Fresh areas in 30 Tala villages go under water

Flood situation in 30 villages under Tala upazila of the district has worsened further with fresh areas going under water in the last few days.
While visiting Kanaidia village in Jalalpur union on Saturday, this correspondent  found water flowing over the embankment of Kobadak river, inundating new areas.
The flood rendered  over 40 thousand people marooned putting them in acute shortage of food and pure drinking water. Many of them are also suffering from various diseases.
Most of the roads went under water keeping hundreds indoors and out of job.
Settlement and agriculture offices and  health complex remained shut as water entered the premises.
According to the UNO office sources, the most affected areas in the upazila are Kanaidia, Krishnakati , Char Kanaidia, Jethua villages of  Jalalpur union, Ghona, Kazidanga, Bhabanipur, Khorail, Narayanpur of Islamkati union, Nawapara, Dhalbaria, Dewanipara of Tentulia union and Ghoshnagar, Gangarampur of Khalilnagar union.
Hazera Bibi of Kanaidia village told this correspondent that her homestead  went under water  on Tuesday following collapse of the embankment.
“My husband has no work now. I cannot cook due to flood water in the kitchen, ” she said.
Khadija Begum of the same area alleged that most children were being affected by waterborne and skin diseases.
Dr Jahir Hasan, family planning officer at Tala upazila health complex said, although his office itself had went under water,  they formed a medical team on Thursday to work in the affected areas.
Tala Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Mahbubur Rahman said they have already wrote to the higher authorities for necessary steps.
District administration has allotted 10 MT of rice, he said, adding that demand for more foodgrains had been placed.

The war of words

POLITICAL use of religion has been largely behind social intolerance and communal disharmony in South Asia since the fag end of British colonialism in the region.
And even after the colonialists left the subcontinent, indigenous politicians who took charge of the newly created nations of the subcontinent did precious little to remove this poison of communal politics from society. The consequence has been dreadful: the blood of innocent people has been spilt in communal violence that took place over past decades in many flashpoints in the region.
Of late, a still worse form of religion-based politics has raised its ugly head. This is an extreme and militant variety of religion-based politics that has engulfed many societies of Asia and Africa. Religious extremism in its most virulent form has already torn countries like Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan and Pakistan asunder. Waves of violence born of such extremism have from time to time also crashed against the edges of relatively calmer and stabler societies of India and Bangladesh as well as other South Asian countries. With the older version of communal politics of religious origin we have now joined this extreme and militant category. How do we face and combat this destructive force rooted in political use of religion?
The other day scholars from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh discussed the issue of religion and politics in South Asian context at a conference in Dhaka. They stressed the promotion and unity of secular forces of the region as a way to combat the danger that religion-based politics poses to these pluralistic and culturally diverse societies.
Professor Mushirul Hasan, Vice Chancellor of New Delhi’s Jamia Milia Islamia University, for example, mentioned how some groups in the political domain were coming in the way of secularism and that states are negotiating with those political groups. Despite this snag, he was still of the view that secularism held the answer to this social ill and that it is by way of a negotiation with religion that the cause of pluralism in society can be promoted.
So far as secularism and religion are looked at from the angle of mere ideas, this is undoubtedly an elegant proposition. But the problem is they are not just ideas. Modern secularism as it evolved in the West has its socio-historical roots in the bourgeois democratic revolutions that took place in Britain in mid-seventeenth and in France in late eighteenth centuries followed by other European and North American countries. In the post-colonial era, the newly emerging nations in Asia and Africa only imported this idea along with that of democracy without having gone through the social-historical epochs with their attendant class conflicts and upheavals that marked the victory of this ideal in the West.
Religion is a still more powerful idea, a social force, that has its roots deeply entrenched in society, its history and economy. So the conflict between religion and secularism is not something superficial on the ideal plane, but lies at a deeper level within society’s physical structure.
We may take special note of Professor Mushirul Hasan’s observation that the states are found negotiating with political groups that are obstructing secularism. It is exactly here that the crux of the problem lies. The states themselves are suspect and even states that have the principles of secularism enshrined in the constitution are found compromising in this respect.
This anomaly is congenital in the states of South Asia, since they evolved through a negotiation mainly among the elitist classes representing the feudal gentry, the petty bourgeoisie and the servitors of the colonialists. They had no basic conflict of interest with the religious groups who had no different class origin than their own. So it is hardly surprising that the state has remained basically a patchwork representing the interests and ideals of various exploitative classes. Small wonder, when it comes to politics, the state has to negotiate with all forces, including the religious ones, to continue to function.
The champions of secularism in South Asian politics, including those in Bangladesh, often declare war against politics of religion. In most cases, their battle cries are a sham. In fact, it is more propaganda war as part of the power game of the parties vying for riding the state machine. They are not ready to hit at the base of the exploitative structure of society and its superstructure (the state), that nurtures all kinds of social disparity and discrimination to keep the mass people divided and perpetuate their rule and exploit them.
In fact, the city-based champions of secularist propaganda belonging to different party lines (all representing the ruling classes) are alienated from the mass people. Those propagandists are quite unable to check the inroads of religious politics in society. Why? Listen to what Marx says about religion: (It) “is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions.”

Batexpo kicks off Thursday

After two worst-ever factory disasters that eroded buyers’ confidence, garment makers plan to hold their annual apparel exposition in a grand manner this year, mainly to restore the image of the sector.
The 24th Bangladesh Apparel and Textile Exposition (Batexpo) will begin on October 10 to showcase local apparel products to the international community at Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka, organisers said yesterday.
Though the apparel extravaganza usually takes place in November or December, the organisers plan to open it early fearing possible political unrest.
Buyers have responded positively about attending the show, said Atiqul Islam, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), at a press conference at their office in Dhaka.
“I hope the accidents [Tazreen Fashions fire and Rana Plaza building collapse] will not have any impact on the show.”
The BGMEA-sponsored exhibition showcases Bangladesh-made apparel items to the international retailers, fashion designers and brands.
“We are expecting more spot orders this year as our prices are competitive,” Islam said. Bangladeshi manufacturers are also focusing more on product diversification.
Orders at the show will outpace last year’s $61.67 million as an increased number of buyers have shown interest to participate in the event, he said.
Both local and international manufacturers will display their products to buyers from the US, Canada, Hong Kong, the UK, Thailand, India, China and Pakistan, at 80 stalls at the show.
However, the BGMEA chief said a record fall in the value of the Indian rupee and higher exports by Vietnam, a major competitor of Bangladesh, will bring them tough times.
India, another competitor of Bangladesh, is bagging more orders now as the rupee is falling, while the taka is in a strong position against the dollar, according to Islam.
He also said they are preparing a worker database and that of the Ashulia zone will be ready by the yearend.
Garment makers will have to clear salaries and festival bonuses of their workers before Eid-ul-Azha, otherwise the BGMEA will take actions against them, he said.
Three seminars on social accountability and security of the garment sector, the role of the media in the apparel business, and compliance issues, will be organised on the sidelines of the show.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to open the show, while opposition chief Khaleda Zia will attend the closing ceremony.

Foreign investment in stocks declines

In line with the declining trend in the last three months, foreign investment in the capital market dropped 45 percent in September.
The reduction, identified by market insiders, was due to a decline in share purchases and increase in sales by the foreign investors last month compared to the previous month.
Foreign investors bought shares worth Tk 167.55 crore and sold shares worth Tk 82.9 crore to take their net investment for the month to Tk 84.65 crore, according to data from Dhaka Stock Exchange.
In August, they bought shares worth Tk 220.36 crore and sold shares worth Tk 64.95 crore, resulting in net investment worth Tk 155.41 crore for the month.
A stockbroker however did find the declining trend in foreign investment alarming, as other markets in the subcontinent and elsewhere were also experiencing a similar downward spiral.
Besides, the stockbroker said, the Bangladesh capital market’s reliance on foreign investors has always been limited.
“Our capital market has very few products and instruments available for foreign investors. This lack of diversified instruments makes our market unattractive, which places a limit on foreign portfolios,” said Kh Asadul Islam, managing director and chief executive of City Brokerage.
“It also prevents large investors form hedging their funds. In short, our capital market is seen as a bleak destination for foreign investors as they have limited products to invest in; resulting in limited activities, which translate into limited profit margins,” he said.
He said the Bangladesh capital market is also unknown or a less lucrative destination for foreign investors than neighbouring Pakistan and Sri Lanka. “To overcome this hurdle, it is important to focus on building a credible brand value for our country and more specifically our economy,” he said.
In order to become a competitive and attractive destination, it is important to increase the volume of the stockmarket, he added. “Less than 10 percent of our companies are listed in the stockmarket. Multinational companies and state owned corporations ought to be listed to spearhead growth.”
The future prospect of the Bangladesh capital market is promising. There remains tremendous scope for improvement not just by introducing new products like future options, but also by making the market infrastructure technologically more integrated and equipped, he said.
Also known as portfolio investment, foreign investment accounts for around 1 percent of DSE’s total market capitalisation.
Banks were initially the foreign investors’ preferred sector, but non-bank financial institutions, power and energy, pharmaceuticals, multinationals, telecoms and IT also caught their attention.
Between January and September, foreign investors bought shares worth Tk 1,885.97 crore and sold shares worth Tk 546.60 crore, showing a net investment of Tk 1,340.37 crore, according to DSE data.

Progress visible in every sector, Hasina says

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government has been able to make visible development in every sector by implementing a series of programmes over the last four years and nine months.
“I always think about bringing about qualitative changes in every sector—agriculture, health, education, infrastructure, power generation and social safety net programmes,” she said. “We have achieved positive changes in those fields.”
Hasina made these comments when Bruce Davis, the visiting vice president of the Asian Development Bank, met her at her official Gono Bhaban residence.
Hasina’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed reporters after the meeting.
Thanks to social safety net programmes, Hasina said, her government has brought down the poverty rate to below 26 percent from 41 percent in 2009 and plans to bring it down further to 15 percent by 2021.
She mentioned that the government’s top priorities were to establish the rule of law, promote good governance and maintain macro-economic stability.
The government is committed to making a Digital Bangladesh and achieving the status of a middle-income country by 2021, the golden jubilee year of the country’s independence, she said.

Farmers to get EBL loans without collateral

Eastern Bank yesterday launched a collateral free credit facility for farmers to buy agricultural machineries and equipment.
Any individual farmer can avail the quarterly instalment-based term loan— EBL Projukti—ranging from Tk 10,000 to Tk 150,000 for maximum of two years.
Maximum 70 percent of machinery price will be provided as a loan under the facility, which is designed only for the end users, the bank said in a statement yesterday.
Atiur Rahman, governor of Bangladesh Bank, and Ali Reza Iftekhar, managing director and chief executive of EBL, launched the product at a press conference in the capital.
Rahman also gave away some cheques to the farmers at the launch ceremony.
Any Bangladeshi farmer, aged between 22-65 years and directly engaged in farming, will be
eligible for the loan, according to the statement.
Farmers have to open a current/savings account and acquire a national ID card/agricultural input card or any photo ID to apply for the loan. No fixed amount of cultivable land is required to be shown, the bank said.

IMF praises reform efforts

Breaking with tradition, the IMF has praised various reform initiatives of the government and agreed to release the fourth instalment of a $1 billion loan in December.
The government does not need to go for an immediate hike in energy prices to shake off its subsidy burden, the International Monetary Fund said.
The lender also backs a government move to recapitalise the cash-strapped state banks.
The fourth instalment, $140.5 million, would be made available after an approval of the IMF’s executive board by the yearend, Rodrigo Cubero, chief of a review mission of the lender, told reporters at the Bangladesh Bank headquarters in Dhaka yesterday.
After the release of the amount, the total disbursement under an Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme would stand at $562.3 million.
However, the IMF said political unrest and uncertainty in the run-up to the elections might affect economic activities by disrupting supply and curbing investment demand.
The lender thinks Bangladesh’s GDP (gross domestic product) growth would slip below 6 percent this fiscal year.
The IMF team came to Dhaka on September 22 to hold bilateral discussions with the government and conduct the third review under the three-year ECF arrangement, approved in April last year.
The IMF said Bangladesh has made substantial progress in strengthening macroeconomic policies under the ECF arrangement.
“Bangladesh is now in a better position to withstand adverse shocks, with international reserve levels doubling the lows in late 2011 and inflation pressures easing, a result of prudent monetary and fiscal policies,” Cubero said in a statement.
“Quantitative targets under the ECF are on track, with all performance criteria met at end-June 2013,” he said.
There has also been significant progress in structural reforms, such as the new value added tax (VAT) and amendments to the Banking Companies Act, said the review mission chief.
Cubero said the mission held discussions with the finance minister, central bank governor and other senior government officials on policies to safeguard achievements and put the economy on a sound footing.
He said Bangladesh remains committed to keeping the budget deficit within 4.3 percent of GDP, and to do so, it has boosted tax collections.
The authorities will address weaknesses in the operational efficiency and financial management of state-owned enterprises.
The IMF said the amendments to the Banking Companies Act would give the BB stronger regulatory and supervisory powers.
The mission also welcomed the government’s plans — in coordination with development partners, business community, labour unions and international buyers — to improve the working conditions and strengthen the safety standards for workers in Bangladesh.

BSF invites BGB to patrol on Indian side

India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has decided to introduce a fresh lot of non-lethal weapons as part of its new measures to bring down civilian casualties.It has also invited BGB to do patrolling in Indian territory along the border to see for themselves the “facts on the ground” about illegal movement of people and cattle smuggling.The BSF authority discussed these initiatives with BGB during the recent DG level talks in Dhaka last month.“We have proposed to the BGB to send their team to patrol with our boys on our side and see the facts on the ground. We have nothing to hide,” BSF DG Subhash Joshi told PTI news agency.Joshi, who led the delegation at the bi-annual talks, said it had been decided to introduce more non-lethal weapons to reduce casualties.“It is a difficult situation when we decide to arm our men with non-lethal weapons…we have also decided to work for better procedures for use of the non-lethal weapons,” he said.

I didn’t threaten war tribunal

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 yesterday asked BNP chairperson’s adviser Khandaker Mahbub Hossain to explain by October 21 why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against him for his recent comments on war crimes trial.The three-member tribunal led by Justice ATM Fazle Kabir, however, exempted Mahbub, vice-chairman of Bangladesh Bar Council, from personal appearance before it , “considering his status”, and fixed October 21 for further  order in this regard.On October 1, the tribunal awarded death penalty to BNP lawmaker  Salauddin Quader Chowdhury for committing crimes against humanity and genocide during the Liberation War in 1971.Following the verdict, Mahbub said that if voted to power, his party would try those involved in the trial.On Thursday, the prosecution filed a petition with the tribunal, saying that the comments were tantamount to contempt of court and sought legal action in this regard.It also submitted to the court copies of four dailies of October 2 — the Prothom Alo, Janakantha, Bangladesh Pratidin and Kaler Kantho — which published the remarks of Mahbub, also a former president of the Supreme Court  Bar AssociationThe petition also said the Prothom Alo quoted Mahbub as saying, “If the nationalist force comes to power, they will try those who are war criminals in the real sense. Those who were tried out of vengeance and the cases which were prepared on the basis of fairytale must go. And those who were involved in the farcical trial, Inshallah [if Allah wishes], they will also be tried on the soil of Bangladesh.”The court, in its order yesterday, said by issuing some “baseless” and “scandalous” statements, Mahbub challenged the power and jurisdiction of the court and its judges.As a senior lawyer of the highest court, Mahbub “deliberately threatened” the persons involved in the trial, including judges, and “clearly threatened” independence of the judiciary, the tribunal added.
Mahbub’s reaction Later, at a press briefing at the Bar Council, Mahbub denied “threatening” the judges of the tribunal.“I said nothing against the judges… It is the prosecution and the witnesses  I was referring to, surely not the judges who only deal with the case on its merits,” he claimed.
Mahbub was a public prosecutor at a Special Tribunal that in the early 1970s conducted the trial of collaborators of the Pakistan army under the Bangladesh Collaborators (Special Tribunal) Order, 1972.Forty years later, he became a lawyer for war criminal Jamaat-e-Islami leaders Delawar Hossain Sayedee and Abdul Quader Mollah.

Public servants to get DA from July 1

The finance ministry on Monday published a gazette notification providing the government officials with 20 percent dearness allowance effective retrospectively from July 1.
The announcement came a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s declaration that the government had decided to provide public servants with 20 percent dearness allowance (DA) apart from forming a permanent pay commission.
The premier however said the maximum pay rise for the government officials and employees would be around Tk 6,000.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the finance minister had earlier said the government would set up a permanent pay commission for government employees before the end of its tenure.

Cabinet okays Indo-Bangla extradition treaty

The cabinet on Monday ratified the draft of extradition treaty that will facilitate the Bangladesh and Indian government to exchange both convicted and under-trial criminals.“If the treaty is passed in parliament, it would help both the countries to extradite wanted criminals following legal procedures,” Cabinet Secretary Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told reporters after a cabinet meeting at the secretariat.However, persons accused in political crimes would not come under the purview of the treaty, he added.Earlier in January, the home ministers of both the neighbouring countries had signed the treaty.India has already ratified the treaty in its cabinet.

Explosion at Ctg madrasa

At least seven students were injured critically in a bomb blast at a Chittagong madrasa run by a top Hefazat-e-Islam leader and a suspected activist of the banned Huji Monday morning.Police in the evening said they have found traces of huge explosives including at least 30 handmade grenades stored at a room on the second floor of the four-storey student dormitory where the explosion took place, reports our Chittagong correspondent.The marks of the explosives were confirmed by Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Shafiqul Islam after he visited the Al Jamiatul Ulum Al Islamia Madrasa at Lal Khan Bazar area — a hill-side madrasa with around 4,000 residential students.“We are sure that huge explosives including a good number of handmade grenades were stored there,” said Islam.However, the madrasa chief — Hefazat Nayebe Ameer Mufti Izharul Islam Chowdhury — in the afternoon claimed that it was not a case of bomb blast — but an explosion from a laptop charger. His elder son, Harun Bin Izhar, gave another version that the explosion took place from an Instant Power Supply (IPS).Witnesses said they have seen some blown out human fingers at the spot. One of the injured lost his wrist in the explosion.The injured were Md Karim, Md Amanuallh, Md Jabbar, Md Abdullah, Md Khalek, Nurun Nabi and an unidentified person. They are all students of Fatwa Department of the madrasa.By evening, the police detained two of the injured while taking treatment at the Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) for interrogation, said Assistant Commissioner (AC) Abdur Rouf of Panchlaish zone of CMP.CMCH doctors said the condition of Nurun Nabi was critical as 90 percent of his body was burnt.Later around 6:00pm, the law enforcers picked up two more injured from a private clinic in critical condition. The police did not disclose their names.A bomb disposal unit of CMP was working at the spot in the evening to see if there were any intact grenades left.
The explosion
Locals said they heard a big bang around 11:30am from the madrasa.“Hearing the sound, we rushed to the madrasa but the students were resisting us from entering the madrasa,” said Md Russel, a MES College student living in the area.He added that he saw madrasa students were taking several injured to hospitals.