November 20, 2013

Business

Power sector: Rental plants a bar to viability

Agrahayan 6, 1420 Muharram 15, 1435 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 1 No 236

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

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BNP now counts on president PM: Khaleda won’t Citing constitutional limitations Hamid says both parties have responsibilities n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla BNP Chairperson and leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia yesterday urged President Md Abdul Hamid to take initiatives for a dialogue to end the prevailing political deadlock through compromise.

Expressing his constitutional limitations, the president told the opposition that it was now time for the leaders of the two major parties to come forward to turn the possibilities of a meaningful dialogue into a reality.

“We requested him [the president] to take initiatives for a dialogue and consensus. The president said he would try within his constitutional limits. He also said he would convey our message to the government,” Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, acting secretary general of BNP, told journalists after holding an hour-long meeting with the president at his official residence Bangabhaban.

Later, while briefing media about the meeting, the President’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim quoted the president as saying: “The solution will come, if the negotiation is held. A dialogue will be better for the nation. But both sides will have to take initiatives for a dialogue.”

One of the leaders, who attended the meeting, told the Dhaka Tribune that the president had said no matter which party took the first step towards a dialogue, it would be greatly appreciated by the people of the country.

According to UNB, Ihsanul further quoted the president as saying: “No government in the past has incorporated any provision in the constitution regarding the role of the president during critical times.”

According to another leader of the 18-party alliance, the president told Khaleda Zia: “Both of you [Khaleda and  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

be allowed to play foul with elections n Tribune Desk Criticising the opposition leader for her attempt to play a game over the next general election, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday warned that Khaleda Zia would not be allowed to do that anymore.

“The Election Commission is working independently and the next general elections will be held in a free, fair and neutral manner. But, the opposition leader wants to play a game with that election …she won’t be allowed to play that game. No one will be allowed to play ducks and drakes with the fate of the country’s people,” she said, reports UNB.

‘She killed 20 people and what were the faults of those people as well as their kith and kin’

An 18-party alliance delegation led by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia goes to meet President Md Abdul Hamid at his official residence Bangabhaban yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

The prime minister was addressing a mammoth pubic rally at Taltoli High School Ground in the afternoon, organised by local Awami League.

Shipping Minister M Shahjahan Khan, ruling Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub ul Alam Hanif, AL leader Abul Hasnat Abdullah, local MP Dhirendu Debnath Shombhu, among others, addressed the rally held with upazila Awami League president Fozlul Haque Jamadar.

Continuing her scathing attack on the opposition leader, Hasina said, “Is there any misdeed that she (Khaleda) hasn’t committed? Burning people, vehicles, setting fire to copies of holy Quran and mosques…I’ m complaining to almighty Allah for these misdeeds of her.”

Claiming that all the elections at different tiers held under the present

government were free, fair and neutral, Hasina said some 64,023 representatives were elected from those polls and no one could raise any allegation against any of these elections.

In this regard, she criticised Khaleda Zia for her allegation of vote rigging in the recent city corporation polls although the BNP-backed candidates had won those polls. “Did the opposition leader make her candidates winners through adopting ‘number 2 formula’ as that’s her character?”

Referring to her 37-minute telephone conversation with the opposition leader on October 26, the Awami League chief said her arch rival did not call off the hartal despite her request.

“She (Khaleda) killed 20 people and what were the faults of those people as well as their kith and kin. The injured people suffering from burn injuries are now passing their days in pain, But the BNP leaders did not go to the hospital to see them,” Hasina said adding that the trial for the killing of these people during the shutdowns would be held in the country one day.

The premier mentioned that her cabinet members went to hospital to enquire about the conditions and necessary arrangements have been made for their treatment. “Will she (Khaleda) keep trying to oust the government through exploding some bombs and burning some people to death?” she questioned.

About the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the opposition leader on May 4 to oust the government which was immediately followed by the Hefajat-e-Islam’s Dhaka siege programme on May 5, she said, “Sheikh Hasina never fled any scene, but faced all kinds of situations.” l

‘President can still play a role’

Sitakunda – unchecked hotspot for highway vandals

EC urges president for army deployment during polls

n Nazmus Sakib

n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong

The Election Commission has urged the president to ensure army deployment for holding free, fair and neutral polls.

An EC delegation, led by Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, met President Md Abdul Hamid about an hour before opposition leader Khaleda Zia did the same. The commission also requested him to continue efforts to ensure participation of all parties in the polls.

In response, the president assured the commission of all kinds of assistance for holding the elections.

The CEC said the president had asked them to announce the schedules in due time although he did not mention any definitive time frame.

The delegation reached Bangabhaban around 3:30pm. During the oneand-a-half hour meeting, the EC presented three drafts according to which the schedules might be announced between November 24 and 28. The EC also said polls could be held between January 9 and 16.

Commissioner Hafiz said the commission also briefed the president about its overall preparations. l

Following the BNP’s request to initiate a dialogue, President Abdul Hamid can play a role in resolving the current political stalemate, despite having little constitutional powers.

Legal professionals said although the president plays a largely ceremonial role, he can still advise the prime minister on resolving the political deadlock.

After a meeting between the president and a delegation of the 18-party alliance led by Khaleda Zia yesterday, BNP spokesperson Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the president told them of doing everything possible within the parameters of the constitution for ending the political impasse.

Article 48(3) of the constitution states: “In the exercise of all his functions, save only that of appointing the Prime Minister pursuant to clause (3) of article 56 and the Chief Justice pursuant to clause (1) of article 95, the President shall act in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister: Provided that the question whether any, and if so

what, advice has been tendered by the Prime Minister to the President shall not be enquired into in any court.”

Senior lawyer Barrister Rafique-Ul Huq told the Dhaka Tribune: “Though in the present constitution the president’s power is very limited, but he can play a role in resolving the deadlock as the guardian of the state.”

He said: “Awami League has already started forming an all-party polls-time government, while the BNP is still adamant for a non-party caretaker government. I do not think BNP will join in the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“The premier had repeatedly claimed of working for the wellbeing of the citizens… So, if she resigns from the prime minister’s post, all the problems will come to an end,” Barrister Rafique said.

Akbar Ali Khan, former advisor to a caretaker government, told the Dhaka Tribune: “There is no constitutional complication for the president to facilitate the dialogue, when the two parties agree, to reach a compromise. I will be happy if he takes the initiative.”  PAGE 2 COLUMN 6

INSIDE News

3 With the country’s political arena heating up to boiling point and violence never quite fully recessing, the recent spike in labour unrest in the industrial areas near the capital has added to the already mounting pressure on law enforcers.

Nation

7 Agents of contractors of different companies at Nolitabari upazila in Sherpur are allegedly realising huge amounts of money from the villagers under the pretext of providing electricity to the rural populace.

International

9 A crude bomb exploded early on election day in Nepal on Tuesday, injuring three children as millions turned out for a poll seen as crucial in stabilising the Himalayan country after a civil war.

Op-Ed

11 Hefazat-e-Islam is back in the headlines this month, announcing it will re-occupy Shapla Chattar on November 23. Aside from rekindling its 13-point agenda, it intended to protest the detention of its leaders as well as efforts to control its only source of authority – the country’s Deobandi (Qawmi) madrasas.

Arson attacks, extortion and widespread damage to vehicles is leading to frequent jams along a 53km stretch of the Dhaka-Chittagong highway and cutting the port city off from the rest of the country.

Local administration and transport sector officials have recorded at least 50 major incidents of street violence on the highway in the last nine months, with over 1,000 vehicles torched or damaged, Other than filing dozens of cases accusing several thousand people, law enforcers have so far been powerless to prevent the recurrence of such events that frequently block access into and out of Chittagong.

Police, however, said they have identified around 300 persons for their alleged involvement in arson and violence on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway in Sitakunda, a strategically-suitable place for vandals to paralyse both highway and railway.

Most are activists of the main opposition BNP, its key ally Jamaat-e-Islami

File photo: Trucks ablaze as vandals rampage at Sitakunda on Monday or Jamaat’s student wing Islami Chatra Shibir, according to law enforcing agencies and local sources.

AKM Hafiz Akhter, superintendent of police in Chittagong, said they are taking the matter seriously and have made a list of persons who were in-

n Mohammad Zakaria

DHAKA TRIBUNE

volved directly with the violence.

“We are conducting drives to nab them,” he said, terming the present situation a “war.”

The Sitakunda portion of the Dhaka-Chittagong highway has been a  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

Jatiya Party in disarray as oath angers leaders n Manik Miazee

Jatiya Party’s decision to join the “all-party” polls-time cabinet has disappointed and angered a section of leaders and activists of different tiers across the country.

A number of JP presidium members, district presidents, central leaders and activists expressed their dissatisfaction blaming some pro-Awami League leaders for the decision.

They said JP Chairman Ershad had dug his own grave by taking such a decision.

Infuriated party activists vandal-

ised several JP offices and damaged Ershad’s photos, party banners, festoons at Hathazari, Rangpur, Noakhali, Luxmipur, Barisal and some other districts and upazilas.

Party insiders said a group of party activists led by Jatiya Jubo Shanghati Noakhali district unit Secretary Abdur Rahim decided to leave JP. Presidium member Mostafa Jamal Haider, however, said politics is for the welfare of people. Sometimes decisions are made considering people’s expectations and demands.

When asked about the reason behind leaving the party, Rahim told the

Dhaka Tribune: “We do politics with local people and we are obligated to answer their questions. But we do not have any answer to the decision the party has taken.”

One of the presidium members said Ershad had changed his mind within an hour without consulting anybody inside the party. “He is doing politics to save his life, he is not doing it for people.”

“I do not know anything about Jatiya Party’s decision to join the all-party government. I will clear my position through a press conference after meeting with the party chief,” Kazi Zafar Ahmed, presidium member of the par-

ty told the Dhaka Tribune.

Another presidium member ASMM Alam said there should be some ethics in politics but “we do not have any.”

“We have no idea why Ershad took such a decision,” he said adding: “He did not even consult with anybody about the issue.”

The party leaders who joined the all-party government will be brought under accountability before the people of the country.

He also said they are waiting for the presidium meeting to raise the issue.

Since 2000 the Jatiya Party has split twice on different issues. l

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Ministers’ answer scripts at Jatiya Sangsad skip their names n Kamran Reza Chowdhury

Malaysian PM leaves Dhaka for home n Tribune Desk Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak left Dhaka yesterday morning wrapping up his three-day visit to Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina saw the Malaysian premier off at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 9.25 am.

Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Engineer Khandakar Mossharraf Hossain, the chiefs of the three services, the dean of the diplomatic corps, the Malaysian High commissioner in Dhaka and high civil and military officials were also present at the airport.

Earlier on Monday, Najib and Hasina jointly inaugurated ‘Sheikh Fazilatunnessa Memorial Specialised Hospital and Nursing College’ at Kashimpur in Gazipur. The two premiers had discussed different bilateral issues, including manpower export and Malaysian investment in Bangladesh. The Malaysian prime minister assured that his government would protect Bangladeshi workers there from adversities and hassles.

The Malaysian prime minister also met President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban. l

Parliament yesterday saw a unique sitting in which the scripts containing answers to MPs’ questions did not bear the names of the ministers concerned apparently to avoid any controversy over their status.

Parliament Secretariat officials said the executive had skipped writing the ministers’ names as the entire cabinet had resigned on November 11 “in line with the instruction of the prime minister.” As of last evening the government was yet to clear whom the prime minister would induct in the interim cabinet.

Law Minister Shafique Ahmed, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid and Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, however, took part in the law-making process yesterday.

The MPs had submitted questions to the LGRD and cooperatives minister, and the youth and sports minister, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Election Commission Secretariat and the president’s office.

Normally, ministers concerned provide the House with scripts containing answers to the MPs’ questions for discussion in question-answer sessions.

MPs also get the chance to place extempore questions during the discussion.

MPs had submitted their questions for the ministers concerned – mentioning their names – on Monday, the first day of the House since the ministers had submitted letters to the prime minister conveying “their intent to resign.”

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury yesterday tabled the answer scripts without holding any discussion on the issues. She also postponed discussions on matters of public importance.

The House yesterday enacted the Legal Aid Assistance (amendment) Bill 2013 as the law minister proposed its passage.

Dipu Moni tabled the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies Bill 2013 while Nahid tabled the International Mother Language Institute Bill 2013.

The sitting lasted only around 35 minutes before the House was adjourned until 4:30pm today.

The speaker told the Dhaka Tribune that the current 19th session could end today.

“If the president’s prorogation comes, tomorrow will be the last day of the 19th session. I am not sure this will be the last day of the ninth parliament, though,” she said.

Chief Whip Abdus Shahid told the Dhaka Tribune that the current parliament would not be dissolved – it would remain “dormant.”

The prime minister had earlier announced that parliament would not hold any session after the announcement of the schedules of the next general elections.

According to the constitution, parliament must go into a session within 60 days of the last day of the previous session. But this provision is not applicable when parliament’s tenure counts down to the last 90 days. l

Schoolboys protest fellow's suicide n Tribune Report

US wants peaceful transition of power

A student of the Saint Joseph Higher Secondary School in the capital has committed suicide allegedly because a teacher of the school had misbehaved with his guardians. School sources said the boy named Debojit Das Joy, 19, was charged with the theft of parts of a bicycle. His guardians were called in and cautioned, which reportedly offended the boy and prompted him to kill himself. Students blamed the school’s disciplinary teachers’ misbehaviour with guardian for the death.

School authorities, however, claimed that he admitted to committing the theft. Several hundred students protested the death of their schoolmate. l

n

Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

Washington wants peaceful transition of power from one government to another in the upcoming election in Bangladesh.

Inclusive and credible election in the eyes of Bangladeshi people are the two other issues that US attached more importance, said diplomatic sources.

“US State Department Assistant Secretary Nisha Desai in her meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave the message,” said a diplomat.

The assistant secretary arrived in the city on Saturday on a three-day trip which took place before she had the

Polls-time ministers still to get portfolio n Mohosinul Karim

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sees off Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport yesterday BSS

ceremonial swearing-in.

She met the prime minister, Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia and Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus on Sunday.

In response to Nisha’s “inclusive” election suggestion the prime minister said the assistant secretary was scheduled to meet Khaleda Zia later and she could raise the issue with the BNP chairperson, the diplomat said.

When she underscored the need for dialogue between the two major parties the prime minister said BNP secretary general had the phone number of Awami League general secretary and the BNP leader could call him anytime. l

Local BNP leader dies in jail n Ashif Islam Shaon A Ward-level BNP leader and a convicted drug dealer died in central jail in the capital early yesterday.

Jail guards claimed that they died of cardiac arrest. Police, however, said the cause of the deaths could be ascertained after conducting autopsy. The BNP leader was identified as Md Shahabuddin, 62, vice-president of 26 Lalbagh Ward.

He lives in 22/A Dhakeshwari road of Chawk Bazar.

According to his family members, a team of Lalbagh police arrested him from in front of a kitchen market of Lalbagh on November 6 around 11:00am.

He was later shown arrested in a case filed in connection with hartal violence including arson attacks on vehicles. The

court sent him to the prison.

“He felt severe chest pain last night and we took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 12:10am,” said a jail warden Mohammad Hanif. Doctors declared him dead on arrival. Shahabuddin left behind three sons and wife.

Officer-in-Charge of Chawk Bazar Police Station Azizul Haque said the body had been sent to Dhaka Medical College morgue for autopsy. Contacted, Badiul Alam, younger brother of Shahabuddin said, he was indicted in a fabricated case. But he did not bring any allegation of torture in jail.

In another incident a convicted Asadur Rahman Asad was declared dead by the DMCH doctors around 9:00am yesterday when he was brought there in an unconscious state from Dhaka Central Jail. l

Sitakunda – unchecked hotspot for highway vandals  PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

common ground for violence during the recent anti-government movement and vehicular movements from City Gate to Sitakund upazila sadar are brought to a standstill for hours after every flashpoint.

Protesters target this portion of the highway as they find it is easy to detach the port city and the region from other parts of the country by putting barricades on 15-20 points, said sources.

Syed Zakir Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Baro Awlia Highway Police Outpost, told the Dhaka Tribune that everyday around 25,000 vehicles ply the highway through Sitakunda and a long tailback is created if any point of the highway is blocked for even a few minutes.

According to the district administration, law enforcing agencies and local people, the highway was blocked at Sitakunda 50 times due to political reasons in the last nine months while 20 other

blockades were caused by accidents and different non-political movements.

Vehicles, either running or parked, become the easy targets of vandals, who torched at least 300 vehicles and vandalised at least 700 others during their mostly political programmes in recent weeks, said Kafil Uddin Ahmed, general secretary of Inter-district Bus Owners’ Association.

He said the construction of a four-lane highway and speed beakers are slowing down the movement of vehicles, making them easy prey for saboteurs. Since there is no alternative to this highway, vehicles loaded with goods and passengers are doomed to fall victims to unwarranted violence and suffer extensive losses.

Police said the massive scale of highway violence erupted after the verdict of war criminal Delwar Hossain Sayedee on February 28 and continued to escalate during the frequent hartals of Jamaat

and the 18-party alliance at the end of October.

Protesters mainly put barricades on the highway at upazila Sadar, Panthishila, Barabkunda, Uttar Bypass, Dakkhin Bypass, Siraz Mia Rastar Matha, Banshbaria, Kumira, Fakirhat, Battol, Linachhara, Madambibirhat, Bhatiari, Boro Darogarhat and some other points, and went on a rampage, damaging vehicles indiscriminately.

When police chased and dispersed them with rubber bullets or teargas, they fled away only to resume violent acts at another point. Tailbacks which formed immediately on the highway made the movement of law-enforcers’ vehicles difficult, giving the vandals enough time to rampage through the area.

Abdul Mannan, deputy commissioner (DC) of Chittagong, termed these incidents “terrorist activities” and said there were 162 small rural roads connecting

the 53km stretch of highway which vandals use as escape routes when law enforcers swoop on them.

The deployment of additional policemen, Border Guard Bangladesh and Rapid Action Battalion personnel brought no change at all, locals and road users said, referring to the incidents during the last couple of weeks.

Mohammad Shahidullah, additional superintendent of police (north) in Chittagong, refuted the allegation of failure and said about 50 cases were lodged with Sitakunda Police Station in the last 10 months over different violent incidents, and that highway patrols have been intensified.

Mrinal Chowdhury, president of Bangladesh Paribahan Sramik Fedaration (East), said some protesters sought money from a truck driver on November 16 during violence and threatened to set the truck on fire if payment was not made.

The driver saved his truck only by paying Tk5,000 to the protesters, he said.

Lawmaker ABM Abul Kashem of Chittagong-3 constituency told the Dhaka Tribune that local BNP leader Aslam Chowdhury led the violence by giving financial support and shelter.

“Aslam organises BNP-Jamaat-Shibir men for violence in exchange for money and helping them flee to the remote hills of the upazila afterwards,” he said.

Upazila Chairman Abdullah Al Baker Bhiuyan said his vice-chairman and local Jamaat-e-Islami leader Advocate Mostofa Nur, along with two other leaders Abu Taher and Shafiqul Mawla, are the key perpetrators who mobilise Jamaat-Shibir men from other areas of the district for conducting subversive activities.

Repeated attempts made by the Dhaka Tribune to reach Aslam Chowdhury and Advocate Mostafa failed as their mobile phones found switched off. l

opposition delegation.

While some of them had things to say to the president, Khaleda Zia spoke very little, let alone having a personal conversation with him.

The source also said the president was his customary witty self. “I have never lived in such a big house [the Bangabhaban]. You [by making me the president] have created a bad habit in me. I do not know how I will live in a smaller house after my job is over.”

During the meeting, opposition spokesperson Mirza Fakhrul read out a written memorandum that was later distributed among journalists.

The statement read: “We came here to you today as you are the guardian of the state. Honorable President, our earnest requests to you; tell the government to create a congenial atmosphere for talks leaving the path of violence

immediately. So, that they [government] could move forward to the path of compromise for holding a free, fair and neutral election under a non-partisan neutral government.”

Expressing concerns about the limited power of the president, Mirza Fakhrul told him: “ ...the constitution needs to be restructured giving priorities to the people’s aspirations. At such a time, the top person of the country has to carry out the historic duties. We think such a situation has arrived in the national life. The people of the country expect that you, a symbol of unity, will take initiatives to play a historic role in this critical moment for the country.

We also expected likewise.

“We are aware of the limitations that the constitution of the republic poses on you. But sometimes such situation arises when the constitution that has

been altered to serve the narrow interests of the politicians, fails to reflect the hopes and aspirations of the people.”

According to UNB, President Abdul Hamid told the 18-party delegation that he would have to act in ways that would protect and preserve the constitution and continue the democratic process in the country.

Fakhrul also said the constitution had been severely violated by ministers – who had resigned – carrying out duties, holding cabinet meetings and taking important decisions.

The BNP leader alleged that the government had created an obstacle in the path of a dialogue by arresting the senior opposition leaders in false cases and restructuring the cabinet by the members of the ruling alliance. That, he said, had deepened the prevailing crisis.

The portfolios of the ministers of polls-time interim cabinet was not distributed on Tuesday as the prime minister was yet to decide on areas of their jurisdiction.

High officials of the cabinet division were waiting for the decision to come from the prime minister’s office (PMO) but until 8.30pm on Tuesday they did not get any signal. It’s expected that the portfolios of the ministers may be distributed on Wednesday morning.

“We are yet to get any signal from the PMO. It may take some more times,” Additional Secretary of the Cabinet Division Khandakar Iftekhar Haidar, who is also in charge of the Cabinet Secretary, told the Dhaka Tribune last night.

Earlier, the high officials of the division said the order may be issued any time as everything was ready.

An official of the health ministry said he had heard that Rawshan Ershad was to be given the charge of the health ministry.

A cabinet division high official said Jatiya Party leaders were bargaining with the prime minister for several important ministries, including home, health and public works ministry.

Meanwhile, a joint secretary of the cabinet division on Tuesday said the prime minister was also waiting to see the progress of the meeting between the president and 18-party leaders.

He said if the opposition agreed to join the polls-time government they would have to include BNP ministers and that is why the distribution of portfolios were being delayed.

Maximum 12 members of the existing cabinet would continue with the polls-time government, he added. l

‘President can still play a role’  PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

Professor Borhan Uddin Khan, a teacher of law department at Dhaka University, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Within the constitutional framework, the president as the head of state can always talk with the premier urging her to sit for a dialogue to iron out a solution of the current gridlock for the sake of the people.” l

BNP now counts on president  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

Hasina] have been prime ministers several times. None of you has ever done anything to empower the president to something meaningful at times of crisis.”

The leader also said they had never placed any hope that the meeting – which was calm and congenial for the entire duration – would be able to produce any fruitful result. The opposition leaders repeatedly emphasised that their alliance would not contest polls under the present circumstances and resist one-sided polls.

Another leader reportedly reminded the president that Mirza Fakhrul had called up Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam time and time again to express the opposition’s genuine interests about a dialogue; but Syed Ashraf never responded. The op-

position has sent him a letter as well.

When the president inquired whether Ashraf had received the letter, Mirza Fakhrul replied in the positive saying Syed Ahsraf had personally received the letter.

President Hamid then said if that was the case then he would talk to Ashraf and try to learn the matter in detail.

Khaleda Zia, who arrived at Bangabhaban before schedule, waited for about half an hour outside before the meeting started around 6:30pm.

Senior 18-party alliance leaders including Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain, Abdul Moyeen Khan, ASM Hannan Shah, Mirza Abbas and Goyeshwar Chandra Roy of BNP, Col (retd) Oli Ahmed of LDP, Andaleeve Rahman Partha of BJP, and Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Nazir Ahmed featured the 20-member

Reminding the president about the introduction of caretaker government system, Fakhrul said any sort of initiative for an uncompetitive election not only violated social peace and political stability but pushed the future of democracy towards uncertainty.

Presenting the logics for holding elections under a non-partisan government, the BNP leader said it was not possible to create a level playing field for holding a competitive election by keeping the government in place and keeping parliament functional.

“None believes that there is even the least of possibilities to hold free and fair polls as the election commission and civil and police administration have been heavily politicised.”

“We want to say firmly that the opposition parties will not contest any farcical election,” Fakhrul said. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

3

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

RMG SECTOR UNREST

Lawmen identify ‘instigators’ Islam and n Rabiul Mohammad Jamil Khan With the country’s political arena heating up to the boiling point and violence never quite fully recessing, the recent spike in labour unrest in the industrial areas near the capital has added to the already mounting pressure on law enforcers.

The latest spate of unrest, especially over the last two days, have killed at least two and injured many other as agitated garment factory workers – demanding Tk8,000 minimum wage in response to the government-fixed and owner-endorsed Tk5,300 – locked into clashes with law enforcers in Savar and Ashulia near Dhaka.

The government has always claimed that the industrial unrests that have been going off and on for a number of months, are instigated by vested interests including labour leaders, political figures and non-government organisations.

In line with that claim, intelligence agencies have reportedly shortlisted a number of labour leaders who they think are the instigators behind the recurring violence.

Intelligence sources said the list included names like Moshrefa Mishu, Mintu Ghosh, Kolpona Akter, Nowab Ali, Nazrul Ali, Mahbubur Rahman, Bazlur Rahman, Bahar Uddin, Shamima Nasrin, Ruhul Amin, Babul Akter, Abu Bakkar Siddique, Sohag, Sohrab and Moazzem Hossain.

Some of them are known for their affiliations with a number of left leaning political parties.

Sources said intelligence agencies have been collecting personal information about hundreds of labour leaders, especially by tracking their mobile

phone numbers to tap their movements and activities.

A home ministry official told the Dhaka Tribune that law enforcers have launched vigilance activities in the industrial areas following ministry directives upon a request from the labour ministry.

The official also said they had got hold of information that a number of non-government organisations and some political leaders were involved with the violence, in an ill-attempt to destroy the readymade garment sector, the biggest foreign currency earning component of the country’s economy.

He added that it was nothing new and that these NGOs and the political leaders had been instigating the labourers to go violent for quite some time now.

Sources said RMG factory owners’ association BGMEA had been cooperating with the law enforcement agencies to pin point those who had been allegedly stirring up the workers.

As an immediate measure to avoid losses from the ongoing unrest, factory owners in the industrial districts around the capital have kept RMG units closed.

State Minister for Home Shamsul Hoque Tuku told the Dhaka Tribune that following the ministry’s order, law enforcement agencies had already prepared a database of information about the “instigators” of the unrest.

Labour Minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju is scheduled to sit in an emergency meeting with the RMG sector stakeholders, including labour leaders, this afternoon to find a solution to the crisis.

According to a labour ministry notice, representatives of at least 28 workers’ associations will attend the meeting scheduled to be held at the ministry conference room at 3pm. l

BGB members’ petrol in the Ashulia area because of consecutive clashes between workers and law enforcers in the area in recent days

RMG unrest continues in Gazipur, BGB deployed n Our Correspondent, Gazipur

Garment workers in Gazipur continued their demonstrations yesterday, protesting the killings of two labourers in Sardaganj area of Gazipur sadar upazila on Monday.

Workers of Konabari, Borobari and Sardagnaj areas of the district also raised calls for a pay-hike and the withdrawal of closure notices by the factories.

A chase and counter-chase took place between the workers and the police, after law enforcers hurled teargas

No transport strike today n Tribune Report, Chittagong The 24-hour transport strike called for today in Chittagong has been withdrawn following authority’s assurance of checking highway violence.

Leaders of transport sector association announced the decision of withdrawal yesterday after a meeting with Chittagong Deputy Commissioner Abdul Mannan.

The meeting was held at the DC office around 11am.

The association called the strike after the vandalism on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway Monday night.

Leaders of the association said the strike was withdrawn as the DC assured them they would fulfill their demands at the meeting.

But the 24-hour countrywide transport strike for tomorrow still stands. l

Fugitive Khokon Razakar’s trial starts n Udisa Islam The formal trial against Faridpur BNP leader Zahid Hossain alias “Khokon Razakar” began yesterday with the prosecution’s opening statement.

Prosecutor Mokhlesur Rahman placed the opening statement and claimed that they had enough evidence to try him on charges of crimes against humanity he had committed during the 1971 Liberation War. The International Crimes Tribunal 1 headed by Justice ATM Fazle Kabir later set November 21 for examining the first prosecution witness.

At the same time, the tribunal asked state defence counsel Abdus Shukur Khan to submit his documents, if he had any.

On October 9, the tribunal indicted the absconding BNP leader and sitting mayor of Nagarkanda Municipality of Faridpur on 11 specific charges against him.

In the indictment order, the tribunal described the place, time and description of crimes committed by Khokon Razakar.

Of the 11 charges, five were framed in connection with Khokon’s alleged involvement in the killing of unarmed civilians, two about genocide and four others for abduction, confinement, torture and deportation.

Meanwhile, the tribunal deferred till today the cross-examination of Investigation Officer Shyamol Chowdhury in the war crimes case against Mobarak Hossain of Akhaura, Brahmanbaria. l

No trace of an RMG worker after clash n Our Correspondent, Gazipur A garment worker of Gazipur’s JMS Composite Knitwear Ltd factory have reportedly gone missing, following Monday’s clash between the police and the factory workers.

Kolpona Akhter, 18, was nowhere to be found since the clash, claimed Jobeda Khatun, the mother of the missing woman.

Speaking to journalists and law enforcers in front of the factory yesterday, she said Kolpona and her husband Muzahid worked at the factory as a helper and an operator respectively.

Showing a photo of her daughter, the mother burst into tears and said Kolpona is the third among her four children.

She added that her eldest daughter Beauty, 22, and son Shah Alam, 20, are farmers, while the youngest son Nur Alam, 16, is an eighth-grade student at Birganj upazila in Dinajpur.

Kolpona’s sister Beauty said the family looked for Kolpona at Savar’s Enam Medical College, Dhaka Medical College Hospital and other local clinics; but she could not be located.

Liton Mia and Manik Mia, workers at the factory, said the parents might find the missing worker if they were permitted to enter the factory.

However, the security officials did not allow the parents inside the factory.

Polash, a worker of the factory’s knitting department, claimed that three labourers, including Kolpona, remain missing following the clashes. l

The defence of Motiur Rahman Nizami, a top war crimes accused, finally ended their closing arguments yesterday claiming that the Jamaat-e-Islami chief did not commit any kind of crimes against humanity in 1971.

They also claimed that the prosecution had failed to prove the case as well as establishing that Nizami had been the chief of para-militia force al-Badr during the Liberation War. Chief defence counsel Abdur Razzaque pointed out that Nizami’s name had not been mentioned as the chief of al-Badr for a single time in the prosecution documents. Even the book titled “al-Badr,” on which the prosecution relied upon, “did not describe my client as the chief of al-Badr anywhere.”

The International Crimes Tribunal 2 said in its verdict which hanged Ali Ahsan Mujaheed, the then chief of Islami Chhatrashanga of Bangladesh chap-

ter from October, for leading al-Badr.

Both tribunal said in their judgements al-Badr was mainly formed by the Chhatrashanga men. Admittedly, Motiur Rahman Nizami was chief of the student organisation of Jamaat before October in 1971 and became chief of all Pakistan Chhatrashanga.

Later, the International Crimes Tribunal will hear the prosecution’s rebuttal today.

On Monday, Tajul Islam claimed that Nizami had addressed during the Liberation War “to protect his beloved country [Pakistan] from enemy and it is a duty of every citizen to do so.”

Razzaque, also assistant secretary general of Jamaat, said: “Incitement itself cannot be termed an offence. It should have been referred as ‘incitement to.’ So, these charges cannot stand valid.”

The prosecution on November 6 concluded their part of arguments on the charges, seeking death sentence for Nizami, who they say, had been the

Jaydebpur police station said the police arrested President of Bangladesh Garment Workers Trade Union Jiyaul Kabir Khokon for allegedly creating unrest in garment factories.

A case was filed against him and he was sent to jail yesterday, the SI added.

Additional District Magistrate of Gazipur Md Mohsin said three platoons of the BGB led by an executive magistrate have been deployed, as well as additional police and Rab members.

Additional Superintendent of police Mustafizur Rahman said: “The situation is under the control of police.” l

shells to disperse processions brought out by the workers.

Nazrul Islam, inspector of Gazipur Industrial Police, said the police fired two rounds of rubber bullet to disperse another procession brought out by garment workers in Gazipur’s Konabari-Kashimpur area at around 8am.

Later at around 10am, agitated workers hurled brick chips towards a team of police led by an executive magistrate, when the team was heading towards Konabari. Police shot rubber bullets to disperse the protesters.

Meanwhile, Border Guard Bangla-

desh personnel, along with additional police and Rab members, have been deployed in the area to control the situation.

Sources inside law enforcement agencies said around 50 factory owners also shut down their factories in the areas yesterday to avoid any untoward situation.

Locals said the police had imposed a ban on public gathering on a 1km area of Sardaganj. Law enforcers have also asked everyone to close down all shops and stay inside their house.

Sub-Inspector Kamrunnahan of

UNICEF concerned at use of children in violent protests n Tribune Desk

Four-year tiger conservation project starts in 2014

UNICEF has called on all political parties to protect children from political demonstrations paving a way for them and their caregivers to continue with their lives in an atmosphere free from violence and interference.

The UNICEF is increasingly worried about children who have been caught up in recent violent protests and the continued use of children in demonstrations held by political parties in Bangladesh, said a media release yesterday.

Alarmingly, a number of children died or were seriously injured during violent political demonstrations across the country in the last few weeks.

“UNICEF voiced its concern earlier this year about using children for political gain. Worryingly children have increasingly become the victims of violent protests. Children should be kept out of harm’s way and we reiterate that the use of children for political gain must stop,” said UNICEF Representative Pascal Villeneuve.

“At times of great uncertainty, such as before and during an election, it is important that homes, communities, and schools continue to be havens of safety for children. Children should be sheltered, in all countries, from political turbulence.”

The release said children should be able to continue with their lives and enjoy their rights. Children should have uninterrupted access to basic social services. l

Nizami is innocent, claims defence n Udisa Islam

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

chief of al-Badr force – formed with the members of Islami Chhatra Sangha, then students’ wing of Jamaat.

Al-Badr had collaborated with the Pakistani occupation army to commit genocide, murder, rape and arson against the unarmed people who supported the birth of Bangladesh.

The tribunal on November 13 closed the defence case as the counsels had remained absent for four consecutive days, and put the case for verdict. It gave the defence five days to place written statement.

The next day, the defence filed an appeal seeking review of the order and pleaded for allowing them place the closing arguments.

Nizami was indicted on May 28 last year for committing crimes against humanity including murder, rape, arson and inciting violence in Pabna and Dhaka during the nine-month-long war when some three million people had been killed. l

n Tribune Desk WildTeam, founded in 2003 by a group of Bangladeshi nature lovers, has been chosen as the lead partner for USAID’s Bengal Tiger Conservation Activity, which will be known as USAID’s Bagh Project.

The project’s objective is to conserve Bangladesh’s rich biodiversity through protection of wildlife, especifically the Royal Bengal Tiger.

The Smithsonian Institution and Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies will partner with WildTeam to implement the project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development. The project will start in early 2014, said a media release yesterday, reports UNB.

WildTeam’s efforts in tiger conservation include empowering more than 350 village volunteers around the forest edge to save human, livestock, and tiger lives through the Village Tiger Response Teams Through USAID’s Bagh Project, approximately $13 million will be channeled towards tiger conservation.

In its four-year duration, the Bagh project aims to build a brighter future for wild tigers and the local communities who rely upon their forest home the Sundarbans.

The project will do this by expanding the knowledge base for wildlife conservation; reducing illegal wildlife trafficking; minimizing human-wildlife conflict; enhancing communications, outreach, and gender engagement; and improving livelihoods for conservation.

By building the capacity of Bangladeshi organisations, the Bagh project

will also unlock the incredible talent and energy that the Bangladeshi people have to offer to support the country in facing its large-scale environmental and development challenges.

Multiple stakeholders including the Government of Bangladesh, local communities, NGOs, international organizations, and the private sector will be directly involved in order to achieve the project goals.

Dr M Anwarul Islam, WildTeam’s CEO and a Professor of Zoology at the University of Dhaka, said: “USAID’s Bagh Project is the biggest project to date dedicated solely towards the protection of the majestic Royal Bengal tigers.

“WildTeam is honoured to have this wonderful opportunity to build upon our existing tiger conservation activities through USAID’s Bagh Project,” he added.

Since 2008, WildTeam, formerly known as the Wildlife Trust of Bangladesh, has worked predominantly in the Sundarbans mangrove forest ecosystem, home to the Royal Bengal Tiger.

Along with the Bangladesh Forest Department, WildTeam developed the Bangladesh Tiger Action Plan (20092017), providing a guideline for tiger conservation efforts in Bangladesh.

The WildTeam efforts in tiger conservation include empowering more than 350 village volunteers around the forest edge to save human, livestock, and tiger lives through the Village Tiger Response Teams (VTRTs).

Since 1971, the American people through USAID have provided more than $6 billion in many assistance projects that support Bangladesh’s health and education, democratic institutions, social sector, economic growth, food security, and disaster management. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Country may get a DNA database centre soon The first ever indexing system is expected to make busting crime much easier n Moniruzzaman Uzzal The government is likely to set up a national DNA database centre at the National Forensic DNA Profiling Laboratory of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital so that crimes can be busted much easier.

The indexing system at the centre – the first of its kind in the country – will preserve DNA data of convicted criminals and missing persons, and crime scene evidence which can later be used to resolve the mysteries surrounding some of these cases.

The doors for setting up the world’s most state-of-the-art crime busting fa-

cility in the country were opened after the National Forensic DNA Profiling Laboratory had been made better in association with and assistance from the USA’s Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The FBI provided and installed – free of cost – the expensive Combined DNA Index System (Codis) that went on to find out the actual whereabouts of many of the unidentified dead victims of the Rana Plaza Tragedy.

DNA experts have said the laboratory and its index, if established, can prove to be the most powerful tool ever in identifying criminals and solve crimes in the country’s history.

Not only would the facility save time and money for the law enforcement agencies by immensely helping in investigation, it would also be crucial in ensuring justice for the victims of crimes, they said.

The centre would be set up under the supervision of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.

However, Dr Sharif Akteruzzaman, head of the National DNA Profiling Laboratory, told the Dhaka Tribune that although they had plans to set up the database centre in the near future, its fate still depended heavily on the passage of the Deoxyribonucleic Acid

(DNA) Act 2013 in parliament.

The cabinet on September 1, ratified the draft of the DNA act keeping provision for a maximum of seven years’ imprisonment and Tk200,000 fine for violating the law.

According to the rules, the women and children affairs ministry has already sent the approved draft of DNA act to the law ministry for betting.

Sources said, experts have already scrutinised the draft act and the law minister had signed on it.

However, there are still uncertainties surrounding the passage of the act in parliament as the future of the exist-

ing parliament is not clear yet because of the prevailing political crisis.

If parliament ceased to exist or if it ended its last session without passing the DNA act, then there are chances that it might be turned into a law by a presidential ordinance, paving way for setting up the DNA database centre.

Referring to the UK’s Forensic Science Service, Dr Sharif said a DNA database centre could save up to 90% of investigation costs for law enforcers.

He also said the centre, if established, would be requiring highly trained professionals for being effective in busting crime and helping investigation. l

SHEWRAPARA HOUSEMAID ‘KILLING’

Munni denied bail and sent to jail n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

Hundreds of outraged housemaids and local residents staged a demonstration for around five hours in the area during which they clashed with police and vandalised a police van

WEATHER

Change in temperature unlikely

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

Night and day temperature might remain nearly unchanged over the country, Met Office said.

The sun sets in the capital at 5:12pm today and rises at 6:18am tomorrow.

Country’s highest temperature 33.2 degree Celsius was recorded at Comilla and lowest 12.0 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 28.8 29.6 29.3 30.0 29.9 30.3 31.5

17.2 19.0 14.4 14.7 16.0 15.9 16.9 21.5

Pedestrians, some with mobile phones pressed into ears, are crossing over to the other side of a busy road while a foot-over-bridge stands just a few feet away in the city’s Shahbagh intersection SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

BISWAJIT MURDER CASE

4:57am 6:16am 11:44am 3:36pm 5:12pm 6:31pm

Source: IslamicFinder.org

With rumours that more hartals might be staged next week, further uncertainties have grown among the examinees and their guardians.

Primary and Mass Education Secretary Quazi Akhtar Hossain said all preparations have been completed for successfully holding the examinations, but added that a decision was yet to be made on what course of action should be taken if hartals were called.

This year, a total of 2,950,193 examinees will sit for the Primary Terminal Examinations. Of the total examinees, 314,787 will be taking the examinations from Ibtedayi madrasas, while some 3,792 children with special needs will also sit for the examinations.

This year, 25% of the questions will be competitive-based, with 79,000 teachers having already received training on the system.

On the first day of the Primary Terminal Examinations, the mathematics exam will be held, while the examinations are scheduled to end on November 28. l

GAZIPUR MEDICAL COLLEGE APPROVED

Court fixes November 50 students to be admitted this 27 for starting argument year in the 23rd public med school n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

A Dhaka court yesterday fixed November 27 for both prosecution and defence to start placing arguments in the Biswajit Das Murder Case.

Earlier yesterday, Mahfuzur Rahman Nahid, the main accused in the case, submitted deposition in self-defence before Judge ABM Nizamul Haque of the Speedy Trial Tribunal 4.

In his deposition, Nahid claimed that he was “innocent” and demanded “justice.”

Ruhul Amin, Nahid’s brother-in-law and the only other defence witness, a Madrassa teacher from Bhola, also gave deposition yesterday.

He also claimed that Nahid was innocent.

Bishwajit Das, owner of Amantron Tailors at Shakhari Bazar in downtown

Dhaka, was hacked to death allegedly by the activists of Jagannath University unit of Chhatra League, student front of the ruling Awami League, during an opposition-enforced road blockade on December 9 last year.

Police placed charges against 21 Chhatra League activists on March 5 and trial began on June 14.

Of the 21 accused, eight – Mahfuzur Rahman Nahid, AHM Kibria, Quiyum Miah Tipu, GM Rasheduzzaman Shaon, Saiful Islam, Mohammad Rafiqul Islam alias Shakil, Emdadul Haque Emdad and Golam Mostafa – are now jail.

They were all produced before the court yesterday.

The court wrapped up the submission of prosecution witnesses on October 21 after recording the deposition of 33 out of the 60 enlisted witnesses. l

n Moniruzzaman Uzzal The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) has given administrative approval for Gazipur Medical College to become the 23rd public medical college of the country.

Senior Assistant Secretary of MOHFW, Mahfuza Akhter, issued a letter in this regard on Monday, saying the authorities at the medical college would be allowed to admit 50 MBBS students in the current (2013-2014) academic year.

Professor Dr Khondhokar Md Sifayetullah, director general of health services, confirmed receiving the letter regarding final approval to the Dhaka Tribune.

Director of Medical Education at the DGHS, Professor Dr ABM Ab-

There are 54 private medical colleges in the country at present while the health ministry has recently given its primary approval to another 11 new private medical colleges dul Hannan, told the Dhaka Tribune that a first list for migration, consisting of 96 students from medical and dental colleges, was published on November 16.

“Now, we will issue a notice and invite applicationsfrom these students whether they would like to switch to Gazipur. And in case of any empty seats, we would call students from the waiting list,” he said.

With Gazipur, a total of six public medical colleges have been given

approval during the current Awami League-led government’s tenure (20092013). They are Satkhira, Kishoregonj, Kustia, Jessore, and Sheikh Sahera Khatun medical college.

There are 54 private medical colleges in the country at present while the MOHFW has recently given its primary approval to another 11 new private medical colleges.

All of them are now trying to get the final administrative approval to admit students from the current academic year. A huge amount of money is allegedly being handled to get the final approval, sources claimed.

Besides these, four more medical colleges in and outside of Dhaka are also trying to get their primary as well as administrative approvals at the last moment. l

TIB urges President not to assent to amended ACC bill n Tribune Desk

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

Primary Terminal Examinations will begin today amid fears of disruptions due to the ongoing political tension and hartals.

Pupils and their guardians have voiced concerns about whether the the public examination for class-five students will be able to take place without any disturbance, as hartals and political violence have already seriously affected this year’s ongoing Junior School Certificate and its equivalent Junior Dakhil Certificate examinations.

At least six exams had to be postponed because of the hartals called by the 18-party opposition alliance. Different political programmes also kept students in the dark about the schedules, even on the days prior to exams being held. Students also had to sit tests on weekends.

This year, 25% of the questions will be competitivebased, with 79,000 teachers having already received training on the system

A Dhaka court yesterday sent Sania Akhter Munni, wife of an additional superintendent of police arrested for allegedly killing her 18-year-old domestic help at Shewrapara in the capital, to jail, rejecting a petition for her bail.

Kafrul police station’s Sub-Inspector Prem Das produced Munni, 22, and her brother Sabbir Hassan, 25, – the two arrested in connection with the death – before the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court. The defence had filed a bail petition.

After hearing the matter, Magistrate Amit Kumar Dey rejected the bail petition and sent them to jail.

The body of housemaid Reeta Akhter was found around 8:30am on November 18 on the road in front of the building where Munni lives. It was alleged that Munni had pushed Reeta off the rooftop.

Munni, however, claimed that Reeta had committed suicide by jumping off through the ventilator of a bathroom on her flat.

Police took away the body and arrested Munni around 1:30pm.

Hundreds of outraged housemaids and local residents staged a demonstration for around five hours in the area during which they clashed with police and vandalised a police van.

Police had to hurl several rounds of teargas canisters to tame the angry mob. Both Munni and Reeta are from neighbouring villages in Sunamganj.

Reeta served Munni’s family for three and a half months. Before that she had served Munni’s sister.

Munni’s husband ASP Kutub Uddin has been in Sudan for a year as part of the UN peacekeeping mission. l

Primary Terminal Exams begin today amid fears of hartal disruption n Mushfique Wadud

Sultana Kamal, chairperson of TIB Trustee Board, is speaking at a press conference in the city’s Brac Centre Auditorium yesterday RAJIB DHAR

Describing the Anti Corruption Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2013 as deceitful and contrary to the Constitution, the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) yesterday urged the President not to assent to it.

“We request the President to send back the Anti Corruption Commission (Amendment) Bill 2013 to parliament to review the section 32 (2) and section 32A of it in line with the article 27 of the Constitution,” TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman told a press conference at BRAC Centre Inn in the capital, reports UNB. He said the newly-amended ACC bill has incorporated a provision that makes mandatory for the ACC to take prior government approval to initiate any graft case against any public servant.

“The ACC bill was passed without much knowledge of those involved in the amendment process and ignoring the public opinion and interest. We deeply condemn it,” he said.

The TIB executive director said the

government had announced its election manifesto before the general election in 2008, pledging to combat corruption and strengthen the national graft watchdog, but now it has passed such a bill that frustrated people.

If the bill comes into a law, the ACC will be a ‘toothless cat’, he said adding that the bill will only promote graft in the country.

Iftekharuzzaman said people hope that the President will send the bill back to parliament for review, showing respect to the public interest and sensitivity.

TIB trustee board chairperson adv Sultana Kamal said the government has passed the bill at the end of its tenure with a motive to have the favour of the government officials during the upcoming parliamentary polls.

The government betrayed people with the passage of the ACC (Amendment) bill, she said this amendment will not only curtail the power of the Commission, but also disempower people.

On November 10 last, the government passed the ACC (Amendment) Bill

2013’, inserting a provision for taking prior government approval to file corruption cases against public servants.

However, the parliamentary standing committee on the Law Ministry earlier recommended not inserting this provision in the bill.

In the Anti Corruption Commission Act 2004, the ACC was empowered to give prior approval in filing such a case.

The amendment proposed a new provision in the section 32 of the ACC Act 2004 under which the commission must follow the Rule 197 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) against a judge, magistrate or a civil servant.

According to the Rule 197 of the CrPC, when any person who is a judge within the meaning of section 19 of the Penal Code, or when any magistrate, or when any public servant who is not removable from his office save by or with the sanction of the government, is accused of any offence alleged to have been committed by him while acting or purporting to act in the discharge of his official duty, no court shall take cognisance of such offence except with the prior government sanction. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Long Form

5

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Interpreting digital Bangladesh: A note to critics

Very few conceive the idea of digital bangladesh as a demand driven, citizen-centric, social development agenda

D

n Hasanuzzaman

BOX 1: HIGHLIGHTS OF DIGITAL BANGLADESH’S ACHIEVEMENTS 23 million utility bill payments made over mobile phones saving citizens time, money and visits All 300+ textbooks for primary, secondary and madrasa (religious) education available online All secondary schools transformed into multimedia classrooms More than 23,000 primary and secondary school teachers create and share multimedia content through a national teachers’ portal From January to June 2013, 63 million results of public exams published through the internet and 38 million sent over SMS 1.4 million high school graduates applied for admission to 32 public universities, 400 colleges and 70 medical colleges through SMS e-Purchase orders for sugarcane farmers replaced the traditional paper based public sugarcane procurement system Source: Access to Information (A2I) Program

igital Bangladesh (DB) is being interpreted in many different ways: some view it as procuring computers and other related devices, some upgrade this to combine mobile phones and other modern information and communication technology (ICT) tools and policies, but very few conceive it as a demand driven, citizen-centric, social development agenda.

Many writers in both Bangla and English dailies are restlessly criticising DB from as many angles as possible.

Most recently, one daily’s Editorial section opined how DB agenda is failing to live up to its expectation in terms of allowing more freedom of expression and speech. One cannot disagree with this argument when citizens are being persecuted for expressing their opinions through their own private pages in social medial platforms. However, such myopic interpretation of DB’s implementation is both alarming and disappointing.

This article argues that DB is a national programme encompassing all socio-economic sectors, transcending the boundary of party politics. To be concise, it is an umbrella which is helping to plant the seeds for cultivating a culture of innovation within the civil service bureaucracy.

Three initiatives are discussed in the hope of providing a more socially meaningful interpretation of DB (Box 1 presents some key achievements).

First, it is known that in order to reduce the information gap excluding millions residing in rural and remote areas, community information centres (CICs) or one-stop information and service centres are in operation across many countries around the world. All 4,500+ Union Information and Service Centres (UISCs), established in 2010 and working at the lowest government tier, are hosted in local government institutions.

One per cent of the government’s total Annual Development Programme (ADP) is directed towards ensuring the sustainability of these micro-enterprises indicating their sharp contrast

with conventional CICs. Today, a citizen walks 3 km to a nearby UISC saving transaction, opportunity and contingent costs of going to the district headquarter 35 km away. Many ministries of the government have redesigned their services to make them “e-deliverable” through these centres.

As a result of their ubiquity, a farmer in a remote location can quickly learn about appropriate fertilizer and pesticide; a victim of domestic abuse can easily access information on legal recourse; a villager can apply for land records without having to deal with intermediaries; a patient can seek expert medical advice; child marriages and forms of home-based injustice can be redressed through the UISC Blog; a beggar can become

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

all 64 districts. Over the last two hundred years, Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) offices have been providing a wide range of public services (licenses, certificates, land documents, revenue, enquiries, education, relief, social welfare, etc), which were very unpredictable and consumed both time and money of the service seeker.

DESCs have simplified the back-end governance processes associated with the disclosure and delivery of public information and services, and thereby, transformed the way public service is being delivered today. Citizens, regardless of their social profile, can avoid face-to-face interactions with the government officials, a process traditionally considered as intimidating for the less literate, and opportune for rent-seeking. In addition, as a

certainly be a slap on the wrist from his/her superiors.

By the virtue of an official Innovation Team gazette in 2013, the aforesaid situation has been tackled at least from the policy perspective.

The ministry level e-Governance Focal Points, working since 2008, graduated to Chief Innovation Officers (CIOs) and all directorate, district and sub-district level focal points saw the appointment of Innovation Officers (IOs). Their mandate is to generate and implement innovations aimed at simplifying the service delivery process.

In addition, these teams can seek the support of the multi-donor Service

DB agenda will need to be endorsed and implemented by successive governments for the betterment of citizens’ lives. DB will need to be firmed up through other visionary initiatives which may or may not look beyond 2021, but will try to compensate for some of its shortcomings.

Will any non-Grand Alliance government reverse the gear of development and discard all the strides made to date?

As a citizen of Bangladesh, I would like to believe not. l Hasanuzzaman can be reached at zaman. h1984@gmail.com.

BOX 2: KEY HIGHLIGHTS – UISCS 4,516 UISCs operating in 4,545 Union Parishads Nearly 12 million women received different type of services

Regardless of what the Awami League is thinking today, it has to come to terms with the fact that the credit of brining changes in the traditional service delivery process goes to the government machinery, not only party loyalists

Over 78 thousand ‘unbanked’ citizens (70% women) gained financial access as a result of mobile banking services, through 3,700 UISCs 2,768 UISCs offering life insurance opportunities with 30,200 citizens recording a premium of Tk4.2m ($0.05 million) Over 35,000citizens (70% women) availed telemedicine services Over 45,000 students and youth (70% women) received computer literacy training Health services provided to 0.75 million citizens

an owner of a bank account thanks to branchless mobile banking; and, most strikingly, at a time when remittances are overtaking traditional flows of development finance comprising of foreign aid and foreign investment, a migrant worker can participate in government-to-government (Bangladesh-Malaysia) migration opportunities without having to travel to Dhaka.

A poor migration worker has to pay at least Tk200,000 to Tk300,000 through financial loans or selling land and other properties at the pre-migration stage. The latter has undergone significant transformation as a result of the UISCs position within the government machinery.

Box 2 presents some data portraying UISCs’ performance as a last mile service delivery agent.

One of the other significant changes has been the establishment of District e-Service Centres (DESC) across

result of the mushrooming of UISCs across Bangladesh, citizens do not need to visit the district head-quarters for tracking their application.

Table 1 provides a snapshot of the service delivery transformation taking place through the DESC. In particular, decision-making time has been drastically reduced as a result of increased predictability in the delivery of public service.

Finally, DB’s novelty lies not in its grand visions but rather on how it is to be implemented. The latter process demands triggering change in the values, attitudes and skills of government officials.

Nevertheless, bureaucracy is rulebased and experimentation is discouraged. Even when a public service innovator takes the first step, convinces the higher ups and colleagues, and the initiative sees light, there is no way to reward the innovator; but, there can

TABLE 1: SERVICE DELIVERY TRANSFORMATION THROUGH DESCS (AS OF JUNE 2013) Service Description

Before

After

Avg number: requests received for certified copy of land records/day

150-200

230-240

Avg number: requests processed for certified copy of land/day

120-130

180-200

Avg time: Preparation of per Certified copy of land records

18-20 days

12-14 days

Avg time: disposal of applications

3-4 hrs up to 1 day

Max 1 hr

Avg time: decisions making (full cycle)

2-7 days

1 hr to 2 days

Total number: applications received by e-Service System

No monitoring provision

1.3 million

Land records delivered

No monitoring provision

2.2 million Source: DESC Dashboard

Over 1.4 million workers registered electronically for employment in Malaysia Source: Local Government Division, Access to Information (A2I) programme

Innovation Fund (SIF) in order to fill financial resource gaps for supporting their creative initiatives. An Innovation Forum is organised quarterly which provides a platform for CIOs and IOs to come together and share their field-level experience.

Perhaps it is the Awami League’s weakness that it has not been able to propagate its DB successes in a way that would make developmental sense to the non-technologically savvy mass. May be it is the opposite and that is why the Grand Alliance, excluding Jaitya Party, is adamant in the all-party caretaker government agenda. Or, failures have been so large that it overshadows Awami League’s successes to the extent that it is unwittingly adopting an “in the name of development, we can govern forever” approach.

Regardless of what the Awami League is thinking today, it has to come to terms with the fact that the credit of brining changes in the traditional service delivery process goes to the government machinery, not only party loyalists.

It is the dawn of a new beginning, an alternative path to making public service responsive through increased predictability in the decision-making process. DB is a product of the Awami League and if the latter is sincere in its vision, then it also must believe that

6 Two non-cadre officers made deputy secretaries n Mohosinul Karim Two non-cadre senior assistant secretaries were promoted to the post of deputy secretary on Tuesday.

The newly-promoted deputy secretaries are Rawshan Ara Aktar of planning division and Anwar Hossain of legislative and parliamentary division of the law ministry.

According to public administration ministry sources, the two officers started their job as office assistants before being promoted to administrative officers, then assistant secretaries and latterly senior assistant secretaries.

There are nine reserved posts of deputy secretaries for the non-cadre officials in the secretariat.

However, most non-cadre officials miss being promoted to deputy secretary as they reach retirement age by the time. Their poor academic background, too, can be a bar to their promotions.

All of the posts of deputy secretary are now filled by cadre officials, the source confirmed. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Fund crunch delayes implemention of Dasherkandi treatment plant

CU train driver, assistant suspended as doctors crashed under wheels

The water quality of the Hatirjheel-Begunbari canal is worsening with every day of delay in the construction of the plant n FM Mizanur Rahaman at Dasherkandi for Treating Divested development project aims to conserve said.

A senior medical officer of Chittagong n Abu Hayat Mahmud He also said sewage comes from dif- University was crushed under the uniSewage from Hatirjheel and Begunbari rain water, improve the water quality in With less than two months remaining for the competition of Dasherkandi sewerage treatment plant, Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (DWASA) is yet to even begin work on the project due to a lack of sufficient funds.

The water quality of the HatirjheelBegunbari canal is worsening with every day of delay in the construction of the plant.

According to the Local Government Department (LGD), the installation of the waste treatment plant at the cost of Tk425 crore was scheduled to begin in January 2011 and end in December 2013.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on November 7 told parliament that DWASA has already undertaken a state-ofthe art project titled ‘Treatment Plant

canal’.

However, DWASA Deputy Managing Director (Admin) Md Ataur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune the installation of the Dasherkandi sewage treatment plant “is delayed due to lack of sufficient money for the project.” He claimed the state-run agency does not have enough money to implement a big project like the Dasherkandi plant.

“World Bank gave $76m to DWASA to improve the city’s water supply and sewerage management. The WB also told us, if we spend this money properly, they will give us $200-300m for the development the sector” he said.

“We are spending the money properly, and we hope we will also get the proposed fund of WB” he added.

The Hatirjheel-Begunbari integrated

the canal, reduce water-logging in the capital and maintain environmental balance.

Prof Mujibur Rahman of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), who is also team leader of BRTC, BUET for Hatirjheel project, said they had made the Hatirjheel project’s drawing design and the feasibility study, and already completed the study design of Dasherkandi plant and sent it to the DWASA authority.

“The waste treatment plant has been designed to treat 6 lakh cubic metres of water per day. To disposal 10.45 crore cubic metres of sewage of adjoining areas of around the Hatirjheel-Bagunbari, 10.40km main diversion and 7.7km local diversion swear line had to be added in to the project design,” he

ferent pipe lines, and it will drain by the sewer lines and go to Dasherkandi treatment plant. So after competition of the project, water Hatirjheel-Begunbari canal will be more improved than its present condition.

The sewage treatment plant will be constructed on 60 acres of land in Dasherkandi, in the capital. HatirjheelBegunbari canal connects with the river Balu, which later joins the Shitalakkhya River and so with this canal getting polluted the water of the two rivers.

AKM Shahid Uddin, project director of DWASA for the Hatirjheel project said: “More time will be needed to improve the water quality of the lake. It will also not be overcome before completion of the Daserkandi sewage treatment plant.” l

versity shuttle train on Monday night.

The deceased, Dr Rafique Rahman Chowdhury, 61, had been living in the campus and was crushed under the shuttle train engine while he was crossing the rail tracks, witnesses said.

Following the incident, the railway authorities suspended Loco Master Samsul Haque, and his assistant Abdur Rahman was temporarily suspended, Station Master of Sholoshohor railway station Mohammad Shahabuddin said.

Dr Rafique was rushed to Chittagong Medical College Hospital in critical condition, said Anwar Hossen Chowdhury, assistant proctor of CU. The doctor succumbed to his injuries around 1:30am, said Zakir Hossain, sub-inspector of CMCH outpost. l

Adolescent health centre idea wins entrepreneur contest n Tribune Report Innovation Lab 2013, hosted by ”Volunteer for Bangladesh”, opened its doors yesterday to mentor and evaluate a group of young aspiring entrepreneurs and their varied ideas for new startups.

Through a rigorous 36-hour mentorship programme held simultaneously in Dhaka and Chittagong, 50 participants received the assistance of selected mentors in perfecting practical applications of their proposed entrepreneurial models, according to a press release.

The idea that stole the show in Dhaka was from team “Oneesha”, which pitched an elaborate model of a healthcare centre for adolescents to educate them on aspects of physical and mental health.

The winning team bagged Tk50,000 as seed money to kick start their project, courtesy of Fayaz Taher, CEO of Fortuna Bangladesh.

Another competitive team was “Green Harvesters”, whose spacemaximising poultry farm model was offered land in Gazipur for implemen-

tation, also by Taher.

The ultimate winning team from Dhaka and Chittagong, which is yet to be announced, will get the chance to present their models at the “Global Entrepreneurship Week”.

The mentors included Samira Zuberi Himika, founder & managing director of Team Engine; Fayaz Taher, CEO of Fortuna Bangladesh; Korvi Rakhsand, founder of JAAGO Foundation; Bijoy Islam, co-founder and director (strategy) of Light Castle Partners; Khaled Mahmood Mustafa, senior strategic development manager of JAAGO; Saif kamal, head of marketing & communication at Dhaka Tribune; Zahedul Amin, co-founder & director (finance) of Light Castle; Riyad Shahir Ahmed Husain, CEO of Magnito Digital; Saifur Rahman, co- founder & director (business development) at Light Castle; and Samad Miraly, executive director of Olympic Industry.

The mentors were exposed to a diverse range of original ideas. They were also impressed seeing the participants coordinating well with new team members and coming up with such professional models, the release added. l

Activists of Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal and Mahila Dal bring out a broom procession in Sylhet city yesterday, protesting HM Ershad’s participation in newly formed government DHAKA TRIBUNE

Inspection team calls for probe into Hindu locality arson attacks

Capital call for more public toilets

n Our Correspondent, Barisal

n Tribune Report

A team of eminent personalities visiting the Char Kawa area in Barisal sadar upazila yesterday made calls for a fair probe into the recent arson attacks on the local Hindu community and immediate steps to help the rehabilitation of the victims.

The team also placed an eight-point recommendation, which included exemplary punishment for the killers of Parvez; compensation and rehabilitation for the arson attack victims; a free and fair investigation to find out the real cause The eight-member team included Workers Party Polite Bureau member Bimal Biswas, Joint Convener of Samprodayikata O Jongibad Birodhi Mancha Ziauddin Tariq Ali, Bangladesh College and University Teacher’s As-

sociation President Dr Noor Mohahammad Talukder, journalist Salim Samad, writer Sardar Amin, Dhaka University teacher Robaet Ferdous, filmmaker Rashed Rhine, and Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti member Dipayon Khisa.

The November 14 murder of college student Parvez Gazi over disputes surrounding a game prompted retaliatory arson attacks the following morning on the local Hindu community of Nomo Para in Char Kawa union, which saw at least 16 houses and two temples burnt down and seven more houses damaged.

After meeting the relatives of Parvez, the team also visited the local minority community and talked to the victims of the arson attacks. The visiting team later held a press conference at Barisal Reporters Unity and exchanged views with local civil society members at the BNDN auditorium in the afternoon.

The team also placed an eight-point recommendation, which included exemplary punishment for the killers of Parvez; compensation and rehabilita-

tion for the arson attack victims; a free and fair investigation to find out the real cause, masterminds, leaders, and executors of the arson attacks; the role and the cause of failure by the police and administration to prevent the attacks; and a stop to the harassment of innocent people.

The team also called for immediate steps to restore peaceful communal coexistence and harmony.

The team members said the locals and the victims blamed the police, the administration and the ruling party for failing to prevent the arson attacks. The locals also claimed that both the murder and arson attack were pre-planned by a quarter trying to fulfill vested interests.

The team also said the deployment of insufficient law enforcers in the area, the delay in lodging a case and accusing more than 1,600 unnamed people to create panic and expand bribery options, and the hastened submission of administrative probe committee report may all be mentioned as “suspicious.” l

NU admission test on Dec 27 n Tribune Report The admission test of honors course for the 2013-2014 academic session under all affiliated college of National university (NU) will be held simultaneously on December 27.

The examination will start at 11am and continued for next one hour. All admission related information will be available at (www.nu.edu.bd/admissions).

Apart from this, one can know the result through SMS to 16222 from any mobile operator. l

Garments Shramik Federation Union Kendra take out a procession in the city, demanding release of labourer leaders, including Ziaul Kabir Khokon DHAKA TRIBUNE

A section of environmental activists yesterday demanded the government establish an adequate number of public toilets in the capital and maintain the existing toilets properly.

Their call came at a discussion organised by Poribesh Bachao Andolan (Poba) and WBB Trust (Work for a Better Bangladesh) to mark World Toilet Day. They want more toilets in public places and offices, guaranteed safe water supply, and the provision of soap, towels and tissue paper in toilets.

People in the capital remain indoors in offices, businesses and educational institutions for long periods during each working day, they said, but the number of toilets in most of these places is “insufficient” and most are “unusable”.

Moreover, the dearth of facilities beside highways and in transport stations, hospitals, markets, cinema halls and other public places, forces people

to seek alternative spots beside roads, polluting the environment.

Women suffer the most without a proper sanitation system, and insufficient and unclean toilets. It is statistically more common for women than men to be affected by kidney infections and anal fissures and they drink less water when they are outside of their homes, due the shortage of facilities.

Environment activists make call at World Toilet Day discussion The speakers also called for mobile toilets to be established in places like Ijtema field and stadium, and said public and private initiatives can cater for the needs of the people.

The discussion was attended by Poba’s Joint General Secretaries Md Abdus Sobhan and Syed Monwar Hossain, WBB Trust Executive Director Syed Mahbubul Alam and others. l

Broom procession against Ershad in Sylhet n Tribune Desk Activists of Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal and Mahila Dal brought out a broom procession in the city yesterday, protesting HM Ershad’s participation in the ‘so-called’ all-party government betraying the nation.

The procession was brought out from the Court Point at noon and it ended at the same place after parading some major city streets.

Later, the activists of the BNP’s two associate bodies held a rally at the Court Point, reports UNB. Speakers at the rally termed Jatiya Party chairman and former military dictator HM Ershad ‘national betrayer’, saying he joined the cabinet on Monday betraying the nation.

They also said the so-called all-party government is nothing but the reconstitution of the grand alliance government. l

Ghyasuddin scholarship fund set up at Dhaka University

Two dyeing factories fined Tk1m

n Arif Ahmed

Department of Environment yesterday fined two dyeing factories in Narsingdi Tk1m for violating environment laws After a hearing at the DoE headquarters in the capital, its director (monitoring and enforcement) M Alamgir slapped the fine on ‘Anwar Dyeing’ situated at Saheb Pratab in Narsingdi Tk300,000 and ‘Five and Five Dyeing and Printing’ at Baghhata Tk700,000 for treating the waste with defective ETPs, reports UNB. l

A memorial scholarship fund titled “Shaheed Intellectual Prof Ghyasuddin Ahmad Memorial Scholarship Fund” was set up at the Dhaka University yesterday.

Prof Dr Sajeda Banu, sister of Prof Ghyasuddin Ahmad and also a teacher of Mathematics Department of the university, handed over a cheque for Tk300,000 to DU Treasurer Prof Md Kamal Uddin to set up this fund.

DU Vice-Chancellor AAMS Arefin

Siddique and acting registrar Syed Rezaur Rahman were present.

Every year the student who secures the highest marks in Honours final examination from the Department of History of the university will be given a scholarship from the fund.

The VC thanked the donor and her family members for establishing the fund in memory of martyr intellectual Prof Ghyasuddin Ahmad, who was killed by al-Badr members on December 14 in 1971 during the Liberation War. l

n Tribune Desk

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

7

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Villagers count the cost of power lines delay n Our Correspondent, Sherpur Agents of contractors of different companies at Nolitabari upazila in Sherpur are allegedly realising huge amounts of money from the villagers under the pretext of providing electricity.

Sources at Palli Bidyut Samity said the government had floated a tender under its rural electrification project to connect different villages over a 71km area.

Four private companies were given separate work orders and these companies later engaged four sub-contractors to look after the construction work of poles.

Local people said these sub-contractors had started collecting money from consumers in the name of providing immediate power connections, saying they would not receive power if they refused to pay.

Although contractors submitted documents to the Palli Bidyut office claiming they are already in a position to provide electricity connections to villages, they are yet to install most of the poles.

Inhabitants of Tarakandi village, Ahajul, 65 and Mijanur Rahman, 33, said the sub-contractors were demanding Tk40,000 from 38 consumers for setting up 18 power poles. But the locals could manage only Tk35,000.

Locals said they had fixed a deal with the contractors that they would provide half the money as advance and the rest of the money on completion of the work.

But, Khalil, who is a sub-contractor, demanded full upfront payment and stopped installing poles at the villages.

Abdul Hamid, 42, a resident at Pipuleshwar village, said the sub-contractor had demanded Tk84,000 in order to give power connections from 23 poles.

After negotiation, the locals fixed the rate at Tk60,000 and also gave Tk8,000 in cash as advance.

Alhajj Lalmia, 67, another inhabitant of the village, said: “We have been spending thousands for getting power connections, but contractors stopped the work.”

Besides, Gazi Majharul, 25, of Mondoliyapara village, said contractors were supposed to set up 24 power poles, but only four poles were erected so far.

General Manager of Sherpur Palli Bidyut Samity Masrul Haque said he was aware of the matter.

He said: “We give electricity connection after erecting power poles.”

Engineer of Shepur Project Division Nur Mohammad Kabir said “The delay is caused by lack of infrastructure. I am not aware of taking money from consumers.” l

Old man killed over land in Bandarban n Tribune Desk

Commercial cultivation of orange gains ground in Panchagarh

Seven jailed for life for killing farmer

An old man was killed in an attack by rivals over a land dispute at Shiler Towa village in Lama upazila on yesterday morning. The deceased was identified as Abul Kalam, 65, a resident of the village.

Police and locals said there had been a longstanding dispute between Abul Kalam and Shahjahan of Shiler Towa over ownership of a piece of land.

As a sequel to the past dispute, supporters of Shahjahan, equipped with home-made arms, attacked Kalam and chopped him at about 9:00am, leaving him injured. Critically injured, Kamal died on way to hospital.

On information, police recovered the body and sent it to sadar upazila hospital morgue for autopsy. Preparation to file a case in this connection was underway. l

n Tribune Desk

n Our Correspondent, Tangail

Commercial cultivation of orange is gaining popularity at different upazilas of the district as the growers are getting bumper production of the fruit in recent years.

Agriculture office sources said soil and climate of the district are suitable for orange farming. The farmers of the area have been cultivating orange on commercial basis in their orchards and homestead for the last few years, reports BSS. Orange farming in this area has flourished since its commercial cultivation began under the five-year term (2006-2011) Orange Development Project (ODP) of the DAE. During that time

Activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League and Jatiyatabadi Chhatral Azizul Haque College Government unit are locked in clash yesterday over establishing supremacy on the campus FOCUS BANGLA

growers were provided with necessary supports, including quality sapling, the office sources added.

Hafiz Mojibor Rahman, a grower at sadar upazila said he had been successfully cultivating orange in his orchard for the last seven years and selling those at good price. Witnessing his success, a number of farmers have engaged themselves in the cultivation, he added.

Local growers claim that proper training, financial and technical assistance can pave the way for large-scale of commercial production of oranges across the district.

They requested the government for reviving the expired ODP to ensure further expansion of orange cultivation

through providing necessary supports including quality saplings, trainings and technologies to the farmers like before.

Md Nazrul Islam, an agriculture officer of DAE said the insolvent farmers who earlier passed hard times have improved their livelihood by cultivating orange.

The country is spending huge foreign exchange every year for importing oranges from India and some other countries. But a large quantity of it can easily be grown in Panchagarh and its adjacent districts if government patronised. This would also help to improve the economic condition of the poverty stricken people of the northern region, the officer added. l

Old man killed over land in Bandarban n Tribune Desk An old man was killed in an attack by rivals over a land dispute at Shiler Towa village in Lama upazila on yesterday morning.

The deceased was identified as Abul Kalam, 65, a resident of the village.

Police and locals said there had been a longstanding dispute between Abul Kalam and Shahjahan of Shiler Towa over ownership of a piece of land.

As a sequel to the past dispute, supporters of Shahjahan, equipped with home-made arms, attacked Kalam and chopped him at about 9:00am, leaving him injured.

Critically injured, Kamal died on way to hospital.

On information, police recovered the body and sent it to sadar upazila hospital morgue for autopsy.

Preparation to file a case in this connection was underway. l

The convicts killed Tamijuddin, son of Abdur Rashid of Kajibari village, on April 24, 2004 over previous enmity Tangail District Session Judge-2 Jesmin Ara Begum delivered the verdict after examining documents and cross-examining witnesses.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Upazila AL office torched in Bandarban n Tribune Desk A local office of the ruling Awami League was set ablaze by unidentified miscreants in Ali Kadam upazila headquarters early yesterday.

Police and locals said a gang of miscreants set fire to the Awami Leugue office around 3:00am.

On information, police rushed to the spot and arrested a man, Ahmed Hossain, from the area on suspicion.

Workers of the ruling party blamed local BNP activists for the arson, reports UNB. Meanwhile, local leaders and activists of AL brought out a procession and staged demonstration in the upazila headquarters in the morning protesting against the arson and demanding the arrest of the culprits. l

Tangail court yesterday sentenced seven people to life terms in prison for the killing a farmer in 2004.

The court also fined them Tk20,000 each, in default, to suffer six more months in jail.

The convicts were Babul Miah, Shohor Ali, Alauddin, Fazal Miah, Godhu Miah, Ershad Ali and Hayat Ali. Both of the convicts are the residents of Kajibari village in Kalihati upazila.

According to the prosecution, the convicts killed Tamijuddin, son of Abdur Rashid of Kajibari village, on April 24, 2004 over previous enmity.

The next day, the victim’s elder brother filed a murder case with Kalihati police station accusing the seven people.

Additional public prosecutor Monirul Islam Khan acted for state and lawyer Abul Kashem and Najimuddin acted for the convicts.

After the verdict family members said they were satified with the verdict. l

Two abducted girls rescued in Lakshmipur Police rescued two schoolgirls from Barokheri village in Ramgati upazila yesterday morning, two days after their abduction from Alampur village in Sonagazi upazila of Feni. Police said a group of miscreants had picked up Qamrun Nahar Bristi and Marium on Sunday evening and took them to Lakshmipur. Abu Taher, father of Bristi, filed a general diary with Sonagazi police station after they were found missing. Later, on secret information, police of Barokheri camp and Sonagazi thana, jointly conducted a drive in the area and rescued the girls in the morning. Sub-inspector Abdus Salam of Barokheri police camp, said the rescued girls were handed over to Sonagazi police station. – UNB

A human chain was formed in Pabna town yesterday, demanding release of Shimul Biswas, special assistant of opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia FOCUS BANGLA

Union parishad information centres bring change in youth lives n Tribune Desk Ziaul Haque, a 32-year-old physically challenged youth, is beaming. The Union Information Service Centre (UISC), set up at Huzripara under Paba upazila of the district over two-and-ahalf years back, has brought a major change in his life as he is earning a satisfactory monthly income by providing ICT-based services.

“I have earned around Taka 80,000 and Taka 85,000 in July and August by providing around 37 categories of services to people through this UISC,” he said, adding that Soniya Khatun is another entrepreneur of the centre, reports BSS. Ziaul said he was not hopeful of making a profit out of the centre when it was launched in 2010. But, within six months a significant number of people started coming to the UISC to get various services.

In terms of earning, he now holds top position in the district and second or third

place in the division of eight districts.

At the centre, alongside providing different services including agriculture, health, education and legal aid, Ziaul provides computer training to the students and unemployed youths, which greatly helped them to get better jobs.

Recently his major incomes started coming mainly from computer training, composing, scanning, printing services, photography, photocopying, online registrations, birth registrations and internet browsing, he stated.

He viewed that Union level expansion of ICT-based devices like computers, laptops, laser and color printers, projectors, modems, digital cameras, scanners, IPS, UPS and Photostat machines had been highly beneficial.

Like Ziaul Haque, many entrepreneurs of UISC across the upazila as well as the district have entered into profitable ventures and enhanced their regular incomes.

Entrepreneur of Haragram Union,

Raquibul Hassan Rony, said he earned Tk47,488 in July through his centre. He expects to earn more within a short time if the existing problems are solved.

Narrating his brief working life, Rony, a third-year graduation course student of Rajshahi College, said “I want to be self-reliant through the UISC and I am very hopeful of becoming a successful entrepreneur and social contributor.”

DrBazlur Rashid, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), said different services of the upazila administrations are available at UISCs, which are helping to save time and money of the rural people.

A total of 142 entrepreneurs including 71 females are self- employed in the USICs across the upazila and some of them had found government jobs as computer operators.

He said the UISCs have opened up scores of opportunities for people including training on Information and Communication Technology, and different job-related information. l

Two held with arms, ammo in Natore Detective Branch of police arrested two people along with three foreign-made pistols, six magazines and 13 rounds of bullet from a bus at Kachhikata in Gurudaspur upazila early yesterday. The arrestees were identified as Hafizul and Shuvo, residents of Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj. Police sources said a patrol team of DB police searched a Dhaka-bound bus in the area at about 3am and arrested its two passengers along with three foreign-made pistols, six magazines and 13 rounds of bullet. They are arms traders, the sources added. A case was filed. – UNB

Arrested Swechchhasebak Dal leader hospitalised

Arrested Swechchhasebak Dal general secretary Mir Sharafat Ali Sapu was admitted to a city hospital yesterday due to heart problems. Police said Sapu was admitted to the CCU of Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 10:40am after he had complained of cardiac complications while on remand in a violence case. On Friday, a Dhaka court placed Sapu along with Swechchhasebak Dal organinising secretary Shafiul Bari Babu on a fiveday remand each in the case field with

Ramna Police Station for allegedly creating violence and obstructing police from discharging their duties. On November 13, a team of the Detective Branch of police arrested the two top leaders of Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal, the volunteer wing of the opposition BNP, from the city’s Bangla Motor area. – UNB

17 held over subversion in Comilla Police in a drive arrested 17 activists of BNP and Jamaat-Shibir from different areas of four upazilas of the district early Monday, on charge of subversion plan. Of the arrested, eight were from Muradnagar upazila, four from Daudkandi, three from Debidwar and two from Chandina.

Sources at the office of Comilla superintendent of police said a team of police arrested the activists of the 18-party opposition alliance in the dead of night on suspicion of a plan for committing subversive activities during the ongoing political turmoil. – UNB

Two bombs recovered in Chuadanga Damurhuda Thana police recovered two bombs near from Uzirpur Quashemul Ulum Quomi Madrasha yesterday. Police said the bombs were recovered from a bush near the madrasha. Being informed, police rushed to the spot and recovered the bombs. – BSS

Valuables looted from two Narayanganj houses Robbers looted 93 tolas of gold ornaments and cash Tk500,000 from two houses in Sadar upazila of the district early yesterday. Sources said a gang of robbers, numbering 5-6, had entered a house at Kashipur around 2:45am, breaking open the door and tied the house inmates when the house owner, Shafiulllah Shafi, was away. Shafiulllah is Fatullah thana unit Awami League sports and cultural affairs secretary. The gang looted 90 tolas of gold ornaments, cash Tk200,000 and other valuables and decamped with the booty.

– Tribune Desk

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

3 blasts target Iranian embassy in Beirut, killing 23 n Reuters, Beirut Two explosions, at least one caused by a suicide bomber, rocked Iran’s embassy in Lebanon on Tuesday, killing at least 23 people, including an Iranian cultural attache, and hurling bodies, cars and debris across the street.

A Lebanese-based al Qaeda-linked group known as the Abdullah Azzam Brigades claimed responsibility for what it described as a double suicide attack on the Iranian mission in southern Beirut.

Lebanon has suffered a series of bomb attacks and clashes linked to the 2-1/2-year-old conflict in neighbouring Syria.

Security camera footage showed a man in an explosives belt rushing towards the outer wall of the embassy before blowing himself up, Lebanese officials said. They said the second explosion was caused by a car bomb parked two buildings away from the compound.

In a Twitter post, Sheikh Sirajeddine Zuraiqat, the religious guide of the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, said the group had carried out the attack. “It was a double martyrdom operation by two of the Sunni heroes of Lebanon,” he wrote.

Shia Iran actively supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against Sunni Muslim rebels, who are backed and armed by Sunni powers Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Syrian rebel groups, some linked to al Qaeda, have threatened to take their battle from Syria to Lebanon in response to the military involvement of Iran and its Lebanese Shia guerrilla ally Hezbollah alongside Assad’s forces.

Iran’s ambassador Ghazanfar Roknabadi said it was clear the attacks targeted his embassy and identified one of the dead as Ebrahim Ansari, a cultural attache who was on his way to work at the diplomatic compound when the bombs exploded.

Lebanon’s Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said 23 people had been killed and

Zimbabwe warned on risk of cholera outbreak n AFP, Harare Human Rights Watch on Tuesday warned that Zimbabwe’s capital Harare was at risk of repeating a cholera outbreak five years ago that killed over 4,200 people.

The group said a long-running sanitation crisis in the city of two million meant drinking water was often taken from wells that were contaminated with sewage from broken pipes.

“In many communities there is no water for drinking or bathing, there is sewage in the streets, there is diarrhoea and typhoid and the threat of another cholera epidemic,” Tiseke Kasambala, the southern africa director of HRW said.

“Harare’s water and sanitation system is broken and the government isn’t fixing it.”

A 60-page report warned that history showed the risks of doing nothing.

Crumbling infrastructure led to an outbreak of cholera in 2008 which killed over 4,200 people and infected 100,000.

While deadly, the disease is easily preventable with clean water and proper sewage. l

Toronto council reins in scandalplagued mayor n AP, Toronto

After a tempestuous debate, Toronto’s City Council has stripped Mayor Rob Ford of the last of his substantive powers because of multiple scandals, but further turmoil seems inevitable. The mayor, defiant despite admissions of illegal drug use and heavy drinking, vowed “outright war” to take on his critics in next year’s election.

“This is nothing more than a coup d’état,” Ford said just before a series of votes went against him on Monday.

“What’s happening here today is not a democratic process — it’s a dictatorship process.” The council session was one of the stormiest in memory as the burly mayor argued with colleagues and members of the public and at one point knocked down a petite councilwoman as he charged toward one of his hecklers. Cries of “Shame, shame” came from the gallery. The council voted overwhelmingly in favour of slashing Ford’s office budget by 60% and allowing mayoral staff to join the deputy mayor, Norm Kelly. Ford now effectively has no legislative power, as he will no longer chair the executive committee, though he retains his title and ability to represent Toronto at official functions. l

Lebanese men run to remove dead bodies from burned cars, at the scene where two explosions have struck near the Iranian Embassy killing several, in Beirut, Lebanon AP 146 wounded.

“At one entrance of the Iranian embassy I counted six bodies outside,” Reuters television cameraman Issam Abdullah said. “I saw body parts...thrown two streets away. There is huge damage.”

The embassy’s sturdy metal gate was twisted by the blasts.

Fires engulfed cars outside the embassy and the facades of some buildings were torn off. Carpets of shattered glass from nearby buildings covered the bloodied streets and some trees were uprooted, but the embassy’s well-fortified building itself suffered relatively minor damage.

Soldiers in camouflage, firefighters and paramedics all rushed to the scene to evacuate the wounded.

The attack followed car bombings in

Sunni and Shia Muslim strongholds in Beirut and the northern city of Tripoli in August, in which a total of at least 66 people were killed.

“Whoever carries out such an attack in these sensitive circumstances, from whichever faction, knows directly or indirectly that he is serving the interests of the Zionist entity (Israel),” Iranian ambassador Roknabadi said.

He did not say whether other embassy officials were among the dead, but Lebanese televisions quoted Iranian diplomatic sources saying none of their staff inside the embassy was hurt.

Syrian Information Minister Omran Zoabi implicitly blamed Saudi Arabia and Qatar for supporting radical militants, who have been accused for previous at-

Monty Python to reunite for new show after 30 years n AFP, London British comedy veterans Monty Python are set to reunite for a new show in their first major collaboration in 30 years, member Terry Jones revealed on Tuesday.

“We’re getting together and putting on a show – it’s real,” Jones told the BBC. “I’m quite excited about it. I hope it makes us a lot of money. I hope to be able to pay off my mortgage!”

The BBC reported that the new collaboration – the first major project since the 1983 film “Monty Python’s The Meaning Of Life” – would come in the form of a theatre show.

Surviving Pythons John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Michael Palin and Jones – who are all in their seventies – are set to formally announce the new project at a press conference in London on Thursday.

The troupe won a cult following with their zany TV series “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” between 1969 and 1974.

They went on to make several hit films including “Monty Python And The Holy Grail” (1975) and “Monty Python’s Life of Brian” (1979).

tacks against Shia targets.

Footage from local news channels showed charred bodies on the ground as flames rose from stricken vehicles. Emergency workers and residents carried victims away in blankets.

Hezbollah official Ali Ammar said the attack would not deter the group, known by its supporters as the “resistance.”

“Whoever did this is a monstrous terrorist,” he said. “The resistance message is that it will continue. It will continue in all its efforts to defeat Israel and defeat the terrorists.”

Shia Iran has been bank-rolling Assad’s fight against the mainly Sunni rebels and has given military support to the president’s forces. It also supports Hezbollah in Lebanon. l

The Palestinians cast a UN General Assembly vote for the first time Monday and claimed the moment as a new step in their quest for full recognition by the global body.

Most of the 193 members of the General Assembly applauded Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour as he voted for a judge on the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

The Palestinians became observer state members of the United Nations on November 29 last year. The mission cannot vote on UN resolutions, but under UN rules, it and other observers such as the Vatican can vote in elections for judges on international courts.

“This is an important step in our march for freedom and independence and full membership of the United Nations,” Mansour told the assembly.

“I think that this is a very, very special moment in the history of the struggle of the Palestinian people at the United Nations,” he told reporters after the meeting.

Mansour acknowledged it was a “symbolic” vote, but said: “It is an important one because it reflects that the international community, particularly the General Assembly, is hungry and waiting for

Iranian lawmakers back nuclear programme n Reuters, Dubai

Iranian parliamentarians gathered signatures on Tuesday to demand that the government carry on enriching uranium to levels of 20 percent, a move that could complicate nuclear talks between Iran and world powers in Geneva this week.

Iran is to meet six world powers on Wednesday for a new round of negotiations after the two sides came close to agreeing an interim deal during talks earlier this month.

Those talks were stalled by the elimination of an explicit recognition of Iran’s right to enrich uranium in the draft text and demands from the French delegation that the Arak heavy-water reactor - which is feared could be used to make bomb-grade plutonium - be shut down.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has repeatedly said Iran will never give up its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, a message Iran’s parliament, dominated by conservatives, appears to want to hold him to.

“On the eve of the Geneva talks, we plan to approve such a proposal in parliament. Based on that the government is obliged to protect the nuclear rights of Iran in the forthcoming negotiations,”

n AFP, Mogadishu A suicide Shabab car bomber blasted open the gates of the police station in the central Somali town of Beledweyne Tuesday, before insurgent commandos stormed the compound shooting and killing, commanders and police said.

Bodies were reported to be strewn around the blast site, but it was not immediately possible to say how many had been killed. The Al-Qaeda-linked Shabab, who boasted of killing several people,

Iran rejects existence of secret nuclear military site n AFP, Tehran Iran on Tuesday rejected as “baseless” claims by an exiled opposition group that it is conducting military nuclear activities in a hidden underground site, the official IRNA news agency reported. “(The) baseless remarks about the existence of secret nuclear installations in Iran... are strongly rejected,” Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation spokesman Behrouz Kamalvand told IRNA. On Monday, the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran alleged its sources had confirmed the existence of the “012” military site in central Isfahan

said that Djiboutian troops with the African Union force and Ethiopian soldiers were also based at the police compound.

“Several of our special mujahedeen commandos carried out the attack on the military base in Beledweyne ...they have killed many of the enemy,” local Shabab commander Sheikh Mohamed Abu Suleiman told AFP. Shabab spokesman Abdulaziz Abu Musab, who said one attacker blew himself up in a car at the gate before gunmen entered the base, reported the insur-

Flash floods in Italy leave 17 dead The final “Meaning Of Life” film in 1983 was the last time the group appeared with their sixth member Graham Chapman, who died of cancer six years later.

The remaining Pythons have not appeared together since 1998 when they performed at the Aspen Comedy Festival in the United States.

But a spin-off musical “Spamalot”, based on the “Holy Grail” movie, has proved a hit on both Broadway and London’s West End over the last decade.

the state of Palestine to become a full member of the United Nations.”

“I felt so proud ... that on behalf of all the Palestinian people, and our leadership, that I was privileged to have that special moment, of putting on behalf of our entire nation that ballot in the box.”

Israeli Deputy UN Ambassador David Roet complained to the meeting that Mansour should have celebrated the vote outside the assembly and was “trying to hijack” attention at the election.

“Israel maintains its position that the Palestinian Authority is not a state and the Palestinian Authority fails to meet the criteria for statehood,” added Roet, who insisted that the Palestinian vote did not change its statehood bid.

Israel and the United States have lobbied strongly against UN recognition of the Palestinians, arguing that a separate state can only be achieved through direct bilateral negotiations to end the decades old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

But the Palestinians have joined UNESCO, the UN cultural agency, and voted there, in addition to winning historic observer recognition in the UN General Assembly.

Israel and the United States withdrew funding from UNESCO because it allowed Palestinian membership and last week

Mehr news agency quoted member of parliament Fatemeh Alia as saying.

Another MP, Mehdi Mousavinejad, said the measure would require the government to maintain enrichment of uranium to 20 percent, complete the nuclear fuel cycle and finish construction of the Arak heavy water reactor.

While it has limited powers in the Islamic Republic’s complex political system, parliament would likely vote on any nuclear deal. However, it would be very unlikely to go against the wishes of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Rouhani’s approach to the talks, which he says is the best way to get sanctions hobbling Iran’s oil-based economy lifted, has Khamenei’s backing. Rouhani succeeded hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in August.

Iranian political figures have lined up to criticise France for jeopardising the chance to reach a nuclear agreement, after Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius warned against accepting “a fool’s game”.

On Monday, French President Francois Hollande set out a tough stance against Iran during a visit to Israel, saying he would not give way on nuclear proliferation. l

province, located inside a heavily guarded 600-metre tunnel.

But the group said it was unable to ascertain what was happening inside the highly secure area.

The NCRI has revealed important aspects of Iran’s nuclear programme in the past, including the existence of the Natanz facility in 2002, but experts have met many of its other claims with scepticism.

The new claim came ahead of nuclear talks between Iran and world powers in Geneva this week, after an earlier round of talks this month came close to an interim deal but stumbled on last-minute l

Al-Shabab blast into Somali police station

n AFP, Oristano,Italy Italy declared a state of emergency on Tuesday after flash floods on the island of Sardinia left 17 people dead and forced hundreds to seek emergency shelter as the waters swept away bridges and flooded homes. Several people were still missing and emergency workers were trying to access low-lying rural areas affected as the Mediterranean cyclone swept through on Monday, with officials saying some 20,000 people were affected.

Soldiers were deployed in the region

Palestinians cast first vote at UN Assembly n AFP, United Nations

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

they lost their voting rights on the body.

The United States has sought to revive direct Mideast peace talks that resumed in July after a three-year freeze the Palestinians blamed on Israel’s settlement expansion.

Since the contacts restarted, Israel has announced plans to build thousands of new settler homes in the occupied West Bank – territory the Palestinians want for their future state.

Asked whether the United States or Israel had objected to their vote in the UN assembly, Mansour said: “They can’t.

This is a very crystal clear case.”

The Palestinians have sought to become an observer member of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, which organizes the International Criminal Court. The assembly is to meet in The Hague this week.

The United States blocked the move even though it is not a formal member of the court, diplomats said.

“The United States said this was not acceptable – they refused,” according to one UN diplomat.

“It would have been a step too far for the Americans. They can cause problems even though they are not members,” added a second diplomat who confirmed the move. l

and the government promised to send 20 million euros ($27 million) in emergency funds, as local rescue services said their efforts were being hampered by damage to roads. “We are focusing on essential operations: saving human lives, assisting displaced people and clearing road access,” Prime Minister Enrico Letta said at a press conference after an emergency cabinet meeting. “This was an absolutely extraordinary event,” Letta said, following criticism from local residents in Sardinia who complained about not receiving enough warning about the strength of the storm. l

gents had “killed mainly Somalis but also some Djiboutians”, and called the attack a “victory”.

The town has in recent months been hit by a series of bombs and shootings claimed by the Shabab. Witnesses said the car rammed the gate of the police station before bursting into a huge ball of flames. “The car hit the gate of the police station and exploded, then after the explosion men with machine guns stormed the building, there was lots of shooting,” said Hassan Nur, who saw the attack. l

Hunt for Paris gunman

n AFP, Paris

A huge manhunt was under way in Paris Tuesday for a lone gunman who shot and critically wounded a newspaper photographer in his office before opening fire outside a bank headquarters and hijacking a car. Officers on foot and in squad cars fanned across the nervous city, taking up positions outside media offices, along the Champs-Elysees avenue and at entrances to underground train stations.

Investigators have been unable to identify the gunman, described by French Interior Minister as “a real danger”. l

WORLD WATCH Female British serial killer admits dumping three bodies

A female British serial killer on Monday admitted murdering three men and dumping their bodies in ditches. To the shock of her lawyer, 30-year-old Joanna Dennehy admitted she killed the men, whose bodies were found in March and April riddled with stab wounds. Her barrister Nigel Lickley told London’s Old Bailey court: “The course of the arraignment is not one we had anticipated.” Dennehy, who has a star tattooed under her eye, told the judge: “I’ve pleaded guilty, and that’s that.” The killer, who is from the city of Peterborough in eastern England, also admitted attempting to murder another two men.

Four dead as NE China hit by massive snowstorm

Northeastern China’s biggest city of Harbin has been pummelled by its worst snowstorm for 50 years, state media said Tuesday. More than 50,000 people were mobilised to clear snow in the city, the capital of Heilongjiang province, the official news agency Xinhua reported. It cited city authorities as saying the snow was the worst since they first began recording daily weather conditions in 1961. The storm has claimed the lives of at least four people and injured another seven in neighbouring Jilin province, Xinhua added.

7 killed in tourist bus accident on Bali

A bus plunged into a ravine while traveling on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali, killing seven people including five Chinese tourists, police said Tuesday. Eight people survived the accident, which occurred on a winding slope near the Pecatu resort area in southern Bali, traffic police chief Col. Beno Louhenapessy said. Survivors said the vehicle’s engine apparently lost power while going up a hill and rolled backward before falling into a 15-meter deep ravine, he said.

US man says Google Maps image shows slain son

A man in the San Francisco Bay Area wants Google Maps to remove an aerial image that shows the body of his 14-year-old son, who was shot and killed in 2009. Jose Barrera told KTVU-TV over the weekend that he became aware of the image of his son Kevin earlier in the week. He said he wants Google Inc. to take down the image out of respect for his son, but it wasn’t clear whether he had asked Google directly to take it down.

The image shows what appears to be a body on the ground near a rail line with several other people, presumably investigators, and what looks like a police car nearby. Kevin’s body was found on a path near railroad tracks that separate North Richmond from San Pablo on Aug. 15, 2009.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Gunmen kill Shia director of Pakistan university n AFP, Lahore Unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle on Tuesday killed a senior Shia university director along with his driver in central Pakistan, officials said.

In an apparent sectarian attack, Syed Shabir Hussain Shah, director of student affairs at Gujrat University in Punjab province, was attacked while on his way to the campus. “Gunmen riding a motorbike sprayed bullets on his vehicle when he was about to reach the university campus in (the) morning. His driver was also killed in the attack,” district police chief Ali Nasir Rizvi told AFP. “At the moment, we don’t know about the numbers of the attackers, but the incident looks like a targeted killing,” he said. Officials suspected the attack came as retaliation for violence in the garrison city of Rawalpindi on Friday in which a mainly Sunni mosque was burnt and 10 people were killed.

“He was a Shia by sect, but a very progressive official of the campus,” Sheikh Abdul Rashid, a spokesman for the university, told AFP. Another colleague said Shah had previously received threats. “He had been threatened by unknown people in the past,” a professor at Gujrat University said on condition of anonymity. Authorities in the northwestern city of Kohat imposed a curfew on Monday after a fresh round of sectarian violence left four people dead, officials said.

Separately, in a suburb of the troubled northwestern city of Peshawar, two unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle Tuesday killed a policeman guarding a church. l

International

China will eventually scrap family planning restrictions, a senior official said on Tuesday, days after the government announced it will allow millions of families to have two children.

China, with nearly 1.4 billion people, is the world’s most populous country.

The government says the policy of limiting families to one child, which covers 63 per cent of the population, has averted 400 million births since 1980.

But the policy is increasingly seen as harmful to the economy.

The easing of the family planning policy, announced as part of a package of reforms on the weekend, would not take long and would be implemented by the provinces, said Mao Qun’an, spokesman for the National Health and Family Planning Commission.

He did not give a time-frame. Provincial legislatures would have to first write the measures into law.

Mao said China would further loosen family planning policy but signalled that the government would not abandon it in the near term.

“The situation that you mentioned will be realised one day,” Mao said when asked whether China could see a day when there would be no family planning restrictions.

He said he could not say when and how the policy would change.

“We can say that China, through its family planning policy, has controlled its rapid population growth and eased the pressures that population imposes on the natural environment ... But we are also very clear that, in order to obtain these achievements, the country’s people have made a great sacrifice.

“We do not deny that there is a con-

AP, Jakarta, Indonesia

n AFP, Kathmandu A crude bomb exploded early on election day in Nepal on Tuesday, injuring three children as millions turned out for a poll seen as crucial in stabilising the Himalayan country after a civil war.

The explosive planted in a middle-class residential neighbourhood in the capital Kathmandu went off three hours after polling stations opened, with another five hoax bombs recovered by police on Monday. “I was passing by when I saw three children lying on the ground, crying for help,” 28-year-old eyewitness Saroj Maharjan told AFP at the scene, where voters said they were now terrified.

“One of the children, whose face was covered in blood, fainted in my arms as I carried him to a nearby hospital,” he added. A splinter faction of the Maoist party has vowed to disrupt the poll which many hope will jumpstart the peace process and push lawmakers to write a long-awaited constitution.

Anti-poll protestors have torched vehicles and hurled explosives at traffic in recent days, but election officials said the threats had not deterred millions from turning up to vote.

“So far, around 50% of registered voters have voted,” Election Commission spokesman Bir Bahadur Rai told AFP by midafternoon.

“The elderly as well as people living in remote parts of the country have voted.

The overall mood is buoyant,” he said.

The Maoist party, led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal, known better by his nom-deguerre Prachanda, swept the first constit-

tradiction between the state’s implementation of the family planning policy and the desire of every individual and every family to give birth.”

Mao said China would take into account the economic, social and demographic situation before it made further adjustments.

Significant relaxation A growing number of scholars has urged the government to reform the onechild policy, introduced in the late 1970s to prevent population spiralling out of control, but now regarded by many experts as outdated and harmful to the economy.

Although it is known internationally as the one-child policy, China’s rules governing family planning are more complicated. There are numerous exceptions governing the policy.

“As for the policy of family planning, (we) must adhere to it for a fairly long period of time,” Mao said. “Because our country’s demographic situation still needs it.”

The Health Ministry’s deputy director, Wang Peian, said on Saturday that China was not considering a broad relaxation of its one-child policy.

The government said last week that it would allow couples in which one of the parents was an only child to have a second child. It was the most significant relaxation of the one-child policy in nearly three decades.

In recent days, shares of baby formula, stroller, diaper and even piano manufacturers rose sharply on expectations that demand would spike. Chinese condom maker Humanwell Healthcare Group dipped.

With last week’s relaxation of the policy, about one million more babies will be born each year in China, Mao said. l

A Nepalese man cries outside Bir Hospital where his child is receiving treatment after being injured in an explosion in Kathmandu, Nepal, AP uent assembly polls in 2008, two years after signing a peace deal.

Since then, five prime ministers have served brief terms, the country had no leader for long periods, and the 601-member assembly collapsed in May 2012 after failing to agree on a new constitution.

Hopes of political reconciliation were dashed when a 33-party alliance, led by the splinter Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M), announced that it would boycott the polls and intimidate voters.

The alliance says the vote cannot be held under the interim administration headed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court and want polls to be post-

poned until a cross-party government is put in place.

“Had the anti-poll groups organised peaceful protests, they could have questioned the legitimacy of the elections,” Akhilesh Upadhyay, editor in chief of The Kathmandu Post, told AFP. “How can they gain political traction while even children have been brutally attacked?”

One person has been killed and more than 360 arrested over the last week, police say.

Security has been tightened across the country as a result, with the government deploying 50,000 soldiers and 140,000 police to guard polling stations. l

Hundreds of Afghan students demonstrated Tuesday against a possible security pact with the United States, chanting anti-US slogans in the first major public protest over the deal.

The demonstration in the eastern city of Jalalabad comes as thousands of tribal chieftains and politicians are set to gather this week in the Afghan capital to discuss the pact which will shape Washington’s future military presence in the war-scarred nation.

The bilateral security agreement (BSA) will determine how many US soldiers stay in Afghanistan when most of NATO’s troops deployed in the country since 2001 – currently numbering 75,000 – leave at the end of 2014.

Prior to the demonstration by Jalalabad University students in the eastern province of Nangarhar, little public opposition was reported over the BSA deal.

Taliban militants have however

branded the tribal meeting a USdesigned plot, vowing to pursue and punish its delegates as traitors if they

Indonesia’s president said Tuesday he deplored as remorseless the Australian prime minister’s statement about alleged wiretapping on his phone and said cooperation agreements between the near-neighbours would be reviewed.

In Canberra, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott endorsed intelligence gathering in principle without confirming or denying the reported spying under a previous government in 2009.

In a series of tweets confirmed by his office, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono reacted strongly. One in an Indonesian language said: “I also deplore the statement of Australian Prime Minister who underestimates the wiretapping of Indonesia, without sense of guilt.”

A later English tweet used the word “regret” instead of “deplore” and said the statement “belittled this tapping matter on Indonesia, without any remorse.”

Yudhoyono tweeted that Indonesia wanted an official Australian response that could be understood and that bilateral cooperation agreements would be reviewed as a consequence of “this hurtful action.”

Indonesia already has recalled its ambassador following the reports that Australian spies attempted to listen to the president’s cellphone in 2009.

Analysts describe the furore as the lowest point in a perennially volatile bilateral relationship since 1999 when Australia led a UN military force into the former Indonesian province of East Timor following a bloody independence ballot.

On that occasion, Indonesia ripped up a 4-year-old security treaty with Australia.

A boy wearing a mask in the style of comic book hero Spiderman, holds an umbrella as cover against the snow in Jilin, Jilin province, November 18, 2013. According to Xinhua News Agency, heavy snowfall battering northeast China for a third day shut down schools and highways on Monday REUTERS

China hails Korean assassin of Japanese official n AFP, Beijing China and South Korea are to cooperate on a memorial to a Korean national hero who assassinated a Japanese official a century ago, provoking a diplomatic row Tuesday.

Relationships between all three neighbours are heavily coloured by history, while both Beijing and Seoul are embroiled in separate territorial rows with Tokyo over disputed islands.

The latest flashpoint between them is Ahn Jung-Geun, who shot and killed Hirobumi Ito, then Japan’s top official in

approve the BSA. “The people (of) Afghanistan should not sign this agreement,” Shafiullah, a

Afghan students display an effigy of U.S. Presdient Barack Obama with the word ‘donkey’ scribbled across his forehead during a protest against the upcoming Loya Jirga AP

A new treaty has since been signed.

Australian Broadcasting Corp. and The Guardian reported that they had documents from National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden showing that the top-secret Australian Signals Directorate also targeted the phones of Indonesian first lady Kristiani Herawati and eight other government ministers and officials.

Abbott told Parliament on Tuesday he regretted any embarrassment that the spying reports had caused Yudhoyono but ruled out demands for an apology and explanation.

“I regard President Yudhoyono as a good friend of Australia, indeed as one of the very best friends that we have anywhere in the world,” Abbott said. “That’s why ... I sincerely regret any embarrassment that recent media reports have caused him.”

But he said national security required consistent determination to do what’s best, and his government would support how past governments chose to do that.

“Australia should not be expected to apologise for the steps we take to protect our country now or in the past, any more than other governments should be expected to apologise for the similar steps that they have taken,” he said.

Abbott also made similar comments to those already condemned by Yudhoyono as remorselessly belittling the tapping controversy.

“The first duty of every government is to protect the country and to advance its national interests,” Abbott said. “That’s why every government gathers information and why every government knows that every other government gathers information.” l

Desperate survivors seek to flee typhoon zone n AP, Tacloban, Philippines

COMIC RELIEF

Korea, at the railway station in Harbin in northeast China in 1909.

Ahn, a Korean nationalist, killed Ito in response to Japan’s colonial designs over the Korean peninsula where its influence had been growing.

He was hanged the following year, when Korea also became a formal Japanese colony, heralding a brutal occupation which lasted until the end of World War II in 1945.

Japan already held territory in mainland China at the time and went on to invade Manchuria in the 1930s before occupying most of eastern China during

Afghans protest key security deal with US n AFP, Jalalabad

9

Nepal defies bombing, braves Indonesian leader deplores statement by Aussie PM threats in post-war poll n

China on path to scrap one-child policy n Reuters, Beijing

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

student who uses only one name, told AFP as demonstrators chanted “Death to the US”.

Another student Habib-Ul Rahman Arab accused the delegates, most of them hand-picked by President Hamid Karzai’s administration, of being government supporters.

“They are not our representatives.

They are not representatives of (the) Afghan people,” he said.

The crowd, which according to an AFP reporter on the scene numbered around 1,000, blocked a key road between Kabul and Jalalabad.

The four-day “Loya Jirga” – Pashto for grand assembly – is set to start on Thursday.

Afghanistan has been gripped by an insurgency since 2001 and tens of thousands of US and NATO troops have been deployed since then.

The bulk of the US and NATO troops are set to leave Afghanistan at the end of 2014. But under the BSA, if signed, the US will maintain some military presence. l

the war. South Korean President Park Geun-Hye met China’s top foreign policy official Yang Jiechi on Monday. Both said work was progressing on a monument in Harbin to Ahn, according to a statement by the presidential Blue House in Seoul.

“Ahn Jung-Geun is a very famous anti-Japanese fighter in history,” Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a regular briefing Tuesday. “He is respected by the Chinese people as well.”

“China will in accordance with relevant regulations on memorial facilities involving foreigners make a study to push forward relevant work.” l

Thousands of typhoon survivors swarmed the airport here on Tuesday seeking a flight out, but only a few hundred made it, leaving behind a shattered, rain-lashed city short of food and water and littered with countless bodies.

Four days after Typhoon Haiyan struck the eastern Philippines, assistance is only just beginning to arrive. Authorities estimated the storm killed 10,000 or more across a vast swath of the country, and displaced around 660,000 others.

Tacloban, a city of about 220,000 people on Leyte island, bore the full force of the winds and the tsunami-like storm surges. Most of the city is in ruins, a tangled mess of destroyed houses, cars and trees. Malls, garages and shops have all been stripped of food and water by hungry residents. The United Nations said it had had released $25 million in emergency funds and was launching an emergency appeal for money.

Just after dawn Tuesday, two Philippine Air Force C-130s arrived at its destroyed airport along with several commercial and private flights. More than 3,000 people who camped out at the building surged onto the tarmac past a broken iron fence to get on the aircraft.

Just a dozen soldiers and several police held them back.

Mothers raised their babies high above their heads in the rain, in hopes of being prioritized. One woman in her 30s lay on a stretcher, shaking uncontrollably. Only a small number managed to board.

“I was pleading with the soldiers. I was kneeling and begging because I have diabetes,” said Helen Cordial, whose house was destroyed in the storm. “Do they want me to die in this airport? They are stone hearted.” l

India opens first state-owned bank for women n AFP, Mumbai

India’s prime minister Tuesday inaugurated the country’s first state-owned bank for women, aimed at strengthening their financial security and empowering them after a string of sex crimes highlighted gender inequality.

Premier Manmohan Singh opened the Bharatiya Mahila Bank (Indian Women’s Bank) in south Mumbai, home to one of seven branches that are now operational.

The bank was announced in February, when India was still reeling from the fatal gang-rape of a student in the capital.

It focuses on lending to women and aims to employ mostly women, although men will also be able to open accounts.

Currently only 26% of women in India have formal bank accounts.

“The sad reality is that women in India face discrimination and hardship at home, at school, at their place of work and in public places. Their social, economic and political empowerment re-

mains a distant goal,” said Singh at the launch. “The setting up of the Bharatiya Mahila Bank is a small step towards the economic empowerment of women,” he added.

While this is the first such state initiative, there are existing co-operative banks run for and by women, such as the Mann Deshi Mahila Sahakari Bank in the western state of Maharashtra. According to its website, the Mann Deshi bank was set up in 1997 and is now the state’s largest microfinance bank with over 185,000 clients. The new Bharatiya Mahila Bank, headquartered in New Delhi, is due to have 25 branches by next March and is chaired by Usha Ananthasubramanian, a former executive director of the Punjab National Bank.

Over a seven-year period, it plans to open 771 branches. The board of directors is made up of eight women, said Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, who set aside 10 billion rupees ($161 million) to capitalise the new bank in his 2013/14 budget. l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Letters to

www.dhakatribune.com

The people’s opinion matters most

N

isha Biswal the US assistant secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs has concluded a three day visit in which she added her voice to calls urging the two major political parties to engage in dialogue.

She rightly emphasised that it is up to Bangladesh’s people to determine whether there is a fair election process or not.

Leaders of the BNP expressed hopes that her visit might help resolve the current political deadlock. As hartals have caused widespread damage to life and property in recent weeks, the respite from talk of deadly political strikes was We share the welcome. diplomat’s view We appreciate Ms Biswal’s calls for dialogue and share that the opinion of the view that this visit, and Bangladesh’s people others like it, should not should carry more carry as much weight as it weight has been given. It is up to the Bangladeshi people to resolve our problems.

Asking or relying on overseas officials, however friendly their intentions, to act as intermediaries, disregards the people whose voice most needs to be heard. It is illogical to expect one delegate’s three-day visit to make much difference.

We should concentrate on listening more to what the people say, not give undue weight to the opinions or presence of diplomats.

Bangladesh’s people are the quiet majority that pays the price for the political crisis. They can assess what is best in the national interest. All political parties should listen to them more.

Beauty is truth, truth beauty?

November 11

A society that places undue emphasis on physical beauty is irresponsible. Health is where the focus ought to go, as there is more than one kind of beauty to behold. Beauty exists in many forms and we ought to be conditioned to recognise this.

Chris

November 12 Music to my ears! One of the most mature articles I have read in recent times about an idea that is radical and yet is perhaps the only other way forward for Bangladesh to rid itself of its existing vicious system of politics. A must read.

Jawad Everything said and done, the choice to vote in Bangladesh remains a dilemma as to who to vote!

The devil or the deep sea?

Let us ask for a third and a better choice before we cast our votes. Besides this, would it matter even if we don’t turn out at the polling booth? No. Polling agents would do our job! Unfortunate, but true! :( Waliul Haque Khondker The debate about whether to vote or not has been going on since Russell Brand opened his mouth.

Bangladeshis have also talked about the No Vote.

No one has bothered pointing out what this article says. Our vote is our most prized possession.

The politicians are here to serve us. Somewhere

November 12

Saiful Islam He has found a way to save himself, but our nation is not saved from the politicians.

along the line, that has been lost. The reality has become that we have been turned into pawns.

We need the value of our vote to be what it is supposed to be. Only then can we talk about a democracy.

There is no point talking about it otherwise. The commentators should learn from this article and start to stand for something.

Nahiyan People argue about whether we need to be part of the system to change it. Our contribution is to vote, nothing else.

That also has no value anymore. Our rejection has to be because we as citizens have a worth. Our vote is our voice. It is more important to democracy than anything else. Bangladesh needs to start respecting that. The poor and the people need to be empowered.

This man is reminding us what we are worth. It is time we reminded the politicians about that. They need to know who we are. Enough is enough.

Kamran

Nazmul Huda Pgarh Great, but throwing money around is not an option. One has to save money, and it’s possible this man supports his family solely from his income. This is why they have to have sufficient means, and savings.

Ishrat Husain Khan I think rickshaw-drivers should wear helmets all the time!

Debashree Piya Great idea! I think that day is not so far away when we will all have to wear them!

Bornoheen Projapoti Besides this, fire-proof dress-wear should be invented to wear during hartals! This is necessary because of the way people are burned in the fires set off by the hartal picketers.

Rêðûän Häsän This rickshaw-driver is totally protected!

Jessica Afroz Jenny But how he will save the other parts of his body??

MdMosharaf Hossain Who sells these helmets???

Dhaka Tribune

Speed up momentum on RMG reforms

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

50% cut in IGW and ICX license renewal fees November 13

Four IGW operators paying Tk70m each equals to Tk280m, and 29 IGW operators paying Tk35m each equals to Tk1.015bn, while 3 ICX operators paying Tk25m each equals to Tk75m and 26 ICX operators paying Tk12.5m each equals to Tk325m.

So there is an increase of Tk985m Taka in total in government revenue. FYI, all these operators are sharing almost the same traffic (that was shared by 4 + 3 operators earlier) among themselves now.

Monsurul Amin

Shujon Firdaus Mannan Safety first!!

Sujit Barua Titu This is truly the most symbolic for this situation.

Wise thinking on his part.

Govt achieves Golden A in energy sector November 12 Fuel and electricity subsidies could cost the country’s macroeconomic stability. Subsidy cost shoot up from Tk6bn in 2007 to Tk204bn in 2013!

Shahid Imon

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PEANUTS

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS Crossword

ACROSS 1 Up-to-date (6) 5 Limb (3) 7 Anger (3) 8 Become visible (6) 11 School of whales (3) 12 Lifting machine (5) 14 Measure of length (4) 16 Skin openings (5) 18 Black bird (5) 20 Outlet (4) 21 Proverb (5) 23 Fish (3) 24 Condemn to exile (6) 27 Resinous substance (3) 28 Unhappy (3) 29 Barren place (6)

Rickshaw-puller wears helmet to save himself from hartal violence

Asif Ujjman It’s a wonderful idea, and everybody should follow it.

The first duty of a man

Write to us at:

A

the Editor

LETTER OF THE DAY

Be Heard

new ILO report notes that without comprehensive implementation of improved market and social policies, the country will be unable to maintain its economic momentum.

It is imperative therefore for stakeholders in the RMG industry especially the government, factory owners, and buyers to up their game and increase the momentum of the recent progress that has been made in the sector.

The government is appointing 200 factory inspectors but its work is still moving at a slower pace than international stakeholder initiatives. With over 9,000 registered factories and 200,000 unregistered sites, the government urgently needs to follow through on hiring and training more factory inspectors.

All stakeholders in Similarly, buyers and the RMG sector need factory owners must to increase the pace stop vacillating on the of progress compensation they owe the victims of the Rana Plaza and other disasters, many of whom have not even received their due salaries yet. They should work with government and unions to ensure compensation is properly given and received.

Workers rights groups such as Sramik Nirpotta Forum are right to call on the government to consider ratifying the ILO convention 121 which provides a framework for Employee injury benefits.

Only by increasing efforts to ensure factory safety and taking actions to hold factory owners to account when they are responsible for disasters can the government fully uphold its duties to the workforce.

The RMG sector is vital to our economy, and to ensure it remains sustainable, accelerated progress must be made to bring the sector up to global standards and ensure worker safety.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

DOWN 1 Extinct bird (3) 2 Immerse (3) 3 Built (7) 4 Bring up (4) 5 Electrical unit (6) 6 Unassuming (6) 9 Excuse (4) 10 Sharp blow (3) 13 Devotional exercises (7) 14 Disorderly disturbance (6) 15 Dodged (6) 17 Finishes (4) 19 Seize suddenly (3) 22 Strong wind (4) 25 Frozen treat (3) 26 Pungent (3)

How to solve Sudoku: Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 – 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no number repeating.

Code-Cracker

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

11

Tackling the Qawmi conundrum clerics), this version adopts a student-centric approach.

The government simply recognises the degree certificates issued by Befaqul Madaris and its regional rivals, on the condition that they introduce secular subjects on their own terms and at a reasonable pace.

Since it requires the government to give Qawmi madrasas what they want without asking much in return, one may dismiss this hands-off option as foolish or naïve. One may further argue that it makes little sense to recognise the degrees of students who are by all accounts unemployable.

Though they want the government to recognise their students’ degrees, these clerics are unwilling to offer much in return

H

n Nikhil R Puri efazat-e-Islam was back in the headlines this month, announcing it would reoccupy Shapla Chattar on November 23. Aside from rekindling its 13-point agenda, the organisation intended to protest the detention of its leaders as well as government efforts to control Hefazat’s only source of authority – the country’s Deobandi (Qawmi) madrasas.

Despite their shared ideology, Bangladesh’s Deobandi madrasas – some 10,000 in number – are a divided group with loyalties spread across five rival boards. Among these boards, Befaqul Madaris al Arabia Bangladesh claims to represent Deobandi madrasas across the country, while Ittehad-ul-Madaris, Azad Deeni Iddara-e-Talim Bangladesh, Tanzeem-ul-Madaris, and a fifth board in Gopalganj wield influence over madrasas in Chittagong, Sylhet, North Bengal, and South Bengal, respectively.

Occupying a landscape well beyond the state’s control, ambitious and prominent clerics have traditionally used these boards to outdo one another in a zero-sum contest for authority.

The latest tool in the government’s madrasa policy – the proposed Qawmi

Madrasa Education Authority Bill – threatens to tilt the balance of power in this intra-Deobandi arena.

But the success of any government in redrawing this landscape and reforming Qawmi madrasas will depend on the specific contents of the bill.

There are four conceivable versions of this bill, each with its associated winners and losers.

and possibly even appointing (directly or indirectly) their teachers and non-teaching staff.

On paper, this option would seem to favour the government, which earns considerable influence over a sector in which it currently has none. In practice, however, this bill can never become a law.

Clerics associated with each

As employers are under no obligation to hire students just because their degrees are government recognised, the burden of providing quality education and translating the student’s degree into employability shifts to the clerics

The first possible version of the bill subjects Qawmi madrasas to the same control that currently applies to the country’s Alia madrasas. A central government-run board staffed by bureaucrats will supervise Qawmi madasas’ educational affairs, standardising their syllabi, publishing their non-religious textbooks, awarding government-recognised degrees to their students,

Deobandi board insist that a Qawmi board can and should only be run

by Qawmi men. Though they want the government to recognise their students’ degrees, these clerics are unwilling to offer much in return.

As a representative of Ittehad-ul Madaris puts it: “We will accept the government’s recommendations but we should have the final say regarding

The final stretch Engelsen Ruud and n Arild MAB Siddique

M

ost commentaries on the prevailing situation in Bangladesh seem to think that if only good will would prevail, everything would be fine. We are left with a feeling of despondency and incomprehension at the ill will that seems to rule.

The situation is actually much more interesting than that. It is not about ill will, it is about power. And one must admit that the government has played the game in a most clever manner. They have managed to make the main opposition paint itself into a corner with its inflexible demand for a caretaker government.

And the opposition has no power to back the demand. The government simply points to the constitution and court rulings, or to other democracies for that matter, and dismisses the opposition’s complaints.

The BNP’s threat of boycott is not really all that threatening any more.

The government’s hold over the police, RAB and the army is good and has been strengthened over the last months and years. Any violent hartal protest can be dealt with as a law and order problem, which the government has shown already to be their preferred way.

Besides, the BNP’s organisational backbone never matched that of the Awami League and has been further weakened by months of hartals and arrests. Even Khaleda Zia complained about poor attendance in Dhaka, and apart from individual incidents of violence and death the record outside of Dhaka, is not particularly convincing either.

The difference between 1996 or even 2006 and now is huge. The opposition now is severely weakened and poses no particular threat to the government or any election. Hartals are a nuisance to the government, but not more than that.

Post-poll hartals will be dealt with by the police and will eventually prove their inefficiency. There are businessmen in the BNP as well, and they too will want to return to normal economic life.

The Awami League, on the other hand, has everything to win. They will win the election hands-down if it is boycotted by the BNP. As in many countries, voters tend to prefer an MP with access to power rather than someone righteous yet ineffectual.

Post-poll hartals will be dealt with by the police and will eventually prove their inefficiency. There are businessmen in the BNP as well, and they too will want to return to normal economic life

AL candidates will have a huge advantage. Jatiyo Party, the communists, and some others will probably take part in the polls and form an opposition. Power is a great attraction. The Awami League will be able to mobilise about 40-50% of the voters by itself and the other contenders will mobilise another 10-15%.

With more than a 50% voter turnout, the election would be considered

which recommendations we decide to implement.”

Whether or not it triggers the “civil war” Shah Ahmad Shafi predicts, this version of the bill will certainly cause Deobandis of all stripes to shed their differences and unite against its implementation.

Despite its inevitable failure, there is a good chance Sheikh Hasina’s government might still go ahead with this version of the bill. The previous BNPled government tried unsuccessfully to create a government-run Qawmi board shortly before the last elections.

The present government may try to match the BNP’s symbolic efforts by extending to Qawmi clerics the same unfeasible offer.

The second version of the bill sees the creation of a central government-recognised but Qawmi-run board. This version inevitably favours Befaqul Madaris since it is the only Qawmi board with a national presence.

In this scenario, madrasas currently affiliated with regional boards will migrate towards Befaqul Madaris in order to benefit from its government-recognised curriculum and degree. By promoting Befaqul Madaris at the expense of its regional rivals, this version of the bill thus eliminates all intra-Deobandi competition.

Guided by minimal government input, Befaqul Madaris is free to decide how it runs its madrasas, without any incentive to innovate towards outperforming other Deobandi competitors.

Version three of the bill involves the devolution of powers to government-recognised but Qawmi-run boards at the regional level. Though it would involve some level of central oversight, this version allows regional boards to retain influence over madrasas within their respective jurisdictions.

This arrangement has a precedent in the mainstream education system where a separate board is responsible for conducting examinations at the intermediate and secondary levels in each of Bangladesh’s divisions.

Since Befaqul Madaris has a nationwide presence, this version would likely limit its powers to Dhaka division, forcing it to surrender its affiliates in other divisions to its regional counterparts. Befaqul Madaris, with its expansionist agenda, will most certainly veto this bill and deploy its 3,600 affiliates towards noncooperation.

The fourth version of the bill is the most innovative and has the best chance of success in the long term.

Instead of establishing a Qawmi board (run by the government or by Qawmi

In the long run, however, this version has a compelling upside. By withdrawing itself from the scene, the government gives rival Qawmi boards the confidence and security to compete amongst themselves.

Since these boards have few disagreements and differences in the religious domain, this competition will play out most visibly in the area of secular education. The larger madrasas in each board have already begun differentiating themselves by teaching English, mathematics, and computers.

With the right incentives and support from the government, it should not be long before these measures trickle down to the level of their affiliates.

Moreover, as the government can no longer be blamed for its reluctance to recognise students’ degrees, and employers are under no obligation to hire students just because their degrees are government recognised, the burden of providing quality education and translating the student’s degree into employability shifts to the clerics.

While it cannot guarantee an end to Hefazat’s public demonstrations, this version of the bill ensures that the organisation’s rival constituents are engaged in healthy competition while the balance of power tilts in favour of their students. l Nikhil R Puri is a DPhil candidate at the University of Oxford.

Moral miseducation legitimate and would not meet with serious protests from foreign donors or civil society. The Awami League would have won and the BNP would be broken. The Awami League will naturally be grateful to the participating opposition, and will not be disinclined to share the boons.

These simple mechanisms are something BNP leaders understand well, and the clever ones are holding themselves back to avoid arrest. They do not wish to risk being chased by court cases when, and if, there is an election, or to be in the bad books of the next government.

As the BNP leadership fully knows, many are contemplating jumping ship and joining the Awami League-run election in January as independents or as candidates of another party.

The BNP’s only real chance now is to back down in the interest of the people (or however these phrases go) and despite misgivings take part in the election under Sheikh Hasina. If they do, there is a fair chance of winning a good number of seats, quite possibly even a majority.

The government will suffer from the incumbency factor that makes it difficult to be re-elected, especially if the opposition is seen to be strong.

And the country is full of BNP workers and activists eager to spend their energies more fruitfully than enforcing unpopular hartals.

If the BNP does not go to the polls, Bangladesh may well be facing a tectonic shift in its political life. l

Arild Engelsen Ruud is Professor of South Asia Studies, Department of Culture Studies and Oriental languages, University of Oslo, Norway. MAB Siddique is a staff reporter, Dhaka Tribune.

n Nahiyan Asadullah

O

ver the last few years, attacking the minority community has become commonplace in Bangladesh. Worse still, the attacks have often been based on mere speculation.

It is not to say, however, that it would be justified otherwise.

According to a report published in the Dhaka Tribune on November 2, a large number of miscreants vandalised and torched 26 houses at Bonogram village in Santhia upazila, following rumours that Rajib Saha, a Hindu boy in the area, had posted abusive posts about Prophet Mohammad (SM) on Facebook.

In a similar incident in Ramu last year, some 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. How do you stop these attacks?

An editorial published recently in the Dhaka Tribune suggests that timely investigation, and prosecution of the perpetrators and inciters of violence, is the most urgently required action.

That’s a great idea. And if the suggestion is followed, we would be avoiding a lot of these attacks from happening in the first place.

But the heart of the problem is the way these people think. And if they don’t change it themselves, I don’t see any solution. We could have timely investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators and inciters of violence, and they would continue to incite violence. Why? Because we could make strict laws, but we still can’t change this mentality.

Everything is in the family. I remember we would study sociology back in school. We learnt that family was the primary institution. In

retrospect, when I ponder upon those lessons, I find it to be a universal truth.

Family makes us who we are. Family shapes our way of thinking.

While people can become hooligans by chance, sometimes it is a result of the lack of education in the family. It is not as though the parents want to raise their offspring to be murderers, but they are often under the impression that “moral education” is something obvious, and requires no instructions.

I understand that we have religious studies in school in order for students to appreciate their religions, and of course in Islam, the teachings against violence are clear. But that wouldn’t really help with the problem at hand until we introduced a separate subject that could be titled: “Rights of the minority community in Bangladesh.”

It is not as though the parents want to raise their offspring to be murderers, but they are often under the impression that ‘moral education’ is something obvious, and requires no instructions And we could have this subject at universities and schools alike. But I believe the earlier this is introduced, the better.

Why? Because then, it would become imprinted in their minds. And as a result, they would carry it out in their actions.

Nevertheless, the parents would still have to take the primary role in bringing up their children with the correct morals. At least, they should tell them once in their lifetimes that they should never take decisions which would cause harm to others, be they Hindus or Muslims. l Nahiyan Asadullah is a staff writer at the Dhaka Tribune.

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Moushumi to direct third film n

Baul Bazaar enthralles audience n Afrose Jahan Chaity

It was a soulful experience for devotees of Baul music and philosophy who attended the event titled Baul Shondhya, where a wide array of popular and thought provoking philosophical songs by famous musicians were presented. Organised by Baul Bazaar, the programme was held at the Music and Dance Auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on November 18.

The programme featured traditional Baul songs of Lalon, Hason Raja, Baul Shah Abdul Karim, Matal Kobi Razzak Dewan, Kobi Jalal and others. The beauty and depth of the understanding and intellectual thoughts of these root level philosophers were presented to the crowd with special focus on the legendary Lalon Fakir.

Lalon’s belief in the power of music to change the intellectual and emotional state in order to be able to understand and appreciate life itself is reflected quite clearly in his songs that have universal appeal and saintly touch that wins the hearts of people apart from contest, belief and religion.

It has its own trusts on life and spiritual love.

The crowd was held fascinated though numbers such as Shaym Tomar Lila Bujo Mon Bujho Na and Dui Chokher Ishara Diya Poran Kaira Nili Go

by Mostofa, timeless song of Lalon titled Bol Shorup Kothay Tomar Shadher Piyari and Baul Abdul Karim’s Keno Piriti Baraila Bondhu Chhere Jaiba Jodi by Baul Shahin took the audience to a different realm and kept them occupied in the depth of the spiritual truths.

Baul Akash presented Hason Raja’s song Baula Ke Banailo Re and Kobi

Mahbub Hassan Joti

It has been a while since Moushumi has been active on the silver and small screens and soon fans of the actor will get to see the diva in her third directorial venture. The talk of Tinseltown is that Moushumi is currently occupied with pre-production of the 100th movie produced by Impress Telefilm.

Previously, the glamorous actor had directed Kokhono Megh Kokhono Brishti (2003) and Meher Nigar (2005). She’ll start filming her third movie at the end of this year.

About the film, the diva shared with Dhaka Tribune: “I am indebted to Impress Telefilms for producing my film, I consider it a great honour that they deem me with such respect. I am striving to meet their expectations, trust and hope in my abilities as a director. Both of my previous films were also produced under their banner. So, this time I am hoping that it will be another good project as the last two were well received by the audience.”

Moushumi’s modelling career took off after winning the Anandodhara Photo Shundori contest in 1992. In early the 1990s she appeared in ads for Meril Skin Care Cream and Spin Rain Shampoo. She was cast in the advertisements for Lux, Angalik, Frame Tea, Dandy Dying, Tibet soap and many more.

A national award winning actor, Moushumi has acted in over 100 movies including Qayamat Theke Qayamat, Matritwa, Meghla Akash and Khairun Shundari, most of which have enjoyed box office success and enabled Moushumi in winning the hearts of millions around the country.

She won the National Film Award for Meghla Akash (2002). She has acted in over 150 films and made her directorial debut with Kokhono Megh Kokhono Brishti (2003).

ON TV

TODAY IN DHAKA Exhibition

Very Graphic: The Art of Storytelling in Graphic Detail Group art exhibition Time: 12pm – 8pm Bengal Art Lounge 60 Gulshan Avenue , Road 131, Dhaka Pater Gaan Banglar Bagh Nazir Hossain Time: 11am -8pm Gallery Cosmos-2

Villa de Anjuman Flat No 5A, Road No 6 House No 115 New DOHS Miniature paintings Time: 4pm – 10pm Chhobir Haat Shahbagh, Dhaka

Festival

Urban Youth Festival Goethe Institut

11am - 8pm Dhanmondi 9 Dhaka

Film

Planes in 3D Step Up Revolution in 3D Bullet to the Head Riddick Titanic (3D) Purno Dhorgho Prem Kahini Level 8, Bashundhara City Panthapath

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

DRAMA 8:30pm Colors Balika Vadhu

9:30pm Zee Cafe Lost

COMEDY 12:30pm Star World The Simpsons

8:00pm Comedy Central Happily Divorced

Baul Bazar organised Baul Sondhya at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy SADIA MARIUM

Jalal’s song Bhab Toronge Esho Amar Shonge. His performance took the audience to their ultimate height, as the instrumentalists gave a ground breaking dance performance onstage matching the rhythm of his songs.

Another Baul singer Iqbal, with his modulated voice rendered a love song

by Fazlur Rahman Babu titled Nithua Patare Nemechhi Bondhure that become even more popular after being featured in the movie Monpura.

Shahid Sarker, Selim Reza, Baul Karim Shah, Pagol Chanchal, Nurul Islam among others also enchanted the audience with charming performances. l

Rekha rejects offer to work with Big B n Entertainment Desk Bollywood diva Rekha has reportedly turned down an offer to work with Amitabh Bachchan. The rumour of the legendary couple working together on screen again made a big buzz in the film arena recently.

According to reports, filmmaker Anees Bazmi had his heart set on pairing the two stars in his film Welcome Back. Producer Firoz Nadiadwala and Anees created ripples when they revealed that they had approached Big B and Rekha to be a part of the film.

While Amitabh is said to have signed, Rekha has, according to sources,

turned it down as the dates clash with Indra Kumar’s film, Super Nani.

They were last appeared together in Yash Chopra’s 1981 film Silsila. They stole millions of hearts with their sizzling chemistry in a number of films and were touted as one of the best on screen couples of their times.

Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan looked like “a made for each other couple” every time they shared screen space together. Amitabh and Rekha’s much-talked about love story always remained a mystery as both the actors never admited to in public. While the two have said very little, everyone else seems more than certain of the affair. l

NEWS 10:00pm ATN News News Now

11:00pm Ekushey Tv Ekushey Shongbad

MISC 10:30pm AXN

Breaking The Magicians Code

9:30pm MTV

M For Madness

CORRIGENDUM

Saleh Mahmud presents a performance titled Media Moghul which satires the role of media on the backdrop of current socio-political situation. It was presented as part of the exhibition Newsfood by accomplished artist Wakilur Rahman at National Museum at Shahbagh on November 18.

SYED LATIF HOSSAIN

Scarlett voted best actress without even appearing in the film n

Entertainment Desk

Scarlett Johansson has received the best actress award at the Rome film festival for her voice-only performance in Spike Jonze’s Her. The prize, voted for by an international jury headed by director James Gray, was awarded to Johansson. Johansson plays a computer operating system called Samantha who falls in love with her owner, played by Joaquin Phoenix. She is heard off camera, but never seen on screen.

Johansson was a late sign in to the project, coming aboard after Samanatha Morton had already taped the full audio for the role.

The best actor prize was given to Matthew McConoughey for his role in The Dallas Buyers Club, director Jean-Marc Vallée’s take on the re-

al-life story of Ron Woodroof, a Texan rodeo rider who was diagnosed with Aids and defied the food and drug administration to set up a lucrative smuggling network for anti-viral medication.

Best film went to Tir, Alberto Fasulo’s documentary about a Bosnian man who becomes a truck driver after failing to find work as a teacher. Best director went to Kiyoshi Kurosawa for his thriller Seventh Code.

The award for best emerging actor or actress was given to the entire cast of Gass (Acrid), a drama that analyses the breakdown of family values in Iran.

The Rome film festival is now in its eighth year, with Marco Mueller - former head of the Venice film festival returning for his second turn as artistic director. l

In an article title “Bengal presents graphic stories”, published on November 18 Syed Rashad Imam Tanmoy was mistakenly mentioned as the editor of Unmad. He is actually the assistant editor of the magazine. We regret the error.

It’s a Wonderful Life is getting a sequel n Entertainment Desk Frank Capra’s classic Christmas movie It’s a Wonderful Life is getting a sequel.

“It’s a Wonderful Life: The Rest of the Story” is slated for a 2015 holiday release, and producers of the movie are hoping to start filming early next year in Louisiana. They have yet to hire a director.

Variety.com reports that several cast members of the original are either confirmed or in talks to reprise their roles.

The whole foundation is similar to the original. Karolyn Grimes, who played George Bailey’s (James Stewart) daughter Zuzu in the 1946 film, is set to return as an angel who will show George’s grandson George what the world would be like without him. Zuzu, of course, is the little girl in the original who says the film’s most memorable line, “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.”

“The storyline of the new film retains the spirit of the original - every life is important as long as you have

friends,” says producer Bob Farnsworth, who co-wrote the new script.

Original cast members Jimmy Hawkins and Carol Coombs, who played Tommy and Janie Bailey, respectively, are currently in talks to return to Bedford Falls with their characters, and the role of George will be cast sometime in February.

“The new film will retain the feeling of the original, and it simply must be shared,” Grimes, 73, says of her decision to return to the role she played when she was just six. “I’ve probably read close to 20 scripts over the years suggesting a sequel to It’s a Wonderful Life, but none of them were any good. The script by Bob Farnsworth and Martha Bolton was wonderful, and I wanted to be involved with his version of the film immediately.”

“It’s A Wonderful Life was based on the short story The Greatest Gift, by Philip Van Doren Stern. It was nominated for five Oscars, and director Frank Capra won the Golden Globe for best director in 1947. l

Did you know?

Gareth Bale mustered five shots against Finland on Saturday, more than all his Wales team-mates combined could manage (4)

Sport

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

14 Aguero double as Argentina down Bosnia

14 Kiwi coach Herbert to stand down

DHAKA TRIBUNE

13

15 Aussies take aim at England’s bid for history

Chess hurt by Biman’s absence n Raihan Mahmood The absence of Bangladesh Biman chess team in the premier division chess league of the country has arrived as a big blow and the vacuum left is hardly to be filled.

The 14 times league champions and the creators of the Bangladesh Grandmasters refrained of participating in the premier division chess league due to the shortage of budget, an unfortunate incident. Making their mark with their very first appearance in 1980 when they emerged as the champions, Biman continued to win the title another 13 times in 32 appearances. Biman clinched the titles in 1980, 1983, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010.

They registered a hat-trick of titles in 2001-03 seasons.

Biman finished runners-up in 2011, but all the troubles started the next year when the management of the national carriers stopped funding sports activity. Biman was not only a powerhouse of local chess arena, but they

were also a supreme force in cricket, badminton and table tennis.

In 2012 Biman somehow kept their existence in the top flight chess league by finishing seventh, but this year there were no resource for even turning and consequentially they were relegated to the first division. Biman’s absence had a severe impact as the players reportedly had less options of choosing their team, the competitive edge was low, while the league also lost the glamour as Mohammedan and Navy were the only title contenders.

In their heydays Biman always formed a strong team and all the five Bangladesh Grandmasters have played for the team. Without the assistance of Biman it would be impossible for them to attain the tag. As a player of Biman they enjoyed discount on tickets for playing overseas tournaments and sometimes it was provided them without any costs.

Nowadays, many players are struggling to play overseas tournaments and inconsequence the ratings are not increasing and the

players are also deprived of valuable international exposure.

Grandmaster Niaz Murshed appeared sad over the absence of Biman. “It is a big blow for Bangladesh chess, chess and Biman were the simultaneous name and Biman has a big contribution towards the development of the chess,” said the first GM of the sub-continent.

Ziaur Rahman, the second GM of the country played for Biman for nearly 10 seasons was also gloomy. “We relish the glorious memories while playing for Biman, we never thought Biman would stop playing chess after spending more than two decades in the arena,” said Zia. Shakil Meraj, the deputy general manager of Biman and the member of the executive committee of Bangladesh Chess Federation hoped to bounce back. “We are trying to revive the chess team, as a chess lover all I can say Biman has been serving the nation as well as the chess arena. I hope the management reconsiders their decision and restarts the journey,” said Shakil. l

Shane Alan Deitz (L), the head coach of the national women’s cricket team conducts a training session at SBNS yesterday

DPL super six gets underway n Mazhar Uddin Mohammedan Sporting Club will take on the last team to qualify for the Super league phase Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club to start the battle of the top six teams in the Walton Dhaka Premier League (DPL) at the BKSP 2 ground today, while Gazi Tank will take on Kalabagan CA at the MirpurSher-e-Bangla National stadium.

In the third game of the day,PrimeDoleshwar will be playing against Prime Bank at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali stadium in Fatullah.

Mohammedan vs Sheikh Jamal

Mohammedan, who won seven matches in the first round and finished the first phase of the league on top, will be eying to make a good start riding on skipper MashrafeMortaza, who so far been instrumental for them.

The club from Motijheel also stars some good local cricketers like Ejaz Ahmed, who smashed a century against Kalabagan KC in the last match

of the first round, along with national cricketer Shamsur Rahman, Dhiman Ghosh and left arm spinner Murad Khan.

Mohammedan will be heavily relying on their Afghan recruit Rahmat Shah, who performed well both with his handy leg spin and in scoring quick runs.

On the other hand, Sheikh Jamal will be confident against Mohammedan today asMushfiqur Rahim and company thrashed their opponents in the first round with a huge 239 runs win and along with their last minute entry to the super league, will be eying to bag full points today.

The club from Dhanmondi will have the assistance of national cricketer AbdurRazzaq, who helped Jamal get into the super six in the replayed match, with opener Junaid Siddique and foreign recruit DilshanMunaweera, Steven Crook and Elton Chigumbura.

spinner Arafat Sunny who are in fine form.Gazi has also been bolstered by English player Eoin Morgan.

Gazi will be looking to get their first win in the super league after they lost to Kalabagan CA by nine wickets in the first round of the league.

Gazi Tank vsKalabagan CA

Kalabagan CA who surprised everyone and entered into the top six phase, have so far displayed their potential without having big names in their sides. The biggest names in the side are

National vice captainMahmudullah will be leading the table toppersGazi Tank along with national discard ImrulKayes, RaqibulHasan and left arm

FIXTURES

national cricketer Marshal Ayub, skipper Sharifullah and young opener Abdul Mazid, who smashed an unbeaten century against Gazi. The team from Kalabagan also features Zimbabwean recruit Hamilton Masakadza was also instrumental throughout the league.

Prime Bank vs Prime Doleshwar

Mohammedan v Sheikh Jamal Gazi Tank v Kalabagan CA Prime Bank v Prime Doleshwar

SUPER SIX STANDING Teams

M W L N/R Pts

Gazi Tank

10 7 3

Prime DSC

10 7 3

0

14 +0.190

Mohammedan 10 7 3

0

14 -0.353

0

RR

14 +0.535

Prime Bank

10 6 4

0

12 +0.733

Sk Jamal

10 6 4

0

12 +0.726

Kalabagan CA 10 5 4

1

11 -0.566

Another table topper Prime Doleshwar have national discard ForhadReza and two of the best national cricketers in SohagGazi and MominulHaque in the side.

SohagGazi smashed an unbeaten half century in the last match against Kalabagan CA, with English opener Joshua Cobb adding strength to the side. The side will gain confidence from their five wicket win over Prime Bank in the first round of the league.

On the other hand,Prime Bank led by another national discard EnamulHaque Jr. hasnational cricketer Ziaur Rahman and young cricketer Sabbir Rahman along with their Zimbabwean captain Brendon Taylor and English cricketer Ravi Bopara and are not a team to be taken lightly. l

World champion Viswanathan Anand got an easy draw with black as challenger Magnus Carlsen continued his march towards the throne after the end of the eighth game of the World Chess Championship in Chennai on Tuesday.

The morale boosting draw, first since the first game of the match, is

likely to help Anand psychologically before the home stretch but the fact remains that the defending champion still has a lot to catch up.

For the records, Carlsen now leads by 5-3, just three draws or 1.5 points shy of winning his maiden world title with four games still to come in the 12-games match.

The eighth game was over in just 75 minutes, after 33 moves giving

the indication that the defending champion Anand might be crawling back after some tough games and tougher defences he has had to put in. From Carlsen’s perspective, the draw took the Norwegian a step closer in his quest. It turned out to be an opening surprise from Carlsen when he pushed the King pawn two squares after settling behind the white pieces in the eighth game.

n Tribune Sports Desk Gaining the confidence from the memory of Hero Indian Open success earlier this month, birthday boy Siddikur Rahman will tee off in the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Australia tomorrow morning. For the record, it will make Siddikur the first Bangladeshi to take part in the World Cup of Golf.

Siddikur, who turns 29 today, put in a terrific performance in the 50th Hero Indian Open this month to claim his second Asian Tour title after three years.

The triumph placed the Bangladesh golfing ace 9th in the Asian Order of Merit and he is one of 13 Asian golfers to participate in the US$8m event in Australia.

Siddikur, however, missed the cut at the Talisker Masters in Melbourne this week where he finished joint 66th out of 120 players.

Before leaving the country, Siddikur set himself a target of finishing in the top 20 at the World Cup. The 29-yearold previously failed to qualify for the

world cup in the last two years but was included in the tournament in Australia as one of the top 300 players in the world. The Hero Indian Open success put him at 172nd in the Official World Golf Ranking with 45.29 total points.

A total of 13 golfers of Asian Tour from seven nations are playing in one of golf’s most prestigious events.

The other participants are Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who are the past and current Asian Tour No. 1s respectively, eighttime PGA Tour winner Korea’s K.J. Choi, Bae Sang-moon, India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar and Anirban Lahiri, Liang Wen-chong and Wu Ashun of China, Filipino duo Angelo Que and Juvic Pagunsan.

The ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf, which will be played under a new format this year, will feature an individual competition offering prize money of US$7 million while nations with two qualified players will compete in the team event offering US$1 million in prize money. The last time Asia won the World Cup was in 2002. l

Hockey rebels place demands n Shishir Hoque

n Minhaz Uddin Khan

The newly formed Players-Official Unity Forum yesterday submitted a memorandum to the president of Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) Air Marshall Enamul Bari demanding the withdrawal of the current executive committee of the federation. The forum also demanded that an ad-hoc committee be established to promote a democratic environment in the hockey area.

The memorandum was submitted by the representatives of three premier league clubs- Mohammedan Sporting Club, Mariner Youngs’ Club and Wari Club.

The forum also demanded the BHF president withdraw the bans on eight current and former national hockey players. l

Another tame draw as Carlsen retains two points lead n Agencies

Birthday boy Siddikur ready for World Cup

Lawyers of Lokuarachchi, Stevens to face tribunal Lawyers of English cricketer Darren Stevens and Sri Lankan Kaushal Lokuarachchi will face the tribunal of the Bangladesh Cricket Board to deal with the Bangladesh Premier League match-fixing scandal involving the two cricketers. The tribunal led by Justice Mohammad Abdur Rashid called for a preliminary hearing on November 24.

Sources confirmed that the two foreign cricketers won’t be available for the hearing and so the session will be dealt by their respective lawyers.

“According to the BCB anti-corruption code representatives of the accused can be present for a hearing, however, as this sessions are done in

World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand and Challenger Magnus Carlsen during the 8th game at the World Chess Championship in Chennai yesterday

COURTESY

Anand chose the Berlin defence, an opening used by Carlsen himself in the match on as many as three occasions and it was evident that the Norwegian did not have an ace up his sleeves.

Not going for the main lines, Carlsen decided to try his luck in one of the extensively analysed, but relatively less-played position and found Anand adequately prepared. l

closed door, we will expect them not make things public,” said Justice Andur Rashid to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Rashid also informed that a press briefing is likely to take place on Saturday on how the tribunal will work and the expected time for the tribunal to reach its conclusion.

It was learnt that lawyers of both Stevens and Lokuarachchi will reach Dhaka on November 23 and attend the hearing the following day.

The ICC anti-draft team, after their thorough investigation, charged seven individuals for involvement in matchfixing in the BPL in February this year while Stevens and Lokuarachchi were charged for their failure to report a corrupt approach to them. l

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

NBA star James in talks with Beckham on Miami MLS bid n AFP, Miami NBA superstar LeBron James confirmed Monday that he is in talks with England football icon David Beckham about investing in a possible Major League Soccer expansion club for Miami.

James, who has led the Miami Heat to the past two NBA titles, told the Miami Herald that he has spoken with Beckham about the project. James owns a small share of English Premier League side Liverpool.

“There is some interest on both sides,” James said. “David has become a good friend of mine over the last few years and I think it would be great for this city to have a football club. There is interest on both sides, but it’s preliminary talks but there is some open dialogue.”

Beckham, who recently retired as a player, has been exploring the possibility of owning an MLS club. The chance to grab a team for a discounted rate was reportedly part of the contract that lured the former Manchester United star midfielder to the MLS Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 from Real Madrid.

But time to make a deal for a team is said to be running out, possibly by the end of the year.

The MLS had a Miami team, the Fusion, from 1998 through 2001 before it folded and James said the level of support from the Miami market is still being explored.

“We don’t know (the potential),” James said. “The research is still being made out but I think it could be huge.

You never know. I think this is a great town for soccer. There are a lot of soccer players here. There is a great youth (organization) of soccer here. And people love the city as well, so that definitely will help.” l

Qatar vows to protect World Cup workers n AFP, Doha Qatar pledged Monday to ensure respect for labourers’ rights after Amnesty International urged the energy-rich Gulf state to end the “alarming” abuse of migrants working on football World Cup infrastructure.

A 169-page Amnesty report called on world football governing body FIFA to press Qatar to improve labour conditions, alleging exploitation of the workers, mostly from South or Southeast Asia.

In response, the organising committee in Doha, which rejects claims of slavery-style conditions on construction sites in the world’s wealthiest nation per capita, pledged to impose respect for workers’ rights.

The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee (Q22) said it had held “constructive” talks with Amnesty on Sunday on the conditions of foreign labourers, and that the dialogue would continue right up to the tournament.

A “Workers’ Welfare Standards” setting clear guidelines from recruitment to repatriation is to be issued at the end of this year, it said in a statement.

It stressed that compliance would be a contractual obligation for companies working on Q22 projects and would be robustly monitored.l

Argentina forward Sergio Aguero (L) shoots the ball against Bosnia and Herzegovina goal keeper Asmir Begovic during the first half at Busch Stadium on Monday

REUTERS

Aguero double as Argentina down Bosnia

Italy, Nigeria share spoils in frantic friendly, Cahill equals scoring record in Costa Rica win entertaining 2-2 draw in a friendly in- combining for the opening goal in the scored with a header in the 69th min- Holger Osieck was dumped following n AFP ute to give a young experimental Soc- back-to-back 6-0 defeats to Brazil and ternational at Fulham’s Craven Cottage 12th minute.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero scored twice as Argentina secured a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in football friendly here Monday.

Playing without superstar striker Lionel Messi, Argentina dominated the tempo most of the match against the Bosnians, who like the Albiceleste, have already booked their place at next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

In-form Aguero opened the scoring on 40 minutes after Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic was unable to snuff out the danger which ensued after a cross from Napoli’s Federico Fernandez.

Aguero doubled his tally on 66 minutes, rifling a left-footed shot past Begovic following a swift break in the area.

It was another lethal exhibition of goalscoring from Aguero, who has scored 13 times in all competitions for Premier League side City this season.

Argentina, with only one loss in 12 matches, were coming off a goal-less draw with Ecuador three nights earlier.

That lone defeat came at the hands of Uruguay in a qualifier after a 2014 World Cup berth had already been secured.

Meanwhile, Italy and Nigeria signed off for the year 2013 with a breathlessly

stadium in London on Monday.

The match came just two days after Nigeria secured qualification for the World Cup, but Stephen Keshi’s much-changed side showed great heart to hit back through Bright Dike and Shola Ameobi after Giuseppe Rossi had marked his international return by breaking the deadlock.

RESULTS Argentina

2-0

Bosnia

Italy

2-2

Nigeria

Australia

1-0

Aguero 40, 66 Rossi 12, Giaccherini 47 Cahill 69

Dike 35, Ameobi 39

Costa Rica

Italy equalised shortly after half-time through Emanuele Giaccherini, but despite the Azzurri twice hitting the frame of the goal in an occasionally frenetic second period, they were unable to avoid succumbing to a fourth consecutive draw.

Rossi and Mario Balotelli are seen as Italy’s first-choice front two in waiting and they provided an illustration of their potential as strike partners by

Balotelli brilliantly turned Azubuike Egwuekwe and fed the onrushing Rossi, who sharply readjusted his feet before lifting a right-foot shot past goalkeeper Austine Ejide.

It was Rossi’s first Italy goal since June 2011, after he spent 17 months on the sidelines due to a succession of knee injuries.

In response, Ogenyi Onazi tested Salvatore Sirigu’s reflexes with a 25-yard snapshot, but Italy continued to press, with Riccardo Montolivo going close and Ejide spreading himself well to block from Balotelli.

Nigeria were struggling to assert themselves as an attacking presence, but from nowhere they turned the game around with two goals in four minutes.

Italy finished the game on top, but the closest they came to a winner in a frantic finale was an 85th-minute freekick from Alessandro Diamanti that rattled the crossbar.

In Sydney, Tim Cahill equalled Australia’s national goalscoring record to give new coach Ange Postecoglou a winning start in a 1-0 win over Costa Rica yesterday.

The New York Red Bulls forward

ceroos team a deserved win over the 31st-ranked central Americans.

With his goal Cahill equalled Damian Mori’s all-time Socceroos goalscoring record of 29 goals.

It was Postecoglou’s first game in charge as national coach since German

France in September and October.

Lucas Neill became Australia’s longest-serving captain with his 61st cap, while Cahill played his 65th international for the Socceroos, who are preparing for next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil. l

Australia's Tim Cahill (L) celebrates with team mates after scoring a goal during an international friendly match against Costa Rica in Sydney yesterday REUTERS

Kiwi coach Herbert to stand down

Mexico not sitting on laurels as World n Reuters, Wellington Cup slot beckons New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert has backtracked on earlier denials he was n Reuters, Wellington ready to call it quits after the All Whites’

Mexico captain Rafael Marquez runs for the ball during a training session for their 2014 World Cup qualifying playoff against New Zealand in Wellington yesterday REUTERS

Mexico coach Miguel Herrera has kept faith with the team that hammered New Zealand in the first leg of their 2014 World Cup qualifier last week for the second match at Wellington Regional Stadium today.

El Tri beat the All Whites 5-1 at the Azteca last week and the home side have to win the return leg by at least 4-0 to qualify for their second successive finals.

Herrera, who selected only locallybased players for the intercontinental playoff, told reporters in Wellington he would stick with the same team but was not prepared to allow his side to sit back and defend.

“We want to win the game, not just qualify for the World Cup,” Herrera said through an interpreter on Tuesday. “We know that New Zealand need to come and attack us but we will play exactly the same way we did in Mexico.

“We want to win this game.”

Herrera said he was keen to stay in the role should they advance to the Brazil finals on Wednesday.

“You can ask the guys in the back who are the Mexico federation,” he said.l

2014 World Cup campaign and said yesterday he would step down when they are eliminated from contention.

The 52-year-old, who is preparing his team to face Mexico in the second leg of their playoff for a place at the 2014 finals in Brazil, had said earlier in the day no decision had been made about his future.

However, New Zealand Football (NZF) later issued a statement saying Herbert had informed them he would step down from the job he has held since 2005 after the All Whites’ campaign ended.

Mexico won the first leg at the Azteca 5-1 last week and the All Whites must score at least four goals at Wellington Regional Stadium to have any chance of advancing.

Herbert’s tenure with the team will end on Wednesday if they fail to do so.

“On behalf of everyone associated with football in New Zealand, I thank Ricki for his remarkable dedication and his wonderful contribution to our game,” NZF Chairman Frank van Hattum said.

“Naturally, Ricki and the team re-

main 100 percent focused on the task at hand tomorrow night in Wellington: our attempt to secure a berth at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.”

Van Hattum had already said the organisation would likely advertise the All Whites’ job should their World Cup hopes disappear on Wednesday.

New Zealand's coach Ricki Herbert (R) and technical advisor Raul Blanco REUTERS Herbert has been in the spotlight over the past week following the Azteca loss and after a bizarre outburst in which he criticised people for not giving him enough credit for taking the team to the 2010 World Cup finals.

Van Hattum, however, praised Herbert for his impact on the team.

“Ricki assumed control of the All Whites at a point of instability for our

men’s national team,” van Hattum said.

“From the moment he stepped into the coaching role he began building and shaping a team which became one of the best sides we’ve ever had at a time when competition, in what is a truly global sport, has never been tougher.

“Guiding the team to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa is one of the greatest achievements in the history of New Zealand football and we are still experiencing the benefits of that qualification up and down the country.

“The impact Ricki has had on football in New Zealand is immense and it is testament to the fantastic job he has done that his legacy will be felt across all levels of the game and will have a major influence on the future of our sport.”

Former central defender Herbert has said a review of the team’s preparations would probably need to be undertaken if people now expected the All Whites to be in contention to qualify for every World Cup. “It has been a tough task for eight years,” Herbert said.

“The timing of the qualifications has always been a little difficult for us. We finished (Oceania qualifying) in March and you don’t play again until the back end of the year.l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

15

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

I’m not arrogant, just confident: KP

QUICK BYTES

Condolence Abdul Majid Sikder, the father of Sikder Nizamul Haque Sobuj, the former sports reporter of Daily Independent and a member of Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association, passed away due to cardiac arrest at the Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital yesterday. He was 82. The deceased is survived by his wife, three sons and two daughters. His namaz-e-janaza was held at the Swamibag mosque after the magrib prayers and the body was buried at the Azimpur graveyard. BSJA has expressed deep shock over the death of Abdul Majid Sikder and prayed for the salvation of the departed soul.

–RM

n AFP, Brisbane

Stressed Alonso fighting forlorn battles for Ferrari

Once the prince of Formula One and holder of all the “youngest ever” records, Fernando Alonso will head to Brazil this week battling to keep pace with the sport’s new king of speed. The two-time world champion Spaniard will also be leading Ferrari’s forlorn fight to finish as runners-up in the constructors’ world championship, having secured that position for himself in the drivers’ title race with his fifth place finish in Sunday’s United States Grand Prix. Like most competitors and observers at the Circuit of the Americas, Alonso, 32, doffed his cap to Sebastian Vettel after the 26-year-old German had registered another recordbreaking feat in winning his eighth successive race for champions Red Bull. But behind his dignified show of respect for the supreme team and four-time world champion, he was struggling physically and mentally.

–AFP

Aldridge powers Portland to seventh win in a row

LaMarcus Aldridge had 27 points and eight rebounds and the Portland Trail Blazers shook off early struggles Monday to beat the Brooklyn Nets 108-98 and win their seventh consecutive NBA game. Wesley Matthews added 24 points for Portland while Damian Lillard contributed 19 points and nine assists and Mo Williams added 12 points off the bench for the Trail Blazers, who improved to 9-2. The Nets scored on 19 of their first 20 possessions on the way to a 40-31 lead after the first quarter, but Portland’s defenders clamped down after that and Brooklyn shot only 22 percent (9-of-41) from the floor in the second half. Shaun Livingston, who started his second straight game for injured Deron Williams, led Brooklyn with 23 points.

–AFP

Australia allows alcohol but no staggering The Australian Olympic Committee yesterday said that athletes will be allowed to consume alcohol at upcoming Games but swaying, staggering, and having rambling conversations will not be tolerated. AOC president John Coates set out the new team rules in a position statement sent to all national governing bodies of Olympic sports, driven by a tumultuous period for swimming after the London Games in 2012, which were marred by ill-discipline, drug use and drunkenness. “These restrictions have been implemented to ensure that Australia’s Olympic athletes are given the opportunity to compete to the best of their ability and with distinction,” Coates said.

–AFP

Former British number one Baltacha retires Former British number one Elena Baltacha announced her retirement on Monday after struggling to recover from a series of injuries. Baltacha reached a career-high ranking of 49 in 2010 and won 11 singles titles during her career.

But the Scot, whose Ukrainian father Sergei played football for Ipswich and St Johnstone, had problems with injury and illness for several years and decided to hang up her racquet after another frustrating campaign in 2013. The 30-year-old enjoyed wins over top 10 players Li Na and Francesca Schiavone, while her best Grand Slam performances saw her reach the third round at the Australian Open in 2005 and 2010 and at Wimbledon in 2002.

–AFP

DAY’S WATCH Ten Cricket 10:00PM South Africa v Pakistan 1st T20I Star Sports 1 6:00AM (Thursday) Australia v England 1st Test, Day 1

England players (R-L) Matt Prior, Alastair Cook, Jonathan Bairstow and Kevin Pietersen speak during a cricket practice session in Brisbane yesterday

Aussies take aim at England’s bid for history n AFP, Brisbane Australia hope their impregnable record at the Gabba will help them seize early momentum as they bid to stop England completing their best Ashes run in 123 years from Thursday.

Michael Clarke’s team went down 3-0 just three months ago in England, leaving them in danger of losing four Ashes series in a row -- a fate they have not suffered since 1890.

However, Australia now appear more settled and they will also take heart from their performances at Brisbane’s Gabba ground, where they are unbeaten in a quarter of a century.

Australia have not lost on the famously fast, bouncy pitch since 1988, against a Viv Richards-led West Indies, and England’s last win there was under

Mike Gatting in 1986. While history favours the hosts, a Brisbane victory by Alastair Cook’s England would deal psychological damage to a team trying to rebuild after a long slump.

However Australia, strengthening under coach Darren Lehmann, believe they may now be ready to end England’s run of wins in 2009, 2010-2011 and earlier this year. England’s 3-1 victory in 2010-2011 was their first in Australia for 24 years, pointing to a much tighter contest than the July-August Tests.

England did not reach 400 in the last series, yet mastered the Australians with inspired spells in the key moments at Trent Bridge, Lord’s, Chester-Le-Street and The Oval.

All-rounder Shane Watson, who must overcome a hamstring injury to play in the first Test, believes Australia

need test the endurance of England’s four-man bowling attack.

“That is the way we are going to win the Ashes,” Watson said.

“As a batting unit we are going to bat for a long period of time, especially in the first couple of Tests. We will see where they are at physically and mentally. That is one of our biggest goals.

“We have no doubt they will keep coming but at what level? We haven’t been able to challenge that level. Keep them coming back, get them fatigued and try to keep them that way as well.

Don’t let them off by batting badly and getting a rest.”

England are yet to decide on their third seamer to supplement James Anderson and Stuart Broad, but Chris Tremlett looks likely to play along with penetrating off-spinner Graeme Swann. l

AFP

England’s Kevin Pietersen insisted Tuesday he is not arrogant, just confident, as he prepares to pad up for his 100th Test in this week’s Ashes opener against Australia.

The South African-born star batsman was splashed on the front page of the local newspaper in Brisbane this week under the headline: “He’s so arrogant not even his own team likes him.”

But Pietersen, 33, tagged “Mr Ego” by the Brisbane Courier-Mail, responded to the claims at a media conference before Thursday’s first Test at the Gabba.

“I’ve got to be confident in my ability,” he said.

“Clearly, as a South African coming into England, I had to really fight some tough battles and had to be single-minded in achieving what I’ve had to try and achieve.

“I can’t help people thinking that I’m arrogant. I think a lot of great sportsmen out there have that little bit of something to them that makes them try and be the best and want to be the best.

There has been speculation that Pietersen might retire after this Ashes series, but he made it clear he has unfinished business ahead.

Pietersen wants to retire with 10,000 Test runs (he currently has 7,887), he wants to win the 2015 World Cup with England and he wants to score a Test century in his country of birth, South Africa.l

Real-time Snicko set for Ashes Test n AFP, Brisbane The controversial decision review system has had a last-minute update for the start of the Ashes this week, with a real-time Snickometer set to be added to the technology available to match umpires.

Series’ broadcaster Channel Nine has struck a deal with BBG Sports, the company that provides “Hot Spot” and the updated “Snicko” technologies, to use the products from Thursday’s first Test between Australia and England, reports said Tuesday.

It clears the way for the International Cricket Council to trial the new technology as part of the decision review system (DRS) following the agreement of Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Sydney Morning Herald said.

Channel Nine has been told by

the ICC that umpires will be using it, along with Hot Spot, the “Eagle Eye” ball-tracking system and stump microphones, to determine whether batsmen are out.

“Real-time Snicko will be part of the DRS (decision review system). Both teams’ boards have agreed to do it,” Nine’s executive producer of cricket Brad McNamara told the newspaper.

He said the updated technology would add to “add to the viewers’ experience and also hopefully help in the decision-making process for umpires”.

“It will change the DRS,” he added.

“Hopefully you won’t get the mistakes.”

Tensions involving DRS ran high during England’s 3-0 home series win this year and Australian captain Michael Clarke wrote in his newly released Ashes diary: “My opinion is that if the technology isn’t perfect, it shouldn’t be used at all.l

South Africa, Pakistan clash again n AFP, Johannesburg Five days after completing a series in the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Pakistan square up again in a Twenty20 international at the Wanderers Stadium on Wednesday.

Two Twenty20 games will be followed by three one-day internationals in a tour arranged in haste after a fallout between the Indian and South African boards led to India cutting short a tour to the republic.

It is the third tour featuring South Africa and Pakistan this year. The Pakistanis played three Tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals in South Africa between January and March. In a reciprocal tour which ended last Friday, the two na-

tions clashed in two Tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals in the United Arab Emirates.

The tour will serve a double purpose for South Africa. It will reduce the estimated loss of an estimated more than US$10-million caused by the curtailment of the India tour - four one-day internationals and two Twenty20 games were cut from the original itinerary - and it will enable the host country’s limited overs teams to continue to work towards the elusive goal of winning a global tournament.

Although South Africa’s Test team are the undisputed world champions, both the Twenty20 and one-day sides have had mediocre records in recent times. Both made considerable progress in the UAE, where South Af-

rica won the one-day series 4-1 and the Twenty20 series 2-0.

Pakistan, by contrast, have ground to make up after their batsmen in particular let them down in the recent series.

Mohammad Hafeez, Pakistan’s T20 captain, said in an arrival press conference on Sunday that his players were heartened by their showing in South Africa earlier in the year when they won the only completed 20-overs game and extended South Africa before losing the one-day series 3-2, with their batsmen performing better than they did in the UAE. “We put up a good show in the shorter formats and we believe in this part of the world, we’ve done reasonably well,” said Hafeez.l

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal arrives for a press conference after he was appointed Honorary Guest of the city of Buenos Aires by mayor Mauricio Macri (L) on Monday. Nadal visits Argentina to face Novak Djokovic in an exhibition match and participate in the farewell celebration for Argentine tennis player David Nalbandian AFP

I’m ready to end Pacquiao’s career: Rios n AFP, Hong Kong Brandon Rios believes Filipino great Manny Pacquiao will draw inspiration in the wake of Super Typhoon Haiyan, but that won’t stop him trying to send the eight-weight world champion into retirement.

Rios sent his condolences after the giant storm slammed into the Philippines, leaving about 4,000 people dead and three million homeless, but said will have little sympathy for his opponent once they step in the ring on Sunday.

“It’s a terrible thing that happened in the Philippines and for everybody that lost their families I feel sorry, my condolences goes out to them and, you know, God be with them,” he told AFP in an interview by phone Monday from his training base in Macau.

“But we still got to concentrate on the fight. I’m not fighting the crowd or the Philippines people, I’m fighting Manny Pacquiao in front of me,” said

the fast-talking American.

Pacquaio’s trainer Freddie Roach said last week that he would have no hesitation in telling Pacquiao, who turns 35 next month, to quit if he suffered a third straight defeat in his “must-win” battle against Rios in Macau.

The ‘PacMan’ has been one of the best pound-for-pound boxers of his generation, winning 10 world titles at eight different weights.

But the Filipino’s legacy suffered in 2012 with his first defeats in seven years: a controversial points loss to Timothy Bradley, and a devastating sixth-round knockout to Juan Manuel Marquez last December.

The 27-year-old Rios has no doubt he will make it three in a row and force the man with a record of 54 wins, five defeats and two draws, in a pro career spanning almost 19 years, to hang up his gloves for good.

“I’m young, I’m hungry and I want it. I want the success,” said the nine-

year pro with a record of 31 wins and just one defeat, on points to Mike Alvarado in their junior welterweight rematch in March.

“Pacquiao has done great. No one can say he didn’t because he won world titles at eight weights. But it’s time he should call it quits. It’s time for me,” added the former World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion.

“I want to beat the best to be the best and to be recognised as one of the best.

And so that’s why I’m going to win.”

Sunday’s World Boxing Organisation (WBO) welterweight title fight at the Venetian Macau resort will be Rios’s debut outside of the US or Mexico.

He said he is prepared for a rough ride from a heavily partisan crowd supporting Pacquiao in his first fight in Asia since 2006.

“If they think I’m the bad guy for trying to beat Pacquiao then it’s even better for me. I like being the bad guy. It don’t bother me. I’m not really worried about the crowd,” said Rios. l

House of Commons honours Tendulkar n Agencies A motion was on Monday laid in Britain’s House of Commons congratulating cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar on his magnificent career.

The early day motion, moved by Indian-origin MP Keith Vaz, stated that Tendulkar has served as an inspiration for millions around the world and recognised his selfless dedication to the sport.

Vaz said: “This motion is a fitting tribute to such an exceptional batsman. Tendulkar is adored almost as much in the UK as he is India so it is only right that Parliament pays tribute to him.”

Tendulkar brought curtains down on his 24-year-long illustrious career on November 16 bidding a tearful adieu to international cricket.

On that day, Tendulkar was chosen for Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award. l

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

THE INFECTED VEIN: TOXICITY OF A CITY

An aerial view shows two streams – the clear water of the Buriganga River and the blackened one from the canal carrying tannery and sewer waste from Hazaribagh area – converging near Kamrangir Char. The photo was taken on November 14

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

No decision yet on floating Green Climate Fund moves forward LNG terminal on Moheskhali n Probir K Sarker from Warsaw, Poland

Energy Division wants to hold talks with other companies although Petrobangla has prepared shortlist

n Aminur Rahman Rasel The Energy and Mineral Resources Division (EMRD) is still undecided over setting up the country’s first floating storage and re-gasification unit (FSRU), widely known as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal, on Moheskhali Island in Cox’s Bazar to facilitate the import of 500million cubic feet per day (mmcfd).

Though Petrobangla has already recommended one of its shortlisted companies for the project, the energy division wanted to hold talks with several other companies before awarding the project. The EMRD held a meeting at its office on Monday.

“It’s too late already. We want to build the FSRU quickly. Though its development project proposal (DPP) has not been approved yet, we hope it will be in the next Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC),” Mozammel Haque Khan, secretary of EMRD,

told the Dhaka Tribune on Monday.

“We have to think about establishing a gas transmission line at the same time.

Petrobangla has already recommended a company for signing the agreement to build the FSRU, but the energy division wants to discuss the issue with other companies as well.” he said.

Meanwhile, state-owned Petrobangla has been looking for a contractor to install the terminal on Moheshkhali Island in the Bay of Bengal, under a build-own-operate-transfer basis for 15 years.

Separately, state-owned Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL) moved to lay a 91km Moheshkhali-Anowara gas transmission pipeline to carry re-gasified LNG from the terminal to shore.

Petrobangla even held meetings with the shortlisted firm, US-based Astra Oil and Excelerate Energy Consortium (AE) on a couple of occasions in this regard.

Later, it recommended the firm to the ministry to strike a deal for the FSRU, under the Speedy Supply of Power and Energy (Special Provision) Act. The AE has agreed to transfer FSRU to Petrobangla without any cost after 15 years with re-gasification tariff at $0.39 per mmcfd.

The terminal will have a capacity to handle five million tonnes of LNG per year and a re-gasification capacity of at least 500mmcfd.

The purpose of establishing the terminal is to import LNG, so the country does not face any sudden energy crisis due to supply shortfall in near future, sources said.

The country has recently been facing an acute gas crisis, as the daily production of gas was around 2,300mmcfd against a demand of 3000mmcfd.

So far, a few countries including Qatar have been considered as the primary source for the gas. l

Paira Bandar starts operation

n

Tribune Desk

The much- awaited seaport in southern region, Paira Bandar, has started its journey ushering in a new hope for the country’s export-import business and overall economy.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the country’s third seaport at Ramnabad Channel under Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali district yesterday.

“Today a new seaport after independence launched its journey. So it’s

a day of great pleasure for the country, particularly the people of the southern region,” she said after inaugurating the seaport, reports BSS. The prime minister also laid the foundation stone of a modern fullfledged naval base “BNS Sher-e-Bangla” with aviation facilities.

When the port will come into full operation, mother vessels with eight to ten metre drafts will be able to anchor helping loading and unloading of goods more quickly than Chittagong port, which now handles 92% of the country’s export and import cargoes.

Later, the prime minister in a cruise on BNS Surma from Tiakhali jetty visited “BNS Sher-e-Bangla” at Ramnabad Channel, 316 km from Chittagong Port and 340 km from the capital.

She hoped the Paira Seaport would create a new horizon in the country’s import- export business and goods transportation and encourage setting up of new industries and establishments like shipbuilding, LNG terminal and coal yard.

The government has already passed the “Paira Port Authority Act 2013” and constituted an authority to this end. Institute of Water Modelling has already completed a techno-economic feasibility study including environmental impact assessment for development of Paira Seaport.

According to the study over Tk150

billion would be spent for construction of the complete infrastructure of the port in 10 years.

After the inauguration, the prime minister visited wheat unloading activities of the port.

Sheikh Hasina hoped that the new naval base would play a significant role in providing security to Paira Port as well as protecting marine resources and checking environment pollution.

“The government has given an approval for acquisition of 200 acres of land for the naval base,” she said adding, “work for acquisition of another 300 acres of land is going on for naval aviation and submarine operations.”

The prime minister said under the Forces Goal-2030, a development plan for the navy has been chalked out.

“The plan includes expansion of naval commands, upgrading of ranks, setting up of naval bases, replacing of old ships and induction of new ones,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said agreements have already been signed with China to procure two submarines and two corvettes by 2015.

On her arrival at Kalapara, the prime pinister was received by Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral M Farid Habib and Chairman of Chittagong Port Authority Rear Admiral Mohammad Nizam Uddin Ahmed. l

The Green Climate Fund Board announced yesterday that it was on track towards completing the final steps to enable it to mobilise funding and start its operations.

Speaking at the 19th Conference of Parties, the Board’s Co-Chair Manfred Konukiewitz told government, business and civil society leaders that the fund was on target and would soon be ready to help developing countries foster climate-friendly development.

“The Board has agreed on a number of significant decisions that define a clear work plan for the fund to operate. The fund can and will promote a paradigm shift towards low-emission and climate-resilient development,” Konukiewitz.

The GCF is a new multilateral fund that was agreed by parties at the 2010 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference held in Cancun, Mexico. Its governing instrument was developed throughout 2011. The developed nations promised financial contribution worth $100bn to the vulnerable states, supposed to be released from 2020

each year.

The purpose of the fund is to make a significant contribution to the global efforts to limit warming to 2 degrees Celsius by providing support to developing countries to help limit or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change.

Mary Ann Lucille Sering, secretary of the Climate Change Commission of the Philippines, on behalf of Jose Maria Sarte Salceda, co-chair of the Board, stressed: “The swift operationalisation of the Green Climate Fund is critical to helping developing countries adapt to and cope with the worsening impacts of climate change. Many of our countries have put in place policies and domestic financing strategies to make our economies resilient, rebuild communities better and in a transformational manner.”

At its October meeting in Paris, the Board agreed to a work plan towards the initial resource mobilisation of the GCF. It also affirmed that readiness and preparatory support were strategic priorities for the fund.

Costa Rica announced yesterday a new action plan for stepped-up efforts by 20 developing countries active in the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF).

A principal action is the formation of a new special focus group of Ministers of Finance of CVF countries concentrated on climate change issues, being dubbed “V20.”

Released at a press briefing, the plan includes cooperative action of vulnerable countries across six different multilateral sectors, including finance, health, human rights, labour and migration, mandating new research, high-level consultations and diplomatic activities.

Representing the Bangladesh government, former principal secretary and Managing Director of PKSF Md Abdul Karim said: “We are really concerned to see that some key developed countries are retreating in their commitments on climate change at this crucial stage. Latest developments are a very serious blow to the climate-vulnerable countries within CVF. “We are trying our best even when we have limited resources and capabilities. Yet, we face heavy technical and resource constraints. So, we collaborated deeply in the development of the Costa Rica CVF Action Plan; and fully support it – both for our own interests and for the other vulnerable countries,” he added. l

First Ticfa meeting likely on Nov 25

KSA still hopeful of justice in Khalaf killing

n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

Saudi Arabian authorities have expressed their disappointment with the Bangladesh High Court ruling that commuted the death sentences of three and acquitted one of the five men convicted for the murder of a Saudi embassy official in Dhaka last year.

“They [Saudi authorities] expressed their disappointment, and hoped that in the appeal, justice will prevail,” an official at the Bangladesh foreign ministry said yesterday.

The bench of Justice Md Moinul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo delivered the revised verdict in the Khalaf Al Ali murder case on Monday.

The government has already announced that it will appeal the verdict.

Last December, a lower court sentenced to death Saiful Islam Mamun, Al Amin, Akbar Ali, Rafiqul Islam and Selim Chowdhury for fatally shooting Khalaf Al Ali, 45, in the capital’s Gulshan area on March 5 last year.

The High Court upheld the death sentence for Saiful Islam, while Al Amin, Akbar Ali and Rafiqul Islam were given life sentences. Selim, who is a fugitive, was acquitted. l

The first meeting under the Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement (Ticfa) will be held on November 25, soon after the signing of the much talked-about deal with the US. “We are going to Washington to sign Ticfa and we are hopeful of having the first meeting under the deal on November 25,” Director General of Americas Wing of the foreign ministry Mahfuzur Rahman said.

Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed will lead the Bangladesh delegation, he also informed.

Seeking anonymity, another ministry official said: “The discussion in the meeting is expected to have positive impact on regaining the GSP eligibility,” In June, Washington suspended for Bangladesh the Generalised System of Preferences, or GSP facilities, a special trade privilege under which nearly 5,000 categories of products can enter into the US market duty-free, on the grounds of poor labour conditions in the country.

The GSP facilities were likely to be

revived soon, the official expressed hopes.

According to Ticfa, the meeting would be held once a year, but it could be held more than once if both the parties felt the need for it, he added.

“Bangladesh side would flag the issues of duty-free and quota-free in the first meeting, but our priority would be to regain the eligibility of the GSP facility,” the official said.

Bangladesh has already submitted its written submission about the developments made in the readymade garment sector.

Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque discussed about the GSP issue in his meeting with visiting US Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Desai Biswal on Monday, the official said.

The cabinet in June endorsed Ticfa to be signed between Dhaka and Washington to promote bilateral trade between the two countries.

The legally non-binding agreement – which emphasises prohibition of protectionist trade policy – would be signed at a mutually convenient time as soon as possible, the ministry official added. l

n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

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B2 CEOs want more

freedom to develop business

B3 Improve condition

in unregulated RMG industry: ILO

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013

Business www.dhakatribune.com/business

POWER SECTOR

Rental plants a bar to viability

Although a recent finance division report suggests phasing out of rental plants, the government has extended five such deals for another five years n Asif Showkat Kallol The power sector would turn profitable if dependency on quick rental plants was reduced significantly, said a government report.

Despite such an observation in a report made by the government itself, the cabinet committee on purchase Thursday approved a five-year extension of contracts with five rental power companies.

The extension was approved even though three of those companies had not yet paid around $97m as penalties faced because of several violations of contracts.

Finance Division’s macroeconomic wing recently published the report titled “Subsidy: a quest of appropriate policy.”

The wing was established in 2008 to assist finance ministry in forecasting the country’s macroeconomic situation and advise accordingly to reduce if any unnecessary expenditure.

The report recommends increasing power supply to national grid from independent power plants instead of quick rental plants.

A senior finance division official however commented to the Dhaka Tribune that the government was not listening to such advices at the fag-end of its tenure.

According to him, an influential section of sponsors having links with the present government played a role in getting the approvals at the Thursday’s meeting.

The quick rental plants are known as short-term but highly expensive power sources.

Power Division sources claimed that in-

Of them, Desh Energy and Energis are facing penalties of $15m each for using excessive fuel and going into too many shutdowns.

Desh Energy runs a 100-megawatt plant while Energis operate a 55-MW plant. But both the companies generate power much

less than their declared amount.

Quantum Power was asked to pay a fine of $67m due to failure in its two rental projects.

The company operates a 110-MW diesel-based power plant, producing 15-20 MW. Quantum proposed converting the plant from diesel-based to cheaper heavy fuel oil-based.

The report estimated if the government had raised the electricity price by 37%, PDB would have earned Tk700m profit in last fiscal year.

It said total annual generation would have reached 40,319MW while earning from electricity stood at Tk211.80bn against the expenditure of Tk211.10bn.

The average cost of PDB’s power generation would have been Tk3.29 per unit while IPP’s Tk4.15 and rental and quit rental plants’ Tk10.73.

PDB shares 50.84% of the country’s total power generation. IPPs share 23.98% and rental plants 23.15%.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith recently told the Dhaka Tribune that he had to “compromise with politics in making decisions on the country’s economic issues.”

Currently, a total of 35 oil-fired power plants are operational across the country.

Their total electricity generation capacity is 2,280MW, showed the data from the Power Division.

Out of them, 23 are running with furnace oil and have the overall electricity generation capacity for 1,787MW and the remaining 12 are diesel-run with their aggregate generation capacity being estimated at 393MW. l

sessions, heavy weight banks also gained 2.8%, contributing a lot to the market rally.

All other sectors ended positive.

The total turnover at DSE soared to Tk7.9bn, which was the highest since August 25 this year and almost 36% higher over the previous session.

Paramount Textile in its first trading day gained almost 63% from its issue price of Tk28 and accumulated the highest turnover of Tk358m, making up 5% of the total turnover.

It was followed by Generation Next Fashion, Square Pharmaceuticals, Grameenphone, Padma Oil and United Commercial Bank.

IDLC Investment said the more soothing

political environment gets, the more vibrant and confident investment scenario becomes.

“With optimism reaching in a cascade to all level of investors, recent momentum reached critical mass, and propelled broad index DSEX to all time high.”

More than 77% of issue prices ended higher as out of 285 issues traded, 223 gained, 57 declined and 8 remained unchanged on the primer bourse.

“Investors digestion power of unexpected political agendas have increased, which have strengthened their optimism and led them capitalise on stocks for high return in future,” said Zenith Investment. l

The photo shows a quick rental power plant located on the bank of Shitalakhya River in Narayanganj SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

fluential section was actually trying to have 15-year approvals and upgrade them to independent power producers (IPPs).

The companies running five quick rental plants include Desh Energy, Energis, Precision, Quantum Power and RJ Power.

DSEX hits all time high n Tribune Report Stocks registered sharp rise yesterday with the benchmark index DSEX hitting its all time high, buoyed by long gaining streak and expectations of settlement of political uncertainty.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange achieved another milestone in turnover that crossed Tk7bn mark after three months, backed by banks and textile sectors that accounted for 14% and 20% respectively of the total turnover.

The benchmark DSEX index jumped 102 points or 2.4% to close at 4,381 –highest since launching in January 27 this year and

extending its gaining streak for the fifth straight session. The blue chip index DS30 added 41 points or 2.8% to 1,461. The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Categories Index, CSCX, gained 201 points to 8,571.

“The market had a historic day as it ended at its highest ever closing level on expectations of better days ahead,” said Abdual Awal, managing director at Multi Services and Securities Ltd. Some investors were still cautious to bet on the stocks, however.

The rally was mainly led by non-banking financial institutions, pharmaceuticals and telecommunications that gained more than 3% each.

After remaining flat over the last several

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013

ITU TELECOM WORLD 2013

CEOs want more freedom to develop business Affordable handsets would be driving force for next generation of services in Bangladesh, Thailand license and spectrum could hinder their efn Muhammad Zahidul Islam, from forts to ensure better services.

Thailand

The world telecom regulators have been urged not to stretch too much on license and spectrum fees amid fierce competition as the leaders and CEOs of global companies requested them to consider information technology as a tool to develop other sectors that changes lives in a greater way.

They said the higher fees for spectrum and broadband could burden the companies’ exchequer, putting their investment at high risk as developing countries like Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia and Bangladesh are thriving for sustainable growth.

The industry leaders made the call at the four-day ITU Telecom World 2013 that began in Bangkok, Thailand yesterday. The theme of the summit is “Embracing change in a digital world.”

They said the economic development of these countries is closely associated with the development of the ICT sector, which is burgeoning with innovations amid growing need for access to information.

Thailand is hosting the ITU Telecom World for the first time.

While cost effective frequencies are in place, investment would increase for the infrastructure development to ensure rural people of these countries get better access to mobile telephone services in a rapidly changing, but fiercely competitive business scenario.

As more countries including Thailand and Bangladesh have most recently issued 3G licenses, the industry leaders said, affordable handsets would be a driving force for the next generation of services as younger people are increasingly being dependent on data services.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is a specialised agency of the United Nations that is responsible for issues that coordinates the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promotes international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, works to improve telecommunication infrastructure in the developing world, and assists in the development and coordination of worldwide technical standards.

ITU Secretary General Dr Hamadoun I

Toure said broadband connectivity would change the business pattern of the whole telecommunication industry while local content would be the prime focus of the business in the coming years.

He urged the governments and regulators to ensure proper use of spectrum in a way so that companies enjoy a level playing field to avoid any chaotic business environment.

Jon Fredrik Baksaas, president and group CEO of Telenor Group, said excessive fees for

Emerald Oil Industries IPO gets green signal n Tribune Report Emerald Oil Industries Limited, rice bran edible oil producer, has got green signal from the securities regulator to go public.

The company has been producing rice bran edible oil – Spondon – since 2011. Rice bran oil is the oil that is extracted from the inner husk of rice plants

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has approved the company’s IPO (initial public offering) to raise Tk200m by issuing 20m ordinary shares of Tk10 each, said the regulator in a statement yesterday.

The proceeds will be used for repayment of term loan, IPO expenses and strengthening the capital base. The company’s earnings

per share was Tk2.85 and net asset value Tk14.06, according to its financial statement as of June 30, 2013.

Alliance Financial Services would serve as the issue manager.

The company has been producing rice bran edible oil – Spondon – since 2011. Rice bran oil is the oil that is extracted from the inner husk of rice plants.

The securities regulator also fined two brokerage firms – RN Trading Ltd, member of the Dhaka Stock Exchange, and Jalalabad Securities Ltd, member of the Chittagong

Stock Exchange - Tk100,000 each for short selling.

Short selling is the selling of a stock that the seller doesn’t own. More specifically, a short sale is the sale of a security that isn’t owned by the seller, but that is promised to be delivered.

The commission detected that RN Trading went for short selling of 2,000 shares of Fu-Wang Ceramics Ltd on April 23 this year and Jalalabad Securities 2,000 shares of Summit Power on May 15 this year, said the regulator. l

He also said easier taxation policies should be in place to reduce burden on the investors.

Agreeing to the ITU secretary general, Baksaas said local contents would play the key role in countries that have recently issued 3G licenses.

Baksaas mentioned Telenor’s Bangladesh subsidiary Grameenphone’s success in rural areas, saying a rural woman in Bangladesh now knows about the power of information.

“If the operators to pay a huge license fees and charges it also can bring back to the telecom market by distributing free laptops and netbooks for the students,” John E Davies, vice president of Intel World Ahead Program, USA also noted another way of heavy licensing situation.

The information and communication minister of Thailand Group Captain Anudith Nakornthap and Dr Nasser Marafih CEO of Ooredoo, Qatar were also present in the forum opening conversation.

Dr A Reza Jafari, Chairman of the ITU Telecom Board acted as the chairman of the forum discussion.

The opening ceremony of the ITU Telecom World 2013 was marked by a world class forum of interactive debate and showcasing telecom products while leaders of different state and top most leaders of the industry and leaders of the regulatory bodies were present.

Leaders in the ICT and telecommunication industry from around the globe, both of public and private sectors, related solutions and services developers and providers, content developers, thought leaders, academics are participating the summit. l

Lux launches new product n Tribune Business Desk Lux announced the arrival of its new body wash variant “White Impress” through a star studded fashion evening held at Radisson Blu on November 16. The event was hosted by Unilever Bangladesh. The occasion brought together celebrities, socialites and other notables in Dhaka’s fashion and beauty industry. l

Al-Arafah Islami Bank holds EC meeting n Tribune Business Desk Al-Aradah Islami Bank Limited recently held its 415th meeting of the Executive Cimmittee of the Board of Directors at the board room of the bank.

Chairman of the Committee Alhajj Abdus Samad presided over the meeting where overall business performance of the bank was reviewed. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013

Improve condition in unregulated RMG industry: ILO

3

India luxury sales to cross $10bn helped by ‘closet consumers’

Employment rate falls 1.7 percentage points in 10 years to stand at 67% in 2010 n AFP, New Delhi dress health and safety issues, poor condimarket outcomes and working conditions as n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi tions remain a challenge in many factories India’s nascent luxury market is set to acthe women have made an important contriInternational Labour Organisation (ILO) has urged Bangladesh to improve working conditions in the RMG industry that grew unregulated over the years, resulting in some of the worst industrial disasters on record.

The unregulated industry growth has contributed to poor working conditions in the sector and acted as an obstacle to sustainable development, said a new ILO report released in Geneva on Monday.

bution to the development in Bangladesh as well as to the modernisation of rural society and agricultural production.

According the report, Bangladeshi garment sector workers earn some of the lowest wages in the region.

As of August 2013, the monthly minimum wage for entry-level workers in the garment sector was US$39 per month – about half of the lowest rate in other major garment-ex-

‘ILO technical assistance will be the key in achieving these goals. The ReadyMade Garment Sector programme launched by the ILO and the Government of Bangladesh last month will lead to lasting improvements in working conditions and safety for the tens of thousands of garment factory workers in Bangladesh’

The report was released just ahead of finalising the minimum wages for the readymade garments workers of Bangladesh – expectedly on November 21.

It stressed the need for strengthening the wage-setting policies, notably through the role of effective minimum wages.

Besides, the report stressed on improving social policies to maintain the country’s economic momentum and living standards in a sustainable way.

It said Bangladesh experienced relatively high economic growth over the past two decades, mainly due to garment exports.

The country accounted for 4.8% of global apparel exports in 2011, compared with only 0.6 per cent in 1990.

The ILO urged reducing gender disparities in terms of educational attainment, labour

porting countries, such as Cambodia ($80), India ($71), Pakistan ($79), Sri Lanka ($73) and Vietnam ($78).

While some other countries revise their minimum wages on regular basis, Bangladesh has adjusted the RMG minimum wage only three times since it was first set in 1985.

The recent accidents have brought the issue of occupational health and safety risks in the Bangladeshi garment sector to world attention, including a factory fire in November 2012 that killed 117 workers and the collapse of a building housing several RMG manufacturers in April 2013 that killed 1,129 workers – the latter being one of the worst industrial disasters on record.

Although the government has taken some concrete action in the past six months to ad-

across the country, especially those in the RMG sector, the ILO said.

“ILO technical assistance will be the key in achieving these goals. The Ready-Made Garment Sector programme launched by the ILO and the Government of Bangladesh last month will lead to lasting improvements in working conditions and safety for the tens of thousands of garment factory workers in Bangladesh,” said ILO Deputy Director-General for Field Operations and Partnerships Gilbert Houngbo.

The next challenge will be to coordinate the ILO-sponsored RMG programme, the sustainability compact adopted by the European Union and private sector initiatives like the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh and the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety, he added.

In other areas, the report said the employment rate fell 1.7 percentage points to stand at roughly 67% in 2010 from the level of the year 2000. During this period, the country’s GDP growth averaged nearly 6%.

In 2010, the gap between the youth and adult employment rates stood at roughly 20 percentage points; it has risen further in recent years. “More troubling is the fact that unemployment increases with educational attainment.”

Bangladesh is one of the world’s largest recipients of remittances per year. In 2011, it accounted for 10.8% of its GDP or US$12bn – a five-fold increase compared to a decade ago. Meanwhile, the annual outflow of Bangladeshis overseas increased four-fold. The prospect of higher earnings appears to be a main pull factor.

Bangladeshi migrants pay some of the highest recruiting fees in the region – the average cost per worker going abroad is 4.5 times higher than the annual GDP per capita. l

Dollar sinks in Asia as Tokyo stocks cool off n AFP, Tokyo The dollar extended its losses in Asia yesterday, after peaking above 100 yen in the previous session, as a fall in Tokyo shares led investors to the safety of the Japanese unit.

In early afternoon trade the greenback bought 99.80 yen, down from 99.93 yen Monday in New York. The US unit touched 100.40 yen in Tokyo Monday before suffering a sell-off.

The euro held steady at $1.3508 against $1.3507 in US trade while it slipped to 134.78 yen from 134.97 yen.

Investors are looking for less risky assets after a late sell-off on Wall Street Monday, a senior dealer at a major bank told Dow Jones Newswires.

While the Dow finished at a record high, it closed below an intraday peak after invest-

ment titan Carl Icahn said he was cautious about equity markets, adding they could fall soon.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 0.25% by the close, also succumbing to profit-taking after surging 7.7% over the past week.

Attention will now turn to a speech by outgoing Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke later in the day to see if he gives any hints about future policy or when the US central bank will begin winding down its stimulus programme.

Euro trading was focused on the release of the closely watched ZEW German economic institute survey on investor sentiment, which analysts expect to show an improvement.

“With concerns about the level of economic growth in the eurozone and the im-

plications for inflation, better data is always welcome,” National Australia Bank said.

The single currency suffered some selling pressure earlier this month after the European Central Bank announced a surprise cut in interest rates to a record low of 0.25% from 0.5%.

The dollar was mostly weaker against other Asia-Pacific currencies.

It slipped to Sg$1.2457 from Sg$1.2464 the previous day, to 62.23 Indian rupees from 62.65 rupees, to 1,055.94 South Korean won from 1,057.90 won, to Tw$29.46 from Tw$29.53, and to 43.57 Philippine pesos from 43.61 pesos.

The greenback edged up to 31.59 Thai baht from 31.56 baht.

The Australian dollar weakened to 93.85 US cents from 94.11 cents, while the Chinese yuan was at 16.36 yen against 16.42 yen. l

celerate next year, crossing the $10bn mark, boosted by a new breed of wealthy “closet” consumers whose spending power is increasing, a report released yesterday said.

Luxury sales will climb by an annual 17% in 2014 to top the $10bn mark, up from estimated 14% growth in 2013, market researchers IMRB and the Confederation of Indian Industry projected.

India’s consumer base has been enlarged by “a substantial new class of wealthy” who have joined the ranks of the traditionally rich, said the report, released at a luxury conference in New Delhi.

India’s sharp economic slowdown has impacted the luxury market where global labels from Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Cartier to Dior have been jostling to make their mark.

But by mid-2014, the luxury market is expected to gather steam as the economy picks up and as new luxury consumers - ranging from first-generation entrepreneurs to corporate executives, doctors and professionals - reach into their pockets.

The report identified this new brand of customer as “closet consumers” who it said were specially demanding as they have an “inner conflict” between parental middle-class values and “conspicuous consumption”.

The luxury industry will have to provide value to this customer base as they purchase high-end handbags, jewellery, electronics and cars to expensive wines, the report said.

“India’s newly rich, be it the corporate professionals, entrepreneurs or the farmers are yet to gain that degree of comfort with spending money on luxury,” as “old money”, the report noted.

The Indian market still represents a fraction of the $318bn global market but the country with its increasingly affluent population of 1.2 billion has “tremendous potential”, the report said.

Still, speakers at the conference spoke of multiple challenges holding back the sector including high import taxes, the array of goods on sale and restrictive curbs on foreign retailers such as a requirement for 30% local sourcing.

“The import taxes are far too high,” said Sanjay Kapoor, an ex-investment banker who has partnered with some of the biggest Western luxury firms such as Giorgio Armani, Burberry and Jimmy Choo and brought them to India.

Also with many hundreds of millions living in poverty, the number of people with enough money to spend on luxury goods still is restrained.

The Indian government is conscious it cannot “kill the goose that lays the golden egg” and is looking at creating an easier landscape for luxury players, India’s additional finance secretary KP Krishnan told the audience. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013

Forced lending to China SMEs may risk more harm than good n Reuters Beijing’s strategy to reroute money away from state-owned giants towards smaller firms to help fuel the economic transformation behind its reform plans is less of a success than it may seem on the surface.

Lending has increased in line with Beijing’s orders. But banks have found loopholes allowing them to lend to state-owned firms and some borrowers are local-government-owned, operating in saturated sectors Beijing is trying to consolidate, aggravating the risks facing the financial sector rather than alleviating them.

Some lending is even being routed to real estate, a market Beijing is trying to cool as prices soar, one researcher said.

These factors highlight the struggle China faces in trying to reform its financial markets while preserving a dominant role for the state, a combination underlined by a 60-point reform plan to redraw China’s economy and social fabric announced last week.

“Despite efforts for many years by every level of government to alleviate financing difficulties for small and medium enterprises, there hasn’t been a substantive improvement,” said Ye Xixi, director of the finance department at Wenzhou University City College, whose research focuses on small-and-medium enterprise (SME) financing.

“In fact, in recent years there are signs it’s getting worse.”

Regulators classify SMEs differently. China’s bank regulator, for example, says they are companies with assets of less than 10m yuan ($1.6m) or annual sales of less than 30m yuan.

Regardless, economists estimate they account for 70% of China’s output and create 80% of its jobs, so many reformers say it is these companies, not China’s stable of massive but inefficient state champions, that should lead China’s economy in the future.

Beijing wants nimble, innovative firms focused on selling services to domestic consumers to steer the economy away from its current credit-intensive, state-driven model.

Mismatch

In entrepreneurial Wenzhou, a coastal city of 9 million people south of Shanghai, a centre designed to meet the needs of small business is struggling to meet loan demand because banks are wary of lending.

“Demand for loans is heavy, but for a large portion of borrowers, lenders aren’t willing to lend,” said Xu Zhiqian, general manager of the Wenzhou Private Lending Service Centre, located in a zone testing financial reform. “They think the risk is too large.”

Xu said only about half of the pool of funds made available by would-be lenders has been used for loans. Wenzhou made headlines in 2011 when a wave of local firms defaulted on informal loans, prompting local officials to warn that businesses would be

decimated if the city was not thrown a credit lifeline by Beijing.

Nationwide, official data shows that lending to SMEs has increased as ordered, but still accounts for just about a fifth of all loans, small compared with the sector’s economic output.

Loopholes

To be fair, lending to small businesses is a banker’s nightmare: they are hard to appraise, light on assets and quick to capsize when economic winds change.

Beijing has ordered state-owned banks to lend to smaller companies but bankers say there are loopholes that allow them to meet the quotas through lending to state-backed entities.

“We’re government-owned. The company is state-owned; really our relationship is like that of brothers,” said a loan officer at Bank of Communications, who declined to be identified.

“This is why small and medium-sized enterprises don’t get financing from stateowned banks. It’s not like they’re good or not good. We discriminate against them because they’re not one of my brothers.”

Another state banker, a loan officer, said banks have depended on requiring collateral for loans rather than assessing risk. A lack of ability to assess risk prevented many banks from lending to smaller companies, he said.

The solution is to use a variety of accounting tricks to disguise loans to state-owned

enterprises (SOEs) as SME loans, such as making loans to small subsidiaries or paying small suppliers on behalf of SOEs, he said.

Downmarket

Unlike more market-orientated economies, in China “SME” is not synonymous with either private ownership, efficiency, or innovation; many small Chinese companies are owned or controlled by local governments, operating in sectors swamped with overcapacity - like solar power, shipping and steel.

So even if these companies are knee-deep in debt and facing dismal business prospects, banks will issue loans to them because they know ultimately the taxpayer is on the hook.

Even local government financing vehicles are defined as SMEs, said Anne Stevenson-Yang, managing principal at J Capital Research.

She was referring to a type of financing vehicle associated with an explosion in local government borrowing that accompanied China’s response to the global financial crisis.

She said many smaller Chinese banks, locked out of lending to premium SOEs, had moved downmarket to lend to LGFVs and SME associations that aggregate loans. But this funding rarely ends up with genuinely innovative small firms, she said.

“Generally, the associations don’t pass these loans to small firms but instead lend at higher interest rates to real estate developers or other attractive targets, with the participation of member SMEs.” l

3D printing ‘will change the world’ n AFP, Paris From replacement kidneys to guns, cars, prosthetics and works of art, 3D printing is predicted to transform our lives in the coming decades as dramatically as the Internet did before it.

“I have no doubt it is going to change the world,” researcher James Craddock told AFP at the two-day 3D Printshow in Paris which wraps up later on Saturday.

A member of the 3D Printing Research Group (3DPRG) at the UK’s Nottingham University, Craddock nevertheless predicted that use of 3D printing would be limited “You wouldn’t want to make a cup from a 3D printer because it would probably fall apart, leak or poison you, but you would use it for high-value, beautiful items or replacement parts,” he said.

“The real revolutionary factor is industrial use,” he added.

Here is a selection of the potential future uses of 3D printing:

Arms

This is one of the more eye-catching prospects and has attracted a lot of publicity. Californian engineering company Solid Concepts said earlier this month it had produced a metal replica of a classic 1911 shotgun.

US entrepreneur and inventor Brook Drumm, however, warned that the process of printing a

gun would be slow, expensive and potentially dangerous, requiring lasers at high temperatures, lots of power and hazardous materials. Drumm set up his firm Printrbot to produce printers costing from $400 that print plastic items.

Metal printers can cost around $250,000 (185,000 euros) and “the particulates are so fine that your skin could absorb them through the pores. The materials are not safe”, he said.

gest museums to produce exact plastic copies.

Works he has produced include the ancient Greek statue Venus de Milo which is in the Louvre.

“If you look at the small print at museums in terms of taking photographs, they say that you cannot put them to commercial use,” he said.

“But from a practical point of view that is not enforceable and for antiquities there is no intellectual property issue,” he said.

‘All my designs are based on works of art. It enables me to be a jewellery designer much more easily. Otherwise I would have needed a factory in China and a minimum order of 20,000’

The gun itself - unless made out of metal - would also be unreliable.

“There’s a lot of moving parts in a gun and they need to be precise,” he said, adding that he tried to print a plastic gun but gave up because it took so long.

“Time-wise, if I was going to print a plastic gun and you were going to go and buy a metal one, even if it took you two weeks to get approval I probably still wouldn’t have it working first,” he said.

Fancy a replica of a Viking helmet or one of the Louvre’s most famous sculptures on the mantelpiece?

American Cosmo Wenman has used thousands of photographs taken in some of the world’s big-

Cars

Canadian Jim Kor’s 3D Urbee car is made out of plastic and stainless steel.

The futuristic-looking three-wheeler is electric but uses petrol at higher speeds.

Production designer Kor says if a car company mass produced the vehicle it would be possible to keep the price down to around $16,000 (12,000 euros).

“We want it to be the Volkswagen Beetle for the next century, low cost and long-lasting too,” he said.

“It should last 30-plus years. Our goal is that it should be 100% recyclable.”

Jewellery

Jewellery can made to ensure that each piece is slightly different, known as “mass customisation”.

3D printing can also make the production process far less expensive and time consuming.

Dutch jewellery designer Yvonne van Zummeren produces a range of jewellery made out of lightweight nylon polyamide.

“All my designs are based on works of art,” she said holding a bracelet that uses a Matisse motif.

“It enables me to be a jewellery designer much more easily. Otherwise I would have needed a factory in China and a minimum order of 20,000,” she added.

“When you are producing something for the first time it means you can adapt and try again very easily until you get the result you want.”

Prosthetics Prosthetics can be custom made to provide the perfect match.

Electronics could be built in allowing the recipient accurate control of the limb.

“It would all be printed out at the same time,” said 3DPRG’s Craddock.

Replacement parts

One-off parts are needed by everyone from NASA to the person who loses an unusual jacket button. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013

5

‘Emerging markets bar global recovery’ n Reuters Slowing emerging markets are dragging on the world’s economic recovery and advanced countries are struggling to pick up the slack after years of debt crises, the OECD said yesterday, trimming its global growth forecasts.

In its latest snapshot of economic activity, the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development forecast the world economy would grow 3.6% next year.

Though an improvement from the 2.7% expected for 2013, that was not as fast as the 4% estimated for 2014 in its last twice-yearly Economic Outlook dating from May. “We’ve lowered our forecasts for many reasons, but the most important one is the downgrade in growth in the emerging countries,” OECD chief economist Pier Carlo Padoan told Reuters, also citing slower trade and subdued investment.

Padoan said advanced economies would not be able to make up for the momentum lost by many major emerging economies, hit by capital outflows triggered by the US Federal Reserve’s plans to rein in its exceptional monetary stimulus.

“The US, is growing but they have to get their fiscal act together,” Padoan said. “The euro area is becoming a positive growth region again but at very weak rates, and Japan is growing more but the question is whether this will be sustainable.”

The OECD said the Fed should scale down its bond purchases as activity strengthens next year, forecasting that growth in the world’s biggest economy would reach 2.9% in 2014, its strongest performance since 2005, after an estimated 1.7% this year.

Despite the improving U.S. outlook, the

France’s President Francois Hollande (2nd left) and Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) General Secretary Angel Gurria (left) arrive to attend the opening meeting of the New World Forum of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris REUTERS OECD saw a major threat to the global recovery if the United States hit its debt ceiling, adding there was a “strong case” to scrap it all together.

Having been a drag on global growth in recent years, the euro area was finally seen

emerging from two years of recession to post growth next year of 1%, down marginally from an estimate of 1.1% in May. Still at risk of flare-ups in the euro zone’s debt crisis, the recovery would be uneven among the bloc’s members, marked by high

youth unemployment and weak inflation, the OECD said.

That was ample reason in the OECD’s eyes for the European Central Bank, which cut its main rates to record lows this month, to keep monetary policy at current levels at least until the end of 2015, and possibly use more unconventional measures if deflation emerges.

Growth in regional powerhouse Germany was expected to speed up from an estimated 0.5% this year to 1.7% next year, down slightly from 1.9% in the OECD’s May forecasts.

France, the euro zone’s second largest economy, was seen growing 1% next year, in line with government estimates and up from an earlier OECD forecast of 0.8%.

Outside the euro area, the OECD sharply revised up its growth forecasts for Britain and predicted the Bank of England would start to raise interest rates in late 2015, when unemployment is expected to fall to 7%.

The OECD now expects growth of 2.4% next year, compared to its earlier forecast of 1.5%.

“Given these projections, slack in labour and product markets will narrow and the stance of monetary policy should start to normalize in the last quarter of 2015,” the OECD said.

New BoE forecasts last week suggested unemployment would hit 7% in the second half of 2015, based on current market interest rates, but Governor Mark Carney stressed that this would not automatically trigger a rate rise.

Propelled by exceptional monetary surplus this year, Japan was on course for growth of 1.5% next year, up from a May forecast of 1.4%, but down from 1.8% in 2013.

Meanwhile, the OECD trimmed its growth forecast for China next year to 8.2%, from 8.4% previously, but up nonetheless from an estimated 7.7% this year. l

US Labour Board may issue complaint against Wal-Mart on strikes n Reuters The US National Labour Relations Board on Monday said it has authorized legal action against Wal-Mart Stores Inc for allegedly retaliating against workers who participated in strikes against the company over low pay.

Groups of Walmart workers went on strike nationwide on November 22, 2012, to protest the retailer’s wages and worker benefits. The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, is typically the busiest shopping day of the year. The workers also went on strike in May and June before the company’s annual shareholder meeting.

The company retaliated against employees who joined those strikes by firing them, threatening to fire them or disciplining them, the NLRB said in a statement on Monday. The labour board also said that a Walmart spokesman made comments on television threatening workers who planned to join the November protests.

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan said the company disagrees with the board’s action.

“We believe this is just a procedural step and we will pursue our options to defend the company because we believe our actions were legal and justified,” she said. “The fact

is we provide good jobs and unparalleled opportunities for our associates.”

NO UNIONIZED LABOUR The NLRB is the US agency that enforces the nation’s labour laws. It oversees union elections, polices unfair labour practice claims and is charged with enforcing the US National Labour Relations Act, which allows employees to work together to improve their workplace conditions.

The NLRB’s general counsel’s office would bring any complaint against the retailer if one results. Last month a divided Senate confirmed a former union lawyer to the general counsel’s position, essentially the agency’s top prosecutor.

The protests were orchestrated by a coalition of union and workers’ rights groups, including the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union and OUR Walmart, which have pushed for better wages and benefits at the company.

Walmart has no unionized labour in the United States.

“The board’s decision confirms what Walmart workers have long known: the company is illegally trying to silence employees who speak out for better jobs,” Sarita Gupta of the pro-worker group Jobs for Justice said in a statement.

The NLRB said on Monday that it will issue a complaint against the retailing giant if it cannot reach a settlement with the workers.

“We anticipate the charges will be filed within a week or two if a settlement can’t be

arranged,” an NLRB spokesman told Reuters.

If no settlement is reached and a complaint is filed, Walmart and the board would likely go before an administrative law judge for a trial proceeding. l

A man is arrested during a protest for better wages outside Wal-mart in Los Angeles November 7, 2013 REUTERS

6

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013

DSE Broad Index: 4381.37 ⇑ 2.38%, Turnover: 7879.23 M.Tk ⇑ 35.86%, PE: 13.31 Turnover 8,646.10 MTk . ⇑ 35.18% 19 November 2013 MarketCap. 2,111.21 BTk. ⇑ 2.66% CSE All Share Index: 13563 ⇑ 2.11%, Turnover: 766.87 M Tk. ⇑ 28.36%, PE: 13.12 Combined Turnover Leader

% of TTL

Avg. P

445.78

5.16

45.69

9757250

GNext Fashions-A

9556360

327.12

3.78

34.23

1037633

303.01

3.50

92.02

Square Pharma -A Grameenphone-A

BANK ABBANK | 2.95 | 32.60 | Vol. 572700 D: 28.10 ⇑ 4.07% | 27.89 | 28.40 / 24.50 C: 28.00 ⇑ 1.82% | 27.95 | 28.40 / 27.30 CITYBANK | 1.15 | 25.97 | Vol. 2900069 D: 22.10 ⇑ 2.79% | 22.14 | 23.00 / 20.00 C: 22.10 ⇑ 2.79% | 22.12 | 22.40 / 21.40 IFIC | 1.10 | 18.34 | Vol. 2996281 D: 36.10 ⇑ 3.14% | 36.25 | 37.00 / 32.80 C: 35.60 ⇑ 1.71% | 36.09 | 36.90 / 35.00 ISLAMIBANK | 3.78 | 27.16 | Vol. 385492 D: 36.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 36.46 | 37.00 / 33.00 C: 36.60 ⇑ 0.83% | 36.32 | 36.60 / 35.70 NBL | 1.05 | 15.76 | Vol. 5034579 D: 13.10 ⇑ 2.34% | 13.09 | 13.30 / 12.00 C: 13.10 ⇑ 1.55% | 13.09 | 13.30 / 12.80 PUBALIBANK | 1.92 | 21.18 | Vol. 1102867 D: 32.10 ⇑ 2.88% | 32.06 | 32.50 / 29.00 C: 32.10 ⇑ 2.56% | 32.04 | 32.40 / 31.00 RUPALIBANK | 6.70 | 64.27 | Vol. 43076 D: 68.90 ⇑ 2.38% | 69.17 | 70.70 / 66.00 C: 70.90 ⇑ 5.66% | 70.94 | 71.00 / 70.90 UCBL | 1.90 | 21.72 | Vol. 8473678 D: 25.10 ⇑ 5.02% | 25.11 | 26.00 / 22.00 C: 25.10 ⇑ 5.02% | 25.10 | 25.80 / 23.90 UTTARABANK | 3.42 | 26.97 | Vol. 1046726 D: 33.10 ⇑ 1.53% | 33.52 | 34.10 / 31.00 C: 33.30 ⇑ 2.15% | 33.50 | 34.00 / 32.70 ICBIBANK | -1.60 | -13.03 | Vol. 133000 D: 6.30 ⇑ 3.28% | 6.27 | 6.40 / 6.10 EBL | 3.91 | 28.22 | Vol. 235346 D: 29.20 ⇑ 1.04% | 29.51 | 30.00 / 28.40 C: 29.90 ⇑ 4.18% | 29.61 | 30.20 / 29.50 ALARABANK | 2.03 | 14.91 | Vol. 6278808 D: 20.80 ⇑ 4.52% | 20.86 | 21.30 / 18.00 C: 20.90 ⇑ 4.50% | 20.90 | 21.30 / 19.70 PRIMEBANK | 2.89 | 22.40 | Vol. 280838 D: 24.90 ⇑ 5.96% | 24.68 | 25.40 / 21.50 C: 25.00 ⇑ 6.38% | 24.71 | 25.10 / 23.70 SOUTHEASTB | 1.89 | 22.66 | Vol. 2066036 D: 19.10 ⇑ 1.60% | 19.33 | 20.00 / 17.00 C: 19.20 ⇑ 1.05% | 19.30 | 19.70 / 18.70 DHAKABANK | 1.46 | 18.08 | Vol. 600700 D: 20.40 ⇑ 1.49% | 20.54 | 20.80 / 18.50 C: 20.30 ⇑ 1.50% | 20.46 | 20.80 / 19.80 NCCBANK | 1.90 | 15.88 | Vol. 3236762 D: 15.00 ⇑ 3.45% | 14.97 | 15.50 / 13.10 C: 14.90 ⇑ 1.36% | 14.98 | 15.20 / 14.50 SIBL | 2.05 | 14.47 | Vol. 2746667 D: 14.50 ⇑ 2.84% | 14.43 | 15.00 / 13.00 C: 14.40 ⇑ 1.41% | 14.44 | 14.50 / 14.00 DUTCHBANGL | 11.57 | 54.27 | Vol. 20500 D: 101.7 ⇑ 1.40% | 101.50 | 102.5 / 100.3 C: 105.0 ⇑ 4.06% | 105.00 | 105.0 / 105.0 MTBL | 1.17 | 17.27 | Vol. 227046 D: 16.60 ⇑ 2.47% | 16.61 | 16.90 / 16.00 C: 16.80 ⇑ 4.35% | 16.55 | 16.90 / 16.10 STANDBANKL | 2.33 | 14.41 | Vol. 963397 D: 15.60 ⇑ 1.96% | 15.83 | 16.20 / 14.50 C: 15.80 ⇑ 1.94% | 15.92 | 16.10 / 15.60 ONEBANKLTD | 2.35 | 15.34 | Vol. 4764367 D: 17.80 ⇑ 1.71% | 17.97 | 18.40 / 16.00 C: 17.80 ⇑ 1.71% | 18.06 | 18.50 / 17.40 BANKASIA | 1.35 | 20.80 | Vol. 566160 D: 19.70 ⇑ 1.03% | 19.88 | 20.30 / 18.00 C: 19.80 ⇑ 0.51% | 19.98 | 20.50 / 19.60 MERCANBANK | 2.07 | 16.59 | Vol. 5923556 D: 17.30 ⇑ 2.37% | 17.50 | 18.50 / 15.40 C: 17.50 ⇑ 2.94% | 17.13 | 17.80 / 16.30 EXIMBANK | 1.80 | 14.31 | Vol. 1707982 D: 13.80 ⇑ 1.47% | 13.86 | 14.10 / 12.30 C: 13.90 ⇑ 1.46% | 13.90 | 14.00 / 13.50 JAMUNABANK | 2.47 | 18.56 | Vol. 487085 D: 16.50 ⇑ 1.85% | 16.67 | 16.90 / 15.10 C: 16.50 ⇑ 2.48% | 16.58 | 16.80 / 16.40 BRACBANK | 1.51 | 24.87 | Vol. 1642544 D: 33.00 ⇑ 3.13% | 32.80 | 33.60 / 29.00 C: 32.60 ⇑ 1.56% | 32.54 | 33.50 / 32.00 SHAHJABANK | 2.61 | 14.47 | Vol. 1035595 D: 18.50 ⇑ 2.78% | 18.59 | 19.80 / 16.50 C: 18.70 ⇑ 2.19% | 18.80 | 19.00 / 18.50 PREMIERBAN | 1.18 | 13.95 | Vol. 1315603 D: 12.80 ⇑ 1.59% | 12.87 | 13.10 / 11.40 C: 12.80 ⇑ 1.59% | 12.81 | 13.00 / 12.00

TO M. Tk.

Paramount Textile Ltd.-N Meghna Petroleum -A

CompanyCode | EPS | BV | Volume Traded (Share) DSE/CSE: ClosePrice ⇓/⇑ Chn % | Avg.Price | Hi / Lo

Vol.

1564028 1296007

289.42 265.25

3.35 3.07

TRUSTBANK | 0.50 | 18.00 | Vol. 508068 D: 20.60 ⇑ 4.04% | 20.74 | 21.20 / 17.90 C: 20.90 ⇑ 5.56% | 20.65 | 21.00 / 20.20 FIRSTSBANK | 1.85 | 13.89 | Vol. 2729122 D: 16.80 ⇑ 4.35% | 16.87 | 17.60 / 14.50 C: 16.90 ⇑ 4.32% | 16.90 | 17.20 / 16.10 NON BANKING F I IDLC | 4.43 | 29.18 | Vol. 318720 D: 63.00 ⇑ 2.27% | 62.99 | 65.00 / 60.00 C: 63.40 ⇑ 2.42% | 63.49 | 63.90 / 62.00 ULC | 1.80 | 14.90 | Vol. 345587 D: 31.50 ⇑ 2.27% | 31.60 | 32.20 / 29.00 UTTARAFIN | 7.16 | 41.54 | Vol. 290590 D: 84.90 ⇑ 1.92% | 85.02 | 85.90 / 78.00 C: 85.20 ⇑ 2.65% | 85.11 | 85.50 / 84.20 MIDASFIN | 0.16 | 10.21 | Vol. 6000 D: 31.10 ⇓ 1.27% | 31.20 | 31.50 / 30.20 C: 30.10 ⇑ 1.35% | 30.10 | 30.20 / 30.00 FLEASEINT | 2.34 | 13.93 | Vol. 1440987 D: 32.80 ⇑ 3.14% | 33.27 | 34.50 / 30.00 C: 32.90 ⇑ 2.49% | 33.39 | 33.70 / 32.30 PLFSL | 1.37 | 17.48 | Vol. 1676156 D: 25.80 ⇑ 4.03% | 25.74 | 26.20 / 23.00 C: 25.90 ⇑ 3.60% | 25.82 | 26.10 / 25.30 PRIMEFIN | 0.87 | 17.88 | Vol. 420954 D: 25.90 ⇑ 2.78% | 25.87 | 26.10 / 24.00 C: 26.00 ⇑ 1.96% | 25.99 | 26.20 / 25.70 PREMIERLEA | 0.10 | 11.37 | Vol. 225235 D: 10.30 ⇑ 1.98% | 10.35 | 10.50 / 10.10 C: 10.40 ⇑ 0.97% | 10.43 | 10.50 / 10.40 ISLAMICFIN | 1.03 | 15.48 | Vol. 1588696 D: 17.90 ⇑ 5.29% | 17.90 | 18.20 / 16.00 C: 18.00 ⇑ 4.65% | 17.92 | 18.30 / 16.80 LANKABAFIN | 1.61 | 31.07 | Vol. 1070766 D: 57.60 ⇑ 3.97% | 57.31 | 58.60 / 50.00 C: 57.40 ⇑ 3.80% | 57.37 | 58.50 / 55.60 BIFC | 0.15 | 18.58 | Vol. 241500 D: 17.20 ⇑ 0.58% | 17.26 | 17.40 / 17.00 C: 17.10 ⇑ 0.59% | 17.16 | 17.40 / 17.00 IPDC | 1.23 | 19.43 | Vol. 222257 D: 19.50 ⇑ 1.04% | 19.64 | 19.90 / 18.00 C: 19.50 ⇑ 3.17% | 19.66 | 19.80 / 19.20 UNIONCAP | 0.54 | 17.85 | Vol. 57049 D: 29.30 ⇑ 0.34% | 29.06 | 29.50 / 26.50 C: 30.00 ⇑ 6.38% | 29.77 | 30.00 / 28.60 BDFINANCE | 0.57 | 14.77 | Vol. 246936 D: 18.90 ⇑ 1.07% | 19.02 | 19.30 / 17.00 C: 19.10 ⇑ 1.60% | 19.02 | 19.30 / 19.00 ILFSL | 0.35 | 12.19 | Vol. 689950 D: 15.50 ⇑ 1.97% | 15.56 | 15.70 / 14.00 C: 15.60 ⇑ 1.96% | 15.60 | 15.80 / 15.40 PHOENIXFIN | 2.46 | 19.39 | Vol. 447409 D: 35.50 ⇑ 1.72% | 35.95 | 36.50 / 32.00 C: 35.70 ⇑ 2.29% | 35.85 | 36.10 / 35.60 FASFIN | 0.19 | 13.56 | Vol. 440500 D: 14.20 ⇑ 0.71% | 14.37 | 14.50 / 14.20 C: 14.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 14.42 | 14.60 / 14.30 DBH | 4.47 | 21.27 | Vol. 47100 D: 58.00 ⇑ 1.75% | 58.14 | 58.50 / 55.00 NHFIL | 0.57 | 12.70 | Vol. 469635 D: 32.40 ⇑ 1.89% | 32.34 | 32.80 / 31.90 C: 32.20 ⇑ 1.26% | 32.35 | 32.70 / 32.10 BAYLEASING | 0.72 | 25.55 | Vol. 380980 D: 30.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 31.23 | 31.80 / 28.50 C: 31.10 ⇑ 1.30% | 31.28 | 31.50 / 30.80 ICB | 89.23 | 607.74 | Vol. 11500 D: 1609 ⇑ 5.34% | 1600 | 1623 / 1565 C: 1594 ⇑ 6.23% | 1594 | 1595 / 1594 GSPFINANCE | 1.63 | 22.23 | Vol. 457367 D: 27.20 ⇑ 3.42% | 27.22 | 27.40 / 24.00 C: 27.30 ⇑ 1.49% | 27.15 | 27.40 / 26.70 FAREASTFIN | 0.68 | 13.64 | Vol. 1252000 D: 14.30 ⇑ 0.70% | 14.30 | 14.40 / 14.10 C: 14.30 ⇑ 0.70% | 14.30 | 14.50 / 14.00 INVESTMENT 2NDICB | 44.10 | 253.11 | Vol. 1400 D: 246.6 ⇑ 1.31% | 246.43 | 248.5 / 244.0 3RDICB | 26.16 | 235.16 | Vol. 1750 D: 201.1 ⇑ 3.77% | 201.14 | 208.0 / 196.0 4THICB | 29.24 | 229.24 | Vol. 600 D: 186.5 ⇑ 3.04% | 186.67 | 190.0 / 185.0 5THICB | 23.45 | 188.92 | Vol. 4000 D: 146.9 ⇑ 0.89% | 147.00 | 148.0 / 145.0 6THICB | 10.99 | 60.14 | Vol. 23100 D: 53.00 ⇓ 0.19% | 53.16 | 54.00 / 52.90

185.05 204.66

C%

A%

CP

C%

A%

CP

Jute Spinners-A

DSE Gainer

9.99

12.17

78.20

Eastern Housing-A

-8.76

-6.80

52.10

PragatiLife Insu.-A

9.99

6.26

131.00

Delta Life Insu.-Z

-8.73

-8.73

351.20

Kohinoor Chem-A

-6.02

-6.02

419.90

Hakkani P& Paper-B Legacy Footwear -A

-5.10

-4.92

27.90

-4.90

-1.20

34.90

Active Fine Chem.-A

9.93

8.49

90.80

BD Building Systems -N

9.88

12.51

54.50

BD. Autocars -B

9.76

3.75

31.50

7THICB | 13.53 | 98.60 | Vol. 500 D: 82.00 ⇑ 0.61% | 82.00 | 82.00 / 82.00 8THICB | 12.47 | 70.07 | Vol. 9500 D: 52.80 ⇑ 1.54% | 52.84 | 53.40 / 52.00 AIMS1STMF | 3.02 | 15.70 | Vol. 510250 D: 40.70 ⇑ 2.78% | 40.54 | 41.30 / 39.50 C: 40.10 ⇑ 2.30% | 40.31 | 40.50 / 39.00 ICBISLAMIC | 2.21 | 26.81 | Vol. 44000 D: 18.90 ⇑ 1.07% | 18.97 | 19.00 / 18.60 C: 18.30 ⇑ 1.67% | 18.30 | 18.30 / 18.30 GRAMEEN1 | 6.26 | 33.23 | Vol. 566000 D: 46.90 ⇑ 4.22% | 46.39 | 47.20 / 45.20 C: 46.80 ⇑ 4.00% | 46.09 | 46.80 / 45.10 ICB1STNRB | 4.06 | 35.31 | Vol. 29000 D: 26.80 ⇑ 2.68% | 27.07 | 27.70 / 26.20 ICB2NDNRB | 2.49 | 16.24 | Vol. 243000 D: 10.30 ⇑ 0.98% | 10.28 | 10.40 / 10.10 C: 10.40 ⇑ 1.96% | 10.59 | 10.60 / 10.40 GRAMEENS2 | 2.17 | 16.41 | Vol. 973550 D: 16.90 ⇑ 1.81% | 16.93 | 17.10 / 16.00 C: 17.00 ⇑ 1.80% | 16.96 | 17.10 / 16.60 1STPRIMFMF | 0.64 | 11.63 | Vol. 1153500 D: 23.10 ⇑ 0.43% | 23.26 | 23.60 / 22.80 C: 23.00 ⇑ 0.44% | 23.12 | 23.60 / 22.90 EBL1STMF | 0.55 | 12.62 | Vol. 625948 D: 7.10 ⇑ 2.90% | 7.17 | 7.20 / 7.00 C: 7.20 ⇑ 2.86% | 7.11 | 7.30 / 6.90 ICBAMCL2ND | 0.60 | 12.12 | Vol. 198000 D: 6.00 ⇓ 1.64% | 6.10 | 6.30 / 6.00 C: 6.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.23 | 6.30 / 6.20 ICBEPMF1S1 | 0.52 | 11.32 | Vol. 43000 D: 6.20 ⇑ 1.64% | 6.26 | 6.30 / 6.10 C: 6.40 ⇑ 3.23% | 6.36 | 6.40 / 6.30 TRUSTB1MF | 0.75 | 11.65 | Vol. 869062 D: 7.70 ⇑ 2.67% | 7.71 | 8.00 / 7.00 C: 7.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.75 | 7.80 / 7.00 PRIME1ICBA | 0.42 | 11.18 | Vol. 130500 D: 5.60 ⇑ 1.82% | 5.65 | 5.70 / 5.60 C: 5.80 ⇑ 3.57% | 5.76 | 5.80 / 5.60 DBH1STMF | -1.12 | 10.15 | Vol. 421000 D: 5.90 ⇑ 1.72% | 5.96 | 6.10 / 5.90 C: 6.00 ⇑ 1.69% | 5.94 | 6.00 / 5.90 IFIC1STMF | 0.83 | 11.88 | Vol. 1397298 D: 6.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.01 | 7.20 / 6.80 C: 7.10 ⇑ 1.43% | 7.13 | 7.20 / 7.00 PF1STMF | 0.51 | 11.11 | Vol. 252000 D: 6.00 ⇑ 1.69% | 6.01 | 6.10 / 5.90 C: 6.00 ⇑ 3.45% | 5.98 | 6.00 / 5.90 ICB3RDNRB | 0.00 | 10.60 | Vol. 374500 D: 5.60 ⇑ 3.70% | 5.57 | 5.70 / 5.50 C: 5.60 ⇑ 1.82% | 5.64 | 5.70 / 5.60 1JANATAMF | 0.78 | 10.68 | Vol. 603000 D: 6.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.36 | 6.40 / 6.30 C: 6.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.35 | 6.40 / 6.10 GREENDELMF | -0.82 | 9.72 | Vol. 1219500 D: 5.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.55 | 5.80 / 5.50 C: 5.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.56 | 5.60 / 5.50 POPULAR1MF | 0.77 | 11.38 | Vol. 2149101 D: 6.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.43 | 6.50 / 6.00 C: 6.60 ⇑ 3.13% | 6.55 | 6.60 / 6.00 IFILISLMF1 | 0.00 | 10.45 | Vol. 430500 D: 6.10 ⇑ 1.67% | 6.11 | 6.20 / 6.00 C: 6.00 ⇓ 1.64% | 6.05 | 6.30 / 6.00 PHPMF1 | 0.63 | 10.92 | Vol. 1904000 D: 6.00 ⇑ 3.45% | 6.00 | 6.10 / 5.80 C: 6.00 ⇑ 1.69% | 5.99 | 6.10 / 5.90 AIBL1STIMF | -0.07 | 9.25 | Vol. 218000 D: 7.10 ⇑ 1.43% | 7.13 | 7.20 / 7.00 C: 7.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.96 | 7.00 / 6.80 MBL1STMF | -0.16 | 9.08 | Vol. 168500 D: 6.60 ⇑ 1.54% | 6.63 | 6.70 / 6.50 SEBL1STMF | 0.94 | 11.85 | Vol. 933200 D: 8.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 8.21 | 8.30 / 8.10 C: 8.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 8.33 | 8.40 / 8.00 EBLNRBMF | 1.07 | 10.88 | Vol. 7000 D: 7.70 ⇓ 3.75% | 7.71 | 7.90 / 7.70 RELIANCE1 | 0.95 | 10.33 | Vol. 924100 D: 9.10 ⇑ 2.25% | 9.11 | 9.40 / 8.50 C: 9.10 ⇑ 1.11% | 9.12 | 9.20 / 9.10 LRGLOBMF1 | 0.47 | 11.18 | Vol. 435500 D: 7.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.22 | 7.30 / 7.10 C: 7.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.20 | 7.20 / 7.20 ABB1STMF | 0.92 | 10.63 | Vol. 1807500 D: 7.40 ⇑ 1.37% | 7.50 | 7.60 / 7.30 NLI1STMF | 1.17 | 12.22 | Vol. 671300 D: 9.50 ⇑ 3.26% | 9.46 | 9.60 / 8.80 C: 9.50 ⇑ 3.26% | 9.44 | 9.60 / 9.20

DSE Loser

FBFIF | 1.30 | 10.27 | Vol. 500 D: 8.60 ⇓ 4.44% | 8.60 | 8.60 / 8.60 NCCBLMF1 | 1.16 | 10.48 | Vol. 27500 D: 8.90 ⇑ 2.30% | 8.91 | 9.00 / 8.60 ICBSONALI1 | 0.00 | 10.39 | Vol. 834000 D: 8.50 ⇓ 1.16% | 8.65 | 8.80 / 8.50 C: 8.60 ⇓ 1.15% | 8.59 | 8.80 / 8.50 EXIM1STMF | 0.00 | 10.91 | Vol. 21000 D: 8.20 ⇑ 3.80% | 8.29 | 8.40 / 8.00 ENGINEERING AFTABAUTO | 4.29 | 52.65 | Vol. 1033601 D: 113.0 ⇑ 3.96% | 112.07 | 114.0 / 98.00 C: 112.8 ⇑ 3.77% | 111.69 | 113.8 / 108.1 AZIZPIPES | 0.39 | -42.04 | Vol. 15400 D: 17.20 ⇓ 1.15% | 17.41 | 18.00 / 17.20 C: 17.50 ⇓ 6.42% | 17.73 | 17.90 / 17.50 OLYMPIC | 7.85 | 22.10 | Vol. 382647 D: 219.1 ⇓ 0.59% | 219.41 | 223.9 / 208.0 C: 219.5 ⇓ 1.13% | 219.16 | 222.0 / 217.6 BDLAMPS | -5.31 | 37.07 | Vol. 17950 D: 135.8 ⇑ 2.96% | 135.82 | 138.0 / 133.9 C: 134.1 ⇑ 2.44% | 134.32 | 136.0 / 132.0 ECABLES | 2.04 | 18.87 | Vol. 22200 D: 80.50 ⇑ 1.13% | 80.22 | 81.00 / 78.90 C: 79.60 ⇑ 2.84% | 79.59 | 80.50 / 76.20 MONNOSTAF | 5.31 | 44.78 | Vol. 4700 D: 303.7 ⇑ 8.66% | 298.94 | 303.9 / 287.0 SINGERBD | 9.99 | 45.74 | Vol. 174424 D: 204.5 ⇑ 2.97% | 203.13 | 205.0 / 188.0 C: 204.9 ⇑ 3.54% | 203.58 | 205.0 / 200.0 ATLASBANG | 11.98 | 207.70 | Vol. 54250 D: 172.3 ⇑ 1.47% | 172.37 | 174.0 / 170.0 BDAUTOCA | -0.43 | 5.68 | Vol. 97515 D: 31.50 ⇑ 9.76% | 30.73 | 31.50 / 27.50 QSMDRYCELL | 1.06 | 52.31 | Vol. 530697 D: 35.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 36.40 | 38.90 / 35.00 C: 36.40 ⇑ 1.39% | 36.53 | 37.20 / 35.20 RENWICKJA | 5.77 | -31.13 | Vol. 31850 D: 156.3 ⇑ 0.71% | 157.21 | 160.7 / 155.0 NTLTUBES | 0.67 | 311.00 | Vol. 177484 D: 75.80 ⇑ 2.02% | 75.49 | 76.50 / 70.00 BDTHAI | 0.43 | 39.35 | Vol. 573304 D: 27.70 ⇑ 2.21% | 27.68 | 28.50 / 25.80 C: 27.90 ⇑ 2.95% | 27.90 | 28.80 / 27.00 ANWARGALV | 0.52 | 8.10 | Vol. 186500 D: 24.80 ⇓ 1.59% | 25.24 | 26.50 / 24.70 C: 24.70 ⇓ 1.20% | 25.00 | 25.20 / 24.60 KAY&QUE | -3.89 | 6.03 | Vol. 11500 D: 16.00 ⇓ 1.23% | 16.09 | 16.30 / 15.80 RANFOUNDRY | 2.84 | 18.62 | Vol. 92000 D: 90.00 ⇑ 5.39% | 88.68 | 91.00 / 87.00 SALAMCRST | 3.31 | 20.00 | Vol. 814200 D: 44.20 ⇑ 1.84% | 43.98 | 44.50 / 41.00 C: 44.50 ⇑ 2.53% | 44.12 | 44.60 / 43.50 GOLDENSON | 3.70 | 28.70 | Vol. 3143690 D: 50.00 ⇑ 6.16% | 49.04 | 51.00 / 43.00 C: 49.80 ⇑ 5.29% | 49.10 | 50.60 / 47.80 BSRMSTEEL | 3.06 | 19.53 | Vol. 1004627 D: 76.00 ⇑ 4.97% | 74.99 | 77.10 / 68.00 C: 75.90 ⇑ 4.98% | 75.13 | 77.00 / 72.00 NAVANACNG | 4.09 | 27.04 | Vol. 461062 D: 68.50 ⇑ 1.93% | 67.89 | 69.00 / 62.00 C: 68.50 ⇑ 2.24% | 68.15 | 68.80 / 67.00 DESHBANDHU | 0.26 | 10.67 | Vol. 617756 D: 18.20 ⇓ 1.62% | 18.15 | 18.80 / 17.00 C: 18.50 ⇓ 0.54% | 18.30 | 18.80 / 18.00 GPHISPAT | 2.11 | 15.27 | Vol. 273400 D: 48.00 ⇓ 1.03% | 48.51 | 49.20 / 47.00 C: 47.70 ⇓ 1.65% | 49.89 | 51.40 / 47.50 BENGALWTL | 3.85 | 24.30 | Vol. 2952000 D: 54.10 ⇑ 6.29% | 53.42 | 54.70 / 52.00 C: 53.40 ⇑ 4.91% | 53.57 | 55.90 / 52.30 BDBUILDING | 1.33 | 12.70 | Vol. 1448000 D: 54.50 ⇑ 9.88% | 53.96 | 54.50 / 50.10 C: 54.20 ⇑ 9.94% | 53.87 | 54.20 / 51.00 NPOLYMAR | 2.38 | 32.89 | Vol. 143000 D: 51.00 ⇑ 1.80% | 51.06 | 52.00 / 50.00 C: 51.60 ⇑ 4.45% | 51.45 | 52.00 / 49.50 FOOD & ALLIED APEXFOODS | 2.54 | 90.81 | Vol. 33300 D: 95.60 ⇑ 1.27% | 94.79 | 96.80 / 92.60 C: 93.50 ⇑ 0.21% | 94.48 | 95.00 / 93.00 BANGAS | 7.20 | 50.27 | Vol. 56940 D: 423.4 ⇓ 2.19% | 427.28 | 439.0 / 420.0 C: 425.7 ⇓ 2.56% | 426.51 | 431.0 / 425.0

BATBC | 65.69 | 117.22 | Vol. 10200 D: 1704 ⇑ 3.86% | 1692 | 1719 / 1630 C: 1650 ⇓ 1.05% | 1650 | 1650 / 1650 GEMINISEA | 10.88 | 9.69 | Vol. 2050 D: 176.8 ⇑ 2.61% | 176.10 | 180.0 / 170.4 NTC | 29.88 | 110.05 | Vol. 1600 D: 814.0 ⇑ 0.82% | 813.13 | 818.0 / 810.0 ZEALBANGLA | -28.94 | -221.34 | Vol. 100 D: 8.00 ⇓ 2.44% | 8.00 | 8.00 / 8.00 AMCL(PRAN) | 6.85 | 57.14 | Vol. 88710 D: 191.2 ⇓ 0.62% | 192.11 | 197.0 / 188.1 C: 191.9 ⇓ 1.24% | 192.52 | 195.0 / 190.3 SHYAMPSUG | -45.77 | -396.49 | Vol. 300 D: 7.70 ⇑ 8.45% | 7.70 | 7.70 / 7.70 FUWANGFOOD | 1.03 | 13.51 | Vol. 1348892 D: 24.40 ⇑ 2.52% | 24.29 | 24.70 / 22.00 C: 24.50 ⇑ 2.94% | 24.37 | 24.80 / 23.70 MEGHNAPET | -0.50 | -1.52 | Vol. 12000 D: 6.20 ⇓ 3.13% | 6.25 | 6.30 / 6.20 MEGCONMILK | -7.48 | -23.70 | Vol. 14000 D: 7.10 ⇑ 1.43% | 7.14 | 7.30 / 7.00 BEACHHATCH | 1.01 | 12.48 | Vol. 897344 D: 21.10 ⇑ 0.48% | 21.23 | 22.00 / 19.00 C: 21.40 ⇑ 1.42% | 21.36 | 21.70 / 21.00 FINEFOODS | 0.05 | 10.63 | Vol. 242500 D: 17.30 ⇓ 1.14% | 17.33 | 17.70 / 17.10 C: 17.40 ⇓ 2.79% | 17.40 | 17.60 / 17.10 RDFOOD | 0.91 | 16.84 | Vol. 1385200 D: 23.20 ⇓ 0.85% | 23.42 | 24.20 / 21.50 C: 23.30 ⇓ 1.69% | 23.26 | 23.90 / 23.00 GHAIL | 2.31 | 24.36 | Vol. 1110120 D: 39.70 ⇑ 5.03% | 39.57 | 41.00 / 35.00 C: 39.90 ⇑ 5.28% | 39.51 | 40.10 / 38.20 FUEL & POWER LINDEBD | 31.71 | 144.00 | Vol. 25400 D: 642.3 ⇑ 3.23% | 642.09 | 652.0 / 622.0 PADMAOIL | 27.62 | 79.74 | Vol. 606425 D: 341.5 ⇑ 3.33% | 343.62 | 351.5 / 320.0 C: 338.9 ⇑ 3.17% | 343.11 | 351.9 / 334.0 EASTRNLUB | 5.33 | 71.01 | Vol. 950 D: 332.7 ⇑ 0.12% | 332.63 | 340.0 / 320.5 BDWELDING | 0.33 | 16.82 | Vol. 679302 D: 21.90 ⇑ 0.46% | 22.02 | 22.60 / 20.00 C: 22.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 22.22 | 22.60 / 21.90 SUMITPOWER | 3.17 | 19.26 | Vol. 1766865 D: 38.30 ⇑ 2.41% | 38.14 | 38.70 / 34.70 C: 38.30 ⇑ 2.13% | 38.06 | 38.50 / 37.50 DESCO | 2.34 | 31.27 | Vol. 312202 D: 61.60 ⇑ 2.16% | 61.97 | 62.80 / 57.00 C: 61.40 ⇑ 1.49% | 62.32 | 63.40 / 61.00 POWERGRID | 2.19 | 63.69 | Vol. 143000 D: 54.20 ⇑ 0.93% | 54.70 | 55.80 / 53.90 C: 54.10 ⇑ 3.05% | 54.25 | 55.00 / 54.00 JAMUNAOIL | 22.78 | 50.24 | Vol. 721980 D: 246.3 ⇑ 3.62% | 244.47 | 248.0 / 235.0 C: 246.4 ⇑ 3.62% | 244.94 | 248.9 / 239.0 MPETROLEUM | 25.61 | 71.11 | Vol. 1037633 D: 290.1 ⇑ 1.15% | 292.02 | 294.9 / 275.0 C: 289.6 ⇑ 0.59% | 291.96 | 294.9 / 288.0 TITASGAS | 9.20 | 46.26 | Vol. 1502615 D: 78.80 ⇑ 5.07% | 77.66 | 79.30 / 71.00 C: 78.60 ⇑ 4.66% | 77.39 | 78.80 / 76.00 KPCL | 4.73 | 15.86 | Vol. 504578 D: 51.60 ⇓ 0.39% | 51.59 | 52.30 / 47.00 C: 51.70 ⇑ 0.58% | 51.26 | 52.10 / 50.70 BEDL | 1.48 | 19.43 | Vol. 1442072 D: 31.10 ⇓ 1.89% | 31.32 | 32.70 / 28.80 C: 31.30 ⇓ 0.95% | 31.32 | 32.50 / 30.70 MJLBD | 2.73 | 30.24 | Vol. 682564 D: 78.50 ⇑ 3.56% | 76.80 | 79.60 / 69.00 C: 78.00 ⇑ 3.45% | 77.49 | 79.00 / 74.60 GBBPOWER | 1.86 | 22.63 | Vol. 1940442 D: 30.60 ⇑ 1.66% | 30.57 | 31.50 / 27.20 C: 30.80 ⇑ 1.65% | 30.61 | 31.20 / 30.00 SPPCL | 3.81 | 23.34 | Vol. 1973980 D: 63.70 ⇓ 0.78% | 63.83 | 65.00 / 58.00 C: 63.70 ⇓ 0.78% | 63.69 | 64.90 / 62.90 JUTE JUTESPINN | -48.14 | -39.89 | Vol. 8200 D: 78.20 ⇑ 9.99% | 78.05 | 78.20 / 76.00 SONALIANSH | 5.54 | 218.80 | Vol. 14750 D: 147.4 ⇓ 3.97% | 150.17 | 154.9 / 142.5

DHAKA TRIBUNE

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013

7

November 19, 2013 Sectotal Index: BANK: 39,344.37 ⇑ 2.55% NBFI: 21,595.42 ⇑ 2.62% INVS: 4,937.25 ⇑ 1.01% ENGG: 6,382.05 ⇑ 2.39% FOOD: 9,664.70 ⇑ 0.45% F&P: 10,733.66 ⇑ 2.58% TEXT: 3,453.45 ⇑ 0.44% PHAR: 18,005.49 ⇑ 3.94% PAPR: 1,021.50 ⇓ 2.07% SERV: 3,018.43 ⇑ 1.82% LEAT: 5,330.47 ⇑ 2.04% CERA: 522.89 ⇑ 1.16% CMNT: 4,441.92 ⇑ 2.69% INFO: 7,411.93 ⇑ 0.31% GINS: 9,520.61 ⇑ 1.05% LINS: 129,723.79 ⇓ 1.95% TELC: 1,384.58 ⇑ 2.75% MISC: 6,670.32 ⇑ 1.67% TEXTILE AL-HAJTEX | 2.22 | 16.53 | Vol. 137635 D: 92.20 ⇓ 0.32% | 92.67 | 94.80 / 84.00 RAHIMTEXT | 4.65 | 56.68 | Vol. 4200 D: 256.1 ⇓ 1.99% | 256.43 | 261.1 / 250.1 SAIHAMTEX | 2.75 | 29.50 | Vol. 1234700 D: 28.80 ⇓ 2.04% | 29.07 | 29.70 / 28.80 C: 28.90 ⇓ 1.70% | 28.98 | 29.40 / 28.60 MODERNDYE | 0.91 | 10.37 | Vol. 3400 D: 79.90 ⇓ 3.62% | 80.00 | 80.80 / 79.30 DSHGARME | 0.88 | 12.12 | Vol. 87400 D: 71.40 ⇓ 2.59% | 73.12 | 78.00 / 68.00 DULAMIACOT | -1.90 | -29.70 | Vol. 1400 D: 7.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.86 | 7.90 / 7.80 TALLUSPIN | 1.75 | 16.17 | Vol. 2737635 D: 37.50 ⇓ 2.09% | 37.91 | 38.80 / 37.00 C: 37.60 ⇓ 2.59% | 37.99 | 38.60 / 37.50 APEXSPINN | 2.01 | 49.32 | Vol. 23200 D: 76.70 ⇑ 2.40% | 75.92 | 77.20 / 74.10 C: 76.00 ⇑ 3.12% | 76.00 | 76.00 / 76.00 MITHUNKNIT | 2.87 | 20.53 | Vol. 212200 D: 74.80 ⇑ 0.67% | 74.69 | 76.00 / 73.60 C: 75.70 ⇑ 3.42% | 75.34 | 77.00 / 74.00 DELTASPINN | 3.06 | 26.84 | Vol. 808900 D: 31.70 ⇑ 0.96% | 31.65 | 32.00 / 30.00 C: 31.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 31.48 | 32.00 / 31.00 SONARGAON | 0.27 | 34.50 | Vol. 263500 D: 17.20 ⇓ 0.58% | 17.29 | 17.70 / 17.10 C: 17.50 ⇑ 1.16% | 17.43 | 17.70 / 17.00 PRIMETEX | 1.21 | 59.34 | Vol. 535500 D: 25.20 ⇑ 0.40% | 25.31 | 25.70 / 25.10 C: 25.50 ⇑ 1.59% | 25.51 | 25.80 / 25.20 ALLTEX | -1.26 | 8.10 | Vol. 221000 D: 7.40 ⇑ 1.37% | 7.41 | 7.50 / 7.30 C: 7.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.29 | 7.40 / 7.20 ANLIMAYARN | 1.36 | 11.99 | Vol. 338000 D: 28.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 28.20 | 29.60 / 27.90 C: 28.60 ⇓ 0.69% | 28.44 | 28.60 / 28.40 HRTEX | 2.08 | 14.92 | Vol. 225500 D: 36.80 ⇓ 3.16% | 37.27 | 38.90 / 36.50 CMCKAMAL | 1.37 | 19.31 | Vol. 1914948 D: 32.30 ⇓ 4.15% | 32.77 | 34.10 / 30.50 SAFKOSPINN | 0.95 | 21.78 | Vol. 491630 D: 25.30 ⇑ 0.40% | 25.33 | 25.80 / 25.00 C: 25.30 ⇓ 0.39% | 25.24 | 25.70 / 25.00 SQUARETEXT | 4.32 | 31.82 | Vol. 232378 D: 93.50 ⇑ 2.30% | 92.16 | 93.90 / 90.00 C: 92.40 ⇑ 0.43% | 91.89 | 93.40 / 90.20 METROSPIN | 0.56 | 17.71 | Vol. 1829176 D: 19.00 ⇓ 2.56% | 19.25 | 19.90 / 18.80 C: 19.00 ⇓ 3.06% | 19.21 | 19.70 / 18.80 MAKSONSPIN | 0.16 | 20.55 | Vol. 2630758 D: 16.80 ⇓ 1.18% | 17.02 | 18.00 / 15.50 C: 17.00 ⇓ 0.58% | 17.09 | 17.50 / 16.80 DACCADYE | 1.02 | 28.44 | Vol. 974080 D: 27.60 ⇑ 2.22% | 27.59 | 28.00 / 25.00 C: 27.90 ⇑ 1.45% | 27.63 | 28.00 / 27.20 RNSPIN | 2.80 | 16.58 | Vol. 4581462 D: 34.30 ⇓ 1.15% | 34.42 | 35.20 / 32.00 C: 34.40 ⇓ 0.86% | 34.46 | 35.30 / 34.00 BXSYNTH | 0.93 | 25.42 | Vol. 1988917 D: 17.50 ⇑ 5.42% | 17.31 | 17.90 / 15.00 C: 17.70 ⇑ 6.63% | 17.41 | 18.10 / 16.60 MALEKSPIN | 2.81 | 43.48 | Vol. 5087490 D: 30.10 ⇑ 1.01% | 30.53 | 32.00 / 27.00 C: 30.40 ⇑ 1.67% | 30.49 | 31.50 / 27.40 ZAHINTEX | 1.20 | 31.07 | Vol. 590000 D: 26.50 ⇓ 1.12% | 26.69 | 27.30 / 26.40 C: 26.80 ⇓ 0.37% | 26.84 | 27.40 / 26.60 SAIHAMCOT | 1.92 | 23.62 | Vol. 1345000 D: 26.20 ⇑ 1.55% | 25.97 | 26.50 / 25.50 C: 26.20 ⇑ 1.95% | 25.90 | 26.40 / 25.50 GENNEXT | 1.68 | 15.15 | Vol. 9556360 D: 33.80 ⇓ 0.29% | 34.24 | 36.30 / 30.60 C: 34.00 ⇓ 0.29% | 34.13 | 35.40 / 33.30 ENVOYTEX | 3.19 | 39.00 | Vol. 1447790 D: 58.00 ⇑ 0.35% | 57.58 | 62.10 / 52.10 C: 58.00 ⇑ 0.35% | 57.66 | 58.30 / 57.00 ARGONDENIM | 1.89 | 38.86 | Vol. 1137300 D: 69.80 ⇑ 2.65% | 70.47 | 71.90 / 61.50 C: 70.60 ⇑ 3.82% | 69.94 | 71.20 / 68.10 FAMILYTEX | 3.72 | 14.68 | Vol. 664500 D: 53.80 ⇑ 1.51% | 53.02 | 54.90 / 51.60 C: 53.40 ⇑ 0.19% | 52.65 | 54.00 / 51.60 PTL | 2.25 | 21.72 | Vol. 9757250 D: 45.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 45.63 | 50.00 / 44.00 C: 46.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 45.91 | 50.00 / 44.20

DAFODILCOM | 0.85 | 10.99 | Vol. 677000 D: 13.50 ⇓ 0.74% | 13.54 | 13.70 / 13.40 C: 13.50 ⇓ 0.74% | 13.54 | 13.60 / 13.40 AAMRATECH | 1.33 | 19.91 | Vol. 914200 D: 32.30 ⇓ 0.62% | 32.37 | 32.80 / 31.00 C: 32.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 32.41 | 33.40 / 32.10

PHARMACEUTICAL & CHEMICAL AMBEEPHA | 3.94 | 26.15 | Vol. 12727 D: 265.6 ⇑ 1.84% | 264.35 | 267.6 / 258.2 C: 262.6 ⇑ 0.15% | 262.79 | 267.5 / 250.0 BXPHARMA | 3.77 | 52.55 | Vol. 575407 D: 48.70 ⇑ 4.73% | 48.14 | 48.90 / 43.00 C: 48.80 ⇑ 4.27% | 48.20 | 48.90 / 46.20 GLAXOSMITH | 20.25 | 123.32 | Vol. 7750 D: 992.3 ⇑ 6.09% | 980.13 | 997.7 / 935.0 ACI | -5.82 | 126.42 | Vol. 39282 D: 177.9 ⇑ 6.15% | 173.74 | 180.0 / 162.0 C: 173.8 ⇑ 5.33% | 173.81 | 175.0 / 171.9 RENATA | 33.57 | 138.83 | Vol. 17801 D: 743.3 ⇑ 3.25% | 740.90 | 748.0 / 726.8 RECKITTBEN | 27.16 | 78.89 | Vol. 1550 D: 851.3 ⇑ 6.25% | 851.61 | 861.2 / 839.0 PHARMAID | 1.39 | 26.19 | Vol. 39600 D: 163.8 ⇓ 0.18% | 164.07 | 166.8 / 162.1 KOHINOOR | 14.33 | 19.99 | Vol. 3200 D: 419.9 ⇓ 6.02% | 420.00 | 446.8 / 410.0 IBNSINA | 3.44 | 34.02 | Vol. 154240 D: 110.6 ⇑ 4.54% | 108.69 | 111.8 / 104.0 C: 110.3 ⇑ 4.25% | 109.56 | 111.9 / 107.0 LIBRAINFU | 4.21 | 1567.59 | Vol. 200 D: 440.0 ⇑ 4.14% | 440.00 | 440.0 / 440.0 ORIONINFU | 1.27 | 7.00 | Vol. 311400 D: 43.10 ⇓ 0.69% | 43.23 | 44.40 / 42.70 C: 43.60 ⇑ 0.46% | 43.51 | 44.00 / 42.70 SQURPHARMA | 6.93 | 37.18 | Vol. 1564028 D: 187.7 ⇑ 4.05% | 185.08 | 188.5 / 166.0 C: 187.6 ⇑ 4.11% | 184.29 | 188.9 / 180.5 IMAMBUTTON | -1.51 | 4.16 | Vol. 27500 D: 7.90 ⇑ 2.60% | 7.88 | 8.00 / 7.80 C: 8.00 ⇓ 2.44% | 7.97 | 8.00 / 7.90 KEYACOSMET | 1.55 | 21.54 | Vol. 3137605 D: 26.80 ⇑ 1.90% | 26.59 | 28.00 / 23.70 C: 27.00 ⇑ 1.89% | 26.63 | 27.30 / 26.20 BERGERPBL | 32.46 | 100.20 | Vol. 24250 D: 906.7 ⇑ 6.96% | 895.02 | 910.1 / 851.0 C: 880.0 ⇑ 6.28% | 875.67 | 880.0 / 870.0 ACIFORMULA | 3.33 | 38.08 | Vol. 40000 D: 78.10 ⇑ 2.63% | 77.21 | 79.00 / 76.20 C: 78.20 ⇑ 2.09% | 77.97 | 79.00 / 76.70 MARICO | 27.53 | 62.47 | Vol. 8350 D: 751.2 ⇑ 1.28% | 752.44 | 765.0 / 748.3 C: 764.3 ⇑ 0.57% | 764.33 | 765.0 / 764.0 BEACONPHAR | 0.04 | 12.01 | Vol. 448900 D: 12.00 ⇑ 1.69% | 12.00 | 12.20 / 11.00 C: 12.20 ⇑ 1.67% | 12.05 | 12.20 / 11.90 ACTIVEFINE | 3.23 | 13.89 | Vol. 1816175 D: 90.80 ⇑ 9.93% | 88.26 | 90.80 / 84.00 C: 91.00 ⇑ 9.90% | 89.61 | 91.00 / 86.00 SALVOCHEM | 0.68 | 10.57 | Vol. 1004463 D: 22.10 ⇑ 1.38% | 22.21 | 22.90 / 19.70 C: 22.20 ⇑ 1.37% | 22.22 | 22.80 / 21.90 GHCL | 2.14 | 57.31 | Vol. 1183250 D: 56.60 ⇑ 3.66% | 56.71 | 58.00 / 54.60 C: 57.00 ⇑ 4.20% | 56.78 | 58.00 / 55.80 ORIONPHARM | 5.02 | 68.68 | Vol. 1721680 D: 58.40 ⇑ 0.52% | 58.50 | 59.50 / 52.30 C: 58.80 ⇑ 0.68% | 58.64 | 59.30 / 58.10 JMISMDL | 1.12 | 12.83 | Vol. 229500 D: 204.6 ⇓ 2.11% | 207.72 | 220.0 / 202.1 C: 204.2 ⇓ 1.97% | 205.21 | 211.0 / 202.5 CENTRALPHL | 1.62 | 12.24 | Vol. 858500 D: 32.00 ⇑ 0.31% | 31.96 | 32.60 / 31.50 C: 32.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 31.94 | 32.70 / 31.50 PAPER & PACKAGING HAKKANIPUL | 0.51 | 31.01 | Vol. 31500 D: 27.90 ⇓ 5.10% | 28.03 | 29.50 / 27.20 C: 27.70 ⇓ 5.78% | 27.70 | 27.70 / 27.70 PAPERPROC | -6.25 | 84.74 | Vol. 0 C: 0.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 0.00 | 0.00 / 0.00

SERVICE SAMORITA | 3.24 | 74.65 | Vol. 234968 D: 123.4 ⇑ 9.20% | 121.23 | 124.2 / 110.0 C: 117.1 ⇓ 0.17% | 117.10 | 118.0 / 116.2 SAPORTL | 1.23 | 38.39 | Vol. 622263 D: 28.70 ⇑ 1.41% | 28.60 | 29.00 / 26.00 C: 29.00 ⇑ 2.11% | 28.85 | 29.00 / 28.00 EHL | 2.81 | 18.44 | Vol. 980066 D: 52.10 ⇓ 8.76% | 52.22 | 54.80 / 48.00 C: 52.70 ⇓ 7.05% | 53.71 | 55.00 / 51.40 LEATHER APEXTANRY | 6.57 | 69.38 | Vol. 286900 D: 126.8 ⇑ 9.69% | 121.69 | 127.1 / 115.0 C: 127.0 ⇑ 9.48% | 124.60 | 127.6 / 117.0 BATASHOE | 49.12 | 135.53 | Vol. 16700 D: 731.6 ⇑ 1.67% | 731.06 | 740.0 / 722.1 C: 725.1 ⇑ 2.13% | 728.01 | 729.0 / 725.1 APEXADELFT | 23.01 | 203.26 | Vol. 176200 D: 398.1 ⇑ 4.35% | 389.70 | 405.0 / 377.1 LEGACYFOOT | 0.63 | 17.19 | Vol. 466000 D: 34.90 ⇓ 4.90% | 35.53 | 37.50 / 34.70 C: 35.00 ⇓ 4.11% | 35.37 | 37.00 / 34.80 CERAMIC MONNOCERA | 0.35 | 95.30 | Vol. 46832 D: 32.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 32.26 | 33.00 / 29.90 C: 32.70 ⇓ 0.30% | 32.69 | 32.80 / 32.60 FUWANGCER | 0.65 | 12.70 | Vol. 794179 D: 18.50 ⇑ 1.09% | 18.59 | 18.90 / 18.00 C: 18.50 ⇑ 1.09% | 18.44 | 18.60 / 18.10 SPCERAMICS | 0.62 | 30.92 | Vol. 929425 D: 17.90 ⇑ 2.29% | 17.88 | 18.30 / 16.00 C: 18.00 ⇑ 2.86% | 17.92 | 18.30 / 17.40 RAKCERAMIC | 1.98 | 16.76 | Vol. 188288 D: 53.50 ⇑ 0.56% | 53.50 | 54.00 / 48.00 C: 53.40 ⇑ 0.75% | 53.45 | 53.90 / 52.00 CEMENT HEIDELBCEM | 22.85 | 111.50 | Vol. 121800 D: 404.2 ⇑ 3.72% | 397.92 | 408.0 / 392.0 C: 406.9 ⇑ 4.07% | 404.43 | 408.0 / 393.0 CONFIDCEM | 6.23 | 90.76 | Vol. 434778 D: 130.3 ⇑ 2.68% | 129.57 | 131.0 / 120.0 C: 130.6 ⇑ 2.92% | 129.62 | 131.0 / 128.2 MEGHNACEM | 6.28 | 33.81 | Vol. 115900 D: 132.1 ⇑ 4.59% | 130.01 | 133.0 / 127.0 C: 133.8 ⇑ 6.87% | 132.00 | 134.5 / 127.7 ARAMITCEM | 3.03 | 14.65 | Vol. 139300 D: 76.70 ⇑ 1.99% | 75.67 | 77.70 / 74.00 C: 78.30 ⇑ 2.22% | 76.83 | 79.00 / 75.70 LAFSURCEML | 1.60 | 7.22 | Vol. 713500 D: 32.10 ⇑ 1.90% | 31.99 | 32.20 / 31.50 C: 32.20 ⇑ 1.90% | 32.03 | 32.30 / 31.60 MICEMENT | 4.48 | 37.67 | Vol. 401177 D: 88.10 ⇑ 1.15% | 87.47 | 88.40 / 80.00 C: 87.90 ⇑ 1.15% | 87.37 | 88.20 / 86.80 PREMIERCEM | 5.00 | 32.60 | Vol. 465800 D: 108.2 ⇑ 2.27% | 108.12 | 110.0 / 105.0 C: 108.2 ⇑ 1.03% | 107.72 | 109.5 / 105.1 IT IINDUSTRIES ISNLTD | 0.28 | 17.31 | Vol. 117833 D: 17.50 ⇑ 2.34% | 17.50 | 17.90 / 16.00 C: 17.30 ⇑ 0.58% | 17.26 | 17.40 / 17.10 BDCOM | 1.40 | 14.41 | Vol. 596577 D: 27.80 ⇑ 1.46% | 27.77 | 28.20 / 24.70 C: 27.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 27.42 | 27.50 / 27.30 INTECH | 0.94 | 10.08 | Vol. 263705 D: 15.70 ⇑ 1.95% | 15.64 | 15.80 / 14.00 C: 15.70 ⇑ 1.29% | 15.60 | 15.70 / 15.40 AGNISYSL | 0.96 | 14.90 | Vol. 340282 D: 21.70 ⇑ 0.46% | 21.79 | 22.00 / 21.00 C: 22.00 ⇑ 0.92% | 21.96 | 22.50 / 20.00

GENERAL INSURANCE BGIC | 1.65 | 20.33 | Vol. 86745 D: 31.10 ⇑ 2.30% | 30.98 | 31.20 / 29.00 C: 31.00 ⇑ 1.64% | 30.92 | 31.00 / 30.20 GREENDELT | 4.05 | 64.44 | Vol. 72620 D: 81.70 ⇑ 2.90% | 80.94 | 82.40 / 78.00 C: 82.90 ⇑ 3.63% | 81.80 | 83.00 / 81.00 UNITEDINS | 2.47 | 21.04 | Vol. 5400 D: 44.70 ⇓ 0.67% | 44.81 | 45.20 / 44.30 PEOPLESINS | 2.05 | 20.72 | Vol. 445465 D: 36.00 ⇓ 2.96% | 36.63 | 36.90 / 35.80 C: 36.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 37.40 | 37.50 / 36.50 EASTERNINS | 2.22 | 35.88 | Vol. 33820 D: 38.90 ⇓ 1.02% | 38.96 | 39.10 / 36.50 JANATAINS | 0.78 | 17.07 | Vol. 212000 D: 28.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 28.43 | 28.80 / 27.00 C: 28.60 ⇑ 0.35% | 28.56 | 29.40 / 28.20 PHENIXINS | 2.70 | 20.96 | Vol. 58200 D: 45.70 ⇑ 1.11% | 45.48 | 46.00 / 44.90 EASTLAND | 4.06 | 23.29 | Vol. 314859 D: 50.50 ⇑ 0.40% | 50.27 | 52.00 / 48.00 C: 50.00 ⇑ 0.40% | 49.79 | 50.00 / 49.60 CENTRALINS | 1.54 | 19.04 | Vol. 69400 D: 31.30 ⇑ 0.32% | 31.26 | 31.90 / 30.90 C: 30.40 ⇑ 0.66% | 30.40 | 30.40 / 30.40 KARNAPHULI | 1.56 | 19.42 | Vol. 126580 D: 25.10 ⇓ 0.79% | 25.36 | 27.00 / 25.00 RUPALIINS | 2.76 | 23.38 | Vol. 256920 D: 34.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 34.71 | 35.00 / 34.00 C: 35.00 ⇑ 0.57% | 34.99 | 35.40 / 34.60 FEDERALINS | 1.10 | 10.98 | Vol. 328230 D: 26.10 ⇑ 0.77% | 26.11 | 26.30 / 26.00 C: 26.30 ⇑ 0.77% | 26.16 | 26.40 / 26.00 RELIANCINS | 3.93 | 61.52 | Vol. 5700 D: 75.80 ⇑ 3.69% | 75.70 | 78.00 / 72.50 PURABIGEN | 1.05 | 18.71 | Vol. 419450 D: 25.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 25.10 | 25.40 / 23.00 PRAGATIINS | 2.01 | 50.30 | Vol. 24200 D: 60.60 ⇑ 0.50% | 60.42 | 61.00 / 59.80 C: 58.70 ⇑ 2.44% | 58.70 | 58.70 / 58.70 PRIMEINSUR | 2.14 | 14.14 | Vol. 89665 D: 33.90 ⇓ 2.02% | 34.05 | 34.90 / 32.00 PIONEERINS | 3.11 | 23.84 | Vol. 99000 D: 69.60 ⇓ 0.71% | 69.86 | 72.40 / 69.00 MERCINS | 1.53 | 14.50 | Vol. 175000 D: 29.00 ⇑ 1.05% | 29.03 | 29.30 / 28.60 C: 28.90 ⇑ 2.12% | 28.94 | 29.00 / 28.00 AGRANINS | 1.73 | 14.39 | Vol. 176995 D: 27.80 ⇓ 0.36% | 28.14 | 28.60 / 26.00 GLOBALINS | 1.09 | 11.78 | Vol. 107350 D: 30.30 ⇓ 0.98% | 30.11 | 31.00 / 27.70 NITOLINS | 2.59 | 15.41 | Vol. 25707 D: 35.60 ⇓ 3.00% | 35.71 | 36.50 / 35.00 C: 36.00 ⇑ 1.41% | 36.00 | 36.00 / 36.00 ASIAPACINS | 1.84 | 13.76 | Vol. 141500 D: 31.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 31.49 | 32.00 / 30.90 C: 31.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 30.97 | 31.90 / 30.70 SONARBAINS | 1.68 | 13.38 | Vol. 194500 D: 26.00 ⇑ 0.78% | 26.05 | 26.40 / 25.70 C: 25.80 ⇑ 0.78% | 25.75 | 25.80 / 25.60 PARAMOUNT | 1.26 | 13.19 | Vol. 128315 D: 26.00 ⇑ 0.78% | 25.81 | 27.00 / 24.30 C: 26.20 ⇑ 0.38% | 25.87 | 26.30 / 25.60 CITYGENINS | 1.65 | 14.26 | Vol. 91422 D: 30.10 ⇓ 0.33% | 30.54 | 31.00 / 29.20 C: 29.50 ⇓ 1.01% | 29.65 | 30.10 / 29.30 CONTININS | 1.41 | 15.68 | Vol. 265500 D: 32.20 ⇑ 0.94% | 31.96 | 32.50 / 31.50 C: 32.00 ⇑ 0.95% | 32.19 | 32.90 / 31.80 TAKAFULINS | 2.19 | 15.17 | Vol. 376368 D: 42.00 ⇑ 0.24% | 41.86 | 42.50 / 40.00 C: 42.40 ⇑ 0.24% | 41.93 | 42.50 / 41.30 STANDARINS | 2.58 | 13.99 | Vol. 18800 D: 41.10 ⇑ 1.73% | 40.91 | 41.70 / 40.40 NORTHRNINS | 1.77 | 11.15 | Vol. 367197 D: 44.00 ⇑ 2.33% | 44.02 | 44.40 / 40.00 C: 44.00 ⇑ 4.76% | 44.00 | 44.00 / 44.00 REPUBLIC | 2.14 | 12.42 | Vol. 254132 D: 45.00 ⇑ 0.45% | 45.00 | 45.60 / 44.60 C: 45.10 ⇑ 1.12% | 45.12 | 45.50 / 44.70

ASIAINS | 1.56 | 17.34 | Vol. 151935 D: 28.60 ⇓ 0.35% | 28.66 | 29.20 / 27.00 C: 29.00 ⇑ 0.69% | 28.73 | 29.40 / 28.40 ISLAMIINS | 1.29 | 11.96 | Vol. 305739 D: 38.00 ⇑ 6.15% | 35.27 | 39.00 / 32.80 C: 36.20 ⇑ 4.02% | 36.24 | 38.20 / 34.90 PROVATIINS | 1.90 | 14.30 | Vol. 74042 D: 30.40 ⇓ 1.94% | 30.51 | 31.10 / 29.40 C: 30.60 ⇓ 0.65% | 30.60 | 31.80 / 30.00 DHAKAINS | 2.84 | 18.02 | Vol. 199500 D: 42.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 43.01 | 43.30 / 42.80 C: 42.80 ⇓ 0.70% | 42.91 | 43.50 / 42.30 LIFE INSURANCE NATLIFEINS | 12.34 | 80.99 | Vol. 27085 D: 253.6 ⇓ 0.82% | 254.20 | 257.0 / 245.0 DELTALIFE | 38.53 | 189.40 | Vol. 6100 D: 351.2 ⇓ 8.73% | 351.20 | 351.2 / 351.2 C: 369.0 ⇓ 8.73% | 369.00 | 369.0 / 369.0 SANDHANINS | 2.39 | 28.22 | Vol. 42642 D: 73.60 ⇑ 2.08% | 73.09 | 73.90 / 67.00 C: 72.30 ⇑ 1.83% | 73.27 | 74.00 / 72.20 POPULARLIF | 3.70 | 715.41 | Vol. 90510 D: 248.8 ⇑ 2.77% | 242.68 | 249.9 / 223.0 FAREASTLIF | 9.21 | 60.79 | Vol. 56151 D: 96.40 ⇑ 1.15% | 96.19 | 104.0 / 90.00 C: 97.80 ⇑ 2.84% | 97.60 | 97.90 / 97.50 MEGHNALIFE | 10.82 | 48.87 | Vol. 161410 D: 109.2 ⇑ 2.73% | 107.42 | 110.0 / 106.1 C: 109.5 ⇑ 3.01% | 106.78 | 110.0 / 106.0 PROGRESLIF | 2.30 | 31.45 | Vol. 6003 D: 106.3 ⇑ 0.76% | 106.34 | 110.0 / 104.3 PRAGATILIF | 0.60 | 30.15 | Vol. 124671 D: 131.0 ⇑ 9.99% | 126.96 | 131.0 / 115.0 PRIMELIFE | 5.51 | 27.10 | Vol. 37578 D: 96.60 ⇑ 3.65% | 95.92 | 97.00 / 94.00 C: 97.10 ⇑ 7.77% | 97.12 | 97.80 / 96.90 RUPALILIFE | 3.75 | 31.25 | Vol. 64850 D: 98.20 ⇑ 2.29% | 97.48 | 99.10 / 96.00 PADMALIFE | 1.63 | 25.76 | Vol. 59780 D: 59.10 ⇑ 1.03% | 58.86 | 59.50 / 55.00 C: 59.20 ⇑ 0.68% | 59.17 | 59.90 / 58.00 SUNLIFEINS | 0.00 | 0.00 | Vol. 314200 D: 57.60 ⇑ 1.23% | 57.41 | 58.50 / 52.50 C: 57.40 ⇑ 0.17% | 58.05 | 60.00 / 55.90 TELECOM GP | 12.96 | 26.26 | Vol. 1296007 D: 206.5 ⇑ 3.30% | 204.68 | 207.0 / 195.0 C: 206.6 ⇑ 3.56% | 204.45 | 207.0 / 200.0 BSCCL | 5.82 | 26.38 | Vol. 664828 D: 183.3 ⇑ 0.22% | 184.21 | 196.0 / 170.0 C: 183.5 ⇑ 0.11% | 184.49 | 188.5 / 182.9 TRAVEL & LEISURE UNITEDAIR | 1.10 | 12.87 | Vol. 6413997 D: 16.60 ⇑ 1.84% | 16.67 | 16.80 / 15.50 C: 16.60 ⇑ 1.22% | 16.63 | 16.80 / 16.40 UNIQUEHRL | 4.02 | 86.29 | Vol. 797810 D: 84.00 ⇑ 2.56% | 84.16 | 85.00 / 75.00 C: 84.20 ⇑ 1.81% | 84.25 | 85.00 / 83.00 MISCELLANEOUS ARAMIT | 16.07 | 99.93 | Vol. 32300 D: 369.5 ⇓ 3.25% | 371.06 | 383.0 / 366.0 C: 360.0 ⇓ 5.04% | 360.00 | 360.0 / 360.0 BSC | 1.77 | 565.82 | Vol. 102470 D: 450.3 ⇓ 0.17% | 448.23 | 455.0 / 441.8 C: 450.5 ⇓ 0.07% | 448.13 | 455.0 / 442.3 GQBALLPEN | 6.55 | 250.45 | Vol. 61646 D: 147.2 ⇑ 0.20% | 147.10 | 147.8 / 140.0 C: 146.0 ⇓ 0.14% | 146.27 | 147.5 / 145.4 USMANIAGL | 3.45 | 27.20 | Vol. 68267 D: 130.8 ⇑ 1.24% | 130.88 | 132.7 / 129.5 C: 131.4 ⇑ 0.84% | 130.03 | 131.4 / 129.5 BEXIMCO | 3.24 | 86.74 | Vol. 5931608 D: 35.40 ⇑ 5.04% | 35.06 | 36.00 / 30.40 C: 35.50 ⇑ 5.65% | 35.12 | 36.20 / 33.70 SINOBANGLA | 1.75 | 21.01 | Vol. 270500 D: 22.00 ⇓ 0.90% | 21.97 | 22.50 / 21.70 C: 22.10 ⇓ 1.34% | 22.00 | 22.10 / 21.80 BOND IBBLPBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 135 D: 977.0 ⇓ 0.41% | 977.78 | 980.0 / 974.5 ACIZCBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 20 D: 883.5 ⇓ 0.17% | 857.14 | 884.5 / 880.0 C: 880.5 ⇑ 0.11% | 880.67 | 881.0 / 880.0

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013

Work ethic, comic hero make Koreans hot shots in car design n Reuters In today’s auto industry, where famed Japanese quality and durability are increasingly a given, design is king and, among designers, South Koreans are hot property.

From General Motors’ bold Chevrolet Camaro to the quintessential British gentlemen’s Bentley, more top models carry the flair and signature of a group of designers from South Korea, which some have dubbed “Asia’s Italy” for its impact on car design, fashion and aesthetics.

As competition in the industry becomes ever more cut-throat, partly as gaps in quality and technology narrow, automakers need bolder, edgier designs to differentiate. From a global talent pool, South Koreans stand out.

Designers, including Sangyup Lee, Jinwon Kim and Jay Jongwon Kim, are gaining influence at automakers in the United States and Europe, and even at Toyota Motor, as well as, of course, at Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors.

Theories for this Korean wave vary: from Hyundai’s rise and the nation’s work ethic, to a societal emphasis on external beauty - Korea has a thriving cosmetic surgery industry - and the impact of a 1990s comic book and TV series called “Asphalt Man”, which starred local heartthrob Lee Byung-hun as a young car designer. The aspiring fictional designer inspired “a lot of kids, including me, at the time,” said Sangyup Lee, who is in charge of exterior design and advanced design at Bentley’s main studio in Crewe, in northwest England.

Four years ago, Lee led a Korean-Russian-Brazilian team that redesigned the new Camaro for launch by GM in 2009. He later moved to Volkswagen and then to the German group’s Bentley unit. Another member of the Camaro team was Steve Kim, a Korean native, who is a director at GM’s design studio in Seoul. The two used to work in the basement of Lee’s house in a Detroit suburb, often late into the night tossing around ideas and filling up sketchpads to conjure up the new Camaro.

of Design in Pasadena, California - widely regarded as the Harvard of auto design - says the rise of Korean designers is a result of a turn in the global industry. “In most mature markets people have moved on and cars are generally nothing more than a means of transportation,” he said. “In Korea and, increasingly, China, people still dream of owning cars and they’re considered a status symbol,” making car design a desirable profession.

In a typical class of 12-15 students at the Art Center, more than half are Asian, and half of those are Korean, noted Lim, who previously worked at GM and Honda Motor. GM’s Steve Kim noted that economic power shifts mean the next wave of designers is likely to emerge from China and Southeast Asia.

way to Germany armed only with the address of BMW’s headquarters, a portfolio of designs and a hunger to succeed. Once he had located the design studio, Kim had to beg reluctant receptionists to call a designer whose name he had found on the Internet. The student, who barely spoke English, let alone German, was eventually allowed in and gave the first of half a dozen presentations that day, first at the MINI studio and then at the main BMW studio to Bangle and current BMW design chief Adrian Van Hooydonk.

Six months later, Kim was back at BMW, this time with an appointment, to present to Bangle a scaled-down model of a design he had shown earlier. He gave a dazzling presentation, complete with lights and music, and

“They had to worry about whether they had enough to eat day to day,” said the Korea native who was educated in California. Parents wanted their children to become lawyers, doctors or engineers, she added. “Now, art is very much celebrated,” making car design a more desirable career choice.

Bentley’s Lee said Koreans are also playing catch-up with developed car markets as they lacked a “car culture.” The 44-year-old said that, unlike some of his peers today, his family did not have “a big garage full of hotrod cars.” Similarly, Kim at Opel, the son of a rice miller, said he rarely saw cars on the streets of Buan when he was growing up.

From the age of 12, Lee attended “art cram school” in the evenings in Seoul, determined

‘Korean mafia’

At GM, the Detroit automaker that bought failed Daewoo Motors in 2002, close to three dozen Koreans are among several hundred professionals working at the main US studio in Warren, Michigan - and are dubbed the “Korean mafia” or “K-team”.

Tim Lee, GM’s global manufacturing chief and China unit chairman, says most global brands are now equally capable on quality and technology. “What sets us apart? Great design and (economies of) scale,” he said, noting a successful automaker has to offer more car for the customer at affordable prices.

At Toyota, Jinwon Kim led the design of the FJ-Cruiser, an edgy sport utility vehicle. Mercedes-Benz designer Hubert Lee, American-born but who grew up in Seoul, masterminded the styling of the CLS luxury coupe, and Jay Jongwon Kim is a rising talent at Opel, one of the design brains behind the Monza concept car that won plaudits at this year’s Frankfurt auto show.

“Koreans are extremely good designers, well trained and disciplined,” said Chris Bangle, a former BMW design chief who now runs a design consultancy in Italy.

Bumsuk Lim, a Korean native and a professor of car design at the Art Center College

Junghan Kim, 22, from South Korea, works on a clay design for a 2023 Lamborghini during a Transportation Design class at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California REUTERS

Trailblazer

A trailblazer for today’s Korean design talent was John Chun, a Korean War veteran who in the late-1960s designed Shelby Cobras, tricked-out performance variants of the Ford Mustang. Chun, who was also a consultant to Hyundai and worked for Tonka Toys, died in July, aged 84.

A couple of decades later, Art Center’s Lim and Bentley’s Lee came of age, paving the way for the current generation of Korean designers, though Bangle, the ex-BMW design chief, said the world is still waiting for Korea to produce the likes of Japan’s Ken Okuyama, who designed the Ferrari Enzo, and Shiro Nakamura, Nissan Motor’s chief designer.

Beyond an innate design talent, Koreans’ success owes much to the nation’s famed work ethic and tenacity, said Bangle, recalling how Jay Jongwon Kim, an industrial design student, turned up unannounced at BMW’s Munich studio one day in 2006.

With no appointment, Kim paid his own

was offered an internship on the spot. That led to a formal job offer seven months later, which was scuppered by the 2008 global financial crisis. Undeterred, Kim secured a position at Mercedes-Benz’s studio in Yokohama, and later moved to GM’s Opel, where his work on the Monza concept hints at the design language for Opel’s next generation of cars.

Cadillac’s park

A key member of GM’s “Korean mafia” in Michigan is Christine Park, who was lead interior designer for the Cadillac XTS full-size sedan launched last year to help revive the storied brand.

Park, now Cadillac’s lead exterior designer, says the success of her compatriots coincides with the rise of Korea’s fashion and architectural industries as the economy has prospered. She says her parents and grandparents are part of Korea’s lost generation for whom life was a tough slog through Japanese occupation, World War II and the Korean War.

to gain entry to Hongik University, a leading art school. He went on to study sculpture at Hongik and then car design at Art Center, before joining GM in 1999 after a stint at Porsche and Pininfarina, an independent Italian design studio.

“We don’t have a strong automotive tradition in Korea, so most of us are very hungry and willing to work hard” to gain the knowledge and expertise in car design, Lee said.

“That makes us flexible and versatile.”

The biggest challenge for Korean designers now is consistency, moving from one-off hits to developing a lasting legacy that is “the definition of good designers,” Patrick le Quement, Renault’s design chief who retired in 2009 after 22 years, said in an email exchange.

“Design is like F1 racing, it’s good to win a race, but it doesn’t mean you’ll become world champion. There are drivers who made a habit of winning and those that won occasionally, for lack of talent, concentration and dedication.” l