The New Nation - Internet Edition

BNP wants to participate in JS polls: Khaleda

Ambassadors of eight Muslim Countries called on BNP
Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan office
yesterday. Focus Bangla

Staff Reporter

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia yesterday said the BNP still wants to take part in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

"BNP is a election oriented political party. We are still considering taking part in the elections. Discussion between the government and the BNP is being continued to create a level playing field to the polls," she said while Ambassadors of nine Muslim countries met the former prime minister at her Gulshan residence.

The Ambassadors of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Libya, Palestine, Morocco, Oman, Qatar and Iraq during the meeting with Khaleda Zia hoped that all political parties would participate in the December 18 elections and Bangladesh would back towards establishing democracy through holding the polls in a free and fair manner.

Briefing journalists, the Palestinian Ambassador Shaher Mohammad said during the hour-long meeting they did not discuss any matter of internal affairs.

"We want all parties to take part in the polls," he said.

Asked if they found Khaleda agreeable to take part in the election the Ambassador said, "We discussed about her participation but it is entirely their matter."

He, however, said that they want holding a free, fair, neutral election with participation of all parties.

The Ambassador parried a question if they think election can be free and fair under the emergency.

Begum Zia's Adviser Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury said Begum Zia discussed with the envoys about the problems facing the Muslim Ummah and how to resolve those unitedly.

"The matters to strengthen Bangladesh's relation with the Muslim countries also came under discussion," he said.

Replying to a question Chowdhury said, there is no doubt about BNP's intention of going to polls.

"We have raised certain genuine demands to make the polls free and fair, which are under discussion with the government," the former government secretary said

Among other, BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain and former state minister Reaz Rahman were present during the meeting.

The Ambassadors are-- Abdullah bin Naser Al Bosairi of Saudi Arabia, Khalfan Battal Ali Al-Mansouri of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammad AM Darhuby of Libya, Mohammad Hururo of Morocco, Fayyaz Nustaf Nosyar of Egypt, Ibrahim Mohammed A Al-Abdulla of Qatar, Shaher Mohammad of Palestine and representatives of Oman and Kuwait.

On Sunday, a similar meeting was held between the Ambassadors and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina.

Journalist held in cave released

Mellissa Fung

AP, Kabul

Afghan kidnappers held a Canadian journalist for four weeks blindfolded in an underground cave in which she could barely stand, the journalist said in a videotape released Sunday.

Mellissa Fung, a reporter for the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., said in the video that her captors guarded her in the tiny cave for the first three weeks of her abduction. In the last week, they chained her hands and feet and she was left by herself, she said.

Fung said her captors never hurt her but that she was kept blindfolded.

She was freed Saturday after tribal elders and provincial council members negotiated her release, said Adam Khan Serat, spokesman for the provincial governor in Wardak. Serat said no ransom was paid.

Afghan intelligence agents arrested three people suspected of involvement in the kidnapping, the intelligence agency said.

In the videotape, taken by Afghan intelligence agents and released to the public Sunday, Fung can be seen telling Canada's ambassador that she's not hurt and that she hopes people won't make "a big fuss" over her situation.

"I'm fine, really, I'm fine. I'm just happy to be here," she said.

When Canada's Ambassador walked up to greet her with a hug, Fung said: "I'm not smelling great." She later said she hoped to take a shower.

Afghanistan's intelligence chief, Amrullah Saleh, can be seen questioning Fung on the videotape. He asked Fung if her captors kept her in a well or in a house. Authorities last month freed two kidnapped Afghans who were kept captive in a well.

"In a cave. It was very small," Fung replied. "They dug a small hole t and the hole (entrance) was here, and then there was a little tunnel that went into the cave." Fung then drew Saleh a sketch of the cave.

"Could you stand in the cave?" Saleh asked.

"Barely, and I am short," she replied.

Fung told Saleh that she couldn't thank him enough. "There's no need to," Saleh replied.

John Cruickshank, publisher of CBC news, said Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper "got directly involved from the first day" of Fung's abduction.

On Saturday, Harper praised the Afghan government for its cooperation.

Pintu assaults Dy jailer at prison cell

Former BNP MP Nasir Uddin Pintu asaulted the Deputy
Jailor Nasir Hossain (Inset) was inside the prison cell of
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University yesterday.
Banglar Chokh

Staff Reporter

A former member of parliament, Nasiruddin Pintu, physically assaulted a deputy jailer at his prison cell at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) at Shahbag in the city yesterday.

Source said the incident happened when Deputy Jailer Nasir Ahmad came to the prison cell at about 1:30pm and told Pintu to get ready to go to the court. Pintu instantly became angry and landed one or two blows on the face of the jailer. The jailer fell to the floor. Prison guards rushed to the cell and rescued their officer from the wrath of the detained politician.

Maj Shamsul Haider Siddiqui, Deputy Inspector General of Prisons confirmed the incident.

Sources said the prison authority might file a case against Pintu in connection with the assault.

Share investors still in dark about recent slump

Small investors stage a demonstration in front of
Dhaka Stock Exchange protesting the declining of share price
index yesterday. Focus Bangla

BSS, Dhaka

The Election Commission (EC) yesterday issued nomination procedures for the upcoming parliamentary and upazila parishad polls.

According to the EC, for parliamentary polls a candidate can submit more than one nomination papers but additional security money will not be needed for this purpose. In this regard, main documents for depositing security money will have to be given with one nomination paper, but photocopies will be accepted for others.

The EC said treasury 'chalan', pay order or bank draft or receipt of the deposited money will have to be submitted to the returning officers with nomination papers as documents of depositing Taka 10,000.

Main affidavit and its two photocopies will have to be submitted with nomination papers and affidavit must be done on non-judicial stamp of Taka 150 or before a magistrate, the EC said.

Certificates of educational qualifications of the candidates will have to be attached, if needed, it said, adding that if the candidates have no institutional qualifications that must have to be mentioned.

The EC said name of bank account and its number will have to be mentioned in the nomination papers.

'Form 20' or source of getting money to spend in the elections and 'Form 21' with the statement of the candidates' property, loan and annual income and expenditure will have to be submitted, the EC said.

It said if the candidates are income taxpayers, they have to provide copy of income tax returns for 2008- 2009 tax year.

For upazila election, the EC said, candidates could submit more than one nomination papers.

Chairman and vice-chairman candidates will have to submit treasury 'chalan' or pay order or bank draft or receipt of Taka 10,000 along with the nomination paper.

Candidates will have to provide name and number of the bank account, opened for election campaign expenditure, along with the nomination paper.

If the candidate is a taxpayer, the copy of the last tax return (2008-09 tax year) and proof of tax payment must be submitted with the nomination paper.

A candidate could download the nomination paper from the website of the Election Commission www.esc.gov.bd and also can submit it.

BTRC publishes regulatory guidelines for NTTN

UNB, Dhaka

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has published the second draft regulatory and licensing guidelines for Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) license to get views from the industry and any interested party on various matters mentioned in the draft guidelines.

These guidelines are intended to provide an overview of the licensing and regulatory framework for applicant(s) seeking to obtain license under these guidelines to develop, build, maintain and operate NTTN in Bangladesh.

No person or business entity would be allowed to develop, build, operate and maintain NTTN without a valid License issued by the Commission.

These guidelines have been prepared taking into account the objectives of the government to create NTTN with a view to separating Transmission Network Services (TNS) and Access Network Services (ANS) in the future.

At present, the metropolitan cities and towns are cluttered with hazardous overhead optical fibre/cables and there are access optical fibre/wired networks in the same area by the multiple ANS operators, causing drainage to the national resources. Therefore, de-cluttering the city areas and towns, minimizing the wastage of national resources are also the objectives to create NTTN.

As per the draft guidelines, foreign equity is limited to maximum 60 percent and the foreign partner shall invest in foreign currency directly equal to his percentage of ownership and no bank loan from any Bangladeshi Scheduled Bank/ Financial institution/ Leasing Company can be raised for the foreign part of the investment.

According to the guidelines, the mobile operators (CDMA/GSM) and Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) operators having licenses from the Commission and any of its existing shareholders (foreign/ Bangladeshi) and any other company whose shareholders hold shares of any cellular mobile phone operator company and BWA Operators holding license from the Commission and any other person who is partner/director/shareholder of licensed mobile operators and BWA operators in Bangladesh shall not be eligible to apply for this license. In case of mobile operators (CDMA/GSM) and BWA Operators their licensing condition shall prevail.

One entity will be allowed to get only one NTTN License. One person can apply for only one license either as an individual entity or as a partner or shareholder.

The licensee has to file for Initial Public Offering (IPO) within 05 (five) years of the issuance of license. The licensee shall not be allowed to transfer any share before issuance of IPO without prior written permission from the Commission.

NTTN Licensee shall have the obligation to develop, build, operate and maintain the NTTN minimum up to Upazila Headquarters throughout the country as per the rollout obligation. Network must have Nodal Points for connection up to Upazila Headquarters.

The duration of the License(s) shall initially be for a term of 15 (fifteen) years. Upon expiry of the initial term, the License(s) may be renewed for subsequent terms, each of 5 years in duration, subject to approval from the Commission and to such conditions.

Rollout obligation is applicable to the NTTN Licensee(s) who shall obtain license under these guidelines. The rollout obligation period shall be counted from 180 days after the issuance of license. The other conditions of the guidelines shall remain same.The rollout obligation is appended below:

(a) The licensee(s), within 1st year of issuance of license, shall have to provide NTTN connectivity covering up to 5% Upazilas Headquarters.

(b) The licensee(s), within 2nd year of issuance of license, shall have to provide NTTN connectivity covering up to 10% Upazilas Headquarters.

(c) The licensee(s), within 3rd year of issuance of license, shall have to provide NTTN connectivity covering up to 20% Upazilas Headquarters.

(d) The licensee(s), within 4th year of issuance of license, shall have to provide NTTN connectivity covering up to 30% Upazilas Headquarters.

(e) The licensee(s), within 5th year of issuance of license, shall have to provide NTTN connectivity covering up to 40% Upazilas Headquarters.

(f) The licensee(s), within 10th year of issuance of license, shall have to provide NTTN connectivity covering up to 100% Upazilas Headquarters.

No revenue (0%) shall be shared for the first year. An amount equivalent to 1% of the annual audited gross revenue of the Licensee(s) for the 2nd and 3rd year, 2% for 4th and 5th year, 4% for each of the subsequent years, which shall be paid on a quarterly basis within the first 10 days at the end of each quarter.

The total amount shall be reconciled on an annual basis. It should be based on the licensee's audited accounts for that year and if there has been any underpayment, the balance must be paid within 90 days of the financial year-end of the Licensee(s).

In the event of any overpayment by the licensee(s), the licensee(s) may set off any excess amount against quarterly payments in the next year. The percentage of revenue to be shared may be changed from time to time by the Commission and the licensee(s) shall abide by it.

Impose tax on tobacco to ward off smokers

Staff Reporter

It is essential to control smoking and tobacco-made products by increasing prices of tobacco- made products and imposing taxes. If the prices of these goods are very high, the rate of smokers decrease and cost for maintaining public health and control over tobacco-borne diseases may become easier'.

Saifuddin Ahmed, Moderator of Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance made the above remarks on Saturday while addressing the inauguration programme titled 'Tobacco and Taxation in Bangladesh' organised by 'Work for a Better Bangladesh, Trust' (WBBT). The Development Researcher, Taifur Rahman addressed the meeting as keynote speaker and the Senior Project Officer of WBB Trust, Aminul Islam moderated the function.

Taifur Rahman, an economist, said that in a research work conducted from 1981 to 2004 it was shown that the number of smokers decreased by increasing cigarette price. It is very effective in reducing smoking.

He said, quoting a research findings which was jointly organised by World Bank and World Health Organisation (WHO), that if tobacco and cigarette fees are increased after every five years, Government may benefit by exporting tobacco products to other countries. It was also pointed out that revenue collection from this sector is much less than government expenditure for treatment of tobacco-borne diseases.

Sayed Mahbubul Alam, Programme Manager of the Trust, Kuheli Mostafa, Secretary Genarel of the WALK, Nipen Chandra Bala, IACIB Officer, Bidhan Chandra Pal, Hunger Project Officer, Sarmin Islam Daisy, RCSP Chairman, Sayeda Onanna Rahman,WBB Trust Officer, Mazedul Haq Manir ORD's Executive Director spoke on the occasion.

47 applications cancelled: Registration of 32 political parties confirmed

BSS, Dhaka

The Election Commission (EC) has so far confirmed registration of 32 political parties out of 107 who have applied for registration and cancelled applications of 47 parties after scrutiny.

The EC has also allocated election symbols to the parties whose registration was confirmed, Nurul Islam Khan, joint secretary of the EC and head of the Technical Committee for scrutiny of registration of political parties, told journalists at his office on Monday.

He said the EC has given registration certificates to 15 political parties out of 32 parties whose registration was confirmed. The parties are Bangladesh Awami League (boat), Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP (sheaf of paddy), Liberal Democratic Party-LDP (umbrella), Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh-BDB (kula), Gonotantri Party (pigeon), Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (mashal), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (daripalla), Jatiya Party-Japa (langal), Jatiya Party- JP (bicycle), Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal (wheel), Krishak Sramik Janata League (gamcha), Communist Party of Bangladesh-CPB (kaste), Workers Party of Bangladesh (hammer), National Awami Party (kure ghar) and Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD (star).

Nurul Islam said public notification on registration of 13 parties was published by the EC. The parties are Tariqat Federation (phuler mala), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal-BSD (moi), Zaker Party (golap phul), Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan (batgach), Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP (gorur gari), Islami Oikya Jote (minar), Bangladesh NAP (candle), Ganofront (fish), Progressive Democratic Party-PDP (tiger), National Peoples Party-NPP (mango), Ganoforum (rising sun), Bangladesh Muslim League (hurricane) and Jamiate Olamae Islam Bangladesh (khejur gach).

The EC has sent public notification on registration of four more political parties, he said, adding the parties are Oikyabaddha Nagorik Andolan, Islamic Front, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (Matin) and Bangladesh Kalyan Party.

Nurul Islam said registration of political parties is a continuos process and the parties which will fulfill the conditions of the EC before submission of nomination papers, will get registration and can take part in the upcoming polls.

He further said the parties, which could not be registered by this time, would get chance for registration with the EC.

Debate on world peace held at DU

DU Correspondent

Centre for Inter-religious and Intercultural Dialogue (CIID) of Dhaka University and European Commission jointly organised a debate programme over 'Necessity of Intercultural Dialogue for World Peace' at Senate Bhaban on Saturday.

Shahidullah Hall and Kabi Jasimuddin Hall participated in the function divided into two groups. Each group obtained equal marks.

High Commissioner of the European Commission Dr Steffen Fraoean, Swedish Ambassador Brite Hugestrom, Professor of the Dhaka University Dr Aminul Islam, Dr Sayed Manzurul Islam, Dr AKM Nur-Un-Nabi and Dr Mahbuba Nasrin were present as judges while Vice Chancellor of the Dhaka University Dr SMA Faiz spoke as chief guest.

The programme was presided over by president of the Dhaka University Debating Society (DUDS) Mozammel Hossain Suman and CIID Director Dr Kazi Nurul Islam gave the concluding speech.

Later, speakers at the discussion meeting emphasised on the removal of inter religious and intercultural misconceptions to established peace throughout the world.

EC under fire for not registering ISA

Staff Reporter

Ameer of Islami Shasantantra Andolan and Chormonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim said yesterday the Election Commission (EC) has lost its neutrality by showing stepmotherly attitudes towards some political parties to put a particular party in power.

"Free and fair election can't be possible under the present EC and we demand the resignation of the Election Commissioners," he said at a rally in the city.

Prof Hafez Moulana Hemayetuddin, city president, Prof Moulana Younus Ahmed, general secretary, presidium members Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim , Moulana Nurul Huda Faezee, Prof Mahbubur Rahman, Prof Syed Belayet Hossain, Rashid Ahmed Ferdous, Mohammad Abu Syed Siddiqui, Shahidul Islam Kabir, Moulana ABM Zakaria and Fazlee Rabbi, among others, were present.

The Chormonai Pir said the EC has yet to finalise the registration process of his party even after fulfilling all conditions and formalities of the commission.

"We would hand over memorandum to all the District Commissioners and gherao the EC on November 12 and 13 respectively," he added.

Ex-MP Nadeem Mostafa charge-sheeted

Court Correspondent

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday submitted the charge-sheet to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court of Dhaka against former MP fugitive Advocate Md. Nadim Mostafa in a graft case.

The former lawmaker elected to the Parliament from Rajshahi-4 constituency was accused of accumulating wealth worth Taka 5,74,02,236.60 through his ill-gotten money. He was also accused of concealing information about his wealth worth Taka 2,52,53,205.88 from his wealth statement he submitted to the ACC.

Complainant Md. Ali Akbar, Assistant Director of ACC, filed the case with Ramna Thana of the city against Nadim Mostafa and his wife Nurunnahar Parul in December, 2007

However, after inquiry Parul's name was excluded from the charge sheet.

The case was filed under Sections 26 (2) and 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2004, and Section 15 of the Emergency Power Rules 2007. The accused has been on the run since his indictment.

Shaheed Noor Hossain Day observed

Staff Reporter

Shaheed Noor Hossain Day was observed across the country yesterday in remembrance of his contribution in pro-democracy movement against the then autocratic ruler.

Noor Hossain was shot dead by police near Zero Point in Dhaka on November 10 in 1987 during demonstrations against the then military regime that led to the overthrow of the autocratic ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad.

The 26 year-old took to the streets with the slogan 'Down with Autocracy, Free Democracy' inscribed on his chest and back. His death led to a mass uprising that eventually toppled the autocratic regime in 1990. Noor was born in 1961 in the city's Narinda area.

AL President Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia issued separate messages to mark the day.

The Shaheed Noor Hossain Society hoisted a black flag atop its office and mourners wore black badges in observance of the day.

Wreaths were laid at the martyr's grave and at Shaheed Noor Hossain Square followed by prayers and gatherings throughout the day.

Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Ganotantrik Bam Morcha, Samajtantrik Jatiya Dal, Communist Party of Bangladesh were among those who paid tributes to the fallen hero at Shaheed Noor Hossain Square.

10 DU students given Sitara Parvin award

Staff Reporter

Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of Dhaka University (DU) has awarded "Prof Sitara Parvin Award" to first 10 students in BSS (honours) 2006 examination.

DU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr SMA Faiz handed over the award to the students as chief guest on Monday on an occasion presided over by Acting Chairman of the Department Prof Dr Giti Ara Nasrin at the RC Majumder Auditorium on the campus. Social Science Faculty Dean Prof Dr Harun-Or-Rashid, Prof Dr Sakhawat Ali, among others, spoke as special guests.

The awarded students are Ibrahim Bin Harun, Md Mahbub Alam Roni, Nafida Adib Banu, Mohammad Yusuf, Nandita Tabassum Khan, Md Abul Kalam Azad, Sabekun Nahar, Bidhan Chandra Shaha, Sajib Kumar Sarkar and Shahin Akter.

Prof Faiz said Prof Sitara Parvin was a meritorious, sincere and responsible person. He urged the awarded students to follow her ideals.

Mentionable, Prof Sitara died in a road accident in the US on June 23 in 2005.

Nov-13 new repayment deadline: Loan defaulters resurrected to run for election

UNB, Dhaka

The loan and bill defaulters willing to contest the upcoming polls got a new lease of time to qualify as the Election Commission yesterday set November 13 as the new repayment deadline.

Under previous rules they had already been debarred from the race as the time-lag between repayment of overdue bank loans and utility bills and the filing of nomination was 15 days. Now the time-gap is cut down to 7 days through amending the RPO.

The council of advisers of the caretaker government Sunday approved amendments to the newly revised Representation of People Order (RPO), granting more time for repayment of the loans and bills, as political parties pleaded for.

"Those who will submit the nomination papers on November 20 have to clear the loans and bills within November 13 as per the new amendment to the RPO," EC secretary M Humaun Kabir told a press briefing at the EC secretariat yesterday afternoon.

He said according to the latest revision of the RPO, the election aspirants need to repay the overdue loans and bills 7 days before, instead of 15 days, of the date of submitting the nomination papers.

Asked whether the EC sought list of loan defaulters from Bangladesh Bank, the secretary said the Commission asked the bank authorities to prepare a list of loan defaulters and send it to the returning officers.

"During scrutiny of nomination papers, the returning officers will play the role of sorting out eligibility for candidature."

About extension of the party-registration deadline, he said the registration process would continue for some more days as the EC has extended the deadline for filing nomination papers.