at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar here.

Action on Disability and Development (ADD) organised the convention in partnership with national, district and grassroots levels non-government organisation (NGOs) working for the disabled persons.

Adviser for Women and Children and Cultural Affairs Rasheda K Chowdhury also addressed the function as the special guest.

Former Adviser of the Caretaker Government Rokeya Afzal Rahman, Country Director of ADD Mosharraf Hossain and President of Trinamul Pratibandhi Sangstha (TPS) Aktar Hossain also spoke on the occasion.

Professor Iahuddin Ahmed said the desired development of the country would not be achieved if the persons with disabilities, an inseparable section of the country's population, are not engaged in the mainstream of the national development.

"I believe, if we can make the persons with disabilities financially independent and ensure their jobs, they could contribute significantly in the decision making process," he added.

Referring to various steps undertaken by the government to ensure overall development of the disabled persons including provisions for their education, healthcare and jobs, the President said the government has been sincerely working for the welfare of this section of the people.

In this regard, Professor Iajuddin Ahmed called upon the conscientious as well as the well-off people to come forward side by side with the government with the sprit of humanity for the welfare of disabled persons.

Rasheda K Chowdhury said the present government is very much sincere to protect the rights of the disabled persons. "The sincerity of the government has been manifested through its approval of the UN charter on the rights of disabled persons," she said.

The Adviser also said that the present government included the information about disabilities in the voter's registration form this time, the first ever in Bangladesh.

EC launches information campaign against torture

BSS, Dhaka

The European Commission (EC) is launching a global information campaign regarding its policy and funding programmes to combat torture.

The campaign is also designed to mark International Day against Torture on June 26,an EC press release said here on Thursday.

As part of the campaign, the Delegation of European Commission to Bangladesh hosted a roundtable on June 12.

Representatives of the EC delegation and executive director of the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Centre For Trauma Victims (BRCT) Akram H Chowdhury addressed the roundtable.

The event was attended by 40 representatives of civil society who were invited to give their views on how the fight against torture might be intensified and how development partners might contribute to such efforts, the press release said.

The EU has set out its position on torture in policy guidelines adopted in 2001. That position emphasizes that torture cannot be accepted under any circumstances, including a state of war or public emergency.

In the last five years, under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), the EU has allocated an average of almost 12 million euro per annum to project designed to tackle torture and support torture victims.

This makes the European Union the lead global donor in this field, as acknowledged recently by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.

The EU has financed a wide variety of projects. Examples include awareness-raising on the Convention against Torture, training of law enforcement personnel, investigation into the supply of torture technology, and support for rehabilitation of torture victims.

The scale of the challenge of eradicating torture is underlined by the latest global report by Amnesty International which reveals that cases of torture and ill treatment by security forces, police, and other state authorities occurred in more than 80 countries in 2007.

Francoise Collet, Charge d'affaires and Acting Head of Delegation of the EC Delegation to Bangladesh said, "The EU's position on torture is crystal clear. Torture is an abhorrent violation of human rights and human dignity.

A key message of the European Commission's campaign to combat torture is that all countries of the world must make endeavours to eradicate torture and address its root causes".

She said the EC is supporting such endeavours through substantial funding worldwide for projects to prevent to torture and to rehabilitate torture victims.

1 lakh US green card holders to get US Citizenship

BSS, New York

Over one lakh green cardholders, including a big number of Bangladesh-borne expatriates, are likely to enjoy US citizenship by September this year, immigration authorities said on Wednesday.

The Federal Immigration Services is going to give US nationality before the citizenship test becomes harder in October, immigration attorney Nazmul Alam told BSS in an interview. Nazmul is the only Bangladeshi-American lawyer practicing in the US Supreme Court.

Referring a meeting held between Director of federal immigration services Andrea Quarantillo and immigration attorneys on June 5, Nazmul said, major changes would take place in the upcoming scrutiny process from October.

Under the new system, nationality seekers must have English speaking and writing competency as well as basic knowledge on American history and its government structures, he said.

Nazmul said Andrea has already taken necessary steps to give US nationality to the possible highest number of green card holders before the new system comes up by next three months.

A good number of Bangladeshi expatriates are expected to be US citizens under the initiative within a short period of time, Nazmul hoped.

4-party demands: Khaleda, Nizami, Tarique, Koko's release

Staff Reporter

BNP led four-party alliance yesterday demanded early release of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Jamaat Ameer Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami and two sons of Begum Zia-Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman.

The demand was made at a meeting of the alliance held at the NAM Flat residence of Khondoker Delwar Hossain, secretary general of BNP.

The meeting decided to observe Prisoners-Free Day (Bondi Mukti Dibosh) on June 17 to press home demand for the release of all leaders of the alliance and Demand Day (Dabi Dibosh) on June 19 demanding parliamentary election before local body polls.

Following the meeting, Khondoker Delwar told reporters that the alliance leaders and front organisations have been asked to make the June 17 and 19 programmes a success.

Asked if the government offer will be accepted to secure release of Khaleda and her two sons through legal process he parried the answer and hastened to add, "We want her early release."

He said people want to know how Hasina was released.

He questioned the way Hasina was exempted from personal appearance from the court in so many cases against her in haste by holding the court in the evening.

"We want equal treatment for others. People expect neutrality of the government," he said.

Delwar urged the government to set free Khaleda and send her two sons abroad for treatment as was done in case with Hasina. He said that Tarique and Koko were subjected to inhuman torture in custody could be imagined by seeing them limping in the court.

Replying to a question he said they would go for dialogue with the government with alliance leaders including Khaleda and Nizami after they are set free.

The BNP leader urged the government to maintain neutrality and not act under the guidance from unseen forces.

He called for withdrawal of emergency by June 30 and wave restrictions on indoor politics.

Dr RA Ghani, Chowdhury Tanvir Ahmed Siddiqi and Nazrul Islam Khan of BNP, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed and Abdul Kader Mollah of Jamaat, Abdul Latif Nezami and Mufti Mohammad Waqqas of IOJ, Andalib Rahman Partha of BJP, Maulana Mohammad Ishaq and Prof Ahmed Abdul Kader of Khelafat Majlish attended the meeting.

Delimitation won’t affect people’s lifestyle: CEC

Staff Reporter

Hearings over written objections on the delimitation of the parliamentary constituencies began yesterday at the Election Commission Secretariat.

On the first day, the hearings got off with eight constituencies under Dhaka Division. The constituencies are Tangail-5 and 6, Kishoregonj-1 and 2, Faridpur-2, 3 and 4 and Shariatpur-2.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda, who presided over the hearing sessions, said the delimitation was done following the Representation of the People Order.

"The Commission will not change country's district borders through the delimitation of the electoral constituencies," he said.

The CEC said the delimitation would not affect people's lifestyle as the country's administrative units are not being changed through the redesigning of the parliamentary constituencies.

"Everything will remain the same," he observed. Dr Huda said people representatives represent both the voters and non-voters in a constituency and the delimitation was done in terms of the proportion of population in the areas concerned.

He explained that the Commission does not want to break the border of the country's upazilas during the delimitation of the constituencies.

Referring to the logic of limiting to 6 parliamentary seats from earlier 7 in Kishoreganj district, he said the upazilas could be kept same as before during the delimitation.

The hearings of objections came from Sylhet, Comilla, Chittagong, Barisal, Khulna and Rajshahi division would be held in phases.

The schedule for hearing as follows:

Dhaka Division: Manikganj-1, 2 and 3 and Jamalpur-3 and 4, Netrakona-1, 4 and 5, Mymensingh-3 and 4, Dhaka-1, 2, 4 and 10 on June 14 while Dhaka-20, Gazipur-3, 4 and 5, Narsingdi-1 and 3 and Narayanganj-2 and 3 and Dhaka- 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 on June 15.

Sylhet Division: Sunamganj-4, Sylhet-1, 3 and 4, Moulvibazar-1, 2 and 4 at Shylhet Circuit House on June 19 while Brahmanbaria-1, 2, 3, Brahmanbaria- 5 and 6 and Comilla-1, Comilla-2, 7, 8 and 10, and Chandpur-1, 2, 3 and 4 at Comilla Deputy Commissioner's conference room on June 22.

Chittagong Division: Feni-3, Noakhali-1 and 2, Chittagong-5, 6 and 7 and Chittagong-12 and 13 at Chittagong Circuit House on June 23.

Barisal Division: Barguna-1 and 2, Patuakhali-2, Patuakhali-4 and Barisal-2 and 3, and Barisal-4 and Pirojpur-2 and 3 at Barisal DC's conference room on June 25.

Khulna Division: Jessore-4, 5 and 6, and Khulna-5 and 6 at Khulna DC's conference room on June 27.

Rajshahi Division: Rajshahi-6, Kurigram-2 and 3, Bogra-1, 3 and 4 and Bogra-5, 6 and 7 and Sirajganj- 1, 2, 5 and 6 at Rajshahi DC's conference room on June 30.

The EC would dispose of some 3,000 objections made by the petitioners by June 30.

Ashraful-British HC meet: Hasina’s would be permanent lead AL to polls Staff Reporter

Awami League Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday hoped that the provisional release of former Prime Minister and party chief Sheikh Hasina would turn into the permanent release to assist the party to participate in the National election.

He disclosed his anticipation while talking to the reporters coming out from the meeting with the British High Commissioner Duncan Norman in presence of Awami League Acting president Zillur Rahman at Gulshan residence in afternoon.

Ashraful said, “ The government hold the power to withdraw all the case filed against Sheikh Hasina, as these were filed from political motivation. The government is suffering from guilty feelings for detaining Sheikh Hasina in a fake graft case and they want to get rid of this feelings through making Sheikh Hasina free.”

Asked the party’s preparation for the upcoming National election he said, “the ultimate goal of a political party is to participate in the election. An unrest situation was prevailing in the country, but the Government has taken initiatives to end the political deadlock by releasing Sheikh Hasina. We are taking preparation to participate in the poll under the leadership of sheikh Hasina.”

Replying to a question Ashraful said, “ we talked about polls and poll related issues including voter list and boundary re-fixing with the advisers.”

About the discussion between Sheikh Hasina and Chief Adviser Dr Fakaruddin Ahmed through telephone Ashraful said, “ our party chief requested the Chief Adviser to create a affable atmosphere ahead of the next election to restore democracy in the country.

He told the reporters that Sheikh Hasina, during the telephone talks with the Chief Adviser, discussed whether the election date could be advanced.

He further said,“ The participation of all the political parties is must to make the ongoing dialogue and the upcoming national election fruitful. So the government should take initiative to involve all the political parties in these procedures.”

“Among six-point demand one has been met partially. We will continue the signature campaign across the country and submit this report in all the district commissioner offices”, he pointed out.

He also demanded further investigation into the August 21 grenade attack to find out the masterminds of the dreadful attack and the persons who tried to misguide the investigators.

About the involvement of a Former State Minister of BNP-Jamaat Government in this massive attack Ashraful said, “ this does not confirm the involvement of whole body of BNP-Jamaat government in this attack but it proves that a part of the BNP-Jamaat Government was involved.”

Talking to the journalists, Acting British High Commissioner Duncan Norman said they discussed about the recent political development in Bangladesh and issues relating to the next election at the meeting.

Duncan said they are hopeful that the National election would be held by the end of this year, as the voter list and other poll related job have almost been completed and all the political parties are committed to hold the election thorough a fair and credible mood.

He also said, “ on behalf of the British Government I always encourage the political parties to go through a consensus to hold a free and fair National election.

Nazmul Huda gets 12yrs for extortion: Sigma may be freed anytime Staff Reporter

A court yesterday sentenced detained former communications minister Nazmul Huda to 12 years’ rigorous imprisonment in connection with an extortion case.

Judge Md Abu Muhsin of the Fifth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court also fined him Tk 50 thousand. If the former minister fails to pay the amount, he will have to serve six months more in jail.

The court also acquitted Huda’s wife advocate Sigma Huda of the extortion charges as prosecution failed to prove her involvement in the case.

On July 29 last year, former BNP lawmaker of Bogra and transport businessman GM Siraj filed the extortion case against the couple with Dhanmondi Police Station, complaining that they had demanded two Maruti cars from him for the use of weekly Khaborer Antorale, published by Sigma Huda.

He also said the accused later intimidated him into providing them with a car worth Tk 3.95 crore.

“Threatening me Nazmul Huda said that he would destroy my businesses and political career by publishing series of reports in his weekly against me unless I provide him two motor cars as extortion,” GM Siraj mentioned in his case.

In his verdict, the judge said Huda was awarded seven years’ imprisonment for demanding extortion and five years for taking extortion. Both the imprisonments will go on simultaneously. Because of this Huda will have to suffer imprisonment for seven years. The imprisonment will be effective from the date of showing Huda as arrested.

Just after pronouncement of the verdict, Advocate Sigma Huda thanked the judge and tried to tell him (judge) something. In reply, the judge said, “Nothing has happened for giving me thanks. Whatever has happened, it has happened according to the will of Allah.”

At that time, Sigma Huda said, “I want to tell something. It was right that you have acquitted me. So, you deserve thanks. But, my husband did not take any money or car as extortion.”

In response, the judge said he had nothing to do as the verdict was already pronounced.

When the judge was about to leave the courtroom, Huda told him, “The will of Allah has been implemented. He knows what is right and what is wrong.”

Additional Public Prosecutor Abul Kashem conducted the case on behalf of the state.

The joint forces arrested Nazmul Huda on February 3 last year. Later on July 3, Sigma Huda surrendered to a special judge court at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

Meanwhile, Advocate Sigma Huda is likely to get release soon as she has already been acquitted from the Khabarer Antorale extortion case and received bails in other cases.

Sigma Huda yesterday exptressed the hope that she would be freed at any time. “I hope that I will be released today,” she said.