16 Sep, 2014

Ashwin 1, 1421 Zilqad 20, 1435 Regd No DA 6238 Vol 2, No 165

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

20 pages | Price: Tk12

B1 | BUSINESS

9 | WORLD

11 | OP-ED

13 | SPORT

TOP TAXPAYERS PROUD OF COTRIBUTION TO NATION BUILDING

INDONESIA’S WIDODO LOOKS TO TECHNOCRATS FOR CABINET

EDUCATION DAMNATION

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC SHOWS THE WAY

Bangabandhu satellite likely to face more delay

NEED FOR SPEED: THE DHAKA VERSION

Ecnec to review revised project proposal with 9% reduced cost n Muhammad Zahidul Islam The much-awaited launch of the country’s first satellite Bangabandhu 1 is likely to be further delayed as a revised project proposal with 9% cost reduction is set to be placed before Ecnec today.

The project deadline has already been extended twice: from June 2015 to June 2016, and then to June 2017.

Sources however claimed that completing the project was possible by June 2017.

SATELLITE PROJECT

» First discussed in 1999 under Science and Technology Ministry

» BTRC filed application for orbital slot in 2007

» Satellite named as ‘Bangabandhu 1’

in 2009 » Ecnec approved DPP worth Tk3,253 crore in 2012 » Revised DPP worth Tk2,968 crore to be placed before Ecnec » Time extended twice, pushing back the deadline from 2015 to 2017 “Let us see what the government tells us; we are waiting for directives,” BTRC Chairman Sunil Kanti Bose told the Dhaka Tribune last week.

Earlier, the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC), the main stakeholder for launching the satellite, decided to acquire the 119.1 East orbital slot from Russian company Sputnik for $28m.

But the Finance Ministry objected the decision and halted the move.

Bangladesh had previously applied

Many AL leaders embarrassed by PM’s comment n Emran Hossain Shaikh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Sunday comment that everybody in her party but she could be bought has caused some senior leaders embarrassment who said it could lead to unpleasant consequences.

A senior leader close to Hasina told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that the

P2 PM CAUTIONS MPs comment might even lead to a crisis of trust among the leaders which could eventually prove to be detrimental to the party.

However, a section of leaders believe that the premier and party chief actually did not mean anyone when she made the remark.

Towards the end of Sunday’s  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

for three alternative orbital slots: 102 East, 69 East and 133 East. But Finance Ministry sources said the BTRC was keen on acquiring a new slot, causing the project cost to rise.

Earlier this year, Finance Minister AMA Muhith raised objections about the estimated costs and asked the telecom regulator to revise it.

In a letter to the BTRC, he asked if it was possible to bring down the cost to Tk2,500 crore from the proposed Tk3,253 crore.

In 2012, the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved Tk3,253 crore for the project.

But following Muhith’s objections, the BTRC drafted a revised recommendation for Tk2,967.96 crore this March.

Today’s Ecnec meeting will review the revised BTRC proposal.

The Finance Ministry is also considering other alternatives for the orbital slot and questioned the process of the satellite’s launching, maintenance and funding, according to documents.

Industry insiders told the Dhaka Tribune that the disagreement between the BTRC and the ministry would only lead to wastage of more time. They also raised questions about the process of buying the orbital slots, likening the situation to buying a car without having a road.

“We have succeeded to secure our maritime rights because of the government’s good political will, whereas we are yet to secure our legitimate right in the orbital slot because of the lack of such commitment from the country’s top leadership,” said Abu Saeed Khan, a senior policy fellow of the Colombo PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

Although Dhaka residents are used to seeing long tailbacks on the city’s roads, traffic jam is an eyesore on the roads in Hatirjheel – one of the very few places for recreation left in the capital. Traffic gridlocks have become common in the area in recent days as two flyovers are being constructed nearby. The photo was taken yesterday MEHEDI HASAN

Witnesses: That was not a gunfight n Ashif Islam Shaon Notorious criminal Kailya Babu, prime accused in the Moghbazar triple murder case, was killed in an alleged gunfight with detective police yesterday; but several witnesses claimed there was no fight and Babu was shot by police from close range.

Following Shah Alam Khandakar alias Kailya Babu’s death, DB told journalists at a press conference that they got information that Babu, along with his gang, was going to the Moghbazar area to kill Kailya Chand Mia, plaintiff of the triple murder case.

The detectives took position in the Bepari Goli near the Moghbazar Wireless area around 4am and were waiting for the criminals to arrive. Soon, a group

BNP now smells Moudud conspiracy over book Hayat Mahmud and n Abu Ahmed Zayeef The BNP yesterday officially condemned its senior leader Moudud Ahmed’s controversial new book, claiming it was written to impress the government, only a day after party chief Khaleda Zia’s press secretary said there was nothing wrong with it.

In reply to a query during a press conference at the Nayapaltan office, BNP’s Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said Moudud had insulted Khaleda Zia by writing that she was more concerned about her family than party matters during the army-backed interim government’s regime.

However, at a separate press briefing in the capital yesterday, Moudud termed Rizvi’s remarks as unexpected and unfortunate. He claimed that

the contents of his book was aimed at pointing the failures of BNP during that regime, not to impress anybody.

On Sunday, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Press Secretary Maruf Kamal Khan Sohel told the Dhaka Tribune that there was no problem with the observations that Moudud made in his new book. He also said the book had portrayed an accurate picture of the illegal activities of the caretaker government.

During yesterday’s briefing, terming Moudud a “fallen fellow,” Rizvi said: “He is an opportunist leader. He changed platform repeatedly. If Khaleda Zia made a mistake in 2007-08, then he [Moudud] should have resigned; but he did not.”

He said: “Now he is trying to impress someone and cash in on the opportunity... I think he has written it [the book]  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

INSIDE

4 | News

The railway authorities evicted around 267 illegal business establishments, including two Awami League party offices, from Tejgaon railway station area to Nakhalpara in the capital yesterday.

5 | News

The advance sale of bus tickets for Eidul-Azha and Durga Puja began yesterday but the number of people turning up at the counters was significantly lower than expected.

6 | Nation

12 | Entertainment

8 | World

14 | Sport

River erosion has taken a serious turn in Kamarpara village of Fulchhori upazila under Gaibandha district since Saturday jeopardising the lives of more than 500 families.

World powers backed military measures yesterday to help defeat Islamic State fighters in Iraq, boosting Washington’s efforts to set up a coalition, but made no mention of the tougher diplomatic challenge next door in Syria.

Akram Khan, internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer, will make his stage debut in Bangladesh with his awardwinning dance solo ‘Desh.’

Arsenal will be looking to win in Dortmund for the second season running, while the opening night of the Champions League group stage also sees Liverpool’s return and last season’s runners-up Atletico Madrid in action.

of criminals opened fire on the law enforcers and a young man was killed in the “gunfight.” The dead man was later identified as Kailya Babu, DB claimed.

However, Kailya Babu’s wife Marium Begum, who identified the body

DB police say Moghbazar triple murder suspect Kailya Babu killed in ‘gunfight’ at the Dhaka Medical College Morgue, told the Dhaka Tribune over phone that her husband had already been arrested in Narayanganj on Sunday night by DB and so he could not be there in Moghbazar the next morning.

The latest incident comes only a day after a young man, not listed anywhere as a criminal, was killed in the capital’s Mugda area. The Detective Branch (DB) of Police labelled that as a “gunfight” as well.

DB suspects JMB, Ansarullah hand in Faruqi murder n Tazlina Zamila Khan

The Dhaka Tribune has talked to several people from the Bepari Goli area who claimed to have witnessed the entire incident.

A tenant of a building near which the alleged gunfight took place, witnessed the incident from his balcony.

“The incident took place in front of the Marjana Printing Press near the Jamaat office. Around 2:45am, a microbus stopped near the press. Five men

The Detective Branch of Police has claimed to have nearly solved the mystery behind the killing of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat leader Shaikh Nurul Islam Faruqi.

They now blame the supporters of banned Islamist outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Ansarullah Bangla Team for their involvement in the killing that took place on August 27 in the capital.

Monirul Islam, DMP joint commissioner, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We are suspecting the involvement of JMB and Ansarullah Bangla Team after

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

Witness account

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Lawmakers in front row absent n Kamran Reza Chowdhury Jatiya Sangsad yesterday was witness to an unusual occurrence as none of the 29 MPs, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in the front row was present when the House went into session.

Even a minister scheduled to answer questions of the MPs skipped the assembly while another minister also fixed to reply to the questions of the lawmakers came to the chamber late, embarrassing the whips for a moment. Besides, three MPs remained absent submitting questions for the ministers to answer.

The House went into session around 5:10 pm with Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah in the chair. After the recitation from the holy Quran, the deputy speaker was proceeding to hold an one-hour scheduled question-answer session for the minister.

Shajahan Khan was scheduled to answer the first question of Awami League MP Sukumar Ranjan Biswas on the Shipping Ministry. But Chief Whip ASM Feroz and his deputy Shahiduzzaman Sarker did not find the minister.

As an alternative measure, the chief whip selected Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman to answer questions on the ministry until the shipping minister arrived.

The two whips heaved a sigh of relief watching the minister enter the House.

But Religious Affairs Minister Matiur Rahman, who was also supposed to answer questions on his ministry, was absent from the assembly. The chief whip then picked Food Minister Quamrul Islam to reply to the questions.

Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury was the first front bench MP who took seat around 5:20 pm. Five minutes later, Kazi Feroz came and Prof Ali Ashraf took his front seat at 5:30 pm.

Opening of the parliament session without any front bench MPs is very uncommon. In most cases, at least three MPs remain present before the start of the assembly.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took her seat at 5:45 pm. Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju, Suranjit Sengupta and Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu joined later.

After Magrib prayer recess, Matia Chowdhury, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Latif Siddiqui, Kazi Feroz Rashid and Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu were present. In addition to holding the question-answer session for the ministers and discussing important issues, the House saw the initiation of Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank Bill 2014.

According to the proposal made by Finance Minister AMA Muhith, the bill went to the parliamentary standing committee on finance ministry for further scrutiny. The House will resume at 5:00 pm today. l

DB suspects JMB, Ansarullah  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

collecting proof. Now we are trying to identify the people involved. We are very close to solving the case.”

He claimed that the people behind the Gopibagh six murders and that of Faruqi were the same.

DB Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Nazmul Alam told the Dhaka Tribune: “On August 8 last year, a father and son were slaughtered in Khulna. We suspect that the same men killed Faruqi since they followed the same technique.”

Tayebur Rahman, 60, and his son Monir, 12, were killed at Durbarsanga village of Khalishpur in Khulna. Two unknown men used to come to their house to discuss religion. They were killed when Tayeb’s wife had gone out to shop.

Although police have so far caught three people including a woman in Faruqi killing, their involvement was not found, Munshi Sabbir Ahmed, an officer of the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police, told the Dhaka Tribune.

On August 27, unidentified assailants slaughtered Faruqi, presenter of religious programmes on private television channels, at his own residence in Purbo Rajabazar area. He was the international affairs secretary of Ahle Sunnat – an organisation known better for opposing the views of Jamaat-e-Islami and Hefazat-e-Islam.

Monirul Islam said: “The militant groups have the tendency of hacking and slaughtering their enemies. But the technique has changed. Earlier, militants tried to kill poet Shamsur Rahman and later Humayun Azad, but the techniques were different. JMB’s Shaikh Abdur Rahman and Bangla Bhai showed some similar attempts at killing.”

The killings of bloggers Asif Mohiuddin and Ahmed Rajeeb Haider indicate that militant groups generally slaughter people.

In Faruqi’s case, the DB did not find any family conflict or problems with his business and land issues. l

Many AL leaders embarrassed  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

parliament sitting, a number of Awami League leaders and ministers approached Hasina regarding the judges’ impeachment bill.

Referring to senior lawyers Dr Kamal Hossain and Amir-Ul-Islam, who had been opposing the bill, they tried to speculate whether bringing the power back to the legislature could trigger any difficulty for the government and the party.

In reply, Hasina told them that “all Awami League leaders could be bought except Sheikh Hasina and that is the problem” and left the House.

Awami League Presidium member Nuh-ul-Alam Lenin said it would not be wise to comment on this issue without knowing the context and being sure whether she had made the remark at all.

“I am sure she will give an explanation to the people of the country. Otherwise, it [the comment] may turn out to be detrimental to the party. The opposition parties may use this as a weapon,” Lenin said.

It is often said that Hasina does not

trust too many people around her.

Insiders say there has always been a strong interest within the party that has been making things difficult for her over the years.

Seeking anonymity, a senior leader said her comment might be an expression of the lack of trust.

Insiders said the standoff between Hasina and a group of senior leaders had come to the surface strongly during the 2007-08 tenure of the army-backed interim government.

The interim government was allegedly trying to implement the so-called “minus two” formula by eliminating Hasina and BNP chief Khaleda Zia from Bangladesh’s politics.

The senior Awami League leaders openly challenged Hasina’s authority and tried hard to remove her from the helm.

Leaders close to Hasina alleged that it was because of these so-called pro-reform leaders that she had to go to jail.

However, Hasina did not let things go out of her hands and came back strongly; but once again she failed to

BNP leader Toimur Alam Khandakar arrested n Tribune Report

Two associates of Kala Babu, the chief accused of the Moghbazar triple murder case, are placed before the media after their arrest in Moghbazar yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Hasina asks MPs not to talk to her in JS chamber n Kamran Reza Chowdhury

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the MPs not to talk to her in the chamber as journalists sitting in the parliament gallery wrote about whatever she informally discussed with the lawmakers.

The premier made the suggestion as a group of MPs encircled her to place some demands after the House went

into Magrib recess around 6:08 pm.

“Don't talk here. There are the journalists [who] write about whatever I say to you here,” she told the MPs, pointing at the reporters sitting in the journalists’ gallery behind her chair.

The MPs --chief whip ASM Feroz, whip Shahiduzzaman Sarker, whip Atiur Rahman Atik, Amanur Rahman Khan, Mahzabin Khaled, Sanwar Hossain, Nazibul Bashar Maizbhandari of

– three in DB jackets and two in plain clothes – got down from the microbus.

They had with them a young man in handcuffs.

“They walked a few metres past the closed tin gate of the press. Then one of the men in DB jacket gave the handcuffed man a little push and told him to run.

“We know you can ran fast and vanish. Run...run...” the witness quoted the DB men as telling Babu.

“But sensing that he might be shot from the back if he started running, Babu started stepping back towards the DB men. One of them then hit Babu on the head with a bamboo stick and called him names for not running. But Babu would still not move. Then one of the DB personnel took Babu by his arm and started firing at him.

“I remember at least six to seven gunshots. But all of those shots were not fired at Babu. Some hit a nearby wall and the tin gate of the printing press,” the witness said.

“After handcuffed Babu fell on the ground, the DB men screamed saying: ‘Check whether he is carrying a bomb or not. Get the firearms from his hand.”

Soon, some other men, who were waiting in the microbus, emerged at the scene and started firing blank shots at the walls of the nearby buildings with holding numbers 495, 510, 511 and 513. They fired at least 20 rounds of bullets in the air as well.

“While firing the gunshots, they were shouting: We have got two other criminals. Look for the others...run... search,” the witness said.

This description is consistent with the DB’s claim at the press conference that they had picked up two other criminals during yesterday’s raid.

Another witness watched the incident from the window of her kitchen in a flat on a nearby building.

“After the shooting, the DB men picked up the bullet shells from the ground. Around 4:15am, a van from the Ramna police station came there. Police in uniform got down from the ve-

Tariqat Federation, SM Abul Kalam Azad of Bangladesh Nationalist Front and others --stopped talking after casting a glance at the journalists. The prime minister then entered her gallery.

The MPs of all political parties throng near the prime minister’s seat during the recess of Magrib prayer and after the adjournment of sittings.

On Sunday, the prime minister made a frustrating comment on her party,

saying all of the Awami League leaders except Sheikh Hasina could be bought.

Many Awami League leaders were embarrassed by this comment.

Nazibul Bashar Maizbhandari yesterday sat on the chair of Law Minister Anisul Huq behind the prime minister for around an hour to talk to Sheikh Hasina during the Magrib prayer recess. She talked to Nazibul Bashar, but did not attend to his request. l

Bangabandhu satellite likely to face more delay  PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

based regulatory think tank LIRNEasia and a former secretary of the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (Amtob).

During last week’s CTO forum in Dhaka, neither the regulator nor the ministry pursued the satellite issue with the member countries – some of whom questioned Bangladesh’s application for the 102 East orbital slot.

Asked why the issue was not on the forum’s agenda, the BTRC chairman said: “We are approaching with a different strategy to resolve the satellite disputes.”

Finance Ministry sources said Chinese company China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), placed a proposal in March offering to launch the satellite for less than Tk2,000 crore.

Sources also said the ministry had also found six other funding proposals from multinational banks and firms.

The CGWIC proposal was reportedly placed by the company’s local partner Focus Consortium Limited.

Zakir Hasan, chairman of Focus Consortium, refused to make any comment.

CGWIC sources said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, during her 2010 China visit, had asked her counterpart for assistance in the project.

Seeking anonymity, a senior BTRC official said: “We have been in an uncomfortable position because of the the BTRC and the Finance Ministry’s conflicting stances.”

The CGWIC proposal states the 5.1-tonne satellite with an expected lifetime of 15 years would be launched to the orbit within 30 months. The proposal also included a loan offer from the Chinese Exim Bank, where the Bangladesh government would have to give sovereign guarantee with 85%95% support.

do anything substantial against those pro-reform leaders.

When she was regaining her grounds, Hasina employed some mid-level leaders loyal to her to keep a close watch on those senior leaders.

The mid-level leaders used to report to her on the daily activities and movements of those anti-Hasina leaders.

After the Awami League came to power in 2009, Hasina started using the state intelligence mechanism for the task, party sources said.

Seeking anonymity, several senior leaders and ministers told the Dhaka Tribune that they had been under the prime minister’s constant monitoring.

They believe that various state intelligence agencies do the job for her.

Some of them said even their phones were tracked and tapped. They claimed of getting the idea from Hasina herself who once said at a party forum that she knew everything they were doing and saying.

After that many of these leaders have stopped talking to journalists over phone.

Asked about Sheikh Hasina’s comment in parliament on Sunday, Awami League Presidum member Suranjit Sengupta told the Dhaka Tribune: “Sheikh Hasina has gone through a lot in her political career. She has seen a lot of bloodshed and been victims of many of those. She might have made that comment from that experience.”

Suranjit, however, said: “But I do not believe that she literally meant everyone. She always likes to talk frankly. It could be one of those frank talks.”

Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif said: “Sheikh Hasina has been involved with politics for a long time. She was there beside Bangabandhu. She has also seen what roles politicians played after 1975.

“There has been many ups and downs in her career after she became the party chief in 1981. At that time, she got the chance to see many politicians from close quarters. She has also seen some leaders’ roles after 1/11. Therefore, I think her remark was appropriate considering the experience she has.” l

Witnesses say that was not a gunfight as Kailya Babu killed in shootout  PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

Police arrested Narayanganj district BNP President Toimur Alam Khandakar near Topkhana Road in the capital yesterday in connection with a vandalism case.

Confirming the incident, Barrister Ehsanur Rahman said: “I went to the police station when Toimur called me over on the phone.”

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Motijheel Zone Deputy Commissioner Ashrafuzzaman said: “Toimur was shown arrested in a case filed with Paltan police station. He was handed over to the detective branch of police around 6:45pm.”

Earlier in 2004, Ruhul Arefin took the lease of the basement of Jatiya Bodhir Songstha in Bijoynagar for 60 years. l

hicle and asked the DB men what had happened there. The DB men said there had been a shootout and asked the uniformed police to take away the body,” she said.

Quoting one of the DB men, the witness said: “Take him direct to the medical... I think he [Kailya Babu] may survive.”

Other witnesses said many had woken up in the middle of the night hearing the sound of the gunshots. But the DB men told them to stay inside and keep their doors and windows closed.

One of the witnesses said Babu had been wearing a green and white T-shirt and jeans trousers but no footwear.

They also reported seeing a “victory procession” in the area around 10:15am brought out by Kailya Chand Mia and some other local people. Apparently, they were celebrating the death of Kailya Babu.

DB’s version

During yesterday’s press conference, DB Joint Commissioner Monirul Islam

told reporters that Babu could have been killed by bullets from either their guns or his cohorts’.

The team that conducted the drive was headed by DB Deputy Commissioner Krishnapada Roy and his deputy Abdullah Al Mamun.

Monirul claimed that the criminal gang, who opened fire on the DB team had seven to eight members. Four of them fled the scene but DB caught Rajib-Al-Hasan, 27, and Al-Amin, 31.

According to DB, on the day of the triple murder, Rajib, who is a notorious criminal from Old Dhaka, provided arms and bullets to Kailya Babu.

Al-Amin, meanwhile, was wanted in a case filed in connection with the killing of a Ansar man at Moghbazar.

Kailya Babu was involved with that murder as well.

The DB official also claimed that they had recovered a foreign-made pistol, three rounds of bullets, seven rounds of bullet shells, three rounds of shot gun bullet shells and a machete from the spot. l

Some other proposals have reportedly also come in from the Export-Import Bank of the USA, HSBC France, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, and CWG Gulf International of the UK. But sources said the revised DPP does not mention anything about foreign investment in the project.

Earlier, in the first DPP, the BTRC drafted a projected government expenditure of Tk1,555 crore out of a total of Tk3,253 crore cost, with the rest coming from foreign sources.

Although the government is yet to reach any final decision on the DPP, the BTRC has already spent Tk86 crore for paying consultancy fees.

Questioning BTRC’s involvement in launching the satellite, LIRNEasia official Abu Saeed said the BTRC had moved away from its regulatory role and taken on the responsibilities of a satellite provider. He added that the

BTCL - the initial choice - would have been a more suitable candidate.

In 1999, the then Awami League government took the first initiative for the satellite, while it was also discussed that the then BTTB (Bangladesh Telegraph and Telegram Board) – which is now the Bangladesh Telecommunication Company Limited (BTCL) – would launch the satellite.

Earlier this year, the telecom regulator also placed a commercial forecast estimating that the satellite would reach break even in seven years.

According to BTRC, the satellite can save at least $14m every year, which is now being paid to different foreign companies by the country’s 28 television channels for transmission.

The BTRC also claimed that 70% of the satellite’s revenue would come from neighbouring countries while the rest would be from local sources. l

Moudud conspiracy over book  PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

to save himself or his house which is inauspicious.”

A Dhaka court yesterday accepted the charge sheet against Moudud and his brother in a case filed on charges of grabbing a Tk300 crore government land in the capital’s Gulshan area.

Moudud currently lives in a house on that land.

In his media conference, Moudud said: “I write books as a political scientist not as a partisan leader. I do not know if Rizvi has read the book. I think he will repent his comments after reading it...

The book is about the time of Fakruddin-Moin U Ahmed’s government and how they had violated human rights.”

On Sunday, when the Dhaka Tribune asked if Rizvi had read the book, he said he had not; he had just heard about it. He also said he would make comments after reading it.

Moudud Ahmed, a standing committee member of the BNP, launched his new book titled “Bangladesh Emergency and the Aftermath: 2007-2008” at the Supreme Court Bar Association Auditorium in the capital on Saturday.

Former Dhaka University Professor Mahbub Ullah, who attended the launching ceremony, was assaulted by unknown miscreants after he had come out of the auditorium.

Apart from Rizvi, many BNP leaders also said it was typical of Moudud to make indecent statements.

A senior BNP leader, seeking anonymity, told the Dhaka Tribune: “It is nothing new. He [Moudud] has always been a controversial person. His tendency to court controversy is well known to us, and to madam [Khaleda] as well.”

The leader also said Moudud Ahmed had written controversial things about BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and he was now doing the same thing against Khaleda Zia and her sons.

The book reads: “At that time [200708], the fate of her sons Tarique and Koko was the most important thing for Khaleda Zia. She was not ready to take part in any discussion until their freedom was ensured. She remained strong despite many different kinds of pressure. In those days, she was more of a mother than a leader of the people,

BNP chairperson and a politician who was anxious about her sons’ freedom.”

In his book, Moudud compared the 2008 national election to a silent revolution. He said Sheikh Hasina grabbed the attention of 15 million young voters by taking a strong stance in favour of non-communalism and against militancy. Additionally, the promise for supplying rice at Tk10 per kilogram, free fertiliser and ensuring job for at least one member from each family encouraged people to vote for the Awmai League.

Moudud also wrote that the BNP government’s ill-rule, widespread allegations of corruption, ties with Jamaat, the rise of militancy and its connection with some BNP leaders, the power practice of Hawa Bhaban made voters turn away from the BNP. In 1968, Moudud Ahmed served as a junior counsellor for Bangabandhu in the Agartala Conspiracy Case. In 197981, he was a member of the cabinet of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, the first military ruler of the country.

In 1985, Moudud broke away from the BNP with his followers and joined HM Ershad’s Jatiya Party. In the subsequent years under Ershad’s rule, he was a deputy prime minister, prime minister and a vice-president.

Just before the June elections in 1996, Moudud came back to the BNP. In 2001, when BNP came to power again, he was made the Law Minister. l

Correction The Dhaka Tribune yesterday published a story on the front page titled “Jamaat lobbying against war crimes trials again.” That report contained some information glitches.

We wrote Mir Masum Ali owned a company named Rose Valley. The correct name is Rosedale Mir Development Inc. We also wrote Grieboski was tasked with reaching the US independence commission.

The formal name of that organisation is the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

In the story, the “Human Rights and Development for Bangladesh” should have been the “Human Rights and Development in Bangladesh.”

We apologise for the unintentional mistakes. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Library near CU doubles as jihadist den

DU teacher suspended for sexual assault n DU Correspondent

Six sacks of militant books and a machete have been seized from the library Quoting people in the area, the n Tarek Mahmud and FM Mizanur sub-inspector said Shibir had purRahaman, Chittagong

Police yesterday seized a machete and six sacks of jihadist books from a library in the environs of Chittagong University (CU) which police say was being used

by Islami Chhatra Shibir, student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami.

The jihadist literature and machete were taken from the Mamun Smrity Pathagar [library] located in the Shahi Colony area of Chittagong University (CU).

‘Shibir was using the one-storey building, containing four rooms, as a mess hall’ The police say that leaders of Islami Chhatra Shibir, Jamaat’s student front, used the space as a mess hall and a publications store.

Sub-Inspector (SI) Nurul Hakim of Hathazari police station told the Dhaka Tribune that a drive conducted at Mamun Smrity Pathagar around noon yielded the books and weapon as well as various Shibir documents.

“Shibir was using the one-storey building, containing four rooms, as a mess hall where about six to seven Shibir men lived,” he said.

Police are conducting a drive to nab the library’s administrators, the SI said.

chased the land and building when it established the library in 1996.

According to campus sources, Mamun Smrity Pathagar was set up in the name of Shibir activist Mohammad Mamun Al Rashid, 15, a class nine student and son of then Professor Harun of the Finance and Banking department of the university, who died of bone cancer.

CU unit Shibir president from1996 to 1997, GM Rahimullah, who is now chairman of Cox’s Bazar Sadar upazila, told the Dhaka Tribune that he set up the library in remembrance of Mamun.

He said, “The Shibir CU unit president looks after the activities of the library.”

Mamun’s father said the library had been established because his son liked to read books.

“I have donated to the library several times so that they can purchase books,” he said.

CU Shibir sources claimed about 2,500 readers use the library but AFM Nizam Uddin, assistant superintendent of police (ASP) of Hathazari circle, refuted this.

He said Shibir men used the library as a publication centre where Shibir men were being trained in jihad.

Despite repeated attempts, CU Shibir leaders could not be contacted by telephone. l

Disgruntled students locked the chairman of DU’s theatre and performance studies department in his office yesterday after allegetaions surfaced that he had sexually harassed a student of the department MEHEDI HASAN

PM asks officials to monitor Saradha scam n Mohosinul Karim Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the officials concerned to keep a close watch on Saradha Group’s financial scam as it had given money to the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in order to create unrest in the country.

She also ordered the officials to keep an eye on the investigation into the issue being carried out by the Indian government.

The premier gave the instructions as the issue came up for discussion after the regular cabinet meeting. Some of the ministers also took part in the discussion, a senior cabinet member who attended the meeting told the Dhaka Tribune.

He said, “Though the premier is concerned about Saradha Group’s financial support to Jamaat, she wants to

see the investigation of the Indian government. The Bangladesh government may take steps after the investigation ends. That’s why she has asked the officials to keep an eye on the issue.”

Another junior minister told the Dhaka Tribune that the premier also asked the ministers and persons concerned to prevent the distortion of history of Bangladesh and independence of the country.

The issue came up for discussion when State Minister for Science and Technology Yafes Osman started talking about a cinematography titled “Our Bangladesh of Bangabandhu National Novo Theatre”.

The state minister requested his colleagues to watch the video as it had contained the facts about the birth of Bangladesh and our liberation war.

Taking part in the discussion, Hasina said, “All of us have to be conscious about the history of Bangladesh and liberation war as conspirators are still active in distorting history. All should raise their voice against them.”

However, the cabinet yesterday approved the draft of Customs Act, 2014 which was prepared following the previous act which was in English.

The inconsistencies in the existing law were removed and the issues of some international conventions incorporated in the draft.

The draft would be placed at the cabinet meeting again as it was approved in principle on condition of getting opinion of the law ministry. It would placed before the parliament after getting final approval from the cabinet. l

Police recover eight machetes from CU dorm n CU Correspondent

Dhaka to seek time frame for Teesta, LBA

During the ongoing raids in the dormitories of Chittagong University, police have found eight machetes in the AF Rahman Hall yesterday, confirmed Md Ismail, officer-in-charge of the Hathazari police station in the port city.

Liton Mitra, assistant proctor at the university, confirmed the recovery, saying: “Until now, eight machetes have been recovered from the dormitory.”

AF Rahman Hall has been a stronghold of Islami Chhatra Shibir, student front of Jamaat-e-Islami, sources said.

The raids are part of the investigation into the recent attacks on the university’s teachers and staff buses and the shuttle train.

Earlier, police also found 21 crude bombs in the same dormitory in abandoned condition by acting on a tip-off. l

At the third foreign minister level talks between Bangladesh and India scheduled for September 20, Dhaka will press for a specific time frame from India to sign the Teesta agreement and ratify the land boundary agreement.

The meeting is considered significant because it will be the first official meeting between Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and his Indian counterpart, Sushma Swaraj, a stalwart of the BJP, which assumed power in India in May. The foreign minister will fly to New Delhi on September 18 and pay courtesy calls on Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and meet other Indian officials during the visit.

The ministers will discuss a series of bilateral issues including basin management, border killings, trade, energy, connectivity, security, sub-regional coopera-

Mamata interested in visiting Dhaka n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman The West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed an interest in visiting Dhaka at a meeting with the Bangladesh envoy in Kolkata yesterday.

Bangladesh’s deputy high commissioner in Kolkata, Abida Islam, was paying a farewell courtesy call to Mamata at her office in Kolkata.

“We had a very cordial one-on-one meeting that lasted half an hour. She spoke to me like an elder sister,” Abida said. Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali invited the West Bengal premier and she expressed an interest in coming to Dhaka, said Abida.

Mamata was supposed to visit Dhaka as a member of former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh’s entourage during his visit in 2011. She did not come because of her opposition to the Teesta water sharing agreement which was slated to be signed during the trip.

The agreement has not yet been signed by the two neighbours.

The deputy high commissioner said the Saradha scam was not discussed.

There are media reports that a Trinamool Congress leader, Ahmed Hassan Imran, provided money, collected from the Saradha Group, to Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh to destabilise the Awami League government.

The reports, quoting mostly intelligence sources, hinted that Imran received the funds from Sudipta Sen, a senior official of Saradha Group. l

n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

The wife of the Bangladesh Army chief presents a memento to the wife of the head of the US Army Pacific on the second day of the 38th PAMS meet DHAKA TRIBUNE

‘Jabbar termed proliberation people enemies of Pakistan’ n Udisa Islam The third prosecution witness in the case against former Jatiya Party lawmaker Abdul Jabbar yesterday said the accused had asked the locals in Pirojpur to destroy the pro-liberation people identifying them as “enemies of Pakistan.”

He also formed the union-level Peace Committee to collaborate with the Pakistani occupation forces during the 1971 Liberation War. Abdul Mekar, 75, from Burirchar of Mothbaria, said Jabbar had instructed his men to kill freedom fighters, forcefully converted Hindus into Islam and participated in the atrocities that had taken place at Angulkati and Phuljhuri.

The witness said following the instruction of Jabbar, local razakars and the Pakistani Army had gunned down 22 Hindus and forcefully converted more than 150 Hindus. The accused was also involved in looting at least 360 houses at Phuljhuri.

Abdul said he had joined the meeting of Jabbar at Tushkhali High School from where the accused ordered to capture freedom fighters Abdur Razzak and Motaleb Sharif of Phuljhuri village. Jabbar also identified the sup-

3

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

porters of Awami League, freedom fighters and Hindus as enemies of Pakistan and said: “We have to destroy them.” He also said: “Hindu’s can live in this country only if they convert to Islam.”

After his deposition, the International Crimes Tribunal 1 adjourned the trial until today. State-appointed defence counsel Mohammad Abul Hasan was not present to cross examine the witness due to personal difficulties.

Meanwhile, the tribunal 2 rejected three petitions from both prosecution and defence in the trial against Maulana Abdus Subhan.

The defence filed a petition as they wanted to place some additional documents on behalf of the accused. The tribunal rejected the plea giving some observations.

One of the prosecution’s pleas was to fix the date mentioned in a charge.

Rejecting the appeal, the tribunal mentioned that it was not the proper time to do so.

They also placed another plea seeking the tribunal’s order to cut short the number of defence witness. The tribunal kept it as “not placed” while the defence said they would place three witnesses. l

Charges against Siraj Kosai, 2 others accepted n Udisa Islam The war crimes tribunal yesterday took into cognisance the charges brought on Sunday against alleged razakar commander Sirajul Haque alias Siraj Master alias Siraj Kosai and his two accomplices from Bagerhat for committing crimes against humanity in 1971.

According to the eight charges, accused Siraj Master, 72, Khan Akram Hossain, 61, and Abdul Latif Talukder, 68, joined the razakar forces during the Liberation War and committed genocide, abduction, torture, forced conversion, loot and arson.

The International Crimes Tribunal 1 passed the order upon an appeal placed by designate prosecutor Syed Sayedul Haque. The tribunal also rejected a bail petition filed by Latif. The two others did not seek bail.

It also appointed Md Abul Hasan as the state defence lawyer for Siraj Master since he did not appoint any counsel and wished to face the court himself.

Later the tribunal fixed September 30 to begin hearing on the charge framing.

Meanwhile, the same tribunal set September 22 for hearing on charge framing in the case filed against alleged razakar commander Syed M Hassan alias Hachhen Ali of Kishoreganj.

The tribunal appointed Abdus Shukur Khan as the state defence counsel since the accused is fugitive. l

tion, and people-to-people contacts.

“The Teesta water sharing agreement, land boundary agreement (LBA) ratification and implementation, and border killing issues will be raised at the meeting,” said a senior official of the foreign ministry.

Bangladesh and India were scheduled to sign the Teesta water sharing agreement in 2011 when former Indian PM Manmohan Singh visited Dhaka but it was not signed due to a strong resistance from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

About holding JRC meeting, a foreign affairs ministry official said it would be held after the foreign minister level talks.

Anxiety has been growing after media reports about a Trinamool Congress leader funding Jamaat-e-Islam efforts to destabilise the Bangladesh government surfaced recently. India’s West Bengal state is ruled by Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress party. l

Prof Mohammad Saiful Islam, chairman of the theatre studies department, has been suspended on charges of sexually harassing a student.

The decision was made in an emergency syndicate meeting last evening.

The accused was also served a showcause notice as to why he would not be permanently dismissed, DU Teachers’ Association General Secretary Maksud Kamal told the Dhaka Tribune.

The accused teacher had allegedly been calling a female student of his department since September 8, asking her to meet him. On September 13, the victim again received a phone call and went to his residence on the campus around 4pm.

The student kept the sound recorder of her phone on and at one stage, the teacher tried to abuse the student, and she somehow managed to flee, her classmates said.

Later, students kept the chairman confined in a classroom for two hours.

They also submitted a complaint letter and a disk of the recorded conversation to the authorities. DU acting proctor Amzad Ali freed the chairman, who later resigned.

However, the agitated students again confined him as they did not get immediate response from the authorities.

They said they would free Saiful only after he is permanently suspended.

Acting proctor Amzad Ali said: “We have listened to the recorded conversation and found that the demands of the students are not illogical.”

Meanwhile, students released the accused following the syndicate meeting decision.

Contacted, Saiful denied the allegations, terming it as conspiracy. He also demanded proper investigation. l

Police reshuffled n Mohosinul Karim The government has made a massive reshuffle in police department. The Home Ministry yesterday issued an order to this effect.

Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Abdul Jalil Mondol was made commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP).

Sylhet Police Commissioner Mizanur Rahman was given the current charge of Sylhet Range DIG, Barisal Police Commissioner Md Shamsuddin was made additional commissioner in DMP. Sylhet Range DIG Mokbul Hossain Bhuiyan was transferred to headquarters.

Dhaka Railway Range DIG Kamrul Ahsan was made commissioner of Sylhet, Dhaka Special Branch Additional DIG Mahbub Hossian was given the temporary charge of DIG under the same department. RAB Director Mallik Fakhrul Isalm was made DIG of Dhaka Railway while Additional DIG of Police Headquarters Atiqul Islam was given the current charge of DIG. DIG Manjur Quader Khan has been transferred to CID from the Headquarters, while DIG Amullaya Bhushan Barua replaced Shohrab Hossain, vice-principal of Sarda Police Academy, who was made DIG at the Police Headquarters. l

Hindu woman’s land grabbed under the administration’s very nose n Our Correspondent, Gopalganj An allegation of grabbing a 15-decimal piece of land belonging to a Hindu minority woman has been reported at Baultali village in Sadar upazila of the Gopalganj district. All attempts made by the concerned authorities to recuperate the land have failed so far.

Poli Begum, wife of Mokhles Mollah, a resident of the village had built a house on the land belonging to Shantilota Sarker, wife of Omresh Sarkar about two months ago and started residing there with her family. Shantilota alleged that Poli threatened her to kill when she protested the action.

Local arbitrators in a meeting declared that Poli’s move was illegal and they directed her nephew, a Saudi expatriate Hanif Kazi to evict his aunt, but he left the country without taking care of the matter.

Circumstances being such, Shantilota on August 1 took the matter to local superintendent of police who directed Gopalganj Detective Branch of police to investigate into the allegation. On August 19, the probe committee of the DB reported that Shantilota is the actual owner the land and Poli has no claim.

Some influential persons of nearby villages dragged Poli to an arbitration on August 26 and she was ordered to remove

her establishments within seven days.

Gopalganj DB police ASI Azizul Sheikh who was also investigator of the incident, said: “Poli Begum has failed to show any papers in favour of her claim on the land.

After scrutinizing all documents, I have found out that Shantilota is the real owner of the entire piece of land although a small portion of the land had been bought by Poli’s nephew Hanif Kazi.”

“A local arbitration called to solve the problem gave the onus of evicting Poli to Hanif who went to the KSA without solving it. His aunt has been trying to grab the land illegally,” the ASI continued.

Baultali UP Chairman Sukanto Biswas echoed the voice of SI Azizul, saying that he himself in an arbitration directed Poli to remove her illegally built house, but she disobeyed the decision very stubbornly.

When contacted, Poli Begum denied the allegation of grabbing land, saying she was living on her nephew Hanif Kazi’s land and that was why she turned did not pay heed to the decision that came from the local arbitration.

Baultali police outpost SI Md Abu Naim too confirmed that Poli was asked to remove her establishments from Shantilota’s land within seven days, but she is yet to do so.

Shantilota urged the local administration to get her out of this crisis. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Government denies migrants’ hardship in Malaysia Expatriate labourers complain of shortages of gas, water and food supplies

n Rabiul Islam Since 2012, around 5,000 migrant workers have been sent to Malaysia with jobs in plantation farms under the government to government arrangement.

During this time, some of the workers in Cheras district complained to the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur and the BMET about their employers that they do not pay them properly.

The employers also allegedly do not provide them with the promised job facilities including gas and water in accommodation, and free oil and rice.

Conversely they have also been given tough tasks and a short amount of time to completed them.

The Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) received such complaints, confirmed a senior official, seeking anonymity, since he was not authorised to speak to the media.

The BMET sends the workers under the government to government arrangement which commenced following an agreement signed on November 26, 2012.

Recently a worker from Cheras described to the Dhaka Tribune the ordeals they have been facing at the workplace. He said there were 10 Bangladeshis working at the farm.

When contacted, Labour Counsellor in Kuala Lumpur Mantu Kumar Bishwas admitted that some migrants had been facing problems. “We requested the employers to address the woes of the migrants,” he added.

When a nine-member delegation led by Expatriates’ Welfare Secretary Khondaker Showkat Hossain visited Malaysia in July this year to discuss bilateral issues, they informed their counterpart about the complaints.

“During the meeting, the Malaysian officials assured us that they will look into the matter,” a member of the delegation told the Dhaka Tribune.

The Malaysian side even formed a committee to address the workers’ woes, the official said.

CHILD MARRIAGE

Mother awarded 3-day imprisonment

n Our Correspondent, Munshiganj A mobile court in Munshiganj yesterday sentenced a mother to three days of imprisionment for arranging the marriage of her school-going daughter.

Executive Magistrate Purshia Akhter passed the order at Raripara village under Adhara union.

The magistrate said the victim was a class six student, adding that the marriage was settled with another young boy of the village. l

US Embassy trains Bangladesh Police to recognise fake travel documents n Tribune Report The US Government, through the US Department of State’s Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) programme and the US Embassy’s Regional Security Office, concluded a 14-day training programme on recognising counterfeit and fraudulent passports, visas and identification documents on September 11.

The training, offered by the Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security and taught by US instructors, was held at the Police Staff College in Dhaka. Officials from the Special Branch, Criminal Investigation Department, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, and Chittagong Metropolitan Police participated in the training.

Acting Rector of the Police Staff College Md Motiur Rahman Sheikh, US Embassy Regional Security Officer Dan Wilhelm and senior officials from the Bangladesh Police were present at the graduation ceremony.

Addressing the programme graduates, Wilhelm stated that no one country can fight travel document fraud alone, adding that “for terrorists, travel documents are as important as weapons.”

The US Embassy, in partnership with Bangladesh government, will be offering several more ATA training courses for Bangladesh Police this year. l

However, it is surprising as Khondaker Showkat now denies that he was aware of the complaints and the discussion of July.

“I have not heard such complaints.

But I will look into the allegations. Next time, we will meet the workers there and listen to their problems,” he told the Dhaka Tribune on Saturday.

“We have repeatedly contacted the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur but they did not respond,” a worker, Abu Bakar, told the Dhaka Tribune over phone from Malaysia on Friday.

“I cannot make you understand what hardship we are going through.

There is no gas and water. The situation has reached such a bad stage that we have no other option but to flee.”

Abu Bakar said 10 workers including Yousuf, Halim and Sohagh from Narayanganj; and Jahangir and Nilu Mia from other districts are working at the farm. All of them are now going through unbearable ordeals.

He also alleged that they were deprived of the five kg rice and five kg oil which were supposed to be given every month as per the job agreement.

“We were supposed to be given 900 ringgit a month, but the employer is only giving us 700 ringgit,” he said adding that the manager at the farm was very cruel.

“When the manager changed, the new manager gives us odd work. He sets tough and impossible targets and orders us to finish them in time,” Abu Bakar said.

Programme Manager of the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) Merina Sultana said they had not got any such complaints from the workers in Malaysia.

The BMET team designated to look into the workers in Malaysia should examine the issue after meeting the affected workers.

She suggested that the workers should be informed about work environment and job responsibilities before they are sent to Malaysia. l

Railway authorities carry out an eviction drive in the capital’s Nakhalpara yesterday, demolishing illegal establishments that were set up beside rail tracks

Two Awami League offices among 267 illegal structures dismantled n Tazlina Zamila Khan The railway authorities evicted around 267 illegal business establishments, including two Awami League party offices, from Tejgaon railway station area to Nakhalpara in the capital yesterday.

“We have a list of 17 illegal markets from Narayanganj to Tongi, each of which contains at least 400 shops. The eviction will begin from Banani tomorrow (today),” Railway’s Dhaka Divisional Estate Officer Nurunnabi Kabir told the Dhaka Tribune.

Bangladesh Railway Nirapotta Bahini (RNB)’s Chief Inspector Shahid Ullah told the Dhaka Tribune that the eviction drive continued from around 10am to 12:30pm yesterday. Around RNB officials took part in the drive.

250 register online every hour for MBBS and BDS admission test n Moniruzzaman Uzzal Over 250 applicants are registering online every hour to sit for the MBBS and BDS admission test in the hope of becoming a doctor or dentist.

Online registration started at 10am on September 10. As of yesterday morning at 10am, 30,594 applicants had registered online to sit for the exam required by both public and private medical and dental colleges.

Applications are submitted via Teletalk together with an application fee of Tk650. The online service will be available until September 29.

The Health Ministry set October 24 as the date for the admission test. The hour-long exam will consist of 100 multiple choice questions.

Last year, sixty-six thousand students took the test.

Professor ABM Abdul Hannan, director of medical education and manpower development at the directorate gen-

eral for health services (DGHS), told the Dhaka Tribune that a large number of students would be taking the entrance exam, and he thought it likely that the number of admissions-seekers would be higher this year than in the past year.

High officials of the Health Ministry and health services directorate said a number of coaching centres were guaranteeing one hundred percent pass rates.

DGHS will be publishing an alert in the newspapers to warn parents and students of fraudulent claims and will be seeking assistance from law enforcement agencies to monitor coaching centres.

Applicants will be competing for the 3162 MBBS seats and 532 BDS seats available at the public universities, and 4800 seats in medicine and 1050 seats in dentistry offered by private medical and dental colleges.

Both government and private medical college classes will commence on January 10, 2015. l

ACT project ends n Afrose Jahan Chaity Actions for Combating Trafficking-In-Persons (ACT) project, jointly run by USAID and Winrock International, ended its six-year journey in Bangladesh yesterday.

The closing ceremony, with the slogan “Together We Can End Human Trafficking,” was held at Spectra Convention Centre in the capital.

During the programme, the partner organisations of the project who helped achieve its goal were awarded certificates.

Although the project ran for a limited period of time, people need to be aware of and fight against the traffickers in future, speakers at the closing ceremony said.

Dr Kamal Uddin Ahmed, additional secretary, national point of contact

for anti human trafficking, ministry of home affairs was present as chief guest, while Md Feroz Al Mozahid Khan, additional DIG (training & sports), Bangladesh Police, were present, among others, at the event.

Dr Kamal Uddin said: “Earlier, people did not have a clear idea about human trafficking and the laws concerned with it. Now, people are well aware of safe migration and human trafficking.”

Sarah Stephens, ACT programme’s chief of party, gave an elaborate presentation on the campaign materials that they developed in collaboration with the ACT. Since 2008, the ACT helped 2,700 survivors with necessary supports, trained more than 7,700 government officials, local leaders and volunteers, 800 police officials and lawyers to prevent human trafficking. l

As well as the RNB officials, around 30 daylabourers took part in the eviction.

‘We have a list of 17 illegal markets from Narayanganj to Tongi, each of which contains at least 400 shops’ Two day labourers named Sayeed Hossain and Md Shohagh said they had been working for four days. They were being paid Tk 150-400 depending on work.

Abdul Mazid, Officer-in-Charge of Kamlapur Railway police station, said there were no people at the two Awa-

mi League offices during the drive.

Some protests were made by shop owners, but the shops were torn down in the end.

He told the Dhaka Tribune that around 150 police officials were taking part in the eviction drive.

Some shops owners however set up their shops immediately after the eviction drive team had gone away.

A shop owner called Abdul Huq told the Dhaka Tribune: I have set my shop again. Otherwise, it would have been a huge loss for me.”

The authorities started the drive on Friday morning after four people were killed when a train rammed into an illegal fish market set up on railway lines at the capital’s Karwan Bazar on Thursday. Five others were seriously injured in the accident. l

MEHEDI HASAN

1 killed, another missing in Naogaon n Our Correspondent, Naogaon One youth was killed and another one went missing when they were returning to Bangladesh with their cattle on Sunday night.

The dead body of Mominul Islam, 20, was recovered by the BGB near pillar 238 around 5:30pm yesterday.

In a separate incident, Eshak Ali, 19, went missing around 12:30am following cocktail explosions by the BSF near pillar 237 on the same night.

Relatives of the victims alleged that both were tortured by the BSF, while the BGB has invited the BSF for a flag meeting in this regard.

Deputy Commander of Naogaon 14 BGB Maj Ikbal Akhter, confirming the incidents, told the Dhaka Tribune that BGB teams were sent to recover the missing person and a letter was sent to hold a flag meeting in this connection. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Advance bus ticket sale sees lukewarm response

News

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

5

THE DIRTY PICTURE

BRTC and train tickets to be available from Sept 26, launch not decided yet Jamil Khan and n Mohammad Mohammad Zakaria The advance sale of bus tickets for Eidul-Azha and Durga Puja began yesterday but the number of people turning up at the counters was significantly lower than expected.

Ticket sellers of different transport operators, including Hanif Enterprise and Shyamoli Paribahan, in Gabtoli, Kalyanpur and several other bus terminals in the capital awaited passengers for hours but only a handful showed up.

The prices of tickets are the same as the previous year and we are not charging extra, said Helaluddin, the ticket seller at the counter Shyamoli Paribahan.

However, Mainul Islam, a passenger, alleged that he had to pay an additional Tk100 for the ticket.

“I bought a ticket of Shyamoli Paribahan for Dinajpur on September 2.

I paid Tk500 but today I had to pay Tk600 for the ticket,” he said.

Spokesman for the Bus-Truck Owners Association Md Salahuddin told the Dhaka Tribune the rush to go home

would peak on October 2.

“This is why we have started selling tickets 19 days before Puja and 21 days before Eid,” he added.

Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation will begin selling advance tickets on September 26. The BRTC will also operate special services starting from October 2.

Advance train tickets, as was announced by Railways Minister Mujibul Haque, would be available from September 26 to 30 while tickets would be sold from 9am to 5pm daily.

Advance tickets for October 1 could be collected from September 26, October 2 from Sept 27, October 3 from September 28, October 4 from September 29 and October 5 from September 30.

Return tickets will be available from October 3 to October 8.

Bangladesh Inland Waterways Association is yet to decide on a date to start selling advance tickets.

Mahbub Uddin Ahmed, president of the association, said the date would be set after holding a meeting within a couple of days. l

Two children cover their noses with hands while they were crossing a waste dumping ground at Pragoti Sarani in the capital yesterday

RAJIB DHAR

Rape incidents on the rise in Sylhet region

11th anniversary of DUET celebrated n Mohammed Serazul Islam, Sylhet in Gazipur Rape is on the rise in Sylhet region with at least 92 women as well as children n Our Correspondent, Gazipur have been victimised in the last three Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) celebrated its 11th anniversary in Gazipur yesterday with various programmes.

IT was held with a colourful procession, a rally and a discussion-meeting which kept students, teachers and staff in vibrant mood.

The day started with the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University professor Dr Alauddin inaugurated the programme by setting free pigeons and colourful balloons in the sky and hoisting the national flag.

Then, a colourful rally was brought out at the university campus which was participated by students, teachers and employees of the University.

A discussion-meeting was held at Ahsan Ullah at Master Auditorium in the university campus.

Director of Student Welfare Prof Dr Ganesh Chandra Shaha presided over the meeting while Liberation war affairs minister AKM Mozammel Haque was the chief guest.

VC prof Dr Alauddin, president of DUET teachers association professor Dr Mohammed Asaduzzaman, Dean of Faculties, Department Heads, Directors, Registrar and students were present at the meeting.

The final treat for the day was a cultural performance, performed by the students of the university. l

months, but a very few rape cases actually came to light.

The One Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) in Osmani Medical College Hospital revealed that there is a high prevalence of child rape in the district as child daughters remain unprotected in their home because their uneducated parents are not aware of their childrens' safety.

The actual number of rape victims might be higher than the number of victims who came to the OCC for treatment.

In many cases the victims are examined in the forensic department and go to court and they do not come to the OCC, said a source from the centre.

Although 92 incidents of rape hap-

pened in the last three months, only 29 cases were filed with police as the victims and their family members are unwilling to speak because most of the victims do not get justice and are threatened by rapists.

Recently, some unidentified masked men have gang- raped two girls after tying up their parents at Sylhet.

Police said seven to eight people broke into the victims residence located at Beanibazar upazila’s Charkhai Union at night and raped the girls after tying up their parents.

The victims underwent treatment at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College and Hospital for several days.

Although a case was filed in this connection, police are yet to arrest anyone in this connection.

On June 20, a nine-year-old girl has allegedly been raped at a hotel in Sylhet city.

A team of police has rescued the victim from Hotel Biroti in South Surma the following day, two days after she went missing from Gonairghat area.

Then, police said the rapists might have abducted the girl and later on raped her. She was also treated at the state-owned hospital.

Apart from these incidents, a good number of rape cases have been under procedure at different courts in Hobiganj, Moulvibazar and Sunamganj, but the centre could not provide the detail of the cases.

Sources at the OCC said illiteracy, poverty and love affair were the main reason behind rape.

According to OCC statistics, 30 women as well as children had been admitted to the centre in June, in July 21 while the number was 36 in August.

During the period last year, some 80 rape victims were undergoing treat-

n Ahmed Zayeef

LIGHT RAIN

DHAKA

TODAY SUN SETS 6:01PM

TOMORROW SUN RISES 5:45AM

FORECAST FOR TODAY 34 32 33 33 32 32 33 32

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

27 27 25 26 26 25 25 25

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

35.4ºC Tangail

23.6ºC Srimangal

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Zuhr Asr Magrib Esha

4:30am 5:44am 11:53am 4:18pm 6:02pm 7:17pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

As many people of Sylhet live in UK, their children take advantage of the situation and they stay with their lover out of house which is the number one reason for rape.

Many expatriate go abroad leaving their female partner in a vulnerable position and their close relatives take advantage of the situation. He termed it as main reason for the increase in the incidents of rape in the district.

Assistant Director of Sylhet Women Support Centre care for the rape victims at their centre for up to six months.

Currently, a victim of rape is undergoing treatment at the centre.

An official of the OSCC centre who preferred to be unnamed told the Dhaka Tribune that victims of rape not only need medical treatment and rehabilitation, but also counseling so that they can continue with their daily life. l

HC: Stop plying of illegal three-wheelers by 72-hrs

WEATHER

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

ment at the One Stop Crisis centre from June to August.

Assistant Professor of Social Welfare Department of Shahjalal Science and Technology University Tahmina Islam told the Dhaka Tribune that incidents of rape had exponentially increased in the division. Poor girl children are vulnerable at different slums of the city when their parents go to work, she said.

The government should strengthen social safety network programme to save girl children from being raped, she said.

When contacted, Police Super, Sylhet Nur-e-Alam Mina told the Dhaka Tribune that most of the rape happened due to love affair.

But he could not give an accurate picture of sexual abuse of women and child in and around Sylhet city.

Girl whose age are from 16 to 18 are the worst victim of rape.

A human chain in formed in front of the National Press Club yesterday with a call to stop child marriage

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

The High Court yesterday ordered the deputy commissioners and police supers of five southern districts of the country to take locally made three-wheelers off the highways within 72-hours.

The districts are Barisal, Faridpur, Madaripur, Rajbari and Khulna.

A High Court bench comprising of Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury and Khoshruzzaman passed the order.

As per the directive, all types of three-wheelers and illegal vehicles, including Nasiman, Kariman, Bhotbhoti, Mahindra and easy bikes, should be banned from highways. The court asked the authorities to submit a compliance report within two weeks.

The court also issued a rule asking why an order should not be issued to implement the Motor Vehicle Ordinance and to stop the plying of these vehicles on roads and highways.

A total of 20 people including the Secretary of Home Ministry, Inspector General of Police, Communication Secretary, DIG highway, BRTA Chairman and the DCs and SPs of the five districts were asked to reply to the rule within four weeks.

On Sunday, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) filed a petition with the HC seeking its directive to reduce the number of road accidents.

Advocate Manzil Murshid represented the petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Rajik Al Jalil moved for the state side. l

100 gold bars seized Only 6 convocations in 53 years at BAU n at Shahjalal Airport BAU Correspondent

n Mohammad Jamil Khan Custom officials seized 100 gold bars worth Tk5.30 crore from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport yesterday.

The gold bars, weighing around 11.7kg were seized from a flight of Flydubai Airlines around 10am, said Farid Al-Mamun, assistant commissioner of custom intelligence.

Joint Commissioner of Customs Kazi Mohammad Ziauddin, who led the operation, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Earlier we received information that illegal gold was being smuggled via this flight. We started searching this morning, however, the gold was recovered from under a seat of the flight and not from any passenger.”

The smugglers had made a plan to transfer the gold with the help of dishonest officials at the airport,

they kept it under a seat as they knew the passengers would be searched, he said.

“This is an old technique of gold smugglers. In recent times we have recovered gold bars from under seats and washrooms of planes. The smugglers first take the flight and hide the gold bars somewhere inside the plane. After landing, the dishonest airport officials hand over the gold in exchange for a huge sum of money,” said the joint commissioner.

Farid Al-Mamun, said: “We remain extra cautious about gold smugglers in particular, in case of flights that arrive from Dubai, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Singapore. We hope to stop this trend of smugglers with tighter security measures.”

No one was arrested in this connection. l

Only six convocation programmes have been held at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), although it has been in operation for 53 years. This has been a pioneering institution for higher agricultural studies not only in the country but in the South-Asian region in 1961.

It was learnt that the sixth convocation was held in 2011 while the rest in 1968, 1972, 1994, 1997 and 2003.

However, a special convocation was held in 1998 to give honorary D Lit to the father of ‘green revolution’ Dr Norman Borlaug, who was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970, for his contribution to feed a hungry world and increase food supply.

As per standard practice, convocation are held yearly for a university while the university authorities could not show any specific reason behind the delay in the convocation, the final prestigious academic ceremony where graduates get their main certificates from the Chancellor of the university.

Meanwhile, the former students demanded to organise the seventh convocation as early as possible, for which a students eagerly wait.

Harun-Or-Rashid, a Master’s student from the Poultry Science department told the Dhaka Tribune that: “I completed my graduation in 2013 and

I had a dream of obtaining certificate from the Chancellor at the 7th convocation. But my dream still remains unfulfilled.”

Another student from Animal Husbandry faculty, Akirul Islam, who completed his graduation in 2011 and has been working as a scientific officer at the Department of Livestock Services (DLS), echoed Harun’s opinion.

“It is our dream that we would receive our certificates from the Chancellor of the university, but we are not sure if it will come true as the university authorities seem to be least concerned about fulfilling our dream,” said Kamol, Raton, Nila, Nilima and Naflee, all of whom are from the Agriculture Department.

Contacted, BAU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Rafiqul Hoque said: “Due to a crisis in funds, campus unrest and some other bureaucratic complexities, it has become quite impossible to hold a convocation each year although we try our best.” He, however, said he had a plan to hold the seventh convection by the year end. l

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Erosion puts a Gaibandha village at risk n Our Corresopondent, Gaibandha

River erosion has taken a serious turn in Kamarpara village of Fulchhori upazila under Gaibandha district since Saturday jeopardising the lives of more than 500 families.

Many families have already moved elsewhere with their makeshift houses With a rapid rise of water level in Brahmaputra River, the erosion has already ravaged 50 kilometres of area in the village.

Many families have already moved elsewhere with their makeshift houses while many have taken shelter on the

flood control embankments in adjacent villages.

Still, more than 500 families, Fulchhori Degree College, Fulchhori Senior Madrasa, Eidgah field and two temples are under the threat of erosion.

“I was woken by a loud noise of erosion on Saturday night. After coming out of the house I found portions of my courtyard being broken down by the erosion,” said Nitai Mohonto, a day labourer of the village.

Nurunnabi Munshi, another resident of the village, feared that if proper steps were not taken to tame the river, this season the erosion might destroy each and every household in the village.

Abdul Awal Mia, executive engineer of Gaibandha Water Development Board, said sandbags were being laid down to control the onslaught of the erosion as part of the emergency procedures. l

The Water Development Board brings sand sacks to put those on the bank of the Brahmaputra River in a bid to check erosion. The photo was taken yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Slippery bamboo bridge poses great danger to school children in Natore

Shortage of doctors hits Gopalganj Sadar Hospital

n Our Correspondent, Natore

n Our Correspondent, Gopalganj

At least 150 students of Ekdala Government Primary in Naldanga upazila have been crossing a slippery bamboo bridge to go to the school even though it poses a great danger to their safety.

Consequently, parents pass their time amidgreat uncertainty during the school period as they fear their children will slip and fall into the water from the bridge.

It was learnt that most of the parts of Ekdala village under Khazura union remain submerged during the rainy seasons and that is why the residents developed their homes on a higher surface by amassing soil.

The school is located away from the main land and the authorities of which have been compelled to close it down during the rainy season after its establishment in 1929 due to the unavailability of a bridge.

To solve the problem, the locals on their own initiative built a bamboo bridge to go school.

Having the bridge be slippery, their children, most of whom do not know how to swim, may fall into the strong current of the water any time they risk their lives to cross it.

The school’s headmistress Suraiya Akter acknowledged the closure during the rainy season, saying the students can not gain adequate knowledge during the forced leave of absence of 3-4 months every year and they struggle to complete the syllabus.

She also said: “Locals made the bridge last year to ensure the at-

tendance of the students during the season, but this bridge poses a risk of losing one’s life by slipped off the bridge and into the strong current.”

Anisur Rahman, managing committee president of the school, echoed the voice of the headmistress, and he urged the local primary education officer and the UNO to solve the long-standing crisis and they assured

us of taking steps of building a bridge linking the school and the village.

When contacted, Porimal Kumar, Naldanga primary education officer, said necessary steps would be taken as early as possible.

Naldanga UNO Sharmin Akter Jahan acknowledged the problems, saying he already informed the matter to the higher authority. l

Students of Ekdala Government Primary in Naldanga upazila are seen crossing a crop land which is submerged by rainwater through a bamboo bridge. The photo was taken on Sunday AZAHAR UDDIN

NEWS IN BRIEF Female student gang raped

A female student was gang raped yesterday in the town while she was returning home from a coaching centre. Sources said a youth named Suman tricked the girl and took her to a hotel at Vina Square when she was on her way home from the coaching centre. The girl said Suman and his six friends raped her one after another leaving her unconscious.

– Our Correspondent, Magura

22 shops gutted At least 22 shops were gutted in a devastating fire incident in Mangal Bari Bazar area in the district yesterday. Dhamrai police station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Salam said the fire originated from an electric short circuit at a shop and engulfed the adjacent area burning 22 shops to the ground. On information, firefighters went the spot and doused the fire. The shop owners claimed that the loss caused by the fire could go up to Tk35 lakh.

– Our Correspondent, Naogaon

Lightning kills two Two siblings were killed by lightning strike at Joygoonjoth village in Tetulia upazila of Panchagarh district on Sunday evening. The victims were identified as Labu,18, and Hridoy,08, son of Abdur Rahim of the village. Local sources said lightning struck the duo around 7pm when they were fishing in the Karatoya river during rain. Locals rescued them and sent them to Panchagarh Sadar Hospital where on duty doctor declared them dead.

– Our Correspondent, Panchagarh

One dies after falling off roof A security guard died after falling from the roof of Enam Medical and Hospital in Savar, Dhaka yesterday. According to sources, Nabi Hossain,47, of Sariakandi hailed from Bogra. He had been working at the medical owned by MP Enamur Rahman for 15 years. On the day, he fell down while he was working on the roof. He died on the spot.

– Our Correspondent, Savar

Uncle kills nephew A child was killed by his uncle at Kapasia in the district yesterday over land disputes. The deceased was identified as Tarikul Islam Joy,4, in Sreepur village. According to police sources, Ayes Ali and his men strangled Joy to death at night by entering the room when Lokman’s mother went to toilet leaving him alone.

SI Dulal of Kapasia police station said Ayes killed Joy over family feud centering land.

– Our Correspondent, Gazipur

Shortages of doctors in the 250-bed general hospital has been struggling to treat children both at its indoors and outdoors departments in Gopalganj.

An influx of child in-patients and out-patients has made it more difficult.

At least 250 child out-patients come to the hospital while its 35-bed child in-patients ward remains crowded with patients every day.

A total of 85 patients were admitted to the hospital’s child in-patient ward on Sunday.

There are three doctors now engaged in the children’s ward. One of them a pediatrician, but he has recently been transferred to Sheikh Sahera Khatun Medical College.

The posts of a senior pediatrician, an in-

door medical and a registrar also have long been vacant, but authorities still do not seem to be in a hurry to fill the vacancies.

Physician Amrita Lal Biswas, who treats children at the hospital, attributed the change to the spurt of child patients in the district.

The children were mainly being affected with pneumonia, bronchitis and birth asphyxia, he said.

A man named Mrinmoy Majumder, who hails from Bhandarkhola village in the district’s Mollahat upazila, said he was standing in a long queue with his child for a few hours but was yet to reach the outdoor doctor.

On seeing such a long line, many parents and guardians had left the hospital soon after coming here. More doctors should be assigned to this outdoor unit, he said. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE | Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Advertisement

7

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

US wins diplomatic support for campaign in Iraq; Syria trickier France sends fighter jets for reconnaissance mission over Iraq

n

n Reuters, Dubai

Reuters, Paris

World powers backed military measures yesterday to help defeat Islamic State fighters in Iraq, boosting Washington’s efforts to set up a coalition, but made no mention of the tougher diplomatic challenge next door in Syria.

France sent fighter jets on a reconnaissance mission over Iraq, a step closer to becoming the first ally to join the United States in new bombing there since President Barack Obama declared his plans to establish a broad coalition last week.

Paris also hosted an international conference, attended by the five UN Security Council permanent members, European and Arab states, and representatives of the EU, Arab League and United Nations. All pledged to help the government in Baghdad fight against Islamic State militants.

But a statement after Monday’s conference made no mention at all of Syria - the other country where Islamic State fighters hold a wide swathe of territory.

Iraq attended Monday’s meeting but Syria did not, nor did its main regional ally, Iran.

Obama pledged last week to establish a coalition to defeat Islamic State fighters in both Iraq and Syria, plunging the United States into two separate civil wars in which nearly every country in the Middle East has a stake.

“All participants underscored the urgent need to remove Daesh from the regions in which it has established itself in Iraq,” said a statement after Monday’s talks, using an Arabic acro-

500 feared dead in Mediterranean migrant shipwreck n AFP, Rome As many as 500 migrants could have died after traffickers rammed and sank their boat in the Mediterranean last week, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said yesterday, quoting survivors.

Two Palestinians plucked from the water by a freighter on Thursday after their boat capsized near Malta told the organization that there had been around 500 passengers on the vessel, which was wrecked on purpose by people smugglers.

“Two survivors brought to Sicily told us that there had been at least 500 people on board. Nine other survivors were rescued by Greek and Maltese ships, but all the rest appear to have perished,” Flavio Di Giacomo, IOM’s spokesman in Italy, told AFP. Details of the shipwreck could not be independently verified.

According to the survivors, the Syrian, Palestinian, Egyptian and Sudanese migrants set out from Damietta in Egypt on September 6, and were forced to change boats several times during the crossing towards Europe. l

Iraq’s President Fuad Masum (2ndL), French President Francois Hollande (3rdL), French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius (C) and US Secretary of States John Kerry (3rdR) pose for a family photo during the International Conference on Peace and Security in Iraq, that brought together about 30 countries to discuss how to cooperate in the fight against Islamic State militants REUTERS nym for the group which now calls itself Islamic State.

“To that end, they committed to supporting the new Iraqi Government in its fight against Daesh, by any means necessary, including appropriate military assistance....” it said.

Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said French aircraft would begin reconnaissance flights over Iraq. A French official said two Rafale fighter jets and a refuelling aircraft had taken off on Monday for Iraq.

“The throat-slitters of Daesh - that’s

what I’m calling them - tell the whole world ‘Either you’re with us or we kill you’. And when one is faced with such a group there is no other attitude than to defend yourself,” Fabius told a news conference at the end of the talks.

Iraqi President Fouad Massoum told Monday’s conference he hoped the Paris meeting would bring a “quick response.”

“Islamic State’s doctrine is either you support us or kill us . It has committed massacres and genocidal crimes and ethnic purification,” he told delegates.

Iran rebuffs US invitation to join antiIslamic State coalition

Vote of confidence

Monday’s conference was an important vote of confidence for the new Iraqi government, formed last week, led by a member of Iraq’s Shi’ite majority, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, and also including minority Sunnis and Kurds in important jobs.

Iraq’s allies hope that Abadi will prove a more consensual leader than his predecessor Nuri al-Maliki. They hope that the new Iraqi government will win back support from Sunnis who had backed the Islamic State’s revolt. l

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said yesterday he had vetoed a US invitation to cooperate in fighting Islamic State, but Washington insisted it would not coordinate militarily with Iran against the militants.

“The American ambassador in Iraq asked our ambassador (in Iraq) for a session to discuss coordinating a fight against Daesh (Islamic State),” said Khamenei, in quotes carried on state news agency IRNA. “Our ambassador in Iraq reflected this to us, which was welcomed by some (Iranian) officials, but I was opposed. I saw no point in cooperating with a country whose hands are dirty and intentions murky.”

He said it was Iran’s choice not to work with the country the Islamic Republic has traditionally called the Great Satan, having also refused similar overtures to Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his deputy Abbas Araqchi.

Khamenei rejected recent comments by US Secretary of State John Kerry that Washington was opposed to any Iranian role in a international coalition against Islamic State.

“Now they (the U.S) are lying, in saying that it is them who excluded us from their coalition, while it was Iran that refused to participate in this collation to begin with,” said Khamenei, 75, who left hospital on Monday following prostate surgery.

In Paris, a conference opened on Monday to discuss how to curb the jihadist movement that has seized a third of Iraq and Syria. Iran

was not represented.

Khamenei questioned US resolve in fighting Islamic State, which has captured tracts of land in Syria and Iraq and has become the most potent opposition to Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, an ally of Iran’s.

‘The Americans should keep in mind that if they go ahead with such a thing, then the same problems that they faced in Iraq in the past 10 years will come back,’ he said “American officials’ comments on forming an anti-Islamic State (alliance) are blank, hollow and self-serving, and contradictions in their behaviours and statements attest to this fact,” said Khamenei.

Khamenei said Washington wanted in Iraq what it had in Pakistan – “a playground where they can enter freely and bomb at will.”

“The Americans should keep in mind that if they go ahead with such a thing, then the same problems that they faced in Iraq in the past 10 years will come back,” he said, referring to years of conflict between US forces and an array of armed Iraqi groups. l

Swedish left-wing bloc wins election

Al Qaeda denies decline, admits mistakes by its branches

n Agencies

n Reuters

Sweden’s centre-left Social Democrats and allies are poised to return to power after defeating the centre-right government, in a general election that also resulted in strong gains for an anti-immigration party.

With all voting districts tallied by Monday morning, the Social Democrat-led bloc won 43.7% of the vote while the ruling centre-right coalition, led by the Moderate Party, gained 39.3%.

But the anti-immigration farright Sweden Democrats were celebrating large gains as the party won 12.9% of votes cast - more than doubling the 5.7% of votes won in the 2010 election.

“Sweden friends, party friends, now we’re Sweden’s third-largest party,” party leader Jimmie Akesson told cheering supporters late on Sunday.

With no majority reached, a complicated process of forming a government is expected as the centre-left pledged not to cooperate with the Sweden Democrats.

The outgoing coalition has made the same promise.

The Social Democrats’ leader and prime minister-designate, Stefan Lofven, a former union leader, reiterated this pledge in his midnight victory speech.

His party has said it will team up with the Greens, and in his speech, Lofven said he was “extending a hand” to “democratic parties,” stressing that Sweden was facing a new parliamentary situation.

“It’s time to put party interests aside,” he said. “Our country is too small for conflicts.”

The Social Democrats dominated Swedish politics during most of the 20th century and its single-party government ruled the country from 1994 to 2006 with support from allies.

The current prime minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt, who led the country during eight years of tax reductions and pro-market reforms, said he would hand in his resignation on Monday and also leave the leadership of the Moderates in spring. l

Al Qaeda dismissed as “lies” a US assessment that it is in decline, but a defiant online message issued by the network on Sunday made no mention of the ultra-hardline Islamic State group widely seen as its rival for the leadership of global jihad.

“Whatever slip-ups or errors (regional branches)...may have committed are limited in number in the midst of mountains of good deeds and successes,” said Hossam Abdul Raouf, an Egyptian veteran of the militant group.

He said compensation and apologies had been given to unintended victimsm but gave no details.

Raouf, who served under assassinated leader Osama Bin Laden, said the group was expanding across the world.

Al Qaeda faces a challenge to its leadership of the radical Islamist struggle with the West by the Islamic State group, and may be seeking to burnish its credentials as its rival girds for a fight to protect land it has seized in Iraq and Syria.

The United States and Arab neigh-

bours pledged to fight IS last week, and American warplanes have pounded its positions in Iraq for over a month.

IS ‘caliphate’

Islamic State’s declaration of a “caliphate,” or religious state over its lands has not been recognised by al Qaeda, which has produced a series of videos in recent weeks detailing its own activities but shying away from criticizing IS. IS released a video on Saturday night showing the beheading of a British hostage.

The US State Department in its annual terrorism report published in April said: “As a result of both ongoing worldwide efforts against the organization and senior leadership losses, AQ core’s leadership has been degraded, limiting its ability to conduct attacks and direct its followers.”

The US has repeatedly killed top al Qaeda leaders, including Bin Laden, in the group’s haven on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, where its leaders live under the protection of local militants to whom they swear allegiance.

Global affiliates of the group, how-

ever, have grabbed territory and harassed Western-backed governments in Somalia, Algeria and Yemen - attacking soldiers, bombing government installations and often killing civilians.

“How then can al Qaeda have shrunken greatly and lost many of its senior leaders at a time when it is expanding horizontally and opening new fronts dependent on it?” Raouf said, although he said these groups had often erred.

Al Qaeda fell out with IS - whose roots lie in Iraq - in 2013 over its expansion into Syria, where the militants have carried out beheadings, crucifixions, and mass executions.

The global group’s leader, Ayman al Zawahiri, designated the Nusra Front, another jihadi group which has clashed with IS, its representative in Syria.

Counter-terrorism experts say al Qaeda’s ageing leadership is struggling to compete for recruits with Islamic State, which has galvanised young followers, seized advanced weapons from Iraqi and Syrian forces while accruing a vast store of cash. l

A Scottish ‘Yes’ also means exit from EU, Nato n AP, Brussels

In this September 11 file photo, demonstrators stand on the streets waving their ‘estelada’ flags, that symbolises Catalonia’s independence, during a protest calling for the independence of Catalonia in Barcelona, Spain. In breaking away from the UK, Scotland would automatically find itself outside both the EU and Nato, and have to reapply to join both AP

If Scottish voters this week say Yes to independence, not only will they tear up the map of Great Britain, they’ll shake the twin pillars of Western Europe’s postwar prosperity and security — the European Union and the US-led Nato defense alliance.

In breaking away from the rest of the United Kingdom, Scotland would automatically find itself outside both the EU and Nato, and have to reapply to join both, officials from those Brussels-based organizations have stressed.

For the EU especially, Scottish re-entry could be a long and arduous process, with other countries dead set against letting the Scots retain the privileges awarded Britain: the so-called opt-outs from being required to use the euro single currency and to join the multination Schengen zone where internal border controls have been scrapped.

For Nato’s admirals and generals, the current Scottish government’s insistence on a sovereign Scotlandbecoming free of nuclear weapons would pose enormous strategic and operational headaches, even if a transitional grace period were agreed on.

A new home port would have to be

found for the Royal Navy’s four Trident missile-carrying submarines and their thermonuclear warheads, currently based on the Clyde.

This “risks undermining the collective defense and deterrence of Nato allies,” Britain’s Ministry of Defense has said. In what might be read as a warning to the Scots, the ministry has said a nuclear-free stance could constitute a “significant” hurdle to Scotland being allowed back into Nato.

Until Scotland rejoined the alliance, to which it›s belonged with the rest of Britain for 65 years, new arrangements would also need to be found to patrol vital shipping routes in the North Atlantic and North Sea. If Scotland were to choose not to rejoin, it would pose a conundrum for Nato for which there is no real precedent: what to do following the loss of a developed, democratically governed part of alliance territory that has opted for neutrality, said Daniel Troup, research analyst at the Nato Council of Canada.

Emergence of a new Western European country of 5 million inhabitants with roughly the land area of the Czech Republic or the US state of Maine or would also set in motion political and social forces whose effects are impossible to predict. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

9

India: Bypoll results today, stakes high for BJP n Agencies Counting of votes will be held today in three Lok Sabha and 33 assembly constituencies spread across 10 Indian states where bypolls were held on September 13, with stakes high for the ruling BJP, PTI reported..

The three Lok Sabha seats are in Vadodara (Gujarat), vacated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mainpuri (Uttar Pradesh) and Medak (Telangana) while 11 assembly constituencies are in UP, nine in Gujarat, four in Rajasthan, two in West Bengal, five in Northeastern states and one each in Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.

24 of these assembly seats were held

by BJP and one each by its allies Apna Dal and TDP. After BJP’s near-total sweep of the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh in Lok Sabha polls just four months ago, it is to be seen whether the party can retain its 10 seats. One seat was earlier with its ally Apna Dal. Last month, the saffron party had received a jolt in assembly byelections suffering a 4-6 defeat at the hands of the RJD-JD(U)-Congress alliance in Bihar and yielding two strongholds to Congress in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.

Today’s bypoll results, seen as yet another test of Narendra Modi government’s popularity since it assumed power in May, are also important as BJP is preparing for polls in Haryana and Maharashtra next month where it hopes to oust the Congress.

Around 53% votes were polled in the

Drug addicts stage mass breakout in Vietnam n Agencies More than 400 Vietnamese drug addicts have escaped from a rehabilitation centre where they had been detained so that they could receive compulsory treatment, a local official said.

The detainees, many wielding sticks, broke free from the centre near the port city of Haiphong in northeast Vietnam late on Sunday.

“More than 400 inmates fled after breaking the door and threatened the guards of the centre with sticks,” Nguyen Huy Hoang, an official from Thuy Nguyen district - where the centre is located - told the AFP news agency.

US-based Human Rights Watch has denounced the conditions in Vietnam’s rehabilitation centres and a UN expert has recommended they be closed.

HRW says the treatment centres are “forced labour camps” where inmates do not receive proper healthcare and are often subjected to physical violence.

Police found some of the addicts back at their homes, while about 30 others voluntarily returned to the treatment centre. l

seats in UP, including Mainpuri vacated

by Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav. SP has fielded Tej Pratap Singh Yadav, the grandson of Mulayam’s elder brother and the challenge for it is not just to win the seat again but also to maintain the big margin.

The 11 assembly seats in UP, whose outcome may be a pointer to which way the political wind is blowing in the run up to 2017 assembly polls, are Saharanpur Nagar, Noida, Thakurdwara, Bijnor, Nighasan, Balha, Sirathu, Rohaniya, Hamirpur, Charkhari and Lucknow East.

In Rajasthan, it is a close contest between main opposition Congress and the ruling BJP, which would try to retain all four seats and maintain a tally of 163 in the House of 200. The four assembly seats in Rajasthan saw a voting figure of 66 per cent.

The counting of votes would begin in four district headquarters of Jhunjhunu, Ajmer, Kota and Bharatpur tomorrow at 0800 hrs, Chief Electoral Officer Govind Sharma said in Jaipur.

Trinamool Congress is hoping to retain two assembly seats of Basirhat Dakshin and Chowringhee in West Bengal in the face of Saradha chit fund scam that has already ensnared some of its leaders.

In Gujarat, Narendra Modi’s successor as chief minister Anandiben Patel is facing her first big test with the bypolls in Vadodara LS seat and in nine assembly constituencies, all held by BJP earlier.

It is the first election in Gujarat in more than 12 years that BJP fought without its star campaigner Modi. l

An Indonesian worker wears a mask of Japanese character doraemon during a rally against cheap wages in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 15. Thousands of factory workers took to the streets in the capital to protest against outsourcing and low wages AP

Indonesia’s Widodo looks to technocrats for cabinet n Reuters, Jakarta Indonesia’s president-elect Joko Widodo said yesterday just over half of the members of his cabinet will be technocrats, including the ministers of finance, energy and state-owned enterprises.

Widodo, who won a July election and will take office on Oct. 20, has promised a technocratic government in a country with a long tradition of ministers being appointed for political reasons.

“What is most important is that we want to build a strong cabinet,” Widodo told a news conference in Jakarta.

He said of the 34 ministerial positions, 18 would be filled by professionals while the rest would be “party professionals.”

Andi Wijajanto, an adviser to Widodo, told Reuters that meant ministers could be “from political parties but they must be experts in that field.”

Widodo did not name any cabinet

ministers. He is expected to announce his team in early October.

In a departure from outgoing president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s unwieldy coalition-building, Widodo has tried to avoid cutting deals with political parties in exchange for support but he faces pressure from within his camp to share out power.

Yudhoyono faced criticism during his second term for making political appointments to key portfolios such as the

Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry.

The energy minister, a senior figure in Yudhoyono’s ruling Democratic Party, stepped down this month after the anti-graft agency identified him as a suspect in a graft case. He has vouched for his integrity and agreed to follow the legal process.

Widodo, flanked by his transition team, announced minor changes to the cabinet structure in a bid to streamline the bureaucracy. l

With eye on China, Modi’s India to develop disputed border region

Modi raises performance bar for ministers by 10%

n Reuters, New Delhi

n Agencies

India has eased restrictions on building roads and military facilities along its disputed border with China, as the new government seeks to close the gap on its neighbour’s superior transport network and take a stronger stance on Beijing.

Indian environment minister Prakash Javadekar told Reuters he had relaxed environmental rules within 100 km (62 miles) of the contested border in remote Arunachal Pradesh in order to speed up construction of some 6,000 km of roads.

The move, which also allows for the construction of army stations, arms depots, schools and hospitals in the sparsely populated Himalayan region, was announced days before Chinese President Xi Jinping visits India on Sept. 17-18.

“This is about defence preparedness,” said Javadekar. “On the Chinese side of the border, not only have they built good roads, they are building up their railway network. Our army faces problems because of the bad quality of roads,” he added. Work on the roads will start in the coming months.

India’s shift is consistent with ex-

pectations that Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who swept to power in elections four months ago, would take a tougher line on territorial disputes with neighbouring countries.

Indian efforts at development in the region have been relatively restrained in recent years Asian great-power diplomacy stirred to life when Modi made clear his intention to play an active role on the world stage by inviting regional leaders to his inauguration in May. His first bilateral visit outside the region was to Japan, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made a two-stop tour of South Asia earlier this month, pre-empting Xi’s trip to the region this week.

After taking office, Modi moved quickly to appoint a former army chief as a minister for the northeast border region to accelerate development.

The road building plan marks a significant expansion of infrastructure in far-flung Arunachal Pradesh, a rugged, mountainous, 84,000 square km (32,400 square mile) region that China calls South Tibet.

China has vastly improved roads and is building or extending airports on its side of the border in Tibet.

According to a 2010 Pentagon report, it had placed nuclear-capable intermediate missiles in the area and deployed around 300,000 troops across the Tibetan plateau.

The Modi government’s roads programme could aid plans to establish a mountain strike corps of 80,000 troops who can move easily along its border.

The world’s two most populous nations fought a brief frontier war in the area in 1962, and Chinese maps still show all of Arunachal Pradesh within China’s borders.

Indian efforts at development in the region have been relatively restrained in recent years. In 2013, Modi’s predecessor announced plans for 850 km (530 miles) of new roads in the border region, and proposals to upgrade airfields made little headway. l

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently called himself a ‘hard taskmaster’, has set his ministers a minimum 10% target for enhancing existing infrastructure in their areas of responsibility by the end of the financial year, Hindustan Times reported.

And he plans to keep an eye on them. The task of monitoring the performance of ministries has been given to the Planning Commission, and later to the think tank that replaces it.

The government is currently giving shape to the think tank but has already decided on some of its functions, one of which will be to oversee the implementation of the PM’s innovations such as Digital India, Skill India and Swacch Bharat, senior government officials said.

It would be required to submit regular reports to the Prime Minister’s Office.

The PMO’s direction, quoting Modi, to ministries to add 10% to existing physical infrastructure and services provided by March 2015 would translate into mobile services for half of India’s rural villages, a minimum 80% literacy level (from the current 72%)

Hofman’s giant white rabbit damaged by fire in Taiwan

Pakistan police targeted in attacks

n AFP

n AFP, Pakistan

Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman’s giant white rabbit, which drew more than two million visitors on show in Taiwan, was partially damaged by a fire when workers were trying to dismantle it, organisers said Monday.

The left hand, left ear and part of the torso of the rabbit, designed exclusively for the 11-day show in northern Taoyuan county that ended on Sunday, were burnt after a fire started on the lawn where it was being displayed, organisers said.

The cause of the incident is being investigated while officials suspected that the engine of a truck used to remove the rabbit might have overheated and caused the fire, they added.

The beaming bunny, which was 25 metres (82.5 feet) tall and made of waterproof paper material, wood and polystyrene, was to be recycled after the show.

The creation was inspired by ancient Chinese folklore about a goddess who lived on the moon and her companion – a rabbit which constantly pounded the elixir of life for her.

Another of Hofman’s works, the famous giant inflatable duck exhibit, caused a sensation worldwide and particularly in Asia.

Three people have been killed in attacks by suspected Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan fighters targeting police officers in Pakistan’s restive northwest, police officials have said.

On Monday, a suicide bomber killed one policeman in Tahl, about 100km southwest of Peshawar, while two brothers of a police station chief died in a separate attack on his home in Dera Ismail Khan, a city further south along the Indus river.

“A group of up to six militants attacked Tahl police station and one of the attackers blew himself when police intercepted them and responded to firing,” district police chief Anwar Saeed Kundi told the AFP news agency.

“A policeman was martyred and another was wounded,” he said, adding that the remaining attackers fled after the suicide bombing. Separately fighters attacked the home of a police station chief in Dera Ismail Khan, about 240km south of Peshawar, and killed his two brothers, district police chief Sadiq Baloch said.

The police officer, Saifur Rehman, was not at home when the attack occurred, he added.

Florentijn Hofman’s giant 25 metres (82.5 feet) tall ‘Moon Rabbit’ was made of waterproof paper material, wood and polystyrene AFP Since 2007 the duck – which was 16.5 metres tall – has travelled to 19 cities in 11 countries, including Brazil, Australia, the United States and Hong Kong, on its journey around the world.

It has also spawned many replicas.

Last year, three Taiwanese cities displayed their versions of the creation. But all were forced temporarily to suspend their exhibitions due to bad weather or damage. l

Baloch said Rehman’s brothers were killed in revenge for an operation on Sunday in which one fighter was killed and another wounded.

Nobody has claimed the responsibility for the attacks but Pakistani Taliban fighters are known to routinely target police and security forces in the area.

North Waziristan has become a major base for the Tehreek-eTaliban Pakistan or Pakistani Taliban Pakistan began a long-awaited push to clear armed group bases from the North Waziristan tribal area in June after a raid on Karachi airport dashed hopes in a series of faltering peace talks with the rebels.

North Waziristan has become a major base for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan or Pakistani Taliban, which rose up against the state in 2007.

Pakistan’s army says it has killed more than 900 fighters and lost 82 soldiers since the start of the operation. l

and 19% gross enrolment ratio in higher education (17% now).

The road transport ministry headed by Nitin Gadkari will have to add 7,700km of new roads and highways compared to its target of 7,000km. The PM wants 500km of new railway tracks instead of the 300km target presented by Railway Minister Sadanand Gowda. Similarly, targets for civil aviation and shipping ministries have also been upped.

“This is the minimum the PMO has prescribed,” a government official said, adding that anything over and above would add to the annual performance of ministers and secretaries.

A union minister, who refused to be named, said the initiative would push them to achieve more. “The Prime Minister is targeting us to do more for the country, and we will try our best. We, as well as the bureaucrats, will be under pressure but it will help us deliver.”

The PMO has told plan panel secretary Sindhushree Khullar to prepare a template for reviewing the performance of ministries with the new target in mind. Monitoring divisions of the panel are being strengthened with staff from other units. l

S Korean fisherman finds possible North drone n Agencies A South Korean fisherman has found a suspected North Korean drone near a frontline island south of the rivals’ disputed sea border, military officials said.

The wreckage, without a wing, engine or camera, was recovered when it got caught in his net off Baengnyeong island, a South Korean defence ministry spokesman said.

“Its shape and colour were similar to those of the unmanned aerial vehicles discovered earlier,” he said.

In March and April, South Korea retrieved crashed drones equipped with cameras in three different places, including Baengnyeong island and the northern border city of Paju.

Military officials said their memory chips contained pictures of border areas and the capital Seoul, including the presidential palace.

After a joint investigation with US experts, Seoul claimed to have secured “smoking gun” proof that the three recovered drones were flown from North Korea and had been pre-programmed to fly over South Korean military installations.

North Korea angrily denied any involvement and accused the South of “fabricating” the evidence. l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

CODE-CRACKER

Extortion must not go unpunished

E

very citizen deserves and expects the protection of the law.

Unfortunately, the record of our law enforcement agencies in ensuring public safety is often pitiful to say the least.

Extortion is at an all time high, and criminals are so emboldened that extortionists have started making phone calls to bank managers demanding money.

Lawlessness has a huge impact on investment in Bangladesh.

It is a major deterrent to much needed foreign investment, as multinational companies are reluctant to invest in countries where their managers and executives may be targeted by extortionists or kidnappers.

The sorry state of law and order also encourages capital flight as many Bangladeshi business people are motivated to relocate their families abroad for this very reason.

Sufficient security measures must be taken to uphold the rule of law and guarantee the safety and security of all citizens.

The home ministry must take more effective steps to act against criminals and those who impede the honest administration of business in the country.

All practical measures have to be implemented to reduce the amount of time required to close investigations into criminal cases.

The slow pace at which they proceed currently helps to enable corruption and encourages criminals to keep committing crimes.

The ruling party must set an example by not protecting activists and supporters found to be engaging in criminal acts.

The government must provide the public with more safety and security from criminals so that fear of crime does not continue to be a blight on the nation. Extortion must not go unpunished.

Lawlessness is a major deterrent to investment.

Take more effective steps to stop extortion and criminality

Helping UAE workers a must for remittance

W

e welcome the government sending a diplomatic delegation to the United Arab Emirates in order to discuss reopening the labour market there for Bangladeshi workers.

As the UAE recently ceased granting visas to Bangladeshi workers, it is imperative that urgent diplomatic efforts are undertaken to reopen the door to Bangladeshi migrants.

There are believed to be nearly 1.2 million Bangladeshi migrant workers in the UAE, making it the second-largest employer of Bangladeshi expatriates. The importance of this market cannot be understated as it is such a major source of the remittances which are vital for our economy.

Bangladesh Bank recorded remittances of around $14.46bn in FY2012-13, contributing to around 10% of national GDP. Remittances have proved invaluable in helping to alleviate poverty, raise living standards, and to develop the rural economy.

They account for two-thirds of the country’s total foreign exchange reserves and are essential for assisting the pace of national development efforts.

As a country that relies heavily on the remittances being sent in by our estimated 8 million expatriate workers, it is vital that the government take swift, diplomatic action in cases where their future growth is threatened.

The Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit at Dhaka University recently reported that the country’s labour attachés have often failed to ensure adequate services and representation for workers abroad. This cannot have helped the country in maintaining good relations and representation with labour importing partner countries.

The government needs to revitalise diplomatic efforts at all levels to help keep remittances growing.

Revitalise diplomatic efforts at all levels to keep remittances growing

Be heard Write to Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Sukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email letters.dt@dhakatribune.com Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

Why go private?

How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 12 represents F so fill F every time the figure 12 appears.

You have one letter in the control grid to start you off. Enter it in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters go in the missing squares.

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

As you get the letters, fill in the other squares with the same number in the main grid, and the control grid. Check off the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

September 9 Ayan Rahman I just left the English Department of Rajshahi University because of the faculty’s carelessness towards its students. I personally felt betrayed being there. Students are not motivated, inspired, or supported. Their attitudes imply that they let us be admitted out of formality. There is rarely any day when a teacher doesn’t miss classes.

They skip classes for various personal and totally avoidable reasons. I have seen teachers sitting in their chambers just gossiping with people instead of taking their classes. If they do appear in the class, they just focus on students’ attitudes and their own personal lives. If they do read out any topics from the book, that would just sound like listening to a recording. They just wait for the moment to leave.

Obviously there are punctual and sincere teachers as well. But there’s no cooperation

among the faculty members. Each teacher maintains his/her own personality, and doesn’t want to get into something productive for the department as a whole. They don’t look at the academic calendar that it is passing by, and they haven’t completed reading out their books. Yes, their reading of literature simply means to read out from random books.

They don’t even care if students fail in their exams. From their behaviour, it would seem that they want students to get low marks as they themselves couldn’t get better marks. Their torture would appear very normal to many. But I would advise you to look at the CGPAs the students get, and when. Teachers are reluctant to take the final exams and publish the results. They are harassing the students just to make their future hard.

I hope UGC has some sort of concerns over this too.

SUDOKU How to solve: 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.

Is there any Islamic basis for blasphemy law?

Razakars and murtads?

September 9

September 8

PB Thanks! #Blasphemy is not present in the #Quran! Feeling relieved.

FA The blasphemy law was invented by the British in order to protect the king and the clergy. In fact Muslims are forbidden to imitate the creeds of the Jews and Christians as it is written in the Quran: “For, never will the Jews be pleased with thee … nor yet the Christians, unless thou follow their own creeds. Say: ‘Behold, God’s guidance is the only true guidance.’ And, indeed, if thou shouldst follow their errant views after all the knowledge that has come unto thee. Thou wouldst have none to protect thee from God, and none to bring thee succour.” (Surah Baqarah, Verse # 120) MK They’re all wearing my grandmother’s house dress.

2 villages declared malnutrition-free in Fulbari September 9

Lutfur Arif “Six other villages in the upazila were also declared fully sanitised and free from child death.”

This is certainly good news!

Chowdhury Aktaruzzaman Which are those two villages? Thanks.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Shafiqur Rahman “If anything, this rigidity of ideological groupthink has only solidified in the past decade.”

Why do you (the author) say the bifurcation is between razakars and murtads? Among the social circle that you inhabit (I presume) anti-ALers are probably more irreligious than AL devotees. The mudslinging in this circle is between razakars and fascists. Call a spade a spade. Do not pull punches in fear of being labeled a razakar.

Education Ministry for DGFI, NSI to stop question leakage September 9

Nazmul Khair But a few days earlier, our minister said there was no question of leakage happening. I respect him and believe that declaring that statement was for politics.

But a man like him should go as far as needed to stop this. The good students are in pain and suffering now, as the bad ones have lined up what they need to do for their future.

In conclusion, please do not mix politics with education.

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Harvest (4) 5 Staggers (5) 9 Sophisticated (6) 10 Tear (3) 11 Refuse of grain (4) 12 Light beer (5) 14 Tree (5) 16 Irritation (4) 19 Auction (4) 21 Social class (5) 24 Useful thing (5) 27 Notion (4) 29 Opening (3) 30 Stretch out (6) 31 Grassy surface (5) 32 Probability (4)

DOWN 1 Gem (4) 2 Do wrong (3) 3 Counting frame (6) 4 Window glass (4) 5 Tells a story (7) 6 Work unit (3) 7 Falsehood (3) 8 Merry frolic (5) 13 Curve (3) 15 Widened (7) 17 Paid attention (6) 18 Hidden obstacles (5) 20 Top card (3) 22 Former Yugoslav leader (4) 23 Passing crazes (4) 25 Tool (3) 26 Mineral spring (3) 28 Finish (3)

PA Why not call in the military?

BARI admits no health tests done on Bt brinjal September 9

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

SK Ohhh yes, the begunis couldn’t wait.

PEANUTS

CROSSWORD

Dr Sheikh Farid Ahammod “We could not carry out any test regarding human health hazards of Bt brinjal in Bangladesh due to the absence of necessary laboratories.”

Avoid Bt brinjal, at all costs.

Shammi Huda The first three years of this produce should be consumed entirely in the parliament and in the prime minister’s office.

US eases visa application process September 9 Ekram Kabir So what? Shall we dance?

SUDOKU

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

11

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

No solidarity n Jackie Kabir

M

Education may not be an option for the poor

F

R

O

M

BIGSTOCK

T

H

E

M

A

R

G

I

N

S

Education damnation

T

n Ikhtisad Ahmed here are very few things that politicians of different creeds agree on, with the exception of rising to, being in, and clinging on to power. It is tempting to think that gold dust of this variety is an urban myth that is the product of black humour.

However, whether it is disingenuous or not, all politicians are quick to espouse the virtues of education and commit to working for it.

On the rare days when there are no crises in the Middle East or Third World retrogression and devastation to report, child labour and its inverse relation with education is highlighted, as the human rights stories that intersperse reportage of the meaningless noises made by politicians.

The subject is reflexively associated with the developmentally challenged world. Therefore, when a recent news item on the topic emerged in relation to the US instead of Bangladesh, most would have been forgiven for dismissing it as a hoax. It could not be true that the laws of the country that the world aspires to allow those aged 12 and over to work unlimited hours on farms, so long as there is no conflict with school.

The glee of prospective employers may have been cut short by the developed world rationale of education, but it has not kept them from subjecting children to the rigours and dangers of working on tobacco farms. It ought not be true that the US allows child cruelty of a variety that other tobacco-produc-

ing nations, including Brazil and India who are yet to dine at the head table of the developed world, do not allow.

Sadly, it is.

As with all menial labour, those subjected to this are largely immigrants or children of migrant workers, groups amongst whom education is overridden by financial needs. It is the same logic that prevails in Bangladesh, where 12.8% of children between the ages of five and 14 are child labourers due to circumstances.

like Bangladesh make it difficult to make the case for education according to Western standards in an optimistic and encouraging manner, much less a compelling one.

The ever-widening gap in equality and class divide make a broader interpretation of the American tobacco farming model more likely to be applicable nationwide than any substantial leaps being made in relation to education.

The government has repeatedly

The realities in a country like Bangladesh make it difficult to make the case for education according to Western standards

The national average rises to 19.1% in slums and underprivileged areas, and 17.6% in tribal areas. Education is not a viable alternative to work for the poverty-stricken because, firstly, there is a fiscal detriment instead of an immediate monetary benefit, and, secondly, education does not necessarily guarantee an improvement in the standard of living in the long-term.

In fact, in many cases, such as farm work, the loss of experience in choosing education over work sets the individuals back. The realities in a country

committed significant portions of the budget to education – 14.5% of a smaller budget in 2007-2008, 13.1% of a larger one in 2014-2015, with a similar percentage in the intervening years.

Overlooking the rampant corruption that exists, and always has, and the use of such sums relative to the prevalent problem of lack of education, compounded by overpopulation, does not solve all the budgetary issues.

The small print reveals that the allocation is for education and technology, not the former alone. The ruling party

announced Digital Bangladesh as one of the key promises of its Vision 2021 document. Greater access to computer technology, in the hopes that increased technological transparency and literacy would help proliferate education, greater healthcare, and human rights, while making it more difficult to get away with corruption, would be ensured by broad policy changes that were, and have remained, ambiguous.

In contrast, a detailed policy paper published in 2009 outlined recommendations and goals for Digital Britain. While it too was overly ambitious, with the enhancements of the Digital Economy Act 2010 that stemmed from the policy counteracted by the inability to achieve 100% internet proliferation and other failures, the report was largely plausible.

Moreover, owing to its status, there is no obligation for any government to implement it, even partially. Digital Bangladesh, on the other hand, is an election manifesto promise that needs to be delivered on if the government is to be judged as a success.

Rather than examining technological capabilities and exploring future potential based on that, it places demands on the government. Tethering the fulfilment of those demands to the plight of education is disastrous, and potentially fatal, for both. One wonders where that will leave the government. l

alaysia has become a very popular holiday destination for Bangladeshis. One of the fastest growing economies and its infrastructure make it worthwhile to visit the country. The crisscross elevated expressways, more than hundred-floored high rise buildings, numerous shopping complexes, and the twin towers add to the grandeur of the capital.

Bangladesh exports human resources for its development work. As many as around 500,000 Bangladeshi people live in Malaysia. They are mostly involved in jobs. The country is populated by three ethnic communities: The Malays who originally lived there, and the Chinese and Tamils who were brought in by the British to work in the palm plantation and other industrial factories. The country earned its independence in 1957. The government, mainly Mahathir Mohhamed’s, has worked relentlessly for its development since then.

Though in the 1960s, it was considered an opportunity for any Malaysian scholar to get invited by a Bangladeshi university or research centre, the scenario has reversed since then. Most of the universities there offer students and scholars the opportunity to research and study in different fields.

Since 2012, Malaysia has been working on travelling to the international space centre.

I met two such groups during my visit, one was of medical students attending a quiz competition, with four from Bangladeshi medical colleges, who had participated. Another was a group of university teachers who attended summer camp at University of Perils.

Bangladesh and Malaysia agreed on manpower exports in 1992. It is one of the five countries to have done so, the other countries being Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand.

Hence, a large number of workers started immigrating to Malaysia.

Most of the Bangladeshis who work there are either construction workers or are participating in some menial job. What surprised me was that the Bangladeshis there were not very keen when it came to helping other visiting Bangladeshis.

On my recent visit to Kuala Lumpur,

Ikhtisad Ahmed is a writer and an erstwhile lawyer. He can be contacted on Twitter via @ Ikhtisad.

we sought out a Bengali waiter when we were dining at a restaurant. He was a man from Gazipur in his mid-20s.

Once he came to our table, he smiled with enthusiasm, talked for a bit, but never returned to our table a second time. I am not sure if he thought we might take advantage of him or not, for the next few days when we had our meals there at least once a day, he never came anywhere near our table.

Another young man, a fruit seller, forbade us to go to any Bengali shops as “they would rip us off ” he said. At one shopping mall I heard a comment in Bangla that could only be categorised as eve teasing by the Bangladeshi standard.

These incidents reminded me of the joke that goes like this: There were three boiling saucepans in hell, one for the Bangladeshis, one for the Americans, and another for the Australians.

All the defaulters, the sinners in the eyes of god, were being punished by being boiled. Both the American and Australian pans had a guard each in front them, while the Bangladeshi pan had none.

Why the discrepancy? The answer was that in both the American and Australian pans, people got on top of one another and they tried to push the prisoners out of the boiling water.

They were helping one at a time.

Really! On the other hand, whenever someone from the Bangladeshi contingent tried to go up, three or four people pulled him down together, making sure that person didn’t get out.

So there was no need for a guard near the Bangladeshi saucepan.

We are very proud of the people who are earning foreign currencies for our country, in fact, we salute them. It would make us feel good if we could feel the sense of solidarity that we witness so often in other nations. It is very natural for people to go through hardship living in an unfamiliar territory.

We have seen news of passports being taken away by employers, we know they work for years without even any infrequent visit to their homeland, some even die leaving their families broke. Still, we visitors do not expect that we will be mistreated by our own countrymen in a foreign land. l Jackie Kabir is Director at Tairunnessa Memorial Medical College and Hospital.

WIKIMEDIA

The absence of enforcement n Eshita Tasmin

“R

ules and promises are made to be broken” – perhaps the world community is heading towards following this proverb. By observing the devastating conditions in the last few months in Palestine, Syria, and other Middle Eastern states, and the pin-drop silence and absence of any action against these unjustified attacks on innocent civilians and non-combatants, it has become quite clear that all international rules and laws are being violated, and promises to humanity have been denied.

From the very beginning of civilisation, men came up with laws to bind human behaviour into a pattern. Within states, municipal laws are followed to avoid punishment and to protect the rights of the citizens. And when a law comes under a global shed, states follow that international law considering it as custom or norm, to maintain the relationship between states.

The fundamental characteristic of any law is its binding force. We abide by the laws because we are aware of the fact that punishment will be imposed otherwise. But, what will the conse-

quence be when no punishment stands for non-compliance with the law?

In fact, the modern world witnesses that even in the absence of sanctions, laws are being abided with due diligence. States discharge their conduct with other states through international laws, and also maintain their relations with each other under the terms and conditions of international laws.

However, states are not the only subjects of the international laws.

International organisations, non-state entities, and even individuals have been considered as legitimate subjects of international laws.

And, among the international organisations, the United Nations has the responsibility to regulate international relations among its member states. It also maintains peace, ensures international security, and prevents war. After the disastrous end of World War II, the UN was established with a view to check security and maintain peace in the world community.

Among the six principle organs of this international organisation, the Security Council is the most authoritative one comprising of a total of 15 members, in which five members are

permanent (China, Russia, the United States, France, and Britain), and the other 10 members are elected every two years.

According to Article 34 of the charter of the UN: “The security council may investigate any dispute or any situation that leads to international friction or gives rise to a dispute, in order to determine whether the continuance of the dispute or situation is likely to endanger international peace and security”.

After determining the existence and extent of such threat, the Security Council may recommend which measures shall be taken to restore international peace and security (Article 39 of UN charter). So, from the beginning of its establishment, the Security Council has been given extensive power and authority in pen and paper to control friction or disputes between states.

Now, what comment shall we pass when we see the current situation between Israel and Palestine? So far, 2,016 people have been killed in Gaza by the Israeli armed force. Among them, 542 were children, 250 were women, 95 were elderly men, and 10,000 people were injured. 475,000

people have been forcibly displaced to save their lives, and approximately $5bn will have to be spent by the Palestinian government to rebuild the blockaded enclave.

What has been happening are nothing but crimes against humanity

Ayelet Shaked, an honourable member of the Israeli Parliament wrote a comment on a social networking page: “Behind every terrorist stand dozens of men and women, without whom he could not engage in terrorism. They are all enemy combatants, and their blood shall be on their heads.”

These types of racial statements legalise the continuous attacks by Israel on Palestine. And the astonishing fact

is that still, no step has been taken so far by the UN to stop this mass killing.

The reason behind this could be the passing of a motion by the UN General Assembly changing Palestine’s “entity” status to “non-member observer state” on November 29, 2012.

But since May 11, 1949, Israel has been a member state of the UN. Then, isn’t it the duty of this member state to maintain the agenda of the UN, which starts with the vow of maintaining peace and international security worldwide? This is how the rules and laws have been broken by a member state of the world’s most influential organisation.

Another question arises regarding this Israel and Palestine issue – the existence of war. Actually, there is no war at all, because what has been happening are nothing but crimes against humanity. According to Article 7 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, crimes against humanity include murder, extermination, deportation, or forcible transfer of population, torture, etc.

Again, the probability of ensuring justice for the people of Palestine seems little. But, it is not only about

ensuring justice, but also standing up for humanity.

If we cannot stop this injustice by enforcing the laws, then we have to at least make sure that we support the victims in Palestine morally. That is how we will be able to fulfill our promises which we made as a state in the international community.

On July 12, 2014, the foreign ministry of Bangladesh issued a statement that Bangladesh strongly condemned the Israeli aggression and called for an immediate cessation of atrocities in Gaza. In the statement, it was also mentioned that Bangladesh was shocked at the recent Israeli violence perpetrated in Gaza. This is our stand about Palestine. In fact, this is our stand about humanity.

But, it might not suffice. The whole world will have to come forward to restore peace and help the people of Palestine to live without fear of death and to overcome the tragedy which they have been facing in the last few months. l Eshita Tasmin, LLB (Hon’s), LLM, MPhil (fellow) is an Associate at SK Siddique & CO, and practicing at the High Court.

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

‘Desh’ is my personal journey: Akram Khan The internationally acclaimed dancer to make his stage debut in Bangladesh

The Scorpion King Star Movies 6pm

n Hasan Mansoor Chatak

A

kram Khan, the internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer of Bangladeshi descent, is going to make his stage debut in Bangladesh with his award-winning dance solo “Desh” (Homeland) on September 18 and 19 at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

The organisers formally announced the schedule at a press meet yesterday, with the 40-year-old dancer present on the occasion.

Asked about his motivations behind the production, he said: “There was a man from Bangladesh who came to meet me after a show at the Sydney Opera House, a few years ago. He was all praise for my performance, and at one point during our conversation, we discovered that the man was actually a childhood friend of my father’s.”

“He said he had been looking for my father for the past 35 years or so. He broke into tears when I got him connected to my father over phone, and my father also turned emotional after finding out his beloved ‘Billu bhai.’

“The incident prompted me to look deep into the idea of identity and identity crisis. This is how the production came to see the light of day,” he added.

The 80-minute production presents an identity crisis born from the juxtaposition of a collective past and the personal present. It draws multiple tales of land, nation, resistance and convergence into the body and voice of one man trying to find his balance in an unstable world.

In this regard, Akram Khan said: “From the moment we decided to take on the epic and personal journey of creating ‘Desh,’ we always believed that the performance belonged in Ban-

A desert warrior rises up against the evil army that is destroying his homeland.

Star Trek: Nemesis HBO Hits 6:35pm

After the Enterprise is diverted to the Romulan home-world Romulus, supposedly because they want to negotiate a peace treaty, the Federation soon find out the Romulans are planning an attack on Earth.

Transformers II HBO 9:30pm

gladesh. So I am thankful for the huge efforts of the British Council and other partners that have joined forces to make this performance happen.”

Filmmaker Nasiruddin Yousuff, Liaquat Ali Lucky, director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, and

Brendan McSharry, country director of British Council-Bangladesh, were also present at the press conference.

Akram Khan, who was born in London to a family from Dhaka, will take part in a panel discussion today titled “Why are the arts important to devel-

oping countries like Bangladesh?” at 6:30pm at the British Council Library, Fuller Road. British Council and Bengal Foundation collaborated to bring the dancer back to the country of his roots.

The dance drama is produced by Akram Khan Company. As the seats

Filmmaking contest begins n Mehzabein Baishakhi

AUPEE and TAHSAN dance on Lux-Channel i Superstar floor n Entertainment Desk

Today’s episode of the beauty pageant “Lux-Channel i Superstar” is set to notch up the heat as Aupee Karim and Tahsan are set to dance to Tahsan’s song “Prematal.” This is for the first time that the two celebrities will be seen together on stage, and a teaser trailer of the episode has already gone viral.

Besides, actors Shomi Kaysar and Suborna Mustafa and singer Shakila Zafar will also grace the stage. A brand new Lux soap with floral design will be unveiled through a dance performance of the 13 finalists of this year’s competition. Highlighting the new soap, flower is the theme of this episode.

The programme will be aired at 9:45pm on Channel i. l

A campus-based story-telling and film-making contest, participated by 10 different universities, has started from last Sunday. The program will continue for three months.

The contest titled, “Stop Not Golpo Chalao, Film Banao,” has been organised by the Perfetti Van Melle Bangladesh Pvt Limited, in association with Grey advertising Ltd. Participating universities include the stellar names line Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Brac University, North South University among others.

The organisers will visit each of the participating universities to collect stories from the students. Eventually, one story will be created by students of each university.

In the second phrase of the competition, teams from each university will make a film based on their story under direct supervision of the organisers.

The 10 films made will be shown on channel i and on social media outlets, and the best team will be rewarded via sms voting.

“Stop Not Golpo Chalao, Film Banao,” was opened through a press conference held at the Spectra Convention Centre in Gulshan 1.

Grey managing director, Syed Gousul Azam, Sania Mahmood and Quazi junaid Ahmed, head of marketing and the trade marketing manager for Perfetti, along with Anisul Haque, the writer, were present in the press conference. l

within the theatre hall are limited, there will be arrangements for live screening on September 19 at the TSC lawn in Dhaka University as well as at Shilpakala fine arts building.

The show will start at 7pm each on September 18 and 19. l

Sam Witwicky leaves the Autobots behind for a normal life. But when his mind is filled with cryptic symbols, the Decepticons target him and he is dragged back into the Transformers’ war.

New York’s MISS AMERICA hat-trick

n Entertainment Desk New Yorker Kira Kazantsev has won the coveted 2015 Miss America Pageant crown on Sunday. Her win marked New York’s third consecutive Miss America title. The crown was handed to Kazantsev by Nina Davuluri, a New Yorker and the first Indian-American winner. Davuluri was the successor to Mallory Hagan from New York.

The title comes with a $50,000 scholarship.

As part of the competition, Kazantsev, 23, sang Pharrell William’s song “Happy,” keeping time by tapping a red plastic cup. She said in a question-and-answer segment that sexual assault in the US military was a problem that needed to be addressed

by US lawmakers.

Wearing a long-sleeved, backless white gown and clutching red roses, the newest Miss America walked the runway with a wide smile and waved to a cheering crowd in Atlantic City, where the 94-year-old beauty pag-

eant returned last year after eight years in Las Vegas.

Kira’s platform is focused on protecting women from domestic violence, and the Miss America Organization said she regularly spoke at homeless and domestic violence shelters.

Pageant judges scored contestants from the 50 US states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands based on a talent competition, a personal interview, their answers to an on-stage question, and their appearance in gowns and swimsuits. l

TWITTERERUPTSINSUPPORTOFDEEPIKA n

Entertainment Desk Bollywood stars have joined hundreds expressing outrage after a top Indian newspaper published a photo and report on actress Deepika Padukone’s cleavage in its online version.

On Sunday the Times of India tweeted a photo with a link to a web photo gallery and caption: “OMG: Deepika Padukone’s cleavage show.”

An angry Padukone responded on Twitter: “YES! I am a Woman.

I have breasts AND a cleavage! You got a problem!!??”

The daily later put out a tweet urging her to consider it a compliment.

The newspaper has since removed the original tweet about Padukone’s dress, which she wore to a film launch last year.

Several Bollywood celebrities and hundreds of fans have come out in support of the actress and #IStandWithDeepikaPadukone was the top trend on Twitter in India on Monday.

Ranveer Singh congratulated his “Ramleela” heroine for her courage with a tweet saying: “@deepikapadukone way to let ‘em know! #LikeABoss.”

Her co-star in “Finding Fanny,” Arjun Kapoor twitted: “We have hit a new low today...forget complimenting a woman have the ability to respect a woman first...”

Priyanka Chopra wrote on Twitter: “Well done @ deepikapadukone ! Taken a stand for all of us. Xoxo” “Appalled....shocked and disgusted at the level of disrespect shown. Deepika or any women in the world cannot and should not stand for this!!” tweeted producer, director Karan Johar.

Many ordinary Indian women have also poured onto Twitter to voice their respect for her stand. l

Theatre troupe Aranyak Natya Dal premiered its 54th production, ‘Bhongobongo’ at the Experimental Theatre Hall, Shilpakala Academy on September 14. Written

by Mamunur Rashid and directed by Fayez Zahir, the plot revolves around a border crossing and addresses the issues of immigration, manpower business, smuggling, human trafficking etc KHAN HASAN MUHAMMAD RAFI

Did you know?

Shivnarine Chanderpaul (132.7) has the highest Test average against Bangladesh, minimum 10 innings

Sport

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

14 Arsenal face

Dortmund test, Liverpool return

14 Ferdinand chips

DHAKA TRIBUNE

13

15 Moeen Ali urges

away at former boss Moyes

UK Muslims to shun Islamic State

Booters break 28-year Asiad jinx n Raihan Mahmood

Bangladesh’s Danish expatriate Jamal Bhuiyan (C) tries to take hold of the ball during their opening game against Afghanistan in the 17th Asian Games football competition at Incheon Munhak Stadium yesterday

Captain fantastic shows the way

COURTESY

Mamunul scores late winner as Bangladesh defeat Afghanistan in Group B opener n Shishir Hoque Bangladesh U-23 football team ended their 28-year long winning drought in the Asian Games when the Red and Green kicked off their 17th Asian Games campaign with a 1-0 victory over Afghanistan at Incheon Munhak Stadium in South Korea yesterday.

Skipper Mamunul Islam slammed the all important goal seven minutes before the stipulated time to give Bangladesh a memorable start in the event.

Bangladesh’s last victory in the Asian Games came in Seoul 1986 through the solitary goal from the country’s legend-

DAY 3, AT TEA West Indies 1st Innings 380 all out Bangladesh 1st innings Tamim Iqbal c Ramdin b Roach 48 Shamsur Rahman c Ramdin b Roach 1 Anamul Haque c Bravo b Roach 9 Mominul Haque c Blackwood b Taylor 3 Mushfiqur Rahim b Taylor 4 Mahmudullah c Ramdin b Benn 53 Nasir Hossain c Ramdin b Roach 1 Taijul Islam c Gabriel b Roach 12 Shafiul Islam c Ramdin b Gabriel 10 Robiul Islam lbw b Benn 0 Al-Amin Hossain not out 7 Extras (lb 10, w 1, nb 2) 13 Total (all out; 62.3 overs) 161 Fall of wickets 1-14, 2-43, 3-62, 4-65, 5-68, 6-69, 7-89, 8-134, 9-154, 10-161 Bowling Taylor 19-5-41-2, Roach 20-5-42-5, Gabriel 15-1-49-1, Benn 8.3-2-19-2 West Indies 2nd Innings KC Brathwaite not out 44 LR Johnson b Taijul Islam 41 KA Edwards C Shamsur b Shafiul 2 DM Bravo not out 1 Extras 0 Total (2 wickets; 31 overs) 90

Salahuddin defends Maruf’s one-year ban

n Raihan Mahmood Bangladesh Football Federation chief Kazi Salahuddin defended his federation’s decision of imposing a year-long ban on coach Maruful Haque.

While talking at his office yesterday, Salahuddin said no coach in the world has the right to demand the resignation of the football federation president over an issue like the cancellation of a premier league match. “It was an unavoidable circumstance and the issue was connected with a programme of the Prime Minister.

The federation duly informed the club.

However, Maruf still brought his team to the ground as his opponents remained absent. He demanded the resignation of the federation president and accused the federation of biasness. I think the decision is justified,” said the BFF president. l

ary footballer Aslam.

Before leaving Dhaka, Lodewijk de Kruif said “it’s always a dream to collect points over there” and “a well organised team with a good game plan” should do it.

The words were proven right in Incheon yesterday as the U-23 booters remained organised in both defence and midfield and sketched the game plan on counter attacks. They managed to hold on the stronger opponents for 83 minutes before Mamunul’s stunning strike earned them the result.

“The plan was to let them play because they are stronger than us. That is why we went to the pitch with an aim to play counter attack. The defence was as solid as the opponents kept the posses-

sion most of the time but couldn’t create many chances. We didn’t give them any chance,” said Mamunul after the game.

Afghanistan as expected made the first real attack and missed a golden opportunity in the 24th minute. Bangladesh were also up to their task as a solo effort from Wahed almost paid off just nine minutes later. The Mohammedan striker entered the penalty area but shot wide.

Four minutes into the second half, Bangladesh goalkeeper Rasel Mahmud Liton produced a decent save on the goal line from Faisal’s shot. Though Afghanistan appealed for a goal, the referee thought otherwise.

In the 68th minute Wahed received a sublime through pass from the half-

way mark by Hemanta Vincent Biswas, but the striker took too much time as an Afghan defender intercepted to win the ball from him. Tapu Barman and Yousuf Sifat did exceptionally well to pass the ball to Wahed, who intentionally back heeled to Mamunul to see the skipper unleash a fierce strike from 40 yards out that beat the goalkeeper and slapped against the inside net.

Kruif immediately took off Wahed and Yousuf Sifat, replacing them with fresh legs of Toklis Ahmed and Atiqur Rahman Farhad. Bangladesh could have scored another in the 92nd minute but midfielder Jamal Bhuiyan failed to convert on an open net.

Mamunul said they could have

scored three or four goals from the chances they had. The Sheikh Jamal midfielder, who recently joined Indian Super League side Atletico de Kolkata, was ecstatic after the win. “The goal won us the game. I can say this is the most memorable goal of my life,” “The teamwork was good and everyone was motivated. The best thing is to come here one week ago which enabled us to adapt to the new place. This is the advantage that helped us win the game,” added Mamunul.

Bangladesh are now top in the group after Uzbekistan and Hong Kong played out a goalless draw later on the day.

Bangladesh faces Uzbekistan in their second match on September 18. l

Korea proved to be the lucky ground of Bangladesh football again as the U-23 booters broke the 28-year old jinx in Asian Games football beating Afghanistan U-23 1-0 at Incheon yesterday.

Back in 1986, Bangladesh beat Nepal 1-0 in Seoul episode of Asian Games with ace forward Sheikh Mohammad Aslam scoring the decider in the 48th minute. It was the last match for Bangladesh after three identical 4-0 losses against Japan, Iran and Kuwait. Bangladesh’s first Asian Games football win however was registered in 1982 in New Delhi when the Red and Green beat Malaysia 2-1.

It is interesting that Bangladesh, who started to play in the Asian Games football from the tournament’s edition in Bangkok in 1978, did not draw any match till date. Though Bangladesh did not participate in the editions 1994 and 1998, in the last 28 years they were unable to register a win and never qualified for the second round of the Asian Games football.

However, Bangladesh now have a golden chance of progressing further in the event as they face Uzbekistan on 18th September and Hong Kong on 22nd September.

Uzbekistan is definitely a team far ahead in the standards and Bangladesh, coached by Dutchman Lodewijk de Kruif, should concentrate on putting their best against Hong Kong. However, it should be mentioned that Hong Kong beat Bangladesh 4-0 in their last faceoff in 2010 Asian Games held in Guangzhou, China. l

MATCH STATS Bangladesh

Mamunul 83 34 7 3 28 2 2 0 2

1-0 Possession Shots Shots on Goal Fouls Corner Kicks Free Kicks Offsides Yellow Cards

Afghanistan

66 8 4 11 8 5 1 2

Abject batting continues to haunt Bangladesh n Tribune Desk Bangladesh are on the verge of yet another big defeat after they were bundled out for 161 on the stroke of lunch in the third day and despite being stranded 19 runs short of the follow-on target, Windies skipper Denesh Ramdin decided not to enforce the follow-on.

At tea West Indies were batting on 90/2 as the home side leading by 309 runs with Darren Bravo (1) and Kraigg Brathwaite (44) at the crease at St Lucia yesterday.

Replying to the West Indies’ first innings total of 380-all out, the Bangladesh batsmen displayed yet another poor performance as they were bundled out for 161 on the stroke of lunch in the third day.

Resuming on their overnight score of 104/7, Bangladesh lost their remaining three wickets for 57 runs to hand the hosts a first innings lead of 219 runs.

The visitors faced at yet another batting collapse after opener Shamsur Rahman (1) departed early on Sunday.

Anamul Haque (9) soon followed suit and Tamim Iqbal too was dismissed after a well made 48.

Bangladesh kept on losing wickets as Mominul Haque (3), first Test centurion and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (4) and Nasir Hossain (1) were dismissed cheaply. Mahmudullah, who began the third day’s play on 13, played sensibly and reached his eighth Test fifty.

Fast bowler Kemar Roach was the most successful bowler for the hosts claiming his fifth five-wicket haul in Test matches while paceman Jerome Taylor and spinner Sulieman Benn picked up two wickets each. l

Bangladesh batsman Mahmudullah pulls over midwicket against West Indies pacer Shannon Gabriel in the first innings of their second Test at St Lucia yesterday WICB

BCB VP election today amid fears over disharmony n Minhaz Uddin Khan

The long-delayed election for the two vice-president posts of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will be held at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today.

The three-way contest will be between three BCB directors – Mahbubul Anam, AZM Nasiruddin and Najib Ahmed. Najib added extra spice to the poll with the last minute submission of his nomination paper.

The election for the two ceremonial posts has seen the BCB headquarters at Mirpur turn into a hub of activities amidst the board directors. One of the candidates threw a lunch party for the BCB directors and high-ups while another hosted dinner yesterday.

According to several BCB sources, both Mahbubul and Nasiruddin are the favourite candidates of board president

Nazmul Hasan and it is very much likely that the duo will be selected unopposed.

However, Najib’s submission of nomination paper on the very last day has added a new twist to the contest and it was learned from BCB sources that Najib was made to participate in the poll by a group of board directors with the aim of competing with Mahbubul. It is understood that a particular group inside the board believes Mahbubul, who has served as a BCB vice-president for around seven years, should make way in order to freshen the post.

This has resulted into the breaking up of the board directors into two parts.

Dhaka Tribune was able to reach Mahbubul for comments on the election but he remained tight-lipped over his competition with Najib.

“I am not making any comments on this at the moment. I will only talk after the election tomorrow (today),” said Mahbubul.

According to several sources, both Mahbubul and Nasiruddin are the favourite candidates of the BCB president Najib – a counsellor from Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Limited – also repeated Mahbubul’s theme but said it was only due to some of his friends that he was inclined towards the election, “The competition is amongst ourselves (BCB directors). Four or five of my friends asked me to participate in the

poll that is why I submitted the paper on the last day.”

Najib also said the election will not give birth to any conflict between the directors and that everyone will keep on working together in harmony.

However, a few BCB directors believe that the chances of a probable conflict inside the board is still there.

Hence, in order to eliminate potential differences it was learned that suggestions over reaching a consensus regarding the two vice-president posts were made by a few directors.

The election will take place among a very selective group so at the end of the day everyone will get to know who voted for whom. Many believe this will surely create divisions among the board directors that are expected to sustain till the expiration of the existing committee. l

Russel held again, BJMC-Ctg Abahani draw blank n Tribune Desk A 10-man Sheikh Russel played out a 1-1 draw against Muktijoddha Sangsad in their Group A match of the Airtel Under-18 Football Tournament at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Tajbir put Muktis ahead with just six minutes into the clock before Masud equalised the margin at the hour mark.

Russel were reduced to 10 men in the 89th minute when Saker received his second yellow card.

In the day’s other game, Team BJMC were held to a goalless draw against Chittagong Abahani at the same venue.

In today’s Group B matches, Mohammedan will take on Feni Soccer Club while Abahani face Brothers Union. l

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Ferdinand chips away at former boss Moyes n AFP, London

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil (2R) warms up with teammates during a training session at their training facility in London Colney, north of London yesterday, on the eve of their Champions League Group D match against Borussia Dortmund REUTERS

Rio Ferdinand has revealed what he believes were a series of mistakes David Moyes made during his unsuccessful stint as manager of Manchester United - including the banning of chips the night before matches.

Former United defender Ferdinand - who made an unhappy return to Old Trafford when his QPR side were hammered 4-0 in the Premier League by his old club on Sunday - has had his say on Moyes’s woeful 10 months in charge of United in his autobiography ‘#2Sides’, which is being serialised in the Sun. The 35-year-old centre-back also labelled Moyes’s tactics “embarrassing” and said the Scot had brought with him the “mentality of a small club” following his time in charge of Everton.

But Ferdinand said one of the first signs of looming trouble was Moyes’s ban on the tradition of players eating chips the evening before a game.

“It’s not something to go to the barricades over (the chips)...And guess what happened after Moyes left and Ryan Giggs took over?

“Moyes has been gone about 20 minutes, we’re on the bikes warming up for the first training session and one of the lads says: ‘You know what? We’ve got to get on to Giggsy. We’ve got to get him to get us our chips back.”’

“Moyes’s innovations mostly led to negativity and confusion. Sometimes our main tactic was the long, high, diag-

onal cross. It was embarrassing. In one home game against Fulham we had 81 crosses! I was thinking, why are we doing this? Andy Carroll doesn’t play for us!

“The whole approach was alien.

Other times Moyes wanted lots of passing. He’d say: ‘Today I want us to have 600 passes in the game. Last week it was only 400’. Who cares? I’d rather score five goals from 10 passes.”

Ferdinand said he knew it was time for him to leave United after 12 years at Old Trafford when Moyes dropped him for the Champions League tie with Bayern while the club trained on a public park something he labelled “amateurish”.

Ferdinand said Moyes spent too much time focusing on the strengths of the opposition, which created a climate of fear in the dressing room. l

Arsenal face Dortmund test, Liverpool return n AFP, Paris Arsenal will be looking to win in Dortmund for the second season running, while the opening night of the Champions League group stage also sees Liverpool’s return and last season’s runners-up Atletico Madrid in action.

without the injured Debuchy. Jurgen Klopp’s home side beat Freiburg 3-1 on Saturday with Shinji Kagawa scoring on his first appearance since returning to the club from Manchester United. They will need the Japanese star to perform again, especially with numerous players currently missing, including Marco Reus and captain Mats Hummels.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND v ARSENAL

JUVENTUS v MALMO

Arsene Wenger’s side will be looking for a solid performance here that would extend their unbeaten start to the campaign, although they must do

Juventus new coach Massimiliano Allegri will know the importance of beginning with a win against Malmo in Turin. Juventus will be without injured

midfielder Arturo Vidal, are fresh from beating Udinese 2-0 on Saturday.

unbeaten so far this season.

OLYMPIAKOS v ATLETICO MADRID

Five-time European champions Liverpool mark their return to the Champions League for the first time since 2009 at home to the Bulgarian champions, who are making their group stage debut. Daniel Sturridge is injured for Brendan Rodgers’s side but Raheem Sterling will return to the line-up after being rested for 1-0 home loss to Aston Villa.

Spanish champions and last season’s Champions League runners-up Atletico begin their campaign away to the Greek titleholders at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium. Italian international Alessio Cerci could make his debut. Atletico coach Diego Simeone serves a one-game European touchline ban for storming onto the pitch to confront Real defender Raphael Varane towards the end of the Champions League final. Olympiakos, who reached the last 16 last season, are

‘New start’ for Van Gaal n Reuters, London

What a difference an international break makes.

Before Europe’s top domestic leagues were interrupted by players jetting off around the world to play for their countries, Manchester United’s supposed new dawn under Louis van Gaal was obscured by dark clouds.

On Sunday, his side crushed Queens Park Rangers 4-0 with the kind of football the Old Trafford faithful have been spoiled with over the past couple of decades.

The 67th minute appearance of Colombia striker Radamel Falcao, his first since joining on loan from Monaco, merely added to the party atmosphere.

“I said before the game ‘let us make a new start’,” Van Gaal told MUTV. “That’s important as after 1 September, after the transfer period, we can now work on a team-building process and make ourselves better every week - we

Kroos no loss to solid Bayern: Lahm n AFP, Berlin Toni Kroos’ summer transfer to Real Madrid has done no harm to German giants Bayern Munich, club captain Philipp Lahm claimed in Monday’s edition of soccer magazine Kicker.

“Bayern Munich have so much quality and strength in depth they are difficult to weaken,” said Lahm, as Bayern prepare to host Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday.

“We don’t miss Toni, that’s football, players come and go. I’ve been in the game too long to miss anyone, even if Toni is a great guy,” he explained.

Kroos joined Real Madrid for 30 million euros just a few months after the Spaniards had hammered the Bavarians 5-0 over two legs of a Champions League semi-final. And Lahm feels the European champions are favourites to win the title again this time around.

“Real have invested a great deal of money to strengthen an already excellent side and they are undeniably the team to beat,” insists Lahm, who captained Germany to WC victory in 2014. l

have done it, I believe.

“The most important thing from today is that we created goals. In the other matches we were the better team on the pitch but we didn’t make goals.

Now we have made four goals and that gives a boost to every player.

“That’s also enormously important (for the fans) as they have had to wait a long time for a good result.”

Di Maria oozed class and, while United paid a huge 59.7 million pounds ($97.14 million) for the services of the Argentine, he looked like a thoroughbred on Sunday - the kind of player the Old Trafford fans adore.

“The first goal is very important, we trained with it before the game but he did it at the right moment,” Van Gaal said.

“I think the new players fitted in very well. It’s always difficult to come in and adapt to the rhythm of the Premier League but they did very well not only Di Maria.” l

LIVERPOOL v LUDOGORETS

REAL MADRID v FC BASEL

Carlo Ancelotti’s reigning European champions will be looking forward

to the distraction of the Champions League after a poor start to the season domestically. Ancelotti has yet to find a balance to his side following the summer arrivals of Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez, while goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas’s place in the team has been the subject of intense scrutiny.

BENFICA v ZENIT ST PETERSBURG

Portuguese champions Benfica, last season’s beaten Europa League finalists, face a familiar foe as Zenit St Petersburg head to Lisbon coached by Andre Villas-Boas.

MONACO v BAYER LEVERKUSEN

James Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao and other stars left over the summer without being replaced and Leonardo Jardim’s Monaco are in the relegation zone at home ahead of their meeting with early Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

GALATASARAY v ANDERLECHT

Turkish giants Galatasaray. with new coach Cesare Prandelli, should do better against Anderlecht, even if the Belgian champions are so far unbeaten this season. They have finished bottom in their last seven group stage campaigns. l

Anelka signs for Mumbai

Hanover go joint top after Hamburg win n AFP, Mumbai n AFP, Berlin Controversial French

Hanover 96 moved level with Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the Bundesliga after a 2-0 win over Hamburg left the visitors at the bottom of the table on Sunday.

First-half goals from Leon Andreasen and Artur Sobiech gave the home side a comfortable victory against a Hamburg side coached by former Hanover boss Mirko Slomka.

Hanover now join Bayern and Leverkusen on seven points while Hamburg, who have failed to score a goal in three matches, sit last on goal difference. l

RESULTS

Eintracht Frankfurt 0-1

FC Augsburg

2-0

Hamburg

Hanover

Andreasen 13, Sobiech 24

Bobadilla 49

striker Nicolas Anelka has sought to relaunch his career by signing on Monday to play for Mumbai City in the nascent Indian Super League.

The 35-year-old much-travelled player has been without a club since he was fired by West Bromwich Albion in March for “gross misconduct” after the quenelle row when he made an alleged anti-semitic gesture after scoring a goal.

“I’m pleased to join Mumbai City FC & very exciting in joining Indian Super League,” Anelka said on Twitter.

“Talented international players & top Indian talent will make matches thrilling affairs. I look forward to using my ability to do well for my team in the matches we will play.”

Anelka has stirred up a succession of rows and disputes in a career that has seen him play for the likes of Arsenal, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Chel-

sea and Shanghai Shenhua in China.

He also won 69 French caps, scoring 14 goals before being thrown out of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa following a row with coach Raymond Domenech.

He was handed an 18-match ban for that bustup, that effectively ended his international career.

He will be playing in the Indian Super League which kicks off with a 10-week tournament beginning in October and modelled along the lines of cricket’s cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL).

Eight city-based teams are due to take part in the tournament and several of the franchises have tie-ups with European football giants such as La Liga champions Atletico Madrid who are the co-owners of Atletico Kolkata.

Other fading superstars of football already signed up for the tournament include Italian Alessandro del Piero, French striker David Trezeguet and English goalkeeper David James. l

Milan edge Parma in nine-goal thriller n AFP, Milan

Milan moved back to the top of the Serie A table on Sunday after a thrilling 5-4 win at Parma where both sides finished with 10 men.

Champions Juventus and Roma, both of whom have also won their opening two games, sit second and third respectively with Inter in fourth, two points off the pace.

Milan are looking to launch a revival under new coach Filippo Inzaghi following two mediocre seasons, and have impressed so far.

“Almost every time we took a shot on goal, we scored,” Inzaghi told.

“There’s no doubt we deserved to win this game. A draw wouldn’t have been a fair result. We were always in front in the game, this is the true Milan spirit.”

Milan looked to have taken a firm grip of the game after taking a 3-1 lead by the break.

Former Atalanta striker Giacomo

Bonaventura claimed his maiden goal in the 25th minute after being set up

by Keisuke Honda, only for former Rossonero Antonio Cassano to beat ‘keeper Diego Lopez with a bouncing header only two minutes later.

RESULT Parma

4-5

Milan

Cassano 27, Felipe 51, Bonaventura 25, Lucarelli 73, Honda 37, Menez 45-pen, De Sciglio 89-og 79, De Jong 68

The visitors were soon back in front when Honda headed Ignazio Abate’s fine delivery past Antonio Mirante on 37 minutes and Jeremy Menez doubled their lead from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time after he was hauled down by Alessandro Lucarelli.

Yet the tide turned in the other direction inside 10 second-half minutes.

Milan’s two-goal lead was halved when Cristobal Jorquera did great work down the left, leaving Felipe to beat Lopez from close range. l

AC Milan miedfielder Giacomo Bonaventura celebrates with teamates after scoring against Parma during their Serie A match in Parma’s Ennio Tardini Stadium on Sunday AFP

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

15

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Brazil beat Spain, return to Davis Cup World Group

QUICK BYTES Falcao relishes United debut Radamel Falcao thanked Manchester United’s fans after making his debut at the “extraordinary” Old Trafford. Falcao came off the bench in the 67th minute of United’s 4-0 win at home to QPR in the Premier League on Sunday but was unable to find the back of the net in a match where the goals were shared between Angel di Maria, Ander Herrera, Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata. Now the Colombian striker, who made a transfer deadline day loan move from Monaco for a reported 10 million euros ($13.1 million), will look to score his first goal for United against Leicester this coming weekend. “It felt good to make my debut at Old Trafford,” he said.

“It is an extraordinary stadium, a legendary stadium and I am happy to get the win.

I will enjoy this moment.” Falcao almost got on the scoresheet when, 15 minutes after he had come on and with United 4-0 up, he saw QPR keeper Robert Green spill Daley Blind’s shot. However, Green recovered to block Falcao’s follow-up. “I want to say thank you to the fans. I enjoyed the welcome a lot. It was fantastic,” Falcao said. “I almost scored. The goalkeeper was good. I hope to score the next game.” “I hope everything continues for us like it did on Sunday.”

–AFP

n Reuters

Teen Bencic upsets Kuznetsova in Tokyo Rising Swiss star Belinda Bencic upset two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3, 6-0 in the first round of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo Monday, maintaining recent impressive form. The wildcard broke the Russian veteran’s serve twice in the first set and three times in the second to win the match at Ariake Tennis Park in only 68 minutes. The 17-year-old is on the back of a run to the quarter-finals at the US Open in New York. Kuznetsova, the 2004 US Open and 2009 French Open title winner showed her desperation to outpower Bencic with deep serves, as she double-faulted on the hard surface six times. Only four first-round singles matches were played on Monday at the $1 million event. Four top-seeds, including world number eight Angelique Kerber of Germany and ninth-ranked Dane Caroline Wozniacki enjoyed a bye to the second round. It was a happy return to Tokyo for Bencic who won her first match on the WTA tour in the same event last year. Her world ranking has risen to 34th from below 300th in a year.

–AFP

Horschel holds off McIlroy, Furyk for PGA riches

American Billy Horschel won the US PGA’s season-ending Tour Championship and captured the playoff points crown Sunday, firing a final-round 68 to defeat Jim Furyk and Rory McIlroy by three strokes. Horschel, who won last week’s BMW Championship at Denver after losing the week before only on an errant approach at the final hole, fired his 12th consecutive round in the 60s to finish 72 holes on 11-under par 269. World number one McIlroy and seventh-ranked Furyk, who has not won since the 2010 Tour Championship, shared second on 272 with England’s Justin Rose, American Chris Kirk and Australian Jason Day another stroke adrift. Expecting the birth of a baby daughter in two weeks, Horschel took the FedEx Cup playoff bonus of $10 million (7.7 million euros) and the $1.4 million (1.08 million euros) top prize for winning the tournament. Horschel, 27, who entered the four-week playoff run only 60th in points, won more money in one day than he had since turning professional five years ago. “It’s unbelievable,” Horschel said. “I was sort of looking toward the start of the 2014-15 season. “At the same time I knew my game was in good shape and I needed to get out of my own way. I was able to show my game was in good shape these past two weeks.”

–AFP

DAY’S WATCH BTV, Gazi TV, Ten Cricket 8:00PM Bangladesh tour of West Indies Second Test, Day 4 UEFA Champions League 2014/15 Ten Action 12:45PM Borussia Dortmund v Arsenal Ten Sports 12:45PM Real Madrid v FC Basel Ten HD 12:45PM Liverpool v Ludogorets Star Sports 1, 3 Champions League T20 4:00PM Southern Express v Lahore Lions 8:00PM Mumbai Indians v Northern Knights

Brazil team members throws up Thomaz Bellucci after he defeated Roberto Bautista of Spain at their Davis Cup play-off tennis match in Sao Paulo on Sunday

REUTERS

Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci beat Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in four sets on Sunday to give Brazil a 3-1 Davis Cup victory that relegated the Spaniards from the World Group for the first time since 1996.

It was also Spain’s first defeat on clay since Brazil beat them 15 years ago, when Gustavo Kuerten got the win that secured victory over Spain’s current captain Carlos Moya.

Moya, who did not have world number three Rafa Nadal or number seven David Ferrer available for the tie, lamented Sunday’s defeat and vowed they would not spend long in the second tier.

“I think it is not a place where Spain belongs,” Moya said of the five-times champions’ relegation from the top tier.

“There have been some circumstances this year that made the Spanish team be in the second division. I am sure that in two years Spain is going to be back in the World Group.”

Bellucci, ranked 83 in the world, was Brazil’s top performer, winning both his matches, which included a 6-4 3-6 6-3 6-2 victory over 15th-ranked Agut in three hours in Sao Paulo on Sunday.

Cheered on by a passionate Brazilian crowd, Bellucci hit 61 winners against a shell-shocked Agut and said he had never played better. l

Doosra not illegal, says Saqlain

Ajmal opts out of T20 event

n AFP, Karachi

n Reuters, Karachi

Retired spin king Saqlain Mushtaq on Monday defended the controversial “doosra” delivery he invented, which has come under renewed scrutiny since fellow Pakistani Saaed Ajmal’s chucking ban last week.

The doosra, which means “the second one” in Urdu, turns from legside to offside -- the opposite direction to orthodox off breaks.

It is bowled from the back of the hand with a lot of top-spin, though the bowler’s wrist still moves in a clockwise direction, making it difficult for a batsman to pick.

Saqlain is credited with its invention, adding to a list of Pakistani innovations in cricket including the batsman’s reverse-sweep and reverse

swing bowling.

But the delivery has come to be regarded with deep suspicion by many, particularly in Australia and England, where critics charge that doosra bowlers bend their arm beyond the permissible 15 degree limit.

Saqlain, who took 208 Test and 288 one-day wickets, told AFP from London the naysayers were wrong.

“Who says doosra is illegal?” he asked. “It can easily delivered within the allowed rules. It is not an easy delivery to bowl but if a bowler becomes expert he doesn’t transgress limits.”

“You need to have strong muscles to bowl a doosra, then fitness matters, also grip, rhythm and follow through. If just one of these things is missing then you get out of limits,” he added.

Saqlain, who comes from a humble

Moeen Ali urges UK Muslims to shun Islamic State n AFP, London

England cricketer Moeen Ali has “strongly advised” his fellow British Muslims against joining Islamic State or other similar groups fighting in Iraq and Syria.

Asked what his advice would be to his compatriots contemplating such action, Ali told the Huffington Post website in an interview: “I would strongly advise them not to go.”

Ali insisted groups such as IS, which has beheaded three Western hostages in the past month, did not represent his faith.

“If you look at Islam, it condemns this sort of thing,” he said.

The government estimates around 500 British Muslims have travelled to Syria and Iraq in recent months to fight for groups such as IS. “It is a little bit worrying,” Ali said.

“As Muslims we need to understand the ruling behind (whether) guys can go (to fight).

“From my understanding.. we’re not allowed to go and fight.. We’ve got to be patient as Muslims.. It doesn’t mean sit back and let it happen. It’s a tough one.

“We’ve got to be stronger as Muslims; concentrate on prayer and following the ‘sunnah’ (example of the Prophet).

“The strongest weapon we have as Muslims to is to make ‘dua’ (prayer).

We’ve got to be stronger, better Muslims.”

“If I can play, and change the mind of one person about being a Muslim player and having a beard, then I’ll feel as if I’ve done my job,” the 27-year-old all-rounder added.

“I am a Muslim, yes, but I am also very English,” added Ali, whose father said his son was booed by India supporters during a recent international match because of his Muslim faith and Pakistani heritage.

“People don’t realise how proud I am to be representing my country or being from Birmingham.

“Being English, being born in England, this is our home and we should be supporting our home country.”

During July’s third Test against India in Southampton, Ali was told he had broken International Cricket Council rules banning political religious and racial activities by wearing wristbands saying “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine”. l

background, recalled he discovered the delivery while playing cricket with a table tennis ball.

“I used to play with my brother and cousin at the roof of my house in Lahore and tried the doosra with a table tennis ball,” he said.

“I got very excited when the ball turned the other way. I tried and tried and perfected it and when I used to go to play club matches I would baffle the batsmen with doosra, and on winning the matches I was rewarded with sumptuous lunches and dinners. And from there I broke into the Pakistan team.”

Saqlain will arrive in Lahore next week to start remedial work on Ajmal’s action, reported during the Galle Test against Sri Lanka last month.

The ban was imposed by the International Cricket Council.

Ajmal’s action was then assessed in a bio-mechanics lab in Brisbane, Australia which revealed he flexes his elbow up to 43 degrees for his off-spinner and 42 for his doosra.

Saqlain said he hoped to alter Ajmal’s action, though some believe Ajmal may be too old to change his ways at 36.

“I am quite hopeful of helping him. I am not making any guarantees but will see his reports and footage and then try my best.”

Ajmal, for his part, told reporters Monday he was focused on his comeback as he began his remedial programme.

“I am sitting in front of you without any tension, whatever happened was disappointing but I am focused on staging a strong comeback,” he said. l

Salma & Co leave for Asiad today

Lavillenie eases to Continental Cup win

The Bangladesh women’s cricket team is aiming for gold in the 17th Asian Games as they leave for Incheon, South Korea today. Though Sri Lanka will be a tough opponent to overcome in the semifinal of the tournament, Bangladesh captain Salma Khatun feels confident of securing first position.

“We are hoping to play good cricket in the tournament and our aim is to win gold. We have to face Sri Lanka in the semifinal and we have beaten them in the World T20 and I hope we can beat them again,” said Salma.

In the last edition of the Asian Games in 2010, Guangzhou, Salma and her troop had to remain content with silver after Pakistan won the final by 10 wickets. Meanwhile, this is the first assignment for Sri Lankan Janak Champika Gamage.

Gamage expressed satisfaction over the preparation and said, “The preparations have been good as we played quite a few practice matches recently and the batting was good on those matches. I have some idea about the team now and I am hopeful if we can give our best we can win gold this time in Korea.” l

n AFP, Marrakech

n Mazhar Uddin

Olympic pole vault champion and world record holder Renaud Lavillenie had too much class for his rivals as the French star eased to victory at the Continental Cup on Sunday. Lavillenie only needed to clear 5.65m for the win before he went on to succeed at 5.80m.

The French athlete, who was also recently crowned the European champion, had arrived in Marrakech hoping to break through the six-metre mark to cap off a season which started with his world record 6.16m. But he had to be content with Sunday’s low-key win, entering the competition at 5.65m which was good enough to beat rivals Changrui Xue of China and America’s Mark Hollis.

Xue could only clear 5.65m at his third attempt and then failed three times at 5.70m while Hollis dropped out with three failures at 5.65m.

Lavillenie cleared 5.80m on his third try but couldn’t get over the 5.90m mark.

His efforts helped Europe to overall victory and a successful defence of the Continental Cup title from Split in

Suspended off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has withdrawn from the national Twenty20 championship to work on his bowling action with former Pakistan tweaker Saqlain Mushtaq.

Ajmal, who was banned from bowling in international cricket for an illegal action, denied he was under pressure after the International Cricket Council (ICC) ban. The 36-year-old remained hopeful of a return to international cricket before next year’s World Cup. “It is a temporary setback for me and I am confident I can make a comeback soon,” he told reporters after a function in Lahore. The off-spinner has withdrawn from the Faisalabad Wolves team which will take part in the National T20 event, beginning this week in Karachi. l

Croatia four years ago. Europe finished on 447.5 points with the Americas on 390pts, Africa on 339 and Asia-Pacific in last place on 257.5. Other top performances on Sunday saw 39-yearold Bernard Lagat finish third in the 3,000m. l

Lucic-Baroni beats Venus for first title since 1998

Bangladesh A stage extreme slow batting

n AFP, Quebec City

n Tribune Desk

Croatia’s Mirjana Lucic-Baroni won her first WTA title since 1998 on Sunday, defeating former world number one Venus Williams 6-4, 6-3 to capture the Quebec City tournament.

The 32-year-old former teen star won her only two prior WTA titles on home soil at the 1997 and 1998 Croatian Opens, beating American Corina Morariu in each Bol final. By defeating US top seed Williams, Lucic-Baroni ended the longest gap between titles in WTA history, a wait of 16 years and four months.

“It was so long ago, I don’t even remember what it’s like to hold a trophy in my hands,” Lucic-Baroni said.

“It’s just incredible. I’m still in a little bit of shock because I was so focused today, but oh my goodness, it’s just an amazing feeling right now.”

Japan’s Kimiko Date-Krumm held the old mark of 13 years and one month between her trophies in 1996 at San Diego and in 2009 at Seoul. Lucic-Baroni broke seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Williams in the fourth game of the second set and held for a 4-1 edge before the 34-year-old American battled back, holding and then breaking back to 4-3.

Lucic-Baroni, who had not reached a final since her 1998 title run in her homeland, answered with a break and held serve to claim the historic title after 83 minutes. l

The Bangladesh A team batsmen exhibited immense patience in occupying the crease as the hosts added only 132 runs on the second day of the first four-day game against Zimbabwe A at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Resuming the day on 30 for no loss, the run rate moved at a snail’s pace as Bangladesh posted 162 for 3 in 92 overs, still 44 runs behind Zimbabwe who made 206 in their first innings.

The young opening pair added 76, with Liton Das adding 31 to his overnight score to get out on 54. The wicketkeeper-batsman struck six fours and

was the only batsman with a strike rate of over 50. All the others had a strike rate below 30.

The other opening batsman Sadman Islam scored 40 off 179 balls while Marshal Ayub made 20 off 83 balls to frustrate the Zimbabwean bowlers. Rokibul Hasan and skipper Naeem Islam were the unbeaten batsmen at stumps.

Rokibul faced 114 deliveries to score 16 while Naeem saw off 86 deliveries to make 17, showing a rare example of patient batting. Tinotenda Mutombodzi scalped two for 27 for the visitors.

Earlier Bangladesh A bundled out their East African counterpart for 206 in the first innings thanks to a Saqlain Sajib’s record haul of 9-82. l

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Cabinet okays Child Marriage Restraint Act 2014 n Mohosinul Karim The cabinet yesterday approved the drafts of the Child Marriage Restraint Act 2014, a law intended to choke off the high rate of child marriage in Bangladesh, keeping the provision of maximum two years in prison and Tk50,000 as penalty.

The draft got the cabinet’s approval in its regular meeting held at the Secretariat, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in chair.

“The draft of the Child Marriage Restraint Act has been finalised with the provision of a maximum two-year jail sentence and Tk50,000 fine for the violation of the law,” said Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan,

addressing reporters after the meeting.

“It will be sent to the Law Ministry for vetting. The observations of cabinet will be incorporated in the final draft.

After getting the Law Ministry’s review, it will be tabled in the cabinet meeting again for final approval,” he added.

According to the proposed law, anyone under 18 years of age will be considered a child, while a male under 21 years of age and a female under 18 years will be considered as minors.

It stipulates that a marriage between two minors or between a minor and an adult will be considered a child marriage.

The cabinet secretary said the cabinet had suggested the ministry to change the age limit of minors. It will be changed in the final draft after con-

Three held over Mirpur schoolboy killing n Mohammad Jamil Khan Police have arrested three youths, including the prime suspect in the Mirpur schoolboy Emon killing case, in the capital.

Prime suspect Md Sujon, 20, was arrested on Sunday night, Salauddin Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Mirpur Model police station, told the Dhaka Tribune. Police arrested the two others yesterday – Jibon in the morning and and Pias, 19, around 3pm.

On Sunday, Md Emon Sarkar, 14, a seventh-grader at Mirpur Adarsha High School, was stabbed to death outside his house in Mirpur 6 when he went out to buy biscuits around 9pm.

Emon’s father Nazrul Sarkar, who owns a clothing store at Ramna, filed a case against 53 people, naming the three youths.

In the case statement, Nazrul mentioned that Sujon, instructed by Pias and Jibon who were with him, attacked Emon while he was chatting with his friend Milon outside the Popular Diagnostic Centre.

Milon was made a witness to the incident.

Following the attack, Sujon attempted to flee but a traffic policeman saw

1% surcharge on cellphone use for education and health sector improvement n Mohosinul Karim The government has decided to impose 1% surcharge on mobile phone usage with a view to use the new source of revenue for the improvement of the country’s education and healthcare sector.

Cabinet yesterday approved the proposal of the internal resources division during a regular meeting.

“The proposal to impose 1% surcharge on services available through SIM or RIM card provided by mobile phone operators has been approved,” Cabinet Secretary Muhammad Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told journalists.

Earlier, the government announced imposing the surcharge to create a “Rural Education Fund.”

Bhuiyan said it has been estimated that on an average subscribers spend at least Tk200 per month for mobile phone services. Those subscribers will have to pay Tk2 as surcharge.

Meanwhile, the mobile phone industry insiders fear that introducing a new surcharge on the use of mobile phones would make services more expensive.

The government will introduce the surcharge in the name of creating the “Rural Education Fund” although it earlier decided to introduce 1% surcharge in the name of forming the ‘Information and Communication Technology Development Fund’ from the price of the imported and locally-manufactured mobile handsets, just two weeks before the parliament had passed the national budget for the next fiscal year.

According to industry insiders, currently mobile phone users pay 15% VAT for any mobile phone services including voice, data, or other value added services which will become 16% as soon as the fresh surcharge is imposed. l

him carrying a bloodstained knife and handed him over to Pallabi police. Sujon was later taken to Mirpur Model police station.

Sources and Emon’s friends said the boy was a member of Miraz Group, a local youth group, and got into an altercation with Pias and several others belonging to another group during Ramadan over where to sit for chatting and making friends with a girl.

At the time, the dispute was settled but Emon later brawled with Pias again over talking to a local girl.

That was why Emon had been attacked and killed, his friends and family members claimed.

Ataur Rahman, sub-inspector of Mirpur Model police station and investigating officer in the case, said Emon and Pias had a conflict between them over establishing dominion in the area as they belonged to two separate groups.

“We are questioning the arrestees and the killers would hopefully be arrested soon,” he said.

“We learned that Sujon used to work as a hitman. Pias and his group might have contracted him to kill Emon but we need to complete the probe before we can make any conclusion,” added Ataur. l

sulting with the stakeholders.

After the meeting, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki told reporters at her office that anyone under 18 years would be considered as a child, but a male under 18 years and a female under 16 years will be considered as minor in the final draft.

“The cabinet instructed the officials concerned to amend the draft incorporating the observation. It will be done before forwarding the draft to the Law Ministry,” she said.

According to the draft act, the offence also carries a minimum sentence of six months, or Tk10,000 fine, or both for the violation of the law. The male offenders will be punished with both the sentence and the fine, while the fe-

n

A shopkeeper was held responsible by the mobile court for defying the law. For this, his grocery store was sealed off and the shopkeeper jailed for three months.

The mobile court was conducted upon allegations that he had kept chicken and fish along with soft drinks in his refrigerator.

Later it was also found that the licence of the store had not been renewed after June 2010 and that he had been using power connection designated for residential use. The mobile court also destroyed some products at the store which were termed sub-standard for not having BSTI labels.

After serving 19 days in jail, Nazmul Hossain Prakash Noel, 45, was released on bail recently. After taking treatment in Dhaka, Noel told local journalists the ordeals he had faced on August 12.

His shop, Jannat General Store, is situated just beside the first class officers’ dormitory in Datiara area of the town. The public servants staying there buy products especially cigarettes from the shop on credit and sometimes drink tea. Noel said in March he had asked Nejarat Deputy Collector Nazmul Ahsan to pay his dues for 10 cigarettes. It irked the official. He paid the money but also stopped buying things from the store.

Recently, the son of Ahsan was saved by some Ansar members while the boy was drowning in a pond near the shop.

District Information Officer Tarique Mohammad came to the shop on August 11 and asked Nowel about the incident.

“The son of Sir [Ahsan] could not be saved if the Ansar members were not there,” Noel told him. But Tarique told the NDC that Noel had wished the boy’s death.

On August 12, the mobile court was conducted, and the punishments meted out in presence of NDC Ahsan. Ansar member Shahidul Hossain beat Noel in front of his shop. “While they were taking me on a vehicle, NDC Ahsan told Shahidul:

n Tribune Report Top regional land forces officials in Bangladesh for a military seminar yesterday attended a plenary session on land forces capacity building for environmental security, as they cruised down the Padma River.

The second day of programmes of the 38th Pacific Armies Management Seminar (PAMS 38) was held aboard the Bangladesh Army’s Landing Craft Tank Shaktisanchar, a type of amphibious assault ship.

Speakers included Colonel Ruben Segura of Chile and Brigadier General Dharma Bahadur Baniya of Nepal, who both stressed a cooperative approach

to meeting non-traditional environmental threats.

During the session, officers and their spouses enjoyed the scenery of Bangladesh’s countryside. In the evening, participating officers and their spouses took in a cultural show at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center.

Commander of the US Army Pacific Command General Vincent Brooks and Chief of Army Staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuyan and Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Md Mainul Islam also discussed matters of mutual interest.

The thirty-eighth PAMS meeting will continue until September 17. l

K N O W YO U R P I T FA L L S

Local have placed a bamboo stick on an uncovered manhole on the middle of a road at the capital’s Tejgaon to warn both public and commuting vehicles. This picture was taken yesterday MEHEDI HASAN

Shopkeeper tortured for bothering public servant Our Correspondent, Brahmanbaria

male offenders will be charged with the fine only, the cabinet secretary added.

The family court will have the authority to cancel the marriage, in case of necessity, it said.

Earlier, the Women and Children Affairs Ministry prepared the draft after consulting with all stakeholders concerned.

The Child Marriage Restraint Act 2014, drawn up by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, comes after a Unicef report found that 74% of Bangladeshi girls under 18 years and an alarming 39% of girls under 15 years had been married off.

Bangladesh has one of the highest numbers of under-15 child marriages in the world, according to the report published in July this year. l

Pacific army officials talk environmental security aboard river cruise

‘I could not take my revenge properly.

Take him to the office and give him a good lesson. I am unable to beat him.’”

Noel said he was taken to a room on the ground floor of the deputy commissioner’s office and beaten mercilessly. The information officer was present at that time.

“Shahidul had a blade and a needle. While inserting the needle under a finger nail of my left hand, Shahidul said: ‘Confess that you wished the death of Sir’s son.’”

He had to admit since Shahidul punched the needle in all his five nails of left hand. After torture, the information officer told Noel: “You have escaped this time for being in this office. I would have beaten you up naked had it been Dhaka’s Mirpur.”

Family members were looking for Noel since he had been picked up by the mobile court. Finding him at the DC office, they informed relatives including a secretary and a divisional commissioner. Noel’s brother Mosharraf Hossain Titu and sisterin-law Nargis Begum met the DC several times at the latter’s office.

When contacted, DC Muhammad Mosharraf Hossain said he did not hear about torture. “There is no scope of such torture by a mobile court. I have heard about the torture from you [journalists],” he added.

Shahidul admitted that he had beaten up Noel under the directives of NDC Ahsan but denied torturing Noel with a needle.

Upazila Sanitary Inspector Safiur Rahman, who had prepared the document of the mobile court’s punishment, later denied doing so. “One Pranab of the court took me to Datiara. The NDC Sir was present there beforehand. The mobile court was conducted only in that shop in Datiara.”

When contacted over the phone, NDC Ahsan questioned raising the allegations after a month. “On that day, he [Noel] was arrested in front of a lot people and later kept in court custody. There is no scope of torturing him somewhere.”

He, however, said: “An Ansar member hit the shopkeeper once with a stick since he did not want to get on the vehicle.” l

FENI SCHOOLGIRL MOLESTED

Father hands son over to police n Our Correspondent, Feni A youth in Feni was handed over to police by his father yesterday in the wake of allegations of brutally molesting a female student of Shahin Academy in the town.

Gias Uddin Patwary, who lives in Rampur village, handed his son Payel Patwary to Feni model police around 3:30pm.

Police also detained 17 more youths from places adjacent to the school till yesterday morning, said Feni Assistant Police Super Shamsul Haque.

He said police were questioning the detainees to identify the real culprits.

“The indifference of the school authorities to take any action against the allegation came to Feni Police Super Rezaul Haque’s notice. He talked to the family of the girl and also the school authorities on Sunday, and assured the family members of providing all sorts of legal help,” said Shamsul.

Meanwhile, principal of the school M Ekramul Haque Bhuiyan filed a case with Feni Model police station on Sunday night in connection with the incident.

According to the case statement and the girl’s family, a group of 1012 local men abducted her while she was returning home after school on September 1.

They took her to a nearby place where Rahul, one of the group members, brutally molested her while two of his accomplices, with arms in hand, stood guard. All of them, however, exploded crude bombs and fled when the girl’s classmates went there to rescue her.

Rahul began harassing the girl regularly on her way to school and back home as she did not respond to a proposal to have a love affair with him.

The family then stopped sending her to school two weeks ago.

Uncertainty now looms over whether the girl, an eighth-grader, would be

able to sit for the JSC test.

Earlier on August 20, Rahul and his cronies attempted to kidnap her at gunpoint while she was on her way home on a rickshaw with her mother.

They hurled abuse at the mother and the daughter when pedestrians came to help.

A number of students said they feel insecure when they see these men wandering around the school but the school authorities do nothing about this.

The indifference of the school authorities encourage the men to commit more offences, they said.

The girl’s family members told reporters they did not file any case as the school authorities did not cooperate with them and also because of the fear of being humiliated publicly.

Sub-Inspector of Feni town police outpost and also investigating officer in the case Kamal Uddin said police were trying to nab the accused. l

Nahid makes surprise visit with prior notice n Tribune Report Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid paid a visit to a printing press in the capital yesterday along with a team of journalists, claiming it was sudden, although sources said it was pre-planned.

The ministry’s information department termed the visit as “sudden,” to monitor whether the textbooks were being printed properly, but it did not look anything like that to the journalists.

Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, a number of printing press owners said they had known about the visit.

At one instance, a group of printers handed Nahid a well made bouquet of flowers. Many present there commented that the flowers could not be arranged suddenly.

Around 10 am, the ministry’s

Deputy Chief Information Officer Subodh Chandra Dhali sent an email to journalists saying Minister Nahid would pay surprise visits to different places of the city. The email also stated that there would be two micro buses for journalists.

The visit started at 2 PM and ended at 3: 30 PM. The minister’s motorcade consisted of 24 vehicles.

Nahid visited some printing houses to show journalists how the printing process worked.

The minister’s car halted at the Banglabazar post office and the leaders of Banglabazar Publishers Association welcomed him.

The whole welcome session was so proper that none present believed the visit was sudden.

“The owner of the shop where I

work told me earlier that the minister would come on Monday. We were prepared and even cleaned our shop,” an office assistant of a printing house said.

Seeking anonymity, a leader of Bangladesh Textbook Printers and Publishers Association, said that they had known about the visit two days ago and informed the Banglabazar publishers accordingly.

Nahid the ministry would take action against printers who use low quality paper to print textbooks.

“We are monitoring the printing process and whenever we will receive any allegations against any printers, we will investigate and take action,” he added.

The minister took some samples of paper from printers and said that he would have them tested in a laboratory. 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

B3 Zutt: Poor infrastructure may hinder economic growth

B4 Food safety fears see

farming return to highrise Hong Kong

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2014 www.dhakatribune.com/business

Top taxpayers proud of cotribution to nation building They call for hassle-free service for more revenue n Tribune Report The highest taxpayers of the country requested the National Board of Revenue to ensure hassle-free services and introduce clients-friendly environment in the tax collection system.

They also said the NBR should expand tax net to upazila level so as to reduce burden on the existing taxpayers.

The taxpayers were speaking at a tax card and award giving ceremony of NBR at a city hotel yesterday.

A number of 402 taxpayers from both national and district levels were awarded. Of them, 40 taxpayers, including 10 individuals and 10 corporate houses, received awards as the highest taxpayers at the national level.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith distributed the awards as chief guest.

NBR organised the function to recognise the highest and long-time taxpayers in the FY2012-13 and FY2013-14 on the occasion of the National Income Tax Day 2014.

“Without a service-oriented attitude, it would be difficult for NBR to collect taxes,” said Standard Bank Chairman Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed who received the highest taxpayer award on behalf of the bank under corporate category in last two fiscal years.

Kazi Akram, also FBCCI president, said the number of taxpayers is still very low. “Out of 16 crore people, only 13.40 lakh have electronic TIN. But 2 lakh of those TIN holders do not file in-

come tax returns.”

He said when there were 3.5 crore businessmen in the country, only 11.30 lakh of them paid tax.

Kazi Akram stressed the need of opening income tax offices in all upazila headquarters.

Golam Dastagir Gazi, another awardee and a lawmaker, said many people do not want to open tax files as the tax authority has an attitude to impose more taxes on the existing number of taxpayers rather than increasing the number.

He also suggested expansion of tax offices across the country.

In his speech, Finance Minister AMA Muhith acknowledged the existing problems in tax collection system.

He claimed that the government is taking efforts to reduce tax-related hassles so the taxpayers feel encouraged.

According to the minister, income tax and Vat will be the main source of revenue of the country in near future and there will be no customs due to free-trade economy.

The corporate recipients of the award in two fiscals include Chevron Bangladesh, Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Ltd, Sylhet Gas Fields Limited, Unilever Bangladesh Ltd, Karnaphuli Fertiliser Ltd, Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Ltd, American Life Insurance Company Ltd, Standard Bank Ltd and Citibank NA. Besides, Tullow Bangladesh Ltd was awarded for FY2012-13 and Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd for the FY2013-14.

National Board of Revenue brings out a rally in the capital yesterday to mark the National Income Tax Day 2014. Finance Minister AMA Muhith inaugurated the rally Under individual taxpayers category, the awardees in both fiscals are Hazi M Kaus Miah, Mohammad Yusuf, MA Haider Hossain and Golam Dastgir Gazi.

Abdul Kadir Molla, Sadaruddin Khan, Salauddin Kashem Khan, AM Ziauddin Khan, Motazzerul Islam and MM Amzad Hossain were awarded in the FY2012-13.

Tasmia Ambrin, Layla Hossain, Hosne Ara Hossain, Rubaiyat Farzana Hossain, Khaza Tajmahal and Moksedul Islam received the award in the FY2012-13.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

The tax card recipients will enjoy special state privileges like attending state functions, using transports and taking medical services. l

CVO to go for commercial operation n Tribune Report

Zahangir Alam

Salahuddin Kasem Khan

Nazmus Salehin

Kaus Miah

M A Haider Hussain

NBR should to set up neutral tribunals n Tribune Report

Paying tax a citizen’s responsibility n Abid Azad

Tax payment a must to ensure transparency n Abid Azad

Paying tax is my duty n Tribune Report

Tax payment is a family tradition n Abid Azad

National Board of Revenue (NBR) should now focus its attention in setting up its own neutral tribunals, which is closely related to the tax collection system.

Muhammad Zahangir Alam, who was representing Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd, one of the tax card recipient companies for the fiscal year 2013-14, floated the idea while talking to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

His company secured ninth position among the highest taxpaying companies under national level category. The company is one, out of two local companies, who were awarded with the tax card for their outstanding contribution to the government exchequer.

As asked to explain how to bring more people under tax net and help the taxpayers getting hassle-free services, Zahangir Alam, general manager (accounts and finance of Square Pharmaceuticals) reminded that the former NBR members used to become the members of the tribunals to conduct the tax-related judicial works, an important part of the tax judiciary, for ensuring impartiality in tax collection system.

It is high time everyone starts paying tax to achieve in the middle-income status of the country, said an individual tax card recipient yesterday.

The recipient was Salahuddin Kashem Khan, managing director of Chittagong-based AK Khan and Co. Ltd, who was chosen for the tax award from FY2012-13.

“If we really want to make the dream come true, we should pay the income tax regularly,” he said. He termed tax paying a citizen’s responsibility to cooperate with the government in advancing the country’s development and services.

He said if one contributes to the country, one can expect better law and order situation, strong infrastructure and other necessary development in all sectors.

The fourth-time tax award receiver also pointed out that everyone should be friendly to paying tax while the government as well as the NBR should be more sincere in its efforts to collect tax from the citizens. The taxpayer also believes that expanding tax net will help increase the tax volume.

“Last year, I paid 25% income tax and this year it was raised to 30%. It seems the tax rate is increasing only for those, who pay tax regularly,” he said. l

It is essential to pay tax, which is also an ethical and legal obligation, for the sake of ensuring transparency and accountability, said Nazmus Salehin, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director of Standard Bank Ltd. He explained if a company pays due tax, it actually builds its own better corporate image to the people to a large extent.

Md Kaus Miah has been paying taxes for the last 55 years. Why has he continued to pay tax when many others opted for evasion? Kaus Mia said it’s his duty and by performing this he finds mental satisfaction.

The NBR awarded him a tax card, certificate and crest yesterday as the second highest taxpayer in FY2013-14 and fifth highest taxpayer in FY2012-13 at national level. Kaus Mia has already received the highest taxpayer award seven times and long-time taxpayer award once from the NBR. “I started paying taxes 12 years before Bangladesh was born in 1971. After Independence, I also opened a tax file in Dhaka. I believe my duty is to obey the rules of the country,” he told Dhaka Tribune on the sidelines of the award giving ceremony.

“I do business, earn money and pay tax as per the law,” the businessman said adding he feels happy when taxpayers money is used for the development of the country. Kaus Mia, however, urged the NBR not to depend only on the current taxpayers, but to include others eligible in the tax net.

“People fear that once they are registered as taxpayers, they will have to pay all sorts of tax imposed by the government. l

The family members of late Dr M M Amzad Hossain feel proud as they have been recognised for paying tax.

Seven members from one family received individual tax cards this year for their contribution to the national exchequer.

“We feel proud of our entire family that pays taxes and we all together received recognition from the government,” said M A Haider Hussain, managing director of Drug International.

“We all learned this practice from our father Dr. MM Amzad Hussain who maintained tax files since 1952.”

Late MM Amjad Hussain, Mohammad Eusuf, MA Haider Hussain, Laila Hussain, Husne Ara Hussain, Rubaiyat Farzana Hussain and Khwaja Tajmahal represent ATI Limited, a leading company of the country, though all of them received awards in individual category.

“We have been in business for the fourth generation. Tax payment has become part of our family heritage,” said Hussain. He also said the government, on the other hand, should be more service-oriented as services should be reached at the citizen’s doorstep.

“Awareness should be raised among the people so they feel enthusiasm to pay their tax which will bring development in the country,” he added. l

 B3 COLUMN 1

High tax rate puts stress on the shareholders and causes negative impact on the profit He was talking to Dhaka Tribune just after receiving prestigious tax card award under corporate company category.

Standard Bank Ltd got the award both in the FY2012-13 and FY2013-14 as one of the highest tax paying companies. However, Salehin said the tax imposed on the banks should be reduced for the betterment of the banking sector.

“Due to the high tax rate, it puts stress on the shareholders and causes negative impact on the profit, which also affects the customers in various ways.” l

CVO Petrochemical Refinery Limited is set to start its commercial operation with an annual production capacity of 25,000 tonnes of petrol and diesel.

An agreement was signed between Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) and CVO yesterday to purchase petrol and diesel. The purchase price of petroleum will be Tk85 per litre, which BPC will sell at Tk93 in the market.

The signing ceremony was attended, among others, by BPC Chairman Eunusur Rahman, CVO Petrochemical Chief Adviser Moyeen Uddin Khan Badal MP and its Chairman Shamsul Alam Shamim.

The share price of CVO petrochemical company rose abnormally in last two weeks as the news of company’s commercial operation has been spread over the market by insider traders, said a senior executive of a merchant bank.

The share price of the company rose by 38% to Tk771 from Tk558 in last two weeks, according to the Dhaka Stock Exchange data.

The Chittagong Vegetable Oil company took the new name CVO petrochemical refinery as it changed its business pattern from vegetable oil to petrochemical refinery plant.

Stocks of Chittagong Vegetable Oil Industries had emerged as one of the most overvalued shares in the year 2010 as identified by the probe committee on the share market scam.

The share price rose to Tk6,500 from Tk100 in less than one year. The committee found that Chittagong Vegetable Oil Industries, better known as CT Veg, was traded at Tk100 during early 2010. The share price started rising from March that year and reached to Tk6,500 in January 2011.

The company offered 20% stock dividend, despite operational losses in the year 2008-2009 amid suspension of sales. l

Mozilla launches cheapest smartphones today n Muhammad Zahidul Islam Mozilla, best known for producing the Firefox web browser, is launching smartphones with its operating system today.

The handsets will be marketed under the Symphony brand name at a price of about Tk4,650. They will be available one week later.

Handset vendor Symphony and mobile phone operator Grameenphone will organise a gala ceremony to launch the device at a city hotel.

The sets will have a 3.5-inch display, 1GHz processor and 2 megapixel rear-facing camera. The memory is expandable up to 4GB and it supports a dual-SIM setup,

as well as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.

High officials from Telenor, parent company of Grameenphone, and Mozilla already arrived in Dhaka on the occasion.

According to market insiders, Mozilla sets will be the cheapest smartphones in Bangladesh though much higher than the tar-

get price of $25 (Tk1,933), creating further chances of flourishing 3G business here.

In February Mozilla declared that it will bring handsets within $25 as the same sets were released in India at around $33 (Tk2,552) last month.

In an interview with Dhaka Tribune in March, Anders Hallin,

chief strategic officer of Telenor Digital, said they had a special plan for Bangladesh market and wanted to launch smartphones shortly.

“I saw the handsets, but can’t share any information right now,” Anders Hallin said at that time.

Grameenphone said all the formalities have been completed with the telecom regulator. l

B2

Profit booking breaks 4-day rally n Tribune Report

contributed 55% of the total market turnover.

Out of 300 traded stocks, only 16 posted more than 3% gain, whereas 52 lost more than 3% from the previous day.

Among the large cap sectors, non-banking financial institutions and life insurance closed lower.

Other major sectors like telecommunication, pharmaceuticals, fuel and power, and bank gained 1.6%, 0.4 %, 0.2% and 0.7% respectively.

Lanka Bangla Securities said market saw mild corrections as investors went for some quick profit booking. Investors’ sentiment was a bit cautious, it said.

IDLC Investments said market slowed a bit after last few days’ buying spree amid profit booking and sector reallocation by the investors.

Mobil Jamuna Limited was the most traded stocks, followed by Grameenphone, Beximco Pharmaceuticals, Padma Oil, BSRM Steel, Lafarge Surma Cement Ltd Bangladesh, Beximco Ltd, IDLC and Delta Life Insurance.

The top gainers included SAFKO Spinning, DBH, Reliance Insurance, Summit Power, Beximco Pharmaceuticals, IDLC and Standard Insurance.

The worst losers were Rupali Life Insurance, Sandhani Insurance, 8th ICB Mutual Fund, 7th ICB Mutual Fund, Monno Staffler and Sun Life Insurance. l

Stocks edged lower yesterday as profit booking snapped the four-day rally.

The market began with a flying start in the morning, but investors opted for booking profits on, wiping off early gains.

After rising around 50 points in the early trade, the Dhaka Stock Exchange benchmark index, DSEX, inched 3.7 points down to 4,709, scaling back from its previous session’s more than seven-month high.

Market saw mild corrections as investors went for some quick profit booking The Shariah index, DSES, declined marginally almost 2 points to 1,110.

The comprising blue chips DS30 closed at 1,818 with a rise of 4 points or 0.3%.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, was down 8 points to 8,800.

Turnover at DSE also dropped sharply to Tk669 crore, down around 20% over the previous session. Top twenty traded stocks

Weekly capital market highlights DSE Broad Index : DSE - 30 Index : CSE All Share Index: CSE - 30 Index : CSE Selected Index : DSE LOSER Company Rupali Life Insur.-B Sandhani Life -A 8th ICB M F-A 7th ICB M F-A Monno Stafllers -A Sun Life Insurance-N Meghna Life Ins. -A Rahima Food -Z Padma Islami Life*-N AMCL (Pran) -A

Closing (% Change) -6.94 -6.14 -6.00 -5.88 -5.79 -5.66 -5.44 -5.43 -5.41 -5.35

CSE LOSER Company Bangladesh Lamps -A Rahima Food -Z Phoenix Insur -A City G Insu.-A Rupali Life Insur.-B 6th ICB M F-A Padma Islami Life*-N Paramount Insur-A Janata Insur -A Provati Insur.-A

Closing (% Change) -8.48 -7.98 -7.65 -6.44 -6.37 -6.34 -6.20 -6.00 -5.98 -5.71

4709.91632

(-) 0.08%

1818.97556

(+) 0.23%

14542.31660

(-) 0.14%

11770.84160

(-) 0.06%

8800.62970

(-) 0.10%

Average (% Change) -3.13 -3.09 -6.07 -5.88 -5.76 -4.92 -3.77 -6.78 -2.46 -2.78 Average (% Change) -8.45 -9.68 -7.79 -4.06 -2.71 -6.29 -4.38 -3.20 -5.73 -5.00

ANALYST

ClosingAvg. 53.58 62.19 58.00 80.00 297.93 45.62 94.64 44.03 57.20 239.68

ClosingAvg. 123.00 44.22 32.55 19.40 54.24 53.23 56.34 19.39 17.28 19.95

Closing

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 363.98 445.88 59.36 886.58 299.68 1208.39 1.86 446.34 1045.31 47.26 89.23 59.21 25.08 464.03 157.48 86.63 227.17 370.14 70.10 334.43 0.89

▼ ▲ ▼ ▼ ▼

DHIGH

52.30 61.10 58.00 80.00 298.00 45.00 92.20 43.50 55.90 235.30

Closing

56.00 65.50 58.10 80.00 305.00 47.70 100.50 45.60 60.60 250.00

DHIGH

123.00 43.80 32.60 18.90 52.90 53.20 56.00 18.80 17.30 19.80

124.00 45.50 32.70 20.00 55.00 55.00 60.90 19.70 17.50 21.40

Turnover (Million Taka)

Company

6,689.02

Turnover (Volume)

125,605,245

Number of Contract

127,993

Traded Issues

300

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

79

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

216 5

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,510.08

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

30.43

CSE key features September 15-2014 Turnover (Million Taka)

417.17

Turnover (Volume)

9,504,958

Number of Contract

14,506

Traded Issues

236

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

80

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

152

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

4

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,405.02

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

29.15

Turnover in Million

51.40 59.00 58.00 80.00 295.10 44.90 90.00 43.00 53.50 226.90

122.00 43.80 32.40 18.40 52.60 52.10 55.00 18.80 16.60 19.20

Latest EPS

10.614 5.247 0.087 0.080 0.432 3.581 17.577 1.453 4.910 15.970

Turnover in Million

DLOW

% change 5.44 6.67 0.89 13.25 4.48 18.07 0.03 6.67 15.63 1.33 0.89 0.38 6.94 2.35 1.30 3.40 5.53 1.05 5.00 0.01

Million Taka 24.98 16.85 3.02 51.60 13.41 53.68 40.14 54.02 13.64 3.20 7.13 0.84 49.98 16.04 2.71 19.08 19.59 14.42 36.34 0.01

CSE

% change 5.67 3.82 0.69 11.71 3.04 12.18 0.00 9.11 12.26 3.10 0.73 1.62 0.19 11.34 3.64 0.61 4.33 4.45 3.27 8.25 0.00

5.33 2.12 7.96 12.01 0.80 0.00 6.45 -1.01 1.10 5.85

Latest EPS

0.043 0.111 0.026 0.041 0.624 0.096 0.569 0.611 0.175 0.060

Million Taka 388.96 462.73 62.39 938.18 313.09 1262.07 1.86 486.48 1099.33 60.90 92.43 66.34 25.92 514.01 173.51 89.34 246.25 389.73 84.52 370.77 0.90

Safko Spinning-A Delta Brac HFCL-A Reliance Insur -A Summit Power -A Beximco Pharma -A IDLC Finance -A Standard Insurance-A PragatiLife Insu. -Z Marico BD Ltd-A Safko Spinning-A

Closing (% Change) 8.00 7.49 6.04 4.83 4.54 4.12 4.03 3.84 3.59 11.16

CSE GAINER

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

DLOW

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

DSE GAINER

DSE key features September 15-2014

1.12 -1.01 4.30 2.04 5.33 6.47 1.10 1.18 1.00 1.52

Latest PE 10.1 29.3 7.3 6.7 372.4 14.7 -ve 52.0 41.0

Company Prime Islami Life -A Safko Spinning-A Delta Brac HFCL-A Dutch Ban. Bnk- A Marico BD Ltd-A Beximco Pharma -A Summit Power -A IDLC Finance -A SummitAlliancePort.-A Sonargaon Tex -Z

8.36 7.02 6.33 5.70 4.76 4.71 4.55 4.13 4.03 3.45

Average (% Change) 8.31 6.70 4.68 5.66 4.77 4.19 2.33 5.06 3.75 3.33

ClosingAvg. 31.16 63.75 67.59 38.63 57.68 65.51 25.64 91.79 1,240.17 27.81

ClosingAvg. 92.00 31.21 63.75 89.00 1236.23 57.89 38.59 65.42 30.95 8.99

Closing 32.40 64.60 66.70 39.10 57.60 65.70 25.80 89.20 1,223.10 27.90

Closing 92.00 32.00 63.80 89.00 1236.20 57.80 39.10 65.60 31.00 9.00

DHIGH 32.90 65.70 68.00 39.60 60.00 66.80 26.00 94.40 1,250.50 29.10

DHIGH 92.00 32.40 64.00 89.00 1244.90 59.70 39.20 66.50 31.40 9.00

DLOW 27.00 58.50 62.40 35.00 50.00 57.00 23.00 87.00 1,200.00 23.50

DLOW 92.00 29.50 63.50 89.00 1230.00 55.90 37.30 64.00 29.60 8.50

Turnover in Million 39.191 14.616 25.449 62.806 311.768 228.043 1.569 3.029 14.448 146.165

Turnover in Million 0.005 1.031 0.064 0.045 0.247 12.728 2.574 3.468 1.489 0.090

Latest EPS 1.06 5.15 4.68 3.54 3.94 3.04 3.00 2.38 59.28 1.06

Latest EPS 4.95 1.06 5.15 9.28 59.28 3.94 3.54 3.04 0.96 -0.96

Latest PE 29.4 12.4 14.4 10.9 14.6 21.5 8.5 38.6 20.9 26.2

Latest PE 18.6 29.4 12.4 9.6 20.9 14.7 10.9 21.5 32.2 -ve

News, analysis and recent disclosers From TradeServers: MHSML: The Board of Directors of the Company has decided to issue Rights shares @ 3R:2 at an issue price of Tk. 10.00 each at par on paid up capital after considering proposed bonus shares subject to approval by the shareholders in EGM and the Regulatory Authorities. The purpose of rights issue is to establish a ring project under the exiting rotor project. The Board has also decided to increase the Authorized Capital of the Company from Tk. 100.00 crore to Tk. 300.00 crore. Date of EGM: 30.10.2014, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: Factory Office, Thakurbari Teac, Masumabad, Bhulta, Rupgonj, Narayangonj.

Record date for EGM: 25.09.2014. Another record date for entitlement of the proposed rights shares to be notified later after obtaining approval from BSEC. DSE NEWS: As per decision of the Board of Directors, the trading and official activities of Dhaka Stock Exchange Limited will remain closed from October 05, 2014 to October 09, 2014 for holidays of "Eid-ul-Azha". Dhaka Stock Exchange Limited will resume its trading and official activities from October 12, 2014.

SAIHAMCOT: (Q1): As per un-audited quarterly accounts for the 1st quarter ended on 31st July 2014 (May'14 to July'14), the Company has reported profit after tax of Tk. 54.48 million with EPS of Tk. 0.40 as against Tk. 57.66 million and Tk. 0.43 respectively for the same period of the previous year.

IPO Subscription: Hamid Fabrics Limited subscription date 28 September to 02 October 2014, NRB upto 11 October 2014. @ taka 35, face value taka 10 and market lot 100.

Right Share: MIDASFIN: Subscription period for rights issue will be from 01.09.2014 to 30.09.2014. Record date for entitlement of rights share: 03.08.2014.

ICB: Subscription period for rights issue will be from 07.12.2014 to 30.12.2014.

Record date for entitlement of rights share: 09.09.2014.

Dividend/AGM DBH: 25% cash, AGM: 25.11.2014, Record date: 25.09.2014.

DESHBANDHU: 10% stock, EGM & AGM: 19.10.2014, Record date for AGM & EGM: 21.09.2014.

SINGERBD: 160% interim cash, Record date for entitlement of interim dividend:

17.09.2014.

MHSML: 25% stock, AGM: 30.10.2014, Record date: 25.09.2014.

FARCHEM: 20% stock, AGM: 09.10.2014, Record date: 11.09.2014.

SAIHAMCOT: 10% cash, AGM: 23.10.2014, Record date: 17.09.2014.

BSCCL: 10% cash, AGM: 12.10.2014, Record date: 04.09.2014.

PRAGATILIF: No dividend, AGM: 30.09.2014, Record date: 14.09.2014.

GPHISPAT: 15% cash and 5% stock, AGM: 10.11.2014, Record date: 22.09.2014.

APEXFOODS: 20% cash, AGM: 28.09.2014, Record date: 21.08.2014.

APEXTANRY: 45% cash, AGM: 23.09.2014, Record date: 27.08.2014.

DELTASPINN: 10% cash, AGM: 30.08.2014, Record date: 14.08.2014.

NAVANACNG: 15% cash, AGM: 25.09.2014, Record Date: 10.08.2014.

SUNLIFEINS: 5% stock, AGM: 15.09.2014, Record Date: 07.08.2014.

SQURPHARMA: 30% cash and 15% stock, AGM: 25.09.2014, Record Date: 26.08.2014 APEXSPINN: 20% cash, AGM: 28.09.2014, Record date: 07.08.2014.

109.8 -ve 7.6 9.5 10.2 8.2 51.2 16.4 17.3 13.1

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company

Total

Closing (% Change)

Average (% Change) 6.93 6.37 8.53 2.47 4.10 4.73 3.39 5.05 4.40 12.91

Latest PE

Market slowed a bit after last few days’ buying spree amid profit booking and sector reallocation by the investors

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY Sector

Stock

DHAKA TRIBUNE

% change 5.46 6.49 0.88 13.16 4.39 17.70 0.03 6.82 15.42 0.85 1.30 0.93 0.36 7.21 2.43 1.25 3.45 5.47 1.19 5.20 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

MJL BD Ltd.-A Grameenphone-A Beximco Pharma -A Padma Oil Co. -A BSRM Steels-A LafargeS Cement-Z BEXIMCO Ltd. -A IDLC Finance -A Delta Life Insu. -A ACI Limited- A

Square Pharma -A ACI Formulations-A HeidelbergCement -A Singer BD -A Meghna Petroleum -A CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company BEXIMCO Ltd. -A LafargeS Cement-Z MJL BD Ltd.-A Delta Life Insu. -A BSRM Steels-A Grameenphone-A Beximco Pharma -A Padma Oil Co. -A HeidelbergCement -A Active Fine Chem.-A

Square Pharma -A Khulna Printing-N UNITED AIR-A Shurwid Ind. -N Singer BD -A

VolumeShares 3,465,407 903,972 5,405,479 865,780 2,913,620 2,025,050 5,702,867 3,481,177 1,104,203 412,989

Value in Million 446.24 314.06 311.77 299.00 295.83 265.33 236.61 228.04 172.79 162.63

% of TotalTurnover 6.67 4.70 4.66 4.47 4.42 3.97 3.54 3.41 2.58 2.43

VolumeShares

Value in Million

% of TotalTurnover

505,697 823,095 208,840 445,345 366,433

758,499 237,000 149,014 110,624 156,070 38,800 219,878 36,691 17,700 138,700

37,580 292,000 642,945 166,500 28,545

119.23 114.90 114.30 106.40 100.57

31.46 30.98 19.24 17.14 15.79 13.46 12.73 12.65 9.81 9.27

8.84 8.67 7.80 7.31 6.80

1.78 1.72 1.71 1.59 1.50

7.59 7.47 4.64 4.13 3.81 3.25 3.07 3.05 2.37 2.24

2.13 2.09 1.88 1.76 1.64

ClosingP 128.30 344.20 57.60 341.00 99.80 130.30 41.00 65.70 152.50 390.70

233.30 143.00 544.60 237.90 271.70

ClosingP

41.10 130.20 128.20 151.50 99.50 344.40 57.80 341.90 549.70 66.20

232.70 29.00 12.10 43.00 238.00

Change % -2.73 1.62 4.54 1.31 -2.54 -0.61 1.74 4.12 -1.99 -2.06

0.09 2.22 -1.11 -2.18 0.07

Change %

1.73 -0.91 -3.03 -2.38 -2.74 1.65 4.71 1.48 -0.16 -0.90

-0.09 -2.68 -0.82 0.47 -2.50

ClosingY 131.90 338.70 55.10 336.60 102.40 131.10 40.30 63.10 155.60 398.90

233.10 139.90 550.70 243.20 271.50

ClosingY

40.40 131.40 132.20 155.20 102.30 338.80 55.20 336.90 550.60 66.80

232.90 29.80 12.20 42.80 244.10

DHIGH

DLOW

132.00 350.90 60.00 350.00 104.70 133.70 43.00 66.80 170.00 407.50

119.00 335.00 50.00 310.00 95.00 125.00 36.30 57.00 141.00 370.00

238.00 150.80 557.00 245.00 277.90

217.00 126.00 542.40 225.00 248.00

DHIGH

DLOW

42.20 134.50 131.90 162.80 99.90 351.00 59.70 349.80 560.00 67.70

40.80 128.00 126.50 150.00 100.00 340.00 55.90 340.00 544.10 66.00

239.00 31.10 12.40 45.60 241.80

231.00 28.80 12.00 42.70 235.20

AvgPrice 128.77 347.42 57.68 345.36 101.53 131.02 41.49 65.51 156.48 393.79

235.78 139.60 547.31 238.92 274.46

AvgPrice

41.48 130.72 129.13 154.92 101.17 346.90 57.89 344.71 554.48 66.85

235.35 29.70 12.13 43.91 238.31

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Zutt: Poor infrastructure may hinder economic growth ‘Banking supervision responsibility should be on Bangladesh Bank’ n Tribune Report Infrastructure constraints might act as a roadblock to an expected positive economic growth outlook for Bangladesh unless measures are taken to deal with the problems, World Bank Country Director Johannes Zutt said in Dhaka yesterday.

“Infrastructure deficiencies are very serious impediments to growth,” he said, exchanging views about the economic performance, prospects and problems with Bangladesh Development Journalist Forum at the World Bank’s Dhaka office.

Replying to a question on Anti Corruption Commission’s finding no evidence in Padma graft case, he said: “I do not want to make any comment on a legal process of a country. Moreover, we had no access to the evidence.”

Putting importance on implementing infrastructure projects on priority basis, he said port capacity should be expanded in line with the GDP (gross domestic product) estimates.

“Current capacity of the port is still not enough to support the present GDP growth level,” he said, stressing the need for enhancing the container storage capacity of Chittagong port, the country’s largest seaport, at a faster pace to avoid possible congestion in future.

BB warns of transaction through artificial currency

n Tribune Report

Bangladesh Bank has warned not to make any transactions through the online-based artificial currency called “bitcoin”.

Transaction through bitcoin or any other artificial currency is not recognised by the central bank or any agency of Bangladesh Government, said a warning notice issued by Bangladesh Bank yesterday.

With reference to information obtained from the internet, the notice said bitcoin is being bought and sold in the exchange platforms though it is not a legal tender issued by any country. l

NBR urged to set up  B1 COLUMN 1

“As the tribunals don’t have the officials from outside, who were supposed to play the key role, there are problems in tax judiciary. The tribunals should be neutral, but if the former NBR officials are appointed there, how can we expect the neutrality from them?”

He also suggested the board to appoint former justices, or cost accountants to ensure neutrality in the taxjustice delivery system.

The award winning company official also said his company is paying tax regularly as if it is sharing the profits.

“We are paying tax in line with the law and for distribution of profit to government,” said Zahangir. l

The port is now able to handle over 22lakh TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit) of containers a year against its previous capacity of 20 lakh TEUs, according to the Chittagong Port Authority.

It handled 15.4 lakh TEUs of export and import containers last year, an increase of 9.6% growth year-on-year.

The country director said faster implementation of Dhaka-Chittagong road link project is also important to maintain transport corridors for safe, efficient and affordable movement of cargo and passengers.

Sonadia deep sea port, which the government has already taken it as fast track green field project, is also crucial for smooth operation of trade and com-

merce, he said.

“Without addressing major infrastructure and trade facilitation deficiencies, the economic growth of Bangladesh might have to be compromised,” Zutt said. Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative could help tackle the infrastructure deficiencies, he added.

To this end, the government should work together with private sector to do everything, as flourishing of private sector means boosting in revenue income and increasing expenditure capacity of public sector for the welfare of the people. “But this requires change of mindset,” he said.

On perennial power crisis being faced by the country for long, he said Bangladesh needs to connect with regional power pool – Bhutan, India and Nepal – to overproduce electricity, which is much needed for uninterrupted production.

Zutt was very critical about the monitoring system of the country’s banking sector recently plagued with financial scams. “The supervision of banking sector in Bangladesh is quite outstanding and it is bifurcated between banking division and the central bank. This system is probably not good. The supervision responsibility should be on the central bank.”

For export diversification, he identified pharmaceuticals, ship-building industry, footwear, leather and leather goods as potential sectors. “Developing manufacturing sector is extremely important for job creation, which ultimately help cut poverty rate,” he said.

Pointing fingers at Bangladesh historical divisive and confrontational politics, he said these could create policy uncertainty and impede efforts in addressing critical problems requiring long-term engagement. Bureaucratic red-tape and widespread rent-seeking impedes growth and investment, he said.

“Many Bangladeshi institutions are weak,” said Zutt.

He said these institutions, established when the country was at much lower levels of income, are not adequate for a country approaching middle-income status.

“Many utilities do not operate on a commercial basis, there is no integrated financial management information system, state-owned commercial banks have recently been plagued with several scams,” he said.

To improve economic governance, he suggested stronger compliance with internationally-accepted rules, standards, and certification to integrate more fully with the world economy, including especially in the RMG industry. l

B3

Karmasangsthan Bank’s Iqbal to take the helm of BASIC n Asif Showkat Kallol

The government has decided to appoint the managing director of staterun Karmasangsthan Bank, Khondoker Md Iqbal, as the MD of financially troubled Basic Bank under the new rule of appointment of state bank MDs, according to officials of Bank and Financial Institutions Division.

The Bank and Financial Institutions Division (BFID) was, however, unable to appoint the MD of state-run Janata Bank that lacks its chairman as well as an effective search committee to pick up three individuals to finally choose one as the MD. Former Janata Bank chairman Abul Barakat completed his tenure last week.

In mid-August, the BFID under the Finance Ministry took back the power of the boards of state-owned banks to appoint MDs. The boards enjoyed the authority over appointment for nearly seven years.

The Banking Division urged the government to reconstitute the boards of directors of state banks first and then return the authority over appointment to the boards to run the banks professionally.

The directives were imposed on the three state-owned commercial banks, Sonali, Janata and Agrani, plus two other public sector semi-commercial banks, BASIC and BDBL. Currently, the posts of chief executive officer are falling vacant in Janata and BASIC banks while the tenure of incumbent managing director of BDBL will end in February and that of Sonali

and Agrani in July next year.

Banking Division Secretary M Aslam Alam told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday, “They have picked up Karmasangsthan Bank MD Khondoker Md Iqbal from a panel of three individuals chosen by the BASIC Bank search committee.

“In the wake of complexity regarding appointment of new Janata Bank chairman we are yet to receive names from the search committee of Janata Bank,” he said.

On May 24, the central bank removed the managing director of stateowned BASIC Bank Quazi Fakhrul Islam from his post on charges of his negligence in duty and irregularities.

Despite a seasoned banker, Alauddin A Majid will face challenges to bring discipline to lending, as the BASIC Bank’s indicators went on a free fall over the last four years due to massive irregularities that cost the bank Tk4,500 crore.

On July 6, the government dissolved the BASIC Bank board.

This was the second time the board of a state-run bank was fired for financial anomalies within a span of less than two years.

In December 2012, the board of Sonali Bank was reconstituted following the Hall-Mark scam.

On the same day, the Banking Division appointed Alauddin A Majid, chairman of the state-controlled Krishi Bank, as the new chairman of BASIC Bank.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister AMA Muhith accepted the resignation letter of Sheikh Abdul Hye Bacchu, the BASIC Bank board chairman. l

CSE to launch three new In countdown to UK election, rate indices soon hike moves to centre stage n Tribune Report The Chittagong Stock Exchange will launch three three indices – Shariah, IPO and benchmark – soon as part of its business expansion plan.

“We will make an agreement at the end of this month with the National Stock Exchange of India to launch these indices, but subject to approval by the securities regulator,” said CSE managing director Syed Sajid Husain at a monthly press briefing in Dhaka yesterday.

The CSE earlier submitted a proposal to launch IPO index and made a presentation before the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC).

Husain said the stock exchange also

will arrange a two-day internet trading fair in next month to make it popular among the investors.

Through this fair, visitors could learn how to trade using smart phones, iPads and laptops. Brokerage firms, IT companies and different financial institutions will display their products and facilities, he said.

“The fair will be held at the end of October,” he said. The CSE introduced internet-based trading system in 1998, which is yet to get momentum.

About the bourse’s plan to boost its trading volume, he said: “We are also trying to diversify our business by introducing new products like derivatives, exchange-traded funds etc.” l

Oil prices fall after weak Chinese data n AFP, Singapore Oil prices fell in Asia yesterday after a sharp slowdown in Chinese industrial production raised concerns about slackening demand in the world’s top energy consumer, analysts said.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for October delivery eased $96 cents to $91.31, while Brent crude for October tumbled 54 cents to $96.57 in

Dr Md Zillur Rahman, MD of Bangladesh Development Bank Limited (BDBL) and chairperson of BDBL Investment Services Limited (BISL), Kazi Morshed Hossain Kamal seen handing over the DSE membership to BISL following the signing of a vendors agreement recently

afternoon trade. “Oil has come off a fair bit as investors are taking in the weak Chinese industrial production data released over the weekend,” Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist at CMC Markets in Sydney, told AFP. “The figure feeds into the continuing story about slowing demand in China,” he added. China said Saturday that industrial output grew 6.9% last month, its weakest rate since December 2008. l

n Reuters, London Britain’s politicians and central bankers are watching one another even more closely than usual as the timing of a national election and a headline-making interest rate rise look set to converge.

With parliament and the Bank of England returning to work after the summer, the approach of the vote on May 7, 2015 is likely to be a key factor in the BoE’s thinking on when to raise interest rates for the first time since the financial crisis.

With politicians fiercely at odds over whether the current government should be credited with economic recovery or blamed for a painful decline in living standards, the first interest rate hike since 2007 will be fodder in a close election race.

Two BoE policymakers voted last month to raise rates, and fast growth and tumbling unemployment means more may agree to act to cool the economy in the coming months.

In theory, the date of the election should make no difference to the central bank: The BoE has enjoyed decision-making independence since 1998 and Governor Mark Carney said earlier this year that the political cycle would have no effect on the BoE’s decision to raise rates.

But history shows that interest rates almost never rise in the run-up to a British national election. The last time

Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited has recently been awarded the Financial Branding Award

by Centre for Non Resident Bangladeshis for its outstanding contribution to the financial branding of Bangladesh in abroad. The bank’s managing director Mohammad Abdul Mannan received the award at a ceremony held in Dhaka

rates went up less than six months before an election was in 1955.

“The timing of the general election complicates the monetary policy-making process,” said Philip Shaw, an economist at Investec. “You risk becoming a political football.”

Sooner rather than later?

The Bank usually moves on policy in the months when it makes new economic forecasts - February, May, August and November.

One way to avoid a first rate hike just as the election campaign hits fever pitch would be for the BoE to move sooner rather than later, Shaw said.

The Bank could raise rates as soon as November and again in February before announcing a pause until the political picture was clearer.

But a first move in November this year would depend heavily on signs that wages are about to grow more strongly - something that has failed to happen so far. Economists also see November as too soon - a recent Reuters poll gave a consensus forecast for a first rate hike in February.

The Bank has pushed back by four days its May decision, which would normally have been on the same day as the election.

But even if it was willing to wait this long - and likely fuel rate hike speculation in the final weeks of the election campaign - May could still be poor tim-

An agreement was recently signed between IFC and GIZ called Lighting Asia – Bangladesh Programme with the aim to develop the market for off-grid lighting products in Bangladesh

Rate rise ok with tory voters

A November rate move would test the conventional wisdom that higher interest rates hurt incumbent governments: Opinion polls currently suggest that higher rates might not cost votes for the Conservatives, who are a few percentage points behind the opposition Labour party in the polls.

A survey last month by polling firm YouGov showed that 33% of potential voters said they would be better off if rates rose, while only 23% wanted a rate cut.

Older people - who are more reliant on savings, more likely to vote and tend to support the Conservatives - typically wanted higher interest rates. Younger voters with mortgages did not.

In the end, the impact of a rate hike during election campaigning will depend largely on whether the government can cast it as proof of economic recovery - rather than it strengthening Labour’s claims of a cost-of-living crisis. l

Citibank NA, Bangladesh has been awarded the “Top Taxpayer Award” for being one of the top 10 firms to pay highest tax. National Board of Revenue (NBR) gave the award for tax years, FY13 and FY14. The bank’s MD and Citi country officer for Bangladesh, Rashed Maqsood received the award from Finance Minister, AMA Muhith

Novartis Bangladesh Ltd has appointed Aquamarine Distribution Ltd (ADL) as its exclusive distribution partner to distribute one of its flagship products WON Mosquito Repellent Lotion. MD of Novartis Bangladesh Ltd, Nahar Mahmud and Anis Ahmed, MD and CEO of MGH Group exchanged the agreement documents at a singing ceremony recently held on this regard Dutch-Bangla Bank and Dushtha Shasthya Kendra (DSK) have recently signed an agreement on availing mobile financial services at the bank’s head office. DSK’s CEO Masudul Quader, PhD and the bank’s head of mobile banking division, Md Abul Kashem Khan, signed the agreement

ing as a new government could be setting out its policies, or entering coalition talks. Simon Wells, chief UK economist at HSBC, said the election could make it difficult for the BoE to raise rates in May but might not be bad news for the government if it came earlier.

“The economy is now growing so fast ... that the government can sell this as further normalisation of the economy and welcome relief for savers,” he said.

B4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Food safety fears see farming return to high-rise Hong Kong n AFP, Hong Kong It’s a rural tradition that faded out decades ago as Hong Kong turned into a neon-lit megacity: rice seedlings being dropped into watery paddy fields with gentle plops.

But now a new wave of farmers are growing the staple again in sleepy Long Valley in the city’s northern New Territories, where buzzing insects and flocking birds offer a rich contrast to the high rise blocks in the distance.

Former supermarket supervisor Kan Wai-hong went from working late shifts to harvesting sacks of fragrant, golden rice.

“In the past people in Hong Kong grew rice,” said Kan, 42, about his move. “I could teach the people again and revive rice farming.”

The naturally-farmed rice paddies started reappearing in Long Valley seven years ago after a 40-odd year absence.

Started as part of a bird-friendly wetland conservation project, five farmers now produce around three tons of rice a year near the border with Hong Kong’s biggest food supplier mainland China.

It’s a mere drop in the 833 tons of rice that Hong Kong goes through every day, but it fetches several times the price of mass-produced imports as part of a growing demand for naturally grown food.

A relentless run of food scandals across the border - from rotten meat in fast-food to dead pigs floating in rivers, recycled “gutter oil”, and heavy pesticide use - has made people rethink the way they shop.

“When food safety in mainland China or even other places is not that good, then Hong Kong people will choose foods that are safer,” said Kan. “The trend of society has changed, people have become more affluent and they care more about food safety - so more people have come into contact with these products,” he said of the more expensive organic fare.

One of the world’s most densely populated places, the former British colony imports nearly all of its food with just two percent of its vegetables locally grown.

But the number of organic-style vegetable farms has increased from a handful of trailblazers in the 1990s to several hundred today - of which 130 are certified as fully organic.

‘We’re scared’

While still flown in to the semi-autonomous southern Chinese city, home-

This photo taken on August 6 shows farmer Thomas Fung gesturing next to cucumbers on his farm that uses organic methods in Hong Kong. Hong Kong imports nearly all of its food with just two percent of its vegetables locally grown. But the number of organic-style vegetable farms is slowly growing, from a handful of trailblazers in the 1990s to several hundred today of which 130 are certified as fully organic AFP grown organic vegetables now make up 12% of the 45 tons of vegetables the city produces daily.

Shoppers are shrugging off the fact that they cost more than their mass produced counterparts.

“After learning that there are quite a lot of different kinds of pesticides or different ways of growing the plants, I think it’s better to have the organic ones,” Jenny Ho told AFP while browsing one of several weekly organic markets. “(The food) from Hong Kong does not have to travel so long and is more fresh and delicious as a result.”

Despite the shock of a 2008 melamine-laced baby formula scandal that killed six infants, China’s scares have continued to flare.

Sixteen percent of the country’s land area was estimated to be polluted, according to China’s environment ministry in April, with almost one fifth

of farmland tainted by inorganic elements such as cadmium.

Among the latest alarms to fuel distrust are chicken feet soaked in hydrogen peroxide and a cook who painted dishes with a banned pigment to look more appealing.

Last year, Hong Kong authorities tested around 65,000 food samples and found only 57 from various countries to be unsatisfactory.

Best practice supply farms are also identified on the mainland, and last month new rules on pesticide residues came into effect.

But apprehension remains. “The government is doing quite a good job in Hong Kong,” said Jonathan Wong, director of the Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre. “We’re scared, but we have a better control system now.”

“Food supply in Hong Kong is still safe but we worry,” Wong added, blam-

ing the regular mainland scandals.

“This psychologically makes people in Hong Kong feel worried about the food supply from China.”

High demand

By 1980, 40% of farmland in Hong Kong was reported as abandoned and rice paddies made up less than one percent of what was in use. Today, a total of just seven square kilometres (2.7 square miles) is actively farmed.

While the government provides no farming subsidies, it has encouraged farmers to convert to organic and provides technical support.

But shrinking farmland, also eyed by property developers, is often limited to small plots on short-term leases in the space-challenged city, which is also home to rooftop vegetable gardens and vertical fish farms.

Farmer Thomas Fung lives in Hong

Kong’s skyscraper sprawl and commutes to his New Territories patchwork of plots rented from six different landlords on leases ranging from two to five years.

It means even more pressure for the farmers, but those prepared to go organic to meet the city’s changing tastes acknowledge that the fears play to their favour.

“The people are quite afraid of the quality of mainland China veggies, so the demand is very, very big in Hong Kong,” said Fung, one of the city’s selfclaimed organic farmers.

Wong Yu-wing, whose nearby family farm is one of the largest to be fully certified, agreed.

“Organic planting is much more better than the traditional method because Hong Kong people are looking for organic vegetables - fresh, planted in Hong Kong - so we have a big market.” l

BIS warns against ‘illusion of permanent liquidity’ n AFP, Zurich Loose monetary policies have created an “illusion of permanent liquidity” that is spurring investors to make risky bets and push up asset prices, the Bank for International Settlements said Sunday.

“The longer the music plays and the louder it gets, the more deafening is the silence that follows,” Claudio Borio, who heads the BIS’s monetary and economic unit, told reporters.

“Markets will not be liquid when that liquidity is needed most,” he warned, urging “sound prudential policies (and) extra prudence on the part of market participants themselves”.

Many central banks have kept their rates at record lows and pumped their economies full of liquidity first to stave off recession during the financial crisis and then to boost recent anaemic economic growth.

This month the European Central Bank cut its key interest rates to new alltime lows and promised to launch a programme of asset purchases to inject cash into the eurozone’s stalling economy.

The BIS, the so-called central bank of central banks, has long warned such moves are whetting investors’ appetite for short-term, high-risk investments and froth in property markets, potentially creating the bubble conditions for a new market crash.

Borio said that markets have shown “exceptionally subdued volatility” at levels similar to before the financial crisis in recent months, which could be “a sign of high risk-taking”.

Unease over the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East can caused a spike in volatility in early August, but that has since died down and “the search for yield has resumed in force,” he said.

Borio stressed that “a common mistake is to take unusually low volatility and risk spreads as a sign of low risk when, in fact, they are a sign of high risk-taking”.

“The illusion of permanent liquidity is just a prevalent now as in the past,” Borio said, pointing out that years of “unusually accommodative” monetary policy has left investors feeling secure low interest rates would continue or only be gradually tightened.

That confidence has also spread to the international banking industry, where claims rose by $580bn between January and March, BIS said.

That marked “the first substantial quarterly increase since late 2011,” it said.

While this was not enough to offset preceding quarterly declines, it halved the year-on-year drop from 4% at the end of 2013 to 2% at the end of March, the report said. l

After default, Argentina economy falling into deeper hole n Reuters, Buenos Aires

Android mascots are lined up in the demonstration area at the Google I/O Developers Conference in the Moscone Center in San Francisco REUTERS

Google to launch Android One, phones to be priced at around $105 n Reuters, New Delhi Google Inc will launch in India on Monday the first smartphones under its Android One project, pricing them at around 6,399 rupees ($105) to capture the low-cost segment of the world’s fastest growing smartphone market.

The Mountain View-Based company tied up with Indian mobile players Micromax, Karbonn and Spice Mobiles to launch the affordable phones, which are powered by its operating system and aimed at emerging markets.

After launching in India, Google said it plans to expand Android One to Indonesia, Philippines and other South Asian countries by the end of 2014 and in more countries in 2015.

Google outlined the pricing and expansion details in a marketing document seen by Reuters. The company is due to host an official media event later on Monday.

India is seen as a lucrative market for low-cost smartphones because many people are buying the devices for the

first time. Just 10% of the India’s population currently owns a smartphone, brokerage Nomura said in a recent research note, and that figure is likely to double over the next four years.

Google, however, is not the only company jostling for a share of the Indian market.

There are at least 80 smartphone brands in India and analysts say the Android One phones must offer customers more than just affordability if it wants to compete with similarly priced devices made by Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, Motorola and China’s Xiaomi.

“The initial pricing never sticks but it’ll be tough for them to compete if they don’t come down further,” said Neil Shah, research director for devices and ecosystems at Hong Kong-based technology research agency Counterpoint Research.

In June, Google had announced the launch of the Android One project, which aims to boost demand for lowend Android smartphones by vastly improving their quality. l

Argentina’s government is ramping up state intervention in the economy to try to prevent a new debt default from triggering a balance of payments crisis but its policies are also battering business confidence and may deepen a recession.

In the six weeks since Argentina failed to complete a debt coupon payment and defaulted for the second time in 12 years, the government has restricted the amount of dollars available to importers, boosted subsidies and drawn up proposals to interfere in private companies’ output plans.

“They’re clamping down on foreign goods,” said 42-year-old camping store salesman Javier Aguirre, gesturing at a single sleeping bag hung on a rack meant to display a dozen. “We are having to place things carefully at the front of the shelves to make it seem we’re well stocked.”

Along the Santa Fe shopping boulevard in Buenos Aires, the choke on imports and a sharp decline in consumer spending have driven up shop closures and forced retailers to bring forward sales.

The leftist government’s measures are meant to shore up foreign reserves that stand at less than five months worth of imports and boost consumer confidence to prevent the $490 billion economy already contracting.

But with no signs of a deal to emerge from default and thus no prospect of a return to global debt markets, capital flight has intensified, pushing the peso currency to record lows and fuelling inflation.

One company manager who imports agricultural machinery, including water pumps and generators, describes the government’s policies as “lethal” even before the default, and says they are now even worse.

He said the import curbs mean he been able to import goods worth just

$2,795 in the first six months of the year compared with an average $25m in previous years.

“We are eating up stock just to pay taxes,” said the manager, who asked not to be identified because he was speaking out against the government. “We have merchandise for a few months, not more than a year, and after that the company will die.”

Business leaders have long complained about President Cristina Fernandez’s interventionist policies.

Heavy government spending and high commodity prices helped drive strong growth in the early years of her presidency but tight controls on prices and the currency market have caused imbalances in the economy and it fell into recession this year.

Foreign reserves have slumped and inflation is running at more than 30%.

“It was bad enough before, but with the default everything’s worse,” said Carolina Tiscornia, who works in a clothing store that is closing after revenues fell 30% this year.

Import squeeze

Argentina’s reserves stand at eight-year lows of $28.4bn and the central bank cannot keep tucking into its hard currency savings to defend the peso.

Exports are also falling more sharply than expected so the government risks having to drain its reserves perilously low to meet its energy imports bill and make good on its pledge to keep servicing performing debt.

Siobhan Morden, an economist at Jefferies, forecasts that Argentina will owe about $14bn in debt payments next year and that reserves could drop as low as $7bn by the end of 2015.

That has left policymakers few options beyond fighting to protect the trade surplus, their primary source of dollars, so the central bank has restricted further the dollars available to importers.

Reuters could not independently

verify the numbers but businesses say the restrictions are harsher for industries where imports are considered non-essential or where the government wants to promote domestic production, including agricultural machinery and auto parts.

Adding to their woes, importers complain the debt default and the weak economy have undermined the confidence of suppliers in the ability of Argentine firms to pay their bills.

Importers have seen deadlines to repay credit lines shrink to an average of 30 days from 110 days before the default on July 30, said Miguel Ponce, spokesman for the Argentine Chamber of Importers.

‘Asphyxiating interventionism’

Exports are down 10% this year as key trade partner Brazil tipped into recession and global prices for soy, corn and wheat fell to their lowest levels since 2010.

Industrial output has been in decline for 12 months.

Fiat’s Argentine subsidiary cut production and put 3,000 workers on rotating leave because of slack demand and difficulties importing components, local media reported earlier this month.

Fiat was not reachable for comment.

Other car makers have also slowed production, sparking a showdown between the auto industry and toughtalking Fernandez, who accuses them of holding stock back because of inflation.

DILBERT

In an attempt to keep production lines running and stem job losses, the government is threatening to intervene in the production decisions of large companies while also boosting subsidies to some industries in a attempt to spur growth.

The so-called “Supply Law”, which is passing smoothly through Congress, would allow the government to cap prices, set profit margins and determine production levels.

The proposal has alarmed big business. Last week, leaders from the agricultural, banking, industry and retail sectors joined forces to threaten legal action against the bill.

“We urge the legislative power to take into account the risks this initiative implies for job creation, investment, output growth and adequate supply,” the group said.

Rodolfo Rossi, a former central banker and staunch Fernandez critic, told Reuters the package of measures implemented since the default amounted to “asphyxiating state interventionism”.

Another devaluation?

David Rees at London-based Capital Economics said he expects the Argentina economy to shrink 2-3% this year and “there is a growing risk that the recession will spill over into 2015.”

Private economists say the printing of money to finance government spending is also stoking inflation, adding pressure to the ailing peso. l