Most ISD call rates down from Sunday

From Sunday, the costs of telephone calls to most overseas destinations will be reduced, according to the website of Bangladesh Telecommunication Company Limited.

These lower prices are part of the decision by the BTRC to bring all calls under a single platform - with callers from now on having to dial 00 to make international calls. Callers will no longer be able to make calls using 012 prefix.

The BTRC website shows the revised tariff for calls to India using both land lines and mobile phones will be Tk 12 per minute, reduced from Tk 15-18 per minute.

There will be a tariff of Tk 6 per minute for calling the following countries: Canada, the US, Argentina, the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, China and Hong Kong.

Calls made to land lines telephones of the following destinations would be charged at Tk 8 per minute: Australia, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Austria , Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey ,Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, and South Korea.

Tariffs for making calls to the Middle Eastern states of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Qatar and Syria will range from Tk 12 to Tk 18.

An official of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) told bdnews24.com on Saturday that even though the rates of calls by dialling 012 were low, the quality of service was not good.

"At the same time BTRC subscribers had to spend more money on their regular ISD calls. This is why the 012 system is being discontinued," an official of BTRC told bdnews24.com, preferring anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the press.

source: bdnews24.com

'Clean Dhaka' campaign begins

Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) launches the fourth 'Clean Dhaka' campaign to raise awareness and involve the people in the solid waste management.

DCC officials announced the weeklong programmes at a press conference at Nagar Bhaban yesterday.

The Clean Dhaka Week-2010 from January 10 to 16 is arranged with the cooperation of Japan International Cooperation Agency, WaterAid, Safe, Earth Club and Grameenphone.

The programmes include rallies, loudspeaker publicity, distribution of leaflets and posters and cultural functions to demonstrate community-based waste management and create public awareness in 90 DCC wards, said DCC Chief Executive officer Md Abul Kalam Azad.

The DCC mayor will award the most active ward in waste management on January 22.

The DCC will receive 100 modern and efficient compactor waste disposal trucks from Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) by April, which will help stench-free collection and disposal of solid wastes in the capital, said Azad.

Most of the existing 297 trucks are outdated and at least 30 of them remain out of order.

With the new ones, the total number of functional trucks will stand at 358 by April.

A total of 1.5 crore people, including 1.20 crore permanent city dwellers, generate a total of 4200 tons of solid wastes everyday, said DCC Chief Waste Management Officer Captain Bipan Kumar Saha.

The DCC has a total of around 8030 waste cleaners to cover a 144 square miles area of 90 wards, he said.

"The DCC team can remove at best 2200 tons of waste," said Saha, "And a total of 1.70 lakhs rag-pickers take away 800 to 1000 tons for recycling."

The rest 1000 tons of waste go into the drainage system, water bodies, canals and rivers, said Captain Saha.

Absence of segregation of domestic wastes, lack of proper collection mechanism, construction materials dumped in drains and inadequate road coverage constitute one-third of the problems the DCC faces in waste management, he said.

In 2005, DCC with Jica technical assistance prepared a ten-year master plan for a well-coordinated waste management.

The DCC collects Tk 33 crore from the city dwellers for waste cleaning every year, but it pays Tk 110 crores for the job. Jica contributes Tk 50 to 60 crores to the waste management expenditure.

Clean Dhaka project director Dr Tareq Bin Yusuf was present at the press conference.

Dhaka streets to have 3 lanes for different vehicles

As part of a campaign to introduce specific lanes for vehicular movement Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has marked roads and important intersections with cones in a bid to make drivers accustomed to the system. The fast lane will be for private cars, microbuses, jeeps and similar automobiles while the middle lane for minibuses, buses, covered vans, trucks and such vehicles, and the slow lane for CNG-run auto rickshaws, pickup vans, motorbikes and other vehicles.

On the second day of the campaign week, DMP took cable TV operators' help and are using loudspeakers across the city. They failed to distribute leaflets and posters due to the Eid vacation.

However, DMP sources said printed leaflets and posters would be ready for distribution today.

As for the initial step, DMP authorities are going to introduce the system on three major thoroughfares and in phases other roads in the capital will be marked with lanes.

The DMP sources said though the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) assured the DMP of marking the lanes during the Eid vacation the task will start from tonight.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Traffic) Awlad Hossain said, "We will demarcate lanes on VIP road, Mirpur road (from Science Lab to Technical), and Mohakhali Diversion to Tongi Bridge. If the system brings positive results on traffic movement, the DMP will mark lanes on other important roads across the capital."

The DMP authorities asked the drivers not to overtake the vehicles taking turn on left to alter lane before reaching the intersection and not to block lanes at intersections keeping vehicles on wrong lanes.

The sources said 12 check posts will be set up at Hotel Sheraton, Hotel Sonargaon, Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate, Kakoli, Progati Sarani, Airport square, House Building, Science Lab, Russel Square, Asad Gate and Technical intersections to enforce the rule.

The DMP has swung to traffic light signals phasing out manual controlling system from November 23 to ease traffic congestion in the capital.

On December 8, the DMP will start a drive against traffic rule violation. Drivers would be penalised with Tk 1,000 each and suspension of driving licence for violating traffic rules.source: The Daily Star

The victims of Aug 15, 1975

Following is the list of those who were brutally killed on the fateful night of August 15, 1975 are:
1) Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
(2) Begum Fazilatunnesa - wife of Bangabandhu
(3) Sheikh Kamal - Bangabandhu's eldest son
(4) Sultana Kamal Khuki - wife of Sheikh Kamal
(5) Sheikh Jamal - Bangabandhu's second son
(6) Parveen Jamal Rosy - Sheikh Jamal's wife
(7) Sheikh Russel - Bangabandhu's youngest son
(8) Sheikh Abu Nasser - Bangabandhu's younger brother
Read more..

Over 50 foreign extremists active in Bangladesh

More than 50 religious extremists of Pakistan and India are active in militant activities in Bangladesh with blessing from the banned Islamist outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami (HuJi), police intelligence sources said.
All the foreign religious extremists so far arrested are leaders or activists of the Kashmir-based militant outfits Asif Reza Commando Force (ARCF), or Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which are working together with similar organisations in Bangladesh.
'Arrested militants have confessed to us that more than 50 members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) or Asif Reza Commando Force are active in Bangladesh,' deputy commissioner of Detective Branch police, Monirul Islam told New Age.
Law enforcers arrested six Indian nationals and three Pakistanis on suspicion of religious extremism and subversive acts inside Bangladesh since May 27 this year. All the arrested are members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, which is blamed for the Mumbai attack.
DB police arrested Pakistani nationals Saiyed Abdul Kaiyum Azhari alias Sufian, 22, Mohammad Ashraf alias Zahid, 24, and Mohammad Monowar Ali alias Monowar, 30 early Friday in connection with plotting attacks on US Embassy and Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
Police arrested them getting clues from three local members of LeT Mufti Harun Izahar, Shahidul Islam Suzon and Al Amin alias Saiful who were arrested in Chittagong on November 3.
Police earlier held Indian nationals Abdul Rauf alias Daud Merchant and his accomplice Zahid Hasan in Brahmanbaria on May 27 and their associate Arif on June 6 in Mohammadpur area of Dhaka. Daud Merchant is a relative of mafia don Daud Ibrahim and a key accused in the killing of Mumbai-based music baron Gulshan Kumar.
Though law enforcers detained several LeT operatives in the past, they admitted the outfit's existence in Bangladesh only after the DB arrested Sheikh Obaidullah alias Mahbub on July 16.
Based on the confessional statements of Obaidullah, lawmen arrested Maulana Mansur Ali alias Habibullah from Dakkhin Khan Area in the capital on July 20.
Obaidullah and Mansur disclosed that their organisation had been active in Bangladesh for the last 14 years.
They also said local LeT operatives have links with the network of absconding Indian underworld don Daud Ibrahim and leaders of HuJI in Bangladesh.
They claimed that they had been teaching at local madrassahs since their illegal entrance to Bangladesh in 1995.
They confessed that their associates and four other most-wanted Indians are also hiding in Bangladesh since long.
The DB arrested Emdadullah alias Mahbub, branded as Bangladesh chapter chief of LeT and Harkatul Zihadia Islamia Azadia of Pakistan and Asif Reza Commando Force of India, on October 1.
Police intelligence hoped that they would be able to make headway towards unearthing the outfit's political patrons in Bangladesh once they capture some other LeT men in the country.
A high official of the investigation team told New Age, 'Arrested Pakistani national Sufian admitted that the outfit permanently rented a residence in Uttara, Sector-9, where he had been staying since long and which is used as hideout for all the foreign militants sent to Bangladesh on special assignments.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner AKM Shahidul Hoque earlier said, 'We have no figure of how many of them are here but we know a good number of LeT operatives are on a campaign to carry out subversive activities in Bangladesh.' source: the Daily New Age

Noor Hossain Day being observed

Different political and student organisations are observing Shaheed Noor Hossain Day on Tuesday commemorating the supreme sacrifice of an activist of pro-democracy movement.

To mark the day, Shaheed Noor Hossain Sangsad placed wreaths at Noor Hossain Square and offered fateha at his grave at Jurain graveyard in the morning.

President Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia gave separate messages on the occasion.

Noor Hossain, a worker of Awami Jubo League, was killed in police firing at Zero Point in the city during a procession against the then autocratic regime of General Ershad on November 10, 1987.

The killing of Noor, whose bare body was inscribed with slogan 'Down with autocracy, let democracy be freed', fuelled the ongoing movement leading to fall of Ershad and paving the way for restoration of democracy.

Zero Point was later renamed as Noor Hossain Square.

Serial killer Rasu attempts suicide in police custody

Detained serial killer Rasu Khan on Thursday night attempted to kill himself in police custody at Chandpur Model Police Station.

Sub-Inspector Abdul Karim of the model police station said Rasu tried to commit suicide by hanging himself with his shirt in a bathroom at about 8:00pm.

Hearing his scream from inside the bathroom, police rescued Rasu and sent to the Chandpur Sadar Hospital.

Later he was released and brought back to the model police station.

Police strengthened Rasu's security in the custody following the incident, reports our Chandpur correspondent.

Rasu Khan of Chandpur district killed at least 11 women since a girl rejected his marriage proposal 15 years ago when he used to live in Tongi. He vowed to kill 101 women when hired goons of the family members of that girl tortured him.

Rasu was first arrested on September 3 in connection with stealing 10-12 fans from a mosque in Gazipur.

He was placed on police remand on October 8, 2009 in a case filed in connection with the killing of a teen-age girl.

Lottery for Purbachal, Uttara plots likely Sept 16

After a huge criticism at home and abroad over uncertainty in lottery arrangements for Purbachal and Uttara, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) is likely to hold it in three categories for the Purbachal New Town Project on September 16.

The lottery will be held on wage earner, freedom fighter and artist or sportsman categories around 11:00am at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city where State Minister for Housing and Public Works Abdul Mannan Khan is expected to be present as the chief guest, a Rajuk source said.

Nevertheless, uncertainty still looms over lottery on some other categories for both Purbachal and Uttara in the third phase.

Rajuk will distribute 6,383 plots under Purbachal New Town Project under different categories and 800 plots under Uttara third phase. A total of 1.67 lakh applications were dropped for the two projects.

It will also distribute 2,177 plots to people affected under Purbachal project.

Plots of government service holder and autonomous bodies category will be awarded based on their age and salary while plots of ministers, state or deputy ministers or persons at their status and justice who submitted valid application will be given directly, said an official of Rajuk.

All listed for Armed forces division will be given plots.

According to the guideline, the government job holder will get 40 percent, employees and officials of autonomous bodies 15, freedom fighters 2, journalists 1.5, art or literature or sports 1, businessmen and industrialists 10.5, private job holders 12, wage earners 10 and other category for employees and officials of Rajuk, including the ministry concerned, will get 2.5 percent, sources said.

Rajuk sought applications for its two projects, Uttara Model Town Third Phase and Purbachal New Town Project in November 2008.

The new government, just after assuming power, extended the time for submission of applications till April 30 and was supposed to announce the names of the winners by two months.

Move to free Gulshan Lake of pollution

A team of experts will be formed to analyse the kind and extent of pollution in Gulshan Lake and devise means of purifying its water.

The decision came at a joint meeting of Gulshan Society (GS) and Paribesh Bachao Andolan (Poba) at the park on road No-63 in Gulshan yesterday.

They also decided that Gulshan Lake Park would come under biological management to make its water congenial to aquatic life.

In March 2008, the GS got a periodic lease for maintenance of the park and the lake from Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).

Just a week ago, a GS sub-committee on the lake management led by Rahmatullah convinced the Dhaka City Corporation to find a bypass sewer as three huge drainage outlets had long been dumping untreated liquid waste in the lake.

Rahmatullah said, “We will drain out water from the lake, dig out layers of toxic wastes from the lake bed and fill it with fresh water next winter.”

The experts involved will examine chemical and aquatic components in the water to determine the kind of treatment required for the purification. It will make the lake biologically symbiotic and productive, he said.

GS president CM Shafi Sami said they would work with Poba for the purification and biological management of the lake.

This stretch of lake is likely to have toxic contamination and metallic wastes, as untreated liquid wastes used to flow into it, said Poba chairman Abu Naser Khan.

A multi-disciplinary team of experts comprising chemists and biologists is required to bring this stagnant water body under biological management, he said, adding that the initiative may be a pioneering example for purification of water bodies.

He said vice-chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) would coordinate the experts' work.

Prof Mahmudur Rahman of Dhaka University Psychology department, botanist Md Jashim Uddin and aquatic plant expert SMA Rashid spoke, among others, at the discussion chaired by Shafi Sami.

FBCCI fears less private investment on high revenue target

The apex trade body has feared a less domestic private investment because of the high revenue target in the upcoming budget.

"We came to know unofficially that the government would fix an 11 per cent revenue earning growth next fiscal year. If it is correct, it would hurt private investment since people would no more feel encouraged to invest money," MA Rouf Chowdhury, a director of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), told a meeting with the National Defence College (NDC) at the Federation Bhaban in Dhaka yesterday.

A 51-member NDC delegation led by Lieutenant General Sina Ibn Jamali, commandant of NDC, attended the meeting. The delegation also included defence officers from 11 other countries of the world, including Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Indonesia, and India.

According to media reports the government has targeted Tk 61,000 crore revenue earnings for the next fiscal, a 15 per cent higher than the Tk 53,000 crore revised revenue target of the previous fiscal.

On foreign direct investment (FDI), Rouf Chowdhury, also president of Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners Association, said, "We have also heard of a possible withdrawal of tax holiday facilities from some sectors. It will also hamper FDI inflow."

The FBCCI leaders also emphasised enhancing regional trade to create a prosperous South Asia.

Though 25-26 years have passed since the inception of Saarc, the volume of regional trade among the member countries is still bellow five per cent, said Aftab-ul-Islam, another director of FBCCI.

The business leaders also urged the Saarc members to put emphasis more on multilateral trade instead of bilateral trade.

During the meeting, different issues ranging from transit, bilateral and regional trade, women empowerment and ongoing global financial crisis came up for discussion.

Jamali said the visit to FBCCI is a part of their curriculum. He also gave a briefing on NDC.

Abu Alam Chowdhury, acting president of FBCCI, also spoke.
(source: The Daily Star)

River-gobblers must be defeated

Industries Minister Dilip Barua yesterday pledged to protect the country's rivers from pollution and encroachment.

“Whatever techniques the river grabbers or polluters resort to, we shall defeat them and save the rivers,” he said, expressing solidarity with The Daily Star-Channel i initiative “To the Prime Minister: Save rivers, Save Dhaka”.

The industries minister was addressing a gathering at Shatayu Angan at Ramna Park in the capital at the concluding ceremony of a two-day exhibition organised as part of the initiative to save the rivers of the city.

Barua said, “Rivers flow like our life. Survival of rivers is related to the balance of the total environment. If rivers don't flow, man cannot survive.”

“People are deprived of fresh air and safe water due to pollution by tanneries and other industries,” Barua said. He warned that industries must use effluent treatment plants (ETPs) to treat industrial wastes.

Otherwise, industries will not be allowed to operate, he said.

Referring to the successful ban on use of polythene and black smoke emitting three-wheelers, the minister said, “We are sure we can save our environment, and the campaign will be a success.”

Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon's air and noise control programme committee member Secretary Sirajul Islam Mollah also expressed solidarity with the campaign.

“The campaign must continue until the objectives are met. We must be careful so that the government does not retreat from its position to reclaim all rivers,” he said.

Visitors from different walks of life who visited the exhibition at the park admired the displayed photos depicting river pollution and encroachment. They also expressed their opinions on the problem.

“I found something rare in these photos. I would not have believed that the conditions of our rivers are so bad had I not seen the photos,” a visitor wrote in the comment book.

Khokan Jasim, a freedom fighter, said the rivers should be saved in the same spirit as safeguarding the independence of the country.

“Those who pollute and grab rivers are enemies of the country, they should be dealt with an iron fist,” he said.

Shahjahan Ali Shaju, a dramatist and director, wrote in the comment book no one in the country is safe.

“We must continue the united movement to save the rivers, for our own survival,” he wrote.

Kazi Habibullah, an official of Water and Sewerage Authority (Wasa), wrote that the way Turag has been encroached, it will not be able to accommodate the rainwater from Dhaka city during the monsoons, ultimately putting the city under water.

Lutfunnahar Mili, another visitor, wrote: “Let not the slogans remain as mere slogans. We want to see the rivers flowing again.”

Industries Minister Dilip Barua visited the photos on display at the exhibition. The Daily Star Managing Editor Syed Fahim Munaim and Deputy Editor (News) Inam Ahmed accompanied him.

Baul singers also presented folk songs on rivers during the ceremony.
(source: The Daily Star

'Save Buriganga, bring land grabbers to book'

Environmentalists staged demonstrations in the city and Narayanganj yesterday protesting encroachment of the river Buriganga, says a press release.

Narayanganj Paribesh Andolon formed a human chain at Dikrir Char in the district.



The speakers at the demonstration urged the government to save the rivers and demanded the land grabbers be brought to book.

They said the encroachers and brickfield owners have grabbed almost 300-400 feet area of the river.

The banks were also about to be encroached, but the move ended amid public protests, they added.

Salam Zubaer, chief reporter of the Dainik Sangbad, BKMEA Vice President Zahidul Haq Dipu, cultural personality Rafiur Rabbi, playwright Kazi Shahidul Islam, Advocate AB Siddique, rhymester Niyamat Ullah Chunnu and Sharfuddin Sabuj spoke at the programme.

Manabadhikar Bangladesh Sangathan also formed a human in front of the National Press Club urging the authorities to take immediate steps to save the Buriganga.

Coffee shop of freedom for trafficking victims

Kafé Mukti, a coffee shop of freedom was opened recently for the victims of human trafficking in the country to help them become self-reliant in life by providing them with jobs.

Four cafes managed by women victims of human trafficking were launched by International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Dhaka as a pilot project.

The first one was opened in North South University in Kemal Ataturk avenue in June last year. After its huge success three more cafes were opened on January 12.

Located in department of social welfare, department of women affairs and the secretariat building, these small coffee shops are already grabbing attention.

Eight women from shelter homes of Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM), the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association (BNWLA) and Thengamara Mahila Sabuj Sangha (TMSS) were appointed at these coffee shops as managers and salesperson.

One of the managers of Kafe Mukti rescued from Jessore eight months ago said, “The biggest mistake of my life was to trust the wrong person with a bad intention. But I found hope after a long, long time. It feels as if I have been given a second chance in life”

Another lucky girl with a future plan said, “I plan to set things right now by using this opportunity. When I am ready I would like to buy some land and settled down”

Kafé Mukti is a venture of an IOM project “Prevention and Protection of Victims of Human Trafficking in Bangladesh”, which is supported by Bangladesh government, Norwegian and Danish Embassies in Dhaka. Nestle group provided with free coffee vending machines at these shops.

Zakia K Hassan, National Programme Officer of IOM said, “'As the name suggests, Kafé Mukti' is a symbol of self reliance and economic emancipation of the oppressed women. We plan to develop the café as a model for empowerment of women trafficking victims in Bangladesh”

“The society usually isolates these women. By making them self-reliant we want to give them back their dignity and lost status in the society. Creating acceptance is also a goal”, she added.

More coffee shops will be opened soon, she said. However, in the future the project aims to venture in other areas of trade and business as well to incorporate these women in to the mainstream with ease, she mentioned.

These women are also being trained in management and accountancy to run the cafes. In the future they will be introduced to many other traits including laundry, salesmanship, beauty salon service and more, she said.

Grants will also be provided to help them step forward with the newly obtained knowledge.

Portion of the profit earned from the cafes will be given to the managers. Part of it will be used to further expand the project.

The initiative would inspire others to create similar opportunities for women facing oppression in the society, Hassan hoped.
(source: The Daily Star

Govt to build 1 lakh flats, Mulls 11,000 plots in 3 housing projects

The government will construct over 1.03 lakh apartments and create over 11,000 residential plots in three government housing projects in the capital's suburbs in an effort to resolve an acute housing problem in the city.

State Minister for Housing and Public Works Abdul Mannan Khan yesterday disclosed the plan to the parliamentary standing committee on the ministry at a meeting in Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

The parliamentary watchdog committee also formed a three-member sub-committee to look into alleged encroachment on city lakes.

ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury, chairman of the committee, told reporters that the sub-committee was asked to submit its report within a month.

A different report submitted by the housing ministry to the committee, said 11,104 residential plots will be created in three residential projects -- Uttara, Purbachol, and Jhilimili.

The government will also build over 1,03,280 different types of apartments in those housing projects.

The report added that 62,000 of those apartments will be built under Purbachol Project, 21,000 will be built under Uttara Project, and 20,280 will be built under Jhilimili Project.

The state minister said the apartments will be distributed through a 'transparent process'.

The ministry report also said an additional 3,380 apartments will be built in Mirpur and Mohakhali for government employees.

The committee asked the chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) to submit a detailed report on how many and which apartment buildings were built on lands that were developed by filling up sections of lakes in the city's Gulshan, Banani and Uttara areas.

It also decided to publish a list of government residential plots which were re-allotted during the last BNP-led four-party alliance government and the successive immediate past caretaker government.

The committee asked the National Housing Authority to take steps to reclaim 130 acres of government land in Mirpur area, which were encroached upon by Sagufta Housing Company, Haveli Properties, and some other individuals.

Emerging from the meeting Mannan Khan told reporters that the government is also determined to complete the Hatirjheel Project within the deadline of June 2010 by any means.

He said steps will be taken so people who will be affected by the water body reclamation project can be compensated.

The immediate past caretaker government initiated Hatirjheel Project in 2007 to clear illegal structures in Hatirjheel and Begunbari areas which used to be major outlets for the city's wastewater.

The Awami League government is continuing the project which includes protection of water bodies, construction of roads, and beautification of the area.

Land acquisition for the project is almost complete, the state minister said.

The government already handed over around Tk 488 crore to the deputy commissioner of Dhaka to compensate the people who will lose their land due to the implementation of the Hatirjheel Project.

79,616 licensed rickshaws ply city roads

As many as 79,616 City Corporation license holding rickshaws ply on different roads of the city whereas a good number of rickshaws without authorization also run on the roads.
There is mushroom growth of rickshaw garages in the city's suburban areas where a good number of rickshaws are kept and are being illegally manufactured. Buying all types of machinery needed for making rickshaw and arranging carpenters, owners of rickshaw have been manufacturing rickshaws since long and push these on roads without authorization. Generally they purchase parts from Tejgaon and Gulistan markets where all parts for rickshaw are available. Besides, they arrange rickshaw pullers on conditions that rickshaw pullers pay Tk 80 to owners per day and some advance money is also paid to rickshaw pullers to paddle rickshaws for at least one year. However, every day a rickshaw puller earns about Tk 300-350.
Mamotaz Uddin, owner of a rickshaw garage at Khilgaon, said he has about sixty rickshaws and all the rickshaws were made in his garage. He had to spend about Tk 14,000 to 20,000 for manufacturing and registration each rickshaw. Nevertheless he never went to Dhaka City Corporation bhaban (DCC) for taking registration of rickshaws as all the registration numbers were managed by brokers in exchange for money. Expressing grave concern, he said that every year at least 2-3 rickshaws were stolen. Despite forming "rickshaw thief preventing committee", it is not being possible to prevent stealing.
"We are poor people running rickshaws on the roads to earn our livelihood. It is very painful that we have to be victim of theft and snatchers on the way. If a rickshaw is stolen once we don't have capability to manage another," said a rickshaw puller.
Talking to this correspondent, an officer of wheel tax department of DCC said that to capture illegal rickshaws, DCC has taken actions and the actions continue. Besides, DCC cancels registration of those rickshaw owners who fail to renew registration every year.

80 pc water misused in city: Experts

About 80 per cent of the water supplied in the city is being misused simply for lack of awareness of the users, experts told a discussion here yesterday.
They said the city dwellers consciously or unconsciously misuse 80 per cent of the water which is nearly pure or could be used with simple purification.
The discussion titled 'Water Problem of Dhaka city: Citizens' Views' was jointly organised by two NGOs-Actionaid and Nagorik Sanghati-at the National Press Club.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on LGRD Ministry Advocate Rahmat Ali spoke at the programme as chief guest with Nagorik Sanghati President Prof Dr ASM Atiqur Rahman in the chair.
Advocate Sanzida Khanam, MP, Shaheda Tareq, MP, former WASA Chief Engineer Qazi Muhammad Shish, Prof Shahidul Islam and water expert Prof Moniruzzaman Mia, among others, spoke at the discussion.
They said a comprehensive water management policy is needed to resolve the city's water crisis, especially drinking water, and emphasized public-private partnership and building rainwater reserve bodies.
Rahmat Ali, however, said it is unlikely that the water supply problem would be solved any time soon but the government has taken effective plans to tackle the crisis.
He said the government would solve the water problem in the city in phases by 2013 and water would be brought from the Bay, if necessary, by setting up desalinating plants.
Engineer Sardar Amin said lack of coordination among different ministries and officials concerned has made the water supply even more fragile. "The government should take an inclusive step so that industrial wastes cannot pollute the rivers nearby Dhaka city."
The government, he said, should form an inter-ministerial committee involving Water Resources, Foreign, Food, Agriculture, River and Industries and other ministries concerned and WASA, BSTI and other establishments concerned to deal with the problem.

'Stop publishing misleading ads by developers'

Four environmental groups have urged Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha (Rajuk) to take initiative to stop publishing in the dailies misleading advertisements by Real Estate Developers for selling their unauthorised plots.

The call was made in a letter to Rajuk chairman on January 26 by Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela), Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa), Centre for Urban Studies (CUS) and Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB).

The letter mentioned that The Private Housing Projects Land Development Rules 2004 has prohibited advertisement regarding selling/allotment of plot/land/building without taking prior approval of the authorities concerned.

The Real Estate Development and Management Ordinance 2008 has also made such advertisement punishable with an imprisonment of not exceeding two years or fine not exceeding Tk 10 lakh or both.

The copy of the letter has also been sent to the state minister and secretary to housing and public works ministry and PS to the prime minister.


(source : the Daily Star)

Dhaka tipped to qualify this time

Bangladesh may qualify by this year for the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) fund if it makes a little improvement in the fields of functional democracy, governance and economic policies and cutting corruption.

"Bangladesh will achieve quick improvement in the fields of curbing corruption, good governance and democracy and we will get the [MCA] fund," Finance Minister AMA Muhith told reporters at his office after a meeting with US Ambassador to Bangladesh James F Moriarty.

In reply to a question, he said Bangladesh may qualify for the fund this year.

Talking to reporters, Moriarty also said, "The minister's hope and my hope is that Bangladesh will qualify for the fund."

Moriarty met the finance minister yesterday for the first time after the Awami League-led grand alliance formed the government. They discussed the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) at the meeting.

The administration of immediate past US president George W Bush announced the MCA in 2002 and it was inaugurated in 2005. Developing countries are selected as recipients of the fund on a set of 16 indicators, which are aimed at measuring good governance, investing in people and promoting entrepreneurship.

Bangladesh had made several attempts to get included in the MCA fund.

To qualify for receiving money from the fund, a country has to achieve at least 50 percent success in each of the criteria. "While Bangladesh has achieved 50 percent success in some vital fields, it is yet to reach the target in a few areas like governance, curbing corruption and democracy," said Muhith, adding that the country would reach the target soon.

“The amount of money to be available from the fund depends on what type of projects we present for the fund," he said.

Eid-ul-Azha celebrated

-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of the Muslims, was celebrated across the country on Tuesday.

After offering prayers at Eid congregations, well-off Muslims sacrificed animals commemorating Hazrat Ibrahim's devotion to Allah as illustrated by his readiness to give up his beloved son Hazrat Ismail.

They (Muslims) shared the sacrificial meat with their relatives and neighbours and distributed meat among the poor.

The main Eid congregation was held at National Eidgah Maidan at 8:00am. Acting Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Mufti Nuruddin conducted the prayers.

Islamic Foundation also arranged five Eid congregations at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 7:00am, 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am and 11:00am. Eid congregations were also held at different mosques in the capital as elsewhere across the country.

President Iajuddin Ahmed, Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, advisers to the caretaker government, Speaker Jamiruddin Sircar, Chief Justice MM Ruhul Amin and other dignitaries, offered Eid prayers at National Eidgah.

A special munajat (prayer) seeking divine blessings for peace and prosperity of the country as well as welfare of the people and greater unity of the Muslim Ummah was offered at the main congregation.

Government and political leaders hosted reception for dignitaries, elite and cross-section of people on the occasion.

President Iajuddin Ahmed and his wife hosted reception for diplomats and elite of the city at Bangabhaban. The president and the chief adviser exchanged greetings and pleasantries on the occasion at Bangabhaban.

On the Eid Day, Awami League president and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina urged people to vote judiciously in the December 29 parliament elections and allow her to serve them once more with a selfless devotion to public cause.

“I can make any amount of sacrifice for the cause of the people because my politics is for the people,” she told reporters at her Dhanmondi office on the sidelines of exchanging Eid greetings with diplomats and cross-section of people.

She also called for sacrifice following the teachings of holy Eid-ul-Azha for peace and happiness of all as Muslims celebrated this great festival reflecting this spirit.

Her political archrival, former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, said she would announce her party's election manifesto on December 13, a day after formal launch of her poll campaign.

Khaleda told reporters that the manifesto would contain her policies and programmes to be implemented on economic, social and political fronts if the BNP-led four-party alliance is again elected to power.

The former prime minister received foreign diplomats at Eskaton Ladies' Club and exchanged Eid greetings with the dignitaries. She also exchanged Eid greetings with cross-section of people, including party leaders and workers.

On the occasion, Khaleda visited the grave of president Ziaur Rahman and offered special prayer.

Strong contingents of 4,608 police personnel were on duty as part of security measures during the Eid-ul-Azha vacation in the capital, according to the DMP commissioner.

Dhaka City Corporation took steps to clear garbage and animal wastes from the streets immediately after sacrifice of animals by city-dwellers.

State-run Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels aired special programmes on the occasion.

Improved diets were served at hospitals, jails, government-run children's homes and vagrant and destitute welfare centres across the country.

Emergency ceases on December 17

The state of emergency, imposed in the country on January 11, 2007, will be withdrawn on December 17, the caretaker government announced Wednesday night.

"The government has decided to lift the state of emergency from December 17 with the approval of the president," Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman said reading out an announcement during a press briefing at the PID conference room.

He also said restrictions on rallies and processions would be withdrawn from today to facilitate campaign for the parliamentary elections scheduled for December 29.

The government's spokesman said the election campaigns must be conducted following the Code of Conduct, 2008, issued by the Election Commission (EC) for political parties and candidates.

The announcement came a day before the deadline for withdrawal of candidature for the parliamentary elections expires. Seemingly, it was a response to the BNP-led four-party alliance's 48-hour deadline issued Monday to meet their two remaining demands, lifting of the emergency and suspension of the EC's power to cancel candidacy in the elections.

BNP and its allies, following an alliance meeting chaired by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia later Wednesday night, welcomed the government's announcement terming it "a victory for the four-party and the people".

BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain told reporters after the meeting, "We hope that people will now be able to participate in the upcoming elections in a festive and joyful mood."

All major political parties including the BNP-led alliance have been demanding the lifting of the emergency before the elections.

The Fakhruddin Ahmed-led interim administration relaxed a number of provisions of the state of emergency earlier this year. Several advisers had been saying over the last few months that the emergency would be lifted in a "reasonable time" but they did not come up with any specific date.

Earlier, the EC during a meeting with the chief adviser at his office suggested that the emergency be lifted from December 12 on expiry of the deadline for withdrawing candidacy for the national polls.

In August this year, the interim government held elections to the local government bodies under the state of emergency. Later, it termed the elections very successful as they were violence-free and without any major incident of vote rigging.

President Iajuddin Ahmed promulgated the state of emergency on January 11, 2007, to quell political violence over the abortive parliament elections originally scheduled for January 22, 2007.(The Daily Star)