The New Nation - Internet Edition

Steps to be taken to ease gas, power crisis in Chittagong

Our Correspondent, Chittagong

Advisor to the Caretaker Government on Commerce and Education Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman here on Tuesday pledged some crash programs aimed at addressing the long standing power and gas crisis.

He told the news workers that a set of proposals that had mainly come from the merchant community was chosen on principle for higher scrutiny and approval.

The high-powered committee on solving gas and power crisis in Chittagong is likely to announce the plan of action on August 6 or 13 after a number of meetings in Dhaka.

The proposals received initial nod were hiring of 50 megawatts barge-mounted power plant under private-public collaboration apart from generation enhancement at the Kaptai hydroelectric plant and other local gas-based power stations.

He also expressed high hope for easing gas supply to the industrial units that pumped significant amount of investment on priority basis under supply management and exploitation enhancement from the existing wells.

The advisor claimed that an instant calculation on gas requirement in the port city would unlikely to exceed the current exploitation range but the supply needs intensive supervision and management.

"We'll push the agencies concerned hard in streamlining the supply management," he asserted.

Dr. Zillur Rahman had been briefing the local news workers after a series of meetings with the top public officials and the merchant community finding solutions to port city's power and gas crisis.

He assured that 'merchant power plant policy' would soon be formulated to safeguard the energy security and investment in the country.

Three phase schemes - short, medium and long - will be outlined in the upcoming power plant policy.

Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor on energy and mineral resources Dr. Tamim said that moves had been launched to workout possible ways to set up nuclear power plant.

Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor on Post, Telecommunication and Social Welfare Brigadier General (Retd) MA Maleq said that the nation might save least 600-700 megawatts power simply by cutting import duty on energy-saving lamps.

Earlier, Director of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCC&I) Amirul Haq alleged that investment worth not less than 35000 million had been stalled simply because of gas and electricity.

Member of Planning Commission Nasir Uddin, acting Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Alhaj M Monjur Alam, Chairman of petrobangla Jalal Uddin, President Bangladesh Shippers Council Mahbub Ali, President of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) MA Salam, Better Business Forum leader Mahmudul Haque, entrepreneur Mamun Al Rashid and CCCI member Saiful Huda Jahangir among others addressed in the first session of two-session meeting.

Shortage of irrigation facilities: Aman cultivation may face setback in Kurigram

Our Correspondent, Kurigram

Aman paddy cultivation may be seriously hampered in Kurigram district in this current season due to shortage of irrigation facilities.

Most of the farmers are greatly depressed about irrigation water that can hamper their valuable target of paddy Aman, sources said.

Some farmers are getting one kind of facility that can be dominated to get irrigation water from shallow machines. But many of them are deprived from this due to lack of sufficient money.

Farmer Fedous Ali told the New Nation Correspondent (village Apuar Khata) under Ulipur upazila of the district, "We had to get irrigation water from our nearest canals, ponds and any other water sources.

Though there was heavy rainfall in that area but after three or four days the wet lands become dry. As a result we cannot take necessary steps to plant our new Ama paddy. Were thinking that how we can cultivate properly the paddy without sufficient water in this season".

Sources of Kurigram DAE office said the lack of water may hamper the Aman cultivation this year.

Another farmer Pathan Sattar told our Correspondent that he planted about 2 acres of land by irrigating from shallow machine somewhat of the village Khochabari under Ulipur Upazila of the district. He told that he could not plat more paddy for the lack of proper water. He is facing problem about the cultivation of other paddy fields.

On the other hand, Deputy Director of Agriculture Office Kurigram Mohsin Ali told this Correspondent that the target of Aman cultivation may not be hampered in that situation for lack of water. He also expressed that the achievement target of Aman paddy will be fulfilled though it rains continuous as per last week.Somehow the economically solvent farmers are supplying water in their land from shallow pump or electric motor pump.

But the poor farmers are not able to provide water in their land for lack of money and are fully dependent on natural water.

It may be mentioned that the rain has been falling continuously for last two days. As a result, the farmers are hopeful to cultivate their Aman paddy.

Father sentenced to death for killing son in Barisal

Our Correspondent, Barisal

A trial court in Barisal awarded death sentence to a father on Monday for killing his only son following dispute over demanding dowry.

The death sentenced brutal father Jasimuddin Rari, 32, was present in the court during handing down the verdict by Md. Sahidullah, district and session judge of Barisal after examining 17 witnesses and other evidences. Prosecution story in brief was that Jasim went to his father in law's house at Kolchar-Shayamra village under Mehendiganj upazila of Barisal district on March 31, 2007 to see his wife Fatema Begum and four years old only son Shamim.

There he engaged in altercation with his mother in law over dowry and abducting his son Shamim left the house of father in law without noticing any body.

After missing of child Shamim noticed by his mother and others, they detained Jasim and interrogated him about his son on April 01, 2007. Then Jasim confessed that he strangled his son to death and concealed his dead body under the hyacinth of a pond.

Jasim was handed over to police and after recovery of the dead body the killed son, Fatema Begum, mother of Shamim and wife of Jasim lodged a murder case with Mehendiganj police station on April 02, 2007 against four accused including Jasimuddin, her husband, Mosharref, her brother in law, Kalu Rari and Rahima Begum, her father in law and mother in law. Jasim giving confessional statements to magistrate under section 164 took his sole liabilities of killing own son with repentance. Sub Inspector Abuyal Hossain, investigation officer of the case filed charge sheet against killer father Jasim excluding his brother and parents, the other three accused, on July 23, 2007.

One killed in Barisal road mishap

BSS, Barisal

An old woman was killed in a road accident on Barisal-Patuakhali highway in Katherghar area at 5-30 PM yesterday, police said. They said one Moyful Bibi,65, wife of late Sekandar Mollah of Kaya village under Nalchity upazila of Jhalakathi district, was crushed under the wheels of a speedy passenger bus-Rupa when she was crossing the highway in Katherghar area at 5-30 PM yesterday.

People seized the bus and a UD case was lodged with Nalchity police in this connection.

'Red Lady’ variety papaya cultivation gains popularity in Bandarban

UNB, Bandarban

Cultivation of 'Red Lady' variety papaya has been gaining popularity among the growers in the hill district as it proved profitable for them.

Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sources said cultivation of this variety of papaya has been increasing here due to favourable climate.

According to the DAE, a total of 3,900 hectares of land have been brought under papaya cultivation, mostly "Red Lady" variety, in the current season.

Deputy Director of Agro-service centre Md Idris said farmers have achieved success cultivating this variety of papaya in Chimbuk, Porapara, Basantapara, Noapara and Baganpara areas.

"Production of papaya for last several years have changed our socio-economic condition," said grower Taiya Mro.

Agronomists said 40 kgs of Red Lady variety papaya could be produced from a tree yearly only spending Tk 175.

Growers here are showing their interest in cultivating papaya on their lands because its low production cost.

World Vision, an NGO, along with Agricultural Extension Department, is also working here to extend papaya cultivation.

2 BCL workers held with arms in Chittagong

Correspondent, Chittagong

Police took two students of Chittagong University (CU) into custody from the university railway station this morning on charge of possessing lethal weapons.

The detainees were identified as Shafiqul Islam, a second year student of Mathematics and Nuruzzaman, a first year student of Accounting. They are the workers of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).

Police claimed that they recovered 30 iron rods, 10 choppers and eight knives from their possession.

Officer-in-Charge of Hathazari police station Mohammad Alamgir Hossain told the reporters that they arrested the students at about 10:15 when they came down from the shuttle train.

The OC said that the arrestees had been kept at police station and they would be questioned soon.

Earlier, on Sunday Rival factions of the Awami League backed Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) clashed reportedly over establishing supremacy at the university train that left at least 10 supporters of both factions wounded. Police arrested two supporters of the clashing factions from the spot at that time. The detainees were shown arrest, later, in a case filed by Sub Inspector (SI) of Hathazari police station Nurun Nabi with GRP (General Railway Police) in night.

Drug peddler arrested in Barguna

BSS, Barguna

Members of Narcotics Control Department in a drive arrested a drug peddler and seized one kg ganja from Khekuani village under Amtali Upazila on Monday.

The arrested person was identified as Mosharaf Hossain, 35, of Gulisakhali village of Amtali.

A case was filed with Amtali police station in this connection.

Tree Plantation programme held on JU campus

JU Correspondent

A tree plantation program was held at the Jahangirnagar University (JU) campus on 27 July 2008, Sunday with a view to making the campus ever green. JU Vice- Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammed Muniruzzaman inaugurated the tree plantation program as chief guest through a formal gathering, where Treasurer Professor Syed Abdul Hye, Ms. Sue walker, the regional director of Duke of Edinburgh's Award international Association, Sumon kumar Shaha, the director of Bangladesh Office and Syed Sazzad Rijvi, a Pakistani citizen, among others, were present. A total of one thousand and five hundred saplings were primarily planted near Fazilatunnesa Hall of the university.

Mobile court realises Tk 40000 as fine in Khagrachhari

BSS, Khagrachhari

A mobile court has realised Taka 4,000 from four shops and a mill for keeping date- expired food at Bazar areas under Sadar upazila in hill district.

Police said executive Magistrate Mohammad Moshiur Rahman conducted the mobile court at five business centres in Bazar areas and fined them Taka 4,000. He also seized date expired food and ginger.

Later, the magistrate destroyed the date-expired food items.

Earlier, on July 24 and 25 mobile court had fined Taka 20,000 from 15 shops in the town.

44 persons nabbed on various charges in Rajshahi

BSS, Rajshahi

Police, in different anti-crime drives, arrested 44 persons on various charges from different areas in city and nine upazilas of the district in last 24 hours till on Tuesday evening.

Of them, 19 were arrested from different areas in the metropolis while 25 others from nine upazilas.

Traffic police lodged 19 cases under the Motor Vehicles Ordinance during drives against the non-registered motor vehicles and other document-related malpractices in different parts of the city during the time.

PhD degree conferred

BAU Correspondent

Dr. Md. Hossain Ali, Senior Scientific Officer, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), was recently awarded 'Doctor of Philosophy' (Ph.D.) degree from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh. The title of his thesis was "Deficit Irrigation for wheat cultivation under limited water supply condition". His supervisor was Prof. Dr. Md. Rafiqul Hoque, Dept. of Irrigation & Water Management, BAU. Dr. Ali is the son of Md. Abdur Rahim, of the village 'Bhagra Sutiar Par' under under Jamalpur District.

He joined at Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (REB) as Assistant General Manager (Member Service) in 1993. Later, he joined at Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) in 1994, as Scientific Officer. He was promoted as Senior Scientific Officer in 2001 and engaged in research work to-date. To-date, his 47 research papers has been published in different national and international journals.

Shamsad Mortuza awarded PhD degree

JU Corresponded

Shamsad Mortuza, Associate Professor and Chairman of the Department of English of Jahangirnagar University, was awarded University of London Ph.D. degree for his thesis titled "The Shamanic and Bardic Traditions in Contemporary British Poetry." on June 30, 2008.

His supervisors were Professor William Rowe and Professor Michael Baron of Birkbeck College. Dr. Mortuza is a Fulbright scholar who did his second MA in American Studies from the University of Arizona in 1999.

He joined the Department of English, JU in March 1994 after getting a first class in his MA in English Literature.

Briliant students accorded reception

Our Correspondent, Kishoreganj

A reception for SSC passed students, who obtained GPA-5 (A+) was held at Kishoreganj Press Club open stage on Monday. TIB and CCC, Kishoreganj Unit annanged the reception.

Professor MA Gani, Convenor of Advocation Affairs Committee presided over the function and Dr. Iftekuzzaman, Executive Director of TIB attended as chief guest. A total of 394 GPA-5 achieving students received crest in the function.