The New Nation - Internet Edition

PSC chairman's effigy burnt

Staff Reporter

The unsuccessful candidates of the second-phase result of the 27th BCS examination yesterday burnt effigy of Public Service Commission (PSC) chairman Dr Saadat Hossain in front of Fine Arts Department of the Dhaka University.

Some comments of the PSC Chairman triggered fresh outrage among them who had been staging continuous protests programmes, including hunger strikes.

They demanded cancellation of the second-phase result and immediate removal of Dr Saadat accusing him of depriving a good number of meritorious candidates.

Dr Saadat on Tuesday told the media that he was not ready to accommodate all the PSC examinees who qualified in the first phase of 27th BCS examination but failed in second phase complying with the governments commitment to this effect.

The government has promised the first batch of 27th BCS qualifiers, who failed to pass in the second-round retakes, logical solutions on 'humanitarian grounds'.

The advisory council committee on administrative reforms and good governance on Nov 16 had been directed to formulate necessary recommendations with a view to eliminating the complexities centering on the 27th BCS exam results.

The PSC originally posted an advertisement on June 28, 2005 for the 27th BCS exams. As many as 1,36,105 people applied and 1,18,339 took the exams. Of them, over 26,000 examinees passed written tests.

The authorities recalled 16,418 for vivas. The PSC declared 3,567 candidates successful after the oral tests, asking authorities to appoint them.

However, allegations of question leaks, politicisation, bribery and nepotism had marred the transparency of the 'first batch' results.

The interim cabinet cancelled the viva results on May 30 2007, to "restore trust of the people in the Public Service Commission" and establish transparency in the wake of allegations of irregularities.

The new results were published on Sept 23 after 16 months of dispute and legal wrangles. Some 10,412 examinees passed in the 'second batch' after new vivas were given.

EC aiding elements active to foil polls, says Hasina

Staff Reporter

Awami League (AL) president Sheikh Hasina yesterday alleged that certain quarters are still active for foiling the upcoming national election and the Election Commission (EC) is paving way for the realisation of this sinister design by rescheduling the election time and again.

Sheikh Hasina made this remark while talking to newsmen after a view-exchanging meeting with the leaders of Sammilito Sangskritik Jot at the party's Dhanmondi office.

" The EC has deferred the national election under the pressure of a particular political party which has not yet been able to complete its nomination filing formalities.

She said her party has been struggling for ensuring the voting and basic rights of the people. Poverty will come down in the country with the realization of these rights, she noted.

Referring to high prices of essentials at present, she said, if voted to power, her government would bring down their prices within the buying capacity of the common people.

Nasiruddin Yusuf, President and Golam Kuddus General Secretary of the Jot and a number of AL leaders presented in the meeting.

Foundation of Dhaka Bar Assoc building laid

Court Correspondent

Law Adviser A F Hasan Ariff inaugurated the foundation stone of the annexe building of Dhaka Bar Association yesterday afternoon.

Speaking at a function on the occasion the Law Adviser said, the present Caretaker Govt. has 32 days to continue its efforts and the Dhaka courts have been facing many problems, which accumulated since its inception. Hasan Ariff suggested Dhaka Bar leaders to send him their proposals for the development of Dhaka's judiciary and Bar as a proposal of Dhaka Bar Association.

The Law Adviser said, Dhaka Court has been facing problems and no study is necessary to know it, what is necessary is to implement programmes for quick solution of the problems.

While addressing the judges and lawyers, Adviser Ariff said, for rule of law rich bar and judiciary are essential. He added, building accommodation and other facilities will have to be made keeping in view the needs of the future and it would not be wise to work according to our traditional conception.

Later he requested the Bar leaders to put forward their problems and necessary facilities of the judges. He also disclosed, the Bar should voice the problems of the judiciary and the lawyers simultaneously.

Speaking on the occasion Metropolitan Sessions Judge of Dhaka ANM Bashirullah said, the Metropolitan Sessions Courts are beset with more than 37,000 cases, while the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court has a load of about 1,50,000 pending cases. In the courts of Dhaka the number of judges is very few and more judges should be posted here to dispose of the huge pending cases.

Among others, the outgoing District and Sessions Judge of Dhaka AKM Istiaque Hossain, and newly appointed District Judge MA Gafur spoke on the occasion, while the President of Dhaka Bar Association Advocate Khandaker Abdul Mannan was in the chair and General Secretary of the biggest Bar of the country Advocate Abdur Rahman Howlader conducted the function held at Dhaka Bar Association Building.

Graft case: Charge sheet against Falu submitted

Court Correspondent

A charge sheet against former lawmaker of BNP Mosaddeque Ali Falu and his wife in a graft case was submitted to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court of Dhaka yesterday while the presiding Magistrate immediately sent the case to the Metropolitan Sessions Judges Court for quick trial.

Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) submitted the charge sheet against Falu and his wife fugitive Mahbuba Sultana accusing them of accumulating wealth worth Taka 62 crore with their ill-gotten money, and concealing information about their wealth.

Nat'l Vaccination Day tomorrow

Staff reporter

The 17th National Vaccination Day will be observed on November 29 and January 3 in two rounds all over the country.

Health and Family Welfare Adviser Dr AMM Shwakat Ali said at a press briefing yesterday at the conference room of his ministry.

Two drops of polio vaccine would be given to each child under 5 years from 40,000 centres of the country. Each 1 to 5 years child would take a vitamin 'A' capsule in the 1st round and each 2 to 5 years child an anti-worm tablet in the 2nd round, he said.

The Adviser urged all guardians and conscious people to observe the day so that no children under 5 years remain unvaccinated.

Vitamin A capsule would prevent night blindness disease and malnutrition would be removed by the anti-worm tablet Dr Shwakat said.

Illegal VoIP equipment hauled in city

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) seized huge quantity of illegal VoIP equipment worth about Tk 50 lakh from Desh Technologies Ltd on Wednesday.

The joint forces comprising investigators of BTRC and RAB officials launched a drive, as part of BTRC's regular monitoring activities, in Motijheel and found the ISP institution involved in illegal call termination.

BTRC seized 9 quintams, 46 telulars from its godown of Dakshin Mugdapara. Besides, 2 channel banks, 3 quintams, 66 telulars from the residence of a staff were held.

The ISP institution terminated most of its calls with voice client through 5mbps bandwidth. The Managing Director of Desh Technologies Ltd admitted its involvement in call termination by voice client.

The force identified the IP addresses. BTRC sealed the IP institution for breaching the conditions of the licence and is taking legal steps against the offender.

EC registered parties allocated symbols

Staff Reporter

A total of 39 political parties have registered with the Election Commission (EC) to contest the upcoming ninth parliamentary elections rescheduled for December 29.

The EC has published the list of the registered political parties, which means completion of another phase in the long-drawn election preparation.

A total of 107 political parties applied to the commission for registration, and after scrutinising their documents, the EC gave registration to 39 political parties.

Nurul Islam Khan, EC joint secretary and also EC's technical committee head, said no further political party would be given registration before the ensuing polls.

Election symbols have also been allocated to the registered parties. The parties are: Bangladesh Awami League (election symbol 'boat'), Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP (sheaf of paddy), Communist Party of Bangladesh (scythe), Ganotantri Party (pigeon), Worker's Party of Bangladesh (hammer), Bikalpadhara Bangladesh-BDB (kula/winnowing fan), Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD Inu, (mashal/torch), Krishak Sramik Janata League (gamcha/towel), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (daripalla/measuring scale), Jatiya Party-Japa (langal/plough), Jatiya Party- JP (bicycle), Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal (wheel), National Awami Party (kure ghar/hut), Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD (star), Tariqat Federation (phuler mala/wreath), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal-BSD (moi/ladder), Zaker Party (golap phul/rose), Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan (batgach/banyan tree), Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP (gorur gari/Cart), Islami Oikya Jote (minar/minaret), Bangladesh NAP (candle), Ganofront (fish), Progressive Democratic Party-PDP (tiger), National Peoples Party-NPP (mango), Ganoforum (rising sun), Bangladesh Muslim League (hurricane lamp) and Jomiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, (khejur gach/date tree), Oikyabaddha Nagorik Andolon (Key) and Bangladesh Kalyan Party (wristwatch) among others.

The Commission on Sunday rescheduled the ninth parliamentary elections to December 29 from December 18 after hectic negotiations between the caretaker government and major parties in the past few days.

Emergency to go before JS polls, says Iftekhar

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar ahmed Chowdhury Thursday said the state of emergency will be lifted well ahead of December 29 general elections and it will be announced soon.

Talking to reporters after a meeting with the chief of EU election observation mission, Alexander Graf Lamsdroff, at the Foreign Ministry, he hoped that a good election would be held with cooperation from all sides.

The Adviser welcomed the EU election observation mission to monitor the elections, saying that Bangladesh would return to its political tradition characterized by democracy, pluralism and liberalism.

Asked about the lifting of emergency rules, Iftekhar said the matter was discussed with Lamsdroff. "It will be lifted well ahead of the elections…a precise date of lifting (emergency) will be known soon."

He compared the caretaker government with a river and said that as a river ends up in ocean, the caretaker government is taking all towards the ocean of elections.

Earlier, Lamsdroff said they had discussed the upcoming elections and challenges that go along with it.

He said all are expecting for the election that is going to be administered in a very peaceful manner. He thanked the caretaker government for the preparations taken so far.

Asked about the challenges to the election, Lamsdroff said he is still forming an opinion about what are the challenges and is in discussion with leaders of political parties and government. He will share the outcome of his discussion at a press conference on Friday.

About the state of emergency, he said generally, it is desirable that it should be lifted before the elections.

EC Head of the Delegation Dr Stefan Frowein was present in the meeting.

Madrasha Students call of today's DU strike

DU Correspondent

"Madrasha Students' Rights Protection Committee" called off today's strike after the Dhaka University eased restrictions on their admission.

The committee gave an ultimatum till Saturday noon to the university authority to implement its demand otherwise its current movement will continue, said Moniruzzaman Khan, convener of the organisation.

He said the authority has to take liability for creating any untoward situation that might impede the admission test of 'Kha' Unit on December 1.

Earlier, the organisation staged demonstration in front of vice chancellor office as well as on the campus. They also brought out a procession with black flag. A large number of students under their banner participated in the programme that started from 10:00am and lasted till the evening.

Meanwhile, Deans Committee presided over by VC Prof SMA Faiz took a decision on imposing extra conditions to be sorted out by departmental Academic Councils.

The deans committee urged the students to refrain from such activities that hamper the congenial atmosphere of education.

'Gha Unit' (Combined Unite) admission test of the university will be held today where almost 41 thousand students will appear.