November 21, 2013

Business

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Baksaas: Telenor worried over ‘unrest-full’ situation

Agrahayan 7, 1420 Muharram 16, 1435 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 1 No 237

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2013 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

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Interim cabinet to take full shape today PM to take charge of home ministry, senior ministers to exit

n Mohammad Al Masum Molla Two days after the formation of the “all party” polls-time government, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has finalised her plan to distribute portfolios among the new recruits, keeping a few of her most trusted old cabinet colleagues and taking the charge of home ministry in hand.

Sources in the Awami League, Jatiya Party and Cabinet Division said Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali may get the foreign ministry, Mujibul Haque the railways and the religious affairs ministries, while Shahjahan Khan may be receive the shipping and the liberation affairs ministries.

According to the sources, the prime minister herself would look after the home ministry. Current Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir may not have

a place in the shortened cabinet to run the government through the next polls.

State Ministers Shamsul Haque Tuku and Quamrul Islam may continue with their current portfolios—home and law respectively, while Law Minister Shafique Ahmed may be appointed as an advisor to the prime minister. Anwar Hossain Manju, chairman of Jatiya Party (Manju) may be handpicked as an adviser too, sources added.

A gazette notification will be published today mentioning the portfolios of the polls-time cabinet members, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced during the closing session of the ninth parliament yesterday.

Senior Awami League leaders told the Dhaka Tribune that among the ruling Awami League lawmakers, Tofail Ahmed might receive the industries  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

Secretariat passing lazy days n Mohosinul Karim n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

Waste-product from an oil factory near the capital’s Kanchpur Bridge is being disposed in a water body which meets the Shitalakhya River, eventually polluting the river. The recently taken photo shows yellow leftovers of processed oil coming out of drainage, engulfing the water body NASHIRUL ISLAM

BNP plans to go tougher next week

Officials and employees of different ministries and divisions of administration are confused and uncertain about what to do as portfolios of ministers of the polls-time government are yet to be distributed.

All of the officials and employees concerned are waiting for the final decision of the government.

Most of the officials are not working.

They are attending their offices in time but doing nothing.

According to the security officials of the secretariat, a few ministers are attending their offices even after their resignation letters were submitted to the prime minister as they are still unsure if their resignations will be accepted or not.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Labour Minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju and Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu attended their offices on Wednesday.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

The BNP is preparing to go for a series of tough programmes, such as shutdowns and blockades, again from next week if its demands submitted to President Md Abdul Hamid are not met within a few days.

A number of BNP leaders said the party would wait a few days for the president’s response to their demand and also to allow their arrested five leaders to file bail petitions on Sunday before enforcing any tough programmes.

The party is planning to enforce its next course of action from Monday to mount pressure on the government over its demand for the elections to be held under a non-partisan government.

However, many BNP leaders with whom Dhaka Tribune has spoken said there was the least possibility of any positive outcome from the meeting with the president, but the party wanted to give the government some more time for arranging the talks.

On Tuesday, a 20-member delegation of the opposition alliance met the

Ershad pleads for acquittal in Manzoor murder case n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A Dhaka court yesterday set November 24 for hearing the argument of the prosecution in the Manzoor murder case in which former military ruler HM Ershad is an accused.

Ershad was present in the court as Dhaka First Additional District and Sessions’ Judge Hosne Ara Akter recorded the argument of the defence side.

The main accused in the case are HM Ershad, retired Major Emdadul Islam and retired Lieutenant Colonel Mostafa Kamal Uddin Bhuyain.

Ershad’s counsel Sheikh Sirajul Islam placed his argument before the court. He said as the prosecution could not produce any evidence against Ershad the court should acquit Ershad unconditionally.

Ershad was included in the charge-sheet out of political vengeance. The counsel of Ershad said on October 2 last year Ershad defended himself in the court pleading not guilty.

Earlier, Ershad claimed that a news report published in the daily Azadi on June 4, 1981 headlined “Enraged armed people shoot Abul Manzoor dead and two cohorts during mutiny” was true.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

president at Bangabhaban and urged him to take initiatives for a dialogue between the ruling Awami League and the BNP to end the present political stalemate over polls-time government.

“We will wait a day or two for the president’s response. If we do not get any response, we will announce our next course of action,” Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain, a member of the party’s Standing Committee, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

P3 MORE STORIES “It is not a matter of any date. If the government does not pay heed to our demand, we will enforce non-stop programmes from early next week,” Abdus Salam, member secretary of Dhaka city unit BNP, told the Dhaka Tribune.

At the same time, if the Election Commission announced the polls schedule by next week, the BNP is planning to go for “non-stop blockade and siege programmes.”

Meanwhile, the Awami League is heading towards the elections, which

have to be held by January 24, forming an “all-party” polls-time cabinet.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday told parliament that the president had agreed to let her lead the polls-time cabinet.

The BNP already declared it would neither join the interim government nor the upcoming election under that government.

After the meeting with the president on Tuesday, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia summoned the alliance leaders at her Gulshan office and asked who among them got offers to join polls-time cabinet.

Meeting sources said BJP leader Andalib Rahman Partha told Khaleda that offers came to many of them but none would leave the alliance.

LDP leader Oli Ahmed said a minister went to his home with an offer to join the interim cabinet, but he refused that offer.

The main opposition party enforced 204 hours of hartal in three spells in three weeks between October 27 and November 6. The party also kept its hartal programme suspended this week because of US official Nisha Desai Biswal’s  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

Hasina rings election bell

She says she will head interim government being obliged to carry out the orders n Kamran Reza Chowddhury of the Election Commission. She anPrime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday told parliament that she would head the polls-time interim administration as the president had assented to continue her government until the 10th parliamentary polls took place.

Urging the BNP-led opposition to participate in the upcoming election, the Awami League chief said no one could stop the polls, and called upon the people to take part casting their votes.

“There is no doubt the elections will take place; please take part in the polls. Those who will get people’s verdict will win the polls. As far as I am in chair, no rigging will take place. We have no intention to come to power by snatching people’s verdict,” Hasina told parliament in her 47-minute wrapup speech.

Hasina said the interim administration she formed must not take part in policy decisions during the election period, with the ministers concerned

nounced that Wednesday was the last day of the current ninth parliament.

“Unless any war-like emergency situation arises, there will be no more session of this parliament,” Hasina said.

“The election is nearing. As the leader of the house, I have met [the president] and told him that we are ready for the polls,” she said.

“He has permitted me to continue in the government during the polls,” Hasina said, amid desk-thumping from the attending MPs. The premier said she had already formed an interim government comprising representatives from the Jatiya Party, the Workers’ Party and the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal to aid the Election Commission in holding the next parliamentary polls, which must take place before January 24 next year.

“I have suggested that the president take measures for the polls.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Hasina, family fly for Umrah today n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

Furniture of ministers are being removed from their official residences in the capital’s Minto Road area yesterday

Armed Forces Day today n UNB

Armed Forces Day will be observed across the country today with due solemnity and enthusiasm.

On this day during the 1971 Liberation War, the Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising the Army, Navy and Air Force came into being and launched an all-out attack on the Pakistani occupation forces.

President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia have issued separate messages to mark the occasion.

Tributes were paid to all martyrs of the liberation war, including all martyred soldiers of the armed forces.

Today’s programme will begin with the offering of a special prayer after Fajr prayers at all mosques: seeking divine blessings for the army garrisons and naval and air force bases throughout the country.

The president and the premier will place wreaths at “Shikha Anirban” at Dhaka Cantonment to pay homage to the members of the armed forces who had embraced martyrdom in the Liberation War. Chief of Army Staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral M Farid Habib and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari will also place wreaths at “Shikha Anirban” on behalf of their respective services.

On this occasion, the premier will host a reception and meet the family members of the Bir Shresthas and other gallantry award-winning freedom fighters at the Armed Forces Division.

Receptions will also be held in Savar, Bogra, Ghatail, Chittagong, Comilla, Sylhet, Jessore, Rangpur, Khulna and Rajendrapur cantonments. l

Accidents kill 2 minors in Dhaka n Kailash Sarkar A 12-year-old girl was killed when a piece of wood fell on her at a building site in the capital’s Tejkunipara, while another young boy was crushed to death under the wheels of a speeding van in Uttara.

The girl was identified as Mariam, daughter of Md Khokan Miah, a security guard at the under-construction building of Zakir Enterprise and Developers Ltd, where the accident occurred yesterday morning. Khokan said a log fell on his daughter from the third floor of the building. Mariam died at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Mujibur Rahman, sub-inspector of Tejgaon Police Station said.

Meanwhile, Md Nuruzzaman, also aged 12, was killed instantly when a rashly-driven pick-up van ran him over early yesterday at the beribadh (embankment) in Uttara.

Saidul Islam, sub-inspector of Uttara East Police Station, said they had recovered the body and sent it to the morgue for autopsy. l

Mahmud Hossain Opu

JS session ends with series of records n Kamran Reza Chowdhury The Awami League-led ninth parliament ended yesterday, going into the record books for holding the highest number of sittings and enacting the highest number of laws.

The House wrapped up its 418 sittings yesterday, superseding the previous record of 400 sittings by the BNPled fifth parliament (1991-95).

Mostly amid opposition boycott, the current parliament passed 271 bills against the previous record of 191 bills enacted by the Awami League-led seventh parliament.

Leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia made history in parliament boycotts by attending the House for only 10 days.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina held the previous record of only 45 attendances, when she was the opposition leader in the eighth parliament.

As the opposition, the BNP also made history by boycotting 346 out of the total 418 sittings of the ninth parliament. The BNP lawmakers attended only 76 days.

The previous record was set during the eighth parliament (2001-06), when

the then opposition Awami League boycotted 223 out of the total 373 sittings.

In her closing speech, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said there would be no more session of this parliament unless there was a war-like situation.

According to the constitution, the parliament’s last day is January 24 next year as the ninth Jatiya Sangsad had its first session on January 25, 2009.

The House started its scheduled business after 4:35pm, with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.

She suspended the scheduled question-answer hour for the ministers and notices of public importance.

The House passed seven bills on the last day of the session.

The bills were: International Mother Language Institute Bill 2013, Enrichment of Vitamin-A in Edible Oil Bill 2013, Bangladesh Handloom Board Bill 2013, Jessore Science and Technology University (amendment) Bill 2013, Barisal University (amendment) Bill 2013, Comilla University (amendment) Bill 2013, and Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies Bill 2013. l

Minor girl killed in city n Kailash Sarkar

A six-year old girl was killed yesterday by a young man, who claimed he “loved the girl,” at the T&T Colony in the capital’s Banani.

Tariqul Islam Raju, 20, confessed to the crime after being arrested last night, while the police also found the victim Julekha’s body inside Raju’s house.

Julekha, was the daughter of Jasim Sarkar, a rickshaw-puller and Mamataj Begum, a cleaner of the T&T. Sub-Inspector Sharifuzzaman of Banani police station said Julekha fell victim to Raju when her parents were away. The child’s body has been sent to the Dhaka Medical College morgue for autopsy, he said.

“Although Raju claimed he strangled the girl to death by a scurf, it would be

verified after the autopsy,” the SI said.

Julekha and her parents were tenants of Raju’s family, who owned several other houses in the T&T Colony slum.

“After we arrested Raju, he admitted to the murder of Julekha, saying he had loved the girl. But he killed her as the girl did not agree to his perversion,” said SI Sharifuzzaman, adding that Raju had planned to move the girl’s body at night.

Julekha’s mother Mamataj said when she could not find her daughter, the neighbours informed that Julekha was last seen with Raju.

“When I asked for the whereabouts of my daughter, Raju told me he would give the trace of my daughter if we provided him with Tk100,000 as ransom,” said Mamataj. Raju confessed to the killing after the police was informed, she added. l

Beirut blast injures 7 Bangladeshis n Tribune Report At least seven Bangladeshis were injured in an explosion in Lebanon’s capital city of Beirut on November 19.

One of them was critically wounded and others had been receiving medical treatment, said a press release of the

foreign ministry.

The Bangladeshi embassy in Beirut has been looking after their welfare and were also in touch with the local Lebanese authorities to ensure their proper treatment.

The government has been closely following the developments since the incident. l

Housemaid’s death veiled in mystery n Mohammad Jamil Khan The death of a domestic help in the capital’s Shewrapara remains shrouded in mystery as police are yet to file any case two days after the killing, even after arresting her employer.

Rita Akhter, who had been working as a domestic help at the house of Additional Superintendent of Police Kutub Uddin for the last four months, was found dead on the road in front of the building around 8:30am on Monday.

Soon after the incident, police detained Sonia Akter Munni, 26, wife of the ASP, who has been working in Sudan as part of the UN Peacekeeping Mission for one year.

It was preliminarily suspected that the deceased might have been pushed from the rooftop of the eight-storey building. But police could not found blood on road when recovered the body from the spot.

An official of Kafrul police station, who preferred to be anonymou,s said it was quite impossible to push a person from the rooftop under daylight. “We have got

some mark of blood injures inside the employer’s flat.”

Nevertheless, the body was sent to DMCH morgue for autopsy after 14 hours of the incident. Asked about delay of sending the body to the morgue, Kazi Wazed Ali, officer-in-charge of Kafrul police station, said: “We sent the body in time after completing some legal procedure. Police will file a case in this regard after getting autopsy report.” About Munni’s current position, he said they had placed her at court under section 54 after showing her arrest. l

With the national polls ahead, Prime Minister Sheik Hasina along with her family members are set to fly for Saudi Arabia today to perform Umrah.

Following her visit, Hasina is likely to return on November 24.

“The prime minister will be treated as a royal guest here,” Counsellor at Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia Mohammed Ayub told the Dhaka Tribune.

Royal Guest means from landing to departure, Saudi authorities will provide local hospitality to high officials of the delegation. The authorities, however, will not take care of travel expenses.

The delegation is will most probably be made of 40 people, and will travel via regular flights.

Current opposition leader, Khaleda Zia back in 2006, undertook a similar visit to Saudi Arabia before the elections. However, the election on January 22, 2007 did not take place. l

Tk8 expenditure per voter n Mohammad Zakaria The Election Commission issued a circular fixing the expenditure for candidates at Tk8 per voter for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The commission yesterday sent the circular to the Bangladesh Government Press for printing, Senior Assistant Secretary Farhad Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune.

According to the circular, a candidate who will contest a constituency cannot spend above Tk2.5m. EC officials said a candidate could spend the maximum amount of money as per the Representation of the People Order.

The maximum expenditure of candidate was Tk1.5m in the ninth parliamentary polls and Tk5 per voter.

However, there was no expenditure limitation for the candidates in the parliamentary elections earlier. l

BNP plans  PAGE 1 COLUMN 4

Saturday-Monday Dhaka visit and the armed forces day today.

The BNP-led 18-party alliance will stage a demonstration across the country tomorrow. The BNP chairperson is angered over the “poor performance” of the party’s Dhaka city unit during hartals.

The party split the whole capital into eight zones, assigning eight senior leaders to make the party’s programmes successful. l

Five rental power plants get new lease of life n Aminur Rahman Rasel

With the country unlikely to face any severe power demands in the coming months, the government has recently extended the contracts for five rental power plants with a combined capacity of 370megawatt (MW) by five more years - and all at an exorbitant rate.

The Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase on November 14 approved contract extensions and revised tariffs, after the power division sent a summary to the cabinet committee arguing to extend the tenure of these plants, saying it would take at least nine months to install new ones.

A PDB official seeking anonymity, however, said the country’s power generation capacity has reached 10,000MW, of which 1,500 to 2,000MW was left sitting idle due to a lack of maintenance and fuel shortages. Thus, there was currently no necessity to purchase power from rental plants.

The plants that received the extension were the 110MW Bheramara diesel-fired plant of Quantum Power Ltd, the 100MW Siddhirganj diesel-fired plant of Desh Energy Ltd, the 55MW Ashuganj gas-fired plant of Precision Energy Ltd, the 55MW Sikalbaha HFOfired plant of Energies Power Corporation Ltd, and the 50MW Thakurgaon diesel-fired power of RZ Power Ltd. The tenure of all five power plants under the original contract was three years and contract dates for two of them were yet to expire; the three-year contracts with Desh Energy will expire on February 18, 2014 and with Quantum Power on December 31, 2013.

The government had earlier scrapped

a deal with the 55MW Sikalbaha rental power plant in Chittagong for discharging ash that caused damages to a PDB power plant near the site.

In the meantime, the PDB has continued to purchase electricity from RZ Power and Precision Energy Ltd, although their contract period expired on August 2 and April 7 respectively.

An audit report by the Office of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 said due to the inefficiency in using quick rentals, PDB faced losses of over Tk23bn. According to a cabinet committee summary, the five rental power plants have not reduced their rates during the renewal.

Professor Shamsul Alam, energy advisor of Consumer Association of Bangladesh, told the Dhaka Tribune the production cost of oil-based power plants was very high and the extension of these rental power plants would be “suicidal.”

“Not a single country in the world has succeeded in solving their electricity crisis through rental power plants,” he said.

He said the government could solve the power problem by repairing the existing power plants and solving the gas crisis instead of opting for rental power plants.

Chairman of Desh Energy Limited, Annisul Huq, however, told the Dhaka Tribune: “The government was more interested than us to renew the contract.

We have paid a Tk500m fine as our power plant could not start production in time.”

About the efficiency of their plants, he claimed: “The machines we use are brand new. There is no doubt about their quality.”

“We owe PDB Tk1.5bn, we have already given undertakings over it,” he said. l

Hasina rings election bell  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

The Election Commission will announce the polls date. Nobody has the power to cancel the elections,” said Hasina, asserting that her party wanted to “introduce a system of leaving no scope for unconstitutional forces to come to power through legal loopholes.”

Hasina met with President Abdul Hamid on Monday and talked to him on polls related issues. But neither the Prime Minister’s Office nor the president’s office disclosed anything about the meeting.

The prime minister said the country would turn into a middle-income country by 2021, provided that the democratic system continued.

“I also urge the people to enthusiastically take part in the polls to continue the democratic system,” said Hasina.

She charted out the terms of reference

of the interim government. “There will be a small cabinet. The portfolios will be distributed by tomorrow [Thursday].”

She said the interim government must not make any policy decisions, only looking after routine work and carrying out the decisions of the EC, which would handle the posting of all officials.

“Those in power will be obliged to respect the decisions of the Election Commission. I will also abide by its instructions,” said Hasina.

She said ministers would behave like other contenders in the polls. She, however, did not clear if the ministers would enjoy the privileges of their posts.

The premier said she called Khaleda Zia in the interest of the people. “Anyone other than me would have broken the telephone set observing the way she talked,” said Hasina. l

Interim cabinet to take full shape today  PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

and the land ministries and Amir Hossain Amu might be put in charge of the public works ministry.

Among the Jatiya Party lawmakers, Rawshan Ershad is likely to receive the health ministry, Anisul Islam Mahmud the water resources ministry, Ruhul Amin Hawlader the civil aviation and tourism ministry, Salma Islam and Mu-

jibul Haque Chunnu might be appointed as the state ministers for women and children affairs ministry and youth and sports ministry respectively. Jatiya Party lawmaker Chunnu confirmed this to the Dhaka Tribune. He also said GM Quader will remain as the commerce minister.

Workers Party lawmaker Rashed Khan Menon might receive the charge of

post and telecommunications ministry.

Among the members of the previous cabinet, Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Matia Chowdhury, Syed Ashraful Islam, AK Khandakar, Latif Siddiqui, Hasanul Haq Inu and Obaidul Quader are likely to continue at their ministries. Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid will reportedly get additional portfolio of primary and mass education ministry. l

Ershad pleads for acquittal in Manzoor murder case  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

Ershad told the judge that police handed Manzoor over to the army on the order of then acting president Abdus Sattar.

Then home secretary Mahbubuzzaman told the investigation officer of the case in his statement.

Ershad submitted his statement to the special court in writing earlier.

General Manzoor was killed in 1981 after the assassination of former army chief and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman; the murder case was filed in 1995; subsequently, the charge-sheet was submitted to the court the same year.

In his defence Ershad told the court that he stepped down from power on December 6, 1990 in agreement with the “so-called” framework outlined by the then opposition.

“Regrettably I was implicated in

false cases one after another in violation of the pre-election agreements due to vendettas,” the former dictator said.

“The goal was to harm my dignity. It was intended to humiliate me socially and politically. This case is nothing but a sequel to that design.”

The trial related to the Major General Abul Manzoor murder case filed 17 years ago is being delayed as the prosecution has delayed in presenting its arguments.

Lt Col Mostafa Kamal in this arguments said: ‘‘Some enraged people tried to snatch Manzoor on the way that triggered shooting between them and the guards. At one stage Manzoor was hit by bullets and died on his way to hospital.”

The case is being held in a special court at Nazimuddin Road adjacent to Dhaka Central Jail. During the period of argument the accused were present before the court.

Secretariat passing lazy days  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

Matia Chowdhury, Nurul Islam Nahid and Hasanul Haq Inu briefed the media on the political crisis while Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju presided over a meeting with the garment factory owners and labour leaders.

Although Communications Minister Obaidul Quader did not attend the ministry office on Wednesday, he talked with the media at a press conference in the city organised to brief on his ministry’s official activities.

Local Government Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, Home Minister MK Alamgir, Jute and Textile Minister Ab-

dul Latif Siddiqui, Health Minister AFM Ruhul Haq, Land Minister Rezaul Karim Hira, Law Minister Shafiq Ahmed, State Minister for Home Shamsul Haq Tuku, State Minister for Law Quamrul Islam and State Minister for Local Government Jahangir Kabir Nanak and most of the important ministers did not go to the office.

Earlier, Food Minister Abdur Razzaque, Cultural Minister Abdul Kalam Azad, Social Welfare Minister AH Mostafa Shahid, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdul Latif Bishwas and State Minister for Women Meher Afroz Chumki took farewells from the ministry officials.

Most of the officials and employees

According to the trial documents, 28 out of 49 witnesses, including investigation officer Abdul Kahar Akand, testified before the court.

The other charge-sheeted accused in the case were Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Shams and Major General (retd) Adbul Latif.

The court had previously granted bail to all of the accused.

On February 28, 1995, barrister Abul Monsoor Ahmed, brother of slain Abul Manzoor, lodged a case with Panchlaish Police Station in Chittagong accusing Major Emdadul of killing Manzoor.

On July 15, then assistant police super Abdul Kahar Akand submitted the charge-sheet to the court.

Then army chief Abu Saleh Md Nasim and metropolitan judge Abul Hashem gave testimony before the court on October 28, 2010. l

of different ministries like food, public works, health, home, land, law, local government, fisheries and livestock and social welfare ministry are passing lazy times.

The officials and employees said they were uncertain about their responsibility and what to do. They are waiting for further instruction.

They will start their work as usual after the ministers get their offices. They are ready to welcome the new ministers, they added.

A few number of visitors and lobbyists were found inside the secretariat on Wednesday. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

3

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Nizami’s war crimes case awaits verdict n Nazmus Sakib The International Crimes Tribunal 1 yesterday ended hearing of arguments, last stage of the judicial proceedings, after the prosecution’s rebuttal in the case that indicted Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami for crimes against humanity.

However, the three-member tribunal, led by Justice ATM Fazle Kabir, kept the scope open for the defence to submit a written reply, if they wanted.

Against the defence’s claim that “incitement” was no war crimes, prosecutor Tureen Afroz yesterday referred to judgements of other war crimes tribunals around the world.

She said Nizami’s address during the Liberation War had caused havoc upon the people of the country “is nothing but incitement – a separate offence which is punishable under the tribunal law as well as international laws.”

She mentioned that incitement was also connected with all types of crimes, not only with genocide. “It is not a new invention as it is included in the Penal Code of 1860 as instigation.”

On Monday, the defence claimed that Nizami had addressed “to protect his beloved country from enemy and it is a duty of every citizen to do so.”

The prosecutor urged the bench to consider the verdict in the case of Ali Ahsan Mujaheed, then chief of Islami Chhatra Sangha (Jamaat’s student wing) of Bangladesh chapter from October, for leading al-Badr force.

“As al-Badr was mainly formed by the Chhatra Sangha men and admittedly, Motiur Rahman Nizami was chief of the student wing of Jamaat before October in 1971 and became chief of all Pakistan Chhatra Sangha, he deserves death,” said the prosecution.

Tureen said: “According to the many judgements of many war crimes tribunal,

EC to announce polls schedule next week n

Mohammad Zakaria

The Election Commission will announce the schedule for the upcoming parliamentary polls next week.

“As per the constitution, we will announce the polls schedule for the next general election soon since the commission has too short a time,” Election Commissioner Md Shah Newaz told reporters at his office yesterday.

The commissioner, however, said there had been no talks with the president about the announcement of the schedule and possible dates for the election.

Sources said the commission might come up with the announcement between November 24 and 28 and that polls might be held between January 9 and 16.

The EC met with President Abdul Hamid Tuesday to apprise him of its overall preparation for the next parliamentary elections. The EC also informed the president that it wanted to hold the election with the participation of all registered political parties.

Shah Newaz said: “At our meeting with the president we have underscored the need for army deployment during the election as the polls of 300 parliamentary constituencies will be held in a day.” The president assured the EC that he would take necessary steps about the matter, he added. l

‘Six killed on AKM Yusuf’s orders’ n Nazmus Sakib Abdur Rauf Mollik yesterday told the war crimes tribunal he had witnessed six people, including four freedom fighters, being killed on the order of Jamaat-e-Islami leader AKM Yusuf.

Freedom fighter Mollik, now 60, said the accused was appointed as the chairman of Khulna district peace committee.

“Around 10am on June 7, 1971, AKM Yusuf, along with 10 to 15 razakars, searched various places of Rayenda Bazar for freedom fighters. They entered the RKDS Girls High School and arrested Captain Anowar, Ismail Hossain Khan and Asmat Ali Munsi. They were killed on Yusuf’s instruction after inhumane torture,” Mollik told the second tribunal.

“I witnessed the incident while hiding in the garden of the school,” he said.

Mollik said he saw razakars killing Zainal Fakir and Basarat on the banks of the Balleswar River following Yusuf’s order on June 9, 1971.

“On July 29, Salam Khan, a source for freedom fighters, was killed by razakars. His corpse was thrown into the Balleswar River on Yusuf’s order. I witnessed the incident.” l

a leader has to address considering the consequences and how the audience will take the speech.” Since Nizami’s address had poisoned the brain of al-Badr men that resulted in atrocities on people in the name of protecting Islam, he could not evade his responsibility, she argued.

After her argument, defence counsel Tajul Islam alleged that the prosecutor had been trying to mislead the tribunal and the defence needed time to present the reality.

But the tribunal said they did not believe everything what both the sides presented their arguments. It also said there was no scope for the defence to place verbal contention by after the rebuttal of prosecution. “If you want to argue, submit in written form, and the hearing is closed,” said Justice Kabir.

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.

A total of 25 witnesses testified against the war crimes suspect while four gave their depositions in favour of the Jamaat chief.

Contempt case against Khandker Mahbub Hossain The same tribunal yesterday set December 24 to hear the show cause notice served upon Bangladesh Bar Council Vice-Chairman Khandker Mahbub Hossain for his threat to prosecute the persons connected with the war crimes trial.

Also an adviser to the BNP chief, Khandker Mahbub on October 1, after the verdict that hanged BNP Standing Committee member Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, made the remarks.

The tribunal fixed the date in response to a time petition by the accused through his lawyer Tajul Islam. l

Opposition chief Khaleda Zia celebrates her son Tarique Rahman’s birthday at her Gulshan office yesterday (left); Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad inaugurates the party’s nomination form selling programme at the party’s Banani office yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

BNP: PM’s speech in parliament to deepen crisis n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla The main opposition BNP rejects the prime minister’s speech in parliament saying it will further deepen the ongoing political crisis.

“It has become clear from the prime minister’s speech that they are moving toward a one-party elections,” Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, party’s acting secretary general, told journalists at the chairperson’s Gulshan office in an instant reaction to Sheikh Hasina’s concluding speech in parliament yesterday .

The BNP spokesperson warned that the government would have to bear the responsibility for any untoward situation stemming from the blue-print to establish one-party rule.

Fakhrul said the opposition still wants a solution through compromise and talks.

Earlier at a discussion, he asked leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal to take to the street, saying a movement could not be waged by just vandalising some vehicles and cutting birthday cakes.

Vandalising vehicles and cutting birthday cakes only will not bring any result: Fakhrul tells Chhatra Dal leaders “Cutting a cake on Tarique Rahman’s birthday will not bring any result. The ongoing movement should be intensified to overcome the prevailing crisis,” he said, addressing a discussion at the National Press Club.

“A movement of vandalising one or two cars will not bring any result, too.

Thousands of Chhatra Dal activists

have to take to the street,” said Fakhrul who had alleged a few days ago that “government agents” had been vandalising and torching vehicles across the country during the opposition’s hartal and putting the blame on the opposition.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the student front of the BNP, organised the discussion to mark the 49th birthday of the party’s Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman. Mirza Fakhrul cut a cake at the event to celebrate Tarique’s birthday.

Fakhrul said if Chhatra Dal activists could free the “controlled democracy” through a movement, that would be a big gift for Tarique Rahman.

Reiterating the party’s stance over the all-party polls-time government, he said the BNP would not participate in any election under the restructured cabinet. l

Ministers expect BNP in interim cabinet, polls n Mohosinul Karim

Several ministers of the government yesterday said they were expecting the BNP-led 18-party alliance would make up its mind up over the polls-time interim cabinet and participating in the next elections following their meeting with the President Abdul Hamid on Tuesday.

They said if the BNP joined the pollstime government, it would become an all-party government; otherwise it would remain a multiple-party government.

However, if they do not respond positively, the elections would be held without them, as it is must be held, and none could resist it, they said.

Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury said although the government is hopeful of the main opposition’s participation in the upcoming national polls under an all-party government, the elec-

tions would be be held on time whether BNP joins or not.

Matia Chowdhury was speaking to the media at her secretariat office yesterday.

She said: “The government is still hopeful that BNP will join the polls. But the polls will be held in due time regardless of their participation.”

Asked, she said: “The newly formed polls-time cabinet will be regarded a [multiple-party government], if BNP decides not to join. If BNP joins, the polls will be held under an all-party government.”

Mentioning that the government welcomed BNP’s recent step of meeting the president, Matia said: “The president is the number one and most respectable person in the country. So, we take it positively that BNP has asked for his initiative for reaching a political consensus.”

The government would decide about distributing the portfolios of the minister

only after watching the whole situation, she said.

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu yesterday said: “This cabinet will be multi-party without the BNP. But, with their participation it will be all-party. The door for BNP to join in the polls-time government is still open.”

“The government is prepared to sit for talks with them anywhere and anytime.

But, before that, the polls-time cabinet must be finalised,” he told reporters at a press conference at his office in the secretariat premises.

He said the polls-time cabinet was “not a drama,” since the 15th amendment of the constitution permitted the prime minister to make changes in the cabinet anytime.

The nation is still waiting for the full and final interim cabinet that will guide the country through the upcoming na-

VERDICT LEAK

SQ Chowdhury’s lawyer arrested n Kailash Sarkar Barrister Fakrul Islam Chowdhury, the main lawyer of convicted war criminal Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, was arrested Wednesday afternoon from his office.

He was arrested from the capital’s Kakrail area allegedly in connection with the leakage of a verdict of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).

Detective Brancch (DB) of Police arrested him at around 3:30pm in connection with the verdict leakage, around 50 days after the incident, Masudur Rahman Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP-Media) said.

“Barrister Fakrul has been taken to the DB headquarters at Minto Road,” he said.

“He will be produced before the court tomorrow (Thursday).”

DB official sources said Barrister Fakrul Islam Chowdhury has been arrested after his direct involvement was found in the process of leaking the verdict, although his junior lawyer Mehedi Hasan,

who allegedly played the key role in the leakage, remains on the run.

A DB official said they arrested barrister Fakrul through verification of information extracted from two detained ICT employees. “Barrister Fakrul was informed of every development regarding the process of the leakage of the verdict,” said a DB official. “Even the verdict was stolen at his directives.”

Krishnapada Roy, DC of DB (South), who led the arrest, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We are trying to arrest Mehedi Hasan, a junior to Barrister Fakrul Islam Chowdhury, who has been on the run since the verdict was leaked.”

Asked, the DC-DB (South) said they were trying to locate the whereabouts of fugitive Mehedi.

The ICT on October 2 sentenced SQ Chowdhury to death for committing crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971. But night before the verdict, a major portion of the verdict was found available on various online portals.

On October 2, DB personnel arrested two ICT employees – Nayan Ali and Mohammad Faruq — who admitted to stealing the verdict’s copy using a USB drive from a personal computer at the ICT-1 offices and supplying it to Barrister Fakrul’s apprentice Mehedi Hasan.

Sources say the ICT employees stole the verdict’s copy for a sum of money after being provoked by Fakrul’s lawyer.

DB officials on November 5 also filed a case accusing Nayan, Faruq, and Mehedi by name and also against several unnamed others and raided the office of Fakkrul’s chamber and seized various documents related to the verdict’s leak.

The computer from which the verdict’s copy was stolen was designated to the tribunal chairman, Justice ATM Fazle Kabir. Detained Nayan Ali also had access to the computer.

On November 5, Monirul Islam, Joint Commissioner of DB, said the leaked copy of the verdict was uploaded online from the UK where it was sent through emails. l

Defence gets time to submit concise statement in Ghulam Azam case n Nazmus Sakib

The Appellate Division yesterday granted 26 more days to the defence of Jamaat kingpin Ghulam Azam to file concise statement of his appeal against the 90-year jail he was given for war crimes.

The five-member top court bench headed by Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain passed the order in response to a time-extension plea. A concise state-

ment includes facts and arguments relied upon by a party in an appeal case.

The court on October 8 ordered the defence and the government to lodge concise statements of their appeals by November 5. Though the government complied with the order, the defence did not, said Additional Attorney General MK Rahman.

According to the Appellate Division Rules, 1988, the appellant party cannot start their appeal hearing until submis-

sion of the concise statement.

On August 5, the Jamaat guru filed his appeal seeking acquittal while the government filed an appeal on August 12 for gallows.

The appeals hearing in the war crimes case of death row convict Jamaat leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee has not started yet while reading out of the deposition of prosecution witnesses is underway. l

tional elections in January.

The ministers have handed over their resignation letters to the prime minister, paving the way for the polls-time cabinet.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over those resignation letters to President Abdul Hamid on Monday. The decision of accepting the resignation letters would be finalised shortly, Inu said.

Regarding the political deadlock with the main opposition, the information minister said the government was in touch with the base of the BNP at all times. The minister also noted allegations of biasedness in the administration, saying: “Civil servants must carry out their responsibilities neutrally, or they will be sacked. The changes made recently all followed due procedures.”

The press conference was held a day after the 18-party delegation met the president. l

EC officials demand appointment as returning officers n Mohammad Zakaria The Bangladesh Election Commission Services Officers Association has threatened to stage a sit-in protest on December 1, unless the Election Commission meets its demand of appointing EC officials as returning officers for the next parliamentary elections.

Sources said election commissioners at a meeting recently decided to appoint deputy commissioners (DCs) as returning officers for conducting the elections, which must be held by January 24.

On the other hand, EC officials want regional and district election officers to be appointed as returning officers for the upcoming polls.

EC Joint Secretary Jesmin Tuli, who is also president of the officers’ association, said it was a logical demand to appoint the commission’s own officials as returning officers.

“If the commission does not fulfill our demand by November 26, the association will hold a sit-in programme on December 1,” Tuli warned.

Election Commissioner Md Shah Newaz said the commission was concerned about the matter.

“If the demand is found logical, the commission must fulfill it,” Newaz said.

Sources said the EC has already sent letters to the DCs, excluding district election officers, to prepare panels of poll officials, including presiding, assistant presiding and polling officers.

Sixty-four returning officers would be appointed for 300 parliamentary constituencies.

M Sakhawat Hussain, a former election commissioner, said the previous commission had decided to appoint its own officials as returning officers, but the incumbent commission has opted to appoint DCs as returning officers.

He added that there was no alternative to appointing EC officials as returning officers for holding free and fair elections. l

RMG UNREST

Govt warns of stern action against firebrands n Tribune Report The government yesterday warned of stern action against instigators that fuelled unrest in the readymade garment sector recently.

It also asked the law enforcement agencies to make a list of the firebrands provoking discontent in garment industry and bring them to book.

“Are you leaders in paper only and are there any workers in your organisations?”

Labour Minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju poses posed a question.

The minister was speaking at a meeting with the leaders of different organisations of RMG workers at his ministry conference room at the secretariat yesterday.

The high officials from Rab as well as BGMEA leaders were also present at the meeting which was held in order to find out ways to overcome the unrest in RMG sector.

“Stop unrest; the detained leaders and workers would be released within 24 hours,” said Monno Jan Sufian, state minister for labour and employment in reply to the demand of the workers’ leaders.

If you maintained congenial environment in the factory everything would be taken into consideration, she added.

The labour leaders should have clear knowledge about the labour law. If they do not have, they should give up their leadership, she said.

There might have demands and demonstration but it should not turn violent, she noted.

“Convince your workers and send them to work and do not make anarchy in the sector for the sake of RMG as well as the country,” she said.

Raju said, “I am requesting you, Mr Montu Ghosh, president of Bangladesh Garment Sramik Trade Union Kendra, to accept the government proposal.” l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Bomb-making den busted in the capital, two Jubo Dal men held n

Kailash Sarkar

Police yesterday busted a den in the capital’s Pallabi area and detained two Jubo Dal activists along with a lot of explosives and bomb-making materials.

The detainees are Md Swapan Khan, 24, a bus driver by profession, and Rajeeb Hasan, 26, a small business owner.

At least eight live crude bombs, 500 grams of gunpowder, several kilograms of various other powders and bomb-making items were seized during the drive.

Both the detainees belong to Jubo Dal, youth front of BNP, and had been using the house as a den for making bombs used during hartals, said police.

The detainees in collusion with some other gangs had been making bombs and supplying them at the directives of a BNP leader in the area,

Argument begins in 10-truck arms haul cases in Chittagong n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong A Chittagong court yesterday decided to start arguments in two cases related to the 10-trucks arms haul today.

The judge of Chittagong Special Tribunal-1, SM Mujibur Rahman, fixed the date for starting the argument after hearing both sides, said Kamal Uddin Ahmed, public prosecutor of the court.

Advocate Kafil Uddin, counsel to former industry minister Matiur Rahman Nizami, pleaded before the court for issuing summons to five defence witnesses on behalf of Nizami, but the prosecution opposed the plea terming it a violation of law.

On Tuesday, Nizami was examined by the court under section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code while his lawyer placed a list of five defence witnesses on behalf of Nizami before the court in the evening.

During the hearing, 11 accused in the cases, including former state minister Lufuzzaman Babar and Matiur Rahman Nizami were produced before the court.

On April 2, 2004, around 1,500 wooden crates containing submachine guns, AK-47 assault rifles, sub-machine carbines, Chinese pistols, rocket shells and launchers, hand grenades and bullets were seized from two vessels at the jetty of CUFL. Two cases were filed the next day with Karnaphuli police station under the Special Powers Act and arms act for smuggling and seizure of arms. Trial of the cases were underway on November 29, 2011. l

WEATHER

Two arrested youths along with bomb making equipments from the capital’s Pallabi area yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

who used to finance the gangsters to gain political interest, said Imtiaz Ahmed, deputy commissioner of police, Mirpur Division.

The police official, however, declined to disclose information about the BNP leader.

“We are interrogating the detainees to extract information about other criminals and involvement of the BNP leader,” he said.

According to some witnesses, the den was on top of a building located at Lane 7 on Block E of Pallabi under Mirpur.

Sub-Inspector Zahir Raihan of Pallabi police station said, acting on a tipoff, they conducted a raid on the house in the morning.

“During the drive we found only the two individuals as their other accomplices had fled the scene,” said Zahir.

Police were trying to arrest the other criminals and their godfathers, he added. l

n JU Correspondent Teachers’ unrest continues to paralyse the administrative and academic activities of Jahangirnagar University with almost the same group of teachers using different platforms. This time the acting vice-chancellor has become their target, but the demand remains the same – stopping the teachers’ representative election.

A group of hardly 50 teachers, officers and employees was enough to bring the functioning of the university administration to a total halt yesterday as they once again blocked the administrative office of the university. The unruly group also confined the acting VC and pro-VC (administration), protesting what they said violation of the chancellor’s directives.

These teachers and employees, now teamed up under the banner of Teachers-Students and Officers-Employees’ United Forum, felt that the authorities had violated the chancellor’s directives by declaring a teacher representative election in the senate.

However, no students took part in the movement called by the forum.

Forcing the officials to stop administrative activities, the teachers confined acting VC MA Matin and pro VC Afsar Ahmed, demanding the suspension of the teacher representative polls scheduled on December 7.

JU Teachers’ Association Secretary Prof Sharif Uddin said: “Teachers are not willing to attend the teacher representative polls under Prof Anwar Hos-

sain and the authorities have to suspend the polls.”

Prof Kamrul Ahsan, secretary of the united forum, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Classes and examinations will remain out of the movement’s purview.”

Social Science Faculty Dean Amir Hossain said: “Although the chancellor asked the VC to arrange a VC panel election immediately, Prof Anwar Hossain declared a teacher representative election which is a direct violation of the chancellor’s instruction. The VC was also asked to withdraw the writ petition against the teachers but he still hasn’t done so.”

The VC, meanwhile, claimed that President Abdul Hamid asked him to select the VC panel after reforming the current senate because some 83 senate members of this senate had expired.

In contrary, the anti-VC teachers claimed that the chancellor asked the VC to hold only the VC panel election as the expired senate remains activate until its successors come into power according to the Jahangirnagar University Act. On November 6, President Abdul Hamid asked the JU VC to hold senate election immediately and select the VC panel through the senate in line with the Jahangirnagar University Act. The VC was also asked to withdraw the writ petition against JUTA president, its secretary and social science faculty dean.

VC Prof Anwar Hossain could not be reached over his mobile phone for comment in this regard. l

Students sit for the Primary School Certificate and its equivalent exams that began yesterday

n Mushfique Wadud Around 160,075 students were absent on the first day of primary terminal and Ibtedayi examinations, according to the Directorate of Primary Education.

Three students were also expelled for cheating during the examinations, two from the madrasa education system and one from the school education system.

This year, a total of 2,950,193 examinees were registered to take the public examinations for Class V students. Of the 160,075 absent, some 113,507 were

n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

Low

28.9 26.4 29.0 28.8 29.0 29.0 29.4 30.2

17.0 19.0 14.2 14.5 15.5 15.1 15.5 19.5

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

4:59am 6:16am 11:45am 3:35pm 5:11pm 6:30pm

Source: IslamicFinder.org

Garment workers’ and leaders are divided into two groups over the minimum wage for the RMG industry as pro-government leaders support the proposal of Tk5,300 whereas anti-government leaders oppose it.

The dispute among the union leaders came to light during a meeting with Labour Minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju, which was arranged to devise ways to overcome the ongoing unrest in the RMG sector.

“The minimum wage of Tk5,300 for garment workers is acceptable,” said Shamima Nasrin, president of Shadin Bangla Garments Sramik Karmochari Federation.

On the other hand, Abul Hossain, president of Textile Garment Workers Federation, opposed the government decision of setting Tk300 as basic and total salary of Tk5,300, saying that they did not accept the government intervention in setting the minimum wage and it was not legal.

Participants in the meeting alleged they could not raise their voices against the government decision as the moderator of the meeting did not allow them to speak.

“If there was no unrest or anarchy in the RMG sector, the factory owners would not care about us and that is why some unrest continues,” said a worker leader requesting anonymity.

He said the unrest over the

minimum wage would have already come to an end if the government did not interfere in the wage board’s decision.

On November 4, the new wage board, chaired by AK Roy, finalised the minimum wage at Tk5,300, but both the owners and the workers rejected the proposed scale, with the owners offering Tk4,250 as minimum wages and the workers demanding Tk8,114.

Following the rejection by the factory owners, RMG workers went on violent demonstrations in the last few days, compelling stakeholders to sit with the worker leaders to devise ways to resolve the unrest situation, officials said. l

Cyclone ‘Helen’ moves westwards n UNB The cyclonic storm “Helen” is likely to intensify further over the west-central Bay area and move in a west-northwesterly direction, said a special bulletin of the Met Office.

The maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar and Mongla have been advised to keep hoisted distant warning signal number two. All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast. l

NASHIRUL ISLAM

160,075 absent, three expelled on first day of primary terminal exam

Rain or thundershowers is likely to occur at one or two places over Khulna, Barisal and Chittagong divisions until 6pm today.

Weather might remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country, Met office said.

Night temperature may rise by 1-2 degree Celsius and day temperature may fall slightly over the country.

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

Country’s highest temperature 30.2 degree Celsius was recorded at Cox’s Bazar and lowest 12.1 degrees at Srimangal yesterday. Highest and lowest temperatures recorded in some major cities yesterday were: High

Nine female members of the Grameen Bank board have lost their posts as the parliamentary affairs ministry has published a gazette notification on the passage of the Grameen Bank Act 2013, which replaces the 1983 ordinance.

An official of the Grameen Bank said the bank would prepare for an election to the board after the Banking Division received the election rules from the ministry and in the meantime the three government members and chairman of the bank would operate the bank.

The election to the board has to be held within six months of receiving the election rules.

The law, justice and parliamentary affairs ministry on Tuesday issued the gazette notification on the new Grameen Bank law.

Tahsina Khatun, one of the nine female members of the Grameen Bank board, alleged that the government was removing them from the board “forcibly” through the new law.

“We were elected to the board of directors for up to 2015 but the government has done everything just to remove the poor women from the board,” she told the Dhaka Tribune. “It will be remembered in the history as an example of the government’s blunt intervention.”

Tahsina said the Grameen Bank board would not need the female directors as the chairman and three government-appointed members would fulfil the board’s quorum.

The Grameen Bank ordinance used to require the chairman and four members of the board to fulfil the quorum.

Parliament passed the much-talked-about Grameen Bank Act 2013 on November 5, elevating the government’s role in running the microcredit organisation without any increment of its ownership stakes. Finance Minister AMA Muhith last month said the nine “pro-Yunus” female directors of Grameen Bank would lose their positions once parliament approved the relevant bill. l

They confine acting VC and pro-VC; oppose teachers’ representative election

RMG workers’ leaders’ divided over minimum wage

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

n Asif Showkat Kallol

Teachers’ anarchy continues at JU

Little change in temperature likely n UNB

City

New GB law shows nine directors the door

Bangladesh Garment Sramik Shanghati organises a rally protesting killing of apparel workers in front of the National Press Club yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

school students while 46,568 were from madrasas.

Absenteeism is lower this year than in 2012, when over 214,000 examinees were absent on the first day of primary terminal and its equivalent madrasa examinations. In 2011, more than 175,000 examinees were absent on the first day.

The examinees sat for Mathematics examination on the first day. The examinations started at 11am in the morning with rumours that the questions were leaked. Many guardians told the Dhaka Tribune that they had heard the question papers were leaked.

However, director general of the Directorate of Primary Education, Shyaml Kanti Ghosh, told the Dhaka Tribune they did not find any proof of the rumours. He said the examinations were held successfully.

This year, the duration of the examination was extended by 30 minutes to two-and-a-half hours to allow for the introduction of the creative question system. Twenty-five percent of the questions will be competitive-based, with 79,000 teachers having already received training on the system. The examinations will end on November 28. l

ACC sees no improvements on major graft cases n Tribune Report The Anti-Corruption Commission failed to come up with reassuring answers to queries on its major cases of corruption during a press briefing yesterday.

The meeting was organised to brief reporters on the commission’s monthly updates and works-in-progress. However, ACC Secretary Faizur Rahman Chowdhury, who moderated the briefing, failed to show developments in the major cases including the Padma Bridge graft conspiracy case.

When asked about a court judgement acquitting BNP’s Senior ViceChairman Tarique Rahman of money laundering, he said the commission would appeal after receiving the full text of the verdict.

“As the complainant of the case, we have provided necessary evidence and documents related to the irregularity, but the court acquitted him of the charges. We will decide on an appeal after we receive the full verdict.”

“We will also see if there was any neglect of duty on the part of our lawyers.”

A Dhaka court on Sunday sentenced Giasuddin Al Mamun to seven years in prison and a fine of Tk400m for laundering Tk204m to Singapore, but acquitted Tarique of the charges.

Replying to another query on dropping charges of extortion against DB Deputy Commission Mollah Nazrul Islam, the secretary said the ACC did that because of “insufficient evidence”

to implicate his name in the case. “We have brought charges against only those whose involvement was proven.”

The commission on November 13 filed a case against two police officials for extorting Tk10m from a businessman, excluding the name of former Detective Branch official Mollah Nazrul Islam, although his name was shown as an accused in the primary allegation.

Regarding the Padma Bridge graft conspiracy case, Faizur Rahman said the matter was now pending with a Canadian court and “it is difficult to get information from there.”

In response to another query, he said the ACC had not yet received a copy of the Anti-Corruption Commission (Amended) Bill 2013. “We will decide what to do after we have it. Right now, we are trying to convince the authorities concerned to reconsider the bill.”

The parliament on November 10 approved the controversial bill further curbing the power of the already beleaguered institution, with a provision that made it mandatory for the ACC to have “prior approval” of the government before filing cases against judges, magistrates and public servants.

The secretary then shed light on the commission’s recent activities, which included the approval of decisions to file 88 graft cases against 189 individuals in September and October. Among the accused in these cases, 122 were government officials, 21 businessman, nine public representatives and 37 others. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Juris

What every driver must know n Md Raziur Rahman

T

137

Deprivation of driving licence

According to Section 164 of the Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1983, one may lose his/her driving licence under the following circumstances: (a) Driving against red light (b) Overtaking just before or on the pedestrian crossing or where overtaking is prohibited (c) Driving on to a main road without stopping and exceeding the speed limit indicated on the road (d) Not giving way to other vehicle intentionally (e) Driving in opposite direction on one way road

139

General fine for violating any provision of this Ordinance or of any rules or regulations

Driving a motor vehicle without a driving licence

Fitting and using of prohibited horns or other sound producing device eg hydraulic horn etc

Tk200

Tk500

Tk100

140

142

n RaisuL Islam Sourav

143

How to get TIN

Unlike in the past, it is very easy to get a TIN certificate nowadays. National Board of Revenue (NBR) has introduced e-TIN registration system for the taxpayers. All new and existing taxpayers have to register through www.incometax. gov.bd to get their new 12 digit e-TIN certificate by December 31 of this year. The existing 10 digit TINs will be invalid from January 1, 2014.

Where TIN is mandatory

Suspension of registration

Section 43 of the ordinance deals with suspension of registration of motor vehicles under certain circumstances. The registration of a vehicle may be suspended: (a) if the vehicle is in such condition that its use in a public place would constitute a danger to the public, or that it fails to comply with the requirements of the law (b) if the vehicle has been or is being used, for hire or reward without a valid permit for being used as such, or has been or is being used without a valid certificate of fitness

Disobedience of orders, obstruction and refusal of information

Driving at excessive speed

Driving recklessly or dangerously

Tk500

Tk300

Tk500

144

Age of a driver

Section 4 of the ordinance says no person under the age of 18 years shall drive a motor vehicle in any public place. It also says no person under the age of 20 years shall drive any motor vehicle as a professional driver in any public place.

Things a driver must carry with him/her while driving 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

138

Versatility of a TIN TIN (Taxpayer’s Identification Number) is a familiar term in tax regime. Disappointingly, most of us do not know the actual worth of having a TIN. TIN is not a mere number; it has manifold functions. A popular misconception among many people is that if they have a TIN, a burden of paying tax would be imposed on them. However, the truth is persons having no taxable income under the Income Tax Ordinance, 1984 is free from the lumber of paying taxes even if he/she has a TIN certificate.

HERE IS A LIST OF THE FINES YOU NEED TO PAY IF YOU VIOLATE ANY TRAFFIC RULE IN BANGLADESH

he Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1983 is the law that deals will all kind of traffic issues in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) is the authority established under this Ordinance to oversee the implementation of the law.

5

Thursday, November 21, 2013

A valid driving licence Documents of registration of the vehicle Document of insurance of the vehicle Tax token Fitness certificate Route permit (If applicable)

145

TIN is required in some occasions of our daily affairs. Without TIN certificate one cannot avail his/her desired services.

It is mandatory to present TIN certificate at the places which are stipulated in Section 184A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 1984. The places at which a person is required to produce the TIN certificate are:

150

l Opening a letter of credit (LC) for the purpose of im-

Driving while under the influence or drink or drug

Driving when mentally or physically unfit to drive

Using of motor vehicles emitting smokes which would constitute a health hazard

Tk1000

Tk500

Tk200

port or submitting an application for the purpose of obtaining an import registration certificate.

l Renewal of trade license in the area of a city corpora-

tion or of a paurashava of a divisional headquarters or of a district headquarters.

l Submitting tender documents for the purpose of sup-

152

155

157

Using of motor vehicle without registration or certificate of fitness or permit

Driving uninsured vehicle

Creating obstruction in public street or public place using a motor vehicle or spare parts

Tk2000

Tk2000

Tk500

ply of goods, execution of a contract or for rendering services.

A H Mamun/DT Infographic

l Submitting an application for membership of a club

registered under the Companies Act, 1994.

l Issuance or renewal of license or enlistment of a sur-

veyor of general insurance.

l Registration for purchase of land, building or an apart-

Ignorance of law is no excuse

“Ignorance of the law is no excuse.” This is the standard reply motorists hear when they say they weren’t aware of the speed limit, meaning of a particular signal or any other traffic rule in the jurisdiction they happened to get arrested in.

Everyone is presumed to be familiar with the law when it comes to him or her for reciprocation.

We cannot ignore the law. We live in a society where every individual is bound to know the law and behave accordingly. As citizens, we are expected to know and obey all of

these laws, in addition to state and local statutes and the relevant court opinions that interpret those statutes. l The author is Lecturer, Department of Law, Daffodil International University. raziur@daffodilvarsity.edu.bd.

ment situated within any city corporation, deed value of which exceeds one lakh taka. However, this is not applicable in case of registration for purchase of land, building or an apartment situated within any city corporation, by a non resident Bangladeshi.

l Registration, change of ownership or renewal of fit-

ness of a car, jeep or a microbus as defined by the Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1983.

NO ANIMAL DRAWN VEHICLES

NO PEDESTRIANS

NO RICKSHAWS

NO CYCLES

NO TRACTORS OR SLOW-MOVING VEHICLES

NO VEHICLES CARRYING EXPLOSIVES

l Sanction of loan exceeding five lakh taka to a person

10 m

4.4

NO VEHICLES OVER LENGTH SHOWN

NO VEHICLES OVER HEIGHT SHOWN

m

by a commercial bank or a leasing company.

l Issue of credit card. l Issue of practicing license to a doctor, a chartered ac-

countant, a cost and management accountant, a lawyer or an income tax practitioner.

2m.4 NO VEHICLES OVER WIDTH SHOWN

17 T NO VEHICLES OVER MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT SHOWN

4T

l Giving ISD connection to any kind of telephone. l Registration of a company under the Companies Act,

1994 in respect of sponsor director.

AXLE WEIGHT LIMIT

NO PARKING

NO STOPPING

NO OVERTAKING

NO PASSING WITHOUT STOPPING

NO RIGHT TURN

l Submission of application for a license as a Nikah Reg-

istrar under the Muslim Marriages and Divorces (Registration) Act, 1974.

l Applying for or renewal of membership of any trade

body.

l Submitting a plan for construction of building for the

NO U TURN

NO USE OF HORN

SPECIAL SPEED LIMIT

NATIONAL SPEED LIMITS APPLY

REFLECTION ENDS

TEMPORARY STOP SIGN

TEMPORARY GO SIGN

How safe are your telephone conversations?

BIGSTOCK

n Law Desk

P

rime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia had a telephone conversation on October 26 to initiate dialogue to resolve the current political crisis over the polls time government. The audio record of the conversation was put on air by different news media, both print and electronic.

While some ruling party leaders held that the publication of the conversation was made in public interest, the opposition had expressed their discontent saying that the publication of the conversation by the government – without the other party’s knowledge and consent – was illegal and immoral.

Quite coincidentally, the whole thing happened at a time when the world media is abuzz with the news of alleged wiretapping of several European leaders including German

Chancellor Angela Markel by the US National Security Agency (NSA).

At this juncture, ordinary people have become very apprehensive about the confidentiality of their telephone conversations. Many unanswered questions keep coming on their minds. Are their telephone conversations being recorded? Will it get published in the media tomorrow or the day after? If that happens, what is the legal protection one has to fight against any such an incident?

People start recalling the constitutional guarantee of privacy of correspondence. It is stipulated in Article 43 of our constitution. It says: “Protection of home and correspondence: Every citizen shall have the right, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interests of the security of the State, public order, public morality or public health – (a) To be secured in his home against entry, search and

seizure; and to the privacy of his correspondence and other means of communication.”

Legally speaking, this right to privacy is not an absolute right; rather it is a qualified right. And, the qualifications attached to this right are so sweeping that the right becomes vulnerable.

Taking the advantage of the qualification provided in the constitutional provision, the then government in 2006 has made an amendment to the Telecommunication Act, 2001 drastically curtailing people’s right to privacy.

Section 71 of the original Telecommunication Act provides that: “A person commits an offence, if he intentionally listens to a telephone conversation between two other persons, and for such offence, he shall be liable to be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding Tk50,000 0 or to both.”

The 2006 amendment has added an extra clause to this provision which reads: “Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to any officers of intelligence agencies, national security agencies, investigating agencies and lawenforcing agencies who are authorized by the government under section 97A.” A writ petition was moved in the High Court Division seeking invalidation the amendment on May 18, 2006. The HCD issued a rule on the government to explain within three weeks the legality of the provisions that entitled the law enforcers and intelligence agencies to tap the telephone conversations of any individual. A HCD Bench consisted of Justice M Awlad Ali and Justice Zinat Ara also directed the Government to explain why the Bangladesh Telecommunications (Amendment) Act, 2006 should not be declared unconstitutional and void. The hearing on the petition is pending and the government has not replied to the rules.

Now the question is, under what ground the PM – Leader of the Opposition’s telephone conversation was recorded and publicised? Was it a question of state security, public order, public morality or public health? It was an imaginary fifth ground called public interest which our constitution frames could not contemplate. l

purpose of obtaining approval from Rajdhani Unnyan Kartipakkha (RAJUK), Chittagong Development Authority (CDA), Khulna Development Authority (KDA) and Rajshahi Development Authority (RDA);

l Issuance of drug license.

TIN certificate is the symbol of consciousness of the people of a nation. Payment of tax in due time is our solemn obligation. If each and every qualified citizen of our country performs this obligation, the opulence of our country will grow expeditiously and the country will be able to offer better services to its citizens. l The author is an Advocate at Dhaka Judge Court and Senior Lecturer of Department of Law at Dhaka International University (DIU).

HUMOUR

RIO SHUVO

NO LEFT TURN

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Thursday, November 21, 2013

City dwellers reap little benefit from split DCC over last two years Residents allege that potholes on city streets still have to be fixed, let alone measures to deal with the drainage system and mosquito menace

n Abu Hayat Mahmud It has been almost two years since the Dhaka City Corporation bifurcated on November 29, but little has been done to improve citizen services.

Split into two parts – Dhaka South City Corporation and Dhaka North City Corporation – the country’s largest and most important local government body has failed to live up to people’s expectations.

The city residents as well as urban planners say if such is the case following the bifurcation, it is unlikely that the future condition of the Corporation will be good.

The government divided the Dhaka City Corporation into the two parts on November 29, 2011.

Prof Nazrul Islam, president of Asiatic Society of Bangladesh and chairman of the Centre for Urban Studies, expressed concern over the lack of services provided to city dwellers.

“During bifurcation the government said citizen services would be increased, where is the change now?” he asked.

Prof Nazrul said no study or research was conducted on the merits and demerits of the DCC before its split.

However, according to different media reports, city dwellers of both south and north city corporations hardly reaped any extra benefits over last two years, he said.

The Asiatic Society president came down hard on civil society members, saying they hardly reacted to the diminishing role of the two city corporations in providing citizen services.

He suggested that the government should not frequently transfer two administrators – one for DSCC and another for DNCC – every six months in accordance with the city corporation act.

Top executives were transferred before they could fully understand their roles in the city corporation, thus ultimately depriving the city residents of better services, he added.

Prof Dr Sarwar Jahan, head of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Buet, said, because of the DCC’s bifurcation, citizen services had missed their mark.

Different political parties and specialists were opposed to the government’s initiative for the split of the country’s largest and most important local government body, he recalled.

Prof Sarwar held two factors responsible for the city corporation’s failed to meet the citizens’ demands.

The two are the bifurcation of DCC and an absence of public representatives in the two city corporations.

“If the government does not change its decision, the level of services will deteriorate in the days to come,” he said.

Meanwhile, residents of different areas in DSCC and DNCC alleged that it has been two years since the potholes on city streets have been fixed, let alone taking measures to deal with the drainage system, garbage management and mosquito menace.

With the advent of the dry season, mosquitoes are back in full force but the anti-mosquito drive of both city corporations seems to be on the decline.

Moreover, collecting different certificates including birth certificates and TINs from a total of 10 zonal offices

under the two city corporations (each comprising of five zones) has become a tall task for the city dwellers.

Officials and employees of the corporations allegedly force people to pay bribes for issuing them.

However, DSCC Administrator Mohammad Nazmul Islam denied the allegation.

He told the Dhaka Tribune, after bifurcation, city dwellers were getting services easily and added that the quality of services had also improved.

In regard to a question about the absence of public representatives, Nazmul said city residents were not facing any problems because of their absence.

“We have five zonal offices for city people to avail themselves of services very easily,” he added.

DNCC Administrator Akhter Hussain Bhuiya echoed the same view.

He said, “People are getting all our facilities very easily now. However, we are somewhat strict to issue birth certificate because we need to verify information regarding birth.” l

PM vows again to build poverty-free Bangladesh n BSS Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday reiterated her firm determination to build a hunger and poverty- free Bangladesh by 2021.

“We want to build a hunger and poverty-free Sonar Bangla as dreamt

by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. We want to reach the fruits of independence to the doorsteps of the people,” she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating nine development projects of Chandpur district through videoconferencing from Gonobhaban yesterday morning.

The projects included a 160-MW combined cycle power plant, Hymechar Protection Embankment, Chandpur Irrigation Protection Embankment, Jahmjhamia Bridge, Chandpur Regional Passport Office and newly-constructed building of Chandpur Press Club.

She also laid the foundation stones of three new projects to be implemented in the district. These included a coast guard station and Marine Technology Institute The prime minister reiterated her commitment to provide electricity to every house of the country if her party is voted to power again in the next general elections.

She also pledged to nationalise a college and a high school in every upazila and set up a central mosque with modern facilities in each district and upazila headquarters of the country.

Terming her government as peoplefriendly, Sheikh Hasina said the country has achieved tremendous progress over the last five years as her government implemented various projects for the welfare of the people.

In this regard, she mentioned the stunning development in the sectors of agriculture, power, health, education, ICT and infrastructure sectors.

The people are now getting the benefits of the initiatives of her government, she said.

Referring to the inauguration of various projects in Chandpur from Gonobhaban through videoconferencing, the prime Minister said it has proved that Bangladesh has much advanced in the IT sector. Sheikh Hasina urged the people to cast their vote for Awami League and help maintain the democratic trend and ongoing development.

Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Home Minister Dr Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, Chandpur District AL President Dr Shamsul Haque Bhuiyan and AL central leader Sujit Roy Nondi also spoke through videoconferencing from Chandpur. l

Shutting off illegal gas lines prompts angry protests in Narsingdi n Our Correspondent, Narsingdi Thousands of people blockaded the Dhaka-Sylhet highway and vandalised at least 15 vehicles near the Chaitabo area in Narsingdi sadar upazila yesterday, after authorities disconnected their illegal gas lines.

According to police and witnesses, the Narsingdi regional office of Titas Gas, with the help of Executive Magistrate Mahbubur Rahman, carried out a drive to disconnect illegal gas lines in the Chaitabo and Kabirajpura areas at around 10:30am.

Hearing about the main gas line being disconnected, thousands of local villagers came out on the streets with locally made weapons and chased away the officials.

The agitated locals also vandalised 15 vehicles and blockaded the DhakaSylhet highway by burning tires and wood on the road.

Bus communication between Dhaka and Sylhet, Maulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Kishoreganj, Bhairab, Monohardi and Narsingdi remained

suspended for about three hours due to the demonstrations.

Locals withdrew their road-blockade after Deputy Commissioner Obaidul Azam, along with Rab and police officials, gave assurances that gas supply would soon resume in the area.

On November 4, authorities concerned held a meeting to discuss the necessary steps for tackling the illegal gas line business.

Speaking at the meeting, Titas Gas Deputy General Manager Sheikh Abu Raihan said 16 illegal gas supply lines, stretching a total 26,600 feet, had been identified in the area, adding that the illegal lines were connected to different households, mills and factories that had been active in for a long time.

Local residents accused dishonest billing supervisors, billing readers, accounts officers, linemen and contractors of being involved in the supply of illegal gas lines. The linemen, billing readers and supervisors allegedly visited the illegal gas users at the beginning of each month to collect huge sums of money. l

CU reschedules admission tests n CU Correspondent

Broom procession against Ershad

Chittagong University authorities have rescheduled admission tests of three units—H, G, and B— yesterday.

SM Akbar Hossain, deputy registrar and secretary of admission test committee, told the Dhaka Tribune that intake tests of H unit under Biological Science Faculty and G unit under Institution of Marine Science and Fisheries would be held on November 29, which were scheduled for November 18.

The admission tests for B2, B4, B5 and B6 of B unit under Arts and Humanities Faculty, will be held on November 30, which were scheduled for November 25.

Farhad Hossain, deputy registrar at the information department, said the admission test centers and times would remain unchanged. l

n Our Correspondent, Lalmonirhat Activists of Jatiyatabadi Mahila Dal in Lalmonirhat brought out a broom-procession yesterday afternoon, protesting Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad’s involvement with the “all-party” pollstime government.

The procession was followed by a protest meeting held in front of the BNP office at the BDR road of Lalmonirhat town.

Jatiyatabadi Mahila Dal leaders Afroza Akhter, Shirina Begum and Babita Begum spoke at the meeting, amongst others.

They alleged that HM Ershad was a liar and said he would go down in

Agitated people confine Deputy Commissioner Obaidul Azam after Titas authorities disconnected the illegal gas lines in Chaitabo area under Narsingdi sadar upazila yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

history as a liar. They claimed that Ershad had always deceived the nation with his false terms, adding that the Bangladeshi people would never trust him.

Contacted, Lalmonirhat JP Member Secretary Mahbubul Alam Mithu said the party’s chairman had done what was necessary because the nation wanted to see an election.

“All party leaders lie according to their agendas. Ershad just played a political role in favour of the country but it is not the end,” he said adding that Ershad would play a very important role in bringing back peace to the nation through a free and fair parliamentary election. l

DU ‘Ka’ unit admission test tomorrow n Tribune Report The admission test of ‘Ka’ unit for the first year honours courses in Dhaka University for the academic session 2013-14 will be held tomorrow.

The seat plans have been published and available on the website www.admission.eis.du.ac.bd.

Students will not be allowed to enter examination hall with electronic devices and mobile phones.

The admission test will be held between 10am and 11:45am in 77 centres in the capital, including Du campus, said a press release. l

Women take out a broom procession in Lalmonirhat yesterday, protesting participation of Ershad in the newly formed ‘all-party’ government DHAKA TRIBUNE

PROOFS to bridge gap between farmers and private sector, government agencies n Mushfique Wadud A project to establish networking between farmers and the private sector, financial institutions and government agencies in southern and northern Bangladesh was launched yesterday.

The project, called PROOFS, will empower farmers with business skills and knowledge in areas such as marketing, management and finance, so that small farms can become more profitable and produce more food.

International development agencies ICCO Cooperation, iDE (International Development Enterprises) and BoP Innovation Centre will implement the 8.1m-euro project, with financial support from the Netherlands Embassy in Dhaka.

The project, expected to run for four years, will cover 80,000 farming households in seven districts: Barisal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Rangpur.

Under the project, reputable private companies will supply farmers with agricultural inputs, such as seeds and pesticides, and ensure their availability in the local market.

The project will also provide support to extend the supply chain to the village level, which will increase the market for local enterprises.

Inaugurating the project at a city hotel yesterday, Dutch Ambassador Gerben de Jong said the embassy was funding the project as food security was a priority area.

“Working with existing groups, linking farmers to markets and mak-

Inaugural ceremony of PROOFS’ ‘Innovative Project for Farmers’ Food Security’ is held at a city hotel yesterday NASHIRUL ISLAM ing farmers business-oriented makes PROOFS promising,” Jong said.

Leonard Zijlstra, PROOFS project director, hoped that the project would help improve food security and prevent malnutrition, which are serious problems in Bangladesh.

The project also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Metal Seed and Ispahani at yesterday’s event. Under the agreement, the two private companies will provide farmers with seeds and pesticides, with information on their proper use.

Business group AFTAB inked a similar MoU with PROOFS earlier this year.

Addressing the programme, Fazle Rahim Khan, managing director of AFTAB, said the poultry sector was one of the key areas to ensure food security in the country, as it had achieved 200% growth in the last five years, creating 6m jobs.

“With these factors in mind, PROOFS and ABFL are hoping to implement syndicated semi-controlled environment farms belonging to farm business groups,” he said. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Kishoreganj growers set to reap profits from early winter vegetables About 7,000 hectares of land in the district have been brought under vegetable farming in the current season with a production target of 110,000 tonnes contributed to a gradual socioeconom- his entire produce but said he had been n Our Correspondent, Kishoreganj ic change for the district’s grassroots expecting a higher turnover. “I was Vegetable growers in Kishoreganj are set to reap high profits from their produce as markets gear up to be swarmed with the early varieties of winter vegetables.

Almost all the upazilas of the district have witnessed large arrivals of winter vegetables even before the start of the season – with baskets, pushcarts and portable stalls of local marketplaces stuffed with cabbages, cauliflowers, beans, gourds, balsam-apples, radishes, eggplants and spinach.

Because of the positive yield trends, growers and traders are expecting to meet the local demand for vegetables, as well as that of consumers elsewhere in the country.

According to an official estimate from the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), about 7,000 hectares of land in the district have been brought under vegetable farming in the current season, with a production target of 110,000 tonnes.

View of a cabbage field Cabbage, though known as a winter vegetable, can be produced even during summer, autumn and spring.

Lalmonirhat farmers happy with Aman prices n Our Correspondent, Lalmonirhat Farmers of Lalmonirhat are overjoyed as they received a bumper production of Aman paddy as well as a good market price this year.

Growers thanked the favourable weather conditions for Aman in this region, as farmers and their family members were seen busy harvesting in their fields.

At present, 40kgs of Aman paddy sells at Tk640-710 at local markets, whereas the production cost of the same amount is Tk420-450, farmers said.

Lalmonirhat Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) officials said this year Aman was cultivated on a total of 81,085 hectares, adding that the farmers produced at least 4.8 tonnes on each hectare.

The Deputy Director of Lalmonirhat DAE Abdul Mazid said growers were happy for the bumper production, and added that perfect rain at perfect time and absence of natural disasters like floods or droughts resulted in the

bumper production.

Anowar Hossain, a farmer at Kashinath village, said: “I cultivated high yielding flood tolerant Aman paddy on 68 decimal of lands and I harvested 25kgs from each decimal, whereas the production was only 18kgs on the same land last year.”

“I was provided with seeds and technical support from the IRRI-STRASSA Project of the NGO RDRS to cultivate such variety this year,” he said, adding he would cultivate this variety on more lands next year.

Agriculture and Environment Coordinator of the RDRS Mamunur Rashid told the Dhaka Tribune that farmers cultivated their lands following scientific methods and did not use excessive fertilisers and insecticides on the crops.

“We have provided the necessary support to cultivate high yielding flood and drought tolerant Aman paddy in Lalmonirhat and other parts of the country,” said the Development Programme Manager of RDRS, Ziaul Islam. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Successful cultivation of the vegetable and other vegetables – as evidenced by records in the past few years – has

growers.

Most farmers in Pakundia, Katiadi, Bajitpur, Nikli, Kuliarchar, Bhairab, Karimganj, Tarail and Hossainpur upazilas have turned to farming vegetables because of positive output from the market. Most of them start sowing seeds of high-yielding varieties as soon as water recedes from their fields, and have adequate knowledge to boost their production.

Already, a sizeable portion of their produce has been transported to Dhaka, Faridpur, Kushtia and other regions, and a lot more will be transported when winter begins.

Expressing satisfaction, several growers said they were getting “good prices” for their produce.

Abdul Hakim, a grower from Bishwanathpur village in Hossainpur, produced cabbages and cauliflowers on his one-acre field. He was approached by a local trader and offered Tk150,000 for

Farmers in Sherpur are delighted at the good yields as well as reasonable market prices of Aman paddy as harvesting of the crop is now being carried out in full swing everywhere in the district.

Growers and agriculture officials said a good Aman harvest was expected this season in the district as weather conditions remained favourable, prices of fertiliser and other inputs were relatively low while pest attacks did not affect the crop.

According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) office in Sherpur, a target was set to bring 87,393 hectares of land under aman farming in the district this season, reports UNB.

However, the cultivation acreage exceeded its target as farmers grew paddy on more land.

About 1.86m tonnes of paddy and 271,500 tonnes of rice are targeted to be produced in the district this year.

Expressing happiness over the good output of the crop, farmer Abdul Jalil, 40, of Andarpara village in Nalitabari upazila said: “There’s been good production of the crop. We (farmers) are happy.”

Echoing the view of Jalil, farmer Sharif Uddin of the same area said, “We (farmers) have got good yield this time.

There’s no pest attack.”

Asked about the production cost, another farmer Abdur Razzaque, 45, of Baromari village in the same upazila, said, “I cultivated Aman on four acres

Dalit community celebrates Nabanno Festival in Barisal n Our Correspondent, Barisal Dalit Matua Community celebrated the Nabanna Utshab 1420, a new harvesting season, that starts late autumn, yesterday at Natun Bazar in Barisal.

“Do not be divided by religion, let’s be united by festivals” was the slogan of the festival.

Matua community, Farmers of Hindu Dalits community, agricultural workers and followers of Hari Guru Thakur, organized the festival.

The festival programme included colourful processions, religious rituals, farmer’s reception, discussions, a voluntary blood donation camp, Nabanna Mela food festival, a cultural function, traditional games and special ‘Nabanna Feast’ on the city roads.

Participants of the festival stressed to eliminate communal discrimination and to uphold communal harmony in society.

“Nabanno Utshob” is a celebration of bringing in new harvests during the Bangla month of Agrahayan (Nov-

Dec). It is a festival of food; many local preparations of Bengali cuisine like pitha [homemade cakes] are cooked and offered.

The festival is a traditional Bangladeshi festival that has a non-communal nature.

Rakhal Chandra Dey, president of Puja Udjapan Parishad, inaugurated the festival at Adi Shamshan Ghat in Natun Bazaar area of the city in the morning.

Prof Gandhi Boral, district president of Hari-Guruchand Matua Samprodaya Committee presided over the inauguration programme, while Matua-acharya Shree Subrata Thakur and Shree Haridas Sadhu Thakur conducted the sessions of religious rituals.

Several thousand Matuas have been living in the Barisal region for the past 200 years. The Matua sect engaged in most important jobs related with agricultural farming, but were often victimised through negligence, hatred, discrimination and deprived of various basic human rights. l

hoping to make Tk250,000 from them.”

Md Kabir Mia, another grower of the same village, cultivated vegetables on his 1.5-bigha land and earned around Tk100,000 by selling them. Dwin Islam, a grower of Sukia village in Pakundia, said he had earned Tk30,000 from selling beans and Tk20,000 from selling radishes – all grown on his two-bigha land.

“Fortune smiled on the farmers in the district due to a bumper production of early winter vegetables. This is just the beginning. The prices of vegetables will increase as the season approaches, but will ultimately come down to a tolerable limit. By then, the growers will have had their due profits,” Md. Tamjidur Rahman, a vegetable expert, said.

However, not all growers were happy. Growers from the remote upazilas of Kishoreganj, complained of being coerced into selling their produce directly to local traders – who, they said, were controlling the market. l

Youth beaten to death in Narayanganj n Tribune Desk A young man, suspected to be a thief, was beaten to death in Deck Personnel Training Centre area in Sonakanda area of Bandar upazila on Tuesday night.

Police recovered the body of Al Amin, son of Nurul Islam of the area, yesterday morning from the spot.

Police said Nurul Islam, a night guard of DPTC under the Shipping Department, and several trainees caught Amin while he was roaming around on Tuesday night.

Later, they took him to the training centre and beat him mercilessly suspecting him to be a thief, leaving him dead on the spot.

When Nurul and others were trying to dump the body into the Shitalakkha River around 11 am yesterday, locals noticed it and informed police about the matter.

Later, the law enforcers rushed in, recovered the body and sent it to hospital morgue for autopsy, said officer-in-charge of Bandar police station Aktaruzzaman.

Law enforcers also arrested DPTC night guard Asharaf Uddin for his alleged involvement in the killing. l

Gaibandha farmers busy preparing boro seedbeds n Tribune Desk Gaibandha farmers have started preparing seedbeds for boro cultivation in all seven upazilas of the district.

According to Department of Agriculture Extension sources, over 121,258 hectares of land would be brought under boro paddy cultivation this year with a production target of 490,000 tonnes.

To cultivate the paddy, the seedbed will be prepared on at least 6,000 hectares of land by sowing over 4,200 tonnes of seeds in the district this season, DAE sources said.

Now, farmers are busy preparing seedbeds on the low land with hopes of growing healthy seedlings to transplant them later in order to bring in their desired production.

About 50% of seedbeds have already been prepared and the rest will be done by the end of this month, added the sources.

To make the programme a success, high quality boro paddy seeds are being distributed to farmers. l

Candidates of Primary School Certificate take examination at centre in Khulna city yesterday

Fair prices of Aman delight Sherpur growers n Tribune Desk

7

Thursday, November 21, 2013

(one acre=30 decimals) of land spending Tk7,000-8,000 per acre. In return, I got 35-36 maunds (each maund is equivalent to 37.32kgs) of paddy from each acre.”

He said they spent less money for crop farming this year compared to the previous years as prices of fertilisers and agriculture inputs remained low.

About the market prices of the newly harvested paddy, Razzaque said new paddy is being sold at Tk800 per maund and he hoped to get a profit of Tk30,000-32,000 by selling his produce.

He added traders and wholesalers are now buying new paddy from their houses.

Agronomists said growers sowed high quality aman seeds and got better

output of BINA-7, BR-49 and local early variety Basmati Dhan.

Local DAE office also played a role in achieving good output through providing farmers with training and necessary instructions, they said.

Suvash Chandra Debnath, deputy director of DAE in Sherpur, attributed the good yield of the paddy to favourable weather, availability of agriculture inputs and crop fields being free of pests.

Mentioning that farmers planted high yielding Ufshi paddy variety on 50,000 hectares of land out of the targeted 87,393 hectares, Suvash Chandra said Aman paddy has emerged as blessing for the farmers this year by helping them overcome the seasonal lean period. l

‘Criminal offences will be uprooted in future’ n Our Correspondent, Chandpur All types of criminals activities will be uprooted from the country in future by protecting human rights, says Home Minister MK Alamgir.

The minister made the statement while talking to journalists at the office of Chandpur district deputy commissioner yesterday.

Mentioning that the provisions of human rights will not be hampered while punishing criminals, he said: “We will remove all types of criminal offences from the country by ensuring full security.”

NEWS IN BRIEF Miscreants cut down 300 mango saplings in Bagerhat Miscreants felled 300 mango saplings in a nursery at Khalishkhali village in Kachua upazila early yesterday. Affected nursery owner Adhir Kumar Haldar said the miscreants had cut down seedlings at ‘Haldar Nursery’ sometime after midnight. He informed police about the matter. The law enforcers could not ascertain the motive behind the incident. – UNB

Woman killed by husband in Rajshahi A husband allegedly slaughtered his wife in Deberpara village under Paba upazila on Tuesday night. The deceased was identified as Shirina Begum, 27, wife of Obaidur Rahman, who remains absconding since the killing, police said. Locals said Obaidur married Shirina about one year back and used to torture her demanding dowry worth Tk100,000 since their marriage. Failing to get the money he slaughtered her and sent the body to her parent’s house in the midnight. In the morning, police sent the body to hospital morgue for post mortem.

A case was filed with the concerned police station. – BSS

One held with hemp in Narail Police in a drive arrested a man and recovered one kilogram hemp from Mygram village under Lohagara upazila of Narail early yesterday. The arrested person was identified as Babu Fakir, 30, of the same area. On a tip-off, a team of police from the police station conducted a drive at the village and arrested Babu from his village and recovered the hemp after getting his confessional statement, police sources said. A case was filed with the police station in this connection. UNB

Four held with phensidyl in Khulna Police in a drive arrested four alleged drug peddlers along with 944 bottles of Phensidyl from Hugladanga area of Khulna city on Tuesday. The arrested were identified as Masud of Uttarkhan and Mustafa of Hazaribagh area of Dhaka and Abu Hanif and

FOCUS BANGLA

Abdur Rab of Faridpur. Being tipped off, a team of police searched a Dhaka-bound private car from Satkhira around 1:30pm and arrested the four, who were in the vehicle, along with the drugs, said Mamun Khan, officer-in-charge of Harintana police station.

A case was filed in this connection. UNB

1,258 tonnes boro seeds distributed in Narsingdi Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation in Narsingdi has distributed 1,258 tonnes of boro seeds in the six upazilas of the district to make the boro cultivation programme a success. BADC official sources said of the total seeds, 1,200 tonnes were distributed through 92 dealers and 50 tonnes directly among the farmers at the rate of Taka 340 per bag (10kg). Mahmuda Begum, senior assistant Director of BADC, said that the local Agriculture Extension Department demanded 913 tonnes of Boro seeds for the district this year but BADC disbursed 1,258 tonnes of seeds. The BADC also distributed eight tonnes of SL-8H Super Highbred seeds, 7,300 kgs of mustard seeds, 3,000 kgs pulse among the farmers. – BSS

The minister further said: “We will make suitable environment for people by implementing our knowledge and wisdom so that people may live in peace.

People will elect me again in order to uphold the progress,” he added.

Earlier in the day, he joined a number of inauguration programmes in different part of the district. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated nine projects in the district through video conference.

The minister also expressed hope that he would bring positive changes in the district under the leadership of the premier. l

Miscreants snatch auto-rickshaw killing driver n Our Correspondent, Tangail A CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver was killed by miscreants’ yesterday morning, allegedly in an attempt to steal his vehicle near Pathrail Bottola of Delduar upazila in Tangail.

The deceased Matiur Rahman, 23, was the son of late Mojibur Rahman from Goria village under Kalihati upazila of the district.

Officer-in-Charge Md Chan Miah of Delduar police station said they went to the crime scene after being informed by the villagers. The body was recovered and sent to Tangail General Hospital for autopsy, he added.

He said, “We suspect the killers might have been the victim’s passengers. When the vehicle reached an isolated spot, the killers may have strangled him by tying a piece of cloth around his neck and later made off with the vehicle.” A case was yet to be filed with Delduar police station in this connection, he added. l

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Sinai car bomb kills at least 10 Egypt soldiers n AFP, Cairo Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro AP

Venezuela congress gives decree powers to Maduro

n AP, Caracas, Venezuela

The Venezuelan congress granted President Nicolas Maduro emergency decree powers Tuesday that will strengthen the embattled leader’s hand as he goes after businesses the government accuses of sabotaging Latin America’s biggest oil economy. The National Assembly’s vote had been widely expected since Maduro requested a month ago to be given expanded power to enact laws without consulting congress for up to a year.

The same tactic was employed four times by Maduro’s mentor and predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez, to promulgate dozens of laws that dramatically boosted state control over the economy.

But unlike the charismatic Chavez, who had near-absolute command over his party, doubts about Maduro’s leadership have risen since he defeated opposition leader Henrique Capriles by a razor-thin margin in April’s presidential election. l

A car bomb struck an army convoy killing at least 10 soldiers Wednesday in the Sinai, where security forces have been repeatedly targeted since the ouster of Egypt’s Islamist president, the army said.

It said in a statement that 35 others were wounded, including some hospitalised in serious condition.

The bomb struck near El-Arish, regional capital of North Sinai, a security official said, adding that an explosives-laden parked car exploded as the convoy passed.

A bus carrying soldiers on leave took the brunt of the blast at around 7:45am (0545 GMT), the military said.

The bombing was the deadliest in the Sinai bordering Gaza and Israel since an August 19 ambush by gunmen on a convoy of security forces that killed 25 policemen in the North Sinai town of Rafah.

That attack was the bloodiest in the Sinai Peninsula in several years.

On September 5, a car bomb also targeted Egypt’s interim interior minister Mohamed Ibrahim in Cairo.

Dozens of soldiers and policemen have been killed in near daily attacks in Sinai, especially since the army ousted president Mohamed Morsi on July 3.

Rome frescoes add to debate on women priests n Reuters, Rome Proponents of a female priesthood say frescoes in the newly restored Catacombs of Priscilla prove there were women priests in early Christianity. The Vatican says such assertions are sensationalist “fairy tales.”

The catacombs, on Rome’s Via Salaria, have been fully reopened after a five-year project that included laser technology to clean some of the ancient frescoes and a new museum to house restored marble fragments of sarcophagi.

Art lovers and the curious around the world who cannot get to Rome can join the debate by using a virtual visit to the underground labyrinth by Google Maps, a first-time venture mixing antiquity and modern high technology.

Built as Christian burial sites between the second and fifth centuries and meandering underground for 13 km (8 miles) over several levels, the Catacombs of Priscilla contain frescoes of women that have provoked academic debate for many years.

One, in a room called the “Cubiculum of the Veiled Woman,” shows a woman whose arms are outstretched like those of a priest saying Mass. She wears what the catacombs’ Italian website calls “a rich liturgical garment.” The word “liturgical” does not appear in the English version.

She also wears what appears to be a stole, a vestment worn by priests. Another

fresco, in a room known as “The Greek Chapel,” shows a group of women sitting around a table, their arms outstretched like those of priests celebrating Mass.

Organisations promoting a female priesthood, such as the Women’s Ordination Conference and the Association of Roman Catholic Woman Priests, have pointed to these ancient scenes as evidence of a female priesthood in the early Church.

But the Vatican contests these interpretations which have also appeared in books on women in Christianity, such as the “The Word According to Eve” published in 1998.

“This is an elaboration that has no foundation in reality,” Barbara Mazzei of the Pontifical Commission on Sacred Archaeology told Reuters at the presentation of the restoration on Tuesday.

“This is a fairy tale, a legend,” said Professor Fabrizio Bisconti, superintendent of religious heritage archaeological sites owned by the Vatican, including numerous catacombs scattered around Rome.

He said such interpretations were “sensationalist and absolutely not reliable.”

Bisconti said the fresco of the woman in a gesture of priest-like prayer was “a depiction of a deceased person now in paradise,” and that the women sitting at the table were taking part in a “funeral banquet” and not a Eucharistic gathering.

The Church teaches that women cannot become priests because Jesus willingly chose only men as his apostles. l

Egypt’s army has poured troops and armour into the restive peninsula to crush militant activity.

Egypt’s security forces are also engaged in a sweeping crackdown on Islamist supporters of Morsi in other parts of the country.

The crackdown has resulted in more than 1,000 people being killed and more than 2,000 arrested nationwide since the middle of August.

Morsi himself and several of his aides and members of his Muslim Brotherhood movement have been put on trial.

Despite the crackdown, Morsi’s supporters, mostly from the Muslim Brotherhood, have regularly staged protests in Cairo and other key cities against the ruling military-installed government.

They, however, did not participate in demonstrations in Cairo’s Tahrir Square that turned violent late Tuesday when one person was killed by birdshot as riot police stormed the square.

Police backed by armoured vehicles fired tear gas and shots after clashes in the square to scatter protesters who had gathered to mark the anniversary of deadly November 2011 demonstrations.

The crowds were marking the anniversary of protests against the military, which ruled Egypt between President Hosni Mubarak’s overthrow and his

Syria’s chemical weapons could be processed and destroyed out at sea, say sources familiar with discussions at the international body in charge of eliminating the toxic arsenal.

Four days after Albania rejected a US request that it host a weapons decommissioning plant, Western diplomats and an official of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons at The Hague told Reuters the OPCW was studying whether it might carry out the work at sea, on a ship or offshore rig.

Confirming the discussion, the OPCW official stressed there had been no decision: “The only thing known at this time is that this is technically feasible,” the official said on Tuesday.

While other states, notably Japan, have dealt with chemical weapons at sea, mounting such a large and complex operation afloat would be unprecedented, independent experts said.

But given the equally daunting challenge of neutralising over 1,000 metric tonnes of material in the middle of a civil war, and the reluctance of governments like Albania to defy popular protests against hosting any facility, it is being considered.

“There are discussions about destroying it on a ship,” one US official told Reuters. l

Security officials in Yemen say they’ve arrested women suspected of being al-Qaeda militants after a security force operation in the country’s south that left four soldiers dead.

The officials say that the women and a number of children were arrested in Hadramowt province early Wednesday.

They say the arrests came after the suspected female militants fired assault

rifles and rocket-propelled grenades at authorities in the city of al-Shahr.

Officials say male militants on motorcycles later joined the fight. They say the clashes killed at least four soldiers.

Officials say the women are believed to be Saudi nationals. They say the women were transferred to Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, for further interrogation.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to journalist. l

Suicide bombs hit Syria troops north of Damascus Suicide bombers targeted Syrian troops and a hospital Wednesday in the rugged Qalamoun hills north of Damascus, where rebels are struggling to reverse government gains that threaten to cut one of their main supply lines, said activists and officials.

There was no immediate word on casualties from the attacks in Nabak and Deir Attiyeh, part of a string of communities lying along a route used by rebels to bring supplies from nearby Lebanon to opposition-held enclaves outside the

n AFP, Baghdad A wave of attacks, most of them car bombs targeting Shia neighbourhoods of Baghdad, killed 33 people on Wednesday in the latest bout of deadly violence to hit Iraq.

The bombings and shootings, which left more than 70 people wounded in all, come amid a protracted surge in bloodletting just months ahead of general elections that has forced Iraqi officials to appeal for international help in combatting the country’s worst unrest since 2008.

At least eight explosions, including seven car bombs, went off mostly against Shia Muslim neighbourhoods of the Iraqi capital from about 7:30am (0430 GMT) onwards, leaving 28 people dead and more than 70 wounded, according to security and medical officials.

They come after similarly coordinated bombings in Baghdad on Sunday evening left 21 dead, and pushed the overall death toll for November above 300.

Wednesday’s attacks occurred in areas ranging from the city’s main commercial district of Karrada to the predominantly Shia neighbourhood of Shaab, as well as Sadriyah, one of Baghdad’s oldest districts.

One car bomb also went off in the Sunni-majority neighbourhood of Adhamiyah in north Baghdad, the officials said.

The blast in Karrada struck near a car dealership as Shias were gathering to mark the anniversary of the death of a venerated figure in Shia Islam, when Sunni militants often step up their attacks.

“We were cooking and giving food on the anniversary of the death of Imam Hussein,” said Ahmed Abu Ali, an employee of the Al-Baldawi car dealership.

“Many people were gathering at the dealership and suddenly a car blew up 20 metres away,” said the 40-year-old, clad in a traditional black Arab robe.

“Even if they bombed us and tried to stop us, we will not stop commemorating the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein.”

Security forces imposed tough measures in areas hit by attacks, in many cases barring journalists from filming video or taking photographs at bomb sites.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the violence, but Sunni militants linked to Al-Qaeda’s front group often set off coordinated bombings across Baghdad, typically targeting Shias, whom they regard as apostates.

In a separate attack in the normally-peaceful northern Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah, gunmen assassinated Iraqi President Jalal Talabani’s chief bodyguard, according to a police spokesman. l

Small boats sit on the shore of Guanabara Bay in the suburb of Sao Goncalo, across the bay from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday. The bay was home to a thriving artisanal fishing industry and popular palm-lined beaches as recently as the late-1970s, but has become a watery dump for waste from shipyards and two commercial ports AP

Yemen arrests suspected female militants

n AP, Beirut

Iraq: Wave of attacks in Shia neighbourhoods kill 33

ALL WASHED UP

Syria’s chemical weapons may be destroyed at sea n Reuters

n AP, Sanaa

now deposed successor Morsi’s election in 2012.

Egypt is divided between Morsi’s supporters and those of the military that overthrew him, but Tuesday’s protesters accused both sides of betraying the goals of the 2011 uprising that ousted Mubarak.

In November 2011, at least 43 protesters were killed over several days of clashes with police in Mohamed Mahmud street just off Tahrir Square.

The November 19 clashes were the first serious revolt faced by the military junta that had taken charge after Mubarak’s resignation in February 2011.

The military handed power to Morsi in June 2012 but ousted him a year later following mass protests demanding his resignation.

Some of the protesters on Tuesday night had been enraged by a monument inaugurated in the square on the eve of the anniversary.

They accused the government and police of revising the history of the Mohamed Mahmud carnage amid a wave of pro-military nationalism following Morsi’s overthrow.

Mahmoud Hisham, a 21-year-old student, said: “The revolution is still not over. In three years, we’ve had three systems and three traitors – Mubarak, the military and the Brotherhood.”l

Thursday, November 21, 2013

capital and in the central city of Homs.

A suicide car bomber targeted a checkpoint manned by Syrian soldiers while another blew up near a security headquarters, both on the edge of the town of Nabak, said Rami Abdurrahman from the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and another activist based near the town.

Syrian television reported that, in another incident, two Saudi citizens tried to blow up the hospital of Deir Attiyeh but they were pushed by army forces. Abdurrahman and the activists confirmed the attack but had no further details. l

Indonesia suspends Australia cooperation n AFP, Jakarta Indonesia’s president Wednesday suspended cooperation with Australia in the sensitive area of people-smuggling, denouncing Canberra’s “Cold War” behaviour following allegations its spies tapped his phone.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono also announced that cooperation would be temporarily halted in a number of other areas, including military exercises and intelligence exchanges.

But the most important area for the new Australian government of Tony Abbott will be people-smuggling, as it tries to stem the flow of asylum-seekers arriving by boat from Indonesia.

It was the latest angry outburst from Indonesia over reports, based on documents leaked by US intelligence fugitive Edward Snowden, that Australian spies tried to listen to the phone calls of the president, his wife and ministers in 2009.

Indonesia recalled its ambassador from Canberra earlier this week over the scandal and Yudhoyono has publicly lambasted Abbott on Twitter for what he called a lack of remorse.

Announcing the suspension of cooperation Wednesday after a crisis meeting at the presidential palace, an angry Yudhoyono said: “For me personally, and for Indonesia, the wiretapping by Australia... is difficult to comprehend. l

WORLD WATCH Frenchman denied travel because of size

Eurostar says it has refused travel on its train to a Frenchman who was earlier stranded in the United States because he was deemed too fat to fly home.

The service that connects England to France and Belgium declined to allow Kevin Chenais on board because of safety rules governing travel through the Channel Tunnel. Eurostar says provisions require all passengers to have the ability to be safely evacuated and Chenais’ immobility makes this impossible. The move piles on the woes for Chenais, who has been struggling to get home after being denied travel home on British Airways. He later flew to Britain on another carrier. Eurostar accommodated Chenais in London at the company’s expense and said Wednesday it is trying to help him get home as soon as possible.

India: Gold bars worth $1m found in plane lavatory

Cleaners found a stash of 24 gold bars worth more than $1.1m hidden in an airplane lavatory after a flight from Bangkok landed in eastern India, officials said Wednesday. The Jet Airways flight had landed in Kolkata and was being cleaned before a scheduled flight to Patna when the cleaners found two bags with the gold stashed inside, Customs official Mona Priyadarshini said. Priyadarshini said the gold bars weighed around 1 kilogram each. Customs officials confiscated the stash and are investigating.

Man who faked his death to avoid prison imprisoned

In May 2011, Travis Scott pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering after filing a false insurance claim. In order to avoid prison, he decided to fake his death.

Scott ground up some of his teeth, extracted pints of his own blood and pulled out pieces of his hair. He combined all of those pieces together in a stocking cap and shot them with a shotgun. He left the cap in a canoe on Lake Mille Lacs in September 2011, along with a suicide note saying he had weighed himself down in case he didn’t die from the shotgun blast. After leaving the cap and note, Scott, 36, fled to Canada and was able to obtain the birth certificate of Paul Decker, a baby who had died at the age of 2. Scott acquired a driver’s license and was attempting to get a passport to travel when he was arrested for using fake prescriptions to get medicine. Police figured out his true identity and discovered he was a wanted man.

Fire kills six in Vietnam

A fire at a bar under renovation has killed six workers in central Hanoi, state media reported Wednesday. The Thanh Nien newspaper said that the six, including two couples, were renovating the bar when the fire broke out Tuesday. They died of suffocation from the blaze that took fire fighters nearly two hours to put out. The report quoted Hanoi deputy fire police chief To Xuan Thieu as saying welding sparks likely caused the fire.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

United Nations urges Myanmar to give the Rohingya citizenship

Myanmar police uncover religious bomb plot n AFP, Yangon

n AP, United Nations The General Assembly’s human rights committee passed a resolution urging Myanmar to give the stateless Rohingya minority equal access to citizenship and to crack down on Buddhist violence against them and other Muslims in the southeast Asian nation.

The resolution, passed by consensus Tuesday, received mixed reaction in Myanmar.

The director of the president’s office, Maj Zaw Htay, said steps were being taken to address the issue, and the opposition party headed by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi accused the rights committee of “interfering” in the country’s internal affairs.

Under General Assembly rules the body will unanimously pass the resolution later this year.

Myanmar emerged from a half-century of military rule in 2011, but its transition to democracy has been marred by sectarian violence that has left more than 240 people dead and sent another 240,000 fleeing their homes, most of them Rohingya. Some say the inter-communal violence presents a threat to Myanmar’s political reforms because it could encourage security forces to re-assert control.

In 1982, Myanmar passed a citizenship law recognizing eight races and 130 minority groups – but omitted the nation’s 800,000 Rohingya, among Myanmar’s 60 million people. Many Myanmar Buddhists view the Rohingya as interlopers brought in by British colonialists from modern-day Bangladesh, but many Rohingya say they have lived in the country once known as Burma for hundreds of years.

Suu Kyi, who has expressed interest in being the next president of Myanmar, has had little else to say about

Report: Iran deporting Afghan refugees

n AP, Kabul

A new report says Iran is forcefully deporting Afghan refugees by the thousands — contrary to its international obligation to protect refugees. A Human Rights Watch report released Wednesday includes stories from dozens of refugees who tell of being forcibly deported. The report includes stories of fathers deported without being given a chance to tell the families they leave behind. Another is of a 12-year old boy left without money at the border, forced to beg for bus fare to Afghanistan. While there are more than 800,000 Afghans registered as refugees in Iran, the report says there are roughly another 2 million unregistered Afghan refugees in Iran who are subject to abuse and forced deportation.

Iranian officials could not be immediately reached for comment. l

A Rohingya family prepares a meal inside their tent at and Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp on the outskirts of Sittwe Rohingya rights. She declined to meet with an Organisation of the Islamic Conference delegation visiting Myanmar this week to look into the plight of the religious minority.

A spokesman of her party, Nyan Win, slammed the decision by the rights commission.

“Even the United Nations is interfering in Myanmar’s internal affairs,” he said. “Anyone who is eligible to become a citizen will get citizenship, but they cannot become ethnic nationals.”

He did not elaborate.

Zaw Htay, the director of the president’s office, meanwhile, denied the Rohingya minority are stateless.

“These people are either Bangladeshis or Myanmar. We are not denying their right to citizenship. They will be given citizenship according to the law.”

He called on the OIC and the international community to help with the process, while stressing elements both inside the country and out are fanning the problem.

Myanmar had been ostracized by most of the world for 50 years after a coup that instituted military rule. But in recent years the nation has been cautiously welcomed into the international community after it freed many political prisoners and ended the house arrest of Syu Kyi and instituted

AFP

reforms. President Barack Obama visited the country last year on an Asian tour, as a hallmark of Myanmar’s rehabilitation.

The General Assembly resolution welcomed a statement by Myanmar’s president that “no prisoners of conscience will remain in prison by the end of the year.” Myanmar released 69 political prisoners last week.

But it also “expresses concern about remaining human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests and detentions of political activists and human rights defenders, forced displacement, land confiscations, rape and other forms of sexual violence and torture. l

Myanmar police said Wednesday they had arrested three people suspected of planning bomb attacks on mosques, as the country grapples with religious tensions after waves of anti-Muslim violence.

The suspects are all Buddhist men from the western state of Rakhine, where two bouts of unrest last year left scores dead and some 140,000 displaced, mainly Rohingya Muslims.

“They were planning to plant bombs at mosques, after attending training on the border in Karen state,” a police official in Yangon told AFP on condition of anonymity, referring to the country’s eastern frontier.

He said authorities were continuing to investigate the “ongoing case.”

Myanmar remains tense after eruptions of religious conflict that have killed around 250 people and cast a shadow over much-praised political reforms.

A report in the state-run New Light of Myanmar Wednesday said an initial raid on a guesthouse in the Yangon area found one 34-year-old suspect “red-handed making bombs with gunpowder and related materials” on November 13.

It said further investigations led police to arrest two more suspects, aged 31 and 28, early Saturday.

The English-language newspaper said one of the men had received training on the border and had received “two ready-to-use” mines and a pack of gunpowder.

It said the intended target was “religious buildings” and police were still hunting further suspects.

Myanmar was rattled by a series of explosions in October that the United States denounced as “acts of terror,” including one at the luxury Traders Hotel in Yangon that injured an American woman.

No group claimed responsibility but authorities said suspects arrested at the time were linked to ethnic Karen rebels.

There were two rounds of unrest in Rakhine in June and October 2012, with fighting largely between local Buddhists and the Rohingya minority.

Clashes were later reported in other areas.

Last week the arrival of a delegation from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for a tour of the country, including Rakhine, sparked protests led

by Buddhist monks.

Humanitarian workers have faced threats and harassment for trying to help in Muslim camps.

‘They were planning to plant bombs at mosques, after attending training on the border in Karen state’

Radical monks have been accused of fuelling the violence with anti-Muslim rhetoric, while witnesses to violence in central Myanmar in March said some attackers were dressed in clerical robes.

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

They are considered by the United Nations to be one of the world’s most persecuted minorities.

Thousands of Rohingya have since fled Myanmar, with many paying smugglers for passage on rickety and overcrowded boats to Malaysia or further south. Hundreds are believed to have perished at sea so far this year. l

Rouhani defends Iran nuclear Netanyahu heads to Moscow to discuss Iran rights in Cameron call n AFP, Tehran President Hassan Rouhani in a telephone call with British Prime Minister David Cameron stressed Tehran’s firm right to pursue a peaceful nuclear programme, Iranian media reported Wednesday.

Cameron’s call on Tuesday to Rouhani, the first such high-level exchange in a decade, came on the eve of a new round of talks in Geneva between world powers and Iran on Tehran’s nuclear programme.

“As Iran is determined that its nuclear activities will remain peaceful, it will strongly defend its nuclear rights,” the official IRNA news agency reported Rouhani as telling Cameron.

“We will accept no discrimination on this issue. The language of respect must replace that of threats and sanctions,” he added.

Downing Street confirmed that Cameron and Rouhani had discussed the talks between world powers and Iran on Tehran’s nuclear programme, the next round of which starts in Geneva on Wednesday.

Cameron “underlined the necessity of Iran comprehensively addressing the concerns of the international community about their nuclear programme, including the need for greater transparency,” a Downing Street statement said.

IRNA said Rouhani also held talks on the telephone with Chinese Presi-

dent Xi Jinping, telling him Tehran was seeking “an accord which preserves its rights and shows that the Iranian nuclear programme is totally peaceful.”

He called for China to oppose “excessive demands of certain countries,” referring to France which took a tough stand at the last round of talks in Geneva at the start of November.

Parliament speaker Ali Larijani, meanwhile, insisted in a speech to MPs that the Islamic republic would fully defend “its nuclear rights” in Geneva.

And before leaving Rome for Geneva, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told reporters that a deal “depends to what degree (world powers) are ready to respect Iran’s rights.”l

n AFP, Ben Gurion Airport

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took off on Thursday for Russia in a last-minute bid to sway an emerging deal with Iran over its contested nuclear programme.

Netanyahu is to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Wednesday evening to voice his concerns about the deal being hammered out at talks in Geneva. On Thursday, he will address members of the Russian Jewish community.

Russia is a member of the P5+1 group – alongside the United States, China, France, Britain and Germany – which has been struggling to reach a deal to freeze or curb Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for some relief

gations that a former close confidant of prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi had ordered police illegally to spy on a woman.

The National Commission of Women (NCW) said it would take up claims by local media that a former junior home minister from the western state of Gujarat ordered police to conduct surveillance on the woman in 2009.

Amit Shah was a minister in the state government led by Chief Minister

year.

“We will be writing to the state home minister about the act done by the then-home minister (Shah)....and at whose instance he has done it,” Nirmala Samant Prabhavalkar, a member of the government-funded NCW, told reporters.

She said the state government must answer “under what authority” it used “this kind of interception” on the woman. l

Malala receives EU Vietnam floods toll rises to 42 Sakharov prize n AFP, Strasbourg n AFP, Hanoi Malala Yousafzai was handed the EU’s prestigious Sakharov human rights prize Wednesday in recognition of her crusade for the right of all children, girls and boys, to an education. To thunderous applause announcing the European Parliament prize, the assembly’s president Martin Schulz praised the 16-year-old activist as “a survivor, a heroine and an extraordinary young woman” and said: “You have given hope to millions of people.” Malala, dressed in orange and with her father at her right, became the 25th winner of the Sakharov prize at the ceremony significantly held on World Children’s Day, with 21 of the former winners present. l

Vietnamese authorities on Wednesday raised the death toll from severe floods that swept central provinces to 42, with five people still missing.

Nearly 430,000 houses have been inundated, damaged or destroyed, the flood and storm control department said in an online report, adding rains have now slackened and water has receded in some areas. Local authorities had described the floods – that hit the UNESCO-listed town of Hoi An and the former imperial City of Hue, along with other areas – as the worst for over a decade, saying they had caused tens of millions of dollars worth of damage. l

from international sanctions.

Israel is staunchly opposed to the mooted interim agreement, insisting it will give Iran vital sanctions relief while failing to halt Tehran’s alleged march towards a “breakout” nuclear weapons capability.

The P5+1 will meet with Iran on Wednesday in Geneva for talks on the programme, which Israel and the West suspect is aimed at developing a weapons capability but Tehran insists is entirely peaceful.

The last round of talks with Iran that ended on November 10 came tantalisingly close to a framework agreement that supporters say would bolster Iran’s new president, a reputed moderate, and buy time for negotiating a comprehensive deal. l

Nepal voter ‘overwhelmed’ to give birth in polling station n AFP, Kathmandu

Thai government India women’s body to dodges dissolution but stalemate probe Modi spying Modi, who is a leader of the main opdrags on n AFP, New Delhi position Hindu nationalist Bharatiya India’s top women’s rights body said Janata Party (BJP) and is now its canReuters, Bangkok n Wednesday it would investigate alle- didate for national elections due next Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra suffered a blow on Wednesday when a court knocked back a constitutional amendment that could have strengthened her party’s legislative grip, a ruling that could cool tension that was close to boiling over.

Thailand’s Constitutional Court said moves to change the composition of the Senate were flawed, but stopped short of dissolving Yingluck’s ruling Puea Thai Partyfor fraud after several lawmakers had proxies cast their electronic votes for them during a Sept 28 house session.

The decision is the latest setback for Yingluck’s government after the Senate last week rejected an amnesty bill that critics say was designed to whitewash the crimes of her influential, self-exiled brother, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, to clear him to return home.

Nearly half of the members of the Senate are appointed and the proposed changes involved scrapping appointed senators to create a larger, fully elected chamber.

But the judges ruled that the proposal would have allowed family members of existing lawmakers to win seats.

Yingluck’s party dominates the elected lower house of parliament but has been unable to use its electoral strength to control the Senate fully. l

9

Thursday, November 21, 2013

A Nepalese man sits with a huge Nepali flag near a polling station in Kathmandu

AP

Election officials begin counting votes in Nepal n AP, Kathmandu Officials began counting votes on Wednesday that were cast during election for a special assembly to draw up a long-delayed constitution and pick a new Nepal government.

Election Commission official Bir Bahadur Rai said the counting started in several districts and that boxes filled with ballot papers had reached counting centres in at least 20 districts.

In the capital Kathmandu, election officials opened ballot boxes collected from all 10 constituencies at the Inter-

national Convention Centre and began counting the thousands of ballot papers.

Rai said arrangements were being made to fly ballot boxes from some mountain areas by helicopter because snow had blocked roads. Nepal has 75 districts of which most of them are mountainous. More than 70% of the 12 million eligible voters cast their votes during Tuesday’s election in Nepal to choose the 601-member Constituent Assembly that would double as the parliament.

First results are expected by late Wednesday and final results are going to take at least a week. l

A Nepalese woman, excited to be voting for the first time, told Wednesday how she went into labour and gave birth at a polling station during elections in the Himalayan nation.

Parbati Bhandari told AFP she was so keen to take part in polls on Tuesday to elect a constituent assembly that she walked 30 minutes to a polling station just six days before her due date.

“As this was my first time, I was excited to vote, but about an hour after I reached the polling station I had sudden pain in my lower belly,” the 20-year-old housewife said by phone.

Fortunately the polling booths were set up inside local government offices in the midwestern district of Myagdi that included a small health centre. Bhandari gave birth at the centre to a healthy baby boy on Tuesday afternoon – then she cast her vote.

Bhandari said she was “overwhelmed” to have become a mother on the same day as elections for the assembly charged with writing Nepal’s post-war constitution and aimed at ending years of political instability.

Her migrant worker husband has suggested she name their son, “Nirwachan” (Nepali for election).

“I was extremely happy to give birth on this historic day,” she said.

“But seeing a constitution completed...will make me even happier,” she added. l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Letters to

www.dhakatribune.com

Funding clean water is not a luxury

T

he Dasherkandi sewage treatment plan was introduced to treat the waters of the Hatirjheel-Begunbari canal, but work on the plant is being delayed due to a fund shortage.

Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (DWASA) has already received $76m from the World Bank to improve the city’s water supply and sewerage management – with the possibility of an additional $200-300m for the development of the sector, if the money was spent properly – so it makes no sense that this project is reported to be at a standstill.

Work was scheduled to begin in January 2011 with completion this December Capacity to treat and but officials are blaming a funding shortage for a lack clean the city’s polluted of progress on implementing rivers and waters must a plant to treat the tannery be properly funded waste-infested water of the Hatirjheel-Begunbari canal before it flows into the Buriganga.

This is unacceptable. Clean water is indispensable to our daily lives and the pollution of canals and rivers which is plain for all to see, also puts the lives of the residents of Hazaribagh at jeopardy, since it is used daily for cooking, cleaning, drinking, and bathing.

Modern water treatment plants are vital to WASA’s duty of keeping the water supply clean. It is not good enough to pass the blame for not building and opening new plants more onto funding delays. Such hold ups should not occur and obstacles should be foreseen better in the planning process.

Government has a duty to ensure funding to clean the water on which so many people depend. There is no reasonable excuse to delay improvements to WASA’s capacity to treat and clean the city’s polluted rivers and waters.

IT innovations in law enforcement

Hartal fire on running bus burns 10 in city November 14 The opposition is clearly in a state of war with the rest of the country. The trouble on the street during hartals can be compared with the terror attacks on the streets in, say, Iraq. The people of Bangladesh need protection. And if the government is unwilling or incompetent to deliver that protection, the army should step in.

Vikram Khan

The Torch November 13

Nusrat Khondaker Fiction is something that you can digest and enjoy, but when you know what you are reading is reality not fiction, only then does it pierces your heart.

It’s not easy to share your deepest emotion and sadness with everyone. Thanks for sharing this piece with us, Nuhash.

Saint Thanks for telling your story with the same kind of patience your father had. Of course, your love can’t be taken away and he lives in you genetically.

Nadia It was alright. I understand emotions and all, but unlike the translated version, this seemed quite lax to me. It didn’t grip me. The English isn’t top notch either. Just mediocre.

That being said, it’s a nice gesture to write for your own father. I guess someone as amazing as Mr Humayun Ahmed is a hard person to live up to.

Continue working on your writing, maybe you’ll mature with time. rA Nadia: Disagree totally. The English doesn’t have to be top notch for a piece to be good. There are things such as typos anyway. The article is extremely honest and shows exactly the conflicting emotions that he felt for his father. And that’s what made it great.

This is an autobiographical piece and I don’t

November 12

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CROSSWORD

Will this incident affect the passengers and their flight bookings in the coming weeks?

Protik Rahman

think he was aiming to show off his writing style.

And about living “up to” Humayun Ahmed, why?

Nuhash can be his own person. Having his genes, he is naturally inclined towards the same things, but he doesn’t have to be a carbon copy. It would be refreshing only if he is his own self.

Waliul Haque Khondker As I finished reading “The Torch,” there was an echo within myself, “Humayun Ahmed is not dead, quite yet!” Humayun Ahmed’s lucid storytelling was vividly present in Nuhash Humayun’s storytelling as well. The ease, with which he told us the story of his life, was a pleasant presentation, which could only be matched by his illustrious father, Humayun Ahmed!

Dear Nuhash, please don’t deprive us of your storytelling abilities, albeit acquired genetically, so that we don’t miss your father much.

A modest suggestion: Please try and grab a page in the Weekend Tribune, give it a title, “Storyteller,” then tell us a story every Friday. I’m sure all those who loved your father would love you as much, with time to come. Godspeed Nuhash! rA So well-written! It’s hardest to tell the story of your own life. You are your own man Nuhash. I salute your courage. shahriar Dark, but not depressing.

Be Heard

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

Bangladesh comes second in Chinese arms purchase last year November 12

Faizul Alam 1.3% on military? Who are we going to war with?? :S Farabi Rahman A small percentage of the military expenditure of BD is on weapons. Most is wasted on high amounts of rations and really unnecessary facilities.

Raisa Momin So that we can attack ourselves? No other country is interested in attacking us, I’m sure!

Jim Jubabir As you know, Bangladesh is a geopolitically-blessed country that oversees the Bay of Bengal.

The fact is, because of this very reason, we are exposed to outer threats.

Montu: ‘I’m finished’ November 12

RoNy Paul May God bless him.

Xiao Xing May Allah reduce his pain soon. I don’t understand why normal people are being burnt killed and tortured! What the hell is this?? I hope people stop hurting each other this way. Poor man. May Allah help him.

Javed Arun Zaman What is this? It’s inhumane and insane. These perpetrators should be tried for arson and terrorism. Who on earth would pour petrol on a bus packed with passengers and set it on fire? What is going on?? Why didn’t the AL government pass a bill in the legislature giving death sentences to such murderers during the last five years? And why doesn’t Khaleda Zia ask her followers not to burn people alive and destroy public and private property in the name of hartals?

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PEANUTS

CODE-CRACKER DOWN 1 Prudently sparing (6) 2 Wards off (6) 3 Weary (4) 4 Wet, soft earth (3) 5 Donkey (3) 7 African river (4) 8 Lukewarm (5) 10 Poor actor (3) 13 Heathen (5) 15 Gnawing (6) 16 Bank employee (6) 18 Counterpart (4) 19 Sorrowful (3) 22 Love god (4) 23 Male sheep (3) 24 Serpent (3)

the Editor

LETTER OF THE DAY

Fire at Qatar Airways building in Gulshan

he Uttara division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, has recently started to work with local citizens and IT experts to improve their response time to criminal incidents.

By making better use of communications technology, the local police have increased their connectivity with citizens.

This initiative from the Uttara police division is a refreshing example of how improving IT and transparency can have a big impact in improving public service delivery.

The initiative reportedly originated with a Facebook page opened by the assistant commissioner of police patrol Improving IT and in early September, which transparency can have a received a lot of attention. In big impact in improving response to public demand a public service delivery quick response team was set up which enabled officers to reach any location in Uttara within minutes of receiving a distress report.

The Uttara police division collaborated with two former BUET students to develop a smartphone app, which can be used to locate nearby police stations and lodge complaints. It also includes contact numbers of police officers, including high-ranking officials, who can be contacted in case of emergency. Thus far both the Facebook page and the app have received strongly positive response from local citizens and some success stories have already emerged.

Similar initiatives, which engage citizens and utilise innovation could help many areas of public service delivery.

Technology is not a single bullet panacea but the Uttara police example shows that much can be done with the new tools that are now at our disposal if the willingness exists.

ACROSS 1 Exploit (3) 6 By way of (3) 7 Fasteners (4) 9 Consumer (4) 10 Conceals (5) 11 Of the kidneys (5) 12 Liable (3) 14 Worth (5) 17 Endures (5) 20 Lyric poem (3) 21 Declined in power (5) 23 Fanatical (5) 25 Stagger (4) 26 Soon (4) 27 Spanish nobleman (3) 28 Agitate (4)

Thursday, November 21, 2013

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS Crossword

Sudoku

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

11

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Occupy and hartal: Worlds apart n Luke Swanson

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BIGSTOCK

The ICT: We deserved better

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n Esam Sohail he conviction earlier this month of two expatriate collaborators from the War of Independence underlines the stark chasm of hubris that separates emotionalism from reality when it comes to the ongoing war crimes trials.

One of the convicts is an American citizen now, while the other is a British subject today, facts which essentially ensure that they will never face the punishment that was awarded to them by a tribunal that the entire international community has found woefully lacking in basic due process safeguards.

heinous crimes live happily ever after.

Any criticism of the due process standards of the trials is invariably met with the nonsensical “where were they when …” line of argument, followed by the “well, it is our court and our law …” line of reasoning, and ending with some silly analogy to Nazis, Nuremberg, and Israel.

Fine and good, but that is exactly the definition of hubris that impresses nobody except the echo chamber of sincere but unrealistic, like-minded intellectual types. The painful reality is that Bangladesh is a small country whose democratic antecedents and judicial independence are, at best, not fully established in the court of international opinion.

The question was not whether horrendous crimes were committed or not. The only question was if we were going to come into the 21st century and prove their guilt beyond doubt in a court of law whose proceedings were beyond reproach

Those who wanted to go full steam ahead with trials, disregarding considered international opinion from friends, are the only ones to blame from this miscarriage of justice which will likely see two people accused of the most

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H

That fact alone should have prompted those with common sense to make the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) above reproach, rather than the caricature it has unfortunately become.

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When the government unilaterally appoints the judges, the prosecutors, the investigators, and some of them go on to seek the ruling party’s parliamentary nomination, only the most partisan or ignorant will term that setup a symbol of due process.

Add to that the political reality that there was never any doubt as to what verdict was expected in each case, and that the choice of counsel for each of the accused was limited by the government.

The question was not whether horrendous crimes were committed or not. It was not even if many of the accused were involved or not. Rather, the only question was if we were going to come into the 21st century and prove their guilt beyond doubt in a court of law whose proceedings were beyond reproach.

In our rush to satisfy emotional cravings and political expediencies, we woefully failed to answer in the affirmative to that only question that mattered about the ICT. The price we pay will range from the apparently mundane (stigma for the judicial process and endless deadlocked appeals) to the heavy (expatriate convicts never being extradited).

If the goal was to feel emotionally vindicated, we succeeded handsomely. On the other hand, if the goal was to punish the perpetrators, we have

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likely failed, at least partially.

The issue is of particular resonance to me because long before the ICT was a cause célèbre of the present regime, I was writing in the international press about the abject necessity of holding these trials to come clean with history.

If the goal was to feel emotionally vindicated, we succeeded handsomely. If the goal was to punish the perpetrators, we have likely failed, at least partially

The present government’s reckless politicisation of the trials and the sycophancy of the ruling party’s allies in the intelligentsia are disappointing to many of us who long wished to see a judicial reckoning of the crimes of 1971, but now get to see only an emotive and politicised farce that is beneath the dignity of a proud and fair people.

We deserved better. We still do. l Esam Sohail is an educational research analyst and college lecturer of social sciences. He writes from Kansas, USA.

D

he traffic in Gulshan whirrs and hums in a similar way to most days, but today I am receiving a number of texts, calls, and notifications of violence brimming in the city’s borders. Politicians are being put on death row and workers are fighting for higher wages. The country’s political parties lie at a crossroads, with neither willing to yield or discuss to reach an agreement that will end these conflicts and better the people of Bangladesh.

While these events are happening here in Dhaka, I am half a world away from my country, the United States, but I see constant similarities in these two countries’ landscapes. Politicians are removed, playing with the people as pawns and trying to make moves to grab power without thought or consideration for those who are working day in and day out for the right to survive.

They think little of the ramifications of their actions, and they give empty promises to pile on to the others, long unfulfilled, of a better future and pure democracy with the right of each to build a future for themselves.

Many in this country hold America in a high regard, as a place that is orderly, where business and a proper life can be easily conducted. However, I cast my memory back to the Occupy movement two years ago and see humanity uniting in a global struggle for a voice.

This week marks the two year anniversary of the west coast Occupy movement. The flame began on Wall Street and spread like wildfire from coast to coast before jumping across oceans and around the world.

It seemed temporary at first, grabbing headlines and a wildfire of sensationalist media, but gradually it began to grow into something real.

It was 2011, 40 years after our cultural revolution, and we as a country were apathetic. This apathy annoyed us all, got under our skin, itching and disturbing us as we noticed it. It came out often in years previous, in dinner conversations, college seminars, and any place where conscientious people came together.

Many have criticised the Occupy movement for its lack of focus. However, we were a generation unhappy with too many aspects of the current system to be pinpointed. Our goal was freedom and equality for all.

If they said we could not demonstrate as was our constitutional right, then we must demonstrate. Every violent act committed by the government

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only fanned the flames of non-violent resistance. I was brought into the movement when I checked my email one morning and saw a video showing a recent military veteran, Scott Olson, being shot with a gas canister.

Tears came to my eyes as I realised that I could no longer sit idly by and let my brothers and sisters stand for freedom on American soil. I joined Occupy Oakland that evening, met by cold eyes from the policeman as I walked and sat down, uneasily, with others in the encampment. Some days passed uneventfully, working my job and going to the plaza where Occupy was located.

I see confusion, violence, and a fractured political system.

I see politicians using the poor as pawns for their own political gain

Others ended with tear gas, batons, and rubber bullets as policemen chased us away again and again, injuring those who were fighting for the very constitutional rights they were hired to defend. These events continued for months, eventually fading away from sight, but forever leaving the imprint on the world that people are ready to stand up for their rights.

Now, two years later, I sit in Dhaka, and news of a rejuvenation of the Occupy movement is coming to my inbox. I am contemplating these past events as I see another revolution unfold around me. I see police violence against the poor alongside the mindless mob attacks. I see poor workers standing for their rights as human beings with a voice. I see confusion, violence, and a fractured political system. I see politicians using the poor as pawns for their own political gain.

I do not defend those looting in the streets, harming the innocent, and burning factories. On the contrary, I stand with those who are working for peaceful, meaningful change for this country. I stand with those who are urging politicians to work together so that the poor are not the ones who will suffer.

I stand with those who are working for equality for all, for the right to work, earn, and build a good life in safe conditions with the dignity each human deserves. l Luke Swanson is an environmental scientist.

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n Mamun Rashid

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y belief that Bangladesh will never lose track comes from its growth record, despite frequent visits by natural calamities.

It comes from our rising entrepreneurship and increasing harvests, despite a reduction in cultivable lands, our increased foreign currency earnings through exports and remittances from non-resident Bangladeshis, our demographic dividends, from a reduction

my security guard saluted me with warmth. He had read my article in a daily. I asked him what class he studied up to, he replied class eight.

When I asked him about his child, he said his only daughter was doing her BA. When I asked our security supervisor at Gulshan Club the same question, he said his first daughter was a doctor at a government hospital in Comilla, and his second daughter was studying medicine at Pabna Medical College.

Bangladesh will move on no matter who is in power, or who is coming forward to help them. Yes, our 1971 martyrs dreamt of a better Bangladesh with more social progress, political inclusiveness, and justified access to national wealth. But Bangladesh is changing

in the population growth rate, from increasing numbers of women joining the workforce, from the massive rise in education focused on foreign language and IT literacy, from the steady reduction in poverty, and most importantly, from the increasing number of people struggling day and night for a better tomorrow.

This morning when I was leaving my house for a jog in the nearby park,

His only son had just graduated from BUET, and was waiting for a teaching assistantship at a US university. When I asked my maid, she said: “Sir, my daughter is brilliant, please pray for her.” Then she said: “I want to teach her music, sir.”

My chauffer has been pleasantly threatening me, saying he has saved up some money and set up a poultry farm back home. He is planning to

borrow some money from a bank and leave this job. He does not like Dhaka city life, and is eagerly waiting to go back to a rural place.

Harry K Thomas, the former US ambassador, was a good friend. He introduced me to few trade policy analysts at the US State Department. The issue of duty free access to Bangladesh as an LDC came up in our discussion. One lady told me that since Bangladesh was merrily competing with India, Vietnam, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, all these being non-LDC countries, she did not think of Bangladesh as an LDC. I hear high praise about BUET graduates from resource managers at IBM or Intel in the US. An accompanying IT solutions manager with Sysco in a Los Angeles-bound flight was telling me about how he respects a Bangladeshi colleague for the constant care he provides his mother back home.

My Asean CEO at Citibank once told me he wanted to recruit more Bangladeshis for expanding the Citigroup network. He said: “They are honest, qualified, and less demanding. You can get anything out of them by giving them a pat on the back.”

Go to the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait.

They are all issuing work permits to Bangladeshi drivers and replacing the Pakistanis with them. Ask any Arab, they would say Bangladeshis are very polite,

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Can we get back on track?

humble and God-fearing. Many European force commanders in Africa had a lot of praise for the Bangladesh armed forces personnel for their IT knowledge and constant eagerness to learn more.

Recently, I was very saddened by speeches from two former Indian high commissioners in Bangladesh. They thought Bangladesh might become a terrorist country if the opposition came to power. 42 years have passed since independence, and I have not seen any terrorism in Bangladesh.

Even the major Islamist parties never spoke loudly against scientific education policy, the increasing numbers of women joining the workforce or taking senior positions in economic management, or the political hierarchy.

On the other hand, look at India, termed the worst place in the world for women. I still can’t forget the horrifying scenes of the Mumbai bomb blasts or the terrorist activities in India.

Bangladesh will move on no matter who is in power, or who is coming forward to help them. Yes, our 1971 martyrs dreamt of a better Bangladesh with more social progress, political inclusiveness, and justified access to national wealth. But Bangladesh is changing, climbing up the ladder into a dynamic world, though the pace could be much faster. We are waiting for our political masters to fasten their seatbelts. l Mamun Rashid is a business professor and financial sector entrepreneur.

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Pater Gaan Banglar Bagh When mighty Bengal tigers become people’s friends n Shadma Malik An array of spectacular and vibrant scroll paintings (Pata Chitra) portraying the national animal the Royal Bengal tigers engaging in many interesting activities with human beings are being displayed at Gallery Cosmos-2. The 10-day long solo art exhibition titled Pater Gaan Banglar Bagh by Nazir Hossain will continue on till November 24.

The collection of dazzling and lively artworks present the wild and ferocious tigers of Bengal as friends of the common people.

In Nazir’s artworks, the tiger has roles from being a hauler to a musician and in one piece, the tiger is seen celebrating the liberation of the country by waving the national flag. The tigers in his artworks are naïve and friendly with humans.

The display has an attractive animated quality about it as it is composed of mainly vivacious colours in the shades of red, blue, green and yellow. All of the pieces reflect Nazir’s respect and understanding of rural Bangladesh and showcases stories of lifestyle in the rural regions.

On his artworks, the artist states: “Bagh, Tiger is a heroic symbol in my artworks. The regal beast represents victory and the joy that comes hand in hand.

The tiger is one of the most common animals that appear in the folklore of the country time and again. In my works, one can notice, tiger enjoying and cherishing with human beings.”

Nazir is leaving his marks in the art arena of Bangladesh as an arcadian artist who is carrying the rich heritage of the traditional folk art of the country, Pata Chitra.

For thousands of years, the age old art form, scroll painting has existed in Bangladesh and is a lively way of depicting scenes of cultural myths and themes from life in rural Bangladesh. To preserve the legacy of scroll paintings in Bangladesh, Nazir’s artistic endeavours and creativity bring out the origin of the rural element in the exhibition.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Shiro Sadoshima, Ambassador of Japan in Bangladesh as chief guest, along with Moinuddin Khaled as the guest of honour.

Eminent artist Biren Shome was also present at the show. l

Artworks by artist Nazir Hossain

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Minus-e Minus-e Prem airs tonight n Entertainment Desk

The telefilm Minus-e Minus-e Prem will air today at 8pm on Maasranga Television. Directed by Shawkaat Ali Rana, the telefilm features Anisur Rahman Milon, Tisha, Shahidul Alam Shacchu, Masum Aziz, Dilara Zaman and others.

The story opens by showing two homely neighbours interested in extending their friendship to being family members by marrying their offspring. Shamsuddin’s son Johnny lives in London with his uncle. Habiba and Johnny have never met in person but agrees on marrying each other to satisfy their parent’s wishes.

They see pictures of one another and immediately both party develops a dislike for the other. They get married over the phone and shortly afterwards starts to have frequent disagreements over phone. Gradually the phone relationship reaches such unpleasantness that Johnny comes to Bangla-

Milon and Tisha in Minus-e Minus-e Prem desh to get a divorce from the unpleasant entrapment of his marriage. But their determined families goes on plotting to keep them together. l

Prachyanat staged its acclaimed play Raja Ebong Onyanyo at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy yesterday.

Adapted from Tagore’s play Raja and directed by Azad Abul Kalam, the experimental production gives a new approach to the original story by satirising the socio-political context of today’s world AMIRUL RAJIV

A closer look at Pearl Jam’s Lightning Bolt n Rubaiyat Kabir

It was upon hearing Eddie Vedder yell “sometimes you find yourself having to put all your faith in no faith” in the opening track Getaway that I inadvertently let out a tiny squeal of excitement. The past few years have seen Pearl Jam become a bit of a ronin of a band, a rebel without a cause as they say. As songwriters, Vedder and his cohorts are at their element when there’s something worth ranting about, and by that measurement Lightning Bolt, the band’s tenth studio album, is their strongest record since 2002’s Riot Act. With Lightning Bolt, Pearl Jam brings in some of the ferocity of their earlier records (most notably Vitalogy and Yield) and melds it with their newfound sense of comfort and accessibility. In some ways the album is quite similar to the band’s last record Backspacer, from the economical runtimes to the recruitment of Brendan O’Brien as producer, and much like the 2009 record the album starts off with a one-two-three punch in the tracks Getaway, a tight arena rock track that brings to mind classics such as State of Love and Trust and Hail Hail, the album’s first single Mind Your Manners, a punk-infused number in the vein of Spin the Black Circle and

My Father’s Son, a dark but fiery track that wouldn’t have felt out of place as a Riot Act deep cut.

It’s expected then that the album pace itself a bit after assaulting the ears with a barrage of angry rock, which is why it feels like the much hyped Sirens was carefully placed as the follow-up. An irrefutably radiofriendly ballad, Sirens is a bit too long for pop and really doesn’t make much of an impression upon first-listen, but after subsequent plays you start noticing each individual member coming into their own within the song, from Jeff Ament’s soulful bass to Stone Gossard’s ambient guitar playing and Mick McCready’s wailing guitar solo, giving some credibility to all the pre-release hype.

The album hits a crescendo in title track Lightning Bolt, an ode to Vedder’s love for surfing, before moving onto the much calmer Infallible and brooding Pendulum. From there the album falls into a period of sincerity, starting with the excellent Swallowed Whole, where Vedder’s singing is at its most earnest,followedby the bluesy stomp of Let the Records Play and Sleeping By Myself, a carryover from Vedder’s 2011 solo record Ukulele Songs that the band manages to make its own here. The album comes to an end with Yellow Moon and Future Days, the

former a contemplative and (for want of a better term) “breathable” song which, much like Sirens, showcases the band getting comfortable within their defined roles and is undeniably the highlight of the record, while the latter is a four minute acoustic track that sees producer Brendan O’Brien join in on the piano, deeply personal and uplifting while being somewhat melancholic at the same time. The songs provide an appropriate finale to an album that starts off sounding like it’s ready to take on the world.

Pearl Jam is now considered to be the elder statesmen of rock and roll, a fact hinted at by the serenity and joy of Backspacer and now cemented by the appropriately titled Lightning Bolt. As a songwriter and musician Eddie Vedder is wiser and more battle-hardened than he was ten of twenty years ago and the rest of the band has adapted to that, no more apparent is that than in drummer Matt Cameron’s chameleon-like playing, who is fresh from the calculated oddtime beats of Soundgarden’s excellent King Animal from last year. Lightning Bolt is Pearl Jam’s most complete record since 1995’s No Code, it lacks the focus of either of their last two albums but it affords them a more varied sonic palette that the band doesn’t waste. l

The members of Pearl Jam, from left-to-right: Mike McCready, Matt Cameron, Eddie Vedder, Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard

Madonna tops the 2013 Forbes list of highest-paid musicians n Entertainment Desk

I never had issues with Katrina’s height: Aamir n Entertainment Desk Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif are working together for the first time in Dhoom 3, an action-thriller which will hit theatres next month.

Aamir Khan, who is credited with giving several memorable hits, was effusive in praise for new-age star Katrina Kaif, saying she has acquired a reputation of delivering super hit films.

“If Katrina is there in a film then it has to be a super hit. When I was signing Dhoom 3 I was told about this,” Aamir said on Tuesday.

Katrina, who has created a niche for herself after her entry in Bollywood over a decade ago, appears tall in front of Aamir, but the senior actor

isn’t complaining about it.

“I never had issues with her height, did not ask her to remove heels. I love tall women,” Aamir said.

“Initially, I was skeptical to work with Aamir Khan because of his planned and meticulous nature...so I was nervous. But when we started working I found him amazing. He is a genius actor and treats his co-stars well,” Katrina Kaif said at the game launch of Dhoom 3.

The 30-year-old popular star has worked with all the leading Khans of Bollywood and felt all of them are talented in their own way. “They all share the same surname but they are different actors and have different style.” l

The queen of pop is still on top, as Madonna earns the title of world’s highest-paid musician of 2013.

According to Forbes Magazine, the 55-yearold diva earned $125 million from June 2012 to May 2013 thanks to her highly-successful MDMA Tour.

Madonna easily surpassed singer Lady Gaga and veteran rockers Bon Jovi in Forbes list.

“Madonna is living up to her nickname: the Material Girl tops our list of the top-earning musicians by a wide margin,” Forbes said.

Second-place Lady Gaga, 27, earned $80 million and Bon Jovi, came in third with $79 million.

Like Madonna, 55, they all had hefty earnings from tours. Lady Gaga’s latest tour brought in $168 million before it was cut short due to her hip injury that required surgery.

Bon Jovi’s concerts gross more than $3 million per city.

Forbes compiled the list of the 25 highest-paid musicians by estimating income for the 12 months between June 2012 and June 2013 using data from the trade publication Pollstar, trade organisation RIAA, and information and sales tracking system Nielsen SoundScan. The magazine also consulted with industry lawyers, managers and some of the musicians.

Ticket sales, royalties, merchandise sales and business ventures were included in the estimated pre-tax income before deductions for agents, managers and lawyers. l

ON TV MOVIES 6:30pmStar Movies The Avengers

11:00pm Zee Studio I Am Number Four

DRAMA 6:05pm RTV

Shopner Patshala

9:45pm Banglavision Batighor

COMEDY 1:00pm Comedy Central Whitney

8:30pm Z Cafe

The Big Bang Theory

NEWS 8:00pm ATN News Prime News Bangla

9:00pm Desh Tv News

MISC 11:00am Travel XP

Best From The Rest

10:30pm National Geographic Supercars

Did you know?

The most sixes scored by an individual batsman in a Test match innings is 12

by Wasim Akram in a total of 257 not out against Zimbabwe at Sheikhupura, Pakistan, on 17-21 October 1996

Sport

14 France, Portugal reach World Cup after heroics

n Minhaz Uddin Khan

Mohammedan v Sheikh Jamal Mohammedan 165/10 in 46 overs Mashrafe Mortaza 49, Muktar Ali 26 Subashis Roy 30/4, Tanveer Haider 26/3 Mushfiqur Rahim 44 not out, Jahurul Islam 33, Rahmat Shah 38/3 Sheikh Jamal 167/6 in 34.2 over Mushfiqur Rahim 44 not out, Jahurul Islam 33, Rahmat Shah 38/3 Sheikh Jamal won by four wickets Gazi Tank v Kalabagan CA Gazi Tank 337/4 in 50 over Raqibul Hasan 98, Imrul Kayes 64, Ryan ten Doeschate54 Kalabagan CA 195/10 in 45.3 overs Arafat Sunny 45/3 Rubel Hossain 14/2 Gazi Tank won by 142 runs Prime Doleshwar v Prime Bank Prime Doleshwar 244/7 in 50 over Mehedi Maruf 49 Farhad Reza43 not out, Dawid Malan 40 Enamul Jr 53/3 Shehan Jayasuriya 41/2 Prime Bank CC 188/10 in 49.3 over Shehan Jayasuriya 45 Mahmudul Hasan 34 Farhad Reza 33/3, Sabbir Rahman 31/2 Prime Doleshwar won by 56 runs

14 ‘Chile killer’ Robinho gives Brazil 2-1 win

15 Confident England eye fourth Ashes series win in a row

n Shishir Hoque

Gazi Tank batsman Raqibul Hasan hits a boundary over mid-wicket during their Dhaka Premier League match against Kalabagan CA at the SBNS yesterday MUMIT M

Doleshwar and Gazi remain on top BRIEF SCORES

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Hall gone, Parmoslemi due

Raqibul presses claim for national recall National discard Raqibul Hasan’s unbeaten 98 off 64 balls aided Gazi Tank in posting a mammoth total and begin the Super Six phase in the Dhaka Premier League on a winning note as they defeated Kalabagan Cricket Academy by 142 runs.

Lost form saw Raqibul lose his place from the national squad in 2011, but after much hard work, the right-hand batsman is showing signs of good form.

Raqibul has scored 428 runs in 11 matches in the DPL so far including five half-centuries, at an average of 47.56.

“So far the tournament has been good for me. Thanks to the almighty and hope that I will be able end this season on a higher note,” said Raqibul to the media after the Kalabagan game at Shere-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.

“I always try to play according to the situation and always look forward to perform according to the team’s demand. Have worked hard on my batting in last few months,” said the 26-year old.

With Sri Lanka due to tour in a couple of months, his recent form will surely catch the attention of the selectors.

However, Raqibul informed he was only thinking of improving his batting.

“I want to thank Fahim Sir (Nazmul Abedin) for helping me develop my batting skills. Earlier I had to bat at the opening position and after that, I started batting in the middle order, so I have to change my batting approach according to the situation.

“At the moment, I am not thinking about anything else and concentrating on my batting and team and the rest is up to the selectors,” he said. l

13

Thursday, November 21, 2013

n Mazhar Uddin Subashis Roy’s four wicket helped Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club to register their first win in the super league against Mohammedan Sporting by four wickets at the BKSP 2 ground yesterday.

In the other matches of the day played at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, national discard Roqibul Hasan’s blistering 98, along with Ryan ten Doeschate’s quick 54 runs secured a comfortable 142 run win over Kalabagan CA. While Prime Dholeshwar remained top of the table after beating Prime Bank CC by 56 runs at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali.

Sheikh Jamal vs Mohammedan

Opting to bat first, Mohammedan skipper Mashrafe Mortaza had to face some early wickets at the start of the innings before the skipper top scored with 49 to go along with Muktar Ali’s 26 and English cricketer Samit Patel’s 23 as Mohammedan were bundle out for 165 in 46 overs.

Young pacer Subashis Roy picked up four wickets, while leg spinner Tanveer Haider bagged three and left arm spinner Elias Sunny took two wickets for Jamal.

In reply, national captain Mushfiqur Rahim’s unbeaten 44 and national discard opener Jahurul Islam scored 33 runs to guide Jamal to the target for the loss of four wickets and 16 overs to spare. Afghan leg spinner Rahmat Shah picked up three wickets and Habibur Rahman took two while national cricketer Mashrafe Mortaza remained wicket less.

Gazi Tank vs Kalabagan CA

Gazi skipper Mahmudullah won the toss and elected to bat and both the openers, national discards Imrul Kayes and Aftab Ahmed, smashed fifties before the latter was out for 53. Imrul went on to make 64.

But the star of the match was another national discard, Raqibul Hasan who missed a century by just two runs, but not before striking ten fours and five sixes. In company with Netherland’s Ryan ten Doeschate’s big hitting, Roqibul guided Gazi to 337/10 after 50 over.

In reply, Kalabagan CA were in all sorts of trouble as they cut down to 26/4 and never recovered. Wicket keeper batsman Saghir Hossain remained not out on 70 and skipper Sharifullah scored a half century as Kalabagan finished

their innings on 195/9 with Dewan Sabbir not batting due to injury. Left arm spinner Arafat Sunny bagged three wickets while national pacer Rubel Hossain took two wickets for Gazi.

Prime Doleshwar vs Prime Bank CC

At the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, after being put in to bat, Prime Doleshwar posted a challenging total of 244/7 in 50 overs where opening batsman Mehedi Maruf top scored with49 runs while Farhad Reza remained not out on 43 and English cricketer Dawid Malan smashed 40.

Skipper left arm spinner Enamul Haque Jr picked up three wickets and Sri Lankan off break bowler Shehan Jayasuriya took two wickets for Doleshwar.

Chasing the target, Prime Bank never looked confident as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and only their foreign recruit Shehan Jayasuriya’s 45 stood out as they were bowled out for 188 in 49.3 overs.

Doleshwar captain Farhad Reza, who picked up three wickets, was named man of the match as Doleshwar remained on top of the league table along with Gazi Tank. l

It has been only been 32 days since Nathan Hall arrived in Dhaka to fill the vacant head coaching position at Abahani Limited but the four-time professional football league champions sacked the Australian coach yesterday before he feature in any professional game.

Abahani’s former Iranian coach Ali Akber Parmoslemi is set to replace Hall and rejoin the Bangladesh Premier League giants during the Federation Cup, confirmed Abahani manager Satyajit Das Rupu yesterday. Rupu also claimed the Parmoslemi has already given the green signal and agreed to join the Sky-blues soon.

According to the club officials, the Australian coach failed to handle the team professionally which is one of the main reasons behind showing Hall the exit just a day before the Federation Cup kicks off. Creating discrimination among the foreign players of the club and lack of true professional approach are the other reasons behind sacking of the 29-year-old.

“After having a meeting with the team management and officials, we agreed to sack Hall. I informed him it yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon. We thought he is not the right man to manage a club like Abahani as he failed to handle the team, especially his judgment about the foreign players,” Rupu told the Dhaka Tribune at the club yesterday.

It was also learnt that Hall rated the Brazilian coaches more than the African players which could demotivate

the current foreign players.

Abahani appointed Hall on October 19 after an unproductive spell with an Iranian coach. Before Abahani, Hall was the head coach of Indian I-League club United Sikkim.

Abahani, who will play Rahmatganj in the Federation Cup opener today, has not won a title in the last two seasons under Iranian coaches Ardeshir Pournemat. The year before that, Iranian Ali Akbar led them to the league title.

After having a meeting with the team management and officials, we agreed to sack Hall. I informed him it yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon. We thought he is not the right man to manage a club like Abahani as he failed to handle the team, especially his judgment about the foreign players “We’ve already got our replacement for Hall. Ali Akbar will take the charge of the club. I talked to him today and he has given his agreement to join the club. I hope he will arrive soon,” added Rupu.

Meanwhile Nathan Hall expressed anger before his departure. “I have found a non-professional approach in Abahani, the way they run the club does not go with modern football. I found it hard to cope with the environment and the officials did not cooperate with me. I was not comfortable there,” said the Australian. l

Sri Lanka arrives on January 24 n Minhaz Uddin Khan The Bangladesh Cricket Board confirmed the itinerary of Bangladesh’s next home assignment against Sri Lanka in January 2014.

The Sri Lanka national team will reach Dhaka on January 24 and during the month long tour, will lock horns with the Tigers in two Tests, three One Day Internationals and two Twenty20s.

The bilateral series will begin with the first Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) on January 27.

The team will next move to the portcity for the second Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium from February 4.

The two Twenty20 games will also be held in ZACS on February 12 and 14.

The games will be important to both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for it will be an opportunity for the sides to assess the conditions ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 in March.

The first ODI will be held at Sylhet

Divisional Stadium on February 17.

This will be the maiden international game for the venue, which will later hosts matches in the Twenty20 World Cup. The second and third ODI will take place at SBNS on February 20 and 22 respectively. All the three ODIs will be day-night games and the tour will have no warm-up matches.

Sri Lanka will stay in Bangladesh to participate in the Asia Cup 2013.

Bangladesh will face Pakistan in the opening game of that tournament on February 20.

The visit will be Sri Lanka’s first full tour of Bangladesh since 2008. The Tigers lost the two matches Test series 2-0 but later had put on a good show in the Tri Nation Cup against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

In the tournament, Bangladesh faced Sri Lanka in the final and lost narrowly two wickets. The last time Sri Lanka was in Bangladesh was the Asia Cup 2012 and the islanders lost all three of their games. l

Abahani, Jamal kick-off season today n Raihan Mahmood

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi and Dhaka Abahani, the two powerhouses of local football, take the field in the very first day of the new season against rank outsiders Uttar Baridhara and Rahmatganj in the inaugural match of the Walton Federation Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium at 3:45 and 6:00 pm today.

The proverb of “Morning Shows the Day” probably will be the best tag to describe Sheikh Jamal and Abahani’s procedure. How they fare in their respective opening matches will demonstrate their character and the shape of the team. The presence of nine national players for Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi announces their intention of winning all four titles this season. Jamal was the second best in three tournaments, including the league, last season and this time they are looking to go one better.

Sheikh Jamal bolstered their squad by signing 15 new players, including Haitian international Sony Norde, the wily marksman who steered Sheikh Rus-

sell towards the treble of silverwares.

He will be partnering with compatriot Wedson to form a lethal force.

Jamal in fact has all the ingredients to post their supremacy with national skipper Mamunul Islam, midfielder Sohel Rana, winger Mobarak Hossain, striker Sakhawat Hossain Rony , centre-back Kesto and forward Toklis Ahmed.

However Josef Afusi, the Nigerian coach of Sheikh Jamal was taking nothing for granted. “We want to prove ourselves in the field, there is nothing to be called as the best on paper. We are a good team and we want perfect teamwork to win the titles this season,” said Afusi.

Afusi wanted to take the fighting way. “We have been practicing for the last two months and the combinations and the formations are set, but it’s our first competitive atmosphere and in a tournament anything can happen.

We have to be at our best,” said the Nigerian.

Abahani meanwhile, with a mixture of experience and youth will be

relying on their new foreign signings Brazilian born Italian attacking midfielder Andre Luis De Souza and Luiz Rumolo De Castro, forwards Mbenoun Ekele Patrick (Cameroon) and Onyekachi Daniel (Nigeria). They have not considered Lucky Paul Otofe for the Federation Cup and opted for long serving Awudu Ibrahim and Samad Yusif. Ghanaian striker Osei Morrison, the forward who played for Mohammedan last season, is also in the sky blue tent.

However the new Aussie coach Nathan Hall who took the charges about three weeks ago, was still to knit the team into a unit and Abahani suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat against Sheikh Jamal in a practice match recently.

Manager Satyajit Das Rupu, however, wanted to focus on the future.

“Abahani has the power to arrive as the champions. It takes time to settle and the players have realized their tasks, with the perfect knitting of the team Abahani definitely will prove its worth.

We are looking forward to a bright season,” said Rupu. l

The foreign recruits of Sheikh Jamal DC share a light moment with skipper Mamunul Islam during a training session at the club ground yesterday MUMIT M

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Ronaldo steals show from Ibrahimovic in titanic clash n Reuters, Stockholm It was billed as a clash of the titans with Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the starring roles but at the end of the night Portugal’s captain took the plaudits as his stunning hat-trick clinched a World Cup spot.

The drama took a long time coming but it was worth waiting for the second act with Ronaldo putting the visitors ahead after the break only for Sweden skipper Ibrahimovic to score twice before the Portuguese had the last

TEAMS QUALIFIED FOR WC EUROPE Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, England, Russia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Portugal, France ASIA Japan, Australia, Iran, South Korea (Jordan involved in a two-leg play-off with Uruguay. Uruguay won first leg 5-0) SOUTH AMERICA Brazil (hosts), Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Ecuador (Uruguay involved in a two-leg play-off with Jordan. Uruguay won first leg 5-0; 2nd leg on Wednesday. Winners will qualify) CONCACAF United States, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico AFRICA Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Ghana, Algeria

word with two more goals.

Ronaldo’s heroics secured a 3-2 win on the night and, after his goal in Lisbon, a 4-2 aggregate playoff victory to secure a place at next year’s finals in Brazil. Ronaldo also equalled Portugal’s all-time goalscoring record of 47 held

by Pauleta.

“I know Portugal needed me in these matches and I showed that I am here,” he told Portuguese TV after the game.

Despite indifferent performances by both captains in the first leg, it was Ronaldo who dived among the flying boots late on in the first leg to give his country a precious 1-0 lead.

With the return being played at a stadium dubbed ‘the Zlatan Arena’, Ibrahimovic had it all to prove and he did his best, sending a corner flying into the net with a glancing header before smashing home a free kick from the edge of the box.

But, in the end, Ronaldo was the difference.

When the Portugal skipper netted his third goal, even Ibrahimovic was applauding and Ronaldo later complimented his great rival, saying: “Zlatan is a fantastic player, and when you feel great support from your team, it’s great.”

Ibrahimovic, at 32, now faces the harsh reality that he will end his career without scoring at a World Cup finals while the 28-year-old Ronaldo can look forward to gracing the greatest soccer show on earth next June in Brazil. l

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm during their Fifa 2014 World Cup playoff match on Tuesday

France, Portugal reach World Cup after heroics n AFP, Paris

RESULTS

AFP

the wall, they perform and we had a lot of heart and determination today.

“Now we’ve qualified, we’re capable of some great things.”

Over in Solna it was a case of Ronaldo taking on Sweden’s star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Ronaldo had given Portugal the edge with the only goal in last week’s first leg, and he put them into the lead five minutes after the restart.

Ibrahimovic rattled off a quick fire double to set the tie alight only for Ronaldo to hit back with two more goals to steal the show. Portugal coach Paulo Bento praised Ronaldo who became his country’s all-time leading scorer with a tally of 50 goals.

“A player who scores a hat-trick in a game of this dimension of course that has an effect that is very influential on

the final result,” he said.

In Zagreb, Croatia ended Iceland’s hopes of becoming the smallest ever nation to dine at the World Cup table with goals from Mario Mandzukic and Darijo Srna.

Croatia made it hard for themselves when Mandzukic got sent off for a dangerous tackle not long after his goal.

Croatia, prevailing 2-0 on aggregate, are appearing at their fourth World Cup finals after the editions of 1998, 2002 and 2006.

In Tuesday’s fourth play-off Greece faced Romania in Bucharest with one foot in the World Cup door after last week’s 3-1 first leg win. And the 2004 European champions duly finished off the job, with a 1-1 draw for a 4-2 aggregate win to seal their ticket to a third World Cup after 1994 and 2010. l

Algeria, Ghana complete Africa’s flag bearers for 2014 World Cup

Peralta hat-trick takes Mexico to World Cup n AFP, Wellington

Advantage Germany after poor England defending

n AFP, Abuja

An Oribe Peralta hat-trick fired Mexico into their sixth successive World Cup on Wednesday, as El Tri downed New Zealand 4-2 to end a roller-coaster qualification campaign on a high.

Peralta, who also scored two when Mexico trounced the All Whites 5-1 at home in last week’s first leg, effectively killed off the return leg before the break, with Carlos Pena making the aggregate score 9-3 at the death.

Victory in the intercontinental playoff means Mexico have now reached 15 of the last 20 World Cups, making them one of the most consistent teams in international football. But the 24thranked team have endured a rocky qualification road to Brazil, scraping to an embarrassing fourth place in the North and Central America and the Caribbean confederation (CONCACAF), They also allowed the unfancied All Whites to claw back two late goals in Wellington, prompting coach Miguel Herrera to say they were not yet the finished article.l

An electric performance

by France and a hat-trick

by Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal lifted the two European football heavyweights across the line in the race to qualify for next year’s World Cup on Tuesday.

A gripping conclusion to European qualifying also saw Croatia and Greece secure their passages to the 2014 finals in Brazil. France took on Ukraine at a tense Stade de France, the scene of the hosts’ 1998 World Cup win, with their backs to the wall after last week’s 2-0 first leg defeat in Kiev.

But Les Bleus banished the blues that had descended on their supporters with a remarkable show of resolve.

Algeria and Ghana on Tuesday completed the five African qualifiers for next year’s World Cup, joining Nigeria, Cameroon and Ivory Coast, who all qualified at the weekend.

This quintet is identical to Africa’s ambassadors at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Algeria did just enough to book their ticket to their fourth World Cup by beating Burkina Faso 1-0 to go through on the away goals’ rule after the first game ended 3-2 in favour of the west Africans.

It needed a scrambled effort in the

Didier Deschamps’ men took the lead on the night midway through the first half through Mamadou Sakho and levelled the tie on aggregate when Karim Benzema netted from an offside position on 34 minutes.

That strike came shortly after the Real Madrid man had seen a perfectly good goal disallowed, and the controversy continued as Ukraine defender Yevhen Kacheridi was sent off early in the second period. France made their one-man advantage count as an Oleg Gusev own-goal put them ahead in the tie for the first time in the 72nd minute and they saw out the rest of the game to win 3-2 on aggregate.

Deschamps told French television: “Four days ago, we were in a bad position but the players were fantastic tonight.

49th minute by skipper Madjid Bougherra for Algeria to book their flight to Brazil next year.

Burkina Faso, beaten finalists at this

RESULTS Egypt

2-1

Ghana

Zaki 25, Boateng 89 Gedo 84 Ghana qualify 7-3 on aggregate

Algeria

1-0

Burkina Faso

Bougherra 49 3-3 on aggregate. Algeria qualify on away-goals

year’s Africa Cup of Nations, were resolute in defence, but offered very little going forward.

Despite losing 2-1 in Cairo, the Black

Romania

1-1

Greece

Croatia

2-0

Iceland

Sweden

2-3

Portugal

France

3-0

Ukraine

Torosidis 55-og Mitroglou 23 Greece qualify 4-2 on aggregate Mandzukic 27, Srna 47 Croatia qualify 2-0 on aggregate

Ibrahimovic 68, 72 Ronaldo 50, 77, 79 Portugal qualify 4-2 on aggregate Sakho 22, Benzema 34, Gusev 72-og France qualify 3-2 on aggregate

“I didn’t have doubts but we played a huge match and this qualification is very important for French football.

“It’s a bit of a tradition that when French teams have their backs against

Stars of Ghana qualified for a third successive World Cup, 7-3 on aggregate.

Egypt could not overcome the 6-1 humiliation they suffered at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi last month.

The Pharaohs, who last appeared at the World Cup in 1990, scored through Amr Zaki and Mohamed Gedo in either half, before substitute Kevin-Prince Boateng pulled a goal back for Ghana late on. Ghana became only the third African team to reach the last eight of a World Cup four years ago, And they will again be fancied to do well in Brazil with the return of several of their top stars like Michael Essien, Kevin-Prince Boateng and the Ayew brothers, Andre and Jordan.l

Sweden's forward Ibrahimovic takes off his captain band at the Friends Arena in Solna, after their Fifa 2014 WC playoff match against Portugal on Tuesday AFP

FRIENDLY RESULTS

n Reuters, London

England

0-1

Poland

Republic of Ireland

Austria

0-0 1-0

Slovenia

1-0

Canada

Belgium

2-3

Turkey

2-1

Australia

1-0

Costa Rica

Gibraltar Norway

0-0 0-1

Scotland

Russia

2-1

Netherlands

0-0

Germany continued their World Cup preparations with a win and maintained their long unbeaten run at Wembley Stadium when they took advantage of some poor defending to beat England 1-0 in a relatively low-key friendly on Tuesday.

The decisive goal came when Germany skipper Per Mertesacker outjumped Chris Smalling to powerfully head in a cross from Tony Kroos after 39 minutes and again expose a weakness at the heart of the home defence, for so long a strength of the England team.

Ange Postecoglou enjoyed a winning start to his tenure as Australia coach with a 1-0 win over Costa Rica and Russia saw off South Korea 2-1 in a friendly in Dubai.

In a landmark friendly, Gibraltar drew 0-0 with Slovakia on Tuesday in Portugal in their first match since being admitted to UEFA, Europe’s governing soccer body. l

Janko 33 Birsa 53

Mirallas 16, Alderweireld 79

Umut Bulut 4, Yilmaz 89 Cahill 69

Smolov 12, Tarasov 59

Germany

Mertesacker 39

USA

Japan

Kakitani 37, Honda 53, Okazaki 63

Belarus

Rodionov 10

Slovakia Brown 61

South Korea

Shin-Wook Kim 6

Colombia

‘Chile killer’ Robinho gives Brazil 2-1 win n Reuters

France's national team coach Didier Deschamps and team mates celebrate after winning their 2014 World Cup qualifying second leg playoff match against Ukraine at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis near on Tuesday REUTERS

Robinho came off the bench to head home the winner in Brazil’s 2-1 victory over Chile on Tuesday, taking his personal tally to nine against their South American rivals and boosting his chances of playing at next year’s World Cup finals.

Robinho, who has now scored one more goal against Chile than Pele, was recalled for this month’s friendlies against Chile and Honduras after two years in the international wilderness.

He appears to have taken his chance and his performances in both games suggest he will make it into Luiz Felipe Scolari’s squad for next year’s World Cup.

“I always had luck against Chile,” Robinho said after the final whistle at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.

“I didn’t know I had the record against Chile until just now. What was important was that we played well.”

Both teams struggled on an improvised surface of moveable grassy squares that rose up with alarming frequency, but it was Brazil who opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Oscar threaded a perfect pass to Hulk, who lashed home a venomous shot from 12 yards.

Neither side was able to impose themselves on the match and Chile, coming off a 2-0 win over England at Wembley, grabbed a deserved equal-

iser in the 70th minute when Eduardo Vargas picked up a fortuitous knock down and stroked the ball past Julio Cesar from 25 yards out.

However, Brazil took the lead again 12 minutes from time thanks to Robinho. Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo completely missed Maicon’s cross and the AC Milan striker was on hand to bullet a header home from point-blank range.

The result ended Chile’s 10-game unbeaten run and took Brazil’s string of unbeaten matches to six.

Brazil are expected to play one more friendly, against South Africa in Johannesburg in March, before Scolari announces his World Cup squad.l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Australia delays naming team to play England

QUICK BYTES

Fed Cup co-sponsors announced Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) officially introduced the co-sponsors of the Federation Cup at the BFF House yesterday. Walton is the title sponsor of the season’s first professional tournament, while the co-sponsors are Amber Group, DBL Group and Pragati Insurance Limited. BFF senior vice president and professional football league committee chairman Abdus Salam Murshedy introduced the sponsors’ representatives to the media. Walton’s Games and Sports additional director Iqbal Bin Anwar, Amber Group’s Sales and Marketing director Aktaruzzaman, Chairman of DBL Group Abdul Wahed and deputy managing director of Pragati Insurance Limited K H Zafor Sadeque were present on the occasion. Iqbal bin Anwar at the press conference announced to a life-time sponsorship program and assistance for deprived but talented players.

–SH

n AFP, Brisbane

Belgium get World Cup reality check in loss to Japan

Belgium’s World Cup ambitions received another reality check on Tuesday when they suffered a second defeat in five days with a 3-2 loss to an impressive Japan in a friendly in Brussels. Belgium, who have climbed to fifth in Fifa’s world ranking after an unbeaten qualifying campaign, were undone by a 44thranked Japanese team that exposed the hosts’ defensive frailties. Marc Wilmots’s side, who will take their place in Brazil next year for their first World Cup finals in 12 years, lost 2-0 to Colombia last Thursday. For Japan, due to make their fifth consecutive World Cup appearance, it was proof of further progress after they produced some effective onetouch football to come from two goals down and draw with the Netherlands on Saturday.

–Reuters

Deschamps contract extended to 2016 The contract of France coach Didier Deschamps has been extended through to 2016, the French Football Federation’s president announced on Tuesday night.

Deschamps’ existing deal had been due to expire after next year’s World Cup, but Noel Le Graet confirmed in the wake of the win against Ukraine at the Stade de France which secured their place at the finals that he would be staying for an extra two years. “Didier had my full confidence and he will continue with Les Bleus until Euro 2016,” Le Graet told press at the Stade de France. Deschamps had hinted that he would step down if France failed to reach the World Cup, but Tuesday’s 3-0 win against Ukraine saw them reach the 2014 tournament in Brazil with a 3-2 aggregate victory in their decisive play-off. He will now stay to lead the team into the 2016 Euros, which France will host.

–AFP

Hummels out for months, Schmelzer misses derby

Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels will be out until January while Marcel Schmelzer will miss Saturday’s Bundesliga clash with Bayern Munich after they were injured in Germany’s 1-0 win over England on Tuesday, the club said. Hummels picked up a heel bone injury in the friendly at Wembley and has been ruled out for the rest of the year while fellow defender Schmelzer suffered a calf muscle injury and will be sidelined for three weeks, Dortmund said on Wednesday.

The Bundesliga club are already without long-time injured midfielder Ilkay Guendogan as well as central defender Neven Subotic, who will be missing for six months with a knee injury. Defender Lukasz Piszczek has only just returned to training after his own long injury absence following hip surgery.

–Reuters

Referees chief ‘sorry’ over Chelsea penalty The Premier League’s refereeing organisation has apologised to West Bromwich Albion over a penalty awarded against them in their recent match at Chelsea, manager Steve Clarke revealed on Wednesday. West Brom were denied victory at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea were controversially awarded a stoppage-time penalty when Ramires went down in the box following a collision with visiting defender Steven Reid. Eden Hazard scored from the spot to earn Chelsea a 2-2 draw, much to Clarke’s annoyance, but he says that Mike Riley, head of the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOB), subsequently called West Brom to say sorry. “We’ve had a phone call from Mike Riley to apologise,” Clarke told the club website.

–AFP

15

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Australia's cricket team captain Michael Clarke (R) poses for a photograph as he holds a replica Ashes trophy with England's team captain Alastair Cook at the Gabba cricket ground in Brisbane yesterday REUTERS

Captain Michael Clarke kept everyone guessing Wednesday about the final makeup of the Australia team for the opening Test against England, saying the selectors were still discussing it. Most interest centres on whether spinner Nathan Lyon will play ahead of bowling allrounder James Faulkner in the final 11.

Lyon is favoured given the strong record of spinners at the Gabba, but Clarke said selection debates were still going on. Faulkner was a stand-out for Australia in their last Ashes Test at The Oval in August. Clarke, who is no longer a selector, said he knew the batting order for the top seven, but would not be disclosing it until just before Thursday’s start of the Gabba Test in Brisbane.

“The selectors are probably talking about it as we speak so it’s probably a question for those guys,” Clarke told his Test-eve media conference.

“I can’t talk about the selection part of it, because I’m not having that conversation right now with the selectors but the wicket looks fantastic.

“I think it looks a really good pitch, I think it’s going to offer pace and bounce for the bowlers and that includes spin.”

He continued: “The Gabba is one of the best Test wickets in the world to play, it... always keeps the bowlers interested and once you’re in, it’s as good a place to bat as anywhere.” l

England eye fourth Ashes title in row n Reuters, Sydney The second leg of an Ashes doubleheader unique in the 131 years of such contests gets underway in Brisbane on Thursday with everything bar the eternal optimism of the Australian nation pointing to a fourth successive England triumph.

With the dominant 3-0 success on home soil still fresh in the memory, England can justifiably approach a trip Down Under with more confidence than at any time since the 1970s, when World Series cricket tore the heart out of the home side.

The core of an England side unbeaten in tests this year has very happy memories of their last trip in 2010-11, when they hammered Australia 3-1 to win the Ashes on foreign soil for the first time in 24 years.

That feeling has been compounded

by the conviction that they won in England with something to spare and their vaunted batting line-up can only do better than they did in the five home tests.

“I think Australia will suit our batsmen a bit more than English conditions,” England paceman Stuart Broad said last week.

“We had these sort of slow, turning wickets that are quite hard to score on and we’ve got guys who cut and pull, free-scoring players, and I think our batsmen are very excited to play here and will thrive in the Australian conditions.”

And yet, despite losing seven of their last nine tests and drawing the other two, there is also a growing feeling of confidence in Australia.

The hosts feel the series in England was closer than the scoreline suggested, their batting line-up is more settled than it has been for a while and that if

their quick bowlers can fire on the hard home decks, they can really trouble England.

There was little chance that their preparations for the second series could be disrupted as much as those for the first, when coach Mickey Arthur was sacked and opener David Warner was stood down for punching England’s Joe Root in a bar.

The excellent bowling performance of Ryan Harris in England was one reason for the growing optimism and the injury-prone paceman articulated the feeling of the Australia camp after the squad was announced for the Gabba.

“It’s time we brought the urn home and we know that,” he said. “You always have pressure at this level and there is extra after not winning the last few series.

“But if we play our best cricket we will win. We believe in each other.”

546 off 330 balls!

Indian schoolboy plays miracle innings n AFP, New Delhi A 14-year-old Indian batsman smashed an astonishing 546 off 330 balls in a school match in Mumbai, recording the third highest score in any form of cricket, media reports said on Wednesday.

Prithvi Shaw, playing for Rizvi Springfield school, compiled the huge score against St Francis school in the Harris Shield, a tournament that brought batting icon Sachin Tendulkar into the limelight more than two decades ago.

Shaw hit 85 boundaries and five sixes, surpassing the previous best score in the competition of 498 by Armaan Jaffar, nephew of former Indian opener Wasim Jaffar, two years ago, the Times Now and CNN-IBN channels said.

Shaw’s innings was spread over two days after he was unbeaten on 257 on Tuesday evening.

“I am feeling good,” the youngster

told Times Now. “It is a good score for me and my team. Our coach just asked

Prithvi-Shaw

me to concentrate on every ball. The only plan was to score as many runs as we could.

“I want to continue like this in future also.”

Indian statistician Mohandas Menon tweeted that Shaw’s effort was the third-highest recorded score behind the unbeaten 628 by Englishman Arthur Collins in 1899 and 566 by Charles Eady of Australia in 1901.

It was in the same Harris Shield competition that Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli struck a 664-run partnership for their school in 1988, with both batsmen returning with unbeaten triple-centuries.

Tendulkar retired last week as the world’s top-scorer in both Test and one-day cricket and the only man to compile 100 international centuries.

West Indies’ star Brian Lara holds the individual innings record of 400 not out in Tests and 501 not out in firstclass cricket.l

Australia have been forced by injury to take a gamble on pace bowler Mitchell Johnson recapturing his best form after four years of erratic performances which have made him the favourite target of England’s Barmy Army of fans.

In addition, Harris’s fragile frame is unlikely to last the full five tests so Australia will be hoping the recuperation of James Pattinson and Jackson Bird continues to go well.

Another gamble was on the uncapped George Bailey for the vacant number six batting spot and while the 31-year-old does not have great red ball pedigree, he has shown a remarkable ability to step for his country in Twenty20 and one-day internationals.

All-rounder Shane Watson’s talent is in no doubt but a hamstring injury has disrupted his preparations and the decision over whether he will be able to bowl in the first test is likely to be taken

on the first morning at the Gabba.

Despite those small flies in the ointment, Australia captain Michael Clarke has been trumpeting the new optimism like a politician on the campaign trail.

“I think the team is in a fantastic place and the feeling in the group is outstanding,” he said in Sydney last week.

“I think the boys are flying. They’re all looking forward to Thursday week.”

The Australian weather means England’s preparations have not been perfect but, apart from a calf injury to wicketkeeper Matt Prior, they have not seen much to darken their collective mood. Australia, though, has never been an easy place to tour for any England side.

Their last win at the Gabba came in 1986 and their most recent victory in Perth, venue for the third test, goes even further back to the 1978-79 tour.l

South Africa shock world champions Spain n AFP, Soweto World champions Spain suffered only a second loss in 17 matches this year after losing 1-0 to South Africa in a friendly international on Tuesday.

Midfielder Bernard Parker scored the early second-half winner, chipping goalkeeper Victor Valdes from close range and a desperate lunge from a defender could not keep the ball out.

Spain rarely threatened to equalise until Alvaro Arbeloa came close deep in stoppage time at the Soccer City stadium where they defeated the Netherlands 1-0 to win the 2010 World Cup. The shock defeat came five months after the only other reverse for La Roja (The Red Fury) this year -- a 3-0 hiding from hosts Brazil in the Confederations Cup final.

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque, who signed a two-year contract extension until 2016 last week, offered no excuses after only his eighth defeat in 83 matches.

Spain brought seven of the team that started in the World Cup final and they all began against Bafana Bafana (The Boys).

Striker David Villa had the ball in the South African net twice within seven minutes of the kick-off, but the assistant referee correctly ruled offside on each occasion.

The world champions dominated possession in the opening stages with goalkeeper Iker Casillas often the lone figure in the Spanish half.

But South Africa nearly snatched the lead on 18 minutes when a longrange Manyisa shot went over off the top of the crossbar after taking a deflection.

However, that was forgotten 11 minutes into the second half when slick Rantie and Manyisa passes left Parker facing substitute Valdes. The diminutive midfielder, who has played for Dutch, Serbian and Greek clubs, calmly chipped the ball over the shot-stopper and the ball landed in the net. l

Scott headlines new-look World Cup n AFP, Melbourne This week’s reformatted World Cup of Golf could witness the bizarre scenario of Adam Scott fighting Australian teammate Jason Day for victory in the $8 million event at Royal Melbourne.

In contrast to the full two-man team format over the past six decades, this year’s field features 52 players in twoman teams from 26 countries.

But it also has another eight players, including Belgian-born Ryder Cup star Nicolas Colsaerts, Fiji’s Vijay Singh and Welshman Jamie Donaldson, teeing off on their own to make up a field of 60.

While 52 players will fight for the $1 million first place team prize, the other eight “single country” players will be ineligible. However, all 60 are eligible

for the $1.2 million first prize cheque for the individual champion.

The revised format is a prelude to the one that will be used when golf reenters the Olympics in 2016 in Brazil, although England, Wales and Scotland, who are competing individually this week, will come under the Great Britain umbrella in Rio. Unlike all prior World Cup’s since the inaugural event in 1953, teammates will compete in different groups over the first two days, with world number two Scott paired with American Matt Kuchar and Italy’s Matteo Manassero on Thursday .

If they should be grouped together over the weekend then under the new rules neither player can offer advice to the other or be able to concede any putts.

“The new format is a little strange,” said Scott, who is in red-hot form after winning back-to-back tournaments in Australia over the past fortnight.

“I was kind of hoping I would be spending the four days playing alongside Jason as I thought that would be good for both of us but then this event is trying to find a new identity, I guess.

“So we are running with this new format this year ahead of taking it to the Olympics in 2016, so we will see how it pans out.”

Kuchar teamed with countryman Gary Woodland to capture the last World Cup two years ago in China, but this time he pairs with Kevin Streelman, a winner this year of the Tampa Bay Championship and runner-up in the Players Championship. l

Spain's coach Vicente Del Bosque (L) walks off the pitch after his team lost a friendly match against South Africa at the Soccer City Stadium in Soweto on Tuesday AFP

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

Permanent pay commission on hold 1,025kg of explosives n Asif Showkat Kallol The Permanent Pay Commission for government employees looks set to remain a high-sounding promise as four issues including legal complication have virtually stalled the initiative taken at the end of the present government’s tenure.

Forming a permanent commission to routinely adjust public servants’ pay to annual inflation and rises in living costs is one of the pledges of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, repeated by Finance Minister AMA Muhith several times. Last week the finance minister had announced that a permanent pay commission would come into being by November 15.

But officials now say a new law - or at least an ordinance - will be needed to make this happen. They see little chance of having such a law or ordinance at this time as the last session of parliament can end any day and the interim cabinet is set to take over and will

run the routine works only.

“A permanent pay commission cannot be constituted without settling four issues. The government is in a dilemma whether it will be a permanent or a temporary pay scale,” a senior official of the implementation division of finance ministry told the Dhaka Tribune.

Finding a chairman of the proposed permanent pay commission and convincing the secretaries and the services commission are also among the hurdles identified by the Implementation Division of the ministry.

The implementation division also pointed out that the government had already offered former Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Mohammed Farashuddin and former finance secretary Mustafizur Rahman to head the proposed permanent commission, but neither agreed.

Finance Minister Muhtih also admitted that legal complication stood in the way. “There is no law in hand right now to constitute a permanent pay commission,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.

Regarding the person to appoint the chairman of permanent pay commission, he also said after enacting the law of the permanent pay commission there is no problem of selecting a chairman of the proposed permanent pay commission.

We hope that permanent pay commission will form within this week, he pointed out.

Last week, the finance minister said a permanent pay commission would be formed by November 15 which would formulate the new pay structure for the government staff within six months.

The proposed permanent pay commission would have been comprised of two members and backed by another pay and service commission, he added.

India got such a permanent commission a few years ago, but that body has no longer been permanent. Salaries of government officials in India are adjusted once a year in line with inflationary trends, the finance minister said.

The country’s food inflation rose in October on the back of political turmoil

that disrupted the supply chain at times.

It stood at 8.38% in contrast to 7.93% recorded in September, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics data revealed. Life in urban areas is worse hit by soaring food and non-food prices.

Considering the hardship of fixed-income group people, the prime minister unveiled plans to form a permanent pay commission with just three months to go before the next general elections.

The government issued a gazette notification granting the dearness allowance with retrospective effect from July 1.

The seventh pay commission was formed in 2007 during the caretaker government regime and the present government raised the wages of the government employees on July 1, 2009 as per the Commission’s suggestion.

Pay commissions were formed at irregular intervals, ranging from four years to 12 years since 1972.

Currently, the number of public servants is about 1.3 million. l

found in Jamaat man’s warehouse n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong Rapid Action Battalion 7 seized 21 sacks of materials used for the purpose making explosives, 97.6% of which are Sulphur, from a warehouse in Chittagong city’s Chowmuhoni yesterday in an over-night drive.

The elite force also nabbed three workers of the warehouse while the owner of the warehouse, Sagir Hossain, 25, a known Jamaat-e-Islami supporter, was on the run, Rab 7 officials said.

The arrested workers of the warehouse are Suman Basak, 21, Md Monir Hossain, 23 and Lipan Chandra Nath, 26.

The arrestees could tell nothing about the materials, said Commander M Sahed Karim of Rab 7, at a press conference in the port city’s Patenga

around 2pm.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of Rab 7, led by the Camp Commander Major Jahangir Hossain, conducted the drive at 6pm Tuesday to 6am yesterday and seized around 1,025kg of explosive-making materials, h said.

In the primary investigation, the elite force found the materials were brought illegally into the country allegedly for use in subversive activities in Chittagong, he added.

Rab 7 was continuing their drives to nab Sagir, said Commander M Sahed.

The arrestees were handed over to Double Mooring police station and a case was lodged in this regard, said Squadron Leader Nazmul Hossain, second-in-command of Rab 7. l

Left out parties plan to form alliance without Ershad n Manik Miazee

The Jatiya Party’s plan to bring some political parties under its umbrella by forming a new alliance has been thwarted as its probable partners cannot trust HM Ershad anymore as his party joined the “all-party” polls-time government.

The parties of the planned alliance are now considering to float the combine without the Jatiya Party.

The former military dictator and Jatiya Party chairman had planned to form a new alliance with parties other than the BNP- and Awami League-led alliances only a few of days before his party leaders took oath in the new cabinet.

On November 13, Ershad, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, Krishak Sramik Janata League President Kader Siddique and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) chief ASM Abdur Rab held a meeting on formation of an alternative alliance.

The next day, Ershad announced that his party would declare the new alliance “to save the people from the hands of the two parties within one or two days.”

But Ershad changed his mind and announced his intention to participate in the election and join the Awami League-led polls-time government without consulting any of the leaders he was about to form the alliance.

“We are now planning the new alliance without Jatiya Party chief HM Ershad.

He was not consistent in his position

and joined the all-party cabinet without thinking of the country’s people,” said Abdul Malek Ratan, general secretary of a faction of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD).

Kader Siddique told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday: “On November 14, Ershad wanted to join our alliance. We told him that his party would be included in our alliance after he left the grand alliance. But now Ershad has permanently joined the grand alliance and got seven positions in the government.

“So, there is no question of forming an alliance with Ershad.” He accused Ershad of not keeping his word just as in the past.

On November 16, Jatiya Party Secretary General ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader said Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain would be in the alliance. But, Gono Forum’s Executive President Subrata Chowdhury told the Dhaka Tribune: “Possibilities of joining HM Ershad-led alliance are very slim.”

When contacted, Ruhul Amin yesterday said: “Now we are not busy forming any new alliance.”

The party’s youth front Jatiya Jubo Sanghati President Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan said: “Our plan to form an alliance no more exists.”

Bikalpadhara Bangladesh chief Badruddoza Chowdhury told the Dhaka Tribune: “Ershad is not a part of our alliance. We are planning to make the new alliance without him.” l

Nationwide transport strike today n UNB Bangladesh Road Transport Workers’ Federation (BRTWF) will enforce a 24hour transport strike across the country today demanding the release of opposition leader Khaleda Zia’s Special Assistant Shimul Biswas.

The transport strike will begin at 6am

today and end at 6am on Friday, said BRTWF General Secretary Osman Ali. Police arrested Shimul Biswas, who is also joint general secretary of BRTWF, from in front of the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan residence in the early hours of November 9. The strike was announced at a press conference of the federation in the capital on November 17. l

Fire fighters trying to douse flames as at least four vehicles were set on fire during clashes between Jamaat-Shibir men and police at Sitakunda of Chittagong

Violence flares up again in Sitakunda n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong

Jamaat-Shibir men again rampaged through Sitakunda on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway yesterday afternoon after the police recovered a bullet-hit body, claimed to be a missing local Jamaat leader.

At least 17 houses, including the one of Barabkunda union parshad chairman and local Awami League leader Sadakat Ullah, and four vehicles were torched during the violence.

Protesters also vandalised at least 20 vehicles on the highway, said police and local sources.

Clashes between Jamaat-Shibir men and law enforcing agencies at the upazila’s Barabkunda area resulted in suspension of vehicular movement on the highway from 3:30pm for hours, creating

30-km tailback on both sides, said Syed Zakir Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) Baro Awalia Highway Police Outpost.

The highway could not be cleared for traffic until filing of this report at about 7:00pm.

Earlier, police recovered a body of a male with bullet wounds in the head and mouth from the upazila’s Sheikhpara area at around 1:30pm.

Police could not identify the body immediately, but local Jamaat men claimed it was of local Jamaat leader Aminul Islam, who had been missing since Sunday night.

Later, police ascertained that it was Aminul’s body and sent it to Chittagong Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy, said Mohammad Shahidullah, additional superintendent of police (north) in Chittagong.

2 more minors hurt in ‘red ball blast’ n Mohammad Jamil Khan

Two more minor boys yesterday fell victims to bomb-throwing dirty politics of the country as they are now suffering in hospital beds with serious wounds.

Mohammad Lokman, 10, and his friend Tofazzel Hossain, 11, received injuries to their hands and bodies around 1:45pm as they tried to play with a crude bomb mistaking it for a red ball as it was wrapped in red scotch tape.

The bomb was lying abandoned in the field of Civil Aviation Staff Colony.

Tofazzel, a class three student of

Civil Aviation Staff Colony, received wounds to his hands while Lokman, who left school because of bad results, received injury to his left hand.

Both minors were first rushed to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) where the on-duty doctors transferred them to National Institute of Traumatology & Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) for better treatment.

Tofazzel, son of Mohammad Jamal Hossain and Farida Begum live in a tinshed house at the colony while Lokman, son of Mohammad Akkas and Ratna Begum, reside at flat number S/22 of the

DHAKA TRIBUNE

colony. Both their parents are fourthclass employees at the Civil Aviation.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune Jamal said they had seen them playing with a red ball at noon. Suddenly the red object went off and hit the two.

Contacted, Abed Hossain, on-duty doctor of emergency unit of DMCH, said the condition of Tofazzel is not good as both his hands were badly hit.

Lokman is much better as the bomb hit only one of his hands.

“Tofazzel’s right hand might be damaged; we have sent them to NITOR for better treatment,” he said.

Jamaat-e-Islami, Chittagong region in a statement signed by Mohammad Ullah, publicity secretary of the city unit of Jamaat, claimed that Aminul was nabbed by some plainclothes people Sunday night from Chowddagram of Comilla district when he was returning to Sitakunda along with his family members.

Aminul had been missing since then and his dead body was found yesterday, said the statement, blaming upazila chairman and local Awami League leader Abdullah Al Baker Ullah for the killing.

Aminul was general secretary of Barabkunda union unit of Jamaat.

Sitakunda Police refused to lodge any case when Aminul’s family approached them, Jamaat alleged.

Refuting the allegation, the additional superintendent of police (north) Shahidullah told Dhaka Tribune that

no law enforcement agency arrested Aminul Sunday night. Police is looking into the matter, he said.

After hearing the news, several hundred Jamaat-Shibir men set fire to the houses of local Awami League leader Sadakat Ullah and his associates at around 3:00pm, said Abdullah Al Baker, upazila chairman.

17 houses and a private were burnt, said Jashim Uddin, deputy assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defense Headquarters in Chittagong.

The Jamaat-Shibir men put barricades on the highway at Barabkunda area from 3:30pm and rampaged on the highway, said OC SM Badiujjaman of Sitakunda Police Station.

They blasted some crude bombs while police opened tear shells and rubber bullets to disperse them, he said. l

UN CLIMATE CONFERENCE

Earlier, on October 29, nine-year-old Rahima Akhter suffered splinter injuries following a cocktail blast in the capital’s Jurain area while she reportedly had mistaken the cocktail for a plaything and begun to unwrap its’ tape right before its explosion on that fateful day.

Rahima, daughter of Sobahan Mia, lost one of her eyes.

Besides, on November 1, Murad, another 10-year-old boy, suffered splinter injuries when he tried to play with the cocktail taking it for a ball at the city’s Panthapath area. He received injuries to both of his hands and is still suffering. l

Two children, Tofazzol and Lokman, injured themselves when they mistakenly picked up hand grenade in the capital’s Shahinbagh area yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Bangladesh disappointed, but still hopeful n Probir K Sarker from Warsaw The Group 77 and China staged a threehour walk out at the negotiations table on loss and damage mechanism at the Conference of Parties (COP19) early Wednesday. But Bangladesh, a member of the group, is still hopeful that there will be a concrete decision on the issue during this conference that ends tomorrow.

In parallel with the negotiations, the group members are now holding bilateral meetings with the developed nations and blocs who are “sympathetic” about the sufferings of the climate vulnerable countries, most of who are poor.

At a press conference yesterday, the Bangladesh delegation gave mixed reaction about the first week’s negotiations and possible outcomes of the summit, saying that a lot to be done in the last two days and a sense of urgency was needed.

Some countries like Australia are opposing the formulation of the loss and damage mechanism, some say it should be brought under the adaptation fund while the US favours giving

aid only. This is a stark shift in stance by the countries even though they had agreed in Doha conference last year about the new mechanism to help the poor and vulnerable countries.

The G77 and China staged the walk out as there was no progress in the talks and the language proposed by some countries which were not acceptable.

They were suggesting that the mechanism be kept under the purview of disaster risk reduction mechanism, said Kamrul Islam Chowdhury, a key negotiator of the government delegation.

“Last night [Tuesday], we all agreed that there will be a mechanism and it will deal with adaptation and beyond that. But later they [several developed nations] took a new stance and tried to insert some texts which were not in line with the position of the G77 and China, the LDCs and Bangladesh. So the walk out was staged.

“But later behind the scene talks were on and we returned to the negotiation table,” said Kamrul, who is the president of Bangladesh Environment Journalists’ Forum. “Now we are discussing the functions and modalities of the mechanism,” he added. l

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B2 CCCI: Free supply line of Sitakund from anarchy

B3 Formal jobs: A challenge for LDCs

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2013

Business www.dhakatribune.com/business

Baksaas: Telenor worried over ‘unrest-full’ situation GP may introduce smart handsets in Bangladesh only at $40 Zahidul Islam, from n Muhammad Thailand Telenor Group President Jon Fredrik Baksaas is apprehending a negative impact on their earnings from Grameenphone due to the ongoing political “unrest-full” situation in Bangladesh.

“We are very concern about the current political situation in Bangladesh,” he told a group of journalists from Bangladesh on the sidelines of the ITU Telecom World 2013 that started in Bangkok, Thailand on Tuesday.

He said the unrest might badly affect the revenues of Grameenphone as well as the economy of Bangladesh. “The current unrest-full political situation will also shortly affect the foreign direct investment, but unlikely in the telecommunication sector.”

“In the sense that the political parties are searching solution of political problems … this is the way which way stimulate the country’s growth,” said the president of Grameenphone’s parent organisation, Telenor, having 55.8% stake.

Grameen Telecom has 34.2% shares in the leading mobile phone operator and the remaining owned by public.

Replying to a question, Baksaas said in

strike days people are more reluctant to participate in the activities of their daily life.

It affects the revenues of mobile operators, and if the telecom sector is affected, it would hit the other sectors as well.

In that situation, he said, Grameenphone is very supportive with its customers as it is getting 500 to 1,000 3G customers every day in Bangladesh.

About 2600 MHz band spectrum allocation process, he said: “Though we have taken to the government, but here the principle does not meet international set up for the allocation.”

The spectrum is a part of LTE (long-term evolution), a fourth generation mobile broadband communication standard, which Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is going to allocated for a Wi-Max operator, ollo.

Baksaas, recently became the Chairman of GSMA, said ITU has a spectrum set-up policy where 2600 band is for commercial use of mobile operators. From ITU, there is a request to clear regulatory environment and create level playing field for the operators.

“If the policy makers take the right decision about spectrum, the foreign operators may attract investment in the country,” he

Telenor Group President Jon Fredrik Baksaas speaks to Dhaka Tribune

said.

He stressed on developing the ecosystem of flourishing the 3G in Bangladesh and said: “Local content in Bangladesh still to be resolved. We don’t have sufficient contents.

But still we have financial, agriculture and health services contents. And I think a big potential deeper in education sector.”

But, he added, it depends on how we are able to create platform of co-operation between the authorities and the operators. “No doubt there is a big potential for 3G market compared to 2G.” About their recent offloading of 51% share in GPIT to Accenture – a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company - Baksaas said Telenor was not in the position to commercialise the GPIT and decided to sell it to Accenture having much customer base potential.

He informed that they have a plan to bring reasonably good quality smart handsets for Bangladesh market. “We are in a position to work with a vendor to bring handsets within the price of around US$40 each. It may reduce to $25 later like feature phones.”

A couple of years ago we launched feature phone with Grameenphone and that might happen again in Bangladesh. l

NASHIRUL ISLAM

Stocks recordbreaking rally continues n Tribune Report Stocks continued to break their previous records as the benchmark DSEX climbs to a new high for the second consecutive session, spurred by fresh buying spree.

Flow of new funds also helped turnover to cross Tk8bn mark after a gap of four months with textile and banking stocks dominating the trade.

The benchmark index ended at 4,440 with a sharp rise of more than 58 points or 1%, extending the rally for the sixth consecutive session.

The blue chip DS30 index added 26 points or 1.7% to settle at 1,557. The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Categories Index, CSCX, also gained steeply over 142 points to 8,715.

Strong buying binge has pushed the turnover to stand at Tk8.9bn.

It was the highest turnover since July 17 last and nearly 13% higher over the previous session.

“Investors are probably expecting a solution to current political chaos and they are expecting a bullish market once political power changes hand peacefully. They want to book a place this ride,” said Lank Bangla Securities.

Gainers outpaced losers as out of 287 issues traded, 215 gained, 54 declined and 18 remained unchanged on the prime bourse.

“Leaving sector specific movements behind, the market has entered into a time of market wide surge, driving stock prices to envious levels,” said IDLC Investments.

Although, it is too soon to tell, whether the market has returned to its natural rhythm, for which investors have been waiting for years, it is certain that with DSEX crossing 4,400 points level for the first time ever.

The rally is intensely encouraging for investors and alluring for additional funds, it said.

Telecommunications was the market mover as it posted a gain of about 4%, followed by pharmaceuticals that rose 2%, banks over 1% and financial institutions 0.5%.

However, fuel and power edged lower on profit booking.

Grameenphone was the most traded stock with shares worth Tk415m changing hands, followed by United Commercial Bank Ltd, United Airways and RN Spinning.

Rupali Life Insurance was the day’s highest gainer, posting a rise of nearly 10%, while Northern Jute Manufacturing was the day’s worst losers, slumping by nearly 10%. l

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2013

CCCI: Free supply line of Sitakund from anarchy Police advises transport workers to keep sticks to protect vandalism n Tushar Hayat , Chittagong The Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday demanded immediate measures against the people responsible for consecutive torching of vehicles and vandalism at Sitakund of Dhaka-Chittagong highway for the past few days.

“Otherwise it will not be possible to continue export activities through the Chittagong Port when industrial production will also be hampered due to the lack of raw materials,” CCCI President Mahabubul Alam told a meeting with law enforcing agencies here.

He said 69 vehicles were set on fire and several hundred others vendalised on the 37-kilometer stretch of the highway in last couple of weeks, demanding highest degree of security measures to put an end to such anarchic situation.

“The exporters were losing orders for being failed to maintain the shipment dates while prices of food items increasing alarmingly due to the interruption in supply chain,” he said, adding that industries at different parts of the country were not getting raw materials on time.

Nawsher Ali Khan, deputy inspector general of police in Chittagong range, said they had been taking all out measures to ensure safety on the highway. He, however, urged the transport workers to keep sticks to protect the attackers.

“The miscreants are not more than seven to eight in numbers and they will not dare to torch or vendalise vehicles if the transport workers start protecting them,” he said.

Shafiqul Islam, commissioner of the Chittagong Metropolitan Police, said 700 police personnel were deployed at Sitakund for the past few days and insisted that none would dare to torch or vendalise the vehicles if the

DCCI concerned over workers unrest n Tribune Business Desk Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has expressed its deep concern over the current spell of labour unrest and violence in garment factories.

It said the unrest has been taking a heavy toll on the country’s prime export earning sector.

A press release said NEO Zipper Company Ltd situated in Tongi came under attack yesterday like many other factories in the areas including Savar, Tongi, Ashulia and Gazipur.

DCCI fears losing foreign direct investment (FDI) if there is no end to violence as orders from international buyers may shift to alternative destinations.

“As RMG industry falls in peril, it will bring misery to both factory owners as well as workers. It will hamper the confidence level of entrepreneurs,” said DCCI. The chamber demands taking stern legal action against the people who are engaged in vandalism to salvage the remaining of the industry. l

Miscreants set ablaze two trucks in Sitakund of Dhaka-Chittagong route yesterday transport workers join police with sticks in their hands.

AKM Hafiz Akter, superintendent of police,

Shahed Karim, commander of RAB-7, Abu Mohammed Mohiuddin, commanding officer of BGB, Mahabub Ul Alam, commander of Ansar

Japan envoy praises EPZ environs n Tribune Business Desk Japan has appreciated prevailing environment in Bangladesh’s export processing zones (EPZs) describing it as “peaceful and production-oriented.”

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Shiro Sadshima made the appreciation at an inaugural function of a Japan-Bangla joint venture Gunze United Ltd in the Dhaka EPZ in Dhaka yesterday.

The Japanese Ambassador expressed his satisfaction over the potentiality of EPZ’s workforce, said a press release.

Shiro Sadshima said: “I appreciate the Bangladeshi labour forces as they are hard workers and have huge potentials.”

He hoped the working environment would make strong relationship between the two countries to shore up a congenial investment climate in the EPZs. The ambassador pleased about the number of Japanese companies which have established their respective base of operation in EPZs. The number has been increasing significantly over the past few years. Hope, the part-

nership will enhance further, he added.

BEPZA executive chairman, Maj Gen Md Habibur Rahman Khan welcomed Gunze United Limited.

‘Japan is a very potential and new investors to us and United Power Generation and Distribution Company has already set up their power plants in the EPZs’ Gunje United may produce garment accessories, which will invest $5m and will create 285 Bangladeshi nationals.

In his speech, Habibur Rahman said: “Japan is a very potential and new investors to us and United Power Generation and Distribution Company has already set up their power plants in the EPZs.” BEPZA chief also mentioned EPZs scenario is shining due to low cost peaceful production oriented investment despite various adverse situations in industrial sector of the country.

He added: “EPZs are operating with the objectives of industrial friendly atmosphere and ensuring congenial investment climate.” l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

and VDP, Nurun Newaj, senior vice president of CCCI, and Sayad Jamal Ahmed, vice president of CCCI, were present at the meeting. l

Dollar slips in Asia after Bernanke speech n AFP, Tokyo The dollar slipped back below 100 yen in Asia yesterday after US Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke indicated the bank’s stimulus programme would remain in place until the economy was back on track.

The greenback bought 99.97 yen in Tokyo midday trading, down from 100.13 yen Tuesday in New York before Bernanke’s comments.

The euro bought $1.3554 compared with $1.3535, while it was also at 135.51 yen against 135.53 yen. Traders sold the dollar as the outgoing Fed chief assured markets that interest rates would remain low “well after” the jobless rate hits 6.5%, said Kengo Suzuki, forex strategist at Mizuho Securities.

Bernanke gave no specific indication of when the Fed might start pulling back on its monetary easing, which keeps interest rates low by spending vast sums of cash on Treasury bills to keep yields down.

“His comments were initially perceived as dovish, leading to broad dollar-selling,” Suzuki told Dow Jones Newswires. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2013

Formal jobs: A challenge for LDCs New UNCTAD report says new comers in Bangladesh job market to peak at 3.1m by 2020 n Tribune Report Bangladesh would see new entrants in its labour market to have peaked at 3.1m by 2020 and would face, like other poorest nations, a major challenge of providing them with sustainable jobs, said a new UNCTAD report.

It urged the nations to act decisively to upgrade national infrastructure, greatly expand credit, improve education, and especially unleash the potential of domestic firms and entrepreneurs, so the jobs are created.

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released the report in Geneva, Switzerland yesterday.

Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), a civil society think tank, presented the report at a press briefing in Dhaka.

The report says the number of younger people of working age in 49 least developed countries (LDCs) is increasing by 16m per year, and in each one of the 11 such countries it would climb by at least half a million annually.

About Bangladesh it says the country had 2.9m new entrants in 2005 and the figure will peak at 3.1m by 2020, and decline thereafter.

The report cautions that while LDCs enjoyed relatively high growth in gross domestic product (GDP) during 2002-2008, the economic progress did not translate into correspondingly increasing levels of employment.

Indeed, the countries with faster GDP growth had relatively lower employment creation.

In 2000-2012 period, LDC employment growth was 2.9% per annum – a rate slightly above the population growth rate of 2.3%, but well below LDC’s average GDP growth of 7%.

The report subtitled “Growth with Employment for Sustainable Development” views that demographic trends in the LDCs are such that millions of new jobs will have to be created every year over the coming decades.

During the rest of the current decade, the poorest countries would have to create around 95m jobs to absorb new entrants to the labour market, and another 160m in the 2020s.

If this employment challenge is not met, the world risks being confronted with growing poverty in LDCs, social unrest, and mass international emigration, the report contends.

It says the economic policies pursued by most LDCs and their development partners to date have focused on macroeconomic stability, economic efficiency, and liberalisation.

But the approach has failed to generate jobs in the quantity and quality needed by LDCs’ increasing populations.

Job creation was disappointing even those “boom” years from 2002 to 2008, when the LDCs enjoyed an average growth of 8%.

The report stresses that the LDCs need to

3

Bangladesh Handloom Board Bill 2013 passed n Tribune Business Desk Parliament yesterday passed the Bangladesh Handloom Board Bill 2013 providing for developing and expanding the handloom industry by scrapping the existing law.

Jute and Textiles Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui moved the Bill in the House, which was passed by voice vote amid absence of the opposition.

The objective of the Bill stated that the Bangladesh Handloom Board Ordinance, 1977 was promulgated during the martial law period.

Later, the government issued a gazette notification for the Bangladesh Handloom Board (Amendment) Act, 1990 to make the Ordinance more time befitting.

It said that the age old law was not appropriate to address the present day necessity.

It also mentioned that if the Handloom Board is constituted as per the new bill it would help a lot to develop and expand the handloom industry in the country. l

Oil prices firm ahead of Iran nuclear talks n AFP, Singapore

Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Research Director Dr Fahmida Khatun presents UNCTAD’s LDC report 2013 in Dhaka yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU enact a new generation of policies to foster the development of productive capacities in such a way as to obtain “job-rich” growth.

It notes vulnerable employment – jobs without formal arrangements, decent working conditions, and adequate social security – still accounts for about 80% of total employment in LDCs. The report says the globes poorest countries should take steps to improve GDP growth via the generation of decent employment and investment to develop productive capacities.

UNCTAD points out that the LDC population is not only growing rapidly, but is quickly urbanising.

This combination of factors makes the current decade critical for rectifying the em-

ployment situation in LDCs. A major problem with the current process of structural change is that it cannot provide the surplus population released from agriculture with productive employment elsewhere, the report notes.

CPD Research Director Dr Fahmida Khatun and Additional Research Director Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem spoke at the press briefing.

They, however, said the recurring political turmoil after every five years in Bangladesh would cast a long-term impact on the country’s economy.

Such recurrence of political instability would weaken the country’s economic foundation and pose a threat to achieve sustainable growth, they added. l

LDC fact sheet 2000-2012

Yearly growth Employment Population GDP

2.9% 2.3% 7%

Oil prices rose in Asia yesterday after US President Barack Obama said he was not sure a deal could be reached this week on Iran’s disputed nuclear programme.

New York’s main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for December delivery, was up 31 cents at $93.65 while Brent North Sea crude for January added 32 cents to $107.24.

“We may attribute the rise of crude oil to a pent-up risk premium as Iranian nuclear talks resume, with market watchers doubting an ease in sanctions anytime soon,” CMC Markets analyst Desmond Chua said in Singapore.

Prices rose despite expectations that an upcoming US Energy Department report will show crude stockpiles gained for the ninth week in a row.

Iran, a major oil producer, has expressed optimism that a deal could be achieved in Geneva with negotiators from the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany - known collectively as the P5+1 group.

The talks aim to convince Iran to roll back its nuclear programme, which Tehran is accused of using to build nuclear weapons, a charge it denies. In exchange, they are offering relief from sanctions.

“I think there is every possibility for success,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said after meeting his Italian counterpart Emma Bonino in Rome on Tuesday.

“I go to Geneva with the determination to come out with an agreement at the end of this round,” Zarif said. But Obama struck a cautious tone, insisting any relief from sanctions - which include a ban on oil exports under an interim pact was limited.

“I don’t know if we will be able to able to close a deal this week or next week,” he said at a Wall Street Journal CEO forum.

Obama has asked key senators to delay imposing new sanctions on Iran during the negotiations, said White House spokesman Jay Carney. l

Business China for faster currency reform

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2013

n Reuters With a shift in tone and language, China’s central bank governor has dangled the prospect of speeding up currency reform and giving markets more room to set the yuan’s exchange rate as he underlines broader plans for sweeping economic change.

The central bank under Zhou Xiaochuan has consistently flagged its intention to liberalize financial markets and allow the yuan to trade more freely, even before the Communist Party’s top brass unveiled late last week the boldest set of economic and social reforms in nearly three decades.

But since the 60-point reform plan was released, Zhou has suggested urgency in pushing for change, although he has not provided any specific timetable. He promised on Saturday to “pull out all stops to deepen financial sector reforms”.

Dariusz Kowalczyk, an economist at Credit Agricole in Hong Kong, said the governor’s comments could mean that the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) will widen the trading band of the yuan in the near term.

“That probably means there is more upside for the renminbi,” he said. The yuan, also known as the renminbi, has risen this year to 6.09 per dollar from 6.23 at the end of 2012 and hit a record high of close to 6.08 in October.

However, there was little evidence of any new found freedom for the yuan in trading on Wednesday. On the one hand, the central bank set its daily fixing for the starting point of yuan trade at a record high, but dealers said open market gains were checked by state-run banks selling the currency, probably on behalf of the central bank.

In addition, the daily fixing has been consistently weaker than the spot market, indicating the central bank is trying to rein in the currency’s strength.

“The PBOC is still intervening heavily to prevent the CNY (yuan) from appreciating more,” said RBS economists Louis Kuijs and Tiffany Qiu in a client note, referring to dollar trade inflows and speculation that are putting the yuan under pressure to rise.

“Freeing up the currency would imply a very large appreciation versus the USD (dollar), something for which we believe there would not be appetite right now.”

‘Basically’

Zhou’s latest comments were released as part of a public guide book to the Communist Party’s reforms, on sale in bookshops for 30 yuan ($5).

At more than 300 pages, it provides the full text of the Communist Party’s blueprint and an explanation of the changes by President Xi Jinping. It includes articles by top officials, such as Zhou.

In the guide book, Zhou says the central bank would gradually expand the yuan’s trading band to help make the currency more flexible and market-driven - comments that repeat a long-standing central bank position.

“We will widen the floating range of the yuan exchange rate in an orderly manner and increase the two-way flexibility of the currency,” Zhou was quoted as saying.

A man looks at the Pudong financial district of Shanghai To that end, the People’s Bank of China will “basically” exit from regular intervention on the currency market, he said, going slightly further than in previous comments when he had said it would reduce intervention.

‘We should quickly launch a batch of projects in financial, oil, power, railway, telecommunications, resource exploration, public utilities to attract private-sector investment’

For years, the central bank has bought up foreign exchange, mostly dollars, to curb strength in the yuan fuelled by the country’s export engine, building the world’s biggest currency stockpile of $3.66tn.

Such currency intervention has been a key driver of money and credit expansion, fanning inflationary risks and housing bubbles.

The yuan’s trading band was last widened in April 2012 to allow the exchange rate to rise or fall 1% either side of the midpoint fixing announced daily by the central bank.

“We must seize the favourable time window to quicken the pace of realizing yuan convertibility in capital account,” Zhou said.

Full convertibility would allow the free movement of capital across China’s borders, a demand of many of China’s trading part-

ners. The central bank has pledged to make the yuan “basically convertible” by 2015, but it has not made clear what that means.

Some analysts caution against high expectations for the speed of financial reform, noting some policymakers fear allowing the currency to move freely too quickly could expose the economy to volatile capital flows, such as the ones blamed on the US Federal Reserve’s economic stimulus program.

Analysts expect the central bank to unveil a long-awaited deposit insurance system by the end of this year or early in 2014 to pave the way for freeing up bank deposit rates, which are now subject to administrative caps.

Such a scheme would protect depositors as Beijing is concerned some smaller lenders could go under as banks compete for deposits in a more open regime. Earlier this year, the central bank removed controls on lending rates.

“We will choose a time when conditions are ripe to life controls on deposit rates, which we think is the final step of liberalizing interest rates,” PBOC Vice Governor Hu Xiaolian told a forum in Beijing on Wednesday.

‘Favourable window’

The reforms are aimed at helping Beijing engineer a shift in the giant economy away from investment- and exports-led growth to activity fuelled more by consumption and services.

The OECD, in forecasting China’s economic growth would pick up to 8.2% in 2014

REUTERS

from 7.7% this year, urged Beijing to quicken its reforms while growth is holding steady.

“There is now a favourable window,” the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said in an update of its global forecasts.

While the Communist Party leaders set the direction for reform in a four-day conclave that ended last week, it will be up to government ministries and agencies to put them into effect.

The head of the country’s top economic planning agency promised fast results in an interview with the People’s Daily, the Communist Party’s official newspaper.

“We should quickly launch a batch of projects in financial, oil, power, railway, telecommunications, resource exploration, public utilities to attract private-sector investment,” Xu Shaoshi, chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission said.

Another senior official, Yang Weimin, vice head of the Office of the Central Leading Group on Finance and Economic Affairs, told a news briefing that reforms would help ease local government debt, although he didn’t explain how.

An explosion in local government debt accompanied Beijing’s response to the global financial crisis and many analysts see it as a major risk hanging over the economy.

Yang said the reforms would include more tax revenues for local governments, allowing qualified localities to sell bonds, and setting up a new policy bank to fund urban infrastructure and housing projects under Beijing’s urbanization drive. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2013

5

Japan economy gets fresh impetus Exports log biggest rise in three years n Reuters A surge in car shipments spurred Japanese exports to their biggest annual increase in three years in October, suggesting a gradual pick up in global demand will help underwrite a sustainable recovery in the world’s third-largest economy.

The 18.6% increase in exports in the year to October blew past the median market forecast for a 16.5% rise and accelerated from a 11.5% gain in September, data by the Ministry of Finance showed yesterday.

Significantly, exports also rebounded in volume terms, rising 4.4% from a year earlier, in a sign the global economy is gradually recovering mainly on strength in advanced nations.

Sluggish exports have been a source of concern for policymakers as shipment volume has struggled to pick up despite a weak yen this year due to slowdown in emerging economies, which faced capital outflows on expectations the US Federal Reserve would soon roll back its massive monetary stimulus.

While the yen has fallen around 14% against the dollar in 2013, exports growth has largely disappointed early expectations.

The Japanese economy has been humming along nicely this year on the back of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s massive monetary and fiscal expansionary policies, dubbed Abenomics. Still, headwinds from weak capital spending and depressed global demand have somewhat clouded the outlook.

The October data should provide some relief for the government, which is hoping a recovery in overseas demand will cushion the blow from a sales tax hike next April, which could crimp private consumption “US private-sector demand remains

A man rides a bicycle past containers at a port in Tokyo strong and European economies appear to be bottoming out. If advanced economies recover, Japanese exports can rise more,” said Takeshi Minami, chief economist at Norinchukin Research Institute in Tokyo.

The volume of exports to the United States and European Union grew 5.3% and 8% year-on-year in October respectively, while Asia-bound shipments rose just 2%, highlighting a two-track recovery in the global economy.

Car shipments rocketed 31.3% on-year in October, making the biggest contribution to the value of exports in the month, while

REUTERS

they also rose a strong 7.5% in volume terms.

Highlighting brisk demand in the United States, Toyota Motor Corp is racking up strong sales in the US market and closing in on a record profit set before the Lehman crisis, while reaping the benefits of a weak yen that has boosted its profit margins.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, exports rose 1.5% in October from the previous month.

Trade deficit

Soft exports - particularly to emerging

economies - have been a key concern for Bank of Japan policymakers, who meet on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss monetary policy and the economic outlook.

The bank is widely expected to keep monetary settings unchanged.

The Japanese economy, the fastest growing in the developed world this year, slowed in July-September from the previous quarter as domestic private demand moderated and exports weakened.

Growth is expected to accelerate again in the current quarter helped by a recovery in exports as well as brisk private consumption ahead of the sales tax hike.

Sparking inflation and putting the economy on a sustainable footing over the long run is Abenomics’ ultimate goal, and analysts expect a healthy global economy to ease the path ahead.

Recovering demand for Japanese goods would also help address another concern -- persistent red ink in the trade balance.

The deficits have raised concerns about Japan’s ability to finance its debt in the long term, as they weigh on the country’s balance of payment and add to strains caused by its debt burden, the worst among industrial nations.

Japan logged a trade deficit of 1.09tn yen ($11bn) in October, a record for the month, more than a median forecast of 813.5bn yen, as imports rose 26.1% on the back of expensive fuel purchases to make up for nuclear plants shuttered since the 2011 Fukushima disaster.

The October imports was also bumped up by a 67.8% spike in crude oil imports, which reflected a big drop a year before due to an oil tax hike aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions, finance ministry officials said. l

Bitcoin value jumps, after US authorities appear positive n AFP, Washington Call it a speculative bubble or the rise of a currency of the future: the bitcoin jumped in value Tuesday after US authorities appeared to give the virtual money their blessing.

The electronic currency that is suspected of being used for illicit transactions on the Internet reached a value of $900 for the first time on specialized currency exchange websites.

But it is highly volatile, and a few hours later it was down to $700, according to Mt GOX, which manages trading done in bitcoin. Back in April it was worth just $200.

At a Senate hearing, the bitcoin was “seen in a way more positive than the market had expected because I think the market anticipated almost by definition the authorities would be negative,” said Steve Hanke, a professor applied economics at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

In an email to the Senate Homeland Security

and Governmental Affairs Committee, the chairman of the US Federal Reserve central bank, Ben Bernanke, effectively welcomed the potential of the bitcoin.

He said that “while these types of innovations may pose risks related to law enforcement and supervisory matters, there are also areas in which they may hold long-term promise, particularly if the innovations promote a faster, more secure and more efficient payment system”.

Born after the financial crisis as the invention of mysterious computer guru who goes by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, the bitcoin is both a currency generated by computer code which restricts the amount of units created, and a payment system with no centralized structure.

Virtual currency systems “are appealing because they provide cheap, convenient, efficient means to transfer currency,” Mythili Raman, Acting Assistant Attorney General at the US Justice

Department, told the Senate panel.

Demand for bitcoin is strong because of regulations designed to block many kinds of financial transactions as part of sanctions, Hanke said.

An alternative to transferring money Thanks to its anonymity and lack of commission costs, the bitcoin is “seen more and more as a viable means of payment,” Hanke said.

The value of the bitcoin might also be fueled in the future by China “because Chinese people are savers, and more people are seeing bitcoin as a way to store and invest their money,” Linke Yang, vice president of BTC China, told AFP on the sidelines of a conference in Singapore.

BTC is the largest bitcoin trading platform in China. Its value on BTC has quadrupled in a month to $400 in mid November.

Although bitcoin usage does not fall under the monitoring of central banks because it is not issued by a bank, that may not last for long.

A recent Fed study said that “should bitcoin become widely accepted, it is unlikely that it will remain free of government intervention, if only because the governance of the bitcoin code and network is opaque and vulnerable.”

The author of the study, Francois Velde, said the bitcoin “represents a remarkable conceptual and technical achievement, which may well be used by existing financial institutions (which could issue their own bitcoins) or even by governments themselves.”

“If bitcoin become competitive and grows it will become under the control of the authorities, who will try to regulate it,” Hanke said.

But as seen by it wide swings in just one day, the new currency is risky and used often for short-term speculation.

In April it suffered its first mini-crash, losing three quarters of its value in two days.

“The high price will attract competitors. It could collapse easily,” Hanke said. l

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Share

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2013

DSE Broad Index: 4439.60 ⇑ 1.33%, Turnover: 8890.05 M.Tk ⇑ 12.83%, PE: 13.55 Turnover: 9,781.97 MTk . ⇑ 13.16% 20 November 2013 MarketCap. 2,139.00 BTk. ⇑ 1.32% CSE All Share Index: 13773 ⇑1.54%, Turnover: 891.91 M Tk. ⇑ 16.31%, PE: 13.34 Combined Turnover Leader

CompanyCode | EPS | BV | Volume Traded (Share) DSE/CSE: ClosePrice ⇓/⇑ Chn % | Avg.Price | Hi / Lo

BANK ABBANK | 2.95 | 32.60 | Vol. 937367 D: 28.60 ⇑ 1.78% | 28.80 | 30.00 / 25.50 C: 28.70 ⇑ 2.50% | 28.67 | 29.00 / 28.00 CITYBANK | 1.15 | 25.97 | Vol. 4905550 D: 22.80 ⇑ 3.17% | 22.79 | 23.20 / 20.00 C: 22.90 ⇑ 3.62% | 22.73 | 23.10 / 22.00 IFIC | 1.10 | 18.34 | Vol. 2585356 D: 35.90 ⇓ 0.55% | 36.21 | 36.90 / 33.50 C: 35.90 ⇑ 0.84% | 36.11 | 36.70 / 35.60 ISLAMIBANK | 3.78 | 27.16 | Vol. 718454 D: 36.70 ⇑ 0.82% | 36.70 | 37.00 / 33.00 C: 36.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 36.56 | 36.80 / 36.30 NBL | 1.05 | 15.76 | Vol. 5050657 D: 13.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 13.19 | 13.30 / 12.00 C: 13.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 13.16 | 13.30 / 12.90 PUBALIBANK | 1.92 | 21.18 | Vol. 617757 D: 32.20 ⇑ 0.31% | 32.15 | 32.70 / 29.00 C: 32.20 ⇑ 0.31% | 32.13 | 32.60 / 31.60 RUPALIBANK | 6.70 | 64.27 | Vol. 96000 D: 68.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 68.79 | 69.60 / 68.10 C: 69.00 ⇓ 2.68% | 68.94 | 69.50 / 68.20 UCBL | 1.90 | 21.72 | Vol. 13150737 D: 26.60 ⇑ 5.98% | 26.23 | 27.00 / 23.00 C: 26.70 ⇑ 6.37% | 26.20 | 26.90 / 25.20 UTTARABANK | 3.42 | 26.97 | Vol. 872424 D: 33.20 ⇑ 0.30% | 33.35 | 33.80 / 30.00 C: 33.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 33.51 | 33.90 / 33.20 ICBIBANK | -1.60 | -13.03 | Vol. 579500 D: 6.40 ⇑ 1.59% | 6.46 | 6.60 / 6.30 EBL | 3.91 | 28.22 | Vol. 360690 D: 29.80 ⇑ 2.05% | 29.75 | 30.40 / 27.50 C: 30.00 ⇑ 0.33% | 30.11 | 30.30 / 29.50 ALARABANK | 2.03 | 14.91 | Vol. 5267526 D: 21.20 ⇑ 1.92% | 21.12 | 21.50 / 19.00 C: 21.20 ⇑ 1.44% | 21.12 | 21.40 / 20.80 PRIMEBANK | 2.89 | 22.40 | Vol. 477485 D: 25.40 ⇑ 2.01% | 25.45 | 26.50 / 23.00 C: 25.40 ⇑ 1.60% | 25.39 | 25.60 / 25.30 SOUTHEASTB | 1.89 | 22.66 | Vol. 1773056 D: 19.30 ⇑ 1.05% | 19.32 | 19.50 / 17.50 C: 19.30 ⇑ 0.52% | 19.32 | 19.40 / 18.00 DHAKABANK | 1.46 | 18.08 | Vol. 1594626 D: 20.80 ⇑ 1.96% | 20.54 | 21.00 / 19.00 C: 20.90 ⇑ 2.96% | 20.67 | 20.90 / 20.40 NCCBANK | 1.90 | 15.88 | Vol. 2513085 D: 15.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 15.08 | 15.30 / 13.50 C: 15.10 ⇑ 1.34% | 15.13 | 15.30 / 14.90 SIBL | 2.05 | 14.47 | Vol. 2883827 D: 15.00 ⇑ 3.45% | 14.94 | 15.20 / 13.10 C: 15.00 ⇑ 4.17% | 14.80 | 15.10 / 14.50 DUTCHBANGL | 11.57 | 54.27 | Vol. 54660 D: 101.8 ⇑ 0.10% | 100.95 | 103.0 / 96.00 MTBL | 1.17 | 17.27 | Vol. 237530 D: 16.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 16.64 | 17.00 / 15.00 C: 16.70 ⇓ 0.60% | 17.11 | 17.50 / 16.70 STANDBANKL | 2.33 | 14.41 | Vol. 1545114 D: 16.00 ⇑ 2.56% | 15.98 | 16.50 / 14.30 C: 16.20 ⇑ 2.53% | 16.11 | 16.40 / 15.20 ONEBANKLTD | 2.35 | 15.34 | Vol. 4292008 D: 17.70 ⇓ 0.56% | 17.85 | 18.20 / 16.20 C: 17.90 ⇑ 0.56% | 17.93 | 18.20 / 17.70 BANKASIA | 1.35 | 20.80 | Vol. 462620 D: 19.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 19.84 | 20.00 / 18.00 C: 19.90 ⇑ 0.51% | 19.98 | 20.30 / 19.60 MERCANBANK | 2.07 | 16.59 | Vol. 6277551 D: 17.40 ⇑ 0.58% | 17.51 | 17.80 / 16.00 C: 17.60 ⇑ 0.57% | 17.58 | 17.80 / 17.40 EXIMBANK | 1.80 | 14.31 | Vol. 2119847 D: 13.90 ⇑ 0.72% | 13.94 | 15.10 / 12.50 C: 14.00 ⇑ 0.72% | 13.95 | 14.20 / 13.00 JAMUNABANK | 2.47 | 18.56 | Vol. 452898 D: 16.70 ⇑ 1.21% | 16.67 | 16.80 / 15.00 C: 16.70 ⇑ 1.21% | 16.73 | 17.00 / 15.00 BRACBANK | 1.51 | 24.87 | Vol. 982970 D: 33.50 ⇑ 1.52% | 33.55 | 34.00 / 30.50 C: 33.50 ⇑ 2.76% | 33.44 | 34.00 / 32.90 SHAHJABANK | 2.61 | 14.47 | Vol. 1264448 D: 18.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 18.53 | 18.80 / 16.70 C: 18.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 18.70 | 18.90 / 18.50 PREMIERBAN | 1.18 | 13.95 | Vol. 1398872 D: 12.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 12.81 | 13.00 / 11.60 C: 12.70 ⇓ 0.78% | 12.78 | 13.00 / 12.00

Vol.

TO M. Tk.

Grameenphone-A

2061200

UCBL - A

13150737

344.93

436.99

Generation Next Fashions-A

9267884

314.92

UNITED AIR-A

17382606

304.95

R. N. Spinning-A

7949410

285.97

% of TTL

Avg. P

4.47

212.01

3.53 3.22

26.23 33.98

3.12

17.54

2.92

35.97

TRUSTBANK | 0.50 | 18.00 | Vol. 253877 D: 20.50 ⇓ 0.49% | 20.63 | 20.90 / 19.00 C: 20.60 ⇓ 1.44% | 20.49 | 21.00 / 20.30 FIRSTSBANK | 1.85 | 13.89 | Vol. 3584327 D: 17.10 ⇑ 1.79% | 16.98 | 17.40 / 15.20 C: 17.20 ⇑ 1.78% | 16.94 | 17.40 / 15.50 NON BANKING F I IDLC | 4.43 | 29.18 | Vol. 262604 D: 63.30 ⇑ 0.48% | 63.65 | 65.00 / 58.00 C: 64.40 ⇑ 1.58% | 64.37 | 65.00 / 63.50 ULC | 1.80 | 14.90 | Vol. 574256 D: 31.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 31.80 | 33.00 / 29.00 UTTARAFIN | 7.16 | 41.54 | Vol. 304565 D: 84.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 85.31 | 86.40 / 77.00 C: 85.10 ⇓ 0.12% | 84.20 | 85.20 / 83.40 MIDASFIN | 0.16 | 10.21 | Vol. 3000 D: 31.20 ⇑ 0.32% | 31.50 | 31.50 / 31.00 C: 30.00 ⇓ 0.33% | 30.00 | 30.00 / 30.00 FLEASEINT | 2.34 | 13.93 | Vol. 1185555 D: 32.30 ⇓ 1.52% | 32.93 | 33.60 / 31.00 C: 32.40 ⇓ 1.52% | 33.40 | 34.40 / 32.30 PLFSL | 1.37 | 17.48 | Vol. 1884250 D: 25.50 ⇓ 1.16% | 25.83 | 26.30 / 23.50 C: 25.70 ⇓ 0.77% | 25.87 | 26.40 / 25.40 PRIMEFIN | 0.87 | 17.88 | Vol. 498185 D: 26.00 ⇑ 0.39% | 26.10 | 26.50 / 24.00 C: 26.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 26.02 | 26.50 / 25.80 PREMIERLEA | 0.10 | 11.37 | Vol. 319794 D: 10.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 10.39 | 10.50 / 9.50 C: 10.50 ⇑ 0.96% | 10.57 | 10.70 / 10.40 ISLAMICFIN | 1.03 | 15.48 | Vol. 1985980 D: 17.60 ⇓ 1.68% | 17.94 | 18.50 / 17.00 C: 17.90 ⇓ 0.56% | 18.11 | 18.40 / 17.80 LANKABAFIN | 1.61 | 31.07 | Vol. 1250157 D: 58.10 ⇑ 0.87% | 58.48 | 59.50 / 52.00 C: 58.00 ⇑ 1.05% | 58.32 | 59.10 / 57.70 BIFC | 0.15 | 18.58 | Vol. 268842 D: 17.40 ⇑ 1.16% | 17.46 | 18.00 / 16.50 C: 17.20 ⇑ 0.58% | 17.45 | 17.80 / 17.00 IPDC | 1.23 | 19.43 | Vol. 366532 D: 19.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 19.91 | 20.30 / 19.30 C: 19.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 19.84 | 20.00 / 19.50 UNIONCAP | 0.54 | 17.85 | Vol. 64639 D: 29.80 ⇑ 1.71% | 29.55 | 30.00 / 27.50 C: 30.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 29.98 | 30.00 / 30.00 BDFINANCE | 0.57 | 14.77 | Vol. 311683 D: 19.40 ⇑ 2.65% | 19.33 | 19.50 / 17.50 C: 19.30 ⇑ 1.05% | 19.12 | 19.30 / 19.00 ILFSL | 0.35 | 12.19 | Vol. 844360 D: 15.60 ⇑ 0.65% | 15.67 | 15.90 / 14.90 C: 15.80 ⇑ 1.28% | 15.82 | 16.50 / 15.40 PHOENIXFIN | 2.46 | 19.39 | Vol. 662278 D: 35.40 ⇓ 0.28% | 35.67 | 36.40 / 32.00 C: 35.30 ⇓ 1.12% | 35.64 | 36.30 / 35.10 FASFIN | 0.19 | 13.56 | Vol. 9662826 D: 14.40 ⇑ 1.41% | 14.04 | 15.00 / 14.00 C: 14.60 ⇑ 2.10% | 14.55 | 14.80 / 14.30 DBH | 4.47 | 21.27 | Vol. 68000 D: 57.80 ⇓ 0.34% | 58.01 | 58.80 / 57.50 C: 57.00 ⇑ 2.89% | 57.00 | 57.00 / 57.00 NHFIL | 0.57 | 12.70 | Vol. 520907 D: 32.50 ⇑ 0.31% | 33.00 | 34.00 / 29.80 C: 32.50 ⇑ 0.93% | 33.11 | 33.50 / 32.20 BAYLEASING | 0.72 | 25.55 | Vol. 672752 D: 30.80 ⇓ 0.32% | 31.11 | 33.00 / 28.40 C: 31.20 ⇑ 0.32% | 31.52 | 31.70 / 30.90 ICB | 89.23 | 607.74 | Vol. 6850 D: 1621 ⇑ 0.73% | 1625 | 1642 / 1612 GSPFINANCE | 1.63 | 22.23 | Vol. 267821 D: 27.30 ⇑ 0.37% | 27.47 | 27.80 / 24.50 C: 27.80 ⇑ 1.83% | 27.63 | 28.00 / 27.00 FAREASTFIN | 0.68 | 13.64 | Vol. 1353000 D: 14.60 ⇑ 2.10% | 14.50 | 14.80 / 14.30 C: 14.60 ⇑ 2.10% | 14.51 | 14.70 / 14.20 INVESTMENT 2NDICB | 44.10 | 253.11 | Vol. 350 D: 253.7 ⇑ 2.88% | 254.29 | 255.0 / 251.0 3RDICB | 26.16 | 235.16 | Vol. 450 D: 201.3 ⇑ 0.10% | 202.22 | 209.9 / 196.2 5THICB | 23.45 | 188.92 | Vol. 4700 D: 149.9 ⇑ 2.04% | 149.57 | 155.0 / 149.0 6THICB | 10.99 | 60.14 | Vol. 42600 D: 55.10 ⇑ 3.96% | 54.79 | 55.70 / 53.60

DSE Gainer Rupali Life Insur.-A

C%

A%

CP

C%

A%

CP

9.98

8.94

108.00

Northern Jute-Z

-9.47

-11.03

25.80

-8.74

-8.74

320.50

DSE Loser

Jute Spinners-A

9.97

10.19

86.00

Delta Life Insu.-Z

PragatiLife Insu.-A

9.92

10.80

144.00

Shampur Sugar-Z

-5.19

-5.19

7.30

BD Building Systems -N

9.54

8.69

59.70

Berger Paints-A

-4.37

-3.10

867.10

Progressive Life-A

9.22

8.05

116.10

JMI Syringes MDL-A

-4.25

-4.02

195.90

7THICB | 13.53 | 98.60 | Vol. 3080 D: 86.70 ⇑ 5.73% | 86.49 | 87.90 / 80.00 8THICB | 12.47 | 70.07 | Vol. 26500 D: 53.40 ⇑ 1.14% | 53.74 | 55.00 / 53.00 AIMS1STMF | 3.02 | 15.70 | Vol. 584250 D: 40.90 ⇑ 0.49% | 40.93 | 41.30 / 40.50 C: 41.10 ⇑ 2.49% | 41.11 | 41.50 / 40.30 ICBISLAMIC | 2.21 | 26.81 | Vol. 44000 D: 19.40 ⇑ 2.65% | 19.57 | 20.60 / 18.20 GRAMEEN1 | 6.26 | 33.23 | Vol. 384000 D: 46.50 ⇓ 0.85% | 46.93 | 47.60 / 46.00 C: 46.20 ⇓ 1.28% | 46.37 | 47.00 / 46.00 ICB1STNRB | 4.06 | 35.31 | Vol. 4000 D: 26.60 ⇓ 0.75% | 26.75 | 26.70 / 26.60 ICB2NDNRB | 2.49 | 16.24 | Vol. 178500 D: 10.50 ⇑ 1.94% | 10.58 | 11.10 / 10.50 C: 10.90 ⇑ 4.81% | 10.80 | 10.90 / 10.60 GRAMEENS2 | 2.17 | 16.41 | Vol. 1113800 D: 17.00 ⇑ 0.59% | 17.11 | 17.30 / 16.00 C: 17.20 ⇑ 1.18% | 17.20 | 17.30 / 17.00 1STPRIMFMF | 0.64 | 11.63 | Vol. 1017000 D: 23.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 23.17 | 23.50 / 23.00 C: 23.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 23.05 | 23.50 / 22.60 EBL1STMF | 0.55 | 12.62 | Vol. 374299 D: 7.20 ⇑ 1.41% | 7.25 | 7.30 / 6.50 C: 7.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.20 | 7.30 / 7.10 ICBAMCL2ND | 0.60 | 12.12 | Vol. 137000 D: 6.20 ⇑ 3.33% | 6.26 | 6.40 / 6.10 C: 6.40 ⇑ 3.23% | 6.51 | 6.70 / 6.40 ICBEPMF1S1 | 0.52 | 11.32 | Vol. 215500 D: 6.30 ⇑ 1.61% | 6.34 | 6.40 / 6.30 C: 6.50 ⇑ 1.56% | 6.55 | 6.80 / 6.40 TRUSTB1MF | 0.75 | 11.65 | Vol. 1220572 D: 7.80 ⇑ 1.30% | 7.83 | 7.90 / 7.00 C: 7.80 ⇑ 1.30% | 7.85 | 7.90 / 7.80 PRIME1ICBA | 0.42 | 11.18 | Vol. 189500 D: 5.80 ⇑ 3.57% | 5.78 | 5.90 / 5.70 C: 5.90 ⇑ 1.72% | 5.88 | 5.90 / 5.80 DBH1STMF | -1.12 | 10.15 | Vol. 590500 D: 6.10 ⇑ 3.39% | 6.08 | 6.20 / 6.00 C: 6.10 ⇑ 1.67% | 6.10 | 6.30 / 6.00 IFIC1STMF | 0.83 | 11.88 | Vol. 549586 D: 7.10 ⇑ 2.90% | 7.11 | 7.20 / 7.10 C: 7.20 ⇑ 1.41% | 7.22 | 7.30 / 6.50 PF1STMF | 0.51 | 11.11 | Vol. 298000 D: 6.10 ⇑ 1.67% | 6.09 | 6.20 / 6.00 C: 6.10 ⇑ 1.67% | 6.06 | 6.10 / 6.00 ICB3RDNRB | 0.00 | 10.60 | Vol. 656500 D: 5.70 ⇑ 1.79% | 5.74 | 5.80 / 5.60 C: 5.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.69 | 5.80 / 5.60 1JANATAMF | 0.78 | 10.68 | Vol. 946000 D: 6.40 ⇑ 1.59% | 6.49 | 6.60 / 6.40 C: 6.40 ⇑ 1.59% | 6.47 | 6.60 / 6.40 GREENDELMF | -0.82 | 9.72 | Vol. 1369500 D: 5.80 ⇑ 5.45% | 5.78 | 5.90 / 5.70 C: 5.90 ⇑ 5.36% | 5.72 | 5.90 / 5.60 POPULAR1MF | 0.77 | 11.38 | Vol. 2205069 D: 6.50 ⇑ 3.17% | 6.52 | 6.60 / 6.00 C: 6.50 ⇓ 1.52% | 6.55 | 6.60 / 6.50 IFILISLMF1 | 0.00 | 10.45 | Vol. 685500 D: 6.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.19 | 6.30 / 6.10 C: 6.10 ⇑ 1.67% | 6.15 | 6.30 / 6.00 PHPMF1 | 0.63 | 10.92 | Vol. 2091500 D: 6.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.07 | 6.20 / 6.00 C: 6.10 ⇑ 1.67% | 6.10 | 6.20 / 6.00 AIBL1STIMF | -0.07 | 9.25 | Vol. 148500 D: 7.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.11 | 7.20 / 7.00 C: 7.20 ⇑ 2.86% | 7.18 | 7.20 / 7.10 MBL1STMF | -0.16 | 9.08 | Vol. 329500 D: 6.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.65 | 6.70 / 6.60 C: 6.50 ⇑ 3.17% | 6.50 | 6.50 / 6.50 SEBL1STMF | 0.94 | 11.85 | Vol. 603000 D: 8.30 ⇑ 2.47% | 8.33 | 8.40 / 8.30 C: 8.50 ⇑ 3.66% | 8.36 | 8.50 / 8.20 EBLNRBMF | 1.07 | 10.88 | Vol. 115500 D: 7.40 ⇓ 3.90% | 7.44 | 7.80 / 7.40 RELIANCE1 | 0.95 | 10.33 | Vol. 756000 D: 9.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 9.19 | 9.30 / 9.10 C: 9.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 9.15 | 9.20 / 9.10 ABB1STMF | 0.92 | 10.63 | Vol. 1260000 D: 7.70 ⇑ 4.05% | 7.63 | 8.00 / 7.50 C: 7.90 ⇑ 8.22% | 7.90 | 7.90 / 7.90 NLI1STMF | 1.17 | 12.22 | Vol. 1007650 D: 9.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 9.54 | 10.00 / 9.00 C: 9.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 9.52 | 9.70 / 9.40

FBFIF | 1.30 | 10.27 | Vol. 5500 D: 8.90 ⇑ 3.49% | 8.91 | 9.20 / 8.80 NCCBLMF1 | 1.16 | 10.48 | Vol. 55500 D: 8.70 ⇓ 2.25% | 8.77 | 9.00 / 8.70 ICBSONALI1 | 0.00 | 10.39 | Vol. 915000 D: 8.60 ⇑ 1.18% | 8.59 | 8.80 / 8.40 C: 8.80 ⇑ 2.33% | 8.66 | 8.80 / 8.50 EXIM1STMF | 0.00 | 10.91 | Vol. 11000 D: 8.10 ⇓ 1.22% | 8.18 | 8.20 / 8.10

BATBC | 65.69 | 117.22 | Vol. 3700 D: 1704 ⇓ 0.01% | 1713 | 1760 / 1701 GEMINISEA | 10.88 | 9.69 | Vol. 1550 D: 186.1 ⇑ 5.26% | 186.45 | 190.0 / 182.2 NTC | 29.88 | 110.05 | Vol. 1100 D: 817.0 ⇑ 0.37% | 817.27 | 820.0 / 815.0 ZEALBANGLA | -28.94 | -221.34 | Vol. 1000 D: 8.20 ⇑ 2.50% | 8.00 | 8.30 / 8.20 AMCL(PRAN) | 6.85 | 57.14 | Vol. 120000 D: 200.4 ⇑ 4.81% | 199.05 | 204.5 / 193.1 C: 200.4 ⇑ 4.43% | 200.14 | 204.0 / 195.0 SHYAMPSUG | -45.77 | -396.49 | Vol. 100 D: 7.30 ⇓ 5.19% | 7.30 | 7.30 / 7.30 MEGHNAPET | -0.50 | -1.52 | Vol. 8500 D: 6.60 ⇑ 6.45% | 6.49 | 6.80 / 5.60 MEGCONMILK | -7.48 | -23.70 | Vol. 35500 D: 7.20 ⇑ 1.41% | 7.32 | 7.60 / 7.00 BEACHHATCH | 1.01 | 12.48 | Vol. 959866 D: 21.40 ⇑ 1.42% | 21.48 | 21.70 / 20.00 C: 21.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 21.56 | 21.90 / 21.20 FINEFOODS | 0.05 | 10.63 | Vol. 419500 D: 17.40 ⇑ 0.58% | 17.47 | 17.70 / 17.20 C: 17.50 ⇑ 0.57% | 17.52 | 17.80 / 17.00 RDFOOD | 0.91 | 16.84 | Vol. 1539334 D: 23.80 ⇑ 2.59% | 23.72 | 24.00 / 21.00 C: 23.80 ⇑ 2.15% | 23.76 | 24.00 / 23.40 GHAIL | 2.31 | 24.36 | Vol. 1148070 D: 40.60 ⇑ 2.27% | 40.94 | 41.70 / 36.50 C: 40.80 ⇑ 2.26% | 41.06 | 41.90 / 39.60 RUPONOIL | 0.11 | 32.14 | Vol. 0 C: 16.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 14.06 | 0.00 / 0.00

ENGINEERING AFTABAUTO | 4.29 | 52.65 | Vol. 936335 D: 108.7 ⇓ 3.81% | 110.26 | 114.5 / 102.0 C: 108.9 ⇓ 3.46% | 110.06 | 113.0 / 108.1 AZIZPIPES | 0.39 | -42.04 | Vol. 22350 D: 17.60 ⇑ 2.33% | 17.61 | 17.80 / 17.40 C: 17.60 ⇑ 0.57% | 17.59 | 18.50 / 17.40 OLYMPIC | 7.85 | 22.10 | Vol. 1028157 D: 225.0 ⇑ 2.69% | 223.81 | 226.5 / 210.0 C: 225.3 ⇑ 2.64% | 224.33 | 227.5 / 222.0 BDLAMPS | -5.31 | 37.07 | Vol. 16268 D: 138.2 ⇑ 1.77% | 139.24 | 141.0 / 135.0 C: 137.8 ⇑ 2.76% | 138.11 | 138.9 / 135.0 ECABLES | 2.04 | 18.87 | Vol. 32800 D: 80.90 ⇑ 0.50% | 80.95 | 81.10 / 78.50 C: 72.20 ⇓ 9.30% | 72.20 | 72.20 / 72.20 MONNOSTAF | 5.31 | 44.78 | Vol. 1550 D: 328.5 ⇑ 8.17% | 327.74 | 330.2 / 319.5 SINGERBD | 9.99 | 45.74 | Vol. 151012 D: 204.5 ⇑ 0.00% | 205.49 | 209.0 / 197.0 C: 205.6 ⇑ 0.34% | 206.49 | 209.0 / 204.0 ATLASBANG | 9.14 | 222.05 | Vol. 127562 D: 174.1 ⇑ 1.04% | 176.33 | 181.0 / 156.0 BDAUTOCA | -0.43 | 5.68 | Vol. 68250 D: 31.20 ⇓ 0.95% | 32.41 | 33.50 / 31.00 QSMDRYCELL | 1.06 | 52.31 | Vol. 673955 D: 36.60 ⇑ 2.23% | 37.04 | 38.00 / 32.50 C: 36.90 ⇑ 1.37% | 36.98 | 37.80 / 36.00 BDTHAI | 0.43 | 39.35 | Vol. 488520 D: 27.80 ⇑ 0.36% | 28.35 | 29.00 / 27.00 C: 27.80 ⇓ 0.36% | 28.04 | 28.80 / 27.70 ANWARGALV | 0.52 | 8.10 | Vol. 273000 D: 24.20 ⇓ 2.42% | 24.71 | 25.50 / 24.00 C: 24.50 ⇓ 0.81% | 24.66 | 26.30 / 24.20 KAY&QUE | -3.89 | 6.03 | Vol. 10000 D: 16.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 16.00 | 16.10 / 16.00 RANFOUNDRY | 2.84 | 18.62 | Vol. 71000 D: 90.10 ⇑ 0.11% | 90.82 | 93.00 / 88.00 C: 89.50 ⇑ 4.19% | 89.76 | 92.00 / 89.10 SALAMCRST | 3.31 | 20.00 | Vol. 1062750 D: 44.60 ⇑ 0.90% | 44.98 | 45.60 / 42.00 C: 44.60 ⇑ 0.22% | 44.85 | 45.30 / 44.20 GOLDENSON | 3.70 | 28.70 | Vol. 3631298 D: 52.00 ⇑ 4.00% | 52.45 | 55.00 / 45.00 C: 52.10 ⇑ 4.62% | 52.38 | 54.10 / 51.00 BSRMSTEEL | 3.06 | 19.53 | Vol. 877373 D: 76.70 ⇑ 0.92% | 75.60 | 79.00 / 69.00 C: 76.10 ⇑ 0.26% | 75.40 | 77.00 / 74.90 NAVANACNG | 4.09 | 27.04 | Vol. 248528 D: 67.80 ⇓ 1.02% | 68.31 | 75.00 / 62.50 C: 68.10 ⇓ 0.58% | 68.78 | 69.90 / 67.70 DESHBANDHU | 0.26 | 10.67 | Vol. 715200 D: 18.60 ⇑ 2.20% | 18.55 | 19.00 / 17.50 C: 18.70 ⇑ 1.08% | 18.64 | 19.00 / 18.00 GPHISPAT | 2.11 | 15.27 | Vol. 445650 D: 47.90 ⇓ 0.21% | 48.43 | 49.50 / 43.50 C: 48.00 ⇑ 0.63% | 48.19 | 48.90 / 48.00 BENGALWTL | 3.85 | 24.30 | Vol. 2412200 D: 57.90 ⇑ 7.02% | 57.62 | 59.50 / 54.10 C: 57.90 ⇑ 8.43% | 57.50 | 58.70 / 54.00 BDBUILDING | 1.33 | 12.70 | Vol. 2344500 D: 59.70 ⇑ 9.54% | 58.65 | 59.90 / 56.00 C: 59.40 ⇑ 9.59% | 58.90 | 59.60 / 56.20 NPOLYMAR | 2.38 | 32.89 | Vol. 236917 D: 51.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 51.30 | 52.40 / 50.00 C: 51.30 ⇓ 0.58% | 51.32 | 53.00 / 50.30

FUEL & POWER LINDEBD | 31.71 | 144.00 | Vol. 14250 D: 638.7 ⇓ 0.56% | 648.42 | 659.0 / 633.0 PADMAOIL | 27.62 | 79.74 | Vol. 400884 D: 336.9 ⇓ 1.35% | 337.86 | 346.2 / 330.0 C: 336.7 ⇓ 0.65% | 336.81 | 342.2 / 332.0 EASTRNLUB | 5.33 | 71.01 | Vol. 950 D: 347.2 ⇑ 4.36% | 347.37 | 348.5 / 340.0 BDWELDING | 0.33 | 16.82 | Vol. 917587 D: 22.20 ⇑ 1.37% | 22.23 | 22.70 / 20.00 C: 22.20 ⇑ 0.45% | 22.39 | 22.70 / 22.00 SUMITPOWER | 3.17 | 19.26 | Vol. 1693007 D: 38.90 ⇑ 1.57% | 38.84 | 39.40 / 35.00 C: 38.90 ⇑ 1.57% | 38.96 | 39.50 / 38.20 DESCO | 2.34 | 31.27 | Vol. 397925 D: 61.70 ⇑ 0.16% | 61.91 | 62.80 / 56.00 C: 61.90 ⇑ 0.81% | 62.30 | 63.50 / 61.20 POWERGRID | 2.19 | 63.69 | Vol. 561952 D: 57.20 ⇑ 5.54% | 56.02 | 58.00 / 52.00 C: 56.00 ⇑ 3.51% | 56.48 | 57.90 / 54.00 JAMUNAOIL | 22.78 | 50.24 | Vol. 877343 D: 244.0 ⇓ 0.93% | 245.04 | 249.0 / 235.0 C: 243.7 ⇓ 1.10% | 244.99 | 249.4 / 240.0 MPETROLEUM | 25.61 | 71.11 | Vol. 882513 D: 287.4 ⇓ 0.93% | 288.74 | 292.9 / 265.0 C: 288.0 ⇓ 0.55% | 288.40 | 292.5 / 286.1 TITASGAS | 9.20 | 46.26 | Vol. 1284146 D: 77.70 ⇓ 1.40% | 77.92 | 78.80 / 71.00 C: 77.90 ⇓ 0.89% | 77.76 | 79.00 / 77.40 KPCL | 4.73 | 15.86 | Vol. 403506 D: 51.30 ⇓ 0.58% | 51.58 | 52.00 / 48.00 C: 51.20 ⇓ 0.97% | 51.32 | 51.90 / 51.10 BEDL | 1.48 | 19.43 | Vol. 2145156 D: 32.70 ⇑ 5.14% | 32.44 | 33.40 / 28.00 C: 32.80 ⇑ 4.79% | 32.30 | 33.00 / 31.30 MJLBD | 2.73 | 30.24 | Vol. 231845 D: 76.40 ⇓ 2.68% | 77.51 | 79.80 / 71.00 C: 77.00 ⇓ 1.28% | 77.40 | 78.80 / 76.80 GBBPOWER | 1.86 | 22.63 | Vol. 2248847 D: 30.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 30.74 | 32.00 / 27.60 C: 30.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 30.74 | 31.20 / 30.40 SPPCL | 3.81 | 23.34 | Vol. 2127530 D: 63.20 ⇓ 0.78% | 64.05 | 65.70 / 58.00 C: 63.50 ⇓ 0.31% | 64.30 | 66.00 / 62.80

FOOD & ALLIED APEXFOODS | 2.54 | 90.81 | Vol. 47600 D: 95.40 ⇓ 0.21% | 96.01 | 97.80 / 94.70 C: 96.00 ⇑ 2.67% | 95.92 | 97.00 / 93.80 BANGAS | 7.20 | 50.27 | Vol. 56960 D: 431.2 ⇑ 1.84% | 430.63 | 437.9 / 410.0 C: 430.6 ⇑ 1.15% | 431.07 | 440.0 / 423.2

JUTE JUTESPINN | -48.14 | -39.89 | Vol. 13050 D: 86.00 ⇑ 9.97% | 86.00 | 86.00 / 86.00 NORTHERN | -9.98 | -18.22 | Vol. 400 D: 25.80 ⇓ 9.47% | 25.80 | 25.80 / 25.80 SONALIANSH | 5.54 | 218.80 | Vol. 11000 D: 145.9 ⇓ 1.02% | 147.27 | 151.8 / 145.1

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2013

7

November 20, 2013 Sectotal Index: BANK: 39,842.10 ⇑ 1.27% NBFI: 21,697.38 ⇑ 0.47% INVS: 4,995.23 ⇑ 1.17% ENGG: 6,441.58 ⇑ 0.93% FOOD: 9,730.31 ⇑ 0.68% F&P: 10,743.24 ⇑ 0.09% TEXT: 3,538.70 ⇑ 2.47% PHAR: 18,378.54 ⇑ 2.07% PAPR: 1,061.32 ⇑ 3.90% SERV: 3,163.85 ⇑ 4.82% LEAT: 5,282.61 ⇓ 0.90% CERA: 531.95 ⇑ 1.73% CMNT: 4,458.67 ⇑ 0.38% INFO: 7,578.05 ⇑ 2.24% GINS: 9,667.53 ⇑ 1.54% LINS: 128,541.54 ⇓ 0.91% TELC: 1,427.50 ⇑ 3.10% MISC: 6,894.33 ⇑ 3.36% TEXTILE AL-HAJTEX | 2.22 | 16.53 | Vol. 247506 D: 92.80 ⇑ 0.65% | 91.87 | 93.60 / 89.00 RAHIMTEXT | 4.65 | 56.68 | Vol. 4800 D: 246.0 ⇓ 3.94% | 245.83 | 251.1 / 241.2 SAIHAMTEX | 2.75 | 29.50 | Vol. 1557700 D: 29.10 ⇑ 1.04% | 29.24 | 29.60 / 28.80 C: 29.40 ⇑ 1.73% | 29.62 | 30.00 / 29.10 MODERNDYE | 0.91 | 10.37 | Vol. 5250 D: 81.10 ⇑ 1.50% | 80.00 | 82.00 / 76.10 DSHGARME | 0.88 | 12.12 | Vol. 83900 D: 68.40 ⇓ 4.20% | 69.07 | 71.30 / 67.70 DULAMIACOT | -1.90 | -29.70 | Vol. 15100 D: 7.60 ⇓ 2.56% | 7.68 | 7.80 / 7.60 TALLUSPIN | 1.75 | 16.17 | Vol. 3761236 D: 38.70 ⇑ 3.20% | 38.45 | 39.40 / 35.00 C: 38.60 ⇑ 2.66% | 38.04 | 39.90 / 37.20 APEXSPINN | 2.01 | 49.32 | Vol. 6800 D: 78.60 ⇑ 2.48% | 78.68 | 81.60 / 75.10 MITHUNKNIT | 2.87 | 20.53 | Vol. 162292 D: 77.70 ⇑ 3.88% | 77.52 | 79.70 / 71.00 C: 77.40 ⇑ 2.25% | 77.89 | 79.80 / 76.70 DELTASPINN | 3.06 | 26.84 | Vol. 1285400 D: 32.40 ⇑ 2.21% | 32.23 | 32.60 / 31.50 C: 32.40 ⇑ 2.53% | 32.24 | 32.80 / 31.10 SONARGAON | 0.27 | 34.50 | Vol. 340155 D: 17.80 ⇑ 3.49% | 17.76 | 18.20 / 17.20 C: 17.60 ⇑ 0.57% | 17.99 | 18.30 / 17.30 PRIMETEX | 1.21 | 59.34 | Vol. 432250 D: 25.70 ⇑ 1.98% | 25.68 | 25.90 / 25.30 C: 25.60 ⇑ 0.39% | 25.64 | 26.10 / 25.20 ALLTEX | -1.26 | 8.10 | Vol. 429500 D: 7.50 ⇑ 1.35% | 7.44 | 7.60 / 7.40 C: 7.40 ⇑ 2.78% | 7.25 | 7.40 / 7.20 ANLIMAYARN | 1.36 | 11.99 | Vol. 326000 D: 27.70 ⇓ 1.07% | 27.93 | 29.40 / 27.50 C: 28.00 ⇓ 2.10% | 28.79 | 29.00 / 28.00 HRTEX | 2.08 | 14.92 | Vol. 200300 D: 37.20 ⇑ 1.09% | 37.24 | 37.80 / 36.50 C: 37.40 ⇓ 2.60% | 37.35 | 38.60 / 36.70 CMCKAMAL | 1.37 | 19.31 | Vol. 2427059 D: 32.40 ⇑ 0.31% | 32.85 | 33.70 / 29.30 SAFKOSPINN | 0.95 | 21.78 | Vol. 621210 D: 25.70 ⇑ 1.58% | 25.91 | 26.50 / 23.00 C: 25.60 ⇑ 1.19% | 26.03 | 26.40 / 25.50 SQUARETEXT | 4.32 | 31.82 | Vol. 156958 D: 94.10 ⇑ 0.64% | 94.72 | 95.40 / 89.00 C: 94.10 ⇑ 1.84% | 94.55 | 95.00 / 93.90 METROSPIN | 0.56 | 17.71 | Vol. 1848828 D: 20.70 ⇑ 8.95% | 20.25 | 20.90 / 17.30 C: 20.80 ⇑ 9.47% | 20.33 | 20.90 / 19.00 MAKSONSPIN | 0.16 | 20.55 | Vol. 4612553 D: 17.50 ⇑ 4.17% | 17.39 | 18.00 / 15.20 C: 17.60 ⇑ 3.53% | 17.39 | 18.00 / 16.90 DACCADYE | 1.02 | 28.44 | Vol. 1075248 D: 28.20 ⇑ 2.17% | 28.07 | 28.50 / 25.00 C: 28.30 ⇑ 1.43% | 28.12 | 28.50 / 27.80 RNSPIN | 2.80 | 16.58 | Vol. 7949410 D: 36.60 ⇑ 6.71% | 35.94 | 37.50 / 31.00 C: 36.70 ⇑ 6.69% | 36.17 | 37.80 / 34.40 BXSYNTH | 0.93 | 25.42 | Vol. 1480720 D: 18.20 ⇑ 4.00% | 18.30 | 18.80 / 16.00 C: 18.30 ⇑ 3.39% | 18.33 | 18.70 / 17.50 MALEKSPIN | 2.81 | 43.48 | Vol. 6430460 D: 31.30 ⇑ 3.99% | 31.21 | 32.10 / 27.50 C: 31.40 ⇑ 3.29% | 30.99 | 32.00 / 29.50 ZAHINTEX | 1.20 | 31.07 | Vol. 958950 D: 27.20 ⇑ 2.64% | 27.38 | 28.00 / 25.00 C: 27.50 ⇑ 2.61% | 27.46 | 27.90 / 27.00 SAIHAMCOT | 1.92 | 23.62 | Vol. 1696750 D: 26.70 ⇑ 1.91% | 26.56 | 27.00 / 25.70 C: 26.50 ⇑ 1.15% | 26.58 | 26.90 / 25.80 GENNEXT | 1.68 | 15.15 | Vol. 9267884 D: 33.60 ⇓ 0.59% | 33.99 | 34.90 / 31.00 C: 33.60 ⇓ 1.18% | 33.91 | 34.90 / 33.30 ENVOYTEX | 3.19 | 39.00 | Vol. 2451740 D: 58.90 ⇑ 1.55% | 59.25 | 60.80 / 52.20 C: 58.90 ⇑ 1.55% | 59.27 | 60.50 / 58.20 ARGONDENIM | 1.89 | 38.86 | Vol. 862105 D: 67.40 ⇓ 3.44% | 69.05 | 70.40 / 63.00 C: 68.10 ⇓ 3.54% | 68.68 | 70.00 / 67.20 FAMILYTEX | 3.72 | 14.68 | Vol. 983500 D: 54.90 ⇑ 2.04% | 55.23 | 56.00 / 54.50 C: 54.40 ⇑ 1.87% | 54.91 | 55.80 / 54.10 PTL | 2.25 | 21.72 | Vol. 4405250 D: 48.80 ⇑ 7.02% | 46.87 | 49.80 / 44.80 C: 48.80 ⇑ 6.09% | 46.95 | 49.90 / 45.00 PHARMACEUTICAL & CHEMICAL AMBEEPHA | 3.94 | 26.15 | Vol. 10189 D: 266.6 ⇑ 0.38% | 269.20 | 273.4 / 265.0 C: 269.6 ⇑ 2.67% | 265.82 | 271.9 / 265.0

BXPHARMA | 3.77 | 52.55 | Vol. 871293 D: 48.90 ⇑ 0.41% | 49.34 | 50.30 / 44.00 C: 49.10 ⇑ 0.61% | 49.55 | 50.50 / 48.90 GLAXOSMITH | 20.25 | 123.32 | Vol. 1650 D: 992.6 ⇑ 0.03% | 992.73 | 1020 / 949.5 ACI | -5.82 | 126.42 | Vol. 43524 D: 174.9 ⇓ 1.69% | 178.79 | 182.0 / 168.0 C: 175.0 ⇑ 0.69% | 175.06 | 176.9 / 173.0 RENATA | 33.57 | 138.83 | Vol. 13300 D: 746.3 ⇑ 0.40% | 749.77 | 759.9 / 744.5 RECKITTBEN | 27.16 | 78.89 | Vol. 1750 D: 902.1 ⇑ 5.97% | 902.29 | 909.0 / 899.0 PHARMAID | 1.39 | 26.19 | Vol. 39750 D: 165.9 ⇑ 1.28% | 165.33 | 167.0 / 164.0 KOHINOOR | 14.33 | 19.99 | Vol. 1500 D: 407.3 ⇓ 3.00% | 407.33 | 421.0 / 400.0 IBNSINA | 3.44 | 34.02 | Vol. 86070 D: 107.7 ⇓ 2.62% | 109.55 | 112.0 / 102.0 C: 108.4 ⇓ 1.72% | 109.97 | 113.0 / 107.0 ORIONINFU | 1.27 | 7.00 | Vol. 426500 D: 45.10 ⇑ 4.64% | 44.60 | 45.70 / 43.40 C: 44.90 ⇑ 2.98% | 44.92 | 46.00 / 44.50 SQURPHARMA | 6.93 | 37.18 | Vol. 942316 D: 194.4 ⇑ 3.57% | 193.78 | 196.0 / 175.0 C: 193.7 ⇑ 3.25% | 192.84 | 194.5 / 187.5 IMAMBUTTON | -1.51 | 4.16 | Vol. 24500 D: 7.70 ⇓ 2.53% | 7.76 | 7.90 / 7.50 C: 8.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.55 | 8.00 / 7.40 KEYACOSMET | 1.55 | 21.54 | Vol. 3042912 D: 27.40 ⇑ 2.24% | 27.56 | 29.00 / 25.00 C: 27.40 ⇑ 1.48% | 27.57 | 28.00 / 26.00 BERGERPBL | 32.46 | 100.20 | Vol. 1100 D: 867.1 ⇓ 4.37% | 867.27 | 870.0 / 865.0 ACIFORMULA | 3.33 | 38.08 | Vol. 66100 D: 78.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 78.70 | 80.60 / 78.10 C: 79.40 ⇑ 1.53% | 79.54 | 80.00 / 78.50 MARICO | 27.53 | 62.47 | Vol. 12250 D: 774.8 ⇑ 3.14% | 763.44 | 784.0 / 750.0 C: 780.0 ⇑ 2.05% | 780.00 | 780.0 / 780.0 BEACONPHAR | 0.04 | 12.01 | Vol. 610050 D: 12.20 ⇑ 1.67% | 12.19 | 12.30 / 11.00 C: 12.30 ⇑ 0.82% | 12.14 | 13.00 / 11.50 ACTIVEFINE | 3.23 | 13.89 | Vol. 1129961 D: 88.40 ⇓ 2.64% | 90.53 | 94.80 / 84.00 C: 88.80 ⇓ 2.42% | 90.19 | 93.00 / 88.00 SALVOCHEM | 0.68 | 10.57 | Vol. 1095404 D: 21.80 ⇓ 1.36% | 21.93 | 22.20 / 20.00 C: 21.90 ⇓ 1.35% | 21.99 | 22.20 / 21.70 GHCL | 2.14 | 57.31 | Vol. 988000 D: 54.70 ⇓ 3.36% | 55.46 | 57.50 / 54.30 C: 54.90 ⇓ 3.68% | 55.78 | 58.00 / 54.40 ORIONPHARM | 5.02 | 68.68 | Vol. 2121420 D: 61.20 ⇑ 4.79% | 60.95 | 62.20 / 53.00 C: 61.30 ⇑ 4.25% | 61.08 | 62.40 / 55.50 JMISMDL | 1.12 | 12.83 | Vol. 229500 D: 195.9 ⇓ 4.25% | 199.36 | 210.0 / 195.2 C: 196.6 ⇓ 3.72% | 198.73 | 208.0 / 193.1 CENTRALPHL | 1.62 | 12.24 | Vol. 1596500 D: 32.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 32.61 | 33.70 / 31.80 C: 32.20 ⇑ 0.31% | 32.86 | 33.80 / 32.00 PAPER & PACKAGING HAKKANIPUL | 0.51 | 31.01 | Vol. 64500 D: 28.60 ⇑ 2.51% | 29.10 | 29.80 / 28.50 C: 28.90 ⇑ 4.33% | 29.37 | 30.40 / 28.50 SERVICE SAMORITA | 3.24 | 74.65 | Vol. 100500 D: 124.4 ⇑ 0.81% | 122.97 | 124.9 / 120.0 C: 123.3 ⇑ 5.29% | 123.44 | 124.5 / 123.0 SAPORTL | 1.23 | 38.39 | Vol. 1905238 D: 30.90 ⇑ 7.67% | 30.72 | 31.50 / 26.50 C: 31.00 ⇑ 6.90% | 30.71 | 31.50 / 29.10 EHL | 2.81 | 18.44 | Vol. 885266 D: 52.40 ⇑ 0.58% | 52.82 | 54.00 / 50.00 C: 52.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 52.93 | 54.00 / 52.30

LEATHER APEXTANRY | 6.57 | 69.38 | Vol. 129000 D: 124.6 ⇓ 1.74% | 125.95 | 128.7 / 122.0 C: 123.7 ⇓ 2.60% | 125.27 | 127.0 / 123.1 BATASHOE | 49.12 | 135.53 | Vol. 6300 D: 736.2 ⇑ 0.63% | 739.05 | 749.9 / 730.0 APEXADELFT | 23.01 | 203.26 | Vol. 68000 D: 399.1 ⇑ 0.25% | 401.18 | 409.0 / 396.0 C: 390.0 ⇓ 1.27% | 398.60 | 401.0 / 390.0 SAMATALETH | 0.22 | 12.93 | Vol. 11500 D: 14.00 ⇑ 0.72% | 14.09 | 14.40 / 13.90 LEGACYFOOT | 0.63 | 17.19 | Vol. 426075 D: 34.30 ⇓ 1.72% | 34.87 | 35.90 / 31.50 C: 34.50 ⇓ 1.43% | 34.88 | 35.50 / 34.40 CERAMIC MONNOCERA | 0.35 | 95.30 | Vol. 79627 D: 33.20 ⇑ 3.75% | 33.09 | 33.50 / 32.40 C: 33.40 ⇑ 2.14% | 33.16 | 33.50 / 32.90 STANCERAM | 1.12 | 15.49 | Vol. 13500 D: 39.20 ⇓ 3.69% | 39.28 | 40.70 / 38.80 C: 38.60 ⇓ 1.03% | 38.60 | 38.60 / 38.60 FUWANGCER | 0.65 | 12.70 | Vol. 844600 D: 18.80 ⇑ 1.62% | 18.81 | 19.00 / 17.00 C: 18.80 ⇑ 1.62% | 18.78 | 19.00 / 18.40 SPCERAMICS | 0.62 | 30.92 | Vol. 1304442 D: 18.90 ⇑ 5.59% | 18.77 | 19.10 / 16.50 C: 18.90 ⇑ 5.00% | 18.77 | 19.00 / 18.00 RAKCERAMIC | 1.98 | 16.76 | Vol. 469231 D: 53.80 ⇑ 0.56% | 54.24 | 55.00 / 48.50 C: 53.80 ⇑ 0.75% | 54.05 | 54.80 / 53.50 CEMENT HEIDELBCEM | 22.85 | 111.50 | Vol. 131030 D: 402.9 ⇓ 0.32% | 407.61 | 415.0 / 401.0 C: 402.2 ⇓ 1.16% | 404.93 | 412.0 / 401.0 CONFIDCEM | 6.23 | 90.76 | Vol. 338529 D: 129.2 ⇓ 0.84% | 130.31 | 133.5 / 128.0 C: 129.4 ⇓ 0.92% | 130.57 | 133.0 / 129.0 MEGHNACEM | 6.28 | 33.81 | Vol. 241800 D: 136.2 ⇑ 3.10% | 137.30 | 140.7 / 134.2 C: 137.9 ⇑ 3.06% | 137.88 | 142.0 / 135.0 ARAMITCEM | 3.03 | 14.65 | Vol. 174710 D: 76.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 77.17 | 79.50 / 70.00 C: 77.20 ⇓ 1.40% | 77.65 | 80.90 / 76.00 LAFSURCEML | 1.60 | 7.22 | Vol. 782000 D: 32.40 ⇑ 0.93% | 32.53 | 32.90 / 32.00 C: 32.80 ⇑ 1.86% | 32.77 | 33.40 / 31.50 MICEMENT | 4.48 | 37.67 | Vol. 337800 D: 88.20 ⇑ 0.11% | 89.11 | 90.20 / 82.00 C: 88.50 ⇑ 0.68% | 89.10 | 89.80 / 87.50 PREMIERCEM | 5.00 | 32.60 | Vol. 658000 D: 106.4 ⇓ 1.66% | 108.92 | 113.0 / 105.6 C: 106.5 ⇓ 1.57% | 109.06 | 112.8 / 106.0 IT IINDUSTRIES ISNLTD | 0.28 | 17.31 | Vol. 385344 D: 19.00 ⇑ 8.57% | 18.72 | 19.20 / 16.00 C: 18.70 ⇑ 8.09% | 18.49 | 19.00 / 17.70 BDCOM | 1.40 | 14.41 | Vol. 657744 D: 27.40 ⇓ 1.44% | 27.81 | 28.20 / 26.30 C: 27.20 ⇓ 1.09% | 27.92 | 29.40 / 27.10 INTECH | 0.94 | 10.08 | Vol. 733857 D: 16.80 ⇑ 7.01% | 16.68 | 17.20 / 14.60 C: 17.00 ⇑ 8.28% | 16.60 | 17.20 / 14.90 AGNISYSL | 0.96 | 14.90 | Vol. 601031 D: 22.20 ⇑ 2.30% | 22.08 | 22.40 / 21.00 C: 22.20 ⇑ 0.91% | 22.29 | 22.90 / 21.80 DAFODILCOM | 0.85 | 10.99 | Vol. 1240040 D: 14.10 ⇑ 4.44% | 14.00 | 14.30 / 13.70 C: 14.30 ⇑ 5.93% | 14.10 | 14.40 / 13.00 AAMRATECH | 1.33 | 19.91 | Vol. 1208950 D: 33.10 ⇑ 2.48% | 33.09 | 33.50 / 32.10 C: 33.10 ⇑ 1.85% | 33.05 | 33.50 / 32.50

GENERAL INSURANCE BGIC | 1.65 | 20.33 | Vol. 119367 D: 31.60 ⇑ 1.61% | 31.54 | 31.80 / 30.70 C: 31.20 ⇑ 0.65% | 31.29 | 32.00 / 31.00 GREENDELT | 4.05 | 64.44 | Vol. 106690 D: 83.50 ⇑ 2.20% | 84.55 | 86.00 / 75.00 C: 84.40 ⇑ 1.81% | 84.84 | 86.00 / 84.00 UNITEDINS | 2.47 | 21.04 | Vol. 17700 D: 45.10 ⇑ 0.89% | 45.31 | 45.80 / 44.40 PEOPLESINS | 2.05 | 20.72 | Vol. 359215 D: 35.70 ⇓ 0.83% | 36.44 | 37.20 / 35.20 C: 36.20 ⇓ 1.36% | 36.16 | 36.30 / 36.10 EASTERNINS | 2.22 | 35.88 | Vol. 60291 D: 40.50 ⇑ 4.11% | 40.08 | 40.80 / 38.90 C: 39.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 38.00 | 39.90 / 39.90 JANATAINS | 0.78 | 17.07 | Vol. 337520 D: 29.10 ⇑ 2.46% | 29.06 | 29.50 / 26.00 C: 29.40 ⇑ 2.80% | 29.27 | 29.50 / 28.30 PHENIXINS | 2.70 | 20.96 | Vol. 111911 D: 46.10 ⇑ 0.88% | 46.02 | 46.90 / 42.00 C: 46.70 ⇑ 1.97% | 46.65 | 47.30 / 46.00 EASTLAND | 4.06 | 23.29 | Vol. 393460 D: 51.90 ⇑ 2.77% | 52.00 | 52.70 / 45.50 C: 51.90 ⇑ 3.80% | 52.22 | 53.00 / 51.60 CENTRALINS | 1.54 | 19.04 | Vol. 119648 D: 32.00 ⇑ 2.24% | 32.11 | 32.70 / 30.20 C: 32.00 ⇑ 5.26% | 32.00 | 32.00 / 32.00 KARNAPHULI | 1.56 | 19.42 | Vol. 220380 D: 26.10 ⇑ 3.98% | 26.02 | 26.30 / 25.60 RUPALIINS | 2.76 | 23.38 | Vol. 345460 D: 35.60 ⇑ 2.89% | 35.60 | 35.80 / 33.00 C: 35.70 ⇑ 2.00% | 35.56 | 35.70 / 35.10 FEDERALINS | 1.10 | 10.98 | Vol. 670911 D: 26.60 ⇑ 1.92% | 26.43 | 27.00 / 24.00 C: 26.80 ⇑ 1.90% | 26.49 | 26.80 / 26.10 RELIANCINS | 3.93 | 61.52 | Vol. 8310 D: 75.40 ⇓ 0.53% | 75.21 | 75.50 / 69.00 PURABIGEN | 1.05 | 18.71 | Vol. 607045 D: 25.60 ⇑ 1.99% | 25.71 | 26.20 / 23.00 PRAGATIINS | 2.01 | 50.30 | Vol. 68533 D: 61.50 ⇑ 1.49% | 61.31 | 62.80 / 58.00 PRIMEINSUR | 2.14 | 14.14 | Vol. 153497 D: 34.30 ⇑ 1.18% | 35.19 | 35.90 / 33.00 PIONEERINS | 3.11 | 23.84 | Vol. 175372 D: 72.40 ⇑ 4.02% | 72.02 | 73.00 / 69.00 MERCINS | 1.53 | 14.50 | Vol. 395218 D: 29.10 ⇑ 0.34% | 29.41 | 30.00 / 26.10 C: 29.50 ⇑ 2.08% | 29.48 | 30.00 / 29.10 AGRANINS | 1.73 | 14.39 | Vol. 160168 D: 28.40 ⇑ 2.16% | 28.35 | 28.90 / 26.90 GLOBALINS | 1.09 | 11.78 | Vol. 83638 D: 30.60 ⇑ 0.99% | 30.85 | 31.40 / 29.00 NITOLINS | 2.59 | 15.41 | Vol. 52946 D: 36.00 ⇑ 1.12% | 35.98 | 36.80 / 33.00 ASIAPACINS | 1.84 | 13.76 | Vol. 78000 D: 32.10 ⇑ 2.56% | 32.31 | 32.80 / 31.30 C: 32.00 ⇑ 0.31% | 32.09 | 32.60 / 31.30 SONARBAINS | 1.68 | 13.38 | Vol. 192710 D: 27.00 ⇑ 3.85% | 26.99 | 27.30 / 25.00 C: 27.10 ⇑ 5.04% | 27.02 | 27.30 / 26.20 PARAMOUNT | 1.26 | 13.19 | Vol. 304800 D: 26.20 ⇑ 0.77% | 26.45 | 27.20 / 24.00 C: 27.10 ⇑ 3.44% | 26.95 | 27.40 / 26.90 CITYGENINS | 1.65 | 14.26 | Vol. 161308 D: 30.60 ⇑ 1.66% | 30.86 | 31.30 / 28.00 C: 30.70 ⇑ 4.07% | 30.71 | 31.40 / 30.00 CONTININS | 1.41 | 15.68 | Vol. 327577 D: 32.70 ⇑ 1.55% | 32.99 | 33.60 / 32.20 C: 32.50 ⇑ 1.56% | 32.98 | 33.30 / 32.50 TAKAFULINS | 2.19 | 15.17 | Vol. 581997 D: 43.00 ⇑ 2.38% | 43.28 | 43.70 / 41.00 C: 43.20 ⇑ 1.89% | 43.51 | 44.00 / 42.50 STANDARINS | 2.58 | 13.99 | Vol. 22143 D: 41.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 41.54 | 42.90 / 38.00 C: 40.00 ⇓ 5.88% | 40.00 | 40.00 / 40.00 NORTHRNINS | 1.77 | 11.15 | Vol. 113827 D: 44.80 ⇑ 1.82% | 44.74 | 45.30 / 40.00 C: 44.40 ⇑ 0.91% | 43.15 | 44.40 / 42.10 REPUBLIC | 2.14 | 12.42 | Vol. 361919 D: 45.70 ⇑ 1.56% | 46.10 | 46.70 / 44.00 C: 45.80 ⇑ 1.55% | 45.75 | 46.10 / 45.00 ASIAINS | 1.56 | 17.34 | Vol. 159778 D: 29.50 ⇑ 3.15% | 29.54 | 30.00 / 27.00 C: 29.30 ⇑ 1.03% | 29.60 | 30.00 / 29.00 ISLAMIINS | 1.29 | 11.96 | Vol. 427239 D: 36.70 ⇓ 3.42% | 37.51 | 40.40 / 34.80 C: 37.90 ⇑ 4.70% | 37.90 | 37.90 / 37.90

PROVATIINS | 1.90 | 14.30 | Vol. 91500 D: 31.00 ⇑ 1.97% | 31.08 | 31.60 / 30.20 C: 30.90 ⇑ 0.98% | 30.90 | 31.00 / 30.70 DHAKAINS | 2.84 | 18.02 | Vol. 402000 D: 45.80 ⇑ 6.76% | 45.09 | 46.30 / 40.00 C: 45.70 ⇑ 6.78% | 45.32 | 46.90 / 44.40 LIFE INSURANCE NATLIFEINS | 12.34 | 80.99 | Vol. 16676 D: 260.6 ⇑ 2.76% | 262.47 | 269.0 / 250.0 C: 261.0 ⇑ 1.16% | 262.50 | 269.0 / 260.0 DELTALIFE | 38.53 | 189.40 | Vol. 16350 D: 320.5 ⇓ 8.74% | 320.50 | 320.5 / 320.5 C: 340.6 ⇓ 7.70% | 340.16 | 350.0 / 336.8 SANDHANINS | 2.39 | 28.22 | Vol. 92303 D: 75.50 ⇑ 2.58% | 75.44 | 76.90 / 70.00 C: 75.50 ⇑ 4.43% | 75.46 | 76.00 / 70.00 POPULARLIF | 3.70 | 715.41 | Vol. 112297 D: 246.8 ⇓ 0.80% | 245.04 | 260.0 / 230.0 FAREASTLIF | 9.21 | 60.79 | Vol. 145080 D: 98.90 ⇑ 2.59% | 99.86 | 102.6 / 90.00 C: 100.1 ⇑ 2.35% | 101.01 | 99.80 / 100.0 MEGHNALIFE | 10.82 | 48.87 | Vol. 336650 D: 114.6 ⇑ 4.95% | 114.19 | 116.2 / 110.0 C: 111.3 ⇑ 1.64% | 112.68 | 115.4 / 111.3 PROGRESLIF | 2.30 | 31.45 | Vol. 44510 D: 116.1 ⇑ 9.22% | 114.90 | 116.9 / 107.0 PRAGATILIF | 0.60 | 30.15 | Vol. 218204 D: 144.0 ⇑ 9.92% | 140.67 | 144.1 / 120.0 PRIMELIFE | 5.51 | 27.10 | Vol. 57707 D: 101.8 ⇑ 5.38% | 100.27 | 104.9 / 90.00 C: 102.0 ⇑ 5.05% | 100.36 | 99.90 / 100.0 RUPALILIFE | 3.75 | 31.25 | Vol. 345280 D: 108.0 ⇑ 9.98% | 106.19 | 108.0 / 96.20 C: 108.3 ⇑ 9.39% | 108.03 | 108.9 / 100.1 PADMALIFE | 1.63 | 25.76 | Vol. 121320 D: 61.00 ⇑ 3.21% | 60.56 | 61.40 / 57.00 C: 61.30 ⇑ 3.55% | 60.58 | 61.80 / 59.90 SUNLIFEINS | 0.00 | 0.00 | Vol. 328400 D: 59.00 ⇑ 2.43% | 59.38 | 60.30 / 52.00 C: 59.20 ⇑ 3.14% | 59.23 | 60.00 / 58.50 TELECOM GP | 12.96 | 26.26 | Vol. 2061200 D: 215.3 ⇑ 4.26% | 212.01 | 216.5 / 207.0 C: 214.4 ⇑ 3.78% | 211.90 | 215.9 / 207.0 BSCCL | 5.82 | 26.38 | Vol. 646120 D: 184.7 ⇑ 0.76% | 185.35 | 190.0 / 171.0 C: 185.0 ⇑ 0.82% | 185.43 | 190.0 / 180.0 TRAVEL & LEISURE UNITEDAIR | 1.10 | 12.87 | Vol. 17382606 D: 17.70 ⇑ 6.63% | 17.55 | 18.00 / 15.20 C: 17.80 ⇑ 7.23% | 17.53 | 18.00 / 16.00 UNIQUEHRL | 4.02 | 86.29 | Vol. 879535 D: 86.00 ⇑ 2.38% | 85.93 | 86.80 / 75.60 C: 85.80 ⇑ 1.90% | 85.87 | 86.60 / 84.60 MISCELLANEOUS ARAMIT | 16.07 | 99.93 | Vol. 42400 D: 358.1 ⇓ 3.09% | 365.25 | 379.0 / 356.1 C: 360.0 ⇑ 0.00% | 360.00 | 360.0 / 360.0 BSC | 1.77 | 565.82 | Vol. 136565 D: 468.3 ⇑ 4.00% | 460.46 | 480.0 / 450.3 C: 469.8 ⇑ 4.28% | 460.91 | 478.0 / 447.0 GQBALLPEN | 6.55 | 250.45 | Vol. 79850 D: 148.3 ⇑ 0.75% | 149.97 | 152.5 / 147.7 C: 147.7 ⇑ 1.16% | 148.78 | 151.5 / 147.4 USMANIAGL | 3.45 | 27.20 | Vol. 121134 D: 136.8 ⇑ 4.59% | 135.88 | 139.0 / 126.0 C: 136.5 ⇑ 3.88% | 135.88 | 137.5 / 134.0 SAVAREFR | 0.14 | 10.57 | Vol. 300 D: 56.50 ⇑ 2.54% | 56.67 | 58.00 / 56.00 BEXIMCO | 3.24 | 86.74 | Vol. 6639867 D: 38.10 ⇑ 7.63% | 37.77 | 38.90 / 32.00 C: 38.10 ⇑ 7.32% | 37.65 | 38.50 / 36.00 SINOBANGLA | 1.75 | 21.01 | Vol. 237000 D: 22.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 22.09 | 22.40 / 21.90 C: 22.30 ⇑ 0.90% | 22.25 | 22.50 / 21.90 MIRACLEIND | 0.09 | 14.41 | Vol. 795000 D: 16.30 ⇑ 3.82% | 16.06 | 16.30 / 15.20 C: 16.30 ⇑ 3.82% | 16.19 | 16.50 / 15.70 BOND IBBLPBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 315 D: 985.0 ⇑ 0.82% | 983.87 | 987.8 / 980.3 C: 961.0 ⇑ 0.73% | 961.00 | 961.0 / 961.0 ACIZCBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 36 D: 884.5 ⇑ 0.11% | 888.89 | 890.0 / 880.0

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2013

Bernanke says economy ‘still far’ from ideal n AFP, Washington Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Tuesday the economy remains far from where the Fed wants to see it and that the US central bank is still committed to its stimulus policies.

Bernanke gave no hint as to when Fed policymakers might begin cutting back its $85bn a month in asset purchases, saying they remain “committed to maintaining highly accommodative policies for as long as they are needed.”

“The economy has made significant progress since the depths of the recession,” he said in a prepared speech to be delivered to a group of economists on Tuesday evening.

“However, we are still far from where we would like to be, and, consequently, it may be some time before monetary policy returns to more normal settings.”

In the speech to the National Economists Club about the Fed’s attempt to better communicate its policies, Bernanke said investors overreacted earlier this year when they sent US interest rates sharply higher.

That came in May and June after Bernanke spelled out the Federal Open Market Committee’s tentative plans for cutting its stimulus beginning late this year and ending it entirely by mid-2014.

The rise in rates at that time “was neither welcome nor warranted, in the judgment of the FOMC,” he said.

“This change in expectations did not correspond to any actual lessening in the FOMC’s commitment” to support growth.

That misinterpretation led to the shock in September when the FOMC went against expectations and did not begin the taper of the stimulus program.

US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke addresses the National Economists Club annual dinner at the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington But Bernanke said that only forced investors and traders to pay more attention to the FOMC’s stated forecast to hold interest rates ultra-low through 2015.

Now, he said, rates are in line with monetary policy.

“In particular, following the decision, longer-term rates fell and expectations of

short-term rates derived from financial market prices showed, and continue to show, a pattern more consistent with the guidance.”

Bernanke, with about 11 weeks left in his eight year tenure as Fed chair, reiterated the FOMC’s commitment in its easy-money stance in precise parallel with what his designated successor, Fed vice-chair Janet Yellen, told a

GDP in percent. change on previous year 11.2

10 9.6

China

8 6.2 6

7.5

Indonesia 5.7

6 5.2

India

5.7

Turkey

4.1

South Africa

3.7

-2

Russia

2.9

-4

Brazil

2.5

4 3.6 2 0

0.7

-6 -8

2008

Source: OECD, AFP

-7.8

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Senate panel last week.

The Fed believes that on balance the asset purchase program is helping economic growth, even if the impact lessens over time, he said.

In addition, even if the $85bn a month program is ended over the next year, the Fed is likely to hold interest rates ultra-low for longer, until it sees growth is firm and self-sustaining. l

1.6bn people on social networks: study n AFP, Washington

OECD growth forecasts: emerging countries 12

REUTERS

2015

An estimated 1.61bn people, more than one in five globally, will log in to social networking sites at least monthly this year, the research firm eMarketer said Tuesday.

The study said the number was up 14.2% from a year ago and growth will push that number up to 2.33bn by 2017.

The highest penetration of social network users, according to eMarketer, is in the Netherlands, at 63.5%. Norway was second at 63.3%, followed by Sweden (56.4%), South Korea (54.4%), Denmark (53.3%), the United States (51.7%) and Finland (51.3%).

A majority of residents were also on social networks in Canada (51.2%) and Britain (50.2%, according to the report based on data from research firms, government agencies, media outlets and company reports.

The 1.61bn figure represented 22% of the world’s estimated population, the survey said.

The report said India is seeing the highest growth this year of 37.4%, though only 7.7% of the population uses social networks.

Indonesia’s numbers will climb 28.7% and Mexico will grow by 21.1%, eMarketer said.

All three of those countries are also highgrowth areas for Facebook, the world’s largest social network with more than one billion users. l