October 23, 2013

Treehouse Tales from the city

Kartik 8, 1420 Zilhajj 17, 1434 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 1 No 209

B1

Business

Dhaka, Delhi to synchronise 16 land ports of high importance

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

The opposition sends letter to AL; Ashraf postpones press conference Al-Masum Molla and n Mohammad Partha Pratim Bhattacharjee

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

STRETCHING JS SESSION

Business Advisory Committee meets today n Kamran Reza Chowdhury The Business Advisory Committee of parliament meets today to extend the ongoing session of the Jatiya Sangsad amid the possibility of a dialogue between the ruling Awami League and the opposition BNP, which demands immediate dissolution of parliament.

The committee headed by Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury is set to meet at 3:30pm at the parliament building before the Jatiya Sangsad resumes its sitting at 4:30pm after a 10day recess.

Chief Whip Abdus Shahid told the Dhaka Tribune that the session would be extended as the House had many important bills to pass. “There are a few unfinished businesses, too.”

The prime minister, the opposition  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

INSIDE News

3 The government has asked district administrations to stay alert against possible subversive activities by different quarters, including Islamist parties, ahead of Friday’s opposition rally.

Nation

7 Huge tidal surges coupled with upstream water have left an entire union in Cox’s Bazar almost submerged, sparking fear that the area might disappear under water soon.

International

9 The Maldives Tuesday faced the prospect of a constitutional crisis after one of the main political parties warned it may not endorse plans to restage aborted elections next month.

CORRIGENDUM Maj Gen (retd) Dr Abdur Rahman Khan, one of the advisers to the 1996 caretaker government, was mistakenly listed as “deceased” in an infographic under a report titled “Not 20, they are 14” published in the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Dr AR Khan is, in fact, alive and well, according to her daughter Fahmeeda Rahman Wahab.

We regret the mistake and wish him good health.

BNP leaders show the invitation letter for dialogue which was handed over to the AL general secretary yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Be peaceful citizen, hold rally: MKA n Mohosinul Karim

Home Minister MK Alamgir yesterday said there is no reason why the government would not permit a party to hold a rally in Dhaka City if they are given assurances that it would be held peacefully.

“Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP)

gives conditional permission for a rally or procession as per the law. Our constitution also guarantees the right to holding rallies and processions on some conditions,” he said after attending a signing ceremony of a MoU with the US at the secretariat yesterday.

“If anyone can assure the authorities of not resorting to violence and

BNP may place proposal in parliament n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla After having remained absent for most part of the current Awami League government’s tenure, main opposition BNP is likely to go back to parliament soon for placing its formula for a non-partisan interim government, party insiders have said.

The move could apparently be a response to the government’s repeated call for the opposition to come to the house and place whatever proposal they had about the polls-time government.

The issue was discussed at BNP’s parliamentary party meeting last night.

An opposition lawmaker, preferring not to disclose his name, said former speaker Jamiruddin Sircar might place the proposal before the house which opposition chief Khaleda Zia unveiled on Monday.

However, party insiders said their move would depend on government’s positive response and if they find it negative they might even think of resigning from the parliament.

Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia adjourned its parliamentary party meeting last night before reaching any concrete decision.

At the end of the meeting, opposition chief whip Zainul Abdin Farroque told the media: “We will give our decision after observing the parliament’s business advisory committee’s meeting.”

Khaleda Zia at a press briefing proposed that the ad-hoc government to oversee national polls might comprise 10 advisers from the 1996 and 2001 caretaker governments, who, she said, had “successfully” conducted to credible elections.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

Government’s ‘last day’ procurement order may cross Tk15bn n Asif Showkat Kallol The government is going for last day procurements through the cabinet committee on public purchase, with more than 20 proposals from different ministries and divisions involving over Tk15bn queued up for today’s committee meeting.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced in front of secretaries last month that there would be no major policy decisions after tomorrow.

As a result, a large number of proposals have already poured into the cabinet division for approval, especially in development projects, a senior official of the cabinet division told the Dhaka Tribune. The official also said at least 21 proposals would be placed today at the purchase committee meeting presided over by Finance minister AMA Muhith.

The official said concerned authorities had told ministers and secretaries that their ministries and divisions should place any necessary new pro-

curement proposal at today’s meetings, without listing if necessary, since it was uncertain whether there would be any cabinet committee under an interim government.

When asked whether there would be a cabinet committee on public purchase and economic affairs under the all-party interim government that the prime minister had proposed, Cabinet Secretary Muhammad Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told the Dhaka Tribune the prime minister would hold absolute power to give permission to a cabinet committee.

“There is nothing about having the two major cabinet committees under an interim government in our constitution,” he explained.

“Our constitution only allows the cabinet to hold cabinet committee meetings, presided over by the prime minister, under the sections 56(4) and 57(3),” the cabinet secretary said.

He also said the ministries and divisions had sent their purchase proposals  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

Sport

Bowlers reign on rainy day

16 pages with 8-page business tabloid, plus 8-page Treehouse children’s supplement | Price: Tk10

BNP rolls the dialogue ball A day after BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia placed her proposals over the polls-time government, the main opposition party made a significant step yesterday as it sent a formal invitation letter to the AL general secretary to initiate talks.

The ruling party reportedly found the gesture positive for resolving the prevailing crisis in the country’s political arena, although its leaders think it would probably take a little more time to respond to the call.

Several leaders believe that the letter would help get the dialogue ball rolling.

A number of BNP Standing Committee members said they were surprised when they came to know that a letter was sent to the Awami League for a dialogue.

Meanwhile, ruling party General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam was scheduled to hold a press conference today to clarify the party’s stance regarding Khaleda’s formula, but it was postponed because of “unavoidable reasons.”

Contacted, Presidium member and Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury told the Dhaka Tribune that since the BNP was going to join parliament, they might place their proposal there. “We will clear our stand after the BNP places its proposal,” she added.

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going against public interest, they may get the permission for a rally in the city.

In that case the DMP commissioner will grant him the permission,” he said.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan W Mozena refused to comment on two formulas on the interim government put forward by Sheikh Hasina  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

Hasina denounces Khaleda’s proposals Bakar Siddique, n Abu from Dinajpur Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday ridiculed opposition BNP chief’s proposal on forming a non-partisan government to oversee the next general elections, saying that it would push the country backwards.

“A few days ago, I placed a proposal to form an all-party polls-time government with elected representatives [from Awami League and opposition] through dialogue...But she [Khaleda Zia] did not like it, she does not want elected representatives,” the premier said while addressing a rally at Gor-eShaheed Boro Maidan in the northern district town.

“Without accepting my proposal she went back to an old formula,” Hasina said, reminding the opposition leader that it was 2013 and her government “is taking the country forward through various development work.”

She again asserted that the upcoming national elections would take place in line with the constitution.

The prime minister on Friday said the elections would be held within 90 days after October 25, and asked the BNP chief to give names of her party MPs for the interim government.

On Monday, Khaleda instead proposed the formation of a non-party government headed by a respected person who would be chosen upon consensus between the ruling and opposition parties. She suggested that the Awami League and the BNP each would

nominate five persons from among the '20' former advisers of 1996 and 2001 caretaker governments.

At yesterday’s rally Hasina, who is also the president of ruling Awami League, alleged the BNP chairperson had sent cadres of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the BNP’s student front, to kill 1996 caretaker government chief adviser Justice Habibur Rahman, after its defeat in that election.

“Now she wants to incorporate those in the polls-time government who she wanted to kill,” Hasina said.

She again asserted that the upcoming national elections would take place in line with the constitution The prime minister said she sought votes for her party in the next election for the sake of continuation of development activities in the country and to get rid of terrorism, militancy, corruption and lootings, which she claimed would be patronised by the BNP if voted to power.

The rally was organised by Dinajpur district unit Awami League and chaired by the unit President and State Minister for Land Mustafizur Rahman Fizar. It was the last such event before the ruling Awami League-led Grand Alliance government starts functioning as the interim government from October 27.

Senior party leaders including General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam, and presidium members Amir Hossain  PAGE 2 COLUMN 6

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Tangail BNP calls daylong shutdown for today

BNP leader Tuku on six-day remand n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

A Dhaka Court yesterday granted a sixday remand for BNP Assistant Student Affairs Secretary Sultan Salauddin Tuku in connection with an attempt to murder case filed by Paltan police station.

Police on Monday night assaulted a vehicle in the convoy of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and arrested Tuku in front of the party office at Nayapaltan in the capital.

Metropolitan Magistrate Muhammad Asaduzzaman Noor passed the order after hearing a plea from Investigating Officer Md Babul Hossain seeking a 10-day police remand.

In the remand prayer, the IO said: “The accused needs to be remanded in order to learn as to why the car had attempted to knock down the policemen on duty.”

Defence counsel Md Sanaullah Miah filed a bail petition and a remand rejection prayer.

Police mentioned that the accused had tried to knock their officers down

with the vehicle while they were maintaining law and order. But police did not arrest the driver of the vehicle.

Yesterday, Sub-Inspector of Paltan police station Md Alauddin filed a case against Tuku, retired Col Md Majid, a CSF member employed for Khaleda Zia’s security, and 15-20 unidentified others, accusing them of obstructing police duty and attempting to murder police members by running them over.

The investigation officer of another case, Sub-Inspector Md Jahangir Hossain of Paltan police, sought a 10-day remand for Tuku in the case where he is accused of attempting to murder police Constable Sultan Ali. The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s court said hearing on the remand prayer would be held after completion of six-day remand.

Meanwhile, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal yesterday declared countrywide demonstration for today protesting the arrest of Tuku, a former Chhatra Dal president. l

City corporation authorities are yet to remove the garbage of sacrificial animals dumped by city roads even after almost a week of Eid-ulAzha. The photo was taken from Jatrabari yesterday NASHIRUL ISLAM

‘Taranco phones Fakhrul and Ashraf’

Attorney general’s daughter receives death threat n Tribune Report

BNP claimed that United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Oscar Fernandez Taranco yesterday evening telephoned party acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, welcoming BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s proposal on polls-time government.

Maruf Kamal Khan, press secretary to the BNP chief, told the Dhaka Tribune the pair had talked for around half an hour: “He [Taranco] said Khaleda’s speech on minority issue, militancy, good governance and relationship with neighbours had been very much inspiring.”

Taranco also reportedly told Fakhrul that he would phone Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam.

A source close to Syed Ashraf said the Awami Leagye general secretary

Lawyer Shishir Kona, daughter of Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, yesterday received death threats trough a letter which was sent by one Islami Rokkhakari Dal, police said.

Shishir filed a GD around 10:30pm with Shahbagh police station, Abdul Jalil, inspector (investigation) confirmed to the Dhaka Tribune.

Jalil said she received the letter at her residence around 6pm. The letter, which was inside a yellow envelop was received by the security guard at her residence in Segun Bagicha area.

It reads: “Death sentences have been awarded to you, your husband, and your parents. Wrap yourself up in Kafans [burial cloth] and get ready to die.”

The police official said they were investigating the incident and trying to nab the criminals. l

Khaleda’s proposal impractical: Obaidul Quader n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla Communications Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s proposal on the polls-time government was impractical “as four of the former advisers have already died and four are ill while six do not want to take the responsibility.”

“It seems the opposition leader delivered a proposal full of errors – without doing her homework properly,” Obaidul told journalists in Chittagong.

The minister was at Sitakunda in the port city yesterday morning to inaugurate four bridges and 228 culverts under the Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane highway project.

He, however, expressed hope that a dialogue between the ruling and opposition parties would help them find an alternative way – following the constitution – to resolve the ongoing crisis. l

n Our Correspondent, Tangail

received a telephone call from Taranco yesterday evening. However, the detail was not available.

Taranco said Khaleda’s speech had been very much inspiring Maruf Kamal Khan claimed that Taranco told Fakhrul the UN hoped that a participatory, free, fair and credible election would take place in Bangladesh and all the obstacles for holding such elections would be removed through talks.

Khan also said Fakhrul made the party stance clear, saying that they were very much eager to talk for a free, fair and credible election.

Taranco held a series of meetings on May 14 with various political parties including the ruling Awami League and the BNP for creating an atmosphere for dialogue. l

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after thorough examination and scrutiny.

The proposals to be placed before the purchase committee today include bridges division’s bid to appoint a design consultant for the construction of Padma Bridge service area 2. Total cost of the project is estimated to be Tk2.08bn and bridge division has selected Abdul Monem Limited as design consultant.

Abdul Monem Limited was also selected as the consultant of Mawa approach road and selected bridge-end facilities of Padma Bridge with a cost of Tk1.93bn, which will also be placed at the cabinet committee on public purchase.

Another proposal, from the communication ministry, is to increase the cost of the Dhaka Chittagong four-lane road project from Tk90m to Tk320m.

A proposal by the food ministry to procure 50,000 tonnes of wheat with a cost of Tk1.17bn through Smile Food Products Ltd will be placed today.

Energy division’s proposal of shallow water off-shore bidding contract on Block SS 1 will be placed at the cabinet

committee on economic affairs for approval. Bangladesh has already signed a contract with Santos Sangu Field Ltd and KrisEnergy (Asia) Ltd and the bank guarantee for this project will be $15m.

Water resources ministry has also selected a consultant, the joint venture company Fichtner GmbH & Co KG (Germany), and North West Hydraulic Consultants Ltd (Canada), for its “Emergency 2007 Cyclone Recovery & Restoration Project” with a cost of Tk339.4m. The proposal will be placed today at the cabinet committee on public purchase.

A proposal of construction of residential flats at Cox’s Bazar will be placed at cabinet committee on public purchase by the ministry of the housing and public works with a cost of Tk596.3m.

The ministry will also place a proposal of constructing of Election Resources Centres with a cost of Tk837.1m and the consultant firm will be TEALTBL Consortium.

Local government ministry’s proposal of Karnaphuli Water supply project will be placed today at the cabinet

committee on purchase. Consultant firm NJS Consultants Company Ltd has been selected for the project with a cost of Tk2.45bn.

Another proposal of the local government ministry titled “Water Network Analysis and Optimisation of Chittagong City Water Supply System” will also be placed at the cabinet committee on public purchase. Danish and Bangladesh Joint venture firm AQUA consultant and Association Ltd and Bangladesh Institute of Water Modelling Bangladesh have been awarded this contract.

ICT ministry’s proposal “Development of National ICT Infra-Network for Bangladesh Government Phase 11” will cost the government about Tk2.47bn, and it will be placed at cabinet committee on economic affairs. China Exim Bank will bear the majority of the cost, which totals Tk13.33bn.

Bridges division proposal of selecting the independent engineer for Dhaka Elevated Expressway under Private-Public Partnership will be placed at the cabinet committee on economic affairs. l

Business Advisory Committee meets today  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

leader, deputy leader of the House, the deputy speaker, Jatiya Party chief HM Ershad, the chief whip and a few other senior MPs from major parties are the members of the Business Advisory Committee, which determines everything related to a parliament session, including its tenure.

On September 12, the committee had decided to hold the current 19th session of parliament until October 24, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina delivering her wrap-up speech making

her government’s position on the upcoming parliamentary polls clear.

But the treasury bench later shifted from its decision and announced to stretch the session.

The main opposition BNP and its allies – Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Bangladesh Jatiya Party – have not attended the ongoing session yet and it is not clear whether they will continue the boycott or join the session ahead of the parliamentary polls.

According to the order of the day, the House is set to see two new bills

today: Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan will table the Payra Port Authority Bill 2013, which, if passed, will set up a body to run the proposed third seaport in Rabnabad, Patuakhali; and Social Welfare Minister Enamul Haque Mostofa Shahid will initiate a new law on the protection of neurodevelopmental handicapped people.

The House is also set to pass the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University Bangladesh Bill and the Overseas Employment and Immigration Bill. l

BNP may place proposal in parliament  PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

“We want to show our positive gesture and we really want dialogue to resolve the crisis. That is why we will place the proposal in the parliament although we have already made it public outside. It is now up to the government to accept it or not reject it,” the opposition lawmaker told the Dhaka Tribune.

He also said after placing the proposal before the House, former speaker Sircar would also explain the rationality of holding the election under a non-partisan caretaker administration.

In a televised nation address on Friday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made clear that no unelected individual would feature in the government that would administer the upcoming parliamentary polls. She asked the opposition to propose names of lawmakers who could be part of the interim cabinet of the “all-party polls-time government.”

Also seeking anonymity, another opposition lawmaker said if the government did not take any initiative to resolve the crisis after they placed the proposal at the House, then chances

‘Ganatantra Mancha will be set up to oust AL government’ n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong A “Ganantra Mancha” would be set up in the port city Chittagong to oust the ruling Awami League government, Vice-Chairman of the BNP Abdullah Al Noman said yesterday.

He made the warning while addressing a protest rally as the chief guest in the port city.

The rally was organised by Chittagong unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal, protesting the ban on any kind of gathering, rally or procession in the capital by Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

Noman also said the mancha would be set up in front of their port city’s central office if the Awami League government did not fulfil their demands.

After October 25, the people would control the country, he said, adding

BNP rolls the dialogue ball

Government’s ‘last day’

were high that they would not go back.

He said the opposition lawmakers might resign from parliament.

“We know our proposal will be scrapped through voting as the ruling party has absolute majority. But we want to place the proposal in parliament to for the sake of keeping records,” he said.

“We want to do positive politics.

Begum Khaleda Zia has already taken some positive initiatives. We hope the government will accept our demand,” BNP lawmaker Sahiduddin Chowdhury Annie told the Dhaka Tribune. l

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Sources in the BNP said its lawmakers may join parliament today and place their specific proposals on the interim government.

In a relatively unexpected move, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday morning sent a letter to Syed Ashraf requesting dialogue.

The move was unpredictable in the pretext that on Monday night, Khaleda’s security personnel and law enforcers locked in a scuffle at Nayapaltan and its Assistant Student Affairs Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku had been picked up. He has been put on a six-day remand.

Several BNP policymakers told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that they had been unaware about the proposals the party chief announced at a press conference on Monday. The issue was not discussed at the last Standing Committee meeting held on October 19 and came to know about the details when Khaleda was reading the statement, they said.

Some of them believe that the proposal was difficult to implement while they also expressed frustration over some loopholes in the suggestions over the polls-time government.

On October 18, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a nation address asked the BNP to join the election and give names of its party lawmakers for the interim cabinet. Announcing that the polls would be held within 90 days from October 25, she urged the opposition to raise its demands clearly.

Criticising Khaleda for rejecting her proposal, Hasina yesterday said in Dinajpur that the BNP chief’s proposal for bringing back the advisers of the 1996 and 2001 caretaker governments once again was a step backwards.

Terming the BNP’s letter a positive gesture, Awami League Presidium member Kazi Zafarullah said: “As the BNP sent us a letter, the Awami League will act positively and send a reply.”

Despite the proposals put forward by the two parties contradicting each other, Zafarullah said he was still very hopeful about a positive resolution through dialogues.

Yesterday around midday, a BNP delegation, led by Opposition Chief Whip Zainal Abdin Farroque, handed over Mirza Fakhrul’s letter to Syed Ashraf.

Later, BNP Joint Secretary General Barkatullah Bulu told journalists that the Awami League spokesperson had signed and received the letter.

Later in the day, Mirza Fakhrul received a phone call from his Awami League counterpart in the middle of a

Tangail district unit BNP has called a day-long hartal in the district for today, protesting the arrest of its Assistant Student Affairs Secretary Sultan Salauddin Tuku on Monday at Nayapaltan in the capital.

The district unit BNP also brought out an angry procession from Shahid Sriti Udayn of the town and marched important roads before holding a meeting on the Old Bus Stand premises yesterday.

At the meeting, they announced the day-long hartal in 12 upazilas of the district, including Tangail.

Secretary of the unit Shamsul Alom Tofa, Joint Secretary Forhad Iqbal, President of district unit Chatra Dal Rashedul Alom and its Secretary Shafiqur Rahman Khan addressed the meeting. l

hastily-called press conference.

Exchanging greetings, Fakhrul told Ashraf: “We are hoping that you will start dialogue giving importance. We have come forward and now you will also come forward. Thank you.”

Although the opposition spokesperson started the press conference condemning the “attack” on Khaleda Zia’s security personnel in Nayapaltan and the subsequent arrest of Tuku, the BNP acting secretary general ended the conference expressing hopes that they would get positive response from the ruling party.

With the 15th amendment to the constitution nullifying the provision for caretaker government, the ruling party has been stubborn to hold national polls under its own supervision.

The opposition on the other hand has been determined to not contest polls under any partisan arrangement.

There have been fears that the faceoff between the two political forces was inevitably leading the country towards political uncertainties similar to those that preceded the “1/11.” Khaleda has mentioned several times that she would not join the polls under Hasina administration.

To resolve the looming crisis, sections of civil society members, business leaders and foreign diplomats have now been for some time trying to pursue the two major political parties in to sit in meaningful dialogues.

On May 2, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the BNP for talks; but three days later, Khaleda issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the government demanding restoring of the caretaker government provision.

Secretary general level talks between the two parties took place once in 2006. But then the closed-door talks between the then BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and Awami League secretary general Abul Jalil ended inconclusive. l

MKA  PAGE 1 COLUMN 4

and Khaleda Zia, terming himself an “outsider.”

Replying to a question on signing "Counterterrorism cooperation initiative between Bangladesh and USA," Mozena said: “It’s not a question to me of which one is better as an outsider. But, it’s true that the door of discussion or dialogue has been opened by the two proposals. We hope a solution may come by holding talks or discussions between the major political parties. It will be good for the country.” l

that they would take to the streets until the government was ousted.

Meanwhile, Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin, an adviser to the BNP chairperson, said they would not take part in any election without a caretaker government and no election would be held without the BNP. Speakers at the rally also protested the politically-motivated arrests of its leaders-activists from their residences without any charge.

Several hundred BNP activists joined the rally and a protest procession was brought out from the intersection following the rally that marched different important roads of the city before ending in front of the Shaheed Minar around 5:30pm.

Chittagong city unit BNP General Secretary Dr Shahadat Hossain also addressed the rally as special guest. l

Hasina denounces Khaleda’s proposals  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

Amu and Tofail Ahmed, accompanied Hasina in Dinajpur and spoke at the rally before several thousand party leaders and supporters.

The prime minister claimed that her government had completed more tasks than the party had pledged ahead of the 2008 elections. She also claimed people were “living in peace.”

Hasina alleged that Khaleda had been patronising cadres of Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir, student body of the BNP ally Jamaat-e-Islami, to hamper congenial atmosphere at educational institutions across the country.

She castigated the BNP chief for celebrating her birthday on August 15, the national mourning day observed to commemorate the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of her family members in 1975.

For at least 20 minutes, most of the loudspeakers on the ground went off, creating confusion among the people outside the venue as they could not hear the prime minister.

In his speech, Amu alleged that Khaleda had been misleading the countrymen in the name of caretaker government “which she does not believe in.”

Tofail Ahmed said the opposition leader’s proposal was not realistic and had no constitutional base.

He urged the BNP chairperson to accept the premier’s proposal to hold the next election in a free and fair manner.

AL Joint General Secretary Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Organising Secretary Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali, lawmaker Iqbalur Rahim and party leader Mahmud Hasan Ripon also spoke at the rally.

The premier inaugurated a total of 37 development projects in the district including 500-bed Dinajpur Medical College and Hospital, Dr MA Wazed Miah Bhaban of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, rubber dam project on Atrai River, and laid the foundation stones of eight projects including the Dinajpur Education Board office. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Mufti Harun to be sent to TFI Cell n Tushar Hayat, Chittagong Chittagong police will spend a further five days questioning Mufti Harun, the son of Hefazat-e-Islam leader Mufti Izharul Islam Chowdhury, who was arrested in connection with the blast at Lalkhan Bazar Madrasa on October 7.

Banaj Kumar Majumder, additional commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP), said they had interrogated Harun in Chittagong for five days.

They would send him to the Taskforce Interrogation Cell for questioning another five days as he had been placed on a 10-day remand.

“Harun provided significant information during the interrogation here.

However, we are making arrangement to send him to the TFI Cell in Dhaka to glean more information.”

He also said Harun had been shown arrested in three cases filed in connection with the Shapla Chattar incident of May 5.

Harun, also a central leader of Hefazat, was arrested from Hathazari upazila under the district on October 9. A Chittagong court granted police five days each to interrogate him in two cases related to the blast and recovery of picric acid.

On October 7, a massive explosion rocked the Jamiatul Uloom Al-Islamia Madrasa, also known as Lalkhan Bazar Madrasa. It is run by Hefazat’s nayebe-ameer Mufti Izhar. The incident left five people critically injured, of whom three died later.

Police recovered four hand grenades and a large number of explosive-making materials from the madrasa dormitory while 18 bottles of picric acid were also seized from the campus residence of Mufti Izhar.

Three cases were filed, accusing 12 persons, including Mufti Izhar and Harun, in connection with the blast, recovery and killing. l

JS body calls for ban on 29 drug companies n Kamran Reza Chowdhury An expert committee formed by a parliamentary watchdog yesterday suggested that the government must close down 29 pharmaceutical companies for producing sub-standard and life-threatening drugs in Bangladesh.

The eight-member technical panel, constituted by the parliamentary standing committee on health ministry, also said the government could allow another 23 pharmaceutical companies to produce drugs, provided they fulfil some safety standards.

“We have suggested the [health] ministry to shut down the bad companies as soon as possible. The rest of the 23 pharmaceutical companies, having minor deviations in standard, may continue production if they can improve their safety measures,” Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, the committee chairman, said after the meeting at the parliament building.

He said the ministry had assured the watchdog of taking necessary actions in this regard.

Prof ABM Farooque, dean of Pharmaceutical technology faculty, headed the technical committee formed in February.

Earlier, a one-member parliamentary body headed by Nazmul Hassan MP prepared a report on the condition of pharmaceutical industry. Formed on July 29, 2009, he submitted report to the parent committee on July 3, 2011.

The main report discussed 62 pharmaceutical companies, categorised in three groups.

After reviewing the report, the technical committee was formed to reassess the report. It recommended that three companies – Astra Biochemicals, Remedy Pharmaceuticals and Shamsul Alamin Pharmaceutical Company – may continue production excepting some antibiotic brands.

Committee members State Minister for Health Mujibur Rahman Fakir, M Amanullah, Nazmul Hassan and Md Murad Hassan attended the meeting. l

Dhaka, Washington sign MoU to contain terrorism n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

A rickshaw-puller struggles to pull the non-motorised vehicle carrying passengers through thick mud on a street at Shonir Akhra in the capital yesterday. The roads in Dhaka City become unstable because of mud and water-logging even after a little rain NASHIRUL ISLAM

OPPOSITION’S OCTOBER 25 DEADLINE

Local administration put on alert n Tribune Report The government has asked district administrations to stay alert to possible subversive activities by different quarters, including Islamist parties, in the lead up to Friday’s opposition deadline to go for an all-out movement to hold the next general elections under a non-party caretaker government.

The local administrations in different districts have already started taking precautionary measures, including constant vigilance by law enforcers, to deter any subversive activity by opposition activists, a government minister said yesterday.

“The government has information that Jamaat and Shibir activists may create violence and sabotage across the country. The government is fully aware about their activities,” State Minister for Home Shamsul Haque Tuku told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

“The law enforcing agencies, including police and Rab, have been instructed to ensure tight security at important installations in different parts of the country. The police have already taken some security measures in this regard,”

Tuku said, adding that any kind of violence or sabotage would be handled with an iron hand.

Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) sources said they had received intelligence that Jamaat-e-Islami leaders were trying to recruit students from madrasas run by Hefazat-e-Islam for carrying out subversive activities in the port city and other areas of the district on the day.

A top CMP official said they had also received information that Jamaat leader Shahajahan Chowdhury, a former lawmaker who has close ties with a section of Hefazat leaders, had been maintaining contact with the Islamist group to finalise preparations for alleged subversive acts.

“We have information about subversive activities by Hefazat on October 25. However, they will not be able to do it in the city area as we have taken adequate measures in this regard,” said CMP Commissioner Shafiqul Islam.

Shafiqul also said police would set up check posts at all entry points to prevent Hefazat activists from entering the city, adding that law enforcers were also keeping a close watch on He-

fazat-run madrasas.

AKM Hafiz Akter, superintendent of police in Chittagong, said they had taken all preparations to protect against any subversive activity.

The BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh) would also remain on alert to be deployed at a moment’s notice if the situation so demands, he added.

Azizul Hoque Islamabadi, organising secretary of Hefazat, told the Dhaka Tribune that some vested quarters were instigating its supporters to engage in confrontational situations. However, the group was not paying any heed to such instigations, he added.

In Jhenaidah, about 300 members of Ansar and VDP (Village Defence Party) were deployed at points near 29 bridges and culverts, including three railway bridges, to deter sudden attacks by assailants taking advantage of the political unrest, Deputy Commissioner Safiqul Islam said.

A group of 16 law enforcers have been patrolling the Kabirpur bridge on Kumar River since Monday evening, said Mohammad Ali Prince, upazila nirbahi officer of Sailkupa. l

Tribunal gives Khandker Mahbub more time to avoid contempt n Udisa Islam The war crimes tribunal yesterday gave BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Khandker Mahbub Hossain, also vice-chairman of Bangladesh Bar Council, until November 20 to explain why a contempt of court notice should not be issued against him for his comment on the tribunal.

The three-member International Crimes Tribunal 1, headed by Justice ATM Fazle Kabir, fixed the date after Mahbub’s lawyer Zainul Abedin filed a time petition seeking four weeks, saying his client had been undergoing some personal difficulties.

Prosecutor Sultan Mahmud opposed the plea and suggested the respondent was trying to delay the process. He also

mentioned that the opposite party had not clarified what it meant by “personal difficulties.”

After the hearing, the tribunal allowed the application and fixed November 20 for reply, “If he had any.”

Shortly after the conviction of BNP lawmaker Salauddin Quader Chowdhury on October 1, Mahbub at a press briefing of the Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum said: “If BNP comes to power the fictional war crimes cases will be dropped. Everyone related with this trial must be prosecuted one day on the soil of Bangla.”

He also said the party would hold a trial of the “real war criminals.”

Earlier on October 6, the tribunal asked the Supreme Court lawyer to

explain his remarks by Monday but exempted him from appearing at the tribunal considering his position. It said the allegations brought against Mahabub were logical as his statement was a “threat to the judiciary.”

Prosecutor Zead-Al-Malum filed the contempt application on October 3, stating that the accused had said the trial was “biased, baseless, and utterly false and fabricated, ill-motivated and not made in good faith.” Such remarks were made to scandalise the tribunal, he added.

The petitioner had sought the issuance of contempt of order under section 11 (4) of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973 that stipulates imprisonment of maximum one year or fine of Tk5,000 or both. l

Sixth witness in Mobarak case cross examined n Udisa Islam

The sixth prosecution witness in the war crimes case against Mobarak Hossain, a former Brahmanbaria Awami League leader, was recalled yesterday for cross-examination.

Md Abdul Malek gave his deposition on July 16 at the International Crimes Tribunal 1, headed by Justice ATM Fazle Kabir. The tribunal on July 22 closed the cross-examination due to absence of defence counsels.

After the deposition of investigation officer in the case, the defence counsels pleaded to recall the witness as they wanted to question him.

3

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

The tribunal, accepting the application, said the defence could examine the witness if they had carried all the expenditure of the witness. The judges also ordered the defence to give Malek Tk2,000 as expenses.

After the cross-examination, the tribunal adjourned the proceedings until October 27.

Malek in his disposition said the accused and his accomplices had taken him to a Pakistani army camp with many other innocent villagers and tortured him for helping freedom fighters.

During the cross-examination, defence counsel Ahsanul Haq asked whether the witness had filed any case

against Mobarak after the Liberation War. Malek said he had been physically ill after the war until 1975, while later he was afraid to introduce himself as a freedom fighter.

The defence suggested that the witness had given false statement after taking money from other witnesses Khodeja Begum and Abdul Hamid.

Malek denied the allegation.

He said one day in November 1971, “Mobarak along with his people captured us and took to Brahmanbaria Government College. They tied our hands with electric wires and beat us so brutally that I lost consciousness.

When I woke up, I found myself in jail.”

The witness claimed that Mobarak had killed 20-25 unarmed villagers in the Comilla Khal area, only three or four days before the victory.

The accused is facing five charges of crimes against humanity that include killing 33 people in Akhaura, torturing Ashuranjan Deb at a razakar camp, as well as abductions and killings in Shyampur between August and December 1971.

According to the formal charges, after the war Mobarak was a member of Jamaat-e-Islami’s union unit in Akhaura. He later joined the Awami League, but was expelled from the party two years ago. l

Dhaka and Washington have signed a memorandum of understanding to combat terrorism and strengthening counterterrorism capacity.

The agreement will also develop and strengthen the partnership between law enforcement agencies of both countries and will promote cooperation between their investigators, prosecutors, forensic science labs and training institutes.

However, it is a cooperation initiative to fight terrorism and will not create any legally binding obligation.

“This enables us to cooperate better in the future in terms of fighting money laundering, cooperation in anti-terrorism and cooperation in cyber security,” US Ambassador Dan Mozena said after signing the instrument at the home ministry last evening.

The MoU also covers mutual legal assistance between the countries, and will share best practices and develop capabilities to prevent weapons of mass destruction.

“It just lays out all these areas where we can work together to fight a common enemy,” Mozena remarked. l

Witness: Nizami was not involved in 1971 crimes n Udisa Islam Self-proclaimed freedom fighter Md Shamsul Alam in his deposition at the International Crimes Tribunal 1 said he had never heard about the involvement of war crimes suspect Motiur Rahman Nizami in any crimes during the 1971 Liberation War in Pabna.

The witness also said he had not known Nizami, the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami. He said Muslim league, Nezam-e-Islam, Jamaat and Naxals were against the country’s independence.

After his deposition, prosecutor Mohammad Ali cross examined him.

At the end of questioning, the tribunal adjourned the session until today. The defence mentioned that defence lawyer Nazibur Rahman, also son of the alleged war criminal, would give his deposition.

On Sunday, defence lawyer Tajul Islam submitted a list of five witnesses: Abdul Hamid, Abdul Samad, Abdul Hamid, Mujibur Rahman and S Alam. But they placed KM Hamidur Rahman the next day as the first witness. On this matter, the tribunal expressed disappointment over the “fraudulent behaviour” and asked the defence to correct the names.

The defence later submitted a plea to fix the “mistake” and also to change the name of S Alam to Shamsul Alam.

The second witness yesterday told the tribunal about his training and frontline war experiences. He said: “After completing my training in India, I came to Pabna under the leadership of Mokbul Hossain and faced Naxals and razakars at Aria Gohailbari of Pabna.

Then we again took part in a frontline war at Tilgachha and killed 17-18 Naxals and took control of their headquarters.”

Alam also claimed that he had been convener and also chief of Pabna district Muktijoddha Command during 2001-2009.

He said the Peace Committee members were their opponents and that those committees were created with the chairman of each upazila. He claimed that the razakars were from low-income group people opposing the country’s liberation.

The witness said after they had returned from India, many villagers complained against the anti-liberation operatives, “but no one complained against Nizami.”

The prosecution suggested that he was testifying for Nizami since he had been involved in the politics of Jamaat since 2001. The witness claimed he had never heard the name of Nizami.

Asked, the witness also claimed that he had not played any role in the election campaign for Nizami. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Economic growth hinges on polls consensus: CPD n Tribune Report The country’s economic growth hinges on an early consensus over electoral modalities between the two political camps, Center for Policy Dialogue has observed.

“To shield the economy from the negative spillovers of electoral transition, political parties should avoid the path of violence,” said Debapriya Bhattacharya, distinguished fellow of the CPD. Electoral transition means no economic activities and livelihood concerns, however large and small, should be held hostage to our unique democratic practices, he said at a press conference at the CPD office yesterday.

“Working out this package of economic safeguards is, in our view, no less important than generating a consensus on electoral modalities.”

History showed that Bangladesh

witnessed a fall in real GDP growth during election years because it tended to experience violence during periods of political transition, noted the think tank.

Data covering from fiscal year 1991 to 2013 reveal that during election years, real GDP growth consistently declined for each of the previous five election years. This has happened in 1991, 1996, 2002 and 2009.

Political business cycles were notions which suggested that a business cycle was caused by elected government leaders who manipulate the economy to gain personal political goals.

This type of business cycle results primarily from the manipulation of policy tools by incumbent politicians hoping to stimulate the economy just prior to an election and thereby improve their reelection chances.

Debapriya said the incumbent policymakers would need to redefine the fiscal goalposts, promote credit expansion in private sector, maintain support to the crop sector and contain potential inflationary pressure.

The CPD also criticised the International Monetary Fund’s role in the banking sector reforms. “Deterioration of the performance of the banking sector took place at a time when the economy remained under the disciplines imposed by the IMF-ECF programme,” said Debapriya.

He said 2013 was the year of disaster for the banking sector as it was enmeshed with lot of financial scam.

Some analysts predicted that rolling out of new banks in the banking industry would promote competition, which would help reduce the spread – the gap between deposit and lending rates — but it had not happened yet. l

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Four in five migrant construction workers ‘at risk’ n Rabiul Islam Around four in five migrant construction labourers in the capital work in risky environments and without any safety measures, according to a study carried out by Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU).

The report says construction workers are vulnerable to occupational accidents including inadequate safety equipment or training, exposure to harmful chemicals and hazardous conditions, exposure to noise and dust, and an absence of proper toilet facilities.

RMMRU presented “Impact of Migration on Poverty: Construction Workers in Bangladesh” at a stakeholders’ consultation on migrant construction workers in Bangladesh at Brac Centre in the capital yesterday.

According to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, a total of 2.6 million people

across the country work in the construction sector. The RMRRU says almost half of these ( 51%) work in Dhaka district.

The study covers nine spots including Badda, Mirpur, Mohammadpur, and Nikunja, and it was conducted in November and December last year.

After interviewing 150 workers, it was found that 80% have not seen any safety signs at their workplace.

Most of the construction workers suffer from various health problems including fever, allergy, back-pain, cough, depression and eye strain, and most live under unhygienic conditions.

At least 80% stated that when they fall ill they secure medicines from pharmacies, effectively meaning selfmedication.

The study also reveals 95% workers have no knowledge about the national labour law, 94% were not aware of any collective bargaining, and 73% fa-

280 gold bars seized from Dubai flight at Dhaka airport n Ashif Islam Shaon

Consider 35m students before declaring political programmes: Nahid

n Tribune Report Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid urged political parties not to declare any political programmes that could hamper the preparation of 35 million Junior School Certificate and Primary Terminal examinations scheduled to be held in November.

“If the examinees feel scared, experience pressure and suffer because of political programmes scheduled during their examinations, a hatred towards politicians starts developing among them,” Nahid said yesterday while speaking at a programme at Jagannath University marking the eighth anniversary of the university’s declaration.

“A nation cannot progress by harming its future generation,” he said.

The Junior School Certificate and Primary Terminal Examinations are scheduled to be held in November.

Guardians and students have already expressed concern about the volatile political situation in the country.

Political tension throughout the year took its tolls on students. In July, the government decided to cut down the Ramadan vacation by 17 days to make up for the classes lost though a spate of hartals.

In September, the education minister told parliament that opposition’s street violence had caused a 5% decrease in the HSC success rate this year.

Authorities had to shift the timetables of 33 HSC exams due to hartals. l

WEATHER

Moderately heavy to heavy falls likely n UNB Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely at many places over Khulna, Barisal, Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rajshahai and Rangpur divisions in 24 hours till 6pm today.

Moderately heavy to heavy falls are also likely at places over the country, Met Office said. Day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.

The sun sets in the capital at 5:26pm today and rises at 6am tomorrow.

Country’s highest temperature 31.7 degree Celsius was recorded at Sayedpur and lowest 21.3 degrees at Dinajpur and Sayedpur yesterday. Highest and lowest temperature recorded in some major cities and towns today were: City

High

Low

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

28.0 29.5 31.4 31.2 28.6 27.0 28.2 29.0

23.3 24.1 23.5 23.0 24.0 24.0 22.4 24.5

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

4:44am 5:59am 11:43pm 3:49pm 5:26pm 6:42pm

Source: IslamicFinder.org

voured forming a trade union. At least 77% workers say there are no inspections of their workplace.

Speaking as the chief guest of the report launch, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour Ministry Md. Israfil Alam MP said the inspection of workplaces had to be strengthened. He also urged the labour leaders to study the labour law.

The study recommends ensuring safe and secure accommodation facilities and proper implementation of the labour law for construction workers.

RMMRU Executive Director CR Abrar, the and Research and Communications Officer Md. Selim Reza, presented the keynote paper of the study.

Other attendees included former labour and employment secretary Mahfuzul Huq, Building Technology and Ideas Managing Director FR Khan, and North South University teacher ATM Nurul Amin. l

Members of customs recovered 280 gold bars from the toilet of flydubai at Shahjalal International Airport yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

BISHWAJIT MURDER CASE

Defence plea to revise charge rejected n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A Dhaka court yesterday rejected a defence petition seeking to change the charge in the Bishwajit Das murder case.

After completing the cross-examination of Tajul Islam, investigation officer of the case, counsel Syed Shah Alam filed the petition. Acting judge Md Nuruzzaman of the Speedy Trial Tribunal 4 rejected the petition after a hearing.

Alam later told the Dhaka Tribune he would file a review petition with the High Court against the order.

It may delay the proceeding of the

case which is nearing its end now as generally the IO’s deposition comes at the end of trial process. A total of 32 out of 60 prosecution witnesses gave depositions in the case.

The court also fixed tomorrow for further cross-examination of the IO on the video footages which he had submitted before the court. The date was set following a petition filed by public prosecutor SM Rafiqul Islam to identify the accused from footage of the incident.

Twenty four-year-old tailor Bishwajit was hacked to death near Bahadur Shah Park of Old Dhaka, allegedly by

Bangladeshi nurses to receive training in Turkey n Tazlina Zamila Khan Selected nurses from across the country will receive advanced training on healthcare in Turkey, announced Turkish ambassador to Bangladesh Huseyin Muftuoglu at a programme in the capital yesterday.

Preparing for the move, he said the Health Minister had consented to at least 5-10 Turkish nurses visiting Bangladesh to observe the service provided in healthcare here “Afterwards a number of nurses from Bangladesh will go to Turkey to receive an advanced training. Those trained nurses would then return to Bangladesh and pass on the training to other nurses here,” he said.

Huseyin Muftuoglu was addressing a programme organised yesterday for donating an ICU ambulance to the Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital and Research Institute.

“Turkish government has taken up this project to donate one ambulance to each of the chosen middle income and under-developed countries. However, Bangladesh is the only country to receive two ambulances. The next one would be donated to the Siraj-Khaleda Memorial Hospital in cantonment,” he added.

The ambulance was given as a part of EXPO-2020 where the theme set for the Turkish city of Izmir is “Health for All.” Professor Dr MA Rashid, chief executive officer of Ibrahim Cardiac hospital said: “The ambulance will be used for transporting critically ill patients.”

“We have divided the capital into five zones: Gulshan, Baridhara, Mirpur, Uttara and Jatrabari. Ambulances of our hospital are parked on alert in each of the zones so that it can reach the patients and take them to the nearest hospital, avoiding traffic jams,” said Dr Rashid.

“When a cardiac attack occurs, the first few hours are crucial for the patient’s survival. After a cardiac attack, a patient can be taken to the nearest hospital though these ambulances and lives could be saved,” he added.

The Ambassador said: “Two years ago, my father died of a cardiac attack.

I consider health as one of the humanitarian sectors that is free from politics. Saving the life of one Bangladeshi means a lot to the Turkish people.”

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Faruq Khan said: “We have been doing friendly business with Turkey and donation of the ambulances is one of the examples.” l

Bangladesh Chhatra League activists of Jagannath University unit, during the opposition’s countrywide roadblockade programme on December 9 last year.

Sub-Inspector Jalal Uddin of Sutrapur police station filed the murder case under sections 302 and 34 of the penal code.

Section 302 deals with planned murder.

In the petition, Alam claimed that it was not a planned murder and that Bishwajit was killed out of “instant excitement” of the accused.

He demanded that the charge (section 302) be replaced by section 304,

which deals with death due to negligence. The maximum punishment under this section is 10 years in jail.

Earlier, a Dhaka court rejected a petition case filed by a lawyer seeking inclusion of members of law enforcement agencies, who were present at the spot, and the duty doctors at Mitford Hospital, for negligence.

On March 5, DB Inspector Tajul Islam pressed charges against the 21 accused in the case, all of whom are leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student front of the Awami League. l

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport police and customs recovered 280 bars of gold from the restroom of a flydubai aircraft which landed in the capital yesterday morning.

Custom Commissioner Zakia Sultana said Airport Armed Police Battalion found the bars wrapped in black cloth and hidden under a commode. They weighed about 32kg and were estimated to be worth Tk147m.

Custom officials said they had received information that a Bangladeshi citizen on board the low-cost airline flight from Dubai would be carrying an illegal consignment of gold. But after the plane landed around 11am, authorities could not find the alleged gold smuggler.

Zakia said they suspect that sensing the presence of police, the person carrying the gold bars left them in the plane’s toilet and fled the scene.

Several criminal groups are thought to be involved in smuggling gold, foreign currencies, various precious metals, stones and other contraband items through the airport, in cahoots with a section of officials and employees of different government and non-government agencies deployed there.

In the last eight months, more than 100 consignments of gold, weighing around 300kg, and other precious materials have been seized at the airport.

Since January, customs officials alone have seized more than 200kg of gold and different foreign currencies worth Tk70m.

On July 24, a large haul of 1,065 gold bars, weighing 124kg, was seized.

According to airport authorities, more than 3,600 people have been arrested in the last three years for their involvement in smuggling. The arrestees include airline crews and civil aviation, customs, immigration, intelligence agencies and Ansar personnel. l

JUTA strike over alleged BCL attack

Hefazat activist and his two cohorts held in Chittagong n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong n JU Correspondent Police nabbed an activist of Hefazate-Islam along with two accomplices early yesterday, in front of a mosque at Lalkhan Bazar area in Chittagong city.

The arrestee, Md Farhad, 18, hailing from Laxmipur district, is a student of Jamiatul Uloom Al-Islamia Lalkhan Bazar Madrasa and his associates are Sahin Mia, 30 and Sohel, 30, said police sources.

Mainul Islam Bhuiyan, officer-incharge of Khulshi police station, said the police acted on a tip-off and arrested the three youths at around 3am, when they were coming out of the mosque following a secret meeting.

The three were arrested in the case lodged with Khulshi police station on October 8, regarding the Lalkhan madarasa explosion.

Farhad was also allegedly involved in subversive activities in the Lalkhan Bazar area during clashes between Hefazat and Awami League activists during a hartal.

OC Mainul said Farhad and his cohorts torched a truck on that hartal day, which was being used by ruling party men to play Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s speech over loudspeakers. l

Jahangirnagar University Teachers Association (JUTA) observed a strike on the campus yesterday as part of an ongoing movement to oust the incumbent vice chancellor.

They were also protesting the alleged October 9 attack on them by the VC and activists of pro-government Bangladesh Chhatra League.

VC Anwar Hossain, meanwhile, dismissed two university provosts yesterday, allegedly for their involvement in the teachers’ movement, though he maintained they were simply not doing their administrative duties.

The university’s administrative activities resumed yesterday after the Eid holidays, but the striking teachers did not attend their offices. JUTA is expected to hold a general meeting today to chalk out its next course of action, a source said.

Meantime, the General Teachers Forum, another platform of protesting teachers, were to meet yesterday evening to discuss the dismissal of the two provosts.

JU Registrar Abu Bakr Siddique told the Dhaka Tribune that Shaymal Kumar Roy and Md Anwar Khosru Parvez, of Jahanara Imam Hall and Al Beruni

Hall respectively, were the provosts dismissed.

Sanzida Mubashshara, a teacher of the botany department, and AKM Jasim Uddin, warder of Al Beruni Hall, have been temporarily appointed in their place, he added.

A number of protesting teachers claimed the two provosts were fired because of their involvement in the movement against the VC, who is accused of irregularities.

When contacted, Khosru Parvez said he was yet to receive the discharge letter as he was on leave.

“I have come to my village home on a three-day leave, and that is why I did not get any official letter yet. But I have just heard about the authorities’ decision about my dismissal,” he said.

During a meeting with the education secretary in the capital on Monday, the teachers’ forum had agreed to suspend their movement for a week.

The forum was supposed to sit for a general meeting yesterday to decide its next move, but it was postponed following the provosts’ dismissal.

Forum convener Md Hanif Ali said, “We could not reach any decision, and postponed the meeting as we learned that the VC had discharged two hall provosts.” l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Long Form

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

5

A first look at the post-2015 development agenda A 2011 assessment by UNDP indicates that there are rising regional and social disparities and persistent pockets of extreme poverty continue to exist

T

MDG TARGETS AND PROGRESS

n Farzana Nawaz he Millennium Development Goals or MDGs have dominated the international development discourse for the past 13 years. They have provided a framework for worldwide concerted efforts to tackle the biggest challenges faced by humanity – extreme poverty, hunger, diseases, child mortality and gender disparity, among others.

The MDGs are set to expire in 2015, and the international community is once again faced with the need to formulate a global plan to continue work on the challenges that remain and address new threats that have emerged since 2000.

A 27-person high-level panel of eminent persons was put together to formulate recommendations for UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on a post-2015 global agenda.

Recently the panel published a report titled, “A New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economies through Sustainable Development,” which outlines a universal agenda to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030 and a roadmap to achieve the goals of sustainable development.

This article will take a look into how the post 2015 development agenda is likely to shape up. However, let us first take stock of the MDGs and the progress made in poverty reduction so far.

A brief overview of MDGs and achievements The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) encompass eight development goals that were identified as priorities by the international community at the UN Millennium Summit held in New York in 2000. All 189 member states of the United Nations and major international development organisations agreed to undertake concerted and significant efforts to help citizens in the world’s poorest countries achieve these goals by 2015.

Specific sets of targets were set up under each area to track progress. For example, under “Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger” targets include halving the proportion of people whose income is less than $1.25 per day and halving the proportion of people who suffer from hunger by 2015.

Under “Achieve universal primary education” a specific target is completion of a full course of primary schooling by both boys and girls, and so on.

There is wide consensus on the fact that MDGs raised the profile of development issues enabled an unprecedented mobilisation of political support in both the developed and developing countries. In developed countries this has led to increases in aid pledges. In developing countries this has focused government efforts on poverty reduction and have made sure that this stays on the agenda.

The MDGs have given a platform to civil society organisations (in both developing and developed countries) to lobby their governments and hold them to account. It has also provided a mechanism for mutual accountability at the international level between countries, although the efficacy of such mechanisms can be debatable.

MDG achievements to date With respect to the actual accomplishments of the MDGs, the picture is mixed. Progress in reducing extreme poverty (goal 1) has defied all expectations and an impressive 455 million people were lifted out of poverty between 1990 and 2005. This target was met five years ahead of schedule, in 2010.

In the developing world, parity has been achieved in primary school enrollment between boys and girls (goal 3), however the results remain uneven among regions, with South Asia being one of the laggards.

On the other hand, areas such as reduction of child mortality (goal 4), improvement of maternal health (goal 5) and ensuring environmental sustainability (goal 7), in spite of significant progress, are not expected to meet their targets by the 2015 deadline.

MDG 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger (overall, goal will be partially met) Target: Halve the proportion of people below poverty line Status: Target met Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all Target: 100% Status: Employment to population ration – 59.3% Prevalence of underweight children under five years of age Target: 33%, Status: 45% Proportion of population below minimum level of dietary consumption (2122 kcal) Target: 24%, Status: 40%

MDG2: Achieve universal primary education (overall, goal will be partially met)

Extremes of disparate development are visible throughout various locations, even in the capital city mate change, human rights, good governance and security and the role of inclusive growth to provide jobs.

MDGs and Bangladesh Bangladesh’s progress on the MDGs has been mixed. Great achievement has been made in absolute poverty reduction less than a third of Bangladeshis now live below the poverty line, a reduction attained in only a decade. However, a 2011 assessment by the UNDP indicates that there is rising regional and social disparities and persistent pockets of extreme poverty exist.

While gender parity has been achieved in primary school enrollment, dropout rates are still high and there is a long way to go in reaching parity of male and female students in tertiary education.

Bangladesh is among only 16 countries in the world that are on track to achieving MDG 4 on child mortality.

Create jobs, sustainable livelihoods, and equitable growth Manage natural resource assets sustainability l Ensure good governance and effective institutions l Ensure stable and peaceful societies l Create global enabling environment and catalyse long term finance l l

Encouragingly, a lot of emphasis has also been put on measuring progress. The report calls for a data revolution.

Availability of more, better quality and easily accessible data will strengthen accountability, empower citizens, business and civil society and help governments find out whether the poorest and the neediest are receiving essential services.

First reaction from Bangladesh

l Leave no one behind

A roundtable discussion was held at the British High Commission on June 19, 2013 to introduce the high level report on the post 2015 development agenda to public policy practitioners, journalists and dignitaries. The speakers in the panel were – British High Commissioner Robert W Gibson, Sarah Cook, head of DFID Bangladesh, Neal Walker, UN Resident Advisor, Rehman Sobhan, head of CPD, Dr. Shamsul Alam, Director General at the Foreign Ministry Riaz Hamidullah.

Neal Walker noted the importance of Bangladesh among the Least Develop Countries (LDCs) due to the size of its population. Population-wise, Bangladesh is the largest LDC and the challenges Bangladesh faces reflect the challenges of all.

Several speakers noted that there is a lot of convergence between the findings of the national level consultation and the recommendations of the high-level report.

Some criticisms leveled towards the high level report by Bangladeshi experts include the fact that the new proposal suffers from the same faults as the MDGs in that it only deals with the symptoms of poverty but does not deal with the root causes. While it contains goals on reaching the poorest and underprivileged people it does not specify measurable goals. It was urged that any new global agreement needs to address the structural injustices that cause poverty instead of just focusing on moving people above the poverty line.

The report misses important issues that perpetuate inequality – differences in the quality of education received by the elite versus the poor, the inequitable impact of market forces. It does not address the reasons behind the lack of good governance – such as the role of money in accessing public office. Poor working conditions and lack of protection for workers which lead to tragedies such as Rana Plaza.

Another major line of criticism was that it handles the impact of climate change inadequately. It has been pointed out that too much focus has been placed on private finances and markets and market-driven technology but not enough on essential non-market technology initiatives such as technology for agriculture, livelihood and water projects. It also doesn’t take account of regional cooperative frameworks.

For countries such as Bangladesh, which is on the frontlines of climate adaptation, it doesn’t account for the lack of institutional capacity to absorb large amounts of climate adaptation funds. This is a crucial issue for a country such as ourselves.

Experts have expressed skepticism that if these issues are not dealt with then it is unlikely that qualitative change will be achieved by 2030.

l Transform economies for jobs and inclusive growth

What happens next?

l Forge a new global partnership

The final set of post 2015 goals will be negotiated in the UN over the next two years, in particular through the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals. The report will serve as a source of ideas and inspiration for the international community for the discussions that follow.

A new global agreement after 2015 In May 2012 Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron were invited to chair the UN High Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post 2015 development agenda. The 27 member panel included representatives from government, business and civil society from all regions of the world.

This undertaking was unique in several ways – it was the first UN High Level Panel to include more women than men. Unparalleled efforts were undertaken to receive public input over 9 months.

Input was solicited from thousands of people around the world, including the poorest people, in face-to-face meetings, surveys, community interviews, and polling over internet and mobile phones.

It appears that significant efforts were taken to address some of the criticism leveled against the MDGs. For example, the Panel recommends that targets will be considered ‘achieved’ only if they are met for all income and social groups. Linkages with the Rio+20 sustainable development agenda were taken into account.

The result is a universal agenda which applies to developed and developing countries alike and includes roles for not just governments but also communities, businesses and civil society.

Encouragingly, a lot of emphasis has also been put on measuring progress. The report calls for a data revolution. Availability of more, better quality and easily accessible data will strengthen accountability, empower citizens, business and civil society and help governments find out whether the poorest and the neediest are receiving essential services

In terms of the global partnership (goal 8), although the MDGs helped to mobilise large amounts of development funds, fiscal constraints in several developed countries has recently led to the decline of aid flows, for the first time in decades.

In 2011, net aid disbursement was $133.5 billion, representing 0.31 per cent of developed countries’ combined national income. While an increase in absolute dollars, this was a 2.7 per cent drop in real terms over 2010.

Delving deeper into the results also reveal a more nuanced picture of the claimed successes. For example, while the target of halving poverty was achieved, about 850 million people (nearly 15 percent of the global population) are estimated to be under-nourished.

Under promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women (goal 3), we find that while parity has been achieved in primary school enrolment between men and women, equal access to job opportunities is still a far-off goal for many women in developing countries.

The MDGs, however, have also faced quite some criticism from the development community over the years. A major criticism is that it’s a donor-led agenda, taking little account of the local context, politics and policy of developing countries.

In measuring progress, MDGs track average progress at the national or local level, and as such it is accused of disregarding issues of inequality. NGOs, such as Save the Children, have accused that the situation for the poorest has actually been getting worse in many countries. Only two of the MDGs explicitly call for gender-disaggregated measures of progress.

MDGs also failed to integrate economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainable development. Therefore, it excluded crucial dimensions of development, such as cli-

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Notable change from the MDGs can be seen in the way the agenda is presented – the language is more accessible with much less jargon, presented in an easy to navigate website called, “The World We Want” (http://www.worldwewant2015.org/) It is stated that the new development agenda is driven by five fundamental, transformative shifts: l Put sustainable development at the core

l Build peace and effective, open and accountable institutions

With “leave no one behind”, equality for the first time takes centre stage in the poverty eradication agenda.

Similarly, it is recognised that justice, safety, a voice and accountable government are goods in themselves, and as important to people as access to health and education.

Sustainable development and the need to tackle climate change is acknowledged in the form of promoting more sustainable consumption and production patterns and the need to create jobs and inclusive economic growth.

A set of 12 goals have been set out by the Panel which are informed by the 5 transformative shifts and provide the framework to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030. These are: l l l l l l l

End poverty.

Empower girls and women and achieve gender equality Provide quality education and lifelong equality Ensure healthy lives Ensure food security and good nutrition Achieve universal access to water sanitation Secure sustainable energy

Net enrolment in primary education (%) Target: 100 Status: 94.9 Proportion of students starting grade 1 who reach grade 5 Target: 100 Status: 67.2 Adult literacy rate (15+ years old) Target: 100 Status: 58.4

MDG3: Promote gender equality and empowerment of women (goal will probably be met) Ratio of girls to boys in primary education Target: 1.0, Status: 1.02 Ratio of girls to boys in secondary education Target: 1.0, Status: 1.14 Ratio of girls to boys in tertiary education Target: 1.0, Status: 0.39 Share of women’s employment in non-agricultural sector (%) Target: 50, Status: 19.87% Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament (%) Target: 33, Status: 19.71

MDG4: Reduce child mortality The country is on track with regard to achieving this goal.

However, diarrhoeal disease and acute respiratory infections are still responsible for over a quarter of under-5 deaths

MDG5: Improve maternal health Maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000 live births) Target: 143, Status: 194 (on target) Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel (%) Target: 50, Status: 26.5 Antenatal care coverage (at least 4 visits) % Target: 100, Status: 23.4 Unmet need for family planning (%) Target: 7.6, Status: 17.1

MDG 6: Combat HIV / AIDS /Malaria and other diseases Bangladesh has performed well in halting communicable diseases under this goal.

MDG 7: Ensure environmental sustainability Maintaining wetlands and biodiversity is still a challenge in Bangladesh. However, significant progress has been made in enabling access to safe drinking water and sanitary latrines. The density of tree cover (>10%) is also much less than the target (>70%).

Conclusion Will the new global plan successfully eradicate poverty by 2030 and lead to sustainable development and better lives for citizens across the globe? As all international agreements, they can only do so much. The devil is in the detail.

It creates a platform for discussion and to focus on particular important issues. However, being universal agendas, they are also incapable of adequately taking into account the local level challenges. At the end of the day the answers lie in the political negotiations and manoeuvring that each nation must go through in order to achieve their goals in reducing poverty and ensuring better lives for their citizens.

Farzana Nawaz is a GIZ returning expert and editorial fellow at the Dhaka Tribune. She can be reached at farzana.nawaz@gmail.com

MDG 8: Develop a global partnership for development The proportion of Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) to GDP declined in the last ten years, from the level of 5.6 percent to 2.2 percent. In terms of ODA as a percentage of their GNI, Denmark was the biggest donor among OECD countries, followed by the United Kingdom, Japan and South Korea.

Total ODA disbursement in MDG sectors like education, health, social welfare, labour, public administration and social infrastructure received increasing attention.

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

24 fishermen arrested in Chandpur n Our Correspondent, Chandpur

15 injured in clashes over toll collection in Gaibandha

n Our Correspondent, Gaibandha

At least 15 people were injured in repeated clashes between two rival groups in Gaibandha over establishing supremacy at an auto-rickshaw and easy bike stand in the Purbapara area of the town.

Police said there was a dispute between the men of Mominpara and Sabujpara over collecting tolls from the stand. On Monday afternoon, people of the two areas engaged in an altercation over the issue, resulting in repeated clashes that continued until yesterday afternoon, they added.

During the clashes, the rival groups used lethal weapons and sticks and at least 15 people of both sides were injured, locals said, adding that they also damaged several shops at the Station Road area.

Police rushed to spot and fired 36 rounds of rubber bullets and 14 tear gas shells before bringing the situation under control.

Seven of the injured were admitted to Gaibandha Sadar Hospital, while three of them were later referred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital as their condition deteriorated.

Officer-in-Charge of sadar police station Gopal Chandra Chakrabartee said additional law enforcers had been deployed to avert any untoward incident. l

Additional police have been deployed in the Purbapara area in Gaibandha yesterday following a clash that left 15 people injured over establishing supremacy at an auto-rickshaw and easy bike stand FOCUS BANGLA

Narsingdi schoolteacher critical after stabbing n Our Correspondent, Narsingdi A primary school teacher was left fighting for his life yesterday after he was stabbed, allegedly by criminals of Rana bahini, at Babla village in Belabo upazila of Narsingdi.

Rajib Chakrabarti, assistant teacher of Dapunia Government Primary School in Belabo upazila, was taken to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital in a critical condition.

Police, witnesses and medical sources said Rajib was returning home from the local Dapunia bazar around 9:30pm when he was attacked with

sharp weapons by miscreants reportedly led by Rana Chowdhury. Local people rushed to the spot as the victim screamed for help.

Police said Rana was collecting tolls from businessmen of the local bazar and was also involved in land-grabbing in the locality.

Some villagers, led by school teachers Rajib, protested his illegal activities and they submitted a complaint to the local police station against Rana. Hearing the news, Rana and his associates became furious and made plans to kill Rajib.

A case was filed, said the police. l

President for specialised treatment for blind children n Tribune Desk President Abdul Hamid yesterday underlined the need for providing specialised treatment for child blindness, and for raising social awareness of the issue.

“Every quarter will have to step forward along with all concerned of the health department in this regards,” he said while launching the National Childhood Blindness Reduction Programme at Osmani Memorial Hall in the city.

National Eye Care and ORBIS International jointly organised the event.

A man was killed and nine others were injured at Kulchara in Shailkupa upazila, Jhenaidah yesterday morning.

The deceased was Korban Ali, 35, of Chourhas colony, Kushtia.

Police said a bus was rammed by a truck from behind when both were trying to enter the Barsha filling station at Kulchara around 10:30am.

The bus was severely damaged and ten people injured. Of them, Korban died around 11:50am.

Of the injured, Shamimur Rahman, Uttam Ghosh, Khalilur Rahman, Afroza Behfffgum, and Alopana Khatun were admitted to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital.

The body was sent to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital morgue. Police seized the bus and the truck, while the truck driver managed to flee, police said.

Obscene cultural shows protested in Barisal n Our Correspondent, Barisal People from all strata of life formed a human chain in Barisal city yesterday, protesting the prevalence of gambling and obscenity in different parts of the city and its adjacent areas.

Protesting the staging of different types of gambling and obscene cultural shows in the name of housie, lottery, raffle draws, Jatra and concerts, speakers at the human chain said ethical and moral values are decaying, crime incidents increasing and law and order deteriorating in the city.

Organised by Progotishil Chhatra Samaj, the human chain was addressed among others by Advocate Manabendra Batobayal, president of Barisal Press Club; Akkas Hossain, president of Shujon; Jasimuddin, city unit BCL

president; Shiddhartha Mandal, BM College unit BCL president; and Shamil Shahrukh Tamal, city unit Chhatra Moitri president.

They said at least five obscene cultural shows are going on at different places of the city under the nose of law enforcing agencies, who are patronising such obscene programmes instead of taking actions against them.

They demanded the immediate closure of the cultural shows, adding that announcements over loudspeakers have also become a nuisance for the people living near them.

Dr Abdur Rahim, deputy inspector general of police Barisal range, said law enforcers only could take action against the illegal arrangement of gambling or obscene cultural shows if allegations were received in this regard. l

Police re-arrested Kochua upazila BNP vice president at the gate of Chandpur jail moments after realising him from the facility yesterday.

Detectives apprehended Jahangir Alam Prodhan as he was walking out around 10am in the morning after being granted bail. He was taken to the DB police office.

This is the third time police have arrested him at the jail gate since last month.

DB police said they have are following the orders of high officials to arrest him, but they did not say in connection with which case. There are 24 cases currently filed against Jahangir with Kochua police station. l

to establish standard eye treatment for children across the country, bringing 50% of all children under the service.

The activities under the programme will play an important role in implementing the vision 2020 of removing all curable blindness by the year 2020.

Prime Minister’s Advisor Prof Syed Modasser Ali, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Mozibu rRahman Fakir, Country Director of ORBIS International Munir Ahmed also spoke on the occasion, while Line Director of National Eye Care Prof Deen Mohd Noorul Huq was the chair. l

Jibanananda’s death anniversary passes quietly n Our Correspondent, Barisal

PCJSS demands amendment to CHT Land Commission Act

Born on February 17, 1899, Das died on 22 October 1954, eight days after he was hit by a tramcar in Kolkata

Jhenaidah road accident kills 1 n Our correspondent, Jhenaidah

Police re-arrest Kochua BNP leader at jail gate n Our Correspondent, Chandpur

“The future prosperity and welfare of the nation depend on the sound health of its children,” he said, adding that child blindness impacts negatively on family and social life.

President Abdul Hamid said children with loss of eyesight become a burden instead of a resource in the development of the economy, and that it costs more to rehabilitate the blind than to remove the blindness.

“Apart from social awareness, specialised treatment is needed for eliminating child diseases,” he observed.

The national programme is intended

The 59th death anniversary of one of the greatest poets of Bangla literature was observed in his native town of Barisal yesterday.

Jibanananda Das, the pioneer of modernism in Bangla poetry, is best known as the poet of “Ruposi Bangla”, and is arguably the most influential romantic poet of the postTagore era.

Principal Tapankar Chakraborty, Dr Moshtak Al Mehedi, Kazi Selina and others laid wreaths at the poet’s mural by the memorial hall built at his parental home in the town, but they said no additional programme had been arranged because of the adverse political situation.

People from all strata of life formed a human chain in Barisal city yesterday, protesting the prevalence of gambling and obscenity in different parts of the city and its adjacent areas DHAKA TRIBUNE

Twenty four fishermen were arrested yesterday for violating the 11-day government ban on catching mother hilsa fish in Chandpur.

Ratan Datt, a fisheries officer, said Chandpur fisheries department arrested five fishermen by running drives in many areas. Among them, three were given 15 days in jail, and two others were fined Tk1,000 each. The punishments were given by the mobile court which was ordered by executive magistrate Aminul Islam.

Another mobile court handed a fiveday jail term to a fisherman and fined another Tk5,000 in Matlab south upazila.

Meanwhile, Chandpur Coast Guard station commander said they seized 70,000 metres of fine fishing nets and 70kg of hilsa fish from many rivers of Chandpur in yesterday’s drive. A further 17 fishermen were also arrested yesterday by a joint drive of Rab and police, said the sources.

The government imposed an 11day ban on netting, selling, marketing and importing of hilsa fish from October 13 to October 23 in order to boost hilsa production by ensuring safe spawning and protecting mother hilsas. l

Barisal Sangskritik Sangathan Samanya Parishad (BSSSP), a unit of 28 cultural organisations; Jibanananda Smriti Sangsad, the organisation named after the poet; and BM School and BM College, the education and working place of the poet, also did not organise any programme to observe the day.

Das was a teacher of English literature in Barisal and Kolkata but during his lifetime, only seven volumes of his poems were published. After his death, it was discovered Das also wrote several novels and a large number of short stories.

His first poetry book’s name is Jhora Palok [Fallen Feathers], which was published in 1927. Dhushor Pandulipi, Banalata Sen, Mohaprithibi, Shaat-ti Tarar Timir, Rupasi Bangla, Sudorshona are the names of some of his books.

Born on February 17, 1899, Das died on 22 October 1954, eight days after he was hit by a tramcar in Kolkata. Witnesses claimed that although the tramcar whistled, Jibanananda did not stop.

Some admirers and researchers of the poet deemed that the accident was an attempt at suicide. l

n Our Correspondent, Bandarban Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti held demonstrations in Bandarban on Monday to press home their 13-point demands, which include the amendment of the CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission Act. They demonstrated at the Bangabandhu Mukto Moncho and brought out a procession.

Speakers at the demonstration said the current government was playing with the rights of the adivasi (indigenous) by delaying its review of the bill, and that problems regarding the act are

piling up daily in the hill tracts due to the delay.

They also warned the government that tougher movements including shutdowns would be enforced in the hill tracts if their demand was not realised immediately.

PCJSS submitted a memorandum to the premier on October 20.

Sadhuram Tripura Milton, district president of PCJSS, presided over the gathering.

Regional Parishad member Loyel David Bom, District General Secretary of PCJSS Kabamong Marma, spoke among others. l

Tisa, Trade Facilitation deals to jeopardise basic human rights: activists n Tribune Desk Rights activists said the Trade in Services Agreement (Tisa) and Trade Facilitation (TF) proposed by the World Trade Organisation will jeopardise basic human rights of having access to essential public services, including water, health and education.

Addressing a press conference at the National Press Club yesterday, they raised concerns that the proposed Tisa and TF will facilitate the big multinational companies of the developed countries and enhance net outflow of hard earned currencies of the developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs).

The press conference was organised by eight civil society organisations and trade unions, including EquityBD, Bangladesh Krishok Federation and Bangladesh Trade Union Centre.

Barkat Ullah Maruf of EquityBD said the agreements would reduce the government’s internal revenue mobilisation due to import liberalisation and import tariff withdrawal which, in turn, will hinder the governments of LDCs to provide essential public services to their people.

The proposed Tisa and TF agreement are expected to be tabled at the upcoming WTO Ministerial 9, scheduled to be held in Bali, Indonesia from December 3 to 6. l

JU admission test registration till October 28 n JU Correspondent The ongoing registration for the first year honours admission test at Jahangirnagar University (JU) under the 2013-14 academic session will continue until October 28.

Registration opened on October 15 and now admission seekers can complete their details by SMS through Teletalk mobile phone until the new date, a

university press release said yesterday.

The rules and regulations for the registration including the details of admission test will be available on university’s website: www.juniv.edu/admission/. This year, JU departments and institutions will arrange the admission tests individually and each of the registration forms will cost Tk150, the press release added. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

7

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Khurushkul at risk of vanishing under seawater

Tornado lashes 33 villages in Faridpur n Tribune Desk A tornado that swept through two upazilas under the Faridpur district on Sunday has left a trail of devastation in 33 villages of six unions.

According to upazila administration sources, the tornado hit the Madhukhali and the Saltha upazila with high velocity during the evening that day.

Nearly 90% of the coastal union went under seawater following heavy downpour as it could be claimed by the sea n Our Correspondent, Cox’s Bazar able anytime in the future. Located just 20 Huge tidal surges coupled with upstream water have left an entire union in Cox’s Bazar almost submerged, sparking fear that the area might disappear under water soon.

Swollen seawater, following days of heavy rain has breached the flood protection dyke at Khurushkul, a union located on the edge of the Bay of Bengal, and inundated nearly 90% area of the coastal union.

The embankment, suffering extensive damage and now is living in close proximity to the seacoast without any protection, has created panic among the 50,000 residents of the area.

Some three kilometres of coastal embankment between Choufoldondi Bridge and the estuary of the river Bankkhali, two-kilometre embankment on the eastern side of Choufoldondi canal and the embankment on the western side of Khurushkul union have already been destroyed, bowing to the pressure of surging sea waves.

The whole union is likely to go under water unless the government steps in and repairs the dyke in the upcoming dry season, residents said.

Meanwhile, seawater intrusion has led to the increased salinity level in the soil of many villages of the union, including Kuliapara, Majherpara, Deilpara, Rakhainepara and Mamunpara and affected agricultural production to a large extent.

Of the villages, Rakhainepara is being considered as the most vulner-

metres away from the collapsed dyke, the village is home to about 10,000 Rakhaines.

“Our village is closest to the sea and so, we are facing the gravest danger. We depend on the sea to make a living. Ironically, it is the same sea that has threatened us of taking away our lives and livelihood,” a monk at a Buddhist pagoda Ushashon Bongsho Mohathero said.

The monk said locals have applied to several government departments for repairing the damaged dyke, but in vain.

In addition, the local shrimp industry has also faced huge financial losses in the aftermath of the embankment collapse.

About 10,000 acres of shrimp farming lands were inundated in the union, incurring heavy losses to the marginal shrimp farmers.

“For the first time in my life, I have suffered such massive loss.

Even though shrimp farming is an export-oriented sector, we were given no government facilities to make up for our loss,” local shrimp farmer Md Gias Uddin said.

Khurushkul union Chairman Master Abdur Rahim said the authorities have been informed of the situation already, but they prefer not to deal with the problem citing shortage of funds.

Deputy Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar Md Ruhul Amin said they had briefed the concerned ministry about the damage. l

Barind farmers switching to alternative crops n Tribune Desk In wake of the adverse impact of climate change, farmers have started switching to cereals from paddy with new technologies and seeds in the vast Barind tract.

According to agriculture officials and scientists, farmers reduced the cultivation of irrigation-dependent crops especially irri-boro paddy in the Barind tract, commonly known as the food storage of the country.

As a result, the acreage of various crops and cereals like wheat, maize, chickpeas and black grams is increasing gradually in the drought-prone Barind tract that comprises of 25 upazilas of Rajshahi, Chapainawabgonj and Naogaon districts.

“On many occasions, we are motivating farmers to promote various cereal crops instead of only paddy in the current water-stress condition, said Engineer Ahsan Jakir, executive director of Barind Multipurpose Development Authority, reports BSS. Dr Israil Hossain, principal scientific officer of Regional Wheat Research Station, said around 3,500 litres of water is needed to produce one kilogram of paddy as irrigation. Whereas, less than 1,000 litres of water is required for the drought-tolerant varieties.

Dr Hossain suggested the development and dissemination of appropriate farm machinery like power tillers operated seeders, strip tills and zero tills, bed planters, reapers and threshers to enhance farm vegetation production, especially wheat.

Agriculturist Abu Muhammad Musha said the continuous paddy farming on the Barind tract might face an acute

crisis of water.

Therefore, more importance should be given on the cereal crops, which need less irrigation.

Saleh Ahmed, Paba upazila agriculture officer, told BSS that irrigation water has been reduced to a great extent in the Barind area that declines farmer from cultivating transplanted aman where as Irri-boro farming is totally irrigation dependent.

He said to address the problem; the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has taken initiatives to bring two drought-tolerant paddy varieties. He added that preparation to bring BRRIDHAN56 and BRRIDHAN-57 is underway.

Life span of BRRIDHAN-57, a short duration and drought tolerant variety, is 10 days less than that of BINADHAN-7, an early and high yielding variety, and 15 days less than BRIDHAN- 33.

After a long journey of research, the regional station of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has developed the two drought tolerant rice varieties for the farmers of the region’s droughtprone area for the first time in the county.

This variety will give satisfactory yields with scanty rainfall without any irrigation during the rain-fed transplanted Aman season in the droughtprone area.

Saleh mentioned that the average yield of the BRRIDHAN-56 variety is 4.03 tonnes per hectare, while it is 3.74 tonnes for the BRRIDHAN-57 variety.

Nurul Amin, deputy director of DAE, Rajshahi, hoped that the varieties would bring about positive results for around 2 million hectares of land in the rain-fed drought prone area, while playing a vital role in boosting rice yields in the days to come. l

Aman crops on 110 hectares of land and sugar cane on 500 hectares of land were damaged along with vegetables; particularly green chillies were also damaged in the upazila

Chimneys of a brickfield emitting black smoke without polluting adjoining areas. The photo was taken in Keraniganj, outskirts of the capital FOCUS BANGLA

47 school buildings Rain damages Aman crops under construction hectares this year against the target of n Our Correspondent, Rajbari 35,761 hectares in five upazilas of the in Muktagachha Although Aman paddy harvest is ex- district, said Golam Kibria, deputy dipected to exceed production targets in rector of Rajbari’s Department of Agrin Tribune Desk Rajbari this year, farmers of the low-ly- culture Extension (DAE).

Construction work of 47 government primary school buildings has been progressing fast under the supervision of Muktagachha Upazila Engineering office of Mymensingh.

The buildings of 39 government and eight registered primary schools were being constructed at a cost of more than Tk210m to provide modern classrooms and other facilities to students, reports BSS. The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education is providing financial assistance under the Primary Education Development Programme.

The Engineering office, the execution authority of the programme, said so far 75% of the work has already been completed while the remaining work will be finished by December. l

ing areas in the district are facing disappointments as this year’s yield of Aman paddies was damaged by last couple of months’ heavy rainfall.

The harvest of early varieties of Aman paddy has already begun, while the other varieties will also be harvested in the next couple of weeks.

Despite a grim fate awaiting farmers of low-lying areas, the district agriculture office said the targeted 99,462 tonnes of Aman production, 4,000 tonnes more than last year’s target, will be achieved this season.

The target would be reached as the area used for rice cultivation exceeded authorities’ estimation, while stagnant water affected small pockets only.

Farmers cultivated Aman on 38,925

Cultivating short duration Aman paddy on a large-scale, farmers in Lalmonirhat are now harvesting the crop amid great enthusiasm as they witnessed a bumper yield, spending less time and cost.

As farmers could cultivate the paddy during the lean period, it is generating jobs for people living in the monga-prone areas in Rangpur region.

The paddy can be harvested within 110-120 days after transplantation during the off season in between June and early August when fields remain crop-free after boro harvest.

This year, a good number of farmers taking help from Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service, a non-government organisation, cultivated Aman paddy on a vast tract of land at 50 villages with a hope to get rid of poverty.

Witnessing a bumper output, more farmers are now interested to cultivate this variety of paddy on their land.

Debendra Nath Roy, a farmer at Purbo Velabari village under Aditmari upazila, said he had cultivated short-duration paddy on 40 decimals of land costing Tk3,000 and produced 18 maunds of paddy.

He hoped that he would sell his agri-produce at Tk15,000 to Tk16,000.

85 wash blocks to be set up at Jamalpur n Tribune Desk Department of Public Health and Engineering (DPHE) has decided to set up 85 wash blocks at a cost. of over Tk30m in different primary schools in Jamalpur this year.

The aim is to provide students with hygienic sanitation facilities during school hours.

According to sources at the DPHE, 13 wash blocks are to be set up in Jamalpur sadar upazila, 11 in Sarishabari upazila, 13 in Madarganj upazila, 14 in Melandah upazila, 10 in Islampur upazila, 20 in Dewanganj upazila and 4 in the Bakshiganj upazila, reports BSS. They said each wash block would consist of three toilets of which one would be reserved for disabled students. l

NEWS IN BRIEF 30 shops charred in Kurigram

A procession was brought out in Cox’s Bazar yesterday, marking the National Road Safety Day FOCUS BANGLA

Short duration paddy makes farmers happy n Our Correspondent, Lalmonirhat

Of the total area, hybrid Aman was cultivated on 37,485 hectraes, high yielding varieties on 135 hectares, while the rest were different local varieties.

The DAE deputy director also said expected production target would not be hampered, as stagnant waters only damaged production in the low-lying areas.

DAE officials in all upazilas of the district also shared the deputy director’s views. However, farmers of the low-lying areas expressed concerns that their production may be 10-25% less than previous years.

Arzu Begum, assistant agriculture officer of Ramkantopur union, said rainfall in the months of August and September had submerged around 200 bigha of land in the district. l

In Madhukhali upazila, about 60 homesteads in 30 villages were razed to the ground, a number of trees were uprooted, tin roofs of five schools were blown away and electric lines in the Kamarkhali and the Bagat unions were cut off by the tornado, reports BSS. Upazila agriculture sources said Aman crops on 110 hectares of land and sugar cane on 500 hectares of land were damaged along with vegetables; particularly green chillies were also damaged in the upazila.

According to sources, the administration was processing a list of the affected people to provide them with relief.

Three villages from the Atghar union of Saltha upazila were hit by the tornado, damaging about 25 houses and 50 trees.

Harun Biswas, 50, resident of Ramkantapur village was injured when an uprooted tree fell on him. He was taken to Faridpur Medical college hospital.

The flow of electricity has remained suspended since the calamity occurred.

The tornado caused damage to crops in the upazila and a survey to ascertain the actual amount of agriculture losses in the upazila is underway.

A list of affected people was also being compiled. l

“I started cultivation of this variety last year. At first I cultivated only 15 decimals of land, but this year it was increased to 40 decimals of land,” “I am planning to bring more land under the paddy cultivation next year,” he added.

Gajendra Nath Roy, 55, another farmer at the same village said he had cultivated this flood tolerant short duration Aman paddy on 35 decimals of land.

“I am happy with production what I have got this year,” he said.

“NGO RDRS official encouraged me to cultivate the paddy and I was interested as the NGO provides technical support and seed for cultivating this

variety. After harvesting paddy, I am preparing the land for cultivating winter vegetables,” he said.

According to Lalmonirhat Agriculture Extension Department, about 700 to 800 farmers at 50 villages in Lalmonirhat district cultivated flood-tolerant short duration Aman paddy variety on about 900 to 1,000 bighas of land this year.

Mamunur Rashid, agriculture and environment coordinator of RDRS, the flood tolerant rice variety (BRRI dhan56 and BRRI dhan57) was a short duration paddy.

As its cultivation needs less time and cost, farmers can earn more profit from its farming, he added. l

At least 30 shops were charred and 18 more damaged by a devastating fire that broke out at a market at Zia Bazar in Kurigram yesterday. Locals said the fire originated from an electric short circuit at a shop at Lohapotti of Dada More around 12:30am and soon engulfed other adjoining shops. On information, five fire fighting units rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze after a long three-hour frantic effort with the help of locals. Fire fighter Shah Alam was injured while taming the blaze and was admitted to the Sadar Hospital.

Kurigram municipality Mayor Nur Islam Nuru said the extent of losses from the fire could go up to Tk200m. – UNB

Fake cop arrested in Magura

Police arrested a fake police constable on the Magura-Jessore road at Bhitasyr area on Monday night. The arrestee was identified as Solaiman Mollah, 30, son of Samad Mollah of Baraikhali village, Magura sadar upazila. A patrol team of the police challenged Solaiman on the road out of suspicion and recovered police uniform and other equipment after searching a bag he was carrying, and arrested him, said Jahangir Alam, officer-in-charge of the sadar police station. During primary interrogation, the arrestee admitted that he had been committing robbery, mugging and different types of crime wearing the police uniform, the OC added. A case was filed in this connection. – UNB

Youth found dead in Barguna

The police recovered the hanging body of a young man from a tree at Dakshin Phultala village, Betagi upazila of Barguna on Monday. The victim Sujan, 24, was the son of one Anwar Hossain Akon of the village. Harun-or-Rashid, sub-inspector of Betagi police station, said they recovered the body hanging from a small mango tree on the bank of a pond. They suspected that Sujan might have committed suicide over a love affair. – UNB

Teenage boy electrocuted in Sirajganj

A teenage boy died from electrocution at Nimgachhi village, Raiganj upazila of Sirajganj on Monday. The deceased Ruhul Amin, 10, was the son of Syed Tyab Ali of Chandibhog village in the same upazila. Witnesses said Ruhul Amin came in contact with a live wire when he was cutting grass beside the Bhuiyangati-Tarash road around 11am.

Later, locals rescued the boy and rushed him to a local hospital where attending doctor pronounced him dead. – UNB

810 bottles of phensidyl seized in Satkhira

Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh recovered 810 bottles of Indian Phensidyl syrup worth Tk45,000 from Toluigachha border area of Satkhira sadar upazila early yesterday. Major Anwarul Majhar, operation officer of BGB battalion 38, said being tipped off, a team of BGB conducted a drive in the area around 5am and recovered the Phensidyl bottles. – UNB

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

EU restarts membership talks with Turkey after three-year freeze

Egypt: police arrested for killing Islamists

n AFP, Luxembourg

An Egyptian prosecutor on Tuesday ordered the arrest of four police officers accused of killing 38 members of the Muslim Brotherhood during their detention last August, security sources and state media said.

The Islamists suffocated after teargas was fired into the back of a police van where they were being held.

The Ministry of Interior said at the time the prisoners were trying to escape from the vehicle as it was transporting them to jail and that they had also taken a police officer hostage.

“The prosecution has been investigating the incident since it hap-

The European Union agreed Tuesday to restart membership talks with Turkey next month, ending a three-year freeze despite Ankara’s crackdown on protests this year.

EU European and foreign affairs ministers meeting in Luxembourg said talks would resume in a fortnight, with an inter-governmental conference to be held in Brussels on November 5.

Keen to breathe new life into Ankara’s long-stalled effort to prise open the EU door, the 28-nation bloc agreed to the resumption in principle in June, but then postponed talks in protest over Turkey’s spring crackdown.

The November negotiations will focus on regional development, one of 35 chapters or sets of EU rules and standards that candidate states must satisfy before winning entry to the club.

In Turkey, EU Minister Egemen Bagis called the resumption of accession talks a “delayed but positive development.”

In Brussels, the bloc’s Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele too welcomed the decision.

“Accession negotiations need to regain momentum, respecting the EU’s commitments and established conditionality,” he said in a statement.

“I hope more chapters will follow.”

time as Croatia which this year became the bloc’s 28th member.

But the talks have broken down because of Turkey’s long-standing territorial dispute with Cyprus, a member of the bloc since 2004, as well as opposition from major powers France and Germany.

The chapter on regional development – chapter 22 - will be the 14th of 35 opened with Turkey. A country needs to successfully close negotiations on all 35 before joining the EU.

Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Despite criticism from some that the bloc has grown too big too quickly, Fuele has hailed “the transformative power” of the enlargement process.

He says the many benchmarks set so a country can join helped bring the troubled Balkans region into the democratic fold and this year led to a historic accord between Serbia and Kosovo.

Fuele is eager for talks to start soon with Turkey on two other chapters, one on fundamental freedoms and the

AP

other on the rule of law – chapters 23 and 24.

When asked about Turkey’s expectations about opening negotiations on those chapters, Bagis told the private NTV network: “We hope that the 27 member states will convince the Greek Cypriot administration to remove obstacles standing before the opening of the two chapters.”

Turkey began accession talks with the EU as far back as 2005, the same

France tells US snooping must stop n AFP, Paris

France on Tuesday formally told the United States to stop snooping on the telephone calls of French citizens but signalled it wanted to cool a row over the issue.

In a breakfast meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry, France’s Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius insisted on being given a full explanation of the latest revelations about a controversial US spying programme.

“He (Fabius) repeated our demand for an explanation of spying practices

which are unacceptable between partners and which must stop,” a spokesman for the minister said after the brief meeting.

Despite the robust tone adopted by the foreign ministry, there were signs that Paris wants to defuse the row created by revelations in Le Monde newspaper that the US National Security Agency had monitored more than 70 million phone communications in France between December 10, 2012 and January 8 this year.

Asked if France was considering any form of reprisals against the Unit-

ed States over the NSA’s conduct, government spokeswoman Najat Vallaud-Belkacem played down the possibility.

“It is up to Foreign Minister Fabius to decide what line we take but I don’t think there is any need for an escalation (of the situation),” Vallaud-Belkacem told France 2 television.

“We have to have a respectful relationship between partners, between allies. Our confidence in that has been hit but it is after all a very close, individual relationship that we have.” l

Reporter assures of more NSA bombshells n AP, Denver The journalist behind stories about the National Security Agency’s global spy program promised Monday that there are many more to come, including details about the United States spying on its own citizens.

Glenn Greenwald, an American reporter based in Brazil, spoke by video to a group of reporters from around the Americas gathered in Denver for a meeting of the Inter American Press Association. He said the upcoming reports will be as sig-

nificant as the report he co-wrote in the French newspaper Le Monde about the NSA sweeping up millions of phone records in France in a month.

Greenwald said he’s committed to reporting on every document of public interest given to him by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. He said he does consider the potential harm that could be caused by his disclosures and consults with experienced editors and reporters in deciding what to publish. He also said they present their reporting to the government at issue to

WORLD WATCH Nevada student shoots teacher dead

A student armed with a semi-automatic handgun killed a math teacher and critically wounded two classmates before killing himself at his Nevada middle school on Monday, law enforcement officials said.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene at the school in the northwestern Nevada town of Sparks, just east of Reno near the California border, after the gunfire erupted outside classrooms as students were arriving for the school day. The slain educator at Sparks Middle School was identified by his family as 45-yearold math teacher Michael Landsberry.

The shooter’s identity was not released.

Police in Sparks said he was a 12-year-old student enrolled at the school. Some media outlets later reported his age as 13.

Authorities declined to identify the two wounded students, both aged 12, who acting Sparks Police Chief Tom Miller said were rushed to a Reno hospital where one had emergency surgery.

Israel army kills militant ‘behind Tel Aviv bus bomb’

Israeli troops on Tuesday killed an Islamic Jihad militant said to be behind the 2012 bombing of a Tel Aviv bus, officials said, with the Palestinian radical movement confirming his death. The militant was killed as troops stormed an area between the West Bank villages of Bilin and Kufr Ne’meh, 10km northwest of Ramallah, sparking a gunfight which ended at a cave, local Palestinian witnesses and medics said. The army confirmed the incident, naming the dead man as Mohammed Assi and describing him as an Islamic Jihad militant responsible for the November 2012 bombing of a Tel Aviv bus that wounded 29 people.

Japan whitening creams spark 15,000 complaints

More than 15,000 people in Japan have been left with skin blotches caused by a chemical contained in popular skin-whitening creams, the maker of the products said Tuesday. Japanese cosmetics giant Kanebo said it had received 15,192 complaints from Japan from users of 54 products containing the whitening chemical “Rhododenol,” in what has become an escalating public relations nightmare for the company

‘Joker’ charged with driving drunk in Maine

Police didn’t need Batman to help them arrest the Joker in central Maine over the weekend. A man returning from a Halloween party and wearing makeup like the Joker was charged with drunken driving after crashing his car in Pittsfield early Sunday. In his booking photo, Lalime’s face is painted white, with dark circles around his eyes, and his hair is dyed bright green, just like the villain in the Batman series.

6-foot gator makes appearance at Florida Wal-Mart A 6-foot alligator made an unwelcome appearance at the front door of a central Florida Wal-Mart. The incident happened Sunday morning in Apopka, outside Orlando. The gator stopped in the entryway, causing the automatic doors to open and close until employees locked them. Apopka police officers tried to lure the gator away as customers gathered to watch and take pictures. The gator took off toward the nearby woods. Officers searched the area but couldn’t find it. No one was injured.

listen to officials’ view about publishing the information, but he acknowledged they usually disregard it.

“I don’t think anyone could say we have not been thoughtful enough,” he said.

Snowden told Greenwald earlier this year about the vast communications-monitoring programs carried out by the agency and its international counterparts. The revelations have sparked a raucous debate about the scale of surveillance and the erosion of privacy in the digital age. l

‘We hope that the 27 member states will convince the Greek Cypriot administration to remove obstacles standing before the opening of the two chapters’

So far Turkey has closed only one chapter – chapter 25 on science and research. And Cyprus has blocked eight chapters because of Ankara’s refusal to open sea and air ports to Cyprus.

A fresh delay in opening chapter 22 would have strengthened doubts about whether the predominantly Muslim country of 76 million people will ever be admitted to the European club. l

n Reuters, Cairo

pened and investigated with the seven involved police officers in three private sessions,” one security source said.

“Today the prosecution ordered jail for four senior officers for four days pending trial and released the three junior ones. The four were charged with neglect and killing detainees.”

The state-run Al Ahram daily said on its website that public prosecutor Hisham Barakat ordered the imprisonment of four police officers pending further investigation of the accusation of murder.

The newspaper and a security source said a total of 49 detainees died in the incident.l

Attackers set Russian Muslim prayer house on fire n AP, Moscow Russian police says attackers set fire to a Muslim prayer house in a southern Russian city earlier rocked by a suicide bombing.

Volgograd police said Tuesday someone threw Molotov cocktails at the building late Monday night, but the custodian managed to put it out. Houses with rooms set aside for Muslim

prayer are common in southern Russia.

A female suicide bomber blew herself up on a city bus on Monday, killing six people and injuring about 30. She is believed to be the wife of an Islamic militant. The suspected bomber was from the North Caucasus, a region in southern Russia where an Islamic insurgency has been simmering for more than a decade following two separatist wars in Chechnya. l

Syria’s Assad deals blow to peace initiative n AFP, Damascus Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has dealt a blow to efforts for a peace conference, saying the time is not ripe, as Western and Arab powers prepared to meet Tuesday with the fractured opposition.

“No time has been set, and the factors are not yet in place if we want (the US-Russian initiative dubbed Geneva 2) to succeed,” Assad told Lebanon-based pan-Arab satellite channel Al-Mayadeen on Monday.

“Which forces are taking part? What relation do these forces have with the Syrian people? Do these forces represent the Syrian people, or do they represent the states that invented them?” Assad asked in typically defiant fashion.

In the lengthy interview, Assad also said he was willing to run for re-election in 2014, in remarks that came soon after US Secretary of State John Kerry said that if he were to win, Syria’s civil war would be extended.

“Personally, I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t run in the next election,” Assad declared.

Kerry said after talks with Arab League officials in Paris such a scenario would never be accepted by the international community.

“He has bombed and gassed people in his country... How can that man

John Kerry, fourth from left, speaks to Syrian National Coalition President Ahmed al-Jarba, third from right, at the US Ambassador’s residence in London Tuesday, October 22 AP claim to rule under any legitimacy in the future?”

Kerry’s comments came before Tuesday’s meeting in London, which groups the so-called London 11, the core group of the Friends of Syria that consists of Britain, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United States, together with opposition leaders.

The meeting hopes to persuade the opposition to have a “united position” for a planned peace conference in Ge-

American planned to aid al-Qaeda n AP, Los Angeles

United States should end drone secrecy: Rights groups

A 24-year-old American charged with trying to join al-Qaeda was intercepted by the FBI after using the Internet and Facebook to connect with the terrorist group, a prosecutor said Monday.

Sinh Vinh Ngo Nguyen confessed to federal agents that he planned to offer himself as a trainer of some 30 al-Qaeda forces to ambush troops in Syria, where he had already spent five months fighting with rebels, Assistant US Attorney Judith Heinz said.

Nguyen has pleaded not guilty to two charges of making a false statement on a passport and attempting to provide material support and resources to a terrorist organisation.

Heinz said a confidential informant and an undercover FBI agent posing as an al-Qaeda recruiter gathered evidence against Nguyen after he reached out on the Internet and on his Facebook page to join the terrorist group.

He was arrested October 11 at a Santa Ana bus station as he prepared to board a bus for Mexico with plane tickets to Pakistan, authorities said. The undercover agent escorted him to the bus and had told him they would be meeting “his sheik” in Peshawar, the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor said Nguyen had a fake passport, $1,850 in Syrian currency and a pamphlet with extensive instructions on shooting and setting up battle plans.

Three swords, two large axes, two hatchets and a copy of the famous tome, “The Art of War” were found in the Garden Grove home where he lived with his parents. l

n AFP, Islamabad The United States should end the secrecy surrounding its drone campaign in Pakistan and Yemen and bring those responsible for illegal attacks to justice, rights campaigners said Tuesday.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) published separate reports on drones on the eve of White House talks between US President Barack Obama and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, at which the weapons are expected to be discussed.

The US has carried out nearly 400

drone attacks in Pakistan’s restive tribal districts along the Afghan border since 2004, killing between 2,500 and 3,600 people, according to the London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism.

Washington says they are an important and effective tool in the fight against militants linked to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, who have strongholds in the tribal areas.

But critics say hundreds of innocent civilians have died in the strikes.

Amnesty said that without more transparency it was impossible to test US claims that the attacks conform to international law. l

Greenpeace slams palm oil giant n AFP, Jakarta Oreo cookies and Gillette shaving cream are among products driving the destruction of Indonesia’s forests, Greenpeace said Tuesday, accusing agri-giant Wilmar International of supplying “dirty palm oil” to make the grocery items.

In its report “Licence to Kill,” Greenpeace said that Singapore-based Wilmar, the world’s biggest palm oil processor, was sourcing its oil from illegally cleared land and destroying the habitat of critically endangered Sumatran tigers.

“Until Wilmar commits to a no-deforestation policy, their trade of palm oil to big household brands... makes consumers unwitting accomplices in the extinction of Indonesia’s 400 remaining Sumatran tigers,” said head of

Greenpeace’s Forest Campaign in Indonesia, Bustar Maitar.

Wilmar supplies more than a third of the world’s palm oil, according to the company’s website, and Greenpeace said Wilmar’s oil can be found in Oreo cookies, Gillette shaving cream and Clearasil face wash, among an array of grocery items in more than 50 countries.

The report accused Wilmar of continuing to source palm fruit from plantations on illegally cleared land within Sumatra island’s protected Tesso Nilo National Park, prime tiger habitat.

It also called on Wilmar to take responsibility for a fire that hit the permit area of another of its suppliers in June, when blazes swept through Sumatra’s forests for weeks, covering Singapore and Malaysia in a blanket of hazardous smog. l

neva next month, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said ahead of the talks.

The Syrian National Council, a key member of the National Coalition, has already said it opposes the conference and threatened to quit the umbrella opposition group if it goes to any meeting attended by members of Assad’s regime.

Hague told BBC radio the meeting would encourage the opposition to unite and “go to the Geneva peace talks and stop the blood and talk together as Syrians.” l

Some Mexicans evacuate as hurricane looms offshore n AP, Acapulco, Mexico Authorities moved hundreds of people from isolated mountain communities and low-lying shore areas as a strong Hurricane Raymond loomed off Mexico’s already storm-battered southern Pacific coast.

Guerrero state Governor Angel Aguirre urged people to stay off the streets, roads and highways Tuesday because of potentially dangerous rains from the Category 3 storm that meandered offshore.

“The phenomenon’s behaviour is completely erratic, completely unpredictable,” Aguirre said Monday night.

Although forecasts predicted Raymond’s centre wouldn’t come ashore, the storm still threatened to push heavy rains over the soaked region, which sustained widespread damage in September from floods and landslides set off by Tropical Storm Manuel.

There were no reports of torrential rains Monday, but sporadic rains fell in some parts of the state and some streets flooded in soaked Acapulco, where city workers reinforced roads with sand bags. In the nearby town of Coyuca, a bridge was closed to traffic as an already swollen river began spilling over its banks.

Authorities in Guerrero, where Manuel caused about 120 deaths, set up 700 emergency shelters after the storm sprang up Sunday. Schools in most coastal communities west of Acapulco, including Zihuatanejo, were kept closed. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Maldives constitutional crisis deepens Leading political party says it may not endorse plans for fresh elections next month that result earlier this month following n AFP, Malé allegations of irregularities in the votThe Maldives Tuesday faced the prospect of a constitutional crisis after one of the main political parties warned it may not endorse plans to restage aborted elections next month.

Following an international backlash over the last-minute cancellation of an election scheduled for last weekend, the Elections Commission announced late Monday that a new poll would be held on November 9.

Commission chairman Fuwad Thowfeek also said in a post on Twitter that a run-off would take place on November 16 if no candidate won more than 50 percent of votes.

Although supporters of the frontrunner Mohamed Nasheed welcomed the announcement, a key ally of his rival Abdullah Yameen branded the commission as “arrogant.”

Youth Minister Mohamed Shareef also said the commission had failed to address doubts about the electoral roll that helped scupper the weekend vote.

“We are certainly heading for a constitutional crisis. I don’t know what will happen at that stage,” said Shareef, a senior member of Yameen’s Progressive Party of Maldives.

“From day one, we have supported the election, but the problem is the ques-

Philippine quake island officials accused of aid ‘hoarding’ n AFP, Manila The Philippine government said Tuesday it was investigating allegations that local officials on an island devastated by an earthquake are withholding aid to residents in need.

While large deliveries of aid have arrived in Bohol, mainly from the national government, some residents have complained they had not received any from their local officials a week after a 7.1-magnitude quake hit the island, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said.

“It is not right that relief goods given by the national and provincial governments are hoarded at (municipal and district) offices,” he said in a statement.

“If this is really happening, those responsible must be prosecuted for relief hoarding,” he said without naming names. He said Bohol police were ordered to monitor aid distribution for signs of hoarding.

The quake left 190 people dead, most of them on Bohol.

It also damaged more than 50,000 homes, and 111,000 Bohol residents are staying in government-run camps, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

Relief officials said many others were camped out in tents outside their homes amid frequent aftershocks.

The aid controversy has centred on Maribojoc, a town of 20,000 people about 15 kilometres west of the quake’s epicentre.

Mayor Leoncio Evasco said he asked the Red Cross to leave the town Thursday, saying the organisation had disrupted Maribojoc’s aid distribution system.

The Red Cross said the local authorities had asked them to hand over aid to them, and that they had refused. l

Maldives President Mohamed Waheed Hassan tion of transparency,” Shareef told AFP. In particular, Shareef said he was worried about the security of the computer system which had compiled the list of around 240,000 voters who should determine the fate of a country best known as a honeymoon destination.

“We have to be assured about security of the server. If someone manipulates a few thousand votes, it can have a big impact in a small country like ours,” he said.

AP

“If the Elections Commission wants to, these issues can be sorted out in a couple of days. But they are arrogant.

If the guidelines of the Supreme Court are not honoured, we can’t support the election.”

Yameen, who is the half-brother of the Maldives’ long-time leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, was a distant second to Nasheed in a first round of voting held across the Indian Ocean archipelago on September 7.

But the Supreme Court annulled

er lists, even though foreign monitors gave the polls their approval.

By stipulating that all candidates must approve the voter lists, the court effectively gave Nasheed’s challengers carte blanche to block a future vote which they were sure to lose.

And when neither Yameen nor the third candidate refused to endorse the voter roll, police declared last weekend’s vote illegal despite the protests of the Elections Commission.

Nasheed has been attempting a comeback after winning the islands’ first democratic elections in 2008 only to be toppled last year following a police mutiny.

Key institutions, such as the police and judiciary, are still run by followers of Gayoom who had ruled with an iron fist for three decades.

The United Nations and the European Union were among those who joined widespread condemnation of the decision to cancel Saturday’s vote.

The EU foreign policy Chief Catherine Ashton in a statement warned that failure to hold credible elections will damage Male’s relations with international partners.

“Further instability would also

Van accident in Nepal kills eight, injures nine n AP, Katmandu, Nepal

damage the country’s economy and its relations with its international partners,” she warned.

However, outgoing President Mohamed Waheed defended the decision to abort the poll.

He said an election where only one out of three candidates had approved the voter lists could have led to unrest and bloodshed in the nation of 350,000 Sunni Muslims.

“An election by force will only cause bloodshed. I will not allow that,” he told reporters.

“No matter what the international community says, and no matter what political parties say, my utmost responsibility today is Maldivian citizens’ security.

“People of our country are not any less capable or less educated than those in other countries, even the Western countries. They cannot come and tell us what to do.”

Nasheed, 46, has accused Waheed of being a puppet of the former dictator Gayoom.

While Nasheed has yet to react to the announcement of the new polls, one of his main allies welcomed the move.

“I have faith in the elections commission to conduct the election to international standards,” said former foreign minister Ahmed Naseem. l

Sultan of Brunei introduces tough Islamic punishments n AFP, Bandar Seri Begawan The Sultan of Brunei on Tuesday announced the phased introduction of tough Islamic punishments including death by stoning for crimes such as adultery, in the monarchy’s latest step towards conservatism.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah – one of the world’s wealthiest men – said in a speech that a new Sharia Penal Code which has been in the works for years had been gazetted Tuesday and would “come into force six months hereafter and in phases.”

Based on the details of particular cases, punishments can include stoning to death for adulterers, severing of limbs for theft and flogging for violations ranging from abortion to consumption of alcohol, according to a copy of the code.

“By the grace of Allah, with the coming into effect of this legislation, our duty to Allah is therefore being fulfilled,” said the sultan, now 67 years old.

An all-powerful figure whose family has ruled the languid, oil-rich country of 400,000 for six centuries, the sultan

first called in 1996 for the introduction of sharia criminal punishments.

Brunei already practices a conservative brand of Islam relative to its Muslim neighbours in Southeast Asia, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The sale and public consumption of alcohol are banned and authorities closely restrict the activities of other religions. It was not immediately clear how aggressively the new criminal code, which applies only to Muslims, would be implemented. Brunei already has a dual-track system combining civil courts based on British law – the sultanate was a British protectorate until 1984 – and Sharia courts that are currently limited to personal and family issues such as marriage disputes.

Two years ago, a top official in the Attorney-General’s office said Brunei would apply an extremely high burden of proof for sharia criminal infractions under the code, and that judges would have wide discretion in applying the Islamic punishments.

The comments were aimed at easing fears expressed by some Bruneians of a lurch toward draconian punishments.

Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Nearly 70 percent of Brunei’s people are Muslim ethnic Malays, while about 15 percent are non-Muslim ethnic Chinese, followed by indigenous peoples and other groups. Funded by oil and gas wealth mainly in offshore fields in the South China Sea, Brunei has one of Asia’s highest standards of living.

The government provides citizens

AP

with free medical care and education through the university level.

But the sultan has leaned increasingly towards Islamic orthodoxy in recent years, including the introduction of mandatory religious education for all Muslim children and ordering all businesses in the country closed for two hours during Friday prayers. l

Cambodia court races death to rule on Khmer Rouge n Reuters, Phnom Penh The clock is ticking at Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge war crimes tribunal, where the two elderly defendants are in poor health and funds vital for bringing some semblance of justice for the horrors of the “Killing Fields” era are fast drying up.

On trial are 87-year-old “Brother Number Two” Nuon Chea and former president Khieu Samphan, 81, the righthand men of the late Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot, whose dream of a peasant utopia claimed as many as 2.2 million Cambodian lives from 1975-1979.

The hybrid UN-Cambodian tribunal has so far reached a verdict in just one case, the life sentence in 2010 for Kaing Guek Eav, alias “Duch”, chief of the S-21 torture centre where 14,000 people died. Prosecutors face a race against time to ensure Duch is not alone.

They are asking for life imprisonment for the two cadres in a complex case being fast-tracked to salvage something from a court set up in 2005 ostensibly to bring Cambodians closure for one of the darkest, bloodiest chapters of the twentieth century.

Khieu Samphan was no figurehead, but a “skilful, manipulative” leader,

while Nuon Chea was as much an extremist today as he was when almost a quarter of Cambodians died of execution, starvation, torture or disease, international deputy prosecutor William Smith said in his final arguments.

International civil party lawyer Christine Martineau launched a scathing attack on the defendants’ claims they had no role in directing the bloodshed.

“You followed Pol Pot until his last day, you were the two men he trusted. You never distanced yourself from him,” Martineau told the court last week.

The words have made little dent on the defendants. Khieu Samphan showed no emotion throughout the final arguments that began last week and for long periods he sat with his eyes shut.

The former Khmer Rouge cadres are all that remains from case 002, which initially had four defendants charged with crimes against humanity and genocide, among other offences.

Many fear that only Khieu Samphan will live to hear his verdict. Nuon Chea is in poor health and has attended much of the proceedings via video from his cell. l

Japan mayor offers Fukushima kids a home n AP, Matsumoto A generation ago, Dr Akira Sugenoya performed lifesaving cancer surgery on more than 100 children after the 1986 Chernobyl catastrophe. Today, as mayor of a central Japanese city, he’s trying to avoid a repeat of his own history.

Beginning in April, parents living in the shadow of the Fukushima nuclear disaster will be able to send their children about 300km away to his city, Matsumoto, to go to school. The city will pay 14m yen ($140,000) a year for a six-bedroom house and caretakers; parents won’t pay tuition but will cover expenses such as utilities and meals.

“If my fears turn out to be unfounded, nothing would be better news,” Sugenoya said in a recent interview with The Associated Press at Matsumoto city hall. “But if they become reality, then there is little time before it’s too late.”

Sugenoya has been critical of the gov-

ernment’s response to the three meltdowns at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant, which exploded after the March 2011 tsunami and is still releasing radiation into the air and sea. Decommissioning will take decades, and experts disagree over how much the disaster will affect the health of area residents.

The single sickness confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency to have been caused by low-dose radiation from Chernobyl is thyroid cancer, which if properly treated with surgery is rarely fatal. Sugenoya, a thyroid specialist, volunteered to work in Belarus, close to the Ukraine power plant, in 1991 after hearing about thousands of cases of thyroid cancer there.

Five years later, he quit his job at a prestigious Japanese hospital and returned for another five and a half years. He has set up a donation fund for Chernobyl victims and regularly brings doctors from Belarus into Japan for training. l

9

A van accident in rural western Nepal left eight people dead and nine more injured Tuesday when the vehicle skidded off a mountain road and tumbled down into a valley, police said.

The driver apparently lost control of the vehicle on the narrow gravel road linking villages in the area, said police official Shyam Krishna Adhikari.

Police are investigating the accident, which happened near Lekhaphat village about 200 kilometres and the injured have been taken to nearby towns for treatment.

The driver was among those killed in the accident. Poorly maintained vehicles and roads are major reason behind vehicle accidents in mountainous Nepal. l

Sri Lanka shuts factory after toxic gas leak n AFP, Colombo Sri Lankan authorities shut down a detergent factory in the capital Colombo on Tuesday after more than 70 people were hospitalised following a suspected toxic gas leak, police said.

Police spokesman Ajith Rohana said 72 factory workers and nearby residents were taken to hospital earlier on Tuesday after gas — thought to be ammonia — leaked from the plant.

“Some of them are still in hospital eight hours after the incident was reported,” Rohana told AFP. “The initial investigations suggest there had been an ammonia gas leak from the plant,” he said.

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) said it immediately shut down the factory in the suburb of Piliyandala on the outskirts of Colombo pending further investigations.

CEA director Saranga Alahapperuma said investigations were underway into the factory’s methods for storing chemicals used to manufacture detergents.

Industrial accidents are rare in Sri Lanka but there is growing concern about factories near residential neighbourhoods following a recent groundwater contamination by a rubber glove plant just outside Colombo. l

Thai club owner acquitted in fatal New Year’s fire n AP, Bangkok A Thai appeals court on Tuesday acquitted a nightclub owner of responsibility for a fire that killed 67 people in Bangkok on New Year’s Day in 2009, reversing a lower court’s ruling.

More than 1,000 revelers were inside the Santika club when an indoor fireworks display set off after a New Year’s countdown ignited the blaze.

The fire raced through the two-story building, sending panicked guests running for the main entrance. Victims died of burns, smoke inhalation and from being crushed in the stampede.

Club owner Wisuk Sejsawat, the lighting effects company and its executive were found guilty by a lower court in 2011 of causing the deaths of people without intent, and Wisuk was sentenced to three years in prison.

On Tuesday, the Bangkok Appeals Court ruled that Wisuk was not directly responsible for the blaze and dismissed the charges against him. The judges said he could have been held responsible for the lack of prominently displayed floor plans, fire exit signs and emergency lights required by the building code, but he did not directly cause the fire. l

Gory videos OK for Facebook n Reuters, San Francisco

Wu Hailong, special envoy of China’s foreign ministry (L), addresses the Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review session at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva October 22 REUTERS

Facebook Inc has surreptitiously resumed allowing decapitation videos to be posted on its website, lifting a temporary ban it had placed earlier this year on content featuring graphic violence.

The world’s largest online social network, with 1.15 billion members, said after a report on the BBC on Monday, that gory photos and videos are permitted on its site so long as the content was posted in a manner intended for its users to “condemn” the acts rather than celebrate them. “Facebook has long been a place where people turn to share their experiences, particularly when they’re connected to controversial events on the ground, such as human rights abuses, acts of terrorism and other violent events,” the company said in a statement.l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Letters to

www.dhakatribune.com

the Editor

LETTER OF THE DAY

Finding common ground

Public money and its misuse October 19

T

he prime minister and the leader of the opposition have both had their say. As we have editorialised, both of their proposals had merit, but both were also incomplete. It seems to us that the best way forward would be to take what is good from both the proposals and to try to find common ground based on them.

Happily, in our estimation, there is common ground that can be found, if the political will is there. There is a bilateral consensus between the AL and BNP that we need a neutral interim cabinet to administer the upcoming elections.

The AL insists that this cabinet can be comprised of only elected There is a bilateral representatives, whereas consensus between the BNP has proposed a the AL and BNP that we panel to be chosen from need a neutral interim the caretaker governcabinet to administer ments of 1996 and 2001, the upcoming elections which were, by and large, free from controversy.

The prime minister’s proposal remained silent as to who would head such an interim administration, whereas the BNP has suggested that the head should be chosen by consensus between the government and opposition parties.

Constitutionality need not be an issue. If there is consensus among the parties, the constitution can be amended, as it was in 1996, in order to bring the matter to an amicable resolution, acceptable to all.

All that is needed is the political will. Either side could dig in their heels and refuse to move any further down the path of compromise and reconciliation.

Alternatively, they could each see the other’s proposal for a good-faith attempt to resolve the crisis and work together to reach a solution.

Where there’s the political will, there is a way.

The education minister has vowed that 30,000 schools have got e-services, and some received multimedia projectors, laptops and other accessories in the meantime.

But the reality is that some schools have received such equipment, and only a few schools have bought their own computers. Most of the teachers do not know how to run these computers, and frequent load-shedding has been troubling as well.

Classrooms are not well-suited for conducting multimedia classes. More interestingly, those who have laptops and multimedia equipment, it can be found that these items have been put away in storage cabinets belonging to the head teachers.

On top of all this, most of the schools have no suitable blackboards or whiteboards on which teachers can solve a math problem at a go, or if needed, where alternative solutions can be solved along with the previous solution, so that students can compare and learn math confidently.

Please help our teachers so that they can receive and use the equipment in the classrooms.

MM Khaleed Ahsan Narayangonj

PM proposes all-party poll-time government October 18 Sajol Ashfaq But who will be the chief of that government?

P Sarker She evaded the issue, as usual.

Shahid Imon There were two addresses to the nation this evening – one by the prime minister, telecast by all the TV channels, and one by HT Imam on Ekattor TV following the PM’s speech.

The PM has proposed to form an all-party govt during the election and HT Imam reminded the nation that Sheikh Hasina will be its chief.

Bangladesh moves 10 steps up in hunger index October 19

Good achievement. It can be furthered by stopping the land grabs. But it is hard for the police to solve this problem. The second thing is less meat consumption (and production), because 40% of grain crops are going to feed livestock and fish. The problem is there is no mechanism to regulate or alter collective human diets, and no models other than famine that have ever worked. Supporting small farmers can be another option since it’s the best possible solution to future food security. But the problem is there is a risk of GM crops that are already part of these schemes.

Eliminating malnutrition is achievable. It’s within our reach. Big improvements have already been made. The solution lies in education on good feeding techniques and getting the right nutrients to the mother and child from the beginning of pregnancy. Overall, malnutrition makes people poorer. It is responsible for an 11% decline in GDP in many affected countries. Critics however say it diverts policymakers’ attention from the job of solving the systemic problems in food supply.

Finally, successful poverty reduction programmes can really drive out hunger but the problem is it’s not easy to organise successfully because of corruption and the aid spending falling. More importantly, success does not necessarily trickle down to the hungry poor always. But, let’s be optimistic, and hope that Bangladesh can improve more to end hunger initiatives. sirajul_islam_1

All forms of gathering banned in capital October 19

What happened??

Nabeeul Khan

Would be useful to define “gathering.”

Nadia Bashnin Hope our entire country just defies this ban outright!

Shafquat Zaman Khan

Ban to thwart mass upsurge: Fakhrul October 19

Be Heard

Europe steps up

T

he Clean Clothes Campaign, which comes exactly six months after the Rana Plaza collapse and is taking place all across Europe, aims to ensure living wages for all garment workers.

Consumers cannot simply wash their hands of their responsibility towards workers, and as major buyers, Europeans have a crucial role to play.

Currently, the minimum wage stands at Tk3,000 per month. However, a true living wage, which ensures that a worker is able to afford food, accommodation and basic healthcare, should be much higher. RMG workers have While it is our proposed the minimum wage be raised to responsibility to enforce Tk8,114, and the BGMEA a proper minimum is likely to submit a prowage in the country, posal on October 27. regulations passed by In order for better European governments wages to be implementwould help ensure that ed, changes would need everyone does their part to be made throughout the supply chain, increasing operating costs for the companies.

While higher wages for workers will translate into higher costs, companies and consumers do need to take that added responsibility and pay the extra cost to ensure workers get adequately compensated.

We are glad to see this European campaign put pressure on governments, both European and national, to take responsibility for their workers and the workers’ rights to earn a living wage. While it is our responsibility to enforce a proper minimum wage in the country, regulations passed by European governments would help ensure that everyone does their part.

CROSSWORD

Write to us at: Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath Sukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email us at: letters@dhakatribune.com Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion@dhakatribune.com Visit our website: www.dhakatribune.com Come join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

DOWN 1 Table-shaped hill (4) 2 Monkeys (4) 4 Fuss (3) 5 Furniture item (5) 6 Operatic air (4) 7 Gives for temporary use (5) 10 Mature (4) 11 Plant secretion (5) 13 Trunk (5) 16 Male deer (4) 17 Domesticates (5) 18 Minister’s residence (5) 20 Strong wind (4) 22 Agreement (4) 23 Expensive (4) 25 Precious stone (3)

October 19

This is the greatest speech in the last 12 years. I welcome the prime minister’s speech. I hope the nation now find the road to a free fair and credible election in 2013.

Saiful Miah

The capital is already choked to near death with traffic jams and a floating multitude of daily commuting people from outside the metropolitan Dhaka.

A ban on rallies can only bring relief to the city dwellers. We applaud this decision.

Waliul Haque Khondker

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PEANUTS

CODE-CRACKER ACROSS 1 Filled trench round castle (4) 3 Of birth (5) 8 Venture (4) 9 Prophet (4) 11 Bird (5) 12 Location (4) 14 Boy (3) 15 Deputised group (5) 18 Worth (5) 19 Turkish commander (3) 21 Break suddenly (4) 24 Fruit (5) 26 Pledge (4) 27 Otherwise (4) 28 Appears to be (5) 29 Agitate (4)

Full text of the prime minister’s speech

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS Crossword

Sudoku

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

11

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Kurdish rebels threaten new fight in Turkey n Isabel Coles

Are there not more challenging mountains to be climbed?

BIGSTOCK

Other mountains to scale Corruption, poverty and our broken political system also need attention

n Muhammad Eusha When Captain Haddock, in Hergé’s famous Tintin comic “Tintin in Tibet,” was invited by the protagonist to join in his walk in the mountains, Haddock’s response was this question – “If we must come down again, what is the use of going up there anyway?”

It was quite difficult to ignore all the excitement about some Bangladeshis climbing high mountains successfully in the recent past. Musa Ibrahim not so long ago became a celebrity overnight after he successfully scaled the highest mountain in the world.

Before the countrymen were through savouring the pleasure of such a thrilling achievement, they came to know that two female Bangladeshis had achieved the same rare feat. While the newspapers were going berserk in telling us more about this momentous occasion, few were pondering and wondering about the practical significance of scaling mountains.

I remember one industrialist who chose to sponsor one of these mountaineers. It is difficult to guess how much money was poured in but it could not have been a small amount.

Ironic it must be that this very industrialist had many labourers and workers in his company who he refused to pay more than Tk3,000 or Tk4,000 as a monthly salary.

In fact, the engineers he used to employ used to get such embarrassingly poor salaries that fathers would not willfully marry their daughters to

them. It was indeed a matter of indignation for those who could perceive, for those who could feel, that the money with which they could have bought their rice and vegetables was being used to sponsor sophisticated nonsense.

Later on, a mountaineer was invited to teach us leadership. How can someone teach us leadership, when they are unable to comprehend the meaninglessness of their accomplishments?

industrialists who would rather spend their money in having their company flag up there in the Everest rather than feeding the helpless poor?

Our resilience should not only be against garment industry owners but against all those who care more about their own personal interest, than the benefit of the entire society.

One must not forget that climbing the Everest is no easy task. It is actually a matter of life and death.

One must not forget that climbing the Everest is precarious and dangerous to an extreme degree. The fact that these mountaineers did reach the peak is indeed a commendable accomplishment

It reminded me of a puerile television show which used to be all about absurd and outrageous records and acts such as eating with feet even though you have your hands intact, or drinking with your nose, or fifteen people riding one bicycle.

This obviously happened a year or so before the revolution in the garments industry, which is still in its nascent phase of development. Should we not have organised resistance against these brutal and heartless

The journey is precarious and dangerous to an extreme degree. The fact that these mountaineers did reach the peak is indeed a commendable accomplishment.

We are awestruck at their resilience and determination as the triumphs indicate that they possess some very rare mental and physical attributes.

But a sense of disquietude might creep in to a person’s mind when one considers the question of acceptability of dedicating your efforts and ability in

climbing mountains from the point of moral philosophy.

What have mountaineers brought us? We are still facing unavoidable powercuts, people are still struggling against poverty and corruption, our leaders are still busy with their very own personal battles.

To a rustic farmer who finds that his labour and efforts are not valued economically, climbing the Everest might appear to be a childishly absurd act.

We do need mountaineers, yes. But these mountaineers must overcome the monstrous height of the mountains of corruption, poverty and ailing politics.

Without doubt, the true heroes are not those who climb high mountains, the physical ones, fatuously and then get their photos printed on the first page of the newspapers.

True heroes are those who use their abilities to do something meaningful, something of practical importance.

We are tired of promoting fake heroes and making them our idols. What we are looking for are social reformers, big-hearted leaders and visionaries.

A sincere request to the Everest conquerors is that now that you have proven how blessed you are in terms of mental and physical capabilities, why do you not now employ them in climbing higher mountains?

There are bigger and more perilous challenges, like climbing the mountains of hunger, corruption and political imbroglio. l Muhammad Eusha is an HVAC specialist.

Kurdish rebels are ready to re-enter Turkey from northern Iraq, the head of the group’s political wing said at his mountain hideout, threatening to rekindle an insurgency unless Ankara resuscitates their peace process soon.

Accusing Turkey of waging a proxy war against Kurds in Syria by backing Islamist rebels fighting them in the north, Cemil Bayik, a founding member of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), told Reuters the group had the right to retaliate.

Syria’s civil war has complicated Turkey’s efforts to make peace with Kurdish militants, but Ankara strongly denies backing any rebel faction against Kurds in Syria and has held regular talks with the head of a Syrian Kurdish group close to the PKK. Bayik, the group’s most senior figure at liberty, spoke at a small, heavily guarded house in the Qandil Mountain range in Iraq’s Kurdish north, a badge featuring jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan pinned to a pocket on his guerilla uniform.

Imprisoned on an island south of Istanbul, Ocalan commands unswerving loyalty from a fervent cadre of guerillas – both men and women – who live in the mountains that straddle the borders between Turkey, Iran and Iraq.

Ocalan began talks with Turkish officials last year to halt a conflict that has left more than 40,000 people dead over the past three decades and earned the PKK a place on a list of terrorist organisations as designated

by Turkey, the United States, and European Union.

In March, a ceasefire was called and Ocalan ordered his guerillas to retreat from Turkey to Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, but the withdrawal was suspended last month as the rebels said Ankara had not held up its side of the bargain.

“The process has come to an end,” Bayik said in the interview, which took place on Saturday. “Either they accept deep and meaningful negotiations with the Kurdish movement, or there will be a civil war in Turkey.”

Syria’s civil war has complicated Turkey’s efforts to make peace with Kurdish militants, but Ankara strongly denies backing any rebel faction

As prerequisites, Turkey must improve the conditions in which Ocalan is being held and deal with him on equal terms, guarantee amendments to the constitution and enlist a third party to oversee any further steps in the process, he said.

“Now we are preparing ourselves to send the withdrawn groups back to North Kurdistan if the government does not accept our conditions,” said Bayik, who shares his position with a female militant. He said the direction of the process would become clear “in

the coming days.”

North Kurdistan is the term Kurds use to refer to the area of Turkey they lay claim to as part of a larger homeland that also takes in tracts of Iran, Iraq and Syria, referred to as East, South and West Kurdistan respectively.

Politics in prison The PKK took up arms against Turkey in 1984 with the aim of carving out a separate state in the southeast for the country’s Kurds, which make up around 20 percent of the population but have long been denied basic political and cultural rights.

Ocalan has since changed his views on violence and statehood, and now seeks devolution of power to Kurds within each of the four countries where they are divided, with an overarching confederation to unite them across the borders.

Negotiations with the PKK were unthinkable until only a few years ago and Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has staked considerable political capital in peace efforts, widening cultural and language rights for Kurds at the risk of infuriating large parts of his grassroots support base.

The PKK took up arms against Turkey in 1984 with the aim of carving out a separate state in the southeast for the country’s Kurds

The effort to negotiate with Ocalan is seen as Turkey’s best chance at ending a conflict that has blighted its human rights record, held back its European Union candidacy and undermined economic growth.

For the rebels, it holds out hope of concessions in a struggle with no clear military victor for nearly 30 years.

But the process, which had already lost some momentum, was thrown further into doubt earlier this month when Turkey unveiled a package of reforms Bayik described as “empty.”

“That package has nothing to do with democracy,” he said, accusing Erdogan of giving false hope. “There is no change in the mentality.”

The reforms – which the government says are part of a broader “democratisation” drive and not just aimed at solving the Kurdish issue – include proposals to change a vote threshold that kept Kurdish parties out of parliament in the past, and allow for privately funded Kurdish-language education.

But they stopped short of constitutional guarantees for Kurdish identity and culture, greater autonomy and native-language education, and did not touch anti-terror laws that have put thousands of political prisoners behind bars, Bayik said.

“We silenced our weapons so that politics could speak, but now we see that politics is in prison.” l This article was syndicated from Reuters.

Toward an AIDS-free generation Kenny and Dr Tajudeen n Leo Oyewale As the world’s population continues to increase we are seeing the rise of the largest population of young people that the world has ever known. UNAIDS envisages an AIDS-free generation, but it is young people who must, and will, make this vision a reality.

As UN Day draws near, it is important to highlight young people as the change-makers that they are, as the greatest hope for getting to zero. That’s “Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths.”

Bangladesh is a country that has low HIV prevalence, but continues to be high risk. This means that demographic factors such as population density, poverty, gender inequality and porous national borders remain challenges to the AIDS epidemic. HIV prevalence in Bangladesh remains low at 0.01% of the general population; however, some features of the HIV epidemic in Bangladesh warrant more attention.

The Global AIDS Report 2013 identified Bangladesh as one of four countries in the Asia Pacific region where the rate of new HIV infection increased by over 25% between 2001 and 2011, and that young people (aged 15-24 years) account for an estimated

50% of all new HIV infections compared with 40% worldwide, revealing that young people are more important than ever for HIV prevention in Bangladesh.

A combination of appropriate education and services for young people are the first steps toward HIV prevention and eradication. When young people receive correct, complete information about HIV and AIDS they gain the power to make informed decision with regards to their sexual health and behaviour.

Yet only 17.7% of young people in Bangladesh are estimated to have comprehensive knowledge of HIV prevention and a fewer proportion access to lifesaving services. The ever present challenge to HIV prevention continues to be limited access to HIV prevention information and services that are tailored to the unique needs of young people, particularly sexual and reproductive health and HIV treatment services. Moreover, educating people early on in life helps people to avoid unsafe behaviours and scenarios where they may be at risk of HIV infection.

Not only does HIV education and awareness helps to defuse the stigma and discrimination facing people who are at risk of becoming infected with

HIV, or are living with HIV, but it is also vital in enabling people to access services. Without access to services for testing and treatment, people are unable to learn about their HIV status and consequently unable to protect themselves and others against infection. Services that incorporate the unique needs of young people are especially important, because young people have different needs with regards to information, counselling, testing, condoms, harm-reduction strategies and care for sexually transmitted infections including relationships than others.

The perceptions of others around being a young person, whether they be perceived as a victim, a deviant, or other, can influence the behaviour of a young person and have unintended consequences.

Young people must be treated with dignity, respect and without moral judgement, regardless of whether or not they use drugs, who they have sex with and why, or whether they are HIV positive or not. In doing so, systems that protect them from abuse, exploitation and violence should be enabled and strengthened.

HIV is everyone’s business and more young people need to be engaged in the conversation about HIV

prevention, treatment, and care for the benefit of all. Around the world, collective voices and community action has proven to be vital in defusing the stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV and AIDS.

Young people must be treated with dignity, respect and without moral judgement, regardless of whether or not they use drugs, who they have sex with and why, or whether they are HIV positive or not

The onus of reliable information, attitudes that transform social stigma, and the accessibility of services and support depend on community and religious leaders, schools, parents and young people. Young people can and will be the driving force for Getting to Zero, but HIV prevention education and services by all are the first steps to empowering young people as change-makers for our future. l Leo Kenny is country coordinator, UNAIDS and Dr Tajudeen Oyewale is chief of HIVAIDS UNICEF. This op-ed has been written to mark UN day on October 24, which this year is focusing on Youth for Development.

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Farooki’s Television wins City of Rome award

Farooki, Shahir, and Payman Maadi who won NETPAC award for his debut feature Snow on Pines

n Entertainment Desk “Television,” a film by Mutafa Sarwar Farooki, has won the “City of Rome” prize for best feature film (jury) at the “Asiatica Filmmediale 2013.” In addition, it also won the best feature (audience) in popular vote.

Previously, the acclaimed film was nominated to compete at the Oscars in the “Best Foreign Language Film” category. The movie has been selected by the Oscar Bangladesh Committee to compete at the 86th Annual Academy Awards.

In November, “Television” will

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Riza-Rima’s debut album

ON TV

A unique step in the fight against piracy

be screened in Kolkata International Film Festival and later this year, the much acclaimed film is going to participate in the “competition” category of “Asia Pacific Screen Awards’.”

The main programme of the competition will be held in Australia this December.

“Television” is based on the theme of tradition versus contemporary in the rural arena. The film is about an old-fashioned character who believes TV is evil. Since he is the head of the village, he restricts the buying of television in the village, and disturbance occurs when a Hindu resident of the area buys a TV set.

The film dared to step out of the norm and feature a non-professional actor in the lead role: Shahir Kazi Huda, an environmental consultant who had done small stints in films and commercials, had to quit his job and undergo rigorous training to create his character, including picking up a local dialect.

Other lead actors of the popular film are Nusrat Imrose Tisha, Mosharraf Karim and Chanchal Chowdhury. l

n Entertainment Desk The launching of the debut music album of singer siblings Riza and Rima has ushered a new era in the fight against audio piracy in the country.

Focused on Eid and released recently at a programme at the Dhaka Reporter’s Unity, the album, instead of being available in the open market stores, can be accessed through mobile phones, ATM cards and the internet from anywhere in Bangladesh. It can also be bought through the post office even in the remotest of areas of the country.

The songs are composed by renowned musicians Fuad Al Muqtadir

and Faizaan Khan; and the lyrics are written by Abdur Rahman and Zia. The album is published, marketed and distributed solely by the Independent Record Label Bangladesh (IRLB).

At the revelation ceremony, chief guest Milton Khandakar, a noted lyricists, said: “We wish that Riza and Rima’s songs will reach all the sections of the audience.”

Singer Pathik Nabi, also a special guest, said: “With due respect to the senior artists, Riza and Rima should make their ways in no time.”

Another special guest Ashraf Shishir, a film director, said: “The musicians are the biggest sufferers when it comes down to piracy. Proper technological methods should be introduced to check piracy. IRLB’s anti-piracy initiative is the first of its kind in Bangladesh.”

The music videos of some of the songs of this album titled “Cholo Bodle Dei,” translated as “let us bring a change,” have been shot in different locations in Cox’s Bazar and Sylhet.

These videos will be aired soon in different television channels and also be available on the internet.

The album can also will be availed from the website www.irlbd.com. l

MOVIES 8:30PM ZEE STUDIO

The Express

9:30pmWB Ultraviolet

DRAMA 7:30pm Star World One Tree Hill

8:30pm Star Plus Meri Bhabi

COMEDY 5:00pm Colors

Comedy Nights With Kapil

8:30pm Comedy Central Guys With Kids

NEWS 4:00pm Desh Tv

Shongbad shomoi

10:00pm Maasranga

TODAY IN DHAKA Exhibition Solo painting exhibition Castles in the Sky By late Sohrab Khan Time: 12pm – 8pm Bengal Art Lounge House 60 Road 31, Gulshan 1

Solo Painting Exhibition Tumi (YOU)

By Mostofa Jamil Akbar Shamim Time: 12pm – 8pm Institute of Asian Creatives (IAC) Road 36, House 9, Gulshan 2 Group Photography Exhibition POV_Prime 50’s : Season 1

Time: 3pm – 8pm Dhaka Art Center (DAC) House-60, Road-7A , Dhanmondi R/A Group Exhibition Unity of Souls Time: 10am – 8pm Athena Gallery of Fine Arts A Heights, Cha-72/1/D Progati Shoroni

Primetime news

Music

Open mic & jam session Time: 7:30pm – 9:30pm Kozmo, Road 11, Banani

Theatre Cleopatra Nagarik Natya Sampraday

Time: 7pm National Theatre Hall Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Apod/ Picho Chorer Kissa Dhaka Padatik Time: 7pm Experimental Theatre Hall Bangladesh Shilapakala Academy Segunbagicha, Dhaka

MISC 3:30pm Discovery Food Factories

10:30pm Vh1

Paul Van Dyke Special

Soaked Dream: A contemporary exhibition bridging poetry to pragmatism n Entertainment Desk Firoz Mahmud, a contemporary artist recently held an exhibition at the Goethe Institut, where he displayed works from his visit to Berlin. The solo exhibition titled “Soaked Dream” featured photographs, video projections and installations.

During his tour, he visited around nine families and documented their hopes and dreams through photographs and video clips which he later presented as video installations.

At first, the artist made green eye glasses from waste containers and soft drink containers which he offered to all the members of the families he visited. He then went on to photograph them wearing the glasses. The green glass is a vision to reconstruct an individual’s perception for a better future. Firoz mentions: “I used the green-eye-glasses in the photographs as a metaphoric and conceptual feature.”

The art project addresses social hope through personal encounters and stories of life in which poetry and pragmatism meet. It is a re-birth of collective hope and dream that families and their children would like to cherish their vision through green eyeglass.

Firoz states: “I reconstructed a full-scale contemporary version of childhood among people whose vision is to reconstruct Berlin in the near future in terms of politics, glamour, culture, literature, film and many more.”

The exhibition displayed nine families’ photo-

graphs having common relation to Berlin. In the photographs the women wearing three frames represented empowerment.

Rihanna forced to leave mosque for inappropriate photoshoot n Entertainment Desk Wearing a headscarf and with her body almost fully covered, Rihanna portrayed herself as a bad girl gone good this weekend.

But it has emerged that the pop star was asked to leave Abu Dhabi’s Grand Mosque after posing for photographs.

Mosque officials said they asked the pop star to leave the compound after she turned her visit into a photo shoot opportunity, which was considered to be at odds with the sanctity of the site. Although Rihanna dressed conservatively in a head-to-toe black jumpsuit with her hair covered, the photographs were said to have been taken in an area normally off limits to visitors.

The statement from the Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque, published in local Abu Dhabi newspapers, did not mention Rihanna by name but instead alluded to a “singer.” It said: “In the event of behaviour that violates the moral codes of access to the mosque, or other visit regulations – such as taking inappropriate pictures, posing in ways that are improper in the context of sacred place, talking loudly, or eating – the violators are directed in a polite manner that reflects the civilisational and tolerant attributes of Islam.

The mosque, which is the largest in the country and can hold more than 40,000 people, is a major tourist site in the United Arab Emirates capital.

Rihanna caused controversy yesterday by posting numerous pictures of herself to Instagram outside the mosque wearing bright red lipstick, red nail varnish and an over-sized gold jewellery. Her look divided fans as they tried to decide whether to condemn the pictures or enjoy them.

“Rihanna may look gorgeous and all but she’s covering her head out of fashion not out of respect for the mosque,” wrote one user.

Another person responded to the images writing: “I don’t see how Rihanna posing adjacent to a mosque in Abu Dhabi is disrespectful.” l

Firoz Mahmud was born in 1974, in Khulna and did his PhD from Tokyo University of the Arts, MFA from Tama Art University. He had completed research at Rijksakademie VBK in Amsterdam after graduating from Dhaka University’s Fine Art Institute. He did artist-residency at ISCP in New York and OZU Culture Center, Rieti-Rome among many others.

He exhibited at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Fuchu Art Museum, Ota Fine Arts, Mori Art Museum, Hiroshima Contemporary Art Museum, Aichi Museum of Art in Japan, Queens Museum, Hammond Museum, Flushing Hall, ISPC, Location One and Rochester Con Art in New York, Metropolitan Mostings and many more.

He received numerous prizes and awards including from Hiroshima Museum of Contemporary Art, ANA Singapore, Royal Over-seas League UK, ACC grants, Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grant Canada.

Firoz experimented with various materials with different kinds of artistic genres. The materials includes paintings, drawings and all over media to create wide range of artworks and elements of nature and everyday materials, creating phenomenal works of art over the past decade.

He works on installation, oil painting, research and art project such as “Urgency of Proximate Drawing NinKi: UoPD,” photograph, object, and video. The current exhibition was his experiments during his stay in Europe. l

Dure Jabo Bole airs today on Channel 9 n Entertainment Desk Single episode drama “Dure Jabo Bole” will be aired at 9:10pm on Channel 9 today. Witten and directed by Animensh Aich, the drama features Mahfuz Ahmed and Farah Ruma.

The story is based on the sacrifices one needs to make due to poverty.

Shamoli and Mofiz live a miserable life with their four children. Suddenly Mofiz is diagnosed with a terminal illness and the doctor prescribes him some expensive medicine that is way out of his af-

fordability.

Shamoli works day and night in people’s house to bring food at the end of the day. One day, Shamoli is introduced with two snake charmers who get to know the struggle of Shamoli’s life.

They give her a proposal to work in a brothel and say that she can improve her situation by doing so.

She shares the idea with her husband. Mofiz becomes sad at the idea.

The next day, Mofiz and his children bids farewell to Shamoli who crosses the river and enters the brothel. l

Sridevi to appear in Hollywood film n Entertainment Desk

Noted actress Sridevi might do a Hollywood film co-starring Oscar winning actress Meryl Streep. Sridevi is likely to star in the film, tentatively titled “Cowboys and Indians” and it will be helmed

by Amy Redford, who is the daughter of Hollywood actor-director Robert Redford. “It is yet to happen, talks are on. We are still going through it,” said Sridevi, who made a successful comeback on silver screen with Gauri Shinde’s “English Vinglish” last year.

There have been reports that she has rejected Abhishek Kapoor’s, “Fitoor,” that had a negative role for her.

When asked about the same, Sridevi was not willing to talk about the project. Her husband Boney Kapoor said, “We are not talking about it.”

On the other hand, Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi are likely to unite again on screen for the sequel of their hit 1992 film “Khuda Gawah.”

“The script is being written for the sequel. It was one of the most loved films and we thought of bringing it back. We have given a one liner brief idea to Bachchan. We have got a positive feedback from him. Once the script is complete, we will meet him again and approach him for this film,” producer Manoj Desai said.

“Once Bachchan gives his nod for the sequel, we may go and talk to Sridevi as well. There will be other actors

also in the film from the younger generation,” he said.

The original, produced by Desai, was about an Afghanistan lord caught between love and revenge.

“We are working on the script, so we can’t reveal the story line,” he said.

Shot in India and Afghanistan, “Khuda Gawah” was one of the biggest grossers of 1992 in both the countries.

If all goes well, the sequel might go on floors next year.

Both the stars were last seen together in “English Vinglish.” l

Did you know?

Fulham have scored more than three goals in a single English Premier League game for the first time since the opening day of last season

Sport

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

14 United, Juventus out for European boost

DHAKA TRIBUNE

13

14 Beckham 15 U-19s clinch surrendered part of ODI series in career, says Ferguson West Indies

Bowlers reign on rainy day Wagner’s 5, Shakib’s 3 keeps match level his first five wicket haul. In all, Wagner n Mazhar Uddin returned figures of 5-64 as Bangladesh Rain continued to plague the second Test between B a ng l a d e s h and New Zealand at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday and in the less than 55 overs that could be played, Bangladesh were bowled out for 282 and New Zealand scored 107/3 before play was called off for the day.

Resuming at 228/5, Bangladesh could only add a further 54 runs in 20.1 overs as paceman Neil Wagner claimed three wickets to add to the two he had taken the day before. In reply, Shakib Al Hasan took all the three wickets to fall as New Zealand finished the day 175 runs behind.

Play got underway half an hour ahead of schedule with Nasir Hossain joining overnight batsman Mushfiqur Rahim at the wicket. While Nasir was circumspect, Mushfiq could only add four runs to his overnight score of 14 before miscuing a drive on the up to gully off left arm pace bowler Wagner.

With the departure of the captain, the Bangladesh batting collapsed. Nasir was removed for 19 by leg spinner Ish Sodhi, Sohag Gazi fell to Wagner for 14, Sodhi dismissed Abdur Razzaq for 13 and Wagner wrapped the innings with the wicket of Rubel Hossain to claim

were bowled out for 282.

The New Zealand openers were able to negotiate debutant Al-Amin’s new ball spell and it was left to left arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan to ruffle the Kiwi feathers.

The all-rounder had Hamish Rutherford caught at short leg by Mominul Haque in his first over and in his second, outfoxed Peter Fulton, who misjudged the line of a straight delivery and was out LBW. At lunch, the New Zealand score stood at 32/2.

After lunch, a short ball from Rubel Hossain - who had been denied the new ball – failed to rise as expected and struck a ducking Kane Williamson on the helmet. Williamson was forced to retire hurt with swelling under his left eye.

New Zealand recovered from the blow and skipper Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor brought up the team’s hundred before Shakib struck again.

McCullum pulled a long hop only to be brilliantly caught on the boundary by Rubel Hossain for 11. Rubel, who leant back to take the catch, had to leave the field as he hurt his back in the effort.

As on the previous day, rain had the last say as it forced the players to take an early tea. It continued to rain afterwards and not a single ball could be delivered in the last session. l

Bangladesh’s world no.1 Test all-rounder Shakib al Hasan celebrates his second wicket on day two of the second Test against New Zealand at SBNS yesterday

Wagner pleased with effort n Minhaz Uddin Khan New Zealand’s South African born left-arm seamer Neil Wagner’s maiden five-wicket haul in the first innings denied Bangladesh from posting a big score as the hosts were all out within an hour of the morning session at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.

Wagner picked two wickets on the first day and claimed three more to complete his five-for yesterday.

He was very pleased with his own performance and said, “It feels pretty good. I got quite a bit of confidence out of that.”

The match is been played on a newly laid pitch and it turned out to be a slow track, which is probably an advantage for the home side as New Zealand have got some fiery pacers. However, Wagner revealed that he likes to bowl on this sort of tracks adding that, “It is tough work. You have to keep running in, keep fighting and play as hard as you can. It is pretty slow, but I enjoy bowling in wicket like that.

“You have to keep trying and also

No conclusion yet from BFF committee n Shishir Hoque The Players’ Status Committee of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) meeting yesterday did not come to any conclusions regarding a controversy in which five players are allegedly receiving payment from more than one club – a controversy which is one of the reasons that none of the premier league clubs have as yet completed the transfer process with just eight days to go before the deadline.

Mohammedan sent a letter to the BFF on September 10 accusing five premier league players - Zahid Hossain, Mamun Mia, Nahidul Islam, Shakil Ahmed and Shariful Islam – of receiving payments from more than one club and the accused at before the players’ status committee yesterday, along Mohammedan manager Amirul Islam Babu.

BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag informed the media that four players admitted to the committee that

they took money from both Mohammedan and Sheikh Russell but decided to stay with Russell, while Shariful chose Abahani despite taking money from the Motijheel outfit. Shariful said that the club owed him the money from the previous season and he felt he had done no wrong.

Shohag added that the players’ account of what happened mostly matched Mohammedan’s account but there were certain discrepancies about phone calls and payment issues. The players claimed that the club did not contact them after making the initial payment and so they sought another team.

The committee will meet again to hear from both Sheikh Russell and Mohammedan before reaching a conclusion. Sharif and Nahid will also be called before the committee again.

The deadline for the inter-club players’ transfer window is October 31. l

make sure you don’t leak too much runs. Fairly pleased, the bowler bowled well. Dougie (Doug Bracewell) and Trent (Boult) started off well.

They created the pressure for me to take the wickets. Ish (Sodhi) bowled very well too. We are bowling well in partnerships. It helped me and made my job easier,” said the 27-year-old whose previous best figures were 4 for 42.

Despite the turns, the wicket also offered some decent bounce for the seamers. “On a wicket like this, guys tend to get on the front foot a lot more.

You have to vary pace and length. It is something you have to play around with, and intimidate the batsmen a little bit.

It is not easy to get it up there, especially with the ball getting softer.

But it is definitely a delivery you have to try and work hard on. Bowl couple of short balls to make them think about something else. They are trying to do it against us as well,” said Wagner.

Wagner informed his team will look forward to establish the innings and score big. With some batsmen yet to bat and able to build partnership the Kiwis will be on toes to execute the plan on the third day said the quickie. l

T20 shifted from Sylhet to SBNS

Scorecard, Day 2 Bangladesh first innings (overnight 228-5) Tamim Iqbal c Williamson b Wagner 95 Anamul Haque c Williamson b Boult 7 Marshall Ayub b Wagner 41 Mominul Haque c Watling b Anderson 47 Shakib Al Hasan lbw b Sodhi 20 Mushfiqur Rahim c Fulton b Wagner 18 Nasir Hossain c Taylor b Sodhi 19 Sohag Gazi c Williamson b Wagner 14 Abdur Razzak b Sodhi 13 Rubel Hossain c Watling b Wagner 4 Al-Amin Hossain not out 0 Extras (b2,lb1, w1) 4

Total (all out, 74.5 overs)

282

Bowling: Boult 16-2-55-1, Bracewell 14-157-0 (w1), Wegner 19-5-64-5, Sodhi 18.53-59-3, Williamson 4-0-30-0, Anderson 3-0-14-1 New Zealand first innings P. Fulton lbw b Shakib 14 H. Rutherford c Mominul b Shakib 13 K. Williamson not out 28 R. Taylor not out 37 B. McCullum c Rubel b Shakib 11 Extras (b4) 4

Total (for three wickets. 33.3 overs) 107 Fall of wickets: 1-31 (Rutherford), 2-32 (Fulton), 3-101 (McCullum) Bowling: Al-Amim 6-3-14-0, Sohag Gazi 6-0-13-0, Shakib 11-1-25-3, Razzak 5-133-0, Rubel 5.3-0-18-0

MUMIT M

Shakib hopeful of result n Minhaz Uddin Khan Rain again intervened to wash out the last session of play on the second day of the final Test between Bangladesh and New Zealand yesterday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium with the visitors three wickets down and 175 runs behind. Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan claimed all three wickets for the hosts.

Beginning the day at 228/5, Bangladesh had hopes of reaching 400 according to top order batsman Marshal Ayub, but the plan was dashed as the last five wickets fell for just 52 runs as the Tigers crumbled to 282 all out.

“There weren’t too many batsmen remaining when we went to bat today (yesterday). Mushfiq (Mushfiqur Rahim) and Nasir (Hossain) were there, after Mushfiqur got out, and Nasir lost his wicket, the lower order had arrived so it wasn’t possible to score too many runs. There wasn’t a problem as such; in this wicket 300-350 is a good score,” Shakib told the media yesterday. With rain restricting play to just 108 overs in two days, many have predicted the match will be drawn, but Shakib was optimistic of a result.

“No I think if the next three days are played completely, there will be a result in this match because the speed at which the game is progressing, the match should

have a result, if the next three days are played completely. It is difficult to say, there is still a lot of cricket left to decide who will win,” said the number one Test all-rounder.

Shakib’s three wickets proved to be the highlight of the day for the home crowd.

He removed opener Hamish Rutherford in the 12th over, dismissed the other opener Peter Fulton just before lunch and claimed the wicket of Brendon McCullum after the interval courtesy of a spectacular catch in the deep by Rubel Hossain.

“I don’t think the wicket changed too much from yesterday. If you see, we lost two to three batsmen, and three of their batsmen got out, and the session was long as well. I think the wicket will get more difficult as the day goes. According to the curator, from what I heard, it should spin a lot more from day three, so in that case, it will be more difficult for both the teams to score and there is a good possibility for a result,” said Shakib.

The all-rounder went on to assess the prospects for the third day. “As per the current situation, if we can take the wickets of the two batsmen at the crease early, then we should get some advantage, restricting them to even within 200 will be possible, I guess. However, if I speak realistically, then if we can keep them within 300, then it will be evenly matched.” l

OUCH!

n Mazhar Uddin

The only Twenty20 match of New Zealand’s ongoing tour against Bangladesh on November 6 will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium instead of Sylhet Divisional Stadium, said a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) press release yesterday.

The match was originally planned at the subject to receiving necessary approval to stage international games from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

However, due to the ongoing work at the venue in preparation for the ICC World T20 next year the BCB has decided to shift the match to Dhaka.

BCB acting CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury said, “Our priority is to complete this important World Twenty20 venue ahead of the deadline given by the ICC. Therefore we felt that to ensure uninterrupted work at the stadia in Sylhet it was best to hold the Bangladesh-New Zealand match elsewhere.” The T20 match will be a day fixture starting at 1:30pm local time. l

New Zealand’s Kane Williamson lies on the ground after being struck on the head by a nasty bouncer from Bangladesh’s Rubel Hossain on the 2nd day of second Test at SBNS yesterday Mumit M

14

Sport

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Take the pressure off Bale: Ronaldo

Bilbao halt 10-man Villarreal’s earlyseason surge n Reuters, Madrid

n AFP, Madrid

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo believes there has been too much pressure heaped upon his new teammate Gareth Bale due to his enormous price tag.

The Welshman arrived from Tottenham Hotspur in September for a fee of 91 million euros ($124.5 million, £77 million), according to Real president Florentino Perez. And a series of niggling injuries have meant the 24-year-old hasn’t yet completed 90 minutes for his new employers.

However, Ronaldo, who successfully made the transition from the Premier League to La Liga when he joined Madrid from Manchester United in 2009, is sure Bale will come good.

“I think Gareth Bale has done well,” he told a press conference on Tuesday.

“He had a difficult time because he didn’t do a pre-season. I understand that and if you speak with him you can see he is very excited to help the team, but it is better to leave him alone and not add pressure.

“He is a fantastic player, a fantastic boy and he always wants to learn.

“People put pressure on him because of how much he cost. I leave him alone because I am sure 100 percent that he is going to do well for the club.”

Due to Bale’s lack of playing time so far, the two haven’t been able to build up any sort of partnership on the field. However, Ronaldo dismissed any suggestions that their similar style may make them incompatible in the same team.

“I think all the good players can play together. I want to play with good players, no matter who they are, and I think we can win important things together.”

Meanwhile, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti backed up his Portuguese star and said Bale’s return to full fitness following a slight thigh injury would not mean a change of position for Ronaldo. l

Athletic Bilbao checked promoted Villarreal’s impressive early-season run when they beat the team with the distinctive canaryyellow strip 2-0 at their new San Mames stadium in La Liga on Monday.

Villarreal were already two goals down when captain Bruno Soriano, one of Spain’s most elegant midfielders, was harshly shown a second yellow card in first-half stoppage time.

Midfielder Mikel Rico had put Bilbao ahead with a 33rd-minute header and forward Aritz Aduriz ended a barren spell with his first of the campaign when he punished a defensive howler from Mateo Musacchio two minutes later.

Results Athletic Bilbao

2-0

Villarreal

Celta Vigo

0-1

Levante

Rico 33, Aduriz 35

Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (R) and Welsh striker Gareth Bale run during a training session at Valdebebas training ground yesterday on the eve of their UEFA Champions League football match against Juventus AFP

Diop 89

Bilbao, who have struggled on the road but have now won four and drawn one at the San Mames, climbed to sixth on 16 points from nine games, while Villarreal, who held Real Madrid to a 2-2 draw at their Madrigal arena last month, stay fourth on 17.

“We have put ourselves in a good position and what we need to do now is to get some positive away results,” Bilbao captain Andoni Iraola said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster Cuatro.

“We are feeling fantastic here at home and are delighted with the new stadium,” he added.

Celta Vigo’s earlier game at home to Levante was disrupted by torrential rain sweeping across Galicia that sparked a lighting failure at halftime at a saturated Balaidos stadium. l

United, Juventus out for European boost n AFP, Paris Both Manchester United and Juventus will be looking to get some succour from Europe after disappointing results in their domestic leagues at the weekend while Welsh star Gareth Bale could make only his second start of the season for Real Madrid after a succession of niggling injuries.

Shakhtar, second only on goal difference to United, will be keen to dispel memories of last season’s trip to Germany when the wheels came off their campaign with a 3-0 last 16 loss at Borussia Dortmund.

The Ukrainian champions, appearing at the group stage for the fourth

successive season, have begun brightly with a win over Real Sociedad and a draw against United.

United may be enduring a torrid start to the Premier League, the weekend draw with Southampton leaving the titleholders in unusual territory - eighth place and their worst start in 24 years.

Europe has proved more forgiving, with David Moyes’ side topping Group A on goal difference after the Leverkusen win and Shakhtar stalemate.

Pointless Real need to leave Old Trafford with something if they are to inject some life into their first CL campaign in a decade. Whatever happens the outcome is unlikely to be as harsh as their only previous visit to England, when they crashed 6-0 at Liverpool in the 1975/76 UEFA Cup.

On turning down the England manager’s job in 1999 and 2001:

“There was no way I could contemplate that. It wasn’t a bed of nails I was ever tempted to lie on.”

“I felt he struggled more and more to do it for 90 minutes, and he seemed to tire in games. He came into my office the day after we won the league (in 2013) and asked away. He wasn’t happy with being left out for some games and subbed in others.”

On discussing Keane’s outburst with his assistant, Carlos Queiroz:

“’He needs to go, Carlos,’ I said. ‘One hundred percent,’ he said. ‘Get rid of him,’ I said.”

On Cristiano Ronaldo:

“One night I was watching a movie, White Fang, the Jack London book about going down to Klondike in search of gold. That’s what it must be like for a scout. You’re standing watching a game on a Saturday morning and you see a George Best, a Ryan Giggs or a Bobby Charlton. That’s what I felt that day in Lisbon. A revelation. That was the biggest surge of excitement, of anticipation, I experienced in football management.”

On Liverpool’s decision to wear T-shirts in support of striker Luis Suarez after he was accused of racially abusing United leftback Patrice Evra:

“Liverpool wore those T-shirts supporting Suarez, which was the most ridiculous thing for a club of Liverpool’s stature”.

On former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:

“Soon after Benitez arrived, I attended a

v v v v v v v v

Shakhtar Sociedad København Juventus PSG Olympiakos Man City Viktoria Plzen

They received a welcome boost for this first ever meeting between the two teams with a 2-1 win over Valencia in La Liga at the weekend.

Real Madrid are sailing regally to the knockout stages, the Spaniards’ topping Group B after crushing defeats of FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray. Real

n Reuters, London

On Wayne Rooney:

On watching Ronaldo play for the first time:

Leverkusen Man United Galatasaray Real Madrid Anderlecht Benfica CSKA Bayern Munich

could field Gareth Bale, who returned to action after minor injuries as a late substitute in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Malaga which left Carlo Ancelotti’s men in third. Juve’s visit precedes the first ‘el clasico’ of the season with a trip to Barcelona looming at the weekend.

Xabi Alonso, sidelined since fracturing a foot in August, is full recovered but unlikely to be thrust straight back into the fray.

With two draws Juve are waiting for their first win, and hardly had the best preparations for the trip to the Bernabeu a 4-2 loss, their first of the season, to Fiorentina. Coach Antonio Conte spoke about “a massive test’, adding: “Madrid are arguably one of the most ambitious teams. We’re facing a club that really want this title, because of

their history and their hunt for a tenth European Cup.” Both CSKA Moscow and Manchester City will fancy their chances of taking the runners up spot with Pilsen pretty much out of the running and while City have a woeful away record losing five of their six Champions League away games in the past two campaigns they have a chance of recording their second successive away win this season as CSKA have a poor home record, taking just three points from a possible nine in their last appearance in the CL in 2011/12. City warmed up with a psychological boosting first away win in the Premier League on Saturday, 3-1 at West Ham with Sergio Aguero key to the victory. City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes he now has the squad

strength to make an impact both domestically and on the continent. CSKA by contrast are now winless and goalless in their last five domestic matches and without playmaker Alan Dzagoev, who is injured.

Holders Bayern should have little trouble in making it nine points from three games against pointless Pilsen although coach Pep Guardiola wants to see a marked improvement in their first-half displays which have been generally lethargic all season. The hosts, though, will be missing Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri and Brazilian defender Dante, who are both injured, while Guardiola will hope that resting French star Franck Ribery at the weekend has allowed him to recover fully from a sore ankle. l

Beckham Kasami stuns Palace with ‘Van Basten’ strike surrendered part n Reuters, London of career: Fergie

THE BEST BITS

“Cristiano Ronaldo was the most gifted player I managed.”

Fixtures

Liverpool game and he and his wife invited me in for a drink. So far, so good. But our relationship frayed. The mistake he made was to turn our rivalry personal.”

On Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho:

“He’s a likeable person when you get to know him, and he can laugh at himself, turn a joke back on himself. I don’t know whether (Arsene) Wenger or Benitez had that capacity.”

On former Man City manager Roberto Mancini’s decision to forgive Carlos Tevez, the former United striker, for refusing to go on as a substitute in a Champions League game at Bayern Munich:

“Taking him back showed desperation. In terms of his prestige as a manager, he let himself down.”

On ‘Pizzagate’, the row at Old Trafford that followed a defeat by Arsenal in October 2004:

“They say it was Cesc Fabregas who threw the pizza at me but, to this day, I have no idea who the culprit was.”

David Beckham thought he was too big for Manchester United and later surrendered part of his career by moving to the United States to play for LA Galaxy, former United manager Alex Ferguson said in his autobiography published on Tuesday.

In “My Autobiography”, published by Hodder and Stoughton, Ferguson chronicles the years from Manchester United’s treble-winning season in 1999 to the time he ended 27 years in charge of one of the world’s biggest football clubs.

Those waiting with bated breath for its contents to be revealed would not have been disappointed either with Ferguson’s dejection at Beckham’s obsession with celebrity or Roy Keane’s “frightening” rages which are covered in candid detail. Ferguson’s 27 years at Old Trafford, before retiring at the end of last season after a 13th Premier League title, were the most successful of any British manager.

In a chapter devoted to Beckham, Ferguson says the former England captain “surrendered” part of his career when opting to join LA Galaxy in 2007 from Real Madrid, after being sold to the Spanish powerhouse by Ferguson in 2003.

“There was no footballing reason for him to go to America,” Ferguson said. “He was giving up top level football as well as the international game. You should never surrender what you’re good at.”

Ferguson also questioned Beckham’s lifestyle.

“David was the only player I managed who chose to be famous, who made it his mission to be known outside the game.” l

Fulham manager Martin Jol hailed Pajtim Kasami’s stunning volley against Crystal Palace on Monday as better than fellow Dutchman Marco van Basten’s classic in the Euro 1988 final.

Macedonian-born Swiss Kasami sprinted to control a lofted pass on his chest and in one movement smashed a dipping volley across Palace keeper Julian Speroni to put his side on the road to a 4-1 Premier League victory at Selhurst Park.

Struggling Palace had taken an early lead through Adrian Mariappa’s header but Kasami’s stunner and Steve Sidwell’s thumping shot on the stroke of halftime turned the game.

“It was better than people think because he had to control the ball on his chest and then put it in the other corner, it was a really good goal from a talented boy,” Jol told Sky Sports.

“Marco van Basten’s goal was totally different and you can’t compare the two but this one was better! He had to sprint 30 yards, take a touch and then score, it is one of the goals of the season.”

Van Basten’s improbable angled volley from a high, dropping ball against the former USSR is widely regarded as one of the best goals ever scored.

Dimitar Berbatov made it 3-1 to Fulham with a header five minutes into the second half before Phillipe Senderos hooked in from close range shortly afterwards as Palace crumbled.

Victory lifted Fulham up three spots to 14th with 10 points while second-bottom Palace look destined for a long, hard struggle against relegation after their seventh defeat of the season from eight matches. l

Result Crystal Palace Mariappa 7

1-4

Fulham

Kasami 19, Sidwell 45, Berbatov 50, Senderos 55

Fulham's Swiss midfielder Pajtim Kasami (2L) controls the ball before shooting to score his team's first goal in front of Crystal Palace's Adrian Mariappa (L) during their English Premier League match at the Selhurst Park, South London on Monday AFP

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

15

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

U-19s clinch ODI series in West Indies

Quick Bytes

Three clubs likely to withdraw from Fed Cup Three Championship League clubs Arambagh Krira Sangha, Rahmatganj MFS and Victoria Sporting Club are likely to withdraw from the upcoming Federation Cup due to short of preparation.

The season kicks off with the Fed Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium from November 4. Earlier the tournament was scheduled from November 3, but due to Jail Killing Day the BFF decided to shift the event. 10 clubs from Bangladesh Premier League and seven clubs from Championship League are expected to participate in the meet.

-SH

n Tribune Sport Desk

Federer off the mark at Swiss Indoors Roger Federer, who has slipped to sixth in the ATP rankings, opened his Swiss Indoors campaign with a 6-4, 6-2 first round win over Adrian Mannarino at his home town of Basel on Monday. The five-time Basel champion needs to put up superhuman efforts this week as well as the upcoming Paris Masters if he is to secure one of four spots remaining in the eight-man field at the World Tour Finals in London next month.Federer, seeded third behind holder Juan Martin del Potro and Czech Tomas Berdych, is duelling for the spot at the finals with compatriot and US Open finalist Stanislas Wawrinka, who stands a provisional seventh in the points race with his famed compatriot a mere five points adrift on eighth.

– AFP

FA charge Mourinho with improper conduct Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been charged with improper conduct for his behaviour during a Premier League game against Cardiff City, the FA said on Monday. Mourinho was ordered to the stands by referee Anthony Taylor 20 minutes from the end of Saturday’s 4-1 win for protesting to the match official after becoming increasingly frustrated at what he perceived to be Cardiff’s timewasting tactics. Mourinho, who has until 1700 GMT on Thursday to respond to the charge, refused to change his stance on Monday when speaking ahead of his side’s Champions League match against Schalke. “If I was at that game and I was paying my ticket, I would be worried with the fact that every time the ball was out or stopped and our opponent had to put the ball back in the game, it took a minimum of 21.5 seconds,” Mourinho said.

– Reuters

Younis shocked at one-day axe Experienced Pakistan batsman Younis Khan on Monday described his expulsion from the one-day side as “shocking” but vowed to end his limited overs career on a high. The 35-year-old was last week left out of Pakistan’s 16-man squad for the five matches which follow the two-Test series against South Africa. Pakistan won the first Test by seven wickets in Abu Dhabi while the second Test starts in Dubai from Wednesday. A veteran of 253 one-day, Younis has not scored a limited overs century since November 2008 and managed just 116 runs in the five-match series in South Africa earlier this year. He was also not part of Pakistan’s one-day team which won the series 2-1 in Zimbabwe last month. But the senior batsman said he was surprised and shocked. “I am surprised I am not in the one-day team, it’s a shocking news for me. After the last series, it was surprising for me, but for me life goes on, for me this is never easy,” Younis said ahead of the second Test. Asked if the 2015 World Cup (50 overs) was still on his mind, Younis replied: “Look, I have said this before, its not 2015 or 2016, if you have the fitness you keep playing. “I think when Imran (Khan) left he must be 40-42,” said Younis of former Pakistan captain.

– AFP

Jubilant Bangladesh Under-19 players pose with the trophy after beating West Indies Under-19s in the 7th Youth ODI in Guyana on Monday

Pakistan target series win over South Africa n

AFP, Dubai

A confident Pakistan will look to their spinners to sweep the two-match series against a depleted South Africa when the second and final Test starts in Dubai on Wednesday.

Pakistan’s spin duo of Saeed Ajmal and left-armer Zulfiqar Babar shared 11 wickets between them to guide their team to a seven-wicket win in the first Test in Abu Dhabi, only their fourth win in 22 Tests against South Africa.

Even the pacemen Mohammad Irfan and Junaid Khan took four wickets apiece as a formidable South Africa batting slumped to 249 and 232 in the two innings, with only Hashim Amla (118) and AB de Villiers (90) showing some resistance.

Pakistan rode on a brilliant 146 by opener Khurram Manzoor -- the highest by a Pakistani batsman in a Test against

South Africa -- and a responsible 100 by captain Misbah-ul Haq to post a big 442-run total. South Africa will be hard pressed to maintain their unbeaten run in an away series since losing in Sri Lanka in 2006.

More so as Amla and Dale Steyn, respectively the world’s top Test batsman and bowler, may not be available for the match. Amla has returned home for the birth of his child while Steyn is nursing a hamstring injury. Left-hander Dean Elgar is due to replace Amla while Rory Kleinveldt is likely to fill in for Steyn.

South Africa will also look at their spin option to replace left-armer Robin Peterson, who failed to get a single wicket in the first Test, with Pakistan born leg-spinner Imran Tahir. South African captain Graeme Smith expressed confidence his team can bounce back.

“We haven’t been in this position too often,” said Smith. “And with the stan-

Lorgat sidelined as India and South Africa agree deal n AFP, London

India’s tour of South Africa will go ahead, officials announced Tuesday, but Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Haroon Lorgat has been “withdrawn” from India-related matters.

A joint statement issued by CSA and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said their sides will now play two Tests and three one-day internationals, although the dates and venues have still to be announced.

Relations between the two boards deteriorated as a result of reported BCCI anger at the way Lorgat had dealt with them in his previous role as chief executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

And the situation was inflamed further when David Becker, a former legal advisor to CSA, accused the BCCI, cricket’s wealthiest national board and one on which other countries depend for finance as a result of lucrative broadcast income arising from India tours, of breaching rules regarding the ICC’s FTP. However, the joint statement, which followed discussions between the two boards during the recent ICC meeting in London, said Lorgat would have a reduced role in CSA’s dealings with the BCCI and would stand down from the ICC’s chief executives’ committee while the global governing body “investigated” his conduct. l

Day’s Watch Gazi TV 9.30am New Zealand tour of Bangladesh 2nd Test, Day 3 Ten Cricket 12:00PM Pakistan v South Africa 2nd Test Day 1 UEFA Champions League 2013/14 Ten Action 10:00PM CSKA Moscow v Man City 12:00AM Real Madrid v Juventus Ten Sports 12:00AM Man United v Real Sociedad

Tennis star Sania Mirza is welcomed at the inaugural ceremony of the sports carnival in Bhopal on Monday PTI

dards that we set ourselves, we should have the ability to bounce back.

“The motivation is there. We are really motivated to win the next Test match.

That’s got to be our ultimate goal. We have to focus on making sure our plans are better.”

On the contrary, Pakistan have a settled squad and will not tinker with the winning combination. But despite all that, Misbah warned against complacency. “We are really playing the top side in the world, so our focus is on the next game,” said Misbah, aiming to add to Pakistan’s only series win over South Africa way back in 2003. Misbah denied he wants a batting track in Dubai to draw the Test.

“I don’t think so we have given clear indications to the groundsman. We want a result, no doubt we want to exploit our home advantage and we will do that, but we want a result,” said Misbah. l

WCIB

Mehedy Hasan and Mohammad Nihaduzzaman spun Bangladesh under-19s to a comprehensive 67-run win in the last youth ODI against their West Indian counterpart as the visitors clinched the seven-match series 4-3 at Guyana on Monday.

Bangladesh were restricted to 168 runs after they opted to bat first winning the toss.

A decent 43-run opening stand between Shadman Islam (48) and Joyraj Sheik (26) was thrown away as the middle-order collapsed in front of some hostile pace bowling from Jerome Jones.

Seven batsmen didn’t trouble the scorer getting out on a duck as Jones also completed a hat-trick with wickets of Yasir Ali, Nihaduzzaman and Jubair Hossain. He ended with five wickets for the home side.

However, the Windies had no clue of the opposition spinners as they were bundled out for only 101 runs.

Left-arm spinner Nihaduzzaman led the onslaught with 5 for 12 in 7.5 overs while the Bangladesh skipper Mehedy bagged 4 for 25 in his 10 overs.

Top order batsman Jeremy Solozano remained unbeaten on 35, the highest in the West Indian innings. Mehedy became the player of the match as well as the player of the series. l

Lucky the only person to answer yet n Shishir Hoque Umpire Selim Lucky was the only person among the six show-caused hockey players and officials who submitted his reasons for the national team’s debacle in the recently concluded Asia Cup. Lucky submitted his reply to the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) governing body yesterday.

Earlier, BHF served show-cause notices to four senior players - Russell Mahmud Jimmy, Zahid Hossain, Qumruzzaman Rana, Imran Hasan Pintu along with coach Mahbub Harun and umpire Lucky on October 13 and gave 10 days to answer with the reasons behind the Asia Cup failure. Nine days have already gone by and national forward Jimmy said yesterday that he will submit his reply today, the last day of submission.

When tried to reach coach Harun over phone he didn’t answer the calls, while Rana, who was at his home district Jhinaidah, said yesterday, “I

received the show-cause letter on Monday and couldn’t answer it yet.”

BHF general secretary Khawaja Rahmatullah confirmed that nobody had replied to the show-causes except Selim Lucky. Khawaja said the executive committee will take the necessary steps if the accused players don’t reply on time. However, the federation officials don’t want to disclose the punishment the players might face for their actions during the Asia Cup. The decision to serve show-cause notices was made in an executive committee meeting on October 10 following the reports submitted by coach Naveed Alam, manager Abdur Rashid Sikdar and the three-member factfinding committee.

Bangladesh’s Pakistani head coach Naveed, skipper Mamunur Rahman Chayan, Krishna Kumar, Pushkar Khisha Mimo and Mainul Islam Kaushik were also warned by the hockey federation for their roles during the tournament. l

Ponting backs Warner, Hughes for Ashes n AFP, Sydney

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting on Tuesday backed dumped batsmen David Warner and Phil Hughes to make their mark in the Ashes series against England starting next month.

Ponting, who retired from international cricket last year after 168 Tests, believes both players warrant their places and feels Hughes, in particular, has been harshly treated.

The 24-year-old has already been axed three times and been shuffled up and down the order.

“He is clearly our best young batsman in the country,” Ponting told Australian Associated Press, referring to Hughes, on the current one-day tour of India but missing from the Test team since July.

“The guy knows how to bat. He knows how to score runs. And he’s just the sort of character that you love to have around your team. “He would be somebody that I would give a spot in the order and let him go about making that his own... if you give him a bit of love and a bit of stability around his game, I’m sure he’ll come good.”

Ponting has previously been critical of selectors chopping and changing Australia’s batting line-up and has urged them to “pick and stick” with a top six.

He said wayward Warner, who has been in regular trouble and was axed for punching English opener Joe Root during the tour of England earlier this year, will have learned from his exclusion.

“To me, some of the things that have happened have just been almost tell-tale signs of someone just under extreme pressure,” Ponting said of Warner, who has been in fine form for his state side New South Wales after being overlooked for the India tour. l

From left, Father Theodore Mascarenhas, Australian Ambassador to the Holy See John McCarthy, Monsignor Sanchez de Toca y Alameda, undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, and Father Eamon O' Higgins meet the journalists at the Vatican yesterday AP

Vatican fields cricket club as sport, faith merge n AP, Vatican City

The Vatican served tea and cucumber sandwiches Tuesday as it launched its first cricket club, an initiative aimed at forging ties with teams of other faiths.

No, Pope Francis isn’t taking up the sport long associated with manicured grounds and English nobility; the soccer-mad “slum pope” still prefers the lower-brow sport of his beloved San Lorenzo club.

But he and the Vatican have long championed sports as good for mind, body and soul, and the cricket club is the latest initiative of the Vatican’s culture ministry to use sports to engage in dialogue with the contemporary world.

Australia’s ambassador to the Holy See, John McCarthy, was the brainchild behind the initiative and said he hopes the St. Peter’s Cricket Club will field a team to play the Church of England at Lord’s sometime next fall.

He said the aim is to boost interfaith dialogue, given cricket’s immense pop-

ularity in largely non-Catholic India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. It would be a “very special occasion” if seminarians from Rome’s pontifical universities might one day play students at Muslim or Hindu religious schools on the subcontinent, he said.

The initiative also is aimed at educating Italy, the Vatican and even Pope Francis that “there is some sport other than football!” he said before passing around a tray of cucumber tea sandwiches, a mainstay of cricket events.

The club is expected to count on some 250-300 students and priests at the Vatican and various pontifical universities around Rome where cricket is already being played informally; from these individual teams a Vatican one would be selected and fielded as early as the spring.

Rome’s Capannelle Cricket Club is letting the Vatican use its pitch, and McCarthy said anonymous private sponsors were prepared to fund equipment, organizational and other related costs. l

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

DATELINE OCTOBER 25

Security blanket thrown over Dhaka

Police fear that Jamaat-Shibir cadres might unleash a reign of terror were set up in Sadarghat, Kamalapur, n Mohammad Jamil Khan and Abdullahpur, Amin Bazar, Keraniganj, Ashif Islam Shaon

Dhaka city police have drawn up a comprehensive security scheme ahead of October 25 amid fear of escalation of violence by the 18-party opposition alliance.

Different intelligence agencies, as part of special security arrangement to avoid any untoward incidence, asked law enforcers to be on the watch for anybody suspicious at each entry point of the capital.

They also asked police to keep all mosques in the capital under constant surveillance as they had received information that Jamaat-Shibir might resort to mindless violence once again on the day after Jumma prayers.

Following such report plain-clothes police will be posted in most of the prominent mosques of the capital.

They will attend the prayer with general people.

Police and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) have already set up check posts at the city’s entry points ahead of October 25, the day when BNP is scheduled to hold a mammoth rally in Dhaka.

BNP by the time submitted an application to Dhaka Metropolitan Police seeking permission to hold the rally at Paltan, Naya Paltan or Shuhrawardi Uddyan.

The DMP, however, slapped a ban on all kinds of rallies in the capital until further notice with effect from last Sunday.

A high-profile police officials meeting yesterday instructed law enforcers to keep an eye on outsiders entering the capital before and during October 25.

Following the order check posts

Postagola and Jatrabari area.

Instruction given to law enforcers says that people without valid reason cannot stay in the capital and house owners must take all possible information from potential customers before renting out his house.

Besides, if they find anything suspicious they were asked to bring it to the notice of the police station concerned.

A highly placed source said the DMP commissioner held a meeting with all deputy commissioners and officers-in-charge of police stations on the security arrangement.

Asked about any special security measurement, Masudur Rahman, deputy commissioner of media and publication of DMP, said they held an Open House Day programme in police stations.

Armoured personnel carrier vehicles will patrol the roads around the capitals’ Baitul Mukarram Mosque, Paltan intersection, Bijoynagar, Press Club and Kakrail area.

A source in the intelligence department says they had already prepared a list of Jubo Dal, BNP and Jamaat-Shibir men who might play key role in unleashing violence in the capital on October 25.

Special security force would be deployed from 6.00am on the day in the capitals Jatrabari, Mirpur, Press Club, Paltan, Motijheel and Bijoynagar area.

Contacted, Monirul Islam, joint-commissioner of Detective Branch of Police, also the spokesperson of DMP, said no political parties would be allowed to hold any rally on the day and if any one tries to do so lawful action would be taken against them. l

Back Page

Three injured in cocktail blast at Bogra sadar police station n Tribune Report At least three people including two policemen were injured yesterday when unidentified miscreants hurled two cocktails inside the Bogra sadar police station.

The injured – Operator Lutfur Rahman, Constable Johurul Islam and one Shablu – received primary treatment at a local hospital.

Officer-in-Charge of the station Sayeed Shahid Alam said some youths threw the cocktails inside the station compound around 2pm before fleeing.

He also alleged that the Jamaat-Shibir activists might have blasted the cocktails as the police raided Shibir-dominated Jamilnagar area in the town earlier in the day.

On the other hand, two cocktails were also thrown into the residences of Superintendent of Police and Additional Superintendent of Police in Bogra on Monday night.

Md Mozzmal Haque, SP of Bogra, said the police identified some Shibir activists who were involved in the Monday night occurrence. l

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Australia, EU urge constructive dialogue for credible polls US Ambassador meets several diplomats talked about how America can play n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman a role to facilitate expanding trade The European Union and Australian envoys yesterday urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia to engage in constructive dialogue to hold free, fair and credible elections.

EU Ambassador William Hanna welcomed their recent speeches and termed them “a tool to finding a solution to the current problems.”

In the meantime, US Ambassador Dan Mozena had meetings yesterday with ambassadors of different countries and discussed the current situation in Bangladesh.

Mozena met Indian High Commissioner Pankaj Saran in the morning.

“We talked about everything just as you would expect and I see him [Pankaj Saran] quite often,” Mozena said after a meeting with Home Minister Mohiudding Khan Alamgir at his office yesterday evening.

“We talked about Indo-Bangladesh cooperation, we talked about increasing trade between the two countries, we

between the two countries,” he said.

In the afternoon, Mozena had lunch with some diplomats of Western countries at a local hotel.

The diplomats included British High Commissioner Robert Gibson, Canadian High Commissioner Heather Cruden and EU ambassador William Hanna.

After attending a programme yesterday at a city hotel, EU ambassador Hanna said: “We are encouraged by the fact that both the main party leaders have made proposals in the last few days aimed at finding a political solution to the current problems in Bangladesh.”

“We urge both parties to now engage in constructive dialogue to bridge the gap between them, and to arrive at a politically acceptable way forward,” he added.

Hanna said both speeches were positive and constructive.

“I really do think this is the time now to engage in dialogue and positive

signals have been given,” he said, while restating the EU’s opposition to violence.

The EU ambassador, ruling out any intervention from outsiders, said: “It’s not for us to say what the formulation will be. I don’t think you need anyone to intervene. It’s your affair. But it’s terribly important that it should be done. The world is watching Bangladesh.”

Talking about the probable impact of a failure to reach an agreement, the ambassador said: “I am not going to engage in speculation about what is going to happen next. But, what we have seen is encouraging. We stress the positive aspects.”

Meanwhile, Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Greg Wilcock in a media statement welcomed the recent statements by the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, proposing solutions to political challenges.

“We encourage all sides to seize this opportunity for peaceful, constructive dialogue on a way forward,” he said. l

IDEA INDEED!

NID for accessing Facebook, social media proposed n Kamran Reza Chowdhury A parliamentary body has come up with an “innovative” idea of making people use their national ID cards or similar smartcards to log in to their Facebook or other social networking media accounts.

The parliamentary standing committee on the post and telecommunications ministry yesterday asked the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to examine the possibility of introducing

such methods “to track and curb cybercrimes.”

The proposal came only 16 days after the Awami League-led parliament had passed the controversial amendment to the ICT law authorising law enforcers to arrest people without warrants and increasing the punishment to 14 years of imprisonment for cybercrimes such as posting or sharing objectionable contents on their Facebook or similar network pages.

“We have asked the BTRC to examine if they can introduce a provision

for accessing Facebook and other social networking media by using the national identity cards or other cards in addition to the existing method of logging in with email address and password,” Abdus Sattar, chairman of the JS body, told reporters at a press conference after a meeting of the committee.

He said such provisions would “certainly help the government curb cybercrimes, which have devastating effects on society.”

When contacted, BTRC Chairman Sunil Kanti Bose said: “This is difficult

and probably not possible at this moment. We will examine the proposal.”

He said the International Telecommunication Union had dispatched an expert to recommend remedies for cybercrimes in Bangladesh and the expert had meetings with law enforcement agencies. The BTRC will work on cybercrimes in Bangladesh after receiving the ITU expert’s report.

Telecom Minister Shahara Khatun, ASM Feroz, Solaiman Haque Joarder and Mouazzam Hossain Ratan attended the meeting of the parliamentary body. l

Government to shut NGO foundation n Asif Showkat Kallol The government has decided to close down Bangladesh NGO Foundation, a non-profit organisation of the government, as part of a move to cut administrative costs, officials of the banking division under the finance ministry said.

While in Washington during the BankFund board meeting, Finance Minister AMA Muhith told the Dhaka Tribune: “We have already decided to close down Bangladesh NGO Foundation because it has no work last couple of years.”

He said the shutdown would help the government to save some money from the revenue budget.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has already given her consent about the matter and the banking division would supervise the closure procedure, Muhith said.

Finance division sources said the government was spending below Tk1m per month for salaries and other fixed expenses of the foundation but the division had not made any allocations in

the last two years.

Two years ago the division issued Tk50m for the construction of a Bangladesh NGO Foundation building under the 2010-11 budget.

On August 2012, a comprehensive investigation carried out by the macroeconomic wing of the finance division found that the foundation’s performance was poor compared to other regulatory authorities.

The finance division also suggested that all such entities should be brought under a single comprehensive regulatory framework.

Now the country’s NGOs are operating under the auspices of the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA), Palli Karma Shahayak Foundation (PKSF), the NGO Bureau and the NGO Foundation.

Managing director of Bangladesh NGO Foundation Abu Taher Khan told the Dhaka Tribune he was not aware of any decisions to shut down his organisation. l

EC to rule out facilities ministers, MPs Rana Plaza survivors work at self-owned factory for n Survivors of the Rana Plaza disaster working at their self-owned factory Oparajeyo initiated by Mukto Tarunno, an organisation of a few voluntary rescue workers

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

A NICHE FOR HOPE

n Syeda Samira Sadeque

Six months into one of the worst factory disasters in the history of the country, Savar has now become synonymous with the Rana Plaza building collapse, which brought to light the appalling working conditions, little or no benefits of the workers and low wages in the RMG sector.

However, behind the rubbles and sordid remnants of the disaster, today there is a change happening, which has become a driving force for some of the survivors.

This driving force is the one-room bag-making factory in a roadside store, which was initiated by a few voluntary rescue workers with an aim to rehabilitate some of the Rana Plaza’s survivors.

The factory, which started four months ago with six machines, today has 26 machines and accommodates 20 workers with enough breathing space inside and a healthy working environment.

The factory, aptly named Oparajeyo

by Kazi Monir Hossain Rintu, the man behind the concept, makes cotton and jute bags for local and international buyers.

Rintu, founder of an agro firm Bangal Agro, volunteered to rescue workers from the wreckage of the caved-in Rana Plaza building for consecutive eleven days in Savar.

He along with his friends raised funds for the rescue service under an organisation named Mukto Tarunnno. Once the rescue work was over they had about Tk100,000 left.

“We were wondering what to do with the money and at the same time noticed how the workers,exasperated and stony broke,were waiting in queue for food like beggars. We decided to have a small setup for them,” Rintu told the Dhaka Tribune over phone.

“The factory is owned by the workers,” said Rintu. They receive around Tk3,500 for working nine hours a day, six days a week and are paid duly for putting in overtime. Fifty percent of the factory’s profit is equally distributed among the workers.

On top of that, Mukto Tarunno bears medical and educational expenses of the workers and their children. Workers at the factory said the hours are flexible

and they are satisfied.

“What this factory does for us cannot be compared to that of the Rana Plaza in any way,” said 22-year-old Helena.

“There is a lot of flexibility in our work hours. When we feel tired we are allowed to have a rest. Working at Rana Plaza was nothing like it.”

Helena, who used to work on the fourth floor in the Rana Plaza, said she had been helped by the organisation since the day Rana Plaza collapsed. Helena’s husband, who worked in the same building as well, has been missing since and she has not received any compensation from the government.

Saleh Ahmed, in charge of accounts and admin section at Oparajeyo, said they had rehabilitated workers depending on their needs. Some workers, for example, who lost their limbs in the disaster have now been put in charge of grocery stores or raising cattle.

Many of the workers were provided with sewing machines so that they can work at home.

Mukto Tarunno has so far rehabili-

tated 37 workers in their villages apart from the 20 who currently work at the factory. It is expected to be expanded in December which can then accommodate 50 workers and in January it will go for further expansion in view of assimilating around 200 workers.

The jute bags and cotton bags produced there are selling both in the domestic and international market. The factory was named Oparajeyo (meaning undefeated) in respect to the survivors of the Rana Plaza collapse who returned from the jaws of death.

“The message is: no matter however difficult it is, if people try they can stand tall and rise to the challenge of life. They can become invincible,” Rintu asserted.

Indeed, the workers at Oparajeyo looked confident and energetic while many others still remain devastated with their loss from the tragedy.

Mukto Tarunno’s initiative has landed these workers in a better place, in a niche for hopes of a better tomorrow in the same working field that had betrayed them only six months ago. l

Mohammad Zakaria

The Election Commission will cancel at least seven visible government facilities for the polls-time ministers and MPs in the new electoral code of conduct in case the polls are to be held under a partisan government.

The commission is specifying clearly in the electoral code of conduct to cancel the government facilities and prevent invisible political pressure to the administration to create level-playing field for all parties, EC officials said.

EC officials said normally ministers get gun salutes from the district administration and can direct their ministries to give facilities to election areas. MPs are part of law enforcing committees of their areas, presidents of the governing bodies of educational institutions and have the right to use government accommodations and transport.

The commission is going to add specific sections in the electoral code of conduct to cancel these visible facilities for preventing any type of pressure, the officials said.

Besides, the prime minister and the leader of the opposition or those who would be in power during the polls would not get any protocol. They also would not be able to use government transport, housing facilities or have personal secretaries and government employees as member of entourage during their election campaigns.

Chiefs of parties would only be allowed to use party flags in election campaigning. The EC would also post monitoring teams to prevent invisible pressure on administration.

Election Commissioner Zabed Ali yesterday said ministers and MPs would get security during election campaigning but would not get any facilities.

“If the polls are held as per the constitution, ministers and MPs would contest in the elections. The commission is preparing the draft electoral code of conduct so that none can get any government facilities during election campaigns. After completing the draft of electoral code of conduct, the EC would take suggestions from everyone,” Zabed added. l

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B2 CPD flays IMF’s

silence over scams in financial sector

B3 $24m initiative to improve working condition in RMG

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013

Business www.dhakatribune.com/business

Dhaka, Delhi to synchronise 16 land ports of high importance Two-day customs officials meet concludes n Syed Samiul Basher Anik Bangladesh and India have identified 16 Land Customs Stations (LCS) of high importance to facilitate bilateral trade and decided to synchronise them to provide improved trade facilitation services and prevent revenue leakage.

Out of the total 24 functional LCSs, 16 would be improved with synchronised working hours and days, and extension of the Car Pass system to allow movement of trucks up to the LCS of the importing country for uploading cargo, a joint meeting of the customs officials of both countries decided in Dhaka yesterday.

The decision emerged from the two-day meeting of the customs officials of Bangladesh and India that concluded yesterday. It was the ninth round of Joint Group of Customs (JGC) within the bilateral framework after the last one held in April last year in New Delhi.

Tamabil, Benapole, Burimari, Akhaura, Hilli, Banglabandha and other 10 LCSs will be considered as the model stations.

National Board of Revenue Chairman Ghulam Hussain and Indian revenue secretary Sumit Bose led their respective sides at the meeting.

Aimed at trade facilitation and combating evasion of duties and taxes, the meeting decided to improve infrastructure and customs procedure at the LCSs, improve institutional linkages between the customs administration at operational and policy levels and exchange of information for effective application of customs laws to facilitate trade and protect revenue.

To accomplish the task, the meeting decided the customs officials of two countries will travel to each other’s LCSs to exchange information and discuss improving coordination and resolving operational issues.

The foreign exchange reserve yesterday crossed $17bn for the first time, breaking all previous records, thanks to rising remittance inflows and export earnings.

“Higher remittance flow and export earnings have sent reserve to a new height,” said Bangladesh Bank Executive Director Mahfuzur Rahman.

The reserve is enough to meet more than

n Aminur Rahman Rasel A proposal to award the shallow sea block 11 in the Bay of Bengal is being placed at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs scheduled today.

‘We hope to sign the initial (a pre-PSC agreement) following the necessary approval by the cabinet committee’

NBR chairman Ghulam Hossain and Indian Revenue Secretary Sumit Bose exchange munuites of the 9th meeting of Joint Groip of Customs in Dhaka yesterday RAJIB DHAR “Local problems must be solved at the local level, thus we have decided free movement of customs officials to solve the issues at the LCS area where the problem occurs,” NBR Chairman Ghulam Hussain said.

“There will be focal officials to deal with each and every stations and thus, nominations for this officials will be completed within November 30 and it will come into operation from December 1.”

The other decisions includes keeping two customs stations of both side remain open for seven days. From the Indian side, Agartala and Petrapole and from Bangladesh side, Benapole and Akhaura will remain open for seven days effective from January 1 next year.

Bangladesh also requested India to allow testing certificates provided by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute (BSTI), to increase its export to India.

“Since India does not allow testing certificates from BSTI for a number of goods, it took days, weeks, sometimes a month to test the product at Indian zone and results in slow trade. We have thus requested India

Forex reserve hits $17b n Tribune Report

Government to consider awarding sea block 11 today

six months of the country’s import payment bill. The previous highest reserve was $16.04bn recorded on August 13 this year.

Bangladeshi expatriates remitted $800m in the first 18 days of this month to their families and relatives on occasion of Eid-ulAzha.

The export earnings rose to about $2.6bn in September, over 36% higher compared to the same month last year. The figure is 27% higher than the target of $2.04bn set for the month. l

to accept our testing reports,” said the NBR chairman. “Development at stations will be done wherever possible from both Bangladesh and Indian side.”

He said delay in truck unloading at Indian side creates hassles for the exporters and infrastructure is responsible for such delays. “To minimise the slow traffic and delay, problems will be sorted out soon and infrastructure will be developed in this regard.”

The Integrated Check Posts (ICP) at Akhaura-Agartala border will be operationalised from November 2013, while ICP’s at Benapole-Petrapole and Tamabil-Dawki borders are expected to be operationalised from 2014 and 2015 respectively.

The meeting also took decision to work towards facilitating travel by Maitree Express.

To stop smuggling, along with law enforcing agencies, automation has taken place in Bangladesh, and Bangladesh requested India to be automated as well, the chairman said.

The next JGC meeting is scheduled to be held in Delhi next year. l

The Energy and Mineral Resources Division (EMRD) would propose to award the block to a joint venture initiative of Santos and Kris Energy Limited to explore hydrocarbons under a production sharing contract, officials said.

“We hope to sign the initial (a pre-PSC agreement) following the necessary approval by the cabinet committee,” said a Petrobangla official.

The proposal is being placed at the meeting following an approval by the prime minister on September 20 based on submission of bid documents by the joint venture on July 29.

Santos and Kris Energy had offered to explore block 11 through conducting 870-line kilometres of mandatory 2D seismic survey, a 300sq-km 3D seismic survey, and drilling one well within the initial period of five years.

They would spend $32m for the exploratory well and other works, and would deposit bank guarantees worth $15m as proposed in the bidding.

Santos is currently producing gas at block 16 while Kris Energy has signed an agreement to takeover Tullow Bangladesh Limited’s operations at Bangura gas field of onshore block 9 for 16 years at an expense of $42.35m. l

2 State banks asked to plan ways to meet capital shortage n Tribune Report The Banking and Financial Institutions Division of finance ministry has asked the stateowned commercial banks to prepare their respective business plans on how to meet the capital shortage by October 30.

“If the banks fail to meet the capital shortage within the deadline, they would fall in trouble in operating properly,” said a banking division official. He said it would hinder the release of the fourth tranche of the IMF’s ECF credit.

The division apprised the banks of taking the measure vide a letter issued yesterday as instructed by Finance Minister AMA Muhith.

In the business plan, the banks should include the automation of banks, stress testing, formulation of guideline on liquidity risk, resolving the pending cases rapidly, settling down the audit objection, debt management guidelines, complying latest memorandum of understanding with Bangladesh Bank and realising cash from top 20 loan defaulters.

The move came after IMF imposing conditions in releasing the latest installment of US$130m. l

Software export makes big jump n Muhammad Zahidul Islam Bangladesh witnessed over 95% growth in software export during first two months of the fiscal compared to the same period a year ago.

Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed software export rose to $20.7m in July-August 2013 from $10.6m in the period in 2012. However, the earning falls short of the target set for the period by nearly 44%.

EPB source said the target was $36.87m.

BASIS president Shameem Ahsan attributed the growth to the expansion and the increased capacity of the country’s software industry.

“It (software sector) is more capable now and accommodate more entrepreneurs while the confidence has also gone high. All these have led to the big jump in export,” he said while talking to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Shameem Ahsan believes the fiscal’s total earning will cross the target set for the software export. The software export target of the FY2013-14 is $154.45m while the last year’s earning was $101.63m rising from $70.8m, showed EPB data.

However, the last year export figure didn’t include freelancers’ earning which worth $20m, said ICT secretary Nazrul Islam Khan.

He said: “As we are now more prepared than any time, our earning should be higher from the export of expertise.”

Nazrul Islam Khan is sure that the earning from freelancers will exceed $40m by the end of the fiscal. The target of earning from freelancers has been set at $36m. According to BASIS source, the country has over 20,000 active freelancers who are earning foreign currency.

Besides, a number of 15,000 to 20,000 workers are employed in the sector, said the source, adding that the software industry of Bangladesh has a demand of more workforce. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013

CPD flays IMF’s silence over scams in financial sector n Tribune Report Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), a civil society think-tank, yesterday flayed IMF’s silence over the scam-hit financial sector in Bangladesh.

“Deterioration of the performance of the banking sector took place at time when the economy remained under the disciplines imposed by the Fund’s extended credit facility programme,” CPD distinguished fellow Debapriya Bhattacharya told a programme in Dhaka.

He said the International Monetary Fund only talks about reformation in the financial sector, but not about the irregularities that hit in the sector last year.

“2013 was the year of disaster for the banking sector as it was enmeshed with a lot of financial scam,” he said.

Debapriya said the new VAT Act was introduced and the Banking Company Act was amended in line with the advice of the IMF. But it does not make any recommendation to prevent the irregularities in the banking sector, he said.

Some analysts predict the rolling out of new banks in the banking industry will bring competition among the banks, which will help reduce spread – a gap between deposit and lending rate—but it did not happen yet, he said.

Overall performance of the sector has not

been satisfactory in recent times as non-performing loans is increasing, credit growth to the private sector is decreasing and bank interest rate also remains high, said the CPD earlier in its second analytical review of macroeconomic performance in the FY 2013.

It also said that some big financial malpractices such as Hallmark Group and Bismillah Group scams had pushed the banking sector into a crisis of confidence, it said.

The amount of non-performing loans has piled up in the state-owned commercial banks at 23.87% of total such loans in 2012 due to financial scams of Hallmark and Bismillah groups which embezzled large amount of money.

The Hall-Mark scam, the biggest in the country’s banking sector, involves more than a Tk36bn swindle by Hall-Mark and five other companies from Sonali Bank’s Ruposhi Bangla Hotel branch between October 2011 and May last year.

Of the sum, Hall-Mark alone took almost Tk27bn. A section of bank officials helped the swindle, disbursing the loan against fake documents.

Last year the scam rattled the banking industry as it has a collateral effect on the sector as a whole.

Sonali Bank still owes dozens of public, private and multinational banks crores of taka as they had given acceptance to purchasing bills of Hall-Mark and the other companies. l

Banglalink grabs 12,000 3G clients in 12 days n Muhammad Zahidul Islam After the commercial launch, the mobile phone operator Banglalink has already attracted 12,000 3G customers.

The operator which had launched the third generation broadband service commercially on 10 October celebrated the achievement at a city hotel on Monday night. Its 3G launch on commercial basis was at some priority areas of the capital and the port city.

Banglalink is planning to reach its Khulna and Sylhet customers by this November.

In Dhaka, the operator launched 3G service in Gulshan, Banani, Old DOHS, Baridhara and Motijheel while in Chittagong the service is made available for the Agrabad area.

Officials said a 3G subscriber of Banglalink can also enjoy video calling along with other services. Banglalink is the first operator to offer its customers with 3G-enabled contents such as local radio apps, audio streaming and video streaming services, along with some useful mobile portals.

“Banglalink has always been at the forefront of telecommunication technology in Bangladesh – the commercial launch of 3G reiterates our resolve to make available the most

modern services so that our customers can start something new,” Ziad Shatara, chief executive officer of Banglalink, said at the function Post and Telecommunications Minister Advocate Sahara Khatun, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) chief Sunil Kanti Bose, National Board of Revenue (NBR) chairman Ghulam Hossain, chairman of parliamentary standing committee on telecommunications ministry Abdus Sattar, Telecommunications secretary Abu Bakar Siddique and ICT secretary Nazrul Islam, among others, were present at the function.

Pointing at the political instability, Sunil Kanti Bose said: “There is a tense situation looming large. But we are sure this will not be able to stop the growth of the country’s telecommunication sector.” In the 8 September auction, Banglalink bought 5 Megahertz spectrum on 2100 band and got 3G licence in a week.

Banglalink is the second operator to have commercially launched 3G service in the country after the aunction.

The sources concerned said mobile operator Airtel will launch the updated data service by 28 October while Robi will make it in next few days. l

Airtel launches 3G in Sylhet on trial basis

n Tribune Business Desk Airtel Bangladesh Ltd has recently started its 3G service on a trial basis in Sylhet.

Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury officially inaugurated the service as chief guest through a video call from Sylhet with Airtel’s CEO and Managing Director, Chris Tobit in Dhaka, said a press release.

Ariful Haque Chowdhury said: “We are hopeful that Airtel Bangladesh Limited’s initiative in introducing 3G network will create platform for enriching the scale of communication in Sylhet.”

“We believe that Airtel’s upcoming launch of 3G in Bangladesh will help further develop business opportunities and enable provision of education and health services across the country,” he added.

The Airtel 3G service will be made available commercially to the customers of Sylhet by this November. Airtel hopes to cover all the seven divisional headquarters and by January 2014. l

Etihad inks deal with Air Serbia

n Tribune Business Desk Etihad Airways signed a strategic partnership agreement with Air Serbia.

According to the deal, the company from the United Arab Emirates owns 49% stake in the Serbian airline, said a press release.

Etihad’s partner airline Air Serbia’s first airbus A319 landed in Belgrade on Saturday.

CEO of Air Serbia Dane Kondic was present at that time. l

New PBL officers get orientation

n Tribune Business Desk Pubali Bank Ltd (PBL) held orientation programme for the 121 newly recruited junior officers.

The function was organised at the bank’s auditorium in Dhaka recently, said a press release. PBL managing director Helal Ahmed Chowdhury was present as chief guest.

Additional managing director MA Halim Chowdhury and human resources division general manager Syed Aziz Ahmed also attended the function. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013

$24m initiative to improve working condition in RMG

Stocks rebound on political developments

n Tribune Report

n Tribune Report

Bangladesh and International Labour Organisation (ILO) yesterday launched a US$24.21m initiative, including a new Better Work programme, to improve the working condition in the readymade garment industry in the country.

Secretary of Economic Relations Division Md Abul Kalam Azad, ILO Country Director Srinivas B Reddy, British High Commissioner Robert Winnington Gibson and Netherlands Ambassador Gerben Sjoerd de Jong signed an agreement at a function in Dhaka.

“Bangladesh RMG sector has witnessed a tremendous growth over the last three decades … our products are now known worldwide because of good price and quality,” Finance Minister AMA Muhith said, launching the initiative.

United Kingdom and the Netherlands are contributing US$ 15 million to the project scheduled to be completed in December 2016, reports BSS. The ILO is mobilising further resources.

The main focus of the three-and-a-half

year project will be on building and fire safety assessment, strengthening labour inspection system and providing support in fire and building inspection, ensuring occupational safety and health awareness, rehabilitation and skills training for victims and implementation of better work programme, according to an ILO statement.

“Now we have joined by the goodwill of the buyers of the garments and our development partners in our efforts to ensure safety and security of factories and security and welfare of workers,” Muhith said.

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni highly appreciated the support and cooperation extended by the global community for ensuring safety and security of RMG workers. “There is deepening convergence of interests from the global community and Bangladesh to work together in supporting our RMG industry; least for supporting lives and livelihoods of four million of our people involved with the RMG industry.”

In a statement, ILO Director General Guy Ryder said: “The readymade garment industry is vital to Bangladesh’s economic growth,

but it needs to be safe and sustainable.”

He said the programme would support the National Tripartite Plan of Action on fire safety and structural integrity and would lead to lasting improvements in working conditions for the tens of thousands of garment factory workers in Bangladesh.

Gerben Sjoerd de Jong, Ambassador of the Netherlands, said: “Rana Plaza and Tazreen became the symbols of what is wrong in the RMG sector. Now, Bangladesh supported by the international community, has the chance to get it right.”

Sarah Cooke, head of the UK Department for International Development (DFID) in Bangladesh, said: “The sustainability of the readymade garment industry has a pivotal role to play in Bangladesh’s continued social and economic development. This programme is a key part of the UK’s approach to help ensure safe working conditions and improved productivity in the sector.”

Labour and Employment Minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju and ILO Deputy Director General Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo also spoke on the occasion. l

Apparel exporter faces ‘baseless’ case n Tribune Report The management of Aswad Composite Mills, a concern of Palmal Group that exports apparel products, yesterday claimed they fall victim of a baseless case filed by the administration.

They argued the case is baseless as the fire safety inspection report contradicts with the allegations brought against them about lacking fire safety measures.

Addressing a press conference in Dhaka, Managing Director Nafis Sikder said the allegations brought beyond the inspection report were fabricated, baseless and controversial.

The inspection team marked positive in 22 categories out of 50 while negative in one category and 27 categories kept unmarked, he said.

While filing the case on October 13, he added, the Department of Inspection of Factories and Establishments put negative marks on the categories which were earlier marked positive in the inspection report.

The plaintiff alleged that the inspection team found the factory did not preserve register of workers.

The allegations also included fire extinguishers were not placed as per laws, the factory did not register report on electric machinery check list, did not approve the working hours of workers, the factory has been extended but the management could not show the approval of extension during inspection, the number of exhaust fans and cooling system of machine room was not sufficient and walkway in the factory was very narrow.

The department served a notice to the

Nafis Sikder, Managng Director of Aswad Composite Mills, speaks at a press conference in Dhaka yesterday NASHIRUL ISLAM factory management, asking them to reply within seven days and to resolve the shortfalls of safety. But they did not respond with-

in the stipulated time.

Nafis said they did not receive any notice from the department about the allegations. l

3

Stocks rebounded yesterday, breaking seventh straight session losses as investors reacted positively to the latest political developments.

The market gained a winning streak with some fresh fund placed into large and midcap shares of fuel, financial institutions and engineering sector, and companies listed in the textile sector.

The benchmark DSEX index rose more than 50 points or 1.4% to 3,814, recovering from one and a half month low. The blue chip index DS30 was up 16 points or 1.3% to 1,375.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, closed at 7,494 with a rise of 29 points.

Positive development in the political front has sent the market to the positive terrain, said a stock dealer.

The main opposition BNP has sent a formal letter to Awami League (AL) yesterday morning, proposing a dialogue on poll-time interim government.

The market gained a winning streak with some fresh fund placed into large and midcap shares of fuel, financial institutions and engineering sector, and companies listed in the textile sector

Later in the day, AL General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam phoned BNP Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir confirming that he had received the letter from the opposition leader.

IDLC Investment said upbeat vibe persisted throughout the session with buying spree.

Additionally, expectation regarding upcoming quarterly earnings declaration created a technical stimulus amid investment community and assisted reversal pattern, it said.

Strong buying spree has helped DSE turnover close higher as it stood at Tk1.9bn, which was 13% higher over the previous session.

Of the total turnover, textile sector contributed nearly 23%, driven by Argon Denim that had the highest liquidity with turnover worth almost Tk147m.

After Argon Denim, other top turnover leaders were Envoy Textile, Delta Life Insurance, Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Ltd, Bangladesh Building System and Meghna Cement.

Out of the 286 issues traded, 248 issues advanced, 22 declined and 16 remained unchanged.

Blazing performance of textile and insurance sector along with other sectors, which were also in the green area, posting an overall good sectoral picture, according to the Zenith Investments Limited. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013

Indian FM: Rise in Indian banks’ bad loans ‘unacceptable’ n Reuters, New Delhi

The rise in bad loans at Indian banks is “unacceptable,” the finance minister said, adding he expects their non-performing assets (NPAs) to come down when the pace of economic growth picks up.

Indian state-run banks’ credit growth has been “satisfactory” and is expected to remain so for the rest of the fiscal year, while housing loans have shown a “very healthy” growth, P Chidambaram told reporters yesterday.

A slowing economy has adversely affected the demand for credit and led to a rise in bad loans at Indian banks. Net NPAs to net advances ratio of state-run lenders slipped to 1.8% at end-March 2013 from 1.5% a year earlier.

Rising bad loans have made banks more wary in lending, impeding the supply of domestic credit. l

Indian PM welcomes FDI from China n BSS Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said yesterday that India welcomes Chinese investment and the Chinese proposal to establish a Chinese Industrial Park in the country.

In a written interview with Chinese media based in India, the prime minister said India faces an unsustainable imbalance in its trade with China and one of the ways of overcoming the trade deficit is for India to attract larger flows of foreign direct investment (FDI) from China.

“We are happy that more Chinese firms are looking to India as an investment destination. During his visit to India in May 2013, Premier Li Keqiang suggested that we look at the option of establishing a Chinese Industrial Park in India where companies and firms from China could cluster together. We welcome this idea, “ he said.

He noted that recently a Chinese delegation visited India and had good discussions with concerned officials.

“We have also shown them a few possible sites for a Chinese Industrial Park. We will work with the Chinese side in implementing the idea,” said the prime minister.

On China’s proposal to promote the construction of Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor, the prime minister said India is promoting regional connectivity for balanced economic and infrastructure development and accelerating integration with its neighbors, including with Southeast Asia.

“We believe that the BCIM Economic Corridor can potentially reinforce our existing connectivity initiatives and we have expressed our support in principle to the idea during Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to India,” he said. l

File photo shows Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram speaks during an interview with Reuters in New Delhi

REUTERS

India, Russia for early implementation of IMF quota reform n BSS India and Russia yesterday pitched for implementation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) quota reforms latest by January to give more representation to the emerging economies in the multilateral institution.

“Russia and India stressed the necessity to create a more representative and legitimate international financial architecture.

“They agreed that the primary task in this connection was to complete the Fifteenth General Review of IMF Quotas not later than in January 2014,” said a joint statement issued after a summit meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

India has been maintaining that quota reforms are imperative to ensure IMF’s credibility, legitimacy and effectiveness.

India currently has a voting share of 2.44% in the Washington-based IMF. US has the highest voting share of 17.69%.

The joint statement further said that the G20 policy coordination process should pay more attention to monetary policy to protect the international financial system and prevent destabilisation of financial markets.

The two sides also stated that there were still numerous challenges relating to the growth of the world economy.

“They considered it necessary to boost multilateral cooperation in order to tackle these. They attach particular importance to the G20 as the primary forum for international economic cooperation,” the statement said.

Appreciating the outcome of the Saint Petersburg G20 Summit, the two sides un-

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh shake hands at a joint news conference after their meeting in Moscow REUTERS derlined the need for implementation of the recommendations to speed up economic growth, fiscal consolidation, job creation and liberalisation of trade.

Both the sides expressed satisfaction at the record level of bilateral trade of over $11bn reached in 2012.

They agreed that investment collaboration was an important component of economic cooperation, which could also help in increasing bilateral investment and trade.

The two nations welcomed identification of priority investment projects on both sides as an outcome of the first meeting of the India-Russia Working Group on Priority Invest-

ment Projects.

“The sides underlined the significant potential for cooperation in such sectors as oil and gas, pharmaceutical and medical industry, infrastructure, mining, automobiles, fertilisers, aviation, as well as in modernisation of industrial facilities located in the two countries,” the statement said.

The countries stressed the importance of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation (IGC) functioning as a key mechanism for developing bilateral interaction in the economic and investment fields. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013

5

China, Singapore to allow direct trading between currencies n AFP, Singapore China and Singapore have agreed to allow direct trading between each other’s currency, Singapore’s central bank said yesterday.

The move, along with other agreements on financial cooperation, is expected to bolster Singapore’s status as a leading offshore trading centre for the Chinese yuan, officially called the renminbi(RMB).

“China and Singapore will introduce direct currency trading between the Chinese yuan and Singapore dollar,” the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said in a statement, adding that details will be

announced separately.

The statement was issued after a meeting between senior officials from both countries led by Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and visiting Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.

China will also grant Singapore-based investors a 50bn yuan ($8.2bn) investment quota under its Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor programme, MAS said.

This would allow investors based in the city-state to use the yuan to invest in Chinese stocks and bonds.

The programme “will help to diversify the base of investors in China’s capital markets

and promote adoption of the RMB for investment”, MAS said.

China and Singapore will introduce direct currency trading between the Chinese yuan and Singapore dollar Chinese institutional investors will also be allowed to use the yuan to invest in Singapore’s capital markets.

“The new initiatives will further promote the international use of the renminbi through Singapore,” the MAS said.

Its managing director Ravi Menon added:

“Financial ties between the two countries have deepened considerably and Singapore is well placed to promote greater use of the RMB in international trade and investment in the years to come.”

China’s rise as the world’s second biggest economy has seen the yuan take on a bigger role in international financial markets.

Britain last week said that direct trading between the yuan and the British pound will be allowed.

China also has similar direct trading arrangements for the yuan with the US dollar, the Japanese yen and the Australian dollar. l

Adviser: China central bank set for modest policy tightening n Reuters, Beijing China’s central bank may tighten policy moderately as inflation creeps up, relying on money-market liquidity adjustments rather than blunt tools such as interest rate rises, a policy adviser to the central bank said yesterday.

Market expectations are growing that the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) may put a brake on the fast credit expansion seen in recent months, a view fuelled by its move on Tuesday to hold back from liquidity operations for the second day running.

“It (policy) will only be tightened slightly as inflation is rising. There are some concerns on bank lending,” Song Guoqing, an academic member of the central bank’s monetary policy committee, told Reuters.

“Policy fine-tuning will rely mainly on open market operations and I cannot see any possibility of changing interest rates or bank reserve ratios,” said Song, an influential economist at Peking University.

The annual consumer inflation rate crept up to a seven-month high of 3.1% in September as poor weather drove up food prices, data showed last week.

Yesterday, data showed home prices in China’s cities rose the most in nearly three years in September, adding to fears of a property bubble that is set to test policymakers ahead of a key economic reform meeting due next month.

Yet Song said consumer inflation rather than asset prices remained the benchmark indicator for the central bank in adjusting its policy.

Song said he did not foresee any further sharp rises in consumer prices as overall demand remains steady and there is limited upside for the world’s second-largest economy.

Consumer inflation is likely to be 3.1% in the fourth-quarter, bringing the full-year rate comfortably below the government target for 2013 of 3.5%, he said.

China’s central bank last week pledged to uphold its prudent policy with timely fine-tuning, while blaming capital inflows for much of the recent credit expansion. l

Bombardier’s CSeries aircraft takes off for its first test flight in Mirabel, Quebec

REUTERS

Business jet sales to top $18bn as buyers seek bigger planes n Reuters, New York Sales of business jets are expected reach $18.4bn this year, up about 8% from last year, a sign of further economic strengthening despite some pockets of weakness notably in Asia, according to a forecast by Honeywell Aerospace.

The forecast expects continued recovery from the economic low of 2009, and for growing demand for bigger jets with longer range, including those made by Bombardier Inc and Gulfstream, a unit of General Dynamics Corp.

The higher cost of the bigger jets will keep overall spending moving higher even as actual number of jets sold is expected to be down about 1% compared with last year because of problems in the supply chain that hampered manufacturing, Honeywell said.

The survey forecast up to 9,250 new business jets will be delivered through 2023, worth more than $250bn.

The number of jets expected to be purchased in Asia in the next five years fell in the latest survey from a year ago. Also, the Asian share of global demand over the next five years should drop to 5% from 7%, according to the survey, which tallies purchase expectations from more than 1,500 business jet operators around the world.

Asian buyers are expected to buy jets equivalent to 24% of their fleet in the next five years, down from an expected 34% in last year’s survey.

“Purchase expectation in China held strong,” said Rob Wilson, president of Honeywell’s business and general aviation division. “It was the Asia component around China that dropped,” including relatively slow growth in India.

The share of global demand in Latin America held steady at 18% the survey said, showing continued economic strength. Jet buyers are expected to replace or add to the equivalent of 39% of their fleets over the

next five years, also unchanged. However most of those purchase were expected in the next three years, in part because of older fleets in the region, especially in Brazil.

The share of global jet purchases in North America jumped to 61% in the latest survey from 53% a year ago, partly because of economic recovery and also reflecting weakness in Asia and Europe. The fleet turnover expectation rose to 28% over five years, compared with 25% previously.

Europe’s share of global demand fell to 12% from 18%, the survey found, reflecting a “fairly long period of weak growth,” Wilson said. “That may improve.”

European purchase expectations declined to 25%, well below the 30 to 33% figure reported in the past three years.

The European responses to the latest survey may be skewed, Wilson noted, because there were only minimal survey response from operators in Russia, which is typically a strong market. l

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Share

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013

DSE Broad Index: 3814.67 ⇑ 1.35%, Turnover: 1888.28 M.Tk ⇑ 12.99%, PE: 11.97 Turnover 2,055.07 MTk. ⇑ 11.69% October 22, 2013 MarketCap. 1,849.33 BTk. ⇑ 1.15% CSE All Share Index: 11809 ⇓ 1.37%, Turnover: 166.79 M Tk. ⇓ 1.22%, PE: 11.83 Combined Turnover Leader Argon Denims Limited-A Envoy Textiles Ltd-N Delta Life Insu. -Z BD Submarine Cable-A BD Building Systems -N

CompanyCode | EPS | BV | Volume Traded (Share) DSE/CSE: ClosePrice ⇓/⇑ Chn % | Avg.Price | Hi / Lo

BANK ABBANK | 2.95 | 32.60 | Vol. 139967 D: 23.00 ⇑ 1.32% | 22.97 | 24.10 / 20.50 C: 22.80 ⇑ 0.44% | 22.73 | 22.90 / 22.50 CITYBANK | 1.15 | 25.97 | Vol. 419049 D: 16.20 ⇑ 0.62% | 16.16 | 16.50 / 15.00 C: 15.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 15.97 | 16.20 / 15.80 IFIC | 1.10 | 18.34 | Vol. 347696 D: 20.60 ⇑ 1.48% | 20.52 | 21.80 / 18.40 C: 20.40 ⇑ 2.00% | 20.54 | 20.80 / 20.10 ISLAMIBANK | 3.78 | 27.16 | Vol. 192070 D: 33.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 33.63 | 34.00 / 31.90 C: 34.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 33.89 | 34.00 / 33.50 NBL | 1.05 | 15.76 | Vol. 1028668 D: 10.40 ⇑ 0.97% | 10.41 | 10.50 / 9.90 C: 10.40 ⇑ 0.97% | 10.41 | 10.50 / 10.30 PUBALIBANK | 1.92 | 21.18 | Vol. 91980 D: 30.90 ⇓ 0.32% | 30.93 | 31.10 / 28.00 C: 30.90 ⇓ 1.28% | 31.10 | 31.60 / 30.70 RUPALIBANK | 6.70 | 64.27 | Vol. 12000 D: 57.50 ⇑ 0.17% | 57.74 | 58.60 / 57.30 C: 59.00 ⇑ 2.61% | 59.00 | 59.00 / 59.00 UCBL | 1.90 | 21.72 | Vol. 849013 D: 18.00 ⇓ 0.55% | 18.01 | 18.10 / 16.30 C: 18.10 ⇑ 0.56% | 18.06 | 18.20 / 17.90 UTTARABANK | 3.42 | 26.97 | Vol. 109864 D: 25.50 ⇑ 0.39% | 25.52 | 25.60 / 23.00 C: 25.60 ⇑ 0.79% | 25.65 | 25.90 / 25.10 ICBIBANK | -1.60 | -13.03 | Vol. 382000 D: 5.50 ⇓ 3.51% | 5.60 | 5.80 / 5.50 EBL | 3.91 | 28.22 | Vol. 91200 D: 26.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 26.28 | 26.60 / 26.10 C: 25.90 ⇑ 2.78% | 25.99 | 26.30 / 25.80 ALARABANK | 2.03 | 14.91 | Vol. 227927 D: 14.10 ⇑ 2.17% | 14.00 | 15.00 / 12.60 C: 14.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 13.99 | 14.10 / 13.90 PRIMEBANK | 2.89 | 22.40 | Vol. 207170 D: 18.70 ⇑ 3.89% | 18.66 | 19.30 / 16.50 C: 18.70 ⇑ 4.47% | 18.71 | 19.00 / 18.50 SOUTHEASTB | 1.89 | 22.66 | Vol. 930273 D: 14.80 ⇑ 4.96% | 14.76 | 15.00 / 13.00 C: 14.70 ⇑ 3.52% | 14.52 | 14.90 / 14.10 DHAKABANK | 1.46 | 18.08 | Vol. 121309 D: 17.90 ⇑ 1.70% | 17.80 | 18.30 / 17.00 C: 17.80 ⇑ 1.71% | 17.80 | 18.00 / 17.50 NCCBANK | 1.90 | 15.88 | Vol. 289682 D: 10.80 ⇑ 0.93% | 10.77 | 11.10 / 9.80 C: 10.80 ⇑ 0.93% | 10.79 | 10.90 / 10.70 SIBL | 2.05 | 14.47 | Vol. 428990 D: 10.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 10.87 | 11.00 / 10.00 C: 11.00 ⇑ 2.80% | 11.03 | 11.10 / 10.80 DUTCHBANGL | 11.57 | 54.27 | Vol. 5500 D: 91.60 ⇓ 0.65% | 91.60 | 93.00 / 90.80 C: 91.50 ⇑ 3.98% | 91.50 | 91.50 / 91.50 MTBL | 1.17 | 17.27 | Vol. 20050 D: 14.80 ⇑ 2.78% | 14.78 | 15.00 / 14.20 C: 14.60 ⇑ 2.10% | 14.60 | 14.60 / 14.60 STANDBANKL | 2.33 | 14.41 | Vol. 479527 D: 13.00 ⇑ 3.17% | 12.94 | 13.10 / 11.50 C: 12.80 ⇑ 1.59% | 12.93 | 13.00 / 12.60 ONEBANKLTD | 2.35 | 15.34 | Vol. 560400 D: 14.20 ⇑ 1.43% | 14.24 | 14.40 / 12.70 C: 14.20 ⇑ 1.43% | 14.24 | 14.30 / 14.10 BANKASIA | 1.35 | 20.80 | Vol. 34046 D: 18.20 ⇑ 1.68% | 18.19 | 18.50 / 16.20 C: 18.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 18.24 | 18.50 / 18.20 MERCANBANK | 2.07 | 16.59 | Vol. 272287 D: 11.60 ⇑ 1.75% | 11.58 | 11.80 / 10.30 C: 11.60 ⇑ 0.87% | 11.57 | 11.70 / 11.50 EXIMBANK | 1.80 | 14.31 | Vol. 459202 D: 10.70 ⇑ 0.94% | 10.76 | 11.50 / 9.70 C: 10.90 ⇑ 2.83% | 10.82 | 10.90 / 10.00 JAMUNABANK | 2.47 | 18.56 | Vol. 58668 D: 13.20 ⇑ 1.54% | 13.13 | 13.30 / 11.80 C: 13.10 ⇑ 1.55% | 13.02 | 13.10 / 13.00 BRACBANK | 1.51 | 24.87 | Vol. 144541 D: 28.10 ⇑ 2.55% | 28.15 | 28.50 / 25.00 SHAHJABANK | 2.61 | 14.47 | Vol. 241884 D: 14.00 ⇑ 2.94% | 14.07 | 14.40 / 13.00 C: 14.20 ⇑ 2.90% | 14.05 | 14.20 / 13.80

TO M. Tk.

% of TTL

2785240

166.67

8.11

1944060

109.46

5.33

Vol.

16516 340280 1439000

Avg. P 59.84 56.31

77.93

3.79

4,718.33

65.00

3.16

191.02

62.86

3.06

PREMIERBAN | 1.18 | 13.95 | Vol. 343070 D: 9.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 9.01 | 9.20 / 8.70 C: 9.10 ⇓ 1.09% | 9.15 | 9.20 / 9.00 TRUSTBANK | 0.50 | 18.00 | Vol. 89924 D: 17.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 17.91 | 18.20 / 16.10 C: 17.70 ⇓ 1.12% | 17.70 | 17.70 / 17.70 FIRSTSBANK | 1.85 | 13.89 | Vol. 125301 D: 11.10 ⇑ 1.83% | 11.15 | 11.30 / 10.00 C: 11.10 ⇑ 0.91% | 11.09 | 11.30 / 10.90 NON BANKING F I IDLC | 4.43 | 29.18 | Vol. 50285 D: 55.10 ⇑ 1.85% | 55.16 | 55.90 / 53.00 C: 55.50 ⇑ 4.32% | 55.05 | 55.50 / 54.40 ULC | 1.80 | 14.90 | Vol. 58624 D: 25.90 ⇑ 3.60% | 25.81 | 27.00 / 24.00 UTTARAFIN | 7.16 | 41.54 | Vol. 34874 D: 71.00 ⇑ 0.28% | 70.69 | 71.30 / 69.70 C: 72.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 70.00 | 72.40 / 72.40 MIDASFIN | 0.16 | 10.21 | Vol. 6000 D: 32.00 ⇑ 6.67% | 32.00 | 32.00 / 32.00 FLEASEINT | 2.34 | 13.93 | Vol. 78338 D: 23.30 ⇑ 0.43% | 23.41 | 23.60 / 21.00 C: 23.10 ⇑ 3.13% | 23.08 | 23.10 / 23.00 PLFSL | 1.37 | 17.48 | Vol. 180684 D: 20.70 ⇑ 1.47% | 20.62 | 21.00 / 18.50 C: 20.70 ⇑ 1.97% | 20.66 | 20.90 / 20.40 PRIMEFIN | 0.87 | 17.88 | Vol. 132882 D: 21.30 ⇑ 1.43% | 21.23 | 21.60 / 19.50 C: 21.50 ⇑ 1.42% | 21.39 | 21.70 / 21.00 PREMIERLEA | 0.10 | 11.37 | Vol. 111590 D: 10.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 10.15 | 10.20 / 10.00 C: 10.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 10.18 | 10.40 / 10.00 ISLAMICFIN | 1.03 | 15.48 | Vol. 185719 D: 14.90 ⇑ 0.68% | 15.06 | 15.30 / 14.00 C: 15.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 15.18 | 15.50 / 15.00 LANKABAFIN | 1.61 | 31.07 | Vol. 134495 D: 52.60 ⇑ 2.53% | 52.44 | 53.00 / 49.00 C: 53.00 ⇑ 3.31% | 52.54 | 53.10 / 52.00 BIFC | 0.15 | 18.58 | Vol. 124429 D: 15.20 ⇑ 2.01% | 15.08 | 15.30 / 14.00 C: 15.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 15.08 | 15.50 / 14.80 IPDC | 1.23 | 19.43 | Vol. 165365 D: 18.50 ⇑ 4.52% | 18.46 | 19.00 / 17.70 C: 17.60 ⇑ 10.00% | 17.57 | 17.60 / 17.20 UNIONCAP | 0.54 | 17.85 | Vol. 11500 D: 27.60 ⇑ 1.10% | 27.68 | 28.00 / 27.50 C: 27.30 ⇓ 1.09% | 27.30 | 27.30 / 27.30 BDFINANCE | 0.57 | 14.77 | Vol. 73566 D: 20.00 ⇓ 1.48% | 20.06 | 20.50 / 19.50 C: 20.00 ⇑ 0.50% | 20.05 | 20.40 / 19.50 ILFSL | 0.35 | 12.19 | Vol. 166867 D: 13.50 ⇑ 1.50% | 13.48 | 14.00 / 12.50 C: 13.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 13.60 | 13.80 / 13.20 PHOENIXFIN | 2.46 | 19.39 | Vol. 118225 D: 28.70 ⇑ 4.36% | 28.28 | 28.90 / 27.00 C: 28.00 ⇑ 2.94% | 28.00 | 28.00 / 28.00 FASFIN | 0.19 | 13.56 | Vol. 151000 D: 13.70 ⇑ 1.48% | 13.66 | 13.90 / 13.40 C: 13.80 ⇑ 0.73% | 13.73 | 13.90 / 13.60 DBH | 4.47 | 21.27 | Vol. 35000 D: 51.80 ⇑ 0.97% | 51.73 | 52.20 / 51.40 C: 52.00 ⇓ 0.95% | 51.33 | 52.00 / 51.00 NHFIL | 0.57 | 12.70 | Vol. 245699 D: 28.70 ⇑ 2.14% | 28.89 | 29.40 / 26.00 C: 28.80 ⇑ 4.73% | 28.77 | 29.00 / 28.10 BAYLEASING | 0.72 | 25.55 | Vol. 190360 D: 27.00 ⇑ 4.25% | 26.72 | 27.10 / 24.00 C: 26.80 ⇑ 4.28% | 26.47 | 26.80 / 26.00 ICB | 89.23 | 607.74 | Vol. 6700 D: 1439 ⇑ 2.33% | 1435 | 1460 / 1400 C: 1450 ⇑ 2.18% | 1450 | 1450 / 1449 GSPFINANCE | 1.63 | 22.23 | Vol. 23475 D: 23.50 ⇑ 0.43% | 23.58 | 24.10 / 22.50 C: 23.90 ⇑ 1.70% | 23.85 | 23.90 / 23.80 FAREASTFIN | 0.68 | 13.64 | Vol. 562000 D: 15.20 ⇑ 0.66% | 15.33 | 15.60 / 15.10 C: 15.30 ⇑ 0.66% | 15.36 | 15.60 / 15.20 INVESTMENT 1STICB | 75.63 | 942.30 | Vol. 900 D: 880.1 ⇑ 3.00% | 880.00 | 890.0 / 860.0

43.68

DSE Gainer

C%

A%

CP

C%

A%

CP

Anwar Galvanizing-B

10.00

16.86

26.40

Kohinoor Chem-A

-8.39

-8.39

403.00

Savar Refractories-Z

10.00

10.00

66.00

Shampur Sugar-Z

-6.58

0.00

7.10

Modern Dyeing-B

9.84

8.88

77.00

Stylecraft-A

-5.38

-5.37

1190.00

Desh Garments-B

9.83

23.12

64.80

ICB Islamic Bank-Z

-3.51

-0.88

5.50

SummitAlliancePort.-A

9.80

9.52

26.90

6th ICB M F-A

-2.43

-1.90

44.20

2NDICB | 44.10 | 253.11 | Vol. 1200 D: 229.5 ⇓ 0.22% | 230.00 | 230.0 / 220.0 3RDICB | 26.16 | 235.16 | Vol. 400 D: 179.2 ⇑ 1.82% | 180.00 | 179.3 / 179.0 6THICB | 10.99 | 60.14 | Vol. 19800 D: 44.20 ⇓ 2.43% | 44.49 | 45.10 / 44.00 8THICB | 12.47 | 70.07 | Vol. 500 D: 48.80 ⇓ 0.41% | 48.80 | 48.80 / 48.80 1STBSRS | 14.43 | 161.88 | Vol. 65000 D: 82.90 ⇑ 0.73% | 82.98 | 83.00 / 82.40 C: 80.10 ⇓ 1.11% | 80.13 | 80.40 / 80.00 AIMS1STMF | 3.02 | 15.70 | Vol. 164200 D: 35.90 ⇑ 2.28% | 35.97 | 36.40 / 35.00 C: 35.70 ⇑ 2.29% | 35.68 | 36.20 / 35.20 ICBISLAMIC | 2.21 | 26.81 | Vol. 5000 D: 16.70 ⇑ 1.83% | 16.80 | 17.00 / 16.40 GRAMEEN1 | 6.26 | 33.23 | Vol. 302500 D: 41.40 ⇓ 0.48% | 41.61 | 42.60 / 41.00 C: 41.10 ⇓ 2.38% | 41.82 | 44.00 / 41.00 ICB1STNRB | 4.06 | 35.31 | Vol. 1000 D: 21.90 ⇑ 1.86% | 21.90 | 21.90 / 21.90 ICB2NDNRB | 2.49 | 16.24 | Vol. 87500 D: 8.70 ⇑ 2.35% | 8.65 | 8.80 / 8.50 C: 8.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 8.81 | 8.90 / 8.70 GRAMEENS2 | 2.17 | 16.41 | Vol. 642600 D: 15.30 ⇑ 2.00% | 15.20 | 15.50 / 14.90 C: 15.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 15.22 | 15.50 / 15.10 1STPRIMFMF | 0.64 | 11.63 | Vol. 580500 D: 20.00 ⇑ 4.71% | 19.98 | 20.40 / 19.30 C: 20.00 ⇑ 2.04% | 20.06 | 20.40 / 20.00 EBL1STMF | 0.55 | 12.62 | Vol. 216061 D: 6.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.53 | 6.60 / 6.30 C: 6.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.55 | 7.00 / 6.40 ICBAMCL2ND | 0.60 | 12.12 | Vol. 90000 D: 5.70 ⇑ 5.56% | 5.76 | 5.90 / 5.60 C: 5.70 ⇑ 7.55% | 5.66 | 5.80 / 5.20 ICBEPMF1S1 | 0.52 | 11.32 | Vol. 89000 D: 5.80 ⇑ 1.75% | 5.87 | 5.90 / 5.80 C: 5.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.73 | 5.80 / 5.70 TRUSTB1MF | 0.75 | 11.65 | Vol. 1113384 D: 7.10 ⇓ 1.39% | 7.18 | 7.60 / 6.50 C: 7.30 ⇓ 2.67% | 7.28 | 7.40 / 7.00 PRIME1ICBA | 0.42 | 11.18 | Vol. 13000 D: 5.10 ⇑ 2.00% | 5.20 | 5.20 / 5.10 C: 5.10 ⇑ 2.00% | 5.10 | 5.10 / 5.10 DBH1STMF | -1.12 | 10.15 | Vol. 144000 D: 5.30 ⇑ 1.92% | 5.33 | 5.40 / 5.20 C: 5.20 ⇑ 4.00% | 5.22 | 5.30 / 5.00 IFIC1STMF | 0.83 | 11.88 | Vol. 272785 D: 6.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.18 | 6.20 / 5.90 C: 6.20 ⇑ 1.64% | 6.19 | 6.20 / 5.50 PF1STMF | 0.51 | 11.11 | Vol. 53000 D: 5.20 ⇑ 1.96% | 5.22 | 5.30 / 5.10 C: 5.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.20 | 5.20 / 5.20 ICB3RDNRB | 0.00 | 10.60 | Vol. 196500 D: 4.90 ⇑ 2.08% | 4.99 | 5.00 / 4.90 C: 5.00 ⇑ 4.17% | 4.97 | 5.00 / 4.90 1JANATAMF | 0.78 | 10.68 | Vol. 100000 D: 5.60 ⇑ 1.82% | 5.64 | 5.70 / 5.60 C: 5.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.62 | 5.70 / 5.30 GREENDELMF | -0.82 | 9.72 | Vol. 145500 D: 5.00 ⇑ 2.04% | 5.08 | 5.10 / 5.00 C: 5.10 ⇑ 2.00% | 5.10 | 5.20 / 4.90 POPULAR1MF | 0.77 | 11.38 | Vol. 153067 D: 5.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.70 | 5.80 / 5.40 C: 5.60 ⇓ 1.75% | 5.64 | 5.70 / 5.60 IFILISLMF1 | 0.00 | 10.45 | Vol. 229500 D: 5.20 ⇑ 4.00% | 5.30 | 5.40 / 5.00 C: 5.20 ⇑ 1.96% | 5.12 | 5.30 / 5.00 PHPMF1 | 0.63 | 10.92 | Vol. 260000 D: 5.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.19 | 5.30 / 5.10 C: 5.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.14 | 5.30 / 5.10 AIBL1STIMF | -0.07 | 9.25 | Vol. 21500 D: 6.30 ⇑ 3.28% | 6.30 | 6.30 / 6.30 MBL1STMF | -0.16 | 9.08 | Vol. 41000 D: 6.10 ⇑ 1.67% | 6.10 | 6.20 / 6.10 C: 6.00 ⇓ 1.64% | 6.00 | 6.00 / 6.00 SEBL1STMF | 0.94 | 11.85 | Vol. 302400 D: 7.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.88 | 8.00 / 7.70 C: 7.80 ⇓ 1.27% | 7.99 | 8.00 / 7.80 RELIANCE1 | 0.95 | 10.33 | Vol. 206700 D: 7.80 ⇑ 1.30% | 7.89 | 8.00 / 7.70 C: 7.80 ⇑ 2.63% | 7.82 | 8.00 / 7.70

DSE Loser

LRGLOBMF1 | 0.50 | 10.82 | Vol. 82500 D: 7.40 ⇑ 2.78% | 7.53 | 7.70 / 7.30 ABB1STMF | 0.92 | 10.63 | Vol. 26500 D: 6.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.75 | 6.80 / 6.70 NLI1STMF | 1.17 | 12.22 | Vol. 999350 D: 8.70 ⇑ 4.82% | 8.67 | 8.90 / 8.20 C: 8.50 ⇑ 3.66% | 8.68 | 8.80 / 8.50 FBFIF | 1.30 | 10.27 | Vol. 500 D: 9.10 ⇑ 2.25% | 9.10 | 9.10 / 9.10 NCCBLMF1 | 1.16 | 10.48 | Vol. 22000 D: 8.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 8.55 | 8.80 / 8.50 ICBSONALI1 | 0.00 | 10.39 | Vol. 225000 D: 6.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.62 | 6.80 / 6.50 C: 6.50 ⇑ 3.17% | 6.46 | 6.60 / 6.40 EXIM1STMF | 0.00 | 10.91 | Vol. 2000 D: 7.40 ⇑ 7.25% | 7.40 | 7.40 / 7.40 ENGINEERING AFTABAUTO | 4.29 | 52.65 | Vol. 257859 D: 100.3 ⇑ 3.08% | 99.91 | 101.1 / 88.00 C: 101.0 ⇑ 4.66% | 99.93 | 99.90 / 100.0 AZIZPIPES | 0.39 | -42.04 | Vol. 16650 D: 19.00 ⇑ 9.20% | 18.68 | 19.10 / 17.20 C: 19.50 ⇑ 9.55% | 18.93 | 19.50 / 17.80 OLYMPIC | 5.94 | 14.91 | Vol. 61000 D: 192.4 ⇑ 3.00% | 192.26 | 194.5 / 190.0 BDLAMPS | -5.31 | 37.07 | Vol. 8650 D: 140.1 ⇑ 5.42% | 139.36 | 144.0 / 135.0 C: 141.7 ⇑ 7.02% | 139.41 | 142.0 / 135.5 ECABLES | 2.04 | 18.87 | Vol. 300 D: 71.60 ⇑ 6.55% | 73.33 | 72.50 / 70.10 MONNOSTAF | 5.31 | 44.78 | Vol. 1350 D: 299.2 ⇑ 8.45% | 299.26 | 300.0 / 297.0 SINGERBD | 9.99 | 45.74 | Vol. 43300 D: 189.4 ⇑ 1.77% | 189.16 | 190.7 / 187.5 C: 187.0 ⇑ 1.25% | 188.93 | 193.0 / 186.0 ATLASBANG | 11.98 | 207.70 | Vol. 9616 D: 159.4 ⇑ 1.85% | 160.25 | 162.4 / 141.0 BDAUTOCA | 0.25 | 6.23 | Vol. 46750 D: 36.70 ⇑ 9.55% | 36.58 | 36.80 / 34.30 QSMDRYCELL | 1.06 | 52.31 | Vol. 40500 D: 29.10 ⇑ 4.68% | 29.11 | 29.60 / 28.30 C: 28.20 ⇑ 3.30% | 28.60 | 29.00 / 28.20 RENWICKJA | 5.62 | -90.00 | Vol. 8950 D: 138.9 ⇑ 6.85% | 137.77 | 140.0 / 132.3 NTLTUBES | -2.52 | 312.10 | Vol. 33864 D: 67.80 ⇑ 4.31% | 67.95 | 69.00 / 63.00 BDTHAI | 0.43 | 39.35 | Vol. 385350 D: 28.00 ⇑ 8.95% | 27.75 | 28.20 / 25.70 C: 28.10 ⇑ 8.91% | 27.56 | 28.30 / 26.50 ANWARGALV | 0.51 | 8.08 | Vol. 162000 D: 26.40 ⇑ 10.00% | 26.13 | 26.40 / 24.90 C: 26.60 ⇑ 9.92% | 26.11 | 26.60 / 24.70 KAY&QUE | -3.89 | 6.03 | Vol. 5650 D: 15.70 ⇑ 5.37% | 15.80 | 15.90 / 15.30 RANFOUNDRY | 2.84 | 18.62 | Vol. 78500 D: 88.80 ⇑ 9.77% | 88.04 | 88.90 / 83.90 C: 83.60 ⇑ 8.57% | 83.57 | 84.70 / 83.00 SALAMCRST | 3.31 | 20.00 | Vol. 61600 D: 37.40 ⇑ 1.91% | 37.45 | 37.80 / 37.00 C: 38.60 ⇑ 4.32% | 38.27 | 38.60 / 35.00 GOLDENSON | 3.70 | 28.70 | Vol. 134896 D: 41.40 ⇑ 1.22% | 41.12 | 41.80 / 39.00 C: 41.70 ⇑ 1.96% | 41.68 | 41.90 / 41.50 BSRMSTEEL | 3.06 | 19.53 | Vol. 90255 D: 63.20 ⇑ 1.94% | 63.61 | 64.30 / 58.00 C: 63.70 ⇑ 3.75% | 64.79 | 66.50 / 63.50 NAVANACNG | 4.09 | 27.04 | Vol. 55116 D: 61.80 ⇑ 2.66% | 61.86 | 65.00 / 54.20 C: 61.60 ⇑ 1.65% | 61.40 | 62.40 / 60.60 DESHBANDHU | 0.26 | 10.67 | Vol. 253703 D: 17.00 ⇑ 3.03% | 17.07 | 17.50 / 15.00 C: 17.00 ⇑ 3.03% | 17.01 | 17.30 / 16.60 GPHISPAT | 2.11 | 15.27 | Vol. 23100 D: 40.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 40.68 | 41.30 / 38.00 BENGALWTL | 2.42 | 20.72 | Vol. 283400 D: 45.30 ⇑ 0.44% | 45.47 | 46.30 / 44.70 C: 45.10 ⇓ 0.22% | 45.26 | 45.70 / 43.50 BDBUILDING | 1.02 | 12.40 | Vol. 1439000 D: 43.20 ⇑ 0.93% | 43.68 | 44.80 / 42.00 C: 43.10 ⇑ 0.23% | 43.73 | 44.90 / 42.00 NPOLYMAR | 2.01 | 324.37 | Vol. 101600 D: 51.90 ⇑ 9.03% | 51.36 | 52.30 / 48.50 C: 52.60 ⇑ 7.79% | 51.48 | 53.00 / 47.30

FOOD & ALLIED APEXFOODS | 2.54 | 90.81 | Vol. 35650 D: 95.20 ⇑ 4.62% | 94.26 | 99.00 / 88.80 C: 95.00 ⇑ 7.95% | 94.90 | 96.80 / 90.40 BANGAS | 7.20 | 50.27 | Vol. 36235 D: 409.1 ⇑ 4.76% | 406.16 | 420.0 / 360.0 C: 407.5 ⇑ 2.39% | 404.17 | 410.0 / 400.0 BATBC | 65.69 | 117.22 | Vol. 450 D: 1527 ⇓ 0.22% | 1527 | 1540 / 1510 GEMINISEA | 10.88 | 9.69 | Vol. 250 D: 175.8 ⇑ 7.65% | 176.00 | 178.0 / 174.0 NTC | 29.88 | 110.05 | Vol. 50 D: 810.0 ⇑ 1.38% | 810.00 | 810.0 / 810.0 AMCL(PRAN) | 6.53 | 53.37 | Vol. 75300 D: 228.5 ⇑ 8.14% | 225.40 | 229.5 / 210.0 C: 229.0 ⇑ 6.46% | 225.25 | 232.0 / 219.0 SHYAMPSUG | -45.77 | -396.49 | Vol. 400 D: 7.10 ⇓ 6.58% | 7.50 | 7.20 / 7.10 FUWANGFOOD | 1.26 | 12.37 | Vol. 115276 D: 22.70 ⇑ 0.89% | 22.86 | 23.40 / 21.00 C: 23.20 ⇑ 2.65% | 23.22 | 23.50 / 22.70 MEGHNAPET | -0.58 | -1.02 | Vol. 8000 D: 7.60 ⇑ 8.57% | 7.63 | 7.70 / 7.40 MEGCONMILK | -6.68 | -16.22 | Vol. 16000 D: 7.40 ⇑ 7.25% | 7.44 | 7.50 / 6.80 BEACHHATCH | 1.01 | 12.48 | Vol. 527409 D: 22.70 ⇑ 1.79% | 22.85 | 23.40 / 21.00 C: 22.80 ⇑ 2.24% | 22.97 | 23.30 / 22.70 FINEFOODS | 0.05 | 10.63 | Vol. 318813 D: 19.10 ⇑ 9.77% | 18.86 | 19.10 / 16.40 C: 19.00 ⇑ 9.83% | 18.91 | 19.00 / 17.00 RDFOOD | 0.91 | 16.84 | Vol. 302109 D: 21.50 ⇑ 2.38% | 21.55 | 21.80 / 20.00 C: 21.60 ⇑ 2.86% | 21.44 | 21.80 / 21.10 GHAIL | 1.01 | 22.08 | Vol. 245640 D: 43.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 43.41 | 44.10 / 39.10 C: 43.60 ⇑ 1.16% | 43.50 | 44.50 / 42.50 FUEL & POWER LINDEBD | 31.71 | 144.00 | Vol. 13550 D: 606.9 ⇑ 1.39% | 605.83 | 611.9 / 605.0 PADMAOIL | 16.38 | 43.67 | Vol. 115680 D: 286.4 ⇑ 4.60% | 281.11 | 292.0 / 270.0 C: 286.0 ⇑ 4.72% | 281.99 | 292.0 / 275.0 EASTRNLUB | 6.32 | 68.68 | Vol. 3000 D: 329.4 ⇑ 8.71% | 329.33 | 329.5 / 328.0 BDWELDING | 0.33 | 16.82 | Vol. 332679 D: 21.40 ⇑ 7.54% | 21.18 | 21.60 / 20.20 C: 21.50 ⇑ 6.44% | 21.24 | 22.00 / 20.70 SUMITPOWER | 3.17 | 19.26 | Vol. 123129 D: 30.20 ⇑ 2.72% | 30.08 | 32.20 / 27.00 C: 30.30 ⇑ 1.34% | 30.16 | 30.40 / 30.00 DESCO | 2.80 | 35.25 | Vol. 35500 D: 70.40 ⇑ 0.14% | 70.91 | 73.00 / 70.30 C: 69.40 ⇑ 9.98% | 69.40 | 69.40 / 69.40 POWERGRID | 2.56 | 48.08 | Vol. 111000 D: 51.60 ⇓ 0.58% | 51.77 | 53.00 / 51.50 JAMUNAOIL | 22.78 | 50.24 | Vol. 94502 D: 224.1 ⇑ 1.36% | 222.56 | 225.2 / 221.1 C: 222.7 ⇑ 1.37% | 222.12 | 224.0 / 220.1 MPETROLEUM | 16.98 | 40.41 | Vol. 116090 D: 253.8 ⇑ 0.99% | 252.63 | 256.0 / 230.0 C: 254.0 ⇑ 1.40% | 253.52 | 255.0 / 252.1 TITASGAS | 9.01 | 36.56 | Vol. 206929 D: 77.80 ⇑ 0.39% | 77.84 | 78.40 / 72.00 C: 78.90 ⇑ 1.81% | 77.94 | 78.90 / 77.20 KPCL | 4.73 | 15.86 | Vol. 137412 D: 44.80 ⇑ 1.59% | 44.34 | 45.00 / 42.00 C: 45.00 ⇑ 2.27% | 44.51 | 45.00 / 44.00 BEDL | 1.48 | 19.43 | Vol. 246070 D: 25.10 ⇑ 1.21% | 25.14 | 25.50 / 23.00 C: 25.00 ⇑ 0.81% | 25.10 | 25.50 / 24.90 MJLBD | 2.73 | 30.24 | Vol. 44907 D: 69.30 ⇓ 0.72% | 69.41 | 70.30 / 64.00 C: 69.40 ⇑ 0.29% | 68.15 | 69.90 / 69.00 GBBPOWER | 1.86 | 22.63 | Vol. 216385 D: 24.80 ⇑ 1.22% | 24.92 | 25.50 / 22.50 C: 25.10 ⇑ 1.21% | 25.47 | 26.00 / 24.30 SPPCL | 3.81 | 23.34 | Vol. 276280 D: 47.30 ⇑ 1.94% | 47.48 | 48.30 / 44.00 C: 47.70 ⇑ 1.92% | 47.72 | 48.50 / 47.00 JUTE JUTESPINN | 2.06 | 17.42 | Vol. 7900 D: 111.9 ⇑ 9.38% | 110.00 | 112.3 / 105.0

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013

7

October 22, 2013 Sectotal Index: BANK: 31,636.90 ⇑ 1.02% NBFI: 18,835.42 ⇑ 2.03% INVS: 4,546.00 ⇑ 0.13% ENGG: 5,527.80 ⇑ 2.52% FOOD: 9,746.24 ⇑ 1.26% F&P: 9,674.89 ⇑ 2.31% TEXT: 3,039.42 ⇑ 3.09% PHAR: 16,550.90 ⇑ 0.59% PAPR: 1,010.56 ⇑ 4.60% SERV: 2,805.76 ⇑ 1.94% LEAT: 4,896.87 ⇑ 2.13% CERA: 468.13 ⇑ 1.07% CMNT: 4,271.90 ⇑ 1.50% INFO: 7,111.61 ⇑ 3.54% GINS: 9,044.40 ⇓ 0.77% LINS: 103,941.63 ⇑ 0.16% TELC: 1,268.20 ⇑ 1.21% MISC: 5,763.92 ⇑ 1.11% SONALIANSH | 5.54 | 218.80 | Vol. 7050 D: 138.8 ⇑ 0.51% | 140.00 | 144.9 / 138.1 TEXTILE AL-HAJTEX | 1.35 | 15.64 | Vol. 48991 D: 90.00 ⇑ 5.51% | 89.67 | 91.90 / 80.00 STYLECRAFT | 20.00 | 287.30 | Vol. 100 D: 1190 ⇓ 5.38% | 1190 | 1190 / 1190 RAHIMTEXT | 0.51 | 73.88 | Vol. 1750 D: 253.2 ⇑ 4.41% | 253.14 | 262.0 / 250.0 SAIHAMTEX | 2.75 | 29.50 | Vol. 187300 D: 29.40 ⇑ 1.73% | 29.22 | 29.70 / 28.60 C: 29.30 ⇑ 1.38% | 29.20 | 29.50 / 28.80 MODERNDYE | 0.91 | 10.37 | Vol. 550 D: 77.00 ⇑ 9.84% | 76.36 | 77.10 / 77.00 DSHGARME | 0.72 | 12.00 | Vol. 51900 D: 64.80 ⇑ 9.83% | 64.07 | 64.90 / 59.80 DULAMIACOT | -8.46 | -27.78 | Vol. 11400 D: 8.60 ⇑ 3.61% | 8.42 | 8.70 / 8.10 TALLUSPIN | 2.56 | 12.06 | Vol. 405400 D: 39.90 ⇑ 3.37% | 39.63 | 40.30 / 38.00 C: 39.80 ⇑ 3.38% | 39.73 | 40.00 / 39.10 APEXSPINN | 2.01 | 49.32 | Vol. 2600 D: 69.00 ⇑ 6.81% | 69.23 | 70.80 / 67.00 MITHUNKNIT | 4.54 | 30.39 | Vol. 84600 D: 82.80 ⇑ 0.73% | 83.43 | 85.40 / 81.50 C: 82.80 ⇓ 1.78% | 83.06 | 85.70 / 82.50 DELTASPINN | 3.06 | 18.12 | Vol. 232100 D: 31.10 ⇑ 8.36% | 30.71 | 31.40 / 28.50 C: 31.10 ⇑ 7.24% | 30.53 | 31.40 / 29.00 SONARGAON | 0.27 | 34.50 | Vol. 251875 D: 18.50 ⇑ 7.56% | 18.35 | 18.90 / 16.50 C: 18.90 ⇑ 8.62% | 18.75 | 19.00 / 18.00 PRIMETEX | 1.01 | 63.54 | Vol. 219500 D: 26.30 ⇑ 7.35% | 25.83 | 26.80 / 25.00 C: 26.20 ⇑ 8.26% | 25.67 | 26.60 / 25.10 ALLTEX | -0.11 | 23.81 | Vol. 124500 D: 7.90 ⇓ 1.25% | 7.97 | 8.20 / 7.90 C: 8.20 ⇑ 1.23% | 8.08 | 8.30 / 8.00 ANLIMAYARN | 1.19 | 11.01 | Vol. 119000 D: 35.40 ⇑ 3.51% | 35.27 | 36.00 / 34.60 C: 35.90 ⇑ 9.45% | 35.93 | 36.00 / 35.50 HRTEX | 2.08 | 14.92 | Vol. 120000 D: 36.50 ⇑ 7.04% | 35.97 | 37.00 / 34.50 C: 36.90 ⇑ 8.85% | 36.95 | 37.20 / 36.60 CMCKAMAL | 1.37 | 19.31 | Vol. 752713 D: 31.00 ⇑ 4.03% | 30.79 | 32.50 / 27.10 SAFKOSPINN | 0.95 | 21.78 | Vol. 279150 D: 23.00 ⇑ 5.50% | 22.92 | 23.30 / 20.80 C: 23.10 ⇑ 4.52% | 23.01 | 23.50 / 22.60 SQUARETEXT | 4.32 | 31.82 | Vol. 64100 D: 89.60 ⇑ 0.45% | 89.86 | 91.70 / 89.40 C: 89.10 ⇑ 0.91% | 88.55 | 89.10 / 88.00 METROSPIN | -1.00 | 19.59 | Vol. 187100 D: 16.30 ⇑ 3.16% | 16.25 | 16.70 / 15.80 C: 16.30 ⇑ 2.52% | 16.24 | 16.50 / 16.00 MAKSONSPIN | 0.16 | 20.55 | Vol. 1170540 D: 15.40 ⇑ 4.76% | 15.33 | 15.60 / 14.00 C: 15.50 ⇑ 4.73% | 15.33 | 15.60 / 15.00 DACCADYE | 1.21 | 31.13 | Vol. 217100 D: 26.90 ⇑ 3.46% | 26.91 | 27.40 / 26.00 C: 26.80 ⇑ 1.90% | 26.61 | 26.90 / 26.50 RNSPIN | 2.80 | 16.58 | Vol. 812882 D: 27.50 ⇑ 1.85% | 27.42 | 27.80 / 26.00 C: 27.50 ⇑ 1.85% | 27.44 | 27.70 / 27.00 BXSYNTH | 0.93 | 25.42 | Vol. 158309 D: 15.10 ⇑ 0.67% | 15.26 | 15.50 / 14.00 C: 15.30 ⇑ 0.66% | 15.27 | 15.50 / 15.10 MALEKSPIN | -1.44 | 46.87 | Vol. 370645 D: 23.10 ⇑ 2.67% | 23.06 | 23.50 / 20.40 C: 23.10 ⇑ 2.67% | 23.06 | 23.50 / 22.90 ZAHINTEX | 1.91 | 35.25 | Vol. 227150 D: 29.00 ⇑ 3.20% | 29.09 | 29.80 / 28.00 C: 29.00 ⇑ 9.85% | 28.67 | 29.00 / 27.00 SAIHAMCOT | 1.92 | 23.62 | Vol. 307000 D: 23.40 ⇑ 1.30% | 23.34 | 23.70 / 23.00 C: 23.30 ⇑ 1.75% | 23.33 | 23.80 / 22.80 GENNEXT | 1.68 | 15.15 | Vol. 851120 D: 22.10 ⇑ 2.31% | 22.07 | 22.40 / 20.00 C: 22.30 ⇑ 1.83% | 22.13 | 22.40 / 21.90 ENVOYTEX | 3.26 | 39.26 | Vol. 1944060 D: 56.80 ⇑ 3.46% | 56.28 | 57.30 / 50.00 C: 56.90 ⇑ 3.27% | 56.70 | 57.40 / 55.40 ARGONDENIM | 1.89 | 38.86 | Vol. 2785240 D: 62.30 ⇑ 8.73% | 59.85 | 63.00 / 51.60 C: 62.00 ⇑ 8.20% | 59.53 | 62.90 / 57.00

AGNISYSL | 1.07 | 25.52 | Vol. 107321 D: 22.00 ⇑ 2.80% | 21.94 | 22.30 / 20.00 C: 22.00 ⇑ 4.76% | 21.93 | 22.10 / 21.60 DAFODILCOM | 1.12 | 11.14 | Vol. 191087 D: 17.50 ⇑ 1.74% | 17.49 | 18.00 / 16.90 C: 17.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 17.41 | 17.70 / 17.00 AAMRATECH | 1.46 | 21.90 | Vol. 300150 D: 30.90 ⇑ 1.64% | 30.97 | 31.50 / 28.00 C: 30.70 ⇑ 0.99% | 30.91 | 31.90 / 30.10

FAMILYTEX | 3.72 | 14.68 | Vol. 268000 D: 37.90 ⇑ 1.34% | 37.83 | 38.10 / 37.60 C: 38.00 ⇑ 1.33% | 37.85 | 38.00 / 37.30 PHARMACEUTICAL & CHEMICAL AMBEEPHA | 3.94 | 26.15 | Vol. 6483 D: 248.2 ⇑ 8.15% | 242.41 | 249.3 / 229.5 C: 252.6 ⇑ 8.41% | 248.03 | 253.3 / 242.0 BXPHARMA | 3.77 | 52.55 | Vol. 334386 D: 40.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 40.23 | 41.00 / 38.00 C: 40.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 40.58 | 41.40 / 40.00 GLAXOSMITH | 20.25 | 123.32 | Vol. 150 D: 898.4 ⇑ 1.85% | 900.00 | 910.0 / 885.4 ACI | -5.82 | 126.42 | Vol. 5602 D: 157.1 ⇑ 4.25% | 156.45 | 159.0 / 150.0 C: 155.5 ⇑ 2.71% | 155.50 | 155.5 / 155.5 RENATA | 33.57 | 138.83 | Vol. 2463 D: 702.9 ⇑ 1.38% | 704.01 | 709.0 / 690.0 PHARMAID | 5.06 | 26.30 | Vol. 18450 D: 168.9 ⇑ 4.91% | 168.02 | 170.9 / 159.8 KOHINOOR | 9.52 | 10.49 | Vol. 1500 D: 403.0 ⇓ 8.39% | 403.00 | 403.0 / 403.0 IBNSINA | 3.44 | 34.02 | Vol. 86020 D: 103.0 ⇑ 7.85% | 101.18 | 103.7 / 96.50 C: 102.3 ⇑ 6.34% | 103.04 | 99.90 / 100.1 LIBRAINFU | 4.64 | 1565.37 | Vol. 4000 D: 394.6 ⇑ 7.76% | 394.75 | 398.0 / 355.0 ORIONINFU | 8.72 | 1.73 | Vol. 137600 D: 41.80 ⇑ 2.70% | 41.88 | 42.80 / 41.00 C: 41.80 ⇓ 1.42% | 41.81 | 42.50 / 41.50 SQURPHARMA | 6.93 | 37.18 | Vol. 218391 D: 175.4 ⇑ 0.29% | 175.21 | 176.0 / 159.0 C: 174.7 ⇑ 0.11% | 174.63 | 175.2 / 174.1 IMAMBUTTON | -1.68 | 5.67 | Vol. 8250 D: 8.60 ⇑ 8.86% | 8.60 | 8.60 / 8.60 C: 8.80 ⇑ 8.64% | 8.76 | 8.80 / 8.40 KEYACOSMET | 1.55 | 21.54 | Vol. 222600 D: 23.20 ⇑ 1.75% | 23.12 | 23.40 / 20.60 C: 23.20 ⇑ 2.20% | 23.12 | 23.40 / 23.00 BERGERPBL | 32.46 | 100.20 | Vol. 350 D: 802.1 ⇑ 1.10% | 802.86 | 814.0 / 771.1 ACIFORMULA | 3.33 | 38.08 | Vol. 6050 D: 76.50 ⇑ 2.68% | 75.97 | 77.00 / 72.00 MARICO | 27.53 | 62.47 | Vol. 2400 D: 768.0 ⇑ 1.60% | 766.38 | 773.0 / 756.0 C: 770.0 ⇑ 4.98% | 770.00 | 770.0 / 770.0 BEACONPHAR | 0.33 | 11.97 | Vol. 192650 D: 13.60 ⇑ 1.49% | 13.71 | 13.90 / 13.00 C: 13.70 ⇑ 1.48% | 13.73 | 14.00 / 13.50 ACTIVEFINE | 3.23 | 13.89 | Vol. 208724 D: 90.10 ⇑ 0.67% | 90.15 | 91.00 / 81.50 C: 89.60 ⇑ 0.67% | 89.15 | 91.00 / 89.00 SALVOCHEM | 0.68 | 10.57 | Vol. 428945 D: 20.10 ⇑ 1.01% | 20.03 | 20.50 / 18.00 C: 20.10 ⇑ 1.01% | 20.02 | 20.40 / 19.80 GHCL | 2.14 | 57.31 | Vol. 370000 D: 49.20 ⇓ 1.01% | 49.75 | 50.70 / 48.90 C: 49.30 ⇓ 0.60% | 49.94 | 51.00 / 48.70 ORIONPHARM | 5.02 | 68.68 | Vol. 778940 D: 54.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 54.29 | 57.00 / 49.00 C: 55.20 ⇑ 1.10% | 55.05 | 56.20 / 53.20 JMISMDL | 1.12 | 12.83 | Vol. 253500 D: 219.0 ⇑ 8.58% | 213.73 | 219.3 / 200.0 C: 219.2 ⇑ 8.62% | 215.97 | 219.4 / 205.0 CENTRALPHL | 1.62 | 12.24 | Vol. 341000 D: 32.30 ⇓ 0.62% | 32.46 | 33.40 / 32.00 C: 32.30 ⇓ 2.42% | 32.33 | 32.90 / 31.90 PAPER & PACKAGING HAKKANIPUL | 0.64 | 11.02 | Vol. 19000 D: 27.50 ⇑ 8.70% | 27.60 | 27.80 / 27.30 C: 27.80 ⇑ 6.51% | 27.85 | 28.70 / 24.20

SERVICE SAMORITA | 2.31 | 17.25 | Vol. 15000 D: 96.70 ⇑ 9.27% | 96.21 | 97.30 / 92.60 C: 97.00 ⇑ 9.85% | 97.00 | 97.00 / 97.00 SAPORTL | 1.23 | 38.39 | Vol. 852318 D: 26.90 ⇑ 9.80% | 26.57 | 26.90 / 23.00 C: 27.00 ⇑ 9.76% | 26.60 | 27.00 / 25.00 EHL | 2.87 | 18.48 | Vol. 121061 D: 52.80 ⇑ 1.15% | 52.89 | 53.50 / 48.00 C: 52.70 ⇑ 1.35% | 52.67 | 53.10 / 52.00 LEATHER APEXTANRY | 6.57 | 69.38 | Vol. 37600 D: 113.2 ⇑ 2.17% | 113.05 | 115.9 / 111.0 C: 112.0 ⇑ 1.63% | 112.00 | 112.0 / 112.0 BATASHOE | 49.12 | 135.53 | Vol. 1600 D: 674.8 ⇑ 1.14% | 675.00 | 682.7 / 670.0 APEXADELFT | 23.01 | 203.26 | Vol. 42400 D: 372.3 ⇑ 2.06% | 371.87 | 390.0 / 362.0 C: 370.0 ⇑ 4.23% | 366.67 | 370.0 / 365.0 LEGACYFOOT | 0.63 | 17.19 | Vol. 433097 D: 33.80 ⇑ 9.39% | 33.66 | 33.90 / 30.90 C: 33.90 ⇑ 9.71% | 33.49 | 33.90 / 30.00 CERAMIC MONNOCERA | 0.71 | 96.33 | Vol. 87000 D: 34.60 ⇑ 8.13% | 33.84 | 34.90 / 32.40 C: 33.00 ⇑ 10.00% | 33.00 | 33.00 / 33.00 STANCERAM | 1.07 | 15.97 | Vol. 9000 D: 38.40 ⇑ 9.71% | 38.44 | 38.50 / 38.40 FUWANGCER | 1.43 | 13.25 | Vol. 214210 D: 17.80 ⇑ 2.30% | 17.84 | 18.00 / 17.70 C: 18.00 ⇑ 4.05% | 17.82 | 18.00 / 17.10 SPCERAMICS | 0.62 | 30.92 | Vol. 150906 D: 15.50 ⇑ 1.31% | 15.53 | 15.80 / 14.60 C: 15.50 ⇑ 1.31% | 15.54 | 15.70 / 15.40 RAKCERAMIC | 1.98 | 16.76 | Vol. 360841 D: 48.00 ⇑ 0.42% | 48.26 | 48.50 / 43.90 C: 48.20 ⇑ 0.42% | 48.76 | 50.00 / 47.70 CEMENT HEIDELBCEM | 22.85 | 111.50 | Vol. 34900 D: 360.6 ⇑ 2.12% | 358.11 | 365.0 / 350.0 CONFIDCEM | 6.23 | 90.76 | Vol. 101284 D: 117.8 ⇑ 3.06% | 117.09 | 118.3 / 110.0 C: 116.7 ⇑ 2.55% | 117.00 | 117.9 / 116.0 MEGHNACEM | 6.28 | 33.81 | Vol. 384900 D: 124.7 ⇑ 4.61% | 125.74 | 131.1 / 120.0 C: 126.8 ⇑ 8.93% | 126.76 | 128.0 / 125.0 ARAMITCEM | 3.03 | 14.65 | Vol. 66000 D: 72.10 ⇑ 4.49% | 72.38 | 74.00 / 68.00 C: 71.20 ⇑ 4.71% | 71.20 | 71.20 / 71.20 LAFSURCEML | 1.60 | 7.22 | Vol. 283000 D: 33.10 ⇑ 0.61% | 33.20 | 33.40 / 33.10 C: 33.20 ⇑ 0.91% | 33.06 | 33.30 / 33.00 MICEMENT | 4.14 | 40.00 | Vol. 74660 D: 91.80 ⇑ 1.55% | 91.97 | 99.00 / 84.00 C: 91.70 ⇑ 0.88% | 91.95 | 94.50 / 91.50 PREMIERCEM | 3.59 | 22.92 | Vol. 173400 D: 101.2 ⇑ 5.42% | 100.73 | 102.9 / 97.60 C: 102.2 ⇑ 5.80% | 101.51 | 103.0 / 100.0 IT IINDUSTRIES ISNLTD | 0.28 | 17.31 | Vol. 209099 D: 18.40 ⇑ 9.52% | 18.35 | 18.40 / 16.80 C: 18.70 ⇑ 10.00% | 18.58 | 18.70 / 17.80 BDCOM | 1.00 | 14.91 | Vol. 408537 D: 27.30 ⇑ 4.20% | 27.13 | 27.80 / 26.00 C: 27.40 ⇑ 4.98% | 27.41 | 27.90 / 26.30 INTECH | 0.94 | 10.08 | Vol. 349633 D: 16.90 ⇑ 6.96% | 16.85 | 17.10 / 14.80 C: 17.10 ⇑ 6.88% | 16.92 | 17.30 / 16.30

GENERAL INSURANCE BGIC | 1.65 | 20.33 | Vol. 39367 D: 28.50 ⇑ 0.35% | 28.74 | 29.00 / 27.00 C: 28.30 ⇑ 1.07% | 28.30 | 28.30 / 28.30 GREENDELT | 4.05 | 64.44 | Vol. 21832 D: 92.60 ⇑ 3.70% | 92.30 | 94.50 / 82.50 UNITEDINS | 2.47 | 21.04 | Vol. 20000 D: 42.10 ⇑ 1.20% | 42.15 | 43.00 / 42.00 PEOPLESINS | 2.05 | 20.72 | Vol. 102950 D: 30.40 ⇑ 4.47% | 30.33 | 31.20 / 28.00 C: 29.50 ⇓ 1.99% | 29.53 | 29.60 / 29.50 EASTERNINS | 2.22 | 35.88 | Vol. 31000 D: 38.90 ⇑ 1.57% | 38.97 | 39.40 / 38.40 JANATAINS | 7.84 | 170.69 | Vol. 6029 D: 245.3 ⇑ 1.76% | 245.74 | 249.5 / 242.3 C: 240.5 ⇓ 1.84% | 240.68 | 244.0 / 240.0 PHENIXINS | 2.70 | 20.96 | Vol. 12632 D: 39.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 39.35 | 40.00 / 38.00 C: 41.00 ⇑ 2.50% | 41.00 | 41.00 / 41.00 EASTLAND | 4.06 | 23.29 | Vol. 29302 D: 46.50 ⇑ 1.31% | 46.56 | 47.00 / 42.00 C: 47.20 ⇓ 0.63% | 47.23 | 47.90 / 47.00 CENTRALINS | 1.54 | 19.04 | Vol. 2636 D: 29.00 ⇑ 0.35% | 29.21 | 29.30 / 28.00 KARNAPHULI | 1.56 | 19.42 | Vol. 68000 D: 22.60 ⇑ 1.80% | 22.69 | 23.20 / 22.30 RUPALIINS | 2.76 | 23.38 | Vol. 57440 D: 31.30 ⇑ 0.97% | 30.92 | 31.60 / 30.00 C: 30.60 ⇓ 1.29% | 30.64 | 30.80 / 30.60 FEDERALINS | 1.10 | 10.98 | Vol. 185845 D: 22.40 ⇑ 1.36% | 22.39 | 22.80 / 22.00 C: 22.30 ⇑ 0.90% | 22.28 | 22.70 / 22.00 PURABIGEN | 1.05 | 18.71 | Vol. 129000 D: 21.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 21.35 | 21.80 / 21.00 PRAGATIINS | 2.01 | 50.30 | Vol. 9494 D: 52.90 ⇑ 0.38% | 53.40 | 54.40 / 50.00 PRIMEINSUR | 2.14 | 14.14 | Vol. 3882 D: 31.30 ⇑ 2.29% | 31.24 | 31.60 / 28.50 C: 31.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 34.00 | 31.00 / 31.00 PIONEERINS | 3.11 | 23.84 | Vol. 13500 D: 65.00 ⇑ 0.15% | 65.11 | 65.80 / 64.50 MERCINS | 1.53 | 14.50 | Vol. 64500 D: 29.60 ⇑ 4.96% | 29.01 | 30.00 / 25.50 C: 28.70 ⇑ 9.96% | 28.53 | 28.70 / 28.00 AGRANINS | 1.73 | 14.39 | Vol. 7365 D: 27.20 ⇑ 0.37% | 27.22 | 27.30 / 26.00 GLOBALINS | 1.09 | 11.78 | Vol. 5704 D: 28.50 ⇑ 2.89% | 28.40 | 28.80 / 26.00 NITOLINS | 2.59 | 15.41 | Vol. 6370 D: 35.60 ⇑ 2.30% | 35.53 | 35.70 / 32.00 C: 35.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 35.30 | 35.50 / 35.50 ASIAPACINS | 1.84 | 13.76 | Vol. 3600 D: 29.20 ⇑ 5.80% | 29.10 | 29.80 / 27.60 SONARBAINS | 1.68 | 13.38 | Vol. 40000 D: 24.50 ⇑ 3.38% | 24.33 | 24.90 / 24.00 PARAMOUNT | 1.26 | 13.19 | Vol. 71677 D: 24.30 ⇑ 2.53% | 24.23 | 24.50 / 22.00 CITYGENINS | 1.65 | 14.26 | Vol. 57200 D: 27.30 ⇑ 1.49% | 27.58 | 28.40 / 25.00 C: 28.80 ⇑ 4.73% | 28.80 | 28.80 / 28.50 CONTININS | 1.41 | 15.68 | Vol. 166500 D: 30.20 ⇑ 3.07% | 30.12 | 30.60 / 29.60 C: 30.40 ⇑ 2.01% | 30.44 | 30.90 / 30.00 TAKAFULINS | 2.19 | 15.17 | Vol. 237671 D: 46.20 ⇑ 8.45% | 46.14 | 46.80 / 41.00 C: 45.80 ⇑ 4.09% | 44.91 | 45.80 / 44.50 STANDARINS | 2.58 | 13.99 | Vol. 9753 D: 39.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 39.27 | 39.50 / 37.00 NORTHRNINS | 1.77 | 11.15 | Vol. 18600 D: 44.60 ⇑ 2.06% | 44.70 | 45.40 / 44.00 C: 48.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 44.00 | 48.00 / 48.00 REPUBLIC | 2.14 | 12.42 | Vol. 183813 D: 40.10 ⇓ 0.74% | 40.37 | 41.50 / 39.70 C: 40.20 ⇓ 4.29% | 40.20 | 40.20 / 40.20 ASIAINS | 1.56 | 17.34 | Vol. 14729 D: 26.90 ⇑ 1.51% | 26.89 | 27.20 / 25.00

ISLAMIINS | 1.29 | 11.96 | Vol. 43716 D: 33.20 ⇑ 5.73% | 32.41 | 33.50 / 30.60 PROVATIINS | 1.90 | 14.30 | Vol. 43529 D: 28.20 ⇑ 2.17% | 28.34 | 29.40 / 25.00 C: 27.40 ⇑ 1.48% | 27.40 | 27.40 / 27.40 DHAKAINS | 2.84 | 18.02 | Vol. 37125 D: 39.40 ⇑ 2.34% | 39.37 | 39.80 / 37.00 LIFE INSURANCE NATLIFEINS | 12.34 | 80.99 | Vol. 1443 D: 239.2 ⇑ 0.59% | 239.09 | 245.0 / 232.3 DELTALIFE | 38.53 | 189.40 | Vol. 16516 D: 4777 ⇓ 2.00% | 4719 | 4900 / 4687 C: 4850 ⇑ 0.67% | 4699 | 4850 / 4630 SANDHANINS | 2.39 | 28.22 | Vol. 41311 D: 66.00 ⇑ 0.30% | 66.11 | 67.00 / 64.00 C: 67.60 ⇑ 0.90% | 67.82 | 68.00 / 67.50 POPULARLIF | 3.70 | 715.41 | Vol. 3500 D: 162.7 ⇑ 0.31% | 162.86 | 163.0 / 162.4 FAREASTLIF | 9.21 | 60.79 | Vol. 83336 D: 87.70 ⇑ 0.80% | 87.19 | 92.00 / 80.00 C: 88.70 ⇑ 1.72% | 88.48 | 88.70 / 88.00 MEGHNALIFE | 10.82 | 48.87 | Vol. 15220 D: 97.00 ⇑ 1.89% | 96.06 | 98.70 / 94.00 PROGRESLIF | 2.30 | 31.45 | Vol. 7000 D: 95.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 95.86 | 96.60 / 95.10 PRAGATILIF | 0.60 | 30.15 | Vol. 31000 D: 108.0 ⇑ 2.27% | 109.00 | 111.8 / 106.5 PRIMELIFE | 5.51 | 27.10 | Vol. 15677 D: 93.70 ⇑ 3.08% | 94.02 | 94.80 / 88.00 C: 90.00 ⇓ 1.64% | 90.00 | 90.00 / 90.00 RUPALILIFE | 3.75 | 31.25 | Vol. 25380 D: 92.60 ⇑ 1.20% | 92.64 | 93.00 / 91.00 C: 93.00 ⇓ 9.97% | 93.00 | 93.00 / 93.00 PADMALIFE | 1.63 | 25.76 | Vol. 43880 D: 56.60 ⇑ 0.18% | 57.07 | 58.50 / 51.10 C: 57.10 ⇑ 0.18% | 57.24 | 58.00 / 56.10 SUNLIFEINS | 0.00 | 0.00 | Vol. 76475 D: 55.00 ⇑ 1.48% | 55.25 | 56.60 / 51.80 C: 54.20 ⇑ 4.03% | 53.80 | 54.20 / 53.10 TELECOM GP | 12.96 | 26.26 | Vol. 138015 D: 181.4 ⇓ 0.06% | 181.52 | 182.8 / 177.0 C: 181.7 ⇑ 0.66% | 181.54 | 184.7 / 180.2 BSCCL | 5.82 | 26.38 | Vol. 340280 D: 190.7 ⇑ 2.69% | 191.01 | 195.0 / 180.0 C: 190.7 ⇑ 2.80% | 191.15 | 194.6 / 182.0 TRAVEL & LEISURE UNITEDAIR | 1.10 | 12.87 | Vol. 1870049 D: 15.30 ⇑ 0.66% | 15.32 | 16.00 / 14.00 C: 15.40 ⇑ 0.65% | 15.36 | 16.00 / 15.00 UNIQUEHRL | 4.02 | 86.29 | Vol. 372860 D: 80.40 ⇑ 1.26% | 79.95 | 80.80 / 71.50 C: 80.50 ⇑ 2.03% | 80.19 | 81.00 / 79.10 MISCELLANEOUS ARAMIT | 16.07 | 99.93 | Vol. 14900 D: 286.4 ⇑ 7.31% | 281.88 | 290.0 / 253.4 BSC | 1.77 | 565.82 | Vol. 42570 D: 450.5 ⇑ 2.15% | 450.74 | 459.0 / 440.0 C: 451.5 ⇑ 2.73% | 450.75 | 459.5 / 440.0 GQBALLPEN | 6.55 | 250.45 | Vol. 27600 D: 147.0 ⇑ 2.58% | 145.68 | 148.0 / 143.0 C: 144.8 ⇑ 0.42% | 145.20 | 146.0 / 144.0 USMANIAGL | 0.50 | 26.03 | Vol. 37676 D: 132.2 ⇑ 0.84% | 133.30 | 136.5 / 128.1 C: 132.5 ⇑ 5.75% | 134.52 | 137.8 / 132.0 SAVAREFR | 0.23 | 12.32 | Vol. 100 D: 66.00 ⇑ 10.00% | 66.00 | 66.00 / 66.00 BEXIMCO | 3.24 | 86.74 | Vol. 1495128 D: 26.50 ⇑ 0.76% | 26.45 | 28.00 / 23.70 C: 26.80 ⇑ 1.13% | 26.70 | 27.20 / 26.30 SINOBANGLA | 1.75 | 21.01 | Vol. 151000 D: 21.50 ⇑ 2.87% | 21.41 | 21.80 / 21.00 C: 21.20 ⇑ 1.44% | 21.20 | 21.50 / 21.00 MIRACLEIND | 0.14 | 14.90 | Vol. 318283 D: 16.00 ⇑ 8.84% | 15.78 | 16.10 / 14.70 C: 16.20 ⇑ 8.72% | 16.03 | 16.30 / 15.40 BOND IBBLPBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 140 D: 955.8 ⇓ 0.29% | 957.14 | 957.5 / 954.3 ACIZCBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 6 D: 875.0 ⇑ 0.57% | 833.33 | 875.5 / 875.0

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013

Reckitt Benckiser reviews pharma unit, could sell it n Reuters, London Consumer goods group Reckitt Benckiser is reviewing options for its pharmaceuticals unit, it said yesterday, effectively putting up for sale its prescription medicine for heroin addiction, which faces cheap, copycat competition.

Shares in the British company rose over 4.5% in early trading. Bank of America Merrill Lynch has valued the pharmaceuticals unit at about 2bn pounds ($3.2bn).

The business centers around the drug Suboxone, which Reckitt sells as a film that dissolves in the mouth. It is used to treat addiction to opioids like heroin. In the third quarter, its revenue fell 14% to 191m pounds.

The company, which also sells cleaning products and over-the-counter medicines, had said before that the right time to consider options for the pharmaceutical business would be following the launch of cheap, generic Suboxone tablets.

Reckitt Benckiser CEO Rakesh Kapoor speaks during the Reuters Global Consumer and Retail Summit in London REUTERS In February, US regulators approved two generic versions of the drug.

It expects the review to take some time,

and said it would update shareholders during the course of 2014.

Reckitt also reported a 5% rise in third-quarter revenue, which brought yearto-date revenue above analysts’ estimates.

For the first nine months of the year, total revenue, excluding the pharmaceuticals business, was 6.95bn pounds. Analysts on average were expecting 6.93bn pounds, according to a company-provided consensus.

Reckitt cited strength in emerging markets.

Looking ahead, the company nudged up its target for full-year net revenue growth, excluding the pharmaceuticals business and including the impact of acquisitions and divestments.

It now expects a rise of at least 6%, whereas it earlier forecast growth at the high end of the 5 to 6% range. The company cited strength of its recent acquisitions for the increase. l

Nokia launches first tablet, new phablets n AFP, Abu Dhabi Nokia, whose handset division is to be acquired

by Microsoft, launched its first-ever tablet computer in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

The Windows 10-inch screen tablet, Lumia 2520, was one of six devices unveiled, including two so-called “phablets” - large screen smartphones.

The Nokia Lumia 2520, available in red and white in a glossy finish as well as cyan and black in a matte finish, is to go on sale in the United States at an estimated price of $499 by the end of the year.

“Initial roll out is to begin broadly in the US as well as the UK and Finland, with additional countries to follow shortly after,” the company said in a statement.

“The award winning design, the breakthrough imaging innovation, and the new experiences that we have brought to you with the Lumia smartphones we are bringing them to the tablet,” Stephen Elop, executive vice president at Nokia Devices & Services, told reporters.

The device has a 6.7 MegaPixel camera and Zeiss optics.

The phablets, Lumia 1520 and a less-expensive Lumia 1320, have a six-inch screen.

The Nokia Lumia 1520 “delivers a brilliant image experience,” said Elop. “It has optical image stabilisation It has the latest technology to capture more details in every picture you take.”

Three new low-cost smartphones - Nokia Asha 500, Asha 502 and Asha 503 - are mainly targeted at developing markets in Asia and Africa.

Microsoft, which is trying to refocus the company around “devices and services” after missing the transition to mobile computing, announced in September it will buy Nokia’s mobile phone division.

The deal worth $7.2bn gives Microsoft Nokia’s mobile phone operations along with an

Nokia CEO, Canadian Stephen Elop, unveils the Nokia Lumia 1520 (displayed on the giant screen) during an event yesterday in Abu Dhabi AFP array of patents and licenses to help compete with rivals Google and Apple, as well as Samsung. Later on Tuesday in San Francisco, Apple was expected to show off slick new iPads to take on rival tablet makers in the runup to endof-year holidays.

Nokia pioneered the mobile phone and dominated the market for 14 years, until it was overtaken by South Korea’s Samsung in 2012 as

the top-selling brand.

The company, long the pride of Finland, was blindsided by the shift to smartphones and struggled to fight off increasing competition from Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy.

Microsoft and Nokia have been partnered since 2011, co-creating Nokia’s Lumia line of smartphones using Microsoft’s Windows Phone software. l

Fed won’t raise US rates until well into 2015, traders bet n Reuters Traders are betting the Federal Reserve will wait well into 2015 to raise interest rates after a US government report showed the labour market lost steam even before this month’s government shutdown.

US employers added just 148,000 jobs last month, the report showed.

Fed funds futures contracts rose as traders took that fairly weak reading to mean the Fed would likely raise rates even later than they had expected. The price of the contracts, tied to the Fed’s policy rate target, rises when traders see the Fed taking more time before raising rates.

In September Fed officials unexpectedly decided to stand pat rather than trim their $85bn a-month bond-purchase program, saying they needed more confirmation of labormarket improvement before reducing stimulus Futures prices now suggest the Fed will raise rates no earlier than April 2015, giving the probability of an increase in that month about 54%, according to CME Group’s Fed Watch, which generates probabilities based on the price of Fed funds futures traded at CME Group Inc’s Chicago Board of Trade.

Before the report, traders were giving a probability of about 59% for an April 2015 Fed interest-rate increase.

In September Fed officials unexpectedly decided to stand pat rather than trim their $85bn a-month bond-purchase program, saying they needed more confirmation of labor-market improvement before reducing stimulus.

They meet again next week.

Even before the report, a 16-day government shutdown that ended just last week has made even hawkish Fed policymakers loath to push for tapering the program.

The shutdown delayed data, including yesterday’s labour-market report, and will make it difficult to read the economy properly for months, some Fed officials have said.

The budget agreement that ended the shutdown funds the government and allows the Treasury to continue to borrow only through early next year, setting the nation up for a possible second shutdown.

“This really does push us into a January, February mode (for tapering) and if there is a shutdown possibly even further,” said Aaron Kohli, interest-rate strategist at BNP Paribas in New York. l