The New Nation - Internet Edition

BCC mayor candidates submit wealth statement to ACC

BSS, Barisal

Barisal District unit of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has been facing problem after getting the wealth statements of 10 mayoral candidates in the forthcoming Barisal City Corporation (BCC) election scheduled to be held on August 4 next.

An ACC official preferring anonymity said that the wealth statement of most of the candidates are inconsistent to their real income.

Sources said the candidates have submitted their financial statements, including their monthly earnings and expenditures.According to the statement Director of FBCCI and president of Barisal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) Ebaidul Huq Chand, who is also a leader of BNP in his statement said that he earns Taka 24,166 per month only while another sacked BNP leader and formar BCC mayor Ahsan Habib Kamal, who possesses a car worth Taka 16.80 lakh mentioned that his monthly income is only Taka 16,000.

Chand, a businessman, who owns one movie house, a restaurant, a coffeehouse and a travel agency, has shown his annual income Taka 2.90 lakh. He also owns movable properties including a car, gold ornaments, cash, furniture, etc. worth about Taka 21.33 lakh.. He has immovable properties worth about Taka 6.76 lakh.Besides, he is a co-owner of a building and has 4.22 acres of land. His wife possesses an ice factory worth Taka three lakh, the statement said. Another candidate Kamal, who presided over the Barisal Pourasabha as chairman as well as BCC as Mayor for twelve and a half years in his wealth statement said that he earns an annual income of Taka two lakh and movable property worth Taka 27.30 lakh and immovable property worth Taka 15.59 lakh.On the other hand, he said, his wife, who is a college teacher has Taka 3.78 lakh annual income from house rent and Taka 1.30 lakh from her salary.

Awami League leader and 14 Party alliance mayoral candidate Shawkot Hossain Hiron has an annual income of Taka 6.10 lakhed and has Taka 17.57 lakh worth movable property. He owns land property worth Taka 2.31 lakh only.

Besides, he has a liability of Taka two crore with bank.Another mayor candidate PDP leader Sarder Sarfuddin Ahmed Santu, has shown Taka 1.40 crore worth movable property of his own and value of his wife's movable property is Taka 39.53 lakh.He also owns four buildings worth Taka 1.65 crore. His dependents possess property worth Taka 9.54 lakh, according to the report.

The annual income of Enayet Pir Khan, another mayor candidate stated that his annual income is Taka 2.80 lakh and has a deposit of Taka 82,743 in the Bank. He has Taka 23.55 lakh worth movable property and Taka 18.34 worth immovable property.His wife has only Taka 10,000.

Mayor candidate CPB leader AK Azad is a house tutor by profession and he earns Taka 72,000 a year. But he has movable and immovable properties worth Taka 75.20 lakh, the statement said.

Independent mayor candidate, retired joint district judge, Syed Abdullah Shahid along with his wife, possess properties worth Taka 18.97 lakh only.

Another independent candidate Kabiruddin Hannu is earning by Taka 4.06 lakh annually and he possesses Taka 77.53 lakh movable-immovable properties.

Two other mayor candidates Rafiqul Islam Rasel and Advocate Jahurul Huq have also submitted their wealth statement.

Call to eliminate discriminations towards women

BSS, Rangpur

Speakers at a discussion urged all concerned for taking necessary steps to eliminate discrimination towards women, improving working atmosphere and ensuring social justice to women in the country.

Without establishing just and equal rights and ensuring active presence and participation in the socio-political and economic fields for the women, who are half of the total population, sustainable socio-economical and national developments would not be possible, they said.

The observations were made at a discussion titled "Stand Strongly for Women's Rights organised by Karmojibi Nari at the Arcadia International Kindergarten at Keranipara in the city last night.

Convener of the Rangpur Regional Unit of Karmojibi Nari Akhter Jahan Milli chaired the discussion that was attended by Mayor of Rangpur Municipality AKM Abdur Rouf Manik as the chief guest.

Former PP of Rangpur Advocate Abdur Rashid Chowdhury, Dr Lt Colonel (Retd) Anjuman Ara Begum, former Vice-Principal of Rangpur Medical College Dr Nazmul Islam, Gynecology Specialists Dr Shahi Farzana Tasmin and Dr Aziza Begum Lucy, Dr Major (Retd) Rafiqul Islam, attended as special guests.

Human rights activists Advocate Monwara Sultana Rimu and Advocate Hosne Ara Lutfa Dalia, Chairperson of the Association of the Development Agencies in Bangladesh (ADAB), Rangpur Chapter Moshfeka Razzaque Shimu and Advocate Abul Basher Tipu, addressed, among others.

Executives and employees of Karmojibi Nari, working women including female workers, members of the civil society, professionals and journalists took part in the meeting.

Construction of Kalmakanda upazila land office begins

BSS, Netrakona

The construction work of Kalmakanda upazila land office has been started on the upazila parishad premises on Sunday.

Deputy Commissioner of Netrakona Mohammad Aiyatullah Majumder inaugurated the work by laying foundation.Presided over by Kalmakanda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Goutam Chandra Paul, the function was addressed, among others, by the Engineer Subash Ray Chowdhory, Upazila Social Welfare Officer Mohammad Sahidullah, Upazila Krishi Officer Golam Mustafa and Kalmakanda Press Club Secretary Faqrul Alam Kasru.

Kalmakanda Upazila Parishad sources said the Ministry of Land has sanctioned Taka 25 lakh for constructing the upazila land office.

Production of anti-parasitic drugs stressed

BAU Correspondent

Speakers at a workshop on Prospects of Antiparasitic Drugs in Bangladesh said that the delivery and usages of anti parasitic drugs in the country would help the Veterinary and Fish Parasitologists in combating parastic problems in Bangladesh.

They laid emphasis on to balance agricultural needs with environmental and health issues when using insecticides.

Organized by the Bangladesh Society for Parasitology (BSP), the inaugural session was attended by Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) Professor Dr. Md. Akhtar Hossain as chief guest. Presided over by BSP President Professor Dr. Md. Motahar Hussain Mondal, the function was attended by Founder President Professor Dr. Hefazuddin Shaikh and Professor Dr. S.M. Humayun Kabir as guest of honour.

Held at the TSC conference Hall a key note paper entitled 'Prospects of Antiparasitic Drugs In Bangladesh' was presented by Dr. Kh. Helaluddin, Business Director, ACT Livestock and Fisheries Ltd.

Chairman of the Organizing Committee Professor Dr. A.S. Mahfuzul Sari and SSP Secretary Professor Dr. Md. Mokbul Hossain spoke on the occasion.

Later, SSP honored scientist of international repute Professor Dr. Hefazuddin Shaikh and eminent educationist Professor Dr. S.M. Humayun Kabir and presented University crest at a reception accorded in honor of them for their outstanding contribution in their respective field of teaching and research.

Deans of Faculties, teachers, students, researchers and high officials of the University administration were present at the inaugural function.

Jute cultivation decreases in Narail

Our Correspondent, Narail

Farmers of Narail have lost their interest in cultivating jute because of high production cost and low price of product.

Akmal Hossain Mollah, a farmer of village Dhopada under Lohagara upazila cultivated jute in four acres of land last year but this year he cultivated jute in one acre of land only. While asked about his reluctance in cultivating jute he said, now a days it becomes very difficult to get the jute rotten due to shortage of water in ponds and ditches. As an alternative we can use river water to rot jute but only the farmers of riverside can avail of the opportunity, he added.

Agriculture Extension Department (AED) sources said, this year fifteen thousand acres of land is fixed target to cultivate jute whereas only 25% land has been cultivated to grow jute.

Nazrul Islam Mondal, Deputy Director of Agriculture department said, lack of pond water to rot jute, low market price of products are the main causes of unwillingness of the farmers to grow jute and it will create a negative impact on our economy.

Training on socio-economic dev held in Mymensingh

BSS, Mymensingh

A three-day training programme on 'Socio-economic development of rural poor and destitute people' organised by District social Welfare Department begins at social service office here on Sunday.

Deputy Commissioner Md Shamsul Alam inaugurated the programme as the chief guest while Additional Deputy Magistrate Nazmul Hasan Khan was present as special guest.

Deputy Director of Social Welfare Department Md Kamrul Islam presided over the function.

Deputy Commissioner said there is no alternative of training to be skilful and efficient and urged the participants to apply the acquired knowledge in their day-to-day activities.

The government has taken up various steps for helping the poor and destitute people to reduce poverty and making the country a poverty-free one, he said.

40 GPA students accorded reception in Naogaon

BSS, Naogaon

About 40 students, who got GPA-5 in the SSC examination, were accorded reception at Boalia High School premises here on Monday.

Boalia Juba Unnayon Sangha (BJUS) organised the reception. Executive Director of Badore Health Care Centre, Mohammad

Abdul Bari attended the function as the chief guest and distributed certificates and crests among the students. The function was addressed, among others, by President and General Secretary of BJUS Farhadul Islam and Ruhul Amin Mokthar, Headmaster of Boalia High School Abdul Mannan, Tareq Mahmud (student) and Shanta Islam.

Tree fair held in Durgapur

BSS, Netrakona

A three-day tree fair has began at the upazila parishad ground at Durgapur in the district on Monday.

Durgapur Upazila Administration, Department of Agriculture Extension and Department of Forest jointly organised the tree fair as part of the government's countrywide tree plantation programme and turned it into a social movement.

Deputy Commissioner Aiyatullah Majumder inaugurated the tree fair making a clarion call to the people for planting more trees including herbal and fruit-bearing trees to meet the demand of nutrition and save lives from different diseases side by side maintaining ecological balance.

Upazila level officials, civil society members, students, teachers, and a large number of local people attended the function.

A total of 22 stalls of saplings of various herbal, timber and fruit-bearing trees were put on display.

World Population Day observed in Gopalganj

Our Correspondent, Gopalganj

The World Population Day was oserved in Gopalganj in befiting manner jointly organised by Gopalganj district administration and Family Planning department on Friday last.

The programmes of the World Population Day included rally and discussion meeting.

A rally was brought out from Gopalgonj district Shilpakala Academy premises and paraded main roads of the Gopalganj town, led by Mohammad Moniruzzaman ADC (general) and Abdul Gofur Deputy Director Family Planning department, Gopalganj.

A discussion meeting was held at Gopalganj Deputy Commissioner's conference room, Mohammad Abdul Gafur, Deputy Director Family Planning Department, Gopalganj, presided over the discussion meeting and S.M. Ashfaque Hussain Deputy Commissioner, Gopalganj was present as the chief guest.

The discussion meeting on the occasion of the World Population Day was also addressed, among others by Mohammad Moniruzzaman ADC (General), Dr. Joghesh Chandra Ghosh acting Civil Surgeon Gopalganj, Dr. Mohammad Nurul Islam Talukdar ADCC, S.M. Mozahidul Islam UFPO, Mrs. Namita Dev Nath, Dr Moniruzzaman Medical officer Gopalganj Sadar Hospital, Dr. Rabindra Nath Das SEGMO and Mahabub Hossain Sarmat Gopalganj district Correspondent NTV.

S.M. Ashfaque Hussain, Deputy Commissioner Gopalganj, distributed certificates and prize among the best field workers of the Family Planning Department Gopalganj on the occasion.

66 candidates to contest Phulbaria poura polls

BSS, Mymensingh

With the withdrawal of nomination paper by one mayoral candidate 66 candidates including 10 mayor candidates will now contest in the Phulbaria Pourasabha election.Earlier, a total of 70 candidates had submitted nomination papers. Of which 12 for the post of mayor, 12 for three reserved seats for women councillor while 46 for nine posts for councillor.The mayor candidates those are contesting in the election are Abdullahil Mustaq, Md. Kabir Hossain, Mujibur Rahman, Golam Kibria, Md. Nurul Islam, Yunus Ali, Rafiqul Islam, Mohammad Chan Miah, Abdur Rahim and Omar Faruque.

Election Office sources said the election symbols will be distributed among the candidates tomorrow.The number of voters in the Phulbaria Pourasabha is 17,266.

Noakhali municipality distributes allowances among disabled

BSS, Noakhali

Noakhali Municipality has distributed Taka 1.40 lakh among 140 disabled people on Sunday.Each of the disabled received Taka 1,000 each.A simple function was arranged on the occasion of distribution of money at the municipality auditorium.Police super Khandakar Lutful Kabir distributed the allowances as the chief guest while Mayor Harun-Ur- Azad was in the chair.

The mayor said the programme will continue to support the disabled people in the municipal area.

News briefs

Train derails in Comilla

Comilla, July 16 : A compartment of a freight train derailed near Rasulpur rail station here today (Wednesday), disrupting train communication on Dhaka-Chittagong route for two and half hours. Railway sources said the incident occurred at about 10am due to faulty rail-track while the train was going to Dhaka from Chittagong. Train communication later resumed after a relief train from Akhaura salvaged the derailed bogy at about 12:30pm, the sources said, report UNB.

Youths held for deception

Satkhira, July 16: Police arrested three young men from Sonali Bank, Bhomra branch, in the district town, on Tuesday while trying to withdraw Tk 15 lakh through a forged cheque. The arrested were identified as Faisal Ahmed Babu, 30, son of Abdus Sattar of Bazar Bagan area, Ashraful Islam Sabu, 32, son of Golam Sarwar of Palashpol area and Abdus Selim, 35, son of Andul Khaleque of Kamannagar area of the town. Police said Golak Chandra Das manager of businessman Wahedul Islam of Bhomra port stole a blank cheque of his employer one and half years back and gave it to his friend Ashraful Islam Sabu, report UNB.

Heroin seized in Dinajpur

Dinajpur, July 16 : BDR personnel recovered one kilogram of heroin worth about Tk 1 crore from a train at Phulbari station here on Tuesday. Being tipped-off, a team of Bangladesh Rifles, led by deputy commander Major Zeyedi Ahsan, searched the Parbartipur-bound train from Khulna and seized the contraband drug kept in a briefcase at a compartment. None was arrested in this connection. A case was filed. Another report from Brahmanbaria adds: RAB members seized 20kgs of hemp and some 273 bottles of phensidyl syrup from a boat at Airal Bazar in Sadar upazila on Tuesday, report UNB.

Cattle trader shot dead by BSF in Satkhira

Satkhira, July 16 : A Bangladeshi cattle trader was shot dead by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on Kakdanga border in Kolaroa upazila early Wednesday. The victim was identified as Jahurul Islam, 35, son of Ansar Ali of Bhadiali village of the upazila. BDR sources said Indian border guards of Tarali camp opened fire on Jahurul while he was entering into Bangladesh territory from India with cattle in the morning, killing him on the spot. Later, the BSF troops took away the body. BDR in a protest letter to its Indian counterpart demanded immediate return of the body, report UNB.

Housewife commits suicide in Sylhet

Sylhet, July 16 :A young pregnant housewife allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself at Patantila Maijgaon village in Fenchuganj upazila on Monday. The deceased was identified as Farzana Aktar, 20, wife of rickshaw-puller Jahangir Alam. Family sources said Farzana quarreled with Jahangir in the morning and later took her life by hanging herself from the ceiling of her bedroom at noon, report UNB.

One killed in Rangpur road mishap

Rangpur, July 16 : A young couple was killed and 10 people were injured in a head-on-collision between a bus and a truck at Baldipakur in Mithapakur upazila on Monday. The dead were identified as Anwarul Islam, 28, and his wife Adori Begum, 24, hailed from Chilmari upazila of Kurigram district. Police and witnesses said the accident occurred on Rangpur-Bogra highway when the Dhaka bound truck collided with the bus coming from opposite direction, killing the couple on the spot, report UNB.