December 01, 2013

Arts & Letters Dhaka Hay: An eye opener

Agrahayan 17, 1420 Muharram 26, 1435 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 1 No 247

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6 more die in 2nd spell of blockade Speeding vehicles trying to escape arson attacks cause deaths of three n Kailash Sarkar At least six people were killed and over 200 others injured on the first day of 72-hour blockade enforced by the BNPled 18-party alliance, only 25 hours after the completion of a similar threeday programme.

Yesterday’s blockade, which started at 6am demanding cancellation of the polls schedule and protesting filing of “false” cases, was also marked by violent incidents of arson attacks and vandalism of vehicles, and use of crude bombs in various places of the country.

During the previous blockade, at least 21 people were killed across the country.

In the capital’s Gabtoli and Green Road, blockade supporters yesterday exploded handmade bombs and engaged in chases with law enforcers.

Police arrested two people from Green Road area after they dispersed activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir, students’ wing of Jamaat.

Rickshaws and CNG auto-rickshaws dominated the city streets in the morning as the number of buses and private cars was visibly low. However, no long-route bus left Mohakhali, Sayedabad and Gabtoli terminals fearing vandalism.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has blamed the law enforcement agencies and the government for their failure and unwillingness to prevent the recent wave of subversive activities against the sector, including Friday’s arson attack on the garment factories of Standard Group in Gazipur.

The apparel makers’ trade body made the comments yesterday at a press conference held in the wake of the incident, which it alleged was carried out by a group of unruly workers and people with an interest in damaging the sector.

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A pro-blockade activist shoots at police yesterday during the 18-party alliance countrywide blockade near AK Khan Gate in Chittagong city

Arson victims writhing in agony Jamil Khan and n Mohammad Ashif Islam Shaon He was heading for Mirpur without the slightest shadow of doubt about the lurking danger on his way but as the bus reached near Shahbagh the unthinkable happened.

Something flew in and the bus burst into flames in the twinkling of an eye – flames leaping, fire crackling, intense heat singing his face, skin and everything, and finally his vision blurred---.

“Completely unaware of the blockade extension I sauntered out on to the street to collect my dues as I had to clear my daughter’s tuition fees,” said an arson attack victim Abu Talha in a feeble voice.

Abu Talha, suffering from 30% burn injury owns a small sanitary shop, said one of his customers told him to go to Mirpur to collect money.

Talha is now being treated at the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH). He is a lanky man with a small face that has now swelled up to the size of a football under the impact of intense heat.

His JSC student daughter Nupur came to visit him the next morning but she cringed away from him as she could not recognise him.

“Why is Baba wearing a bandage?

Why is he stinking?” she asked her mother Nur Jahan who could not answer her questions. She was sitting drained and perplexed with tears streaming down her face.

A nurse came forward and explained that a seriously burnt victim can smell bad.

Ayesha Begum, mother of victim Riad suffering from 15% burn injury, said Riad’s father had lost two legs in an accident and now this incident add-

ed rubbed salt into her wounds. She came all the way from Noakhali to see her son.

As this correspondent was enquiring about her son’s condition her temper suddenly flared: “Why are you asking too many questions, would you pay me? If not, then get lost, leave us on our destiny. “Everyone comes for questioning, no one stands beside us for a moment,” she muttered under her breath.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

Driver Mahbubur Rahman of the ill-fated bus that came under arson attack on Thursday is passing agonising moments at the burn unit of the DMCH MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

An unhappy cancellation of exams n Mushfique Wadud Wrapping up the last-minute preparations for the exam scheduled for yesterday, Sadman Sakibuzzaman Tahsin, a student of class II at Birshreshtha Munshi Abdur Rouf Public School and College went to his bed around 9:30pm on Friday.

Howeverafter waking up yester-

INSIDE News

3 Commuters suffered severely on the first day of opposition enforced 72-hour road, rail and waterway blockade programme yesterday due to shortage of public transports.

Nation

7 The food department has failed to achieve its target for Boro procurement in the district this year as officials in charge of the purchase cited presence of moisture in the paddy.

Standard garment factory attack pre-planned? n Tribune Report

day morning he was surprised to see his father not pushing him to get ready for school, which is a rare scenario for Sadman.

Puzzled, Sadman asked when they would go to school. His father replied he did not have to go to school that day as the exam had been postponed.

After waking up yesterday

morning the children across the city came to know that, the exams they had prepared for have been cancelled because of the BNP-led 18-party alliance sponsored 72-hour nationwide blockade programme.

Some guardians even took their children to school, as they were not sure if the examinations were  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

PLOT, SAY WORKERS

“The government has to ensure security so we can run our factories,” said BGMEA President Atiqul Islam, who demanded new laws to bring the criminals linkecd to such incidents to book.

“If the government could have taken punitive actions against the masterminds behind all these incidents, there would have been no recurrence of such sabotage,” he said.

The BGMEA president told the media that there was obviously a lack of willingness from the government to identify the instigators.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

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Rizvi arrested in dramatic pre-dawn raid

PM offers home ministry to BNP n BSS

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

Police also picked up two reporters of two different private television channels on suspicion that they were BNP activists too. The two reporters were also asleep in a room when the raid began.

However, the reporters were later released after police got confirm about their profession and identities.

“I learned from my sources that Rizvi might be arrested tonight. That was

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the opposition leader was “trying to make way” for undemocratic rule.

But, it would never happen and the election would be held at the right time.

Urging Khaleda Zia to join the all-party polls-time government, Hasina said, she was even ready to give the home ministry to BNP if they desire.

A nation can never bow down to the terrorist force and unholy alliances which are out to destroy democracy by killing people, she said.

She called upon the opposition leader to “refrain from burning people alive” saying it may bounce back on her party if people become angry against such destructive activities.

The prime minister said this while addressing the reunion of Awami Jubo League, the youth front of Awami League, marking its 41st founding anniversary at Suharawardy Uddyan in the capital.

“If you want to show your strength, please come to the street to display big demonstration. Why are you carrying out secret attacks on people and using the children in the subversive acts?”

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At 4 o’clock in the morning yesterday, around 10 people – including joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi – inside the BNP’s Nayapaltan office were fast asleep when suddenly there was a break in.

But the break in was like no other because there had been no burglar.

Rather it was the police who climbed on to the balcony on the first floor of the building by using a ladder, broke the lock and stormed into the building in the middle of the night to arrest Rizvi, the crisis-time spokesperson of the opposition alliance, most of whose senior leaders are either in jail or are on the run to avoid arrest.

Before entering the room on the second floor that Rizvi was in, law enforcers ransacked a number of other rooms on the lower floors. Other than the joint secretary general, BNP’s Executive Committee Member Belal Ahmed was also rounded up.

“Rizvi Sir was asleep when police raided. They behaved roughly with him. Sir was in a lungi and he was not even allowed to put on trousers,”

a staff of the BNP office told the Dhaka Tribune.

Rizvi has been staying in the building since November 9. This is not the first time that he had been staying over in the office. Neither is this the first time that had been picked up by police.

On March 11, Rizvi was arrested when he was coming out of the building after nearly a month-long stay over.

Police climbed on to the balcony on the first floor of the building by using a ladder, broke the lock and stormed into the building in the middle of the night to arrest Rizvi

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Sunday, December 1, 2013

EC might consider rescheduling of polls

No decision yet on extending time for submitting nomination paper

n Mohammad Zakaria The Election Commission would consider rescheduling the 10th parliamentary polls if it received a specific proposal with regard to obtaining a political consensus, Election Commissioner Mohammad Abu Hafiz said yesterday.

He made the statement while speaking to journalists at the EC Secretariat in the afternoon.

“Candidates have to collect and submit their nomination papers with-

in the scheduled time. We will not delay the deadline,” he said. Commissioner Md Shah Newaz told the Dhaka Tribune that the EC was yet to take any decision over increasing the time allowed for submitting nomination papers.

The last date for the collection and submission of nomination papers is December 2. The election is scheduled to be held on January 5 as announced by the EC on November 25. When asked about the Awami League’s rally,

Hafiz said no one could do any election campaigning three weeks prior to the voting day, as per the electoral code of conduct.

“None can seek votes or give any political speeches. But anyone can hold meetings and rallies with the permission of the police,” he said urging all candidates to obey the electoral code.

On the deployment of the army, Hafiz said the commission would make decisions about it soon. l

Petition challenges polls schedule n Nazmus Sakib

A writ petition was filed yesterday with the High Court seeking its direction to annul the schedule of the forthcoming parliamentary elections, which were declared by the Election Commission, before the dissolution of the parliament.

Petitioner, Eunus Ali Akond, a Supreme Court lawyer, said he lodged the petition because the Appellate Division, in its verdict that scrapped the caretaker government system, gave a

“direction” to dissolve the parliament 42 days before the general elections.

The EC said the upcoming tenth national elections would be held on January 5. The parliament has yet to be dissolved.

The Cabinet Secretary, Law Secretary, Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commission Secretary were listed as respondents to the writ petition.

The verdict says, “In the case of holding the general elections at the

discretion of the parliament, the parliament should be dissolved at a reasonable time before the polls; the period may be 42 days.”

The petitioner on November 24 also lodged a writ petition seeking a direction of the High Court to the premier to advise the president, so that he could dissolve the parliament 42 days before the tenth parliamentary polls.

Eunus Ali Akond has so far lodged about 30 writ petitions over political, educational and constitutional issues. l

Distressed relatives of Habibur Rahman, 30, outside DMCH. Habibur, who was on a rickshaw, died yesterday night after being hit by a bus which lost control after pro-blockade activists hurled a petrol bomb at it MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

PM offers home ministry to BNP  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

she asked.

She urged the Jubo League leaders and workers to remain careful and work together so that no criminal can put fire on any transport and burn innocent people alive.

Hasina said, “None will be able to foil elections. Jubo League should be ready so that none can put people on fire.”

An unhappy cancellation Arson victims writhing in agony  PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

taking place or not. A number of them rushed to the schools early in the morning to find out if the exams were being held.

Many of them said sometimes schools do conduct examinations during blockade. This gave birth to the whole plot of confusion.

“Sometimes schools conduct examinations during blockade and sometimes they do not. This is a difficult situation for us as we dangle in confusion.

We become worried thinking that if the exams are going to take place the next day or not,” said Aminul Islam, guardian of a student of Government Laboratory High School.

Mostafizur Rahman, guardian of a student of Monipur High School and College, told the Dhaka Tribune that his son missed one examination as he thought that the examination would not take place during the blockade.

The next day he came to learn that the exam did take place.

Religious Studies was on schedule yesterday under the Primary School Certificate (PSC) examination. The ex-

aminees came to learn in the morning that the exam had been postponed.

This was the second time that the Religious Studies examination was postponed.

The Primary and Mass Education Ministry on Friday had to make a sudden decision to shift the exam to next Friday because of the blockade programme.

“This was (Religious Studies) the last examination on our schedule but now we have to wait one more week for the exam to end. I had made lot of plans to do after the exam, including visiting my grandmother. But those seem to become uncertain now,” said Shamia Akhter, a PSC examinee from Viqarunnisa Noon School and College.

Farhad Hossain, principal of Monipur High School and College told the Dhaka Tribune that they were holding the annual examinations even during the blockade.

“During the last blockade programme, we have conducted exams and we have planned to do so in the next spate of the blockade as we see no other option,” he said. l

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Next to Riad was lying Mahbub, driver of the bus, with 30% burn. His mother Mamota Begum said at first sight I could not recognise my son. “Those devils ruined my son’s physique. My son was quite beautiful to look at.”

Including these three patients, two more are also undergoing treatment at the burn unit. They are Masum, a senior officer of Rupali Bank, who is suffering from 17% burn injury while Gita Shen, a housewife from Luxmibazar area, suffering from 11% burn injury.

The authorities of the DMCH on Saturday formed an 11-member medical board with Prof Dr Kazi Deen Mohammad, head of Neuro-medicine Department, as its chief to ensure better treatment for the patients of blockade victims.

Contacted, Samanta Lal Sen, coordinator of burn and plastic surgery unit, said at present 13 patients are undergoing treatment at DMCH. “Of them, four are in critical condition.”

The four critical patients have already been shifted to Intensive Care Unit of the burn unit. They are named as Rahajul who received 25% burn injury, Nurnabi 35% burn injury, Jahangir 15% burn injury and Babu 28% burn injury.

Partha Sanakar Pal, residential surgeon of the burn unit, told the Dhaka Tribune that these patients were being given special treatment as their respiratory systems were affected from the burn.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, Mojibur Rahman, elder brother of Ohidur Rahman Babu, said his brother is a student of Political Science Department at the Dhaka University. “He is a quite handsome boy but the fire not only burnt his grace and glamour but it also dashed his dream,” he sighed deeply.

When this correspondent went over to Babu he opened his eyes slightly and in a faint and unsteady voice said: “Brother go to somebody else; I have no strength left to talk to you.” l

“We had informed the law enforcement agencies about Balu Math, where the conspirators had gathered and hatched plans, but they did not take any notice,” he said.

The owners of the Standard Group now has to bear a Tk12bn loss, as all their factories in the area were burnt down, Islam said.

Meanwhile, a group of RMG owners has blamed India for the recent violence in the country’s apparel industry.

They said India wants to grab our market share by destabilising the sector through creating anarchy through their agents. They also argued that there were no incidents in the RMG factories owned by Indian citizens.

“Is there any law or justice in this country? If there is, I want justice and punishment to come to those who shattered my dreams by torching my factories,” said Mosharraf Hussain, owner and managing director of the Standard Group.

He demanded a judicial investigation to identify those who were behind the arson.

Hussain demanded a solution from

the government, as he is not in a position to pay off bank loans, LCs and workers’ salaries.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune,

Mosharraf Hussain said:“The attack was pre-planned and carried out by trained goons, they set fire to key points as per the factory’s layout plans.

Mosharraf Hussain, owner and MD of Standard Group, break in tears during a press briefing at BGMEA yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Six more die in 2nd spell of blockade  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

Rail communications on Dhaka-Chittagong, Chittagong-Sylhet and Chandpur-Laksam-Sylhet routes remained suspended for a few hours as blockaders put barricades on the rail tracks.

Incidents of arson attacks, bomb blasts, vandalism and clashes between blockaders and police supported by ruling party men were also reported from different districts including Chittagong, Chandpur, Rajshahi, Gazipur, Moulvibazar, Sirajganj, Khulna, Meherpur, Barisal, Natore, Noakhali, Gaibandha and Rangpur.

The opposition will also enforce separate daylong hartals in Rangpur, Kurigram, Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar and Dinajpur districts and four upazilas of Sylhet tomorrow on different grounds.

In the capital’s Malibagh Chowdhury Para, trader Habibur Rahman, 35, was killed and five others injured as a bus crushed two rickshaws being chased by pickets with petrol bombs in the evening.

The injured were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Mozammel Hoque, inspector of the DMCH police outpost, confirmed the death to the Dhaka Tribune.

In another incident, several passengers sustained injuries as a bus came under attack of blockade supporters in Mohammadpur area in the afternoon.

Moreover, around 20 people were injured in separate clashes between police and BNP-Jamaat in the capital’s different places when the pickets hurled bombs and police opened fire.

In Bogra, one person was killed after being hit by a speeding bus in Mokamtola area. Another died after falling from the roof. The bus driver was trying to escape from the rage of the opposition supporters.

At Shahjahanpur, pickets attacked Rab men with crude bombs and locked into a clash while the law enforcers. Police arrested five from the spot.

In Jhenidah, Shibir activist Israil Hossain, 18, was shot dead and 10 people injured as blockade supporters clashed with policemen in Kotchandpur upazila around 10am.

He was shot when Shibir and BNP brought out a procession and locked in a clash with the police near the bus stand.

Pabna Jubo Dal activist Mahbub, 38, was killed and seven BNP men in-

society from their respective positions.

They include: late Rafiqul Islam, who played pioneering role in earning recognition of Ekushey February as International Mother Language Day, noted dramatist Nasiruddin Yusuf Bachchu, captain of national cricket team Mushfiqur Rahim, golfer Siddiqur Rahman and Nafiz Bin Jafar, a US based Bangladeshi software engineer. l

Rizvi arrested in dramatic pre-dawn raid  PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

The criminals also broke into lockers where cash was kept.

“I had opened letter of credits [LC] worth Tk4bn and imported machineries, who will take responsibilitiesfor paying these off,” said Mosharraf.

“I would not even be able to place an order as banks will not allow me to do so.”

Meanwhile, BGMEA former president Abdus Salam Murshedy said: “This is not labour unrest, not a protest for wage hikes, it is a sabotage to behead the highest foreign currency earning sector.”

It is the first episode of the drama, which is being staged to destabilise the RMG sector, said Salam. He added that people who wanted to damage the sector had earlier tried to do the same at the Hamim Group, Islam group and GSM group, but had failed.

He urged the government and law enforcement agencies to foil such evil plans.

Earlier on Friday, following a rumour of the deaths of two fellow employees, workers set fire to three buildings of Standard Group’s garment factory in the Konabari industrial area of Gazipur. l

I was waiting here [inside the building] and fell asleep at one point. Suddenly, I heard a loud bang. Soon after the sound, law enforcers broke the door of the room I was in and asked me who I was,” Gausul Azam Bipu, reporter of Gazi Television, told the Dhaka Tribune.

When Bipu told them who he was, the policemen seized his mobile phone and memory card of the camera and locked him, along with another reporter of Ekattor TV, inside the room.

At 6:30am, chairs and tables could be seen lying all over the place inside the building. All the locks were ripped apart. On the second floor, the glass in the sliding door was smashed. Rizvi’s table was ransacked too.

An office staff claimed that police had taken two computers from the office.

“I was assigned to cover developments in the BNP office. I was about to doze off inside my car around 4am when suddenly I realised that DB police have cordoned off the car. I guessed they had come to arrest Rizvi. When I took out my mobile phone to inform my office, the policemen warned me to not make any call. A little later, I saw Rizvi was being taken to the police car. As my videographer was about the shoot the arrest, the policemen tried to bar him from doing so. In the scuffle, the camera got broken,” MR Amin, reporter of Somoy TV, narrated.

The office has been looking deserted for the past few days because most of the leaders and activists of the party had been avoiding it. Only Rizvi was staying there.

After the arrest, it went back to its usual deserted look. The only difference was that even Rizvi was not there anymore.

As is usual on hartal or blockade days, a large number law enforcers remained stationed in front of the building.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office looked just the same with law enforcers strongly guarding the area.

Not just the senior ranks, even the “media-hungry” leaders could not be seen anywhere in the vicinity of either of the offices.

Even Salahuddin Ahmed, assigned with carrying out the duty of the party’s office secretary in place of Rizvi, did not come to the office. He reportedly called two television journalists and recorded a statement. That was later

distributed among journalists. He was available over phone till midday but his phone, just like the other senior leaders, was found switched off for the rest of the day.

Only a group of pro-BNP professionals, led by bar council Vice-Chairman and BNP chairperson’s adviser Khandakar Mahbub Hossain, went to the Nayapaltan office around 12:50pm. After inspecting the office, they told journalists that it was a “blow for democracy.”

The party usually called two press briefings on such hartal or blockade says. But yesterday the party informed journalists about its stance by issuing several press releases, each singed by different leaders.

Seven hours after the arrest, Masudur Rahman, a deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told journalists that Rizvi had been arrested in a case filed in connection with the arson attack on a bus in the capital’s Shahbagh.

“Nothing was ransacked, no lock was cut, nothing was seized during the drive and no money was taken from them,” said Jahangir Hossain Matubbor, a deputy commissioner of the Detective Branch of Police. “We just arrested the BNP leaders and no journalist was assaulted or confined,” he claimed.

In the afternoon, police produced Rizvi before a Dhaka court and sought remand. The court, however, fixed December 4 for hearing on the remand prayer and ordered for sending the BNP leader to jail. l

jured as a truck ran over them being chased by the blockade activists on Natore-Kushtia highway in Ishwardi upazila in the evening.

The incident took place when the pickets brought out a procession at Natunhat intersection near Lalon Shah Bridge around 6:30pm. They later torched the truck although its driver and helper managed to flee the scene.

In Chittagong, pedestrian Nimai Nath, 45, was killed as a pickup, being chased by blockaders, ran him over at Nayakhal on Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar highway in Satkania upazila.

In Barabkunda area of Sitakunda, the driver of Chandpur-bound Meghna Express was injured as blockade supporters hurled stones targeting the train.

Injured Mohammad Jalal, 45, was taken

to Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

Over 20 people, including three police officers and the upazila nirbahi officer of Monirampur upazila, were injured in a clash between blockade supporters and law enforcers in the afternoon in Jessore.

In Monipur, BGB men opened fire and charged batons as pickets put blockade by electric poles and hurled brickbats at them.

Yarab Hossain, Satkhira correspondent of the daily Manabjamin, was stabbed and beaten up at Akhrhakhola crossing in Satkhira around 11am. The Jamaat-Shibir activists also torched his motorbike. Locals took him to Satkhira Sadar Hospital.

Pickets in Rajshahi set fire to four trucks loaded with over 30 tonnes of

rice and a microbus at Kantakhali of the city where the pickets clashed with the law enforcers, hurled over 20 crude bombs and petrol bombs.

In Brahmanbaria town, at least 15 people, including a police personnel, were injured in a clash. Pickets exploded over 100 bombs while police fired bullets during the clash.

In Meherpur, a clash between supporters of Awami League and BNP-Jamaat left at least 12 people injured while several business establishments and houses were looted and vandalised.

A clash at Borolekha of Moulvibazar left around 20 people, including two policemen, injured while the pickets damaged several vehicles. Police fired gunshots and arrested nine of the pickets. l

Standard garment factory attack pre-planned?  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

Reiterating her position against the caretaker system of government, Hasina said caretaker government was also in place in 2006. But they could not hold the election in time.

Jubo League Chairman Omar Faruk Chowdhury presided over the programme.

Jubo League on its founding anniversary honoured eight persons for their outstanding contributions to the

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Sunday, December 1, 2013

3

Misery for commuters as blockade resumes No bus left the capital for the long route Islam Shaon and n Ashif Mohammad Jamil Khan Commuters suffered severely on the first day of opposition enforced 72hour road, rail and waterway blockade programme yesterday due to shortage of public transports.

During the second spate of the blockade, roads in the capital were almost out of the vehicles causing immense suffering to commuters who came out of their homes in spite of the blockade programme as they had go to their work.

No bus left from the capital on the long route though several bus counters were open at Sayedabad bus terminal.

From Gabtoli bus terminal to Azimpur it hardly costs Tk200 even if the CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver charges extra in the early morning. But today, he charged Tk350 Habib Mia, counter manager of Falguni Paribahan, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We did not think that any blockade or hartal would occur on Saturday. Now the customers are returning tickets and we are returning them the money.”

Hedayetullah, an hotelier, said: “I have been waiting for almost an hour for a bus to go to Daudkandi, but, it seems now I have to take a van.

If I do not reach on time my shop will be closed and that would result in serious loss.”

The Sadarghat launch terminal was also found almost empty.

Saiful Haque Khan, senior deputy director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, told the Dhaka Tribune that the political programmes did not affect the river route much, however, most of the launches plying on route were out of passengers.

Shah-Alam, a passenger waiting at the terminal said Egal-2, tha launch which was scheduled to leave the terminal for Chandpur around 11.15am was delayed by two hours for dearth of passengers. According to sources at the terminal, around 24 launches left the terminal yesterday.

Taking advantage of the transport crisis, the vehicle drivers demanded soaring rates to the passengers.

“From Gabtoli bus terminal to Azimpur it hardly costs Tk200 even if the CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver charges extra in the early morning. But today, he charged Tk350,” said Khalilur Rahman, who arrived at Gabtoli bus terminal from Patuakhali yesterday morning.

He said many of the passengers walked with baggage and family members. Very few passengers were lucky enough to get a bus.

“When we board on the bus on Friday night we knew that there was no hartal or blockade on Saturday. Now, I wonder that we had actually taken a huge risk by riding a bus on the highway just the night before the violent blockade,” he said.

Rickshaws were found plying on the VIP roads all the daylong.

At Kamalapur railway station trains were late by one to three hours to reach the station from various parts of the capital.

Khairul Bashir, station manager, said Akota Express, Rangpur Express were late. Turna Nishitha from Chittagong was supposed to reach at 7:40am, but it reached two hours late.

The trains were supposed to leave the station in the morning but Bangladesh Railway authority shuffled the schedule.

They said they were compelled to so fearing violence as in many places pickets had set fire on the railway lines during the previous spate of bloackade. l

Pedestrians raise their hands while passing AK Khan Gate area in between phases of fierce clashes that took place in Chittagong yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Gazipur factory fire hits livelihood of RMG workers n Our Correspondent, Gazipur

Ranjhana, 28, who is currently seven months pregnant, was left distraught on Friday as some unruly workers set fire to her workplace, a Standard Group garment factory in Konabari industrial area of Gazipur.

She had been working with the garment factory for over 10 years, but now, her livelihood and the future of her children is in tatters following Friday’s fire.

“The owner of the factory had promised me a special allowance for my coming children and I was waiting for that, but...” she could not complete the sentence while talking to the Dhaka Tribune as she was weeping.

Another worker, Melal Hossain, who

was working at the factory as a quality inspector, said: “I have considered the workplace as my family. Now, after the fire broke out, we are left in dire conditions.”

Melal’s wife was also working at the same factory thus the couple’s livelihood is now in serious crisis.

Like Melal and Ranjhana there were several hundreds of workers who depended solely on the wage from this factory. With their only source of income burnt to ashes, they see an uncertain future ahead.

Almost all the workers at the Standard Group were seen waiting outside the factory building for the whole day on Saturday with blank looks in their eyes.

Following a rumour of the deaths of two fellow employees, agitated workers

had set fire to three buildings of the group, vehicles, and all the finished products of the Standard Group’s garment units.

The workers, however, alledge that the destruction was not unleased by agitating workers; rather it was part of a pre-planned conspiracy.

“No workers from the Standard Group, nor from any other units can set fire to a garment factory. There must be some sort of conspiracy behind this,” Mina, who worked as a sewing helper at the factory said.

On November 28, some 40-50 workers had initiated a rally in front of the factory, trying to enter its premises and engaging in clashes with police.

Later, several workers allege, they announced through a loudspeaker

from a nearby mosque that two workers had been killed. They then entered the factory at around 11:30pm that night. They set fire to all the covered vans parked inside and set fire to all the floors in the main building.

“All three buildings, 18 covered vans full of finished products, 13 other vehicles, and all other materials inside the factory were burnt down to ashes,” Standard Group head office General Manager Rezaul Karim said.

Gazipur Industrial Police Assistant Police Super M Mosharrof Hossain said some criminals had launched the arson attack in a pre-planned way.

None except fire service workers were being allowed to enter the building due to safety and security concerns. l

UN chief reiterates call for consensus n Tribune report

Tribunal prosecutors fail in polls nomination bid

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has encouraged Bangladesh’s two major political parties – Awami League and BNP – to reach a mutually agreed consensus through “constructive dialogue” to hold an inclusive and non-violent election.

AK Abdul Momen, ambassador and permanent representative of Bangladesh to the UN, shared the content of the UN chief’s letter sent to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. “Basically, he [UN chief] encouraged a constructive dialogue to create a conducive environment for holding a non-violent election in Bangladesh,” Momen told the UNB over phone yesterday.

Earlier, the UN chief called Hasina and Khaleda, and urged them to hold talks for a peaceful resolution of the ongoing political crisis.

Responding to a question, he said the UN chief focused on a violence-free election. “He likes Bangladesh very much and has appreciated the socioeconomic progress made by Bangladesh.”

The UN chief also mentioned that a similar letter had been written to the BNP chairperson and encouraged her and her party to reach a decision through “constructive” dialogue, Momen said.

He also said the UN wanted a credible election in Bangladesh which would have to be credible in the eyes of Bangladeshi people. “The essence of his letter is a request for holding constructive and meaningful dialogue.”

Responding to a question, Momen said: “We immediately sent the letter through fax and email.”

Amid the escalation of violence and absence of political compromise over the polls-time government, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Oscar Fernandez-Taranco arrives here on December 6.

The envoy will meet the prime minister, the opposition leader, the chief election commissioner, and other political party chiefs and civil society representatives during his visit.

He will report back to the UN chief on the outcome of his Bangladesh visit ahead of the election, said an official source.

This is Taranco’s third visit within a year as he had visited Dhaka first in December and later in May. l

n Udisa Islam

Members of Jagrata Janata in front of National Museum observe sit-in demanding an end to political violence

People urge parties to stop violence n Mohammad Atiqur Rahman The heads of the two main parties – the Awami League and BNP – must visit the victims of arson attacks in order to see the effect of violence during hartals and blockades, said Milton, a banker by profession.

“They both are mothers; do not they feel the pain of losing dear ones?

“Please go to the hospitals and show empathy for the victims. See how the victims are writhing in pain,” he said. “The leaders have to promise that they will not kill people in future,” he added.

He participated in a 48-hour sit-in programme in front of the National Museum yesterday, organised by Jagrata Janata, demanding a stop to the killing of ordinary citizens in the name of hartals and blockades. The protesters also formed a human chain.

“The political leaders do not have to

ride on a bus, and so they do not have to face the sufferings,” said Solaimain Chowdhury, another participant of the protest.

Jakia Moon, a physician, said: “It is not a problem to call and observe hartals and blockades. But please do not include the general people.”

Shuvo, a Dhaka University student, was disgusted by the ongoing spate of violence. He was on the phone trying to collect blood for his friend’s mother who received severe burn injuries on Thursday.

Nineteen passengers were severely injured as a Bihanga Paribahan bus on Sadarghat-Mirpur route came under attack near Matsya Bhaban around 6pm on Thursday.

Two victims have already died while others are fighting for their lives at hospital’s burn unit. Similar incidents were reported during the days of blockade and previous hartals. l

NASHIRUL ISLAM

Back stage parleys underway, hints Obaidul n Tribune Report Efforts are on behind the scenes to reach a consensus with the opposition with a view to resolve the ongoing political impasse, Communications Minister Obaidul Quader said yesterday.

“Awami League is trying to negotiate with the BNP over the current political situation behind the scenes. No one [BNP leaders] will remain behind the bars once the parties reach a consensus,” he told reporters at his office, reports UNB. Replying to a query, Quader, also a presidium member, said all kinds of political discussion first take place behind the scenes. “The talks are made public when those take a turn to yield positive results.”

He observed that the killing of people by torching moving vehicles and unleashing violence in the name of hartal and blockade were not politics. “It is beyond the etiquette of politics. We have to shun such type of political violence.” l

No prosecutors or investigators of the International Crimes Tribunal have been nominated by the ruling Awami League to contest the next parliamentary polls. Some of them blame the media for their failure.

Five prosecutors and top two officials from the tribunal’s investigation agency bought nomination papers from the Awami League. However, the party did not include any of them in its 300-strong list of candidates published on Friday.

The aspirants were engaged in intense lobbying of the party leaders and grassroots, hoping to secure nomination in their constituencies. Yet after the submission of the nomination papers, they faced severe criticism because of their involvement with the war crimes tribunal.

The five prosecutors are Sultan Mahmud from Shariatpur 2 (Noria-Shakhipur), Nurjahan Begum from Chandpur, Mokhlesur Rahman from Kishorganj 2 (Pakundia-Kotiadi), Mohammad Ali from Dhaka 20 (Dhamrai) and Syed Saidul Haque from Chunarughaat. Abdul Hannan Khan, chief coordinator of the investigation agency, bought nomination papers from Netrakano 5 (Purbadhola) and Sanaul Haq from Kishoreganj 3.

Some colleagues of the aspirant prosecutors also think the Awami League acted correctly by not giving them nominations, as this would raise eyebrows among many people and parties who are critical of the trials.

When investigator Hannan submitted his nomination paper, he claimed

that he had the potential to be nominated from his constituency. But as he failed, Hannan now blames the media for creating a debate about the nomination of tribunal-related people.

He said: “It is not necessary that the prosecution and investigation agency be neutral. We can seek nomination from the ruling party. There is no barrier.”

In a frustrated voice, he said the media had made it an issue; which was “disappointing.”

To encourage voters and seek support from the grassroots, all of them communicated with the leaders and activists of their constituencies. Nurjahan Begum was the most active among them.

From the very beginning, she started campaigning in her Chandpur constituency where the party has nominated Maj (retd) Rafiqul Islam. Now she is concerned about her political career as she failed to get a party ticket.

She said: “This situation takes me 10 years back from my present position. I gave so much effort – physically, psychologically and also financially. Now it will take more time to recover [the loss].”

Another prosecutor Mokhlesur Rahman was seeking candidacy for the Kishoreganj 2 seat where Prof Dr Abdul Mannan, a member of the central advisory council of the Awami League, is the incumbent.

The prosecutor took it lightly, saying, “It may be helpful for my future candidacy. The party knows better than me about which is better for us.”

Prosecutors Sultan Mahmud and Mohammad Ali seemed frustrated, they were not ready to comment on this issue. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Government to seek EC consent over Sanchay bank and GB election rules n Asif Showkat Kallol The government will seek Election Commission consent to enact the Palli Sanchay Bank Bill and the Grameen Bank Election Rules under the GB Law 2013 as the parliament is not in session now.

“We have no choice but to seek the consent of the Election Commission for the enactment of the act and the rules as these matters will influence voters ahead of the general election,” Bank and Financial Institutions Division (BFID) Secretary Dr Aslam Alam said on Wednesday.

He said the Palli Sanchay Bank Bill had been placed before parliament but the parliamentary session was now over.

The proposal to establish a specialised bank for the government’s “One House, One Farm” project was approved at the cabinet meeting in the first week of November.

A 15-member board comprised of eight government appointed men and seven representatives of the Palli Sanchay bank’s clients, from all divisions across the country, will be at the helm of the specialised bank.

The newly passed Grameen Bank Law 2013 would allow board meetings with the presence of just three directors from the board of 12.

The Banking Division sent the Grameen Bank Election Rules to the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry for vetting, but they have yet to receive a response, said a source in the Banking Division.

It added that nine female members of the Grameen Bank lost their posts after the ministry published a gazette notification on November 20 on the passage of the Grameen Bank Act 2013, which replaced the 1983 ordinance.

The Grameen Bank will prepare for elections to its board after the Banking Division receives the vetted election rules from the ministry.

The elections to the board have to be held within six months of the rules being vetted by the ministry.

In the meantime, the three government members and the chairman of the bank will operate the financial institution.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry in November issued the gazette notification on the new Grameen Bank Law which suggested that

the quorum of board meeting would now consist of three members instead of the earlier four.

As per the draft election rules, the 8.4 million GB shareholders will take part in the election of 15 representatives, who will in turn elect nine members of the 12-strong board of directors.

Two electorates with nine special and 15 deputy electorates will also be appointed by the bank’s management to oversee the election of the nine directors.

The three other directors on the board, including the chairman, will be appointed by the government.

The nine directors will hold their posts for three years, but one-third of them will be dropped from the board through lottery or mutual understanding after the expiry of the board’s tenure.

The retired directors will not be able to participate in the elections for two consecutive years, says the draft.

The bank’s secretary will assist in organising the election and have the authority to declare any voter disqualified.

The returning officer and deputy returning officer will be treated as deputy election commissioners. l

RAJIB DHAR

Government thinks political unrest won’t affect economy

Shahed, Elias reelected DRU president, GS n UNB

n Asif Showkat Kallol

Shahed Chowdhury of the Daily Samakal and Elias Khan of the daily Amar Desh were reelected president and general secretary of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Saturday.

Shahed bagged 738 votes while his rival Azmal Huq Helal got 237. Elias polled 543 while his rival Sheikh Mamun got 413.

Of the other office bearers, Rafiqul Islam Azad (345 votes) of the daily Independent was elected vice president, while Shariful Islam (471 votes) joint secretary, Morsalin Nomani (508 votes) organising secretary, Syed Lutfa Sahana (504) women affairs secretary, Hasan Azad (499 votes) publicity and publication secretary, Sajjad Hossain (679 votes) training and research secretary Azizul Parvez (520) cultural secretary.

Besides, Ashraful Islam (finance secretary), Sheikh Muhammad Jamal Hossain (office secretary), Badrul Alam Khokon (sports secretary), Mostafa Kazal (entertainment secretary) and Jamiul Ahsan Shipu (welfare secretary) were elected unopposed.

Seven executive members are: Hasan Jahid Tusher (520 votes), Moin Uddin Khan (492 votes), Pinaki Talukder (467 votes), Manik Muntasir (459 votes), Parvin Sultana (444 votes), Salauddin Ahmed Bablu (398 votes) and Tofazzel Hossain (378 votes).

Chief Election Commissioner Golam Sarwar announced the results. l

WEATHER

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

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

The sun sets in the capital at 5:11pm today and rises at 6:25am tomorrow.

Country’s highest temperature 30.7 degree Celsius was recorded in Teknaf and lowest 14.5 degrees in Srimongal 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

29.5 28.8 28.5 29.1 29.4 29.2 29.2 30.4

19.4 22.8 15.3 16.8 19.2 18.0 17.6 23.4

Incessant political violence has been having severe negative impacts on every sphere of national life including the country’s economy, with fears high that Bangladesh may lose its strong footing in terms of healthy economic growth.

However, pro-government economists do not seem to agree with the fears of dwindling growth rate that some noted economists have expressed.

In a meeting of the government’s Fiscal Coordination Council on November 12, a planning ministry official was reportedly barred from warning that economic indices might collapse if political unrest continued.

The official was trying to point out that export growth, foreign exchange reserve, remittance and banking liquidities which have so far been moderate, were likely to slide if the political unrest prolonged. He also said development projects had been badly ham-

pered because of disruption in communication and transportation.

But the other members of the council stopped him, saying despite the hartals and unrest, things were not likely to take any alarming turn in the near future, meeting sources said.

Planning Commission Member Dr Shamsul Alam told the Dhaka Tribune that the overall economic growth would not be affected by the opposition’s hartals and blockades.

Claiming that the rate of growth during the ongoing fiscal was above 7%, Shamsul said: “During the BNP-led alliance’s rule in 2006, growth rate suffered because there was full participation of people in the Awami League-led demonstration. But this time around, growth will not suffer because people are not involved with the movement.”

However, what AB Mirza Azizul Islam, a former adviser to the caretaker government, told the Dhaka Tribune was in stark contrast with Shamsul’s claim.

5:05am 6:23am 11:48am 3:34pm 5:10pm 6:30pm

Source: IslamicFinder.org

“Some economists whimsically say growth could not be downsized by the political turmoil. But, we have seen that growth has decline over the last three years of the Awami League government – coming down from 6.71 in 2010-11 to 6.23 in 2011-12 and 6.03 in 2012-13. The trend of steady growth has been broken,” the noted economist said.

“In 2006, political chaos lasted only two months. But this time, it is already four months.” He also said a major section of the country’s manufacturing sector, especially the garment factories, relied heavily on imported raw materials. But, they were now hit heavily by delays in shipment at the Chittagong port because of hartals and blockade.

Readymade garments export had also declined because of the recent 71hour blockade, which might result in a sharp slide in buyer confidence as well, Mirza added.

Khondaker Golam Moazzem, additional director (research) of Centre

for Policy Dialogue, told the Dhaka Tribune: “The government, especially amid political unrest towards the end of tenure, wants to say only those things that go in favour of their activities.”

He suggested that the government must learn to accept and consider the “different” ideas that come up in the Fiscal Coordination Council’s meeting, only for its own good.

The World Bank, International Monetary Fund and Asian Development Bank have also expressed concerns that the impending street agitation in the run-up to the national elections would take a heavy toll on Bangladesh’s economy and its growth.

They have estimated that the country’s GDP growth rate would remain under 6% during the ongoing fiscal, although the finance ministry expects it to grow to 6.6%.

The government has a budgetary target of achieving 7.2% GDP growth in the current fiscal year. l

Factional clash kills two n Our Correspondent, Magura

Two young men were killed and 15 injured in a clash between two groups in Malikgram village in Magura yesterday, resulting from an enmity between Osman Mondal and Wahid Mollah over establishing supremacy.

Their supporters attacked each other with sharp weapons on Friday night, the clash continued until yesterday morning.

The two critically injured – Noim Hossen 28 and Farid 22 – were admitted to

Magura sadar hospital where they died.

Three others, Shohag, 19, Hafiz, 25, and Uzzal, 25, were admitted to the same hospital.

However, most of the injured refused to be admitted to the sadar hospital out of fear of being arrested.

At least 50 houses in the village were looted and ransacked during the clash.

Jahangir Alam, OC of Magura police station, confirmed the incident and said they had deployed force in the village and situation was under control. l

n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong Two people were arrested with 400 bullets in possession at a police checkpost at GEC Intersection in Chittagong city early yesterday.

Both arrestees – Anwar Hossain, 29, and Abul Hossain, 30 – hailed from Noakhali district, Officer-in-Charge Atik Ahmed of Chawkbazar police station said.

Police sources said among the seized 400 bullets, 300 were of 0.22 calibre pistols and 100 of shotguns.

The OC said the police had stopped a vehicle on suspicion around 5:30am, searched it and found the ammunitions

from their possession. The duo were being interrogated regarding the matter, he added.

Mirza Saiem Mahmud, assistant commissioner of Kotwali circle of Chittagong Metropolitan Police, said the arrestees might have had plans to conduct subversive acts in the port city during the 72-hour countrywide blockade.

An arms case was lodged with Chawkbazar police station in this connection.

Meanwhile, a police constable was shot by pro-blockade activists during a clash with the police at AK Khan Intersection in the city yesterday morning, the first day of the 72-hour blockade. l

Ammunitions seized at the GEC Intersection are displayed to the media yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

HC: Restore 2003 body to run Muktijoddha Sangsad n UNB Responding to a writ petition, the High Court has asked the government to allow the decade-old elected committee of the Muktijoddha Sangsad Central Command Council (MSCCC) to run it.

Passing the interim order to be effective for six months only, an HC division bench comprising Justice Naima Haider and Justice Zafar Ahmed on November 25 issued a rule upon the government to explain in four weeks why Sangsad’s 2003 elected committee should not be allowed to carry out the function of the freedom fighters’ organisation.

At present, the Sangsad’s day-to-day functioning remained stalled over its leadership dispute triggered by a legal battle.

Freedom fighter Abdul Kashem who filed the writ petition told UNB that Kabir Ahmed Khan was elected chairman of the Sangsad in 2003.

In 2007, the government revoked the elected committee by issuing a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) and formed a three-member convening committee with public servants to run the Sangsad that virtually created the legal dispute over the leadership of the freedom fighters’ body. l

President flies to Singapore for medical check-up n Tribune report

Two held with 400 rounds of ammo in Chittagong

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

A man risking his life helps transfer a sack of vegetables from the roof of one bus to another at Gabtoli Bus Terminal yesterday

Nagorik Oikkyo organised a protest rally in front of the central Shaheed Minar yesterday, demanding a stop to the killings during hartals and blockades NASHIRUL ISLAM

President Abdul Hamid is flying to Singapore tonight on a five-day visit for his follow-up medical treatment.

A regular flight of Singapore Airlines will be carrying the president.

The flight would take off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:15pm, President’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told UNB yesterday.

The president is likely to return home on December 6. This is the second time the president is visiting Singapore. l

JU VC EXTENDS LEAVE AGAIN

Three teachers resign from JUTA n JU Correspondent The vice-chancellor of Jahangirnagar University extended his medical leave for three days, while the acting VC and pro-VC still remained confined for the 12th consecutive day by a section of teachers, who demand VC’s resignation and a quick declaration of VC panel polls.

Protesting against the anti-VC movement, some left-leaning teachers, under the banner of “Shikkhak Mancha,” demonstrated at the Shaheed Minar yesterday, while anti-VC teachers, students, officers and employees also staged separate demonstration in front of the administrative office.

Meanwhile, Prof Aminul Islam, Fazlul Karim Patwary and KM Mahiuddin yesterday threatened to resign from the Jahangirnagar University Teachers’

Association’s executive body, due to a lack of confidence in the association, as agitating teachers have yet to release the confined individuals.

Prof Naseem Akter Hossain, Prof Manosh Kumar Chawdhury and Rayhan Rhyne suspended their JUTA memberships, claiming that the organisation had failed to play a proper role in tackling the current unrest.

Sources said VC Anwar Hossain again fell ill after he was released from the hospital on Friday. Earlier, the VC took a two-day medical leave from November 20, which was extended twice.

The agitating teachers, backed by former VC Prof Shariff Enamul Kabir and pro-BNP teachers, have been keeping acting VC Prof MA Matin and proVC Prof Afsar Ahmed confined since November 20.

Though the authorities had suspended the teachers’ representatives’ polls, they were yet to release them.

Prof Matin told the Dhaka Tribune: “Agitating teachers had been claiming to the media that we were free, but they are yet to withdraw the blockade.”

United forum’s Member Secretary Prof Kamrul Ahsan said: “Our movement would continue till the declaration of VC panel polls.”

He alleged that the VC did not care about JU and his deputies, as he had not come to the campus despite being released.

The Shikkhak Mancha also demonstrated on the campus yesterday, demanding the release of the confined teachers. Over a hundred general students were present at the demonstration. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Long Form

5

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Why and what S&D Treatment for LDCs? Examining some key issues related to special and differential treatment Way forward

The highlighted countries have been designated as LDCs by the United Nations

WIKIMEDIA

Trade negotiations under the auspices of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) supported the S&DT to developing countries. This continued after the formation of the WTO which is reflected through and also upheld the principle of providing special treatment to developing countries.

Table 1: Time - lines for implementing various WTO agreements Under GATT UR Decision WTO Agreements Agriculture SPS

DDA, July 2004 Framework and Hong Kong Ministerial

Developed Countries

Developing Countries

6 years

10 years

Exempted

2 years

5 years

-

Least Developed Countries

TRIPS

1 years

5 years

10 years

TRIMS

2 years

5 years

7 years

-

2 years

-

Up to 10 years

-

Import Licensing Safeguards

Up to 8 years

Domestic Input Subsidies

-

5 years

8 years

Export Subsidies

-

2 to 8 years

8 years

Exemption from undertaking reduction commitment in AoA and NAMA Developing country Members continue to benefit from the AoA for five years after the end-date for elimination of all forms of export subsidies TRIPs & Public Health (derogation up to 2016) Extension of TRIPS up to 2013 (extended up to 2021 this year) Exemption from TRIMs obligation GATS-LDC Modality Extension on Removal of export subsidies till 2013 Under Swiss formula, coefficients of 8-9 for developed countries and 19-23 for developing countries proposed. LDCs not asked to undertake reeducation commitments but expected to bind more of their items.

Source: WTO

Dr Fahmida Khatun is the Research Director, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Bangladesh.

Figure 3: LDCs’ Export Share (%) to World Export 0.0090

LDCs: Africa and Haiti LDCs: Asia

0.0080 0.0070

LDCs: Islands

0.0060 0.0050 0.0040 0.0030 0.0020 0.0010 0.0000

2012

Brief overview of S&DT provisions

2011

S&DT describes preferential provisions in various agreements of the WTO for developing and least developed countries. This is in view of major bottlenecks these countries face in taking advantage of the global trading systems. It is widely recognised that due to several supply side bottlenecks developing countries, particularly LDCs, are unable to participate effectively in the multilateral trading system.

2010

UNCTAD

2009

20 11 20 12

20 10

20 01 20 02 20 03 20 04 20 05 20 06 20 07 20 08 20 09

20

00

0.5

fore cannot be addressed by uniform rules. Thus, there is need for specifying rights and obligations of members for implementing S&D provisions.

Unfortunately, discussions during the run up to the Bali WTO Ministerial Conference have not led to any clarity on the work programme as regards the implementation of agreed proposals by the developed countries. Therefore, LDCs will have to continue to pursue the issue during the post-Bali period. l

On monitoring mechanism, discussions are being held at the special session of the Committee on Trade and Development for an appropriate monitoring mechanism. The purpose of such monitoring is to analyse and review the implementation of all S&D provisions contained in WTO agreements and decisions.

Though this is not only limited to LDCs, the adoption of such a mechanism is expected to have positive implications for LDCs. Such mechanism will provide opportunities for LDCs to raise issues and flag difficulties faced by them in implementing S&D provisions.

2008

0.6

As liberalisation intensifies, LDCs will lose out on this as their preferences margins will erode. In order to compensate LDCs which suffer from preference erosion, there should be financial support to LDCs

2007

0.7

and (iii) support to help LDCs build the infrastructure. These measures are reflected through various WTO agreements which can be summarised in Table 1.

During the Doha Ministerial of the WTO in 2001, Members reaffirmed that the provisions for S&DT are an integral part of the WTO agreements.

Paragraph 44 of the Doha Mandate (2001) says: “We note the concerns expressed regarding their operation in addressing specific constraints faced by developing countries, particularly least-developed countries. In that connection, we also note that some members have proposed a Framework Agreement on SDT (WT/GC/W/442).

We therefore agree that all SDT provisions shall be reviewed with a view to strengthening them and making them more precise, effective and operational. In this connection, we endorse the work programme on SDT set out in the Decision on Implementation-Related Issues and Concerns.”

At the Cancun Ministerial 2003, members included 28 agreement-specific S&DT provisions in the Annex C of draft ministerial text. Eventually these provisions were not adopted due to the conference’s failure to agree on a number of other issues.

Members agreed to five S&DT provisions for LDCs at the Hong Kong Ministerial (2005). These include: DFQF (duty-free quota-free) access by 2008; preferential rules of origin (RoO); right to undertake measures for their development; trade preferences not be conditional loans, grants and ODA inconsistent with LDCs development; allowed to deviate from obligation in the TRIMS agreements.

The Geneva Ministerial Conference in 2011 (MC8) provided extension of preferential treatment for service trade for another 15 years. A “Draft Decision” on the expansion of TRIPS transition period. Some ministers suggested the review and monitoring of S&DT provisions in the WTO. It may be mentioned that on June 11, 2013, LDCs have been granted up to July 1, 2021 to implement TRIPS Agreement.

At the Geneva Ministerial Meeting, ministers agreed to expedite work towards finalising the monitoring mechanism for S&DT provisions. Ministers agreed to take stock of the 28 Agree-

2006

0.8

Though LDCs’ participation in global trade has increased over the years (Figures 1 and 2), the distribution of growth has not been equal across regions. At present, LDC group consists of around 12% of world population.

However, LDCs have a share of little over 1% in world GDP while they account for about 1% of global trade in goods (Figure 3). Moreover, there are some inherent weaknesses in the structure of export from LDCs. First, LDCs have a narrow export basket. In 2011, seven oil and readymade garments exporting LDCs accounted for a lion’s share of 68.4% of total exports from LDCs. In case of Bangladesh, RMG’s share was 82.65% and in case of Angola fuels and oil contributed to 97.42% of total export income.

Second, LDC exports are overwhelmingly dependent on primary products. And because of high commodity prices, LDCs earned higher export income indicting that LDCs’ higher export is due to increase in the value of commodities rather that volume.

UNCTAD

2005

0.9

Island LDC’s export is negligible, so it is not visible in the figure

2004

(% of Total)

1

LDCs: Asia LDCs: Islands

In view of LDCs’ demand for an outcome in the S&DT provision discussions are being held at the WTO on two important aspects during the run up to the Bali Ministerial Conference in December 2013, namely (i) adoption of 28 S&D provisions; and (ii) monitoring mechanism.

WTO Members never formally adopted 28 proposals relating to various S&D provisions in WTO agreements proposed in Cancun though the eighth WTO Ministerial Conference agreed to take a stock of these proposals. Since those proposals were adopted in 2003, developments in the ministerial meetings after Cancun possibly have affected the relevance of some texts in the provisions.

Hence, it is felt by many members that there is a need to revise some of the texts. For example, the text on market access or LDCs should incorporate DFQF decisions taken in the Hong Kong Ministerial.

2003

Share of LDCs in World GDP Share of LDCs in World Trade

1.1

LDCs: Africa and Haiti

Current state of play

2002

1.2

Figure 1: LDC Export during 1990-2012 (in million USD)

ment-specific proposals in Annex C of the draft Cancun text with a view to formal adoption of those agreed.

2001

Figure 2: LDCs’ Share in Global GDP and Global Trade

Article XVIII of GATT recognised the need for additional flexibility and introduced for the first time the concept of differential treatment of developing countries. The S&D provisions for LDCs include: (i) longer time periods for implementing agreements and commitments; (ii) measures to increase trading opportunities;

2000

he ninth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is around the corner. The conference of the trade ministers of the WTO member countries to be held in Bali during December 3 – 6 is being organised in the background of very low expectations.

There has been little progress of the Doha Round negotiations which was initiated in 2001. Progress on major agreements such as agriculture, non-agricultural market access and services has been insignificant and partial.

However, optimists are looking forward to see some outcome in a few areas including trade facilitation agreement and development issues that include LDC package and special and differential treatment (S&DT).

However, there are problems too. This article will examine some key issues related to S&DT for least developed countries (LDCs).

Given that trade liberalisation does not automatically lead to development and welfare gains for all countries as they cannot take advantage of opportunities created by trade liberalisation due to lack of capacity, the relevance of S&DT for LDCs cannot be overepmhasised.

In view of marginalisation of weaker economies in the context of globalisation, lack of technical capacity, lack of financial resources, and weak capacity to take advantage of the opportunities emanating from the WTO system developing countries and LDCs were given flexibility by the multilateral trading system.

LDCs Share to World Export

T

n Dr Fahmida Khatun

The adoption of an appropriate monitoring mechanism to analyse and review the implementation of all S&D provisions contained in WTO agreements and decisions is expected to have positive implications for LDCs

At the core of the implementation of S&D provisions is the issue of implementation of DFQF market access for LDCs. Meaningful and enhanced market access for LDCs remains to be an unfulfilled agenda. Several studies have estimated the benefit of DFQF market access.

It has been found that effective market access of LDCs after S&DT in the USA is negative and in the EU is positive but negligible because of 3% of tariff lines excluded from DFQF market access that make up a significant share of LDCs exports (Carrere and de Melo 2009). On the other hand, DFQF access for LDCs from 97% to 100% of tariff line will increase LDCs export to developed countries by $4.2 billion (Vanzetti and Peters 2012).

Related to market access is the issue of preference erosion. Currently, many LDCs benefit from non-reciprocal preferences granted mostly by developed countries. As liberalisation intensifies, LDCs will lose out on this as their preferences margins will erode. In order to compensate LDCs which suffer from preference erosion, there should be financial support to LDCs. Meaningful market access requires preferential RoO that are transparent and simple. There has been some progress on this. Canada, the EU and Switzerland have adopted revised RoO criteria that have positive impact on LDC exports. Other countries also need to adopt liberal RoO. Operationlisation of “Development” provisions of the Doha Development Agenda depends, in many ways on the implementation of S&DT provisions. However, many of the WTO agreements as regards S&DT are operationally problematic for at least two reasons.

First, many provisions are of “best endeavour” nature. The African group and the LDCs emphasised for 88 agreement-specific proposals for S&DT enhancement. Only 38 provisions that related to modulation of commitments are legally binding while 50 provisions on trade preferences and declaration of support are not. So there is a need to develop an approach that defines clear and concrete rights and obligations for all members.

Second, many current S&D provisions are also of “one size fits all” nature. This notion ignores the fact that development challenges faced by the WTO members are varied and there-

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Sufferings of train passengers continue in Chittagong n FM Mizanur Rahaman, Chittagong On the first day of 72-hour blockade programme enforced by BNP led 18-party alliance, the pickets put up barricade on the rail tracks by setting fire and placing logs at Ispahani Gate area in the port city, causing disruption in rail schedule that pushed the commuters into immense sufferings.

Train communication remained suspended for one and half hour on different routes with Chittagong, while schedules of different trains were delayed up to seven hours because of the barricade, railway officials said.

AA Samsul Alam, station manager of Chittagong railway station, told Dhaka Tribune no train schedule was cancelled yesterday, however, schedule of different trains were delayed as pickets put barricade on the rail tracks.

Dhaka bound Chattala Express, which was scheduled to leave the station at 9am, left around 11:55am after the rail tracks were cleared, he said, adding that Sylhet bound Paharika left seven and half hours after the schedule.

Earlier, Mahanagar Godhuli and

Mail train from Dhaka got stuck at Faujdarhat Station under because of the barricade, railway officials said.

While visiting the railway station in the afternoon, this correspondent found two foreigners—Fedarico and Ivanco from Italy who came to Bangladesh to spend holidays—waiting for Sylhet bound Paharika Express.

Fedarico said they bought tickets for Sylhet, but they would have to go to Sylhet today as the delay of train schedule foiled their plan for the day.

Ivanco said Bangladeshi people were too patient even after such political instability, adding that they would have gone mad if similar situation prevailed in their country.

Iqbal Hossain, a police constable of Kotwali police station who bought tickets of Mahanagar Probhati, said he along with his wife had been waiting at the station since morning, adding that they cannot but wait as they must had to go to their native home yesterday.

Meanwhile, many passengers returned their tickets because of the schedule disruption and fearing further sufferings on the way. l

A mass of passengers wait for trains to arrive at Kamalapur Railway Station in the capital as train schedule was disrupted because of the countrywide blockade yesterday

Four paddy-laden trucks, Police action sparks RU protest n medicine carrying microbus torched RU Correspondent

n Tribune Report Pro-blockade activists in Rajshahi torched four paddy-laden trucks and a medicine carrying microbus ahead of the 72-hour countrywide blockade that started from 6am yesterday.

Police sources said the vehicles were torched around 4am at Dewanpara on the Dhaka-Rajshahi Highway. However, there was no report of casualty, reports BSS. Abdul Majid, officer-in-charge of Motiher police station, said four

Kusthia-bound trucks carrying paddy and a microbus laden with medicines were burned down after the outfits threw petrol bombs at the vehicles.

The vehicles were torched after opposition supporters blocked the highway with logs. On information, the fire fighters went to the spot and had put out the fire.

Barrister Mahbubur Rahman, commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police, said no more destruction and sabotage would be tolerated centring the blockade. l

Students of Rajshahi University held a demonstration and a sit-in programme yesterday in protest of the allegedly firing rubber bullets and charging baton on them while blocking the DhakaRajshahi highway.

On Friday, the students blocked the highway protesting death of a fellow student in a road crash.

Over a hundred students brought out a procession from Momtaz Uddin arts building around 11am yesterday.

Parading through the campus, they gathered in front of the administration building and staged the sit-in for an hour.

NEWS IN BRIEF Four held with pistol in Chapainawabganj Four people were arrested by Rapid Action Battalion Friday night from a private car with a pistol loaded with three bullets at Shibtala in the district town.

The arrested were Khairul Islam, 36, son of Alimuddin, Mizanur Rahman, 20, son of Aynul in Sona Mosque Baliadighi area, Mominul, 19, son of Taslim of Hadianagar, and Nasir, 26, son of Abdul Latif of Ziarpur area of Shibchar upazila. Lt Hamid, commanding officer of the temporary camp at Shibtala under Chapainawabganj Rab 5, said they searched the private car in front of their camp around 11:30pm.

During the search, the elite force members found the loaded pistol and a magazine wrapped in a muffler. Later, the Rab team arrested the four and seized the vehicle. Khairul claimed that they were going to Chapainawabganj Border Guard Bangladesh headquarters. – UNB

Youth shot by miscreants in Laxmipur A young man was injured in a firing by miscreants at Parbatinagar village in Lakshmipur sadar upazila yesterday morning. The victim was identified as Sujon Das, son of Chittaranjan Chakravarti of the area. Iqbal Hossain, officer-in-charge of Lakshmipur sadar police station, said the gunmen shot Sujon in the legs near his residence around 4am, leaving him severely injured.

Later, he was rushed to Lakshmipur Sadar

Hospital. The reason behind the incident could not be known immediately, the police official added. – UNB

Rajshahi police seized 1kg heroin worth Tk10.5m Police seized 1kg heroin worth around Tk10.5m and arrested three persons in this connection at Ramnagar under Godagari upazila in Rajshahi on Friday evening. Police said the recovered heroin was worth Tk10.5m. The arrestees were Sohel Rana, 23, son of Ataur Rahman of Makohshalbari, Sumon Ali, 18, son of Rafiqul Islam of Baruipara, and Mintu, 22, son of Baset Ali of Ramnagar area of the upazila. Abu Mokaddam Ali, officer-in-charge of Godagari police station, said the drug peddlers were arrested in possession of one kg heroin during a drive in the area around 6pm on Friday. – UNB

Two held with Yaba tablets in Cox’s Bazar Members of Bangladesh Coast Guard arrested two alleged drug paddlers along with contraband Yaba tablets from Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar on Friday night. Acting on a tip-off, a team of the law enforcers conducted a drive at Boraitoli Road in Teknaf upazila around 6:50pm and arrested the duo - Md Shahidul Islam, 20, and Shahidul Islam, 23, of village Del Para in Teknaf - along with 1,400 pieces of Yaba tablets. They were handed over to Teknaf police station. – UNB

Jahan in a road accident in front of the university’s main entrance.

About six students were injured as police fired rubber bullets and charged batons on them, alleged the students.

Sabrina was a second year student of sociology department of the university hailing from Kahalu upazila under Bogra district.

Abdul Mazid, officer-in-charge of Motihar police station told the Dhaka Tribune that police fired rubber bullets on the students to bring the situation under control as the students tried to vandalise vehicles on the road. l

Tech use may increase crop production despite threats n Tribune Report

Smoke comes out of a burnt paddy-laden truck which was torched by pro-blockade activists in Rajshahi early yesterday FOCUS BANGLA

They raised a three-point demand to the university authorities including proper punishment to the law enforcers, deploying traffic police at Binodpur, Kazla and main entrance of the university and constructing traffic bars on Dhaka-Rajshahi highway in front of each gate.

The agitated students called off their sit-in programme as Vice Chancellor of RU Prof Mizanuddin assured them of meeting the demands.

Earlier on Friday, law enforcers fired rubber bullets on the agitated students who put up barricades on Dhaka-Rajshahi highway following the death of one of their fellow students Sabrina

Large-scale adoption and popularisation of the latest technologies among the farmers can further increase crop production at reduced costs to ensure food security despite impacts of a changing climate.

Adoption of conservation agriculture (CA)-based technologies would make farm activities more profitable for the farmers saving environment, ecology, bio-diversity, soil health and fertility, reports BSS. Noted agriculturist and Executive Director of North Bengal Institute of Development Studies Dr Syed Samsuzzaman said adoption of the latest technologies would increase crop yields, save water, facilitate crop intensification and remunerative markets for produce.

He suggested expanded farming of short duration, drought- , saline- and flood- tolerant rice using patterns like rice- wheat-mugbean/jute, rice-potatorelay/maize, rice-vegetables-wheat, and rice-sugarcane with intercrops like garlic, onion/vegetables.

To facilitate the process, he stressed quicker dissemination of the latest technologies among the farmers with increased subsidies for easier procurement of the necessary machineries, inputs, spares and other materials by them.

Dr MA Mazid, associate director of Agriculture of BRAC International (South Asia and Africa), said adoption of latest technologies would reduce crop durations, help pair-row-sugarcane farming with mugbean/chilly intercropping, nutrient and fertiliser managements, drought escaping and cost- saving by reducing labours, fuel

and water.

He narrated how the farmers were already being benefited through using the CA-based minimum tillage or zero tillage, direct seeded rice, bed- planting with two-wheel tractors in light texture soil at different areas amid a changing climate.

Regional Additional Director of the DAE Sikander Ali said crop production cost fell by adopting the CA-based latest technologies including Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation method through public-private and GO- NGO collaborations.

Quick delivery of the latest agritechnologies for system-based crop diversification would help coping with adverse climate change impacts to increase crop production to ensure food security and livelihoods for the people, he said. l

Rely on own climate funds, suggest activists n Abu Bakar Siddique The government should formulate future climate action plan with its own resources and capacity as developed countries undermined the interest of climate vulnerable countries like Bangladesh at the last climate talks in Warsaw, conservationists and civil society members say.

They made the call at a press conference titled “COP19 Outcomes: Interest of Climate Victim Countries are Really Vulnerable” held at the National Press Club, jointly organised by eight civil society networks working on climate change.

The Climate Vulnerable Countries (CVCs) have gained very little at the 19th Conference of Parties (COP19) as the developed countries which are the largest greenhouse gas emitters and responsible for global warming did not cooperate, said Syed Aminul Haque of Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) in his keynote speech.

Bangladesh should not wait for some million dollars of aid where the country has more than Tk15bn in remit-

tance. It should design its own national climate plan for the future in line with the national five-year plan, he added.

Bangladesh and the other least developed countries (LDCs) have faced strong opposition from developed countries along with the recently formed likeminded developing countries (LMDC) that includes India, China and Australia at the climate negotiations, said Dr Ahsan Uddin Ahmed, executive director of Centre for Global Change.

“They just obstructed the climate talks at every step and pushed down the international loss and damage mechanism issue, which is a long expected demand of the LDCs and vulnerable countries, towards an uncertainty,” he said.

Dr Ahsan is also a panel scientist of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

He said the developed countries were offering just $100m against the promised $100b as compensation for global warming in the adaptation fund.

Other members of the networks are Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihood (CSRL), Centre for Global Change

(CGC), Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa), Bangladesh Indigenous People’s Network for Climate Change and BioDiversity (BIPNetCCBD), Climate Change Development Forum (CCDF), Climate Finance Governance Network (CFGN), and Coastal Development Partnership (CDP).

Among others, Dr Abdul Matin, Bapa general secretary, and Md Golam Mortuza, editor of the weekly Shaptahik, also spoke at the programme.

The government established Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund in 200910 fiscal with its own fund. Currently the fund has $340m. The government has already allocated $190.78m for 139 government and 63 non-government projects.

According to Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2009, the country needs $1b to carry out adaptation measures each year. The government set up Bangladesh Climate Change Resilience Fund with the contribution of the developed nations.

Out of its $170m fund, $146.19m has been allocated for 11 projects while the country received commitments of only $594m. l

FOCUS BANGLA

Eleven pushed into Bangladesh by BSF n Tribune Report Gomostapur police had arrested 11 people, who were pushed into Bangladesh by the Indian Border Security Force through Bangabari border under Gomostapur upazila of Chapainawabganj yesterday night.

Police detained them at Naderabad area under Alinagar union of Gomostapur upazila around 8am, officer-incharge of Gomostapur police station said.

When contacted, Lieutenant Colonel Abu Jafar, commanding officer of 43 battalion of Border Guard Bangladesh in Naogaon, said after primary interrogation they came to know that these people went to India in search of job through Hilli border with the help of a broker in August, 2011 and were arrested by Indian police.

They were jailed on different terms and on completion of their imprisonment they were released from Bahrampur jail in Murshidabad of West Bengal on Friday and were handed over to Malda BSF headquarters.

As BSF pushed them into Bangladesh instead of handing them over to BGB in a proper way, the BGB asked for a Company Commander level flag meeting. l

Admission in Barisal public schools today n Our Correspondent, Barisal Admission spree in two public schools in Barisal starts from today. The two secondary public schools in the city are Government Zilla School for boys and Government Sadar School for girls.

Papiya Jesmin, assistant headmaster of Zilla School and Mahbuba Begum, headmaster of Sadar Girls School, said starting from today, the application forms will be distributed until December 9.

The admission seekers have to buy the forms at Tk100 each.

Filled-in admission forms are to be submitted in between December 2-9 at the respective institutions. l

Spice Chicken starts from Panthapath

n Tribune Desk

Mohammad Food and Allieds have inaugurated “Spice Chicken”, a new fried chicken brand in the capital’s Panthapath road on Friday.

Managing Director of Mohammad Food and AlliedsSayeed Ahmed inaugurated the sole branch of Spice Chicken in the presence of the organisation’s Director Anowara Begum Rina and Director of SM Knit Wear Limited Dr Mariam ZamanShekha.

During the programme, Chairman of Mohammad Food and Allieds Syed AK Anowaruzzaman said Spice Chicken had been inaugurated with an aim to fulfil theabsence of quality fried chicken items in the market alongside creating a huge scope of employment. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Juba League leader found dead in Comilla n UNB

Blockade frustrates vegetable growers n Our Correspondent, Lalmonirhat Thousands of vegetable growers in Lalmonirhat have been forced to sell their produces below production costs as those got perished due to lack of transportation during the opposition’s countrywide blockade programme.

Officials at the Lalmonirhat Department of Agriculture Extension said this year different vegetables were cultivated in 18,000 hectares of land at five upazilas of the district.

Growers claimed that the prices came down to half than in usual times.

Cauliflower was being sold at Tk500550 per maund instead of Tk1,100; brinjal at Tk400-450 against Tk1,000; bean at Tk600-650 against Tk1,200; and radish at Tk160-200 whereas the usual price is Tk500-550, growers say.

Solaiman Ali, a farmer, said: “I spent Tk750 to produce one maund of cauliflower and sold at Tk510 during the blockade days.”

Vegetable trader Shamim Hossain at Goshala Bazar, one of the largest vegetable markets in the district, said vegetable growers were not getting fair price during the blockade as they could not send vegetables to the capital and other parts of the country for lack of transport facilities.

Lalmonirhat sadar upazila Agriculture Officer Mohammad Nuruzzaman said the vegetable growers made expected profit every year, “but this time they had to incur losses because of hartals and blockades.” l

A local Juba League leader was found dead on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway at Raipur in Daudkandi upazila early yesterday.

The deceased was identified as Miraj Khandakar, a leader of the Poura unit Juba League.

Locals spotted the body and informed the police, who recovered it around 2:30am.

Abu Foysal, officer-in-charge of Daudkandi police station, said the body bore injury marks on the head, adding that the reason behind the death could not be known immediately.

Police suspected that Miraj might have been killed over previous enmity as he was the plaintiff of his brother and Awami League leader Milon Khandakar killing case.

Subarna Khandakar Sharmin, wife of Miraj, alleged that miscreants killed her husband in a planned way.

She also said Miraj along with his associate Helal was going to Chandina riding a motorcycle on Friday night.

Later, police detained Helal from a local hospital for interrogation.

Helal claimed that Miraj was killed in a road accident as a truck hit his motorcycle. l

Two killed as villagers clash in Magura n UNB Two people were killed in a clash between two rival groups at Manikgram village in sadar upazila over establishing dominance in the area on Friday.

The dead Farid, 23, was son of Mohammad Ali and Hirok, 28, was son of Aliar Mandal of the village.

Majed, sub-inspector of Sadar police station, said Khalil Mandal and Bachchu Biswas of the village had been at loggerheads for long over different issues to establish dominance in the area. At 2pm on Friday, supporters of the two rivals had an altercation and at one stage locked in chase and counter-chase.

As a sequel to it, around 7pm, both the groups equipped with lethal weapons locked in a clash which lasted for an hour, injuring 10 people, including Farid and Hirok.

Later, Farid was rushed to the sadar hospital where he succumbed to his injuries in the evening and Hirok to Faridpur Medical College Hospital where he died at night.

Additional police forces were deployed in the area to avoid further trouble. l

Potters are preparing clay-pots in Chapainawabganj’s Baroghoriya area. Plastic and silver accessories in the market have reduced the demand of these clay-pots, which was used in almost every house of Chapainawabganj even just two decades ago. The photo was taken recently FOCUS BANGLA

Boro procurement target fails Only three tonnes purchased in the last seven months in Gaibandha “However, due to presence of moissharply during the harvesting period. n Our Correspondent, Gaibandha theirThecrop.

The price increased later and each ture in the yield, it was not possible to farmers, however, alleged that The food department has failed to achieve its target for Boro procurement in the district this year as officials in charge of the purchase cited presence of moisture in the paddy.

Between May and November, the department purchased only three tonnes of Boro from the farmers. As a result, the money allotted for the purchase would be sent back to the ministry concerned, sources said.

The government targeted to purchase a total of 3,929 tonnes of Boro from farmers and dealers directly through 11 purchasing centres in the current season.

The price for each kilogram of paddy was fixed at Tk18.50, and the objective of the procurement drive was to help the growers to get a fair price against

the food department officers of the respective purchasing centres were indifferent and seemed not interested to purchase paddy from the farmers directly, showing moisture as an excuse.

Many farmers went to the purchasing centres with their harvest expecting to get a fair price. However, the purchasing officers denied the growers saying the quantity of moisture in their paddy was very high.

Forcing the growers to sell each maund (37.324kgs) of paddy in the local markets for Tk480-500 during the harvesting season.

Momtazur Rahman, a farmer from Barobaldia village under Sadar upazila said, he could not recoup the production cost of Boro paddy let alone profit, as the price of the crop came down

Harvest of T-Aman paddy progressing fast n BSS

Harvest of transplanted Aman (T-Aman) paddy, a high valued crop, has been progressing fast in all the seven upazilas in the district during the current season.

Office sources said Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) set a target to cultivate T-Aman paddy on a total of 1,22, 227 hectares of land in the district this year with the production target of 4,64,000 tonnes of paddy.

Later, the target fixed by the department was exceeded and as many as 1,28,000 hectares of land with additional 5,773 hectares were brought under the farming due to favorable climatic condition during the current season.

7

Sunday, December 1, 2013

To make the cultivation programme a grand success, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation and Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) distributed high quality Aman seed to the farmers of the district at fair prices.

Besides, different state runs commercial banks including Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB) disbursed agri loans on easy terms to the poor and marginal farmers of the district to help them cultivate T-Aman paddy on their land this season, sources said.

Crops production specialist of DAE Golam Mostafa said favourable climatic condition, proper distribution of high quality seed by BADC and BMDA and timely supply of fertilizers and other agri inputs to the growers are the rea-

sons for getting desired production of the crop.

Apart from this, DAE also provided training programmes to the farmers for adopting modern technologies of paddy cultivation, crop management and preservation of quality seeds, said Zulfiqer Ali Haider, district training officer of DAE. M Amir Ali, an ideal farmer of Putimari area under Muktinagar union of Shaghata upazila in the district, said all the farmers were expecting bumper production of Aman paddy this year due to favourable climatic conditions and availability of agro inputs at fair prices.

Talking to the BSS deputy director of DAE Mir Abdur Razzak said 25% harvest of the paddy had already been completed. l

Potuakhali farmers busy sending their Aman paddy to different parts of the country. This year farmers of Kalapara coastal area have got a bumper production of this breed. The photo was taken from Baliyatoli recently FOCUS BANGLA

Maund was sold at Tk850-900, but the growers could not avail the opportunity as almost all the farmers had sold their products at low prices during the harvesting period to bear family expense and pay off bank loans.

Food department officers were not interested to purchase paddy from the farmers directly, showing moisture as an excuse District Controller of Food M Saiful Islam said: “All purchasing officers were instructed to buy paddy from the growers directly as per guidelines of the government to help them ensure fair price against the crop.”

purchase paddy from the farmers, who could not dry their crop on a concrete yard (Chatal) in the sun properly,” he said.

He said high-moisture paddy would have become unusable if stored in warehouses for later consumption.

Asked, why the paddy was not purchased from the dealers of the department the district controller of food said the dealers could not supply the paddy to the department because of higher price in the local markets than the rate fixed by the government.

In reply to another question, Islam admitted the failure of paddy procurement target this year and said the department had purchased only three tonnes of paddy from the farmers of the district so far and the allotted money would have to be sent to the ministry. l

Rangpur farmers expecting record T-Aman production n Tribune Report A record production of Transplanted Aman (T-Aman) rice is likely this season as the farmers have completed its 63% harvest so far and got excellent yield rate in the country’s food granary of northern region.

According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources, framers have so far achieved average yield rate of T-Aman rice between 2.75 and 3.05 tonne per hectare, which is higher than the fixed per hectare yield rate of 2.63 tonne rice for this season.

The farmers have so far completed harvest of the crop on about 1.1m hectares land, which is over 63% of the totally cultivated land area till Friday in the region.

The DAE has fixed a target of producing round 4.6m tonne Aman rice from 1.7m hectares land and farmers have cultivated the crop in 1.8m hectares exceeding the fixed farming target by 75,915 hectares or 4.34% in the region this season.

Horticulture specialist of the DAE Khandker Md Mesbahul Islam said the harvest might complete by the mid-December and overall T-Aman rice production might exceed the fixed production target by even three lakh tonne rice in the region.

Talking to BSS, Deputy Director of the DAE Feroz Ahmed said the crop harvest has been continuing in full swing now forecasting bumper production with superb yield rate.

As per the fixed farming target, 1.6m hectares of land were to be brought under cultivation of high yielding variety

T-Aman rice, 100,026 hectares under local variety and 16,327 hectares under hybrid variety rice in the region this year.

However, farmers have cultivated high yielding variety of the crop on around 1.6m hectares of land, local variety on 100,016 hectares and hybrid variety T-Aman on 17,654 hectares land this season in the region.

Talking to BSS, farmers Mobarak Hossain, Echahaq Ali, Harunur Rashid, Mohabbat Khan and Sunil Chandra Barman said they have already completed their Aman crop and got excellent yield rates this season.

They requested the government for ensuring fair price through procuring Aman paddy directly from the farmers at higher rates instead of direct rice procurement from the millers.

They suggested for supplying the directly procured paddy from the farmers to the rice mill owners millers for crushing those at reasonable crushing rate per tonne before marketing those side by side making government stocks.

They also asked for supplying the crushed rice from the rice mills to local markets at subsidized rates to have government control on the rice market to ensure well-being of the farmers as well as common people.

Regional Additional Director of the DAE Sikander Ali also predicted a super bumper production of T-Aman crop this season in the region as its harvest is nearing completion successfully amid favourable climatic condition. l

Satkhira Journo hurt in JamaatShibir attack n UNB The district correspondent of the daily Manabzamin was injured in an attack

by Jamaat-Shibir men at Debnagar Charbatala in Satkhira sadar upazila early yesterday.

The victim Yarab Hossain, 45, is also the joint general secretary of Satkhira Press Club.

Witnesses said activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir intercepted Yarab in the area around 1:30am and beat him with iron rods, while he was going to the district town by a motorcycle.

The attackers also stabbed the journalist indiscriminately, leaving him critically injured, witnesses added.

Later, he was rushed to Satkhira Sadar Hospital. l

Chittagong rail link with Dhaka, Sylhet restored n Tribune Report Rail communications on the Dhaka-Chittagong and Chittagong-Sylhet routes were restored nearly four hours after the pro-blockade activists halted the service by putting barricade on the rail tracks in the port city yesterday.

S M Murad Hossain, divisional railway manager (eastern zone), said the rail services on the routes were restored around 11am after the tree logs were removed from the rail tracks, reports UNB. Earlier, rail communications on the routes came to a halt as blockade activists put up barricades on rail tracks around 7am on the first day of the opposition alliance’s 72-hour blockade.

Police said some activists had barricaded at Ispahani crossing in the city by putting tree logs on the rail tracks, halting train movement in the morning.

Two trains got stuck on different points of the port city due to the blockade.

The BNP-led 18-party alliance enforced the 72-hour nationwide blockade from 6am yesterday demanding cancellation of the election schedule and arranging the polls under a non-partisan administration. l

Body found with throat slit in Sylhet n UNB, Sylhet Police recovered the body of a man at Sonapur in Biswanath upazila on Friday afternoon.

The identity of the deceased could not be ascertained immediately.

Rafiqul Hossain, officer-in-charge of Biswasnath police station, said locals spotted the man’s body with the throat slashed in a paddy field of the area around 1:30pm on Friday and informed police.

Later, police recovered the body and sent it to Osmani Medical College Hospital for an autopsy.

The police said the body of the unidentified man had several injury marks. l

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Rescuers seek trapped victims after helicopter crashes into pub

Egyptian deputy PM calls for review of protest law

n AFP, Glasgow

A top Egyptian official has criticised a controversial new protest law that bans all unauthorised demonstrations, saying it should be reviewed, London-based pan-Arabic newspaper Asharq Al Awsat reported Saturday.

Ziad Bahaa Eldin, a deputy prime minister in Egypt’s military-installed government, said he hoped that a consensus could still be reached on the law that has angered secular and pro-democracy activists.

“I personally was not satisfied from the start, and I still have reservations about this law, the way it was proposed and discussed and its timing,” Bahaa Eldin said in an interview with the newspaper. Bahaa Eldin, a well-known business lawyer and economist who became a deputy prime minister after the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July, has emerged as the face of liberal democrats within the cabinet.

His criticism is the first made by a top government official about the law, which the interior ministry has vowed to fully enforce.

“There must be consensus, and it would not be wrong to look again at the law that has triggered protests. It would not be wrong to see what can be done to have a consensus” on it, Bahaa Eldin said.

Last Sunday, Egypt’s interim president Adly Mansour approved the controversial law that requires organisers to seek authorisation three days ahead

Scottish emergency services raced Saturday to rescue people trapped in the unstable wreckage of a Glasgow pub after a police helicopter crashed into the building, causing numerous casualties including probable fatalities.

The chopper smashed through the roof of the crowded Clutha Pub, where more than 100 revellers had been listening to a band on Friday night ahead of St Andrews Day, which celebrates Scotland’s patron saint.

Witnesses said the helicopter with two police officers and a civilian pilot on board dropped like a stone, while people inside the pub heard a whoosh before the roof caved in and the air filled with dust and screams. Firefighters said they had made “some contact” with an unknown number of people in the wreckage of the one-storey building, which was “very unstable.”

“It’s a case of working hard within the building to try and determine how many casualties are there,” Fire brigade officer Lewis Ramsay told reporters.

“We are determined that we are going to get the building stable and we will be in there to carry out those rescued.”

Ramsay said the 125 firefighters at the scene had “rescued numerous casualties” who had “multiple types of injuries.”

Thirty-two people have been sent to

Armenian monastery finds unlikely saviour in Arab sheikh

Police officers, firefighters inspect the damage of a helicopter crash at a pub in Glasgow AP hospitals across Glasgow, police said in a statement on Saturday.

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond – who just days earlier was celebrating the release of a legal blueprint for independence – sadly confirmed that a police helicopter had been involved in the “tragic accident.”

“Given an incident of this scale we must all prepare ourselves for the likelihood of fatalities,” he said.

An AFP photographer at the scene said the helicopter appeared to have smashed through the top of the single-storey pub on the banks of the River Clyde, with a

rotor blade sticking out of the roof.

Police officer Rose Fitzgerald said it was too early to say why the Eurocopter EC135 helicopter crashed.

“A full investigation is now underway however at this early stage it is too early to provide details on why the helicopter came down,” she said.

“Thirty-two people have been taken to hospitals across Glasgow following the incident on Friday night when a Police Scotland helicopter came down on the roof of a busy city centre pub,” police said in a statement.

Witnesses told of confusion, terror

and then bravery after the accident.

Grace MacLean, who was inside the pub at the time of the crash, told BBC News that the revellers were listening to a Ska band at the time. The band, Esperanza, later said on their Facebook page that they were all well.

Jim Murphy, a Labour party member of parliament and spokesman for international development, told the BBC he was driving through the area shortly after the incident.

“I jumped out and tried to help. There were people with injuries. Bad gashes to the head. Some were unconscious. I don’t know how many,” he said.

“The helicopter was inside the pub.

It’s a mess. I could only get a yard or two inside. I helped carry people out.”

The pub is near Glasgow Central Mosque, the largest Muslim place of worship in Scotland. The mosque said it would make its premises and volunteers available to help if needed. Gordon Smart, editor of the Scottish edition of Rupert Murdoch’s Sun newspaper, said he saw the helicopter coming down.

“It was just such a surreal moment.

It looked like it was dropping from a great height at a great speed,” he told Sky News.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said: “My thoughts are with everyone affected by the helicopter crash in Glasgow – and the emergency services working tonight.” l

n AFP, Cairo

Chemical watchdog says US to destroy Syria stockpile at sea

THE OLIVE GARDEN: DRAPED IN COLOUR

n AFP, Haghartsin Monastery

Standing next to a newly refurbished bell tower, priest Aristakes Aivazyan says it needed divine intervention to save Armenia’s medieval Haghartsin monastery.

But it also took a lot of money from a very unlikely benefactor – the Muslim ruler of the resource-rich Arab emirate of Sharjah, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed al-Qasimi.

“I cannot recall anything similar to this happening in our history that some Arab sheikh, a Muslim, helped to restore and rescue an Armenian Christian church,” Aivazyan told AFP. “Without doubt it was God who brought the sheikh to Haghartsin,” the priest, dressed in long black robes, said.

Perched spectacularly amid thickly forested mountains about 100 kilometres northeast of Yerevan, Haghartsin monastery is a masterpiece of medieval Armenian ecclesiastical architecture.

In recent years meant the complex looked headed for collapse as plants twisted through walls and cracks threatened to send buildings tumbling.

Nerguizian, a Sharjah-based Armenian businessman refused to say how much the sheikh had given for the refurbishment but local media reported that it could be around $1.7 million.l

Victims fear release of Spain rapists, killers under rights law

n AFP, Barcelona

Spanish courts are releasing serial rapists and killers under a European human rights ruling, terrifying their victims as authorities warn the convicts risk reoffending.

The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg last month overruled a Spanish doctrine that let judges effectively prolong the jail terms of the most serious offenders.

As well as freeing dozens of convicted members of the Basque armed separatist movement ETA – enraging victims’ families – the ruling has led to the release of notorious serial rapists and killers.

Among them is Manuel Gonzalez, known as the “madman in the tracksuit,” who was jailed in 1997 for raping 16 women between 1991 and 1993 and killing one of them.

“The problem is not only that the victims feel uneasy, but that it puts all women in danger,” said Maria Jose Varela, lawyer for one of Gonzalez’s victims.

The European court said Spain had acted illegally by denying certain prisoners shortened sentences for good behaviour.

Gonzalez was sentenced to 169 years in jail in 1997 for the string of assaults in which he would attack his victims from behind with a knife.

He was released from jail in Barcelona last week after serving 20 years.l

of any planned demonstration. Permission can be denied if the event is deemed as a threat to national security.

To the anger of secularists who supported the ouster of Morsi by the army in July, police have cracked down against all demonstrations, not just pro-Morsi protests staged by his Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists.

Activists say the ban is hypocritical, as the army justified its ouster of Morsi as a response to mass demonstrations against his turbulent year in power.

Pro-democracy groups have been particularly incensed by the arrest on Thursday of Alaa Abdel Fattah, a prominent activists critical of Morsi who was detained during the 30-year rule of Hosni Mubarak. The United States has also expressed concern about the “troubling effects” of the law.

“We reiterate the concerns we share with civil society representatives inside Egypt that the demonstrations law is restrictive and does not meet international standards,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Friday.

“Limiting freedom of assembly, association and expression will not move Egypt’s political transition forward.”

Analysts say the interim authorities were wrong to pass the law, especially since the revised constitution would guarantee freedom of expression.

A 50-member panel drafting a new constitution is to begin voting later Saturday on the final document, which will be put to a referendum. l

n AFP, The Hague

Multicolored nets are set under olive trees to collect the olives on November 27, in Castagniers, southeastern France

Police forcefully break up demonstration in Kiev n AP, Kiev Police in the Ukrainian capital broke up a large anti-government demonstration in the city centre before dawn Saturday, swinging truncheons and injuring many.

The riot police used tear gas when they dispersed the crowd of about 400 protesters who were demanding the resignation of President Viktor Yanukovych, demonstrators said. Some at Independence Square were seen bleeding from their heads and arms.

The crowd was the remains of a Friday night rally that attracted some 10,000 people protesting Yanukovych’s decision not to sign a long-anticipated association agreement with the European Union.

It was not clear why police took action when they did. But speakers at the rally had called for another large gathering on Sunday, raising the prospect of a wave of protests extending into a second week.

“It was horrible. We were holding a peaceful demonstration and they attacked us,” said Lada Tromada. “They threw us away like garbage.” Police moved in on the demonstration at about 4:30am, said one of its organisers, Sergei Milnichenko.

There was no immediate information on how many demonstrators were injured or whether there were any arrests.

Protests had been held in Kiev over the past week since Yanukovych

backed away from the EU agreement.

It was to have been signed Friday at an EU summit in the capital of Lithuania, and the passing of that date sparked an especially large turnout of protesters.

Yanukovych abruptly changed course for integration with the EU last week when his government announced it was suspending preparations for signing the agreement. The move angered many in Ukraine, where nearly half of

the population of around 45 million favours closer ties with the EU. Yanukovych argued that Ukraine can’t afford to sacrifice trade with Russia, which regards Ukraine as historically part of its orbit and has tried to block the deal by banning some of Ukraine’s imports and threatening more trade sanctions. A 2009 dispute between Kiev and Moscow on gas prices resulted in a threeweek cutoff of gas to Ukraine. l

AFP

WORLD WATCH Shark attack kills teenager in Australia

A teenager died after being attacked by a shark in Australia on Saturday, police said, one week after a surfer was fatally mauled in the nation’s west. New South Wales police said they were called to a beach near Coffs Harbour, about 450 kilometres north of Sydney, after reports of a shark attack. “A man, believed to be aged 18, was body boarding with friends around 100 metres off shore when he was bitten on the legs by what is believed to be a shark,” police said in a statement. “His friends managed to get him to the beach where he was treated by paramedics. He was pronounced dead a short time later.” An ambulance spokeswoman said the victim had severe leg injuries, but he is understood to have died from a traumatic cardiac arrest following the attack.

Topless barber charged with unlicensed cosmetology

Injured protesters receive medical help in ambulance after Ukrainian riot police broke up a rally demanding the resignation of President Viktor Yanukovych, at the Independence Square in downtown Kiev, Ukraine AP

The United States will destroy the most dangerous of Syria’s chemical weapon stockpile on a ship at sea, the world’s chemical watchdog said on Saturday.

“The neutralisation operations will be conducted on a US vessel at sea using hydrolysis,” the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said in a statement.

“Currently a suitable naval vessel is undergoing modifications to support the operations and to accommodate verification activities by the OPCW,” The Hague-based watchdog added.

The ship operation will destroy what is known as “priority chemical weapons,” the most dangerous of Syria’s total arsenal and ones that have to be out of the country by December 31 under an international deal agreed to avert military strikes on Damascus.

OPCW spokesman Michael Luhan on Saturday declined to name the vessel to be used.

OPCW member states have been thrashing out the details of how to destroy Damascus’s arsenal ahead of the watchdog’s annual meeting set to start on Monday. A final plan for the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons – on land or at sea – is due to be approved by December 17. l

A woman who allegedly offered topless hairstyling services in northern Colorado faces criminal charges. But police say the problem isn’t cutting hair without a top.

It’s cutting hair without a license. The Longmont Times-Call reports 46-year old Suzette Hall was arrested Wednesday night on suspicion of practicing cosmetology without a license. Hall’s former partner says she advertised $45 topless haircuts online.

According to the arrest warrant, the former partner called police about the topless styling because she “did not believe this was safe or proper.” Police weren’t able to turn up any Craigslist ads. Hall’s ex-husband told police she set up shop in Loveland and offered services as “Rebel Barber.” He told police she applied for “a nude license for hairstylists,” but no such license exists.

In Argentina, pregnant groom weds in a legal first

The bride was born a man. The groom was born a woman. And when the Argentine couple wed Friday, it was the first time here that a groom tied the knot pregnant. Argentina in 2010 was the first country in Latin America to allow same-sex marriage. And two years later, it passed a law allowing transsexuals to get national IDs listing the gender with which they identify themselves.

So when Karen Bruselario wed Alexis Taborda in the northeastern city of Victoria, it was another big step on their journey together after meeting in Buenos Aires as activists for transsexual and transgender rights.

Woman arrested in France suspected of daughter’s death

A woman arrested in France on Friday was being detained as part of a murder investigation into the death of a toddler suspected to be her daughter, prosecutors said. The unidentified woman was apprehended in the eastern Paris suburb of Saint-Mande after a public appeal for her whereabouts following the November 20 discovery of the body of the girl on a beach in northern France. The 36-year-old suspect is refusing to talk to police, but DNA tests are under way to identify her, regional assistant prosecutor Nathalie Bagny told AFP. Surveillance video images had shown the woman and the child taking a train from Paris to the coastal town of Berck-sur-Mer on November 19, then the woman returning alone the next day, some hours after the girl’s body was discovered.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Pakistan PM in Kabul to discuss Taliban, energy n AP, Kabul Pakistan’s prime minister said Saturday that the recent release of a senior Taliban leader shows he is committed to helping bring peace to Afghanistan.

Nawaz Sharif said after meeting in Kabul with Afghan President Hamid Karzai that an agreement had been reached for a mechanism to allow members of an Afghan peace council to continue talks with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who was released from Pakistani detention last September. He did not provide details.

The Taliban’s former No 2 was set free after years in detention and some officials hope he can help jumpstart the peace process, while others have their doubts. An Afghan delegation met with him last week, officials said, the first such encounter since his release.

“A few days ago Salahuddin Rabbani, the head of the peace council, visited Pakistan so we once again discussed the peace process,” Karzai said after meeting Sharif. “We discussed how Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States can work together to bring peace to the region.”

Both men made very short remarks after their meeting and provided no other details. Both expressed their general desire for closer ties, trade and

regional peace and agreed to work toward those goals.

Pakistan is beset by its own Taliban insurgency that has claimed the lives of thousands of soldiers and civilians in recent years.

It was Sharif’s first visit to Afghanistan since being elected. Karzai has been pushing Pakistan for help in talking to the Taliban, where of its leaders are thought to be based. Kabul has sought Islamabad’s help to bring the militant group to the table.

Sharif also said they discussed trade and energy issues.

The topics under discussion included a plan to expand an electricity distribution network to ship surplus power from the Central Asian states of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan through Afghanistan and into Pakistan, which suffers massive power shortages that threaten its industrial production and economy.

Another project is a planned natural gas pipeline from Turkmenistan that will pass through Afghanistan to Pakistan and end up in India.

Relations between the two countries have been testy and Afghanistan has often accused Pakistan of aiding Taliban leaders sheltering across the border. Sharif has nonetheless made improving ties with Afghanistan a priority.

Karzai was in Pakistan last August and the two leaders again met in October, where they agreed during a London meeting for Islamabad to allow an Afghan peace delegation to meet with.

Pakistan has released around four dozen Taliban prisoners over the last year in an attempt to help peace talks, but there is no sign they have made any difference.

The Taliban have refused to talk directly with Karzai, his government or its representatives. US-backed talks between Afghanistan and the Taliban failed in June after Karzai accused the militants of setting up a government in exile. The Taliban have since closed their office in the Gulf state of Qatar.

Pakistan has a complicated relationship with the Taliban. Pakistan helped the group seize control of Afghanistan in 1996, and Kabul has repeatedly accused Islamabad of providing the insurgents sanctuary on its territory following the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

The peace talks have also been the focus of recent tensions with the United States. Karzai has demanded that America do more to get them started, and said he will not sign a security agreement allowing thousands of American troops to remain in Afghanistan past 2014 if they do not. l

Police guarding polio team in Pakistan shot dead n AP, Peshawar Police say gunmen have fired on police officers protecting a team of polio workers in northwest Pakistan, killing one and wounding another.

Peshawar police official Naeem Khan Khattak says the two officers came under attack Saturday as they were returning to a police station after doing duty with the polio workers on the outskirts of the city, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

No group claimed responsibility, but militants have killed more than a dozen polio workers and police protecting them over the last year in Pakistan.

They accuse health workers of acting as spies for Washington and claim the vaccine is intended to make Muslim children sterile.

Pakistan is one of only three countries where the virus is still endemic. l

Car bomb near bus stop outside Baghdad kills 4 n AP, Baghdad Iraqi authorities say a car bomb has killed four people near a bus stop in a town just south of Baghdad.

Police officials say the blast happened Saturday morning as commuters waited for a ride in Mahmoudiya, 30 kilometres south of the capital. They say seven were wounded.

Medics in a nearby hospital confirmed the casualty figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media. l

Pakistan promises to help Afghans meet former Taliban chief n Reuters, Kabul Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif promised Afghanistan on Saturday that he would help arrange further meetings between Afghan officials and a former Taliban commander as part of renewed efforts to revive a defunct peace process.

Pakistan announced it would release the insurgent group’s former second-in-command, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, in September. Afghan officials believe he still retains enough influence within the Taliban to help rekindle peace talks.

In a first such meeting, an Afghan delegation travelled to Pakistan about 10 days ago to meet the former commander, who remains under the close supervision of his Pakistani minders.

Sharif, in Kabul on a visit on Saturday, insisted Baradar was free and promised to facilitate further meetings.

“Mullah Baradar has been released.

We have discussed this matter at length today,” Sharif said. “Anybody who is sent ... we will make sure that such meetings take place.”

Baradar’s captivity in Pakistan has been a source of tension as anxiety

grows ahead of the withdrawal of most US-led troops from Afghanistan, planned for the end of next year.

But the Taliban have yet to indicate they would accept the former leader back into the fold, or indeed even talk to him. It was also unclear whether Baradar himself was willing – or even able – to cooperate.

An Afghan official said Baradar appeared to have been sedated and unable to talk during his meeting with representatives of Afghanistan’s High Peace Council in the Pakistani port city of Karachi 10 days ago.

“The Afghan High Peace Council delegation did meet with Mullah Baradar, but in practical terms they discussed nothing because he was drugged and was unable to talk,” the senior Afghan government official said.

Sharif’s pledge followed last month’s breakthrough in negotiations between the two countries that have a long history of distrust along a border stretching more than 2,500 km.

Karzai formed the Afghan High Peace Council in 2010 to pursue a negotiated peace with the Taliban, who have been leading an insurgency since being ousted from power by US-led forces in 2001. l

Indian magazine editor in court over sexual assault case n AFP, Panaji Indian news magazine editor Tarun Tejpal appeared Saturday in court in the holiday state of Goa for a pre-trial hearing on allegations of sexual assault levelled by a woman employee.

The 50-year-old media honcho was accompanied by his wife and daughter as he arrived at a trial court in the city of Panaji, a day after flying in from his home in New Delhi.

Tejpal was seeking so-called “prebail” at the hearing. Under Indian law, an individual can seek pre-trial bail if he fears a possible arrest.

Ahead of his court appearance, Tejpal was questioned by the police over the alleged assault in a hotel elevator in Goa during a magazine-sponsored event earlier this month.

“We have joined the investigation started by the (police) crime branch.

We will continue to do so,” the ponytailed Tejpal, flanked by a team of lawyers, told reporters.

The case has grabbed headlines in recent days mainly because of the prominence of Tejpal and his liberal-oriented magazine, which set a new trend in Indian journalism with its graft exposes and sting operations.

Tejpal, also a famed novelist, has denied rape and said their encounter was consensual. l

China to launch moon rover on Monday n AFP, Beijing

Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko pose for the photographers with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur on their arrival at AFS Palam in New Delhi on Saturday AP

China will launch its first ever moon rover mission on Monday, state media said, as Beijing embarks on the latest stage in its ambitious space programme.

A rocket carrying the vehicle, named “Jade Rabbit” in a nod to Chinese folklore, will blast off at 1:30 am local time (Sunday 1730 GMT). “The Chang’e 3 is set to be launched for its moon mission from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on Dec. 2,” state broadcaster CCTV said on its verified Twitter account on Saturday.

Official news agency Xinhua also confirmed the launch date, citing officials at the satellite launch centre in Sichuan province.

If successful, the launch will mark a major milestone in China’s space exploration programme, which aims to create a permanent space station by 2020 and eventually send someone to the moon. But its technology lags behind the expertise of the United States and Russia.

Beijing sees its military-run space programme as a marker of its rising global stature and growing technological might, as well as the ruling Communist Party’s success in turning around the fortunes of the once poverty-stricken nation.

China has previously sent two probes to orbit the moon, with controllers sending the first of them crashing into the lunar surface at the end of its mission.

Early in November, Beijing offered a rare glimpse into its secretive space programme when it put a model of its six-wheeled moon rover on public display. The rover was later named “Yutu,” or jade rabbit, following an online poll in which more than three million people voted. The name derives from an ancient Chinese myth about a white rabbit that lives on the moon as the pet of Chang’e, a lunar goddess who swallowed an immortality pill.

The rover’s designer, Shanghai Aerospace Systems Engineering Research Institute, claims several technological breakthroughs with the vehicle. The Shanghai-based institute, which is linked to the military, says the advances include its “autonomous” navigation system. l

US forces operating ‘normally’ in China air zone Japan’s imperial couple leaves for official India tour n AFP, Beijing

n AFP, Tokyo Japan’s royal couple left Tokyo for India on Saturday, starting the first-ever official visit there by a Japanese emperor.

“I hope our visit will contribute to further enhancing the understanding and friendship between the two countries which marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations (last year),” Emperor Akihito said at Haneda airport.

Akihito and Empress Michiko are beginning a week-long visit, meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other top officials in New Delhi before flying to the southern city of Chennai.

The trip is the first by any Japanese emperor to India although Akihito, 79, visited there in the early 1960s when he was crown prince.

In a message released earlier this week, the emperor remembered his

last official trip to India that took place in 1960, one year after his marriage.

“I still recall fondly how Their Excellencies President Rajendra Prasad, Vice President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru welcomed us most graciously in Delhi,” he said.

“These leaders had overcome various challenges in leading the country to independence and in the following years since independence.

“I feel it was profoundly meaningful for us to have had the opportunity to meet with these great leaders when we were young – we were still in our mid-twenties then,” he said in the written comment.

Japan’s emperor is the nominal head of state and does not enjoy political powers. But customarily, the emperor’s visit to any country is highly significant and signals a peak in bilateral ties. l

US military chiefs insist they will not change their operations despite a move

by China to scramble fighter jets to monitor American and Japanese aircraft in Beijing’s newly declared air defence zone.

But the State Department said US commercial airlines should observe China’s demand to be given notice of aircraft entering the zone, while stating that compliance “does not indicate US government acceptance of China’s requirements.”

China flew warplanes into its air defence identification zone (ADIZ) on Friday, Chinese state media said, nearly a week after it announced the zone, which covers islands at the centre of a dispute between Beijing and Tokyo, raising regional tensions.

The Xinhua report indicated that Japan and the United States are continuing to disregard China’s demands that aircraft submit flight plans when tra-

Thai protesters padlock state-run offices n AP, Bangkok Anti-government protesters in Thailand placed symbolic padlocks on the doors of several state-run offices Saturday, continuing a weeklong campaign to paralyse the administration of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Authorities, meanwhile, continued their hands-off approach to the protesters in an effort to avoid violence.

The opposition-led protesters have declared that Sunday will be their “victory day,” and have urged followers to ratchet up a weeklong campaign that included seizing the Finance Ministry, turning off power at police headquarters and camping at a sprawling government office complex.

“Tomorrow is the day we will declare victory,” said Akanat Promphan, spokesman for the opposition-led movement. “We might have to break the law, but we will accept the consequences and punishment. We will not run away.”

Amid growing concerns of violence, Saturday’s march started tamely. Protesters marched to the Department of

9

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Anti-government protesters try to remove barbed wire during a rally in front of the Department of Special Investigation in Bangkok, Thailand AP Special Investigation, the country’s equivalent of the FBI. They tried and failed to pick a lock at the front door, so placed their own padlock on it and left.

Their next targets were the nearby headquarters of two state telecommunications agencies, TOT and CAT Telecom, where they also placed padlocks on the doors to block workers from en-

tering Monday morning.

As part of the government’s strategy to avoid confrontation, there was no police presence outside any of the offices, which had regular building security. Officials at TOT greeted the protesters with peace offerings, handing out drinking water and asking them not to enter the buildings.

The opposition-led movement accuses Yingluck of acting as a proxy for her billionaire brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in a 2006 military coup and is living overseas to avoid his sentence for a corruption conviction.

Leaders of the protests say their goal is not just to force Yingluck out of office but to rid the country of Thaksin’s influence. He is a deeply polarising figure, adored by much of Thailand’s rural poor and despised by the educated elite and middle class who accuse him of widespread corruption and other offenses.

The demonstrations have raised fears of new political turmoil and instability in Thailand. A rally planned for later Saturday in Bangkok by Thaksin’s supporters has raised tensions further. Busloads of supporters from the countryside were coming in to join the event being held inside a stadium.

Leaders of the opposition protests said their main targets were reserved for Sunday, including the national police headquarters and the Interior, Foreign and Education Ministries, among others. l

versing the area in the East China Sea or face unspecified “defensive emergency measures.”

“We have flights routinely transiting international airspace throughout the Pacific, including the area China is including in their ADIZ,” Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steve Warren said on Friday. “These flights are consistent with long-standing and well-known US freedom of navigation policies that are applied in many areas of operation around the world. I can confirm that the US has and will continue to operate in the area as normal.”

Compliance by commercial flights “does not indicate US government acceptance of China’s requirements for operating in the newly declared ADIZ,” the State Department said in a statement.

Japanese airlines, under pressure from Tokyo, stopped following China’s new rules on Wednesday, after initially complying. Chinese air force spokesman Shen Jinke earlier said that several combat aircraft were scrambled

to “verify the identities” of US and Japanese aircraft entering the air defence zone, according to Xinhua.

The Chinese planes, which included at least two fighter jets, identified two US surveillance aircraft and 10 Japanese aircraft including an F-15 warplane, Shen said.

Japan and South Korea both said Thursday they had disregarded the ADIZ, showing a united front after US B-52 bombers also entered the area.

Despite the scrambling of jets referred to in China’s state media, Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera on Saturday said there were no “peculiar developments.”

“We do not recognise there have been peculiar developments that we should disclose such as one where aircraft suddenly came close as the Chinese side announced yesterday,” he said.

“We have been making our utmost efforts to be vigilant and we will continue,” he added. l

Pakistan women break new ground at kabaddi world cup n AFP, Lahore Sixteen young Pakistani women will make history this weekend as they compete in the kabaddi world cup – the first time the conservative Muslim country has ever fielded an international women’s team in the sport.

The traditional tag-wrestling sport involves players trying to tag an opponent before making it back to their half of the field.

Kabaddi is hugely popular in the Punjab provinces of India and Pakistan, where it originates, and is played in countries around the world with South Asian populations.

It has traditionally been seen as a macho sport but now Pakistan is sending a women’s team to the November 30-December 14 World Cup in India.

For 24-year-old Sayeda Fareeda Khanum, who comes from a conservative, religious family where she fought for years to be allowed to compete in sports, it is a dream come true.

Khanum, the team’s best defender, spoke to AFP between sessions in a tough fitness workout at Lahore’s Punjab stadium.

“Getting the national colours was my childhood dream. I am going to India to make a do-or-die battle for my nation and prove that Pakistani girls can do whatever women do in other countries,” she said.

India and Pakistan, neighbours and ferocious sporting rivals, have met in two of the three men’s world cup finals held so far, with India prevailing both times.

The women are determined to succeed where their male counterparts have failed.

Having decided to build the women’s team, the authorities wrote to top sports organisations and educational institutions, collecting a group of girls coming from diverse sporting backgrounds.

It has not been an easy task for the support staff to get the team together and direct their potential.

Head coach Ghulam Abbas Butt said he was confident the women’s team would live up to their promise.

The Pakistan women face England, Mexico and Denmark in their pool matches while arch rivals India play the United States, Kenya and New Zealand. l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Letters to

www.dhakatribune.com

the Editor

LETTER OF THE DAY

RMG fires need to be investigated

W

orkers allegedly set fire to three buildings of an RMG factory yesterday following rumours of the death of two fellow employees. Reports indicate that a 10-story building and two six-storey buildings were completely destroyed as the fire raged on for over 13 hours.

The total damage cannot yet be estimated.

Garment factory fires have been occurring in Bangladesh with alarming frequency, and more often than not, the root cause remains unexplained.

The BGMEA has called the latest fire at Standard Group an act of sabotage and has pointed at workers and trade Garment factory fires unions as being groups with an have been occurring interest in torching the factory. in Bangladesh with As such incidents have bealarming frequency, come commonplace in Banglaand more often than desh, we urge the government not, the root cause to conduct proper investiremains unexplained gations to get to the bottom of these crimes. Rumours abound as to the actual reasons behind the arson attacks, but in the case of fires that were deliberate and not accidents, the criminality behind the actions must be made transparent.

The RMG sector is one of our most important industries and is currently our greatest earner of foreign currency. The recurrence of such fires causes tremendous damage to the sector, not only in terms of loss of life and property, but also for our image in the global arena.

The government must carry out investigations into all these fires, and provide answers clearer than the ones we currently have.

Increase awareness to fight AIDS

I

t is welcome news that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is to introduce a free health service for HIV/AIDS patients at the five medical college-hospitals in Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Sylhet and Rajshahi.

This increase in the level of free services should provide more HIV-positive patients with access to the advances in care and antiretroviral treatments which are now available to improve their quality of life.

Although the overall prevalence of HIV is thought to be relatively low in the country there is no room for complacency. Ignorance and social stigma means that the level of the disease may still be underThe 25th World AIDS reported and at risk groups in Day on December 1 particular, such as young peoshould be used as an ple and intravenous drug users opportunity to further may not be taking advantage improve public health of basic precautions like condoms and clean needles. education The 25th World AIDS Day on December 1 should be used as an opportunity to further improve public health education to move towards its stated goal of ‘’Getting to Zero.’’

Much can be achieved through the types of awareness raising initiatives being supported by The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, in order to eliminate the ignorance and risks that spread the disease.

Advocacy and awareness raising amongst parents, policy makers and religious leaders is as an important part of this programme as the targeting of information and services towards vulnerable at-risk groups. It is essential to continue working with this type of co-ordinated approach to ensure that the spread of AIDS is reduced and patients are treated better.

CROSSWORD

Bangladesh makes moderate progress on regional scale

What’s in a name?

It’s no progress at all compared to other regions. We must have political stability to attain 8-9% GDP growth. Then the progress will be substantial. surjo dipto

Anjan Kumar Deb Why can’t they “be” the “way” God made them?

November 24

COP19 sees ‘compromised’ decisions at extra time November 24

At COP15, an IPPC scientist said at 2 degrees rise in temperature, the poor, the vulnerable and disenfranchised would not survive; at 1.5 degrees, they might. After the failure of COP 19, will future generations survive?

It is unconscionable the way some countries disregard the pleas of low-lying states, and discount the scientific evidence submitted by the IPCC, WMO, and others.

G77 states should take the major greenhouse gas-emitting states to International Court of Justice for defying the precautionary principle and science, for ignoring the principle of common and differentiated responsibility, and for violating Article 2 of the UNFCCC. When the United States and their friends obstruct and consensus fails, they should have had a fall back on 75% support to obtain legally binding reduction obligations for developed countries (50% below 1990 by 2015).

At every climate change conference, the question is posed: “Where will we get the funds to address the urgency of climate change?” One answer is to end fossil fuel subsidies and invest in renewable socially equitable and environmentally sound energy. Another answer is to reallocate global military expenses.

Not only does militarism divert funds from climate justice but also militarism is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

Joan Russow

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November 28

A 16-day international campaign is being organised yearly, from November 25 to December 10, which started from 1991, by taking the initiative of the UN to eliminate all sorts of torture against women; in this, Bangladesh has also joined in.

This year’s theme is “Achieving peace and justice to build torture free family and society.”

Many GOs and NGOs of Bangladesh will also take part. But what has our achievement been in this regard?

The torture of women and girls have increased manifold in our society and in some cases dangerously and unbearably, as the following examples illustrate.

Raping women and girls in moving buses and, soon after, throwing the victims from buses have become common. Year round, many innocent girls and women gotten trapped in prostitution. Girls are not safe on university campuses.

Once, acid throwing was quite common, but after a new law was enacted, instances of acid throwing significantly reduced. Eve-teasing, or harassment, remains a big problem, however. New brides also report being tortured by their mothers-in-law, and maids as well by their female employers.

Moreover, women and girls in our society receive lower salaries in areas made up of predominately female workers: garment workers, primary schools and secondary school teachers.

I would like to request the authorities concerned to introduce a topic early on at school to teach students to learn about and respect girls and women, and be generous to them.

Mawduda Hasnin Rajshahi

Ahmed Azwad Imtiaz Then why can’t people who have in-born defects like those who are born without hands or legs be left to be as they are? I see many parents put in thousands of taka just to give their kid a better chance at life, so yeah, hijras need sex change surgery.

Anjan Kumar Deb This is a legal recognition of their physical status.

It’s not a life threatening condition. Even curative surgery can’t be done without the consent of the patient. Do religions recognise only two sexes?

What is the sex of the soul?

Sanjida Afrin Sanju They didn’t choose this life; they were born like this. So, we should at least respect them as humans which is really all they need.

Sheikh Habib It’s a good decision that the government has taken.

P Adhikary On a different note, I think, as long as one is not using the word as slang or to demean/insult anyone, it’s no problem calling them by that name.

As my experience says, they don’t mind the name we call them; rather, it is our poor behaviour that hurts them. Moreover, Hijra is the word everyone uses and is familiar with. Changing the name with the help of a law and all is less important than taking proper measures to merge them within the so-called mainstream. Thanks. rutland waters All that being said, however, when they terrorise people on the streets, they should be treated just like any other criminals.

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Torture against girls can be eliminated through education

November 25

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS Crossword

Sudoku

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

Keep the children out of it

A better education n MH Bari

R

RAJIB DHAR

D

n Mohammed Norul Alam Raju uring the last US election, Isaac Anthony, a six-yearold, published a video where he said: “I’m here to tell you the top 10 reasons not to vote for Obama.” Number 10 was: “He takes money from people who work hard and he gives it to people who don’t work at all.”

The boy goes on to suggest, among other things, that Obama wants to take guns away from the good guys, is not proud of America, and bows down to leaders from other countries. “And number one: nobody knows where he came from,” he concludes, pointing to a world map on the wall. Critics of the video say the boy’s parents and other agents are using him as a mouthpiece for things he doesn’t even understand.

On the morning of May 5, my wife and I were aware of the schedule of Hefazat-e Islam’s demonstration, which had been announced earlier, but I will never forget the scene. Thousands of supporters had taken position on the roads. Most of the supporters were young boys of less than 20 years. Most of these boys came from different corners of the country, from Qawmi madrasa backgrounds, and most of them did not know why they were there.

On October 15, the Coalition of NGOs for the Protection of the Rights of Children in Kosovo (KOMF) issued a public statement calling on local institutions and political entities to stop using children in their campaign activities. The KOMF stated:

“Based on available information and field reports, we understand that by holding their electoral activities in school premises, besides impeding the regular education process, the political parties are also using children to promote their political platforms and candidates.”

Across the globe, the use of children in political campaigns is not uncommon. In recent days, the trend has increased alarmingly. Children are used for election rallies, distribution of materials, street campaigns etc.

affect them. Adults should do what is best for children, and think about how their decisions will affect children.

The government has a responsibility to make sure children’s rights are respected, protected and fulfilled. The 2011 National Children’s Policy of Bangladesh clearly states that children should not be used in political activities.

However, the rights of children are not being respected. With instances of children being used in various activities by political parties during election campaigns, the National Commission

Children are used as picketers during strikes where mostly slum and street children are exploited. Using children for election work is clearly a violation of their rights

In Bangladesh, children are used as picketers during strikes where mostly slum and street children are exploited.

Using children for election work is clearly a violation of their rights.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which has been ratified by Bangladesh, states under Article 36 that: “Children should be protected from any activity that could harm their development.”

The UNCRC also states that the government should protect them from work that is dangerous, or might harm their health or their education. The best interests of children must be the primary concern in decisions that may

for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) of India has written to their Chief Election Commissioner, noting they have been observing child rights violations repeatedly. During the last election in Nepal, children were misused and manipulated by political parties in election campaigns.

The issue was brought to the limelight in Bangladesh after the overwhelming presence of madrasa students at Hefazat-e Islam’s Dhaka siege program on May 5, and the political rally in Motijheel that evening.

Unicef expressed concern and urged all political parties to refrain from using children for political

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Sunday, December 1, 2013

purposes, and to ensure that children were protected from all violence.

Unicef added, that use of children in political demonstrations may put them at the risk of violence and injury.

Some measures should be taken to ban the use of children for political interest. Already, the parliamentary oversight panel has also recommended this, and urged that a provision be added in the Children’s Act 2013 to prohibit the use of children as political tools.

In addition, children in different madrasas and orphanages should be included in the act, so that these children are not used for politics. Currently, the main opposition parties and their allies frequently observe strikes and other programs, hurting children’s education.

It is the responsibility of the government to ensure all the essential services required by the children are not disrupted during the hartal. On the other hand, the opposition must not call strikes/blockades on the exam dates at least.

During the upcoming election, political parties should make a commitment in their manifestos to not use children for political gain. The EC can play a vital role in protecting children’s roles in the election. It can take necessary action against candidates and parties if this violation happens.

EC officials can stay vigilant about the involvement of children in carrying ballot papers or other equipment to toll boths. l Mohammed Norul Alam Raju is Program Officer, Urban DRR, Oxfam.

ecent events make us think about the kind of reformations needed in madrasa education.

It is a fact that some madrasa students have gotten involved with militancy. These students do not have proper knowledge of Islam, but they are motivated in such a way by their teachers, that they are willing to sacrifice their lives.

It has become a matter of great concern for the government and the general public. Since madrasa education is basically religious, students could be highly motivated if the religion was taught correctly.

Our madrasa education is really weak in terms of infrastructure, standard of teaching, and staff.

We find that poor people generally send their wards to the madrasas.

The worst-behaved boys of the families are sent to the madrasas for rectification.

Proper management is not in place in these madrasas, although madrasa education should be a special type of education.

It must be noted that there is a difference between gathering knowledge about religion, and imparting the skills needed to prepare people for life in the modern world.

So, this form of education needs to be given special attention.

Our madrasa education is really weak in terms of infrastructure, standard of teaching, and staff. Proper management is not in place

A study revealed that since independence, madrasas have increased eightfold, whereas primary schools have only doubled in number. We must, therefore, be more concerned about what they are teaching, as the sheer magnitude of their growth indicates that the large number of students getting this type of education is left incapable of competing for jobs in the modern workplace.

It is high time to think about solutions to this problem. The following points may be considered to improve the madrasa system.

Madrasa education should be considered a special type of education. In that case, the government would sponsor madrasa education. There is no need for the existence of so many madrasas. One madrasa with adequate facilities in each district should be enough.

Only meritorious students should be granted admission to the madrasas. They would be taught from a larger curriculum that includes social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics, as well as English. They should also offer comparative study of other religions as a special subject.

They would be taught from a larger curriculum that includes social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics, as well as English

Scholars from different fields should be hired as madrasa teachers, and should be allowed special financial benefits so that they may devote themselves to research, without constantly having to worry about supporting their families. They would teach with dedication.

A Shariah council constituting of the most outstanding Islamic scholars would govern these madrasas. Part of the funding could come from rich benefactors in surrounding neighbourhoods.

Madrasa students should be versatile in acquiring knowledge, so that they can interpret Islam correctly in the context of the modern era.

The government would arrange employment for these qualified Islamic thinkers as Imams of mosques, teachers of religious education, jurists, and as Shariah councilmen.

Religion is the knowledge that links us to the creator and the spiritual world. In the material world, there are the arts, literature, medicine, commerce, and so on, while in the spiritual world, there are senses, the mind and the soul. Religion teaches us about those.

Religion is aimed at elevating people, and it pulls them towards humanity. There are things known to humankind and there are things unknown.

Islam is described as a complete code of life for humankind, from birth to death. Each and every aspect of life, according to Islam, needs to be controlled, regulated, and nourished by this code.

So, religious institutions like madrasas need to be under strict discipline. These institutions should ensure a better education. l MH Bari is CEO of Black Tiger International.

A new revolution for Egypt n Mahmudul Islam

I

f you are into global events, you can’t forget the Egyptian revolution of 2011. Millions of protesters, including women, staged revolts, and played a prominent role throughout the period by not only participating in the protests themselves but also leading several demonstrations.

Images and clips depicting women protesters in Tahrir Square appeared on social media. The transcontinental state’s dictator Hosni Mubarak was finally toppled after nearly three decades and people claimed victory.

But how is life for women in Egypt now? Well, as bizarre as it may sound, Egypt has been named the worst country for women among 22 Arab states where over 99% of women and girls experience sexual harassment.

Questions were based on key provisions of the UN Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the report, released on November 12, said violence was at its worst in Egypt and the January 25 revolution has unambiguously failed to live up to women’s expectations.

The TRF survey said Egypt scored badly in all six categories. Sexual harassment, high rates of female genital mutilation, and a surge in violence after the Arab Spring uprisings, have made Egypt the worst country for women in the Arab world.

In addition, discriminatory laws, high rates of forced marriage, and a spike in trafficking contributed to Egypt’s low ranking.

Sexual harassment, however, was said to be the main factor.

Almost every Egyptian woman has been said to have experienced sexual harassment regardless of age, professional or socioeconomic background, marital status, attire or demeanour

Such is the conclusion of a recent Thomson Reuters Foundation (TRF) survey which polled 600 gender experts (opinions of 336 were finally accepted), including academics, lawyers, policy makers and activists, and they each were asked 36 questions in six categories, including women in politics, women in society, women in economy, women in family, women’s reproductive rights and violence against women.

This is in line with an April 2013 UN report which said 99.3% of Egyptian girls and women had been subjected to sexual harassment. Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch reported 91 women were raped or sexually assaulted in Tahrir Square in June 2013 when anti-Morsi protests gained momentum.

In an interview with Egypt’s Al-Ahram newspaper, Monique Villa, CEO of the TRF, says sexual assault has become a political weapon even in Tahrir

Square where, in some cases, women were raped to make them silent.

But why is that?

Religious politics has been blamed for the sorry state of Egyptian women and activists say growing influence of religious parties was a major setback for women’s rights. Hanya Moheeb, a freelance Egyptian journalist, believes under the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood, to which the ousted president Mohammed Morsi belongs, violence against women rose considerably because they view women as tools of sex.

She was one of 19 women sexually assaulted by mobs in Tahrir Square on January 25 this year, the second anniversary of the 2011 revolution.

But is that really the case? The Muslim Brotherhood strongly denies the allegation and puts the blame on culture instead. Hamza Zoba, a spokesperson for the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, said Egyptian culture doesn’t respect women and the issue is not related to the government but to the society.

Albeit Hassan Nassar, an Egyptian youth activist, is an opponent of the Muslim Brotherhood. He also supports this as he says harassment has nothing to do with the Brotherhood because it’s commonplace in Egypt and is a problem of the society.

Isn’t that really startling? Egypt, a country where you will find the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, boasts a rich cultural legacy. It is also an Arab League state. Be that as it may, almost every Egyptian woman has been said to have experienced sexual harassment regardless of age, professional or socioeconomic background,

marital status, attire or demeanour.

And the Egyptians themselves, including women, acknowledge that society and the culture are to be blamed for the degradation of women.

But apart from culture, violence against women in Egypt goes mostly unpunished as there’s little evidence that perpetrators are brought to book.

Most cases also go unreported for a wide variety of reasons, including discriminatory gender stereotypes, lack of women’s awareness of their rights, social and family pressures to remain silent, discriminatory legislation, and women’s economic dependence.

So how can Egypt curb violence against women and how can Egyptian women win the struggle for preservation of their dignity? Noted Egyptian-American journalist and activist Mona Eltahawy, who was sexually assaulted and badly beaten by riot police after she had joined a protest in Cairo in November 2011, is of the conviction that Egypt needs a revolution against sexual violence.

And the revolution, she says, should be stirred up by culture. l Mahmudul Islam is a journalist at Thereport24.com.

AFP

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Sunday, December 1, 2013

BENGAL CLASSICAL MUSIC FESTIVAL 2013 Today’s Indian artistes Ustad Rashid Khan

A child prodigy, the immensely gifted Rashid Khan, was born in 1966. He joined ITC-SRA with his grand uncle Ustad Nisar Hussain Khan, one of the greatest maestros of the Rampur Sahaswan Gharana. The long and arduous training under his guru made Rashid a perfect exponent of the gharana. Rashid is also open to influences and is prepared to incorporate the best from other gharanas into his renditions. His singing bears a distinctive stamp that is his very own, grand and majestic, yet soul-stirringly pure and simple. Rashid has won accolades for his musical performance, all over the world. He received the Padma Shree as well as the Sangeet Natak Akademi awards in 2006.

Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar

Born in a family of musicians, Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar’s father, ND Kashalkar, a musician in his own right, initiated him into vocal music. With the gifted ability to blend the gayakees of Gwalior, Agra and Jaipur, he soon emerged as one of the most formidable vocalists in India. Pandit Kashalkar is the recipient of several awards such as the Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Jadubhatta Puraskar and Swar-Ratna Award.

He has been a Guru at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy for nearly twenty years.

A few majestic moments of the second day of the ongoing Bengal Classical Music Festival 2013 SADIA MARIUM

Suchisree Ray

Bangladeshi artistes in focus

Tamanna Rahman: Classical dance is all about devotion and patience

Vocalist Suchisree Ray is unique for her ability to combine the boldness of the Agra-Gwalior gayaki and the eloquence of the poorav ang, a style of Hindustani classical music prevalent in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Suchisree is a disciple of Pandit Kumar Prasad Mukherjee. She received taalim in Thumri from Vidushi Purnima Choudhury and then from Vidushi Reba Muhuri.

Rahul Sharma

Born in 1972, Rahul Sharma learnt playing the Santoor from his father Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, a musical legend in India and the world over. Rahul Sharma has carved a niche for himself in the world of Indian classical music, with over 50 albums released in the span of a 15-year career. Rahul recorded 2 albums with the highest selling French pianist Richard Clayderman.

Some of Rahul’s recent works include live recordings with the tabla wizard Zakir Hussain. In 2011, Rahul released Namaste India with world renowned saxophonist Kenny G.

triumph of good over evil.

How long did it take for you to prepare for the festival?

I have been preparing for my performance for the last one and half months.

I went to Kolkata with both of my students who will assist me with my performance. We stayed in guru Kalavati Devi’s house and practiced under her guidance and a professional Manipuri musical troupe.

How does it feel to be the first Bangladeshi dance artiste performing at the festival?

It is a great honour for me to perform at such a big platform. I am grateful to Bengal for their kind support.

What do you think about the interests of young generation on classical dance?

Classical dance is all about devotion and patience. Now, our social system has become very technology-based and robotic. Children do not have that much time for performing arts as they are busy with curricular lessons apart from their school time. Moreover TV, internet, computer game, and mobile phone occupy their time and they do not have that much patience and devotion for classical dance. They look for easy ways to become popular by using social networking media.

What you are going to perform today?

I will perform three Manipuri pieces – Gouranga Abahan, Kaliya Daman and Dasavatara. Gouranga Abahan is an invocation to Lord Chaitanya and describes the beauty of his graceful dance.

Kaliya Daman narrates the vigorous dance of Lord Krishna and Kaliya Nag is based on the tandava (fierce) aspect of Manipuri dance. Dashavatar in a way brings out this evolution through the

What are the scopes of classical dance in Bangladesh?

There are very few people in Bangladesh who know about classical dance.

Without proper support from the government, it’s very difficult to spread it amongst the mass people. We need to take more steps to expose classical dance at the root level. I think it’s our responsibility to introduce our children to classical music and dance from an early age. l

Tamanna Rahman (first from the right) rehearses for tonight’s show

n Afrose Jahan Chaity Eminent Bangladeshi dancer Tamanna Rahman will perform with her group tonight at the Bengal Classical Music Festival 2013. She is the first Bangladeshi dance artiste who will perform with live musicians at the biggest festival of its kind.

Tamanna and her team’s today’s performance will be accompanied with an array of skilled musicians like Guru Kalavati Devi and Premila Devi in vocals, Brojen Kumar Singha in poong (Manipuri traditional percussion), Amlan Haldar in violin and flautist Soumyojyoti Bose. The whole piece is composed and choreographed by Guru Kalavati Devi.

Dhaka Tribune caught up with the dance exponent Tamanna Rahman to

RAJIB DHAR

know about the upcoming grand performance and more:

COMEDY 12:30pm Star World

7:50pm Channel i

11:00pmZee Studio

8:30pm Comedy Central

8:15pm NTV

Assault on Precinct 13

Begum Parween Sultana

Parween Sultana is famous for singing Khayal, Thumri, Bhajans, Ghazals and has also lent her voice in several Hindi Films for which she received accolade. Her first appearance in a concert was at the age of 12, at Sadarang Music Conference at Kolkata, and thereafter she was considered a child prodigy. She received the Padma Shri in 1976 (the youngest to receive it), Gandharva Kala Nidhi Award in 1980, Mia Tansen Award in 1986, the Sangeet Samragni Assam Government Award in 1994 and Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 1999. She has performed at various charity concerts for the Orissa flood relief fund and Gujarat earthquake victims.

DRAMA

9:30pm Star Movies Aladdin

Bahauddin Mohiuddin Dagar, son of famous north Indian musician Zia Mohiuddin Dagar, is famous for playing rudra veena in the Dagarbani style. He represents the 20th generation of the Dagar lineage, referring back to Nayak Haridas Dagar of the 16th century. In 2012, he was awarded the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

Lalit’s reverence to art

ON TV MOVIE

Ustad Bahauddin Dagar

2 Broke Girls Awkward

Nur Jahan

Icche Ghuri

Juhi to star in Steven Spielberg film n Entertainment Desk

When an Oscar winning director like Lasse Hallstrom and producer Steven Spielberg join hands for a film, it’s surely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and Juhi Chawla didn’t want to miss out on that one. The actress has been signed on for their upcoming venture The Hundred Foot Journey.

The film which is currently being shot in Mumbai, is based on an Indian family trying to settle down in a small village in France where they own an Indian restaurant right opposite a French one which is run by Madame Mallory played by Helen Mirren. While the film’s male lead is Om Puri, Juhi will be seen playing the role of his wife.

Juhi is said to have been hesitant about taking up the role initially as it was not a fully fledged act. But she later gave in as big names were associated with it.

The Hundred Foot Journey is based on the Richard C Morais’ novel by the same name and is co-produced by Oprah Winfrey and Juliet Blake. l

Artworks by Lalit K Jain

n Shadma Malik Reverence, a solo art exhibition by Indian artist Lalit K Jain was held in Gulshan on November 29. US Ambassador Dan W Mozena and Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pankaj Saran attended the exhibition. Thirty of his artworks were on display.

Born in 1933 in Rajasthan, India, Lalit discovered his true talent very early.

After completing his primary education from Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, he started his career from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). He spent most of his time in the popular sites of Harappa, Punjab, where he was involved in archaeological survey during

SADIA MARIUM

daytime, and at night he used to paint.

Some of his artworks are placed at the National Museum at New Delhi.

Residing in Delhi, Lalit sought inspiration from his travelogue in temples such as the Mathura, Khajuraho and Ajanta caves. Noticeably, Buddhist Monasteries play a dominant role in his canvas. The artist also expressed himself through miniature paintings.

A picture that shows a Rishi living in a jungle, and a woman holding a lamp who leaves darkness behind in her search for enlightenment, points out the spiritual side to his paintings.

The artist’s series of figurative paintings: Women Era, depicting women in sensual poses, is detailed and en-

thralling. He states: “God has created woman as the most beautiful creature in the earth.”

Another artwork depicts a banyan tree and the spiritual teacher, Gautama Buddha being enlightened underneath it. The artwork Kumbh shows wood from the peepal (Banyan) tree being used to light a sacred fire through which the Gods passed knowledge to humanity.

His artwork Mother, is a tribute to his children and his late wife.

About the reception of his work, Lalit said: “I would like to leave the interpretation of my artworks to the viewers – it is dependent on the onlooker’s perception.” l

Did you know?

Ryan Giggs has made the most PL appearances (626), but two outfield players have played more minutes - Frank Lampard and Gary Speed

Sport

Sunday, December 1, 2013

14 Manchester United out to prolong Spurs pain

DHAKA TRIBUNE

13

14 Scott leads 15 Philander sets Australian Open up consolation ahead of final round win for Proteas

RESULT Soccer Club Feni

0-2

Abahani

Meshu 53, Morrison 90+

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS Morrison heads on Tow8” Osei hidul’s cross only to find the goal-keeper Nehal Abahani goal-keeper Sohel showed great strength in diving to his left to turn a stinging Alauddin strike away

31”

from Meshu landed inside 53” the near post GOAL! A 20-yard free-kick

72” cleared off the line by deKomol’s chip over Nehal

fender Alauddin Wassiou Oladikpikpo’s header hits the woodwork

86” ” Morrison entered 90+ the penalty area and sent GOAL!

the ball under onrushing goal-keeper Nehal for a classy finish

Abahani’s Brazilian midfielder de Castro celebrates the first goal against Soccer Club, Feni with scorer Mishu (C) at the BNS yesterday MUMIT M

Abahani go past Feni to set Jamal date n Shishir Hoque Abahani Limited breezed to the semifinal in the Walton Federation Cup with a comfortable 2-0 win over Soccer Club Feni at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. The Sky Blues will now face top favourites Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in a bid to book a final ticket on December 4.

Atiqur Rahman Meshu scored the opener in the 53rd minute with a superb free-kick from 20 yards out before Osei Morrison doubled the margin in the injury time to seal the deserved victory.

Since joining Abahani it was Morrison’s fifth goal in the Federation

Cup and the Ghanaian striker, top scorer in the Bangladesh Premier League last season, now shares the most goal scorer’s chart with Sheikh Jamal’s Haitian international Sony Norde.

Abahani, the four-time professional league champions, made two changes from their starting eleven that beat Mohammedan in the group stage.

Saikat Bhowmik replaced Waly Faisal who lost his newborn boy on Thursday.

A one-minute silence was observed before the game for Waly’s son.

Although the Sky-Blues could not produce the same attacking display they did against Mohammedan, they managed to keep their defence rock solid.

They also failed to create chances from their wings with Brazilian forward De Castro and winger Towhidul, who was behind both goals Abahani scored against Mohammedan, in shadow for most of the game.

However, Feni could have taken the lead in the 31st minute, but Sohel made a brilliant save to deny Alauddin’s powerful strike from just outside the box. Earlier, Morrison’s header on 8th minute, which went straight to keeper, was the only notable chance Abahani created in the first-half.

A more positive approach after the breather produced the breakthrough as Meshu curled a free-kick over the Feni wall to beat goal-keeper Nehal in

the left-hand post.

Abdul Baten nearly sealed the game for Abahani in the 72nd minute when he chipped over Nehal, but a brilliant goal-line clearance from Alauddin kept Feni in the game. Just four minutes later, Wassiou Oladikpikpo’s header slammed against the woodwork keeping the game still open.

Feni went all out in search of the equaliser and as often it does, the plan backfired. Morrison received a pass from Komol and broke into the penalty area to send the ball past onrushing Nehal.

Muktijoddha will take on Brothers Union in the third quarterfinal of the tournament today at 5pm. l

‘The whole team was upset’ n Raihan Mahmood The pre-mature death of Waly Faisal’s son cast a shadow of sorrow over Abahani Limited and the full team took time to get out of it, disclosed their coach Amalesh Sen after their win over Feni Soccer in the Walton Federation Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

His Gambian counterpart Omar K Sise, however, blamed the refereeing for the defeat and also said his players fought well with a preparation of only ten days.

“The whole team was upset and the practice sessions were also a little dull.

The absence of Waly and later the injury of Sujon saw the defence get weakened, we could not play the first-half as per the expectations, but we bounced back in the second-half to win the match,” said Amalesh.

However, Amalesh, who would be in the helm till Iranian Ali Akbar Parmoslemi arrives, was not happy with the performance. “Overall the perfor-

Locals flourish in DPL n Minhaz Uddin Khan Spending huge money and roping in quality foreign cricketers have been a tradition for the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) clubs. Most times clubs rely on the foreign hands to win them important points and if failed the officials do not hesitate to pull the string and find a better replacement, no matter how much the need to spend.

This season the local players shone, if not to their best, better than earlier seasons, a progress that was slowly in the buildup. The recently concluded season of DPL saw the most registered foreign cricketers ever, around half the number of Bangladeshi players playing in the league. However, end of the day a team only found result when the difference in the performance was made by the local players.

The ban on Pakistani players in the tournament, a first choice for any club, was pleasing to the eyes as the clubs

Farhad Reza: 29 wickets

went from signing English cricketers to Afghanistan players. Renowned international cricketers Ravi Bopara, Eoin Morgan, Hamilton Masakadza, Ryan ten Doeschate, Samit Patel flew in while players like Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi and Zimbabwean Sikander Raza also got their first taste of playing in a foreign league. But the rise in contribution of the local players didn’t go unnoticed.

“To be honest it is good for our cricket and it is better for the cricketers,” said former Bangladesh skipper and a member of the national selection panel Habibul Bashar to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

“There were many quality foreign cricketers in the tournament this time and our cricketers performed well being among those foreigners. They (local cricketers) accepted the competition and at the end they were able to clinch top spots of the table which is a good sign and it showed that they have wise-

Imrul Kayes: 655 runs

ly used the opportunity,” said Bashar.

Bashar was directing to the top batsmen and bowlers chart which are filled with impressive figures from the locals.

A magnificent run-a-ball 157 from Bopara (670) saw him take the first spot in the batting chart, but national discarded Imrul Kayes will be very happy to make his presence felt. He finished just 15 runs behind Bopara and it could possibly grant him a place in the national setup again.

Mushfiqur Rahim’s bat continued to score as he grabs the third spot, but it was the 22-year-old Saikat Ali at four with 579 runs that impressed many.

The Prime Bank CC opener has a century beside five fifties in the league.

The bowling chart as usual is dominated by the left-arm spinners, but names of Farhad Reza and Rubel Hossain among the top five is something that can’t be missed. Arafat Sunny jointly leads the bowling chart with medium fast bowler Reza, 29 wickets, while Rubel also did exceptionally well to stay fourth in the column grabbing 25 wickets in 10 games.

“Too many performers do make the job tough for a selector, but it also helps them relax because they don’t have to worry of the bench,” said Bashar. “A selector always wants to see too many performers because eventually it has a positive impact on the main team. At same time it creates positive competition among the cricketers and make them work harder for a place in the national team,” Bashar added. l

mance was not satisfactory, ahead of the crucial tie against Sheikh Jamal we have to work hard, especially in the forward line,” thought Amalesh.

The Abahani coach said the team would be bolstered with the arrival of another Brazilian Andre Luis De Souza, who is recovering from Dengue fever.

Atikur Rahman Mishu, the stand-in skipper was a happy man to score off a free-kick, a rare happening in Dhaka football. “We have practiced the freekicks and with the angle a convenient one, I was confident to score the goal and I did it,” said Mishu.

Omar K Sise praised his players for putting a good show. “My players fared well, but Wasiou and Bidyut were not fully fit. I instructed Rasel to mark the Brazilian player of Abahani and he put a good show, we played well in the first-half, but in the second-half the refereeing was not up-to the mark.

It was bowed towards a team, I look forward to play better football in the league working hard in our preparations towards it,” said the Gambian. l

BHF plans open trial to form national side n Raihan Mahmood

Fire Defence & Civil Service players who won the first division chess league pose for photograph at the Chess Federation yesterday COURTESY

Fire Service clinch 1st division chess title n Raihan Mahmood Fire Service & Civil Defense Sports Club emerged unbeaten champions in the First Division Chess League. The winners bagged 16 match points at the end of the ninth and final round at the hall room of the Chess Federation yesterday.

However, Sultana Kamal Smirity Pathagar finished runners-up with same match points. The tie was broken as Fire Service & Civil Defense earned 27.5 game points against Sultana Kamal Pathagar’s 26.5 points. In the last round Fire Service & Civil Defense drew with

Sulatan Kamal Pathagar by 2-2 points.

The players of Fire Service & Civil Defense Sports Club were FM Mohammed Abdul Malek, SM Sharon, Masum Hossain, Sheikh Md Khairul Islam, Md Badrul Alam and Abu Bakar Siddique.

Sonali Bank Sports & Recreation Club finished third with 15 match points.

The other positions were as follows: 4th -Basir Memorial Chess Club, 5th -Farashganj Sporting Club, 6th -Protiva Daba Goshti, 7th -Mohakhali Pradip Sangah, 8th -Destiny 2000 Limited, 9th -Chess Club Knight F3 and 10th -Agrani Bank Limited Daba Dal. l

Bangladesh Hockey Federation will hold an open trial for forming the national team for the Asian Games Hockey Qualifiers at the Moulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium on December 6 and 7.

The federation asked all the interested players to be present at hockey stadium and report to national coach Naveed Alam. However, the 22 players who were the part of the Asia Cup hockey team are not allowed to take part in the trial.

The Asian Games Qualifiers will get underway on March 15, but the participating countries has not been confirmed till date.

The year of 2014 is going to be a busy one for Bangladesh hockey as the national team will appear in the World Hockey League and also in the U-21 AHF Cup. The hockey season is all set to get underway with the Victory Day Cup from December 12.

With a number of leading national players suspended and a number of senior players also out of criteria due to disciplinary reasons the hockey federation may look out for raw talents to fill the vacuum through the open trials.

The disastrous performance in the Asia Cup has left a deep scar and off the field problem regarding the hockey federation election has haunted the hockey arena in the last couple of months. l

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Fifa calls for anti-doping overhaul

Blanc plays down talk of PSG move for Mata

Football world governing body Fifa called Friday for an overhaul in the approach to the fight against doping in sport.

Just two weeks after the World AntiDoping Agency’s (WADA) conference in Johannesburg, Fifa held their own conference at the organisation’s headquarters in Zurich.

And their conclusion was that the approach to anti-doping should be based on risk within individual sports rather than conformity across all sports.

“The management of risks should be based on the evaluation of risks,” said Fifa’s chief medical officer Jiri Dvorak, who claimed there was a huge difference between team sports and individual sports when it comes to doping.

Of 274,000 dope tests in 2012, 1.2 percent gave abnormal results with 0.42 percent testing positive for anabolic steroids.

In 230,000 tests conducted in football from 2005 to 2013, the level of positive tests for such steroids was just 0.04 percent.

“In the World Cup, the last positive case is (Diego) Maradona in 1994,” said Dvorak about the Argentine star’s positive test for cocaine.

“Since we’ve been in the Olympic Games, there hasn’t been a positive test in team sports, only individual sports...

Those results speak for themselves.”

According to Dvorak, the fight against doping in football is not cost effective. l

Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc admitted on Friday that he would “not be against” the signing of a new midfielder in January but played down talk of a move for Chelsea’s Juan Mata.

“If a new midfielder comes in (during the January transfer window), I would not be against it,” Blanc said at a press conference ahead of Sunday’s Ligue 1 showdown with Lyon at the Parc des Princes.

However, asked about the possibility of a swoop for Mata, who has been struggling to get a game at Stamford Bridge since the return of Jose Mourinho as manager in the summer, Blanc said: “You talk about him because he is not playing.

“If you wish to bring in quality reinforcements, you need someone who can play in all competitions, and there are not many of them.”

Spaniard Mata would not be able to play for another club in the Champions League in the second half of the season having already done so for Chelsea.

“My objective is to keep my squad as it is. If that is the case, I’ll be very happy,” said Blanc.

However he admitted: “We have a few too many players in certain sectors. But I am happy with that because it creates healthy competition.

“There is plenty of competition for places and that raises the level within the squad.” l

n AFP, Zurich

n AFP, Paris

Wolfsburg's midfielder Ivan Perisic (L) vies with Hamburg's defender Marcell Jansen during their German Bundesliga match in Wolfsburg on Friday. The match ended 1-1

AFP

seeking response United out to prolong Spurs pain Martino from defeated Barca n AFP, London

Seven days on from their 6-0 humiliation at Manchester City last weekend, Tottenham Hotspur face another daunting assignment on Sunday when improving Manchester United visit White Hart Lane.

Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas branded the result at the Etihad Stadium “extremely embarrassing” but if his side are to get back on track, they will need to overcome United at home for the first time in 12 years.

United were also left disappointed last Sunday after conceding a stoppagetime equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Cardiff City but they responded in masterful fashion in the Champions League.

Wednesday’s 5-0 success at Bayer Leverkusen took David Moyes’s side into the last 16 and was the club’s biggest victory away from home in Europe since the 1960s heyday of legendary

former manager Matt Busby.

It also extended the champions’ unbeaten run to 11 games, but although United’s recent record at White Hart Lane suggests they have little reason to approach Sunday’s game with trepidation, Moyes feels it is too early to write Tottenham off.

The north London club trail Moyes’s side by only a point in the Premier League standings -- with United sixth and Tottenham ninth -- and the former Everton manager says that they remain dangerous opponents.

However, Emmanuel Adebayor is doubtful with a groin injury, while Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen will not play due to an ankle problem.

Jose Mourinho has warned his Chelsea stars he won’t tolerate a repeat of their Champions League flop when the Blues host Southampton on Sunday.

Mourinho has no intention of panicking just yet, though, and he believes Chelsea are still in a strong position to challenge for silverware on all fronts.

Spain’s Fernando Torres is expected to replace the injured Samuel Eto’o up front for Chelsea this weekend, while Ashley Cole could return in a defence that will continue to be without David Luiz, who has returned to training but is not yet match-fit. Southampton have made great strides in a short space of

FIXTURES Chelsea Hull Man City Tottenham

v v v v

Southampton Liverpool Swansea Man United

time under Mauricio Pochettino and begin the weekend in fifth place, just two points behind Chelsea and with a superior defensive record.

Manuel Pellegrini admits Manchester City’s defensive record is a concern ahead of Sunday’s clash with Swansea despite his team’s stunning goal spree.

Pellegrini’s commitment to attacking football, one of the reasons he was

hired following the sacking of the more cautious Roberto Mancini, has triggered a flood of goals that shows no sign of abating. City’s tally of 34 goals in 12 Premier League games is 10 more than any rival, including leaders Arsenal, whom they trail by six points having suffered four defeats, mainly due to errors at the back, including unexpected losses at Cardiff and Sunderland.

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet insists his side can make a successful bid to qualify for the Champions League as long as they don’t get carried away by their surprise challenge.

Brendan Rodgers’s side have capitalised on inconsistent starts from both Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Tottenham to move into second place in the Premier League table behind leaders Arsenal. Liverpool have not finished in the top four since the 2008-09 season but a return of 24 points from their opening 12 matches has seen them touted for a return to european football’s elite club competition. l

n AFP, Madrid Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino has urged his side to bounce back from their first defeat of the season to Ajax in midweek when they travel to face Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

Various players, along with Martino himself, criticised the Catalans’ lack of intensity and focus as they were beaten in Holland having already sealed their passage into the last 16 of the Champions League.

And he is hoping the negative reaction to their display will ensure there will be no repeat performance in what appears to be their toughest match remaining between now and the winter break in three weeks’ time.

Barca will once again be without long-term absentees Lionel Messi, Victor Valdes and Jordi Alba, whilst Martino confirmed Dani Alves and Carles Puyol

Juventus out to defend slim Serie A lead over Roma n AFP, Milan Juventus’s newfound lead of Italy’s Serie A faces its first test when the champions host Udinese on Sunday four days after a morale-boosting Champions League win.

Juventus took the league lead for the first time last week after Roma, who had set a new Serie A record of 10 opening wins, slumped to a third consecutive draw. After securing a 3-1 win over FC Copenhagen on Wednesday to relaunch their bid for a place in the last 16 in Europe, Juve seem to have finally turned the corner following a less than

spectacular start to the season.

Udinese sit in mid-table having won only five of their 13 games, but veteran striker Antonio di Natale believes that

FIXTURES Catania Atalanta Cagliari Chievo Inter Juventus

v v v v v v

Milan Roma Sassuolo Livorno Sampdoria Udinese

after positive performances in a 1-0 defeat to Catania and, last week’s 1-0 home

Scott leads Australian Open ahead of final round n AFP, Sydney Adam Scott enters the final round of the Australian Open four shots clear of his nearest rival as he seeks to become only the second player to win the “Triple Crown” of Australian golf.

Scott holed a short birdie putt at the last hole in a round of 68 to move to 16

under par in bright but testing conditions on the Royal Sydney course Saturday.

Rory McIlroy let slip the opportunity to match Scott’s last hole birdie in a struggling round of 70 for a 12-under par total. The World No. 2 ranked Scott went into day three leading McIlroy by just two shots but then soon found himself five shots clear of the Northern Irishman when McIlroy bogeyed the fourth and dropped two shots at the fifth.

McIlroy was easily outdriving Scott but he failed to get the better of his US Masters-winning rival with plenty of indifferent second and third shot play.

Scott continued to stamp his authority with three birdies in succession from the seventh and while he dropped a shot at the 11th he then birdied 14 before finishing with four straight pars. l

win over Fiorentina, they can force a result in Turin.

Roma would go top, at least for a few hours, with a win away at Atalanta on Sunday afternoon but coach Rudi Garcia claims the objective this season, having spoken recently of the Italian league title, is a place in Europe. Inter face a Sampdoria side that will be looking for more of the same a week after a battling performance against Lazio.

It was Sinisa Mihajlovic’s first game in charge as coach and despite Samp sitting in the relegation zone he saw enough to believe his side can fight their way out of the danger zone. l

would also miss the trip to the Basque country. Adriano and Alexis Sanchez do though return to Martino’s 18-man squad, whilst Sergio Busquets will start having been rested in midweek.

Athletic are unbeaten in six games since the opening of their new stadium in September and could move up to

FIXTURES Real Betis Granada Valencia At Bilbao

v v v v

Rayo Vallecano Sevilla Osasuna Barcelona

fourth with a win following Villarreal’s 1-1 draw with Malaga on Friday.

Martino has consistently stressed that his side’s injury problems cannot be used as an excuse given the depth of quality they have on offer. And he said it was the strength of Athletic rather than Barca’s sizeable injury list that is causing him most concern. l

Announcer stood down for mocking Monty Panesar n Reuters

Marseille's Andre-Pierre Gignac (R) challenged by Montpellier's Souleymane Camara during their French Ligue 1 match in Marseille on Friday REUTERS

Sturridge injures ankle

Marseille continue recovery with win

n AFP, London

n AFP, Marseille

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is expected to miss his side’s Premier League trip to Hull City on Sunday after the club announced on Saturday that he has sprained his ankle.

The 24-year-old England international, who has scored nine goals this season, sustained the injury in training.

“Liverpool Football Club can confirm Daniel Sturridge will be assessed by the club’s medical staff today (Saturday) after the striker rolled his ankle in training,” read a statement on the Liverpool website.

In his last Liverpool appearance, Sturridge came off the bench to score an 89th-minute equaliser in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Everton last weekend. l

French giants Marseille beat 2012 Ligue 1 champions Montpellier 2-0 on Friday night to remain in Champions League qualification contention.

Goals from Florian Thauvin and Saber Khelifa gave Marseille a third straight Ligue 1 victory that kept them in fourth, just two points behind third-placed Monaco, although the Principality outfit have a game in hand.

It was a welcome boost for Elie Baup’s team, who were beaten 2-0 by Arsenal in the Champions League on Tuesday, ahead of their trip to secondplaced Lille this coming Tuesday.

France under-20 star Thauvin was

the catalyst for the victory, scoring for the fourth league match in a row.

The former Lille player pounced on a mistake by the Montpellier defence to beat goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourdren from close range after 36 minutes.

Despite a difficult start to life at Mar-

RESULT Marseille

Thauvin 36, Khalifa 90+3

2-0

Montpellier

seille, he was in fine form on Friday night and could even have opened the scoring earlier in the 22nd minute, only for Jourdren to come out and dive at his feet to snuff out the danger.

Montpellier remain 16th in the table, just five points above the relegation zone. l

Cricket Australia has stood down a ground announcer for mocking England players during their two-day tour match against a Chairman’s XI in Alice Springs, local media reported on Saturday.

David Nixon was sanctioned after introducing England spinner Monty Panesar in an Indian accent, the Australian Associated Press said in a report.

“Cricket Australia deemed the conduct of the PA announcer as inappropriate and as such he will take no further part in the match,” an unnamed CA spokesperson was quoted as saying in the report.

Left-arm spinner Panesar was born in Luton and is of Indian descent.

Nixon was also cautioned by CA on Friday for a jibe aimed at England batsman Joe Root, the report added. l

Belmonte sets 1500m freestyle world record n AFP, Madrid Mireia Belmonte set a new 1500m world record at the Spanish championships in Castellon on Friday.

Her time of 15min 26.95sec was nearly two seconds faster than the previous best mark, set by Denmark’s Lotte Friis in November 2009.

The 23-year-old Belmonte won silver medals at the London Olympics in the 800m freestyle and 200m butterfly.

She set a world record in the 800m freestyle in the summer when she became the first woman to go under eight minutes. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

15

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Siddikur lifts game to share 8th spot n Tribune Sports Desk

QUICK BYTES

England draw with Australia Chairman’s XI England failed to get a boost ahead of next week’s second Ashes Test as they conceded an innings lead to a modest Cricket Australia Chairman’s XI in Alice Springs Saturday. The two-day tour match ended in a draw but the Chairman’s XI finished moral winners trumping England’s first innings declaration of 212 for seven with their 254 for eight declared. At stumps on the final day, England hit the front in the 16th and final over of their second innings at 47 for one with Michael Carberry unbeaten on 37 and man-of-the-match Gary Ballance on eight. Only five players from last week’s 381-run loss to Australia in the first Brisbane Test played, but there was little for the tourists apart from sightseeing to take out of their visit to the Northern Territory.

–AFP

Lukaku keen to extend Everton stay Romelu Lukaku says he is willing to remain on loan at Everton next season if Roberto Martinez’s side secure a place in the Champions League. Lukaku was allowed to leave Chelsea on loan just before the transfer window closed and the Belgium striker has made a big impression at Goodison Park, scoring seven times to lift Everton into contention for a top-four spot in the Premier League. The 20-year-old has been in such good form that some have questioned whether Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho made a mistake by letting Lukaku leave. Mourinho responded by claiming Lukaku had been determined to force a move away from Chelsea because he didn’t think he would be given the chance to play ahead of Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba. –AFP

Galliani to stay at AC Milan, says Berlusconi Adriano Galliani will stay in his position as AC Milan CEO despite handing in his resignation, club president Silvio Berlusconi announced on Saturday. “Serenity has returned to AC Milan. Adriano Galliani will remain in his position,” Berlusconi told news agency ANSA. On Friday, Galliani announced he would resign after nearly 28 years in the job, citing his treatment by club director Barbara Berlusconi, daughter of Silvio, who said recently the troubled club needed a new philosophy.

–Reuters

Bahrain Grand Prix to be staged at night The 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix, which will be held on April 6 at the Sakhir circuit near Manama, will be staged at night, organisers announced on Friday. Floodlighting has been installed and will be tested out at this weekend’s final round of the World Endurance Championship.

The move to a night race in the Gulf state will mark the 10th anniversary of the first Bahrain Grand Prix, won by Michael Schumacher in a Ferrari in 2004, and will also be welcomed by drivers, given the high daytime temperatures in spring.

– AFP

DAY’S WATCH Ten Golf 12:00PM Indonesian Open Day Four 6:00 PM Alfred Dunhill Championship Day Four Star Sports 4 English Premier League 6:45PM Tottenham v Man Utd 8:00PM Hull City v Liverpool 10:00PM Chelsea v Southampton La Liga 2:00PM Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona Star Sports HD Italian Serie A 5:30PM Catania v AC Milan 8:00PM Inter Milan v Sampdoria 10:00PM English Premier League Man City v Swansea 12:00PM La Liga Valencia v Osasuna Ten Sports 7:00PM French Ligue 1 2013/14 FC Girondins v AC Aiaccico Ten Action French Ligue 1 2013/14 10:00PM Bastiais v Evian Thonon Gaillard 2:00AM Paris Saint-Germain v Lyon

South Africa bowler Vernon Philander (R) celebrates the wicket of Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal, during their final ODI at SuperSport Park in Centurion yesterday

Philander sets up consolation win n

AFP, Centurion

Vernon Philander led a strong performance by South Africa’s bowlers to set up a four-wicket consolation win for the hosts in the third and final one-day international against Pakistan at SuperSport Park on Saturday.

Philander took three for 26 in a Pakistan total of 179 all out. South Africa made heavy weather of the chase but won with 68 balls to spare, steered home by an unbeaten 48 from captain AB de Villiers.

Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq also played a captain’s innings, making 79 not out. But no other Pakistan batsman scored more than 25.

Philander, recently recalled to the one-day side after starring for the South African Test team, struck with the fourth ball of the match when Ahmed Shehzad was caught at first slip without scoring.

Shehzad made a century when Paki-

stan clinched the series by winning the second match in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.

Fellow new ball bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe had Asad Shafiq caught behind in the fourth over and Pakistan were unable to build any significant partnerships against hostile bowling

BRIEF SCORE South Africa 181/6 in 38.4 overs De Villers 48*, Ajmal 2-34 Pakistan179 in 46.5 overs Misbah 79*, Philander 3-26 South Africa won by 4 wickets on a pitch which offered good bounce.

The best stand of the innings was 51 and Abdur Rehman (22).

South Africa made a fast start, with Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla putting on 39 on 35 balls for the first wicket before De Kock mistimed a hook against Bilamal Bhatti and was caught at backward square leg.

The momentum slowed as new cap Henry Davids was tied down by Saeed Ajmal before being stumped off the off-spinner after struggling to seven off 18 balls.

Davids was a late replacement for Graeme Smith, who was absent because of a family bereavement.

Amla made 41 before being run out after a superb stop and quick throw by Umar Amin at backward point.

In contrast to his dazzling 74 off 45 balls in Port Elizabeth, where he played one big shot too many and was out before South Africa “crossed the line”, in his words, De Villiers played a riskfree innings to ensure that South Africa successfully chased down a target for the first time in eight recent attempts, facing 63 balls and hitting only three boundaries.

Ajmal was again the best Pakistan bowling, taking two for 34 in 10 overs.

With the series decided, both sides showed several changes. l

AFP

Siddikur Rahman jumped to share the 8th spot in the Indonesia Open as the Bangladesh golfer posted a two-under 69 on the third round at the Pantai Indah Kapuk course yesterday.

Siddikur, who shared 13th position after the second day before the round was halted by lightening threats on Friday, started the day with two superb birdies on the two remaining second round holes to complete with sixunder 65 at the $750,000 showpiece event.

The 29-year-old, ranked third on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, then carded five birdies against three bogeys on the penultimate round to keep him in the hunt at Damai Indah Golf.

Meanwhile, Gaganjeet Bhullar recovered from a shaky start with a twounder-par 69 to share the third round lead with Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond.

Thai star Thongchai Jaidee, a threetime Order of Merit winner, birdied the last for 68 to remain in hot pursuit of his 14th Asian Tour title as he trails the leaders by two shots at the Asian Tour event.

Thaworn Wiratchant, winner of the Indonesia Open in 2005, was a further three shots back following a 69 while Jyoti Randhawa of India returned with a superb 65, the best round of the day, to share fifth position alongside local hope Rory Hie and Prom Meesawat of Thailand. l

Afghans stand in Tigers' way to World T20 finals n Agencies The first round groups and fixtures of the ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014 have now been confirmed after the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2013 concluded at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

The matches of the World Cup start on 16th March. Afghanistan take on host Bangladesh in the tournament opener, while Nepal will face Hong Kong on the same day.

Group A Bangladesh Afghanistan Nepal Hong Kong

Group B Zimbabwe Ireland UAE Netherlands

On the final day of the 16-day tournament, Ireland retained its title when it defeated Afghanistan by 68 runs, while Nepal beat the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by five wickets to finish third. On Friday, the Netherlands claimed fifth position when it overcame Hong Kong by seven wickets. l

Ireland win WT20 qualifiers n AP, Abu Dhabi Veteran Trent Johnston’s superb allround show in his last Twenty20 international helped Ireland beat Afghanistan by 68 runs in the final of the World Twenty20 qualifiers on Saturday.

Opening batsman Paul Stirling scored 76 off 43 balls and the 39-yearold Johnston hit a rapid 62 off 32 with

five fours and four sixes in Ireland’s strong total of 225-7 after it won the toss and elected to bat.

Medium fast Johnston — who will quit international cricket at the end of the year — took 3-34 with the ball, including Afghanistan top scorer Gulbadin Naib (43) and Samiullah Shenwari (5) off successive deliveries. Afghanistan was bowled out for 157 in 18.5 overs. l

Robben double gives Bayern another win n Reuters Arjen Robben scored two first-half goals to give Bundesliga leaders and titleholders Bayern Munich a predictable 2-0 win at home to bottom club Eintracht Braunschweig on Saturday.

Second-placed Bayer Leverkusen recovered from Wednesday’s 5-0 home defeat by Manchester United in the Champions League to beat winless Nuremberg 3-0 with Son Heung-Min scoring twice.

Third-placed Borussia Dortmund also won as two Robert Lewandowski penalties helped them beat coach Juergen Klopp’s former club Mainz 05 3-1 and Hoffenheim were involved in another high-scoring game as they drew

4-4 with Werder Bremen.

Bayern, who have won 12 and draw two of their 14 games, lead on 38 points, followed by Leverkusen (34) and Dortmund (31). l

RESULTS

Bayern Munich 2-0 Robben 2, 30 Leverkusen 3-0 Son 36, 76 Kiessling 47

Braunschweig Nuremberg

Hoffenheim 4-4 Werder Bremen Salihovic 12-p, 18-p, Hunt 45-p, Volland 49, Elia 45+1, Herdling 5 Petersen 59, Bargfrede 90+1 Mainz 05 1-3 Dortmund Choupo-Moting 74-p Aubameyang 70, Lewandowski 78-p, 90+4-p Hertha Berlin 0-0 Augsburg

Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey (C) does not celebrate scoring a goal against Cardiff City during their English Premier League match at Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, Wales yesterday REUTERS

go seven clear Atletico move joint top Arsenal n n AFP, Madrid

Atletico Madrid moved level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga after goals from Koke and Diego Costa gave them a hard-fought 2-0 win at Elche on Saturday.

After a first-half devoid of clear-cut scoring opportunities, Atletico took the lead on 63 minutes when Koke bundled home from close range.

Costa had endured a quiet afternoon by his standards, but he doubled the advantage 11 minutes later as he raced

onto Adrian Lopez’s through ball before slotting home his 18th goal of the season.

Real Madrid can also move to within three points of the leaders when they host Valladolid later on Saturday, whilst Barcelona aren’t in action until Sunday when they travel to fifthplaced Athletic Bilbao.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone recalled six first-team regulars who had been rested for Tuesday’s 1-1 draw away to Zenit St Petersburg.

However, the visitors still found it difficult to create openings in the first-half against a well-organised Elche side. l

AFP, London

Man of the moment Aaron Ramsey scored twice against his former club as Arsenal beat Cardiff City 3-0 on Saturday to move seven points clear in the Premier League.

Ramsey broke the deadlock with a fine first-half header and after substitute Mathieu Flamini added a late second, the Welshman completed victory in stoppage time to take his tally of league goals this season to eight.

The win took Arsene Wenger’s side seven points above nearest rivals Liverpool and Chelsea, both of whom play on

Sunday, as well as Everton, who climbed to fourth place by beating Stoke City.

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere had scored after 14 seconds against Marseille in mid-week and he almost repeated the trick at the Cardiff City Stadium, curling a 20-yard shot against the crossbar in the second minute.

A remarkable incident then saw Olivier Giroud shun an opportunity to extend Arsenal’s lead.

Wrongly believing himself to be offside, the French striker stopped when given a clear run on goal, and when he belatedly realised that the assistant referee had kept his flag down, Steven Caulker rushed back to block. Fortunately for Giroud, Ramsey was on hand

RESULTS Aston Villa Cardiff

0-0 0-3

Sunderland Arsenal Ramsey 29, 90 Flamini 86 Everton 4-0 Stoke Deulofeu 45, Coleman 49 Oviedo 58, Lukaku 79 Norwich 1-0 Fulham Hooper 30 Crystal Palace 0-3 West Ham Diame 47, C.Cole 82, J.Cole 89

to spare his blushes in the 29th minute.

The Welsh midfielder sent a superb header past David Marshall from Mesut Ozil’s cross, and his refusal to celebrate against his former club prompted a round of applause from the entire stadium. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Miscreants cash in on easy availability of explosives n Mohammad Jamil Khan With law enforcers trailing the perpetrators of arson and bomb attacks there have been reports of escalating violence claiming innocent lives and maiming others.

According to register of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 129 people have so far been admitted to the hospital since the recent spate of violence flared.

Of them, nine people were killed and several others, including two minors, became psychically disabled.

Law enforcers have carried out several raids and arrested some people involved in manufacturing bombs. However, the mastermind is still at large.

Pickets are importing bomb-making materials by using the military act of 1978. As the monitoring system is very weak they, with the help of a section of importers, are importing huge amount of explosive.

Explosive directorate and intelligence source said, the main elements of making crude bomb are Sulfur, phosphorus and potassium chloride. All fertiliser, medicine, match and rubber factories of the country are importing thousand tonnes of sulfur, phosphorus and potassium chloride in legal way.

Chittagong TSP fertiliser factory alone imports 16 thousand tonnes of sulfur legally every year.

Besides, several factories of the country manufacture sulfur by themselves. However, due to absence of proper monitoring, these explosive ma-

terials are going to the hands of pickets.

For this reason, the crude bomb attacks cannot be stopped so easily.

Local businesspersons, however, refused that they sell the explosive in local markets.

Saiful Islam, owner of a chemical industry in old Dhaka told the Dhaka Tribune that they only sell acid and chemical to those customers who have license. “We do not sell sulphur.”

Contacted, Mohammad Khairul Bashar, chief inspector of explosive directorate, said: “The responsibility to check the use and sell of this explosive is up to the local administration.

Besides, we have workforce shortage to monitor it.”

Related sources said a part of phosphorus came from the matchbox factories. The miscreants manage phosphorus from those matchbox factories in connivance with a section of officials.

Besides, different political leaders own the factories.

In this regard, Sanowar Hossain, additional deputy commissioner (bomb disposal unit) of Detective Branch of police, said they had already prepared a list of 25 such businessperson selling explosives to wrong hands.

“We will take action shortly and hope the bomb attacks will decline after that.”

Asked about it, Shamsul Hoque Tuku, State Minister of home, told the Dhaka Tribune that law enforcers are investigating and many of the perpetrators have already been brought to justice. l

Father’s dreams shattered with son’s death n Ashif Islam Shaon “With my income it was always hard to educate all my children, but I never stepped back. We even we starved. I had a dream that one day Faruk will take the wheels of my family and I will retire,” said Munir Hossain, the father of Asaduzzaman-Al- Faruk, a student who died after being hit by a stray bullet during a clash between two factions of Bangladesh Chhatra League’s Dhaka College unit.

Faruk, 26, was not an activist of the BCL but a general student. After recently finishing his masters, he had gone back to his home in Panchagarh and only came to the capital to attend a job recruitment examination ten days ago.

“He said he would go back to Dhaka and study for the job recruitment exams. But, they killed my son. I want justice,” said Faruk’s father over the phone as he broke down in tears.

A heart-rending scene occurred at his home after his parents heard the news of their son’s death. Faruk was second among his four siblings. His father Munir Hossain was a Muslim cleric (Muezzin) at Surmills Jam-e Mosque.

The rival groups led by BCL Dhaka

College unit President Fuad Hasan and General Secretary Sakib Hasan engaged in a clash over establishing supremacy on the campus. Faruk was caught in the middle of the fight and hit by a stray bullet. He died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) at around 12:30am.

One of Faruk’s roommates, Ahsan Mamun said he never saw Faruk taking part in any political programme or getting involved in troubles.

“He was standing in front of the hall gates. Suddenly men from the president’s group opened fired,” he said.

His body was taken to his village following an autopsy yesterday afternoon. The autopsy report said a bullet had pierced the right sight of his respiratory system.

His parents could not come to Dhaka to take the body to Panchagarh due to the BNP-led opposition alliance enforced blockade. His friends rented an ambulance and took the body.

Sub Inspector at the New Market police station Ripon Kumar Shaha said they were preparing to file a case.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) yesterday afternoon issued an order suspending the activities of the Dhaka College unit. l

Back Page

Sunday, December 1, 2013

INNOCENT, YET THEY SUFFER DUE TO CONFRONTATIONAL POLITICS

Clockwise from left: Riyad who faced 23% burn injury during Thursday’s Shahbagh arson incident receives treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital; Nur Jahan Begum, wife of Abu Talha – another victim of the incident, takes care of her husband; and physicians treating Golam Kibria, who was injured when a bus attacked by petrol bomb ran over a rickshaw in the capital’s Malibagh yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

WORLD AIDS DAY

HIV-AIDS prevalence survey stopped since 2011 GETTING TO ZERO

16

Uzzal and n Moniruzzaman Tushar Hayat The internal and external migrant workers have been the biggest threats for spreading HIV-AIDS in Bangladesh as around 50% of the new AIDS patients were identified as migrant workers.

Last year, a total of 338 new HIV patients were identified in the country, more than 45% of who were migrant workers.

Though Line Director of National AIDS/STD Programme (NASP), Dr Ab-

dul Wahed, admitted the high prevalence of HIV infection among migrant workers, he refused giving any details.

Meanwhile, the health ministry did not have the actual data concerning thishigh-risk group as their survey has remained stopped since 2011.

A highly-placed executive at a local NGO, seeking anonymity, told the Dhaka Tribune: “The sero-surveillance report is a must to get a clear picture of prevalence rate among the different high-risk groups. Currently, we are not getting the actual prevalence rate.”

Under this circumstance, Bangladesh like all the other countries in the world will observe the World AIDS Day today.

The theme for this year’s World AIDS Day is set “Getting to Zero.”

According to health ministry, a total of 2,871 HIV-positive patients have been identified in Bangladesh since 1989, among who 1,204 became AIDS patients and 390 died.

However, there were discrepancies between the public and NGO statistics regarding the numbers.

MM Niazuddin, health secretary, at a press conference at the Secretariat

yesterday said five government hospitals would give patients free medicine and health treatment from January 1 next year.

Arifur Rahman, divisional coordinator of AAS, said they had got 40 new patients, including 17 women and two children, in the current calendar year.

All the newly-infected women had received the virus from their expatriate husbands while both children were born infected.

“We are providing medical facilities to 81 females and 17 children.” All the females had received the virus from their husbands while all the children were born infected, he said.

An official at the Hope said they were providing medical assistance to a total of 248 patients. Sixty-nine of their female patients had received the virus from husbands while seven children were born with the virus.

Prof Dr AQM Sirajul Islam, former head of the department of shin and sexual disease at Chittagong Medical College Hospital told the Dhaka Tribune that mostly the wives and children of expatriate workers to the Middle East were facing such fate.

“There are some procedures of conceiving baby for the HIV infected mothers. It is possible to keep the baby safe if the HIV infected parents consult the physicians before conceiving,” said Sirajul, who has long been working with AIDS patients.

Brig Gen Khandakar Shahidul Gani, director at the CMCH, said they had taken up a Unicef-funded project to provide services to the HIV infected parents before and after having a baby.

Ali Hossain, manager of the project, said 90% of the HIV positive children across the country were born infected. However, the ratio was 100% in Chittagong. “It is possible to bring the percentage down to only two through providing services to the infected parents,” he said.

It has been learnt that the NGOs have not yet agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding with the government. It requires them to deposit 10-20% of the total funding as performance security.

Habiba Akter, executive director of Ashar Alo, said it would not be possible to deposit a large amount of money which may hamper the treatment. l

Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207.

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Continue to the Business section...

Business

B2 NBR chief blasts poor ADR performance

B3 DSE forms 5

committees to expedite demutualisation

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2013

Business www.dhakatribune.com/business

TK26BN IN UNPAID FEES

Telcos to see legal action n Muhammad Zahidul Islam Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) said it would take legal action to recover Tk26bn outstanding revenues from different telecom service companies.

If the companies continue to default, the regulator may even propose the government cancel their licences, said BTRC sources.

The unpaid revenues include spectrum fee, revenue sharing and annual licence fee.

Already, BTRC has served notices to the defaulting firms asking to pay the revenues.

Otherwise, it would go to the court seeking solution under the Public Demands Recovery Act 1913.

“If our efforts to recover the money do not work, we may even propose the government to cancel licences,” Md Giashuddin Ahmed, vice chairman of BTRC, told the Dhaka Tribune.

He added: “The commission is going to be stricter to collect public money.” Earlier, BTRC informed the government about the uncollected revenue and said it was “not able to collect more than Tk26.11bn from dif-

ferent telecom service providers as of June 2013.”

The regulator is now looking for all possible legal ways to make the operators pay their dues. According to an official report, the state-owned land phone operator Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) owes BTRC around Tk16.25bn of the total Tk26.11bn.

The state-owned mobile phone operator Teletalk has defaulted Tk315.8m. Private operator Citycell owes Tk1.45bn.

The report said outstanding revenues from some 28 private international gateway (IGW) operators have crossed Tk8.39bn.

Of them, only six IGW operators’ share is more than Tk5.37bn.

Allegations are there that those six operators have political backings.

BTRC has asked Teletalk to deposit the outstanding payment immediately while the Citycell is going get notice today, said the regulator sources. However, Citycell sent a letter to the BTRC on Thursday seeking a three-month time for the payment and adjustment of their allocated spectrum.

Of those connected with politically in-

fluential people, BTRC already recommended cancelling licence of Ratul Telecom Limited. This company is owned by Syeda Amrin Rakhi and Syeda Arzuman Banu. They are respectively daughter and wife State Minister for LGRD Jahangir Kabir Nanak.

Ratul Telecom owes Tk890m to BTRC. The telecom ministry did not take action in line with the BTRC recommendation, rather Ratul was given the opportunity to pay the money in three instalments.

Besides, the total due of the Interconnection Exchange (ICX) operators stood at Tk2.11bn while that of International Internet Gateway (IIG) amounts to Tk3m.

Most of the IGW and ICX operators have not paid their annual licence renewal fee.

The two Wi-Max operators- Banglalion and Qubee- owe respectively Tk294.8m and Tk151.2m to the telecom regulator.

Besides, some 12 private land phone (PSTN) operators have not paid Tk293.4m.

Different private companies, internet service providers (ISPs) and some government departments have not deposited spectrum charges amounting to Tk241.8m, said the BTRC report. l

Tax return deadline to extend till Dec 31 n Tribune Report National Board of Revenue would extend the deadline for submitting income tax returns up to December 31 in view of the poor returns so far due to ongoing political crisis.

This is also to facilitate taxpayers obtaining eTIN. “Many taxpayers are facing troubles in obtaining eTIN, which is a must for filing tax returns and they requested NBR to extend the deadline. We would extend the deadline till December 31 to merge it with the deadline for eTIN registration, which will expire on December 31,” NBR Chairman Ghulam Hussain said yesterday.

As of last week, the revenue authority received only 600,000 returns, less than half of regular taxpayers.

‘Many taxpayers are facing troubles in obtaining eTIN, which is a must for filing tax returns and they requested NBR to extend the deadline. We would extend the deadline till December 31 to merge it with the deadline for eTIN registration, which will expire on December 31’

Earlier on Thursday, the NBR Chairman Ghulam Hussain received the approval of the extension from Finance Minister AMA Muhith.

NBR will come up with the formal announcement on the extension today since the existing deadline will expire today.

The original deadline for submitting income tax return was September 30. The NBR extended it once up to October 31, and then up to December 1.

There are 1.7 million valid TIN holders in the country, and NBR officials said half of its regular taxpayers were yet to submit their returns. Around 1.3 million taxpayers submitted returns for the last fiscal year.

The deadline for submitting tax returns was extended by 45 days in 2012, 30 days in 2011 and seven days in 2010. l

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2013

TAX DISPUTE SETTLEMENT

NBR chief blasts poor ADR performance He advocates for setting up own legal wing to expedite settlement of disputes UCB holds managers’

n Tribune Report

National Board of Revenue chairman Ghulam Hussain yesterday expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), saying there are discretions in any part of NBR for which thousands of tax disputes have been filed with courts.

He said the NBR is established with law and there are minimum chances of discretion at the revenue body. “But why a huge number of cases have become disputed?” he questioned.

There must be discretion somewhere which resulted in such a huge number of tax disputes and this is my failure as the chairman of NBR, he said.

Ghulam Hussain made the observation at a workshop on alternative dispute resolution on income tax in Dhaka. The NBR and the International Finance Corporation jointly organised the workshop.

He said no case related to customs and VAT wings was resolved through ADR since its introduction.

More than Tk300bn of revenue remained stuck due to the backlog in cases with different courts. Among them, Tk40bn are from

income tax, Tk240bn from customs and Tk20bn from VAT wing.

“A huge amount of money would add to the national exchequer if taxpayers settle their disputes through the ADR,” the chairman said.

The NBR on July 2012 introduced the ADR to resolve the disputes and ensure a winwin situation for both the government and taxpayers. According to the system, a panel of facilitators will assist both taxpayers and revenue officials to resolve disputes within two months of application.

During the last one year, ADR received only 212 cases from income tax, among them, 197 cases have been settled so far and NBR realised around Tk650m, out of total 6.03bn after settlement of the cases.

“There are 10,000 customs related cases involving Tk260bn, but ADR has attracted only 35 of them. Why they are not coming?” the chairman questioned.

To deal with such cases, he stressed on introduction of an own legal wing at NBR consisting NBR members, senior lawyers, and retired district judges etc.

“We have only one legal officer to handle over 30,000 cases. Due to the lack, no repre-

sentative monitors the cases pending at the courts, even no one attends the hearing, and since we cannot present the cases properly at court, we lose cases.”

He also emphasised on introducing incentive for the lawyers, saying if there are provisions for their incentives at ADR, lawyers will be involved with the process and encourage people to settle disputes through ADR. NBR member (legal and enforcement) Kalipada Halder presented the keynote paper at the workshop.

Participants expressed confusion over the transparency of the system and said if the facilitator is selected from retired officials of NBR, the designated persons will surely have soft corner on NBR. They requested NBR to review the provision if possible.

They also emphasised on providing power to the facilitators saying if the facilitator works with no power, there will be less chances to win the cases.

In response, Kalipada Halder said it is tough to manage senior lawyers to deal with ADR. However, the NBR will consider giving power to facilitators while amending the law next time. l

Dollar rises against euro after mixed European data n AFP, New York

US oil prices edge higher, Brent oil falls

The dollar rose Friday against the euro following mixed European economic data.

Near 2300 GMT Friday, the euro bought $1.3590, down from Thursday’s level of $1.3606. The dollar advanced to 102.42 Japanese yen from 102.33. The euro slipped to 139.18 yen from 139.23.

There were no major US economic reports released Friday and little corporate news the day after the Thanksgiving holiday. The US stock market closed early.

However, foreign exchange traders are looking ahead to a raft of US data next week, which includes the critical November jobs report.

“Confidence in a December Fed taper would stand to get a boost in a solid jobs report for November,” said Joe Manimbo, senior market analyst at Western Union Business Solutions.

Fresh eurozone data showed the jobless rate in the 17-nation eurozone dropped to 12.1% in October from a record 12.2% in September. Inflation also went up slightly, easing deflationary concerns.

On the downside, German retail sales slipped by 0.8% in Germany. Weak retail sales in major European economies “makes us skeptical of the EUR/USD rally. l

US oil prices Friday edged higher in holiday-shortened trade, as traders reversed a recent trend that has seen US crude sharply discounted to its European counterpart.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for January delivery rose 42 cents to $92.72 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, in a shorter-than usual session the day after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Meanwhile, European benchmark Brent oil for January delivery fell $1.17 to $109.69 a barrel. Analysts said trading was unusually light Friday and saw no major news stories affecting the global oil market.

In the absence of major news, traders reversed a recent trend that has seen the value of WTI fall relative to Brent as concerns have

n AFP, New York

increased about the elevated state of US petroleum supplies.

“You definitely saw a tremendous deterioration of the Brent-WTI spread and today maybe it was corrective,” said Andy Lebow, senior vice president for energy derivatives at Jefferies-Bache.

The gap between the two benchmarks increased from $14.21 a barrel on November 20 to $19.33 a barrel Thursday before Friday’s shift, Lebow said.

Oil markets are also beginning to look ahead to next week’s meeting of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

While the Vienna meeting may not result in a change in the group’s production quota, some analysts expect a potentially divisive debate over how to handle increased production from Iraq. l

conference n Tribune Business Desk

United Commercial Bank Limited (UCB) held a branch managers’ conference yesterday at its Learning and Development Centre auditorium.

The bank’s managing director Muhammed Ali presided over the function, said a press release.

The conference was organised to discuss about the bank’s performance during current year and evaluation of its existing strategic policy. The managers expressed their opinion on continuation and acceleration of the success of the bank.

Among others, additional managing directors M Shahidul Islam, Mirza Mahmud Rafiqur Rahman and AE Abdul Muhaimen were also present. l

Shahjalal Bank gets new MD n Tribune Business Desk

Farman R Chowdhury has joined Shahjalal Islami Bank Limited as its managing director and chief executive officer.

Previously, he was managing director of ONE Bank Limited for six years as of July 2013, said a press release.

Farman Chowdhury started his banking career in October 1986 as a management trainee in American Express Bank and served the company for 12 years.

Later, he joined ONE Bank Ltd in July 1999 as its first branch manager.

Farman R Chowdhury did his MBA at IBA of the University of Dhaka. l

HUAWEI unveils slimmest smart phone n Tribune Report Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, unveiled the HUWAEI Ascend P6, claiming the world’s slimmest smart phone measuring 6.18mm through a press conference yesterday.

The event took place at a hotel in the capital and was attended by Baker Zhou, CEO of Huawei Technologies Bangladesh Limited, another two director Morgan Liu and Md Shafayet Alam and Mohammad Mesbah Uddin from Q Mobile Ltd. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2013

DSE forms 5 committees to expedite demutualisation n Tribune Report The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) has formed five separate committees to speed up implementation of demutualisation scheme.

The committees are Nomination Remuneration and Human Resource Committee, Regulatory Affairs Committee, Audit and Risk Management Committee, Appeal Committee and Conflict Mitigation Committee. The DSE at its board meeting last week formed the committees.

Four committees have five members each – three from independent directors, one from stakeholders and DSE chief executive officer. Regulatory Affairs Committee, however, comprised of three members – all from independent directors.

The three independent directors are the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Insurance Association Chairman Sheikh Kabir Hossain and additional secretary of commerce ministry Ruhul Amin Sarker.

As stakeholders, Abdul Haque will be in Nomination Remuneration and Human Re-

source Committee, DSE directors Minhaz Mannan in Audit and Risk Management Committee, Hanif Bhuaiyan in Appeal Committee and Ahmad Rashid in Conflict Mitigation Committee.

In line with the demutualisation scheme to form new board of directors of the prime bourse, Nomination Remuneration and Human Resource Committee, headed by the FBCCI president, will propose names of independent directors to the securities regulator for approval.

Ahmad Rashid said the committees were formed in accordance with the demutualisation scheme. “It’s a part of demutualisation scheme.”

On November 22, the Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges have turned into demutualised exchanges after they received certificates from the Registrar of the Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC).

Demutualisation, a way of separating the bourses’ management from ownership, is expected to bring transparency and accountability to the market. It will transform the two bourses from their current non-profit and cooperative state into profit-oriented entities.

As per the Demutualisation Act - 2013, the bourses have to hold election within 90 days of getting certificates from the RJSC to elect 13 member boards.

Of the 13-member board with three-year term, seven directors will be independent, four from shareholders and one from strategic shareholder. In addition, the chief executive officer of a stock exchange will act as an ex-officio director having voting rights.

The post of strategic shareholder directors will remain vacant as long as eligible strategic shareholder is not found. Under a “Fit and Proper Test” criteria mentioned in the demutualisation plan, independent director will be selected from the board of directors of the bourses.

According to the Act, stock exchange members or brokerage houses will hold 40% after the demutualisation of a bourse. The rest 60% will be kept for trading right entitlement certificate holders, strategic investors and individuals.

Strategic investors will not be allowed to hold more than 25% stake of a stock exchange, while no individual will hold more than 5%. l

Indian GDP grows Rising political tension breaks better-than-expected four-week bull-run 4.8% in Q3 liquidity. Call money rate is hovering around n Reuters n Tribune Report 6.5% to 7%. Credit demand is low as uncerAn expansion in farm output and some infrastructure helped the economy recover slightly in the September quarter, but growth still hovered close to decade lows, tempering hopes of a sustained rebound ahead of elections due next year. September’s figure of 4.8% was the fourth successive quarter of economic growth below 5% and remained far below the 8% the government says is needed to reduce poverty and provide jobs for its burgeoning young population.

A Reuters poll of economists forecast the economy would grow 4.6% in the quarter.

Economists were cautiously optimistic the new number meant the worst was over for Asia’s third-largest economy, but said high inflation and political uncertainty meant it was too early to predict a quick recovery.

“The GDP data has more or less been in line with expectations, suggesting that the slowing cycle has bottomed,” said Upasna Bhardwaj, an economist with ING Vysya Bank.

Stubbornly high inflation led by runaway vegetable prices is a major headache for the country and led the central bank to raise interest rates at the last two meetings, painful for businesses looking for credit to expand output.

“From a policy perspective, today’s GDP print is unlikely to change the course of action by the Reserve Bank of India,” Bhardwaj said.

The Congress party is pinning its hopes on a growth rebound to help win back voters in a national election expected by April. Opposition prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has made the depressed economy and high prices a central plank of his campaign. l

Bearish sentiment gripped the stock market in the past week after four consecutive weeks of bull-run as investors worried again over the deepening political chaos.

During the week ended Thursday, the benchmark DSEX dropped 165 points or 3.7% to 4,231 from previous week’s highest level since its introduction on January 28 this year.

The DS30 Index comprising blue chips lost 40 points or 2.6% to close at 1,504.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Category Index fell sharply 317 points or 3.7% to 8,282.

Investor presence on the trading floor was thin throughout the past week due to opposition’s blockade programme.

The daily turnover averaged Tk6.2bn, down by 11% over the previous week’s average turnover of Tk7bn.

“Sudden drop in turnover in last three trading sessions of the week indicates that investors are still staying on the sidelines and observing market movement,” said Lanka Bangla Securities in its weekly market analysis.

It said investors were more confused about the direction of the market. On the political front, confusion still remains about imminent national election, it said.

“Investors turned a bit bearish due to severe clashes that took place in the three-day nationwide blockade enforced by opposition parties.”

Currently, money market is flooded with

tainty prevails over peaceful transition of political power.

“The last week of November made a depressive end. Negative vibe was prevalent as the week started, and persisted throughout the week,” said IDLC Investments.

“Investors’ confidence continued to evaporate over political gloom and the investors naturally were rather disappointed since this Week’s correction wiped out the previous weeks’ gain entirely,” it said.

Consequently, investors went back to the sideline causing diminishing turnover in the final sessions of the week.

The market breadth remained negative, as out of 296 issues traded during the week, 247 declined, 45 advanced and 4 remained unchanged on the premier bourse.

All the major sectors ended in red in the week. Banks lost the most by 5.5%, followed by non-banking financial institutions 4% and telecommunications 3.5%.

Textile and fuel & power were at the center of activities throughout the week, accounting for 23% and 14% of total turnover respectively.

RN Spinning became the week’s top turnover leaders with shares worth Tk1bn changing hands followed by Generation Next Fashion, Paramount Textile, Delta Life Insurance and Bengal Windsor Thermoplastic.

Central Pharma was the week’s top gainer, posting a rise of 23% and Olympic Industries was the week’s worst loser, plunging 32%. l

3

Ratan Tata sees brighter future for upmarket Nano n AFP, New Delhi India’s struggling Tata Nano, billed as the world’s cheapest car, could still have a strong future with a more upmarket image, says Tata group tycoon Ratan Tata, as the company looks to give the hatchback a new start.

Tata told US business channel CNBC late Friday he still had high hopes for the tiny Nano in its home market and abroad.

“A re-launched Nano with some of the differences that we’re trying to incorporate, yes I do” believe it has good prospects, Tata said.

“We are going to relaunch the car not as the cheapest car” but with a different “image”, Tata said, without giving a timeframe.

When Tata Motors - part of India’s giant Tata group - launched the Nano in 2009, analysts said it would revolutionise how millions in India travelled.

But after poor sales, it become clear the car’s unique selling point - its price - had backfired.

Tata said the branding of the jelly-bean shaped vehicle as the world’s cheapest car was a mistake.

‘Maybe it could get launched in another country like Indonesia, where it doesn’t have the (cheap) stigma and the new image comes back to India’ “It became termed as a cheapest car by the public and, I am sorry to say, by ourselves,” Tata said, calling the branding “unfortunate”.

Rather than embracing the Nano, the poorer but still status-conscious customer base the car was targeting largely shunned the “cheap” tag and opted for slightly pricier rivals.

The base model initially sold for a price of 100,000 rupees ($1,600).

“The Nano should have been marketed towards the two-wheeler owner,” said Tata, who trained as an architect and worked closely on the design.

It was “conceived to give people who rode on two wheels with the whole family an all-weather safe form of affordable transportation, not the cheapest”, he said.

Families of four and five are regularly seen balancing precariously on motorcycles weaving through India’s notoriously lethal congested traffic.

“Maybe it could get launched in another country like Indonesia, where it doesn’t have the (cheap) stigma and the new image comes back to India,” Tata said.

“Or maybe it could be launched as a changed product that gets marketed in Europe. There’s a lot of interest in the Nano outside India,” Tata said.

Tata Motors, which also produces the successful British luxury Jaguar and Land Rover marques, had aimed to sell around 25,000 Nanos a month.

But between April and October, it sold just 12,322 units.

The base model, sold without air conditioning, now costs 145,000 rupees. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Career

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2013

Expedite easing into a new job n Ahsan Sajid There are certain adjustments and expectations to manage when starting a new job.

Whether a fresh graduate on you first job, or a senior-level CORPORATE executive switching to a new HANDBOOK organisation, starting a new job brings with it many of the same challenges. It pays to understand the culture of your organisation, and finding your niche in it. This is a time-consuming process. Following are a few suggestions that may help you accelerate the development.

How should you deal with conflict at work? n Lutfey Siddiqi CEOs, regulators, academics and consultants have all recently converged with remarkable consistency on a simple fact: how employees behave and interact with each CAREER other plays a determining role ASCENT in the fate of a company, from the risks it takes to the revenues it makes.

From the sweeping policies codified in employee handbooks to specific guidelines for employees in various roles, behaviour is key to an organisation’s success – or failure.

Two areas of behaviour that many struggle with – in both commercial and non-profit domains – are conflict and challenge.

Conflict

In a world of limited resources (whether in terms of money, staffing levels or time) and more demand than supply, conflict is inevitable. In fact, conflict can be an effective “clearing mechanism” for settling competing demands.

In addition, at a time when new technologies are causing disruptive changes to the way services are provided, it is natural for knowledge workers to carry differing perspectives. These differences may give rise to “good-faith conflict,” where various opinions are respected.

However, in large, complex organisations, where the end result of individual work may not be directly visible, it is easy to fall into what Sigmund Freud called “the narcissism of small differences” – where political disagreements are strongest when the stakes in-

volved are smallest.

When it comes to managing workplace conflicts, three rules are sacrosanct: Conflict must be issue based and not personality based. The fact that you disagree with me does not mean that I should question your intent or your integrity.

The fact that you disagree with me on one topic does not mean that I should disagree with you on another topic, just to retaliate. Issues should be compartmentalised with no spillover.

Once there is closure on a topic – irrespective of whether the outcome goes in my favour or not – I should not drag it along ad infinitum.

Challenge

Do we challenge ourselves enough? Do we spend enough time considering alternatives, suspending judgement while we do so? Do we reevaluate our decisions when facts change, or do we defend them with all our lives?

Beyond ourselves, we are of course entitled to challenge one another in a constructive way. We don’t have to agree with every decision, but in most cases, we are entitled to an explanation when things don’t go our way. In challenging decisions or colleagues, it’s important to get the right tone: No grandstanding or showmanship. A challenge does not have to be at the expense of courtesy.

Remember that a “constructive” challenge is one that seeks to reach a solution. A “how I would do it differently” approach is better than lobbing a grenade for the sake of it. As the American businessman Ross Perot is credited with saying, “The activist is not

From the sweeping policies codified in employee handbooks to specific guidelines for employees in various roles, behaviour is key to an organisation’s success – or failure the man who says the river is dirty. The activist is the man who helps clean up the river.”

It is also important to receive a challenge in the right spirit: No foot-dragging or “filibustering” (as they say in the US Congress), hoping that the question will simply go away.

It’s incumbent on the senior professional to foster relationships where challenges are professionally accepted and not seen as a sign of disloyalty.

Not only should we tolerate challenges, we should actively seek out challenges to our beliefs and positions. Similar to diversity, this can contribute to the resilience of any workplace and boost the organisation’s performance.

Making the most of employees’ potential is a continual quest. However, for the modern corporation to evolve to the next stage of effectiveness – especially with “Generation Y” making up a growing proportion of the employee base – behaviour needs to be an explicit area of focus. l Lutfey Siddiqi is Adjunct Professor at the Risk Management Institute, National University of Singapore and a Managing Director at UBS Investment bank. He is also a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader.

This piece was originally published in huffingtonpost.com

Don’t go gung-ho: This trait is as common in job starters as it is in seasoned workers – when starting a new job in a new company the pressure to impress leads one to go all out and chase assignments from day one.

While this isn’t a bad thing and it certainly impresses the boss, it can get one in trouble.

You are bringing experience, connections, and a plethora of other intangible assets, but you don’t know the culture or the players.

Your actions may alienate colleagues, disrupt the method and pace the company is comfortable with, or have long term repercussions. Take time to do the groundwork and figure out the company. Ask for your colleague’s perspectives instead of just your boss. You won’t get a second chance.

Say less, learn more: The first few days, observe and listen to your colleagues in different circumstances. Process and analyse all the information that you collect from conversations and try to figure out who you can trust and who you need to be wary of.

The less you say, the better you position yourself to learn how the company works.

This doesn’t mean you should be rude or shy; it means not to volunteer opinions or information unless they are asked for.

Build a diverse circle: It is easy to talk to colleagues around you, but to excel at your new job you must build a diverse circle of trust comprising of people in different functions.

When you socialise with more than just your immediate colleagues you gain a more holistic understanding of your company.

Furthermore, when you have people to count on throughout the company, you have multiple sources feeding you important information, fresh pair of eyes for any problems that may arise, and ease of operations for projects requiring interdepartmental collaboration.

Let go of the past: Engage fully at your new position. The longer one spends at a job the more used to one gets to it; when starting a new job, let go of all your previous work habits, customs and team dynamics.

Differences in practice will be clear to you, but do not even mention your previous job unless asked about it. If you constantly bring up “At my old job, we did things this way” or “At my old job, I undertook many projects” your colleagues will tire of you, creating unnecessary friction. You earn the right to critique your workplace once you’ve been there long enough to understand it. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Career

5

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2013

Nurturing leadership through delegating real responsibility Airtel’s intense grooming programme picks out diamonds in the rough n Career Desk

B

eing one of the fastest growing telecom companies in Bangladesh, Airtel strives to establish itself as an ideal employer. Airtel hires the best graduates and grooms them to become future leaders through its Young Leaders Programme (YLP).

Established in 2011, YLP is similar to Management Trainee programmes multinational companies use for recruitment. YLP assesses prospective future leaders through an extensive six-step selection process where after passing an aptitude test, they have to present business cases and engage in group discussions and undergo two rounds of interview and psychometric assessment. Successful candidates are inducted into YLP for a year and trained through rotational functional stints for the initial six months to develop a holistic understanding of the organisation.

Chief Human Resources Officer Noor Mohammad expressed the significance of YLP; he strongly believes that to be a leader in this “fast moving technology company” one needs to have passion and perseverance along with leadership and team playing qualities.

Airtel has found promising young leaders through YLP who have been a valuable asset for the organisation. Senior Executive of Usage and Retention Tasneem Rafayat is one of Airtel’s first young leaders. Tasneem says about his experience: “YLP has helped me establish my credibility in the organisation quite early in my career through the cross functional rotations that young leaders go through.”

This year five YL are currently on the second phase of their training. After completing the last part of their one year tenure, they will

Thrifty: I have always been thrifty with my money, and in the habit of saving since I was very young. However, since I joined my new job ASK MENTOR I am spending too much money and hardly saving anything. This is because almost every day all my colleagues go out for lunch, and I hate being the only one left behind so I tag along.

Eating out every day is not very financially responsible and I need to stop. How do I not tag along with the group without everyone thinking that I’m anti-social and not fun?

Can I convince some of the others to stop also without coming off as a parent?

Mentor: How long have you been going out for lunch with them? If you have been doing this for a long enough time, then you must have bonded with someone there. If you have, you can start withdrawing yourself from such group cohesion. Come out straight and tell them that you do not want to go out for lunch because you brought food from home. Make sure you phase it out. So to begin with, join them once a week and then stop and go out with them when you wish to.

to deal with hectic situations is to set small objectives and conquer them goal by goal.

Rishad Habib Rishad’s perspective about leadership developed when she was captaining a team for a women’s basketball tournament. She realised that to be a leader one needs to be persistent and take extra initiatives. She takes time to get to know everyone and the team dynamics to get familiarised with the organisation’s culture. YLP has given Rishad the opportunity to gain deeper insight about doing business.

be promoted to new positions in the company.

In an attempt to peer into the minds of these dynamic young leaders Airtel managed to capture glimpses of their personalities and what they have picked up from the leadership programme.

Tasneem Rafayat Tasneem finds Airtel “a demanding and a rewarding employer.” In an internal collaborative assessment organised by Airtel, Tasneem and his team scored the highest points.

Mentoring and learning by sharing knowledge is what makes a team successful, according to him. His leadership style involves volunteering, trust building, quick decisions and bravery. His believes “an arrow can only be shot by pulling it backwards.”

ZKhan: My department manager insists on having daily meetings, which I find a big waste of time. He insists on having us in his office every morning for meetings that extend over an hour or two, and they seem inefficient and counterproductive to me. Most of the times we stray very far from the original topic of discussion and end up killing time that could be spent on something better. I think the problem is that our department is too casual, but I do not know how to address this problem.

How do I stop this practice, or at least, get myself out of wasting so much time every morning?

Mentor: The reality is that you cannot avoid these meetings. This is very typical of many bosses, which they practice to exert their superiority. However, what you can do is to have your work ready and present them in brief, and make sure you have a few other colleagues who do the same. You can end the meetings quickly if you have your deliverables ready and present them without straying. However, I must warn you that you will be encountering a group of sycophants who will tag along with your boss in these useless conversations. l

Email us at career@dhakatribune.com for your opinions, feedback and career-related queries.

Fazana Yasmin Rivi Farzana does a fair job at practicing a mix of logical and creative tasks. Her positive and “solution-seeking” attitude has helped her win a national championship at a prestigious business case competition. She does not let doubts limit her confidence. YLP has refined her knowledge of professional behaviours and taught the technicalities of the telecom industry.

Usayed Islam Usayed is a lot if not all about football.

Through sports he has learnt how important it is to keep a check on one’s ego while working in a team. He collaborates with each player because he believes everyone has an important part to play in completing the job. His mantra

Syed Ibrahim Saajid Saajid believes that success comes only when you can look adversary in the eyes and say “bring it on.” As a participant in the Bangladesh International Model United Nations Conference in 2012, he learned to lead a diverse team towards a common goal while maintaining a harmonious balance. Saajid thinks being part of a growing company like Airtel is an immense learning opportunity for them.

Jasia Nuzhat Haider While working in a team, Jasia makes a point of making her opinions heard even if that opens doors for disagreement. The best part for Jasia about YLP was the fact that it provided a smooth transition to the actual start of work responsibilities.

During the six months of the programme, the young leaders were attached to several functions such as Sales, Finance, Network, IT, Operations Excellence, Legal and Marketing which was valuable for in developing a holistic view about working in the organisation. l

Insurance terms Follow this career expert on Twitter to stay on the edge of your career Gautam Ghosh @GautamGhosh Gautam is a member of the HR team at Philips India. Earlier he was a freelance Social Business and HR Consultant. He has been featured as a Social Media Thought Leader on Forbes. He specialises in HR, organisation development and how businesses can leverage social media for organisational learning and employee engagement.

Gautam’s worked as a HR Manager at Deloitte Consulting and earlier in the HR and Learning & Development function in organisations like Dell, Hewlett Packard and Satyam Computer Services.

He manages a HR community of 1400 professionals at www.humanresourcespeople.com. One of India’s earliest bloggers (since 2002) – he’s blogged about HR, work and career issues consistently for the last 8 years and is seen as a thought leader in these areas. l

n Career Desk Actuary (noun) – a person who calculates risks for insurance companies

BIZ VOCAB

Assessor (noun) – a person who calculates the value of something

Claim (noun) – an application for payment under an insurance policy - to make a claim Comprehensive (noun) – [of an insurance policy] all-inclusive; providing complete protection Consequential loss (noun) – a loss that happens as a consequence of or as a result of another Employer’s liability (noun) – liability or responsibility of a firm for damage caused to one of its employees Insurance broker (noun) – agent who arranges insurance; middleman between insurer and policyholder Loss adjuster (noun) – a person who assesses the amount of compensation arising from a claim Policy (noun) – a contract of insurance l

6

Share

DHAKA TRIBUNE

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2013

DSEBroadIndex:4230.73⇓3.76%,Turnover:30826.82M.Tk⇓11.52%,PE:13.03 Turnover:34,535.67MTk.⇓10.23% 24-28November2013 MarketCap.2,044.56BTk.⇓3.32% CSEAllShareIndex:13098⇓1.46%,Turnover:483.70MTk.⇓21.49%,PE:12.81 Combined Turnover Leader

TO M. Tk.

% of TTL

Avg. P

23576250

1,299.24

3.76

55.11

R. N. Spinning-A

33806038

1,256.65

3.64

Generation Next Fashions-A

34136350

1,157.69

3.35

33.91

Delta Life Insu. -A

3884450

1,065.45

3.09

274.29

877.98

2.54

63.63

Paramount Textile Ltd.-N

Orion Pharma-N

CompanyCode | EPS | BV | Volume Traded (Share) DSE/CSE: ClosePrice ⇓/⇑ Chn % | Avg.Price | Hi / Lo

BANK ABBANK | 2.95 | 32.60 | Vol. 3115221 D: 26.70 ⇓ 4.64% | 26.86 | 30.50 / 24.50 C: 26.80 ⇓ 4.63% | 26.75 | 28.70 / 26.40 CITYBANK | 1.15 | 25.97 | Vol. 4557020 D: 20.20 ⇓ 8.18% | 20.30 | 24.00 / 18.70 C: 20.30 ⇓ 7.73% | 20.26 | 22.60 / 19.50 IFIC | 1.10 | 18.34 | Vol. 8210966 D: 31.70 ⇓ 8.65% | 31.85 | 38.00 / 29.90 C: 31.70 ⇓ 9.17% | 31.85 | 37.00 / 31.50 ISLAMIBANK | 3.78 | 27.16 | Vol. 1787159 D: 35.50 ⇓ 3.27% | 35.57 | 37.00 / 33.00 C: 35.70 ⇓ 2.19% | 35.70 | 36.70 / 35.00 NBL | 1.05 | 15.76 | Vol. 12654086 D: 12.00 ⇓ 6.98% | 12.07 | 13.50 / 11.30 C: 12.10 ⇓ 6.20% | 12.14 | 13.10 / 12.00 PUBALIBANK | 1.92 | 21.18 | Vol. 2521546 D: 31.10 ⇓ 1.89% | 31.25 | 33.00 / 29.00 C: 31.20 ⇓ 1.27% | 30.98 | 32.30 / 30.70 RUPALIBANK | 6.70 | 64.27 | Vol. 167570 D: 63.70 ⇓ 5.07% | 63.73 | 73.00 / 60.00 C: 65.00 ⇓ 2.99% | 64.15 | 67.20 / 63.20 UCBL | 1.90 | 21.72 | Vol. 20602442 D: 24.40 ⇓ 5.06% | 24.44 | 26.70 / 22.50 C: 24.40 ⇓ 5.43% | 24.41 | 26.50 / 24.20 UTTARABANK | 3.42 | 26.97 | Vol. 2941522 D: 30.70 ⇓ 5.54% | 30.62 | 33.10 / 28.00 C: 30.80 ⇓ 6.10% | 30.51 | 33.50 / 29.60 ICBIBANK | -1.60 | -13.03 | Vol. 898000 D: 6.20 ⇓ 1.59% | 6.28 | 6.40 / 6.00 EBL | 3.91 | 28.22 | Vol. 902160 D: 28.10 ⇓ 5.70% | 28.03 | 31.00 / 26.00 C: 27.80 ⇓ 5.12% | 27.80 | 29.50 / 27.00 ALARABANK | 2.03 | 14.91 | Vol. 14276280 D: 18.80 ⇓ 8.29% | 18.78 | 22.00 / 17.10 C: 18.60 ⇓ 9.27% | 18.67 | 21.00 / 17.30 PRIMEBANK | 2.89 | 22.40 | Vol. 2081350 D: 23.10 ⇓ 7.23% | 23.03 | 26.00 / 21.00 C: 22.90 ⇓ 8.03% | 22.91 | 25.40 / 22.90 SOUTHEASTB | 1.89 | 22.66 | Vol. 5410652 D: 17.90 ⇓ 4.79% | 17.94 | 20.00 / 16.20 C: 17.80 ⇓ 5.82% | 17.83 | 19.10 / 17.00 DHAKABANK | 1.46 | 18.08 | Vol. 1524717 D: 18.80 ⇓ 6.93% | 18.85 | 20.70 / 17.60 C: 18.80 ⇓ 6.93% | 18.98 | 20.40 / 18.80 NCCBANK | 1.90 | 15.88 | Vol. 5266682 D: 13.80 ⇓ 6.12% | 13.75 | 15.00 / 12.60 C: 13.70 ⇓ 6.80% | 13.68 | 15.00 / 12.80 SIBL | 2.05 | 14.47 | Vol. 4113684 D: 13.30 ⇓ 8.28% | 13.37 | 15.50 / 12.20 C: 13.40 ⇓ 8.22% | 13.44 | 15.00 / 13.00 DUTCHBANGL | 11.57 | 54.27 | Vol. 96110 D: 95.70 ⇓ 4.30% | 95.85 | 105.0 / 95.40 C: 98.00 ⇓ 6.67% | 98.50 | 100.0 / 98.00 MTBL | 1.17 | 17.27 | Vol. 515865 D: 15.60 ⇓ 4.88% | 15.70 | 17.00 / 15.00 C: 15.70 ⇓ 4.27% | 15.75 | 16.90 / 15.70 STANDBANKL | 2.33 | 14.41 | Vol. 4396575 D: 14.80 ⇓ 4.52% | 14.80 | 16.00 / 13.50 C: 14.60 ⇓ 7.01% | 14.67 | 15.80 / 14.50 ONEBANKLTD | 2.35 | 15.34 | Vol. 9920217 D: 16.10 ⇓ 6.94% | 16.17 | 18.40 / 15.00 C: 16.10 ⇓ 7.47% | 16.10 | 18.00 / 15.90 BANKASIA | 1.35 | 20.80 | Vol. 6864912 D: 18.50 ⇓ 4.15% | 18.53 | 19.60 / 17.10 C: 18.70 ⇓ 5.08% | 18.69 | 19.60 / 18.60 MERCANBANK | 2.07 | 16.59 | Vol. 12107744 D: 15.50 ⇓ 7.74% | 15.47 | 18.00 / 14.20 C: 15.50 ⇓ 7.74% | 15.43 | 17.50 / 15.20 EXIMBANK | 1.80 | 14.31 | Vol. 5441929 D: 12.70 ⇓ 6.62% | 12.73 | 14.50 / 11.60 C: 12.60 ⇓ 8.03% | 12.70 | 14.00 / 12.50 JAMUNABANK | 2.47 | 18.56 | Vol. 1148651 D: 16.30 ⇓ 1.81% | 16.34 | 17.80 / 15.00 C: 15.80 ⇓ 4.24% | 15.93 | 17.00 / 15.00 BRACBANK | 1.51 | 24.87 | Vol. 2093424 D: 30.70 ⇓ 4.95% | 30.90 | 32.80 / 29.00 C: 30.30 ⇓ 7.34% | 30.61 | 32.90 / 27.80 SHAHJABANK | 2.61 | 14.47 | Vol. 3526481 D: 17.30 ⇓ 3.89% | 17.23 | 19.10 / 15.70 C: 17.10 ⇓ 6.04% | 16.96 | 18.60 / 16.70

Vol.

13798960

PREMIERBAN | 1.18 | 13.95 | Vol. 4616914 D: 11.50 ⇓ 8.00% | 11.56 | 13.60 / 10.80 C: 11.50 ⇓ 8.73% | 11.45 | 13.80 / 11.30 TRUSTBANK | 0.50 | 18.00 | Vol. 1319994 D: 19.40 ⇓ 3.48% | 19.45 | 20.50 / 17.70 C: 19.40 ⇓ 3.48% | 19.34 | 21.00 / 19.30 FIRSTSBANK | 1.85 | 13.89 | Vol. 6606264 D: 15.20 ⇓ 9.52% | 15.38 | 17.00 / 14.00 C: 15.30 ⇓ 10.53% | 15.36 | 17.00 / 14.50 NON BANKING F I IDLC | 4.43 | 29.18 | Vol. 1217330 D: 60.00 ⇓ 3.54% | 60.48 | 63.50 / 55.00 C: 60.60 ⇓ 3.81% | 60.71 | 62.50 / 60.00 ULC | 1.80 | 14.90 | Vol. 1264721 D: 28.90 ⇓ 5.56% | 28.92 | 31.60 / 27.00 UTTARAFIN | 7.16 | 41.54 | Vol. 705443 D: 78.90 ⇓ 5.17% | 79.02 | 84.70 / 73.00 C: 78.90 ⇓ 6.52% | 79.37 | 83.00 / 75.60 MIDASFIN | 0.16 | 10.21 | Vol. 33550 D: 29.00 ⇓ 8.52% | 29.00 | 29.80 / 29.00 C: 27.50 ⇓ 8.33% | 25.00 | 27.50 / 27.50 FLEASEINT | 2.34 | 13.93 | Vol. 3924114 D: 28.80 ⇓ 7.99% | 28.87 | 31.90 / 27.00 C: 28.80 ⇓ 8.86% | 28.93 | 32.40 / 28.70 PLFSL | 1.37 | 17.48 | Vol. 3968514 D: 23.40 ⇓ 6.40% | 23.54 | 26.40 / 21.50 C: 23.60 ⇓ 5.98% | 23.69 | 25.50 / 22.60 PRIMEFIN | 0.87 | 17.88 | Vol. 1563552 D: 23.70 ⇓ 6.32% | 23.86 | 27.00 / 21.90 C: 23.80 ⇓ 6.30% | 23.79 | 25.60 / 23.60 PREMIERLEA | 0.10 | 11.37 | Vol. 770524 D: 10.00 ⇓ 2.91% | 10.07 | 10.40 / 9.50 C: 10.10 ⇓ 3.81% | 10.08 | 10.60 / 10.00 ISLAMICFIN | 1.03 | 15.48 | Vol. 2809323 D: 16.50 ⇓ 5.17% | 16.51 | 18.10 / 15.10 C: 16.50 ⇓ 5.17% | 16.54 | 17.70 / 16.40 LANKABAFIN | 1.61 | 31.07 | Vol. 3113985 D: 53.00 ⇓ 6.53% | 53.27 | 57.90 / 48.50 C: 53.10 ⇓ 6.02% | 53.17 | 56.70 / 53.00 BIFC | 0.15 | 18.58 | Vol. 684199 D: 16.10 ⇓ 5.85% | 16.24 | 17.50 / 14.80 C: 16.20 ⇓ 5.26% | 16.18 | 17.10 / 16.10 IPDC | 1.23 | 19.43 | Vol. 649278 D: 18.00 ⇓ 5.76% | 18.06 | 19.30 / 16.90 C: 18.30 ⇓ 4.19% | 18.29 | 19.00 / 18.20 UNIONCAP | 0.54 | 17.85 | Vol. 277874 D: 28.50 ⇓ 0.70% | 28.39 | 29.90 / 26.00 C: 28.80 ⇑ 0.70% | 28.82 | 30.00 / 27.00 BDFINANCE | 0.57 | 14.77 | Vol. 970011 D: 18.20 ⇓ 4.21% | 18.11 | 20.00 / 16.50 C: 18.20 ⇓ 3.70% | 18.06 | 19.00 / 17.50 ILFSL | 0.35 | 12.19 | Vol. 2407477 D: 14.40 ⇓ 5.88% | 14.46 | 15.50 / 13.20 C: 14.50 ⇓ 5.23% | 14.53 | 15.60 / 14.40 PHOENIXFIN | 2.46 | 19.39 | Vol. 1817345 D: 31.50 ⇓ 7.89% | 31.59 | 35.50 / 29.50 C: 31.40 ⇓ 8.19% | 31.39 | 34.50 / 31.10 FASFIN | 0.19 | 13.56 | Vol. 2122097 D: 13.80 ⇓ 3.50% | 13.80 | 15.00 / 12.80 C: 13.70 ⇓ 4.20% | 13.74 | 14.50 / 13.60 DBH | 4.47 | 21.27 | Vol. 458439 D: 53.50 ⇓ 4.12% | 53.80 | 56.50 / 50.00 C: 54.10 ⇓ 1.99% | 54.05 | 55.30 / 54.00 NHFIL | 0.57 | 12.70 | Vol. 1716157 D: 29.90 ⇓ 4.78% | 30.07 | 32.50 / 29.00 C: 30.10 ⇓ 5.35% | 30.38 | 31.80 / 30.10 BAYLEASING | 0.72 | 25.55 | Vol. 1232246 D: 28.30 ⇓ 4.71% | 28.43 | 32.00 / 26.00 C: 28.70 ⇓ 3.69% | 28.53 | 30.90 / 28.40 ICB | 89.23 | 607.74 | Vol. 24244 D: 1517 ⇓ 2.32% | 1529 | 1557 / 1416 C: 1511 ⇓ 5.24% | 1511 | 1511 / 1495 GSPFINANCE | 1.63 | 22.23 | Vol. 900316 D: 25.40 ⇓ 4.87% | 25.51 | 26.90 / 23.20 C: 25.40 ⇓ 4.87% | 25.50 | 27.50 / 25.00 FAREASTFIN | 0.68 | 13.64 | Vol. 5167500 D: 13.90 ⇓ 3.47% | 13.92 | 14.60 / 13.80 C: 13.90 ⇓ 4.14% | 13.88 | 14.70 / 13.80 INVESTMENT 1STICB | 75.63 | 942.30 | Vol. 550 D: 870.0 ⇓ 0.97% | 870.00 | 879.1 / 850.0 2NDICB | 44.10 | 253.11 | Vol. 3300 D: 275.8 ⇑ 10.10% | 275.00 | 283.0 / 251.0

37.17

DSE Gainer

C%

A%

CP

C%

A%

CP

Central Pharm-A

22.86 27.59

43.00

Olympic Ind.-A

-31.64

-30.50

153.80

Northern Jute-Z

20.38 20.38

31.90

Samorita Hospital-A

-25.33

-24.22

90.80

Fu-wang Ceramic-A

15.22

15.78

21.20

Delta Life Insu.-A

-24.39

-21.09

263.50

GPH Ispat Ltd-A

15.02

15.76

60.50

Al-Haj Textile -A

-21.55

-19.93

72.80

Paramount Textile Ltd.-N 10.65

8.57

56.10

Jute Spinners-A

-14.83

-14.67

79.80

3RDICB | 26.16 | 235.16 | Vol. 5650 D: 195.2 ⇓ 2.89% | 195.17 | 201.3 / 195.0 4THICB | 29.24 | 229.24 | Vol. 3600 D: 200.1 ⇑ 1.42% | 200.00 | 208.8 / 198.0 5THICB | 23.45 | 188.92 | Vol. 5000 D: 155.1 ⇑ 1.11% | 156.00 | 160.0 / 155.0 6THICB | 10.99 | 60.14 | Vol. 88800 D: 52.80 ⇓ 3.30% | 52.92 | 54.80 / 51.70 C: 52.80 ⇑ 0.38% | 52.80 | 52.80 / 52.80 7THICB | 13.53 | 98.60 | Vol. 5500 D: 88.00 ⇑ 1.50% | 88.00 | 89.20 / 85.00 AIMS1STMF | 3.02 | 15.70 | Vol. 1912050 D: 38.90 ⇓ 2.99% | 38.92 | 40.60 / 36.50 C: 39.00 ⇓ 3.23% | 38.70 | 40.40 / 38.50 ICBISLAMIC | 2.21 | 26.81 | Vol. 177500 D: 17.90 ⇓ 8.67% | 18.00 | 19.00 / 17.60 GRAMEEN1 | 6.26 | 33.23 | Vol. 1218500 D: 43.10 ⇓ 5.90% | 43.16 | 46.50 / 42.70 C: 43.20 ⇓ 5.47% | 43.33 | 45.80 / 43.00 ICB1STNRB | 4.06 | 35.31 | Vol. 32500 D: 26.00 ⇓ 1.14% | 26.00 | 26.80 / 25.20 C: 26.80 ⇑ 2.29% | 26.80 | 26.80 / 26.80 ICB2NDNRB | 2.49 | 16.24 | Vol. 1122000 D: 9.90 ⇓ 6.60% | 9.92 | 10.50 / 9.90 C: 9.90 ⇓ 5.71% | 9.93 | 10.30 / 10.00 GRAMEENS2 | 2.17 | 16.41 | Vol. 3702200 D: 16.20 ⇓ 4.71% | 16.24 | 17.20 / 15.50 C: 16.20 ⇓ 5.26% | 16.22 | 17.10 / 16.10 ICB3RDNRB | 0.00 | 10.60 | Vol. 1480500 D: 5.30 ⇓ 5.36% | 5.34 | 5.70 / 5.30 C: 5.30 ⇓ 5.36% | 5.31 | 5.50 / 5.20 1JANATAMF | 0.78 | 10.68 | Vol. 2086000 D: 6.00 ⇓ 7.69% | 6.04 | 6.50 / 6.00 C: 6.10 ⇓ 4.69% | 6.14 | 6.50 / 6.00 GREENDELMF | -0.82 | 9.72 | Vol. 1403500 D: 5.30 ⇓ 7.02% | 5.40 | 5.80 / 5.30 C: 5.40 ⇓ 5.26% | 5.46 | 5.80 / 5.40 POPULAR1MF | 0.77 | 11.38 | Vol. 5087346 D: 6.10 ⇓ 6.15% | 6.14 | 6.70 / 5.50 C: 6.30 ⇓ 5.97% | 6.22 | 6.70 / 6.10 IFILISLMF1 | 0.00 | 10.45 | Vol. 4360500 D: 5.80 ⇓ 4.92% | 5.87 | 6.20 / 5.80 C: 5.80 ⇓ 6.45% | 5.83 | 6.10 / 5.80 PHPMF1 | 0.63 | 10.92 | Vol. 4928000 D: 5.60 ⇓ 6.67% | 5.66 | 6.10 / 5.60 C: 5.60 ⇓ 8.20% | 5.66 | 6.10 / 5.60 AIBL1STIMF | -0.07 | 9.25 | Vol. 174000 D: 7.00 ⇓ 2.78% | 7.02 | 7.20 / 6.80 C: 6.90 ⇓ 5.48% | 6.93 | 7.10 / 6.90 MBL1STMF | -0.16 | 9.08 | Vol. 513000 D: 6.20 ⇓ 6.06% | 6.21 | 6.60 / 6.20 C: 6.40 ⇓ 4.48% | 6.40 | 6.70 / 6.40 SEBL1STMF | 0.94 | 11.85 | Vol. 2506750 D: 7.90 ⇓ 5.95% | 7.94 | 8.50 / 7.20 C: 8.10 ⇓ 4.71% | 8.06 | 8.40 / 7.90 EBLNRBMF | 1.07 | 10.88 | Vol. 8500 D: 7.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.40 | 7.80 / 7.30 RELIANCE1 | 0.95 | 10.33 | Vol. 2692050 D: 8.60 ⇓ 4.44% | 8.70 | 9.30 / 8.20 C: 8.80 ⇓ 3.30% | 9.40 | 9.60 / 8.80 LRGLOBMF1 | 0.45 | 10.78 | Vol. 24617000 D: 6.80 ⇓ 4.23% | 6.82 | 7.20 / 6.50 C: 6.70 ⇓ 8.22% | 6.70 | 7.20 / 6.70 ABB1STMF | 0.92 | 10.63 | Vol. 1640630 D: 7.40 ⇓ 3.90% | 7.42 | 7.70 / 6.90 C: 7.30 ⇓ 5.19% | 7.30 | 7.50 / 7.30 NLI1STMF | 1.17 | 12.22 | Vol. 5037150 D: 9.00 ⇓ 6.25% | 9.07 | 9.70 / 8.30 C: 9.00 ⇓ 8.16% | 9.01 | 9.60 / 8.90 FBFIF | 1.30 | 10.27 | Vol. 7500 D: 8.80 ⇓ 1.12% | 8.89 | 9.30 / 8.70 C: 8.40 ⇑ 5.00% | 8.40 | 8.40 / 8.40 NCCBLMF1 | 1.16 | 10.48 | Vol. 186500 D: 8.20 ⇓ 5.75% | 8.30 | 8.90 / 8.20 ICBSONALI1 | 0.00 | 10.39 | Vol. 2692000 D: 8.00 ⇓ 6.98% | 8.01 | 8.80 / 7.90 C: 8.10 ⇓ 5.81% | 8.08 | 8.90 / 8.00 EXIM1STMF | 0.00 | 10.91 | Vol. 31000 D: 7.70 ⇓ 4.94% | 7.70 | 8.00 / 7.70 ENGINEERING AFTABAUTO | 4.03 | 56.91 | Vol. 2884320 D: 103.0 ⇓ 2.55% | 102.83 | 109.0 / 93.00 C: 102.8 ⇓ 3.11% | 102.75 | 110.0 / 100.0

DSE Loser

AZIZPIPES | 0.39 | -42.04 | Vol. 69750 D: 17.30 ⇑ 0.58% | 17.33 | 17.90 / 17.20 C: 18.10 ⇑ 7.10% | 18.04 | 18.80 / 17.10 OLYMPIC | 5.23 | 14.73 | Vol. 2762354 D: 153.8 ⇓ 31.64% | 155.55 | 174.6 / 144.7 C: 153.9 ⇓ 31.69% | 154.75 | 175.0 / 153.5 BDLAMPS | -5.31 | 37.07 | Vol. 72450 D: 127.3 ⇓ 4.57% | 127.73 | 135.7 / 125.6 C: 131.7 ⇑ 0.84% | 131.71 | 134.9 / 125.5 ECABLES | 2.04 | 18.87 | Vol. 68430 D: 80.00 ⇑ 5.26% | 80.00 | 81.70 / 76.00 C: 72.30 ⇓ 2.30% | 72.61 | 81.40 / 72.30 MONNOSTAF | 5.31 | 44.78 | Vol. 9150 D: 307.7 ⇓ 12.44% | 308.00 | 376.0 / 299.6 SINGERBD | 9.99 | 45.74 | Vol. 449870 D: 193.1 ⇓ 3.74% | 192.72 | 202.0 / 182.0 C: 193.0 ⇓ 3.98% | 191.48 | 200.0 / 190.1 ATLASBANG | 9.14 | 222.05 | Vol. 164400 D: 167.2 ⇓ 5.16% | 167.37 | 184.8 / 154.0 BDAUTOCA | -0.43 | 5.68 | Vol. 196488 D: 29.00 ⇓ 5.84% | 29.86 | 32.00 / 28.50 QSMDRYCELL | 1.06 | 52.31 | Vol. 2499923 D: 35.10 ⇓ 6.65% | 35.31 | 39.30 / 33.00 C: 35.40 ⇓ 5.60% | 36.30 | 39.30 / 35.00 RENWICKJA | 5.77 | -31.13 | Vol. 60050 D: 140.0 ⇓ 10.54% | 140.93 | 157.6 / 139.1 NTLTUBES | 0.67 | 311.00 | Vol. 269316 D: 71.70 ⇓ 5.03% | 72.04 | 75.00 / 69.20 BDTHAI | 0.43 | 39.35 | Vol. 2005980 D: 26.80 ⇓ 2.90% | 27.04 | 29.00 / 25.00 C: 27.00 ⇓ 3.23% | 27.09 | 29.50 / 26.90 ANWARGALV | 0.52 | 8.10 | Vol. 873000 D: 24.40 ⇑ 3.39% | 24.51 | 26.50 / 23.00 C: 24.50 ⇑ 1.66% | 24.59 | 25.80 / 23.30 KAY&QUE | -3.89 | 6.03 | Vol. 35500 D: 15.40 ⇓ 0.65% | 15.47 | 16.00 / 15.00 C: 14.80 ⇓ 9.20% | 14.80 | 14.80 / 14.70 RANFOUNDRY | 2.84 | 18.62 | Vol. 206500 D: 82.40 ⇓ 4.74% | 82.72 | 86.90 / 82.00 C: 76.70 ⇓ 19.26% | 76.70 | 89.30 / 76.70 SALAMCRST | 3.31 | 20.00 | Vol. 4676110 D: 44.00 ⇓ 0.23% | 44.15 | 48.80 / 41.00 C: 43.90 ⇓ 0.90% | 43.88 | 48.50 / 43.50 GOLDENSON | 3.70 | 28.70 | Vol. 9847026 D: 50.40 ⇓ 4.36% | 50.62 | 55.00 / 46.00 C: 50.50 ⇓ 4.36% | 50.75 | 54.60 / 49.30 BSRMSTEEL | 3.06 | 19.53 | Vol. 1646599 D: 72.00 ⇓ 2.44% | 71.13 | 75.50 / 65.30 C: 71.10 ⇓ 4.18% | 70.60 | 75.00 / 69.70 NAVANACNG | 4.09 | 27.04 | Vol. 1455184 D: 67.60 ⇑ 1.65% | 67.34 | 72.00 / 59.00 C: 66.50 ⇓ 1.04% | 66.94 | 69.50 / 63.00 DESHBANDHU | 0.26 | 10.67 | Vol. 2957680 D: 18.20 ⇓ 1.09% | 18.32 | 19.70 / 16.50 C: 18.40 ⇓ 0.54% | 18.40 | 19.60 / 16.70 GPHISPAT | 2.11 | 15.27 | Vol. 7592870 D: 60.50 ⇑ 15.02% | 59.42 | 63.60 / 47.40 C: 60.30 ⇑ 14.42% | 58.43 | 62.80 / 53.50 BENGALWTL | 3.85 | 24.30 | Vol. 13648000 D: 60.10 ⇓ 0.66% | 59.76 | 68.70 / 56.80 C: 60.00 ⇓ 1.80% | 59.81 | 69.00 / 57.00 BDBUILDING | 1.33 | 12.70 | Vol. 8680000 D: 66.10 ⇑ 3.93% | 66.80 | 79.70 / 62.10 C: 66.30 ⇑ 5.57% | 67.14 | 79.70 / 60.10 NPOLYMAR | 2.38 | 32.89 | Vol. 1198327 D: 55.20 ⇑ 2.41% | 55.42 | 57.90 / 50.00 C: 54.50 ⇑ 0.18% | 54.80 | 58.20 / 52.10 FOOD & ALLIED APEXFOODS | 2.54 | 90.81 | Vol. 219650 D: 87.40 ⇓ 5.31% | 87.29 | 93.70 / 86.80 C: 87.10 ⇓ 5.53% | 87.10 | 91.10 / 86.50 BANGAS | 7.20 | 50.27 | Vol. 355867 D: 442.9 ⇑ 0.29% | 448.33 | 473.1 / 415.0 C: 440.7 ⇓ 0.27% | 441.99 | 472.0 / 427.2 BATBC | 65.69 | 117.22 | Vol. 8830 D: 1661 ⇓ 2.86% | 1661 | 1710 / 1615 GEMINISEA | -15.39 | -5.70 | Vol. 10600 D: 159.9 ⇓ 10.97% | 159.44 | 179.0 / 136.0 NTC | 29.88 | 110.05 | Vol. 4850 D: 809.2 ⇓ 0.50% | 809.41 | 819.0 / 805.0 ZEALBANGLA | -28.94 | -221.34 | Vol. 3500 D: 7.50 ⇓ 8.54% | 7.50 | 8.10 / 7.30

AMCL(PRAN) | 6.85 | 57.14 | Vol. 239870 D: 181.8 ⇓ 5.71% | 182.12 | 196.1 / 180.0 C: 180.4 ⇓ 6.24% | 182.65 | 194.9 / 180.0 SHYAMPSUG | -45.77 | -396.49 | Vol. 6900 D: 6.70 ⇓ 8.22% | 6.67 | 7.20 / 6.60 RAHIMAFOOD | 0.52 | 4.45 | Vol. 3233500 D: 46.20 ⇑ 7.69% | 44.69 | 46.30 / 37.00 C: 46.50 ⇑ 7.14% | 45.01 | 46.50 / 36.10 FUWANGFOOD | 0.94 | 12.28 | Vol. 5323119 D: 23.50 ⇑ 1.73% | 23.73 | 24.60 / 20.60 C: 23.50 ⇑ 0.86% | 23.81 | 26.00 / 21.90 MEGHNAPET | -0.50 | -1.52 | Vol. 105500 D: 6.60 ⇑ 3.13% | 6.63 | 7.00 / 6.40 MEGCONMILK | -7.48 | -23.70 | Vol. 203500 D: 7.10 ⇓ 1.39% | 7.13 | 7.20 / 6.80 BEACHHATCH | 1.01 | 12.48 | Vol. 4803890 D: 21.10 ⇓ 1.40% | 21.44 | 23.50 / 19.40 C: 21.20 ⇓ 1.40% | 21.45 | 23.50 / 21.00 FINEFOODS | 0.05 | 10.63 | Vol. 2291436 D: 18.70 ⇑ 3.31% | 18.87 | 19.40 / 17.00 C: 18.80 ⇑ 1.08% | 18.95 | 19.30 / 17.30 RDFOOD | 0.91 | 16.84 | Vol. 8294474 D: 23.90 ⇓ 3.63% | 24.02 | 26.20 / 22.00 C: 23.90 ⇓ 3.24% | 24.01 | 26.10 / 23.60 GHAIL | 2.31 | 24.36 | Vol. 12576760 D: 43.60 ⇑ 7.39% | 44.13 | 50.20 / 36.80 C: 43.60 ⇑ 7.39% | 44.06 | 51.00 / 36.70 FUEL & POWER D: 314.0 ⇓ 7.29% | 314.04 | 346.0 / 295.0 C: 311.7 ⇓ 7.62% | 311.90 | 344.9 / 310.0 EASTRNLUB | 5.33 | 71.01 | Vol. 2800 D: 310.1 ⇓ 10.69% | 310.67 | 353.0 / 307.1 BDWELDING | 0.33 | 16.82 | Vol. 4374632 D: 21.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 21.95 | 23.80 / 20.00 C: 21.80 ⇓ 0.46% | 21.99 | 23.70 / 21.50 SUMITPOWER | 3.17 | 19.26 | Vol. 11945986 D: 39.50 ⇑ 2.86% | 39.68 | 43.30 / 35.00 C: 39.20 ⇑ 2.08% | 39.51 | 43.40 / 39.00 DESCO | 2.34 | 31.27 | Vol. 933037 D: 59.70 ⇓ 1.97% | 59.68 | 61.50 / 56.00 C: 59.70 ⇓ 3.24% | 60.47 | 65.90 / 55.00 POWERGRID | 2.19 | 63.69 | Vol. 1202715 D: 56.60 ⇑ 0.35% | 56.26 | 57.00 / 54.00 C: 56.40 ⇑ 1.62% | 55.97 | 58.00 / 55.00 JAMUNAOIL | 21.81 | 72.05 | Vol. 3192273 D: 243.3 ⇑ 1.29% | 243.13 | 254.8 / 225.0 C: 243.1 ⇑ 0.87% | 243.19 | 254.9 / 241.5 MPETROLEUM | 25.61 | 71.11 | Vol. 2659409 D: 282.3 ⇓ 0.18% | 280.96 | 295.0 / 254.0 C: 282.0 ⇓ 0.25% | 281.27 | 293.0 / 277.5 TITASGAS | 9.20 | 46.26 | Vol. 2871000 D: 74.60 ⇓ 2.61% | 74.18 | 77.00 / 67.00 C: 74.70 ⇓ 2.35% | 74.19 | 76.90 / 73.00 KPCL | 4.73 | 15.86 | Vol. 3313135 D: 50.10 ⇓ 0.99% | 50.58 | 55.00 / 46.50 C: 50.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 50.47 | 54.00 / 50.00 BEDL | 1.48 | 19.43 | Vol. 11730502 D: 32.90 ⇑ 0.61% | 32.84 | 35.50 / 29.50 C: 32.90 ⇑ 0.30% | 32.91 | 35.20 / 32.00 MJLBD | 2.73 | 30.24 | Vol. 679931 D: 73.00 ⇓ 4.20% | 72.90 | 77.00 / 67.00 C: 72.30 ⇓ 4.99% | 71.96 | 76.40 / 71.90 GBBPOWER | 1.86 | 22.63 | Vol. 10153313 D: 29.50 ⇓ 1.01% | 29.71 | 33.10 / 27.00 C: 29.50 ⇓ 1.67% | 29.72 | 33.20 / 28.00 SPPCL | 3.81 | 23.34 | Vol. 10636910 D: 63.00 ⇑ 1.78% | 63.23 | 68.90 / 56.40 C: 63.30 ⇑ 1.93% | 63.20 | 69.00 / 58.80 JUTE JUTESPINN | -48.14 | -39.89 | Vol. 67050 D: 79.80 ⇓ 14.83% | 78.70 | 99.50 / 73.20 NORTHERN | -9.98 | -18.22 | Vol. 2000 D: 31.90 ⇑ 20.38% | 31.90 | 31.90 / 29.10 SONALIANSH | 5.54 | 218.80 | Vol. 50550 D: 133.9 ⇓ 3.60% | 134.00 | 144.0 / 132.4 TEXTILE AL-HAJTEX | 2.22 | 16.53 | Vol. 609268 D: 72.80 ⇓ 21.55% | 73.56 | 80.00 / 70.00 RAHIMTEXT | 4.65 | 56.68 | Vol. 10092 D: 221.4 ⇓ 9.71% | 223.51 | 254.7 / 218.0

DHAKA TRIBUNE

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2013

7

NOV 24-28, 2013 Sectotal Index: BANK: 36,732.96 ⇓ 3.71% NBFI: 20,053.17 ⇓ 3.36% INVS: 4,802.21 ⇓ 2.30% ENGG: 6,355.78 ⇓ 2.64% FOOD: 9,747.72 ⇑ 0.33% F&P: 10,435.62 ⇓ 2.18% TEXT: 3,520.44 ⇑ 0.61% PHAR: 18,139.02 ⇑ 0.16% PAPR: 1,032.55 ⇓ 1.24% SERV: 3,051.13 ⇓ 3.07% LEAT: 5,293.83 ⇑ 1.08% CERA: 532.32 ⇑ 3.40% CMNT: 4,286.24 ⇓ 0.53% INFO: 7,401.43 ⇓ 3.79% GINS: 9,241.70 ⇓ 2.23% LINS: 119,623.30 ⇓ 8.89% TELC: 1,337.88 ⇓ 2.19% MISC: 6,526.05 ⇓ 3.62% SAIHAMTEX | 2.75 | 29.50 | Vol. 4495600 D: 29.20 ⇓ 2.34% | 29.27 | 30.30 / 28.70 C: 29.20 ⇓ 3.63% | 29.35 | 30.50 / 28.70 MODERNDYE | 0.91 | 10.37 | Vol. 18800 D: 92.70 ⇑ 3.92% | 92.50 | 111.0 / 91.50 DSHGARME | 0.88 | 12.12 | Vol. 271700 D: 66.50 ⇓ 4.86% | 68.55 | 71.00 / 62.50 DULAMIACOT | -1.90 | -29.70 | Vol. 30400 D: 7.60 ⇓ 3.80% | 7.83 | 7.90 / 7.40 TALLUSPIN | 1.75 | 16.17 | Vol. 9046760 D: 36.20 ⇓ 6.70% | 36.54 | 39.10 / 36.00 C: 36.30 ⇓ 7.40% | 36.48 | 39.50 / 36.00 APEXSPINN | 2.01 | 49.32 | Vol. 35200 D: 67.90 ⇓ 11.93% | 68.06 | 75.00 / 67.50 C: 80.90 ⇑ 6.45% | 80.85 | 82.90 / 78.80 MITHUNKNIT | 2.87 | 20.53 | Vol. 527680 D: 72.20 ⇓ 4.24% | 72.40 | 75.80 / 70.00 C: 71.70 ⇓ 5.28% | 71.70 | 75.80 / 71.40 DELTASPINN | 3.06 | 26.84 | Vol. 3025600 D: 29.80 ⇓ 8.02% | 29.99 | 32.30 / 28.00 C: 30.00 ⇓ 7.41% | 30.12 | 34.20 / 29.70 SONARGAON | 0.27 | 34.50 | Vol. 1446500 D: 17.70 ⇓ 4.32% | 17.88 | 19.20 / 17.00 C: 17.90 ⇓ 3.24% | 17.95 | 19.30 / 17.50 PRIMETEX | 1.21 | 59.34 | Vol. 1497000 D: 25.00 ⇓ 5.66% | 25.23 | 26.90 / 25.00 C: 25.00 ⇓ 5.30% | 25.15 | 27.00 / 24.80 ALLTEX | -1.26 | 8.10 | Vol. 1543000 D: 7.40 ⇑ 1.37% | 7.39 | 7.50 / 7.20 C: 7.30 ⇓ 1.35% | 7.32 | 7.50 / 7.10 ANLIMAYARN | 1.36 | 11.99 | Vol. 1193770 D: 26.10 ⇓ 4.04% | 26.44 | 27.80 / 24.30 C: 26.00 ⇓ 5.11% | 26.10 | 28.10 / 26.00 HRTEX | 2.08 | 14.92 | Vol. 2684340 D: 41.00 ⇑ 8.47% | 40.98 | 42.50 / 36.00 C: 41.00 ⇑ 7.89% | 41.27 | 45.00 / 36.00 CMCKAMAL | 1.37 | 19.31 | Vol. 13563954 D: 33.50 ⇓ 0.30% | 33.95 | 37.00 / 30.00 SAFKOSPINN | 0.95 | 21.78 | Vol. 2409873 D: 25.60 ⇓ 1.16% | 25.99 | 28.10 / 24.00 C: 25.70 ⇓ 2.28% | 25.87 | 28.20 / 24.00 SQUARETEXT | 4.32 | 31.82 | Vol. 488504 D: 92.60 ⇓ 0.32% | 92.29 | 94.00 / 85.00 C: 92.30 ⇓ 0.97% | 91.38 | 93.00 / 90.40 METROSPIN | 0.56 | 17.71 | Vol. 8731615 D: 22.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 22.49 | 23.30 / 19.90 C: 22.20 ⇑ 1.37% | 22.55 | 23.40 / 20.70 MAKSONSPIN | 0.16 | 20.55 | Vol. 24982451 D: 18.80 ⇑ 2.73% | 19.11 | 19.70 / 16.00 C: 18.80 ⇑ 2.73% | 19.21 | 19.80 / 16.10 DACCADYE | 1.02 | 28.44 | Vol. 4695567 D: 28.20 ⇓ 2.42% | 28.30 | 30.00 / 26.00 C: 28.30 ⇓ 2.08% | 28.34 | 29.50 / 28.10 BXSYNTH | 0.93 | 25.42 | Vol. 5240368 D: 17.20 ⇓ 3.91% | 17.33 | 19.00 / 16.00 C: 17.10 ⇓ 5.00% | 17.21 | 18.60 / 16.90 MALEKSPIN | 2.81 | 43.48 | Vol. 14896270 D: 28.90 ⇓ 8.25% | 29.47 | 32.20 / 27.00 C: 28.90 ⇓ 7.96% | 29.32 | 32.00 / 28.70 ZAHINTEX | 1.20 | 31.07 | Vol. 2326225 D: 27.20 ⇓ 2.86% | 27.34 | 28.70 / 26.00 C: 27.20 ⇓ 2.86% | 27.34 | 28.70 / 27.10 SAIHAMCOT | 1.92 | 23.62 | Vol. 5102600 D: 25.20 ⇓ 4.18% | 25.31 | 27.40 / 24.90 C: 25.10 ⇓ 4.92% | 25.20 | 26.70 / 25.00 GENNEXT | 1.68 | 15.15 | Vol. 34136350 D: 32.40 ⇓ 8.47% | 32.20 | 37.70 / 28.80 C: 32.20 ⇓ 8.78% | 32.38 | 36.40 / 31.70 ENVOYTEX | 3.19 | 39.00 | Vol. 13194640 D: 61.50 ⇑ 4.24% | 61.27 | 63.50 / 53.10 C: 61.10 ⇑ 3.38% | 61.18 | 63.00 / 59.00 ARGONDENIM | 1.89 | 38.86 | Vol. 4759605 D: 70.50 ⇑ 4.29% | 71.98 | 74.80 / 61.00 C: 71.20 ⇑ 5.48% | 71.57 | 73.90 / 64.20 FAMILYTEX | 3.72 | 14.68 | Vol. 5235000 D: 52.30 ⇓ 2.97% | 52.71 | 55.00 / 50.00 C: 51.80 ⇓ 4.07% | 52.08 | 54.60 / 51.10 PTL | 2.25 | 21.72 | Vol. 23576250 D: 56.10 ⇑ 10.65% | 55.74 | 59.10 / 49.00 C: 56.20 ⇑ 11.51% | 55.90 | 59.00 / 48.00 PHARMACEUTICAL & CHEMICAL AMBEEPHA | 3.94 | 26.15 | Vol. 77494 D: 262.2 ⇑ 0.69% | 261.38 | 279.7 / 254.0 C: 256.0 ⇓ 1.65% | 260.77 | 280.0 / 242.4

BXPHARMA | 3.77 | 52.55 | Vol. 2492280 D: 47.80 ⇓ 1.65% | 47.94 | 50.60 / 43.20 C: 47.40 ⇓ 2.07% | 47.65 | 50.60 / 47.00 GLAXOSMITH | 20.25 | 123.32 | Vol. 6850 D: 974.8 ⇑ 0.44% | 975.24 | 1000 / 940.0 ACI | -5.82 | 126.42 | Vol. 221470 D: 172.5 ⇑ 0.17% | 172.38 | 185.0 / 157.0 C: 172.0 ⇑ 0.70% | 172.00 | 175.9 / 166.0 RENATA | 33.57 | 138.83 | Vol. 43200 D: 731.1 ⇓ 1.69% | 730.21 | 750.0 / 700.0 RECKITTBEN | 27.16 | 78.89 | Vol. 6950 D: 890.0 ⇓ 1.06% | 890.00 | 950.0 / 850.0 PHARMAID | 1.39 | 26.19 | Vol. 150450 D: 159.6 ⇓ 2.80% | 160.72 | 169.0 / 155.0 KOHINOOR | 11.46 | 15.99 | Vol. 11774 D: 355.0 ⇓ 14.38% | 354.08 | 439.1 / 335.0 IBNSINA | 3.44 | 34.02 | Vol. 370300 D: 101.2 ⇓ 3.71% | 101.98 | 108.0 / 99.00 C: 101.6 ⇓ 4.15% | 102.34 | 114.0 / 100.0 LIBRAINFU | 4.21 | 1567.59 | Vol. 2400 D: 390.0 ⇓ 11.36% | 390.00 | 444.0 / 373.0 ORIONINFU | 1.27 | 7.00 | Vol. 1675400 D: 41.90 ⇓ 6.05% | 42.10 | 46.90 / 41.80 C: 41.90 ⇓ 6.05% | 42.48 | 47.00 / 41.70 SQURPHARMA | 6.93 | 37.18 | Vol. 2476376 D: 193.3 ⇓ 1.58% | 193.21 | 205.7 / 180.0 C: 192.5 ⇓ 1.03% | 192.45 | 195.0 / 189.4 BEACONPHAR | 0.04 | 12.01 | Vol. 4456450 D: 13.40 ⇑ 9.84% | 13.41 | 14.30 / 11.50 C: 13.10 ⇑ 6.50% | 13.10 | 14.10 / 12.00 ACTIVEFINE | 3.23 | 13.89 | Vol. 2248673 D: 83.90 ⇓ 5.20% | 83.74 | 89.20 / 79.00 C: 82.80 ⇓ 6.76% | 82.78 | 88.80 / 82.00 SALVOCHEM | 0.68 | 10.57 | Vol. 7810523 D: 22.80 ⇑ 6.05% | 22.92 | 25.00 / 20.00 C: 22.90 ⇑ 6.02% | 22.89 | 25.00 / 21.50 GHCL | 2.14 | 57.31 | Vol. 6555000 D: 55.40 ⇓ 0.36% | 56.29 | 66.30 / 54.80 C: 55.60 ⇓ 0.54% | 56.66 | 66.00 / 55.30 ORIONPHARM | 5.02 | 68.68 | Vol. 13798960 D: 62.40 ⇑ 4.70% | 63.14 | 67.70 / 53.00 C: 62.30 ⇑ 4.18% | 63.08 | 67.70 / 57.20 JMISMDL | 1.12 | 12.83 | Vol. 575500 D: 189.7 ⇓ 1.71% | 191.65 | 204.6 / 183.0 C: 191.2 ⇑ 0.16% | 192.69 | 205.0 / 186.0 CENTRALPHL | 1.62 | 12.24 | Vol. 15417975 D: 43.00 ⇑ 22.86% | 43.42 | 46.00 / 31.20 C: 42.90 ⇑ 22.22% | 43.36 | 45.80 / 32.00 PAPER & PACKAGING HAKKANIPUL | 0.51 | 31.01 | Vol. 152000 D: 27.60 ⇓ 0.36% | 27.83 | 28.80 / 26.80 C: 28.60 ⇑ 4.00% | 28.42 | 30.30 / 27.10 SERVICE SAMORITA | 2.49 | 57.42 | Vol. 487006 D: 90.80 ⇓ 25.33% | 91.56 | 123.8 / 90.70 C: 90.20 ⇓ 25.15% | 90.15 | 123.9 / 90.10 SAPORTL | 1.23 | 38.39 | Vol. 6554748 D: 30.00 ⇓ 4.76% | 30.12 | 34.90 / 27.90 C: 29.90 ⇓ 5.68% | 30.11 | 34.80 / 29.30 EHL | 2.81 | 18.44 | Vol. 3713547 D: 52.50 ⇓ 0.94% | 52.50 | 57.50 / 50.00 C: 52.50 ⇓ 1.32% | 52.68 | 57.50 / 49.00 LEATHER APEXTANRY | 6.57 | 69.38 | Vol. 537650 D: 119.3 ⇓ 0.08% | 119.51 | 124.8 / 115.1 C: 118.8 ⇑ 0.25% | 118.27 | 127.9 / 116.3 BATASHOE | 49.12 | 135.53 | Vol. 61800 D: 724.2 ⇓ 0.44% | 722.83 | 749.0 / 709.0 C: 733.3 ⇑ 1.13% | 736.10 | 753.5 / 700.0

APEXADELFT | 23.01 | 203.26 | Vol. 197600 D: 375.0 ⇓ 3.47% | 374.61 | 395.0 / 372.0 C: 390.0 ⇑ 0.00% | 390.00 | 390.0 / 390.0 SAMATALETH | 0.22 | 12.93 | Vol. 16500 D: 14.00 ⇓ 2.78% | 14.00 | 14.80 / 14.00 C: 13.80 ⇑ 5.34% | 13.80 | 13.80 / 13.80 LEGACYFOOT | 0.63 | 17.19 | Vol. 2529565 D: 36.70 ⇑ 7.00% | 37.02 | 38.10 / 30.00 C: 36.90 ⇑ 5.73% | 36.85 | 38.00 / 33.10 CERAMIC MONNOCERA | 0.35 | 95.30 | Vol. 466856 D: 33.80 ⇑ 3.36% | 34.10 | 36.00 / 31.50 C: 34.10 ⇑ 3.65% | 34.84 | 36.50 / 32.00 STANCERAM | 1.12 | 15.49 | Vol. 27770 D: 38.60 ⇓ 1.28% | 38.60 | 39.70 / 36.00 C: 37.30 ⇓ 6.05% | 38.37 | 40.50 / 37.10 FUWANGCER | 0.65 | 12.70 | Vol. 11122015 D: 21.20 ⇑ 15.22% | 21.28 | 22.20 / 17.00 C: 21.30 ⇑ 15.14% | 21.38 | 22.00 / 17.00 SPCERAMICS | 0.62 | 30.92 | Vol. 5810101 D: 18.90 ⇑ 3.28% | 18.96 | 20.30 / 16.60 C: 18.70 ⇑ 1.63% | 18.83 | 20.10 / 17.40 RAKCERAMIC | 1.98 | 16.76 | Vol. 2009004 D: 52.20 ⇓ 1.88% | 52.52 | 58.80 / 47.80 C: 52.10 ⇓ 1.70% | 52.56 | 55.90 / 52.00 CEMENT HEIDELBCEM | 22.85 | 111.50 | Vol. 628950 D: 382.8 ⇓ 3.63% | 383.20 | 398.0 / 375.0 C: 387.3 ⇓ 2.86% | 387.33 | 405.0 / 370.0 CONFIDCEM | 6.23 | 90.76 | Vol. 1114895 D: 121.3 ⇓ 4.56% | 121.52 | 130.0 / 119.0 C: 121.5 ⇓ 4.41% | 121.53 | 128.9 / 120.6 MEGHNACEM | 6.28 | 33.81 | Vol. 332400 D: 122.9 ⇓ 5.75% | 122.88 | 131.9 / 122.1 C: 125.0 ⇓ 5.16% | 123.98 | 127.8 / 123.1 ARAMITCEM | 3.03 | 14.65 | Vol. 406510 D: 69.80 ⇓ 6.56% | 69.63 | 75.80 / 67.00 C: 70.10 ⇓ 5.27% | 70.07 | 73.00 / 70.00 LAFSURCEML | 1.60 | 7.22 | Vol. 3484500 D: 32.60 ⇑ 1.24% | 32.42 | 34.00 / 31.70 C: 32.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 32.13 | 33.70 / 31.90 MICEMENT | 4.48 | 37.67 | Vol. 1060582 D: 82.60 ⇓ 4.73% | 82.82 | 87.00 / 76.00 C: 82.70 ⇓ 4.28% | 82.72 | 87.00 / 78.20 PREMIERCEM | 5.00 | 32.60 | Vol. 898200 D: 99.80 ⇓ 4.31% | 99.51 | 107.0 / 98.50 C: 100.0 ⇓ 4.12% | 99.62 | 106.8 / 100.0 IT IINDUSTRIES ISNLTD | 0.28 | 17.31 | Vol. 723820 D: 17.10 ⇓ 9.52% | 17.24 | 19.10 / 16.00 C: 17.10 ⇓ 8.56% | 17.15 | 19.00 / 17.00 BDCOM | 1.40 | 14.41 | Vol. 1651153 D: 26.00 ⇓ 2.62% | 25.78 | 27.10 / 23.40 C: 25.20 ⇓ 6.32% | 25.20 | 28.20 / 25.10 INTECH | 0.94 | 10.08 | Vol. 982954 D: 15.60 ⇓ 6.02% | 15.69 | 16.70 / 15.00 C: 15.80 ⇓ 5.39% | 15.79 | 16.70 / 15.50 AGNISYSL | 0.96 | 14.90 | Vol. 1659084 D: 21.40 ⇓ 5.73% | 21.56 | 23.20 / 20.50 C: 21.70 ⇓ 5.65% | 21.70 | 23.20 / 20.00 DAFODILCOM | 0.85 | 10.99 | Vol. 3009357 D: 13.30 ⇓ 5.67% | 13.41 | 14.80 / 12.50 C: 13.50 ⇓ 5.59% | 13.50 | 14.60 / 13.40 AAMRATECH | 1.33 | 19.91 | Vol. 10244220 D: 34.90 ⇓ 3.86% | 35.36 | 39.70 / 33.00 C: 34.80 ⇓ 4.40% | 35.32 | 39.90 / 34.60

GENERAL INSURANCE BGIC | 1.65 | 20.33 | Vol. 329101 D: 29.80 ⇓ 4.79% | 29.81 | 31.40 / 28.00 C: 29.50 ⇓ 5.75% | 29.66 | 31.00 / 29.40 GREENDELT | 4.05 | 64.44 | Vol. 442941 D: 84.80 ⇑ 1.56% | 84.31 | 88.00 / 76.00 C: 84.30 ⇑ 0.60% | 83.62 | 85.00 / 79.00 UNITEDINS | 2.47 | 21.04 | Vol. 48896 D: 43.20 ⇓ 4.21% | 43.14 | 46.50 / 40.00 PEOPLESINS | 2.05 | 20.72 | Vol. 1509355 D: 35.10 ⇓ 1.13% | 35.24 | 38.90 / 34.00 C: 35.00 ⇑ 2.94% | 35.00 | 37.40 / 34.00 EASTERNINS | 2.22 | 35.88 | Vol. 99135 D: 37.90 ⇓ 3.07% | 38.02 | 39.50 / 36.50 C: 38.00 ⇓ 1.04% | 38.00 | 41.00 / 38.00 JANATAINS | 0.78 | 17.07 | Vol. 1077650 D: 27.90 ⇓ 3.46% | 27.99 | 30.50 / 25.50 C: 27.90 ⇓ 3.46% | 27.91 | 30.10 / 27.80 KARNAPHULI | 1.56 | 19.42 | Vol. 463312 D: 24.10 ⇓ 4.74% | 24.24 | 25.60 / 23.00 RUPALIINS | 2.76 | 23.38 | Vol. 638576 D: 33.80 ⇓ 2.59% | 33.75 | 35.60 / 32.00 C: 33.60 ⇓ 4.00% | 33.56 | 35.00 / 32.00 FEDERALINS | 1.10 | 10.98 | Vol. 920316 D: 24.60 ⇓ 4.65% | 24.49 | 26.10 / 22.10 C: 24.40 ⇓ 5.79% | 24.49 | 26.30 / 24.30 RELIANCINS | 3.93 | 61.52 | Vol. 23259 D: 70.00 ⇓ 5.02% | 70.00 | 77.60 / 70.00 PURABIGEN | 1.05 | 18.71 | Vol. 1013428 D: 23.60 ⇓ 5.60% | 23.56 | 25.40 / 22.50 PRAGATIINS | 2.01 | 50.30 | Vol. 67663 D: 57.70 ⇓ 4.79% | 62.50 | 63.00 / 57.00 C: 60.90 ⇓ 0.16% | 59.63 | 60.90 / 59.00 PRIMEINSUR | 2.14 | 14.14 | Vol. 285937 D: 32.10 ⇓ 5.03% | 32.16 | 34.50 / 30.50 C: 33.60 ⇑ 1.20% | 33.60 | 33.60 / 33.60 PIONEERINS | 3.11 | 23.84 | Vol. 298004 D: 67.20 ⇓ 4.68% | 67.16 | 72.40 / 65.00 MERCINS | 1.53 | 14.50 | Vol. 620160 D: 27.30 ⇓ 6.19% | 27.34 | 29.80 / 26.10 C: 28.00 ⇓ 7.59% | 28.15 | 28.60 / 27.00 AGRANINS | 1.73 | 14.39 | Vol. 354978 D: 27.20 ⇓ 5.88% | 27.25 | 29.90 / 25.00 GLOBALINS | 1.09 | 11.78 | Vol. 273370 D: 28.00 ⇓ 5.72% | 28.09 | 30.00 / 27.00 NITOLINS | 2.59 | 15.41 | Vol. 168653 D: 33.90 ⇓ 3.14% | 33.93 | 35.50 / 32.00 C: 35.00 ⇓ 2.78% | 35.00 | 35.50 / 35.00 ASIAPACINS | 1.84 | 13.76 | Vol. 183100 D: 30.50 ⇓ 2.87% | 30.55 | 31.80 / 28.00 C: 31.30 ⇑ 0.97% | 31.30 | 33.30 / 31.00 SONARBAINS | 1.68 | 13.38 | Vol. 947145 D: 24.60 ⇓ 7.17% | 24.72 | 27.00 / 23.50 C: 24.00 ⇓ 10.11% | 24.00 | 27.00 / 24.00 PARAMOUNT | 1.26 | 13.19 | Vol. 435763 D: 24.70 ⇓ 3.52% | 24.77 | 27.00 / 23.90 C: 24.30 ⇓ 6.18% | 24.30 | 25.90 / 24.30 CITYGENINS | 1.65 | 14.26 | Vol. 393627 D: 28.00 ⇓ 6.35% | 28.16 | 30.00 / 26.00 C: 28.20 ⇓ 5.69% | 28.39 | 29.50 / 28.10 CONTININS | 1.41 | 15.68 | Vol. 1052767 D: 29.90 ⇓ 5.97% | 29.98 | 32.50 / 28.00 C: 30.00 ⇓ 5.06% | 30.00 | 32.20 / 30.00 TAKAFULINS | 2.19 | 15.17 | Vol. 1219830 D: 38.60 ⇓ 7.88% | 38.85 | 42.40 / 38.00 C: 39.00 ⇓ 7.36% | 39.00 | 42.50 / 39.00 STANDARINS | 2.58 | 13.99 | Vol. 179067 D: 41.00 ⇓ 1.44% | 41.00 | 44.50 / 37.90 C: 40.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 40.00 | 40.00 / 40.00 NORTHRNINS | 1.77 | 11.15 | Vol. 357980 D: 41.70 ⇓ 4.58% | 41.87 | 45.90 / 39.00 C: 41.30 ⇓ 6.14% | 41.30 | 47.40 / 40.20 REPUBLIC | 2.14 | 12.42 | Vol. 993123 D: 42.50 ⇓ 5.97% | 42.61 | 45.30 / 40.00 C: 42.50 ⇓ 5.97% | 42.57 | 46.00 / 42.40 ASIAINS | 1.56 | 17.34 | Vol. 249163 D: 27.30 ⇓ 5.54% | 27.31 | 29.80 / 25.00 C: 27.60 ⇓ 6.12% | 27.61 | 29.30 / 27.00 ISLAMIINS | 1.29 | 11.96 | Vol. 307111 D: 33.20 ⇓ 5.68% | 33.26 | 36.80 / 31.00 C: 32.60 ⇓ 13.98% | 32.60 | 35.60 / 32.60 PROVATIINS | 1.90 | 14.30 | Vol. 473067 D: 28.30 ⇓ 7.82% | 28.32 | 30.70 / 25.80 C: 28.30 ⇓ 5.98% | 28.47 | 30.30 / 28.10 DHAKAINS | 2.84 | 18.02 | Vol. 498125 D: 41.20 ⇓ 6.15% | 41.23 | 44.70 / 40.80 C: 41.10 ⇓ 6.59% | 41.35 | 45.20 / 41.00

LIFE INSURANCE NATLIFEINS | 12.34 | 80.99 | Vol. 61861 D: 247.6 ⇓ 5.64% | 247.79 | 266.0 / 237.0 C: 250.0 ⇓ 5.66% | 250.00 | 252.0 / 250.0 DELTALIFE | 38.53 | 189.40 | Vol. 3884450 D: 263.5 ⇓ 24.39% | 263.36 | 375.0 / 253.0 C: 266.7 ⇓ 28.00% | 268.46 | 402.8 / 266.5 SANDHANINS | 2.39 | 28.22 | Vol. 259530 D: 70.50 ⇓ 6.37% | 71.07 | 77.50 / 70.00 C: 71.70 ⇓ 4.65% | 70.36 | 77.00 / 70.00 POPULARLIF | 3.70 | 715.41 | Vol. 338435 D: 230.1 ⇓ 6.69% | 226.95 | 250.0 / 209.9 C: 248.0 ⇓ 0.80% | 248.00 | 248.0 / 248.0 FAREASTLIF | 9.21 | 60.79 | Vol. 421750 D: 98.50 ⇓ 2.67% | 97.81 | 105.5 / 88.80 C: 98.20 ⇓ 2.77% | 97.57 | 110.0 / 95.00 MEGHNALIFE | 10.82 | 48.87 | Vol. 629278 D: 107.1 ⇓ 5.89% | 107.61 | 118.9 / 105.0 C: 107.0 ⇓ 5.31% | 107.00 | 118.0 / 106.0 PROGRESLIF | 2.30 | 31.45 | Vol. 52054 D: 111.1 ⇓ 6.48% | 111.33 | 124.9 / 108.2 PRAGATILIF | 0.60 | 30.15 | Vol. 227156 D: 161.7 ⇑ 2.21% | 159.53 | 175.0 / 143.0 PRIMELIFE | 5.51 | 27.10 | Vol. 99707 D: 96.40 ⇓ 5.12% | 96.26 | 102.0 / 92.00 C: 103.9 ⇑ 3.90% | 108.00 | 103.9 / 102.0 RUPALILIFE | 3.75 | 31.25 | Vol. 491289 D: 102.5 ⇓ 9.93% | 102.39 | 118.8 / 91.80 C: 105.0 ⇓ 8.70% | 106.43 | 111.0 / 103.0 PADMALIFE | 1.63 | 25.76 | Vol. 419620 D: 57.40 ⇓ 3.37% | 57.24 | 61.60 / 54.00 C: 57.40 ⇓ 4.97% | 57.02 | 60.90 / 56.80 SUNLIFEINS | 0.00 | 0.00 | Vol. 940975 D: 55.80 ⇓ 3.96% | 55.63 | 60.00 / 50.60 C: 55.50 ⇓ 5.45% | 54.88 | 59.80 / 54.70 TELECOM GP | 12.96 | 26.26 | Vol. 3538976 D: 203.2 ⇓ 3.19% | 203.95 | 210.9 / 195.0 C: 202.2 ⇓ 3.35% | 202.56 | 210.0 / 199.0 BSCCL | 5.82 | 26.38 | Vol. 1926837 D: 170.9 ⇓ 5.68% | 170.71 | 190.0 / 155.0 C: 169.6 ⇓ 6.45% | 169.28 | 183.9 / 168.0 TRAVEL & LEISURE UNITEDAIR | 1.10 | 12.87 | Vol. 35981036 D: 16.90 ⇓ 3.98% | 16.99 | 18.50 / 16.00 C: 16.90 ⇓ 4.52% | 17.01 | 18.20 / 16.20 UNIQUEHRL | 4.02 | 86.29 | Vol. 4122775 D: 84.20 ⇓ 0.12% | 84.55 | 87.20 / 74.30 C: 84.10 ⇓ 0.24% | 84.44 | 87.80 / 82.00 MISCELLANEOUS ARAMIT | 16.07 | 99.93 | Vol. 34700 D: 338.1 ⇓ 3.54% | 344.05 | 377.0 / 330.0 C: 320.0 ⇓ 6.46% | 320.00 | 323.0 / 312.0 BSC | 1.77 | 565.82 | Vol. 377980 D: 432.3 ⇓ 8.90% | 434.72 | 480.0 / 430.5 C: 431.5 ⇓ 9.35% | 433.40 | 481.0 / 430.0 GQBALLPEN | 6.55 | 250.45 | Vol. 224645 D: 141.3 ⇓ 3.35% | 141.53 | 147.8 / 135.0 C: 140.9 ⇓ 3.56% | 141.15 | 147.0 / 140.5 USMANIAGL | 3.45 | 27.20 | Vol. 399422 D: 128.8 ⇓ 7.14% | 129.47 | 146.0 / 128.4 C: 126.2 ⇓ 7.55% | 125.94 | 141.5 / 124.0 SAVAREFR | 0.14 | 10.57 | Vol. 300 D: 57.90 ⇑ 3.58% | 57.90 | 57.90 / 53.10 BEXIMCO | 3.24 | 86.74 | Vol. 15171444 D: 34.60 ⇓ 10.59% | 34.74 | 40.50 / 32.00 C: 34.30 ⇓ 11.14% | 34.57 | 39.30 / 34.10 SINOBANGLA | 1.75 | 21.01 | Vol. 1290500 D: 21.80 ⇓ 3.11% | 21.99 | 23.50 / 21.70 C: 21.80 ⇓ 2.68% | 21.83 | 23.60 / 21.00 MIRACLEIND | 0.09 | 14.41 | Vol. 1212300 D: 15.30 ⇓ 11.05% | 15.40 | 17.40 / 15.00 C: 15.50 ⇓ 9.88% | 15.61 | 16.80 / 14.90 BOND IBBLPBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 1665 D: 982.3 ⇓ 0.41% | 980.00 | 989.0 / 971.0 C: 1000 ⇑ 4.06% | 1000 | 1000 / 951.0 ACIZCBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 8462 D: 880.0 ⇓ 0.23% | 880.03 | 884.0 / 880.0 C: 880.0 ⇑ 0.00% | 844.36 | 880.0 / 820.0 BRACSCBOND | 0.00 | 0.00 | Vol. 10 D: 1000 ⇓ 4.76% | 1000 | 1021 / 1000

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2013

India talks tough on WTO, but does not rule out deal n Reuters Trade Minister of India Anand Sharma said on Friday he will not compromise on food subsidies for the poor at a WTO meeting next week, but left open the possibility of an interim subsidy deal designed to salvage a trillion-dollar trade pact.

India is seen holding the key to the credibility of the World Trade Organisation talks and to a global trade deal at the meeting in Bali next week.

India will next year fully implement a welfare programme to give cheap food to 800 million people that it fears will contravene WTO rules that limit farm subsidies to 10% of production.

The programme relies on large-scale stockpiling and procurement at minimum prices and is a central plank of the government’s bid to win a third term in office next year.

India has demanded that poor countries be exempt from the rule and the issue has threatened to derail the Bali talks after diplomats failed to agree on a compromise last week.

Sharma, who will lead India’s delegation to Bali, said the G33, a group of developing countries, supported India’s stand on food subsidies, which he said was non-negotiable.

“As far as what we give to our poor people that is our right, that is insulated in entirety from any multi-lateral negotiations or WTO dis-

Indian Minister for Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma gestures during a ceremony in Geneva cussions. That is a sovereign space and for India it is sacrosanct and non-negotiable,” he said.

However, he refused to say whether he would accept a proposal led by the United States to waive the 10 percent rule until 2017.

Indian media has reported that India is demanding a guarantee that the waiver will continue after that date if a solution is not found.

“I would like to state it clearly, negotiations are negotiations,” he told reporters.

“Final positions will be known when ministers make their country’s statements. What has been said about India’s position is either based on incomplete information or if I may

say is speculative.”

He said India’s farm subsidies for procurement of foodgrains from farmers were under the 10% limit of the current WTO rules, but there was a need for a final settlement on the issue.

“We will continue to work to resolve outstanding issues so that the outcome is acceptable to all countries - developed, developing and LDCs (least developing countries).”

On the key issues in the ongoing negotiations, India agreed with three draft proposals on agricultural export subsidies, the reduction in export subsidies and the need to offer LDCs access duty free, quota free markets.

REUTERS

He said India has unilaterally decided to raise imports from the LDCs by expanding tariff lines to 96.2% from 85 under which these countries can export to India without any duty or quota restrictions. India has also agreed to draft proposals on trade facilitation measures.

“We believe that facilitating trade brings down transaction costs and is also good for the economy,” he said.

However, there was still disagreement on certain issues under trade facilitation, on which India’s concerns were focused on issues related to bank guarantees for exports and expediting courier services. l

US extends Iran oil sanctions waivers to China, India, South Korea n Reuters

A worker walks atop a tanker wagon to check the freight level at an oil terminal on the outskirts of Kolkata REUTERS

The US State Department extended six-month Iran sanctions waivers on Friday to China, India, South Korea and other countries in exchange for their reducing purchases of Iranian crude oil earlier this year.

The waivers had been expected. Under a law governing sanctions imposed on Iran’s disputed nuclear program by the United States, the State Department is required to determine whether the Islamic Republic’s oil consumers have reduced their purchases.

The decision comes even after the United States and five other global powers, known as the P5+1, agreed in Geneva this month to ease Iran’s access to about $4.2bn in foreign currency reserves for six months in exchange for Tehran’s taking steps to curb its nuclear program.

The waivers, which the State Department calls

exceptions, mean that banks in the consuming countries will not face being cut off from the US financial system for the next six months.

“We will continue to aggressively enforce our sanctions over the next six months, as we work to determine whether there is a comprehensive solution that gives us confidence that the Iranian nuclear program is for exclusively peaceful purposes,” Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement.

Since the beginning of the sanctions regime in 2012, all 20 of Iran’s oil customers have qualified for the periodic waivers. But despite the Geneva agreement, the United States reserves the right to sanction any oil consuming country should it suddenly increase its purchases.

Officials from the Departments of State, Treasury and Commerce have worked with Iran’s buyers since 2012 in an effort to find alternative sources of crude, including oil from Saudi Arabia. l