The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bibiyana power plant project in limbo

UNB, Dhaka

After months of processing, the much awaited 450 megawatt Bibiyana power plant project now appears to be stuck in a limbo as the Cabinet Purchase Committee in its last meeting early this month decided to re-evaluate the tender submitted by a lone bidder, the Powertek Consortium of Malaysia and South Korea.

The decision to re-evaluate the bid was taken as the bidder quoted a very high tariff of about 4.53 US cents per kilowatt whereas the tariff for Meghnaghat 450 MW power plant was only 2.79 US cents per kilowatt.

According to informed sources, the decision for re-evaluation of the project was also prompted by the question about assured supply of gas for the proposed power plant, especially in view of depleting flow of gas from the country's existing reserves.

It was also pointed out that the proposed Bibiyana plant should have 'dual-fuel' option instead of 'single-fuel', considering the uncertain situation of gas supply, the sources said.

Moreover, the Cabinet Purchase Committee has pointed out that Malaysian company Powertek and South Korean company KEPCO entered into their joint venture after both of them were separately pre-qualified as bidders, which is against the usual bidding norms.

The decision to re-evaluate the offer of the lone bidder has now made implementation of the Bibiyana power plant project uncertain, industry analysts feared.

They pointed out that inability of the Power Cell, which is an arm of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR), in handling the project has put the country's much neglected power sector in total shambles.

The Power Cell had earlier reduced the competitiveness of the bidding process for Bibiyana project by disqualifying another potential bidder, the local Summit Group in partnership with GE power company, alleging they did not have a 'net worth' of US$ 100 million-plus.

But Summit Group, a pioneer in infrastructure projects in power and port sectors of the country, submitted two certificates from SF Ahmed & Co. and Hoda Vasi Choudhury & Co, stating that Summit had the 'net worth' required to qualify for the Bibiyana project.

Earlier, in 2004, Summit Group had been awarded the proposed Sirajganj 450 MW project which the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the soft-loan window of the World Bank, had agreed to finance. But during the fag end of the previous government, the award was cancelled, ostensibly on political grounds, informed sources claimed.

The Bibiyana is rather a newly conceived project, but was prioritized and leapfrogged ahead of the Sirajganj project, thanks to the lobbying by Chevron, the US-based oil major which owns Bibiyana gas field. Meanwhile, re-tendering for the Sirajganj project, it was learnt, has been shelved until 2009.

But the Bibiyana project soon got mired in problems caused by mishandling by the Power Cell, which was apparently favouring foreign companies though Summit, the local company, bid the tender with GE (20%) as joint venture, sources in the industry alleged.

Right to Information Ordinance comes to force: Not enough new rights guaranteed

Staff Reporter

The Right to Information Ordinance, 2008, ensuring free flow of information and citizen's access to information was published yesterday in government gazette.

The ordinance provides that officials shall be bound to give information within 20 days of formal request by any citizen. If the official concerned is unable to provide the information, he is required to communicate to the information seeker within 10 days showing the reasons.

If the information involves more than one department, the official concerned is to provide it within 30 days.

In case it is linked with one's life and death, arrest or release from jail, the first information has to be provided within 24 hours. If the official fails to provide the information within the time, it will be deemed that he refused to give the information and liable for punishment.

A citizen who requires information will send the request to the official concerned in writing or through electronic media or e-mail with his detail address.

However, the authorities will not disclose information about 20 subjects. These include information involving national security, integrity and sovereignty, harm existing relations with foreign countries, international organizations and regional forum or organization, secret information obtained from a foreign government, disclosure of information that may hurt the interest of third party's intellectual property right, trade and business, disclosure of information that may hinder enforcing existing law or encourage offence, subjudice matter, matter under investigation, damage privilege of Jatiya Sangsad, advance information about question paper or examination result, documents including summary to be placed at cabinet meeting and discussion or decision on the matter at the cabinet meeting.

If any official concern deny information without any reason within the stipulated time, he will be fined Tk 50 for each day. However, amount of fine will not exceed Tk 5,000.

Under the ordinance a 3-member Information Commission will be set up soon to monitor whether the information is being provided to citizens properly. Principal Information Commissioner will be chief executive of the Information Commission. Out of three members, one will be a female. It will be an independent statutory body.

The Information Commission or Chief Information Commissioner is vested with powers of a civil court under Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act V of 1908).

The ordinance comes into force immediately, baring article 8, 24 and 25 relating to appeal against violation of the rules. The provisions under these articles will come into force after 90 days.

Murder in Ctg: One to die, 10 get life term

Chittagong Correspondent

The Speedy Trial Tribunal (STT) in the port city today ordered death penalty to a first degree murderer and life-term imprisonment to 10 of his accomplices.

Judge of the tribunal Mohammad Shafiqul Karim also asked the accomplices of the murderer to pay Taka 10 thousand each as penalty or to serve two more years in the jail.

The verdict came on the murder of Utpal Barua, an Advanced level student, that took place near the United Nations Park in the city on March 4, 2006.

The murderer put on the death row is identified as Mohammad Ibrahim. He and four of his 10 accomplices now absconding and were tried in absentia.

Sufal Hossain, Faisal Khan, Mohammad Rashed, Rupam Das, Mohammad Mijan, Ishtiaque Hossain, Shahidul Islam, Rabiul Hossain, Iqbal Hossain and Liton Biswas were given life term jail for assisting the murderer.

The convicts stabbed Utpal Barua to death over an old enmity while he was going to a coaching center. He succumbed to his wounds on the way to Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

Parents of the victim recorded a murder a case with the local police station in this connection. Police, after investigation, submitted charge sheet accusing 11 youths of the pre-planned killing.

The case was later sent to the Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal from the District and Sessions Judge Court in January this year.

DCCI Trade Fair opens on Oct 30

Staff Reporter

An exclusive Trade Fair is being organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) from October 30 to November 1 at the Bangladesh-China friendship Conference Centre.

Adviser for Commerce Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman is expected to inaugurate the fair, which would be held to mark the 50th founding anniversary of the DCCI.

The fair, which is part of the ensuing International Business Conference to be held during the same time at the same venue, will display exportable products and services by domestic and foreign companies.

The fair will remain open throughout the conference time, and is expected to draw several thousand visitors who are attending the Conference, including hundreds of foreign delegates.

About a hundred stalls have been installed where many reputed organizations have already booked their places for display of items.

The fair, which is an added attraction of the high profile Conference, is aimed at enhancing international trade of Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Pacal Lamy sent his compliments to the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the eve of DCCI International Business Conference.

Oil price rises to $67 as OPEC to cut output

AP/UNB, Singapor

Oil prices rebounded from a 16-month low to rise above US$67 yesterday in Asia on expectations OPEC will move to shore up plummeting prices with an output quota cut today Light, sweet crude for December delivery rose 71 cents to US$67.46 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange by midafternoon in Singapore.

The contract Wednesday fell US$5.43 to settle at US$66.75 a barrel, the lowest close for a front-month contract since June 13, 2007.

Investors are eyeing an emergency meeting Friday in Vienna of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, where members have said that they would like prices to fluctuate between US$70 and US$90 a barrel.

"US$70 seems to be OPEC's floor price so when it breaks through there, it's probably a good time to buy for some investors," said Gerard Rigby, an energy analyst with Fuel First Consulting in Sydney.

Chakib Khelil, Algeria's oil minister and OPEC's current president, said he expected a "significant" production cut since global supply outpaces demand by about 2 million barrels a day. "If they only cut 1 million barrels, the market probably won't react much to it," Rigby said. "Anything around 1.5 million to 2 million and you'll likely see a short-term bounce in price." Investors have been preoccupied this week by signs that turmoil in global financial markets may be triggering a severe economic slowdown that will undermine crude demand.

The Energy Information Administration said Wednesday crude inventories jumped by 3.2 million barrels last week, above the 2.9 million barrel increase expected by analysts surveyed by energy information provider Platts. Gasoline inventories rose by 2.7 million barrels last week, and inventories of distillates, which include heating oil and diesel, rose by 2.2 million barrels. Over the last four weeks, the EIA said, motor gasoline demand was down 4.3 percent from the same period last year. Distillate fuel demand was down 5.8 percent, and jet fuel demand was down 9.2 percent.

"It's the demand numbers that are the most worrisome to the market," Rigby said. "People are just bearish, thinking we're all heading for a global recession."

In other Nymex trading, heating oil futures rose 1.44 cents to US$2.05 a gallon, while gasoline prices gained 0.41 cents to US$1.58 a gallon. Natural gas for November delivery fell 3.8 cents to US$6.74 per 1,000 cubic feet.

In London, November Brent crude was up 47 cents to US$64.99 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.

ACC unearths Tk 200 cr property scam

UNB, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has primarily unearthed massive corruption and irregularities where government property worth Tk 200 crore might have been illegally handed over to two private organizations.

ACC director general (admin) Col Hanif Iqbal told the Commission's regular briefing yesterday afternoon that a special team constituted to look into graft in the Land Ministry has found out the irregularities involving Basundhara Housing and Borak Builders.

He said the special ACC team that started work on September 15 is now investigating the two cases of irregularities-one involving exchange of government khas land with Basundhara Housing and the other relating to construction of a multi-storied building by Borak Builders on the government land leased to Red Crescent Society.

According to the special team, a file is under process in the Land Ministry relating to exchange of 80.29 acre nonagricultural government khas land in seven mouzas under Gulshan thana with 85 acre land bought by Basundhara in three mouzas of Dhaka's Keraniganj upazila.

During the process of the file, Basundhara Housing illegally carried out earth filling on the 80.29 acre khas land, sold out plots and handed those over to different individuals and organizations.

Due to such action, it is primarily estimated that government property worth Tk 100 crore can go out of hand.

The ACC team is now engaged in writing letters to different government offices to examine the matter thoroughly.

About construction of a multi-storied building by Borak Builders on the government land leased to Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), the ACC team found out that in 1979, then deputy commissioner of Dhaka at the directive of the Land Ministry leased .82 acre of land to the BDRCS for 30 years in Kakrail mouza, the prime zone in the capital.

In 2001, the BDRCS applied for permanent allocation for constructing a multi-storied building on that land. But in 2004 the Land Ministry turned down the application and cancelled the lease.

Later, ignoring the Land Ministry, BDRCS applied again to Dhaka deputy commissioner for permanent allocation of the piece of land. Then deputy commissioner Abdus Sattar along with permanent allocation gave the permission for constructing an 18-storied building. The DC allegedly had done this through abuse of power without informing the Land Ministry.

Following the permanent allocation, BDRCS signed an 'unequal' agreement with Borak Builders -- 75 percent for Borak and 25 percent for BDRCS in the project. In light of the agreement, Borak constructed a 20-storied building on the government land though Rajuk had approved construction of a 14-storied building including basements.

As a result, government property worth about Tk 100 crore has been handed over to a private organization, Col Hanif said, adding that the matter is being examined thoroughly with due importance.

Replying to a question, he said the primary inquiries on the two matters are on and it would be known upon completion of the inquiries who are the individuals and what are the wrongdoings involved. "Legal action will be taken against those involved."

Asked about ACC's earlier decision not to take many land-related complaints into consideration on grounds that those were outside their schedules, Hanif said that in the two cases, the Commission is working as loss of the state is involved. "These are offences under ACC schedule. ACC does not work if the crimes are not under its schedule."

About taking action against the so-called land grabbers, he said the ACC in no way could ignore those who are involved with the loss of the state.

About land-related complaints from members of the public, Hanif said that mere lodging of complaints is not enough, there should be prima facie evidence for the ACC to work on.

TAC starts grilling govt officials for alleged involvement in graft

UNB, Dhaka

The Truth and Accountability Commission (Tac) yesterday started grilling government high officials in connection with graft as their alleged involvement was found while hearing the clemency pleas of their subordinates.

The three-member Commission yesterday questioned an incumbent revenue officer of the Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL), sources said.

BTCL revenue officer Mohammad Shajahan was grilled for about two hours and he would be called in again to appear before the Commission, as the questioning was not finished.

According to the sources, the Commission got enough information about corruption during the questioning and some other names involved in malpractices.

The BTCL officer questioned today was the first among 17 government high officials summoned by Tac after their alleged involvement in corruption was found during hearing of their subordinates.

The quizzing of the remaining officials would begin next week.

Meanwhile, Tac heard the clemency pleas of seven corrupt individuals yesterday.

The seven individuals heard today are employees of BTCL, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), Housing department, a sub-registrar and his wife, the sources said.

ECNEC approves 11 projects

UNB, Dhaka

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) yesterday approved 11 projects, including Tk 681-crore one on higher education quality enhancement providing research funds to the public and private universities who reportedly remained high and dry in this important sector.

The total cost of the 11 projects is Tk 4547 crore with Tk 3518 crore foreign aid from IDA, ADB, SDC EC, WB and IDAS.

Presided over by Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhrudin Ahmed, today's ECNEC meeting was attended by the advisers, special assistants to the chief adviser, secretaries and high officials of different ministries.

The higher education quality enhancement project funded by the World Bank got the go from the ECNEC with loan negotiations remaining incomplete, officials said.

"The negotiation is still going on," said a Planning Commission high official.

He said the Planning Commission had opposed the World Bank project proposal as it did not match the needs of the country.

As per the project document, the government would provide research funds to the 31 public universities if their research proposals maintain a quality while the number of the private universities is almost double.

"The contribution of the universities in the research arena is not significant. Under this project the government will fund the research of the universities," Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam told the reporters after the ECNEC meeting at the Planning Commission office.

Of the Tk 681-crore allocation, a sum of Tk 598 crore would be funded by the World Bank for the project to run from 2009 to 2013.

For the funds of this project the research proposals would have to pass from the evaluation committee comprising experts from different sectors.

The government in the past week formed a seven-member loan negotiation team, headed by Economic Relations Division's additional secretary M Mosharraf Hossain. Representatives of the ministries of finance, education and law and the University Grants Commission are also on the committee.

Earlier, the commission had opposed the project as it would not be wise for the government to take loans from the World Bank and give the money in grants to private universities, which collect a huge sum in fees from students.

The commission also said colleges offering higher education under the National University were facing serious problems in maintaining education quality while public universities and such colleges cater the need for higher education for more than 90 per cent of the students pursuing higher studies.

The project will have four components - promoting academic innovations, building institutional capacity, raising connectivity capacity of the higher education sector and project management.

The academic-innovation component, involving Tk 350 crore or $50 million, is focused on private universities.

McCain will 'endanger’ US: Obama

BBC Online

US Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama has warned that rival John McCain would "endanger" US security.

He said that the election winner would face security "tests", due in part to President George Bush's "bad policies".

His running-mate, Joe Biden, said at the weekend that Obama could face a "generated international crisis" within six months of becoming president.

McCain, the Republican candidate, said Biden's remarks proved Obama would be a risky presidential choice.

Opinion polls indicate that Obama is leading McCain with less than two weeks to go before the 4 November election.

American voters, this time round, are highly motivated

A Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Thursday gives Obama a 12-point lead over McCain, with 52% to his 40%.

An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll puts Obama on 52%, 10 points ahead of McCain, while a Gallup tracking poll has the Democrat ahead by eight points, with 52% to McCain's 44%.

However, an AP-GfK poll released on Wednesday suggests a much narrower margin, putting Obama only one point ahead, with 44% support to his rival's 43%.

Responding to attacks over Biden's comment on the likelihood that he would be "tested" by an international crisis, Obama said his running-mate "sometimes engages in rhetorical flourishes".

"His core point was, the next administration is going to be tested regardless of who it is," he told reporters.

"The question is: Will the next president meet that test by moving America in a new direction, by sending a clear signal to the rest of the world that we are no longer about bluster and unilateralism and ideology?"

Does McCain's inability to think on his feet, to go off the page, count against him?

Obama also accused John McCain of wanting to continue "the policies that have put our economy into crisis and endangered our national security".

The McCain camp rejected Obama's explanation, and accused him of lacking leadership.

Hasina to return home in 1st week of Nov

Staff Reporter

Awami League (AL) chief Sheikh Hasina returns home in the first week of November, as her treatment would initially be completed by this month.

Hassan Mahmud, Special Assistant of Sheikh Hasina disclosed this in Dhaka yesterday.

Sheikh Hasina had an appointment with doctors on Oct 17, but it has been shifted to Oct 29, he said.

Hasan also informed that Hasina would also attend an important meeting with top officials of the US State Department at the end of this month.

The former prime minister is set to meet Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma in London at the beginning of November, Mahmud added.

Hasina is currently staying with her daughter in Canada, he said.

Mahmud went to London on Oct 9 and met the AL chief there. He also accompanied Hasina to Brussels and Toronto.

Sheikh Hasina was released on June 11 by an executive order of the government. She flew to the US for medical treatment on June 12.

Exhibition on climate change concludes

DU Correspondent

A two-day-long exhibition on Climate Change ended at the TSC of Dhaka University yesterday.

A large number of photographs relating to climate change were put on display at the exhibition. These photos depicting how climate change is affecting the country.

Nagarik Sanghati, a social organisation, arranged the exhibition.

A photograph showed how a boy is rafting along the water logged Minto Road adjacent to the Sheraton Hotel in the capital.

Prof Sirajul Islam of Dhaka University inaugurated the exhibition. President of the organisation Prof ASM Atiqur Rahman and Dean of Social Science Faculty Prof Harun-or-Rashid, among others, were present in the inaugural function.

Prof Sirajul Islam blamed the developed countries and their rich citizens for defacing our country.

He urged the youth community to come forward to save the country from the devastation of the climate change.

Shares slide amid recession fears

BBC Online

European share indexes have fallen further, as fears of a global recession swept through the major markets.

The FTSE-100 index was down 2.5% or 99.7 points at 3941.2 by early afternoon, with France's Cac 40 down 3.3% and Germany's Dax down 3.8%.

UK retail sales grew at their slowest rate in two-and-a-half years in September, a sign of tough conditions.

Sterling also remained under pressure - close to a five-year dollar low - as traders anticipated more rate cuts.

Investors are concerned about the global economy and how long the financial crisis will endure. Key recent market developments:

Sterling stayed near the five-year low of $1.6148 reached on Wednesday, trading at about $1.6299

South Korea's Kospi index fell 7.4%, its lowest close since July 2005. The Korean won lost 5% of its value against the dollar

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was down 4.7%, at its lowest ebb since April 2005

At one point, the Nikkei was trading at 8,016.61, its lowest level for more than five years. It recovered to close down 213 points or 2.5% at 8,460 points

The yen strengthened against the dollar and the euro overnight. The dollar hit a seven-month low of 96.85 yen, while the euro hit a six-year low of 123.40 yen

Indian shares opened down 4.8% at their lowest since June 2006. The rupee has so far shed nearly 21% against the dollar in 2008 In Australia, the benchmark index closed down 4.4% The Dow Jones index closed down 5.7% on Wednesday.

Export fears The fall in Japanese stocks overnight was triggered in part by weak export data.

The impact of the global slowdown has had a clear impact on Japan's exports.

Ban Ki-moon for better world in 21st century

BSS, Dhaka

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said this is a crucial year in the life of the United Nations.

"We have just passed the midpoint in the struggle to reach the Millennium Development Goals - our common vision for building a better world in the 21st century," he said in a message on the eve of the United Nations Day.

He said that "we can see more clearly than ever that the threats of the 21st century spare no one." Climate change, the spread of disease and deadly weapons, and the scourge of terrorism all cross borders, he pointed out.

"If we want to advance the global common good, we must secure global public goods."

The UN Secretary-General said many countries are still not on track to reach the Millennium Development Goals by the target date of 2015. "I am also deeply concerned about the impact of the global financial crisis. Never has leadership and partnership been more important."

"This makes our success at the high-level MDG event in September all the more remarkable. We brought together a broad coalition for change. Governments, CEOs and Civil Society. We generated unprecedented commitment in pledges and partnerships to help the world's poor."

Human chain against cutting trees

Members of Bangladesh Paribesh Bachao Andolon and
Bangladesh Adibashi Forum formed a human chain in the city
yesterday in protest against chopping thousands of trees in
Khashia Panji in Moulvibazar. Banglar Chokh

DU Correspondent

Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (BAPA) and Bangladesh Adibashi Forum yesterday formed a human chain at the TSC area of Dhaka University in protest against the cutting of trees at Khasiapally in Moulvibazar.

Almost 200 people participated in the human chain carrying placards and shouting slogans.

BAPA President Prof Mozaffar Ahmed, President of Adibashi Forum Dr Abdul Matin, Prof Mahbuba Nasrin, Prof Kahndaker Mokaddem Hossain, the representatives of different environmental organisations and some Adibashi people, among others, took part in the programme.

BAPA President urged the government to show felling tress at Khasiapally saying that it poses a threat to environment.

Friday as weekly holday demanded

DU Correspondent

Executive President of Jamiyate Ulamaye Islam Bangladesh Moulana Mohiuddin Khan yesterday urged the government to retain Friday as the weekly holiday.

He said this at a rally at the Trust Auditorium in the city.

Mohiuddin Khan said a vested quarter is hatching conspiracy to convert the holiday and they are also making complexity to take admission of madrasah students in the Dhaka University,.

Vice President of the organisation Moulana Abdul Wadud presided over the rally.

NAP President Sheikh Anwarul Haque, Secretary General of Bangladesh Muslim League Atiqul Islam and the General Secretary of National Democratic Party Alamgir Majumder spoke in the rally.

Govt approves second PRSP targeting: 7% economic growth for 3 years

UNB, Dhaka

This is an unelected but not a normal three-month caretaker government that cannot take any policy decision, the Finance Adviser reminded as they approved yesterday a second PRSP targeting nearly 7% economic growth for 3 years.

"We are unelected, but not a normal three-month government. I don't know if the next elected government will own it or not-it is the matter of theirs," Dr Mirza Azizul Islam said.

He made the remarks as reporters asked him if the interim regime has the locus standi to make and adopt such main economic development policy document without public representation.

The present caretaker government was installed through the 1/11, 2007 changeover with military backing dismissing the short-lived previous caretaker government amid a political crisis over the issues of January 22 general election that was also canceled.

And this interim regime has carried out sweeping reforms and anti-graft drives based on many policy decisions aiming to make a fresh start with a clean slate through next elections.

The government yesterday approved the 'Moving Ahead: National Strategy for Accelerated Poverty Reduction II' for three fiscal years (2009-2011), which is popularly known as PRSP-II, although the Finance Adviser wasn't sure the upcoming elected government would continue or scrap it.

The PRSP got the approval at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed.

After the meeting, Dr Aziz, responding to the reporters' questions, said they are not a normal three-month government as stipulated in the constitution and so they have lot many things to do in this long interregnum.

He, however, said it seemed to him that no government has any problem about reducing poverty, keeping macroeconomic stability and creating congenial atmosphere for investment.

"The PRSP II is a blueprint; I think no one has problem with its main objectives. If anyone does have any minor difference, then it could be included easily," the custodian of the exchequer of the caretaker government said.

Chalking out the main difference about the PRSP-II from the previous one, the Finance Adviser said this time it is elaborated and cost of the achievement indicated.

The new poverty-reduction strategy paper (PRSP) projected GDP growth for 2008-09, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 fiscal years as 6.5, 7 and 7.2 percent.

Inflation, which had climbed to double-digit figures last fiscal amid an unusual food-price hike, has been projected at 9, 7.5 and 7 percent for the three fiscal years.