10 March 2014

Falgun 25, 1420 Jamadiul Awal 8, 1435 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 1 No 346

MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

Business | RMG CONTRACTORS WORRIED

7 | DIVIDED BY BORDERS, UNITED BY RIVERS

Lax security a concern at Sonali Bank

20 pages | Price: Tk10

8 | SUICIDE BOMBER KILLS 34 IN IRAQ

13 | TIGERS CAPTAIN EYES REVENGE

THE TURAG DYING A SLOW DEATH

Vault rooms, buildings lie unguarded n Jebun Nesa Alo Sonali Bank is lacking adequate security measures set by the Bangladesh Bank safety directives.

The Bangladesh Bank (BB) finds lax security in vault rooms of Sonali Bank.

The branches of the bank are also housed in inappropriate buildings (in most cases they are old, run-down and with faulty structure).

Very often the vaults cross their limit and insurance on those vaults are not taken out properly.

Most of the branches have no vault or insurance security The BB carried out inspection at eight chest branches – Kishorganj, Narsingdi, Mymensingh, Netrokona, Tangail, Gazipur, Jamalpur and Sherpur – after the bank burglary in Kishoreganj Sadar branch on January 26.

The branch where government transaction takes place is called chest branch.

Burglars looted Tk16.4 crore from a branch of Sonali Bank Limited in Kishoreganj Sadar by digging a tunnel.

Just after one month Tk32.51 lakh was stolen from another branch of Sonali

INSIDE News

3 The government primary school headmasters got an upgrade in their ranks. The headmasters will now enjoy the status of class II employees instead of class III.

Nation

6 Lack of fair price has made a noticeable dent in cultivation of wheat in Dinajpur, once known as the storehouse of grains.

Bank in Adamdighi upazila of Bogra on Saturday.

The central bank may ask the Sonali Bank to inform it about what safety measures it had taken after the Kishoreganj branch burglary, said a senior executive of the BB. The BB formed an investigation committee headed by its Executive Director Subhankar Saha after the Kishoreganj branch burglary.

The team found some common security problems in those branches. Of them, most of the branches have no vault and insurance security. Moreover, money deposited in those branches exceeded the vault limit.

The investigation was carried out from January 29 to February 5 this year.

The central bank has served notices several times to those branches of Sonali Bank to take safety measures but they did not pay heed and as a result recurrence of burglary happened, Subhhankar Saha said.

The central bank also carried out regular security inspection of the Kishorganj branch of Sonali Bank and just before the burglary it warned the bank about its lack of vault security and asked it to take safety measures. But the bank did not follow the instruction.

The bank should be located at a safe distance from the structures of  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

A boat sails across the murky waters of the Turag River near Tongi on Saturday. Rampant dumping of chemical and non-degradable solid wastes has turned a water body into a stinky drainage SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

State banks asked to tighten security n Tribune Report

The government has directed all stateowned banks to reinforce their security systems, especially at their vaults by building them with concrete and steel and setting up electronic alarm mechanism.

In the wake of the latest heist at a Sonali Bank branch in Bogra, it has also asked the bank’s authorities to take action against their high officials and the branch’s control officer after investigation.

In a letter to Sonali Bank CEO Pradip

Kumar Dutta, the Bank and Financial Institutions Division (BFID) yesterday asked him to immediately suspend the Adamdighi branch manager, deputy general manager and general manager controller.

Signed by BFID’s Deputy Secretary M Rajnul Huda, the letter said primary investigation had revealed that the high officials of the branch had lack of awareness and were irresponsible.

The letter also said security should be increased at all branches of Sonali Bank across the country during weekends and general holidays.

Robbers looted Tk32 lakh from the Adamdighi upazila branch of the bank in the district by digging a tunnel to the bank’s vault room on Saturday.

The BFID yesterday asked the board of directors of Sonali Bank to form teams to review the security at all the branches of the bank.

It asked the Adamdighi branch authority to lodge a general diary (GD) with the local police against the owners of the building housing the branch, and shops and business establishments around it.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday said if Teesta Treaty was not inked and border killings were not stopped transit would not be given to India.

“Road transit was given to India in the name of connectivity but we are yet to get our due water share,” said the former premier.

She said recently the prime minister talked to the Indian prime minister during her visit to Myanmar. Indian prime minister said they could not give water and Teesta Treaty would not be inked. Nothing positive discussion was hold on border killings.

“They have supported us during the Liberation War and that does not mean we have been sold to them,” she said bitterly criticising the Indian stance on

water sharing issue and border killing.

She said her party was not seeking help of foreigners rather it was Awami League that was asking for their support to cling to the power.

Issuing a note of warning Khaleda said if the government does not hold an election immediately then it has to pay dearly.

She was speaking at a reception organised to welcome the newly elected committee of the Dhaka Bar Council at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh auditorium in the capital.

The former premier claimed the foreigners said people did not vote in January 5 elections and the election had no acceptability and a few days back the Centre for Policy Dialogue also expressed the same view.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

Kuala Lumpur/Phu n Reuters, Quoc Island, Vietnam Officials investigating the disappearance of a Malaysia Airlines jetliner with 239 people on board suspect it may have disintegrated in mid-flight, a senior source said yesterday, as Vietnam reported a possible sighting of wreckage from the plane.

Late yesterday, the Vietnamese authorities said possible debris from the plane had been spotted in the sea off south Vietnam.

“We received information from a Vietnamese plane saying that they found two broken objects, which seem like those of an aircraft, located about 50 miles to the south-west of Tho Chu Island,” an unnamed official from the National Committee for Search and Res-

n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

cue told AFP news agency, reports BBC. “As it is night they cannot fish them out for proper identification. They have located the position of the areas and flown back to the land,” he added.

The potential debris was in a similar area to a possible oil slick seen by Vietnamese navy planes on Saturday, but officials have cautioned that this too may be nothing to do with the disappearance of Flight MH370.

Meanwhile, according to Reuters, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said on its website that a Vietnamese navy plane had spotted an object in the sea suspected of being part of the plane.

International police agency Interpol confirmed that at least two passports recorded in its database as lost or

Upon completion of investigation into the murders of Special Branch Inspector Mahfuzur Rahman and his wife Swapna Rahman, the Detective Branch of Police yesterday pressed two charge sheets against Oishee, the couple’s only daughter, and three others.

The other accused are Oishee’s friends Asaduzzaman Jony, 27, and Mizanur Rahman Rony, 25, and domestic help Khadiza Akter Sumi, 11.

Oishee, an O level student of Oxford International School, her boyfriend Jony and Rony are now in prison for their complicity in the killings. Sumi is at the National Juvenal Correction Centre in Gazipur.

DB Inspector Abu Al Khair Matubbar, also investigation officer of the case, submitted the charge sheets before the Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court.

Of the two, one charge sheet is against Oishee and her friends while the other against Sumi separately as she is now under 18-year-old.

According to the charge sheets, Oishee is the lone accused in the case who killed her parents while Jony and Rony were chargesheeted for instigating and giving her shelter. Sumi has been accused of assisting Oishee in hiding the bodies.

Before killing the couple at the night on August 14 last year, Oishee fed them sedatives along with coffee.

The investigators said he had final

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Khaleda: No transit for India Missing Malaysian jet may until Teesta treaty signed have disintegrated in mid-air n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

Oishee, 3 others indicted for ‘killing’ parents

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Monday, March 10, 2014

WOMEN RESERVED SEAT POLLS

Aspirants submit nominations against 50 seats n Tribune Report A total of 50 women aspirants yesterday submitted their nomination papers to the Election Commission (EC) for contesting polls to reserved seats for women in the tenth parliament.

On the last day of submission of nomination, Awami League general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam submitted 41 nominations, all from its allies, to returning officer Jesmin Tuli at the EC secretariat.

Opposition chief whip Tajul Islam, meanwhile, submitted six nomination papers in presence of all the aspirants.

Besides, three nomination papers of independent contestants were also submitted. 50 nomination papers were submitted against a total of 50 reserved seats for women in the tenth parliament.

Among the AL-backed 41 candidates, only one was from the Workers Party of Bangladesh and another one from Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal. Farhad Hossain, senior assistant secretary of the EC and also the polling officer, said 50 nominations had been submitted against 50 seats.

“The commission has sent letters to the authorities concerned asking whether any of the candidates are loan defaulter and bill defaulter,” he said.

Farhad said nomination papers would be scrutinized on March 11 while the last day of withdrawing nomination was March 18. “Voting will not take place as the number of seats is equal to the number of nomination papers. That is why after the last day of withdrawal of nomination, the commission will announce them as elected unopposed.”

Replying to a query, Syed Ashraful Islam said women would contest parliamentary polls directly in the future and 20% of the seats would be kept for women. “Polling for reserved seats for women will not be required in the future as we are targeting nearly 20% of the seats for women.”

Speaking of local body polls, Ashraf

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court yesterday permitted the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkya and the government to appeal against the verdict of High Court that ordered for mutation announcing Manzoor Ahmed, brother of BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed ,as the owner of a house in Gulshan under the capital.

The five-member apex court bench led by Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain passed the order following three petitions- two of Rajuk and the other of government, Deputy Attorney General Ekramul Haque said.

The court asked the Rajuk to file required documents by April 6.

The HC on August 12, 2010 delivered the judgement for mutation of the house. Ekramul said Rajuk had not yet done mutation. l

2 officials transferred over Sonali Bank burglary

n Hasibur Rahman Bilu, Bogra

Aspirants of the women’s reserved seats in the 10th national parliament submit their nomination papers to the Election Commission in the capital yesterday said like other countries, those would be held in a partisan manner in the future.

He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had issued instruction to examine the laws.

The AL-backed candidates are Selina Jahan Lita, Safura Begum Rumi, Hosne Ara Lutfa Dalia, Umme Kulsum Smriti, Akter Jahan, Selina Akter Banu, Laila Arjuman Banu, Shirin Noyeem

Punam, Kamrul Laila Jali, Hepi Baral, Rifat Amin, Nasima Ferdawshi, Lutfunessa, Mamtaj, Tarana Halim, Monwara Begum, Mahjabin Khaled, Fatema Johra Rani, Dilara Mahbub Asma, Fatema Tujjahura, Fajilatun Nessa Indira, Pinu Khan, Sanjida Khanam, Sabina Akter Tuhin, Rahima Akter, Hosne Ara Babli, Kamrun Nahar Chawdhury, Nilu-

Missing Malaysian jet may have disintegrated  PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

stolen were used by passengers on the flight, raising suspicions of foul play.

An Interpol spokeswoman said a check of all documents used to board the plane had revealed more “suspect passports” that were being further investigated. She was unable to say how many, or from which country or countries.

Nearly 48 hours after the last contact with Flight MH370, mystery still surrounded its fate. Malaysia’s air force chief said the Beijing-bound airliner may have turned back from its scheduled route before it vanished from radar screens.

“The fact that we are unable to find any debris so far appears to indicate that the aircraft is likely to have disintegrated at around 35,000 feet,” a source involved in the investigations in Malaysia told Reuters.

If the plane had plunged intact from close to its cruising altitude, breaking up only on impact with the water, search teams would have expected to find a fairly concentrated pattern of debris, said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was

not authorised to discuss the investigation publicly.

Asked about the possibility of an explosion, such as a bomb, the source said there was no evidence yet of foul play and that the aircraft could have broken up due to mechanical causes.

Dozens of military and civilian vessels have been criss-crossing waters beneath the aircraft’s flight path, but have found no confirmed trace of the lost plane, although oil slicks have been reported in the sea south of Vietnam and east of Malaysia.

Widening search

“The outcome so far is there is no sign of the aircraft,” Malaysian civil aviation chief Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said.

“On the possibility of hijack, we are not ruling out any possibility,” he told reporters.

The passenger manifest issued by the airline included the names of two Europeans - Austrian Christian Kozel and Italian Luigi Maraldi - who, according to their foreign ministries, were not on the plane. Both had apparently had their passports stolen in Thailand during the past two years.

Four suspects

Malaysian Transport Minister Hishamuddin Hussein said authorities were also checking the identities of two other passengers. He said help was also being sought from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). However, an attack was only one of the possibilities being investigated.

The 11-year-old Boeing 777-200ER took off at 12:40am on Saturday (1640 GMT Friday) from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, with 227 passengers and 12 crew on board. It last had contact with air traffic controllers 120 nautical miles off the east coast of the Malaysian town of Kota Bharu. Flight tracking website flightaware.com showed it flew northeast after takeoff, climbed to 35,000ft (10,670 metres) and was still climbing when it vanished from tracking records.

There were no reports of bad weather.

The airline has said 14 nationalities were among the passengers, including at least 152 Chinese, 38 Malaysians, seven Indonesians, six Australians, five Indians, four French and three Americans. l

Khaleda: No transit for India until Teesta Treaty  PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

“We want to say the government people are eagerly waiting for an election.

If you do not listen to them you have to pay the price,” she said.

Welcoming the elected lawyers, Khaleda said: “People do not have any confidence in the government which has reflected in the Dhaka Bar elections. If we can remain united, we will win everywhere.”

Mentioning various irregularities of upazila parishad elections, the former premier said the ruling party men stuffed ballot papers with the help of with the law enforcers.

Urging the government, Khaleda said: “Stop rigging votes and let the law

enforcers carry out their duties neutrally.”

The BNP chief alleged the government was using police and Rab like the party’s associated and front organisation.

Claiming her decision of boycotting the January 5 election was right, Khaleda said: “It has proved that fair elections could not be held under Awami League. People responded to our call and did not go to the polling centres.”

Terming the parliament illegal the BNP chief said the government was running the parliament illegally and there was no opposition there. “There is a domestic opposition party.”

She also alleged that the govern-

ment had politicised the judiciary: “Now the judiciary is not independent.

Judges cannot work independently and they are compelled to carry out illegal orders. Now judiciary is controlled and shackled in the hand of Awami League.”

The former prime minister alleged that in the name of joint force drive people were being killed and abducted every day. “Not only we but the world is saying human rights is being violating every day.”

Party’s standing committee member Rafiqul Islam Miah chaired the meeting while Moudud Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, Shahjahan Omar and other senior leaders addressed the programme. l

bers of the state-owned banks would not change overnight – it would take 10-15 years even after increasing their salaries, he said.

The finance minister said the government had already increased their salaries by 65% and the next pay scale might have another 62% raise.

Following investigation into the robbery of Tk16.9 crore from Sonali Bank’s Kishoreganj branch in a similar manner, the BFID suggested 10 security measures for the six state-owned banks – Sonali, Janata, Agrani, Rupali, BASIC Bank and Bangladesh Develop-

ment Bank Limited.

The directives included setting up of closed circuit cameras in vault rooms, having vault room on the first floor of the branches, and getting the vault rooms of all ventilations.

The BFID also directed Sonali Bank to move its chest branches to their own houses or land and arranging security as per the Bangladesh Bank’s directives.

It directed transfer of a Sonali Bank branch in Chandpur to a separate building immediately as there was a hotel on the ground floor of the building. l

State banks asked to tighten security  PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

The directives to Sonali Bank and other state-owned banks were to prevent recurrence of such heists, Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday told reporters after a meeting of the purchase committee at the Secretariat.

He said the internal accounting, auditing and security of the banks had now become stronger following the Hall-Mark scam and the robbery at the Kishoreganj Sonali Bank branch, but incidents of digging tunnel for bank heist would not stop soon.

He said officers and other staff mem-

Leave granted to appeal against house of Moudud’s brother n Tribune Report

far Zafar Ullah, Rokhana Yasmin, Navana Akter, Asmatul Kibria Keya Chowdhury, Shamsun Nahar, Fajilatun Nessa Bappy, Wasifa Aysha Khan, Jahanara Begum Surma, Shabiha Nahar and Feroja Begum Chinu.

The opposition Jatiya Party-backed six candidates are Nur-e-Hasna Lili Chowdhury, Mahzabin Morshad,

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Shahanara Begum, Rawshanara Mannan, Khurshada Haque and Marina Rahman.

Kazi Rozi, Nur Jahan Begum and Umma Razia Kajol submitted nominations as independent candidates.

The JSD-backed candidate is Lutfa Taher and Hazera Khatun is the candidate of the Workers Party. l

2 gun-wielding men arrested n Our Correspondent, Gazipur

Police arrested two persons with arms in connection with the clash occurred on Saturday between followers of two Awami League backed candidates in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur.

The arrestees were identified as Sahjahan Kamrul, 40, son of late Foizuddin of Angiadi village under Pakundia upazila of Kishorganj and Masum Khan, 43,

son of Ibrahim of Vurulia village under Sadar upazila of Gazipur.

They were arrested from an unknown place, claimed police.

Abdul Baten, superintendent of police, Gazipur, brought the arrestees before the media in his office auditorium yesterday. Were rescued from them.

He claimed they were arrested with two shotguns between 12pm to 3pm yesterday. l

Lax security a concern  PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

individuals and organisations which Subnankar terms alarming.

“We hold bank officials responsible for such incident,” he said.

He said, almost all branches of the bank store money much more than its capacity and as a result they are to keep money outside the vault. We asked the bank several times to increase the vault limit. But they did not do so.

The central bank last week decided to carry out inspection in eight more chest branches of Sonali Bank across the country. The branches are Rajbari, Faridpur, Habiganj, Comilla, Brahmanbaria, Feni, Lakshmipur and Noakhali.

We asked the bank to tighten its security by increasing manpower, said Bangladesh Bank General Manager Saiful Islam.

Sonali Bank Director Zaid Bakht, however, said: “It is a long process to change the branch location.”

After the Kishoreganj branch burglary as a safety measure we formed a risk management committee, he said.

Sonali Bank is suffering from image

crisis due to repeated burglary. We will soon recover from the crisis by taking security measures, he said.

Under the structural security measures, banks are to set up security-tested doors with steel wall around the vault space of the banks. The floors and roofs around the vaults also have to be certified by an engineer, according to the Bangladesh Bank instruction.

As part of technical security measure, there must be a security alarm round the clock with a closed-circuit television camera at the vaults. There should be an uninterrupted connectivity between the bank’s central information system and the vault’s security system.

Automated fire extinguishers are also a must for the security of the vault.

As far as insurance coverage is concerned the insurance on the money deposited at the vaults has to be covered completely. “We have formed 61 teams to examine the security measures in the 61 principle branches of the bank situated across the country,” said Sonali Bank Managing Director Pradip Kumar Dutta. l

Oishee, 3 others indicted  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

ised the charges after getting evidence of Oishee’s presence in the murder scene from DNA report.

Earlier the bodies of the couple were recovered their Chamelibagh residence in the capital on August 16 last year.

Twenty-two hours later, Oishee turned up at Paltan police station. Later, detectives arrested Jony, Rony and the domestic help the same day. On August 24, Oishee and Sumi gave confessional statements before a magistrate. The murder case was filed by Mahfuz’s brother Moshiur Rahman with Paltan police station against some unnamed people.

The charge sheet says: “Oishee had plans to go Dubai alone with her boyfriend Jony two months before the murder and for that she demanded Tk30,000 from her father. But Mahfazur prevented his daughter from going to Dubai.

“After getting more freedom, Oishee became obsessed with external envi-

ronment and she was losing interest in her family. So she considered her parents’ behaviour as brutal regime.”

One month before the incident, Oishee had lived 15 days with Jony at a rented house in Rampura area. She planned to kill her parents during that time, says the charge sheet.

“Oishee come back to her Chamelibagh residence 15 days before the murder.

Then her parents imposed restrictions on her movement and use of mobile phone.

Later Oishee finely killed her parents.”

The investigator named 57 people as witnesses while mentioned about 80 kinds of sample in the charges sheets.

IO Abul Khair said: “The charge sheet against Sumi was submitted before the court separately as she is minor. Her trial will be held at a juvenile court.”

On January 19, a Dhaka court sent Oishee to jail after rejecting her bail petition. So far, she has been denied bail four times. l

Two officials of the burgled Sonali Bank’s Adamdighi upazila branch have been transferred to Bogra Zonal office yesterday.

The officials were branch manager Samsuddin Sharif and cashier Azhar Ali. Bogra zone Sonali Bank Deputy General Manager Abdus Samad confirmed the Dhaka Tribune regarding the transfer.

Officer-in-Charge Md Nazrul Islam of Adamdighi police station said they had detained 10 people in this connection, including four Ansar members and the cashier of the branch. Two probe committees have been formed to investigate into the burglary at Sonali Bank branch in Bogra.

Sonali Bank formed a four-member committee headed by Rajshahi zone General Manager ATM Afzal Hossain. Bangladesh Bank also formed a three-member probe body with Deputy General Manager Murtoza Ali as its chief. l

Hearing in Sagar-Runi murder case deferred again

n Nazmus Sakib

The hearing on the progress of investigation and bail petitions of three suspects in journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi murder case did not take place yesterday as the case documents did not reach the High Court in time.

The matter was on the cause list of the bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Zafar Ahmed for hearing. Investigation officer Zafar Ullah, an assistant superintendent of police, was present in the courtroom around 10:30am to inform the court about the latest status.

Defence lawyer Masud Hossain Dolon told the Dhaka Tribune that the hearing would be held today.

“We informed the bench of the matter on March 5 and the court fixed Sunday [yesterday] for hearing,” he said.

On March 5, the bench of Justice Md Shawkat Hossain and Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam declined to hear the progress of the investigation and the bail pleas, saying it had no jurisdiction to conduct the matter. l

OIC chief: Extremists will not be allowed to hijack Islam

n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman Iyad Ameen Madani, secretary general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, has said Muslims cannot allow extremists interpreting Islam from a “narrow perspective” to hijack the religion.

The visiting OIC chief made the statement after holding meetings with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque in Dhaka yesterday.

Terming Islam as a religion of tolerance, Madani said: “We cannot allow ourselves to be taken away by literal translation of narrow minded extremists.”

The secretary general arrived in the capital yesterday on a three-day official visit. He is leading a five-member delegation on his first visit to Bangladesh.

Terming the conflicts between Shia and Sunni Muslims, and Sunnis and Sunnis, a sectarian violence, Madani said the OIC would not get involved in the domestic politics of any country.

Regarding Bangladesh’s January 5 general election, he said the OIC welcomed the results and looked forward to working with the new government.l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

BNP to reconstitute city committee after upazila polls

275,364 government posts lie vacant n Tribune Report

Young leaders to feature new body along with seasoned ones The BNP leader also said they had n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla talked about the split of the city unit The BNP has reinitiated its plan to reconstitute its Dhaka city unit committee very soon, dissolving the existing one for its failure to play due role during the party’s movement against the January 5 national poll.

The party has also decided to complete upazila and district committees before holding its national council.

“The convener committee of Dhaka city unit will be announced very soon and young and dedicated people will get priority in the new committee besides the experienced ones,” a member of the party’s Standing Committee told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

The decisions were made at a meeting of the Standing Committee members with Chairperson Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan office last night.

but had not decided anything. “The issue will be settled after the announcement of the convener committee.”

The leader also said they had collectively decided to complete the upazila and district committees after the completion of the upazila elections on March 31.

The initiatives to reorganise the BNP and its front and associate bodies have come to a halt with no major development in the process, reportedly causing frustration among the party ranks.

On February 10, Khaleda met with the Dhaka city leaders and reportedly bashed them for their “failed roles” in staging the party’s movement against the election. She told them that the city committee would be reconstituted soon. l

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hands over an award to a school girl at the inaugural programme of the National Primary Education Week 2014 at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital yesterday BSS

One held for Pry head teachers’ status upgraded making offensive n Mushfique Wadud pictures of a girl n Our Correspondent, Narayanganj Locals detained a youth for making up indecent pictures of a girl in Fatulla upazila of Narayanganj around 10:30pm on Saturday.

The detainee was identified as Jahangir Alam, 22, son of Firoz Mia of Kashipur Khilmarket area under Fatullah police station. He was held in front of Hazi Uzir Ali High School while putting up the picture of the girl on school gate.

Enamul, sub-inspector of Fatulla Model police station said: “Locals detained Jahangir and later handed him over to the police.”

School Managing Committee President Saifullah Badal said: “The young man made up the indecent image of our school girl with computer software. Jahangir proposed her some days ago on her to the school. But she rejected his proposal. Jahangir made up those offensive images and tried to put it on the school gate just to take his revenge over the refusal.”

He also informed locals detained four more teenagers from the school gate on last Wednesday. They used to tease girls and give proposals to them.

Later, the youth was released after he apologized and his family members gave undertaking that the incident wouldn’t occur again.

Akter Hossain, officer-in-charge of Fatulla Model police station said: “Although Jahangir was arrested, no one had filed any case in this regard.

So, we showed him arrested under section 54 and sent him to the court.” l

The government primary school headmasters got an upgrade in their ranks.

The headmasters will now enjoy the status of class II employees instead of class III. The salary of headmaster and assistant teachers were also increased.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced the upgrades yesterday at the inaugural Primary Education Week.

With this, the Awami League government fulfilled a long-standing demand of teachers and educationists.

Primary schoolteachers had been demonstrating for a long time to upgrade their status.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education officials said from now on, an experienced headmaster of a government primary school would be on a Tk6,400 monthly pay scale instead of Tk5,500 that they were on before.

Similarly, an untrained headmaster will be on a Tk5,900 monthly salary scale instead of Tk5,200 of the present salary structure.

The pay scale of untrained assistant teachers will be increased to Tk4,900 from Tk4,700 and those trained to Tk5,200 from Tk4,900.

The primary and mass education ministry issued a circular on this later.

At present, there are 37,000 government primary schools. The

government has recently nationalised 23,000 more government primary schools.

Speaking at the Primary Education Week 2014 at Osmani Memorial Hall, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the government had a plan to elevate the level of the country’s primary education up to Class-VIII from existing Class V, making it compulsory for every children, reports BSS. The premier said computer education would also be compulsory at primary level along with taking all steps to fulfill her party’s election pledge to achieve 100% literacy rate.

Saying that her government is completely aware about the demand of the

n Moniruzzaman Uzzal

The Directorate General of Health Services officials yesterday found two diagnostic centres in Green Super Market of the capital running without any doctor and technologist.

The Hospital and Clinic Department of DGHS conducted the drive on the 3rd floor of the market and found no doctor or medical technologist at Delta Diagnostic Centre and Bangladesh Diagnostic Centre. There were only lab attendants who did not have any kind of professional training.

The inspection team seized a bunch of blank papers meant for pathological reports with the signatures of pathologists.

Expired chemical reagents used for

medical tests were found in refrigerators.

The diagnostic centres’ licences were not updated and they could not also provide the patients’ register.

Inspection team leader Swapan Kumar told the Dhaka Tribune that there were no police with them, and so they could not take any action against the owners of diagnostic centres.

Prof Dr Abdul Hannan, director of the Hospital and Clinic Department, said they would issue show-cause notice to the owners of the diagnostic centres.

Swapan said an application was submitted to the DGHS for opening a diagnostic centre named BD Zin Limited, but the address mentioned in the application form was not found in the Green Super Market. l

n

Udisa Islam

Fresh hearing of closing arguments in the war crimes case against Motiur Rahman Nizami is set to start today amid tension in the prosecution camp over squabbles among team members.

Most of the tension has been attributed to certain negative remarks about the team as a whole, made by a member to the local media.

Earlier, on November 13 last year, the International Crime Tribunal 1 had announced that the verdict in the case might be made any day.

However, the arguments are being heard once again, as the former chairman went into retirement on December 31 before delivering the verdict.

Last time, conducting prosecutor Mohammad Ali placed the arguments before the tribunal when Tureen Afroz also submitted arguments on several charges.

Tureen on March 3 appealed to the chief prosecutor for action against Ali for his comments in a TV interview on March 1, involving her and other team members. The tribunal’s chief prosecutor on March 5 forwarded the written complaint to the law ministry, drawing attention of the secretary, and recommending proper measures.

Later, Ali submitted a letter to the chief prosecutor where he explained his position mentioning that he had been irritated by Tureen’s statement. This time, Ali alone is taking the preparation.

Meanwhile, the chief prosecutor yesterday issued a letter mentioning that in the trial against Nizami, the arguments would be submitted by Ali and Tureen as earlier. Five senior prosecutors including Zead al Malum, Haider Ali and Rana Das Gupta would coordinate them. l

Tribunal for new defence lawyer in Mobarak case A war crimes tribunal yesterday asked the defence of former Awami League leader from Brahmanbaria Mobarak Hossain to have alternative counsel if conducting lawyer Ahsanul Huq again failed to appear during proceedings due to his sickness.

Yesterday was set for placing the second witness in the case. Upon a plea

primary teachers, the prime minister said the government would continue efforts to develop professional, social and economic conditions of primary schoolteachers.

In a reaction, Bangladesh Primary Teachers Association President Abul Bashar said the decision would help improve primary education.

He said because of low social status, they did not play a role in the society.

Abul Ehsan, a professor at Dhaka University’s Institute of Education and Research, said due to low status, many talented job seekers did not come to primary teaching.

He said to ensure quality primary education, teachers’ salary should be

Nearly 2,75,964 posts in different ministry were lying vacant, State Minister for Public Administration Ismat Ara Sadeque told parliament yesterday saying filling these posts was a continuous process.

She disclosed the information in the parliament in reply to the question of Jatiya Party Lawmaker A K M Mayeedul Islam.

According to Minister, there are now 2603 officials, deputy secretaries and secretaries. Among them 265 have been made officer on special duty (OSD), meaning they have no work to do.

The minister said there were 3 Hindus out of 62 secretaries. Whereas 40 Hindus, 2 Christians and 4 Buddhists are working as additional secretaries out of 304.

Among the top bureaucrats, there is no representation from 29 districts.

The highest numbers of secretaries are from Barisal.

In Khagrachari, there is no deputy secretary official, whereas there are 116 officials in Chittagong and Comilla districts. l

increased.

However, the assistant teachers of government primary schools termed the increase in salary disproportionate.

“We are thankful for the announcement of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, but we expected that the salary of assistant teachers would increase in proportion to that of the head teachers,” Shahinur Alamin, secretary general of Bangladesh Assistant Teachers Society, told the Dhaka Tribune.

He said their salary was increased only Tk200 from the previous structure.

“We are disappointed over comparatively slight increase in the assistant teachers’ salary,” he said. l

Fresh arguments Qaisar misusing bail, Diagnostic centres running without doctors, technologists on Nizami case to alleges prosecution start today

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia waves to the audience after arriving at a reception organised to welcome the newly elected committee of the Dhaka Bar Council at the Institution of Engineers auditorium in the capital yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

n Udisa Islam

3

Monday, March 10, 2014

submitted by defence counsel Tajul Islam, the International Crimes Tribunal 1 deferred the proceedings until March 18.

Tajul said Ahsanul was under treatment.

Mobarak, an alleged razakar commander from Brahmanbaria, testified in the case as the first defence witness.

On the other hand, senior prosecutor Syed Haider Ali opposed the defence plea alleging that the defence was trying to kill time. “The last hearing in this tri-

al was held on December 15, 2013. After that, it was deferred twice for various reasons. So I am pleading for closing the defence witnesses.”

After hearing both sides, the tribunal accepted the petition and asked the defence to have alternative preparation for that day.

Ahsanul remained absent in most of the proceedings during the opposition’s hartals and blockades in December last

year. The same tribunal yesterday adjourned the proceedings in Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam’s case until March 16 after the cross-examination of the third prosecution witness.

Defence lawyer Abdus Sobhan Tarafder questioned Moklesar Rahman Sarker, son of martyr Mamtaz Ali from south Ramnathpur of Badarganj under Rangpur district, who testified on last Wednesday. l

n Udisa Islam

The prosecution in the trial against war crimes suspect Syed Mohammad Qaisar yesterday claimed that the accused was violating bail conditions by trying to influence a prosecution witness.

The tribunal 2 yesterday also recorded the testimony of the first prosecution witness.

Former state minister of HM Ershad regime, Qaisar was indicted on February 2 on 16 charges of crimes against humanity he had committed as the chief of “Qaisar Bahini” in Habiganj. The International Crimes Tribunal granted him conditional bail on health ground on August 5 last year.

The tribunal then asked him not to make contacts with any political leaders, the media and any witnesses of the war crimes trials, and that he has to surrender his passport, if he has any, to the tribunal’s registrar office.

In the beginning of yesterday’s proceedings, prosecutor Rana Das Gupta drew attention of the tribunal saying that some unknown persons called a witness repeatedly over the phone and tried to influence. The callers said they had been working for the accused and his sons.

The tribunal then asked him to file a general diary with police. Justice Obaidul Hassan, chairman of the three-member panel, said: “It is completely a new scenario before us. So far, we have granted bail to two accused – Abdul Alim and Syed Qaisar. No such allegation was raised before this. We will look into the matter.”

After that, first prosecution witness Kazi Kabiruddin, 72, started his deposition against the accused. The tribunal adjourned the proceedings keeping the testimony incomplete.

The witness said on April 12 of 1971, he came to know that Maulana Khaleque, an assistant to former Jamaat-e-Islami chief Ghulam Azam, Syed Mohibul Huq and Kamrul Hassan from Muslim League had gone to the house of the accused. They formed a Peace Committee that day and Qaisar was made one of the members.

Manju Mia, uncle of accused, had created an anti-liberation group – known as ‘Qaisar Bahini’ “On March 23, we hoisted our flag at Jagadishpur School with Mahbub Uddin Chowdhury, one of the accused in Agartala Conspiracy Case. The next day Syed Uddin and his son, accused Qaisar, came and forced us to hoist Pakistani flag there.”

He said Qaisar along with his brother Faisal had tried to take down the Bangladeshi flag. “We resist them together.”

Kabiruddin said on April 15, Manju Mia, uncle of accused, had created an anti-liberation group – known as “Qaisar Bahini” as the accused was made its chief.

Then the witness described about the atrocities the group had committed in the area. “They invited and welcomed the Pakistani occupation army near Shahbazpur. Following this, the Qaisar Bahini along with the Pakistani Army killed Shahjahan, chairman of Budunti Union. At that time, Shahjahan prayed for his life but Qaisar said ‘this culprit is a pro-liberation element, shoot him.’” l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Monday, March 10, 2014

Third deal on Rooppur plant in April Construction of the nuke plant starts in 2016 n Aminur Rahman Rasel The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) will sign a third deal with the Russian company Atomstroyexport on the preparatory stage work of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant by this April.

“We wanted to sign the deal in December but it was delayed because of violent political situation at that time,” Project Director Mohammad Shawkat Akbar told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

All primary work of the physical construction and inevitable construction facilities of the plant would be ensured under the deal, he said.

A pit foundation would also be built as preparation for setting up the plant’s

reactor unit, he added.

The construction of the first 1,000MW unit of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is expected to begin in 2016.

The pre-construction work of the country’s largest power plant with a capacity of 2,000MW – feasibility evaluation, environment impact assessment, engineering survey and acquiring site licence – would be completed by November this year, Shawkat said.

The BAEC is implementing the project under the science and technology ministry.

“Work on the project has been underway smoothly. We are very much on the target regarding completion of all activities in time,” he told the Dhaka

Tribune yesterday.

“As per our plan, the construction of the first unit will be completed by 2021 and the second by 2022. The tenure of the plant will be 60 years with options to extend it by another 20 years,” he said.

“We will also complete technical documentations, first priority design, working documentations and engineering survey for the design stage by June 2016. We hope to get the construction licence by June 2016,” he said.

Bangladesh signed a deal with Russia in January last year during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Moscow for the extension of state export credit to finance the preparatory stage

work at the nuclear power plant.

The first deal worth $45.9m was struck with Atomstroyexport on June 27 last year. The amount would be spent on the pre-construction work at the site. On October 2, the government penned the second deal worth $265m for the preparatory stage work, including the development of design documentation, first priority working documentation and engineering survey for the design stage.

The $45.9m and $265m were parts of a total $500m loan which Russia agreed to provide to finance the ground work

by Atomstroyexport, which will run a series of 63 tests as part of the pre-construction work. l

Food adulteration a ‘silent killer’ n Tribune Report A silent mass killing is going on across the country through unsafe foods posing a major health issue for all of us, said speakers in a press briefing at the Poribesh Bachao Andolan office (Poba) in Dhaka yesterday.

Speakers said the food, which is supposed to be produced to sustain lives and keep people healthy, has become hazardous to health.

The process to add poisonous and substandard ingredients in foods starts from the production level and continues till the retail shopkeeper sells it, they added.

Poba and Doctors for Health & En-

'Combined movement a must to make country free from militancy'

2 migrants’ bodies arrive from Libya n Rabiul Islam

n Arif Ahmed Eminent citizens of the country stressed the need for waging a combined movement to make the country free from communalism and extremism.

They made the suggestion while speaking at a national conference against communalism and militancy organised by Sector Commanders’ ForumMuktijoddha 71 at Teacher-Student Centre of Dhaka University yesterday.

With the Sector Commanders’ Forum’s Chairman Air-Vice Marshal (retd) AK Khandakar in the chair the event was addressed by Human Right Commission Chairman Mizanur Rahman and Bangla Academy Chairman Professor Anisuzzaman.

Human Right Commission Chairman Mizanur Rahman said it was not possible for us to eradicate militant and communal forces with the current constitution.

He said: “Ensuring appropriate punishment for all communal, militant forces as well as the war criminals through free, fair and unbiased trail can wipe out the militant and communal forces from our country.”

The government should expedite war criminals’ trial process, he said, adding that coordination among proliberation organisation was a must to uphold the spirit of Liberation War and to establish a non-communal democratic Bangladesh.

Bangla Academy Chairman Professor emeritus Anisuzzaman, addressing the programme as the chief guest, said: “The spirit of 1971 Liberation War is yet to materialise and it is high time to fight against the anti-liberation and militant forces through combined and national unity.”

AK Khandakar called upon the countrymen to get involved in the move against militant activities.

Cultural personality Nasiruddin Yousuf Bacchu called for dissolving the economic institutions of Jamat-Shibir as they had very strong economic supports. l

WEATHER

Weather to remain unchanged n UNB Weather is likely to remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country until 6pm today with the day and night temperature remaining nearly unchanged over the country, Met Office said.

The sun sets in the capital at 6:06pm today and rises at 6:12am tomorrow.

Country’s highest temperature 32.4 degrees Celsius was recorded yesterday in Cox’s Bazar and lowest 8.5 degrees in Srimangal. Highest and lowest temperature recorded in some major cities yesterday were: City

High

Low

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

30.2 30.8 29.6 28.0 30.8 30.2 31.2 32.4

16.3 17.5 14.0 13.5 17.0 15.5 14.6 20.5

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

4:57am 6:12am 12:09am 4:26pm 6:05pm 7:21pm

Source: IslamicFinder.org

vironment (DHEN) will jointly start a month-long awareness programme from March 14 this year. A committee, comprising of 101 members, had been formed to run this month long programme.

The month-long programme includes human chain, leaflet distribution, discussion programmes and sending recommendations of the discussion programmes to the authorities and ministries concerned.

Among others, Abu Naser Khan, Poba chairman, Abdus Sobhan, Poba general secretary, Md Ziarul Islam, vice-president of Bangladesh Health Association and Dr Lenin Chowdhury, chairman of Health and Hope, were present in the press conference. l

Sector Commanders Forum and Muktijudha 71 jointly organise its national conference against communalism and militancy at Dhaka University’s Teacher Student Centre yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

‘Minorities remain vulnerable’ n Abu Bakar Siddique

Minorities in Bangladesh remain in a vulnerable state and they lack confidence on the government, noted economist and CPD (Centre for Policy Dialogue) chairman Professor Rehman Sobhan said yesterday.

He was addressing a seminar styled ‘Religion, Minority Status and Trust: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Bangladesh and India’ at the Daily

Start Centre.

“Lack of trust in the state is prevalent among the minorities, which isn’t expected after 42 years of independence,” Sobhan said.

Speaking of the attack on the Hindus in the recent past, the CPD chairman said such kind of attack would not have happened in an ideal society.

“We are living in a very undemocratic society,” he said, adding that the country had to find a way out of such

discriminatory attitude.

Minhaz Mahmud, head of research of Institute of Governance Studies and Brac Development Institute, presented the keynote paper which stated that individuals belonging to the minority group trust members of their own group more while those from the majority group do not exhibit such discriminatory attitude and show trustworthy behaviour towards the minorities.

He also said the conclusion had

been drawn from a research conducted among people of 18 villages mostly inhabited by the Hindus and the Muslims.

The villages are located in Dhamrai and Manikganj while data was also collected from two Indian villages, namely South 24 Parganas and Diamond Harbour.

Dr Binayak Sen, research director of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, and Dr Sultan Hafiz Rahman, executive director of IGS also addressed the seminar. l

Discussion on Kazi Shahid’s New DG for Family autobiography held Planning and PGCB n Rabiul Islam

n Tribune Report

“Jiboner Shilalipi”, Kazi Shahid Ahmed’s autobiography, would attract readers for its humour and simplicity of language, speakers at a discussion programme said yesterday.

Mohit Ul Alam, vice chancellor of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, said the book was full of humour, which would attract readers.

“While reading the book, I burst into laughter several times. And at a stretch, I read 180 pages out of around 550 pages of the book,” Mohit said at the programme, held at the auditorium of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) in the capital’s Dhanmondi area.

The book was released on February 15 through a function at the Bangla Academy auditorium.

Mohit also noted that the book was not only an autobiography, but also a real picture of society.

Among others, president of ULAB’s board of trustees, Kazi Shahid Ahmed,

The public administration ministry yesterday made Nur Hossain Talukder the director general of the Directorate of Family Planning, and Power Division Joint Secretary Mohammad Shafiqullah the executive director of the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB).

Nur Hossain was serving as the DG of the Directorate of Public Library and replaced Ganesh Sarker.

Shafiqullah replaced Zinnatul Haque, who was made an officer on special duty (OSD) at the public administration ministry.

The public administration also reshuffled 22 additional secretaries and joint secretaries in different ministries.

Among additional secretaries, Quamrun Nahar Khanam of water resources ministry was made DG of the National Museum; Directorate of Military Land-Properties Director Miah Abdullah Mamun was made DG of the Department of Jute.

Kazi Shahid Ahmed ULAB Emeritus Professor Rafiqul Islam and ULAB Vice Chancellor Imran Rahman addressed the programme. Writer and professor, Niaz Zaman, was the chief guest, but she did not make any remarks. l

Additional Secretary to the public administration ministry Sohrab Hossain and OSD Additional Secretary AS Mahmud were posted to education ministry and OSD Additional Secretary Begum Porag was posted to the industries ministry.

Among the joint secretaries, Director of the National Savings Directorate Mahmuda Aktar Meena was promoted as DG; Shah Md Aminul Haque of ERD was made project director of the Board of Investment’s head office construction project; Director of BCS Administration Academy Mostafizur Rahman was made director of the Directorate of Military Land-Properties.

Among the OSD joint secretaries, Mohammad Mosaddek Ali was made director of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission; Kajal Islam was made secretary of SPARSO, Gazi Mohammad Zulhas was made deputy managing director of the Expatriate Welfare Bank, and Mohsina Yasmin was made director of BCS Administration Academy. l

ZUBAIR MURDER CASE

JU probe body member testifies at tribunal n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu The Speedy Trial Tribunal 4 yesterday recorded the deposition of Jahangirnagar University teacher Prof Dr SM Badiur Rahman in Zubair Ahmed killing case.

Judge ABM Nizamul Haque recorded his testimony and cross-examination.

The tribunal 4 also fixed March 12 for the next witness. There are 37 prosecution witnesses in the case filed by the university administration.

A teacher of biochemistry and molecular biology department, Prof Ba-

diur is the 13th prosecution witness in the case. He was a member of the probe body that investigated the killing and held all the 13 accused – activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League’s JU unit – responsible for the murder.

Honours final year student of English department and former Chhatra League activist Zubair was beaten and hacked severely on the campus on January 8, 2012 by the accused and their accomplices, who are members of a rival faction. He succumbed to injuries at a hospital the next morning.

In his deposition, the witness said: “We formed an investigation committee. According to the committee report, the university administration took legal action against the accused.”

Humayun Kabir, then sub-inspector of Gulshan police station, who conducted the inquest report of the victim, gave deposition on February 23 as the 12th prosecution witness.

All the accused are currently on bail. However, on February 23, four of the accused flee from the dock after the bail had been cancelled. Two other

accused have been absent from their court appearance since January 23.

Soon after the death, the university authorities filed the murder case with Ashulia police. The Syndicate on January 30, 2012 expelled seven of the accused activists of Chhatra League and suspended six others for two years as their direct involvement in the killing was proved in the preliminary investigation conducted by the administration.

On April 8, 2012, police submitted the charge sheet accusing 13 students. l

The bodies of two migrant workers killed in a gunfight in Libya arrived in Dhaka on a Turkish Airlines flight during the early hours of yesterday morning.

“We have handed over the bodies to their relatives and a cheque of Tk 35,000 to each family,” Zahidul Islam, assistant director of Expatriates’ Welfare Desk of Shahjalal International Airport told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday over the phone.

The official also said each of the families would get Tk 3,00,000 as financial assistance.

Shafiqul Islam, hailing from Pirojpur, and Abul Kalam, hailing from Barguna were killed on February 21 this year when their taxi got caught in the middle of a gunfight near the port city of Bengazi.

Abdus Salam, elder brother of Abul Kalam told the Dhaka Tribune over the phone yesterday that he had received his brother’s body at 9:00am and was going to their village home where his brother will be buried Monday morning.

Earlier, Ahsan Kibria Siddiqui, first secretary at the Bangladesh embassy in Libya said the two migrants worked as cleaners at a company named Sharikat Kazi in Benghazi, about 650 kilometres east of Tripoli.

Ahsan said the duo was going to Benghazi city in a taxicab for the weekend. The taxi was caught in a gunfight between two local groups, and the men, along with the cab driver, were shot dead at the spot.

He also said the law and order situation in Libya had been deteriorating, and such incidents take place at times.

Around 40,000 Bangladeshi migrants are now working in Libya. l

'Shahjahan’s statement on crossfire irresponsible' n Tribune Report

The Transparency International Bangladesh has condemned a recent statement by Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan condoning extrajudicial killings in crossfire as “necessary” to eradicate terrorism from the country.

Expressing its concerns, the TIB demanded that the minister withdraw the “irresponsible” statement made during a BBC Bangladesh Sanglap programme on Saturday.

“No citizens are above the law.

The statement of a minister to eradicate terrorism through crossfire is unconstitutional, undemocratic and against the rule of law,” said TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman.

“I hope the government does not support the statement. We also hope the prime minister and Jatiya Sangsad will give an explanation on this soon,” he said, demanding the minister withdraw the remark.

A TIB press release also said the minister’s statement flouted a High Court order on crossfire issued on December 14, 2009.

Meanwhile, the Ain O Salish Kendra also protested the minister’s remarks.

“Whatever the name, crossfire or encounter, all these are extrajudicial killings,” ASK acting executive director M Nur Khan said.

Citing article 31 of the constitution, the ASK said every citizen was entitled to enjoy protection of the law and be treated accordingly.

“As a minister of a democratic government, the role of the minister is to respect, elevate and protect these rights,” it said in a press release. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

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Rajuk, BIWTA going soft on land grabbers Dhaka Metropolitan Development Plan yet to be fully implemented n Abu Hayat Mahmud The encroachment into water bodies and land continues unabated while the Rajuk and BIWTA have yet to take sustainable measures to stop such illegal activities.

Hundreds of housing companies, group of industries and sand traders appear nonchalant and are grabbing the rivers and wetlands in and around the capital at their own sweet will.

A vast area of five rivers – Buriganga, Turag, Balu, Shitalakhya, Dhaleshwari – forty canals and floodwater flow zones and even croplands are in the grip of land grabbers.

The government just makes plans and formulates rules, regulations and acts like Detailed Area Plan (DAP), Town Development Act 1953, but all those done over the years simply remain on paper only, urban planners say.

The DAP aimed to facilitate Dhaka Metropolitan Development Plan and protect canals, wetlands, retention ponds, roads, open spaces, croplands and all topographical features.

“It could not be said that the DAP was fully successful. A large number of land developers continue to fill up flood flow zones and grab embankment of rivers around Dhaka,” said Prof Jamilur Reza Choudhury, who headed the DAP expert team.

He said structural and industrial

disaster might occur repeatedly as development had taken place defying the authorised land use plan.

“The DAP remains far from being implemented due to negligence of the authorities concerned and the land developers are using the land violating the Rajuk plan,” Prof Jamilur added.

Prof Sarwar Jahan of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Buet, said: “Land developers have filled up most designated wetlands and flood flow zones in and around Dhaka.”

‘A large number of land developers continue to fill up flood flow zones and grab embankment of rivers around Dhaka’ “The grabbing of flood-prone zones and water bodies will lead to waterlogging and destruction of ecology,” he said.

During several visits to different river banks and flood plain areas around Dhaka-Purbachal New Town Project, Rupganj upazila in Narayanganj, Jhilmill New Town in Keraniganj upazila, Tongi, Ashulia and Aminbazar, the Dhaka Tribune correspondent came to see that the land developers and sand traders were still filling up water bodies and cropland violating the DAP. Sources said the Rajuk would

Three BNP leaders get bail n Our Correspondent, Rajshahi Three BNP leaders were released on bail from Rajshahi Central Jail yesterday over police constable Siddhartho murder case on 26 December, 2013.

The leaders are Rajshahi city mayor Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul, Mizanur Rahman Minu, BNP joint secretary general and Shafikul Islam Milon, Rajshahi city unit BNP general secretary.

Jailer Ismail Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune that they had freed the BNP top leaders at 4.00pm as they got bail from the High Court.

He also said on 4 March, a bench of judge Naima Haidar and Jafor Ahmed granted the bail of the three leaders.

The order of the bail reached yesterday through the Rajshahi chief metropolitan magistrate court.

Following bail, the jail authority freed them.

Earlier, on 24 February Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court rejected bail pleas of 36 BNP leaders and activists and sent them to jail in the same case.

On December 26, 2013, Siddhartha Sarker died after he along with eight others were wounded as miscreants hurled several crude bombs at a police car in the city.

BNP-led 18-party alliance was holding processions at that time.

Siddhartha succumbed to his injuries in Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka after he had been flown from Rajshahi to the capital.

Police filed two separate cases against Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul, Mizanur Rahman Minu, Jamaat city unit secretary general Mohammod Jahangir and 485 others on charge of killing the police constable. l

conduct eviction drive immediately against such illegal housing projects and sand traders who ran their business on the river banks.

Rajuk Chairman Nurul Huda said they planned to divide the DAP into eight areas to apply acts and laws properly.

Asked about any drive, he said: “Drive against such illegal activities of the land developers goes on. It is the routine work of Rajuk,” he said.

Dr Md Samsuddoha Khandaker, chairman of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, told the Dhaka Tribune, “We have been informed of the continuous encroachment upon the river around Dhaka.”

“A meeting was held in the Ministry of Shipping last month on how to save the rivers from grabbers,” he added.

A joint committee of the deputy commissioner office of Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj and BIWTA demarcated the river area and set up pillars, leaving a large area on both sides of the rivers around the capital.

The demarcation pillars were installed in the heart of the water body, applying wrong process, he regretted, adding that a further demarcation would be done as per the decision of the meeting.

The BIWTA chairman vowed that action would be taken against those grabbing the rivers and polluting the water body by dumping waste. l

Bahrain fire victims JnU halls recovery demonstrations continue laid to rest Old Dhaka businessmen show solidarity with protesters ABM Mohiuddin n Our Correspondent, Comilla legal, they were passing days in fear. sociation, Tantibazar Goldsmith Asso- dent Shariful Islam said the university Chowdhury: No Three Bangladeshi workers, who died n Mohammad Jamil Khan They said some wholesalers were also ciation and Clock Traders’ association, authorities had failed to arrange even a in a fire in Bahrain’s capital Manama on February 28, were laid to eternal rest at their native villages under Burichang upazila in Comilla yesterday.

They were buried following namaze-janazas after Johr prayers.

Earlier, the bodies arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by a flight of Emirates Airlines on Saturday evening. Later, the bodies were handed over to the families around 10pm.

On February 28, three Bangladeshi nationals died and two others received minor injuries in the fire that took place in a two-storey residential building in the Mukha Rekha area of Manama.

The deceased were Dulal Mia, 30, son of Siddiqur Rahman from Mainamati union’s Ziapur village in Burichang upazila, Jalal Uddin, 30, son of Abdul Gafur from Rampur village of Varel union under the same upazila and Mosharraf Hossain, 32, son of Nazim Mia from the same village.

After seeing the bodies, family members and relatives of the deceased started wailing, which created an atmosphere of gloom at the two villages.

Losing the earning members of the families, they said they did not know how they would pay back creditors for loans taken out to send the men to Bahrain. l

Association of traders in Old Dhaka expressed solidarity with teachers and students of Jagannath University (JnU) yesterday as the latter continued their ongoing demonstration by holding procession and protest rally on the campus demanding recovery of illegally grabbed dormitories.

The association held a press briefing outside Islampur Jahangir Alam Tower around 11:00am and urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to take steps in order to resolve this crisis soon.

Addressing the briefing, speakers said although the ongoing protest was

reluctant to come to Old Dhaka to buy or sell goods for fear of finding themselves in any untoward situation.

Asked about allegations that some traders had also occupied properties illegally, Mohammad Jahangir Alam, convener of the association, said legal actions could be taken if any establishment had been built on the property of the university.

“We should extend our help in this regard,” he said.

Executive members of nearly 16 business associations of Old Dhaka, including Islampur Clothing Traders’ As-

attended the briefing among others.

Earlier in the day around 10:00am, JnU students brought out procession and protest rally on the campus. The procession paraded through the campus before it ended in front of JnU liberation war sculpture at around 11:00am.

Members of JnU Teachers’ Association, like the previous days, held a protest rally around 11:00am in front of the university’s Shaheed Rafiq building.

There were cultural activities jointly attended by teachers as well as students.

Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, JnU Bangladesh Chhatra League unit presi-

single dorm for the students after eight years of establishment.

“That’s why we are demonstrating peacefully to press home our demand. A mass rally will be held in front of the central shaheed minar on March 16,” he said.

Yesterday’s demo ended around 02:00pm.

JnU students and teachers have been demonstrating since February 12 to press home their demand for recovery of grabbed dorms. To date, no step has been taken by the government, though several ministers said action would be taken to resolve the crisis. l

Demand for IELTS on the rise n Tribune Report The demand for International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is growing all over the world including Bangladesh as it is widely recognised to educational institutions, British Council officials said yesterday.

They said almost 2 million people took the test last year.

“Globally, the demand for IELTS is high, including students from Bangladesh who take the test for admission to educational institutions in the United Kingdom and many other destinations,” Sanjiv Malhotra, acting country director of British Council Bangladesh, said while speaking at a celebration programme marking the 25 years of IELTS. The organisation held a celebration programme at a city hotel yesterday.

Among others, Steve Adams, director, examination services, South Asia, Deep Adhikari, director examination services, British Council Bangladesh spoke at the occasion.

Steve Adams said IELTS played a significant role in people’s education and career.

IELTS is the world’s most popular English proficiency test for higher education and global migration with acceptance among international employers, professional associations and governments in 135 countries around the world.

Student engagement agencies and coaching centres that work closely with British Council examination unit were also present at the programme. l

Jagannath University Teachers’ Association organises a sit-in programme on the campus yesterday, protesting the recent assault on demonstrators by police

DHAKA TRIBUNE

confusion over CMCH upgrade n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong

The former mayor of Chittagong City Corporation yesterday urged officials and employees of Chittagong Medical College Hospital not to be misguided and confused over the decision to upgrade the institution.

ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, who is the chairman of Chittagong Medical University Bastobayon Parishad and also the president of city unit Awami League, made the appeal in a press conference organised by the parishad at Chittagong Press Club in the afternoon.

He said the misunderstanding between officials and employees over the upgrading decision of CMCH into a university was unexpected.

The former mayor said: “Do not misunderstand and do not be confused.

We will not tolerate the loss of employees and workers over the issue.”

He said if the medical college was upgraded into a university the medical facilities would be developed and people would receive facilities at a low cost.

“Through the upgrade we can save many expenses too,” he added. “If the medical college turns into a university, the officials and employees of CMCH will enjoy more facilities than they are receiving currently.”

Chittagong Premier University Vice-Chancellor Anupam Sen, city unit Awami League General Secretary AJM Nasir Uddin and Peshajibi Somonnoy Parishad President AQM Sirajul Islam were present at the conference among others.

The employees of CMCH has been protesting the upgrade decision after its announcement. l

DMCH eviction drive removes over 100 illegal structures

Work of Karnaphuli Tunnel to start next year

n Moniruzzaman Uzzal

n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong

As part of a drive conducted by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, more than a hundred illegal establishments outside Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital in the capital were evicted yesterday, also the second day of the ongoing drive.

Beginning at 11:00am, the drive was carried out in presence of the executive magistrate of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), top officials of the Health Ministry, Directorate General of Health Services and Mitford Hospital as well as members of the law enforcement agency.

Equipped with bulldozer, city corporation workers cleared footpaths oc-

cupied by illegal makeshift stalls outside the hospital. Establishments were also demolished from the footpath on Nolgola road, located near student hostel across the west side of the hospital.

Mohammad Atul Mandal, executive magistrate of DSCC, told the Dhaka Tribune drive was carried out to remove illegal establishments set up outside and west side of the hospital and also on adjacent roads.

A day before the drive was carried out, DCC issued a notice asking owners of illegal establishments to leave the area unoccupied but a few took heed of the notice and relocated their goods.

Most of them, however, did not care to respond and act accordingly.

Brigadier General Zakir Hossain,

director of Mitford Hospital, told the Dhaka Tribune the illegal establishment had been polluting the environment of the hospital’s entrance and also the west side.

Health Ministry sources say DSCC will conduct similar drives outside Dhaka Medical College Hospital today.

On the first day of the drive, Dhaka North City Corporation evicted around 300 illegal establishments from Shaheed Suhrawardy, National Heart Institute, National Institute of Traumatology and National Institute of Eye Science Hospital.

Directed by Health Minister Mohammed Nasim, the ministry took the decision to conduct the eviction drive at public hospitals on March 3. l

The Communications Minister Obaidul Quader said the construction work of Karnaphuli Tunnel would be started in the next fiscal year yesterday in Chittagong.

He told this while talking to the journalists after inaugurating Aktaruzzaman Chowdhury Babu Bridge at Kalarpole area in Patiya upazila of Chittagong district yesterday morning.

The minister said the construction cost of the much awaited tunnel would be in between Tk6,500 crore and Tk7,000 crore while China Communications and Construction Company Limited (CCCC), a state company of

China, would finance the construction of the tunnel.

“A Chinese delegation will come to Bangladesh to negotiate on the project within a few days,” he added.

After the construction of the tunnel, a new dimension would be added in the connectivity sector of the region, he said.

The trade and commerce will also mushroom in the region after its construction, he added.

Besides, traffic congestion will be eased to a great extent by the tunnel, he hoped.

Meanwhile, Quader said the work of Dhaka-Chittagong Highway four-lane up-gradation project would be completed by December this year. l

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Monday, March 10, 2014

Dinajpur wheat farming shrinks on low price Inferior quality seeds also a reason n Tribune Report Lack of fair price has made a noticeable dent in cultivation of wheat in Dinajpur, once known as the storehouse of grains.

Unavailability of good quality seeds is also to be blamed for the situation.

For the sharp fall in wheat farming acreage, the crop is now being cultivated in mango or lichi orchards in the district.

Experts, however, are giving advice to the farmers about certain types of crops on their demand nationwide and suitability of land for their farming.

According to statistics, 120 to 130 maunds of maize is produced on one acre of land against 40 to 45 maunds of wheat on the same quantity of land.

During peak season, per maund wheat is sold at Tk 800 while per maund maize is available at Tk 600.

The statistics show that production of wheat on one acre of land costs Tk 36,000 while it takes Tk 78,000 to produce maize on the same quantity of land.

Farmers’ sources said due to lack of fair price and good seeds, they are losing interest gradually in cultivating the crop. They are getting inclined to cultivation of maize as an alternative to wheat.

Dinajpur Department of Agriculture Extension deputy director Anwarul Islam said wheat cultivation per acre of land is shrinking. Farmers are cultivating maize instead of wheat in absence of fair price of the latter.

Dinajpur Agricultural Product Price Commission member Zadab Chandra Roy said farmers will be interested in cultivating wheat if they get fair prices and good seeds.

He demanded government steps in this regard.

Dinajpur Wheat Research Centre’s chief scientific officer Dr Md Zahidul Islam Sarkar said wheat cultivation is needed to meet the country’s increasing demand for the cereal item, reports UNB. Farmers are now feeling the pinch of lack of fair price and good seeds of wheat, he added. l

A goods-laden truck fell into a roadside ditch at Charmatha near Hili land port yesterday

Locals lay siege to Maddhapara Granite Mining Company

Under-construction roof caves in, injures two n Our Correspondent, Dinajpur n Our Correspondent, Barisal Two construction workers were injured after an under construction roof of a petrol pump collapsed yesterday afternoon at Zero-Point of Barisal-Patuakhali-Bhola highway under Nalchhity upazila of Jhalokati district.

Acting deputy director Kazi Alauddin of Barisal fire service said Zakir Hossain, 40, and Riazul, 31, the two construction workers, were rescued and sent to Barisal Sher E Bangla Medical College Hospital.

Witnesses said the under construction roof caved in around 2pm while construction was in progress.

A 20-member team of Barisal fire service went to the spot and started rescue operation with the help of the local people.

Mahfuz Khan, owner of the petrol pump, said the double stretching of the iron rod slipped due to loose bindings and collapsed during the casting of the roof on ground floor.

The fire service official said it is being assumed that the use of sub-standard materials and negligence in construction caused the accident. l

Hundreds of locals put up a barricade on the main entrance of Maddhapara Granite Mining Company Ltd yesterday to press home their five-point demands, including compensation for the people, who were directly and indirectly affected by the mining company.

People from Gurguri, Maddhapara, Khagrabondho, Uttara Rasulpur and Sultanpur villages under Dinajpur sadar upazila gathered in front of the company, which meets one-third of the of the country’s demand for hard-rock, in the morning and staged a sit-in in front of it.

Their demands include: proper management for waste disposal, providing compensation to the land owners, whose land have been leased for the mingling company, and compensation for the house owners, whose habitation were damage during a blast and

proving jobs to the victims’ family.

Parbotipur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rahenul Islam tried to remove the blockade with the help of law enforcement agencies.

Later, the protesters suspended blockade programme for the next seven days after getting assurance from the UNO that he would talk with the authorities of the company so that they take measures to full-fill the demands.

The UNO received a written complaint from the agitators in this regard.

Sources said the programme was organised under the banner of ’10 no Harirampur Jonokollyan Committee’.

President of the committee Masudur Rahman said houses of around 86 families of the five villages got damaged because of underground explosion caused by extraction of hard rocks.

Cracks had developed at many earthen and wood-made houses, he said, adding finding no alternative, vil-

lagers have been living at their dilapidated houses with risk risks.

Waste-mixed waters of the company have been hampering crop cultivations in the locality, local people alleged.

As toxic water enters into the cultivable land, farmers cannot be able to harvest their agri-produce for that reason they incur huge loss every year.

The villagers are not getting jobs in the mining company while people from other districts were recruited, they added.

In 1980s, the mining company authorities took lease of a vast tract of land, but it yet to pay 10% of the lease amount to the farmers.

Director General (marketing) Mir Abdul Hannan of the company refused to make any comments in this regard.

When contacted, Managing Director Sayed Abdul Fazal Nazmul Ahsan Hyder could not be reached despite several attempts. l

10 shops gutted in Pabna n Our Correspondent, Pabna A fire gutted at least 10 shops at Dublia Bazar under Pabna sadar upazila in the early hours of yesterday.

Sources at fire brigade said the fire had originated from electric short circuit at a shop of the market at about 5pm and soon engulfed the adjoining shops. l

A rally was held on the premises of Tangail Shaheed Minar yesterday, demanding fair prices of all kinds of agri-produces DHAKA TRIBUNE

Computer lab of Pabna Edward College burgled

Land dispute kills one in Madaripur n Tribune Online Report

n Our Correspondent, Pabna

A person has been killed and 15 others have been injured in a clash between two groups of villagers over land property at Akalborish village under Kalkini upazila in Madaripur.

The deceased was identified as Shahjahan Talukdar, 40, son of Rashed Talukdar of the village.

Shahjahan, who was injured in a clash, succumbed to his injuries early Sunday.

Police said there was a long-time dispute between Abul Hossain Bepari and Shahjahan Talukdar over a land property.

Following the same matter, they got into an altercation that triggered a clash between the groups of Saturday evening, leaving 16 people injured.

Later, Shahjahan was rushed to Kalkini Upazila Health Complex where he succumbed to his injuries around 3am on Sunday. l

Unidentified miscreants on Sunday broke into the computer lab of Pabna Edward College and decamped with 30 computers, valued at Tk 15 lakh.

According to sources, the cyber centre was introduced in the college in 2008 providing 30 computer sets with internet connection.

The lab is kept open during the college hour as the students use internet.

“A computer training course is also run in the centre,” said Nurul Alam, assistant professor of Management department of the college also the head of the IT laboratory.

When the lab was opened in

the morning, no computer was found, Nurul Alam said.

Kazi Haniful Islam, officerin-charge of Pabna Sadar police station said: “A gang of criminals looted the computer lab in planned way. Police is investing into the matter.”

The miscreants entered the lab by breaking grill and fled with the computers, sources said.

The college authority filed a case against unidentified persons.

The police also picked up Sagor and Paritosh, night guards of the college.

When contacted, Naid Md Samsul Huda, principal of the college said: “A three-member inquiry committee will be formed to investigate into the matter.” l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Attack on Pabna science university teacher protest n Our Correspondent, Pabna Teachers and staff of the Pabna University of Science and Technology formed a human chain on the campus yesterday, demanding immediate arrest of the people who attacked Dr Mushfiqur Rahman, president of the university teachers’ association.

They also threatened to wage tougher movement if the criminals are not arrested soon.

Campus sources said some unidentified criminals attacked the Dean of Business Studies Faculty Dr Mushfikur Rahman on Wednesday afternoon.

On that day, a case was filed, but police are yet to arrest anyone in this connection.

Earlier, teachers and employees of the university also formed a human chain and held a protest rally in front of the Pabna Press Club on Sunday morning with the same demand.

Bijon Kumar Brommo, SM Golzar Hossain, Shahanshah, Md Sohrab Ali, Imrul Hasan, Faruk Hossain Chowdhury and Johurul Islam Prince, among other university staffs, spoke on the occasion.

“Criminals attacked our teacher inside the university campus openly. But the criminals are yet to identify since five days of the incident has passed.The teachers and staffs are feeling insecure as the attackers are roaming freely.” said a teacher.

They also urged district administration to take measure to ensure safety of the university teacher.

Officer-in-Charge of Pabna Sadar police station Kazi Haniful Islam said police were investigating the matter and the criminals would be arrested soon.

Asked about the reason behind the attack, the OC said the attack might have been taken place over previous enmity. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Long Form

7

Monday, March 9, 2014

Divided by borders, united by rivers Water sharing between Nepal, India, and Bangladesh, according to young scholars and professionals

G

n Promiti Prova Chowdhury uwahati, Assam – a milieu of tea, rhino and Bhupen Hazarika. Late Hazarika, the Bard of Brahmaputra, rendered the voice of rivers in South Asia. Therefore, no other place on this earth would have been better to hold a dialogue on river.

On November 14 last year, 20 young scholars and professionals from India and Bangladesh met at Guwahati to discuss on trans-boundary water resources management during an Indo-Bangladesh Dialogue titled “Water Futures: A Dialogue for Young Scholars and Professionals.”

“Water: is it just a scientific compound? An essential element for the survival of the living entities? The river streams that had given birth to the greatest civilisations over the ages? It seems the so-called H2O is more than that, it is H2OP4 – power, politics, pollution, and profit.”

This is how Professor Imtiaz Ahmed of the International Relations department of Dhaka University, also the coordinator of the dialogue from Bangladesh, shed light on the seemingly “ecological subject,” making it much more comprehensive to participants like me.

With films, lectures, discussions and field visits to the banks of river Brahmaputra in India and Jamuna in Bangladesh, the dialogue disclosed a window of insight to enhance the India-Bangladesh relationship, which, instead of being smooth and free of conflicts, appears strained today.

Jointly organised by Jamia Millia Islamia, India and University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, the venture incorporated young professionals, environmentalists, journalists, creative artists, researchers, and government officials from both countries.

Bilateral negotiations: Who is the third party?

A concern that came from a number of resource persons was a river must be allowed to flow in its natural course for sustainability. If the flow is reduced by constructing dams and barrages, the river loses the natural force damaging the ecosystem.

Prof Asif Nazrul, department of law, DU, said the river itself should be the third party in the negotiation. The river water should be utilised, developed and managed in a way that every community feels benefited through whatever the project is, a dam, a barrage or any hydropower project.

than their professional identity. So these people reiterate the words of the government.”

Joint River Commission: Lacking mandate, independence Asif Nazrul criticised the limited mandate of JRC. “JRC members are government officials. They cannot protest decisions of the government.”

“There is a provision for appointing a technocrat honorary member in JRC. Dr Ainun Nishat had been one. But, in the last regime of government, they did not appoint any such member.

Some JRC members told me that India was not agreeable whenever Bangladesh wanted to appoint any local expert, although there were some proposals from Bangladesh’s side during the last tenure of BNP to appoint a neutral independent expert,” he said.

On the other hand, Ritwick Dutta, an environmental activist and Advocate of the Supreme Court of India, said: “No country in the world would ever give the decision making power to water resource specialists.

They may be a part of the team but ultimately the ministry of water resources, the Prime Minister’s Office or the ministry of foreign affairs would decide, because they are the real parties to guide it. The ministry of water resources will be at the prime to negotiate or appear to negotiate.

“These are the issue which affects security of the whole region. Therefore, ultimately the policy decisions will be taken by bureaucrats and diplomats. Engineers come second in the policy making structure.”

Treaties: Bi-lateral or multi-lateral?

A source in JRC Bangladesh alleged that they wanted to build a sub-regional framework. For instance, the Brahmaputra basin is shared by Nepal, Bhutan, China, India and Bangladesh.

Therefore, they wanted to engage Nepal and Bhutan in the negotiation.

“But India was highly against it.

They said they would negotiate with us and Nepal or other countries separately,” claimed the source.

Advocate Dutta said: “If you look at the river system, you will find that interest of Bangladesh and Nepal are completely different. For example, Nepal will be interested in building more storage dams, which will restrict the flow into India, whereas India would want to make more diversion channels that will affect the movement to the lower riparian country.

Nepal is upstream of India and Bangla-

If we focus on the future, wiping off the blame game and putting a fresh perspective towards the art of negotiation, then we can produce the desired results

Roles of politicians, policy makers, environmentalists “There has to be two platforms for negotiation: political platform and technical platform. Technical platform cannot overrule the political platform. Political platform takes the final decision. Unfortunately in terms of India and Bangladesh, the political people talk on technical issues and the technical people go by the political people because those are the ones who ultimately make the decision,” said Dr Ainun Nishat, Vice Chancellor of BRAC University and a member of the government negotiating team on the Teesta issue in 1989.

During a question answer session with Prof Asif Nazrul, the participants raised concern over the roles of government officials and environmentalists in Bangladesh. Asif said: “They [government] would invite some engineers, environmentalists and journalists who are more political

desh is the lowest. So how do we merge the interest of all three?

“I personally do not understand what can be the issues of common interest between Nepal and Bangladesh.

I can see commonalities between India, Bhutan and Nepal, because they are the upstream Himalayan states.

“I do not think a multi-lateral treaty is possible in near future. In our current geo-political situation, there is no way that Bangladesh would be able to convince India to involve Nepal.

The answer will be “no” for a simple reason that it would complicate the discussion which no one wants.

“Throughout the world, most of the rivers are shared by more than two countries but the treaties tend to be bi-lateral. It is easier to negotiate between two countries,” opined Dutta.

Joint River Commission: a misnomer?

A sub-divisional engineer of JRC Bangladesh, seeking anonymity, alleged

A satellite image of the region’s waters that though the statute indicates to hold at least two joint meetings a year, the meetings do not take place even in years. The regular meetings are always postponed by the Indian counterpart.

In June this year, India cancelled the regular meeting at the last minute showing “unavoidable circumstance.”

He noted that in last 41 years, only 37 meetings were held.

“The number of meetings depends on timing and willingness. Two countries might be at different political stages at a time. It may not be a national election in India, but it can be a ‘panchayet’ election in Calcutta, a state election in West Bengal or in Delhi. In such circumstances India will not be willing to hold a meeting,” Dutta said.

The day before leaving India, in a friendly chat with the participants, Mahbub Hassan Saleh, deputy high commissioner of Bangladesh High Commission to India denounced the terms “common” and ”trans-boundary” and suggested that rivers were and should be called “international natural resources” crossing through international boundaries.

Lamenting over the present condition of JRC, he said: “JRC is not supposed to be the way it is today. It is supposed to be a joint platform, but in reality, the chairmanship is held by water resource ministries, as in, the politicians who do not have the time to focus on human-centric subjects.

“It is more like two separate national river commissions headed by respective ministries. They should do research and present those technical studies in every meeting. The present JRC could not produce the desired results in accordance to the spirit it was born with,” he said.

Now is a time to revive the statute and meet as frequently as possible, he suggested.

Approach: ecological or commercial?

Saleh stressed on adopting a “pickfree approach.”

“We should not take cluster of rivers but, take one, try and resolve.

It took 25 years to conclude one and there are five major river systems in Bangladesh. “‘Individual river centric bi-lateral approach’ is something that should be abandoned,” he opined.

Prof Asif Nazrul proposed for basin-wise organisations instead of country-wise organisations. He said instead of India-Bangladesh or India-Nepal river commission, there should be commissions like Brahmaputra Water Commission where all the basin countries can become a part. An organisation possessing independence, decision-making authority, technical efficiency, knowledge base efficiency, and logistical efficiency.

Prof Nazrul convened for a blend of commercial and ecological approach in water sharing agreements to which Professor Imtiaz added that a mechanism should be developed that would be eco-friendly as well as financially productive.

Democracy and water sharing management: Let the community be heard

WIKIMEDIA

“Around 21bn people living on the basin of Teesta were unheard while negotiating over the river. Human issues are always ignored while designing any treaty which is a dangerous practice. We just focus on augmenting the flow but we have to keep in mind that we are the lowest riparian country and Bangladesh gets extremely less amount of water in the lean period.

For example, Teesta flows 60bcm (billion cubic meter) year round whereas, during the lean period which is September to May, the flow reduces to only 5bcm,” Saleh said.

He stressed on the term “equitable utilisation” of water which ensures rightful share of the stakeholders of the river keeping the minimum flow of the river intact – the minimum flow that is needed for the survival of the river. Moreover, it is a concern of biodiversity. Water has to be utilised judiciously as it is a depleting resource.

He said the users were the ultimate beneficiaries. “Farmers are the ones who actually know where and what quantum of water flows at different points of the year. So they should be heard through representatives. The think tanks and technical experts have to consider the local interest,” he said.

Loopholes in existing practices, faulty models Prof Nazrul pointed out several loopholes in the previous agreements shared by the two countries. For example, in the Ganges Water treaty, there was no mention of the word “pollution” which is a sign of ignoring the issue of environmental impact, an issue which is comprehensively talked about in all European and American water sharing treaties.

Highly criticising the Ganges River Treaty, Asif said: “Bangladesh cannot even ask what amount of water is being shared. After flowing through West Bengal and Bihar, whatever amount is left, (the residual flow) enters Bangladesh. Then India says that it is distributed honestly,” Asif said with discontent.

Drawing examples from different global law, like UN Watercourses Convention 1997 and Helsinki Rules, he mentioned a number of factors to define “equitable utilisation” including population, impact of the project in the area, available alternatives, etc.

Instead of building on Ganges, the Farakka barrage could be shifted to the Hugli port, he said.

He convened JRC India to come and negotiate with all these information. “Come with the information like what amount of water that had been withdrawn in Assam, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and how much is available.

Then you decide on the sharing, taking other factors of equity into consideration.”

Professor Jayanta Bandhopadhyay, retired Professor of Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, asserted in his presentation that shifting of river course was an integral part of geo-morphology of Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna (GBM) system.

He elaborated on the construction of Farakka Barrage as an outcome of faulty design of engineers who sought

to force river water diversion through structural intervention.

Role of civil society Dr Partha J Das, Programme Head, Water, Climate and Hazard, Aranyak, a Guwahati-based NGO for preservation and restoration of environment, said: “Today, civil societies in India feel that the central government has not done enough. Therefore, they have taken the form of protests. In such a

society vigilance and greater transparency for disseminating public domain regarding the decisions and agreements in case of trans-boundary river system.

He suggested that civil society ought to make use of the Right to Information (RTI) Act and collect information from the Ministry of Water Resources. Contents and reports of JRC meetings ought to be made public which otherwise mostly appear diplomatic and arbitrary at large.

Instead of India-Bangladesh or India-Nepal river commission, there should be commissions like Brahmaputra Water Commission where all the basin countries can become a part

situation, movements and campaigns by civil societies and student organisations have played an important role to mobilise the public in India.”

He mentioned about All Assam Students Union (AASU) that created a mass protest in Assam against the Indian government. Their demands were recognising flood and erosion as a national problem, allocating more funds in the field, and most importantly, checking the detrimental impacts of dams in the region.

Dr Arupjyoti Saikia, associate professor, department of humanities and social science at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati, shed light on a civil society group KMSS (Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti). This organisation had been able to wage democratic movements like the anti-dam movement in last few years in Assam.

The KMSS has done substantial work in mobilising people at the grass root level. It explained them the impacts of dam, like, disappearance of char, loss of grazing grounds for animals, disappearance of driftwood etc.

AASU also play a key role to persuade the government to form a committee to look into the downstream effect. It has initiated interaction between the experts and the communities by training them on river development programmes. This constant negotiation has led to the re-thinking of river science and engineering. It has also helped to bring different civil society organisations and the public to major political debates, described Saikia.

KMSS, considered as a classic example of how a civil society learns and unlearns argues on the points: Whose river is the Brahmaputra? Government or people? What kind of engineering will be used? Will science and technology take care of the environmental hazards? These are burning questions at our side as well.

Water Future: Breaking the prejudice

Right to Information: What is happening in the JRC?

After returning from the dialogue, a report published on the Dhaka Tribune on last November 30 caught my eyes. Parts of the article titled “Mighty Teesta turning into a narrow channel,” read: “Teesta, the second biggest river in Gaibandha, is drying up quickly and the drastic fall in its water level is impacting on agriculture, communication systems, employment and ecology in the region.

Officials of Bangladesh Water Development Board said the water level started falling sharply in September and now most of the river has dried up at an alarming rate, leading to a number of chars forming on the riverbed.

People living by the riverbanks attribute the present situation to the unilateral construction by India of a barrage at Gazoldoba over the Teesta, around 100km upstream of the Teesta Barrage Irrigation project (TBIP) at Dalia of Lalmonirhat district.

The char dwellers have urged the government to take up necessary measures to resume the navigability and water flow in the river and continue it all the year round by rolling on the water sharing treaty with India as early as possible.”

To that, I want to narrow down.

Among many things, we share mighty rivers that have not only created our landmarks, but also moulded our livelihood.

We both have our share of conflict and concerns, and negotiations regarding water sharing that have failed to produce any tangible result.

If we focus on the future, wiping off the blame game and putting a fresh perspective towards the art of negotiation, then we can produce the desired results. An effective strategy with technical understanding that assures sustainability of the eco-system resulting in enhanced well-being of the people is what we look forward to.

Dutta stressed on the need for civil

Promiti Prova Chowdhury is a journalist.

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Monday, March 10, 2014

Maliki accuses Saudi, Qatar of funding violence n Reuters

Suicide bomber kills 34 at crowded Iraq checkpoint n AFP, Hilla A suicide bomber killed 34 people, including two state television employees, at a checkpoint near Baghdad yesterday, after Iraq’s premier accused Riyadh and Doha of fuelling bloodshed in the country.

Iraq has been hit by a year-long surge in violence that has reached levels not seen since 2008, driven principally by widespread discontent among its Sunni Arab minority and by the civil war in neighbouring Syria.

Analysts and diplomats have urged Iraq’s Shiite-led authorities to reach out to disaffected Sunnis but with elections due next month, political leaders have not wanted to be seen to compromise and have instead pursued a hard line against militants.

The suicide bomber detonated an explosives-rigged minibus during morning rush hour at a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Hilla, the confessionally-mixed but mostly-Shiite capital of Babil province south of Baghdad.

The attack killed 34 people and left 167 others wounded, a police captain and medical sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Among the fatalities were five policemen, two women and five children, according to the sources.

“I saw a huge fire that covered the entire checkpoint and many cars nearby,” Salam Ali, who suffered wounds to his chest and one of his hands, said from his bed in Hilla hospital.

“Many victims could not get out of their cars because the pressure of the

Israeli army unloads ‘Iran weapons ship’ n AFP, Eilat The Israeli army was yesterday unloading a ship which it intercepted in the Red Sea allegedly transporting arms from Iran to Gaza and escorted to the port of Eilat.

An AFP correspondent said dozens of containers from the Panamanian-flagged Klos-C were being unloaded and transferred on trucks to a nearby navy base.

Naval commandos seized the vessel on Wednesday in the Red Sea between Eritrea and Sudan, and it was escorted into Eilat on Saturday by two Israeli warships.

The military said it was carrying an Iranian shipment of M-302 rockets destined for the Gaza Strip which is controlled by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.

The army chief, Lieutenant General Benny Gantz, said: “Each one of these rockets poses a threat to the safety of the citizens of Israel - each bullet and each rocket that was discovered had an Israeli address.”

The military is to hold a news conference on Monday to display the seized weaponry.

Iran has flatly denied any involvement with the shipment, which the Israeli army said was carrying missiles capable of striking anywhere in the Jewish state.

Israeli teen activists say no to army draft n Agencies A group of Israeli teenagers have told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that they will refuse to serve in the military because of its role in the occupation of Palestinian land, reports Aljazeera.

“The main reason for our refusal is our opposition to the occupation of the Palestinian territories by the army,” about 50 youths wrote in a letter to Netanyahu, published on Saturday by an Israeli pacifist group.

The group referred to “human rights violations” in the West Bank, including “executions, settlement construction, administrative detention, torture, collective punishment and unfair distribution of water and electricity.”

“Any military service perpetuates the current situation, and therefore we cannot take part in a system that carries out these deeds,” read the letter posted on the Facebook page of Yesh Gvul. l

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the seizure of the ship served “to thwart the arrival of lethal weapons to Gaza terror groups, and to expose the true face of Iran which was behind it.”

“Iran denies involvement, it is brazenly lying. We will show evidence tomorrow,” he said at the start of his weekly cabinet meeting. Netanyahu also criticised EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who was in Tehran the same day for top-level meetings.

“I’d like to ask her if she asked her Iranian hosts about the weapon delivery to the terror groups, and if she didn’t ask, why not?” he said.

“Nobody has the right to ignore the true, murderous actions of the Iranian regime,” he added.

Israel has been pressing the international community to maintain crippling economic sanctions on Iran over its nuclear drive. World powers have eased the sanctions on Iran as part of a landmark interim deal struck in November, under which Tehran undertook to curb its nuclear activities for six months.

The United States, other Western powers and Israel have long suspected Iran of using its nuclear energy programme as a cover for developing atomic weapons, a charge denied by the Islamic republic. l

explosion fused the doors shut.”

Another witness, 18-year-old Kadhim Abdulhussein said he saw pieces of metal from the checkpoint scattered dozens of metres (yards) from the scene of the attack.

Iraqiya state television said two of its employees, Muthanna Abdulhussein and Khaled Abed Thamer, were among the dead.

Militants carry out frequent attacks on security forces, and also target areas where crowds of people gather. The checkpoint combined the two.

In Abu Ghraib, west of Baghdad, gunmen shot dead at least two soldiers and wounded one at an army checkpoint, while five attacks north of Baghdad killed a police colonel and two policemen and left nearly 40 other people wounded. l

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has accusedSaudi Arabia and Qatar of openly funding the Sunni Muslim insurgents his troops are battling in western Anbar province, in his strongest such statement since fighting started there early this year.

Security forces have been fighting insurgents from the al Qaeda-affiliated Islamic State ofIraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Anbar’s two main cities - Fallujah and Ramadi - since January after the arrest of a Sunni lawmaker and the clearing of an anti-government protest camp prompted a tribal revolt and allowed ISIL to set up fighting positions in the cities.

Maliki’s remarks play to Iraqi fears of the Sunni Arab states as he tries to burnish his standing as a defender of the mainly Shia country before elections at the end of April.

Violence has escalated in the last 12 months - ISIL has led a devastating campaign of suicide bombings since mid-2013 - and Maliki said in a mid-February speech that Saudi Arabia and Qatar were offering money to recruit fighters in Fallujah.

More than 700 people died in violence in Iraq in February, not including nearly 300 reported deaths in western Anbar province and last year was the deadliest year since 2008 with nearly 8,000 being killed.

“I accuse them of inciting and encouraging the terrorist movements. I accuse them of supporting them politically and in the media, of supporting them with money and by buying weapons for them,” he told France 24 television late on Saturday.

Maliki has long had chilly relations with the Gulf states, who view him as too close to Iran, and has long suspected them of funding al Qaeda-linked groups in order to bring down his Shialed government. l

Russian forces tighten grip on Crimea despite US warning n Reuters, Simferopol Russian forces tightened their grip on Crimea yesterday despite a US warning to Moscow that annexing the southern Ukrainian region would close the door to diplomacy in a tense East-West standoff.

Russian forces’ seizure of the Black Sea peninsula has been bloodless but tensions are mounting following the decision by pro-Russian groups that have taken over the regional parliament to make Crimea part of Russia.

The operation to seize Crimea began within days of Ukraine’s pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovich’s flight from the country last month. Yanukovich was toppled after three months of demonstrations against a decision to spurn a free trade deal with the European Union for closer ties with Russia.

In the latest armed action, Russians took over a Ukrainian border post on the western edge of Crimea at around 6 a.m.

(0400) GMT, trapping about 30 personnel inside, a border guard spokesman said.

The spokesman, Oleh Slobodyan, said Russian forces now controlled 11 border guard posts across Crimea, a former Russian territory that is home to Russia’s Black Sea fleet and has an ethnic Russian majority.

In Simferopol, Crimea’s main city, pro- and anti-Russian groups held rival rallies. About 300 opponents of Russian-backed plans for Crimea to secede gathered around a monument to national hero Taras Shevchenko, carrying blue and yellow balloons the colour of the Ukrainian flag. The crowd sang the national anthem, twice, and an Orthodox Priest led prayers and a hymn.

Vladimir Kirichenko, 58, an engineer, opposed Crimea joining Russia. “I don’t call this a referendum. It asks two practically identical questions: Are you

AFP, Jerusalem

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he is opposed to freezing construction in settlements as a means to extend US-sponsored peace talks with Palestinians.

Such a freeze “would serve nothing,” Netanyahu told public radio.

“We imposed one in the past and it brought no results,” the premier said of the 10-month construction moratorium he issued during the last round of peace talks with Palestinians that ended in 2010.

US Secretary of State John Kerry has been struggling to get Israel and the Palestinians to agree a framework for extending direct peace talks, launched in July, beyond an April 29 deadline.

But Israel and the Palestinians remain divided on all the major issues, including borders, security, settle-

Soviet Songs

Around 2,000 Russian supporters gathered in Lenin Square, where there is a statue of the Soviet state founder, clapping along to nostalgic Soviet era songs being sung from the stage.

Alexander Liganov, 25 and jobless, said: “We have always been Russian, not Ukrainian. We support Putin.”

President Vladimir Putin declared a week ago that Russia had the right to invade Ukraine to protect Russian citizens, and his parliament has voted to change the law to make it easier to annex territory inhabited by Russian speakers.

At a rally in the eastern city of Donetsk, home to many Russian speakers, presidential candidate Vitaly Klitschko, a former boxing champion, said Ukraine should not allowed to split apart amid bloodshed.

“The main task is to preserve the stability and independence of our country,” he said.

The worst face-off with Moscow since the Cold War has left the West scrambling for a response, especially since the region’s pro-Russia leadership declared Crimea part of Russia last week and announced a March 16 referendum to confirm it. US Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking to Russia’s foreign minister for the fourth day in a row, told Sergei Lavrov on Saturday that Russia should exercise restraint.

“He made clear that continued military escalation and provocation in Crimea or elsewhere in Ukraine, along with steps to annex Crimea to Russia, would close any available space for diplomacy, and he urged utmost restraint,” a US official said. l

FEARLESS BEFORE WEAPONS

Demonstrators kneel in front of riot police during a protest against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas. Armed with cooking pots in a potent symbol of Venezuela’s chronic food shortage, thousands took to the streets Saturday in the latest public rally against the government. At least 20 people have now died since protests first erupted, giving Maduro his biggest test since succeeding late leader Hugo Chavez almost a year ago AFP

Netanyahu opposed to Saudis, Emiratis quit settlement freeze Qatari media outlets n

for the secession of Ukraine or are you for the secession of Ukraine? So why would I go and vote?”

ments, Jerusalem and Palestinian refugees.

Starts on new settlement building in the West Bank increased by 123.7% last year, according to recently-published data from Israel’s statistics bureau.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has said that his side would not agree to extend negotiations without Israel releasing further prisoners and halting settlement construction.

According to Netanyahu, who met with Kerry and US President Barack Obama in Washington last week, a framework agreement to extend talks would not necessitate Israeli and Palestinian signatures but rather only by “an American document on American positions.”

“I’m not sure the Palestinians will accept it,” Netanyahu told public radio of the framework agreement.

Obama is due to meet Abbas on March 17 at the White House. l

n AFP, Riyadh Saudi and Emirati pundits have quit major media outlets in Qatar, including the broadcaster of top-flight European football, they said yesterday, as tensions soar between Doha and Gulf states.

In an unprecedented decision on Wednesday, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain withdrew their envoys to Qatar, which they accused of meddling in their internal affairs by supporting Islamists. Doha has dismissed the charge, citing instead differences in regional politics.

Saudi columnist Samar al-Mogren, who writes for Al-Arab Qatari daily, tweeted yesterday that the “Saudi ministry of culture and information has decided to end the collaboration of Saudi writers with Qatari newspapers.”

She said that two other Saudi writers, Saleh al-Shehi and Ahmed bin Rashed al-Saeed, had also stopped

writing for Qatari newspapers based on the ministry’s orders.

Another writer, Muhanna al-Hubail, had received similar orders from the ministry, said Mogren.

Meanwhile, Emirati commentators and analysts announced they had quit BeIn Sports, which exclusively broadcasts matches from the English Premier League and the Spanish La Liga to millions of football fans across the Middle East. Ali Saeed Al Kaabi and Fares Awad announced on Twitter Saturday their resignation from BeIn, without giving any reasons.

Emirati football pundit Sultan Rashed said he would stop contributing to BeIn, while analyst Hassan al-Jassmi said he would no longer appear on both BeIn and Alkass, another Qatari sports channel. Qatar is a staunch supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood, viewed by most conservative monarchies of the Gulf as a threat to their grip on power. l

Yemen panel to draft charter on sixregion federation n AFP, Sanaa President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi has ordered a panel to draw up a constitution that would transform Yemen into a six-region federation, state media reported, despite opposition in the north and south.

The 17-member panel, which includes four women, is expected to implement a decentralization plan agreed at a national conference last year to create four regions in north Yemen and two in the south.

The presidential decree gives the panel one year to draw up the constitution to be put to a referendum within a year, after being adopted by a commission overseeing its work, the official Saba news agency reported Saturday.

The plan aims to meet demands for autonomy in the south and will be accompanied by compensation for its residents, who have risen up against what they call discrimination in favor of the north. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

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Monday, March 10, 2014

Malaysian missing plane ‘may have turned back’ n AFP, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia yesterday said a missing airliner carrying 239 people may have inexplicably turned back as authorities launched a terror probe into the plane’s sudden disappearance, investigating suspect passengers who boarded with stolen passports.

The United States sent the FBI to investigate after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing vanished from radar early Saturday somewhere at sea between Malaysia and Vietnam, but stressed there was no evidence of terrorism yet.

Indications that the plane may have deviated from its route only compounded the anxiety of relatives, many of them Chinese, desperate for news of their loved ones.

“There is a distinct possibility the airplane did a turn-back, deviating from the course,” said Malaysia’s air force chief, General Rodzali Daud, citing radar data.

But Malaysia Airlines (MAS) chief executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said the Boeing 777’s systems would have set off alarm bells.

“When there is an air turn-back the pilot would be unable to proceed as planned,” he said, adding authorities were “quite puzzled” over the situation.

Malaysian authorities have expanded their search for wreckage to the country’s west coast after initially concentrating to the east in the South China Sea.

A total of 40 ships and 22 aircraft from an array of countries including Malaysia’s neighbours, China and the US are now involved in the hunt across the two areas, officials said, with two Australian surveillance aircraft also due to join the search.

After it emerged that two people boarded the flight with stolen European passports, Malaysia’s transport minister Hishammuddin Hussein said he was looking at four suspect passengers in all.

A total of 40 ships and 22 aircraft from an array of countries are now involved in the hunt The minister declined to offer details, saying authorities were examining “the entire manifest,” but confirmed the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was dispatching personnel to Malaysia.

“At the same time our own intelligence has been activated, and of course, the counter-terrorism units... from all the relevant countries have been informed,” Hishammuddin said, refusing also to rule out the possibility of a hijack.

A Malaysian civil aviation official said authorities still so far believe only two passengers had used stolen passports and were examining CCTV footage of them.

“We will review all security proto-

cols and, if needed, we will enhance them,” Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was quoted as saying in The Star newspaper. He stressed: “If necessary, because we still do not know the cause of the incident.”

Flight MH370 had relayed no distress signal, indications of rough weather, or other signs of trouble. Both Malaysia’s national carrier and the Boeing 777-200 model used on the route are known for their solid safety records.

The flight vanished about an hour after taking off from Kuala Lumpur. A total of 153 Chinese nationals were on board, and relatives camped out at the main international airport in China’s capital bemoaned the lack of news Sunday.

“The airline company didn’t contact me, it was a friend,” a middle-aged woman surnamed Nan told reporters, holding back tears, after finding out her brother-in-law was on the flight.

“I can’t understand the airline company. They should have contacted the families first thing,” she said.

MAS insisted it was doing its best to keep relatives informed given the confusion surrounding the plane’s fate, and was preparing to fly some of them out to Malaysia today to be closer to the search-and-rescue operation.

As nightfall approached yesterday, the Vietnamese official in charge of coordinating the search said there was still no trace of any wreckage at sea. l

This handout photo taken yesterday shows Malaysian Maritime Enforcement personnel looking through binoculars during search and rescue operations for the missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Boeing 777-200 AFP

Pilot of missing jet an aviation tech geek n Reuters, Kuala Lumpur The pilot of a Malaysia Airlines jet that went missing on Saturday enjoyed flying the Boeing 777 so much that he spent his off days tinkering with a flight simulator of the plane that he had set up at home, current and former co-workers said. Zaharie Ahmad Shah, 53, captain of the airliner carrying 239 people bound for Beijing from the Malaysian capital, had always wanted to become a pilot and joined the national carrier in 1981.

Airline staff who worked with the

pilot said Zaharie knew the ins and outs of the Boeing 777 extremely well, as he was always practicing with the simulator. They declined to be identified due to company policy.

“He was an aviation tech geek. You could ask him anything and he would help you. That is the kind of guy he is,” said a Malaysia Airlines co-pilot who had flown with Zaharie in the past.

Zaharie set up the Boeing 777 simulator at his home in a suburb on the outskirts of the Malaysian capital where many airline staff stay as it pro-

North Koreans vote in parliament ‘election’

India set to challenge US for election-spending record

n AFP, Seoul

n Reuters, New Delhi

North Koreans voted yesterday in a pre-determined election for a rubber-stamp parliament – an exercise that doubles as a national head count and may offer clues to power shifts in Pyongyang.

The vote to elect representatives for the Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) was taking place as scheduled, the state-run KCNA news agency said, adding that voter turnout was a whopping 91% as of 2.00 pm (0500 GMT).

Those who are ill or infirm and cannot travel to polling stations are casting votes at special “mobile ballot boxes,” it added.

“Overjoyed” voters rushed to polling stations across the country from early in the morning, it claimed, adding many danced and played music on the street in praise of the leader, Kim Jong-Un. The North’s state TV showed hundreds of people across the country clad in brightly-coloured traditional dresses dancing in circle on the street.

State-run media have in recent weeks stepped up propaganda to promote the election, with a number of poems produced to celebrate voting under titles including “The Billows of Emotion and Happiness” and “We Go To Polling Station.”

Apart from the physical casting

Libya authorises use of force against NK-flagged tanker n Reuters Libya’s defense ministry has issued orders to its military authorising the use of force to stop a North Korea-flagged tanker loading crude oil sold by armed rebels seeking to bypass the Tripoli government, state media said yesterday.

The rebels, who have seized three major Libyan ports since August to press demands for a greater share of oil revenues and political autonomy, received the tanker on Saturday at the Es Sider port in the volatile east.

The docking and loading of crude escalates a seven-month blockade of key oil ports and is just one facet of deepening turmoil in the OPEC producer, which is struggling to control militias that helped oust Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 but kept their weapons and now challenge state authority. Prime Minister Ali Zeidan said on Saturday Libya would bomb the 37,000-tonne tanker if it tried to exit the port, one of Libya’s biggest oil export terminals.

State news agency LANA said yesterday the defense ministry had issued orders to the military and warned the tanker’s owner. “The order authorises the use of force and puts the responsibility of any damages resulting from this on the ship owner.” l

of votes, there is nothing democratic about the ballot. The results are a foregone conclusion, with only one approved candidate standing for each of the 687 districts.

It was the first election to the SPA under the leadership of Kim, who took over the reins of power on the death of his father, Kim Jong-Il, in December 2011. And like his father before him, Kim stood as a candidate – in constituency number 111, Mount Paektu.

Koreans have traditionally attributed divine status to Mount Paektu and, according to the North’s official propaganda, Kim Jong-Il was born on its slopes.

TV footage showed hundreds of soldiers queuing up at a polling station in constituency number 111 and dancing in unison on the street to festive music.

Portraits of Kim’s late father and grandfather were hung on the wall behind the ballot box. Soldiers deeply bowed to the portraits after casting their votes.

“I gave the vote, the evidence of my loyalty, to our supreme leader comrade,” one soldier said in a TV interview.

Elections are normally held every five years to the SPA, which only meets once or twice a year, mostly for a daylong session, to rubber-stamp budgets or other decisions made by the ruling Workers’ Party. l

Indian politicians are expected to spend around $5bn on campaigning for elections next month - a sum second only to the most expensive US presidential campaign of all time - in a splurge that could give India’s floundering economy a temporary boost.

India’s campaign spend, which can include cash stuffed in envelopes as well as multi-million-dollar ad campaigns, has been estimated at 300bn rupees ($4.9bn) by the Centre for Media Studies, which tracks spending.

That is triple the expenditure the centre said was spent on electioneering in the last national poll in 2009 - partly a reflection of a high-octane campaign by pro-business opposition candidate for prime minister, Narendra Modi, who started nationwide rallies and advertising last year.

“They started much before, and they are also focusing on states where they are traditionally not strong. They are leaving no area untouched,” said N. Bhaskara Rao, chairman of the Centre for Media Studies.

The campaign spending for this election could give a boost to the economy, which has been heading for its longest slump since the 1980s. Economists have forecast a second year of

growth below 5% in the financial year ending this month.

Candidate and party funding in India is opaque and the source of much of the spending is hard to ascertain, but the Centre for Media Studies and other transparency advocates say the main contenders have built up large war chests.

India’s projected campaign spending is only rivaled by the $7bn spent in the 2012 US presidential race “This election spending largesse will help to boost Indian consumption expenditure over the second quarter of 2014, but this will be a temporary spike,” said Rajiv Biswas, the Asia-Pacific chief economist at IHS Global Insight.

India’s projected campaign spending is only rivaled by the $7bn spent by candidates, parties and support groups in the 2012 US presidential race, the world’s most expensive, according to data provided by the US election commission.

Spending on previous Indian elections have benefited a wide range of businesses, from media groups and advertisers that rake in campaign-ad reve-

nues to consumer-based firms that capitalize indirectly on the overall jump in spending, such as motor-bike manufacturers and brewers like United Spirits.

India’s advertising industry expects to see an $800 million injection during the election season, according to an outlook by the country’s largest local agency, Madison Media. That should benefit media firms, such as DB Corp, which owns the high-circulation Hindi language daily Dainik Bhaskar.

Much of India’s campaign spend will remain in its thriving black economy.

Rules allow candidates to spend 7 million rupees ($114,000) on campaigns for a parliament seat but the real cost of winning is about 10 times that, thanks to spending on rallies, fuel and media campaigns that often include payments for coverage.

Indian politicians regularly bribe voters with cash payouts or alcohol to secure their support. Recent state elections have seen innovations such as getting money to voters via mobile phone credit and envelopes of cash delivered in morning papers.

In the last three years, election authorities seized from politicians a total of about $32.65 million in the form of concealed cash, some if it stashed in helicopters, milk trucks and even funeral vans, a former election commissioner said.l

PROTEST OVER KASHMIRI STUDENTS’ EXPULSION

Supporters of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) hold placards during a protest over expulsion of dozens of Kashmiri students from a university after they cheered for the Pakistani cricket team during a televised match against archrival India last week. Six more students, including four Kashmiris, were also expelled yesterday following an alleged clash over the same matter AP

vides quick access to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Pictures posted by Zaharie on his Facebook page show a simulator with three computer monitors, a tangle of wires and several panels. “We used to tease him. We would ask him, why are you bringing your work home,” said a pilot who knew Zaharie for 20 years.

Zaharie’s passion for aviation went beyond the Boeing 777. Other photos posted up by him on Facebook show he was an avid collector of remote-controlled, miniature aircraft. l

India far-right party supports Modi n AFP, New Delhi A far-right wing Indian party yesterday publicly threw its support behind opposition Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi for prime minister ahead of next month’s general elections. The firebrand head of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Raj Thackeray, said he would back Modi, while announcing that his party would also field a handful of candidates for the elections.

“We will support Narendra Modi for the prime minister’s post. Modi should become the prime minister of the country,” 45-year-old Thackeray told supporters in Mumbai where his party is based.

According to sources, the MNS, a rival offshoot of the hardline right-wing Shiv Sena, has a record of inciting riots and other violence mainly in its opposition of migrants in western Maharashtra state of which Mumbai is the capital.

Despite the support, however, it is unclear whether Thackeray’s move will help Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.

According to reports, a BJP leader urged Thackeray days earlier not to field MNS candidates to preserve the BJP’s ties with traditional ally Shiv Sena and avoid splitting the vote against Congress in Maharashtra.

After Shiv Sena took power in the Maharashtra government in 1994, it changed the city’s name from Bombay to Mumbai to underline the region’s Marathi identity. l

Afghanistan’s powerful vice president dies n Reuters Afghanistan’s powerful vice president, Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim, died of natural causes yesterday, only weeks before the country is due to elect a new leader. He was 57.

Once one of Afghanistan’s most feared warlords, Fahim had been a top commander in the Northern Alliance, a group of anti-Taliban militia leaders, after the 1992-96 civil war.

“It is with deep sadness that we learn of the passing away of Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim, the First Vice-president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. May his soul rest in peace,” President Hamid Karzai’s office said, declaring three days of national mourning.

The United Nations mission in Afghanistan called Fahim “a good and trusted partner of the UN.” Back in 2009, UN officials and diplomats had criticized Fahim’s appointment because he was accused of serious human rights abuses. It was unclear what, if any, role Fahim had planned for next month’s presidential election.

Human Rights Watch said in a 2005 report that Fahim was “one of the most notorious warlords in the country, with the blood of many Afghans on his hands from the civil war.” l

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Letters to

www.dhakatribune.com

Quality education is an economic priority

A

dismal new report from the World Bank suggests that the majority of fifth grade students in Bangladesh do not have the necessary academic competence typically expected at that level.

Sobering statistics suggest that even in the early years of primary education, the vast majority of children are failing to meet their minimum competency targets.

This clearly indicates that although Bangladesh has made vast strides in achieving near universal access to primary education, the quality of education needs to be improved as well .

At the root of the problem is that money is not being efficiently spent when it comes to education. Bangladesh’s budgetary allocation for the sector is also the lowest in the South Asian region, limiting the amount of funding available.

The problems which result include unimaginative and poorly delivered curricular, the hiring of poor quality teachers and inefficiently run and managed school administrations.

Fixing our primary education system should be the key challenge for the government. The education ministry must give more attention to improving the quality of primary education in order to ensure that everyone has a high quality educational foundation.

The unpalatable truth is that the unevenness of primary education is also an economic problem. Children from poor households are more likely to perform poorly academically than children from economically well-off households. It is an unacceptable cost to the nation to allow such discrepancies to continue.

Improving the quality of primary education is essential to overcome this for the benefit of the nation.

Fixing primary education should be the key challenge for the government

Looking east is a natural move for Bangladesh

A

fter last week’s BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative) meeting in Myanmar, many people are noting its potential to improve co-operation and trade among its member states, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal.

The US ambassador has reflected that the combination of Bangladesh’s geographical location and large population makes it a natural hub for international commerce and trade generally.

Within the context of developing links between South Asia and South East Asia in particular, Bangladesh’s location clearly gives it added scope for growth.

It is important then for Bangladesh to keep looking eastwards in its diplomatic and economic policies. While links have grown with China over the years, our trade links with our immediate neighbour Myanmar have only recently begun to be actively nurtured, even though its economy is attracting a huge amount of overseas interest and investment.

We must not neglect our geographical closeness and neighbourly potential. As fellow BIMSTEC members, Myanmar and Thailand have much to offer Bangladesh to help develop better connectivity and economic integration with the economic powerhouses of South East Asia.

It is imperative for our economy that the government maximise the potential of multilateral groups such as BIMSTEC and SAARC to lower trade barriers and increase economic opportunities.

Looking eastwards to our closest neighbours beyond India is a natural place to start, but should only be the beginning. The government should encourage and negotiate mutually beneficial bilateral treaties and trade deals with as many different countries as possible.

Monday, March 10, 2014

the Editor

LETTER OF THE DAY

20% supplementary duty on tea import March 7

It was recently reported that the National Board of Revenue (NBR) had prepared a summary to introduce a 20% supplementary duty in addition to the 61% existing duties on tea imports, following a demand by the Bangladesh Tea Association and on the recommendation of the Commerce Ministry (MoC). It seems that NBR and MoC did not consider the interest of consumers.

The tea estates pay Tk70 per day to their workers, the lowest wages in Bangladesh. It is not believable that they cannot compete with growers in foreign countries, even after imposing a 61% protection duty.

Are 61% duties on imports not enough to protect the interest of local growers? Are they so inefficient? If the tea estates cannot compete even after this 61% aggregate protective import duty, then the government has to make a major decision. The land used by the estates, leased from the government should be allocated to entrepreneurs interested in growing coffee. The government must balance between the interests of growers as well as consumers.

I would like to urge the finance minister not to approve the proposal of increasing duties on tea imports.

Md Ashraf Hossain

Egalitarian Uncle Moneybags March 4

Kamrul It is startling that the writer not only manages to highlight a problem in politics but also in society.

How often do we look down at the poor in disdain and the filthy rich with admiration, instead of looking at the former with empathy and the latter with distrust? Make no mistake, this is a problem that needs solving right now.

Sameera A timely reminder that the ruling elite in Bangladesh is just that – an elite, separate group.

Time after time, we as a nation seem to forget that the opposition that stands for us and with us now was just as corrupt and destructive five years ago as the current government is now. The only way to break this cycle is to reshape the system or to get more involved and get our agency recognised.

Ronnie The first short paragraph reads eerily like a tiny snapshot of the larger and hideous life and times of the incumbent ruling regime in our country. The second paragraph is a far less honest, somewhat harsh swipe at the only real “opposition” party that exists today.

To be fair, the remainder of the article speaks of a number of some sad, self-evident truths that remain the scourge of social, political and economic justice in Bangladesh. But the author’s righteous laments are tainted by a recurring barb – only this time even more acerbic and embarrassingly erroneous – aimed at what he insists on calling the “old opposition.” The allusion to Tom Perkins here appears blatantly bombastic. And the author’s awfully dishonest association of the “chairperson’s” party’s political and economic philosophy with Perkins’s

demented theses goes utterly beyond the pale. I’d gladly remind him that this “old opposition” that he cannot resist sniping at here, actually spearheaded the return of “democracy” in this country (however dysfunctional it subsequently became). And they presided over what still seems to me like the most productive five years of rapid and broad economic advancement in Bangladesh’s “democratic era.”

And oh, even the non tax-paying, poorest of the poor in Bangladesh still have the “right to vote.”

So, invoking Tom Perkins here is intellectually insincere. It detracts from the author’s otherwise satirical, but fair swipes at the intrinsic iniquities of the “ruling classes.” That said, it’s clear that Mr Ahmed’s bigger gripe is with “capitalism” itself. I’ll never share his animus toward capitalism. I’d prefer to quote Milton Friedman instead: “The most important central fact about free market capitalism is that no exchange takes place unless both parties benefit.”

Partho Ronnie: While I admire your convictions, I do have to agree with the majority of the comments here and say that I am in favour of what the writer is saying.

Also, and I think this is not something that has actually been said by anyone here including yourself, the writer has not defended one party and criticised another completely. He has been particularly critical of one, that is true, but that does not discredit his work. Genuine criticism does not work on an egalitarian basis; just because something is wrong with party A does not mean that party B must be found equally guilty for it to be a valid point. The same logic works here – one party is the bigger target but that does not make the criticism unfair.

BCB to impose new ‘rules’ March 3

The reason is simple. The BCB is corrupted, and young cricket players’ talents have been destroyed. They play with public emotion. Why don’t the media express this? Perhaps we’ve been too receptive of this kind of blind corruption. Is that not true?? :-( Riyasat Azim Sunvy

Singapore world’s most expensive city March 4

In my opinion, it is the world’s most robotic city as well! :-/ Wafi Stalinofskivitchdavitovichsky

Bangladesh set a 327-run target for Pakistan March 4

Yay! Good going Bangladesh! Keep it up.

Gaulbert Randolph

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CALVIN AND HOBBES

Looking eastwards is a natural place to start, but should only be the beginning

PEANUTS

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU ACROSS 1 Bishop’s territory (3) 3 Matured (4) 6 Fruit (4) 7 Adhesive (3) 9 Purplish brown (4) 10 Vegetable (3) 11 Muslim leader (4) 13 Of the kidneys (5) 16 Biblical character (5) 18 Highland dagger (4) 19 School of whales (3) 20 Thunder god (4) 21 Mineral spring (3) 23 Prolonged pain (4) 24 Summit (4) 25 Respectful fear (3)

DOWN 1 Sweetener (5) 2 Flightless bird (3) 4 Gloomily sullen (4) 5 Stain (3) 6 Apple of the eye (5) 8 Person under age (5) 9 Wan (4) 12 Disguises (5) 14 Eastern ruler (4) 15 Token of membership (5) 17 Gap (5) 18 Bird (4) 20 Beverage (3) 22 Animal’s foot (3)

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS Crossword

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

Sudoku

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Yaba’s pinik rising

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n Towheed Feroze

even or eight years ago when I first saw this drug, it hardly appeared to be capable of doing serious harm. It was pink! Obviously, each colour creates in our subconscious mind an image, so pink hardly conjures up devastation.

Yet today, the capital as well as all major towns are hostage to the pink pill. Reportedly, when it comes to “pinik” or high, nothing comes near. Going back to 2007, yaba was a “designer product” with hardly any information available about it. To give its usage legitimacy, the fact that Hitler’s soldiers were given the tablet to stay awake during prolonged wars, was widely used.

Today, the capital as well as all major towns are hostage to the pink pill

Nothing was spelt of the harmful sides. In Dhaka’s elite areas, the rise of abuse rose when it was found to be a powerful libido and stamina enhancer.

That means one could be at it all night long and also carry on with normal work the next day, or the day after.

Recently, a report caught my attention – yaba is delivered at home by smart, well-spoken couriers.

I am not shocked.

I heard of such a system seven years ago where cycle-riding men threw tablets packed in plastic onto the verandah of users. Someone told me that for clients living in higher level flats, ropes were used to send up the tablets.

Lovers addicted to the product and staying in the same apartment building use the same rope system to share a high – reportedly, pink pills were wrapped in a love letter and tied to the rope.

Talk about romancing on the deadly side.

But laughs aside, yaba is now the top drug in major cities, slowly but treacherously making way into rural areas. The selling line is perhaps as old

as human civilisation – take it and be the king in bed.

Most fall for this because the desire to be the ultimate lover lies dormant in all.

Interestingly though, in the initial days of abuse, sexual urge may see a surge, the nerves soon become numb, unable to feel anything in the latter days of addiction. Meanwhile, continuous nights of sleeplessness wreak havoc on health, creating pressure on kidneys on the side.

But what many people do not know is that regular use of this makes a person short-tempered, morose, and desperate.

If we refer to the killing of a police officer and his wife by their yaba addict daughter last year, we see to what level of crime yaba-induced recklessness can trigger.

But beyond the surface of common drug related social problems lies a festering lower level where yaba is viciously acting out as the main catalyst in stripping society, especially women, of moral values.

Let’s shed the pseudo façade of morality for a minute: Prostitution had always been present around us, though kept under wraps through a carefully crafted air of discretion.

Women working as sex workers mostly resided within a recognised quarter and lived almost their entire lives within a boundary. Not going into the argument of whether that is ethically right or not, brothels have followed this pattern for ages with little alterations here and there.

However, as we became engulfed by consumerism and hard-core material values, the issue of paid sex insidiously crept out of a centuries old boundary to carve out a place within mainstream society, luring a large number of young women from the middle and the lower middle classes.

These women have become carriers, sellers, and dealers of yaba, operating within the secure environment of five-star establishments, exploiting the safety offered by affluent commercial places to peddle drugs.

From time to time, we hear of law enforcers busting yaba syndicates, though the main masterminds are never nabbed while top entertainment centres remain outside the dragnet.

The solution to regulate the trade is simple – infiltrate the entertainment industry to terminate insulated lines of the trade.

It won’t be surprising to find many

How long can we pretend that it’s all fine? ostensibly “clean” people involved.

Just to give a personal anecdote – a few years ago, I was having a conversation with a rising model/actress and at one point she bluntly asked if she and her friends can come over and use my place to take Baba (as yaba is commonly known).

Having observed International Women’s Day and acknowledging wholeheartedly the strides women have made in the last two decades, the murky side of gender empowerment, where many opt to dive into the world of crime to get rich quick, cannot be overlooked.

These women, armed with their beauty and charm, prowl the Dhaka night spots with the sole aim of entrapping new victims either in their web of physical allure or within the confines of the pink pill. In some cas-

Basant manqué n FS Aijazuddin

T

here are moments in a city’s life when its performance sometimes equals its reputation. Lahore, once synonymous with learning and the arts, showed that when called upon, it can exceed expectations.

The Lahore Literary Festival defied armchair pundits by being held at all, by being a success, and after it was over, by leaving its audiences gasping for more, which surely is the best measure of such an event.

The LLF was spread over three days, an ambitious adventure considering that each day contained six one-hour sessions, almost back-to-back, starting from 10.00 am until 6.00 pm, with musical entertainments on two evenings thrown in for those with any stamina left. The LLF commandeered not only the three auditoriums of the AlHamra Arts Complex but augmented its capacity by converting an unused lobby into an intimate “baithak.”

For one shining, glorious weekend, the Al Hamra Arts Complex (which won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1998) fulfilled the potential inherent in its imaginative design, as crowds milled through its open spaces, and famous names delegates basked in the soft winter sun on couches covered with shimmering yellow satin. This was the celebration of Basant that officialdom had denied Lahore. A young student watched open-mouthed as every famous name he had ever heard about or read about in class passed before him in the flesh.

It would seem like namedropping to recite the names of the delegates. The accomplishments of each would take up many columns. But a few made the LLF especially memorable: Vikram Seth – shorter than one expected, ineffably erudite, effortlessly brilliant; Zehra Nigah, a nightingale who trills poetry and has a gossamer-like temperament; Shobhaa De, the Taliban’s nightmare – an educated, liberated, articulate female; Zia

Mohyeddin, for whom the word timing was invented; Mira Nair, who loves Lahore only less than Lahore dotes on her; Shazia Sikander, who deserves to fed praise, not cups of hemlock; and Vali Nasr, the erudite bureaucrat turned academic, whose specialty is Af-Pak affairs, and whose multi-faceted versatility reminded his audience of Shashi Taroor, without the uxoriousness.

The LLF defied armchair pundits by leaving its audiences gasping for more Considering their individual expertise, each speaker would have had every right, once handed the microphone, to speak interminably, but it was a credit to their mature self-restraint that each spoke with economy, to the point and with riveting clarity. Each hourly session began on time, ended on time, and before each event there was an orderly queue of attendees. Lahoris could not have been better behaved.

The range of topics that were tabled for discussion by more than a hundred Delegates – drawn from all over the world – could not have been more eclectic. Where else in Pakistan would one have been able to watch Shazia Sikander showcase her talent, or to see on a large screen her breathtaking installation, in which the horizon gradually fragments into starling-like shapes that sweep across the sky in changing shapes, and then disappear in an echo of colour?

Where else could one have heard an informed civilised debate on Afghanistan by a panel consisting of a former ambassador to the US (Maleeha Lodhi), Ahmed Rashid whose textbooks on the Taliban are now mandatory reading, the

BIGSTOCK

es, victims fall for both …

If asked about the prospect of a reformed life, some will quickly put up an act of a martyr while the scarred ones will reject such a proposition outright.

be overlooked, though yaba tolerance is not the one. Law enforcers have recognised the need to curtail this trade with the Bangladesh government making an official plea to Myanmar

If there is genuine desire to control yaba, the inner layers of the scourge need to be addressed

Sorry for sounding unrefined: For them, it’s about making money which they seem to enjoy. Usually, talks about a straight life bore them.

Perhaps, one side of the vice can

to take steps to crack down on yaba factories near the border.

However, taking a lesson from the drug of rage in the 80s and 90s, Phensidyl, which came relentlessly

from the other side of the border with India despite countless futile appeals made from Bangladesh, expectations of cooperation from Myanmar should be realistic.

If there is genuine desire to control yaba, the inner layers of the scourge need to be addressed, which means of course, baring a lot of unsavoury facts about society.

Yes, many so-called closely held stereotypical beliefs will crumble, proving us to be just as decadent as many others.

The question is – do we carry on pretending as if nothing is amiss or, do we take a bold step and address a facet of the yaba menace which has been kept at bay? l Towheed Feroze is a journalist currently working in the development sector.

A painful choice elegant and articulate former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar, and Vali Nasr? They held their audience enthralled, and when their session ended, people wondered why the government does not surrender its foreign policy to them, rather than fumble with it itself.

Where else could one have heard two South Asian designers exchange views –India’s Rajeev Sethi and our own Noorjehan Bilgrami? Both have leapt out of their South Asian identities and become international names.

Where else would one have heard a talk on the role of satire in society by Jugnu Mohsin – Pakistan’s answer to Joan Rivers?

And where else would have the wife of a serving chief minister – Tehmina Durrani – talk about her latest book Happy Things in Sorrow Times?

Some wondered whether the title had been a subconscious comment on LLF’s contribution to our political circumstances.

The final session on Sunday afternoon focused on the war on culture.

The four member panel was moderated with a deft touch by the deceptively fragile Mishal Husain of the BBC. She in turn was introduced by the US Ambassador Richard Olson who found himself afterwards (certainly not for the first time in his career) having to answer barbed questions from young men – two irrepressible voices from the back rows of FATA and South Waziristan.

The LLF ended, borne aloft on a tsunami of goodwill and bonhomie.

Crowds left the auditoriums and then milled about in the open areas, reluctant to go home. Could there have been a greater tribute accorded by Lahore to itself?

Three brothers – Razi, Fasih, and Attiq Ahmed – headed the team of LLF’s organisers. This fertile trinity gave form to a spirit, and to Lahore its lost Basant. l

FS Aijazuddin, OBE, is the author of more than a dozen books. This article was first published in Dawn.

n Shazia Omar

L

ast week I travelled to Bandarban to understand the troubles of the extreme poor living in the hills.

One lady who touched my heart was Aung Mei. She came to my attention because she has been struggling to graduate out of extreme poverty despite the assets she received from our partnering NGO. Our survey showed that she was unable to eat protein even once a month, so I wanted to hear from her about the obstacles she faces.

She looks about thirty, with long straight hair and laughing eyes. She wears a traditional skirt that she wove by herself, and one might think that she leads a happy life just by looking at the brightness of her smile. Only upon closer inspection do you notice the quiver on her lips. Clinging to her leg is her four-year-old son, (not much bigger than my own three year old son). His name is Tututei. It is apparent from his vacant eyes and the numerous tabiz (amulets) on his neck that something is not right.

Mei said she was born into poverty.

Her mother died when she was an infant and that she was raised by her grandmother. Her father was a day labourer who had nothing to bequeath her when he died. She married at fifteen, and her husband was also a day labourer. They had two sons and were not planning to have a third. When her husband was struck by jaundice and was unable to work for four whole weeks, she and her sons took to the field. In such conditions of desperation she neglected her regular visit to the local hospital for birth control pills and soon after, she conceived.

Within months of his birth, it became apparent Tututei was pagol (mentally retarded). Mei does not know exactly what his condition is and uses the generic term pagol no matter how much I try to probe. Mei has spent thousands of taka visiting witchdoctors. She showed the shrine

of amulets hanging from a hook on her bamboo wall. Each one cost Tk3000Tk4000. I asked why she didn’t visit a medical doctor. She explained that the hospitals were far from her home and required costly transportation and the opportunity cost of a few days of labour forgone.

Furthermore, the few hospitals they had visited were meagerly staffed.

Many hospitals had no doctors on a permanent basis, only ones that visited weekly. Those doctors only spoke Bengali and she was not even able to communicate her son’s symptoms to them. I asked why she wasted money on witchdoctors when clearly the prayer necklaces had not worked. She indulged me with an explanation: At least the witchdoctor understood her and offered her hope.

explained. She had bought it with a down payment of Tk1000 and a monthly installment of Tk400 which she would have to pay for 24 months.

To me it seemed an impractical expenditure when she could barely eat. She explained that her second son, the bearer of all their hopes, had asked for the light so he could study after dark.

I asked her what she dreamed of for her future. She wanted nothing more than for her second son to learn a bit of Bangla so he could secure a small job, perhaps at a garment factory, and live a better life than hers, one where he did not have to work as hard every day, as his father did. She said she loved all her children, but she did not have any dreams for the other two because this was the most she could afford.

She loved all her children, but she did not have any dreams for the other two because this was the most she could afford

I asked about her other sons. She said her ten year old is in school and, as she said this, she beamed. Upon this boy’s shoulders were all her dreams. I asked how they afforded his school, as I had already learned that there were no schools in the area. She said her older son paid his fees. Her older son is sixteen and works as a bonded labourer a few miles away. The farmer he works for gives him food, shelter, and an annual income of Tk6000. I asked if she meant that was his monthly income.

Sadly, she didn’t. All his hard earned money went into his younger brother’s education.

She showed me a light switch on her bamboo wall and turned on a bright white light. Solar powered, she

From this trip, I have come to some dire conclusions. Poverty reduces people to inhuman conditions. Poverty denies parents the joy of giving and forces them to make heart-breaking sacrifices. Poverty strips people of their capacity to dream. Dreams are for the privileged. The joy of giving is for the privileged (those who can read, write and talk to government officials/ donors/NGOs). It is up to us to create a free and fair Bangladesh, one we can be proud of to call our own, one where all children are entitled to an education, where no mother has to make the choices my dear Mei has made. *Names have been anonymised. l Shazia Omar is Head of Advocacy at shiree.

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Monday, March 10, 2014

Documentary play Seven today at Chhayanaut n Entertainment Desk

International Women Film Festival unveils today n Entertainment Desk The first International Women Film Festival in Bangladesh is going to be unveiled today at the National Museum Auditorium at 4pm. The festival will screen around 25 films directed by women filmmakers from 20 countries and is organised by the Women’s Film Society Bangladesh.

The three day programme is the country’s first international film festival which is going to showcase only films by women and will pay tribute to the country’s first woman filmmaker, Rebeka. She made her debut with the film Bindu Theke Britta alternatively called Circle from Dot, under the Film Development Corporation before the Liberation War in 1970.

National Film Award winner Shahnewaz Cacoly’s Uttarer Sur is the curtain opener of the festival, while another film And Nothing Around by Polish filmmaker Marta Prus will also be showcased on the opening day.

Meher Afroz, the minister of Women and Children Affairs, Shamim Akhter, renowed women film maker and Advocate Sultana Kamal gave their consent to attend the inauguration ceremony, informed Mehedi Hasan, the festival director. Women’s Film Society Bangladesh initiated to honor six celebrated women film makers of the country, Shanewaj Cacoly, Shamim Akther, Kohinoor Akhter Suchanda, Nargis Akter, Arifa Parvin Moushumi and Samia Jaman on the opening day.

All the films will be screened at two venues, the National Museum Auditorium and Poet Sufia Kamal Auditorium of the Public Library, Shahbagh. On March 11 and 12, the films from home and abroad will be screened at 11 am, 2 pm and 5 pm at the two venues and the entire festival is open for all.

Women’s Film Society Bangladesh started its journey with a mandate to promote women in film with the consideration of learning the cultures of the society in Bangladesh. Its focus is on women as writers, directors, actors, and producers, in which to explore the aesthetic values of film and to develop interest in the technical skills of film video and media arts. l

National cricketer Sakib al Hasan was chosen to represent one of the country’s largest mobile operators, Banglalink Limited for the next two years. The cricket superstar has been spotted shooting for the telecom’s new promotional flick few days back in the city. Banglalink introduced national cricketer Sakib al Hasan as their new brand ambassador on February 1. The 26-year old all-rounder will take part in various of promotional activities for the telecom company

Partha Pratim gets lifetime achievement award n Entertainment Desk Internationally renowned mime artiste Partha Pratim Majumder was bestowed with an award by the Shahittya Academy of Brahmanbaria at the local Shaheed Dherandranath Datt Basha Chattar recently. Academy President Poet Joydul Hossain handed over the crest to Majumder.

Majumder said: “I bear our flag across nations and I wish that the new generation also lives up to contribute towards their country. There is no alternative to enriching one-

self. Making oneself worthy, competent and devoted to one’s country is how one gives meaning to liberation and independence. ” Poet Joydul Hossain said: “Unrest prevails in the society as we fail to accredit and acknowledge the talents and suffer from an inferiority complex. We are proud to honour a talented internationally acknowledged artiste like Partha.” Among others, Film Maker Ja-Nesar Osman, Shahdin Khurshed, Chandan Reza, Manbardhan Paul, Mizanur Rahman, Kollol Roy were present at the ceremony. l

An internationally acclaimed documentary play Seven is touring Dhaka as part of Danish Embassy’s week long events marking International Women’s Day this year. The renowned documentary play will have its premiere in Dhaka this evening at the auditorium of Chhayanaut.

Seven is based on the stories and destinies of seven women who are all active rights champions today.

It is a powerful manifestation for democratic and human rights. The play is presented as a staged reading and has been performed around the world, including in Sweden, in the EU parliament in Brussels and in New York, where Hillary Clinton introduced the play and Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep portrayed the role of women’s and human rights activist Inez McCormack.

The play is created by seven award-winning playwrights: Paula Cizmar, Catherine Filloux, Gail Kriegel, Carol K Mack, Ruth Margraff, Anna Deveare Smith and Susan Yankowitz. The script is based on interviews conducted in 2007. The play is directed and produced by Ms Hedda Krausz Sjögren.

The show is organised by the Embassy of Sweden along with the Embassies/High Commissions of Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, UNFPA and UN Women. l

Five days Television Brine Pickles launches Patchwork Pages Festival 2014 promotes n single episode plays Mohammad Atiqur Rahman

Brine Pickles, an English performance literature group launched its second anthology on Saturday evening at Edward M Kennedy center in the capital. The anthology titled Patchwork Pages is a compilation of ideas, thoughts and challenges of the daily lived lives in Bangladesh.

The compilation is comprised of prose, poetry and epiphany with sketches spread throughout the book.

Hasan Ameen Salahuddin, coordi-

n Shadma Malik Charuniram Television Fiction Festival started yesterday and will run until March 13 at the Public Library.

Organised by Charuniram School of Acting, the inaugural ceremony commenced with the showing of single episode plays including Shahid Minar, Phul Pori Rajputro Amittir Golpo, Dhoa Ghor and Koila Kobi. Today’s screening schedule will include Chera Ronger Khoaab, Highway, Pataley Hashpataley and Tithi Tumi Bhalo Theko. Every day, four plays are listed for showcasing.

Founder Director of Charuniram School of Acting, Gazi Rakayet organises this festival every year since 2008. With a host of talent at his fingertips, the versatile entertainer has popularised one hour single episode plays. In conversation with the Dhaka Tribune, Gazi said: “We are losing the importance of hour-long single episode plays. The festival aims to promote the popularity of these dramas. In every festival so far, we have received good responses. This time, we will be screening twelve debut di-

nator of Brine Pickles told the Dhaka Tribune that the compilation came into the publication after a two and a half years long journey of creative writing workshops and dialogues with mentors, which was supported by the American Center Small Grants Award (2011).

Poet Professor Kaiser Haq of University of Dhaka, Niaz Zaman, Supernumerary Professor of University of Dhaka, and Professor Christopher Merill, director of International Writing Program, University of Iowa, were

the workshop coordinators and were involved with the publication. Haq and Zaman are the editors of Patchwork Pages, while Merill gave an introduction.

Sabrina Binte Masud, project director of the creative writing grant received from the American Centre said: “The book stands for what we do, promoting emerging creative writers of English and turning their works into performance pieces.”

The book launching was followed by performances of some pieces of the

writers of Patchwork Pages. The auditorium was full of audience and the show gave the audience an ambience of the rich Bangla culture.

Two reviewers of Patchwork Pages Professor Fakrul Alam of University of Dhaka, a recipient of Bangla Academy Award, Professor Nurul Islam of Eastern University and MK Aref, Director, EMK Centre, were present in the book launching. Reviewers said that they found the book promising and experimental. l

Aranyak to stage Rarang n Entertainment Desk Single episode drama Koila Kobi to be screened today rector’s plays, in order to encourage them to produce hour-long plays. The festival is presenting dramas of 20122013, which were most appreciated by the viewers.”

An award ceremony to honour directors, screenwriters, actors, actresses, editors and many others will take place on the month of April. l

Aranyak will stage a star-studded show of its acclaimed production Rarang, at 7pm at the Experimental Theatre Hall today.

The play written and directed by Mamunur Rashid speaks of the struggle of the Santal community, an ethnic minority group living in the northern part of Bangladesh, fighting against feudalism and religious racism during the British Raj. Highlighting the life of a great Santal leader Alfred Soren, who died a valiant death, the play depicts the Santal Revolt in 1855 against the British colonial power and the corrupt Zamindari system. It also touches some burning social issues of that time including remarriage of widows, social negligence and others.

The play is endorsed with the performances of popular theatre activists such as Tamalika Karmakar, Chanchal Chowdhury and Mamunur Rashid in a small role. l

Jolie to go under the knife post double mastectomy n Entertainment Desk Angelina Jolie is yet to face an operation following the double mastectomy she had last year.

The Hollywood megastar has been battling to restore her curves ever since the operation and still has a surgery left, reports Entertainment Weekly.

Angie also confessed that talking to the people who deal with similar problems makes her feel closer to them and she has been overwhelmed by all the love, kindness and support of her fans.

The actor confessed that she is happy with her decision and is very fortunate to have a good recovery.

The 38-year-old talked about her life post surgery in an interview with Entertainment Weekly magazine, reports huffingtonpost.com.

“I’m great! I’m very happy I made the decision. I was very fortunate to have great doctors and very, very fortunate to have a good recovery and have a project like ‘Unbroken’ to have something to be really focused on, to be getting healthy for, and to be able to just get right back to work,” said Jolie.

Jolie first decided to undergo a total of three surgeries for a preventive double mastectomy after her doctors discovered that she had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer. l

TODAY IN DHAKA Film

Enders Game Avatar 3D Aakash Koto Dure Thor: The Dark World 3D The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug in 3D Frozen in 3D Agnee Time: 10am - 10pm Star Cineplex, Bashundhara City Robocop, Gravity Captain Phillips, Elysium Time: 12:30pm – 9:30pm Blockbuster Cinemas Jamuna Future Park Ka- 244, Pragati Avenue, Kuril

Exhibition

Fragments of the Unknown

By Najma Akhter Time: 12pm – 8pm Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts House 42, Road 16 (New) / 27 (old) Dhanmondi War and Colonies 1914-1918 Rare photographs of World War II Time: 3pm – 9pm Alliance Francaise de Dhaka Conspiratual

By Ra Kajol Shilpangan Gallery House 47, Road 13 ,Dhanmondi

Kaanchi to break the myth that it’s a man’s world n Entertainment Desk Trailer of Subhash Ghai’s Kaanchi was launched at a glitzy event on March 7.

Director Imtiaz Ali and Producer Ramesh Taurani graced the event, and loved the promising trailer, with style characteristic of showman Subhash Ghai. They were presented the first trailer CDs for Kaanchi by the debutante leading actors, Mishti and Kartik Aryan, respectively.

Making a comeback after 5 years, director Subhash Ghai was present with his actors at the launch. Subhash Ghai said: “The concept of a film has to interest me. It is very important for me. The subject of Kaanchi excited

me. The movie has an inspirational story for young women of today. It is a commercial film. In my films, happiness, sadness, action, drama, music, everything should be together.

This film has everything that our audience, classes or masses desire.

I have made this film with a lot of passion.”

Directed by Subhash Ghai, Kaanchi is the story of an innocent rural beauty and her fight against power. Starring Rishi Kapoor, Mithun Chakraborty, Kartik Aaryan, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Rishabh Sinha and introducing Mishti, the musical drama is produced by Mukta Arts and is slated to release on April 25. l

Did you know?

Jonathan Walters is the 13th player in PL history to score a penalty and get sent off in the same game

Sport

Monday, March 10, 2014

0 0 6

14 Juventus go

DAYS TO GO

14-point clear

DHAKA TRIBUNE

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15 Nadal survives

Stepanek scare

Tigers captain eyes revenge

Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim pose with the ICC World Twenty20 trophy during the captain’s press conference at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday

BPL to resume on March 16 The crucial Bangladesh Premier League match between defending champions Sheikh Russell and Sheikh Jamal will be held on March 16, it was decided in a meeting of the Bangladesh Football Federation’s Professional League Committee yesterday.

The committee decided to resume the league on the very next day after BFF gets possession of the Bangabandhu National Stadium. BFF is poised to get back the big bowl on March 15 after the completion of ICC World Twenty20 celebration concert organised by the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

Sheikh Jamal, who flew to Kolkata to play in the IFA Shield where they

finished runners-up, will also play Uttar Baridhara on March 19 to complete their BPL first phase campaign.

POINTS TABLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Teams P Abahani 9 Sk Jamal 7 Muktijoddha 9 Mohammedan 9 BJMC 9 Russell 8 Brothers 9 Baridhara 8 Ctg Abahani 9 Feni Soccer 9

W 5 4 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 0

D 4 3 3 5 3 3 4 3 2 4

L 0 0 2 1 3 2 3 4 6 5

GD Pts 7 19 8 15 6 15 5 14 5 12 5 12 -3 10 -17 6 -8 5 -8 4

The second transfer window of the top flight league will start form March 20 and will be open until April 5.

The signing ceremony of the Independence Day Football, which is scheduled

to begin from March 20, will take place on March 5 though BFF did not disclose the sponsor’s name before the draw of the tournament on March 17. However, the date of the final will be decided later as it is will be held after the final of the ICC World Twenty20 cricket on April 6.

Meanwhile the meeting also decided to send the case of Sheikh Russell coach Maruful Haque to the Disciplinary Committee of the BFF. Maruf a few days ago slammed the BFF for postponing the scheduled tie with Sheikh Jamal on February 28. He said the federation is biased towards the defending champions Jamal.

On this account, the Professional League Committee sent a show-cause letter to Maruf on March 2 asking him explanation within three days. Maruf sought apology regarding the matter after which the committee sent the case to the Disciplinary Committee for final decision. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Indian women top Bangladesh India women’s cricket team defeated Bangladesh by 16 runs in the first Twenty20 of the three-match series at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox’s Bazaar yesterday.

Opting to bat first, India struggled to get runs but lost only one wicket to score 101 runs. Opening batsman Mithali Raj was the highest scorer of the match with 55 off 64 balls while Poonam Raut added 42 runs from 46 deliveries. The home side, in reply, were bowled out for 85 runs in 20 overs.

Rumana Ahmed and Ayesha Rahman scored 21 and 18 runs respectively. Sravanthi Krishnamurthy picked up four wickets for the visitors, giving away only nine runs.

The second match will be held tomorrow at the same venue. l

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim eyes revenge over Afghanistan when the two Asian sides will meet in the opening match of the ICC World Twenty20 first round. The Tigers’ awful time on the field cost them dearly against the Afghans as the home side lost in their Asia Cup tie recently, but Mushfiq insisted they will bounce back and go hard at their opponents in the World T20.

Hosts Bangladesh and Afghanistan belong to Group A alongside Nepal and Hong Kong. Only one team out of the four will progress further in the world event, and it can easily be said it will be either of the first two given their strength over the other two associate nations.

Bangladesh’s dreadful time began in January and since then they have not been able to register any international win, be that be in Tests, ODIs or T20s.

However, the wicketkeeper-batsman is looking to turn the tables when they get on the field on March 16.

“They [Afghanistan] will also be under pressure. They would like to do something in such a big event but we want to take revenge after being beaten in the Asia Cup. Our first target is to cross the first round, but more importantly, we are concentrating on the first game against Afghanistan.

“We have two matches after that against Nepal and Hong Kong,” said Mushfiq during the ICC World Twenty20 captain’s press conference yesterday.

Afghanistan also troubled Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the Asia Cup and one of the big reasons was no one had any idea of their strength or weakness.

However, Mushfiq believes they did their homework for the game and they look forward to a positive result.

“We have found out more information about them [Afghanistan] lately. We have played against them, which helped in that regard. They might know enough about us but Shakib [Al Hasan], Mashrafe [Mortaza] and Tamim [Iqbal] didn’t play the

Asia Cup match against them. They must have seen these players on TV, but it is a different ball-game when they play against them,” said the 25-year-old.

Injury has also been concern for Bangladesh since their busy cricket schedule began with the Sri Lanka series in January.

Tamim Iqbal was ruled out of the Asia Cup after suffering a neck strain during the Sri Lanka series while offspinner Sohag Gazi injured his right thumb during the Afghanistan clash in Asia Cup. Former captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza also suffered from a side strain during their opening match against India.

Mushfiq was also a part of the list when he suffered from a hairline fracture on his finger during the second Test against Sri Lanka. As a result he is just playing as a batsman while Anamul Haque has been carrying the job behind the wicket in the last seven ODIs. “I had another X-ray. I will start keeping from tomorrow, and the pain has been less. I hope to keep wickets from March 16. I believe that we will find everyone fully fit which will make us stronger. I think it is important to do well on the particular day and overcome the pressure,” said Mushfiq.

Bangladesh does not have a very impressive record when it comes to the World T20 and to top it with the poor run in recent times, Mushfiq believes these are enough reasons to make them hungry for a win and perform better on field.

“We beat West Indies in the 2007 tournament but haven’t quite played consistently. We don’t play too many T20s like the other international teams which hinders our consistent performance. Recently we have played some domestic T20 competitions, where our players have done well.

“We are more focused on working hard, and showing our performance.

We are hungrier now. We want to show that Bangladesh can take up a big challenge in this World T20.

“We need to be calm under pressure, and there are guys in the dressing-room who play better in pressure situations. I hope they do that in the coming days,” added Mushfiq. l

#AFGHANISTAN #WOMEN #CRICKET #RESPECT

Afghan girls play cricket on the grounds of a school in Herat yesterday. Womenís sports participation in Afghanistan has increased since the 2001 fall of the hardline Islamist Taliban AFP

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Stuttgart sack Schneider

Sport

Monday, March 10, 2014

Bucks guard Mayo banned one game

Stuttgart have signed Dutch coach Huub Stevens to save them from relegation after predecessor Thomas Schneider was sacked on Sunday following a record run of defeats. Stevens, 60, becomes Stuttgart’s third coach this season as Schneider, who had only been in charge for six months, was sacked in the wake of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Bundesliga bottom side Eintracht Braunschweig. Stuttgart are winless in their last nine games and suffered a club record of eight consecutive defeats under the 41-year-old Schneider, who replaced Bruno Labbadia in August.

–AFP

SA, Australia first T20I abandoned

Milwaukee Bucks guard O.J. Mayo was suspended one game without pay Saturday after striking a rival player in the throat. Mayo was deemed to have committed a flagrant foul and ejected Friday for a punch to the throat of New Orleans Pelicans center Greg Stiemsma with 1:52 remaining in the first quarter of Milaukee’s 112-104 road loss. The ban took Mayo off the roster for Milwaukee’s home game Saturday against Washington. Mayo is averaging 11.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists for the Bucks, who are an NBA-worst 12-49.

–AFP

The first Twenty20 international between South Africa and Australia at St George’s Park was abandoned because of rain without a ball bowled on Sunday.

Rain fell steadily for most of the day, although at one stage the covers were removed and the pitch was rolled while match officials and some team members looked on. But a heavy shower ended any chance of play. The three-match series provides both teams with an opportunity to prepare for the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh later this month.

–AFP

Juventus go 14-point clear Di Natale eyes place among Serie A legends A first-half strike from Juventus winger Kwadwo Asamoah secured a 1-0 win over Fiorentina and stretched the champions’ lead over nearest rivals Roma to 14 points on Sunday.

Second-placed Roma, who have a game in hand, travel to Napoli later looking to reduce the arrears and stretch their six-point lead over Rafael Benitez’s side.

RESULTS Juventus Asamoah 42

Saturday Udinese Di Natale 67

Catania Lodi 62

1 0

Fiorentina

1 0

AC Milan

1 1

Cagliari Vecino 53

But on this performance, Roma will have to hope Juventus – who face Fiorentina home and away in the Europa League in the next 11 days – suffer a major slip-up on what looks like a clear path towards a third consecutive scudetto.

Claudio Marchisio stepped into Andrea Pirlo’s deep-lying midfield role as the Italy veteran served a one-match ban, while Carlos Tevez and Fernando

Llorente, who have scored 26 league goals between them, led the Bianconeri attack against Vincenzo Montella’s men.

Fiorentina had handed Juve their only defeat of the season, a 4-2 comeback win in Florence last October, but had only one win in their last 21 visits to Turin.

Juve started with plenty of intent, Tevez and Stephan Lichsteiner threatening with early chances while defender Andrea Barzagli did well to block Alberto Aquilani’s strike for the visitors.

Asamoah fired a first warning shot just before the half hour with a deflected effort which forced Neto into a onehanded save, while from the resulting corner the Ghanaian’s effort from a tight angle flashed wide.

Meanwhile, Antonio Di Natale moved into select company after scoring his 185th Serie A goal on Saturday, the winning strike in Udinese’s 1-0 victory over AC Milan.

The 36-year-old’s 62nd-minute tapin lifted Di Natale past Gabriel Batistuta into 10th spot in the all-time Serie A scorers’ chart.

Now the former Italy international is eyeing a place further up the table, with former Lazio forward Giuseppe Signori and World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero only three goals away on 188. l

Juventus' Ghanaian midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah (L) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A match against Fiorentina yesterday

‘Old man’ Eto’o mocks 'Special One'

Samuel Eto'o celebrates scoring during the EPL match against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge in London on Saturday AFP

Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o made fun of manager Jose Mourinho’s doubts about his age with an ‘old man’ celebration during his side’s 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Mourinho sparked controversy last month when footage of him suggesting that Eto’o may be older than he claims – 32 – was broadcast by a French TV channel.

After putting Chelsea ahead in the 56th minute, Eto’o raced to the corner flag, but abruptly slowed down, putting his left hand on his back and stooping to mimic old age. The celebration met with a flurry of approval on Twitter, with one picture quickly gar-

nering more than 1,000 retweets.

Mourinho claimed to have enjoyed Eto’o’s celebration, telling Sky Sports:

RESULTS Cardiff

3 1

Caulker 45, 67, Riether 71-og

Chelsea

Fulham Holtby 59

4 0

Tottenham

0 1

Southampton

Eto’o 56, Hazard 60-P, Ba 88, 90

Crystal Palace Norwich Johnson 56

1 1

Rodriguez 37

Stoke Walters 73-P

“It was fantastic. We knew it, because he was preparing something.

“I think he’s amazing. The way he copes with the situation in the last cou-

PSG continue to cruise Zlatan Ibrahimovic was at his enigmatic best as champions Paris Saint-Germain continued their inexorable march towards retaining the Ligue 1 title with a 3-0 win at Bastia on Saturday.

The big Swedish forward scored the opening goal and then set up Ezequiel Lavezzi for the second with an outrageous back-flick.

He also teed up the diminutive Argentine for the killer third two minutes from time with a headed flick-on.

The result briefly sent PSG 11 points clear of their only remaining potential title rivals Monaco, who then brought the

gap back to eight points with a 2-1 home win over lowly Sochaux later on Saturday.

RESULTS Bastia

0 3

PSG

0 1

Evian TG

Ibrahimovic 6, Lavezzi 19, 88

Guingamp Monaco

2 1

Berbatov 6, Rodriguez 55-P

Nantes Gakpe 8, Djordjevic 76

Toulouse

2 2 3 2

Cambon 49

Sochaux Butin 83

Ajaccio Mostefa Sbaa 5, Si. Diarra 90+2

Reims

Aurier 75, Eden Ben Basat 79, Krychowiak 22-P, Ben Yedder 88 de Preville 35-P

Valenciennes Dossevi 54, Waris 76

2 1

Rennes Toivonen 48

Sturridge must accept new role, says Hodgson England manager Roy Hodgson has told striker Daniel Sturridge that he must be prepared to adapt his game if he wants to play an important role at the World Cup. Sturridge scored the only goal of the game as England beat Denmark 1-0 at Wembley earlier this week in their final friendly match before Hodgson names his 23-man squad for WC. It took his tally of goals to 12 in his last 13 matches for club and country, but

the 24-year-old found himself deployed in a slightly different position to the one he usually adopts with Liverpool.

Selected in a fluid front three alongside Wayne Rooney and Raheem Sterling, he started the game wide on the left and at one point in the first half tracked Denmark right-back Lars Jacobsen all the way back to the England byline.

During his time at former club Chelsea, Sturridge complained about being asked to play wide, although he said after the game against Denmark that he would be happy to play anywhere for England. l

ple of weeks, I think he’s fantastic. And today I told him before the game: ‘You are going to score for sure.’”

In the clip broadcast on French television, which showed Mourinho in conversation with a Swiss businessman during a commercial event in Switzerland, the Portuguese said: “The problem with Chelsea is we lack a striker. I have one (Eto’o), but he’s 32.

Maybe 35. Who knows?”

Mourinho subsequently rebuked the channel for showing the footage, claiming that it showed a “private conversation” not intended for public consumption.

Eto’o, who laughed off the affair, has a birthday on Monday and when Mourinho was asked on Saturday which milestone the striker will celebrate, he replied: “I think now he’s 33.” l

I’d rather be in City’s shoes, says Mourinho Jose Mourinho insisted he would prefer to be in Manchester City’s position in the Premier League title race despite his Chelsea side moving seven points clear.

Chelsea’s 4-0 victory over Tottenham took Mourinho’s team to 66 points, while Liverpool and Arsenal lie second with 59 points having played a game fewer.

City are two points further adrift but have three games in hand on Chelsea and have a superior goal difference, prompting Mourinho to claim the advantage in the battle to become champions lies with Manuel Pellegrini’s team.

Atletico go top This was the fifth straight win for Laurent Blanc’s PSG team since a 1-1 draw at Monaco in the league in early February and the team have racked up 16 goals in that period.

Deprived of record-signing Edinson Cavani, held over in Uruguay for personal reasons, they even could afford the luxury of keeping centre-back Thiago Silva on the bench throughout the game ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League last 16 second leg tie with Bayer Leverkusen.

Although that tie looks to be nothing more than a formality having already won the away leg 4-0.

“Winning matches is always the best preparation,” said Blanc looking forward to the Leverkusen clash. l

RESULTS Atletico Madrid took advantage of Barca’s slip up to move top of the table thanks to their better headto-head record against Real Madrid as a double from David Villa handed them a 2-0 win over Celta Vigo at Balaidos on Saturday.

However, Real can retake their place at the top and move four points clear of Barcelona with victory over Levante at home on Sunday.

Atletico, meanwhile, recovered from their own travel sickness as they put two consecutive away league defeats behind them in Vigo.

After a first-half short on clear-cut op-

1 0

Barcelona

2 0

Getafe

Celta Vigo

0 2

Atletico Madrid

Granada

2 0

Villarreal

Valladolid Rossi 17

Real Betis

Baptistao 16, Ruben Castro 39

Rico 23-P, El-Arabi 33

Villa 62, 64

portunities, Villa pounced on a defensive error from Jonathan Castro to fire low past Yoel Rodriguez just after the hour mark.

The Spanish international then made the game safe barely two minutes later with another composed finish from Jose Sosa’s cut-back for his 15th goal of the season. l

Pep warns Bayern as Arsenal loom Coach Pep Guardiola has warned record-breaking Bayern Munich to expect ‘big problems’ against Arsenal if they gift the Gunners too much possession in Tuesday’s Champions League last 16, second-leg.

“If we give Arsenal too much possession, we will have big, big problems,” warned Guardiola. If we keep the ball, we’ll get into the quarter-finals, if they control it, they’ll go through.”

Arsenal prepared for their trip to Bavaria with a 4-1 FA Cup quarter-final win over Everton. l

AFP

Atletico Madrid's David Villa celebrates his goal against Celta Vigo during their Spanish La Liga match at the Balaidos stadium in Vigo on Saturday REUTERS

“I would like to be in their position.

If they win the matches, they’re top of the league,” he said.

“If City win the 12 matches they have, they’re champions. They have the destiny in their own hands. I would prefer to have destiny in my own hands. It doesn’t depend on us. It depends on them.”

The Chelsea manager did concede that his side had all but achieved their initial objective of guaranteeing a top four place after moving 13 points clear of Tottenham in fifth place. The manager added: “The top four is for us to lose. We are 13 points from Tottenham, and 15 from Man United and Everton.l

Wenger hopes Cup stroll serves as Euro boost Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal can use their march into the FA Cup semifinals as a springboard for a great escape in their Champions League tie at Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

Wenger’s side cruised into the last four of the FA Cup for the first time since 2009 thanks to their 4-1 win over Everton on Saturday.

That stroll in the spring sunshine in north London should serve as a morale-booster before the far more daunting task of taking on reigning European champions Bayern in their own backyard.

Arsenal need to overturn a 2-0 deficit in the last-16 second-leg tie in Germany and Wenger said: “It was important for us to win on a psychological front for a good mind.

“We can be inspired by our focus of the day and we need that same desire to go to Bayern with the same spirit.

“The statistics are against us going to Bayern. But we have to make sure the performance goes for us.”

Arsenal, who beat Bayern in Munich at the same stage of the competition last season but still bowed out on away goals, face an uphill task to keep alive their European hopes and their Premier League title charge appears to be fading.

But Saturday’s FA Cup success means they do at least remain on course to end their nine-year trophy drought. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Nadal survives Stepanek scare

QUICK BYTES Condolence

Rasheda Chowdhury, the noted social worker and the mother of former BCB president and current member of parliament of Dhaka-9 constituency Saber Hossain Chowdhury, passed away due to old age complications at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital on Saturday. She is survived by three sons. Bangladesh Football Federation expressed deep shock over the death of Rasheda Chowdhury and prayed for the salvation of the departed soul.

–Tribune Desk

Li Na, Murray and Federer all win

Abbas makes racial abuse claims in A-League derby

Former Iraqi international Ali Abbas has accused opposing players of racially, religiously and culturally abusing him during Saturday’s A-League Sydney derby, reports said Sunday. The claims made against unnamed Western Sydney Wanderers players are reportedly to be investigated by Abbas’s Sydney FC club. The furious Iraqi-born player protested vehemently to the referee in the final minutes of the volatile local derby, and later said his outburst was triggered by what he alleged to be racial slurs. “We are not here to attack religion or culture; we are here to play football,” Abbas told Fox Sports.

“I come from a different country, I respect everyone here. I should get it back. If I don’t get it back, I’m going to attack. That’s what happened.”

–AFP

Ogier in command in Rally of Mexico World champion Sebastien Ogier built up a commanding lead in the Rally of Mexico on Saturday, winning five of the day’s special stages and finishing second in the remaining two. Ogier took his Volkswagen into the day with a slender 26-second advantage over Nowegian Mads Ostberg, but Ostberg’s involvement came to an abrupt end when he suffered a broken suspension in his Citroen. By the end of the day, Ogier was a minute ahead of teammate and world championship leader Jari-Matti Latvala of Finland. Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville was in third but was more than four-and-a-half minutes off the lead. With only Sunday to go, barring accidents Ogier looks almost certain to win the race for the second year running. “We had a bit of a scare on the 14th special, but we got away with it,” Ogier said. “I hit a rock which it was impossible to avoid, but these things happen in rallying.”

–AFP

Raja Casablanca pay penalty against Guineans

Moroccan club Raja Casablanca were knocked out of the CAF Champions League this weekend just three months after finishing runners-up in the Club World Cup. The three-time African champions defeated Guinean visitors Horoya 1-0 at Stade Mohamed V only to lose 5-4 on post-match penalties.

A dramatic finish to the first round qualifier in the premier African club competition saw Mouhssine Iajour net the lone goal just three minutes from time. But Horoya, regular but largely unsuccessful participants in CAF competitions, recovered from the disappointment to display greater spot-kick accuracy. Raja were among the favourites for the $1.5 million (1.1 million euros) first prize this year having greatly exceeded expectations in the Club World Cup hosted by Morocco last December.

–AFP

Putin says Russian Grand Prix on track Preparations for the first ever Grand Prix in Russia are on track, President Vladimir Putin told Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone, Saturday, on the sidelines of the Winter Paralympics.

The October 10 to 12 race meet, the first on Russian soil, will take place at the Sochi Olympic Park in the Black Sea resort, where athletes this week began competing in the Paralympic Games.

Putin, under international pressure over the situation in neighbouring Ukraine, where thousands of proRussia troops have fanned out across the Crimean peninsula, told Ecclestone the race would be a good use of the specially-built Olympic venue.

–AFP

DAY’S WATCH Star Sports 4 La Liga 1:00AM Osasuna v Malaga 3:00AM Real Sociedad v Rayo Vallecano

15

Monday, March 10, 2014

Rafael Nadal of Spoain celebrates breaking Radek Stepanek of Czech Republic during the BNP Parabas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Saturday AFP

No limits for pole vault star Lavillenie Newly-crowned pole vault world record holder Renaud Lavillenie insisted Sunday he was a risk-taker whose limits knew no bounds.

The 27-year-old Frenchman last month cleared 6.16 metres in Donetsk to break by one centimetre Ukraine legend Sergei Bubka’s 21-year-old world record.

“It was a strange feeling, because it’s not a big difference between jumping 6.16m and 6.01,” said Lavillenie, speaking on the sidelines of the World

Indoor Athletics Championships which he is sitting out through injury.

“In the pole vault you always know what you’re going to do.

“When I saw the bar staying on stands and that it was not going to fall, something crazy happened in my head. It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had!”

Lavillenie insisted he did not regret immediately attempting a vault at 6.21m after his new record in Donetsk. He injured his foot in the landing, hence his absence from the world indoor pole vault. l

Top seed Rafa Nadal survived a scare from Radek Stepanek before winning his BNP Paribas Open second round match in three tight sets at Indian Wells on Saturday.

The Spaniard, in his first match as defending champion, was stretched to the limit before prevailing 2-6 6-4 7-5 in night match that lasted two hours, 24 minutes in the California desert.

Nadal served eight double faults and was broken three times, but he also broke his Czech opponent three times, including twice in the final set. The pivotal moment came in the sixth game of the third set, when Nadal fended off three break points to hold serve.

Earlier, Briton Andy Murray recorded his 300th hardcourt victory when he beat Stepanek’s compatriot Lukas Rosol in three sets.

Fifth seed Murray recovered from a slow start to beat his Czech opponent 4-6 6-3 6-2 as the top seeds took to the courts for the first time after receiving first round byes.

“I got broken three times in a row the end of the first set, beginning of the second,” Murray told reporters. “I just kind of kept going and found a way to win, which is always the most important thing.”

Only five active players have won more tour-level hardcourt matches, headed by Roger Federer (575).

Seventh seed Federer dominated the first set but was taken to a tie-break in the second before prevailing 6-2 7-6(5) against French qualifier Paul-Henri Mathieu, while Swiss compatriot and Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka clinched a 6-3 7-5 win over Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic.

Australian Lleyton Hewitt failed to notch his 600th career win when he was beaten by South African Kevin Anderson 7-6(5) 6-4.

The veteran Hewitt saved 10 of 11 break points but was unable to break the tall 17th seed’s powerful serve in the match.

There was high drama in another match as Colombian Alejandro Falla saved a match point at 5-2 down in the third set to beat Polish 18th seed Jerzy Janowicz 6-3 2-6 7-6(5). On the women’s side, top seed Li Na beat Chinese compatriot Zheng Jie 6-1 7-5.

Australian Open champion Li notched six breaks as Zheng struggled on serve.

Defending champion Maria Sharapova made short work of her first match, beating German Julia Goerges 6-1 6-4 in barely an hour. l

Kohli reclaims No 1 ODI ranking India’s Virat Kohli has reclaimed the No 1 position in the latest ICC rankings for One-Day International (ODI) batsmen released Sunday at the conclusion of the Asia Cup which was won by Sri Lanka.

Kohli had entered the Asia Cup, trailing No1 ranked AB de Villiers by two points. Kohli’s tournament aggregate of 189 runs in three innings, with 136 against Bangladesh as his series best, earned him 12 points which has put him ahead of South Africa ODI captain by nine points.

Other Indian batsmen to head in the right direction include Shikhar Dhawan in eighth (up by three places), Rohit Sharma in 22nd (up by one place) and Ravindra Jadeja in 50th (up by 12 places).

Jadeja and Ravichandaran Ashwin are the biggest gainers in the top 20 of the bowlers rankings.

Jadeja earned four places and is now in fifth position after claiming seven wickets in four matches while Ashwin’s nine wickets in the series has given him a lift of seven places that has put him in 14th.

India have been guaranteed to retain their No 2 position in the team rankings at the April 1 cut-off date.

India finished with 113 points, just one ahead of third-ranked Sri Lanka, to walk away with a prize of $75,000.

There was no other change in the table with all sides retaining their positions.l

Sheffield United reach Wembley English third-tier club Sheffield United kept alive their FA Cup dream on Sunday when two goals in as many minutes gave them a 2-0 victory over Charlton Athletic and a place in the semis.

They were joined in the last four

by Hull City, who overcame a missed penalty by Sone Aluko to trounce Sunderland 3-0 in their all-Premier League quarter-final at the KC Stadium.

Hull’s Curtis Davies, David Meyler and Matty Fryatt scored in a nine-minute spell - capitalising on two wretched

mistakes by Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole - as Steve Bruce’s club advanced to the semi-finals for the first time since 1930.

SEMIFINAL DRAW

Hull City v Sheffield United Man City/Wigan v Arsenal

At Bramall Lane, second-half strikes from Ryan Flynn and John Brayford caught second-tier Charlton cold, as the Blades became the first third-tier team since 2001 to reach the competition’s last four.

Midfielder Flynn put four-times

Cup winners United ahead in the 65th minute, when he sneaked in at the far post to nudge home from an awkward height a left-wing cross from United’s man-of-the-match Jose Baxter.

One minute, 42 seconds later the home side doubled their lead. Jamie Murphy’s surging run down the left set up defender Brayford.

“I’m just delighted for everyone we’re going to Wembley,” United manager Nigel Clough, who was part of the Nottingham Forest side that lost the 1991 FA Cup final to Tottenham Hotspur, told BT Sport. Winning nine games on the spin, and to keep so many clean sheets, we deserve it,” Clough added. l

Moyes relief as United show some winning attitude Manchester United manager David Moyes hailed the transformation by his players as they bounced back from a Champions League defeat with a 3-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion.

Goals from Phil Jones, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck eased pressure on the under-fire Moyes as United moved into sixth place in the Premier League on Saturday.

It was the ideal response in United’s first game since a chastening 2-0 defeat at Olympiakos in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League clash on February 25.

“Their attitude was changed completely,” Moyes said. “The players showed their effort and commitment, not just good play. I think it showed in the performance as well.

“What pleased me the most was the goals. The team played very well in

all areas.

“There were some very good performances, Marouane Fellaini did really well, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling were excellent.

“I thought the two boys up front, Wayne and Robin van Persie were really good with Juan Mata and Adnan Januzaj out wide.”

Moyes insisted it was an easy decision to substitute van Persie because the Dutch striker was one mistake away from a red card.

In a week in which Moyes has been forced to field questions over whether van Persie is happy at Old Trafford, the Dutch international stirred the debate over his state of mind when he gave a shake of the head after being substituted.

Having already been cautioned for an ugly tackle from behind on Morgan Amalfitano five minutes into the second half, van Persie risked a second

yellow card minutes later for a lunge which grounded Steven Reid.

The former Arsenal star cut a frustrated figure when he was replaced by Welbeck, trudging off the field before returning his manager’s offer of his hand with a limp shake.

“Robin knew exactly what was happening,” Moyes said. “I walked over earlier and told him that I was going to have to take him off but it was the right decision.

“It was a foul, not a second booking, that was for sure.

“It was a foul, but I just felt that one more foul could have led to something else. It made my job easy.

“He played 90 minutes for Holland in midweek and I was never going to play him for another 90 minutes.”

Moyes picked substitute Welbeck out for praise after he converted Rooney’s pass late on to add gloss to the final score. l

Banagladesh Bodybuilding Federation president Maj. Gen. (rtd) Subid Ali Bhuiyan receives the sponsorship money from Walton additional director AFM Iqbal bin Anwar yesterday

Marcel Club Cup Bodybuilding starts today Marcel Refrigerator Club Cup Open Bodybuilding comprising 250 bodybuilders from across the country starts at the National Sports Council gymnasium today. The participants will be fighting to prove their superiority in seven weight categories.

State minister for youth and sports Biren Sikder will be inaugurating the

Tiger leaps into hunt at Doral with sizzling 66

Rahmatullah win school rugby Rahmatullah Model High School emerged as the champions of the Health First Mini Rugby beating St. Gregory’s School 19-16 in the tie-breakers in the final held at the Paltan Ground yesterday.

In the stipulated time, the match ended in a 7-7 tie and the final went to the tie-breakers where Rahmatullah prevailed. Md. Mamun of Rahmatullah Model High School was adjudged as the best player of the tournament.

Meanwhile in the third place decider earlier, Karatitola C.M.S. High School beat Ali Ahmad High School 17-0.

Former national women table tennis champion and national awardee Zobera Rahman Linu distributed the prizes as the chief guest. Bangladesh Rugby Union general secretary Zobera Rahman Linu, tournament committee secretary Saeed Ahmed, officials Parvin Nahar Putul, Sirajul Islam, Din Islam were also present on the occasion. l

two day meet as the chief guest.

In a press conference held at the hockey federation conference room yesterday, Maj. Gen. (rtd) Subid Ali Bhuiyan MP presented the meet to the press. BBF general secretary Nazrul Islam, executive director of Walton Zahid Hasan, additional director A. F.M.Iqbal bin Anwar Dawn, and Marcel head of marketing Mosharraf Hossian Rajib were also present on the occasion. l

Rahmatullah Model High School celebrate their Health First Mini Rugby title at the Paltan Ground yesterday

COURTESY

Top-ranked Tiger Woods fired a sixunder par 66, the best round of the week at the Cadillac Championship, to charge into contention Saturday at the $9 million World Golf Championships event.

Woods stood on one-under 215 after 54 holes, leaving him in a share of fourth after three rounds, three off the pace.

American Patrick Reed shot a 69 to lead on 212 with countrymen Jason Dufner and Hunter Mahan two back and Woods and Welshman Jamie Donaldson another stroke adrift.

A week after pulling out of the final round of the US PGA Honda Classic with back spasms, Woods displayed the form that has made him a 14-time major winner but has been seen inconsistently of late. l

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

No JRC meeting, no water sharing

Back Page

Monday, March 10, 2014

ONCE IN A LIFETIME...

A foreign ministry delegation will soon visit India to discuss the issue

n Mohosinul Karim The issue of sharing common river water between Bangladesh and India has remained unresolved for long as the ministerial level meeting of the Joint River Commission (JRC) has not been held for the last four years.

It has also become difficult to protect the river banks from erosion along the border in Rajshahi, Rangpur, Kurigram and Sylhet districts as it requires solution at ministerial level JRC meeting, said the ministry and Bangladesh Water Development Board officials.

However, an official of the water resources ministry the government had taken an initiative to hold the meeting soon. A foreign ministry delegation led by the foreign secretary will soon visit India to discuss the issue.

Water Resources Secretary Zafar Ahmed Khan yesterday told the Dhaka Tribune: “The foreign secretary will visit New Delhi soon to address the outstanding issues, especially water sharing and land boundary. We wish, it would be resolved soon.”

Admitting the issue of getting the Teesta River water less than any other period he said: “Though we are getting expected water from the Ganges, the Teesta is getting less than previous. We have expressed our concern to India on the availability of water on the common rivers vital for irrigation in northern region of the country.”

The concern was expressed during the JRC technical committee meeting held last Friday and Saturday in Dhaka to review the water sharing of common rivers.

The experts from both Bangladesh and India had attended the meeting.

Later the technical expert team has gone to Kolkata to monitor and review the water sharing of the Ganges.

Officials of the ministry and WDB said as per Mujib-Indira treaty in 1974 the midstream of the river constitutes the border of the two countries but due to river erosion three to four kilometres of Bangladesh land went into the Indi-

an side.

On the other hand, heavy withdrawal of water in the upstream where India has constructed at least 13 tunnels for hydro-electricity production at dams resulting in very poor flow on the river Teesta flowing from Sikkim high above the mountains, they said.

Zafar Khan said the unresolved water issues between two countries are being tried to be resolved through diplomatic and political channels. We hope that we would be able to solve the problem as we have reached closer to a consensus after the speaker’s recent visit to India.

“But it’s better to sign a treaty with a stable government. India has already announced its election schedule by next April 15. We would go forward after the new government will take its charges,” he said.

The sources said unwillingness of the state government particularly in West Bengal, posed the biggest problem for the central government of India so far to resolve the Teesta and land boundary issues.

There are 54 common rivers between Bangladesh and India. Of the 54 rivers, India has signed only one treaty in 1996 for the Ganges water.

The strategy to share the waters of the Teesta, Dharala, Dudhkumar, Monu, Khowai, Gomti and Muhuri rivers are still pending.

The 37th JRC ministerial level meeting took place in New Delhi in March 2010 while the next was supposed to have been held in Dhaka in 2011.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh had asked their ministers to hold a JRC meeting three months before the Indian prime minister’s visit to Dhaka in September, 2011.

Despite repeated reminder by Bangladesh the Indian side is yet to fix any date for the meeting.

JRC member Mir Sajjad Hossain met his Indian counterpart in New Delhi on August 27-28 and reminded him about the JRC meeting in 2012. l

90 gold bars seized, 4 held n Kailash Sarkar Police and customs officials yesterday seized 90 bars of smuggled gold weighing around 9 kgs at the capital’s Banani and Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport and arrested four persons in connection with smuggling of the gold.

Of them, 60 gold bars weighing around 6 kgs were recovered by police searching the luggage of three auto-rickshaw passengers at Banani around 4:00pm yesteraday when they had been on their way to the capital’s Purana Paltan from the airport.

Meanwhile, the 30 gold bars were recovered by customs official when they searched the luggage of a Malaysia expatriate immediately after his arrival at

the airport early yesterday.

The arrestees with 60 gold bars were identified as Mohammad Sahabuddin Ahmed, 45, Shahinur Rahman, 30, and Abull Kashem, 40, while the man arrested with 30 gold bars was identified as Siyam Ahmed, 35.

In Banani, those three persons were arrested when police searched their luggage following an incident of a collision between a private car and the auto-rickshaw, which had been carrying the arrestees.

Khandaker Lutful Kabir, deputy commissioner of police for Gulshan Division, said: “The recovery of the gold was a coincidence as the arrestees were searched following a collision between a car and the auto-rickshaw.” l

A newly wed bride being carried on a palki to her new home while her groom rides a horse beside her in the traditional way yesterday. The photo was taken in front of the Curzon Hall in the capital SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

HC cautions media over publication on sub-judice matter n Tribune Report The High Court yesterday cautioned the media saying that it would issue contempt of court rule consecutively against the media who would not refrain from publishing statements, articles or anything except for the reports of proceedings, on the ongoing contempt of court allegation against Bangla daily Prothom Alo. The court also issued a contempt of court rule against editors, publishers and printers of the two Bangla newspapers – the Samakal and the Naya Diganta – for publishing statements of several organisations which demanded apology from Supreme Court lawyer Rokanuddin Mahmud for his comments during a hearing on Thursday.

The court also ordered Dhaka Reporters Unity President Shahed Chowdhury and General Secretary Ilias Khan to appear in person before the court on Wednesday to explain their statements.

The bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Zafar Ahmed passed the orders saying: “On Thursday, we cautioned the Prothom Alo to abstain from any publication except for reports on the contempt of court allegation as the matter is sub-judice. But the daily Samakal and the Naya Diganta did not bother as they published statements against Rokanuddin’s submission which is also a part of the court proceedings hence get privileges. So contempt rule is issued against them and will be issued against those who will not care [the court’s directives].”

On March 2, the same bench on its own motion summoned Mizanur Rah-

man Khan, the Prothom Alo joint editor, for writing a column which questioned the anticipatory bails granted by the bench. The court also issued a contempt of court rule against its Editor Matiur Rahman and Mizanur.

The two accused yesterday had to stand in the dock from 2:20pm. At 3:30pm, Mizanur was provided with a chair following a plea through defence lawyer Shahdin Malik.

Contempt rule issued against the daily Samakal and the Naya Diganta for publishing observation on the prothom Alo contempt matter At the outset of the second day hearing, lawyer Rokanuddin around 2:40pm drew the attention of the court to the statements of DRU, Dhaka University Journalists’ Association, Jagannath University Journalists’ Association and Barisal Division Journalists’ Association against the lawyer.

Rokan on Thursday said: “There is no organisation to regulate the journalists. As a result, they write whatever they wish.

They think themselves above the law.

They discredit others after being bribed.

They think themselves very powerful.”

Justice Naima Haider, during yesterday’s hearing, asked whether it would be against the principle of natural justice if the same bench, against whom an alleged contempt committed, conduct could the proceedings of the matter.

Rokan said it was the inherent jurisdiction of the bench to try this. Then the judge said: “We made the question so that no question is raised in the middle of the case.”

On the matter, SC lawyer Ahsanul Karim said as per article 108 of the constitution, the bench has all the power to try a contempt matter against them.

He also labelled Mizanur as a “habitual contemnor” against who four contempt petitions were pending.

Justice Naima observed that those matters should have been disposed of.

Lawyer Salauddin Dolon said Mizanur had tried to break up the relation between journalists and lawyers by writing such articles. “If he was really a well wisher of the judiciary, he should have filed public interest litigation against mass bail,” he said.

The lawyer also said by granting anticipatory bail, the bench brings the fugitives under the law as they were ordered to surrender before the lower court. In 90% of the cases, they were sent to jail after surrender.

Pro-BNP lawyer Ruhul Quddus Kazal said as per the constitution, the HC has to give same sentence to Mizanur like daily Amar Desh’s acting editor Mahmudur Rahman who had been given six months’ jail by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.

SC lawyers Ajmalul Hossain QC, Zainul Abedin, Asad Ullah and Kazi Aktar Hamid also placed arguments against Mizanur.

The bench will sit today at 2:15pm and hear defence arguments on the columns and ordered Mizanur to appear in person at that time. l

Female RMG workers stress education to attain full potentials n Tazlina Zamila Khan Most female readymade garments workers have identified lack of safety, access to education, unawareness of labour rights and health insecurity as the major hurdles in attaining their highest potential in the sector.

The workers shared their experience and recommendations at a programme titled – “Lives Beyond Machines - A reflection on priorities for women in the RMG sector” -- to celebrate International Women’s Day held at the capital’s Cirdap auditorium yesterday.

Jointly organised by CARE Bangladesh, the European Union, Austrian Development Cooperation and Sheva Nari O Shishu Kallyan Kendra, the programme was attended by around a hundred RMG workers.

During the programme, the participants also stressed the need for prioritising education to reduce gender biasness.

A study, conducted on 256 workers by CARE Bangladesh, revealed that around 39% of them believe high posts are allotted only for men, while 40% identified misbehaviour of supervisors as the reason behind their dissatisfaction at work.

The study also showed that 79% of workers were employed without an appointment letter and 75% live in un-

EU Ambassador to Bangladesh William Hanna attends a programme on women in the RMG sector, at the capital’s Cirdap auditorium yesterday RAJIB DHAR healthy conditions. The study also concluded that 42% of labours experienced a fire incident at least once during their career. Four workers are members of a trade union, however, their participation in the unions remain negligible.

“The government should introduce evening classes so that we can have access to an education. It will not hamper our work,” said Manisha, an RMG worker.

Another worker, Mariam, said: “There should be a committee in every garment

factory with at least 30 female workers.

Then, others female labours will be able to share their problems easily.”

“Raising voices against violence would be easier if there was a united female committee,” she added.

Demanding that garment owners provide housing for women to ensure their safety, another female worker told the Dhaka Tribune: “We are contributing to their factories, so why cannot they do something for our wellbeing?”

EU Ambassador to Bangladesh William Hanna: “Before we buy a shirt, we should think of the women who stitched it, who should be treated well at the work place.”

“Bangladesh has been enjoying quota free access for all exports in Europe, which had been given to improve the livelihood of the workers. This [privilege} should not be exploited. This is a clear message,” he added.

“I heard some factories are not giving the minimum wages. The government should inspect this,” he said.

UN Women Country Representative Christine Hunter said: “Less education, safety standards and sexual harassment are the big challenges of the RMG sector in Bangladesh. The country has failed to meet one of the Millennium Development Goals -- decent work for women.”

“It is very important that the voices of women are heard,” she added.

The study was conducted under ‘Solidarity and Empowerment through education, motivation and awareness’, a project of CARE Bangladesh. l

Bangabandhu satellite to breakeven in 7 years n Muhammad Zahidul Islam The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) in its draft business proposal said the country’s first satellite Bangabandhu-1, a project costing Tk3,243 crore, will reach its breakeven within seven years of its launch.

The BTRC placed the proposal before Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, at his office yesterday.

According to the BTRC’s presentation, Bangabandhu-1 satellite can save at least $14 million every year, which was now being paid to different foreign satellite companies by the country’s 24 television channels for transmission.

The BTRC’s presentation also reads that 70% of the income revenue would come from neighbouring countries while the rest will be from local sources.

“We are expecting that more investment will come through Bangabandhu satellite project,” Abul Maal Abdul Muhith told the journalists after the purchase committee meeting.

Sources also said that participants of the meeting raised questions on the BRTC’s proposal.

A source in the meeting quoted participants as saying: “How do you calculate that neighbouring countries, like India and Thailand, will give you the business as they already have their own satellites? Can you make it mandatory for the local televisions to buy satellite connectivity from you?”

In reply, BTRC said though some neighbouring countries have their own satellite, they still need more connectivity and at the same time, if private televisions come even after two years into the launching, it will not be a problem.

Earlier, BTRC drafted a project costing Tk3,243 crore, where BTRC will finance Tk1,555 crore while the rest will come from foreign sources.

Six international banks and institutions had expressed interest in financing the satellite project.

Earlier in January 2012, Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved the Tk30billion project, which will start from July 1 this year and will be completed by June 30, 2016. Ecnec initially had set the timeframe for the project from July 2011 to June 2015.

During the meeting, the finance minister also suggested the telecom regulator to inform him, within a short time, on the challenges regarding the launching of the Bangabandhu-1.

The Dhaka Tribune has found that the project director and the consultants of the project were engaged in a series of meetings even at evening.

Meeting source also added that the telecom regulator was in a hurry to ink a deal with Inter-Sputnik, a Russian satellite company.

The BTRC will purchase an orbital slot on 119 degree East from Inter-Sputnik, at a cost of $2.8m (Tk22 crore) with a single lifetime of 15 years. 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.

Phone: 9132093-94, Advertising: 9132155, Circulation: 9132282, Fax: News-9132192, e-mail: news@dhakatribune.com, info@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com

Continue to the Business section...

Business

B3 RMG accessories fairs

get better response this year

B4 A washing machine factory tests Italy's industrial future

MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2014 www.dhakatribune.com/business

RMG subcontractors fear factory RMG owners burst out Accord and shutdown as CM charge not hiked Alliance inspection n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

Tofail tames them with assurance to form multi-stakeholder committee to solve the crisis

The factories that make garments in sub-contracts fear factory closures as buyers have not increased making charges following the new wage structure was introduced.

Payment of wages has become a difficult challenge for them, the owners said, adding supply orders have also fallen.

The subcontracting factories cut and make garments in contracts and are paid for it, which is known as cutting and making (CM) charge.

Of the payment made by the buyers for a manufactured product, the subcontractors get 40-50% while the exporters receive the remaining part.

Around 1,200 factories do such jobs in Bangladesh employing nearly 10 lakh workers, said Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

Wishing anonymity as a sub-contracting factory owner said the buyers promised to increase the CM charge after the implementation of the new wage structure,“but they have not increased it so far.”

Apart from it the subcontractors were also suffering fall in orders compared to their factory capacity, he said, fearing the situation may even lead to the closure of some factories.

“I have not received any order this month yet, but I will have to pay the workers’ salaries,” said another apparel subcontractors.

“If the situation continues, there will no choice left but shut down the factory where over 700 workers are employed,” he said.

While talking to the Dhaka Tribune,

a group ofsuch factory owners suggested three points to overcome the present problems.

They include implementation of the government-proposed incentives, special utility service rate including gas, electricity and waterand continuation of incentives for searching new markets.

The most important thing is to increase the CM as the production cost has increased substantially in last few years, they said.

“New wage has become a burden

4 MLM companies get licences

Bangladesh plans trade deals with Nigeria and Mali

n Tahmidur Rahman

n Asif Showkat Kallol

The government yesterday awarded licences to four Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) companies to operate their business in the country.

The companies are Sadhin Online Public Limited, World Mission 21 Limited, Rich Business System Limited and MXN Modern Herbal Food Limited. A total of 21 firms had applied for the licences.

The companies have already showed their presence on the web, according to licence document uploaded on the website of Rich Business System Limited.

The licences were issued on March 5. Registrar of the Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSCF) issued separate letters to the companies while rejecting 17 others, according to commerce ministry sources.

Meanwhile, controversial Density has submitted an appeal to the commerce ministry for the licence.

Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) is a marketing strategy in which the sales force is compensated not only for sales they personally generate, but also for the sales of the other salespeople they recruit. l

The government plans to sign two separate free trade agreements with Nigeria and Mali to explore non-traditional markets in the African countries for enhancing bi-lateral trades and tapping the investment potentials.

Besides, Bangladesh Tariff Commission (BTC) also recommended the commerce ministry recently to include an issue related to the vast lands of the two African countries in the deals so Bangladesh could make a proper use of it in the long run.

“The BTC has identified the two African countries for signing two trade deals after conducting a comprehensive feasibility study to find out whether signing of any Free Trade Area Agreement (FTA) or Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with the African countries will be worthy or not,” said a senior official of the commerce ministry.

The BTC study also revealed that Bangladesh would not be benefitted in the short term if it goes for signing free trade agreements with three other African countries – Morocco, Senegal and Sierra Leone.

Both the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or Preferential Trade Agreement

n Tribune Report

Sub-contracting factories say the buyers have not increased the CM charge althouth they promised it for the sub-contracting factory owners. We have urged the buyers to raise payment for products,” said BGMEA president Atiqul Islam.

He stressed the need to enhance workers’ productivity to minimise cost.

The bank loans at low interest rate and government incentives can improve financial conditions of sub-contracting factories, said Atiqul Islam, He added a proposal in this regard had been placed for government consideration.

(PTA) on goods and investment with Nigeria and Mali could bring very good results in the long run, opined the BTC survey.

However, an inter-ministerial meeting will be held soon to finalise the recommendations outlined by the BTC. Meanwhile, the commerce ministry held a meeting at the secretariat on Thursday last to discuss about the possible initiatives to sign the FTA or PTA with two African nations.

An inter-ministerial meeting will also be held soon for finalising the proposal.

Nigeria had already lifted the bar to import various apparel items including shirts, trousers, skirts, blouses, and lace fabrics since last year.

Besides, there are still lot of scopes to export more products like pharmaceuticals, jute, ceramic products, sanitary wares, leather, processed foods, tobacco and shoes in the market.

The nation of 16,247m people, with a per capita income of US$2,533 could be a promising export market for Bangladesh if the potential is properly identified by the private sectors.

Export to Nigeria stands at $10.91bn against the import of around $4.71bn, said BTC in its report.

RAJIB DHAR

Currently, the subcontracting factories are not allowed to perform the job for the supplier without permission of the respective buyers.

“It is another problem for the makers in getting orders,” said Shahidullah Azim, vice president of BGMEA. “A good number of factory owners are on the brink of lay-offs, risking the jobs of around 8 lakh workers,” he said.

On November 21 last year, a minimum wage of Tk5,300 was announced for the garment workers, with 77% rise from the previous structure. l

There are scope to export Bangladeshi products like pharmaceuticals, processed foods, plastic, leather, jute goods, rubber, electronic gadgets, and light engineering products in Nigeria.

According to BTC, there are also ample scope for Bangladeshi products like pharmaceuticals, processed foods and garment items to enter into the untapped market Mali.

The nation of 1,584m people, with a per capita income of US$1,091, could be a promising export market for Bangladesh products. The amount of Bangladeshi export item stands at $1.99bn against the import of $4.76bn.

“We need more time to finalise any deal with any countries. We have just received a feasibility study done by BTC on possible FTA and PTA with Nigeria and Mali, and now we are going to send the proposal to our diplomatic missions in Nigeria and Mali to get their feedback about the prospect and possibilities,” commerce secretary Mahbub Ahmed told the Dhaka Tribune.

The decision to send the proposal to the two Bangladeshi missions in the African countries was made at a commerce ministry meeting held on Thursday last. l

Apparel manufactures have come down heavily on the inspection being conducted by the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh and Alliance for Bangladesh Worker safety as some of the factory owners fear shutdown of their units following their strict check-up.

They came up with their anger at a meeting titled “Sharing of Views on Current Scenario of RMG Sector” at Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) office in the city yesterday.

The meeting was aimed at exchanging views with Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed on the latest conditions prevailing in the country’s apparel sector.

Tofail, however, tried to calm down the agitated RMG owners just saying: “We would soon be able to sort out the crisis by forming a multi-stakeholder committee comprised of BGMEA, BKMEA, ILO and related ministries.”

He assured them that the committee will identify the real cause of the problems and find out solutions to the crisis – a strategy policymakers always try.

“As I don’t have all the power to solve the crisis, I can only cooperate you, please come to me and if necessary, I will take you to the finance minister with a request to hear your concerns,” Tofail told the RMG makers.

Assuring them to sit with Accord and Alliance, the minister said, “We can also get good lessons from our foreign friends Accord and Alliance.”

Accord, a platform of 150 European retailers and Alliance another platform of 27 North American retailers has made commitment to improve fire and structural integrity of RMG sector.

As of Friday, March 7, the Alliance has inspected over 240 factories while the Accord engineers inspected around 70 factories and following the inspection a review panel ordered to suspend production of two factories.

They made it after the catastrophic incident at the Rana Plaza building col-

lapse that killed over 1,100 workers.

Accord will inspect 1,500 factories and Alliance over 600 factories following a common set of standards.

Although the buyers did not increasethe prices as per their promise, they are shutting down our factories in the name of compliances, alleged SM Mannan Kochi, second vice president of BGMEA. “A vested quarter is hatching a conspiracy to destroy this sector in the name of safety and security issue.’’

It is feared that around 60% factory are likely to face shut down in the backdrop of the ongoing inspection conducted by Accord and Alliance and it is really difficult to get rid of this, said Nasiruddin Ahmed Chowdhury, first vice president of BGMEA. Managing Director of Patriot GroupMd. Iqbal Hossain alleged that the Inditex had wrongly classified his factory as risky even after a thorough inspection.

“Besides, the buyers pulled out orders from us as the Inditex sent a wrong message to all the buyers about our factory safety, which ruins my business.’’

But, the BUET and American engineers after an inspection positively certified our factory just with an advice to remove the tinted-roof, said Hossain, who was seemingly crying for justice, protection and preventionform any sort of conspiracy.

If the trade unionism is forcibly established in the factories in the name of compliance, it would be difficult to maintain law and order in the RMG sector, said Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, former BGMEA president.

After the Rana Plaza building collapse, we are under severe pressure on safety issues, while our competitors India and Pakistan are emerging as a threat to us, said a factory owner Dhali who also categorically mentioned that India imported huge machinery in a year whereas Bangladesh could not import such a bulk amount of machinery even in the in last ten years. l

Bank account with Tk10 for street children n Tribune Report Bangladesh Bank has allowed bank account with Tk10 for the street children to save their income.

The central bank issued a guideline yesterday through a circular with immediate effect.

Bangladesh Bank will prepare a list of NGO (non government organization) who interest to conduct bank account of street children, said the circular.

Interested NGOs asked to apply to be included in the list to the Green Banking and CSR Department of Bangladesh through a scheduled bank.

NGO’s good will, credibility, experience and infrastructure facilities will be considered in case of enlistment.

No service charge will be taken from the accounts. Account holder will be allowed to conduct the account reaching the 18 years old.

Bangladesh Bank introduced a policy for school banking last year, where young people between 6-18 years can open account starting from Tk100 and use the opportunity to save their money for education, stipend money and so on.

From November 2, 2010 till December 31, 2013, some 2,86,000 school students have opened bank accounts. l

Telcos asked for Tk15cr for T-20, record national anthem

BPC to import 16.6 lakh tonnes of refined fuel oil

GP to launch smart handset with Mozilla n Muhammad Zahidul Islam

n Muhammad Zahidul Islam

n Tribune Report

Telenor, parent company of the country’s leading mobile phone operator Grameenphone, will launch smart handsets with Mozilla by 2014.

Anders Hallin, chief strategic officer of Telenor Digital, said they have a special plan for Bangladesh market.

“We are planning for this market with Grameenphone as it is our biggest venture and Telenor has priority about this market,” he told the Dhaka Tribune in a interview on Saturday. “I saw the handsets, but can’t share any information right now.”

Grameenphone is trying to launch a handset at Tk3,900 next month as the company CEO informed earlier.

Hallin said they have some other plans with facebook and other social media as Bangladesh is a huge market. l

Finance Minister AMA Muhith has sought Tk15 crore from the country’s mobile phone operators for T-20 beautification works and holding of national anthem with record participation.

The government is now implementing beautification works in Dhaka as T-20 World Cup starts on March 16.

Besides, Bangladesh will make record by singing national anthem with 3 lakh people’s participation on its upcoming Independence Day, March 26.

“Mobile operators have been asked for Tk15 crore for the two purposes,” said Citycell CEO Mehboob Chowdhury.

The minister sought the money at a meeting yesterday with the chief executives of six mobile companies.

Post, Telecommunication and Information Technology Minister Abdul Latif Siddiki and general secretary of Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (Amtob) TIM Nurul Kabir were also present.

The operators have been asked to provide the money by March 14.

At a meeting on Saturday, the finance minister made a same request to the business community also.

AMA Muhith said the government had sought a total of around Tk100 from different communities for the two purposes.

“We have arranged around Tk100 crore in pursuit of these ends,” said Muhith while talking to the journalists after a purchase committee meeting yesterday.

This was the first meet between fi-

nance minister and chief executives of mobile operators since the present government assumed office in January.

Meeting sources said the Tk15 core figure was surprisingly low to the operators. Even one CEO was confused by the figure and made clarifying question to the minister, “Is it 15 core or 50 crore?”

In return of the money, the operators will get advertising facility like billboard displays, but the logo of ICC T-20 World Cup will not be allowed in those ads.

The meeting was attended by Grameenphone CEO Vivek Sood, Banglalink CEO Ziad Shatara, Robi CEO Supun Weerasinghe, Airtel CEO Chris Tobit, Teletalk MD Mujibur Rahman and AMTOB secretary general TIM Nurul Kabir. l

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) will import 16.6 lakh tonnes of refined fuel oil from eight foreign companies for the first half (January-June) of this year.

The purchase involves moderate premiums as compared to previous contracts.

The country’s sole importer and distributor of oil would have to spend around Tk11,666 crore for the imports, while the total import from the eight companies during the January-December period is expected to be around 32.9 lakh tonnes.

Officials said the premiums (freight and other costs) for all petroleum products except gas and oil had not

increased as freight charges have gone down globally. The premiums – transportation, insurance and other costs – are reviewed every six months.

Cabinet committee on public purchase approved the energy ministry proposals for import of refined fuel oil from eight countries, presided over by Finance Minister AMA Muhith.

After the meeting, the finance minister said most of the import is being done through government to government purchase deals so there is no scope for commission in this regard.

Through government-to-government contracts, the BPC has signed two-year (minimum) deals with interested national oil companies of the eight countries. l

B2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Stocks opened week on the back foot yesterday with benchmark index edging lower with volatility.

Like the previous session, the market swung between green and red throughout the session with the intra-day volatility hitting around 30 points.

The benchmark index, DSEX was marginally down by 12 points or 0.3% to close at 4,687, extending the losses to two consecutive sessions.

The Shariah-based index DSES rose marginally by 8 points or 0.9% to 1,019. The blue-chip comprising DS30 ended at 1,685, shedding 5 points or 0.3%. Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index, CSCX fell 48 points to close at 9,159.

The large cap scrips continued to show strong performance, but their performance was overshadowed by the shed-off of small and mid-cap firms. The market breadth also remained negative as out of 293 issues traded at the DSE, 83 advanced, 185 declined and 25 remained unchanged.

After three sessions of poor activity, the bourse observed some improvements in participation, pushing turnover up more than Tk500 crore, which was almost 24% higher than the previous session.

“For the last few sessions, the bourse maintained flat movements with some volatility. In terms of

DSE Broad Index :

(-) 0.26%

▲

DSE Shariah Index :

1019.62491

(+) 0.82%

▲

DSE - 30 Index :

1685.32843

(-) 0.28%

▼

CSE All Share Index:

14527.3470

(-) 0.30%

CSE - 30 Index :

12309.4467

(-) 0.10%

9159.7104

Company IDLC Finance -A Northern Jute -Z Al-Haj Textile -A Rahima Food -Z United Leasing - A BD Finance-A Imam Button -Z AFC AgroBiotech-N Pubali Bank - A

Bank Asia -A

Closing (% change) -24.05 -10.00 -7.13 -6.42 -5.61 -5.47 -4.76 -4.74 -4.24

-4.17

CSE LOSERS Company IDLC Finance -A SonarBangla Insu. -A Kay & Que (BD) -Z H.R. Textile -A Rahima Food -Z B I F C -A BD Finance-A LankaBangla Fin. -A Bangladesh Welding -A

Bank Asia -A

Closing (% change) -23.92 -9.39 -6.91 -6.83 -5.83 -4.73 -4.50 -4.42 -4.35

-4.23

Average (% change) -21.79 -10.00 -7.30 -5.71 -4.60 -3.94 -4.95 -2.98 -2.14

-2.25

Average (% change) -21.98 -9.39 -7.18 -7.02 -7.32 -3.98 -4.15 -2.45 -4.48

-6.41

ANALYST

(-) 0.52%

Number of Contract

Bank NBFI Investment Engineering Food & Allied Fuel & Power Jute Textile Pharma & Chemical Paper & Packaging Service Leather Ceramic Cement Information Technology General Insurance Life Insurance Telecom Travel & Leisure Miscellaneous Debenture

DSE Million Taka 449.26 208.90 77.14 559.38 219.06 522.32 12.95 607.49 636.56 0.79 17.85 127.85 19.37 600.35 35.46 46.89 391.72 360.26 54.16 158.23 0.53

109,103

Traded Issues

293

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

95

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

196

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

2

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,309.25

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

27.99

CSE key features March 9, 2014 Turnover (Million Taka)

458.33

Turnover (Volume)

8,264,930 14,376

Traded Issues

222

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

72

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

140 9

▼

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

▼

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,206.14

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

26.74

▼

GeminiSeaFood-Z LafargeS Cement-Z Progressive Life-A Square Textile -A Dulamia CottonZ Sonali Ansh -A Monno Ceramic -B Bata Shoe Ltd. -A Desh Garments -B Samorita Hospital -A

Closing (% change) 9.68 9.30 7.31 5.86 5.06 4.88 4.73 4.50 4.44 4.43

CSE GAINERS Company Samata LeatheR -Z LafargeS Cement-Z Eastern Cables-Z Apex SpinningA Square Textile -A Monno Ceramic -B Envoy Textiles Ltd-N Samorita Hospital -A Bata Shoe Ltd. -A Orion Infusions -A

Closing (% change) 9.80 9.77 8.14 7.39 6.20 5.67 5.26 5.05 4.62 4.57

Average (% change) 10.91 6.32 7.88 5.54 4.14 4.64 4.44 4.98 4.78 4.10 Average (% change) 9.71 6.04 7.74 7.80 5.89 4.49 4.21 5.09 5.72 4.88

59.58 57.60 128.55 56.44 29.05 19.50 8.06 61.48 34.22

18.67

Closing average 59.40 25.10 17.45 34.05 55.61 16.18 19.18 63.64 22.19

18.10

Closing

Daily high

58.10 57.60 126.40 55.40 28.60 19.00 8.00 60.30 33.90

Closing

Daily low

62.10 57.60 135.00 59.70 31.00 22.00 8.30 63.60 36.50

18.40

57.80 57.60 125.40 55.00 28.40 19.00 8.00 60.10 32.00

19.50

Daily high

58.20 25.10 17.50 34.10 56.50 16.10 19.10 62.70 22.00

18.00

19.10

50.905 0.035 17.554 6.999 8.778 1.569 0.250 30.680 9.677

4.857

Turnover in million

Daily low

61.00 25.20 17.90 34.10 56.50 16.40 19.70 65.70 22.60

18.10

Turnover in million

57.50 25.00 17.00 34.00 55.10 16.10 18.00 62.00 22.00

17.10

4.206 0.025 0.017 0.034 0.501 0.105 0.119 4.073 0.710

0.100

Latest EPS 3.33 -10.24 2.06 -1.00 2.09 0.40 -2.58 1.53 2.90

1.92

Latest EPS 3.33 1.85 -0.89 1.56 -1.00 0.13 0.40 4.36 0.57

1.92

Latest PE 17.9 -ve 62.4 -ve 13.9 48.8 -ve 40.2 11.8

NBL The Company has informed that it has purchased floor space measuring 5,405 sft. at the 1st and 2nd floor with 2 Car Parkings at the basement of the ‘KB Aman Ali Tower’, situated at 947 (30 old), Anderkilla, Chittagong at a price of Tk. 9,53,87,500.00 only.

PUBALIBANK Trading of the shares of the Company will remain suspended on record date i.e., 10.03.2014.

SINGERBD Trading of the shares of the Company will remain suspended on record date i.e., 10.03.2014.

News: Normal trading of the shares of the Company will resume on 10.03.2014 after record date.

UNIQUEHRL The Board of Directors has recommended

% change 8.80 4.09 1.51 10.95 4.29 10.23 0.25 11.90 12.47 0.02 0.35 2.50 0.38 11.76 0.69 0.92 7.67 7.05 1.06 3.10 0.01

Million Taka 37.09 19.35 5.15 35.60 16.20 22.68 50.64 59.78 0.51 1.60 14.32 2.50 53.29 4.14 6.51 16.47 65.36 16.29 31.44 0.01

% change 8.08 4.22 1.12 7.76 3.53 4.94 0.00 11.04 13.03 0.11 0.35 3.12 0.54 11.61 0.90 1.42 3.59 14.24 3.55 6.85 0.00

Million Taka 486.35 228.25 82.29 594.98 235.26 545.00 12.95 658.14 696.34 1.30 19.44 142.17 21.87 653.63 39.60 53.40 408.19 425.61 70.45 189.66 0.54

Closing average 26.88 45.30 132.37 91.87 118.66 35.17 53.50 95.63 944.82 43.64

177.90 47.00 157.10 119.30 8.30 141.80 35.40 940.50 101.10 96.60

Closing 26.90 47.20 132.90 91.50 119.90 35.40 54.00 95.60 935.00 43.50

Daily high 178.30 47.30 160.60 120.00 8.30 144.90 35.90 960.00 105.00 97.90

Daily high

Daily low

Turnover in million

170.00 43.00 140.00 109.00 8.30 135.90 33.80 880.00 95.60 85.00

Daily low

26.90 47.30 133.50 93.00 120.10 35.80 55.60 95.90 956.20 44.00

0.488 408.982 15.826 203.622 0.001 12.831 8.032 27.606 12.574 6.608

Turnover in million

26.50 42.60 129.00 90.00 112.00 33.90 46.20 95.20 831.30 43.00

0.242 41.854 0.172 0.202 22.138 0.851 6.359 0.143 1.364 0.838

Latest EPS 6.44 2.19 2.30 6.40 -4.02 0.88 0.38 52.75 1.18 2.74

Latest EPS -0.04 2.19 1.40 1.85 6.40 0.38 1.12 2.74 52.75 1.78

Latest PE 27.6 20.8 68.7 18.4 -ve 161.2 92.3 17.9 85.8 34.9

Latest PE -ve 20.7 94.6 49.7 18.5 92.6 47.8 34.9 17.9 24.5

25% cash dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2013. The Company has also informed that an EGM will be held to extend time for implementation/utilization schedule of IPO fund. Date of EGM and AGM: 08.04.2014, Time of EGM and AGM: 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM respectively, Venue: Spectra Convention Center, House #19, Road #7, Gulshan-1, Dhaka-1212. Record Date for EGM and AGM: 18.03.2014. The Company has also reported EPS of Tk. 3.44, NAV per share of Tk. 87.40 and NOCFPS of Tk. 5.34 for the year ended on December 31, 2013.

RIGHT SHARE: ARAMITCEM Subscription 23.03.2014 to 17.04.2014.

Record date for entitlement of rights share: 09.01.2014. RUPALILIFE- Subscription 06.04.2014 to 05.05.2014. Record date for entitlement of rights share: 16.01.2014.

BRACBANK: Subscription 20.04.2014 to 15.05.2014. Record date for entitlement of rights share: 10.02.2014. GENNEXT: Subscription 18.03.2014 to 09.04.2014, Record date: 25.02.2014.

BANKASIA The Board of Directors has recommended 10% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2013. Date of AGM: 31.03.2014, Time: 10:00 AM, Venue: Dhaka Ladies Club, 36 Eskaton Garden Road, Dhaka-1000. Record date: 16.03.2014. The Company has also reported consolidated EPS of Tk. 1.92, consolidated NAV per share of Tk. 20.99 and consolidated NOCFPS of Tk. 15.17 for the year ended on December 31, 2013.

ULC The Board of Directors has recommended 5% cash dividend and 10% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2013.

Date of AGM: 10.04.2014, Time: 10:00 AM, Venue: Trust Milonayaton, 545 Old Airport Road, Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka. Record date: 18.03.2014.

The Company has also reported net profit after tax of Tk. 266.42 million, EPS of Tk. 2.09, NAV per share of Tk. 16.98 and NOCFPS of Tk. 6.09 for the year ended on December 31, 2013.

Latest PE 17.8 13.6 -ve 21.8 -ve 124.5 48.0 14.6 38.9

9.4

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company LafargeS Cement-Z Square Pharma -A Square Textile -A BD Submarine Cable-A Grameenphone-A Singer BD -A Meghna Petroleum -A

Total

177.45 45.61 157.90 117.64 8.30 141.86 35.08 944.75 101.24 95.73

Closing

9.7

Market lacked strength and suffered as index once again subsided down the line on the first day of the week

CSE

Closing average

News from trade server

BSRMSTEEL Closing average

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY Sector

84,159,083

Number of Contract

4687.19606

DSE LOSERS

5,106.50

Turnover (Volume)

Daily capital market highlights

CSE Selected Index :

Company

Turnover (Million Taka)

volatility and selective large cap movements, the session mimicked earlier sessions to some extent,” said IDLC Investments in its daily market analysis.

LankaBangla Securities said on account of market movement, some stocks seemed to lose investors’ appetite, while others were on the peak of choice.

Previous day’s rout in heavyweight banking sector, which saw a 0.9% lose in market capitalisation on the closing of last week extended alongside headlong rush towards the manufacturing stocks, it said.

Pharmaceutical, cement and textile sectors regained their poise with stocks continued to test new high.

Cement sector shined with highest rally of over 4%, driven by Lafarge Surma Cement that gained more than 9% and topped highest turnover leader with shares worth Tk40 crore changing hands.

It was followed by Square Pharmaceuticals, Square Textile, Bangladesh Submarine Cable, Grameenphone, Singer Bangladesh, Meghna Petroleum and Olympic Industries.

“Market lacked strength and suffered as index once again subsided down the line on the first day of the week,” stated Zenith Investment in its analysis.

It added: “The main index and the blue chip index were seen to lose its steam faster than the Shariah-based stocks.” l

Monday, March 10, 2014

DSE GAINERS

DSE key features March 9, 2014

Stocks open week on back foot n Tribune Report

Stock

% change 8.74 4.10 1.48 10.69 4.23 9.79 0.23 11.83 12.51 0.02 0.35 2.55 0.39 11.74 0.71 0.96 7.33 7.65 1.27 3.41 0.01

Prepared exclusively for Dhaka Tribune by Business Information Automation Service Line (BIASL), on the basis of information collected from daily stock quotations and audited reports of the listed companies. High level of caution has been taken to collect and present the above information and data. The publisher will not take any responsibility if any body uses this information and data for his/her investment decision. For any query please email to biasl@bol-online.com or call 01552153562 or go to www.biasl.net

Olympic Ind. -A Jamuna Oil -A BSC-A

Delta Life Insu. -A Padma Oil Co. -A Southeast Bank-A HeidelbergCement -A IFIC Bank - A CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company LafargeS Cement-Z

BD Submarine Cable-A Square Pharma -A Grameenphone-A BSC-A Square Textile -A Unique Hotel RL - A Singer BD -A UCBL - A AFC AgroBiotech-N Southeast Bank-A Appollo Ispat CL -N Olympic Ind. -A Apex Footwear-A UNITED AIR-A

Volume shares 8,966,500 1,203,212 1,730,949 807,454 811,304 679,144 594,779 487,022 448,427 162,305

376,750 276,193 3,790,346 169,850 2,082,960 Volume shares

924,000 177,652 113,398 113,800 37,075 186,561 124,400 35,874 317,945 138,000 361,394 273,000 32,775 12,000 437,215

Value in million 408.98 344.31 203.62 183.29 176.97 176.32 167.69 107.61 103.38 101.39

99.35 90.81 86.46 79.10 71.25

Value in million

41.85 40.55 32.47 24.80 23.22 22.14 9.74 9.31 8.82 8.49 8.25 7.92 7.22 6.94 6.55

% of total turnover 8.01 6.74 3.99 3.59 3.47 3.45 3.28 2.11 2.02 1.99

1.95 1.78 1.69 1.55 1.40

% of total turnover

9.13 8.85 7.09 5.41 5.07 4.83 2.13 2.03 1.93 1.85 1.80 1.73 1.58 1.51 1.43

Daily closing 47.00 289.60 119.30 222.50 218.30 259.50 281.30 218.90 230.30 618.25

262.20 327.30 22.70 466.30 33.70

Daily closing

47.20 223.40 289.20 217.80 618.25 119.90 77.50 259.40 27.90 60.60 22.90 28.70 218.70 576.00 14.90

Price change 9.30 3.50 5.86 -2.41 1.68 0.74 -0.92 -2.28 -0.39 -0.92

Daily opening 43.00 279.80 112.70 228.00 214.70 257.60 283.90 224.00 231.20 624.00

Price change

Daily opening

-0.61 -0.67 -1.30 1.68 3.37

9.77 -2.06 3.32 1.73 -1.05 6.20 -3.25 1.25 -1.41 -3.96 -0.43 -2.71 -2.19 0.61 -1.32

263.80 329.50 23.00 458.60 32.60

43.00 228.10 279.90 214.10 624.80 112.90 80.10 256.20 28.30 63.10 23.00 29.50 223.60 572.50 15.10

Daily high 47.30 290.00 120.00 235.00 219.50 275.00 285.00 224.30 235.00 635.00

267.80 340.00 23.10 468.10 34.70

Daily low 43.00 265.00 109.00 208.10 212.00 249.00 260.00 210.00 220.00 616.00

261.80 302.00 20.80 462.60 30.00

Daily average 45.61 286.16 117.64 226.99 218.13 259.63 281.93 220.95 230.53 624.69

Daily high

Daily low

Daily average

47.30 233.00 291.00 219.00 636.00 120.10 82.00 263.50 29.00 63.40 23.00 30.00 224.70 588.00 15.20

42.60 210.00 255.50 214.00 615.25 112.00 77.20 234.00 26.50 60.10 21.00 28.60 217.00 570.00 14.00

263.69 328.79 22.81 465.69 34.21

45.30 228.28 286.36 217.95 626.39 118.66 78.31 259.64 27.75 61.50 22.83 29.01 220.34 578.29 14.97

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

Monday, March 10, 2014

B3

RMG accessories fairs get better response this year

Greece, lenders will miss March 10 deadline for rescue loan deal

n Tribune Report

n Reuters, Athens

A four-day GAP Expo-2014 along with two other fairs, Garmentech Bangladesh-2014 and International Yard and Fabric Sourcing, held simultaneously at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital concluded yesterday, exceeding visitors’ turn out of the previous year.

Foreign exhibitors have witnessed a better response from the potential buyers compared to the local participants as the fair was crowded during the last couple of days. Bangladesh Garment Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGAPMEA), Zakaria Trade and Fair International and AKS Trade and Exhibitions jointly organised the fairs to bring the buyers and sellers under a same platform.

“The overall response has surpassed our expectations and we are now going to put more focus on Bangladesh market, where yarn business has always been a profitable one,” said Manoj Prabhakar of Sudhan Yarns, an Indian company.

Being cheered up with the success of the fair, he also hinted that his company was mulling to expand its business plan to capture a greater a good portion of Bangladeshi market.

Over half a thousand participants from 25 countries across the globe dis-

Greece and its international lenders will miss a self-imposed March 10 deadline to clinch a deal that will release the next tranche of the country’s rescue loans, three senior Greek government sources said late on Friday.

Greece and representatives of the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had hoped to conclude the latest review of the country’s reform progress under the terms of its international bailout by Monday, when euro zone finance ministers meet in Brussels.

But the talks will not be over by then because the two sides are still at odds over a range of issues, mainly on structural measures to boost the economy’s competitiveness and over Greek lenders’ capital needs.

“The distance between us has narrowed but we will still have work to do next week,” one Greek senior government official told reporters after a new round of talks with lenders.

Greece’s ongoing review has been dragging on since September, making it the longest ever since the country’s 237bn euro bailout began in 2010.

Austerity-weary Athens has become increasingly defiant towards its lenders, who on their part are pushing

EU aims for deal on tackling failing banks next week n Reuters European Union governments and parliamentarians will try to reach a compromise this week on how to wind down failing banks, in marathon talks intended to settle who decides to close banks and who picks up the bill.

A deal in the negotiations, set to span three days, would be the final step in a European banking union that would mean one supervisor for all euro zone banks, one set of rules to close or restructure those in trouble and one common pot of money to pay for it.

The banking union, and the thorough clean-up of banks' books that will accompany it, is meant to restore banks' confidence in one another and boost lending to other businesses and households.

New lending has been throttled by banks' efforts to raise capital and reduce the bad loans that proliferated in the recession triggered by the global financial crisis and deepened by the euro zone's own sovereign debt crisis.

Policymakers agreed last year that the European Central Bank (ECB) will be the single supervisor for all euro zone banks and the ECB will take on its new responsibilities from November.

But talks on a single European agency to wind up or close failing banks, and on a single fund to back it up, have entered a crucial stage: EU governments, represented by finance ministers of the 28-nation bloc, and the European Parliament must reach a deal next week. l

An executive seen displaying fabrics at a RMG backward linkage fair in the capital yesterday played a wide-range of garment accessories, packaging and related machinery including labels, zippers, tags, tapes, thread, ribbon, buttons, rivets, laces, hooks, transfer film, paper and ink.

The displayed products also include pre-press equipment, mounted corrugated machine, sheet cutter and pressing, rotary cutting, creasing machine

and trouser hooks fixing machines.

“It was a great relief for us to see some orders after a long break following an end to the countrywide political unrests, which had virtually pushed us out of business for couple of months,” said Forhad Hossain, manager of Bangkor Trading Corporation.

The show was aimed at showcasing

TAHMIDUR RAHMAN

the latest garment manufacturing technologies, yarn and fabrics and garment accessories and packaging under oneroof to attract country’s readymade garment (RMG) entrepreneurs.

Total export of the garment accessories and packaging manufacturers amounted to $4.1bn during the last fiscal year. l

for reforms as the bailout is nearing its end. Greece has already obtained 218bn euros of rescue loans but may need further funds to stay afloat.

Another two senior finance ministry officials said that the heads of the EU/IMF mission will return to Athens shortly after Monday’s finance ministers’ meeting, with a view to clinch the deal by the end of March.

Greece has no pressing funding needs before May, when 9.3bn euros of its bonds expire, the biggest refinancing hump the country will face in the next three decades.

“We’re on a very good road for an agreement,” one of the two finance ministry officials said. Greece is hoping to get euro zone finance ministers on Monday to make a statement that the talks have made good progress. l

GM must address recall Foreigners to be mostly kept out soon to avoid damage of China’s privatisations to reputation n Reuters, Shanghai

n Reuters General Motors Co needs to get through its ignition-switch recall and the resulting federal investigation quickly to avoid any lasting damage to its brand, but the federal probe could keep the problem in the public eye for at least six months.

Analysts and academics warn that a misstep by GM could leave it with a lingering headache, something Toyota Motor Corp experienced from 2009 to 2011 with recalls linked to sudden acceleration. The Japanese automaker was criticized for being slow to react to complaints and initially blaming the drivers.

GM is currently interviewing employees dating back to the discovery in 2004 of the problem with the ignition switch, which has since been linked to 13 deaths, sources previously said.

Meanwhile, US safety regulators have opened an investigation into whether the No. 1 US automaker reacted swiftly enough in its recall last month of more than 1.6 million vehicles.

GM Chief Executive Mary Barra on Tuesday in a letter to GM employees said she deeply regretted the circumstances but was pleased with the company’s response and the focus will be on customer safety and satisfaction.

Moving past the recall and related fallout will be critical to ensure the Detroit company continues the rebound

Bank Asia has provided higher studies scholarship to 7 insolvent meritorious students of Tarail Upazila of Kishoreganj district on Saturday as a part of its corporate social responsibility.

M Irfan Syed, the bank’s director handed over the scholarship money to the students

since its 2009 bankruptcy reorganization, analysts said.

“They need to get past this as quickly as possible,” said George Cook, a marketing professor at the Simon Business School at the University of Rochester.

“You cannot be reactive in dealing with the American car-buying public,” added Cook, formerly an executive at Ford Motor Co for 10 years. “You have to be proactive and I think they’ll be forgiving if it’s not really, really serious.

People have short memories about that stuff.”

GM’s recall was to correct a condition that may allow the engine and other components, including front airbags, to be unintentionally turned off.

GM has said the weight on the key ring, road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the “run” position, turning off the engine and most of the car’s electrical components. GM has recommended that owners use only the ignition key with nothing else on the key ring.

The company said last week that the initial replacement parts will be available in early April. Trent Ross, senior vice president of reputation and risk management at Ipsos Public Affairs, said GM needs to take ownership of the issue right away. Several analysts lauded Barra for her letter. l

As China embarks on a new wave of opening up state-dominated industries to private capital, foreign firms will largely be kept out and authorities are likely to look to institutions like domestic pension funds and insurers.

State giants China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Sinopec Corp and China Railway Corporation have said they were seeking investments from private capital and also social capital, or funds sourced from pension funds and insurance companies.

“I think those are going to be the key groups that the SOEs (state-owned enterprises) will first partner up with,” said Sun Lijian, deputy director of the School of Economics at Fudan University.

“It will also fit in with Beijing’s strategy to diversify investment channels for its vast, locally managed pension funds.”

The move reflects China’s desire to avoid adding further debt on to the federal government’s books while injecting much-needed cash into vital sectors, but without ceding control.

On Wednesday, Premier Li Keqiang said on the opening day of the annual parliament session on Wednesday that the fiscal deficit would be maintained at 2.1% of GDP in 2014, the same as last year.

Analysts said recent announcements by some of China’s largest state-owned

enterprises to diversify ownership provides a hint of Beijing’s public-private partnership model as it opens up its petroleum, railway, finance, power and telecom sectors to private investors for the first time.

Investments by local insurers and pension funds will not only allow Beijing to tap into massive savings to fund investments as economic growth slows, but it will also allow these institutions to diversify their portfolio away from a dependence on bonds and other fixed income products.

Assets under management in China’s pension system totalled $1.2tn at the end of 2012, according to newspaper reports.

Insurance companies had assets of 8.289tn yuan at the end of 2013, official data shows. Invested funds totalled 7.687tn yuan, of which 29% was in bank deposits, 43% in bonds, and 10% in stocks and related securities.

Opportunities in energy

For the energy sector, however, analysts said there would be more opportunities for foreign players in areas where they have technological advantages, particularly in the development of unconventional gas resources.

“In areas where the SOEs lack the technological know-how, they will open the doors to foreign companies, otherwise the priority is still local companies,” said Michael Yuk, a senior

energy analyst at China Merchants Securities.

Sinopec, Asia’s biggest oil refiner, said last month that it would sell up to 30% of its marketing arm, which owns more than 30,000 petrol stations, in a multi-billion dollar asset restructuring.

While analysts said Sinopec could bring in strategic foreign players, such as Royal Dutch Shell or BP, executives at overseas energy firms are less sanguine.

“None (of the international energy companies) have the illusion that Sinopec will reach out to us in its divestment ... there’s no such possibility,” said an official with a global energy firm, adding that fuel retailing is a sector where Beijing wants to limit foreign participation.

State-owned China Railway Corporation plans to seek private investment for a railway development fund that could be launched this year, the Shanghai Securities News reported on Thursday.

Details of the investment fund are still being formulated and a framework may be established by the first half of this year, deputy general manager Peng Kaizhou was quoted as saying.

Peng said the company was considering setting up a national rail development fund, with a fixed rate of return, or establishing an investment fund for specific projects. l

Ispahani Tea’s two hundred retailers and their families from different parts of the country visited Cox Bazaar recently by air

Godrej’s rolls out specialist insect killer aerosol “HIT” for the first time in Bangladesh

Prize giving ceremony of the 3rd Apex Children’s Art Competition took place at the conference hall of Apex Footwear Limited on Friday. Ex-dean of Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka and eminent artist Rafiqun Nabi chaired the ceremony

Dhaka Bank Limited Shariah Supervisory Committee held its 32nd meeting on February 27 at the bank’s head office. The meeting approved the shariah based product for stock brokerage under DBL Securities Ltd along with discussing other shariah related matters of the bank. The meeting was presided over by M Azizul Huq, chairperson of the committee

AKM Shafiqur Rahman has been appointed as managing director of National Bank Limited (NBL). Prior to his appointment, he was additional managing director of the bank. Rahman started his career as probationary officer in Bangladesh Krishi Bank in 1974 and worked as head of different branches and divisions till 1988.

Subsequently he joined National Bank Limited. A K M Shafiqur Rahman holds M A with Honors in Economics. He completed a certificate course on “Program on Investment Appraisal and Management” from Harvard University, USA in 1999

B4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Monday, March 10, 2014

Russia wants IMF to move ahead on reforms without US n Reuters Russian officials are pushing for the International Monetary Fund to move ahead with planned reforms without the United States, which could mean the loss of the US veto over major decisions at the global lender, sources said.

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov brought up the idea at a meeting of top finance officials from the Group of 20 nations in Sydney late last month, two G20 sources told Reuters this week.

The failure of the US Congress to approve IMF funding has held up reforms agreed in 2010 that would double the Fund's resources and give more say to emerging markets like China.

The United States is the only country that holds a controlling share of IMF votes, meaning its approval is necessary for any major decision to go forward.

Moving ahead on reforms without Washington would likely require complicated changes to the IMF's rules. But the discussions show the level of frustration within the G20 with the Obama administration's inability to win the needed congressional support.

A third source would not confirm it was Russia that brought up the issue, but said the G20 generally agreed to give the United States until the April

meetings of the IMF and World Bank before taking more aggressive measures, a point confirmed by one of the other sources. All three sources spoke on condition of anonymity.

"It was agreed that in the absence of progress by the United States on the 2010 package by the April meeting of the IMF and G20, that there will be formulated a list of 'bad options,' which will allow to move forward in this matter, excluding the opinions of the United States," the third source said.

For a year, the Obama administration has been trying to get Congress to approve a shift of some $63bn from an IMF crisis fund to its general accounts in order to make good on its 2010 commitment.

The U.S. Treasury is now seeking to attach the funding to a financial aid package for Ukraine that is under consideration in Congress. It argues the reforms would allow crisis-hit countries like Ukraine to borrow more money from the IMF. "It is imperative that we secure passage of IMF legislation now so we can show support for the IMF in this critical moment and preserve our leading influential voice in the institution," Treasury Secretary Jack Lew told lawmakers on Thursday during a hearing in the US House of Representatives. l

Two men work on a wall as preparations are under way for the CeBIT technology trade fair yesterday in Hanover, central Germany. In 2014, Great Britain is partner country of the fair considered as the world's biggest high-tech fair running from today AFP

A washing machine factory tests Italy's industrial future Flipkart, India's reply to n Amazon, sees $1bn sales Reuters

The boxy white and grey factory of this rainy northern town makes fewer than half the washing machines it did when Italy joined the euro. It is one of the many symbols of Southern Europe's industrial decline.

Currently, however, the Porcia plant is also a testing ground for the region's industrial future.

Home appliance maker Electrolux, which owns the factory, wants to cut the salaries of some 5,000 workers at the plant and three other factories across Italy by up to 15% over the next three years. The Swedish company says lowering labour costs is the only way its washing machines, fridges and other home appliances can compete against rival products made in eastern Europe and Asia.

labour costs and starve us," she says.

"What about investing in developing better products for this factory instead?"

The battle over Electrolux wages is at the heart of one of the most pressing dilemmas facing the battered economies of Italy and other southern European countries: The competing needs to both cut costs, and spark growth.

Companies across Europe's southern rim struggle because wages and prices have risen higher than their products can justify. But euro zone countries can no longer depreciate their currencies to make their products cheaper in foreign markets. That leaves so-called "internal devaluation" - pushing down wages and prices - as the best way to stay competitive.

Spain, Greece and Portugal have pushed through deep wage cuts and

the other hand, makes reducing debt harder because money is more expensive. It also puts companies off borrowing and investing. That's a problem in Italy, which has 2tn euros in debt - the second-highest in the euro zone after Greece, as a share of Gross Domestic Product.

"Pushing down wages is dangerous: The most worrisome consequence would be depressing consumption where there is already a demand crisis," said Carlo Devillanova, economics professor at Milan's Bocconi University.

Steady decline

In many ways the factory in Porcia mirrors Italy's economic rise and decline.

It was built in the 1950s, just as the economic miracle that lifted Italy from the rubble of World War Two got started. Lino Zanussi, whose blacksmith

Electrolux factory workers participate in a union-led protest outside a factory in Porcia, northern Italy The Italian government, unions and workers say any wage cut would impoverish thousands of families who rely on the plant and its suppliers.

"It's a matter of survival," says Annarita Licci, a 38-year-old mother of two, who moved to Porcia in 2000, the year after Europe introduced its single currency.

Then, Italy was the leading world exporter of home appliances. Now it is ranked third, far behind China, which has grabbed more than one-third of the 100bn euro ($140bn) global market.

Like many others, the Porcia plant has progressively downsized.

Last year Licci's partner took a company buyout. If Electrolux cuts her 1,000-euro salary by 130 euros - in line with the ballpark reduction estimated by the company - Licci says she will no longer be able to afford monthly expenses, which include a 600-euro mortgage.

"The company wants to lower its

made it easier to hire and fire, allowing firms to trim the price of their goods.

This has helped Spain's economy grow for the first time since 2011. Italy, where labor costs are still high, is flatlining.

But there are risks. A squeeze on pay could choke off already feeble consumer spending because workers have less money to spend. And as producers lower prices, it risks triggering what economists call a "deflationary spiral" in which consumers no longer buy goods, in the expectation that prices will continue to fall - a belief that creates an ever deeper recession.

The most dramatic recent example is the two-decade great deflation from which Japan is only just emerging. In Spain, there is growing concern that the effects of wage cuts on the country's feeble internal consumption could cripple long-term recovery.

Inflation helps countries lower their debt by increasing the money at their disposal to pay it off. Deflation, on

REUTERS

father Antonio had started out making stoves and ovens in a workshop in Pordenone in 1916, used the plant to help transform Zanussi into a top European home appliance maker.

Along with Germany, Italy became the world's leading exporter of home appliances. Porcia was a vibrant artery of Italy's industrial heartland. Locals in the Pordenone province called the area the "Manchester of Italy" for its huge output.

By the 1980s, though, Zanussi had run into financial troubles and in 1984 the family sold to Electrolux.

The Swedish firm kept a big presence in Italy until the mid-2000s when competition prompted it to move a chunk of its production to low-wage eastern Europe. Over the past 14 years, Electrolux has shed 71% of its workers in western Europe and 60% in the United States. At the same time, the company's staff in eastern Europe has risen by one-third to 8,480.

Luigi Bidoia, economist and cofounder of research firm StudiaBo, says that after the mid-2000s it made little sense to keep producing in Italy. "Other countries now offer the same skills and pay at a half, a quarter, a tenth in wages," said Bidoia.

High end or nothing?

Cutting wages is not the only way for Italy to compete. The southern economies would all benefit if Germany, the euro zone's strongest economy, boosted its internal consumption and encouraged more imports from its neighbours. The European Central Bank could also do more to try to stimulate southern European economies, allowing inflation to rise from its current 0.8%.

So far, though, there are no signs of either happening. ECB President Mario Draghi has welcomed "relative price adjustment" - wage cuts - in Spain, Portugal and Greece.

Such an adjustment has not happened in Italy. According to the European statistics agency Eurostat, unit labour costs rose 4.2% between 2000 and 2012 in Italy, against a fall of 2.8% in the European Union.

Part of the reason is that Italy's labour laws make it difficult for companies to adjust pay and hours to fluctuations in the economy. The cost of employing workers is also pushed up by the high labour taxes and social contributions employers must pay. According to the OECD, those make up just under half the cost of employing a worker in Italy. In other developed countries they total 35.6%, on average.

At the end of February when he first took office, Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi promised to reduce the burden on companies, citing the Electrolux standoff as a key issue for his new government. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has criticized Italy's rigid labor market rules and in 2011 reached a deal with workers at the car marker's main factories, introducing more flexible conditions in exchange for investments.

Better products

The other way to compete is to produce high-value products that warrant higher prices, innovating to create products that people crave. Italy already successfully makes high-end goods from luxury clothes to food and small electronics.

But as spending on research and development has shriveled - Italy's is among the lowest in the developing world - the country has steadily lost out in other areas, including home appliances. In a speech last year, Bank of Italy governor Ignazio Visco singled out the sector as emblematic of the country's industrial decline. One example: Italy made two million refrigerators last year and 10 million in 2001.

"A country like ours has to position itself as a maker of high-end products through innovation and research," said Claudio De Vincenti, a top official in Italy's economic development ministry recently appointed by Renzi. l

n AFP, New Delhi Flipkart, India's answer to US online giant Amazon, said Saturday its sales would cross the milestone $1bn-mark this year, ahead of schedule, in the country's exploding e-commerce market.

Founded in 2007 by two ex-Amazon.com employees and university friends, Flipkart.com has become India's biggest shopping portal hit and has drawn backers such as New-York based venture capitalists Tiger Global Management LLC. "In March 2011 we announced by 2015 we wanted to hit $1bn" in sales when they stood at just $10m, said founders Sanchin Bansal and Binny Bansal, who happen to share the same surname but are unrelated.

Now the privately held firm expects to hit $1bn in sales "one year before our target" which means "we've grown 100 times in the last three years," the pair, who pool operational responsibilities, said in a statement. The figures reinforce Flipkart's leadership position in the Indian e-retail market.

The founders, now both 32, said they were "happy and proud" at the progress of Flipkart in which they invested an initial $10,000.

The Bansals are seen as typical of the new risk-ready breed of entrepreneurs that has emerged in India amid years of fast economic growth, relying not on inherited wealth but their ownstart up talents to launch businesses.

"E-merchandise retailing sales stood at $1.6bn in 2013. By 2018, we think they will be $14bn and in 2023 they will reach $60bn," Saloni Nangia, president of leading consultancy Technopak Advisors, told AFP. While there were already Indian online sellers, Flipkart helped sales take off by allowing customers to pay cash-on-delivery, a move Nangia calls a "game-changer".

An increasing number of Indians are going online but they are uncomfortable giving credit card details over the Internet. Others do not have a credit card and the Flipkart method allows them to place orders.

"This cash-on-delivery system helped consumers gain trust in online shopping - they saw products arrive," Nangia said.

Flipkart began selling books but then expanded to mobile phones, televisions, cameras, computers and home appliances.

It has yet to report a profit in the fiercely competitive market with its nearest rival, eBay-backed Snapdeal, targeting $1bn turnover by mid-decade.

The world's biggest online retailer, Amazon, also entered the market last June.

More retailers are seen going online as real estate is costly "so it makes it hard to have bricks-and-mortar stores", said Nangia.

India's vast young population, rapidly embracing the Internet, would "drive the e-tailing story", she added. l

Shanghai Exchange gets approval for trading platform in free-trade zone n Reuters, Beijing The Shanghai Stock Exchange has secured approvals from regulators to set up an international trading center in the free-trade zone, the chairman of the bourse said on Saturday.

The move could pave the way for more foreign investors to tap the world's fourth-largest stock market by capitalization and also for foreign companies to issue shares in the world's second-largest economy.

Gui Minjie, chairman of the Shanghai Stock Exchange, said significant progress has been made in recent years allowing Chinese firms to list on over-

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seas markets. However, no foreign companies are allowed to issue shares on Chinese bourses.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the parliament session in Beijing, Gui said the exchange was preparing a team to study ways to develop the trading platform. China opened the Shanghai free-trade zone in late September to fuel development of the country's financial-services sector.

Beijing has said that it would allow a trial of a fully convertible yuan capital account in the free-trade zone, sparking hopes for an easing of controls that bar foreign companies from raising capital through IPOs. l