The New Nation - Internet Edition

UGC chief for increasing salary of public varsity teachers

BSS, Dhaka

Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof Nazrul Islam on Thursday urged the government to increase salary of the public university teachers.

Besides, accountability and transparency in the professional activities of the teachers must be ensured, he said this while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion here, a press release said.

The meeting on 'foundation training for university teachers' and certificate-awarding ceremony was organized by the Graduate Training Institute of the Bangladesh Agriculture University (BAU) at the UGC auditorium.

Chairman of the Land Appeal Board Asharaful Mokbul spoke the special guest while UGC Member Prof Dr AHM Zahadul Karim chaired and moderated the meeting.

Prof Nazrul said quality training and research activities are needed for the university teachers.

Ashraful urged the UGC to come forward for patronizing such kind of capacity-building training programme as the apex body of the universities.

Prof Karim said, well-planned curriculum, competent teachers and congenial atmosphere are the necessary to ensure quality education.

Twenty-five young teachers from the public universities of the country took part in the training programme, financed by the UGC.

UGC members Prof Dr Ehsanul Haque, Prof Dr Md Abdul Hakim, Prof Dr Md Tajul Islam, Prof Dr Amena Begum and other high Officials, among others, were also present on the occasion.

20 govt officials to get Master's degree in Japan

BSS, Dhaka

Twenty young government officials will leave here for Japan at the end of this month to join a two-year study to get Master's degree in public administration, economics, international relations and environmental policy there.

Out of 302 candidates, they have been selected for the study under the Japan Development Scholarship (JDS), a press release of the Embassy of Japan here said on Thursday.

A send-off ceremony of the fellows was held yesterday at the residence of Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh Masayuki Inoue, organized by the JDS returned fellows, it said.

He said both Bangladesh and Japan expect a great deal from the JDS fellows to contribute in the development of their own country through making the best use of the knowledge and experience to be acquired during their study.

A total of 127 JDS fellows were sent to Japan over the last six years and 91 of them already came back home with their accomplishments and ambitions to contribute in their country's development process, the press release said.

BJA demands tax withdrawal

BSS, Dhaka

Bangladesh Jute Association (BJA) Chairman Md Rezaul Karim on Thursdy demanded withdrawal of tax, waiving of VAT on jute and a 10 per cent subsidy on freight on board (FOB) value of raw jute export to help the golden fibre regain its past glory.

He, however, described the proposed budget as 'reasonable, realistic and befitting the current situation'.

But he expressed his disappointment stating that "there is no proper direction and guideline for the jute sector".

Bangladesh, the world's leading producer and exporter of raw jute, earns foreign exchange worth Tk 1,000 crore every year by exporting about 25 lakh bales of raw jute, out of total production of about 60 lakh bales, he said.

YKK starts plantation programme

BSS, Dhaka

YKK Bangladesh Ltd, a Japanese zipper manufacturer, started plantation programme on Thursday as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), said a senior company executive.

Human resource manager Masud Karim said his company planted 400 saplings of different trees at Koitta Girls High School under Shaturia upazila in Manikganj district.

"But plans are underway to go for a massive plantation programme in near future," he added.

President of YKK Hiroaki Nakamura inaugurated the plantation program by sowing a seedling.

Senior company executives including director Yoshimine Kobayashi were present.

Based in Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ), YKK meets around 70 percent of domestic zipper demand for the readymade garment sector, which bring over five billion US dollars per annum as the biggest export earner.

Death Anniversary

The 5th death anniversary of Dr. S. Motahar Ali, Founder Chairman of M/S. New Life & Co. Pvt. Ltd. and Khadem of Hakkani Anzuman will be held today.

On this occasion a discussion meeting followed by doa Mahfil and distribution of swed has been arranged at Hakkani Masjhid Complex 151, Barobagh, Mirpur-2, Dhaka-1216 at 5 PM, says a press release.

Terrorist held with arms

Staff Reporter

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested a member of terror squad Shahadat Bahini along with a shutter gun and bullets from a residence in city's Mirpur area yesterday.

The arrested was identified as Hasan Sarwar alias Ziko, 23.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of RAB-4 raided the house of Hazrat Ali at

Darus Salam Road and held Ziko at about 3:00am. They also recovered one shutter gun and three rounds of bullet from his possession.

"Ziko, wanted in a number of cases, was a contract shooter," a RAB official said.

In another raid, RAB members held two female hemp traders- Suraya Begum, 46, and Rup Banu, 45, along with 19 kgs of hemp from a house at Aminbazar in Savar at noon yesterday.

120 police left for UN Mission at Kosovo

Staff Reporter

A Bangladesh Police contingent (BANFPU-1) of 120 members left Dhaka to join the United Nation's (UN) Peace-Keeping Mission on Wednesday night.

The contingent headed by Super of police (SP) M Khurshed Hossain flew to Kosovo by an UN chartered flight. The contingent is the first formed police unit (FPU) in the Kosovo Mission.

Additional Inspector General (IG) of Police AKM Mahfuzul Haque, Assistant IG Akramul Habib, among other police officials, saw off the team at the Zia International Airport.

Bangladesh Police has already been working in the UN Peace-Keeping Mission at Kosovo, Congo, East Timor, Ivory Coast, Sudan and other countries.

Trial of Hasina in power-plant case deferred to June 18

UNB, Dhaka

Keeping in abeyance the trial of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the barge-mounted power plant graft case, a special court Thursday fixed June 18 as the next date following a latest development.

Judge M Firoz Alam passed the order as the defence counsel for Hasina, who is now abroad after her release, informed the court about Wednesday's High Court order calling for records of the case to examine whether the case was filed following due process of law.

The High Court had passed the order during hearing on a petition filed by Hasina for quashing the trial proceedings.

Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun assisted by Sahara Khatun and Abdul Mannan Khan appeared for Hasina while special PP Sharfuddin Khan Mukul, Syed Shameem Ahsan Habib, Borhan Uddin, Golam Kibria and Shahidul Islam Sardar represented the Anti-Corruption Commission.

CA phones Hasina

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Advisor Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed telephoned just-released ex-PM and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina as his Advisors and AL leaders held dialogue at her Sudha Sadan residence on Tuesday night.

During telephonic conversation, Hasina, who was released for an interim period, asked Fakhruddin to create the right environment for holding parliamentary polls according to the set election roadmap.

Hasina also asked the Chief Advisor to stop arrest of Awami League members and lift 'false' cases against them.

The head of the caretaker government assured her that his government "has been working to that end to fulfill the aspiration of the nation".

Earlier, four Advisors- Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader, AF Hassan Ariff, Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman and Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury-held dialogue with the AL leaders for one hour and 15 minutes at Hasina's residence.

The meeting over, Dr Hossain Zillur and AL acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam told reporters that the final round of dialogue would be held on Sheikh Hasina's return after treatment abroad.

"This is a good beginning. An atmosphere of confidence has been created. We have come here to learn the concern of the Awami League," Zillur said, adding that Awami League spoke about a credible election as per the election roadmap.

He said the government would hold more than once dialogue with Awami League. "The government views talks with big parties like Awami League with importance as these parties ran government in the past," he said.

Dr Zillur said since these parties ran government, they have acquired lot of experience. "We are determined to maintain stable situation during and after the elections."

He hoped that the government would have successful dialogue with BNP like that with Awami League.

Dr Zillur said: "Our national tendency is to suspect one another. We will be able to remove that sense of distrust." He also hoped that a final round of dialogue would be held on her return from abroad.

Acting AL general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said in the absence of Hasina, Awami League would join in the ongoing dialogue under the leadership of Zillur Rahman.

He asserted that Awami League's demand has been fulfilled as they joined the dialogue after the release of Sheikh Hasina.

Dialogue is political process, not an event: Foreign Adviser

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said dialogue of the Caretaker Government with the political parties is a process and not an event and it is expected that all parties will participate in it very soon.

The Foreign Adviser said this while taking to the media following a farewell call on him by Ambassador U. Nyan Lynn of Myanmar,said a press release.

Dr. Iftekhar Chowdhury, who was one of the four Advisers to meet with Awami League leader and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last night, said the meeting was itself a part of the dialogue process in which the Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed had also participated through a telephonic conversation with the released Awami League leader.

The Foreign Adviser added that the Caretaker Government was addressing the issue of the dialogue with both the Awami League and BNP in a "balanced manner".

He expressed the hope that BNP would also come into the process since a favourable atmosphere has been created. Endeavors to that end were already underway, he added.

The Foreign Adviser stated that the government would make every genuine effort in conformity with its pronouncements to ensure transfer of power through a free, fair and credible election held in accordance with the announced road map.

On Myanmar, he emphasized the strong interest of Bangladesh to forge greater neighbourly link and resolve all outstanding issues though cordial mutual deliberations.

CA's motorcade moves through normal traffic signal

UNB, Dhaka

Its good that a VVIP motorcade now moves following normal traffic signal in the busy capital city that minimizes commuters' sufferings for extra road jam.

For last two months, the Chief Adviser's motorcade has moved in normal traffic without prior road clearance, breaking away from the past practice that used to generate resentment in the commuters.

Usually, before movement of VVIP motorcade, vehicles used to be whistled at halt on the motorcade's movement route and connecting roads for about 10 to 20 minutes for road clearance.

It was learnt that Chief Adviser of the caretaker government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed does not want to cause public sufferings due to movement of his motorcade, so he wished to go by normal traffic rules.

Besides, the CA moves from his official residence to the office calculating time of public examination so that his movement doesn't hamper examinees' timely arrival at their examination centers.

Niko graft case : Charge hearing against Khaleda adjourned

BSS, Dhaka

A special judge's Court yesterday set June 18 for charge hearing to indict detained former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia and others in the Niko scam case.

Judge Khandaker Kamaluzzaman fixed the date after hearing of a petition filed by defence Counsels seeking adjournment of the hearing till completion of the other Niko graft case against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and others.

The petition said Hasina while in power in 1997 approved the proposal of Canadian oil giant Niko Resources Ltd for exploration of gas. Later, Begum Zia's government only maintained the continuation of the previous government's decision.

"Two separate cases were lodged centring the similar issue. So, we prayed for keeping the hearing adjourned till end of the first case lodged against Hasina and others following the relevant provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code," Khaleda's Counsel Advocate Khandaker Delwar Hossain told reporters.

Tight security was enforced around the makeshift court in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban area as Begum Zia was brought to the court from the nearby sub-jail.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case against Begum Zia and 10 others including several ministers of her BNP- led four-party government for contracting out several gas fields to Niko Resources Ltd through corruption causing loss of Taka 13,777 crore to the state.

Former minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed, former state minister AKM Mosharraf Hossain, former secretary Khandker Shahidul Islam, former BAPEX general manager Mir Moinul Haque, former Dhaka Club president Salim Bhuiyan, former BAPEX secretary Shafiur Rahman and Tarique Rahman's business partner Giasuddin Al Mamun, also accused in the case, were produced before the court from the jail.

Three others accused in the case - former principal secretary of PMO Dr Kamal Uddin Siddiqui, former Petrobangla director Yousuf Hossain and Niko's South Asian vice-president Kasem Sharif were absconding.

Bangladeshi killed by BSF

BSS, Jhenidah

A Bangladeshi national was killed by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on Jadabpur border under Maheshpur upazila of the district on Wednesday night, BDR sources said.

The victim was identified as Samaul Mandal, 29, son of Kitab Ali Mondal of Pargopalpur village under Maheshpur upazila.

BDR and local people said patrolling BSF members of Hariharpur border outpost opened fire on Samaul on the frontier, killing him on the spot.

Later, the BSF personnel took away his body to the Indian territory, the sources said.

The Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) authorities lodged protest with their Indian counterparts and called for a flag meeting. They also demanded return of the body of Bangladeshi national.

Iranian envoy hails Hasina's release

BSS, Dhaka

Iran yesterday welcomed the Caretaker government's decision to release former prime minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina for treatment abroad.

"It is a positive action of the government. I welcome the decision of the caretaker government which made people of this country happy," Iranian Ambassador in Dhaka Hasan Farazandeh told reporters at a briefing at his Gulshan residence yesterday afternoon.

"The action is a sign of goodwill of the caretaker government," the ambassador said, adding, "Chief Adviser's telephonic discussion was also a good sign. It is a day of happiness."

He also said "fair, good and just election" would be held in the country as per the roadmap where wish of the people would be reflected. "Those the people wish will come to power and solve the problems of the country, particularly the economic," he added.

The envoy expressed the hope that it (release) would contribute to the successful holding of the current dialogue between the government and the political parties. "It is a forward move for trust-making between the government and the political parties," he pointed out.

Farazandeh described the bilateral relations between Tehran and Dhaka as excellent and said it would continue to grow further in the years ahead. He said bilateral trade between the two countries also increased by 25 percent.

He said the two countries have signed a number of MoUs for working closely in various fields, including education, science and technology.

He referred to the recent visit of Mahbub Jamil, special assistant to the chief adviser. Attorney General Fida Kamal also paid a visit to Tehran, he said. These visits would further strengthen the relations between Tehran and Dhaka, he added.

The Iranian envoy said the relations between the two countries would get a further boost with the visit of Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury to Iran by the end of next month.

On Iran's nuclear programme, Farazandeh said the latest IAEA director general's report attests to the exclusively peaceful nature of the nuclear programme of the Islamic Republic of Iran, both in the past and at present.

"The report also shows that Iran, as a responsible and transparent member of the NPT, is fully committed to its international obligations with regard to its peaceful nuclear programme," the envoy added.

Extortion case: Nazmul Huda gets 12-yr RI, Sigma acquitted

BSS, Dhaka

A court here yesterday sentenced former communications minister Barrister Nazmul Huda to 12-year rigorous imprisonment (RI) in an extortion case.

Metropolitan 5th Additional Sessions Judge Mohammad Abu Mohsin delivered the verdict in presence of the convict.

Nazmul Huda will have to suffer seven years in jail under section 385 and five years under section 386 of the Penal Code. He was also fined Taka 50,000, in default, to serve six months more in prison, court sources said, adding the punishment under both the sections will be executed simultaneously.

The court, however, acquitted another accused in the case Advocate Sigma Huda as charges brought against her were not proved.

According to the prosecution, the plaintiff of the case, former MP and owner of Cabex GM Siraj, lodged a case against Nazmul Huda and his wife Sigma Huda accusing them of demanding two vehicles as extortion for "Khoborer Antorale" newspaper on February 23, 2003.

Later, the plaintiff gave an 800cc Maruti vehicle to them through a pay-order of Taka two lakh from Uttara Motors on February 27, 2003. He also done the registration of the vehicle in the name of Sigma Huda on November 29, 2004.

The investigation officer of the case submitted charge sheet to the court accusing the two on November 27, 2007.

The court, after examining 13 prosecution witnesses out of 21, pronounced the judgement.

'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 yesterday, said a BDR Market survey released here yesterday.

Flour in packet was sold between Taka 39 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 33 per kg in different markets in the city. Rice was sold at Taka 32.50 at BDR- run open markets and Taka 30 at BDR-run sale centres while the item is being sold at Taka 20.68 in Kolkata markets.

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

Onion (imported) was sold at Taka 13 per kg in BDR-run open markets. Price of onion was in other city markets ranged between Taka 13 and 17. The item is available in Kolkata at Taka 6.89.

Potato was sold in different city markets at Taka 15 to Taka 16 per kg, while it was Taka 16.50 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 38 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 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 08.80,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 117.24 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 103.44 per liter.

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