The appearance of former Speaker Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar, Deputy Speaker Akhtar Hamid Siddiqui and former Chief Whip Khandker Delwar Hossain before the parliamentary probe committee on June 27, seems to be uncertain. Akhtar Hamid Siddiqui talking to The New Nation said yesterday afternoon he did not receive the parliamentary sub-committee letter. The decision whether to ... Read more
Month: June 2009
No Int’l law can stop Tipaimukh Dam: Pinak says at friendship society meet
Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty yesterday said his country had consulted with Bangladesh on the construction of the Tipaimukh Dam. There has been a lot of agitation of the issue on Tipaimukh Dam. I reiterate that it is a hydro-electric multi-purpose project to produce electricity. There is no international law that could stop India ... Read more
National unity on Tipaimukh issue urged: India should shun big brotherly attitude
Speakers at a discussion yesterday emphasised the need to forge unity of the nationalist forces to protect the country’s interest. They also said that India should avoid big brotherly attitude to help improve bilateral relations with Bangladesh. This observation came at a discussion on ‘ Indo- Bangladesh Relations: Recent Developments’ organised by Centre for Strategic ... Read more
Govt recommends withdrawal of 46 more cases against ruling AL leaders
The government on Sunday recommended withdrawal of 46 cases filed against leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League during the BNP-led alliance government and the immediate past military-backed interim administration. The national review committee on withdrawal of politically motivated cases at its second meeting discussed some 58 cases—35 under the Bangladesh Penal Code and ... Read more
EC to deploy video camera against code violation in DCC polls
The Election Commission is planning to deploy a number of employees with video cameras to collect information and evidence of electoral code of conduct violation by major candidates in the Dhaka city Corporation elections likely to be held in December. ‘The persons deployed will be tagged with major candidates and follow most electioneering to collect ... Read more
ICC World Twenty20: Pakistan clinch title
Pakistan clinched the title of the ICC World Cup Twenty20 Cricket Championship when they defeated the runners-up Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the final at Lord’s in London on Sunday. Coin-favoured Sri Lanka scored 138 for the loss of six wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. In reply, Pakistan sailed home in 18.4 overs ... Read more
Rajuk again misses deadline for finalisation of DAP
The deadline for finalisation of much-awaited detailed area plan for the capital city has been extended again by another six months apparently allowing a section of land developers to develop land during the period. After the extension of the deadline three times, the city development authority fixed June 30 to finalise the detailed area plan. ... Read more
Contest for software, info system dev for businesses launched
Fifty-four teams from 20 universities and institutes will participate in the ‘Financial IT Case Competition’ for software and information system development for financial institutions and other related sectors. In the first round, the teams will submit their projects on July 5 and make their presentation before the jury panel on July 11, said organisers in ... Read more
World Music Day June 21
Alliance Francaise in Dhaka is going to celebrate ‘World Music Day’ from June 21 aiming at encouraging musicians particularly amateurs. In collaboration with Dhaka University Cultural Foundation, The Gulshan Club and Classic Event Management will organise the ten-day event that will feature series of concerts. Saliha Lefevre, the director of Alliance Francaise in Dhaka, yesterday ... Read more
Govt plans to set up agri museum in city
The government is planning to set up a permanent agriculture museum in Dhaka aiming to make a link between modern and time-honoured farming system, said agriculture ministry sources. The ministry already has formed a four-member sub-committee headed by the director of the food crops wing of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), M Abdul Kuddus, ... Read more
Daud’s aides not involved in crimes in country
Says DMP chief The arrested accomplices of Mafia don Daud Ibrahim took shelter in the country after committing crimes in India, but they are not involved in any criminal activities in the country. Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner (DMP) AKM Shahidul Haque made the comment to reporters after attending a seminar at his office. He also ... Read more
A swing in time
The change is more internal than external. It will be more of a systemic change. Daylight Saving Time (DST), that is. With DST to be effective from the midnight of June 19, all the offices are bracing for a synchronised change in their internal systems from computer to other time-sensitive devices. Bangladesh is set to ... Read more
Beximco buys into GMG
Beximco Group has bought a 50 per cent stake in GMG Airlines and is injecting enough cash into Bangladesh’s biggest private passenger carrier to buy two big planes, the company announced Wednesday. Beximco paid Tk 30 crore to buy the stake in the ailing airline and will also lend another Tk 40 crore to help ... Read more
DSE wants special court
BUSINESS-RELATED CASES DSE wants special court Law minister Shafique Ahmed on Wednesday suggested that the parties may avoid delayed disposal of their cases if they resolve business-related disputes through arbitration instead of moving to court. Shafique Ahmed made the suggestion when a delegation of Dhaka Stock Exchange led by its president Rakibur Rahman met the ... Read more
Mobile penetration goes slow
Mobile operators added only 0.28 million customers to their networks in May, recording a 26 percent lower growth rate than in April 2009. According to data from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), the total number of mobile phone customers reached 46.41 million in May 2009. The industry added 0.38 million customers in April 2009.
Warid renews Tk148 crore working capital
Warid Telecom International has renewed its working capital facility arrangement worth Tk 148 crore for one year. Warid Telecom, in this regard, signed an agreement with nine commercial banks in a city hotel on Tuesday. Industrial and Infrastructure Development Finance Company has acted as the lead arranger and security agent in this agreement.
BNP for continuation of CG system
BNP Secretary General Advocate Khandakar Delwar Hossian yesterday said the caretaker government system is needed until changes and thinking in the minds of political leaders, and the party influence on the administration are removed. The secretary general was addressing a press briefing at their party office in Naya Paltan in the city. BNP joint secretary ... Read more
Expat experts begin reviewing coal issues
Barapukuria mine operating amid high risk, they observe While dissecting the draft coal policy at a four-day brainstorming session, a panel of expatriate and local experts emphasised on health and environmental aspects in finalising the policy that should additionally be trimmed down. They said that the policy should dictate that health and environment should represent ... Read more
Appointment of teachers: JU style
The authority of Jahangirnagar University (JU) is reportedly going to appoint about 50 new teachers not on the basis of merit of the candidates but on political consideration and their close relationship with influential teachers of the university. The vice- chancellor of JU, Dr. Shariff Enamul Kabir, who took over charge when Awami League came ... Read more
15 to 25pc tax suggested for whitening black money
Speakers at a budget discussion here yesterday suggested that the government allow whitening of black money in exchange for payment of 15 to 25 percent taxes. The chance of whitening black money should be given to the holders for only one year and if any discrepancy is found in declaring the sum of their black ... Read more