The New Nation - Internet Edition

Despite recession remittance flow from UK will not drop

Staff Reporter

The economic recession in the United Kingdom will give Bangladesh an opportunity to export its low cost quality products.

Bangladesh's export to the United Kingdom will not suffer dispite the economy of the EU member country is going through a recession.

Mahtab Miah, a member of the British-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce (BBCC) said this while talking to a group of journalists at a local hotel in the city on Sunday.

"I do not believe that remittance flow to Bangladesh will drop due to the recession in the UK," he said.

The UK is one of the most important development and trade partners of the country, the largest source of FDI into Bangladesh, third largest destination of Bangladeshi products and the largest bilateral donor country in terms of grant.

Around one million Bangladeshis now living in the UK sent some $ 820 million in the last fiscal year.

Mahtab Miah, who is also Chairman of Pancharatna Limited and Managing Director of Twenty-Nine Queens Street Limited, said Bangladeshis in the United Kingdom run nearly 9,000 restaurants with a turnover of nearly 3.5 billion pound sterling.

He said that the skilled Bangladeshis could get jobs in the restaurants that are running short of workforce.

Mahtab Miah identified Bangladesh as a land of opportunity that has every possibility of becoming a mid-income country within the shortest possible time.

He mentioned that the BBCC would pursue the British government to ease visa procedures so that Bangladeshis can get jobs in the UK restaurants.

British High Commissioner Stephen Evans said the Chamber needs to be proactive in generating business, especially given the current turmoil in the global market place.

"I believe Bangladesh can weather this storm, using its competitive advantage, as foreign importers seek low cost quality goods to meet the demands of consumers to whom price increasingly matters."

The UK is one of the largest investors in Bangladesh with approximately $ 1.5 billion invested to date. British Bangladeshis are increasingly investing in their ancestral home.

Shahagir Bakth Faruk, Chairman of the BBCC, said the Chamber is engaged in promoting, protecting, strengthening bilateral trade and investment among Bangladesh, UK and European Union. This organisation helps and supports Bangladeshi businesses to foster and widen the relationship with both governments, he said.

The BBCC Chairman said special economic zone in Sylhet has already attracted a good number of non-resident Bangladeshis who will explore new investment opportunities in IT, agriculture, fisheries and textile sectors.

He said the political stability, good governance, improved transport and communication system, rule of law and diversification of export basket will help Bangladesh maintain a steady growth of 7 to 8 per cent a year.

Faruk is a high profile Conservative politician, having been the local Conservative Association Chairman for five consecutive years.

He was the only Bangladeshi who was selected as an official Conservative Parliamentary Candidate in 2001 and achieved an excellent second place against sitting 1AP, Oona King.

Faruk, who is leading a high-profile 47-member BBCC business delegation, arrived in Dhaka from UK on Sunday on a seven-day visit to Bangladesh, said that the main objective is to strengthen business relations between Bangladesh and UK, explore investments opportunities in Bangladesh, in particular, to conduct a feasibility study to explore potential investments in the planned special economic zone (SEZ) in Sylhet.

Publishing polls results: EC code of conduct for media soon

Staff Reporter

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday said that in the ensuing election, broadcasting of results by media before announcements by the Commission might create confusion.

He said that Election Commission (EC) within a week would finalise a code of conduct for the mass media to ensure fair and unbiased coverage of the upcoming election and giving equal opportunities to all political parties.

The CEC was speaking at a function at the city's BIAM auditorium yesterday where UNESCO provided him a draft Code of Conduct for the mass media.

He reiterated the EC's hope that it would be able to hold a free, fair and credible parliamentary poll slated for December 18.

Dr Huda suggested the mass media not to telecast election results before formal announcements made by the EC itself.

"Problems and confusions may arise if the election results are announced by the media before the Commission's announcement," he explained.

"There is no guideline how the media should cover an election. So, there should be a code of conduct for them," Dr Huda said.

He said the commission is expected to finalize the code of conduct for the mass media within a week in consultation with political parties, civil society members and media personnel. "We may need to sit with the Press Council too to discuss it," he added.

"There exists, however, no provision for taking any punitive action against any defaulter, as we believe in leaving the rest with the media houses and their ethics," reassured the CEC on the proposed code of conduct.

He, however, made it clear that the cost of advertisements of candidate on satellite televisions would be considered as election expenditures.

Awami League had demanded of the EC early this month to appoint neutral observers and provide a general code of conduct for the media.

On appointing polls observers, the CEC said that the EC was attaching utmost importance to engaging both national and international observers. "To ensure quality, the Election Commission has started registering such organisations adhering to some guidelines," he said

He said only the eligible and befitting agencies would be registered as polls observers.

Election commissioners Sohul Hossain and M Sakhawat Hossain, and UNESCO Bangladesh resident representative Malama Meleisea were present.

BNP sticks to 7-pt demand

Staff Reporter

BNP Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain said yesterday the four-party alliance would join the forthcoming parliamentary election on December 18, if their seven-point demands were accepted by the government.

"Accept our rational demands immediately for the sake of holding free and fair elections participated by all political parties," he said as chief guest at a discussion marking November 7 as "National Revolution and Reconciliation Day" at the auditorium of National Press Club.

Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal organised the discussion that was presided over by Prof Sohrabuddin, president of the organisation.

Mentioning the significance of the day, the Secretary General of BNP said the nation is facing the same crises, which were prevailing in the country before November 7 in 1975.

" The expansionists forces and internal and external conspirators are relentlessly plotting conspiracies against the country's sovereignty and independence," he said.

Terming the freedom fighters as 'best sons of the soil', Delwar said, " We should overcome the present crisis by following the ideals and goals of the freedom fighters".

Reiterating the seven-point demand, he called upon the government to lift the state of emergency, defer upazila polls and release detained party leaders for creating a level playing field for joining all parties in the elections.

He alleged the Government for favouring a particular political party to help restore them to power.

On the issue of parliamentary elections he said the people of the country would not accept any farcical polls in the country.

"We would not accept any 'puppet government' and 'rubber stamp' parliament," he mentioned.

Mahmudur Rahman, former chairman of Board of Investment, Rizvi Ahmed, office secretary, Khairul Kabir Khokon, Sirin Sultana, Salahuddin Tuku, Habibunnabi Sohel and Shafiuzzaman, secretary of Muktijoddhas Dal, among others, attend the discussion.

Tribute paid to Major Gani

BSS, Dhaka

Mayor of city Sadek Hossain Khoka yesterday recalled with utmost respect the glorious role of Major (retd) Abdul Goni in establishing the East Bengal Regiment.

"It is essential to pay homage to those who have laid their contribution in our history," he said adding that Major Goni was one of those who by their talent and strength led the nation to its coveted goals.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion on the 52nd death anniversary of Major (retd) Abdul Goni, held at the auditorium of the Institution of Diploma Engineers' Bangladesh here.

Major Goni Parishad organized the discussion with President of Jatiya Press Club Shawkat Mahmud in the chair. Former army chief Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman was special guest on the occasion.

Former Secretary and Inspector General of Police Abdul Khaleque, former Chairman of Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) Maj Gen (retd) Imamuzzaman Bir Bikram, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University (DU) Dr AFM Yussuf Haider, Professor Dr Aminul Islam, President of Greater Comilla Association Shahidul Islam, President of Greater Comilla Journalists Forum Syed Akhter Yussuf and former Principal of Comilla Victoria University College Titas Chowdhury also addressed the function.

Begum Asia Goni, wife of Maj (retd) Abdul Goni, unveiled the cover of a book titled "Life and works of Major (Retd) Abdul Goni, father of the East Bengal Regiment" written by Titas Chowdhury.

Speakers paying their heart-felt tribute to Major Goni said the East Bengal Regiment founded by him made special contributions in the War of Liberation.

Shawkat Mahmud, also President of the parishad, said Major Goni played a very bold role for betterment of the country's socio-economic condition. By establishing the East Bengal Regiment, he inspired the young people to join army, he said.

Later, Mayor Khoka announced the under-construction road from Zia Colony to Pallabi via Cantonment after the name of Major Goni.

2 shot dead in city: Assailant held

Staff Reporter

Two people were shot dead in the city in separate incidents at Badda and Dhaka Cantonment areas yesterday.

Some local terrorists shot a young man in city's Badda area at about 9:30am.

Local people, however, caught one of the assailants while fleeing from the scene and handed him over to RAB after giving him a good thrashing.

The dead was identified as Anwarul Iqbal Apu, 35, son of late Matiur Rahman.

The victim's family sources said three to four youths entered into the South Ananda Nagar house of Apu, as his minor son opened the gate responding to the door bell at about 9:30am.

Then the criminals sprayed bullets on Apu, leaving him critically wounded.

Critically injured Apu was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) with eight bullet holes in his body. He was declared dead.

The reason behind the killing could not be known immediately.

Meanwhile, local people chased the group when they were running away from the house and caught one of them Abdus Sattar along with a pistol.

In another incident, some local terrorists shot an oil businessman at the Rajanigandha Market in Dhaka Cantonment area in the city on Sunday.

Witness said, a gang of terrorists led by Shaheen Sikdar shot oil businessman Nabiruddin at 8:30pm on Sunday. The victim fell on the spot. Local people rushed him to the CMH in critical condition. Hospital doctors declared him dead.

The CMH sent the body to DMCH for autopsy.

Separate cases were filled with police.

HC issues rule on Prothom Alo on contempt charge

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court yesterday issued a rule asking the editor, the publisher and a reporter of the leading vernacular daily Prothom Alo to explain why proceedings should not be drawn against them for contempt of court through publishing a report in its November 9 issue.

A division bench comprising Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Quamrul Islam Siddiqui issued the rule, returnable in two weeks.

The court asked contemner-respondents Prothom Alo editor Motiur Rahman, publisher Mahfuz Anam and reporter Mizanur Rahman Khan to appear in person before the court on November 18.

The High Court orders came following a contempt petition moved by Munshi Ahsan Kabir, a Supreme Court lawyer.

On November 9, Prothom Alo ran a report headlined 'Order on 298 cases in 315 minutes', pointing finger at a High Court division bench of Justice Sharif Uddin Chaklader.

Moving the petition, Kabir told the court that he felt the necessity of taking "effective steps to protect and uphold the dignity and honour of the highest judiciary".

He submitted that the news item has "shaken public confidence in the judiciary and brought the administration of justice into disrepute. As such, the report amounts to contempt of court".

Kabir further contended that the contemner-respondents had shown "disregard and disrespect to the rule of law and administration of justice by publishing such contemptuous report".

EC finds no office of 9 political parties at Ctg

Chittagong Correspondent

The Election Commission (EC) did not find offices or activities of at least nine tiny or letter-head-based political parties here in the port city and its adjacent suburban areas.

The EC's regional office in Chittagong reported the headquarters about the findings of its recent field survey and verification of information furnished in the registration form.

The report said that no existence of eight 'name-only' political parties other than the Gono Forum (GF) had been found at the addresses given in the registration form as their offices in Chittagong or at the adjacent Upazilas.

Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), National Peoples Party (NPP), Samajik Rajnaitik Andolon (SRA), Bangladesh Biplobi Workers Party (BBWP), Oikkyobaddah Nagarik Andolon (ONA), Islamic Front Bangladesh (IFB), Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (JAGPA) and Bangladesh Kalyan Party (BKP) were among the political parties without office and worker in Chittagong.

Though the investigators found the name of the Gono Forum (GF) written on the shutter of a closed shop on the third floor of CDA Market on Kazir Dewri Crossing, the EC men did not see any of its leaders or workers in its three visits.

Neighboring shop owners informed the EC men that the shop cum office of the Gono Forum did not open after Eid-ul-Fitr. They never saw any political man at the shop.

A pharmacy, a doctor's chamber and a coaching center was found at the address of the Bangladesh Kalyan Party (BKP) at Quashem Bhaban at 27/A, Mahim Das Road while the party's office was also not found at Mirsarai, Chandanaish, Banshkhali and Lohagara.

Though a small signboard of the Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (JAGPA) was found at 75, Baptist Mission Road at Firingi Bazar in the city, the building owner also shared the small room. No political activity was ever carried out from there.

Office of the Islamic Front Bangladesh was hired at Pirole area in Patiya couple of days ago. The office has no door and furniture. It has no office in Anwara and Banshkhali either.

A pharmacy is on operation at the address of the Oikkyobaddah Nagorik Andolon at KB Bazar of Chechuria in Banshkhali. None was found to ascertain it as a political party office. No office of the party was found at Mirsarai Upazila as well.

A tin-shed house rented to a family was detected at the address of Bangladesh Biplobi Workers Party (BBWP) at 99/B, Chatteshawari Road. Residents denied existence of any political party office at that house.

BUET student missing in mountain trek

Staff Reporter

Meritorious BUET student Masrur Moyeen Sani went missing while mountaineering in Nepal.

His friend Vaskar Ahmed, the lone member of the entourage, could not confirm his whereabouts but said Sani went missing when they were climbing the Himalaya mountains.

Police from both Bangladesh and Nepal are trying to find Sani but failed to find him.

Son of retired officer Abdul Moyeen, Sani passed from Mirpur Harman Meiner School and College in 2004 and took admission in Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). Travel maniac Sony visited most of the districts of the country before passing SSC and HSC.

Last year he visited 17 states in India and also stayed 13 days in Bandarban. Later, he decided to go to Nepal to climb the Himalayas. But his family did not give permission to visit Nepal. On July 7 Sani left Bangladesh with fellow student Vaskar Ahmed for Tripura through Akhaura border and later reached Thamel of Nepal without visa documents.

Sani's mother Jebunnesa said she learned about his missing from an e-mail from Vaskar Ahmed sent to them. They had no contact with Sani since then. After one and half months of their leaving for Nepal, Vaskar's family members said that Sani and Vaskar met an accident while climbing the mountain. On information Vaskar's parents left Dhaka for Kathmandu and on September 1 they returned to Bangladesh with Vaskar.

On return Vaskar informed Sani's mother that at Omtara guesthouse in Thamel of Nepal they got introduced to three Nepalese youths Santosh, Bardi and Siba. They met an accident while climbing a 4,000 feet high mountain in Singla area. Vaskar could manage to escape but Sani failed to do so. Later, he could not be found.

Sani's father Abdul Moyeen alleged that Vaskar's parents brought back their son but did not inform local police about the missing boy. He said Vaskar gave different accounts at different times.

He said being informed about the incident by Vaskar's parents they went to Nepal and hunted for their son with the help of Bangladesh Embassy officials. They brought back passport, money, bag and two letters of Vaskar written to Sani. They got suspicious information from the letter. They believe that Vaskar knows the correct information about Sani.

Vaskar said he did not inform the local police about Sani's disappearance as they were visiting Nepal without visa.

RRC Chairman says CG, EC must resign if poll not held

Staff Reporter

Former Adviser of the Caretaker Government and Chairman of Regulatory Reforms Commission Dr Akbar Ali Khan yesterday observed that both the present government and the Election Commission should resign on moral grounds if they failed to hold the parliamentary elections by this year.

Talking to reporters after a meeting of the Regulatory Reforms Commission (RRC) in the conference room of Board of Investment (BoI) he also opined that the Election Commission (EC) could sue the present caretaker government if it creates hurdles on way to holding the polls.

"If the Election Commission failed to hold the election by December 31, question will be raised against the government for their legality," he warned.

Dr Khan said the EC has to hold the elections within the timeframe notwithstanding any barrier coming from government side.

"There is no alternative means to the Election Commission as per the Constitution but to hold election within a specific timeframe after preparing the voter list," he said adding that the election has to be held within 90 days of publication of the voter list.

Mentioning that holding elections is the duty of the Commission, not of the government," he said the EC could go to the court if it feels that the government putting barricades.

He referred that the Indian Election Commission had filed a case in the past against the government on the same grounds.

The former Adviser said the present caretaker government has got its legal ground till now though it is 'undemocratic; but it will lose its legal ground to be in power if it fails to hold the election by December 31.

Replying to a question on participation of the two major political parties in the polls, he said it is the headache of the caretaker government to bring them in the fray.

He, however, said that if any major political party does take part in the forthcoming parliamentary elections they would be affected.

The former Adviser further said, the certain political party would weaken and the extremists in the party take the chance to establish their supremacy over the party.

He said both the BNP and the Awami League are reeling from a purge on the political arena following the 1/11 changeover.

Earlier, the RRC meeting suggested the government to audit a firm that would come to the joint stock for registration to avoid foot dragging.

A committee was formed in this regard and the committee would submit their findings in next one month.

Tigers-Proteas 3rd ODI today

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh National Cricket team will face their counterpart South Africa National Cricket team today in the third and last ODI match of the three-match ODI series at the Bufallo Park in East London of South Africa. The match begins at 6.30 PM (Bangladesh Standard Time). Bangladesh Television will telecast the match live.

The Proteas have already clinched the ODI series 2-0.

Bangladesh team started their ODI campaign with a sorrow start as the Tigers lost to the Proteas by 61 runs in the first ODI on November 7.

Later, Bangladesh conceded a massive defeat as the Tigers tasted a formidable 128-run defeat by their counterpart on November 9.

Before today's match, Bangladesh and South Africa faced each other in 13 times. South Africa posted 12 victories while Bangladesh won only one clash.

The Proteas will try to whitewash the Tigers while Bangladesh will try to earn a consolation win in the today's game.

30,000 children die of injury-related causes every year

BSS, Dhaka

An estimated 30,000 children die of injury related cases every year in the country, while 13,000 children survive with permanent disabilities.

Dr Saidur Rahman, an epidemiologist of Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB) said of the total death, about 17,000 people aged between one to 17 dies every year as drowning of children has increased to 57 per cent in 2003 from nine per cent in 1983.

The epidemiologist was speaking at a dialogue on 'Save Lives, Prevent Injury,' organised by the CIPRB marking Safety Week-2008 in its conference room here. Stephanie Kyan and Nadira Khanum of he CIPRB spoke on the occasion, among others.

Dr Rahman described the swimming as only vaccine to prevent child injury and said only awareness about the incidents of child injury can help reduce such cases.

He suggested for undertaking low-cost injury prevention programmees involving ministries including Social Welfare, LGED, Education and Youth and Sports with a view to reducing the child injury deaths in the country.

Stephanie Kyan listed a number of causes lead to children injuries such as drowning, burns, falls, road accidents, poisoning, cuts, animal bites, stings and internal haemorrhage.

Nadira Khanom said the CIPRB is implementing a project titled Prevention of Child Injuries through Social Intervention and Education (PRECISE) in the country's three upazilas in cooperation with UNICEF aimed at reducing the child injury rate at a satisfactory level.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 5.8 million children die of injuries every year which is 97 per 1,00,000 people. Of them, 3.8 million are male children.

The country witnessed a steady decline in the infant mortality rate (IMR) and under five mortality rate (U5MR), said a study of Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey.

The survival in child injury has improved significantly over the two decades as the U5MR has fallen by half from 146 to 76 death per 1,000, it said.

The study, however, pointed out that the child injuries have posed a grave threat to child health rather than infection and nutritional cause.

The main objective of the 7-day programme is to protect the children from injuries by raising massive awareness among the people, said the sources.

Tax return deadline ends today

Staff Reporter

The deadline for submission of income tax return for individuals' taxpayers will end today.

The Government extended the income tax return schedule for individual taxpayers for three-times as the politicians and businessmen requested the National Board of Revenue (NBR) about it.

However, the NBR could not achieve its target to collect income tax this year, sources in NBR said.

Around 6.5 lakh individual taxpayers placed their income tax return forms to the NBR till yesterday. The NBR earned Tk 800 crore so far from the taxpayers. The government had earned revenue Tk 739 crore from 6.4 lakh individuals' taxpayers last year.

The NBR will receive individuals' income tax return till 9.00pm tonight.