The New Nation - Internet Edition

Hossain Zillur cautions AL, BNP: Shun politics of conflict or 1/11 will prolong

Hossain Zillur Rahman

Chittagong Correspondent

Commerce and Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman yesterday called upon all for shunning the politics of confrontation and mudslinging to avoid prolonging the post 1/11 period any further.

Talking to newsmen at the local Circuit House , he expressed the hope that Dialogue between the two former prime ministers, Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina will bring about qualitative change in the country's politics.

He was also hopeful of the government initiative to bring the two former premiers across the table.

"The government is working hard to rebuild public confidence in politics by bringing the two leaders to the negotiating table", he noted.

The Adviser said bringing the two leaders to the discussion table is no doubt a significant initiative to bring qualitative change in the country's politics." But it is not the only initiative taken by the government to resolve the existing crises," he added. Asked about the BNP-Awami League conflict in this regard, he said "Don't be impatient, keep patience for a qualitative change in politics."

Hossain Zillur said, the Government has mounted all out efforts to resolve the differences between the two leaders and acrimonious relationship between them. He said they have contacted Barrister Rafiqul Haque, the lawyer of the BNP and Awami League leaders to join the initiative so that the BNP and Awami League leaders can be persuaded to sit across the table. He said, they cannot allow the politicians to return to the pre-1/11 situation.

About the implementation of the Advisory Council's decision for the development of the port city, Zillur said the government would start supplying gas after Ramzan to reopen the closed industries.

Tender has been floated for a 50-MW rental power plant in the port city, he said.

Zillur attended a review meeting here on the progress of implementation of the decisions taken by the Advisory Council of the government for the development of the port city.

Govt almost at end of achieving its goal Free, fair polls to be held in Dec: CA

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed being greeted by
the Chinese girls on his arrival at Beijing Capital Airport
on Monday. PID photo

UNB, Beijing

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said his caretaker government is almost at end of achieving its goal of holding a free, fair and credible general election within December this year, as the prerequisites are already in place.

"We hope and believe that election will be held by December this year," the head of the caretaker government told his audience at a reception hosted in his honor at Bangladesh House (Bangladesh Embassy) in the Chinese capital.

Bangladeshi students, businessmen, experts of different professions living, working and studying in China, officials of the embassy as well as Chinese elite were present at the function.

The CA said the Election Commission had already completed the voter list with photographs of more than 80 million voters. "Such gigantic task in a short time is a remarkable achievement," he said, adding that he does not know whether any other country has done such a task in such a short time.

On economy, Dr Fakhruddin said the economy has had difficult times in last several months for the rise in prices of petroleum products and food on the international market. "We have really overcome the situation."

Referring to the meeting on Sunday of Bangladesh Better Business Forum (BBBF) in Dhaka to mark its first founding anniversary, he said the forum was formed last year to forge a strong public-private partnership. "We have made some progress in this sector," he told the function.

He said private sector is the engine of growth and government is the facilitator.

Despite a difficult situation on the economic front last year, he said, "we have done well".

Mentioning China's economic boom, he said China remains as an example to Bangladesh. Economic relations with China are also very strong and growing day by day, he noted. Many Chinese businessmen are investing in Bangladesh.

He urged the Bangladeshi students studying in China to learn what China was able to do for its economy and its people and hoped that the students, after completing their studies, would be able to contribute to socioeconomic progress in Bangladesh.

Referring to the existing excellent relationship between Bangladesh and China, he said the strong bond of friendship between the two countries dates back in history. The roots are very firmly rooted as well as diplomatic relations exist for more than 30 years.

He hoped the bond of friendship between Bangladesh and China would become stronger.

He pointed out that Bangladesh and China cooperate with each other in various international fora.

"China is an important development partner of Bangladesh and invested in many sectors, particularly in infrastructure," Dr Fakhruddin said.

The Bangladeshi community in China welcomed the Chief Adviser and the CA exchanged pleasantries with them. Many of them took photos with him.

Chief Adviser's wife, Neena Ahmed, was also present at the reception.

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Foreign Secretary M Touhid Hossain, Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka Zheng Qingdian, Secretary of CA's office Kazi M Aminul Islam, CA's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim and Bangladesh Ambassador to China Munshi Faiz Ahmed were also present at the function.

The Chief Adviser arrived in Beijing on Monday noon for a four-day working visit at the invitation of the Chinese government.

He is scheduled to have official talks with Prime Minister of China Wen Jiabao and call on President Hu Jintao today.

The CA is also scheduled to attend the closing ceremony of Paralympics Beijing 2008 tomorrow.

I don’t know what will be my fate after return: Hasina

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina addressing a
reception accorded to her at the Crown Plaza restaurant in
New York, USA on Sunday. Banglar Chokh

UNB, New York

Awami League president Sheikh Hasina has demanded immediate declaration of parliamentary polls date to resolve the existing crises of Bangladesh.

"There is no alternative but to hold the national election to resolve the existing crises of the country," she told at a reception accorded by New York Awami League at the Crown Plaza restaurant at Queens here on Sunday.

Hasina said: "What we need urgently is Jatiya Sangsad election, not Upazila election."

She appreciated the role of the migrated Bangladeshis in USA in the development process of Bangladesh by sending foreign currencies. The migrated Bangladeshis took part in most of the emergency situations of the country by raising their voices from abroad, she said.

Hasina said: "I am taking preparation to return to Bangladesh and before that I've come here to express my gratitude to the Bangladeshi New Yorkers.

"I don't know what would be my fate after returning to Bangladesh. But I am not scared of anything, not even death. I'll always raise my voice for the freedom of the people of Bangladesh."

She said the people of Bangladesh are now suffering a lot due to the abnormal price-hike of essentials. "People even do not have fundamental rights, which Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had dreamt to ensure."

Hasina said that she was arrested for raising her voice on behalf of the masses of the country.

"I am hopeful and with that hope I am working to implement my goal 'vision 2020'," she said, adding that she would fulfill her goal by 2021, during the golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence, making Bangladesh a developed country by eradicating poverty.

The former Prime Minister said that Awami League is the most popular party in Bangladesh and it was proved in the election in 2001. "Awami League had won the election in terms of popular vote, but the conspirators forced us to defeat."

She urged all her party members to remain alert against the conspirators.

Referring to the post-1/11 scenario, she said politicians and people were arrested en masse that time in the name of eliminating corruption and now released en masse. "I'm sure it is part of a plan to establish the corrupt people again."

In her speech, Hasina gave an outline of the party's election manifesto that included several important points relating to the development of Bangladesh.

She mentioned that if Awami League is elected in the next election, her government would work for eradicating illiteracy as well as ensuring food sufficiency, health, education and infrastructural development, local government empowerment and power decentralisation, industrialisation and resolving the problems of the Bangladeshis abroad, including giving them right to vote.

Sheikh Hasina's son, Sajib Wajed Joy, and other senior members of New York Awami League also spoke at the reception.

Tragedy awaits Rangs Bhaban

A recipe for disaster

Mahbubur Rahman Khan

The controversial Rangs Bhaban, reduced to its Palm Tree shaped structure, remains a threat to its adjacent buildings as well as pedestrians on the road. The partially demolished building is standing on pillars without beams as a result it could fall over anytime, its neighbours told the reporters yesterday.

The officials engaged in bulldozing the building, however, said the building was being torn down as per instruction of the experts so there is no need to worry about it.

They said the building is being razed in two segments. The 70 feet tall pillars were cut down at Saturday and the pillars on both the sides and walls were being knocked down at the middle of the building so nothing untoward would happen, they added.

Rajuk started to smash the building on third August of last year. Due to inexperience of the engineers and labourers, the building caved in from 17th floor which took the lives of 12 labourers.

According to probe report, the Rangs Bhaban tragedy was due to the irresponsibility of the contractor engaged in demolition works and fault of the building construction.

Rajuk said there were not enough reinforcement cover at the connecting points of pillars and beams. Though Rajuk held the contractor and owners of the Bhaban responsible for the tragedy, it is yet to take any action against them.

Garment owner gunned down in city: Two others killed

Abdus Salam

Staff Reporter

Three people, including the director of a garment factory, were killed in separate incidents in city's Mirpur, Purana Paltan and Agargaon on late Sunday and Monday.

Of the victims, Abdus Salam alias Babu, 45, director of Yolk Group, was gunned down at Purana Paltan Lane yesterday.

Sub Inspector Nasiruddun of Paltan police station, quoting the local people, said Babu went to his office at 64/A Purana Paltan Lane in his car at about 7:30am.

As soon as his car reached in front of the factory, a number of youths opened fire on him inside the car and fled the scene.

Critically injured Babu was first taken to Islami Bank Hospital and later shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where the attending doctors declared him dead. Conflict over 'jhut' business might be the reason behind his killing, the SI said.

Meanwhile, police recovered the body of a man from North Gate of Baitul Quddus Jame-Mosque in Mirpur-10 at about 11:00pm on Sunday.

The victim was identified as Golam Mostafa Molla, 55, of Koilanpotti in Nagarkanda upazila in Faridpur district.

Victim's son Mizanur Rahman Mizu, who resides in a city mess, said his father reached Dhaka from Faridpur by a bus on Sunday night and got down at Gabtali. Later, Golam Mostafa phoned his son and asked him to wait for him (Mostafa) at Asad Gate, Mizu said.

Mizu waited there for a long time for his father but was informed by the police about the fate of his father over a phone call at about 11:00pm.

Golam Mostafa had come to the capital from Faridpur district for treatment, Mizu said.

Police suspected Golam Mostofa might have been killed by the members of "molom (balm) party" as the face of the victim was found rubbed with ointment.

Police recovered another body of an unidentified man, aged around 48, from in front of Agargaon Mahila Polytechnic College at about 12:30am yesterday.

Khaleda-Hasina meet: Kamal questions govt wisdom

Staff Reporter

Gano Forum yesterday raised questions about the government's move to sit the two former prime ministers and party chiefs-Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina across the table to discuss the issues.

Gano Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain, in a press statement after a meeting of the party's Standing Committee at his residence in the city rejected the Government's moves toward an understanding between Awami League and BNP over the next parliamentary polls.

"The Government's initiative, disclosed by its spokesperson, for an understanding (between the two) for the sake of holding elections is unacceptable," he said.

Dr Kamal made the comments as the government is taking effort to hold one-to-one dialogue between Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina with the

mediation of lawyer Barrister Rafique-ul-Huq, who defends both former prime ministers in court against corruption charges.

"We want consensus. But we don't want an understanding for those breaking laws," he observed.

Dr Kamal said the Government could neither hold fair elections nor establish vibrant democracy by reaching agreements with corrupt people.

He alleged that the anticorruption drive had resulted in the end by appeasing the corrupt people.

"The deals and promises on which the government has reached agreements (with Khaleda and Hasina) should be made clear to people. The negotiation process should be transparent," the Gano Forum President said.

EC firm dates for JS, other polls soon

Staff Reporter

The Election Commission (EC) will announce the dates for general elections and upazila and Dhaka City Corporation polls after completion of dialogue with the BNP.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda said this yesterday while talking to reporters after delivering a letter of BNP accepting the EC's invitation to join the dialogue.

A two-member BNP delegation, led by BNP Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan, delivered the letter on behalf of party's Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain to the CEC. The CEC hoped that the dialogue with BNP would be held within this week and then the EC would declare particular dates for the general elections and other polls.

"We intend to announce specific dates for all elections at the same time (by this week)," he said Dr Huda, however, said that the EC would not announce election schedules right now.

After the meeting with the CEC, BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan told reporters that the BNP is likely to sit in dialogue any day of this week.

He said the BNP wants to discuss with the EC all matters relating to the elections although the EC mentioned in its invitation letter discussion on only party registration.

"The BNP thinks that the voter list ordinance and delimitation of the parliamentary constituencies are election-related issues. So it's necessary to discuss all these issues," he said.

The BNP leader hoped that the EC would agree to discuss these issues and hold a dialogue with the BNP in a day or two.

Asked whether three rounds of talks with BNP was required as with other political parties, the BNP leader said, "If one sitting can solve all problems, several rounds of discussion will not be necessary."

The BNP delegate includes BNP Office Secretary Rizvi Ahmed.

Meanwhile, Adviser for LGRD and Cooperatives M Anwarul Iqbal yesterday told reporters that the EC would announce the election schedule even if BNP did not join the dialogue.

"Time is running fast. If BNP does not hold dialogue with the Election Commission it will announce the election schedule," he said.

The Adviser however said that it would be good if BNP holds talks with the EC. "The Commission will then have to disclose schedule without holding dialogue with them," he explained.

He further said the problem is with time. "They (BNP) will have to give us time. If they give time, the government will hold talks with BNP," he said.

2 get life term for heroin trafficking

Court Correspondent

A Dhaka Court yesterday sentenced two persons to life term imprisonment in the sensational twenty-three and a half kilogram heroin recovery case.

Judge A H M Mustaque Ahmed pronounced the verdict in his crowded Court-room in presence of the convicts: Md Ariful Islam and Mahmud Ali (Kafil). Of the 24 witnesses the Judge recorded the depositions of 16 to give his verdict. On November 11, last year while the accused came to ZIA with twenty three and a half kilogram heroin, to explain more clearly codine was recovered from the bodies of the accused. Customs Inspector Saidul Islam filed the case with Airport Thana on the same day.

It was revealed that, the accused tried for trafficking the codine to Kunming of China.

It was learned that the charge was proved beyond any doubt. However, although if anybody keeps more than 25 grams of heroin in his possession he may be given death sentence, the highest punishment as per law. In the instant case 23.5 kilogram heroin was recovered from the possessions of both accused and they were given only life-term with a fine of Taka 2 lakh each in default they will suffer 5 years more in prison. Again for life term rigorous imprisonment (RI) one has to stay 30 years in prison.

Aman production target unlikely to be achieved

Shamim Jahangir

The target of Aman production is unlikely to be achieved this year as the recent flood affected 1.56 lakh hectares of Aman seedbeds in 23 districts, according to Agriculture Ministry sources.

The government targeted 53 lakh hectares of land for the production of 136.59 lakh tonnes of Aman Paddy. Of the total target 40,85,092 hectares were for the high yield variety of paddy and 11,58,138 hectares for local variety. Total of 52,43,230 hectares of land have already been brought under cultivation.

"We have already achieved 97.64 per cent target of Aman cultivation. But, the recent flood inundated 1.56 lakh hectares of Aman land in 23 districts. So, it will not possible to achieve our Aman target this year," a senior official of the Agriculture Ministry said.

A total of 1,51,099 hectares land with transplanted Aman, 2,364 hectares with B-Aman and 2,088 hectares Aman seedbeds were submerged in 23 districts across the country, sources said.

This year's flood severely affected Aman crops in Kurigram, Sylhet, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Mymenshingh and Bogura, sources in DAE said.

Director General of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) M Shamsul Islam told the New Nation that we have only 15 days in hand to prepare our Aman seedbeds in affected district.

"It is impossible to prepare the seedbeds by farmers within 15 days in the affected districts. So, the DAE will take preparation to distribute cash subsidy and fertiliser among the affected farmers for cultivating their next crops," he said.

"Aman seedbed can survive seven days under water. But, this time this crop remained with under water for 10 days in the flood-hit areas," another official of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) told the New Nation.

Abdul Mazid Biswas, director of Field Service Wing at DAE, told the New Nation that the DAE prepared 100 hectares land of Aman seedbeds for distribution of seeds among the flood-hit farmers.

100-day job generation programme launched

Staff Reporter

The government under its social safety net programme yesterday launched a '100-day employment generation programme' across the country to mitigate the sufferings of the marginalised people.

"One person of a family having five members on an average will get Tk 100 per working day against his labour to be utilised in different types of rural infrastructure projects like canal digging, embankment building, earth filling and pond cleaning," said Food and Disaster Management Adviser Dr MM Sawkat Ali at a press conference at PID Auditorium.

Food and Disaster Management Secretary Molla Wadiduzzaman was present at the press conference and Mohammad Abdul Wazed , project director of the 100-day programme made a presentation on the programme.

Explaining the programme, the Food Adviser said it has been launched in 480 upazilas under 64 districts.

He said that the government had allocated Tk 2000 crore in the national budget for the implementation of the programme and Tk 20 crore will be released everyday.

The fund for the programme has already been released sent and sent to the Upazila administration for distribution it to the marginalised people against their labour.

" The hardcore poor,who are affected by floods, droughts and other natural calamities or Monga are entitled to receive the Tk-100 financial support," he added.

Dr Sawkat Ali said 20 days of a month will be counted as working days and accordingly the programme will continue for five months.

"If any enlisted poor can not be given work immediately under the programme, he will get Tk 40 as daily remuneration for the first 30 days and Tk 50 for the following days, but not more than 100 days," he mentioned.

He made it clear that those who have already been covered by the government's other social safety net programmes will not be eligible for the 100-day programme.

"To avoid any repetition or overlap with any other programmes, we've introduced a different coloured card for this special programme," the Adviser added.

The cards of the 100-day programme will be distributed among a total of 20,00,000 people and the total number of the beneficiaries will be one crore.

Some 19,89,471 people have so far been enlisted their names in the programme and the rest will get enlisted shortly.

Dr. Sawkat said the local administration would run the programme under different projects and local NGOs would be involved in it to monitor the works and money distribution mainly in Rajshahi and Barishal divisions.

Three organisations -- PKSF, Save the Children and Care --will be directly involved in it and they would recommend the names of local NGOs.

The poor people will be selected through open meetings in presence of the representatives of local government bodies and NGOs.

The existing Upazila Disaster Management Committee will conduct the programme while the government will centrally monitor its implementations and outcomes every month.

A central steering committee, headed by the Food and Disaster Management Secretary, has been formed to oversee the overall activities under the 100-day programme.

Selim, Abbas granted bail

BSS, Dhaka

The High Court on Monday granted three months ad interim bail to BNP leader and former Minister Mirza Abbas and former state minister Lutfuzzman Babar and Awami League leader and former Minister Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Mirza Hussain Hyder and Justice Mamnun Rahman issued the order after hearing separate writ petitions, which sought bail and quashing of the charges in different cases lodged against them.

The court also stayed the proceedings of the cases against them for three months and asked the authorities concerned to show cause why the cases against them would not be declared illegal and without lawful authority.

Selim was accused of amassing wealth beyond his known sources of income and concealing information about his assets in the wealth statement submitted to the Anti-Corruption commission (ACC) while Abbas and Babar were accused of two separate graft cases.

Bangladesh elected UNCTAD President

UNB, Dhaka

Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh in Geneva, yesterday was elected president of Trade & Development Board (TDB) of the United Nations Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD) for one year.

Ambassador Dr. Debapriya was unanimously elected by the 193 UN Member states to this post, said a message received here yesterday.

As president of TDB, Dr Debapriya will lead UNCTAD in implementing the instructions and guidelines provided by Heads of States and Governments and the Ministers during the UNCTAD conference held in Accra, Ghana earlier this year.

He will also give leadership to inter-governmental and inter-agency dialogues on current issues of critical concerns in the areas of trade and development.

Dr Debapriya, who will represent UNCTAD Membership in all UN events, is the first Bangladeshi Ambassador to be elected to this post.

TDB is the highest policy making body after the quadrennial ministerial conferences of the UNCTAD, a Geneva-based organ of the UN General Assembly.

India names outlaws: Rare goodwill gesture of Dhaka, says Delhi

Staff Reporter

The handing over of 18 Indian outlaws to the country's security forces BSF by the Bangladesh para-military force BDR in Tripura has been lauded by the Indian Media.

The Indian leading English language daily The Telegraph termed it as a rare goodwill gesture of the Bangladesh Government.

The newspaper named all the 18 militants who were handed over by the BDR in Tripura on Saturday night.

The militants are stated to be the members of All Tripura Tiger Force.

The newspaper identified the outlaws as Chitta Debbarma, Budhiram Debbarma, Sanjit Debbarma, Bimal Debbarma, Vishnu Debbarma, Pranesh Debbarma, Shankhanath Debbarma, Bipindra Debbarma, Kamaljit Debbarma, Sujit Debbarma, Pradip Debbarma, Bhabesh Debbarma, Sandhiram Debbarma, Brijesh Debbarma, Radhakishore Debbarma, Somen Debbarma, Khagendra Debbarma and Bimal Debbarma alias Billa.

All of them belong to Sadar, Howai and Takarjala subdivisions of West Tripura district.

"The BDR did their duty and we would have done the same. According to an understanding reached by the border forces of the two countries, criminals of one side sheltered in the other's territory, if apprehended, will be extradited," The Telegraph quoted, BSF deputy inspector-general AK Singh as having said.

Reviving cases against govt servants: ACC to open 'Pandora’s box’

Staff Reporter

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is going to revive about 3,000 pending allegations and complaints including 1,049 cases filed between 1986 and 2007 against government officials and employees.

A total of 1,914 complaints lodged between 1989 and 2007 and 1,049 cases filed from 1986 to 2007 against government officials and employees have recently been brought under investigation.

ACC Director General (Administration) Col Hanif Iqbal Chowdhury disclosed this while briefing reporters yesterday.

Of the complaints, 1,801 were received during the Bureau of Anti-Corruption and 113 by the ACC. Of these cases, 913 were filed by the Bureau, while 136 by the ACC.

Investigation, inquiry and disposal of the pending complaints and cases filed before 2004 will be handed down under Section 38 (3) of ACC Act-2004.

The commission has already formed two committees to resolve the issues. The committees will prioritised important cases and proceed through legal process and take decisions including appointment of investigation officers to deal with the complaints and cases.

Col Hanif Iqbal said so far 61 cases under the ACC were shifted to the Truth and Accountability Commission (TAC). Of these, 5 were returned to ACC after disposal.

He said, 15 new cases have been filed recently that would be sent to TAC. These were filed against former and present government servants. Unfolding the cases accumulated over the years since 1986 was just like opening Pandora's box.