Archive for March 22nd, 2007
Thursday, March 22nd, 2007Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon yesterday said the state of emergency and the 'suppression' of political activities should be lifted without 'unnecessary delay'.McKinnon also stressed the need for the government to provide a 'best estimate' timetable and a roadmap leading up to and inclusive of elections, if it is to sustain the popular support required to complete its task of 'redesigning and rebuilding' democratic institutions."I note the current state of emergency and the suppression of political activities. These should be lifted without unnecessary delay, and certainly should not be tied to the completion of the voter registration process," said McKinnon ...
(read more) Thursday, March 22nd, 2007The government yesterday promulgated an amendment to the rules under Emergency Powers Ordinance 2007, suspending the rights to appeal for bail and seek redress from any higher court until a case is resolved in trial court.The amendment also gives sweeping powers to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate, arrest or seize property by itself without the permission of the government or the official appointed by it.The government issued a gazette notification last night promulgating the amendment with a retrospect effect from February 13.According to the amended law, an accused will not be able to file a bail petition during the ...
(read more) Thursday, March 22nd, 2007To kick-start its activities effectively, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sought a number of facilities from the government and taken up a few measures on its own.Sources said to come out of traditional practices the anti-graft body has decided to appoint a panel of high-profile lawyers to fight cases in trial courts on its behalf.These lawyers will be paid professionally in sharp contrast to the existing ACC rate of maximum Tk 500 per hearing for public prosecutors and government pleaders. The ACC has already informed the finance ministry of its decision.Meanwhile, the commission has made preparations to launch a massive ...
(read more) Thursday, March 22nd, 2007The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday filed graft cases against three former ministers and their families and a former lawmaker.The big fishes facing the corruption charges are former communications minister BNP leader Nazmul Huda, his wife advocate Sigma Huda, former home minister Awami League (AL) leader Mohammad Nasim, former state minister for power BNP leader Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and former BNP lawmaker Ali Asgar Lobi.Another graft case is expected to be filed with Khagrachhari Police Station against former BNP lawmaker Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan by morning today for acquiring wealth worth Tk 6.15 crore illegally.Khagrachhari police said the ACC had ...
(read more) Thursday, March 22nd, 2007Bangladesh lost half of their side for next to nothing as they were in pursuit of a massive 319-run target set by Sri Lanka in their Group B World Cup match at the Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain yesterday.The former world champions rode on Sanath Jayasuriya's devastating century as they piled 318 for 5 in their 50 overs after being put in by Tigers captain Habibul Bashar. In reply, Bangladesh lost five wickets for only 55 runs after 22 overs.Opener Shahriar Nafees's horror World Cup continued when he left an incoming ball from left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas in ...
(read more) Thursday, March 22nd, 2007Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday urged all professionals, growers, suppliers, distributors and consumers, to play their wider role in controlling market price of the essential commodities."People's active support is indispensable to curb corruption and improve law and order situation in the country," the CA said at an opinion-exchange meeting with the elite and representatives of various professions of Rajshahi division at the local circuit house.He said the present government is working with an ultimate aim to hold a "meaningful election so that people's representatives can take the responsibility of the government".Mentioning various reform steps taken by his government, he ...
(read more) Thursday, March 22nd, 2007Leaders of the country's business community yesterday suggested the caretaker government not to take initiatives that might make way for harassment of business people."Bad elements might exist in all sectors including among the business people, government officials, and politicians. But they should be brought to justice under existing laws of the land so that the measures cannot give rise to panic among the business people," Mahbubur Rahman, president of the International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) said after a meeting with Finance and Commerce Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam in his Planning Commission office.Mahbubur said if panic grips hold of ...
(read more) Thursday, March 22nd, 2007The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has suggested further adjustment to power tariff to strengthen the financial position of the Power Development Board (PDB).The advice came when a delegation of the donor agency, led by its visiting Deputy Director General Sultan Hafeez Rahman, met Power and Energy Adviser Tapan Chowdhury at his secretariat office yesterday.The adviser, however, disagreed with the ADB suggestion, saying the government recently raised the power tariff by five percent for urban consumers. 'So, there is little scope for any further adjustment."He also said the tariff adjustment is a matter of policy decision, which should be ...
(read more) Thursday, March 22nd, 2007Mosquito menace continues in the capital, defying the efforts of Dhaka City Corporation (DCC).At some places in and around the DCC areas, people have to set mosquito nets for study, even having their meals."Mosquito menace is so high here, often we have our meal fixing the mosquito nets," said Matiur Rahman, a grocery shop owner at Basabo Nandipara.The situation is similar at some places of Maghbazar where several Secondary School Certificate (SSC) students said they study inside mosquito nets.Experts attribute the unusual increase of Culex mosquitoes in this season to favorable weather and lack of effective measures.This ...
(read more) Thursday, March 22nd, 2007Department of Environment (DoE) along with the armed forces and a mobile court during their clamp down on severe environment polluters at Savar in the capital yesterday fined and disconnected utility services of four dyeing and textile factories. The four factories -- Pakija Dyeing and Printing, Anlima Yarn Dyeing, HR Textile Mills and Bangladesh Dyeing and Finishing Industries -- had been polluting the environment by emitting toxic wastes into natural water bodies of the area.The mobile court disconnected gas and electric services of all four factories as the factories were violating the law by turning off on-site Effluent Treatment ...
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