Rampal power plant violates environmental law

NO doubt we feel proud of our Sundarbans, which is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. It was marked as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1997, and also contested for the New 7 Wonders of Nature in the world. However, the world’s largest mangrove forest is under threat because of proposed construction of a thermal power plant at Rampal. Although the government is arguing that the coal-based project will be constructed using modern technology for minimising any ill effects on the Sundarbans, no one can ensure that there will be no damage to the forest.
Locals and environmentalists started to protest against the proposed power plant from the very beginning, and are still determined to protect the Sundarbans because it is our heritage, and also for greater public interest.
Bangladesh has a legal mechanism for protecting the environment for greater public interest. The Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 provides provisions relating to protection of the environment. Section-2 of this Act defines environment pollutant as any solid, liquid or gaseous substance which has harmful effect on the environment, and it also includes heat, sound, radiation and hazardous substances whose chemical or biochemical properties are such that their manufacture, storage, discharge or unregulated transportation can be harmful to the environment.
Dr Abdullah Harun, Professor of Environmental Science Discipline of the Khulna University, has prepared a report on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which says that nearly 220 tons of different toxic gases will be emitted daily from the power plant. The authorities say that the toxic gases will be properly treated before emission by using higher technology but, according to environmentalists, that won’t be enough to protect the forest. These toxic gases can be considered as environment pollutant and hazardous substance under Section-2 of Environment Conservation Act, 1995. The ships coal carrying through the forest will emit toxic waste, which is also restricted by Section-6 of the Act.
The Act also defines ecosystem as a balanced complex association of all components of the environment which can support and influence the conservation and growth of all organisms. Thus, because of the construction of power plant at Rampal the ecosystem will be largely affected due to traffic movements, oil and chemical spillage and dredging.
It is pertinent to say that the power plant is being constructed for producing electricity for betterment of the society, but the ill effects on the environment will lead to a worse situation. Safety of the people is the supreme law and construction of Rampal power plant near the Sundarbans will endanger the safety of the people living in the area by destroying the ecosystem. So, construction of power plant near the Sundarbans is against greater public interest.
In City Sugar Industries Ltd. And others Vs. Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh and others case (7 ADC 860,2010) Mr. Justice Md. Abdul Matin observed that public interest lies in protecting the rivers from encroachment and pollution by all means, and said that the safety of the people should be the supreme law.
The project will use deep tube wells and water of the Posur River for washing coal, which will push ground level water down and will completely destroy the ecosystem of the river. The EIA report prepared by Dr. Abdullah Harun also shows that the project will draw around 25,000 cubic metres of water every day, which is really a threat for the environment.
The Sundarbans plays an important role in the economy of the southwestern region of Bangladesh and thus it contributes in the national economy. It provides raw materials for wood-based industries, timber, fuel wood, pulpwood, thatching materials, honey, bees-wax, fish, crustaceans and much more, and the coal-based power plant will endanger the lives and livelihood of the people of the southwestern part of Bangladesh.
I am not against the project but I am against building of the power plant in Rampal. The project can be transferred anywhere else, far from the Sundarbans, to protect it and to protect public interest as well. The experts and environmentalists are really worried about the impact of the power plant project at Rampal. A great number of concerned people are protesting against this project. The government itself is violating environment law by constructing coal-based power plant at Rampal arbitrarily without considering public interest, and this arbitrary use of power is also against the rule of law. So the government should take notice of this issue, rather than being adamant.

Celebrating International Day for Older Persons: Is it enough?

WHAT do we want? Do we want to die at an early age? Of course not. Then we should keep in mind that those who are called ‘young’ today will be called ‘elderly’ one day. None of us can deny this truth. It is very unfortunate that after serving/dedicating her/his whole life for the family, society and country an elderly becomes a burden not only for her/his family but also for the society and the state. Is it not the time to think about the older persons? Have we ever thought that they can also be a resource rather than a burden?
With the improvement of medical science, the life expectancy of people is increasing. That is why the number of elderly people is also increasing throughout the world. And it can be said that a demographic revolution is underway throughout the world. For instance, in 1950, there were 205 million persons aged 60 years or over in the world, which became almost 810 million by 2012. It is projected to reach 1 billion in less than ten years and double by 2050, reaching2 billion, and the vast majority of them will be in the developing world. Hence, it’s a serious issue to think about.
It is pertinent to note that there are marked differences between regions. For example, in 2012, 6% of the population in Africa was 60 years and over, compared with 10% in Latin America and the Caribbean, 11% in Asia, 15% in Oceania, 19% in Northern America, and 22% in Europe (UNFPA 2012). These are the statistics of the world. But it is a matter of great surprise that there is no recent concrete data of the elderly people in our country. According to Help Age country director Nirjharinee Hasan, 7% of the country’s total population is elderly people. And “by 2050 it will rise to 20%.”
Elderly people suffer very badly at their age. Many of them are ignored by their family. There are no policies related to elderly people in the development or health sectors. Are they “invisible” to the policy makers?
Our constitution says that “the state shall endeavour to ensure equality of opportunity to all citizens,” [Article 19(1)] So, the government should take necessary measures to ensure equality of opportunity. This applies to people of all ages, whether s/he is 16 or 60. But a 60 year old person may not have the same ability as that of a 16 year old. In that case, the government has the duty to provide him/her necessary support. But it is a matter of disappointment that in our country no government could create an elderly-people-friendly environment.
Against the above backdrop, the question is, is there any facility for the elderly in the public transports? Or in banks and hospitals (though some banks and hospitals keep space)? There are reserved seats for disable persons, women and children in the public buses, but no reserved seats for the older persons. If we look at the health sector, we can see so many super-specialist, specialist and sub-specialist doctors in various fields. But specialised treatment for senior citizens still remains ignored.
Treatment of the elderly is regarded as a specialised field all over the world. Specialised treatment of the elderly people is known as “geriatrics.” It aims to promote health by preventing and treating diseases and disabilities in elderly people. Even though our neighbour, India, and other developing countries have already established separate geriatric medicine departments in both private and public hospitals, there are no such initiatives in our country.
The government must declare people aged over 60 as “senior citizens” and adopt effective policies for them and make an elderly-people-friendly environment. I appreciate the social safety net programmes for the elderly people, but they are not sufficient and, hence, should be increased. I understand that, because of resource limitations, the state has to work on priority basis. By using this logic, developing countries overlook the elderly people. Elderly people can also be resources rather than burdens. But have we ever thought about it?
According to WHO Brasilia Declaration on Healthy Ageing, 1996, “ageing is a development issue. Healthy older persons are a resource for their families, their communities and the economy.” The World Health Organization says: “In our fast ageing world, older people will increasingly play a critical role through volunteer work, transmitting experience and knowledge, helping their families with caring responsibilities and increasing their participation in the paid labour force.”
It will be biased to speak only about the state’s responsibility and blame it. What about our responsibilities as human beings? We are getting services (got/get) throughout the year from them, but in return, what are they getting from us? Each year, on October 1, through big headlines in the media, talk shows, and some rallies and meetings or seminars we celebrate ‘International Day for Older Persons,’ but what about the follow up? What happens after the celebration? A single day’s care for them. Is it enough? It’s time to question our conscience.

Time for collective action

MANY of us have been writing and publicly expressing through the media and in the public gatherings organised by civil society fora of the high cost to the nation due to sustained government attempts at denigrating Prof. Yunus and weakening Grameen. These, unfortunately, have seriously harmed the image of Bangladesh judging by reports in the international media.
The latest accusations against Prof. Yunus of alleged tax evasion on overseas income; of not taking permission before receiving the honorariums, awards, royalties from foreign sources between 2005-2011, etc.; and clarifications by Yunus, legal experts and eminent citizens, have been widely covered by the media. Without going into details, it is felt that such issues did not warrant a cabinet meeting and decision, especially when the nation is in the grip of a crisis on holding of a free and fair election with the participation of all parties, which may imperil its development and progress unless resolved peacefully.
The decision of the government to place Grameen Bank under the control of the central bank is a regressive step and defies all logic. It is virtually nationalisation of one of our best performing banks in contrast to the poor performance of the government controlled banks.
The latest broadside against Yunus could not have come at a worse time for us. Yunus and eminent citizens and friends in the international community are making serious efforts to resolve the political impasse so that the general election is held through participation of all parties. This would enable Bangladesh to exploit its potential to the fullest and attract FDI and support of development partners to overcome the challenges of poverty and development.
To achieve this goal we need domestic peace and stability; clean and stable government with a strong economy; a vigorous private sector fully supported by the government; rule of law; zero tolerance for corruption; highly efficient civil and police administration based on meritocracy; depoliticisation of all vital organs of the state and government including educational institutions; and a highly professional armed force for national defense to act as a bulwark against militancy and to overcome the challenges of manmade and natural disasters.
Concurrently, we need to adopt the doctrine of total mobilisation of the people, including compulsory military training, free universal primary education, technical education and excellent universities. This will impart a sense of discipline and order in the society and open up significant job opportunities for the youths. In the ultimate analysis, the best defense of a nation is an enlightened, educated and contended people, as Confucius said.
The inflow of yaba, phensidyl and other harmful intoxicants and proliferation of drug peddlers combined with trafficking of women and children will eventually destroy the future of our youths and the nation, if those are not effectively curbed and eliminated with topmost urgency through exemplary punishments to the offenders.
Yunus’ aim is to free Bangladesh from the clutches of poverty, and for empowerment of women and the youths. Following the success of his innovative microcredit programme and Grameen Bank, he has now embarked on his new concept of Social Business which is increasingly gaining worldwide acceptance, including in Bangladesh.
After the Rana Plaza tragedy, Yunus proposed an international minimum wage for garment workers to be worked out for each country separately. To concretise the proposal he jointly launched a garment industry transparency initiative (GITI) with Prof. Peter Eigen, founder of Transparency International. This timely initiative should significantly help RMG workers and the sector.
It is time for a national consensus to utilise Yunus’ services for the larger national interest. BNP and its allies, including a large segment of the influential members of the civil society, have expressed unequivocal support for Yunus. It is sincerely hoped that the PM will positively respond to the call for consensus. That will help overcome the national crisis. We can then collectively approach Yunus to assist in the resolution of the political crisis, thus paving the way for a peaceful and credible election.
We need to intensify international lobbying for the RMG sector, and work with our development partners to help overcome the critical challenges of water, energy, food, climate change, poverty and development. Economic diplomacy backed by public diplomacy, people to people contact and exchanges, trade, and attracting investments through easing visa restrictions within Saarc countries, Myanmar, China and the Asean should be the major thrust of our diplomacy. This will give concrete shape to the concept of connectivity and will bring progress and prosperity to all of us.
We need to act now; there is clearly a gathering storm in the horizon which, if it breaks out, will inflict unpredictable toll on the nation and its people.
Let us collectively lift Bangladesh from the gloom, despondency and despair surrounding us, and build a new Bangladesh which would embody the ideals of our Liberation War and fulfill the hopes and aspiration of the youths, the poor and the vulnerable, particularly the oppressed women and the children of the slums who go to bed hungry and are deprived of elementary human rights to survive with dignity.

Rationale for more private medical colleges

THE present government in its current term had already approved 24 private medical colleges. Now it is giving permission to open up an additional 11 such colleges. The question that comes to mind is why so many private medical colleges at this stage, especially when we have serious concerns about lack of requisite medical teachers to man these institutions?
Yes, we need to turn out more medical graduates given the extremely adverse doctor to patient ratio. But do we need to take a plunge in hot haste? In fact, closer scrutiny of rules and regulations governing the granting of permission to set up such institutions reveal that not all aspiring colleges meet requirements pertaining to infrastructure and other issues. Are we to assume that the purpose of the proposed colleges is to generate substantial admission fees, as had been witnessed last year? With rules on paper and little oversight, the admission fees galore exacted by some private medical colleges worked out to huge sums last year.
Even if the new medical colleges meet all necessary criteria with regards to land and building, the question of maintaining teaching standards including ancillary hospitals remains. With the number of private medical colleges set to rise to nearly 90, they will inevitably draw upon doctors, nurses and paramedics from government-run institutions. The bigger question at this juncture for policymakers, therefore, is that a balance should be struck between the public and the private medical colleges and hospitals in terms of their operational feasibility and efficacy.

Mindless sand lifting poses threat to bridge in Bogra

Random sand lifting is posing threat to a newly built bridge over Bangalee River at Bathuabari point of Bogra-Dhunat road.
The mindless act is causing serious erosion in the area, said locals.
A vast tract of cropland, a number of homesteads and a flood control dam in the area have gone into the river due to the illegal sand lifting for months, said Shahin Sardar, a local schoolteacher.
A 148-feet-long bridge, constructed at a cost of Tk 4 crore, was inaugurated on the road on July 30 this year, said an official of Roads and Highways Department (RHD).
Earlier, a tender was floated on June 26 for sand lifting. A construction firm obtained the tender and stared to extract sand with five dredgers from the river, about 200 meters off the bridge.
However, according to the law, sand lifting is not allowed within 500 meters of any bridge area, said local RHD deputy assistant engineer Mehedi Hasan.
Due to mindless sand lifting, the pillars of the bridge have started to sink while erosion took an alarming turn in the area.
We have already informed the higher authorities about the matter, he said.
Dhunat upazila nirbahi officer Hafizur Rahman said, punitive action would be taken against those responsible for the offence after investigating the matter.
Contacted, sand lifter Hasanul Karim refuted the allegation of extracting sand from near the bridge.

497 women victims of violence in last month: BMP

As many as 497 women across the country fell victims to different forms of violence last month, said Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) in a press statement yesterday.
Ninety of the victims were raped, while 13 of them were gang-raped and eight were killed after being raped, it said on the basis of reports published in 14 dailies.
It also noted that nine women were victims of acid attack and 48 others were subjected to dowry related violence, which killed 23 of them. Eighty four women and children were killed while 48 committed suicide due to various tortures.

Sylhet city flooded with banners, posters

Ahead of the upcoming visit of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to Sylhet on October 5, the city got a new look with posters, banners and billboards set up at roadside.
Particularly, the feature from Rikabibazar to Chouhatta road has become different with the billboards which were placed during the last three days over the rally.
The colourful banners, welcoming the opposition leader, are fixed at roadside and with electric poles.
Besides, over 1,000 arches have been set up on the streets.
The banners and posters are carrying the portraits of BNP and its front organisation leaders in the region alongside of the party founder Ziaur Rahman, and Khaleda Zia.
Besides, some used the portrait of Khaleda’s son Tarique Rahman. A good number of billboards are also placed by new aspirants for the upcoming JS polls.
Most of the billboards are of the city Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury, BNP Vice Chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury and former lawmakers Dilder Hossain Selim and Kolim Uddin Ahmed Milon.
Meanwhile, a number of posters have been set up demanding whereabouts of the district BNP President and Central Organising Secretary Ilias Ali, also former lawmaker, who had gone missing on 17 April last year.
Ali Ahmed, organising secretary of the district BNP, said the city and district BNP had placed about 100 arches.
Nur Azizur Rahman, the city corporation’s chief engineer, said some of the party leaders verbally informed them of placing the billboards.

Execute SQ Chy verdict immediately

Expressing satisfaction and joining jubilant celebrations, cultural, political, and anti-war criminal activists yesterday demanded quick execution of the death penalty verdict against BNP lawmaker Salauddin Quader Chowdhury.
Several hundred people of all ages and sexes burst into cheers shouting “Joy Bangla”, “Jonotar Joy Holo” (people triumphed) at the capital’s Shahbagh, shortly after a tribunal sentenced the 64-year-old to die by hanging for murder and genocide in 1971.
They hugged each other, hurled flowers into the air, splashed water, waved the national flag, and marched in procession to Central Shaheed Minar.
“SQ Chowdhury not only committed genocide, he has challenged our independence many times in the last 42 years. The verdict proved that the war criminals have no place in independent Bangladesh,” said Imran H Sarker, spokesperson of the Gonojagoron Mancha, a platform demanding the death penalty for all war criminals.
The Gonojagoron Mancha activists also celebrated the verdict in Chittagong city, home of the convict, by bringing out a procession from Chittagong Press Club. They paraded the city thoroughfares before ending the march at Central Shaheed Minar.
Soon after the judgment was pronounced, the Awami League-led 14-party alliance and the Communist Party of Bangladesh, among others, welcomed it.
In a statement, the CPB said the judgment reflected the victory of the people’s longstanding anti-war criminal movement.
Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi said SQ Chowdhury had been involved in an evil attempt to demean the country’s independence and sovereignty in the last 42 years, says a release.
Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal, Bangladesh Jubo Union, United National Awami Party, Bangladesh Awami Muktijuddho Projonmo League, and Chetonay Muktijuddho issued separate statements hailing the verdict and demanding its quick execution.

Etihad Airways offers promotional fares

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has launched a special promotion for Bangladeshi travellers offering up to 50 percent discount on the Pearl Business Class Cabin to destinations including London, Manchester, New York, Washington DC and Chicago.
Travellers can avail these special promotional fares until October 10, according to a statement.
Complimentary bus services from Chittagong and Sylhet will also be offered for guests who book their tickets during this period.

BGMEA seeks support to educate workers, owners on trade union

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association yesterday sought support from development partners to educate workers, management and factory owners about the role of trade unions.
BGMEA President Atiqul Islam said: “We have to keep in mind that those who are forming trade unions are aged between 20 years and 30 years. They are new blood and don’t know what the definition of trade unions is.”
“It’s a very vulnerable situation,” he said at a seminar at the Westin Dhaka.
Bangladesh German Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised the event on SAP (Systems Applications and Products in Data Processing), a world leader in enterprise solution. SAP AG, a German company, has made the enterprise software to help manage business operations and customer relations.
“We and our mid-level management also need to get trained on trade unions. Otherwise, the sector will not survive,” Islam said. “We welcome any kind of legal and constructive trade unions.”
The BGMEA chief backed technological upgradation, saying industries need this type of solution to overcome many of its challenges.
“We need to reduce wastages to remain competitive and increase our efficiency.”
He said there were only six trade unions in the country three months ago. But their number now stands at 40.
The organisers said SAP solutions could help businesses integrate and automate their manufacturing, supply chain, sales and financial process at affordable prices.
Albrecht Conze, German ambassador to Bangladesh, said the SAP answers the needs of Bangladesh’s family-based companies and conglomerates.
“To address the current challenges of the readymade garment sector, Bangladesh is now in a stage where it has to do something and act very, very quickly to restore its reputation.”
Ghulam Hussain, chairman of National Board of Revenue, said Bangladeshi companies would have to be compliant from the very first day of their operation. Otherwise, they will not survive.
“Being compliant involves some cost, but in the long-term it makes you efficient. Your cost of production will go down when the efficiency level goes up.”
Sakhawat Abu Khair, president of the Bangladesh German Chamber, urged the garment factory owners to reach a solution on the minimum wage issue as quickly as possible to save the sector from the current round of unrest.
“We should have a long-term strategy on the minimum wage. It will tell the workers how much wages would be increased and when. It will cut the number of unrest in the industry.”
Daniel Seidl, executive director of the chamber, also spoke among others.

IndustriAll demands $71m for Rana Plaza victims

The Bangladesh chapter of IndustriAll Global Union yesterday demanded Tk 28.32 lakh in compensation for each of the apparel workers who died or went missing in the Rana Plaza collapse on April 24.
“Many victims are yet to be compensated properly though the factory collapse occurred around six months ago,” Roy Ramesh Chandra, general secretary of IndustriAll Bangladesh Council, said at a press briefing at the National Press Club.
IndustriAll estimated that $71 million or Tk 547 crore would be needed to compensate and rehabilitate the victims of Rana Plaza.
The collapse of the building which housed five garment factories has so far brought 1,135 deaths, according to IndustriAll. Another 318 went missing and 1,723 were injured.
“We have estimated the compensation package for all these segments,” he said.
Of the amount, 45 percent will have to be paid by retailers, 28 percent by owners, 18 percent by BGMEA and the remainder by the government, he said.
The formula sets out clear guidelines for payment to families of dead and injured workers and takes into account loss of earnings, pain and suffering, and also medical costs, funeral costs and other important family expenses, he said.
IndustriAll suggested around Tk 21.20 lakh for the earnings of the lost work years for 25 years, and Tk 5 lakh for pain and suffering, as suggested by the International Labour Organisation.
Around Tk 2.12 lakh is being sought for education costs of up to the higher secondary level for each of the victims’ children.
To press home the demands, IndustriAll yesterday announced a human chain, a sit-in and a roundtable as part of a month-long campaign.
It will also hold a garment workers’ gathering on the premises of the Shaheed Minar on October 24, to mark the passing of six months of the deadly building collapse.
“There has been a host of discussions, both locally and globally, on the issue of compensation for Rana Plaza victims. But most brands have still failed to make concrete commitments.”
Only nine brands, including Loblaw, Primark, Mascot and Bon Marché showed good faith and pledged to compensate at a recent meeting in Geneva, he said.
Primark additionally agreed to pay Tk 15,000 to each of the 3,629 victims for three months before Eid-ul-Ahza, according to Chandra. The British retailer made a similar donation earlier in June.
“Unfortunately, most of the leading brands including Carrefour, Inditex, JC Penny and Walmart have not made any commitment.”
Nazrul Islam Khan, chairman of IndustriAll Bangladesh Council, also spoke.