Archive for October 23rd, 2006
Monday, October 23rd, 2006As the reform dialogue seems to be heading for a cul-de-sac, the Awami League (AL)-led opposition will turn to the president for appointment of a caretaker government head other than Justice KM Hasan, who has been at the centre of the current raging controversy.But before taking that ultimate route, AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil and his BNP counterpart Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan will sit again this morning for the sixth time to hammer out a solution to the deadlock.A source in the AL last night told The Daily Star that the BNP may ask AL in today's dialogue to accept ...
(read more) Monday, October 23rd, 2006Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday in her last meeting with the top civil bureaucrats urged them to be alert against any bid to create administrative vacuum during transfer of power to a caretaker government.She also requested the secretaries of all ministries to continue implementing the rest of the ongoing development projects undertaken by her government as well as to make sure that people can enjoy the fruits of development.The prime minister made the call at her regular opinion-exchange meeting with the secretaries at the Bangladesh Secretariat. This was the 10th such meeting in the last five years and happens to ...
(read more) Monday, October 23rd, 2006The capital's railway stations, launch and bus terminals were crammed with home going city-dwellers last evening as most of them ended the last workday before the Eid holidays and headed out to celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr with their beloved ones.Sources at bus and launch terminals said although many vacationers started to set out for home last Thursday evening, most of them thronged to the outbound transport terminals of the city yesterday evening.Thousands overcrowded different ticket counters in the city, apparently more than available tickets. This pushed up ticket prices much higher than their reach.Passengers in long queues were awaiting their ...
(read more) Monday, October 23rd, 2006 Prices of essential food items including liquid milk, milk powder, atta, beef and rice shot up once again ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr, putting an extra pressure on the middle and low income people. One litre packet of liquid milk of Arong or Milk Vita is now selling at Tk 45-50 in the retail market. Only three days back, it sold at Tk 32-35 while the approved maximum retail price (MRP) is Tk 32.Half-litre packet of milk of the brands has also become less available, leading to the rise of its price to Tk 25 or more while the MRP is ...
(read more) Monday, October 23rd, 2006Today is the BNP-led four-party alliance government's last working day as the Eid-ul-Fitr vacation begins tomorrow.Most ministers attended their secretariat offices yesterday to bid farewell to the officials and employees of their ministries besides finishing pending work.The ministries were also busy discussing politics, fate of the ongoing dialogue between the two major political parties and other issues.There was confusion over the dates of Eid holidays as a rumour ran that the government may declare the vacation from today.Many employees, however, were either absent or left offices after signing attendance registers as they were in a hurry to leave the capital ...
(read more) Monday, October 23rd, 2006With a few days left of the BNP-led government's tenure, Communications Minister Nazmul Huda slashed funds for different legitimate sectors and allocated the money for his 'discretionary fund'.Sources in the finance and communications ministries alleged that Huda siphoned Tk 30 crore to the 'discretionary fund' to achieve his own interest by changing the original schedule of fund allocation. He even began spending the money without approval from the finance ministry, sources said.The communications minister allocated another Tk 48 crore fund to some 'improvised' sectors which are also not approved by the finance ministry. The sources said these sectors had been ...
(read more) Monday, October 23rd, 2006The Muslims in the country will celebrate their biggest religious festival Eid-ul-Fitr tomorrow if the crescent moon heralding the month of Shawal is sighted anywhere in Bangladesh today. The new moon will end the month-long fasting by the devoted Muslims during the month of Ramadan. The Muslims will offer Eid prayers seeking divine blessings and eternal peace, progress and prosperity of the people.The feast of Eid-ul-Fitr is seen as a celebration and reward for abstention during Ramadan, when devotees observe daylong fasting. Families traditionally gather to offer meals, as well as to give treats and gifts for children. They ...
(read more) Monday, October 23rd, 2006Nobel Prize Winner Prof Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank Reception Committee would accord the reception to Prof Yunus and Grameen Bank immediately after he returns home receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.The committee with its Chairman Justice Habibur Rahman earlier decided to give the reception on November 4.The second meeting of the committee's preparatory body was held yesterday at its secretariat at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), a press release of the committee said.Chaired by Khandoker Ibrahim Khaled, convenor of the preparatory committee and former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank, the meeting was also attended by Aminul Alam, deputy executive ...
(read more) Monday, October 23rd, 2006With political atmosphere about to heat up over Justice KM Hasan's taking charge as the chief adviser to the next caretaker government, a close family source said yesterday there is now no point of backing out from his constitutional position."We all know about this debate; obviously, there is no point of backing out," the source told UNB on condition of anonymity when asked if the former chief justice would stay away from taking charge of the nonparty caretaker government.There was an evident testimony to the assertion as police sources said adequate forces had already been deployed at Justice Hasan's Dhanmondi ...
(read more) Monday, October 23rd, 2006Serious confusion arises regarding the government holidays for Eid-ul-Fitr amid a rumour that the holidays will begin from today while the government official calendar mentioned October 24-26 as the scheduled dates.According to sources, the establishment ministry had prepared a proposal declaring Eid holidays from today and sent it to the prime minister for her approval.But the Cabinet Secretary Abu Solaiman Chowdhury while briefing the newsmen after the meeting of the secretaries with the prime minister yesterday said that there was no change in the scheduled dates and confirmed the beginning of the holidays from tomorrow.Many ministers also became confused ...
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