The New Nation - Internet Edition

Proposed Khaleda-Hasina talks: Govt to act as catalyst: EC says, it’s a positive development

New Nation Report

Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman has expressed the government's willingness to act as catalyst of the meeting between the two leaders Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina who are hardly on talking terms for last 17 years.

The Election Commission in a reaction termed the matter as positive and expressed its determination to hold the national elections on December 18.

"The government is ready to reciprocate positively in this regard as the two political leaders have shown eagerness," Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman told reporters after attending a workshop at BRAC Centre in the morning.

"We will take any initiative for the sake of the countrymen," he said.

The two former prime ministers have barely spoken to each other in the past 17 years.

"The Government will take the initiative to get the two top leaders meet and talk with a view to helping the nation overcome the current political stalemate through restoration of constructive political practices," Hossain Zillur told reporters on Sept 11 after Khaleda was released on bail from prison.

Awami League spokesperson Syed Ashraful Islam told reporters on Wednesday: "Our president is ready for discussion. But that must have an agenda."

Hours later, BNP joint secretary general Nazrul Islam Khan told reporters: "Khaleda is ready to sit with Hasina 'for the sake of the nation'."

The Election Commission has termed the eagerness of Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia to sit together 'positive' for the country.

"We have heard that the two leaders have agreed to sit for discussion. If it is held it will be good for the country and very positive for the upcoming election," Election Commissioner Muhammed Sohul Hussain told bdnews yesterday

Sheikh Hasina's latest condition given yesterday to telecast the dialogue live on television channels raises question in the BNP camp about the sincerity of the AL in holding the proposed talks.

Barrister Rafiq Ul Haque, the counsel of both the former premiers, had earlier taken a move to bring the two top leaders across the table but finally failed.

In the latest development, AL spokesperson Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday told reporters that the AL chief is ready to sit across the table but that it must have an agenda.

Awami League (AL) spokesman and Joint Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday suggested that the proposed meeting between AL Chief Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia should be broadcast live.

Talking to reporters at Sheikh Hasina's Sudha Sadan residence in Dhanmondi, he said the people of the country should get an opportunity to watch and hear the discussions on crucial issues between the two leaders. That is why AL is against a closed-door meeting; he said adding it should be broadcast live through a TV channel.

"We want issue-based discussion on the basis of some specific agenda. The issues may include the national election, continuation of the anti-graft drive, keeping constitutional organisations outside politics and agreement on not calling strike if any party sits in the opposition", he added.

He reiterated that the national election must be held on December 18. The nation would face an uncertain future if the parliamentary election is not held on the scheduled date, he warned.

Earlier, Syed Ashraful Islam on Wednesday said that Sheikh Hasina was ready for holding discussion with BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and that there must be some specific agenda.

Close on the heels of the announcement of Ashraful Islam about the willingness of Sheikh Hasina to sit across table with BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zua, BNP joint secretary general Nazrul Islam Khan told reporters Khaleda too was ready for a parley with Hasina in the interest of restoring democracy in the country.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador Zhng Qingdian, who met Sheikh Hasina at Sudha Sadan yesterday, expressed the hope that a free, fair and credible national election would be held on time with the participation of all the political parties.

Dialogue for change

Hasnat Abdul Hye

The most important dialogue to make a breakthrough in the political impasse of the country has been elusive so long. It is the dialogue among the major political parties who are at loggerheads among themselves, mostly on sentimental grounds. Clash of personalities has also played a part in the aggravation of the political situation. Animosity and ill feelings have grown so much that the top leaders of the two parties are not even on talking terms. This is unthinkable in a democracy where bi-partisanship in matters of national interest is the norm. Bangladesh politics has not acquitted itself well in this regard, much to the distress of the nation and disbelief by foreigners.

The political crisis that led to the clamping of emergency rule on one eleven and putting politics on hold for two years was the making of the political parties. Had they not created a situation of anarchy leading the country to the brink of catastrophe, there would be no need to interrupt the political process and postpone the general election. Contrary to what has been bandied about by some, there was no conspiracy from any quarter to scuttle the normal course of politics. Intervention became inevitable and unavoidable when the normal course of politics was deflected as a result of agitation and confrontation among political parties. It was out of sheer despair that the people welcomed the change brought in by the emergency. Everyone expected and the caretaker government (ctg) declared as much, that the interregnum, when politics would be in the backburner, would be used to carry out political reforms before general election was held within two years. The reforms had several aspects, some of which were envisaged to be carried out by the political parties and some fell in the bailiwick of the caretaker government (ctg) and the concerned authorities under it like the Election Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission.

While the ctg went ahead with its reform measures, the political parties dithered or moved half-heartedly. More disappointing than the lackluster performance in respect of internal party reforms was the absence of any move to establish a working relation among the parties, particularly the two major parties, Awami League and BNP.

Normal working relation required agreement by all parties on a limited number of specific issues which have not only vitiated the relationship among them but also inflicted immense hardships on the people and stymied the progress of democracy. These issues are well known and include hartal, oborodh and boycott of the sessions of the Jatyo Sangsad. Though the civil society the business community pleaded on many occasions with the political parties to refrain from these insidious activities, it fell on deaf ears. The parties could not reach a consensus unless the leaders met and discussed the issues. Lack of communication let the political malaise to fester. Unfortunately, all the major parties suffer from cult of personality in varying degrees. The leaders and the workers in the parties look at the top for direction and guidance. As long as the leaders at the top believed in the strategy of attrition through confrontation, the leaders and workers below could not take any initiative to leave the beaten track. A dialogue among (or between) the leaders at the top thus became crucial for bringing about a change in the political culture. But who would bell the cat? The party leaders and workers could not dare to do it, lest they were suspected of disloyalty. The ctg could mediate among the parties, particularly the two major ones, and arrange for the dialogue, but because of a different strategy that it might have, this course was not taken. In the vacuum entered the foreign emissaries. In a frenetic move of unconventional diplomacy, different groups (even singly) of ambassadors and high commissioners went to the residence of the two top leaders of Awami League and BNP and held discussion with them in the past few days. Though no public disclosure was made it transpired that the main subject of discussion was the meeting between the two top leaders. Soon after this diplomatic shenanigans, both the leaders responded positively to their overtures and told the press that they were willing to sit together and talk. Though the nation sighed in great relief, it also felt embarrassed at the thought that the two leaders had to wait for foreign mediation to agree on a simple and mundane subject like having a meeting between them. If they had agreed on their own or in response to initiatives taken by some Bangladeshis, their stature would have gone up and they would have done the nation proud.

Be that as it may, having agreed to meet, the two leaders have now expressed differences of views about the procedure of the meeting. While the BNP supremo wants to meet without agenda, her counterpart wants to have a structured meeting with specific topics for discussion. Seemingly irreconcilable, the preferences of both the leaders can be met through staggered meetings. The first meeting can take place socially in a neutral place where the two leaders and other members of their parties can attend informally. The objective of the first meeting will be to break the ice and for creating normalcy in mutual relations. Following this social get-together for confidence-building, structured meetings with specific agenda can be held. Before the formal meetings, a working group with members from both the parties can sit together to prepare the agenda in a spirit of constructive engagement. Both the parties should realise that all the problems that divide them and all of their grievances cannot be resolved in the meetings. This has to be an ongoing process. What is important is to agree on major issues to sustain democratic politics in the country. There is nothing partisan about these (hartal, boycott), rather they are neutral in the sense that they do not affect any party exclusively or particularly. There is a win-win prospect for both in agreeing on these core issues.

Having agreed to talk, the two leaders now should not allow procedural matter to keep them apart. Simply by meeting each other they would make a major breakthrough. It would be not only a milestone but a landmark in the history of Bangladesh politics. Let there be no hesitation.

Dhaka for stronger BIMSTEC: Call to fight against rising food, energy prices

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, Myanmar
Prime Minister Thein Sein, Bangladesh Chief Adviser
Fakhruddin Ahmed, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,
Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley, Nepalese Prime
Minister Prachanda and Thailand Prime Minis

UNB, New Delhi

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed Thursday called for forging a stronger alliance of BIMSTEC to deal effectively and resolutely with the issues of rising food prices, persistent high energy costs and negative fall-out from climate change.

He proposed to include Climate Change as priority area of cooperation in the BIMSTEC, saying that if given the task, Bangladesh would be happy to act in this critical area.

Delivering the country statement at the plenary session of second BIMSTEC Summit, the head of the caretaker government also proposed for setting a target date for the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement to come into effect.

Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, current chairman of BIMSTEC, earlier inaugurated the plenary session at around 10:20am at the Darbar Hall of Hotel Taj Palace.

BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) groups seven countries - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand Chief Adviser

Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed was the first speaker at the plenary session, chaired by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley, Myanmar's Prime Minister Gen Thein Sein, Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wangsawat also addressed the plenary session in alphabetical order.

Ministers and delegate members of BIMSTEC countries, among others, were present at the event.

The Chief Adviser said that in shorter term, the BIMSTEC leaders might consider creating an institutional mechanism to maintain a buffer stock of food in the region, similar to a SAARC Food Bank.

"We are all aware of the growing challenges that our societies are faced with today. Rising food prices, persistent high energy costs, and negative fallout from climate change have tested our limits. It's time we consolidate and forge a stronger alliance to deal with these issues effectively and resolutely," he said.

He added: "We've noted that progress has been achieved in the BIMSTEC FTA negotiations, although at a less than ideal pace. I propose that we set a target date for the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement to come into effect.

"At the same time, tariff reduction and elimination must be accompanied by appropriate measures for the removal of non-tariff barriers to significantly contribute to the growth of intra-regional trade."

Dr Fakhruddin reiterated Bangladesh's offer to host the Secretariat in Dhaka, saying that it would be the country's honour to shoulder this responsibility.

He hoped that the member states would extend their valuable support to the offer. As one of the founding members of BIMSTEC, Bangladesh is deeply committed to its broader objectives and goals, he said.

The Chief Adviser said the Second BIMSTEC Summit is taking place at a "defining moment in our history." BIMSTEC, which bridges the two developing regions of Asia, epitomizes South-South cooperation.

He said: "We are encouraged by the tremendous opportunities that beckon us today. Common interests and aspirations of our peoples place us in a unique position to transform the economic and social landscapes of our countries.

"As a group, we need to be creative and pragmatic in our approach to turn these challenges into tangible opportunities. The 21st century belongs to Asia. But a good deal will depend on how we develop our potential."

The Chief Adviser said the recent global financial crisis has increased the threat of a deep worldwide recession. A decline in demand for exports from developing countries is a distinct possibility.

He reminded that concerted and comprehensive global actions are needed to respond to and overcome this crisis. "Regionally, increased coordination and consultations amongst our central banks and financial regulators will be useful. They should continuously monitor and assess the situation and suggest remedial measures."

He added: "Poverty alleviation is high on our agenda. The development of an Action Plan on Poverty Alleviation as recommended by the First BIMSTEC Poverty Alleviation Ministerial in Dhaka would be a significant step forward in our collective effort in this regard."

Dr Fakhruddin thanked BIMSTEC chairman for extending support to host the BIMSTEC Poverty Alleviation Centre in Dhaka.

He said the centre, which will be set up soon, will carry out high-quality research and studies in this vitally important area and provide useful guidance and policy inputs to decision-makers and practitioners.

On Agriculture, he said agricultural productivity is a critical element in any poverty reduction strategy. The recent rise in food prices has underlined the need for priority attention to food security.

The Chief Adviser called for qualitative improvements to the international food trading system based on equity and fair play. At the regional level, it should also explore ways for increased investment and for the transfer of technology to increase agriculture productivity.

On Energy, he said the countries' developmental efforts will be seriously undermined "if we are unable to maintain a steady supply of energy at affordable prices."

Cooperation in capacity building, technology transfer and infrastructure development are a key in this regard, he added.

"We must also harness renewable sources of energy such as hydro-power, solar, bio-fuel and wind to address the energy needs of the region,"

On Climate Change, Dr Fakhruddin said the phenomenon of climate change is not a myth but a hard and scientific reality. Empirical evidence suggests that even a one-metre rise in the sea-level would submerge one fifth of Bangladesh, resulting in an estimated 25 to 30 million people being displaced as "climate refugees". Other countries in the region would face similar catastrophes.

He said that in the one decade of its existence, BIMSTEC has come a long way. It is time that BIMSTEC leaders make an in-depth review of BIMSTEC.

"A high-level group of eminent personalities from the region should be constituted to undertake an independent review of the organization and to make specific recommendations to bring greater dynamism to our efforts at regional cooperation," he told the function.

In this interdependent world, the Chief Adviser said, "our prosperity and wellbeing depends on our collective and collaborative endeavours. We must chart out a clear roadmap and commit ourselves to effectively follow it through for the 2.2 billion people of this region."

He concluded: "A prosperous tomorrow awaits us. The seed of a better future must be sowed today, and nurtured through cooperation and collaboration."

AL seeks 'boat’ symbol for alliance partners

Staff Reporter

Most of the political parties in the proposed grand alliance intend to contest the upcoming national election with their own symbols when Awami League (AL) yesterday urged the Election Commission (EC) to allow its allies to contest with its symbol 'Boat' if they so desired.

A four-member AL delegation, led by its office secretary Adv Abdul Mannan Khan, yesterday met EC Secretary M Humayun Kabir and handed over a party letter conveying their demand.

However, the EC told AL that such request letters from both the alliance and its willing partner parties have to be submitted to the Commission to facilitate allocation of such requested symbol. "The candidates of AL-led alliance must mention 'Boat' as their symbol in nomination papers submitted to the EC along with AL's official consent or 'no objection' in this regard," Mannan Khan told reporters quoting the Commission Secretary.

He also said as Awami League would contest the upcoming parliamentary election by forging grand alliance, so the Commission has been informed of the matter through the letter.

The AL delegation also urged the Election Commission not to reject the nomination paper of the intending candidates for minor mistakes or due to some technical reasons.

Mannan informed newsmen that a top-level AL delegation had earlier, on November 5, discussed the matter with the Election Commission and the letter submitted yesterday was a follow-up to that.

Meanwhile, some leaders of Jatiya Party, Gonotantry Party and Ganoforum told the New Nation that they would contest the polls with their respective party symbols.

General Secretary of Ganotantry Party Gias Uddin Haider said, "Our party has decided to go for contesting with our election symbol 'Pigeon.' We will allow our candidates to use 'Boat' or any other symbol of other parties even if there is an electoral alliance."

He said, "We are in the 14-pary alliance but we will not join the so called grand alliance incorporating Jatiya Party, which actually does not exist."

Gano Forum Presidium Member Commander Abdur Rouf was also of the same opinion. He said, "we have no objection to forge alliance with AL if the party shows its commitment to our 23-point declaration. Deviation from 23-point would be a betrayal to Bangabondu and thousands of martyrs, as AL along with vowed about it."

He said, "forging alliance with communal parties and a former army dictator is a deviation."

Sources in the Jatiya Party also said that the party would fight with its own symbol "Plough," despite forging election alliance with AL.

But, Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon and National Awami Party (NAP) general secretary Adv Enamul Huq said that they were yet to decide about it.

HC judgement: Truth Commission declared illegal

Staff Reporter

The High Court has declared illegal and unconstitutional the Voluntary Disclosure Ordinance 2008 that allowed the Truth and Accountability Commission (TAC) to come into being.

The TAC constituted to show mercy to penitent corrupt under the current purge lost. The bench of justices Mir Hashmat Ali and Shamim Hasnain passed the order yesterday on a writ petition filed on Aug. 25.

The division bench delivered the judgment upon a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) writ petition that challenged the validity of the much-talked-about Ordinance and its Commission.

The High Court in its ruling didn't give validity to the TAC function so far done in granting clemency to the corrupt in exchange for their ill-gotten wealth, a counsel for the writ petitioners told reporters.

The HC bench in its observation said the Ordinance had been promulgated beyond the scope of the Constitution, deviating from the object of the rule of law.

"If such kind of Commission is allowed to continue, the executive authority of the government will make the judiciary a non-functional body only to assist the particular body, which is against the basic structure of the Constitution," the court further said in declaring illegal the founding of the Truth Commission.

It referred to the article 112 of the Constitution that says: all authorities, executive and judicial, in the Republic shall act in aid to the Supreme Court.

"The Constitution does not contemplate substitute justice system like the TAC that is being considered an alternative to criminal justice system," the HC observed, adding that any such rule or law cannot be incorporated.

The President promulgated the Ordinance, published in the gazette on June 8, and the interim regime constituted the five-month-tenure TAC on July 30 by appointing Justice Habibur Rahman Khan as its Chairman and former comptroller and accountant general Asif Ali and Maj Gen (retd) Manzur Rashid Chowdhury as two members.

On August 3, the TAC, the newest institution for dealing with graft charges under the countrywide purge in the interim period, started functioning through receiving clemency petitions from the penitent corrupt persons.

The Commission's Chairman said 337 people had applied so far to the commission for clemency. Of the 337, 19 sought clemency personally, 141 through the Anticorruption Commission, 167 through the National Coordination Committee on prevention of serious crimes and the remaining 10 through court. Hearing on 231 mercy-seekers had concluded, the commission chief has said, and added 82 applicants had so far received clemency.

On August 28, the High Court had issued a rule asking the government to explain why the impugned Voluntary Disclosure of Information (Amendment) Ordinance 2008 under which the Truth and Accountability Commission was formed should not be declared "unlawful and ultra vires of the Constitution".

Four Rights activists--advocate Adilur Rahman Khan, Farida Akhter, Dr Dipu Moni and advocate ASM Nasiruddin Elan--filed the PIL writ petition.

The Commission considered the cases of the corrupt who seek mercy voluntarily confessing to their crime of committing corruption, by depositing their ill-gotten wealth with the state exchequer.

Graft suspects could apply to the Commission by September 1 of this year for making voluntary disclosures about their corruption. The deadline was later extended.

The self-confessed corrupt were to be considered ineligible for contesting any national or local elections, for holding any public office or executive position in any collective bargaining agency, association, bank, or financial institution for five years.

Persons willing to voluntarily disclose their ill-gotten wealth were exempted from prosecution and imprisonment, subject to surrendering their illegal property or the corresponding amount of money to the exchequer.

The Ordinance was promulgated in a bid to remove corruption through an alternative justice-system and to reduce the burden of trial upon the state, as a huge number of graft suspects, including top politicians, bureaucrats and business tycoons, were booked under the clean-up drive launched following the 1/11 changeover.

Advocate Tawfique Nawaz, assisted by Asaduzzaman, appeared for the quartet PIL petitioners, while Attorney-General Salahuddin Ahmed stood for government.

India bans Ulfa, Bodo fighters

BBC, Kolkata

Indian authorities have extended a ban on two separatist groups who have been blamed for last month's serial blasts in north-eastern Assam state.

The explosions killed 84 people and left more than 200 others injured.

The ban on the United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) has been extended by two more years.

The Interior Ministry ban on these two separatist groups was supposed to expire later this month. The Ulfa is the leading Assamese separatist group, and the NDFB fights for an independent homeland for the Bodo tribe.

Both groups have denied any involvement in the explosions.

"But we have evidence that both these groups were involved in the serial explosions. So we have decided to extend the ban," an interior ministry spokesman told the BBC.

NDFB is involved in negotiations with the Indian government with a ceasefire in place.

The government would also review whether talks with the NDFB, now into the second year, could be continued and whether the ceasefire would hold, the interior ministry spokesman said.

On Wednesday, the Assam police arrested a Bhutanese national in connection with the 30 October serial explosions in the state. Tenjing G Zangpo was produced in a court in the state capital, Guwahati, on charges of being involved in the explosions.

The court remanded Zangpo to 10 days in police custody.

Credible polls not possible under present EC

Staff Reporter

A section of politicians, academics and civil society members at a discussion said yesterday that free, fair and credible election will not be possible under the present Election Commission (EC).

They also called upon the government and the EC to defer the parliamentary polls date by at least couple of months so that all political parties can take part in the polls.

They were speaking at a discussion on " Ninth Parliamentary Election: Neutrality of Government and Election Commission" organised by Nagorik Forum (NF) at the VIP lounge of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).

Mahmudur Rahman, former chairmen of the Board of Investment (BoI), was present as chief guest while Abdullah hil Masud, Chairman of NF presided over. Mohammad Mahbub Hossain, General Secretary of the organisation moderated the discussion.

Speakers pointing out that a large number of political parties are yet to get registration certificates from the EC despite their public support at the grass roots level.

They blamed the EC for giving registrations to some political parties, which have even no popular supports in the country.

They said a fair election is not possible by keeping major parties outside the election race.

They also called upon all Islamic minded nationalists forces to be united for defending the country's independence and sovereignty.

Mahmudur Rahman said free and fair election is not possible under the present EC. He said lifting the sate of emergency is the prerequisite for neutral polls. He criticised a particular party for their double standard on Jammat issue.

Abdul Qader Mollah, Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e- Islami, said the EC has already lost its neutrality by showing step motherly attitude toward some political parties on registration issue.

Gayweshwar Chandar Roy demanded resignation of the Election Commissioners and reconstitute of the new commission for conducing fair polls.

Alamgir Mohiuddin, Editor of the daily 'Naya Diganta', Abdul Latif Nezami, Secretary General, Islami Oikkya Jote, Qazi Abul Khair, Secretary General of Muslim League, Golam Sarwar Milon, former minister and PDP central leader, Joynal Abedin Farooq, former MP and Advocate Abed Raza of BNP, Abu Naser Mohammad Rahmatullah, Secretary General of Jatiya Party and Prof Tahmina Akhter, among others, attended the discussion.

Directives to deposit all licensed arms by Dec 3

BSS, Dhaka

The government has instructed all owners of licensed pistol, revolver and ammunition to deposit their firearms with the nearest police stations from November 20 to December 3.

The government has taken the decision under section 26 of Arms Act of 1878 to prevent misuse of the firearms and maintain law and order for holding the general and upazila elections peacefully, an official handout said here today.

The deposited firearms and ammunition will be kept at the respective police stations till January 5, 2009, it said.

Besides, ban has also been imposed on carrying other licensed firearms from December 4, 2008 to January 5, 2009.

Stern action would be taken under the Arms Act for violation of the order.

However, the ban would not be applicable to the members of the law enforcing agencies and security personnel of different government, semi-government, private organizations, financial institutes and enterprises, the handout added.

Another power-tariff hike likely

UNB, Dhaka

Retail consumers may have to pay increased power tariffs as the distribution companies began placing proposals with Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) for a raise.

According to official sources, Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC) on Wednesday sent proposal for increasing its retail power tariffs by an average 14.75 percent. Dhaka Electric Supply Company (DESCO) is sending its proposal in the coming week urging an average 12 percent hike.

At present, these two companies are operating in different areas of the capital city with an identical power-tariff rate for their consumers.

BERC sources, however, said thought the DPDC and DESCO send separate proposals with separate tariff rates for the consumers living in the capital Dhaka, the watchdog agency would fix a common rate.

Following the move of the DPDC and DESCO, sources said, the other distribution agencies like the Rural Electrification Board (REB), Palli Bidyut Samities (PBS), West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited (WZPDC) and North-West Power Distribution Company Ltd as well as the Power Development Board (PDB) will follow suit.

As per rule, after receiving the proposals, the BERC will hold public hearing of the stakeholders and then give its decision.

Under this process, it is assumed that the retail consumers of electricity may have to pay increased tariffs by January next year.

Earlier, BERC had approved a 16 percent average rise in the bulk electricity tariffs effective from October 1, 2008.

This was applicable for only the power-distributing agencies like DESCO, DPDC and others who buy electricity from PDB and sell to retail consumers.

After the 16 percent raise in bulk tariffs, the DESCO, DPDC and other distribution agencies started facing loss in their business, which prompted them to move for raising retail-level power price.

"We have to pay an additional Tk 16 crore to the PDB for the enhanced bulk tariff rate," DPDC Managing Director Ataul Masud told UNB.

He said DPDC took over operations from DESA with 25 percent system loss. "But, now, we fixed target to bring it down to 16 percent," he said, adding, "since our system loss is little bit high, we had to propose a higher enhancement in tariffs than that of DESCO proposal."

Fugitive convicts won’t be allowed to reappear ahead of polls: IGP

Staff Reporter

Nur Mohammad, Inspector General of Police, yesterday said the fugitives who have been convicted under emergency power rules and who have taken shelter abroad would not be able to reappear ahead of the upcoming December 18 parliamentarys elections.

I don't think that they (fugitives) will get a chance to return to the country as in the past ahead of the polls to create troubles, he told the reporters on the sidelines of a function at Rajarbagh Police Lines.

A number of top terrors took shelter in various countries, including US and India, to avoid arrest following combing operations conducted by law enforcing agencies and joint forces, including the 'Operation Clean Heart' in October 2001.

Recently, a number of top terrors were arrested in India and some of them were handed over to Bangladesh authorities.

It is apprehended that those underworld kingpins might reappear and engage in criminal activities again to establish their control over their respective zones ahead of the upcoming national election.

On reports that some of them have already returned to the country from their hideouts abroad and many more may come out before the polls, the IGP said he had no knowledge about such things.

"There is no sign that such suspects have returned to the country," he said.

6 new HC addl judges to take oath Sunday

UNB, Dhaka

Six out of seven newly-appointed Additional Judges to the High Court will take oath Sunday morning.

Chief Justice MM Ruhul Amin will administer the oath at the Judges' Lounge, sources at the SC Registrar office said yesterday

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed Wednesday appointed the seven Additional Judges to the High Court for two years on recommendations of the Supreme Judicial Commission, a newly-constituted body for recruitment of higher court judges.

According to the sources, Advocate Kamal ul Alam, who was also selected for the vacant posts, regretted to be elevated to the bench from the bar on health grounds.