06 April, 2015

SECOND EDITION

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

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Chaitra 23, 1421, Jamadius Sani 16, 1436

MINTOO PETITIONS AGAINST EC DECISION

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 2, No 361

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NOR’WESTER ACROSS HONEY GATHERING COUNTRY KILLS 24 PAGE 5 LOSES SWEETNESS PAGE 32

Even prosecutors spoke for Khaleda’s bail

After all the drama over BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s arrest warrant and speculations over her fate if she surrendered, the prosecution ended up backing her plea for bail.

Prosecutor Mosharraf Hossain Kajol agreed with the defence counsels, saying: “Yes, considering her age, status and prestige, Khaleda Zia may get bail.”

The judge, Abu Ahmed Jamadar, offered his condolences for the loss of her younger son Arafat Rahman Koko as Khaleda sat in a cushioned chair – brought into the court along with a side tea-table for her.

Judge Jamadar told her why he was com-

pelled to issue the arrest warrant cancelling her bail. “No one [neither Khaleda nor her lawyer] appeared on her behalf before the court.”

He said: “There was no intention of cancelling the bail and sending her to jail.”

Leader of the main political opposition, Khaleda Zia went back home after yesterday’s hearing instead of to her office where she had been staying for over three months, initially because she was not allowed to come out and then later by choice.

The next hearing was fixed for May 5 upon recommendation by the defence, who pointed out that the city corporation elections of April 28 were important and a date after that would be agreeable. Judge Jamadar exempt-

So, what has the BNP achieved? n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

ed Khaleda from appearing person. She may send a lawyer on her behalf.

Khaleda Zia arrived at the special court at Bakshibazar shortly after 10:30am yesterday amid heavy security. But other than about 2025 party leaders, there was no swarm of party sympathisers like the previous occasions.

The court and adjacent areas swarmed with police, border guards, Rapid Action Battalion and plainclothesmen.

A women’s front of the party attempted to bring out a procession from near the Dhaka Medical College near the court, but were blocked by the police. They then began to pray for Khaleda’s bail and later resorted to taking up position by the roadside.

With city polls in Dhaka and Chittagong less than a month away, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s court appearance yesterday is perceived as a relaxation of her strict stance over the last three months.

As the BNP gradually backtracks from its initially violent anti-government campaign demanding fresh national elections, a sense of relief is also beginning to set upon the people who are gradually getting back to their usual lives.

However, the obvious question that surfaces at this point is what the BNP-led alliance has achieved through the violent movement that claimed more than a hundred lives.

Yesterday was also the first time that Khaleda came out of her office in the last three months. In fact, she took to staying at her Gulshan political office as a means of protest against the government’s actions while the members of her alliance kept the heat up on the streets and on the highways.

Initially, though, the government was intent on confining Khaleda to her office, it later tried to force her out jamming telephone frequency and cutting off power. But Khaleda remained adamant and refused to leave.

She had earlier said she was not going to come out and go home unless the government allowed her party and alliance to hold democratic political programmes.

The former prime minister yesterday made a rare court appearance to seek bail in two corruption cases in which there were warrants for her arrest. She secured bail literally unopposed and went straight back to her Gulshan residence Feroza.

In the 92 days that have elapsed in the meantime, more than 17,000 people – mainly from the alliance of political opposition that she leads – have been arrested in security crackdown. Joint Secretary General Salahuddin Ahmed – BNP’s crisis-moment communicator – mysteriously disappeared and has remained missing for almost a month now.

Because of the prevailing tension, the

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

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BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia secures bail in two corruption cases after surrendering to a court in Bakshibazar, Dhaka yesterday

Al-Masum Molla n Mohammad and Sanaul Islam Tipu

www.dhakatribune.com | 32 pages | Price: Tk10

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

DT

2 NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

Petition seeking stay on city polls scrapped n Ashif Islam Shaon

The High Court yesterday rejected a writ petition to clear the way for holding the April 28 city polls in Dhaka.

The bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman rejected the writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Eunus Ali Akond seeking a stay on the elections.

Eunus challenged the legality of local government (city corporations) rules of 2010 and 2011 that split the erstwhile Dhaka City Corporation.

The petition said the government had violated the Local Government (city corporation) Act 2009 by dividing the Dhaka City Corporation.

It also said that as per the City Corporation (Amendment) Rule 2011, mayoral candidates are supposed to pay Tk1 lakh to the EC as security deposit. All citizens cannot afford that

The petition sought rule as to why city corporation rule of 2010 and 2011 and the returning office notices should not be declared illegal amount but Bangladesh is a democratic country by constitution and every citizen therefore has the right to contest polls.

“It means that the candidates must have

HC stays Rizvi’s remand for a month n Tribune Report

at least Tk1 lakh [for contesting polls]. This is not fair,” Akond said in the petition.

Moreover, returning officers of the two city corporations have asked the candidates to buy compact disks (CDs) containing the voter lists at Tk18,000 and Tk27,500. Akond said that is also illegal.

In the petition, the Supreme Court lawyer prayed to the court to issue a rule upon the government and the EC asking them why the city corporation rule of 2010 and 2011 and the returning office notices should not be declared illegal.

The respondents to this petition were the law secretary, secretary to the parliament, chief election commissioner and returning officers of the two city corporations. l

The High Court yesterday stayed BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi’s threeday remand in a vandalism case for a month.

In response to a writ petition, the court also issued a ruling on the government, asking it to explain within two weeks why Rizvi’s remand order should not be declared illegal.

The bench of Justice Md Nuruzzaman and Justice Zafar Ahmed gave the stay order.

The vandalism case was filed with Sher-eBangla Nagar police Station and the remand order was issued on March 31, Rizvi’s counsel Sagir Hossain Leon said.

“Although police have not yet taken him on remand for questioning in the case, they now cannot do so as the court has stayed the remand,” he added. l

at Nayapaltan that had remained sealed and heavily guarded by the police since the party’s programmes began.

BNP Standing Committee member Mahbubur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune last night: “The BNP must be allowed to observe all sorts of political programmes. Detained leaders should be released. Mayor and councillor candidates should get equal opportunity to conduct campaigns. The BNP will also backtrack from its movement.”

The alliance has already lifted the strike in Dhaka and Chittagong; the hartal in other parts of the country might also be withdrawn soon. Insiders said Khaleda might even take part in campaigns in favour of the BNPbacked mayor candidates after April 15.

Several leaders of the ruling Awami League have also appreciated Khaleda’s move.

Last night, ruling party policymaker Nuhul-Alam Lenin told the Dhaka Tribune: “Democracy cannot go on with one party. Instead

of resorting to violent means, she [Khaleda] should tread the path of constructive criticism. Judging by how things are proceeding, it appears that she has understood her role.”

Awami League Organising Secretary Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said: “We congratulate her because good sense seems to have prevailed. She should understand that no movement can be successful if the people are not with it. Violence has never fetched anything.”

Political scientist Dr Ataur Rahman sees this as a win-win situation for both the major parties.

“It may mark a turning point, ushering in politics of accommodation. What remains to be seen is whether this stability sustains until the next national elections. The government should be careful and the BNP should engage in constructive criticism.”

He also said political parties should start focusing on the country instead of being bent on dethroning incumbents. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

So, what has the BNP achieved?

Secondary School Certificate and equivalent examinations – one of the biggest public exams in Bangladesh – had to be rescheduled numerous times. Scores died at burn units of public hospitals and hundreds went home maimed.

But in recent days, tensions have eased.

Mass arrests have blunted the strength of the ongoing transport blockade. The BNP, for its part, has turned to active politics, deciding to take part in the April 28 city elections of Dhaka and Chittagong.

Seeking anonymity for obvious reasons, a senior leader of the party told the Dhaka Tribune: “The leaders and activists are frustrated as nothing has been achieved.

“Some are saying that two major movements within a year have pushed the party’s back against the wall. Since there was no groundwork, results remained illusive.”

After a year of relative peace in 2014, things took a turn for the worse on January 5 when

Khaleda was barred from coming out of her Gulshan office to attend a party rally on the oneyear anniversary of the national elections that the BNP dubbed “the death of democracy day.”

The BNP had boycotted that election, eventually finding itself thrown out of parliament, and the Awami League swept the polls virtually unopposed to return to government with a thumping majority.

Outraged, the BNP chief called a nationwide indefinite transport blockade, asking the government to step down and call early election under a non-partisan caretaker administration.

The senior BNP leader, who sought anonymity, also said: “This movement has shown us where the problem is. Everyone has understood what the weaknesses are. If one starts treatment for a disease without proper diagnosis, the disease will remain untreated.”

On Saturday, BNP officials broke padlocks and opened the party’s main headquarters

Even prosecutors spoke for Khaleda’s bail The proceedings began with BNP leader Mahbubuddin Khokon, also a defence counsel, saying: “If her security is ensured, she will certainly appear before the court.” He referred to an attack on his party chief on December 24 when Khaleda as a cause for concern.

Defence lawyer AJ Mohammad Ali, also a former attorney general, then submitted a bail prayer.

When the judge pointed out some errors, the counsel said it was an act of the “computer devil,” which the judge evidently overlooked.

He then asked whether any other defence lawyers had anything to say. Moudud Ahmed took the opportunity. “Khaleda Zia has always wanted to come to the court, but we advised her not to because of security reasons.”

Prosecutor Kajol agreed to this statement as well. “We understand this. We hope that [Khaleda] will continue to appear in the future.”

The judge began with his condolences and said: “I can empathise with a bereaved mother.”

The special judge was in the middle of explaining that he wished nothing more than

the case to continue when both prosecutors and defence lawyers complained that a journalist had taken photos inside the court room.

They pleaded for a directive from the judge.

In response, the judge said if the photo were published in any media outlet, then the person responsible would have to face legal action. “I do not want to be tough. If anyone does so, then I will impose restriction on journalists’ entry.”

Judge Jamadar had first fixed April 26 for the next hearing but defence lawyer Khokon sought more time mentioning that the city corporation polls were scheduled for April 28 and the Bar Council election on May 20.

The judge agreed that the city polls of Dhaka and Chittagong were indeed important and set May 5 for both the cases.

Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar also granted bail to two other accused – former BNP lawmaker Kazi Salimul Haque and businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed – in Zia Charitable Trust and Zia Orphanage Trust cases. Both appeared before the court yesterday

The orphanage case has progressed to deposition and ACC Deputy Director Harun-or-Rashid, investigating both the cases, has been deposed.

The defence pleaded that he be recalled for cross examination. Khaleda’s lawyers followed it up with another petition saying they needed certified transcripts of the deposition once the court recalled the anti-corruption officer.

That was the only time that the prosecution appeared to differ with the defence. They argued against giving the defence the case documents.

After hearing both sides, the court directed the prosecution to provide the defence with necessary documents and adjourned the trial until May 5.

Khaleda has been irregular in attending the proceedings. She was absent on 56 out of 64 dates.

The court on February 25 issued arrest warrants against Khaleda for repeated absence – she was not represented by a lawyer either.

On March 4, the court set yesterday for

trial rejecting a defence plea to withdraw the arrest warrant against the BNP chief, prime accused in both the cases.

Khaleda, her elder son and BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman and seven others were indicted in the two cases on March 19 last year.

Six people including Khaleda and Tarique were indicted in the Zia Orphanage Trust case for embezzling over Tk2.1 crore by through an allegedly fake trust in 1991. In the other case involving Zia Charitable Trust, four people including the BNP chief were accused of raising funds abusing power of Khaleda’s prime ministerial office during 2001-06.

The Anti-Corruption Commission filed the orphanage trust case on July 3, 2008 and the charitable trust case on August 8, 2011.

The three-time former prime minister has been staying at her Gulshan office since January 3. Since then, senior party leaders have been saying she would not leave until the ongoing anti-government campaign demanding fresh polls gets a rational achievement. l

DT

NEWS 3

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

Mintoo petitions against disqualification n Ashif Islam Shaon and Adil Sakhawat

BNP-backed mayoral candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation Abdul Awal Mintoo filed a writ petition with the High Court yesterday challenging the cancellation of his nomination.

Mintoo in his petition prayed to the High Court to issue a ruling upon the Election Commission and the government to explain why the cancellation of his nomination should not be declared illegal.

The HC may hold the hearing on the petition today, Mintoo’s counsel AKM Ahsanur Rahman told reporters after submitting the petition yesterday afternoon.

The HC bench of Justice Sarah Mahbub and Kazi Md Ejarul Haque may hear the petition.

Mintoo’s candidacy was cancelled on April

1, the first day of scrutiny. His appeal against that decision was rejected on Saturday.

DNCC Returning Officer Shah Alam said: “Mintoo’s nomination has been cancelled as the person who nominated him and the one who seconded his nomination are not the voters of the area from where the BNP leader is contesting.”

The certified copy of Mintoo’s nomination cancellation reads Abdur Razzaque, who supported Mintoo’s nomination, was a voter of Uttara 13 under Harirampur union, which is outside the DNCC area.

Mintoo’s lawyer Mahbub Uddin Khokon told the Dhaka Tribune that Razzaque’s name was not included in the voter list under the area of Dhaka North City Corporation.

This cannot be the reason for the cancellation of the nomination for an aspiring mayor-

al candidate, he said.

“We have already filed a writ against the decision of cancellation of the nomination of Mintoo. Tomorrow [today] the hearing will be held.”

According to the City Corporation Election Rules, the returning officer may disqualify a mayoral aspirant for a number of reasons.

Section 14 of the rules, that deals with the issue, spells out the reasons.

A candidature may be cancelled if the returning officer deems that person ineligible, or if the aspirant has not duly submitted the affidavit or if there has been a violation in the process of nominating the candidate.

Two of those points explicitly deal with the eligibility of the proposer and the seconder.

The rules say that the returning officer

Sayeed Khokon cites Muslim rights n Abu Hayat Mahmud and Adil Sakhawat

Mayor aspirant Sayeed Khokon yesterday claimed that he had not violated the electoral code of conduct by meeting with his party men following Friday’s Jum’a prayers, as it was his right as a Muslim to offer prayers at the mosque.

Replying to a show-cause notice by the returning officer for Dhaka South City Corporation, the Awami League-backed aspirant said: “We are Muslims, so we can go to mosque to offer prayers. Following the prayers, anybody can speak with another person. There is no offence or violation of electoral code here.”

“I have been able to convince the returning officer about this matter properly, while my lawyer was with me,” Khokon told journalists after coming out of the office of Mihir Sarowar Morshed, the returning officer who had served him the notice on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Jatiya Party-backed Saifuddin Milon also replied to a separate show-cause notice issued against him by Morshed, which had sought an explanation on why Milon had put up posters before the permitted campaign period.

According to the code of conduct, candidates may start seeking votes only after April 7, while they may formally start canvassing

Awami League-backed mayoral candidate Sayeed Khokon meets Dhaka South City Corporation polls Returning Officer Mihir Sarowar Murshed yesterday along with his the leaders from the ruling party and supporters MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU after the allocation of symbols on April 10.

The poll is slated to take place on April 28.

The returning officer said he was satisfied with Khokon’s reply, but he warned Milon to remove all the posters of him within 24 hours.

“Tomorrow [today] a team from the Election Commission will go to the field to inspect if there is any poster of Saifuddin remaining on the walls in areas under the Dhaka South, which is clearly a violation of the electoral code. If our team finds those, we

will take action against him,” Morshed said.

Talking to reporters, Milon said: “I have already removed all the visible posters of mine from the city. But if there is any poster remaining, I will remove them as well.”

Accusing aspirants from the ruling party of having already started their campaigns, Milon urged the EC to look into this issue. “Ruling party’s aspirants are also threatening many others councillor aspirants to quit from the city poll race,” he added. l

may cancel a candidature if the proposer and seconder are not eligible (Section 14.3.b) or, if their signatures are not deemed valid (Section 14.3.d).

The rules state that any voter may propose and another voter may second the proposal for the candidacy.

On April 2, Mintoo filed an appeal with the Dhaka divisional commissioner, challenging the decision. But Commissioner Zillar Rahman rejected the appeal on Saturday.

The certified copy of another BNP-backed mayoral candidate’s nomination paper cancellation said Nasir Uddin Ahmed Pintu would not be able to contest in the city polls as he had been sentenced to life-time imprisonment in the BDR carnage case.

Pintu is yet to file a writ petition against his nomination cancellation. l

21 aspirants get back candidacies n Tribune Report A total of 17 councillor aspirants for Dhaka city polls and four for Chittagong got back their candidatures yesterday. 47 councillor hopefuls in Dhaka have so far appealed.

The divisional commissioner also rejected the appeal of Babul Sarder Chakari, a mayoral candidate for the Dhaka south.

Those who regained candidatures in the port city are reserved female candidate Begum Atiya Akhter Usha, and general councillor hopefuls Mohammad Azam, Siddique Ahmad Chowdhury and Rafiul Haider Chowdhury.

On day one, appeal hearings of 15 candidates were held with Chittagong Divisional Commissioner Mohammad Abdullah. Decisions on the rest were unchanged.

Meanwhile, 38 aspirants including a mayor hopeful have so far appealed there.

A total of 288 aspirants including 13 mayor candidates submitted their nomination papers between March 19 and 29 while the returning officer and his team after scrutiny cancelled the candidacies of 42 aspirants.

The deadline for the withdrawal was April 9; election symbol will be distributed on April 10.

The CCC has a total of 41 wards including that of 14 reserved for female councillors. l

CCC mayor hopefuls Nasir, Solaiman cautioned n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong The returning officer for the upcoming Chittagong city polls yesterday cautioned mayoral candidates AJM Nasir Uddin and Solaiman Alam Seth and five councillor aspirants for violating election code of conduct.

A few days ago, Nasir attended a programme titled Amra Sandwipbasee (we the residents of Sandwip) at the Matribhumi Community Centre in the port city.

According to CCC polls Returning Officer Md Abdul Baten, Awami League-backed candidate Nasir gave an election speech in that programme which was a violation of the code of conduct.

The returning officer also said that they

had found in investigation that Jatiya Partybacked Solaiman Alam Seth breached the code of conduct by setting up campaign offices and sticking posters.

On March 30, mayor hopefuls Nasir, Solaiman and BNP-backed M Manjur Alam and 17 councillor aspirants were show-caused for violating the code.

Apart from Manjur, all the other 19 respondents have filed written replies to the notices with the returning officer, explaining their conducts.

Baten said they are now conducting further investigation after analysing the replies.

According to the electoral code of conduct, city polls hopefuls can start campaigning only after the deadline for withdrawing nomination papers expires on April 9.

CMP Commissioner

The CCC election office is also closely monitoring the activities of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Abdul Jalil Mandal.

Towards the end of last month, the CMP boss told a gathering that the people of the port city should not elect anybody as their mayor for whom police will have to take to the streets again.

Since taking over as the boss of the port city’s police at the end of last year, Jalil has gained popularity by conducting activities outside his policing jobs. Using his force, he had cleaned up city streets, drains, cleared footpaths and water bodies of encroachment, and so on.

Soon after Jalil delivered the speech, Manjur Alam – the incumbent mayor who recently

resigned to take part in the upcoming polls – lodged a complaint with the EC. Baten told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that they found in investigation that the CMP boss’s speech was neither intentional nor motivated.

“However, we are keeping him under close watch. If he fails to maintain his neutrality, we will request the Election Commission to replace him,” the returning officer said.

Contacted last evening, Jalil told the Dhaka Tribune: “Some media interpreted my speech incorrectly. I did not say that to demean anyone. Nor was it in favour or against anyone.”

When told that the returning office might request the EC to replace him if he makes similar remarks in future, Jail did not make any comments. l

DT

4 NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

DU signs MoU with PMO

n DU Correspondent Dhaka University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Access to Information (a2i) Programme of the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday.

DU Treasurer Prof Dr Kamal Uddin and Kabir Bin Anwar, director general (administration) of the PMO and a2i project director, inked the deal on behalf of their respective offices at the Karobi Hall of the PMO. DU Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, a2i project Policy Adviser Anir Chowdhury and UNDP Assistant Country Director KAM Morshed, were present on the occasion.

Under the MoU, the university and a2i Programme will jointly undertake and implement various research, training and evaluation programmes to find appropriate solutions and determine strategies for ensuring government services and deliver them to the people in the most effective and easiest way. l

Two new aircrafts of Biman Bangladesh Airlines - Meghdut and Mayurakkhi - were unveiled yesterday by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the VIP terminal of Dhaka airport, as part of relaunching the flag carrier’s domestic routes BSS

Awami League: Khaleda must face trial for killing people n Abu Hayat Mahmud Awami League leaders yesterday said that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia must face trial for masterminding attacks on people and killing them in the name of agitations since January 6.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said the BNP chief’s achievement in the name of movement was nothing except arson attacks and deaths of people.

“Although Khaleda has realised her mistake, she will still face legal steps and will have to explain the damage done to people,” he told reporters at Secretariat.

His comments followed Khaleda’s return to her Gulshan residence after obtaining bail in two corruption cases.

Criticising Khaleda, Shipping Min-

ister Shajahan Khan said she returned home for fear of public wrath.

“She [Khaleda] came out of her office and broke the strike by going to court by car. She will have no further chance to perpetrate violence in Bangladesh,” he said at a rally of Sramik-Karmachari-Peshajibi-Muktijoddha Samannay Parishad at Manik Miah Avenue in the capital.

“Khaleda must face trial for killing people, including drivers, helpers and other workers,” added the minister.

Meanwhile, Food Minister Quamrul Islam said BNP wants to fish in troubled waters centring the city corporation polls by asking for level playing field.

“It is good enough that BNP has decided to contest the city polls but they want to make the election questiona-

Infant girl found carrying foetus n Kamrul Hasan A seven-month-old infant is set to go under the knife at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital after she was found to be carrying a foetus.

The patient, Sajia jannat, is the daughter of Shafiqul Islam and Anju Khatun from Jamalpur.

The father, a cycle mechanic in Gazipur Natunbazar, said they first noticed that his daughter’s stomach was much larger than natural when Sajia was four months old.

When they contacted doctors in Jamalpur, they were told that Sajia had a tumour in her stomach.

The parents then took the child to Mymensingh, where doctors found a foetus developing inside her, and referred the case to the Dhaka Medical College immediately.

The surgery is scheduled on March 8, the parents informed.

However, the duty doctor, asking not to be named, said the date will be finalised after a board meeting on Tuesday. l

ble after talking about the level playing field,” he said while addressing a discussion organised by Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote at Shilpakala Academy.

AL Advisory Committee meeting on April 10

A meeting of Awami League’s Advisory Committee is scheduled to be held at Gonobhaban at 7pm on April 10.

The meeting will be presided by party president Sheikh Hasina and the Advisory Committee members will be present there, said a press release sent from Hasina’s Dhanmondi office yesterday.

Party sources said the meeting will discuss city polls and the steps to be taken for resisting BNP-Jamaat’s violence in the name of movement. l

Khaleda’s graft case documents sent to chief justice n Tribune Report The High Court yesterday sent documents of the Niko, Gatco and Barapukuria coal mine graft cases – filed against the BNP chief and others – to the chief justice for the next order on the trial procedures of the cases.

The bench of Justice Md Moinul Islam Chowdhury and Justice JBM Hassan sent the documents as the counsel of Khaleda Zia was not punctual to arrive before the bench while BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia herself on March 11 had expressed no confidence in the bench, which was set to deliver verdict yesterday on her two petitions challenging the proceedings in Barapukuria coal mine graft case.

The High Court bench requested the chief justice to assign another bench to dispose the cases.

Before the court read its verdict,

Khaleda’s counsel Bodruddoza Badal verbally requested the court not to pronounce the verdict prior to the disposal of Khaleda’s no confidence petition that was pending with the chief justice.

Then the court said it was sending all the documents involving Khaleda’s petitions – to the chief justice.

The other two petitions were involving Niko and Gatco graft cases.

Following Khaleda’s petition in 2008, the High Court stayed the proceedings of Barapukuria, Niko and Gatco graft cases and asked the government why the case proceedings would not be quashed.

On March 5 this year, Khaleda’s petition came up for hearing before the High Court bench and the court after hearing the Anti-Corruption Commission lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan set March 15 for delivering the verdict. The date for the verdict was later moved to April 5. l

Man slaughtered in the capital n Tribune Report Unidentified miscreants slaughtered a man inside his apartment at Alamganj in the capital’s Gendaria area yesterday afternoon.

The deceased was Sunny Sarkar, 45. His sister Yasmin Akhter said Sunny was hacked and slaughtered at about 2:30pm. His wife and the children were at her parents’ house at that time.

Jummon, the domestic help of the house had been untraceable since the incident, said family members.

Yasmin said Sunny had Jummon bring in some cigarettes a little before the incident, adding that they found Sunny’s body on the stairs. Jummon, who had been working at the house for the last 10 years fled through the roof, Yasmin claimed.

Gendaria police station OC Syed Shahid Alam said motives behind the killing could not be known immediately and they were trying to arrest Jummon. l

DT

NEWS 5

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

Nor’wester across country kills 24, causes losses n Tribune Report At least 24 people were killed and hundreds of others injured while houses, cropland and institutions damaged during Saturday’s nor’wester across the country.

An unidentified 60-year-old man, hit by a drum that had fallen from a building during the storm at Khejurbagh of south Keraniganj, succumbed to his injuries yesterday at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

In Natore, two people were killed in the storm and 90 electric poles damaged along with houses, shops and educational institutions, reports our correspondent.

Of the dead, farmer Khokon Miah, 37, of Pipla village in Gurudaspur, was struck by lightning on his way home from field. Rabeya Begum, 55, of Ramananda-Khazura village in Singra died as a tree fell on her, UNO Nayiruzzaman Khan said.

Alhaj Uddin, deputy director of Agriculture Extension Department, said standing crops were damaged and many seasonal fruit trees such as mango, litchi and jackfruit uprooted in different areas.

Our correspondent in Rajshahi said four people including an elderly woman died during the storm in different areas of the district.

Paba Upazila Nirbahi Officer Kaisarul Islam visited the house of deceased Hakim in Bargachhi village and provided Tk20,000 to his

A Pal woman in Bogra’s Subgram village gathers together her belongings from the wreckage of her house which was blown down by the nor’wester on Saturday DHAKA TRIBUNE family. He said all affected people would be given financial aid through public representatives concerned.

Houses, small shops, crops and trees were heavily damaged in different areas of Rajshahi city and its suburbs, but the extent of damage could not be estimated immediately.

Rajshahi Met Office said it had recorded 14mm of rainfall until 7:45pm yesterday.

A source at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital said some 20 people hurt in the storm were admitted there. The Power Development Board restored electricity supply in Rajshahi city, which had been snapped during the storm,

Injured BRTA official dismisses investment as motive for attack n Kamrul Hasan BRTA Deputy Director Sitangshu Shekhar Biswas disagrees with the theory given by police that share market investments were behind the attack on his family at their flat in Mohammadpur on March 30, his family said.

Sitangshu’s younger sister Kanika Biswas said: “Dada [Sitangshu] said he has Tk8 lakh invested in the share market. He said this money cannot be the reason for the attack.”

But Sitangshu could not offer an alternative motive for the attack.

The Detective Branch (DB) of police on Saturday opened an investigation into the murder of Sitangshu’s wife, college teacher Krishna Kaberi Biswas, who was killed in the attack.

DB officials said the motive for the attack would be clear after the arrest of only accused KM Jahirul Islam Palash, manager of Gulshan branch of Haji Ahmad Brothers Securities.

DB Additional Deputy Commissioner (media) SM Jahangir Alam Sarker said detectives were working hard to make an arrest, adding that Jahirul’s whereabouts were being traced.

On the night of March 30, the perpetrator

visited Sitangshu’s flat to offer him belated birthday wishes. He then drugged Sitangshu and struck him on the head with a hammer.

As Kaberi, 36, attempted to come to her husband’s aid, the killer hacked her with a kitchen sickle and then set her on fire. She died the following day. Their two daughters were also injured in the attack.

Sitangshu, undergoing treatment at Metropolitan Medical Centre in the capital, was told about the death of his wife Kaberi on Friday night. She was cremated on Saturday in Sitangshu’s home village of Baliakandi, Rajbari. l

Kamaruzzaman’s review petition verdict today n Ashif Islam Shaon The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict today on the review petition filed by convicted war criminal Muhammad Kamaruzzaman against its verdict that upheld his death penalty.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice SK Sinha fixed the date yesterday after hearing arguments on the review petition, filed on March 5.

Chief defence counsel Khandker Mahbub Hossain, also an adviser to the BNP chief, prayed to the court to commute his punishment. On the other hand, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam urged the court to uphold the death penalty.

If his review petition is rejected, Jamaat-e-Islami Senior Assistant Secretary General Kamaruzzaman can file a mercy petition with President Md Abdul Hamid admitting the crimes. He is the second war crimes

convict to file a review petition with the top court. Another Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Molla was executed on December 12, 2013.

The International Crimes Tribunal 2 sentenced the al-Badr leader to death on May 9, 2013 for committing crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War. He was awarded the sentence for killing 144 villagers at Sohagpur village in Sherpur, now known as “Bidhoba Palli,” or the village of widows.

The Appellate Division upheld the death penalty on November 3 last year and Kamaruzzaman filed the review petition on March 5. The tribunal issued a death warrant for him after the Appellate Division published the full verdict.

Mahbub said though the apex court had awarded death sentence for Sohagpur killing upon accounts of three witnesses, “none of them were eye witnesses” and that their accounts had contradictions.

Mentioning a book named “Mohila Muktijoddha,” he said witness Korfuli Bewa in her interview had not mentioned about Kamaruzzaman’s presence at the village during the killing.

He also stated that the Appellate Division had commuted the death penalty to life-term on the charge of abduction and killing of Golam Mostafa.

The counsel said apart from the Nuremberg and Tokyo war trials, there was no example of death penalty in rest of the five other trails.

Earlier, the hearing was deferred twice as Mahbub filed time petitions. He was a prosecutor of the trial of collaborators of the Pakistani Army in 1972.

After the court proceedings, the attorney general dismissed the defence arguments by saying that Kamaruzzaman’s involvement in the crimes had been established by the tribunal and the Appellate Division. “If we show mercy to a proven war criminal, we will be liable to the history.” l

around 3:30am. Shawkat Hassan, assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defence, said two teams were engaged to remove the fallen trees.

In Bogra, nine people were found dead yesterday after a fierce nor’wester hit the district, raising the death toll to 14.

Power supply in the district has remained snapped since the night as the storm damaged many electric poles apart from uprooting a large number of trees.

Deputy Commissioner Shafiqur Reza said most of them died in wall collapse, boat capsize and falling of tree branches.

Five people, including a child and two women, were also killed as storm swept Meherpur. Power supply was also hampered and PDB sources said it might be restored today, our correspondent said.

At least 2,500 houses, many trees, educational institutions were damaged in Dirai and Salla upazilas of Sunamganj.

In Kushtia, a quack named Ataul Islam of Sindah village under Kumarkhali,was killed as lightning struck him around 9:30 pm. Boro paddy and many dwelling houses were damaged while several hundred trees uprooted in the affected areas.

Our Naogaon correspondent reported that a woman was killed and 10,000 houses damaged during the storm.

Thunderstorms also damaged crops and properties in Habiganj, Kurigram and a few other districts. l

2 policemen face arrest warrant for custodial death n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A Dhaka court yesterday issued arrest warrants against four men, including two police men, on charges of torturing a Bihari man to death in custody last year.

Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Kamrul Hossain Mollah issued the warrants as the four – Assistant Sub-Inspector Kamruzzaman, ASI Rashedul, and police informants Rasel and Sumon – did not appear before it.

The other accused is then sub-inspector Zahidur Rahman Khan of Pallabi police, also main accused in trader Sujan murder case.

The court set May 4 for submission of reports on execution of the warrants.

On August 7 last year, the court ordered judicial inquiry into the death of Istiaq Ahmed Jony after Jony’s brother Imtiaz Hossain Rocky filed a murder case against eight people under the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act 2013.

Metropolitan Magistrate Maruf Hossain submitted the report before the court against the five accused on February 17 this year.

According to the case, informant Sumon and Jony got into an altercation over harassing girls at a wedding party at Irani camp in Mirpur in the late hours of February 9 last year. As Jony slapped Sumon, he threatened him with dire consequences. Half an hour later, some 25-26 policemen, including SI Zahid, arrived at the party and vandalised the stage.

They picked up Jony, Rocky and several others and took them to police station where they were tortured. Jony died at National Heart Foundation hospital. Police then claimed that Jony had been killed in a clash between residents of Irani camp and Rahmat camp in Pallabi. l

DT

6 NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

Security tightened as police gear up for Pahela Baishakh n

Tribune Report

The police force has begun its preparations for Pahela Baishakh celebrations.

With a little over a week left before the occasion, decision makers from Bangladesh Police and intelligence agencies held a meeting yesterday morning at the police headquarters to initiate the procedures. The inspector general of police chaired the meeting.

To ensure security for citizens, law enforcers will beef up the current deployments in public places, Baishakhi fairs, movie theatres, sports

and cultural events across the country, said a police press-note released after the meeting.

The morning procession brought by Institute of Fine Arts students, better known as Mangal Shobhajatra, and other major public events in Dhaka will receive due protection, depending on intelligence reports from various security agencies.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police and other units will take measures to control traffic and parking of vehicles in Dhaka.

RAB will deploy helicopters for emergency rescue.

Commercial hubs, rail Stations, inland ports and bus terminals, among other frequency public places are included in the security cover.

To coordinate the efforts, control centres will be set up in the police headquarters, in all metropolitan units, range and district superintendents’ offices. Ramna Park will host a control room operated by both Police and Rab. IGP AKM Shadidul Haque urged public participation, aside from police efforts, to help police maintain law and order during the festivities, the release stated. l

BUFT clinches ATN Bangla debate competition n Tribune Report The BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) debating team has won the ATN Bangla Public Parliament Debate Competition 2015 beating Dhaka International University.

The final was held at the ATN Studio in Dhaka on March 31. The move of the debate was “only violence-free politics can transform Bangladesh into a middle-income country.”

The BUFT team of Md Asiqul Islam Choyon, Md Nazmul Morshed Shemul, Syed Khalid Mahmud, Md Mohiuddin Shuvo and Kawsar Mahmed were in favour of the motion as the government party. l

DT

NEWS 7

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

CPD suggests budgetary support for unrest-hit sectors n Tribune Report Eleven sectors of the country’s economy have suffered Tk4,900 crore loss in two and half months during the political unrest, said Centre for Policy Dialogue.

The upcoming national budget should address the issue of economic loss providing appropriate fiscal and budgetary supports, said the think-tank at a press conference yesterday, organised to present its budget recommendations.

CPD said the loss had been estimated from January to mid-March period, which could slash GDP expectation by fifty percentage points in the FY2014-15.

It suggested formation of a dedicated fund taking corrective measures to help various sectors and stakeholders adjust losses during the political turmoil.

CPD thinks low oil price is a hope for the government as the situation will help to curb the inflation rate and reduce the government subsidy.

According to it, the central bank can consider providing rescheduling facilities for the agricultural loans.

“Despite having good macroeconomic sit-

uation, we did not notice vibrancy in private sector investment,” said Debapriya Bhattacharya, distinguished fellow of CPD. He found two causes behind the slow private investment - one of which was political unrest and the other was the lack of leadership needed for policy and institutional reforms.

CPD senior research fellow Towfiqul Islam Khan presented the budget recommendations at the event.

“Notwithstanding the deterioration of the political environment, particularly during the third quarter of the current fiscal year, Bangladesh economy continues to enjoy relative macroeconomic stability in the form of low inflation, manageable fiscal deficit, stable exchange rate and favorable balance of payment position,” CPD stated.

It said some of the key areas that FY2016 budget would need to address include more regulative efforts towards domestic resource mobilisation (including non-tax revenue), invigorating and incentivising private investment, smooth functioning of supply chain and removing the obstacles to higher growth of human resource export.

“Remittance flow is positive amid the political unrest, and it is a good sign for Bangladesh that we are getting opportunity to export manpower to Saudi Arabia again,” said Towfiqul.

“But the problem is declining oil price as it can hamper growth (in the oil-rich countries), casting shadow on manpower export.”

Before setting the revenue earning targets for FY2015-16, the revision of the current fiscal targets need to be realistic, said the research fellow.

He said the discrepancy between revenue earning data reported by the National Board of Revenue and the Ministry of Finance needs to be taken into consideration.

CPD suggested the NBR taking the central role in mobilising most of the incremental revenue, widening tax net and exploring new sources.

It also suggested reviewing the existing and proposed tax incentives and ensuring proper use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to realise dues.

CPD urged the government to prioritise implementation of the NBR modernisation plan and emphasise the collection of wealth tax surcharge. l

THUNDERSHOWER WITH RAIN

MONDAY, APRIL 6 DHAKA TOMORROW SUN RISES 5:46AM

FORECAST FOR TODAY Dhaka

30

22

Chittagong

31

24 22

Rajshahi

32

Rangpur

29

21

Khulna

33

22

Barisal

30

24

Sylhet

28

20

Cox’s Bazar

31

25

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

33.3ºC Khepupara

17.4ºC Bogra Source: Accuweather/UNB

Rapid Action Battalion members seize 2,500kg Ilish fries from Karwan Bazar in the capital yesterday RAJIB DHAR

Fajr

4:29am

Sunrise

5:45am

Zohr

12:01am

Asr

4:30pm

Magrib

6:16pm

Esha

7:33pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) confiscated 5,000kg of jatkas, Ilish fry less than 10 inches in length, in separate drives in the capital early yesterday.

A mobile court led by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Rezaul Karim also fined six traders Tk5,000 each for selling the baby fishes illegally.

Members of RAB-3 seized the Ilish fries in separate drives at Karwan Bazar and Merul Badda fish market. Magistrate Rezaul Karim said: “We seized 2,500kg jatka fishes from Karwan Bazar and another cache of 2,500kg from Merul Badda fish market.”

In Karwan Bazar, the convicted were fish traders Abul Kalam Azad, 32, Jamal Hossain, 28, truck driver Hafizur Rahman, 25, and his helper Nayon, 25.

In Merul Badda, the convicted were fish trader Swapon, 36, and truck driver Shipon, 30. l

10 killed by BSF at Khulna borders in last 3 months n Our Correspondent, Jessore

PRAYER TIMES

Biman will resume today its domestic flights from Dhaka to Sylhet and back, ending an almost three-year long suspension of the flight.

A flight schedule released by Sylhet DC Md Shadiul Islam confirmed the resumption of the flights, also informing that Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon will inaugurate the flights today at 1:50 pm.

Biman plans to fly this route on a daily basis. The one-way fare is Taka 3,200 and 7,900 in the economy and business classes respectively. Introductory discounts have brought the economy-class fares down to Taka 2,700, a Biman source informed.

Due to aircraft shortage, Biman had suspended the flight in September 2012. It is resuming on Monday after almost a three-year long sabbatical, said Biman Commercial Incharge Md Shahnawaz Majumder.

However, Biman caters to Sylhet via transit flights from Jeddah, London and Dubai, he informed.

According to Biman sources, four private airliners regularly fly the Dhaka-Sylhet-Dhaka route apart from the state owned airlines. l

5,000kg of jatka confiscated n Kamrul Hasan

WEATHER

TODAY SUN SETS 6:15PM

Biman to resume Dhaka-Sylhet-Dhaka flights n Our Correspondent, Sylhet

Despite assurance of the Border Security Force of India of an end to killing and abduction, these types of incidence are still continuing in different border areas across the country, much to cause tension for its Bangladesh counterparts At least 10 people have been killed and 20 people were abducted and tortured by the Border Security Force of India in the last three month in different border areas of Khulna region.

The Rights, a human rights organisation, presented the statistics at a press conference where law and order situation of the Jessore and Khulna were reviewed.

Executive Director of the Rights Binoy Krishna Mollick read a written statement at the press conference yesterday.

He said three people were killed by the BSF in January while seven were killed by the border security force of India in February. These killing incidents were taken place at Benapole, Moheshpur of Jhenaidah, and Meherpur border areas.

The incidents of abduction were held at Sonapur of Meherpur, Benipur of Chuadanga, Mahammadpur of Kushtia and Chandunia of Satkhira borders. Later, the BSF returned back Bangladeshis after flag meeting with the Border Guard of Bangladesh.

A total of 78 people went missing during

the period from 10 districts of Khulna division. Of them, 16 are male persons while 18 are children.

The press conference was also informed that apart from killing by the BSF, a good number of people were the victim of torture by police. In the last three months, 92 violent incidents were taken place in Khulna region in which 289 people were injured.

On March, four transport workers were burnt to death in Khulna.

In the last three months, 33 violent incidents were taken place in Jessore, 17 in Khulna, 13 in Jhenaidah, 13 in Magura, four in Bagerhat, three in Narail, three in Kushtia and three in Meherpur. l

DT

8 NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

RMG worker killed as bus plunges into ditch in Chittagong n Tribune Report A readymade garment (RMG) worker was killed and three other workers were injured as a bus plunged into a roadside ditch inside the Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) area under EPZ police station in Chittagong city yesterday morning.

The deceased was identified as Rani Akhtar, 27, a worker of the Siam Superior Garment of EPZ area, said Nayek Hamidur Rahman of Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) Police Outpost.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abul Mansur of EPZ police station said the bus hit the four workers after the driver losing its control over the steering around 7:40am and plunged into the roadside canal, leaving four workers injured.

On information, rescuers from Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters in Agrabad and EPZ fire station rushed to the spot and rescued the injured workers and sent them to the CMCH, said fire service sources.

Rani was taken to the CMCH where the on duty doctors declared her dead, said Nayek Hamid of CMCH police outpost. l

Different types of vegetables, including spinach, are being sold at lower prices in Bypass area, outskirts of Rajshahi city, yesterday as growers cannot supply their agri-produces for lack of transportation facilitates. One kilogram of spinach is being sold at Tk5 while this amount is Tk30 in the capital AZAHAR UDDIN

Wrong treatment at Bagerhat Sadar Hospital alleged n Our Correspondent, Bagerhat Nurses at Bagerhat Sadar Hospital served a pregnant patient with spirit before her delivery.

Shima Akter, wife of Anisur Rahman, resident of Teligati village under Morelganj upazila of Bagerhat district, have made the complaint to the caretaker and civil sergeon of the hospital Dr Bakir Hossain.

Shima, who got admitted to the hospital for delivery on March 17, said she was taken to the operation theatre on March 18. ”Before the surgery, the duty nurses served me with a tablet. After swallowing the tablet, I had a burning sensation in my neck and chest.

One held with 11,000 yaba pills n Tribune Report Department of Narcotic Control (DNC) yesterday arrested one with 11,000 pieces of yaba from Moijjartek area of Chittagong yesterday.

Mohammad Saddam, 27, of Chakaria upazila of Cox’s Bazar was handed over to Karnaphuli police station and a case was filed against him.

DNC Chittagong Metro Region Superintendent Chowdhury Imrul Hasan told the Dhaka Tribune that while conducting a drive, a team of DNC stopped the a poultry van coming from the direction of Cox’s Bazar around 4am. They found the contraband items worth Tk63lakh from under the driver’s seat of the van. The DNC official said Saddam had brought the consignment of yaba from Cox’s Bazar to Chittagong.

He was told that someone will call him over phone in Chittagong to purchase the items. l

I asked them what they had served me. The nurse replied that it was tubewell water, that is why I was feeling like that,” said Shima. ”They served me with a lot of water and pushed two injections. At one point I lost consciousness. The nurses told my relatives that my condition was critical. Either me or my baby would die, so I should be transferred to Khulna Medical College Hospital. After a few hours I gave birth to a baby through caesarean,” she told the Dhaka Tribune.

She alleged that the nurses had given her spirit to swallow the tablet. ”Those who show such irresponsibility in the treatment of patients should be brought to

book. The hospital authorities also requested my relatives to refrain from talking to the media,” she said.

Locals said the sufferings of patients of this hospital was nothing new. Common allegations of include that doctors do not come on time. Patients have to wait for hours. Sometimes influential patients break the queue and many brokers who roam around inside the hospital try to refer them to private clinics.

Dr Bakir Hossain admitted of receiving the complaint. He said a three-member probe committee headed by upazila medial Officer Dr Bidyut Kanti Pal has been formed. Action would be taken following their report. l

32 birds seized n Tribune Report The Forest Department recovered 32 birds of four species from hunters in Habiganj while selling those alongside a road at Shayestaganj in Habiganj Sadar yesterday afternoon.

A Forest Department team in association with Bangladesh Birds Club members recovered the birds from Debbazar area at Habiganj Sadar upazila at about 3pm, assistant forest conservator (wildlife crimes control unit) Madinul Ahsan said.

Of the total birds, 20 were pheasant tailed jacana juvenile while eight lesser whistling duck, two pond herons and two wood sandpipers.

Although the birds were recovered, but none could be arrested as the alleged bird hunters fled the scene sensing presence of the forest officials, said Rashedul Kabir Bhuiyan, a wildlife and biodiversity conservation officer of Habiganj Circle. l

Jute workers begin demo for dearness allowance n Our Correspondent, Khulna Jute workers in Khulna and Jessore staged demonstrations yesterday to highlight their five-point demand, including a 20% dearness allowance, adequate allocation in the sector, and forming a wage commission board for state-owned factory workers like the pay commission.

Yesterday’s demonstrations were part of an 11-day programme announced in the wake of falling production and shrinking export.

Workers held rallies outside their respective factories at 10am and were addressed by labour leaders.

The slowdown in export has been caused by global recession as jute products began to heap up at nine state-owned jute mills in Khulna more than two years back.

Jute stocks began to dwindle in August and

September last year but the recent spates of general strike and the indefinite blockade enforced since January 6 caused the problem to return.

Productions have gone down by half because of trade stagnation while the crisis of raw materials has also hit the factories hard.

According to Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) budget, a total of 4,091 jute looms should be operative every day for the nine state-run jute mills in Khulna, but only 2,600 are operating now.

Jute to be used in 10-12 days are now stocked at the mills on an average.

Procurement of jute has also been affected by fund crunch, which resulted from the growing stock of unsold jute at the factories.

BJMC Coordinator of Khulna zone Md

Rafiqul Islam said the amount of unsold jute products at the nine state-run mills would be around 20,000 tonnes.

He said the products are exported to some eight to ten countries, including Syria, Iraq, Iran, Sudan and Egypt, but a fall in demand in the world market and political unrest have brought business to a standstill.

Md Sohrab Hossain, convener of CBA-Non CBA Oikya Parishad, said memoranda would be submitted to the deputy commissioners tomorrow and protest rallies would be held in each shift the following day.

“Some of the other programmes include exchanging views with professionals on April 10, holding protests outside factory feadquarters on April 12, and forming human chains on April 15. The 11-day programme will end on April 24 with the announcement of the next programmes,” he added. l

DT

NEWS 9

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

Substance injection into shrimps goes unabated in Khulna n Our Correspondent, Khulna A group of unscrupulous traders has allegedly been injecting various harmful substances into shrimps to earn extra profit.

Substances like water, jelly, glue, marbles, magic balls and lead etc are injected to add extra weight to the consignments.

Despite regular drives, such malpractices are still rampant at the depots of Rupsha Natun bazar of Khulna metropolitan city, Zamira bazar of Fultola upazila, Shahpur bazar of Dumuria upazila and Kharnia bazar.

Depot owners, who act as the middleman, are accused of injecting the substances.

Md Abdur Rashed, deputy director of Khulna Department of Fisheries (DoF), said they had been conducting drives with the help of RAB and Coastguard against the depots.

“This year we have conducted nine drives and seized about 8,000kg of adulterated shrimps. We collected about Tk2 lakh 40,000 as fine and punished one depot owner. However, the malpractice could not be fully stopped as local administration and law enforcers do not always cooperate.”

He further added that some officials of the

quality control and inspection section of DoF were also involved and would tip off the depots about drives.

According to locals, depot owners employ labourers to inject the substances into the shrimp. They usually work during the night and are paid Tk10 for one kilogramme of shrimp. Thus a labourer can earn about Tk1,000 per night making this a lucrative part time work.

Shrimp exporters expressed grave concern about the shrimp adulteration. They feared that such practices pose a great threat to the already shaky shrimp export and might inflict long-term damage.

Vice President of Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters’ Association, M Khalilullah said: “The injection of substances, especially jelly, into shrimps is becoming widespread. We are literally being held hostage by the depot owners.”

“If the government does not take strong measure in this regard, it would be very difficult for us to maintain foreign clients,” he added.

Md Abul Hasan, inspector of DoF said the drive against the middlemen would continue.

“We cancel licenses of the factories, fine them and also file cases. But the substance injection has not stopped, though it has been greatly reduced.”

District Fisheries Officer Prafullo Kumar Sarkar said they would take up extensive campaign to raise awareness against substance injection.

Proprietor of Runa Fish, Sheikh Mohammad Jahangir Hossain said: “Usually people who collect the fish from the farmers would inject the substances. It is not always possible to detect the substances at the buying point since fresh shrimps normally contain some water.”

Under this circumstance, a 3-member inspection team from European Union will arrive in Dhaka on April 20 and would visit Khulna for seven days.

They would inspect the six stages of shrimp production from farmers to the factory. They would also visit the depots, markets, transportation system and preservation methods.

Exporters said the future of shrimp export to the EU would depend on the report of the inspection team and urged to step up modernisation and monitoring of the sector. l

One killed over land dispute in Rajshahi n Tribune Report One person was killed and another sustained injuries in Belghoria area under Motiher police station in Rajshahi city yesterday, police and locals said. The deceased was identified as Mithun, 34, son of Ekramul Haque of the nearby Bakhrabaj area.

Seriously injured Mojammel Haque, 38, son of Ajahar Ali, was admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH).

Abdur Rouf, Officer-in-Charge of Motiher police station, said some rival group people attacked and stabbed Mithun indiscriminately while he was collecting fallen mangoes and leaves in a nearby disputed orchard at about 8.30 am. People of Mithun also beat Mojammel Haque mercilessly.

Mithun was immediately rushed to RMCH where the attending doctors declared him dead after a few minutes of admission.

Police sent the body to the hospital morgue for post mortem and a case was recorded with the police station in this connection.

Meanwhile, Babul Hossain Bablu, 45, a fourth-class employee of Barind Medical College and Hospital, who received burn-injuries, succumbed at RMCH yesterday.

Police said Babul sustained burn injuries when his mosquito-net caught fire originated from a mosquito coil last night. l

Ferry caught in storm rescued after 3 hours n Our Correspondent, Munshiganj Ferry Rameshri, which was stuck at a shoal during the storm on Saturday night, was rescued after three hours.

Master of the ferry Joynal Abedin said the Shimulia-bound ferry, with 17 vehicles and more than hundred passengers, got stuck at a shoal at Hazra Turning point around 7pm.

It took time for the rescue vessel to come because of the storm. However, no one has been injured in the incident. Meanwhile, the ferry service on Shimulia-Kawrakandi river route was suspended for one hour due to the storm.

Assistant Manager of BIWTC Mawa office, Shekhor Chandra Roy, said the service was halted to avoid any accident. It was later resumed around 9pm. l

Jamalpur boat capsize kills one n Our Correspondent, Jamalpur One died while three went missing in Jamalpur during the 40-minute long nor’wester that swept through the district and many other parts of the country on Saturday evening.

A boat with four passengers sank in the Jamuna River during the storm. Among them, the body of a woman named Jahura Begum was recovered from the river yesterday morning.

Confirming the matter, Jamalpur District Administrator Md Shahbuddin Khan said Jahura hailed from Barul char while Molla Bepari, Mongol Bepari and Rashidul Bepari of the same village are still missing.

The nor’wester damaged around 300 residences and crops in six upazilas under the district. l

Children distribute green mangoes, fallen from the trees during the storm on Saturday evening, among themselves after gathering them from various orchards. Mango growers of Rajshahi were expecting a high yield this year but the nor’wester seemed to have put a dent on their hope. The photo was taken at Barshapara area of Godagari upazila yesterday AZAHAR UDDIN

PDB employee arrested for torturing wife n Our Correspondent, Bandarban

An employee of Power Development Board (PDB) in Bandarban was arrested for confining and torturing his wife for two years.

Police arrested PDB line helper Sagor Chowdhury and rescued the victim Naima Afroz Lucky following complaint by Naima’s mother on Friday evening.

Amir Hossain, officer in-charge (investigation) of Bandarban Sadar police station said

a case was filed under the Women and Child Repression Act against Sagor.

According to Naima’s mother Lutfa Begum, Sagor had been demanding Tk2 lakh, a motorcycle and gold since their marriage in 2011.

Two years ago, Sagor brought Naima to Bandarban and had kept her in confinement since. When Lutfa Begum came to visit her daughter on Friday, she found the doors locked and informed the police, who rushed to the scene and rescued Naima in physically

injured condition.

She was then admitted to Bandarban Sadar Hospital, where doctors found several injury marks on her body.

Naima alleged that Sagor and his sister would blindfold her and physically torture her regularly for dowry.

Neighbour Ayesha Begum said the couple was unsocial and Naima would never go out of the house. Sagor, however, denied the allegation of torture and said he never demanded dowry. l

DT

10 WORLD

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

Pope at Easter prays for killed Kenyan students, decries persecution

Senior member: Yemen’s Houthis ready for talks if air strikes stop

Pope Francis prayed for an end to the persecution of Christians in his Easter yesterday address, commemorating the students massacred by Islamist militants at Garissa University in Kenya.

Francis, after saying Mass for thousands of people in a rainy St. Peter’s Square, delivered a mostly somber and grim “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) message.

Attacks on Christians in Africa and the Middle East have been the grim backdrop of all Holy Week ceremonies leading up to Easter.

“We ask Jesus, the victor over death, to lighten the sufferings of our many brothers and sisters who are persecuted for his name, and of all those who suffer injustice as a result of ongoing conflicts and violence - and there are many,” he said.

The pope spoke as churches in Kenya, where al Shabaab gunmen massacred nearly 150 people, singling out Christians for pointblank executions, turned to armed guards to protect their congregations on the most important day of the Christian liturgical year. l

Yemen’s Houthis are ready to sit down for peace talks as long as a Saudi-led air campaign is halted and the negotiations are overseen by “non-aggressive” parties, a senior Houthi member said.

Saleh al-Sammad, who was an adviser to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, also told Reuters in emailed answers that Yemenis reject the return of Hadi, who escaped to Saudi Arabia after Shi’ite Houthi fighters edged closer to his southern base of Aden last month.

Warplanes and ships from a Saudi-led coalition have been bombing the Iran-allied Houthi forces for 11 days, saying they are trying drive back the Houthis and restore Hadi. UN brokered peace talks in the preceding weeks between Hadi and the Houthis had failed.

“We still stand by our position on dialogue and we demand its continuation despite everything that has happened, on the basis of respect and acknowledging the other,” Sammad said. l

n Reuters, Vatican City

African leaders to hold Boko Haram summit April 8

n AFP, Abuja

Leaders of central and west African states will hold a summit next week to try to draw up a joint strategy against Nigeria’s Boko Haram militants, a statement from organisers said yesterday.

The April 8 summit will be the first of its kind since Nigeria’s election a week ago which was won by Muhammadu Buhari, a former military leader who has vowed to rid his country of the “terror” of Boko Haram.

“In the face of the mounting and increasingly bloody attacks by the fundamentalists against Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad and the series consequences for these countries, and the real reask of destabilising western and central Africa, the two organisations have decided to take action,” a statement from regional bloc ECOWAS said. l

n Reuters, Cairo

A Kenyan Defence forces soldier stands guard as people gather to view the bodies of the suspected attackers on the Garissa university, at the mortuary in the northeastern town of Garissa AFP

Kenya says government official’s son was among gunmen in Garissa attack n Reuters, Garissa

The son of a Kenyan government official was one of the masked gunmen who killed nearly 150 people at a university last week, the interior ministry said yesterday, as Kenyan churches hired armed guards to protect their Easter congregations.

Pope Francis decried Thursday’s attack in his Easter yesterday service, praying for those killed by Islamist gunmen who hunted down Christians while sparing Muslims.

At one church in the Indian Ocean port city of Mombasa, worshippers were evacuated and a bomb disposal unit deployed due to a suspicious vehicle parked outside the church.

Police took it away for further examination.

Interior Ministry spokesman Mwenda Njoka said Abdirahim Abdullahi was one of four gunmen who stormed the college campus in Garissa, some 200km (120 miles) from the Somali border.

An ethnic Somali with Kenyan nationality,

his father is a government official in the northern Mandera county bordering Somalia, he said.

“The father had reported to security agents that his son had disappeared from home... and was helping the police try to trace his son by the time the Garissa terror attack happened,” Njoka told Reuters in a text message.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday said the planners and financiers of Islamist attacks were “deeply embedded” within Kenyan communities and urged Muslims to do more to fight radicalisation.

Ali Roba, the governor of Mandera county, said Kenya had “massive radicalisation problems, not only in the northern counties, but across the country.”

A Garissa-based official who did not wish to be named said the government was aware Abdullahi, a former University of Nairobi law student, had joined al Shabaab after graduating in 2013: “He was a very brilliant student.

But then he got these crazy ideas.” l

Israel prepares lobbying strategy against Iran deal n AP, Jerusalem An official Israeli analysis has drawn up a list of alleged shortcomings of the nuclear framework agreement between Iran and world powers, providing a basis for what is expected to be months of furious lobbying by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reshape or cancel the deal.

Netanyahu, an outspoken critic of the negotiations with Iran, has already criticised the deal as insufficient. He is expected to lobby heavily against the framework deal as its language is finalised ahead of a June 30 agreement.

The framework agreement was announced on Thursday in Lausanne, Switzerland, by US-led world powers and Iran. It seems to cut significantly into Iran’s bomb-making technology while giving Tehran quick access to assets and markets blocked by international sanctions. The commitments, if implement-

ed, would substantially pare down Iranian nuclear assets for a decade and restrict others for an additional five years.

According to a US document listing those commitments, Tehran is ready to reduce its number of centrifuges, the machines that can spin uranium gas to levels used in nuclear warheads, and submit to aggressive monitoring and inspections of its nuclear facilities.

But the Israeli analysis, drawn up by officials in Netanyahu’s office over the weekend, claims the system of inspections is not as thorough as proclaimed by negotiators because it does not explicitly force the Iranians to open their sites “anywhere, anytime.”

It also claims the agreement is vague about what happens to Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, a key ingredient in producing nuclear bombs, or how sanctions might be re-imposed if Iran violates the deal.

While Iran is not supposed to enrich uranium with its advanced centrifuges for 10

years, the deal permits limited “research and development” of the advanced centrifuges, according to the US document. Israeli officials say this means that Iran could immediately put these centrifuges into action after the deal expires or breaks down.

Netanyahu has said the deal leaves too much of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure in place.

He says the deal should “significantly roll back” Iran’s nuclear program.

As Netanyahu lobbies against the deal, he is expected to urge the world to take action against Iran’s non-nuclear activities as well, according to the document.

It says the deal should address Iran’s ballistic missiles, which are capable of delivering nuclear warheads, and Iran’s support for militant groups across the region.

The Associated Press obtained a copy of the document yesterday from an official who demanded anonymity because of its confidential nature. l

Iran stocks soar after nuclear framework deal

n AP, Tehran, Iran The Tehran Stock Exchange has rallied after world powers clinched a nuclear framework agreement with Tehran, reflecting hopes that some crippling international sanctions could soon be lifted.

The official IRNA news agency says the Tehran Stock Exchange index rose 6.9% over two days. The agency says the index improved by 4,535 points to 70,261 yesterday — the second working day of Iran’s new year. It was the highest level in at least 18 months.

The framework deal announced Thursday envisions a final agreement that would pare back Iran’s nuclear program for at least a decade in return for sanctions relief. Iran and six world powers, including the United States, hope to reach a final agreement by June 30. l

Win over Sunnis: After Tikrit victory, Iraq’s new challenge

n AP, Baghdad

Iraq won the battle to retake the city of Tikrit from the Islamic State group, backed by a coalition of the unlikely in Iranian advisers, Shiite militias, and US-led airstrikes, but the country now faces what could be its most important battle: Winning the support of the Sunni.

Sunni tribes played a key role during the US occupation fighting back al-Qaida in Iraq, the Islamic State group’s predecessor, and their distrust of Baghdad’s Shiite-led government eased the extremists’ takeover last summer. But as Tikrit now sits in ruins, still patrolled by fractious Shiite militias, the powerful Sunni tribes remain as distrustful as ever as further offensives in their heartland loom.

The government “needs those local tribes to secure the territory and hold the fort until government function is restored in these areas,” said Sajad Jiyad, a senior researcher at al-Bayan Center. l

DT

WORLD 11

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

Chinese troops make incursion bids in Ladakh

n Agencies

Indian and Chinese troops recently had two face-offs along the line of actual control (LAC) in Ladakh, in the same area where People’s Liberation Army had pitched camps in April 2013 leading to a three-week long stalemate.

According to officials in the know of developments, the Chinese troops came to Burtse and Depsang areas in north of Ladakh, first on March 20 and then on March 28, apparently as part of attempts to reach Old Patrol Point, the last established base of Indian security forces.

The PLA troops made attempts to push the Indian troops back but these were thwarted, they said.

Vigilant Indian troops displayed the banners in Chinese asking the PLA to return to their side, the officials said.

Ever since this incident, the Indian troops have been carrying out regular patrols to higher points along the LAC to keep check on movement of the PLA. India and China share over 4,000 km of LAC. China claims approximately 90,000 sq km of territory in Arunachal Pradesh besides 38,000 sq km in Jammu and Kashmir sector.

The area where the Chinese troops came had seen 21 days standoff between PLA and Indian Army in April 2013 which took place ahead of the then Chinese premier Li Keqiang’s visit to India. It was sorted out after hectic round of negotiations following which the Chinese troops withdrew. l

BJP favours engagement with Pakistan ‘to root out terrorism’

n Agencies

India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has adopted a new foreign policy formula, which calls for peaceful and cooperative relations with Pakistan in fighting terrorism, local media reported on Saturday.

They said the BJP adopted a resolution during its national executive meeting on Friday in the southern city of Bangalore, presenting a fivepoint formula of its foreign policy. The policy pitched for peaceful engagement with Pakistan to gain the neighbour’s cooperation to root out terrorism in the region, said the media reports. l

Five cops injured as Trinamool workers ransack police outpost

n Agencies

Five policemen were injured when a police outpost was ransacked and three vehicles were damaged allegedly by Trinamool Congress workers at Chapdani in the district yesterday.

The incident occurred after an altercation between a local trinamool worker and policemen over checking of his vehicle. Soon, a large number of TMC workers allegedly attacked the police outpost, ransacked it and pelted stones at three police vehicles, SP Sunil Kumar Chowdhury said.

Five policemen were injured in the incident, he said, adding that eight TMC workers have been detained. l

Ready to link Maritime Silk Route plans with India’s ‘Mausam’ project, China says n Tribune Desk Ahead of this week’s annual defence dialogue, China has expressed its readiness to work with India to link its ambitious Maritime Silk Route plans with India’s “Mausam” project in a bid to address New Delhi’s strategic concerns and derive “common benefits.”

Defence secretary RK Mathur will lead the Indian defence delegation at the talks due to be held here on April 8-9 during which the two countries would discuss a wide range of measures to step up cooperation between the defence forces of the two countries.

Significantly, ahead of the key meeting Chinese foreign ministry said China looks forward to stepping up interaction with India to identify the meeting point for their strategic interests in South Asia, especially the Indian Ocean region.

“China is ready to work with South Asian countries, including India, Sri Lanka, to strengthen policy communication, identify the meeting point of their development strategies, explore effective ways of mutually beneficial cooperation and common benefit of the region, countries and the people,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told PTI. She was responding to a question on China’s ambassador to India Le Yucheng’s recent

Source: CKGSB KNOWLEDGE comments to media that China wants to have communication with India to link the “belt and road” initiatives with New Delhi’s “Spice Route” and “Mausam” projects.

During last year’s defence dialogue, the

Sri Lanka alleges ‘billions’ lost in corruption at national carrier n Reuters, Colombo Sri Lanka’s new government has ordered a criminal investigation into alleged corruption at the state-run national airline that it says involved “billions of dollars.”

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s office said an inquiry, led by an anti-corruption lawyer, had found “shocking details of corruption running into billions of dollars” at Sri Lankan Airlines, as well as “irregularities” in its $2.3bn 2013 deal to buy 10 Airbus aircraft.

The statement, issued on Saturday, contained no allegations of wrongdoing by Airbus.

Airbus said it had no comment on the Sri Lanka government statement. According to the statement, the inquiry recommended investigations into the national carrier’s “entire re-fleeting process.”

The statement also said that former airline chairman Nishantha Wickremasinghe, who it identified as a brother-in-law of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, “should be prosecuted.”

Efforts to contact Wickremasinghe for comment were unsuccessful.

Wickremasinghe resigned as the airline’s chairman shortly after Rajapaksa, who had been Sri Lankan president for 10 years, was defeated in a January election by Maithripala Sirisena.

The statement also said staff at the airline had knowingly ignored conflicts of interest with companies and individuals it hired, and

that the inquiry found cases of the manipulation of contracts.

It also alleged that Rajapaksa changed the management of the loss-making airline, which is 51% government-owned, to ensure the purchase of the Airbus planes despite the availability of cheaper alternatives.

Rohan Weliwita, Rajapaksa’s media coordinator, said yesterday the former president had no comment yet on the government statement.

Shocking details of corruption running into billions of dollars The corruption allegations are the latest in a series leveled at Rajapaksa by President Sirisena, who has ordered an investigation into all financial deals sealed by his predecessor.

Rajapaksa and former government officials have rejected the allegations and said they are ready to face any investigation.

Sri Lankan Airlines has a fleet of 21 aircraft including six Airbus A340 jets, seven A330s and eight A320 planes.

Under the deal with Airbus, the airline bought six A330s and four A350s, the European plane manufacturer said in a statement in 2013. Sri Lankan Airlines received the first of the A330s in October. l

two sides discussed prospects of joint naval exercises in addition to the “Hand in Hand” exercises being held annually between the two armies to promote military-to-military relations. l

China to step up urbanisation along Yangtze River

n Reuters, Beijing

China’s government released yesterday a framework to develop sprawling urban areas along the Yangtze River as it moves forward with a decade-long ambition to turn the Chinese heartland into a major economic belt.

Although no specific investment details were released, the State Council, China’s cabinet, said on its website it would designate 317,000 square kilometers along the river to become urban areas, hosting transportation and energy projects. l

Typhoon Maysak melts away as it hits Philippines

n AFP

A super typhoon dissolved into a tropical depression and made landfall in the Philippines yesterday, forecasters said, easing fears after thousands of residents fled remote coastal villages to avoid potential giant waves.

Maysak, which began as a Super Typhoon in the Pacific Ocean, reached the northeast coast of the main island of Luzon at 8:00 am (0000 GMT) with winds of 55 kilometres (34 miles) an hour, chief state weather forecaster Esperanza Cayanan said.

“As of now, most of our fears have melted away,” she told a news conference shortly after the depression reached Dinapigue, a remote town on Luzon’s northeast coast. l

DT

12 EDITORIAL

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

Build a better future for Rana Plaza survivors

N

early two years on from the Rana Plaza factory collapse which killed 1,135 workers and injured over 2,500, over half of the survivors are still unemployed.

While it is welcome to see government and stakeholder initiatives make bold moves to reform factory safety and take the RMG sector forward, we still need to focus on maxmising the help available for victims.

A new survey by ActionAid and the ILO reveals an upward trend of employment among survivors but notes that 55% are without work. While a considerable number are training to be self-employed, their collective efforts are still held back by disabilities and trauma suffered in the disaster.

The government must increase efforts to boost co-operation among stakeholders to further help the survivors. Brands are continuing to make voluntary contributions to their own funds to compensate survivors, and the Rana Donors Trust Fund, chaired by the International Labour Organisation, is still working to achieve its revised $30m target to deliver compensation for Rana Plaza victims in line with the ILO convention 121.

With all this activity and the assurances made by leading members of the BGMEA and BKMEA that the industry associations will help find jobs for survivors, there is a sound base for the government to build efforts to rehabilitate all victims.

No effort should be spared to ensure survivors receive all necessary help with their medical expenses and rehabilitation. A renewed drive should be undertaken to increase the skills training and support available to help survivors and their families work towards self-reliance.

Improve coordination of rehabilitation efforts

Aid fall off not all bad news

W

orld Bank sources suggest it will not need to provide Bangladesh with any budget support for the next fiscal year 2015-16.

The news comes as figures show that foreign aid commitments fell almost 14% in the first eight months of the current fiscal year.

If the short-term picture contains bad news because the drop off in aid commitments is mainly due to continued political unrest, the World Bank’s prognosis paints a better long-term outlook.

The leading multi-lateral lender bases its message on news that the National Board of Revenue saw over 16% growth in its revenue collection in the year till February. It indicates rising government revenues and confirms the positive progress which the country has made in reducing its reliance on foreign assistance from accounting for 12% of GDP in 1977 to less than 1.8% today.

Although it is a declining part of the economy, and less than a fifth of the 11% of GDP accounted for by remittances, foreign aid is still vital to underpinning key development and infrastructure projects such as the metro rail.

We expect support from major lenders like the World Bank, ADB, and the new Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to continue to play a significant role in development.

The key structural challenge is to address the country’s need to curb corruption and bring political stability. Provided the government does this, there is cause for confidence that the economy will be able to attract and generate the funds needed for development, from both multi-lateral and private sources.

Long-term outlook is more positive, provided corruption and political unrest can be addressed

Be heard

Writeto toDhaka DhakaTribune Tribune Write Tower,8/C 8/CPanthapath, Panthapath, Sukrabad, Shukrabad,Dhaka-1207 Dhaka-1207 FRFRTower, Email letters.dt@dhakatribune.com Email letters.dt@dhakatribune.com Sendususyour yourOp-Ed Op-Edarticles: articles: Send opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

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Are we really pluralistic?

March 24

sundar Completely agreed.

Kmak Excellent article.

Zed I like how you used the term Bangladeshi as opposed to the word Bangali. We have placed so much emphasis on our Bangali identity that we fail to recognise the elements that should unite us as a nation.

In an ideal scenario, the constitution would establish Bangladeshi as the nationality.

Dreampie Kmak: “... and on that day, the Grinch’s small heart grew by three sizes!”

Kmak Dreampie: You’re still an idiot, though.

Sammy Kmak: Well, at least you won’t be alone on that perch. :)

DT Study: Bangladesh to be 23rd largest economy by 2050 March 26

Shammi Huda Over last 20+ years, you’ve had pwc, mckinsey, and the economistic intelligence unit issue. Time to time bullish reports on the country’s growth and frenetic excitement by the powers of the time … it’d be interesting to collate all of these soothsayings and see if they amount to more than a hill of beans.

Nelson Apu Bangladesh is a developing country.

Gradually, she is moving forward. But the political parties should work together.

Shamima Yeasmin We have to stop with the hartals.

Babul Sarwar If the ruling regime learns to govern by law, shunning opposition-style politics while in power, Bangladesh could grow by 10% in 10 years! Let’s not be a poorly managed country -- all countries by nature are rich.

Zubier Abd Not if our political parties have anything to say about it.

JMB man reveals plan for Islamic Bangladesh by 2020 March 24 Banglabaul Don’t call their goal “Islamic Bangladesh,” there’s nothing wrong with being Islamic -- the goal and methods of these militants is fascist fundamentalism.

Khan The Bangladesh government would rather cut deals with these militants in exchange for geopolitical support from Middle East sheikhs.

Lets see how far the war crimes tribunal can go. They are carrying on the trials only to pressure Jamaat and their associates to get under the ruling party’s umbrella. The govt is more inclined towards using scare tactics in gaining support for oppressing the opposition. riazo The government really must start adopting much stricter screenings of foreigners coming from certain destinations and do some profiling (as much as I don’t like the idea).

Model Shariah-based society? What exactly is that? A mirror image of the Islamic State?

Newspapers must do much more to raise the threat posed by barbarians of this kind and expose the hypocrisy of the majority of the people of Bangladesh for being silent, ignorant, or both.

The Bangladeshi media has been late to wake up to the cancer called the Islamic state in Syria and Iraq. It is simply not enough to shrug shoulders and say “well this has nothing to do with Islam.”

DT

OPINION 13

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

Breaking the oath n Mohammad Zaman

I

n the early 80s, I had a posting as a medical officer in rural Sylhet. It was very difficult to leave the comfort of Internee Hostel and the familiarity of friendships that I was blessed with over a span of six long years. Yet, when the time came, I parted.

It was made abundantly clear that the senior doctor would not mind at all at if I was to be AWOL

I joined there, at a remote Thana Health Complex. No, none was waiting there to greet a new doctor just out of school. The senior medical officer (administrator of the complex) was nowhere to be found. There was no place to sleep and no desk to sit and work.

It was made abundantly clear that the senior doctor would not mind at all at if I was to be AWOL (absent without leave). I

collected a few personal letters from the non-existent office and the left the post of my first employment without even seeing my immediate superior. I was young. My heart was yearning to go back to the city. I did not feel bad for my dereliction. In fact, I was happy.

Now, one-and-a-half score years later as I remember those days, my heart wells up with shame and sadness. Sometimes, I try to understand and explain it. However, I just cannot do so without being shamelessly defensive. And for that, I seek pardon in advance.

Except for a few bright lamps, honest outliers, most of the garden-variety types are nothing but the by-products of their own milieu. Absenteeism in rural medical centres is rampant in South Asia and third world countries. Chaudhury and Hammer, in their 2004 report (World Bank Economic Review, Vol 18, No 3), revealed a 40% absenteeism of physicians at larger clinics and a surprising 74% absenteeism of physicians at smaller sub-centres with a single physician.

Even at centres of learning (I mean, the medical colleges), absenteeism on the part of the professors is rampant. During my third year in medical school, I had a three-month clinical (clerkship) rotation under a famous professor. He never relocated from Dhaka to Sylhet. Once in a blue moon, he used to fly to Sylhet to show up. In a period of three months, we did not get more than five or six hours of clinical teaching from him.

BIGSTOCK

True, that was an extreme case. But I never saw a professor give us clinical teaching for more than 2-3 times a week. They were all in town tending to their own “mint-chambers” or some other obscure non-teaching profundity. That’s how it was in the late 70s and early 80s. And I was a product of a culture where the concept of AWOL was not unholy.

Well, does this exonerate me of my failure? I was a thoughtful college graduate at that time. I knew the difference between right and wrong. No, these justifications definitely do not absolve me of my guilt. l Mohammad Zaman is a physician and occasional writer.

Enabling the agents of change

DHAKA TRIBUNE

n Bari Faiaz

I

n Bangladesh, literacy is one of the crucial things still unachieved for a large number of citizens. People living below the poverty line are the most vulnerable is this case since they are totally illiterate and mostly without any education. With the tagline “literacy for all” WE Foundation Bangladesh (WEFB) facilitates literacy for the nation’s marginalised population.

WEFB runs a nonprofit project that works to provide much needed support for poor families and their children in Dhaka. It is an organisation which operates with the help of young people to improve the lives of people living below the poverty line.

WEFB aims to be an innovative organisation in improving the education and

empowerment of socially and economically marginalised children, creating the agents of change of tomorrow. Having a strong belief in making a difference, WEFB is committed to making a breakthrough in children’s education by initiating a universal model of innovative education for them.

The organisation is trying to establish a very well balanced, technology-focused, innovative education system for marginalised children, free of cost, in order to facilitate vocation and self-sufficiency.

WEFB started its journey in 2009. Its founder, Firoz Alam, is an educational futurist who has a vision to bring “literacy for all” in Bangladesh. The foundation, since its inception, has accommodated over 400 students in its literacy centres and aims to reach out to many more.

WEFB has been running educational institutes since 2007. It currently educates close to 400 children from kindergarten through grade VI. WEFB aspires to extend its schools by up to grade XII. The foundation currently consists of four branches: Two operating in Gazipur, one in Pabna, and one in Dhaka.

The WEFB school in Dhaka is situated in Badda, teaching 60 underprivileged children who are mostly grade I students. All of them live in abject poverty in the slums of Badda.

Most of the parents of the children are day labourers, with very meagre incomes failing them in sending their children to school.

WEFB inaugurated its Dhaka branch on September 2013. The centre also serves as the head office of WEFB. WEFB’s Gazipur branch schools 100 children and teenagers. In the evening, the working teenagers and young adults are given lessons on English, computer studies, and life skills. Teenagers who are interested in pursuing a college education are given classes for board exams.

WEFB’s Pabna branch is located in a remote area of the district where the infrastructure is extremely poor. The school teaches a total of 160 children and is targeting to cater to the educational needs of the low income families of the rural area. It needs to be mentioned that Pabna is in dire need of schools that can provide quality primary education.

WEFB is fueled by volunteer support -- it

is actively supported by a number of committed volunteers, from university students to professionals both in academia and in the research sector at home and abroad.

The WEFB team believes in its humanitarian effort and aims to provide training to the adult members of poor families in order to overcome their poverty and become self-sufficient and educate their children. WEFB also aims to give short-term aid in terms of clothing, food, and medical aid while the families are learning.

WEFB is an active and enthusiastic participator in the Bangladesh society. The foundation has a strong passion to better the lives of the country's marginalised population and it is compassionate and empathetic in its approach and activities. The foundation focuses as much on the development of the community as it does on the individual, with the objective to remain a participatory organisation instead of turning into a hierarchical one.

It is unique in the way that it tries to spread literacy, to give its students a foundational understanding of how the world works in order to navigate it, and build a meaningful, happy life. We promote a philosophy of loving life, not just surviving it. The operating ethos of WEFB is to nurture the endowed potential in every student to grow to its entirety. l Bari Faiaz is a freelance contributor.

DT

14 OPINION

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

Lets focus on reducing traffic first

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

The Dhaka that we want n Towheed Feroze

S

o, the City Corporation Elections are upon us, and the question that many residents of the city, from the masses to the celebrities, are facing is: What sort of Dhaka do we want?

Without being cynical, the question is being asked as if whatever we desire will be fulfilled by the one “messiah” who comes to the helm of running the city.

Someone found Aladdin’s lamp!

Campaigns, the traditional ones, have begun in earnest, while the new addition is a social media drive for the young Dhaka people to have their voices be heard.

By the way, I will not be wrong in stating that most Dhaka-based Facebook and other social media users were either born in 1990 or afterwards.

Hypothetically speaking, if we take someone who was born in 1990, then it’s logical to expect that by the time s/he had the sense to grasp the problems of the city, Dhaka was already faced with regular traffic clogs, fire related accidents, and depleted water bodies.

Of course, there is nothing wrong in asking them this question, though some of their expectations often become unrealistic.

A few well known newspapers have taken the question to celebrities; most have pictured a perfect metropolis, and I am afraid their responses need to be taken cautiously because most did not grow up in this city and only came to Dhaka either in the mid or the late 90s.

By that time, this city was already in a state of confusion.

For those of us who have seen the best of this city, an ideal Dhaka conjures up this template: A quiet Dhanmondi, an almost serene Gulshan, a romantic stretch of road to the airport with paddy fields on both sides,

rooftop view of a limitless sky, early evening strolls on the pavement, and open fields where children played in the afternoons and adults sat in the evening to touch the stars.

Practically speaking, we can never go back to that state. Ever.

Sounds very disheartening, but the city has grown in such a manner that the laidback, sleepy feel cannot be recreated on a vast scale.

It’s impossible to bring back the Dhaka of the 80s simply because the flow of people coming into the capital from the rural areas cannot be checked

Neither can we have the countless small ponds that once littered the heart of the city, providing a blissfully rural touch to many individual homes.

We hear that some aspirants are making bombastic promises of making this into an example of urban discipline. A bit too stretched, one must say.

Digressing a bit: When questions arise about the veracity of the wealth statements placed by city election contenders, with one aspirant turning himself into a joke by stating he owns no motor cars, expectations do hit a bump.

Nay, they nosedive …

Can one aspirant honestly say how much

s/he owns in property and hard cash?

Perhaps, the candidates from the super affluent bracket may not have any qualms in speaking the truth, but what about those who have, for ages, underlined at seminars, using relentless rhetoric, the significance of civic ethics and so on?

When it’s quite clear that several mayoral candidates are concealing their wealth information, what can be expected from those hoping to be ward commissioners?

By the way, I have never seen the face of my ward commissioner. Wonder how many Dhaka residents know their commissioners?

Unless, of course, you are a real estate broker with a political tag or a textile factory “jhut” (discarded cloth) trader.

People of these two categories usually have hot links with commissioners because, reportedly, for any real estate development in an area, the commissioner’s blessing is needed and for “jhut” trade, a certain amount is reserved for the man entrusted with the upkeep of the ward.

Commissions for the commissioner …

You will definitely see the faces of those who will compete in the next elections because they will soon come out of the cracks and go from door to door, panhandling for votes.

The usual norm is -- they disappear once the election is over.

Anyway, coming back to the Dhaka that we want -- to be downright sensible, the only thing that can make the city far more bearable is better traffic management.

It’s impossible to bring back the Dhaka of the 80s simply because the flow of people coming into the capital from the rural areas cannot be checked.

And why should we clamp down on Dhaka-targeted migration? Everyone has the right to come here and work for a better life, education, and modern amenities.

Kolkata was once infamous for jams, and today, with most using the underground metro rail, nightmarish tailbacks are a thing of the past.

There must be an alternative commuting system apart from using the roads -- either use the Turag river connecting to Buriganga with boat stops at several spots, or start overground rail services just for the city.

Making bicycle lanes in areas like Gulshan and Baridhara can ease pressure in the office areas which, ironically, were once residential.

We understand that the lost greenery of the city cannot be salvaged, so let’s have a few parks and open spaces where people can go to breathe. Provide adequate security in these areas and lastly, make the ward commissioners accountable to the people of their areas for basic cleanliness, sewerage, and night-time security.

I said earlier that in making Dhaka better, we need to be practical -- elected city representatives from the highest rung to the lowest will have their fingers in some shady deal or the other, and they will always prioritise the political motives of their respective parties.

We accept this as normal behaviour, but do some work! If the rows of shops on the pavements have to pay the local honcho a daily fee, then ensure that these stalls minimise pedestrian inconvenience; if there is a garment facility in your area, just make sure the flunkeys of the ward commissioner visit these establishments to see if they have proper building security measures in place; and if tenders are handed out for road repairs then don’t use the cheapest products -- at least give us the mid-level ones.

Nothing much … we don’t want a wonder, just a city which is a little better. l Towheed Feroze is a journalist currently working in the development sector.

16

Lafarge’s Lafont favors cement insider as CEO in Holcim tie-up

17

Billions up for grabs if nuclear deal opens Iran economy

19

DSE broad index sinks 6-month low

20

DT

Business

15

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

Massive reshuffle in NBR to achieve revenue target

Savings certificate rates may come down in FY16 n Tribune Report

Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday dropped a broad hint that the interest rates on government savings certificates would come down in the next fiscal year.

“The interest rate of savings certificates will be reviewed in the next budget,” he told a pre-budget meeting with think-tanks at the NEC conference room in Dhaka yesterday.

“Interest rate of savings certificate is very high in the country. If it continues, the debt burden of the government will be increased, which is not expected.”

Muhith said people rush to subscribe savings instruments due to higher interest rates and the government has already taken loan from this scheme more than its target. “If it continues to happen, fiscal management might fall in trouble.”

‘Interest rate of savings certificate is very high in the country. If it continues, the debt burden of the government will be increased, which is not expected’ On lowering interest rates of bank loans, he said bankers are the investors who could fix the interest rates.

He also hinted that the coming budget size will be near to Tk3 trillion. “But we are yet to fix the figure.” The size of the current fiscal’s budget is Tk2.50 trillion.

The minister was speaking in response to the suggestions of economists from various research groups.

He came down heavily on the public enterprises for depositing earnings to their own bank accounts warning stern actions against such practices.

“This is illegal and absolutely against financial discipline,” he said while delivering his speech in a per-budget discussion with some.

“We have to stop it completely and punishment like imprisonment will be given to them that will keep their earnings,” he said.

It is mentionable that many organisations like Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and Bangladesh Security

Exchange Commission have earned by imposing huge financial punishment on the errant companies but could not deposit to the government exchequer.

Policy Research Institute Executive Director Ahsan H Mansur said the country failed to accrue macroeconomic dividend because of sluggish investment despite economic growth.

He adds that the economic growth increases but investment to GDP ratio declines.

Investment needs to be raised by lowering interest rate and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).

He said some Tk77,000 crore have been given to 61 corporate houses. “It is a serious problem of loan allocation, resulting in income inequality.

“Banks are solely responsible for income inequality. Close surveillance is needed for such loan allocation to address income inequity” He suggested allowing FDI in RMG sector for boosting investment as 34% minimum investment is needed to achieve 8% growth.

“Bangladesh also needs to attract 3% FDI to GDP. In comparison, Vietnam attracts 7%-8% FDI to its GDP.” BIDS research director Binayak Sen put importance on improving communication both in urban and rural areas to bring dynamism in economic activities. He also suggested that loss-making state-owned organisations should be divested for turning them profitable. “All banks without Sonali might be handed over to the private sector.”

BIDS researcher Kazi Shahabuddin Ahmed said, “To ensure long-term food security, we need environment-friendly and sustainable agriculture system.”

About rice exports to Sri Lanka, he said it would not be potential for the country in the long-run.

He also suggested proper use of land and water, use of agriculture machine, access to finance for boosting both farm and non-farm agriculture production.

Kazi Shahabuddin stressed developing infrastructure rather than giving subsidy in the agriculture sector to get more return.

PRI Chairman Zaidi Sattar said the main challenge of the next budget at this critical juncture is to come out of growth cycle of 6% seen by the country over the decades.

“That should be the critical focus in the next budget.” l

New banks warned against aggressive lending n Jebun Nesa Alo Most new banks in the country are involved in loan concentration and aggressive lending that leads to default risk of the banks.

Bangladesh Bank has strictly warned those banks not to lend aggressively at a meeting held with the chief executive officers of some new banks yesterday at the central bank headquarters.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman expressed annoyance over the loan activities of the banks while presiding over the meeting.

The governor also strongly criticised the malpractice of unsolicited interventions in loan activities by the banks’ chairmen.

“New banks have been warned of aggressive lending and asked to be careful about financial health of the banks,” said Meghna Bank Managing Director Nurul Amin who attended the meeting.

Some nine new banks concentrated their loans to the same groups which are already burdened with loans by the existing banks, according to the meeting source.

The banks were found mostly interested in providing large loans and two of them have provided large loans up to 52% and 53% of their total loans and advances.

The two are Midland and South Bangla Agriculture and Commerce Bank.

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www.dhakatribune.com

Though the banks were allowed to lend large loans up to 56% of their total loans they were also warned for rapid growth of loans which might exceed the limit soon, said a senior executive of Bangladesh Bank.

The Advance Deposit Ratio (ADR) of Midland bank stood at 83.67% in February.

The bank lent around Tk350 crore of its total loan of over Tk690 crore to the large borrowers, according to the Bangladesh Bank data.

The credit growth of the bank rose by over 200% over the past one year.

The ADR of South Bangla Agriculture and Commerce Bank stood at 74.5% in February. Of the total loans of Tk1,437 crore, the bank lent around Tk760 crore to the large borrowers.

The credit growth of the bank rose by around 240% in last one year.

The large loan ceiling of other new banks, however, remained at the average level of 40%.

The Farmers bank is also an aggressive lender among the new banks, and political heavyweights mostly dominate the bank.

The ADR of the bank stood at 101.72% in mid-October last year, crossing the authorised ratio of 85%.

Though the ratio came down to 84% in February this year following the warning of Bangladesh Bank, the ratio is still the highest among the new banks. l

DT

16 BUSINESS

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

Lafarge’s Lafont favors cement insider as CEO in Holcim tie-up n Reuters, Paris Lafarge boss Bruno Lafont wants someone with experience of the cement industry to be chief executive in the French group’s planned tie-up with Swiss peer Holcim, daily newspaper Le Monde said.

The choice of CEO for what would be the world’s largest cement maker is still unresolved after revised merger terms last month gave Lafont the role of non-executive co-chairman instead of chief executive as initially planned.

Lafont is due to propose a CEO candidate within the next two weeks ahead of a special May 8 shareholder meeting called to ratify the merger deal.

“For me, there should be a leader able to drive and unify the teams, a cement expert who already has good knowledge of the industry and the company, and with a true culture of value creation for shareholders,” he told Le Monde in an interview published on Saturday.

Lafarge’s largest shareholder, meanwhile, stressed in a separate interview the need for the CEO to have broad experience in order to nurture a new culture in the merged group.

“So it should be someone with different experience and with an international profile,” Gerard Lamarche, joint managing director of Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (GBL), told the Financial Times.

The reworked merger proposals gave a more attractive share-swap ratio for Holcim shareholders but left the choice of CEO pending.

The revised terms have failed to satisfy Holcim’s second-biggest shareholder, Russian businessman Filaret Galchev, and a source at his Eurocement holding firm said this week he wants to reopen the question of the exchange ratio.

Lafont and Lamarche each ruled out

Bruno Lafont, Chairman of Lafarge, reacts as he takes his seat before announcing the company 2014 annual results at a news conference in Paris changing again the deal terms.

“The financial parities are not going to change, nor will the governance,” Lafont said.

The adjusted share-swap ratio, which will see Lafarge shareholders receive nine Holcim shares for every 10 Lafarge ones rather than the one-for-one ratio previously proposed,

reflected a shift in market conditions since the deal was first unveiled a year ago but preserved the principle of “merger between equals”, Lafont said.

Holcim Chairman Wolfgang Reitzle has also opposed revising again the financial terms but said this week he was open to Eu-

REUTERS

rocement having a seat on the merged company’s board.

GBL’s Lamarche backed the idea of a Eurocement board seat without further concessions.

“I think there is nothing else to discuss.

Eurocement is a shareholder like all the other ones,” he told the FT. l

China knocking on door of IMF’s major league, US wavers n Reuters, Brussels

China is closer to joining the major league of reserve currencies with a deal possible later this year to include the yuan in the International Monetary Fund’s unit of account, international finance officials say.

However the United States, where China’s growing economic and political muscle is a source of strategic concern in Congress, is reluctant to add the yuan so soon to the basket of currencies that make up the IMF’s Special Drawing Rights.

US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said after a visit to Beijing this week the yuan was not yet ready to join the virtual currency that defines the value of the IMF’s reserves, used for lending to countries in financial difficulty.

“While further liberalization and reform are needed for the (yuan) to meet this standard, we encourage the process of completing these necessary reforms,” Lew said in a speech in San Francisco on Tuesday.

The yuan, also known as the renminbi or

RMB, is already the world’s fifth most-used trade currency. Beijing has made strides this year in introducing the infrastructure needed to float it freely on global capital markets.

European members of the Group of Seven major industrialised economies - Germany, Britain, France and Italy - favour adding the yuan this year to the basket that comprises the dollar, the euro, the yen and the pound sterling. Japan, like the United States, is more cautious, the officials said.

The IMF’s board will hold an initial discussion in May on China’s request and a full five-yearly review of the SDR’s composition will be conducted later in the year ahead of a decision expected in November, IMF officials said.

“The German side supports China’s goal to add the RMB to the SDR currency basket based on existing criteria,” Joachim Nagel, a member of the executive board of the German central bank, said last weekend at a high-level forum in Boao, on the southern Chinese island of Hainan.

The upcoming review could be a good op-

portunity to introduce the yuan into the basket, he said, adding: “We appreciate China’s recent development and progress towards liberalisation.”

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang asked IMF chief Christine Lagarde last month to include the yuan in its SDR basket, pledged to speed up its “basic convertibility” and said China hoped to play an active role in international efforts to maintain financial stability, state news agency Xinhua said.

Phased entry?

a euro zone central bank source said one route could see a phased entry into the SDR, linked to fulfilling the official criterion that the yuan must be “freely usable”, which Western officials interpret as full convertibility.

It would be the first emerging market currency to join the SDR, marking another stage in China’s rise as a global economic player and requiring the United States to accept a dilution of its unrivalled power in international finance.

While the Europeans are vying for commercial advantage in the world’s second biggest economy, Washington sees Beijing also as an authoritarian strategic challenger that may not feel bound by rules written by the West.

The US Congress has held up ratification of a 2010 reform of voting rights in the IMF intended to give China and other emerging economies more say.

Britain, keen to secure pole position for London as an offshore centre for international trading in yuan, has taken the lead in pressing publicly for China’s admission to the SDR. David Ramsden, chief economic adviser at the UK Treasury, said much had changed since the makeup of the virtual currency was last reviewed in 2010, and including the yuan was now a “very live issue”.

Germany has ambitions to lure yuan trading to Frankfurt, home of the European Central Bank, and was irked when Britain last month jumped ahead of its EU partners to become a founder member of the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. l

DT

BUSINESS 17

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

Japan’s wary manufacturers resist Abe’s urge to splurge n Reuters, Kusatsu Hirotoshi Ogura, a self-described “factory geek”, is Daikin Industries’ master of doing more with less – and part of the reason Japan’s recovery remains stuck in the slow lane.

As Japan heads into the season of peak demand for room air-conditioners, Ogura and other Daikin managers have been tasked with figuring out how to boost output by some 20% at a plant in western Japan that six years ago the company had almost given up on as unprofitable.

The wrinkle: they have no budget for new capital investment at the 45-year-old Kusatsu plant. The still-evolving workaround shown to a recent visitor involves home-made robots for ferrying parts, experimental systems using gravity rather than electricity to power parts of the line, more temporary workers on seasonal contracts and dozens of steps to chip away at the 1.63 hours it takes to make a typical new air conditioner.

“We can do a lot without spending anything,” says Ogura, a 33-year Daikin veteran who joined the company just after high school. “Anything we need, we first try to build ourselves.”

Like Daikin, a number of Japanese manufacturers are shifting production back to Japan from China and elsewhere to take advantage of a weaker yen. Rival Panasonic has pulled back some production of room air-conditioners, Sharp has brought back production of some refrigerators, and Canon has repatriated some output of high-end copiers, according to a list compiled by Nomura.

But even as output recovers, Japanese companies remain cautious about new capital investment in factories and equipment.

The trend is especially pronounced for smaller firms down the supply chain.

After increasing capital spending by 6% in the just-completed fiscal year, small manufacturers plan a 14% decrease in the current year, according to the Bank of Japan’s quarterly survey released this week. Big manufacturers like Daikin plan a 5% increase, but overall investment remains 10% below pre-crisis 2007 levels.

Over the same time, corporate earnings have increased by 11%, shares have rallied – Daikin’s are up more than four-fold from its 2008 low and Japanese companies have socked away a record 87tn yen ($730bn) in cash.

For Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic revival plan to work, pulling Japan out of decades of stagnation and deflation, companies need to be willing to use that cash for new investment in a way they have so far baulked at in the more than two years since he took office, economists say.

“It turned out that the government and the BOJ were wrong in thinking monetary easing would boost capital spending,” said Taro Saito, director of economic research at NLI Research Institute. “Low growth expectations appear to outweigh the benefit from lower interest rates, keeping companies from boosting capital spending.”

For Daikin, there is a wariness that the slumping demand and sharply higher yen that almost forced the closure of the Kusatsu plant in 2009 could return at any time.

Sales in Japan represent just 25% of Daikin’s air-conditioning sales now, down from over a third in 2009. l

An Iranian flag flutters in front of the United Nations headquarters in Vienna

REUTERS

Billions up for grabs if nuclear deal opens Iran economy n Reuters, Dubai Iranian investment banker Ramin Rabii says he shouted in joy when he learned that Tehran and world powers had reached a deal which promises to lift economic sanctions on Iran. Then he called colleagues to discuss the business implications.

Rabii, managing director of Turquoise Partners, a Tehran-based investment firm with about $200 million of assets under management, has been grappling for years with the results of the sanctions: unstable growth, high inflation, international banking restrictions and hard currency shortages.

The agreement on curbing Iran’s nuclear programme, reached on Thursday, will - if confirmed in a final deal by a June 30 deadline begin to ease those crippling problems for Turquoise and thousands of other Iranian firms.

“We’ve been preparing for this moment for 10 years,” Rabii said by telephone, adding that in the months leading up to the deal Turquoise was in touch with hundreds of potential foreign investors about opportunities for them if sanctions were lifted.

He said the company now planned to develop its asset management and brokerage businesses, and would hold roadshows for investors in Europe and possibly Dubai.

Frozen out of the international banking system, its foreign trade slashed by the sanctions, Iran looks likely to become the biggest country to rejoin the global economy since post-Communist eastern Europe in the early 1990s.

The resulting boom could create tens of billions of dollars worth of business for both local and foreign companies and shift the economic balance in the Gulf, which has so far been heavily weighted towards the rich Gulf Arab oil exporting countries.

“Precautionary talks have already started between Iran and some big Western investors” in areas such as oil and autos, said Iranian-born economist Mehrdad Emadi of London’s Betamatrix consultancy. “Now there will be accelerating momentum.”

He predicted annual growth of Iran’s $420bn economy would rise by as much as 2 percentage points to over 5% in the year after a final nuclear deal. It could accelerate further to 7 or 8% in the following 18 months - matching the growth of Asia’s “tiger economies” during their boom years.

Iran’s trade with the European Union, which totalled 7.6bn euros ($8.3bn) last year, could balloon 400% by mid-2018, Emadi said.

Banking sanctions

the complex web of financial, shipping, energy and technology sanctions woven by the United States, the European Union and the United Nations is expected to take years to remove, even if a final nuclear agreement is reached and implemented smoothly.

As a result Iran’s oil exports, cut by the sanctions to about 1.1 million barrels per day from 2.5 million bpd in 2012, may not start rebounding before 2016.

But the single most damaging sanctions measure, the US Treasury’s use of Section 311 of the USA PATRIOT Act to identify Iran as a money laundering area, could be lifted quickly by the Obama administration, analysts believe.

This would have a big impact on trade and investment by letting foreign banks deal with Iran without fear of being targeted by US officials. Iran could be re-admitted to the SWIFT global payments system, from which it was expelled in 2012, within three months of a final nuclear deal, Emadi said.

Rabii said the boost to Iranian production from easier trade would quickly spur the economy, even if big foreign investment deals took longer to arrange.

“Iranian industry is currently operating at about 60 to 70% capacity. Thirty percent is idle - that’s because of the sanctions. Getting this working again is the low-hanging fruit of lifting the sanctions.”

The economic benefits would extend across the Gulf, particularly to Dubai, which is a traditional hub for business with Iran and has a large Iranian community.

The sanctions slashed Dubai’s trade with Iran by more than a third; the emirate could now become a jumping-off point for foreign companies going back into Iran.

Airlines and logistics firms around the region also stand to profit. Tarek Sultan, chief executive of Kuwait-listed logistics giant Agility, said Iran was potentially attractive because its isolation had encouraged it to develop indigenous expertise that could allow it to leapfrog other economies.

“When the international situation is resolved and restrictions are lifted, we’ll be among the first ones in there,” Sultan told Reuters late last year.

Other parts of the Gulf economy may at least temporarily be hurt by the rise of Iran.

Gulf Arab stock markets are reforming themselves to attract foreign capital; Saudi Arabia plans to open its bourse to direct foreign investment within months. These markets will now have a major rival for funds in Tehran.

Any increase in Iranian oil sales could come at the expense of Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s biggest producer, which has lifted its output near 10 million bpd. The kingdom already faces a record budget deficit this year because of low oil prices. l

DT

18 BUSINESS

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

News, analysis and recent disclosures STANDBANKL: The Board of Directors has recommended 15% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

Date of AGM: 14.05.2015, Time: 10:30 AM, Venue: Police Convention Hall (1st floor), Eskaton Garden Road, Ramna, Dhaka.

Record Date: 16.04.2015. The Company has also reported Profit after Tax and Provision of Tk. 1,213.40 million, EPS of Tk. 2.13, NAV per share of Tk. 17.34 and NOCFPS of Tk. 6.13 for the year ended on December 31, 2014 as against Tk. 1,010.98 million, Tk. 1.77, Tk. 16.29 and Tk. 1.21 respectively for the year ended on December 31, 2013.

ARGONDENIM: The Board of Directors has recommended 20% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

Date of AGM: 30.04.2015, Time: 10:00 AM, Venue: International Convention City Bashundhara-1 (Gulnaksha), Bashundhara, Dhaka (North side of 300 feet Purbachal Road). Record date: 15.04.2015.

The Company has also reported Net Profit after Tax of Tk. 287.46 million, EPS of Tk. 3.47, NAV per Share of Tk. 27.00 and NOCFPS of Tk. 2.02 for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

NHFIL: The Board of Directors has recommended 15% cash dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014. Date of AGM: 12.05.2015, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: Lakeshore Hotel, Road41, House46, Gulshan-2, Dhaka. Record Date: 15.04.2015 The Company has also reported net profit of Tk. 209.60 million, EPS of Tk. 1.97, NAV per share

of Tk. 14.12 and NOCFPS of Tk. 0.99 for the year ended on December 31, 2014 as against Tk. 167.47 million, Tk. 1.57, Tk .

13.40 and Tk. 2.72 respectively for the year ended on December 31, 2013.

GREENDELT: The Company has requested the concerned shareholders to collect their dividend warrants in person or through their authorized representatives for the year ended on December 31, 2014 from April 05, 2015 to April 09, 2015 from the Registred Office of the Company at Green Delta Aims Tower (6th floor), 51-52 Mohakhali C/A, Dhaka.

UPGDCL: (Q3): The Company has reported its profit after tax Tk. 596.47 million and basic EPS Tk. 2.01 for the 3 months ended on 30 September 2014 (Jul 2014 - Sep 2014) as against profit after tax of Tk. 503.25 million and basic EPS of Tk. 1.69 for the same period of the previous year. It is to be noted that basic EPS has been calculated based on weighted average PreIPO paid-up number of shares i.e. 296,949,726 shares for both periods. However, considering Post-IPO 329,949,726 number of shares the Companys basic EPS for the 3 months ended on 30 September 2014 would be Tk. 1.81. For the period of 9 months (Jan 2014 - Sep 2014) ended on 30 September 2014 profit after tax was Tk. 1,757.84 million and basic EPS was Tk. 5.92 as against profit after tax of Tk. 1,344.50 million and basic EPS of Tk. 4.53 for the same period of the previous year.

Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

Company Samata LeatheR -Z Saiham Cotton-A Provati Insur.-A Zeal Bangla Sugar -Z Phoenix Fin. 1st MF-A Apex SpinningA BSRM Steels-A Shahjalal Islami -A Hwa Well Textiles-A Intl. Leasing-B

Closing (% Change) 9.71 4.19 3.92 2.86 2.33 2.16 2.11 1.79 1.75 1.71

CSE GAINER Company Apex SpinningA Monno Ceramic -B Green Delta M.F.-A Saiham Cotton-A Reliance1 M.F.-A Shinepukur Cera-Z DBH 1st MF-A AIBL 1st Is. M. F.-A IFIC 1st MF-A Phoenix Fin. 1st MF-A

Closing (% Change) 7.30 6.74 5.13 4.17 3.45 2.65 2.50 2.44 2.38 2.33

DSE LOSER Company First Security Bank-A Meghna PET Ind. -Z Aziz PipesZ Zaheen Spinning -N Northern Jute -Z Legacy Footwear -A Imam Button -Z Uttara Bank - A National Feed-N Karnaphuli Insur -A

Closing (% Change) -10.78 -9.84 -8.59 -8.49 -7.36 -7.27 -7.00 -6.76 -6.55 -6.34

CSE LOSER Company Midas Financing-Z Bangladesh Lamps -A Fareast Islami Life -A National Polymer -A 2nd ICB M F -A First Security Bank-A Zaheen Spinning -N Eastern InsurA Legacy Footwear -A Apex Tannery -A

Closing (% Change) -9.57 -8.99 -8.71 -8.67 -8.37 -8.00 -7.62 -7.41 -7.17 -6.60

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY

DSE key features April 5, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka)

DSE GAINER

Sector

3,116.12 60,807,452 120,383

Traded Issues

310

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

46

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

257

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

7

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,522.10

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

30.57

Bank NBFI Investment Engineering Food & Allied Fuel & Power Jute Textile Pharma & Chemical Paper & Packaging Service Leather Ceramic Cement Information Technology General Insurance Life Insurance Telecom Travel & Leisure Miscellaneous Debenture

DSE Million Taka 153.59 70.06 16.17 306.67 102.88 1184.83 1.75 276.72 399.49 10.54 83.09 19.31 9.79 164.21 59.02 11.61 41.56 100.21 34.84 69.42 0.36

% change 4.93 2.25 0.52 9.84 3.30 38.02 0.06 8.88 12.82 0.34 2.67 0.62 0.31 5.27 1.89 0.37 1.33 3.22 1.12 2.23 0.01

Million Taka 12.36 4.69 1.70 20.74 160.43 181.73 182.06 17.79 309.86 4.76 309.76 1.35 26.88 9.38 0.21 0.81 16.75 5.86 9.33 0.02

Average (% Change) 11.67 2.12 3.00 (2.23) 0.69 2.89 0.94 1.16 0.24 0.68

Average (% Change) 5.45 6.90 2.51 1.18 3.45 1.59 1.50 2.94 2.38 1.16

Average (% Change) -10.29 -6.39 -8.77 -7.63 -1.44 -6.51 -8.37 -6.90 -6.13 -5.48

Average (% Change) -8.07 -8.99 -8.71 -8.73 -8.37 -7.71 -6.40 -7.41 -5.86 -5.98

CSE

ClosingAvg. 19.23 19.75 15.77 7.03 4.40 71.21 67.42 11.34 29.10 11.84

ClosingAvg. 70.76 28.50 4.08 19.71 6.00 11.48 4.06 4.20 4.30 4.35

ClosingAvg. 9.15 5.71 18.09 19.97 184.37 20.83 9.20 19.28 21.73 13.46

ClosingAvg. 10.60 107.30 65.00 69.49 230.00 9.34 20.03 25.00 21.22 116.82

% change 0.97 0.37 0.13 1.62 12.57 14.24 0.00 14.26 1.39 24.27 0.37 24.27 0.11 2.11 0.74 0.02 0.06 1.31 0.46 0.73 0.00

Closing

DHIGH

19.20 19.90 15.90 7.20 4.40 70.80 67.80 11.40 29.00 11.90

Closing

19.20 20.10 16.00 7.20 4.40 72.50 68.00 11.60 29.60 12.10

DHIGH

72.00 28.50 4.10 20.00 6.00 11.60 4.10 4.20 4.30 4.40

Closing

10.40 107.30 65.00 69.50 230.00 9.20 19.40 25.00 20.70 116.10

Million Taka 165.95 74.75 17.88 327.41 263.31 1366.56 1.75 458.79 417.28 320.40 87.84 329.07 11.14 191.09 68.40 11.82 42.38 116.97 40.70 78.75 0.38

19.10 19.20 15.00 7.00 4.30 70.00 66.00 11.10 28.60 11.50

DLOW

72.00 28.50 4.10 20.00 6.00 11.70 4.10 4.20 4.30 4.50

DHIGH

9.10 5.50 18.10 19.40 182.60 20.40 9.30 19.30 21.40 13.30

Closing

DLOW

70.00 28.50 4.00 18.80 6.00 11.40 4.00 4.20 4.30 4.30

DLOW

9.40 6.00 18.40 21.30 197.00 22.00 9.60 20.50 22.50 14.10

DHIGH

9.00 5.50 18.00 19.20 181.00 20.20 9.00 18.70 21.20 13.20

DLOW

11.00 107.30 65.00 73.00 230.00 10.00 20.70 25.00 22.00 118.50

Total

10.40 107.30 65.00 69.00 230.00 9.10 19.00 25.00 20.60 116.10

% change 3.78 1.70 0.41 7.45 5.99 31.11 0.04 10.44 9.50 7.29 2.00 7.49 0.25 4.35 1.56 0.27 0.96 2.66 0.93 1.79 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

Turnover in Million

Latest EPS

0.010 4.576 0.214 0.026 0.066 7.930 12.960 8.124 1.330 5.144

Turnover in Million

-0.46 1.43 1.97 -46.80 0.66 2.28 3.63 1.02 2.66 -0.09

Latest EPS

0.117 0.000 0.059 0.284 0.003 0.102 0.014 0.004 0.007 0.013

Turnover in Million

-ve 13.8 8.0 -ve 6.7 31.2 18.6 11.1 10.9 -ve

Latest PE

2.28 0.20 0.44 1.43 0.62 0.39 0.32 0.11 0.68 0.66

Latest EPS

6.068 0.012 0.123 21.287 0.394 1.661 0.046 8.403 9.455 0.192

Turnover in Million

Latest PE

31.0 142.5 9.3 13.8 9.7 29.4 12.7 38.2 6.3 6.6

Latest PE

1.44 -0.44 -0.37 1.32 0.96 0.28 -1.48 3.51 1.37 1.40

Latest EPS

0.034 0.027 0.007 0.017 0.002 1.415 4.723 0.000 0.217 0.106

6.4 -ve -ve 15.1 192.1 74.4 -ve 5.5 15.9 9.6

Latest PE

-3.24 1.13 4.60 3.30 43.96 1.44 1.32 2.31 0.28 3.38

-ve 95.0 14.1 21.1 5.2 6.5 15.2 10.8 75.8 34.6

CSE key features April 5, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

348.27 6,914,506 25,874

Traded Issues

227

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

40

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

180

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

6

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,438.55

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

29.56

DT

BUSINESS 19

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

DSE broad index sinks 6-month low n Tribune Report

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company United Power-N LafargeS Cement-Z Ifad Autos -N MJL BD Ltd.-A ACI Limited- A Shasha Denims -N Grameenphone-A Khulna Power-A Pharma Aids A Bangas -A

Shahjibazar Power-N Square Pharma -A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A ACI Formulations-A SummitAlliancePort.-A

VolumeShares 6,983,326 1,276,668 1,846,914 786,350 192,877 2,289,018 221,175 1,101,050 192,702 150,842

Value in Million 791.69 143.66 122.57 100.73 99.96 94.08 77.42 68.24 57.47 55.36

% of TotalTurnover 25.41 4.61 3.93 3.23 3.21 3.02 2.48 2.19 1.84 1.78

VolumeShares

Value in Million

% of TotalTurnover

CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company LafargeS Cement-Z Shasha Denims -N MJL BD Ltd.-A BD Submarine Cable-A Grameenphone-A Agni Systems -A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Ifad Autos -N Khulna Power-A WesternMarine -N

Zaheen Spinning -N UNITED AIR-A United Power-N ACI Limited- A ACI Formulations-A

299,716 198,977 1,412,952 288,081 738,369

219,489 290,759 75,043 72,272 23,487 247,074 188,433 82,239 79,295 113,125

235,827 613,165 25,403 7,514 22,825

52.59 52.15 45.43 42.14 40.03

24.64 11.90 9.60 8.51 8.24 7.73 6.06 5.45 4.90 4.79

4.72 4.66 4.45 3.88 3.34

1.69 1.67 1.46 1.35 1.28

12.73 6.15 4.96 4.40 4.26 3.99 3.13 2.82 2.53 2.48

2.44 2.41 2.30 2.01 1.73

ClosingP 134.60 113.30 66.70 127.50 514.20 41.30 352.30 62.20 293.20 362.70

173.30 262.80 32.00 143.70 53.70

ClosingP

Change % 0.00 0.89 1.52 -1.01 -0.39 -0.24 1.09 -1.27 -3.62 1.12

-5.35 0.38 -1.54 -3.56 -3.07

Change %

113.00 41.10 127.30 116.60 352.60 31.20 32.00 66.30 62.10 42.10

19.40 7.60 133.10 511.30 143.50

0.71 -0.72 -1.16 -3.00 1.35 0.00 -0.93 1.69 -1.27 -2.09

-7.62 -1.30 0.00 -0.95 -3.82

ClosingY 0.00 112.30 65.70 128.80 516.20 41.40 348.50 63.00 304.20 358.70

183.10 261.80 32.50 149.00 55.40

ClosingY

112.20 41.40 128.80 120.20 347.90 31.20 32.30 65.20 62.90 43.00

21.00 7.70 0.00 516.20 149.20

DHIGH 139.90 114.10 67.80 131.00 525.70 42.00 353.80 64.70 306.80 374.20

185.90 263.90 32.90 151.00 55.80

DHIGH

114.00 41.60 131.90 120.50 353.90 31.60 32.70 67.50 64.40 43.30

20.70 7.80 139.90 522.80 150.90

DLOW 98.00 111.70 64.30 126.60 512.50 40.50 345.10 60.60 291.00 358.70

172.50 261.20 31.90 142.30 53.50

DLOW

111.00 40.20 126.70 116.00 347.00 30.90 31.90 64.60 61.00 41.90

19.00 7.50 100.50 500.00 142.30

AvgPrice 113.37 112.52 66.37 128.10 518.26 41.10 350.03 61.98 298.21 367.00

175.47 262.08 32.15 146.29 54.22

AvgPrice

112.28 40.93 127.87 117.79 350.90 31.29 32.14 66.28 61.80 42.37

20.03 7.60 175.26 516.93 146.30

Daily capital market highlights DSE Broad Index : DSE - 30 Index : CSE All Share Index: CSE - 30 Index : CSE Selected Index :

4431.10984

(-) 0.92%

1696.80583

(-) 0.37%

13580.83120

(-) 0.84%

11205.20770

(-) 1.11%

8257.66430

(-) 0.94%

▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

Stocks extended losses for the third straight session yesterday with the benchmark index DSEX slipping to more than six-month low.

The market opened higher for a brief period but started to dive till close of the session on intense selling pressure as investors continued to prefer to stay sidelines due to ongoing political crisis.

The benchmark index DSEX fell 41 points or almost 1% to 4,431—its lowest since September 11 last year.

The Shariah Index DSES ended 4 points or 0.4% lower to 1,084. The comprising blue chips DS30 lost marginally 6 points or 0.4% to 1,696.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, settled at 8,256, slipping 68 points.

United Power Generation and Distribution Company Limited in its first trading day jumped almost 87% to Tk134.6 per share on its offer price. However, after opening at Tk98, it rose as high as Tk139.9.

The power generation company was also the most traded stocks with shares

worth almost Tk80 crore changing hands.

Trading activities, however, increased 13.5% to Tk311 crore, driven by the highest trading of the newly listed company.

“Market participation is still very low reflecting the lack of confidence in the investors’ mind,” said Lanka Bangla Securities.

Almost all the major sectors declined except energy, cement and telecommunication ended in positive territory after sharp losses in the several session.

Non-life insurance was the biggest loser falling 2.2%, followed by non-banking financial institutions 1.7%, textile 1.5% and banks 1.3%.

IDLC Investments said despite apparent slowdown in political violence and resultant breathing space for the economy, investors remained shy from the equity market as they tried to account damages already done as well as seek stronger assurance of stability.

Other top traded stocks included Lafarge Surma Cement, IFAD Autos, Mobil Jamuna Limited Bangladesh and ACI. l

ANALYST Despite apparent slowdown in political violence and resultant breathing space for the economy, investors remained shy from the equity market as they tried to account damages already done as well as seek stronger assurance of stability

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MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

Massive reshuffle in NBR to achieve revenue target n

Tribune Report

The National Board of Revenue has massively reshuffled duties of its 40 officials in customs, excise and VAT commissionerates to bring administrative dynamism and achieve the revenue target set for the current fiscal year.

The board yesterday transferred 11 commissioners to different field offices, according to an order signed by NBR second secretary Md Shamsuddin with immediate effect.

The tax authority on Saturday also transferred 29 of its officials, including promoting an additional commissioner to the post of commissioner through four separate official orders.

Among the officials transferred, Customs, Excise & VAT Commissionerate, Dhaka (South) additional commissioner Ismail Hossain Siraji was promoted to commissioner of the same office.

Remaining officials from different Customs, Excise & VAT Commissionerate offices include five additional commissioners, 13 joint commissioners and joint directors and 10 assistant commissioners and assistant directors.

NBR officials said changes in revenue administration is a regular part of bringing dynamism in revenue collection.

“We do not want a tax official working in the same office for a long time. We have transferred the officials so that they can make new plan and strategies to reach the revenue target for the fiscal year 2014-15,” he added.

Earlier on April 2, the tax body made changes to duties of two of its income tax members.

According to the order issued on the day, NBR member Kalipada Halder took the charge of tax appeal and exemption wing while Mahbubur Rahman was assigned to supervise legal and enforcement wing of income tax.

The tax officials transferred to different field offices are as follows: Pangaon Custom House commissioner Masudul Kabir was transferred as commissioner to Customs House, Inland Container Depot (ICD), Kamalapur, Dhaka; Customs,

National Board of Revenue Excise & VAT Commissionerate, Dhaka (West) commissioner M Saiful Islam was transferred to Customs Bond Commissionerate, Dhaka; and Customs, Excise & VAT (Appeal) Commissionerate, Chittagong commissioner Syed Golam Kibria was posted to Customs, Excise & VAT Commissionerate, Chittagong.

Customs Bond Commissionerate commissioner Abdul Mannan Shikder was transferred to Customs, Excise & VAT Commissionerate, Rajshahi; Customs, Excise & VAT Commissionerate, Chittagong commissioner Jamal Hossain was transferred to Customs, Excise & VAT Commissionerate, Jessore; Customs Bond Commissionerate, Dhaka commissioner M Shahidul Islam was assigned to Customs, Excise & VAT (Appeal) Commissionerate, Chittagong, the order reads.

Customs House, Inland Container Depot (ICD), Kamalapur commissioner SM Humayun Kabir was transferred to Customs Valuation & Internal Audit Commissionerate, Dhaka; Customs, Excise & VAT Commission-

DHAKA TRIBUNE

erate, Jessore commissioner (current charge) Shafiqul Islam was transferred to Customs Bond Commissionerate, Chittagong; Customs, Excise & VAT Commissionerate, Comilla commissioner (current charge) Enamul Haque was transferred to Customs, Excise & VAT Commissionerate, Dhaka (East); Customs, Excise & VAT Commissionerate, Khulna commissioner (current charge) Al Amin Pramanik was sent to Custom House, Mongla, Khulna; and Mongla Custom House, Khulna commissioner KM Ohidul Alam was posted to Customs, Excise & VAT Commissionerate, Khulna, as per the order.

The NBR is assigned to collect Tk1,49,720 crore as revenue in the current fiscal year.

In the first eight months of the current fiscal year, the tax body has already witnessed over Tk2,968 crore shortfall, the highest shortfall in Value Added Tax wing.

In the remaining four months, the taxmen will face a massive challenge as it will have to collect Tk69,742 crore to achieve its target. l

Finance Division forecasts 7% GDP growth in next fiscal year n Asif Showkat Kallol The Finance Division’s projection about the country’s economic growth rate for the next fiscal year is dissimilar to that of the General Economic Division of the Planning Commission.

According to the Finance Division, the country’s projected growth rate in the next fiscal year may be above 7% despite political turmoil over the last few months while the General Economics Division (GED) put it at 6.6% under the Perspective Plan 2010-2020, 1.7% down from the previous target of 8.3% growth.

Requesting anonymity, an official of the Finance Division said political unrest like hartal and blockade have almost come to a halt over

the last couple of weeks, and the estimated growth rate will be above 7%.

“We know the GED estimation that was done in the middle of political turmoil,” he said.

The growth rate of next fiscal year along with other economic indicators will be fixed at today’s fiscal coordination council meeting in the Finance Division, he added.

The GED revised the medium-term macro-economic framework (MTMF) growth rate for 6.6 % last month in the meeting of national steering committee on preparing the seventh five-year plan.

The meeting was held at the NECconference room in the city with Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal in the chair.

GED member of Prof Shamsul Alam the Planning Ministry told the Dhaka Tribune,

“We have calculated that the next fiscal year growth rate will be 6.6% from 8.3%. Not only internal factors but also external factors like global recession are also responsible for cutting down the next fiscal year growth rate.”

“We think that the next fiscal year growth will not be above 7%. The current current fiscal year is being impacted a little by the socalled political turmoil,” he further said.

As per the seventh five-year projections, the next fiscal year revenue-GDP percentage will be 12%, private sector credit growth 14.5%, domestic credit growth 16%, percentage of investment-GDP 28.9%.

Those economic indicators of the country will be discussed at the fiscal coordination council meeting, according to sources in the Finance Division. l

Foreign portfolio investment rises slightly in March n Tribune Report Foreign investment in Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) rose by 1.5% in March, bouncing back from sharp fall in February.

According to the DSE, the total foreign investment stood at over Tk32.29 crore in March compared to Tk31.8 crore in the previous month.

The investment dropped by more than 85% in February from January as foreign institutional investors’ confidence was spooked by the current political uncertainty.

In January, the figure was over Tk228 crore.

Fund managers on behalf of foreign investors purchased shares worth Tk319 crore and released shares worth over Tk351 crore last month, the DSE data showed.

The foreign investors’ turnover rose to over Tk671 crore during March compared to over Tk470 crore in February.

Analysts said the foreign fund inflows into the stock market had slowed down in the backdrop of the current political situation.

Foreign investment in 2014 stood at Tk2,608 crore rising 34.3% from Tk1,943 crore in 2013.

In 2014, the foreign investors’ turnover at the bourse rose by 84.56% compared to the previous year. In 2014, the overseas investors bought shares worth Tk4,406 crore against their sales of shares worth Tk1,798 crore. l

Fourth US-BD partnership dialogue likely this month n Asif Showkat Kallol Bangladesh and the United States are now working to fix up a date for the fourth Bangladesh-US Partnership Dialogue scheduled to be held in Dhaka this month, official sources said.

A source in the Commerce Ministry said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has convened an inter-ministerial meeting at the Foreign Ministry on April 8.

Members of the fourth Bangladesh-US Partnership Dialogue will be also selected at the meeting. The Foreign Ministry yesterday issued letter to nine secretaries of different ministries and divisions.

The inter-ministerial meeting will discuss 10 issues including development and good governance, business, commerce and investment.

According to the letter, the meeting will also focus on labour right, ensuring safe working place for workers. But the Foreign Ministry did not invite the labour secretary to attend the meeting.

Besides, other issues like environment and climate change will also be discussed in the inter- ministerial meeting.

The meeting will also focus on security assistance including prevention of terrorism, prevention of financing for terrorism and human trafficking and money laundering.

Other security issues like marine-time and cyber security will also be addressed during the meeting.

Defence assistance, assistance for power and energy sector and empowerment of women will be emphasised at the inter-ministerial meeting. l

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MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

T-JUNCTION

Shades of beautiful Photo: Saudia Afrin

INSIDE Celebrating togetherness

Beauty hazards

600 students from 12 different cadet colleges celebrate success and achievements.

Besides all the major health hazards, ever stopped and pondered how smoking takes a toll on your skin, hair and more?

22 news

Ten years of togetherness

23 beauty

Honey, you’re gorgeous

24 health

World Health Day

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MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

comic review

Schoologistics

news

Girl power! Ten years of togetherness What needed to be done

On April 1, 2005, 600 boys and girls were enrolled at 12 cadet colleges across the country in hope of making a difference in their lives and in those around them.

These colleges gave them an opportunity to change their lives for the better. Ten years have passed after that and now they are all at different phases of their lives – some pursuing a career in engineering or on their way to becoming a doctor or a defense officer, while many are dreaming of making changes in the country for the better. Recently, cadets of intake 05-11 made arrangements to celebrate ten years of friendship and togetherness at Istanbul Restaurant and Convention Centre located in Gulshan, Dhaka.

The event was sponsored by Medico Coaching Center. Jamuna TV was the television partner, Radio Foorti the radio partner and Dhaka Tribune was the newspaper partner of the programme. The event kicked off with performances put

together by the cadets. A slide show of the pictures of the cadet life and activities, dance, violin, flute and band songs followed

after that. To wrap it up, the event was starred by DJ Sonica.l

n Sabah Rahman Shabash may be Bangladesh’s favourite super hero, but that’s not what we’re here to discuss today. Today’s all about the super cool Ms Shabash. Yes, you read that right!

A female version who literally kicks scum to the curb. Born in an alternate universe to the same parents with the same mango powers, Ms Shabash was the perfect gift for International Women’s Day, brought to you by the fabulous people from Mighty Punch Studios.

Taking the same route with multiple stories that the Shabash comic books have been bringing us lately, this gem, released in March 2015 has two very entertaining parts that you’ll definitely want to read at one go before setting the book down. The first story sees Ms Shabash, a journalist by profession who just can’t catch a break, taking on Ms Porcha, the head of a skin-lightening cream company, mutated into a tentacled mess after overdosing on her own product. Expect hilarious jabs at the whitening industry. Did we mention there are zombies too?

The second story is a spin on the deshi, super moral “aunty brigade.” The name itself, “Attack of the Auntybots” guarantees a few chuckles. Following one of Professor Keramoti’s experiments that went awry, the angry fembots take the city by storm, trying to instill their narrow minded values on the youth.

But there’s more. The artwork on this baby is brilliant. The colours pop bright, but we already expected that from the creative minds of the team.

We don’t want to give away any more of the delightful stories this one off comic has in store. Writer, Samir Asran Rahman did mention that we may see more of the inspiring Ms Shabash in the future depending on the response it gets. We have our fingers crossed! Get your copy while it’s hot the next time you happen to be at your neighbourhood Pizza Hut or KFC. You can also find Ms Shabash at Meena Bazar, Dhaka Museum of Toys and Jamil’s Comics. l

Coca-Cola Bangladesh A steward for water and the environment

Recognised by the United Nations and the international community at large, World Water Day reminds us that no matter how our lives may be, much of the world still faces a global water, sanitation and hygiene crisis, and as conscientious people it is our obligation to act. This year marks the 23rd World Water Day, a day that has been used to focus attention on the sustainable management of the world’s freshwater resources. The Coca-Cola Company has been a major supporter of this programme and has made significant strides towards global water stewardship. In Bangladesh alone they have been mobilising their resources every year for seven years to raise awareness for water conservation and a number of related issues.

The Coca-Cola Company’s focus is not just to ensure sustainable use of water in its own operations but to also encourage all stakeholders to adopt sustainable

water usage practices that can result in water protection. To commemorate World Water Day 2015 Coca-Cola in Bangladesh partnered with Volunteer for Bangladesh (VBD) - the volunteer wing of JAAGO Foundation - in raising awareness on water related issues and the importance of safe and clean water, as the call to action this year is for “Water and Sustainable Development.”

The focus of the nationwide campaign has been on creating awareness that can ensure reducing waste or misuse of safe water. Based on reports, absolute water wastage is the highest in urban poor. Hence both Coca-Cola and JAAGO Foundation have tirelessly worked for the last seven years across urban slum areas in Bangladesh to raise awareness of this issue and this year they focused on awareness raising

activities in the slums of Rayer Baazar and Banani in Dhaka and across 10 other districts in Bangladesh.

450 volunteers went through a gruelling two-day-long training on sustainable use of water and these Young Ambassadors then reached out to communities to share their learning.

In Dhaka city alone, 250 volunteers participated in this door-to-door awareness raising campaign and spread the message sensitising the urban slum communities on ways in which they can take steps to prevent against waterborne diseases. Another 200 volunteers were mobilised across the nation in Jaipurhat, Chandpur, Noakhali, Rangpur, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Bogra, Jessore, Narayanganj and Jhenaidah, impacting over 10,000 slum dwellers and community persons.l

T-JUNCTION 23

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Tempt

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

beauty

Honey, you’re gorgeous Five ways to use honey in your beauty routine Mo’ scrub

Take two parts honey and one part baking soda and gently rub on your face in a circular motion. Rinse, and with continued use, you can kiss rough, dry skin goodbye.

Pore no more

Got visible pores? Mix two tablespoons of coconut oil with one tablespoon of raw honey and apply to clean, dry skin, avoiding the eyes, and then rinse. It will even out your skin tone and leave you with a clearer complexion.

Mani-pedi

Treat yourself to this DIY mani/pedi. Mix one teaspoon honey with one teaspoon apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon coconut oil.

Rub over each cuticle, leave on for 10 minute and then dip them into lukewarm water.

n Sabrina Fatma Ahmad Aside from being a superfood, honey might just be your go-to for all things beautyrelated. Here are five ways to use this golden ambrosia to keep your pretty on.

One condition Mask task

Spread one teaspoon of raw honey on clean, dry skin and leave on the skin for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, and your skin is as soft as a baby’s bottom.

Here’s a honey trick for better shine and volume in your hair. Mix one tablespoon raw honey with two tablespoons olive oil.

Apply to your hair, tips to roots. Leave on for 20 minutes before you rinse in warm water.

You’ll be seeing model hair in no time. l

Photos: Bigstock

prevention

Don’t take that drag Not so smoking hot

n Sabah Rahman We’ve all heard enough about the dangers of smoking. We know all about the cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as the host of other major issues cigarettes can cause. Most anti-smoking campaigns have schooled us on these huge ailments, but many people still don’t know how smoking can damage those good looks your mama gave you.

The skin

Photos: Bigstock

Smoking significantly slows down the production of collagen. What’s that, you ask? Well, collagen is kind of like the glue that binds the tissues, muscles and bones in our bodies. Without it, our skin loses its elasticity. This happens naturally during the ageing process, but smoking can accelerate that and make you look like Marge Simpson’s chain smoking sisters, years before you deserve to get to that state. Not enough to convince you to stop? Smoking reduces the level of oxygen in your blood. Don’t know what happens after that? A long, hard look at your dull, greyish skin will give you a good idea. Don’t even get us started on the “smoker’s lines” around your mouth.

Scars will also take longer to heal and you’ll be more susceptible to that dreaded orange peel skin on your body.

The teeth

Once those tobacco stains have set in, there’s not a lot that teeth whitening products can do. Bleaching the teeth may be an option for those who can afford the procedure, but FYI, it’s not cheap. Discoloured chompers not enough to turn you off ? You can also count on the fact that smoking will speed up tartar and plaque build up and gum disease. Good luck trying to get anyone to kiss you in the years ahead.

The hair

Those decreased oxygen levels will also wreak havoc on your hair. You can say goodbye to your natural lustrous locks and welcome dull tresses in their place. If your man is a smoker, remind him that if balding runs in his family, puffing on those deadly sticks will expose his scalp a whole lot faster.

Note: This article is brought to you by a smoker who seriously regrets the damage that’s already been done.

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24 T-JUNCTION

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

Take Care

health

World Health Day This year the World Health Organization has set Food Safety as the main theme of the World Health Day. Given Bangladesh’s dismal food safety conditions, no theme could have been more fitting for our needs. Despite having the highest number of food safety laws in the world, including a few stringent ones such as the Mobile Court Act 2009, Safe Food Regulations and the Safe Food Act, it has been almost impossible to put in place a well functioning food safety control system. Everything from weather conditions to adulteration has rendered our food as dangerously unsafe, leading to several foodborne illnesses within the population.

A 15 member team of National Food Safety Laboratory along with the support from the FAO collected and tested food samples from local markets and found staggering results.

Almost 40% of 82 samples of milk, fish, fruit and vegetables contained banned pesticides.

From fruits, to vegetables to fish - this week we show you just what effect formalin infused foods as well as street foods have on our bodies.

The formalin conundrum A mixture of 30% to 40% of formaldehyde in water and methanol is hazardous to human

health. Acute consumption of a single ounce can kill, on the other hand, lower levels of consumption may lead to increasing rates of cancer. It’s a chemical used to manufacture and process furniture, toilet paper, nail polish hardener as well as several other goods.

In Bangladesh formalin is most commonly used in fruits such as apples, bananas, grapes, mangoes, maltas as well as watermelon among other food items. As a precautionary measure, whether or not you suspect that your food is contaminated, all fruits, vegetable and fish should be washed in hot water (50 degrees) for 15 minutes.

Cooking also eliminates any formalin since it’s one chemical that dissolves easily.

Street food A policy brief by the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management found that street foods contained high levels of coliform bacteria which may be an indication of fecal contamination. Not only are these foods highly contaminated, they also lead to typhoid, hepatitis, gastroenteritis, dysentery and related infections. A study by NFPCSP along with FAO found that 45% of shops in Dhanmondi had proximity to drains, while

18% had proximity to sewerages. On average, 29% of street vendors in Dhanmondi, Motijheel and Lalbag were located close to drains and 15% close to sewerages.

-Sugar cane juice In a comparative study, among ghugni, chola boot, bhelpuri, singara, samosa and sugar cane juice, it was concluded that sugar cane juice had the highest level of bacteria - seven colony forming units per gram of viable bacteria. The lack of clean running water and the use of contaminated ice all make sugar cane juice extremely unfit for consumption.

shigellae, staphylococci or Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC).

-Ghugni/Chola boot The study by NFPCSP showed that 100% of vendors had no training in food safety and handling, while 58% don’t cover their food while selling. A study by ICCDR,B found that 40% of street food was contaminated with diarrhoea causing E-coli bacteria.

Ghugni is usually prepared in unhygienic situations where bare hands, dirty swab cloth and unclean water are used to mix, wash and clean the utensils. What’s more threatening is that both ghugni and chola boot are usually kept uncovered and may contain coliform, and salmonellae,

-Daal puri Talking to a bunch of street vendors around town, it was discovered that daal puris are often made with leftover daal which are sometimes three or four days old. According to medical experts, expired or stale food damage our organs causing food poisoning, indigestion, gas and other illnesses.

Given the current circumstances surrounding food safety issues in Bangladesh, there should be more government and NGO sponsored campaigns to raise awareness and minimise contamination, through necessary training.l

teen health

Sleep-starved Sundays Why social jet lag is messing with your sleep

n Sabrina Fatma Ahmad Why is the first day of the school week so hard to wake up for?

Your wild weekends may be to blame.

If you have one kind of sleep schedule for your weekdays and a different one on weekends, you’re throwing your entire sleep cycle (and appetite) out of sync, making it hard to get back on track when you go back into the work week. Sleep psychologists are calling this phenomenon “social jet lag,” and it’s caused by staying up later than usual and then sleeping in over the weekend.

Does this mean you have to cancel that dinner outing with your pals or that Game of Thrones bingefest? Not necessarily. Get into the habit of getting a full night’s rest during weeknights, so you’re not carrying sleep debt over into your Fridays.

Scheduling a power nap during the first day of the week might also help you get right back into the rhythm.

So yes, you can have it both ways. Prioritising and planning are all it takes. l

PHOTO: BIGSTOCK

Yorkshire’s Barney Gibson, the youngest ever firstclass player in the history of English county cricket has retired at the age of just 19

Sport 26

MANYAVAR TO SPONSOR TOP FLIGHT FOOTBALL

27

NASIR INSPIRES NORTH TO CLOSE WIN OVER CENTRAL

28

25

DT

RETIRES AT 19!

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

RONALDO HITS FIVE IN NINE-GOAL REAL ROUT

Sunny, Liton star for the East n Minhaz Uddin Khan This Bangladesh Cricket League one-day version is very important for some of the national uncapped batsmen simply because of the upcoming home series against Pakistan. Meanwhile, with the fast bowlers leading the national side in the recently concluded World Cup also put the spinners on their toes.

Majority of the national colours on the day did not shine as 20-year-old Liton Kumar Das continued his dominance with the bat this season. The busy opening batsman scored 45 as his team Islami Bank East Zone cruised to their target of 123 with six wickets to spare. Although, his effort was made easier by southpaw Arafat Sunny who wrecked through Prime Bank South Zone’s batting earlier and ended up with four wickets for the expense of 11 runs only.

Liton, the highest run getter in the National Cricket League and the second highest run getter in the Dhaka Premier League this season, stroked six boundaries in his 51-ball innings before Mohammed Mithun found him short with a direct hit from short distance. With Anamul Haque out with injury and Imrul Kayes getting dismissed for just 10 earlier in the day to continue his disappointing run, Liton is well in contention for the Tigers’ opening slot against Pakistan. The selectors surely are keeping a close eye on the young wicketkeeper-batsman.

The wicket at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium had grass on it – a very rare sight – and when the East pacers sent the ball traveling fast to the wicket-keeper, everyone was certain the day would belong to the seamers who are under the limelight since the World Cup. However, it was left-arm spinner Sunny who capitalised on the early pressure and took half of the wickets claimed by spinners yesterday.

The post World Cup excitement fetched in some decent crowd at the stadium as Mominul Haque earlier won to the toss and opted to field. Abul Hasan and Kamrul Hasan kept South openers Kayes and Saykat Ali (51) on their toes as the duo struggled and had to wait till the third over to get their side off the mark.

However, once the spinners were introduced, South Zone tumbled like a house of cards.l Prime Bank South Zone skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza (C) embraces his Islami Bank East Zone counterpart Mominul Haque (R) while handing over the team-sheet of their BCL one-dayer in Mirpur yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

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26 Sport

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

Manyavar to sponsor top-flight football n Shishir Hoque Manyavar, an Indian fashion house, has come forward to assist Bangladesh football as it became the latest title sponsor of Bangladesh Premier Football League 2014-15 season, scheduled to kick off tomorrow.

The agreement was announced yesterday in a press conference at the BFF House where the top officials of the country’s football governing body introduced the title sponsor and co-sponsors.

Manyavar is expected to provide an amount in the region of Tk10m as sponsorship money while four co-sponsors – KFC, Amber Group, Pragati Insurance Limited and Treasure Securities Limited – will provide Tk1m each.

With all the sponsorship money put together, the Bangladesh Football Federation will receive Tk14m. Although it is not enough to run the entire top-tier, comprising a total of 110 matches, BFF president Kazi Salahuddin said, “It may not be enough to run the league but it is the beginning. Maybe, one day the game would be too good that we will not have to worry about sponsors.

“I’m grateful to the sponsors. Thanks to them for coming forward. They are the most

Vintage Denim Ltd MD Imran Islam Chowdhury (R) shakes hands with BFF senior vice president Abdus Salam Murshedy at the BFF House yesterday COURTESY

BCB against nominating for vacant ICC post Title sponsor not yet decided deal. Advertising agency Top of Mind topped n Minhaz Uddin Khan the bid with their offer of Taka 2 crore 11 Bangladesh Cricket Board will not nominate a name for the vacant International Cricket Council president’s post, informed BCB president Nazmul Hasan yesterday following a board meeting.

The largely “ceremonial” ICC president’s post was left vacant after former BCB president AHM Mustafa Kamal resigned last week.

The ICC then asked the BCB to nominate a name but cricket’s governing in the country has decided not to choose a representative.

“First of all, we did not get any formal request from the ICC. They only asked us verbally. At the same time, the new president will only get around two and a half months.

The new president will only get one ICC meeting where he will be required to read out a speech. So, considering everything, there is hardly anyone interested,” Nazmul told the media at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

“We are not in a hurry, at least not until we receive anything in written form. We will go to the next ICC meeting and see what happens,” he added.

In the meeting, the BCB were also supposed to confirm a new sponsor for the national side. Tenders were received by the board, however, Nazmul informed that they did not reach an agreement as the placed bids were below the expected floor-price.

“We have asked the highest bidder to continue negotiations tomorrow. If they can meet the board’s expectation, we will award them the deal. If not, then the second highest bidder will be awarded the deal,” said Nazmul.

According to sources, the BCB is expecting to net around Taka 2 crore 40 lakhs from the

lakhs. The company, however, failed to place a 50% bank guarantee. The other bidders were Grameenphone (Taka 2 crore), Total Sports (Taka 1 crore 55 lakhs) and Robi (Taka 50 lakhs).

Following the meeting, the BCB also decided to pay $325,000 in compensation to the Pakistan Cricket Board for two cancelled tours in 2012.

The PCB had originally demanded $900,000.

“We have decided to pay them $325,000. I think it will clear the issue with the PCB. After this, we have no debts to pay to the PCB, this is the final settlement,” said the BCB boss.

Among other issues, the BCB decided to host the felicitation programme of the Bangladesh team this Friday for their performance in the 2015 ICC World Cup. Nazmul informed that all the forums and the Divisional Sports Associations of the country will be present during the programme in Chittagong.

The second felicitation programme will be held in Dhaka the following day at Manik Mia Avenue. The decision to host the second programme this Saturday has forced the final of the Bangladesh Cricket League one-dayers to be pushed back by a day. The final will now be held this Sunday at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

The meeting also opted to name ace all-rounder Shakib al Hasan as the captain for the first ODI against Pakistan at home as regular skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza will be suspended. Mashrafe copped a one-match suspension due to slow over-rate during Bangladesh’s quarter-final against India.

Meanwhile, the BCB will provide financial assistance to the family of former national football captain Monem Munna, who passed away a decade ago. Munna’s family will get Tk500,000.l

important elements to develop the standard of football in the country. If we work together, I do not see any reason why we should not reach the top level.”

The new title of the most prestigious football event in the country is now Manyavar Bangladesh Premier Football League 201415. Manyavar is an Indian fashion house that was brought to Bangladesh by Vintage Denim Limited and its managing director Imran Islam Chowdhury signed on the dotted line yesterday on behalf of the title sponsor.

“Manyavar was brought to Bangladesh three years ago and we want to bring back the heydays of the 1980s and 90s. Thanks to the BFF for giving us the opportunity. We want to be with BFF for the next five years,” said Imran yesterday.

BFF senior vice president Abdus Salam Murshedy, general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag, assistant managing director of Pragati Insurance, Syed Obaidul Karim, and managing director of Treasure Securities, Fazley Elahi, were also present on the occasion.

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Farashganj Sporting Club will face each other in the Premier League opener at Bangabandhu National Stadium tomorrow. l

Anamul to miss start of Pakistan series n Minhaz Uddin Khan While his teammates are busy with the oneday version of the Bangladesh Cricket League, national opener Anamul Haque is passing his time in the sidelines. The right-hander is recovering from a shoulder injury which he incurred during their 2015 ICC World Cup group-stage match against Scotland on March 5.

The injury forced him to go under the knife in Melbourne on March 13. Anamul is currently undergoing rehabilitation and yesterday, he batted in the nets for only the second time in the last one month.

“I batted in the nets after a long time. Felt good. Batted for around 20-25 minutes, did not feel any pain to be honest,” said Anamul.

The 22-year old cricketer from Kushtia said it is always tough for any sportsman to stay away from the field and he is experiencing the same thing.

“I was excited before going into the nets.

I felt as if I was going out to bat for the first time. This boosted my confidence a little if you ask me,” he said.

Anamul is worried his injury might push him away from the reckoning with the bilateral home series against Pakistan starting April 17. According to medical reports, he is expected to be fully fit by April 23.

Anamul, however, informed that he is making every effort to reclaim his place in the side.

“I have three rehab sessions in a day – 9-12 in the morning, 2-4 in the afternoon and 7-9 in the evening. I worked really hard in the last one month. Now luck will dictate whether I get the return of my hard work against Pakistan or later. However, with me batting in the nets now, I think I am already getting some return,” said Anamul.l

DT

Sport 27

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

BRIEF SCORES Prime Bank South Zone Vs Islami Bank East Zone at Mirpur Prime Bank South Zone 122 all out in 38.5 overs Saykat Ali 51, Md. Mithun 15, Tushar Imran 14, Arafat Sunny 4/11, Nabil Samad 2/21 Islami Bank East Zone 123/4 in 27 overs Liton Kumar 45, Tasamul Haque 22, Mominul Haque* 14, Rubel Hossain 2/28, Mashrafe Mortaza 1/47 Result : Islami Bank East Zone won by 6 wickets.

Man of the Match : Arafat Sunny (IBEZ) BCB North Zone v Walton Central Zone at Fatullah Walton Central Zone 209/6 in 50 overs Shamsur Rahman 76, Mosharraf Hossain 41, Abdul Majid 25, Taijul Islam 3/29, Nasir Hossain 2/35 BCB North Zone 211/8 in 49.3 overs Nasir Hossain* 76, Naeem Islam 29, Forhad Reza 20, Mosharraf Hossain 3/36, Shohid 3/39 Result : BCB North Zone won by 2 wickets.

Man of the Match : Nasir Hossain (BCBNZ)

Navy, Faridpur to fight for nat’l hockey title n Raihan Mahmood The ATN Bangla Gold Cup National Hockey promises an exciting final today after national star-studded Bangladesh Navy and Faridpur won their respective semifinals at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium yesterday.

In the first semifinal, Bangladesh Navy beat Bangladesh Army by 5-3 goals with national forward Moinul Islam Koushik slamming a hat-trick for the winners. Koushik put Bangladesh Navy ahead in the very first minute, doubled the margin in the 8th minute and completed his feat in the next minute. Sitting on a three-goal cushion the sailors showed some signs of relaxation as Army sneaked in and fought back with two goals from Rokonuzzaman Shohag amd Shuvo Kumar Ghosh. However, national forward Krishna Kumar’s 55th minute strike regained Navy’s upper hand in the before Russell Mahmud Jimmy sealed the fate of the game in the 57th minute. Milon Hossain was only able to reduce the margin for Army in the 58th minute.

In the second semi, former national forward Maksud Alam Habul put Dhaka ahead with a superb flick in the 12th minute but Pushkor Khisha Mimo and Musa Miah’s late strikes saw Faridpur get the ticket of final. l

Fenerbahce bus shot at after game

Fenerbahce’s Coach Ismail Kartal and players Emre Belezoglu (R) and Bekir Irtegun (L) are seen in the team bus which was shot at while it was drivimg through to Trabzon Airport in the Black Sea coastal province of Trabzon, northeastern Turkey late last Saturday. The Fenerbahce team bus was shot at after a Turkish league game against Rizespor, the BBC reported. The coach driver was taken to hospital after sustaining injuries during the incident, which happened as champions Fenerbahce, who won the match 5-1, were travelling to Trabzon to fly back to Istanbul. No players were hurt. The picture was taken last Saturday REUTERS

Prime Bank South Zone’s Mohammed Mithun (L) catches Islami Bank East Zone opener Liton Kumar Das (C) short of the crease during their BCL one-dayer in Mirpur yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Nasir heroics inspire North to close win over Central zone n Reazur Rahman Rohan Captain Nasir Hossain’s all-round performance saw BCB North Zone get off to a winning start in the first ever Bangladesh Cricket League one-day tournament at Fatullah yesterday.

The match went right down to the wire as Walton Central Zone bowlers maintained regular pressure in a bid to defend their 209 in 50 overs. Seamers Mohammad Shohid and

Taskin Ahmed made North suffer at 93 for five before Nasir stepped up with Ariful Haque as his side kick.

The pair added a valuable 57 runs for the sixth wicket to pull North Zone out of trouble and although Ariful departed in the 41st over after a slow but crucial 47-ball 19, Nasir pressed on the accelerator and took his side past 200.

The right-hander, after making 76 off 94 with six fours and a six, became Taskin’s first victim in the evening and was caught by counterpart Mahmudullah with eight still needed off eight. Taskin spiced up the ending by sending back incoming batsman Muktar

Ali for a two-ball duck.

Central skipper Mahmudullah fancied his chances by bowling the last over with eight to defend and failed horribly as Forhad Reza bagged the win with three balls to spare.

Earlier, it was Shamsur Rahman’s unusual batting that enabled Central post a decent 209 for six. The right-hander is known for his attacking batting approach, but his determination to survive on a slow and low wicket saw him remain unbeaten on 76.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam bagged three wickets while off-spinner Nasir complimented him with two scalps. l

Raul makes modest start with Cosmos

n Reuters, Fort Lauderdale In a run-down stadium on the industrial outskirts of Florida’s Fort Lauderdale, record Real Madrid goal-scorer Raul made his belated debut for U.S. second division side New York Cosmos on Saturday.

While former Spain team mate David Villa enjoyed a debut with New York City in front of 40,000 fans at Yankee Stadium last month, fewer than 12,000 turned up to watch Raul play on a field showing the markings from a recent American football game.

The 37-year-old signed in October with the Cosmos, who play in the North American Soccer League, a tier below Major League Soccer, but had to wait through the winter off-season before making his first league start.

Raul, who scored a club record 323 times in 741 games for Real, is also serving as a technical adviser for the Cosmos youth academy.l

DT

28 Sport

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

Real Madrid Bale 25, Ronaldo 30, 36, 38, 54, 89, Benzema 52, 56, Mainz 82-og

Granada Ibanez 73

9 1

Ronaldo hits five in nine-goal Real rout n AFP, Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo scored five times as Real Madrid moved to within a point of Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a stunning 9-1 thrashing of Granada on Sunday.

Gareth Bale continued his fine form after bagging a brace for Wales last weekend by opening the scoring after 25 minutes. Ronaldo then took over as he scored three times in eight minutes just after the half hour mark.

Karim Benzema struck twice either side of Ronaldo’s fourth as Real added three more in a four-minute spell just after the break.

Robert Ibanez grabbed a consolation for the visitors, but Diego Mainz’s own goal made it 8-1 before Ronaldo rounded off the scoring with a towering header.

Madrid had only won one of their last four La Liga games before the international break, but coach Carlo Ancelotti was able to welcome back James Rodriguez for the first time in two months after recovering from a foot injury.

The Colombian World Cup star was heavily involved as Madrid dominated throughout,

but it was Granada who had the first clear chance when Ibanez clipped the outside of the post after pouncing on a poor clearance from Iker Casillas.

Chances soon began to flow at the other end and Bale was first to capitalise when he latched onto Toni Kroos’s through ball to round Oier Olazabal and slot home from a narrow angle.

Rodriguez then sealed his comeback with a lovely assist with the outside of his left foot to allow Ronaldo to curl home his first of the afternoon.

The Portuguese soon made it 3-0 by lashing home from close range after Olazabal had spilled a cross to move ahead of Lionel Messi in the battle to be La Liga’s top goalscorer.

The World Player of the Year was far from finished, though, as he sealed an eight-minute hat-trick with some more help from the Granada ‘keeper as he couldn’t keep out his drive from 20 yards.

Granada offered embarrassingly little resistance after the break as Benzema was given plenty of time to control a corner from the

left and fire home to make it 5-0.

Bale then unselfishly teed up Ronaldo to nod home his 46th goal of the season, although there was a brief scare for the home fans as Ronaldo collided with the frame of the goal in doing so but was soon back on his feet.

More shocking defending from Granada allowed Benzema to saunter through for a seventh barely 60 seconds later.

Ancelotti then took the chance to remove Kroos, Rodriguez and Benzema ahead of a busy month that includes another six league games and a return to Champions League action for the European champions.

Granada pulled a goal back when Ibanez burst clear of Raphael Varane to slot past Casillas, but their miserable day was rounded off when Mainz could only turn Javier Hernandez’s cross into his own net.

And fittingly Ronaldo had the final word when he rose highest to power Luka Modric’s free-kick in at the far post.

Meanwhile, La Liga champions Atletico Madrid moved up to third thanks to a routine win 2-0 away at Cordoba on Saturday.

Antoine Griezmann latched onto a poor pass from Bruno Zuculini to drill home the opener after just five minutes before Saul Niguez made it 2-0 six minutes before half-time on his return after a lengthy injury layoff. l

LA LIGA RESULTS Real Madrid

9-1

Granada

Bale 25, Mainz 82-og Ronaldo 30, 36, 38, 54, 89, Benzema 52, 56,

Ibanez 73

Played Saturday Sevilla

2-0

Athletic Bilbao

Vidal 3, Bacca 21

Cordoba

0-2

Atletico Madrid Griezmann 5, Niguez 39

Almeria

1-4

Hemed 70-P

Malaga Recio 55

Levante Barral 17, 53, 75, Casadeus 32

1-1

Real Sociedad Pardo Gutiérrez 83

DT

Sport 29

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

Serena strolls to eighth Miami title n Reuters, Miami Serena Williams won her eighth Miami Open title with little trouble, enjoying a 6-2 6-0 win over Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro in just 56 minutes on Saturday.

The victory was the world number one’s third consecutive title at Miami and she becomes just the fourth woman in the open-era to win the same tournament eight times, joining Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert and Steffi Graf.

“It feels really good to have eight under my belt. I can’t say I thought I would win eight, especially in the beginning of the week,” Williams told reporters.

The American had to pull out of Indian Wells before her semi-final due to a knee injury and there had been doubt over her participation at Miami.

“It just feels really weird,” said Williams, “and I’m happy to be able to get through it.”

In bright sunshine at Key Biscayne, the 12th seeded Suárez Navarro started with de-

Tevez scores as Juve restore 14-point lead n AFP, Milan Carlos Tevez hit his 17th goal of the campaign and Roberto Pereyra added a late second as Juventus beat Empoli 2-0 in Turin on Saturday to restore their 14-point lead on Roma.

Roma had earlier ended a four-month wait for victory at the Stadio Olimpico when Miralem Pjanic struck in the 25th minute to seal a 1-0 win for Rudi Garcia’s men over Napoli.

But Juve’s 21st win of the season restored their sizeable advantage and underlined their status as champions in waiting.

Tevez gave Juve a controversial lead two minutes from the interval when he smashed a free kick past Luigi Sepe after an Empoli player was ruled to have given a backpass to the ‘keeper.l

DAY’S WATCH Star Sports 2 12:00AM Spanish La Liga Espanyol v Elche CF

Star Sports 4 1:00AM English Premier League Crystal Palace v Manchester City

Ten Action 5:30PM Sky Bet Championship Watford v Middlesbrough

Ten Sports 8:00PM Sky Bet Championship Brentford v Nottingham Forest

termination but Williams broke to go 4-2 up in the first and never looked back as she went on to win 10 straight games.

Williams broke again at the end of the first set and the second was barely a contest with the Spaniard winning just five points.

The American, a 19-times grand slam champion, produced some magnificent winners, 27 in all, and her powerful serve delivered seven aces. The win also extended Williams’ winning streak at premier mandatory level matches to 46.

The most titles won at a single event is 12 by Navratilova at Chicago but Williams, 33, appeared horrified at the suggestion she might manage four more in Miami.

“I hope not because I would still be here and I would be how old?” she said, counting on her fingers.

“No. Let’s pray that I don’t get to 12.”

Given the one-sided nature of the final and the lack of real competition for Williams, who has been world number one for over two years, she might not be the only one. l

Serena Williams of the US holds the Butch Bucholz Trophy at the Crandon Park beach after her straight sets victory against Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain in the Miami Open final on Saturday AFP

Lewandowski seals win at ex-club Dortmund n AFP, Berlin Robert Lewandowski scored against his exclub Borussia Dortmund on Saturday to seal Bayern Munich’s 1-0 win which keeps them on course for a third Bundesliga title.

Lewandowski’s first-half header clinched Bayern’s win which left them ten points clear at the top of the table with seven games left.

In recent years, the tie has been dubbed Germany’s ‘Der Klassiker’, but the defeat leaves last season’s runners-up Dortmund tenth, but now 15 points from a Champions League place after poor results this season.

“Bayern weren’t the better team, but they were more effective and took their chances,” said Dortmund captain Mats Hummels.

“They only had a couple of chances and we were unlucky to lose.”

Their victory merely underlines Bayern’s domination in Germany and came without injured stars David Alaba, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery.

“It was tight up until the very end,” said Bayern captain Philipp Lahm.

“We defended well but we didn’t do well with less possession than we are used to. It was a hard-fought win.”

The visitors took the lead when Thomas Mueller’s shot rebounded off Roman Weidenfeller’s foot and Lewandowski headed home the rebound on 36 minutes.

Dortmund’s best chance was when Marco Reus’ second-half free-kick was superbly saved

by Manuel Neuer as Borussia suffered their first league defeat since the start of February.

Bayern’s Spain midfielder Thiago Alcantara came on for his first appearance since

Adam’s stunner among best in Premier League history n AFP, London Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam scored one of the greatest goals in Premier League history in his side’s 2-1 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday.

With City trailing 1-0 at Stamford Bridge, Adam illuminated a drab evening in west London with an audacious bolt from the blue in the 44th minute. Taking possession well inside his own half, the Scotland international looked up to see Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had strayed off his line.

Even so it initially seemed nothing more than a reckless gamble when Adam shaped to shoot, yet his incredible drive from 65 yards out arrowed over Courtois, who could

only help the ball into the net as he back-pedalled in a futile attempt to prevent the wonder-goal. “It’s a great goal to score. I saw the ‘keeper off his line, tried an effort and it went in,” Adam said.

“I always have a look at the goalkeeper’s position throughout a match because these balls move so much. When you have that much space and time it’s nice to do something like that. I was just disappointed the keeper got a hand on it! It was great to get back in the game but the biggest thing is we lost the match.”

Adam’s moment of magic brought back memories of David Beckham’s famous lob from the halfway line against Wimbledon in 1996, a goal widely regarded as one of the best in the Premier League’s 23-year history.l

March 2014 following back-to-back knee injuries, but Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger limped off with an ankle knock with 58 minutes gone.

Munich’s World Cup-winner Mario Goetze came on for the last ten minutes against his former club to a symphony of whistles at Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion.

- Bayer, Gladbach post big wins Earlier, Borussia Moenchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen posted big wins as the battle for third-place intensified.

The Bundesliga’s top three qualify automatically for the Champions League.

With seven games now left, third-placed Gladbach enjoyed an impressive 4-1 comeback win at Hoffenheim which keeps them two-points clear of Leverkusen, who posted a 4-0 win at home to over hapless Hamburg.l

DT

30 DOWNTIME

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Place (5) 4 Uncommon (4) 7 Character (6) 8 Thespian (5) 10 Male deer (4) 11 Absurd (5) 12 Rounded vase (3) 14 Blemish (4) 17 Satisfy fully (4) 19 United (3) 20 Added clause (5) 23 Prevalent (4) 25 Formal acts (5) 26 Drink of the gods (6) 27 Outlet (4) 28 Divers’ affliction (5)

DOWN 1 Social standing (6) 2 Soon (4) 3 Venture (4) 4 Corrodes (5) 5 Craft (3) 6 Sanity (6) 9 Colour (4) 13 Long, deep narrow valley (6) 15 Harbour town (4) 16 Tantalises (6) 18 Build (5) 21 Cheerless (4) 22 Irish republic (4) 24 Marsh (3)

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 24 represents K so fill K every time the figure 24 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.

A B C D E FG H I J K L M N O P Q RST UVWXYZ

SUDOKU

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.

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

DT

SHOWTIME 31

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

Runa Laila set to celebrate 50th anniversary concert n Showtime Desk To mark the 50th anniversary of Runa Laila’s musical career, Entourage Entertainment has

Turn it up

arranged a concert titled Celebration of Music on April 10 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the capital.

Two Bollywood celebrities, “Khoobsurat”

Adam Levine @adamlevine Every time I jump I wonder if maybe this time I’ll actually fly.

Never works.

Pharrell Williams @Pharrell What y’all know about Afro & Deziak http://youtu.be/ Wl0oLGrx9Dw @ jimmyfallon @FallonTonight

Beyond the river of deceit

Shaik Salekin is a man who is truly versatile.

From metal roots, judging by his stint with the band Severe Dementia to playing the guitar and composing for Lalon, and now 12AM. Shaik is the proud founder of 12AM but it doesn’t end there. He is also the lead vocalist, guitarist and a songwriter. This man knows how to make his guitar weep. We asked the soulful Shaik to share his current playlist with us.

1. Achhaidh Cheide - Irish Folk. I’m in love with any style of folk. Currently it’s Irish.

2. Aj Jemon kore gaiche akash - Rabindro Shongeet. Listening to Vikram Singh’s version.

3. Cool Blues - Charlie Parker. You can listen to Charlie Parker any day to satisfy your soul.

4. With a little help from my friends - Joe Cocker. Rest in peace, Joe. 5. While my guitar gently weeps - George Harrison. I was in the mood to listen to some guitar bends.

6. Different shades of blue - Joe Bonamassa.

The entire album is a lovely masterpiece.

7. Instant crush - Daft Punk. Thanks DP for this lovely album.

8. Raga bhupali- Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan.

I’m a big fan of classical music, somehow it always soothes my soul.

9. Life is beautiful - Vega 4. “Its amazing where I’m standing, there’s a lot that we can give.” l

star and singer, Fawad Afzal Khan and playback singer Krishnakumar Kunnath aka KK, will join the superstar on the stage.

Laila expressed her feelings towards the concert via a Facebook post saying: “I thank the organisers for bringing people the Celebration of Music. I hope my fans will make the event more memorable and enjoyable by gracing us with their presence.”

Laila, who debuted on the “Zia Mohyuddin Show”, a Karachi TV stage show in 1972, occupies a special place in South Asian music. Born in Bangladesh when it was still East Pakistan, she establishishd a successful musical career in India and Pakistan too, Runa Laila has memorable hits like “Dama dam mast qalandar” to her record.

Tickets will be available at the outlets of Angels n’ Gypsies, Kabab Factory, La’belle Beauty Salon and Charcoal Steak House or online at www.imdhaka.com. l

CELEBS ON SOCIAL

Imagine being a member of the music journalism circuit back in 1994: Upon hearing of a possible collective of musicians that comprises members of bands such as Pearl Jam, Screaming Trees, and Alice in Chains, what would you have done? It may seem nigh on blasphemous now, but hype was the absolute last thing that Mad Season’s sole album “Above” was welcomed with in the run up to its release two decades ago.

But, perhaps it is because of being overlooked to the point of where it becomes a criminal offense that the album has managed to stay relevant among the handful of dedicated fans it has garnered, and is now, thankfully, slowly being recognised as one of the defining records of a decade filled with innumerable others that can claim to be the same.

Above is an unblemished reflection of the demons that haunted most musicians of that era (at least the ones we were told about), and which Mike McCready, Barrett

Martin, the late John Baker Saunders, and of course, the late Layne Staley were almost certainly possessed by. And all it takes is the opening track “Wake up” to realise that. Starting off with some subdued bass by John Baker Saunders, the song cements a distinct tone and atmosphere for the rest of the album … sickly, bleak, smokey, and hopeful.

“Heavy mood music” is what Stephen Thomas Erlewine called the album in his original review for Allmusic, and while it’s hard to not agree with that label, it is far too clinical/cynical. Hooks are a rare commodity in the entirety of the album’s hour-long length, and the mercurial song structure did no favours to win over listeners programmed to liking the onagain-off-again arrangement of verses and choruses which dominated airwaves back then. The album was a sonic anomaly especially considering the pedigree of the musicians behind it.

It’s curious, but in Above, we see singer and songwriter Layne Staley at his absolute earnest - both in his singing and in his songwriting. After a barrage of LPs and EPs with his mainstay Alice in Chains in the early 90s, his work with Mad Season came off as a proverbial exhale to Alice in Chains’- you get the idea. Far from the sludgy heaviness of Alice, Layne used the record as an excuse to channel his inner philosopher and artist - perhaps it was finally being able to make music with his “soul mate of pain” Mark Lanegan that allowed him that privilege. “At home I'm just a guy who has interests that extend far beyond music,” he was famously quoted saying, and it’s ironic that it took him making another record just to prove that.

Above is now 20 years old, half of its members are now piles of drug-riddled dust, but that doesn’t matter at all. l

Sunidhi Chauhan @SunidhiChauhan5 Happy Easter!!!!

WHAT TO WATCH TELEVISION

Breakfast Beats MTV, 7:30am Jumpstart your day with the uplifting tunes from your favourite music channel.

Bollywood Bang Bang B4U, 2:30pm Don’t miss the hottest tracks by your favourite Bollywood stars. We’re sure you can pick up some new moves from this show.

Vh1 Gold Vh1, 9:30pm Watch the classic music channel as they handpick their predictions for chart breakers.

DT

32 BACK PAGE

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

SAVINGS CERTIFICATE RATES LIKELY LOWER IN FY16 PAGE 15

SUNNY, LITON STAR FOR THE EAST PAGE 25

RUNA LAILA IN GOLDEN JUBILEE CONCERT PAGE 31

Honey gathering loses sweetness n Abu Bakar Siddique Moualis, traditional honey collectors, are less active this year than last, because of the extensive aggression of bandits in the Sundarbans.

According to Keramat Mallik, the assistant conservator of forests of Burigoalini Range which lies in the Sunderbans West Zone, the scourge of banditry has discouraged honey collectors from venturing into the forests.

On the first day of the honey gathering season on April 1, just 34 teams of collectors had bought Boat License Certificates (BLC) compared with 40 at the start of the season last year. As of yesterday, honey collectors had collected 42 BLCs compared with 50 the same time last year, Keramat said.

Last year the government made Tk1,077,000 selling permits for the Burigoalini Range alone, records show. The range is considered the largest honey zone in the forest.

Keramat said he hoped more permits would be bought during the honey gathering season that ends on June 30. He said government revenues would drop if collectors continued to stay away from the forest.

Monirul Islam, a mouali from Burigoalini village in Sathkhira district, confirmed that a fear of bandits had demoralised honey gatherers: “For two years my family and I have avoided honey gathering in the forest because of growing incidents of bandit attacks.”

Despite the risk of facing prowling tigers, honey gatherers traditionally forage deep into the mangrove forest in search of honeycombs. But where tigers have failed to scare them away, criminals have succeeded.

Tiger attacks are the traditional hazard for honey collectors. This part of the Sundarbans is home to a large population of the legendary predators and has witnessed a significant

Honey collectors cut a honeycomb off a tree deep inside the forest. The photo was taken from Dobeki in the Sundarbans on April 1

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

ance of 75 kilogrammes of honey per person.

Each permit is valid for a month.

It is an acknowledged weakness of the Forest Department’s permit system that most honey gatherers collect as much as twice their stipulated allowance.

Keramat said the number of forest guards and officials was tiny compared with the vast size of the Sundarbans, making it difficult to monitor the mangrove forest effectively.

Illegal honey gatherers, who do not have permits, are also known to operate during the collection season.

According to the Forest Department, some 640,000kg of honey and honeycombs are extracted from the Sundarbans every year.

Half a million people live in the vicinity of the Sundarbans. Eighty percent of them live off forest commodities at both subsistence and commercial levels. l

Hijra heroines speak out on Oyasiqur murder

Probationary diplomat caught shoplifting in The Hague n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

n Adil Sakhawat

Unveiling their identities before the media for the first time, Labonno Hijra, Nodi Hijra and Chokori Hijra, took responsibility for their role in catching two of the three killers of blogger Oyasiqur Rahman Babu.

After previously shying away from the spotlight for fear of reprisals, the three transgender women are now opening up to the public about their role in helping send suspects Jikrullah and Ariful Islam into police custody.

On the day Oyasiqur was brutally hacked to death with machetes, the three hijras were out on alms round in the Begunbari neighborhood when they happened upon a scene of public agitation.

Labonno, Nodi and Cokori said they were begging from shop to shop on March 30, when shouts of “dhor, dhor” (catch them, catch them) and “dakat, dakat” (thieves, thieves) rang out.

Hearing the clamour and seeing two men

number of tiger-human conflicts.

Monirul said he lost his elder brother Abu Hasan during a honey gathering expedition to the forest in 2005.

Honey gathering in the Sundarbans takes place in the months of April, May and June and is regulated by the Forest Department.

Forest Department BLCs cost Tk7,000 per boat with a crew of seven to nine aboard, and stipulate a maximum honey gathering allow-

apparently fleeing the scene, Labonno grabbed Jikrullah and Ariful Islam by their T-shirts thinking they were robbers or muggers.

One of the men punched her hand in an effort to break free of her grasp and shouted at her to let them go, Labonno recalls.

During the struggle, a machete dropped out of a bag one of them was carrying, she said.

Soon residents of the area and law enforcers arrived on the scene and the police took the murder suspects into custody.

Labonno told the Dhaka Tribune that she had not been not afraid and had acted instinctively, saying: “I thought they were robbers or muggers. I just grabbed them. I always try to come forward when I see someone in danger.”

Nodi said: “We are proud to be Labonno’s friends. If she did not grab the two murderers that day, the police might not have them in custody now. The whole hijra community is proud of Labonno.”

The day after the murder, the Dhaka Trib-

une spoke to members of the transgender community the three hijras belong to, hoping to obtain the identity of those who had helped catch Oyasiqur’s murder suspects. But they did not want anyone’s name published.

Explaining that their Guru Ma, or leader, Sapna Hijra, was out of town and would decide what to do when she returned, the transgender women said they feared for their lives and were awaiting their guru’s decision.

The next day, the Dhaka Tribune published their story without naming anyone, as requested.

But now with Sapna Hijra’s go-ahead, they have stepped forward. Labonno still fears reprisals.

Labonno said: “I was afraid. Guru Ma ordered the community to be silent until she returned to Dhaka.”

“That is why when you came to us earlier, we did not disclose our names to you,” Labonno said. l

A Bangladeshi trainee diplomat was apprehended while trying to shoplift in The Hague in February.

Shisir Mahbub Shahid, now on probation, admitted to Dutch police that he had followed the example of his colleagues who had successfully stolen from shops there. He was released after paying 350 euros in fines.

The Dutch government last week expressed concern and deplored the behaviour.

Shahid and nine other probationer diplomats were in the Netherlands for a short course for young diplomats.

They were staying in the Hague as guests of the Netherlands, which paid all their expenses. The diplomats belong to the 30th BCS batch.l

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