The New Nation - Internet Edition

Moriarty visits Sidr-hit areas: US to help Bangladesh develop democracy, curb terrorism

James F Moriarty

UNB, Bagerhat

Offering his country's requisite support, US Ambassador James F Moriarty defined development and expansion of democracy and curbing terrorism as the main challenges of the day before Bangladesh.

"The USA will be with the people of Bangladesh as close associate in facing the challenges," he said at a press briefing after visiting Sidr-affected areas in Sharankhola upazila of the district yesterday afternoon.

Describing Bangladesh as a significant friend of the United States, the Ambassador noted that the USA has a longstanding relation with Bangladesh.

He mentioned that his country has so far donated more than US$ 500 crore to Bangladesh after independence of the country.

"The USA wants to continue the strong friendly ties with Bangladesh and also to work with its government to build a more prosperous Bangladesh," the envoy told his audience.

James F Moriarty said that USA's response towards Bangladesh when the super-cyclone Sidr hit the country proved strong ties of friendship between the two countries.

He also mentioned that America doubled its food assistance to Bangladesh amid increase of food prices across the world After providing emergency supplies to the Sidr-affected areas, the USA also donated Tk 1.95 crore as emergency relief assistance.

James F Moriarty said the regular American food programme is now running in 3,500 remote villages of char, haor and coastal areas. Besides, an additional US$ 3 crore has been given as emergency food assistance for the cyclone-hit areas.

A USA river vessel reached Chittagong in May with 50,000mt food-grains to ensure food security for the people of Bangladesh, he mentioned.

The Ambassador further stated that USAID has donated one-lakh dollars to Helen Keller International, which will be utilized for the nutrition-development programme in the Sidr-stricken areas.

He expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the families which lost their nearest and dearest ones and property.

Earlier, Moriarty visited rehabilitation programme implemented by CARE with the financial assistance of USAID in Sharankhola upazila and talked with the sidr-affected people.

He visited health programme of a local NGO and roads implemented under cash-for-work programme of CARE at Jilbunia.

Earlier, in the morning, the Ambassador, accompanied by his wife Loren Moriarty, reached Southkhali area by a seaplane.

BIT graduation ceremony held

Lubna Choudhury, founder Principal of Bangladesh
International Tutorial (BIT), along with graduates for the
GCE ordinary and advanced level classes of the school at
graduation ceremony at the Red Brick School auditorium in
the city yesterday. Sharif Khan

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh International Tutorial (BIT), one of the renowned English medium schools known for its high standard education, organised the Graduation Ceremony 2008 for the GCE Ordinary and Advanced Level classes at the Red Brick School Auditorium in Uttara in the city yesterday.

Lubna Choudhury, founder Principal of BIT, was present as chief guest at the ceremony.

At the function, she told the BIT's graduates, "Wherever you go from here, you take the school with you-the ethics and teachings that we have tried to impart to you all these years. Always remember your roots and hold fast to the motto of the school to serve the nation."

She also blessed all the students as "Go out into the world in peace and achieve the ultimate," in the ceremony.

Teachers, parents and friends of the graduates were present on the occasion.

Some of the parents came up and delivered their speech thanking to their children to bringing them up as component person for the next step in their education.

The programme started with the recitation from the holy Quran followed by the welcome dance and drama 'Anando Loke' performed by the students of the BIT.

BIT is located in 10 of its own campuses in different places in Dhaka city. It has successfully completed 25 years of academic excellence recently and has been recognised for its image locally and internationally.

Some of the parents came up and delivered their speech thanking to their children to bringing them up as component person for the next step in their education.

The programme started with the recitation from the holy Quran followed by the welcome dance and drama 'Anando Loke' performed by the students of the BIT.

BIT is located in 10 of its own campuses in different places in Dhaka city. It has successfully completed 25 years of academic excellence recently and has been recognised for its image locally and internationally.

CA tells WB VP: Bangladesh capable of achieving higher dev

BSS, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed on Tuesday said, Bangladesh is capable of reaching a higher level in socio- economic development if necessary resource support is provided.

He said this while outgoing World Bank (WB) Vice President for South Asia region Praful C Patel called on him at the Chief Adviser's Office here. The WB Vice President appreciated excellent performance of Bangladesh in achieving economic development in recent years despite of natural calamities and price hike in international market.

After the call on, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Syed Fahim Munaim told the journalists that Dr Fakhruddin lauded the WB support in particular Patel's personal effort to Bangladesh in accelerating the pace of economic growth and hoped it will be continued in future.

The Chief Adviser said, despite of floods, cyclone and crop losses, country's present real GDP growth is 6.2 percent and remittance also raised. He appreciated the WB for providing budgetary support of credit and power sector development policy loan to Bangladesh and thanked the Bank for standing beside the flood and Sidr-hit people.

Referring to various reform steps undertaken by the government, the Chief Adviser said, people are now getting its benefit, as part of it, IT sector is now advancing forward and coal policy is at the final stage.

He said, the work of mega-project like Padma Bridge has been started and government is moving forward all development initiatives.

External Resources Division (ERD) Secretary Aminul Islam Bhuiyan, Secretary to the Chief Adviser's Office Kazi M Aminul Islam and Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Syed Fahim Munaim were present.

Int'l bid for offshore oil, gas search: Petrobangla set to submit evaluation report

UNB, Dhaka

Petrobangla is now set to submit its evaluation report on the 3rd round international bidding for hydrocarbon exploration in the country's maritime territory to Energy Ministry yesterday.

After having received advice from eminent lawyer Dr. Kamal Hossain, the bid evaluation committee has decided to submit the report, according to official sources.

An influential member of the committee told UNB Tuesday that the committee is going to sit in its concluding meeting today to wrap up their evaluation. Petrobangla, the state-owed hydrocarbon and mineral resource corporation, last week finalized its evaluation on the proposals received under the 3rd round bidding and sent those to its legal consultant Dr. Kamal Hossain for his scrutiny and advice.

A top official of Petrobangla claimed that Dr. Kamal Hossain has given positive notes and some advice regarding financial dealings.

Petrobangla invited the international tender on the 3rd round bidding on February 15, received bids on May 7 and was planning to make the final award by September 2008.

Bids were invited for a total of 28 blocks, of which 8 are shallow-water blocks and 20 are deep-water blocks. Only 7 IOCs submitted their offers for 15 blocks, while no offer was for 13 blocks.

After the evaluation, it was found that only two international companies' offers are responsive for 9 blocks.

US-based ConocoPhilip came out as responsive for a total of 8 Blocks which are 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 20, while Tullow emerged as responsive for Block 5.

The caretaker government invited the international bidding for hydrocarbon exploration at a time when the country is experiencing a shortage of about 100 million cubic feet (mmcf) of gas per day against its demand of 1900mmcf.

ACC sues Morshed Khan, wife

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

The Anticorruption Commission yesterday filed charges against former foreign minister M Morshed Khan and wife Nasrin Khan for allegedly providing false information to the ACC and earning wealth beyond their known sources of income.

The investigating officer appealed for arrest warrants to be issued against Khan and his wife, who remain on the run.

On June 20 last year, the ACC sought a wealth statement of moveable and immoveable assets from the former minister of the BNP-led alliance government, his wife, and other family members.

Khan submitted his wealth statement through his representative Anwar Jamil Siddiqui on July 10, 2007.

In the statement, the accused showed assets worth Tk 17.41 crore. However, the ACC later claimed an investigation had proved the statement concealed information on wealth worth Tk 91.36 lakh.

It is also alleged that the couple colluded with one another to amass property worth Tk 1.67 crore.

Ten individuals have been shown as witnesses for the state in the chargesheet.

ACC assistant director Md Talebur Rahman filed the chargesheet against the couple with the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court.

Meanwhile, the ACC received permission to interrogate detained former lawmaker Fazlul Haque Milon in jail regarding his wealth statement.

Additional chief metropolitan magistrate Md Golam Rabbani Tuesday granted the ACC permission to interrogate Milon at the jail.

In a separate case, the court ordered the seizure of a cheque-book issued by Agrani Bank's Amin Court Branch in the name of Khabarer Antorale.

The move relates to allegations of bribery against Sigma Huda, the wife of former communications minister Nazmul Huda, who owns the newspaper.

Dhaka senior special judge Md Azizul Haque gave the order yesterday.

The ACC official filed the case against the couple on June 18 last year.

Koko seeks exemption from court appearance

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, sought permission from a special court yesterday to be exempted from personally appearing for hearings, a lawyer said.

Koko's lawyer Barrister Mahbubuddin Khokan told bdnews24.com he had submitted a petition seeking exemption to the Special Judge's Court-3 on behalf of his client.

"The court is expected to give an order on the matter today," he said. State counsel S Golam Hafiz said he had also received a copy of the petition.

Khaleda Zia's elder son Tarique Rahman is also expected to make the same plea to the special court soon.

Tarique and Coco have been detained in the prison ward of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital, while charges against the two brothers are pending trial.

Tarique faces charges of bribery linked to the murder of Bashundhara Group chairman Humayun Kabir Sabbir and Coco faces graft charges in the Gatco case.

RAB recovers 9 bombs from Benapole

BSS, Benapole

The members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) 6, recovered nine powerful hand bombs from Jessore town late on Monday night.

RAB sources said, acting on a tip off, the elite force found the powerful hand bombs inside a dumping waste under a Bakul tree as abandoned state.

The seized bombs now under the custody of RAB.

Participants in local polls to be branded as lackeys of govt: Delwar

UNB, Dhaka

BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain yesterday alleged that the caretaker administration wants to hold local-body polls through its lackeys by defying public sentiment.

"BNP will not participate in the blueprint elections. Those who will take part in the local-body polls will be branded by the people as lackeys of the government," he said in a meeting with Sreepur Thana BNP at his NAM apartment.

Delwar observed people have well understood the 'matlab' (ill intent) of the caretaker government. This government wants to install those in power who will serve their purpose.

"This government wants to install slaves in power by trampling the will of the nation," he told the meeting.

However, Delwar said if local people remain united, then some handful of 'dalals' being elected cannot do anything.

"People will not sit idle when these chairmen and commissioners would reap the dividends," he said. The BNP leader further alleged that the government wants to plunder oil, gas and other natural resources of the country.

About Tarique Rahman's treatment, Delwar said he just heard that the medical board earlier constituted for him would be changed.

Without naming the name of Sheikh Hasina, he wondered over what he said discriminatory application of the law in cases of Hasina and Tarique.

"One was sent abroad for ear treatment while another (Tarique) getting fractured spinal chord is not being sent for treatment abroad."

Delwar asked the government to send abroad Khaleda Zia's two sons-Tarique and Koko. Otherwise, he said, the government will be held responsible for any consequence.

He also demanded immediate release of detained ex-PM and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Quoting Khaleda's today's remarks, Delwar said she reiterated her intention not to go abroad for her treatment as she loves the country like her husband Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.

"People have perceived that all anger of the incumbent government is on the Zia family," he said, adding: "The plan of 1/11 was cooked up to ensure that BNP cannot return to power through destroying the nationalist force."

Delwar said BNP leaders and workers must carry on party activities according to Begum Zia's instructions by maintaining unity.

Meanwhile, several hundred Juba Dal workers observed a 2-hour token hunger strike on the ground floor of NAM Building no 5 to press for release of Khaleda Zia and overseas treatment of Tarique and Koko.

The hunger strikers also demanded release of former Juba Dal president and ex-minister Mirza Abbas and its general secretary Moazzem Hossain Alal.

BCL observes strike at RUET

Chhatra League activists formed a human chain on
RUET campus yesterday to press home their 6-point demand.
Banglar Chokh

RU Correspondent

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology RUET unit called students strike on the RUET campus yesterday demanding 'proper action' against them who are responsible for attack on BCL men on Thursday.

Yesterday morning, hundreds of BCL activists of RUET unit, BCL RU unit and BCL city unit jointly formed a human chain in front of the Administrative building premises to press home their six-point demand.

BCL activists waved various placards and banners in favour of their six-point demand.

The demands are immediate resignation of Student Welfare Adviser Prof Sayed Abdul Mofiz, arrest and punishment of responsible JCD activists, cancellation of examinations scheduled for June 29 and July 6, and unconditional release of arrested students belonging to BCL and ensuring their security on the campus.

Academic and administrative activities of the campus were stopped as the agitating BCL men barred the teachers from taking schedule classes and examinations on the campus.

University buses could not ply on any route and attendance of general student in the campus was thin sources said.

After one hour human chain, BCL held a protest rally and called upon RUET Vice Chancellor Prof Anwarul Haque to meet their six-point demand.

BCL men criticised university authorities for not taking any action against the responsible JCD activists who attacked on BCL men on Thursday.

BCL activists threatened to shut down the university campus if the responsible JCD cadres were not punished.

BCL central Vice-President Alberuni Faruik, Assistant General Secretary Moniruzzman Pintu, Enayet Hossain Chalanto, BCL RU unit leader Masud, Prince, City leader Zedu Sarker, Abdul Momen and Ruet BCL leaders addressed the rally.

Later, the agitating BCL activists staged sit-in demonstration on the campus.

At around 12.00 noon, a ten-member team including Bangladesh Awami League (AL) central committee member also city AL General secretary KHM Khairuzzman Liton with BCL central leaders, RUET, RU and city leaders met RUET Vice Chancellor Prof Anwarul Haque at his office and discuss about the situation.

Sources said, during the meeting, RUET teachers, Student Welfare Adviser Prof Sayed Abdul Mofiz, acting Registrar, Pro-BNP teachers, syndicate member and Officer in Charge (OC) of Motiher Police Station Rafiquil Islam Khan were also present.

After one and a half hour discussion, AL leader Khairuzzman Liton with other leaders joined BCL demonstration and announced that RUET authorities assured them to meet their demands.

He also said that RUET authorities would take stern action against the responsible JCD activists who attacked on BCL men on Thursday.

AL leader Liton requested agitating BCL men to withdraw their indefinite students temporary as RUET authorities assured to meet BCL's six-point demand.

Later, BCL activists at a rally withdrew their indefinite strike temporarily.

BCL men threatened to call again student strike on the campus if their demands were not met immediately.

When contacted RUET Vice Chancellor Prof Anwarul Haque, confirmed newsmen about the fruitful discussion with AL leaders to meet its 6-point demand.

38,000 people affected with arsenic-related disease

UNB, Khulna

Over 38,000 people in the country were affected with arsenic-related diseases while water of 30% tubewells contaminated with arsenic till 2006, according to a government survey.

The number of patients may rise if the latest results of the division wise surveys are published, said a Health Department workshop here yesterday.

Arsenic Programme of the Heath Ministry and Department held the monitoring and evaluation workshop on "Searching of arsenicosis patients and Management".

It also said Water of some 14.40 lakh tube-wells in 270 upazilas of 62 districts were contaminated with arsenic while 6.60 crore tubewells identified as vulnerable.

Dr AKM Mujibur Rahman, NCD and OPHE Programme Officer, presided the workshop, addressed, among others, by Deputy Secretary (Administration) of Health and family Welfare Mahfuzul Huq, Divisional Deputy Director of Health Department Dr Zebunnesa Khatun and district Civil Surgeon Dr Maksuda Begum.

In Bangladesh, arsenic contamination of ground water was first detected in 1993 by the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) at Sama village of Barogharia union in Sadar Upazila of Chapainawabganj district.

After testing water in different districts, some eight arsenic patients were detected in 1995. The number rose to 23 in 1996 while 42 in '97 and 60 in 98. And the number stood at 38,412 in 2006.

Some 5,120 arsenicosis patients were detected in Khulna division due to consumption of arsenic contaminated water. District-wise break up of patients are : Khulna - 420, Jessore - 1,537, Bagerhat - 490, Satkhira - 194, Narail - 107, Magura - 174, Jhenidah - 312, Chuadanga - 815, Kushtia - 637 and Meherpur - 373.

The workshop was informed that the government has undertaken different arsenic mitigation programmes. Medicines have already been sent to different district and upazila health complexes through CMSD.

The government has initiated to take rehabilitation programme for the arsenicosis patients.

Philanthropy may get tax exemption

Staff Reporter

The government is considering to exempt tax on donation and philanthropy to encourage companies and the wealthy sections to serve society.

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam said this yesterday after awarding scholarship to meritorious and needy students in arrangement with Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited (DBBL) at Hotel Purbani in the city.

"We are thinking to exempt tax of a part of corporate income, which would be spent in discharging corporate social responsibility (CSR)," the Adviser told reporters.

The matter was not included in the budget, but there is scope of taking a decision in this regard beyond the budget," he said.

He, however, pointed out that some individuals or organisations do not properly utilise any incentive, forcing the authorities to take a restrictive approach. "Even then we are reviewing the issue."

DBBL Managing Director Yesin Ali, while addressing the award giving ceremony, requested Dr Aziz to exempt the CSR expenses from tax so the companies could expand their CSR programmes.

He said the existing 45 per cent corporate tax acts as a disincentive to CSR as the banks have to spend Tk 145 for every stipend of Tk 100.

DBBL organised the function to distribute stipend among 100 students who passed HSC examination, for helping them bear the educational expenses at the graduation level.

Under the programme, each student would get Tk 2,000 per month and a lump sum of Tk 5,000 per year for buying books and other reading materials. The bank spends around Tk 4 crore annually on stipends.

SSC results tomorrow

UNB, Dhaka

Results of this year's Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and SSC-equivalent examinations will be published simultaneously from the respective examination centres yesterday.

Heads of educational institutions will have to collect result-sheets of their examinees from the secretary of the respective examination centres at 5:00pm, an official announcement said Tuesday.

"The examinees are advised to collect their results from their respective institutions or examination centres," it said.

The SSC and Dakhil examinees can also get their results by logging on to the website www.educationboard.gov.bd while SSC (vocational) to http://result.bteb.gov.bd.

The examinees can also receive their results through short message service (SMS). To avail the service, subscribers have to send SMS to 2777 and 4636 stating first three capitals of the respective education board and roll numbers after giving a space.

In the reply message, the result of the SSC examinee will be sent.

"No results will be available at the education boards, education ministry or newspaper offices," said the government release.

GATCO graft case: Hearing against Khaleda adjourned till June 30

BSS, Dhaka

A special court here yesterday adjourned the charge hearing in the GATCO graft case against former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, her younger son Arafat Rahman Koko and others till June 30.

Judge Shahed Nuruddin set the new date as the defence counsels prayed for adjournment saying a petition from the Anti- Corruption Commission (ACC) seeking permission to file appeal against a High Court order is now pending with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.

They said the indictment hearing in the case would not be wise till disposal of the petition.

The prosecution counsels said the Appellate Division did not bar charge framing in the case. After hearing both the sides, the court fixed the new date.

Later, a petition of Koko was filed seeking relief from his personal appearance before the court on health ground.

The hearing on the petition might be held tomorrow, Koko's counsel Barrister Mahbubuddin Khokan told reporters.

Earlier, Begum Zia and her younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, former ministers Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Motiur Rahman Nizami, Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, MK Anwar, M Shamsul Islam and 10 others were produced before the court. But Koko was taken back to hospital after a few minutes as he fell sick in the dock.

The remaining seven accused including former Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman were mentioned absconding in the case.

The chargesheet said the accused persons in connivance with each other gave the contract of container handling in Chittagong Port and Kamalapur ICD in Dhaka to the "inexperienced and incompetent" Global Argo-trade Company Limited (GATCO) violating the biding rules.

It also said that this action caused a loss of Taka 14.56 crore to the state.

Begum Zia while talking to her counsels after the court proceedings reiterated her demand for holding Jatiya Sangsad poll before any local government elections.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) lodged the case on September 2 last year with Tejgoan thana against Begum Khaleda Zia, her son Arafat Rahman Koko and 11 others.

After investigation, ACC submitted chargesheet against 24 persons including 13 persons accused in the FIR.