The New Nation - Internet Edition

Stormy weather persists in coastal region Launch with 100 on board sinks: Movement of river transports suspended

A passenger launch seen sinking in the river off
Hatiya during yesterday's inclement weather. The fate of the
passengers on board numbering about 100 could not be
ascertained. FocusBangla

Staff Correspondent

Almost all the places under Chittagong, Barisal, Khulna and Dhaka Divisions experienced light to moderate rainfall throughout the day yesterday due to low formed over the west-central Bay and adjoining northwest Bay.

Intermittent shower disrupted all normal activities in the coastal areas of Chittagong, Barisal and Khulna.

A passenger launch was capsized in Meghna river off Hatiya under the impact of the stormy weather. The fate of about 100 passengers of the sunken launch could not be ascertained.

Inclement weather forced many residents of Dhaka city to remain indoors for most parts of the day. The people who ventured out in the midst of shower had to face immense difficulties in getting transports. Rickshaws, three wheelers, cabs and buses were few and far between on the streets everywhere in the capital. Rickshaw pullers, cab and auto-rickshaw drivers charged fares according to their sweet will on the plea of foul weather.The commuters, who had to come out of their homes under compelling circumstances , had to cave in to their irrational and whimsical demand.

Though government and semi-government offices, autonomous bodies and big private organisations remained closed yesterday as part of weekly holidays kitchen markets and numerous small shops all over the capital city were open yesterday as usual. Their business was dull due to rainfall throughout the day yesterday.

Many enthusiastic sports lovers were frustrated as the first day of the second test between Bangladesh and New Zealand at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium was abandoned due to murky weather.

Meanwhile, Met Office said that under the influence of depression heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur at places under Chittagong, Barisal, Khulna and Dhaka Divisions during next 24 hours. All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to take shelter immediately.

Our Barisal Correspondents adds : Normal life in Barisal region became paralysed as a result of light to heavy downpour and gusty wind since Saturday night.

Barisal weather office recorded 80 millimetres rainfall in 10 hours since 6:00 AM yesterday.

People were found stranded at different points due to shortage of transports on the roads in the city.

Day labourers had to stay indoors because of rainfall.

Most of the shops, kitchen markets, grocery and confectioneries and restaurants had small number of customers.

Port authorities stopped plying of ML type water transports less than 65 feet in length on 76 routes in Barisal, 21 routes in Patuakhali, 13 routes in Barguna and 14 routes in Bhola Coastal services on five routes of Barisal-Bhola-Laxmipur-Chittagong were also suspended.

The decision was taken after the low over west-central Bay and adjoining area moved slightly west-northwestwards and intensified into a well marked low over west-central Bay and adjoining northwest Bay. The river port authorities in Barisal region hoisted cautionary weather signal No. 2 from Saturday morning.

Rafiqul Islam, deputy director of BIWTA and officer in charge of Barisal Port said that the ML type launch operation would not be resumed till the weather condition improved.

Reports from Kuakata sea beach said tourists left Kuakata shore due to adverse weather condition Local authorities and volunteers of Cyclone Preparedness Programme of the Red Crescent had asked people to prepare for taking shelter at safe places within a short notice at any moment.

Convicts under emergency rules can't contest polls: CEC; JS, Upazila polls schedules Nov 2

ATM Shamsul Huda

Staff Reporter

The Election Commission (EC) is set to announce the schedules for the ninth parliamentary elections and upazila polls on November 2.

"We'll announce the parliamentary and upazila polls schedules on November 2, said Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda while inaugurating a training programme for Deputy Commissioners (DCs) on Electoral Laws and Rules at NEC Bhaban in the city yesterday. The parliamentary polls would be held on December 18 while the upazila elections have been planned for December 24 and December 28.

The CEC asked the DCs to work without fear from the day of announcing schedule to hold the elections in an impartial manner.

"You will have to work fearlessly. This is a golden opportunity for the government officials to apply the electoral laws and rules for holding a credible election," he said.

Dr Huda made it clear that only the EC has the right to direct the returning officers for election purposes.

"Even the Chief Adviser (CA) has no right to dictate the returning officers during the election period," he said. The CEC asked the DCs to be careful so that no voter is deprived in casting his/her vote for such a silly mistake as spelling in names.

He also asked the DCs to work neutrally during applying electoral rules and regulations.

Dr Huda instructed that the candidates from registered political parties would only be eligible to contest the forthcoming elections and no rebel leaders would get the chance of taking part in the elections under the respective party names.

Regarding convicted persons, he said those who are convicted under the emergency powers rules would not be eligible for election. He, however said that if anyone is convicted by any court under normal laws for less then two years, he/she would not be able to file nomination papers to contest the polls.

Election Commissioner M Sohul Hussain emphasised the importance of the role of DCs in applying the electoral laws to hold an impartial election.

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (Retd) M Shakhawat Hossain said the DCs only could play a vital role in holding the elections in a free, fair and impartial manner.

32 DCs attended the training programme in the first phase while another 32 DCs would take part in the second phase of the training to be held on October 28.

Of parties and registration

Hasnat Abdul Hye

At long last, the Election Commission has breathed a sigh of relief. The agonised uncertainty that hovered over it so long is over. The major political parties are no longer oscillating between 'to be or not to be. After taking equivocal postures, they have now crossed the Rubicon. First the Awami League, and then the BNP submitted the forms for registration under the amended Representation of the People Order (RPO), 2008. Until the last moment it appeared that BNP was dithering, having tagged registration with the fulfilment of their 7 point's demand that included cancellation of RPO, 2008 itself. At their request the deadline for submission of application was extended by five days, from 15 to 20 October, so that their dialogue with the government could be concluded. In the event, BNP submitted the form for registration within the extended deadline without waiting for the dialogue to be over. Clarifying their decision it was said by the BNP Secretary General that applying for registration and participation in election was not the same, implying that they might yet abstain from election if their demands were not met. The onus of making the party to agree to go for the hustings was thus thrust on the government. In the meeting held with the party on 23 December, the government reportedly accepted in principle 6 out of 7 demands submitted by it, including lifting of the emergency. There has, however, been no formal announcement in this regard from the government side.

According to available report, a total of 107 political parties have applied for registration, a number that may not have been surprising to the Election Commission. It is common knowledge that come election time, parties proliferate exponentially. Some of these have existence only in name, with a few signboards displayed here and there. Some are centred around a single leader and his/her acolytes. It has been indicated that about 37 parties might qualify after scrutiny.

Though somewhat inter-linked, the dialogues of the major political parties with the caretaker government and the Election Commission have been on different issues. The discussion with the Election Commission centred around registration and eligibility of parties for the same. Though the parties discussed with the Election Commission regarding upazila election it was not a core issue. Almost all the parties reacted negatively when the Representation of the People Order, 2008 was announced. They grumbled that not adequate discussion was held with them by the Election Commission before finalising the amendment. In this connection, they objected to some provisions in the amended Ordinance. A few parties, including Awami League felt that the non-political government had no authority to amend the Order.

The most common and valid objection was over the limited time available for completing formalities before submitting the forms for registration. For instance, many of the conditions to be fulfilled for eligibility required amendment of the parties' constitutions and this not only required time but was hobbled by the fact that council meeting for the same could not be held during emergency. Some of the conditions for eligibility, like having offices at districts and upazilas with a minimum number of members, securing a certain percentage of votes and seats in the last general election, were considered draconian by many parties.

The Election Commission took a conciliatory and pragmatic approach and either dropped or amended the conditions and requirements to be met by the parties. In view of the difficulty of amending the constitution within the available time and the prevailing circumstances, it was decided that draft version of their constitutions would be accepted if the required changes were incorporated. Accordingly, most of the political parties amended their constitution in a hurry in conformity with the requirements of the RPO, 2008. Liberal Democratic Party was the first to submit the form and obtain registration. The BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami parties were the last to submit. Awami League in its amended constitution mentioned that students and labour wings would be treated as associate bodies. But this did not satisfy the Election Commission. Awami League further amended the constitution, dropping the student and labour fronts but mentioned that these could be organised independently under their own constitution and run in accordance with that. BNP followed suit, making similar provisions in their amended constitution. The Election Commission showed naivete in believing that this fulfilled the requirement of keeping students and workers out of party politics. It is obvious that to satisfy the Commission the parties have adopted the stratagem of merely changing the style and not the substance. Like deft magicians, they have kept student and labour fronts under camouflage, through sleight of hand.

If the Election Commission was serious about banning students and workers in national politics it should have demanded that the constitution of parties should abjure any association with either of these groups in any form or under any arrangement. The time for obtaining a firm commitment from the political parties not to involve students and workers is now, when the parties are eager to be registered. That chance has been lost by default, it seems.

The Election Commission relaxed the condition for having party offices at district and upazila levels and reduced the minimum number to 50 upazilas and 10 districts. Similar reduction was made in the minimum number of enrolled members required. Regarding regular activities at all levels, greater leeway was allowed for flexibility. Same went for the number of Jatyo Sangshad seats won and percentage of votes secured during the last general election. If strictly applied, these would have whittled down the number of parties. When the intention of the Election Commission was to weed out paper-based and signboard-using spurious parties this was the right thing to do. Concessions in these respects were unjustified and may have been counter-productive.

BNP has somewhat democratised the organisation and management of the party. The amended constitution provides for election of the executive committee and the standing committee by the council in a meeting. But this populist move has been eclipsed by the power given to the chairperson to expel any member unilaterally. This runs foul of the democratic spirit reflected in the election of committees. Reading between the lines in the amended constitutions of the major parties, one can detect quite a few vestiges of the past, redolent of autocratic management by one or a few leaders at the top. Like old habits, entrenched practices also die hard. If the RPO was amended with the express intention to popularise democratic practice within the parties, cosmetic changes should not have been accepted as satisfactory. The scrutiny of the draft constitutions should have been made with due diligence.

If any party sprung, a surprise and a pleasant one for that, it was Jamaat-e-Islami. It recognized, for the first time, the war of liberation and thereby redeemed itself of past mistake. By throwing membership open to all, irrespective of religion, caste or creed, the party freed itself from the cocoon of a religion-based party. The party also conceded that the law of the land need not have divine origin and that instead of Sharia-based society, the goal of the party was the establishment of a society that conformed to Islamic justice. These are steps towards modernising the party and making it more liberal. The change of the name also gives the party a nationalistic character. It is, of course, one thing to profess and quite another to practice. The implication of the new reincarnation of the party can only be seen in its activities in future. But for the moment, the party deserves congratulations for the change of heart and mind.

There are reports that some elements of banned militant parties have regrouped themselves and floated new parties under different banners. They may have applied for registration. When asked about this the Election Commission said that they had no mechanism to check this. Subsequently, however, the Commission wrote to the Home Ministry to help them in this regard. If the names of leaders of new parties are checked by the intelligence agencies, persons having past links with militant groups can be detected. It is expected that this procedure will be followed.

All told, the RPO, 2008 and the requirement of registration of parties under it are historic measures to bring about wide-ranging reforms in the political parties. The assumption is that if parties are reformed, politics, too, will be changed for the better. The agenda set by the Election Commission goes beyond holding the next election. It is to cleanse the body politic of the debilitating afflictions that have bled it white. It is a tall order. All new beginnings for change are.

Rains ruin Tigers-Kiwis first day Test

The pitch of the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National
Stadium remained covered all the day of Saturday due to
rain. FocusBangla

Sports Reporter

The first day match of the second Test between Bangladesh and New Zealand was abandoned due to rain at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Saturday.

It was dizzling since morning and it was continuing all the day.

Daryl Harper and Asoka De Silva, the two umpires were scheduled to inspect the pitch at 11.00 AM and 12.30 PM but they could not do their duty due to heavy rain.

Later, Javagal Srinath, the match referee called the first day match off at 12.30 PM.

It may be mentioned that the coin sassion was not held due to rain.

The second day match and the other days of the second Test start at 9.00 AM.

Yesterday no ball was bowled and no bat hit the ball due to wet weather.

A good number of journalists and a few number of spectators had been waiting at the stadium before the match referee finally announced that the first day match was washed out due to rain.

Hasina, Khaleda's joining in polls related to legal process: Zillur

Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur
Rahman inaugurated a month-long industrial fair, organised
by Women's Chamber in Chittagong yesterday. Banglar
Chokh

UNB, Chittagong

Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman Saturday said the leadership of Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina in their respective parties is politically established, but their participation in the upcoming polls is related to the legal process.

"A particular answer to this question (their participation in the elections) would be found within the legal process," he said after inaugurating a three-day programme marking the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Chittagong Eye Infirmary and Training Complex at Pahartali.

Replying to a query about the elections, he said, "We're already on the election highway."

Dr Zillur said the political leaders would be able to fully meet the expectations of the people and make contributions towards establishing a healthy political culture in the country.

"It's not the government's formula to improve the quality of political leadership. So, politicians should help bring political stability in the country," he told the function.

Presided over by Prof Dr Rabiul Hossain, the function was addressed, among others, by Rofi Gollmann, founder president of Ambheri Hilse, eV Germany.

Zindabahar-famed artist Paritosh Sen dead

Paritosh Sen

Staff Reporter

Paritosh Sen, a Bangladesh-born Indian artist, died after a short illness in Kolkata on October 24. He was 90..

The artist was admitted to hospital with respiratory problems last month and had been on a life support system.

His autobiographical book 'Zindabahar', named after the Zindabahar Lane of the Capital City Dhaka, where he once resided, depicted the life of the then Bangladesh.

Paritosh Sen was born in Dhaka, in Bangladesh, in 1918 in a noted Kabiraj family. The world of nature, colour, movement fascinated him from his childhood as is clear from his collection of autobiographical vignettes, Zindabahar Lane, named after his Dhaka address. After completing school, Sen ran away from home to join the Madras Art School headed by Devi Prosad Roy Chowdhury.

In the early '60s, he went to England and France. He was commissioned by the French government to design Bengali typography based on the script of Rabindranath Tagore.

During his stay in Baltimore in USA he used the English translation of a piece from Zindabahar Lane called. A Tree in My Village and made a folio-sized publication from it. It was a stimulating experiment where he wrote and illustrated the piece in ink on sensitised paper which acted as a negative and thereby escaped the use of negative film.

Speculations grip country: Hasina-Khaleda’s participation in elections uncertain

Pulack Ghatack

The country is gripped by speculations and rumours as the Government and the politicians are keeping the political scenario hazy, though all symptoms on the ground suggest that the election is going to take place on December 18 and the key players will be in the race.

People are confused by the statements and the commitments of the government and the political leaders, as they are evidently doing opposite to what they said in the earlier days. Government and political parties are not disclosing the basic points of their agreements and disagreements in the dialogues, but are making statements, which are often self-contradictory and cause confusion among the people.

According to sources, the gap between the government and the parties on major issues has been narrowed though a tug of war is continuing.

The leadership of the two dominant political parties are still in suspicion whether their respective chiefs would be allowed to contest in the polls.

The suspicion emanated from the comments and behaviour of some of the advisers of the caretaker government who are very much technical in their expressions making the situation bizarre. The eligibility of the two former prime ministers, Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, to contest the general elections will be resolved through the judicial process, adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman reiterated yesterday.

Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia are charged with a list of criminal offences including corruption, though none of them are convicted by any court of law as yet.

If the cases are run in the normal procedure, it will take not less than six months to pronounce verdict on any of the cases against them, lawyers of both ladies said.

Then why their participation in the December 18 poll is subject to legal process has become a curious issue for political analysts.

The Government is using graft charges against the politicians including top-two to tame major political parties when the politicians are engaged in bargaining on some undisclosed agenda, sources said.

After meetings with the Government on Thursday, both BNP and AL stated affirmative about consensus on major disputed issues, while Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur said that they were now on the "highway from the sideway to reach the destination of December 18 elections.

Dr Zillur said, "We have differences only on the issue of holding of upazila elections."

Dr Zillur also said in presence of AL and BNP leaders that they had reached in agreement that Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina will lead their respective parties but their candidacy in the polls depend on legal procedures.

But in the following day, BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain renewed his threat of boycotting the election in case Begum Khaleda Zia is disqualified to contest it.

These statements turn the political sky more hazy and makes it doubtful, if really the government had agreed on six points out of the seven-point charter of demands of BNP.

The six demands of BNP include withdrawal of false cases against political leaders and freeing them, cancelling of the gazette of re-demarcation of parliamentary constituencies, approving their proposals for amending the revised Representation of the People's Order (RPO), and neutrality of the judiciary, the media and all government institutions.

Both parties (AL and BNP) have urged the government to withdraw all charges against the two women and end emergency rule.

The government says it wants to retain the emergency -- although it would be relaxed substantially to allow campaigning -- to ensure safety of voters and prevent violence.

"We want the emergency to be lifted once and for all, not in phases. BNP will participate in the polls only if the government accepts our demands," Delwar said.

On the other hand, senior AL presidium member Amir Hossain Amu yesterday said, "We want a clear declaration from the government that our leader Sheikh Hasina will have no problem in taking part in the December 18 polls."

"We do not want any uncertainty and confusion over Sheikh Hasina's release and her participation in the elections," he said.

AL presidium members Tofail Ahmed, Abdur Razzak and Suranjit Sengupta also spoke in the same line, as they are apparently not sure whether Sheikh Hasina, after her return from the United States, would be allowed by the government to take part in the elections.

While asked by The New Nation, the front ranking leaders of AL and BNP did not spell it out why they are repeatedly voicing concern about participation of Hasina and Khaleda in the general election even after announcement of their consensus on major issues with the government.

They simply blamed earlier the minus to policy of the interim government which have made the things doubtful.

However, the most positive gesture from the government side is that they keep formal and informal contacts with both the major camps and work to sort out the issues.

Inaction over wage hike of RMG workers' irks CA's office

Syful Islam

Inaction of stakeholders over enhancing wages of Readymade Garment (RMG) workers' has irked Chief Adviser's office leading to its desire to know the progress over the same, informed sources said.

The Ministry of Commerce, responding to the query of the Chief Adviser's office, on Thursday last has asked the stakeholders to immediately inform the latest development over the issue.

Earlier on September 17 Commerce Ministry asked the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) to sit together with labour leaders to sort out the problems.

However, no development over the issue was seen in the last five weeks. The BGMEA and the BKMEA are showing reluctance over the issue saying that they had sent a proposal to the government but the latter is yet to make any pay hike announcement.

On the other hand Commerce Secretary Firoz Ahmed said the pay hike was absolutely an issue of employers and employees--government should not be a party to it.

Informed sources said the BGMEA and the BKMEA had proposed a nominal hike of wages that could not make the government happy. Thus the government did not want to be part of the wage hike and forwarded the matter before the stakeholders for a suitable disposal.

Industry leaders said they were thinking to resolve the wage hike issue on case-to-case basis avoiding any formal announcement.

BGMEA president Anwarul Alam Chowdhury Parvez earlier told The New Nation that there was no development over the pay hike issue.

"We have sent a proposal to the government but the administration is taking time to declare it. Both the Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman and Labour Adviser Anwarul Iqbal asked me to announce the pay hike which is not my job," he said.

"It's government's duty to announce and implement pay hike. If it fails to do that the thing may be settled on case to case basis," Parvez added.

Parvez observed that BKMEA president Fazlul Huq's announcement of 20 per cent pay hike was not possible in these days when the industry is facing tough time due to various reasons.

Fazlul Huq said, they were waiting for the government decision over the issue.

"The government has to declare the pay hike. It wouldn't be implemented if we (the associations) declare it," he said.

Huq said, they did not send the proposal of 20 per cent pay hike except for a lump sump amount. He declined to disclose the figure what they proposed for hike.

The country's garment workers have been demanding a 20-per cent wage hike since the government had announced a dearness allowance (DA) for the public-sector employees.

In many places, the garment workers staged agitation in support of their demand and also vented their resentment through unruly way, like damaging factories and vehicles in the vicinities.

Over the last one-year prices of almost all commodities have gone up beyond the reach of the common people. Low paid people, especially the garment industry workers, are struggling for their survival in the ever-increasing prices of essential commodities.

The government had fixed minimum wages at Tk 1662 for garment workers on October 12, 2006 following the severe labour unrest in the RMG sector. But the minimum wages has dwindled to meagre wage due to acute escalation of price of commodities.

Market monitoring in Ctg: Wholesalers begin withdrawing tainted milk

Chittagong Correspondent

After an initial hesitation and reluctance, the large general stores in the port city have started withdrawing the eight foreign brands of melamine contaminated milk powder from markets as per directive of the High Court.

The High Court bench on Thursday prohibited the display and sale of eight foreign brands of toxic milk powder in the interest of public health.

But many of the ordinary grocers were found selling tainted milk powder defying the ban mainly on the ground of sustaining losses. They pointed out that while the distributors and owners of super markets get milk powder on credit the small traders and grocers have to buy them in cash." It will not cause any harm to the super market operators if they don't sell the banned powder milk as they have no cash involvement, but we the ordinary traders and grocers will suffer heavy financial losses if stop selling these brands" a representative of small grocers said wishing not be named.

Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong said the administration had virtually little to do against the sellers of banned milk powder before the true copy of the High Court's order was made available to them.

He,however, said that three vigilance teams led by three magistrates have been sent to the field to prevail on the sellers to refrain from displaying the selling the banned brands of milk powder. The vigilance teams have been visiting the super markets, general stores and grocery shops to stop the sale of toxic milk powder.

Some locals complained that the Chittagong Metropolitian Police is yet to swing into action to implement the high court order on toxic milk. Police action in stopping the display and sale of toxic milk powder was not seen in any market, big or small, according to them.

Additional District Magistrate Nurul Haque said they got information that some unscrupulous traders and importers were repacking toxic milk powder with ulterior motive. " We will certainly look into the issue and apply law against the greedy milk traders", he warned.

Kenya sets up truth commission

Agency, Nairobi

Kenya's parliament has approved a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) to probe human rights abuses since independence in 1963. Those found guilty of genocide and other human rights violations will not be eligible for amnesty.

The move comes amidst debate on how to deal with those implicated in the violence that broke out after the disputed elections in December 2007.

An international tribunal has been urged to try those behind the clashes.

More than 1,500 people were killed and some 300,000 more fled their homes in the unrest.

Contaminated powder milk still on display

Staff Reporter

Display and sale of the eight variety of foreign-powdered milk have continued to be marketed which the High Court has ordered the government to ban before three days.

The concerned agencies of the government are not starting any drive against the display and sale of the eight banned brands--Australia's Diploma and Red Cow, Denmark's Dano Full Cream, China's Yashli-1, Yashli- 2 and Sweet Baby, and New Zealand's Nido Fortified Instant and Anlene.

The Ministry of Commerce has not received the copy of the High Court order till yesterday in this regard, a senior official of the Ministry told the New Nation yesterday.

"After getting the copy of the High Court, the concern officials will meet today to go for implementation of it," he said.

While talking to the correspondent about the products a shop keepers of Uttara said I have not received any direction about the products.

Inspector General of Police Nur Muhammed on Thursday said that the police administration has received the copy of the High Court order in this regard.

"If the concerned authorises direct us, we shall deploy police force to arrest the persons, who display and sale the eight brands," he said.

The High Court issued a show cause notice to the government to explain within four weeks why its previous inaction over stopping their sale should not be declared illegal.

The laboratorial test of the Department of Chemistry of the University of Dhaka found that all the eight brands of milk contained melamine ranging between 40 milligram (mg) and 450mg per kg.

However, following demand of the multinational companies that the powdered milk available in Bangladesh market do not contain melamine the government on October 19 decided to re-examine the sample of eight- brands of powdered milk that tested positive.

To this effect the government formed two committees to conduct three tests on the eight powder milk brands. The authorities asked the committees to submit their report within October 26.

The committees will seek extension of time from the government, sources said.