Celebrated writer and playwright Humayun Ahmed under observation,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Celebrated writer and playwright Humayun Ahmed has been kept under close observation at Manhattan's Bellevue Hospital as his condition failed to improve.

Mazharul Islam, owner of the Onno Prokash, told that the popular writer was in intensive care unit and that his condition did not improve in the last 48 hours.

"He is under sedation," he said.

His wife Meher Afroz Shaon requested everybody to pray for his fast recovery.

The popular writer was rushed to the hospital on Jun 20 after a 'successful' surgery on Jun 12 for his colon cancer in New York.

That day, his abdomen had swollen and he complained of severe pain.

Islam said the writer could not recognise any of his family members including his wife.

"He has been taken immediately to the Jamaica Hospital where doctors said the surgery had caused infections.

"The writer has been transferred to the Bellevue Hospital where he was operated upon again," he said, "Then he has been kept in ICU. But again became restless on Jun 28."

Expatriate writer Gazi Hashem said, "The writer wailed Kushum (Shaon's surname) and said 'they will kill me, please take me away from here'. He was trying to remove his bandages."

"It left us puzzled. Then doctors administered sleeping pills," he said.

Humayun, also a renowned filmmaker, went to New York on Sep 13 last year after he was diagnosed with colon cancer during a routine check-up in Singapore.

Born in Mymensingh in 1948, Humayun did his graduation from Dhaka University and later joined the university as a lecturer of Chemistry but retired to become a fulltime writer and filmmaker.

Winner of prestigious Bangla Academy Award in 1981, Ekushey Padak in 1994 and three National Film Awards (Best Story in 1993, Best Film 1994 and Best Dialogue in 1994), Humayun continued writing while he was in New York taking treatment.

On Jan 13, the government made the 63-year-old writer Senior Special Adviser to the Bangladesh Mission at the United Nations in New York.

Last month, he had come to the country on a 20-day-visit to spend time with his friends and relatives before the surgery. 

State Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Advocate Quamrul Islam for justice for oppressed women,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

KHULNA: State Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Advocate Quamrul Islam categorically said the authorities concerned should ensure the matter so that the repressed women can get justice to the court.

The state minister came up with the assertion while addressing a workshop held in a city hotel Saturday.

The ruling Awami League lawmaker said, “The fundamentalists are trying to use the women as commodity of enjoy and we all should stand against this.”

With district and session judge GM Salahuddin in the chair, the workshop was addressed, among others, by acting law secretary Abu Saleh Sheikh M Jahirul Haque, deputy secretary Mostafizur Rahman and senior project coordinator of IOM Shakil Mansur.

Padma bridge couldn’t be built for govt’s corruption: BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Saturday said the much-talked-about Padma bridge could not be built due to corruption of the government.

“We built many large bridges. But there was no corruption,” she said while distributing relief materials among the disaster-affected people at Zia Complex at Bahaddarhat in Chittagong.

The opposition leader said the World Bank and Canada provided evidence of corruption in the multi-billion Padma bridge project. “But those responsible for the graft do still exist though their ministries were changed.”

She said those who will vote Awami League again even after knowing the government’s corruption will betray the country.

Khaleda also said they would construct two bridges on the Padma River-one in Mawa and another in Paturia-Doulatdia- if BNP is voted to power.

She said BNP would neither take part in any election nor let any election be held in the country without a caretaker government. “The government must restore the caretaker government system or quit.”

The leader of the opposition also threatened to wage a tougher movement after Eid-ul-Fitr, urging all to join the agitation.

Illegal diagnostic centres sealed, fake doc jailed Mobile court Mohammadpur,Dhaka Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

A mobile court of Rapid Action Battalion Saturday afternoon sealed off two illegal diagnostic centres in the capital's Mohammadpur area and jailed one of its doctors.

Eight technicians of the diagnostic centres were also sentenced for six months as they do not have proper training on diagnosing diseases.

Executive Magistrate HM Anwar Pasha who led the raid told that he along with a team of elite force conducted the first raid at New Medi-lab at Humayun road in Mohammadpur around 1:30pm and sealed it off as it has no legal documents.

The team also arrested Shahana Zaman Shanu, a doctor and also the owner of the lab and sentenced her to two years imprisonment on charge of impersonating a doctor at her diagnostic centre.

The team also arrested--Md Rubel Hossain, Taslima Begum, Jaheda Begum, Ujjal Kumar Bishwas and Inamul Haque--five technicians of the lab and jailed them for six months as they do not have proper training to diagnose diseases.

Later, the team also raided CTL Diagnostic Centre, adjacent to Medi-lab and sealed it off on the same allegation.

Rab also arrested three of its technicians — Shahinur Rahman, Mainul Haque and Rahenul Islam Faruk — and sentenced them to six months imprisonment.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith terms it Zoellick's personal opinion,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

In his reaction to the cancellation of loan for the Padma bridge project, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said on Saturday that it might be a personal opinion of World Bank President Robert Zoellick.

"I think it is not a decision of the World Bank. Rather, it is a personal opinion of its outgoing president," the minister said in a press statement in the evening.

The World Bank has cancelled $1.2 billion credit for the Padma bridge project with immediate effect, saying it has credible evidence of a high-level corruption conspiracy among Bangladeshi government officials.

"The language and expression used in the World Bank statement, I’ve enough doubt whether it can issue such statement about any of its member countries," he said. "We think such a statement is absolutely unacceptable."

Muhith refuted the WB statement that says it has evidence of corruption and the government did not take any steps accordingly. "The statement is untrue," he said.

"We have been exchanging letters and having talks with the World Bank for the last nine months and we have taken outstanding steps to eliminate its confusion," said the finance minister.

He claimed that till date there has been no corruption in the Padma bridge project, though Tk 1,500 crore has been spent.

The finance minister said he will deliver a speech about this matter in the Jatiya Sangsad on Monday.

Muhith said the government was informed early Saturday that the World Bank had cancelled the loan it granted previously for the Padma bridge project. Later, in the morning the WB posted the notice on its website.

The development institution also said that it had provided evidence from two investigations to the prime minister, as well as the minister of finance and the chairman of the anti -corruption commission (ACC) of Bangladesh in September 2011 and April 2012.

"We urged the authorities of Bangladesh to investigate this matter fully and, where justified, prosecute those responsible for corruption. We did so because we hoped the government would give the matter the serious attention it warrants," the statement said.

It's very unfortunate: Noted Economist Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Noted economist Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud on Saturday said cancellation of loan by the World Bank for Padma bridge project is ‘very unfortunate’ and it would have negative impact on the country’s image.

“Scrapping the funding for the Padma bridge project is the reflection of relation crisis between Bangladesh and donor agencies including World Bank,” he told in an instant reaction after a programme of Environment Olympiad in the capital.

This crisis might have negative impact on this relation in future, he said.

He said the government should not possess such mentality that it must implement the project at any cost and accepting any condition considering its election pledge.

Although the WB has cancelled the agreement, the government should investigate the whole matter in a transparent and fair manner, Wahiduddin, also a former adviser to the caretaker government, opined.

“The government should inform people the actual matter, what documents the government has in its hands, what evidence it has regarding Canadian government’s findings on the World Bank’s corruption allegation in the project,” Prof Wahiduddin said.

He also added the government should come up with its statement with transparency and inform the world regarding handover of corruption evidence to government by the World Bank and Canadian government.

Wahiduddin said soft loan is a must for implementing such mega projects.

“That’s why the government should assess the negative impacts if the bridge is constructed taking loan assistance with high interest rate from foreign countries,” he said.

“It is important to evaluate whether construction of the bridge with high interest rate would be a burden for people in the long run," he said.

Margin of profit and risk of loss should also take into cognizance before receiving high interest rate loan, he further said.

Padma bridge acid-test for govt: Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB),Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

The World Bank’s cancellation of the US$1.2 billion credit as part of the US$2.9 billion Padma bridge project is deeply regrettable, embarrassing and disappointing, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said on Saturday.

The TIB's comments came hours after the WB cancelled the deal on corruption allegation.

The Washington-based bank on its website published on June 29 that it has decided to cancel $1.2 billion credit for the Padma bridge project with immediate effect, saying it has credible evidence of a high-level corruption conspiracy among Bangladeshi government officials.

The TIB also called upon the government to set up a fully independent special judicial committee to investigate the allegations of corruption and ensure exemplary punishment to those found guilty.

The graft watchdog body also called upon the WB to continue to engage with the government to assist the investigation process and keep the credit open parallel with the investigation process.

Reacting to the WB decision to cancel the credit, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman in a statement said, “The decision is not the end of the story of the government’s relationship with the bank in connection with the Padma bridge, but the beginning of a new phase.”

It comes as an acid-test for the government, which must demonstrate to the nation that it has the courage and capacity to bring to justice those against whom allegation of corruption has been raised and provide exemplary punishment, if found guilty, he added.

“We call upon the government to set up a special judicial committee with full power, independence and technical support, to investigate the matter and recommend action in accord with the relevant laws within a specific deadline,” he said.

The report of the committee must be published for public information alongside submitting it to the relevant authorities, the TIB statement said.

“The World Bank’s decision was in some ways expected. As a new-comer to the world of openness and accountability, which according to independent reviews constituted by the bank itself, has been found at least partially responsible for misuse of funds disbursed by it over the years, seems to have recently adopted a policy of chopping off the head because of a perceived headache,” he said.

He said instead of depriving people of the benefits of funds that the bank draws from global public sources, it should be more strategic and continue to engage with the government.

While investigations into the alleged corruption continues in Bangladesh and Canada, to which the World Bank should provide full support, it should review the decision, and find ways to provide the credit by sharing the responsibility as a key fiduciary agent of the project to ensure integrity, transparency and accountability in the implementation process.

“Neither the World Bank, nor the government can punish the people of the country for an alleged crime of a handful of people,” Iftekharuzzaman said.

“The government’s initiative to secure funds for the Padma bridge from alternative sources may be perceived as a way to divert the attention from the allegation of corruption, but even if it succeeds, it would not help the credibility crisis that the government faces," the statement said.

Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon against polls with MPs in office,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon on Saturday once again firmly demanded scrapping the constitutional provision that allows MPs to remain in office during parliamentary polls to ensure a level-playing field.

"If the provision is not scrapped, the parliamentary polls will not be neutral," said the chief of the Workers Party, a component of the Awami League-led ruling alliance, while addressing a press conference at his party office in the capital.

The latest amendment to the constitution last year introduced the new provision No. 123 (3) that says the parliamentary polls will be held within 90 days preceding dissolution of the House.

This means members of the present parliament will remain in office when the next parliamentary election will be held with the AL-led alliance still in power.

"Some parsons will compete as 'sitting MP', while others as 'intending MP' in the next parliamentary polls," he mentioned.

"How they will get equal opportunity and where will be the level-playing field," said Menon, also the chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the education ministry.

Terming the provision discriminatory, he said the 'sitting MPs' will surely get importance to the people and the administration.

Asked why he did not give note of descent as a member of the parliamentary special committee on constitutional amendment, Menon said, "It is not possible to tell inside stories in detail. I did not want to embarrass the committee."

Replying to a question whether opinions of all alliance partners were taken into consideration or not in the latest constitutional amendment, Menon said, "I do not want to say much. Then many words will come out."

Replying to a question about possibility of creating political distance with the AL over this issue, the workers party chief said, "It is not the fact that distance will be created if I tell the truth. Politics will go forward through discussions."

He also stressed the need for holding dialogue within the shortest possible time to settle the structure of an interim government for holding the next parliamentary polls when the Election Commission will act as the supreme authority.

He opined for restricting the jurisdiction of interim government. For example, the interim government will not have the authority to take any policy decision.

About the unity of grand alliance, he said the continuation of the unity was not followed in running the state and government affairs.

Earlier on June 25, Menon and another alliance partner Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Haq Inu placed the same proposal in the parliament.

1 held for death threat to Saudi Embassy official,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Detectives have arrested a former official of Saudi Embassy at Rampura in the capital on charges of giving death threat to the charge d’affairs.

The arrestee, ANM Rashid Ahmmed, 57, a sacked official of the embassy, was arrested at Rampura area of the capital around 9:00pm Friday, said Masudur Rahman, deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

Khandaker Lutful Kabir, deputy commissioner of Gulshan division, told that the DB official arrested Rashid as he gave death threat to Charge d’affairs of the Saudi Embassy Sami-Jamiul-Al-Hasan via short message service (SMS) on June 20.

Hasan who is now on leave in Saudi Arabia received the SMS that reads: "You will face death if return to Bangladesh."

An Airtel number was used to send the SMS, the Gulshan Division DC said.

Following the death threat, Jasim Uddin Sarkar, legal adviser of the embassy, filed a general diary with Gulshan Police Station and the arrest was made acting on it, the police official added.

Sources said the arrestee was sacked on corruption allegation. But it was not immediately confirmed what was the corruption charges against him and whether he gave the death threat to avenge his dismissal.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opens new rail line,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday inaugurated a 35-kilometer long meter-gauge railway line from Bangabandhu Bridge to Tarakandi in Jamalpur, fulfilling the long-cherished dream of the people of the northern region and six districts of greater Mymensingh.

A munajat was offered after the inauguration of the rail line on the east side of the Bangabandhu Bridge in the morning.

There are four stations and 52 bridges, including 10 big ones, on the 35.20-km meter-gauge rail line built at a cost of Tk 210.55 crore.

The railroad project, undertaken in 1999 during the tenure of the previous Awami League government, linked the country's eastern region with the northern one through Jamalpur and Mymensingh.

It will help quick transportation of agricultural and industrial products from Jamalpur and Sherpur districts to Dhaka and Chittagong.

Opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia distributes relief in Chittagong,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia distributed relief materials Saturday afternoon among the families of people killed in last week's landslides triggered by torrential rains in Chittagong city.

The opposition leader from Dhaka directly went to Pahartali Railway Girls High School at Yasin Colony and distributed cloths, dry foods and cash to disaster-stricken families around 3:00pm.

While distributing the relief, she accused the government of failing to face the disaster,

Around 4:00pm, Khaleda went to circuit house in the port city to take rest. She is due to leave the city Sunday morning.

The opposition leader will also visit two hill slope areas – Matijharna and Bahaddarhat – and distribute relief materials among the victim families at Swadhinata Park later in the day.

Earlier at about 9:00am, her motorcade left her Gulshan residence in Dhaka for Chittagong.

According to government estimates, at least 114 people died in landslides, house collapses, lightning and drowning in Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Bandarban and Sylhet during the last week.

Protest injustice: Opposition BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urges youths,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Opposition BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged the young generation of the country to move forward and protest injustice.

He said, “The country is looking to the young generation. But, we get hurt after observing that they are not protesting serious national issues like Tiaimukh Dam.”

He came up with the urge while addressing a reception programme for students who obtained GPA-5 at the auditorium of Jatiya Mohila Sangstha on Friday afternoon.

Congratulating the successful students, Fakhrul said, “You have to be prepared to make your own space in the modern world. Our women are now recognized for their outstanding contribution in world education.”

“Our youths have conquered the highest peak of Everest, which is a very big success for us”, he added.

 Meanwhile, he urged the youths to move forward to build a knowledge based society.

A total of 400 students were invited in the programme. Of them, 50 got crests and certificates.

tenders to launch Bangabandhu-1Satellite,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has decided to float separate international tenders to complete the four stages of launching Bangladesh's first-ever satellite, Bangabandhu-1.

BTRC Chairman Zia Ahmed said the tenders will be invited for manufacturing the main component of the satellite, launch, installing ground control station and insurance.

He said they were currently discussing ways to float the tender.

Regarding its insurance, Ahmed said stages leading to the launch would require a huge investment which called for insurance for the investment.

According to BTRC sources, launch of 'Bangabandhu-1' would cost Tk 30 billion.

On Mar 29, Post and Telecommunications Minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju had first announced the decision of launching first-ever satellite into space in three years.

The announcement followed signing of a deal with US firm Space Partnership International (SPI) that will help design and launch the satellite.
It is expected to reduce reliance on foreign satellites for cable channels and improve telecom services to the remote areas, collect meteorological data for disaster warnings and map natural resources. Bangladesh spends $11 million a year renting foreign satellites.

"After the government assumed power, the first cabinet meeting approved launch of the country's first-ever satellite. The deal with SPI takes the dream of Digital Bangladesh a step further," Raju had said on the occasion.

SPI will act as a consultant firm in launching the satellite. It will help Bangladesh in market evaluation, marketing of the satellite, building expertise to operate the satellite and management of the ground station. The SPI will charge Tk 0.87 billion for the job.

In February, a project office was set up on the fourth floor of BTRC building at Ramna where consultants are working for implementing the project. BTRC's Deputy Director Golam Razzaq was made the project director.

Currently, all television channels, organisations providing internet services, V-SAT and radio channels are running their operations using foreign satellites.

According to BTRC, each television station pays about US $0.0002 billion annually for using the satellites, and all institutions, including the 19 television channels, taken together end up paying US $0.004 billion every year.

After the minister had made the first announcement, BTRC said, launching of a satellite would not only cut spending but also earn foreign currency.

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader starts supervising highways,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader has started supervising repairs of the highways to spare people of miseries during the rainy season.

He visited the site of the project to upgrade the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway into four-lane one on Friday.

"I've started supervising various highways beforehand so that the people do not to suffer during the rainy season," Quader told reporters after visiting Mogorkhal adjacent to the Bhogra bypass of Gazipur Sadar upazila, and Nayanpur area in Sreepur upazila of the highway.

The minister directed two engineers of the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) to show cause for negligence in duties. They are RHD Superintendent Engineer (Dhaka zone) Shahabuddin Ahmed and RHD Executive Engineer (Gazipur district) Utpal Samanta.

Quader warned of stern action if the duo failed to give reasonable explanations.

The Minister asked all to be careful so that the repair work did not obstruct traffic and cause public sufferings during the rainy season.

Project Director Firoz Iqbal informed the minister that the upgrading of the highway to a dual carriageway will be completed by October 2013.

The tender invitation for the first instalment of the construction of the highway under Gazipur district has remained suspended following a court order.

About the issue, Quader said: "The tender invitation process will start after taking permission from the court if the arbitration is delayed."

Earlier in the morning, he visited the project work of its Mymensingh portion.

RHD Chief Engineer Aminur Rahman Laskar, Gazipur's Additional Deputy Commissioner (revenue) Habibur Rahman, Additional Director of the four-lane project Hafizur Rahman and Project Manager Sabbir Hossain accompanied the minister during the visit.

'No question of another resignation letter' Awami League MP Sohel Taj,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Awami League MP Tanjim Ahmed, also known as Sohel Taj, has said that he will not tender a new resignation letter.

The Speaker had not accepted his resignation saying that it did not adhere to the rules set out in the constitution and those followed in Parliament.

Son of Bangladesh's first Prime Minister, Tajuddin Ahmed, one of the stalwarts who helmed Bangladesh, Sohel Taj's saga of whether he is in office or not, has been continuing over the last three years since he stepped down from the office of State Minister for Home.

"I stepped down as State Minister three years ago and also resigned as an MP two months ago. There's no question of submitting another resignation," he on Thursday.

He, however, said he expected to visit Bangladesh in July to see his ailing mother.

"I may call on the honourable Speaker at that time," he added.

Tanjim Ahmad was elected MP from a Gazipur constituency in 2001 and 2008 elections.

He joined Hasina's cabinet as State Minister for Home on Jan 6, 2009 and resigned only five months into office on May 31.

After his resignation, the government said that the President had not accepted the resignation.

His personal aide had handed in the letter to the Speaker's office on Apr 23, nearly three years after he had resigned as a junior minister.

In an open letter to his constituents as well as the people, he said he had resigned from the posts of MP and state minister consciously and willingly on justified grounds.

Sohel Taj also declared that he would no longer be involved in active politics.

Speaker Abdul Hamid on May 9 told reporters: "[Sohel Taj's] resignation has not been accepted since it did not follow the constitution and Parliament's rules of procedure."

Hamid added he would consider the resignation if Sohel Taj re-submitted it adhering to the rules.

"Effective steps will be taken if he writes a letter expressing his will to resign..."

The Speaker pointed out that the letter was not accepted as it did not have the words 'willing to resign' in line with the Section 67 of the constitution.

"One has to write his resignation letter himself by hand. But Sohel Taj's one was typewritten."

"Moreover, the signature and the date were written by different pens with different ink and they seemed to have been done by different people," the speaker added.

Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni tells AL supporters Work for country,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

CHANDPUR: Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni urged leaders and activists of her constituency to work for the country forgetting the schism.

The minister came up with the urge in a view exchange meeting with Haimchar Upazila Awami League leaders and activists at upazila parishad auditorium on Friday.

“We all have to work jointly to lead the country forward,” she told the audience.

Dipu also urged her supporters to unite against conspirators and be aware of them.

The meeting was also addressed, among others, by upazila AL president Motaleb Jomarder, general secretary Nur Hossain Patwari and upazila chairman Shahjahan Mia.

Disaster in Cox’s Bazar 4 bodies recovered, death toll rises to 48,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

COX’S BAZAR: With four more bodies’ recovery on Friday, the death toll reached to 48 in the district following landslide, lightning, wall collapse and drowning.

On the other hand, 12 missing people in boat capsize in Ramu Upazila are yet to find out.

As per District Administration office’s Relief and Rehabilitation unit sources, floated bodies of two children were recovered from Khutakhali under Sadar upazila of the district on Thursday night while a women and a child in Chakaria and Ramu Upazilas were also recovered respectively on Friday morning.

Earlier, 44 people were killed and 12 others remained missing due to separate landslides, wall collapse, drowning and lightning incidents in different parts of the district.

Deputy Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar Zainul Bari confirmed the latest death toll.

Grameen bank issue 11 US female senators send letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: All 17 female members of the United States Senate released a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh expressing their strong support for preserving the autonomy of the Grameen Bank.

As per the joint statement released on June 27, the US lawmakers urged Sheikh Hasina to protect the independence of Grameen Bank from further government intervention.

In the letter, the senators urged the Bangladesh Prime Minister to allow the current Board of Directors to retain their authority, and independently manage the process for selecting a new managing director.

According to the statement, Grameen Bank has long been a leader not only in microfinance and poverty-reduction efforts, but also in its work empowering poor, rural women of Bangladesh. It has been a much-emulated model for the rest of the world.

Women make up the vast majority of Grameen Bank`s borrowers, own 97 percent of the equity in the bank, and are represented by nine of the 13 seats on the Board of Directors.

 Any additional interference by the government in the authority of Grameen`s Board of Directors would be an enormous setback to the human and legal rights of these women.

With less than two months until the Bangladesh government-appointed commission releases its recommendations for the future of the Grameen Bank, it is essential that the U.S., along with other governments that are major donors and allies to Bangladesh, use all available diplomatic tools to urge Prime Minister Hasina to protect the independence of the Bank and its borrowers.

 In the statement, Grameen Bank empowered millions of current and future women, their families and their communities in their move out of poverty to prosperity. They will continue their support in all steps taken for maintaining stability and institutional acceptability.

Signers of the letter include: Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Kay Hagan (D-NC), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

Under pressure from the Prime Minister, Grameen Bank`s founder and former managing director, Nobel Prize winner Professor Muhammad Yunus, was forced out of his position in May 2011.

 The government has now appointed a commission to look into the operations of Grameen Bank and make recommendations as to its future leadership. This commission is widely seen as a way for the government to take control of the Grameen Bank from its women borrower-owners. 

Landslides, electrocution in Chittagong divn Death toll rises to 111,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: The death toll in landslides, electrocution and lightning incidents in three districts of rain-drenched Chittagong division rose to 111 Thursday.

Our Chittagong correspondent reports: At least 29 people were killed in separate landslides, electrocution, wall-collapse and drowning incidents that were triggered by incessant rainfall in different areas of the district.

Besides, the fire fighters declared the end of rescue operation after the recovery of the body of Banu Akter, 30, in Akbar Shah Mazar area on Thursday morning.

Confirming the matter, deputy assistant director of Chittagong Fire Service Jasim Uddin told , “We have declared the end of the rescue operation after the locals’ said that there was no more missing in the area.”

Meanwhile, at least 44 people were killed and 12 others remained missing due to separate landslides, wall collapse, drowning and lightning incidents in different parts of the district.

Confirming the matter, district deputy commissioner Zainul Bari said, “Seven people, including  four of a family were killed in Haldia Palang union early Wednesday while seven, including three of another family in Ramu upazila at about 3:00am.”

Besides, over 150 people had been marooned by the heavy rain water in the district.

Deptu Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar Zainul Bari told banglanews that they are distributing relief in all affected areas through the UNOs.

 Bandarban reports that at least 38 people, including 11 of a family were killed in separate landslides in district’s Lama and Naikhanchhari upazilas.

Confirming the matter, Fightong UP chairman Shamsul Islam and Baisari UP Chairman Manirul Islam said that communication of the district with all parts of the country has been halted.

Recruitment irregularity in Election Commission (EC),Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: It is alleged that the Election Commission (EC) is not following any rules and regulations in recruitment in different posts of the institution.

Sources said EC has already selected the candidates to be appointed for the posts under new project before the recruitment tests. The selected persons include the relatives of CEC Rokib Uddin Ahmed.

Some selected officers of the EC will discharge the duties of inspection in the examination halls and preparing the results.

It is a new strategy for appointing the nominated persons, said a competent source of the election commission. 

Miss-treatment Independent University MBA student dies at Square Hospital,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: A student of Masters of Business Administration (MBA) of Independent University, Bangladesh was allegedly killed by miss-treatment in City’s Square Hospital Thursday.

The deceased was identified as Ashique Ahmed, 28, son of Haji M. Soyeb used to live in Bongshal area of the capital.

Following the tragic incident, the relatives of the deceased demonstrated at the hospital in protest against the “killing”.

Sub-Inspector of Sher-E-Bangla Kamal Hossain confirmed the matter.

The police official said Ashique was rushed to the hospital he became falling in water before 15 days. “He was taken to operation theatre on Thursday evening without the permission of his guardian. He died around 5:30pm,” he said.

Additional police forces were deployed to control the situation.

Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus tells youths Human being not money making machine,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus Friday said human beings are not the machine of making money.  They entitled creative entity. They have to take creative initiatives by using the power.

He came up with the evaluation while addressing a program titled ‘Social Business Forum-2012’ at North South University’s Bashudhara campus.

The day-long program was jointly organized by the university and Yunus Centre.

Addressing to youths, Dr. Yunus said, “You would not turn into a machine of earning money. You would go forward to solve social problem.” 

He said, “There are some problems in our business method. All do business for attaining profit.  But, profit is not main purpose of business. So, many problems remained in the society.”

Pointing to youths, Yunus said, “We have to go forward with new business concept to solve different social problems including health, education, nutrition, environment, energy and communications. The entrepreneurs would not get profit of his investment. Only he or she gets back his/her investment and profit will be invested in the business.

The promoter of the social business inspired young generations saying that we did not think before 20 years ago that most of the people hold mobile phone set. But it is the fact now. So, you have to initiate social fictions that visualize the destination of society after 20 or 30 years. Through it, you have to fix your plan.

With NSU vice-chancellor Hafiz GA Siddique in the chair, the program was also addressed by Commerce Minister GM Qauder, NSU Trusty Board Chairman MA Hashem and Business Studies Faculty Dean Dr. Abdul Hannan Chowdhury.

Among others, senior officials of different corporate houses and students of the university are attending the program.

Parts of Bahaddarhat flyover collapse Chittagong,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

A concrete girder of under-construction Bahaddarhat flyover in Chittagong collapsed on Friday afternoon.

A girder connecting pillars No. 22 and 23 of the flyover suddenly caved in around 1:30pm, reports our Chittagong correspondent quoting Nurul Alam Miah, sub-inspector of Chandgaon Police Station.

A concrete slab which is 42 metre in length and two-and-half metres in height collapsed, an engineer of Chittagong Development Authority said seeking anonymity.

The reasons of the accident was not clear but the engineer said it might have happened due to a mild tremor or jolts by heavy vehicles' movement on the roads under the flyover or any other instability developed in the area.

He said a two-member body – headed by Project Director Habibur Rahman – has been formed to investigate the incident. The committee has been asked to turn in a report by 24 hours.

A rickshaw-puller, who was standing below the flyover, sustained minor injury to his hand, the SI said.

AL to lose deposit money in next polls: Opposition BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

THAKURGAON: Opposition BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fears to restore the caretaker government system as she knows that the grand alliance will lose deposit money if the next national election is held under the caretaker government.

The BNP leader came up with the observation while addressing a rally organized by Pirganj Upazila BNP at Old Hospital ground of the town on Wednesday noon.

JP Chairman HM Ershad will never go to power alone if he tries the rest of his life, Fakhrul challenged.

He urged the JP Chief to join with BNP from coming out of the failed grand-alliance.

The corruption of the ruling government is known to all worldwide. Under the circumstances, the World Bank has stopped providing aid to the country, the BNP leader claimed.

The government is trying to interrupt the BNP-led movement against the killing, disappearing incidents, filing false cases, he made further allegation.

With Pirganj Upazila unit BNP president Zahidur Rahman Zahid in the chair, the meeting was also addressed, among others, by BNP executive committee member and former MP Z Mortaza Tula, district general secretary Taimur Rahman and joint general secretary Obaidullah Masud.

UK pressing govt on Ilias: envoy,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

British High Commissioner Robert Gibson on Wednesday said they were still concerned about the disappearance of BNP leader M Illias Ali and his driver and urged the government to do whatever possible to find them.

"Since his disappearance we have been in constant contact with the appropriate authorities and raised concern. We will continue to raise the issue of disappearance with the government," he said at a "Meet the Press' programme at the National Press Club.

His remark came four months after the disappearance of the Sylhet district BNP chief. The opposition says he was abducted by the law-enforcing agencies.

Deteriorating law and order

Some people express concern about rule of law and some see that 'law-enforcing agencies appear to work beyond the judicial norms', Gibson said.

"This scenario we want to look at and want to ensure and hope that this improves in Bangladesh."

Rohingya issue

He said the British government has contacted the Myanmar authorities about distressing situation in north Rakhaine, the region Rohingya people fleeing after recent communal riot to take refuge in Bangladesh.

Myanmar has developed in many areas and more needs to be done, he observed.

Election Commission

Envoy Gibson said the British government was working with the Election Commission to strengthen the electoral process in Bangladesh.

It was also working at the local level so that democratic system was better understood, he added.

Government allows Orion Group to produce power,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

The government has entered a deal with Orion Group to install three private coal-based power plants to add 1088MW power to the national grid.

Although there is a government-run coal-based power plant producing 250MW power at Barapukuria, this is the first move to get private firms to produce power from coal.

On Jan 29, the government struck a deal with India for installing a coal-based power plant with a capacity to produce 1030MW at Rampal in Bagherhat near the Sundarbans.

One of the new power plants will be set up at Mawa in Munsiganj to produce 522MW. Two other plants will be established at Anwara in Chittagong and in Khulna each with a capacity of generating 282.67MW.

Orion Group Managing Director Salman Obaidul Karim and Power Development Board (PDB) Secretary Md Azizul Islam signed the agreement at the Bidyut Bhaban.

The power plant at Mawa will go into operation in 45 months while the plants at Khulna and Chittagong will be built in 36 months.

The government will pay Tk 4.79 for per unit power produced by the Mawa plant and Tk 4.45 for power supplied from the other two plants.

Currently daily power production is 5,500MW against the demand of 7,000MW.

The Prime Minister's Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, State Minister for Power Mohammad Enamul Hoque, Power Secretary Abul Kalam Azad, PDB Chairman ASM Alamgir Kabir and Orion Group Chairman Obaidul Karim were present at the ceremony.

"Many had feared whether it would be possible at all to establish power plant by importing coal. After overcoming all the challenges we are going to prove that through this agreement. I hope the plants will come into operation at the expected time," said advisor Chowdhury.

Chairman Karim said they will import coal from Australia and Indonesia and that reputed organisations have been employed to look into issues including building the plants and importing coal.

He was also hopeful about making the plants operational three months before schedule.

Power is being produced using five types of energy. About 80 percent of the daily power is being produced using gas, while furnace oil and diesel are used for producing 17 percent. Water and coal produces 3 percent.

After assuming power the government undertook a plan of raising daily power production by 15,000MW within 2016.

The government has so far struck deals for 56 power plants.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposes cell-phone bill tax waiver,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has requested Finance Minister AMA Muhith to waive the proposed 2 percent mobile phone bill tax at source and cut export tax to 0.8 percent at source.

The tax on export of all products including readymade garment was proposed at 1.2 percent in the next budget.

Speaking on the proposed budget on Wednesday, she also urged the Finance Minister to raise individual income tax ceiling to Tk 200,000 from Tk 180,000.

The Prime Minister's proposals are set to be adopted, as per custom, in the budget for 2012-13 fiscal before Parliament passes it.

On Jun 7, Muhith proposed for levying the tax on the total bill of post-paid cell phone users and on recharge of pre-paid phone card.

Currently, 90 million mobile phone users across the country pay 15 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on bills, according to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

BNP men burn JSD president Hasanul Haq Inu effigy,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Leaders and activists of opposition BNP burnt the effigy of JSD president Hasanul Haq Inu in protest of his indecent remarks on opposition leader Khaleda Zia.

Hundreds of activists of the party led by acting Chhatra Dal president Shahidul Islam Babul and acting general secretary Amiruzzaman Khan Shimil burnt his effigy in front of party’s Naya Paltan office on Wednesday afternoon.

The leaders of the party alleged that Hasanul Haq Inu had told to minus Khaleda Zia from politics.

Amongst others, party’s Joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Abul Khayer Bhuiyan were present during the protest programme.

Opposition BNP vice chairman Abdullah Al Noman urges (JSD) president Hasanul Haq Inu Beg pardon for criticizing Khaleda,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Opposition BNP vice chairman Abdullah Al Noman Wednesday urged Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) president Hasanul Haq Inu to apologize to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia for his proposal to delete her from politics.

He said, “Inu’s proposal of deleting Khalead from politics through implementing minus one formula, violated political courtesy. BNP will take step against him if people do not forgive him.”

He came up with the remarks while addressing a human chain demo in front of National Press club on Wednesday noon.

Later, he burnt the effigy of Hasanul Haq Inu protesting his objectionable remarks against BNP chief.

Earlier on May 25, Inu proposed to delete Khaleda Zia from politics through implementing minus one formula. Otherwise, he asked Khaleda Zia to get amended.

He said, “‘Minus two’ formula will never be implemented. Now it is time for implementing ‘minus one’ fomula, it is time to minus Khaleda Zia from politics as she is associated with communalists and war criminals.”

We have to stop her and her associates through deleting them from politics, he added.

Case against ATN chief No govt intervention: Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Advocate Quamrul Islam,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: State Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Advocate Quamrul Islam said the government did not order or interfere to file defamation case against ATN Bangla Chairman Dr Mahfuzur Rahman.

The state minister came up with the assertion over filing case against ATN chief by Juba League leader Abdul Qaiyum while talking to journalist at his secretariat office Wednesday.

“The person, who has filed the case, has done it willingly,” Quamrul said adding, “If anyone is hurt by someone’s comment he or she has right to file defamation case in the court.”

While asked, Quamrul informed, the ‘derogatory comment’ made against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina doesn’t come under the sedition.

Earlier in the day, a defamation case was filed against ATN Bangla Chairman Dr Mahfuzur Rahman for making ‘derogatory comment’ against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Juba League leader Emdadul Haque filed the case with Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court on Wednesday morning.

Mahfuzur Rahman has called Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ‘talkative’ in a programme during his recent visit to London.

He made this comment while recalling PM’s remark that “It is not possible for the government to guard anyone’s bedroom.”

Taking back Rohingyas Myanmar to send proposal to Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

FROM SANGSAD BHABAN: Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni Wednesday apprised that the Myanmar government has prepared recommendation and guideline for taking back the Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh.

The foreign minister made the remarks while addressing parliament in response to a question from lawmaker Muhibur Rahman Manik at the question-hour session.

“The government is always communicating with the Myanmar government to give back the refugees,” she said.

The ruling Awami League lawmaker said giving back the Rohingya refugees to Myanmar is a complex and lengthy process.

Some 36,000 refugees have been send back till 2005, he told the House.

In response to another query from Habibur Rahman Molla, she said, “The government has been requesting Pakistani government for taking back the Pakistani nationals who had been trapped here after 1971.”

Home Minister Sahara Khatun tells JS India BSF kills 151 in last 3 years,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Home Minister Sahara Khatun categorically Wednesday said the Border Security Force (BSF) of India had killed some 151 Bangladeshi nationals in the border in the last three years.

The minister came up with the disclosure while addressing the parliament in response to a query from lawmaker Nazim Uddin Ahmed in the parliament.

Sahara Khatun said, “The government had protested against these killings in several flag meetings between Border Guard Bangladesh and BSF.”

She added: “India has assured us to take necessary action in stopping these types of killings.”

In another query from lawmaker Harunur Rashid, the home minister told the parliament, “In last six months, BSF has killed some 11 and injured 27 Bangladeshi nationals in the frontier.”

Bangladeshi journalist Abu Sufian receives BOBs jury award

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Bangladeshi journalist Abu Sufian received BOBs (Best of Blogs competition) jury award in the “Reporters Without Borders” category of 2012 Tuesday.

He was chosen from 11 finalists by an international jury consisting of bloggers and a Reporters Without Borders representative at the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle`s Best of the Blogs 2012 contest.

Sufian exposes himself to threats and considerable danger to provide detailed investigative coverage of extrajudicial executions, a problem that the government denies and the traditional media largely ignore, although the victims number in the thousands.

He also won an award from a national journalists’ organization in 2006.

His reporting has included coverage of last February’s murder of husband-and-wife journalists Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, which has prompted unprecedented protests and joint demands for justice by Bangladeshi journalists and bloggers.

He is also campaigning for a “right to information” law that would force the government to be more transparent.

For the eighth time, DW presented its blog awards, selected by an international jury from more than 3,000 suggestions.

"They give minorities a voice and claim their right to free speech. That is a huge challenge," said DW Editor-in-Chief Ute Schaeffer. "Deutsche Welle wants to give you courage and show you how important your work is."

The main winner was Iranian blogger Arash Sigarchi for his "Window of Anguish," selected by the panel as the best blog of 2012. The blog is well-known in the international Iranian community, attracting a significant number of readers. Despite being arrested several times for the content of his blog, and becoming ill with cancer, Sigarchi has kept on blogging - nowadays from the United States.

Other prize winners included a site that allows women in Egypt to record instances of sexual violence using an interactive map and a Chinese cartoon site depicting themes of social injustice.

Landslides kill 70 in Chittagong divn,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: At least 61 people, including women and children were killed and dozens others injured in separate landslides in rain- drenched Chittagong, Cox’s Bazaar and Bandarban districts early Wednesday.

Bandarban  reports: At least 33 people, including 11 of a family were killed in separate landslides that were triggered by incessant rainfall in district’s Lama and Naikhanchhari upazilas.

The identities of the deceased could not be known immediately.

Locals recovered at least 24 bodies from under the rubble in Lama upazila’s Fightong union till Wednesday noon. Of the deceased, 11 were from a family.

Meanwhile, bodies of three people of a family were recovered from Rupashi para area on Wednesday noon.

On the other hand, fire fighters recovered six bodies in Naikhanchhari upazila’s Baisari union at about 9:30am.

Confirming the matter, Fightong UP chairman Shamsul Islam and Baisari UP Chairman Manirul Islam said the rescue operations were declared abandoned at about 1:30pm.

Cox’s Bazar : At least 18 people were killed due to separate landslides in different parts of the district.

Confirming the matter, district deputy commissioner Zainul Bari said, “ seven people, including  four of a family were killed in Haldia Palang union early Wednesday while seven, including three of another family in Ramu upazila at about 3am. ”

Besides, four people were killed in the district on Tuesday night.

He said, “The rescue drive is underway and death toll may rise.”

Besides, at least 19 people were killed and several others injured in separate landslides in Chittagong on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

Of the deceased, nine were identified as Shanu, 16, Khalek, 55, Rabeya Begum, 60, Masum, 2, Kulsum, 8, Ramzan Ali, 28, Shahidul Islam, 12, Khorsheda Begum, 8, and Fatema Begum, 4.


Confirming the matter to , Deputy Director of Chittagong Fire Service Ruhul Amin said, “The rescue operation is underway and death toll may rise.”