High Court stays Hall-Mark industrial park,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

The High Court on Monday stayed developing industrial park and any kind of earth filling by occupying proposed Janata Housing scheme by Hall-Mark Group in Nandokhali and other moujas of Savar upazila.

The court also stayed a decision of the environment ministry that exempted the company from Tk 40 lakh penalty.

The orders came following a writ petition by an environmentalist group Poribesh Bachao Andolon (Poba) with legal assistance of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela).

Advocate Iqbal Kabir of Bela, who appeared along with advocate AM Aminuddin, told that the court asked the ministries of public works, environment, water resources, industries and Dhaka deputy commissioner to explain why Hall-Mark's industrial park and appeal authority's exemption order should not be declared arbitrary and illegal.

Earlier, Department of Environment (DoE) fined the company for illegally initiating industrial park on a 100-acre area including Dhaleswari river's wetland to the south of Singair Bridge without obtaining mandatory environmental clearance destroying local ecology.

The company confessed to the offence and paid the penalty immediately.

But, an appellate body led by additional secretary Auparup Chowdhury of the environment ministry let the company Hall-Mark Group off the penalty on May 10 glorifying it as an export-oriented company.

The appeal authority cut the Tk 40 lakh penalty down to 4 lakh slapped for illegally setting up an industrial park in Savar.

The court directed DoE not to issue site clearance or environmental clearance in favour of Hall-Mark for setting up the said industrial park in the area until the rule is finally disposed.

Jamaat-e-Islami Nizami, Mojaheed, Sayedee charged with Rajshahi University student Farukh Hossain killing,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Police included the names of Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami, Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed and Nayeb-e-Ameer Delawar Hossain Sayedee into the charge sheet of BCL activist Faruk Hossain killing case.

Zillur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Rajpara Police Station submitted two charge sheets of Faruk killing case and an explosion case to a Rajshahi court on July 8.

Names of Rajshahi city unit Jamaat Amir Ataur Rahman and General Secretary Abul Kalam Azad were also included into the murder case charge sheet.

The total accused of the murder case are 110.

Earlier, the numbers of murder case accused were 35 but later 76 more leaders and activists of Jamaat and Shibir were included after the investigation, Rabindra Nath Biswas, court inspector of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police said.

The charge sheets will be placed to the CMM court on Tuesday, the court inspector said.

Farukh Hossain, a final-year student of Rajshahi University and activist of Bangladesh Chhatra League was hacked to death by Islami Chhatra Shibir men at the university campus on February 9.

In the charge sheet police mentioned that Nizami addressed a meeting at Rajshahi Madrasa field on February 5.

According to the Nizami’s speech, which he placed on that meeting, Shibir cadres killed Faruk and dumped him into a manhole in the campus on February 9.  

Accused admits killing Bangladesh Saudi embassy official Khalaf Al Ali

BANGLADESH NEWS

An accused in Saudi embassy official Khalaf Al Ali murder case admitted his involvement in the killing before a metropolitan magistrate on Monday.

Al Amin, one of the four accused in the case, gave his confessional statement to Metropolitan Magistrate Shahriar Mahmud Adnan at his chamber for over two and a half hours.

While giving description of the murder, Al Amin said he along with four others - Saiful Islam Mamun, 20, Rafiqul Islam Khokon, 22, Akbar Ali Lalu, 25, and Md Selim - were present at the scene of occurrence.

Among the five criminals, Saiful shot Khalaf, Al Amin said.

Before shooting him, the muggers locked into a brawl with Khalaf when the gang demanded some dollars from him but he refused to do so, he said.

Al Amin was sitting inside a microbus on which they fled later, the accused told the magistrate.

After recording the statement, the court sent Al Amin to jail.

Detectives recently arrested Saiful, Rafiqul, Akbar and Al Amin while Selim is now in the run.

The four arrestees are now on eight-day remand since Tuesday.

Khalaf, 45, an official with the consular section of the Saudi embassy in Dhaka, was shot dead near his house in the diplomatic enclave in the wee hours of March 6.

Tobacco control is Bangladesh's legal:President of Washington-based Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK)

BANGLADESH NEWS

Tobacco control is Bangladesh's legal obligation as it ratified a key WHO treaty, the visiting President of Washington-based Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) says.

Not complying with this treaty means the government allows people to die early, he maintains.

"Once ratified, it is a legal obligation to comply (the treaty)," Matthew Myers told on Sunday.

"No one will penalise you (the government) for not complying, but it will mean that you are condemning your citizens to die prematurely."

Bangladesh ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2005, but according to Mayers, it is yet to fully implement the treaty, a key tool in the fight against tobacco menace.

After ratifying the treaty, the government had to enact a law in the same year, but the law did not follow the rules and guidelines of the treaty entirely, analysts say, encouraging more youths to take up the habit.

A study had showed more than 43 percent Bangladeshis aged 15 and above consume tobacco in one form or the other.

Estimates suggest 57,000 people die of tobacco related illness while nearly 300,000 suffer disabilities in Bangladesh where economists say tobacco prices are falling gradually since 2003 due to 'faulty' taxation.

Even the very issue of the FCTC on stopping interference from tobacco companies has reportedly been ignored, pushing back the amendment to the 2005 tobacco control law.

To make it stricter, the amendment process of the law started two and a half years ago, but it stopped apparently under the influence of tobacco giant British American Tobacco Bangladesh in a clear violation of the treaty's Article 5.3 and its guidelines.

Bangladesh also could not ensure smoke-free environment as it had promised by ratifying the treaty.

Myers, who is in Dhaka on a two-day visit, said it was time for Bangladesh 'to bring a law under the legal obligation.'

"Delay in passing the law only benefits the tobacco industry, not people," he said, "many countries could 'inhibit' smoking after enacting strong law."

The CTFK chief suggested incorporating smokeless tobacco such as zarda, sada pata and gul as tobacco products in the law, provision of pictorial health warnings covering 50 percent of cigarette packets, banning point-of-sale advertisement and lifting smoking zones inside the buildings.

"Incorporating smokeless tobacco in the law is critically important as so many people particularly women are the victims of it," he told bdnews24.com after he heard the agonies of tobacco victims in a discussion.

Myers who met with Health Minister AFM Ruhal Haque at the Secretariat hoped the meeting would expedite the process of passing tobacco control law.

But he suggested the Prime Minister's intervention to resolve the problem between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Finance when it comes to tobacco issues – law and taxation.

"Only political will and leadership can resolve the problem," he said, "The Prime Minister has an opportunity to change the lives of tens of thousands of people who use tobacco."

"Which side the Prime Minister will take, children or industry?" He advocated increased taxes on all Bangladeshi tobacco products, considered cheapest in the world.

Citing British Journal on Tobacco, the CTFK President said in Ukraine between 2005 and 2008, the government could not increase tobacco taxes much due to pressure from tobacco firms. Consumption did not fall at that time.

But in 2009-2010, they imposed 405 percent taxes and in 2009 consumption fell 13 percent and in 2010 it declined by 15 percent.

But the government's revenue did not decline, it increased, he said.

"There is no way to think that if people stop smoking, they stop spending money. They will spend in other consumer products that contribute greatly to the economy."

He said it could create new job opportunities also.

Myers helped to found the CTFK, a leading organisation in the fight to reduce tobacco use and its deadly toll across the world, in 1996.

Initially, he served as its Executive Vice President and Legal Counsel and oversaw the Campaign's legal and advocacy efforts.

On Jan 1, 2000, he took over as the President.

The CTFK helps Bangladesh in campaigning against tobacco particularly forming professional alliances and also in forming law.

The President, who will leave Dhaka on Monday, said they would also help Bangladesh to implement the new law once passed.   

Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus:visited celebrated writer Humayun Ahmed's mother,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus on Sunday visited celebrated writer Humayun Ahmed's mother.

Yunus met Ayesha Foyez at Humayun's younger brother Ahsan Habib's Mirpur residence in the afternoon. Humayun's two sisters and brothers were there during the visit that lasted about an hour.

The writer-filmmaker's elder son Nuhash Humayun reached the residence some 40 minutes after Yunus arrived there.

"He (Humayun Ahmed) created a league of readers which Bangladesh never had. He brought the attitude to Bengali literature it did not have," Yunus told reporters after the visit.

"So far we have seen Humayun was a popular writer. But after his death it seemed he reached deep inside his readers. So people are failing to fill his absence," he added.

Humayun died on July 19 aged 64 after fighting with cancer for about nine months at a New York hospital. 

Eid ul Fitr Holidaymakers can buy Train tickets 10 days prior to the journey:Railways Minister Obaidul Quader

BANGLADESH NEWS

Eid-ul-Fitr holidaymakers can buy train tickets 10 days prior to the journey date, the Railways Minister said on Sunday.

"The former system enforced from Feb 20 allowed advance tickets available three days prior to the journey. But from now on, tickets will be available 10 days before," Obaidul Quader said at a meeting on preparations ahead of the Eid at the Rail Bhaban.

Commuters will also be able to buy advance tickets online and on mobile phones, he said but did not say when the tickets will go on sale.

Quader said the vacation of the Bangladesh Railway and Roads and Highways Department officials and staff involved with ensuring safe journey had been cancelled.

He said that officials, staff and engineers will work on Fridays and Saturdays and they will enjoy their Eid vacation at their designated stations "so that any problem can be resolved easily".

The minister said 14 special trains will run for Eid holiday while 130 new buses will be added to BRTC's service.

These trains will run on five routes between five to seven days before and after the Eid.

Quader said the inter-city trains will also run every day from Aug 14 until the day before Eid including at the weekend and on other holidays.

He further said the government was only trying to ensure normal train service during the Eid and monsoon seasons and added that DEMU (Diesel-electric Multiple Unit) trains will be imported from China in January next year.

He mentioned that only 25 percent of the tickets are currently being sold online. "The ticket sale system will go online gradually."

Quader also said special measures will be taken in collaboration with GRP, RNB, local police and RAB to prevent black marketing of tickets.  

Standard Chartered lacks quality service Credit Card to deceive customers,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Customers of Standard Chartered alleged that the multinational banking and financial services company is deceiving its customers with credit cards.

There are also allegations that the bank is illegally imposing charges after tactfully pushing the credit cards to the common people. As a result, the card holders are facing financial penalties.

The card holders of the bank alleged that the much publicized Standard Chartered Bank credit cards are a medium of customer sufferings, it was alleged.

A large number of credit card holders of the bank complained to banglanews to this end.  Information gathered from Bangladesh Bank (BB) proved the truth behind the allegation.

According to the customer’s interest preservation center of the BB, most of the allegations against SCB centers round the irregularities of credit card.

Not only that there are allegations of even card forgery in the bank. However, the bank authority is solving the forgery cases very secretly so that no one can understand it.

Because credit card (consumer banking) is their main business sector. This foreign bank is adopting various tactful policies so that it does not hurt the confidence of the customers.

However, in a recently held launching function of the SCB newly introduced credit card visa ‘signature card’ the head of card division Gitanka Devdip Dutta admitted about the credit card forgery and said, “I will not claim that there is no card forgery but it is nominal.” But he did not disclose to what extent the forgery took place.

In the same function a customer raised the point of extra charge imposed on his credit card. According to his statement, the bank authority did not point out the type of extra charges while issuing cards but those are now being imposed.

Again the annual interest is being deducted at the time of delivery of the card. He further said that extra fees are taken at the time of cash transaction.

At this Gitanka said that he will look into the matter and take necessary action.

On the other hand, it is learnt from a number of customers that how and what ways the bank is doing malpractices and causing sufferings to them.

A senior officer of a group of companies alleged that at the persuasions of the card division I agree to their proposal that the bank will give me the limit of more than two to three times of my salary.

But, when I take delivery of the card it is found that the limit is only Taka six thousand extra of my salary. He further alleged that the bank authority not only deceived me on limit factor but now I am allowed to draw cash ninety percent of my credit limit. When I receive final papers it is found that I can only draw fifty percent in cash.

The complaints of this customer were found similar to other’s complaints. They also informed about their sufferings with the bank’s credit card.

Moreover, a group of workers of the bank’s card division visiting offices place proposals to the interested and collect papers in this regard. But most of the interested persons are not given card. As a result, time is wasted with sufferings.

When asked to comment on it, head of card division did not reply. However he said, “We give much priority to our customers. We try to solve their complaints with much importance. He further said that we do everything as per rules and regulations.

When asked about the allegations of imposing extra charges, giving false information, deceiving with credit limit and about cash transaction he did not give straight answer.

However, a senior officer of the bank that the internal authority of the bank is well informed about the matter. Meanwhile, many customers have complained to us. The complaints are true. I cannot say more than it.

Businessman killed in city Gulshan area, 8 held,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: A businessman was killed at Gulshan area of the city, said relatives of the businessman on Sunday morning.

The deceased was identified as Fazlul Haque, 70, an importer of raw materials of manufacturing color, used to live in the area House No 8 and Road No 51 of the city.

Family sources said he went to bed at 10:00pm Saturday but he was found dead at 10:00am Sunday.

There was wound mark on his neck. Police held eight persons for quizzing over the “murder.”

Inspector (Investigation) of Gulshan Thana Nur-e-Alam told that of the accused, four are house helps, two drivers and three security guards. Senior officials are quizzing them separately.

Daughter of the deceased Hasina Jaker said, “My father went to bed at 10:00pm Saturday. My mother entered room by unlocking automatic lock and found stabbed.”

No need to collect toll for Padma: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

LONDON: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said there is no need to collect extra toll to construct the Padma Bridge.

Addressing the expatriates, she said, “Increase the amount of your regular remittance. A huge fund will be raised from your increased remittances.”

The Premier came up with the urge while attending an ifter party organized by UK Awami League at a city hotel on Saturday.

She said, “The World Bank has cancelled its funding on the basis of a false allegation. But, they failed to present any proof in their favour despite of our request.”

“We have freed our country through the independent war. We are the nation of braves and will construct the Bridge without the help of others”, she added.

She informed, “We have already completed all proceedings and spent Tk. 1500 crore in this regard.”

Urging the expatriates to invest in Bangladesh, she said, “The present investment environment of the country is better than any previous time.”

Meanwhile, she expressed her gratefulness towards the expatriates for extending their support for Bangabandhu and the country in every crisis period.

Among others, PM’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and niece Tulip Siddique were present during the ifter party.

Anti tobacco law being amended:Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed

BANGLADESH NEWS

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed said the government is going to amend the existing Smoking and Using of Tobacco Products (Control) Act 2005 to restrict the advertisement of tobacco products.

The amended law includes a section that will allow maximum Tk 1000,000 fine for tobacco product advertising.

According to the new act, selling cigarettes to anyone below sixteen will be prohibited and Tk 500 fine will be imposed for smoking in public place as well.

He came up with the disclosure while addressing a discussion meeting held at CIRDAP auditorium around 11:00am on Sunday.

The law minister added: “We have to move socially along with laws to diminish the abuse of the tobacco products.”

Barrister Shafique also said the law would be placed before the cabinet soon.

With National Professor MA Malik in the chair, the meeting also addressed, among others, by Nazma Aktar MP and anti-tobacco organization United Forum general secretary Dr M Sirajul Islam.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina:London To Bangladesh returns home Monday

BANGLADESH NEWS

LONDON: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left here this afternoon for home after wrapping up her five-day official visit to the United Kingdom.

A special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG-006) carrying the premier and members of her entourage is scheduled to take off from Heathrow International Airport at 6:00pm.

They are expected to reach Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 8.30am Monday.

On July 25, Sheikh Hasina arrived here to attend the opening ceremony of London Olympics. She also joined the royal reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace on Friday evening ahead of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.

The Prime Minister led a 38-member delegation which included Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Ambassador-At-Large M Ziauddin and Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad.

During her stay in London, Sheikh Hasina attended a series of meetings with the community leaders and professionals and gave interviews to local and international media.

She held a meeting with the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, UK and Northern Ireland, William Hague, MP, on July 28.

Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma and Labour Party Leader Edward Miliband called on her at her hotel suite.

She joined an Iftar party with the journalists from print and electronic media based in the UK on July 25, while Bangladeshi community in London hosted an Iftar party in her honour on July 28.

5 die as cement bags fall on them Godmile area under:Narayanganj Siddhirganj thana of the Sadar upazila

BANGLADESH NEWS

NARAYANGANJ: At least five day labourers, including two of a family, were killed as sacks of cement, stored inside a park, fell on them in Godmile area under Siddhirganj thana of the Sadar upazila on Sunday morning.

The deceased were identified as Jasim, 25, Nazmul, 27, Nasir Uddin, 22, Adu Mia, 50, and his son Rakib, 20.

Witnesses said some sacks of cement stored inside an under-construction Park suddenly fell on the labourers at about 8:30am while they were sleeping, leaving them dead on the spot.

Locals suspected that the cement bags fell on them due to the earthquake.

Government mulls introducing tiger in Nijhum Dwip,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

The government is considering whether it can introduce tiger in different densely deer-populated places like Nijhum Dwip to maintain ecological balance.

"We are thinking over this issue and I have already talked to the World Bank whether we can introduce tigers in such places where deer population is boosting in Bangladesh," said Environment and Forests Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday.

He was addressing a discussion marking the Global Tiger Day-2012 organised by the Department of Forest at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city. The theme of this year in Bangladesh is 'Save Sundarbans Tiger Landscape'.

In absence of tiger, deer-population is boosting rapidly in Nijhum Dwip where around 10,000 deer are living there--but the number should be three to four thousands there. So, the issue of introducing tigers there remains under discussion, he said.