November 06, 2013

Long Form

5

Is BT Brinjal a mistake?

Kartik 22, 1420 Muharram 1, 1434 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 1 No 223

International

8

Tunisia crisis deepens after failure to pick new prime minister

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

Sport

15

HPWA condemns federation’s bans

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Gallows for 152 in BDR carnage case BNP leader Pintu and AL leader Torab get lifetime imprisonment for involvement in conspiracy kar Ali Manik and n Julfi Ashif Islam Shaon

A convict gives a blank look while DAD Tauhid (left) and another man are coming out from the special court after hearing the verdict against them SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Bitter feelings should be removed, court says in its observation kar Ali Manik and n Julfi Ashif Islam Shaon The Border Guard Bangladesh, formerly BDR, should be led by army officers as it had been before, but the military and paramilitary authorities should not engage the force in any commercial activities like the Daal-Bhat programme, a trial court observed yesterday.

The Operation Daal-Bhat had created resentment among the now-defunct Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) members against the officers deputed from army to the border force. The programme badly affected the force’s goodwill, professionalism and honesty. It could have been conducted by businessmen, the court said.

“No disciplined forces like the para-

Over 400 injured on second day of hartal n Kailash Sarkar More than 400 people, including police and journalists, were injured in violence across the country on the second day of the 60-hour-long hartal yesterday.

Pro-hartal pickets uprooted railway tracks, damaged and looted more than 100 homes, shops and offices and exploded around 250 crude bombs.

Police fired around 200 rounds of bullets and teargas canisters and arrested around 100 pickets.

At least 20 homes and 50 business centres were looted in Netrokona and 12 shops, all of them belonging to members of the Hindu community, were ransacked in Lalmonirhat.

In Kishoreganj, at least 150 people including policemen were injured  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

INSIDE Business

B3 As per World Bank recommendations, the government is going to form internal audit cells for different ministries. The process to form a cell pilot basis is in final stage and it is set to launch in next month.

News

3 Soon after the verdict on the BDR carnage case was read out family members of jawans and mutineers gave mixed reaction to the Dhaka Tribune.

Nation

7 The yield of Aman may be hampered in Gaibandha’s Saghat upazila this season as most of the paddy fields have been attacked with pests and the leaf blight disease.

n Intelligence system of the force should be restructured n Authorities should be cautious while selecting army officers for deputation and train them before appointment n The period of deputation could be extended, but retirement age of BGB members should be decreased n Establish schools and colleges to broaden scope for all children n Authorities should discourage members from living outside Pilkhana and build more residences n Consider sending BGB members on UN Peacekeeping missions n Provide 20% allowance as given to the army officers, and another 20% as risk allowance

military border force or the army should be involved in business like Daal-Bhat,” Judge Dr Mohammad Akhteruzzaman of the Third Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge observed in the verdict.

The judge said he had found a number of motives behind the bloody mutiny on February 25-26, 2009, such as shattering the moral strength of the army and the paramilitary force, tarnishing the image of the force abroad, and hampering foreign investment.

The court also gave a number of observations before delivering the verdict, which sentenced 152 BDR members to death and 161 mutineers to lifetime imprisonment for killing 74 people, including 57 army officers.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

JS passes controversial Grameen Bank bill n Kamran Reza Chowdhury Parliament yesterday passed a new law to govern Grameen Bank amid disagreement between the Awami League and Jatiya Party lawmakers, who praised Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, founder of the bank, for his propoor initiatives.

Jatiya Party MP Mujibul Haque questioned the justification of passing the Grameen Bank Bill 2013, a money bill, without prior assent of the president in line with the constitution.

He also asked whether the government should enact the much-talkedabout bill ahead of the national elections.

Countering the question, Finance Minister AMA Muhith at first admitted

that the proposed law was a money bill that required the president’s consent.

He later shifted stance to say that articles 81 and 82 of the constitution had not made it mandatory for the government to seek the president’s assent as the bill had nothing to do with imposing or reducing taxes.

Mujibul Haque discussed his amendments to the bill and proposals for eliciting public opinion and sending it to the selection committee before passage.

He said people had been getting wrong messages about the bill because the fates of a huge number of people were linked with it.

Dr Yunus had played a champion’s role to make the poor rural women  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

Ministers get ready to submit resignation n Mohosinul Karim Ministers have started preparing to submit their resignations to the prime minister within a week to pave the way for the formation of polls-time government.

The prime minister on Monday urged her cabinet colleagues to submit their resignations within a week so that she could finish the process of forming the polls-time government in 15 days.

“I am ready to submit resignation anytime,” Communications Minister Obaidul Quader said yesterday.

He also said: “[Many ministers] will

resign within the next week and the all-party government is likely to be formed within the third week of this month.”

After a meeting in his office, the minister also said: “The ministers, whose resignation letters will be accepted, will not remain in the all-party government.”

About the size of the ad hoc administration, Obaidul said: “It depends on the prime minister. We cannot say anything about that. However, the size of the all-party government will be small.”

The Awami League was getting  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

In an unprecedented verdict, a Dhaka court yesterday handed down death sentences to 151 former BDR personnel and at least one civilian in the BDR carnage case for killing 57 army officers and 17 civilians during a mutiny in the force’s Pilkhana headquarters on February 25-26, 2009.

The court also awarded life term jail to 161 accused including former BNP lawmaker Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu and a ward-level Awami League leader Torab Ali for their involvement in inciting and conspiring. The court also fined them different amounts of money.

A total of 846 people have been tried in the BDR carnage case out of a total of 850 accused. Four of the accused, all BDR personnel, died in jail during the trial. Of the 846 accused, 778 were former BDR personnel and 23 were civilians.

Some of the convicts broke into tears after the judge pronounced the sentences in a crowded courtroom, while some other shouted that “injustice” was done to them.

On the other hand, 277 of the accused came out of the court filled with joy as the judge exempted them because the prosecution failed to prove the allegations against them.

This was the first time in the history of the country’s judiciary that such an overwhelming number of people were convicted in a criminal case.

Judge Dr Mohammad Akhtaruzzam-

Wives of slain army men want to know the reasons behind mutiny n Muktasree Chakma Sathi Justice has been dispensed in the BDR killing case, but the wives of 10 army officials killed during the 2009 BDR mutiny are still unsure whether to be satisfied at the death sentences given to the disgruntled soldiers and why the uprising took place in the first place.

All they now want is quick execution of the sentences.

“We cannot say whether we are satisfied or dissatisfied at the verdict. The state took its due course and today the verdict was delivered. We have long waited for this verdict. Now, starts the waiting for its execution,” said Nehreen Ferdousi, wife of slain Col Md Mujibul Haq.

P3 MIXED REACTION

an of the Third Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court of Dhaka awarded rigorous imprisonment of different terms – ranging from one year to 20 years and monetary penalty – to the remaining 256 accused.

The accused have been convicted for several offences including murder, attempt to murder, conspiracy, incitement, wilfully causing injuries using lethal weapons or means, holding officers and their families hostage, looting armoury and using firearms without

She expressed concern that the executions were likely to linger as there would be appeals against the sentences.

Nasrin, wife of slain officer Maj Mohammad Saleh, said: “We want to know the exact reasons behind the mutiny. It is not clear from the verdict what the reasons were behind such brutality.”

She complained that the findings of the investigations into the incidents were still unknown to them.

Nehreen believes it is important that they learnt the reasons behind the mutiny that led to such horrible tragedy in their lives.

The verdict in the killing of 74, in

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2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Voters' list can be updated until polls schedule is announced

New political parties will have to fulfil the EC’s conditions to get registered

n Mohammad Zakaria The election commission will continue to update the voter list up to the announcement of the schedule for the upcoming parliamentary polls, confirmed Election Commissioner Zabed Ali yesterday.

This means those who are eligible to vote but were not on the list previously, still have time to get themselves enlisted.

However, the commissioner said the procedure of changing a voter’s area will be stopped today, as the commission will finalise the area-based voters’ list by mid-November.

“Those above 18 years of age could include their names in the voters’ list at their local election offices across the country,” he told media from his office.

In Dhaka, the election office is in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area while beyond the capital, voters can get listed at their respective upazila election offices.

The commissioner also said each every new political party will have to ful-

fil the EC’s conditions to get registered.

“The commission will publish a mass circular through the media asking for any demands or objections regarding the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNF) registration. The EC will decide on the circular in a day or two,” he said Main opposition BNP has already objected on registering the BNF with the EC. EC officials said, however, the commission has decided to allow “Television” as the BNF’s symbol.

Zabed Ali said there was no chance of allowing the new political parties with symbols which resemble the existing ones.

Asked about Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s registration, he said the commission will take its initiative on it after getting a copy of the High Court’s verdict.

On the electoral code of conduct, the election commissioner said the EC will examine the suggestions and opinions on the draft electoral code of conduct uploaded at the EC’s website.

Only then it will finalise the code for the next parliamentary elections. l

News

GB board, staff plan to protest bill n Asif Showkat The passage yesterday of the Grameen Bank Bill 2013 goes against the spirit of the Nobel Prize- winning microcredit pioneer organisation, Grameen Bank board member Tahsina Khatun told the Dhaka Tribune.

“8.4 million poor women will fight with the last drop of their blood to protect the lenders and borrowers of the bank against the government’s motive to destroy the poor people,” she said, “We may not be able to win a fight against the government but our fight will continue.”

Khatun, however, said she would not personally announce any agitation programme against the government.

The Grameen Bank Bill 2013 was passed by parliament yesterday. The parliamentary standing committee on the finance ministry last week recommended passage of the law without any major change.

Grameen Bank’s Karmachari Samiti (workers’ association) President M Samsul Alam told the Dhaka Tribune: “We will announce protest programmes against the government move on Wednesday but we do not want to disclose it now.”

He also said protest programmes may start from on November 7.

“Acting managing director M Shajahan is also with us to participate in the protest programmes, but we have some limitations as we are still working at Grameen Bank,” he said. Officials and staff of Grameen Bank observed protest programmes on November 3 at all offices of the Grameen Bank across the country against the new law. l

JS passes controversial Grameen Bank bill  PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

self-reliant by providing them with collateral-free loans, he added.

“Criticisms are there about the rate of interest that the Grameen Bank charges, but its rate is less than the rural money lenders,” said Haque amid protests from the ruling Awami League MPs. When the JP lawmaker sought more time, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury allowed him two additional minutes.

According to parliamentary rules, the finance minister then took floor and countered Haque’s speech.

“Dr Yunus is our country’s pride. He brought Nobel for us. But he could provide loans without collaterals because of the government,” Muhith said.

He also said the government had not proposed any change to the character of the Grameen Bank. The law was enacted in line with the directives of the Supreme Court.

The House then rejected Mujibul Haque’s proposals by voice vote, and subsequently passed the law.

Contents of the Bill The newly passed law will allow board meetings with the presence of three out of the 12 members of the board of directors. The government

will appoint three members to the board which can take any policy decision, bypassing the nine elected board members.

Critics say the government scrapped the Grameen Bank Ordinance 1983 only to “occupy” the bank that Dr Yunus had found. He was removed from the post of the managing director of the Bank on charges of violating rules.

The existing ordinance has the provision for holding the meeting with four directors.

The proposed law said the government would appoint a chairman from the three government-nominated directors to the Grameen Bank board.

In consultation with the board, the chairman will form a three to five-member selection committee, which will prepare a panel of three candidates for the post of the managing director – the chief executive of the microcredit bank that has 8.3 million borrowers.

Under the new bill, the central bank is the authority for appointing the managing director, who must have knowledge on rural economics, macroeconomics or microfinance.

The Grameen Bank Bill 2013 stipulates that the bank can provide loans to all landless people, with or without collateral, “for all economic activities”

other than foreign exchange conversion business.

The managing director will be a full-timer and serve upto 60 years of age.

Section 20 of the law says the bank cannot run any business beyond its mandated area or transact with any business entity.

The government alleged that the Grameen Bank had business links with 54 other companies such as the Grameenphone, Grameen Trust, Grameen Fund, Grameen Telecom, Grameen Cybernet, Grameen Shakti, Grameen Knitwear, Grameen Byabosa, and so on.

According to sections 34 and 35, the government can formulate rules to implement the Grameen Bank law, without violating any section of the law.

Section 36 says the government can issue any order to resolve any inconvenience that comes to the fore for the execution of the proposed law.

The finance minister on October 27 tabled the Grameen Bank Bill 2013 that went to the parliamentary standing committee for scrutiny. The watchdog on October 30 unanimously recommended its passage.

The House also enacted the Asian Reinsurance Corporation Bill 2013 to replace the Asian Reinsurance Corporation Ordinance 1978. l

Gallows for 152 in BDR carnage case  PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

authority, theft, extortion, robbery and destroying evidence of murders by hiding bodies.

Former BNP lawmaker Pintu has been convicted for his involvement with the conspiracy behind the carnage, while Awami League leader Torab Ali for inciting.

Five of the four accused deputy assistant directors (DAD) of former BDR – Tawhidul Alam, Nasir Uddin Khan, Mirza Habibur Rahman and A Jalil – have been awarded death sentences.

Another accused DAD Abdur Rahim died in jail during the trial.

DAD Nasir was identified as a kingpin of the mutiny, who ordered the shooting of many of the officers outside the Darbar Hall after having hem kneel down in a line with hands above their heads, case charges said.

Nasir was in the 44 Rifle Battalion that had spearheaded the Pilkhana mutiny. One of the soldiers of that battalion murdered the then BDR Director General Shakil Ahmed, whose wife was also killed in the mutiny.

Many of the offences committed during the 33-hour mutiny were carried out under the leadership of DAD Nasir, sepoy Salim Reza and others. The judge gave sepoy Salim death sentence.

Apart from the DADs, all the other accused have already been tried in BDR (now Border Guard Bangladesh) courts on mutiny charges.

Zakir Hossain, 32, was the only civilian whom the court had sent to the gallows. He is the son of BDR nayeb subader (retd) Kanchan Ali. The trial of the carnage case began in August 2011. Considering the number of accused and security of the court, the government built a special one-storey tin-shed structure at Bakshi

Torab Ali

Nasiruddin Pintu

Bazar near the Dhaka Central Jail.

A large number of law enforcers were deployed in and outside the temporary court complex of the court since early yesterday to ensure fool proof security.

Journalists and lawyers started gathering in and outside the courtroom since early morning. Police brought 813 imprisoned accused from jail to the specially built dock. The dock was protected by iron grills. Except for a few including Pintu and Torab and the two female accused, everyone else were in fetter.

Twenty of the accused are still on the run and 13 have been freed on bail.

The judge sat in the bench of the court room at around 12:30pm. Before pronouncing only the “operative part” of the verdict, judge Akhtaruzzaman gave a short introduction: “This case has been initiated against the backdrop of a tragic incident.”

He said many times his body shivered when he went through the testimonies of the witnesses who had given chilling descriptions of the bloodbath.

“The victims were not just killed.

The dead bodies were not given the due respect.”

The judge found some possible motives behind the carnage. After the mutiny, the force has been renamed to BGB. They had to bring on a lot of re-

forms to rebuild the force that guards about 4,000km of the country’s border.

The motives constituted various perspectives including political, economic, diplomatic, and social. The judge observed that military or para-military forces should not run any business venture.

The mutineers circulated a leaflet before the mutiny broke out. The Judge criticised this move saying if they had any demand they should have raised them before their high ups though proper channels.

The judge, however, said while some of the demands in the leaflet were logical, most baseless.

While he was reading out the part of the verdict containing the sentence, some of the convicts started shouting.

When the judge was reading out the list of the convicts given life term jail, one convict shouted: “There was no witness against me.” Another convict said: “The witness against me was false.” A middle-aged convicted kept on saying out loud: “I was not at Pilkhana during the mutiny.”

When police members were struggling to control them, a defence lawyer stood up and asked the convicts to keep silence because there were scopes to appeal against the verdict with the High Court. At one point they stopped shouting and were taken back to jail.

Some other convicts warned the judge: “Allah will deliver justice of this injustice.”

A similar situation arose when the death sentences were being pronounced.

Due to the shouting, at times it got difficult to get what the judge was saying. Even the judge had to pause for a while pronouncing the sentences.

Some 24 accused at the dock claimed

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Over 400 injured  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

as BNP-Jamaat activists clashed with Awami League men in Bhairab, Bazitpur and Kuliarchar upazilas in the morning.

Police foiled a procession of hartal supporters by charging batons and firing several rounds of rubber bullets in Bhairab, Bazitpur and Kuliarchar.

Police also dispersed a procession of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the student front of BNP, in Bazitpur at 11:30am.

In Chittagong, clashes between police and pickets left at least 13 people, including nine policemen and two journalists, injured. The pickets threw 50 crude bombs and vandalised 20 vehicles at different places in the district.

Police fired at least 50 rounds of teargas shells, shot gun bullets and rubber bullets and detained 25 people for hartal violence.

In the capital, more than 100 crude bombs were exploded in different areas of the capital’s Karwanbazar, Hatirjheel, Aftabnagar, Moghbazar, Rampura, Gulshan, Mohakhali, Khilgaon, Pallabi, Mirpur, Shakharibazar, Lakkhibazar

and Bangshal.

Five Awami League members were injured in a crude bomb blast in Motijheel.

Jubo Dal activist Md Akram Hoossain, 40, was arrested for his alleged involvement with the attack.

In Chandpur at least 50 people were injured in a three-hour-long clash between Awami League and BNP from 11am at Baharia Bazar in Sadar upazila where 10 shops were vandalised. At least 30 of the injured were AL men and the rest were from BNP. In Barisal, pro-hartal activists torched two buses, damaged four others and hurled three crude bombs while police fired 11 shots and arrested four from the spot.

In Khulna, around 30 pickets were arrested for attacking on police members on Sunday at Baka Bazar.

Railway communications on the Dhaka-Mymensingh route remained suspended for an hour when pickets removed 12 pins of a railway slipper on at Baghailyabari under Sreepur upazila around 5pm. l

Bitter feelings should be removed  PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

It said propaganda and conspiracy had been hatched to commit the heinous crime.

“There was lack in leadership management and in intelligence service.

I suggest that after this incident, the whole intelligence system of the force should be restructured,” the judge said.

The officers had failed to lead the troops while the detectives could not figure out the depth and extent of the conspiracy, suggesting that the officers should be appointed after training them properly and preparing them mentally to work with the new force.

The authorities should be cautious before selecting officers for deputation to the BDR. The period of deputation could be extended. The retirement age of BDR members should be decreased.

The court said old BDR members faced hurdles in doing hard work in the bordering areas. Moreover, they had to obey commands of army officers who were junior to them. If the age limit was lowered, these problems would be solved.

Army officers have been leading the force since 1795. Both the forces have a history of cooperation in saving the country. They fought together during the Liberation War. This history should be kept alive and the army officers should keep leading the border force, the court said.

Terming the bloodshed “tragic,” the court said: “The army officers were not merely killed. When I was reading the autopsy reports I was shocked.

“I know what respect a body should get after death. The jawans had grievances against the officials, but they did not show minimum respect [to the dead bodies].”

The court also identified some motives behind the killings, which might have been linked to the defence security of the country. There had been ef-

that they did not hear the verdict and so police could not take them back to jail.

The judge, who had already left the courtroom by then, had to come back to pronounce the verdict against 20.

But that was not all. He had to come back the third time to pronounce the verdict against the remaining four.

Besides, there were some errors in the copy of the verdict that the judge had read out. For example, the serial number sepoy Jasimuddin appeared both in the list of acquittal and the death sentences. Later, however, judge Akhtaruzzaman dropped Jasimuddin from the gallows list.

BNP leader Pintu sat in a chair quietly. He offered his Johr paryers on the dock. After hearing about his conviction, he told newsmen that there were false witnesses against him.

Only 10 widows of the 57 slain army officers came to the court amid opposition BNP-led 18 party alliance’s hartal.

Coming out of the courtroom, incumbent BGB chief Maj Gen Aziz said: “With this verdict, the families [of the deceased] will get some solace.

The souls of the martyrs will have some peace. I lost many of my coursemates [in the mutiny]. The verdict has brought some peace for me as well. I do not have any compassion for those who had been punished. We had been waiting for this verdict for a long time.

Finally, the BGB has been freed of the bloodstain.”

While the prosecution expressed satisfaction with the verdict, the defence as usual expressed disappointment and said they would appeal.

The widows, who were present in the courtroom, broke into tears after the verdict.

They said, they could not be satisfied until the verdict was implemented. l

forts to rift the mental strength of the BDR and army members.

There were social motives, too; the rebels wanted to demean the families of the army officers with a view to discouraging people from joining army in future.

“There might have been diplomatic reasons; for instance, presenting our well-organised forces as unruly before the world so that our country’s image is tarnished.

There are economic motives. If there is mismanagement in a force, the country will face turmoil. As a result, there will be no investment in the country and its economic backbone will be weakened by these attempts.”

The court noticed another reason behind the mutiny: a lack of mutual respect among the officers and the soldiers, which was evident during the trial.

Referring to the resentment expressed in the leaflets that the officers used luxurious Pajeros and lived in posh houses, the judge said: “They [soldiers] should keep in mind that they came to the profession by choice.

Those who deserved commission rank became officers and those who were fit as soldiers joined the force as soldiers.

It is usual that the government will provide facilities to the members as per their positions in the force.”

There was another reason for resentment among the BDR members: admitting their children to the educational institutes inside Pilkhana. The accused BDR members several times told the court that they had been deprived of getting extra quota there.

“The authorities should consider this issue and try to establish more schools and colleges to facilitate all children.”

The court also said many current and retired BDR members reside in the adjacent areas of Pilkhana because of

Malaysian PM due on November 17 n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on November 17 in response to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s invitation during the UN General Assembly in September.

Official talks between the two prime ministers are expected to focus on manpower export and investment issues. It will be only the second visit to Bangladesh by any Malaysian prime minister.

PM Najib Razak will come to Dhaka from Sri Lanka after attending the 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, foreign ministry officials said.

A foreign ministry official said: “In the talks, Bangladesh will emphasis on manpower export and potential investments from Malaysia.”

The Malaysian prime minister is also scheduled to inaugurate a hospital named “Sheikh Fazilatunnessa Memorial Specialised Hospital and Nursing College” which is managed by a Malaysian company, he added. l

accommodation crisis.

“Many general people were seen showing sympathy [towards the rebels] during the mutiny; they supplied water and food to the mutineers. The authorities should not let the force be used as a trade union. Thus, they should discourage living outside the compound and build more residential houses for them.”

Apart from army and police, a contingent of BDR members, including a few masterminds of the mutiny, were sent on UN peacekeeping missions in 2006-2007. But recruitment from the paramilitary force had stopped, “which left a negative impact [on the BDR members].”

The judge said: “In future, the authorities should take steps to recruit BDR members for the UN missions after discussing the issue with the UN. I am ordering the authorities to look into the matter.”

He suggested that the BDR members be given 20% allowance just like the army members and another 20% as risk allowance like the members of law enforcement agencies.

The court observed that preparing leaflets and posters could not be accepted as activities of a well-disciplined force. “They cannot hold secret meetings. Their activities were like underground political parties. I have read the leaflets. To me, most of the demands seemed irrational. A few of the demands were rational, though,” the judge said.

“I am the first court. I have delivered the sentences which seemed justified.

The convicts can go to the higher court [for appeal], if they think,” the court added.

The judge also said the trial, which took 56 months to complete, would have taken less time if a “separate court” had been established to hold the trial as per a High Court directive. l

Ministers get ready to submit  PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

prepared for the general elections and considered the BNP its main opponent, the minister added.

Food Minister Abdur Razzaque yesterday told the Dhaka Tribune that the resignation of the ministers would be effective from the day the polls-time government took charge. “The new government may take charge after the election schedule is announced. It may [therefore] take more time.”

Meanwhile, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu yesterday said the door for a dialogue and consensus would remain open even after the all-party interim government was formed.

He added that all government employees would report to the Election Commission starting from the day the election schedules are announced. The EC would have to announce the schedules keeping 45 days in hand for the

elections.

“The polls-time government will perform only the routine work. The EC can transfer or post any government official for the sake of holding a credible and fair election. The government employees will not be accountable to the interim government,” Inu said.

Regarding deployment of army during election, the minister said: “BNP is trying to give rise to controversy over army deployment. All the elections held under the 14-party alliance government were free and fair. The law enforcement agencies were enough and the army was not needed. The EC will make a decision in this regard.”

“When the government agreed to hold a dialogue, Khaleda Zia changed her stance after giving ultimatum for talks. Now she is playing stubborn about a non-party government. It is dangerous for democracy,” the minister said. l

Wives of slain army men want  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

cluding 57 army officials, during the mutiny on February 25-26, 2009 mentioned political, social, financial and diplomatic initiatives to tarnish the country’s image and break the morale of military forces as some on the reasons that had caused the mutiny in the erstwhile BDR. The wives of slain Col Mujibul Haq, Col M Anisuzzaman, Col Kazi Emdadul Haque, Col Shamsur Arefin, Lt Col Inshad Ibne Amin, Lt Col Shamsul Azam, Lt Col Abu Musa Aiyub Kaiser, Maj Kazi Mossadek Hossain, Maj M Saleh and Maj Mosharraf Hossain yesterday went to the temporary court set up in the Bakshibazar Alia Madrasa field to hear the judgement.

They arrived on the court premises

in a microbus around 11am. They sat in seats reserved for them but rarely talked to each other while waiting for the third Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge M Akhtaruzzaman to start the court.

After the verdict was delivered, Maj Tarik of Border Guard Bangladesh escorted them to a room for prosecution lawyers. Journalists were allowed to talk to them after around 45 minutes.

Royena Matin, wife of slain Lt Col Inshad Ibne Amin, said: “The faster the execution begins, the better. How can we say we are satisfied until the verdict is executed?”

Naznin Ahmed, wife of slain Col Kazi Emdadul Haque, said: “We also want to know who killed who. We want to know them by their names.” l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

3

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Joy for some, tears for others

Worried relatives Victim’s wife ‘satisfied’ with crowd Alia Madrasa BDR carnage n Syed Samiul Basher Anik Families of convicts cry ‘injustice’ while relatives of acquitted are happy The Bakshi Bazar Alia Madrasa ground verdict correspondent. pressed his satisfaction over the verdict inside the prison van they shouted at yesterday was teeming with people n Syed Samiul Basher Anik “I have waited for him for the last who came to watch the verdict on the them to know about the verdict. Some saying: “I am happy with the verdict Anisur Rahman Swapan, Barisal n Soon after the verdict on the BDR of the soldiers turned away to hide because my father was innocent and three-and-a-half years. Where will I go much-talked-about BDR carnage case.

The wife of late Colonel BM Zahid Hossain, who was killed in the May 25, 2009 mutiny by BDR, expressed her content yesterday over the verdict in the Pilkhana carnage case.

Nisrat Zahid Chhanda, who is now working as a teacher of Rajuk School and College, also thanked the almighty for getting justice.

She made the comments while talking to local journalists over phone yesterday afternoon, and added that the judgment was delayed but was declared at last.

Despite the request of high officials, she was unable to attend court during the verdict due to mental and physical weakness, so she watched TV reports the whole day instead, she said.

The government also deserved to be thanked for completing the trial within its tenure, Chhanda said, before adding that she only wanted eternal blessings from the almighty for her husband, and attention and help from every corner to rear her two sons properly to make them good and patriotic citizens like their father.

She said she had received all the assistances as per the rule of the armed forces, a special grant of Tk10 lakhs and employment at Rajuk School and College. l

carnage case was read out, family members of jawans and mutineers gave mixed reaction to the Dhaka Tribune.

Following the verdict this correspondent visited the central jail gate where over 100 family members of the BGB officials were waiting to learn what fate befell their near and dear ones.

They said they had been waiting at the jail gate from early morning to see their near and ones even if just for once.

Whenever a prison van was parked at the jail gate the families were trying to meet the accused but they were not allowed to do so.

As their eyes met their loved ones

tears in their eyes while many shouted back in rejoice.

The Dhaka Tribune talked to some of the family members and received mixed reaction on the verdict.

Families of the mutineers said it was an “injustice” while families of acquitted BGB officials expressed their satisfaction over the verdict.

A special court yesterday sentenced to death 152 mutineers, sentenced 161 mutineers for lifetime imprisonment, sentenced 263 people on different terms of imprisonment and acquitted 277 jawans in relation to murder and arson at the force’s Pilkhana headquarters on February 25-26, 2009.

Razibul Islam Hridoy, son of Lace Nayek Assistant Lutfor Rahman ex-

that was proved.”

Rahman’s wife Zahanara Begum said: “He was the only earning source of our family. He was in jail for the last three-and-a-half years. Finally, Allah has ensured justices to us.”

Jharna Akhter, wife of Sipahi Lablu Gazi, was wailing.

“What would be my future now?

He was on duty at Panchagar and the headquarters invited him to attend the annual programme, but he was given lifetime imprisonment. Is this justice?” she questioned.

Jharna, who got married to Gazi only two months before the carnage, is now broken. Jharna wants to appeal against the judgment but she cannot afford to file the appeal, she told this

now?”

Abdul Malek, uncle of Sipahi Robiul Islam, was yet to receive the judgement till 5.30pm. “I am yet to know about the verdict. I will meet him on Wednesday,” he said.

Malek has been living in a rickshaw garage for the last seven days because of his inability to stay in any hotel.

“I do not have any relatives in Dhaka. Some of my relatives gave me some money to visit Dhaka, but the money is already spent.

I will meet him [Malek] soon. If he is acquitted, I will take him back to the village,” Malek said adding: “But if he is convicted I alone have to go back to Rangpur as we do not have the ability to continue the case.” l

Verdict against Pintu ‘unfair’: Mirza Fakhrul n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla BNP acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir condemned the Special Court verdict handing down life imprisonment to former BNP MP Nasir Uddin Ahmed Pintu in the BDR carnage case yesterday.

Terming his conviction ‘unfair,’ he claimed that the former BNP lawmaker had no connection with the massacre in 2009.

“The government has hatched a conspiracy against BNP’s central Assistant Organisational Secretary Nasiruddin Pintu by framing him in a false case. He has been held in prison for more than four years in the dubious case filed in connection with the killings that took place inside the Pilkhana Headquarters of the BDR,” said Fakhrul in a press briefing at party’s Nayapaltan headquarters immediately after the BDR carnage verdict came out yesterday.

“He has been punished for a crime that was committed by someone else.

We strongly condemn this farce and demand his immediate and unconditional release,” Fakhrul said.

He said through media a number of Awami League leaders’ names came to forefront for their involved with the BDR carnage.

However, those leaders were not taken under cognisance, alleged spokesperson of the opposition party.

When asked about the party’s stance regarding the trial, Fakhrul said, “We have no comments over the process. It is the BDR’s concern.”

“Our leader Nasiruddin Ahmed was implicated unjustly, that is why we protest this verdict.” said Fakhrul. l

Chabot stresses good future relation with US n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

Clockwise from top left: Relatives of a former BDR soldier burst into tears after hearing the sentence against him; relatives rejoice after learning about their loved one’s acquittal; a convict reacts angrily to the verdict as he, along with others, is being taken back to the prison van; relatives of slain army officers enter the courtroom to hear the verdict in the BDR mutiny case SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN AND MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

1,102 on death row after BDR sentences n Kailash Sarkar

The number of convicts on death row rose to 1,102 after a court yesterday sentenced 152 members of the former Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) to capital punishment in connection with the Pilkhana carnage.

Meanwhile, all of the accused in the carnage have been kept at the Dhaka Central Jail with special security arrangements taken by the prison authorities and police.

Apart from the death penalties to 152 BDR men, the court also sentenced

161 others to life imprisonment and 263 to different terms, while acquitting 267.

A total of 74 people, including 57 army officers, were killed in Pilkhana in 2009.

Zahir Uddin Babar, assistant inspector general of the prisons, told the Dhaka Tribune that apart from the 152 BDR members, the number of detained convicts on death row totals 950.

“As we are yet to receive the court orders, the official number of the death row convicts will be 950 until November 5. After the court orders come, the number will rise to 1,102 officially,” he said.

Dhaka Jail’s Senior Superintendent Forman Ali said all the 850 accused were taken to Dhaka Central Jail after the verdict was delivered.

“When the court orders reach the jail, the convicts will be shifted to different jails as per the decision of the higher authorities,” said Forman Ali. Ali said apart from the 152 BDR members, there were 29 other death row convicts in his jail.

At present around 70,000 prisoners are housed in 68 jails in Bangladesh and of them around 19,000 are convicts and the rest are under trial and

detainees.

“Among the 19,000 convicts, around 7,000 are serving life,” said a jail official.

Meanwhile, as part of the special security arrangement, additional security forces have been deployed in and around the jail while police have imposed restriction on the movement on the roads surrounding Dhaka Central Jail.

Inspector General of Prisons Brig Gen Ashraful Islam Khan said, “We have enough capacity to accommodate all the convicts. Adequate security measures have been taken to keep all the convicts secured.” l

Nizami was present during Pabna atrocities

Fakhrul: Even AL allies want non-party government

n Udisa Islam

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

The prosecution in the war crimes case against Motiur Rahman Nizami yesterday claimed that the Jamaat chief was present when anti-liberation forces had massacred people in Pabna during the Liberation War. At the International Crimes Tribunal 1, conducting prosecutor Mohammad Ali argued for the third day on 11 of the 16 charges brought against the Nizami.

Today, prosecutor Tureen Afroz will argue on the other five charges.

In every charge, witnesses have claimed that Nizami was present at the time of atrocities in Pabna’s Santhia, while some said they had known the accused as chief of al-Badr, a paramilitary force that sided with the Pakistani occupation army, mentioned the prosecutor.

On charge number two, witness Tofazzal Hossain Master told in his deposition about the killing of Brishalikha and a rally at Rupshi School where Nizami had given instructions to kill the pro-liberation people.

The prosecutor argued that since the witness was a teacher, he would not lie about the Liberation War. “So it is proved that most of the atrocities in Pabna took place after the meeting of

An unusual crowd of several hundred people had gathered on the ground since early in the morning. Around 9am almost half the field was buzzing with members of law enforcement agencies, lawyers, journalists and observers.

Security was beefed up on the court premises with several contingents of police, Rapid Action Battalion and intelligence agencies.

The Alia Madrasa road and Bakhshi Bazar intersections were blocked with barricades and people’s movement was restricted there.

Shutters of many shops were pulled down; no rickshaws or vehicles were allowed to park in the area and people were discussing the verdict at tea stalls.

Bablu, uncle of accused Atikur Rahman, said: “We want justice. My nephew is innocent, we want him back.”

Meanwhile, when the accused were brought outside, many of them were silent, some rejoiced, while others shouted out dissatisfaction. An official, who was given death sentence, shouted: “I am Selim and I did not do anything wrong, but the court has given me death sentence. I want justice.”

Another convict blamed journalists, saying: “An official who had been with me was released, but the court has sentenced me to death.”

When Salahuddin Pintu came out, security personnel became very active and media were busy with taking his photos. Pintu smiled but kept mum. l

Nizami that held on May 10, 1971.”

When Ali was reading charge number 15, which is related to the establishment of a razakar camp in Santhia, the tribunal asked him whether he could relate the setting up of the camp with the incidents that had taken place by the order of Nizami.

The prosecutor then said Nizami had visited the camps repeatedly and given instructions. The tribunal then said: “To establish a razakar camp is not the precondition of carrying out atrocities. Go ahead.”

The prosecutor then concluded with charge 16 that deals with the killing of intellectuals. He cited the deposition of Shyamoli Nasrin Chowdhury, wife of martyred Dr Abdul Alim. “She gave sufficient evidence to prove the killing of intellectuals as she mentioned her husband’s abductor admitted that they had abducted Dr Alim upon instruction of Nizami.”

Meanwhile, the same tribunal deferred hearing on the indictment of Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Maulana Abdus Subhan until November 18 upon a defence petition.

Yesterday, junior defence counsel Gazi H Tamim submitted the petition saying they needed more time. l

The BNP has alleged that greed for power has prompted the government to move for a so-called all-party government to stage a unilateral election.

Except the ruling Awami League, none of its allies in the 14-party combine having representation in parliament, will join the election-time government as designed by the prime minister, it said.

“So it cannot be called an all-party government. Fourteen parties and probably Anwar Hossain Manju will be there,

and he has no representation in parliament,” said Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, acting secretary general of the party.

“We want to say, except Awami League, all the parties which have representation in parliament are in favour of election under a non-partisan government,” he said at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters on the second day of the opposition alliance’s 60-hour countrywide hartal.

Fakhrul claimed that a leader of its Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal had been killed and more than 600 leaders and activists of the BNP injured on the sec-

FM to join ASEM meet n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni is scheduled to fly to India on November 10 to attend the 11th Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in New Delhi due on November 11-12.

This will be the first participation of Bangladesh in the ASEM meeting as the country only became its member last year, a foreign ministry source said.

“We have requested a sideline meet-

ing with the Indian foreign minister but it is yet to be fixed,” the official said. If the meeting takes place, Dipu Moni might discuss political situation in Bangladesh, Land Boundary Agreement, Teesta Water Sharing and border killing with her Indian counterpart.

She might hold several other meetings, the official added. Dipu Moni is expected to go to Sri Lanka on November 12 to attend the 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. l

ond day of the shutdown.

He reiterated the party’s stance against participating in any sort of all-party government and also in any unilateral election. “The government is creating anarchy centring hartal. The ruling Awami League cadres along with the law enforcers created a confrontational situation in the country.”

He also accused the ruling party men of attacking the Hindus in Pabna. “As part of the government’s conspiracy, the incident took place in Pabna to destroy communal harmony. We harshly condemned such incident.” l

US Representative Steve Chabot has hoped that whoever comes to power in the next election will maintain good relationship with Washington.

“We cooperated in a whole range of things from fighting against terrorism, trade and we have common values and I expect that the relationship to continue whichever person is successful in the upcoming election,” he said after a meeting with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan residence yesterday.

This is Chabot’s second visit to Bangladesh – his previous visit being in 2006 when Khaleda was the prime minister. He had meetings with her and also with Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina, then in opposition. Chabot will meet Hasina today.

The congressman asked both the sides to prevent and stop any violence.

BNP Vice-Chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury said the party’s position on holding the elections was explained to the US congressman. Khaleda told Chabot that her party was ready to sit in a dialogue “if it gets response from the government.”

After a meeting with Foreign Minister Dipu Moni in the morning, Chabot said there was no room for violence by either side in Bangladesh and strongly urged both sides to be peaceful. l

Correction The report titled “‘Chief executor’ Ashraf remains little known” published yesterday in the Dhaka Tribune mistakenly attributed a quote to the tribunal.

The quotation was: “The reports published in newspapers are not well authoritative and sourced. The prosecution failed to prove that the alleged diary was written by Ashrafuzzaman, thus, he cannot be connected with it.”

It had actually been said by the defence to the court during the trial. The tribunal only mentioned it in the judgement under the section titled “Brief of summing up of case for accused Ashrafuzzaman Khan.”

However, citing a book, the tribunal also said it was convinced that the diary was maintained by and belonged to the convict.

We regret the unintentional mistake. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Government to buy 350,000 tonnes of rice n Mohosinul Karim The government has decided to procure around 350,000 tonnes of Aman rice locally, to increase the stock of food grains for ensuring the country’s food security.

The Food Planning and Monitoring Committee (FPMC) under the food ministry reached the decision at one of its meetings yesterday.

Chief of the Committee, Food Minister Abdur Razzaque chaired the meeting while other members of the committee, Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Agriculture Minister Motia Chowdhury, Food Secretary Mushfeka Iqfat and Director General of the Directorate General of Food, Ahammad Hossain Khan were also present.

After the meeting, the food minister told the media that the government has made a decision to procure Aman rice locally to increase the food stock of the country while ensuring a reasonable price for farmers.

However, the committee could not decide on fixing the price of rice as it has gone up recently because of the repeated nationwide shutdowns, called

AL MPs acquitted from graft case n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A Dhaka court yesterday acquitted former Awami League state minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain and former Shariatpur 1 MP Master Mujibur Rahman from a corruption case.

Dhaka Divisional Special Judge Md. Nurul Islam passed the acquittal in presence of the two. A total of five out of 10 prosecution witnesses have testified in court regarding the case.

Investigation Officer Jalal Uddin Ahmed pressed charges on June 24, 2002. The court framed charges against them on November 28 that year.

According to the allegations, former MP Master Mujibur Rahman was the owner of a house in Dhaka city, but hid this information while filing an application for a government allotted piece of land. The plots were being allotted under the condition that no house owner in Dhaka city could file an application.

The investigation officer mentioned in the charge sheet that the MP had gotten the allotment through undue influence and misuse of power.

Rajdhani Unnayan Kattripakha allotted a five-katha plot in Uttara to Master Mujibur Rahman MP. Jalal Uddin Ahmed, director of AntiCorruption Bureau, filed the case with Motijheel police station against the accused on April 1, 2002. l

WEATHER

Dry weather likely n UNB Weather is likely to remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country until 6pm today.

Light to moderate fog might occur at places over Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dhaka, and Sylhet divisions and the regions of Comilla and Rangamati during late night till morning, Met Office said.

Night temperature may fall by 1-2 degree Celsius and day temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.

The sun sets in the capital at 5:17pm today and rises at 6:08am tomorrow.

Country’s highest temperature 31.2 degree Celsius was recorded at Kutubdia and lowest 17.3 degrees at Srimangal yesterday.

Highest and lowest temperatures recorded in some major cities yesterday were: City

High

Low

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

29.4 29.0 28.6 27.8 30.5 29.6 29.9 31.0

20.8 20.6 19.8 19.5 21.2 20.6 19.0 20.8

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

4:51am 6:07am 11:42am 3:41pm 5:16pm 6:34pm

Source: IslamicFinder.org

by the opposition, and some other reasons.

“We have decided to wait on fixing the price in order to observe the market and for the political situation to become stable,” he said.

“A meeting will be called within the next 15 days to fix the price of rice, considering the production cost of Aman rice this season. But, it will not be less than TK29 per kg as the production cost of rice was TK25.42 per kg this season,” the minister said.

He said food grain stock in the country now stood around 1.1 million tonnes, which was 1.5million tonnes in the previous year. As the stock has reduced this year, the government has decided to initiate the procurement so that the country does not face a food crisis.

The target of Aman production this year has been set to 13.2million tonnes.

Razzaque also said the government has decided to allocate money instead of food grains in the “Food for Work” programme under the disaster management and relief ministry. It would also help maintain the country’s food stock. l

Jubo Mahila Awami League activists chased BNP lawmakers when they were coming out after a pro-hartal procession from the Parliament’s South plaza yesterday

SEPARATE PAY SCALE FOR GOVERNMENT BANKS

Secretaries’ committee submits recommendation to finance minister n Asif Showkat Kallol The committee of secretaries yesterday submitted recommendations to the finance minister regarding a separate pay scale for the employees of the Bangladesh and the four other state-owned commercial banks.

Sources said after the finance minister has given his consent, the recommendations would to the prime minister.

The employees of these banks, however, have been strongly opposing the proposal for separate pay scale saying the general pay scale for the government employees is better for them.

An official of the banking division of the finance ministry said: “Most employees of the state-owned commercial banks Sonali, Janata, Agrani and Rupali and the Bangladesh Bank expressed fears that they would not be able to take enough money back home, resulting in a fall in their living standards.

Because under the separate pay scale, they would have to pay income taxes and there would not be some of the key bonuses and allowances.”

Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday said the government would simultaneously implement the national pay scale for government employees and the separate one for the government banks.

Dr Aslam Alam, secretary of the finance ministry’s Bank and Financial Institutions Division, told Dhaka Tribune: “Implementing the separate pay scale will take time because of two reasons: firstly, most of the employees of Bangladesh Bank and the state owned commercial banks are opposing the move as they want to stay under the purview of the national pay scale.

“Secondly, the Bangladesh Bank is currently under the national pay scale.

It will have to come out of that for enabling the implementation of the sepa-

rate pay scale.

“I have talked to the employees of the state-owned commercial banks and the Bangladesh Bank. They have told me that they were wondering why the government was thinking about implementing a separate pay scale hastily.”

He added that the implementation would not be very busy because the proposed separate pay scale had some issues that needed to be solved.

The committee of secretaries, headed by Cabinet Secretary Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, last month decided that the employees of the government banks would have to pay income taxes and their salaries would rise by Tk2,000.

However, the finance minister had hinted before that the government bank stuffs would get a much bigger hike.

At present, the four government commercial banks have 90,000 employees, while the central bank employs about 6,000, sources said. l

NASHIRUL ISLAM

20 injured in RMG unrest n Our Correspondent, Gazipur At least 20 people were injured in demonstrations staged by workers at Gazipur Sadar and Kaliakoir upazilas yesterday. Workers protested against owners rejecting the minimum wages fixed by the government.

In Tongi, workers of a factory demonstrated demanding that the owners increase the production rate.

At Konabari area under sadar upazila, five officers of the Kader Industrial Group, Tauhidul Islam, Sahab Uddin, Shahidul Islam, Anwarul Islam and Nazim Uddin, were injured in a clash with workers from a neighbouring factory.

They treated at a nearby clinic.

At 9.30am in the morning, workers of Islam and Standard Garments in the area began to demonstrate. At one stage, they vandalised their factory and later attacked and vandalised the adjacent Kader Synthetic Limited.

The workers vandalised the windows of the Kader Synthetic Limited factory, two covered vans, one minivan and furniture inside the factory. They also set fire to some raw material. Fac-

tory fire fighters managed to control the fire, but owners claimed at least Tk5m worth of goods were destroyed.

Manger Md Mominul Islam said the outsiders had vandalised their factory for over half-an-hour and managed to flee before police arrived.

ASM Samsur Rahman, assistant police super of Gazipur industrial police, said police rushed to the spot as soon as they learned of the incident.

Workers of Mitali Fashion Limited at Konabari area demonstrated for higher wages, Assistant Police Super Mosharaf Hossain of industrial police said.

At one stage, they went out of their factory, attacked some adjacent factories and vandalised them. Later they blocked the Dhaka-Tangail Highway.

When police tried to disperse them, a clash ensued.

Inspector Md Nazrul Islam of Gazipur industrial police said in order to disburse the agitated workers they had to fire at least 20 rounds of rubber bullets and blank shotgun rounds and 25 teargas shells. At least 65 factories in Konabari and Naojor area were closed for the day following the incidents. l

ACC sues deputy secretary Britain scraps immigration bond plan n Syed Samiul Basher Anik The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday sued three individuals, including a deputy secretary, on charges of misappropriating over Tk4.52m.

Following evidence of the irregularity, Deputy Assistant Director of ACC M Monirul Islam filed the case with Sher-eBangla Nagar police station, said an official.

The accused are Deputy Secretary of Ministry Of Labour And Employment M Shahjahan (former national director of Strengthening Election Management in Bangladesh project); Nurul Alam, a financial expert involved with the project;

and SM Shahiduzzaman, proprietor of supplying company Zaman and Brothers.

ACC sources said as part of the project, Zaman and Brothers was instructed to supply 72,000 jute-made bags to the election commission, but it provided only 8,380 bags and prepared a bill for over Tk4.52m.

The two involved officials were informed of the “low quality” of supplied bags, but they placed an unchanged bill nonetheless, ACC sources said.

ACC Assistant Director Gulshan Anwar Pradhan and Deputy Assistant Director M Monirul Islam conducted an investigation into the scam. l

n Tribune Report Britain has scrapped a plan to force people from certain African and Asian countries to pay a cash bond in return for a visitor’s visa after it caused an outcry at home and abroad and exposed a rift in the governing coalition.

In a move that political rivals said showed Prime Minister David Cameron’s flagship immigration policy was in disarray, a UK government spokesman said a pilot scheme which had been due to start this month had been canceled, according to Reuters.

“We have decided not to proceed,”

the spokesman said on Sunday, declining to explain why.

British High Commissioner in Dhaka Robert W Gibson confirmed the decision.

Under the plan, visitors from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Ghana seeking a six-month British visa would have been obliged to pay 3,000-pound He said in a statement, “The UK wants the brightest and the best to help create the jobs and growth that will enable Britain to compete in the global race. If you

are an overseas businessperson seeking to invest and trade with world class businesses, one of the thousands of legitimate students keen to study at our firstclass universities or a tourist visiting our world class attractions, be in no doubt: Britain is open for business.”

Under the plan, visitors from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Ghana seeking a six-month British visa would have been obliged to pay a refundable 3,000-pound ($4,800) cash bond to deter them from overstaying.

The government chose those countries because they were “high risk” sources of illegal immigration, it said. l

Dhaka Tribune reporters scoop awards for energy, telecom news n Abu Hayat Mahmud

In its debut year, the Dhaka Tribune celebrated the presentation yesterday of the DRU-Grameenphone Reporting Award 2013 to two of its reporters in a prestigious ceremony held at Hotel Sonargaon in the capital.

18 other journalists were recognised

by Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) and telecommunication company Grameenphone, including 14 from the print media, three from electronic media and one from an online news portal.

Dhaka Tribune senior staff reporter Aminur Rahman Rasel won in the media category, while Muhammad Zahidul Islam, senior reporter on this paper, obtained the award in the media category.

From the Bangla and English language print media, 13 reports were submitted on energy and power of which “BPC losing staggering sums on state-to-state oil purchases” by Amiur Rahman Rasel of the Dhaka Tribune obtained the best position.

Of the 12 reports submitted on Information and Communications Technology (ICT), the best was adjudged

Dhaka Tribune senior staff reporters Muhammad Zahidul Islam (front row 2nd from left) and Aminur Rahman Rasel (extreme right) are among the award winning reporters posing with guests at Hotel Sonargaon yesterday NASHIRUL ISLAM to be “Looting in laptop” by Muhammad Zahidul Islam, who wrote it while working for daily Samakal newspaper, before moving to the Dhaka Tribune.

The other reports recognised in different important sectors were: Abu Saleh, the daily Samakal; Rajib Ahmed,

the daily Kalerkantho; Rajan Bhattyacharja, the daily Janakantho; Ershad Kamal, the daily New Age; Shamim Chowdhury, the daily Inqualab, Morsalin Mizan, the daily Jankantho; M Shahjahan, the daily Janakantho; Manjur Ahmed, the daily Prothom Alo; Pinaki

Roy, the Daily Star; Ashish Soikat, the daily Ittefaq; Shah Alam, the daily Jugantar; Anwar Hossain, the daily Prothom Alo, SM Nuruzzaman Tanim, banglamail.com; Mahbub Alam Lablu, Independent Television; Khadija Nahar, Boishakhi Television; GM Faisal

Alam, Ekattor Television; Nazmul Hossain, Masranga Television and Aharar Hossain, BBC. Speaker of the National Parliament Dr Shirin Sharmin Chawdhury, MP who was chief guest of the programme handed over the rewards to the respective reporters. Dhaka University VC Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique was the special guest at the ceremony.

Grameenphone Head of Corporate Communications Syed Tahmeed Azizul Huq, DRU President Shahed Chowdhury, General Secretary Elias Khan, Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, BFUJ President and Jury Board Chairman M Shafiqul Karim were also present.

Speaking at the programme, Shirin Sharmin said news media assist in the formation of different policies of the country, and fair journalism was helpful for protecting the country’s democracy.

Dr Siddique said: “Every media person should be fair in journalism for welfare of the country and its democracy.”

In the ceremony the DRU leaders also given crest to Dr Shirin, Dr Siddique and Syed Tahmeed.

Grameenphone gave Tk75,000 as prize money to each award winner. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Long Form

5

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Is BT Brinjal a mistake?

Brinjal, some scientists say that Fruit Shoot Borers (FSBs), which are the worst crop raiders, can only be treated with BT Brinjal. However, it is unclear if tests prove what the long-term impact of BT Brinjal on human health and environment may be. Also, would BT Brinjal be successful in combating FSBs in the long-run? If not, what would be the state of farmers, whose livelihood depends on farm production? They would still have to spray pesticides and insecticides, despite using BT Brinjal, which was precisely what happened in the case of BT Cotton.

Global policies and solutions

It is feared that the genetically modified brinjal might turn out to be another ‘BT Cotton’ case in India, which would add to the woes of farmers

Balasubramanian and n Sharada Probir K Sarker

Y

ou might be sitting across your dining table, savouring a dish of Brinjal, but how would you know where your Brinjals are coming from? Since BT Brinjal, the genetically modified seeds from Monsanto, have been given the go-ahead in Bangladesh, you might probably think twice before you buy the bright purple Brinjal, unless of course they come with a label of GM (genetically modified).

In India, amidst various protests, former environment minister Jairam Ramesh declared an indefinite moratorium on introducing BT Brinjals in 2009. The move came despite a goahead from the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC).

Declaring the ban also came along with a thought: when there is not enough support to prove the long term impact of BT Brinjal, how can we introduce it?

Case in point Data from Monsanto, the producers of BT Brinjal, reveal that the pollen of brinjal can travel upto 30 metres.

Typically, if we take the case of India, 84% of the farmers are small land holders with less than 4 hectares of land. Among these farmers, those who cultivate Brinjal do it in plots measuring less than an acre. This is done to leave 30 metres around the plot to prevent contamination of a field by BT Brinjal from an adjoining plot. Where is the space left to cultivate in such a condition?

Both India and Bangladesh not just produce huge quantities of Brinjal, but also consume and export it. India has no liability laws to protect the interest of organic farmers. These are the farmers whose farms could be contaminated by GM crops from the neighbouring farm. Would it be worth risking the production without knowing of its consequences?

With the BT Brinjal introduction, and being a party to the Cartagena Protocol, it is important that measures of testing BT Brinjals, results and public opinion be considered

Even though the release of BT Brinjal was approved, here are a few things the government should keep in mind.

First, how are we sure that BT Brinjal that is introduced will not have long-term health and environmental implications? What are the tests that have been undertaken to ensure that BT Brinjal is actually safe? Can we take this risk when livelihood is linked to food production and when our country is one of the largest producers

of Brinjal? Will it solve the economic problem of developing nations like Bangladesh? If yes, at what cost? Are we aware of these? Will it affect the agricultural biodiversity?

There are a plethora of questions that need to be addressed before any GM crop is introduced.

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

there.

The farmers were not told that they would have to purchase the terminator seeds every year. The farmers usually save their seeds for the next harvest. The need to buy seeds every year added to their mounting debts.

The farmers were unaware of the fact

If you think only developed nations are strong on the GM bans, you are wrong. Africa has a strong ban on import of GM products on the grounds of human health and environmental issues

A Bangladesh High Court bench on September 29 had barred the introduction of four varieties of BT Brinjal upon a writ petition. In the ruling, the court asked the government to explain why taking initiative without assessment should not be declared illegal.

The court ordered Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), agriculture secretary and health secretary to submit a progress report by three months after conducting an independent research focusing on the health safety issues in line with the GM food standard set by Codex Alimentarius Commission, an organisation founded by the FAO and the WHO. The government finally approved the release of BT Brinjal in the country amid criticism from conservationists on October 30, Wednesday.

Earlier on September 23, another High Court bench rejected two petitions that challenged the government move.

BARI claimed that the BT varieties would reduce the use of pesticides remarkably as they are resistant to the most common brinjal pest.

However, environmental activists expressed their concern that it would affect biodiversity and also cause severe health hazards to humans, animals and plants. It could have devastating impacts on indigenous brinjal and other crop varieties through pollination.

BARI developed the BT brinjal varieties after seven years of experiments since 2006 with the technical support of Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company (Mahyco) in which the American seed giant Monsanto has 26% stake.

Mahyco’s brinjal varieties, developed with the financial support of USAID, were banned in India in 2010 after their harmful effects were exposed.

Lesson learned: BT Cotton In Andhra Pradesh, a southern state of India, BT Cotton was cultivated for the first time in 2002. Tall claims and promises were made. One, the seeds will protect the plants from bollworm, a common pest that attacks the crop.

Much against what BT Cotton claimed the seeds failed to protect the plants from bollworm attack. Many farmers committed suicide with the crop failure. The problem did not just end

that twice the amount of water would be needed for cultivation as opposed to conventional crop cultivation. Were the farmers informed about these issues before BT Cotton was introduced? Was there awareness or open sharing of knowledge and resources?

If BT Brinjal is introduced in Bangladesh, the above factors should be considered as practical posers. What could be the possible aftermath of cultivating BT Brinjal?

Also, the livelihood implications of adopting GM technologies are still not fully understood. Then how can BT Brinjal be introduced in Bangladesh?

Do we have a choice?

The questions relating to product labelling has been widely discussed and implemented in the European nations.

This is a crucial point to consider. Will Bangladesh label the GM products?

Also, was a public survey conducted to find out if the consumers are at all aware of the GMs; and if they are aware, would they consume it?

In India, GreenPeace, an environmental NGO, conducted a public engagement campaign, asking people on the streets if they were aware of the GM and its consequences on human health. These survey results were revealed in public and given to the authorities.

If you think only developed nations are strong on the GM bans, you are wrong. Africa has a strong ban on import of GM products on the grounds of human health and environmental issues. Report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reveal that Ethiopia is banning the import of GM food, saying it would undermine farmers who already have their own traditional ways of fighting pests and weeds.

Zambia banned the import of all GMs, citing concerns over biological and health hazards.

On an average, it costs Bangladeshi farmers $300/ha to produce hybrid non-BT Brinjal. Of that, 60% is spent on crop protection (based on a field assessment and estimates prepared

by BARI consultants). With growing BT Brinjal, it is possible to reduce the costs of small and marginal farmers by 25-80%, largely due to the reduction in pesticides spray.

However, when it comes to BT

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an international treaty governing the movements of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology from one country to another. This protocol entered into force on September 11, 2003.

It gives importing countries the right to take into account socioeconomic concerns (provided their actions are “consistent with their international obligations”). Such concerns could include the risk that imports of genetically engineered foods may replace traditional crops, undermine local cultures and traditions or reduce the value of biodiversity to indigenous communities.

According to Article 23, on public awareness and participation, the protocol says: “The Parties shall – Promote and facilitate public awareness, education and participation concerning the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms in relation to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health. In doing so, the Parties shall cooperate, as appropriate, with other States and international bodies.”

The Protocol further states: “The Parties shall, in accordance with their respective laws and regulations, consult the public in the decision-making process regarding living modified organisms.”

Both India and Bangladesh are signatories to this protocol and have ratified it.

Subsequent to this, the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol came in. It deals with liability and redress on damage resulting from LMOs. In 2012, India’s Environment Minister Jayanthi Natrajan said India would become a party to this protocol. The Bangladesh government has also been taking steps for signing the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress.

With the Cartagena Protocol, there is a Biosafety Clearing-House to facil-

out that there was a mechanism in place to consult public about the decision-making process over the GM products. This response came through via the list of questionnaires that have been put forth by the Biosafety panel.

In response to another question raised on whether Bangladesh has taken any initiative to inform its public about the means of public access to the Biosafety Clearing-House, the answer was a clear no.

Now, with the BT Brinjal introduction, and being a party to the Cartagena Protocol, it is important that measures of testing BT Brinjals, results and public opinion be considered.

Also, the BT trials in Bangladesh were to be done in confinement, according to the standard procedures by the National Bio-Safety Committee. BARI did admit that the test was done in confinement. However, media reports suggest that they did not give any description of the procedures. Also, during visits to the field where BT Brinjal experimentation was done at BARI, it was found that the area was surrounded by mesh net, keeping the top open.

French scientist Dr Gilles Eric Seralini, who was commissioned by Green Peace, found through research that Bt Brinjal produces “proteins that induce antibiotic resistance which is a major health problem; BT Brinjal contains 16-17 mg/kg BT insecticide toxin, which is harmful for health; Lactating cows gained weight making them take more roughage; Bilirubin content increased indicating liver damage; and rats fed with BT Brinjal had diarrhoea, increased water consumption and decreased liver weight.”

This scientific result is crucial to consider.

The director general of BARI, Dr Rafiqul Islam Mondol, claimed that no harmful effects of BT Brinjal were found on mammals in their laboratory tests. But, reports suggest that no BARI findings are available regarding the name of the laboratory(s), research methodology and the parameters on which the researches were conducted. Are we abiding the Cartagena Protocol?

Organic brinjal?

Though BT Brinjal is claimed to be effective to combat FSBs, it is believed that there are several alternatives for crop management – such as integrated pest management, use of biopesticides and organic agriculture. In the State of Andhra Pradesh alone, there are 2m acres under organic agricultural cultivation.

It has been often argued that GM food is the only way to meet the food requirements in the future, considering increase in crop production and lesser

With the awareness levels rising about GMs and the need for organic farming rising sharply, there are fewer chances that BT Brinjal will be accepted for consumption

itate the exchange of information on living modified organisms and to assist countries in the implementation of the Protocol. This clearing house will play a crucial role in administering the entry of GMs into the country.

In Africa, the African Biosafety Model Law provides a holistic and comprehensive set of biosafety rules including issues that are not dealt with by the Biosafety Protocol. These include mandatory labelling and identification or traceability requirements for GMs and GM food, and liability and redress for harm caused by GMs to human health and the environment, and for resultant economic loss.

According to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Biosafety Guidelines of Bangladesh has been gazetted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) in 2008.

Earlier, National Biosafety Framework (NBF) was developed in 2007. Biosafety Rules of Bangladesh has been drafted under the purview of the Environment Conservation Act 1995.

According to the Second Regular National Report on the Implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in 2011, Bangladesh pointed

investment in insecticides. However, with the prevention of food loss during storage and transit, increased care of soil fertility, the use of indigenously-developed technologies (including organic agriculture) and other steps to increase productivity, there is capacity to feed twice as many people without using GM technology, in India. With the awareness levels rising about GMs and the need for organic farming rising sharply, there are fewer chances that BT Brinjal will be accepted for consumption.

Also, being an exporter of brinjals, when international countries would demand labelling of these products or want a non-GM product, the exports will suffer, affecting the farmers and the economy.

Let us also not forget that India and the Philippines have issued moratoriums on BT Brinjal after taking into account the negative effects on health, environment and socio-economic condition of their people. l Sharada Balasubramanian is a freelance journalist from Tamil Nadu (sharadawrites@ gmail.com). Probir K Sarker is senior staff sub-editor of Dhaka Tribune.

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Political programmes pile misery on the people They expressed grievance over violent political programmes of major political parties Shariful Bashar, a resident of the n Abu Hayat Mahmud and Tazlina city’s Shantinagar area, told The Dhaka Zamila Khan

The city dwellers of Dhaka have expressed their deep dissatisfaction over the role of the country’s two major political parties in holding repeated political programmes, hindering daily activities of the people and adding to their sufferings.

Commuters at different bus stops in the capital alleged that ruling Awami League and main opposition BNP were not concerned about public welfare, and the people had been suffering because of the parties’ political programmes.

The added that the two parties had been holding programmes like hartal, blockades, grand rallies, demonstrations, processions and human chains, which ultimately affects the vehicular movement in the whole city.

In the last two weeks, people got only four working days, thanks to BNP led 18-party alliance enforced six days of hartal from October 27-29 and from November 4-6. On the other hand, the ruling party also held a grand rally on November 3 to mark the historic “Jail Killing Day.” All these political programmes ended with nothing but lost lives, disasters brought upon many people and immense sufferings in daily life, the commuters said.

Meanwhile, the people had to face some untoward situations because of the tight security measures like random checking in the city during the opposition enforced hartal hours, they added.

Tribune: “The politicians have no headache regarding the sufferings of the general people.”

Meanwhile, Farida Akhrtar, a resident of Mohammadpur area, said: “Nowadays the sufferings of city dwellers has crossed the limit and necessary steps should be taken to mitigate the woes.”

Transport problems, according the general people, are one of the main concerns during the political programme hours. Because of shortage of public buses on the roads and high fares charged by the CNG auto-rickshaw drivers, people suffer the most.

Israt Jahan, an employee of a private firm, said: “The BRTC do not ply its buses during strikes and travelling in local buses is risky and tough. That left me with no option but to hire a CNG auto-rickshaw.”

Alleging that taking the advantage of the situation CNG drivers were charging excessive fares, she said: “They charge Tk400-450 for a trip from Uttara to Farmgate.”

When asked, the reason behind defying the rule of counting fare on the meter, a CNG driver Ashraf said: “We get little profit if we follow meters. It is quite hard to run a family with so little money as the price of everything has gone up.”

About the shortage of BRTC buses, Md Rafiqul Islam Talukder, deputy general manager of the BRTC, said: “We stop inter-city services in hartal days fearing the picketing, but we run around 450 buses in and outside of Dhaka on the other days.” l

The file photo shows people waiting for transport at Farmgate in the city on Sunday, a day ahead of BNP-led 18-party alliance’s 60-hour countrywide hartal

NASHIRUL ISLAM

No foreign student at CU for 11 years 15 projects of Rangpur division 78 reserved seats lie vacant every year get Ecnec nod n FM Mizanur Rahaman, CU Chittagong University has failed to enrol international students over the past 10 years despite having a good number of seats reserved for them.

A total of 78 seats under a wide range of departments are kept on hold depriving home students of admission to the university.

According to sources in Chittagong University (CU), 19 seats are now on hold for foreign students in 11 departments under Arts and Humanity Faculty, 12 in seven departments under Science Faculty and 14 in seven departments under Social Science Faculty.

The CU authorities kept hold of 21 seats in different departments under Business Administration, Law Faculty, Institution of Forestry and Environmental Science, Institution of Marine Science and Fisheries and Biological Science Faculty.

No foreign student has so far applied for admission to CU for the cur-

rent academic session.

The admission for 2013-14 academic session is scheduled to start on November 16.

The last internaitonal student enrolled in CU was from Nepal in 20022003 academic session while 15 others took admission in nine academic sessions from 1990-1991 to 1998-9999 – all for honours programme.

Only four students, however, enrolled themselves for master’s programmes in the academic sessions of 1999-2000 to 2002-2003.

Foreign students lost their interest in CU in the wake of political violence sparking unrest on the university campus and ultimately causing session jam, said sources.

Complicated admission process, accommodation crisis in the university dormitories, doing lectures in Bangla and year-based academic activities are also attributed to international students’ disinterest in CU. But CU has yet to take any steps to draw the attention of foreign students

though all seats reserved lie vacant years after years.

Even there is no information on CU website about admission for international applicants.

SM Akbar Hossain, CU deputy registrar, told the Dhaka Tribune international students could apply for admission through Bangladesh High Commission in their respective countries.

“We cannot enrol home students against those reserved seats falling vacant,” added Akbar.

Prof Ifthekhar Uddin Chowdhury, pro-vice-chancellor, maintained that foreign students lost their interest in CU as it was located in a remote place and not fully residential.

Academic systems and political unrest are also responsible for this, he said.

Prof Ifthekhar, however, suggested that foreign students could have been attracted if facilities like transport, accommodation and lecture system had been developed. l

n Tribune Report The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved a TK7bn project aiming to develop the socio-economic conditions of the people of Rangpur division through rural infrastructural development yesterday.

The approval came at a meeting of Ecnec held at the NEC conference room at city’s Shere-e-Bangla Nagar with Prime Minister and Ecnec chairperson Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

Planning Division Secretary Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam informed that 15 projects with an aggregate outlay of Tk47.96bn were approved at the meeting.

“Of the total cost, Tk34.17bn will come from the national exchequer while the remaining Tk13.79bn from project assistance,” he said.

Planning Ministry sources said the project “Rangpur Division Rural Infrastructure Development” includes development of 742 km upazila, union and rural road, construction of 1,300

metre of bridges and culverts, widening and maintenance of 430km of road and development of 20 local markets.

The project, also involving rural poor women in 10,800km of road maintenance work, began in October 2013 and would be completed by June 2018.

The project includes development of 742 km upazila, union and rural road, construction of 1,300 metre of bridges and culverts, widening and maintenance of 430 km of road and development of 20 local markets Ecnec approved another Tk6300m project to establish a 1.5km bridge over the Teesta River, which would help create a direct road communication network between the districts of Gaibandha and Kurigram.

The bridge is expected to reduce the distance between Dhaka and Kurigram by 80 km allowing one million people

of Chilmari, Ulipur, Rajarhat and Kurigram Sadar upazila to travel to Dhaka without going through the Rangpur divisional city.

The cost of the fore-year project stands at Tk6.3bn of which Tk5.23bn would come from the Saudi Development Fund (SFD).

Ecnec also approved the revision of two projects. One Tk8.5bn project labelled “Skills and Training Enhancement Project” which is aimed at increased employment generation through improvement of the country’s technical education.

Another, Tk16.38bn project labelled “Revitalisation of Community Health Care Initiatives in Bangladesh” with the goal of strengthening the activities of the existing 10,624 community clinics as well as establishing 3,138 new community clinics in the country.

Ecnec members, including Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Planning Minister AK Khandker, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, were present at the meeting. l

JU teachers’ 20-hour ultimatum to VC Woman beaten to

‘Robber’ ringleader lynched in Satkhira n JU Correspondent n Tribune Desk Agitating teachers of Jahangirnagar UniThe ringleader of a gang of robbers was killed and his three cohorts were injured in a lynch-mob attack at Harinagar in Shyamnagar upazila yesterday morning.

The deceased was identified as Siddique, chief of the jungle robbers: Siddique Bahini, who hails from Khulna district.

Local sources said some fishermen chased off a group of robbers while they were walking in Harinagar Bazar area near the Sundarbans at about 8am.

Four robbers, Siddique and his three associates - Jahangir, Razzak and Ferdous – were caught by the locals who gave them a severe beating that killed Siddique on the spot, and injured the others.

Later, locals handed over the three captured to police. Superintendent of Police Mollah Jahangir of Satkhira confirmed the incident. l

versity yesterday gave a 20-hour ultimatum to the vice chancellor to resign from his post. They also called a combined non-cooperation movement against the VC if he did not resign within 12pm today.

Boycotting all academic and administrative activities of the university, the protesting teachers observed the all-out movement confining the VC to his residence to force his resignation. The VC has been confined from Monday noon.

However, the VC was determined not to resign, saying a section of teachers were destroying the university by halting all academic and administrative

withdrew their movement.

“Teachers have to withdraw blockades to all academic and administrative activities of the university before the meeting,” he said.

“The teachers did not appoint me so I will not resign by their demand,” the VC added. A section of pro-Awami League teachers loyal to ousted VC Prof Shariff Enamul Kabir, in collaboration with pro-BNP teachers, have been agitating against Anwar Hossain from April. The teachers, under the banner of JUTA, have brought all academic and administrative activities to a halt.

General Teachers’ Forum, another platform of protesting teachers, have also joined JUTA’s movement. l

death in Magura n Our Correspondent, Magura A middle-aged woman was allegedly killed by her husband at the Nalirdanga village under Magura sadar upazila yesterday.

The deceased was Firoja Begum, 40, of Nalirdanga village.

Freedom fighter Shahar Ali, father of the deceased, alleged Masud Shekh, husband of Firoja, had been pressing Firoja for her approval of his second marriage. As Firoja refused to approve, Masud tortured her frequently.

An altercation took place between Firoja and Masud on Monday night.

Firoja was beaten to death early yesterday.

Masud later tied a noose around her neck and hung her from the ceiling, hoping that her death could be deemed a suicide.

Locals came forward and cut down her hanging body.

Jahangir Alam, officer in charge of Magura police station, said they sent her body to the morgue for post mortem examination. l

One held over cop killing in Chittagong

Fire at Kaukhali n Tribune Report Police yesterday arrested one of the police station accused in a case filed in connection the killing of police constable n Our Correspondent, Rangamati with Md Abdul Kaiyum, who was hacked A fire broke out at Kaukhali police station in Rangamati yesterday.

Police said the incident occurred around 6pm, adding that the cause of the fire and the amount of loss could not be ascertained immediately.

Two units of fire fighters brought the fire under control after battling the blaze for an hour. l

activities. The General Teachers Forum declared this ultimatum at 4pm in front of the VC’s residence after he refused to meet the teachers.

Prof Kamrul Ahsan, the secretary of General Teachers’ Forum, said, “We wanted to meet the VC but he said he would not talk to us if we did not withdraw our movement.”

“Our movement will not end until he resigns and a combined non-cooperation movement will be launched from 12pm tomorrow if our demand remains unfulfilled,” Prof Ahsan added.

VC Prof Anwar Hossain said he would not talk to the General Teachers’ Forum, rather he might sit with the JU Teachers’ Association (JUTA) if they

to death in Chittagong’s Batali Hill on Sunday.

Mainul Islam Bhuiyan, officer-incharge of Khulshi police station, said acting on a tip-off they had arrested Mohammad Sohel from his residence in the city’s Motijharna area around 2:30pm.

Quoting the arrestee, police said

Sohel along with others accused in the case hacked four police constables in the morning when the policemen tried to nab two of their cohorts over a mugging.

Three other police constables – Md Salauddin, Ariful Islam and Md Shahabuddin - were also injured in the attack.

Assistant Sub-Inspector (armed) Asaduzzaman, guard in-charge of DIG bungalow, lodged a case with Khulshi police station accusing 11 named persons and seven to eight unnamed others in connection with the incident. l

Representatives from Bangladesh Newspapers Workers’ Federation and Federation of Newspapers Press Workers meet Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu at his secretariat office yesterday PID

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

7

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Aman production may be hampered in Gaibandha n Our Correspondent, Gaibandha The yield of Aman may be hampered in Gaibandha’s Saghat upazila this season as most of the paddy fields have been attacked with pests and the leaf blight disease.

While the anxious Aman growers of the district are struggling to protect their fields, the agriculture officers there claimed that the situation is not so alarming.

Around 15,000 hectares of land were brought under T-Aman paddy cultivation in the upazila this year. However, the attack of leaf blight and other pests in the paddy fields made the growers frustrated and worried to a great extent.

After visiting different areas including Bonarpara, Durgapur, Padumsahar, Raghabpur, Bhutmara and Anantapur villages of the upazila, this correspondent found that the leaf blight disease had broken out in the crop fields at an alarming rate.

The transplanted seedlings have turned yellowish, and are getting damaged day by day.

Rafiqul Islam, a farmer of Bonarpara, expressed worries that the produc-

NEWS IN BRIEF GD filed against 250 opposition men Police filed a General Diary (GD) against 250 leaders and activists of the 18-party opposition alliance for throwing brick chips at a judicial magistrate court in Satkhira town on the first day of the ongoing 60-hour hartal. Sub-inspector Arpana of Satkhira Sadar Police Station filed the GD against the 250 opposition men (All named) with the police station on Monday night. Officer-in-Charge of Sadar police station Enamul Haque said supporters of the 18-party alliance threw brick chips targeting the dock of the court of district judicial magistrate Shimul Biswash on Monday afternoon.

The brick chips damaged several windows. None have been arrested in this connection, added the OC. UNB

Two get life in Chandpur arms case

tion would decrease by a great extent this year. Another farmer of the area, Moyeen Uddin, said the conditions of the crop fields of other farmers in his neighbourhood were also the same, adding that if the crop fields were not protected from the disease, the farmers would not be able to reap their production cost, let alone profit from it.

However, the field level agriculture officers of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) said the farmers were being given necessary advices including using pesticides in the affected crop fields since the transplantation of Aman seedlings.

On the other hand, the farmers urged authorities concerned to look into the matter seriously and take necessary measures to check the pest attacks and the deceases to help the growers get desired production.

When asked about taking any preventive measures in this regard, the deputy director of the Gaibandha DAE Mir Abdur Razzak said the pests and fungal diseases, which attacked the Aman harvest in different places of the upazila, was under control, adding that the farmers would get satisfactory production. l

Supporters of 18-party alliance block road by making a makeshift wall in Bogra town yesterday

Jana Sanghity Samity leader shot dead n Our Correspondent, Khagrachhari A leader of Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sanghity Samity (PCJSS) was gunned down at his Rajpara resident under Manikchhari upazila in Khagrachhari on Monday night.

Officer-in-Charge of Manikchhari police station Kesob Chakraborty said a group of five to six criminals shot Apru Aung Marma Peska, Manikchhari upazila unit PCJSS general secretary in the chest, around 9pm and left after making sure he was dead.

Police rushed to the spot and sent his body to Khagrachhari Adhunik Sa-

Plant virus slashes bean harvest n Our Correspondent, Jhenaidah

dar Hospital for autopsy, OC Keshob Chakraborty said.

Peska might have been killed over establishing supremacy in the area, the OC said, adding, a case was filed in this connection.

Assistant Press Secretary of PCJSS Sajib Chakma blamed UPDF for the killing of their men and urged the administration to arrest the criminals as early as possible.

Press Secretary of UPDF Niron Chakma denied their involvement with the PCJSS leader killing and said he might have been killed by a rival fraction. l

n Tribune Desk

Four ‘robbers’ arrested in Sylhet

Two held with Phensidyl in Magura Detective Branch of police arrested two people carrying 150 bottles of Indian Phensidyl syrup from the bus stand of Magura Town yesterday morning. The arrestees were identified as Swapon Chowdhury, 35, son of Obayedur Rahman of Jessore district, and Nasima Begum, 30, wife of Hanif Farazi of Madaripur. Officer-in-charge of Magura Sadar Police Station Jahangir Alam said a patrol team of DB police searched a human hauler (Nosimon) at the bus stand and arrested two passengers along with the 150 bottles of Phensidyl.

The arrestees confessed to police that they had been involved in Phensidyl trading for a long time. A case was filed in this regard. – UNB

Bean farmers in Jhenaidah are facing a grim situation this year with a virus named “Mosaic” badly affecting this season’s harvest in different areas of the district.

Sources in the Department of Agriculture Extension office said the white fly, locally known as Sadamachhi, was mainly responsible for transmitting the disease between plants. The disease results in both the plant and its leaves turning yellow and reducing its yield.

Several farmers, in the villages of Padamdi, Madandanga, Sheikhpara, Mirzapur and Sripur in Shailkupa upazila, said their plots started being affected early in October. The corner

plants were the first to turn yellow while the rest of the plot was infected within a couple of days, they claimed.

Farmers’ plots started being affected early in October. The corner plants were the first to turn yellow while the rest of the plot was infected within a couple of days Saying that an average of around two tonnes of bean was usually produced on every bigha of land, the farmers added that production saw a 40% decrease this season. They also said the winter season produces the optimum bean harvest; compared with production during the summer.

655 youth get jobs under national service scheme

A Chandpur court on Monday sentenced two young men to life imprisonment for possessing arms. The convicts were identified as M Mintu, 27, son of late Zillur Rahman of Chandpur sadar upazila, and Abu Bakar, 25, son of Joynal Abedin of Narayanganj sadar upazila. M Shafiqul Karim, district and sessions judge of Chandpur, pronounced the verdict in the presence of the convicts and handed down 10 extra years’ jail time under a different section. According to the prosecution, Mintu and Bakar snatched motorcycle of one Badrul Patwari in the Chandkhar Dukan area under Chandpur sadar upazila on December 4, 2012 by shooting at his feet. – UNB

Police arrested four suspected robbers from a nearby area of the Badhaghat Bridge in the Sylhet sadar upazila early yesterday while they were about to commit a robbery. The arrestees were identified as Shafique Miah,45, son of Khurshid Ali of Paikraj area, Foyzul Hoque,38, son of Hasan Ali of Nandirgaon village, Nizam Uddin, 25, of the village and Renu Miah, 25, son of Ala Uddin of Companiganj upazila.

Being tipped off, a team of police arrested the robbers from the area in the dead of night while they were preparing to commit a robbery, said Gausal Hossain, officer-in-charge of Jalalabad police station. Police also seized machetes and various types of weapons used in robberies from their possession. – UNB

FOCUS BANGLA

Hartal supporters set fire to Bauphal union parishad office in Patuakhali yesterday FOCUS BANGLA

A total of 655 youths, including 221 women, aged between 24 and 35, have been employed under the government’s National Service Programme in Gaibandha.

Upazila youth development offices, under the department of youth development, are implementing the project in seven upazilas of the district.

The youths were recruited on June 1, 2013 in health, education, agriculture, animal resources and fisheries sectors.

Earlier, they were given training for three months from March 1 May 31 on their respective subjects. The employed youths are getting Tk600 as remuneration per month. They are very happy as they can now maintain their families well, reports BSS. Hazrat Ali of Fazlupur union of Fulpur upazila, who is a beneficiary of the project, said he passed his Higher Secondary School exam in 1999 and had been unemployed for a long. He now teaches at a government primary school in the shoal area under the NSP and lives a good life with his wife and children.

Abdul Hamid, another beneficiary of the same union, said he passed his Sec-

Five killed in road accidents n Tribune report At least five people were killed in separate road accidents that took place in Chittagong, Jhenaidah, Dohar and Sirajganj.

Two people were killed in separate road accidents in Pahartali area in the city and Suklal Hat at Sitakunda upazila in Chittagong early yesterday.

Joynal Abedin, 25, son of Mohammed Ibrahim Khalil, of Mandaritola in Sitakunda, said Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) Police Outpost sources.

He was rushed to the CMCH where the on duty doctor announced him dead around 1:30am.

Joynal Abedin, 25, son of Mohammed Ibrahim Khalil, of Mandaritola in Sitakunda was critically injured after being crushed under the wheels of a microbus while he

was crossing road at 12 noon said Mohammed Mafiz, a sub-inspector at Sitakunda police station, quoting family sources.

He was taken to the CMCH where the on duty doctor doctors declared him dead, the SI added.

A young man was crushed to death under the wheels of a locally made three wheelers near Iswarba brick kilns on Kaliganj-Kotchandpur Highway under Kalganj upazila in Jhenaidah yesterday morning.

Locals said Fazlur Rahan, 27, of village Bhomradanga under Kotchandur upazila, was going to Jessore in the three wheeler to sell his agri produce at Barobazer market around 9am.

When the vehicle arrived on the spot, another three wheeler knocked it from behind, leaving Fazlu dead on the spot.

In Dohar, a motorcyclist was

killed and his co-rider injured as their vehicle hit a roadside tree at Nurpur intersection in Dhaka on Monday night.

Witnesses said a motorcycle hit a roadside tree after its biker Panai Pal, 23, son of Pangkaj Pal of Lotakhola village of the upazila lost control, leaving him and his co-rider Rajib injured.

They were rushed to Dohar Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared Panai dead.

In Sirajganj, a man was killed and seven others were injured on the Mohonpur-Koyra Highway in Ullapara upazila on Monday afternoon.

Witnesses said a human hauler overturned on the highway, leaving Abdul Hakim, 34, son of late Kuran Ali of Harishpur village of the upazila, died on the spot and injuring seven others. l

ondary School Certificate exam in 1998 and received training under the project on animal resources. He now works as a field worker in the animal resources sector and earns Tk6,000 per month.

Erendabari Union Council Chairman, Matin Mandal said the NSP is a praiseworthy initiative undertaken by the present government. It has been helpful for the unemployed young men and women of the area.

He said beneficiaries of the project are working in their respective sectors with enthusiasm. Upazila Chairman Abu Sayeed said the government should not stop the project, rather, it should be continued, he opined.

Upazila Youth Development Officer, M Tajul Islam Al Beruni said the NSP is being implemented properly under the guidance of higher authorities. The project has replenished the shortage of manpower in different sectors of the upazila, he added.

Local MP and Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry for Law, Advocate Fazle Rabbi Miah thanked the government for introducing NSP in the remote areas of Fulchhari upazila. l

Field level DAE employees advised farmers to use contact pesticides like Cytermetrin for the affected plants, or to root out the infected plants and bury them underground to prevent other plants from becoming infected.

Sources at Jhenaidah DAE’s deputy director’s office said farmers in six upazilas of the district had developed a total of 1,250 hectares of land for bean farming this season. Shailkupa and Kaliganj upazilas were widely known for vegetable production, the sources said.

Bijoy Krishna Halder, upazila agriculture officer in Shailkupa, said the white fly sucks the moisture from the plants causing them to turn yellow, as well as spreading viral diseases in surrounding areas. l

Two get life term for murdering Swechhasebak League leader n Our Correspondent, Kishoreganj A court handed down life terms to two people yesterday on charges of murdering a Swechhasebak League leader in 2011.

The court of Katiadi upazila under Kishoreganj district also fined each of them Tk10,000 to each, in default, or suffer another year in jail.

Additional District and Sessions Judge A M Md Sayeed passed the order. The convicts are Mamun Mia, 22 and Atiqul Islam Jilan, 26 of the same upazila.

According to case statement, Mamun and Jilan strangled Nazrul Islam, 35, to death on October 4 in 2011.

Nazrul was the convenor of Swechhasebak League in Chandapur union of the upazila. They cut his legs and dumped the body near Manikhali bazaar area of the upazila on the same day.

The following day, victim’s brother Samad Mia filed a murder case with Katiadi police station.

Upon investigation, the investigation officer submitted charge sheet against the two. l

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Syria chemical weapons mission funded only through this month n Reuters, Amsterdam The international body tasked with eliminating Syria’s chemical weapons has raised only enough money so far to fund its mission through this month, and more cash will have to be found soon to pay for the destruction of poison gas stocks next year.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which won the Nobel Peace Prize last month, is overseeing the destruction of Syria’s nerve agent stocks under a US-Russian agreement reached in September.

It has so far raised about 10m euros ($13.5m) for the task.

“It is the assessment of the Secretariat that its existing personnel resources are sufficient for operations to be conducted in October and November 2013,” said an October 25 OPCW document seen by Reuters. At the time, its account held just 4m euros.

Syrian president Bashar al-Assad says the total cost could be $1bn, although experts say it is likely to be lower, running into the tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on where and how the chemical arms are destroyed.

The United States has been the big-

Sandbags remain in a building on a former frontline near Sfeira, in the southwestern countryside of Aleppo AFP gest contributor so far to the OPCW’s fund for the Syria mission, with Britain, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland also contributing.

Washington has contributed $6m in equipment, training and cash, split between funds with the OPCW and the United Nations, the OPCW document said.

Under the joint Russian-American

proposal, Syria agreed in September to destroy its entire chemical weapons program by mid-2014. The move averted missile strikes threatened by Washington following an August 21 sarin gas attack in the outskirts of Damascus that killed hundreds of people.

Until September, Syria was one of a handful of countries that were not party to a global treaty outlawing the

stockpiling of chemical arms.

Damascus’s joining of the Chemical Weapons Convention creates the unique problem of safely destroying huge stockpiles of poisons in the middle of a civil war that has killed 100,000 people and driven up to a third of Syrians from their homes.

Personnel costs will be largely covered by the OPCW’s regular budget, less than an annual $100m, but the Hague-based organisation will need substantial additional resources.

By the end of next week, the OPCW and Syria must agree to a detailed plan of destruction, explaining in detail how and where to destroy the poisons, including mustard gas, sarin and possibly VX. The OPCW said last week its teams had inspected 21 out of 23 chemical weapons sites across the country, meeting a key November 1 deadline.

Two other sites were too dangerous to reach for inspection, but critical equipment had already been moved to other sites that experts had visited, it said.

Syria declared to the OPCW 30 production, filling and storage facilities, eight mobile filling units and three chemical weapons-related facilities. l

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Diplomats meet in Geneva to salvage Syria peace conference n AFP, Geneva The UN-Arab League envoy to Syria met senior diplomats in Geneva Tuesday in a new push to prepare a long-delayed peace conference amid persistent disagreement over who should take part.

Hoping to build on the momentum of a US-Russia accord to destroy Syria’s chemical arsenal by mid-2014, Lakhdar Brahimi has been criss-crossing the region to rally support for a new international conference aimed at ending the Syria conflict.

He began talks with Russian deputy foreign ministers Gennady Gatilov and Mikhail Bogdanov and US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman Tuesday morning at the UN’s European headquarters.

Representatives of the three other permanent members of the UN Security Council – China, France and Britain – will join the meeting later Tuesday.

A UN announcement that Syria’s neighbours, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, as well as the UN and the Arab League would take part in Tuesday’s talks was seen as an indication preparations for the conference,

Tunisia crisis deepens after failure to pick new prime minister

Pussy Riot convict ‘transferred to Siberia’

n AFP, Tunis

n AFP, Moscow

There was no end in sight to Tunisia’s months-long political crisis Tuesday after ruling Islamists and the opposition failed to agree on an independent premier after two missed deadlines.

The birthplace of the Arab Spring has been mired in political stalemate following the assassination of two prominent opposition leaders by suspected jihadists earlier this year.

The opposition has accused the ruling Ennahda, a moderate Islamist party, of having failed to rein in extremists long-suppressed by former strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali as the country has been rattled by a string of attacks mainly targeting security forces.

The ruling Islamists and the opposition opened hard-won talks on October 25 to form a government of independents, draft a much-delayed constitution and prepare for elections as part of a roadmap with a tight timetable.

But on Monday mediators from the powerful UGTT union confederation said the dialogue had been suspended until there are “favourable grounds for talks to succeed,” after the two sides failed to agree on a new prime minister.

On Tuesday the local press lamented the failure to reach an agreement.

“The talks have revealed another crisis, in addition to the political, economic and social crises... It is the crisis of the domination of partisan interests to the detriment of the national interest,” the Arabic-language Assabah newspaper said.

The French language La Temps said the failure of the talks was “inevitable,” as the two sides had “hardened their respective positions.”

The two frontrunners for premier were opposition-backed 79-year-old Mohamed Ennaceur, and Ahmed Mestiri, an 88-year-old supported by Ennahda and its allies.

Both are well respected and served under the late Habib Bourguiba, who

Jailed Pussy Riot band member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova is on her way to a new penal colony in Siberia, her husband said Tuesday, following fears after two weeks without information about her whereabouts.

Tolokonnikova, 23, who alleged major prison abuses in her previous colony in central Russia, is on her way to a new prison colony deep in the Krasnoyarsk region, her husband Pyotr Verzilov wrote on Twitter, saying the information comes from a reliable source.

The penal colony number 50 in the town of Nizhny Ingash lies about 300 kilometres from the regional centre Krasnoyarsk, four time zones away from Moscow and sitting on Russia’s

Girl, 8, is China’s youngest lung cancer case n AFP, Beijing An eight-year-old girl has become China’s youngest lung cancer patient, reports said, with doctors blaming pollution as the direct cause of her illness.

The girl, whose name was not given, lives near a major road in the eastern province of Jiangsu, said Xinhuanet, the website of China’s official news agency.

It quoted Jie Fengdong, a doctor at Jiangsu Cancer Hospital in Nanjing, as saying she had been exposed to harmful particles and dust over a long period of time.

Lung cancer cases among children are extremely rare, with the average age for diagnosis at about 70, according to the American Cancer Society.

But the incidence of the disease has skyrocketed in China as the country’s rapid development has brought with it deteriorating air quality, particularly in urban areas. l

India MP’s wife arrested for the murder of domestic help n Tribune Report

Anti-government protesters shout slogans during a demonstration in Tunis led the fight for Tunisia’s independence and served as its first president for three decades from 1957.

But the opposition said Mestiri was too old and would be a puppet in the hands of Ennahda, which refused to budge.

“We don’t see any alternative to Ahmed Mestiri,” Ennahda chief Rached Ghannouchi said after the failed talks.

The ruling coalition “made the dialogue fail. They are looking for any

REUTERS

means to stay in power,” countered Hamma Hammami, a representative of the opposition National Salvation Front coalition.

The opposition said it had proposed other candidates but that Ennahda had rejected those as well. Another opposition member, Samir Bettaieb, had meanwhile warned that “the negotiations will be doomed if no consensus is reached” on Monday, after an earlier deadline had passed Saturday. l

France vows to stick by Mali withdrawal plans n AFP, Paris France said Tuesday it would stick to plans to withdraw most its troops from Mali, as the bodies of two French journalists killed in the country’s restive north arrived in Paris.

Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said 150 French soldiers had been sent to join 200 troops already in the flashpoint northeastern town of Kidal, where Radio France Internationale (RFI) journalists Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon were killed on Saturday.

But he insisted France would pull two-thirds of the soldiers it has in Mali out of the west African country by the end of January as planned.

Recent incidents “do not call into question the overall schedule to reduce the presence of French forces,”

Fabius told RFI. “We have about 3,000 men in place, it was intended they remain until the elections” for a new parliament on November 24, he said.

“Then we will reduce this number and normally there should be 1,000 soldiers (left in Mali),” he said.

France sent the troops to Mali early this year to drive out Islamists and Tuareg rebels who had seized the country’s vast north after a coup.

Paris has always said the mission would be reduced by two-thirds by early next year as a 12,600-strong UN peacekeeping force takes over.

Some in Mali have voiced concern over the French drawdown amid an increase in violence, as the country’s continued instability was highlighted this week with the deaths of the RFI journalists. l

Uttar Pradesh MP Dhananjay Singh’s wife has been arrested for the murder of a domestic help, who had allegedly been tortured for months, the police say.

Rakhi, the 35-year-old domestic helper, reportedly died on Monday, and had injuries on the head, chest, stomach and arms.

The lawmaker’s wife, Dr Jagriti Singh, has been booked for murder, and also attempt to murder for the alleged torture of another help, Ramphal, a minor. Jagriti Singh is a senior dentist at the government-run RML hospital.

Dhananjay Singh, an MP of Mayawati’s BSP, informed the police several hours after the help’s death. He has also been questioned and “is not above suspicion”, say police sources.

“I got a call three days back from Jagriti that the maid was injured after she fell from the terrace. Yesterday evening, I again got a call saying she has died, I rushed back from my constituency Jaunpur and called the police,” Mr Singh told reporters.

Police sources say the MP could not explain why the woman was not taken to the hospital when she fell three days ago.

The 38-year-old politician says he and his wife are going through a divorce and he stayed at a different house.

Other staff at the house have reportedly alleged that Jagriti Singh routinely beat her staff.

An electrician, Azad, told the police that he had been beaten up by Jagriti Singh once when he made a house call.

“She used to beat her help often. I was hit with slippers and kicked,” he said.

This comes weeks after a 15-year-old girl was rescued from an upscale south Delhi home, semi-naked and bearing brutal marks of torture all over her body. Her employer, a 50-year-old executive who lived with her mother and dogs, was arrested. l

Trans-Siberian railway.

“Essentially, she is transferred 4,500 kilometres from central Russia to the heart of Siberia as punishment for the resonance of her letter” that alleged abuses, Verzilov added.

With just months left of her twoyear term for performing a “punk prayer” in Russia’s main Orthodox cathedral protesting ties between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Kremlin, Tolokonnikova had demanded to be transferred from her prior colony in Mordovia region.

She went on a hunger strike in protest of conditions she described as “slave labour” and constant harassment by colony administration. The strike ended when she started having health problems and was placed on a drip in the prison hospital. l

dubbed Geneva II, were finally picking up speed.

But it remains unclear whether the parties will manage to agree on who should participate and whether they can find a way to end the spiralling 31-month conflict that has killed more than 120,000 people and forced millions more to flee their homes.

Syria’s ever more splintered opposition has refused to attend peace talks unless Assad’s resignation is put up for discussion – a demand rejected by Damascus.

Late Monday, Syria’s information minister stressed that the regime would not take part in the proposed conference if the aim is for the Syrian president to give up power.

Some opposition rebel groups have meanwhile warned that anyone who participates in the conference will be considered traitors.

Complicating the issue further, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Tuesday that Moscow wants Iran to have a seat at the Geneva II table, stressing that “all those who affect the situation must be invited to the conference.” l

10 killed after Sri Lanka bus plunges off cliff n AP, Colombo At least 10 people were killed and 18 others were injured when a bus skidded off a road and plunged down a cliff in central Sri Lanka, police said Tuesday.

A police statement said the bus from a state-owned company was traveling along a mountain road in the central hill town of Bandarawela when it veered off the road and fell down a 105-metre precipice Monday night.

Five women and five men were killed, while the 18 injured included the driver and the conductor, the statement said.

Police say they were investigating to find the cause of the crash. Accidents are common in Sri Lanka because of bad driving habits and poorly maintained roads. l

UAE opens trial of Muslim Brotherhood suspects n AP, Abu Dhabi A court in Abu Dhabi has opened the trial of 30 suspects charged with having links to Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood amid a widening crackdown on Islamists ‘plotters’ in the United Arab Emirates.

The suspects — 20 Egyptians and 10 Emiratis — deny the charges, which include trying to obtain security data. Six of the Egyptians are tried in absentia.

Tuesday’s case comes four months

after UAE convicted 69 people on charges of plotting an Islamist-inspired coup.

It reflects growing pressures on alleged Islamist opposition in Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE— strong backers of Egypt’s military-supported leadership following the July ouster of the Brotherhood-led government.

UAE media say the next hearing is due Nov 12 to allow probes of the suspects’ claims of abuses in prison. l

WORLD WATCH Philippine police foil bombing at gas station

Philippine police said Monday that they foiled what could have been a “disastrous” bombing of a gas station in the country’s volatile south. An attendant found a homemade bomb in a plastic bag that was placed near a gas pump at a station in General Santos city late Sunday, regional police chief Charles Calima Jr said. . CCTV security cameras indicated that the bomb was left by a man while his companion asked a cashier to change his money to smaller bills, apparently as a way to distract the attendants. The two men were believed to have fled later on motorcycles driven by two other men, Calima said.

Chinese officials set 1,000 cats loose in forest Animal activists are combing a forest in eastern China for more than 1,000 kittens rescued from a meat supplier only to be let loose by local authorities, an organiser said Monday. Animal protection volunteers and local police intercepted a truck “filled with cats” destined for dinner plates last week, said an activist surnamed Ni from the Wuxi Small Animal Protection Association in eastern Jiangsu province. But local government officials released the felines – some as young as

four months old – into a nearby mountain forest to fend for themselves, Ni said.

Extinct ‘Godzilla’ platypus found in Australia

A giant extinct species of the platypus with powerful teeth has been discovered in Australia, with a scientist on Tuesday describing the duck-billed water animal as a Godzilla-like monster. The new species, named Obdurodon tharalkooschild, was identified by a single but highly distinctive tooth found in the Riversleigh site in the northeastern Australian state of Queensland – a World Heritage area rich in fossil deposits.

California man skydives on 100th birthday

When Vernon Maynard’s friends asked him what he wished he had done in his 100 years of life, the Southern California man said he had always wanted to jump from a plane with a parachute. The retired car dealer got the chance to mark his centenarian birthday Monday by doing just that. Jean Walcher of the US Parachute Association says Maynard and his two great nephews made their first skydive along with trained instructors from 13,000 feet southeast of Los Angeles.

He had to obtain a doctor’s note before making the jump.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

9

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Window of opportunity closing on reducing emissions: UN

Kerry: spying row shouldn’t cloud US-EU trade talks

Global greenhouse gas emissions will be eight to 12 billion tonnes higher than target levels in 2020

n Reuters, Warsaw

n AFP, Berlin The chances of limiting global temperature increase to two degrees Celsius this century are swiftly diminishing, a new United Nations climate report warned Tuesday, ahead of the body’s annual climate talks next week.

Global greenhouse gas emissions will be eight to 12 billion tonnes higher than target levels in 2020, even if surveyed countries stick to existing emission-reduction agreements, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report.

Scientists say avoiding the upper threshold of two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) would avert the worst affects of climate change, but according to the report would likely require a slashing of emissions by 14 percent in 2020.

“The challenge we face is neither a technical nor policy one,” wrote UNEP chief Achim Steiner. “It is political: the

current pace of action is simply insufficient.”

UNEP officials were to present the report at a news conference in Berlin later Tuesday.

Global greenhouse gas emissions will be eight to 12 billion tonnes higher than target levels in 2020, even if surveyed countries stick to existing emission-reduction agreements, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report The annual report projected 2020 greenhouse gas emissions would be about 59 billion tonnes, a billion tonnes higher than the estimate in last year’s report.

New data from China and updated modelling were cited for the increase.

“Achieving the two degree goal is

with every year less possible. Emissions always rise, even though they need to sink sharply,” German Institute for International and Security Affairs researcher Oliver Geden told AFP. The UNEP, however, said the goal was still technically possible.

The report highlights the agricultural sector, which contributes about 11 percent of global greenhouse emissions, as an area largely untapped for emissions savings.

It named reducing tilling on farm fields and increased planting of trees and shrubs on agricultural land as among the strategies to eliminate up to four billion tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2020.

The report is being issued ahead of annual UN climate talks starting next week in Warsaw.

More than 190 countries will meet to set a timetable toward a new binding, global climate agreement to be signed in 2015 and go into effect in 2020. l

European concerns about alleged electronic eavesdropping by US intelligence should not be allowed to cloud trade talks next week between the United States and the European Union, US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday.

“This is a trade partnership. It has the ability to lift all of our countries,” Kerry said on a visit to Poland. “(It) is really separate from any other issues that people may have on their minds.”

European governments have asked Washington for explanations after newspapers printed allegations that the US National Security Agency (NSA) monitored the mobile phones of senior officials, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Negotiators from the United States and Europe are scheduled to start a week of talks in Brussels on November 11 to try to hammer out what will be the world’s biggest free-trade deal. It will be the second round of negotiations on the agreement. l

A South Korean protester wearing a mask of US President Barack Obama performs during a rally denouncing US National Security Agency’s alleged spying on its allies near the US Embassy in Seoul, South Korea AP

India mission to Mars blasts off successfully

China and India begin joint anti-terrorism drill

n AFP, New Delhi

n AFP, Beijing

India’s first mission to Mars blasted off on Tuesday as the country aims to become the only Asian nation to reach the Red Planet with a programme showcasing its low-cost space technology.

“It’s lift off,” said a commentator on state television as the red-and-black rocket launched into a slightly overcast sky on schedule at 02:38pm (0908 GMT) from the southern spaceport in Sriharikota.

The 350-tonne launch vehicle carrying an unmanned probe was monitored by dozens of scientists in the control room who face their most daunting task since India began its space programme in 1963.

The country has never before attempted inter-planetary travel and more than half of all missions to Mars have ended in failure, including China’s in 2011 and Japan’s in 2003.

The Mars Orbiter Mission, known as “Mangalyaan” in India, was announced only 15 months ago by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, shortly after China’s attempt flopped when it failed to leave Earth’s atmosphere.

The timing led to speculation that India was seeking to make a point to its militarily and economically superior neighbour, despite denials from the country’s space agency.

“We are in competition with ourselves in the areas that we have charted for ourselves,” Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman K Radhakrishnan told AFP last week.

The gold-coloured probe, the size of a small car, will aim to detect methane in the Martian atmosphere. It has been hurriedly assembled and is being carried by a rocket much smaller than US or Russian equiva-

Thai PM defends amnesty bill in face of protests n AFP, Bangkok Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday defended a controversial political amnesty bill that has sparked mass anti-government protests, urging the country to “forgive” after years of civil strife.

Opponents fear the legislation would allow fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra – Yingluck’s brother – to return from self-imposed exile.

Yingluck said the amnesty was needed to reunite the country after years of turmoil culminating in a bloody crackdown by the previous government on pro-Thaksin “Red Shirt” protests in 2010 that left dozens of civilians dead.

“Since this government took power it has focused on reconciliation,” she said in a nationally televised address.

“An amnesty is not about forgetting our painful lessons but about learning so it does not happen again to our young generation,” she said. “If people learn how to forgive, the country will move forward.” There have been daily demonstrations in Bangkok since parliament began debating the bill last week.

More than 10,000 protesters marched through the capital on Monday, seeking to raise pressure on Yingluck’s government over the controversial bill. Small rallies were also held in several provincial towns. l

lents. Lacking the power to fly directly, the launch vehicle will orbit Earth for nearly a month, building up the necessary velocity to break free from our planet’s gravitational pull.

Only then will it begin the second stage of its nine-month journey which will test India’s scientists to the full, five years after they sent a probe called Chandrayaan to the moon.

The cost of the Mars mission is 4.5bn rupees ($73m), less than a sixth of the 455m dollars earmarked for a Mars probe by NASA which will launched later this month.

“We didn’t believe they’d be able to launch this early,” project scientist for the NASA Mars probe, Joe Grebowsky, told AFP. “If it’s successful, it’s fantastic.”

He underlined that Mars, which has a complicated orbit meaning it is between 50-400 million kilometres from Earth, was a far more complex prospect compared with a moon mission.

“When you shoot a rocket at Mars you have to take into account that Mars is going to move a good deal before you get there. The moon is fairly close,” he said.

There have been recent setbacks for India too, including when Chandrayaan lost contact with its controllers in 2009.

Another launch vehicle blew up after takeoff in 2010.

The programme also has to contend with critics who say a country that struggles to feed its people adequately and where more than half have no toilets should not be splurging on space travel.

ISRO counters that its technology has helped economic development through satellites which monitor weather and water resources, or enable communication in remote areas. l

China and India began a joint anti-terrorism drill on Tuesday, the first such exercise by the Asian powers -- which have a sometimes-fraught relationship – for five years.

The world’s two most populous countries each sent one company of soldiers to Chengdu, in the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan, for the “Hand-in-Hand 2013” drill, according to Chinese state media reports.

The joint training exercise comes even as the two remain embroiled in a border dispute that has been unresolved for decades and has occasionally led to military standoffs.

In April, India accused Chinese

troops of intruding into Indian-held territory, a row that was only resolved three weeks later when troops from both sides eventually pulled back.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Beijing two weeks ago, signing an agreement with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to step up cooperation on border defence and counter-terrorism training.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters Tuesday that the drill showed “enhancing political-military trust between the two countries”.

“Since the beginning of this year, China and India relations have scored new progress,” he said.

Indian officials told AFP the country’s contingent for the 10-day-long

drill was 162 strong and led by a brigadier.

“The joint training exercise is a counter-terrorist exercise with a purpose of exploring useful experience and thoughts, advance pragmatic co-operation, promote friendly environment and enhance mutual trust,” an Indian defence ministry statement said.

The first such exercise was held in China in 2007, with another in India the following year.

Beijing blames “terrorist” groups for incidents in its far western region of Xinjiang, home to Muslim Uighurs, and has in the past linked clashes to groups trained in Pakistan, which as well as being India’s great rival also shares a border with China. l

UN fears more Myanmar boat tragedies as Rohingyas flee clashes n AFP, Geneva The UN refugee agency Tuesday urged Myanmar to stem sectarian violence to avoid a repeat of a boat tragedy believed to have killed dozens of Rohingya Muslims fleeing clashes in the country.

“As with the recent boat disasters on the Mediterranean, our worry is that similar tragedies with follow, unless actions are taken by concerned countries to address the causes and reduce the risks,” spokesman Adrian Edwards told reporters.

“It is unacceptable that people are driven by such desperation into life-risking journeys, often falling into the hands of ruthless smugglers,” he added.

A boat carrying almost 70 Rohingya refugees headed to Malaysia capsized Sunday off Myanmar’s coast, police said, leaving dozens missing in treacherous seas and a reported eight survivors.

Around 140,000 people – the majority of them Rohingya – were displaced by two waves of violence between the Buddhist majority and Muslims in Ra-

khine last year that left some 200 people dead.

Thousands of Rohingya have since fled Myanmar, many paying smugglers for passage on rickety and overcrowded boats to Malaysia or further south, despite the dangers posed by rough seas in the Bay of Bengal.

Hundreds are believed to have perished at sea so far this year.

Myanmar views its population of some 800,000 Rohingya as illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh and denies them citizenship. l

I N V I S I B L E P O S S I B I L I T I E S : FA D I N G I N TO T H E B AC KG R O U N D

China flaunts moon rover model before space launch n AFP, Shanghai China displayed a model of a lunar rover that will explore the moon’s surface in an upcoming mission on Tuesday.

Beijing has ambitious space goals, including plans to send its first probe to land on the moon by the end of this year, state media reported in August.

The gold-coloured rover model, with six wheels and wing-like solar panels, attracted admiring crowds at the opening of the China International Industry Fair in Shanghai.

The rover’s designer, Shanghai Aerospace Systems Engineering Research Institute, said the real thing would be lifted aloft by a Long March 3B rocket scheduled to be launched in early December. l

Philippines, US disagree in troop deployment talks n AP, Manila The Philippine defence chief says disagreements in negotiations between US and Filipino officials may prevent an early conclusion of an accord allowing an increase in American military presence in the country.

US and Filipino officials began negotiations in August on a defence agreement that would allow larger numbers of US troops to have temporary access to Philippine military camps and bring in aircraft, ships and other equipment.

US troops have already been allowed to train Filipino anti-terrorism forces in the south since 2002. l

Unknown Chagall among works in ‘Nazi art trove’

n AFP, Augsburg, Germany

Liu Bolin, a Chinese artist, blends himself into the background in front of a shelf lined with comic books as part of a series of performances in Caracas, November 2, 2013. Liu, known as “the invisible man” for using painted-on camouflage to blend into the backdrops of his photographs, will be performing in Caracas till November 6 REUTERS

Previously unknown masterpieces by modernist painters Marc Chagall and Otto Dix are among the vast trove of works believed stolen by the Nazis and hidden in a Munich flat, an art historian said Tuesday.

Meike Hoffmann, an expert aiding the investigation, said the Chagall painting, an allegorical scene dating from the mid-1920s, had a “particularly high art-historical value.” The Dix work is a rare self-portrait believed to have been painted in 1919.

Hoffmann showed slides of the paintings, which also include works by Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, at a news conference in the southern city of Augsburg where the German authorities shed light on the spectacular find in the apartment of an eccentric elderly loner.

The man, identified as Cornelius Gurlitt, is the son of Hildebrand Gurlitt, a prominent Nazi-era art dealer who acquired the paintings in the 1930s and 1940s.

Hildebrand Gurlitt had been one of a handful of art experts tasked by the Nazis with selling valuable artworks stolen from Jewish collectors or seized among avant-garde works deemed to be “degenerate.” Augsburg chief prosecutor Reinhard Nemetz said 1,285 unframed and 121 framed paintings, sketches and prints were found in the rubbish-strewn flat, some dating back to the 16th century. l

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Letters to

www.dhakatribune.com

the Editor

LETTER OF THE DAY

We need to end hartal violence now

T

he first day of this week’s hartal saw 4 people killed and 150 hurt as ordinary people were caught up in the violence created by so-called political activists.

Distressing pictures have shown Rahima Begum, a grandmother, and her 9-year-old granddaughter being treated for 15% burns after hartal supporters set fire to their bus near Gazipur. Horrifyingly, they were luckier than Munir Ali, a 12-year-old from the same locality who was taken to hospital with 95% burns.

It is disgraceful that the main People should be reaction of leading members of able to go about their the BNP, which called the hartal, ordinary lives during was to assert that the government hartals without fear is responsible. The suffering enof intimidation and dured by ordinary people during violence hartals was not seen as a reason for remorse, but an excuse for point scoring.

Such callous behaviour is not limited to any one party, as all too recently, members of the AL have reacted to deaths and injuries caused by their own activists, in exactly the same way.

We do not think that the vast majority of people in the country either support violent hartals or are so inured to violence that they accept these types of death and injury.

Enough is enough. While we accept it may be too hopeful to expect the political parties to resolve differences without calling demonstrations, there is no justification for political violence and vandalism.

People should be able to go about their ordinary lives during hartals without fear of intimidation and violence. The country should not be held hostage.

We ask all political parties to make a pledge before the next election not to advocate or tolerate violence during hartals, whether or not they are in government.

Honourable prime minister, please let us live in peace November 4

I have become unable to write on any other subject except the political situation of our country; all other things have become insignificant. The future seems ominous and only one person can make all the difference, and that person is none other than Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She can change the darkness into light, despair into hope, and anarchy to security, everything negative into positive.

I had once read a prayer a long time ago, I’m sharing it here: Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace; Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is error, the truth; Where there is doubt, the faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; To be understood, as to understand; To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

As the PM of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina is in charge of the welfare of the country and its 16 crore people. We are praying to Almighty Allah to make her realise it, to discard the path of animosity, and follow the path of peace and righteousness Nur Jahan Chittagong

Hasina-Khaleda phone conversation October 30 The two leaders have talked and the whole world has now listened! The conversation was very simple, honest and unpretentious!

But the nectar of it, if one would like to extract it out of this 37-minute conversation, would simply be, “My way or the highway!”

Hence, any future dialogue between the government and opposition parties must be through representatives and not by the leaders themselves.

Should we expect any conclusive and positive outcome that is in the best interest of the country?

Waliul Haque Khondker

Minorities need pro-active support

It’s frightening and a real shame that our country has been in the hands of these two ladies for the past 22 years. And why does a two-time elected PM have to bring up her dead family members every time?

he disgraceful attacks on a Hindu temple in the Bangram village of Pabna this weekend are a sobering reminder of the ease with which small groups of people can instigate fear and violence in the wider community. Law enforcement authorities should support the public by creating a climate that allows perpetrators of this violence to be swiftly brought to justice.

It is time. They should say good bye to politics.

Salim Hossain

T

As in Ramu last year, where mobs looted and burned down ancient Buddhist temples, the violence and attacks on minority communities were reportedly sparked by rumours of abusive posts on the internet.

Whatever the content of such posts, it is clear in both cases that the real catalyst was exLaw enforcement treme elements inciting commuauthorities should nal hatred against minority communities. The posts in question support the public by were merely a pretext. creating a climate that Some policy-makers have allows perpetrators suggested clamps on the of this violence to be internet to prevent such posts. swiftly brought to This is poor reasoning not least justice because web pages can easily be faked and rumours made up and incitement inflamed without the internet.

Minority communities need practical support to dissuade and prevent further such attacks. Timely investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators and inciters of violence is the most urgently required action.

Also, police and local officials need to be held to account if they fail to take appropriate action to uphold rule of law and quell outbreaks of this type, as took place once again this past Monday on the Hindu community in Lalmonirhaat, in which 15 villagers were beaten, and 40 homes raided and valuables looted.

Above all, government and all political parties need to work together to stamp out encouragement for any form of violence and communal disharmony.

CROSSWORD

rutland waters

DOWN 1 Mannequin (5) 2 Monkey (3) 3 Circles (5) 4 Utter (3) 5 Sundry (7) 6 Bound (4) 7 Leave out (4) 11 Fashion (4) 12 Overwhelming disaster (7) 14 Water pitcher (4) 16 Hackneyed (5) 17 Brings up (5) 18 Public walk (4) 19 That following (4) 21 Pouring edge (3) 22 Cry as a cat (3)

October 31

Great news for our nation. Special thanks to Hasina and Khaleda!

Abdur Rahim Miah Well, mission accomplished. Very constructive.

Good to have such pro-active leaders! :-p Sallyann Hall

CEC: Elections possible after Jan 24 October 31

But the constitution doesn’t allow the EC to make such a move. It clearly says the election must be held within the 90day timeframe. Journalists should have asked him why the commission is about to bend the law. amadil2003

October 30

SM Tahidul Islam Just wondering how long it takes to upload an audio file. If the government had disclosed it faster, then no one would have been able to leak it.

Wakho “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (October 30) said the countrymen should know the full content of the conversation between her and the opposition leader Khaleda Zia. The premier’s comment came amid a countrywide debate whether it was right to making public the two political leaders’ much-talked-about conversation on Saturday evening.”

Now who will Mr Inu punish for the leak? :-)

Be Heard

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

Prologue to traffic tailback October 31

Thank you for bring this issue into further light; it was long overdue and much needed.

Bar Tanjib

Pro-hartal bomb blinds nine-year-old girl October 30

No one is responsible for that but blind politicians.

Shahnewaz Shahin

‘No option except polls under a non-party govt’ November 1

So we will burn more cars and buses, take the economy down the drain, in the name of the people, for the people, by the people!?!

Syed Hashemi

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PEANUTS

CODE-CRACKER ACROSS 1 Planet (4) 5 Artillery salute (5) 8 Narcotic (6) 9 Refuse to admit (4) 10 Friend (Fr) (3) 12 Autocrat (6) 13 Inferior (6) 15 Trade (6) 18 Servile (6) 20 Land measure (3) 21 Peruvian capital (4) 23 Tarry (6) 24 Supple (5) 25 Church seating (4)

Inu: Punish, if conversation leak violates law

60-hour hartal ends, total deaths 13

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS Crossword

Sudoku

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

11

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Talking poverty with Wahiduddin Mahmud n Shazia Omar

W Is there light at the end of the tunnel?

BIG STOCK

Glimmer of hope, or new twist?

S

n Ali Riaz

enior Awami League leader Suranjit Sengupta has proposed that a parliamentary committee headed by BNP chief Khaleda Zia can be appointed “to work on the format of an ‘interim’ government that will oversee the 10th parliamentary election.”

He made that offer in parliament on Monday. Whether this proposal is Mr Sengupta’s own or an AL proposal is yet to be made clear, because the ruling party secretary general stated previously that no talks would take place with the BNP if hartal was enforced, and the PM has remained firm on her: “all party government” formula.

The statement of Mr Sengupta may offer a glimmer of hope. But if this turns out be a trick to put the opposition on the back foot, the victory of the ruling party will not benefit them

This announcement came in the wake of two developments: the now infamous telephone “conversation” between the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia, and Khaleda Zia’s comment to the trade body leaders that she is open to “unconditional” talks among the party secretary generals.

The proposal has raised questions: is this a breakthrough in the current political impasse or a new twist in the ongoing political saga? As the country endured another three-day hartal with more on the horizon, any positive comments are gladly seized upon.

But many will see this as another trick of the ruling party to create further confusion. There are reasons to be sceptical about the new proposal.

This is akin to the TIB proposal laid out in April. The TIB proposed the formation of a committee taking an

equal number of members from both the ruling and opposition alliances to select a government for holding a free and fair election.

According to the proposal, “a Parliamentary Consensus Committee will be formed in the 30 days before the incumbent parliament’s tenure expires.

The committee will select 10 members and one chief for the polls-time government. The speaker will form the committee following recommendations of political parties.”

It is well to bear in mind that the PM rejected the formula along with other proposals suggested at that time. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, addressing Pabna district leaders a day after the TIB floated the idea, said: “These new formulas will only create more complexities … these won’t help strengthen democracy and maintain its uninterrupted march forward.”

However, the situation has changed since then and perhaps the ruling party is willing to negotiate. Notwithstanding potential problems regarding the composition of the proposed parliamentary committee, there are other issues. For example, if the committee suggests a solution that requires changes in the constitution, will the ruling party comply and amend the constitution?

If the committee fails to come to a consensus and the committee chair with minority members send a proposal, will that be considered as a legitimate proposal? These issues cannot be resolved in one statement neither can they be avoided altogether.

But they can be discussed. As the opposition leader has already agreed to have a secretary general level discussion, the new offer can serve as the first step towards a meeting or perhaps as the first agenda item of such a get-together.

Will the BNP seize the opportunity and request the AL to elucidate? I am not very optimistic that the BNP will do so. However, I am of the opinion that the BNP cannot simply reject the offer and stick to its demand for the caretaker government (CTG).

Khaleda Zia’s earlier outline of the CTG has turned out to be a non-starter.

As reflected in various opinion polls in past months, a significant majority of citizens feel that a caretaker government is needed to oversee the election.

While the BNP can take comfort in that, it cannot continue to be a mere naysayer. Khaleda Zia’s response to the PM’s offer to join her “for a dinner” or negotiation (depends on how you read the message) was a strategic mistake with serious consequences. The human cost of the ongoing political impasse is increasing by the day.

Similarly, if the ruling party and the PM are behind the new offer, it is incumbent on them to elaborate. A timeframe to form the committee and its modus operandi must be laid out soon. But all must start with a clear statement from the PM that she is behind the proposal. It is known to all, decisions are solely hers.

In one sense, the entire conversation is taking place on “borrowed time.” It is “borrowed time” because by now the EC should have been working on the election schedule and the parliament should have been adjourned (as previously promised by the PM and the ruling party).

But should an agreement be reached among all political parties, the PM can evoke clause 123 (3) (b) of the constitution. It says if the parliament is dissolved before completion of its term (5 years period; January 24, 2014), “election is to be held within 90 days after such dissolution.”

Whether such an agreement can be reached is an open question, but the statement of Mr Sengupta may offer a glimmer of hope. But if this turns out be a trick to put the opposition on the back foot, the victory of the ruling party will not benefit them in the long run. In the meantime the nation will continue to suffer.

One must imagine Bangladesh happy. It has to be thought that, beyond the borders of the privileged Dhaka, people are happy.

This happiness is derived from everyone having picked sides, certain of each person’s preferred poison taking hold either tomorrow or in five years’ time, when he or she will undoubtedly profit.

It is why most of Dhaka, too, has decided. Doing so is inherent to every Bangladeshi. Neutrality, which does not make any allowance for selfishness, is for children and madmen, after all, so said the figurehead of the current fight for neutrality.

Camus, on the other hand, said, “The only really committed artist is he who, without refusing to take part in the combat, at least refuses to join the regular armies and remains neutral.”

Camus debated whether suicide was the only solution for Sisyphus.

One has to wonder why Bangladeshis have not taken to it en masse. Living in the absurd world that they are forced to occupy, getting out of bed

every morning and finding a reason to smile every day is asking too much of the citizens of this land.

They deliver that and more, because they are happy, because they have chosen. Bangladeshis do not need their leaders to ask them for their trust. It has already been given, knowing full well that trust and the common good will be sacrificed at the altar of nonsense, hatred and greed.

A committed Bangladeshi artist was also born on the November 7. The late great Mahbub ul Alam Chowdhury’s neutrality allowed him to fervently pen the poem “Kandte ashini, fashir dabi niye eshechhi” in 1952. Neither a high fever and a bout of chickenpox, nor the imminent threat on his life could keep him from his selfless act for the common good.

Years later, during one of the reruns of Bangladesh’s political crisis, he wrote an open letter, a passionate plea to the leaders to think about the country. Lest it is forgotten, Sisyphus’s original act was altruistic as well.

As the day on which those illustrious men who are no more were born

Ali Riaz is a public policy scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington DC, USA.

hen I met Wahid chacha last week, we chatted about social protection for the poorest.

It’s not your usual topic of conversation during the noontime of a working day.

Most of us would rather discuss which restaurant to visit for lunch than worry about the 25 million extremely poor people who may not eat lunch at all.

But not Wahid chacha.

As one of the leading economists in our nation, it’s not surprising he can talk about social protection (and I suppose any other topic you throw before him) with clarity, precision and wisdom. I admire that sort of collection of knowledge and tidiness of thought.

Here I summarise some of his words for you.

We don’t need too much money, just a good strategy and passionate execution along all levels of government.

Nothing short of a miracle

He says: “It is the government’s responsibility to deal with the extreme poor.”

Microcredit, he explains, was never meant to provide funds to cover the immediate needs of the extreme poor.

The extreme poor exist in perpetual crisis conditions.

They are hardly able to plan for longer term livelihood strategies.

Microcredit is not meant to be used to meet the immediate subsistence needs but as capital to establish an income generating enterprise.

Microcredit can do much more for the 60 million poor in Bangladesh than for the 25 million extreme poor. “It is important to distinguish between the role of public safety nets in protecting the extremely poor and vulnerable households and the role of microcredit in helping those poor households who can put funds to productive use. We should recognise that these two groups have different needs that require different solutions.”

He says: “Furthermore, in the majority of cases, microfinance can provide only supplementary family income through small-scale self-employment activities. Only a small proportion of borrowers are found to be able to scale up their activities substantially beyond subsistence. Not all poor people can be entrepreneurs. People need to find work in paid employment. Social business can be a good framework. But, what is our government doing to create jobs?

The key is to combine job-creating economic policies with household-level interventions to match economic opportunities with household capabilities.”

He mentions that he knows about extreme poverty eradication programs Shiree and CLP, partnerships between GOB and UKAid, that are included in the government’s count of 81 safety net programs. These are the only two on the list that are promotive or transformative in nature rather than protective.

He says, “Protective safety nets are necessary, for those incapable of earning even when given stimulus packages: the elderly and disabled; but these nets fall grossly short of meeting the need as they are not only insufficient but also tragically misappropriated.”

In fact, it is the inadequate coverage of public safety nets that create confusion about the appropriate roles and effectiveness of other poverty interventions like shiree.

Incidentally, from the May 2013 survey of 1 million extreme poor shiree beneficiaries across the country, 88% of them said they are aware of their entitlement to safety nets, yet only 1012% are receiving some form of safety net facilities.

I ask Wahid chacha if he thinks we can eradicate extreme poverty by 2021 (as the honourable prime minister has committed to do).

He says: “Yes. It is possible, at least arithmetically. To eliminate the poverty gap so that the extreme poor cross the threshold of the lower poverty line and become moderately poor would require less than 3% of our GDP. This would be enough to enable the poorest to climb out of extreme poverty.”

Unfortunately, it is difficult to redistribute out of existing income. One can only hope to give the poor a better share out of the increase in income generated by economic growth.

I think: Alright, let’s just skim the cream off the top? To break the intergenerational transfer of poverty, we don’t need too much money, just a good strategy and passionate execution along all levels of government. Nothing short of a miracle. Do miracles happen, I ask him?

“Yes. It happened in Korea and Malaysia,” he says.

For those who cannot earn a living, the elderly, disabled, chronically ill, a different strategy is needed: one of pure welfare, protection in the form of reasonable monthly safety nets and possibly rent-out-able assets if the person has a family structure to depend on.

What sort of Bangladesh do we want?

2021 is only 8 years away. If we are to achieve this goal and establish ourselves as global leaders in poverty reduction, we must start implement strong policies and practices this year.

We look to our nation’s experts and leaders to make this a number one priority and we pray for a great Bangladesh, one that is fully inclusive and extreme-poverty-free by 2021. l Shazia Omar is head of advocacy at Shiree.

Love all, trust a few n Ikhtisad Ahmed

B

enedict Cumberbatch’s turn as Julian Assange in the presumptuously named “The Fifth Estate” was the stuff of dreams, those of conspiracy theorists. Except, those dreams have come true.

The world is embroiled in a spying scandal reminiscent of George Orwell’s hyperbolic warnings, prophesies brought to fruition by messiahs of capitalism and their thoughtless disciples. These drones, the true societal parasites, have caused irreparable devastation, the consequences of which cannot fully be fathomed.

Yet, the message cascading from the pulpit is that the people should trust the leaders. There is the implied acceptance that, in the process of spying, gathering untold qualities and quantities of information and depriving every man and his dog of their irrefutable privacy, trust has been broken.

That has not deterred the leaders from audaciously asking to be trusted with this information, in the name of

safety, trusted to break the people’s trust again and again. Their repugnant arrogance comes from the belief that people forget, that this indiscretion too will be forgiven tomorrow.

Much of life is built on the hope for tomorrow, yet every tomorrow only draws the inevitable end of mortality nearer. Sisyphus tried to defy this by putting Death in chains so that no more humans had to die.

His attempt to cheat death was punished by the gods compelling him to roll a bolder up a hill, only for it to roll back down when he reached the top. He was to repeat this action for all of eternity.

Bangladesh is a country that has been consigned to this ceaseless and pointless toil. Its journey, like that of man in a world devoid of hope and meaning, is a futile one. Albert Camus, who would have turned a hundred on the November 7, spent his life trying to reason with existence in the face of this. He observed in his seminal “The Myth of Sisyphus”: “The struggle itself…is enough to fill a man’s heart.

One must imagine Sisyphus happy.”

draws near, the loss of their wisdom is felt more deeply than ever. Had they been heeded during their lifetimes, spying scandals and repeat crises may have been averted or mitigated.

Living in the absurd world that they are forced to occupy, getting out of bed every morning and finding a reason to smile every day is asking too much of the citizens of this land

Instead, an absurd path has been laid out by those who cannot be trusted, but nonetheless are. Faced with this inevitability of life, Camus asked whether the realisation of the absurd requires suicide. He answered, “No. it requires revolt.” On that, both men agreed.

Ikhtisad Ahmed is a writer and an erstwhile lawyer. He can be contacted on Twitter via @ikhtisad.

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Airin set to appear on the big screen n

Afrose Jahan Chaity

Airin Sultana, one of the most familiar faces in the entertainment industry nowadays, is all set to enter the silver screen. Her debut film Bhalobasa Zindabad is directed by Debashish Biswas, where, she is the counterpart of Arifin Shuvo, a handsome actor of the silver screen.

Recently, Dhaka Tribune had the opportunity to interview the starlet:

As a new actor, what challenges are you facing?

Choosing acting over my already established image of a supermodel is a risky venture. Acting is more challenging than modeling, where you just have to present yourself in an attractive man-

ON TV MOVIE 7:45pmWB

Rush Hour 2

ner.

Acting demands a lot more variation and you have to learn to deliver something new in each and every performance.

9:30pm Star Movies

What measures are you taking in securing your career as an actor?

8:30pm Star Plus

The Mummy

DRAMA Meri Bhabi

I am a novice in the acting arena, I do not have an academic or professional training as an actor. I try to learn from observing others.

In my opinion, learning history, taking academic acting lessons and studying techniques of acting are important.

If I get the chance to polish my skills, I won’t miss it.

Are you planning to continue modeling as well?

9:30pm Zee Café Lost

COMEDY 5:00pm Colors

Comedy Nights With Kapil

8:30pm Z Cafe

The Big Bang Theory

Since I have entered the industry through modeling, it is obvious that I want to keep up the good work. But, since I am kept very busy with the shooting of my films, I won’t be able to work like before.

Koreans to watch ‘Television’ in cinemas

What are you working on currently?

n Entertainment Desk

Recently, I am working on Saif Chandan’s “Chheleti Abol Tabol Meyeti Pagol Pagol” with Arju. On the other hand, “Ei Tumi Shei Tumi” is completed and is submitted for color correction, and then it will be forwarded to the censor board. Hopefully, the film will release at the end of this year.

What kind of roles do you enjoy?

I love challenges and diversity in my characters. Also, films with unconventional story lines hold a great deal of appeal for me. I love different dimensions in each and every role I play.

Where do you see yourself ten years from now?

Firstly, I want to work hard. It is evident that if I work hard enough, I will be able to establish myself as a successful artiste in the industry. l

Mostafa Sarwar Farooki’s film Television, which brought the curtain down on the Busan Film Festival in South Korea in October 2012, is going to be released commercially in three Korean cities on November 7.

Television 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 last month.

Previously, the acclaimed film was nominated to compete at the Oscars.

The movie has been selected by the Oscar Bangladesh Committee to compete at the 86th Annual Academy Awards’ Best Foreign Language Film category.

This month, Television will be screened in Kolkata International Film Festival and later this year, the much acclaimed film is going to participate in

Ghani encourages the youth to think positively about politics n Saudia Afrin A photographic essay of A J Ghani is being showcased as part of the Urban Youth Festival going on at the Goethe Institut. On November 4, an artist talk was held based on the ongoing exhibition titled Portraits of Politics.

Ghani shared his journey and thoughts as a photographer briefly and talked more about his photographs, references, and sources.

When referring to Bangladesh’s glorified historical movement Ghani said: “Previously, people signified the Language Movement as a symbol of politics, but now, they relate politics with horror, violence and aggression.”

Ghani further shares his research find on people’s opinion about politics: “While browsing the internet and survey-

ing the youth of the country, I came up with a number of objects and incidents that people usually relate to politics.”

According to Ghani, most people talked about cocktail attacks and the Ramu incident when asked them to say something about politics. He considers this dimension as a destructive aspect for politics and he also noticed that people did not like to respond to political talks and was keen on talking about something else whenever the subject was mentioned.

“The young generation should come forward and try to bring a change in the political scenario of the country.”

Director of Goethe institute Judith Mirschberger, renowned photojournalists and Ghani’s mentors of Pathshala South Asian Media Institut were present there. l

Michelle Pfeiffer reveals she was in a cult n Entertainment Desk Michelle Pfeiffer revealed she was involved in a cult-like relationship with a couple when she first arrived in Los Angeles. The 55-year-old actor stated that the couple were “very controlling” and believed in “breatharianism,” the belief that a human could reach “their highest state” through not drinking or eating.

The Batman actress spoke to The Sunday Telegraph’s Stella magazine (published on 3rd November) about her youthful involvement in the cult.

Pfieffer described how, after leaving home at the age of 20, she became involved with a “very controlling” couple when she arrived in Los Angeles.

She described the couple as “kind of personal trainers” who placed her on an extreme diet, breatharianism, which “nobody can adhere to.”

The couple Pfeiffer described as “controlling,” “worked with weights and put people on diets.” She stated that although “their thing was vegetarianism,” they believed “that people in their highest state were breatharian.”

As with a number of “cults” there was a financial cost to the young actress. She explained how the dynamics of their relationship worked: “I wasn’t living with them but I was there a lot and they were always telling me I needed to come more. I had to pay for all the time I was there, so it was financially very draining.”

Pfeiffer was unaware of the cult-like nature of her relationship and lifestyle with the couple. The Dangerous Liaisons actress only became aware of the psychological pressure she was under when she met her first husband, actor Peter Horton.

Pfeiffer’s discussion of her early life in Hollywood was part of an interview promoting her latest film, The Family. Pfieffer stars alongside Robert De Niro, Dianna Agron and John D’Leo in this crime comedy, based on a Mafia family living in France. l

the competition category of Asia Pacific Screen Awards. The main programme of the competition will be held in Australia this December.

The movie is based on the theme of tradition versus contemporary in the rural arena. It 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.

The lead actors of the film are Nusrat Imrose Tisha, Mosharraf Karim and Chanchal Chowdhury. l

Miss Asia Pacific 2013 Srishti Rana’s tiara seized n Entertainment Desk

Dettol Shera Ami Shonge Maa Season 2 will be aired today on RTV at 5:20pm. Dettol presents this show to bring to life this unique concept where a Mom-Child pair showcases their talents on stage

Twentyone-year-old Srishti Rana, who bagged Miss Asia Pacific 2013 pageant in Korea recently, is in trouble. Srishti’s tiara, made of diamonds and other valuable gems, has been seized by Air Intelligence Unit as it was an undeclared item.

The tiara of Rana will be returned once the value is evaluated, duty is paid and a bond is signed. Srishti was returning from Seoul when she was intercepted. She is India’s second consecutive winner to win the coveted titles.

The 21-year-old outshone among 49 other contestants in the pageant held in Korea on October 30. She was crowned by the reigning Miss Asia Pacific World 2012, Himangini Singh Yadu from India. She also won the Best National costume award depicting the national bird of India. l

Krrish3 joins Rs100cr club n Entertainment Desk Actor Hrithik Roshan’s Krrish3 is the latest film to enter elite Rs 100 crore club within four days of its release. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh took to Twitter to explain the film’s impressive box office collection. “And ‘highest single day’ record lies shattered. Krrish3 collects History on Monday, Rs 35.91 cr. The highest ‘single day’ figure ever,” his tweet reads.

“Also, Krrish3 hits a ton. Crosses 100 cr mark on Monday. Friday to Monday: 108.61 cr,” his next tweet reads.

Directed and produced by Rakesh Roshan, the superhero sci-fi drama, made on a budget of about Rs.100Rs.150 crore, got a grand opening when

it came out Friday. The film earned Rs 25 crore on the first day, Adarsh had informed on Twitter.

Another trade pundit Komal Nahta has also been confident that Krrish3 will move up on the success ladder.

Red Chillies VFX, a subdivision of Shah Rukh Khan’s motion picture production banner Red Chillies Entertainment, worked on the special effects for Krrish3. While the movie has attracted a lot of children to the theatres, R K Mehrotra, general manager, Delite cinemas informed that the film is houseful till today. The film’s success is a good news for rest of the cast that includes Vivek Oberoi, Kangana Ranaut and Priyanka Chopra. l

NEWS 1:45pm RTV

Dupurer Shongbad

10:00pm Maasranga Tv

Prime Time Maasranga News

MISC 10:30pm Vh1

Good Morning Vh1

7:30pm AXN

Guinness World Recods

TODAY IN DHAKA Exhibition

Kinetic Photography Exhibition Gazi Nafis Ahmed Time: 10am – 8pm EMK Center, H-5, Road- 27(old) Dhanmondi Rhythm of Xylography Group Art Exhibition Time: 11am – 7pm Gallery Cosmos-2 New DOHS, Mohakhali Exotic Jute II Time: 3pm – 8pm Alliance Francaise de Dhaka, Dhanmondi Nishobdo Solo Exhibition

By Shabekun Nahar Time: 3pm - 9pm Alliance Francaise de Dhaka Dhanmondi When Silence Eats Sound Group Exhibition Time: 12pm – 8pm Bengal Art Lounge 60 Gulshan Avenue

Festival

Urban Youth Festival II Time: 11am – 8pm Goethe Institut Bangladesh Road 9 (new) House 10 Dhanmondi R/A

Music

Open mic & jam session Time: 7.30pm Kozmo, Banani Theatre

Theatre

Velki Nobonat Time: 7pm National Theatre Hall Bangladesh Shipakala Academy

Film

Planes in 3D Riddick Purno dhorgho prem kahini Monsters University in 3D Titanic (3D) Bullet to the Head Udhao Level 8, Bashundhara City Panthapath

Did you know?

Bayern Munich’s French midfielder Franck Ribéry has 63 assists in Bundesliga since 2007/08 season, 25 more than the next best (Müller 38)

Sport

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

14 Atletico eye on last-16 14 Januzaj needs protecting: David spot, English duo to Moyes beat German rivals

DHAKA TRIBUNE

13

15 Wawrinka, Del Potro give taste of things to come

Fans cue overnight for tickets n Mazhar Uddin

Thousands of cricket fans on stood in line overnight in front of the branch of a bank in Mirpur on Monday to get a ticket for the sole T20 match between Bangladesh and New Zealand.

The tickets were available at the counters of United Commercial Bank (UCB) Limited from 10am Tuesday but fans started began gathering at the location in Mirpur-10 on Monday evening. Police were called on the scene to ensure everything went through in orderly fashion.

Ahead of the third ODI in Fatullah, fans who failed to secure tickets clashed with police at Chashara in Narayanganj – leaving 30 injured.

The fans themselves did not seem to feel they had endured any hardship and were focused on cheering on their heroes.

“The Tigers have made us proud by defeating the Black Caps in seven ODIs in a row and Banglawashed them once again in the three match ODI series yesterday at Fatullah (Sunday).

We don’t want to miss the chance of witnessing the Kiwis outplayed by the Tigers once more in the T20 match,” one fan said, and many more echoed the sentiment. l

Bangladesh cricketers go through a stretching session ahead of their T20 match against New Zealand at the SBNS yesterday

Tamim ruled out of T20 n Minhaz Uddin Khan

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal was ruled out of the lone T20 match against New Zealand, informed Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday.

The Chittagong lad was sent for MRI the night before the third game after he complained of pain in the lower abdomen. However, when one of the BCB physiotherapists informed that he is doing fine and he is fit to play it led to a misconception among the team and general public with Tamim’s intention.

The home side, when they were on their way to Fatullah for the third ODI, came to know from the medical report that Tamim has a “Grade Two” tear in the lower abdomen and that the southpaw was not fit for the game on Sunday. The team expressed anger over the negligence from the BCB physiotherapist as they had to change their strategies.

Bangladesh team manager Akram

Khan did not comment on the reaction of the team, but has said, “Such occurrence is really sad for a sportsperson. A player falls under odd situation when he complains of injury, but the doctor says he is fine. Such situations give a very wrong conception among the general public. This might even make people say that the particular player is acting to skip a game.

“We also talk about the professionalism of a cricketer then why not of everyone who are involved with the game. One should understand the importance and should be careful of their responsibilities,” said Akram.

Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim also informed Tamim is unwell.

“He (Tamim) is not doing well to be honest so he will not play in the game tomorrow (today). He is a key member of our team so we will miss him and at the same time also expect his replacement to do the job well,” said Mushfiqur during a press meet yesterday. l

MUMIT M

Hosts on roll, visitors hungry n Mazhar Uddin

With their seventh consecutive ODI win over New Zealand behind them, Bangladesh look ahead to the sole T20 international of the tour with a number of points to prove today at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

The two teams have only met twice in the shortest format of the game, and the Kiwis have emerged victors both times. The last time was in the 2012 World Twenty20 and on that occasion, Brendon McCullum’s 58-ball 123 propelled New Zealand to an easy 59-run victory in Pallekele.

That loss and the following one to Pakistan saw Bangladesh fall to 11th

place in the ICC T20 rankings, behind Ireland and Afghanistan and the Tigers are out to prove themselves better than that.

Today’s match gives the hosts an opportunity to do just that and the momentum they have from the ODI series will fill the team with confidence. The match also provides the Tigers with a chance to get a head-start on their preparation for the World Twenty20, which begins in March, and try to prevent a repeat of their 2012 performance in Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh will be without allrounder Shakib al Hasan – who is out with dengue - and opener Tamim Iqbal who missed the third ODI with lower abdomen pain. Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim hinted yesterday at the press conference that the team management would blood all-rounder Soumya Sarkar in place of Ziaur Rahman, who scored a fluent 22 at

Probable XI Bangladesh 1 Soumya Sarkar, 2 Shamsur Rahman, 3 Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), 4 Mominul Haque, 5 Naeem Islam, 6 Nasir Hossain, 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Sohag Gazi, 9 Abdur Razzak, 10 Mashrafe Mortaza, 11 Rubel Hossain New Zealand 1 Anton Devcich, 2 Tom Latham, 3 Grant Elliott, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Luke Ronchi (wk), 6 Corey Anderson, 7 Colin Munro, 8 Nathan McCullum, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Kyle Mills (capt), 11 Adam Milne the top of the order in the third ODI. The 20-year old Soumya had a decent season with the bat in the last Bangladesh Premier League and has been successful in the domestic season with not just the bat but also his medium pace bowling. He is likely to

MSC takes sole lead in chess Mushfiq looks for strong finish n Raihan Mahmood

Reigning champion Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting Club Ltd. took the sole lead in the points table of the Rupahali Sarees Premier Division Chess League with 8 match points at end of the 4th round yesterday.

At the hall room of the chess federation, Mohammedan beat Leonine Chess Club by 3.5-0.5.

Leonine’s Fide Master Mehdi Hasan Parag drew with Tajikistani Grand Master Amonatov Farukh while Mohammedan’s Russian GM Volkov Sergey, GM Niaz Murshed and IM Minhazuddin Ahmed Sagar won

their respective games against Monir Hossain, FM Mohammad Javed and Sohel Chowdhury.

Bangladesh Navy Chess Team remained in second place with 6 points after beating Pritam-Prism Chess Club, Narayanganj 4-0, as GM Reefat bin Sattar, GM Abdulla Al-Rakib, FM Sheikh Nasir Ahmed and FM Khandokar Aminul Islam won their respective games against Mohammad Enayet Hossain, Abdullah Al-Saif, Mohammad Shameem and Saidul Islam.

Access Group Chess Club drew with Titas Club by 2-2 to leave Titas in third place with 5 points. l

n Minhaz Uddin Khan

New Zealand will conclude their tour of Bangladesh today when they face the hosts in a T20 match today at the Sher-eBangla National Stadium (SBNS).

“Of course our target will be to win the game, but at the same time the game will also help us assess and prepare for the Twenty20 World Cup, which is just months away,” Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh’s captain, told the press yesterday.

Coming off a 3-0 ODI series win, Mushfiq was not underestimating the opposition. “The opponents are New Zealand. They are not a bad team in the ODIs too. They are more experienced in

Southee looks to end on winning note n Minhaz Uddin Khan New Zealand will complete their tour of Bangladesh today and will be looking for their first win of in the lone T20 match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS), after the two Test matches were drawn and the ODI series was lost 0-3.

“The draw in the Test series and the defeat in the ODIs were really disappointing for us. We want to win at least the Twetnty20 game tomorrow (today) before we go back,” New Zealand seamer Tim Southee told the media at the SBNS yesterday.

Southee added that his team were looking to gain knowledge of the conditions ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 in 2014, which will be held in Bangladesh.

“The World Cup (T20) will be held here in a few months’ time. The game

tomorrow (today) is a great opportunity for us to learn about the condition,” said the 24-year old.

The Kiwis have won their last twoTwenty20 games against Bangladesh.

The last time the two teams met in this

The condition will be tough for us, to be honest. Bangladesh are playing very good cricket at the moment and the game will be tough. We had a day off yesterday (Monday) and are back to the field refreshed and are excited for the game format was in the ICC World Twenty last year where New Zealand bagged a convincing 59 run win at Pallekele.

However, Southee believes a win this time will be tougher since the conditions are against them and Bangladesh have great momentum following their

3-0 ODI series win.

“The condition will be tough for us, to be honest. Bangladesh are playing very good cricket at the moment and the game will be tough. We had a day off yesterday (Monday) and are back to the field refreshed and are excited for the game,” said Southee.

New Zealand boasts an impressive Twenty20 record and can lay claims to being one of the top sides in the world in the format. Southee thinks that the Kiwis are strong in all three formats of the game, and felt the results on this tour were atypical.

“We are a good side in all form of cricket and have performed reasonably well recently. It is just that we went through a bad patch in the ODI series here (Bangladesh). The team has many young cricketersand they can take lessons from the experience,” said the right-arm paceman. l

Twenty20 then we are but our aim is to play good cricket, as in Twenty20 no one is a big side,” he said.

Although the Tigers’ performance in Tests and ODIs has improved in recent times, success in the shortest form of the game has yet to follow suit. “It is true that we don’t hold a good track record in T20. However I think the time now demands that we perform in this format and not make any excuse. We are confident of doing well and I believe the players are in the rhythm, which is needed in this format,” he said.

The captain went on to express the hope that they would play more Test matches in the future, “To date, we

haven’t played any 3-match Test series, but it should be understood that we should get to play as many Tests possible as this will make us grow in the other formats too.” Today’s game will be Mushfiq’s last as captain under current terms with the BCB, but given his success as leader over the last two years, the 25-year-old is almost certain to remain in charge of the side.

“If the board extends my role as captain, I would request that they do so for a longer period, rather than on a series-to-series basis. I believe this will be good - both for the team and for me -as I will get time to make plans and execute them,” he said. l

open Bangladesh’s innings today with Shamsur Rahman.

New Zealand for their part will miss Brendon McCullum, the number two ranked batsman in this format, who has a back injury. The visitors are likely to be extra determined to gain a positive result after being whitewashed in the ODIs and can gain some confidence from their flawless T20 record against Bangladesh.

The visitors will be riding on the experience Ross Taylor, who struck a hundred in the third ODI, on the batting front whilepace bowlers Tim Southee and Kyle Mills are the men they will look to keep the Bangladesh batsmen in check.

With Bangladesh on a roll, New Zealand thirsting for a win and both sides looking to gain experience for next year’s T20 World Cup, the final match of the tour has all the makings of a battle royal. l

MSC fly in Surinamese footballers n Shishir Hoque

Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited has flown in two Dutch origin Suriname footballers - Melvin Grootfaam and Sevela - for trials yesterday. The South American duo flew straight from Amsterdam to arrive in the city and they will join the training today at the BUET field where coach Saiful Bari Titu will observe the players. Melvin is an attacking midfielder who played for SC Telstar, a second division football club of Netherlands while Sevela is a striker. l

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Villarreal tighten grip on fourth with late win at Elche n Reuters, Madrid Villarreal tightened their grip on fourth place in La Liga when Nigerian forward Ikechukwu Uche’s last-gasp strike snatched a 1-0 win at fellow promoted side Elche on Monday.

A hard-fought and entertaining match at Elche’s Martinez Valero stadium in Alicante looked headed for a goalless draw until Uche clipped the ball home from close range in the 90th minute.

The victory lifted the team with the distinctive canary-yellow strip to 23 points from 12 matches, three ahead of fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao, who lost 2-0 at second-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

“We knew how to hang in there and at the end we got that piece of luck we needed,” Uche said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster Cuatro.

“At the moment, we are in a Champions League qualification place but we have to take things step by step,” added the pacy 29-year-old.

Villarreal spent a year in the second division last season and under coach Marcelino have been impressive on their return to the top flight with some attractive attacking football.

They held Real Madrid to a 2-2 draw at their Madrigal stadium in September and recorded a thumping 4-1 home win against Valencia at the end of last month.

Champions Barcelona, who have won 11 and drawn one of their 12 matches, are top on 34 points, with Atletico on 33 in second and Real Madrid third on 28. l

Ireland close to O’Neill-Keane deal n AFP, Dublin The Football Association of Ireland said Tuesday it was close to appointing Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane as the new management duo in charge of the Republic of Ireland national side.

Since Giovanni Trapattoni left in September the Republic have been without a full-time manager.

But the intervening months have seen former Northern Ireland international O’Neill, out of football since being sacked by Premier League strugglers Sunderland in March, a likely replacement for the veteran Italian.

Meanwhile former Republic skipper Keane – who infamously walked out on his country as a player at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea after clashing with the manager Mick McCarthy -- has also been tipped to serve as O’Neill’s assistant.

That the two men, who both played under legendary manager Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest, were poised to take over was confirmed by a statement on the FAI’s Twitter feed on Tuesday.

Trapattoni spent five years in charge of tO’Neill and Keane, who also had a spell as Sunderland manager, are now set to be in charge for the Republic’s friendly against Latvia in Dublin on November 15.l

Napoli players warm–up during a training session yesterday, on the eve of their Uefa Champions League group F football match against Olympique de Marseille in San Paolo Stadium in Naples

Atletico look to seal knockout spot, English duo to beat German rivals n AFP, Paris Atletico Madrid’s stunning form domestically and in Europe can earn its first reward on Wednesday with a place in the Last 16 of the Champions League if they beat Austria Vienna in Madrid.

Elsewhere both Premier League leaders Arsenal and rivals Chelsea will be seeking to secure wins over last season’s beaten finalists Borussia Dortmund and fellow Bundesliga outfit Schalke 04 respectively.

Chelsea host Schalke smarting from their shock 2-0 defeat at Newcastle at the weekend, a defeat that could lead Blues boss Jose Mourinho to tinker with his line-up. After an opening loss to Basel Chelsea have got into their European stride, with impressive wins against Steaua Bucharest and at Schalke last time out.

Schalke, sharing top spot with Chelsea on six points, travel to Stamford Bridge on the back of a 2-0 win over Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga.

Basel came away from Bucharest with a disappointing draw a fortnight

Zenit can steal a march on Porto for the runners-up spot by beating them on Wednesday and open up a four point gap with two games remaining.

Lloris ‘fit to continue’ say Spurs

'Januzaj needs protecting'

n AFP, London

Brazilian football legend Pele (L) embraces former Brazilian basketball player Oscar Schmidt during a promotional event in tribute to late Brazilian Formula One driver Ayrton Senna in Sao Paulo on Monday REUTERS

Portuguese clubs in five matches.

Atletico have made light work of a weak group and can seal their place in the Last 16 -- for the first time since the 2008/09 campaign -- with victory over an Austrian team they outclassed last month in a 3-0 win. A win for Atletico would also set a new club record of four successive wins in European club football’s premier competition, beating the three in the 1958/59 season.

Atletico warmed up for the game with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday for their 11th win in 12 La Liga games. Coach Diego Simeone will be looking to his Brazilian-born striker Diego Costa to inflict more pain on their opponents after he scored a double against them in the first match.

Ajax need at least a point from this game if they are not to be in serious danger of missing out even on third spot and a place in the Europa League. Celtic by contrast will be seeking a repeat of the win they grabbed against the Dutch side last month which reignited hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages for the second successive season. Ajax have made their worst ever start to a

ago which left them in third and on target for a post-Christmas ticket to the Europa League. After upsetting Chelsea in their first group game though they will be anxious to bag all the points here to keep them in the running for a place in the knockout stages.

Dortmund ruined Arsene Wenger’s 64th birthday celebrations with a 2-1 win at the Emirates a fortnight ago.

The Bundesliga outfit could not be in better shape, meting out a 6-1 drubbing to Vfb Stuttgart last Friday.

Arsenal, second on goal difference to Dortmund, make the trip in good heart themselves having seen off Liverpool 2-0 to pull five points clear in the Premier League.

Rafael Benitez’s Napoli are on a threematch winning run in Serie A, and host Marseille after a 2-1 win at the Velodrome on matchday three. That’s left the Italians bang in contention for a place in the knockout round, level on six points with Dortmund and Arsenal, while for pointless Marseille, who ended a five match losing run in Ligue 1 on Saturday, it’s a case of win or bust. The Italians are without right back Giandomenico Mesto, who underwent knee surgery on Monday.

Tottenham Hotspur insisted Monday Hugo Lloris was fit to play on following a head knock at Everton after the club came under fire for not substituting the France captain.

Spurs were criticised by FIFA’s medical chief for letting Lloris remain on the field when ‘concussed’ following a collision with Everton’s Romelu Lukaku during the closing stages of Sunday’s goalless Premier League draw at Goodison Park.

But a Spurs statement issued Monday said: “The club can confirm that Hugo Lloris underwent a precautionary CT scan and was given the all-clear and travelled back to London last (Sunday) night.

Tottenham’s head of medical services, Wayne Diesel, added: “Once the relevant tests and assessments were carried out we were totally satisfied that he was fit to continue playing.”

But with Spurs manager Andre VillasBoas admitting Lloris couldn’t remember the incident, a sign of concussion, England’s Professional Footballers’ Association called Monday for any player who loses consciousness to be substituted automatically.l

Fixtures Basel Chelsea Dortmund Napoli Zenit Atletico Ajax Barcelona

v v v v v v v v

Steaua Bucharest Schalke 04 Arsenal Marseille Porto Austria Vienna Celtic AC Milan

The Russian side made heavy weather of beating Porto in their match a fortnight ago as the hosts played most of the match with only 10 men.

Zenit, though, go into the game having seen their eight match winning streak ended at the weekend with a 1-1 draw by Amkar Perm. Porto too were held to a surprise draw, 1-1 away at unheralded Belenenses. Porto boast a good away record away against Russian sides, winning four and losing one, while Zenit have never lost at home to

n AFP, San Sebastian Manchester United manager David Moyes believes teenage sensation Adnan Januzaj deserves more protection after being stamped on by Fulham defender Sascha Riether at the weekend.

Januzaj once again starred in arguably United’s best performance of the season as they cruised to a 3-1 win over the struggling London side.

Riether was charged with violent conduct by the Football Association on Monday for the challenge and Moyes wants more action taken to protect the young winger.

“I hadn’t seen it until after the game.

The distance we were away made it impossible to take it in. It’s a bad stamp and it does look deliberate,” he said ahead of United’s Champions League clash with Real Sociedad.

“That’s for the referee to deal with on the day or, if nowadays they look at it differently, they can decide afterwards.

“I do think Adnan may need a bit of protection. He’s getting kicked up and down and I think he deserves a bit more than what he’s getting at this present moment in time.”

However, Moyes cited four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi as an example for Januzaj to follow when it comes to keeping his cool under such

AFP

CL campaign while Celtic are bidding to avoid a third successive away defeat. Celtic manager Neil Lennon says that he wants his players to take their chances otherwise it could prove very costly. His Ajax counterpart, though, Frank de Boer believes that if his young team repeat the performance they produced against Celtic in the first game they will take the points.

Barcelona can all but seal their place in the Last 16 with victory at home to a woefully out of sorts and injury-hit Milan side. Barcelona’s worries are small by comparison to the Italians, who have made their worst start to a Serie A season in over 20 years, their loss to Fiorentina at the weekend their fifth of the season already.

However, coach Massimiliano Allegri appears to be benefiting from some unaccustomed patience from the club directors who have called for no one to panic. However defeat in Barcelona and a Celtic win would really heap pressure on them in the chase for the second spot. The Scottish side are yet to host them and will fancy their chances of avenging an unfortunate defeat at the San Siro. l

Eriksson repeats call for winter break n AFP, London

rough treatment.

“He has learned from good professionals in training and he just has to look at Lionel Messi who is probably the best in the world when it comes to getting kicked and getting up and on with it.

“Somewhere along the line though he has got to get some protection if he is going to continue playing in the same style he is.”l

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has re-iterated his call for the Premier League to take a winter break in a bid to boost the national team’s chances of winning a major tournament.

Eriksson, in charge of England from 2001 to 2006, is convinced the team’s long wait to add another significant piece of silverware to the 1966 World Cup won on home soil, will continue until the Premier League suspends some of its fixtures over the Christmas and New Year period.

“The Premier League must take a winter break if they want to win the World Cup,” Eriksson told BBC Radio Five on Monday, with England now qualified for the 2014 finals in Brazil under Roy Hodgson.

“It’s going to be easy if they do it.

It’s not that difficult. Take one weekend in January without football. Give the players before that weekend seven days off. Then you take them in to prepare for the game after that,” the Swede added.

“England has to find a way to do it, because all the other countries in the world are doing it.”l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Quick Bytes

Pakistan recalls Razzaq, Malik for T20s Pakistani selectors Tuesday recalled all-rounder Abdul Razzaq and former captain Shoaib Malik in a 14-man squad for two Twenty20 internationals against South Africa later this month. The 33year Razzaq last played for Pakistan in World Twenty-20 in Sri Lanka in October and landed into controversy by accusing Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez for not using him properly. Razzaq was fined for his outbursts but has returned to the squad without any performance in Pakistan’s domestic circuit. Pakistan plays South Africa in two Twenty20 in Dubai on November 13 and 15 which follows the five-match one-day series, currently tied at 1-1. The third one-day match is in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Also recalled in the squad is Malik who last played for Pakistan in the Champions Trophy in June in England this year.

But surprisingly there was no place for left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar who won the man of the series award in T20 against the West Indies in July this year.

Hafeez will captain the squad.

Squad: Mohammad Hafeez (captain), Nasir Jamshaid, Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal, Umar Amin, Shahid Afridi, Sohaib Maqsood, Abdul Razzaq, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Malik, Abdur Rehman.

– AFP

Cook plays down Warne jibes, says it’s about results

England’s Alastair Cook Tuesday played down Shane Warne’s criticism of his captaincy but acknowledged that he and other top-order batsmen must improve on their summer performance in the upcoming Ashes series. Cook said Warne’s latest comments had raised his “blood pressure”, but ultimately he was comfortable with a record of just one loss from 16 matches since being appointed skipper.

He was also unconcerned at being described by Warne as unimaginative and negative as team tactician as he prepared to overcome back trouble and lead England in a four-day tour game against Australia A starting in Hobart on Wednesday.

“I keep saying it, it’s all about results,” he told reporters. Warne on Monday spiced up the leadup to the Ashes series starting in Brisbane on November 21, when he criticised Cook’s captaincy as “negative, boring, not very imaginative”. “But I think he needs to be more imaginative.

If Australia play well and he continues to captain the way he does, I think England are going to lose the series,” Warne said.

Cook did admit that question marks over the England top order were legitimate heading into the first Gabba Test.

– AFP

Massa blames own Ferrari team for Abu Dhabi error

Felipe Massa claimed Ferrari’s tactical error cost him a top five finish in Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Brazilian, who is leaving Ferrari at the end of the year, said he was amazed when the Italian team switched him to a new set of medium compound tyres for the final 17 laps, instead of fitting soft tyres. “We made a mistake,” he said. “I didn’t expect to use the medium in the last stint. “I didn’t discuss it (with the team beforehand) because for me it was clear. We were going to go on the softs.

It’s better, at the beginning I was the best car on the soft tyre. “I expected to see the soft tyres on the car and I saw the other. Without this problem I would have finished easy in the top five.” He finished eighth after being passed in that final stint by three drivers including his team-mate Fernando Alonso who escaped penalty for earlier running off the circuit to pass Jean-Eric Vergne’s Toro Rosso. He was not punished because he took the action to avoid an accident.

Vergne praised Alonso for his actions and said they prevented the possibility of a big crash. “It was a racing incident and if he had not gone on the outside (of the track) like he did, we would have had a big crash,” said the French driver.

“It was high speed, and what he did was right. Actually, I am really happy he did that otherwise we would have had an accident, so yes, definitely the stewards made the right decision.”

– AFP

Day’s Watch Gazi TV 1:30 PM T20 International Bangladesh v New Zealand Ten sports 12:30 AM Uefa Champions League 2013/14 Chelsea v Schalke Ten Action 12:30 AM Uefa Champions League 2013/14 Borussia Dortmund v Arsenal

Sport

HPWA condemns federation’s bans n Raihan Mahmood Hockey Players Welfare Association (HPWA) condemned the hockey federation’s decision to suspend four national players and demanded the suspensions be withdrawn and replaced with a more amicable solution yesterday.

At a hurriedly organised press conference at the gate of the Maulana Bhashani Naional Hockey Stadium, general secretary of the association Ariful Haque Prince and treasurer Tabib-eNoor said that the players were victims of the wraith of a number of federation officials. “All the four players - Russell Mahmud Jimmy, Zahid Hossain, Imran Hasan Pintu and Qamruzzaman Rana are first choice players of the national hockey team and their suspension is not accepted by the hockey players. It’s also worth mentioning that the federation earlier suspended Ashiquzzaman, Shamsuddin Tuhin, Asaduzaman Chandan and they are also former national players. These kinds of actions are taking hockey towards disaster,” Prince declared.

He added that all four players were committed to play for Mohammedan and the secretary of the hockey federation Khwaja Rahmatullah has always tried to control them because they have been vocal pointing in out the many anomalies in the federation’s dealings.

“A number of federation officials - Yusuf Ali, Mamunur Rashid and Mahbub Ehsan Rana - are the main architects

behind the act. They are close to the general secretary, who is a controversial figure and has triggered the actions.”

Prince suggested that a group of unbiased people should discuss the situation with the federation’s president to decide what to do. “We believe the president of the hockey federation has been misguided by a number of

people. We demand reconsideration of the decisions. Why should the players be banned from local hockey? That’s not the way to treat players who have served the national team with distinction,” said Prince, who was granted bail last month in a case the federation filed against him.

Jimmy said they have been made

scapegoats for the teams’ failures and others had been let off. “Umpire Selim Lucky carried the bottle of lacquer which was brought by the manager.

Since he is the vice president of the federation, this was not investigated and I don’t know why I’ve been suspended from local hockey,” said the star forward. l

Zahid Hossain, Russell Mahmud Jimmy, Imran Hasan Pintu and Quamruzzaman Rana, the four players who have been suspended by the hockey federation discuss their future at the hockey stadium yesterday COURTESY

Wawrinka, Del Potro, Nadal give taste of things to come n Reuters, London The parade of serial grand slam champions is reserved for Tuesday at the ATP World Tour Finals but the supporting cast provided compelling opening acts with Stanislas Wawrinka and Juan Martin del Potro in the spotlight.

Rafael Nadal is on the verge of finishing the year as the world number one after opening his ATP World Tour Finals campaign with a 6-3, 6-2 win over David Ferrer on Tuesday.

Nadal arrived at London’s O2 Arena still smarting from a surprise loss against fellow Spaniard Ferrer in the semi-finals of the Paris Masters on Saturday, but he was quick to avenge that defeat with an emphatic victory in 74 minutes.

The win means the 27-year-old will be guaranteed to end 2013 top of the world rankings, ahead of second placed Novak Djokovic, if he beats either Tomas Berdych or Stanislas Wawrinka in his remaining Group A fixtures at the prestigious season-ending event.

It will be the third time Nadal has finished a year in pole position and the first since 2010.

If Nadal does end up in top spot, it will complete what the 13-time Grand Slam champion regards as the most satisfying year of his illustrious career.

With his place among the elite firmly reestablished, a maiden triumph at the Tour Finals would be the perfect way to cap Nadal’s campaign.

Swiss Wawrinka, the only debutant among the eight players contesting

15

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

the season’s year-ender at London’s impressive 02 Arena, proved he belongs with the elite after a 6-3 6-7(0) 6-3 win over Czech powerhouse Tomas Berdych in Group A. Then, in Monday’s evening session, former U.S. Open champion Del Potro came from a set down to eventually subdue French stylist Richard Gasquet 6-7(4) 6-3 7-5 to open Group B. After Wawrinka’s stylish win, another of the sport’s technicians, world number nine Gasquet, looked on course for victory against towering Argentine Del Potro.

Gasquet, appearing at the season finale for the first time since 2007 after winning three ATP titles this year, dipped into his box of tricks in the first set tiebreak against Del Potro.

A swish of his racket sent a backhand winner darting past the flat-footed Argentine for a 5-3 lead and a rifled forehand return gave him a set point which he clinched with a rolled forehand that angled away into the courtside shadows.

World number five Del Potro, at 25 the youngest in the draw, gradually found his range and the match swung his way in the fourth game of the second set when Gasquet lost a 40-0 lead to drop serve after the Argentine fired two pile-driving forehands.

Gasquet threatened to break back when Del Potro served at 5-3 but, faced with an easy smash which would have put him up 15-40, the Frenchman dumped the ball into the bottom of the net. l

South Africa look for edge over Pakistan n AFP, Dubai

South Africa will look for a lead over Pakistan with the return of batsman Hashim Amla and spearhead Dale Steyn as the teams meet in the third match in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Amla will boost a struggling South African batting which slumped to 183 and 143 in the first two matches while Steyn will strengthen the bowling attack in the remaining three matches.

Amla had returned home after the 1-1 drawn Test series while Steyn missed the first two one-days to get some rest back home.

The series is tied at 1-1 after South Africa outlasted Pakistan by one run in Sharjah while Pakistan levelled the series with an emphatic 66-run win in Dubai in the second match on Friday.

Pakistan is also likely to strengthen their batting by bringing uncapped Sohaib Maqsood in place of Umar Amin.

They may also bring in left-arm paceman Junaid Khan for Wahab Riaz.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq admitted the third match is crucial.

“I think this will be a tough match in a tough series and whoever wins this will have an edge in the remaining matches,” said Misbah. The fourth match will be played in Abu Dhabi on Friday while the final match is in Sharjah on November 11. l

Bolt, Bondarenko, Farah battle for IAAF award n AFP, Paris World and Olympic champions Usain Bolt of Jamaica and Mohamed Farah of Britain have been named along with Ukrainian high jumper Bohdan Bondarenko as the three men’s finalists for the IAAF 2013 World Athlete of the Year Award.

All three starred at this year’s World Athletics Championships in Moscow where the Jamaican won gold in the 100 and 200 metres, Farah clinched a rare 5,000-10,000 metres double and Bondarenko took gold in the high jump.

Bolt will be bidding for a fifth IAAF Athlete of the Year Award after 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012.

The three women’s finalists will be named on Tuesday with top Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce as well as Ethiopian long-distance stars Meseret Defar and Tirunesh Dibaba in the running. l

It’s all about Tendulkar in Kolkata n Agencies

Andre Iguodala of the Golden State Warriors dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, on Monday AFP

Ex-Sixer Iguodala sparks Warriors over Philadelphia n AFP, Philadelphia Andre Iguodala scored 32 points against his former club, sinking a personal-high seven 3-pointers Monday to power the Golden State Warriors over the Philadelphia 76ers 110-90.

Stephen Curry added 18 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds and contributed five of 18 total steals for the Warriors, who delivered Philadelphia’s first defeat after the 76ers had opened the season with upsets of defending champion Miami and Chicago and a road triumph over Washington.

David Lee added 18 points and Klay Thompson scored 15 for Golden State.

Evan Turner and Michael CarterWilliams each scored 18 points to pace the 76ers. Iguodala, who finished two points shy of matching his NBA career high, capped an 18-0 Warriors run with an alley-oop dunk with 4:40 left in the

opening quarter and the hosts never recovered.

“We understood with the way they started the season it was important for us to match their effort,” Warriors coach Mark Jackson said. “We got it going offensively and made a statement early.”

Philadelphia pulled within 43-37 midway into the second quarter but Golden State answered with a 23-5 run to pull away. Iguodala, who played his first eight NBA seasons with the 76ers had six 3-pointers and 27 points in the first half alone, sparking the Warriors to a 66-42 half-time edge.

Curry scored eight points in the first 73 seconds of the third quarter and the 76ers were all-but finished.

“They were clicking on all cylinders,” Turner said of the Warriors. “It was a great night for them.”

Golden State had lost five games in a row since 2007 at Philadelphia. l

Rarely has a cricket Test been so overshadowed by events centred around one man as the India-West Indies game beginning at the Eden Gardens here Wednesday. And rarely has the game’s oldest and longest format been played before a full house recently. But then, neither of the two was unexpected once the two-Test engagement got billed as the farewell series of the “god of cricket”.

Ever since the Indian cricket board formally announced the matches, the buzz was that it could turn out to be Sachin Tendulkar’s final hurrah. His formal announcement last month calling time on his dazzling 24-year Test career after the two Tests has seen the eruption of a volcanic emotion across India, with cricketing authorities, corporates and politicians vying to devise ingenious ways to bid adieu to the genius.

Tendulkar himself chose his Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium home as the venue for his 200th and last match, to be preceded by the one at the Eden - his “second home”.

A party has started at the hallowed Eden, and a cricket - no, Sachin - mania is sweeping West Bengal and its capital city Kolkata. (Check the complete list of events here) Amid grand plans to accord a memorable send-off to the iconic player, the prayers on every cricket buffs’ lips is for a big score from the colossal cricketer.

Dry statistics make the task look uphill. Tendulkar has been without a century for 39 innings and two years and ten months. He has only two fifty-plus scores in his last 20 outings.

But the ageing warhorse, who holds all the important batting records - most number of hundreds, maximum appearances, most runs - has awed fans with

his application repeatedly in the past, and he has it in him to do it again. (Also read: Dhoni keeping distractions to a minimum despite hyper around Sachin) Apart from the magnetism of Tendulkar’s last Eden appearance, another intriguing factor could be the wicket itself. The one selected for the match is a virgin track as not even a Ranji Trophy match has been played on it after the ground was relaid last year.

While there are apprehensions of the strip playing slow and low after last week’s rains, the ground’s octogenarian curator promised a good, firm, evenbounced track, where the batsmen could play their strokes.

“It will be full of runs,” said Prabir Mukherjee, overseeing the groundsmen clip whatever grass cover remained on the surface. (Related: Mukherjee shoos away ‘prying’ Rohit Sharma from pitch). l

Tendulkar bats during practice session at Eden Garden in Kolkata on Tuesday on the eve of their first Test Match against West Indies

AP

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

DPC approves mass promotions for medical college teachers

Illegal Bangladeshi workers in Iraq told to do paperwork

One-month amnesty to legalise foreign workers

n Rabiul Islam

More than 400 doctors promoted against 200 vacant posts n Moniruzzman Uzzal The doctors and teachers of public medical colleges have reportedly been given mass promotions by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare through its Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC).

Sources said for the first time in the health sector’s history, promotions had been given to twice the number of people against the number of vacant posts at different public medical colleges and postgraduates’ institutes.

Several senior officials at the ministry and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) told the Dhaka Tribune that the DPC promoted more than 400 doctors, when the number of vacant posts of assistant and associate

professors was near 200.

In a meeting last Wednesday, the DPC finalised its list and sent it to the president for his consent. The result will be published soon after the president’s order.

Dr Khondokar Md Sifayetullah, director general of the DGHS, admitted that more people were promoted than existing vacancies, but refused to disclose the exact number.

Seeking anonymity, a health official however said there were vacancies for 54 assistant professors and 60 associate professors, when the list was prepared at last week’s DPC meeting.

According to tradition and existing arrangements, assistant and associate professors must have certain years of teaching experience and publications

in international journals to become associate and full professors respectively.

However, there are allegations that a large number of the recently promoted doctors lacked both the proper teaching experience and the publications.

Sources said, the country currently has 1,034 assistant professors for 74 subjects and 702 associate professors for 59 subjects.

The DPC was introduced last year because the previous process of promotions through the Public Service Commission was very lengthy.

During the current government’s tenure, the DPC promoted around 2,000 teachers, most of them belonging to the ruling party-backed Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad, to the posts

of assistant and associate professors, sources said.

Asked why more promotions were offered than the number of vacant posts, DGHS chief Dr Sifayetullah said healthcare teachers and doctors have to wait 10-15 years for promotions, due to the time consuming process and the lack of vacant posts.

Pointing out that other cadre service officials received promotions even when there were no vacancies, Dr Sifayetullah said this issue was raised in front of the DPC where representatives from other ministries were present.

The DPC agreed to the issue and gave his consent to promote the doctors.

However, the promoted doctors would only enjoy the financial benefits, and not the posts, he added. l

A month-long amnesty began in Iraq on November 3 with all illegal foreign workers including up to 8,000 Bangladeshis told to acquire the legal right to remain, or face deportation from the country.

The Bangladesh embassy in Baghdad informed the foreign ministry and the expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment ministry in Dhaka that Iraqi security forces would carry out a drive to catch and deport illegal workers after the amnesty deadline expires.

“We have requested our illegal workers to become legalised within the stipulated time,” the embassy said in a letter, signed by Labour Counsellor Md Ziadur Rahman.

The embassy said there was no accurate data on the number of Bangladeshis working illegally in Iraq, but the num-

ber could be between 5,000 and 8,000.

Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) Director General Shamsun Nahar yesterday told journalists that Iraq would legalise illegal Bangladeshi workers, but she did not know about the deadline.

Iraq resumed recruitment of both skilled and unskilled workers from Bangladesh in 2009 as the war-torn country needed a huge number of people for its reconstruction.

BMET figures show that until October 2013, Iraq recruited a total of 8,870 workers from Bangladesh. Of them, some 5,577 workers got jobs there this year.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain said earlier that Iraq planned to recruit doctors, drivers, construction workers and cleaners from Bangladesh. l

Two children hurt in ‘red ball’ blast n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong

Nine-year old Sumi, with 15% burn injuries, lying in a DMCH bed (left). Surma, 9, severely injured in a blast, is being taken to hospital in Chittagong yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Two hartal attack victims fighting for life n Mohammad Jamil Khan

Two of the four victims of arson attacks on the first day of the latest countrywide shutdown were moved into intensive care in the Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Tuesday as their condition started deteriorating Monir Hossain, 12, was only visiting the capital with his father but is now fighting for life after miscreants set fire to the covered van of by his father, Ramzan Ali, on the first day of

60-hour hartal at Gazipur intersection.

“I am being tormented by feelings of guilt; I do not know how I can put an end to my agony; it is I myself who is responsible for my son’s sufferings as I left him alone in the van,” he sighed.

The sleepless father of the victim was seen standing at the bedside of his son as he described the heart-rending story of how Monir was on fire in front of his eyes. He said the gory sight of his son being burnt was haunting him each moment. Another arson victim, CNG driver Asadul Gazi, 40, was shift-

ed to the ICU with 60% burns.

The CNG driver was going to Savar from the capital with Biswash Group Purchase Officer Mukul and Technicians Hasu when some miscreants set his CNG-auto rickshaw on fire at Abdur Rab gate around 10.00pm on Sunday. Mukul succumbed to his injuries on Monday.

Two other victims, Rahima Begum, 45, and her granddaughter Sumi Akter, nine, were groaning in pain in hospital beds after suffering 13% and 15% burns respectively. They were ad-

mitted to the hospital on Sunday night after miscreants set their bus ablaze while they were coming to the capital from Uttara.

On Tuesday, doctors were found dressing their injuries while Sumi had been given a sleep inducing pill as she was screaming in pain, says Halima, the aunt of Sumi.

Partha Sharothi Das, attending doctor of DMCH burn and plastic surgery department, said it might take some more time as the injuries of the patients were deep. l

“Mom, I will play with this red ball,” a nine-year-old Surma pleaded with her mother Monwara Begum after she picked it up from the edge of a road in the city.

“I permitted my daughter to play with the object,” she said, adding: “When Surma along with her playmate Lal Mia, 8, started playing with the red ball-like object it went off with a loud bang in her hand.”

Surma received splinter injuries to her left hand. Lal Mia was also injured in the blast.

Two children – Surma and Lal Mia – went out of their shanty at Beltola in Chittagong city yesterday morning to collect waste papers and materials, when they found a small bag, lying abandoned on the side of a road at Ambagan they picked it up.

Little did they know what terrible fate was awaiting them as the bag contained two crude bombs wrapped in red scotch tape. They brought the bag home.

“As Surma picked up one of the balls [crude bombs] for us to play with, it exploded,” Lal Mia said adding that they opened another ball before the second one and found some powder (gunpowder) in it.

Hearing the loud sound and screams of the children, parents of Surma and Lal Mia rushed to the spot and found their children groaning on the ground after being injured by the bombs, said

Monwara and Khalek.

Later, both the children were taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital’s Burn and Plastic Surgery unit.

Now Surma is undergoing treatment at the hospital while Lal Mia was released from the hospital after receiving primary treatment.

Since they are children, they are traumatised and extremely scared which may adversely effect their mental growth Dr Motaher Hossain, medical officer of the burn and plastic surgery unit, told the Dhaka Tribune that Surma and Lal Mia were out of danger.

“Since they are children, they are traumatised and extremely scared which may adversely effect their mental growth,” he observed.

Surma along with her three siblings and parents collect waste papers and other materials such as garbage and roadside dustbins for their livelihood.

Mainul Islam Bhuiyan, officer-in-charge of Khulshi police station, said miscreants left the crude bombs in a bag on the street, which caused the blasts and injury.

The children opened one of the crude bombs but it might have been dampened so it did not explode while the second one did and injured both, he said. Police are investigating the matter, OC Mainul added. l

Completing exams by early December impossible, say schools

Hazaribagh named 5th most polluted place on earth

n Mushfique Wadud

Dhaka’s Hazaribagh area, widely known for its tannery industry, has been listed as one of the top 10 polluted places on earth by two international research organisations.

At least 160,000 people have become victims of pollution due to the presence of toxic chemicals, mainly chromium, in Hazaribagh, according to a report titled, “The Top Ten Toxic Threats: Cleanup, Progress, and Ongoing Challenges,” published by Zurich-based Green Cross Switzerland and New York-based Blacksmith Institute.

Hazaribagh came fifth on the list of top 10 polluted places, which include Agbogbloshie Dumpsite in Ghana, Chernobyl in Ukraine, Citarum River in Indonesia, Dzerzhinsk in Russia, Kabwe

School authorities are struggling to manage the completion of year final examinations by the first week of December as per the directive of the Election Commission.

Due to the opposition-backed hartals in recent weeks, the authorities find it impossible to maintain classes while many examinations have had to be postponed.

Several teachers told the Dhaka Tribune that a good number of schools will be used for the Junior School Certificate and the Primary Terminal Examinations scheduled for November 8 to November 28. So it will not be possible to hold the year final examinations at that time.

There were 40 nationwide hartals in the last 10 months, and many more observed regionally.

Teachers fear that more shutdowns will follow in the coming days since the government and the opposition are still at loggerheads over the election-time government.

EC officials already hinted that they had planned to announce the polls schedule on November 25 and hold the elections on January 9.

Schools are used as polling centres during the general elections when the teachers are tasked with polling activities too.

“My school is an examination centre for the Primary Terminal Examination which will end on November 28. So we will get only a few days to complete the school examinations,” Manju Ara

Begum, principal of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

On October 31, a senior official of the EC told the Dhaka Tribune that the commission had already sent letters to the ministries of education, and primary and mass education, requesting them to complete the school examinations by the first week of December.

There are 19,070 secondary schools and 89,712 primary-level educational institutions in the country.

Most schools are now facing obstacles to complete syllabi of different classes as several hundred class hour were lost due to the shutdowns enforced by the opposition parties over different issues, mainly the polls-time government.

“It will be quite impossible for us to complete the examinations by the first week of December,” said Manju Ara Begum added.

She said she had received the letter yesterday and will discuss it with teachers to find a way out.

Abu Sayeed Bhuiyan, head teacher of Government Laboratory High School, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that it will be difficult for them to complete the examinations by the deadline.

“If there is a government instruction, we will try hard to complete the examination by this time. But for that, we have to work really hard,” he said.

Mofazzal Hossain, president of Bangladesh Government School Assistant Teachers’ Association, was also of the similar view “if hartals continue this way.” l

Around 160,000 people become victims due to the presence of chromium heavily pollute the air, the report added. than 200 million people is at risk from in Zambia, Kalimantan in Indonesia, n Tribune Report There are 270 registered tanneries in pollution in the developing world.”

Matanza-Riachuelo in Argentina, Niger River Delta in Nigeria and Norilsk in Russia.

The report estimates that the sites listed in the top 10 pose health risks to more than 200m people in low- and medium-income countries as a range of pollution sources and contaminants, including hexavalent chromium from tanneries and other heavy metals, were released from smelting operations, the organisations said in a press release yesterday.

“In this year’s report, we cite some of the most polluted places we’ve encountered. But it is important to point out that the problem is really much larger than these ten sites,” said Richard Fuller, president of Blacksmith Institute.

“We estimate that the health of more

Apart from hexavalent chromium, which is a well-known carcinogen, workers and residents of Hazaribagh also face a number of less severe but common health problems every day.

“Skin and respiratory diseases, for instance, result from repeated exposure to hazardous chemicals when measuring and mixing them as part of the tanning process,” the press release said.

“Acid burns, rashes, aches, dizziness and nausea are also common health problems faced by local residents.”

The homes of tannery workers in Hazaribagh are built next to contaminated streams, ponds, and canals. Informal leather recyclers who burn scraps of leather to produce a number of consumer products also

Bangladesh, employing around 8,00012,000 people.

Around 95% of the tanneries are located in Hazaribagh on 25 hectares of land, and most use old, outdated and inefficient processing methods.

“Every day, the tanneries collectively dump 22,000 cubic litres of toxic waste, including cancer-causing hexavalent chromium, into the Buriganga, Dhaka’s main river and a key water supply,” said the report.

“The Top Ten Toxic Threats” is the latest in a series of annual reports documenting global pollution issues. Many of the previous reports have listed pollution problems, rather than sites, based on their estimated impact on human health. l

Organisations united in condemning attacks on Hindus n Tribune Report The Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Rukhe Darao and Ain o Salish Kendra have all expressed deep concern and resentment over recent attacks on Hindu communities.

Bangladesh Rukhe Darao said yesterday in a press release signed by its Executive Member MM Akash: “We are noticing with great concern that all attacks on Hindu community had connection with marked fundamentalist groups, but the local administration, police and local representatives failed to take necessary action on time against

the attacks.”

The organisation also demanded ‘exemplary punishment’ for the people involved and neutral investigation in order to prevent the repetition of this sort of attack on any minority community.

Ain o Salish Kendra, in its press release, said: “The attack on Hindu community is disgraceful. The tendency to commit this type of rampage is on the rise as the miscreants are considering themselves as incontrollable.”

The organisation also asked the administration to take “necessary and effective” action in order for the “protection and safety” of people of all com-

munities.

Communist Party of Bangladesh said it will send a delegation to see how the victims were passing their days after the incident.

A group of miscreants went on a rampage at Sathia upazila in Pabna, vandalising and torching houses and temples belonging to Hindu community following rumours that a Hindu schoolboy had defamed Prophet Muhammad (SM) on Facebook.

At least 20 houses including that of class-X student Rajib Saha and many shops run by local Hindus were vandalised in the Bangram Bazar area of

Ataikula upazila, Pabna, on Saturday afternoon.

Again, a Hindu village was attacked and Hindu people’s houses vandalised and looted allegedly by BNP men at Satpatki Majhipara village of Mohendranagar union in Lalmnonirhat sadar upazila during the latest hartal on Monday noon.

Many people, especially the women and children, of 125 Hindu families fled their homes to neighbouring Muslim community people’s places to save themselves.

At least 15 Hindu people were injured in the rampage. l

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Business

B2 PPP revolving fund gets Tk300m

B3 Ministries to get audit cells

www.dhakatribune.com/business

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Old smartphone sales jump

BB tightens monitoring terror The launch of 3G mobile broadband is presumed as reason financing incidents n Tribune Report

Online market for used smartphones

The online sale of second-hand smartphones in the country rose 20% in September from July following the launch of third generation mobile broadband service.

According to the market insiders, this is the highest ever surge in the country’s online sale of old smartphones.

Number of advertisements in bikroy.com Average price of advertised handsets

13,975 8,879

They said a large number of customers in Dhaka and Chittagong cities are looking for second-hand smartphones and the 3G-enabled devices and feature phones at the online stores to enjoy the service.

“The youths, especially the students, are using online sites for their purchases and sales. Following the launch of 3G, the sale of old smartphone handsets has surged at the online stores,” Eshita Sharmin, marketing manager of Bikroy.com, told the Dhaka Tribune.

Bikroy.com is one of the leading online stores in Bangladesh.

The Bikroy.com data in September

Tk5,606

Symphony

Tk7,140

‘The youths, especially the students, are using online sites for their purchases and sales.

Following the launch of 3G, the sale of old smartphone handsets has surged at the online stores’

Tk18,534

8,069

Nokia

Samsung

TK26,809

n Muhammad Zahidul Islam

2,163

Apple iPhone

Source: Bikroy.com

showed that the posts of advertisement of 3G-supported smartphones have broken the previous records in Bangladesh.

In September, Bikroy.com witnessed influx of more than 65,000 smartphone advertisements across the country, rising from 58,000 in August and 55,000 in July.

“The users change their handsets frequently as they can have 3G-enabled handsets at as low as Tk4,000,” said Eshita Sharmin.

A total of 13,975 advertisements of Nokia smartphone were posted at the site in September.

The general price of Nokia smartphones is Tk7,140 while that of more sophisticated smartphones like iPhone is Tk26,800.

The data was analysed from 2,000 advertisements during the month.

Symphony and Samsung smartphones are also leading in posting advertisements.

“Out of total ads, 30%-40% handsets were sold,” said Eshita Sharmin.

“The advertisements continue to increase significantly as the number was 113,000 in third quarter, up from 79,000in Q2 and 43,000 in Q1.”

A frequent net surfer and owner of mobile phone vendor WinTel, Sazid Kamal said: “You can buy a second-hand iPhone 4 at Bikroy.com for about Tk20 000 while a new one is Tk42,000 on the regular market.”

“The most popular phone is iPhone 4 right now,” he added. l

Bangladesh Bank has asked all the financial institutions to freeze accounts of the country’s prominent personalities or institutions if they have any involvement in terror financing in accordance with the United Nations Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism and Financing of Terrorism order 2012, officials said.

Bangladesh Bank issued a circular yesterday to the CEOs of all the banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, stock dealers, stock brokers, non-profit organisations, NGOs, real estate developers, advocates, notary and other legal professionals.

“Bangladesh Bank bound to follow the instruction of anti-terror act as a member of United Nations Security Council.

We issued the circular in order to remind them who are not following the act still,” said Bangladesh Bank Executive Director Mahfuzur Rahman.

Pubali Bank Managing Director Helal Ahmed Chowdhury told Dhaka Tribune that the commercial banks regularly comply with the country’s anti-terrorist financing act.

The banks would inform the central bank if they detect any incident of terrorist financing in the transactions of money among the banks, he said.

Bangladesh Bank also asked to comply with the amended anti-terrorist financing act 2009, which was amended following the United Nations Security Council Resolution. l

Apparel makers threaten shut down They demand review of Wage Board’s proposal n Tribune Report Appeal manufacturers and exporters have threatened shutting down their factories unless the government reviews the recommendation of fixing minimum monthly wage at Tk5,300 within next 15 days.

Their warning came a day after a government-formed wage board proposed the amount, up from existing Tk3,000 per month.

“This is a suicidal proposal, which is void of reality, unacceptable and irrational,” Atiqul Islam, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), told a press conference in

Dhaka yesterday.

Rejecting the proposal outright, he said: “the industry would lose competiveness if the proposal is implemented and we are not ready to pay anything over Tk4,250.”

‘The cost of doing business here is higher than China and Vietnam.

For example, they get undisrupted electricity supply but we do not’ The amount was proposed by the factory owners earlier. The workers have been asking for a Tk8,100 monthly wage.

Before the press conference, BGMEA had a meeting with Bangladesh Knitwear Man-

ufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) as they decided to appeal to the wage board for reviewing the recommendation.

“We will appeal against the proposal on Wednesday and we will request for accepting the wage structure proposed by us,” said Atiq.

He said the garment makers would meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and seek an exit policy from the government if their recommended salary of Tk4,250 is not finalised.

He said the garment sector will lose 37% competitiveness if the board recommended salary is implemented as the cost of production increased by 13% over the last few years.

Pointing out different problems currently

being faced by the RMG makers compared to competitors China and Vietnam, he said the business environment what China and Vietnam have is not in Bangladesh.

“The cost of doing business here is higher than the two countries. For example, they get undisrupted electricity supply but we do not,” he said.

The leaders of RMG makers demanded reducing bank interest rate to a reasonable level, taking steps to cut prices of gas and electricity in industrial zone, reinstating of bargaining rules for apparel makers with insurance companies and prevention of taking additional charges by the inland container depot from the exporters. l

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

PPP revolving fund gets Tk300m n Asif Showkat The government disbursed has Tk300m for a Tk1bn revolving fund under the public-private partnership office as seed money to develop infrastructures.

With the amount, the total disbursement has reached Tk400m for what is known as public-private partnership fund (PPPF), said officials.

The revolving scheme was initiated two years ago to supply seed money for the PPP projects.

Currently, a number of projects- small and big- are waiting to be launched shortly.

The first PPP project will be the setting up of dialysis machines in Dhaka and Chittagong medical college hospitals, said Finance Minister AMA Muhith.

An elevated highway connecting Dhaka city with Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport will be constructed under the PPP initiatives.

Italian-Thai Development Corporation Limited (ITD) is the construction firm of the over $1.4bn project.

“We want to start construction works of the elevated expressway project. ITD has already communicated with us about it,” said Md Atiquzzaman, executive director and CEO of Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited.

Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited working under finance ministry is the funding authority of the PPP projects.

He further said “A meeting with the ITD may be held on November 4 at the BIFFL office”.

Besides, metro rail project will also be implemented under the PPP initiative. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid foundation stone of the project three years back.

“We expect the metro rails project works will also begin soon,” Atiquzzaman told the Dhaka Tribune recently.

The government has allocated a total of Tk85bn funds for different PPP projects over the past three years since the FY2009-2010. But not a single penny has been spent so far.

The FY2009-2010 budget first included PPP projects allocation.

In the FY 2009-10, an amount of Tk25bn was allocated for PPP projects. In the following year, the figure rose to Tk30bn for 15 projects as planned.

The PPP projects got Tk30bn during FY2011-12 in the development budget. A total of 16 projects were included under the PPP initiative.

And in the current fiscal year, the government has allocated Tk25bn to implement 13 PPP projects.

Meanwhile, the government in last four years has undertaken separate PPP projects in the annual development programmes (ADP). But the projects remain unimplemented. l

NCC Bank organises month long foundation training n Tribune Business Desk NCC Bank Training Institute has arranged month-long foundation training course for its management trainee officers. Bank’s Managing Director and CEO Mohammed Nurul Amin attended the opening ceremony as chief guest.

Additional Managing Director Golam Hafiz Ahmed and Executive Vice President Sirajul Islam were present as special guests at the programme. l

TCB to sell onion during hartal hours n Asif Showkat Kallol

Euro weakens in Asia ahead of ECB meeting n AFP, Tokyo The euro slipped in Asia yesterday ahead of a European Central Bank (ECB) meeting later in the week, with a sharp dip in eurozone inflation fuelling speculation of an interest rate cut.

The European single currency fetched $1.3507 and 132.73 yen in Tokyo, compared with $1.3516 and 133.25 yen in US trade Monday.

The euro is well below the $1.38 level last week before data showing inflation hit a four-year low. The dollar bought 98.30 yen, down from 98.59 yen in New York but still above Tokyo levels on Friday.

Figures showing the 17-nation eurozone drifting toward deflation has sparked expectations that the ECB will have to cut record-low rates or take other easing action on Thursday to boost economic growth “The market is ... increasingly of the view that the ECB might cut rates, possibly as early as the 7 November meeting, after the surprisingly weak recent inflation data out of the eurozone,” National Australia Bank said.

Dollar trading was focused on US data releases this week, including October jobs figures and third-quarter economic growth.

They come after mixed comments from Federal Reserve officials failed to supply concrete clues about the bank’s timeline for winding down its stimulus programme. l

The government will start the intelligence agencies surveillance in onion market across the country, official sources said.

Besides, commerce ministry directed to the Trade Corporation of Bangladesh to sell onion during the shutdown (Hartal) through its dealers. The TCB did not sale the essential commodities including onion because the dealers are not interested to sell essentials in call Hartal of main opposition party BNP. The decisions of surveillance of intelligence agencies and sell onion during the Hartal period takes at meeting of commerce ministry, commerce secretary Mahbub Ahmed presided over meeting.

The official of commerce ministry said the three TCB officials to the Hili, Sona Masjid and Bhomra land ports to buy onion at any price necessary from onion-laden trucks coming from India.

On Friday, India raised its export price for every tonne of onion from $900 to $1,150, in a

bid to rein in prices in its domestic market, said a notification from the neighbouring country’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Meeting sources said the commerce ministry has also sought police protection from home ministry for carry onion from land ports through trucks.

Commerce secretary Mahbub Ahmed told Dhaka Tribune, “We have asked the chairman of TCB to sell onion during Hartal period, if necessary the government will provide police protection” He also said local intelligence agencies will surveillance the Dhaka and Chittagong wholesale markets, and land ports.

Intelligence agencies will check import, storage, supply and price of onion of onion businessmen and agencies will also check the illegal stocks of onion, secretary also pointed out.

Kitchen markets sold onions on Sunday between Tk105 and Tk110 for each kilogram, while TCB charged Tk65 per kg at its OMS shops. l

Pubali Bank welcomes newly recruited officers n Tribune Business Desk Pubali Bank Limited (PBL) has arranged an orientation programme for newly recruited 105 senior officers and 205 other officers at the bank’s auditorium. The course within the programme is designed aiming at familiarising the participants with the concepts, principles, rules, regulations, laws and practices of the bank.

PBL Managing Director Helal Ahmed Chowdhury inaugurated the ceremony as a chief guest while Additional Managing Director M A Halim Chowdhury attended as special guest. l

United Airways launches Dhaka to Singapore flight n Tribune Business Desk

TCB has been asked to continue OMS of onion despite hartal

DHAKA TRIBUNE

United Airways (BD) Limited started its maiden Dhaka–Singapore flight on Monday.

The first Dhaka-Singapore flight of the airline has taken off from Dhaka for Singapore in a 167 seat MD-83.

Managing Director of United Airways, Tasbirul Ahmed Choudhury formally inaugurated the flight operation as chief guest at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Among other guests, all directors and high officials of United Airways also attended the program. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Ministries to get audit cells n Asif Showkat Kallol As per recommendation of the World Bank, the government is going to form internal audit cells for different ministries.

Official sources said the process to form a cell pilot basis is in final stage and it is set to launch in next month.

The cells will work under finance ministry to assist it in properly monitoring of the medium term budgetary framework (MTBF) and the analysis of its progress.

“The formation of the cell is in final stage,” said a finance division official.

He said the cell is being formed as recommended by the World Bank’s implementation support mission.

The mission looks after and evaluate progress of MTBF after every six months.

To finalise related issues and prepare an internal audit manual to launch an internal audit cell on pilot basis, the finance ministry held a meeting on Monday.

It is not yet decided which ministry will get internal audit cell on pilot basis.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith The internal audit cells will also measure the effectiveness of implementation of the MTBF through the budget management act, said meeting sources.

Officials said the finance ministry is re-

quired by law to introduce internal audit cell within a ministry.

Under provision 19(a) of the Public Money and Budget Management Act 2009, the government shall ensure a transparent and efficient management of audit through an internal cell within the ministry.

In 2008, a macro-fiscal wing started operation under the finance ministry to assist the ministry in forecasting the country’s macro-economic situation and its analysis.

The wing was launched in consultation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

IMF advises the wing in its operation. As per a deal with the government, IMF has involved an expert with the macro-fiscal wing.

The IMF expert visit Bangladesh to advise and provide technical assistance to the wing’s local experts from time to time.

In the absence of macro-fiscal wing, the finance ministry would largely rely on the central bank to assess the country’s macroeconomic situation.

The government has two units to work on the country’s macro economy. l

Sandhani Life Fund cancelled n Tribune Report

Bangladeshi firms ink $34m loans with DEG

The securities regulator has cancelled registration of Sandhani Life Growth Fund as its fund manger failed to submit the draft prospectus for public offering within the stipulated time.

According to the securities rules, a fund manager will have to submit draft prospectus for IPO (initial public offering) to the regulator within three months from the date of registration. The fund got registration approval from the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) on April 20, 2011.

“The commission has decided to cancel registration of the Sandhani Life Growth Fund due to its failure of submission of the draft prospectus for public offering as of now,” BSEC said in a statement yesterday.The commission has also fined Sylhet Securities Limited, a member of Chittagong Stock Exchange, Tk500,000 for breaching securities rules.

The fine was imposed for short selling, providing margin loan against Z category shares, share trading by the directors of the company taking loan facility and failing to submit its trading report between January 2011 and March 2013 to the BSEC. l

n Tribune Report

NBL holds training on foreign exchange n Tribune Business Desk National Bank National Bank Training Institute (NBTI) recently began a two-week long training course on foreign exchange risk management and financing in international trade.

A total of 32 desk officers working in foreign exchange and credit desks in different branches of the National Bank throughout the country are participating in the course, said a press release. l

The German development finance institution DEG yesterday signed a total of $34m loan agreements with two Bangladeshi companies-VIYELLATEX Group and Banga Building Materials Ltd (BBML).

DEG has decided to provide long term loans totalling $20m to BBML, a sister concern of PRAN-RFL Group and $14m to VIYELLATEX, one of the largest readymade garment exporters of Bangladesh.

DEG has been providing long term financing to the private sector of developing countries for more than 50 years The loan agreements have different purposes including creation of 6,500 direct and 700 indirect jobs, said a press release.

BBML intends to invest the money in the expansion of its current machinery also in the development of a new green field site in Habiganj.

The investment creates 2,000 direct and 700 indirect jobs.

BBML’s production of households and

housing plastic items such as cooking packages, cleaning utensils, pipes and frames contributes to the improvement of low income households’ conditions particularly in remote rural areas, said a statement.

It added the company has been addressing growing issues of the disposal of non-biodegradable plastics filing up a relevant part of the plastic production cycle and reducing dependency on imported resin through their recycling initiatives.

On the other hand, the investment of VIYELLATEX group will be utilised for setting up two carbon green factories with Gold certification from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by US Green Building Council (USGBC) which will create 4,500 direct jobs, continued the statement.

DEG, a subsidiary of KfW Bankengruppe and one of the largest development finance institutions in Europe, has been providing long term financing to the private sector of developing countries for more than 50 years.

VIYELLATEX Group chairman David Hasanat, vice chairman Ahasan Kabir Khan and Pran-RFL Group chief executive officer Maj Gen (Retd) Amjad Khan Chowdhury singed the agreements with DEG on behalf of their respective companies. l

3

Stocks close marginally higher amid volatility n Tribune Report Stocks closed slightly higher amid volatility yesterday, as profit booking wiped off early gains.

Investors’ presence on the trading floor was still very thin as the 60-hour countrywide shutdown enforced by opposition parties entered the second day.

The benchmark DSEX index ended at 4,090 with a marginal rise of 4 points or 0.2%, after hitting highest 4,148 in the morning. The index was one-and-a-half month high since September 19.

The DS30 Index comprising blue chips was down 4 points or 0.3% to 1,443.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index, CSCX, gained 13 points to 8,007.

Heavyweight banks that gained more than 1% rescued the market from losses as all other sectors declined on profit booking.

The two major political parties stick to the respective policies that dampened investors’ mood, leading to quick profit booking sell pressure in the market, according to stock dealers.

‘Investors’ presence on the trading floor was still very thin as the 60-hour countrywide shutdown enforced by opposition parties entered the second day’ Profit booking by opportunistic investors leveled DSEX slightly below 4,100 points, said IDLC investment in its daily market analysis.

News of decline in foreign orders to RMG factories hit investors’ sentiment very negatively. As a result, textile lost its 32-day leading position in sectoral turnover.

Besides, the sector performed negatively, falling 1.5% during the session. Telecommunications dropped highest more than 2%, followed by non-banking financial institutions that shed 1.7%.

Lanka Bangla Securities said good financials of stock supported strong opening in the morning with gains across the sectors.

However, profit taking set in almost immediately in the late hour, taking the market back down to almost par by the end of the day, it said.

Some issues like uncertainty in the political arena, steady growth in economic indicators and flow of fund in capital market made investors to adopt mixed approach in the market, it said.

The total market turnover slowed down slightly to about Tk3.9bn from previous session’s 24-session high of Tk4bn.

Losers outpaced gainers as out of 287 issues traded, 127 gained, 134 declined and 26 remained unchanged in the prime bourse.

United Commercial Bank Ltd continued to occupy the top position in the turnover list with shares worth Tk154m changing hands.

It was followed by Envoy Textile, Generation Next Fashion, Summit Purbanchol Power Company, IFIC Bank, Padma Oil, City Bank and Olympic Industries. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

China premier fears loose money policies n Reuters, Beijing China needs to sustain economic growth of 7.2% to ensure a stable job market, Premier Li Keqiang said as he warned the government against further expanding already loose money policies.

In one of the few occasions when a top official has specified the minimum level of growth needed for employment, Li said calculations show China’s economy must grow 7.2% annually to create 10 million jobs a year.

That would cap the urban unemployment rate at around 4%, he said.

“We want to stabilise economic growth because we need to guarantee employment essentially,” Li was quoted by the Workers’ Daily as saying on Monday. His remarks were made at a union meeting two weeks ago but were only published in full this week, just days before a pivotal Communist Party plenum to set policy opens.

Yet even as authorities keep an eye on growth, Li sounded a warning on easy credit supply, which he said had topped 100tn yuan in the world’s second-biggest economy.

“Our outstanding M2 money supply has at the end of March exceeded 100tn yuan, and that is already twice the size of our gross domestic product (GDP),” Li was quoting as saying.

“In other words, there is already a lot of money in the ‘pool’; to print more money may lead to inflation.”

His comments echoed the government’s hawkish stance on inflation, analysts said, and were separately affirmed on Tuesday by the central bank, which promised to keep policy prudent with appropriate fine-tuning as well as to “resolutely repress” property speculation.

Still, Li’s remarks underscore the fine line China must walk to create economic growth and jobs for social stability, while guarding against excesses that may hurt itself in the long run.

China’s authorities have criticised the

or after the Communist Party meeting that opens Saturday.

China’s annual consumer inflation rate rose to a seven-month high of 3.1% in September as poor weather drove up food prices, limiting the scope for the central bank to manoeuvre to support the economy even as exports showed a surprise decline.

Stable fiscal, monetary policies

China’s Premier Li Keqiang delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of 21st Century Council Beijing Conference at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing REUTERS country’s $8.5tn economy - powered by heavy reliance on exports and investment - as unstable and on an unsustainable growth path.

To retool the economy, its new leaders have signalled they are willing to tolerate slower expansion in exchange for cleaner growth led by consumption.

The crucial meeting of top leaders from November 9 to Nov 12 will shed light on just how committed Beijing is to enforcing reforms, many of which analysts say would test politicians’ will to push through unpopular changes.

Property influence?

Buffeted by sluggish export sales and in part on the government’s deliberate attempt to slow activity, China’s economy is sagging towards its slackest pace of expansion in 23 years this year, at 7.5%.

In its third-quarter monetary policy re-

port, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) said China’s economy faces a challenging future and that inflation, although stable right now, may rise in the fourth quarter.

“The foundation for stable consumer prices is not solid,” the central bank said.

“Annual consumer inflation may rise in the fourth quarter.”

It said a marked rise in house prices, especially in China’s biggest cities, may have also lifted rents, other related costs, and ultimately overall price levels.

The central bank said that the problems of the property market - along with those involving local government debt - are “more prominent” than other ones. It said it will “resolutely repress speculative demand for homes.”

Signs of overheating in the property market have led some analysts to speculate the government may unveil measures during

Li reiterated that a 7.5% growth target for 2013 remains intact, but noted that weak exports were a risk.

Exports can directly create about 30 million jobs and add another 70 million jobs in other related industries, Li said.

For every percentage point that China generates in economic growth, it creates 1.3 million to 1.5 million jobs, Li said.

“We are not seeking high-speed growth, and definitely not seeking only GDP growth.

But a reasonable speed in growth is needed, and so we have ensured a reasonable range in economic expansion,” he said.

China’s urban jobless rate eased to 4 percent at the end of September from 4.1% three months earlier. It is the country’s only official unemployment indicator, but analysts say it grossly underestimates the true level of unemployment as it excludes about 260 million migrant workers from its surveys.

Li did not say that 7.2% in annual economic growth was the minimum the government would tolerate, but analysts have always believed that China’s leaders considered growth between 7% and 7.5% to be reasonable.

On inflation risks, however, Li was clear.

“If we loosen credit, if we expand the fiscal deficit, that would be like an old saying where one carries firewood to extinguish a fire,” Li was quoted as saying.

“And this is why we choose to persevere with stable fiscal and monetary policies.” l

Holcim sees lower full-year cement sales n Reuters, Zurich

A general view shows Switzerland’s Holcim cement production plant in Siggenthal

REUTERS

Holcim, the world’s largest cement maker by market value, said yesterday it does not expect 2013 sales volumes to reach last year’s levels, due in part to sluggish demand in some key emerging markets.

Third-quarter net sales fell 8% to 5.29bn Swiss francs, missing the average estimate of 5.47bn in a Reuters poll, hit by weaker demand for building materials in India, Mexico, Canada and Brazil.

“The global economic trend remained subdued despite significant growth in several emerging markets and improved economic data from the US,” Holcim said in a statement.

The Swiss company said the fall in sales was also partly attributable to restructuring measures meant to improve margins.

Faced with slumping margins and weak construction demand, Chief Executive Bernard Fontana has slashed costs and cut capacity in regions such as Europe, at the same time as expanding into high-growth emerging countries such as Indonesia and Ecuador.

Holcim now expects cement sales volumes to fall short of last year’s levels, having previously forecast an increase in sales. It also anticipates lower sales in its aggregates and ready-mix concrete businesses.

Sales in Asia were hurt by weaker demand in its biggest market, India, where a slowdown in home building and rising input and energy costs continued to weigh. On a brighter note, the company said demand in Europe had stabilised.

Despite subdued demand, net profit after minorities jumped almost 20% to 469m francs, beating the average forecast for 428m, as cost cuts bore fruit.

Holcim said cost cuts and a focus on pushing higher-margin services had added 626 million francs to operating profit so far this year.

The company confirmed it was on track to achieve its target of boosting operating profit by at least 1.5bn francs by the end of 2014.

It also stuck to its forecast for organic growth in operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation and operating profit this year. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

5

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

BOJ chief offers upbeat view on China, US outlook despite risks n Reuters, Osaka Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda voiced confidence yesterday that the economies of China and the US, Japan’s two big export markets, will continue to recover and help achieve the central bank’s 2% inflation target.

Kuroda said the world’s third-largest economy was making steady progress toward meeting the BOJ’s price goal, but reiterated his readiness to offer additional monetary stimulus if that path is threatened by external risks.

“We are ready to take appropriate policy adjustments without hesitation if either upside or downside risks materialize,” he told business leaders in Osaka, western Japan.

Kuroda brushed aside the view, held by some pessimists in the market, that exports may not increase enough in time to make up for an expected downturn in household spending when Japan raises its sales tax in April 2014.

“US and Chinese economies, which are important in terms of the impact on Japan’s economy, will continue to recover ... albeit some risks remain,” he said.

China is promoting structural reforms that may slow growth but the country’s policymakers will likely take appropriate action to stimulate the economy if necessary, Kuroda added.

The BOJ has kept monetary policy steady since delivering an intense burst of stimulus in April, under which it pledged to double base money via aggressive asset purchases to accelerate inflation to 2% in roughly two years.

Differing views

At a rate review last week, the BOJ revised up its economic forecast and stuck to its pro-

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda gives his speech during a seminar in Tokyo jection that Japan was on track to see 2% inflation in two years.

But three of the nine board members rejected the projections, underscoring a rift between those optimistic about meeting the price target and those who share the dominant market view that it will take much longer than two years for Japan to have 2%

inflation.

Kuroda countered such doubts, saying that prices were rising for a broader range of goods and services reflecting a steady recovery in the economy. He also said he saw no huge risks to the BOJ’s baseline scenario that overseas economies will pick up gradually and support exports.

REUTERS

The governor repeated that despite improvements in the economy, it was too early to openly debate an exit strategy from the BOJ’s ultra-easy monetary policy. But he did acknowledge the need to scrutinize plans internally within the bank.

“We won’t adopt a policy without any idea for an exit,” he said. l

Rupee gains on inflows; economy still a dampener n Reuters, Mumbai

An employee poses with the bundles of Indian rupee notes inside a bank in Agartala

REUTERS

The rupee recovered from lows to snap two sessions of losses yesterday on bunched up dollar sales related to foreign fund inflows, even as another economic indicator pointed to continued uncertainty over a revival.

Strong global liquidity has pushed Indian stocks to lifetime highs even as economic indicators continue to remain grim. The rupee has been a major beneficiary of the stock market inflows.

Foreign funds have bought $16.5bn worth of shares so far this year.

The buying has continued despite recent mixed economic data. Indian services firms recovered slightly last month from the worst slump in over four years in September, but activity still shrank and a shortage of new orders means a rebound looks some way off, a survey showed on Tuesday.

The data comes on the heels of facto-

ry output shrinking for the third straight month.

“Despite the fall in stock markets, the rupee gained from a low of 61.95 as custodial banks sold on behalf of FIIs,” said Anil Kumar Bhansali, vice president at Meclai Financial.

“A near term range of 61.30 to 62.30 could be possibly a good bet for the rupee till the oil demand hits the market,” he said.

The partially convertible rupee closed at 61.625/635 per dollar compared with 61.74/75 on Friday. Local stocks ended 1.25% down.

Dealers cited some bunched up inflows from foreign banks as local markets were closed on Monday for a public holiday.

Inflows from a foreign telecom company was also cited as helping the rupee, dealers said.

In the offshore non-deliverable forwards, the one-month contract was at 62.21, while the three-month was at 63.21. l

6

Share

DHAKA TRIBUNE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

DSE Broad Index: 4090.12 ⇑ 0.12%, Turnover: 3889.22 M.Tk ⇓ 5.61%, PE: 12.73 Turnover 4,267.52 MTk . ⇓ 4.38% November 4, 2013 MarketCap. 1,972.84 BTk. ⇓ 0.20% CSE All Share Index: 12610 ⇑ 0.04%, Turnover: 378.30 M Tk. ⇑ 5.76%, PE: 12.54 Combined Turnover Leader UCBL - A

BANK ABBANK | 2.95 | 32.60 | Vol. 1636993 D: 27.10 ⇑ 5.04% | 27.44 | 28.00 / 23.50 C: 27.30 ⇑ 5.00% | 27.26 | 28.20 / 25.60 CITYBANK | 1.15 | 25.97 | Vol. 4175070 D: 20.10 ⇑ 2.03% | 20.29 | 21.50 / 18.00 C: 20.10 ⇑ 3.08% | 20.27 | 21.00 / 19.30 IFIC | 1.10 | 18.34 | Vol. 3725765 D: 30.50 ⇑ 3.74% | 31.03 | 32.20 / 26.50 C: 30.40 ⇑ 3.40% | 31.00 | 32.20 / 29.40 ISLAMIBANK | 3.78 | 27.16 | Vol. 120390 D: 36.40 ⇑ 0.55% | 36.36 | 37.00 / 33.00 C: 36.00 ⇓ 1.10% | 36.04 | 37.00 / 35.90 NBL | 1.05 | 15.76 | Vol. 5590857 D: 11.80 ⇓ 1.67% | 12.08 | 13.00 / 11.00 C: 11.90 ⇓ 1.65% | 12.09 | 12.40 / 11.80 PUBALIBANK | 1.92 | 21.18 | Vol. 261719 D: 31.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 31.36 | 32.00 / 28.00 C: 31.50 ⇓ 1.25% | 31.71 | 33.00 / 31.10 RUPALIBANK | 6.70 | 64.27 | Vol. 266727 D: 70.80 ⇑ 9.43% | 69.79 | 71.10 / 64.00 C: 70.60 ⇑ 9.63% | 69.61 | 70.80 / 65.90 UCBL | 1.90 | 21.72 | Vol. 7431118 D: 23.30 ⇓ 0.43% | 23.86 | 24.50 / 22.00 C: 23.30 ⇓ 0.85% | 23.88 | 24.50 / 23.00 UTTARABANK | 3.42 | 26.97 | Vol. 1314419 D: 30.60 ⇑ 0.99% | 30.96 | 31.90 / 27.50 C: 30.40 ⇓ 0.33% | 30.92 | 31.90 / 30.00 ICBIBANK | -1.60 | -13.03 | Vol. 102500 D: 5.90 ⇑ 1.72% | 5.97 | 6.00 / 5.90 EBL | 3.91 | 28.22 | Vol. 258800 D: 27.30 ⇑ 1.11% | 27.63 | 27.90 / 25.00 C: 27.50 ⇑ 2.23% | 27.54 | 27.90 / 27.30 ALARABANK | 2.03 | 14.91 | Vol. 1921191 D: 16.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 16.21 | 16.60 / 15.00 C: 16.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 16.28 | 16.50 / 16.00 PRIMEBANK | 2.89 | 22.40 | Vol. 365633 D: 24.40 ⇑ 2.09% | 24.66 | 25.50 / 23.00 C: 23.90 ⇑ 1.27% | 24.48 | 25.60 / 23.80 SOUTHEASTB | 1.89 | 22.66 | Vol. 1747272 D: 17.40 ⇑ 1.16% | 17.59 | 18.00 / 15.70 C: 17.50 ⇑ 0.57% | 17.62 | 18.00 / 17.10 DHAKABANK | 1.46 | 18.08 | Vol. 197676 D: 19.10 ⇑ 0.53% | 19.31 | 19.60 / 17.70 C: 19.70 ⇑ 3.14% | 19.71 | 19.90 / 19.10 NCCBANK | 1.90 | 15.88 | Vol. 1406382 D: 12.60 ⇑ 1.61% | 12.74 | 13.00 / 11.30 C: 12.60 ⇑ 0.80% | 12.59 | 12.90 / 12.30 SIBL | 2.05 | 14.47 | Vol. 1353630 D: 12.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 12.32 | 13.20 / 11.00 C: 12.30 ⇑ 1.65% | 12.27 | 12.40 / 12.00 DUTCHBANGL | 11.57 | 54.27 | Vol. 19480 D: 97.40 ⇑ 0.41% | 97.28 | 97.90 / 89.00 C: 92.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 93.00 | 92.40 / 92.40 MTBL | 1.17 | 17.27 | Vol. 164732 D: 15.70 ⇑ 1.95% | 15.77 | 15.90 / 13.90 C: 16.40 ⇑ 7.19% | 16.07 | 16.40 / 15.40 STANDBANKL | 2.33 | 14.41 | Vol. 930691 D: 13.60 ⇑ 1.49% | 13.80 | 14.20 / 12.10 C: 13.60 ⇑ 0.74% | 13.81 | 14.10 / 13.30 ONEBANKLTD | 2.35 | 15.34 | Vol. 2629689 D: 14.60 ⇑ 0.69% | 14.83 | 15.70 / 13.10 C: 14.70 ⇓ 0.68% | 14.84 | 15.20 / 14.40 BANKASIA | 1.35 | 20.80 | Vol. 329596 D: 19.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 19.66 | 20.00 / 17.40 C: 19.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 19.58 | 19.90 / 19.50 MERCANBANK | 2.07 | 16.59 | Vol. 3152997 D: 14.30 ⇑ 2.14% | 14.50 | 15.40 / 12.60 C: 14.30 ⇑ 2.88% | 14.48 | 14.90 / 13.90 EXIMBANK | 1.80 | 14.31 | Vol. 1570505 D: 11.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 11.90 | 12.50 / 10.60 C: 11.90 ⇑ 0.85% | 11.95 | 12.50 / 11.00 JAMUNABANK | 2.47 | 18.56 | Vol. 463737 D: 15.50 ⇑ 0.65% | 15.75 | 16.20 / 14.50 C: 15.70 ⇑ 2.61% | 15.80 | 16.10 / 15.30 BRACBANK | 1.51 | 24.87 | Vol. 449555 D: 30.90 ⇑ 0.98% | 30.95 | 31.70 / 28.90 C: 30.80 ⇑ 0.33% | 31.14 | 31.80 / 30.20 SHAHJABANK | 2.61 | 14.47 | Vol. 983600 D: 16.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 16.54 | 16.80 / 15.00 C: 16.40 ⇑ 0.61% | 16.51 | 16.80 / 16.10 PREMIERBAN | 1.18 | 13.95 | Vol. 2831502 D: 11.50 ⇓ 2.54% | 11.76 | 12.30 / 10.80 C: 11.70 ⇓ 0.85% | 11.80 | 12.10 / 11.40

7431118

TO M. Tk.

% of TTL

Avg. P

177.31

4.16

23.86

819443

147.87

3.47

180.45

G Next Fashions-A

5551540

143.25

3.36

25.80

Envoy Textiles Ltd-N

2303380

3.28

2216710

139.86 133.91

3.14

TRUSTBANK | 0.50 | 18.00 | Vol. 421213 D: 17.90 ⇓ 0.56% | 18.27 | 19.20 / 16.20 C: 17.90 ⇓ 1.10% | 17.91 | 18.00 / 17.90 FIRSTSBANK | 1.85 | 13.89 | Vol. 1954430 D: 13.20 ⇑ 3.94% | 13.33 | 13.80 / 11.50 C: 13.20 ⇑ 3.13% | 13.26 | 13.70 / 12.60 NON BANKING F I IDLC | 4.43 | 29.18 | Vol. 107075 D: 59.60 ⇓ 3.40% | 60.69 | 61.90 / 59.50 C: 58.80 ⇓ 3.61% | 59.69 | 61.00 / 58.20 ULC | 1.80 | 14.90 | Vol. 351635 D: 28.00 ⇓ 0.36% | 28.04 | 28.30 / 26.50 UTTARAFIN | 7.16 | 41.54 | Vol. 214904 D: 78.50 ⇑ 1.82% | 78.57 | 79.70 / 75.00 C: 77.10 ⇑ 1.58% | 77.86 | 79.40 / 76.00 FLEASEINT | 2.34 | 13.93 | Vol. 1232812 D: 28.00 ⇓ 0.36% | 28.08 | 29.00 / 26.00 C: 27.80 ⇓ 1.77% | 27.93 | 28.70 / 27.70 PLFSL | 1.37 | 17.48 | Vol. 843667 D: 22.30 ⇓ 2.19% | 22.74 | 25.00 / 21.00 C: 22.50 ⇓ 1.75% | 22.86 | 23.30 / 22.30 PRIMEFIN | 0.87 | 17.88 | Vol. 315760 D: 24.10 ⇓ 2.43% | 24.45 | 25.20 / 22.80 C: 24.20 ⇓ 2.42% | 24.53 | 25.00 / 24.00 PREMIERLEA | 0.10 | 11.37 | Vol. 203330 D: 9.90 ⇓ 2.94% | 10.04 | 10.20 / 9.90 C: 10.10 ⇑ 1.00% | 10.10 | 10.10 / 10.00 ISLAMICFIN | 1.03 | 15.48 | Vol. 311405 D: 15.60 ⇓ 2.50% | 15.75 | 16.50 / 14.40 C: 15.70 ⇓ 2.48% | 15.78 | 16.00 / 15.70 LANKABAFIN | 1.61 | 31.07 | Vol. 558975 D: 56.70 ⇓ 2.41% | 57.35 | 60.00 / 52.30 C: 56.60 ⇓ 2.41% | 57.02 | 58.00 / 56.30 BIFC | 0.15 | 18.58 | Vol. 179288 D: 16.80 ⇓ 3.45% | 17.11 | 17.50 / 16.80 C: 16.80 ⇓ 3.45% | 16.84 | 17.00 / 16.00 IPDC | 1.23 | 19.43 | Vol. 155500 D: 17.50 ⇓ 2.23% | 17.64 | 17.90 / 17.40 C: 17.50 ⇓ 1.69% | 17.72 | 19.00 / 17.40 UNIONCAP | 0.54 | 17.85 | Vol. 21550 D: 27.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 27.19 | 27.60 / 25.00 C: 29.00 ⇑ 7.01% | 29.00 | 29.00 / 29.00 BDFINANCE | 0.57 | 14.77 | Vol. 179636 D: 18.00 ⇓ 0.55% | 17.98 | 18.30 / 17.70 C: 18.00 ⇓ 1.10% | 18.00 | 18.30 / 17.80 ILFSL | 0.35 | 12.19 | Vol. 542000 D: 14.50 ⇓ 2.03% | 14.80 | 15.50 / 14.40 C: 14.60 ⇓ 2.67% | 14.75 | 15.20 / 14.50 PHOENIXFIN | 2.46 | 19.39 | Vol. 241519 D: 29.20 ⇓ 1.35% | 29.68 | 30.20 / 27.00 C: 29.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 30.15 | 30.50 / 29.50 FASFIN | 0.19 | 13.56 | Vol. 352913 D: 13.60 ⇓ 1.45% | 13.80 | 14.10 / 13.10 C: 13.70 ⇓ 1.44% | 13.87 | 14.10 / 13.60 DBH | 4.47 | 21.27 | Vol. 27650 D: 56.40 ⇓ 1.57% | 56.79 | 57.60 / 55.20 C: 56.30 ⇑ 1.26% | 56.25 | 57.00 / 55.50 NHFIL | 0.57 | 12.70 | Vol. 256120 D: 29.50 ⇓ 4.84% | 30.17 | 31.30 / 29.00 C: 30.00 ⇓ 4.46% | 30.11 | 30.70 / 30.00 BAYLEASING | 0.72 | 25.55 | Vol. 129668 D: 27.80 ⇓ 2.80% | 28.23 | 28.80 / 26.00 C: 28.50 ⇓ 2.40% | 28.52 | 29.50 / 27.80 ICB | 89.23 | 607.74 | Vol. 9900 D: 1489 ⇓ 1.65% | 1501 | 1524 / 1485 GSPFINANCE | 1.63 | 22.23 | Vol. 55396 D: 24.70 ⇓ 1.20% | 24.89 | 25.40 / 22.50 C: 25.10 ⇑ 0.40% | 25.08 | 25.20 / 25.00 FAREASTFIN | 0.68 | 13.64 | Vol. 731500 D: 13.70 ⇓ 2.84% | 13.91 | 14.20 / 13.70 C: 13.80 ⇓ 3.50% | 13.96 | 14.50 / 13.70 INVESTMENT 2NDICB | 44.10 | 253.11 | Vol. 100 D: 220.0 ⇑ 2.66% | 220.00 | 220.0 / 220.0 3RDICB | 26.16 | 235.16 | Vol. 200 D: 182.0 ⇑ 1.22% | 182.00 | 182.0 / 182.0 4THICB | 29.24 | 229.24 | Vol. 1200 D: 172.9 ⇑ 1.65% | 173.33 | 175.0 / 170.0 5THICB | 23.45 | 188.92 | Vol. 500 D: 140.4 ⇑ 0.00% | 140.40 | 140.4 / 140.4 6THICB | 10.99 | 60.14 | Vol. 9700 D: 45.50 ⇓ 0.44% | 45.63 | 46.00 / 45.30 C: 42.00 ⇓ 8.10% | 42.00 | 42.00 / 42.00

DSE Gainer Savar Refractories-Z

Square Pharma -A

Summit Purbanchol Power-N

CompanyCode | EPS | BV | Volume Traded (Share) DSE/CSE: ClosePrice ⇓/⇑ Chn % | Avg.Price | Hi / Lo

Vol.

DSE Loser

C%

A%

CP

9.78

9.06

55.00

Zeal Bangla Sugar-Z

C%

A%

CP

-8.24

-8.98

7.80

Rupali Bank - A

9.43

7.98

70.80

Northern Jute-Z

-7.34

-7.34

24.00

Delta Life Insu.-Z

8.73

8.73

290.20

AMCL (Pran)-A

-5.83

-4.50

192.20

60.72

ICB AMCL 1st NRB-A

8.64

8.64

23.90

Anlima Yarn -A

-5.78

-3.07

31.00

60.41

Eastern Housing-A

6.47

7.74

54.30

Monno Stafllers-A

-5.18

-5.04

274.50

8THICB | 12.47 | 70.07 | Vol. 500 D: 50.10 ⇓ 1.57% | 50.10 | 50.10 / 50.10 AIMS1STMF | 3.02 | 15.70 | Vol. 295000 D: 38.10 ⇓ 0.26% | 38.61 | 39.30 / 37.90 C: 37.70 ⇓ 1.82% | 38.61 | 39.10 / 37.50 ICBISLAMIC | 2.21 | 26.81 | Vol. 23000 D: 16.70 ⇑ 3.73% | 16.74 | 16.90 / 16.40 GRAMEEN1 | 6.26 | 33.23 | Vol. 340500 D: 43.90 ⇑ 0.69% | 44.69 | 45.50 / 43.90 C: 44.40 ⇑ 1.83% | 44.61 | 45.50 / 44.00 ICB1STNRB | 4.06 | 35.31 | Vol. 39000 D: 23.90 ⇑ 8.64% | 23.90 | 24.20 / 23.10 ICB2NDNRB | 2.49 | 16.24 | Vol. 170500 D: 9.40 ⇑ 3.30% | 9.45 | 9.60 / 9.30 GRAMEENS2 | 2.17 | 16.41 | Vol. 1183300 D: 16.40 ⇑ 0.61% | 16.76 | 17.20 / 16.30 C: 16.50 ⇑ 1.23% | 16.79 | 17.10 / 16.40 1STPRIMFMF | 0.64 | 11.63 | Vol. 1631500 D: 21.80 ⇑ 1.40% | 22.32 | 23.10 / 21.70 C: 21.80 ⇑ 1.87% | 22.23 | 22.90 / 21.70 EBL1STMF | 0.55 | 12.62 | Vol. 379312 D: 6.70 ⇑ 1.52% | 6.78 | 7.20 / 6.60 C: 6.70 ⇓ 1.47% | 6.87 | 7.00 / 6.70 ICBAMCL2ND | 0.60 | 12.12 | Vol. 67000 D: 5.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.81 | 5.90 / 5.70 ICBEPMF1S1 | 0.52 | 11.32 | Vol. 163500 D: 6.30 ⇓ 1.56% | 6.41 | 6.60 / 6.20 C: 6.30 ⇓ 3.08% | 6.30 | 6.30 / 6.30 TRUSTB1MF | 0.75 | 11.65 | Vol. 1029083 D: 7.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.48 | 7.60 / 6.90 C: 7.40 ⇑ 1.37% | 7.47 | 7.50 / 7.40 PRIME1ICBA | 0.42 | 11.18 | Vol. 408500 D: 5.00 ⇓ 3.85% | 5.16 | 5.20 / 5.00 C: 5.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.20 | 5.20 / 5.20 DBH1STMF | -1.12 | 10.15 | Vol. 277000 D: 5.50 ⇑ 1.85% | 5.55 | 5.70 / 5.50 C: 5.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.50 | 5.50 / 5.50 IFIC1STMF | 0.83 | 11.88 | Vol. 358626 D: 6.60 ⇑ 1.54% | 6.72 | 7.00 / 6.60 C: 6.60 ⇑ 3.13% | 6.63 | 6.70 / 6.60 PF1STMF | 0.51 | 11.11 | Vol. 206500 D: 5.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.43 | 5.50 / 5.30 C: 5.40 ⇑ 1.89% | 5.40 | 5.40 / 5.40 ICB3RDNRB | 0.00 | 10.60 | Vol. 368500 D: 5.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.07 | 5.10 / 5.00 C: 5.10 ⇑ 2.00% | 5.06 | 5.10 / 5.00 1JANATAMF | 0.78 | 10.68 | Vol. 547500 D: 5.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.99 | 6.10 / 5.90 C: 5.90 ⇑ 1.72% | 5.90 | 5.90 / 5.80 GREENDELMF | -0.82 | 9.72 | Vol. 340500 D: 5.30 ⇑ 3.92% | 5.33 | 5.40 / 5.20 C: 5.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.16 | 5.20 / 5.10 POPULAR1MF | 0.77 | 11.38 | Vol. 676715 D: 5.80 ⇑ 1.75% | 5.90 | 6.00 / 5.50 C: 5.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.85 | 5.90 / 5.50 IFILISLMF1 | 0.00 | 10.45 | Vol. 542500 D: 5.30 ⇑ 1.92% | 5.39 | 5.40 / 5.20 C: 5.30 ⇑ 1.92% | 5.30 | 5.30 / 5.30 PHPMF1 | 0.63 | 10.92 | Vol. 1115500 D: 5.40 ⇑ 1.89% | 5.42 | 5.50 / 5.30 C: 5.30 ⇓ 1.85% | 5.39 | 5.40 / 5.30 AIBL1STIMF | -0.07 | 9.25 | Vol. 76500 D: 6.70 ⇑ 3.08% | 6.71 | 6.80 / 6.60 C: 6.70 ⇑ 4.69% | 6.65 | 6.70 / 6.60 MBL1STMF | -0.16 | 9.08 | Vol. 253500 D: 6.40 ⇑ 4.92% | 6.38 | 6.50 / 6.20 C: 6.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.40 | 6.40 / 6.40 SEBL1STMF | 0.94 | 11.85 | Vol. 699400 D: 8.00 ⇑ 1.27% | 8.17 | 8.20 / 8.00 C: 8.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 8.09 | 8.20 / 7.90 EBLNRBMF | 1.07 | 10.88 | Vol. 1000 D: 7.30 ⇓ 1.35% | 7.00 | 7.40 / 7.30 RELIANCE1 | 0.95 | 10.33 | Vol. 1184300 D: 8.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 8.45 | 8.70 / 8.00 C: 8.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 8.24 | 8.50 / 8.10 LRGLOBMF1 | 0.50 | 10.82 | Vol. 153500 D: 7.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.49 | 7.80 / 7.40 C: 7.30 ⇓ 1.35% | 7.30 | 7.30 / 7.30 ABB1STMF | 0.92 | 10.63 | Vol. 3316190 D: 6.70 ⇓ 1.47% | 6.71 | 7.00 / 6.70 NLI1STMF | 1.17 | 12.22 | Vol. 868550 D: 9.00 ⇑ 1.12% | 9.23 | 9.50 / 8.90 C: 9.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 9.11 | 9.40 / 9.00 FBFIF | 1.30 | 10.27 | Vol. 500 D: 9.00 ⇑ 2.27% | 9.00 | 9.00 / 9.00

NCCBLMF1 | 1.16 | 10.48 | Vol. 50000 D: 8.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 8.26 | 8.60 / 8.10 ICBSONALI1 | 0.00 | 10.39 | Vol. 366000 D: 6.70 ⇓ 1.47% | 6.92 | 7.10 / 6.70 C: 6.60 ⇓ 1.49% | 6.73 | 7.00 / 6.60 ENGINEERING AFTABAUTO | 4.29 | 52.65 | Vol. 426823 D: 103.7 ⇑ 0.00% | 104.27 | 105.1 / 94.00 C: 104.1 ⇑ 0.39% | 104.22 | 105.0 / 103.0 AZIZPIPES | 0.39 | -42.04 | Vol. 12100 D: 17.10 ⇓ 4.47% | 17.33 | 18.00 / 17.00 C: 17.40 ⇑ 0.58% | 17.49 | 17.60 / 17.00 OLYMPIC | 7.85 | 22.10 | Vol. 368840 D: 211.1 ⇓ 0.89% | 211.78 | 214.8 / 205.0 C: 210.2 ⇓ 1.31% | 211.04 | 214.0 / 208.3 BDLAMPS | -5.31 | 37.07 | Vol. 12350 D: 128.3 ⇓ 4.47% | 131.16 | 135.6 / 127.3 C: 132.7 ⇓ 2.43% | 132.66 | 135.0 / 130.1 ECABLES | 2.04 | 18.87 | Vol. 11300 D: 82.10 ⇑ 0.98% | 81.86 | 82.50 / 79.20 MONNOSTAF | 5.31 | 44.78 | Vol. 1750 D: 274.5 ⇓ 5.18% | 274.86 | 276.0 / 272.2 SINGERBD | 9.99 | 45.74 | Vol. 47113 D: 195.5 ⇓ 1.31% | 196.96 | 201.0 / 185.0 C: 194.1 ⇓ 1.97% | 196.16 | 199.0 / 193.0 ATLASBANG | 11.98 | 207.70 | Vol. 12666 D: 162.6 ⇓ 2.93% | 166.07 | 170.0 / 151.0 BDAUTOCA | -0.43 | 5.68 | Vol. 36600 D: 26.40 ⇓ 2.94% | 26.89 | 27.80 / 26.30 QSMDRYCELL | 1.06 | 52.31 | Vol. 144130 D: 32.70 ⇓ 4.94% | 33.16 | 34.40 / 32.60 C: 32.70 ⇓ 3.82% | 33.33 | 34.40 / 32.70 RENWICKJA | 5.77 | -31.13 | Vol. 7600 D: 151.4 ⇓ 2.76% | 152.37 | 157.0 / 149.1 NTLTUBES | 0.67 | 311.00 | Vol. 59660 D: 72.10 ⇑ 0.56% | 73.45 | 75.90 / 66.00 BDTHAI | 0.43 | 39.35 | Vol. 254790 D: 24.90 ⇓ 0.40% | 25.22 | 25.70 / 23.80 C: 25.00 ⇓ 0.40% | 25.28 | 26.00 / 24.70 ANWARGALV | 0.52 | 8.10 | Vol. 84500 D: 23.30 ⇓ 1.27% | 23.51 | 24.00 / 23.10 C: 23.20 ⇓ 0.85% | 23.39 | 24.20 / 23.00 KAY&QUE | -3.89 | 6.03 | Vol. 5000 D: 15.00 ⇑ 3.45% | 15.11 | 15.30 / 14.70 C: 14.50 ⇓ 4.61% | 14.50 | 14.50 / 14.50 RANFOUNDRY | 2.84 | 18.62 | Vol. 34500 D: 84.30 ⇓ 2.43% | 85.51 | 89.90 / 84.00 SALAMCRST | 3.31 | 20.00 | Vol. 403170 D: 40.70 ⇑ 1.75% | 40.89 | 41.70 / 40.00 C: 41.10 ⇑ 1.73% | 40.78 | 41.70 / 38.60 GOLDENSON | 3.70 | 28.70 | Vol. 806794 D: 45.20 ⇓ 1.95% | 45.84 | 46.70 / 41.60 C: 45.20 ⇓ 1.95% | 45.99 | 46.30 / 45.20 BSRMSTEEL | 3.06 | 19.53 | Vol. 299895 D: 67.30 ⇑ 1.51% | 67.44 | 68.60 / 60.00 C: 67.30 ⇑ 1.36% | 67.55 | 68.00 / 64.00 NAVANACNG | 4.09 | 27.04 | Vol. 111781 D: 64.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 64.97 | 65.90 / 58.50 C: 64.10 ⇓ 1.08% | 64.98 | 66.00 / 64.10 DESHBANDHU | 0.26 | 10.67 | Vol. 301700 D: 16.40 ⇓ 1.20% | 16.54 | 16.80 / 16.30 C: 16.50 ⇓ 1.20% | 16.56 | 17.00 / 16.20 GPHISPAT | 2.11 | 15.27 | Vol. 673600 D: 45.60 ⇑ 5.31% | 45.06 | 46.00 / 40.00 C: 45.60 ⇑ 5.80% | 45.15 | 46.00 / 44.10 BENGALWTL | 4.16 | 26.24 | Vol. 446600 D: 46.80 ⇑ 0.21% | 46.88 | 47.20 / 46.50 C: 47.00 ⇑ 0.21% | 46.95 | 47.30 / 46.40 BDBUILDING | 1.53 | 14.60 | Vol. 1011000 D: 40.80 ⇓ 3.09% | 41.81 | 43.30 / 40.60 C: 40.60 ⇓ 3.56% | 41.43 | 43.00 / 40.20 NPOLYMAR | 2.73 | 37.82 | Vol. 121617 D: 51.10 ⇓ 0.78% | 51.39 | 52.70 / 50.80 C: 51.40 ⇓ 0.39% | 51.28 | 52.00 / 51.10 FOOD & ALLIED APEXFOODS | 2.54 | 90.81 | Vol. 21950 D: 91.40 ⇓ 1.40% | 91.78 | 92.60 / 90.90 C: 90.10 ⇓ 1.64% | 90.10 | 90.10 / 90.10 BANGAS | 7.20 | 50.27 | Vol. 43885 D: 399.4 ⇓ 0.55% | 403.25 | 413.0 / 398.0 C: 396.1 ⇓ 2.08% | 397.42 | 408.0 / 390.0 BATBC | 65.69 | 117.22 | Vol. 4625 D: 1600 ⇑ 0.01% | 1603 | 1615 / 1590 C: 1600 ⇑ 1.80% | 1600 | 1600 / 1600

GEMINISEA | 10.88 | 9.69 | Vol. 350 D: 172.7 ⇑ 2.61% | 171.43 | 178.0 / 170.1 NTC | 29.88 | 110.05 | Vol. 800 D: 771.5 ⇓ 1.34% | 771.25 | 780.0 / 770.0 ZEALBANGLA | -28.94 | -221.34 | Vol. 200 D: 7.80 ⇓ 8.24% | 7.80 | 7.80 / 7.80 AMCL(PRAN) | 6.85 | 57.14 | Vol. 42100 D: 192.2 ⇓ 5.83% | 196.52 | 207.0 / 191.3 C: 191.4 ⇓ 4.49% | 194.89 | 201.0 / 191.2 SHYAMPSUG | -45.77 | -396.49 | Vol. 1200 D: 7.00 ⇓ 2.78% | 7.00 | 7.00 / 7.00 FUWANGFOOD | 1.03 | 13.51 | Vol. 397748 D: 22.60 ⇑ 1.35% | 22.73 | 23.10 / 21.90 C: 22.80 ⇑ 1.79% | 22.83 | 23.00 / 22.60 MEGHNAPET | -0.50 | -1.52 | Vol. 21000 D: 6.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.33 | 6.70 / 6.20 MEGCONMILK | -7.48 | -23.70 | Vol. 27000 D: 6.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.96 | 7.10 / 6.90 BEACHHATCH | 1.01 | 12.48 | Vol. 476536 D: 20.00 ⇓ 2.44% | 20.17 | 20.70 / 18.50 C: 20.10 ⇓ 3.37% | 20.18 | 20.50 / 19.90 FINEFOODS | 0.05 | 10.63 | Vol. 224679 D: 17.10 ⇓ 1.16% | 17.06 | 17.60 / 16.70 C: 17.00 ⇓ 3.95% | 17.03 | 17.30 / 16.80 RDFOOD | 0.91 | 16.84 | Vol. 885146 D: 21.80 ⇓ 0.46% | 22.18 | 22.70 / 20.00 C: 21.80 ⇓ 0.46% | 22.28 | 22.90 / 21.70 GHAIL | 2.43 | 25.58 | Vol. 578480 D: 38.70 ⇓ 2.52% | 39.02 | 40.00 / 36.00 C: 38.90 ⇓ 2.26% | 39.04 | 39.60 / 38.80 FUEL & POWER LINDEBD | 31.71 | 144.00 | Vol. 13500 D: 625.3 ⇓ 4.10% | 631.63 | 657.0 / 621.9 PADMAOIL | 16.38 | 43.67 | Vol. 309103 D: 313.9 ⇓ 1.48% | 319.35 | 326.0 / 313.0 C: 313.6 ⇓ 2.18% | 319.64 | 325.9 / 313.0 EASTRNLUB | 6.32 | 68.68 | Vol. 200 D: 316.2 ⇓ 0.57% | 315.00 | 320.0 / 315.0 BDWELDING | 0.33 | 16.82 | Vol. 310235 D: 19.60 ⇓ 1.01% | 19.89 | 20.50 / 18.00 C: 19.60 ⇓ 1.51% | 19.96 | 20.40 / 19.60 SUMITPOWER | 3.17 | 19.26 | Vol. 668168 D: 33.20 ⇑ 0.61% | 33.50 | 33.90 / 29.70 C: 33.20 ⇑ 1.22% | 33.59 | 34.00 / 33.00 POWERGRID | 2.56 | 48.08 | Vol. 24550 D: 53.90 ⇑ 0.56% | 53.87 | 54.70 / 50.00 JAMUNAOIL | 22.78 | 50.24 | Vol. 168439 D: 224.0 ⇓ 2.10% | 226.09 | 230.9 / 220.0 C: 225.0 ⇓ 2.13% | 226.78 | 231.5 / 224.0 MPETROLEUM | 16.98 | 40.41 | Vol. 233836 D: 263.7 ⇓ 2.59% | 268.34 | 273.5 / 260.0 C: 262.8 ⇓ 2.77% | 268.19 | 272.9 / 262.0 KPCL | 4.73 | 15.86 | Vol. 148763 D: 46.90 ⇑ 0.86% | 47.31 | 48.00 / 44.00 C: 47.00 ⇑ 0.43% | 47.20 | 47.90 / 46.80 BEDL | 1.48 | 19.43 | Vol. 673600 D: 28.90 ⇓ 1.37% | 29.36 | 29.90 / 26.40 C: 29.00 ⇓ 0.34% | 29.18 | 29.80 / 28.50 MJLBD | 2.73 | 30.24 | Vol. 89085 D: 72.10 ⇑ 0.14% | 72.35 | 73.30 / 65.00 C: 72.10 ⇑ 1.55% | 71.80 | 72.70 / 64.00 GBBPOWER | 1.86 | 22.63 | Vol. 842404 D: 26.60 ⇑ 1.53% | 26.83 | 27.30 / 24.00 C: 26.70 ⇑ 1.14% | 27.01 | 27.40 / 26.40 SPPCL | 3.81 | 23.34 | Vol. 2216710 D: 60.00 ⇑ 4.17% | 60.44 | 61.90 / 52.00 C: 60.10 ⇑ 4.52% | 60.21 | 62.00 / 57.90 JUTE JUTESPINN | -48.14 | -39.89 | Vol. 9050 D: 67.10 ⇓ 2.47% | 67.18 | 68.20 / 66.50 NORTHERN | -9.98 | -18.22 | Vol. 600 D: 24.00 ⇓ 7.34% | 24.00 | 24.00 / 24.00 SONALIANSH | 5.54 | 218.80 | Vol. 5900 D: 131.1 ⇓ 3.32% | 131.53 | 134.0 / 130.1 TEXTILE AL-HAJTEX | 2.22 | 16.53 | Vol. 66937 D: 89.00 ⇓ 4.81% | 90.21 | 95.90 / 88.40 RAHIMTEXT | 5.81 | 70.85 | Vol. 1350 D: 344.0 ⇓ 0.64% | 343.70 | 351.8 / 326.4 SAIHAMTEX | 2.75 | 29.50 | Vol. 406500 D: 29.40 ⇓ 1.34% | 29.49 | 30.20 / 29.10 C: 29.10 ⇓ 2.68% | 29.15 | 29.70 / 29.00

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

7

November 05, 2013 Sectotal Index: BANK: 35,999.70 ⇑ 0.61% NBFI: 20,068.20 ⇓ 1.24% INVS: 4,672.50 ⇑ 0.14% ENGG: 5,871.63 ⇓ 0.33% FOOD: 9,449.67 ⇓ 0.63% F&P: 10,178.60 ⇓ 0.55% TEXT: 3,204.22 ⇓ 1.50% PHAR: 17,105.19 ⇑ 0.21% PAPR: 941.00 ⇓ 1.52% SERV: 2,848.09 ⇑ 1.34% LEAT: 5,147.93 ⇑ 0.70% CERA: 485.55 ⇓ 1.11% CMNT: 4,375.22 ⇓ 0.06% INFO: 6,888.49 ⇓ 0.62% GINS: 9,153.16 ⇑ 0.88% LINS: 106,238.58 ⇓ 0.03% TELC: 1,301.16 ⇓ 1.59% MISC: 6,111.02 ⇑ 2.15% MODERNDYE | 0.91 | 10.37 | Vol. 1700 D: 74.90 ⇓ 5.07% | 74.71 | 76.10 / 74.30 DSHGARME | 0.88 | 12.12 | Vol. 52700 D: 57.40 ⇑ 0.35% | 59.43 | 62.00 / 56.00 DULAMIACOT | -1.90 | -29.70 | Vol. 18700 D: 7.80 ⇑ 2.63% | 7.91 | 8.00 / 7.70 TALLUSPIN | 2.01 | 18.59 | Vol. 928529 D: 40.20 ⇓ 2.90% | 40.92 | 42.30 / 38.00 C: 40.20 ⇓ 2.90% | 40.75 | 41.30 / 40.00 APEXSPINN | 2.01 | 49.32 | Vol. 3000 D: 66.00 ⇓ 1.35% | 66.00 | 66.80 / 65.80 MITHUNKNIT | 3.33 | 23.82 | Vol. 89600 D: 77.10 ⇓ 0.90% | 77.80 | 79.30 / 77.00 C: 77.70 ⇑ 0.52% | 78.78 | 80.80 / 77.00 DELTASPINN | 3.06 | 18.12 | Vol. 263200 D: 31.00 ⇓ 1.59% | 31.37 | 32.50 / 31.00 C: 31.10 ⇓ 0.96% | 31.38 | 32.00 / 31.00 SONARGAON | 0.27 | 34.50 | Vol. 193500 D: 16.10 ⇓ 0.62% | 16.20 | 16.50 / 16.00 C: 16.10 ⇓ 0.62% | 16.11 | 16.20 / 16.00 PRIMETEX | 1.21 | 59.34 | Vol. 302500 D: 24.80 ⇓ 3.13% | 25.29 | 26.00 / 24.60 C: 25.00 ⇓ 2.72% | 25.33 | 26.30 / 24.90 ALLTEX | -1.26 | 8.10 | Vol. 125500 D: 7.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.19 | 7.30 / 7.10 C: 7.30 ⇑ 1.39% | 7.29 | 7.60 / 7.20 ANLIMAYARN | 1.36 | 11.99 | Vol. 85520 D: 31.00 ⇓ 5.78% | 31.57 | 32.90 / 31.00 C: 31.00 ⇑ 2.31% | 30.90 | 31.00 / 30.80 HRTEX | 2.08 | 14.92 | Vol. 171087 D: 35.50 ⇓ 1.39% | 35.93 | 37.00 / 34.70 CMCKAMAL | 1.37 | 19.31 | Vol. 1537199 D: 30.30 ⇓ 1.94% | 30.85 | 31.90 / 29.00 SAFKOSPINN | 0.95 | 21.78 | Vol. 266148 D: 23.70 ⇓ 2.87% | 24.30 | 25.50 / 22.00 C: 23.80 ⇓ 2.86% | 24.28 | 25.20 / 23.70 SQUARETEXT | 4.32 | 31.82 | Vol. 95543 D: 90.10 ⇑ 0.56% | 90.11 | 91.00 / 85.00 C: 90.00 ⇑ 1.12% | 90.30 | 91.50 / 90.00 METROSPIN | 0.62 | 19.48 | Vol. 530744 D: 18.60 ⇓ 2.62% | 18.83 | 19.30 / 17.20 C: 18.60 ⇓ 2.62% | 18.79 | 19.20 / 18.60 MAKSONSPIN | 0.16 | 20.55 | Vol. 1381940 D: 15.90 ⇓ 1.24% | 16.00 | 16.40 / 14.60 C: 15.90 ⇓ 1.24% | 16.06 | 16.40 / 15.90 DACCADYE | 1.21 | 31.13 | Vol. 380797 D: 27.20 ⇑ 2.26% | 27.20 | 27.60 / 25.00 C: 27.00 ⇓ 0.37% | 27.00 | 27.20 / 26.90 RNSPIN | 2.80 | 16.58 | Vol. 2035924 D: 30.70 ⇓ 1.29% | 30.94 | 31.40 / 29.00 C: 30.80 ⇓ 1.60% | 30.96 | 31.30 / 30.70 BXSYNTH | 0.93 | 25.42 | Vol. 465065 D: 15.50 ⇑ 0.65% | 15.73 | 16.10 / 15.00 C: 15.60 ⇑ 0.65% | 15.80 | 16.10 / 15.40 MALEKSPIN | 2.81 | 43.48 | Vol. 1957295 D: 28.80 ⇓ 2.37% | 28.93 | 29.70 / 26.60 C: 28.80 ⇓ 2.37% | 28.92 | 29.20 / 28.60 ZAHINTEX | 1.38 | 35.73 | Vol. 419750 D: 29.00 ⇓ 1.36% | 29.19 | 29.50 / 27.50 C: 29.00 ⇓ 1.69% | 29.13 | 30.00 / 29.00 SAIHAMCOT | 1.92 | 23.62 | Vol. 732250 D: 23.80 ⇓ 1.65% | 23.94 | 24.40 / 23.70 C: 23.80 ⇓ 1.24% | 24.05 | 24.60 / 23.70 GENNEXT | 1.68 | 15.15 | Vol. 5551540 D: 25.40 ⇓ 2.31% | 25.80 | 26.60 / 23.40 C: 25.50 ⇓ 2.30% | 25.80 | 26.50 / 25.40 ENVOYTEX | 3.26 | 39.26 | Vol. 2303380 D: 59.90 ⇓ 2.60% | 60.73 | 63.00 / 56.00 C: 59.80 ⇓ 2.29% | 60.45 | 62.00 / 59.00 ARGONDENIM | 1.89 | 38.86 | Vol. 1164480 D: 66.00 ⇓ 4.49% | 66.92 | 71.10 / 62.20 C: 65.70 ⇓ 5.06% | 66.41 | 68.00 / 65.00 FAMILYTEX | 3.72 | 14.68 | Vol. 347000 D: 42.50 ⇓ 0.93% | 42.36 | 43.00 / 41.90 C: 42.20 ⇓ 1.86% | 42.30 | 43.10 / 41.50 PHARMACEUTICAL & CHEMICAL AMBEEPHA | 3.94 | 26.15 | Vol. 4606 D: 256.7 ⇓ 1.80% | 258.10 | 263.0 / 253.7 C: 255.4 ⇓ 0.23% | 255.63 | 257.9 / 254.0 BXPHARMA | 3.77 | 52.55 | Vol. 259504 D: 44.50 ⇓ 0.45% | 44.74 | 48.00 / 40.30 C: 44.50 ⇑ 0.45% | 44.93 | 45.50 / 44.30 GLAXOSMITH | 20.25 | 123.32 | Vol. 700 D: 931.1 ⇓ 0.39% | 931.43 | 935.0 / 927.3 ACI | -5.82 | 126.42 | Vol. 16244 D: 167.2 ⇑ 1.27% | 168.25 | 170.0 / 158.0 C: 169.7 ⇑ 9.27% | 168.00 | 170.7 / 165.0

RENATA | 33.57 | 138.83 | Vol. 6650 D: 723.2 ⇓ 0.78% | 727.07 | 735.0 / 723.0 RECKITTBEN | 27.16 | 78.89 | Vol. 50 D: 760.0 ⇑ 1.33% | 760.00 | 760.0 / 760.0 PHARMAID | 5.06 | 26.30 | Vol. 20700 D: 166.5 ⇓ 2.52% | 167.83 | 172.0 / 164.6 KOHINOOR | 9.52 | 10.49 | Vol. 550 D: 393.5 ⇑ 5.16% | 390.45 | 393.5 / 360.0 IBNSINA | 3.44 | 34.02 | Vol. 36400 D: 97.80 ⇓ 2.59% | 99.51 | 102.5 / 97.60 C: 98.60 ⇓ 2.28% | 98.80 | 99.90 / 100.0 LIBRAINFU | 4.21 | 1567.59 | Vol. 2200 D: 405.7 ⇓ 1.79% | 405.91 | 420.0 / 400.0 ORIONINFU | 8.72 | 1.73 | Vol. 138600 D: 41.60 ⇓ 0.95% | 41.82 | 42.60 / 41.50 C: 41.10 ⇑ 0.24% | 41.82 | 42.50 / 40.70 SQURPHARMA | 6.93 | 37.18 | Vol. 819443 D: 179.6 ⇓ 0.39% | 180.45 | 185.0 / 164.0 C: 180.1 ⇓ 0.22% | 180.07 | 181.9 / 179.7 IMAMBUTTON | -1.51 | 4.16 | Vol. 42000 D: 7.30 ⇓ 1.35% | 7.37 | 7.60 / 7.30 C: 7.50 ⇓ 3.85% | 7.50 | 8.20 / 7.30 KEYACOSMET | 1.55 | 21.54 | Vol. 870430 D: 24.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 24.65 | 25.00 / 23.00 C: 24.20 ⇓ 1.63% | 24.50 | 24.90 / 24.10 BERGERPBL | 32.46 | 100.20 | Vol. 5350 D: 829.1 ⇑ 3.48% | 827.55 | 830.0 / 820.0 C: 860.0 ⇑ 7.50% | 860.00 | 860.0 / 860.0 ACIFORMULA | 3.33 | 38.08 | Vol. 30140 D: 72.90 ⇑ 0.14% | 73.05 | 73.80 / 71.00 C: 73.30 ⇑ 0.55% | 73.26 | 74.00 / 72.70 MARICO | 27.53 | 62.47 | Vol. 13350 D: 775.3 ⇓ 2.20% | 778.63 | 795.7 / 772.1 C: 776.0 ⇓ 2.14% | 776.03 | 777.0 / 775.0 BEACONPHAR | 0.04 | 12.01 | Vol. 445000 D: 11.50 ⇑ 0.88% | 11.48 | 11.80 / 11.40 C: 11.50 ⇑ 1.77% | 11.44 | 11.50 / 11.30 ACTIVEFINE | 3.23 | 13.89 | Vol. 447603 D: 91.90 ⇓ 0.54% | 92.10 | 93.40 / 83.20 C: 91.80 ⇓ 1.40% | 92.36 | 93.10 / 91.50 SALVOCHEM | 0.68 | 10.57 | Vol. 334516 D: 19.30 ⇓ 1.03% | 19.51 | 19.90 / 18.00 C: 19.40 ⇓ 1.52% | 19.46 | 19.80 / 19.30 GHCL | 2.14 | 57.31 | Vol. 791250 D: 50.90 ⇑ 3.88% | 51.04 | 52.20 / 48.90 C: 51.30 ⇑ 4.91% | 51.18 | 52.00 / 49.90 ORIONPHARM | 5.02 | 68.68 | Vol. 531770 D: 54.70 ⇓ 0.36% | 55.08 | 55.80 / 49.80 C: 55.00 ⇑ 0.18% | 55.19 | 56.00 / 54.70 JMISMDL | 1.12 | 12.83 | Vol. 113500 D: 189.8 ⇓ 2.01% | 191.98 | 199.6 / 186.1 C: 191.0 ⇓ 0.26% | 190.94 | 195.0 / 187.5 CENTRALPHL | 1.62 | 12.24 | Vol. 422000 D: 28.30 ⇓ 0.35% | 28.42 | 28.80 / 28.10 C: 28.30 ⇓ 0.35% | 28.37 | 28.70 / 28.10 PAPER & PACKAGING HAKKANIPUL | 0.51 | 31.01 | Vol. 27500 D: 27.10 ⇓ 1.45% | 27.17 | 27.40 / 27.00 C: 26.20 ⇓ 3.68% | 26.74 | 27.10 / 26.00 SERVICE SAMORITA | 2.31 | 17.25 | Vol. 41000 D: 97.70 ⇑ 1.77% | 97.67 | 102.0 / 95.10 C: 102.0 ⇑ 7.94% | 101.97 | 102.0 / 101.9 SAPORTL | 1.23 | 38.39 | Vol. 240130 D: 26.30 ⇑ 0.38% | 26.48 | 26.80 / 25.00 C: 26.50 ⇑ 0.76% | 26.67 | 27.00 / 26.20 EHL | 3.16 | 20.74 | Vol. 845005 D: 54.30 ⇑ 6.47% | 54.45 | 55.50 / 49.00 C: 54.20 ⇑ 6.27% | 54.26 | 55.00 / 52.50

LEATHER APEXTANRY | 6.57 | 69.38 | Vol. 54900 D: 107.4 ⇓ 1.29% | 107.92 | 111.0 / 107.1 C: 107.1 ⇓ 3.34% | 107.80 | 108.0 / 107.1 BATASHOE | 49.12 | 135.53 | Vol. 2700 D: 708.6 ⇓ 0.91% | 709.26 | 722.0 / 706.0 APEXADELFT | 23.01 | 203.26 | Vol. 74600 D: 388.4 ⇑ 1.54% | 388.32 | 397.8 / 385.1 C: 394.0 ⇑ 2.90% | 390.67 | 394.0 / 390.0 SAMATALETH | 0.22 | 12.93 | Vol. 2000 D: 13.00 ⇑ 0.78% | 13.00 | 13.00 / 13.00 LEGACYFOOT | 0.63 | 17.19 | Vol. 267733 D: 32.70 ⇓ 0.61% | 32.82 | 33.90 / 29.90 C: 32.90 ⇓ 0.30% | 32.72 | 33.50 / 32.00 CERAMIC MONNOCERA | 0.35 | 95.30 | Vol. 41600 D: 31.00 ⇓ 0.32% | 31.10 | 31.90 / 30.90 C: 29.30 ⇓ 6.39% | 29.35 | 30.90 / 29.00 STANCERAM | 1.07 | 15.97 | Vol. 31500 D: 41.40 ⇑ 1.47% | 42.30 | 43.70 / 40.60 C: 40.60 ⇓ 0.98% | 40.55 | 41.00 / 40.10 FUWANGCER | 0.72 | 13.97 | Vol. 400615 D: 18.30 ⇑ 0.55% | 18.51 | 18.70 / 17.00 C: 18.50 ⇑ 0.54% | 18.54 | 18.80 / 18.40 SPCERAMICS | 0.62 | 30.92 | Vol. 376065 D: 15.90 ⇑ 0.63% | 16.09 | 16.60 / 14.80 C: 15.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 16.12 | 16.50 / 15.90 RAKCERAMIC | 1.98 | 16.76 | Vol. 162162 D: 50.40 ⇓ 0.98% | 50.82 | 52.00 / 46.00 C: 50.60 ⇓ 1.56% | 51.02 | 51.80 / 50.50 CEMENT HEIDELBCEM | 22.85 | 111.50 | Vol. 175610 D: 400.5 ⇑ 2.56% | 398.44 | 405.0 / 390.0 C: 403.7 ⇑ 3.43% | 397.02 | 405.0 / 390.0 CONFIDCEM | 6.23 | 90.76 | Vol. 128962 D: 127.2 ⇓ 1.32% | 127.43 | 130.0 / 126.5 C: 126.7 ⇓ 2.46% | 127.87 | 131.5 / 126.0 MEGHNACEM | 6.28 | 33.81 | Vol. 51200 D: 124.7 ⇓ 1.97% | 125.64 | 129.9 / 124.0 C: 124.4 ⇓ 3.49% | 126.03 | 127.8 / 124.0 ARAMITCEM | 3.03 | 14.65 | Vol. 68500 D: 70.60 ⇓ 2.75% | 71.97 | 73.50 / 70.00 C: 72.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 72.00 | 72.00 / 72.00 LAFSURCEML | 1.60 | 7.22 | Vol. 575000 D: 31.10 ⇓ 0.32% | 31.25 | 31.70 / 31.10 C: 31.10 ⇓ 1.27% | 31.25 | 31.70 / 31.00 MICEMENT | 4.48 | 37.67 | Vol. 348963 D: 92.50 ⇓ 0.96% | 93.44 | 99.00 / 84.50 C: 93.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 93.26 | 94.70 / 92.30 PREMIERCEM | 5.00 | 32.60 | Vol. 253800 D: 111.2 ⇓ 0.71% | 112.55 | 115.0 / 110.5 C: 110.9 ⇑ 0.36% | 112.89 | 115.0 / 109.5 IT IINDUSTRIES ISNLTD | 0.28 | 17.31 | Vol. 149000 D: 16.00 ⇓ 1.84% | 16.16 | 16.70 / 15.90 C: 16.00 ⇓ 1.84% | 16.01 | 16.30 / 15.90 BDCOM | 1.54 | 15.85 | Vol. 517652 D: 27.80 ⇑ 1.46% | 28.07 | 28.50 / 24.70 C: 28.30 ⇑ 4.81% | 28.34 | 28.50 / 27.50 INTECH | 0.94 | 10.08 | Vol. 254285 D: 14.90 ⇓ 1.97% | 15.03 | 15.50 / 13.90 C: 15.00 ⇓ 1.96% | 14.99 | 15.30 / 14.90 AGNISYSL | 1.06 | 16.39 | Vol. 347951 D: 22.20 ⇓ 0.89% | 22.55 | 22.80 / 21.00 C: 22.20 ⇑ 0.45% | 22.34 | 22.70 / 21.90 DAFODILCOM | 0.85 | 10.99 | Vol. 536282 D: 13.70 ⇓ 3.52% | 13.73 | 14.20 / 13.10 C: 13.70 ⇓ 4.20% | 13.69 | 14.00 / 13.50 AAMRATECH | 1.46 | 21.90 | Vol. 535950 D: 32.20 ⇓ 2.72% | 32.40 | 33.50 / 30.00 C: 32.00 ⇓ 3.32% | 32.02 | 33.00 / 31.50

GENERAL INSURANCE BGIC | 1.65 | 20.33 | Vol. 166201 D: 29.90 ⇑ 1.01% | 30.18 | 31.00 / 28.00 C: 30.10 ⇑ 2.03% | 30.08 | 30.80 / 29.90 GREENDELT | 4.05 | 64.44 | Vol. 35228 D: 81.20 ⇓ 1.46% | 81.36 | 83.80 / 80.00 UNITEDINS | 2.47 | 21.04 | Vol. 8300 D: 44.10 ⇑ 2.56% | 44.34 | 45.80 / 43.70 PEOPLESINS | 2.05 | 20.72 | Vol. 440855 D: 34.50 ⇑ 2.37% | 34.59 | 35.60 / 30.50 C: 34.70 ⇑ 3.27% | 34.61 | 35.00 / 34.00 EASTERNINS | 2.22 | 35.88 | Vol. 36675 D: 38.80 ⇑ 1.57% | 39.16 | 41.90 / 37.00 C: 37.70 ⇓ 5.99% | 37.68 | 40.00 / 37.10 JANATAINS | 7.84 | 170.69 | Vol. 19548 D: 260.3 ⇓ 1.70% | 266.25 | 272.8 / 257.0 C: 259.3 ⇓ 0.27% | 259.66 | 262.0 / 257.0 PHENIXINS | 2.70 | 20.96 | Vol. 51868 D: 42.70 ⇑ 3.39% | 42.79 | 43.50 / 40.00 C: 41.80 ⇑ 3.47% | 41.80 | 41.80 / 41.80 EASTLAND | 4.06 | 23.29 | Vol. 212900 D: 48.00 ⇑ 0.21% | 48.48 | 49.40 / 46.50 C: 48.40 ⇑ 0.83% | 48.40 | 48.40 / 48.40 CENTRALINS | 1.54 | 19.04 | Vol. 67290 D: 30.00 ⇑ 3.81% | 29.99 | 30.30 / 28.00 C: 29.50 ⇑ 5.36% | 29.50 | 29.50 / 29.50 KARNAPHULI | 1.56 | 19.42 | Vol. 127600 D: 23.80 ⇑ 0.85% | 24.10 | 24.40 / 23.50 RUPALIINS | 2.76 | 23.38 | Vol. 162000 D: 32.60 ⇑ 1.24% | 32.86 | 33.50 / 32.50 C: 32.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 32.89 | 33.40 / 32.40 FEDERALINS | 1.10 | 10.98 | Vol. 598652 D: 24.90 ⇑ 2.05% | 25.08 | 25.50 / 23.00 C: 24.80 ⇑ 0.81% | 25.13 | 25.60 / 24.30 RELIANCINS | 3.93 | 61.52 | Vol. 3000 D: 71.90 ⇑ 3.60% | 72.00 | 73.00 / 70.60 PURABIGEN | 1.05 | 18.71 | Vol. 674258 D: 23.90 ⇑ 6.22% | 23.52 | 24.30 / 21.00 PRAGATIINS | 2.01 | 50.30 | Vol. 209052 D: 58.20 ⇓ 3.32% | 59.07 | 61.70 / 54.20 C: 58.70 ⇓ 2.17% | 60.33 | 61.00 / 58.70 PRIMEINSUR | 2.14 | 14.14 | Vol. 34792 D: 32.10 ⇑ 1.58% | 32.23 | 32.90 / 30.00 C: 31.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 28.00 | 31.00 / 31.00 PIONEERINS | 3.11 | 23.84 | Vol. 27500 D: 69.40 ⇑ 0.14% | 69.78 | 70.40 / 68.30 MERCINS | 1.53 | 14.50 | Vol. 106080 D: 28.80 ⇑ 1.41% | 28.89 | 29.30 / 26.00 C: 28.30 ⇓ 1.05% | 28.70 | 29.40 / 28.30 AGRANINS | 1.73 | 14.39 | Vol. 99492 D: 27.00 ⇑ 0.37% | 27.17 | 27.90 / 25.00 GLOBALINS | 1.09 | 11.78 | Vol. 100562 D: 29.50 ⇓ 0.34% | 29.64 | 30.10 / 27.00 NITOLINS | 2.59 | 15.41 | Vol. 13567 D: 35.00 ⇑ 1.16% | 35.00 | 35.80 / 34.60 C: 36.00 ⇑ 1.41% | 36.00 | 36.00 / 36.00 ASIAPACINS | 1.84 | 13.76 | Vol. 150000 D: 30.80 ⇑ 2.33% | 30.76 | 31.50 / 29.60 SONARBAINS | 1.68 | 13.38 | Vol. 94500 D: 24.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 25.15 | 25.50 / 24.70 C: 25.00 ⇑ 3.31% | 25.25 | 26.00 / 25.00 PARAMOUNT | 1.26 | 13.19 | Vol. 123235 D: 24.80 ⇑ 2.90% | 24.72 | 25.10 / 22.00 C: 25.00 ⇑ 0.40% | 25.03 | 25.50 / 24.80 CITYGENINS | 1.65 | 14.26 | Vol. 346595 D: 29.70 ⇑ 1.71% | 29.91 | 30.50 / 28.00 C: 29.80 ⇑ 1.71% | 29.70 | 29.80 / 29.30 CONTININS | 1.41 | 15.68 | Vol. 256900 D: 30.70 ⇑ 0.99% | 31.01 | 31.50 / 30.00 C: 31.10 ⇑ 1.63% | 31.18 | 31.50 / 30.80 TAKAFULINS | 2.19 | 15.17 | Vol. 362472 D: 42.70 ⇑ 0.23% | 43.50 | 44.40 / 40.00 C: 42.70 ⇓ 0.70% | 43.04 | 43.60 / 42.70 STANDARINS | 2.58 | 13.99 | Vol. 22781 D: 40.60 ⇑ 1.75% | 40.47 | 41.20 / 39.00 NORTHRNINS | 1.77 | 11.15 | Vol. 71050 D: 43.10 ⇑ 2.38% | 43.16 | 44.00 / 40.00 C: 44.00 ⇑ 2.80% | 44.00 | 44.00 / 44.00 REPUBLIC | 2.14 | 12.42 | Vol. 630775 D: 43.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 44.39 | 45.50 / 40.00 C: 43.90 ⇓ 0.23% | 45.44 | 46.40 / 43.80 ASIAINS | 1.56 | 17.34 | Vol. 56013 D: 27.30 ⇑ 1.11% | 27.67 | 28.10 / 26.90 C: 28.50 ⇑ 5.17% | 28.48 | 29.80 / 27.70 ISLAMIINS | 1.29 | 11.96 | Vol. 101900 D: 35.00 ⇑ 4.48% | 35.04 | 36.30 / 30.50 C: 34.50 ⇑ 6.81% | 34.47 | 35.00 / 33.50

PROVATIINS | 1.90 | 14.30 | Vol. 96765 D: 30.00 ⇑ 4.90% | 29.61 | 30.90 / 26.00 C: 30.10 ⇑ 8.27% | 29.98 | 30.50 / 29.00 DHAKAINS | 2.84 | 18.02 | Vol. 111125 D: 39.70 ⇑ 0.25% | 40.07 | 40.70 / 39.00 C: 39.80 ⇑ 0.76% | 40.34 | 41.00 / 39.70 LIFE INSURANCE NATLIFEINS | 12.34 | 80.99 | Vol. 12618 D: 245.1 ⇓ 0.28% | 246.39 | 259.9 / 240.0 DELTALIFE | 38.53 | 189.40 | Vol. 1430 D: 290.2 ⇑ 8.73% | 290.20 | 290.2 / 290.0 SANDHANINS | 2.39 | 28.22 | Vol. 34326 D: 68.70 ⇓ 1.43% | 68.89 | 69.70 / 68.50 C: 68.70 ⇓ 1.86% | 68.71 | 68.90 / 68.70 POPULARLIF | 3.70 | 715.41 | Vol. 154396 D: 189.9 ⇑ 3.38% | 189.21 | 190.4 / 175.0 FAREASTLIF | 9.21 | 60.79 | Vol. 65873 D: 91.00 ⇑ 0.44% | 91.05 | 99.00 / 85.00 C: 92.30 ⇑ 0.11% | 92.24 | 93.00 / 92.00 MEGHNALIFE | 10.82 | 48.87 | Vol. 41600 D: 101.5 ⇓ 0.68% | 102.91 | 104.1 / 101.0 C: 102.5 ⇑ 1.99% | 102.54 | 103.8 / 102.0 PROGRESLIF | 2.30 | 31.45 | Vol. 7500 D: 102.0 ⇓ 1.07% | 102.00 | 108.8 / 101.0 PRAGATILIF | 0.60 | 30.15 | Vol. 36000 D: 121.2 ⇑ 1.08% | 119.06 | 126.0 / 114.0 PRIMELIFE | 5.51 | 27.10 | Vol. 22470 D: 91.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 91.46 | 95.00 / 88.00 RUPALILIFE | 3.75 | 31.25 | Vol. 49426 D: 95.90 ⇑ 0.21% | 98.50 | 103.0 / 94.00 C: 95.30 ⇑ 3.59% | 95.25 | 95.30 / 95.20 PADMALIFE | 1.63 | 25.76 | Vol. 32380 D: 57.40 ⇓ 3.37% | 57.75 | 58.50 / 54.00 C: 58.80 ⇓ 0.34% | 58.46 | 59.00 / 57.50 SUNLIFEINS | 0.00 | 0.00 | Vol. 189400 D: 57.20 ⇓ 3.38% | 57.45 | 61.70 / 54.00 C: 56.10 ⇓ 4.43% | 57.10 | 59.00 / 55.90 TELECOM GP | 12.96 | 26.26 | Vol. 315600 D: 194.6 ⇓ 2.26% | 196.30 | 200.2 / 194.1 C: 194.9 ⇓ 1.52% | 195.98 | 200.6 / 194.4 BSCCL | 5.82 | 26.38 | Vol. 330547 D: 170.0 ⇓ 1.79% | 172.04 | 185.0 / 160.0 C: 170.2 ⇓ 1.85% | 172.00 | 174.8 / 169.6 TRAVEL & LEISURE UNITEDAIR | 1.10 | 12.87 | Vol. 4002914 D: 16.00 ⇑ 0.63% | 16.08 | 16.70 / 14.80 C: 16.10 ⇑ 1.26% | 16.14 | 17.00 / 16.00 UNIQUEHRL | 4.02 | 86.29 | Vol. 244745 D: 77.80 ⇓ 0.38% | 78.19 | 85.90 / 70.30 C: 77.60 ⇓ 0.64% | 77.98 | 79.10 / 77.30 BDSERVICE | 3.78 | 22.83 | Vol. 0 C: 0.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 0.00 | 0.00 / 0.00 MISCELLANEOUS ARAMIT | 16.07 | 99.93 | Vol. 35350 D: 299.1 ⇑ 0.13% | 299.46 | 307.0 / 295.0 C: 306.7 ⇑ 3.27% | 306.67 | 307.0 / 306.5 BSC | 1.77 | 565.82 | Vol. 64355 D: 420.5 ⇓ 1.92% | 424.59 | 433.8 / 418.0 C: 422.8 ⇓ 1.79% | 424.49 | 434.0 / 419.0 GQBALLPEN | 6.55 | 250.45 | Vol. 46410 D: 141.0 ⇓ 0.98% | 141.73 | 143.4 / 140.0 C: 139.9 ⇓ 0.43% | 140.17 | 142.8 / 138.2 USMANIAGL | 3.80 | 29.92 | Vol. 118850 D: 135.1 ⇓ 1.17% | 138.73 | 144.0 / 134.0 C: 135.3 ⇓ 0.51% | 137.00 | 141.9 / 134.0 SAVAREFR | 0.14 | 10.57 | Vol. 100 D: 55.00 ⇑ 9.78% | 55.00 | 55.00 / 55.00 BEXIMCO | 3.24 | 86.74 | Vol. 3094021 D: 30.70 ⇑ 5.86% | 30.47 | 31.40 / 27.00 C: 30.50 ⇑ 4.10% | 30.42 | 31.20 / 29.40 SINOBANGLA | 1.75 | 21.01 | Vol. 117500 D: 20.40 ⇑ 0.49% | 20.49 | 20.90 / 20.40 C: 20.30 ⇓ 0.49% | 20.31 | 20.50 / 20.20 MIRACLEIND | 0.10 | 15.13 | Vol. 126050 D: 14.30 ⇓ 0.69% | 14.31 | 14.50 / 14.20 C: 14.20 ⇓ 1.39% | 14.25 | 14.40 / 14.20 BOND IBBLPBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 15 D: 959.8 ⇓ 0.39% | 933.33 | 962.0 / 958.8 ACIZCBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 24 D: 880.0 ⇓ 0.06% | 863.64 | 881.0 / 875.5 C: 880.0 ⇑ 0.57% | 880.00 | 880.0 / 880.0

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Euro zone economy turns corner n Reuters, Brussels The euro zone economy will expand slightly more slowly next year than previously expected because of weaker private demand and investment and inflation will stay well below the central bank target over the next two years.

The European Commission forecasts published yesterday are likely to add to arguments for an interest rate cut by the European Central Bank, which is to discuss its next policy move on Thursday.

The European Union executive arm said in a regular forecast that the economy of the 18 countries that will share the euro from next year will expand 1.1% in 2014 after a 0.4% contraction this year. In 2015, the euro zone is to accelerate to growth of 1.7%.

In May, the Commission forecast that the euro zone would grow 1.2% in 2014, but it then made more optimistic assumptions on private consumption and investment, even though assumptions of government demand remained unchanged.

Nevertheless, recession was firmly behind the euro zone from the second quarter of this year and the pace of recovery would slowly accelerate quarter-on-quarter.

“There are increasing signs that the European economy has reached a turning point,”

Security cameras are seen near the main entrance of the European Union Council building in Brussels REUTERS

EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn said in a statement.

“The fiscal consolidation and structural reforms undertaken in Europe have created

the basis for recovery,” he said.

Many euro zone governments were forced to sharply rein in spending over the last three years as investors began demanding unsustainably high prices for lending to them because of concern they might never get paid back.

The tight fiscal policy was one of the main factors behind the two-year euro zone recession, but it helped win back some investor confidence.

The Commission forecast the euro zone’s aggregated budget deficit would shrink to 2.5% of gross domestic product in 2014 and 2.4% in 2015 from 3.1% this year, as consolidation now continues at a slower pace to help growth.

Public debt will peak at 95.9% of GDP next year, up from 95.5% this year and then fall to 95.4% in 2015, the Commission said.

The Commission said that euro zone consumer price growth, which the ECB wants to keep below, but close to 2% over a two year horizon, will be 1.5% this year and next and only 1.4% in 2015 as unemployment stays at record high levels around 12%.

But euro money market traders polled by Reuters said the ECB might want to wait for more data before deciding to cut rates to a new record low and did not expect a change to the main refinancing rate this week. l

China exports seen rebounding, inflation rising in October n Reuters, Beijing China’s exports are forecast to have rebounded in October after a surprise fall, reinforcing the government’s view that the economy has regained some momentum as its prepares to unveil plans to overhaul the world’s second-largest economy.

Forecasts in a Reuters poll for October data due out from later this week also have inflation rising to an 18-month high, retail sales and M2 money supply growth rates edging up slightly, while investment and industrial output tick down.

China’s leaders have touted stability rather than fast growth as they head into the Communist Party’s third plenary session, to be held November 9-12, where they are expected to outline plans to transform the economy into one driven by consumers rather than credit and investment.

“Given that policymakers have already said that they are no longer worried about meeting the growth target, we expect the focus to be on restructuring reforms,” said Jiaguang Shen, an economist with Minzhuo Securities in a note.

State media has quoted President Xi Jinping saying the reform plan would be comprehensive, and a series of articles from the official Xinhua news agency have flagged sweeping changes.

Analysts expect the economy to slow in the December quarter after growing at its quickest pace this year between July and September, in part due to the reform push but also because of global uncertainties.

Those uncertainties were seen in a surprise 0.3 annual decline in exports in Sep-

tember, partly due to weak demand from China’s Southeast Asian trading partners.

Exports are forecast to bounce back with a 3.2% rise in October from a year earlier, with the trade surplus increasing to $23.9bn from last month’s $15.2bn.

Premier Li Keqiang noted that weak exports were a risk in comments two weeks ago that were only made public on Tuesday, though he reiterated that the government’s

7.5% growth target for 2013 was intact. The October data is also expected to show only a slight rise in the growth rate for retail sales, which is running above 13% in annual terms.

New loans are expected to fall to 600bn yuan ($98bn) from September’s 787bn yuan, which would be the lowest since December 2012, as the government tries to control credit to head off risks from previous rapid loan growth.

Employees work inside a factory manufacturing clothes for export, in Wuhu, Anhui province

“We expect the central bank to continue shifting the monetary stance toward a more neutral position. Less accommodative policies may slow growth tangibly by the end of the year,” Citibank economists said in a note.

Signs of inflation are also likely to add to the caution among policymakers. Annual consumer inflation is expected to rise to 3.3%, the highest since April 2012 and not far from the official target of 3.5% for 2013. l

REUTERS