The New Nation - Internet Edition

Shilpakala Academy's audio lab inaugurated

Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Shorful Alam
inaugurated the first audio lab of Bangladesh Shilpakala
Academy yesterday. NN photo

Staff Reporter

First audio lab of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy was inaugurated at the National Music and Dance Centre Auditorium of the Academy in the city yesterday.

Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Shorful Alam inaugurated the audio lab as chief guest, while Assistant Professor of the Department of Drama and Music of Dhaka University and noted Tagore artiste Rezwana Chowdhury Bonya was present as special guest on the occasion.

Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam chaired the inaugural session, while Director of the Department of Music and Dance Sunil Chandra Das, artistes of the Shilpakala Academy, among others, were present at the inauguration.

Cultural Affairs Secretary said, "The newly launched audio lab is situated in the auditorium of the Music and Dance Centre of the Shilpakala Academy. Shilpakala Academy can easily preserve all records of music by its own audio laboratory. Besides, it would also give opportunity to research on audio related works."

The newly launched audio lab could preserve all type of songs including folk music. Therefore, the lab could provide recorded interviews of artistes and all kinds of information, which could play a vital role for the preservation of our rich music, said Tagore artiste Bonya.

After the inauguration of the lab all types of activities have been started. The next generation could get opportunity to learn and know more from this lab.

US AL front meets Hasina in New York

Leaders of US-based Sheikh Hasina Mukti Songram
Parishad called on the Awami League chief at Crown Plaza in
New York recently.

Staff Reporter

Leaders of Sheikh Hasina Mukti Sangram Parishad in US called on Awami League President Sheikh Hasina at New York recently, says a press release.

The six-member team, led by chairman of the Mukti Sangram Parishad Badal Akand, held an hour-long meeting with the former premier of Bangladesh.

Among others, vice-chairman of the organisation Jalal Uddin Jalil, Secretary General Kaikobad Khan, joint secretary Golam Kibria Bachchu and leaders of US unit of Awami League including publicity secretary Hokiqul Islam and agricultural affairs secretary AB Siddique were present.

Sheikh Hasina expressed her gratitude for their efforts to get her free from the prison. "All you have done is in the interest of establishing democracy in Bangladesh," she said.

Jumatul wida is of special significance

Today is the last Friday of the Holy Ramzan. It is called 'Jumatul wida'. This means 'departing Juma'. The Musallies will join the Juma congregation and will bid farewell to this month of patience and self-restraint.

The Holy Quran imposes obligation of the Friday prayer in the following verse. "O ye who believe, when the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday, hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business. That is best for you if ye but knew ; and when the prayer is finished, then may ye disperse through the land, and seek of the bounty of Allah and celebrate the praise of Allah often that ye may prosper.' (62:9-10)

The Friday prayer is obligatory for every adult and free Muslim. It applies to all groups who live together. Even who live in the smallest hamlet, has the obligation to perform this prayer.

Rasulullah performed it constantly. He said, "He who stays away from it should be consumed by fire." He said, "Let people desist and refrain from neglecting the Friday prayers else Allah will make their hearts inaccessible and they will be among those who are ignored."

(Muslim) "He who deliberately neglects the Friday prayers, Allah will make a mark on his heart." (Abu Daud).

Rasulullah (Sm) in his sermon on the Day when the Friday prayer was made obligatory, said, "Let it be known that Allah has prescribed the Friday prayer for you on this spot, in this Day, in this month, in this year, until the Day of judgement. Whoever neglects it during or after my lifetime ever though he has an Iman, who abstains and strays from the right path, who disdains and rejects Allah's Ordinance, may Allah grant him no reunification. Neither will his affairs be blessed. There shall be no prayer for him, no almsgiving, no pilgrimage, no fast. There will be no righteousness in him until he repentst. " (Ibne Maza)

The importance of Zuma prayer, specially in the departing hours of Ramzan thus bears added significance.

-Abdul Muqit Chowdhury

Level playing field yet to be created: Delwar

Staff Reporter

BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain yesterday alleged that a level playing field for participation of all political parties in forthcoming general elections has yet to be created.

The allegation was made after a meeting with UK Acting High Commissioner Duncan Norm at his NAM flat residence.

Khondoker Delwar told reporters that the amended Representation of the People Order (RPO), deadline for registration of political parties and the state of emergency were hindrances to a fair election.

After the hour-long meeting the BNP leader and UK diplomat said they discussed strengthening of democracy, election related issues and continuing reform programmes.

Duncan said the British government wanted to see a peaceful election in December with the participation of all parties.

He said the UK Government was optimistic that a free, fair and neutral election will be held in the country.

Khondoker Delwar said during the meeting he has projected his party position on the election.

"There are some obstacles to fair elections. Those have to be removed. We think the amended Representation of People Order, party registration rules and the state of emergency are all hindrances to a free and fair election," he said. The BNP leader hoped that the state of emergency must be lifted before the general elections.

"BNP is an election-oriented party. If the environment is right, BNP will participate in the parliamentary election," he said.

Among others, BNP Standing Committee members RA Gani, Chowdhury Tanveer Ahmed Siddiqui, and Khandker Mahbubuddin Ahmad, Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan and Office Secretary Rizvi Ahmed were present.

Meanwhile, BNP Standing Committee member M Saifur Rahman yesterday expressed his party's readiness to go to the next general polls and asked the caretaker government not to hold the elections under state of emergency.

"Khaleda Zia has said that the BNP will take part in next election. We also favour that notion. But problems will surface if the election is held under the state of emergency," he said while talking to reporters at his Gulshan residence.

Replying to a question, Saifur Rahman said he was ready to contest the polls if Khaleda Zia nominated him, and constituency was not a problem.

"I am ready to contest in any constituency in Sylhet," he said.

Asked whether the expulsion of former BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and former whip Ashraf Hossain would be withdrawn, Saifur said there was no scope now for nullifying the expulsion decision.

He said he was confident that his party-led four-party coalition would do better if the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh were glued in the run-up to the polls.

Robust trading in share market, good stocks show uptrend

Staff Reporter

Stocks rallied for the sixth consecutive day yesterday, the last trading day before a long nine-day rest, on speculation of profit announcement by companies after the Eid vacation.

Both the bourses in Dhaka and Chittagong were bullish yesterday, which are entering into vacation today. The trading is scheduled to resume on October 5.

The day's turnover and market capitalisation enhanced significantly, defying the prejudice that the investors pull away money from the market to meet pre-Eid expenditures, brockers said.

The pre-Eid speculation pushed the market up with most shares registering gains, pulling up the turnover and the market capitalisation, said some broker house officials.

Both institutional and retail investors bought shares yesterday to make profit in the days to come, they said.

Banks and non-bank financial institutions led the gain though some "Z" category shares companies who are not up to date in holding AGM and declaration of dividends also soared during the last few days.

The All Shares Price Index (DSI) of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) had a spectacular gain of 34.66 points or 1.40 per cent to close at 2498.45 points.

The benchmark DGEN or general index surged 41.36 points or 1.41 per cent to end on 2966.81. The DGEN rose 25 points or 0.86 per cent to close at 2,925 on Wednesday from 2,900 points on Tuesday.

The blue chip, DSE-20 gained 33.48 points or 1.37 per cent to 2466.11 yesterday preceded by 38 points gain on Wednesday.

The day's total turnover increased to Tk 4.79 billion from Wednesday's Tk 4.30 billion. Market Capitalisation increased to Tk 1.039 trillion on Thursday from Tk 1.027 trillion on Wednesday.

The All Share Price Index (CASPI) of the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) jumped up by 136.35 points or 1.53 per cent while the bourse's blue chip, CSE-30 gained 117.63 points or 1.51 per cent to 7862.52.

The CSCX or selective categories index increased 95.97 points or 1.65 per cent to finish at 5892.71.

Gainers got the better of losers on the DSE by 164 to 45 with eight issues remaining unchanged. Of the traded 139 scrips on the CSE, 109 advanced, 27 declined and three remained unchanged.

Beximco Pharma, Summit Power, ACI, Titas Gas, BEXIMCO, GRAMEENS2, BATBC, Union Capital and Lanka Bangla Finance were the day's turnover leaders in terms of value.

The day's volume leaders were AIMS 1st Mutual Fund, GRAMEENS2, Goldenson, Beximco Pharma, Beximco Textiles, Keya Cosmetics, Union Capital, Agni Systems Limited, BEXIMCO and BD Online.

Top gainers of the day were Goldenson, BD Finance, BD Thai, Glaxosmith, Saleh Carpet, BD Welding, Legacy Foot, BSC, Padma Cement and Maq Enterprise.

Top losers were Agni Systems Limited, Shajib Knit, Gemini Sea Food, BD Luggage, BD Online, Eastern Cables, Mona Food, Maq Paper, Meghna Petroleum and Perfume Chemicals.

Atop on the turnover board on the DSE, Beximco Pharma rose 4.67 per cent to Tk 136.50.

Closely behind it, Summit Power surged to end on Tk 732.25, up by 9.25 pertcent.

ACI crept up 0.01 per cent to finish at Tk 586.80.

Profit-taking, however, led state-owned Titas Gas to slip 1.54 per cent to Tk 492.50.

Beximco closed at Tk 215.20, up 6.58 per cent.

Goyesher calls for getting rid of cronies around Khaleda

Staff Reporter

BNP Joint Secretary General Goyesher Chandra Roy yesterday called for freeing party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia from cronies.

"The cronies have surrounded Begum Zia. She has to be freed from them," he said while addressing a doa and iftar mahfil organised by Jatiyatabadi Trinomul Dal, a pro-BNP organisation, at city BNP office in the city.

The BNP leader observed all political weeds and wastage would have been removed, if Begum Zia could work freely.

He said the BNP Chairperson was stronger when she was in jail. But the power is not found after her release since political cronies surround her.

Referring to the formation of the Trinomul Dal after the 1/11 changeover to give protection to the party facing massive disaster, Goyesher said leaders of this organisation guarded the party central office.

He regretted that leaders of the Trinomul Dal are being evaluated after the release of Begum Zia.

The BNP leader also called for identifying invisible enemies of the party.

The function was also attended by former BNP leader Abu Sayed Khan Khokon, former student leader Khandaker Babul Chowdhury, former youth leader Reazuddin Ahmed Nasu and Mahbubul Haque.

Information Ministry reviews ADP projects

BSS, Dhaka

The Information Ministry at a meeting yesterday reviewed the progress of annual development programme (ADP) of the ministry for the current fiscal year (2008-09).

Information Secretary Jamil Osman presided over the meeting held in the conference room of the ministry here, an official handout said.

The progress of eight ongoing development projects being implemented by various organizations under the ministry was reviewed at the meeting. A total of Taka 65.12 crore has been allocated for the projects. The information secretary directed the concerned authorities to expedite the implementation of process.

He also asked the concerned authorities to complete the projects timely and smoothly and to be sincere in maintaining financial discipline and rules.

Additional Secretary Muhammad Maumnur Rashid Chowdhury, joint secretaries Mohammad Abu Taher and Muhammad Abdul Mannan, Principal Information Officer Iftekhar Hossain, managing director of BFDC ANM Badrul Amin and other concerned officials were present.

Coal mine case: ACC charge-sheets Khaleda, 10 ex-ministers

UNB, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commission approved charge-sheeting former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, 10 powerful ministers of her cabinet and five others in the Barapukuria graft case.

According to a competent source, the anti-graft watchdog yesterday approved the submission of the charge sheet in the

high-profile case, one of many graft cases filed during the post-1/11 changeover. The Commission has decided to press charges against all the 16 accused.

ACC spokesperson Col Hanif Iqbal, however, said he was not aware of the latest development. "I don't know. It's not known to me."

This will be the third charge sheet against the immediate-past PM during the current clean-up drive, after having been charge-sheeted in Gatco and Niko graft cases.

Earlier, the investigating officer has submitted the investigation report recommending charge-sheeting all the accused.

On February 26, the ACC filed the case against Khaleda Zia, now on bail, 10 ex-ministers and five others for embezzlement of about Tk 159 crore from the exchequer through awarding Barapukuria Coal Mine deal to the highest bidder instead of the lowest.

Former finance minister Saifur Rahman, ex-BNP secretary general and LGRD minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Jamaat chief and ex-industries minister Motiur Rahman Nizami and its secretary general and ex-social welfare minister Ali Ahsam M Mujahid are the heavyweights among the ministers of the immediate-past coalition government sued by the Anti-Corruption Commission.

The other former ministers accused in the case are Health Minister Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Agriculture Minister MK Anwar, Information Minister Shamsul Islam, Commerce Minister Air Vice-Marshall (retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Telecommunications Minister Barrister Aminul Haque and State Minister for Energy AKM Mosharaff Hossain.

The rest of the accused are former energy secretary Nazrul Islam, former Petrobangla chairman and incumbent BISIC chairman SR Osmani, former Petrobangla director Moinul Ahsan, former managing director of Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Sirajul Islam and Hossaf Group chairman Moazzem Hossain.

Following the filing of the case, ACC deputy director Monirul Haque was appointed investigation officer, and after months of investigation, he submitted the memo of evidence (investigation report) in the middle of June.

But, the ACC ordered reinvestigation, as they were not satisfied with the investigation.

Later, Abul Kashem Fakir was appointed to reinvestigate the high-profile case.

AL leader Kamruzzaman passes away

UNB, Dhaka

Awami League advisory council member M Kamruzzaman passed away at the city's Central Hospital yesterday evening. He was 80.

M Kamruzzaman, a great organizer of the 1971 liberation war, had long been suffering from old age complications, party sources said.

Meanwhile, Awami League acting president Zillur Rahman and acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam condoled the death of the veteran AL leader.

They prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and expressed deep sympathy for the bereaved family.

ACC yet to decide on Hasina, Khaleda’s wealth statements

UNB, Dhaka

Over a year gone by since former Prime Ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina submitted their wealth statements to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the anti-graft watchdog is yet to make any decision about their accounts.

According to some ACC officials, it is highly unusual for the Commission to take such a long time to make a decision about wealth statements. Some pointed out that the officers concerned had to stop inquiries for a significant amount of time due to High Court stay orders.

After submission of a wealth statement, an inquiry officer is appointed to conduct the inquiry. If illegal wealth or proof of concealment is found, a case is filed. Otherwise, the matter is closed and the person concerned is informed about it.

Amid a countrywide clean-up drive in the interim period, the anti-graft watchdog issued notices on July 17 last year to Khaleda and Hasina directing them to submit their wealth statements.

The immediate-past Prime Minister, Khaleda, complied with the ACC directive through submitting her statement on August 6. In the statement she showed moveable and immovable property worth Tk 3.54 crore.

Following some legal wrangling, the other former premier, Hasina, submitted her wealth statements on September 3, disclosing much the same amount of wealth as of her political archrival, which is worth about Tk 3.5 crore.

About the delays in settling their accounts, ACC director general (admin) Col Hanif Iqbal said that a long time is required to thoroughly examine the wealth statements.

"It may take such long time. It will require long time in order to examine the wealth statements thoroughly," he said during the Commission's regular briefing on Thursday afternoon.

When his attention was drawn to a report of in a national daily stating that no illegal wealth of Khaleda and Hasina was found in the inquiries, Hanif said, "To the best of my knowledge, the Commission has not yet taken any formal decision."

Until a final decision is made, it would not be possible to say whether the former Prime Ministers have illegal wealth or not. "Nothing could be said formally until ACC's formal decision," he said.

Asked if the inquiry reports have been submitted with the Commission, the ACC spokesperson said he would have to see the files.

TAC hears ten clemency seekers

UNB, Dhaka

The Truth and Accountability Commission yesterday heard pleas of 10 corrupt individuals who have applied for clemency in return for their ill-gotten wealth.

Tac sources said those heard today are employees of Roads and Highways department and Titas Gas.

Among them, an employee of Roads and Highways has pledged to pay Tk 25 lakh to the exchequer.

With the day's hearing of 10 individuals, the total number heard by Tac so far rose to 120.

Meanwhile, no individual came to the Commission today for collecting 'Mercy Certificate'.

On Wednesday, Tac chairman Justice Habibur Rahman Khan told the regular weekly briefing that the Commission would start issuing 'Mercy Certificates' from today to those who have already deposited their ill-gotten money with the state coffer.