The New Nation - Internet Edition

Time not ripe yet for lifting emergency: Khaleda’s release process is still on, says CA

Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed

UNB, Sylhet

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said the time is not yet ripe for fully lifting the state of emergency, as some reasons still stand that "justify its enforcement".

"We want to proceed towards complete withdrawal of the state of emergency by relaxing it in phases. Our experience will tell what needs to be done," he told reporters at the circuit house in response to queries about outcome of the national dialogue and current political issues.

His latest statement apparently rules out demands from political parties for immediate lifting of the emergency so they could politically prepare for the coming elections.

The head of the caretaker government made it clear that the state of emergency was declared for special reasons-and some of the reasons still exist.

A worsening political crisis over election issues in January last year was calmed with the emergency rules under the state of emergency, and a good number of top politicians were booked thereafter on graft charges.

However, he said the emergency has been eased on the eve of the city corporation and municipality elections to allow electioneering. In this context, he said, "We will evaluate the experience of the people and the candidates about the local elections in this situation."

Asked about detained ex-PM and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's release, the Chief Advisor cited a government notification that expressed government's intention about her release for treatment at home and abroad.

"That process is still on. Everything is on track-release is possible. Release can take place by combining the legal and humanitarian aspects," he noted.

Asked about BNP participation in the political dialogue, which is all but complete, Dr Fakhruddin said, "We want participation of all parties in the dialogue and we want to go to elections along with all."

Asked if the caretaker government wants to neutralize political party activities by keeping the emergency in force, the Chief Advisor denied, saying: "We do not want to neutralize political activities and we don't have such intention as the caretaker government is not rival to any party."

He said political parties are necessary for flourishing democracy, but political parties should act taking into consideration people's aspirations.

The Chief Advisor, whose interim regime is carrying out sweeping reforms, reiterated his government's avowed stand to hold free and fair general election with concerted efforts by all so a welfare-oriented and pro-reform government can be established.

"A consensus could be reached through the current dialogue to work out ways of establishing such a government," he said and expressed his conviction that anti-hartal politics and effective parliament could be possible through such political consensus, for a fresh start.

Asked about the poll contest by some "corrupt" candidates in the local-body elections, he said law is the yardstick to determine who is corrupt and ineligible for election. He hoped political parties would field honest and competent candidates in the elections.

He observed that voters' duty is to cast their votes while duties of the caretaker government and the election commission are to ensure an atmosphere where voters can vote without any fear. "The government is determined to do its duty."

Dr Fakhruddin said the Election Commission would be able to ensure an appropriate environment for free and fair polls through its election code of conduct.

To another question, the Chief Adviser said the Election Commission has already planned to hold election to Upazila Parishads in phases before and after the general election.

About the mode of future government, balance of power and amendment to the Constitution, Dr Fakhruddin said a Constitution Commission could be formed so it can make recommendations on these subjects and keep those for the future elected government and parliament for consideration.

About national charter he had indicated in his address to the nation, the Chief Advisor said the government and political parties reached some consensus on some issues through the staggered political dialogue. He hoped a framework could be presented before the nation at the conclusion of the dialogue.

Asked if the anti-graft drive slows down in the wake of release of some top politicians facing corruption cases, the Chief Advisor said the government has not drifted away from its mission. Those who are accused were brought under the legal process, some trials were completed, some under trial and some investigations were at final stages.

"In some cases, decisions were taken considering humanitarian grounds as well as overall aspect. But we won't admit that we've been detracted from curbing corruption."

About the Truth Commission, he said the formation of the Commission is at the final stage and it would start functioning within weeks.

Foreign Advisor Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and Press Secretary to CA Syed Fahim Munaim were present at the press conference.

2 Katras on verge of ruin

From Left : Bara Katra and Choto Katra

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

Bara Katra and Choto Katra, two important historical monuments of the Mughal era situated at the north end on the bank of River Buriganga and to the south of Chawk Bazar, are now in dilapidated state.

The Katras, inns, enclosed a quadrangular courtyard with 22 rooms on all of its four sides. Bara Katra was built by Abul Qasim al Husaini in 1644 and Choto Katra by Nawab Shaista Khan in 1663, according to the design of the caravanserai found in the Central Asia, which facilitated over-night traders on the major route along the River Buriganga. Now the two gateways were erected, one each on the north and south. The ruins consist of an edifice having a river frontage.

While visiting the two Katras, this correspondent found many shops and a packaging factory are now occupying the Choto Katra along with several families who have occupied the space illegally.

The architecture on both sites of the building has been drastically altered or extended by the occupants seriously damaging its archaeological value. While designing the Katras, the southern wing of the structure was planned on a grand scale and was marked with an elaborate three-storey gate containing an octagonal central chamber. The remaining portion was two-storey and covered by projected octagonal towers.

The gateway structure is rectangular in plan. It is lofty in height and its fronton is projected towards the river. A tall alcove (niche) rising to the second storey reduces the mass of this projection. The wall surface is relieved with panels that are square as well as rectangular and that contain a variety of decorations of four-centred, cusped, horseshoe and flat arches. Above the apex of the alcove open the windows of the third storey.

Under the alcove is the main arched entrance, which leads to the guardroom. Furthermore, as one passes through two successive archways, one comes across an octagonal domed hall, the ceiling of which is plastered and bears various net-patterns and foliaged designs. The double storey structure resolves on both sides of the central entrance into a row of five vaulted rooms in the ground floor and living rooms with a continuous corridor on the upper one. Similarly the upper floors of the entrance are furnished with rooms. The three storey corner towers are hollow and can be approached from the subsidiary structures. The Bara Katra contains two inscriptions in Persian - one records that it was built in 1053 AH (1643-44 AD) and the other contains the date 1055 AH (1645-46 AD) and confirms that Shah Shuja gave the building to Abul Qasim to be used as a Katra on the condition that the officials in charge of the donations (Waqf) should not take any rent from any deserving person alighting therein.

Choto Katra is rectangular in a plan (101m X 92m). It has two gateways, one to the north and the other to the south. Basically it was built to accommodate some officials and Shaista Khan's expanding family. It has the tomb of Champa Bibi, whose history and identity is mysterious. The small mosque within it's boundary has disappeared. Choto Katra is slightly smaller than, but similar in plan and it is about 185 metres east to Bara Katra.

The Katra could not be taken over by the Department of Archaeology owing to the resistance of its owners. The owners have made several alterations to the original character of the building and have also started construction of a new multi-storeyed building in the area.

Dr Abu Sayed M Ahmed, a conservation architect, said, "It is a national heritage site and a landmark of the great historical significance. It needs to be protected. Both sites are in need of immediate conservation work."

But the occupants claimed that they have a legal hold on the sites and are not willing to move. The occupant of Choto Katra claimed that his father had bought the property before independence. Bara Katra has lost its original features, being used by the Jamia Husainiya Ashraful Ulum Madrassah.

In fact, in most cases, the inheritors are not willing to do so for one reason or the other. On the other hand there is more than one inheritor or the property has been leased out.

Bangladesh needs to put its idea in developing ISO-26000

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a consultation here on Monday said the country needs to put its own ideas in developing the new international standard for corporate social responsibility (CSR), known as ISO-26000, which would be implemented from 2010 across the globe.

Instead of waiting for ISO-26000 to be imposed on the country, the concerned should shape the standard through consultation with ISO, considering the country's socio-economic condition, they said.

BSTI, an member of the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) and the lead organisation in Bangladesh for the implementation of ISO-26000 organised the consultation to receive views on social responsibility from sectors like mineral extraction and cement production, agro-industry, fish and foodstuffs, construction, textiles, garments and ceramics, NGOs, universities and government institutions.

The BSTI officials presented the consultation findings at the international discussion on the development of ISO-26000, will be held in Chili in September next.

British High Commission to Bangladesh provided financial support while Reed Consulting Bangladesh Ltd provided technical support to BSTI for organising the conference styled 'National Social Responsibility Stakeholder Consultation on ISO 26000' at BSTI conference room at Tejgaon here.

The conference revealed that the working group of ISO identified seven core issues for CSR in 'ISO 26000', which includes organizational governance, human rights, labour practice, environment, fair operating practice, consumer issues, and contribution to community and society.

Industries secretary Sheikh Enayetullah, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Stephen Evans and Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) President Farooq Sobhan spoke as the special guests.

BSTI Director General M Azmal Hossain made the welcome speech and chairman of Reed consulting Bangladesh Ltd Rodney Reed gave the vote of thanks. Mohiuddin Babar presented the keynote paper on ISO-26000.

Enayetullah said, implementation of corporate social responsibility is difficult to ensure, as there is no rules and regulations to impose it to the business enterprises.

"We need to get involved with ISO-26000 to create confidence among the donor community as well as among the international investors for development the country," he said.

Stephen Evan said the country should be involved and represented, in developing the international standard as it could benefit the country by giving a competitive edge internationally.

"Social responsibility makes smart business sense to respect labour rights, communities and the environment in an age when consumers and buyers expect their goods to have been produced sustainably," he said.

Presently, social responsibility is a vital component for international trade, its no more luxury, he said, adding in the UK, there is a Ministry on CSR.

He said the CSR is not only applicable for the private enterprises also it is a duty on all sector of society including universities, NGOs, the military, government departments and all trade sectors.

Farooq Sobhan said, to promote CSR in Bangladesh is essential for strengthening the corporate governance and increasing the investment flow.

Nearly 170 representatives from different government and private organisations took participate at the consultations.

Rice price in world market bound to come down

BSS, Dhaka

Rice price in the international market is bound to fall in the wake of a good harvest, said economist and BRAC Executive Director Dr Mahabub Hossain.

He told BSS that as only seven per cent of the total global output goes into the international market the high prices caused by speculation by one or two countries should be difficult to sustain particularly in the wake of a good harvest in the last season.

Total global rice production, he said, stands around 430 million tons, of which 400 million tons is consumed including 28 million tons, sold in the international market, while the rest is accounted for seeds, feeds and wastes.

Dr Hossain said that it was due to speculation that the rice price shot up to 1,000 dollars a ton in April this year from 350 dollars in October last year.

In Bangladesh, he said, the price increase of 60 per cent in one year was abrupt and beyond the capacity of the poor to afford.

Like Bangladesh's Boro the output in other countries had been very good and it should be difficult for many countries to sell at the artificially high prices, he said.

Boro, he said, was a bumper crop due to special efforts by farmers.

He said that the private traders were buying rice at higher prices.

He said, "we suggested the government to procure in a big scale at higher prices to provide remunerative prices to the growers and sell at subsidised prices to benefit the poor."

He said that if the government would buy at Taka 32 and sell at Taka 25 it would have an impact .

Now, he said, it was advisable to import what as its price had fallen in the international market.

World leaders, HIV experts to meet Mexico City in August

BSS, Dhaka

The eyes of the world will soon turn to Mexico City where the 17th International AIDS Conference will take place in early August.

The conference will draw around 25,000 participants from across the globe, including many world-renowned leaders and experts in their field, according to a message received here on Monday.

AIDS 2008 will be officially opened on the evening of August 3 by Mexican President, Felipe Caldern Hinojosa, said International Aids Society (IAS), a Geneva-based charity which convenes the AIDS conference.

World personalities include former US president Bill Clinton, Mexican Secretary of Health Jos, Angel Cordova Villalobos, Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon, Director- General of the World Health Organisation Margaret Chan, Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS Peter Piot, Asian activist and advocate for the rights of HIV-positive women around the world Mony Pen, Prime Minister of St Kitts & Nevis Denzil Douglas, former president of Botswana Festus Gontebanye Mogae, and First Vice-President of Spain Mar-a Teresa Fern ndez de la Vega.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation, will present a keynote at a session titled "HIV/AIDS and Health System Reform: Achieving Universal Coverage" on August 4.

Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases will join Peter Piot (UNAIDS), Mark Harrington (Treatment Action Group, USA), Vuyiseka Dubula (Treatment Action Campaign, South Africa) and Frika Chia Iskandar (Asia Pacific Network of People Living with AIDS, Indonesia) to look towards the HIV epidemic in 2031 and new directions in AIDS research.

The AIDS 2008 will close on August 8 (Friday) with presentations by Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and Marcelo Ebrard, the Mayor of Mexico City.

The conference will be held at Centro Banamex in Mexico City from 3 to 8 August 2008.

The conference theme of Universal Action Now emphasizes the need for continued urgency in the worldwide response to HIV/AIDS, and for action on the part of all stakeholders.

International AIDS Society (IAS), the world's leading independent association of HIV professionals, convened the AIDS 2008 in association with the government of Mexico and the government of Mexico City.

24 health centres get : Best Performance Award-2007

BSS, Dhaka

A total of 24 health centres, including six upazila health complexes and six district hospitals under six divisions of the country were given 'Best Performance Award-2007' in recognition of their special contribution to 'Emergency Obstetric Care'.

Health and Family Welfare Secretary AKM Zafar Ullah Khan handed over the awards among the recipients at Hotel Sherton on Monday.

Chaired by Line Director of essential service delivery of the health services Dr Saleh Mohammad Rafique, the function was addressed, among others, by Director General of health services Prof Dr MA Faiz, director general of family planning department Quamrun Nessa Khanom and UNICEF representative in Bangladesh Carel de Rooyent as the special guests.

Speaking on the occasion, Zafar Ullah Khan said recognition to one's good performance would encourage others to work more.

He said the idea of introducing the awards was to enhance the morale and professional commitment to the persons working in the health sector and improve their skills in emergency obstetric care.

He said about 12,000 women die of pregnancy-related complications annually in the country and added the government and non-government organisations are making efforts to reduce mortality rate in this regard.

Carel de Rooy said the government has made a steady progress in reducing maternal death.

Quamrun Nessa Khanom said the country's entire population is required to bring under improved healthcare facilities, besides arranging multi-dimensional training programmes for health professionals on obstetric and gynecology.

Officials said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is carrying out emergency obstetric care programme in 191 health centres, including 59 district hospitals and 132 upazila health complexes.

The health centres which received awards were Jamalpur District Hospital, Tungipara Upazila Health Complex (UHC)in Gopalgonj district, Manikganj Mother and Child Welfare Centre (MCWC), Feni District Hospital, Fatikchari UHC in Chittagong, Khagrachari MCWC in Chittagong, Kushtia District Hospital in Khulna, Chowgacha UHC in Jessore, Magura MCWC, Joypurhat District Hospital in Rajshahi, Charghat UHC in Rajshahi, Thakurgaon MCWC in Rajshahi, Habiganj District Hospital, Bianibazar UHC in Sylhet, Sunamganj MCWC, Patuakhali District Hospital, Kalapara UCH in Patuakhali, Bhola MCWC, Magura District Hospital, Pabna District Hospital, Khagrachari District Hospital, Fultola UCH in Khulna, Nachol UCH in Chapainawabganj and Banaripara UCH in Barisal.

Social responsibility vital component in Int'l trade: UK HC

UNB, Dhaka

British High Commissioner in Dhaka Stephen Evans yesterday said social responsibility is now a vital component in international trade.

"It is not a luxury, it is a component for competitive trade," he said at the conference on 'National Social Responsibility Stakeholder Consultation Conference on ISO 26000' at the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) conference suite.

Evans said it makes smart business sense to respect labour rights, communities and the environment in an age when consumers and buyers expect their goods to have been produced sustainably.

He added: "Bangladesh can benefit from internationally standardized social responsibility requirements and practices. Therefore, BSTI's initiative is a positive one. And Bangladeshi companies can be helped to achieve them - ultimately giving a competitive edge internationally."

Bangladesh Enterprise Institute chairman Farooq Sobhan and Industries secretary Sheikh Enayetullah also addressed the conference, chaired by BSTI director general Md Azmal Hossain.

BSTI has finished compiling Bangladesh's overall response to the working draft of ISO26000 as the guideline on standards for social responsibility in 2010.

It has already consulted 170 social responsibility stakeholders in Bangladesh to compile their response to the guideline of social responsibility standard.

Stakeholders in areas such as mineral extraction, cement, agro-industry, food products, construction, textiles, garment, ceramics, as well as from NGOs, Universities and Government took part in the three-week consultation.

During the consultations, the participants mainly focused on seven themes for determining the country's response to the ISO26000 guidelines on social responsibility. The areas of focus were organisational governance, fair operating practices, human rights, labour practices, community involvement and development, the environment and consumer issues.

This international engagement (ISO 26000) will enhance the reputation of Bangladesh and enable Bangladesh to make a significant contribution to the proceedings of international Social Responsibility Development Conference in Santiago in September 2008.

More than 100 representatives of social responsibility stakeholders attended the daylong conference.

Islami Samaj calls for establishing Islamic state

Staff Reporter

Leaders of Islami Samaj yesterday said establishing the rule of 'Islam' in the state affairs could only guarantee the fundamental rights of the human being.

"People of the country have been deprived from their fundamental rights even after 36 years of independence," said Syed Humayun Kabir, Ameer of the organisation.

He said the man-made theory has failed to ensure welfare of the mankind.

He was speaking at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club on Sunday.

It was also attended, among others, by Dr Abul Khair, Muhammad Yasin, Abu Jafar Md Iqbal, Md Hussain, Md Yousuf Ali, Master Abdul Baten, Solaiman Kabir, Md Ameer Hossain, Abdur Rob Molla, Alamgir Molla, Aminul Islam and Master Abdul Quayum.

He called upon all to wage a movement for establishing an 'Islamic' state.

He announced different programmes that include exchange of views with citizens, rally and sit-in demonstration at Muktangon on October 15.

Two outlaws slaughtered in Pabna

UNB, Pabna

Two outlaws were slaughtered at Sonakandi village in Sathia upazila early yesterday.

According to the police, the deceased Jahangir Alam, 30, and Masud Rana, 31, were activists of outlawed Purba Banglar Communist Party (ML-Lalpataka).

Local people said some unidentified assailants picked up the two extremists when they were playing cards near Sonakandi Bazar and slaughtered them taking to a nearby field at about 2am.

On information, police rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies.

Reason behind the killing could not be known immediately.

Seismic survey crucial to retain maritime boundary

BSS, Dhaka

The seismic survey of country's territorial sea line appeared crucial as a UN set deadline for lodging maritime claims is to expire in next three years exposing Bangladesh to risks of losing a vast territory in the Bay of Bengal.

"Bangladesh signed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea called (UNCLS) in 2001 and under the law we are obligated to lodge our claim on the maritime boundary by 2011," former chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on Defence Lieutenant General (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman told BSS.

"It is a matter of great regret, unfortunately we could not make any major headway in lodging our claims through seismic and other studies despite the fact we could lose an area in the sea which is larger than the mainland Bangladesh," the former Chief of Army Staff said.

His comments came as experts said, the country needed to start the seismic survey immediately to claim its maritime boundary UNICLOS to produce the required report before year 2011 to claim its legitimate sea territory. They pointed out, under the convention Bangladesh was required to submit necessary documents to the UN to validate it claim of territorial water, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) up to 200 nautical miles (nm) and continental shelf up to 350 nm from the baseline.

All together, the sea area is approximately 1.1 percent more than that of the mainland and UNICLOS III is the latest instrument that works as the basis of establishing the claim.

"We crucially need to establish the claim in the sea for the huge resources - the gas, oil, fish and all other aquatic resources. It is also important from national security point of view," said Mahbubur Rahman.

He also cautioned that the neighbouring India and Myanmar already proceeded a long way in crisscrossing Bangladesh's legitimate territorial shoreline.

The experts said, Bangladesh needed to carry out mainly two major surveys to complete its task of producing the document under UNCLOS, which included Hydrographic survey of the entire coastline of Bangladesh and Geographical survey of the CS. The government in 2002 assigned at least thirteen organisations to complete the work in time by 2004 but only Bangladesh Navy completed its task of Bathymetric Mapping of Northern part of the Bay of Bengal and mapping of the geology and geomorphology of the coastal areas and submitted to UNCLOS desk of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Irregular appointment in nutrition institute alleged

DU Correspondent

Coordination and Development (C&D) Committee of the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science of Dhaka University is trying to employ a man in the post of 'Professor' bypassing rules and regulations of the university.

A member of the committee Prof Dr Sheikh Nazrul Islam gave 'note of descent' against the decision and he expressed displeasure at taking the decision without any advertisement for the post.

The committee took a decision of filling up the post of a 'Professor' through an advertisement on July 03 but it took reverse decision within one week by calling another meeting hastily, the 'note of descent' mentioned.

He said the decision of the committee was not legal.

Such activities will hamper the education and administrative systems of the university, he noted. Acknowledging the 'note of descent,' Prof M Nazmul Islam, Director of the Institute, said he did not know the relevant law of the university about appointment through advertisement.

A total of 11 candidates- nine associate professors from the institute and two from outside- applied for the post.

Ph D with 12 years experience on teaching and research experience is a condition for the post.

Only two applicants out of 11 have no teaching experience but they have research and job experience in different organisations. They also failed to submit their necessary documents in the C&D meeting.

Sources said the committee is trying to give appointment to a candidate, who does not fulfil the condition.

The selection board of the university, headed by Prof SMA Faiz, Vice-Chancellor of the university, will take decision in this regard. The board meeting will be held today.

DU VC said they would not appoint anybody in this importance post bypassing the condition of the appointment.