Internet Edition. November 20, 2008, Updated: Bangladesh Time 12:00 AM |
Internet Edition. November 20, 2008, Updated: Bangladesh Time 12:00 AM |
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AL announces 12 more nominations
Supporters of the nomination-deprived candidates continue their protest in front of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina's Sudha Sadan residence in the city yesterday. Focus Bangla UNB, Dhaka Awami League yesterday announced 12 more nominations of its candidates contesting the forthcoming parliament elections. Adv Sanjida Khanom-Dhaka 4, Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin-Dhaka-7, Saber Hossain Chowdhury-Dhaka-9, Asaduzzaman Kamal Dhaka-11, Aslamul Huq Aslam Dhaka-14, Kamal Ahmed Majumdar Dhaka-15, Ilias Molla Dhaka-16, Saimum Sarwar Chowdhury-Cox's Bazar-3, Prof Mohammad Ali-Cox's Bazar-4, ABM Tearul Islam-Chittagong-2, Prof Manirul Islam-Barisal-2, Mazharul Huq Pradhan-Panchagarh-1 (replacing Mirza Gloam Erfan Babu). BNP’s demand to defer polls immoral: Hasina UNB, Dhaka Awami League president Sheikh Hasina has urged all political parties for full cooperation to ensure a free and fair election on December 18. Awami League also termed the four-party alliance's demand for deferring the polls as "immoral" as it earlier had welcomed the election date of December 18 when it was declared by the Election Commission. "Sheikh Hasina has urged all political parties to give their full cooperation to arrange the December 18 polls in a fee and fair manner," said Hasina's special aide Dr Hasan Mahmud. Dr Mahmud was briefing journalists after an hour-long meeting between Sheikh Hasina and Australian High Commissioner in Dhaka Douglas Foskett at her Sudhasadan residence Wednesday morning. Awami League wants the December 18 polls be held in time, Dr Mahmud said, adding: "We want the elections to be held on December 18 for the restoration of country's democracy." He said the Australian High Commissioner also expressed the hope that the elections would be held on December 18 and Bangladesh would get its democracy back. Sheikh Hasina has urged the Australian envoy to come up with more investment in Bangladesh and taking more Bangladeshi workers and students in his country, the special aide said. Earlier, talking to reporters Australian High Commissioner Douglas Foskett said he thinks all preparations for holding the elections in time are in place and Bangladesh will get free and fair elections. BNP to consider grassroots level opinion to select JS candidates Staff Reporter BNP Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain said yesterday the party will consider the opinion of grass roots level party activists to nominate election candidates for the forthcoming parliamentary elections. He said BNP led four party alliance is very much keen to contest the polls along with other political parties. He reiterated that his party as well as the alliance partners would not accept any farcical election. "We obviously are unenthusiastic to be a party to any pre- planned election," he said while addressing the party leaders of Dhaka Division organising committee at the central office at Naya Paltan in the city. The committee has submitted report on the standing of the nominations seekers to the Secretary General of the BNP. Tanveer Ahmed Siddiqui, Standing Committee member of the party, handed over the report to the secretary general. Receiving the document, Delwar said, " The state of emergency has caused immense danger to our party". He, however, pointing out the grass roots level leaders and activists of the party are remained united by maintaining high morale. He also said the party would evaluate the performances of the activists during the crisis period of the party. Cautioning the supporters against the duplicity of the bystanders within the party the BNP Secretary General said, "All must remain on guard so that no one should dare attempt causing any rift in our solidarity". Former lawmaker Sohrabuddin, Shah Nurul Kabir Shaheen, Shireen Sultana, Fahima Hossain and other Dhaka Division leaders were present. Earlier, BNP has formed six divisional organising committees ahead of the elections to assess the grass roots level situations in the party. NBR ready to give tax info to govt agencies for poll purpose UNB, Dhaka The National Board of Revenue is ready to give income-tax information to any government agency that needs it for election purpose, as defaulters cannot contest the polls. NBR chairman Muhammad Abdul Mazid said this yesterday, now that nominating candidates by the political parties for the upcoming general election is in final stages of election preparation. "We have done our preparation. If any government agency wants any income-tax information about any candidate, we are ready to provide that and we will do that under the existing law," he said at a press briefing in the NBR conference room. The government's revenue-department chief also disclosed that 676,100 people submitted their income-tax returns this year whereas the number of Tax Identification Number (TIN) holders is 2,262,885. A sum of Tk 792 crore was deposited with the national exchequer from the income tax while it was Tk 739 crore and Tk 252 crore in 2007-08 and 2006-07 fiscals respectively. Responding a question, he said the NBR would take its own actions against the tax-evaders under the exiting rules-and it would be tough action. "We will apply all our arms to catch the tax-dodgers and the ongoing self- motivation campaign will go on as well," he said. Replying to a question about appointing the PSI audit firm against which some allegations have already come out, he said they would leave no stone unturned before appointing an appropriate and reliable PSI audit firm. "We did not appoint the PSI audit firm yet, but let me ensure you that NBR will scrutinize all information that has been given by the PSI audit firm," he said. The evaluation committee of the NBR selected the US-based National Marine Consultants Inc. (NMCI) as it was the lone responsive company. About the netting of the undisclosed money holders-a drive that recently threw many bigwigs behind bars-the NBR chairman informed that his organization has already formed a team comprising its inspection directorate, survey directorate and intelligence cell. "This team will go sector-wise and organization-wise to detect the undisclosed money holders," he said. He also hinted that the NBR would go for digging out the source of income of those whose children are studying in highly paid schools, colleges and universities. Mazid mentioned that NBR would check the huge number of TIN holders in the country who are not submitting income-tax return regularly. "We are now thinking about checking the TIN numbers of the credit card holders to detect the fake TIN numbers as we suspect that the number of fake TIN holders is huge in the country," he told the tax reporters. Work abstention by teachers: JU facing 3-yr session jam BSS, Savar Students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) are likely to face a three-month session jam due to ongoing work abstention by teachers, upcoming winter and Eid vacations, and national elections. The students of the university have already started leaving their residential halls, as there is no hope of resumption of classes before Eid-ul-Azha vacation from December 3. The teachers' association called a work abstention programme for an indefinite period from November 8 demanding expulsion of the students allegedly involved in assaulting a teacher of the Department of Drama and Dramatics. The association also vowed to continue its work abstention until its demand is met. "More time would be required to finalise the report on the incident and for this reason, there is no possibility of resuming the academic activities before the Eid vacation," JU proctor Mafruhi Sattar told reporters. Many teachers and students said after the Eid vacation, the university will go into an unscheduled vacation for the national elections and the admission test that create another one year unexpected session jam. The university is now running with a two- year session jam. Due to non-cooperation of the teachers in running departmental and academic activities, an impasse is prevailing on the campus developing frustration and resentment among the students. Publication of the examination results of various departments, including Departments of Economics, Government and Politics, Geological Sciences, Environmental Science, Urban and Regional Planning and Anthropology, are being delayed. "Our honours final examinations-2005 were held in January 2008, but the results are yet to be published," many students of the English Department told this correspondent. "The prevailing session jam of the university snatches two- year valuable time from my life putting me into a suffocating and embarrassing situation," said an MA student of the English Department, Rezaul Karim. While contacted, Vice-Chancellor of the university Prof Dr Mohammed Muniruzzaman said they are trying to solve all the problems. He also sought cooperation from all concerned in running the university smoothly. unexpected session jam. The university is now running with a two- year session jam. Due to non-cooperation of the teachers in running departmental and academic activities, an impasse is prevailing on the campus developing frustration and resentment among the students. Publication of the examination results of various departments, including Departments of Economics, Government and Politics, Geological Sciences, Environmental Science, Urban and Regional Planning and Anthropology, are being delayed. "Our honours final examinations-2005 were held in January 2008, but the results are yet to be published," many students of the English Department told this correspondent. "The prevailing session jam of the university snatches two- year valuable time from my life putting me into a suffocating and embarrassing situation," said an MA student of the English Department, Rezaul Karim. While contacted, Vice-Chancellor of the university Prof Dr Mohammed Muniruzzaman said they are trying to solve all the problems. He also sought cooperation from all concerned in running the university smoothly. Arrange acceptable polls: Emajuddin Staff Reporter The people are waiting eagerly for a free and fair election. The government and the Election Commission should go ahead towards an acceptable election and take necessary measures to ensure a level playing field for the sake of the people of the country. Prof Dr Emaz Uddin Ahmed, former VC of Dhaka University and VC of University of Development Alternative said this at a discussion meeting on 'Economy of Bangladesh and National Election' on Wednesday at the National Press Club. The function was organised by Industrialists and Businessmen Welfare Foundation (IBWF). The government has not succeeded in holding the election within ninety days. It was not be a major breach of law if the present date of national election is changed, he said. Presided over by Prof Abu Nasser Muhammad Abduz Zaher, Chairman of IBWF and Chairman, Board of Directors of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited the function was addressed among others by Mukarram Hossain Khan, former President of REHAB, Abu Ahmed, Professor of Department of Economics of Dhaka University, Alamgir Muhiuddin, Editor of Naya Diganta, Abdul Haque, President of Japan-Bangladesh Friendship Hospital, Kazi Harun-ar-Rashed, Secretary of IBWF and Director of IBBL and Md Shahidul Islam, Foreign Affairs Secretary of IBWF and former Director of IBBL. Prof Emaz Uddin said that there is no alternative to a democratic government to accelerate the speed of the economy. Bangladesh is potential country. If we could use assets of the country in the proper way, the country would have been one of the top 10 countries of the world. Democratic government needs a democratic culture. But we have failed to provide with a democratic culture the country is not leading towards prosperity and development, he added. Prof Abu Nasser Muhammad Abduz Zaher urged the government to do whatever is needed for a credible election through participation of all the parties for financial enrichment and to accelerate the speed of the economy. Professor Abu Ahmed called for keeping wheels of economy active and increase local and foreign investment in order to enrich the economy of the country. It is not possible to create the environment of investment without an elected Democratic government. Therefore, the government has to organise a credible election through a quick decision. Alamgir Mahiuddin said, the people are passing time uncertainly. There is no alternative to a credible election to free the nation from this uncertainty. The government has to play responsible role, he added. Objections to poll observers: EC hearing Nov 23-24 UNB, Dhaka The Election Commission will hold hearings for some 25 domestic organizations of election observers on Novembe r 23 and 24 (Sunday-Monday) as some political parties have raised question about their neutrality. Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda and commissioners Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain and M Sohul Hussain would be present at the hearings to be held at the EC secretariat conference room. Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) earlier placed their objections with the commission about the polls observer organizations. Nov 23 hearings from 10am-5pm for following organizations: BCDJC, Democracy Watch, FEMA, Jagaroni Chakra, Khan Foundation, Light House, Noakhali Rural Development Society, Shariatpur Development Society, Srijoni Bangladesh, Bangladedsh Manabadhikar (Human Rights) Commission, Brave and Association of Muslim Welfare Agency in Bangladesh. Nov 24 hearings for 10am-5pm for following organizations: Hilful Fuzul Samaj Kalyan Sangstha, National Youth Forum Bangladesh, Jugayan Samajik Unnayan Sangstha, Unity of Social Advantage, Coast Trust, Development Organization for the Poor, Nari Udyog Kendra and ANFREL, Broti, Bangladesh Manabadhikar Samannay Parishad, Solidarity (Kurigram) and Abad Pukur Palli Samaj Unnayan Sangstha (Naogaon) Of the 319 organizations who applied for registration as election observers, the Election Commission primarily listed 138 organizations after scrutiny and invited objections against them, if any, to reach the commission by Nov 16, EC sources said. Tremor BSS, Dhaka The geophysical observatory of the met office at Agargaon recorded a light tremor having an intensity of 4.0 on the Richter scale, 74 kms north-northwest of the observatory at 05 hours 15 minutes 20.47 seconds yesterday. The epicentre of the tremor was near Tangail district, a Met office message said. Grenade launcher, 5 grenades recovered in Ctg BSS, Chittagong Members of the RAB-7 recovered one USA made sophisticated grenade launcher, five grenades and one grenade launcher belt in an abandoned state from Uttar Rangamatiya village under Fatikchhari upazila in the district on Tuesday night. RAB officials said the USA made M-79 grenade launcher has the capacity to cover at least a 400-meter distance while the grenades were of M-406/40 grade. Based on primary investigation, they suspect that the arms and explosives might have been possessed and kept hidden by members of the self-styled terrorist gang 'Doulat Bahini' of the upazila. Doulat- a top terrorist of the district-has been absconding for a long time. Acting on secret information, a squad of the RAB led by Major Abul Kalam Shamsuddin searched the surrounding places of Maliksha Chowdhury Bari of Rangamatiya village and at one stage detected the arms and explosives from a place adjacent to the local graveyard. RAB officials said efforts are on to recover more illegal arms and ammunitions believed to have been possessed by the terrorists gang. Hasnat Abdullah gets another 14 years Bdnews24.com, Barisal A Dhaka court sentenced former chief whip Abul Hasnat Abdullah to 14 years rigorous imprisonment in two separate corruption cases yesterday The special judge's court gave the sentence, which included a Tk 1 lakh fine or an additional 1 year 6 months in jail on non-payment, in Hasnat's absence after hearing evidence from five out of seven witnesses. The fugitive general secretary of Awami League's Barisal unit, already faces 22 years in two other cases, with his total prison term now standing at 36 years to commence from the day of his arrest or surrender. Joint forces raided Hasnat's Barisal home on Octob 22 2002, and discovered 355 blank freedom fighter certificates signed by the general secretary, a gold plated ornamental boat and Tk 6.13 lakh in cash. Shop owner shot, robbed of Tk 10 lakh UNB, Dhaka Gunmen shot and injured a cell phone shop owner and snatched Tk 10 lakh in the city on Tuesday night, police and hospital sources said. They said Rezaul Kaim, 26, came under attack at about 10-45 pm while returning home. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital as he suffered bullet wounds at his right and left shoulders and left leg. Karim said the snatchers took away Tk 10 lakh from him Bank shares salvage DSE from 5th day’s fall UNB, Dhaka The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) witnessed a steady growth on Wednesday after four days of consecutive fall, although most shares incurred losses during the day's trading. Stockbrokers said investors turned their eyes on banking sector shares apparently to salvage the market from a fifth day's consecutive fall. The prices of shares fell across the board with banking sector shares dominating the gainers of the day. Of the total 243 issues traded, 59 gained, 178 incurred losses and six remained unchanged. "It's a healthy trend that the investors turned their eyes on banking sector shares," said a stockbroker, adding that the banking sector shares have long been ignored. Brokers said the daily turnover also increased gradually based on the SEC measure allowing enhanced margin loan. The day's total turnover increased to Tk 2.49 billion from Tk 2.14 billion on Tuesday while market capitalization remained static at Tk 962 billion. During the day's trading, the DSE General Index (DGEN) rose 5 points or 0.18 percent to close at 2,626 from 2,621 points on Tuesday while the All Shares Price Index (DSI) remained unchanged at 2,170 points. The DSE-20 index of selective shares, however, shed 16 points or 0.71 percent to close at 2,196 points. Beximco Pharma, Uttara Bank, Beximco, Brac Bank, Titas Gas, ACI, Social Investment Bank, Dutch-Bangla Bank, Square Pharma and AB Bank were the day's turnover leaders in terms of value. The day's volume leaders were Beximco Pharma, AIMS 1st Mutual Fund, Beximco Textiles, Beximco, GRAMEENS2, Golden Son, Agni Systems Limited, Quasem Dry Cell, Fu-Wang Foods and Lankabangla Finance. Bangladesh fares well in curbing corruption UNB, Dhaka Bangladesh has shown considerable improvement in curbing corruption and improving the environment of its economic freedom, according to a recently release report of a US government corporation. In its report for the year 2009, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) mentioned that Bangladesh has moved upward in curbing corruption from 11% to 25% during the year under review. The report said that in improving economic environment, Bangladesh has notched 45% against 43% of the previous year. Bangladesh has also scored fairly well in three governance indicators-government effectiveness 54%, rule of law 57% and voice and accountability 51%. In the 'investing in people' category, Bangladesh scored above the median on immunization rates 70% while scored below the median in health expenditures 14%, primary education expenditures 27%. In the last category of 'economic freedom', two indicators such as 'business start-up' 61% and inflation 34% were rated above the median. The report also suggested improvement in other indicators such as 'regulatory quality' 45%, land rights access 17%, 'trade policy' 4% and 'fiscal policy' 25%. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is designed to work to reduce global poverty through the promotion of sustainable economic growth. Bangladesh could make itself an MCC eligible country if it could maintain upward movement of the criteria covered by the MCC report, said a press release of Bangladesh Embassy in Washington.
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