The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bhashani’s death anniversary today

Bhashani

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a discussion yesterday underscored the need to follow the ideology of the leader of the toiling mass Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani in all spheres of the national life.

Moulana Bhashani had played a pivotal role in inspiring the people for achieving their independence and dedicated his life for the welfare of his countrymen, they added.

Their observation came at the discussion meeting on the eve of the 32nd death anniversary of the leader being observed today at the VIP lounge of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).

Shafiqul Gani Swapan, former minister and Chairman of NAP presided over the discussion.

Terming Bhashani as a visionary and national leader in the sub-continent, Shafiqul Gani said Bhashani had set an example to the politicians how to serve the nation selflessly.

"He was the first person who had dreamed of an independent nation," he added.

Bangabir Kader Siddiquee, Chairman of Krishak Shramik Janata League said Bhashani would live forever in the respect and adoration of the people. He was the initiator of every struggle in Bangladesh.

Mentioning Bhashani as big 'communicator' the Editor of The New Nation, Mostafa Kamal Majumder said the Ideology of Bhashani could influence the nation to unite together under an umbrella. The journalists would extend their support to the politicians to serve the nation with the ideology of Bhashani, he added.

Noor Mohammad Khan, General Secretary of Pragotishil Ganotanktrik Party said Bhashani led several movements to free the people from the aggression of imperialistic and expansionist forces.

Bangladesh National Awami Party (Bangladesh Nap) organised the discussion. It was also attended, among others, by Noor Mohammad Khan, General Secretary of Pragotishil Ganotantrik Party, Iqbal Hossain Forkan, Secretary General of NAP, Khandker Golam Mortaza, Chairman of National Democratic Party and Alhaj Golam Sarwar Khan.

6 new HC Addl Judges take oath

Chief Justice MM Ruhul Amin along with the newly
appointed additional judges of the High Court after
administering oath to them at the Judges' lounge on Sunday.
PID photo

UNB, Dhaka

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

Chief Justice MM Ruhul Amin administered the oath at the Judges' Lounge.

All the Judges of both the divisions of the Supreme Court were present at the function.

Now the number of High Court Judges stand at 67, sources at the Supreme Court Registrar office said.

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed Wednesday appointed 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.

The Judges are Deputy Attorney General Delwar Hossain, Deputy Attorney General Syeda Afsar Jahan, Supreme Court lawyers Abdul Hakim and Borhan Uddin, Rangpur District and Sessions Judge Abdus Samad and Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge M Azizul Haque.

Additional Judge-designate Advocate Kamal ul Alam had earlier regretted to take oath on personal and health grounds.

Council body assigned to resolve BCS crisis

UNB, Dhaka

The government assigned the Advisory Council Committee on Administrative Reforms and Good Governance to resolve the crisis over the 27th BCS examination that recently took a turn for the worse.

A meeting of the council of advisers of the caretaker government today (Sunday) with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair also approved for signing the BIMSTEC Convention on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism, Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking.

In another major step, the meeting approved the Citizenship (Amendment) Ordinance 2008 to interpolate the word 'mother' next to the existing word 'father' in section 5 of the number-2 law of the Citizenship Act 1951.

About the BCS problem, the Council of Advisers directed the Advisory Council Committee on Administrative Reforms and Good Governance to review the complications created over the 27th BCS examination and recommend appropriate solution to the Advisory Council "as soon as possible".

Taking stock of the latest situation arising out of the contentious BCS examination, the council decided that it "should be handled properly".

As a result of amending the citizenship law, if father or mother of a child is Bangladeshi during the baby's birth, the child will get the citizenship of Bangladesh.

Under the existing law, if husband of a Bangladeshi woman is a foreigner, their child cannot be a citizen of Bangladesh. Then, the child will have to follow the legal procedure for getting citizenship.

"The amendment has been made to the Citizenship Act 1951 to remove procedural difficulty and gender disparity," says the statement on the background of necessity of bringing amendment to the existing Act.

To achieve the goal of the BIMSTEC convention, the member-states of the sub-regional grouping, subject to the domestic rules and regulations and under the framework of convention, should provide "widest possible measures and mutual assistance in prevention, investigation, prosecution and suppression" of such crimes.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, CA's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim said the meeting also approved in principle Dhaka Shishu Hospital Ordinance 2008 subject to further examination by the Law and Health Ministries.

After vetting, it will again be placed before the council of advisers in its meeting "as soon as possible".

At the meeting the Cabinet Division placed annual report of activities of different ministries and divisions for the fiscal 2007-08. The meeting directed the ministries to publish their respective annual report individually.

Moreover, the advisory council was apprised by Agriculture Adviser Dr CS Karim of enthusiastic observance of the first National Agriculture Day, saying that much enthusiasm was found among farmers across the country.

CA's Special Assistant for Civil Aviation Ministry apprised the meeting of the latest position of hajj flights, saying that "hajj-flight operations are going on smoothly".

Cultural Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhry apprised the council of celebration of completion of 400 years of Dhaka through programes from 2008 to 2010. The celebrations will be formally inaugurated on November 28.

Members of the Advisory Council attended the meeting at the CA's office. Cabinet Secretary, CA's Press Secretary and Secretaries concerned were present at the meeting.

32 parties get EC registration 10 more under review

UNB, Dhaka

The Election Commission (EC) Sunday completed the process of political parties registration with 32 parties already registered, while papers and documents of 10 more parties remains under review.

The EC has decided not to review any new application for registration from on Monday.

"The process of political parties' registration is complete… there won't be any further registration (of political parties) for next election," Election Commissioner M Sohul Hussain told reporters in reply to a question at the EC secretariat Sunday afternoon.

He said 32 political parties have been given registration after getting feedback from the field-level investigations. "The political parties, with party offices in 10 districts, have been given registration."

Asked about the final voter list, the Election Commissioner said the complete voter lists would reach all areas of the country by tomorrow (Monday).

Meanwhile, the EC joint secretary and the registration scrutiny committee head NI Khan told reporters that around 20 political parties out of the 32 registered parties have already received the registration certificates from the commission.

He informed that another 10 political parties remained under the EC's consideration whether are eligible to get registration. "Scrutiny is being made about the information given by these parties," he said.

NI Khan said the Commission would not accept any new application for registration, but the registration process would continue till Monday (Nov 17).

Replying to a question, he said the EC already rejected applications of some 62-65 parties for not fulfilling the registration criteria and the Commission formally notified them through mail.

The 10 political parties whose cases are under review by the EC:

Jatiya Ganatantrik Party, Khelafat Majlish, Nezam-e-Islami Party, Islami Shasantantra Andolan, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Islami Front, Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islami Party, Bangladesh Islami Oikya Jote, Bangladesh Islami Oikya Andolan and Biplobi Workers' Party.

SC Bar refuses to felicitate newly sworn-in judges

UNB, Dhaka

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) declined to accord traditional felicitation to the newly sworn-in six additional judges of the High Court division.

Shortly after the oath-taking ceremony, SCBA president Barrister Shafique Ahmed, who on protest refrained from attending the function, told the media that the transparency of the Supreme Judicial Commission (SJC), a newly-formed judges' recruitment body, was called in question through those appointments. "The executive authority has imposed its decision, making the SJC scapegoat."

He said three juniors to the incumbent Law Adviser's chamber-Delwar Hossain, Borhanuddin and Syeda Afsar Jahan Illa- were made additional judges and a judicial officer, suspended on charges of corruption and penitent district judge M Abdus Samad, was also inducted into the highest seat of the judiciary.

The SCBA president, an ex-officio member of the SJC, refused to take the burden of the appointments and demanded amendment to the SJC rules, where the Law Minister/Adviser submits to the Commission the panel of probable names of the additional judges for recommendation.

"The list of probable additional judges should be prepared by the SC judges along with senior lawyers, not by the executive authority," he said. Besides, he suggested, the provision for recommending two names for each vacant post should also be repealed to put an end to "juggling with figures" by the executive authority.

He said after browsing the report ran in a vernacular daily on Sunday about the 'tainted' district judge Abdus Samad, the Bar leaders met Chief Justice MM Ruhul Amin at his chamber before the oath-taking ceremony and informed him of the matter.

They requested him not to administer oath to the "controversial" person. But the CJ regretted, on grounds of his constitutional obligation.

Tariqul sued for graft

UNB, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commission Sunday filed a case against former BNP Minister Tariqul Islam, sitting Planning Division Secretary Zafar Ahmed Chowdhury and former Chief Conservator of Forests for causing huge loss to the government exchequer.

A first information report (FIR) was lodged with Shahbagh police station accusing the three of causing the loss through irregularities in selling timber collected from the government's reserve forests.

Former Forest and Environment Minister Tariqul, Planning Division Secretary Zafar, who was formerly Secretary of Forest and Environment Ministry, and former Chief Conservator of Forests Anwarul Islam were accused of causing a loss of Tk 3.21 crore to the national exchequer and abusing power.

It said the 'illegal decision' was later implemented causing a loss of revenue worth Tk 3.21 crore.

JCD rally demands resignation of CEC

DU Correspondent

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), student wing of BNP, yesterday staged a demonstration on the Dhaka University campus demanding resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda.

The organisation claimed that the CEC is hatching conspiracy with the national elections to ensure victory to a particular party but the people of the country are determined to resist any such move.

Earlier, JCD brought out a procession from Modhu`s canteen and marched throughout the campus.

A good number of leaders and activists of the organisation from different dormitories and the city's different educational institutions participated in the procession. Later, they held a rally at the Aparajeyo Bangla.

JCD President Azizul Bari Helal, General Secretary Shafiul Bari Babu, Senior Vice President Sultan Salah Uddin Tuku, Organisng Secretary Abdul Kader Bhuiyan Jewel, DU Unit President Hasan Mamun, General Secretary Saiful Islam Firoz, among others, spoke at the rally.

No election till 4-party demands met: Delwar

Staff Reporter

BNP Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain yesterday said the Four-party alliance would not participate in the parliamentary elections unless the government met their seven-point demand.

"Don't create an atmosphere in which the four-party alliance will not be able to join in the polls on December 18," he told journalists after a meeting of the alliance at the BNP Chairperson's political office at Gulshan in the city.

He said the Government is yet to bring favourable atmosphere and create a level playing field for the elections.

Rejecting the Commerce Adviser's statement on Saturday that the Government was considering to fully lifting the state of emergency (in phases) if the election environment develops smoothly, the Secretary General of BNP termed it ' misleading' and 'confusing'.

"The Adviser (Commerce adviser) is misguiding the people," he added.

Reiterating the seven-point of the BNP and the alliance, Delwar warned the government by saying, " We would not participate in the polls if the government fails to meet the demands".

The Government has pledged to implement the demands with us and till today it did not meet those. "If the government accepts the demands then why is it not implementing them," he questioned.

Mentioning the BNP as election oriented party he said, " We want to go to polls. The alliance will give its announcement as soon as the government meets our demands".

Regarding the Adviser's statement about lifting of emergency in phases, Delwar said " It will not be acceptable if the emergency starts to be lifted in phases after submission of nomination papers".

He said many eligible candidates of BNP were still in jail and the emergency has been put in place to debar them from elections.

He also said the government is favouring a particular party and showing discriminatory attitude towards BNP.

"We want an elected government and a parliament. For this reason we want to go to polls," he said.

Rizvi Ahmed, office secretary of BNP, M Quamruzzaman, assistant secretary general of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Barrister Andalib Rahman, Chairman of Bangladesh Jatiya Party, among others, attended the meeting.

Replicas of Egyptian relics handed over to Nat'l Museum

Staff Reporter

Egypt has handed over five replicas of ancient relics of Egyptian civilization to the National Museum.

Cultural Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury received the replicas from Egyptian Ambassador Faiz Naser at a function at the National Museum yesterday.

The adviser said, "The cultural bond between Egypt and Bangladesh has become stronger through the handing over of the relics."

Faiz Naser, the Egyptian envoy, said, "These relics will certainly enrich the National Museum, as it has made Egypt proud."

The replicas are busts of Princess Baketaten, Sekhmet and Model of 'Ankh' sign, among others.

Secretary of Ministry of Cultural Affairs Md Sharful Alam, Secretary General of National Museum Samar Chandra Pal were also present at the function.

Koko's parole extended again

UNB, Dhaka

The Government has extended the parole of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, who is undergoing treatment abroad, by two more months until January 16, 2009.

A Home Ministry order on Saturday said Koko's parole had been extended after his lawyer AM Mahbub Uddin Khokan prayed for it on Monday. Terms and conditions of the parole will remain the same.

Detained in the Dhaka Central Jail and then at Prison Cell of BSMMU Hospital since his arrest on September 3, 2007, Koko is now undergoing treatment in a Bangkok Hospital. He was originally given two months parole from July 17, 2008.

Saifur, Mujahid meet Khaleda

Staff Reporter

BNP standing committee member and former Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman yesterday evening called on party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia at her political office at Gulshan in the city.

He met with Begum Zia soon after his release from jail on bail in Baropukuria coalmine graft case on Sunday. They held a half an hour meeting.

Later, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, who was also released from jail on bail in the same case, met Begum Zia as the leader of the four-party alliance.

Jatiya Party (Ershad) Vice-Chairman Ahsan Ahmed also called on Begum Zia at her Gulshan office yesterday evening and formally joined the BNP.

A former MP from Nilphamari-2 constituency Ahmed told journalists that he joined BNP being inspired by the ideals of BNP

founded by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and the uncompromising leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia.

"I will take part in all programmes of the BNP alongwith the people," he said.

DSE turnover plunges to 9-month low

Staff Reporter

Share prices in the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) yesterday tumbled again as the turnover plunged to a 9-month low due to investors' confusion over the SEC's move to raise the margin loan ratio.

The day's total turnover fell to as low as Tk 1.36 billion from Tk 2.34 billion on Thursday, near February 24 turnover of Tk 1.16 billion.

During the day's trading, the DSE General Index (DGEN) fell 40 points or 1.50 per cent to close at 2,637 from 2,677 points on Thursday while the All Shares Price Index (DSI) dropped 32 points or 1.43 per cent to close at 2,186. The DSE-20 index for selective shares declined 22 points or 0.97 per cent to close at 2,237 points.

Of the total 234 issues traded on the day, 65 registered gains while 165 incurred losses and four remained unchanged.

The market capitalization dropped to Tk 956 billion from Tk 965 billion on Thursday.

Beximco Pharma, Beximco, Uttara Bank, Titas Gas, ACI, GrameenS2, Islami Bank, AIMS 1st Mutual Fund, IFIC and Square Pharma were the day's turnover leaders in terms of value.

The day's volume leaders were AIMS 1st Mutual Fund, Fine Foods, GRAMEENS2, Beximco Textiles, Beximco Pharma, Golden Son, Beximco,

Beach Hatchery, Bionic Food and Fu-Wang Foods.

Top gainers of the day were Fine Foods, Beach Hatchery, Meghna Condensed Milk, Ranga Food, Bionic Food, Meghna Pet, M Hossain Garments, Meghna Shrimp, Savar Refractories and Rose Heaven Ball.

Top losers were BLTC, Tamijuddin Textiles, Safco spinning, Goldenson, 8th ICB, Ran Foundry, United Insurance, Mithun Knit, Apex Weaving and 2nd ICB.

Unlimited market freedom blamed for climate crisis

Staff Reporter

Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (Equitybd) at a press conference yesterday blamed the unlimited market freedom for the present climate crisis and demanded democratic reform in global finance governance.

It also criticised the developed countries for not providing full compensation to the victims of cyclone SIDR that devastated Bangladesh last year and which is considered to be the reaction of climate change.

On the occasion of the first anniversary of cyclone SIDR Equitybd protested President Bush's anti crisis meeting held Sunday along with the heads of G20 countries in Washington.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Mostafa Kamal Akanda, Md Shamsuddoha, AHM Bazlur Rahman, Sahadat Islam Chowdhury, among others, spoke at the press conference held at Dhaka Reporter's Unity auditorium.

The speakers said, donors and World Bank assessed the SIDR damage at US$ 1.7 billion but the country has received only US$ 350 million so far in aid, which is only reparation of 20.5 per cent of the total damages.

They said climate change and carbon emission of the developed country are mainly responsible for cyclones like SIDR in Bangladesh.

They demanded compensation as ecological debt from the developed countries like USA and EU and also from advance developing countries like India, China and Brazil, which also in line with developed countries are responsible for carbon emissions.

They demanded white paper from government, non-government and UN organisation on use of aid money for SIDR rehabilitation.

The speakers also blamed the approach of unlimited freedom of market and limitless greed for profit as the root of global financial crisis ultimately, which is also creating climate catastrophe, causing worst sufferings to Bangladesh.