09 April, 2015

SECOND EDITION

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

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Chaitra 26, 1421, Jamadius Sani 19, 1436

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 2, No 364

RULING ALLIANCE PARTNERS LIKELY TO JOIN DHAKA POLLS INDIVIDUALLY PAGE 3

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

LIST OF AL-BACKED DHAKA COUNCILLOR CANDIDATES PAGE 6

Kamaruzzaman seeks a day His lawyers to meet him at 11am today to discuss president’s mercy Islam Shaon and n Ashif Mohammad Jamil Khan Execution of war criminal Mohammad Kamaruzzaman’s death sentence did not take place yesterday as the Dhaka Central Jail authorities, upon his request, gave him a day to decide whether to seek clemency to the president or not.

As the Jamaat-e-Islami leader, now kept at the jail, wanted to consult his lawyers to make the decision, the jail authorities approved his counsels’ application and asked them to meet their client at 11am today.

As per the jail code, a convict gets a week to seek presidential mercy after the jail authorities receive the death warrant and communicate it to him.

If the president rejects his petition or he finally decides not to seek mercy admitting his crimes committed during the country’s struggle of birth in 1971, the war criminal can be hanged by neck any time.

Shishir Manir, a defence counsel of the Ja-

maat assistant secretary general, said the jail authorities had granted the defence application to talk to their client.

The jail authorities yesterday read out the death sentence before Kamaruzzaman after getting the copy of Monday’s judgement from the International Crimes Tribunal. Then they asked him whether he wanted to seek mercy.

Kamaruzzaman sought a day to decide on the matter and wanted to meet his counsels.

According to a deputy jailer who requested not to be named, Kamaruzzaman wishes to be hanged on Friday and had asked that his body be buried without a funeral bath.

In the afternoon, the Appellate Division bench headed by Chief Justice SK Sinha signed the copy of the judgement that dismissed Kamaruzzaman’s review petition. They sent it to the registrar’s office for dispatch around 3pm.

Additional Registrar Md Sabbir Foyez told the Dhaka Tribune that they had sent a copy of the verdict to the tribunal, the office of the attorney general, and the home and law ministries.

The tribunal’s registrar office received the copy around 4:30pm. Acting deputy registrar Aftabuzzaman then presented the copy before the judges of the tribunal 2. Upon the tribunal’s direction, he later sent the 36-page judgement to Dhaka Central Jail around 6pm.

Senior Jail Superintendent Forman Ali read out the verdict before the convict in the jail.

The tribunal 2 handed down death penalty to Kamaruzzaman, a key organiser of infamous al-Badr force in greater Mymensingh in 1971, on two charges including the mass killings in Sohagpur village of Sherpur.

After holding hearing on his appeal, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court upheld the tribunal’s decision on November 3 last year but commuted his death sentence to life term on one charge.

The full text of the judgement was released on February 18 and the tribunal issued the death warrant for the convict the following day.

Kamaruzzaman appealed against the Appellate Division judgement on March 3. It was rejected after hearings on Monday.

2 held with machetes from Moncho procession n Arif Ahmed and Kamrul Hasan Two teenagers were apprehended with machetes from a procession of Gonojagoron Moncho at Shahbagh yesterday afternoon.

Moncho activists alleged that they caught the duo on suspicion since they attempted several times to get close to Imran H Sarker, the Moncho spokesperson, during the procession.

The activists found two machetes searching the bag that one of the teenagers was carrying.

They were later handed over to Shahbagh police. OC Sirajul Islam said the duo were identified as Abdullah, 18, and Md Jewel Rana, 18. They hail from Gopalpur village under Enayetpur of Sirajganj.

Enayetpur police station was informed about the arrests to verify their identities, SI Shah Alam of Shahbagh police told the Dhaka Tribune.

The Shahbagh OC also said the duo were sent to the Detective Branch of police headquarters for interrogation around 6:45pm.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

PAGE 3 Wife launches campaign for Abbas, Mahi seeks Khaleda’s support

Police detain two teenagers caught by Gonojagoron Moncho activists for carrying machetes during a procession at Shahbagh yesterday RAJIB DHAR

PAGE 4 Salahuddin’s wife demands judicial probe

A death row convict is executed between 21 days and 28 days after receiving the Supreme Court order. However, the jail code is not applicable to Kamaruzzaman as he was tried under a special law, the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act of 1973, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told reporters.

Family members of the convict met him at jail on Monday evening.

The al-Badr leader has been in jail since July 29, 2010 when he was arrested in a case of hurting religious sentiment. He was shown arrested in the war crimes case on October 2 the same year.

Government ready

State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan yesterday said they had taken all necessary preparations to execute the death sentence of Kamaruzzaman.

“We are ready to handle any kind of untoward situation that may rise after the execution. The law enforcers are working to ensure quietness.” he said. l

RAB’s Tareq among 35 charged with Narayanganj seven murders n Tribune Report Detectives have finally pressed charge sheet against 35 people including sacked chief of RAB 11 Lt Col Tareq Sayeed Mohammad and former ward councillor Nur Hossain for killing seven people after abduction and dumping the bodies in Narayanganj last year.

Sacked RAB officials – Maj Arif Hossain and Lt Commander SM Masud Rana – have also been named in the charge sheet.

Officer-in-Charge of the district’s Detective Branch of police Mamunur Rashid Mondal, also investigation officer of two cases filed over the gruesome murders, submitted the charge sheet before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court of Narayanganj yesterday afternoon.

The court later fixed May 11 for the next hearing on the charge framing matter,

PAGE 5 PM’s directives to Power Division lie dormant for a year

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

PAGE 32 Biman looking to East leaving West

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New industrial zone on the cards n Asif Showkat Kallol The Industries Ministry is planning to set up a new industrial zone in the country’s northwest region, along with forming an authority that would work for ensuring better coordination and development of the existing industries.

The new industrial zone will be set up on the unused land belonging to different ministries including the Industries Ministry A source at the ministry said the proposed name of the new authority would be Bangladesh Industrial Development Authority (BIDA).

Seeking anonymity, the official said the new authority would improve coordination among different government agencies and state-owned industries to prevent labour unrest, collapse of factories, fires, and unwanted incidents.

Jubo League leader killed in capital n Kamrul Hasan A Jubo League leader was shot and killed by unidentified miscreants last night in the capital.

Md Mollah Arif, 30, was the joint secretary of Jubo League’s ward number 2 in the capital.

Sub-Inspector Fakhrul Islam of Khilgaon police station said Arif was shot by some miscreants near Jorpukur Math area of North Goran at around 8:15pm while he was on his way to home.

Arif was brought to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 9:10pm, where he died a little before midnight.

The police official said the attack might have taken place over existing disputes.

Sentu Chandra Das, assistant sub-inspector of DMCH outpost, said he saw several bullet wounds in the victim’s body, including a gunshot wound to the left side of his chest. l

Fire at CEPZ footwear factory n UNB A fire broke out at a footwear factory in Chittagong Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) yesterday night.

Assistant Director of Fire Service of Chittagong zone Mohammad Yahiya said the fire erupted at the Korean factory at road 3 of the EPZ around 10:15 pm.

On information, three fire-fighting units rushed in and doused the blaze after 45 minutes of frantic efforts, he said.

No casualty was reported in the incident.

The reason behind the fire could not be known immediately. l

Last week, an inter-ministerial meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Office, presided by the premier’s Principal Secretary Abdul Kalam Azad, to discuss the arguments behind setting up another industrial zone in the country.

Asked about the issue, Industries Secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told the Dhaka Tribune: “The proposal is now in an initial stage and it [zone] will be set up after a new law is enacted.”

The proposal reportedly recommends that a variety of industries including agricultural services are set up in the new zone.

The new zone would also have import and export industries, while the industries that are on the brink of being shut down would also be placed in the zone after they are modernised and new technology is introduced to ensure maximum production, according to the proposal.

The new industrial zone will be set up on the unused land belonging to different ministries including the Industries Ministry, the proposal further recommends. l

AL leaders: Stop Khaleda from campaigning for city polls n Abu Hayat Mahmud Wary that Khaleda Zia and her followers could impede the city corporation elections, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan has urged Awami League supporters to restrict Khaleda Zia from campaigning for BNP-backed candidates in the lead up to the mayoral elections of Dhaka and Chittagong.

Other notable leaders from the Awami League also made similar statements from separate Awami League events in the capital yesterday. They also urged people to vote for competent and qualified candidates in the elections scheduled on April 28.

“Khaleda is trying to denigrate the city polls; everyone should protest Khaleda if she were to take to the political fields for election campaigns,” Shajahan said, addressing a discussion at the Shilpakala Academy organised

by Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote.

Referring to Khaleda’s return home, the shipping minister said: “She returned home achieving nothing…She took to the field depending on lies. Lies are temporary, truth prevails ultimately.”

“After inciting terrorism, militancy, and ar-

son for the last three months, the BNP chief now wants candidates backed by her party to put up a fight in the Dhaka city polls. She may even try to hamper the polls through arson and violence,” said Dr Hasan Mahmud while speaking at a separate programme in front of the National Press Club. The demonstration was organised by Bangladesh Swadhinata Parishad.

The former minister urged all leaders and activists of the Awami League to build a united resistance against Khaleda Zia and her terrorist forces.

“Even though the BNP is crying out loud for a level-playing field, it cannot be taken for granted that they will not place terrorists and thugs as candidates instead of fit and proper ones,” said Food Minister Quamrul Islam at the same programme.

On the other hand, Hasan Mahmud defended himself from allegations of breaching the election code of conduct by arguing that many democratic countries like India allow ministers, even heads of states to partake in municipal elections campaigns. “Then why should our country not allow this? The Election Commission should take necessary steps in this regard,” he said. l

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

2 held with machetes from Moncho procession Gonojagoron Moncho brought out the procession from Shahbagh intersection around 4:45pm demanding immediate execution of death row convict war criminal Mohammad Kamaruzzaman.

The Moncho activists have been observing

sit-in at Shahbagh since Monday.

After the procession, Imran said no threats could stop the movement against war criminals.

On March 30, three radical Islamists hacked to death blogger Oyasiqur Rahman Babu near

his house in Begunbari of the capital.

Earlier, US citizen and secular blogger Avijit Roy was hacked to death by yet unknown miscreants with machetes at TSC intersection of Dhaka University on February 26. l

35 charged with Narayanganj seven murders Sakhawat Hossain Khan, president of Narayanganj Bar Association, told the Dhaka Tribune.

Of the 35 accused, 21 are former or present members of elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) while 13 are on the run.

The detectives exempted 16 people – five named in the FIR and 11 other arrestees – from the charges.

The FIR-named accused who got clean chits are Siddhirganj unit Awami League General Secretary Haji Yasin Miah, Sechchasebak League General Secretary Aminul Haque Raju, and Iqbal, Hasmat Ali Hasu and Anwar.

Nur Hossain’s bodyguards Mahibullah, Tanvir, Yeasin, Alamgir, driver Sona Miah, his accomplices Jewel Ahmed, Mizan, Abdur Rahim, Arifuzzaman, Rafiqul Islam and Mizanur Rahman – arrested in connection with the cases were also cleared of the charges.

A total of 127 people have been made witnesses in the charge sheet.

On April 27, Narayanganj City Corporation panel mayor Nazrul Islam, his three associates and driver were abducted from Fatullah area in the city. At the same time, senior lawyer of the Narayanganj District Judge’s Court Chandan Kumar Sarker and his driver were abducted on their way to Dhaka.

Three days into their abduction, the bodies of six people, including that of Nazrul and Chandan, were recovered from the Shitalak-

khya and Dhaleshwari rivers on April 30. The body of Nazrul’s driver Jahangir was recovered from the Shitalakkhya River on May 1.

Two cases were filed in connection with the murders. Nazrul’s wife Selina Islam Beauty filed a case against six people, including former councillor Nur Hossain, while Chandan’s son-in-law Bijoy Kumar Paul filed the other case against some unknown people.

Later, Shahidul Islam, Nazrul’s father-inlaw, claimed that RAB officials had killed Nazrul and others in exchange for Tk6 crore from Nur Hossain, the prime accused in the murder case, and other accomplices.

The three former RAB officials were sent on forced retirement for their alleged involvement in the incident. They are now in jail. Lt Col Tareq is the son-in-law of Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya.

On June 14 last, West Bengal police arrested Nur Hossain and his aides from an apartment in Kolkata for illegal entry and possession of arms. The government has been working to bring back Nur to Bangladesh.

Nazrul’s wife Beauty, who was present at the court, expressed dissatisfaction over the exclusion of the five FIR-named accused.

Several investigation committees were formed to look into the sensational murders.

On June 4 last year, the High Court directed RAB, the government’s seven-member probe

committee, the inspector general of police and the CID to submit progress reports on their investigations.

The probe body formed by RAB found 27 of its members including three top officials of RAB 11 unit involved in the incident.

RAB in its report submitted to the High Court in December last year said the three sacked officials had acted on their own. It says RAB headquarters and intelligence wing tried to rescue the victims alive but failed because Lt Col Tareq had concealed information from the headquarters.

“Around 1:30pm on April 28, RAB intelligence discovered that Lt Col Tareq Sayeed Mohammad, Maj Arif Hossain and Lt Commander SM Masud Rana along with their sub-ordinate RAB members did it,” the report reads.

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

However, the probe body did not find the involvement of any official of the RAB headquarters or any other battalions with the crime as mentioned by Arif and Rana in their confessional statements. l

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Ruling alliance partners likely to join Dhaka polls individually n Abu Hayat Mahmud The Awami League-led 14-party alliance is yet to reach a consensus over common candidates for the upcoming Dhaka South and North city corporations polls.

It is now pretty clear that the ruling alliance partners are going to join the polls separately as Awami League has already field its candidates without taking any consent from the component organisations of the alliance.

A number of leaders of the 14-party alliance said they were compelled to field candidates because of Awami League’s unwillingness to take part in the polls fray jointly.

Health Minister Mohammad Nasim yesterday said as the alliance component organisations had field their mayoral and councillor candidates individually the 14-party will not possibly endorse common candidates.

He, however, said the time was not yet over as the deadline for withdrawal of candidature ends today.

“We will discuss it with the alliance partners tomorrow [today] and seek their support for our party-backed candidates,” the minister added.

If the BNP participates in the election, the 14-party will finally back common candidates; if it is otherwise, the partners can make their

own decisions, he said.

Nasim, also a presidium member of Awami League, on March 31 after a meeting of 14-party said the alliance partners were going to throw their weight behind the three mayoral aspirants for Dhaka and Chittagong that Sheikh Hasina selected.

As of yesterday he did not withdraw her nomination but Awami League has already put pressure on another DSCC mayoral contender Haji Salim to quit the race However, when contacted in the evening on March 31, Sharif Nurul Ambia, general secretary of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), a component organisation of the ruling alliance, said no such decision had yet been made.

“I was in the meeting but not at the press conference. I have no idea why Nasim Bhai said that,” he said.

As JSD received no response, Ambia yesterday said, from Awami League it is backing actor Nader Chowdhury for the Dhaka North

and Shahidul Islam for the Dhaka South.

Earlier, Hasina picked up businessman Annisul Huq as a mayoral candidate for Dhaka North, Sayeed Khokon for the Dhaka South and AJM Nasir Uddin for Chittagong City Corporation.

Film actress and former Awami League lawmaker Sara Begum Kabari also submitted nomination paper to contest in the race for the Dhaka North.

As of yesterday he did not withdraw her nomination but Awami League has already put pressure on another DSCC mayoral contender Haji Salim to quit the race.

Awami League has finalised the list of its councillor candidates for the upcoming city corporation polls in Dhaka.

Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina finalised the list after holding a meeting with presidents and secretaries of the party’s ward-level unit at her official residence Gonobhaban last evening, sources said.

However, things are less critical for the ruling alliance in Chittagong. Local leaders of the 14-party alliance reached a consensus that it would back AJM Nasir Uddin, Awami League’s choice for the polls there.

Chittagong-based JSD leader and lawmaker Moin Uddin Khan Badal informed reporters about the decision after the meeting. l

Mayoral campaigns sans polls pledge n Nure Alam Durjoy Both mayoral and councillor aspirants launched their door-to-door campaign two days back but they are yet to place their election manifesto before voters.

A Mohammadpur resident Arif Haque said: “It is good to see a new face as a mayor in the city corporation but it is really frustrating that no one has put forward their commitments yet.”

This correspondent talked to the people of the areas where most of the mayoral aspirants had visited to woo voters. No one could say anything about what kind of election pledges the mayoral hopefuls had made to them.

There are 42 mayoral aspirants for the Dhaka North City Corporation and Dhaka South City Corporation. Of them, the North has 19 and the South the rest.

Selim Uddin, a Jatrabari dweller, said: “Parties have their own motto so far as I have seen but manifesto is important to know about their way of works, commitments and priorities.”

Saiful Hasan Riku, a follower of DNCC mayoral aspirant Anisul Haque, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We are preparing to publish our manifesto on April 11.”

Saikat Mollok, a campaigner of DNCC mayoral aspirant Zonayed Saki, said they were going to publish their manifesto as soon as possible.

Most of the candidates echoed the above statement. l

Wife launches campaign for Abbas, Mahi seeks Khaleda’s support Hayat Mahmud and n Abu Nure Alam Durjoy BNP is yet to finalise its mayoral candidate for the Dhaka North City Corporation but as for the Dhaka South City Corporation Mirza Abbas’s wife launched campaign for her husband yesterday.

Mirza Abbas has remained in hideout since January 3 with the BNP announcing a nonstop transport blockade across the country.

As more than a dozen of cases were filed against Abbas, he did not come out for campaigning. Instead of Abbas, his wife started campaign.

But the party is yet to finalise its candidature for the Dhaka North as party backed candidate Abdul Awal Mintoo’s appeal hearing will take place today.

Afroza Abbas started campaign along with some other followers of BNP in Khilgaon area in the morning.

Hundreds of the BNP followers were seen when the campaign began in front of the Shantipur School. They chanted slogans and distributed handbills to locals.

Meanwhile, Joint Secretary General of Bikalpadhara Bangladesh Mahi B Chowdhury sought Khaleda’s support in his DNCC election campaign.

Launching his election campaign Mahi sought support from a press conference held in the capital’s National Press Club yesterday morning.

Mahi pledged to ensure a safe and vibrant Dhaka with the slogan Projonmo Dhaka.

Pro-BNP platform Adorsho Dhaka Andolon committee was formed yesterday. A press release signed by its Convener Emajuddin

Afroza Abbas, wife of BNP-backed mayoral candidate for Dhaka South Mirza Abbas, leads the campaign for her husband at Khilgaon yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE Ahmed said journalist Shawkat Mahmud is the member secretary of the platform.

Khandakar Mahbub Hossain, Jafrullah Chowdhury, Mahbubullah, AFM Yusuf Haider, Mahfuujula, Abdul Hai Sikdar and Fahima Nasrin Munni were the members of its steering committee.

On the other hand, Awami League-backed mayoral candidates for the upcoming polls in Dhaka North and South City Corporations campaigned yesterday, although they officially began it on Tuesday.

Awami League-backed candidate for the

DSCC Sayeed Khokon, also the son of first elected mayor of Dhaka city Mohoammad Hanif, yesterday met senior journalists and requested them to vote him to power in the polls.

He promised that if he won he would turn Dhaka South into a modern city.

Annisul Huq, the Awami League-backed mayoral candidate for the DNCC and his supporters sought votes from city dwellers yesterday.

Annisul said, he has a three-year master plan for turning Dhaka into a green, clean and healthy city.

Nagorik Samaj extends support to Annisul and Khokon A platform of different professionals Dhaka Nagorik Samaj yesterday extended its support to ruling Awami League-backed mayoral candidates Annisul Huq and Sayeed Khokon.

The prominent personalities extended their supports at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital.

The 251-member committee was formed comprising cultural and media personalities, litterateurs, educationists, sportsman and doctors.

Writer Syed Samsul Haque was made its convener and Sammilito Shangskritik Jote President Golam Kuddus the member secretary. The platform will start campaign for Annisul and Khokon.

Zonayed Saki, another DNCC mayoral aspirant, along with his followers campaigned at Mohammadpur’s Bosila, Town Hall and Krishi Market yesterday in the morning.

Abul Hasan Rubel, convener of Saki’s election committee, said they would canvass from Panthopath intersection to Farmgate in the morning today and Matikata, Balughat and Bhasntek in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Awami League-backed candidate AJM Nasir Uddin yesterday started doorto-door campaigns for Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) elections, with a strong focus on waterlogging problems.

Nasir, the general secretary of Awami League’s Chittagong city unit who will contest elections under the banner of Nagorik Committee, said during the campaign that he would turn Chittagong into a city where residents would have easy access to all kinds of amenities. l

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Salahuddin’s wife demands judicial probe n Ashif Islam Shaon Missing BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed’s wife Hasina Ahmed yesterday moved the High Court demanding judicial probe over the disappearance of her husband.

In the petition filed with the High Court bench of Justice Quamrul Islam Siddique and Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore, she sought the court’s directives to form a probe committee to locate Salahuddin - who has been missing for a month.

During the hearing, Hasina Ahmed’s lawyer Moudud Ahmed told the court that they believed Salahuddin was alive and they had information about that, but could not specify

the BNP leader’s whereabouts.

After the day’s proceedings, the High Court adjourned the hearing until 2:30pm today as the defence sought more time to complete their submission.

Following the adjournment, Moudud again told reporters “I was informed that he [Salahuddin] is alive. I do not know whether the information is true or false,” adding that it was Hasina Ahmed who had given him the information.

However, when asked, Hasina Ahmed told the Dhaka Tribune, “I do not know about this.

If I knew his whereabouts, I would have told that in the courtroom.”

Following a writ petition filed by Salahud-

din’s wife, the High Court bench on March 12 asked the government and law enforcers to explain why they should not be directed to find Salahuddin and bring him before it by March 15.

Following the order, the DMP, the Special Branch of police, CID, RAB and the Police headquarters submitted reports to the attorney general’s office on March 15, saying they could not find Salahuddin but were trying to trace him.

During yesterday’s proceedings, Moudud pointed out to the court that the DB had not answered to the previous court ruling.

When the court asked Moudud why he had not not included the DB’s name as a party in the writ petition, the counsel replied that the

DB was not mentioned as it was a part of the police. But he urged the court to allow them to include DB as a correspondent.

“We have also told the court that it has history to direct the government to form any sort of judicial probe committee to find out a missing person. They can do that under the Inquiry Commission Act. I had presented such an initiative taken by a High Court bench in 1975.

We will present some two examples tomorrow before the court,” Moudud told journalists.

According to the family of Salahuddin and the BNP, a team of 20-30 policemen, detectives and the RAB picked up the party’s joint secretary general from a house in the capital’s Uttara on March 10. l

New HC bench to hear Khaleda’s petitions

n Tribune Report A new High Court bench has been assigned to dispose of four separate petitions filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia challenging the legality of the proceedings of three corruption cases filed against her.

Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha assigned the bench consisting Justice Md Nuruzzaman and Justice Zafar Ahmed on Tuesday to deal with the petitions filed in Niko, Gatco and Barapukuria coal mine corruption cases, confirmed ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan, who filed these cases against Khaleda.

On April 2, Khaleda submitted an application to the chief justice through her lawyers, expressing no-confidence in the HC bench composed of Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury and Justice JBM Hassan. In her petition filed in relation to the Barapukuria coal mine corruption case she said that she may not get justice from the bench. She also prayed for transferring the case to another bench in her application.

The bench led by Justice Moinul was set to deliver the verdict in the petition filed for scrapping the Barapukuria graft case on April 5. The Gatco and Niko graft cases remain pending before the bench of Justice Moinul and Justice Hassan. l

Woman detained for impersonating an SI n Kamrul Hasan Police detained a woman from the one stop crisis centre of Dhaka Medical College Hospital yesterday for impersonating a sub-inspector of Ashulia police station.

The detainee is Taslima Akhter Toma alias Setu, 22.

Sub-Inspector of Shahbagh police station Jahangir Alam said they detained her from DMCH around 3pm adding: “She introduced herself as a sub-inspector but the police present at the hospital became suspicious and informed Shabagh police.”

When asked the SI said she may have been seeking added favours from the hospital by impersonating.

During primary interrogation she repeated that she is a sub-inspector but her identity was found to be fake. She is now under police custody and a case was filed with the station in this regard, said SI Jahangir Alam. l

Convener of Dhaka Nagorik Samaj, a platform of professionals, poet Syed Shamsul Haque addresses a presser at Jatiya Press Club in the capital urging the mayoral candidates of the DCC polls to build a modern Dhaka upholding the spirit of the Liberation War MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Govt extends rent contract with 4 power plants n Tribute Report The government has extended rent contract with four privately owned power plants by a few years to purchase electricity up to 154.5MW. The Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase gave approved the proposal drawn up by the Energy Division yesterday in its meeting presided over by Finance Minister AMA Muhith.

Three of the power plants are owned by

Energy Prima Limited, a sister concern of Hosaf Group, two of which have the production capacity of 50MW of power, while the third one has the production capacity to produce 20MW of power, Mustafizur Rahman, additional secretary of the Cabinet Division, said at a press briefing following the meeting.

The fourth one is owned by Venture Energy Resources Limited and has the production capacity of 34.5MW of power, he said.

Of them, the contract has been extended for three years with Energy Prima, and for two years with Venture.

Mustafiz also said the per unit price of power would increase in case of some power plants, while for others the price will decrease under the extended contract.

The government will have to pay the three Energy Prima plants Tk723 crore the one Venture Energy plant Tk166 crore during the extended tenure, as per the proposal. l

Ulfa leader given life sentence in Kishoreganj n Our Correspondent, Kishoreganj A Kishoreganj court sent a United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) leader and his Bangladeshi aide to life-time imprisonment yesterday.

Kishoreganj District and Session Judge of Special Tribunal Mahbub-ul Islam passed the order under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The convicts – Ulfa leader Ranjan Chowdhury, alias Major Ranjan, and his aide Pradik Marak – were each charged with a Tk20,000 fine as well, and in default of payment an additional six months in prison.

The leader of the Indian separatist

group was arrested along with his aide by a team of Rapid Action Battalion in Bhairab, Kishoreganj on July 17, 2010. The team also seized firearms and crude bombs and raw materials from their possession, Ranjan, 46, is a former general secretary of Ulfa’s Dhubri district unit in Assam, and his Pradip, 57, is from Bakura village in Jhenaigati upazila in Sherpur.

During preliminary interrogation, the arrestees confessed to being involved with Ulfa, sources at RAB said.

Ranjan illegally entered the country through Kurigram district in September 1997 to meet Ulfa military wing chief Paresh Barua

in Dhaka.

He married a Bangladeshi and started living at Gazni village in Jhenaigati in 1997. He made frequent trips to India on organisational purposes, the sources said.

Ulfa operatives under Ranjan’s leadership are active in Sherpur, Kurigram and Sylhet, the bordering districts of Assam, they further said.

In 1995, Indian law enforcers arrested Ranjan on his way back to India from Bhutan after his meeting with another Ulfa leader Anup Chetia, who has been convicted in several cases and is now in prison in Bangladesh since 1997. l

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Saarc ministers to finalise regional transport deals in June n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

Residents and students of Shonaikandi, Noboganga, and Harpur form a human chain on the banks of Padma River in Harpur-Nobogonga in Rajshahi’s Poba upazila yesterday calling for measures to prevent river bank erosion AZAHAR UDDIN

PM’s directives to Power Division lie dormant for a year n Aminur Rahman Rasel Not a single one of the 13 directives Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued to the Power Division a year ago has been carried out, allegedly due to a lack of coordination.

In her role as minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Hasina attended her office at the ministry for the first time on February 6, 2014 and issued 13 directives – all of which remain unexecuted.

The prime minister is scheduled to attend office for the second time on April 9 to review progress on last year’s agenda, an official of the ministry told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday. In anticipation of the prime minister’s visit, State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid met with top officials in the Power Division to determine how much had been achieved.

A Power Division official, asking not to be named, said a lack of coordination between the Power Division and it’s subordinate agencies had stalled the implementation of the directives.

The directives include the transformation of the Power Development Board (PDB) into a corporation like Petrobangla, the formation of a company to conduct operations and maintenance of public and private power plants and the activation of two new distribution companies – South Zone Power Distribution Company and North-west Zone Power Distribution Company.

Hasina called for a new distribution company – the Central Zone Power Distribution Company – to be formed and for the transformation of the 740MW Ghorasal power plant into a corporation.

She also wanted the installation of solar-powered charging

stations, the increased use of renewable energy in off-grid areas, the establishment of hydroelectricity cooperation by signing bilateral agreements with India, Nepal and Bhutan, the handing over of ownership of PDB’s old 100MW power plants to Electricity Generation Company of Bangladesh and the exclusion of the power sector from the purview of labour laws.

The prime minister also called for a study on the feasibility of importing 100MW electricity from Agartala, India and another 250MW electricity from the Indian open market, an initiative to implement power plants with state-owned companies and foreign or local private companies and a tax holiday scheme for independent power producers

– which was scheduled to end in June 2016 and is set to be extended till December 2018 under a second phase – in a bid to create an investment-friendly atmosphere for privately-owned power plants.

“These initiatives are in progress, but have moved very slowly,” a power division official said.

State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid was not available for comment, declining to receive phone calls or reply to an email from the Dhaka Tribune.

Shamsul Alam, energy adviser of the Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB), said: “It is frustrating that the prime minister’s directives were ignored. If this continues, the power sector will miss its progress target for 2021.” l

Transport ministers from South Asian countries are set to meet in Nepal in June to give the final nod to the much-talked-about Saarc Regional Motor Vehicle Agreement and Saarc Railway Agreement.

The meeting is scheduled to be held on June 24 in Kathmandu, while separate meetings of senior officials and expert groups will also be held on June 23 and June 22 respectively, said a senior official of the Foreign Ministry.

“It is less likely that the agreements will be signed in the June ministerial meeting. They are expected to be signed at the next Saarc summit,” he said.

At last October’s Saarc Intergovernmental Group meeting in New Delhi, the member states agreed on the texts of motor vehicles and railways agreements to improve connectivity in the region.

Bangladesh eventually completed its internal process to sign the agreements; but despite hectic negotiations on the agreements during the 17th Saarc Summit in Kathmandu last November, those could not be signed because of resistance from Pakistan.

At the summit, it was decided that the transport ministers would meet by February to give the agreements a final shape, but now the meeting will be held in June.

In the motor vehicle agreement, it was proposed how private cars, commercially-run buses, ambulances and commercial cargoes could move across the region.

The draft text also stipulated that drivers must have special driving licences, cars must have certain fitness level and there must be a regional insurance coverage for any accident.

Respective taxation offices of these countries would deal with only transit fees and charges as well as other customs, the draft recommended.

Meanwhile, the railway agreement would provide a framework under which the member states could facilitate train movement across the region. l

DT

6 NEWS

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

List of AL-backed councillor candidates of DNCC and DSCC n Tribune Report The ruling Awami League has finalised single councillor aspirants for each ward to contest the upcoming polls in Dhaka north and south city corporations to be held on April 28. The party also selected single councilor candidate reserved for women.

Earlier, the party had decided to back single councillor aspirants to ensure victory and the party top leaders held several meetings with AL’s City unit leaders and other leaders concerned.

The party would go tough against the councilor hopefuls who didn’t get party support and will remain in electoral race.

Today is the last date of nomination withdrawal. Yesterday, AL sent the list of councillor candidates. For Dhaka North City Corporation and Dhaka South City Corporation the list was signed by respectively AL International Affairs Secretary Faruk Khan, who is also the election coordinator of AL-sponsored mayoral candidate of DNCC, Annisul Huq, and AL Agricultural Scretary Abdur Razzak, who is also the election coordinator of AL-sponsored mayoral candidate of DSCC, Sayeed Khokon.

List of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC): Ward No

Name

Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 Ward 5 Ward 6 Ward 7 Ward 8 Ward 9 Ward 10 Ward 11 Ward 12 Ward 13 Ward 14 Ward 15 Ward 16 Ward 17 Ward 18 Ward 19 Ward 20 Ward 21 Ward 22 Ward 23 Ward 24 Ward 25 Ward 26 Ward 27 Ward 28 Ward 29 Ward 30 Ward 31 Ward 32 Ward 33 Ward 34 Ward 35 Ward 36

Afsar Uddin Khan Kadom Ali Matbor Kazi Jahirul Islam Manik Jamal Mostofa Abdur Rauf Atiqul Islam Atik Mobasser Chowdhury Kazi Tipu Sultan Lutfor Rahman Abu Taher Wahedur Rahman Babul Shirin Roksana Nazmul Alam Juwel Rezaul Haque Bhuiyan Haji Azmat Dawan Mahamuda Begum Zinnat Ali Jakir Hossain Babul Mafizur Rahman Haji Mohammad Aslam Osman Gani Haji LIakot Ali Faisal Basher Safi Ullah Safi Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Shamim Hasan Faridur Rahman Khan Iran Forkan Hossain Salimullah Arifur Rahman Tuhin Imtiaz Khan Babul Habibur Rahman Mijan Sheikh Bazlur Rahman Abu Taher Khan Mokter Sarder Taimur Reza Khokon

Reserved (Female) Councillor Candidates Ward No

Name

1, 17 and 18 4, 15 and 16

Shahanaz Parvin Mitu Nasima Haque

2, 3 and 5 6, 7 and 8 9, 10 and 11 12, 13 and 14 19, 20 and 21 22, 23 and 36 24, 25 and 35 26, 27 and 28 29, 30 and 32 31, 33 and 34

Salma Kamal Rashida Akter Jhorna Rajiya Sultana Ity Shamsun Nahan Lavli Khaleda Bahar Beauty Fazilatunessa Lucky Nazmum Nahan Helen Shamima Rahman Syed Rozina Akter Sarwar Daize

List of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC): Ward No

Name

Ward 1 Ward 2

Wahudul Hasan Milton Anisur Rahman Md Afsar Uddin Masud hasan Shamim Asrafuzzaman Farid BM Sirajul Islam A Basid Khan Haji Md Sultan Miah AKM Mominul Islam Syeed Maruf Ahmed Mansur Kamruzzaman Bablu Golam Ashraf Talukder Mostofa Zaman Papi Mohammad Selim (Open) Mohammad Hossain Haider Hiron Mohammad Salahuddin Ahmed Dhali Jasim uddin Ahmed Munsi Kamruzzaman Kajal Farid Uddin Ahmed Ratan MA Hamid Khan Open Md Humayun Kabir Mosharraf hossain Haji Mohammad Delwar ossain Mohammad Osman Gani Mohammad Omar-bin Aziz Md Yunus Suman Jahangir Alam babul Hasan Mahmud Shafiqur Rahman Jahangir Haji Shafiq Md Elias rashid Mohammad Afjal Hossain Md Gulam mostafa Ranjan Biswas Abdur Rahman Miajee Abu Ahmed Mannafi Moinul Haque Manju Asaduzzaman Asad Sarwar Hossain Alo Ear Mohammad Hazi Md Shaheed Alhaj Saleh zaman Hasan Askari Mohammad Shahiduzzaman Mohammad Nasir Ahmed Abul Kalam Anu Gazi Shamim Ahmed Md Sayem Khandkar Haji Habibur Rahman Md Nasim Haji Nur Hossain Alamgir Hossain Haji Mohammad Nur-e Alam Mohammad Hossain

Ward 4 Ward 5

Ward 8 Ward 9 Ward 10 Ward 11 Ward 12 Ward 13 Ward 14 Ward 15 Ward 16 Ward 17 Ward 18 Ward 19 Ward 20 Ward 21 Ward 22 Ward 23 Ward 24 Ward 25 Ward 26 Ward 27 Ward 28 Ward 29 Ward 30 Ward 31 Ward 32 Ward 33 Ward 34 Ward 35 Ward 36 Ward 37 Ward 38 Ward 39 Ward 40 Ward 41 Ward 42 Ward 43 Ward 44 Ward 45 Ward 46 Ward 47 Ward 48 Ward 49 Ward 50 Ward 51 Ward 52 Ward 53 Ward 54 Ward 55 Ward 56

Ward 57

Haji Mohammad Saidul Islam

Reserved (Female) Councillor Candidates: Ward No

Name

Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 Ward 5 Ward 6 Ward 7 Ward 8 Ward 9 Ward 10 Ward 11 Ward 12 Ward 13 Ward 14 Ward 15 Ward 16 Ward 17 Ward 18 Ward 19

Fatima Doli Mahfuza Rina Minu Rahman Farzana Doli Syeeda Ruksana Islam Nargis Mahtab Shirin Gaffar Ayesha Mokarram Alea Parvin Ranju Asma Akhtar Rashilda Akhter Haji Jinnatul Bakia Rashida Parvin Lovely Chowdhury Nazma Khokon Nasima Ahmed Helen Akhter Rebeka Sultana Shiuli Hossain Sarkar

Expulsion of DU teacher demanded n DU Correspondent A section of teachers of the Arabic Department of Dhaka University (DU) yesterday demanded to permanently remove a teacher of the department for allegedly swindling money from students.

They also demanded exemplary punishment against the teacher.

While delivering a written statement at a press conference at the Arabic Department’s seminar room, Professor Mohammad Yousuf alleged that Professor ATM Fakhruddin materialised a good amount of money from many department students assuring them of higher education in abroad. “But when he failed, he did not return the money. So we demand that he should be sacked and given exemplary punishment as early as possible,” he said.

Meanwhile, ATM Fakhruddin while talking to journalists denied all the allegations and said the pro-government teachers at the department had been trying to sack him as he had protested against making Mohammad Yousuf the department chairman.

Earlier on Tuesday, students of the department brought out a procession against professor ATM Fakhruddin, whose office was subsequently locked by DU proctor. l

DT

NEWS 7

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

Sudden traffic diversion cripples part of the capital

Three suspected robbers held with booties n Tribune Report Police arrested three suspected members of a robbers’ gang on Tuesday evening from capital’s Mohammadpur, Chwakbazar and Kamrangirchar areas.

The arrestees are Md Jamal Khan alias Mamun, his wife Sonia Akhter Nishi and Md Miraj.

Police also recovered two machetes, one fake pistol, two mobile phone sets and Tk10,000 from their possession.

Assistant Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (media and publication) Rabiul Arafat said a team of police led by Officerin-Charge of Hazaribagh police station Kazi Mainul Islam conducted a drive and arrested them from the areas. OC Mainul Islam said the three were arrested in connection with a robbery case filed with the Hazaribagh police station on February 9.

“They looted gold ornaments, mobile phone sets and T 377,500 in cash from a house of west Hazaribagh area.”

During interrogation, the robbers confessed to looting valuables from the house on the day. They have been involved in rooberies in Dhanmondi, Hazaribagh abd Kamrangichar area for several years. l

n Udisa Islam City dwellers yesterday faced unexpected traffic gridlock as major thoroughfares in Mohammadpur and Mirpur areas were set off limit without any apparent reason.

Many roads had ‘diversion’ signs put up at various points and made the vehicles to ply on one specific route thus creating huge tailbacks.

Commuters alleged that their vehicles were diverted on three major roads leading to Mohammadpur from Mirpur during the rush hour of the day. They did not know why the diversion. Traffic police men also seemed to have no answer.

The roads around Agargaon, Bangabandhu International Conference Centre and Chandrima Uddyan were blocked making only the

Manik Mia avenue and Khamar Bari open to traffic.

The unplanned diversion took commuters, many of who were headed to work, about two hours to cross only a four-kilometre distance.

Ratna Saha, a commuter working at a private company, said she had to go to Karwan Bazar but was stuck at one place for more than half an hour. “No one knows why the diversion all on a sudden.”

A passenger of Shikhor Paribahan M Solaiman had an appointment at 11am at Matijheel. But at around 10:30am, he only made it till the Election Commission office in Agargaon.

“It is really frustrating. Without any notice, they have put up a diversion sign,” he said.

Bus driver Sohel said his vehicle, plying

on Mirpur Road, was made to turn to Rokeya Sarani from Asadgate area. “Traffic sergeant waved his stick and asked me to turn. I don’t know why.”

He said passengers who would go to Mohammadpur or Shyamoli would face a lot of trouble going to to their destinations.

A traffic sergeant doing his duty near the Election Commission office was also asked the reason for diversion but he said he was only following instruction.

On Mirpur Road, the stretch from Residential School to Shyamoli was closed down. Another traffic police man here said: “Only our sir know why. We were told to put up barricades and that’s what we did.”

Finding no other alternatives, many commuters were seen walking to their destinations under the glaring sun of April. l

WEATHER THUNDERSHOWER WITH RAIN

THURSDAY, APRIL 9 DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 6:18PM

TOMORROW SUN RISES 5:43AM

FORECAST FOR TODAY Dhaka

32

24

Chittagong

32

24

Rajshahi

35

22

Rangpur

34

20

Khulna

32

23

Barisal

32

24

Sylhet

31

20

Cox’s Bazar

32

24

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

35.8ºC Teknaf

18.4ºC Tangail Source: Accuweather/UNB

Yellow dustbins loosely covered with clothes and carrying medical wastes are waiting to be emptied into open containers. With crows flying all around and ambulances parked nearby, the toxic medical wastes would soon spread into the environment. Despite strict regulation on disposing medical wastes, the DMCH authorities seem to be least bothered about it. The photo was taken yesterday in front of the DMCH in the capital RAJIB DHAR

JU syndicate forms committee to resolve floor allotment dispute n JU Correspondent

PRAYER TIMES Fajr

4:28am

Sunrise

5:44am

Zohr

12:01am

Asr

4:30pm

Magrib Esha

6:17pm 7:34pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

The syndicate committee at Jahangirnagar University has formed a review committee to resolve a dispute among three departments centring the allotment of a floor in the newly constructed science building.

The decision was taken at an emergency syndicate meeting, presided over JU VC Prof Farzana Islam, on Tuesday night at the university’s administrative office. The syndicate members also instructed the agitating students and teachers of the departments to go back to their respective premises.

JU Registrar Abu Bakr Siddique and syndicate member Prof Md Hanif Ali confirmed the matter to the Dhaka Tribune.

The three departments – computer science and engineering, geological sciences and environmental sciences – recently launched individual movement over the allotment of the second floor in the new building.

Teachers and students alike have been staging demonstrations to press home their demands, putting academic activities on hold, sources at JU said.

Following the continuous demonstrations, the university authorities called the emergen-

cy syndicate meeting where a five-member review committee was formed to scrutinise the issue and asked to submit the probe report within seven working days.

Headed by JU syndicate member and Vice-Chancellor of Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University Prof Mohammad Alauddin, the committee includes Prof Tofael Ahmed Chowdhury of Dhaka University, Prof Nurul Alam, dean of mathematical and physical sciences faculty in JU, Prof Rasheda Akhter, syndicate member and SM Anwarul Islam, director of planning and development office. l

DT

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

Shaky school building poses threat to students n Our Correspondent, Chandpur Students at the newly nationalised North Ludhua Government Primary School of Matlab upazila in Chandpur endure great risk while studying at the dilapidated school building.

Abandoned three years ago because of its weak condition, the building may collapse any time on the teachers and students.

Though during the winter season classes can be held in the outdoors, monsoon makes it impossible. Hence, there is no alternative to hold the classes inside the risky building

at the time.

According to the school authority, the poorly built building of 1994 was abandoned in 2012. Government identified the structure to be 100 percent risky and ordered not to use it.

Student of class four Md Siam, Hasan and Anika expressed fear about their school building. “We face problem during class in this old building. We are always afraid.”

Md Zahid, father of a class three student Sahina said he remained worried after sending his daughter to the school. “The building

can collapse any moment and hurt the students.”

Headmistress of the school Shirin Akter said: “Demand orders were placed three times to the former MP Rafiqul Islam. But no action was taken. We are facing trouble in teaching our students under the open sky. We lose many students because of the condition of the building.”

She further added that the building was constructed in 1994 spending Tk4 lakh 24,000. But it became unusable in less than 20 years.

“155 students of the school are passing

days under great risk and if the building is not renovated, we may have to stop our curriculum all together,” she said.

President of the school’s governing body Abul Kashem said he had informed Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzel Hossain Chowdhury Maya and hoped to get budget allocation soon.

Kabir Hossain, primary assistant education officer of Matlab north upazila said they have submitted a list of risky school buildings in the area and was expecting funds to build new ones. l

Fishermen defy ban on Ilish netting in Bhola n Our Correspondent, Bhola

A potter with a toddler on her lap is busy painting a pot as Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangali month Baishakh, is coming within a few days. Like her, potters living in Bosontopur Pal Para, Rajshahi are going through busy time making potteries and toys. The photo was taken yesterday AZAHAR UDDIN

Defying the ban period set by the government, local influential fishermen are netting fishes, particularly the Ilish fry from the Meghna and Tetulia River in Bhola with an alleged involvement of scores of boatmen.

Posing as coast guard members some boatmen have been reportedly involved in the illegal act. Abbas, Dulal, Ruhul Amin and Yusuf – four boatmen, known as “sources of the coastguard” were found realising bribe from the fishermen in the Ilisha Bishwa Road area, claimed many fishermen.

These “sources” allow the fishermen to carry out their illegal act in the area by carrying the coastguard officials through wrong routes during drives. These boatmen carry the coastguard members in trawlers to Lokkhipur and Mehediganj areas, the fishermen along the Meghna River told the Dhaka Tribune.

Abbas, Dulal, Ruhul Amin and Yusuf inform the fishermen when the coastguard officials set off for drives. After they are mislead to wrong directions the fishermen set off for netting, they said.

Bhola Fisheries Officer Pritish Kumar Mollick claimed that executives of coastguard south zone do not allow any kind of extortion to take place in the area and regular drives are conducted to check illegal netting of fishes.

In order to save the Ilish breed, government has imposed a ban from March 1 on netting of all kinds of fishes in 90km of area ranging from Ilisha to Monpura of the Meghna River and 100km area ranging from Bhola’s Bheduriya to Potuakhali’s Rustom char along

Nor’wester creates havoc, kills two n Tribune Report

Two elderly women were killed in a storm that swept over Louhajong upazila in Munshiganj yesterday night.

Local sources said Saleha Begum, 85, a resident of Shimulia village and Peyara Begum, 65, a resident of Paikara village, dies as trees fell on them during the storm. Two children were also injured in the storm.

Electricity connections at four upazilas – Munshiganj Sadar upazila, Lauhojong, Srinagar and Sirajdikhan upazilas – of the district were remained suspended for several hours

as a good number of poles were uprooted by the strong wind.

Apart from power cut, communication on the Dhaka-Mawa Highway were remained disrupted for several hours as tress fell on the road. Later, communication on the road began around 9pm.

Officer-in-Charge of Srinagar police station said around 200 thatched houses and crops, including paddy and chili, on hundreds heactares of land were damaged.

Ismat Kamal, deputy general manager of Srinagar upazila Palli Bidyut office, told the Dhaka Tribune that 39KV power supply lines were

torn by the storm resulting in power disruption.

Meanwhile, a nor’wester lashed Barisal city and its adjacent areas in which road communication and power connections were disrupted.

Sources at Barisal Met office said the nor’wester started lashing different parts of the city and adjacent areas around 9pm.

The wind speed was 10-26 kilometres per hour and 22 millimetres rainfall were recorded.

Tariqul Islam, executive engineer of Power Distribution Company in Barisal, said power distribution was stopped in all of 14 feeders of Barisal after nor-wester started hitting Barisal region. l

the Tetulia River. The ban period extens until April 30.

Government has given special allotment to the coast guard and local administration for checking fishing during the ban period.

However, coast guard officials have hardly achieved any success in this regard in Bhola.

Yesterday this correspondent found hundreds of fishing boats netting fished from the Meghna River in broad daylight. These fishes are also sold in the terminals at Chorar Matha and Bishwaroad areas amid a festive atmosphere.

Most of the coastguard drives take place in Lakkhipur and Ramgati areas along Motir Haat in Noakhali, therefore, fishermen carry on with their illegal act unabated during the ban period.

Milon, a fisherman based in Ilisha Bishwaroad area, said: “We do not violate the government order, however, most of the fishermen do.”

Seeking anonymity, a fish trader said they have to pay extortion at many points to carry out trade during the ban period. The “sources” collect the money and disburse among police and coastguards.

Syndicates of coastguards and police realise Tk10,000 and Tk5000 daily from the fish traders and many times they just take away fishes free of cost.

The fishermen demanded that everyone must be hold accountable if fishing has to be at a halt. However, in reality, some groups are carrying out the illegal act without facing any kind of resistance while some are being punished, they claimed. l

Jubo League man killed

n Our Correspondent, Lakshmipur A Jubo League activist was shot dead in Lakshmipur Sadar upazila on Tuesday night.

Md Hanif, son of Salamat Ullah of Ganeshyampur village, was an activist of Jubo League’s Uttar Jaipur unit.

Quoting locals, Dattapara police outpost Officer-in-Charge Md Jamal Hossain said some people picked Hanif up from a tea stall in the village around 9pm and took him to a nearby garden where he was shot in the legs.

Hanif died of excessive loss of blood and his body was recovered an hour later, he said. l

DT

10 WORLD

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

US says al-Qaeda seizing opportunity in Yemen n Agencies The US defence secretary says al-Qaeda has “seized the opportunity” in Yemen amid reports that fighters from the group had stormed a border post near Saudi Arabia.

Speaking during a visit to Japan yesterday, Ashton Carter said both the Houthis and Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) were taking advantage of disorder following the collapse of Yemen’s central government.

Referring to AQAP activity in Yemen, Reuters news agency quoted him as saying: “We see them making direct gains on the ground there as they try to take territory, seize territory in these battle lines ... we are observing that.”

Carter said the US, which has waged a covert drone campaign against AQAP, would continue to combat the threat posed by the group.

In Tuesday’s incident on Yemen’s border with Saudi Arabia, AQAP fighters are believed to have seized a post, killing at least two soldiers.

The attack, which occurred near Manwakh, about 440km northeast of the capital Sanaa, occurred less than a week after AQAP attacked the Arabian Sea port of Mukalla.

An alliance of tribal fighters advanced into Mukalla two days later to drive out AQAP, but residents say the fighters remain in control of around half of the town.

The developments came as the US said it was supplying intelligence to the Saudi-led coalition bombing of Houthi rebel positions and pledged to expedite arms supplies.

While on a visit to the Saudi capital Riyadh

ICC prosecutors says she can’t investigate Islamic State atrocities

n AP, The Hague, Netherlands

The Islamic State terror group has committed “crimes of unspeakable cruelty” in Syria and Iraq, the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor said yesterday, but added that she does not have jurisdiction to open an investigation.

“Crimes of unspeakable cruelty have been reported, such as mass executions, sexual slavery, rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence, torture, mutilation, enlistment and forced recruitment of children and the persecution of ethnic and religious minorities, not to mention the wanton destruction of cultural property,” Fatou Bensouda said in a statement. “The commission of the crime of genocide has also been alleged.”

But Bensouda added that “the jurisdictional basis for opening a preliminary examination into this situation is too narrow at this stage.”

The court does not have jurisdiction because neither Syria nor Iraq is a member of the court and the United Nations Security Council has not asked for an investigation.

She said that there is not yet a sufficiently strong foundation for opening an investigation even though she has information that “several thousand foreign fighters,” including citizens of countries that are members of the court, have joined IS and “may have been involved in the commission of crimes against humanity and war crimes.” l

Yemeni fighters opposing the Huthi rebels hold a bullet belt in the northern entrance of the southern Yemeni city of Aden yesterday AFP on Tuesday, Tony Blinken, deputy secretary of state, said Saudi Arabia was sending a “strong message to the Houthis and their allies that they cannot overrun Yemen by force.”

“As part of that effort, we have expedited weapons deliveries, we have increased our intelligence sharing, and we have established

a joint coordination planning cell in the Saudi operation centre,” Blinken said.

At the Pentagon in Washington, Colonel Steve Warren, a defence spokesperson, said the US was looking to deliver munitions to its allies, including by accelerating pre-existing orders.

“It’s a combination of pre-existing orders

White SC officer charged with murder in black man’s death n AP, North Charleston Dramatic video that shows a white South Carolina police officer shooting a fleeing black man after a traffic stop has led authorities to file a murder charge against the officer amid public outrage over a series of deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of law enforcement agents.

Protests were planned yesterday in North Charleston, led by a group formed after the fatal shooting of another black man in Ferguson, Missouri.

The video, provided to the dead man’s family and lawyer by an unidentified person who

shot the footage, shows North Charleston Patrolman Michael Thomas Slager firing eight shots at the back of Walter Lamer Scott as he runs away. The 50-year-old man falls after the eighth shot, fired after a brief pause.

Scott’s parents appeared separately on TV shows Wednesday morning, a day after the officer was charged.

Walter Scott Sr. told the NBC “Today Show” that his son may have run because he owed child support and didn’t want to go back to jail.

Scott Sr. said that in the video, the officer “looked like he was trying to kill a deer running through the woods.” l

French air traffic controllers strike grounds hundreds of flights n AFP, Paris Hundreds of flights to and from France were cancelled yesterday as air traffic controllers launched a two-day strike over working conditions and the situation was due to worsen on Thursday.

The civil aviation authority had asked airlines to scrap around 40% of flights, warning of “disruption across the whole country,” and it called on companies to cancel even more – half – on Thursday.

Flag carrier Air France warned of “very

severe disruption” to its flight schedule. Although it pledged to operate “almost all” long-haul flights, medium and short-haul services would be badly affected, it said.

“We cannot rule out last-minute delays and cancellations,” the airline added.

Low-cost operator Ryanair said it had been forced to cancel more than 250 flights due to the industrial action.

The situation in Paris terminals was relatively calm, though the planes actually taking off were delayed. l

made by our partner nations and some new requirements as they expend munitions,” Warren said when asked about Blinken’s remarks.

The Houthi fighters swept into Sanaa in September and have since tried to expand their control across the country.

In February, they placed President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi under house arrest before he fled to his power base in the southern city of Aden and then to Saudi Arabia.

The US promise of accelerated deliveries of arms to Saudi Arabia came just hours after the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) flew medical personnel for the first time into Yemen amid delays that have worsened the humanitarian situation in Aden.

The ICRC warned of a “catastrophic” situation in Aden, as the rebels and their allies made a new push on a port in the central Mualla district of the city but were forced back by Hadi loyalists, witnesses said.

More than a 100,000 people have fled their homes after the Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes, according to UNICEF, the UN agency responsible for children welfare.

In a statement published on Tuesday, UNICEF said 74 children caught up in fighting had been killed and another 44 maimed since March 26, but added the real toll was likely higher.

Rajat Madhok, a UNICEF spokesperson, told Al Jazeera that most of those who have been displaced are women and children.

Speaking to Al Jazeera from New York, Abdullah al-Mouallimi, Saudi ambassador to the UN, held the Houthis responsible for civilian casualties. l

US defense chief warns against militarisation of territorial rows in Asia

n Reuters

US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter kicked off his first Asian tour yesterday with a stern warning against the militarisation of territorial rows in a region where China is at odds with several nations in the East and South China Seas.

Carter’s visit to Japan coincides with growing US concern over China’s land reclamation in the Spratly archipelago of the disputed South China Sea, where Beijing has rival claims with several countries including the Philippines and Vietnam.

Tokyo and Beijing have a separate row over Japanese-controlled islets in the East China Sea. US and Philippine troops will take part in annual military exercises this month near the Spratlys in the largest such drills since the allies resumed joint activities in 2000..

Asked whether the beefed up US-Philippine exercises were a response to China’s moves, Carter said Washington and Manila had shared interests in the region, including a desire to ensure there were no changes in the status quo by force or that territorial rows were militarised.

“We take a strong stance against the militarisation of these disputes,” Carter told a news conference after talks with his Japanese counterpart, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani.

Chinese reclamation work is well advanced on six reefs in the Spratlys, according to recently published satellite photographs and Philippine officials. In addition, Manila has said Chinese dredgers had started reclaiming a seventh. l

DT

WORLD 11

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

Modi goes shopping for nuclear power in France and Canada n Reuters Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims to advance the purchase of massive nuclear reactors and fuel from France and Canada to power a resurgent economy, overriding domestic opposition and concerns over liability laws as he embarks on a foreign tour.

In France, where Modi is making his first visit since taking office last year, he will seek to speed up price negotiations for the building of two reactors by state-run Areva SA of 1,650 megawatts each in the western state of Maharashtra.

An official at state-run India’s Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) said Modi’s visit from April 9-11 was expected

to add political heft to a project that under the last government became bogged down.

“Techno-commercial discussions have been going on for sometime now, there is desire on the part of the new government to conclude the discussions,” the official, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said.

Modi has made nuclear power a key element of his clean energy strategy, and in January announced a “breakthrough” pact with US President Barack Obama to help clear a logjam of stalled projects.

India needs foreign nuclear technology and fuel to ramp up capacity by a planned 14 times from 4,560 megawatts over the next two decades.

Australia sets up task force to tackle ‘dreadful’ ice epidemic n AFP, Sydney Prime Minister Tony Abbott yesterday launched a national task force to fight the scourge of crystal methamphetamine, or ice, which he said was causing “absolute devastation” in Australia.

“We will take every possible step to combat this dreadful, dreadful scourge,” Abbott told reporters.

“It destroys lives, it ravages families, it damages communities, it is on the increase.”

Out of a population of 23 million Australians, some 400,000 took methamphetamine in any one year, he said, noting that half of those used the highly-addictive white crystalline version commonly known as ice with 100,000 taking it on a weekly basis.

“I am appalled at what is happening on our streets and in our homes,” Abbott said.

“The propensity for violence, the propen-

sity to subsequent very serious mental illness, the propensity to disfigurement which ice produces means that this is a drug epidemic way beyond anything that we have seen before.”

Justice Minister Michael Keenan and assistant Health Minister Fiona Nash will oversee the task force, which will be headed by former Victorian police commissioner Ken Lay. The force will “identify ways to take a systematic, comprehensive and coordinated approach to education, health and law enforcement” and develop a national ice action strategy, a statement said.

In New South Wales, police report a 25% jump in ice-related arrests and seizures of the drug by customs or law enforcement over the last two years, the prime minister said.

Keenan said that, in addition to the law enforcement response, “we also need to find other ways to work with the community, particularly within the health sector to address this issue.” l

Pak court suspends Musharraf arrest warrant in Lal Masjid case

Japan considers evaporation, storage of tritium-laced Fukushima water

n Agencies

n Reuters, Tokyo

A Pakistani court yesterday suspended the non-bailable arrest warrant against former military dictator Pervez Musharraf for the killing of cleric Abdul Rashid Ghazi during the army siege of the Lal Masjid in 2007.

The arrest warrant was challenged in the high court here which set aside the orders of the lower court on assurance by Musharraf’s lawyer that he would attend the next hearing.

The district and sessions court in Islamabad last week issued his arrest warrant in the case of Ghazi who was killed when the army stormed the mosque here to flush out militants.

The Islamabad high court adjourned the hearing till April 27 and ordered 71-year-old Musharraf to appear in person. The former military ruler was booked in the murder case in 2013. l

Japan is considering evaporating or storing underground tritium-laced water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant as an alternative to releasing it into the ocean, Tokyo Electric Power Co’s chief decommissioning officer told Reuters yesterday.

The removal of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of water containing tritium, a relatively harmless radioactive isotope left behind in treated water is one of many issues facing Tokyo Electric as it tries to cleanup the wrecked plant.

Tokyo Electric wants to release the tritium laced water to the ocean, a common practice at normally operating nuclear plants around the world, but is struggling to get approval from local fisherman. l

For decades it was shut out of nuclear trade because of its weapons programme but a 2008 agreement with the United States gave it access to foreign suppliers without giving up arms that are primarily meant as a deterrent against nuclear-armed China.

NPCIL and the French supplier have been trying to hammer out a contract for the past five years, wrangling over the price as well as India’s strict liability law for the plant in Jaitapur.

If completed in full, the Jaitapur project would be the world’s largest nuclear power station and a lifeline for the loss-making French company. But one industry source with knowledge of the talks said there was still disagreement over the price Areva would be paid for the plant’s power. l

Pakistan and US close in on $1bn helicopter, weapons deal

n Reuters, Islamabad

Pakistan and the United States moved closer to a billion dollar defense deal this week, after US authorities notified Congress of a proposal to supply helicopters and missiles to sharpen up Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts.

US ally Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation of 180 million people, is fighting a Taliban insurgency in its northwest, a separatist insurgency along its Iranian border in the west, and has a heavily militarised and disputed border with arch rival India in the east.

The $952m proposal involves the United States supplying Pakistan with 15 AH-1Z attack helicopters, 1,000 Hellfire missiles, engines, targeting and positioning systems and other equipment. But negotiations are not complete. l

DT

12 EDITORIAL

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

Build confidence to keep RMG growing

W

e do not underestimate the damage done to the economy by blockades and violent political disputes.

The opportunity costs suffered by the RMG sector through buyers postponing visits and falls in orders are incalculable.

It is still possible, however, to see considerable potential for the country’s leading export industry to continue to grow and provide valuable manufacturing jobs.

Despite disruption and increased transport security costs, export earnings from the ready-made garment sector saw 8.4% growth to $2.08bn for the month of March compared to the same period last year. Figures from the Export Promotion Bureau indicate that RMG exports grew by over 3% for the July-March period.

These figures are some way short of the growth needed for the sector to achieve its target of $50bn exports by 2021. What matters though is that, in spite of all the difficulty faced, the sector has still been able to increase export sales.

Efforts to nurture new export markets are playing their part in helping the sector prove resilient. Likewise, the efforts being made by mutli-stakeholder safety initiatives and the government to improve safety conditions and productivity, are helping keep major brands committed to procuring garments from Bangladesh.

Given our low labour costs and the trend of increasing outsourcing from China, there is no reason why the sector cannot get back on track and improve its competitiveness against other nations.

An end to political unrest is imperative to boost confidence among buyers to keep orders flowing and secure the funds needed for future growth.

RMG growth shows sector’s resilience. End unrest to keep orders flowing

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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Excellence never goes out of style March 26

Adnan I am not a part of the industry, but have been in the peripheries long enough to wonder if some (small-ish) factories -squeezed by larger factories, unionising forces, buying houses, international buyers, regulators, rent-seeking committees and officials, local goons, development agencies, and projects -- just can’t afford excellence.

And then you have the demotivating, even ungrateful, media narrative -- uniformly portraying factory owners as bloodsucking leeches. This is what decent performance and profitability begets in Bangladesh.

Perhaps, excellence needs a better environment to flourish.

Sujon A good article from someone who has been at the coal face. Fatal incidents commonly

DT Indian cricket board flooded with ‘Mauka Mauka’ phone calls

Asia awakes

C

hina has expressed its willingness to work with India on linking its maritime Silk Route plans with India’s Mausam and Spice route projects, ahead of the two nations’ defence talks this week.

As two of the world’s largest and fastest growing economies, China and India can make a huge difference to both regional and global economic prospects. If they improve their links, it will help further the Eastern turn in world trade which is moving the world economy’s centre of gravity towards Asia.

We welcome China’s active lead in this arena, via it allocating $40bn to set up a Silk Road infrastructure fund to boost connectivity across Asia, and its initiative in creating the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank which plans to raise $100bn to invest across our continent.

These projects are of major potential significance as they offer new resources to help all countries in South Asia emulate the huge strides China has made in developing transport infrastructure. By helping to break bottlenecks in connectivity, they open up the prospect of more trade and investment flowing into our region.

Bangladesh’s large population at the crossroads of South and South East Asia makes it a key location and market near the heart of these initiatives.

We should strive to reap the benefits by developing a new deep sea port and progressing the BCIM corridor.

A new port is needed anyway to serve our growing economy. It would also help us play our part in the vision of a stronger Asian economy, heralded by better China-India links.

Better China-India links herald new opportunities for our economy

is the culmination of a series of failures, and regulation and compliance has a tremendous role to play in reducing workplace incidents.

Sure, it raises the cost of doing business in the short-term, but it saves a lot in the longterm. A stitch in time and whatnot.

Why not consider mandatory worker’s compensation insurance, starting with, say, medium enterprises employing a hundred people.

The cost of premium will go down when good practices are adopted. But productivity will go up, so both workers and owners win. When cowboy factory owners refuse to see the big picture, when they insist on seeing workers as a dispensable commodity, there’s eminent merit in having tough legislations and stringent oversight in place. Why don’t we still have a fully functional work cover/safety outfit?

March Golam Morshed I think there’s been enough Indian cricket bashing, mainly after the quarter finals.

The team has to move on and show their honest hard work in the field, as a fan we could be highly partisan but a team consist of individual player they have got feelings also, I’m terribly upset that the Bangladesh boys lost, but they need support to move on. Now-a-days, a test player earn lots of money, perhaps they should be careful that they are being used by the advertisement companies and their business pushers.

Minister says it would take 50 years to make up for loss

March 27 Guest Agreed. The govt, however, cannot sit on the fence. It must either fully establish a one-party rule by banning/crushing all opposition, or must follow democratic norms by allowing a credible and participatory election. History would be unkind to both the Begums for the sorry state we are in.

Sherpur FFs boycott March 26 function March 27 Joshim Uddin These shameless terrorists should leave BD and go back to their own country.

When Australia stood up for Bangladesh

March 27 Sujon Australia has been a trusted friend of Bangladesh since the latter’s birth. Both Whitlam and Fraser and successive luminaries across the political divide had continued with this policy of positivism. Among many achievements of our bilateral relationship is the vibrant two-way trade, which has now crossed the one billion mark.

Salute to Whitlam and Fraser, true statesmen to their own people and abiding friends of Bangladesh.

Joshim Uddin Sujon: No doubt they were good people.

Raihan Jamil I did not know about him and just knew about him by reading your op-ed. May Allah bless his soul.

Duncan Connor Gough Whitlam changed Australia for the good, and took it out of the Vietnam war. It’s a shame he could not get re-elected after he was mysteriously sacked.

Malcolm Fraser, who won and died recently, was a good bloke compared to the clown Abbot, but Gough should have been given a fair go.

Urmee Khan Duncan Connor: RIP Gough Whitlam and Fraser -- both head and shoulders over today’s politicians. They had principles. PS, well done Australia. Plenty of Bangladeshis stood up for you today.

DT

OPINION 13

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

Where can RMG go next? n Md Harunur Rashid

T

he now multi-billion dollar readymade garment industry is currently passing through a critical juncture, as conspiracies both at home and abroad are being hatched in the sector. The overall performance of apparel exports in the last year compared to previous years has not been that different.

The growth rate has been around 9% over the previous year, which is slightly lower than the past five years’ average of around 12%.

This drop can be attributed to several factors likes the cancellation of the US generalised system of preferences (GSP), the Rana Plaza tragedy, political instability, the energy crisis, and discriminatory treatment by some major global buyers and various propaganda about factory diseases. Bangladesh’s apparel exports have been concentrated to two major destinations -- the EU and North America.

The share of our apparel export to markets other than EU and North America was 6.88% during the 2008-09 fiscal year, which had increased to 14.71% in 2013-14.

From June 2013, the US suspended Bangladesh’s trade benefits under the GSP program that made Bangladeshi (barring RMG) products ineligible for duty-free treatment. Now is the time to diversify our export destinations, and the oil-established Middle Eastern countries can be a future destination for us.

This diversification of export destinations, with growing exports, is a healthy sign. Over the last five years, there has been a significant rise in exports to Japan, China, India, South Korea, South Africa, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, and Chile.

The simplification of GSP rules of origin by the EU, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, and duty-free and preferential market access by India, China, Korea, and Malaysia are all positive signs for us. In April 2012, the world’s leading strategy consulting firm McKinsey & Co released a study titled “Bangladesh’s ready-made garments landscape: The challenge of growth.” McKinsey forecasted that the Bangladesh apparel sector could reach $30bn by 2015 and $50bn by 2021.

Unfortunately, Bangladeshi entrepreneurs cannot export to Middle Eastern countries for the lack of necessary steps or lobbying and advocacy. The region has the possibility of netting us $20bn in the export of RMG commodities. Bangladesh has carried out exports worth $847m, according to Kuwait Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KBCCI).

It is, however, important that necessary steps be taken by diplomats, missionaries, and the export promotion bureau (EPB) in those countries. That will make sure that RMG exports will increase dramatically in the year of 2021, as estimated by entrepreneurs of this sector.

In addition to RMG exports having huge opportunities, other sectors like the export of labour force, pharmaceutical products, handicrafts, tannery commodities, and the export of various types of produce which can be pursued in Middle Eastern countries. Kuwait can become a central point in this region, according to the president of KBCCI. The secretary of KBCCI estimated that because of a lack of marketing, we have not been able to enhance export growth in the Middle East -- but our government bodies

BIGSTOCK

should take the necessary measures in each of the individual countries.

It was also noted that presently the lion’s share of RMG goods come by way of China, Turkey, the US, and EU. If direct negotiations with Middle Eastern business authorities can be ensured, only then can we expect to see any benefits. KBCCI is going to organise a trade fair on April 23 in Kuwait, hopefully Bangladeshi entrepreneurs and the government will be able to increase advocacy and lobbying to boost exports. All entrepreneurs should be involved in the discussion.

One of the vice presidents of BGMEA has stated that it will only be possible to reach our 2021 financial goals if the necessary facilities are made available by the government. In fact, it would help ensure that we reach two goals at the same time: The RMG vision, and our aspired status of becoming a middle-income country by 2021.

Apart from China, other countries and regions such as Japan, Russia, India, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Korea, Turkey, Southeast Asia, Central and South America, as well as the Middle East have enormous potential

to be future destinations for the RMG exports of Bangladesh.

In the meantime, Bangladesh must continue to work on improving infrastructure, ensuring power and eco-compliance, and maintaining a world-class working environment by building eco-friendly RMG factories, according to United States Green Building Council (USGBC). However, there are some long-term challenges to the growth of the RMG sector. Infrastructure and governance, compliance issues, supplier performance, workforce supply, raw materials, and economic and political stability being some of the bigger hurdles.

Bangladesh also needs to gradually diversify its export products to include other industries, where it can be competitive in the long-run. We are optimistic that the new wave of opportunities and the growth momentum will energise the apparel industry to add new success stories in the coming years -- opportunities that clearly mark the RMG vision for 2021. l

are corporate bankers or NGO researchers.

These men and women who are investing their lifelong learning in us are not getting what they deserve. Truth be told, any of them would be far better off teaching in a university abroad, where they would have been valued and where they could have led luxurious lives. How are we treating these unsung heroes who have chosen us instead of themselves -- who have chosen to serve their own country instead of others?

Not only Dhaka University teachers, but also primary school teachers, government institution teachers all over the country face struggles. There are very few public institution teachers who don’t have to toil away at multiple jobs, who don’t have to take on coaching centres and private tuitions to be able to support their families. There is no bigger tragedy than a nation not being able to value its brains.

A teacher, whether from Dhaka University or a primary school in Nilfamari, is directly involved in shaping the nation’s future through educating leaders who will someday hold the reigns. It’s unacceptable that they have to suffer, and if this goes on, there will come a day when no student will want to become a teacher anymore, in fear of the struggle-filled life they might have to lead.

Just the other day, one of my brightest classmates was telling me how he was going to join a bank after graduation. When I asked why he would not go for a position in Dhaka

University, which he would easily attain with his results -- he answered that he needed money. This is the reality, as harsh as it may seem. And it’s only the beginning. The quality of education at all levels is at stake here.

Valuing teachers has long been a priority of developed nations. Singapore leader Lee Kuan Yew gave utmost precedence to educators at all levels and the police force of Singapore -- they are the highest paid groups there. Such a strategy, among many, surely has played an important role in Singapore being what it is today.

I want to be a teacher, and I need to be promised that I will have a secure future by pursuing that path. Be it a class one teacher or a public university teacher, building a truly educated future generation is an unparallel tribute to this nation, and those of us who want to dedicate our lives to this should be able to feel confident enough to do so.

It’s time to realise the power of our educators. Give the teachers of this country first priority and wait for the inevitable turn this country’s education will take. We respect our teachers in the classroom, but that’s not enough. They must also be valued through the paychecks that they deserve. At the end of the day, respect doesn’t pay the bills.

If anyone can rescue us, it’s our teachers -from schools, colleges and universities. They deserve recognition far beyond the blackboard. l

Md Harunur Rashid is Assistant Deputy Secretary, BKMEA, and Sr Master Trainer (OSH), ITCILO.

Beyond the blackboard n Rushiba Ahmad

I

ndependence is just like the journey of losing weight. After you’ve lost a bit, you feel proud -- quite unaware right then that feeling too proud might actually hamper losing the extra weight you have to shed. After many celebrations of “I’ve lost some weight, I might as well give myself a treat”-- one day you realise that you are either bouncing back to your old weight or your weight is at a standstill.

This is more applicable when a person is not “fit”-- that’s when it’s dangerous to lose track of the mission of losing 40 kgs because of losing the first ten. Independence is also something we celebrate joyfully, as should be the case. But it’s time to also think more deeply about how to harness this independence to bring about development more substantially, alongside the celebrations.

Otherwise, we might lose focus of the actual destination. We, as a nation, have a long way to go before becoming “fit”.

We have progressed. Our economy has grown, our technology has improved and we have gained more recognition than before, be it for good or bad reasons. Despite being a struggling nation, we have no reason to lose hope completely. From the ashes of struggle, everyday phoenixes of opportunities are rising; opportunities that drive us to bring about the much yearned change.

Yet, there are still some utterly frustrating

things that raise doubt. It’s these little things that dishearten a person optimistic about the nation’s prosperous growth. Issues range from how most teachers in our country are some of the lowest paid in our job sector, how the number of deaths day-after-day doesn’t suffice for our leaders to put an end to hartals; how venders selling their local produce on the footpaths are beaten off for breaking the rules of keeping the footpaths clear, but the law enforcer beating them off is smoking publicly while doing so and thus breaking a rule himself. There are many such things in our lives that might seem too negligible to consider, but are actually disturbing portrayals of the debris we could be heading towards.

I’m a student of Economics at Dhaka University. We’re privileged to be taught by a well-rounded faculty who provide us with a curriculum that grooms us strong enough to attend many renowned institutions around the world. We have teachers who graduated from MIT, Harvard, Chicago, Manchester, ANU etc; teachers who are famous in the sub-continent for their research work; teachers who are, we believe, the best intellectuals of the country.

Yet it’s saddening that after 44 years of independence, our teachers’ reimbursements haven’t increased as much as salaries in other professions. A Dhaka University Associate professor is paid less than his/her counterpart in a private university; also less than peers who

Rushiba Ahmad is a freelance contributor.

DT

14 OPINION

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

Our cricket team has come a long way thanks to coach Hathurusingha

An open letter to Naimur Rahman n Jeeshan Mirza

D

ear Naimur Rahman, Have you ever wondered why our cricket has not progressed much in the last 15 years? Have you pondered how we could shed the underdog, whipping boys tagline the world associates us with?

Well, one reason is, we often do not value the thoughts and work done by the individuals who have helped us most in our journey.

Gordon Greenidge, who helped us qualify for our first World Cup, and make our first real strides in international cricket could not even come back, as the cricketing authority rebuked his stance on why Bangladesh was not ready for Test cricket.

How right was he? Despite all his contributions to our cricket, Dav Whatmore ended his stint in a bitter way. It’s no secret the World Cup winning coach endured a great deal of difficulty with administrators during his term. Jamie Siddons faced similar issues, and his contract was not extended when he could offer a lot more.

Richard McIness considered the architect of Bangladesh’s present team, resigned from his role as high performance manager last year as he did not receive the support he required to fulfill his vision. Sometimes I wonder how far we could have gone if we paid heed to the wisdom of such world class coaches. Strangely, we tend to make more noise in the cricketing world for the wrong reasons, and by publicising your stance against Bangladesh’s current coach Chandika Hathurusingha, you have successfully added yet another negative headline.

In 2014, Bangladeshi cricket was in a state

of freefall. A culture of indiscipline, complacency, lack of processes/system set in leading to disastrous outcomes including defeats to Hong Kong, Afghanistan, along with numerous spineless collapses.

However, you managed to put an end to the decline by appointing Chandika Hathurusingha along with a very capable support staff. Your judgment in coach selection was excellent. In a very short span of time, Hathurusingha and company have managed to turn the team around, and change their fortunes on the field.

the confinements of the BCB office? Why did such an internal issue have to be publicised in a way that may be embarrassing or humiliating to a person who only deserves praise for the good work he has done so far?

You say it is a breach of code of conduct to talk openly against someone. Isn’t it hypocritical that you term him immature and accuse him of highlighting his own achievement over that of the team? Being a former captain and long time administrator, you should know our media has the habit of asking direct and sensitive questions.

I wonder how far we could have gone if we paid heed to the wisdom of such world class coaches

Our boys now play with a lot more self belief and character. This newfound belief and organisation eventually helped us succeed in World Cup 2015, winnig us admiration and respect of the world. When Bangladesh cricket is finally on such a high, it is strange that you decided to take a swing to bring everything down.

Hathurusingha’s comments on selection may have breached your code of conduct. But why couldn’t such a matter be solved within

Ever wondered about the nuances of intercultural communication? A candid and forthright personality like Hathurusingha may tackle such questions in a direct way, which may not necessarily be an attack on a player or administrator. You would also know how certain media outlets have the habit of twisting such stories to sell their papers. It is also strange you found the coach to be glorifying his own achievements when he was crediting his charges and harnessing on the concept of

teamwork.

In the given context, the given time, right after a successful World Cup, and just before the Pakistan tour, your stance towards the coach, the words you have chosen seem more indicative of a grudge or personal agenda.

To an outsider, it seems to be a reflection of envy of the coach’s achievement.

It is as if you did not care about the timing of such an outburst right before an important series. An ugly spat with the coach will not help you gain any recognition. It will only hurt the team’s morale, de-motivate the coach, and threaten his continuity.

Before joining West Indies recently, Phil Simmons worked with Ireland’s cricket team for nearly eight years. They listened to him, implemented his ideas and worked with a long-term vision. What is the longest a coach has worked with Bangladesh? Ever wondered how Irish cricket has progressed so well with so little infrastructure and support?

Sadly, we did not learn from our mistakes from the Greenidges, Whatmores, and Siddons. Please do not add to the list of mistakes. This way we will be in the same place ten years down the line -- as the perennial underachievers. Solve such matters amicably and respectfully, listen to the coach.

Otherwise, why did you hire him in the first place? Do not let the 160 million cricket-crazy fanatics down. We all long for the improvement and success only qualified and capable coaches like Chandika Hathurusingha can bring us. Help them. Support their vision. But please do not be an obstacle.

Jeeshan MIrza is a Bangladeshi cricket fan based out of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

16

‘Mini-big push needed to lift millions out of poverty’

17

World Bank’s Kim sees new banks as allies, not rivals

19

Stocks end flat with topsy-turvy trading

20

DT

Business

15

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

Exporters demand same source tax at 0.30% for all sectors

Govt expects economy to grow at 7.5% in FY16 n Asif Showkat Kallol

Private sector credit growth rebounds n Jebun Nesa Alo The country’s banking sector has seen rebound in private sector credit growth in February, thanks to negative government borrowing from the banking system and lower lending rate.

The private sector credit growth rose to 13.6% in February from 13.3% in the previous month.

The banking sector saw a fall in credit growth in the first month of the year from 13.5% in last December due to the ongoing political turmoil.

On the other hand, public sector credit posted negative growth of 0.7% in February as the government project implementation remained slower amid political unrest.

A drastic fall in government borrowing from the banking system over the last couple of months is also one of the factors that pushed the private sector credit growth higher, said a senior banker.

Moreover, the banking sector was awash with liquidity due to negative credit demand from public sector, he said.

According to the Bangladesh Bank data, public sector credit growth fell to 2.6% in December last year from 6% in the previous month and later it came down to 1.5% in January this year.

The banking sector is burdened with surplus money of over Tk1 lakh crore after fulfilling the requirement of minimum liquid asset as of December last year, according to the central bank data.

The sale of savings certificates increased

rapidly in recent times as the interest rate on the instrument is higher than the deposit rate, said a senior executive of Bangladesh Bank.

As a result, the government has taken loan from this scheme instead of the banking system, he said.

Currently, the interest rate on saving instrument is around 13% while the average deposit rate is around 7%, according to the central bank data.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith recently hinted cuts in the interest rate on savings certificates in the next fiscal year.

The decision will put pressure on the banks to lower the interest rate more as the depositors will turn investment towards the banks from saving instrument, said Allah Malik Kazmi, adviser and former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank.

The rise in private sector credit growth indicates that the investment situation is not as worse as it is thought to be, he observed.

The lending rate came down to 12.23% in February from 12.32% in the previous month while deposit rate stood at 7.19% from 7.26%, according to the central bank data released recently.

The credit growth of state-owned banks stood at 8.84% in February which was negative 5.32% in the same period last year.

The private banks gained 17.38% credit growth in February from 11.85% in the same month last year.

The overall credit inprivate sector stood at Tk5,45,500 crore while public sector at Tk1,21,500 crore in February. l

The government expects the economy will grow at 7.5% in the upcoming 2015-16 fiscal year with political tension easing further.

It has revised down the current fiscal year’s GDP growth estimate to 6.8% from 7.2% due to the political unrest over the last three months.

Meetings of Fiscal Coordination Council and Budget Management Committee disclosed the estimates yesterday at the Finance Division auditorium with Finance Minister AMA Muhith in the chair.

Finance Secretary Mahbub Ahmed, Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman, National Board of Revenue Chairman Nojibur Rahman and secretaries of different ministries attended both of the meetings, said the meeting sources.

Fiscal Coordination Council meeting said investment situation in the fiscal year is not good but the government expects the investment situation will improve and as a result, the revenue earning and growth rate may increase.

If the earnings from initial public offerings and other two sectors will be included in the FY15 GDP, the growth will increase from the

present estimate of 6.8%, according to the meeting sources.

After the meeting, finance minister told the journalists that the economy in the FY2014-15 is expected to grow at around 7% and at above at 7% in the FY205-16.

He said the revised budget outlay of this fiscal year might reduce to Tk2,40,000 crore from Tk2,50,000 crore.

The sources said the country’s revenue earning would be Tk1,75,000 crore in the current fiscal year from estimated Tk1,82,000 crore while the NBR revenue is estimated to be Tk1,35,000 crore.

The meeting also discussed that the coming fiscal year’s total outlay will be Tk2,92,000 crore and Annual Development Programme will be Tk92,500 crore.

Of Tk92,500 crore, an amount of Tk56,800 crore will come from foreign sources and the remaining part from the government exchequer.

It is also estimated that inflation in the next fiscal year would be 7.5%. In the current fiscal, the Point to Point inflation was 6.27 in March.

The FY16 ADP has focused on eight sectors including education, health and agriculture and ICT sector. l

Chairmen, CEOs of state banks, FIs to come under performance criteria n Tribune Report The chairmen and chief executive officers of state-owned banks and financial institutions will come under a performance contract which is expected to ensure their accountability.

The government is scheduled to start signing of the contracts with the banks and financial institutions from today, officials said.

State Minister for Finance MA Mannan would attend the signing ceremony at the Finance Division.

Bank and Financial Institutions Division

visit our website @

www.dhakatribune.com

Secretary M Aslam Alam will sign the contract on behalf of the government while CEOs or managing directors and chairmen of the banks and financial institutions will sign it for their respective organisations.

Under the performance contract, the chairmen and CEOs would lose their job if they fail to perform as per the contract, which would include recovery of default loans, and maintaining loan limits and capital adequacy ratio.

Earlier, the chairmen and CEOs were accountable to Bangladesh Bank for their performance. l

DT

16 BUSINESS

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

‘Mini-big push needed to lift millions out of poverty’ n Tribune Report Economic growth is not the only panacea to eradicate extreme poverty as many middle income economies like India, Pakistan and Nigeria have persistently suffering from extreme poverty, an economist say yesterday.

According to him, Bangladesh needs “mini-big push” by way of replicating successful livelihood interventions to lift thousands of people out of extreme poverty to achieve the sustainable development goals by 2030.

“Additional intervention along with equitable growth is the key to eradicate extreme poverty,” said Binayak Sen, a research director at the Bangladesh Institute for Development Studies (BIDS) in his paper on Ending Extreme Poverty in Bangladesh.

The paper was presented at a two-day conference that began at the National Economic Council conference room in the city yesterday.

Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal inaugurated the conference.

Under the mini big-push, the size of the fund transfer is reckoned to be around $450$500 per beneficiary spread over about two years of programme intervention, Sen estimates in his paper.

“The total costs of such replication will not exceed 2-3% of GDP annually –this amount of money, if properly executed, can lift an extremely poor household from severe poverty.”

Under the interventions, the country also requires “major re-orientation of public services,” especially health, education, transport and justice to meet the needs of the extreme poor, the paper said.

Current allocation is claimed to be in the range of 2.2% of GDP, which in reality is about 0.77% for “core social protection programmes.”

“But further injection of money for the core social protection programmes is required to support eradicate poverty,” said Sen. Bangladesh has 250m extreme poor people or nearly 6m lakh families, according to the Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2010.

Projections based on historically observed growth trend indicated that Bangladesh would reduce its extreme poverty to 4.5%, which means 7.45m people will remain in extreme poverty, by 2021 under a constant annual GDP growth of 7% in line with its seventh five year perspective plan.

KAS Murshid made BIDS DG n Tribune Report Eminent economist Khan Ahmed Sayeed Murshid has been appointed as the new Director General (DG) to Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) for the next three years with effect from this month.

He will succeed Mustafa K Mujeri as his term ended in March, said a BIDS statement.

KAS Murshid began his research career in BIDS in late 1970s after a post graduate diploma in development economies from the Cambridge University where he did his PhD. He served as BIDS Research Director from 1998 to 2012.

For the past several years, he has been working as a consultant for UNDP and the Asian Development Bank in Myanmar and Cambodia.

He studied economics at the Dhaka University. The state-owned BIDS conducts policy-oriented research on development issues Bangladesh is facing as well as other developing countries. l

Consumer groups claim YouTube kids app ‘deceptive’

n AFP, Washington

“Reaching middle income is possible and feasible in Bangladesh before poverty or extreme poverty eradication,” said Sen. “However, it may sideline the policy emphasis on poverty eradication. Hence, policy emphasis should be on reaching middle income with zero extreme poverty.”

Sen’s paper said some of human develop-

National Bank’s training institute and its anti money-laundering department have recently organised a day-long workshop on prevention of money-laundering and combating financing of terrorism. The bank’s MD & CEO, Shamsul Huda Khan was present at the workshop as chief guest

ment targets require social action and cannot be addressed by policy alone, making breakthrough in these areas require longer time and creation of innovative norms-changing institutional interventions—high prevalence of dowry, for instance leads to early marriage thereby influencing high maternal and child malnutrition and so on. l

A coalition of consumer and child advocacy groups asked US regulators Tuesday to investigate Google’s new YouTube app for children, claiming it inappropriately delivers too much advertising to young viewers.

The videos on YouTube Kids “intermix commercial and other content in ways that are deceptive and unfair to children and would not be permitted to be shown on broadcast or cable television,” said a letter to the Federal Trade Commission from nine organizations.

The mobile app which was announced in February by Google includes segments endorsing toys, candy and other products that appear to be from “undisclosed relationships” with the makers of the items, in violation of standards for truth in advertising, the letter said.

The letter added these types of product endorsements would not be allowed on broadcast television and are especially unfair because children often lack the ability to distinguish between entertainment and advertising. l

Rohto-Mentholatum (Bangladesh) Ltd, a multinational subsidiary of Rohto Pharmaceutical Co Ltd and Maxus, a media investment company have recently signed an agreement for the media management services. Rohto’s MD, Ken Arai and Iresh Zaker, director of Maxus were present at the signing ceremony

DT

BUSINESS 17

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

Euro zone price discounting drives growth in activity

n Reuters, London

Ban Ki-moon speaks during the session ‘Tackling Climate, Development and Growth’ in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos

World Bank’s Kim sees new banks as allies, not rivals n Reuters, Washington The World Bank plans to work together with the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in order to fight poverty and fund infrastructure projects, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said on Tuesday.

Worried about China’s growing diplomatic clout, the United States has been urging countries to think twice about joining the AIIB, arguing that its projects may not adequately safeguard the environment and people.

But more than 50 countries, including US European allies Britain, France and Germany, have rushed to join China’s initiative, a $50bn multilateral infrastructure bank that will provide project loans to countries across Asia and plans to begin operations at the end of the year.

“With the right environment, labor and procurement standards, the AIIB and the New

Development Bank, established by the BRICS countries, have the potential to become great new forces in the economic development of poor countries and emerging markets,” Kim said in a speech at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The BRICS developing nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - are also working on a development institution though they have run into disagreements over funding and management.

“If the World Bank Group, other multilateral banks, and these new development banks form alliances, work together, and support development ... we all will benefit, especially the poor and most vulnerable,” said Kim, who was nominated to lead the World Bank by the United States.

Kim said he plans to meet with Chinese officials next week during the spring meetings

REUTERS

of the IMF and World Bank to discuss collaboration.

He mentioned the World Bank and AIIB could co-finance individual infrastructure projects or work on regional integration, as developing countries face at least $1tn in infrastructure needs.

The United States has not joined the AIIB but has said it supports co-financing projects with it and existing institutions like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank in order to ensure appropriate safeguards are followed.

“I will do everything in my power to find innovative ways to work with these banks,” Kim said. “The decisions we make this year, and the alliances we form in the years ahead, will help determine whether we have a chance to reach our goal of ending extreme poverty in just 15 years.” l

Price discounting drove growth in all of the euro zone’s major economies in March, helping business activity increase at its fastest rate for nearly a year, a survey showed on Tuesday.

New orders came in at their fastest rate since May 2011 and the survey found that companies have now been cutting prices for three years, although not as sharply in March as before.

Nevertheless, the Markit survey provided some welcome news for the European Central Bank (ECB) just weeks after it embarked on a trillion-euro asset-purchase program.

The private sector in Germany, Europe’s largest economy, grew at its fastest pace in eight months and although it also increased in France, the pace of expansion slowed.

Italy’s service industry returned to growth, fuelling hopes of an economic recovery there after years of on-off recession, and Spain’s expanded at its fastest pace since August.

“France is lagging behind a little bit but the others are doing pretty well. It just shows that quantitative easing was working even before the ECB bought a single bond,” Soctiabank’s Alan Clarke said.

“It’s vindicating the ECB for what it is doing.”

Official data showed euro zone consumer prices fell again in March as expected but that the decline was the smallest this year. Industrial producer prices declined by less than expected in February from a year earlier.

“Encouragingly for the ECB, there was further evidence in the services survey that deflationary tendencies are easing in the euro zone,” IHS Global Insight’s Howard Archer said.

Markit’s final March Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), seen as a good indicator of growth, stood at 54, a touch below the preliminary estimate of 54.1 but well ahead of February’s 53.3. A reading above 50 implies growth.

The financial information firm said the PMIs pointed to first quarter growth of 0.3%, slightly less than the 0.4% predicted in a Reuters poll taken last month.

Price-cutting also helped drive up service industry activity at its fastest pace in eight months. The March services PMI rose to 54.2 from 53.7, just below the flash 54.3 estimate.

With recovery gathering steam and confidence growing because of the ECB’s QE program, service companies were at their most optimistic since May 2011. The business expectations sub-index came in at 64.8 compared with February’s 64.1. l

IMF: Aged populations to hamper growth in leading economies n AFP, Washington Advanced economies face limits on future growth due to the drag from aging populations, unless they can boost productivity through technology and infrastructure investment, the International Monetary Fund said Tuesday.

A higher proportion of aged citizens means a smaller workforce and lower potential output, which in turn could spell lower living standards in the future, the IMF said in a new study.

The phenomenon of lower potential growth in economies is increasingly evident in some advanced economies, but also faces emerging markets like China where the average population

age is also rising.

The new study, part of the IMF’s semi-annual World Economic Outlook, seeks in part to explain why advanced economies have remained so turgid in the wake of the financial crisis which began in 2008.

Of the key inputs to growth, the supply of capital for investment has expanded, though more slowly than expected.

But labor pools have grown even more slowly, as measured by the level of participation by a population in the active workforce.

A key part of the reason for that is that more people have retired or will retire compared to the level of entrants into the jobs market.

The result is a drag on the potential increase in output, or economic growth, the study says.

For advanced economies, potential economic growth, which was around 2% before the crisis, fell to 1.3% in the crisis years but will be only about 1.6% through the rest of this decade, the IMF said.

In emerging economies, potential growth will slip from 6.5% in 2008-2014 to 5.2% through 2020.

This shift raises new challenges for governments. “In advanced economies, lower potential growth will make it more difficult to reduce high public and private debt ratios,” the IMF said.

“In emerging market economies, lower potential growth will make it more challenging to rebuild fiscal buffers.”

Countries can counter this drag with increasingly focused capital investment, the study noted.

“Increasing potential output is a policy priority for advanced and emerging market economies,” it said.

The prescriptions differ across economies, but focus mostly on the need to expand investment.

But also, it said, “structural reforms and greater support for research and development are key to increasing supply and innovation.

“In emerging market economies, higher infrastructure spending is needed to remove critical bottlenecks, and structural reforms must be directed at improving business conditions and product markets.” l

DT

18 BUSINESS

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

DSE GAINER

News, analysis and recent disclosures SQUARETEXT: The Board of Directors has recommended 20% cash dividend and 10% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014. Date of AGM: 16.06.2015, Time: 10:00 AM, Venue: Raowa Convention Hall No. 2, DOHS Mohakhali, Dhaka.

Record Date: 20.05.2015. The Company has also reported NAV of Tk. 5,158.72 million, EPS of Tk. 3.66 and NOCFPS of Tk. 5.62 for the year ended on December 31, 2014. The Board of Directors has also approved an investment plan to increase production capacity of the factory as follows: Facility to be built: Yarn production capacity, Capacity to be increased: 4,235 tons per annum, Estimated project cost: Tk. 113.87 crore, Expected date of completion: April, 2016, Estimated turnover: Tk. 119.00 crore per annum, Expected Profit Contribution: Around 11% on turnover.

ILFSL: The Board of Directors has recommended 5% cash dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2014. Date of AGM: 07.05.2015, Time: 10:30 AM, Venue: Spectra Convention Centre Ltd., House 19, Road 7, Gulshan-1, Dhaka-1212. Record Date: 20.04.2015. The Company has also reported consolidated net profit of Tk. 125.98 million, consolidated EPS of Tk. 0.74, consolidated NAV per share of Tk. 12.61 and consolidated NOCFPS of Tk. (1.17) for the year ended on December 31, 2014 as against Tk. 116.75 million, Tk. 0.68, Tk. 12.37 and Tk. (0.97) respectively for the year ended on December 31, 2013 MTB: The Company has informed that it has credited

the bonus shares for the year ended on December 31, 2014 to the respective shareholders BO Accounts on April 07, 2015.

Tosrifa Industries Limited: All concerned are hereby informed that the primary status of the IPO of Tosrifa Industries Limited: Total amount of subscription (excluding NRB) is Tk. 4,378,093,220.

Total amount received from NRB is Tk. 21,840,000 up to 7 April 2015. However, total amount received from DSE Stockbroker 194 out of 208 is Tk.1,565,591,600, total amount received from CSE Stockbroker 50 out of 85 is Tk.496,636,400 and total amount received from Merchant Bankers 27 out of 38 is Tk.46,389,200.

IPO Subscription: Tosrifa Industries Limited Subscription March 24, 2015 to March 31, 2015; NRB UPTO April 09, 2015. Offer Price per share Tk. 26.00, Market Lot (Shares) 200. Olympic Accessories Limited Subscription 19.04.2015 TO 23.04.2015, NRB UPTO 02.05.2015. Offer Price per share Tk. 10.00, Market Lot (Shares) 500.

Dividend/AGM BDLAMPS: 20% cash, AGM: 05.05.2015, Record Date: 16.04.2015.

STANDBANKL: 15% stock, AGM: 14.05.2015, Record Date: 16.04.2015.

ARGONDENIM: 20% stock, AGM: 30.04.2015, Record date: 15.04.2015.

NHFIL: 15% cash, AGM: 12.05.2015, Record Date: 15.04.2015.

JAMUNABANK: 19% stock, AGM: 04.05.2015, Record date: 15.04.2015.

Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

Beach Hatchery -A Unique Hotel RL - A Bangladesh Welding -Z CVO PetroChem RL-A BD Submarine Cable-A Salvo Chemicals-B Meghna PET Ind. -Z Union Capital -A ACI Limited- A Shasha Denims -N

Closing (% Change) 9.87 9.76 9.09 8.72 8.21 7.97 7.41 6.20 6.13 5.93

CSE GAINER Company Usmania Glass -A Beach Hatchery -A Bangladesh Welding -Z Unique Hotel RL - A Midas Financing-Z CVO PetroChem RL-A Daffodil Computers -Z BD Submarine Cable-A ACI Limited- A Ifad Autos -N

Closing (% Change) 10.00 9.62 9.60 9.41 9.38 8.73 8.70 8.42 6.17 5.82

DSE LOSER Company Imam Button -Z FAS Fin. & Inv. Ltd-B SonarBangla Insu. -A Rahima Food -Z 7th ICB M F-A Islami Ins.BD-A Islamic Finance-A Janata Insur -A AIMS First -A Fareast Finance-Z

Closing (% Change) -7.06 -6.92 -6.67 -6.62 -5.56 -5.56 -5.15 -5.04 -4.94 -4.92

CSE LOSER Company AB Bank 1st Mutual Fund-A Rahima Food -Z First Finance- A City G Insu.-A ICB Sonali Bank 1 MF-A Paramount Insur-A Fine Foods A Continental Insur. -A Sonargaon Tex -Z GPH Ispat Ltd-A

Closing (% Change) -10.00 -9.15 -8.70 -8.40 -8.33 -7.63 -7.14 -7.14 -6.59 -6.43

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY

DSE key features April 8, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka)

Company

Sector

3,714.04 74,537,365 105,352

Traded Issues

304

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

87

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

210

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

7

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,480.86

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

30.07

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 155.79 89.40 20.27 437.50 98.74 866.90 1.49 292.70 805.03 7.94 84.49 35.65 14.14 90.42 75.01 14.50 92.68 137.94 308.60 84.19 0.68

% change 4.19 2.41 0.55 11.78 2.66 23.34 0.04 7.88 21.68 0.21 2.27 0.96 0.38 2.43 2.02 0.39 2.50 3.71 8.31 2.27 0.02

Million Taka 12.30 6.16 2.48 36.14 4.12 95.91 29.20 36.64 1.72 9.45 0.62 0.78 8.13 4.83 0.28 3.00 22.44 14.54 15.82 0.05

Average (% Change) 2.20 5.16 7.85 4.61 4.21 (1.51) 5.84 2.21 4.94 1.51 Average (% Change) 5.57 7.22 8.40 6.72 9.38 4.67 8.70 2.85 4.50 4.65 Average (% Change) -7.16 -7.21 -6.74 -5.87 -5.56 -6.17 -2.44 -6.24 -4.94 -4.00

Average (% Change) -10.00 -8.53 -9.09 -8.40 -7.00 -7.70 -7.06 -7.14 -6.37 -5.96

CSE

ClosingAvg. 15.81 47.47 14.01 357.98 114.19 13.72 5.80 13.39 563.85 39.55

ClosingAvg. 102.40 16.64 13.55 48.62 10.50 356.65 12.50 112.62 562.29 72.76

ClosingAvg. 7.91 12.10 13.98 25.68 85.00 15.20 13.21 11.27 25.00 11.76

ClosingAvg.

% change 4.04 2.02 0.81 11.86 1.35 31.49 0.00 9.59 12.03 0.56 3.10 0.20 0.26 2.67 1.59 0.09 0.99 7.37 4.78 5.19 0.02

5.40 25.96 10.50 12.00 5.58 12.10 9.08 13.00 8.52 39.31

Closing 16.70 49.50 14.40 371.50 118.60 14.90 5.80 13.70 573.10 41.10

Closing 106.70 17.10 13.70 50.00 10.50 371.10 12.50 118.40 576.50 74.50

Closing

DHIGH 16.70 49.60 14.50 371.50 119.50 15.10 5.80 14.00 574.50 41.70

DHIGH

DHIGH

DLOW 102.00 15.20 12.40 45.20 10.50 337.50 12.50 108.00 549.00 71.00

DLOW

8.80 12.20 15.00 27.00 85.00 16.70 13.70 12.00 26.00 12.50

DHIGH

5.40 25.80 10.50 12.00 5.50 12.10 9.10 13.00 8.50 39.30

Million Taka 168.09 95.56 22.75 473.63 102.86 962.80 1.49 321.90 841.67 9.65 93.94 36.27 14.92 98.55 79.84 14.78 95.68 160.38 323.14 100.01 0.73

15.00 45.00 13.30 340.30 107.60 13.00 5.80 12.70 549.00 37.70

106.70 17.10 13.70 50.20 10.50 371.10 12.50 119.90 579.00 75.00

7.90 12.10 14.00 25.40 85.00 15.30 12.90 11.30 25.00 11.60

Closing

DLOW

7.70 12.00 13.60 25.20 85.00 14.70 12.50 11.10 24.70 11.50

DLOW

5.60 26.80 10.50 12.00 5.80 12.10 9.90 13.00 9.70 41.00

Total

5.40 25.70 10.50 12.00 5.50 12.10 9.00 13.00 8.40 39.20

% change 4.18 2.38 0.57 11.79 2.56 23.96 0.04 8.01 20.94 0.24 2.34 0.90 0.37 2.45 1.99 0.37 2.38 3.99 8.04 2.49 0.02

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

7.000 288.454 1.135 34.945 36.433 8.254 0.000 1.953 294.501 102.244

Turnover in Million

1.29 3.05 0.44 8.56 0.76 1.15 -0.44 1.50 9.57 1.31

Latest EPS

0.008 0.629 0.119 7.534 0.005 4.292 0.000 14.185 10.653 13.936

Turnover in Million

12.3 15.6 31.8 41.8 150.3 11.9 -ve 8.9 58.9 30.2

Latest PE

-0.88 1.29 0.44 3.05 -3.24 8.56 0.86 0.76 9.57 1.92

Latest EPS

0.087 0.239 0.036 0.380 0.026 0.252 3.544 0.073 1.565 1.946

Turnover in Million

Latest PE

-ve 12.9 30.8 15.9 -ve 41.7 14.5 148.2 58.8 37.9

Latest PE

-1.48 1.27 1.77 -0.42 12.76 1.48 1.66 0.37 1.70 1.88

Latest EPS

0.011 0.217 0.011 0.000 0.045 0.004 0.016 0.001 0.060 0.138

-ve 9.5 7.9 -ve 6.7 10.3 8.0 30.5 14.7 6.3

Latest PE

0.68 -0.42 0.63 1.89 0.98 1.13 -0.36 1.66 -0.84 2.52

7.9 -ve 16.7 6.3 5.7 10.7 -ve 7.8 -ve 15.6

CSE key features April 8, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume) Number of Contract

304.60 7,739,326 17,571

Traded Issues

230

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

72

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

156

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

2

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,413.96

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

29.26

DT

BUSINESS 19

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

Stocks end flat with topsy-turvy trading n Tribune Report

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company United Power-N ACI Limited- A Unique Hotel RL - A Ifad Autos -N Pharma Aids A MJL BD Ltd.-A Shasha Denims -N Grameenphone-A ACI Formulations-A Square Pharma -A

VolumeShares 2,533,613 522,305 6,076,550 2,955,452 447,121 1,001,980 2,584,940 290,547 530,735 283,112

Value in Million 388.99 294.50 288.45 214.44 142.59 125.05 102.24 101.51 81.90 74.07

% of TotalTurnover 10.47 7.93 7.77 5.77 3.84 3.37 2.75 2.73 2.21 1.99

416,532 528,128 955,733 746,965

66.78 59.19 55.65 52.62

1.80 1.59 1.50 1.42

Shahjibazar Power-N LafargeS Cement-Z Khulna Power-A Titas Gas TDCLA CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company United Power-N BD Submarine Cable-A Ifad Autos -N BEXIMCO Ltd. -A ACI Limited- A MJL BD Ltd.-A ACI Formulations-A Shasha Denims -N Grameenphone-A Unique Hotel RL - A

SAIF Powertec-N WesternMarine -N UNITED AIR-A Square Pharma -A Shahjibazar Power-N

VolumeShares

421,008 125,952 191,523 359,940 18,946 71,552 55,993 216,536 23,619 154,959

103,612 158,434 899,826 23,284 35,203

Value in Million

64.50 14.18 13.94 10.95 10.65 8.95 8.64 8.53 8.26 7.53

6.69 6.50 6.25 6.10 5.68

% of TotalTurnover

21.18 4.66 4.58 3.59 3.50 2.94 2.84 2.80 2.71 2.47

2.20 2.13 2.05 2.00 1.87

153.60 573.10 49.50 74.40 314.50 124.40 41.10 351.10 154.60 262.00

Change % 3.64 6.13 9.76 5.68 0.83 -0.88 5.93 0.77 3.48 0.42

163.60 112.30 58.00 69.80

1.11 -1.23 -2.03 -2.51

ClosingP

ClosingP

Change %

152.90 118.40 74.50 30.70 576.50 124.50 155.00 40.60 350.80 50.00

64.70 41.30 7.00 261.70 164.00

4.87 8.42 5.82 0.33 6.17 -0.64 3.06 5.45 0.80 9.41

1.73 1.23 1.45 0.23 0.99

148.20 540.00 45.10 70.40 311.90 125.50 38.80 348.40 149.40 260.90

159.00 574.50 49.60 74.80 324.90 127.30 41.70 353.90 155.90 262.90

148.00 549.00 45.00 70.80 310.00 123.00 37.70 346.10 151.00 260.00

AvgPrice 153.53 563.85 47.47 72.56 318.92 124.81 39.55 349.36 154.31 261.61

161.80 113.70 59.20 71.60

166.30 113.50 59.90 73.60

151.20 111.00 57.20 68.00

160.32 112.08 58.22 70.44

ClosingY

ClosingY

145.80 109.20 70.40 30.60 543.00 125.30 150.40 38.50 348.00 45.70

63.60 40.80 6.90 261.10 162.40

DHIGH

DLOW

DHIGH

DLOW

158.00 119.90 75.00 31.00 579.00 127.00 156.10 41.10 352.90 50.20

146.00 108.00 71.00 29.90 549.00 123.00 152.10 37.00 347.00 45.20

64.90 42.00 7.10 263.50 168.80

63.00 40.20 6.80 261.00 154.00

AvgPrice

153.21 112.62 72.76 30.41 562.29 125.14 154.33 39.41 349.53 48.62

64.53 41.04 6.95 262.01 161.40

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

4347.13862

(+) 0.05%

1671.47417

(+) 0.14%

13360.36630

(+) 0.34%

11101.45010

(+) 0.31%

8127.07200

(+) 0.43%

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲

Stocks ended flat with topsy-turvy trading yesterday, as late modest buying pressure cut early losses.

The market opened positive but dipped at mid-session losing around 50 points but recovered well at the end of the day, backed by rally of telecommunication and pharmaceuticals issues.

The benchmark index DSEX inched 2 points up to 4,347, breaking the fifth consecutive day of losses.

The Shariah Index DSES was marginally down over 1 points or 0.2% to 1,062. The comprising blue chips DS30 edged 2 points or 0.2% higher to 1,671.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, settled at 8,127, rising 34 points.

United Power Generation and Distribution Company Limited in its fourth trading day rose 3.7% to Tk153 per share, after rising in previous session.

The power generation company continued to top turnover leader for the third straight session. Its shares worth almost Tk39 crore changed hands, accounting for more than 10.5% of the total turnover. Strong selling and modest buying pressure helped turnover at the Dha-

ka Stock Exchange end 14% higher to Tk371 crore.

After a loss in previous session, telecommunications and pharmaceuticals gained 1% and 0.3% respectively. But all the other major sectors, including cement, banks, non-banking financial institutions and energy closed in red.

There was a lot of volatility in the capital market Non-life insurance was the worst loser of the day, losing 1.8%.

Lanka Bangla Securities said there was a lot of volatility in the capital market.

“The day started very badly as the benchmark index started falling and got below the 4300-level within the first hour and half of the trading session. However, there was strong support at that level and the market quickly turned around.”

IDLC Investments said the day started in continuation of the last few sessions’ losing streak. Witty investors recognised that many scrips are in bargain price and acted upon, causing a halt to the downfall, it said. l

ANALYST

The day started in continuation of the last few sessions’ losing streak

DT

20 BUSINESS

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

India’s 2015 wheat output could fall by 4-5% n Reuters, New Delhi India’s wheat output prospects in 2015 appeared to have been hit by unseasonal rains during the harvest season, farm minister Radha Mohan Singh said on Tuesday.

“There’s some initial reports that suggest wheat output could drop by 4-5% due to unseasonal rains,” Singh told a conference of state representatives.

In February, the farm ministry’s initial estimate put this year’s wheat production in the world’s No 2 producer at 95.76 million tonnes compared with 95.85 million tonnes in 2014.

India bought up to 80,000 tonnes of Australian wheat in recent deals, the biggest such imports by the country in five years due to unseasonal rains. l

A veiled woman farmer harvests a wheat crop in a field on the outskirts of Ajmer in Rajasthan

Exporters demand same source tax at 0.30% for all sectors n Tribune Report Export-oriented business sectors, except RMG, have urged the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to fix tax at source for all export sectors at 0.30% like the RMG sector.

They also demanded withdrawal of 5% tax on cash incentive provided by the government to boost exports.

In the current fiscal year, the government lowered tax at source to 0.30% from 0.80% for the apparel sector, following demand by the RMG leaders in the wake of political unrest.

The leaders of business association made the appeal at a pre-budget discussion with NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman at his office yesterday.

“Frozen foods are 100% agro-based products having no relation with import, but the sector people have to pay 0.60% tax at source over export value, while the country’s readymade garment sector pays 0.30% tax at source on export, said Bangladesh Frozen Foods Association President Amzad Hossain.

“That is why we should unite and urge the government to treat all equally,” he said.

Due to hartal and blockade, production in the frozen food industries suffers due to lack of raw materials, Amzad said, stressing policy

support to recover losses.

He also urged the government to withdraw the ceiling on shrimp export and to set the incentive on realised prices.

Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) President Tapan Choudhury urged the government to allow duty-free import of Busbar Trunking System like the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

Tax at source contributes a little to the revenue and that is why it should be withdrawn, said Shahidul Islam, director of FBCCI, and also former president of Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA).

BPGMEA also urged the government to lower import tax to 2% from existing 5%.

The country’s Terry Towel sector’s export is facing trouble due to unhealthy competition, said Shadat Hossain, director of Bangladesh Terry Towel and Linen Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

To help the sector come out of trouble, he urged the government to withdraw tax on incentives and local Letter of Credit and to lower tax to 10% instead of existing 15% on export earnings.

“Small and medium business people are exporting jute goods, but last year the

NBR through a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) increased licence fee to Tk15,000 from Tk11,000, and added 15% VAT to the licence fee, which discourages businessmen, said S Ahmed Majumdar, president of Bangladesh Jute Goods Association claimed.

He added that the number of entrepreneurs came down to 300 from 500.

Ahmed demanded cash incentives and taxfree export facilities as it is a 100 locally-based industry.

Leader of Jute Mills Association urged the government to withdraw tax at source and cash incentives.

Responding to the call for incentives by the business community, NBR Member Farid Uddin Ahmed said incentive is a matter that Bangladesh Bank (BB) and the Commerce Ministry deal with.

“We can consider the source tax issue and would try to revise it to give cushion to the business community.”

Replying to a query about import-related disputes, NBR chairman urged the business community to resolve the disputes through Alternative Dispute resolution (ADR).

“We are working on bridging relationship with the business people and to provide them with all-out cooperation to do business.” l

REUTERS

Muhith for resultoriented mircocredit schemes

n Tribune Report

Finance Minister AMA Muhith suggested identifying the reasons why microcredit borrowers could not come out of the poverty.

He laid emphasis on innovativeness of the microcredit programmes to get effective results.

“Microcredit activities should be innovative and study is also required on the reasons as to why most of the borrowers could not make their luck out of it,” Muhith told the inaugural session of a two-day workshop in the city yesterday.

He said there should be more researches to ensure the best use of microcredit and the borrowers reaping its utmost benefits.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) with cooperation from Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) organised the workshop titled “Promoting Micro-finance for Economic Development in IORA Region” at the PKSF Bhaban.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam was the special guest at the inaugural session, presided over by PKSF managing director Md Abdul Karim.

Referring to the trend of the micro-credit activities and its impact on people’s livelihood, finance minister said Professor Muhammad Yunus gave microfinance a new dimension, but it was the PKSF that expanded the microcredit with an ideological approach from its very beginning. l

FIs forbidden to waive Grameen Intel, Rural Foundation ink e-agro deal principal loans Pavel Hoq said the RRF would be providing capital yesterday. Under the agreement about n Tribune Business Desk 1,500 farmers will come under the e-agro ser- IT-based agricultural services to their benefiTribune Report n Grameen Intel Social Business and Rural Re- vices in the district, said a media release yes- ciaries in seven upazillas of Jessore district The country’s financial institutions will not be allowed by any means to waive the principal loans.

Only bad loans can be written off subject to maintaining 100% provision against the loans, said a circular Bangladesh Bank issued yesterday with an immediate effect.

Loans cannot be written off without approval of board of directors of the financial institutions, added the circular. l

construction Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide e-agro services to the rural farmers in Jessore district.

Philip Biswas, Executive Director of the RRF and Pavel Hoq, Chief Operating Officer of the GISB, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective oragnisations.

The signing ceremony took place at Grameen Intel’s office at Mohakhali in the

terday.

The RRF will bring their developmental experiences in its role as implementer for this collaboration. It will assist in designing the services delivery model for both RRF and Grammen Intel.

“This project will immensely help farmers getting agricultural information at their doorsteps using their mobile phones,” said Philip Biswas.

through 20 branches using Mrittikā, Grameen Intel’s fertiliser recommendation software.

“We hope to be able to boost productions of about 1,500 farmers in those locations in the coming season,” he added.

RRF will lead the implementation of the services using their branch offices where the members as well as other farmers can come and receive agriculture and health-related services at a lowest possible cost. l

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THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

T-JUNCTION

An egg-sperience to remember Photo: Bigstock

NEWS

Seminar on Corporate and Investment Banking Today, a graduate seminar on Corporate and Investment Banking in Bangladesh will be hosted by North South University MBA Club at NSU campus from 5pm to 7pm. The event will be inaugurated by Mokhdum Morshed, faculty advisor, NSU MBA Club and Shams Zaman, director, head of Corporate and Investment Banking, Citibank, N A, Bangladesh will be the keynote speakers. Asiatic Digital, Dhaka Tribune, Radio Shadhin, OXY, Lotto and Forethought PR are the event partners for this seminar.

INSIDE

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Hot Topic

Slok 2015

24

Aptitude

Samdani seminars Bengal Art Lounge presents Dust to Dust (2010-2015)

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22 T-JUNCTION

Hot Topic

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

Slok 2015 Heres the deshi “Baagdharas” updated for the contemporary teen lives of modern times

Gaache kathal gofey tel Don’t count your eggs before they hatch.

Contemporary usage: iPhone notun version ber howar agei iStore er shamne queue.

Khal kete kumir ana Investing in a dud. Contemporary usage: Befriending your bae’s frenemy, hoping for brownie points.

Dhorake shora geyan kora Empty vessel sounds much. Kinda like the Indian Cricket team, know what we mean?

Mosha martey kaman daga Overcompensation. You don’t need a cannon for mosquitos. In other words, easy on the cologne, bruh!

Fatma Ahmad, Rad Sharar n Sabrina Bin Kamal, Baizid Haque Joarder & Saudia Afrin

Je radhe shey chul o baadhey Being an all-rounder; the truly creative chef also has time for personal grooming.

Nun antey panta furai Opportunity cost; when you’re busy concentrating on one thing, you might pass out on something equally important.

Nerra bel tolai ek bar e jae The importance of learning a lesson. You only need to have one bel land on your shiny bald pate before you learn never to do that again.

Nachte na janle uthan bakaa Excuses, excuses. Don’t hate the playa, hate the game. #gaveitback

Dhori mach naa chui paani Playing it safe. You know that friend who won’t take your side, but won’t side with your enemy either? You’ll meet this kind of person during World Cup matches. #safesupporters Panta bhaat e ghee Square peg in a round hole. Things that don’t go. Like those shoes with that dress?

Eww! Dudher shad ghole metano Faking it.

Contemporary usage – Prada’r shaad Batae metano.

Ful futuk aar na futuk aaj boshonto Indomitable enthusiasm. Contemporary usage – Request accept koro na koro, amra friend.

Iccha thakley upai hoi Where there’s a will, there’s a way. You know when your mom clocks you one for getting that F? She’s heard this saying.

Oti baar bero naa jhore pore jabe Know your limits. Especially your credit card limits.

Kaata diye kaata tola Fight fire with fire. Contemporary usage: Meme diye meme thekano.

Jemon kormo temon fol As you sow, so you reap. You bunk classes, you get Fs. Ek maghe sheeth jai naa Winter is coming. Just kidding. It means, bide your time. We’ll get that World Cup next time, fellas.

Kaaro poush maash, karo shorbonash One man’s bane is another’s boon. Just because you think your boo’s a 10 doesn’t mean we agree.

Bhabiya korio kaj, korio bhabiyo naa Think before you act. Remember that time you crashed your dad’s car and got grounded for a month? Yeah, so do we.

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Hot Topic

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

Naai mamar theke kana mama bhalo Something is better than nothing.

Contemporary usage: At least I’ll get a C if I sleep now.

Ghomtar bhitor khemta naach Too good to be true. Aunties with them “perfect” kids with their straight A’s and model behaviour, who do you think you’re fooling?

Jodir kotha nodite In the immortal words of Yoda, do or do not; there’s no try. If you like it then you better put a ring on it.

Obhabe shobhab noshto Scarcity leads to crime. Like the scarcity of homework leads to cheating. See below.

Churi bidya boro bidya jodi naa poro dhora Crime pays, till you get caught. And then “Somebody gonna get a-huurt real bad.”

Akash-paatal parthokko Worlds apart.

Contemporary usage: Gulshan-Dhanmondi parthokko.

Dushtu gorur cheye shunyo goyal bhalo Better single than a bae that loves to mingle.

Oti chalakir golai dori Being a wiseass doesn’t pay off.

Olosh mostishko shoitaner kaarkhana The empty mind is the devil’s workshop.

All you people passing notes during history class know what we mean.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

Aptitude

Samdani seminars Art in body steps

n Syeda Samira Sadeque It is an open space. As you walk forward across the balcony, the man who is smothered in grey paint comes alive.

He is moving around in a circle that he has painted on the floor. There are bags of raw meat next to him.

“They’re full of chicken livers,” a spectator tells me. The artist, Atish Saha, then goes on to open the bags of meat and tie the pieces to his limbs and hangs them around his neck.

From the other corner of the room, you can hear howls of a girl sitting on a toilet seat. She is dressed in black, with a colourful Rubik’s cube sitting next to her. A few feet away from her, there is a seated lady who is stitching buttons and beads onto the sari she has on.

The room is engulfed in dramatic intensity as spectators quietly walk about, observing the performers at the Samdani Seminars Open Performance at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

At the seminar, held yesterday, local artists presented their pieces developed in the Samdani Seminars workshop, which was conducted over the past two weeks by visiting international artists Nikhil Chopra, Tori Wranes and Gustav Gunvaldsen, Myriam Lefkowitz, Sandeep Mukherjee Gregory Castera, and Sandra Terdjiman. Slovenian performance artists Jana Prepeluh and Madhavi Gore collaborated with Nikhil Chopra for the workshop.

“The Dhaka Art Summit has always had a performance section, and a lot of artists are interested in performance, which is not taught as a medium in the arts schools here,” says Diana Campbell Betancourt, artistic director of Samdani Art Foundation, which organises the biannual summit. “So we thought of bringing international performers here and having an exchange. We decided to create this incubator.”

This exchange sparked magic in the corners of Shilpakala yesterday as performers took to different mediums and voices to send a message. Along with those mentioned

above, there were others who used sound as a key medium in their performances.

Performer Ali Asgar lay on a white sheet with crayons and would draw on the sheet as response to any sound made by his audience.

By late afternoon, he could be seen rolling across the sheet in a chaotic collage of different colours.

Kabir Ahmed Masum Chisty, a participant, says the workshop has worked wonders for him.

“I’d never think of the trivial things before – now I am aware of my body parts and how they play a role in our everyday lives. This has been fantastic. I have recovered my own body,” he says.

“The workshop explored the possibilities of the body and the space that it occupies, attempting to break out of what we understand as the ‘normal’ workings of the body, its automatic responses, and coded behavioural patterns,” Diana says. “These seminars consider the body as the primary tool of expression,” she adds.

For this workshop, 16 people were chosen out of an applicant pool of 60 artists. They work with renowned artists from around the world. However, not all of the 16 participants come from the background of visual arts.

Chisty, an MFA student of sculpture at Dhaka University, says this workshop has also greatly enhanced his knowledge of his own body.

“After this workshop, as performance artists we have established a controlling system over our body,” he says.

Leading Norwegian artist Tori Wranes who has performed at the Sydney Biennial and in New York, had conducted a workshop along with Gustav Gunvaldsen. Yesterday they gave a live performance which included all the participants as well as eight rickshaws and rickshaw pullers.

With such momentum and energy in the performances, participants are hopeful about the outcomes of this workshop. Chisty says, “The output will be a revolutionary step towards the performance arts scenery in Bangladesh.” l

Bengal Art Lounge presents Dust to Dust (2010-2015)

Bengal Art Lounge is delighted to announce the inauguration of Dust to Dust (2010-2015), a solo exhibition of installations, objects and drawings

by Mahbubur Rahman, on April 11 at 6pm. The exhibition will go on till May 2. Mahbubur Rahman’s 25 years of creative practice have established him as one of Bangladesh’s most challenging artists. Dust to Dust (2010-2015) is conceived as an illustration of the artist’s crossmedia approach - from charcoal drawings to complex installations with fabricated objects mixing sound and light, the exhibition opens a window on Rahman’s ambitious experimentation.

Part new exhibition, part retrospective, the show blends previously unseen artworks with selected pieces that have been exhibited on rare occasions. A major installation created for the Venice Biennale in 2011, will be on display in Bangladesh. The tension between the aspirations of the self and the norms enforced by religion, or the duality of power and oppression in the post-colonial context of South Asia, are among the questions hinted at in this exhibition. l

7ft 5in Canada-born Sim Bhullar came on within 16 seconds remaining in the Sacramento Kings ‘ 116-111 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves to become the first player of Indian descent to play in NBA

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JUNIOR TIGERS THUMP PROTEAS IN OPENER

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RABBY STUNS ABAHANI

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HISTORY

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

28

Rony achieves his father’s dream n Mazhar Uddin

It was Rony Talukdar’s father’s dream to see his son wear the Bangladesh cricket team jersey as the right-handed batsman, who hails from Narayanganj, termed his national callup as the “biggest achievement” in his life.

With Anamul Haque sidelined with injury and Imrul Kayes literally “out-of-favour” it

RONY TALUKDAR Age

24

Favourite cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, Mushfiqur Rahim Favourite shot

Pull and square cut

Favourite food

Noodles

Leisure time

Listen to music and hangout with friends

Best friend

I have seven close friends and among them Arif and Bimol are my two best buddies

List A stats Match 49

Runs

Avg

HS

1385 29.46 132*

100s

50s

2

5

was expected the selectors will be handing the opening slot to a newbie and so it was.

Rony was rewarded for his runs in the domestic circuit recently. The opening batsman scored Dhaka Premier League’s highest – 714 runs at an average of 51 that included two hundreds and three fifties – and stood fourth in the run-getters list in the National Cricket League – 777 runs at an average of 70.63, including three centuries and a fifty. Among the three NCL tons, he converted two to double hundreds.

“I can’t explain my feeling. I called my mother and talked to her and at that moment I missed my father a lot. He is no more with us. It was my father’s dream and this is the biggest achievement of my life,” expressed an elated Rony.

“Every cricketer goes through some good and bad phases in their career and I think if anyone sets the goal and works hard anything is possible to achieve. I tried hard as I was in very good nick and I think I got the reward for that. I was expecting to get the call now and everyone also supported me saying that I will get a call this time.

“The biggest challenge for me will be to establish my place in the Bangladesh team as I don’t want to play for a short time. I am determined to represent my country for a long period and I am confident for that,” said Rony.l

Uncapped Rony, Hasan named for Pakistan ODIs Imrul, Taijul and Shafiul lose place, Jubair and Al Amin overlooked the NCL, the country’s premier domestic firster, many were predicting the inclusion of ann Minhaz Uddin Khan other uncapped opener Liton Das in place of class competition. Rony was the fourth-highUncapped opener Rony Talukdar and all-rounder Abul Hasan were surprise inclusions as the Bangladesh Cricket Board yesterday announced a 14-member squad for the first two one-day internationals against Pakistan.

Rony replaced fellow opener Imrul Kayes from the World Cup squad while Hasan came in place of paceman Shafiul Islam. Paceman Al Amin Hossain and spinner Taijul Islam were also overlooked for the first two Pakistan ODIs. The omission of Kayes was hardly a surprise as the left-hander has failed to reach double figures in his last seven ODIs. Howev-

Rony, given that the former was the highest scorer of the recently concluded 16th National Cricket League.

Rony though will not mind being picked ahead of Liton as he too had a great time in

BANGLADESH 14-MAN SQUAD (1ST AND 2ND ODI) Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Shakib al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Rony Talukdar, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque, Nasir Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Abul Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Arafat Sunny

est scorer with 777 runs at a healthy average of 70.63. Among Rony’s three hundreds, two were double centuries.

Chief selector Faruk Ahmed explained why Rony got the nod ahead of Liton.

“We have worked and observed both (Liton and Rony) for quite some time now. Rony is a bit more experienced than Liton. (Rony) has been performing in the domestic league for the last four-five years. (Rony) was out of form for a season in between but we (national selectors) think this would be a very good time to select him,” said Faruk yesterday.

“Rony might not have national team experience but he has played age-level cricket.

He took three-four years to reach where he is now. He has shown enough calibre. He is in

form now and it is important to give opportunity to those in form,” he added.

Faruk informed that a surgery on Shafiul’s left arm paved the way for Hasan’s return to the national set-up. “(Shafiul) is our first choice. He had a surgery so we could not consider him for selection. Hasan is an all-rounder, so his batting kept him ahead for the spot,” said the former national captain.

Taijul, meanwhile, missed out on a spot although Faruk informed that the left-arm spinner will be considered for the Test matches.

“We already have two left-armers (Shakib al Hasan and Arafat Sunny) in the side and at the same time Nasir [Hossain] has been doing some decent off-spin. Taijul will be included in the Tests,” said Faruk. l

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4th Indo-Bangla Games deferred again n Shishir Hoque Following a four-year hiatus, the fourth edition of the Indo-Bangladesh Games is likely to be postponed yet again despite the finalisation of event dates and fixtures.

The Indo-Bangladesh Games was all set to get underway on May 7. Athletes and participants of nine disciplines have already started their preparation camp ahead of the event but the current situation is suggesting that the Games will be pushed back once again.

Bangladesh Olympic Association had formed an organising committee and 10 sub-committees in order to host the event successfully in Dhaka but Bengal Olympic Association in a recent letter requested the BOA to postpone the Games due to the death of their treasurer.

“We were fully prepared to hold the Games. The athletes are already training in the preparation camp for the event but a letter from Bengal Olympic dented our plans.

We will sit in an emergency meeting [today] to plan our next step,” said Ashikur Rahman Miku, chairman of the training and development committee, BOA. The last edition of the Games was held in Kolkata, 2010. l

Hard work pays off for Hasan n Minhaz Uddin Khan Bangladesh all-rounder Abul Hasan played the last of his five one-day internationals against Zimbabwe last year in December. And after being overlooked for the 2015 ICC World Cup, Hasan must have imagined the worse as the entire Bangladesh pace-bowling department displayed one impressive performance after another.

However, paceman Shafiul Islam’s injury and regular skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza’s one-match suspension have suddenly opened the door of opportunity for Hasan as the Bangladesh Cricket Board yesterday announced a 14-member squad for the first two ODIs against Pakistan, naming Hasan and uncapped opener Rony Talukdar.

Although luck, in the form of Shafiul’s injury and Mashrafe’s suspension, played a big part in Hasan’s inclusion, the man himself believes it is continuous hard work that enabled him to be selected.

1ST ONE DAYER, BRIEF SCORE Bangladesh U19 v South Africa U19 at SBNS, Dhaka

South Africa Under-19 160/8 in 50 overs Abdu Galiem 38*, Tony De Zorzi 35, Ryan Rickelton 17, Saleh Ahmed Shawon 2/22, Sanjit Saha 2/25

Bangladesh Under-19 161/5 in 44 overs Pinak Ghosh 39, Nazmul Hossain 39*, Mossabbek Hossain 27, Sean Andre 4/26 Result : Bangladesh U19 won by 5 wickets Man of the Match : Sean Andre (SAU-19) Series: Bangladesh U19 lead the 7-match series 1-0

Bangladesh Under-19 skipper Nazmul Hossain jumps to play a cut shot during their match against South Africa U-19 at SBNS yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Bangladesh Cricket Board directors Kazi Inam Ahmed (2L) and Jalal Younus (C) unveil the Dan Cake BangladeshPakistan series logo during the sponsorship declaration ceremony in Mirpur yesterday MI MANIK

“I never thought of getting the call to be honest but I was confident that performing well in the ongoing (Bangladesh Cricket League one-dayers) might create chances for me. But, I never had any expectations to be honest,” Hasan told Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

“I was into regular activities. I had daily practice sessions with key notes from coaches. At the same time, I also played in the local leagues back home (Moulvibazar). So, I took permission from the board and played in those leagues. I had the clear intention of continuing my hard work. I knew, if I perform, I will get the national call,” he said.

When queried if he would be under pressure replacing the in-form Mashrafe, Hasan said, “I will not feel pressure because if you remember, I was in a similar situation in 2012.

I was suddenly called up and made to play (against Pakistan in a Twenty20 international). So, I will not feel pressure. I am rather thinking of how to utilise the opportunity.” l

ABUL HASAN Age

22

Favourite cricketer

Brett Lee (Australia)

Favourite footballer

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal & Real Madrid)

Favourite cricket shot

Cover drive

Favourite vacation spot Gazipur tea estate Favourite food

Beef

List A stats Match 32

Runs

HS

Wkts

BBI

312

72

24

5/32

Junior Tigers thump junior Proteas in opener n Mazhar Uddin A disciplined performance from the Bangladesh under-19 bowlers enabled the home side to register a comfortable five-wicket win against defending u-19 world champions South Africa in the first youth ODI at Sher-eBangla National Stadium yesterday.

Batting first, the tourists were only able to post 160/8 from their 50 overs. Later, Bangladesh strolled to victory in 44 overs with five wickets in hand.

Led admirably by Saleh Ahmed (2/22) and Sanjit Saha (2/25), the hosts initiated breakthroughs at regular intervals. With the exception of skipper Nazmul Hossain, all the Bangladesh bowlers picked up at least a wicket to

go with their impressive economy rates.

Top-order batsman Tony de Zorzi chipped in with 35 while lower-order batsman Dayyaan Galiem scored the highest 38 to give their team some sort of total to defend.

In reply, the junior Tigers chased down the relatively small target with ease. Opener Pinak Ghosh played 65 balls for his 39 while Nazmul remained unbeaten on the same score from 69 deliveries as the junior Tigers began the seven-match youth ODI series with a comprehensive victory.

Junior Proteas left-arm spinner Sean Whitehead’s 4/26 went in vain as he lacked support from the other end.

The second youth ODI will be played at the same venue tomorrow. l

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THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

QUICK BYTES

SPOTLIGHT

Cook scores first century for England since 2013 England captain Alastair Cook scored his first century for his country since an Ashes warmup game in November 2013 before retiring on 101 not out against a St Kitts Invitational XI on Tuesday. The 30-year-old Cook, who has made 25 centuries in 109 Tests and scored 8,423 runs at an average of 46.02, has not recorded a Test match hundred since May 2013 when he notched up 130 against New Zealand at Headingley.

England made a flying start to their tour of West Indies on Monday when Ben Stokes took three wickets and Stuart Broad and Chris Jordan two each as St Kitts were skittled out for 59. Cook opened the batting with Jonathan Trott, back in the international side for the first time since leaving the Ashes tour in 2013 due to depression issues, and he scored 72 as England moved on to 181 for one at the close. Cook resumed on 95 not out in the two-day match in Basseterre and completed his century within 10 minutes. The first of three Tests against West Indies starts on Monday in Antigua.

–Reuters

Kamal Babu Rahmatganj MFS, Coach

Dortmund set to lose Hummels Borussia Dortmund are facing the prospect of losing a star player for the third year running with Germany defender Mats Hummels waxing lyrical about a possible transfer abroad. Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United are reported to be interested in signing the 26-year-old, who has a market-value of around 35 million euros (£25.5m, US37.9m), on the back of outstanding performances at last year’s World Cup. Having seen stars Mario Goetze, then Robert Lewandowski leave for Bayern Munich in recent seasons, Dortmund could sell Hummels to the highest bidder as his current contract runs until 2017.

The centre-back’s future is a hot topic in the German media, especially after he reportedly told Bild: “it’s Man Utd or no-one” should he leave Dortmund. “You know what I am like: I just say what is going around in my head,” he told Sky Sports after Dortmund’s 1-0 home defeat to Bayern on Saturday. “That doesn’t mean that I am leaving, it just means I’m considering things.

“There’s no particular tendency one way or the other. “It’s just thoughts going through my mind and it’s nothing that those in charge here don’t already know. “It will all become clearer in the coming weeks.”

–AFP

Figo disputes CAF claim of backing for Blatter FIFA presidential candidate Luis Figo on Wednesday disputed the Confederation of African Football’s claim that all 54 votes from the continent will go to incumbent Sepp Blatter in the presidential elections next month. The former Portugal international, in Egypt at the CAF Congress to canvass for votes, told Reuters he did not believe all Africa was solidly behind Blatter, who seeks re-election on May 29 against Figo, Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan and the Dutch football association president Michael van Praag. “I feel there’s a lot of respect for CAF among all the African federations but I’m positive that (CAF president) Mr (Issa) Hayatou did not speak in the name of the 54 members of the confederation,” said the former Barcelona and Real Madrid midfielder.

–Reuters

Young Rahmatganj forward Mannaf Rabby celebrates his injury-time equaliser against Abahani in the Manyavar Bangladesh Premier Football League at the BNS yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Rabby equaliser stuns Abahani n Shishir Hoque Rahmatganj MFS stunned four-time professional football league champions Abahani Limited in their opening match of the Manyavar Bangladesh Premier Football League. A late equaliser from Mannaf Rabby saw the Sky Blues share points in the 2-2 draw at Bangabandhu National Staidum yesterday.

Muktijoddha, however, later made sure they get full points over Feni Soccer Club as they won 2-1.

The “Abahani gallery” at the BNS contained hardly 100 spectators and the result did not help their cause of turning out on a gloomy evening.

Rahmatganj coach had earlier said his team will provide players for the future and it was proved by juvenile local forward Rabby who came off the bench and snatched the points under Abahani’s nose.

Rabby’s injury time strike from eight yards out had great technique and cancelled the second Abahani goal scored by Hungarian midfielder Gabor Demjen in the 72nd minute.

Earlier, the deadlock was broken in the

Game on for Mercedes as Vettel finds mojo n AFP, Shanghai

56th minute by Hungarian forward Szabolcs Csorba, in his BPFL debut, only to see Rahmatganj restore parity through Gideon Solomon two minutes later.

Meanwhile, the 2-1 scoreline hardly suggests the game was easy for Muktijoddha who grabbed the lead in the 12th minute through their veteran forward Enamul Haque.

An own goal saw the lead extended at the stroke of half time while Biplob repaid the favour by scoring an own goal of their own to make it 2-1.l

RESULTS Abahani Ltd

2-2

Szabolcs Csorba 56, Gabor Demjen72

Rahmatganj Gideon Solomon58, Mannaf Rabby 90+

2-1

Feni Soccer

Enamul Haque 12, Monjur Rahman 43(OG)

Biplob 49 (OG)

Muktijoddha SKS

Kamal Babu has been coaching Rahmatganj for the past three years. Under his guidance the club finished top in the Championship League.

Rahmatganj’s premier league adventure began in style yesterday as they held giants Abahani Limited to a 2-2 draw in their first top-flight match in two years.

Age: 48 Previous clubs: Farashganj SC, Sheikh Russel KC, Arambagh KC, Wari Favourite coach: Guus Hiddink (Netherlands) Favourite clubs: Real Madrid, Manchester United Favourite players: Mannaf Rabby (local), Lionel Messi (international) Favourite formation: 5-3-2 Hobby: Chatting with the players Leisure time: Spending time with family Best moment from yesterday: Mannaf Rabby’s equaliser. The second goal was the best moment from the promising 18-year old

TODAY’S MATCHES Mohammedan vs Chittagong Abahani 4:15pm Brothers Union vs Team BJMC 6:30pm

After their ill-advised goading of Formula One rivals Ferrari, the message for Mercedes before this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix is clear: be careful what you wish for.

What began as banter, with Nico Rosberg inviting Sebastian Vettel to a Mercedes debrief in Malaysia, ended with red faces as Vettel roared to his first win for Ferrari.

Whether Ferrari can land another sucker-punch in Shanghai in far cooler conditions remains to be seen, but Vettel looks a man transformed after proving the Mercedes can be beaten.

The four-time world champion bristled at Rosberg’s claim, after an untroubled Mercedes one-two at the season-opener in Australia, that he wanted Ferrari to push Mercedes harder, and made his fellow German pay for his cockiness.

Lewis Hamilton, the current champion, and Rosberg had been all but untouchable, but Vettel has breathed new life into Formula One after rediscovering his mojo to top the podium for the first time since his last win for Red Bull in 2013.

Vettel also left Bernie Ecclestone with egg on his face after the sport’s chief executive criticised him for being too low-key as world champion, and he will be determined to build on his momentum in Shanghai, where he last won in 2009. l

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28 Sport

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

Substitute Kehl fires Dortmund into German Cup semis n Reuters, Berlin

Dortmund Subotic 19, Kehl 107, Aubameyang 57

Hoffenheim Volland 21, Roberto Firmino 28

3 2

Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp celebrates with his players after the defeat of Hoffenheim in extra time in their German Cup quarter-final (DFBPokal) in Dortmund on Tuesday REUTERS

Atletico too good for Sociedad n AFP, Madrid Atletico Madrid moved to within six points of La Liga leaders Barcelona thanks to a comfortable 2-0 win over David Moyes’s Real Sociedad on Tuesday.

The champions never looked in danger from the moment Mikel Gonzalez headed into his own net after just two minutes.

Antoine Griezmann then doubled the hosts’ advantage against his former club shortly afterwards to end the game as a contest inside the first 10 minutes.

Sevilla moved level with Valencia in fourth, just four points adrift of Atletico, with a 2-1 win at Levante thanks to first-half goals from Kevin Gameiro and Jose Antonio Reyes.

Barcelona can regain their nine-point lead over Atletico when they and closest challengers

Wilshere ready to make Arsenal return n Reuters, London Jack Wilshere is ready to make his return to first-team action after recovering from an ankle injury he picked up in November and the Arsenal midfielder is hoping he can make an impact before the end of the season.

The 23-year-old England international sustained the injury during Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat by Manchester United in November and has since undergone two operations on his left ankle.

Wilshere played 90 minutes for Arsenal’s under-21 side on Tuesday and hopes to play his part in the Gunners defending the FA Cup title, starting with their semi-final against Reading at Wembley on April 18.l

Real Madrid are in action against Almeria and Rayo Vallecano respectively on Wednesday.

“Both the goals are down to mistakes we made,” lamented Moyes.

Defeat all but ends Sociedad’s outside

LA LIGA Atletico Madrid

2-0

Real Sociedad

Gonzalez 2-og, Griezmann 10

1-2

Levante Uche 73

Sevilla Gameiro 10, Reyes 37

1-0

Eibar

Malaga

Arruabarrena 53

hopes of qualifying for the Europa League, but the former Manchester United boss insisted he never thought that was a realistic target

having taken over the Basque outfit with the remit of avoiding relegation.

Sociedad beat Atletico 2-1 when the sides met back in November and came into the game having lost just one of their last eight La Liga games, but were on the back foot straight away as Arda Turan volleyed against the post inside 60 seconds.

The visitors managed to scramble the rebound behind but from the resulting corner, Gonzalez could only flick Koke’s in-swinging delivery into the far corner.

Eight minutes later it was 2-0 as Geronimo Rulli could only parry Koke’s fierce drive into the path of Griezmann, who slammed the ball high into the net but refused to celebrate out of respect to the club he spent nine years with prior to his big money move to Atletico last summer.l

Juventus reach Cup final n AFP, Rome Juventus thrashed Fiorentina 3-0 on Tuesday to overturn a 2-1 semi-final, first leg deficit and reach the Italian Cup final.

Despite missing star players Carlos Tevez and Paul Pogba, Juve crushed La Viola in the second leg in Florence through goals from Alessandro Matri, Roberto Pereyra and Leonardo Bonucci.

COPPA ITALIA Fiorentina

0-3

Juventus

Matri 21, Pereyra 44, Bonucci 59 Juventus win 4-2 on aggregate

They will face either holders Napoli or Lazio in the final. Those sides are level at 1-1 from the first leg in Rome and meet in Naples on Wednesday.

Juve’s deserved victory provided a welcome boost ahead of their Champions League quarter-final, first leg against Monaco next week. They simply proved too strong, physically, mentally and technically for Fiorentina.

And with a 14-point lead over second-placed Roma in Serie A, the reigning champions remain on course for a treble, last achieved by Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan in 2010.

Last year, Juve knocked Fiorentina out of the Europa League, winning 1-0 away following a home draw, and once again they proved ruthless on their travels.l

Borussia Dortmund veteran Sebastian Kehl scored a sensational extra-time winner in a 3-2 victory over visitors Hoffenheim on Tuesday to advance to the German Cup semi-finals and keep alive their hopes of European football next season.

The 35-year-old, who retires at the end of the campaign after 13 years at Dortmund, came on in the second half and fired home from 25 metres. Without injured Mats Hummels and Marco Reus, Dortmund took the lead through central defender Neven Subotic in the 19th minute before Kevin Volland’s superb volley levelled the match two minutes later.

Serbia international Subotic then gifted Hoffenheim their second goal when he lost possession to Roberto Firmino, who charged through and beautifully chipped keeper Mitch Langerak. Aubameyang, however, made amends for his team mate’s mistake, heading in the equaliser early in the second half before Kehl’s superb winner in the 107th minute went in off the post.

VfL Wolfsburg dominated but needed a second-half penalty from defender Ricardo Rodriguez to edge past fellow Bundesliga club Freiburg 1-0 and advance.l

Benteke treble keeps Villa out of trouble n AFP, Birmingham Christian Benteke scored a potentially priceless hat-trick as Aston Villa avoided slipping into the Premier League relegation zone by drawing 3-3 at home to Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday.

After Matt Phillips put QPR ahead, a Benteke brace gave Villa control, only for second-half goals from Clint Hill and Charlie Austin to leave QPR on the brink of a win.

But Benteke completed his treble with an inch-perfect 83rd-minute free-kick to take the Belgian striker’s tally to seven goals in five games and leave Tim Sherwood’s side three points above the bottom three.

Chris Ramsey’s QPR moved above Burnley on goal difference, but they are now two points from safety.l

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THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

Rory, Bubba eye Tiger in Masters showdown n AFP, Augusta Tiger Woods last won a major title in 2008 and hasn’t won the Masters in a decade, but top-ranked Rory McIlroy will be watching out for him this week all the same.

The 79th Masters opens Thursday at Augusta National with McIlroy seeking his first green jacket and third major crown in a row to complete a career Grand Slam while Woods, who has fallen to 111th in the world rankings, contends for a 15th career major after a nightmare year of injuries and inconsistent form.

“I think everyone is just curious to see how he comes back,” McIlroy said of Woods, who has fallen to 111th in the world rankings. “I don’t think you should ever underestimate him. He has done things on the golf course that are pretty special.

“I had a good chat with him on the putting green. He feels good. He has been working hard. He has the motivation to keep at it, and just like everyone else, I’ll be looking for his score and seeing what he’s doing.”

Defending champion Bubba Watson can match Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo as the only players to win back-to-back Masters crowns and match Nicklaus as the only ones to win three green jackets in a four-season span.

Factor in young stars seeking a first major win such as Jordan Spieth and Jason Day, sprinkle in some skilled past champions such as Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson and mix in the stunning backdrop of Augusta National’s

treacherous greens and towering pines with the dramatic legacy of Amen Corner and Rae’s Creek and the scene is set for an impressive first major of 2015.

Woods has been idle for more than two months since withdrawing after 11 holes at Torrey Pines in February. And that came off a career-worst 82 in the second round at Phoenix.

“I’m excited to be back playing at this level,” Woods said. “I feel like my game is finally ready to compete at the highest level.”

McIlroy is just fine with Woods, who has struggled simply to finish 72 holes over the past 12 months, taking the lion’s share of attention with his strong practice rounds even as McIlroy tries to join a career Grand Slam list that includes only Woods, Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen and Gary Player.

“It is such a big story, Tiger coming back at the Masters after a bit of a lengthy period where he has not been around,” McIlroy said.

“But still I’m just here to play golf and you guys can write the stories and I won’t read them and we’ll move on.”

Asked to name a favorite, McIlroy selected Watson.

“I’d say Bubba is. He has won here two of the last three years,” McIlroy said. “Perfect game for this course. Been playing really well.

Seems confident every time he tees it up.

Watson knows that Woods, 39, will draw extra energy from his Masters history, which includes eight top-six finishes in his past nine appearances.l

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON

Mick Schumacher, son of Formula One legend Michael Schumacher, walks on to the pitch after a Formula Four car test racing during a media day at Oschersleben circuit in Oschersleben yesterday REUTERS

Wisden lauds Sangakkara and Lanning, slams ECB n AFP, London Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara has been named as the Leading Cricketer in the World in the 2015 Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack.

Meanwhile Australia’s Meg Lanning has been chosen as the cricket ‘bible’s’ inaugural Leading Woman Cricketer in the World -- the first time the England-based annual has bestowed such an award in 152 editions of continuous publication dating back to 1864.

But editor Lawrence Booth was stinging in his criticism of the England and Wales Cricket

Board for their “mishandling” of the Kevin Pietersen affair that saw the star batsman axed from the England set-up.

Sangakkara joined India’s Virender Sehwag as the only two players to be named as Wisden’s Leading Cricketer in the World for a second occasion.

The 37-year-old left-handed batsman and wicketkeeper won the award after a stellar 2014 that saw Sangakkara score an all-time record 2,868 international runs in the calendar year, including a triple century.

His feats, which added to an already bril-

liant career, included a man-of-the-match performance in Sri Lanka’s World Twenty20 final win over India last year.

Sangakkara also scored his first Test hundred at Lord’s last season, a century which came during Sri Lanka’s Test series win over England. He later confirmed Wisden’s judgment by scoring a record four successive hundreds at the recent World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

In a tribute to Sangakkara, set to retire from all international cricket later this year, Booth said: “Choosing (him) just felt natural. And his

Hafeez vows to clear action n AFP, Lahore Pakistan’s veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez says he is confident of resurrecting his career with a remodelled bowling action five months after it was declared illegal.

Spinner Hafeez’s action was reported as suspect during the first Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi in November and confirmed as illegal by biomechanical analysis in England.

He now faces a crucial official test on his bowling in Chennai, India on Thursday, and at age 34 he has limited further chances for rehabilitation.

But Hafeez said he is not worried by the

Chennai test.

“I have worked on my action for the last five months and I am confident that I will clear the test,” he told reporters Tuesday.

Under International Cricket Council rules bowlers are permitted to straighten their arm up to 15 degrees in their action. This has been established as the point at which any straightening becomes visible to the naked eye.

Ajmal, 37, and Hafeez have both been included in the Pakistan squad for all three formats to be played in Bangladesh, starting with the first of three one-day internationals on April 17.

Pakistan and Bangladesh will also play a Twenty20 international and two Tests.l

four consecutive hundreds at the World Cup confirmed we’d chosen the right man.

“We’ll miss him when he’s gone.”

Lanning, who at the age of 21 became the youngest person ever to captain Australia, led her side to the World Twenty20 title and finished 2014 at the top of both the women’s one-day international and Twenty20 batting rankings.

Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year is an award dating back to 1889 and is generally based on a player’s performances in the preceding English season. l

DAY’S WATCH Sony Six 8:30PM Indian Premier League Chennai v Delhi

Star Sports 1 2:00AM Spanish La Liga Elche v Getafe

Star Sports 2 Spanish La Liga 12:00AM Athletic Bilbao v Valencia 2:00AM Villarreal v Espanyol

DT

30 DOWNTIME

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Avoid (4) 5 Added clause (5) 9 Time of holding (6) 10 Eggs (3) 11 Deep blue (4) 12 Slumber (5) 14 Review unsparingly (5) 16 Entrance (4) 19 Nigh (4) 21 Musical drama (5) 24 Representative (4) 27 Notion (4) 29 Ship’s record (3) 30 Specialist (6) 31 Moved gradually (5) 32 Therefore (4)

DOWN 1 Heavenly body (4) 2 Female bird (3) 3 Complete agreement (6) 4 Of no effect (4) 5 Put back (7) 6 Female deer (3) 7 First woman (3) 8 Swift (5) 13 Zodiac sign (3) 15 Made suitable (7) 17 Library user (6) 18 Climb (5) 20 Vast age (3) 22 Mature (4) 23 Roman statesman and writer (4) 25 Deity (3) 26 Incite (3) 28 Work unit (3)

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 7 represents M so fill M every time the figure 7 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

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

Two Indian plays to be staged today n Showtime Desk

Usha Ganguli in Antaryatra

Two visiting Indian troupes will stage their respective productions at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy as part of the ongoing five-day-long theatre festival arranged by Padatik Natya Sangsad (TSC).

Kolkata-based theatre troupe Aneek will stage Chi-kissa at the National Theatre Hall of the academy at 7.15pm. Chi-kissa, a theatrical adaptation of Molière’s comedy The Physician in Spite of Himself, depicts a drinking, gluttonous carpenter Doyal who makes life a living hell for his wife and family. As revenge for his sloppy existence, his wife, Doyel, plays a trick on him. She hears two servants working for a rich family mention that they need a doctor, and so she tells them that Doyal is the greatest doctor in the world. Amalesh Chakraborty has adapted this for stage while Malay Biswas has directed the farcical comedy.

Rangakarmee will present Antaryatra at the Experimental Theatre Hall.

Directed and played by Usha Ganguli, the monologue depicts a whole history of Indian womanhood played out in large enough social space covering middle class homes and the urban working woman to the rural woman at extreme margins.

With the staging of two plays everyday, the festival will conclude on Saturday. l

Stand-up Comedy Show

WHAT TO WATCH TELEVISION

The Prestige HBO 4:07pm

A

Batman Begins Movies Now 6:45pm

B

Fast and Furious 6 Star Movies 6:53pm

B-

Cast:Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson Upcoming magicians Robert and Alfred start off as friends then later become rivals as a result of an unfortunate incident. As they try to outdo each other, things turn ugly.

Cast: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson After training with his mentor, Batman begins his war on crime to free the crimeridden Gotham City from corruption that the Scarecrow and the League of Shadows have cast upon it.

Cast:Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Jordana Brewster Hobbs has Dominic and Brian reassemble their crew to take down a team of mercenaries: Dominic unexpectedly gets convoluted also facing his presumed deceased girlfriend, Letty.

CELEBS ON SOCIAL

Performers: Naveed Mahbub, Mosharraf Yaafi Venue: Caspian, 3rd floor, RM Centre, 101 Gulshan Avenue, Gulshan, Dhaka 1212 Date: April 09, 2015 Time: 7:30pm Info: 01755618541 Organiser: Naveed’s Comedy Club

Ellen DeGeneres @TheEllenShow

Nazmul Huda Manager Mobile: +88 0175 561 8541

A slice of life n Tausif Sanzum

It was in this month of April that the entire country was engulfed in remorse after the collapse of Rana Plaza. Few years earlier there was a similar incident in Spectrum Sweater and Knitting factory.

The play Tragedy Polashbari by the theatre troupe Prachyanat is a homage to those who tragically lost their lives in this accident. It is also a tribute to the RMG sector workers who work mechanically day and night under dire condition

theatre review Instead of being just a tear feast chronicling the sad events of the particular day, the play gives a name and a face to the garment workers. Their lives, and dreams are shown through the eyes of Taravan.

When the building collapses, the audience are introduced to a girl who is in screaming for help in a delirious condition. A comparison is drawn between the collapsed structure and her shattered dreams.

The ace director Azad Abul Kalam recreates scenes from various stages of Taravan’s life. He uses various elements

such as sewing machine sound, sewing bobin, video projections to make the stage as interactive as the characters.

The actors comprising mostly of a younger generation show great potential particularly the female actor enacting the role of Taravan. She carries the entire play on her tiny shoulder and does it with elan. The technical department deserves special mention for recreating the collapsed Garment factory and succeeding in creating a clautrophobic atmosphere which even the audience could feel. l

I can’t believe this is the last time we’ll all be together.

Ryan Seacrest @RyanSeacrest

props to u if you’re at the gym right now. I give u full credit. I’ll be over here eatings

Twinkle Khanna @mrsfunnybones

Freedom is never taken away in a big swoop -but bit by bit, till what we were and what we had, all seems like a morning dream.

DT

32 BACK PAGE

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

PRIVATE SECTOR CREDIT GROWTH REBOUNDS PAGE 15

RONY ACHIEVES HIS FATHER’S DREAM PAGE 25

TWO INDIAN PLAYS TO BE STAGED TODAY PAGE 31

Curious youths gather around a bioscope at Suhrawardy Udyan yesterday. Traditional sources of entertainment regain their lost appeal each year during Pahela Baishakh celebrations

Biman looking to East leaving West n Muhammad Zahidul Islam In an attempt to cut down on recurring losses, Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to suspend its flights on the Dhaka-Rome route from tomorrow and start focusing instead on new routes to China and the Far East.

The announcement, made by Biman’s new Chief Executive Officer Kyle Haywood, came only six months after Biman suspended its flights to Frankfurt, meaning that from now on Biman’s only footprint in Europe would be in London.

“Dhaka-Rome flights caused around $10 million in losses and that is why we need to revise our plan and suspend it immediately,” Haywood told journalists yesterday in his first meeting with the press since joining Biman on January 5.

Along with suspending the Rome flights, Biman would scrutinise its loss-making routes and try to further minimise losses by planning new routes to China and Far East countries, the national flag carrier’s CEO said.

Earlier, Biman had made a plan to offer new flights to Tokyo, Kunming, Guangzhou, Colombo and Male; but the plan was never realised.

On another note, Haywood said he was trying to change the ticket booking system for Biman as flights often had empty seats despite being fully booked.

“In my three months with Biman, I found that lots of passengers booked seats; but before

flying they changed it which also deprived the real passengers and caused losses to Biman.

We have noticed the issue and will change the process,” said the Biman CEO. He, however, did not mention any specific plan on this regard.

Asked when the state-owned carrier might see profit again, the Biman boss refused to set any specific time limit to reach the target.

However, Haywood said Biman was planning to increase its cargo service to secure 15% revenue increase compared to last year.

During the 2013-14 fiscal year, Biman lost Tk210 crore; the flag carrier’s losses were Tk191.6 crore during FY2012-13 and Tk594.2 crore in FY 2011-12.

Haywood said Biman’s average fleet age was currently eleven years, which would be brought down to eight years within a short time.

“When any carrier’s average fleet age is longer, it is a challenge for them to make it profitable,” said the CEO, claiming that corruption was not the big problem for Biman.

Haywood added that he has taken lots of tough decisions over the last three months to make Biman a passenger-friendly operator.

“Considering passenger satisfaction, we issued budget tickets and within this time [since January] passenger presence and flights timeliness was fantastic,” said the CEO. He said that Biman’s new plans would come to light after July, adding that they had no plan for launching any budget service. l

RAJIB DHAR

Intel 3D depth camera fitted into smartphone n Tribune Desk Intel has revealed a version of its 3D depth camera that is small and thin enough to be fitted into a six-inch (15.2cm) smartphone.

The RealSense sensor can be used to recognise hand and head movements and makes it possible to change the focus of photos after they have been taken.

The prototype was unveiled by the company chief executive, Brian Krzanich, at an event in Shenzhen, China yesterday.

The technology is similar to that found in Microsoft’s Kinect motion-and-image sensor, but in a much smaller package.

While the Kinect has fallen out of favour with many XBox gamers, one industry watcher thought the technology would prove popular in handsets.

“We’ve got to the stage where putting ever higher-resolution cameras in phones is no longer as much of a selling point as it used to be. So manufacturers need additional features to draw on,” said Chris Green, of the Davies Murphy Group consultancy.

“Intel has obviously achieved half of the challenge involved, but what is still unclear is whether it has got the power side of things licked. It’s one thing putting this into a laptop where you have a large battery and access to a mains power source; it’s another to put it into a phone that has to last throughout the day.”

Still too big?

Although Krzanich showed off an example of a RealSense-enabled phone, he did not demonstrate it working.

“The device which was shown on stage at the Intel Developer Forum was a prototype that was created in collaboration with a Chinese firm, whom we are not naming,” a spokeswoman for the company said.

Richard Lai, editor-in-chief of Engadget Chinese, thought this suggested Intel might still have quite a bit of work before its RealSense tech was ready for mainstream handsets.

“This was pretty much the only device he did not turn on to show what it did on stage, which might say something about the early stage it is at,” he told the BBC. “And the prototype was still a six-inch phablet. That size is socially acceptable in China, but putting it into a smaller form factor would make it more accessible to other consumers.” l

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