10 Dec, 2014

Agrahayan 26, 1421 Safar 16, 1436 Regd No DA 6238 Vol 2, No 246

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

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TREEHOUSE

7 | LONG FORM

11 | OP-ED

12 | SPORT

FIVE MORE CITIES THAT ARE STILL ALIVE TODAY

THE GHOOSH, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY

FROM IOWA TO BANGLADESH

BADAL APOLOGISES FOR HIS COMMENTS

The Sundarbans in big trouble Oil spill from a massive capsized tanker severely jeopardising biodiversity in the forest n Abu Bakar Siddique

CEC: DCC polls not possible in January n Tribune Report Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad yesterday said it was not possible to arrange polls to the bifurcated Dhaka City Corporation in January next year.

“Why should I hold election in January? We will need more time to prepare.

We need time to print [updated] electoral rolls and declare the election schedule,” he said at a press conference at the Election Commission, UNB reported.

The CEC came up with the reaction a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, at a cabinet meeting on Monday, reportedly asked the authorities concerned to arrange the overdue elections to the bifurcated DCC this winter.

The cabinet meeting also sent back a proposal that sought extension of the tenure of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) administrations to one year from six months.

The CEC said he came to know from newspaper reports that the DCC elections would be held in January. “Now the process of updating the voter list is going on. If we want to arrange the election now, we will have to use the old voter list. If so, 500,000 fresh voters will be deprived of voting rights in the election,” he said.

As per the law, the commission is supposed to finalise the updated voter list by January 31 every year.

Kazi Rakibuddin also said the commission had to consider the public examinations – SSC and HSC – as well during the announcement of the election schedule. “We avoid elections during the public examinations,” he said.

However, he said if the demarcation complexity of the city corporations is gone, the commission will initiate the process to arrange the polls soon.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 6

n Abid Azad

Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

As a coastal mangrove forest, the vegetation in the Sundarbans gets inundated twice a day by high tides. Now that there is oil, as water recedes with low tide, the oil will remain on the vegetation and the forest topsoil.

The vegetation is the main food of

Without mentioning who they are, acting chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission M Shahabuddin Chuppu yesterday claimed that the Bangladesh chapter of Berlin-based Transparency International was working to implement some others’ agenda.

Criticising the TIB for questioning the accountability of the ACC in its Corruption Perception Index 2014, Shahabuddin said 2013-14 was the year of the commission’s achievements.

At the same event, organised at the Shilpakala Academy by the ACC to mark International Anti-Corruption Day 2014, former chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque suggested the ACC needed to prove that it was not a toothless organisation.

The TI in its report, published on December 3, mentioned that Bangladesh’s slip in the index, compared to the gradual achievement seen since 2006, was the result of inadequate steps to curb corruption despite pledges made by the ruling government. It also said measures were taken to curb the independence of the ACC whereas there was a lack of steps to achieve effectiveness of the anti-graft body.

The report said lack of steps to bringing to book the people responsible for much-talked-about corruption cases including Padma bridge, railway recruitment, share market scam, Hall-Mark, Destiny, Sonali and other

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

EFFECT OF THE SPILLED OIL ON THE ECOLOGY OF THE SUNDARBANS the vegetation and  Two types of dolphins will be the first in the the forest topsoil, line of victims as the damaging the Sela River is known as vegetation which is a a sanctuary for them main food for deer  Lives of crocodiles  In the long-run, the and Pungash fish will population of Bengal also be under threat tigers will be affected if deer reduce in Thick layer of oil  number on river water will reduce the level of  Reproduction of dissolved oxygen salt-water trees like causing breathing Sundari, Kewra, difficulty for dolphins Goran, Poshur and others and Gol will be threatened as they  After water recedes grow from windfall during low tides, seeds on the ground the oil remains on

Place of capsize

File photo only to register vessels and recruit marine crews; hence, rescuing a sinking vessel is not their responsibility.

The route that the capsized vessel took is prohibited for all kinds of large vessels. Researchers and pro-environment groups have for many years been repeatedly warning the government against the use of this route.

Water resources expert Ainun Nishat told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday: “Now is not the time to think which route is legal and which is not. Sundarbans is in big trouble. Our first priority should be preventing the oil spill immediately.”

Ecology in jeopardy

The Sela River is known as a sanctuary

for sweet-water Irawaddy and brackish-water Ganges dolphins. So, these marine creatures will be the first in the line of victims of the oil spill.

“They will soon find breathing hard because the thick layer of oil over the river water will reduce the level of dissolved oxygen,” ecology and biodiversity researcher Pavel Partha told the

RAB report denies HQ involvement in Narayanganj seven murders Islam Shaon and n Ashif Ahmed Zayeef A RAB committee has denied that its top officials at the headquarters were involved in the Narayanganj Seven Murders, contradicting the testimony of three sacked RAB officials who said Additional Director General (ADG) Col Ziaul Ahsan ordered the killings.

The probe team, led by Additional Director General (administration) Aftab Uddin, which recently handed over its investigation report to the attorney general’s office, blamed the three sacked RAB 11 officials for the abductions and killings, saying they acted on their own.

The probe report will be submitted

to the HC bench of Justice Md Rezaul Haque and Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore today. The Dhaka Tribune has obtained a part of the probe copy recently.

According to the report, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) headquarters and intelligence wing tried to rescue the victims alive but failed because RAB 11 chief, Lt Col Tareq Sayeed Mohammad, concealed information from headquarters. But RAB headquarters succeeded in identifying the suspects very quickly, it reads.

“On April 28, around 1:30pm, RAB intelligence, discovered that Lt Col Tareq Sayeed Mohammad, Maj Arif Hossain and Lt Commander SM Masud Rana along with their sub-ordinate

RAB members did it,” the report reads.

But in confessional statements before a Narayanganj court made after their arrest, the trio repeatedly said they committed the crime because it was difficult to disobey an order that came from such a high official.

On April 27, Narayanganj panel mayor Nazrul Islam and his four associates, and senior lawyer Chandan Sarker and his driver were abducted and killed allegedly by RAB 11 personnel. Their bodies were later found floating in the Shitalakhya River.

The three sacked RAB officials – Lt Col Tareq Sayeed Mohammad, Maj Arif Hossain and Lt Commander SM Masud  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

CAUGHT RED-HANDED

Leaving one severely injured in the capital’s Banani area, the driver of this bus was escaping at a great speed. Chased by some motorbike riders, finally it was stopped at the Kakoli intersection yesterday SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

S L H / DT I N F O G R A P H I C

The Sundarbans is now facing a major environmental disaster, after a vessel carrying over 350,000 litres of furnace oil capsized in Sela River, as spill particularly jeopardises a dolphin sanctuary, the local food chain and the entire local ecology.

With various authorities, who neither have the experience nor the capability to handle such a case, trying to pass the responsibility on to each other instead of making a move, the situation is getting worse by the minute since the capsize took place in the early hours yesterday.

As of filing of this report around 15 hours after the incident, no sign of a rescue operation was reported in the area.

“Oil tanker Southern Star Seven was anchored in the river because of dense fog. It capsized around 6am at a place inside the Chandpai Range under West Zone when another empty tanker named MT Southern hit it because of poor visibility,” Amir Hossain Chowdhury, divisional forest officer of the Sundarbans, told the Dhaka Tribune.

When contacted, Md Shafiqul Haq, a director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), said rescuing or managing oil tankers is not part of their job description; they only deal with passenger vessels.

When contacted, AKM Fakhrul Islam, chief engineer of the government’s Shipping Department, said their task is

Report details sexual threats, other methods as CIA braces for change n Tribune Desk The CIA used sexual threats, waterboarding and other harsh methods to interrogate terrorism suspects and all were ineffective at eliciting critical information, according to a US Senate report due to be released on Tuesday.

The report on government-sanctioned interrogation at sites around the world for questioning captured al Qaeda and other militants prompted the United States to warn its facilities abroad to shore up security in case of violent reactions, reports Reuters.

Sources familiar with the document said it includes graphic details about techniques the Central Intelligence Agency used in the years after the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

The sources said tactics meant to force detainees to divulge information on terrorist plots and cells went beyond the techniques authorised by White House, CIA and lawyers working for President George W. Bush’s Justice Department.

Cases in which CIA interrogators threatened one or more detainees with mock executions, a practice never authorised by Bush administration lawyers, are documented in the report, the sources said.

It concludes that harsh interrogations did not produce a single critical intelligence nugget that could not have been obtained by non-coercive means.

Former CIA and government leaders, including former US vice president Dick Cheney, dispute that conclusion.

The report describes how al Qaeda operative Abdel Rahman al Nashiri, suspected mastermind of the 2000

INSIDE

The BNP yesterday alleged that the government had raised the issue of the DCC elections in a bid to divert the people’s attention from the BNP’s ongoing anti-government movement.

DHAKA APPAREL SUMMIT 2014 OUTCOME 60

The construction of the country’s biggest bridge project over the Padma River is well underway, and the work including soil testing, dredging and river training, is moving quite fast.

The Dadpur Union Health and Family Welfare Centre in Noakhali Sadar upazila has developed multiple cracks. Patients and hospital employees fear sudden building collapse.

9 | World

Apathy is the biggest obstacle to eliminating forced child labour and the world needs more secular education to reduce intolerance, Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi said on Tuesday.

15 | Entertainment

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan along with his two sons Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan will perform at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway, on December 11.

B1 | Business

26.67% 26

33.33%

Good gov governance

37.97%

Constructive criticism

Ethical pricing

on safety 48.67%

Access to low cost finance for

remediation/relocation 40.85%

0

Workers & manager’s awareness

10

30.61%

30 20

53.03%

40

education 23.81%

6 | Nation

Priorities suggested to reach $50bn apparel export by 2021

50

Knowledge and

4 | News

5 | News

Political stability

The government is wrong in deciding to change the gas development policy’s name and use the gas development fund to conduct feasibility studies on coal extraction, LNG, shale gas, etc, energy specialists have observed.

Better infrastructure, power & gas

3 | News

TIB implements others’ agenda, alleges ACC

Ensuring better infrastructure, mainly the availability of power and gas, is the top priority of Bangladesh to reach an apparel export target of US$50 billion by the year 2021.

bombing of the USS Cole, was threatened with a buzzing power drill, the sources said. The drill was never actually used on him.

It documents how at least one detainee was sexually threatened with a broomstick, the sources said.

It was unclear whether the report would lead to further attempts to hold those involved accountable. The legal statute of limitations has passed for many of the actions.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said on Monday that President Barack Obama supported making the doc-

CIA Director John Brennan is weighing a dramatic overhaul of the leading US spy agency ument public “so that people around the world and people here at home understand exactly what transpired.”

The executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, Anthony Romero, said in an opinion piece in The New York Times that Obama should issue formal pardons to senior officials and others to make clear that these actions were crimes and help ensure that “the American government never tortures again.”

Added security Preparing for a worldwide outcry from the publication of the graphic details, the White House and US intelligence officials said on Monday they had beefed up security of US facilities worldwide.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

RAB report denies HQ involvement  PAGE 1 COLUMN 4

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presenting the Begum Rokeya Padak 2014 to social worker Golap Banu at the capital’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium, marking the Begum Rokeya Day yesterday BSS

Report details sexual threats, other methods as CIA braces for change  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

The report, which took years to produce, charts the history of the CIA’s “Rendition, Detention and Interrogation” program, which former US President Bush authorised after the September 11 attacks.

Bush ended many aspects of the program before leaving office, and Obama swiftly banned “enhanced interrogation techniques,” which critics say are torture, after his 2009 inauguration.

Two Republican lawmakers issued a statement calling the release of the report “reckless and irresponsible.” Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, who chairs the Intelligence Committee, is due to make the report public in a Senate floor speech.

“We are concerned that this release could endanger the lives of Americans overseas, jeopardise US relations with foreign partners, potentially incite violence, create political problems for our allies, and be used as a recruitment tool for our enemies,” senators Marco Rubio and Jim Risch said.

Senator Angus King, an independent, told CNN releasing the report was important because it could persuade a future president not to use these techniques.

CIA braces for wholesale changes

CIA Director John Brennan is weighing a dramatic overhaul of the leading US spy agency that is likely to meet fierce opposition from veteran agents, current and former intelligence officials said last Thursday.

The reorganisation would dismantle the long entrenched separation between spying and analysis divisions in the agency, possibly replacing them with units focused on geographic areas or specific threats, said ex-intelligence officials familiar with the review.

In a September 24 message to employees of the Central Intelligence Agency, Brennan said it was time “we take a close and honest look at ourselves” and examine whether the spy service needed to be restructured.

“I have mentioned several times over the past year that I have become increasingly convinced that the time has come to take a fresh look at how we are organised as an agency and at whether our current structure, and ways of doing business, need adjustment to ensure our future success,” Brennan said in the message, portions of which were released to reporters.

The shake-up being contemplated would be “by far the most sweeping change in the organisation and culture of the CIA in its history,” said Bruce Riedel, a former agency officer.

“This would be a reorganisation that fundamentally alters decades of how the organisation has worked,” said Riedel, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

Brennan in late September asked several experienced intelligence officers “to conduct an in-depth review to determine whether the agency is optimised for enduring mission effectiveness, specifically in the areas of integration, agility and resilience,” CIA spokesman Dean Boyd said.

Boyd said the officers carrying out the review are still “in the information gathering stage” and it was soon to say what possible options might be in play. l

HC orders electing Viquarunnisa’s board of directors within 90 days n Tribune Report The High Court has ordered the authorities of Viquarunnisa Noon School and College to fix its board of directors through election within 90 days.

The bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman came up with the order yesterday after hearing of a writ petition.

The court sought a report over the implementation of the order by March 11.

The education secretary, chairman and college inspector of Dhaka Education Board, deputy commissioner, principal of the school and college and chairman of the adhoc committee of its

board of directors were asked to submit the report.

The court also issued a rule as to why the adhoc committee of the board of directors should not be declared illegal. The respondents will have to answer to the rule within four weeks.

On December 7, Supreme Court lawyer Eunus Ali Akond filed the writ petition seeking directives to hold the regular polls of the board of directors of Viqarunnisa Nun School and College.

Dhaka Education Board’s College Inspector Ashfakus Salehin on November 27 formed a four-member adhock committee with Rashed Khan Menon MP in the head. l

Rana – are facing trials for the abductions and killings.

Nazrul’s father-in-law, Shahidul Islam, claims the RAB men received a bribe of Tk6cr from counsellor Nur Hossain for killing his son-in-law and the others.

The RAB report reads: “We found during the investigation that due to enmity over grabbing power and business problems Nur planned to abduct or kill Nazrul. Probably Nur was in search of people from the administration who would do this for him. After much effort, he finally got Maj Arif and then Col Tareq Sayeed and Masud Rana to be his accomplices.”

It continues: “Tareq knew about the abductors and the victims’ whereabouts. But he had concealed this information from the RAB Director General and other officers from headquarters when he was asked about them.”

The probe committee recorded the statements of 91 people, including RAB personnel and gave details of some personnel’s statements in the probe report.

But the statements of Arif and Rana, who claim they were following the orders of a top headquarters official, were not taken down in the report because “the two did not want to give any confessional statement” before the probe committee.

Arif and Rana have given detailed descriptions of how the abduction and murders were carried out, where the victims were taken, where they were killed, who were involved in the murders and who gave the orders.

They narrated how and from where the bricks, sacks and ropes were collected and how the dead bodies were tied up, which vehicles were used and how the bodies were dumped into the Shitalakhya River.

How the abductions and murders were committed

The RAB report reconstructed the incident from the abduction to the dumping of the bodies, quoting several RAB members’ statements.

Along with the three RAB officials, it names Sub-Inspector Purnendo Bala, AB Arif Hossain, nayek Azim (driver), nayek Delwar (driver), lance nayek Hira Mia, Belal Hossain, soiniks—Mohiuddin Munshi, Abdul Alim, Al-Amin, Asad, Tajul, sepoy Toiyob, constables—Shihab Uddin and Al-Amin, havilder Emdad, Nasir (driver), sergeant Enamul and ASI Bazlu as being involved in var-

TIB implements others’ agenda, alleges ACC  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

state-owned banks, and Rana Plaza contributed to the degradation of the country’s corruption index.

Shahabuddin said: “...if there is any intentional criticism against the ACC we cannot accept it...We have rights to protest against it.

“The 2013-2014 year is the year of our achievements. We rejected the TIB report prepared on the basis of only [public] ‘perception.’ When we asked them to present facts and findings, we found that all of their allegations are our achievements.”

He said the commission had revealed its investigation report and explanation on the Padma bridge corruption conspiracy case where no corruption had been found. “Then why did the TIB question our clarity?”

Shahabuddin claimed that the ACC had shown success in Padma bridge, railway recruitment, Hall-Mark, Rana Plaza and Destiny cases. “So why did the TIB consider our successes as sarcastic? People as well as the ACC have the right to know this.”

Justice Khairul, who is the incumbent chairman of law Commission, also criticised the TIB’s perception report.

“Few years back [when serving as the chief justice], the TIB in a report mentioned that corruption prevailed in the entire judiciary. I was happy to know the findings as I thought it would help me apprehend some cor-

rupt lawyers or judges. But when I saw their report, I found no such facts and findings. Rather they made the report based on their ‘perception.’”

Later the TIB said five out of 1,200 judges had been corrupt who took Tk500 as bribe through lawyers. “But the TIB did not mention any name or any incident that could prove the claim,” Justice Khairul said.

“It is unexpected how such a big institution like the TIB works only on their ‘perception.’ So this is the reality of the TIB now,” he added.

After publication of the report, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed also blasted the TIB. “We have been working for the development of the country, but these NGOs are displaying [only] the negative matters to the global media. Have we done nothing good for the country?” he said.

Ranked as the most corrupt country during 2001-2005, Bangladesh this year stands 14th, according to the index.

It ranked 16th last year. The country scored 25 on a scale of 0-100, slipping from 27 last year.

Rejecting the TI findings, Shahabuddin then said: “The statistics shown in the report is different from the real picture...The ACC is now much more active than ever before...”

Without mentioning any name, Shahabuddin yesterday strongly criticised BNP’s chief Khaleda Zia for making statements supporting the TIB findings.

The Sundarbans in big trouble  PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

various kinds of deer that live in the dense forest surrounding the river. The deer, in turn, is one of the main foods of the Bengal tigers. So, in the long run, the population of deer and tigers – the two best known animals from the Sundarbans – will be affected.

The mangrove ecosystem of Sundarbans is primarily made up of four kinds of salt-water trees: Sundari, Kewra, Goran, Poshur and Gol. These trees reproduce from the windfall seeds that fall on the ground.

As oil settles on the forest topsoil, these seeds will die and in the long run, the regeneration of the Sundarbans will be badly affected. That in turn will put the deer and different types of primates in trouble who depend on these trees for living.

These windfall seeds are the staple food of Pungash fish that also inhabit the Sela waters. This fish again is one of the main foods of crocodiles – a famous reptile from these forests.

If Pungash does not get anything to eat, they will die, eventually putting the lives of crocodiles at risk as well.

Our Khulna correspondent travelled to the troubled part of the forest yesterday afternoon and found that oil has already started settling on the vegetation and soil on the banks of the Sela River and in the moss on the water.

After talking to Giasuddin, owner of the capsized vessel, our correspondent reports that nobody has any idea about when the rescue may begin. Giauddin said his firm Harun and Company had been trying in their way to rescue the vessel.

Sources said the Forest Department does not have the necessary equipment for sucking up the oil from the water; that is why they are now waiting for the owner to pull out the vessel.

Hydrology and environment expert Ainun Nishat urged the government to take immediate steps to remove the vessel instead of playing “pass the cushion.”

He suggested the government may take help from the coastguard or the

ious phases of the crime.

Lt Col Rana took part in the abduction while the two other officials were present from the abduction to the dumping of the bodies.

Constable Md Shihab Uddin, who was present all through the incident told the committee that on the morning of April 27, a microbus commanded by Maj Arif and eleven RAB members started around 9:30am from RAB 11 CPSC barracks and reached the Signboard area of the Dhaka-Narayanganj link road.

Arif, leaving his team inside the microbus, got down and spoke to someone over the phone. He then returned and ordered the vehicle to go to the Narayanganj courthouse. After the car was parked, he asked sepoy Toiyob and havilder Emdad to go to the court. He showed them a photograph of Nazrul and asked him to follow them from the court premises.

After a while someone [Toiyob] called Arif’s cell phone and Arif rebuked him and asked them to come back. Toiyob said he had been caught by Nazrul’s men while keeping them under surveillance. He said when he was handed over to police, Emdad released him by revealing their RAB identities.

“Arif Sir rebuked him for divulging their identity to the police asked him to sit in the microbus,” the report quotes him as saying.

Rana, who had already deployed a separate team in front of the Narayanganj stadium along the Narayanganj link road, told them to be alert. Meanwhile, RAB lance nayek Belal informed Arif that Nazrul and the other men were staring from the court.

Immediately, Rana phoned his patrol team to set up a check post.

“Rana Sir, cited the registration numbers of the two cars and asked the patrol team to stop them on,” the report quotes him as saying. The microbus also started following the two private cars.

After the check post stopped the two private cars, the five victims were put in one microbus and two others got into another. Arif then hopped into a microbus and ordered the vehicles to go to Narshingdi quickly. The microbuses headed for Narshingdi but Rana did not go with them.

Around 3pm the vehicles reached Narshingdi and parked in an empty place some yards away from the RAB camp. Arif got down and spoke with the camp’s Maj Suraj. After a while he came

“Chief of a political party and former prime minister has suddenly started making up stories supporting the TIB and produced us in the dock. She has identified the ACC as an organisation that gives immunity. She never saw herself in the mirror.

“She never placed any minister or MP before the ACC while in office. During 2004-2007, the country became champion four times in corruption [as per TI reports].” Claiming that the ACC works independently, he said: “The commission has relieved her [Khaleda] from the Bhairab bridge corruption case.”

Justice Khairul suggested that the ACC increase its workforce since the number of allegations is rising while the commission also needs efficient management.

“What the ACC is doing is right. But they should express themselves in a bold voice. If the ACC itself say they are toothless, then it will not be effective. They should have argued strongly against the World Bank about the Padma bridge corruption case saying it is their own matters.”

Justice Khairul, however, mentioned that the people were losing confidence on the police and also the ACC. “But still they come to the police and the ACC. That is why the people should not be denied justice. Accountability and visible punishment should be visible.”

According to data available with the ACC, the commission from January to August this year relieved 1,598 people

from corruption charges and filed 34 cases against 904 allegations filed. During 2011-August this year, the anti-graft body relieved 5,339 people accused in corruption cases.

navy who have the equipment to suck up the oil.

Water Resources Ministry, has been trying to press their recommendations to the government for a long time, even before the legal route went fully unusable in 2011. But their recommendations, for keeping the Chandpai dolphin sanctuary in Sela River safe, have never been heeded.

The CEGIS has warned that plying of large vessels in the sensitive channel will result in ecological imbalance in the area by causing sound pollution and riverbank erosion.

Yunus Ali, the chief conservator of forest, said a large number of vessels, more than 500 to be specific, including large barges and oil takers navigate through the deep forest using the Sela route.

He claimed that his department had held several meetings with the BIWTA for finding an alternate route, but without any success.

BIWTA Director Md Shafiqul Haq told the Dhaka Tribune that although passenger vessels sometimes capsized in the Sela River, not a single oil tanker

The illegal route

Capsized tanker Southern Star Seven was carrying 357,664 litres of furnace oil to a power station in Gopalganj district from the Khulna oil depot when it capsized yesterday. The physical distance between Khulna and Gopalganj is not very much, but on water, it is a tedious roundabout journey.

The Sela River route that the Southern Star Seven was following is prohibited for all kinds of large vessels because it runs through deep forest and also is the dolphin sanctuary.

Then again, large vessels such as oil tankers do not have any option but to travel on Sela River because the legal route – Mongla-Ghosiakhali-Morelganj – has been unusable for more than three years because of excessive siltation.

The Centre for Environmental and Geographical Information Services (CEGIS), an autonomous body of the

‘Embarrassing’

Regarding the acting ACC chairman’s remarks, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said: “Such commentary from the ACC officials is embarrassing for us while it also makes the ACC embarrassed.

“As an institution, we also have objectives and aims. We work to prevent corruption in different organisations and legal institutions while we also work for the national interest. We have no other intention. We never worked for any other particular quarter or interest.”

The ACC bears the key role to stop corruption in the country, he said: “Here play only a supportive role to create such an environment.”

About the perception index, he said: “We do not keep anything secret. Perception is what happening around us.

“We always maintain international standard while producing any report. It is true that a report will not be 100% correct since scientific method is not correct always. But it does not mean that there is no similarity with the reality.

“Perception comes on the basis of the real situation. So there is always similarity between perception and reality,” Iftekhar said. l

back to the car and asked soinik Mohiuddin Munshi to bring some food. The RAB team took food inside of the microbuses.

After some times the microbuses again started moving and stopped at a place in Shibpur in Narayanganj. Maj Arif asked his team not to get down and talked over phone with someone for a long time. Around 8:30pm, Maj Arif with his team started for Kanchpur.

He stopped the cars after crossing Bhulta. There soinik Asad from Naraynganj camp came on a motorbike bearing a packet of injections.

“Sir [Arif] asked if any of us knew how to use an injection. As we said no, he rebuked us. With the help of Hira Mia and Purnendu Bala, he fatally injected the victims with poison.”

The microbuses then headed for Kanchpur and after nearly arriving there he asked someone over phone to clear the landing.

“At the landing we saw some 8/10 civilians,” the report quoted constable Shihab Uddin as saying.

Arif called a “Shahjahan Bhai” and after talking with Arif the man left the place.

After a while a microbus from Narayanganj camp came with ropes and sacks.

They put all the bodies in sacks with bricks after tying them up. The sacks were prepared at the Narayanganj camp office earlier.

Around 1am they started in a trawler. After receiving a phone call, Arif asked his men to dump the bodies in the Shitalakhya River around 2:30am.

After dumping the bodies they returned to the Narayanganj Launch Terminal around 3:30am. They saw Tareq Sayeed at the launch terminal.

“The CO told us that we have nothing to fear. What had happened was done by order. But if you disclose today’s incidents, you will all be in trouble,” the report quoted CO Tareq as saying.

After that Tareq, together with some men, went back to the battalion and asked Arif to go to the RAB headquarters in Dhaka’s Uttara neighbourhood with the others.

RAB submitted the report to the Attorney General’s Office on November 23.

Deputy Attorney General ASM Nazmul Haque told the Dhaka Tribune: “The HC bench comprised of Md Rezaul Haque and Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore fixed today for passing the order. We will submit the report before the court if it comes in the court list.” l

CEC: DCC polls not possible  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

The CEC said it was clear that the Election Commission had long been ready to arrange the DCC polls but could not hold them due to the boundary extension proposals of both the DSCC and DNCC. EC Secretary Sirazul Islam and Joint Secretary Jesmin Tuli were also present at the press conference.

The city dwellers have not seen a DCC election for more than 12 years as the last polls in the integrated city corporation were held on April 25, 2002.

The five-year tenure of the elected DCC body expired on May 14, 2007.

The previous Election Commission, led by ATM Shamsul Huda, could not hold the polls.

On November 29, 2011, the government formed two city corporations DNCC and DSCC in the capital, splitting the integrated DCC. On April 9, 2012, CEC Rakibuddin announced the election schedules for the city corporations, fixing May 24, 2012 as the date for voting. But a writ petition stalled the election process halfway through. Later, the court quashed the legal bar to the election on May 13 last year.

But fresh complexities arose regarding the demarcation of the DSCC and DNCC as the Local Government Ministry proposed to extend the boundaries of the city corporations. l

has capsized in the Sundarbans before – not at least in the 30 years that he has been in service.

The Sundarbans

The Sundarbans is a unique habitat for a number of wildlife. Apart from the Bengal tiger, Gangetic and Irawaddy dolphin, primates, Indian fishing cat, Indian otter and spotted deer, many other prominent fauna populate the single biggest mangrove forest in the world.

The Sundarban harbours 334 species of trees, shrubs and epyphites and 269 species of wild animals.

The 1,39,700-hectare forest is a World Heritage Site of the Unesco where three wildlife sanctuaries – Sundarban East, Sundarban West and Sundarban South – are located.

The healthy existence of the forest is absolutely crucial for Bangladesh. In 2007, the Sundarbans, acting as a natural shield, weakened down devastating cyclonic storm Sidr, preventing it from inflicting irrevocable damage in the country. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Concerns against use of gas development fund n Aminur Rahman Rasel The government is wrong in deciding to change the name of the gas development policy and use the country’s gas development fund to conduct feasibility studies on coal extraction, LNG, shale gas and other minerals resources, energy specialists have observed.

“The [gas development] fund was created to enhance the capacity of the exploration and production companies. Now government is going to take a wrong decision to hamper the progress of gas exploration,” Md Nurul Islam, who is a campaigner of created fund and a retired professor of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

The fund had been formed with the extra money collected from consumers through a gas price hike put in place by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC).

“This is a separate fund for the energy sector from the regular budgetary allocation. We wanted to strengthen

Sedition case filed against Tuhin Malik n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu Two separate cases were filed yesterday against Supreme Court lawyer Tuhin Malik on charges of sedition and hurting religious sentiment by making statements on the constitution and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Golam Rabbani, deputy international affairs secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra League, filed the cases with Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court.

After recording statements of the plaintiff, Metropolitan Magistrate Hasibul Haque directed the officer-in-charge of Shahbagh police station to investigate the matter and take permission of the government, and then register the matter as an FIR. According to the cases, Tuhin at a seminar in London on November 30 said: “All the stories of Mujib and his family have been included in the constitution, and if anyone tries to exclude those, he or she will be hanged.

“Atheism and impiety have been added to the constitution. None will be able to amend whatever is added to the constitution until the Doomsday.” l

‘Sixty Nine’ stabs Shibir activist n FM Mizanur Rahaman. Chittagong A Jamaat-e-Islami-backed student wing activist was stabbed at the Social Science Faculty of Chittagong University yesterday.

Injured Islami Chhatra Shibir activist Nurul Karim Bitu is a third year student of the Department of Anthropology.

Quoting witnesses, police said he was attacked by five to six Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists on the corridor of the department at around 1pm. They firstly beat him with sticks and then stabbed with machetes.

The attackers belonged to Sixty Nine, a shuttle train-based BCL group.

The group is controlled by Chittagong city unit Awami League (AL) General Secretary AJM Nasir Uddin, they said.

Hathazari model police station Inspector (investigation) Salauddin said they rescued him after being informed of the attack and rushed him to Chittagong University Medical Centre.

As his condition was critical, the on-duty doctor referred him to Chittagong Medical College and Hospital.

He was now admitted there, he said.

When asked, CU Proctor Siraj Ud Dowla said investigations were on. l

Bapex by creating the fund, so that gas exploration would run on full swing,” Nurul said.

“The fund was supposed to be given to Bapex as a grant instead of giving loan. Moreover, now other conditions are being applied; so the aim of Bapex will not be fulfilled,” he said.

If the government wished, separate funds could have been formed for coal extraction, petroleum import and others, the former Buet professor said.

Prof M Shamsul Alam, energy affairs adviser for the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), told the Dhaka Tribune: “The BERC has formed the fund but the policy was made by the Energy Division, which is in total violation of the act as the BERC is the only authority to decide about the fund collected by selling gas.”

Now the Energy Division was also trying to amend the policy which was originally made illegally, he claimed.

“The condition of Bapex is going to be more vulnerable if the grant is not given to it,” Bapex former managing di-

rector Murtoza Ahmed Farooq told the Dhaka Tribune.

He further called for providing the expense as a donation from the fund which was needed for the well digging done by Russian company Gazprom.

Meanwhile, Md Abu Bakar Siddique, secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We formed a five member body to amend the Gas Development Fund Policy 2012, because we want to utilise the fund to conduct feasibility studies on coal extraction from the country’s existing deposits, LNG [liquefied natural gas], shale gas and other minerals resources after amending the policy.

“We are now preparing a draft of the policy to integrate new provisions so that almost all the state-run agencies under the Energy Division can utilise the fund,” he said.

The Energy Division recently formed a five-member committee with its additional secretary Nazim Uddin as convener. The committee has been asked to submit its report by 15 working

days from December 4, 2014.

Oil and gas exploration and production companies like the Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Ltd (Bapex), Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Ltd and Sylhet Gas Fields Ltd – three subsidiaries of Petrobangla – are now using the fund under a BERCframed framed guideline and the Energy and Mineral Resources Division’s policy.

After the Energy Division amends the policy, state-run agencies like Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, the Barapukuria Coal Mine Company Limited, Geological Survey of Bangladesh, Bureau of Mineral Development and Hydrocarbon unit would be able to utilise the fund to explore for coal, to import LNG, to explore for shale gas and other minerals, said a deputy secretary of the division.

Retired Buet professor Nurul said the government was going to amend the two-year-old gas development fund policy, although the BERC had created the fund in 2011 for extensive exploration activities in gas sector to

ease energy crisis.

However, BERC – the monitoring authority to oversee the utilisation of the Tk4,000 crore fund – has reportedly not reached any consent to amend the policy.

Asked about the issue, BERC member Salim Mahmud said he had no knowledge of the move.

Petroleum Development Fund

On the other hand, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division is also planning to create a petroleum development fund. However, no substantial progress has been made so far.

According to sources, the fund would be raised by taking a portion of earning from the sales of petroleum products in the domestic market.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) would use the fund to develop its projects and refine and improve the supply system of fuel oil.

In the country’s power sector, there is one similar fund – Electricity Development and Maintenance Fund. l

SC stays ex-BTCL chief’s jail sentence n Tribune Report The Appellate Division of Supreme Court has stayed a High Court order which gave four months of simple imprisonment to SOM Kalimullah, former managing director of Bangladesh Telecommunication Company Limited (BTCL), after finding him guilty of contempt.

The court also granted him eight weeks’ bail and directed him to file a regular appeal petition by this time.

Supreme Court Chamber Judge Justice Hasan Foez Siddique came up with the order yesterday after hearing a petition filed by Kalimullah.

On December 4, the High Court sent Kalimullah from court straight to jail for four months’ simple imprisonment after finding him guilty of contempt on the basis of an arbitration application.

He was also fined Tk1 lakh and another month of jail in case he failed to pay it.

The court punished him for refusing to comply with the court’s order to refund security money of Oxinnel Services Private Limited. l

Pay commission to submit pay scale upgrade report on Sunday n Tribune Report The chairman of National Pay and Service Commission will submit the report on possible pay scale upgrade for government employees on Sunday instead of tomorrow.

Official sources said the submission has been moved to Sunday as Finance Minister AMA Muhith is not available on tomorrow.

The finance minister will stay in Sylhet tomorrow for his official visit, so he will meet the pay commission Chairman Mohammad Farashuddin at 9am on Sunday, the sources said.

The 250-page report has been already printed from the Bangladesh Government Press three days ago, but was later reprinted as some mistakes were found and corrected, they said.

The government formed the 17-member commission, headed by Farashuddin, also a former Bangladesh Bank governor, for more than 1.3 million current and former public servants.

Presently, there are more than 832,000 government employees and around 500,000 pensioners in the country.

According to pay commission officials, the deadline to submit the report will expire on Monday, December 15.

Farashuddin told reporters earlier this week that the report might be handed over to the finance minister “any time.”

The finance minister reaffirmed last week that the upgraded pay scale would come into effect on July 1 next year. l

Both children and adults try to escape the harsh cold wind in the early morning by burning litters by a roadside in the Doyaganj area of Old Dhaka yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

High Court grants bail Court tells investigation officer to for key accused of Rana present all probe-related documents plaza tragedy SAGAR-RUNI MURDER CASE

n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

A Dhaka court has asked RAB’s investigation officer in journalist couple Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Runi murder case to appear before it in person on December 30 with all the probe-related documents, and clarify how much time the elite force needed to complete the task.

The IO, Assistant Superintendent of Police Wares Ali, neither attended the case proceedings yesterday nor submitted the progress report, through any representative, as per the court’s previous order.

Metropolitan Magistrate Md Maruf Hossain was unhappy with the IO because of his absence and also for not mentioning some necessary information in the previous progress report submitted on September 18.

The elite force, which took over responsibility of the investigation from

the DB police two months after the killing on February 11, 2012, earlier said it had received DNA test results from the USA and were analysing it.

Sagar, news editor at Maasranga, and his wife Runi, senior reporter of ATN Bangla, were killed at their rented flat in the capital’s Rajabazar on February 11, 2012 Moreover, RAB in November took into custody two key suspects – security guards Enam Ahmed alias Humayun Kabir and Palash Rudro Paul – for interrogation.

The court in its order yesterday said the IO had not mentioned in the progress report the information retrieved from the call lists of the two suspects and during their interrogation.

It asked the officer to clarify the matter on the next day.

It also wanted to know about the persons the victims had talked to over the phone before the incident. The IO did not mention this in its progress report.

IO Wares took over the charge of investigation in the sensational case on March 18 this year.

Sagar, news editor at Maasranga, and his wife Runi, senior reporter of ATN Bangla, were killed at their rented flat in the capital’s West Rajabazar on February 11, 2012.

Doctors in the viscera report, prepared on May 29, 2012, said they had found no sedative, poison or any chemical used in killing the duo. l

n Tribune Report The High Court yesterday granted six-month bail for a key accused, who is now behind bars, in a case filed for Rana Plaza tragedy in Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka.

Key accused Bazlus Samad Adnan is the chairman and managing director of New Wave Cotton ltd, which was operating inside the plaza during the tragedy.

The bench of judges Syed AB Mahmudul Huq and Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury granted him bail and asked the government to explain why he

n Tribune Report

A street drama symbolising the consequences of corruption takes place in front of the National Press Club yesterday. The Anti-Corruption Commission staged the play as part of its day-long activities to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day MEHEDI HASAN

should not be given permanent bail.

Lawyer Md Bashir Ullah, who moved for the state side, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We will go to the chamber judge seeking a stay on the bail order.”

On April 25 last year, police filed this case with Savar model police station on April 25 last year in connection with the loss of lives in the tragedy.

Two days later on April 27, police arrested garment owner Bazlu in the case and he has ever since been in prison.

Over 1,100 people were killed and many were still missing after the Rana Plaza building collapsed on April 24 last year. l

HC orders probe into police’s intimidation n Tribune Report

Forkan’s indictment order December 18 The International Crimes Tribunal 2 will decide on December 18 whether it will frame charges against war crimes suspect Forkan Mallik for his alleged crimes against humanity in Patuakhali during the country’s 1971 Liberation War. The tribunal fixed the date yesterday after a hearing on the eight charges brought against the alleged razakar commander from Mirzaganj of the district.

During the hearing, prosecutor Mokhlesur Rahman Badal read out the charges before the tribunal in presence of the accused.

On November 17, the prosecution pressed eight charges against Forkan, 63, who had been involved with anti-liberation Muslim League in 1971. The charges include mass killing, murder, rape, arson and forced religious conversion. Forkan was arrested at Rupatali Bus Stand in Barisal on June 25. l

3

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

The High Court yesterday ordered the home secretary to investigate whether there was any pressure on a woman to withdraw the case she had filed against a police official in Rangpur in 2012 for sexual harassment.

The bench of Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury and Justice Md Khasruzzaman came up with the order after hearing on a writ petition filed by Shahidul, brother of the victim. He alleged that the police were intimidating the family to withdraw the case.

The court ordered the home secretary to investigate the matter through an official of the ministry and submit the report within four weeks.

It also issued a rule on the authorities concerned as to why the alleged intimidation of the police should not be declared illegal.

The home secretary, the police chief, Rangpur police super, assistant police super of Rangpur circle, OCs of Kaunia and Pirgachha police stations and Sub-Inspector Abu Bakar Siddique of Kaunia police were asked to respond to the rule in two weeks.

Lawyer Manzill Murshid moved for

the petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Md Khurshedul Alam for the state.

Abu Bakar is currently out on bail after being sent to jail on June 2 On June 2, 2012, Basiron Bewa filed a case against SI Abu Bakar with the Rangpur Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal.

The petition says the official sexually harassed her after arresting her in a case filed by Ambia Khatun of Boruahat of Kaunia upazila of Rangpur though she was not an accused in the case.

After getting bail when she had tried to file a case against Abu Bakar with Kaunia police, they refused to register it.

On April 24 this year, a Rangpur court issued arrest warrant against Abu Bakar.

After his surrender on June 2, the court send him to jail. Working at Sharda Police Academy in Rajshahi, Abu Bakar is now out of jail on bail. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

BNP: DCC poll issue raised to divert attention n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla The BNP yesterday alleged that the government had raised the issue of the Dhaka City Corporation elections in a bid to divert the people’s attention from the BNP’s ongoing anti-government movement.

“The illegal government has been devising all sorts of evil designs to get legitimacy and to repress the opposition’s movement. Now they are talking about the DCC elections to divert people’s attention. In the past, such attempts were failed as movements were not stopped,” Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, acting secretary general of the party, said.

After visiting ailing film-maker Chashi Nazrul Islam at a city hospital, Fakhrul told journalists that the BNP’s decision on joining the polls would be

informed once the election time came.

On Monday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a regular cabinet meeting hinted that the long awaited polls for the bifurcated Dhaka City Corporation were likely to take place early next year.

Following the splitting up of the Dhaka City Corporation on November 30, 2011, fresh elections were originally slated for May 24, 2012; but the High Court issued a three-month stay order as there were complexities regarding area delimitation and preparation of the voter list.

The stay order was finally lifted by the court on May 13 last year, paving way for the election.

The last city corporation election in April 2002 was won by BNP leader Sadeque Hossain Khoka – who went on to serve as mayor until the splitting of the corporation in 2011. Awami League’s

Mohammad Hanif was elected the first mayor of the city in the first DCC poll in 1994.

Responding to a query about the recent charge sheet submitted against BNP Vice Chairman Sadeque Hossain Khoka, the party spokesperson said: “Sadeque Hossain Khoka is ill; he is undergoing treatment abroad. In such a situation, a false case was filed against him.”

Fakhrul alleged that as the Awami League failed to face BNP leaders and their movements, the ruling party had now chosen to repress by filing false cases. “This has proved how bankrupt the Awami League is.

“People have no mandate in the parliament. There is no real opposition in the parliament, rather a domestic one – everybody knows it,” he added. l

Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor takes a tour of a special exhibition titled ‘1971: Genocide and Torture,’ at the Nalinikanta Bhattashali Gallery of Bangladesh National Museum. The eight-day exhibition marking the month of victory was inaugurated yesterday BSS

Gowher: Democracy illusory without media

Ctg city corporation Passport office building in Agargaon at risk polls likely before the lives of 150 employees who work at mal at the passport office. I know that n Asif Showkat Kallol the machine does not even make any the central passport office,” he added.

Ramadan There is no possible space at the sound that could create cracks,” he said.

The central passport office in the capThe passport office will soon be ital’s Agargaon area has become haz- Agargaon office to set up the other n Tribune Report n Tribune Report ardous as several cracks appeared in three machines, which will hinder the transferred to a Rajuk-alloted plot in The Election Commission (EC) is gearing up to hold the Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) elections before the Ramadan in June 2015.

Election Commissioner Abdul Mubarak told to the Dhaka Tribune over telephone yesterday that the tenure of the public representative of CCC would end on June 2015. “As per the electoral rules, election must be held within the last 180 days or 6 months before the tenure ends. But because of the Ramadan in June, we will hold it before June.”

The schedule of election is usually declared 35-45 days before the holding of the election. In that sense, the schedule for CCC could be declared in April if the election is held in May. M. Manjur Alam was elected in the last city corporation election in 2010.

Currently the Chittagong city corporation area is divided into 41 wards. l

the building following the installation of a machine readable passport (MRP) processing equipment on its first floor.

An official of the passport office revealed the information during a meeting of the evaluation committee for a project to construct a new, personalised complex for the central passport office, which took place at the Planning Commission on December 3. Arosto Khan, member of the commission, presided over the meeting.

“It is not possible to set up the three other machines because of these cracks. These are heavy machinery and are required to process passports of 600,000 Bangladesh expatriates working in foreign countries, especially the Middle East and Malaysia, by next year,” the official told the Dhaka Tribune, seeking anonymity.

“The situation is also hazardous for

supply of MRPs on time to applicants both home and abroad, according to the meeting’s minutes.

Cracks have appeared on the walls, columns and beams on the first floor of the eight-storey building, and more of them are appearing with the continued use of the MRP machine.

Installed around one and a half years ago, it is used – even on the weekends – to print informations of the passport applicants, both old and new, the official said. “Unless the machine is removed from the building immediately, a big accident may occur – something like the Rana Plaza collapse,” he said.

However, State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal refuted the official’s claim of risks when the Dhaka Tribune contacted him yesterday.

“It is not true and the situation is nor-

Rifle from high security jail still remains missing n Our Correspondent, Gazipur A rifle, which went missing at Kashimpur High Security Central Jail on Sunday, was not recovered even yesterday.

Senior Superintendent of Jail Mizanur Rahman said: “We are trying to recover it. Search is now on at three other jails except this high security one.”

Chief Jail Guard Sirajul Islam was

suspended on the day that the rifle went missing while two Jail Guards Tawhidul Islam and Ahsanul Haque were suspended the next day.

A total of 21 jail guards gave Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammed Nurul Islam guard of honour with 7.22mm rifles in front of the high security jail on Sunday, when he visited there.

They later submitted the rifles to Chief Jail Guard Siraj, but he found one rifle missing when he counted them all.

Soon, he conveyed this message to the higher authority.

The authority checked all papers, documents and searched at different places of the jail, but failed to find it out. They later filed the general diary with the police.

Inspector General of Police (prison) Mohammed Iftekhar Uddin formed a four-member committee and DC Nuru a two-member committee to investigate the incident. l

Prof Shamsul Alam laid to rest with state honour Correspondent, n Our Barisal Valiant freedom fighter Prof Shamsul Alam laid to rest with the state honour at the Barisal Muslim Graveyard yesterday.

Officials from Barisal district administration, police and members of Muktijoddha Sangsad gave the state salute in front of Ashwini Kumar Hall, led

by Shahidul Alam, deputy commissioner of Barisal.

On Monday night, Prof Shamsul died of cardiac arrest at the age of 68 at Birdem Hospital in Dhaka.

Different socio-cultural-political personalities and organisations, including mayor of Barisal city corporation, Barisal Reporters Unity, Barisal Press Club, Bangladesh College Teachers Association and Girl Guides Association, expressed deep condolence at the death.

Prof Shamsul was a retired teacher of history at the Barisal Islamia College. He was the district vice president and central organising secretary of Bangladesh Collage Shikkhak Samity and Shikkhak- Karmachari Front.

He left wife, a daughter, a son and a lot of admires and well-wishers to mourn his death. l

Uttara within two years as the central passport office requires more space, the state minister added.

“We have already opened letters of credit to bring machineries and construction materials for this purpose,” he said.

Planning Commission member Arosto Khan told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday: “If there was anything to be concerned about, the authorities would have moved the office from the building.”

The Department of Immigration and Passports have yet to establish a press at the Agargaon office in order to print passports and maintain the standard of the MRPs, as per the meeting minutes.

The construction of the new passport office – a 10-storey building – will begin this month, with a tentative deadline of completion in December 2016 and an estimated cost of Tk34.47 crore, sources said. l

Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi yesterday opined that democracy is impossible without media.

“Our media is playing an important role to ensure accountability of the government. A reporter has to be responsible about his work as well as stick to the truth and ethics. Despite various criticism we have to remind that democracy is impossible without the media,” Rizvi said in discussion programme arranged by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on the present situation of journalism in the country and award giving ceremony on investigative reporting.

The TIB hosted the event on the occasion of “International Anti-Corruption Day” with a slogan of “Jagroto Bibek, Durjoy Tarunya, Durnity Rukhbei” in Drik Gallery in Dhanmondi.

Another speaker, Sultana Kamal, chairman of TIB, said media is the base of democracy without which it can not be strong.

TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said freedom of expression is pre-requisite for the democracy.

Later, Gowher Rizvi handed over prize to three reporters for best investigative reporting. The winners are HM Alauddin of the daily Purbanchal, Arup Roy of the Prothom Alo and Sajjad Parvej of SA Television.

In the afternoon, TIB arranged a cartoon competition at the venue and awarded the best cartoonists appeared, where Sweden Ambassador Johan Frisell and Denmark Ambassador Hanne Fugl Eskjaer were present among others.

The visitors would have access to the exhibition from 3:30pm to 8pm each day until December 16. Besides, the cartoons will be available on the website and facebook page of the TIB. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

5

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Padma bridge work well in progress n Our Correspondent, Munshiganj The construction of the country’s biggest bridge project over the Padma river is well underway, and the work including soil testing, dredging and river training, is moving quite fast.

Project Director Shafiqul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune: “The area of the bridge construction has increased. It needs time to give a point-to-point description.”

“We are however having trouble working on the bridge because of the ferry pier on the site of the original bridge. Contractors might have to count losses if they failed to remove the pier by this month,” he said.

The 1.5 kilometre shoal, a tract of land surrounded by water in the middle of the river had to be cut down, but it could not be done as it was still inhabited, said the project director.

He however said the work of cutting down the shoal would begin as soon as the people were relocated.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (revenue) Hayat-Ud-Daulah told the Dhaka Tribune that the char land was

being requisitioned as per an order meant for constructing the bridge.

The 6.15-km bridge will directly be supported by 42 pillars while its approach roads and auxiliary components by 24 pillars, he said.

He said the soil testing had already been done for the 13 main pillars of the bridge and will be done for the other 29 soon.

“Though modern technology is being applied to the bridge project, we are taking time so that soil testing can be done properly,” he added.

About 3500 people are to work for the bridge. Of them, 500 are from China and the rest from Bangladesh. Over 200 Chinese engineers, officials and labourers are now working in the project.

Munshiganj Deputy Commissioner Md Saiful Hasan Badal said: I am proud of being part of this project work and so working very sincerely.

“Locals are also helping us. After all, team work is helps to implement the project successfully,” he said. China Major Bridge Engineering Company is implementing the bridge project, which is set to end well before 2018. l

Residents at the capital’s Jurain, an area beset with severe water crisis, gather in a queue with pitchers and buckets to collect water from a roadside tap yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Half of child labour occurs in informal sector n Tribune Report

A marked absence of a comprehensive and coordinated inter-ministerial mechanism is the reason why the national plan to eliminate child labour has yet to be properly implemented, speakers said at an event yesterday.

Speakers made the observation at a discussion on Elimination of Hazardous Child Labour through the Implementation of NPA, which was held at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital.

NPA, or National Plan of Action 2012-2016, was prepared by the Ministry of Labour and Employment aiming to implement the National Child Labour Elimination Policy 2010.

The Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum organised the event with the support of Islamic Relief Bangladesh and Terre des Hommes Netherlands, an international organisation focusing on children’s rights.

Addressing the event as the chief guest, Mikail Shipar, secretary at the ministry, said: “We accept our faults in

implementing the action. Child labour is a vast sector; we need to collaborate with the NGOs to eradicate it. More than 50 per cent of child labour in the country occurs in the informal sector, which is why it is not addressed.”

The informal sector is the part of an economy that does not pay taxes, and is not directed or monitored by any government entity.

The secretary also said: “We are no longer in a situation to wait. We have already completed the third phase of our child labour elimination project.”

The list of hazardous child labour in Bangladesh was published by the government through Bangladesh Gazette on March 10 last year by dint of Bangladesh Labour Act 2006. The list highlights 38 occupations including ship breaking, leather manufacturing, construction and automobile repairs.

However, jobs like agricultural activities, mining and quarrying, domestic work, carrying firearms and explosives, etc have not been included in the list.

“There is a way to amend the list.

However, whether we succeed to properly address the listed occupations remains to be seen,” Mikail said.

Dr Mohammad Nazmuzzaman Bhuian, associate professor at the law department of Dhaka University, said: “Both the national and international non-government development organisations are implementing a number of projects to eliminate child labour, but lack of coordination and cooperation is visible.”

He said though the NPA confirms the establishment of District Child Rights Monitoring Forums, committees at the upazila level is essential to complete the monitoring and evaluation framework, and effective national child labour welfare council should be immediately established in the divisional level.

“The Child Labour Unit at the ministry is now defunct. No step has been taken to regulate child labour in the informal sector. So, a legal reform is a must to implement the plan,” Nazmuz-

zaman said.

Agreeing that the policies should be reviewed to make them comprehensive, the speakers said trade unions could play an important role in reducing child labour in formal sector, but the employer’s organisations can contribute effectively in both the formal and informal sectors by not employing children in hazardous jobs.

However, Mahmudul Kabir, country director of Terre des Hommes Netherlands, said the primary responsibilities lay with the government.

“The government should take necessary steps to remove the implementation snags through a well-established and accepted monitoring and evaluation system for both the government agencies and other organisations,” he said.

Among others, Abdus Shahid Mahmood, director of the Shishu Adhikar Forum, and Mainuddin Ahmed, acting head of Health, Education and Child Welfare Programme at Islamic Relief Bangladesh, were also present at the event. l

Prof Goutam made Chittagong vet university VC n Tribune Report

FORECAST FOR TODAY 27 28 27 26 27 28 28 28

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

16 17 12 11 11 15 13 19

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

28.3ºC Cox's Bazar

10.8ºC Chuadanga

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajr Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

5:09am 6:29am 11:51am 3:36pm 5:12pm 6:32 pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

The Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (Demu) train service from Tongi to Kamalapur was inaugurated at Tongi Railway Station yesterday morning.

Chief guest Railway Minister Mojibul Haque inaugurated the service in a programme at Tongi Railway Station around 7:40am.

“The Railway ministry has drawn up a plan incorporating some projects. When the projects would be implemented, there will be an excellent change in rail service in the country,” said the railway minister. “When the government is trying to develop railway, the BNP along with Jamaat is trying to destroy the sector,” he said.

Director General of the Bangladesh Railway Tofazzal Ahmed said two more rail lines would be set up from Tongi to Dhaka soon and the present rail lines would be modernised.

Station master of the Kamalapur

n Our Correspondent, Savar

WEATHER

DHAKA TODAY TOMORROW SUN SETS 5:12PM SUN RISES 6:31AM

n Tribune Report

Railway Station Abdul Mazid said the demo train would travel on the Dhaka-Tongi route twice a day.

A train will leave Kamalapur railway station at 5:25am and arrive in Tongi station at 6:10 am while another train will leave Tongi railway station at 7:40 am and arrive at Kamalapur railway station at 8:35 am.

The demo train with six compartments will travel with six hundred passengers at a time, Mazid also added.

He also expressed hope that the service would reduce travel- trouble after the start of this demo train on Tongi-Kamalapur railway route.

Acting Secretary of Railway Ministry Monsur Ali Sikder presided over the inaugural session addressed among others by former parliament member and commander of Gazipur district Muktijoddha Command Council Kazi Mozammel Haque, General Manager of the Bangladesh Railway (eastern zone) Mozammel Haque. l

RMG factory closed sine die following protest

Prof Goutam Buddha Das has been appointed as the new vice-chancellor of Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Science University (CVASU).

According to a press release issued by the public relations department of CVASU yesterday, Dr Goutam was appointed by the Education Ministry. l

DRY WEATHER LIKELY WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10

Demu service on KamalapurTongi route inaugurated

Fake doctor Kazi Mohammed Bakhtiar is held by a mobile court from a residential hotel in Rajshahi yesterday. With no licence or degrees, the self proclaimed piles specialist was caught with equipment of surgery AZAHAR UDDIN

A ready-made garment factory in Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) area of Ashulia has been closed down for an indefinite period following a clash between two groups of its workers.

The Pradac Jeans Limited authorities yesterday hung a closure notice on the entrance of the factory and the workers staged a demonstration in front of it in the morning in protest of the decision.

Being informed, police rushed to the spot and moved away the agitating workers resulting in the situation under control without any untoward incident.

Sources at the factory said ten workers got injured on the previous day

Faulty charcoal factories posing health hazard n Our Correspondent, Sylhet More than 40 charcoal factories, which have sprouted recently in the Sheikhghat area of Sylhet town defying environmental regulations are posing a health risk to the residents of the area.

Doctors have opined that the inhabitants, especially the children and elderly, are at risk of asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and other such diseases. The heavy smoke produced by the low-rising chimneys of the factories are blamed for this situation.

The factories usually produce rice husk briquettes, commonly known as charcoal, which are widely used as alternative cooking fuel in the rural areas of Sylhet. Small retailers and poor household use these briquettes mostly due to the unavailability of gas. Comparatively cheap and easily available, briquettes are also smokeless and heat more quickly than coal or wood.

The main ingredient of producing this fuel is the rice husk, the hard cover that protects the rice grain, found as a by-product after the milling process.

Because of the existence of a number of rice mills in the Sheikhghat area, many entrepreneurs have set up a number of charcoal factories without any supervision of the government.

Although the briquettes are considered a great source of bio-fuel, they have now become a great concern in the area because the poor quality of the end product and the factory.

Residents of the area alleged that the whole neighbourhood suffers from the smoke created by these factories.

All throughout the day, the factories continue to emit heavy smoke making life difficult.

Babul Mia, a restaurant owner said he had been suffering from respiratory problems because of the smoke. “The city mayor, deputy commissioner and other concerned authorities have been notified about the matter. But no action

has been taken as yet,” he said.

According to the environment regulation, the chimneys of the factories should be 40 feet high. But in reality, chimneys of most of the factories are between 10 to 20 feet high.

Locals said because of the low-rise chimneys heavy black smoke lingered in the air like fog all day Some residents, on anonymity, said because of the low-rise chimneys heavy black smoke lingered in the air like fog all day. Many workers of these factories were suffering from chronic diseases, they alleged.

Even the owners of the factories expressed the same sentiment. Haji Md Yasin of Ms Faiyyan Charcoal Mill said: “If the chimneys were built according to the prescribed height, the smoke

would not have been a problem. I am also a sufferer because of this.”

When contacted, Dr Tonmoy Bhattacharya, recently retired deputy director of Osmani Medical College Hospital said many people from Sheikhghat area had come to him with respiratory problems. “The smoke from the factories can cause bronchitis, asthma and other critical diseases. Moreover, many important establishments like hospitals and schools situated in the area are also facing air pollution. The health risk posed by these factories cannot be overlooked.”

Director of the Department of Environment, Salah Uddin Chowdhury told the Dhaka Tribune that the factories in the area were very old and they had been operating without licences. “We often get complaints about these factories. It is true that the chimneys of the factories should be higher than 40 feet according to the regulation. We will see what steps can be taken in this regard.” l

when two group of workers locked into a clash while demonstrating protesting less wages than usual, which had been paid by the factory authorities.

Following the clash, the authorities compelled to declare a holiday there on the ground of shunning any unpleasant incident.

When contacted, the factory’s Administrative Officer Majhar Hossain said: “The factory has been declared closed for an indefinite period due to the tension prevailed among the workers.”

Ashulia Industrial Police Director Mostafizur Rahman said: “Additional police have been deployed in front of the factory to avoid any untoward situation.” l

4 jailed for selling unauthorised herbal medicine n Tribune Report Four including two herbal medicine practitioners were sentenced with different jail term yesterday for selling fake medicines in the name of herbal medicines in Chittagong.

A mobile court arrested them from different herbal pharmacies across the port city while selling medicines of different brands that are not authorised by the Drug Administration and Licensing Authority.

Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Rakib Hasan, who led the drive, told the Dhaka Tribune that they had seized a number of unauthorised herbal drugs that claim to raise sexual strength.

In the drive that started around 11am, two herbal doctors – Nasir Uddin, 45, and Dilip Kumar Talukdar, 60 – and, two staff of pharmacies – Omar Faruk, 26, and Md Sakil Hossain, 40 – were held. l

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Patients in danger as cracks develop in health complex

Justice for Dr Shamarukh demanded

n Our Correspondent, Noakhali

Residents of Jessore, under different banners, demanded a fair probe into the murder of Dr Shamarukh Mahjabin, wife former lawmaker of Jessore Khan Tipu Sultan’s son Humayun Sultan.

Only four months after construction, the Dadpur Union Health and Family Welfare Centre in the Sadar upazila of Noakhali district has developed multiple cracks. Patients and hospital employees fear that the building may collapse any time.

According to the Noakhali Health and Engineering Department, the construction work of the centre started on December 30, 2010 with an estimated cost of Tk94 lakh. M/S Sheuly Enterprise, a construction company of Dhaka, got the work order and was expected to complete it within one year. But it took them three and a half years to finish.

The Health and Engineering Department was handed over the building on June 2, 2014. However, after four months, some cracks were seen in several rooms of the building.

A visit to the health complex found that the building was surrounded by water. The main road was about 150 yards

Mobile court fines five businesses Tk50,000 Correspondent, n Our Habiganj

A mobile court in several drives fined five businesses organisations Tk50,000 for selling food items in an unhygienic environment and fraudulence in measurement in Habiganj yesterday.

The court led by Executive Magistrate AKM Saiful Alam fined Riyad Foods and Anik Bekari Tk20,000 each for selling date expired foods and for an unhygienic environment at the shops in Nabiganj town, police said.

Later, the court also fined three petroleum filling stations—Rahman Filing Station, Rashid Filing Staiton, and Hazi Filing Station— Tk10,000 for fraudulence in measurement. Officials from Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and police men were present during the drive. l

Human chain protests ethnic woman rape Correspondent, n Our Chapainawbganj Hundreds of people formed a human chain in front of Chapainawbganj Press Club yesterday protesting against the rape of an ethnic housewife on 29 November in the district.

North Bengal Adivasi Forum, Adivasi Somonnoy Parishad and Juba Jote jointly organized the programme where among others Cornelius murmu, Jogendranath Soren, Uttam Kumer Barman and Istifan spoke on the occasion with Hingu Murmu in the chair.

They demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the rapists.

Ariful, Ziabul and their associates of Zugidying village in Sadar upazila raped an ethnic housewife on 29 November in her house at night. l

Girl’s hanging body recovered Correspondent, n Our Chuadanga

Police recovered the hanging body of an adolescent girl from her house in Anandadham area in Alamdanga upazila town on Monday. The deceased, Tahera Khatun, 14, daughter of Shahjahan Ali, of Chhatrapara village in the upazila, was a class-X student.

When asked, Alamdanga police station OC Maniruddin Mollah said Tahera was alone in their rented house some time and the couple found the doors locked and informed them.

They sent the body to the district hospital morgue for autopsy after which it could be confirmed whether the case suicide or murder. l

away with no easy access to the centre.

There was a make-shift narrow pathway over the pond behind the centre.

Locals said, all patients including women, children and adults had to use the bamboo-built rickety bridge to come to the centre. Hence they have to suffer a lot.

Entering the compound, it was also observed that the main gate which was supposed to be of iron was not there.

Instead a wooden gate guarded the entrance.

There were visible cracks in different rooms of the building. The shelves meant to store the medicines broke down.

Khorshed Alam, pharmacist of the complex, said because of the cracks they were afraid that the building might collapse.

Locals claimed that the contractor used low-quality materials to build the complex. “He was did not finish the project in time, did not build the road and other facilities that he was supposed to. Moreover, the furniture he

provided for the health complex were also substandard,” they said.

Tahmina Akter, a student of Khaliphar Haat High School, said because of the risky make-shift bridge she felt scared to go to the centre. But they had no alternative.

After getting complaint, the Health and Engineering Department sent a notice to the contractor, who had not responded yet.

When contacted, Enamul Hoque Master, the owner of the construction company, said they constructed the building following the building code.

“If there are cracks, I would visit the spot myself and fix those. But the construction of the road to the health centre was not included in the work order.”

Sekander Ali, chief executive of the Health and Engineering Department, said: “Some problems were found in the building and the construction company had already been given a letter.

Besides, I would visit the health centre very soon.” l

n Our Correspondent, Jessore

Shamarukh was found hanging in the bathroom of her inlaws’ residence on November 13 Different organisations including Bangladesh Mohila Parishad Jessore unit, Institution of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh, Model Polytechnic Institute and Newspaper Hawkers Union participated in a human chain formed in front of the Jessore Press Club for an hour yesterday morning.

In the human chain, they called for Prime Minister’s interference in the case of Dr Shamarukh to ensure a probe free from political bias.

They demanded exemplary punishment to the family members of former lawmaker Khan Tipu Sultan who had allegedly killed Shamarukh after mentally and psychically torturing her.

On December 2, a Dhaka court denied bail for Humayun Sultan in the case filed in connection with the murder of his wife Dr Shamarukh Mahjabin.

Acting Metropolitan Sessions Judge KM Imrul Kayes passed the order in response to a bail plea filed by defence counsel Jesmin Chowdhury.

Twenty-four year-old Shamarukh was found hanging in the bathroom of her in-laws’ Dhanmondi residence in the capital on November 13. After completing her MBBS at Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College, she was preparing for FCPS. Her father Nurul Islam filed a case with Dhanmondi police station, accusing Humayun, his father Tipu Sultan and mother Dr Jesmin Ara Begum of murdering her.

Shamarukh, the only daughter of Nurul Islam, was married off to Humayun, the eldest son of former Monirampur MP Tipu Sultan on April 26 last year. l

4 teens back home after serving 1-year jail in India n Our Correspondent, Jessore Four Bangladeshi teenagers returned home from India on Monday night after serving 1-year jail term for illegal stay in that country after intrusion.

The returnees were identified as Lovely Akter,15, Subarna Khatun,16, Amena Khatun,17, and Maria Khatun,16. Hailed from different areas of Narail and Satkhira districts.

Aktaruzzaman, officer-in-charge of Benapole immigration police, said Indian immigration police handed them over to Bangladesh immigration police through Benapole check post.

Human traffickers had sent them to India one year ago, promising lucrative jobs there, said the OC. Indian police arrested them from Shialdah Rail Station area in Kolkata and later produced them in a court that sent them to a jail on charge of illegal entry into the country.

Their release came following contacts between the home ministries of Bangladesh and India. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Long Form

7

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

The ghoosh, the bad, and the ugly Anatomy of bureaucratic corruption in Bangladesh

T

n Syed Mujtaba Quader he Finance Minister deserves thanks for highlighting the issue of bureaucratic corruption through his peculiar way of focusing on issues. He has recently said that “speed money” given to expedite official work is excusable.

While having to deflect allegations of empathy or even camaraderie for individuals considered leeches of society, his statement actually did make a valid point. “Facilitation money” or speed money, as opposed to bribery, is defined as resources spent to expedite work done by officials, the work itself being completely legal.

Bribery on the other hand is money paid to officials to do something that, in itself, is illegal. However, conceptually speaking it is easy to see how totally legal work can be rendered petrified, without “adequate” payments, thus making speed money appear to look like bribery.

This means, that, while work obtained through bribery is not legal, which may be made invalid by a court, work obtained through speed money can be perfectly legal. But extra money, whether it be speed money or bribery, can collectively be called ghoosh, in our local terminology, for the purpose of this discourse.

Ghoosh also includes all sorts of extra perks, eg. after retirement jobs, promotions, lucrative transfers, foreign travel, and a host of perks of dubious moral value.

We all agree that official corruption in the form of ghoosh in bureaucracy has reached an epidemic level in Bangladesh. The “2014 Index of Economic Freedom,” a publication of the Heritage Foundation in partnership with the Wall Street Journal states: “corruption is a serious impediment to investment and economic growth in Bangladesh. By some estimates, bribes and other off-the-record payments paid by firms related to public procurement, tax and customs collection, and other regulatory authorities may reduce annual GDP by 3%.”

The overwhelming and all-encompassing power of the government bureaucrats have ensured that no work can be done in government offices without extra money, whereas much can be accomplished through extra payments.

But where is this ghoosh culture leading us. Bureaucrats run circles of fiefdoms in their offices, where even the lower rungs are interconnected to form a single impregnable mass of corruption; where the buck passes from one table to another in a perfect environment of impunity.

As it stands The level of ghoosh has no heads and tails, and depends on the official’s perceived notion of how much the citizen can be squeezed to pay the amounts demanded. Once the official understands the relative power position of a specific person, he may raise or lower the amount unilaterally and arbitrarily.

In business circles, it is often said that there are four kinds of bureaucrats – those who are honest and responsive about the work, those who are honest but unresponsive, those who are dishonest but responsive, and those who are both dishonest and unresponsive.

Understandably, the first and the third kinds are the most preferred by working citizens. One important scourge about ghoosh is that it is difficult for the uninitiated to know how much is the standard amount to be paid for a specific work. If the amounts for specific jobs were uniform for everyone, then the matter may not have been so grave.

But the situation is that, since the transactions regarding ghoosh are almost always done undercover, the specific amounts vary from case to case for the same kind of work. This is the cause of much distress.

Common citizens in their day to day work always lag behind and are often left to running from door to door in a labyrinthine maze of agents, officials and tables. Persons more adept at manipulating the system get more mileage for their efforts at lesser time and less money.

The culture of ghoosh has established that money, and not merit is the determinant of success. Tenders and contracts may be awarded not on the basis of economic viability and competence but on the amount of facilitation paid.

Lucrative positions in government

offices can be obtained through payment of cash that gets shared by the highest authorities including political echelons. Competent and honest officers are left behind, often to become, in later years, subordinates of morally decadent manipulative colleagues.

The prospect of earning ghoosh sometimes even incents officials to invent problems relating to civic and criminal matters in the hope of extracting ghoosh money from innocent citizens. This happens regularly in law enforcement and in land matters where small changes in records can have serious implications in ownership documentation.

Perhaps the time has come to try to integrate the needs of the people, who suffer so much at the hands of these officials, with the genuine demands of the officials who are entrusted with the safe keeping of the citizens

In some cases, the government stands to lose huge amounts of revenue in the customs and income tax departments, or municipal corporations. Companies which import raw materials legally cannot compete with companies who import goods with ghoosh. Ghoosh is all pervasive, and some would say, is even present in the defense departments.

The effect of ghoosh in the judiciary is extremely serious and therefore should be dealt with separately. The judges are burdened with 2.3 million cases and a salary structure that cannot guarantee their financial freedom to do what is just. Anyone who has traversed the realms of the judicial process knows how contorted the legal processes are.

Payments must be paid at every step to judicial employees in court cases that run for years. Delays can be manipulated through payments to officials. Everything is guided by lawyers who sometimes benefit from milking both sides.

One extremely pernicious aspect of ghoosh culture is how it affects foreign investment in the country. Foreign companies are usually guided by the laws of their lands which prevent the companies and their individual officers to engage in bribery or in payment of “facilitation expenses” in foreign lands.

The USA and the UK among other nations have specific laws to enforce these, namely the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 1977, and the UK Bribery Act 2010. Companies belonging to these nations are reluctant to invest funds in countries where they are confronted by compliance issues relating to corruption, specially through bribery.

They can only compete in these countries through quality, service and price and therefore lose out to local competitors who can also use bribery as a comparative advantage. In fact, this debilitating aspect of ghoosh also prevents many ethical local companies from investing in enterprises which require frequent interactions with government functionaries.

The story of the moral One very significant aspect of pervasive corruption is how it affects the socio-cultural position of individuals who mould their lives on ethical, moral or religious models.

Where society expects this group to give moral leadership to a country’s overall development, these idealistic individuals get marginalised to the side lines whereby ultimately they become the outcasts of society. It is probably the primary cause of the present day moral decadence of the country.

Children of officials flush with corruption money attend third rate uni-

An Illustration by Nasreen Sultana Mitu from the cartoon exhibition on corruption organised by TIB at Drik gallery versities abroad and at home in shiny cars but learn nothing, while meritorious children of idealist parents cannot even attend a government college.

Morality has taken a back seat and the corrupt and the immoral elements of society are in the driving seat.

Strangely enough, Indonesia is frequently cited by detractors of the effects of corruption on developing economies as a country which has done well in spite of the rampant corruption. It is now universally agreed that even Indonesia has suffered immensely for its ubiquitous corruption, which the authorities are trying to stamp out perhaps through recognising its growth inhibiting aspects and from pressure from foreign investors.

uncertain times.

Right after the independence of Bangladesh it was felt that the country needed to move away from the legacy of the 22 families that was presumed to have taken a stranglehold over the economy and was blamed as the cause of the subjugation of Bangalis.

To establish the impression that the country would be run along socialist principles, it was necessary to cut down the salaries and pay-perks of government officials. In time, politicians discovered an added benefit in this policy: it provided the tool necessary to subjugate the powerful body of bureaucrats who held the actual reins of power.

This situation has remained static ever since. Pay of government officials

The culture of ‘ghoosh’ has established that money, and not merit is the determinant of success.

Tenders and contracts may be awarded not on the basis of economic viability and competence but on the amount of facilitation paid

The why and how of it Perhaps it would be wise to try to understand first what motivates the officials to engage in corruption. Is it just an inherent urge to engage in something profitable because it can be done, or are there other factors involved ? Not only does it go against the terms of service but corruption goes against the social, moral and religious mores of the society.

One would not willingly want to be tainted as corrupt. Also, astute officials consider the consequences of times when idealism may play a role and wealth statements and bank accounts may be looked into without impunity.

Interestingly, naughty cynics have suggested that a large proportion of the gold bars being imported into the country these days is insurance for corrupt persons wanting to circumvent the banking system during

is despicably low over their counterparts in industry. However, with all encompassing power that they wield, they have found their way around this constraint through institutionalised corruption.

Trade unions also played a vital role in the spread of corruption at all levels. Immediately after independence, the country went on a tail-spin with a failing economy and weak leadership at the top. Keeping control over trade unions became the supreme objective of the political leadership, which they did through empowering the trade unions to impose their own fiefdoms in their own organisations.

The organisation, be it a utility company or a government fuel agency, was milked by union bosses who collaborated with politicians to stay in power. Corporate profitability was replaced with corporate corruption. And the cooperation to foster corruption

RAJIB DHAR

that started between unions and the politicians, which eventually drew the bureaucrats into its whirlpool, endure to this day.

The necessary evil This is not to say that all bureaucrats are corrupt. There are numerous burning examples of scrupulously honest officials who braved grave personal difficulties but did not succumb to temptations. However, the question is, does the nation have the right to demand so much from so few, and does it make any sense for these individuals to make so much personal and family sacrifices, when the nation as a whole refuses to recognise their heroism in any meaningful way ?

Nobody supports corruption for its own sake including its perpetrators.

It is a by-product of the system that sustains it. The political need to establish the perception of socialism does not exist anymore. Many low-level employees of private firms now earn several times the pay of senior government officers. This anomaly must be corrected.

Transparency International, Bangladesh has made great strides in recent years to highlight the damaging aspects of bureaucratic corruption.

But, unfortunately they have not gone into the roots of the problem. Efforts to eradicate corruption must go hand in hand with solving the root causes of it.

If senior government officials are not given the financial independence to live by their own conscience, then it is natural that the citizens will not get a fair share of their efforts.

Perhaps, sub-consciously, the people at large have been forgiving enough to understand this. Perhaps, the public have not recoiled from their sense of empathy for these individuals who engage in something against their conscience day in and day out but have collectively held the nation together.

Perhaps the time has come to try to integrate the needs of the people, who suffer so much at the hands of these officials, with the genuine demands of the officials who are entrusted with the safe keeping of the citizens.

Everyone will agree that complete eradication of bureaucratic corrup-

tion is almost impossible. However, containment to acceptable levels must be the goal of policy makers. The fact stands today that payments are regularly made by common citizens to bureaucrats for their various government related works as payment for services delivered. Instead of salary that should be paid by the government, this money is subsidised by the people, albeit grudgingly.

If these amounts are being paid already by the people, albeit in an underhand way, is it not time that strategies be found to standardise and legitimise these in possibly quasi-legal open arrangements so citizens do not have to suffer so much uncertainty, ego-bruising, and time wastage, and at the same time bureaucrats be freed from guilt of their conscience? Bad management of a necessary evil is causing more harm than good. Almost always, acceptance of an evil is the primary step to its ultimate eradication.

Bad apples shall exist always.

Efforts should be made to monitor the wealth of bureaucrats through stringent monitoring, preferably through the Bangladesh Bank or the NBR, or otherwise through private monitoring by civic bodies established specifically for this purpose. Individual cases of bribery should be pursued by groups of local citizens, one at a time.

It is highly unlikely that political support can be secured to contain corruption, because corruption is their raison d’être. Is it not strange that the present opposition political party, although caught up in the most humiliating situation has not voiced concerns about corruption which definitely would have ensured grass-root popular support for them?

Therefore, the banner must be carried by civic bodies, and the media which exists on the basis of popular support, and pressures must be mounted for the appointment of Civic Ombudsmen to oversee the activities of government officials. And if everything else fails, then one lone man with a pen, or one man in the street with a mobile phone must put in his two bits to combat this great malaise that confronts this great nation. l Syed Mujtaba Quader is a freelance contributor.

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Amnesty: Israeli strikes on Gaza buildings ‘war crimes’ n BBC Israeli air strikes on four high-rise buildings in the final days of this summer’s conflict in Gaza amounted to war crimes, Amnesty International says.

Evidence suggested the destruction was “carried out deliberately and with no military justification,” a new report by the human rights group found.

It called for an independent and impartial investigation to be opened.

Israel said the report made unfounded allegations and ignored Hamas’ use of the buildings for military purposes.

In a statement, the Israeli embassy in London said Amnesty should be investigating the Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli civilians instead.

No military justification

The 50-day conflict in Gaza between Israel and militant groups led by Hamas left at least 2,189 Palestinians dead, including more than 1,486 civilians, according to the UN, and 11,000 injured. On the Israeli side, 67 soldiers and six civilians were killed, with scores more wounded.

During the last four days before a ceasefire came into effect, Israeli warplanes dropped large bombs on four buildings - the 12-storey Zafer 4 Tower, the 16-storey Italian Complex and the 13-storey al-Basha Tower in Gaza City, and the four-storey Municipal Com-

Zimbabwe’s Mugabe expected to name new cabinet

n Reuters, Harare Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has fired his deputy Joice Mujuru, days after she lost her post in the ruling party, and is expected to name a new cabinet on Tuesday, two government sources told Reuters. The sources, who declined to be named because they are not authorized to speak to the media, said Mujuru had received her dismissal letter on Monday night after weeks of accusations that she had led a “treacherous cabal” to try to unseat Mugabe.

mercial Centre in Rafah.

Amnesty acknowledged that in all four cases no-one was killed because the Israeli military took measures to ensure residents left the building before they were destroyed - by telling some in telephone calls to evacuate, and also firing “knock-on-the-roof” warning missiles.

But the group said scores of people from nearby buildings were injured and that hundreds were devastated to lose their homes, businesses and belongings.

Amnesty said the Israeli authorities had provided no information as to why they destroyed the four buildings, other than the suggestion that one of the destroyed buildings housed a Hamas command centre and “facilities linked to Palestinian militants” in another.

“All the evidence we have shows this large-scale destruction was carried out deliberately and with no military justification,” said Amnesty’s Middle East and North Africa director, Philip Luther.

“Both the facts on the ground and statements made by Israeli military spokespeople at the time indicate that the attacks were a collective punishment against the people of Gaza and were designed to destroy their already precarious livelihoods.”

Luther added that even if the Israeli authorities believed part of a building

was being used for military purposes, they had an “obligation to choose means and methods of attack that would minimise harm to civilians and their property”.

Complied with law

The Israeli embassy in London criticised Amnesty’s report for choosing to “focus on monetary losses to Palestinian civilians, rather than investigate the systematic and deliberate firing of rockets and mortars at Israel’s civilian population.”

The Israeli military did not intentionally target civilians or civilian property, complied with international law, was directed by military objectives, and abided by the principle of proportionality, the statement said.

Releasing information that would disclose in detail the target of the strikes might jeopardise classified information and intelligence sources, it added.

“Third, and most blatantly, Amnesty ignores the clear evidence that Hamas systematically and deliberately used civilian infrastructure for military purposes. Amnesty’s inability to determine the military use of these sites does not indicate a lack of such use.”

Amnesty said a forthcoming report would focus on violations of international humanitarian law by Hamas.

Last French hostage Lazarevic freed in Mali n BBC The last French hostage to be held by Islamist militants has been freed after three years, French President Francois Hollande has announced.

Serge Lazarevic was snatched in Mali in November 2011 along with fellow Frenchman Philippe Verdon.

Militants from the al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) group killed Verdon last year in retaliation for France’s intervention in Mali.

Hollande said there were no more French hostages waiting to be freed.

Lazarevic, he said, was in “relatively good health” despite the conditions of his captivity and was on his way to the neighbouring country of Niger from where he would return to France.

AQIM kidnapped a number of Western hostages before the French military deployed its forces against the group in January 2013.

There were at one point at least 14 French nationals being held by Islamists in West Africa.

“There are no more French hostages in any country in the world,” Hollande said. l

Polar bear Giovanna (C) and her twin polar bears Nela and Nobby eat an ice cake with fresh fruit and cream to celebrate their first birthday in their enclosure at Tierpark Hellabrunn zoo in Munich yesterday REUTERS

Iraq presses US for more strikes, arms as Hagel visits

n Reuters, Baghdad Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi pressed outgoing US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Tuesday for more air strikes and weaponry to accelerate what he called the “descent” of Islamic State.

The plea underscored tension in the US-Iraqi relationship, with Baghdad pushing for more aggressive assistance than Washington has provided so far, four months after President Barack Obama launched air strikes against IS in Iraq.

“We are very thankful for the support that’s been given to us,” Abadi told Hagel as the two met at the prime minister’s offices in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone. Islamic State was “on the descent at the moment”, he said.

“Our forces are very much advancing on the ground. But they need more air power and more ... heavy weaponry. We need that.”

Hagel, addressing US and Australian troops shortly after arriving in Iraq, said: “We have a role to play here but always our role has to be a support role...

It is their country. They have to lead.” l

A blood-stained nine-inch (23 cm) knife is seen after being recovered at the scene of a stabbing at a Brooklyn synagogue, in a picture provided by the New York Police Department yesterday REUTERS

New York police shoot, kill man who stabbed person in synagogue n Reuters, New York New York police shot and killed a man armed with a knife early yesterday after he stabbed a rabbinical student from Israel in the head in a Brooklyn synagogue, police and the synagogue said.

The man who was shot was black and the officer who did the shooting is Hispanic, a spokesman for the New York Police Department said. Several recent police killings of unarmed African-American men, and grand jury decisions not to indict the police officers involved, have triggered racially tinged protests over police use of force.

Police went to the world headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch move-

ment about 1:40 a.m. EST (0640 GMT) and found the 49-year-old suspect with the knife in hand, the New York Police Department said in a statement.

“According to witnesses (the attacker) was heard saying repeatedly, ‘Kill the Jews,’” Rabbi Motti Seligson of ChabadLubavitch said in the statement.

When police officers confronted him, the man complied with their demand to drop the knife but he picked it back up and began moving toward them. The officer shot once, hitting him in the torso.

The man was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Chabad-Lubavitch identified the stabbing victim as Levi Rosenblat, 22, who was studying in the synagogue

More than 150 arrested in California during police killing protests n Reuters, Berkeley More than 150 protesters were arrested in California overnight after shutting down a major freeway in another outbreak of nationwide demonstrations against police use of deadly force on minorities.

Across the other side of the country late on Monday, basketball stars in New York including Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James joined the protests by wearing shirts emblazoned with “I can’t breathe” -- the last words of Eric Garner, a black man who died after a police chokehold.

Large crowds have demonstrated daily in several U.S. cities since a grand jury decided last week not to bring criminal charges against a white police officer over the death of Garner, an unarmed father of six, in July.

The death of Garner and the police shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teen in Ferguson, Missouri in August, have highlighted strained relations between police and black Americans and rekindled a national debate over race relations.

Several hundred people stormed onto Interstate 80 in the college town of Berkeley near San Francisco on Monday night snarling traffic in both directions.

Protesters threw rocks and other objects at officers, California Highway Patrol spokesman Daniel Hill said.

More than 150 people were arrested, mostly for resisting or obstructing an officer, he added.

Earlier, dozens of protesters stopped an Amtrak train in the town by lying on the tracks or sitting on a sofa placed across the line.

Outside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, a group of about 300 protesters blocked streets and chanted, “I can’t breathe,” in memory of Garner, and “Hands up, don’t shoot,” a reference to Brown’s death.

In downtown Phoenix, about 200 protesters marched to police headquarters over the killing of another unarmed black man by a white officer in what authorities described as a struggle last week.

Protesters demanded that police release the name of the officer involved in the fatal shooting of 34-year-old Rumain Brisbon, a man police suspected of selling drugs.

New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on Monday said he was seeking the power to investigate all police killings of unarmed civilians in the state. l

French-American software start-up to launch automatic password changer n Reuters, London A French-American software start-up is to launch the world’s first mainstream automatic password changer in an attempt to remove the all-too-human frailty that has rendered the phrase “computer security” a worrying oxymoron.

For most people, properly managing passwords verges on impossible, given the dizzying array of devices and websites on which we have all become increasingly reliant. But Dashlane.com is stepping up its offering to counter hackers.

The company, which has three million users of its existing password management service, announced on Tuesday that it has acquired PassOmatic, a New York start-up that created the automatic password

changer Dashlane plans to incorporate into its own products in the coming weeks. The terms of the deal were undisclosed.

Dozens of similarly featured programmes exist, with LastPass, RoboForm and Dashlane among the most popular across both computer and phone systems. Each helps users to store and organise their passwords in a secure database controlled by a master password.

But by offering a way to change passwords regularly with just a few clicks, Dashlane’s approach marks a breakthrough in an industry that typically demands users create complex strings of text and numbers - a request that largely goes unheeded.

“The key is to have reasonably complicated passwords that are different on every website,” Dashlane Chief Executive

Emmanuel Schalit said in a telephone interview.

Dashlane will introduce a feature that updates passwords automatically at pre-set intervals, say every 30 days, or at the user’s request if, for example, a website’s security has been compromised.

“We are making passwords go away from the perspective of the consumer, without doing away with passwords from a technical perspective,” Schalit said.

Though some cyber security experts have said passwords will eventually be replaced by other forms of identification, such as fingerprints, the prospect of passwords disappearing completely remains a long way off and Dashlane has, in effect, found a way to manage a user’s digital identity across the Web. l

when he was attacked. He was stabbed in the left temple and was in stable condition at the same hospital where his attacker died, police said.

In a video of the confrontation, the attacker walks up to and asks each of about a half dozen men dressed in Orthodox Jewish clothing, “Want me to kill you?”

The officer demands the attacker drop the knife or he will shoot and the men initially shout, “Don’t shoot!

Don’t shoot!” Police confirmed the video, which was posted to the New York Post website, was legitimate.

The knife was recovered at the scene and the investigation into the incident is continuing. l

Egypt jails democracy activist for 3 years for ‘insulting court’ n Reuters, Cairo Egyptian pro-democracy activist Ahmed Douma was sentenced to three years in jail yesterday after he accused the judge of bias and denounced his trial on charges of violence against the state as political. Douma was a leading youth figure in the 2011 uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak at the height of the "Arab Spring". He is accused of attacking the cabinet office building and security forces when clashes erupted during a sit-in there in 2011.

Douma also took part in demonstrations that led to the army's overthrow of elected Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in July 2013, but he later mobilised against the military's political role and a law that severely restricts street protest.

Critics at home and abroad have accused Egyptian authorities of using the justice system to silence opponents.

Egyptian government officials say they do not interfere in the judiciary.

Under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the general who toppled Mursi, thousands of Muslim Brotherhood members have been jailed and hundreds sentenced to death in mass trials.

Secular and liberal critics such as Douma have also found themselves on the wrong side of Sisi's government, with dozens jailed for taking part in public gatherings. l

ICC accepts Palestine’s status n Agencies The International Criminal Court has accepted the status of Palestine, clearing the way for war crimes in the occupied territories to be investigated, Al Jazeera has learned.

Monday’s decision amounts to a symbolic victory for the Palestinians who will get a seat at the ICC: In theory, it is now legally possible for war crimes to be investigated in the occupied territories if requested.

The ICC, which is governed by the Rome Statute, is the first permanent, treaty-based, international criminal court established to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. ICC decision clears the way for war crimes investigations The court, whose headquarters is at The Hague in the Netherlands, is an independent international organisation and is not part of the UN system.

While its expenses are funded primarily by “states parties”, the ICC also receives voluntary contributions from governments, international organisations, individuals, corporations and other entities. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

ISIL and Iran to dominate Gulf Arab summit n

Tribune Desk

Gulf Arab leaders have gathered in the Qatari capital for a summit expected to push forward plans for a unified military command and an Interpol-like agency to counter regional foe Iran and armed jihadist groups.

The meeting of the foreign ministers from the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) kicked off in Doha yesterday evening.

The annual meeting comes after an eight-month diplomatic spat in the bloc which pitted Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain against Qatar over its alleged support for the Muslim Brotherhood.

The threat from terrorist groups is so overstated. The leaders of the GCC focused so much on the security collaboration that it became an obsession. How is an ordinary Kuwaiti, or Qatari or Bahraini or Saudi benefiting from the GCC? The Brotherhood, from which toppled Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi hailed, has been labelled a “terrorist organisation” by Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The other two GCC members, Kuwait and Oman, tried to stay neutral.

A reconciliation meeting attended by the six foreign ministers three weeks ago in the Saudi capital Riyadh, appears to have eased tensions and

paved the way for the one-day summit.

“The fact that the meeting is taking place is in itself a success. For the Gulf leaders to come to Qatar after all that happened is a big event,” Abdul Aziz Aluwaisheg, assistant secretary-general of the GCC, told Al Jazeera.

Aluwaisheg said the summit would focus on boosting security cooperation and adopting a multi-layered strategy in “the fight against terrorism”.

The council is expected to discuss kick-starting the work of a military joint command, which would be based in Riyadh.

The bloc is also planning to invigorate the GCC-POL, a UAE-based law enforcement agency for sharing intelligence and dealing with organised crime.

“The military command will allow the GCC to deal better with outside threats, especially from Iran, while the GCC-POL was formed to share information to combat terrorist organisations,” Anwar Ishqi, a former Lieutenant in the Saudi army and the director of the Middle East Centre for Strategic and Legal Studies in Jeddah, told Al Jazeera.

The falling oil prices are also expected to be extensively discussed at the summit, especially as some of bloc’s oil-exporting members were already talking about the need to reform state spending and diversify away from energy. l

Possible sanctions breach as Iran Quds chief spotted in Iraq n Reuters United Nations sanctions monitors have said photographs taken inside Iraq appear to confirm that the head of Iran’s elite military Quds Force, one of Iran’s most powerful people, has been in the country in violation of a U.N. travel ban.

Qassem Soleimani, chief of the force which is an overseas arm of the Revolutionary Guards, has been subject to an international travel ban and

asset freeze by the U.N. Security Council since 2007.

An Iranian general said in September that Soleimani was in Iran’s western neighbor and was playing a critical role in the fight against Sunni Islamic State militants.

A seven-page report by the U.N. Panel of Experts on Iran, seen by Reuters on Monday, said Soleimani “has been photographed and videoed on a number of occasions, allegedly in Iraq.” l

Typhoon victims approach a military helicopter delivering supplies at a beach in a remote village badly damaged by Typhoon Hagupit in Dolores, eastern Samar, in central Philippines yesterday REUTERS

Hong Kong protesters given Thursday deadline to clear sites n Reuters, Hong Kong Hong Kong’s High Court has ordered the main protest sites that have choked the financial city for more than two months to be cleared, building up to a final showdown on Thursday between pro-democracy activists and authorities backed by Beijing.

A local bus company, which was granted an injunction against street blockades at the site in Admiralty, home to government offices and next to the main Central business district, has received an official clearance order from the High Court, according to notices posted in local papers on Tuesday.

Student groups have been calling for a free vote in the Chinese controlled city through largely peaceful demonstrations dubbed the “Umbrella Movement.”

Paul Tse, the lawyer who represents the bus company, told local television the protesters should leave the area before 9 a.m. on Thursday. l

Myanmar officer jailed for backing smaller army role in politics n Reuters, Yangon

Nobel Peace Prize laureates Malala Yousafzai (C) reacts after a news conference in Oslo yesterday. Pakistani teenager Yousafzai will receive the Nobel Peace Prize at an award ceremony today REUTERS

‘Apathy biggest bar to ending child slavery’ n Reuters Apathy is the biggest obstacle to eliminating forced child labour and the world needs more secular education to reduce intolerance, Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi said yesterday.

In Oslo, where he will receive the award today, Satyarthi told Reuters the problem was not religion itself but people who hide behind it for economic and political gain.

“Education brings tolerance to societies, which brings peace, global brotherhood and mutual respect for each other,” Satyarthi, 60, from India, said.

“There should be more value-oriented education with more human values,” said Satyarthi, who won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize with Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai for their fight against the oppression of children

India clamps down on unregistered taxis

n Reuters, New Delhi India ordered state governments to halt the operations of all unregistered, web-based taxi companies yesterday after a female passenger reported she was raped in New Delhi by a driver contracted to US cab company Uber.

The case has caused uproar in India after it emerged that the suspect had previously been charged for rape but had obtained a character reference signed by a police officer that was forged.

It has also revealed a failure to regulate the booming market for app-based taxi services in India. The Delhi transport department said it ordered Uber to cease operations on Monday by post.

“Such service providers which are not licensed ... are prohibited to operate till they get themselves registered,” Home Minister Rajnath Singh told parliament, where several lawmakers grilled him over the lack of women’s safety in the capital.

“The Delhi Police is also exploring the issue of possible legal liability of the taxi service Uber in the crime committed,” he said.

Singh’s comments came after New Delhi’s transport division banned Uber and other similar web-based taxi providers that are unregistered. A public notice on Tuesday stated only six radio taxi companies will operate in New Delhi. l

Korean Air CEO’s daughter resigns after ’nut rage’ fallout n AFP, Seoul The daughter of Korean Air’s CEO resigned yesterday after being widely criticised for having the chief purser kicked off a plane because of the way she had been served some nuts.

Cho Hyun-Ah, a top executive in Korean Air’s in-flight service, forced the New York-Seoul flight to return to its gate last Friday to remove the most senior member of the crew, causing the plane to be delayed.

Her behaviour attracted heavy criticism in South Korea, where she was accused of being petty and arrogant, and even prompted a state probe over a possible breach of aviation safety laws.

“I feel so sorry for our customers and South Koreans for causing such trouble... and seek forgiveness from the people who might have been hurt by me,” Cho, 40, said in a statement released by Korean Air. “I will resign from all my posts at Korean Air to take responsibility for the incident,” she was quoted as saying.

9

Korean Air CEO Cho Yang-Ho immediately accepted her resignation, according to the statement.

Korean Air’s spokesman told AFP that Cho would retain the title of vice president even though she no longer had any official role in the company, adding it was not clear whether she would hold any responsibilities in the future.

The Seoul flight had just left its gate at New York’s JFK airport on Friday when the incident occurred.

Cho, sitting in first class, took exception to the arrival of some macadamia nuts she had not asked for, and to the fact that they were served in a packet rather than a bowl.

She summoned the chief purser who, according to an earlier Korean Air statement, replied with “lies and excuses” when challenged over his crew’s knowledge of in-flight service procedures.

Cho then decided the chief purser was “incapable” and the plane returned to the gate where he disembarked, causing an 11-minute delay in arrival. l

and their right to education.

The United Nations estimates that around 150 million children are routinely engaged in paid or unpaid work with children in sub-Saharan Africa at greatest risk, where up to a quarter of those aged between 5 and 14 are forced to work.

“The single biggest difficulty has been apathy,” Satyarthi said. “People are getting more and more materialistic and more consumeristic.”

He said there was a lack of compassion around the world for the poorest and most vulnerable in society, who lacked the means and power to help themselves.

Education has been a major issue in India since the Hindu nationalist government came to power in May, with critics citing a move to teach the superiority of Hindu values and mythology at the cost of academic rigour, going

against the grain of secularism that runs through multi-faith modern India.

Malala, shot in the head by the Taliban in 2012 for advocating girls’ right to education, has dominated Noble coverage in the media but Satyarthi said he did not mind.

“I never in my life tried to be in the limelight because I work with children who are most invisible,” Satyarthi said.

“My cause had remained invisible for years and so did I. “Malala is a wonderful girl, she’s like my daughter, I adore and respect her a lot.”

Satyarthi dismissed the idea that violence against girls in the Muslim world was a factor of religion itself.

“The very meaning of Islam is love and humanity,” he said. “Some people use politics, businesses or religion for their short-term benefits and gains.” l

Myanmar’s military has jailed an officer for two years for signing a petition supporting a constitutional amendment to reduce the army’s role in politics, the officer’s wife said Monday.

The National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, spearheaded a campaign earlier this year to rescind Section 436 of the constitution, which gives unelected military MPs veto power over further amendments to sections, including one that bars Suu Kyi from the presidency.

Over the past year, Suu Kyi, whom the former junta kept under house arrest for years, has been critical of the government, accusing it of stalling on reforms.

A military tribunal on Friday convicted Major Kyaw Zwar Win after arresting him in April, said his wife who asked not to be identified by name.

“He wasn’t granted the right of defence through lawyers during the trial in accordance with the practice of court martial,” she told Reuters. “He was sentenced to two years in jail for disobedience.”

The military has no spokesman and does not speak to journalists. The office of government spokesman Ye Htut did not answer calls requesting comment.

Myanmar’s former ruling junta, which repeatedly cracked down on pro-democracy protests, stepped aside in March 2011. A semi-civilian government has since introduced reforms, including the release of political prisoners.

While the military ceded nominal political power to civilians, including former officers who retired to join the USDP, it cemented its role in government through the constitution it drafted in 2008. l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

CODE-CRACKER

Dhaka needs contested elections

W

e welcome reports that the government intends to give the go ahead to holding long overdue elections for the two Dhaka City Corporations next year.

It has been over 12 years since any local government elections were held in Dhaka, and even then the last DCC election in 2002 was boycotted by the AL, which was the main opposition at the time.

Elections in the city corporations are absolutely essential to make them answerable to the community. Without accountability to the electorate, there is little hope that the two Dhaka City Corporations created in 2011, can make any of the substantial reforms which are needed to help the capital function properly.

The BNP’s acting secretary general should rise above his concern expressed to reporters that DCC elections are intended to divert people’s attention from the the opposition’s planned antigovernment movement. Dhaka’s residents need a fully contested and accountable election to give the city a fresh start in improving life for all its citizens.

Despite the large amounts of public funds spent by the two DCC bodies in the last few years, there is ample evidence that the lack of mayoral and local elections has worsened governance and mismanagement of city resources. The capital’s ability to attract new investment and improve quality of life for residents is blighted by poor planning and co-ordination. Even the most basic maintenance services for public parks and waste collection are victims of woeful neglect.

The government must ensure local government elections to make the corporations properly accountable to citizens.

Accountability essential to give the city corporations a fresh start

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

Another Bangladesh paradox?

November 25

Latif “Where is the transformational leader and party with the strength and knowhow to turn things around?”

There is no transformational politician in Bangladesh. They are all, from every party, including the Islamists, only interested in grabbing the pie for themselves, not baking a bigger cake to share. It’s the hard work of honest people that keeps such crumbs as 6% growth alive. If we had good leadership, it would be an order of magnitude higher. riazo The author skillfully ignores the political realities that characterised Bangladesh’s last election. The opposition BNP simply would not take part in the election.

Stop meetings at deep night, Hasina to Khaleda

LGBT rights are human rights

W

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

It had some valid concerns about a free and fair election, but it should have gone ahead anyway and relied on Bangladesh’s vibrant media to keep checks and balances on the election process. Instead, the BNP, with the aid of its Islamist Jamaat party, engaged in some of the most barbaric acts of violence, killing, and destruction. The Awami League government cannot be held responsible for the pseudo democracy the country is going through right now. Yes, the caretaker government system was a good system but not a sign of a free and powerful election commission under a sitting government which undertakes elections in most democracies. The current situation will not last forever and Bangladesh will return to a fully participatory democratic system once all political parties have undergone some much-needed reform.

SUDOKU

December 5

e believe it was a mistake for the Bangladesh government to refuse to recognise the rights of the country’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual (LGBT) community by choosing to not support the recommendations set forth by the International Conference on Population and Development which would ensure that the basic human rights of the members of our LGBT community are protected.

In our opinion, the government, which prides itself on its progressive values, stumbled by refusing to endorse the recommendations on the grounds that to do so would run counter to our values and religion. This is not the kind of argument we expected to see from a government that has led this nation’s fight against obscurantism.

Progressive values, equality, and tolerance are the hallmarks of the ruling party’s ideology. It is thus disappointing to see them not extending their values to the LGBT community.

We understand that this is a touchy and controversial subject, and the government does not wish to give ammunition to its more socially conservative and narrow-minded critics and opponents, who might use such recognition to whip up anger both against the government and the LGBT community, and that it is important for the government to choose its battles carefully.

However, we feel that by caving in, the government cedes too much ground to its ideological opponents and will give them even further ammunition in the social values wars. This government has always done best when it has stuck to its convictions and faced down the retrogressive elements in the country. We feel that it missed a trick by not doing so in this case.

Recognition of LGBT rights is not an endorsement of any kind of lifestyle, nor will it commit the government to any course of action incompatible with its mandate or what it might feel are the country’s traditional values. It is merely standing up for the basic human rights of the LGBT community, the kind of bold action that has won the government admiration both inside the country and out in the past.

How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 2 represents H so fill H every time the figure 2 appears.

You have two letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them 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.

Abu Syeed “People want to know why she [Khaleda] holds meetings secretly at night, says the PM.” “Big Brother is watching you!!”

Impassable street in Badda

December 5

Stand up for equality and tolerance

Latif Siddique sent to jail November 25

Ash I have to get something off my chest: As much as I think Latif was wrong and that politicians should refrain from making any malicious comments about any religion, I also think that if someone does cross that line, they should not be sent to jail for it. Being sacked from the cabinet? Sure.

Annulled from the party? Absolutely. But being sent to prison? That is taking it too far.

The 39th section of the 3rd part of our constitution clearly guarantees freedom of speech.

The fact that a person can be sent to prison for expressing their opinion (however wrong it may be) is absurd in my head while clearly violating an individual’s fundamental rights, according to the constitution. His punishment should have been limited to expulsion from the cabinet and the party, but the jail term is constitutionally questionable.

Cyclechick Ash: Well said.

Shamuna Mizan “A portion of the Kuril-Bishwa Road near the capital’s Badda area, remains barely usable by commuters, as a lion’s share of it has gone under water, which leaked out of sewerage lines, while garbage-carrying vans parked in a haphazard manner have occupied the rest.” Administrators are too busy taking bribes! Who cares about the city?!

rose I don’t think that anyone should be sent to jail for criticising anything or anyone. At times, for various reasons, people get annoyed and criticise a bit. So do we need to get so sentimental regarding that?

Popy wants women to watch her next film November 25

RS “She is playing the female protagonist Bhabna, who comes from a rural background.”

Films could also be made based on the struggle and problems that women face in this society and could depict viable solutions as well.

At least 12 buildings go up in flames in Ferguson violence November 25 nds “At least 29 people have been arrested during a night of looting, arson and clashes between demonstrators.” So it proves that so far as violence and vandalism is concerned, there is little difference between us, a sham democracy, and the USA, which claims to be the model of a super democracy. We are consoled.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

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.

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Smithy (5) 4 Stop up (4) 7 Monkey (3) 8 Container (3) 9 Knitted goods, as hose (5) 12 Fasting period (4) 13 Of the side (7) 15 Deity (3) 16 Eyelid affliction (3) 18 Marsh (3) 19 Horse’s mother (3) 21 Entertains agreeably (7) 24 Fail to retain (4) 26 Rub out (5) 27 Cushion (3) 28 One’s relatives (3) 29 Tide attaining least

height (4) 30 One entertained (5) DOWN 1 Tumble (4) 2 Narcotic (6) 3 Repose (4) 4 Lofty (4) 5 Land measure (3) 6 Insignificant (5) 10 Limb (3) 11 Wear away (5) 14 Proverb (5) 17 Essay on a theme (6) 18 Criminal (5) 20 Spoil (3) 21 Harvest (4) 22 Body of water (4) 23 Transmitted (4) 25 Mineral spring (3)

War crimes trial: Tribunal criticises TV stations November 24

rose The TV stations should find out the factual information first, and then provide the news.

Fugstar As these are very much show trials, perhaps the actors should wait for their cues before reciting their lines.

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

Hefazat: No hartal Thursday November 25

PEANUTS

Aminul Majid Who gave Hefazat the right to blackmail the legal process by threatening hartals in the first place? Their behaviour is that of bullies, not saints.

Ensure accountability for Tazreen November 25

Momoaswan “It is in the industry’s long-term interest.”

The BGMEA is too stuck in short termism to take sound advice like this. If it wasn’t, the victims would all be paid by now and have new jobs – and it would have made sure the owner didn’t get the impunity to stay at large.

SUDOKU

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

11

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

In quest of a statesperson n Mohammad Ali Sattar

W

The science of feeding people

BIGSTOCK

From Iowa to Bangladesh Technology shaping the future of agriculture n Dan Mozena

I

grew up on a dairy farm in Iowa and spent my formative years milking cows, slopping hogs, and helping Dad grow and harvest our maize, oats, and alfalfa crops. Although Dad had little formal education, he was a progressive farmer, always open to new ideas on how to farm better.

Thanks to Dad, I am a farmer-at-heart, and, like him, I am always eager to learn about new ideas for feeding the world, safely.

So when I learned that Bangladesh had approved the genetically engineered eggplant – better known as Bt brinjal – I was intrigued. I had learned from firsthand experience in America that biotechnology could protect farmers, consumers, and the environment by dramatically reducing the use of harmful chemicals.

Whenever I am back in Iowa, I bicycle to the farm where I was born and raised. About a decade ago, on one of those bicycle trips, I noticed something different. An avid bird watcher, I was surprised to see birds along the road that I had never seen there before.

I stopped my ride and chatted with an old neighbour, Cy Leahy, and told him about the birds. Cy laughed and said not only had birds come back, but wild turkeys, deer, bald eagles, beavers, coyotes, and other animals, none of which I had ever seen on our farm in the 18 years I lived there.

Curious about this resurgence of wildlife, I called our county

agricultural extension agent, and he told me that farmers’ use of genetically engineered soybeans had slashed the use of pesticides on that crop from six to seven sprays a season to zero. As a result, the agent explained, within only a few years, wildlife that had disappeared many decades earlier had returned in ever-growing numbers.

among the 20 selected last growing season to try the new genetically engineered brinjal.

And what a story he had! He told me (and government agricultural agents confirmed) that farmers using conventional brinjal often spray their crop with a powerful pesticide 80-100 times (!) a season in an often futile

Biotechnology is a tool that can reduce poverty and hunger by enabling farmers to grow crops that are resistant to insects, drought, and disease

I was amazed how the introduction of this new soybean seed could have such a positive impact on both cutting the cost of production (by eliminating the use of pesticides and the fuel needed to apply the pesticide) and enhancing the environment … all dramatic changes that I had seen with my own eyes.

The Bangladesh angle

Having seen the positive impact of genetically engineered crops in Iowa, I was eager to learn more about Bangladesh’s experience with such crops, specifically Bt brinjal. So, a couple of weeks ago I went to Pabna district to talk with a farmer who was

effort to control the fruit-and-shoot borer that lives inside the fruit. As explained to me, some of this pesticide actually penetrates into the meat of the fruit itself, which means that we the consumers actually end up eating it.

However, the farmer who used Bt brinjal did not spray his crop even once for the borer, as he had no infestation from that pest, which can destroy as much as 70% of a conventional brinjal crop.

He did use a topical pesticide two or three times to control leaf hoppers.

He was pleased with his crop, which was much larger as he did not lose anything to the borer, and which he

produced at a lower cost by slashing the cost of pesticides.

He said he and his family ate and enjoyed his brinjal crop. Of course, the benefit to both the environment and consumer in avoiding the pesticides is incalculable. I was so impressed.

I share these vignettes to encourage further exploration and development of genetically engineered seeds to enable a growing world to produce more food, while using less land, less water, less fertiliser, and fewer pesticides.

I believe that we need to combine the best proven agricultural practices with the best science and technology.

Biotechnology is a tool that can reduce poverty and hunger by enabling farmers to grow crops that are resistant to insects, drought, and disease.

I applaud the government of Bangladesh in giving farmers the option to produce brinjal at less cost both financially and to the environment. I am pleased that Bangladeshi farmers now have an option to use biotechnology to boost agriculture productivity while providing consumers safer food products … helping the environment by reducing the run off of chemicals into streams, ponds, and rivers, which poison fish, shrimp, and other animals such as birds, bees, and livestock.

That is what Cy Leahy saw happen in Iowa a decade ago; that is what could happen in Bangladesh. l Dan Mozena is United States Ambassador to Bangladesh.

hat is the most defining element of a state? It is the ability to practice diplomacy.

Diplomacy has been practiced since the formation of the first city-states.

Over time, politics became easy to enter, but very hard to negotiate the newer climates within. The complexities keep things murky even today.

Our present-day politics is one of intolerance and extremism, resulting in the loss of people’s confidence. People take upon themselves the responsibility of upholding whatever democratic rights they can. They raise their voices in rallies, and cast their ballots to try and bring about the changes that they desire.

While politicians are in huge supply, good statesmen remain scarce. Bangladesh is in dire need of good statesmen.

Some statements by ministers and top-ranking leaders have raised a few questions about their intellect.

After the January 5 polls this year, the prime minister, her cabinet, and party colleagues have been on a non-compromising track and, to some extent, are towing hardline policies on almost all matters.

Journalists and pundits get together at various forums, analysing the statements of ministers and others who are waxing or waning in popularity.

A few of our ministers keep embarrassing us either by prejudiced remarks, hurting sentiments, or by smoking and singing in unmelodious tunes. And a few even come up with blistering comments with potentially serious, global consequences.

Syed Ashraful Islam, the minister for LGRD and secretary general of the ruling party, expressed his feelings about some foreign delegates in a manner that could have been avoided.

He could have used softer, more diplomatic words while still criticising their stand regarding certain issues.

His comments hit the headlines and soon became the hardest-hitting advertisement of the government’s hardline attitude towards the US. The whole thing often seems more like a “big bashing” sideshow.

Serious-minded citizens suggest that the PM needs those ministers who could kill the snake by not breaking the stick. The prime minister had to defend Ashraf’s comments on the US. She argued that Bangladesh should not be dependent on any single country.

That is indeed a very good way of thinking.

The Indian influence should also be taken into serious consideration by her. Her desire to come out of the one-state domination is praiseworthy.

That’s what Bangladesh needs. We need powerful minds and progressive statespersons to steer our nation out of the identity crisis – leaders who will teach us morality and diplomacy to achieve victory in all sectors.

They should raise the nation to new heights through their witty and sober maneuvers, earn the respect and fear of the global community through their gentle but meaningful rhetoric.

Opinions will differ on the significant and pressing question of who and what will determine the right person

for these jobs. American professor Dr J Rufus Fears – who teaches “the history of freedom” – believes that a politician and a statesman are not the same thing. According to Fears, a statesman is not a tyrant; he is the free leader of a free people.

A statesman is not a tyrant; he is the free leader of a free people

He points out that a statesperson must possess four critical qualities: A bedrock of principles, a moral compass, a vision, and the ability to build a consensus to achieve that vision. Instead of exploring in greater depth, we can examine our leaders on these scales.

We have seldom witnessed our leaders being the “bedrock of principles.” They could not build themselves a platform on a foundation of firm, unchanging, fundamental truths. Thus they were always aloof from the core, overarching philosophy.

Our leaders leave behind the simple truth, that is, even if everything changes with the times, the foundation upon which we must stand and brave all adversities remains.

Morality is another factor for a leader at work. His reading capability of the public mood is important.

An absolute wrong or absolute right cannot be the yardstick for measuring the need of the hour. He has to be a moral judge, and the decider in the trickiest of times. Public mood may be deceptive at times. So he has to act on his moral capacity and wisdom.

A statesman is expected to have a clear vision of what his country and his people can become. He ought to know where he wants to take them, and what it will take to get there.

Our PM has the prospect of becoming one such enviable statesperson of the region. She can tell her people and the world about what the future generations will inherit.

So far, what we have witnessed has been poor. The way our ministers and politicians (non-political actors also) air their views has only managed to tarnish the image of the country’s politics and the quality of the state administration.

Hardline policies and independent thoughts are not same. Socio-political parameters will determine how “hard” the state must act and with whom.

Most importantly, no matter how visionary and moral a leader is, these will not matter if he cannot build the consensus around his thoughts and vision.

Perhaps our leaders forgot to look back and read about Pericles of Athens, Abraham Lincoln, and Winston Churchill. l Mohammad Ali Sattar is a journalist and a DT columnist.

Human rights are everyone’s business

B

n Tahmina Rahman

angladesh has attained impressive economic growth – nearly 6% per year in the last decade – riding heavily on exports and private investment. This has unfortunately come at a heavy cost. Human rights violations by an increasingly powerful business sector are on the rise, with haunting images of the Rana Plaza and Tazreen Fashions tragedy before us.

Since 2005, fires and building collapses alone have killed at least 1,800 workers in the readymade garment sector, the biggest export industry of the country.

Environmental pollution, violation of privacy, data protection on the Internet, and child rights violations are all too common.

Across the country, human rights defenders (HRDs) and media workers who advocate for accountability of business are increasingly subjected to attacks, abduction, threats, and harassment, including judicial

harassment, often with impunity. Just this year, shockingly, AB Siddiqui, husband of green activist Rizwana Hasan, was abducted in an attempt to silence her, reportedly, from speaking against the human rights violations of businesses.

This preceded a series of other cases, including the murder of journalist couple Mehrun Runi and Sagor Sarwar, while uncovering energy-related business irregularities, the disappearance and subsequent killing of the trade union leader Aminul Islam, and the harassment of illegal sand-mining campaigner Shahed Kayes in 2012.

Less known cases include the harassment of RTI activist Masum Billah, for campaigning against illegal land-grabbing by local business enterprises.

Business interests dominated Bangladesh’s parliament, with the direct involvement of nearly 52% of the country’s lawmakers in the previous parliament, in private sector businesses.

They are perceived to be

commanding the increasing influence over legislation, minimum wages, subsidies, and the media.

Despite advocacy from the international community and nationallevel rights groups, state efforts are being challenged in harnessing trade and businesses to be more human rights compliant. For example, it has taken years of advocacy to set a minimum wage standard for the garments industry.

The United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGPs) on business and human rights provides a significant framework for states, the media, and the civil society to advocate and exert influence with businesses in addressing human rights.

Adopted unanimously by the Human Rights Council in 2011, the Guiding Principles put forth the first widely agreed-upon articulation of the state duties to protect people from human rights violations by businesses, the responsibility of businesses to respect human rights, and the indispensable importance of access to effective remedy for the victims of

such violations.

Following the adoption of the UNGPs, commonly known as the “Ruggie Principles,” six countries – the UK, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Netherlands, and Spain – have so far used the instrument to devise national action plans for the protection of human rights in businesses.

As Bangladesh pushes towards achieving middle income status by 2021, businesses and trade investments are set to proliferate with the government pushing for a GDP growth rate of 7.5-8% per year.

However, such businesses must comply with international human rights standards, to benefit directly

Bangladesh must do more to make businesses compliant to human rights standards and ensure greater protection to civil society organisations

At least 12 other countries – including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Morocco, Norway, Switzerland, Tanzania, and the United States – have committed to develop action plans.

from sustainable market conditions, and cannot remain apathetic to human rights violations.

The UNGPs provide a robust framework to states for holding businesses accountable for the

violation of human rights and ensuring greater protection to human rights defenders working on business and human rights issues. The principles call on all actors to ensure that “the legitimate and peaceful activities of human rights defenders are not obstructed.”

Bangladesh must do more to make businesses compliant to human rights standards and ensure greater protection to civil society organisations and human rights defenders.

This should start with an assessment of the UNGPs in participation with all category of stakeholders, of its compliance with laws, policies, and practice in the first instance, and gradually moving on to addressing gaps that offer greater protection to human rights defenders to allow them to work freely and fearlessly in holding businesses accountable where there are abuses of human rights. l Tahmina Rahman is the Director of Bangladesh and South Asia for ARTICLE 19.

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE Wednesday, December 10, 2014

13 PSG travel to

Barca with top spot at stake

14 Ton of emotions

as Warner leads Aussies

14 Abbott back with

a bouncer after Hughes tragedy

Sport

Did you know?

Dilshan is one of four players to hit 5+ ODI centuries at a venue (Tendulkar and Saeed Anwar, Sharjah; Ponting, Melbourne)

Badal apologises for his comments n Raihan Mahmood

RIO SHUVO

METROPOLIS 1ST DIVISION TT

BFF likely to widen transfer window

M’pur Club, Ekota Samiti win openers n Shishir Hoque The inter-club n Raihan Mahmood window for the Mohammedpur Club and Ekota Sripur Samiti opened their Agrani Bank Dhaka Metropolis First Division League campaign beating Lalbag TT Club and Synthia Sporting at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Indoor Stadium yesterday.

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu inaugurated the league as the chief guest. Bangladesh Table Tennis Federation president Abdul Karim, general secretary Hasan Munir, vice president Sheikh Jahangir Alam and DMD of Agrani Bank Mohammed Awal Khan were also present on the occasion.

A total of 17 teams are participating in the first division league. l

Lutfur Rahman Badal poured cold water on the ongoing mudslinging with the Bangladesh Cricket Board as the owner of Dhaka Premier League club Legends of Rupganj apologised yesterday for his aggressive comments.

Through a press release, Badal wished to end any personal or intentional conflict that arose between the two parties – him and the BCB and club officials – on the back of his comments which he said were “emotionally driven.”

Upon learning about Badal’s apology, his major alleged BCB director Khaled Mahmud welcomed the motion but also said the board will take their decision and he does not have anything personal against the Rupganj owner as well.

Badal said, “Due to the on- and offfield discriminations against my side Legends of Rupganj in the ongoing Dhaka Premier League I ended up making some emotional comments and statements to the media on December 4 following an important match against Prime Bank Cricket Club at BKSP. I sincerely apologise if my comments, that were driven by emotion, have hurt any individual in the cricket-

players’ transfer upcoming football season is likely to be extended for at least two to three more weeks following the request from the premier league clubs.

The window opened on November 11 and is scheduled to close tomorrow and the declaration of extension is likely just before the deadline day today from the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).

None of the top flight clubs completed their official registration process till yesterday while there is also no reports suggesting the clubs will complete the official procedure today. As things stand, the federation has no other op-

tion but to extend the transfer time.

“As the Federation Cup and the new football season has been deferred for a month, a few clubs asked us to reschedule the date for the transfer window so that they can prepare enough before the season kicks off.

It will be beneficial for them and we should also think about their interest,” said BFF professional league committee chairman Abdus Salam Murshedy yesterday.

“We will see tomorrow (today).

If every/majority of the clubs want and agree on the point, we might reschedule the date,” added Murshedy who is also the senior vice president of BFF. It was learnt, former premier league champions Abahani Limited, Sheikh

Russel KC, BJMC and Farashganj are among the clubs who requested the BFF to defer the transfer dates.

Earlier, the start of the football season that kicks-off with the Federation Cup was pushed back by 37 days with the new date set at January 25, 2015.

Meanwhile, the top flight might start in February next year, two months too late compared to the previous seasons because of Bangladesh’s international friendly match against the Japan Under-21 team and the Bangabandhu Gold Cup that kicks off in the middle of next month. l Bangladesh midfielder Jamal Bhuiyan practises at the BNS yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

BD women’s handball side awarded on return n Raihan Mahmood

The national women’s handball team pose with Bangladesh Olympic Association secretary general Syed Shahed Reza (C) at the Handball stadium yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

While felicitating the national women’s handball side yesterday on their recent triumph in the IHF Challenge Cup hosted by Pakistan, the Bangladesh Handball Federation (BHF) hoped the team would continue their success in future.

The team returned to the capital yesterday and were accorded an instant felicitation programme at the federation office where Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) secretary general Syed Shahed Reza was the guest of honour. The BOA secretary general announced cash rewards of Tk10,000 for each team member.

Shahed also promised all sorts of assistance on behalf of the BOA for the women’s handball side. “Bangladesh women’s team clinched an international handball title in December - the month of victory – in Pakistan by defeating the hosts. It is a great achievement. They showed tremendous teamwork to overcome the challenge

Fans, players pay poignant tribute to fallen Hughes n AFP Players and fans paid moving tribute to the life of Australia’s Phillip Hughes on Tuesday by doing what they said he would have wanted: going out and playing cricket.

On the first day of their four-Test series, the Australian and Indian teams, both sporting black arm bands, lined up in respect for the batsman who died after being struck by a short-pitched ball late last month.

The day began with players and fans, some wiping tears from their eyes, standing

ing arena of the country. I hope that all the controversies regarding the subject will come to an end with the apology.

“As an aftermath of my statements and comments of December 4 there were some incidents of statements and counter statements taking place in the cricket arena, I think it is defamatory for both the parties, it does not fit with the spirit of cricket. I will be hoping that the unwanted scenario will eclipse now,” he said in the press release.

“I will also be hoping that all the teams of domestic cricket will have a level-playing field.

“At the end I want to express that Nazmul Hasan Papon is the guardian of Bangladesh cricket. He will be able to realise my cricket spirit. I hope he will take up the positive role in regards to drawing a conclusion to the recent complications. I have every belief Bangladesh cricket will move ahead under his leadership.”

In reply to Badal’s apology Mahmud told Dhaka Tribune over phone, “I have heard that Badal has sent a letter of apology to the board president. The board will take a decision over that, personally I think as Badal has apologised I don’t have any personal grief towards him.” l

and applauding in unison at the Adelaide Oval for a symbolic 63 seconds - representing Hughes’s final unbeaten score - in an emotional tribute to the popular 25-year-old.

Hughes’ smiling face, wearing his baggy green cap, appeared everywhere, including on a moving video tribute watched intently by both sides before the game got under way.

Prominent broadcaster and former Australia captain Richie Benaud narrated the emotional clip shown on the ground’s big screen, finishing with a poignant “forever,

rest in peace, son.”

Hughes’ close friend David Warner offered a fitting tribute, unleashing a signature century in a blistering knock with frequent glances skyward as he clubbed 145 off 163 balls.

The only sour note of the day saw skipper Michael Clarke forced to retire hurt on 60 due to continuing back trouble with Australia reaching stumps at 354 for six.

Under blue skies, Hughes’ friends and colleagues said goodbye to a man whose death struck a nerve globally, triggering an

outpouring of grief throughout Australia and the cricketing world.

Clarke, who was traumatised by the death of his close friend, said after winning the toss: “What I know my little buddy (Hughes) would want is going out and playing cricket.”

The Adelaide Oval crowd warmly applauded Clarke’s sentiments in recognition of the leading role he has played in the grieving process, during which he comforted Hughes’ family, delivered a tribute at his funeral and acted as a pallbearer. l

of their opponents who are physically superior. I hope they will continue the trend. The BOA will extend all the possible support to them.”

Handball federation general secretary Asaduzzaman Kohinoor said the success is an inimitable one. “As per my knowledge this is the first Olympic team sports event international title by any contingent of Bangladesh women.

The players have boosted us and we hope to groom them for the future.”

Skipper Tripti Begum, who was adjudged the best player of the tournament, said her team was confident of winning the title and displayed superb team spirit. Coach Amzad Hossain also echoed the same tune. “I think team spirit and speed are the characteristics of this team” said Amzad.

BHF senior vice president Kazi Mahatabuddin Ahmed, team leader Jahangir Hossain, manager Lajul Nahar Kosturi were also present in the felicitation programme. l

BD U12s 4th in Super Mokh Cup plate phase n Tribune Desk Bangladesh Under-12 football team returned home last Monday after taking part in the Super Mokh U-12 Cup 2014 in Malaysia. This was the first instance of the national U-12 team participating in an international age-level tournament.

Bangladesh finished fourth in the plate phase of the tournament after losing 1-0 against Uzbekistan U-12 in the third-place decider last Sunday. On the same day in the semifinals, Bangladesh lost to Thai club Buriram United 3-0.

Meanwhile in the group stages, the kids in Red and Green drew 1-1 with Spanish top-flight club Sevilla in their opener before being outplayed by Thai club Chonburi FC in the next game.

Bangladesh were also beaten by local club Malaysian Cougars in the last group match to crash out of the main round.

Bangladesh then qualified for the plate phase where they ended fourth. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Platini hopes third Fifa candidate will emerge n Reuters, Paris

QUICK BYTES

Simeone not alone for Fifa award: Allegri Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has backed Diego Simeone for the FIFA World Coach of the Year award, but said the other two shortlisted nominees would also be worthy winners.

“Simeone’s doing really well. Winning the Spanish league when you’ve got Real Madrid and Barcelona is not easy, and neither is making it to the Champions League final,” Allegri told media at Juve’s Vinovo training ground on Monday.

Those achievements secured Simeone a place on FIFA’s shortlist for the coveted coach’s award alongside Germany’s World Cup-winning coach Joachim Loew and Real Madrid handler Carlo Ancelotti.

Allegri added: “As well as Simeone, (Joachim) Loew and (Carlo) Ancelotti would deserve to win it.” Juventus host Simeone’s Atletico Madrid on Tuesday in a make-or-break Champions League clash in Turin looking to book their ticket to the last 16 of the competition.

–AFP

Falcao’s wife slams Van Gaal fitness claim Manchester United forward Radamel Falcao is “100 percent ready to give everything” according to wife Lorelei Taron who hit back at manager Louis van Gaal’s suggestion that the Colombian is only fit enough to play 20 minutes. Van Gaal said Falcao must play in the second team before he would be considered to start a game and “was not interested” if the 28-year-old was unhappy with his current role.

“He is not fit enough to start a game yet. He needs to play 45, 60 or even 90 minutes in the second team but I haven’t been able to do that because I needed him on the bench when James Wilson missed the Hull game and Wayne Rooney was injured for the Stoke game,” Van Gaal told a press conference. “I selected him (on the bench) despite the fact that, at the moment, he can only play 20 minutes at that level because the physical intensity in the Premier League is the highest in the world. “I am not interested (if he is unhappy being on the bench). He has to follow my philosophy.”

–Reuters

Argentina outplay Germany in Champions Trophy

Argentina condemned Olympic gold-medallists Germany to their second loss in three games with an emphatic 3-0 victory in the Champions Trophy field hockey tournament in India on Tuesday. Skipper Matias Paredes, Joaquin Menini and Ignacio Ortiz scored for the Pan-American champions, who ended the preliminary league with two wins and one defeat in pool B of the eight-nation competition in Bhubaneswar. Paredes said he wanted his team to maintain the momentum when the knock-out phase starts on Thursday. “This win was very satisfying because we kept them under pressure throughout the game and converted the chances that came our way,” he said. “We don’t want to lose this momentum.” A disappointed German captain Tobias Hauke hoped his young team would perform better in the matches to come.

–AFP

DAY’S WATCH Ten Cricket 3:00PM Sri Lanka v England 5th ODI

Star Sports 2 4:00PM Indian Super League Kolkata v Goa 7:30PM North East v Mumbai Uefa Champions League

Ten Action 1:00AM Roma v Man City

Ten Sports 1:00AM Barcelona v Paris

Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany (2L), midfielder James Milner (4L), midfielder Frank Lampard (R) and striker Stevan Jovetic (4R) attend a training session at the City Football Academy in Manchester, northwest England yesterday, on the eve of the team’s Uefa Champions League group E match against Roma today AFP

Michel Platini is refusing to back incumbent Sepp Blatter or challenger Jerome Champagne in next year’s FIFA presidential election with the UEFA boss saying he hopes a third candidate will emerge.

Speaking to French radio Europe 1 on Tuesday, the former France captain said that it was time for Blatter, who is running for a fifth consecutive term after being first elected in 1998, to leave the stage.

“I supported him in 1998 because I think he was the right person at the time but after five (sic) terms it is time to let some fresh air in and leave the place to someone else,” the Frenchman said.

“The image of FIFA is very, very, very bad so that’s why I think it would be good that he (Blatter) stops, but I don’t think he wants to.”

Asked who he would back for the election, Platini said none of the two candidates had his preference.

“I hope others will run,” he added, explaining that a candidate from another continent would stand a better chance of usurping Blatter. l

Calculator out for Roma-Man City decider n AFP, Paris Top spot in Champions League Group F will be the main talking point on Wednesday night as Paris Saint-Germain travel to the Camp Nou looking to avoid defeat and keep their noses in front of Barcelona.

Manchester City are on the brink of another early exit in Group E as they need to get a result and receive a favour from Bayern Munich in order to progress.

Bayern Munich v Cska Moscow

Despite going down to a last gasp 3-2 defeat at Manchester City two weeks ago, having played for more than an hour with 10 men following the send-

ing off of Mehdi Benatia, Bayern have already won this group and have nothing to play for. Even so, coach Pep Guardiola is not one for giving out presents.

Roma v Manchester City

This is the most complicated clash of the final round of matches as the permutations are such that almost anything can happen. Roma do at least know that a victory will be enough for them to progress and both sides are aware that defeat will knock them out.

But should City win or it end in a draw, then CSKA’s result in Munich will take on significance.

Should CSKA lose then a no-score draw would see Roma progressing while a score draw would be enough for City to reach the second round. However, should CSKA also draw, then Roma would go through with all three sides

tied on the same number of points. If City win then they must hope CSKA do not. It’s one for the mathematicians, perhaps, but essentially the crux is, they must both go for victory.

Ajax v Apoel Nicosia

With both sides already eliminated, all that is up for grabs is a consolation place in the Europa League. Ajax have the advantage in that regard as they have a point more, having held PSG to a draw in Amsterdam.

Barcelona v Paris Saint-Germain

This is the big clash of the night with top spot, and a potentially easier second round tie to come, up for grabs.

Two years ago when these sides met at the quarter-final stage, PSG got a 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou - although they crashed out of the competition on

away goals - and such a result would see them win the group.

would see them lose out on the consolation Europa League spot.

Chelsea v Sporting Lisbon

Athletic Bilbao v Bate Borisov

Nk Maribor v Schalke 04

Porto v Shakhtar Donetsk

With top spot already sealed, Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho will likely use rarely-deployed members of his squad for this fixture, in which Sporting need a draw to secure their first knock-out stage participation since 2008/09.

However, Sporting will have painful memories of that achievement as they were then humiliated 12-1 on aggregate

by Bayern Munich.

The hosts are already out of the knockout stage reckoning but can keep their European season going with victory.

Schalke must win in order to have any chance of snatching second place from Sporting but also know that a defeat

A place in the Europa League may be on offer to the winners of this game but the match will also be about Borisov attempting to avoid taking sole possession of an unwanted record.

Borisov have conceded 22 goals in their five matches so far, equalling the worst group stage defensive record set by Dinamo Zagreb in 2011/12 and equalled by Nordsjaelland a year later.

This game has absolutely nothing riding on it with Porto already confirmed as group winners and Shakhtar second.

Pride is perhaps all that is at stake with Porto keen to end the group stages unbeaten after four wins and a draw so far.l

Holders Arsenal face Hull in FA Cup final rematch n AFP, London FA Cup holders Arsenal face a rematch with last season’s beaten finalists Hull in the third round of this year’s competition.

Arsene Wenger’s side ended a nineyear trophy drought as Aaron Ramsey’s extra-time goal clinched a 3-2 win over Hull at Wembley in May and the Gunners will start their defence of the Cup against Steve Bruce’s team.

Ironically, Monday’s third round draw was held in Hull, with Tigers manager Steve Bruce watching on as his side were handed a trip to the Emirates Stadium in the first tie drawn out.

The third round, which takes place over the first weekend of January, will also feature a host of fascinating oppor-

tunities for memorable giant-killing acts.

Chelsea, the Premier League leaders and FA Cup winners in four of the last eight seasons, will host Championship promotion contenders Watford.

Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United go to either Accrington or Yeovil, who meet in a second-round replay to decide who gets the glamour tie.

Manchester City, the 2011 winners, play at home to Sheffield Wednesday.

Sunderland will host former giants Leeds United in a rematch of the 1973 final when the Black Cats pulled off a shock 1-0 win. There are eight nonLeague sides in the draw, with the pick of the ties involving those teams seeing Dover Athletic drawn against Premier League outfit Crystal Palace. l

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu inaugurates the Agrani Bank Metropolis First Division Table Tennis League yesterday

Sohail, Afridi star in Pakistan’s win n AFP, Dubai Newcomer Haris Sohail batted with maturity during his maiden one day international half-century to steer Pakistan to a three-wicket win in the first day-night international against New Zealand in Dubai on Monday.

The 25-year-old left-hander scored 85 off 109 balls and added 110 for the seventh wicket with veteran Shahid Afridi (who hit a 51-ball 61) to rescue Pakistan from a precarious 124-6 and turn it into a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Pakistan, set a daunting 247-run target, were struggling at 40-3 before Sohail added 34 with skipper Misbah-ul

Haq (13) and 38 with Sarfraz Ahmed (26) to steady the innings.

With just 13 needed at a run-a-ball, Afridi was run out but Sohail hit Jimmy

BRIEF SCORE, 1ST ODI New Zealand 246 for 7 (Taylor 105*, Vettori 27; Irfan 3-57) Pakistan 250 for 7 (Haris 85*, Afridi 61; Vettori 2-40) Pakistan won by three wickets Neesham for his fifth boundary to seal the win with three balls to spare.

Earlier, Ross Taylor became the sixth batsman, and first from his country, to

Ten HD

score three hundreds in consecutive matches to lift New Zealand to 246-7.

Pakistan’s Zaheer Abbas and Saeed Anwar, and South Africa’s Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock have also achieved the feat.

Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals with Mohammad Hafeez (six), Asad Shafiq (five), Ahmed Shehzad (28) and Younis Khan (four) trudging back to the pavilion with the score barely passing 50. Paceman Kyle Mills gave New Zealand the breakthrough in the fifth over, bowling Hafeez before Daniel Vettori struck twice and Neesham once. But Sohail and Afridi rescued Pakistan.l

Parma deducted point for breaching financial rules n Reuters, Milan

1:00AM Chelsea v Sporting

Sony Six NBA 14-15: Regular Season 7:00AM Oklahoma City v Milwaukee 9:30AM LA Lakers v Sacramento 1:15AM Fifa Club World Cup Moghreb Athletic v Auckland City

Star Sports 1, 3 6:00AM (Thursday) Australia v India 1st Test, Day 3

13

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

State Minister for Youth and Sports Biren Sikder (2L) poses with the winners of the Walton National Weightlifting yesterday COURTESY

Struggling Serie A club Parma were dealt another blow on Tuesday when they were docked one point for breaking financial regulations.

An Italian Football Federation (FIGC) tribunal also banned club president Tommaso Ghirardi and managing director Pietro Leonardi for two months, as well as fining them 5,000 euros ($6,200) each. l

COURTESY

Van Persie rescued United, admits Van Gaal n AFP, Southampton Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal conceded that he was indebted to Robin van Persie after the Dutch striker’s brace earned his below-par side a 2-1 victory at Southampton.

United prevailed at St Mary’s on Monday despite an error-strewn display in which they mustered only three attempts at goal, with Van Persie netting either side of Graziano Pelle’s firsthalf equaliser.

It gave United a fifth consecutive win and sent them up to third place in the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s home game with old enemies Liverpool, but Van Gaal admitted that his team had been “lucky”.

“I think that not only the goals are telling something about Robin van Persie,” the Dutchman told his post-match press conference.

“I think also his performance - he was one of the three players on the pitch of Manchester United who were good or maybe very good.”

Van Gaal refused to reveal the identities of the other two players who had met his expectations, and when asked for his verdict on the other 11 United players - including substitutes - he replied: “They were not good.

“There is a range of course between

good and bad, but they were not good.

Normally you have six, seven, eight players who are good and three players who are in that range. But today (Monday) there were too many players not good.”

He added: “It’s fantastic to be now third in the table, but I had hoped we would do that with a better performance. Because tonight we were the lucky team.”l

EPL

Southampton Pelle 31

1-2

Man United Van Persie 12, 71

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Ton of emotions as Warner leads Aussies

Clarke injures back, retires hurt n Reuters, Adelaide

Australia captain Michael Clarke suffered a lower back injury and was forced to retire hurt before tea on the opening day of the first Test against India in Adelaide on Tuesday.

The injury puts a question mark over his participation in the remaining three matches of the series as well as Clarke’s ability to lead Australia into the 50-over World Cup early next year.

The 33-year-old was only playing after coming through a fitness test on a third hamstring strain in three months, problems which are related to his longterm degenerative back injury.

A Cricket Australia spokeswoman said Clarke had hurt his lower back when batting at the Adelaide Oval and that it was causing him “considerable pain”.

He left the ground for treatment and another update from the team after play said he had received some injections and would be assessed again later.

Clarke had made 60 not out when he twisted to avoid a short ball from Ishant Sharma. He tried to stretch out the injury with medical staff but trudged off minutes later with Australia on 206-2.

Clarke had appeared in full control against India’s bowlers and his retirement subdued the crowd of over 20,000. l

n AFP, Adelaide

SCORECARD, DAY 1 Australia 1st innings C. Rogers c Dhawan b I. Sharma 9 D. Warner c I. Sharma b K. Sharma 145 S. Watson c Dhawan b Aaron 14 M. Clarke retired hurt 60 S. Smith not out 72 M. Marsh c Kohli b Aaron 41 N. Lyon b Shami 3 B. Haddin c Saha b Shami 0 Extras (lb4, w4, nb2) 10 Total (6 wickets; 89.2 overs) 354 Fall of wickets 1-50 (Rogers), 2-88 (Watson), 3-258 (Warner), 4-345 (Marsh), 5-352 (Lyon), 6-354 (Haddin) Bowling Shami 17.2-1-83-2 (1w), Aaron 17-1-952 (2nb, 3w), I. Sharma 20-4-56-1, K. Sharma 23-1-89-1, Vijay 12-3-27-0

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Australia opener David Warner celebrates his century by jumping in the air on the first day of their first Test against India at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide yesterday AFP

Australia’s David Warner dedicated his stirring century to tragic team-mate Phillip Hughes Tuesday as emotions over the batsman’s death dominated the delayed first Test against India.

Warner’s determined 145 off 163 balls, studded with glances to the heavens, was the mainstay of Australia’s innings as they reached 354 for six at the end of day one at Adelaide.

But on a day of tributes to Hughes, killed in a freak batting accident, there was also concern when skipper Michael Clarke retired hurt with a back problem.

Clarke, 33, who had to pass a fitness test on a hamstring problem before playing, left the ground for further assessment of his long-standing lower back complaint.

Pre-game tributes to Hughes included 63 seconds of applause, representing his score when he was fatally struck in the head by a short-pitched ball on November 25.

When the first Test, moved from its December 4 start in Brisbane as Australia mourned, finally got underway, the positive Warner hit a first-ball boundary and remained upbeat, reaching his 10th Test hundred off just 106 balls.

In a poignant moment Warner, one of the first to rush to Hughes when he was struck down in Sydney, embraced batting partner Clarke in a long midpitch hug as the opener reached his fifth century this year.

Warner looked annoyed after he holed out in the deep off debutant Test leg-spinner Karn Sharma for his 145, with 19 boundaries, in the 57th over.

“There was a lot of adrenalin going through my head and I knew the little man (Hughes) up there was with me at the other end and you know, it all fell into place,” Warner said.

“That was definitely for him today.

He was there when I scored my first hundred - he was at the other end - and I dedicate that 100 to him today.

“Michael (Clarke) said to me he would be proud of us both and try to get on and win the game.

“It was little moment (embrace) we shared out there and I hope Michael can come out and get his next 40.”

Australia, who won the toss, lost some late wickets and reached the close at 354 for six with Steve Smith leading the way on an unbeaten 72.

Brad Haddin was out for a duck in the day’s final over. Warner was at his pugnacious best, plundering 37 runs off his first 20 balls and giving his grieving team-mates a heartening start.

There was an uplifting moment when Warner looked to the heavens on reaching 63 and the crowd responded with sustained applause, a scene that was repeated when Smith reached the same score late in the day.

Clarke was also given a huge ovation as he came to the wicket, an acknowledgement of his leading role in the days after Hughes’s death, in which he read a tearful tribute at the funeral and was one of the pallbearers.

Mitchell Marsh put on 87 runs for the fourth wicket with Smith but he

Bats and caps are left outside the stadium in a tribute to the late Phillip Hughes prior to the first day’s play of the first Test between Australia and India in Adelaide yesterday AFP

Abbott back with a bouncer after Hughes tragedy

McIlroy wins Golf Writers Trophy n Reuters, London

Senanayake, Williamson get chucking all-clear

n AFP, Sydney

World number one Rory McIlroy has won the Golf Writers Trophy for the second time in three years after an impressive season saw him claim two major championships and play an influential role in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory.

The 25-year-old Northern Irishman, who won the British Open Championship and PGA Championship this season, picked up the award following votes cast by members of the Association of Golf Writers.

The Golf Writers Trophy was first awarded in 1951 and is given to the European who has made the most outstanding contribution to the sport during the year.l

n AFP, Dubai

Sean Abbott, who delivered the ball that killed Australian batsman Phillip Hughes, bowled a bouncer in his opening over Tuesday on his return to the ground where the freak accident happened.

There had been fears that the 22-year-old fast bowler may have been too traumatised to play again after Hughes died from being hit by one of his rising balls at the Sydney Cricket Ground last month.

But Abbott has received widespread encouragement and held his nerve in his first game back when he was intro-

duced into the New South Wales attack in the 13th over against Queensland in a domestic Sheffield Shield encounter.

Showing little emotion, he sent down four dot balls before a short-pitched delivery that sailed well over ducking Queensland batsman Joe Burns.

NSW paid tribute to Hughes, who once played for that state, by wearing black armbands and “PJH 707” on their shirts, a reference to the well-liked batsman being their 707th representative.

Hughes, 25, died on November 27 from bleeding on the brain, two days after being knocked unconscious by the Abbott bouncer, plunging the cricket world into mourning.l

Sri Lanka’s Sachithra Senanayake and Kane Williamson of New Zealand were cleared to resume bowling in international cricket on Tuesday after their actions were declared legal.

Both spinners underwent remedial work and re-tests of their bowling after they were suspended earlier this year, during a crackdown on illegal actions or “chucking”.

“Since being reported earlier in the year, both bowlers have remodeled their bowling actions prior to applying to have their actions re-tested,” an International Cricket Council (ICC) statement said.

Sampras rules out quick US resurgence n Reuters, New Delhi The sorry state of American men’s tennis will continue for some time with no real talent on the horizon, said Pete Sampras who dominated the game in the 1990s with fellow American Andre Agassi.

No American has won a men’s grand slam singles title since Andy Roddick triumphed at the 2003 U.S. Open and only five of them feature in the top 100 with John Isner highest at 19th.

“Unfortunately it looks on the slim side,” Sampras told reporters in New Delhi on Monday.

“I don’t see anyone, I don’t really know anyone that even people are

speared a rearing Varun Aaron delivery to Virat Kohli at fourth slip for 41 in the final overs of the day.

Nathan Lyon, sent in as a nightwatchman, was bowled by Mohammed Shami for three with 12 balls left and Haddin was caught behind off Shami.

Chris Rogers was dismissed in the day’s eighth over for nine off 22 balls when Ishant Sharma coaxed an edge to Shikhar Dhawan at second slip.

Watson followed in the 19th over, giving Dhawan his second catch in the slips off Aaron and making way for Clarke to come to the wicket.

There were tributes to Hughes before the game got underway with players and fans standing and applauding in unison for a symbolic 63 seconds.

The Australian and Indian teams, both sporting black arm bands, lined up in respect for the well-liked batsman. The home side wore Hughes’s 408 Test cap number on their shirts.

Prominent broadcaster and former Australia captain Richie Benaud also narrated an eye-moistening video shown on the ground’s big screen, finishing with the words: “Forever, rest in peace, son.”l

talking about to break through even into the top 10.

“We’re not into the 90s anymore. It will be quite a while to see American tennis back to where it was,” said the 14-times major winner who is in India to take part in the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL).

“I think the game has got so international, so global that a lot of kids are playing tennis all around the world. So it makes it tougher for the Americans.

“Maybe the world is more hungry and for whatever reasons, we are not producing juniors, young pros with potential. It’s just a phase and hopefully doesn’t last that long.”

Sampdoria win at Verona after four decade wait

Agnieszka Radwanska has added 18 times grand slam champion Martina Navratilova to her coach staff, the Polish player said on Monday.

Radwanska, who reached the final of Wimbledon in 2012 but is still searching for her first career grand slam victory, said on her official Facebook page: “So happy to announce Martina Navratilova as the newest member of my coaching team”.

The 25-year-old Pole reached the semis of the WTA Tour finals in Singapore in October.l

Manolo Gabbiadini scored one and set up two goals as Sampdoria beat Verona 3-1 in Serie A on Monday - their first away victory against Verona for 45 years.

The Italy international, 23, is a tar-

n Reuters, Rome

SERIE A

Cagliari

0-2

Chievo

Meggiorini 3, Paloschi 9

Verona Silvestre 37

1-3

Sampdoria Eder 28-P, Okaka 57, Gabbiadini 62

Real Madrid the star attraction at Club World Cup n AFP, Rabat

Two of his former rivals, Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg, coach Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer respectively but Sampras said coaching, or Davis Cup captaincy, did not interest him.

“Boris and Stefan, they are a little bit older, have kids a little bit older, they are open to travel. I am not into travelling at the moment, at least more than a couple of weeks a year,” he said.

“The captaincy is not something I am really interested in either. I am not ruling out captaincy or coaching in the future but for the time being, for the next couple of years I’m happy just playing some exhibition every now and again and staying home,” added the 43-year-old.l

Navratilova joins Radwanksa’s coaching staff n Reuters

get for Napoli in the January transfer window but proved he still has plenty to offer Sampdoria with an impressive display.

“I don’t want to talk about possible deals,” Sampdoria’s boss Sinisa Mihajlovic told Sky Sports Italia at the end of the game. “This is an important win but I know we can do better.”

Sampdoria took the lead in the 28th minute when a through ball by Gabbiadini saw Rafa Marquez trip Eder in the box and receive a red card. Eder sent Rafael the wrong way from the spot for his fourth goal of the season.l

“The results showed that the level of elbow extension measured for all deliveries bowled was now within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC regulations.”

Senanayake, 29, was reported during a one-day international on Sri Lanka’s tour to England in June, and was suspended after a bio-mechanical test a month later.

Williamson, 24, was reported during a Test on New Zealand’s tour to the West Indies in June, and was also suspended a month later.

If reported within two years of the first case, bowlers are banned for 12 months.l

Indian Aces tennis player Sania Mirza and Swiss player Roger Federer talk during their mixed doubles International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) match against UAE Royals in New Delhi on Monday AFP

European giants Real Madrid will face either Mexican side Cruz Azul or Asian champions Western Sydney Wanderers for a place in the final of the Club World Cup, which kicks off in Morocco on Wednesday.

Cruz Azul won the Concacaf Champions League title while the Sydney club beat Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal for the Asian title.

The December 10-20 Club World Cup tournament will be played at Rabat and Marrakech and features seven clubs: Real, Auckland City of New Zealand who are champions of Oceania, Cruz Azul, Moghreb Athletic of Tetouan from the host nation as well as Argentina’s San Lorenzo, the Copa Libertadores winners.

Western Sydney Wanderers and Algeria’s Setif, the recently crowned African champions, make up the numbers.

It will be the star-studded Cristiano Ronaldo-fired Real side that shall surely attract most attention in their bid to emulate last year’s winners Bayern Munich and continue European domination of the tournament.

Since its launch in 2000, Corinthians of Brazil have won twice, the last time in 2012, but aside from that there has been a roll call of European giants’ victories since 2007, including AC Milan, Inter Milan, Manchester United and Barcelona, twice, to go along with Bayern.l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Japanese music concert with AKI and KUNIKO n Entertainment Desk A concert titled Japanese Music Concert featuring artists Aki and Kuniko starts from tomorrow at 6:30pm at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. On December 12, the concert will be held at the auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum at the same time.

Hiroaki Sasaki on acoustic guitar and Kuniko Obina on 13-string koto (Japanese sitar), popularly known as Aki and Kuniko, skilfully blends the notes from their two unmatched string instruments, seamlessly going from forceful to delicate. Aki and Kuniko performed around the globe, from South East Asia, Central America

15

Dallas Buyer Club HBO Defined, 1:30pm

to Europe and taken the audience to a different musical world. Music critics highly acclaimed that they create a surprising and innovative musical partnership and have original, genre defying work.

Organised by Embassy of Japan and Japan Foundation the two-day long concert is free for all. l

In 1985 Dallas, electrician and hustler Ron Woodroof works around the system to help AIDS patients.

Olympus Has Fallen Movies Now, 9:30pm

PIPRABIDYA goes for the best picture battle at Kerala n Entertainment Desk “Piprabidya- The Ant Story,” the latest flick by celebrated filmmaker Mostafa Sarwar Farooki, is selected for the competition section of the 19th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), which will be held from December 12 to 19 in the capital city of the south-western state of India.

The film will compete with 14 other films from around the world including Iran, South Korea, Japan, Brazil, Morocco and India for The Golden Crow Pheasant Award, the highest accolade

Disgraced former Presidential guard Mike Banning finds himself trapped inside the White House in the wake of a terrorist attack.

of the festival. Noor Imran Mithu, the lead actor of the 95 minutes long drama about the hopeless middle-class youth, will attend the festival along with the director.

Farooki said: “I had my eye on this prestigious festival’s competition section from the beginning. Last year my other film ‘Television’ was selected for the world cinema section though I had hoped for the competition.”

Sheena Chohan, an Indian actress and model from Kolkata, played a vital role in the film produced by Impress Telefilm Ltd. l

V for Vendetta WB, 11:22pm

In a future British tyranny, a shadowy freedom fighter plots to overthrow it with the help of a young woman.

Exhibition

16th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh Time: 11am – 8pm National Art Gallery Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Meet the Faces

By Nasreen Sultana Mitu Time: 3pm – 9pm La Gallarie, Alliance Francaise de Dhaka Be Smart About Art Time: 10am – 8pm Athena Gallery of Fine Arts Monochrome Time: 12pm – 8pm Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts Road No 16, Dhanmondi

Theatre

USTAD AMJAD ALI KHAN to perform at Nobel Peace Prize ceremony with sons n Entertainment Desk Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and his sons Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan have mesmerised the Dhaka audience with their sarod performance at the recently concluded Bengal Classical Music Festival 2014. Now, the sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan along with his two sons will perform at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway,

on December 11.

Ayaan said: “I am honoured and thrilled to be performing at this prestigious event. We all are thrilled to perform alongside Queen Latifah, Steven Tyler, Bolly Flex and Laura Mvula. We are presenting a piece called Raga for Peace. We plan to give a flavour of India through our music.” Another celebrated singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is also expected to perform at the ceremony. l

Shonai Madhob

By Loko Natyadal Time: 7pm – 9pm Experimental Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy

Film

13th International Short & Independent Film Festival Central Public Library, Shahbag Ouija, Interstellar, Gone Girl, Annabelle, Ek Cup Cha, Into The Storm Blockbuster Cinemas

FREIDA PINTO: I look for strong female characters in films n

Entertainment Desk

There is a recurring pattern in actress Freida Pinto’s films and that is the presence of strong female characters. The Hollywood-based Indian actress says it’s the first thing that she considers while choosing films.

Be it “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Miral” or her upcoming film “Trishna” - all the films have seen her playing such characters.

“A strong female character is the most important thing that I look for in my films. Hence the bottom line is that every character I play needs to have a strong undertone,” said Frieda.

“I’m not going to mention the film’s name and I’m glad that most of the people didn’t see it. In the film, I did a role where I could not feel the strength of my character and it showed in my performance. Since then, I haven’t repeated that thing,” she added.

Freida, who gained global recognition after Oscar-winning “Slumdog Millionaire,” says the hype around objectification of women in Bollywood is “hypocrisy”.

“I have a problem with women being objectified on-screen. But I feel it’s also unfair that we only talk about women objectification, as if it’s per-

Singer Porshi will appear on Dabur Amla Rupkotha, a lifestyle programme anchored

by Tanjin Tisha, today at 9:20pm on Maasranga TV. Porshi will talk about homemade natural and organic remedies instead of those offered by beauty parlours. Besides, there will be a discussion on the advantages of using herbal products.

The show will also focus on the benefits of yoga and exercise

fectly okay for men to be objectified,” said the actress.

“I feel there is a little bit of hypocrisy over there,” Freida added.

She added that it’s not entirely the filmmakers’ fault as viewers should also understand that the artist is just playing a character on the screen.

“As filmmakers and artists, we should be responsible about the material we put out, but at the end of the day it’s very important for the viewers to understand that we are acting. I am not a stripper from the video I just did, it is my character. I feel if people are going to be so narrow-minded about believing that the character is an extension of me then it defeats the purpose of films,” she said.

The actress feels the line between commercial and serious cinema is fading.

“I don’t know what commercial films are in Bollywood because there are some art house films that I enjoyed and they became commercially viable,” said the 30-year-old.

Moving beyond acting, the actress has ventured on to the other side of filmdom as a producer. The actress, who is at present producing two films, refrains from delving more into the projects.

“I am a kind of person who doesn’t talk about any film until it’s done. The same goes for the production ventures. I will not talk about the film I am producing till it’s done. I am producing two films. I can promise you that the films have strong female characters,” the actress said. l

Romancing SONAKSHI was challenging: RAJINIKANTH

n Entertainment Desk Superstar Rajinikanth said romancing Sonakshi Sinha in his forthcoming Tamil action movie “Lingaa” was a challenge. Rajinikanth said he did not feel so nervous even on the first time he faced the camera as much as he did when asked to shoot duets with Sonakshi.

“The worst punishment god can give actors like me who are in their 60s is to sing duets. I found shooting duets with Sonakshi more challenging than doing stunts atop a moving train in the film,” Rajinikanth.”

“Even in my first film, I didn’t feel so nervous as much as I did when I had to romance her. I’ve known Sonakshi as a baby, and she has grown up together with my

daughters,” he said.

“Lingaaa”, directed by KS Ravi Kumar, is slated for release Friday. Rajinikanth appreciated the director for completing a project of this scale in less than six months.

“Firstly, it’s almost impossible to complete such a big project in about six months. It’s big not because of the artistes or the budget, but because of the subject and the pre-independence era in which the story is set,” he said. “If there’s something Ravi Kumar and I would like to give the young generation, it’s this that even a big film can be completed in less than six months,” he added.

The superstar also reiterated that they didn’t steal anyone’s script to make “Lingaa”, and that it was originally written by S Ponkumaran. l

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Students suffer as school grounds host fair during exams

Jubo Dal activist killed in gunfight with police n Our Correspondent, Lakshmipur An activist of Jubo Dal, the youths wing of the BNP, was killed allegedly in a gunfight between police and his associates at Sadar upazila yesterday.

Police claimed that the deceased, Md Rony, 24, a member of the upazila unit Jubo Dal committee and son of Makbul Ahmed of Deopara village, was also a leader of the criminal gang Jisan Bahini.

Local MP behind the fair at Senpara School, ruling party men pocketing rents Dhaka Tribune found that the fair aun Abu Hayat Mahmud thorities had evicted vendors outside An fair on the playground – organised by local ruling party MP – is disrupting academic activities and annual examinations at Mirpur’s Senpara Parbata Government Primary School in the capital.

Despite assurances from MP Md Elias Uddin Mollah of wrapping up the fair before exams started, the ground remains occupied. Ruling party men are allegedly pocketing all the rent.

The final exams began at the school on Sunday; but the noise and chaos from the fair are making it hard for students to keep attention.

Teachers and parents also complained that children were more keen on visiting the fair instead of focusing on preparing for their upcoming tests.

The mother of a third grader said her child was asking for money every day to get on the rides after finishing exam.

“I think the fair should be suspended during the final exams,” she added.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, several teachers of the school said the students were often staring out the window at the fair instead of answering scripts at exams.

The fair was also polluting the school’s environment as visitors to the fair were using the school’s toilets, the teachers said.

Sources said the fair authority was also using electricity and water supply of the school building for the stalls.

They urged authorities concerned to consider the fate of around 800 students of the school and take immediate steps to stop the fair.

Visiting the school yesterday, the

the fair, but around 40 stalls and rides for children still occupied the school playground.

When contacted, Shirin Akhter, Dhaka district primary education officer, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that they had discussed the matter at a meeting and the fair was likely to be evicted today.

“They organised the fair without our permission. So, we directed the fair authority to shut down the fair before the final exams, but they have not. We discussed the matter and it might be evicted tomorrow [today],” she said.

Sources said fairs on the school ground – organised with the backing of the local MP – were a regular occurrence during festivities like Eid, Puja and Pahela Boishakh every year.

Local ruling party leader Jinnat Ali, who admitted supervising the fair activities, told the Dhaka Tribune that lawmaker Elias directed them to monitor the fair after it had been launched last month. Other leaders and activists of the Awami League’s Pallabi thana unit were also reportedly involved in controlling the fair and collecting rents from stall owners.

Salesmen at the stalls, meanwhile, claimed that they had paid around Tk30,000-Tk40,000 for each of the stalls. The rent would be distributed among the ruling party leaders while the school would not get a penny, they added.

Despite repeated attempts to get comments, MP Elias Uddin Mollah could not be reached over the phone. l

‘Sensing the presence of police, Jisan and his associates opened fire on them, prompting the law enforcers to retaliate’ Thousands of candles are lit while singers render a chorus performance on the Central Shaheed Minar premises yesterday in memory of those who went missing during the 1971 Liberation War MEHEDI HASAN

Eight-year-old madrasa girl raped in capital ‘critically hurt’ n Mohammad Jamil Khan An eight-year-old girl, raped by a transport worker in the capital’s Kadamtali area yesterday evening, has been described by her attending physicians as “critically hurt.”

The victim, a student of class one at a local madrasa, is undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). She had been admitted to the One-Stop Crisis Centre but is undergoing treatment in the gynaecology department because of profuse bleeding.

A duty doctor of the department, not authorised to comment to the media and requesting anonymity, said the girl was critically hurt and

that her haemorrhaging had not been staunched. We are treating her to stop the bleeding, the doctor told the Dhaka Tribune around 10.30pm.

The victim’s father, a rickshaw-puller by profession, told the Dhaka Tribune that a neighbour, Shaon, 17, who works as a bus helper, seduced the child with toys to his house in the Muslimnagar area of Kadamtali around 3pm and then raped her.

Because she was screaming, Shaon sent her home. The child told her mother about the incident and her parents went to Shaon’s house to protest.

The accused’s parents, Rahim and Parvin, on hearing the accusation against their son threw us out of their

house, the victim’s mother said.

The victim was later taken to the DMCH. Abdus Salam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kadamtali police station, told the Dhaka Tribune that the police had not yet been approached about the assault.

“Our officials at the DMCH will inform us of any such incident,” the OC said.

Hayder Ali, assistant sub-inspector and in-charge of the DMCH police outpost, told the Dhaka Tribune that a girl had been admitted to the hospital around 9.45pm.

“We will advice the police station concerned on the course of action shortly,” he added. l

Humayun Kabir, officer-in-charge of Chandraganj police station, said a team of police raided the area in Latifpur village of the upazila on Monday midnight to arrest Jisan Bahini chief Jisan.

Sensing the presence of police, Jisan and his associates opened fire on them, prompting the law enforcers to retaliate.

Jisan’s associate Rony was caught in the line of fire and died on the spot while Jisan and other members of the gang managed to escape, the OC said.

Three police constables – Mohammad Ali, Ibrahim Sheikh and Projes Kanti Debnath – were also injured during the gunfight.

The police recovered a pistol and 12 bullets from the spot.

Meanwhile, district Jubo Dal President Rezaul Karim Liton claimed that police had arrested Rony from Contractor Bridge area under Chandraganj upazila in the afternoon.

Rony’s father also alleged that the police had picked up his son from his house at night and later shot him dead.

He claimed that Rony was a businessman in Chandarganj Bazar and not a member of the terrorist group. l

Ecnec approves airport security enhancement projects n Tribune Report The government has taken up a project to improve the security systems at four major airports in the country in the wake of recent rise in gold smuggling as well as increase in air traffic.

The project worth Tk293 crore will be implemented in Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong, Jessore Airport and Syedpur Airport

by June 2017 under the supervision of the civil aviation authority.

“Since air traffic has been increasing in line with the economic growth, the security system [at the airports] needs to be improved,” said Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal after a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) yesterday.

A comprehensive security system would also be developed at the Shahjalal International Airport to check gold smuggling, he said.

The airport security strengthening was one of the seven projects worth Tk1,353.46 crore Ecnec approved at the meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

Under the project, modern radars will be set up at the Dhaka and Chittagong airports and the 25-year-old conventional omnidirectional radio range of Jessore and Syedpur airports will be replaced by modern doppler VOR (VHF Omni Directional Radio Range).

Of the total costs of the seven projects, Tk1,102.64 crore will come from the national exchequer and Tk 250.82 crore from the funds of

the organisations concerned.

Ecnec also revised the cost of an ongoing project for upgrading the Dhaka airport to Tk563 crore from Tk414 crore.

The government will also expand power supply to rural areas in Khulna and Barisal divisions as it approved two separate projects involving Tk1,834 crore.

Under rural electricity expansion project 2 for the two divisions, the Rural Electrification Board will connect 4.5 lakh consumers in 11 districts, installing 10,700km of new electricity distribution lines and rehabilitate 1,300km existing ones.

The meeting of the Ecnec also revised the costs of the Dhaka water supply and sanitation project to Tk644 crore; third phase construction of small bridges and culverts on rural roads to Tk1,085 crore; the New Dakatia and old Dakatia small Feni River water sewerage project to Tk281crore; and the school feeding programme in some of the poverty-prone areas to Tk3,146 crore.

Besides, the meeting approved the change in the title of a project to Coastal Towns Environmental Infrastructure Project (CTEIP) from Coastal Towns Infrastructure Improvement Project (CTIIP).

Of the total project cost for Ashuganj-Bhulta 400KV Transmission Line Project, Tk637.85 crore will come from the government exchequer while Tk215.82 crore will be provided by the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh Limited (PGCBL), which is implementing the project. The targetted finish line of the project is June 2017. l

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 www.dhakatribune.com/business

Experts hammer out 8 RMG priorities Infrastructure emerges on top as 3-day Dhaka Apparel Summit 2014 concludes

DHAKA APPAREL SUMMIT 2014 OUTCOME 60

Priorities suggested to reach $50bn apparel export by 2021

est priority. It also emerged as the top priority in case of the options for ensuring efficient business supply chain.

“Workers and Manager’s Awareness” on safety was the third priority to ensure safe working condition, supported by 48.67% of audience.

Access to low cost finance was viewed as a big challenge for remediation and relocation of factories to ensure safety. 40.85% of audience voted on the challenge and urged buyers to sharing remediation cost.

“Political stability” emerged as a big concern, which is supported by 30.61% of participants, followed by “Knowledge and education” as it helps boost productivity.

“Ethical Pricing” was another challenge as most helpful to ensure responsible supply chain. And, 21.52% empha-

Bangladesh steel IPO okayed n Tribune Report Bangladesh Steel Re-Rolling Mills has received green signal from the securities regulator to go for initial public offering (IPO).

The company will raise Tk61.25 crore by floating 1.75 crore ordinary shares of Tk35 each, including a premium of Tk25, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission said in a statement yesterday.

The raised fund will be used for its business expansion, loan repayment and meeting IPO expenses. The company’s earnings per share is Tk5.06 and revaluation net asset value Tk52.09 as of December last year.

Two other companies – Sajib Knitwear and Garments, and Union Capital – also got capital raising approval.

Sajib Knitwear will issue 12.5 lakh ordinary shares worth Tk12.5 crore for its

existing directors and shareholders and the offer value is Tk100 each.

After raising its capital, its paid up capital will stand at Tk20.5 crore from existing Tk8 crore.

Union Capital will issue cumulative redeemable preference share to raise Tk50 crore for strengthening its capital base. The offer value will be Tk1 crore each and preference shares will be sold to the institutional investors.

The dividend rate will be 12.5% in five years from the date of subscription for the preference shares and if failed to pay the dividend in 30 days, additional 2% dividend will be added to the promised dividend.

In another decision, the BSEC also fined Prime Islami Securities Limited Tk20 lakh and First Lead Securities Limited Tk3 lakh for breaching securities rules. l

sised on relationship between buyers and suppliers.

Meanwhile, “constructive criticism” was seen as the best way to develop a strategic partnership between industry and media. While making information available about the industry is next important way to develop such partnership.

All the participants echoed voice on “good governance” to make Bangladesh a middle-income country by 2021.

“The summit is a great success for the country’s RMG sector as has been able to point out the challenges as well as recommendations from the global and local experts to reach the target and make the apparel industry sustainable,” BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim told the Dhaka Tribune.

The outcome would help the government adopt proper policies as well

26.67% 26

Good gov governance

33.33%

Constructive criticism

37.97%

Ethical pricing

40.85%

Access to low cost finance for

48.67% on safety

23.81%

remediation/relocation

0

Workers & manager’s awareness

10

education

20

Knowledge and

30

30.61%

40

Political stability

50

53.03%

Ensuring better infrastructure, mainly availability of power and gas, has been voted to be the top most priority of Bangladesh to reach an apparel export target of US$50 billion by the year 2021, when the country aspires to become a middle-income one.

The requirement for skilled workers and managers is the second top priority to achieve the goal as Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) conducted a survey among the industry stakeholders and experts as part of the Dhaka Apparel Summit 2014 concluded in Dhaka yesterday.

The survey was based on eight specified questions with multiple-option answers picked from different discussion sessions of the summit while the respondents were given options to choose the priorities.

The BGMEA conducted such survey perhaps for the first time to design a road map to make the RMG sector sustainable amid challenges the industry is now facing particularly in the backdrop of working conditions and factory standards.

The priorities were set through SMS poll and experts who participated in the summit to share their views and opinions to help the sector come up with a concrete road map to reach the target and sustainability.

During each session, a question was set with multiple answers and shown on the screen urging the participants to vote through SMS. Each session was designed with separate topics, where buyers, manufacturers, students and academics were present. These sessions were aimed at devising ways to reach the target, and panelists expressed their opinions with suggestions.

The option of better infrastructure, power and gas bagged 53% support from participants to emerge as the high-

Better infrastructure, power & gas

n

Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

as the factory owners to make decision on how to face with the challenges in expanding business, he added.

BGMEA in partnership with Bangladesh Brand Forum organised the first ever Dhaka Apparel Summit 2014” to devise a roadmap for the industry.

It was also aimed at drawing an outline for the sustainability of the RMG sector and branding Bangladesh to rebuild the image tarnished to due to factory disaster last year.

Brands, fashion designers, sourcing executives and experts from home and abroad, international organisations, employers, private sectors, workers’ representatives, civil society organisations, buyers and academics joined the summit to share their experiences, and gather knowledge about Bangladesh’s apparel industry. l

Robi, Airtel set to launch video calling n Muhammad Zahidul Islam Though the country’s five mobile phone operators are enjoying third generation (3G) mobile services without offering video calling service to their customers, Robi and Airtel have undertaken an initiative to exchange video calling service between the two operators.

A 3G-connected subscriber of an operator cannot at present make a video call to the subscriber of other operators though both the users have all the facilities with having their smart handsets due to lack of inter-connectivity options.

However, two mobile phone operators have decided to undertake the initiative for the first time to exchange video calling between them only.

These two operators want to offer the new service to their customers from December 16, marking the victory day of Bangladesh, subject to approval by the regulator. The video call rate is fixed at Tk1 per minute.

As of September 2014, Airtel captured 6.29 lakh 3G subscribers while its counterpart could grab 15 lakh 3G users.

Airtel has already sent a letter to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) with a request for allowing it to offer the new service.

The letter signed by Fazle Khoda, chief corporate affair officer of Airtel, said: “After detail scrutiny, we are ready to exchange inter-operator video call with Robi with the existing voice interconnection termination rate for both voice and video calling.

For voice services, inter connection (call from one operator to another operator) charges are fixed at Tk0.18 per minute.

Earlier,Robi undertook an initiative for offering off-net video calls with four other operators but it received very little response from the market.

Inflation eases further in November n Tribune Report

INFLATION (%) 2014

Inflation has continued to fall for four months in a row in November, softened by declining food prices.

Month to month inflation eased to 6.21% last month, decelerating from a 6.6% a month earlier, according to the data of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) released yesterday.

The November reading was 25-month low since November, 2012.

Food inflation in November dropped to 6.44% from 7.16% in October. Despite the downward trend in overall inflation, nonfood inflation was marginally up 5.84% in November from 5.74% recorded in previous month, according to the BBS. “Inflation continued to ease in the wake of falling commodity prices both in the international and domestic markets,” Planning Minister Mustafa Kamal told reporters while releasing the inflation data at the planning commission.

He said inflation might drop further in months to come as oil prices in the global mar-

January February March April May June July August September October November Source: BBS

ket is declining. More than 40% have dropped in global crude oil prices since July, 2010.

Weak consumption of the world’s two economic giants—China and India—also pushed the food prices down, which also helped cool

Muhith: influential money launderers identified n Tribune Report Finance Minister AMA Muhith said the central bank has identified highly influential figures involved with money laundering activities.

He said the figures identified are “well known” in the society.

Muhith was talking to the journalists at his Secretariat office in Dhaka yesterday.

The minister said the financial intelligence unit of Bangladesh Bank has been working to find those influential people involved in the money laundering.

The unit is also trying to identify influential people in private commercial banks, who are also suspects of helping illegal transfer of money abroad.

Deputy Governor of

7.5 7.44 7.48 7.46 7.48 6.97 7.04 6.91 6.84 6.6 6.21

Bangladesh Bank Razi Hasan said a circular would be issued soon to incorporate a new provision into the proposed amendment of anti-monetary laundering law.

He said the new provision is aimed at helping the government monitor financial transactions of influential people.

Last week, the national coordination committee of anti-money laundering activities decided to incorporate a new provision with a proposed amendment to anti-monetary laundering law.

Official sources said according to the proposed provision, all scheduled banks will regularly inform the financial intelligence unit about status of “influential people’s” bank accounts. l

down the inflation, the minister said earlier.

BBS data also showed that in urban area inflation rate in November was 6.51% , which was 6.79% in October and in rural areas, it declined to 6.05% from 6.49% during the period.

The national wage index rate witnessed a 10.32% growth in November, marginally down from 10.7% in October.

The average inflation in last one year from Dec 2013 to Nov 2014 also fell to 7.1% from 7.52% in the corresponding period a year ago, BBS said.

Planning Minister said the government is hopeful of keeping the average inflation within the fiscal target of 6.5% to 7% in the current financial year.

Bangladesh was hard hit by the inflationary pressure in FY2010-11 period when the overall inflation crossed double digit mark in November 2010, BBS officials said.

The minister also released the Annual Development Programme (ADP) implementation rate.

He said the government ministries and agencies spent 20% or Tk15.9 crore of the total ADP outlay of Tk80,315 crore. l

Probe body finds SPCL share manipulation n Tribune Report The securities regulator has found gross irregularities in unusual share trading of Shahjibazar Power Company Limited (SPCL).

Some institutions and individuals were found to be involved in the irregularities as the regulator had earlier launched an investigation, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission said in a statement yesterday.

But it did not disclose details of the offence and the names of the institutions and individuals, and details.

However, the commission has directed its enforcement department to take action against the offenders.

On November 9 last, the BSEC had formed investigative committee to probe into the unusual rise in share prices of Shahjibazar Power Company Limited. The two-member committee was asked to submit the probe report by 15 working days since its formation.

The committee was formed within a span of more than three months after it

had launched probe into the company’s abnormal share price hike on July 31.

The BSEC probe team found that the company inflated its net profit to Tk28.6 crore from its original profit of Tk16.9 crore in its financial statement for months (July 2013-March 2014).

For the offence, the regulator fined the company’s five directors and managing director Tk55 lakh. According to market sources, share prices of Shahjibazar gained without break despite many irregularities just on the basis of rumour that the price of the scrip would increase further.

Yesterday, its share prices rose slightly 0.39% to Tk276.9 a share in the spot market.

Earlier, the BSEC sent the SPCL to the spot market to rein in its abnormal share price hike without any fundamental reason and declared the issue as non-marginable securities.

Before witnessing correction, it rose more than 1,200% on offer value of Tk25 a share since its debut on July 15 last. l

AKM Morshed, chief technology officer of Robi said, “Though video calls market demand is still very nominal, we have taken initiative to reach a common platform with other 3G operators, but some of them are not yet interested about it.”

Morshed also observed that 3G connected subscriberswere very limited up to one lakh, and out of them, demand for video calls is also very nominal.

‘Airtel is very pleased to partner with another 3G operator for video calling services, which is also providing lifestyle enhancing services for the customers of Bangladesh’ A senior executive of Banglalink mentioned that they also wanted interconnection for video calls but things were not working out.

He, however, informed that the regulator established Interconnection Exchange (ICX) for solving this problem few years ago but it was only for voice calls, now the debateon video calls is going on.

“Airtel is very pleased to partner with another 3G operator for video calling services, which is also providing lifestyle enhancing services for the customers of Bangladesh,” an Airtel spokesperson told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Four private mobile phone operators awarded 3G licenses September 2013 but those operators had launched their commercial offer at end of that year.

State-owned mobile operator Teletalk has been offering ‘test run commercial services’ since October 2012. l

Germany to provide €50m RMG compliance fund n Tribune Report The German government will give €50 million compliance fund for Bangladesh’s textile industry to cope with global standard.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed yesterday at secretariat in this regard between two countries.

The German delegation headed by its Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Hans-Joachim Fuchtel and Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed signed the MoU from their respective sides.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Hans-Joachim Fuchtel promised he would request German buyers to raise the price of each pair of jeans by one euro on top of the existing price.

The German delegation came on a three-day visit to Bangladesh.

Senior Commerce Secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamoon, ndc, BGMEA President Atiqul Islam were present at the signing ceremony. Tofail Ahmed said the German government will give financial assistance to first 10 textile factories to make them fully compliant.

The move will help draw attention of big buyers from Germany, he added.

The labour secretary also signed a MoU with German delegation on the same day. Germany has already provided Bangladeshi export items with duty-free and quota-free access to its market, which is now the second largest destination of the country’s export items, said Tofail.

“We hope Germany will be the first destination of our export products that will topple the US market,” said commerce sectary. The visiting German Economic Cooperation and Development minister considered the MoU to be the second stage of funding programme through German GIZ. He said the German government will launch a website early next year that will reveal its import items.

“The website will explain details of import goods and the way they will be manufactured complying with social and environmental issues.” l

B2

Stock

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Stocks register moderate gains

DSE key features December 9, 2014

n Tribune Report

Number of Contract

of the total trade.

All the major sectors declined marginally. Banks edged 0.9% higher, followed by telecommunication 0.8%, non-banking financial institution 0.7%, cement 0.6%, food and allied 0.6% and power 0.9%.

Gainers beat losers as 304 issues traded, 162 closed in green territory, 111 in red and 31 remained unchanged.

IDLC Investments said facing consistent volatility with investors’ focus on mini and mid caps, broad market index settled in positive territory.

It said despite cautious on fresh fund investments, turnover improved.

Lanka Bangla Securities said market reverted to green note backed by financial and consumer goods stocks. Financial stocks got a fillip after making correction in last three trading sessions, it said.

The country’s top mobile phone operator Grameenphone was the most traded stock with shares worth Tk13.6 crore.

Other turnover leaders include Beximco Pharmaceuticals, Square Pharmaceuticals, Qusem Drycell, Hamid Fabrics, Summit Alliance and Port Limited and BD Thai Aluminum.

State-owned Ruplai Bank was the biggest gainer surging over 6%, followed by Anwar Galvanising, Legacy Footwear, Hakkani Pulp and Paper, Desh Bandhu Polymer and Sino Bangla Industries.

Sonali Ansh was the worst loser falling over 13%, followed by Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag Industries and Hamid Fabrics. l

Stocks ended with moderate gains amid volatility yesterday, extending their rally for the second consecutive session.

The market started with happy note rising more than 30 points but profit taking sale pressure eroded half of early gains at the final session.

Rally in financial and consumer stocks offset losses in pharmaceuticals and textile stocks which dropped marginally on profit booking.

Despite cautious on fresh fund investments, turnover improved The benchmark DSEX added 13 points or 1% to close at 4,944, after posting fractional rise in the previous session.

The Shariah index DSES witnessed fractional rise of 0.2 points to 1,152. The comprising blue chips DS30 ended at 1,822 with a slight gain of 2 points.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, settled at 9,292 with a rally of 18 points.

Participation in trading improved a bit as DSE turnover stood at Tk4.4 crore, which was 1.7% higher over the previous session. Pharmaceuticals, engineering, bank and textile sectors contributed more than 51%

Weekly capital market highlights DSE Broad Index : DSE - 30 Index : CSE All Share Index: CSE - 30 Index : CSE Selected Index : DSE LOSER Company Sonali Ansh -A Khan Brothers-N Kay & Que (BD) -Z R. N. Spinning-Z Hamid Fabrics -N Bangladesh Welding -Z Premier Leasing-Z Meghna PET Ind. -Z Midas Financing-Z Reliance Insur -A

Closing (% Change) -13.54 -8.50 -7.38 -7.08 -6.15 -5.35 -3.85 -3.51 -3.35 -3.33

CSE LOSER Company Eastland Insur -A Padma Islami Life*-N Khan Brothers-N Provati Insur.-A Apex Footwear-A Central Insur -A R. N. Spinning-Z Fine Foods A Hamid Fabrics -N Premier Leasing-Z

Closing (% Change) -9.57 -8.19 -8.00 -6.54 -6.18 -5.86 -5.79 -5.26 -5.25 -4.76

ANALYST

4944.03328

(+) 0.27%

1822.79786

(+) 0.15%

15235.24540

(+) 0.17%

12446.76740

(-) 0.03%

9292.04310

(+) 0.20%

Average (% Change) -12.52 -8.42 -7.57 -9.68 -6.09 -4.63 -2.98 -4.51 -2.70 -3.09 Average (% Change) -9.47 -7.64 -7.67 -6.37 -6.18 -6.01 -8.56 -2.11 -6.15 -2.78

ClosingAvg. 125.69 37.09 13.80 30.96 51.93 18.11 10.11 5.50 17.33 58.24

ClosingAvg. 34.04 38.10 37.09 20.00 440.00 25.66 31.20 11.16 51.70 10.14

Closing

34.00 38.10 36.80 20.00 440.00 25.70 30.90 10.80 50.50 10.00

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

Company

4,338.66

DHIGH 140.00 37.90 14.30 33.00 54.30 18.90 10.60 5.50 17.50 60.10

DHIGH 34.20 38.10 37.90 20.00 440.00 25.70 32.80 11.40 54.10 10.60

116,764,187 97,329

Traded Issues

304

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

142

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

154

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

8

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,648.56

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

32.10

CSE key features December 9, 2014 Turnover (Million Taka)

299.31

Turnover (Volume)

9,648,996

Number of Contract

12,340

Traded Issues

222

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

108

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

108

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

5

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,547.72

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

30.88

Turnover in Million

DLOW 120.00 36.30 13.50 29.50 50.00 17.00 9.50 5.50 17.20 56.00

13.480 57.599 0.069 42.502 111.408 3.235 3.630 0.014 0.078 1.852

Turnover in Million

DLOW 34.00 38.10 36.60 20.00 440.00 25.60 30.20 10.80 50.10 9.90

0.054 0.019 10.682 0.010 0.088 0.067 7.027 0.028 21.218 0.365

DSE Million Taka 537.47 426.99 36.60 591.43 236.06 407.50 13.50 494.02 608.19 24.21 178.31 44.36 39.43 150.19 68.26 31.68 49.20 143.92 49.87 207.21 0.26

% change 12.39 9.84 0.84 13.63 5.44 9.39 0.31 11.39 14.02 4.11 1.02 0.91 3.46 1.57 0.73 1.13 3.32 1.15 4.78 0.01

Million Taka 42.70 20.81 1.64 35.35 11.07 21.31 57.23 31.88 8.11 18.41 8.34 3.26 7.32 1.97 1.75 1.39 9.08 9.41 24.09 0.00

CSE

% change 13.55 6.60 0.52 11.22 3.51 6.76 0.00 18.16 10.12 2.57 5.84 2.65 1.03 2.32 0.62 0.55 0.44 2.88 2.99 7.65 0.00

Million Taka 580.17 447.80 38.24 626.79 247.13 428.81 13.50 551.25 640.07 32.32 196.72 52.69 42.69 157.51 70.23 33.43 50.59 153.00 59.28 231.30 0.26

Rupali Bank - A Tallu Spinning -Z Aziz PipesZ Dulamia CottonZ Anwar Galvanizing-B Alltex Industries -Z Legacy Footwear -A Hakkani P& Paper -B Deshbandhu Polymer-A Sinobangla Indu.-A

Closing (% Change) 8.65 8.51 8.43 8.22 8.17 7.78 7.75 6.91 6.83 5.94

CSE GAINER

Latest EPS 0.60 1.36 -1.41 2.19 3.12 0.44 0.08 -0.44 -7.00 3.79

Latest EPS 3.33 1.10 1.36 1.97 20.48 2.96 2.19 -0.48 3.12 0.08

Latest PE 209.5 27.3 -ve 14.1 16.6 41.2 126.4 -ve -ve 15.4

Company Aziz PipesZ Anwar Galvanizing-B Deshbandhu Polymer-A Legacy Footwear -A Tallu Spinning -Z ICB AMCL 1st NRB -A Hakkani P& Paper -B BD. Thai Alum -B Sinobangla Indu.-A Fu-Wang Food A

9.80 7.59 6.80 6.62 5.56 5.50 5.03 4.82 3.87 3.81

Average (% Change) 8.26 7.74 5.51 5.79 4.02 5.50 6.34 3.10 3.64 4.49

ClosingAvg. 62.24 14.92 27.05 7.91 39.40 27.77 28.71 32.05 21.55 32.06

ClosingAvg. 26.35 39.80 21.62 28.70 14.99 21.10 31.72 51.17 32.21 24.46

Closing 62.80 15.30 27.00 7.90 39.70 29.10 29.20 32.50 21.90 32.10

Closing 26.90 39.70 22.00 29.00 15.20 21.10 31.30 52.20 32.20 24.50

DHIGH 63.30 15.50 27.30 8.00 40.30 29.50 29.50 32.90 22.20 33.00

DHIGH 26.90 40.40 22.00 29.30 15.50 21.10 32.00 52.80 32.80 24.70

DLOW 59.60 14.30 25.80 7.30 36.80 24.80 27.40 30.60 18.90 30.90

DLOW 22.10 38.00 20.00 27.60 14.50 21.10 31.10 45.00 31.00 22.00

Turnover in Million 0.361 4.692 1.938 0.394 17.237 17.978 14.679 3.702 37.998 30.232

Turnover in Million 0.302 0.657 3.049 2.900 0.259 0.011 0.428 6.829 1.514 4.790

Latest EPS 2.04 -0.48 -0.37 -3.84 0.84 3.28 0.28 0.64 1.52 1.21

Latest EPS -0.37 0.84 1.52 0.28 -0.48 3.24 0.64 1.09 1.21 1.80

Latest PE 30.5 -ve -ve -ve 46.9 8.5 102.5 50.1 14.2 26.5

Latest PE -ve 47.4 14.2 102.5 -ve 6.5 49.6 46.9 26.6 13.6

News, analysis and recent disclosures SONALIANSH: The Board of Directors has recommended 10% cash dividend for the year ended on June 30, 2014. Date of AGM: 30.12.2014, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: White House Hotel, 155, Shantinagar, Dhaka-1217. Record Date: 21.12.2014. The Company has also reported net profit of Tk. 1.62 million, EPS of Tk. 0.60, NAV per share of Tk. 225.58 and NOCFPS of Tk. (15.53) for the year ended on June 30, 2014 as against Tk. 7.19 million, Tk. 2.65, Tk. 226.00 and Tk. (24.23) respectively for the year ended on June 30, 2013.

KEYACOSMET: (Q1): As per un-audited quarterly accounts for the 1st quarter ended on 30th September 2014 (July'14 to Sep'14), the Company has reported net profit after tax of Tk. 105.17 million with EPS of Tk. 0.59 as against Tk. 94.96 million and Tk. 0.53 respectively for the same period of the previous year.

IPO Subscription: IFAD Autos Limited subscription date 23 to 27 November 2014, NRB upto 06 December 2014. @ taka 30, face value taka 10 and market lot 200.

Shasha Denims Limited subscription date 14 to 21 December 2014, NRB upto 30 December 2014. @ taka 10, face value taka 35 and market lot 200. Zaheen Spinning Limited subscription date 28 December 2014 to 04 January 2015, NRB upto 13

January 2015. @ taka 10, face value taka 10 and market lot 500.

Right Share: 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. FIRSTSBANK Subscription period for rights issue will be from 07.12.2014 to 28.12.2014. Record date for entitlement of rights share: 20.11.2014.

Dividend/AGM

KEYACOSMET: 20% cash, Record Date: 21.12.2014. Date, Time and Venue of the AGM will be notified later.

RECKITTBEN: 175% interim cash dividend (second time), Record date for entitlement of interim dividend: 15.12.2014.

ICB: 45% cash, AGM: 20.12.2014, Record Date: 03.12.2014.

BATBC: 100% interim cash dividend, Record date for entitlement of interim dividend: 03.12.2014.

BENGALWTL: 23% cash, AGM: 28.12.2014, Record Date: 02.12.2014.

MPETROLEUM: 95% cash and 10% stock, AGM: 16.01.2015, Record date: 04.12.2014.

ENVOYTEX: 12% cash and 3% stock dividend, AGM: 24.12.2014, Record date: 02.12.2014.

AFTABAUTO: 17% cash, AGM: 24.12.2014, Record date: 30.11.2014.

JAMUNAOIL: 90% cash and 10% stock, AGM: 07.02.2015, Record date: 11.12.2014.

GEMINISEA: 7.50% cash, AGM: 22.12.2014, Record Date: 08.12.2014.

KBPPWBIL: 10% stock, AGM: 29.12.2014, Record Date: 08.12.2014.

RAHIMAFOOD: No dividend, AGM: 24.12.2014, Record Date: 04.12.2014.

DACCADYE: 10% stock dividend, AGM: 12.12.2014, Record date: 25.11.2014.

ORIONINFU: 15% cash dividend, AGM: 18.12.2014, Record date: 25.11.2014.

KOHINOOR: 25% stock dividend, AGM: 18.12.2014, Record date: 25.11.2014.

PHARMAID: 25% cash, AGM: 28.12.2014, Record Date: 02.12.2014.

TALLUSPIN: No dividend, AGM: 23.12.2014, Record Date: 01.12.2014.

MITHUNKNIT: 20% stock, AGM: 23.12.2014, Record date: 20.11.2014.

WMSHIPYARD: 5% cash dividend to the general shareholders only, and 10% stock dividend to all the shareholders, AGM: 21.12.2014, Record date: 20.11.2014.

PRIMELIFE: 10% cash and 15% stock dividend, AGM: 24.12.2014, Record Date: 20.11.2014.

OLYMPIC: 20% cash and 35% stock, AGM: 24.12.2014, Record Date: 27.11.2014.

PADMAOIL: 100% cash, AGM: 14.02.2015, Record date: 22.12.2014.

10.2 34.6 27.3 10.2 21.5 8.7 14.2 -ve 16.6 126.8

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company

Total

Closing (% Change)

Average (% Change) 8.15 4.70 9.07 7.18 9.87 (6.50) 6.18 5.85 5.95 4.06

Latest PE

Country’s top mobile phone operator Grameenphone was the most traded stock with shares worth Tk13.6 crore

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY Sector

▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲

123.20 36.60 13.80 30.20 50.40 17.70 10.00 5.50 17.30 58.10

Closing

DSE GAINER

Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume)

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

% change 12.47 9.62 0.82 13.47 5.31 9.21 0.29 11.85 13.75 0.69 4.23 1.13 0.92 3.38 1.51 0.72 1.09 3.29 1.27 4.97 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

Square Pharma -A Grameenphone-A Beximco Pharma -A Quasem Drycells -A Hamid Fabrics -N SummitAlliancePort.-A BD. Thai Alum -B United Leasing - A Olympic Ind. -A LafargeS Cement-Z

BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Mozaffar H.Spinning-A Keya Cosmetics -A Fu-Wang Food A City Bank - A CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Hamid Fabrics -N SummitAlliancePort.-A Khan Brothers-N BEXIMCO Ltd. -A AB Bank - A WesternMarine -N Grameenphone-A R. N. Spinning-Z BD. Thai Alum -B Beximco Pharma -A

UNITED AIR-A Square Pharma -A City Bank - A SAIF Powertec-N UCBL - A

VolumeShares 559,200 378,600 1,964,882 1,659,730 2,145,200 1,279,781 2,038,745 3,306,881 440,850 862,000

Value in Million 146.35 135.68 130.02 116.90 111.41 107.57 104.40 103.23 99.63 98.54

% of TotalTurnover 3.37 3.13 3.00 2.69 2.57 2.48 2.41 2.38 2.30 2.27

VolumeShares

Value in Million

% of TotalTurnover

2,365,514 3,103,875 2,939,584 3,297,782 3,030,749

410,400 143,582 288,000 244,821 252,589 143,300 21,600 225,250 133,454 94,118

665,754 21,680 250,897 72,600 176,017

92.59 83.07 81.86 80.44 67.67

21.22 12.03 10.68 9.59 8.13 7.78 7.75 7.03 6.83 6.21

6.12 5.65 5.62 5.46 5.27

2.13 1.91 1.89 1.85 1.56

7.15 4.06 3.60 3.23 2.74 2.62 2.61 2.37 2.30 2.09

2.06 1.90 1.89 1.84 1.78

ClosingP 261.10 355.30 65.90 71.00 50.40 84.30 51.60 31.40 222.70 114.00

39.00 27.10 27.60 24.30 22.30

ClosingP

50.50 83.80 36.80 39.10 31.80 53.90 356.30 30.90 52.20 65.90

9.20 259.60 22.30 73.90 30.00

Change % -0.42 0.77 -1.05 3.65 -6.15 1.08 4.24 4.67 0.77 0.18

-1.02 3.83 -1.78 3.40 1.83

Change %

-5.25 0.96 -8.00 -1.01 1.27 -0.55 1.11 -5.79 4.82 -1.05

1.10 -0.23 1.83 -0.81 1.01

ClosingY 262.20 352.60 66.60 68.50 53.70 83.40 49.50 30.00 221.00 113.80

39.40 26.10 28.10 23.50 21.90

ClosingY

53.30 83.00 40.00 39.50 31.40 54.20 352.40 32.80 49.80 66.60

9.10 260.20 21.90 74.50 29.70

DHIGH 264.00 361.70 67.10 73.00 54.30 86.10 51.90 32.40 230.00 115.50

39.80 27.40 28.80 24.80 22.60

DHIGH

54.10 85.60 37.90 39.80 32.80 55.40 361.50 32.80 52.80 67.00

9.30 263.40 22.80 77.00 30.20

DLOW 240.00 353.00 60.00 63.00 50.00 78.00 48.00 28.00 210.00 113.90

35.50 24.00 26.50 23.50 20.00

DLOW

50.10 79.50 36.60 35.60 28.30 53.40 355.30 30.20 45.00 60.00

8.50 259.00 20.00 73.00 27.00

AvgPrice 261.72 358.36 66.17 70.43 51.93 84.05 51.21 31.22 225.99 114.32

39.14 26.76 27.85 24.39 22.33

AvgPrice

51.70 83.81 37.09 39.18 32.17 54.30 358.98 31.20 51.17 65.96

9.20 260.46 22.40 75.16 29.93

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

Oil hits 5-year low, crushing risk appetite n AFP, Singapore

A general view shows the Philadelphia Energy Solutions petroleum refinery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

REUTERS

Crude struck fresh five-year lows in Asia yesterday, with analysts forecasting further falls owing to weak demand, a global supply glut and fewer production halts.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for January delivery fell 52 cents to $62.53 while Brent for January eased 69 cents to $65.50 in afternoon trade.

WTI tumbled $2.79 in New York to hit its lowest closing point since late July 2009, while Brent tanked $2.88 in London to its lowest close since September 2009.

“An extended period of lower oil prices should be positive for the global economy as a whole, including key emerging economies led by China and India,” said research house Capital Economics in a commentary.

“However, we also see scope for renewed worries about the impact on the big losers, including geopolitically important economies like Russia, and on the oil industry itself,” it added.

The London-based firm said prices were likely to face “additional downward pressure” next year due to a

Retirees’ target date funds making hedge fund style bets n Reuters, New York A fast-growing segment of US retirement plans is using hedge-fund type strategies to bet a small but increasing slice of their assets.

BlackRock Inc, the world’s largest asset manager, and Manning & Napier are among the managers that use strategies such as shorting stocks and trading derivatives in some 401(k) retirement plans, including target date funds. JP Morgan Asset Management and Voya Investment Management are considering adding similar strategies, executives told Reuters.

A hedge-fund style can be more expensive and riskier than just buying stocks and bonds, and workers may not fully realize their exposure, retirement consultants said. On the other hand, they can act as a shock absorber to events like the 2008 financial crisis.

Target-date funds, where some of these strategies are being used, have more than doubled their assets to $701bn since 2010, according to Morningstar. US legislation in 2006 allowed employers to automatically enroll employees into these funds, a default feature that has spurred asset growth.

In a target-date fund, retirement savers choose or are placed in a fund based

Dollar softens but fresh rises tipped n AFP, Tokyo The dollar edged down against the yen yesterday following a dip in New York, although analysts expect further advances for the greenback as monetary policy in Japan and the United States diverges. The dollar bought 120.18 yen in Tokyo yesterday, compared to 120.78 in US trade Monday.

The euro was at $1.2305 and 147.98 yen against $1.2308 and 148.65 yen.

The dollar eased as Tokyo and Asian shares retreated on profit-taking, somewhat raising investor aversion to risk. “There was no incentive-backed news,” a senior bank dealer told Dow Jones Newswires.

But the market’s general expectation for the yen’s continued fall remained intact.

Investor demand for the greenback has ramped up since the BoJ widened its monetary base in October to try to kickstart the economy, at the same time as the US central bank looks to tighten policy with a rate rise in response to a strong economic recovery.

Friday saw the dollar climb above 121 yen for the first time in more than seven years after the Labor Department said US jobs growth picked up more than expected in November.

But while the greenback took a breather in New York Monday, experts expect it to continue appreciating against the yen through 2015.

“The possibility has increased that we will at some stage experience a (dollar/yen) level beyond 124.14,” said Daisaku Ueno, chief FX strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley, referring to the 2007 high before the global economic crisis. The dollar is however showing signs of overheating - sitting about 15% above its 52-day moving average, a reference point used to determine a currency pair’s direction.

Toshiyuki Umekawa, senior vice president of Mizuho Bank, also said some traders might adjust their positions while there are few catalysts to drive business. l

on their expected retirement year and the portfolio adjusts its mix of assets, which traditionally were stocks and bonds, to become less risky over time.

About 41% of 401(k) plan participants invest in target-date funds, compared with 20% five years ago, according to the SPARK Institute, a Washington DC-based retirement plan lobbyist.

'These strategies have not helped in the bull market but tough times will be the litmus test' As of December 2013, 14% of target date fund managers had allocations to hedge fund strategies, up from 10.5% three years ago, according to retirement plan consultant Callan Associates.

The median target date fund allocation to hedge fund strategies rose to 5% in 2013, from 1.86% in 2011.

Many target date funds saw their performance plummet during the financial crisis because they were too heavily exposed to stocks and are turning to hedge strategies to prevent that from happening again, said Lori Lucas, defined contribution practice leader for

retirement plan for Callan.

Meanwhile, these funds’ expenses have risen. A 2050 target date fund with a 5% allocation to hedge funds carries a 60 basis point expense ratio, nine basis higher than an average target date fund, according to Callan. That would add about $450 a year in fees to a retirement account containing $500,000.

Asset managers say the true value of adding alternative strategies, which are designed to protect investors from downside risk, will not prove itself fully until equity markets stumble.

“These strategies have not helped in the bull market but tough times will be the litmus test,” said Jeff Coons, president and co-director of research at Manning & Napier, which manages about $50bn, including about $768m in target date funds.

Last summer, Rochester, New Yorkbased Manning & Napier’s target date funds began trading fixed income futures contracts to hedge against interest rate risk, as well as stock option calls and puts on stocks it holds in its portfolios to hedge against equity market volatility.

Employers with 401(k) plans and the advisers who serve them worry that these additions mean more complexity.

“How are we supposed to evaluate and monitor these investments?” said

Don Stone, director of defined contribution strategy and product development for Pavilion Advisory Group, which advises 401(k) plans. “The fact is it is hard and there has to be a certain level of trust in the managers.”

Mutual funds using hedge fund strategies have grown in popularity since the financial crisis and had $158bn in assets as of October, up from $37.6bn at yearend 2008, according to Morningstar.

When average investors assess how risky their target date funds are, however, most just look at the allocation to equity versus fixed income, said Jim Lauder, portfolio manager of Wells Fargo’s Advantage Dow Jones Target Date Funds, which are index-based.

By adding hedge-like strategies to its target date funds, firms like BlackRock expect they are reducing the risks of their portfolios.

Over the past 12 months, BlackRock has added alternative strategies to its $200 million Lifepath Active target date funds. The funds’ allocation to hedge fund strategies rises as the investor gets closer to retirement, with the current maximum percentage allocated to them “in the high teens,” said Dagmar Nikles, head of investment strategy for BlackRock’s US and Canada defined contribution group. l

Bank on ‘Super Mario’ to give Europe a monetary jolt

European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi addresses an ECB news conference REUTERS

n Reuters, Frankfurt From his office on the 41st floor of the gleaming new European Central Bank headquarters, Mario Draghi’s view stretches far beyond Frankfurt’s highrise financial center and he doesn’t like what he sees. The darkening outlook for the euro zone’s flat and nearly inflation-less economy, exacerbated by tumbling oil prices, is driving him inexorably towards radical action.

Bank on the ECB president to fight the risk of deflation with an expanded program of asset buying early next year, probably in March, despite deep misgivings in Germany’s Bundesbank and from German public opinion.

Draghi has worked for months to build support for what would be the biggest leap in the 15-year-old bank’s history - printing money to buy euro zone sovereign bonds on a large scale, so-called quantitative easing or QE. Germans are historically allergic to such a policy, which some fear could trigger 1920s-style hyperinflation, create asset price bubbles and give euro zone laggards an excuse to avoid painful economic reforms. Many believe it amounts to illegal financing of governments through the back door.

Draghi confronted such concerns head-on last week, saying that to allow inflation to remain far below the ECB’s target of almost 2% would breach its

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mandate. “Not to pursue our mandate would be illegal,” he said, turning the legal argument on his German critics.

The bank has just lowered its inflation forecast for next year to 0.7% and that did not take account of the latest fall in oil prices.

Rebutting German concerns one by one, Draghi said quantitative easing had proved effective in the United States and Britain, was clearly within the bank’s remit of ensuring price stability and did not require a unanimous decision.

However, the reluctance of the ECB’s biggest shareholder and its allies in the Netherlands, Luxembourg and the Baltics has forced him to move gradually.

The prevailing Anglo-Saxon view is that ECB action, if it comes, will be too late and probably too little. Draghi’s 2012 pledge to do “whatever it takes” to preserve the euro was a turning point that halted market turmoil during the euro debt crisis, showing the ECB to be the only federal European institution able to act.

But he would have to pledge to buy “however much for however long it takes” to satisfy those critics who believe European-style QE will be too timid and circumscribed.

“Mario Draghi’s penchant for seeking German approval has been his biggest mistake as head of the ECB,” said Christian Odendahl, chief economist at the Centre for European Reform in London. “He should end it. If he waits until the German public comes around to looser ECB policy, it might be too late.”

Draghi has taken interim steps, persuading the Governing Council on which 18 national central bank governors hold a majority, to flood banks with cheap longterm funds for lending, buy bundled business loans and covered bonds.

After Reuters reported criticism of Draghi by some council members, he secured unanimous backing on Nov 4 to expand the ECB’s balance sheet towards the level it reached at the height of the euro zone debt crisis in 2012 - up to 1tn euros higher than today. l

projected reduction in global supply outages, the possible return of Iranian exports currently disrupted by sanctions, as well as a strengthening dollar.

“Over the longer term, oil is also vulnerable to further falls in the oil-intensity of economic activity worldwide,” it said.

We also see scope for renewed worries about the impact on the big losers Prices have plunged from their 2014 peaks in June owing to slowing growth in China and emerging-market economies, a recession in Japan and a nearstall in the eurozone.

On top of that the OPEC oil cartel last month said it would maintain output levels despite ample global supplies.

A stronger greenback has also weighed, making dollar-priced oil more expensive for buyers using weaker currencies, denting demand. l

Facebook boosts search on mobile, desktop n AFP, New York

Facebook said Monday it is rolling out upgraded search capabilities for mobile and desktop users who want to find favorite posts from their friends on the huge social network. “You’ve told us the most important thing is being able to find posts you’ve seen before, and now you can,” said Facebook vice president Tom Stocky in a blog post.

“With a quick search, you can get back to a fun video from your graduation, a news article you’ve been meaning to read, or photos from your friend’s wedding last summer.”

In 2013, Facebook announced its “graph search,” which enabled users to dive into the vast amount of data, which they can already access. The social network has promised upgrades to this service.

Facebook allows users to search posts, but only those to which they would have access under privacy guidelines, such as posts from friends and public messages. “Your search results are personalized and unique to you and, as always, you can only see things that have been shared with you,” Stocky said. l

CORPORATE NEWS

Perfetti Van Melle, one of the largest confectionery manufacturers in the world, with global brands such as Alpenliebe, Mentos and Center Fruit has recently signed an agreement with Creinse Limited, the official television syndication partner of Viacom International Media Networks for globally popular educational animated series “DORA the EXPLORER” in Bangladesh. Rabeth Khan, MD of Creinse Limited and Rajesh Ramakrishnan, MD of Perfetti Van Melle Bangladesh Pvt Limited have signed an agreement in this regard

AB Bank has recently launched MasterCard’s world credit card. MasterCard’s area head for South Asia, Vikas Varma and the bank’s managing director, Shamim Ahmed Chaudhury have attended the launching ceremony

The Structural Engineers Ltd has recently celebrated its 31st in the construction and housing industry. Educationist-founder of Bisshawa Shahittaya Kendra, Abduaalh Abu Sayeed was present at the ceremony as chief guest at that time along with the company’s MD and former president of REHAB, Engineer Md Abdul Awal

Bank Asia has recently opened its agent booth at Oachkhali, Hatia in Noakhali district, in a move for financial inclusion of rural people. The chairperson of the bank’s executive committee, Rumee A Hossain, inaugurated the agent-banking booth

NRB Commercial Bank Limited has recently opened its 22nd branch at Naogoan. The bank’s chairperson, Engr Farasath Ali inaugurated the branch

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

China advisers recommend 7% growth goal in 2015 n Reuters, Beijing China’s leaders should cut next year’s economic growth target to 7%, according to influential advisers recommending the country’s leadership which was meeting yesterday to map out economic and reform plans for 2015.

China looks set to miss its growth target this year for the first time since 1999, and full-year growth is likely to be the weakest in 24 years. The government last cut its annual growth target in 2012, to 7.5% from the 8% it had kept for eight years.

Government-run think-tanks, which are influential in the decision-making process but do not wield power themselves, plan to recommend that Beijing reduce its official 2015 GDP growth target to 7% from 7.5% this year, sources said.

We suggested an inflation target of around 3%. On employment, we should aim for 10 million new jobs “President Xi (Jinping) has already hinted at the growth target when he said growth of 7% is the highest in the world,” said a senior economist at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), who declined to be named.

“I think it should be 7% if there are no more surprises. But it can’t be lower than 7%, otherwise there could be employment problems and debt default problems.”

China’s reform-minded leaders have shown greater tolerance for slower growth, but will have to tread carefully to avoid a sharper slowdown that could fuel job losses and debt default risks, analysts say. The annual Central Economic Work Conference, which state radio said meets from Tuesday, may reiterate a prudent monetary policy, but the sources believe the underlying tone could be accommodative to ward off a sharp growth slowdown.

Economists expect policymakers to embark on their biggest easing campaign since the global financial crisis, forecasting a combination of more rate cuts and reductions in bank reserve requirements to encourage lending despite mounting bad loans.

India eases export rules for cotton, yarn n Reuters, New Delhi

After months of saying major stimulus wasn’t needed, the central bank surprised markets on Nov 21 by cutting interest rates for the first time in more than two years to shore up growth and lift some of the pressure off debt-laden companies. Economists believe the move signalled policymakers’ concern over a sharper slowdown, even as Xi talks about a “new normal”, that China should adapt to slower, but more sustainable, growth after three decades of breakneck expansion.

The People’s Daily, the Communist Party’s leading paper, said in a commentary that the government’s efforts to support growth and reforms were equally important. “The new normal does not mean growth is not needed. Reforms lack basic premise if growth is not stable,” it said, adding China should keep credit steady to support growth and curb systemic risks to avoid a “disruptive mistake”.

In September, Xinhua news agency, another party mouthpiece, said those who expected interest rate cuts showed their distrust of reforms. The People’s Daily retorted by arguing that cutting rates could not be seen as the opposite to reforms.

At the meeting, top leaders could discuss ways to quicken economic reforms next year, including a fiscal overhaul to deal with the root cause of local government debt, and further financial market liberalisation, the sources said.

Several think-tanks have also suggested the government lower its target on consumer inflation to around 3 percent from this year’s 3.5%, given falling commodity prices.

“We recommended a growth target of around 7%,” said Zhu Baoliang, chief economist at the State Information Centre. “We suggested an inflation target of around 3%. On employment, we should aim for 10 million new jobs,” he said, adding he recommended a quicker pace of reform in 2015.

The government may budget a deficit of nearly 3% of GDP in 2015 from this year’s 2.1%, to allow local governments to sell bonds independently as they scale back fund-raising via local financial vehicles, sources said.

“We will close the back door, barring local governments from raising debt via special purpose vehicles, but we must open up the front door. We need to boost fiscal spending and expand the budget deficit as we need to stabilise growth,” said the CASS economist. l

The United States Federal Reserve Board building is shown behind security barriers in Washington

For Fed stress tests, US banks form a study group n Reuters, New York

Executives at the biggest US banks are sharing notes with each other before their next round of tests with federal regulators.

Banks are struggling to figure out what exactly the US Federal Reserve is looking for when it conducts its annual “stress tests,” which measure how banks will hold up during times of economic turmoil, bank executives, former Fed officials and consultants involved in the process told Reuters.

In gatherings organized by industry groups as well as more informal forums, executives say they have swapped tips about everything from how to best communicate their data – regulators evidently appreciate robust summaries - to how to project legal losses in a hypothetical downturn.

The Federal Reserve deliberately keeps quiet about how it measures lenders’ performance during downturns, to prevent banks from finding loopholes in the process that would allow them to take more risk, senior regulators have said publicly. It has given banks a little more information recently, but many

executives still gripe about the tests.

“You put something in and one year it’s okay and the next year they say ‘no,’ and you’re scratching your head,” said one bank executive.

The executive, like others that spoke to Reuters, spoke about the stress tests on the condition of anonymity. A few years ago, banks might have hesitated to share information with rivals about how they measure risk and how they communicate with the Federal Reserve. Their willingness to talk to competitors about these issues underscores just how exasperated they are with the process.

The Fed does not mind the information sharing, because the banks do not share confidential supervisory information and it is not collusion in any legal sense - it does not result in price fixing or evidently hurt customers in any other way, the executive said. A Fed spokesman declined to comment.

Regulators have multiple tools for keeping banks in check, including global capital rules known as “Basel III,” which rule-makers world-wide have been crafting for years. But Basel III is viewed by the Fed as flawed, because it

Asian foot-dragging leaves taxpayers on hook for bank bail-outs

India has eased cotton and cotton yarn export rules to boost overseas sales as slowing demand from China has hit the South Asian nation’s trade in the commodity.

With the change in rules, India has ‘dispensed with’ the registration requirement for exports of cotton and cotton yarn, the government said on Monday in two separate notifications.

Traders expect a much steeper fall due to the weak Chinese demand Prior to Monday’s notifications, traders were required to register in advance their targeted export volume for the year.

India is likely to harvest a record 40 million bales this crop year that began on Oct 1 and is set to surpass China as the world’s top producer. But a sharp drop in prices is prompting farmers to hold back supply.

Indian consumption is not enough to absorb the rising output, and China, the biggest buyer of Indian cotton, has been scaling down its overseas purchases.

The state-run Cotton Advisory Board estimates India’s exports could drop 24% to 9 million bales in the current year. But traders expect a much steeper fall due to the weak Chinese demand. l

A sheet of the front side of United States one dollar bills is seen during production at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington REUTERS

n Reuters, Hong Kong Asia’s financial regulators are dragging their feet on implementing measures to protect taxpayers from big bank failures, leaving governments on the hook for bail-outs and potentially forcing large global lenders to exit some markets.

After Lehman Brothers collapsed in 2008, G20 countries along with Hong Kong, Singapore and Switzerland, pledged to introduce new rules by the end of 2015 that would allow large financial firms to be wound down without triggering a market meltdown.

However, several Asian nations, including China, India and South Korea are making slow progress implementing these reforms, hampering efforts by

Reuters

banks to finalise plans about what they would do if they went bust, according to lawyers working on the issue.

“There is a lot of reluctance in the Asia region to adopt these resolution measures full stop, and even where countries have something in place, it remains to be seen if they will use them,” said Stephen Schwartz, senior vice president at Moody’s in Hong Kong.

Asia’s slow progress is making it tough for policymakers globally to deliver on a promise to end the “too big to fail” problem - a pledge made by the G20 in the wake of the 2008 crisis to ensure taxpayers should not pick up the bill when lenders collapse.

The region’s move to shore-up its banks after the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis and relative comfort with

state ownership are said to be among the reasons holding Asian policymakers back.

One lawyer working on the plans said there was “bemusement” in the financial industry as to why some Asian regulators hadn’t done more.

In Europe and the United States, by contrast, public anger caused by governments spending more than $1.5tn to rescue firms like American International Group Inc and Royal Bank of Scotland Ltd means regulators have acted quicker to bring in so-called bank “resolution” laws.

Central to the post-crisis reform programme is a requirement for 39 large financial firms, deemed by regulatory watchdog the Financial Stability Board to be crucial to the global financial system, to draw-up so-called ‘living wills’ detailing how they could be allowed to die while maintaining critical functions such as ATM payments.

For these plans to work, however, all countries in which these banks operate must introduce new laws that allow governments to take swift action in the event of a bank failure, such as selling assets or writing down debt.

This means large banks like HSBC, Citigroup and Standard Chartered are reliant on Asian governments to overhaul their insolvency regimes, before they can finalise their living wills.

Hong Kong, where 38 large global financial firms have a presence, is the most advanced in this complex process.

Still, it only expects to table legislation introducing resolution powers by the end of next year, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority said in a statement. l

gives so much leeway to banks to measure how risky certain assets are.

The Federal Reserve has more control over the stress test process, which is part of its annual Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review. Many analysts believe the Fed will not hesitate to use stress tests to pressure banks to make their balance sheets safer.

“The Fed will likely use the CCAR process as a way to help drive capital requirements even higher for the largest US banks,” said Steven Chubak, a bank analyst at Nomura.

As part of the CCAR process, the Fed lists a series of bad scenarios for the financial sector - for example, US economic activity shrinking by 4.25% over nine future quarters and unemployment spiking to 11.25%, and banks estimate how much their assets will deteriorate in those scenarios.

They submit reports that run into the thousands of pages to regulators who then make their own estimates for how banks would perform using Federal Reserve models. If the Fed does not like what it sees, the bank cannot increase dividends to shareholders or buy back more stock.

A wide gap

What irks banks is that their stress test results and the Fed’s are often far apart, and regulators give little information about how or why they disagree.

For instance, in 2014 Zions Bancorporation, a Salt Lake City, Utah-based bank with $55bn of assets, said its assessment showed it passed the stress tests: in a hypothetical downturn, it would have capital equal to about 5.9% of its assets, above the Fed’s 5% threshold. But the Fed ruled Zions’s capital ratio would fall to 3.6% in its scenario and issued a failing grade.

Executives also complain that strong capital levels are often not enough: wellcapitalized banks can still be prohibited from paying out more dividends for “qualitative” reasons, such as a flaw in its capital planning process. Banks including Citigroup Inc, BB&T Corp and Ally Financial Inc have failed the qualitative portion of the stress tests in recent years.

To combat the opacity, banks have met in forums hosted by the Clearing House, a trade group for big US commercial and retail banks, the American Bankers’ Association, and at other informal venues. l

WTO reverses much of ruling in Indian challenge to US steel duties n Reuters, Geneva An appeals board of the World Trade Organisation reversed much of an earlier ruling against the United States on Monday, but it said US duties on Indian steel broke WTO rules and asked the United States to bring them into line with its regulation.

In one of the most complicated appeals decisions ever handled by the 19-year-old trade watchdog, the WTO’s Appellate Body reversed much of a ruling by a three-person panel in July, which said the US duties had wrongly penalised India for subsidising steel exports by Tata Steel.

The case involved US duties imposed because a portion of the iron ore used to produce Indian steel pipe came from India’s top iron ore miner NMDC, a state-run company that supplies steelmakers such as Tata and Essar.

A spokesman for the US Trade Representative’s office said the vast majority of over 80 challenges in India’s appeal had been rejected but the overall appeal ruling was “mixed”.

“The findings help preserve the ability of the United States to address unfair subsidization by foreign governments”

DILBERT

by using anti-subsidy tariffs to level the playing field for US manufacturers and workers, the spokesman said.

An unnamed Indian official told Reuters when the case was launched in 2012 that the United States argued NMDC was selling the iron ore “for a song” and therefore implicitly subsidising a private-sector enterprise.

But the appeal ruling said the US Department of Commerce had erred by saying NMDC was a “public body” under WTO rules. It also said U.S. law was wrong in the way that it allowed the US International Trade Commission to assess the impact of dumped and subsidised imports.

Thomas J. Gibson, president and chief executive of the American Iron and Steel Institute, said in a statement that the WTO ruling had significantly weakened the effectiveness of U.S. trade law and would have ramifications beyond the Indian case.

“The WTO Appellate Body has once again created an obligation not agreed to by our trade negotiators, and this ruling will make it very difficult for domestic industries to obtain an effective remedy when facing both dumped and subsidized imports at the same time,” Gibson said. l