Archive for April 11th, 2008
Friday, April 11th, 2008The High Court (HC) yesterday paved the way for Election Commission's dialogue with the Saifur-led BNP splinter group after it dismissed the petition of Khaleda Zia challenging the EC invitation to Hafiz for talks.The HC did not make any decision as to which faction of BNP--the one led by the party's detained Chairperson Khaleda Zia and the one led by M Saifur Rahman--is the mainstream of the party.But the court said the EC letter inviting Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed as BNP representative for the dialogue was not illegal.The HC discharged the writ petition saying it is not maintainable since ...
(read more) Friday, April 11th, 2008As Boro harvest has started, deeper questions like whether the country's domestic price could remain disconnected from international prices and whether traditional stockists would be allowed to play their role in food security have arisen.Economists say although the harvest could cause a temporary price disconnect, there are little chance of longer term price dampening because of the international situation. While speculations are rife about the future rice situation, global major crop season is still eight months away and wheat news is bad.Already Bangladesh rice price is disconnected from the international market where price is much higher; further and deeper disconnect ...
(read more) Friday, April 11th, 2008Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed of pro-reform BNP faction yesterday said the High Court (HC) verdict shows that “he is the lawful secretary general of the party”.On the other hand, Khandaker Delwar Hossain, secretary general appointed by Chairperson Khaleda Zia, said the 'mainstream' BNP has been denied justice through this verdict.Talking to reporters at his Banani residence, Hafiz said the court's ruling is not about any particular faction winning or losing. Rather, it is BNP which is winner here.Pro-Saifur faction distributed sweetmeats to celebrate the HC verdict while those gathered at Delwar's Nam flat on Manik Miah Avenue looked glum."We ...
(read more) Friday, April 11th, 2008The surrounding areas of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque turned into a battlefield yesterday when members of an Islamic organisation clashed with police leaving over 50 injured including 10 policemen.Witnesses said the hour-long clash started around 2:15pm when police resisted about 500 activists of Anti-Quran Law Resistance Committee attempting to march towards the office of the chief adviser in a procession after holding a rally on the mosque premises.Khelafat Majlish and Islami Shashontantra Andolan recently formed the Anti-Quran Law Resistance Committee to protest against the National Women Development Policy approved by the advisers' council recently."As police halted their progress, the agitating ...
(read more) Friday, April 11th, 2008Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said the question of political or non-political government has nothing to do with the current food situation in the country as temporary food shortages were seen in the past under elected governments at home and abroad.Striking an optimistic note, Fakhruddin said the difficulties the country is now going through for food-price hike will be over soon if all, including political parties, professionals and business community, work unitedly.The chief adviser was talking to reporters in Narayanganj after visiting some Open Market Sale (OMS) outlets in the district.His observation on the nature of a government came ...
(read more) Friday, April 11th, 2008The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Wednesday said global commodity prices were far from easing in the short term owing to tight supply-demand situation and warned of flare-ups over food shortage."The rise in prices of food commodities all over the world is not going to ease in the short term in view of supply-demand situation," FAO Director General Jacques Diouf told reporters after meeting India's Food Minister Sharad Pawar.The FAO director general said the world has four-five million tonnes (MT) of cereals stocks that can feed the global population for only 8-12 weeks."The world food situation is very ...
(read more) Friday, April 11th, 2008UNDP Country Director Manoj Basnyat is on his way out under controversial circumstances nearly two years before schedule.His departure comes hot on the heels of a vote of no confidence in him by his staff in a recent survey and several unofficial government complaints about his interference in development projects.The UNDP Global Staff Survey 2007 for Bangladesh obtained by The Daily Star shows that 86 percent of international staff and 62 percent of local staff at UNDP Bangladesh had no confidence in their country director.The survey also shows that 57 percent international staff and 30 percent local staff at UNDP ...
(read more) Friday, April 11th, 2008Detained Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina yesterday alleged that the present government is out to have her convicted in a 'farcical trial' to bar her from the next general election.She made the remark to her counsel shortly after the Special Court-1 had adjourned till April 15 the hearing on charge framing in the barge-mounted power plant graft case against her.“They want to see me punished in any way so that I cannot take part in the election. But I have faith in people,” she was quoted as saying by her Personal Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud.Talking about the present ...
(read more) Friday, April 11th, 2008Finance Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam yesterday said the government does not have any plan to introduce rationing of essential items, as it would create scope for corruption.“Non-price distribution is bound to create scope for corruption and misuse. Besides, there is a lack of delivery mechanism for rationing at present,” said the finance adviser while exchanging views on the next budget with the members of Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF).Citing his experience as a deputy commissioner in the past, Mirza Azizul Islam said, “It is my observation that rationing of essential commodities creates scope for corruption due to poor delivery system.”He said ...
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