25 Jul 2008

• HC declares Contempt of Court Ordinance 2008 illegal, rescinded : CG has no authority to enact laws other than electoral rules
• 434 polling centres identified as vulnerable : Huge law enforcers to be deployed in 4 city corp, 9 municipality areas ahead of election
• 400m including 25m in Bangladesh trapped in chronic poverty - CPRC
• BDR-BSF border talks end in Kolkata : Dhaka hands over a list of 3,000 criminals
• Khaleda’s release in limbo : Problems are on both sides, says Adviser : Hannan criticises govt for 'inordinate delay’

24 Jul 2008

• Truth and Accountability Commission to be formed within 10 days : Politicians have termed the move a ‘travesty of justice’,
• 14 lakh ( 1. 4 million ) residents of southern part of city live with waterlogging
• Tussle over UZ polls : Frustration grips grassroots level partymen of AL, BNP
• In one decade four BDR members, 39 common men killed in Chapainwabganj district : Unprovoked firing by BSF on C’nawabganj frontier villages

23 Jul 2008

• Successful completion of voter list celebrated : CA terms registration of 80 million voters in 11 months a milestone towards fair polls
• Upazila Polls : EC starts drafting rules, code of conduct : DCC election planned for October
• Criminals raising their heads again : 73 killings, 21 robberies, 72 sexual assaults - in the second quarter of 2008 in Dhaka city

22 Jul 2008

• Bails of 15 top politicians put on hold : ‘Tiredness’ prevented state attorneys from filing appeal against Nizami bail - AG
• Time not ripe for lifting emergency - CA : Some reasons still exist justifying its enforcement-Ex-PM Khaleda's release process on and her release possible
• Petrobangla stops supplying gas to old electricity plants : Country heads for massive power outage
• Irregular Wages, Underpayment : 5,000 Bangladeshi workers go on strike in Kuwait
• Lack of competent candidates in local polls frustrates CEC : "The EC alone cannot do everything."
• BSF still in aggresive mood : Continues fire across Burimari border in Lalmonirhat

21 Jul 2008

• Preparation for JS ( Parliamentary ) polls at final stage - CA
• BSF kills 73 Bangladeshi in last six months: Foreign Secy
• No major floods likely this year
• HC asks CG to explain Why proclamation of emergency shouldn't be declared illegal : SC halts ruling on ordinances

20 Jul 2008

• Indian BSF kills two more Bangladeshi civilians : Unprovoked firing on BDR personnel: Strong protest lodged with India : Arrested Indian citizen gives different account of BSF claims on border clash
• Tarique’s liberty prior to her mother : Khaleda’s release may be delayed if she turns down govt’s proposal
• Coco flown to Bangkok : Shamim Iskandar’s arrest a ploy to create pressure on Begum Zia - Delwar
• Resist foreign companies exploring mineral resources : Experts, educationist and politicians

19 Jul 2008

• C’nawabganj border tense as Indian BSF kills 2 BDR men : Dhaka condemns killing, terms it ‘unacceptable’
• Govt to be sued if deal on gas, oil, sign ignoring country’s interest - Experts
• Economists, businessmen hail monetary policy
• US appreciates Dhaka's fight against terrorism, corruption
• Dr Kamal doubts anti-graft drive as corrupt being freed

25 Jul 2008

HC declares Contempt of Court Ordinance 2008 illegal, rescinded : CG has no authority to enact laws other than electoral rules

The Bangladesh Today

The High Court declared 'Contempt of Court Ordinance 2008' illegal and rescinded for being ultra vires of the Constitution and conflicting with the independence of the judiciary.
Reinstating Contempt of Court Act 1926, the HC cautioned everybody not to publish any news or make any statement criticising personal conduct of a judge or a judgment passed by him as such criticism amounts to contempt of court.
A writ was filed by two SC lawyers- Md Shamsul Huq and Tajul Islam after enactment of Contempt of Court Ordinance 2008 and a suo moto rule was issued after publication of a news item carrying headline "whitening black-money by a HC judge" and then the Court merged two matters together and held an analogous hearing to pass this judgment.

434 polling centres identified as vulnerable : Huge law enforcers to be deployed in 4 city corp, 9 municipality areas ahead of election

The Bangladesh Today

A huge contingent of law enforcers comprising Police, RAB Armed Police and Ansars will be deployed at different strategic points in four city corporations and nine municipality areas to contain law and order in a bid to ensure congenial atmosphere to hold elections.
The IGP said on the basis of Election Commission report at least 434 polling centers of four city corporations and nine municipalities areas have been identified as vulnerable.
He said as part of the anti-crime drive, the law enforcers have also been conducting drive against criminals and recovering firearms from their possession daily.
The IGP said the countrymen should come forward against the identified criminals and corrupted politicians and throw them out by exercising mandate in favour of honest and qualified persons.

400m including 25m in Bangladesh trapped in chronic poverty - CPRC

The Financial Express

More than 400 million people across the world, including 25 million in Bangladesh, are trapped in chronic poverty, says a UK-based research organisation. The Chronic Poverty Research Centre (CPRC) in its annual report attributes the scenario to insecurity, limited citizenship, spatial disadvantage, social discrimination and poor work opportunities.
The CPRC launched the Chronic Poverty Report 2008-09 Thursday at a dissemination discussion at BRAC Centre in the city.
The report suggested setting the goal of access to basic social protection for all poor and vulnerable people by 2020, and setting a target of extreme poverty elimination by 2025 across the globe.
They said the chronically poor experience multiple deprivations, including hunger, under nutrition, illiteracy, lack of access to safe drinking water and basic health services, social discrimination, physical insecurity and political exclusion.
To support the assault on chronic poverty, it would be necessary to modify the main modalities of global poverty reduction strategies and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

BDR-BSF border talks end in Kolkata : Dhaka hands over a list of 3,000 criminals

The New Nation BD

The 4-day conference of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) ended in Kolkata, capital of India's West Bengal state, yesterday. The meeting was intended to resolve border disputes and other bilateral issue.
Bangladesh handed over a list 3,000 Indian criminals who indulge in activities within Bangladesh territory while India handed over a list of 250 Bangladeshi who are involved in smuggling and various other crimes.
The conference, however, did not hold any talks on the extremists and rebels of the two countries and their activities.
Allegations and counter allegations by the representatives of the two countries highlighted the conference where they also discussed measures to resolve various bilateral issues including border demarcation and prevention of cross-border smuggling mainly Phensidyl of India.
Bangladesh military officials said yesterday during the conference they accused Indian troops of killing four civilians after a clash a week ago that briefly forced the closure of a crossing point between the two countries.
India says its troops usually target smugglers and illegal migrants from Bangladesh, who sneak across the border, usually at night.

Khaleda’s release in limbo : Problems are on both sides, says Adviser : Hannan criticises govt for 'inordinate delay’

The New Nation BD

Detained ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's release appears to be caught in limbo as Communications Adviser Maj Gen (Retd) Ghulam Quader yesterday said it is difficult to say precisely when as "there are problems on both sides".
Talking to reporters at the Secretariat, he, however, said as another ex-PM, Sheikh Hasina, was released on humanitarian grounds, all aspects are being considered about release of Begum Zia.
The Adviser spoke in paradoxical terms here, saying: "Sheikh Hasina was released without any condition-and that is the condition." Khaleda Zia's release will be considered the same way. Asked about exact date of Khaleda's much-talked-about release, he said, "It is difficult to say." He hastened to add: "there are problems on both sides."
Meanwhile, BNP chairperson's Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Hannan Shah yesterday criticised the caretaker government for the "inordinate delay" in releasing Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman despite the Chief Adviser's assurance.
Shah said Begum Zia's release is being delayed as no understanding could be reached yet on the conditions set by the government. "She will not go abroad leaving the country and the people."

24 Jul 2008

Truth and Accountability Commission to be formed within 10 days : Politicians have termed the move a ‘travesty of justice’,

The New Age BD

The interim government is going to form the ‘controversial’ Truth and Accountability Commission to let people voluntarily admit their corruption, submit their ill-gotten wealth to the exchequer and seek mercy within ten days.
The sources however, refused to give details of the persons to be included in the commission.
On May 25 the council of advisers at a meeting approved the proposal for setting up a body called ‘Truth and Accountability Commission’ under the Voluntary Disclosure Ordinance 2008 to deal with corruption.
Politicians have termed the move a ‘travesty of justice’, saying it proves that the government has bowed its head to high-profile corruption suspects. But the government defends the decision and says that it wants to eradicate corruption.

14 lakh ( 1. 4 million ) residents of southern part of city live with waterlogging

The Daily Star

The 14 lakh residents of Demra, Shyampur and Jatrabari in the city have been tremendously suffering from waterlogging, loadshedding and lack of adequate bus services.
Lack of adequate bus stoppages at Shanir Akhra, the major gateway of these three areas at the southeastern periphery of the city, is another headache for the lower, lower middle and middle class people of the area. The area goes under knee-deep water only if it rains for a day.
Three old pumps at Mizmizi with inadequate water pumping capacity, only three culverts on the Chittagong Road and unplanned development of residential and industrial establishments are responsible for such sufferings, locals said.
Sources in Water Development Board said this year they have a plan worth around Tk six crore that includes some re-excavation work, removal of waste and illegal establishment, repairing pump houses, establishing a trash rack and eight pumps (five cusec per second) and raising mass awareness.

Tussle over UZ polls : Frustration grips grassroots level partymen of AL, BNP

The Bangladesh Today

Tussle between the Emergency Government and the political parties over the Upazila elections before those of national have reportedly created confusion among the common people as well as sharply frustrated the grassroots level leaders and activists of the major political parties across the country.
People are apprehending unwanted incidents centering the fast changing political situation of the country as both the government and major political parties, specially Awami League and BNP-led four-party alliance, are on the hard-line as far as the holding of Upazila elections before national polls and withdrawal of State of Emergency are concerned.
Meanwhile, echoing Hasina's speeches in London, acting AL President Zillur Rahman called for jointly resisting Upazila Parishad elections, as the Chief Election Commissioner's disclosure hit the headlines that the local body polls would be held on October 23.
Later, BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain hailed AL's decision not to join Upazila polls before JS.

In one decade four BDR members, 39 common men killed in Chapainwabganj district : Unprovoked firing by BSF on C’nawabganj frontier villages

The Bangladesh Today

Four members of Bangladesh Rifles(BDR) and 39 common people had been killed by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on various frontier villages under Chapainwabganj district during the last one decade.
It is learnt, along some 150 kilometers frontier region of Chapainawabganj and Rajshahi districts, a small contingent of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) used to patrol the bordering areas. The weapons which BDR members do not match the BSF, rather, conventional. The road communication along the bordering areas of Bangladesh is also almost inaccessible and the number of vehicles BDR uses is also very scanty.
On the other hand, the Indian Government has constructed metallic roads, erected barbed wire fencing and armed the BSF members with sophisticated weapons and night vision equipments. To move swiftly, the BSF members have also been equipped with robust vehicles and speed boats.

23 Jul 2008

Successful completion of voter list celebrated : CA terms registration of 80 million voters in 11 months a milestone towards fair polls

UNB/ The Daily Star

Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday expressed his satisfaction at successful completion of an error-free voter list with photographs, saying it is a milestone towards a free and fair election.
“We look forward to an election which will not only be free, fair and credible but also set a high standard for future elections as well,” the CA said while addressing a function marking the celebration of successful completion of voter registration at Radisson Hotel organised by the Election Commission.
He congratulated all who have made it happen, completing the registration of 80 million 500 thousand 723 voters with their photographs and fingerprints in 11 months.
About holding upazila parishad polls in October this year, as declared by the Election Commission, the CA said the final voter list after corrections will also be prepared within this period paving the way for future elections as well.
UN Resident Coordinator Renata said today is the day of pride for Bangladesh people as the electronic registration of over 80 million voters within a span of just 11 months is a historic achievement.

Upazila Polls : EC starts drafting rules, code of conduct : DCC election planned for October

Shakhawat Liton, The Daily Star

The Election Commission (EC) yesterday began finalising the draft electoral rules and code of conduct for polls to upazila parishads with a strict provision to disqualify candidates using their political affiliation in the polls.
The EC also plans to hold the long overdue polls to Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) late October by having the voter list of DCC areas ready by the first week of September, sources in the EC Secretariat said.
According to an EC decision made on July 10, polls to 300 out of 482 upazila parishads will be held on the fourth week of October. The EC will ask the government to relax the state of emergency in the areas concerned for allowing candidates run campaigns, EC sources said.
The polls to DCC might be held alongside polls to upazila parishads, they added.
Asked about the political parties' opposition to holding the upazila polls before the parliamentary election, the CEC said the commission wants to proceed with its own plan.
The EC has made plans to publish the draft voter list for DCC areas later this month allowing people to check the authenticity of the voter list with photographs.
According to the plan, the final voter list for the DCC areas will be ready by the first week of September and it will require a few days to complete its printing.

Criminals raising their heads again : 73 killings, 21 robberies, 72 sexual assaults - in the second quarter of 2008 in Dhaka city

The Financial Express

After the taking-over of power by the caretaker government of Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed on January 11, 2007, we, the general public, saw a dramatic improvement of the overall law and order situation. Not only hartals and blockades were gone, the incidents of criminal activities including those of robberies, muggings, killings, rapes etc were on a decline to a significant level. But recently we see a surge in crimes.
The figures compiled by the police show a rise in incidents of crimes - 73 killings, 21 robberies, 72 sexual assaults - in the second quarter of 2008 in Dhaka city, higher than those of the previous quarter. The shopowners in Mirpur area became scared after the sensational robbery in a jewellery shop on July 8 in which jewellery and cash valued at Tk 15 million were looted-- and that was reported to be a 'staged event' by one of the local underworld 'don' there. In this climate of fear and insecurity, trade and commerce can hardly continue operations. The extortionists have become more active, again.

22 Jul 2008

Bails of 15 top politicians put on hold : ‘Tiredness’ prevented state attorneys from filing appeal against Nizami bail - AG

The New Age BD

The High Court on Monday adjourned till July 27 the hearing on 30 petitions seeking bails of high-profile politicians like Sheikh Hasina, Abdul Jalil, M Shamsul Islam and Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, and for quashing graft cases.
The bench of Justices put the hearing on hold after newly-appointed attorney general Salahuddin Ahmed challenged the court’s jurisdiction to hear such petitions related to cases filed under the Emergency Powers Rules.
The government’s move came after Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami was released on bail, granted by the same High Court bench, in the GATCO graft case on July 15.
Former BNP ministers Shamsul Islam and Mannan Bhuiyan filed petitions seeking bail in the same graft case.

Time not ripe for lifting emergency - CA : Some reasons still exist justifying its enforcement-Ex-PM Khaleda's release process on and her release possible

The Bangladesh Today

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed on Monday said the time is not yet ripe for fully lifting the state of emergency, as some reasons still stand that "justify its enforcement".
His latest statement apparently rules out demands from political parties for immediate lifting of the emergency so they could politically prepare for the coming elections. The head of the caretaker government made it clear that the state of emergency was declared for special reasons-and some of the reasons still exist.
However, he said the emergency has been eased on the eve of the city corporation and municipality elections to allow electioneering.
About the mode of future government, balance of power and amendment to the Constitution, Dr Fakhruddin said a Constitution Commission could be formed so it can make recommendations on these subjects and keep those for the future elected government and parliament for consideration.
About national charter he had indicated in his address to the nation, the Chief Adviser said the government and political parties reached some consensus on some issues through the staggered political dialogue. He hoped a framework could be presented before the nation at the conclusion of the dialogue.

Petrobangla stops supplying gas to old electricity plants : Country heads for massive power outage

The New Nation BD

Major parts of the country will plunge into darkness as the Petrobangla has begun cutting gas supplies to old and worn-out electricity generation plants to ensure more efficient use of gas, officials said yesterday.
They said the decision to put fast depleting gas to better use was taken by the government two days ago, with implementation starting on Sunday.
The country faces shortages of 250 million cubic feet of gas and up to 1,500 megawatts electricity everyday and the gap between demand and supply is rising. Around 30 per cent of the country's more than 14 crore population have access to electricity, mostly in urban areas.
But the government recently decided not to supply gas, a major raw material for producing electricity, to new industrial ventures as the country's proven reserves of natural gas were dwindling fast, Petrobangla officials said.

Irregular Wages, Underpayment : 5,000 Bangladeshi workers go on strike in Kuwait

The Daily Star

Around 5,000 Bangladeshi workers went on an indefinite strike in Kuwait City yesterday protesting underpayment and irregular wages, and not getting other facilities promised by the Kuwaiti company they work for.
"The workers staged a peaceful sit-in Sunday morning but today (Monday) they are staging strike at their barracks saying that they will not join work until their company fulfils their demands," said Shahriar Kader Siddiky, labour counsellor of Bangladesh embassy in Kuwait, when contacted yesterday.
The workers are placed by the company at royal palaces, hospitals, universities, oil companies and other important establishments under the ministries of education, health, oil and defence.
The company pays them only 18 Kuwaiti dinars (1 dinar is equivalent to Tk 258) a month instead of 50 dinars they were promised, the counsellor quoted workers as saying.
Some of them are even forced to work 16 hours a day without any payment for overtime work, he said.

Lack of competent candidates in local polls frustrates CEC : "The EC alone cannot do everything."

The News Today BD

Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda Monday voiced deep frustration over the upcoming city corporation and municipality polls, as there is a lack of quality candidates in the election race.
Huda said all concerned, including political parties, need to contribute to this process through fielding acceptable candidates to represent the ordinary people.
Describing the upcoming local-body elections as nonpartisan, the CEC said the country's good people could have availed of the opportunity, but they did not.
About the allegation of violating the election code of conduct by some candidates, Shamsul Huda said the candidates in the election areas were carrying out their election campaign abiding by the code of conduct.

BSF still in aggresive mood : Continues fire across Burimari border in Lalmonirhat

The News Today BD

Indian BSF again resorted to fire across the border without any provocation leaving a farmer wounded at Burimari border Sunday night. Lovely Mia, 27, received bullet in the leg was admitted to Patgram upazila health compolex. Doctors said he was improving.
Family sources said, on information that narrow embankment in the crop field close to Burimari border breached by onrushing water Lovely rushed to repair the embankment late in the evening.
Arrogant BSF jawans of Chengrabari fired three rounds of bullets wounding Lovely. He was rescued by other farmers and rushed to the health complex.
Confirming the BSF action BDR said they fired seven shots in return that silenced the BSF firing.

21 Jul 2008

Preparation for JS ( Parliamentary ) polls at final stage -

UNB/ The New Nation

Chief Advisor Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said here Sunday that preparation for holding general elections is at the final stage and urged the voters to elect honest, competent and dedicated representatives to parliament for socio-economic development and sustainable democracy.
"Elections will be held in the 3rd week of December as announced by the Election Commission. We hope those who will be elected will establish good governance and strengthen democracy," he said at the local level national dialogue on Democratic Transition at PDU auditorium.
The Chief Advisor said eight crore people have already been registered in the voters' list and the Representation of the People's Order (RPO) will be finalized soon enabling the Election Commission to make rules and regulations independently for holding free and fair elections.

BSF kills 73 Bangladeshi in last six months: Foreign Secy

The Bangladesh Today

At least 73 Bangladeshi people have been killed by the Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) at different borders during a period over the last six months. Talking to a press briefing, Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain disclosed this saying that such killing by the BSF cannot be acceptable at all because it is a gross violation of the international border rules. He also termed false and baseless the statement made by Indian High Commission which has covered up the incident saying that BSF actually entered the territory of Bangladesh in pursuit of cattle trafficker.
He said that India has assured to take all necessary steps to stop the incidents of such border killing by the BSF as after killing of two BDR members Thursday night the Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh lodged a strong protest.
On transit issue, he said that nothing was discussed in this respect during the meeting between the foreign secretaries of two countrie.
UNB adds: Indian BSF killed yet another Bangladeshi national at Raghunathpur border on Saturday morning in its aggressive posture with order to shoot at sight after sunset.

No major floods likely this year

Naim-Ul-Karim, The Financial Express

The probability of widespread floods occurring this year in the country, apart from some isolated areas, is lower as the risk factors are indicating to a normal situation, said government officials and experts on Sunday.
The government's Department for Disaster Management (DDM), the Met Office and the Bangladesh chapter of Swiss based International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) said all risk factors, considered as key elements for massive flooding in the country, are still showing that there are no reasons for apprehension.

HC asks CG to explain Why proclamation of emergency shouldn't be declared illegal : SC halts ruling on ordinances

UNB/ The Bangladesh Today

DHAKA - The High Court on Sunday directed the caretaker government to explain why the proclamation of state of emergency and the Emergency Power Ordinance along with its rules should not be declared illegal and contrary to the Constitution.
After a long legal debate between the counsel for the petitioners and the government attorney over a writ, a Division Bench comprising Justice Khademul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Mashuque Hosain Ahmed issued a ruling asking for government explanation of the legal basis of the emergency regime.
The Court also asked the military-backed government to submit in detail through affidavit as to "how the caretaker government would transfer power and how it would hold general election to make it transparent to the people". The rule is made returnable in four weeks.

20 Jul 2008

Indian BSF kills two more Bangladeshi civilians : Unprovoked firing on BDR personnel: Strong protest lodged with India : Arrested Indian citizen gives different account of BSF claims on border clash

The New Nation BD / The Bangladesh Today

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday lodged a strong protest with the Indian government regarding the recent border incident that entailed an incursion into Bangladeshi territorial waters and the killing of the two BDR personnel by BSF.
The protest note stated that Bangladesh underscores the fact that it views the actions of the BSF as "totally unacceptable."
The note also expressed the hope that the "Indian authorities will take appropriate action against those responsible and ensure that such incidents do not recur."
Again yesterday the BSF shot dead two Bangladeshi civilians on Chougachha border in Jessore a day after the Indian border guards killed Havildar Mohammad Abdul Hannan and Lance Nayek Krishna Pada Das of the BDR.
Meanwhile, the Indian citizen, who was arrested early Friday after a border skirmish between Indian and Bangladeshi guards, said the Indian side had opened fire first.
His statement came as a stark contradiction to what the Indian Border Security Force said about the incident. The BSF officials said that its members had just retaliated after the BDR soldiers opened fire at them.

Tarique’s liberty prior to her mother : Khaleda’s release may be delayed if she turns down govt’s proposal

Firoz Mamun, The Bangladesh Today

While speculations continue to be rife about BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia's possible release along with her elder son Tarique Rahman this week, her release is likely to be delayed due to the former prime minister's reluctance to go abroad for treatment as desired by the government.
As a part of government's recent move to release all top political leaders to clear a way for ensuring all parties' participation in its dialogue and election, Khaleda Zia and her elder son's release was expected anytime this week. But although Tarique may be released this week by means of the government's executive order but release of Khaleda Zia may be deferred for the reason that she is still unwilling to accept some conditions imposed by the government.

Coco flown to Bangkok : Shamim Iskandar’s arrest a ploy to create pressure on Begum Zia - Delwar

The Bangladesh Today

Arafat Rahman Coco, younger son of detained former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, was flown to Bangkok on Saturday at 1:20pm by a Thai Airways flight for better medical treatment.
He was released for eight weeks on Thursday for treatment abroad following an executive order of the government.
Meanwhile, describing Shamim Iskandar's arrest as a ploy to create psychological pressure on Begum Khaleda Zia, BNP Secretary General Khandokar Delwar Hossain on Saturday said it has shattered the hope which was generated in people's minds after the release of Arafat Rahman.
He said BNP wants to participate in the dialogue under the leadership of party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.He said, BNP at first want her release then it would consider the conditions.

Resist foreign companies exploring mineral resources : Experts, educationist and politicians

The Bangladesh Today

Experts, educationist, columnist and politicians urged the countrymen to come forward and build up strong resistance against foreign companies assigned by the government to explore mineral resources.
They urged the government to formulate a national energy policy to oversee exploration and other activities relating to mineral resources.
"As the people of the country are the owners of the mineral resources, government will have to explain to the nation before signing any deal with the foreign companies. The caretaker government has no right to take any decision especially to lease out exploration of gas, oil and coal. It is the responsibility of a people's mandated democratic government. Before taking such decision, this national issue will have to be discussed in the parliament widely," they said.

19 Jul 2008

C’nawabganj border tense as Indian BSF kills 2 BDR men : Dhaka condemns killing, terms it ‘unacceptable’

The New Age BD

India’s Border Security Force shot dead two members of the Bangladesh Rifles late Thursday night 1.5km inside the Bangladesh territory the Bangladesh border guards were on patrol at Raghunathpur in Chapainawabganj. The foreign affairs adviser, Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, strongly condemned the killing of the two border guards and said ‘such incidents are totally unacceptable.’
The latest killing in the Indo-Bangla border coincided with the annual consultations of foreign secretaries of the two countries in New Delhi.
The two neighbours at the meeting expressed their satisfaction about the ‘existing functional mechanism’ to deal with terrorism and illegal cross-border activities.
The situation in the Raghunathpur border had been tense as both side reinforced the deployment of border guards.

Hasina calls for immediate nat’l polls to head off ‘disaster’

The New Age BD

The Awami League president, Sheikh Hasina, has called for restoration of democracy by holding parliamentary polls immediately to head off a ‘disaster’. ‘Democracy must be restored immediately. There is no alternative to the rule of the people’s elected representative' she said at a meeting in East London.
She also said parliamentary polls must be conducted before the upazila parishad polls. She called for release of all political detainees and withdrawal of ‘false’ cases against them.
She said the present situation in Bangladesh proved one again that ‘none but Awami League, born with the people’s support, can steer the country in the right direction.’
Reiterating her pledge to fight for the cause of her countrymen, Hasina said she had never bowed her head and would not do so in the future.

Govt to be sued if deal on gas, oil, sign ignoring country’s interest - Experts

The Bangladesh Today

Experts and economists vowed to lodge cases against the government if it signs any agreement on oil, gas and mineral resources ignoring the interest of the country. They were speaking at a press conference on "Use of mineral resources in the national interest" organised by National Oil, Gas, Power, Port Protection Committee held at the city on Friday.
They urged the government to expel Asia Energy from the country, fully implement the Fulbari agreement and not to sign any deal with foreign company for exploring oil and gas in the sea. Besides, they demanded of the government to ensure that there will be no mine exploration in open system in the coal policy.

Economists, businessmen hail monetary policy

FHM Humayan Kabir, The Financial Express

Economists, businessmen and bankers have hailed the new monetary policy of the central bank saying it will help boost the country's economy. They said the new policy will enhance investment in productive sector and create more employment opportunities.
Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed Thursday announced the monetary policy for July-December period of fiscal 2008-09 envisaging higher economic growth through continued expansion of credit to the productive sectors while keeping inflationary pressures under control.

US appreciates Dhaka's fight against terrorism, corruption

The Financial Express

The United States (US) has highly appreciated Bangladesh's initiatives in countering terrorism and fight in eradicating corruption.
The appreciation came when Home Secretary Abdul Karim called on US Attorney General Michael Mukasey at his office in Washington Thursday (July 17). Deputy Attorney General Bruce C Swartz was present during the meeting.
The US attorney general assured the home secretary of continued assistance for Bangladesh, according to a message received in Dhaka. Appreciating Dhaka's fight against corruption, the US attorney general said the whole world is appreciative of Bangladesh's achievement.

Dr Kamal doubts anti-graft drive as corrupt being freed

The Financial Express

Gano Forum president Dr Kamal Hossain Friday expressed his suspicion about the success of the anti-corruption drive as he said many "corrupt people are being released on bail,".
Talking to media after his party presidium meeting, he said on health grounds, many detainees started getting interim release for one or two months.
Moreover, he said other corrupt persons who were arrested on serious charges have also been granted bails. "If such practices continue, I think the current anti-corruption drive will go in vain," said Kamal who campaigns to cleanse politics.
Dr Kamal expressed the hope the caretaker government will be more careful in the future about handling all matters concerning the release or bail of the corrupt persons for the sake of democracy and development.

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