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.