The New Nation - Internet Edition

Child Rights Week Oct 14-20

Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, Country Director of Hunger
Project addressing a press conference on the occasion of
Girl Child Advocacy Day yesterday. NN photo

UNB, Dhaka

Child Rights Week and World Children's Day will be observed in the country from October 14 to 20 with a promise to create a protective environment for development of children.

On the occasion, Women and Children Affairs Ministry, various NGOs and socio-cultural organizations have taken up elaborate programmes.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed will inaugurate a programme organised on this occasion at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium here Tuesday, said a handout.

Women and Children Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury will chair the programme.

Bangladesh Television will broadcast the programme live.

Meanwhile, President Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed have issued separate messages highlighting the significance of the day.

In his message, the President said, "The basic rights of children should be ensured apart from ensuring the proper development of their human qualities."

The Chief Adviser, in his message, said, "Children are the future of the nation. It's my belief that the progrmmes of this year's Child Rights Week and World Children's Day will play an important role in making all concerned more aware and responsible in realising their basic rights and fulfilling primary demands."

Artist Abdur Razzaque’s retrospective at Bengal Gallery

Visitors at the exhibition at the Bengal Gallery of
Fine Arts in the city. NN photo

Staff Reporter

A retrospective featuring solo paintings of the late artist Abdur Razzaque titled 'Rhythms of Figures, Forms and Nature' bigan at the Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts in the city on Friday.

Begum Jahanara Abedin, wife of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, inaugurated the 20-day long exhibition as chief guest.

Eminent artist Qayyum Chowdhury, freedom fighter Maj Gen (Retd) Amin Ahmed Chowdhury and Prof Nazrul Islam, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), were present as special guests on the occasion.

Luva Nahid Chowdhury, Director General of Bengal Foundation, Subir Chowdhury, Director of the gallery, Mustari Begum, wife of the artist, Asif Ahmed, son of the artist, among others, were present at the inaugural function.

Jahanara Abedin also launched a DVD of the documentary film on Abdur Razzaque titled 'Garaner Gahine' produced by the Bengal Foundation at the inauguration of the show.

A total of 179 works of the artist Abdur Razzaque are on display at the show. The exhibition remains open for all from 12:00 noon to 8:00pm everyday till October 29.

Artist Abdur Razzaque was born in Shariatpur in 1932. He was awarded the 'Ekushey Padak' in 1989 for his contribution to the field of fine arts. He died in 2005. He practiced his art with lifelong dedication. He showed mastery over all the pictorial mediums and also left a vivid impression of his talent in sculpture. This conscientious teacher and artist continued his artistic endeavours till the last moment of his life.

While reminiscing on the works of artist Abdur Razzaque, speakers said Razzaque was such an artist who did not want exposure. The sculpture at Joydebpur crossing was one of the early-stage works.

Prof Nazrul Islam said, "Artist Abdur Razzaque always liked water colour. Though water colour was favourite to him, he had also demonstrated excellence in oils, he added.

"Artist Razzaque became particularly fond of etching, dry-point, aquatint, mezzotint and engraving. Later he also applied his skills in lithographs and woodcut," he said.

7 drown in boat capsize

Body of a trawler capsize victim being recovered
from river Turag near Basila yesterday. Banglar
Chokh

Staff Reporter

Four people, including a minor boy, drowned and three others were missing as a sand laden engine boat capsized in River Turag under Mohammadpur police station in the city yesterday.

Police said the trawler sank near Dhaka Udyan at about 5:30am following a collision with another trawler. All, but seven, managed to swim ashore.

The capsized mechanized boat, with forty passengers and sand, was heading towards Gabtoli from Pagla ghat in Naryanganj when the collision took place.

Bodies of three women and one minor boy were recovered from the scene while three other passengers remained missing till last evening.

Fire Brigade recovered four bodies and identified them as Rakib, minor boy, Hazara Bibi and Nayan Tara from the scene.

The body recovery drive will continue, fire brigade source said.

Barisal Medical College reopens

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Barisal Shere Bangla Medical College (SBMC) reopened on Sunday after a closure of 50 days following the killing of a plumber.

The medical college was closed down on August 25 in the face of clashes between local people and the students of the college over the killing of a plumber named Murad reportedly by some students of the college on August 24.

Seven students alleged to be involved in the killing of the plumber are now absconding and they did not attend classes after reopening of the medical college.

Academic council of the SBMC on October 6 decided to reopen the institution and resume classes under police protection, Dr. Zahid Hossain, Principal of the college said.

According to the decision of the SBMC academic council, police have been deployed on the campus from Saturday and the three male and two female student hostels were opened on Saturday.

Hayatul Islam, Assistant Commissioner of Barisal Metropolitan Police, said that college authorities have assured to give all necessary assistance for the punishment of the killers under legal procedure, maintenance of proper educational atmosphere and controlling law and order situation on the campus.

Sub Inspector Shishir Kumar Pal, investigation officer of the case, said investigation of the case is going on after recoding statements of the witnesses, collecting postmortem report and other evidences.

The college authorities have formed an investigation committee in connection with the killing but the committee is yet to submit the report.

Local sources said police are going slowly as the college authorities are trying to negotiate the matter by holding meetings with the complainant of the case, guardians of the accused students, local councilors and members of the investigation committee.

Sources concerned said the BCC mayor, Shawkat Hossain Hiron, was trying to avoid trial and punishment for the killers as the accused students have affiliation with Bangladesh Chhatra League, student front of the Awami League. Hiron, however, denied the allegation.

BKP urges political parties to join JS polls

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Kallyan Party (BKP) Chairman Major General (Retd) Syed Muhammad Ibrahim, Bir Pratik, yesterday urged all political parties for participating in the forthcoming parliamentary polls.

" People of the country do not bother who participate in the election or not rather want free and fair election for returning the country to democratic system," he said while addressing the newcomers of the party at the party's Chairman office at DOHS, Mohakhali, in the city.

About hundred of people including six retired army officers formally joined the BKP by handing over flower bouquet to the party chairman.

It was also attended, among others, by Abul Kalam Azad, Secretary General, Hannan Mollah Palash, Vice Chairman, Sadek Ahmed Khan, Joint Secretary General and Momtaz Begum Momi, Organising Secretary, Sanwar Hossain, Shahidur Raham Tamanna, Ibrahim Khalil Mamun, Md Kahir Mahmud Munna, Finance Secretary, Advocate Azad Mahbub, Law Secretary, Syed Muhammad Nazrul Islam, Relief and Rehabilitation Secretary and Secretaries for Youth Affairs of the party Shuvashish Samaddar Shovo and Hamida Akhter.

Syed Ibrahim said it is unrealistic to boycott the polls merely on the plea of release of the party leaders.

" It is possible to release detained party leaders through due process of law," he said.

Colonel (Retd) Engineer Mostak Hossain, Lt Colonel (Retd) Enamul Huq Chowdhury, psc, Lt Colonel (Retd) Rashed Ahmed, PSC, Major (Retd) AZM Amanur Rahman, psc, Major (Retd) Sirajul Islam, Commander (Retd) Haresuddin, mds, Laila Arjuman Laila, former ward commissioner of Sherpur upazila of Bogra and businessman Zahirul Quaiyum, among others, joined the BKP.

FBCCI to launch tourism cell next month

Staff Reporter

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) will launch tourism information cell in 64 districts next month to promote eco-tourism in the country.

FBCCI formed a seven-member sub committee to identify opportunities and problems to promote eco-tourism in the country. FBCCI Director Mahbub Islam Runu will head the sub-committee.

Mahbub Islam Runu, Chairman of standing committee meeting on promotion of tourism told the New Nation that they will hold a standing committee meeting at Cox's Bazar on October 29.

He said that FBCCI would submit concrete proposals to the government next month by assembling suggestions

He hoped that the initiative of the private sectors will help increase investment in tourism sector.

The FBCCI will participate in the three-day long tourism fair to be arranged by Tour Association of Bangladesh at Cox's Bazar on October 30, he informed.

Besides, the FBCCI will also arrange low-cost eco-tourism tour cost for 50 persons each month as a part of its programme to promote tourism sector in the country.

10-hurt in Comilla students-security guards clash

UNB, Comilla

At least 10 people were injured, three by bullets, in a fierce clash between the students of Victoria College and security guards of Comilla Rail station yesterday morning.

Witnesses said disabled Saidul Islam, a 2nd year student of the college, collected tickets and boarded the Chittagong-bound train 'Jalalabad Express' from Akhaura of Brahmanbaria district in the morning.

But security guard in-charge Feroz and ansar members Khalil and Abdus Haque demanded excess money from him. They also beat him up as he refused to give the money.

After receiving the news from him over the mobile phone, the students of Victoria College attacked Comilla Rail Station at about 7.45 am and ransacked the engine of the train.

At one stage, the security guards tried to resist the agitated students that triggered the clash. Ansar members later fired five gunshots to bring the situation under control.

Ten people were injured during the clash, including college students Abul Hashem Babul, Nizamuddin and a female student by bullets.

On information, Police Super Imtiaz Ahmed, Deputy Commissioner Ataul Gani and RAB and police rushed in and brought the situation under control.

Later, the train left Comilla for Chittagong at about 10.15 pm.

Transport movement on Dhaka-Chittagong highway was disrupted for two and half hours following the clash.

IFC commits to scale up SME lending

BSS, Dhaka

The IFC South Asia Regional Team led by its Vice President Ms. Farida Khambata called on the Finance Adviser Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam who is attending the Annual World Bank-IMF meetings in Washington, DC.

The IFC team apprised the Finance Adviser about their plans to expand IFC operation in Bangladesh in promoting the private sector and in managing the Bangladesh Investment Climate Facility Programme financed by the EU and DFID, according to a message received here on Monday.

In response to Finance Adviser's request to scale up IFC's collaboration with the private sector for promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), they informed the Finance Adviser that IFC is now in the process of reorganising and strengthening their office in Dhaka.

They assured the Finance Adviser that they would provide required support to the Better Business Forum and the Regulatory Reforms Commission to improve the investment climate for private sector development.

IFC will also scale up its support to SMEs and to the financial institutions engaged in SME lending.

Barapukuria case: HC hears Khaleda’s quashing petition tomorrow

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court hears tomorrow a quashing petition filed by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia against Barapukuria Coalmine graft case in which she is the principal accused.

A division bench comprising Justice AB Mahmud Hossain and Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury Monday told Khaleda's counsel barrister Rafique-ul Huq after seeing him waiting in the lawyers' row for his turn to move the petition.

The quashing petition was filed with the High Court yesterday, a week after the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) submitted chargesheet in the Barapukuria graft case against the former premier, her 10 other former cabinet colleagues and five bureaucrats.

The chargesheet was submitted to the Dhaka CMM Court for their alleged involvement in misappropriating a huge amount of money involving the coalmine scheme.On February 26, the ACC filed the case with Shahbagh police station in the capital on charge of causing a loss of Tk 159 crore to the state coffer involving the deal. The charge involves awarding the coalmine project to the highest bidder instead of the lowest.

4 more power distribution companies in the offing

UNB, Dhaka

Four more power distribution companies are likely to come into operation from early next year.

The companies are North West Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd (NWZPDC), South Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd (SZPDC), Central Zone Power Distribution Company (CZPDC) and East Zone Power Distribution Company ltd (EZPDC).

The caretaker government has already created these new entities as public limited companies (PLCs) to run the power distribution business commercially under corporate management.

A senior official of the Power Ministry said the companies were created under an institutional reform programme called "3-year Roadmap for Power Sector."

He said that as per design of the caretaker government, all the four companies would come into operation from January next.

The existing distribution areas of the Power Development Board (PDB) would be given to the new companies for their operation, the official informed.

Among the new PLCs, NWZPDC headquartered in Rajshahi will operate in the north-western region while SZPDC based in Barisal will operate in the southern region.

Similarly, the CZPDC based in Mymensingh will operate in the central region covering Mymensinh, Jamalpur, Tangail and some other districts.

Likewise, the EZPDC with headquarters in Chittagong will operate in the Chittagong and Sylhet region.

According to official sources, the Power Ministry has already appointed managing directors and some other top officials to the three new PLCs on contract basis, while the appointment of a managing director to the EZPDC is under process.

Earlier, the previous government created Dhaka Power Supply Company ltd (DESCO), Dhaka Power Distribution Company Ltd (DPDC) and West Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd (WZPDC).

Among them, DESCO and DPDC are operating in the Dhaka city and adjoining areas, while WZPDC operating in Khulna, Faridpur and adjoining districts.

Subway system in city: Feasibility study likely to start in December

UNB, Dhaka

Feasibility study of the proposed underground Metro Rail (subway) system in Dhaka city is expected to start in December, said a senior government official yesterday.

The project for the underground Metro Rail (subway) system has been undertaken aiming to reduce traffic jam in the capital. The recently approved Strategic Transport Plan (STP) has recommended establishment of the subway system.

The proposal for the feasibility study of the underground Metro rail would be sent to the Planning Commission again within 10 days for its approval, said Communications Secretary Dr Md Mahbubur Rahman.

He was briefing reporters after a review meeting at the

Communications Ministry on the establishment of underground Metro rail (subway) system in Dhaka city and construction of Dhaka circular elevated expressway on 'build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) basis.

Earlier, on July 13, the proposal was sent to the Planning Commission, but it was sent back seeking clarification on certain points.

After getting approval from the Planning Commission, a tender for the feasibility study would be floated in November, the Communications Secretary said.

He hoped that the work on the study would start from December next.

The government has decided to construct a 60-kilometer subway and 32-kilometer elevated expressway through private investors under BOOT system.

Chaired by Communication Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader, the meeting was attended by senior officials, including Planning Commission member AKM Jafar Ullah Khan, additional secretary of Chief Adviser's Office Mostafa Kamal Haider, ERD additional secretary Md Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan and director general of Bangladesh Railway Md Belayet Hossain.

Dredging at Kirtankhola resumes

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Dredging of some portion of the river Kirtankhola resumed on Sunday after disruption for a week to save the Barisal river port, the country's second largest river port, from the verge of closure.

The fast losing navigability of the river due to heavy siltation and sharp fall in water level forced the authorities to start dredging in about 120 feet area around the port on September 30. But the dredging was suspended on October 6 by the order of the higher authority following allegation that excavated silt was being dumped in the river bed again instead of river bank. However, dredging resumed after selection of suitable riverbed for dumping of the excavated silt.

Meanwhile, shifting of the port for anchoring double and triple deck launches to BIWTA Marine Workshop Jetty on September 26 and Barisal launch station for single and semi double deck launches to KDC ghat on October 13 is stated to be causing immense sufferings to a large number of passengers. Nearly 20 thousand people use the two launch stations every day for going to different destinations by launches.

ALCWC approves party constitution

Staff Reporter

Awami League Central Working Committee (ALCWC) yesterday approved the amended constitution keeping the provision for associate organisations and foreign chapters, as per the proposal of the sub-committee headed by AL presidium member Tofail Ahmed.

The amendment to the party constitution is mandatory for getting registered with the Election Commission (EC).

AL Acting president Zillur Rahman said that the party would not take part in the upcoming parliamentary election under the state of emergency but they would mull over the matter if Sheikh Hasina was freed unconditionally.

Zillur made this remark while talking to reporters after the adjourned meeting of ALCWC at the party’s Dhanmondi office.

He said the ALCWC has approved the amendments to some provisions in the party constitution.

He also informed that AL would formally apply to the Election Commission (EC) for registration on October 15.

AL acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam, while briefing journalists, said, “ The ALCWC has approved amendments to some provisions after a long discussion.”

He said, “ We have decided to retain all the associate organisations and foreign chapters. All the associate organisations will be operated as per their constitutions and the foreign units will abide by the rules and regulations of the host countries and uphold the ideals and principles of AL.”

The number of associate organisations are eleven and the latest one is Jubo Mohila League, which was formed in 2003.

As per the amended provisions, the party fund will rest with the treasurer and he will run all the financial activities with the approval of the president and general secretary of the party.

The amendment also contains that the party will work for reserving 33 per cent seats for female representatives in the party including in the working committee.

About awarding nomination, the amendment says that grassroots leaders will make a five-member panel of aspiring parliamentary poll candidates for each constituency by secret ballots and send it to the AL parliamentary board for selection.

Asaraful Islam disclosed the party’s stand on the deferment of the December 18 election saying, “ The national election cannot be deferred under any circumstances.”

He also demanded a rational and realistic date for upazila election at least one month after the national election.

He said AL would hold fresh talks with the Advisory Council and the EC to reset the date and time of the upazila elections, now slated for December 24 and 28.

“If necessary, we will be obligated to wage street agitation for a realistic timetable for the upazila elections,” he said.

The ALCWC condemned the bomb planting on the premises of the Judges Complex and sending of death threat to four noted lawyers, including Barrister Rafiq-ul-Huq, Ashraful said.

“Under the state of emergency, how can such an attack take place?” He questioned.

He asked the government to disclose the names of the masterminds of the terrorist activities and bring them to book immediately.

He informed that the party would observe protest rally across the country demanding the unconditional release of Sheikh Hasina and withdrawal of all the cases filed against her.

AL presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed, Matia Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, among others, were present in the meeting.

Reducing subsidy in service sector opposed

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a seminar called upon the Caretaker Government for not taking initiative for reduction of subsidy in service orientated sectors following the direction of the donor agencies in the country.

“National development is not possible to follow the direction of the World Bank, IMF and other donors agencies,” they said while addressing the seminar in observance of weeklong programme against the hunger, poverty and deprivation. Sushasoner Jonny Procharavizan (SJP), a non-government organisation organised the seminar at the National Press Club.

Mostafizur Rahman, Vice-President of SJP presided over the seminar while Shahid Ullah of SJP presented the keynote paper.

BNP Standing Committee Member Lt Gen Mahbubur Rahman, Prodip Kumar Roy, Chief Executive of SJP, Ahmed Swapan Mahmud, Advocate Tanvirul Islam Siddique and among others were addressing at the seminar.

The donor agencies have created pressure on the government to reduce investment on healthcare and education sectors, Ahmed Swapan Mahmud, an NGO activist said.

He alleged that the poor portion of the population have been depriving to get healthcare day by day following the reduction of investment in health sector in the country.

He called upon the people to launch the movement against the donor agencies for their misdirection.

Lt Gen Mahbubur Rahman said that the Government should consent to the public before taking loan from donor agencies in service-oriented sector.

He observed that Bangladesh should be freed from debt-tap of the donor agencies.

Mostafizur Rahman said the private hospitals have imported duty free medical equipments in the name of providing services. But they didn’t provide service properly, he alleged.

Shahid Ullah at his keynote paper suggested the government for not to finalise the health policy without consent of people.