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Agrahayan 13, 1420 Muharram 22, 1435 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 1 No 243

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2013 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

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First-day blockade kills seven I’ll convey your concern Communications with Dhaka cut off from the rest of the country n Tribune Report At least seven people including a member of Border Guard Bangladesh were killed and several hundred injured in violence around the country on the first day of the 48-hour blockade enforced by the BNP-led 18-party alliance.

The BGB member and a rickshaw-puller were killed in Comilla, a Jubo League leader and a Swechchha Sebok League leader in Satkhira, a Jubo Dal leader in Bogra and a pedestrian in Sirajganj.

Many of the injured who sustained wounds in bomb blasts, arsons and other clashes were said to be in critical conditions.

Road, rail and waterway communications were almost fully snapped due to the countrywide blockade, nearly completely cut off Dhaka from the rest of the country.

Rail communication suffered the most as blockade supporters uprooted tracks and slippers in several places resulting in derailments and injuries to

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around 100. Train compartments were torched and opposition protesters attacked railway stations, passengers and officials.

Satkhira

Jubo League Deyara union unit leader Mahmudul Hasan Babu, 30, was hacked to death around 11am yesterday. He was on his way to his shop on his motorbike when opposition men pounced on him.

Five hours later, Rabiul Islam, leader of Deraya union unit Swechchha Sebok League, was beaten to death by opposition men in the Deraya bazar area.

Comilla

BGB member Ripon, 25, and rickshaw-puller Md Babul, 40, were shot dead in separate clashes in Comilla  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

to government, Hamid tells civic leaders n Muhammad Zahidul Islam

Residents of the capital’s Kalyanpur hands over a picket (man with unbuttoned shirt) to police. The picket torched the covered van in the photo on the right around 10pm last night DHAKA TRIBUNE

Concerned over the ongoing political turmoil, civil society members yesterday met President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban with a call to initiate informal talks to end the political deadlock.

They requested him to take steps to end the political violence and hold the next parliamentary polls by January 24 next year.

They said the ongoing democratic system must continue with a free, fair and unbiased polls.

Giving them a patient hearing the president said he played a behind-thescenes role within the constitution to end the political impasse, the civil society team led by former foreign minister Dr Kamal Hossain, also the president of Gono Forum, quoted Hamid as saying.

“They have talked to the president on the violence and arson attacks. And

EC may deploy army for a longer period

EC open to rescheduling dates on consensus

n Mohammad Zakaria

Reza Chowdhury and n Kamran Mohammad Zakaria

The Election Commission has planned to deploy the armed forces for a long period, along with regular law enforcement agencies, if required, to maintain law and order ahead of and after the 10th parliamentary polls.

The commission would make the final decision on the issue at its meeting with the law enforcement agencies after examining reports of the intelligence agencies and field level EC offices, EC officials said.

They said the commission had discussed army deployment at its meeting yesterday.

The EC would sit with the chief of

the law enforcement and intelligence agencies at 11am tomorrow at the National Economic Council auditorium, a senior official said.

The EC officials also said they had invited the principle staff officer of the Armed Forces Division, the home secretary, police, Rapid Action Battalion, Border Guard Bangladesh, the Detective and Special branches of police, the Coast Guard, Ansar and the VDP to the meeting.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad yesterday said the commission would discuss the current law and order situation with the law enforcers.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

The Election Commission may change the polls schedule in case of a consensus between the two major parties, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad said yesterday.

“We have announced the election date early. If political parties reach a consensus even now, the commission has no objection to rescheduleing of the dates,” CEC Rakibuddin told reporters.

Election Commissioner Md Shah Newaz told the Dhaka Tribune that the commission had opted for an early announcement of the polls schedule

keeping the possibility of rescheduling to get all the parties in the polls.

The EC last time rescheduled polls three times to make the BNP agree to hold a fully participatory election; the election finally took place on December 29, 2008.

However, many alleged that the announcement of the polls schedule earlier than expected was apparently a tactic to put pressure on the BNP-led opposition parties, especially the smaller ones, to take part in the elections.

Political analysts say election is a key to Bangladesh’s political process.

So, the parties staying out of the polls will face hurdles to keep themselves  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

they requested him to play his due role,” Ihsanul Karim, the president’s press secretary, told reporters after the meeting at the Bangabhaban.

“They have expressed the view that the elections must take place by January 24 in line with the constitution,” he said.

In reply, he said, the president informed the civil society team that he would reach their concern to the government as he did so in the case of the opposition leader making similar appeals.

“You have already seen its impact,” Karim quoted the president as saying to the delegation.

“We have conveyed to the president our concern over the spread of violence and arson attacks. We have also appealed to find a way out of the situation,” Dr Akbar Ali Khan, another member of the team, told the reporters.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

Five advisers to prime minister resign n Mohosinul Karim Five advisers to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned on Tuesday.

Public Administration Affairs Adviser HT Imam, Energy Adviser Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Economic Affairs Adviser Moshiur Rahman, Education Adviser Dr Alauddin Ahmed and Health Adviser Dr Syed Modasser Ali submitted their resignation letters on Tuesday afternoon.

The prime minister’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad confirmed the matter to the Dhaka Tribune.

He said the PM has sent the resignation letters to the cabinet division for further proceedings. The advisers took office in 2009.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Police yesterday chase a group of Jamaat-Shibir activists (not in the picture), who brought out a procession in Old Dhaka’s Patla Khan Lane in support of the nationwide blockade enforced by BNP-lead 18-part alliance (L). BGB and police members are high on alert on the DhakaMawa highway on the first day of the blockade MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU / RAJIB DHAR

Shaheed Milon Day today n BSS Shaheed Dr Milon Day, commemorating the 23rd anniversary of Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Milon's martyrdom, will be observed today across the country.

On this day in 1990, Dr Milon, then joint-secretary general of Bangladesh Medical Association, was gunned down by criminals on Dhaka University campus during the anti-autocracy movement against former military ruler Ershad.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in separate messages paid homage to Milon and recalled his sacrifice for the restoration of democracy. l

Train derailed in Gazipur

n Rayhanul Islam Akond, Gazipur Five compartments including the engine of Agnibina Express, a train that plies on the Dhaka-Mymensingh route, were derailed in Bonkhoria area in Sreepur of Gazipur last night.

Rail communication between Dhaka and Mymensingh was snapped as the compartments derailed while coming to Dhaka around 11pm.

Station Master of Joydebpur railway station Ziauddin Sarder said the train derailed after coming one kilometre from the Rajendrapur station.

The number of casualties and reason behind the accident could not be known immediately as the accident occurred inside the Bhawal forest, Ziauddin said.

Rail communication on that route was suspended because of the accident, the station master added. l

China calls for dialogue n Tribune Report Chinese Ambassador Li Jun called upon the major political parties in Bangladesh to find a solution to the current political crisis through a peaceful dialogue.

“China strongly believes a stable, peaceful and prosperous Bangladesh is in the fundamental interest of Bangladeshi people,” Jun said after a meeting with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali at the ministry on Tuesday.

“As a near neighbour we follow closely what is happening in this brotherly country,” he added.

He said he was encouraged by the foreign minister’s comment that the dialogue was still on and he hoped that a constructive result could be reached. l

AL parliamentary board meeting today

n BSS

A meeting of the Awami League Parliamentary Board will be held at the Dhanmondi office of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina today.

PM’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said the premier would preside over the meeting. l

Law men have to face trial Country wrapped in a security blanket for over-enthusiasm: BNP n n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla The main opposition BNP yesterday warned law enforcers they will face trial for their roles as a “killer force” to repress the opposition’s ongoing political movement.

Talking to journalists, BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi claimed his party had evidence of the degree of “excesses” used by each force in “suppressing” the opposition men.

“You have to face trial for your role as a killer force,” Rizvi said at a media briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters.

Informing the media about the first day of the opposition alliance’s blockade programme, he said the prevailing political crisis would end “only after the resignation of the prime minister from office.”

Rizvi claimed that four had been killed and 1,100 injured during the blockade programme while more than 400 party leaders and activists had been arrested and cases had been

filed against 4,000 men across the country.

Party sources meanwhile said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia might hold a press conference and announce the next course of action if no understanding was reached by this week.

They said no programme had been announced for Thursday as the party wanted to observe the situation currently prevailing in the country.

A senior leader told the Dhaka Tribune that the opposition party might announce hartal or decide to besiege the Election Commission office “depending on the attitude of the administration.”

After the announcement of the polls schedule on Monday, the BNPled 18-party alliance called a 48-hour nationwide rail, road and river route blockade, demanding suspension of the election schedule.

A large number of law enforcers were seen around the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters from early in the morning. However, none of the

party leaders and activists were seen entering or exiting the office.

Criticising the government’s rigid stance on holding elections unilaterally, Rizvi said: “There is no sign from the government side for compromising on the issue of polls-time government. There will be compromise and differences of opinion in politics but being obstinate does not go with democracy.”

He expressed hope that the government’s good sense would prevail soon and the path of compromise would open.

He alleged that students’ lives had been hampered because of the announcement of the polls schedule rather than the political programmes of the opposition parties.

“The subservient Election Commission announced the polls schedule and pushed the country towards confrontation. The election schedule is a joint mockery staged by the incumbent illegal government and the Election Commission,” Rizvi said. l

Rabiul Islam and Mohammad Jamil Khan

The home ministry has issued special instructions to the police force to remain alert after the announcement of the polls schedule and take all necessary steps to fend off all unwanted situations across the country.

The law enforcers will give maximum attention to the security of the capital, while priorities will also be given to areas that have a strong presence of Jamaat-Shibir activists, which include Sylhet, Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Comilla, Chittagong, Noakhali and Jessore.

Additional police personnel have already been deployed at key points of the capital. Along with the regular police force, some plainclothes police and intelligence officials will also stay on duty to detain any suspicious individual.

Moreover, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will also provide support to the law enforcers.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Benazir Ahmed said law enforcers would take all possible stern actions against the groups or people trying to create violence in the name of political

EC may deploy army

EC open to rescheduling

 PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

 PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

Election Commissioner Zabed Ali said: “If the situation demands, the commission may deploy army for a long period to hold the election in a free, fair and neutral manner.”

Normally army is deployed for five to seven days during the national polls.

But the armed forces were deployed for 12 days – the longest period so far – for the February 15, 1996 elections.

Asked if the EC had any involvement in the arrest of BNP Standing Committee member Hannan Shah, Zabed Ali said the arrest had been a routine work of the law enforcers and the commission had no part in it.

He said if the EC faced any problem transporting election materials because of the opposition’s hartal and blockade programmes, it would take action. l

PM's five advisers resign  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

According to sources from the Public Administration Ministry, the role of HT Imam was questioned as he reportedly used to run the ministry and interfere with administrative decisions.

The same allegation also arose against Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury. As the energy ministry did not have any full minister, Towfiq used to run the activities of the ministry. During his tenure, he has given the nod to several rental power plant projects which turned controversial later on.

Dr Syed Modasser Ali had reportedly tried to obstruct a Bangladesh Bank

team from auditing Sonali Bank’s Ruposhi Bangla Hotel branch over the Hall-Mark scam.

Later, the Anti-Corruption Commission dropped his name from the charge sheet as the investigation officers were unable to prove his involvement. However, he had been questioned before and after the filing of the FIR. Moshiur Rahman was allegedly involved with the much-talked-about Padma Bridge Scam.

The World Bank then said it would withdraw the loan cancellation if the government met three of their conditions, including removing Mashiur. l

I’ll convey your concern  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

“An election without the opposition participation will lead to catastrophe.

Free and fair polls are must to sustain democracy. We have to protect democracy,” said the former adviser to the non-party caretaker government.

Replying to a question from the reporters who asked him whether their initiative would end the volcanic political situation, he said, “This is not that it will be resolved; but we hope some-

thing will happen.”

Dr Akbar Ali khan said they had not made any concrete proposal to narrow the political difference over restoration of the non-party caretaker government.

“We have just expressed our concern,” he said.

The delegation also includes former advisers Professor Jamilur Reza Chowdhury and Sultana Kamal, Badiul Alam Majumder and Dr Shahdin Malik. l

united for a long movement against the government.

“Certainly this [declaration of the schedule] is a pressure on us. I think the Election Commission will have to announce a fresh schedule,” Andaleeve Rahman Partho, chief of Bangladesh Jatiya Party, told the Dhaka Tribune.

Leaders of the ruling Awami League say the early polls schedule would create a division among the BNP-led opposition. Politics of some smaller parties like the Bangladesh Jatiya Party and the Liberal Democratic Party are very much concentrated on one or two seats.

“If a single component party leaves

and contests the polls under the interim government headed by Sheikh Hasina, it will demoralise the BNP,” said an Awami League leader.

Andaleeve alleged some of the ministers and MPs wanted to hold a one-sided election early as they were sure of “losing” in case the BNP participated in the polls. Andaleeve’s BJP is one of the components of the BNP-led 18-party alliance and he is the only MP from his party.

Political analyst Nazim Kamran Chowdhury said: “I think the Election Commission has announced the polls schedules to hold the polls hastily.”

“It will not make any difference if

First-day blockade kills seven  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

town and Laksam where around 60 people, including several policemen, were injured. In pre-blockade violence on Monday night, another man was killed in Laksham after being hit by a bomb blast.

Bogra

A local leader of Jubo Dal – BNP’s youth front – was killed and 20 others injured in a clash between police and blockade supporters in the Banani area in Bogra town. The deceased was identified as Yusuf Hossain, 26, organising secretary of ward 21 unit of Jubo Dal. Elsewhere in the district, masked miscreants torched the local election office and lit a fire on the nearby railway track, disrupting train movement.

Sirajganj

A clash between police and opposition men left a pedestrian named Sakman Ali, 40, dead in the Jogainmor area of the Sirajganj town around 8am.

Feni

An auto-rickshaw driver was killed in an attack by blockade supporters in the Feni district township in the evening, police said. Dulal, 40, was hit by a stone hurled by opposition men on the Feni turnaround near the Dhaka-Chittagong highway around 8:30pm, witnesses said. He succumbed to his injuries on his way to the Feni Sadar Hospital.

Dhaka

BNP-Jamaat men torched at least three vehicles, including a motorbike of a police official, and vandalised two ATM booths and several other vehicles alongside clashing with law enforcers in Uttara. Blockade supporters also set a local Awami League office on fire.

The driver of an auto-rickshaw sustained severe burn injuries when opposition men torched his vehicle in front of Eastern Plaza at Hatirpool around 12:30pm. Injured Sobed Ali was admitted to the Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

programmes. The police force is ready to tackle any ongoing situation, he added.

Meanwhile, a law and order coordination cell – formed recently at a home ministry meeting – has also started to perform its duties. An additional secretary (political) of home ministry will supervise the cell.

The monitoring cell will collect information from the district administrations, Bangladesh Police, Ansar, BGB and Bangladesh Coast Guard and the coordinating officer of the cell will give further instruction to them after analysing the collected information.

The monitoring cell will remain open from 9am to 10pm daily including government holidays. Mozakker Ali, joint secretary (political) of the ministry and coordinator of the cell, told the Dhaka Tribune that the monitoring cell has made a roster with three ministry officials.

“The monitoring cell was formed to maintain law and order as the national election is only a month away,” he said.

The officials, who will perform their duty on scheduled, will collect information about any ongoing situation and give further instruction after consulting with relevant officials, Mozakker added. l

the BNP opts out of the polls, even if the smaller parties leave the alliance,” said Nazim Kamran, a former BNP lawmaker.

In the last parliamentary polls, the commission first decided to hold the elections on December 18 and later shifted to December 29 as the BNP gave its nod to contest.

The commission, headed by ATM Shamsul Huda, stretched the date for submitting nomination papers from November 9 to November 20, November 23 and finally to November 30.

The BNP wanted to hold the polls on December 27 while the Awami League wanted it on December 28. The commission fixed December 29 for the polls. l

Another woman sustained severe injuries by being hit by a bomb blast in the Khilgaon area.

Police picked up nine opposition men when they clashed with law enforcers from the Aminbazar area around 10am.

Moreover, reports of blockade supporters sabotaging railway tracks leading to derailment of train compartments and resulting in snapping of railway communication came from various districts including Mymensingh, Jhenaidah, Gaibandha, Brahmanbaria and Jessore.

Opposition men also blocked vehicular movement on highways by burning tires and logs at various places around the country.

Separate clashes between blockade supporters, ruling party men and law enforcers left around 100 people injured in a number of districts including Mymensingh, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Khulna, Gazipur, Habiganj and Jamalpur. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Blockade causes suffering to people Islam Shaon in Dhaka and n Ashif Tarek Mahmud from Chittagong Commuters faced tremendous sufferings yesterday, as road and rail transportation was seriously disrupted on the first day of the opposition-called 48-hour road, rail and waterway blockade.

No train of the east zone of Bangladesh Railway (BR), except one, travelled between Dhaka and Chittagong. The BR authorities were forced to suspend three train schedules, as pickets blocked railway tracks and repeatedly carried out violence at different areas of the zone.

As a result, capital Dhaka and port city Chittagong were almost isolated from other parts of the country.

In the capital, the only people who left home were the ones who had no other choice. Although the number of commuters and vehicles gradually increased as the day progressed, tension prevailed among the commuters throughout the day.

“Tension grasped me as soon as I boarded this bus; although I waited long for a vehicle. It can happen, out of nowhere someone could hurl a petrol bomb or set this bus on fire,” said a panicked Ruhul Amin, a construction company official who boarded a bus from the Matsya Bhaban area.

The passengers – curious about the happenings across the city – also exchanged information about the incidents that occurred during the day.

“I was caught up in a fight between police and pickets at Bangshal. They hurled several cocktails. From there something hit my leg causing bleeding,” Rashedul, a

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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Ershad for magistracy power of army during elections n Manik Miazee Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad yesterday said the army should be given magistracy power during the upcoming election period.

“The army should be provided with magistracy power during the polls to keep the environment suitable,” the JP chief told reporters at his party office yesterday.

The former military strongman also said free and fair elections could not be held in this country without the help of the armed forces.

Ershad, however, complained that although his party was a part of the newly-formed cabinet that will oversee the elections, the government did not consult with JP before announcing the polls schedule.

On Monday, the Election Commission announced that the 10th parliamentary elections would be held on January 5, 2014.

Meanwhile, at a separate press conference yesterday, Mujibur Rahman Juktibadi, a Jatiya Party presidium member, announced that he had left the party.

“Ershad is a leader of ‘national betrayer party’,” Juktibadi said at a press conference held at the National Press Club in the city. He also indicated that many other JP leaders were planning to leave the party because of Ershad’s decision to join the polls-time cabinet, and contest the elections without ensuring the participation of all parties.

On Thursday, the government constituted the polls-time cabinet with the inclusion of six JP members. l

Hannan on 2-day remand n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu People try to catch a train at the Kamalapur Railway Station during office rush hour as they do not have any other option because of the opposition’s nationwide blockade yesterday NASHIRUL ISLAM small-trader said. Failing to catch a bus in the morning, Rashedul also had to spend four-times the usual bus fare on a rickshaw ride from Farmgate to Bangshal.

“Actually, nobody considers our sufferings. We feel helpless,” he said with a sigh of frustration.

Although no bus left Dhaka from the

inter-district bus terminals, people were seen waiting at the terminals, hoping to catch a transport to go to district towns.

However, waterway communication stayed normal.

“So far 51 launches from different northern destinations reached the terminal. Thirteen vessels have left the ghat

and 12 are scheduled to set sail. But these vessels got fewer passengers,” said Senior Deputy Director of the BIWTA Safiul Haque in the evening.

Elsewhere in Chittagong, no inter-city trains, except Meghna Express from Chandpur, arrived and left the Chittagong railway station. l

A Dhaka court yesterday placed BNP standing committee member Brig (retd) ASM Hannan Shah on a two-day remand in a case filed with Bhatara police station over vandalism in the capital.

Metropolitan Magistrate Tareq Mainul Islam Bhuiyan passed the order after Sub-Inspector Md Ekramul Haque, investigation officer of the case, produced Hannan before the

court seeking 10 days’ remand.

Meanwhile, defence lawyer Md Sanaullah Miah filed pleas for bail and remand rejection on grounds that his client was an aged person and that he was not involved with the incidents.

During the hearing, Hannan appreciated the court’s role and said he expected impartial and fair order.

Claiming that he appeared before the court despite being ill, Hannan said he did not know anything about the case before his arrest. l

PSC, NU, school annual exams rescheduled

SQ Chy’s lawyer sent to jail

n Mushfique Wadud

n BSS

School students who have suffered all year because of the country’s volatile political situation are now seeing uncertainty cast over their end of year examinations due to the 48hour blockade enforced by the main opposition party.

The primary and mass education ministry had to postpone today’s PSC and its equivalent exams, while the on-going annual examinations in

schools, admission tests and regular examinations of different educational institutions were also postponed because of the BNP-led blockade programme.

Students were taking part in the examinations without completing their syllabus as hartals had wasted at least 370 school hours this year so far.

The science exam of the ongoing primary terminal examination and the Arabic examination of its equivalent madrasa exams were postponed and

rescheduled because of the blockade.

According to the revised schedule, these exams will be held at 9:30am on Friday, said a press release of primary and mass education ministry, adding that the decision was taken considering the security concern of the examinees.

Earlier in the morning, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid urged the opposition to withdraw the blockade programme for the sake of nearly three million students.

Meanwhile, many schools also had

Defence skips tribunal for blockade n Udisa Islam

The war crimes tribunal yesterday ended cross-examination of a prosecution witness after the no-show of the defence counsels in the case against AKM Yusuf, who had allegedly formed razakar force.

Before giving the order, the tribunal had given the defence scope to appear before it after the lunch break. Later it set December 1 for the next witness.

Witness Sheikh Abzal Hossain, 76, on

Mobarak gets 3 witnesses n Udisa Islam The war crimes tribunal has allowed the defence team of accused Mobarak Hossain to produce three witnesses to defend his client.

The defence yesterday pleaded to the International Crimes Tribunal 1 for allowing 12 witnesses to ensure equality and justice as the prosecution had produced the same number of witnesses.

On Monday, the defence ended cross examining the investigation officer of the case. The tribunal then decided to record testimonies of defence witnesses from December 1.

Prosecutor Md Shahidur Rahman yesterday said the defence had no responsibility to prove the case. He cited that the defence had not mentioned which witness to testify according to the charges.

“This does not satisfy the requirement of the law.”

He said the defence should be allowed to place one witness for fair trials.

The tribunal on April 23 indicted Mobarak on five charges of crimes against humanity he had allegedly committed in Brahmanbaria in 1971.

Meanwhile, the same tribunal yesterday adjourned the contempt hearing against barrister Fakhrul Islam, lawyer for convicted war criminal Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, till December 12.

Fakhrul is detained in a case filed for leaking the tribunal’s verdict. His junior lawyer Tariqul Islam submitted at the tribunal that so they needed time to respond to the notice. He added that the accused had already sought unconditional apology to the tribunal.

Tariqul also said lawyer Zainul Abedin would represent Fakhrul.

The notice was issued on January 14 for allegedly demeaning the tribunal’s dignity. l

Monday said in 1971, he had seen Yusuf ordering the killing of six unarmed civilians, five of who were Hindus, in Khulna.

Wounded during the Liberation War, Abzal in his deposition demanded justice for the war crimes. He said: “It is very unfortunate that the perpetrators hoist our national flags on their vehicles. I want to see justice is done before I die. Please pardon me if I am wrong.”

After his deposition, junior defence

counsel MH Tamin began cross examining him but it remained incomplete.

The tribunal yesterday expressed frustration as the conducting defence lawyer had not appeared at the court.

The junior counsels said they had not come because of lack of security during the opposition’s blockade programme.

Yusuf was indicted on 13 war crimes charges including killing, genocide and arson, religious conversion and deportation of people. l

Freedom fighter tells about Kodalia killing n Udisa Islam Two witnesses against absconding war crimes suspect Zahid Hossain Khokon alias Khokon Razakar told the war tribunal yesterday about his alleged involvement in killings and abductions in Faridpur during the 1971 Liberation War. Fourth witness Abdul Hye Mollah, 60, claimed that on May 30 of 1971, Khokon and his accomplices had killed 16 unarmed civilians at village Kodalia under Nagarkanda police station in Faridpur.

The witness also said on April 21, Khokon and his brother Zafar along with their accomplices had given the Pakistani army a reception in Faridpur.

After their cross-examination, the International Crimes Tribunal 1 fixed today for further proceedings.

He said on April 27, Khokon and his accomplices had raided a village named Banagram. They abducted 19 innocent civilians and took 17 of them to Nagarkanda police station where they had set their camp.

There they tortured the detainees for two days and later freed them in exchange of Tk10,000. The witness also

said the collaborators had also looted the houses and set those on fire.

Another witness and alleged victim of Khokon’s crimes Yunus Mollah, 69, said the accused had beaten him up brutally as his brother was a freedom fighter. He also told about the same incident the fourth witness had described.

Yunus is a farmer and hails from Banagram under Nagarkanda police station.

In his deposition, the witness said on Baishakh 13 of 1971, Khokon and his men had raided their village and also his house. “I was trying to escape but Khokon’s brother Zafar caught me. From the very beginning, Khokon started beating me with a rifle. Finally, they detained at least 18 people from our village but somehow two of them were freed and the others were taken to a camp.”

Khokon and his brother had tortured the abducted people there and freed them after getting Tk10,000 as ransom, the witness claimed.

On October 9, the tribunal indicted Khokon, the sitting mayor of Nagarkanda municipality and a BNP leader, on five counts of crimes against humanity. l

to reschedule their ongoing annual examinations scheduled for yesterday and today to Friday and Saturday.

The National University also postponed all its examinations scheduled for today.

According to the revised schedule, fourth year honours examination will be held on Friday at 8:30am, BBA second year fourth semester and ECE part 4 on Friday at 2pm and MBA first semester on December 10 at 10am, a press release of the NU confirmed. l

A Dhaka court yesterday sent barrister Fakhrul Islam to jail for his suspected link to the leakage of the verdict of International Crimes Tribunal that handed down capital punishment to his client BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury.

Metropolitan Magistrate Imdadul Haque passed the order upon a petition of the investigation officer that sought jail for Barrister Fakhrul.

The same court on November 24

placed him on a four-day remand in connection with the leakage. The BNP leader was accused of committing crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971. A division bench of the High Court, comprising Justice Sheikh Hasan Arif and Justice Mostofa Zaman, stayed the remand order upon a defence petition.

Sanaullah Mia, counsel of Fakhrul, filed a petition seeking bail for his client with the court of Metropolitan Session Judge Md Zohurul Haque, where December 1 was fixed to hear the bail prayer. l

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

13 TV, 14 FM radio stations to get licence A minister, a former state minister, an adviser to PM and MPs among the owners n Mohosinul Karim The Awami League-led alliance government gave approval to 13 new television channels, 14 FM radios and around 60 Community Radios just before stepping down from office.

Following the final approval, the information ministry gave its permission to issue licences to credible and qualified applicants.

Information Secretary, Mortuza Ahmed, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that the ministry gave its approval a few days ago for issuing licences to those who it deemed qualified.

“We have selected them after scrutinising and examining their applications and physical investigation,” he said.

“The approvals were given in line with a past decision and as part of routine work. The ministry is now working on issuing letters. The qualified applicants would get there licences, as soon as possible. Finally, they will have to approach BTRC to receive allocations of wavelengths, he said.

Meanwhile, a minister, a former state minister, an adviser to the prime minister and lawmakers were among the owners and promoters of most of the new satellite TV channels.

According to information ministry sources, ruling party lawmaker from Narayanganj, Gazi Golam Dastagir, who is also the owner of Gazi TV, got permission for Green TV, as the chairman of Green Multimedia Ltdfollowing Environment and Forests Minister, Hasan Mahmud’s recommendation.

Titas TV of Millennium Media Ltd would be given licence against the application of Nur Mohammad as its managing director, following the recommendation of AB Tajul Islam, former state minister for liberation war affairs ministry.

Meanwhile, singer Mumtaj Begum, a lawmaker from reserved seats for women, is behind the screens of Millennium TV.Director General of PIB Shah Alamgir was the chief executive officer of the New Vision TV of News and Image. Sukumar Ranjan, a ruling

party lawmaker from Munshiganj recommended for the channel.

Shahriar Alam, another ruling party lawmaker from Rajshahi, who was given permission of an FM Radio earlier, got the permission of Renaissance TV as the chairman of Barendra Media Ltd. AL lawmaker from Dinajpur, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury got the licence of Rangdhanu TV under Rangdhanu Media while Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, information adviser to the prime minister would act as the managing director of Dhaka Bangla Television under Dhaka Bangla Media and Communication Ltd. News 24, a channel of East-West Media Group has been permitted licence with Bashundhara Group’s Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan’s son, Sayem Sobhan as its managing director.

Film Producer Abbas Ullah Shikdar of Dhaka Chairmanbari got the permission of operating ATV. Chairman of BSB Foundation MK Bashar got the licence for opening Cambrian TV Channel; former Presi-

dent of FBBCI Anisul Haque got Jadu TV under Jadu Media Limited.

Media Bangladesh Limited’s Chairman Tarun Dey got Amar Gan TVand some acquaintances of the information minister got the Channel 21 under Broadcast Bangladesh Limited.

The Awami League government had previously approved 18 TV channels.

Of those, on October 20, the government approved Channel Bayanno and on November 6, Bangla TV. Jamuna TV got its licence back on Jul 29 this year.

In October 2009, the government gave the permission to Ekattor TV, Mohona Television, Channel 9, Somoy TV, GTV, Independent Television, Maasranga Television, ATN News, My TV and Bijoy TV while Channel 24, SA TV, Asian TV, Dipto Bangla Television and Gan Bangla were awarded licences in 2010.

Meanwhile, owners of new FM radio stations that were allowed to set up belonged to business groups including, Pran-RFL, Square and East-West Property Development (Bashundhara) group.

The FM Radios were Radio Dhol of ruling party lawmaker Shahriar Alam, Radio Capital of Sayem Sobhan of East West Media Group (Basundhara), Radio Dinrat of Anjan Chowdhury of Square Group, Radio Active of actress Shomi Kaiser, Desh Radio of actor Nader Chowdhury, Radio Masala of Shila Islam, Radio Next of Mosabbir Ahmad, Bangla Radio of AKM Sahid Reza, Jago FM of Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, Radio Dhoni of Rashedul Hossain Chowdhury, Radio CIUS of Syed Jahirul Islam, Radio City of Kazi Mahfuzur Rahman, Radio Age of Shafqat Samiur Rahman and Times Radio of Abdullah Al Mamun.

Sources said most of the community radios were given permission to set up under different NGOs, mainly in coastal and rural areas. Of those, some of the districts have got more than one community radios for creating public awareness.

The Information ministry officials said at this moment around 200 applications for TV channel licences were pending with the ministry. l

Nomination papers distributed in Chittagong n Tushar Hayat, Chittagong The election office in Chittagong has started distributing nomination papers for the 10th parliamentary polls scheduled to be held on January 5.

Election officials said lawmaker Mainuddin Khan Badal, executive president of Jatiya Somajtantrik Dal, collected the nomination paper for Chittagong 8 (Boalkhali-Chandgaon) constituency, while Solaiman Alam Seth, a presidium member of Jatiya Party, collected the paperwork for Chittagong 9 (Kotwali) constituency.

Badal told the Dhaka Tribune that his representative collected the nomination paper on his behalf, adding that he had collected it on the first date of distribution as he would remain out of the country for few days.

Meanwhile, two returning officers, Divisional Commissioner Mohammed Abdullah Mia and Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Abdul Mannan, sat in a meeting regarding preparations for holding of the elections in a peaceful manner. l

Pro-BNP-Jamaat lawyers agitate against sessions during blockade n Nazmus Sakib Pro-BNP and Jamaat lawyers yesterday agitated in front of a courtroom of the High Court, protesting judicial sessions during the 48-hour blockade programme called by the BNP-led 18-party alliance.

Around 100-150 lawyers started chanting slogans from 12pm to compel the judges to withdraw from sessions at the annex building of the High Court They thumped on the windows of the courtroom of Justice M Enayetur Rahim, one of the judges who cancelled the registration of Jamaat-e-Islami with the Election Commission, and Justice Mohammad Ullah in a bid to interrupt their sessions, alleged Assistant Attorney General Gazi Mamunur Rashid.

“Although around 100-150 lawyers started chanting slogans from 12pm to compel the judges to withdraw from sessions at the annex building of the High Court, Justice Enayetur Rahimled bench did not pay any heed to their demands. This prompted us to agitate in front of the bench at 12.30pm,” Mirza Al Mahmud, one of the agitating lawyers, told the Dhaka Tribune.

WEATHER

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

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

Chances of rain or thunder showers over the Southern part of the country are likely.

The sun sets in the capital at 5:10pm today and rises at 6:22am tomorrow.

Country’s highest temperature 30.8 degree Celsius was recorded at Bogra and lowest 12.5 degrees at Srimangal yesterday.

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

High

Low

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

29.6 26.4 29.0 28.2 29.0 29.5 28.8 30.0

16.7 17.1 14.6 15.6 17.0 16.0 16.7 18.0

He said as a political crisis had grown centring the upcoming parliamentary elections, running the judicial sessions during the blockade programme was not right.

No other bench of the High Court sat during the observation of the blockade, he added.

During their agitation, the police on-duty locked the courtroom’s door, and later, the bench left the courtroom around 12.40pm, he said.

However, Mirza denied the allegation of thumping on windows saying that they had respect towards the court.

Saifur Rahman, Gazi Kamrul Islam Sajal, and Ayub Ali Ashrafi were among the agitating lawyers.

Later they joined at a press briefing arranged by Jatiotabadi Ainjibi Oikkya Parishad held for annulment of the polls schedule declared by the Election Commission.

However, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court ran their session.

Appeal hearing in the cases of Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Sayedee could not take place as the defence remained absent because of the blockade.

Mirza Al Mahmud said: “As the Appellate Division was the apex court of the country, the Supreme Court Bar Association leaders directed us not to agitate in front of it.” l

A garment worker waits on the central reservation on the busy Kanchpur Bridge yesterday, taking the risk to go across

20kg gold recovered at Shahjalal Airport

3 bodies found in Chittagong, Barisal n Tribune Report

3 more witnesses testify in JU student Zubair killing case

n BSS

Three people were killed in separate incidents in Chittagong and Barisal yesterday. The deceased were Aminul Islam Raju, 20, Mamtaz alias Sidli Begum, 62, and an unidentified man, whose body was found floating in Kirtankhola River.

Dhaka Tribune’s Chittagong correspondent reported that Aminul Islam Raju was stabbed to death and three others injured in a clash between two rival groups at Chandroghona under Rangunia upazila in Chittagong.

Waliullah Oli, OC of Rangunia police station, said an altercation erupted between Raju and their friends with their rivals in front of Zia market of Fakir Para at Chandroghona around 7:30pm on Monday over previous enmity.

He added that at one stage rival group members stabbed Raju and his three friends with knives. Raju was taken to a private hospital where he died yesterday morning.

Our Barisal correspondent reported that the first dead body recovered was of widow Sidli Begum whose corpse was found locked in her room but had no sign of injury on her body.

Shawkat Anwar, OC of Hizla police station, said Sidli had been living alone in the house since the death of her husband.

Later yesterday, one of her daughters came to visit her mother in the morning and found the house locked and her mother lying on bed.

Separately, an unidentified body of a youth was lifted from the river Kirtankhola in Barisal yesterday.

The bodies were sent to hospitals for post mortem. l

n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

The Customs Authority recovered 160 gold bars weighing 20kg from inside the toilet of an aircraft that landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the early hours of yesterday.

The customs officials recovered the gold from an aircraft of Regent Airlines at 5:45am after it landed from Kuala Lumpur, said Assistant Commissioner of Biman Customs M Wazed Ali. The estimated price of the recovered gold was Tk80m, the customs officials said.

Airport Armed Police Battalion (AAPBn) had also arrested a passenger with 5.5kg of weed from the airport on Monday.

The arrestee was identified as Suman, 23.

Senior ASP of the AAPBn Ehtesamul Haq said Suman was arrested from airport terminal departure gate 1 when he was carrying the weed wrapped with black carbon paper.

A case has already been filed under the Narcotics Control Act 1990 against Suman, who hailed from Dakshin Sree Rampur village of Lakshmipur. l

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

5:02am 6:21am 11:46am 3:35pm 5:11pm 6:31pm

Source: IslamicFinder.org

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Gold bars weighing 20kg seized at Shahjalal airport yesterday

NASHIRUL ISLAM

Three more prosecution witnesses testified in the sensational Zubair killing case before a speedy trial tribunal in the capital yesterday.

Zubair Ahmed, a final year honours student of Jahangirnagar University’s English department, died on January 9 last year, a day after he had been severely beaten on the campus by activists of a rival faction of Bangladesh Chhatra League.

Zubair had injury marks all over his body and died of internal bleeding, according to the case statement.

Three security guards of the university – Md Shah Alam, Md Humayun Kabir and Md Anower Ali – were cross-

examined in the court yesterday by defence counsel Rezaur Rahman on behalf of the 13 accused in the case.

Speedy Trial Tribunal 4 Judge ABM Nizamul Haque fixed next Wednesday as the date of the next hearing.

Out of 37 prosecution witnesses, four have given depositions so far. The complainant of the case, JU Deputy Registrar Hamidur Rahman, testified on November 18.

On April 8, 2012, Meer Shaheen Shah Parvez, then sub-inspector of Ashulia police station and the investigation officer of the case, submitted a charge sheet, accusing 13 students. He named 37 witnesses, including four teachers and 33 security guards. The court framed charges on September 8 this year. l

Notice seeks annulment of appointment of advisers to PM n Nazmus Sakib A legal notice was served yesterday seeking the cancellation of the appointment of the Prime Minister’s advisers, showing there was no such provision in the constitution.

BNP Joint Secretary and Supreme Court Bar Association Secretary AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon sent the notice on behalf of Raghib Rauf Chowdhury, acting secretary of Jatiotabadi Ainjibi Forum.

The notice said nowhere in the constitution was there a provision for appointing such advisers. Therefore, the appointments were illegal.

Earlier in the afternoon Public Administration Affairs Adviser HT Imam, Energy Adviser Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Economic Affairs Adviser Moshiur Rahman, Education Adviser Dr Alauddin Ahmed and Health Adviser Dr Syed Modasser Ali submitted their resignation letters. The number of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s advisers now stands at six after the resignations of the five.

The lawyer said that after receiving the notice, the cabinet secretary had to withdraw all kinds of facilities provided to the advisers.

The legal notice was also sent to all the 11 advisers, said Raghib. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Long Form

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

5

The real record: Inflation The economic and development records of both parties over the past quarter century. This is the second of the series

I

n Jyoti Rahman

n the first part (published on November 19) of this series comparing various governments’ economic and development records, we saw that when it comes to growth in average income, there hasn’t been much difference between the three latest governments.

The increase in average income discussed here last week is real, that is, after allowing for inflation. However, inflation is an important economic indicator in its own right.

In fact, as far as the average person is concerned, real GDP per capita is an abstract construct, whereas prices of everyday commodities are, for the lack of a better word, much more real!

Arguably, more than the war crimes trial or Digital Bangladesh, it was the promise of bringing down the price of rice to Tk10 that brought Awami League its 2008 landslide. And arguably, more than India or Islam factors, it’s the failure to meet this promise that’s behind AL’s sagging popularity.

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

relationship between price level and the standard of living – things are more expensive in the rich, developed countries. Of course, people in rich, developed countries are richer, and thus can afford the more expensive

Once we go beyond the wonkery, three charts will show that the current government performs poorly compared with the last BNP government as far as inflation is concerned

ry – if prices are to rise, it’s better that they rise at a modest pace than at a fast pace. The second one takes a bit of explaining. If inflation has been, and expected to remain, steady at, say, 5% a year – that is, prices of everything are on average 5% higher this year than last year, and this has been the case for a while and you expect this will be so into the future – then you can plan your savings, investment and other economic activities accordingly.

But if inflation is 2% one year, 10% the

Chart 1: Growth in GDP deflator 16 Per cent

14 Politics in Bangladesh, as the saying goes, is the price of rice.

This post looks at the recent governments’ record when it comes to inflation. However, we need to begin with a bit of wonkery because when evaluating different governments on inflation, we need to keep some basic economics in mind, some of which may be counter-intuitive.

Once we go beyond the wonkery, three charts will show that the current government performs poorly compared with the last BNP government as far as inflation is concerned.

First, there is a strong empirical

stuff. But if you are looking at the level of price of anything, you will likely find that it costs more in Bangalore than Barisal, and more in Beijing than Bangalore, and more in Boston than Beijing.

The reasons for this are well outside the scope of this piece. The relevance for us is that in any economy where the standard of living is rising over time, prices will rise too.

That means, you should never take a politician seriously if they promise cheap stuff – promises are cheap, stuff, not always so. While prices of some goods – electronics for example – may fall over time, in a growing economy, overall price level usually rises over time.

Recall, our economy has been growing over time – per capita income has risen by about 4.5% a year (after adjusting for inflation) over the past decade, under successive governments. Therefore, we should expect some inflation under recent governments.

Chart 2: CPI inflation 14.0

Per Cent

Per Cent

14

12.0

12

10.0

10

8.0

8

6.0

6

4.0

4

2.0

2

0.0 Jul-00 Oct-01 Jan-03

0 Apr-04

Jul-05 Oct-06 Jan-08

Apr-09 Jul-10

Oct-11

Jan-13

Source: BBS.

No economics lesson is needed to know that inflation is undesirable to most people. However, given that some inflation is to be expected in a growing economy, how should we judge the performance of different governments?

Or, conversely, since under all three latest governments, inflation-adjusted income has risen at around 4.5% a year, should we care if these governments’ inflation records are different?

We should care about inflation, and we should use two criteria to judge the governments’ performances. First, low inflation is preferable to high.

And second, steady inflation is preferred over variable rates of inflation.

The first criteria is self-explanato-

the 1980s. Pretty clearly, 1980s was more inflationary than the subsequent decades. It’s also clear that both the 1990s governments maintained low and steady inflation. Inflation started rising under the BNP government in the 2000s. But, at less than 5% a year, BNP’s record was better than the nearly 7.5% a year seen under the two latest governments. More worryingly, inflation has tended to become more volatile under the current and immediate past government.

16 HME

KZ1

SH1

KZ2

CTG

SH2

12

14 12

10

10

8

8

6

6

4

4

2

2

0

1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013

0

The price shot up to over Tk17 per kg in early 1999, in the aftermath of the devastating flood of 1998. But then it came down. By contrast, the price rose steadily under the BNP government, to average Tk19 in the second half of 2006.

Recall, prices are expected to rise over time in a growing economy. So the mere fact that prices are higher than was the case under a previous government, by itself, is not indicative of poor performance. Regardless, comparing the two governments, public perception in 2006-07 was right that AL performed better in terms of keeping rice prices low.

The recent years have put paid to that notion. After BNP left office, under the 1/11 regime, rice prices shot up to Tk35 per kg in mid-2008. Then,

Whereas the first Hasina Wajed government performed very well as far as inflation was concerned, the current government has been quite a failure. The BNP government of the early 2000s, in contrast, did significantly better than the more recent governments

Source: BBS,WB

next, and then 5% the year after, it is hard to plan economic activities. And that causes inefficiencies and frictions, which are bad for long-term economic prospects.

Also, variable inflation rates mean that the government is not managing the macroeconomy very well, indicating one or a combination of chronic budget deficits, fluctuations in the exchange rate, and an incompetent central bank. An economy can grow despite poor governance, but if inflation is high and volatile, it’s very likely the government’s fault.

While GDP deflator measures prices of everything that is produced, people actually care more about prices of what they consume. Consumer Price Index, CPI, measures this. We also have monthly data for CPI going back to 2000. The squiggly blue line in Chart 2 shows the yearly CPI inflation (how much CPI has grown since the same month a year earlier). The flat lines represent annual average inflation under the three latest governments.

The pattern appears to be pretty similar to GDP deflator series above.

Under the BNP government of early

An economy can grow despite poor governance, but if inflation is high and volatile, it’s very likely the government’s fault

Before going into the evidence, the final piece of wonkery – inflation is a macroeconomic issue, not a microeconomic one. All the stories you heard about corrupt syndicates and so on?

Forget them. That stuff has little, if anything, to do with inflation.

Okay, that’s enough free economics lesson. What does the record show? Let’s go to the videotape, by which I mean the charts.

The first one shows growth in GDP deflator, which is a measure of prices of everything produced in an economy. Just as for GDP, BBS has a new series for inflation (both GDP deflator and CPI). However, these series don’t go back far enough to make comparisons between different governments.

So, like GDP per capita, we are using data estimated on the 1995-96 basis.

In Chart 1, the columns are annual growth in GDP deflator, while the lines are annual average growth under various governments going back to

2000s, CPI inflation averaged less than 6% a year, compared with around 8.5% a year under the two more recent governments. And again, worryingly, under the latest government, inflation has been quite volatile, reaching as high as 12% in the year to September 2011.

We have seen trends in inflation – that is, growth in prices – in the two charts above. But the PM’s pre-election promise was about the level of a price of a specific commodity – that of rice. Chart 3 shows the retail price of a kg of coarse rice in Dhaka. The squiggly red line is the average retail price over the preceding three months. The flat lines are the average under the past four governments.

Remarkably, the AL government of the late 1990s actually did manage to keep a lid on rice prices. In the first half of 1996, price of a kg of coarse rice averaged around Tk14.50, compared with Tk13.50 in the first half of 2001.

over the following year, the price came down steadily, to be around Tk24 in the late summer of 2009.

Both the spike and the fall in the price was primarily caused by global factor – but the 1/11 regime paid a political price and the AL government benefited politically from it.

Then look at what happened. Rice price shot up again in 2010, reaching Tk40 a kg in February 2011. And unlike in 2008, there was no global spike in prices. This was homegrown, and it was caused by the macroeconomic mismanagement of the current government.

To sum up then, whereas the first Hasina Wajed government performed

very well as far as inflation was concerned, the current government has been quite a failure. The BNP government of the early 2000s, in contrast, did significantly better than the more recent governments. l Jyoti Rahman is a political blogger. The series was first posted in Nuraldeen.

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Rajuk takes one year to approve plan: REHAB n Mohosinul Karim Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) President, Nasrul Hamid Bipu, yesterday alleged that the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha takes almost a year to approve a building plan due to a lack of coordination.

He made the remarks yesterday at a meeting with Housing and Public Works Minister Tofail Ahmed as a Rehab delegation met the minister at his office.

Bipu said:“Despite a massive Tk240bn turnover in the sector, it is one of the most neglected in the country.”

He said that despite a special allocation for the sector in the last budget, “the Bangladesh Bank governor sent letters the private banks asking them not to issue any loans, terming it as an [unproductive sector].”

He said though some of the banks were still issuing loans, the interest rate was so high that it was hampering business and causing their owners losses.

Bipu urged the minister to resolve the problems by consulting the finance minister and other authorities concerned.

Meanwhile, Housing and Public

Works Minister Tofail Ahmed from the meeting urged the authorities concerned, including Rajuk, to work comprehensively along with other departments to eliminate the hazards regarding the approval of the plans for constructing buildings in the Dhaka city.

He said that despite a special allocation for the sector in the last budget, “the Bangladesh Bank governor sent letters the private banks asking them not to issue any loans He said: “Although we will not take any major decision during our short tenure, we must eliminate the hazards on approving the plans, a major problem faced by the sector.”

The minister assured the REHAB delegation of eliminating the problems.

Tofail also ordered the authorities concerned to allocate a plot in Uttara or Purbachal project area for REHAB, so that it can establish a training institute. l

The photo taken from Kanchpur shows that a woman is compelled to take ride on the floor of a human hauler for non-availability of transport

Jucsu polls suspended for JS election n JU Correspondent

JU acting and pro-VCs still confined

The Election Commission for Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (Jucsu) yesterday suspended the Jucsu polls which were scheduled to be held on January 2, for an indefinite period of time because of the parliamentary elections.

A press release from the university’s Public Relation Office made the disclosure, saying that the decision was made at the EC’s meeting.

University Vice Chancellor Anwar Hossain will declare the next schedule for Jucsu polls considering the future circumstances, the press release added.

The decision was made because the authorities will not get sufficient help from the law enforcers during the Jucsu election ahead of the national election. Besides students also opined that they would not get proper opportunities for candidates’ publicity as the university’s admission test will be held on December 17-29.

However, the EC will continue their activities till December 1 to collect nomination papers from the candidates. l

Crisis at Jahangirnagar University continues as the acting vice-chancellor and the pro-VC have been confined at the administrative office for a week by a group of agitating teachers demanding the announcement of the VC panel election.

Sources said acting VC Prof MA Matin had been suffering from allergy while Pro-VC (administration) Afsar Ahmed had food poisoning since Monday, though a doctor said the conditions of both were improving.

Prof Afsar told the Dhaka Tribune: “We are terribly shocked by the betrayal of the agitating teachers. They are yet to release us although we have already suspended the teachers’ representative polls as per their demand.”

However, the agitating teachers said the authorities had fulfilled one of their demands while the VC panel polls were yet to be announced to execute the chancellor’s order. They demand for the VC panel polls under the current Senate.

In this regard, Prof Afsar said they needed to discuss the issue with VC

n Mahadi Al Hasnat

Prof Anwar Hossain, who was on leave due to medical treatment.

However, United Forum – comprising teachers, students, officers and employees – yesterday brought out a procession on the campus demanding the VC’s removal and the VC panel election.

Agitating teachers said the authorities had fulfilled one of their demands while the VC panel polls were yet to be announced to execute the chancellor’s order. They demand for the VC panel polls under the current Senate Over 100 members of the forum joined the procession held around 12 noon.

On the other hand, a section of university unit Chhatra League leaders and activists loyal to its General Secretary Rajib Ahmed Rasel detained two unknown individuals, who allegedly came to join the demonstration of “Jahangirnagar University Family,” from the campus. The JU Family had been demanding the release of the confined individuals. l

57 students to vie for each Rokeya University seat n Tribune Desk Fifty-seven students will vie for each of the 1,245 seats under 21 departments in the admission test for the first year honours courses in the 2013-14 academic session of Begum Rokeya University.

University sources said around 71,076 admission seekers have registered till yesterday for taking part in the admission tests to be held on December 11, 12 and 13 at different venues in the city, reports BSS. Of them, 14,843 students have registered for 195 seats under unit-A and 18,036 students for 360 seats under the unit-B. Besides, 16,608 students have applied for 240 seats under unit-C, 6,965 students for 240 seats under unit-D, 7,048 students for 90 seats under unitE and 7,579 will compete for 120 seats under unit-F. Detailed information about the overall admission process will be available in the university websites (www. brur.ac.bd) and (www.admission.brur. ac.bd). l

Gold bars worth Tk43m seized in Chittagong n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong Police and customs authorities in separate drives seized 88 gold bars worth Tk43m from Shah Amanat International Airport yesterday.

The Chittagong Customs seized 60 gold bars from abandoned luggage in a plane which landed at the airport from Dubai around 11am, said airport sources.

Earlier, Byezied police nabbed Zakir Ul Alam, 27, of Hathazari upazila in the district, with 26 gold bars, weighing 3.5 kilograms, from the city’s Oxygen intersection on Monday night Mashiur Rahman Mandal, assistant commissioner of customs at the airport, said the unidentified owner of the luggage might have fled when they found the bars weighing seven kilograms in a black-poly bag, which arrived at the airport through BG-026 flight.

With the recovery, the customs authority in six separate drives from November 2 to yesterday nabbed three

BU admission test postponed n Our Correspondent, Barisal The admission test of the third batch of Barisal University (BU), the only public university in the division and 33rd public university in the country, has been postponed because of the ongoing blockade programme called

by BNP-led 18-party alliance, BU sources said.

The 120-mark written test in MCQ system was scheduled to be held on November 28 in three shifts at 11 centres.

The centres include temporary and permanent campuses of the university, four government colleges, two government schools, one government technical institute, and two private colleges in the city.

A press conference to publicise the preparations of intake test that was scheduled to be held on Tuesday, was also postponed previously.

Dr Md Muhsin Uddin, acting registrar of BU, said the new schedule for the test and detailed seat plan would be announced through media. The information is also available on the website of the university www.barisaluniv. edu.bd.

A total of 29,690 admission seekers got registered under four units against 1,160 seats in 16 departments of six faculties, said Shafiul Alam, technical committee chief of the admission committee.

We had planned to start the classes at the temporary campus of BU in Barisal Zilla School and permanent campus at Karnakathi on the eastern bank of the Kirtonkhola river from January, upon completion of the admission test and formalities, the Vice-Chancellor of BU Dr Harunor Rashid said. l

The Netrakona-bound Haor Express train was derailed in Mymensingh as unidentified miscreants removed fish plates from the railway tracks

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Extra fees charged for new gas lines n Our Correspondent, Kishoreganj

The residents of Kishoreganj sadar municipality are allegedly being forced to pay extra charges for acquiring permission from the municipality authorities to dig roads for getting new gas connections.

The “extra” fees have put a burden on the municipality residents who applied for the new gas lines after the government recently resumed offering new connections in the area.

However, there are allegations that some people were bribing concerned engineers of the municipality to get the job done easily.

Several local residents expressed their anger at the municipality authorities, saying they were being made to suffer a lot for just a

little amount of work, unless bribes were paid to the concerned authority.

Md Mufassel, a voter of the municipality, said: “I come at least seven days a month to the municipality for a little work that would require just one day, but is being drawn out over around a month as I did not give any bribe money.”

Locals also blamed the municipality staffs, including the mayor, of being irregular at their duties.

Some applicants for the gas connections said they made full payment in 2010 to get permission for road digging for the gas lines, which the government later stopped offering. However, the authorities were now charging double or thrice the money in violation of the rules, they

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

claimed. Shahidul Huq, a client of new town area, who paid Tk1,300 for the permission earlier, now had to pay an additional Tk5,900 for the new set of road-digging permission.

Mukhlesur Rahman, also from the new town area, paid Tk1,500 earlier, but now had to pay an additional Tk2,800 for the new permission. Md Jahed Ali of Harua area in the town earlier paid Tk2,280, but now had to pay Tk2,410 more to dig the road.

Tamjidul Aziz paid Tk1,950 earlier, but was now required to pay Tk4,100 more for the permission.

Aziz, a resident of the town’s Gaital area, also said that although the municipality authorities charged excessive fees, there had been no road development within five years. l

persons with 327 gold bars worth about Tk170m from Bangladesh Biman on the Dubai to Chittagong route.

Customs authorities in 14 separate drives in 2013 seized 540 gold bars worth Tk280m from the expatriates in the airport, most of whom came from Gulf countries particularly Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman.

Most of the gold consignments were recovered from the planes of Bangladesh Biman, scheduled to Dubai- Chittagong -Dhaka, sources said adding that it was due to relax vigilance in Chittagong.

The Personal Secretary of the airport manager Momen Maksud was suspended from his post and transferred from the airport a few days ago for his alleged involvement with gold smuggling.

Earlier, Byezied police nabbed Zakir Ul Alam, 27, of Hathazari upazila in the district, with 26 gold bars, weighing 3.5 kilograms, from the city’s Oxygen intersection on Monday night.

He was carrying the bars to hand them over to a man in the city after taking from another person near his residence, said Sairul Islam, officer-incharge of Bayezid police station. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

2m girls fall victim to early Child marriage on the in Kishoreganj marriage in northern region rise n Unicef report says one in three girls are married at 15-19 and this rate is highest in the world Irin Akhter Akhi, 15, who got marhighest in the world. The rate of early n Tribune Desk marriage between the age 15 and 19 de- ried at this early age in the village of Around 2m adolescent girls fell victim to early marriage in the country’s northern region.

According to a Unicef survey, early marriage is a common phenomenon there and it is prevailing because of various reasons, especially due to lack of awareness among parents, so-called activities of dishonest matchmakers, marriage without birth registration, absence of social security, illiteracy and poverty.

A good number of girls of middle-class families are being forced to get married at an immature age.

And many of them are divorced not long after their marriage because of dowry, premature motherhood, diverse health risks, dropping out of schools and mainly repression at their in-laws’ houses.

This propensity is on the sharp rise even after various interventions from the government and non-government organisations in addition to local administrations.

Early marriage has a bearing on development of Bangladesh where it still remains a big challenge, according to a report of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies.

The report said one-third of girls get married at age 15-19 and this rate is

clined by 5% to 37.5% in the 10 years to 2011.

According to findings of several reports, girls’ education helps check early marriage.

Girls fall prey to early marriage in the country’s northern districts, including Rangpur, Thakurgaon, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram as they are unaware of their reproductive health risks.

“Child marriage is a serious problem for the country. Maternal death cannot be reduced without checking early marriage,” said Giasuddin, project manager of the Family Planning Association of Bangladesh.

Adviser of Plan International Bangladesh Zinat Afroz identified dowry and risk of sexual repression as key reasons behind early marriage in Bangladesh. Many mothers marry off their children at an early age thinking that they will have to give smaller amount of dowries at that age and their children will not have to be harassed sexually.

Early marriage means early pregnancy and girls who become mothers face manifold health complications, including malnutrition.

According to a statistic, there are now 6m adolescent girls among a total population of 31m in the northern districts of the country.

Shikarpur in Bogra district, said her family married her off to Jamiul, 20, of Fulbari Uttarpara area and the marriage took place on her first visit to her relative’s house.

After a few months of the marriage, Jamiul and his family members put pressure on Akhi and her family for dowry and threatened to divorce if dowry is not given. One day Akhi was forced out of the residence after physical assault. She is now residing at her parents’ home.

Akhi is struggling to survive with a dream. She is now taking preparation to sit for the coming SSC exam.

Such a picture could be found in many areas, especially in Kahalu Sadar upazila of Bogra district. Like Akhi, Shilpi, Sabina, Rani, Bobita, Lipi and Rakhi returned to their parents’ homes after being repressed by husbands for dowry.

Light House, an NGO, has been working for checking early marriage since 2002. Harun-or-Rashid, chief executive officer of the organisation, said the tendency of early marriage is on the rise in northern districts due to lack of social security.

Poor families compel to marry their children off there due to financial problems. l

Our Correspondent, Kishoreganj

Child marriage has increased alarmingly in Kishoreganj due to a lack of awareness among parents.

Recently, at least 32 schoolgirls have been married without their consent at Nikli upazila in the district, according to sources.

In last three months, 18 students from AB Nurjahan High under Dampara union in Nikli upazila and 14 from Karar Mahtab Uddin High School under the same upazila were married forcefully.

The girls are students of classes VI, VII, VII, IX and X and their ages range between 11 and 15.

Of the married schoolgirls – four hailed from Batiboratia village, four from Tenguria village, one girl from Guradigha village under Singpur union, four of Borokanda village, two of Aliapara village, two of Kathalkandi village and one girl from Asanpur village under Dampara union of the upazila.

A former student of AB Nurjahan School who has been forcefully married two months ago told Dhaka Tribune on condition of anonymity that suddenly some people had come to their house to see her.

“After they left our house, my parents informed me that they had fixed the next Friday as my marriage ceremony.

“I tried to make them understand and appealed to them that I want to continue my study, but all of my efforts went in vain.”

Similarly, some youths of Aliapara village said on information they tried to foil a marriage ceremony of a class XI student.

“Although parents of the girl assured us that they would not arrange her marriage, they later did not keep their words,” said a youth.

Shah Md Ahsan Ullah, head teacher of AB Nurjahan School, said suddenly child marriage had increased among students of his school.

“We are very much worried about the matter and we will hold an awareness programme as early as possible with the guardians, locals and students about the effect of child marriage.”

Md Delwar Hossain, head teacher of Karar Mahtab Uddin High School, said: “We could not stop child marriage, even trying strongly, though guardians assure us but later secretly marry off their daughters, increasing the dropout rate in the school.”

Mahbubur Rahman, union parishad chairman of Dampara union, said sometimes some people came to union parishad office to take birth certificates and requested them to increase their ages.

“We have foiled many child marriages in the last few years,” he said.

Mabubul Alam, Officer-in-Charge of Nikli police station, said an awareness meeting should be arranged in each area about the adverse impact of child marriage.

Habibur Rahman, upazila nirbahi officer of Nikli, said: “We are always trying to foil the child marriage after being informed about the matter.” l

Gazipur fire gutted Sagar cinema hall n Our Correspondent, Gazipur Fire gutted a cinema hall named ‘Sagar’ at Kaliakoir in Gazipur yesterday.

All kinds of equipment such as film relay machine, screen and other setting arrangement were fully gutted in the fire, but no casualty was reported.

The owner of the cinema hall Alhajj Md Masud Alam said the fire originated from electric short circuit early in the morning around 6am.

But Apurba Bal, station officer of Kaliakoir Fire Service, was suspecting that the fire might originated from cigarette flame.

Soon after the fire, security guards of the hall and local people rushed in and try to control the fire.

Later, a fire fighter unit of Kaliakoir Fire Brigade took the fire under control after two hours. Alhajj Md Masud Alam said the losses caused by the fire was over Tk7.6m. l

1 killed, 20 injured in Habiganj clash n Tribune Desk A man was killed and 20 others were injured in a clash between two rival groups at Nayagaon village under Lakhai upazila of the district on Monday night.

Officer-in-Charge of Lakhai police station Nazim Uddin said the clash had erupted between two groups backed

by Jolil Member and Malek Member respectively of the village over establishing supremacy in the area, reports UNB. During the clash, Sahed Miah of the same village died on the spot and 20 people sustained injuries.

The injured were sent to Lakhai Upazila Health Complex.

Being informed, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. l

Activists of the BNP-led 18-party alliance vandalise an auto-rickshaw in Chandpur in the early hours of yesterday

Call for changed mindset to eliminate violence against women n BSS, Rangpur Concerted efforts with a changed mindset can ensure equal rights for women and prevent all forms of repressions against them, speakers said at a human chain in Rangpur.

Rangpur unit of ‘Pollisree’ organised the programme in observance of the International Women Repression Prevention Day-2013 at Katchari Bazaar zero point in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in the city yesterday.

NEWS IN BRIEF One arrested with Indian medicine in Meherpur

Detective Branch of police of Meherpur arrested a man and recovered huge Indian medicine worth about Tk5 from Post office area in Meherpur on Monday night. On a tip-off, a team of DB police conducted a drive in the area and arrested as Emon Ali, son of Azar Hossain, with the illegal medicine from his house, said Riazur Islam, officer-in-charge of sadar police station. A case was filed. – BSS

127kg hemp seized in Lalmonirhat Police in a drive seized 127-kg hemp from Kulaghat Bazar area under sadar upazila of the district on Monday. On a tip-off, a team of police from Sadar police station conducted a drive in the area and seized the hemp from a truck. Police also seized the truck, said Md Jamir Uddin, officer-in-charge of

DHAKA TRIBUNE

sadar police station. Sensing the presence of the police, hemp traders and truck driver managed to flee away, the OC added. A case was filed. – BSS

Tk53,000 realised as fine in Chuadanga A mobile court on Monday realised Tk53,000 as fine from the owners of two bakeries, one medicine pharmacy and one diagnostic centre conducting separate raids in Jibannagar upazila Sadar of the district. Mobile court sources said the bakery owners had been fined on charge of preparing and selling bakery foodstuffs in unhygienic environment. The medicine pharmacy owner was fined for running the pharmacy without any license. The owner of the diagnostic centre was fined on charge of running it violating government rules.

Upazila Nirbahi officer of Jibannagar upazila Sajedur Rahman conducted the raid. – BSS

Officials of the government and non-government organisations, women rights activists, human rights and socio-cultural activists, professionals, teachers, and students brought out a colourful rally in the city.

With Project Coordinator of ‘Pollisree’ Shahnaz Parveen in the chair, Additional Deputy Commissioner Shahidul Islam addressed the programme as the chief guest.

Highlighting the existing scenario of repression against women in every sphere, the speakers stressed for

BNP calls half-day hartal in Rajshahi for today n Tribune Desk Local BNP called a half-day hartal in Rajshahi for today protesting yesterday’s police attack on party activists that left 70 people injured.

Addressing a press briefing, city BNP general president Mizanur Rahman Minu announced the hartal programme to be observed from 6am to 12pm today.

At least 70 people, including city unit BNP general secretary Shafiqul Haque Milon, were injured in a clash.

The clash ensued the BNP activists tried to block Zero Point in Sahebazar area of the city in the morning and police barred them from doing so while enforcing 18-party alliance’s 48-hour rail-road-waterway blockade programme. l

a comprehensive approach from the concerned including the civil society members.

Without ensuring equal rights, dignity and honour of the womenfolk who comprise half of the country’s total population, it was not possible to achieve the desired socioeconomic uplift for building a sustainably developed country, they said.

They stressed for raising social awareness by changing the prevailing mindset towards women in every family and launching a vigorous social

movement to eliminate all types of repressions and violence against women.

Different NGOs and rights organisations including District Change Makers’ Jyote (DCMJ), Debi Chowdhurani Polli Unnayan Kendra (DCPUK), ShushashonerJannoNagorik (SJN), RDRS Bangladesh, NagorikUddog (NU) and Setu Bandhan Hijra Unnayan Sangstha (SBHUS) took part in the programme.

Former President of DCMJ Professor Ahsan Habib Rabu and Coordinator of DCPUK Shahidur Rahman, among others, addressed the programme. l

7 Three held for trafficking teenage girl to India n Our Correspondent, Kurigram Police detained three people from Barbanda area of Roumari upazila under Kurigram district on Monday for allegedly trafficking a teenage girl to India.

The detainees are Muluk Chan, 38, Lal Chan, 35, and Rohom Ali, 26, son of Hashem Ali. The 13-year-old victim, Shamima Khatun (not her real name), is a fifthgrade primary school student.

Her mother filed a case with Roumari police against five people, seven months after her daughter was trafficked.

Sources said Minarul Islam of Kalur Char village under Mankachar thana in India had association with Muluk Chan and the latter introduced him with Shanti.

Earlier on April 27, the Indian Border Security Force caught Muluk Chan, Lal Chan and Rohom Ali at Roumari border while trafficking the girl to India.

Shamima was kept confined in a child rehabilitation centre in Assam in India for six months.

On October 25 around 10am, she was officially handed over to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at Notunbandar frontier of the upazila after a flag meeting held between the officials of BGB and BSF. l

Government urged to ensure human rights and dignity of disabled persons n BSS Discussants at an advocacy conference have stressed the need for ensuring the human rights, honour and dignity of the disabled population to protect their socioeconomic and political liberties like all others in society.

Without including disabled people in national development activities at all levels as per the UN Charter, sustainable socioeconomic growth cannot be achieved, they said.

They also demanded the immediate implementation of the concerned UN Charter on the rights of persons with disabilities to ensure their welfare in the country.

The speakers were addressing the advocacy conference on ‘UN Charter for Persons with Disabilities’ held at Raja Ram Mohan Club auditorium on Monday afternoon in the city.

Jatiyo Trinomul Protibandhi Sangstha (JTPS), Protibandhi Narider Jatiyo Sangstha (PNJS), Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) and Rangpur Zila Rangdhanu Protibandhi Adhikar Sangstha (RZPAS) organised the conference with the financial assistance of the UK-based Disability Rights Fund.

Over one hundred participants including government and NGO officials and experts, disabled leaders, lawyers, journalists, public representatives, professionals and local elite took part.

The speakers discussed various articles, rules, regulations and importance of the UN Charter on the rights of persons with disabilities and urged the implementation of the Charter to ensure rights, welfare, dignity and honour of the disabled population.

With President of RZPAS Nur Alam in the chair, Additional District Magistrate of Rangpur Tonima Tasmin attended and addressed the conference as the chief guest.

Head of the Department of Medicine of Rangpur Medical College Professor Dr Zakir Hossain also attended the programme. l

8 Afghan leader, Rice at odds over security deal n AP, Kabul

Afghanistan’s president and the US delivered blunt messages to each other Monday that gave no indication of a resolution of their disagreements over a pact that governs the future of the American troop presence in the country.

Hamid Karzai said he won’t back down from his refusal to sign during the rest of his term in office, with National Security Adviser Susan Rice responding that this would mean the US would then start planning to pull out all its forces after 2014.

Their meeting in Kabul came the day after Karzai’s surprise decision to ignore Sunday’s recommendation by an Afghan assembly of dignitaries to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement, a refusal that cast doubt on whether American and allied troops would remain in Afghanistan to train Afghan forces after most foreign troops withdraw next year.

According to Karzai’s office, he told Rice during Monday’s meeting that he wouldn’t back down from that decision, deferring it to whoever succeeds him as president in April elections.

The White House said Rice responded by telling Karzai that the United States will plan to pull all troops out of his country after 2014 if he doesn’t promptly sign.

It added that Rice told Karzai that a signed agreement is necessary to plan for thousands of troops to stay in the country to train and mentor Afghan security forces to face the Taliban. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Obama pushes back against critics of Iran deal n AP, Washington Pushing back hard, President Barack Obama forcefully defended the temporary agreement to freeze Iran’s disputed nuclear program on Monday, declaring that the United States “cannot close the door on diplomacy.”

The president’s remarks followed scepticism of the historic accord expressed by some US allies abroad as well as by members of Congress at home, including fellow Democrats. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, one of the fiercest opponents of the six-month deal, called it a “historic mistake” and announced he would be dispatching a top envoy to Washington to try to toughen the final agreement negotiators will soon begin hammering out.

Obama, without naming names, swiped at those who have questioned the wisdom of engaging with Iran.

“Tough talk and bluster may be the easy thing to do politically, but it’s not the right thing to do for our security,” he said during an event in San Francisco.

The weekend agreement between Iran and six world powers — the US, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany — is to temporarily halt parts of Tehran’s disputed nuclear program and allow for more intrusive international monitoring.

In exchange, Iran gains some modest relief from stiff economic sanctions and a pledge from Obama that no new penal-

ties will be levied during the six months.

Despite the fanfare surrounding the agreement, administration officials say key technical details on the inspections and sanctions relief must still be worked out before it formally takes effect. Those talks will tackle the toughest issues that have long divided Iran and the West, including whether Tehran will be allowed to enrich uranium at a low level.

Iran insists it has a right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, and many nuclear analysts say a final deal will almost certainly leave Iran with some right to enrich. However, that’s sure to spark more discord with Israel and many lawmakers who insist Tehran be stripped of all enrichment capabilities. British Foreign Secretary William Hague said he expects the deal to be fully implemented by the end of January.

European Union officials say their sanctions could be eased as soon as December. Those restrictions affect numerous areas including trade in petrochemicals, gold and other precious metals, financial transfers to purchase food and medicine, and the ability of third countries to use EU-based firms to insure shipments of Iranian oil again.

The groundwork for the accord was laid during four clandestine meetings between US and Iranian officials throughout the summer and fall. An earlier meeting took place in March, before Iranians elected President Hassan Rouhani,

a cleric who has taken more moderate public stances than his predecessor. Details of the secret talks were confirmed to The Associated Press by three senior administration officials.

The US and its allies contend Iran is seeking to produce a nuclear bomb — of particular concern to Israel, which fears an attack — while Tehran insists it is merely pursuing a peaceful nuclear program for energy and medical purposes.

Even with the criticism, for Obama the sudden shift to foreign policy presents an opportunity to steady his flailing second term and take some attention off the domestic troubles that have plagued the White House in recent weeks, especially the rollout of his signature health care law. Perhaps with his presidential standing — and the strength of the rest of his term — in mind, he made sure on Monday to draw a connection between the nuclear pact and his long-declared willingness to negotiate directly with Iran.

“When I first ran for president, I said it was time for a new era of American leadership in the world, one that turned the page on a decade of war and began a new era of engagement with the world,” he said. “As president and as commander in chief, I’ve done what I’ve said.”

Later, at a high-dollar fundraiser in Los Angeles, Obama said he will not take any options off the table to ensure Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon. l

Israel ministers meet over EU research funding ban n AP, Jerusalem A senior Israeli minister says top parliamentarians met to discuss a European funding ban on institutions that operate in areas Palestinians want for their future state. Deputy Foreign Minister Zeev Elkin told Army Radio Tuesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the “long discussion” Monday.

EU guidelines announced this year ban the funding of institutions that have any operations beyond Israel’s pre-1967 borders. Elkin said the territorial clauses are problematic because of their political implications.

Israel is especially worried about losing access to Horizon 2020, a seven-year, Europe-wide research grant program that starts in 2014 with an estimated budget of 80bn euros ($107bn). l

Syria opposition: No future role for Assad

n AP, Beirut

Syria’s main opposition group in exile says there can be no role for President Bashar Assad in any future transitional government. In a statement, the Western-backed Syrian National Coalition also urges the international community to “prove its seriousness” ahead of a planned peace conference by securing humanitarian corridors so that aid can reach besieged areas of the country.

Tuesday’s statement follows a United Nations announcement that the warring sides in Syria would attend a conference in Geneva on Jan 22 — the first face-to-face talks to end the Syrian civil war. Huge gaps remain however, particularly when it comes to Assad’s future role. The coalition said the world must pressure Assad to allow aid to reach rebel-held areas ahead of the talks. l

Council on Europe cites rights abuses in Turkey n AP, Istanbul The Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner has blasted Turkish authorities for widespread human rights abuses, in a stark review of the anti-government protests in Turkey earlier this year.

The report by Nils Muiznieks published Tuesday also says that many allegations of abuse by Turkish police are not being investigated.

Muiznieks says: “The Commissioner considers that impunity of law-enforcement officials committing human rights violations is an entrenched problem in Turkey.”

The report comes at a sensitive time, just weeks after the European Union resumed membership talks with Turkey that had been stalled.

Thousands of demonstrators were injured and five were killed during nationwide protests in May and June that were sparked when police cracked down on protesters objecting to the razing of a city park in Istanbul. l

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

In this Nov. 9, 1979, file photo, one of the hostages being held at the US Embassy in Tehran is displayed to the crowd, blindfolded and with his hands bound AP

Former hostages react to Iran’s nuclear deal n AP, McLean, Virginia

A nuclear deal between the US, Iran and other world powers has been described as a trust-building step after decades of animosity that hopefully will lead to a more comprehensive deal down the road.

But for many of the 66 Americans who were held hostage for 444 days at the start of the Iranian revolution, trusting the regime in Tehran feels like a mistake.

“It’s kind of like Jimmy Carter all over again,” said Clair Cortland Barnes, now retired after a career at the CIA and elsewhere. He sees the negotiations now as no more effective than they were in 1979 and 1980, when he and others lan-

guished, facing mock executions and other torments. The hostage crisis began in November of 1979 when militants stormed the United States Embassy in Tehran and seized its occupants.

Retired Air Force Col Thomas E Schaefer, 83, called the deal “foolishness.”

“My personal view is, I never found an Iranian leader I can trust,” he said. “I don’t think today it’s any different from when I was there. None of them, I think, can be trusted. Why make an agreement with people you can’t trust?”

Schaefer was a military attache in Iran who was among those held hostage.

His wife of more than 60 years, Anita, also takes a dim view of the agreement: “We are probably not very Christian-like when it comes to all this,” she said. l

Nine detained after oil pipeline blasts in China n AP, Beijing

Typhoon survivors cross a row of school chairs to avoid a muddy portion of an evacuation center Tuesday Nov. 26, 2013 after being ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan more than two weeks ago at Tacloban city, Leyte province in central Philippines AP

Police have detained seven employees of China’s largest oil refiner, Sinopec, following last week’s oil pipeline blast that killed at least 55 people when it ripped through a road lined with businesses and apartments in an eastern port city.

Two Qingdao city employees also were in police custody, local authorities said a statement late Monday. The Sinopec pipeline, aligned along the city’s drainage network, ruptured early Friday and spilled oil along a long stretch of road, as well as into the nearby sea. Hours later the oil exploded as workers tried to clean up the spill. China’s government demanded accountability in the disaster, the dead-

liest involving Sinopec. Yang Dongliang, head of the State Administration of Work Safety, called it a “very serious” accident caused by irresponsibility.

Yang said the pipeline’s layout was unreasonable, that its safety management was lax and that Sinopec and local officials failed to take enough preventative measures after the leak, such as cordoning off the area and evacuating residents, according to a statement posted on the administration’s web site.

Three more bodies were found on the scene Monday, raising the death toll to 55, Qingdao police said. They said of the 52 confirmed dead earlier, 42 were male.

Friday’s blast also left 136 people injured and nine others missing. l

UN envoy: Syria war fueling Iraq terrorist threat

France sending 1K troops to CAR

n AP, United Nations

France will send 1,000 troops to Central African Republic to keep growing chaos at bay, the defence minister said Tuesday, announcing his country’s second military foray into a troubled former colony this year.

The confirmation from Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian came a day after a top UN official warned of mass atrocities and possible civil war in one of the world’s poorest countries, which has been in turmoil since rebel groups joined forces in March and overthrew the president. The rebels have been accused by rights groups of committing scores of atrocities includ-

The conflict in Syria is helping fuel terrorism and sectarian tensions in neighbouring Iraq, enabling groups like al-Qaeda to forge links with similar factions across the border, the UN envoy to Iraq said Monday.

Nickolay Mladenov told the UN Security Council that resolving the Syrian crisis and adopting a regional strategy against all forms of religious or sectarian extremism “are vital to bringing stability to Iraq.”

“Today, more than ever, Iraq’s challenges cannot be considered in isolation from the broader risks that face the

n AP, Paris

region,” he said, noting that more than 202,000 Syrian refugees are registered in Iraq, 98% of them in Kurdistan.

Mladenov said deteriorating security in Iraq, compounded by political deadlock, is being exploited by terrorists and armed groups trying to incite sectarian hatred and undermine the government.

The former Bulgarian former minister, who was appointed to the job in August

by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said all political, civic and religious leaders that he met in Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil, Anbar and Kirkuk expressed deep concern over the escalating violence. l

Turkish TV invades Pakistani homes! n AP, Karachi Ottoman Turks never expanded their empire as far as today’s Pakistan, but some here fear their descendants are now launching a cultural invasion — via popular soap operas that Pakistani artists and politicians say threaten the local TV industry and the country’s conservative Islamic values.

Some of the Turkish shows feature actresses wearing miniskirts and showing cleavage, a far cry from the billowing

shalwar kameez garments worn by most Pakistani women that hardly reveal skin.

The shows, which have taken Pakistan by storm over the last year, are attractive to local TV operators because they are much cheaper to buy than Pakistani dramas are to produce, and also feature more elaborate costumes and sets. “It is a big challenge,” said Abid Ali, a veteran Pakistani TV star, while filming his latest show, Mere Apne, or My Loved Ones, in the southern city of Karachi. “Turkish shows have very expensive productions

It often costs more to produce Pakistani shows than to import Turkish ones

AP

our industry can’t afford.”

The spartan set of Ali’s show, which chronicles the sad life of a young girl after her parents die, helped prove his point. The entire episode was filmed in the living room and driveway of a small rented house in an upscale area of Karachi. The actresses used the only bedroom on the ground floor to apply their makeup, and the kids who lived in the house were scolded for making too much noise while they were filming.

Since there was only one camera, they had to shoot each scene three times from different angles.

One of the most popular Turkish shows in Pakistan right now is Mera Sultan, or My Sultan, a period drama about the powerful Ottoman ruler Suleiman the Magnificent. The show is no Game of Thrones, but it does feature ornate Ottoman-style sets, scenes with horses and archery and beautifully designed costumes. “There are multiple reasons behind the success of Turkish drama serials,” said Athar Waqar Azeem, a senior vice president at Hum TV, one of Pakistan’s leading entertainment channels.

“Freshness, better and beautiful locations and new faces attract Pakistanis.”

One episode of a Turkish drama costs a Pakistani TV station about $2,500 to broadcast, while the production of a Pakistani show can be four times that amount, Azeem said. l

ing killings, rapes and conscription of child soldiers.

“It’s in collapse and we cannot have a country fall apart like that. There is the violence, massacres and humanitarian chaos that follow a collapse,” Le Drian told Europe 1 radio. “It will be a short mission to allow calm and stability to return.”

France has about 2,800 troops in Mali, an operation that began after rebels and al-Qaeda linked militants moved to take over the capital last winter, but Le Drian dismissed any comparisons between the two missions.

“In Mali there was an attack of jihadists, terrorists who wanted to transform Mali into a terrorist state. This is a collapse

of a country with a potential for religious clashes,” he said. “France has international responsibilities.”

France will accompany an African force of troops from neighbouring countries, in a mission expected to last about six months, Le Drian said.

In a briefing Monday to the Security Council, UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said that the situation in the Central African Republic was deteriorating so rapidly — with the country becoming “a breeding ground for extremists and armed groups” and never-before-seen sectarian violence between Muslims and Christians — that a UN peacekeeping force may soon be the only option. l

WORLD WATCH Egypt: Army kills leading jihadi in northern Sinai

An Egyptian military officer says the army has killed a leading al-Qaeda-inspired militant and his son in clashes in the northern Sinai Peninsula. The official said army units killed Mohammed Hussein Muhareb and his son Mansour Tuesday in a firefight with a group of militants in al-Joura village, south of the town of Sheikh Zuweid.

The official said Muhareb was the leader of a militant cell responsible for an August attack that killed 25 Egyptian police conscripts.

At least one in Japan gets HIV from donated blood

At least one person in Japan has been infected with HIV from a blood transfusion. A spokesman for the Japanese Red Cross Society said Tuesday that a male donor tested positive for HIV this month. Red Cross spokesman Akihiko Nakano says the man had also donated blood earlier this year, and two people had received the blood. Results for the second person have not come out yet.

All donated blood is screened, but the tests are not foolproof, especially when the infection is in its early stages.

Australian waterskier dies after crash in endurance race Leading Australian waterskier Sarah Teelow has died as the result of a

crash during an endurance race on the Hawkesbury River north of Sydney on Sunday. Police say Teelow, aged 20, fell off her skis soon after the start of the high-speed 121-kilometre Bridgeto-Bridge race. She was air-lifted to Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition with spinal and head injuries but died late Monday. Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that Teelow was the seventh waterskier to die in an accident in Australia in the last five years.

New York man seeks owner of Emmy award found in trash

A New York man who found what he believes to be a legitimate Emmy award in box of trash said he wants to find the rightful owners. Ismael Cekic said he found the golden statuette in a box full of trash in front of a home in his Brooklyn neighbourhood and he did not realise what it was until he saw the Emmy Awards ceremony on TV, WCBS-TV, New York, reported Monday. He said the Emmy is believed to be a trophy from the 1950s, but the band on its base that would reveal who it was given to is missing. Cekic said no one living in the home where he discovered the statue knew where it came from. He said he is hoping to find the rightful owner. “I would want this back in my family if I would have lost it. So, I’m thinking why would someone throw this out?” he said.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

9

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Indonesia says Australian PM seeks to calm fury n Reuters, Jakarta Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has promised to take no future action that will damage relations with Indonesia, seeking to calm fury in Jakarta over allegations that Canberra tried to tap phone conversations of its top officials.

The issue has created the biggest diplomatic rift between the neighbours since the late 1990s and threatened economic ties and efforts to curb the flight of asylum seekers to Australia.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told reporters that Abbott had made the pledge in a letter to him at the weekend, which also included a commitment to “build a new architecture for intelligence sharing.”

“I still feel there are some things that need to be addressed,” Yudhoyono said, but added that “in essence” relations were very good.

He said he would appoint a special envoy, or possibly his foreign minister, to resolve major issues regarding intelligence sharing, after which he would himself look into establishing a new

code of ethics on the issue.

“There is a process that needs to be pursued, discussions that need to be had after this.”

The diplomatic bust-up followed reports last week quoting documents leaked by former US National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden that Australia’s intelligence services had tried to eavesdrop on mobile phone conversations of the president, his wife and other top officials.

The Abbott letter comes close to the approach taken by US President Barack Obama after allegations the United States had spied on German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He promised it would not happen again.

Last week, Yudhoyono ordered the suspension of military and police cooperation over the sensitive issue of asylum seekers using Indonesian territory to sail to Australia.

But in a surprise twist, Yudhoyono said his foreign minister would summon the ambassadors of Singapore and South Korea over media reports that their governments had helped Australia

in its spying.

Earlier on Tuesday, Malaysia summoned Singapore’s high commissioner for talks, saying it was “extremely concerned” by media reports that the city-state helps Western intelligence agencies spy on its Southeast Asian neighbour.

In a sign of Indonesia’s pique, Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan said Indonesia was looking for alternatives to Australia for food imports. Australia is a key supplier of wheat, beef and live cattle.

“There are other places that I think can help us with our food security aspirations,” Wirjawan told foreign journalists. “We are looking at those possibilities.”

However, given the sensitivity of beef prices this year in Indonesia, where inflation has been running high, the country has little choice but to rely on Australia in the short term.

Wirjawan, who has already begun his campaign for next July’s presidential election, said he had asked parliament to look into regulations that limit imports from certain countries. l

Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Nadjib Riphat Kesoema, right, speaks to journalists next to Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa after their meeting in Jakarta AP

Demo in Indonesia over spying row Malaysia summons Singapore envoy n AFP, Jakarta Demonstrators in military-style uniforms protested outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta Tuesday, as the Indonesian president weighed his response to a letter from Prime Minister Tony Abbott aimed at calming a row over spying.

Allegations that Australian spies tried to listen to the phones of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, his wife and his ministers in 2009 has sparked an escalating diplomatic crisis.

Jakarta has reacted furiously, ending cooperation on military exercises and in the key area of people-smuggling and recalling its ambassador from Australia.

On Tuesday a crowd from a paramilitary organisation, wearing black and orange outfits, burnt pictures of Abbott outside the mission, the latest angry protest at the heavily fortified compound.

“Australia must apologise publicly and the ambassador must leave this country,” read one of the banners carried by some 100 protesters.

“It’s not simply about the spying, Australia has intervened in too many Indonesian affairs,” shouted one demonstrator through a loudspeaker.

He cited the separatist movement in the eastern Papua region, which has received support from some Australian activists.

Last week, hundreds of demonstra-

tors pelted eggs and rotten tomatoes at the embassy.

Abbott has so far refused to apologise over the scandal, further infuriating Jakarta, and Yudhoyono sent a letter last week to the Australian leader demanding he fully explain the allegations.

Abbot replied at the weekend. The president on Tuesday met with Vice President Boediono, the recalled ambassador, and other ministers at the presidential palace in Jakarta to consider his next step.

There has as yet been no indication of the letter’s content. But speaking ahead of the meeting, presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha hinted that Jakarta was satisfied. l

over spying claim n AP, Kuala Lampur Malaysia’s foreign ministry summoned a senior Singaporean diplomat Tuesday over allegations that the city-state has helped the United States and Australia tap telecommunications links in Asia for espionage.

Singapore’s government has not publicly responded to the allegations, which were published Monday in Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald and cite documents from National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden.

Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said in a statement that his ministry was

seeking clarification from Singapore’s high commissioner, or ambassador, to Malaysia.

“If those allegations are eventually proven, it is certainly a serious matter that the government of Malaysia strongly rejects and abhors,” Anifah said.

He said that spying against a good friend and neighbour was unacceptable.

Anifah’s ministry earlier this month protested to US and Australian embassy officials over accusations that their diplomatic missions house surveillance equipment used to collect electronic communications.

The Sydney Morning Herald report said a National Security Agency map published by Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad this past week confirmed that Singapore played a role in helping the US and other intelligence partners tap undersea cables.

Similar spying allegations rocked relations between Indonesia and Australia this month, with Jakarta recalling its ambassador, downgrading relations and suspending cooperation on people-smuggling after reports of Australian tapping the phones of Indonesia’s president, his wife and eight Indonesian ministers and officials in 2009. l

parents get life Researchers say they have found India marks fifth year since Mumbai attacks Indian for killing daughter oldest Buddhist shrine n n AFP, Mumbai

n AP, Kathmandu Archaeologists in Nepal say they have discovered traces of a wooden structure dating from the sixth century BC that they believe is the world’s oldest Buddhist shrine. Kosh Prasad Acharya, who teamed with archaeologists from Britain’s Durham University, said Tuesday that the structure was unearthed inside the sacred Mayadevi Temple in Lumbini. Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama, is generally thought to have been born in about the sixth century BC at the temple site. The findings were published in the December issue of the journal Antiquity. Acharya said the traces were tested using radiocarbon and luminescence techniques, which found they dated from the sixth century BC. The archaeological team dug underneath previously known brick structures inside the temple, and experts from Scotland’s University of Sterling examined and collected the samples, he said. The team has been working on the site for the past three years.

Previously, a pillar installed by Indian

Japan secrecy law stirs fear of limits on freedoms n AP, Tokyo A proposed state secrecy law in Japan that imposes stiffer penalties on bureaucrats who leak information — and journalists who seek it — is spurring a public outcry, with opponents blasting it as a heavy-handed effort to hide what the government is doing and restrict press freedom.

The public’s top concern is that the government will not say exactly what it wants to make secret. Critics say the law could allow the government to withhold information about whatever it wants and ultimately undermine Japan’s democracy.

The ruling party says the “secrecy protection” law, which the lower house of parliament could vote on as soon as Tuesday, is needed to allow the United States and other allies to share national security information with Japan. Along with the creation of a US-style National Security Council in his office, it’s part of an effort by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to beef up Japan’s role in global security, and make a more authoritarian government at home. l

Emperor Ashoka with inscriptions dating to the third century BC was considered to be the oldest Buddhist structure, Acharya said.

“This finding further strengthens the chronology of Buddha’s life and is major news for the millions of Buddhists around the world,” Acharya said in an interview.

“Very little is known about the life of the Buddha, except through textual sources and oral tradition,” Durham University archaeologist Robin Coningham said in a statement. “Now, for the first time, we have an archaeological sequence at Lumbini that shows a building there as early as the sixth century BC.” Each year, tens of thousands of Buddhists visit Lumbini, 280 kilometres southwest of Katmandu. l

India marked the fifth anniversary of the Mumbai attacks on Tuesday with memorial services and prayers to honour the 166 people killed in the threeday assault by Pakistani militants.

Victims and government ministers laid wreaths at a memorial in south Mumbai dedicated to police and security forces killed trying to stop the Islamist gunmen during 60 hours of carnage.

Ten militants arrived by sea on the evening of November 26, carrying out a massacre at hotels, a railway station, cafe and Jewish centre as terrified civilians tried to escape the bloodbath.

Live television footage was shown around the world as commandos battled with the gunmen, before authorities finally regained full control of the city three days later. About 300 people were injured.

Devika Rotawan was 10 years old when she was shot in the leg as the militants roamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal firing indiscrimately at people.

“My life was peaceful before the at-

tacks... it is not the same now. Though my leg has recovered, it still pains when I run or walk for a long time,” Rotawan told AFP. Rotawan, who turns 15 next month and wants to join the police force after finishing school, marked the day by praying for peace for her family and her city.

Maharashtra state’s chief minister, Prithviraj Chavan, and top police officers laid floral tributes at the memorial along Mumbai’s Marine Drive – just a short distance from the spot where the then sole surviving gunman was captured.

Pakistani national Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, was hanged last November after a lengthy trial for his role in the attacks.

Both New Delhi and Washington blame the attacks on the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba.

On Tuesday security was strengthened at the places which came under siege, including the landmark Taj Mahal Palace hotel which will hold its own private memorial service later in the day.

On the eve of the anniversary, the author of an acclaimed new book on the

China defence zone points to long game n AP, Beijing China’s new air defence zone in the East China Sea further asserts its territorial claims over disputed islands but isn’t expected to immediately spark confrontations with foreign aircraft.

Yet the move fits a pattern of putting teeth behind China’s claims and could potentially lead to dangerous encounters depending on how vigorously China enforces it — and how cautious it is when intercepting aircraft from Japan, the US and other countries. While enforcement is expected to start slowly, Beijing has a record of playing the long game, and analysts say they anticipate a gradual scaling-up of activity.

Beijing on Saturday issued a map of the zone — which includes a cluster of islands controlled by Japan but also claimed by China — and a set of rules that say all aircraft entering the area must notify Chinese authorities and are subject to emergency military measures if they do not identify themselves or obey Beijing’s orders.

The declaration seems to have flopped as a foreign policy gambit. Analysts say Beijing may have miscalculated the forcefulness and speed with which

tragedy warned that India failed to learn the lessons from the assault.

Adrian Levy, whose book “The Siege” highlights striking failures in Indian authorities’ response to the attacks, said he feared security had barely improved since then.

India’s Hindustan Times newspaper also questioned the city’s security and pointed to still “fraught” ties with Pakistan despite efforts to improve relations between the two rival neighbours.

“Questions remain about our ability to respond in the face of another attack” particularly to protect the long city’s coastline from a terror attack, the newspaper said in an editorial.

India has pressed Pakistan to bring the alleged masterminds of the attacks to justice. Pakistan charged seven men in 2009 over the attacks and has started a trial there, but says it needs to gather more evidence before proceeding further.

Rotawan, who was a key witness in the trial against Kasab, said: “I have seen no change in the past five years.

The government is not capable of preventing further terror attacks.” l

its neighbours rejected its demands.

Washington, which has hundreds of military aircraft based in the region, says it has zero intention of complying.

Japan likewise has called the zone invalid, unenforceable and dangerous, while Taiwan and South Korea, both close to the US, also rejected it.

At least in the short term, the move undermines Beijing’s drive for regional

influence, said Bonnie Glaser, an Asia expert at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC. “It doesn’t serve Chinese interests to have tensions with so many neighbours simultaneously,” she said.

Denny Roy, a security expert at the East-West Centre in Hawaii, said China’s enforcement will likely be mostly rhetorical at first. l

A court sentenced two married dentists to life in prison Tuesday for killing their 14-year-old daughter and their housekeeper in a case that has dominated headlines and polarised Indians.

Rajesh and Nupur Talwar, from the New Delhi suburb of Noida, had reportedly broken down in tears when they were convicted Monday and vowed to appeal the verdict.

Defence lawyer Rebecca John said after Tuesday’s sentencing that the case against the Talwars, based largely on circumstantial evidence, amounted to a “witch hunt” and said “there has been a serious miscarriage of justice in this case.”

The couple came under suspicion soon after their daughter, Aarushi, was found dead in her bedroom in May 2008, her throat slit with surgical precision.

Police initially named the Talwars’ missing Nepali housekeeper as the prime suspect, until his lifeless body was found a day later on a terrace above Aarushi’s room. l

Pakistani polio workers released n AFP, Peshawar

Islamist militants Tuesday released seven polio workers who were kidnapped last week in a northwestern Pakistani tribal district while carrying out a vaccination campaign, officials said.

The workers were seized last Thursday in the Bara area of Khyber district by the Lashkar-e-Islam group.

Pakistan is one of only three countries in the world where polio is still endemic. But efforts to stamp out the crippling disease have been hit by repeated attacks – often fatal – on health teams.

“The polio workers have been released in Tirah valley and they will reach

Oct. 13, 2011 file photo: Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s P-3C Orion surveillance plane flies over the disputed islands in the East China Sea AP

AP, New Delhi

Peshawar by tomorrow (Wednesday),” Nasir Khan, a senior Khyber administration official, told AFP. Their release was secured with the help of tribal elders, he added. A local intelligence official confirmed the release. Tirah is a stronghold of Islamist insurgents, where the military claimed earlier this year that it had destroyed extremist hideouts after an operation. Officials in Khyber said the group was made up of four teachers at a private school, a male nurse and two volunteers. Militant groups in the restive country have rejected vaccination as a Western plot against Muslims and banned teams from giving out polio drops in some areas. l

NATO trucks still stuck in Pakistan n AP, Karachi

Transportation officials say trucks carrying NATO troop supplies to Afghanistan remain stuck in Pakistan as concern lingers about demonstrators seeking to stop the vehicles to protest US drone strikes. Himayat Shah, head of a transportation association, said Tuesday that most trucks carrying NATO supplies and commercial goods to Afghanistan stopped three days ago

when supporters of politician Imran Khan began their protest in northwest Pakistan.

Police intervened Monday to stop the protesters from halting trucks. But Shah said transportation companies did not yet feel comfortable enough to resume their shipments.

The road blocked by Khan’s supporters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province leads to one of two routes used to ship NATO supplies to Afghanistan. l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Letters to

www.dhakatribune.com

the Editor

LETTER OF THE DAY

Removal of elected directors an affront to GB members

Why not use nonviolent protest?

November 22

The start of the two day blockade called by the BNP and its allies on Monday saw repeated acts of intimidation and vandalism, which predictably led to a person being killed as they tried to avoid a clash between violent protestors and law enforcers.

Shockingly, the blockade has included some of its supporters removing tracks and key equipment from railway The BNP should lines and over 20 people were rethink its course injured when the Dhaka-Moof action towards a hanganj train was derailed as clearly non-violent a result.

At a time when the election and voluntary model is scheduled and dialogue of protest attempts are underway, we fail to see whose interest is served by this so-called blockade.

The opposition is entitled to express dissent and to call protests over the election framework, but there is no constitutional right to recklessly endanger peoples’ lives in this manner. The economy is clearly harmed by the flow of goods being disrupted and as with hartals, a climate of fear is created for ordinary citizens.

The BNP also harms its own case by allowing itself to be associated with such actions.

We believe it should unequivocally disassociate itself from criminal acts and rethink its course of action towards a clearly non-violent and voluntary model of protest.

Such an approach would be more likely to win rather than alienate public sympathy. It would also put the ball more firmly into the government’s court by showing some moral authority. This would have the potential to oblige the government to take a more conciliatory approach towards settling the election deadlock.

In reading this article, one very pertinent question comes to my mind. If the national parliament can hang on till the next elected parliament takes over, why then can’t the nine present elected board members of GB continue till the next elected board members come into the office?

Waliul Haque Khondker

Hey, Hay, what can I say?

November 19 Life goes on, regardless of our political hara-kiri. nina malik And I don’t think it was held to give the visiting In lieu of telling the readers you tried to draw a participants a view that everything was or is ok pristine picture about the Hay Festival. I am apwith Bangladesh. For one thing, all they needed to palled by your blatant disregard about the present do was to look at any English language newspaper volatile political situation where innocent people of the country – hard or soft copy – to know about are getting killed and are being burned alive. its violent political scene. For another, why would Where is your civic sense? At a time like this how anyone need to delude the participants in this can you gloat about Dhaka being the perfect host regard? They are hardly important in the world for this festival which is meant for only Dhaka elites political scene. of Dhaka’s literary world for the ones who write in English?

AM Yeah, the festival held off the hartal for a nina malik: I totally agree with you about the Dhaka few days but there is no denying the fact while literary scene. It is very infuriating to see them everyone was buying English language books the during events, how some of the writers who write storm was still brewing in the political scene. The in English always look smug. None of them are festival was a temporary distraction to lead the internationally famous and hence the arrogance visiting participants into believing that everything because they know they are at best mediocre. is hunky-dory in Bangladesh.

This festival has no bearing for the majority Adnan people in Bangladesh. It is only for the likes of peoMost of us, commoners, hate how literary/artistic ple who have been dominating the Dhaka literary spheres are hogged by a haughty few. We resent scene for decades now, and no one can come close. those who sit on their high-chairs of literary masWithout an inside connection, one has no chance tery and creativity. But that aside, the Hay Festival to make a name. It enrages me to see that Dhaka’s is a great place for exchanging ideas. I can’t imagine literature scene is dominated by a few old and tired another place where someone like me would be looking faces. We need fresh faces and new writers conversing with the likes of Kuldip Nayar or Pankaj and poets.

Mishra.

To those complaining that it’s mostly an “elite” frkislam gathering, that is so because you decline to play nina malik: If we can host New Zealand for a cricket the game. Because you refuse to attend, hear and series amidst the ongoing turmoil, what’s the problem with a literary festival? Just because it isn’t speak. Come and hear the greats speak. And if you think they’re not good enough, let’s start our own, populist enough doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be held. lowbrow festival. :)

Be Heard

Flexibility the key for EC Chief Election Commissioner Rakibuddin Ahmad has announced that the next parliamentary election will be held on January 5, 2014, while main opposition BNP and its allies have rejected the announcement, calling for countrywide blockade.

The country needs a fair and credible election, and it is laudable that the government has moved forward to conduct the polls within the parameters of the constitution, deAll parties should spite vehement disagreement work together to from the opposition. find a compromise As a number of political parthat would ensure ties feel that such a one-sided that the election is announcement of the election fully inclusive and schedule would prevent a fair participatory and credible election, we urge the government to exercise flexibility in the schedule as necessary in order to accommodate all parties to the extent possible and to avoid escalating the already heated situation that prevails between the AL and BNP as well as other opposing parties.

We hope the government will maintain flexibility when it comes to the election schedule and include other parties into this discussion. While the election under the current government is constitutionally justified, a rigid stance will compromise the credibility of the polls further.

Now that the schedule has been announced all parties should work together to find a compromise that would ensure that the election is fully inclusive and participatory, and that the Bangladeshi people are not denied a full range of choice.

CROSSWORD

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DOWN 1 Buffalo (5) 2 United (3) 3 Metal (5) 4 Plant secretion (3) 5 Odd (7) 6 Way out (4) 7 Look narrowly (4) 11 Yield (4) 12 Bragged (7) 14 Water pitcher (4) 16 Omit in pronunciation (5) 17 Out of sorts (5) 18 Narrow beams (4) 19 Raw hide (4) 21 Wet, soft earth (3) 22 Perfect score (3)

November 19 So what if he lied a little on his CV? We have had a judge with a false certificate and convicted felons as ministers. This is nothing in Bangladesh. rutland waters

November 20

P Sarker In the recent years, instead of setting up new ones, a dozen public toilets in prime locations have been dismantled!

Syed Saheeb Ahmed I think it’s a good business prospect for the private sector to set up toilets on a pay per use basis. They have them abroad. Worth Tk5 to Tk10 per session, if it’s up to the standard. :-) Petros Mendes These are the kind of basic needs this nation needs to pay a little more attention towards.

Australia delays naming team to play England November 20

Oh Darren! Cricket’s glory lost much since the retirement of Hayden, Ponting, Slater, Langer, Waugh, Bevan, McGrath, Gillespie, Gilchrist. What a team that was!

Wajahat Anwar

The fine beauty of miniature paintings, an open air exhibition

November 19 The earliest miniature paintings are Jain and Rajput and their size depended on the size of palm leaves. Hindu miniature painting aimed at spiritual meaning and impact since, it was felt, nature had already done the best. Persian painting came later and valued realism and the Mughal courts too valued realism. Their painters (who were mostly Hindu), adapted to their demand.

S

First Ticfa meeting likely on Nov 25 November 20

Provisions and sections of TICFA, and the possibility of any conditions imposed, should clearly be published immediately.

Muhammad Mushfiqur Rahman

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PEANUTS

CODE-CRACKER ACROSS 1 Employer (4) 5 Precipitous (5) 8 Whole (6) 9 Ooze (4) 10 Frozen treat (3) 12 Trade by exchange (6) 13 Naval hero (6) 15 Concurs (6) 18 Rest (6) 20 Hundredth of a hectare (3) 21 Small child (4) 23 Seeped (6) 24 Satisfied fully (5) 25 Refuse to admit (4)

Metro rail deal to be signed today

Capital calls for more public toilets

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS Crossword

Sudoku

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

A hartal by any other name

When we get burnt n SM Shaikat

Y

A category 8, perhaps

I

n Shawkat Hussain

woke up this morning confused about what it all means. In Bangla it is oborodh. In English, some call it a blockade, others call it a siege. I understand that all roads and waterways and air travel will be blockaded for 48 hours. The point is to paralyse city life for 48 hours and hopefully force the government to its knees.

Trucks, buses, cars, steamers, launches, and airplanes, will not be allowed to leave or enter Dhaka city.

I’m not quite sure how the opposition picketers can stop planes from taking off or landing on runways. But I’m not flying anywhere so I’m not agonising about it either.

But it’s not a hartal, so can I take my car out? That’s what I’m agonising about. Will my university be open and can I take classes? Around nine in the morning, I heard that not a single student in a Dhaka University class turned up, and the teacher who was there with her car also noticed that hers was the only car in the street.

Around the same time, all the students in a private university turned up for their 9am class. There is surely a definitional confusion here regarding

DHAKA TRIBUNE

the term oborodh. What exactly does it mean for ordinary people who just want to go about their ordinary lives doing ordinary things, like shopping and working and teaching and whatever else ordinary people do.

So, finally I took a rickshaw to the private university where I teach, wondering if my students would turn up, whether the scheduled weekly meeting would be held. The students stayed home (some teachers too) but the meeting would be held, and I have this bit of time to write this.

about this term and it is up to the opposition to let us know exactly what it expects from ordinary people who will either defy it or observe it. Oborodh is a relatively new term I think, and has been around for only about a decade, and never quite explained by our leaders.

Perhaps it is time to come up with new ways to categorise our resistance to the government, to clearly articulate the degree and intensity of opposition, to specify the level of violence to be unleashed on the day that a strike or

Perhaps it is time to come up with new ways to categorise our resistance to the government, to clearly articulate the degree and intensity of opposition, to specify the level of violence to be unleashed

As I look out of my window and see the street below, it feels very much like a hartal, something that we are all used to and know about very well.

So what’s really the difference when everything around you in the city feels like a hartal, but is really an oborodh or siege or blockade?

Some definitional clarity is required

hartal or blockade is called. Something along the lines of the categorisation of cyclones in Bangladesh could be useful.

When a cyclone brews in the Bay of Bengal, the met department hoists a danger signal 1 or 2 or 8 or 9 or any of the numbers in-between and we know exactly (or almost) where we stand.

11

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

We can decide to go sailing, or fishing, in shallow waters or the deep sea, we can decide to stay put in our flimsy shanties, barricade our homes, evacuate, or move to higher ground. At least we have these options because the met department tells us what to expect.

So let’s call all protests against the government “hartals,” and assign specific danger signals to them, depending on the level of seriousness and violence that is planned. Let’s start with hartal 1 (just a few rickshaws burnt) and gradually move up to hartal 9 (doomsday mayhem), should the political situation warrant it. The Hefazat rally on May 5 should give a fairly good idea of category 9 hartal.

I expect this courtesy from the opposition if it wants my vote and I expect the same courtesy from the government when it becomes the opposition.

As I write these words I feel that it is a category 6 hartal today.

I do not know how the rest of the day will unfold. Depending on my trip to Gulshan later in the afternoon, and then my return home to the DU campus in a CNG, I will decide whether to upgrade or downgrade the danger signal. l Shawkat Hussain is Professor of English at State University of Bangladesh.

es, I am a nobody. I have no voice in national politics or policymaking, and I am a citizen of this country by birth. I gave these answers in response to questions from a friend a few weeks back. His questions have stopped me for a while to think over the reasons I am writing in the newspapers or on social media pages.

From our independence till today, it has been the youth who have fought and died for those who never felt for them. No regime could ever show a street on which violence did not exist.

Leaders became rulers, and rulers did not want others to become leaders. We fought for independence, and since achieving it, we have been fighting ourselves in this “democracy.”

Have we tasted democracy ever, after getting this sovereign nation, Bangladesh? Why have we not? What are the barriers? The answer to the first of the questions is: “No, we have not tasted real democracy as a nation.” We experienced autocracy, the military, clashes, blood, bullets, and the burnt, dead bodies of the masses in the streets.

Our tax money was spent for the purchase of luxury commodities of our so-called leaders. Even a person with the lowest income, like a beggar or a rickshaw-puller, pays VAT that goes directly into the Treasury, but do you see any beggars protesting the scams of ministers? No, they can’t. They have no voice.

No, we have not tasted real democracy as a nation. We experienced autocracy, clashes, blood, bullets, and the burnt, dead bodies of the masses Intolerance and partisan clashes leave thousands killed. Who gets killed, and who gets punished? Greed has driven us to a situation where we have become divided into three parties. One is the ruling party, one is their opposition, and then there is us, the people.

It is us, the third-party, who get killed in the power play between the other two parties. I can name some of these people. Anwar, a meritorious, poor boy was killed in the Dhaka University clash a couple of years back, and who got punished? Bishwajit was murdered in front of the media. We forgot about Rabbi, a little boy who got shot in Mymensingh during a political clash a couple of months back. We have forgotten about the dead bodies

of the garment workers in the Savar collapse.

I have to agree with many people that none of these incidents have connections to each other. But at the same time, I have to agree with the opposition that they have connections.

Ultimately, I am taking none of their views, rather, I go for my own stance that the only connection among these incidents is that the victims were all common people.

Every hope for peaceful dialogue between the two major political parties has now become an illusion. I say we have been burnt enough

A little boy, Monir, died in a truck-torching incident. It was not an accident, it was a killing. This incident will be wrapped up in a political banner to catch some other people who will then turn this case into an “accident.”

Surprisingly, party-biased people have renamed themselves as human rights people, as keepers of the rule of law. Those who speak against government actions are being threatened with newly amended laws like the ICT law, and anti-terrorism laws.

Both parties have ignored the fact that a democracy which does not tolerate criticism is not a democracy at all.

I am not neutral. I am very much biased, perhaps more than them, and my bias is towards the unrepresented mass people. Yes, I am the voice of those young people who have voted once, and have tried to choose a leader who would bring about a change from the tyranny of elected monarchs.

Every hope for peaceful dialogue between the two major political parties has now become an illusion, and some small groups are trying to create more unrest, with the intention of getting a third dimension into politics.

But I say the third force is none but the people themselves. I say we have been burnt enough.

We get torched every day. Now, if the political parties fail, it is up to the young people to raise their voices against the absence of law, and the presence of bad laws. No right in this world has ever been achieved without the voice of the masses.

In the absence of a proper guide, the way out is to be decided by the people themselves. l SM Shaikat is a human rights activist.

All but an all-party government? n M Abdul Latif Mondal

T

he much-talked-about “all-party” polls-time cabinet has now been formed with the incumbent prime minister and president of the Awami League (AL) Sheikh Hasina as its head. Including the prime minister, the polls-time cabinet now has 29 members.

Of the 28 ministers, 20 are from the immediate past cabinet. Since their resignation letters were not accepted by the president, they continue as ministers in the polls-time cabinet and they were not required to be administered oaths of office.

of the constitutional provision for a non-party caretaker government, turned down the proposal and remained rigid to its demand.

BNP not only turned down the PM’s proposal to form an all-party election-time cabinet, its Chairperson Khaleda Zia on October 22 made an alternative proposal for forming an election-time, “non-party” government with 10 former advisers drawn from the caretaker governments of 1996 and 2001.

She proposed that from out of the 20 advisers to the two caretaker governments of 1996 and 2001, the ruling party would propose five names and

According to the BNP, the formation of the all-party cabinet is nothing but a reconstitution of the immediate past cabinet that consisted of members from the AL-led grand alliance

On November 18, President Abdul Hamid administered an oath of office to eight new ministers. Of them, two are from AL, five from Jatiya Party-JP and one from Workers Party (WP), components of the grand alliance formed on the eve of the ninth parliamentary election. The PM has allocated portfolios to ministers of the election-time government, which was notified in the Bangladesh gazette on November 21.

In order to overcome the ongoing political impasse, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in an address to the nation on October 18, proposed to form an all-party government to oversee the 10th national election. BNP, which has long been demanding restoration

the opposition five others. She also proposed that a “respected citizen” of the country be selected on the basis of a consensus between the ruling and the opposition parties, who would be the chief adviser of the polls-time government.

The ninth parliament has representation from eight political parties namely AL, BNP, Jatiya Party-JP, Jamaat-e- Islami, JSD, LDP, Workers’ Party and Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP. BNP has criticised the formation of the election-time cabinet by passing its demand for a non-party government.

According to the BNP, the formation of the all-party cabinet is nothing but a reconstitution of the immediate past

cabinet that consisted of members from the AL-led grand alliance.

It has termed the formation of the polls-time cabinet as a farce and said that it will not work. BNP will not participate in the election under this cabinet.

Gonotantrik Bam Morcha, an alliance of eight left-leaning parties, has said that the AL-led government has been reconstituted in the name of formation of an all-party government.

The new one is actually a reshuffled cabinet of the grand alliance government.

Political analysts and academics have given mixed reactions to the formation of the polls-time cabinet, and suggested immediate dialogue between the major political parties.

Some of them have said that the interim cabinet will break the current political impasse, whilst others have said that the polls-time government cannot be called an all-party government, since the main opposition BNP has not joined it. The formation of the polls-time cabinet is a strategy of the AL to make the grand alliance more organised.

English language daily The New Nation ran a commentary on November 19, which said: “Like most political observers and civil society leaders, we believe that the so-called all-party government will not make any difference.

This is because the all-party government is all but a four-party coalition of the earlier AL-led 14-party alliance and this is what one may just term as the old wine in a new bottle.”

An online poll recently conducted

by The Daily Star has shown that that 81% of the participants think that the newly formed polls-time government cannot be called an all-party government.

The Economist of London in its

Will these votes count?

November 22 issue wrote: “It is merely a slimmed down version of the existing government of Sheikh Hasina, made up of the AL and assorted smaller allies, including the Jatiya Party of a former dictator, Mohammad Ershad.”

Civil society leaders, academics, media, the UN secretary-general, foreign dignitaries, diplomats, many others have stressed the need for dialogue between the government and the opposition, particularly between the PM and the leader of the opposition to work out an acceptable polls-time government for holding a peaceful, free, fair and credible election.

The move by the government and the Election Commission (EC) to hold the forthcoming national election without the participation of the main opposition BNP reminds us of the

DHAKA TRIBUNE

situation that was prevailing in the country towards the end of 2006 when the BNP-backed the Iajuddin Ahmedled caretaker government and the MA Aziz-led EC were moving fast to hold the ninth national election on January 22, 2007, and the then main opposition AL declared that it would boycott the election.

There was complete breakdown of law and order. The result was the army-backed caretaker government of Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed. Many think the move to hold the 10th national election without the participation of the main opposition BNP may lead to a similar situation. This will, inter alia, hinder the progress of our hard-earned democracy. l M Abdul Latif Mondal is a former government secretary.

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment Emon and Jaanvi pair up for Jane Na Mon n Entertainment Desk Silver screen’s heartthrob actor Emon and new-comer Jaanvi have been paired up for a romantic-action film Jane Na Mon. Jaanvi, who has proven her talent by acting in two telefilms aired this year, is going to debut on silver screen through this film.

When asked Emon about working with a debutant, he replied: “There was a time when I was also a new face in the showbiz and was struggling a lot to prove myself.

Superstars like Shabnoor, Moushumi, Poppy and many others provided me the opportunity to work with them and that helped me to create my niche in the film arena. Jaanvi shared her visions and determinations about working in cinema and I really hope will do well.”

A very excited Jaanvi shares that she underwent trainings in dance and action to be compatible with the mainstream Dhallywood movies. “I used to cherish the dream to be a heroine since long back. To debut opposite a big star like Emon is more than a dream come true,” said Jaanvi who previously worked as a flight attendant.

Directed by Taju Kamrul, the shooting of the film will start on January 15 in Cox’s Bazaar. Produced by Sporsho Telemedia, the story of the film is written by Abdullah Jahir Babu. l

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

LRB to perform at South Asian Bands Festival 2013 n

Entertainment Desk

Noted rock band LRB led by Ayub Bachchu, will visit New Delhi in India from November 26-30, to participate in the South Asian Bands Festival 2013. The event is being organised jointly by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the Indian NGO, SEHER. The band will perform at the festival, on the invitation of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Government of India. The visit of LRB to India is being fully sponsored by the Government of India. The visit is expected to

further enhance the strong cultural ties between India and Bangladesh. The South Asian Bands Festival 2013 will be organised at the Purana Quila in New Delhi.

Ayub Bachchu is the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band, followed by Swapan, the bassist, Masud, the guitarist, Romel on drums and Shamim Ahmed as the sound engineer.

Ahead of the festival, there will be a preview on November 28, 2013 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the Hon’ble President of India, in which a select few bands including LRB will participate. l

TODAY IN DHAKA Film

Pacific Rim in 3D Purno dhorgho prem kahini Riddick The Conjuring Titanic (3D) Level 8, Bashundhara City, Panthapath

Theatre

celebration ‘Droho Prem Nari’ Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm Dance and Music Centre Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Boshonto Jagoron Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm Natmondol, Dhaka University

Troupe Prangonemor’s 10 year

Music

Rag Prodhan Bangla Gaaner Ashor Raga based song presentation by Khairul Anam Shakil, Lina Tapashi Khan, Bijon Chandra Mistry, Yasmin Mushtari and more Time: 6:30pm Jatiyo Chitrashala Milonayoton Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Shegun Bagicha

Abhay Deol ready for his next n Entertainment Desk Unlike many other Bollywood actors, Abhay Deol has always been choosy about the kind of films he is part of.

And for his upcoming production, The Bounty Hunter, he is ensuring that the best talent join hands.

The actor has managed to strike a deal with a UK-based production company to co-produce the film at the ongoing NFDC Film Bazaar that is being held alongside 44th International Film Festival Of India (IFFI) in Goa. “We have the England part of it sorted; we just need to have the Indian part (producer) to come on board. I will be happy

to act in as well as produce the film, as I love the script so much,” he says.

He also clarifies that the film is not a remake of the 2010 Hollywood film by the same name. “It just shares the same title, but it’s a Hindi film which will be shot in the UK,” he says.

Besides this, Abhay is also looking for a foreign sales agent for a non-traditional international release of another production of his — One By Two. “I thought it might be a good exercise just to see what kind of foreign sales agents are here and to see if it (the film) can get a non-traditional foreign release. I am already in a safe zone. If this happens, it’ll be a cherry on top,” he says. l

ON TV MOVIES 7:00pmFox Movies Premium Spider-Man

9:30pm Zee Studio Gridlock’d

COMEDY Pranked

8:00pm FX

Shohojia’s Rangmistree officially released

The Simpsons

n Shadma Malik

MISC 11:00am Travel XP

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10:30pm Vh1 Bloc Party

DRAMA 6:30pm Star World Castle

9:30pm Zee tv Pavitra Rishta

Death of major character in Family Guy receives fan backlash n Entertainment Desk In a move that sent shock waves woofing through the animation universe Sunday night, Fox’s Family Guy killed off Brian Griffin, the beloved family dog.

He was run over by a car and died of his injuries after telling the Griffins they had given him a wonderful life.

It was as close as any moment gets to sentimental in a show written by Seth MacFarlane, who also happened to do Brian’s voice.

By mid-day Monday, a petition had popped

Rajib Ahmed Raju singing at the launching ceremony of their debut album Rangmistree AMIRUL RAJIV

11:00am Comedy central

up on Change.org calling for Brian to be brought back to life. Launched by Family Guy fan Aaron Thompson of Tuscaloosa, Ala., it had more than 1,500 signatures. Brian was pretty much a human who happened to wear a fur coat and (occasionally) walked on four legs.

He described himself as a liberal and a writer, though his writing was terrible. He was also an alcoholic, which didn’t prevent him from being best pals with his two-legged siblings Peter and Stewie.

Vinny won over most of the family by cooking dinner. Stewie held out, but Vinny eventually won him over by talking about how he had lost his owner, so he could understand how Stewie felt.

Writer Steve Callaghan told E! Online that Brian’s fate was sealed before the season began, when the writers decided killing a character would provide a valuable shakeup.

Callaghan said that however much the characters and viewers loved Brian, the show felt it would be easier to weather his loss than the loss of a two-legged family member.

Brian’s departure could potentially change several key dynamics on the show, since he was a sounding board and frequent skeptic about family schemes. l

The official launching ceremony of Shohojia band’s debut album Rangmistree was held at the Bokultola, Charukola, University of Dhaka on November 25.

This album is dedicated to the renowned poet, singer and painter, Kafil Ahmed.

In the event, band Chitkaar played a couple of their tracks and Kafil’s poplar song Gonga Buri brought vibe in the concert. Following their performance, Shohojia emerged on stage for their much awaited performance. They played a couple of songs from their album such as Shobnom, Chokhe Chokh, Boka Pakhi, Shopner Akash and the ti-

tle song. Also, they played song Ghora from their next album.

In a distinct style, the band emphasises on the lyrics and wordings which are in sync with the music. Although the band has performed in numerous occasions, Shohojia impressed the crowd in their debut album’s launching ceremony. Journalist Ahmed Moniruddin Topu, Zia from Shironamhin, and Kafil Ahmed congratulated the band on their musical journey.

About the album, vocalist Rajib Ahmed Raju mentioned: “The album Rangmistree talks about the current scenario of our daily life. The lyrics of the album are not metaphoric in na-

ture, but is quite straightforward in and interprets real life. The simple words explore love, hope, sorrow and all human emotions.” Defining the album title, he adds: “Colour is the symbol of love. The title Rangmistree defines bestowing love to others.”

Band Shohojia began their journey in 2009. The line up of the band features Raju (vocalist and song writer), Sajib and Soumo (guitarists), Rabbi (drummer) and Zafriye (bassist). The album Rangmistree consists of nine tracks and has been recorded under the banner of studio Sound Machine, and Tapos worked on the musical arrangement of the album. l

5 unknown facts revealed about DDLJ n Entertainment Desk

Aditya Chopra’s eternal romantic film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) has completed 18 long years since its initial release way back in October 1995.

Starring Shahrukh Khan and Kajol,the film is one of the biggest Bollywood hits ever. During the 1996 awards season, the film won 10 Filmfare Awards, the most ever for a single film at that time, as well as the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

DDLJ was ranked by Indiatimes Movies among the “25 Must See Bollywood Films”. It was one of two Hindi films in the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die list along with Mother India. It was also placed twelfth on the British Film Institute’s list of the top Indian films of all time.

Recently a few very striking facts have been revealed about the movie: 1. Saif Ali Khan turned down the role of Raj Malhotra after which the role was offered to Shah Rukh Khan 2. The film is still running to packed houses at Mumbai’s famous Maratha Mandir 3. Aditya Chopra named Shah Rukh Khan’s character Raj after Raj Kapoor 4. ‘Mere Khwaboon Mein Jo Aaye’ was the first song to be recorded. Aditya Chopra rejected 24 verses by Anand Bakshi before approving this one 5. The movie’s one of the most popular tracks Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna was originally made for some other movie. l

Did you know?

Alan Shearer holds the record of scoring 260 English Premier League goals in 434 appearances. He played for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United.

Sport

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

14 Real and Man United home in on last 16

14 Westwood caps Villa fightback in derby draw

DHAKA TRIBUNE

13

15 Sri Lanka rest Jayawardene for one-day series MATCH HIGHLIGHTS Muktijoddha 1-0 Eleta Kingsley 64

Sheikh Russell

19”

Biplob hits the sidebar after the clearance from Maruf’s free-kick falls onto his feet French midfielder Eric Roger found Ricardo Cousins in the penalty box with a lovely lob, but the Jamaican’s shot goes wide Eleta Kingsley skipped past Rajani to trigger a shot that went straight to the keeper Eleta’s 30-yard long powerful strike hits the woodwork and Biplob follows it up with a superb save to deny Nkwocha Kisgsley’s close range shot off the rebound

44” 53” 59”

64”

GOAL! Eleta grabs the lead for Muktis. Breaking into the penalty area the Nigerian striker fired the ball past goalkeeper Biplob

90+

” Roger’s cross from the left flank found Robin inside the six-yard box, but the substitute forward’s header saved brilliantly by Aminul

QUARTER FINALS FIXTURE

Muktijoddha’s Nigerian striker Eleta Kingsley vies for the ball against a Sheikh Russell player during their Walton Federation Cup Group B match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday

Hemanta to fly for Netherlands today n Raihan Mahmood Bangladesh U19 national team skipper, Hemanta Vincent Biswas will fly for the Netherlands to attend a trial with the Dutch professional football club FC Twente.

Bangladesh National Team assistant coach Rene Koster will accompany Hemanta.

Midfielder Hemanta from Dinajpur came through the BKSP and caught the attention of Bangladesh national team’s Dutch coaches Lodewijk de Kruif and Rene Koster during a U19 training camp for the AFC U19 Championship qualifiers, held in Iraq last month.

Hemanta is currently part of the Mohammedan squad despite having no official contracts with the club. l

Tushar off to India n Raihan Mahmood

Mahfujur Rahman Tushar, the only F4 driver of the country, flies to New Delhi to participate in the final round of 16” JK Tyre Racing Championship Formula LGB-4 today.

The race will be held on November 29, 30 and December 1 at Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida, New Delhi, which is a Formula 1 circuit. The circuit is 5.1 km with 16 turns, 2 high speed corners, 2 critical corners and 8 lap of per races. Tushar’s team is Avalanche Racing and there will be 22 participants. Tushar will return to country on December 2. l

BJMC top group n Shishir Hoque

Team BJMC topped the group C points table after earning their first win of the season in a 2-1 victory over Brothers Union Limited in the last group round match of Walton Federation Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

After being held to a 2-2 draw against Police AC in the first game, BJMC were cautious not to lose the match and the victory lifted them to the top of group C table.

BJMC’s Nigerian forward Samson Iliasu put his side ahead just six minutes into the the game with a volley, before Abdullah Al Parvez doubled the margin in the 61st minute. Mahadi Hasan Tapu, who scored a brace in the last game, provided a through ball to Shajib, whose square pass found Parvez inside the penalty area. The left winger slotted the ball past Brothers goalie Sujon.

Brothers reduced the level in the 80th minute through Nigerian striker Victory Antoni. His compatriot Kester Akon earned a penalty and Antoni stepped up to coolly send the ball into net. l

Kingsley fires Muktis to quarters n Shishir Hoque

A second-half goal from Nigerian striker Eleta Kingsley helped Muktijoddha Sangsad KC edge past defending champions Sheikh Russell KC 1-0 in the Walton Federation Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

The victory took Muktijoddha top of the Group B with six points and now they will face Group C runners-up Brothers Union in the quarterfinals on November 30. Sheikh Russell will take on Team BJMC on December 1 in the same stage.

The treble winners of last season Sheikh Russell once again failed

to stage the flare like their previous season. After a narrow one nil win over Chittagong Abahani in their first game, the reigning champions were outplayed by Muktijoddha and the final score hardly justifies their performance on the field.

Muktijoddha, on the other hand, were rock solid in their defence and the sound midfield provided the support to their forwards who physically outplayed the Russell defence in the first 20 minutes of the second-half.

The Muktis created five goal scoring chances after the breather, but could only convert one which in the end was enough to secure full three points for them.

Russell flew in French midfielder Eric Roger prior the game on Monday

and had only one day to prepare himself for the match. However, one day was enough for the French midfielder who showed glimpse of brilliances with some lovely through passes and lobs. He also provided a glorious opportunity for Jamaican forward Ricardo in the 44th minute.

The continuous press by the Muktis finally paid off in the 64th minute when Eleta Kingsley receiving a short pass from Maruf and broke into the penalty area, outmuscled his marker and fired the ball past Biplob.

Muktijoddha Goalkeeper Aminul denied Russell to get back in the game as he fisted away Russell substitute Robin’s header in the injury time to register a clean sheet under his name. l

MUMIT M

Sk Jamal v Mohammedan Soccer Club Feni v Abahani Muktijoddha v Brothers Sk Russell v Team BJMC

(Nov 28) (Nov 29) (Nov 30) (Dec 1)

BCB likely to appoint chief selector today n Minhaz Uddin Khan

The board is also likely to decide the roles of the directors. Of the 24 diThe vacant post of national chief selec- rectors, only a few have taken up spetor may be filled when the first elected cific duties, though it has been more committee of the Bangladesh Cricket than 40 days since the formation of the committee. It was reported in the Board have their board meeting today.

Choosing the successor of now a di- media that many of the newly elected rector of BCB Akram Khan is likely to be directors were annoyed at the situation a task at the meeting. Former national of things going on they had during the cricketer and chief selector Faruk Ahmed ad-hoc committee period and most of is a favoured candidate for the post, ac- them have not regularly been present cording to sources. Current selector Min- at the BCB office as they do not know hazul Abedin is another contender but which department they belong to.

Decisions on next domestic comFaruk who lost the post in 2007, remains petitions is also likely to be an agenda. most likely to gain the position.

Mushfiqur Rahim’s tenure as captain, Though the BCB tournament committhat ended with the conclusion of the re- tee planned to launch the second seacent home series against New Zealand, son of the Bangladesh Cricket League is another agenda to be discussed. It was - a four-day cricket competition – it learnt the board is likely to reconsider was learnt that the board might instead his request for a longer appointment go for the National Cricket League, the than on a series-by-series basis as it will primary first-class cricket competition allow him to make long-term strategies. of the country. l

Brothers clear payments Frenchman Maxime debuts in Dhaka n of their foreigners Raihan Mahmood

n

Minhaz Uddin Khan

The payment dispute between the two Zimbabwean cricketers and the Brothers Union Club were solved yesterday. Earlier, Sean Williams and Sean Ervine, who played for the club in the ongoing Dhaka Premier League, complained of not getting their contracted salary.

Both Williams and Ervine were left stranded at their Dhaka hotel after the club even failed to pay the accommodation costs on time.

The passports of the players were confiscated by the hotel because of the unpaid bill, making it impossible for them to check-out.

“We have cleared all the payments of the hotel and the players. They are happy now and will be leaving the country soon,” Brothers Union manager Amin Khan contacted the Dhaka Tribune and informed yesterday.

Amin further informed though he is the manager of the side, but it is the coach of the team Mominul Haque who looks after the payments of the foreign cricketers.

“You see it is Momin who looks after the foreign cricketer – both match fess and their accommodation.

I took the initiative to resolve the situation as soon as I learnt about the issue, but as a professional and

a liaison between the club and the foreign cricketers Momin should have had taken care of the situation rather than avoiding the calls and create the miscommunication. To be honest they (the two cricketers) got scared of the situation,” said Amin.

Later the Brothers Union manager made Williams talk to Dhaka Tribune and inform that the problem was solved.

We have cleared all the payments of the hotel and the players. They are happy now and will be leaving the country soon “Momin was the contact person for us, but for the last seven days he ignored our phone calls. This is really unprofessional for a tournament that has been running for so long,” said Williams.

“This should be a warning to future players and if needed the issue should go to the BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board) and take actions against Momin,” he added.

Williams further informed that Ervine left Dhaka yesterday evening and he will leave today. Though he was supposed to play in the ongoing CJKS Corporate Twenty20 cricket, Williams reconsidered his decision due to the political unrest in the country. l

For the sheer love of the game and also the culture, Maxime Eric Rogers, also known as Maxim Belouet, chose to play club football in Dhaka and consequentially the Sheikh Russell midfielder became the first French booter to play club football in Bangladesh.

Maxime spent the 2011-12 season in India where he played for Salgaocar and fell in love with the sub-continent culture. He was hailed as one of the best players that season and kept his reputation in the AFC Cup, where he was injured and had to return home. In 2010, Maxime was playing for top Singapore Club Etoile FC. The 25-year old from Orleans, France tried his trade in Emirates before arriving in Bangladesh and explained the cause. “I love the culture of this sub-continent and I am accustomed to it. I was in Emirates before arriving here. Yes money is there but you don’t have the consistency, this month you are here the next month you never know, so when I got the offer to play here, I accepted it,” explained the Frenchman.

Maxime, an attacking midfielder cum play-maker showed his good vision and great passing skills in his first match in Bangladesh. His natural left footed skills were visible on a number of occasions but as he arrived just 24 hours before the match, he was unable to set the tone of communication with his teammates.

Maxim is also known as a free-kick and set piece specialist.

However, the memory of his Dhaka debut was a bitter one and defending champions Russell lost to Muktijoddha

by a single goal. “I don’t mind it, we created a number of chances but our forward line could not convert it, if there were good finishes we may have scored four or five goals. We have to work hard to produce the best,” he reflected.

Speaking about the standard of football, the French midfielder said tactics were there but European football possesses more power. “I have to adjust with the style in the next few days. In Europe there is more power in the game.

In my first match, it appeared to me that the pace is slow, I found it a little slower.”

As a French midfielder Maxime idol-

French footballer Maxime Eric Rogers (R)

izes Zinedine Zidane, the French great.

He tried the turn Zidane made famous a few times on his Dhaka debut. “He is my idol. I try to follow all the steps the great Zidane has teaken, I also know that he once came to Dhaka and played with young boys here,” said Maxime.

The French midfielder appeared philosophical about the state of the game.

“The stands were not crowded. It’s different here, in India I have seen large crowds, in France we have to play football in the snow. Football is played in different conditions and atmospheres, that’s the game.” l

MUMIT M

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Ronaldo out of Real’s Europe clash against Galatasaray n Reuters, Madrid Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo is out of today’s Champions League Group B match at home to Galatasaray due to a leg muscle strain, coach Carlo Ancelotti said yesterday.

The Portugal forward limped off at the start of the second half of Saturday’s La Liga victory at Almeria and a scan on Monday confirmed he had damaged a hamstring.

The injury was not serious and Ronaldo might recover in time to feature in Saturday’s La Liga match at home to Real Valladolid, Ancelotti told a news conference.

“Cristiano cannot play tomorrow,” the Italian said. “He has picked up a very small problem. I think tomorrow he will start to work on his own on the pitch and we’ll see if he can be available for Saturday.

“It’s a muscle strain but the player is very confident he can play on Saturday.

“If there is a risk he could injure himself we will not use him. If he is fine then he’ll play.”

Ronaldo has netted 14 goals in his last seven games for club and country and his injury comes after a demanding start to the season during which he has played every match. If Real avoid defeat against Galatasaray, whom they thrashed 6-1 in Istanbul in their opening game in September, they will qualify for the last 16 in first place.

The nine-times European champions top the group on 10 points from four of six matches. Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen each have four points and Juventus, who host Copenhagen on Wednesday, have three.

Ancelotti said Argentina winger Angel Di Maria or Spain under-21 forward Jese could replace Ronaldo in the starting lineup today. l

Real Madrid players take part in a training session at the Valdebebas training ground in Madrid yesterday, on the eve of their Uefa Champions League match against Galatasaray SK

Real and United home in on last 16 n AFP, Paris Former winners Real Madrid and Manchester United are amongst the teams that could wrap up qualification to the Champions League knock-out stages today.

Big-spending French champions Paris Saint-Germain, Olympiakos and Bayer Leverkusen can also qualify.

Both sides at the Bay Arena would secure qualification to the knock-out stages with a victory. Manchester United know that a win will almost be enough to secure top spot, unless they lose at home to Shakhtar Donetsk in their final group game. A draw would suffice for both teams as long as Shakhtar lose at home to Real Sociedad in the group’s other match. Leverkusen have been hit by the loss of Germany midfielder Sidney Sam while United also have several players on the treatment table, notably Michael Carrick.

This is a must-win game for Sociedad if they harbour any hopes of prolonging their involvement in European football this season. While continuing their adventure in the Champions League will depend on them winning and Manchester United beating Leverkusen, and then Real beating the Germans in their final game with Shakhtar not stunning United at Old Trafford, a consolation spot in the Europa League is not so far-fetched.

Antonio Conte’s Juventus come into this match under pressure for their Champions League future. Bottom of the group and the only team yet to win a match, they must win this fixture to keep their destiny in their own hands. But even so, with a clash away to Galatasaray in their final group game, they know they cannot afford to lose either of their last two fixtures or face certain elimination.

Only two wins will guarantee them a last 16 spot, although with both their opponents also having to play Real Madrid, A point would be enough to send Real into the knock-out stages and

Westwood caps Villa fightback in derby draw n AFP, Birmingham Ashley Westwood capped a superb second half fightback from Aston Villa as the visitors rescued a 2-2 draw at local rivals West Bromwich Albion on Monday.

Paul Lambert’s side looked destined for a derby defeat at the Hawthorns after Albion raced into a two-goal lead within the first 11 minutes thanks to a pair of fine goals from Shane Long.

But Villa struck twice in the space of nine minutes after the break as Karim El Ahmadi reduced the deficit before Westwood’s first goal for the club ensured the two midlands teams remain level on 15 points in the Premier League table.

Villa have now gone six matches without a win against Albion, with their last success coming three.

Only three minutes had been played when Republic of Ireland striker Long showed sublime technique to control Chris Brunt’s long pass with one touch before flicking the ball away from Villa’s Nathan Baker and firing into the net from the edge of the penalty area.

Long produced another memorable strike eight minutes later when he pounced on a misplaced pass from Leandro Bacuna and accelerated away from Baker before clipping a chip over Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan and in off

the crossbar.

Villa were shell-shocked and Stephane Sessegnon should have added to their misery moments later, but he somehow managed to fluff his lines when presented with a simple close-range chance by Morgan Amalfitano.

The visitors finally sparked into life before half-time when Libor Kozak hit the bar from Christian Benteke’s flick.

And Lambert’s men got one back in the 67th minute when Weimann headed into the penalty area and Morocco midfielder El Ahmadi took advantage of hesitation from Myhill to hook home on the turn. Former Crewe midfielder Westwood had gone 41 games without a goal for Villa since his £2 million move from Crewe in August 2012. But he ended that drought in the 76th minute and salvaged a point in the process. l

RESULT West Brom Long 3, 11

2-2

Aston Villa

El Ahmadi 67, Westwood 76

would also tie up top spot, barring an unlikely five-goal defeat at FC Copenhagen on the final matchday and assuming the Danes also win away to Juventus today.

S

V

B

Heat on Schuster after Bilbao sink slumping Malaga n Reuters Athletic Bilbao came from behind to win 2-1 at struggling Malaga in La Liga on Monday and heap the pressure on German coach Bernd Schuster.

It was a poor performance from the home team even though they went ahead through Juanmi before halftime.

RESULT Malaga

Juanmi 38

1-2

Paris Saint-Germain will qualify for the last-16 knockout phase with a draw at home to the Greek champions at the Parc des Princes, while Olympiakos will also go through with a point should An-

Athletic Bilbao

Dominguez 68, Muniain 85

Bilbao levelled after the break thanks to Mikel San Jose before Francisco Portillo was sent off seven minutes from time. The visitors took advantage of the extra man with Iker Muniain grabbing the winner late on.

Home fans chanted for the dismissal of Schuster at the final whistle on Monday, with the team one point off the drop zone.

Juanmi powered a header into the top corner to give Malaga a 38thminute lead but San Jose nodded Bilbao level from a corner in the 68th.

Portillo was then sent off after receiving a second yellow card and it came as no surprise when Muniain struck in the 85th minute to give fifth-placed Bilbao 26 points from 14 matches. l

derlecht defeat Benfica in Brussels.

The Belgian leaders are much in need of their first victory of the group stage and will take heart from their gutsy 1-1 draw at PSG on matchday four. They lost 2-0 in Lisbon, the first time the teams met, but with the Portuguese picking up just one point from two fixtures against Olympiakos, Benfica will be looking for maximum points to stay in touch with the top two spots and also solidify their chances of guaranteeing at least third and a spot in the next round of the Europa League.

The teams met in the 1983 UEFA Cup final which was won by the Brussels’ club, an occasion that saw current Benfica assistant coach Minervino Pietra turn out for the Lisbon side. Anderlecht are trying to reach the second round for the first time since 2000-01 while Benfica finished third in their pool last season before going on to reach the Europa League final where they were beaten 2-1 by Chelsea in Amsterdam.

Bayern Munich are Europe’s in-

AFP

form side and chasing what would be a record tenth consecutive Champions League victory when they visit a CSKA Moscow outfit who can only finish third at best. The Bundesliga front-runners are coming off a 3-0 thrashing off Borussia Dortmund at the weekend, the team they defeated in last year’s final. That win on the road extended their German league record to 38 matches unbeaten, although they will be wary of dropping points and potentially top spot in the group to Manchester City.

Manchester City have qualified for the knockout phase for the first time following back-to-back wins over CSKA but need to keep the pressure on Bayern at the top who are three points clear heading into the penultimate matches.

The Czech Republic side make their first trip to England, but looking for their first points and a bid to keep alive their Europa League prospects flickering, looks a daunting challenge on paper at a City team who have lost just once at home in their last 22 European ties. l

Roma draw see Juve remain top n AFP, Milan Juventus remained top of Serie A after long-time leaders Roma spurned the chance to overtake the champions following a scoreless home draw to struggling Cagliari on Monday.

Juventus’s 2-0 away win at Livorno on Sunday sent Antonio Conte’s men top of the pile for the first time this season with a two-point lead on Rudy Garcia’s men.

Roma were widely expected to retake the lead but despite dominating the Sardinians at the Olympic Stadium the Giallorossi were left counting the cost for failing to get the ball past impressive Cagliari ‘keeper Vlada Avramov.

To add to their woes, Garcia was sent to the stands with 18 minutes remaining after an altercation on the touchlines.

Roma’s setback, following two draws, means Juventus remain leaders thanks to a 2-0 win away to Livorno on Sunday courtesy of second-half strikes from Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tevez.

Juventus, with whom goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made his 500th Serie A appearance, now have a one-point lead on Roma, with Napoli remaining third a further five points adrift after dropping two points in a shock 1-0 defeat at home to Parma. l

AS Roma's Daniele De Rossi (L) fights for the ball against Cagliari's forward Victor Ibarbo during their Italian Serie A match at Rome's Olympic stadium on Monday AFP

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

15

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

DPL finale postponed

QUICK BYTES

Sonali Bank, Fire Service lead first division chess

n Mazhar Uddin

The final round of the Walton Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League matches has been postponed due to unavoidable reasons and will be played on November 28, the Bangladesh Cricket Board informed yesterday .

The last match of the league between Gazi Tank and Prime Doleshwar due at the SBNS will decide the title, as both have 20 points each from 14 games.

In the other matches, Mohammedan SC will face Prime Bank CC at the Khan Shaheb Oman Ali Stadium while Sheikh Jamal will take on Kalabagan CA at the BKSP 2 ground.

Earlier, Gazi Tank lost their previous match to MSC while Doleshwar beat Kalabagan to set up the final showdown. l

Sonali Bank Sports & Recreation Club and Fire Service & Civil Defense Sports Club jointly led the points table of the First Division Chess League with a maximum 10 points after the fifth round at the hall room of the chess federation yesterday. Sultana Kamal Smirity Pathagar is in 2nd position with 9 points.

In the 5th round, Sonali Bank beat Mohakhali Pradip Sangah 4-0, Fire Service beat Chess Club Knight F3 3.5- 0.5, Sultana Kamal Smirity beat Protiva Daba Goshthi 3.5- 0.5, Farashganj Sporting Club beat Agrani Bank Limited Daba Dal 4-0 and Basir Memorial Chess Club beat Destiny 2000 Limited 4-0.

– RM

Blatter condemns ‘racist’ Real Betis supporters

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has condemned the Real Betis fans who apparently directed racist chants at their own player Paulao after he was sent off in Sunday’s 4-0 derby defeat at Sevilla.

A group of Betis fans were briefly shown on Spanish TV making what appeared to be monkey chants at Paulao after he was dismissed shortly before halftime at the Sanchez Pizjuan. The incident was not mentioned in the referee’s match report.

“Sickened to learn of ‘fans’ racially abusing a Real Betis player,” Blatter wrote on his Twitter feed on Tuesday.

“I condemn their actions, which were seen on TV/online by millions,” the Swiss added. “FIFA’s members approved a resolution at congress in May to tackle discrimination. It’s time for tougher sanctions.”

–Reuters

Hart going nowhere says Pellegrini Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini ruled out a January window loan move for Joe Hart after confirming the under-fire goalkeeper would start in Wednesday’s Champions League tie against Viktoria Pilzen. Pellegrini also dismissed reports he might use the next transfer window to sign another keeper following the shaky form of Hart, currently England’s first choice. Hart’s inconsistent displays recently saw him lose his place in the City side and he has not played in the Premier League club’s last five matches, including their 6-0 thrashing of Tottenham on Sunday.

–AFP

Mandzukic left at home as Bayern leave for Moscow

Bayern Munich left for Moscow and their Champions League clash with CSKA on Tuesday without star striker Mario Mandzukic. The Croatia international, who has a calf problem, joined injured first-teamers Franck Ribery (ribs) and Bastian Schweinsteiger (ankle) in remaining in the Bavarian capital. To make up the numbers, Spanish coach Pep Guardiola called up reserve team players Pierre Emile Hojbjerg, Mitchell Weiser and Julian Green. With four wins from four, the current Champions League holders have already qualified for the knock-out stages with two Group D matches to spare.

–AFP

Van der Vaart set to return next week: Hamburg

Dutch playmaker Rafael van der Vaart is set to make a speedy injury comeback and could be fit by next week, his Bundesliga club Hamburg said Tuesday.

The 30-year-old injured his ankle playing for Holland during the 0-0 draw against Colombia last week and was originally expected to be out for three to four weeks. “He’s improving rapidly and I think he’ll be fit already for the German Cup match against Cologne on December 3,” said Hamburg sports director Oliver Kreuzer. Van der Vaart missed Sunday’s 3-1 win over Hanover and will also sit out Friday’s trip to Wolfsburg. “I feel much better, we’ll see how it evolves over the coming days,” said Van der Vaart.

–AFP

DAY’S WATCH Uefa Champions League Ten Sports 1:45AM Real Madrid v Galatasaray Ten Action 1:45AM Bayer Leverkusen v Man United Ten Cricket 1:15PM South Africa v Pakistan 2nd ODI

Burglars target all-rounder Razzaq n AFP, Lahore

Players of the Indian cricket team attend a practice session ahead of their last ODI match against West Indies at Green Park stadium in Kanpur yesterday

Heat rises as England sweat in Aussie outback n Reuters, Melbourne Under a blow-torch of criticism after their humbling in humid Brisbane, England’s beaten cricket team will seek respite from a tempestuous Ashes series in the most unlikely of places -Australia’s scorching ‘Red Centre’.

England endured a heated reception at the Gabba, where a hostile local media, baying crowds and paceman Mitchell Johnson conspired to make their first test as unpleasant as the wetbulb and the 381-run loss would suggest.

The storied desert city of Alice Springs, where England jetted off to on Tuesday, is set to offer a much warmer welcome, however, with temperatures expected to nudge 40 degrees Celsius this week.

As part of the R ‘n’ R component of their itinerary, the team will head to Uluru, the magnificent red monolith

that rises improbably from a sparse, flat landscape some six hours’ drive from Alice.

“The trip will be a really important preparation phase for us,” wicketkeeper Matt Prior, who failed twice with the bat at the Gabba, wrote in Britain’s Daily Telegraph on Tuesday.

“It feels like we are getting out of the limelight for a while so we can quietly go about our business to make sure we are ready to go for Adelaide.”

Pondering their limited time at the crease at the Gabba, some of England’s batsmen might draw inspiration from Uluru, an unyielding presence despite millions of years under siege from the elements.

Fittingly, the English cricketers did their best to impersonate inanimate objects when swarmed by Australian media at Brisbane airport on Tuesday.

In contrast to the Gabba where they seemed keen to play at anything, the

team collectively shouldered arms in the face of a barrage of queries about the team’s mood in the wake of batsman Jonathan Trott’s sensational departure owing to a stress-related illness.

Following a test full of chatter, and a noisy media debate comparing the merits of ‘banter’ versus ‘sledging’, the code of silence was another departure of sorts for an England team which had hitherto been quite willing to go on the front foot.

Local media were locked out of a Monday briefing with team director Andy Flower, who teed off at Australia opener David Warner for publicly describing number three batsman Trott’s second innings dismissal as “pretty poor and pretty weak.”

Warner, and Australia, had crossed a threshold in the their verbal assaults, Flower suggested, though neither had prompted Trott’s early exit. l

AP

Pakistani all-rounder Abdul Razzaq lost his passport, gold and cash when burglars broke into his house in the eastern city of Lahore early Tuesday, the player said.

The incident is the latest piece of bad luck for the 33-year-old, who was sent home from Pakistan’s ongoing tour of South Africa after he injured his hamstring just two days before the first Twenty20 last week. l

Trescothick backs Trott’s Ashes withdrawal n AFP, London Former England batsman Marcus Trescothick said that Jonathan Trott had made the right decision to leave the Ashes tour due to a stress-related illness on Monday.

The England and Wales Cricket Board announced that Trott, who played in England’s heavy first-Test defeat in Brisbane, had left Australia and been granted indefinite leave.

Trescothick withdrew from England’s 2005-06 India tour and the 200607 Ashes series in Australia in apparently similar circumstances and later released a book charting his struggles with anxiety and depression.

He told Sky Sports: “You just can’t take any more, you just can’t get through the day, let alone go out there and play a Test match and win a Test match. I sympathise with Trotty.

“I’ve been in that exact situation in ‘06 and ‘07 and tried to make that decision knowing that the consequences

and all the attention it’s going to bring onto you are going to be tough.

“I know there’s going to be a massive media scrum over the next couple of days. We’ll probably see him flying back home and see him arrive back at his house, but we just need to allow him that bit of time to get well again because your health is far more important than any game of cricket that we play.”

Trescothick, who played in 76 Tests for England, said that the South Africaborn batsman’s decision to leave the tour would not have been taken lightly.

“It would have been a horrible decision to make,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“To come out and talk about these things for the first time is tough. I’m sure he’s not feeling great at all, but he’s definitely made the right decision.”

England all-rounder Stuart Broad expressed support for his team-mate on Twitter, writing: “Love Trotty. Absolute champion of a man. He knows he has all the support of all the people around him. Puts cricket in perspective.” l

Anderson threatened to Mahela to skip Pakistan series n punch Bailey: Warne AFP, Colombo

n

AFP, Sydney

Spin great Shane Warne says a threat

by Jimmy Anderson to punch debutant George Bailey sparked the furious reaction by Australian skipper Michael Clarke in the first Test against England.

Clarke was fined 20 percent of his match fee on Monday after being caught by a stump microphone telling the fast bowler to expect a broken arm in the final stages of Australia’s 381-run victory in Brisbane Sunday.

Clarke also wagged his finger in a close-up confrontation with the England quick, a renowned sledger, with the umpires needing to step in to cool tempers.

As a member of the Nine Network’s commentary team, Warne had access to

all the stump mic recordings and tweeted that Anderson threatened Bailey, who was fielding in close, with a punch to the face.

“I think it’s a disgrace that @ MClarke23 has been fined. What about what Anderson said to Bailey, which wasn’t heard,” Warne posted on Twitter late Monday. “@MClarke23 stuck up for his debutant Bailey as he should have too as capt after Anderson said he wanted to punch Bailey in the face.

“Unfortunately only Clarke’s reaction to Anderson’s was heard live, we all heard Anderson’s sledge that led to Clarke reacting.” Lastly as an international sportsman, if you decide to dish it out ie sledging you have to be prepared to cop it back too & not complain.” l

Former captain Mahela Jayawardene has opted out of Sri Lanka’s limited-overs series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates next month due to personal reasons, an official said on Tuesday.

Jayawardene, 36, will miss two Twenty20 games and five one-dayers to be played from December 11-27, but was expected to be available for the three Test matches that start on December 31.

“Mahela was not considered for the limited-overs part of the tour as he had requested leave on personal grounds,” Sri Lanka Cricket’s media manager Rajith Fernando said.

The Cricinfo website reported that Jayawardene’s wife was expecting their first child in December.

Jayawardene is one of 10 batsmen and only the third Sri Lankan after San-

ath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara to score more than 10,000 runs in one-day internationals. The stylish right-hander has made 11,401 runs in 407 one-dayers with 16 centuries and 1,135 runs in 49 Twenty20 internationals.

Left-hander Kithuruwan Vithanage, 22, who has played two Tests but is yet to make his one-day debut, replaced

Jayawardene in the limited-overs squad.

Sri Lanka named their one-day and Twenty20 squads for the tour, but will announce their Test team later.

Sri Lanka’s one-day squad: Angelo Mathews (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Ashan Priyanjan, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Sachithra Senanayake, Rangana Herath, Seekkuge Prasanna.

Sri Lanka’s Twenty20 squad: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Lasith Malinga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Seekkuge Prasanna, Suranga Lakmal, Sachithra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis, Ramith Rambukwella. l

Federer can play until his 60s: Nastase Former Kiwi skipper n Vettori out of WI series Reuters

Roger Federer should play until he is 60 if he wants to, according to Romanian former world number one Ilie Nastase.

The Swiss 17-times grand-slam champion has slipped down to sixth in the world rankings and won only one title this year, prompting many to suggest he is a spent force at 32.

Nastase the former bad boy of tennis, believes Federer should not listen to the naysayers, however.

“I wish people wouldn’t say that Roger Federer has to retire,” the 67-year-old former French Open and U.S. Open champion was quoted as saying in Romanian media.

“I think he should play for as long as he wants.

“I don’t agree with those people who say that you should retire when you’re

past your absolute best or prime.

“No, Federer doesn’t have to prove

anything, he can play to 60 if he wants to.”

Federer, who has spent a record 302 weeks as world number one during his illustrious career, is still one of the biggest draws in tennis, according to Nastase, even if he has fallen behind players such as Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

“If Federer wants to carry on playing, no-one is going to say: ‘No, we don’t want Federer to play’.

“He is going to retire when he feels like it. I don’t think that he has to retire just because he is no longer the world number one. That happens to everybody, as you can’t stay as the world number one forever. He retires whenever.”

Nastase himself retired from the Tour at the age of 39 but continued playing invitational seniors events into his 60s. l

n Reuters Former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has ruled himself out of the West Indies test series starting next week due to fitness worries as he comes back from a serious injury.

The 34-year-old all-rounder had surgery on his left Achilles in June and, despite returning to the domestic arena this month, is unsure if he can cope with five-day matches.

“International cricket, and in particular test cricket, places enormous demands on the body and I simply haven’t played enough recently to be confident of meeting those demands,” Vettori said in a statement on Tuesday.

The left-arm spinner said his short-

term plan would be to concentrate on his domestic side Northern Districts and Brisbane Heat in Australia’s Twenty20 competition before re-evaluating his fitness in the New Year.

“What I can’t afford to do is throw myself back into the international arena prematurely and re-injure myself,” added Vettori.

“It wouldn’t be any good for me, it wouldn’t be any good for the team.”

Vettori, who boasts 4,516 runs and 360 wickets in test cricket, played the last of his 112 tests against West Indies in July 2012.

The three-test series starts in Dunedin on Dec. 3, with matches in Wellington and Hamilton to follow. New Zealand then host India in February. l

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Clockwise: Nasima, the daughter of injured Anowara Begum, bursts into tears after seeing her mother at the DMCH; a relative comforts auto-rickshaw driver Rubel Hossain, a victim of yesterday’s violence; Alea, wife of burnt CNG-run auto rickshaw driver Abed Ali, is taking care of her husband at the burn unit of the DMCH; Anowara Begum, 50, is undergoing treatment at DMCH as a handmade bomb, hurled by blockade supporters, hit on her head in the city’s Khilgaon area yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

VIOLENCE DURING OPPOSITION’S BLOCKADE

Eight victims being treated at DMCH n Mohammad Jamil Khan Eight people including a law enforcer are receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) after getting hurt in arson and bomb attacks carried out after the opposition called its 48-hour countrywide blockade.

Mohammad Dulu Mia, a police Nayek from Sonatola of Bogra, is undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of DMCH after a crude bomb exploded after hitting his shoulder while he was on duty at Joypurhat Bata intersection on Monday evening.

Splinters hit his arm, his right eye and the right portion of his head.

ICU on-duty doctor Dr Pizush Kanti

told the Dhaka Tribune that the splinters had been removed from Dulu after an operation yesterday, though he was still not out of danger and his right eye might be damaged.

Poritosh Kumar, a police constable who was with Dulu at the time of the attack, said the crude bomb was thrown from a procession, which quickly dispersed and fled after the incident.

In the capital’s Khilket, Anowar Begum Anu, a cook of National Bank’s Malibagh branch, was critically injured when picketers threw a crude bomb at her while she was on her way to her home at Shantipur in Goran at around 3:30pm.

The bomb directly hit the head of

the 50 year-old woman, with doctors immediately shifting her to the ICU. In another incident, Alamgir Hossain, a 50 year-old fruit seller was hit by a crude bomb near the Paltan intersection at around 3:15pm, while on his way to his Segunbagicha home. He is now receiving treatment at the emergency ward of the DMCH with injuries to both his legs.

Nesar Ali, 28, driver of a CNG-run three-wheeler, lost control of his vehicle and crashed when picketers threw bricks at the three-wheeler during a trip from Baburhat from Chandpur.

Nesar was first admitted to a local clinic, but was later moved to the DMCH in critical condition. He is undergoing

treatment for face and head injuries at the hospital’s 103 number ward.

Meanwhile, three more auto-rickshaw drivers and a human-hauler driver are undergoing treatment at the Burn and Plastic Surgery unit of the DMCH after falling victims to arson attacks by picketers.

Rubel Hossain, 50, was waiting for passengers on the Comilla highway on Monday night when miscreants torched his auto-rickshaw, causing 23% burn injuries to his body. Rubel is now undergoing treatment at the High Dependency Unit (HDU).

Saber Ali, 33, another auto-rickshaw driver, dropped off some passengers near the Eastern Plaza market in Hatir-

pool, when some 10 people set his vehicle ablaze, causing burns to 15% of his body.

Mozammel Haque, 20, a human-hauler driver, was burned when picketers attacked his vehicle near south Banasree area at around 8:30pm.

All passengers of the human-hauler managed to come out of the vehicle, but Mozammel – who is a resident of Nandipara Bot-tola in Khilgaon – sustained 60% burns on his body.

Nizamuddin, 36, was waiting for passengers near the Mouchak intersection at around 7:30pm when picketers set his auto-rickshaw ablaze and hurled crude bombs at the vehicle. The blaze burned 12% of Nizamuddin’s body. l

EC asks LGRD to stop approving projects

Election Commission seeks loan defaulters’ info from central bank

n Mohammad Zakaria

Nesa Alo and Mohammad n Jebun Zakaria

The Election Commission yesterday asked the LGRD ministry not to approve any development project for election areas.

It also sent letters to the police administration, election officials and other officials concerned, asking them to remove all posters, banners, billboards and other campaigning materials by tomorrow midnight.

The EC also imposed a bar on holding any election related processions, meetings and rallies. In another letter, it asked the home ministry to keep preparations to maintain law order.

The commission gave the public administration and cabinet divisions necessary directives regarding arrangement of manpower for the polls and asked them not to reshuffle the administration.

Asked about the ongoing election campaign of the Awami League, Election Commissioner Zabed Ali said the EC had sent a letter to the authority concerned for taking action against those responsible.

No one would be allowed to hold polls campaign before allocation of electoral symbols, he said, expressing hope that all types of campaign would be stopped within 48 hours.

EC officials said the commission had asked authorities to remove the billboards and posters campaigning the government’s development work.

They said the electoral code of conduct had come into effect after the announcement of the polls schedule.

The EC has the power to cancel one’s candidature for violating the electoral codes as per the Representation of the People Order (RPO). l

The central bank will seek information about loan defaulters from the banks so that the Election Commission can prevent them from contesting the 10th parliamentary polls.

December 2, the last day for aspiring candidates to submit nomination papers, was also set for the banks to provide the Bangladesh Bank with the defaulters’ information.

Earlier, the EC sent a letter to the Bangladesh Bank and the finance ministry’s Bank and Financial Institutions Division seeking information about loan defaulters.

The letter, signed by EC Secretary Muhammed Sadique, sent to the Credit Information Bureau of the central bank, requested for sending the list of

Controversial DGFP recruitment resumes Allegations of Tk1.5bn bribery for filling up 4,294 posts ams for 51 out of the 61 districts, while in 2011, the last time the DGFP made n Moniruzzaman Uzzal the district recruitment committees recruitments for 6,000 vacant posts.

The “highly controversial” recruitment of 4,294 third and fourth class employees for the Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP) – which was marred by widespread bribery allegations – has restarted from last week.

The recruitment process had been stopped following a three-month stay order issued by the High Court in September, based on writ petitions filed by a Supreme Court advocate and a candidate.

DGFP officials said the stay order had been cancelled by another High Court judge last week, allowing the DGFP to restart the recruitment process.

Senior officials of the DGFP are now reportedly hurrying to complete the recruitment process, before any further writ is lodged.

It has been learnt that the DGFP had completed both written and viva ex-

were taking viva in 10 districts.

Seeking anonymity, a member of the central recruitment committee told the Dhaka Tribune on Monday that the result would be published very soon.

A large number of senior officials and employees of the DGFP told the Dhaka Tribune that the recruitment process saw the largest ever amount of bribery in the history of the DGFP, with the total amount expected to be more than Tk1.5bn.

The size of the bribes allegedly depended on the weight of the posts, with unscrupulous DGFP employees charging candidates Tk800,000-Tk900,000 for the post of family planning assistant, Tk500,000-Tk600,000 for family planning inspector, Tk300,000-Tk350,000 for family welfare visitor and Tk200,000Tk250,000 for other posts.

Similar allegations were also raised

Sources said different influential people including ministers, secretaries, parliament members, political and doctors’ leaders were behind the bribes, adding that an official who will retire in a month had pocketed the highest amount of money.

Dr Mahbubur Rahman, member secretary of the recruitment committee, termed the allegations “fictitious,” and said: “Allegations of bribery in recruitment are nothing new. We have to bear with this sort of complaints every time we recruit.”

It has been learnt that more than 200,000 candidates sat for the written tests that were held on June 21, 22 and 28, while a total of 12,711 candidates, who came out successful in the written tests, had been selected for a viva-voce for final recruitment. l

defaulters to the returning officers, so that they could cancel the nominations of the defaulters.

A Bangladesh Bank official said the draft of the letter to be sent to the banks had already been finalised. The letter would be dispatched once the finance ministry gave a go ahead, he added.

The official also said the finance ministry would give instruction to the central bank for dispatching the letters once the recently announced polls schedule was published as a gazette.

According to the draft, banks were asked to provide the information of loan defaulters to the central bank up to the month of October. If any of the candidates updated their loan status later than that, the banks would be asked to provide that information directly to the commission. The banks would be fined if the banks failed to

submit the information by December 2.

“The Bangladesh Bank will prepare the loan defaulters’ list according to the October statements. But many candidates may adjust their default loan in November. So, the banks will have to send the updated reports to the EC individually,” said a central bank senior executive.

A senior official of the central bank’s Credit Information Bureau told the Dhaka Tribune that Governor Atiur Rahman had recently instructed them to prepare the information.

He also said: “We are logistically ready to provide the information on loan defaulters.”

The amended Representation of the People Order stipulates an aspirant candidate to get bank clearance on default loans and outstanding utility bills. l

Prof Zafar Iqbal, his wife resign over admission process n Tribune Report Eminent educationist and writer Prof Muhammad Zafar Iqbal yesterday resigned from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST).

He resigned from his post as professor of Department of Computer Science and Engineering. His wife Dr Yasmeen Haque also resigned as a physics professor.

Dr Yasmeen told the Dhaka Tribune that they had resigned because of a dispute over the undergraduate admission system at the university.

She said: “This is the [right] time for us to move away from the university.”

In a written statement, they said when Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid and Finance Minister AMA Muhith sided against integrated system, they thought that they needed to consider everything in a new way. They said the decision would harm the students.

They submitted the resignations after a meeting which decided to postpone the integrated admission tests agreed recently between the SUST and Jessore Science and Technology University (JSTU), a cause Prof Iqbal has strongly been advocating for. The tests were supposed to be held on November 30.

The examination committee had been preparing for the combined admission tests for the past few months.

However, last week, a group called “Sylhetbashi” protested against the proposed system claiming that it would be injustice towards the people of Sylhet.

The university authorities on Monday sat with distinguish persons of Sylhet to discuss the matter, and yesterday decided to postpone the tests.

After learning the news, students demonstrated on the campus in the evening in front of the vice-chancellor’s office. SUST Vice-Chancellor Aminul Haque Bhuiyan could not be reached for comments on the issue. The education minister declined to comment on this. l

ROOPPUR NUCLEAR POWER PROJECT

Third deal with Atomstroyexport by first week of December n Aminur Rahman Rasel Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) is likely to sign a third deal with the Russian joint-stock company, Atomstroyexport involving the preparatory stage work at the country’s first nuclear power project in Rooppur, Pabna, in the first week of December.

The deal has been titled “for performance of first-priority construction and erection works of preparatory stage prior to the [first concrete] at Rooppur Nuclear Power Project (RNPP) site,” and will cover ordering of construction materials, supply and installation of the equipment and materials, construction and erection works.

Mohammad Shawkat Akbar, project director at the RNPP confirmed the Dhaka Tribune of the development yesterday.

On June 27, a first deal with Atomstroyexport worth $45.9m was struck.

The amount would be spent on pre-construction works including feasibility evaluation (FE), environment impact assessment (EIA), and development and engineering survey etc at the RNPP site.

Oon October 2, the government penned the second deal worth $265m for the preparatory stage work of the RNPP, including the development of design documentation, first priority working documentation and engineering survey for the design stage.

The $45.9m and $265m were parts of a total $500m which Russia agreed to provide to finance the ground work at Rooppur run under the government-appointed Atomstroyexport, which will also run a series of 63 tests as part of the pre-construction works.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the groundwork of the 2,000 megawatt (MW) plant in Pabna on October 2.

Bangladesh in this regard signed a deal with Russia on January 14 this year, during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Moscow, for the extension of state export credit to finance the preparatory stage work at the nuclear power plant.

On April 2, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council approved the construction of the Rooppur plant involving a cost of Tk52.42bn, of which Tk40bn would be provided

by Russia as state credit while the rest would come from local resources.

The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, under the science and technology ministry, will implement the project. l

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Business

B2 BAB awards accreditation to testing labs

B3 GM Quader: Ticfa opens up trade opportunities

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2013

Business www.dhakatribune.com/business

As wages rise, so do rents Home owners have already hiked rents for apparel workers more than the increased allowance rent, increasing from Tk800 in the previ- than 2,500. turers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi After that incidence of Rana Plaza colHe put stress on taking steps by the gov- ous structure. The house rent is 40% of the As soon as the minimum wage of garment workers was increased, the house owners had raised rents to an amount more than the increased allowance.

As per the new wage structure, Shahena Parveen’s house rent allowance would increase by less than Tk500, but her house owner has already announced to increase rent by Tk1,000.

Shahena Parveen is a worker at an apparel factory of IDS Group in Dhaka. Like her, the country’s around four millions of garment workers was just aspiring to live a better life after the wage hike. But their hopes did not last long as the house lords had appeared to ask them pay more from January.

“Now, I have no other way but to leave the house,” said Shahena Parveen living in a Mirpur tin-shed room with her ailing mother and school-going younger brother.

When interviewed a good number of workers in Gazipur, Savar, Mirpur and Farmgate areas, they told the Dhaka Tribune that the new rent hike has put them in an uneasy situation again.

The workers urged the authorities including BGMEA to take steps so that the house owners do not raise rents.

“Workers have to pay most of their incomes as house rent. To prevent owners from hiking rent again, the government, BGMEA and other authorities concerned should take necessary steps,” said Serajul Islam Rony, president of Bangladesh Garment Workers Employees League.

Some garment workers’ bodies have threatened to stand against any decision of rent hike by their house owners.

“If the house owners increase rent without prior permission of due authorities, we will initiate tough movement to prevent it,” said Bahrain Sultan Bahar, president of Jago Bangladesh Garments Sramik Federation.

The workers urged the government to ensure proper implementation of laws related with house rent.

Meanwhile, the BGMEA is going to distribute leaflets among the workers assuring them of any assistance they will require against house rent hike.

The apparel trade body will receive phone calls through a hot line number from the workers facing any “sudden and undue” rent hikes.

The BGMEA hot-line number will be mentioned in the leaflets, said sources.

“It’s a great challenge for us to ensure that the workers can enjoy the real benefit of wage hike,” said Reaz Bin Mahmood, vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufac-

ernment and others concerned to play an effective role in controlling house rents for the garment workers of the country.

Frequent increase of house rents by the owners is a common phenomenon in the Bangladeshi cities, particularly in Dhaka.

The low income people like apparel workers bear the brunt of such frequent hike of rents.

While the RMG worker in the country hardly see their wages have been revised, increase of house rents is one of their most common bad experiences.

The house owners have not spared the tenant RMG workers this time also when a minimum wage board formed by the government finalised Tk5,300 as minimum wage on November 21.

Of the amount, the basic salary for an entry-level readymade garment worker is Tk3,000.

The previous minimum wage for the country’s most vibrant sector which earns more than US$21bn of the total $27bn from exports was Tk3,000.

The new hike is 70% of the previous amount. Around four millions of workers, mostly poor women, are involved with the sector.

As per the new wage structure, an entry-level worker will get Tk1,200 as house

basic amount according to the new wage structure.

The garment industry of Bangladesh met the worst accident in history in April this year, killing over Tk1,129 and injuring more

lapse, the garment owners and buyers came under severe criticisms locally and globally.

Different rights groups around the world demanded ensuring of work place safety and living wages for the apparel workers. l

A veiw of some densely located tin-made shanties near Gulshan, Dhaka, where many readymade garment workers reside SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2013

FBCCI team leaves for South Korea n Tribune Business Desk An 18-member business delegation led by FBCCI first vice president Monowara Hakim Ali left Dhaka yesterday to attend a meeting of Bangladesh-South Korea Joint Business Promotion Council.

The delegation team will attend several meetings during November 26-29, said a press release.

A joint business promotion council meeting will also be held with Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on November 27.

Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) delegation will call on Cho Tae-yul, second vice minister of foreign affairs tomorrow.

They will also attend a business meeting with the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) on Friday. l

Ispahani Group holds training on social compliance n Tribune Business Desk Ispahani Group organised a day-long training on social compliance for the professionals and executives of the ready-made garment and textile sectors.

The 3D Learning Initiative of Ispahani launched the event while Saifullah Khawaja, country director of WRAP, USA, was the training facilitator, said a press release.

Officials from Pahartali Textile and Hosiery Mills, Ispahani Foods Limited, Square Fashions, Square Textiles, Partex Denim, Tex Tailor Export (BD), Aman Knitting, Aman Graphic and Design, Synergies Sourcing Bangladesh, Enigma Tech, Link Tex Sportswear, Interlinks Dresses and Muselina Textile Mills attended the training.

Certificates were distributed among the participants after the training. l

City Bank, Metlife Alico sign MoU for cash management n Tribune Business Desk City Bank recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with MetLife Alico Bangladesh to facilitate premium collection of MetLife Alico policyholders.

The bank’s deputy managing director and head of branch banking, Badrudduza Choudhury and chief operating officer of MetLife Alico Bangladesh signed the deal on behalf of their respective companies, said a press release.

DMD and head of wholesale banking Sheikh Mohammad Maroof, head of retail banking Zabed Amin and deputy general manager Syed Hammadul Karim and head of agency- South Asia, Jafar S Chowdhury from MetLife Alico Bangladesh were also present.

The ceremony ended with discussions on further strategic alliance between the two organisations. l

A view of a city kitchen market on the first day of blockade enforced by BNP

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

BAB awards accreditation to testing labs n Tribune Report Bangladesh Accreditation Board (BAB), an autonomous agency, has awarded accreditation certificates to six testing and calibration laboratories.

With this, the board has so far given accreditation certificates to nine testing and calibration laboratories for improving exportable products in line with the international standard, said a statement yesterday.

The six testing and calibration laboratories are Length and Dimension, Temperature, Time and Frequency, Volume, Pressure and Mass. The BAB is also working on giving accreditation certificates to five institutions by this year.

The newly appointed Industries Minister Tofail Ahmed handed over the accreditation certificates to Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) Director General Md Abu Abdullah.

BAB and Norwegian Accreditation have jointly awarded accreditation certificates to those laboratories. The privately-owned ITS Lab Test Bangladesh Ltd received accreditation certificate for chemical testing of readymade garments.

The BAB statement said accreditation is a recognised and acceptable international system that removes technical barriers like non-tariff to trade BAB is the statutory body established in 2006 as an autonomous organisation responsible for upgrading the quality assurance infrastructure and conformity assessment procedures in Bangladesh and enhancing the recognition and acceptance of products and services in international, regional and domestic markets.

Although the government set up the BAB seven years ago, the authorities did not deploy enough manpower to carry out the activities.

In June this year, it has attained full capacity to award accreditation certificates in favor of testing laboratory and calibration laboratory.

The BAB statement said accreditation is a recognised and acceptable international system that removes technical barriers like non-tariff to trade.

BAB is the national authority with responsibility of accreditation in Bangladesh. It offers accreditation programmes for various types of conformity assessment bodies, such as laboratories, certification bodies, inspection bodies, training institutions or persons in accordance with the relevant International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), International Electro technical Commission (IEC), and other regulatory standards and national standards.

Accreditation is a third party attestation related to a conformity assessment body conveying formal demonstration of its competence to carry out the tasks of conformity assessment.

It is made available to different conformity assessment bodies namely testing and calibration laboratories, certification bodies, inspection bodies, training institutions and persons who perform conformity assessments. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2013

GM Quader: Ticfa opens up trade opportunities n Tribune Report The Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement (Ticfa) is not politically motivated, rather it would open up bilateral trade and investment avenues, Commerce Minister GM Quader said in Dhaka yesterday.

“It’s innocent and harmless deal. It has been signed protecting the country’s interest, not considering political interest,” he told a press briefing, a day after the deal was signed between Bangladesh and the United States.

He informed that the first meeting of Ticfa will be held in January next year in Dhaka.

The agreement was signed one and half hour after the Chief Election Commissioner of Bangladesh announced the general election schedule, raising eyebrows of many trying to find some links between the two incidents.

“The agreement should have been signed much earlier. It has been delayed because of the foreign ministry’s dilly dally,” the minister said, replying to a question. “I wrote several letters to expedite the process … the foreign ministry knows the reason better behind the delay in taking decisions.”

‘With this agreement, the US and Bangladesh will more regularly work together to address issues of concern in our trade and investment relationship’ He said the agreement would help generate employment by increasing trade and investment and expedite technological and overall development in the country.

Replying to another question, Quader said the GSP issue is scheduled to be reviewed in December. “We don’t know yet what will be the outcome in the review. If it is positive, that’s good. And if not, the GSP issue will get priority in the first meeting of Ticfa in Dhaka.”

He said the Ticfa agreement was discussed for over a decade whereas many countries inked similar deal with US in

Foreign aid flow to Bangladesh during the July-October period of the current fiscal year (2013-14) was much lower amounting $576.8m compared to $809.6m fetched during the same period last fiscal year.

Of the disbursed amount during the four-month period, the amount of loans is $432.46m while the grants amount to $144.34m, said an official at the Economic Relations Division (ERD), reports UNB. The ERD official said that the overall commitment for the July-October period of the current fiscal year (FY14) was $1326.11m including $1172.5m as loans and $153.61m as grants.

During the four-month period of the

Stocks fall amid fresh political fears n Tribune Report Stocks posted sharp drop yesterday amid a reemergence of fear that the political unrest would be intensified after the announcement of election schedule.

The market started the session with a downbeat tone, which lasted till the end of the day’s trading.

The benchmark DSEX index fell 77 points or 1.8% to close at 4,277. It saw a modest rise in the previous session.

The blue chip index DS30 was down 26 points or 1.8% to 1,508. The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Categories Index, CSCX, ended at 8,419, shedding 130 points to 8,419.

“As clock starts ticking for upcoming election, turbulent political frontier once again took hold of investors’ perception, depressing market sentiment,” said IDLC Investment in its daily market analysis.

Consistent with previous sessions, textiles and pharmaceuticals continued to remain center of the attraction as two sectors accounted for 40% of total turnover.

Commerce Minister GM Quader addresses a press conference in Dhaka yesterday on the just signed Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (Ticfa) with the United States much less time. “It’s not true that no powerful country did sign such deals. India also signed Framework for Cooperation on Trade and Investment with the USA. I think India is a powerful country.”

In another development, the US Trade Representative (USTR) posted the English and Bengali versions of the agreement in its website.

The Ticfa provides a mechanism for both governments to discuss trade and investment issues and areas of cooperation.

“With this agreement, the US and Bangladesh will more regularly work together to address issues of concern in our trade and investment relationship,” US Trade Representative Ambassador Michael Froman said.

“Importantly, we’ll also be able to track and discuss Bangladeshi efforts to improve worker safety and worker rights. This is an important priority for the United States as

Bangladesh seeks to prevent more tragedies in its readymade garment sector.”

Bangladesh is currently the 59th largest goods trading partner of US with $5.4b in total bilateral goods trade during 2012.

On Monday, acting Deputy United States Trade Representative (USTR) Wendy Cutler and Bangladesh Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed signed the deal on behalf of their respective sides at the USTR headquarters.

The agreement enabled the countries to establish a “Forum” with representatives from both parties to discuss opportunities and interests of bilateral trade and investment and identify and work to remove impediments to the areas of trade and investment.

On June 17, the cabinet approved the draft of Ticfa, a legally “nonbinding” agreement that emphasises prohibition of protectionist trade policy. l

Jul-Oct aid stands at $577m n Tribune Business Desk

3

current fiscal year, the repayment stood at $341.34m including $275.32m in principal amount and $66.02m as interests.

The repayment for the July-October period of the last fiscal year (2012-13) was, however, $310.42m including $243.36m in principal amount and $67.06m as interest.

Of the major multilateral and bilateral donors, Japan provided the highest amount of $157m as loan during the July-October period of current fiscal year followed by IDA of the World Bank with $120m and the ADB with $108m.

Of the grants amount, India provided the highest $50m to Bangladesh during the fourmonth period followed by the UN System’s $47m, DFID’s $18.63m and IDA of the World Bank’s $15.96m.

Talking to UNB, another official at the ERD said that utilization of foreign aid has been affected since the country is passing through political turmoil over the last couple of months. He said that Implementation rate of the foreign-financed development projects was poor this time resulting in lower aid disbursement.

According to ERD, although the foreign aid flow to Bangladesh in the last fiscal year (2012-13) was around $3.1bn lower than its commitment, the aid disbursement was higher totalling $2.8bn in the last fiscal compared to $2.1bn fetched in fiscal 2011-12.

The commitment for the FY 13 was much higher as it was $5,926.05m compared to $4,764.52m during the same period of the previous year (FY12). l

‘As clock starts ticking for upcoming election, turbulent political frontier once again took hold of investors’ perception, depressing market sentiment’

Fear among investors during the first day of nationwide blockade pulled the market down, said Lanka Bangla Securities in its market analysis.

The total turnover at the DSE stood at Tk7.3bn, which was more than 3% lower over the previous session.

“Size of the turnover indicated that sellers were not aggressively selling off their holdings yet. Rather, they are booking some profits to remain on the safe side,” said Lanka Bangla.

Zenith Investment said after ending notably higher in the previous session, the market came under pressure on the heels of the political instability.

“Buying enthusiasm has remained somewhat subdued whereas sellers took some profits off the table, limiting the growing trend of the index.”

All the sectors ended in red except a few small-cap sectors, including tannery and ceramics, edging higher.

The heavyweight banks registered the highest loss of 2.4%, followed by power that rose 2%, non-banking financial institutions 1.8% and telecommunications 1.4%.

Orion Pharmaceuticals became the top traded stock, followed by RN Spinning, Generation Next Fashion, Paramount Textile and Summit Purbanchol Power Company Limited. l

Business India considers more Iran oil imports, readies payments

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2013

n Reuters India could step up crude imports from Iran next month and start transferring billions of dollars it owes for oil as early as next week, following a deal between Tehran and six world powers to curb the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme.

The agreement eases some of the sanctions on trade with Iran that have slashed the OPEC member’s exports by more than half and cost it as much as $80bn in lost oil sales since the beginning of 2012, according to White House estimates.

Iran’s biggest oil buyers - China, India, South Korea and Japan - have all cut back sharply on purchases.

The deal, struck on Sunday, also suspends sanctions provisions on insurance, which had left refiners that processed Iranian oil without cover and resulted in India’s imports falling to below even the level permitted by sanctions.

The removal of the EU restrictions on insurance opens the door for Indian refiners to increase imports to contract levels without breaching sanctions that remain in place limiting Iran’s overall exports to around 1 million barrels per day (bpd).

“Till yesterday this crude was not under consideration because of insurance hurdles, but now because of this recent development ... Iranian crude has come into active consideration of HPCL,” BK Namdeo, head of refineries at state-run Indian refiner HPCL, told Reuters.

For HPCL, that could mean an extra 50,000 barrels per day (bpd) in December to March - about a quarter more than India’s daily average Iranian imports over the first nine months of 2013.

The United States had tightened the noose further on Iran’s biggest revenue stream in February by asking its oil buyers to stop transferring payments to Tehran and instead keep the money in bank accounts in the currency of the importing country.

Effectively shut out of the global banking system, Iran has been able to use that money only to buy goods and services from the importing country and the cash in those ac-

An employee measures diesel in a tanker before unloading at a fuel station in Kolkata counts has quickly built up.

The new agreement would let Iran receive about $4.2bn in oil money from accounts held abroad if it fulfils commitments under the deal over the next six months. It is unclear how much Iran will receive from each country.

A joint commission from Iran and the six powers is supposed to decide which foreign banks can transfer the money to Tehran, what currency they will use, and which Iranian banks will get the cash, a senior US Treasury official said on Monday.

The transfer of Iran’s oil funds will likely be done by banks that already have Iranian

accounts, the official said.

India is Iran’s second-largest buyer and owes Tehran about $5.3bn for oil shipments, according to government and refining sources. Payments by Indian refiners to Iran could resume through Turkey’s state-run Halkbank, a route used until February.

The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) asked Indian refiners in mid-October to settle some of their payments in euros via Halkbank as soon as possible. Refiners are awaiting the all-clear from the Indian government before transferring any cash.

“Next week if it is possible, we will start making our payments,” said PP Upadhya,

REUTERS

managing director of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd, one of the Indian buyers of Iranian crude.

A government official also said payments would be expedited once the payment mechanism via Turkey opens up.

“If that Halkbank route opens up ... rather than pushing this to a later date, perhaps this money will go to the Iranians sooner rather than later,” said the official, who had direct knowledge of the matter.

The transfer of funds may help the US Treasury Department more closely monitor how Iran plans to use the cash, the US official said. l

WTO kicks off crunch meeting in key test for trade talks n AFP, Geneva World Trade Organisation members yesterday kicked off a crunch meeting to decide whether they could put a deal on the table at a make or break summit next month.

WTO chief Roberto Azevedo and trade diplomats were tight-lipped, declining to respond to AFP’s questions as they arrived for the last pre-summit session of its ruling body, the General Council, which has been delayed repeatedly.

Azevedo was to brief the council on whether last-ditch, round the clock negotiations had managed to craft an accord to put

before trade ministers at the WTO’s December 3-6 summit on the Indonesian island of Bali. Diplomats were to take stock of a 53page draft accord, seen by AFP, which contained an array of negotiating options that needed honing down.

Negotiators from the WTO’s 159 member economies have spent weeks scrambling to bridge bitter differences and try to revive talks on an accord to ease barriers to global commerce.

Azevedo, the Brazilian former trade envoy who was sworn in as WTO director general in September, repeatedly had warned that the negotiating must not be left until the Bali summit.

Bali is seen as perhaps the last chance to revive the WTO’s so-called “Doha Round” of talks, launched in 2001 at a summit in Qatar.

The round’s goal is to produce a wide-ranging global accord on opening markets and removing trade barriers, with a key goal being to harness international commerce to develop poorer economies.

But the talks have stalled as rich countries, emerging powers and the world’s poorest nations spar over the concessions needed.

Negotiators have long ruled out the chances of Bali giving the Doha Round a major shot in the arm, and are instead trying to draw up thematic accords for the summit, which

could be fed into a wider package later.

One covers “trade facilitation”, which involves simplifying customs procedures in an effort to make commerce smoother, and where divisions centre on the time-lag developing countries would get to fall into line, plus the support they would get from donors to do so.

Another division is over “food security”, pushed by India, under which developing countries want to be allowed to subsidise grain stockpiling to help low-income farmers and consumers - stocks that critics warn could end up on the open market, skewing trade. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Yahoo pushes further into news with ‘global anchor’ n AFP, San Francisco Yahoo made a fresh move Monday to expand as a media group, naming a star “global anchor” to be the face of its digital news brand.

The California Internet giant hired longtime newscaster and talk show star Katie Couric, well-known to American television viewers, having hosted programs on three top broadcast networks. “Couric is joining the company as Global Anchor, as part of Yahoo’s ongoing commitment to re-imagine how news and information is delivered and consumed,” a Yahoo statement said.

Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer, hired last year to help revive the fortunes of the faded Internet pioneer, said Couric “will lead a growing team of correspondents at Yahoo News who will cover the world’s most interesting stories and newsmakers.”

“From pivotal coverage of natural disasters and historic elections to the Royal Wedding and the Olympic Games, groundbreaking interviews with heads of state and leading tastemakers, her experience is unmatched,” Mayer said in a blog post.

Couric, 56, will continue to host her daytime television talk show “Katie” while being the “face” of Yahoo News and being part of features for the Internet pioneer’s home page, according to Mayer.

Couric will begin with Yahoo News in early 2014 to help reshape coverage for the Internet giant, which hosts the biggest global news website and is gradually moving to control more of the content. l

Business

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2013

5

China seeks to boost trade with ex-communist Europe n Reuters China wants to double trading volumes with central and eastern members of the European Union in the next five years, Li Keqiang said on his first visit to the former communist bloc as premier.

China and the EU announced at a summit last week that the two sides would begin talks on a treaty aimed at boosting investment, which lags behind burgeoning trade, and tackling thorny market access issues.

Li, who arrived for an official visit to Romania and a summit with prime ministers from emerging EU states on Monday, said in his opening speech that “because of similar development stages” China and the region have much to offer each other.

His predecessor, Wen Jiabao, said last year that China would set up a $10bn credit line and a $500m investment fund for eastern and southern Europe.

“China-CEE trade accounts for one tenth of China-EU trade,” said Li. “We need to strive to double our trade volumes ... in next five years ... We need to work together to build large scale infrastructure projects.”

The Chinese Premier and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said when they met last week in Beijing that a potential agreement would increase openness and deepen cooperation as well as boosting investment, which has not kept pace with trade growth.

Europe is China’s most important trading

China’s Premier Li Keqiang addresses the meeting of heads of government from Central and Eastern European countries and China in Bucharest REUTERS partner and for the EU, China is second only to the United States. But the bilateral relationship has been rattled by trade rows ranging from steel and wine to solar panels.

In 2012, bilateral trade in goods and services reached 483.5bn euros ($653bn), according to the EU delegation to China. China exported 289.7bn euros in goods to Europe last year compared with Europe’s 143.9bn in goods to China.

However, EU imports from China last year decreased for the first time since the global financial crisis, down 0.9%.

On Monday, officials said China agreed to start cooperation on the construction of a railway linking Hungary and Serbia and China’s General Nuclear Power signaled it could invest in a project to add reactors to Romania’s sole nuclear power plant owned by state-controlled Nuclearelectrica. l

H&M aims to pay all textile workers ‘living wage’ by 2018 n Reuters

The company logo is placed at the flagship store of H&M, Hennes & Mauritz, the world’s secondbiggest fashion retailer in Sweden’s capital Stockholm REUTERS

Hennes & Mauritz, the world’s second-largest clothing retailer, laid out a plan on Monday to pay a fair “living wage” to some 850,000 textile workers by 2018, saying governments were acting too slowly.

“We believe that the wage development, driven by for example governments in some countries, is taking too long, so we want to take further action and encourage the whole industry to follow,” H&M said in a statement on its website.

H&M sources most of its garments from factories in Asia, particularly Bangladesh, where a factory collapse in April that killed almost 1,130 people put pressure on big brands to improve the working conditions of those making clothes for the West.

H&M, which did not source from that factory, was the first company to sign a Europe-led safety pact for Bangladesh garment factories after the collapse. It has urged Bangladesh and Cambodia to raise the minimum wage and revise it annually.

Violent protests over pay have forced the closure of hundreds of Bangladeshi garment factories in recent weeks even though factory owners have agreed to a proposed 77% rise

in the minimum wage.

Rock bottom wages and trade deals have made Bangladesh’s garments sector a $22bn industry that accounts for four-fifths of exports, supplying retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc, and Primark as well as H&M. About 3.6 million of Bangladesh’s 155 million people work in the clothing industry, making it the world’s second-largest garments exporter behind China. Around 60 percent of garment exports go to Europe and 23% to the United States.

H&M said it would support factory owners to develop pay structures that enable a fair living wage in two model factories in Bangladesh and one in Cambodia in 2014 and then scale up the model to the 750 factories it works with by 2018.

It wants wages to be negotiated annually and reviewed by democratically elected trade unions or worker representatives.

Helena Helmersson, global head of sustainability at H&M, made the commitment at a conference on living wages in Berlin organized by the Dutch and German governments.

“We are willing to pay more so that the supplier can pay higher wages,” H&M said.

“We believe that our purchasing practices will lead to better efficiency and productivity.” l

6

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2013

DSEBroadIndex:4277.55⇓1.78%,Turnover:7262.06M.Tk⇓3.25%,PE:13.19 Turnover8,068.13MTk.⇓6.46% 26 November 2013 MarketCap.2,059.53BTk.⇓1.65% CSEAllShareIndex:13312⇓1.40%,Turnover:806.07MTk.⇓28.00%,PE:13.01 Combined Turnover Leader Orion Pharma-N

CompanyCode | EPS | BV | Volume Traded (Share) DSE/CSE: ClosePrice ⇓/⇑ Chn % | Avg.Price | Hi / Lo

BANK ABBANK | 2.95 | 32.60 | Vol. 433071 D: 27.10 ⇓ 3.21% | 27.41 | 29.00 / 25.50 C: 27.20 ⇓ 1.81% | 27.35 | 27.90 / 27.00 CITYBANK | 1.15 | 25.97 | Vol. 971694 D: 21.00 ⇓ 2.78% | 21.20 | 22.00 / 19.50 C: 21.00 ⇓ 2.33% | 21.17 | 22.00 / 19.50 IFIC | 1.10 | 18.34 | Vol. 1979370 D: 32.60 ⇓ 3.55% | 33.06 | 35.00 / 30.50 C: 32.60 ⇓ 4.12% | 33.32 | 34.50 / 32.50 ISLAMIBANK | 3.78 | 27.16 | Vol. 825241 D: 35.70 ⇓ 2.19% | 36.16 | 37.00 / 34.00 C: 36.00 ⇓ 1.10% | 36.33 | 36.70 / 35.00 NBL | 1.05 | 15.76 | Vol. 2613964 D: 12.40 ⇓ 1.59% | 12.53 | 13.50 / 11.70 C: 12.50 ⇓ 1.57% | 12.56 | 12.90 / 12.40 PUBALIBANK | 1.92 | 21.18 | Vol. 428090 D: 31.20 ⇑ 0.32% | 31.13 | 31.50 / 29.00 C: 31.10 ⇓ 0.64% | 31.13 | 31.30 / 31.00 RUPALIBANK | 6.70 | 64.27 | Vol. 36510 D: 65.00 ⇓ 1.22% | 64.94 | 67.00 / 64.30 C: 65.30 ⇓ 1.21% | 65.43 | 66.00 / 65.20 UCBL | 1.90 | 21.72 | Vol. 3773457 D: 24.80 ⇓ 3.13% | 25.12 | 26.20 / 23.50 C: 24.90 ⇓ 2.35% | 25.18 | 25.90 / 24.80 UTTARABANK | 3.42 | 26.97 | Vol. 623670 D: 31.00 ⇓ 2.82% | 31.45 | 32.50 / 29.00 C: 31.10 ⇓ 3.12% | 31.43 | 32.60 / 31.00 ICBIBANK | -1.60 | -13.03 | Vol. 269500 D: 6.30 ⇑ 3.28% | 6.30 | 6.40 / 6.00 EBL | 3.91 | 28.22 | Vol. 130520 D: 28.00 ⇓ 2.10% | 28.19 | 29.50 / 26.00 C: 27.90 ⇓ 2.11% | 28.01 | 28.20 / 27.00 ALARABANK | 2.03 | 14.91 | Vol. 2454092 D: 19.60 ⇓ 2.00% | 19.81 | 22.00 / 18.00 C: 19.70 ⇓ 2.96% | 19.81 | 20.50 / 19.60 PRIMEBANK | 2.89 | 22.40 | Vol. 1315145 D: 23.50 ⇓ 4.86% | 23.83 | 26.00 / 23.00 C: 24.50 ⇓ 1.21% | 23.89 | 24.50 / 24.00 SOUTHEASTB | 1.89 | 22.66 | Vol. 1074641 D: 17.90 ⇓ 2.19% | 18.09 | 19.00 / 17.00 C: 18.00 ⇓ 1.64% | 18.06 | 18.50 / 17.90 DHAKABANK | 1.46 | 18.08 | Vol. 253557 D: 19.20 ⇓ 1.54% | 19.39 | 20.00 / 18.00 C: 19.20 ⇓ 3.03% | 19.34 | 19.90 / 19.20 NCCBANK | 1.90 | 15.88 | Vol. 1356130 D: 14.00 ⇓ 3.45% | 14.19 | 15.00 / 13.20 C: 14.10 ⇓ 2.76% | 14.21 | 14.50 / 14.00 SIBL | 2.05 | 14.47 | Vol. 814458 D: 13.90 ⇓ 2.11% | 14.09 | 14.60 / 12.80 C: 14.00 ⇓ 1.41% | 14.06 | 14.40 / 13.90 DUTCHBANGL | 11.57 | 54.27 | Vol. 19600 D: 98.40 ⇓ 1.01% | 98.52 | 99.50 / 98.00 C: 100.0 ⇓ 4.76% | 100.00 | 100.0 / 100.0 MTBL | 1.17 | 17.27 | Vol. 167320 D: 16.00 ⇓ 3.03% | 16.08 | 16.60 / 15.00 C: 15.90 ⇓ 3.05% | 15.93 | 16.00 / 15.90 STANDBANKL | 2.33 | 14.41 | Vol. 1226120 D: 14.90 ⇓ 3.25% | 15.07 | 16.00 / 14.00 C: 15.00 ⇓ 2.60% | 15.13 | 15.50 / 15.00 ONEBANKLTD | 2.35 | 15.34 | Vol. 1503820 D: 16.60 ⇓ 2.35% | 16.78 | 17.30 / 15.50 C: 16.60 ⇓ 2.35% | 16.81 | 17.10 / 16.50 BANKASIA | 1.35 | 20.80 | Vol. 4113213 D: 18.50 ⇓ 2.12% | 18.87 | 19.00 / 18.00 C: 18.80 ⇓ 1.05% | 19.98 | 19.00 / 18.70 MERCANBANK | 2.07 | 16.59 | Vol. 2579494 D: 15.70 ⇓ 4.27% | 16.06 | 17.00 / 15.00 C: 15.90 ⇓ 3.64% | 16.14 | 16.40 / 15.80 EXIMBANK | 1.80 | 14.31 | Vol. 1263900 D: 13.00 ⇓ 3.70% | 13.17 | 14.00 / 12.20 C: 13.10 ⇓ 2.96% | 13.22 | 13.50 / 13.00 JAMUNABANK | 2.47 | 18.56 | Vol. 179312 D: 16.40 ⇓ 1.20% | 16.46 | 17.50 / 15.00 C: 16.20 ⇓ 0.61% | 16.18 | 17.00 / 15.50 BRACBANK | 1.51 | 24.87 | Vol. 375749 D: 31.40 ⇓ 0.63% | 31.57 | 32.00 / 29.00 C: 31.10 ⇓ 0.64% | 30.65 | 31.20 / 28.30 SHAHJABANK | 2.61 | 14.47 | Vol. 580027 D: 17.50 ⇓ 2.23% | 17.59 | 18.80 / 16.50 C: 17.60 ⇓ 2.22% | 17.78 | 18.60 / 17.50 PREMIERBAN | 1.18 | 13.95 | Vol. 1051334 D: 11.80 ⇓ 4.07% | 12.02 | 12.50 / 11.50 C: 11.80 ⇓ 4.07% | 12.03 | 13.00 / 11.70

Vol. 5922400

TO M. Tk. 384.85

% of TTL

Avg. P

4.77

64.98

R. N. Spinning-A

8205607

307.36

3.81

37.46

Generation Next Fashions-A

8409100

286.99

3.56

Paramount T Ltd.-N

4192000

235.27

SP Power-N

3216490

215.41

2.92 2.67

TRUSTBANK | 0.50 | 18.00 | Vol. 256929 D: 19.60 ⇓ 1.51% | 19.68 | 19.90 / 18.00 C: 19.60 ⇓ 1.01% | 19.57 | 19.80 / 19.50 FIRSTSBANK | 1.85 | 13.89 | Vol. 1532186 D: 15.60 ⇓ 4.29% | 15.97 | 17.00 / 14.90 C: 16.00 ⇓ 1.84% | 16.08 | 16.50 / 15.80 NON BANKING F I IDLC | 4.43 | 29.18 | Vol. 307358 D: 60.70 ⇓ 0.16% | 61.16 | 61.70 / 57.00 C: 60.90 ⇓ 0.65% | 60.99 | 61.50 / 60.70 ULC | 1.80 | 14.90 | Vol. 242310 D: 28.90 ⇓ 2.03% | 29.15 | 29.90 / 28.00 UTTARAFIN | 7.16 | 41.54 | Vol. 152140 D: 80.40 ⇓ 1.83% | 80.53 | 82.20 / 76.00 C: 79.90 ⇓ 1.84% | 80.21 | 81.90 / 75.60 MIDASFIN | 0.16 | 10.21 | Vol. 2000 D: 29.20 ⇓ 1.68% | 29.50 | 29.50 / 29.00 FLEASEINT | 2.34 | 13.93 | Vol. 797725 D: 29.80 ⇓ 2.30% | 30.15 | 31.20 / 27.50 C: 29.90 ⇓ 2.92% | 30.11 | 30.50 / 29.70 PLFSL | 1.37 | 17.48 | Vol. 1203721 D: 23.70 ⇓ 3.27% | 24.10 | 26.40 / 22.40 C: 24.00 ⇓ 2.44% | 24.29 | 24.80 / 23.80 PRIMEFIN | 0.87 | 17.88 | Vol. 447715 D: 24.10 ⇓ 3.60% | 24.51 | 27.00 / 24.00 C: 24.20 ⇓ 2.81% | 24.56 | 25.20 / 24.00 PREMIERLEA | 0.10 | 11.37 | Vol. 176700 D: 10.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 10.17 | 10.40 / 10.00 C: 10.20 ⇓ 1.92% | 10.24 | 10.40 / 10.10 ISLAMICFIN | 1.03 | 15.48 | Vol. 512217 D: 16.70 ⇓ 2.34% | 16.82 | 17.40 / 16.00 C: 16.70 ⇓ 2.34% | 16.78 | 17.10 / 16.60 LANKABAFIN | 1.61 | 31.07 | Vol. 842692 D: 53.70 ⇓ 2.89% | 54.57 | 56.50 / 50.00 C: 53.90 ⇓ 3.41% | 54.45 | 55.40 / 53.80 BIFC | 0.15 | 18.58 | Vol. 99368 D: 16.60 ⇓ 1.19% | 16.68 | 17.00 / 15.50 C: 16.60 ⇓ 2.35% | 16.78 | 17.00 / 16.60 IPDC | 1.23 | 19.43 | Vol. 115000 D: 18.40 ⇓ 3.16% | 18.63 | 19.20 / 18.30 C: 18.50 ⇓ 2.63% | 18.49 | 18.60 / 18.40 UNIONCAP | 0.54 | 17.85 | Vol. 36125 D: 28.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 28.79 | 29.50 / 27.50 C: 28.90 ⇓ 0.34% | 29.21 | 29.50 / 28.40 BDFINANCE | 0.57 | 14.77 | Vol. 147100 D: 18.30 ⇓ 2.66% | 18.50 | 20.00 / 17.00 C: 18.50 ⇓ 1.60% | 18.52 | 18.80 / 17.50 ILFSL | 0.35 | 12.19 | Vol. 523081 D: 14.50 ⇓ 2.03% | 14.71 | 15.00 / 14.50 C: 14.60 ⇓ 2.01% | 14.75 | 15.00 / 14.60 PHOENIXFIN | 2.46 | 19.39 | Vol. 361600 D: 32.60 ⇓ 3.26% | 33.21 | 34.00 / 31.60 C: 32.70 ⇓ 2.68% | 33.54 | 34.10 / 32.50 FASFIN | 0.19 | 13.56 | Vol. 479570 D: 13.80 ⇓ 2.13% | 13.99 | 14.30 / 12.80 C: 13.90 ⇓ 1.42% | 14.07 | 14.30 / 13.90 DBH | 4.47 | 21.27 | Vol. 59675 D: 54.10 ⇓ 1.46% | 54.44 | 56.30 / 50.00 C: 54.10 ⇓ 2.17% | 54.05 | 54.10 / 54.00 NHFIL | 0.57 | 12.70 | Vol. 407375 D: 31.00 ⇓ 1.90% | 31.55 | 32.50 / 29.00 C: 31.20 ⇓ 0.64% | 31.15 | 31.70 / 31.00 BAYLEASING | 0.72 | 25.55 | Vol. 271644 D: 28.90 ⇓ 2.36% | 29.14 | 29.60 / 27.00 C: 29.10 ⇓ 1.36% | 29.48 | 30.90 / 29.00 ICB | 89.23 | 607.74 | Vol. 4789 D: 1491 ⇓ 1.24% | 1495 | 1507 / 1416 C: 1495 ⇓ 6.23% | 1495 | 1495 / 1495 GSPFINANCE | 1.63 | 22.23 | Vol. 151744 D: 25.90 ⇓ 1.52% | 26.01 | 26.40 / 24.00 C: 25.80 ⇓ 2.64% | 25.95 | 26.00 / 25.00 FAREASTFIN | 0.68 | 13.64 | Vol. 1154500 D: 14.00 ⇓ 0.71% | 14.07 | 14.20 / 14.00 C: 14.00 ⇓ 1.41% | 14.03 | 14.20 / 13.90 INVESTMENT 2NDICB | 44.10 | 253.11 | Vol. 1350 D: 276.7 ⇑ 4.97% | 277.04 | 280.0 / 270.0 3RDICB | 26.16 | 235.16 | Vol. 450 D: 198.9 ⇓ 1.04% | 200.00 | 200.0 / 196.0 4THICB | 29.24 | 229.24 | Vol. 1100 D: 200.1 ⇓ 0.89% | 200.00 | 202.0 / 198.0 5THICB | 23.45 | 188.92 | Vol. 2200 D: 159.6 ⇑ 0.00% | 159.55 | 159.9 / 159.0 6THICB | 10.99 | 60.14 | Vol. 10600 D: 54.20 ⇑ 1.31% | 54.15 | 54.80 / 51.70

34.13 56.12 66.97

C%

A%

CP

C%

A%

CP

Northern Jute-Z

DSE Gainer

9.81

9.81

29.10

Samorita Hospital-A

-20.07

-19.76

96.00

Fu-wang Ceramic-A

9.74

10.26

21.40

Kohinoor Chem-A

-13.87

-14.02

378.10

Central Pharm-N

9.21

9.86

41.50

Delta Life Insu.-Z

-8.72

-9.03

302.50

Ambee Pharma-A

7.47

6.25

276.40

-6.90

-6.44

5.40

Orion Pharma-N

7.39

7.00

65.40

Prime Bank 1st MF-A Eastern Lubricants-A

-6.35

-6.58

323.00

7THICB | 13.53 | 98.60 | Vol. 1500 D: 87.60 ⇑ 2.46% | 88.00 | 89.00 / 86.00 8THICB | 12.47 | 70.07 | Vol. 13000 D: 53.40 ⇓ 0.19% | 53.38 | 53.90 / 53.00 AIMS1STMF | 3.02 | 15.70 | Vol. 422000 D: 39.20 ⇓ 2.49% | 39.56 | 40.60 / 39.00 C: 38.60 ⇓ 3.74% | 39.19 | 39.50 / 38.50 ICBISLAMIC | 2.21 | 26.81 | Vol. 46500 D: 18.10 ⇓ 2.69% | 18.43 | 18.90 / 18.00 GRAMEEN1 | 6.26 | 33.23 | Vol. 288000 D: 44.10 ⇓ 2.00% | 44.56 | 45.40 / 44.10 C: 44.50 ⇓ 1.11% | 44.59 | 45.00 / 44.10 ICB1STNRB | 4.06 | 35.31 | Vol. 4500 D: 26.00 ⇑ 1.17% | 26.00 | 26.70 / 25.60 ICB2NDNRB | 2.49 | 16.24 | Vol. 104500 D: 10.00 ⇓ 0.99% | 10.10 | 10.20 / 10.00 C: 10.00 ⇓ 1.96% | 10.03 | 10.10 / 10.00 GRAMEENS2 | 2.17 | 16.41 | Vol. 853450 D: 16.40 ⇓ 1.80% | 16.57 | 16.90 / 16.00 C: 16.60 ⇓ 0.60% | 16.66 | 16.80 / 16.50 1STPRIMFMF | 0.64 | 11.63 | Vol. 1026000 D: 21.60 ⇓ 4.00% | 22.02 | 22.70 / 21.50 C: 21.80 ⇓ 3.11% | 22.15 | 22.50 / 21.70 EBL1STMF | 0.55 | 12.62 | Vol. 366789 D: 7.00 ⇓ 2.78% | 7.08 | 7.20 / 6.90 C: 7.00 ⇓ 1.41% | 7.05 | 7.10 / 7.00 ICBAMCL2ND | 0.60 | 12.12 | Vol. 46500 D: 6.00 ⇓ 1.64% | 6.03 | 6.20 / 6.00 C: 6.00 ⇓ 3.23% | 6.03 | 6.10 / 6.00 ICBEPMF1S1 | 0.52 | 11.32 | Vol. 72000 D: 6.20 ⇑ 1.64% | 6.22 | 6.30 / 6.10 C: 6.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.14 | 6.20 / 6.10 TRUSTB1MF | 0.75 | 11.65 | Vol. 652422 D: 7.40 ⇓ 1.33% | 7.47 | 7.60 / 7.00 C: 7.50 ⇓ 1.32% | 7.56 | 7.60 / 7.00 PRIME1ICBA | 0.42 | 11.18 | Vol. 333500 D: 5.40 ⇓ 6.90% | 5.52 | 5.80 / 5.30 C: 5.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.67 | 5.70 / 5.60 DBH1STMF | -1.12 | 10.15 | Vol. 406500 D: 5.70 ⇓ 3.39% | 5.80 | 5.90 / 5.70 C: 5.80 ⇓ 1.69% | 5.80 | 5.90 / 5.80 IFIC1STMF | 0.83 | 11.88 | Vol. 185551 D: 6.70 ⇓ 1.47% | 6.79 | 6.90 / 6.70 C: 6.60 ⇓ 2.94% | 6.69 | 6.90 / 6.60 PF1STMF | 0.51 | 11.11 | Vol. 541500 D: 5.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.79 | 5.90 / 5.70 C: 5.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.79 | 5.80 / 5.70 ICB3RDNRB | 0.00 | 10.60 | Vol. 266000 D: 5.40 ⇓ 1.82% | 5.47 | 5.50 / 5.40 C: 5.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.46 | 5.50 / 5.40 1JANATAMF | 0.78 | 10.68 | Vol. 519500 D: 6.10 ⇓ 1.61% | 6.16 | 6.30 / 6.00 C: 6.20 ⇓ 1.59% | 6.20 | 6.30 / 6.20 GREENDELMF | -0.82 | 9.72 | Vol. 515500 D: 5.40 ⇓ 3.57% | 5.49 | 5.60 / 5.40 C: 5.40 ⇓ 3.57% | 5.48 | 5.50 / 5.40 POPULAR1MF | 0.77 | 11.38 | Vol. 1149742 D: 6.10 ⇓ 3.17% | 6.24 | 6.40 / 5.80 C: 6.30 ⇓ 1.56% | 6.33 | 6.40 / 6.20 IFILISLMF1 | 0.00 | 10.45 | Vol. 1112500 D: 5.90 ⇓ 1.67% | 5.99 | 6.10 / 5.90 C: 5.90 ⇓ 1.67% | 5.94 | 6.00 / 5.90 PHPMF1 | 0.63 | 10.92 | Vol. 1025000 D: 5.70 ⇓ 1.72% | 5.79 | 5.90 / 5.70 C: 5.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.79 | 5.90 / 5.70 AIBL1STIMF | -0.07 | 9.25 | Vol. 90500 D: 7.00 ⇓ 1.41% | 7.06 | 7.20 / 7.00 C: 7.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.09 | 7.10 / 7.00 MBL1STMF | -0.16 | 9.08 | Vol. 69000 D: 6.30 ⇓ 1.56% | 6.39 | 6.50 / 6.30 SEBL1STMF | 0.94 | 11.85 | Vol. 554900 D: 8.00 ⇓ 2.44% | 8.06 | 8.30 / 7.40 C: 8.00 ⇓ 1.23% | 8.09 | 8.10 / 8.00 EBLNRBMF | 1.07 | 10.88 | Vol. 5000 D: 7.30 ⇓ 3.95% | 7.40 | 7.50 / 7.30 RELIANCE1 | 0.95 | 10.33 | Vol. 794250 D: 8.70 ⇓ 3.33% | 8.88 | 9.20 / 8.70 C: 8.80 ⇓ 3.30% | 9.40 | 9.60 / 8.80 LRGLOBMF1 | 0.45 | 10.78 | Vol. 124500 D: 6.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.86 | 7.00 / 6.80 C: 6.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.73 | 6.90 / 6.70 ABB1STMF | 0.92 | 10.63 | Vol. 337000 D: 7.20 ⇓ 2.70% | 7.31 | 7.40 / 7.20 NLI1STMF | 1.17 | 12.22 | Vol. 1098200 D: 9.10 ⇓ 5.21% | 9.23 | 9.40 / 9.00 C: 9.20 ⇓ 1.08% | 9.23 | 9.40 / 9.00

DSE Loser

NCCBLMF1 | 1.16 | 10.48 | Vol. 46500 D: 8.60 ⇑ 1.18% | 8.67 | 8.90 / 8.30 ICBSONALI1 | 0.00 | 10.39 | Vol. 549500 D: 8.10 ⇓ 4.71% | 8.34 | 8.60 / 8.00 C: 8.30 ⇓ 2.35% | 8.45 | 8.70 / 8.20 ENGINEERING AFTABAUTO | 4.03 | 56.91 | Vol. 1294479 D: 100.1 ⇓ 6.27% | 101.11 | 104.0 / 93.00 C: 100.5 ⇓ 5.81% | 101.39 | 99.00 / 100.0 AZIZPIPES | 0.39 | -42.04 | Vol. 19550 D: 17.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 17.68 | 17.90 / 17.60 C: 18.80 ⇑ 9.94% | 18.79 | 18.80 / 18.70 OLYMPIC | 5.23 | 14.73 | Vol. 392625 D: 157.7 ⇓ 1.44% | 157.21 | 161.0 / 145.0 C: 156.0 ⇓ 2.74% | 155.73 | 158.0 / 153.6 BDLAMPS | -5.31 | 37.07 | Vol. 14500 D: 128.1 ⇓ 2.81% | 130.08 | 131.6 / 127.7 C: 128.0 ⇓ 1.16% | 128.05 | 128.2 / 127.9 MONNOSTAF | 5.31 | 44.78 | Vol. 1050 D: 324.3 ⇑ 1.92% | 324.76 | 338.0 / 320.0 SINGERBD | 9.99 | 45.74 | Vol. 119509 D: 194.3 ⇓ 0.87% | 195.54 | 200.0 / 182.0 C: 193.6 ⇓ 0.05% | 193.48 | 195.0 / 192.0 ATLASBANG | 9.14 | 222.05 | Vol. 31608 D: 170.6 ⇓ 2.35% | 171.96 | 176.0 / 170.0 BDAUTOCA | -0.43 | 5.68 | Vol. 41250 D: 29.60 ⇓ 1.66% | 29.92 | 30.90 / 29.00 QSMDRYCELL | 1.06 | 52.31 | Vol. 368484 D: 36.40 ⇓ 4.71% | 37.54 | 38.80 / 34.40 C: 36.90 ⇓ 3.66% | 37.89 | 39.20 / 36.80 RENWICKJA | 5.77 | -31.13 | Vol. 14250 D: 146.2 ⇓ 0.95% | 146.67 | 150.0 / 145.2 NTLTUBES | 0.67 | 311.00 | Vol. 91944 D: 71.80 ⇓ 1.51% | 72.92 | 74.20 / 71.10 BDTHAI | 0.43 | 39.35 | Vol. 458322 D: 27.60 ⇓ 1.08% | 28.34 | 29.00 / 25.90 C: 27.80 ⇓ 1.77% | 28.71 | 29.50 / 27.70 ANWARGALV | 0.52 | 8.10 | Vol. 131500 D: 24.40 ⇓ 3.17% | 24.92 | 26.50 / 24.40 C: 24.30 ⇓ 3.95% | 25.20 | 25.80 / 24.20 KAY&QUE | -3.89 | 6.03 | Vol. 9500 D: 15.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 15.26 | 16.00 / 15.00 RANFOUNDRY | 2.84 | 18.62 | Vol. 70500 D: 82.50 ⇓ 1.90% | 83.15 | 86.00 / 82.00 SALAMCRST | 3.31 | 20.00 | Vol. 1191800 D: 46.10 ⇓ 2.12% | 47.33 | 48.80 / 43.00 C: 46.20 ⇓ 1.07% | 47.81 | 48.50 / 46.00 GOLDENSON | 3.70 | 28.70 | Vol. 2341370 D: 52.00 ⇓ 2.07% | 53.42 | 54.50 / 48.00 C: 52.30 ⇓ 2.43% | 54.07 | 54.40 / 52.00 BSRMSTEEL | 3.06 | 19.53 | Vol. 257450 D: 72.50 ⇓ 2.16% | 73.72 | 75.00 / 67.70 C: 73.20 ⇓ 1.08% | 73.54 | 74.90 / 72.10 NAVANACNG | 4.09 | 27.04 | Vol. 314065 D: 67.90 ⇓ 1.16% | 68.76 | 72.00 / 62.00 C: 67.20 ⇓ 1.47% | 68.72 | 69.50 / 67.00 DESHBANDHU | 0.26 | 10.67 | Vol. 678431 D: 18.70 ⇓ 2.60% | 19.16 | 19.70 / 17.50 C: 18.80 ⇓ 2.08% | 19.14 | 19.60 / 18.80 GPHISPAT | 2.11 | 15.27 | Vol. 1458460 D: 58.90 ⇓ 3.28% | 60.88 | 63.60 / 55.00 C: 59.80 ⇓ 1.16% | 60.52 | 62.60 / 58.00 BENGALWTL | 3.85 | 24.30 | Vol. 2745600 D: 63.40 ⇓ 3.21% | 65.87 | 68.70 / 62.70 C: 63.40 ⇓ 3.35% | 65.84 | 69.00 / 62.70 BDBUILDING | 1.33 | 12.70 | Vol. 1534500 D: 73.10 ⇓ 1.35% | 76.03 | 79.70 / 71.60 C: 73.10 ⇓ 2.40% | 76.16 | 79.70 / 72.30 NPOLYMAR | 2.38 | 32.89 | Vol. 232910 D: 53.80 ⇓ 4.61% | 55.39 | 57.90 / 52.70 C: 55.80 ⇓ 1.24% | 55.81 | 57.00 / 54.00 FOOD & ALLIED APEXFOODS | 2.54 | 90.81 | Vol. 67100 D: 87.10 ⇓ 3.01% | 87.81 | 90.00 / 87.00 C: 87.10 ⇓ 1.14% | 87.33 | 87.70 / 86.50 BANGAS | 7.20 | 50.27 | Vol. 69186 D: 443.2 ⇓ 4.28% | 450.17 | 463.0 / 440.1 C: 442.9 ⇓ 4.03% | 444.46 | 451.0 / 440.0 BATBC | 65.69 | 117.22 | Vol. 550 D: 1660 ⇓ 2.73% | 1660 | 1665 / 1650 GEMINISEA | -15.39 | -5.70 | Vol. 1800 D: 152.2 ⇓ 1.87% | 152.22 | 157.6 / 148.4

NTC | 29.88 | 110.05 | Vol. 900 D: 811.6 ⇑ 0.20% | 811.11 | 815.0 / 805.0 ZEALBANGLA | -28.94 | -221.34 | Vol. 200 D: 8.00 ⇑ 3.90% | 8.00 | 8.00 / 8.00 AMCL(PRAN) | 6.85 | 57.14 | Vol. 39600 D: 183.7 ⇓ 2.91% | 186.39 | 191.9 / 183.3 C: 182.3 ⇓ 3.85% | 185.09 | 194.0 / 181.1 SHYAMPSUG | -45.77 | -396.49 | Vol. 3100 D: 7.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.00 | 7.00 / 7.00 RAHIMAFOOD | 0.52 | 4.45 | Vol. 638500 D: 42.10 ⇓ 0.71% | 42.81 | 44.00 / 41.50 C: 42.30 ⇓ 1.17% | 42.91 | 43.70 / 41.70 FUWANGFOOD | 0.94 | 12.28 | Vol. 1752120 D: 24.30 ⇑ 2.97% | 24.14 | 24.60 / 22.00 C: 24.20 ⇑ 2.54% | 23.99 | 24.50 / 23.50 MEGHNAPET | -0.50 | -1.52 | Vol. 23000 D: 6.50 ⇓ 1.52% | 6.61 | 6.90 / 6.40 MEGCONMILK | -7.48 | -23.70 | Vol. 61000 D: 6.90 ⇓ 1.43% | 6.95 | 7.10 / 6.90 BEACHHATCH | 1.01 | 12.48 | Vol. 1047975 D: 22.00 ⇓ 3.51% | 22.45 | 23.00 / 20.60 C: 22.10 ⇓ 3.91% | 22.62 | 23.20 / 21.90 FINEFOODS | 0.05 | 10.63 | Vol. 523936 D: 17.90 ⇓ 3.24% | 18.23 | 18.70 / 17.00 C: 18.00 ⇓ 2.17% | 18.26 | 18.60 / 17.80 RDFOOD | 0.91 | 16.84 | Vol. 2149036 D: 24.30 ⇓ 4.33% | 24.99 | 26.10 / 23.00 C: 24.60 ⇓ 3.53% | 25.11 | 25.70 / 24.40 GHAIL | 2.31 | 24.36 | Vol. 3156480 D: 47.00 ⇓ 1.47% | 48.91 | 50.20 / 43.00 C: 46.60 ⇓ 2.92% | 48.52 | 51.00 / 46.30 FUEL & POWER LINDEBD | 31.71 | 144.00 | Vol. 30750 D: 624.2 ⇑ 0.10% | 626.11 | 634.9 / 617.3 PADMAOIL | 27.62 | 79.74 | Vol. 345386 D: 312.4 ⇓ 4.08% | 316.09 | 326.3 / 306.0 C: 311.5 ⇓ 4.21% | 314.02 | 326.0 / 310.3 EASTRNLUB | 5.33 | 71.01 | Vol. 450 D: 323.0 ⇓ 6.35% | 322.22 | 323.5 / 322.0 BDWELDING | 0.33 | 16.82 | Vol. 1084828 D: 22.90 ⇓ 0.43% | 23.12 | 23.80 / 21.00 C: 22.90 ⇓ 2.14% | 23.07 | 23.70 / 22.50 SUMITPOWER | 3.17 | 19.26 | Vol. 2350838 D: 41.50 ⇓ 2.12% | 42.44 | 43.10 / 38.30 C: 41.40 ⇓ 2.82% | 42.40 | 43.30 / 41.10 DESCO | 2.34 | 31.27 | Vol. 203500 D: 60.00 ⇓ 1.15% | 60.33 | 61.50 / 60.00 C: 59.70 ⇓ 1.81% | 60.28 | 64.60 / 58.10 POWERGRID | 2.19 | 63.69 | Vol. 368000 D: 55.00 ⇓ 1.43% | 55.73 | 57.00 / 54.90 C: 55.20 ⇓ 1.78% | 55.88 | 56.10 / 55.20 JAMUNAOIL | 21.81 | 72.05 | Vol. 379945 D: 243.3 ⇓ 2.13% | 245.74 | 250.7 / 235.0 C: 243.8 ⇓ 2.28% | 245.54 | 249.0 / 243.0 MPETROLEUM | 25.61 | 71.11 | Vol. 592445 D: 277.8 ⇓ 2.66% | 281.51 | 287.0 / 261.0 C: 278.5 ⇓ 2.66% | 279.96 | 285.0 / 277.6 TITASGAS | 9.20 | 46.26 | Vol. 842012 D: 74.10 ⇓ 1.98% | 74.58 | 75.50 / 68.20 C: 73.60 ⇓ 2.77% | 74.08 | 76.30 / 73.10 KPCL | 4.73 | 15.86 | Vol. 500621 D: 51.70 ⇓ 2.45% | 52.58 | 55.00 / 49.00 C: 52.20 ⇓ 1.32% | 52.62 | 53.60 / 51.70 BEDL | 1.48 | 19.43 | Vol. 2541330 D: 33.90 ⇓ 1.17% | 34.41 | 35.20 / 31.00 C: 34.60 ⇑ 0.87% | 34.49 | 35.10 / 32.60 MJLBD | 2.73 | 30.24 | Vol. 94197 D: 74.00 ⇓ 1.33% | 74.23 | 75.30 / 68.00 C: 73.30 ⇓ 2.53% | 73.84 | 75.00 / 73.00 GBBPOWER | 1.86 | 22.63 | Vol. 2199473 D: 30.90 ⇓ 3.74% | 31.64 | 33.10 / 28.90 C: 31.00 ⇓ 3.73% | 31.57 | 32.50 / 30.70 SPPCL | 3.81 | 23.34 | Vol. 3216490 D: 65.10 ⇓ 0.61% | 66.95 | 68.90 / 62.00 C: 65.20 ⇓ 0.15% | 67.13 | 69.00 / 58.80 JUTE JUTESPINN | -48.14 | -39.89 | Vol. 20900 D: 78.60 ⇓ 3.68% | 80.00 | 82.00 / 78.00 NORTHERN | -9.98 | -18.22 | Vol. 1200 D: 29.10 ⇑ 9.81% | 29.10 | 29.10 / 29.10 SONALIANSH | 5.54 | 218.80 | Vol. 14000 D: 133.3 ⇓ 1.77% | 134.36 | 137.0 / 132.6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2013

7

November 26, 2013 Sectotal Index: BANK: 37,586.00 ⇓ 1.97% NBFI: 20,344.53 ⇓ 2.13% INVS: 4,852.93 ⇓ 1.04% ENGG: 6,474.88 ⇓ 2.42% FOOD: 9,845.96 ⇓ 0.92% F&P: 10,523.65 ⇓ 2.38% TEXT: 3,537.06 ⇑ 0.25% PHAR: 18,310.80 ⇓ 0.21% PAPR: 1,067.46 ⇓ 0.30% SERV: 3,134.14 ⇓ 1.56% LEAT: 5,235.04 ⇑ 1.46% CERA: 546.92 ⇑ 1.94% CMNT: 4,284.06 ⇓ 1.20% INFO: 7,604.15 ⇓ 2.72% GINS: 9,326.57 ⇓ 0.88% LINS: 126,960.56 ⇓ 3.50% TELC: 1,326.33 ⇓ 1.36% MISC: 6,735.03 ⇓ 0.68% TEXTILE AL-HAJTEX | 2.22 | 16.53 | Vol. 110050 D: 75.00 ⇑ 0.13% | 75.89 | 78.40 / 73.00 RAHIMTEXT | 4.65 | 56.68 | Vol. 1450 D: 237.4 ⇓ 0.84% | 237.24 | 239.8 / 235.5 SAIHAMTEX | 2.75 | 29.50 | Vol. 1366300 D: 29.20 ⇑ 1.39% | 29.69 | 30.30 / 28.70 C: 29.50 ⇑ 2.08% | 30.00 | 30.50 / 29.00 MODERNDYE | 0.91 | 10.37 | Vol. 8100 D: 101.1 ⇓ 6.30% | 106.05 | 111.0 / 98.00 DSHGARME | 0.88 | 12.12 | Vol. 50800 D: 63.80 ⇓ 1.24% | 64.76 | 67.50 / 63.40 DULAMIACOT | -1.90 | -29.70 | Vol. 5600 D: 7.60 ⇓ 1.30% | 7.68 | 7.80 / 7.60 TALLUSPIN | 1.75 | 16.17 | Vol. 2126140 D: 37.40 ⇑ 0.54% | 37.87 | 39.00 / 36.00 C: 37.50 ⇓ 0.53% | 38.02 | 38.90 / 37.00 APEXSPINN | 2.01 | 49.32 | Vol. 6800 D: 70.90 ⇓ 1.53% | 70.88 | 72.10 / 68.80 MITHUNKNIT | 2.87 | 20.53 | Vol. 115400 D: 73.60 ⇑ 0.82% | 74.13 | 75.40 / 72.20 C: 74.50 ⇑ 1.36% | 75.05 | 75.80 / 73.70 DELTASPINN | 3.06 | 26.84 | Vol. 610400 D: 30.50 ⇓ 0.97% | 31.02 | 32.00 / 30.40 C: 31.10 ⇑ 0.65% | 31.24 | 32.20 / 30.70 SONARGAON | 0.27 | 34.50 | Vol. 640557 D: 18.10 ⇑ 2.26% | 18.44 | 19.20 / 17.40 C: 18.50 ⇑ 4.52% | 18.73 | 19.30 / 18.00 PRIMETEX | 1.21 | 59.34 | Vol. 644500 D: 25.60 ⇑ 1.59% | 26.24 | 26.70 / 25.00 C: 25.60 ⇑ 1.99% | 26.20 | 26.60 / 25.30 ALLTEX | -1.26 | 8.10 | Vol. 276000 D: 7.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.27 | 7.40 / 7.20 C: 7.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.21 | 7.30 / 7.10 ANLIMAYARN | 1.36 | 11.99 | Vol. 371000 D: 26.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 27.13 | 27.80 / 26.20 C: 27.00 ⇑ 1.89% | 27.09 | 27.60 / 26.70 HRTEX | 2.08 | 14.92 | Vol. 1084357 D: 39.80 ⇑ 6.70% | 40.20 | 41.00 / 37.00 C: 40.10 ⇑ 6.08% | 41.02 | 41.50 / 39.50 CMCKAMAL | 1.37 | 19.31 | Vol. 5151409 D: 34.40 ⇑ 4.24% | 34.69 | 36.20 / 30.10 SAFKOSPINN | 0.95 | 21.78 | Vol. 947573 D: 26.60 ⇑ 2.70% | 27.14 | 28.10 / 24.00 C: 26.60 ⇑ 3.50% | 27.23 | 28.20 / 24.00 SQUARETEXT | 4.32 | 31.82 | Vol. 138379 D: 92.30 ⇓ 0.11% | 92.57 | 94.00 / 85.00 C: 92.20 ⇑ 0.99% | 92.16 | 93.00 / 90.40 METROSPIN | 0.56 | 17.71 | Vol. 1838667 D: 21.40 ⇑ 1.90% | 21.79 | 22.40 / 20.00 C: 21.40 ⇑ 1.42% | 21.84 | 22.50 / 21.30 MAKSONSPIN | 0.16 | 20.55 | Vol. 6006741 D: 18.10 ⇑ 3.43% | 18.33 | 19.00 / 16.00 C: 18.10 ⇑ 1.69% | 18.29 | 18.90 / 16.10 DACCADYE | 1.02 | 28.44 | Vol. 931041 D: 28.70 ⇓ 0.69% | 28.81 | 29.10 / 27.00 C: 28.70 ⇓ 0.69% | 28.83 | 29.00 / 28.50 RNSPIN | 2.80 | 16.58 | Vol. 8205607 D: 36.70 ⇑ 1.10% | 37.44 | 39.00 / 33.00 C: 36.90 ⇑ 1.37% | 37.56 | 38.50 / 36.00 BXSYNTH | 0.93 | 25.42 | Vol. 2266510 D: 17.90 ⇑ 1.70% | 18.22 | 18.80 / 16.00 C: 17.90 ⇑ 1.70% | 18.00 | 18.60 / 17.30 MALEKSPIN | 2.81 | 43.48 | Vol. 4550540 D: 30.20 ⇑ 0.67% | 30.88 | 31.70 / 27.00 C: 30.30 ⇑ 0.66% | 30.95 | 31.60 / 30.10 ZAHINTEX | 1.20 | 31.07 | Vol. 782050 D: 27.80 ⇑ 1.46% | 28.05 | 28.70 / 27.20 C: 27.90 ⇑ 0.72% | 28.13 | 28.70 / 27.10 SAIHAMCOT | 1.92 | 23.62 | Vol. 1461250 D: 25.30 ⇓ 0.39% | 25.83 | 26.50 / 25.10 C: 25.60 ⇑ 0.39% | 26.06 | 26.70 / 25.40 GENNEXT | 1.68 | 15.15 | Vol. 8409100 D: 33.30 ⇓ 2.63% | 34.14 | 36.60 / 31.50 C: 33.10 ⇓ 3.22% | 34.01 | 35.00 / 32.70 ENVOYTEX | 3.19 | 39.00 | Vol. 3259620 D: 61.70 ⇓ 1.12% | 62.34 | 63.50 / 56.30 C: 61.60 ⇓ 1.91% | 62.22 | 63.00 / 61.20 ARGONDENIM | 1.89 | 38.86 | Vol. 835520 D: 68.90 ⇓ 0.86% | 69.85 | 70.90 / 63.00 C: 68.40 ⇓ 1.30% | 69.31 | 70.40 / 66.10 FAMILYTEX | 3.72 | 14.68 | Vol. 847000 D: 53.10 ⇑ 0.38% | 51.95 | 55.00 / 50.00 C: 52.70 ⇑ 0.76% | 53.39 | 54.60 / 52.50 PTL | 2.25 | 21.72 | Vol. 4192000 D: 53.70 ⇓ 5.79% | 56.15 | 58.60 / 53.40 C: 53.80 ⇓ 5.45% | 56.01 | 58.50 / 53.10 PHARMACEUTICAL & CHEMICAL

AGNISYSL | 0.96 | 14.90 | Vol. 408488 D: 22.00 ⇓ 2.65% | 22.36 | 22.60 / 21.00 C: 22.00 ⇓ 1.35% | 22.32 | 22.60 / 22.00 DAFODILCOM | 0.85 | 10.99 | Vol. 400000 D: 13.70 ⇓ 0.72% | 13.77 | 14.00 / 13.60 C: 13.70 ⇓ 2.14% | 13.76 | 14.00 / 13.60 AAMRATECH | 1.33 | 19.91 | Vol. 2667650 D: 36.90 ⇓ 4.65% | 38.18 | 39.20 / 35.00 C: 37.00 ⇓ 4.39% | 38.10 | 39.40 / 36.70

AMBEEPHA | 3.94 | 26.15 | Vol. 37381 D: 276.4 ⇑ 7.47% | 275.65 | 279.7 / 254.0 C: 277.4 ⇑ 7.85% | 277.12 | 279.7 / 267.8 BXPHARMA | 3.77 | 52.55 | Vol. 1207253 D: 49.00 ⇑ 2.30% | 49.42 | 50.60 / 43.20 C: 49.10 ⇑ 2.08% | 49.52 | 50.60 / 47.50 GLAXOSMITH | 20.25 | 123.32 | Vol. 3550 D: 966.6 ⇑ 2.45% | 969.58 | 980.0 / 953.0 ACI | -5.82 | 126.42 | Vol. 13980 D: 174.3 ⇓ 1.02% | 174.91 | 185.0 / 173.1 C: 173.8 ⇓ 0.23% | 173.76 | 175.9 / 173.0 RENATA | 33.57 | 138.83 | Vol. 5862 D: 728.1 ⇓ 1.78% | 731.26 | 740.0 / 720.0 RECKITTBEN | 27.16 | 78.89 | Vol. 550 D: 896.0 ⇑ 0.29% | 896.36 | 899.0 / 895.0 PHARMAID | 1.39 | 26.19 | Vol. 55600 D: 162.8 ⇑ 0.12% | 165.32 | 169.0 / 155.0 KOHINOOR | 11.46 | 15.99 | Vol. 9704 D: 378.1 ⇓ 13.87% | 377.68 | 381.2 / 335.0 IBNSINA | 3.44 | 34.02 | Vol. 82080 D: 102.5 ⇓ 0.87% | 103.78 | 105.6 / 100.0 C: 102.0 ⇓ 2.67% | 112.65 | 114.0 / 102.0 ORIONINFU | 1.27 | 7.00 | Vol. 957800 D: 44.10 ⇓ 1.78% | 45.09 | 46.90 / 43.10 C: 44.20 ⇓ 1.34% | 45.49 | 47.00 / 44.00 SQURPHARMA | 6.93 | 37.18 | Vol. 748448 D: 190.7 ⇓ 1.14% | 191.44 | 193.5 / 180.0 C: 190.2 ⇓ 1.50% | 191.01 | 192.8 / 189.4 IMAMBUTTON | -1.51 | 4.16 | Vol. 14000 D: 7.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.63 | 7.80 / 7.50 C: 7.80 ⇑ 6.85% | 7.60 | 7.80 / 7.40 KEYACOSMET | 1.55 | 21.54 | Vol. 3723680 D: 28.60 ⇓ 2.05% | 29.20 | 31.10 / 26.30 C: 28.70 ⇓ 2.05% | 29.11 | 29.80 / 28.60 BERGERPBL | 32.46 | 100.20 | Vol. 14800 D: 885.1 ⇑ 1.90% | 892.68 | 895.5 / 836.0 C: 830.0 ⇓ 6.74% | 830.00 | 830.0 / 830.0 ACIFORMULA | 3.33 | 38.08 | Vol. 30900 D: 74.70 ⇓ 2.73% | 75.05 | 77.00 / 74.00 C: 76.30 ⇓ 0.91% | 76.12 | 77.00 / 75.30 MARICO | 27.53 | 62.47 | Vol. 9550 D: 755.5 ⇓ 0.97% | 755.34 | 757.9 / 753.2 C: 750.0 ⇑ 0.00% | 750.00 | 750.0 / 750.0 BEACONPHAR | 0.04 | 12.01 | Vol. 1413800 D: 13.50 ⇑ 7.14% | 13.49 | 13.80 / 11.50 C: 13.70 ⇑ 9.60% | 13.48 | 13.70 / 12.50 ACTIVEFINE | 3.23 | 13.89 | Vol. 584311 D: 85.60 ⇓ 1.83% | 86.59 | 88.30 / 80.00 C: 86.00 ⇓ 1.04% | 87.30 | 88.70 / 85.20 SALVOCHEM | 0.68 | 10.57 | Vol. 2038761 D: 23.20 ⇓ 1.69% | 23.81 | 25.00 / 22.00 C: 23.40 ⇓ 0.85% | 23.92 | 25.00 / 22.60 GHCL | 2.14 | 57.31 | Vol. 1498750 D: 60.50 ⇓ 5.17% | 63.05 | 66.30 / 59.80 C: 60.80 ⇓ 5.00% | 63.39 | 66.00 / 59.90 ORIONPHARM | 5.02 | 68.68 | Vol. 5922400 D: 65.40 ⇑ 7.39% | 64.99 | 66.90 / 56.00 C: 65.20 ⇑ 6.89% | 64.90 | 67.00 / 59.70 JMISMDL | 1.12 | 12.83 | Vol. 111000 D: 187.9 ⇓ 2.29% | 192.17 | 199.0 / 186.2 C: 188.8 ⇓ 2.23% | 192.17 | 205.0 / 188.0 CENTRALPHL | 1.62 | 12.24 | Vol. 2847445 D: 41.50 ⇑ 9.21% | 41.21 | 41.80 / 34.30 C: 41.70 ⇑ 9.16% | 41.41 | 42.00 / 39.00 PAPER & PACKAGING HAKKANIPUL | 0.51 | 31.01 | Vol. 28500 D: 27.50 ⇓ 0.72% | 27.61 | 28.00 / 26.80 C: 30.30 ⇑ 7.07% | 30.30 | 30.30 / 30.30 SERVICE SAMORITA | 2.49 | 57.42 | Vol. 136500 D: 96.00 ⇓ 20.07% | 97.03 | 99.90 / 95.50 C: 94.50 ⇓ 22.79% | 95.67 | 97.00 / 94.00

SAPORTL | 1.23 | 38.39 | Vol. 1469346 D: 31.80 ⇓ 4.79% | 32.67 | 33.70 / 30.50 C: 31.70 ⇓ 5.65% | 32.65 | 33.80 / 31.10 EHL | 2.81 | 18.44 | Vol. 898974 D: 54.10 ⇓ 2.87% | 55.73 | 57.10 / 50.20 C: 54.50 ⇓ 2.68% | 56.12 | 57.30 / 54.00 LEATHER APEXTANRY | 6.57 | 69.38 | Vol. 139400 D: 120.9 ⇑ 1.68% | 121.96 | 124.8 / 119.0 C: 119.0 ⇑ 1.71% | 120.19 | 123.5 / 118.7 BATASHOE | 49.12 | 135.53 | Vol. 16400 D: 718.6 ⇑ 0.62% | 724.72 | 749.0 / 715.0 C: 720.0 ⇑ 2.86% | 720.00 | 720.0 / 720.0 APEXADELFT | 23.01 | 203.26 | Vol. 35000 D: 374.2 ⇓ 1.86% | 377.79 | 382.2 / 373.2 C: 390.0 ⇑ 0.00% | 390.00 | 390.0 / 390.0 SAMATALETH | 0.22 | 12.93 | Vol. 9500 D: 14.00 ⇓ 3.45% | 14.11 | 14.30 / 14.00 LEGACYFOOT | 0.63 | 17.19 | Vol. 313414 D: 33.20 ⇓ 0.30% | 33.95 | 34.80 / 30.00 C: 33.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 34.01 | 34.90 / 33.20 CERAMIC MONNOCERA | 0.35 | 95.30 | Vol. 135540 D: 34.90 ⇑ 2.05% | 35.08 | 36.00 / 32.10 C: 35.00 ⇑ 5.11% | 35.26 | 36.50 / 32.00 STANCERAM | 1.12 | 15.49 | Vol. 12550 D: 38.10 ⇓ 2.31% | 38.07 | 39.70 / 36.00 FUWANGCER | 0.65 | 12.70 | Vol. 3778591 D: 21.40 ⇑ 9.74% | 21.18 | 21.40 / 18.20 C: 21.50 ⇑ 9.69% | 21.39 | 21.50 / 19.60 SPCERAMICS | 0.62 | 30.92 | Vol. 2407139 D: 19.50 ⇑ 5.41% | 19.54 | 20.30 / 17.00 C: 19.80 ⇑ 6.45% | 19.46 | 20.00 / 18.50 RAKCERAMIC | 1.98 | 16.76 | Vol. 595502 D: 53.70 ⇓ 0.37% | 54.49 | 58.80 / 48.70 C: 53.30 ⇓ 1.84% | 54.06 | 55.90 / 53.00 CEMENT HEIDELBCEM | 22.85 | 111.50 | Vol. 73600 D: 380.3 ⇓ 1.93% | 383.35 | 388.0 / 379.1 C: 376.9 ⇓ 3.36% | 381.44 | 385.0 / 376.2 CONFIDCEM | 6.23 | 90.76 | Vol. 148810 D: 123.0 ⇓ 2.07% | 124.14 | 128.0 / 120.0 C: 123.8 ⇓ 1.28% | 124.52 | 125.5 / 123.5 MEGHNACEM | 6.28 | 33.81 | Vol. 86000 D: 124.0 ⇓ 3.35% | 125.66 | 127.5 / 123.7 C: 124.0 ⇓ 2.13% | 124.00 | 124.0 / 124.0 ARAMITCEM | 3.03 | 14.65 | Vol. 68310 D: 71.10 ⇓ 1.25% | 71.12 | 73.00 / 69.00 C: 72.00 ⇓ 1.10% | 71.65 | 72.00 / 72.00 LAFSURCEML | 1.60 | 7.22 | Vol. 451500 D: 32.60 ⇑ 0.31% | 32.79 | 33.00 / 32.50 C: 32.50 ⇑ 0.31% | 32.38 | 32.60 / 31.90 MICEMENT | 4.48 | 37.67 | Vol. 215151 D: 84.20 ⇓ 0.71% | 84.63 | 86.00 / 78.00 C: 84.50 ⇓ 0.71% | 84.87 | 85.80 / 84.20 PREMIERCEM | 5.00 | 32.60 | Vol. 209600 D: 100.0 ⇓ 3.10% | 101.64 | 105.0 / 99.50 C: 100.6 ⇓ 1.95% | 101.54 | 99.30 / 100.0 IT IINDUSTRIES ISNLTD | 0.28 | 17.31 | Vol. 91480 D: 17.20 ⇓ 0.58% | 17.35 | 17.60 / 16.00 C: 17.30 ⇓ 1.14% | 17.35 | 17.80 / 17.00 BDCOM | 1.40 | 14.41 | Vol. 339500 D: 25.70 ⇓ 3.02% | 26.42 | 27.00 / 25.50 C: 25.50 ⇓ 3.04% | 27.45 | 28.00 / 25.50 INTECH | 0.94 | 10.08 | Vol. 173223 D: 15.90 ⇓ 1.24% | 15.96 | 16.20 / 15.50 C: 15.90 ⇓ 1.85% | 15.94 | 16.00 / 15.80

GENERAL INSURANCE BGIC | 1.65 | 20.33 | Vol. 48040 D: 30.30 ⇓ 1.94% | 30.57 | 31.00 / 30.00 C: 30.30 ⇓ 1.62% | 30.25 | 30.40 / 30.20 GREENDELT | 4.05 | 64.44 | Vol. 50024 D: 79.90 ⇓ 2.08% | 80.54 | 81.60 / 76.00 C: 79.90 ⇓ 0.75% | 80.01 | 80.50 / 79.00 UNITEDINS | 2.47 | 21.04 | Vol. 11647 D: 43.10 ⇓ 4.43% | 43.36 | 44.10 / 42.00 PEOPLESINS | 2.05 | 20.72 | Vol. 195315 D: 35.50 ⇓ 3.79% | 36.11 | 36.80 / 35.00 C: 35.10 ⇓ 5.14% | 35.11 | 35.20 / 35.00 EASTERNINS | 2.22 | 35.88 | Vol. 14778 D: 38.30 ⇓ 1.03% | 38.41 | 38.80 / 36.50 C: 38.00 ⇓ 2.56% | 38.00 | 38.00 / 38.00 JANATAINS | 0.78 | 17.07 | Vol. 266250 D: 28.50 ⇓ 2.40% | 28.99 | 29.50 / 28.00 C: 28.30 ⇓ 3.41% | 28.73 | 29.10 / 28.00 PHENIXINS | 2.70 | 20.96 | Vol. 69365 D: 43.30 ⇓ 2.91% | 43.69 | 44.90 / 42.60 C: 43.50 ⇓ 1.36% | 42.45 | 43.50 / 43.50 EASTLAND | 4.06 | 23.29 | Vol. 166273 D: 49.10 ⇓ 1.41% | 49.18 | 50.70 / 48.00 C: 49.30 ⇓ 1.60% | 49.25 | 49.50 / 49.00 CENTRALINS | 1.54 | 19.04 | Vol. 29813 D: 30.30 ⇓ 1.62% | 30.41 | 31.20 / 30.00 C: 30.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 30.30 | 30.30 / 30.30 KARNAPHULI | 1.56 | 19.42 | Vol. 113052 D: 24.40 ⇓ 1.61% | 24.72 | 25.30 / 23.00 RUPALIINS | 2.76 | 23.38 | Vol. 152016 D: 34.00 ⇓ 1.45% | 34.28 | 34.80 / 32.00 C: 34.30 ⇓ 1.15% | 34.71 | 35.00 / 34.30 FEDERALINS | 1.10 | 10.98 | Vol. 200378 D: 24.90 ⇓ 1.58% | 25.15 | 25.50 / 23.00 C: 25.10 ⇓ 0.79% | 25.20 | 26.00 / 24.90 RELIANCINS | 3.93 | 61.52 | Vol. 5500 D: 73.00 ⇓ 0.54% | 73.09 | 74.90 / 72.10 PURABIGEN | 1.05 | 18.71 | Vol. 247555 D: 24.00 ⇓ 2.04% | 24.28 | 24.80 / 23.90 PRAGATIINS | 2.01 | 50.30 | Vol. 6300 D: 59.00 ⇓ 0.17% | 59.05 | 60.00 / 58.50 PRIMEINSUR | 2.14 | 14.14 | Vol. 32988 D: 32.60 ⇓ 1.21% | 32.77 | 33.70 / 31.00 PIONEERINS | 3.11 | 23.84 | Vol. 70000 D: 67.90 ⇓ 0.88% | 68.33 | 68.60 / 67.50 MERCINS | 1.53 | 14.50 | Vol. 184273 D: 28.00 ⇓ 1.75% | 28.24 | 28.70 / 27.90 AGRANINS | 1.73 | 14.39 | Vol. 68107 D: 28.20 ⇓ 1.40% | 28.48 | 29.60 / 27.00 GLOBALINS | 1.09 | 11.78 | Vol. 52212 D: 29.00 ⇓ 1.69% | 29.17 | 29.50 / 28.00 NITOLINS | 2.59 | 15.41 | Vol. 22600 D: 34.10 ⇓ 1.45% | 34.17 | 34.80 / 32.00 ASIAPACINS | 1.84 | 13.76 | Vol. 16000 D: 30.80 ⇓ 0.32% | 30.81 | 31.30 / 30.40 SONARBAINS | 1.68 | 13.38 | Vol. 229000 D: 25.50 ⇓ 1.92% | 26.05 | 27.00 / 25.50 C: 26.60 ⇓ 1.48% | 26.60 | 26.60 / 26.60 PARAMOUNT | 1.26 | 13.19 | Vol. 119500 D: 24.70 ⇓ 2.37% | 25.37 | 27.00 / 24.50 C: 25.00 ⇓ 1.19% | 25.04 | 25.30 / 24.80 CITYGENINS | 1.65 | 14.26 | Vol. 138576 D: 28.50 ⇓ 3.06% | 28.76 | 29.90 / 27.90 C: 29.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 29.19 | 29.50 / 28.10 CONTININS | 1.41 | 15.68 | Vol. 244073 D: 30.90 ⇓ 1.59% | 30.93 | 31.50 / 30.00 C: 30.90 ⇓ 1.28% | 30.71 | 30.90 / 30.70 TAKAFULINS | 2.19 | 15.17 | Vol. 220905 D: 40.30 ⇓ 2.66% | 40.75 | 41.50 / 38.00 C: 40.30 ⇓ 2.42% | 41.18 | 42.50 / 40.30 STANDARINS | 2.58 | 13.99 | Vol. 54942 D: 41.00 ⇓ 0.49% | 41.81 | 44.50 / 38.00 NORTHRNINS | 1.77 | 11.15 | Vol. 114348 D: 42.40 ⇓ 2.08% | 42.64 | 43.80 / 39.00 C: 43.10 ⇓ 1.60% | 44.25 | 45.90 / 42.10 REPUBLIC | 2.14 | 12.42 | Vol. 240134 D: 43.50 ⇓ 1.14% | 43.83 | 44.70 / 43.50 C: 43.80 ⇑ 0.23% | 43.86 | 44.00 / 43.80

ASIAINS | 1.56 | 17.34 | Vol. 59044 D: 28.00 ⇓ 1.75% | 28.15 | 29.00 / 26.00 C: 28.00 ⇓ 2.44% | 27.98 | 28.10 / 27.00 ISLAMIINS | 1.29 | 11.96 | Vol. 54000 D: 34.40 ⇓ 0.29% | 34.47 | 34.90 / 33.60 C: 35.50 ⇑ 1.43% | 35.50 | 35.60 / 35.40 PROVATIINS | 1.90 | 14.30 | Vol. 118822 D: 28.50 ⇓ 2.06% | 28.76 | 29.50 / 28.30 C: 29.00 ⇓ 1.69% | 29.00 | 29.00 / 29.00 DHAKAINS | 2.84 | 18.02 | Vol. 118500 D: 42.00 ⇓ 2.33% | 42.58 | 43.50 / 41.80 C: 42.90 ⇑ 1.90% | 44.18 | 44.50 / 42.50 LIFE INSURANCE NATLIFEINS | 12.34 | 80.99 | Vol. 13300 D: 251.6 ⇓ 2.59% | 252.71 | 255.1 / 250.1 DELTALIFE | 38.53 | 189.40 | Vol. 18950 D: 302.5 ⇓ 8.72% | 302.50 | 302.5 / 302.5 C: 319.9 ⇓ 8.73% | 319.90 | 319.9 / 319.9 SANDHANINS | 2.39 | 28.22 | Vol. 60051 D: 72.80 ⇓ 3.19% | 73.61 | 76.00 / 70.00 C: 73.30 ⇓ 2.14% | 73.62 | 75.00 / 73.00 POPULARLIF | 3.70 | 715.41 | Vol. 33235 D: 216.1 ⇓ 6.08% | 218.76 | 225.0 / 210.0 FAREASTLIF | 9.21 | 60.79 | Vol. 77823 D: 98.50 ⇓ 1.79% | 99.01 | 100.3 / 95.00 C: 98.40 ⇓ 2.09% | 99.31 | 99.50 / 100.5 MEGHNALIFE | 10.82 | 48.87 | Vol. 115330 D: 108.6 ⇓ 4.49% | 109.93 | 115.7 / 105.0 C: 109.0 ⇓ 7.55% | 110.99 | 111.1 / 109.0 PROGRESLIF | 2.30 | 31.45 | Vol. 11500 D: 113.7 ⇓ 1.90% | 113.91 | 118.0 / 113.1 PRAGATILIF | 0.60 | 30.15 | Vol. 42000 D: 166.1 ⇓ 2.12% | 160.19 | 170.0 / 152.8 PRIMELIFE | 5.51 | 27.10 | Vol. 14195 D: 96.60 ⇓ 2.23% | 97.05 | 100.0 / 95.00 C: 103.9 ⇑ 0.00% | 102.00 | 103.9 / 103.9 RUPALILIFE | 3.75 | 31.25 | Vol. 117069 D: 105.3 ⇓ 4.53% | 106.75 | 115.0 / 103.0 C: 105.0 ⇓ 5.06% | 106.43 | 107.0 / 103.0 PADMALIFE | 1.63 | 25.76 | Vol. 97100 D: 57.40 ⇓ 1.37% | 57.86 | 60.00 / 57.00 C: 57.60 ⇓ 1.54% | 57.48 | 59.00 / 57.20 SUNLIFEINS | 0.00 | 0.00 | Vol. 132775 D: 56.20 ⇓ 1.75% | 56.62 | 60.00 / 55.00 C: 55.80 ⇓ 2.62% | 56.65 | 57.80 / 55.80 TELECOM GP | 12.96 | 26.26 | Vol. 953200 D: 200.0 ⇓ 1.19% | 201.37 | 205.1 / 199.9 C: 200.1 ⇓ 1.14% | 201.39 | 205.9 / 199.0 BSCCL | 5.82 | 26.38 | Vol. 529571 D: 168.9 ⇓ 2.76% | 171.31 | 180.0 / 160.0 C: 169.2 ⇓ 2.14% | 171.41 | 180.0 / 168.0 TRAVEL & LEISURE UNITEDAIR | 1.10 | 12.87 | Vol. 7303039 D: 17.40 ⇓ 1.69% | 17.60 | 18.10 / 16.00 C: 17.40 ⇓ 2.25% | 17.58 | 18.00 / 17.00 UNIQUEHRL | 4.02 | 86.29 | Vol. 1292650 D: 84.20 ⇑ 0.96% | 85.42 | 87.20 / 77.00 C: 84.70 ⇑ 1.56% | 85.36 | 87.80 / 83.00 MISCELLANEOUS ARAMIT | 16.07 | 99.93 | Vol. 3200 D: 335.0 ⇓ 3.04% | 337.78 | 345.0 / 330.0 C: 312.0 ⇓ 3.41% | 312.00 | 312.0 / 312.0 BSC | 1.77 | 565.82 | Vol. 83465 D: 441.0 ⇓ 3.34% | 447.52 | 459.5 / 440.0 C: 440.8 ⇓ 3.29% | 446.00 | 457.0 / 437.5 GQBALLPEN | 6.55 | 250.45 | Vol. 48600 D: 141.8 ⇓ 1.05% | 142.82 | 144.0 / 141.6 C: 142.6 ⇓ 0.07% | 143.31 | 144.0 / 142.5 USMANIAGL | 3.45 | 27.20 | Vol. 78550 D: 131.4 ⇓ 4.23% | 133.86 | 137.0 / 130.6 C: 132.0 ⇓ 2.22% | 132.24 | 134.0 / 130.2 SAVAREFR | 0.14 | 10.57 | Vol. 50 D: 53.10 ⇓ 3.98% | 53.10 | 53.10 / 53.10 BEXIMCO | 3.24 | 86.74 | Vol. 4523770 D: 36.70 ⇓ 1.34% | 37.26 | 40.50 / 33.50 C: 36.80 ⇓ 0.54% | 37.27 | 38.40 / 36.40 SINOBANGLA | 1.75 | 21.01 | Vol. 253500 D: 22.60 ⇓ 2.59% | 23.06 | 23.40 / 22.60 C: 22.60 ⇓ 2.16% | 23.03 | 23.50 / 22.50 MIRACLEIND | 0.09 | 14.41 | Vol. 335500 D: 15.40 ⇓ 5.52% | 15.80 | 16.60 / 15.30 C: 15.60 ⇓ 3.11% | 15.76 | 16.10 / 15.40

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2013

India for developing economic corridors cross Asia n BSS

Iran deal ‘will lead to surge of oil to Asia’ n AFP, London Iran’s deal with Western powers to curb parts of its nuclear programme is likely to lead to a sizable increase of shipments of oil from the Islamic Republic to Asia, analysts said.

If the interim deal struck this weekend in Geneva leads to a full lifting of sanctions, it could spark an injection of oil into an already over-supplied global market, many said Monday.

But while the agreement in its current form is unlikely to have a significant shortterm impact on the market, the loosening of sanctions is likely to see Iranian oil shipments increase to China, India, Japan and South Korea.

News of the deal struck in Geneva led to oil prices falling, but the effect was limited.

In London, Brent North Sea crude for delivery in January fell 0.57 percent from Friday’s close to $109.23 a barrel at 1700 GMT, while New York’s main contract fell back three quarters of a percent to $94.07, after earlier dropping to $93.08.

The accord is “only a first step and does not impact the current sanctions on Iranian oil exports”, noted BNP Paribas analyst Harry Tchilinguirian.

But he said a wider lifting of sanctions on Iran’s oil production “would certainly allow oil supply conditions to ease, notably for crudes of medium and heavy quality”.

However, the analyst noted that “we are still very far from that outcome”.

The six-month deal reached by the United States and Western powers and Iran is aimed at buying time to thrash out a fuller agreement.

One effect of the current agreement is that Iranian oil will be more readily available to buyers in Asia, as European insurers will be allowed to insure oil shipments from Iran again.

“With sanctions loosened, oil shipments from Iran could increase again to China, India, South Korea and Japan,” noted Commerzbank’s analyst team.

Iran’s return to market could cut $10 off price of Brent

Several experts reckon that if a full agreement can be reached, another one billion barrels could flow into a market that is already well-supplied The likelihood of an upsurge in Iranian oil heading east is also supported by the likelihood that a further tightening of oil sanctions against Iran by the US Congress has receded as a result of the Geneva deal, they noted.

Although Sunday’s deal is “an important first step that could eventually lead to the normalization of relations between Iran and the west,” a final deal removing the most important sanctions “remains challenging given that some key stakeholders could act as spoilers,” Barclays said in a note.

Barclays predicted the downward shift in oil prices after the deal “could be short lived,” given that a December 4 meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries could lead to lower output.

The US granted sanctions waivers to sev-

eral countries that could not easily source the right type of oil from other suppliers, but the insurance ban had crimped shipments.

Iran has 25-30 million barrels of crude that it could rapidly release on to the market, Credit Suisse estimated.

Several experts reckon that if a full agreement can be reached, another one billion barrels could flow into a market that is already well-supplied.

The sanctions against the Iranian regime over its nuclear programme effectively caused exports of oil from the Islamic republic to fall by more than one million barrels a day.

Exports fell from 2.5 million barrels a day in 2011 to 1.1 million in the first nine months of this year, according to the International Energy Agency.

Iran’s ability to rapidly increase exports is likely to be hampered by the effect that years of sanctions have had on its infrastructure, said Andrey Kryuchenkov at VTB Capital.

“It would be difficult to ramp shipments up quickly ... given ageing and idling infrastructure,” he noted.

Credit Suisse are more optimistic - they believe that six months after a full lifting of the sanctions, Iran will have regained 75% of its lost production.

The potential impact of an influx of Iranian oil on to the market remains unclear.

Julian Jessops, chief economist at Capital Economics, believes Brent could fall by $10.

But as Kryuchenkov points out, OPEC - of which Iran is a member - will fight to defend the $100 barrier, most likely by cutting output in the world’s biggest producer, Saudi Arabia. l

India yesterday underlined the need for developing economic corridors for seamless connectivity across Asia to bring people and regional economies closer for mutual benefit.

Speaking at the 12th Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Foreign Ministers Meeting in Bahrain capital, Manama, E Ahamed, Minister of State for External Affairs, said, “We want to develop economic corridors across Asia providing hope, opportunity and efficiency to our mutual benefit.”

“India as a prime mover in transport linkages area, has circulated a concept paper on transport linkages such that we can have seamless connectivity and economic corridors that bring us close.”

“We can link up with other regional organisations who are also working for better connectivity. It is important for our experts to meet and develop a common agenda to bring our people and our economies closer together.”

He said India wants to host the next working group meeting on Regional Connectivity in 2014.

He also welcomed Turkey as the 33rd member of ACD, saying with the joining of Turkey, “we believe the ACD will further the realisation of Asian continent into Asian community and add dynamism to ACD process”. He said India has deep historical, civilisational and cultural connections with Turkey. Ahamed appreciated Bahrain for selecting the theme ‘Promoting Intra- Asian Tourism’ for the 12th Ministerial meeting and said India extends its support to the novel concept of the Asian Tourism City.

“I wish to mention that India is keen to join this initiative and would wish to offer to host the Tourism Business Forum. We need to harness our strengths and potential in tourism for the benefit of Asian community,” Ahamed said.

He also appreciated Bahrain for its warm hospitality.

“The Kingdom of Bahrain has extended all facilities to around 3,00,000 Indians who have a made Bahrain temporary home. We share excellent relations in political, economic and cultural spheres and leaderships of the two countries have invested considerable energy and interest in developing these relations,” Ahamed said.

He said the ACD has provided a significant platform for dialogue and cooperation in Asia and has contributed to enhancing friendship, promoting peace and development.

“In the present global economic crisis, there is a need to strengthen cooperation in a few project areas identified by ACD members so as to enhance efficiency and effectiveness and visibility of ACD, to make 21st century truly as Asian Century,” Ahamed said.

He said there was a great potential for regional cooperation on water resources development and management among ACD countries.

“India is ready to play a positive role in enriching action on the ACD agenda and help in furthering the objectives and projects of the ACD to promote our common pursuit of stability, peace, growth and prosperity,” he said. l