The New Nation - Internet Edition

Khaleda, Hasina agree to talk: Diplomats on offensive as dilemma goes on

Italian, Swedish and Netherlands Envoys called on
Awami League President Sheikh Hasina at her Suda Sadan
residence, yesterday. Focus Bangla

Staff Reporter

In a dramatic turn of event two former prime ministers, Sheikh Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia, have agreed to sit for talks albeit differing on the format of the discussion on transition to democracy.

Sheikh Hasina's decision to sit with her arch rival under the condition that it would be an issue-based discussion was conveyed by Syed Ashraful Islam, Awami League spokesperson and Joint Secretary, to reporters after one and half hour-long meeting between and ambassadors of Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden in the morning at her Sudha Sadan residence in Dhanmondi yesterday evening. Meanwhile, BNP Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan yesterday said there was no need for specific agenda for a dialogue between Begum Khaleda Zia, party Chairperson, and Sheikh Hasina.

Nazrul Islam made the statement a few hours after Ashraf said that the two leaders may have talks on special agenda.

He said Begum Zia thinks that the expected goal may not be achieved, if the talks are confined to any specific agenda.

While briefing reporters Ashraful said the three ambassadors asked Hasina whether she was willing to sit with Khaleda Zia. In response she said, "of course, I am ready for discussion." Ashraful quoted Sheikh Hasina and added there must be a specific agenda for the discussion.

"We do not want to sit over a cup of tea. We want to talk on some specific agenda. But till today neither the government nor others has proposed to us formally," he said.

Ashraful said the national election must be held on 18 December. That was essential for the sake of keeping peace in the country. Otherwise there might be a disastrous situation in the country. The country's future depends on the parliamentary elections.

After the meeting the Swedish envoy said that they hoped for a free, fair and acceptable parliamentary election to be held on the announced date on 18 December with the participation of all the political parties.

They opined that the two leaders of the major parties should sit for negotiation to settle some crucial issues, which might be obstacles in the way of holding a free, fair and credible national election.

EC holds meeting with law-enforcing agencies: Army to be deployed from Dec 12

Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda
presiding over a meeting on law and order during election at
the Election Commission Secretariat on Wednesday. Focus
Bangla

Staff Reporter

The Government has decided to deploy army across the country from December 12, six days ahead of the much-awaited national elections on December 18, to maintain public security.

The deployment will continue till three days after the Upazila elections to be held on December 28 as per the request of the Election Commission (EC).

The EC held a meeting with the officials of law enforcing agencies yesterday and decided to seek army's help from the government to be deployed for 20 days from December 12 to December 31.

"The Election Commission seeks deployment of the army troops a week ahead of the voting day to ensure election security," Commission Secretary M Humayun Kabir told reporters following the security-planning meeting.

Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda, the two election commissioners Sohul Hosain and Sakhawat Hossain, Director General of BDR Major General Shakil Ahmed, Armed Forces Division Director Brigadier General Kazi Abdus Samad, Home Joint Secretary Maksumul Hakim Chowdhury, Inspector General of Police Noor Mohammad, Ansar and VDP Director General ATM Amin, M Shams Khan of National Security Intelligence,

Sheikh Mamun Khaled of Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, Coast Guard Director General Commodore Maksumul Kader, RAB director general HM Khandakar and Additional IGP Baharul Alam attended the meeting on "9th National Parliamentary Election 2008 and Law and Order" at the auditorium of the EC Secretariat.

The EC Secretary said that the troops would be deployed in aid of the civil administration to look after the pre- and post-election situation.

The Home Ministry would take necessary measures to deploy the forces in line with the election commission's plan to ensure a free, fair and credible election, he said.

Humayun Kabir said that the army would be posted outside the polling centres and act as both striking and reserve force to fend off any poll violence.

The EC secretary said the Home Ministry would soon issue a circular on the deployment of army for policing the polls.

Replying to a query, he said they had asked the finance ministry for election budgets. The budget for law and order maintenance will be tailored as soon as the number of the troops to be posted is determined, he added.

He further said that they would soon sit with the Finance Ministry to settle the matter.

Asked whether they discussed the recovery of illegal arms, Humayun Kabir replied in the negative.

The government on November 3, a day after election schedules were announced, relaxed the state of emergency to allow parties to participate in the election campaign. It also called back the army to the barracks from emergency duties across the country.

On Tuesday, the interim government asked political parties not to hold rallies and processions until November 27.

It also asked the law enforcers to take action against any such violation as a number of parties are holding rallies, taking advantage of a relaxed state of emergency.

Fakhruddin meets Manmohan: India assures of reducing trade gap

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed called on Indian
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at the latter's residence
in New Delhi. PID photo

BSS, New Delhi

Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh yesterday assured Bangladesh of reducing trade gap between the two neighbourly countries and said steps to be taken to maintain a balance of trade by importing more from Bangladesh and removing non-tariff barriers further.

The assurance came when Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed called on Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at the latter's residence here. Earlier, the Chief Adviser arrived in New Delhi to attend the 2nd BIMSTEC summit beginning in the Indian capital tomorrow.

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Syed Fahim Munaim and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Liaquat Ali Choudhury were present.

From the Indian side present were Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee, National Security Adviser K Narayanan, Foreign Secretary Shibsankar Menon and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pinak R. Chakravarty were present.

After the meeting, Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Syed Fahim Munaim briefed the newsmen.

Dr Iftekhar said the meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere and both the leaders expressed satisfaction over the existing bilateral relations and hoped it will be strengthened further in the days to come.

Dr Manmohan appreciated the success of Bangladesh in food production during the last year saying the country achieved remarkable progress in different social sectors.

He lauded the completion of the huge task of voter list with photographs of more than 80 million voters across the country using own resources.

Appreciating the role of garment sector, he said it helped poverty reduction as well as women empowerment in Bangladesh.

On the reduction of trade gap, the Indian Prime Minister said his government is trying to remove non-tariff barriers with Bangladesh so that more Bangladeshi products could enter into the Indian markets.

In this connection, he said, India is importing a good number of garment products from Bangladesh.

Dr Fakhruddin said Bangladesh is in favour of more trade facilitation from the Indian side so that a win-win situation prevails in bilateral trade. He said both the countries have the similar stand against terrorism in its all forms.

Referring to Manmohan Singh's scheduled visit to Washington in the backdrop of world economic slowdown, Dr Fakhruddin said the developing countries should raise their voice so that progress of their development programmes is not hampered and MDGs could be achieved in time.

The Indian Prime Minister appreciated the proposal of Bangladesh to form BIMSTEC Food Bank for ensuring food security in this region.

Dr Iftekhar said New Delhi BIMSTEC summit which begins tomorrow will mainly focus on issues like world economic slowdown, food security, energy crisis and climate change.

Earlier, on his arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport the chief adviser was received by Indian Minister of State Mr. Aswini Kumar. He was then taken to Hotel Taj Mahal by a ceremonial motorcade.

Later in the evening, the chief adviser attended a banquet hosted by Indian Prime Minister in honour of the BIMSTEC leaders at Hotel ITC MAURYA.

Janata Tower case: SC upholds Roushan’s conviction

Raushan Ershad

BSS, Dhaka

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court yesterday uphold a High Court verdict that fined former first lady Begum Raushan Ershad and others Taka 10,000 each, in default, to suffer two years in prison in Janata Tower graft case.

The full court, led by Chief Justice M M Ruhul Amin, after hearing, rejected the appeal petitions brought by Raushan Ershad and others against the High Court decision.

The court, however, granted an appeal filed for the state against the High Court verdict that ordered to hand over the Janata Tower to Shukur Ali Pradhan and others, but it rejected a state prayer seeking enhancement of the appellants' punishment.

After the Highest Court decision, the Janata Tower remains a state property, Deputy Attorney General Zahirul Islam Mukul told reporters.

The then Bureau of Anti-Corruption lodged the case with Tejgaon thana on April 14, 1991, accusing former president H M Ershad, Begum Raushan Ershad, former RAJUK chairman M M Rahmatullah, Shukur Ali Pradhan and others.

Merchant power plant policy on cards

Staff Reporter

The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources placed the draft of the Merchant Power Plant policy to the Cabinet Division for approval, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Prof M Tamim yesterday said.

He was speaking as chief guest at a roundtable on "Road to Energy Efficient Dhaka" at CIRDAP Auditorium.

The Energy and Power (EP) magazine organised the roundtable. It was addressed, among others, by Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) member Md Mokhlesur Rahman, former Chairman of Power Development Board Shamsul Islam and ANM Rizwan, Managing Director of Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited Eng Saleh Ahmed, Managing Director of Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited Md Ataul Masud, Prof Dr Shahidul I Khan of BUET, former Petrobangla director Mokbul-e-Elahi, Director of Multimode Tabith M Awal and EP Editor Mollah Amzad.

BUET Professor Dr. Ijaz Hossain presented the keynote paper on the topic while AP Journalist Farid Hossain moderated the roundtable.

Dr Tamim said that his ministry was hopeful about the approval of the merchant power plant policy by the current month.

"The Ministry is also taking preparations to place the renewable energy policy to the cabinet division for approval by this week or next," he said, adding the government is trying to explore alternative sources of energy.

He pointed out that renewable energy use is only 4 per cent across the world as installation cost of renewable energy plant is very high. If anything is not cost effective, it's very difficult to be sustainable, he noted.

He further said that the preventive measures to reduce system loss saves 20 per cent of total electricity in the USA. "So, we have to ensure our efficient use of electricity," he added.

The Power and Energy Ministry has also initiated a move to introduce energy conservation topic at the school level textbooks to create awareness about energy conservation and efficiency, he informed.

The Ministry is working to prepare energy conservation law to ensure proper use of energy in the country. A committee has already been formed for this purpose, he said.

Dr Tamim said that his Ministry is hopeful to place the draft law to Advisory council for final approval by next month.

On the other hand, the Power Ministry has taken a pilot programme to create awareness about using energy savings electric lights (CFL bulbs) among 20,000 residents at Savar.

Journalist Farid Ahmed said that the political parties should include energy sector in their election manifesto.

Former Chairman of PDB, ANM Rizwan, said that the power distribution is being been disrupted due to the old-age transformers.

He called upon the government to set up new transponders replacing old ones for efficient power supply.

Managing Director of Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited Eng Saleh Ahmed, said that they are now facing 10.91 per cent system loss during the power distribution as against allowable 2.5 percent system loss. Proper distribution line is essential to reduce the system loss," he pointed out.

BUET Professor Dr. Ijaz Hossain said that Dhaka is consuming one-third of the total electricity generated in the country. "If the government introduces proper traffic management system and runs power related water pumps during off pick hours, it will be able to save energy," he added.

Managing Director of Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited Md Ataul Masud called upon the government to investigate into the sale of tempered transponders by the local companies here. The tempered transponders are responsible for inefficiency in power distribution and system loss, according to him.

Global financial crisis could harm country’s remittance sources: IMF

Staff Reporter

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned yesterday that the ongoing snowballing global financial crisis could cut Bangladesh's export earnings and wage earners remittances.

The warnings of the IMF came when a three-member delegation of the international lending agency met Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Governor of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) at his office in the city.

Thomas Rambaugh, IMF's Asia Asia Pacific regional adviser led the delegation.

The IMF has advised the government to bridle the credit flow in the private sector to contain the inflation rate to a tolerable limit.

The BB Governor told the journalists that after reviewing overall economic situation of the country, the IMF team opined that the global credit crunch might affect the country's foreign remittance flow and export earnings.

"The IMF fears the average inflation rate might soar beyond nine per cent this year due to liberalised private sector credit policy," he said adding the team has also urged the government to brace itself for any relevant crisis.

When asked on what measures the government has taken so far he said, " We assured the IMF team that the government has taken a series of measures to check the inflation".

"The government had cut down the fuel prices in line with the fall in the international market," he mentioned.

In this regard Dr Salehuddin mentioned the bumper production of the last year Boro and predicted good output of Aman paddy this year, which could help keep inflation below nine per cent during the current fiscal year.

"We have been fighting with all our means to overcome the long-lasting problem," he said while mentioning about the bulk of classified loans lying with the banks.

"A big chunk of classified loans in the nationalised commercial banks are really a stumbling block to the ongoing efforts of the government," he added.

Bangladesh Bank statistics shows that credit flow in FY 2007-8 rose 26.11 per cent against 15.12 per cent in the preceding fiscal year.

The first quarter of the current fiscal year (2008-9) has witnessed a 25 per cent credit growth. This year's national budget estimated nine per cent inflation.

Saifur, Nizami, Mojahid granted bail

Staff Reporter

The High Court yesterday granted bail for two months to three former ministers M Saifur Rahman, Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami and Secretary General Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mojaheed in the Barapukuria coalmine graft case.

A division bench of the High Court comprising Justice M Mozammel Hossain and Justice Afzal Hossain Ahmed also stayed for two months the proceedings of the case filed against them as well as former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Following High Court orders, the three influential leaders of the four-party alliance on November 10 surrendered to the special court in the Parliament-building Complex and sought bail. They were sent to jail as judge of special court AK Roy rejected their bail prayers and ordered them into jail.

Of the three charge-sheeted accused, senior BNP leader Saifur Rahman was granted bail on health grounds while the two Jamaat leaders--Nizami and Mojaheed-were given bail as the graft case against them appeared to have been filed without jurisdiction and with mala-fide intention, according to lawyers.

Responding to their petitions, the High Court bench also issued separate rules upon the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to explain in four weeks why the case against them should not be quashed.

Saifur Rahman's lawyer Barrister Rafiqul Islam Miah told reporters that the High Court granted bail to Saifur on medical grounds. He said the case could not run, as there were not any substantial allegations against him.

Barrister Abdur Razzaque pleaded for the Jamaat leaders.

The Anticorruption Commission filed the case on February 26 this year accusing former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and nine of her former cabinet colleagues. The charge sheet of the case was submitted to court on October 5.

The case stated that the government incurred losses worth about Tk 159 crore due to awarding a contract for operating Barapukuria coal mine to a Chinese company through "abuse of power.

The principal accused, Begum Khaleda Zia, secured bail from the High Court in this and three other graft cases and recently came out of jail in changed in the political scenario.

BSMMU group calls for resignation of newly appointed VC, Pro-VC

DU Correspondent

A group of teachers, doctors, nurses and staff of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University yesterday demanded the resignation of newly appointed vice-chancellor, pro-vice chancellor and treasurer of the University. They staged a demonstration and brought out a procession on the campus. They also demanded the resignation of Health Adviser Dr AMM Shawkat Ali for his controversial role in the appointments.

They alleged that all the appointments were politically motivated.

Speakers said that the newly appointed persons were not neutral persons and incapable of running the administration neutrally.

Dr Nazrul Islam, member of the BSMMU teachers' association, Dr Moffakharul Islam, Dr Rahat, Dr Yahia and nurse Bilkis, among others, spoke on the occasion.

Bangladesh seeks friendship with neighbours: Iftekhar, Myanmar FM meet in Delhi

BSS, New Delhi

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury had a meeting with Myanmar Foreign Minister U. Nyan Win on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers Conference preceding the Summit, being held here.

The talks, characterised as "cordial", covered a wide range of issues that included the recent incidents in the Bay of Bengal as well as potentialities of cooperation in political and economic fields.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Dr Iftekhar said, "It was a meeting that was both frank and cordial. We both wanted differences resolved peacefully through negotiations conducted in a spirit of mutual understanding. We also saw the value in continuing in the political and economic spheres as two close neighbours."

He said, "We need to follow up on the ground after the very useful discussions during Vice Senior General Maung Aye's recent visit to Bangladesh.

"We agreed to continue with high-level contacts including a meeting between the Myanmar Prime Minister and the Chief Adviser when they both arrive in New Delhi."

Teachers’ abstention Deadlock at JU persists

BSS, Savar

An impasse situation has been prevailing at the campus due to work abstention programme of section of teachers since the last five days demanding punitive punishment for the students involved with harassment of a teacher.

Jahangirnagar University Teachers' Association (JUTA) on Saturday started the programme for an indefinite period demanding permanent expulsion of a number of students who allegedly blamed for assaulting Sanwar Hossain Sunni, the chairman of Drama and Dramatics Department on a sexual scam on October 20. Another group of teachers under the banner JU Shikkhak

Monch, however, attended classes and conducted examinations yesterday-the fifth consecutive day of the programme that already disrupted congenial academic atmosphere of the campus. They urged the university authorities to take necessary measures to reinstall the peaceful academic atmosphere on the campus.

JU authorities have already formed an investigation committee to look into the incident related to teacher harassment.

Meanwhile, the university syndicate, in its emergency meeting, temporarily expelled six students for their allegedly involvement with teacher assaulting.

University Vice Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr Muhammed Muniruzzaman told BSS that the investigation committee formed to look into the incident is working relentlessly to submit its report before JU syndicate. As per the report of the investigation, the syndicate will take the decision as soon as possible, he added.

The VC, however, requested all concerns to continue the regular academic and administrative activities for the greater interest of students and to call off the work abstention of the teachers.

But the JUTA president professor Ajit Kumar Majumdar said they will continue their work abstention programme until the demand is met.

7 additional judges of HC appointed

BSS, Dhaka

Seven additional judges of the High Court Division of Bangladesh Supreme Court have been appointed, an official handout said here yesterday.

They are Deputy Attorneys General Mohammad Delwar Hossain and Syeda Afsar Jahan, Advocates of Bangladesh Supreme Court Abdul Hakim, Borhan Uddin and Kamal-ul-Alam and District Judges Mohammad Abdus Samad and Mohammad Azizul Haque.

It said empowered by article 98 of the Constitution, the President has appointed them additional judges of the High Court Division for two years from the day of their taking oath.

Terrorist leader killed, 3 cops injured in shootout

Kishoregonj Correspondent

A terrorist leader was killed and three policemen were wounded in a shootout between polic and his accomplices at Karshakariel village in Kishoregonj Sadar upazila yesterday. The deceased was identified as Badal Mia,34, chief of infamous Badal Bahini.

Earlier, police arrested Badal, who was wanted in a number of cases, from Karshakariel Bazar Tuesday morning.

On the day of his arrest Badal stabbed a village policeman grievously. Later, during his arrest he also injured three other policemen.

On the basis of Badal's confessional statement, a police team, led by Sadar thana Officer-in-Charge (OC) Tapan Chandra Saha, took him to his village Karshakariel Tuesday night in a bid to arrest his accomplices and recover hidden arms.

Sensing the presence of police, Badal's cohorts opened fire on them near Nagdora Railway Bridge at about 4:30am, forcing the law-enforcers to fire back.

Police said Badal while trying to flee was caught in the line of fire and died on the spot.

Three constables - Giasuddin, Tapash and Murad - were also wounded during the gunfight. They were admitted to Kishoregonj Modern Hospital.

After the incident, police recovered two revolvers and some country-made sharp weapons from the spot. Badal was wanted in 15 cases, including murder and abduction.

Police Superintend Farook Ahmed visited the spot.