The New Nation - Internet Edition

Implement RPO ignoring all opposition: Ashraful

Staff Reporter

Acting General Secretary of Awami League, Syed Ashraful Islam, yesterday urged the Government to implement the Representatives of People's Order (RPO) immediately ignoring all the opposition from some ill-motivated quarters who believe in politics of violence and vandalism.

He appreciated the Government initiative to bring administrative and electoral reforms and welcomed the Chief Adviser's address to the nation on Saturday although he demanded an extension of the gap between the national polls and upazila election.

He also accused the BNP for taking stand against the implementation of new electoral laws and code of conduct saying, "BNP again wants to use musclemen and black money in the forthcoming national polls. If the new electoral code of conduct is implemented, they'll find it difficult to carry out their evil design."

Ashraf disclosed this at a press conference followed by a meeting of the AL presidium, the apex policymaking body of the party at the Gulshan residence of Zillur Rahman, Acting President of the party.

Zillur Rahman, Sajeda Chowdhury, Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed and Matia Chowdhury were present in the meeting.

Ashraf also pointed out that the people of the country do not want to return to the pre 1/11 situation when the BNP-Jamaat government misruled the country and established themselves as champions in corruption.

He declared that AL would provide all kinds of support to the reform initiatives of the Government, including the recently-introduced RPO.

Admiring the CA's speech, he said that the AL would felicitate the activities of the CA, the EC and the council of advisers, as the CA's speech had ended all doubts over the national election.

He also suggested the Government and the EC to concentrate their efforts on presenting the nation a fair and credible election acceptable to all.

The Chief Adviser announced that parliamentary polls will be held on December 18 and elections to Upazilas will follow in less than a week in two phases, on December 24 and December 28.

About these polls dates he said, "We express out heartiest gratitude to the Government that it is arranging the national elections ahead of the upazila elections. But there is a technical problem that it is impossible for the partymen to take preparation for upazila elections hot on the heels of national polls."

On behalf of the party he demanded extension of the date of upazila elections.

About the withdrawal of the state of emergency he said, "The CA did not mention when the emergency will be lifted. We'll talk about this issue, as well. The countrymen and the international community will not accept elections under the emergency despite participation of all the political parties."

He found all aspects of the Chief Adviser's speech as 'positive'. "All difference of opinion is possible to be resolved through discussion."

He also urged the Caretaker Government to strictly ensure that all black-money holders, terrorists and armed criminal are barred from the polls.

He asserted that the party would nominate only honest, eligible and acceptable candidates for the parliamentary polls.

When his attention was drawn to a news item published in a national daily that the EC would not be responsible in case the polls are hindered by BNP's non-cooperation, Ashraful said, "We deplore the way BNP and some other parties behaved with the EC in the dialogue."

Asked if they would take part in the UZ polls, he said, "The Upazila polls will be held at the right time. The announced dates don't seem practical, as it is just five days after the national elections."

He also termed all the demands of AL rational, realistic and expressed confidence that holding of national elections before the upazila elections was the result of AL's persistent demand.

Asked about the date of convening party council prior to the registration with the EC he said, "We have discussed the issue in the presidium meeting. At present we found that it is impossible to convene party council under the state of emergency that is why we have decided to bring reform within the party with the approval of central working committee, which should be acceptable to the EC.

Replying to another query, he said, "The decision about the 'grand alliance' will be taken after Sheikh Hasina returns home. We expect her to lead our election journey as the 'grand alliance chief'."

Call to deposit Zakat to govt. fund

BSS, Dhaka

The instruction of Islam for Muslims is to deposit Zakat money to the government's Zakat Fund so that the government can take proper steps in alleviating poverty and make improvement of the lives of poor.

Khateeb of the Baitul Mokarram National Mosque Moulana Mufti Nuruddin on Sunday said at a press briefing at the conference room of the Press Information Department (PID).

Bangladesh Islamic Foundation organised the press briefing on "Creating Awareness Among the People about the Zakat Fund".

Director General (DG) of the Foundation Fazlur Rahman readout a written statement in the briefing.

Principal Information Officer (PIO) Iftekhar Hossain and senior deputy principal information officer MA Halim were present.

The philosophy of Zakat is to purify the minds of the rich people so that they can prepare themselves to donate money and other assets for the benefit of poor people. "If the people have the tendencies of making more and more assets and do not want to donate for poor, their minds get polluted and they get involved in activities which are not permissible in Islam," Moulana Mufti Nuruddin added.

DG of Bangladesh Islamic Foundation said, each of the Taka from Zakat Fund is being utilised in honest way and the fund is contributing a lot for the betterment of the poor.

"The money from the Zakat Fund is being spent in a very transparent way and the fund has been playing a very vital role in alleviating poverty," he said and urged the rich people of the society for depositing their Zakat money to the government's Zakat Fund.

He said, a total of 5,43,342 poor have been benefited from the Zakat Fund during last 26 years, he said adding the amount collected money in the Fund was Taka 6.70 crore during the period.

The collection of Zakat money in 26 years was much less due to lack of publicity about the activities of the government's Zakat Fund, he said.

The Zakat Fund of the government has been formed in 1982 for giving the Zakat management an institutional shape. A 13 member committee was constituted for operating the fund.

The money from the Zakat Fund was utilised for treatment of children, providing training to the poor, distributing stipends among poor students, rehabilitation of widows, giving rickshaws and vans, financial assistances, building houses for homeless, and providing money to start small business.

Jamaat urges EC to reschedule upazila elections

Staff Reporter

Jammat-e- Islami Bangladesh acting Secretary General Mohamamd Qamaruzzaman yesterday termed the government plan to hold upazila elections after less than one week of the national elections as impossible and called upon the Election Commission (EC) to change the date of local government elections.

He also demanded of the government to withdraw state of emergency for holding a free, fair and credible election scheduled on December 18 this year. He said the emergency rule could not ensure fair and acceptable elections.

He said after holding the national elections there are some constitutional bindings including re-election to the disputed constituencies.

" There is no problem if government holds upazila polls after the completion of the whole process of parliamentary elections," he told the media men at a press conference at the central office of the party.

Mokbul Ahmed, Naweb-e- Ameer, Maulana Mohammad Abdus Sobhan, Member, Central Executive Council, Prof Mojibur Rahman, Assistant Secretary General and Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan of Jamaat among others, were present on the occasion.

Mohamamd Qamaruzzaman said EC's announcement for holding the national elections on December 18 is the reflection of people's aspiration.

On the issue of the Representation of the People's Order (RPO)-2008 he said some of its sections and sub-sections have contradiction with the constitution.

Replying to a question on the provision of political parties registration he said within a short span of time it is not possible for the political parties to complete the registration process.

Mentioning the move taken by the EC for delimitation of the constituencies the Acting Secretary General of Jamaat also urged the EC to hold the parliamentary election with the previous process.

He said his party was taking preparation for participating in the national elections depending on their own ability.

Asked if the four-party alliance would be expanded to get more mass support in the forthcoming election, he said the alliance would welcome if any political party wants to join.

Income tax dodging: Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir shown arrested

Court Correspondent

A court of Dhaka yesterday showed former State Minister detained Dr Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir arrested in a case National Board of Revenue (NBR) filed against him for dodging income tax and concealing information about his wealth.

Md Azizul Haque, Metropolitan Special Judge of Dhaka fixed September 24 for hearing on charge framing in this case against the Awami League leader and former State Minister Dr Mohiuddin Khan. Seven persons were made witness in the case.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Sessions Judge of Dhaka fixed September 24 for production of accused Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain before his court in a case NBR filed against him for concealing information about his wealth and amassing wealth through his alleged ill-gotten income.

In the case, Dr Khandaker Mosharraf in connvannce with his wife Bilquis Akhter Hossain was accused of owning Taka 9,10,97,454 through illegal means of which he concealed wealth worth Taka 4,35,01,806 from the wealth statement he submitted to the NBR and earned wealth worth Taka 4,75,95,648 from source beyond his known sources of income.

Govt urged to send Obaidul Kader abroad for treatment

Staff Reporter

Sadhinota Chikitshok Parishad, a platform of pro-liberation doctors, yesterday urged the Government to take initiative to send Awami league leader and former state minister of sports Obaidul Qader abroad for treatment immediately.

Prof M Iqbal Arsalan, Secretary General of the Parishad, in a written statement said, " Kader has been suffering from some complex diseases like brain stroke, high pressure, diabetics, spondalities etc. the grenade attack on August 21, which lodge a host of splinters inside his body, had caused his physical condition to worsen.

but in side the jail these diseases were intensified due to lace of proper treatment. At present he needs proper treatment for his cure."

Referring to the medical board, formed for his treatment, he said, "Regarding the weakness of his hand, he need an MRI of cervical spine which can not be done in presence of metallic pellets within his body and not possible in our country and should be done abroad."

"Under this circumstance we strongly demand to send Qader abroad as soon as possible," he asserted.

Prof AFM Ruhul Haque, Prof Syed Madassir Ali, Dr. Mostafa Jalal Mahiuddin along with some one hundred doctors signed the statement.

Sajeda’s son Sahadab jailed for 12 years

BSS, Dhaka

A special court here yesterday sentenced Sahadab Akbar, son of Awami League leader and former minister Sajeda Chowdhury, to 12 years' imprisonment for acquiring wealth beyond his known sources of income and concealing information in his wealth statement.

Judge of the court Abu Hanif handed down the verdict after examining the witnesses and relevant documents in absence of the accused.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) lodged the case on February 19 last with Ramna Thana here, accusing Akbar of amassing assets beyond his known sources of income and hiding information about his actual property in the wealth statement submitted to the ACC.

Akbar was awarded 10 years' rigorous imprisonment for acquiring property disproportionate to his known sources of income and another two years' for submitting untrue statement to the ACC.

The court also fined him Taka 10 lakh. Failing to pay, he will suffer one year more in jail.

It also ordered confiscation of his assets worth Taka 1.26 crore, acquired illegally, in favour of the State.

The punishment will be executed from the day he surrenders to the court or is arrested.

DSE’s highest turnover after election dates announced

Staff Reporter

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) jumped up yesterday recording highest turnover of Tk 4.34 billion in over last three months yesterday, the day after the Chief Adviser announced the election date general election.

The announcement had helped stimulate transactions at the country's premiere bourse, registering a bit faster gains on the day as compared to a steady market last week, brokers said.

However, the scenario was not so bullish on the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) where 65 issues incurred losses out of 126 traded issues. Only 58 issues gained marginally.

At the port city, the total turnover fell to 562.52 million yesterday from Tk 594.483 million of the previous day through trading of 6,371,147.

CSE All Share Price Index gained 20.57 points, though CSE-30 index of selected 30 companies fell 4.63 points.

On the other hand, the day's total turnover rose sharply to Tk 4.33 billion from Tk 3.12 billion on Thursday at the bourse in Dhaka. The DSE set its highest record of turnover at Tk 5.50 billion on June 8 this year.

Market capitalisation increased yesterday to Tk 995 billion, which is also close to record highest Tk 999 billion on September 10, from Tk 991 billion on the day before.

The DSE General Index (DGEN), the benchmark index, rose 18 points or 0.66 percent to close at 2,857 points on Sunday from 2,838 points on Thursday, while the All Shares Price Index (DSI) increased 15 points or 0.63 percent to close at 2,411 points.

The DSE-20 index of selective shares, however, shed 4 points or 0.17 percent to close at 2,379 points.

Of the total 222 issues traded on the day, 86 gained, 120 declined and 16 remained unchanged.

Titas Gas, GRAMEENS2, ICB 2nd NRB, BEXIMCO, ACI, AIMS 1st Mutual Fund, Beximco Pharma, Square Textiles, Grameen 1 and Summit Power were the day's turnover leaders in terms of value.

The day's volume leaders were AIMS 1st Mutual Fund, GRAMEENS2, Beximco Pharma, Grameen 1, BEXIMCO, Square Textiles, BD Online, ICB 2nd NRB, BDCom and Titas Gas.

Top gainers of the day were AIMS 1st Mutual Fund, GRAMEENS2, BD Online, 1st BSRS, Beximco Fisheries, DBH, Progressive Life Insurance, BD Hotels, Metalex Corporation and Rahim Textiles.

Top losers were Meghna Shrimp, United Insurance, Fine Foods, Hakkani Pulp and Paper, Saiham Textiles, Mithun Knitting, Excelsior Shoes, Shajib Knit, Anwar Galvanizing, and BDCom.

99 pc maternal deaths occur in developing countries

BSS, Dhaka

A new report on maternal mortality, released by UNICEF on Sunday, highlights the risks faced during pregnancy and childbirth by women in developing countries.

Progress for Children: A Report Card on Maternal Mortality states that, according to the latest data, more than 99 per cent of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries, with some 84 per cent concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

"The tragic fact is that every year more than half a million women lose their lives as a result of complications due to pregnancy or childbirth," said Peter Salama, UNICEF's Chief of Health. "The causes of maternal mortality are clear-as are the means to combat them. Yet women continue to die unnecessarily."

It added that haemorrhage is the most common cause of death, particularly in Africa and Asia. A woman's overall health-including her nutritional level and HIV status - also influences the chances of a positive outcome to her pregnancy and childbirth.

In the developing world, the risk of death from complications relating to pregnancy and childbirth over the course of a woman's lifetime is one in 76, compared with one in 8,000 in the industrialised world. The riskiest place to give birth is Niger, where that risk is estimated to be one in seven.

Most maternal deaths are avoidable. A key to avoiding them is better health care- particularly during pregnancy, delivery and in the post-partum period.

The report noted that there have been some promising areas of improvement in maternal health interventions in recent years. Coverage of antenatal care throughout the developing world has increased by 15 percentage points in the past decade, with 75 per cent of expectant mothers now receiving some antenatal care. At the same time, many countries have boosted coverage of skilled delivery attendance. In parts of Asia, for example, the proportion of women who have a skilled attendant present during delivery jumped from 31 to 40 per cent between 1995 and 2005. Increases have also been seen in many African countries.

However the pace of progress towards reaching the Millennium Development Goal on maternal health, which calls for a 75 per cent reduction in the maternal mortality ratio between 1990 and 2015, has been too slow throughout the developing world and must now be accelerated if the goal is to be reached, the report said.

"Saving mothers' lives is not only a moral imperative, but a sound investment that benefits their children, their families, their communities and their countries," said Tessa Wardlaw, UNICEF's Chief of Statistics and Monitoring.

Ctg will get adequate gas: Debasis

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a discussion meeting yesterday called upon the Caretaker Government to supply adequate gas in Chittagong to operate the industrial units in full swing for the development of the country.

They made their demand at a discussion meeting on 'Development and Prospect of Chittagong for National Progress' held at Purbani Hotel in the city. Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Barrister Raja Debasis Roy was present in the discussion meeting as chief guest. Chittagong Journalists Forum Dhaka (CJFD) organised the discussion meeting followed by iftar party.

"If the Government supplies adequate gas to the newly constructed 40 MW Chittagong Export Processing Zone power plant, recently closed industrial units of the port city will resume their operation," Jasim Chowdhury Sabuj, Bureau Chief of the daily Jugantor in Chittagong said at his keynote paper.

He added that all the successive governments had taken little effort for the development of the port city Chittagong.

"Water logging and traffic jam are the regular phenomenon here as the governments didn't dredge canals and expand roads," he said.

Raja Debasis Roy said that the Caretaker Government has pledged to supply gas immediately to continue industrial production in the port city.

"We have huge potentiality to accelerate the development of Chittagong through promoting the eco-tourism," he said.

He added that I shall approach the Chief Adviser's office to solve the water logging and traffic jam problem in the port city.

Jahangir Alam Khan, President of Chittagong Samati Dhaka (CSD), Sayed Nurul Islam, Managing Director of Well Food Group, ATM Piarul Islam, former General Secretary of CSD, Shahin Ul Islam Chowdhury, President of CJFD, M Sayem Tipu, General Secretary of CJFD, Sayef Islam Dilal, Vice President of CJFD, among others, addressed the discussion meeting.

Skyrocketing food prices increasing primary school dropouts

Staff Reporter

Dropout from primary education is increasing in Bangladesh due to skyrocketing food prices that led food inflation to soar over 20 per cent, an independent economic research revealed yesterday.

"Food inflation for the country's marginalized population is more than double the national inflation rate," private research group Shamunnay said in its quarterly update 'Bangladesh Economic Outlook.'

The study explored the impact of the rise in food prices on the education of children in the poor and vulnerable households in Bangladesh.

Poverty is rising and huge number of people cannot afford food for their children, let alone spending on education. The poor are being forced to send their children for job and seek bread, Dr Atiur Rahman, chairman of Shamunnya said.

The Shamunnay's report contradicts the government's report on inflation. According to the BBS, food inflation rate was 13.19 per cent in July and inflation in non-food sector was 5.94 per cent.

In June, food inflation was 14.10 per cent and non-food inflation was 3.54 per cent. In April this year, the Government claimed inflation was down to 7.66 per cent from 7.44 per cent in May.

The Shamunnay said poorer households with higher than average numbers experienced greater probability of children dropping out from school, while smaller families with higher per capita income have less probability of school dropouts.

The probability of dropouts also tends to be higher in rural areas compared to urban areas, the report reads.

Looking into the Government's '100 Days Employment Generation Programme', the report highlighted targeting the right groups, timely implementation, monitoring and evaluation as major challenges to the success of the initiative.

Touching on the country's macro-economic indicators, the report said trade deficit has significantly widened over FY 2008 paced by high import costs in food and fuel.

The report, however, said that the country's capital market outperformed other markets in the region over the year despite falling substantially since May '07.

Foreign reserves stood at about $6.1 billion which is about 21 per cent higher than the reserves held at the end of FY 07, boosted by a 32 per cent growth in remittances in FY 08. The private research group expects that it will grow further during the current fiscal year.

On the country's business scenario, the study said SMEs were recovering better than larger businesses, while the Business Confidence Index witnessed overall slight improvement.

Holy Ramzan: Surrender to the Will of Allah

The aim of Itikaf is to attain spiritual upliftment and salvation for the life hereafter by achieving love and satisfaction of Allah. Nothing more can be the mission of a believer, who fasts only for his/her loyalty and allegiance to the Will and Commandments of Allah. The best period of fasting is this last part of Holy Ramzan and the observance of Itikaf offers the 'Mutakif' Allah's mercy, forgiveness and salvation.

Hazrat Ayesha (Ra) said, 'Rasulullah (Sm) performed Itikaf always in the last ten days. He observed it till he breathed his last. After his death, his wives continued the tradition of Itikaf." (Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Daud).

Abdullah Ibne Umar (RA) said. 'Rasulullah (Sm) used to sit for Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramzan. "(Bukhari, Muslim) Rasulullah (Sm) used to observe Itikaf before his 'Nabuwat' (Prophethood) also. Ayesha (RA) narrated :Rasulullah (Sm) used to be in the depth of worship(Itikaf) of Allah in the cave of Hera in the lonely environment without going to his family at a stretch for some days. (Bukhari).

Those who 'retreat' to Mosque to get themselves aloof from the sinful enjoyments of worldly life, and even separate themselves from the conjugal life, should search the Holy Lailatul Qadr in the uneven nights after the 20th Ramzan. They should spend the time of seclusion in reciting the Holy Quran and utilise the time in tasbih-tahlil, zikr-Ajkar, durud sharif and supplication.

During Itikaf, one can go out of the Mosque for call of nature. If he has someone to supply food there, he should not go out for taking food.

-Abdul Muqit Chowdhury