The New Nation - Internet Edition

Khaleda for JS polls on Dec 28: 'Lift emergency, repeal RPO, defer UZ polls by a month’ She says, conspiracy hatched to destroy me and my family

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia addressing the
press briefing at her Gulshan office on Thursday.

Staff Reporter

In a major development, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia yesterday unequivocally said that her party and the four-party alliance were prepared to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections if it is held on December 28.

Briefing journalists after a meeting of the leaders of the 4-party alliance at her Gulshan office, the former prime minister said the government should fulfill their demands for lifting emergency, amending of section 91(e) of the RPO and deferment of upazila elections by a month to facilitate a free, fair and keenly contested election.

Begum Zia repeated her call to the government to withdraw the unilateral decision on holding of elections and make a fresh announcement on the basis of dialogues with all parties.

She termed the government announcement on holding the elections clear interference in the functioning of the Election Commission (EC) despite the EC's consent of holding the polls on December 28.

The four-party leader warned that it was not a matter between the two parties rather tradition and image of the patriotic armed forces are also involved with the entire process. "We have to take decision more carefully," she added.

As part of the conspiracy against the country and to destroy the democratic and Islamic forces, Begum Zia alleged, the government tried to exile her and her family.

"Being failed, me and my family members were sent to jail on different pretext and persecuted in all ways," she alleged adding the attempt was not succeeded due to the blessing of the countrymen.

Begum Zia further alleged that conspiracy was also hatched to obliterate her family and keep them out of politics and create factions in the party.

Being failed in also these attempts, now the government has started holding a staged and designed elections, she said.

She referred that the January 22 election in 2007 was cancelled on the pretext of lack of consensus among two parties, boycott by a party and allegation of partiality against the then caretaker Government and said that the present government also proved it practically on the same grounds.

Seeking cooperation from all, in the endeavour for establishing the rights of people, Begum Zia said, "I am still in the country. I want to stay here. I want your support to establish people's rights' not to go to power."

She mentioned that the four-party alliance had dropped its seven points and placed four conditions as it was eager to take part in the elections.

Justifying the necessity of withdrawal of emergency, the BNP Chairperson said the elections cannot be held in a free and fair manner under emergency.

"Under the emergency, voters cannot cast their votes freely, there will be no festive mood among the voters and it will not carry out their accurate reflection," she observed.

Regarding cancellation of the section 91(e) of the RPO, the BNP leader alleged that questions have already been raised on the neutrality of EC and that's why the alliance did not want providing its unbridled power.

Criticising the government for changing its last minute decision, she said five advisers of the government had termed the discussion with her fruitful and promised to discuss further but they did not return to them.

She mentioned some of their leaders were communicated from Chief Adviser's Office on December 19 and wanted to know whether they want to take part in the elections if it is held on December 28.

"From the BNP side the government was assured that they are ready to take part in the polls if it is held on December 28 and asked the government to fulfill their three other demands to hold the elections in a free and fair manner," she mentioned.

Expressing her surprise on the sudden announcement from the Chief Adviser Office after holding a series of meeting with some influential and powerful persons and keeping the nation in a suffocating situation that the elections would be held on schedule, Khaleda Zia said the announcement astonished and frustrated the whole nation.

"The countrymen did not wait for two years to see such a planned and uncontested and unilateral elections," she observed adding that the government through its announcement made it clear that it has taken position in favour of a particular alliance between the two," the BNP leader said.

The former prime minister extended her thanks to democratic countries and institutions like US-based NDI to take their position on holding a free and fair election participated by all parties.

The hour long committee was attended, among others, by BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain, Jamaat Ameer Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami, IOJ leader Maulana Abdul Latif Nezami, BJP leader Barrister Andalib Rahman.

Earlier Begum Zia had a meeting of party standing committee. The meeting was attended by M Saifur Rahman, Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Dr RA Ghani, Chowdhury Tanvir Ahmed Siddiqui, M Shamsul Islam, Lt Gen (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman and Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain.

Hossain Zillur

Meanwhile, in an immediate reaction, Adviser for Commerce Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman told reporters that they had nothing to say at the moment but would give a decision after further discussion.

Sakhawat denounces NDI prescription: Bangladesh will decide its own election modalities

M Sakhawat Hossain

Staff Reporter

The Election Commission has strongly objected to the statement of Washington-based National Democratic Institute (NDI) prescribing the roles of different state organs of Bangladesh, including the armed forces.

"The foreign organization has no right to intervene in the internal affairs of Bangladesh," Election Commissioner Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain said yesterday.

The Commissioner expressed his clear negation against the comments made by NDI in internal affairs, including the issue of deployment of army and police in polling stations during elections.

"NDI is nothing but an election observer, and they should have no right to make any comment on our country's internal matters," Brigadier Sakhawat categorically said.

A visiting NDI delegation at a press conference on Wednesday placed a set of recommendations for Bangladesh defining the roles of the Caretaker Government, Election Commission, political parties, civil society as well as army in holding the election.

NDI prescribed Bangladesh "not to deploy police or military personnel on election day" and also suggested the military to "accept its proper role in a democratic society and refrain from intervening in the political process."

The NDI team, however, parried questions of journalists on what it suggests about the role of the diplomats and foreign election observers intervening in the Bangladesh affairs.

Brigadier Sakhawat yesterday condemned the behavior of the NDI team, which, he said, interfered in the country's internal affairs giving their statement about the election management procedure.

"NDI cannot make such comments on our internal affairs. The country's concerned authorities will decide whether the police, army or Ansar will be deployed in polling-stations during elections or not," Sakhawat emphatically said. "They must refrain from making such comment in future," he added.

The Election Commissioner made it clear that main objective of NDI is to observe the ensuing elections, not to make any comment on Bangladesh's internal affairs.

"They (NDI) have made comment on electoral process. It is unexpected, unwanted and illegal," he went on to say in his tirade.

Hasina’s nomination submitted in Bagerhat-1

Khulna City Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque submitting
the nomination paper of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina
on behalf of the party chief to Mollarhat Assistant
Returning Officer for Bagerhat-1 Constituency on Thursday.
FocusBangla

UNB, Bagerhat

The nomination paper of Awami League president Sheikh Hasina for Bagerhat-1 constituency was filed at Mollarhat upazila yesterday

Khulna city mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleq filed the nomination paper on behalf of Hasina.

Besides, Awami League candidates-Advocate Mir Shaukat Ali Badsha submitted nomination for Bagerhat-2 and Dr Mozammel Hossain for Bagerhat-4 -- also filed nomination papers to the Returning Officer.

A Faridpur report said: AL candidates Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury filed

nomination for Faridpur-2, and Mosharraf Hossain for Faridpur-3,

In Laxmipur, ASM Abdur Rab filed nomination for Laxmipur-4. He also filed nomination for Noakhali-4 and Noakhali-5.

The last date for filing nomination was earlier set for today (Nov 20) but later it was extended by three days to Nov 23.

Encouraging tobacco cos to harm national health: Doctors, economists

Syful Islam

Health practitioners and economists have expressed dismay as the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has recently given award to some of the tobacco companies for paying considerable Value Added Tax (VAT) to the national exchequer.

They said such recognition to the tobacco companies by the government revenue body will encourage other organisations to sell more tobacco posing a grave threat to public health.

They also said, as a signatory to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Bangladesh can't encourage tobacco sell or promotion.

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam on November 5 has awarded crests and certificates to 67 district-level organisations for clearing all dues such as duty and hefty amount of VAT. Three tobacco companies were among them.

The ceremony, presided over by NBR Chairman Mohammad Abdul Majid, was addressed by one of the award recipients Rahim Uddin Bharosa, the owner of the Aziz Bidi Factory in Rangpur.

The two other tobacco companies, which got recognition, are Akiz Bidi and Abul Khayer Tobacco.

Available statistics shows that, deaths from tobacco-related diseases are increasing and last year about 57,000 people died of tobacco related complications. At present, more than 30 million people in this country are tobacco users.

According to Tobacco Free Centre, more than 36.8 per cent people aged over 15 use tobacco. Of them 48.6 per cent are men and 25.5 per cent are women. Around 5.9 per cent youths in Dhaka aged between 13 and 15 use tobacco of which 9.5 per cent are men and 2.0 per cent are women. More than 10 per cent of young people use tobacco other than cigarette.

Despite sharp rise in the price of daily necessities prices of tobacco products like bidi and cigarette have declined over the last decade creating room for poor people to smoke more. Measures to reduce tobacco use or increase tobacco prices are hardly seen, experts say.

However, following continuous advocacy from the civil society organisations the government in the last budget imposed 60 per cent supplementary duty on the raw materials for manufacturing cigarettes and 20 per cent on the papers used in producing packaging materials of cigarettes.

In his budget speech the Finance Adviser also proposed to raise the price structure of cigarettes, tariff value of handmade cigarettes (bidi) and applicable supplementary duty.

Reports from countryside said that farmers are being encouraged to cultivate tobacco instead of other crop. Farmers in Munshigonj area recently announced that they will prefer to cultivate tobacco instead of potato as tobacco cultivation is more beneficial for them. The tobacco companies provide fertilisers, seeds and other expenses to farmers in advance to encourage them for tobacco production.

Assistant Professor of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital Dr Abdul Mukit said number of cancer and kidney disease patients has increased at an alarming rate in recent times. Besides, number of patients with high blood pressure also increased, he said and blamed the increase of tobacco use for the sharp rise of the cancer patients.

He said smoking or use of tobacco may cause three serious diseases at the first stage. None of the medicines is effective for the patients who use tobacco, he added.

Noted economist Prof Dr Abul Barkat told The New Nation that the yearly health cost of tobacco is Tk 10,000 crore while earnings from the sector is nearly Tk 2500 crore.

He said Bangladesh is one of the signatories of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and also enacted tobacco control act. Giving award to tobacco companies for considerable Vat paying is contradictory to the convention, he noted.

Referring the article 7 and 13 of Bangladesh constitution Barkat said the government is responsible for the health safety of people. Recognition to the tobacco companies is totally contrary to those articles of the constitution, he added.

Dr Atiur Rahman said the government should impose more tax and VAT on tobacco to discourage its use. He said increase of VAT realisation proves that use of tobacco increased a lot.

He said the health ministry should intervene on the rising cultivation of tobacco in certain region to stop it.

Prof Dr Abu Ahmed said consumption of tobacco should be discouraged. The government should take appropriate measures," he suggested.

JU being run by adhoc functionaries

Al-Amin

The Jahangirnagar University is going to face a fresh session jam due to work abstention programme of the teacher's association, upcoming winter and Eid vacations as well as vacation for national elections, not scheduled earlier, are expected to paralyze the academic and administrative activities of the university.

Students of the University have already started leaving their residential halls, as there is no indication to resume the academic activities before Eid vacation, which would start from December 3.

The teachers' association of the university 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 finalize the arbitration process of the incident and for this reason no possibility to resume the class before Eid vacation", JU proctor Mafruhi Sattar said.

Many teachers and students think that after the Eid vacation, the university will go into unscheduled vacation for elections and admission tests' putting the university to another one year unexpected session jam in addition to the existing two years.

Due to non-cooperation of the teachers in departmental activities, an impasse is prevailing on the campus sparking frustration and anguish among the students, they also alleged.

Besides, the regular academic activities in various departments are badly hampered for lack of proper understanding between the university administration and the teachers of various departments. For this reason the results of various departments of different years are being delayed for months, concerned sources said.

Results of Economics, Government and Politics, Geological Sciences, Environmental Science, Urban and Regional Planning and Anthropology were not published in time.

'Our honuors final examination-2005 was held in January 2008 but the results have not been published as yet', many students of the English department told this correspondent.

"The prevailing session jam of the university snatched two years valuable time from my life putting me into suffocating and embarrassing situation in the campus", an MA student of English department Khairul Hasan said.

"A lot of problems have emerged in the administrative and academic activities of the university after the new acting VC Professor Muhammed Maniruzzan took charge on March 25 this year", an influential teacher said this correspondent seeking anonymity.

JU administration, now run by acting officials, is functioning in dilly dalling mood with non-cooperation and misunderstanding attitude from most of the teachers, the teacher also alleged.

While contacted, the JU VC Prof Dr Mohammed Muniruzzaman told that they were trying to solve all the problems according to the rules and regulations of the university. He also sought co-operations from all corned to run the university smoothly.

Sticking to poll roadmap hailed

UNB, Dhaka

Asian Development Bank country director Paul J Heytens appreciated the caretaker government's sticking to election roadmap and hoped for Bangladesh's smooth transition to democracy.

He said he was impressed with good governance and institutional reforms over the last 18 months under the leadership of Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed and remarked: "These are good for a strong foundation of democracy."

The Chief Adviser said the Asian Development Bank can help and expand its support to Bangladesh in livestock, fisheries and milk-production sectors.

The head of the caretaker government expressed the views when the new ADB country chief in Bangladesh, Paul J Heytens, made a courtesy call on him at the CA's office. Dr Fakhruddin noted that Bangladesh faces a lot of challenges and overcomes those successfully, saying that the country's

"economic growth has been steady despite some constraints".

Infrastructure development, and power and energy are major constraints, he pointed out.

"If the present steady economic growth continued, Bangladesh will become a medium-income- group country within the country's 50th anniversary of independence," the CA hoped.

He said the government's social safety net has been expanded and 100-day employment programme has been implemented.

He thanked the funding agency for its emergency and food-security support for tackling the aftermath of cyclone Sidr and two successive floods last year.

The CA also sought ADB's cooperation in implementing second PRSP and hoped that assistance from the Asian Development Fund (ADF) would be expanded.

Fakhruddin said, "ADB has always been a good friend of Bangladesh." He hoped during the tenure of the new country director, the relations would grow in terms of size and depth.

After the meeting CA's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim briefed newsmen.

Presently, about 50 ADB-assisted projects involving about 3.5 billion US dollars are underway in Bangladesh, it was mentioned at the meeting.

For future support to Bangladesh, resource allocation of 370 million US dollars per year for next four years has been made by ADB. The bank also provided budgetary assistance of 117 million US dollars, 170 million-dollar food-security assistance last July and 50 million dollar for good governance.

The ADB country director appreciated the government's strong commitment to maintaining macroeconomic stability and impressive economic performance with GDP growth of over 6 percent despite setbacks caused by 'Sidr', floods, volatile international market and global financial crisis.

He observed that Bangladesh has been on good track. Agreeing over the necessity of infrastructure development, Heytens said ADB would be happy to be a part of infrastructure development of Bangladesh.

He said ADB wants quick completion of construction of Padma bridge.

Heytens said Bangladesh and ADB have long productive history and they would continue it.

Secretary of CA's office Kazi M Aminul Islam, CA's press secretary Syed Fahim Munaim, ADB deputy country director Nurul Huda and ERD Secretary M Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan were also present at the meeting.

EC’s revised schedule for Dec 18 polls

Staff Reporter

The Election Commission (EC) yesterday declared revised schedule for the parliamentary and upazila elections to be held on December 18 and 28 respectively extending the deadline for submission of nomination papers to November 23.

Keeping both the polling dates unchanged, scrutiny of nomination papers for the parliamentary election has been fixed on November 25 and 26 while for upazila polls on November 27, 28 and 29.

The last date of withdrawal of candidature for the parliamentary elections has been fixed on December 1 while for upazila polls on December 4.

EC Secretary Humayun Kabir declared the revised schedule at a press briefing at the EC Secretariat after a meeting of the CEC and two fellow commissioners.

"The Commission has changed the schedule considering the requirement of prospective nominees in submitting their nomination papers," he said.

The secretary however, parried the question if the EC still had any plan to defer the parliamentary election date to December 28 if the political parties agreed.

This was the second time change in the election schedule declared on November 2. According to the original schedule, the last date for submission of nomination papers for the parliamentary polls was November 13.

Hasina for credible polls on Dec 18 with participation of all parties

Staff Reporter

Former Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) president Sheikh Hasina yesterday said AL hoped for a free, fair and credible parliamentary polls on December 18 with the participation of all the political parties.

Former ambassador Muhammad Zamir disclosed this after a bilateral meeting between Sheikh Hasina and French Ambassador Charley Causeret at her Sudha Sadan residence in Dhanmondi.

"Sheikh Hasina said she hoped spontaneous participation of all the political parties in the upcoming national polls scheduled on December 18 for the sake of restoring democracy in the country. The people are eagerly waiting for the polls," he said quoting Sheikh Hasina.

Zamir also said as France is the current president of the European Council various matters of Bangladesh's interests were discussed with importance in the meeting.

He also informed that the Frence envoy had assured Sheikh Hasina for assisting Bangladesh for rapid development of the country.

Abul Kalam Azad, Press Secretary to Sheikh Hasina, told reporters that the AL leader and the French Ambassador had discussed bilateral issues in a cordial environment.

After the meeting, the French Ambassador told reporters that the sooner the national polls were held, it would be better for the transition to a multi-party democracy in the country.A well accepted election participated by all should be most welcome, he added.

Asked to comment about the BNP stand for deferring the polls, the French envoy said it is up to the political parties to decide the date of the polls.

Armed Forces Day today

UNB, Dhaka

The Armed Forces Day will be observed today (Friday) with due enthusiasm and solemnity, marking the inception of the national military in war-field during the liberation war.

Day's programme starts with special prayers in mosques of all cantonments, naval outposts and establishments and air-force outposts after Fajr prayers seeking divine blessing for country's welfare and progress and continued development and progress of the Armed Forces.

Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising army, navy and air force came into being and launched an all-out attack on the occupation forces this day during the Liberation War in 1971. Hence, the Day is observed as Armed Forces Day every year.

President Dr Iajuddin Ahmed would place wreaths on Shikha Anirban at Dhaka Cantonment in the morning to pay homage to the members of the Armed Forces who had sacrificed their lives in 1971.

Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed, Chief of Naval Staff Vice-Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal SM Ziaur Rahman will also place wreaths on the Shikha Anirban on behalf of their respective forces.

The chiefs of the three services will pay a courtesy call on President Dr Iajuddin Ahmed at his Armed Forces Division office.

President Iajuddin Ahmed will arrange a reception at the Armed Forces Division in Dhaka Cantonment in honour of heirs of Bir Shrestha, and award-recipient freedom fighters and their heirs.

The chiefs of the three services will also arrange similar reception in honour of award-recipient freedom fighter families of their respective forces and freedom fighters.

In the evening, President Dr Iajuddin Ahmed will arrange a reception at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment. Chief Adviser of the caretaker government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, Speaker, Chief Justice, former presidents, ex-chief advisers and advisers, incumbent advisers, diplomats, Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, among others, are expected to attend the function.

Similar receptions will also be arranged at Savar, Bogra, Chittagong, Ghatail, Comilla, Jessore, Rangpur and Rajendrapur cantonments.

Various programmes have also been taken up to observe the day at army garrisons, naval ships and establishments and outposts of the air force outside the capital.

Specially decorated ships of navy at Dhaka (Sadarghat), Narayanganj, Chittagong, Khulna, Barisal and Mongla will remain open to public from 2pm to 4:30pm.

BTV, Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels will telecast special programmes and newspapers will publish special supplements highlighting the significance of the day.

Meanwhile, President Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in separate messages hailed the members of Armed Forces and prayed for peace of the departed souls of those laid down their lives in 1971.

President Dr Iajuddin prayed for salvation of the heroic martyrs of the Armed Forces who had laid down their lives for country's independence and sovereignty. He also conveyed his sympathy to the members of war-wounded and martyr families.

The President expressed the hope that the members of the Armed Forces would "uphold their glory through diligent exercise, professional skill, dutifulness and patriotism".

In another message, Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said the Armed Forces "earned appreciation from all by preparing voters' list with photograph and national ID card within a short time" and introducing automation process at Chittagong Customs House.

"Members of the Armed Forces are extending active assistance to the government in anti-corruption and anti-terrorism drives and relief and rehabilitation operations for flood victims," said the head of the military-backed caretaker government.

The Chief Adviser expressed his conviction that the continuity of successes of the Armed Forces would also be upheld in days to come.

In a message on the occasion, Awami League president Sheikh Hasina greeted members of the Armed Forces on the occasion. The ex-premier recalled the "ever- refulgent contribution of the Armed Forces in defeating the Pakistani invaders during the 1971 Liberation War".

She said AL believes in building a strong and invincible defense system for protecting country's independence and sovereignty.

US, UK hope polls to be held with all party participation

BSS, Dhaka

The US Embassy and British High Commission in Dhaka yesterday expressed the hope that the upcoming general elections would be held with the participation of all parties as the Election Commission extended the deadline for nomination filing. A US Embassy spokesman told BSS that Washington consistently stated that it looked forward to free, fair and credible elections as soon as possible.

"We hope that the major political parties and the caretaker government can agree on a compromise to ensure free, fair and credible polls. Compromise is an integral part of a healthy democracy," he said. A British High Commission spokeswoman in Dhaka said her country noted with appreciation the extended timeframe for filing nomination papers by candidates.

"We believe that the people of Bangladesh want a free and fair election with the fullest possible participation. We therefore urge all parties to take part in the election and meet the expectations of the people," she said.