The New Nation - Internet Edition

Disaster risk reduction confce in Malaysia Dhaka lauded for efforts in reducing loss of lives

UNB, Dhaka

The 3rd Asian ministerial conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) began in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia yesterday with a call to continue funding to the DRR initiatives despite the current global economic crisis.

The conference highly appreciated Bangladesh efforts in reducing loss of lives and livelihood even at the worst disaster like cyclone 'Sidr', according to a message received here.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak inaugurated the 3-day conference at Putra World Trade Centre, urging the donor nations to continue their support to DRR agenda and climate change adaptation.

He stressed the need for community based disaster management and said it requires an enabling and supportive institutional framework which transcends from the national to local Governments.

Ministers and high officials from more than 80 countries of Asia and the Pacific Island, including Bangladesh, are attending the biennial conference.

Over 600 representatives from regional and sub-regional organizations, UN agencies, international financial institutions and other stakeholders including the civil society, scientific and technical organizations, the private sector and the media are also participating.

On the opening day, Ministers and representatives of 26 Asian countries including Australia, Vietnam, Philippines, India, Singapore, Iran, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh made their speech focusing on DRR practices at home and its multidimensional challenges.

They emphasized on public-private-people partnership to reduce the disaster risk at a reasonable level.

Most of them appreciated the efforts Bangladesh displayed in reducing the loss of lives and livelihood even at the worst disaster like the cyclone 'Sidr'. "Bangladesh has become a model for DRR which could be followed by developing and developed world," the conference was told.

The participating countries reaffirmed their commitment to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) adopted in Kobe, Japan as a unique plan to reduce disaster losses by 2015 and increase the resilience of communities to disasters.

HFA highlights five priorities for action and calls attention to the need of collective efforts at all levels to reduce the number and effects of natural disasters.

The Centre of Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters report said 2008 has been a bad year for the region, home to 61 per cent of the world population, with more than 230,000 people killed and over 47 million affected by two major disasters-the Sichuan earthquake in China and the cyclone 'Nargis' in Myanmar.

In 2007, some 13,400 people of the region were killed and more than 191 million people were affected from disasters causing a total loss of US$ 35 billion.

On the first day of the conference, UNISDR appointed Senator Loren Legarda of Philippines as the First 'Champion' for DRR in Asia-Pacific to advocate the policies for DRR.

In addition to the ministerial conference, Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) and UNISDR jointly organized media training on DRR with a view to focusing the role of media in the Asia-Pacific's response of DRR issues.

Some 15 media personnel from different Asian countries including Bangladesh are attending the 3-day training program at WTC. Current DRR situation in Asia, media trends on DRR and facilities for media to response local DRR issues were discussed on the first day.

The first ministerial conference was held in Beijing in 2005 and the second conference was organized by India in Delhi in 2007.

President urges Brunei envoy: Recruit more skilled manpower

UNB, Dhaka

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed Tuesday said Brunei government could contribute more to their growing economy by recruiting more skilled manpower, including doctors, engineers, IT experts, nurses, pharmacists and teachers, from Bangladesh.

Brunei can also import Bangladeshi world-class products like pharmaceuticals, readymade garments, jute products and melamine at a very competitive price.

The President made the remarks when newly appointed High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to Bangladesh Haji Abdul Razak Bin Haji Mohammad Hussaini presented his credentials to him at Bangabhaban.

President Iajuddin welcomed the new envoy and expressed his satisfaction at the existing brotherly relations between the two countries, saying that its investors could invest in the country's promising sectors as "a very congenial investment atmosphere is prevailing here".

The potential sectors he named include power, energy, textiles, leather, fisheries, jute manufacturing, real estate, hotel and resort, IT and agro-based industries.

The President said Bangladesh and Brunei could work together to address the climate-change issue as both the countries are threatened to be affected by the adverse impacts of global warming.

He conveyed his greetings to the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam through the new envoy and also invited him to visit Bangladesh.

Envoy Hussaini assured his support for further strengthening the bilateral trade and commerce relations between Bangladesh and Brunei Darussalam as well as for increase in its manpower import from Bangladesh.

Referring to about 13,000 Bangladeshis working in different sectors in Brunei, the envoy informed President Iajuddin that the Bangladeshi nationals are "very sincere in their work" and they have been contributing a lot to his country's development.

Dr CS Karim said the government has set up a national institute of bio-technology considering the importance of the technology in the agriculture sector.

"Although bio-technology has considered as a powerful tool to increase agriculture production, we should be very careful about using it," said Dr Karim calling upon researchers, policymakers, scientists and stakeholders to deal with the matter more efficiently.

The Adviser said the developing countries including Bangladesh are not at all responsible to the emissions of greenhouse gasses which put the Bangladesh's agriculture at risk.

He suggested for taking a number of programmes so that the farmers cannot affect by the adverse impacts of the uses of bio- technology.

Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University Professor Dr Jamilur Reza Choudhury said biotechnology has become one of the most fascinating disciplines, which opened up new vistas in boosting agriculture output, alleviation of poverty and environmental protection in developing countries including Bangladesh.

The BRAC VC expressed concern over the indiscriminate use of other bio-technologies such as fermentation, use of molecular markers, and vegetative production of crops and embryo freezing in agriculture" "The ICT has brought revolutionary changes in the society by thriving it an IT-based, said President of Bangladesh Academy of Scientists (BAS) Prof Dr M Shamser Ali Executive director of Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (ASDW) Prof Dr Mohamed HA Hassan and BAS Secretary Prof Naiyyum Chowdhury also spoke.

Press enjoys maximum freedom even in emergency: CA

BSS, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said the press is enjoying maximum freedom in the country even under the State of Emergency.

"The government did not impose any restrictions on the press during the State of Emergency in the country," he told a three- member International Press Institute (IPI) delegation when it paid a courtesy call on him at his office here.

Led by IPI Director David Dadge the delegation members included Secretary General of Pakistan Press Foundation Owais Aslam Ali and IPI member Md. Monzurul Ahsan Bulbul.

Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed expressed his firm belief in the freedom of press, and said that press establishes link between the government and the people.

He said Bangladesh press helped the government through constructive criticism during the tenure of the press government. "We came to know many important information through press as it reflects opinion of the people," he added.

During the meeting, the Chief Adviser told the IPI delegation about the activities of his government including the various reform measurers. He expressed the hope that these institutional reform measurers would help strengthen accountability as well as foundation of democracy.

About capacity building of journalists, the head of the interim government called upon the IPI delegation to undertake training programme for the Bangladeshi journalists to further improve their professional excellence.

The IPI delegation informed the CA that they came to know from different sources that journalists were mostly free in the country even under the State of Emergency.

Regarding enactment of 'Right to Information' act, the delegation members appreciated the Caretaker Government for formulating the act to ensure access to information by the people.

They also thanked the government for its reform measurers to ensure accountability and transparency in governance.

IPI is a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists and is dedicated to furtherance and safeguarding freedom of press and promotion of free flow of information.

Established in 1950 it has membership in 120 countries across the globe.

Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim was present on the occasion.

WASA inspector held while taking bribe

Staff Reporter

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday caught an inspector of WASA red-handed while taking bribe from a client.

Source said Inspector Doulat Hossain offered Ziauddian Rubel domestic WASA connection at the Water-Works Road at the Lalbagh for a bribe of Tk 20,000. Rubel agreed and gave him Tk 10,000 in advance and promised to pay the rest after connection.

Assistant Deputy Director of the ACC Rafiquzzaman caught him with the bribe money of Tk 10,000 immediately after he received the cash from Rubel.

The ACC Rafiquzzaman told the New Nation that a case would be filed with the Lalbagh police station against the WASA inspector.

Gatco case Khaleda’s bail extended

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court yesterday extended the bail granted earlier to former Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in the Gatco scam case until disposal of its rule pending with the HC.

Passing the order on a petition, a division bench comprising Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Quamrul Islam Siddiqui also extended its earlier stay on the operation of the trial proceedings until the case is resolved.

On September 2 last year, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case with Tejgaon police station against Khaleda and her younger son Arafat Rahman Koko and others for graft in awarding Gatco, a greenhorn, the contract for container handling at depots in Dhaka and Chittagong.

The anticorruption watchdog alleged that the state coffer incurred a loss of over Tk 14 crore for kickbacks over the deal.

On May 13 this year, the ACC submitted charge sheet against Khaleda, Koko and 22 others, including her eight former cabinet colleagues.

Most of the bigwigs were arrested during massive anti-graft drives following the 1/11 change of guards in state power. And they are now out on bail following a change of wind with the start of election process in the country.

Emergency to go before Dec 16

UNB, Chittagong

Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman Tuesday expressed government's expectation that people would elect competent candidates in the December 29 national elections according to their free choice.

"We trust in public opinion and think country's conscious voters will take the right decision in electing the eligible candidates," said the Adviser, who speaks for their caretaker government as spokesperson.

He made the observations to reporters in reply to a query if the candidates who have submitted nomination papers could fulfill the expectations of the interim government, which has carried out a clean-up drive since the 1/11 changeover with high hopes for a fresh start in the crisis-ridden polity with a clean sheet.

The Commerce and Education Adviser reaffirmed that the upcoming general election would not be held under the state of emergency anyway. Emergency will go before December 16 victory day.

Lifting the emergency ahead of the polls is the main common plea of the two former ruling parties-Awami League and BNP, who have agreed to join the polls after realization of their various other demands, including release of their leaders held during the anti-graft drive.

Prior to leaving for Dhaka, the Adviser informed the reporters about the progress on government's package programme for development of the port city undertaken in the meeting of the Advisory Council on August 13.

Under the programme, double-shift would be introduced in five government schools from next year while the activities of the newly constituted Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company started "soon", he said.

RU strike continues

UNB, Rajshahi

An indefinite strike enforced by Rajshahi University employees demanding regularization of their jobs disrupted all academic and administrative activities for a second day yesterday.

Sources said about 200 class-four employees of the university called indefinite strike on Sunday night as their appointments, said to be superfluous, were postponed by government orders.

Before going on strike, they demonstrated on the campus and ransacked the RU VC's residence on Sunday night shortly after they came to know about the action putting their jobs on hold.

The striking employees also brought out processions on the campus on the second day, slanting slogans for regularization of their jobs.

"The RU administrative activities came to a total halt today. Besides, no buses or rickshaws did ply on the strike-bound campus, which looked desolate," says a campus report.

The Education Ministry and the University Grants Commission withheld the controversial appointments of 544 employees. They were appointed on temporary basis against 255 posts in 2004 without prior circular. Later, some 200 of the employees were reinstated.

ADB DG for South Asia due to arrive

Staff Reporter

Kunio Senga, Director General of the South Asia Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) arrives in Dhaka today (Wednesday) for a one-day official visit.

During the visit, Senga will hold discussions with senior government officials, including the Adviser for Finance and Planning; and Secretaries for the Economic Relations Division; Bridge Division; and Science and Information Communications Technology. The discussions will focus on issues related to ADB's proposed general capital increase as well as on implementation issues related to key operational sectors, including the multi-donor Second Primary Education Development Program, among other areas.

ADB's South Asia region comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

RAB seizes VoIP equipment

Staff Reporter

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members seized VoIP equipments worth over Tk 1 crore and also arrested a man from Ramna and Paltan areas in the city.

Members of RAB-10, during a nine-hour drive till 7:00am on Monday, raided a house at Baily Road and arrested Sohrab Hossain, 28, along with huge VoIP equipment.

The elite forces also recovered different VoIP equipment from Hosaf Market at Outer Circular Road of Paltan.

The cost of the seized VoIP equipment was estimated at Tk 1 crore, a RAB official said.

Researchers urged to follow bio-safety guidelines

BSS, Dhaka

Agriculture Adviser Dr CS Karim yesterday called upon the scientists and researchers to follow the bio-safety guidelines while devising modern agriculture technologies in view of the biotechnology's twofold peril on human and environment.

"The country requires promotional bio-technology by increasing more action-oriented research to increase agriculture production, but scientists and researchers must follow bio-safety guidelines while carrying out research activities," he said while inaugurating the three-day symposium as the chief guest here.

Special assistant to the Chief adviser in charge of the Ministry of Science and ICT Manik Lal Samaddar spoke as special guest in the symposium on "Regulatory and Safety Issues in the Commercialization of Bio-technology Research in the Developing Countries" at LGED auditorium here.

International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Bio- technology (ICGEB), an Italy-based organization, and BRAC University jointly organised the international conference, joined by world's renowned researchers, scientists and IT experts from home and abroad.

DU, WHO hold seminar: Make country tobacco-free

Tania Sultana

Teachers and students at a seminar underscored the need for shunning smoking and banning all kinds of advertisement of tobacco products on the Dhaka University Campus.

They also urged for the destruction of the tobacco-marketing network by rescuing the youth from the habit of smoking.

With the assistance of World Health Organisation (WHO), Jogsutra, an anti-tobacco students organisation of DU, yesterday arranged the seminar at the Department of Psychology.

Prof Dr Shamim F Kareem, Chairman of the Department, presided, while Dr Iqbal Kabir, Technical Officer of WHO addressed the meeting as special guest.

Abul Kalam Azad, teacher of the Department, presented keynote paper at the seminar.

In his paper he emphasised on the importance of the role of peer groups to make tobacco-dependent friends free from the debilitating addiction.

Kabir expressed his hope to make a tobacco free nation within the span of 20 years.

The organisers brought out two colourful processions from the Aparajeyo Bangla and marched the area of the Arts Faculty building of DU. An orchestra group accompanying the marchers played various musical notes during the rally.

Meanwhile, the two teams named after Padma, which included journalists of DU, and another Meghna, comprising the left-leaving political activists, took part in a twenty-twenty cricket match. The Padma won the match beating the Meghna by 17 runs.

The Jogsutra also arranged two separate debates in parliamentarian and UN styles to create awareness among the youth at the Nabab Nawab Ali Senate Bhaban of DU.

From early morning about a dozen vans and rickshaws moved around the campus carrying colorful festoons and banners. The campus took a very festive look with beautiful gates and arches inscribed with various anti tobacco slogans.

Later, Pracheer Periye, a band group, performed an improvisation of songs at the DUCSU premises. Shahman Maishan designed and directed the programme.

Farmers not getting benefit of Govt subsidised fertiliser

Syful Islam

Poor farmers are not getting the benefit of government subsidy on fertiliser as major portion of the same are being misused by the dealers and powerful syndicates, informed sources said.

The government gives 15 per cent subsidy on imported fertiliser while it supply 40 kilogram of locally produced or imported urea fertiliser at Tk 580 to the farmers through dealers. For each bag of fertiliser dealers get Tk 30 as commission.

However, instead of selling those fertilisers among the farmers the dishonest dealers sell those at three to six times higher price in the local market.

Sources said dyeing factories use urea fertiliser instead of liquid nitrogen gas as raw materials. For dyeing purpose they need liquid nitrogen. Urea fertiliser contains 46 per cent nitrogen. Instead of importing liquid nitrogen the dyeing factory owners buy urea fertiliser from the dealers at higher price and use those.

On Monday last law enforcing agencies recovered 220 sacks of urea fertiliser from a textile mill in Rupgonj under Narayangonj district and arrest two persons in this connection. The factory uses 11 tonnes of urea fertiliser each month and during the last 2.5 years it used nearly 2 lakh sacks of fertiliser.

Sources said, for each bag of urea fertiliser the government gives subsidy amounting Tk 3,000. The factory has caused loss of Tk 600 crore to the government during the last 2.5 years.

As the dealers sell fertiliser to the industrial units the farmers face acute shortage of the very important element for cultivate their lands. They do not get fertiliser even though they want to pay higher price. Demonstrations by the farmers demanding fertiliser become common phenomena in the recent days.

A meeting of the subsidy and price fixing committee on fertiliser has recently observed that farmers are facing huge shortage of phosphate and MOP fertiliser in the district level. To this connection it has approved release of hundreds of tones of privately imported fertiliser under government subsidy, which were previously decided to release without subsidy.

Next Govt to face major problem of power shortage

UNB, Dhaka

The government has failed to make any headway in implementing any of the four large independent power producer (IPP) projects, envisaged to ease the electricity supply situation, a major problem facing the nation.

Shortly after assuming power the caretaker government decided to implement the 450MW Bibiyana, 450MW Sirajganj, 450MW Menghnahgat phase-II and 450MW Meghnaghat phase-III power plants.

Contracts for all the plants were supposed to be completed and signed by this month. But the Power Division could not make headway on any of the projects till today, officials said.

Sources in FBCCI termed as 'incredible' the failure of the caretaker government to make headway for implementing any of the four power projects during the last two years.

They estimated the power shortage would run into 2,500MW within next few months affecting production in the fields and factories.

The situation will leave a severe strain on the new government installed after the December 29 national election.

Power Cell, reform implementation wing of the Power Division, had invited tender for the Bibiyana power project. A lone company, Malaysia-based Powertek Berhad, took part in the bidding. But the Cabinet Purchase Committee finally rejected the offer due to high tariff. Power Cell has moved for inviting fresh tender.

About the Sirajganj project, officials said, repeated tenders failed to attract any of the international power companies. A move is on for inviting a fresh tender, fourth in the series, for the project in last ten years.