The New Nation - Internet Edition

President opens Trade Fair: New govt to take quick steps for economic dev

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed inaugurating the
14th Dhaka International Trade Fair at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar
in the city on Thursday. PID photo

UNB, Dhaka

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed on Thursday hoped that the incoming newly elected government would take over the responsibility of running the country in the shortest possible time.

"The new government will take quick steps for economic development against the backdrop of global financial recession," he said while inaugurating the 14th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC) here.

The month-long fair beside the BCFCC, jointly organized by the Commerce Ministry and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), remains open from 10 am to 10 pm daily. Sri Lanka is the partner country of this trade show.

Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Vadivel Krishnamoorthy, FBCCI president Annisul Haq, Commerce Secretary Feroz Ahmed and EPB Vice-chairman Shahab Ullah also spoke at the inaugural function. Greeting the countrymen on the occasion of the English New Year, President Iajuddin expressed his satisfaction over the holding of the 9th parliamentary elections "in a free and fair manner" across the county.

He also congratulated the winning alliance and the elected Members of Parliament. The President said different measures are being taken by the developing countries, including Bangladesh, to face the challenges of globalization.

He hoped that 'Bangladesh Better Business Forum', which was formed in November 2007, would be able to play important role in the country's national economy. Referring to the importance of the annual trade show DITF, Dr Ahmed said it brings an opportunity to compare quality and prices of local products with international items.

"We need to give more concentration on expansion of export trade for pacing up the national economy," he observed, as the country's export basket does have wide space to be filled up with newer products.

President Iajuddin welcomed the overseas participants in the DITF and hoped the mutual bonds of friendship and the area of commercial activities between Bangladesh and other countries would be further widened through this fair.

A total of 467 companies, including 22 from 12 foreign countries, are participating in the fair for showcasing their products and services.

Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur said the government had taken steps to explore new export destinations and the local products already entered some new markets like Canada, South Korea and Turkey.

Shujan’s finding: Voting for opposition turns to be the trend

Former adviser of the caretaker government Advocate
Sultana Kamal addressing a press conference on the election
result organised by Sujan at Dhaka Reporters' Unity on
Thursday. Sujan President and General Secretary Prof
Muzaffar Ahmed and Dr Badiul Alam

Staff Reporter

There are about 163 new faces out of 293 elected MPs in the just concluded ninth parliamentary election in the country.

"People in the recent polls clearly rejected candidates, who were voted to power in the previous election," said speakers at a press conference yesterday at the conference hall of the Dhaka Reporters Unity.

Shushashoner Janya Nagorik (SHUJAN), a non-government organisation organised the programme.

Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, secretary of the organisation presented a keynote paper on 'Who Were Elected in the Election'.

Prof. Mozaffar Ahmad, Chairman of Shujan presided over the programme.

Mozaffar said statistics showed that the opposition parties were voted to power capturing more seats than the previous ruling parties in every election from 1991.

He suggested that sheikh Hasina, president of Awami League that won a landslide victory in the ninth parliamentary election, should take oath office after settling the corruption cases against her, it will be better if she gets cleared of the cases before taking over the office, he said further.

ASM Shahjahan, former Adviser said the nation should not be over-excited at the election results. " There is no complacence… Monitoring the situation has not completed, it has just started."

Badiul revealed that BNP captured 140 seats in 1991, AL captured 146 seats in 1996, four party alliance led by BNP captured 193 seats in 2001 and grand alliance led by AL again captured 263 seats in 9th parliamentary election. Speakers opined that possibility of being autocratic could arise as the grand alliance had a strong mandate.

They said Parliamentary committees made effective by keeping those above all conflicts and influence of the parties or groups and that might act as a check and balance.

Sultana Kamal, former Adviser, said that Shujan would continue to work as a watchdog, "Monitor the activities of parliament and inform the nation of its lapses.

"We will see whether any change is visible about the members elected and their activities" she said.

Speakers came down heavily on the quality of awarding nominations saying many nominees concealed advanced information about themselves in their affidavits.

No change in ACC policies hinted

UNB, Dhaka

In the wake of the December 29 parliamentary elections won by Awami League, a spokesperson for the Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday said the commission has not yet signaled any change in its policies about prosecuting the cases earlier filed against the MPs-elect under a countrywide purge.

"Till now, the Commission has not given any hint of change in its policies. They have not informed any decision to change its policies," ACC director general (admin) Col Hanif Iqbal told the first regular briefing after the ninth parliamentary elections. He was asked if he is unable to state unequivocally that the inquiry, investigation and cases against individuals would be as before.

Asked if the Commission's initiative to vacate the High Court stay orders on graft cases against AL leader Sheikh Hasina, now premier-in-waiting in a dramatic change of fortune, would continue, he said, "I don't know if there has been yet any discussion about."

Replying to a question about the continuation of activities of about 100 cases filed by ACC against AL MPs-elect, Hanif said that the decision of the cases that have already gone under the jurisdiction of courts would have to come through legal process.

"About the rest of the cases I don't know if there has been any discussion," he said.

Asked if there is any scope for discussion, he said, "That's also the consideration of the Commission. I don't know if the Commission would discuss more."

Hanif, however, said that the Commission is optimistic about an effective relationship with the future government. "The Commission believes the government elected in the people's verdict will be cordial about combating corruption."

Responding to a question about a complaint sent to ACC from the US against Sheikh Hasina's son, Sajib Wajed Joy, he said, "I can't recall if I have seen (such a complaint). At least I didn't see. It has not been raised before the Commission and no discussion took place."

Hanif described as regrettable and motivated the remarks of the Truth and Accountability Commission (Tac) chairman about the ACC activities.

On Wednesday, Tac chairman Justice Habibur Rahman Khan reportedly said that 50 percent of the ACC inquiries are unclear.

Good stocks in DSE emphasised

Staff Reporter

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) authority yesterday emphasised the need for bringing some good stocks like telecommunications, infrastructure and communications sector to the market in the New Year.

At a press conference they also laid emphasise to the introduction of book building, formation of independent central clearing company and establishment of futures market by 2011.

They said investors' awareness and active participation of institutional investment would help continue the pace of the stock market.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of DSE AFM Shariful Islam presented the keynote paper at the press conference while Chief Financial Officer of DSE Satipati Moitra discussed various issues of the stock market.

They said the highest turnover of the year 2008 was on October 10 at Tk 590.51 crore and the general price index on June 1 was highest 3207.89. During the year 15 companies were listed in the market directly alongside 12 companies floating initial public offerings.

During the year the DSE has opened branch offices in Chittagong, Sylhet and Khulna and introduced trading facilities from 12 other cities. The DSE also has added two new CPUs to facilitate trading. The market capitalisation was 1043.80 billion after the end of 2008, which is 19.26 per cent of total GDP.

They hoped that there would be scope to increase market capitalisation and GDP ratio in the future through taking market friendly policies.

In the first day of 2009 the Dhaka Stock market experienced sharp rise manifesting 12.28 per cent gain. The general index reached to 2807.12. However, the turnover was Tk 30 lakh less than the last day.

Sammit Power, Titas Gas, Beximco Pharma, ACI Formulations, Grameen-2, ACI, AIMS First Mutual Fund, Shinepukur Ceramics, National Bank Ltd and Beximco were the top gainers of yesterday's trading.

Recasting of power sector: 1164MW electricity to be added in six months

Shamim Jahangir

A total of 1164.2 MW of electricity will be added to the national grid in the next six months with the installation of 17 power plants in the private sector and two in the public sector, sources in the Power Ministry said.

Of the electricity generation, a total of 268MW power will come from small independent power plant (SIPP), 516.2 MW from rental power plant (RPP) and 380 MW from the public sector power plants.

A total of 168.5 MW of electricity will be added within the current month from Ullapara Power Plant, Hobiganj Power Plant, Feni power plant, Shahjibazar power plant, Kumargonj power plant and Bhola power plant.

In February, five power plants at Maona, Mohipal, Borobkunda, Bogra and Fenchugonj will add 131 MW of electricity.

Besides, the power plants at Rupganj, Jangalia , Fenchuganj, Ashuganj, Bogra and Siddhirganj will add a total of 287.7 MW of power by March next.

A total of 155MW of electricity will be added to the national grid from Siddhirganj Unit-2 and Shikalbaha power plants in May and June this year, Power Division Secretary M Fouzul Kabir said.

"Work on these projects is now going on in full swing to be completed with the scheduled time," he said.

He further said that the government will invite pre-qualification tender through daily newspapers in a day or two to implement the two mega projects at Bibiana and Sirajgonj having a capacity 450 MW each.

The implementation of these projects will ease the power crisis across the country, he hoped.

Earlier, the Power Division Secretary M Fouzul Kabir said the next government will not face any impediment in power sector in the next one or two years as the caretaker government has already added over 1000 MW of electricity during its two-year tenure.

Symbols for upazila elections allocated

Staff Reporter

Returning officers across the country yesterday allocated election symbols among chairman and vice-chairman candidates of the upazila council election.

The election in 481 upazilas to the posts of chairman and two vice-chairmen, one for male and the other for female, will be held on January 22.A total of 3,316 candidates are vying for the chairman post while 2,879 candidates are in the race for the vice-chairman post for males and 1,936 for the vice-chairman post for females.

Election Commission (EC) assigned 40 symbols separately for the posts of the chairman and vice-chairman.

A senior assistant secretary to the EC yesterday said a total of 9,976 people filed nomination papers for the post of chairman, vice-chairman and female vice-chairman.

Of them, a total of 4,222 for chairmanship, 3543 for vice chairmanship and 2211 for reserved female vice chairmanship will contest in the election.

Nomination papers were scrutinised from December 17 to 19. On December 23, the EC cancelled a total of 504 nominations after hearing appeals.

A maximum of 18 candidates will contest in the Nabinagar Upazila of Brahmanbaria, sources said.

Our Narsingdi Correspondent said a total of 114 candidates, including 44 chairman candidates, are vying in 6 upazilas in the district. District Election office yesterday distributed election symbols to them.

Sources said, forty candidates are to vie for the posts of nine upazila chairmen in nine upazilas of Khulna district as 10 contestants out of the total 50 withdrew their candidatures yesterday.

District election office sources said 58 candidates have filed nomination papers for the posts of vice chairman of which six have withdrawn their candidatures.

Among 45 contestants for the post vice chairman (female), two have withdrawn their nomination papers.

In Joypurhat, thirteen candidates withdrew their nomination papers for the upcoming upazila polls in five upazilas of the district.

Sources said those who withdrew their nomination papers were six chairman candidates, and four male vice chairman candidates and three female vice chairman candidates.

Meanwhile, distribution of symbols among the candidates for the posts of chairman, vice-chairman and female vice-chairman began yesterday in Mymensingh district.

District election office sources said, the returning officer distributed the symbols among the 113 candidates of six upazilas out of 12 in the district. Of the total, 15 symbols were distributed in Haluaghat, 25 in Phulpur, 21 in Gouripur, 23 in Sadar and 13 in Dhubaura upazilas.

The sources said the symbols will be distributed among the candidates of the rest six upazilas today. The upazilas are Fulbaria, Trishal, Ishwarganj, Nandail, Gaffargeon and Bhaluka.

Four injured in BCL factional clash in DU

DU Correspondent

Police yesterday recovered ten cocktails from the rooftop of Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall of Dhaka University. Police raided the dormitory following a factional clash of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), which left four students injured.

The injured- Jasim, Salman, Towheed and Zia were given treatment at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Witnesses said the incident erupted when BCL activists Zia, Arafat, Baki, Mithu, Zahid and Hasan swooped on Salman of rival group leaving him injured seriously.

Later, both factions with sticks and rods locked in clashes at the Jasimuddin Hall ground. Top leaders of BCL later reached the spot and brought the situation under control.

DU unit BCL secretary Sazzad Sakib Badsha said they had identified the people responsible for the untoward incident and will take organisational action against them after investigating the matter. Zia Hall provost Borhan Uddin Khan urged both sides to behave responsibly and ensure a peaceful atmosphere.

25 candidates lose security deposit in Barisal divn

Barisal Correspondent

Twenty five candidates out of total 38 lost their security deposit in six constituencies of Barisal district as they failed to poll minimum one -eighth of the total votes cast in the Monday's parliamentary election.

The losers included former state minister, whip, lawmakers .

In Barisal-1 constituency, four out of six candidates lost their secujrity deposit. They are Zahiruddin Swapan, Ashok Gupta ,Golam Mahmud and Shuvashish Samaddar.

Shahidul Huq Zamal, Abdul Huq,Nur Md. Howladar. Barrister Albert ,Rajit Baro and Saima Jalil lost security deposit in Barisal-2 constituency.

Colonel (rtd) Ishaq Sikder , Nur M Howlader (ZP/1574) and Master Ansaruddin fared poorly in Barisal -3 which cost their security deposit.

The four unfortunate candidates in BarisaL-4 are Abdus Sattar Sikder, Maulana Syed M Mosaddeq Billah Al-Madani and former BNP state minister Shah Muhammad Abul Hussain..

The four unsuccessful candidates of Barisal-5 areABM Masud Karim , Mahbubuddin Ahmed Bir Bikram , Mizanur Rahman Bachchu and Mufti Syed M Faizul Karim , son of late Pir of Charmonai.

In Barisal-6, Principal Md. Abdur Rashid Khan , AHM Saiful Islam Saifee.

Muwlana Rafiqul Islam and Humayun Kabir Molla lost their security deposit.

AL activists unleashing violence

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) yesterday alleged that Awami League has reemerged with its real face by unleashing violence across the country just after the elections.

"Though AL had earlier claimed that they don't believe in politics of destruction and revenge, there is no similarity between its claims and recent activities. They have attacked BNP leaders and activists across the country," said Ruhul Kabir Rezvi, office secretary of the party to the reporters at the party's regular briefing at its Gulshan office yesterday evening.

He said, " We have been receiving reports of attacks, arson and torture being carried out by Awami League activists on our supporters".

He said, a good number of innocent people have come under brutal attacks by AL workers in Sylhet, Chittagong, Munshiganj, Noakhali, Mymensingh, Bhola and even in capital Dhaka.

He also alleged that AL workers drove out BNP workers from its Ramna thana and Nayabazar offices and captured those.

He claimed that they set fire to the houses of BNP supporters at different places across the country to establish their supremacy.

"Many BNP leaders and workers have gone into hiding in the face of reign of terror unleashed by the AL workers," Rezvi mentioned.

Push-out panic grips CU dorms

Chittagong Correspondent

Cadres and workers of the Jamaat-e-Islami's student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS), who have been capturing most of the Chittagong University dorms for nearly a decade, are reportedly taking their valuables out of the dorms fearing strong push-out by the supporters of the Chhatra League and its allies.

Push-out panic gripped the Shibir men following overwhelming victory of the Awami League and its allies and massive rejection of BNP-Jamaat candidates in the December 29 general elections. Students staying at the dorms mainly without political color have already moved to safety speculating confrontations of retaliation while the Shibir men are allegedly amassing arms and weapons to fight back the possible attacks. Local Jamaat leaders are reportedly helping them in amassing arms.

Sources watching the Shibir men on the campus hinted that the Chhatra League workers, which had long been prevented from entering the dorms, had been planning to recover the dorms by ousting the Shibir men.

According to informed sources anti-Shibir sentiment on the campus is on the rise and armed confrontations may take place at the dorms at any moment if it intensifies further.

Some of the students said, "We've relocated to safer places bag and baggage sensing possibility of armed clash between the Shibir men and its opponents."

Meanwhile, the leaders and workers of the Chhatra League and its cohorts have started marching the campus and the dorms under the occupation of the Shibir men.

University authorities claimed that they had constantly been watching the situation and relatively tight security had also been prescribed to resist anything unpleasant.

Security personnel in plain clothes and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have been taking care of the campus.

New year will bring progress, hopes Hasina Partymen asked to be patient

Staff Reporter

Awami League (AL) president Sheikh Hasina yesterday hoped that the New Year would bring happiness, progress and prosperity to the people of the country.

Hasina made this comment while addressing the leaders and activists of her party at her Sudah Sadan residence at greeting exchange ceremony on the first day of the year 2009.

"I wish, in the new year the people of the country as well as the world will get rid of terrorism and militancy, wish for restoration of peace and friendliness in the world. We believe in religious freedom of all the communities," Hasina said.

Hasina also urged the leaders and activists not to be over enthusiastic at the victory and said, " Be patient and keep quiet."

"Do not think to have extra benefit by abusing power. Rather think as to how to serve the people and pray for me so that I can dedicate myself for the welfare of the people," Hasina said.

AL presidium member Zillur Rahman, Suranjit Sengupta, Tofail Ahmed, Abdur Razzak Sheikh Selim, AL Dhaka City Unit acting general secretary Advocate Kamrul Islam, AL Organisinig Secretary Akhtaruzzaman, MP elect Dr Dipu Moni, among others, presented Hasina flourish greetings in the morning.

Meanwhile, hundreds of leaders and activists' waived hands to greet Hasina for the New Year standing outside her Sudha Sadan residence while Sheikh Hasina responded them from the corridor of the 1st floor of Sudha Sadan.

At the same time, replying to a question AL acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam replied that AL would take oath in this week.

UN delegate meets Nizami

Staff Reporter

A UN delegation led by Francese Vendrell, head of UN Secretary General's high-level panel on 'Bangladesh Parliamentary Elections- 2008' yesterday met Motiur Rahman Nizami, Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e- Islami at party's central office in the city.

They discussed matters relating to national and international issues.

Bhojraj Pokharel, member of the panel, among others, was present on the occasion.

Mannan Bhuiyan greets Hasina

Staff Reporter

The expelled secretary general of BNP Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday congratulated AL president Sheikh Hasina and grand alliance's resounding victory in the recent parliamentary elections. "I congratulate Sheikh Hasina on her alliance's overwhelming success in the polls," he said while giving his reaction on the just concluded election at his residence at Gulsahn in the city.

Maulana Salahuddin new Khatib of Baitul Mukarram Mosque

Staff Reporter

Prof Maulana Mohammad Salahuddin, present Khatib of Gausul Azam Jame Mosque, Dhaka and former Vice Chancellor of Dhaka Alia Madrasha, has been appointed Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque yesterday.

The post fell vacant at the death of Maulana Obaidul Haque, the then Khatib of the mosque, in October 2007.

In absence of Maulana Obaidul Haque, Muftee Maulana Nuruddin, Senior Pesh Imam, had been conducting the Juma prayer as acting Khatib of the mosque.

JCD founding anniversary observed

DU Correspondent

Jatiayatabadi Chhatra Dal, student wing of BNP, yesterday observed its 30th anniversary on the Dhaka Universities campus in a befitting manner.

JCD leaders including central president and general secretary and the activists of different university and colleges celebrated the day by cutting a cake at the Modhu`s canteen.

Meanwhile, JCD leaders and wokers visited the mazar of Shaheed president Ziaur Rahman where they promised to work for establishing democracy.

After national election, the JCD leaders and activists gathered on the university campus for the fist time marking its 30th anniversary.

Among the leaders, JCD president Azizulbari Helal, general secretary Shafiulbari Babu, senior vice president Sultan Salah Uddin Tuku, organizing secretary Abdul Kader Bhuiyan Jewel, DU unit president Hasan Mamun, general secretary Saiful Islam Firoz were present on the occasion.