March 10, 2016

SECOND EDITION

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

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Falgun 27, 1422, Jamadiul Awal 29, 1437

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 3, No 324

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www.dhakatribune.com | 32 pages | Price: Tk10

Cargo plane crash kills three crew Aziz from Cox’s Bazar n Abdul and FM Mizanur Rahaman from Chittagong A cargo plane crashed in the Bay of Bengal yesterday, killing three crew members – all of them foreign nationals. The pilot of the aircraft survived, but remains in a critical condition.

The cargo aircraft was carrying shrimp fry when it crashed within five minutes of taking off around 9:30am from the Cox’s Bazar airport. It was supposed to fly to Jessore but crashed at the Naziratek Point of the bay, five kilometres off the resort town.

Local fishermen first spotted the debris, while firefighters, coast guards and navy officials pulled the pilot and the flight engineer  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

Rescue workers recover debris of a cargo plane of True Aviation that crashed at Nazirartek Point of the sea in Cox’s Bazar yesterday

Another attempt to steal $870m from BB foiled n Tribune Report

INSIDE

An attempt of laundering $870 million, in addition to already stolen $100m from Bangladesh Bank, was foiled in February thanks to international banks' recalling of an order to transfer the amount to local banks in the Philippines.

Just a few days ago $81m had been suspected to have been stolen from the central bank of Bangladesh and managed to enter the Philippine banks. The amount was already released to the local clients of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC), revealed a report by Philippine daily the Inquirer yesterday.

Soon after the RCBC released the funds to its client, the bank

received a so-called “MT103” message through the Swift system from international banks recalling the $81m and ordering to stop the release of another $870 million – roughly one-third of the cost of constructing the Padma Bridge – in inward transfers.

The Inquirer quoted a banking source as saying that the transfer of the $870 million was stopped in time, but $81m had already been released and, by the time authorities were alerted, had already been moved back offshore.

Bangladesh Bank claims that it has already brought back an amount of $20m that was stolen from its reserve account and laundered to Sri Lanka.

London asks Dhaka to improve airport security The British authorities have informed the Bangladesh government that unless there is visible improvement in security situation by March 31, the direct flight of Biman between Dhaka and London will be banned. The UK

government yesterday banned direct cargo movement between Dhaka and London.  PAGE 3

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Tamim brilliance rescues Tigers against Dutch Uddin Khan from n Minhaz Dharamsala Inspired by opening batsman Tamim Iqbal and later by the pacemen, Bangladesh started their 2016 World Twenty20 qualifying campaign on a winning note defeating a highly-motivated Netherlands side by a narrow margin of eight runs yesterday.

The win was anything but easy for the Tigers. The Asia Cup T20 runners-up were challenged by the Dutchmen throughout the game

“We have brought back a portion [of the stolem money] from Sri Lanka with the help of the Sri Lankan central bank,” Bangladesh Bank Executive Director Subhankar Saha told journalists in Dhaka yesterday after a meeting with the scheduled banks on cyber security.

He expects that the amount of $81m transferred to the Philippines will be recovered soon with the help of the anti-money laundering authorities there. He declined to disclose anything further for the sake of investigation.

“We still suspect that the account was hacked from outside the country,” Rakesh Asthana, former IT specialist of World Bank, told reporters after the meeting. “But it

cannot be said whether there was any link of Bangladesh Bank’s internal system with the hacking.”

Two officials of the Bangladesh Bank were also reported to have visited the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to demand the return of the funds that were allegedly stolen by hackers based in China from its accounts with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Various sources told the Inquirer that the money were channelled to a foreign exchange dealer and then transferred to casinos – Solaire Resort and Casino, City of Dreams and Midas – where they were converted into chips for betting at gaming tables, then converted back into cash

‘Rampal plant against national interest’

Sanders upset heats up Democratic race

Building code in limbo

Labelling the proposed coal power plants near the Sundarbans as “projects against national interests,” rights activist Professor Anu Muhammad has again urged the government to immediately stop implementing the initiatives.

Bernie Sanders’ surprise but narrow win over Hillary Clinton in Michigan raised the intensity level between the Democratic presidential contenders before their eighth head-to-head debate on Wednesday night in Florida.

For eight years now, the upgraded building code has been stuck in an argument between two ministries while building and construction safety in the country goes unchecked, resulting in frequent accidents and earthquake vulnerability.

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London asks Dhaka to improve airport security n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman The British authorities have informed the Bangladesh government that unless there is visible improvement in security situation

by March 31, the direct flight of Biman between Dhaka and London will be banned.

British Prime Minister David Cameron in a letter to his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina stated that an improvement plan must be developed and delivered

by March 31 to avoid further measure like banning of direct Biman flights from Dhaka to London.

The UK government yesterday banned direct cargo movement between Dhaka and London.

Civil Aviation Minister Rashed Khan Menon told the Dhaka Tribune that he was worried as the UK government decision had spillover impact.

The European Union, the United States and Australia have asked the British authorities to assess the airport security situation and report back to them.

The minister indicated that the decision might influence others to take similar action.

He said that the British prime minister had informed Hasina that there were continued and serious shortcomings in security arrangements at the airport.

Menon said that he had a telephone conversation with his British counterpart where the UK minister said that Bangladesh had done many things but still many things needed to be addressed.

The UK minister said that they would review the security situation and take a decision after March 31.

“There is no shortage of political will and commitment to improve the situation. When we are doing everything possible, they are

BIMAN BANGLADESH AIRLINES

imposing ban. The reason is best known to them,” Menon said.

He said even on Tuesday, they had received approval from the Ecnec to purchase Tk90 crore worth of equipment for the airports. “We are going to recruit additional manpower for improving security and we will ensure security for our own benefit,” he added.

“Representatives of the British authorities are still working in Dhaka,” he said.

Meanwhile, the UK authorities yesterday banned air cargo shipment from Dhaka to London until further notice.

In its latest “Bangladesh Airport Update” published Tuesday night, they said that recent security assessment of Dhaka international

airport found that some international security requirements were not being met.

“As part of a set of interim measures, cargo will not be allowed on direct flights from Dhaka to the UK until further notice.”

Airlines carrying cargo between Bangladesh and the UK on indirect routes are being asked to ensure it is re-screened before its final leg into the UK. “The UK government is working with the government of Bangladesh to support them in improving standards of aviation security.”

In November, the Australian authorities also suspended air cargo shipment from Bangladesh.

After the explosion at a Russian plane in Egypt, the British authori-

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ties felt that the security situation at Dhaka airport was vulnerable and asked the government to improve its conditions.

Regional Liaison Officer for Aviation Safety for Asia-Pacific region Jon Lovsey came in November and submitted its first report where he mentioned about security lapses for passenger movement. Lovsey again visited Dhaka in mid-December and submitted its report where security lapses in cargo handling system were highlighted.

The British authorities alleged that scanner operators did not work properly and they did not have training. In addition to that, they also told Dhaka that explosive tracing machines at the airport were not functional. l

Mother of murdered Banasree siblings on a fresh 5-day remand

n Md Sanaul lslam Tipu

A Dhaka court yesterday once more placed Mahfuza Malek Jasmine on five-day remand in a case filed over the murder of her two children in the capital’s Banasree area.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Alamgir Kabir Raj passed the order after DB inspector Lokman Hakim, also investigation officer (IO) of the case, produced Mahfuza before the court seeking 10-day remand for interrogation.

Mahfuza’s counsel Safayet Ali filed a bail petition with the remand rejection petition before the court.

After hearing, the court also rejected Mahfuza’s bail petition of Mahfuza in this case.

Earlier, Dhaka metropolitan magistrate Snigdha Rani Chakraborty placed Mahfuza on five-day remand after Rampura police produced her before the court on March 4 with a 10-day remand prayer for interrogation.

According to the case documents, Nusrat Aman Aroni, 14, and her brother Alvi Aman, 6, were found unconscious at their flat and were declared dead at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on February 29.

Three days later, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) told journalists that they were killed by their mother out of her concern about their future. And that Mahfuza had made up a food-poisoning story to cover up her crime.

According to RAB, she first strangled her daughter Nusrat and then son Alvi. Following the revelation, the siblings’ father Amanullah filed a murder case against his wife with Rampura police station.

On March 2, RAB brought out the children’s parents and an aunt, Mahfuza’s sister Afroza Malek Mila, from their hometown in Jamalpur for questioning. l

Bandwidth export to India to formally start on March 23 n Tribune Report Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi are scheduled to formally inaugurate Bangladesh’s bandwidth export to India on March 23.

“It would be a gala ceremony to mark the maiden export of bandwidth, in which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Naredra Modi will formally inaugurate bandwidth export through video conferencing,” said Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL) Managing Direc-

tor Monwar Hossain.

The programme would be held at 10:30am at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka, he told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

On February 8, Bangladesh unofficially began bandwidth export to India through the Akhaura-Agartala border.

The Indian states of Assam and Meghalaya have also shown interest in importing bandwidth from Bangladesh, said Monwar.

“This bandwidth export has opened up a big opportunity for us.

After exporting it to India, other

The BSCCL has the capacity to export up to 50Gbps of bandwidth countries will also want to import bandwidth from Bangladesh,” he added.

India is currently importing 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) bandwidth

which will increase to 40Gbps later on, as per an agreement.

The BSCCL has the capacity to export up to 50Gbps of bandwidth.

The state-owned company signed a deal with the Indian stateowned BSNL on June 6 last year for exporting bandwidth during the Indian prime minister’s visit to Bangladesh.

According to the agreement, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) decided to import 10Gbps bandwidth for Tripura state from September last year, but the export timing had been fixed for Au-

gust. Later, both parties missed the deadline.

The submarine cable company will get the payment at the beginning of each quarter while Bangladesh will earn Tk9.6 crore a year by exporting bandwidth to India.

Bangladesh has a bandwidth capacity of 200Gbps, of which only 33% is used.

In 2006, Bangladesh got connected to the current submarine cable at a cost of $63m.

Industry insiders say the country’s demand for bandwidth may reach 210Gbps by 2021. l

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Speeding train kills motorcyclist n Tribune Report

Different Adivasi organisations go on a token hunger strike yesterday at the Central Shaheed Minar demanding full implementation of Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord and a separate land commission for the plain land indigenous people MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Separate land commission for plain land indigenous people demanded n Tribune Report Speakers at a token hunger strike yesterday demanded a separate land commission for indigenous people living in plain lands.

The hunger strike was organised by Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Citizens’ Committee and CHT Headman Network at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital.

They also demanded the full implementation of the CHT accord signed between the then Awami League government and Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti

back in 1997.

“We demand a separate land commission for plain land indigenous people immediately. The government claims that it has implemented 70% of the accord by providing us with only a compartment.

However, they did not fulfill the key provisions of the accord, which is considered the engine of the compartment,” said CHT Citizens’ Committee President Gautam Dewan.

He said: “We think there is no alternative for protecting the CHT people other than full implementation of the peace accord. However, what the government claims

about the accord’s implementation is wrong and we disagree with the claim.”

Bangladesh Adivasi Forum Secretary Sanjeeb Drong said: “No false hope will be accepted regarding indigenous rights, the CHT accord and the formation of a separate land commission for plain land indigenous people. The government should see today’s hunger strike in a positive way.”

“A top-level meeting was held to prepare the peace accord and now another meeting should be held to implement the deal,” he added.

Nijera Kori Coordinator Khushi

Banglalink axes 468 jobs n Ishtiaq Husain Private mobile phone operator Banglalink is laying off 468 employees today as part of a major overhaul to “build a digital organisation to carry out its digital vision.”

It announced the Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) last month. Sources claimed the management had told employees to apply for VSS and warned that some of them would lose jobs otherwise. Many applied, fearing they would be sacked and denied VSS benefits.

Bangladesh’s second-largest mobile operator Banglalink, a subsidiary of Netherlands-based VimpelCom Ltd, has over 32 million subscribers. It locked horns

with employees after sacking an engineer on February 10.

Several days later, it temporarily shut its headquarters and regional offices as agitation continued.

On February 23, Chief Commercial Officer Shihab Ahmed announced job cuts “to realise Banglalink’s vision to become a digitally savvy company”. He said not applying for VSS meant if the employee was sacked he would not receive its benefits.

Managing Director and CEO Erik Aas said he believed they would “set up Banglalink for success to become a digital service provider for our customers, and help the government achieve a Digital Bangladesh by 2021.”

He said those unable to

keep up with digital changes would have to leave.

The VSS scheme offers 24 months salary to permanent employees of level 18-27; 28 months salary to level 14-17; and 30 months salary to level 3-13.

By the February 29 deadline, 468 employees applied for VSS and 28 others went for it later. “Accepting overdue applications hints that Banglalink will cut more jobs,” a source said. The PR department declined comment.

Employees Union General Secretary Bakhtiar Hossain said they would not force decisions on members. “They should consult colleagues, friends and families. Employee will get all facilities protected by the law.” l

Kabir said: “We are now doing the same thing to the indigenous people that the Pakistani army did to Bangalees in 1971. The treatment of indigenous people does not reflect the spirit of our liberation war. To design the country with the true spirit of the war, we need to protect the rights of the indigenous people.”

At the hunger strike, Oikya NAP President Pankaj Bhattacharya, Dhaka University Professor Mesbah Kamal, and Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad General Secretary Rana Das Gupta were present among others. l

Motorcyclist Rowson Jamir was hit by an oncoming train yesterday morning when he tried to race past a rail crossing gate at Khilkhet area.

Though the gate had fallen and the speeding train was seconds away, the 39-year-old teacher of a Gazipur area school made the attempt and paid the price.

Rowson fell from the motorbike which was dragged down the tracks by the train. Locals rushed him to Kurmitola General Hospital where the doctor declared him dead.

The accident occurred yesterday around 9:30am at Bonorupa rail crossing in Khilkhet area in the capital, said Dhaka Railway police Sub-inspector (SI) Ali Akbar.

He also said the aforementioned train, the Rangpur express, had left Kamalapur railway station earlier that morning.

For this incident, the case was filed as an unnatural death.

Rowson’s body was handed over to family members without an autopsy, the SI added.

Rowson’s brother Advocate Mahmudul Hasan told Dhaka Tribune that Rowson worked as a headmaster of a BRTA public school in Gazipur. Though, a month ago, he resigned from that school and joined another school in the area.

He does not know the name of the current present school.

Rowson lived in Khilkhet with his wife Shayla Sarmin and only son Tahmid, a nursery student at a local school. Rowson was buried in his village at Lohagara upazila in Narail district, Mahmudul added. l

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‘Rampal plant against national interest’ n Aminur Rahman Rasel Labelling the proposed coal power plants near the Sundarbans as “projects against national interests,” Prof Anu Muhammad, member secretary of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports, has again urged the government to immediately stop implementing the initiatives.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune on the eve of staring a mass procession towards Rampal, the Jahangirnagar University teacher yesterday claimed that the Indian NTPC and Bangladeshi private company Orion, by implementing the hazardous coal-based projects were ignoring the warnings from local and international experts.

These projects would make the ecosystem of the mangroves forest more vulnerable whereas many people would lose their livelihood, he said, urging the countrymen to protest against the conspiracy of the vested interests.

The government, however, claims that the projects would not harm the Sundarbans, a Unesco World Heritage Site, as they would use advanced technology to cut emission of hazardous gases including carbon dioxide, fine particles and fly ash, and properly dispose the solid and liquid wastes.

Prof Anu alleged that the government was adamant to implement the joint venture project at Satmari Katakhali of Rampal for making profits.

He said that commercial and industrial activities had already begun in Rampal area centring these power plants. “Moreover, there are plans to establish an economic zone for India. The government has also approved large infrastructures like cement factories, shipyard and silo near the power plants.”

These activities would choke the Pashur River and canals, and the forest slowly, he said, alleging that the activists were barred by the law enforcement agencies from rais-

per Thermal Power Project at Rampal which will use imported coal.

The plant would adopt super critical technology. India's state-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd or BHEL has won the deal to build the plant.

On the other hand, local firm Orion Group is building a 566MW power plant in Rampal area.

The national committee has long been opposing the coal plants saying that the projects would pose major threat on the biodiversity of the forest, water species and livelihood of the people who depend on the forest's resources.

In February, the National Committee to Protect Sundarbans demanded an environmental impact assessment for the Rampal plant by international independent experts under the supervision of the UN. They dubbed the government's EIA a distorted one and demanded that construction work of the two power plants is suspended.

According to the EIA, the project area is about 14km north-eastward

ing their voices against the power plants during the previous events.

Members of the national committee and other green groups would start their march towards the Sundarbans this morning demanding that the projects be scrapped immediately.

The procession will begin from the National Press Club at 10am.

During the march, the activists are set to hold rallies at Jahangirnagar University of Savar, Manikganj, Faridpur, Magura, Jhenidah, Jessore, Noapara, Daulatpur and Khulna to raise public awareness against the projects. They will reach Rampal on Sunday.

The national committee earlier observed a long march from Dhaka to Rampal in September 2013, just a month before the prime minister inaugurated construction of the 1320MW power plant.

Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Ltd (BIFPCL), a joint venture of PDB and NTPC of India, is developing the Maitree Su-

Power to be bought from Indian market

Khaleda prays to scrap charitable case n Tribune Report BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia moved the High Court yesterday seeking the scrapping of the Zia Charitable Graft case against her.

Her counsel Mahbub Uddin Khokon filed the petition to scrap the case proceedings, citing “irregularities” in the appointment of the investigating officer (IO). The petition said while appointing the IO, the government did not comply with Section 20 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Act. The lawyer told reporters that the trial of the case will go on at the court of Dhaka’s Third Special Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar. The court has already completed the witness depositions. It is now recording the cross-examination of the last witness.

In the case, filed during the military-backed caretaker regime, the ACC accused Khaleda and three others of embezzling Tk3.15 crore.

Earlier Khaleda had moved the High Court with two petitions after she was indicted in the case in 2014, challenging the validity and legality of the appointment of the judge framing the charges. Both petitions were scrapped then. l

of the Nalian Range of the Sundarbans and 4km away from the Ecologically Critical Area boundary.

The project area has 95% arable land within a 10km radius and it will also affect fishing, cattle and birds and animals of the forest.

Prof Anu claimed that like the BNP, some Awami League leaders are also against the coal-based projects but they could not say this in public as it would go against the party's stance.

He said that the mass procession would create awareness among the people about the significance of the Sundarbans, one of the largest mangrove forests of the world.

He also mentioned about the concerns raised by the Unesco, the Ramsar and other local and international environment experts regarding the projects. A Unesco delegation of experts is likely to visit Bangladesh this month to learn about Dhaka’s initiatives to tackle the environmental impacts of the Rampal coal-fired power plant. l

n Tribune report

Trees beside Dhaka-Mawa highway in the capital’s Keraniganj have died as wastes dumped there are often burned MEHEDI HASAN

6 charged with schoolboy murder n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

Upon completing the investigation into the much-talked-about murder of 11-year-old Abdullah, Keraniganj model police yesterday pressed a charge sheet against six accused people.

Keraniganj model police station Sub-Inspector Md Shafiqul Islam, also the investigation officer, submitted the charge sheet at Dhaka’s Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, said Court Inspector Md Asaduzzaman.

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nappers twice took Tk2 lakh in ransom from his father claiming over the mobile phone they had abducted him. Despite the ransom payments, they did not return the boy.

On February 2, Abdullah’s decomposed body was found inside a plastic drum at a room in his uncle Motahar Hossain’s house at Mugarchar, close to where the boy lived.

Motahar, the prime accused, was killed in an alleged gunfight with RAB in South Keraniganj on February 16. l

The six accused are Md Khorshed Alam, Mehedi Hasan Shamim, Mithu Akhter, Kaikobad, Nasima Begum and Zahirul Islam. Nasima and Zahirul are on the run.

Thirty people have been made prosecution witnesses.

On January 29, Abdullah, a class-five student of West Mugarchar Govt Primary School in Keraniganj, went missing.

A GD was also lodged with Keraniganj Model police station about his disappearance. At one stage, kid38

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A cabinet committee on public purchase has approved a decision to purchase 140MW electricity from Indian open market.

A meeting of the cabinet committee on public purchase presided over by Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday cleared the Power Division proposal to import electricity from India.

After the meeting, Additional Secretary Mustafizur Rahman told reporters the cabinet committee had approved two proposals to import electricity from India.

He said the Bangladesh Power Development Board will import 100MW electricity from Tripura, India with cost per unit of Tk6.26 for the next five years. The government's total cost will be Tk2,443 crore over the next five years, he added.

The additional secretary also said BPDB will also import 40MW electricity from India's Jaiprakash Power Ventures with a per unit cost of Tk4. A sum of Tk 319.78 crore will be paid to Jaiprakash Power over the next two years for the purchase, according to the Power Division proposal. l Sylhet

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Fajr: 4:54am | Zohr: 12:09am Asr: 3:32pm | Magrib: 6:09pm Esha: 7:36pm Source: IslamicFinder.org

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SC commutes JMB man’s death penalty n

Tribune Report

The Supreme Court yesterday commuted the death sentence of a member of the banned militant outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in a case filed for the bomb attack on a judge in Sylhet in 2005.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain reduced the death penalty of Akhtaruzzaman and order him to jail until death.

He passed the order after hearing an appeal filed by the JMB man against his death penalty which was upheld by the High Court.

The death sentence was commuted taking into cognisance the age of the convict during the incident. He was 19.

On October 18, 2005, Biplob Goswami – judge of a speedy trial tribunal in Sylhet was injured in the bomb attack in Kumarpara area of Sylhet. The driver of his car, Abdus Salam, filed the case with Kotwali police station under the Explosive Substances Act. The District and Sessions Judge’s Court of Sylhet sentenced Akhtaruzzaman to death in the bomb attack case on February 28, 2006. l

Nahid: No alternative to Mirza Abbas gets HC bail reading for knowledge n Tribune Report

n

Shadma Malik

There is no alternative to enriching one’s knowledge than reading books. Although technology has made life easier to access and read books, the reading of books will always take precedence, said education minister Nurul Islam Nahid.

He made this statement at a reception recognising 71 authors of books published by University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) at its premises in the capital yesterday.

“The more improved our reading skills, the better we will be able to explain and communicate with others,” he added.

He also said that the act of writing books should be put in practice. Moreover, students should be encouraged to read books to gain comprehensive knowledge.

In his speech, the minister said: “The tradition for writing books should be maintained in the future.

Books need to be read to a great extent to increase our knowledge. More and more research has to be carried out for writing books,” he added.

Educationists should be encouraged to write more books at

the tertiary level using simple and lucid language. Students should be encouraged to practice knowledge, research and innovation.

In talking about the primary sector, Nurul Islam Nahid said: “At present, primary education sees 99% enrollment. But the big challenge is the dropout rate.”

“If we can ensure both male and female students are retained equally from the primary to tertiary level, we can overcome any challenge going forward,” he said.

To ensure standardised education, qualified teachers need to groom their students. He also underscored the need for modern, technical, Information Technology (IT)based education to build a developed and digital Bangladesh by 2021.

To this the minister added that knowledge and skill development should be the main targets in education.

At the programme, UGC chairman Abdul Mannan urged the authors to write more textbooks with the financial support of the UGC. He assured the authors of extending necessary financial support and cooperation for writing books in the future. l

The High Court yesterday granted bail to former BNP minister Mirza Abbas in a corruption case.

The bench of Justice Md Ruhul Quddus and Justice Mahmudul Hoque granted the bail after hearing a petition.

His lawyer Sagir Hossain Leon said that Abbas, also a member of the BNP's Standing Committee, was sent to jail on January 6 after he had

surrendered before it in the case.

After the High Court order, there is no bar for his release from jail.

The Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case on March 6, 2014 with Shahbagh police. The case says that Abbas while serving as the housing and the public works minister during 2001-06 allocated seven acres of Rajuk land to a journalists' cooperative society at a lower rate causing the state a loss of Tk16 crore. l

Bachte Shekha and Community Legal Services, Bangladesh jointly organised a discussion yesterday at Kaliakor upazila of Gazipur, marking the International Women's Day. A human chain was also organised on the occasion. Both programmes were coordinated by Rikta Begum, the upazila's officer for women's affairs. The discussion was chaired by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Sanowar Hossain, while the chief guest was Upazila Chairman Rezaul Karim Rasel

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Campaign of union parishad polls reaches peak Chhatra Dal man killed, scores injured across country

n Tribune Report Campaigning for the upcoming union parishad (UP) elections has reached its peak with stray incidents of violence across the country that left one person dead and scores injured yesterday.

In Pirojpur, a leader of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal was killed and another was injured as supporters of an Awami League candidate attacked him while he was returning home from conducting a campaign at Raghunathpur village, Nazirpur upazila early yesterday.

The deceased is Shamsul Haque Chhoto, joint convener of the Nazirpur upazila unit. He was also the nephew of the BNP-backed candidate for chairman of Sheikhmatia union Towhid Chairman.

Officer-in-charge of Nazirpur police station M Nasiruddin Mallik said Chhoto took part in an election

campaign with his maternal uncle Towhid.

In the evening, he and his friend Jahangir, also a BNP leader, were returning home from Raghunathpur on a motorcycle.

On their way, a group of four to five unidentified miscreants intercepted them and took them to an adjacent field.

The miscreants hacked Chhoto and Jahangir with sharp weapons around 9pm, leaving the duo critically injured.

Later, the two were whisked off to Nazirpur Upazila Health Complex and later shifted to Khulna Medical College Hospital while Chhoto succumbed to his injuries on route around 12:30am.

Our Bogra correspondent reports: Some miscreants vandalised a BNP party office, and assaulted supporters of a BNP candidate at Bamna union parishad.

BNP-backed candidate Md Anayet Kabir told the Dhaka Tribune that supporters of Awami League candidate Chowdhury Kamaruzzaman Sogir picked up some of their supporters from an election campaign rally, assaulted them and vandalised the party office.

“If the situation continues, it will be tough for us to take part in the election,” he said.

Chowdhury Kamaruzzaman Sogir, however, said no one from his party had attacked BNP supporters.

Returning Officer CM Rezaul Karim said: “We have received complaints. Action will be taken according to the electoral law.”

Officer-in-Charge of Bamna police station told the Dhaka Tribune that they had already arrested one person in connection with the attack.

Our Barguna correspondent said

over 100 people were injured in several clashes between supporters of Awami League and BNP candidates.

Of them, 60 people were injured in Charfashion and over 50 were injured at Digholdi and Ilisha union parishads.

Yanur Rahman Biplob Molla, an Awami-League-backed candidate, said miscreants blasted several bombs at his election office to create panic among activists.

Police recovered two short guns and a bomb-like object from the spot. Officer-in-Charge of Bhola Model police station told the Dhaka Tribune that they were looking into the matter.

In Sirajganj, a clash took place between supporters of an Awami League-backed candidate and a rival candidate, leaving 10 people injured. Of them, two with bullet wounds were undergoing treat-

ment at Sirajganj Sadar Hospital.

Nasir Uddin Najir, an Awami League rival candidate, told the Dhaka Tribune that supporters of Awami League candidate Golam Sarowar Liton swooped on him and his supporters while they conducted an election campaign at Bhatharia Bazar in the afternoon. Following the attack, a clash took place between their supporters.

The phone of Golam Sarowar Liton was found switched off when this correspondent tried to get his comment about the incident.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Motaher Hossain said: “Supporters of both candidates violated the electoral code and conduct as they were holding rallies without taking permission from the district administration.”

To bring the situation under control, police shot several bullets, he added. l

Six to die for killing n Tribune Report

A minor girl assists her father in harvesting garlic in a field of Haldachi village in Mohonpur, Rajshahi. The crops have grown in northern region of the country this year abundantly. The picture has been taken recently AZAHAR UDDIN

A court in Chittagong yesterday sentenced six persons to death on charge of killing a student of Chittagong Government High School in 2011.

The convicts are Mahmudul Islam, Sunil Das, Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, Md Hossen alias Sagor, Nazrul Islam and Md Selim.

Of them, Sunil is a relative of the victim.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of metropolitan police Kazi Muttaki Ibn Minan told the Dhaka Tribune that the tribunal also fined Mahmudul, Nazrul, Sunil and Mizanur Rahaman Tk1,00,000 while all the six convicts were fined

Tk10,000 and 5,000 each.

According to the prosecution, Mahmudul and his brother Nazrul had taken Himel Das, the student of the school and an SSC examinee, to make a pleasure trip with them in Bandarban on May 8, 2011 from where Himel was reportedly abducted later.

The following day Himel’s mother Papiya Sen filed a general diary with Double Mooring police station.

Tracing the mobile phone number, police recovered the body of Himel from Nagajiri Pahar, a remote area of Bandarban on May 14,just after two-day later of his SSC result where Himel had secured GPA-5. l

Country people see lacklustre hartal, life remains normal n Tribune Report

Life in the capital Dhaka and elsewhere in the country was almost normal despite a nationwide hartal called by Jamaat-e-Islami, a day after the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division upheld the death penalty of their leader Mir Quasem Ali for his 1971 crimes against humanity.

Local sources said passenger buses in all routes alongside the private cars operated as usual while presence in offices and business establishments were normal in the capital and other major cities.

Banks and stock markets worked normally and authorities also kept open the schools while transport operators said ferry and

trains services were operated as usual linking the capital with rest of the country.

Authorities earlier called out paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in aide of police and elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) during the hartal but no law and order situation was reported requiring their actions.

Jamaat called the dawn-to-dusk countrywide strike immediately after the apex court pronounced its verdict upholding Ali’s capital punishment originally handed down by the International Crimes Tribunal 16 months ago.

“BGB, RAB, armed police and plainclothesmen were kept alert with video and still cameras at dif-

ferent strategic points in the capital,” said deputy commissioner (DC) of Media Wing of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

The premier port city experienced a lackluster hartal yesterday as no untoward incident was reported.

Chittagong Metropolitan Police sources said around 1,500 additional policemen were deployed in the city.

The activists and leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami were not also seen to bring out any procession in support of the shutdown.

Debdas Bhattacharya, CMP additional commissioner, said no untoward incident was reported in the city during the hartal.

Meanwhile, Chittagong city unit of 14-party alliance led by Awami League held rallies in different places of the premier port city.

A good number of public transports as well as private vehicles were seen plying the city streets while the public buses and heavy vehicles on the long distance routes plied during the shutdown as usual.

However, the academic activities in the city’s educational institutes remained suspended.

Chittagong Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) authority sources said operational activities inside the CEPZ went on in full-swing and attendance of the workers was normal.

Chittagong Railway station sources said no disruption to rail communication was reported. Besides, the hartal did not affect the domestic and international flights at Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport, Bangladesh Biman sources said.

Operational activities including loading and unloading of cargoes at ships inside Chittagong Port and outer anchorage went on in full-swing.

In Savar, two buses were set afire by unidentified miscreants at Shyamoli CNG Refueling Station in Baliarpur area of the upazila early Wednesday, hours before the Jamaat-e-Islami enforced hartal got underway. l

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Transport workers’ agitation Five to walk gallows for killing in Rangpur hits north’s oil supply n Our Correspondent, Sirajganj The supply of fuel oil at key depots in the northern districts of the country resumed after a brief snap yesterday as transport workers agitated against alleged police extortion and harassment.

North Bengal Tank Lorry Workers’ Union protested at Sirajgnaj’s Shahjadpur Baghabari, cutting oil supply to state-owned Jamuna, Padma, and Meghna depots, leading to a five-hour stagnation.

Agitators called off protests after police and local administration intervened and assured them of taking effective measures over the

issue.

Worker’s union chief Md Shahjahan said Jamalpur sadar police had confiscated an oil tanker of Baghabari Jamuna depot after the driver failed to show proper documents on Tuesday.

He claimed workers leaders and police failed to reach an agreement as the latter demanded a huge sum of money in exchange of releasing the tanker.

Police rejected the allegation.

Officer-in-Charge Abdul Awal said they released the tanker after they were shown necessary documents.

Shahjadpur Circle ASP Abul Hasnat, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md

Shamim Ahammed and workers’ leaders held an emergency meeting yesterday.

Hasnat said police did not release the vehicle even after valid documents were shown. “I informed the superintendent of police who spoke with the Jamalpur SP and freed the vehicle,” he added.

UNO Shamim said workers started agitating after failing to free the oil tanker.

“Police personnel went to the spot and informed Sirajganj deputy commissioner about the situation.

Later, the protesters ended their agitation after Jamalpur police released the tanker at the deputy commissioner’s behest.” l

A human chain is formed at Kansat, Chapainawabganj yesterday demanding exemplary punishment of the driver who allegedly killed two policeman recently DHAKA TRIBUNE

Drug addicted son kills father Correspondent, n Our Kishoreganj

A man was killed allegedly by his drug addict son at Pachhimpara village in Katiadi upazila of the district yesterday.

The deceased was Manik Mian, a cement and steel trader in the area.

According to local sources, John, 37, the son of Manik confined him in a room in

the morning and demanded money for buying drug. He started beating Manik as he denied the proposal.

Sensing the torture on him, locals went to the spot and tried to rescue him. But John beat them, leaving some of them injured.

On information, police went to the spot and tried to rescue Manik. John also attacked the police personnel, leaving three of them injured.

Later, additional police forces were sent to the spot and they rescued Manik in critical condition.

They sent him to Bhagalpur Hospital from where he was being taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital. He died on the way.

Abdus Salam, officer-incharge of Katiadi police station, confirmed the incident.

A case was filed in this connection. l

Man kills brother for land Correspondent, n Our Noakhali

A man was killed by his younger brother at Kotra village in Mahbbatpur area under Begumganj upazila of the district yesterday.

The deceased was Mo-

minullah 52, son of Nurul Haque in the village.

Golam Farooq, officer-incharge Begumganj Model police station, said Momin Ullah and his brother Habib Ullah got locked in an altercation over a piece of land around 9am.

At one stage, Habib Ullah hit on the head of Momin Ullah leaving him dead on the spot.

On information, police recovered the body and sent it to Noakhali General Hospital.

A case was filed in this connection. l

n Tribune Report A court yesterday sentenced five people to death for killing his mentally challenged woman in 2006.

Additional District and Session Judge Abu Zafar Mohammad Kamruzzaman sentenced Abdul Mazid, brother of the victim, Maminul Islam, Emdadul Islam, Ariful Islam and Anwarul Islam-to death for killing Anjila Khatun.

According to the prosecution, convict Emdadul had an enmity with his neighbour Badsha Mia over a piece of land. As a sequel to the enmity, Emdadul hired Abdul Mazid at Tk 2 lakh to kill his elder sister aiming to implicate Badsha-

ha in the killing.

Later, on March 9, 2006, the convicts took Anjila Khatun, 30, daughter of late Abul Hossain of Kumarpur village in Priganj uapzila, to a bamboo cluster and killed her by slitting her throat.

Police recovered the body of Anjila on the following day from the bamboo cluster.

Abdul Baki, elder brother of Anjila, filed a case in this connection.

Police later arrested Abdul Mazid and the others as Mazid made confessional statements before the court under section 164.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Abu Zafar Mohammad Kamruzzaman handed down the verdict. l

Women leaders awarded n N Anita Amreen As part of the second edition of “Yellow Presents Inspiring Women Award” that took place on Women’s Day this month, 19 awards were handed over across 16 broad categories to women that have excelled at different fronts and sectors in Bangladesh. First introduced in 2015 by Bangladesh Brand Forum, the award was designed to honour female leaders as well inspire other women to follow female role models.

“As a visual artist myself, I am humbled to admit that I’ve always been encouraged by my family and peers to follow my dreams and let myself grow. Over the years I realised that not all women are as blessed or even as privileged as I have been and this really got me thinking,” explains Nazia Andaleeb Preema, president of Women in Leadership. Attending the Ekushey Shahitya Award a few years ago, Preema realised there weren’t enough awards being given to women leaders, entrepreneurs and role models and she felt that there is a “pressing need to really address this gap.”

Spurred by this idea, Preema decided to create a platform that both rewards and encourages women leaders.

“I wanted to be here today, on behalf of Yellow, the retail division of Beximco, because I wanted to honour the inspiring women of Bangladesh,” expressed Syed Naved Husain, CEO of Beximco at the event.

“What I’m really very impressed with is the courageous and brave attitude of women in general, and their strong growth coming forward in all sectors of life - whether it’s economical, political or social. The unsung heroes of Bangladesh, in my opinion, are the three million women who work in the garment sector. Bangladeshi women, rapidly more so than any part of South Asia, are coming out of the outdated attitudes they had towards women. These garment workers are impacting the lives of 150 million people of Bangladesh.

You can see the major contribution these women have made into what is really the bloodline of Bangladesh’s economy. That’s the economics sector, coming to the

political sector it’s very interesting that the PM, the speaker of the assembly, leader of the opposition, and the leader of the largest political party are all women. So having these women leaders has put Bangladesh way ahead of most countries in the subcontinent, it’s something all women should celebrate,” he added.

The winners were selected by a jury that consisted of N E A Shibly, CEO and chief consultant, Pro-Edge Associates, M Zulfiquar Hussain, CEO and lead consultant, Grow N Excel, Masud Rahman, president, Cancham, Shah Masud Imam, COO, Polar Ice Cream, Asif Iqbal, executive director, marketing, Meghna Group of Industries and Tariqul Haque, Enroute International Limited.

The winners were chosen after a thorough selection process and month long nomination.

“It feels wonderful to be awarded for being a female entrepreneur. This is my first individual award, and I’m honoured to be able to serve as a role model for so many women,” expressed Sangeeta Khan, Yellow Inspiring Female Entrepreneur awardee. “I really think women should believe in themselves and have confidence in their dreams.

Dream big, but always make sure your dreams have a goal and everyday, tell yourself you are the things you dream to be, and success will be yours,” she adds.

The gala ceremony celebrated everyone from women in journalism to women athletes.

Later a bi-monthly publication was launched at the event followed by cultural performances by Warda Rihab (also the recipient of the Inspiring Female Performer), Shaian and Shumi from Chirkut music band. Taking things up a notch was the “It’s a She Thing” performance, the adaptation of a world renowned play.

Presented by Yellow, the award was organised this year in association with Le Meridien Dhaka. Parachute and RFL were the event partners. The event was also supported by FICCI, MCCI, Dhaka Tribune and the Daily Ittefaq as media partners, Masthead PR as PR partner, Gtv as TV partner, Webable as social media partner, and Colors FM 101.6 as radio partner. l

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Awardees

Sumona Sharmin, feature editor of ProthomAlo awarded with the Inspiring Female Journalist award

Major Sara Amir, Bangladesh Army awarded with the Inspiring Woman in Army/ Defense award by Rupali Chowdhury, managing director of Berger Paints

Wasfia Nazreen, mountaineer and social activist being awarded with the Yellow Inspiring Woman of the Nation award

Sangeeta Khan, managing partner, Divine Beauty Lounge and partner, Time Out Restaurant being awarded with the Yellow Inspiring Female Entrepreneur award

Sanjana Zerin, territory officer, British American Tobacco Bangladesh being awarded with the Aspiring Woman Leader award

Rumana Rahman, head of Human Resources, British American Tobacco Bangladesh being awarded with the Inspiring Woman Leader award

• Aspiring Woman Leader - Sanjana Zerin, territory officer, British American Tobacco Bangladesh • Progressing Woman Leader - Farzana Sharmin, head of UK and USA Product Development Team (Manager), Paxar Bangladesh Ltd and Sayma Rahman, senior digital partnership Specialist, Grameenphone Limited • Inspiring Woman Leader - Rumana Rahman, head of Human Resources, British American Tobacco Bangladesh • Most Female-Friendly Organisation – Grameenphone • ASUS Leaders of Tomorrow – Sabira Mehrin Saba, IBA, University of Dhaka • Inspiring Male – Naveed Mahbub, comedian and media personality • Inspiring Female Startup - Shohoj.com, Maliha M Quadir, founding managing director • RFL Inspiring Woman in Sports - Salma Khatun, Bangladesh National Women’s Cricket Team • RFL Inspiring Female in Cinema - Joya Ahsan, actor • Yellow Inspiring Female Diplomat - Ismat Jahan, Ambassador of Bangladesh, Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Communities • Yellow Inspiring Woman of the Nation - Wasfia Nazreen, mountaineer and social activist • Yellow Most Dynamic Woman of the Year - Sonia Bashir Kabir, managing director, Microsoft Bangladesh • Marico Inspiring Woman Against the Odds Ashrafun Nahar, founder, Women with Disabilities Development Foundation (WDDF) • Inspiring Female Performer (Dance) - Warda Rihab, Classical/Manipuri dancer and Dhriti Nartanalaya • Yellow Inspiring Female Entrepreneur - Sangeeta Khan, managing partner, Divine Beauty Lounge and partner, Time Out Restaurant • Inspiring Woman in Army/ Defense - Major Sara Amir, Bangladesh Army • Yellow Inspiring Woman for Lifetime Achievement Geeteara Safiya Choudhury, chairman, ADCOMM LTD

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

MSF to help victims of gender-based violence

n Features Desk Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is a medical organisation founded in 1971 that today works in more than 70 countries around the world.

MSF delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. They offer assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF has been working in Bangladesh since 1992 and currently runs two projects.

MSF’s clinics in the slum areas of Kamrangirchar provide a range of services focusing on sexual and gender-based violence, adolescent reproductive health and occupational health for factory workers. MSF also runs a clinic in Kutupalong, Cox’s Bazar, providing health and maternal care to Rohingya refugees and the local Bangladeshi population.

Globally, almost 30% of all women, who have been in a relationship, have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner (WHO, 2013).

There has been a steep rise in victims of sexual and genderbased violence receiving medical treatment in the slum areas of Kamrangirchar, Dhaka.

Hundreds more women and girls accessed medical treatment in 2015 after experiencing sexual and gender-based violence in Kamrangirchar, Dhaka. New patient data collected by MSF shows clinics run by MSF in the areas of Alinogor, Thoda and Jawlahati treated almost double the amount of victims of sexual

and gender-based violence in 2015 compared to that of the previous year, with 1,154 patients compared to 684 in 2014. This includes those who have experienced rape, intimate partner violence, sexual violence and domestic violence.

“As soon as we opened these decentralised clinics, combined with raising awareness locally, we saw large numbers of women and girls who needed medical care,” says Emilie Gassier, MSF’s project coordinator in Kamrangirchar.

“Usually women come to get help when their husbands and relatives are at work. Often they cannot afford the cost or the time to go to other areas of Dhaka. So it is important to have easily accessible clinics near them, allowing victims to avail services without having to explain themselves to anybody.”

MSF’s clinics for women in Kamrangirchar, established in 2013, are the only health facilities in the area offering free and confidential medical services and counselling for victims of sexual and gender-based violence, to provide community based services that are easily accessible.

MSF collaborates with the One Stop Crisis Center (OCC) run by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in the Dhaka Medical College Hospital for severe cases that require referral services.

In 2015, more than 700 of the women cared for by MSF had experienced intimate partner violence. While women and girls of all ages come to the clinic, most patients are aged from 1530, confirmed Dr Moury, one of the medics running the women’s clinics in Kamrangirchar.

“The younger girls really struggle to open up about any sexual or physical violence they might have experienced,” says the doctor. “The main issues are the stigma and their sense that they have no alternative – that even though their husband is assaulting them, they have to stay with him.

Some see it as their fate. We see that women are often too scared to get help, but as awareness grows that these services are here and accessible to them, more and more women are seeking treatment.”

MSF’s clinics for women focus on treating the medical consequences of sexual and gender-based violence. For example, those who have experienced rape may have serious injuries resulting from the attack, as well as increased risk of sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea, as well as hepatitis B and HIV. Sexual violence is also associated with a high prevalence of symptoms related to post traumatic stress (eg avoidance, flashbacks and nightmares) and with other mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety.

Women are encouraged to come within 72 hours of experiencing an assault to be seen by our doctors and talk to the mental health team, but they are also welcome anytime, even if they cannot make it within 72 hours.

“It is essential that these women can make their own decisions about their medical needs, and it is vital that they have a place where they can get confidential medical care and psychosocial support,” says Emilie Gassier. l

Educational support can reduce early marriage

Incidence of early marriage is only 6% among secondary school aged girls who received support from Girls’ Education Program of Room to Read, whereas incidence of early marriage is 39% among other girls. This discovery came to light in the research findings sharing event organised by Room to Read Bangladesh on “Combating Early Marriage: Experience of Room to Read’s Girls’ Education Program.”

Here it is also shown that the percentage of girls continuing education even after marriage is much higher among Room to Read supported girls than other girls.

The research findings sharing event was held on March 9 at Spectra Conference Center in Gulshan-1 in the capital.

Vice chancellor of Jahangirnagar University, Professor Dr Farzana Islam was present in the event as the chief guest. Professor Dr S M Wahiduzzama, director (College and Administration), directorate of Secondary and Higher Education was present as the special guest of the event.

This research covered 500 secondary school girls from

eight secondary schools of Sirajganj District.

This research also reveals that Room to Read was able to reduce the incidence of early marriage through creating awareness among girls about negative consequences of early marriage, developing aspiration among girls for continuing education, improving life skill of girls to negotiate key decisions regarding their own lives, among many other aspects.

Room to Read is a global organisation that develops literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children, and support girls to complete secondary school with the relevant life skills to succeed in school and beyond. In Bangladesh, Room to Read so far covered 195,163 government primary school children by constructing and renovating 77 primary and high schools, establishing over 2,805 class room libraries in 635 government primary schools, publishing 60 new children’s books, and providing holistic and intensive support in education over 1,430 girls in Brahmanbaria, Sirajganj and Natore districts. l

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Editorial 11

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

INSIDE

Another letter to Uncle Sam For so many years, we so stupidly digested your sham narrative and notion of freedom, democracy, globalisation, human rights, and vulture capital (capitalism) PAGE 12

Putting safety first could save your life Social media can be used to spread the word about safety and create awareness.

Teachers can arrange fire information sessions at schools, colleges, and universities PAGE 13

Lessons from Putin The fact that we have prominent Western journalists and academics blaming Hillary Clinton or the CIA, is surely a remarkable coup for the Russian propaganda machine. In all wars, propaganda and counter-propaganda have muddled up the facts for the otherwise distant global public opinion PAGE 14

Be heard Write to Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/ DhakaTribune.

The views expressed in Opinion articles are those of the authors alone. They do not purport to be the official view of Dhaka Tribune or its publisher.

Get a move on with Bus Rapid Transit

T

he cabinet’s approval of a new law to regulate services on the planned Dhaka to Gazipur bus rapid transit route, does not make up for continuing delays on the Tk2,042cr scheme.

BRT construction work has been repeatedly stalled by a series of delays in designs and tenders since the project began in 2012.

While it is right that the government should make provision to set service standards and fares, priority needs to be given to getting construction work back on track.

It is not good enough for officials to be briefing reporters that the project will enable comfortable journeys between Gazipur and the capital in 20 minutes, if the February 2015 deadline for completing detailed design of bus lanes from Shahjalal Airport to Gazipur has still not been met.

This project is meant to cut commuting times along the DhakaGazipur route by facilitating 140 buses carrying 40,000 passengers per hour along purpose-built bus corridors between Shahjalal Airport and Gazipur.

If progress is not expedited, the BRT project risks falling behind the Metro Rail project, which it is intended to complement. With road space at a premium, improving bus services by building dedicated express routes and allocating public transport-only lanes are the most costeffective means available to cut congestion and increase capacity.

The BRT project should lie at the heart of efforts to reform public transport for Dhaka’s residents.

It is not acceptable for work on the scheme to be delayed any longer.

Buses are the only means of transport available for most people. It is in everyone’s interest for the government and BRTC to put improving buses first.

We cannot afford not to prioritise public transport if we want to speed journey times for everyone and lift the curse of traffic jams.

We cannot afford not to prioritise public transport

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Opinion

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

Another letter to Uncle Sam Why can’t America live without enemies?

n Amer Wahab

D

ear Sam Chacha, Belated greetings for the new year. Hope the days ahead bring you and the people of your great nation happiness in abundance.

I am sure you celebrated the advent of the new year with fireworks lighting up your sky with renewed hopes of pursuing your dreams in the days ahead.

Many people gathered at Times Square and enjoyed the brilliantly co-ordinated orchestra of fireworks. But tell me one thing Chacha, why do you and your allies embark on such a frenzy of celebration with lethal fireworks day after day over the skies of other countries?

Chacha, unlike most people, I know who do it every year and fail to keep their promises, you don’t stress over making any new year’s resolutions. Guess the one you formulated way back in the early 90s under the rubric of “Defense

Has the United States abandoned its constitutional values?

For so many years, we so stupidly digested your sham narrative and notion of freedom, democracy, globalisation, human rights, and vulture capital (capitalism)

Planning Guidance” (DPG) for Global Dominance is the permanent resolution that you revisit and pursue every successive year with renewed vigour.

The aggression and the commitment with which you commissioned DPG for rearranging the geo-political landscape of the countries in the Mashriq and the Magrib (North Africa) seems to have gone hopelessly out of control.

Perhaps at this juncture, you may wish to reflect upon and re-examine the events that led to such political and economic instability in the world today. The crafty lies orchestrated by some of the monstrous, mean minds incubated in the prestigious centres of learning (universities) in your country have now come out in the open, but have exiled peace, happiness, and co-operation -once the natural state of affairs in so many countries.

Chacha, every night I go to sleep updating myself on the plight of citizens of some countries in West Asia. Last night, I woke

up with a bad dream. The evil dragons of your hemisphere unleashed their wrath with intense fury, mutilating everything and all life in its way. I just can’t reflect much on the dream, but only that bit, brief and very scary, to which I woke up throwing my pillow up in the air and screaming, “oh God, oh my God.” Your dragons were shooting double cheese hamburgers spiked with needles to hold them together all over a vast desert, and no sooner did a child, a hungry child, Chacha, pick it up and bite it, the Big Mac exploded in her mouth. Brains went flying, and the child didn’t even have a moment to scream for the angels in heaven to hear.

The object was very familiar to the child, for her parents once treated her to a smaller-sized McVersion when life was vibrant in that country, and that was not in the distant past. Guess you are now proceeding with the second phase of the DPG strategy. But be careful Chacha, the assortment of badly-injured enemies are now

scattered all over the world, and not confined to your catchment area.

The mayhem that is continuing in so many destabilised countries to satisfy the collective avarice of your partners to dominate resources and markets globally has only left us with globalised terror and despair.

In recent days, the windwhipped channels of the Aegean has devoured thousands of innocent lives. Marwan, the fouryear-old separated from his family, crossed the Jordanian desert, lost and traumatised, Marium the seven-year-old angel had to let go of her mother’s hand only to be washed ashore lifeless, eyes wide open, staring at the stars over the beautiful island of Lesvos.

Four million Syrian refugees, thousands of children separated from parents, and fractured families who have crossed the many borders of Syria, will perhaps keep the world’s largest chat-room, the UN, its branches, and global consultants, occupied for many years to come.

By the way Chacha, how are the retired serial violators of peace, Rude Rumsfeld, Pow Wow Powell, and Cheney doing? The world still resonates with the cry, “Chaine shanti na dia Cheney.” I am sure they have been replaced by more competent planners endowed with a more challenging task of consolidating your interests in countries where you have successfully destabilised the

REUTERS

governments, and peace has been sentenced to hopelessness.

I understand you occasionally feel bad, but please don’t shoulder all the burden. It is a collective assault, and each and every collaborating partner nation, your aid-de-camp in Downing Street, the European Union, and the Saudi monarchy have generously contributed to human misery around the world. Besides, you also have the support of most of the world’s heritage institutions -- the UN, the IMF, World Bank, WTO, human rights organisations.

Just can’t remember the names of all the other international porno financial and “humanitarian” institutions located in your neighbourhood. Post-invasion, you let these institutions loose like a swarm of bees carrying unlimited greenbacks stamped “In God we trust,” who then vacuumclean the country of resources and people with self-respect and brains by employing them under a mandatory oath of allegiance to clean the mess.

I suggest that, in order to contain the growing rebellion, it may not be a bad idea at this stage to revisit the preambles of your constitution that reads so much like a manifesto of humanism, abandoned many moons ago, and bring about amendments to synchronise with your intentions and establish habits of your allies.

This will perhaps lend more credibility to your engagement in confiscating the voice of dissent

against you globally. I must admit that the model you have devised to seek out enemies and instigate conflicts among nations and within communities, to prepare the ground to invade, subdue, and disintegrate countries, is remarkable.

For so many years, we so stupidly digested your sham narrative and notion of freedom, democracy, globalisation, human rights, and vulture capital (capitalism).

Chacha, tell me one thing, how come you cannot live without an enemy? What happens when you and your partners run out of enemies? I am sure all of you will travel to Mars and put up a billboard saying: “Enemy wanted -- superpower has arrived to extend their gracious hospitality.” I am appalled by your magnanimity towards the human race.

Well, that’s all for today. Before I conclude, let me share few couplets written way back in the 60s by the great Syrian poet Nazir Qabbani: Friends/ The old word is dead/ The old books are dead/ Our speech with holes like worn-out shoes is dead/ Dead is the mind that led to defeat/ Our desert oil could have become daggers of flame and fire/ We are a disgrace to our noble ancestors/ We wear the cape of civilisation/ But our soul lives in the Stone Age. l Amer Wahab is a marketing research professional with interest in history and politics.

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Putting safety first could save your life Fire safety is often ignored in Bangladesh, but it shouldn’t be

Developed nations don’t underestimate the importance of fire safety

n Mohammad Atique Rahman

W

e often use the saying “Nero fiddled while Rome burned” to describe someone who does not care much about himself and others in times of disaster and accidents.

Three people died last month in Dhaka city by fire in their homes.

According to the fire victim’s own statement, they had knocked every door on each floor for help when they were burning, and tried to get down to the ground floor from the seventh.

But unfortunately, none of their neighbours had been able to help them. Did they act like Nero? Or were they hypnotised with their so-called silo-like urban lives and felt very little for the fire victims?

In this, my proposition is that they had no idea about what they should’ve done in order to protect themselves from the fire.

They were careless, but on the top of that, they were unprepared, unaware, and ignorant about how to fight fire.

Dhaka is a rapidly expanding city in South Asia. It is a city of over 17 million people. The rapid

urbanisation of Dhaka attracts people from all over the country to live and engage in various activities for their livelihood.

Dhaka makes the lives of city dwellers easy and comfortable by providing all urban amenities, including gas and electricity.

Although gas and electricity are part and parcel of urban lives, sometimes they become a threat to lives as well.

Therefore, the security systems in place in Dhaka require huge revision. We tend to use big locks to protect our homes from burglary. However, the major threat is inside our homes.

How many of us are really aware of this? We start a discussion when something happens and then forget about it until the next fire takes more lives. We need to adopt safety precaution into our everyday lives.

It is the foundation on which people can build their own moral and spiritual dedication, by ensuring safety, firstly for themselves, and then for others. Safety first is a precondition that people must consider, no matter where they are: At home, hanging out with friends, at work, or at play. Adopt-

BIGSTOCK

Gas leakages cannot be traced by ordinary people. The local burner’s mechanics can easily provide this service. The gas line too should be checked regularly, or when there is a possibility of leakage.

The gas distribution authority can also be called upon to check and fix the problem. In the kitchen, we can keep some jute bags and bucket of sands if possible. In many countries, people keep fire-protective clothes and fire extinguishers in kitchens for their safety.

In the developed world, individual tenants must get fire insurance. Under insurance, there is a clear provision about individual liabilities for causing fires in the building.

The recent housing contracts in Dhaka can use fire safety provisions where both tenants and landlord are aware of their liabilities if and when there is a fire accident.

The house-owners have to inform and present safety measures and the evacuation plan to the tenant before the contract.

The contract must also mention what the tenants should not do in the house which may cause fire, including major changes/repairs in the gas, electricity, and water lines without notifying the houseowners. Only experts should be

Social media can be used to spread the word about safety and create awareness. Teachers can arrange fire information sessions at schools, colleges, and universities

ing this may sound like a mountainous task, but a little amount of dedication can ensure this.

A fire is perhaps not likely to happen in our lifetimes, but if it does happen, it can cost significant loss of life and property. Fire safety is not a top agenda for the house-owners and tenants in Dhaka city.

Sometimes house-owners might install fire safety equipment in their building, but they’ll pretty much forget about it soon.

Therefore, to ensure safety at home, we can start by collecting the numbers of fire brigade offices in our localities and posting them on the most easily accessible and visible areas of our home. So that in times of disaster, people can seek help from professional rescuers.

To ensure a safety system inside the building, all tenants should ask their landlords to install fire-extinguishers. These are not expensive. Even if the landlords are unwilling to provide this equipment, tenants can buy this themselves. At least once every six months, the functionality of this equipment should be checked.

But, if we have fire extinguishers and not know how to use them, it will be of no use.

So every family member of the house should learn how to use a fire extinguisher by meeting with the neighbours for a few times a year. The care-taker of the building should be trained as well.

The distribution lines of gas and electricity in Dhaka are in precarious conditions. They remain exposed in many houses.

allowed to fix them.

Awareness is the most important precondition before one takes any of these steps towards safety. Social media can be used to spread the word about safety and create awareness. Teachers can arrange fire information sessions at schools, colleges, and universities. CEOs can send emails to their employees about fire safety. Friends can create fire safety groups to discuss safety first measures. It will only take a few minutes of our time, but may save many lives in the long run.

Before you live your life, make it safe first. l Mohammad Atique Rahman is Assistant Professor of Dhaka University and Doctoral Research Fellow, Ghent University, Belgium.

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Opinion

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

Lessons from Putin Russia is putting it head back into the conflict in Syria, and seems poised to win it

Do these children get to voice their point of view?

n Azeem Ibrahim

D

oes anyone really understand what the war in Syria is truly about?

Many analysts working for the various governments who have a stake in the conflict seem to think they have a pretty good idea -- as do many independent academics. Trouble is, there does not seem to be very much agreement amongst them.

That various “insider” sources for the Russian or the American government should disagree profoundly is not that surprising.

But when we have a reasonably coherent narrative in the Western mainstream media, which is nonetheless opposed by prominent commentators and academics such as Stephen Kinzer, Jeffrey Sachs, John Pilger, or Patrick Cockburn, it is no wonder that the public is confused -- or often quite polarised behind twisted, partisan narratives.

Quite what the reasons why people who are otherwise perfectly sensible should disagree so deeply about what are, in principle, matters of fact, is not always immediately clear. And the lazy and convenient thing to do here would be to cast doubt on their motivations or character.

There has definitely been a lot of that going on as well between commentators on either side of the debate. But I think this is something that should be resisted. Yet we can still give a critical account of where they are coming from.

Largely, I think, people’s analysis will be hugely informed by the broader world-view that

they hold. For example, in the case of Cockburn, we can surmise that his highest priority is ending the war as quickly as possible, irrespective of what the outcome may be, so that we can turn our attention to ISIS.

REUTERS

work for decades to come.

Pilger and other commentators similar to him are somewhat blindsided, in my opinion, by a world-view in which every geopolitical event or occurrence is somehow the outcome of Western

ultimately does.

The problem is that if you always assume from the onset that you know who the bad guy is, in this case, ISIS, or America, or some sub-set of the US establishment, then it is entirely

The fact that we have prominent Western journalists and academics blaming Hillary Clinton or the CIA or whoever else, is surely a remarkable coup for the Russian propaganda machine. But this is not necessarily all that surprising. In all wars, propaganda and counter-propaganda have muddled up the facts for the otherwise distant global public opinion

Since this is the priority, he wants the West to get over its squeamishness, back the brutal dictator and “do what needs to be done.”

It is an understandable point of view, but I also believe it is a tragically short-sighted one. A minority Shia Alawite government in charge of a population that is 80% Sunni, maintained in power by brutal repression and large-scale murder of political dissidents, is just not going to be sustainable in the long term.

It has not been sustainable up to now. That is how the Syrian civil war started in the first place.

And nothing is going to fan the flames of Sunni militancy like the impression that such a brutal dictatorship is being acquiesced, even supported, by Western “imperial” powers. Western leaders coming out for Assad would do ISIS all its recruitment

imperialist ideas.

Now, Pilger is an award-winning investigative journalist for a very good reason. Some of his analyses of human rights abuse and crimes against humanity perpetrated by or enabled by Western governments have been hugely important contributions to our democratic discourse.

But unfortunately, if you get yourself into the mind-set that no foreign policy initiative by a Western government can possibly have a benign intention, then every conflict anywhere in the world becomes an American or a British conspiracy.

And Sachs too seems to be in the same mould, though for him the malign “enemy” is always a cabal of right-wing hardliners in the US military and intelligence apparatus who always seem to hold sway over what the country

too easy to overlook certain facts that should be inescapable: Assad has killed more of his own people, mostly civilians, than any other combatant in this war by a factor of many multiples, and has done so through many means specifically prohibited by international law, such as chemical warfare and mass starvation of civilian populations.

And, since going in, the Russians are committing reported war crimes with a gleeful frequency that makes even Assad blush. From these two facts, I would conclude that these two actors are the driving force of the conflict. When Assad and the Russians are coming at you that way, the people on the other side would ally with whomever and would do or say whatever they thought they would need to in order to survive. Anyone would.

The fact that we have prominent Western journalists and academics blaming Hillary Clinton or the CIA or whoever else, is surely a remarkable coup for the Russian propaganda machine.

But this is not necessarily all that surprising. In all wars, propaganda and counterpropaganda have muddled up the facts for the otherwise distant global public opinion.

What does matter in this conflict, however, is that the Russians are putting their backs into this conflict, and it seems that they are going to win it.

When they do, it is them who will be writing the final appraisal of the conflict.

Whatever the facts might have been, even our politicians will find it more convenient to just acquiesce to the Russian troops.

Nothing else will enable them to hide the shame of our inaction and lack of strategy for the country.

Thus Assad will become the saviour of civilisation and of the minorities in Syria, the only reliable ally of the whole world against terrorism in the Levant, and all-round misunderstood good guy.

And the thing about more than 250,000 dead people is that they do not get to offer their point of view. But perhaps the millions of displaced survivors will. Who knows? l Azeem Ibrahim is a Research Professor at the Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College and an International Security Lecturer at the University of Chicago. The article first appeared in Al Arabiya News.

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Business 15

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

INSIDE Bangladesh imports 49% cotton from India Bangladesh is highly dependent on India for cotton, the basic raw material for the textile industry, due to comparative price, shorter lead time and smooth supply. PAGE 16

DSE goes mobile trading Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) yesterday introduced mobile phone platform for buying and selling shares. Under this platform, investors can take part in trading activities from any place of the country particularly where brokers are not present. PAGE 16

Euro parity calls fade away even as ECB set to pile on more stimulus The European Central Bank is set to open its monetary stimulus taps even wider this week but the euro isn’t likely to budge very much. PAGE 17

$2b Indian credit deal signed to implement development projects n Tribune Report Bangladesh has signed an agreement with India on the new US$2 billion Line of Credit (LoC) to implement 14 development projects.

This is the second credit agreement with neighbouring India after first deal in August 2010, when India agreed to lend $1 billion to support Bangladesh’s development work.

Economic Relations Division (ERD) Senior Secretary Mohammad Mejbahuddin and Chairman and Managing Director of EXIM Bank of India Yaduvendra Mathur signed the agreement on their respective behalves at the NEC-2 conference room in the city yesterday.

India offered the new LoC at 1% interest rate and 0.5% commitment fee (on undisbursed amount) during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day state visit to Bangladesh in the first week of June last year. The loan will have to be repaid in 20 years with a five-

THE PROPOSED PROJECTS UNDER NEW LOC INCLUDE: Procurement of 500 trucks for BRTC Procurement of double Decker and articulated buses for BRTC Procurement of equipments and machineries for roads and highway Higher education and skill development in ICT Establishment of IT/High tech park at twelve districts Barapukuria-Bogra-Kaliaoir 400KV line project Construciton of double line including signalling in Khulna-Darshana section of Bangladesh railway

US$35.39m US$44.10m US$49.49m US$10m US$193m US$210.67m US$300m

Construction of meter gauge line to dual gauge line in Parbatipur-Kawnia section of Bangladesh Railway

US$105m

Development of Ashuganj River port-Dharkar-Akhaura land port at Ashuganj

US$229.79m

Establishment of Inland container river port at Ashuganj

US$33.46m US$281m

Development and modernisation of existing 49 polytechnic Institute and two Teachers Training Institute for creation opportunity of one lakh additional enrolment Establishment of four medical college and hospital and one national institute of burn and plastic surgery year grace period.

Addressing the agreement signing ceremony, Principal Secretary

US$250m

of Prime Minister’s Office Abul Kalam Azad said: “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed the ERD to

send the project plan details under new LoC to India for speedy implementation of the projects.”

Regarding the conditions from Indian side, Mejbahuddin stated that the quantity of material procured from India reduced from 75% to 65%. Further reductions may be considered on a case-bycase basis, provided that they are not sourced from a third country.

The ministries concern will have to pay Custom Duty (CD) and VAT to implement the projects under Indian LoC, he added.

High Commissioner of India Harsh Vardhan Shringla said: “Various social and infrastructure development projects in power, road transportation, information and communication technology, shipping, health and technical education sectors have been identified for the implementation under the second LoC. He said the $2 billion LoC is the biggest credit line India has so far extended to any country. l

Skilled manpower a must to diversify jute products n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi World equities fall on fresh China fears World stock markets declined yesterday after weak data from China reignited concerns about a slowing global economy and oil prices pulled back from recent sharp gains. PAGE 18

Capital market snapshot: Wednesday DSE Broad Index

4,457.8

0.1% ▲

Index

1,082.8

0.2% ▲

30 Index

1,710.6

0.1% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

3,138.3

2.5% ▲

Turnover in Mn Vol

93.7

5.2% ▲

All Share Index 13,728.2

0.1% ▲

30 Index

0.2% ▲

CSE

Selected Index

12,408.4 8,340.3

0.1% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

200.5

-9.8% ▼

Turnover in Mn Vol

7.7

0.5% ▲

Skilled manpower, advanced technology and developing entrepreneurship are a must to meet the demand for jute diversified products, industry insiders say.

They said the sector fails to live up to the buyers expectation due to lack of capacity and skilled workforce.

Several exhibitors exchanged their views while talking to the Dhaka tribune on the concluding day Tuesday of a three-day Jute Goods Fair 2016.

They said they received more orders than their capacity.

Lack of skilled manpower is the main bar to the jute sector to flourish, they added.

The Textiles and Jute Ministry organised the three-day mega expo to display jute diversified products and award individuals and organisations that played an important role in implementing the Mandatory Jute Packaging Act 2010.

The sector people also urged the government to take initiatives to train workers and educated young people on the latest trends of jute products.

“The number of skilled manpower is much lower than required while the sector is unable to use the latest technology due to shortage of technically sound workers,” Md Rashedul Karim Munna, managing director of Creation Private Limited, a jute good manufacturer, told the Dhaka Tribune.

Earlier, Bangladeshi manufacturers had to hunt for markets and buyers, but presently, because of development of RMG and other sec-

tors, opportunity knocks.

Bangladesh has the market of jute diversified products and there are renowned global chain shops in the capital, Munna, said, adding that “due to shortage of designers and skilled manpower we are unable to grab the opportunity.”

“Once upon a time, we used to approach the buyers to sell products, but now they come to use for goods.”

Since the opportunity rings the bell once again, there is no alternative to creating skilled manpower to bring back the lost glory of jute, added Munna.

Compliance, safety and eco-freiendly manufacturing are the key components to attract buyers as well as the consumers. Bangladesh is now marching towards a sustainable business development and concentrating on safety issues.

“Since compliance is a big concern across the globe, manufacturers have to be compliant. They have also to be ethical and responsible,” Helal Uddin, an exhibitor told the Dhaka Tribune.

If the manufacturers can set ethical standard, they will have plenty of work orders, he said.

On the other hand, new entrepreneurship, marketing strategy and product development are other key elements to add value and more production.

The problems with the manufacturers are that they make products according to their own choice. The products should meet

the buyers' demand and they have to be akin to culture.

The government can turn the educated young into entrepreneurs through skill development dedicated for jute sector, he added.

Bangladesh has to invest in training and technical education to train the young individuals about the latest trend of jute products, said the exhibitor.

There are a lot of fresh graduates hunting for jobs. The sector people and the government can create entrepreneurs through training, sector people said.

It needs less capital to begin a start-up and the return is bigger, they added.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau data, in the first seven months of the current fiscal year, Bangladesh earned $494.50 million, exporting jute and jute goods.

Of the total amount, $83.43 million came from raw jute, $301.38 million from yarn and $72.66 million from sacks and bags export. l

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

Bangladesh imports 49% cotton from India n Tribune Report

Bangladesh is highly dependent on India for cotton, the basic raw material for the textile industry, due to comparative price, shorter lead time and smooth supply.

According to the latest data from Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), Bangladesh imports 49% cotton from India to meet its demand.

Last year, it imported 6.10 million bale cotton, of which 2.99 million bale or 49% came from India.

“India has become the single largest source of cotton import for Bangladesh due to rapid shipment, better quality, price competitiveness and settlement of dispute in a relaxed manner,” BTMA President Tapan Choudhury said at a media briefing yesterday.

“Dependency on a particular country is not good for us. We are thinking an alternative,” he said.

Tapan was briefing the media on

DSE goes mobile trading n Tribune Report Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) yesterday introduced mobile phone platform for buying and selling shares.

Under this platform, investors can take part in trading activities from any place of the country particularly where brokers are not present.

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith inaugurated the app at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the city.

According to the DSE, under the initiative, investors can buy and sell shares or any future listed instruments without physically visiting stock brokers.

In addition, the app will provide some featured information, including buy or sell alerts, notifications and portfolio status to the investors which are not easily available on the website or via brokers’ services.

The mobile app is a mobile version directly linked with the DSE trading system which provides real-time awareness to investors with mobility.

The app has two versions—the first one called “DSE-Mobile VIP”, which is a non-trading version, and the second one called “DSE-Mobile Trader”, which is a trading version of the mobility product.

DSE-Mobile VIP is a web-based desktop app that will offer all features of “DSE-Mobile Trader”, which can be accessed from any browser. l

INDIA’S MARKET SHARE IN BANGLADESH COTTON IMPORT Year

Total import of Bangladesh in bale mn

2011

4.38 4.87 5.18 5.59 6.10

2012 2013 2014 2015

Bangladesh India Cotton Fest 2016 to be held on March 12 at Raddission Blu in the capital.

Bangladesh Cotton Association and Indian Cotton Association Limited are jointly organising the first ever “Bangladesh India Cotton Fest 2016”.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed is expected to inaugurate the fest as the chief guest.

Tapan said settlement of dis-

Import from India India’s market in bale mn share in%

1.66 1.31 1.73 2.2 2.99

38 27 33 39 49

pute, quality claim and other claims are being resolved through friendly and flexible ways.

In the last fiscal year, RMG sector contributed 81% to the country’s total export earnings. This has been possible only due to smooth supply of yarn and fabrics within short time, Tapan said, adding that sourcing raw materials at a comparative prices help the sector achieve the smooth supply chain.

“To ensure uninterrupted sourcing of cotton and as a trade-based country, we are going to organise the Bangladesh India Cotton Fest.”

Bangladesh should be the member of International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) as it will help get latest information of the cotton across the globe, BCA former president Muhammad Ayub said, urging the government to take initiate.

The fest is to create a friendly environment to exchange views in order to create trade relationship among the importers and exporters and help resolve trade dispute, said Ayub.

“The Indian cotton dominates the cotton market. We are going to organise the fest so that dominion could be equal,” said Tapan.

BTMA Vice-President Md Fazlul Hoque and Abdullah Al Mahmud, BCA President Badsha Mia and general secretary Mehdi Ali were present at the briefing. l

Stocks continue to inch up n Tribune Report

Stocks continued to gain marginally for the third straight session yesterday.

After struggling to stay in positive territory almost the entire session, it went into the negative in the final session briefly just before the close.

The benchmark index DSEX rose nearly 4 points or 0.3% to close at 4,457. In the last three sessions, it gained 22 points.

The Shariah index DSES was marginally up 2 points to 1,082. The blue chip comprising index DS30 moved up almost 1 point to 1,710.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index CSCX ended at 8,340, rising 24 points.

DSE total turnover stood at Tk330 crore, which is sharply down 42% over the previous session’s value.

Food and allied sector was the highest gainer with a rise of over 1% while engineering sector tumbled at 2.2% after a rally in previous session.

All other sectors like power, pharmaceuticals, non-banking financial institutions, banks, cement, textile and telecommunications closed flat.

The DSE total turnover stood at Tk301 crore, up 2.5% higher over

the previous session’s value.

Shares of 317 companies were traded on the day. Of these, 143 companies closed positive, 119 negative and 55 remained unchanged.

Lanka Bangla Securities said in the absence of market-moving news, investors were somewhat reluctant early in the day.

The risk appetite, however, rose for sector specific stocks backed by the industry news.

Lanka Bangla Finance was the most traded share with a turnover worth about Tk23 crore.

It was followed by CMC Kamal, Orion Pharma, Singer Bangladesh, IFAD Autos and Aman Feed. l

Walton products to hit Nigerian market n Tribune Report Walton – a local manufacturer of electronics products – is going to enter the Nigerian market as the buyers of African country have decided to import electronics goods from Bangladesh.

In its first phase, Walton will export refrigerators and air conditioners to Nigeria, and later it would consider exporting other products, said a press release yesterday. during the recent visit at the Walton Hi-Tech Industries Ltd in Gazipur, a three-member business delegation from J&K Walton Tech-

nologies NIG Ltd, led by its Chief Executive Officer Johnson Ogbo, decided to import electronics devices from Walton, added the release.

“With over 180 million population, Nigeria is a very promising and a potential market for Walton,” said Roqibul Islam Rakib, head of International Marketing, Department of Walton Group.

Walton product quality is similar to other global brand products, but prices are comparatively cheaper, he claimed.

“If we can deliver high quality product, we will be able to grab a lion’s share of the Nigerian electron-

ics market.”

Johnson Ogbo, chief executive officer of J&K Walton Technologies NIG Ltd, said the quality of Walton products is the same as compared to other international brands.

He hoped that Walton products will do a very good business and also capture a lion’s share of the entire Nigerian market within a very short time.

Ogbo noted that supplying Walton brand products to other neighbouring countries of Nigeria like Ghana, Cameron, Niger, Chad, Mali, Libya, Egypt and Algeria would be easy. l

Oil prices rise as big producers plan to discuss output

n Reuters, London

Oil prices broke above $40 a barrel yesterday, driven by anticipation that the world’s largest exporters may agree as soon as this month to freeze output, which could accelerate a decline in the largest global build in unwanted crude in years.

Producers in and outside the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries plan to meet in Moscow on March 20 to discuss an output freeze, an Iraqi oil official told state newspaper Al-Sabah.

Russia’s energy ministry said no date or place had been set for a possible meeting, but this had little impact on the oil market.

Brent crude futures gained 73 cents to trade at $40.38 a barrel by 1200 GMT, having touched threemonth highs on Tuesday above $41. US crude futures were up 56 cents at $37.06.

“The consensus is for supply and demand to improve in the second half of the year. The problem was always with the first half .. which is heavy,” Petromatrix crude oil strategist Olivier Jakob said.

“Add all this momentum for actually increased talks between OPEC and non-OPEC - if there is a freeze agreement of some sort, then it could (form) the bridge to the tighter supply/demand balance in the second half, so I think that has definitely helped to support prices.”

Oil prices have risen by around 25% since Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Venezuela and non-OPEC exporter Russia said in mid-February they would leave supply at January’s levels if there was enough support from other producers.

Nervousness is running high in oil-dependent nations whose budgets have been tattered by weak prices, such as Algeria, which warned the recovery in crude was “very unstable” and could reverse.

Credit ratings agency Moody’s warned of the potential for more curtailments to output from defaults arising from the low oil price, which in January was at its weakest in nearly 13 years. Analysts at Bernstein said poor economics could lead to more oilfield closures.

“Only two months into 2016 we find cumulative shut-in production has already reached 60,000 bpd (barrels per day) and up to 260 million barrels of reserves,” Bernstein said.

US output is falling, but slowing demand and a global production and storage overhang are capping any potential for bigger price gains.

Energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie said it expected “the annual average price for 2016 to be lower than 2015 and then recover in 2017, reflecting large oversupply and high stock levels during the first half of 2016.” l

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

1.3 million euro a minute failed to lift up inflation n Mark John A year ago today, the European Central Bank began its programme of quantitative easing — money printing to buy assets — with a view to lifting sub-zero inflation back up towards the target of just under 2%. One year on, it has spent over 700bn euros buying assets — mainly sovereign bonds, but also debt issued by some European institutions, as well as asset-backed securities (ABS) and covered bonds — at a pace of 1.3mn euros a minute. As shown in the graphic above, it has failed to bring euro zone inflation (now at -0.2%) anywhere near the target rate as a host of external factors from the slump in the price of oil to the Chinese slowdown exert bigger influence. Similar experiments around the world have also fallen short of the mark, prompting much hand-wringing about whether central bankers are still the safekeepers of the global economy that some had once thought they were. It’s against this backdrop that ECB

President Mario Draghi will step up for the Bank’s latest rate-setting meeting tomorrow.

Expectations are firmly for more stimulus; less sure is whether it will make much of a difference.

Street protests aren’t quite what they used to be in France, but President Francois Hollande nonetheless faces a backlash over labour reforms that are his most ambitious attempt yet to revamp the country’s strictly codified work regime. The bill is intended to make it easier for employers to shed workers and negotiate everything from maximum working hours to holidays and pay on rest breaks. It has already sown dissent in his ruling Socialist party and sparked talk that Hollande will throw in the towel for re-election next year. Today is a key day with youth groups and unions planning a demo and a rail strike.

Today marks the official start of what could be a very brief Portuguese co-habitation, with the centre-rightist Marcelo Rebe-

Euro parity calls fade away even as ECB set to pile on more stimulus n Sumanta Dey The European Central Bank is set to open its monetary stimulus taps even wider this week but the euro isn’t likely to budge very much.

A year back, just as the ECB fired up the presses to print over a trillion euros, many currency strategists at some of the largest banks had predicted the single currency would reach or breach parity to the US dollar by about now.

Instead, after falling sharply in the run-up to the ECB’s bond purchase programme, the euro held firm for most of the last year. That came despite a US Federal Reserve interest rate hike twinned with an even more negative deposit rate from the ECB and an extension of its QE programme into the future.

Those parity calls are now rapidly fading away.

By this time next year, the euro is forecast to trade not far from where it is now, according to the median forecast in the latest Reuters poll, which proved very accurate a year ago. In the March 2015 survey, the median consensus for the euro in a year was $1.08, just 2 cents off where it was on Tuesday.

The prevailing outlook for monetary policy — gradual rate hikes in the US through 2016 and persistent policy loosening in the euro zone — suggests calls for the euro falling to $1 or below are even less likely to prove correct.

At least six prominent banks have abandoned parity calls over the past three months. The total now calling for parity or below is less than half the over 20 a year ago, when the ECB started buying 60bn euros a month of mostly sovereign bonds.

The trouble is, a relatively weak exchange rate is important to the ECB, even if it doesn’t say so.

A weaker euro makes imports costlier, which should boost inflation that’s turned negative again. It also makes exports more competitive in global markets — at least in theory.

Experience from Japan, where the central bank has spent much of the past decade printing trillions of yen, suggests the currency effect from QE isn’t very solid.

The Japanese yen has weakened only in short spurts and inflation hasn’t risen in any meaningful way.

Sporadic reports of the US economy losing momentum aren’t helping much either.

Against Fed policymakers’ predictions of four rate hikes this year, economists now expect only two. Market pricing is even more pessimistic.

All of this has sucked the wind out of the dollar rally. Unless the US economy really picks up speed, it is hard to justify any bias toward euro parity predictions.

History also suggests otherwise. The single currency last fell through parity 16 years ago, just after it was launched. It has managed to stay above one dollar since 2002 despite two recessions and a sovereign debt crisis that threatened to tear apart the single currency.

Apart from a sudden downturn in the economy, the biggest immediate risk to forecasts of a rising or stable euro might just be the possibility of the UK voting to leave the European Union in a June 23 referendum.

If Britons vote to break away, ensuing damage to the European project, and with it the currency, could be severe enough to drag the euro towards parity or lower.

Whether or not ECB President Mario Draghi can give markets what they want this week will provide much of the short-term direction. Both another deposit rate cut and more QE — the latter of which was met with staunch opposition from German members of the Governing Council in December — may be tough to deliver.

But the chances are rising. l Sumanta Dey is a senior correspondent on the Reuters Polls team. The article was initially published at Reuters.

lo de Sousa being inaugurated as president alongside a shaky Socialist-led coalition propped up by far-left allies. The new government has set about reversing the austerity-based reforms of the previous conservative incumbent, but is also seeing investment start to fall and past declines in joblessness peter out. The point is that Rebelo de Sousa

will from April have powers to sack the government and call new elections: his inaugural speech today will be watched closely for clues as to how keen he is to do that. l Mark John is European Politics and Economics Editor for Reuters, based in London. The article was initially published at Reuters.

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18

Business

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

India needs its central bank chief a bit longer n Una Galani Raghuram Rajan is too important to lose. Under the Indian central bank governor’s watch, the country’s economy has been hailed as a bright spot in a turbulent world.

Yet one of Rajan’s biggest tasks is far from complete. Confidence will take a hit if he doesn’t stick around when his three-year term ends in September.

When Rajan took charge of the Reserve Bank of India in 2013, inflation was nearing double digits. Now it has almost halved.

The governor has enshrined price stability as the central bank’s primary objective. Last month, the government formally proposed handing responsibility for setting interest rates to a monetary policy committee. The result will be a more credible institution that is less dependent on a strong chief.

The former University of Chicago professor may be less dispensable in other areas, however. Most notably, the RBI is leading a fight to fix India’s bad debt problem. Rajan has made waves by criticising tycoons who use their influence to keep rolling over loans even though they have little intention of repaying banks, many of which are state-owned.

Though lenders are recognising more of their loans as troubled, the true extent of the problem is not yet clear. There are also doubts whether the Indian government’s 1.8tn rupee ($26.8bn) plan to recapitalise state banks to meet global capital requirements by 2019 will be sufficient.

It’s hard to identify equally qualified successors who could fill Rajan’s shoes. A new governor may find it harder to keep up the pressure on lenders. If banks go back to ignoring bad loans as they have done in the past, the country’s growth will suffer.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the power to extend Rajan’s tenure by two years. Many of the governor’s predecessors served five-year terms. Though the two men have their differences – Rajan has lectured the government about the need to promote tolerance, for example – they appear to agree on key financial issues.

It’s not clear if Rajan wants to stay on. But Modi should certainly try to pin him down. l Una Galani is Asia Corporate Finance Columnist of Reuters Breakingviews, based in Hong Kong. The article was initially published at Reuters.

World equities fall on fresh China fears n Reuters, New York World stock markets declined yesterday after weak data from China reignited concerns about a slowing global economy and oil prices pulled back from recent sharp gains.

China’s February trade performance was worse than economists expected, with exports tumbling the most in over six years, days after leaders sought to reassure investors the outlook for the world’s second-largest economy remains solid.

“The data this morning has dampened sentiment more so than anything else at this point in terms of confirming some of the concerns regarding growth in China,” said Ryan Larson, head of US equity trading at RBC Global Asset Management in Chicago.

Weighing on oil prices, Goldman Sachs suggested the recent rally was unsustainable and analysts predicted US stockpiles reached record highs again last week.

Brent crude futures LCOc1 settled at $39.65 a barrel, down $1.19, or 2.9 percent, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures CLc1 dropped $1.40, or 3.7 percent, to settle at $36.50.

The declines came a day after Brent and US crude settled at their highest levels since December.

In the US stock market, energy shares led the way lower. The S&P energy index .SPNY dropped 4.1%, while shares of Exxon Mobil were off 2.2% at $82.63.

The Dow Jones industrial average was down 109.85 points, or 0.64%, to 16,964.1, the S&P 500 lost 22.5 points, or 1.12%, to 1,979.26 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 59.43 points, or 1.26%, to 4,648.83.

A broker looks at a computer screen showing the movement of the market since the morning opening, at the Colombo Stock Exchange in Sri Lanka REUTERS US stocks had sold off sharply at the start of the year amid worries about weakness in China and its impact on the global economy, but major indexes have retraced much of those losses in recent weeks.

MSCI’s all-country world stock index was down 0.9%, while in Europe, the pan-regional FTSEurofirst 300 index ended down 0.9%.

US Treasury yields fell in line with Japanese yields after the weak Chinese data, which increased demand for safe-haven US government debt.

The benchmark 10-year note US10YT=RR was last up 22/32 in price to yield 1.829%, down from

1.904% late on Monday.

The Treasury Department sold $24bn of 3-year notes US3YT=RR to surprisingly disappointing demand as investors had expected the general flight to safety mood in the market to drive more investors to the US auction.

“Cheap outright levels weren’t enough to bring in buyers, said Aaron Kohli, an interest rate strategist at BMO Capital Markets in New York.

In the foreign exchange market, news of deterioration in China’s trade balance stoked safe-haven demand for the yen.

The dollar was down 0.8% at

112.56 yen JPY, while the euro slipped 0.8% at 123.92 yen EURJPY. The euro’s move was further limited ahead of a European Central Bank policy meeting today, when traders expect the bank to embark on more stimulus to support a wobbly euro zone economy.

Investors are uncertain how far it will go. Euro bears are cautious about positioning for bold action, having been badly burned previously when the ECB disappointed by choosing to take more modest easing steps.

Gold prices edged lower, with spot gold XAU down 0.4% at $1,262.46 an ounce. l

CORPORATE NEWS

Walton has recently opened a new exclusive showroom named, Padma Traders at Paglapir Bazar in Rangpur. The company’s brand ambassador, film actor Ilias Kanchan inaugurated the showroom, said a press release

Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Dr Atiur Rahman has recently handed over a women entrepreneur loan of Tk 4 lakh to Rita Begum, owner of a boutique shop and a customer of BRAC Bank Limited at Women Entrepreneur Fair organised by Bangladesh Bank on the occasion of International Women’s Day

| environment |

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

|wheels |

Competing green Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) is introducing a project competition on green energy and technology titled “National project competition on Green Energy and Technology 2016.”

The competition will be held on college and university level categories.

College students can submit any science related project, while university students can submit projects incorporating solar power, solar thermal, wind, hydro-electricity, tidal and wave energy and biogas/ biomass.

19

DT

Biz Info The objective of this competition is to encourage innovative ideas and provide a platform to disseminate knowledge on renewable energy technology, all through examples of successful sustainable projects.

The last date for project submission is March 15.

The program is scheduled to take place on March 31 at the IUB, Bashundhara Campus in Dhaka. For details, visit www.eee.iub.edu.bd/pcget. php, or call +8801676527039, +8801755282004. l

The all-new BMW 7 Series

| contest |

Bangladesh Philosophy Olympiad 2016

Bangladesh Philosophy Olympiad will commence from March 10-16. The Olympiad is organised by Heritage School in Bangladesh. The media partner of the event is Dhaka Tribune.

Winners of the Olympiad will get a chance to participate in the 24th International Philosophy Olympiad, which will start from May 12-15 at Ghent University, Belgium.

High school and HSC/A-level students of Bangladesh are eligible to participate in this Olympiad. The topic of the program is “War and Peace.”

For more information, please visit: www.heritagebd.net/ipobangladesh, www.facebook. com/IPObangladesh or send an email to: ipo@heritagebd. net. l

Executive Motors Ltd, the sole importer of BMW vehicle in Bangladesh will be unveiling the all-new BMW 7 Series. BMW 730Li will be available in Bangladesh from March 8. Miss India and Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela will attend the event.

BMW has previewed this model worldwide through Mission Impossible 5 Rogue Nation. In addition, EML has invited Urvashi Rautela to attend this event. She

is an Indian actress, model and beauty pageant title-holder. She was crowned Miss Diva 2015 and represented India at the Miss Universe 2015 pageant. She also appeared in recent Bollywood films.

The car will come with five years of free service, parts, maintenance and repair.

For more information, visit Executive Motors Ltd, 222, Bir Uttam Mir Showkat Sarak, Tejgaon

Gulshan Link Road, Dhaka.

Alternatively, contact +88 02 8878492, +8802 8817611. Email: info@executivemotors.com.bd, www.bmw.com.bd.l

| celebrations |

Dhaka Regency celebrates Women’s Day

| design |

All about graphics Paper Studio has successfully carried out the second “Conqueror Corporate Identity Design Contest.”

Together, artist Khaled Mahmud, architect Salauddin Ahmed, graphic designer Laura Bonapace, graphic designer Yusuf Hassan, corporate visionary Iftekhar A Khan, print specialist and photographer Arifur Rahman Munir, and cultural activist Aly Zaker formed the seven-member jury council for the contest.

Farzeen K Chowdhury, director of Paper Studio and host of the exhibition, commented: “This contest created a pure and prestigious platform for

both creative design students and professionals in Bangladesh to demonstrate their talent in corporate identity design. At the same time, it has inspired them to challenge their own abilities and work according to global standards.”

The Daily Star, Ittefaq and Radio Foorti were the media partners for the event. The contest was supported by B&O, Leica, EDGE Gallery and HeadOffice.

The exhibition shall continue at the EDGE Gallery, Bay’s Edgewater from March 10 to 13, remaining open from 10am to 9pm on each day. l

In celebration of Women’s Day, Dhaka Regency owners along with the company’s female associates joined together to cut a cake

DT

20

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Frightened (6) 4 Pale (3) 7 Vestment (5) 8 Being (6) 11 Curved bone (3) 12 Verse-form (4) 13 Cast off (4) 15 Luxury (5) 16 Fall into disuse (5) 20 Shed tears (4) 23 Scottish dance (4) 24 Disencumber (3) 25 Landed properly (6) 26 Unsuitable (5) 27 Female swan (3) 28 Divers (6)

DOWN 1 Proficient (5) 2 Give life to (7) 3 Periods of time (4) 4 Telegram (4) 5 Sour (4) 6 Beak (3) 9 And not (3) 10 Golf mound (3) 14 Encourage (7) 17 Vegetable (3) 18 Become firm (3) 19 Funeral song (5) 20 Drink (4) 21 Paradise (4) 22 Domestic animals (4) 24 Tear (3)

Downtime CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 14 represents L so fill L every time the figure 14 appears.

You have two letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters go in the missing squares.

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

As you get the letters, fill in the other squares with the same number in the main grid, and the control grid. Check off the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them.

A B C DE FG H I J K L MN O P Q RST UVWXYZ

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU How to solve: Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 – 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no number repeating.

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

DT

World 21

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

INSIDE Myanmar parliament

FACTBOX

Combined upper and lower houses

National League for Democracy (NLD)

NAYPYIDAW

Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP)

Unelected Army seats

MYANMAR

Yangon 390

Buckingham Palace on Wednesday said it had lodged an official complaint with Britain’s press watchdog over a tabloid report that Queen Elizabeth backs a British exit from the European Union, saying the monarch remains politically neutral.

PAGE 22

22 15

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is fighting for her political life in Congress, the courts and streets this week, but her path to survival has got ever narrower, analysts said.

PAGE 23

Sanders upset heats up Democratic race Bernie Sanders’ surprise but narrow win over Hillary Clinton in Michigan raised the intensity level between the Democratic presidential contenders before their eighth head-to-head debate on Wednesday night in Florida.

PAGE 24

Others/ independent 23

As the military-dominated parliament cedes power to Aung San Suu Kyi’s pro-democracy party, one fundamental question remains unanswered: Who will be Myanmar’s next president?

With few clues to go on just days before an expected announcement, here are some names that have spun out in the speculation--

491 elected seats in November 8, 2015 vote Source: Union Election Commission

INSIGHT

Myanmar’s transition sours ahead of presidential vote n Reuters, Naypyitaw

Brazil’s president Dilma fights for her political life

Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD)

41

Queen’s Brexit stance: Buckingham dismisses Sun’s claim, lodges complaint

166

Arakan National Party (ANP)

Front-runners among Myanmar’s presidential hopefuls

A deepening rift has opened between Myanmar’s powerful military and Aung San Suu Kyi, sources say, threatening the democracy leader’s prospects for forming a successful government even as parliament prepares to nominate presidential candidates on Thursday.

With the date fast approaching for Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) to take power, efforts to portray the party and its former foes as working cordially together towards a smooth transfer of power have faltered, according to politicians and officials familiar with the situation.

“She believed that she would be able to work with the military, but after the last meeting with the commander-in-chief, she realised that she cannot negotiate with them,” said a senior NLD Upper House lawmaker briefed on the talks.

“It’s quite clear that she has moved on from waiting for the military to collaborate.”

Talks between the NLD and the military began soon after Suu Kyi’s party won a landslide victory in a historic election on November 8, heralding the country’s first democratically elected government since the military took power in 1962.

But Suu Kyi has become frustrated with the intransigence of the military on issues ranging from a constitutional amendment that would allow her to become president to the location of the handover ceremony before the start of the new government on April 1, say sources in her camp.

General Tin San Naing, the spokesman for military MPs, de-

clined to comment on the details of negotiations.

The military has stressed its belief that it has a vital role to play in politics until the transition to democracy is secure, and had worried that changing the constitution quickly could set a dangerous precedent.

Myanmar’s junta handed power to a semi-civilian government made up of ex-generals in 2011, after nearly 50 years of military rule, but the constitution it drafted left the military with considerable power.

As well as a clause that effectively bans Suu Kyi from becoming president because her children are British citizens, the constitution also gives the military three powerful ministries and 25% of the seats in parliament that amounts to a veto over any constitutional change.

The charter, which leaves the security apparatus and much of the state bureaucracy under military control, will force the NLD government to work with the armed forces.

Parking spots, office equipment

Underscoring the antipathy between the two sides, an official who met Suu Kyi recently said the bickering had extended beyond the constitution and power-sharing to small details such as car parking slots at the handover ceremony and equipment removed from offices by outgoing government staff.

The tensions boiled over in parliament two weeks ago in a rare show of dissent by military MPs, who stood up to protest against accusations by NLD parliamentarians that the outgoing administration had mishandled

public projects.

The stand-off in parliament came about a week after the third meeting between Suu Kyi and Min Aung Hlaing, the powerful army chief.

“The two sides are now in the state of cold war. It’s a political killing field,” said Win Oo, a former member of the army-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

The NLD had hoped the military could be persuaded to endorse a constitutional amendment allowing Suu Kyi to become president.

But as it became clear late last month that was not going to happen, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate decided to cut short the negotiations and bring forward by a week the process for selecting a proxy president - who will run the country at her behest.

The NLD has yet to say who that will be.

On Thursday, the upper house and lower houses of parliament, and the military block in the legislature, will each nominate a candidate. The joint chamber will vote on which of the three becomes president - and the NLD boasts a big enough majority to carry the vote no matter which way the military votes.

It has been unclear how quickly after Thursday’s nominations the joint session vote will be held.

A director from the parliament on Wednesday said the vote would not take place until Monday.

The losing candidates will become vice presidents. For some in the NLD, contemplating the end of a long wait to form a government, the wrangling over the transition is a grim portent. l

Tin Oo A founding member of the pro-democracy party following mass protests in 1988 that ended in a bloody crackdown. Having previously served as the commander of the army under the government of strongman Ne Win, he also has the “defence vision” qualification stipulated for the president in the constitution. But the frail former political prisoner, who is nearly 90, has shown little enthusiasm to lead the nation, telling the Irrawaddy news website last year: “I have never wanted to be president”.

Tin Myo Win Suu Kyi’s charismatic family doctor was one of the few people allowed to see her during her some 15 years of house arrest under the junta. He heads the NLD National Health Network and remains a close confidant, even attending crucial talks with army chief Min Aung Hlaing on Monday. But the 64-year-old lacks the military background that could endear him to the still-powerful army.

Wildcards In a near empty field of candidates, spectators have begun scanning the stands. Elected NLD MP Su Su Lwin, daughter of the party’s former secretary has been touted as a potential. So has her husband Htin Kyaw, a schoolmate of Suu Kyi. The NLD’s wily spokesman Win Htein has also seen his name raised, despite saying last year that he would not run for a parliamentary seat due to age and health problems. l

Source: AFP

DT

22

World

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

Queen’s Brexit stance: Buckingham dismisses Sun’s claim, lodges complaint n Reuters, London Buckingham Palace on Wednesday said it had lodged an official complaint with Britain’s press watchdog over a tabloid report that Queen Elizabeth backs a British exit from the European Union, saying the monarch remains politically neutral.

Under the front-page headline “Queen backs Brexit”, The Sun newspaper quoted unidentified sources as saying that Elizabeth had made her opposition to British membership of the EU clear on at least two occasions over the past decade.

The Sun, owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, said the queen in 2011 had told the then deputy prime minister Nick Clegg at a Windsor Castle lunch that the EU was heading in the wrong direction.

“The Queen remains politically neutral, as she has for 63 years,” the

palace said in a statement. “We will not comment on spurious, anonymously sourced claims. The referendum is a matter for the British people to decide.”

It said aides had taken the rare step of writing to the chairman of the Independent Press Standards Organisation to complain, citing a clause of the editors’ code of conduct relating to accuracy.

Opinion polls show voters are divided over membership ahead of a June 23 referendum so even the perception that Elizabeth, who must remain above politics under Britain’s unwritten constitu-

tion, may favour an exit from the 28-member bloc could be damaging for the campaign to keep Britain in.

Clegg called the report nonsense.

“I’ve no recollection of this happening and its not the sort of thing I would forget,” he said on Twitter.

The newspaper, British’s best selling daily which has repeatedly criticised Britain’s EU membership, also said the monarch told lawmakers at a separate meeting that she did not understand Europe.

“The Sun stands by its story, provided by a very credible source,” a spokesman said in response to the palace denials.

Less than a week before the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, Elizabeth said she hoped Scots would think carefully about the future, a comment which was interpreted as giving support to those seeking to preserve the United Kingdom.

The queen is not the first royal to have been pulled into the increasingly febrile EU debate.

Her grandson Prince William was criticised by some papers, including the Sun, over a speech he gave to British diplomats last month about the importance of Britain working with other nations. l

23

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

INSIGHT

SOUTH ASIA

Asylum seekers hoping for miracle as Balkan borders slam shut n AFP, Athens For the past three days, 15-yearold Ola has clung onto a scrap of cardboard bearing the number 22, hoping her turn will finally come to cross the sealed metal fence on the Greek-Macedonian border.

But with other countries on the winding refugee trail to northern Europe announcing a near-complete border shutdown, that chance now seems remote.

“We are hoping a miracle will happen,” says the Syrian youngster from Aleppo, who has lived in a tent at Idomeni with her mother and two younger brothers for two weeks.

Macedonia on Wednesday confirmed it had not allowed any refugees through, but insisted the border was not closed.

Slovenia and Croatia, two of the countries along the route used by hundreds of thousands of people in recent months, barred entry to transiting migrants from midnight. Serbia indicated it would follow suit.

EU member Slovenia said that the only exceptions were for people wishing to claim asylum in the country or for migrants “on humanitarian grounds and in accordance with the rules of the Schengen zone,” Europe’s 26-country passport-free zone.

The measures follow Austria’s decision in February to cap the number of migrants passing

Migrant routes into the European Union

With the main Balkans route now effectively closed, migrants are expected to seek new ways into the EU EU member state

100 km

GERMANY AUSTRIA

Schengen Area limit

HUNGARY

ITALY

Sealed border (razor wire, fence)

ROMANIA

SLOV. CROATIA BOSNIA MONTENEGRO MACEDONIA

Mediterranean Sea

Black Sea

SERBIA BULGARIA

Migrant entry quota Main route through Balkans Alternative routes Possible Speculative

ALBANIA

GREECE

36,000 migrants stranded here,

TURKEY

border with Macedonia through its territory, which has led to a gradual tightening of borders through the western Balkans.

Coupled with a steady flow of new arrivals from Turkey, the border restrictions have blocked more than 14,000 mainly Syrian and Iraqi refugees in an unhygienic camp operated by beleaguered aid groups.

With people routinely falsifying their queue number to skip the line for border passage, wom-

en have to intervene to stop the simmering tension from breaking into open violence.

This process can take months, and refugees have no say in which country they will eventually end up.

The European Union has in place a scheme to relocate some 160,000 asylum seekers from Greece and Italy, but so far, fewer than a thousand have left.

So it’s no surprise that given

the option -- and the money -most here would pay a smuggler to get them through the fence.

Ola says she has seen traffickers demanding €2,500 per person to provide EU documents and passports to European countries.

The Greek government says there are nearly 36,000 migrants and refugees stranded in the country, but police in the north said there were another 4,000 people unaccounted for. l

Brazil’s president Dilma fights for her political life Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is fighting for her political life in Congress, the courts and streets this week, but her path to survival has got ever narrower, analysts said.

Rousseff faces impeachment proceedings over alleged fiscal mismanagement, while the Supreme Electoral Court is considering possible campaign funding irregularities that could end up annulling her 2014 reelection.

Those threats had appeared to be receding in the last few weeks.

Even Rousseff ’s dismal popularity ratings were creeping up.

But last week, what analyst Gabriel Petrus called “an atomic bomb” was thrown at her leftist Workers’ Party with the brief detention of Rousseff ’s mentor and charismatic predecessor, Luiz In-

sions to a boil.

Now, with the relative lull forgotten, both the opposition and pro-Rousseff camps are promising to take to the streets, while opposition parties in Congress are licking their lips over a revitalised impeachment push.

But analysts believe the turnout could push hesitant congressional Dilma Rousseff REUTERS deputies over the edge in backing the push to impeach Rousseff.

Analysts say Rousseff ’s fate acio Lula da Silva. may be decided not in the streets Lula, as he is universally or even in the electoral court, but known, is accused of taking bribes in prosecutorial and police offices from companies involved in the where former friends and allies gargantuan embezzlement and ensnared in the Petrobras scandal kickbacks scheme at state oil comare negotiating plea bargains. pany Petrobras.

Unconfirmed reports that And the extraordinary scene of Workers’ Party Senator Delcidio a powerful ex-president being takdo Amaral is preparing to testien away by police, backed up by fy that Rousseff obstructed the officers in camouflage with rifles, Petrobras investigation have albrought all the simmering ten-

Taliban attack government offices in Helmand The Taliban attacked government offices early Wednesday in Afghanistan’s southern Helmand province, where the insurgents have been battling government forces for months. Jabbar Karaman, a lawmaker appointed by President Ashraf Ghani to investigate the situation in Helmand, said that 7 attackers had been killed in the ongoing gunfight with police, as well as 3 police officers, with an unknown number of civilians caught in the crossfire.

-AP

INDIA

JNU professor: Kashmir illegally occupied by India The JNU row refuses to die down.

Now, a new video has surfaced showing a professor of the university saying Kashmir is not a part of India and that pro-azaadi slogans are justified. “Everyone knows that India is illegally occupying Kashmir. Everybody accepts it,” professor Nivedita Menon is seen telling a gathering of JNU students on February 22.

-TOI

CHINA

13,000 of them at the

PORTRAYAL

n AFP, Rio de Janeiro

DT

World

ready caused a huge stir and could give powerful ammunition to the impeachment camp.

Other major figures arrested in the vast corruption scheme include construction tycoon Marcelo Odebrecht and political campaign guru Joao Santana.

Rousseff struck out Monday against the leaking of supposedly impending plea bargains, saying this was part of a campaign. The leaks “are not true, but the damage caused by throwing mud has already occurred,” she said.

Already Rousseff cuts a forlorn figure, with Congress paralysed and the economy in a tailspin. Every time Brazil’s first female president makes a speech on television, crowds of opponents across the country lean out their windows to bang pots and yell. l

China charity law to forbid activity that endangers national security A new law on charities in China being discussed at this year’s parliamentary session would ban aid groups from sponsoring activities that threaten national security, a summary of the draft of the legislation released on Wednesday shows.

The new law comes against a backdrop of a broad crackdown on civil society groups in China.

-REUTERS

ASIA PACIFIC

US in talks to base longrange bombers in Australia The US is in talks to base longrange bombers in Australia, US defence officials said, within striking distance of the disputed South China Sea, a move that could inflame tensions with China. The deployments could include B-1 bombers and an expansion of B-52 bomber missions, said Lt Col Damien Pickart, a spokesman for the US Air Force in the Pacific.

-REUTERS

MIDDLE EAST

Dae’sh minister of war likely killed in US air strike A Dae’sh commander described by the Pentagon as the group’s “minister of war” was likely killed in a US air strike in Syria, US officials said on Tuesday, in what would be a major victory in the US efforts to strike the militant group’s leadership. Abu Omar al-Shishani, also known as Omar the Chechen, ranked among America’s most wanted militants with a $5 million bounty on his head.

-REUTERS

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24

World

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

USA

Sanders sues Ohio secretary of state US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has filed a lawsuit against Ohio’s Republican Secretary of State, Jon Husted, claiming that he changed a state law allowing 17-yearolds to vote — in order to prevent them from participating in the presidential primaries. The lawsuit, filed jointly with six 17-year-olds, claims that the changes would affect minorities in particular.

-REUTERS

THE AMERICAS

Venezuela opposition vows all means to oust Maduro Venezuela’s opposition alliance launched a campaign on Tuesday to oust socialist President Nicolas Maduro via street protests, a recall referendum or a constitutional amendment cutting his term. The opposition, which has been on a collision course with Maduro since winning control of the legislature in December, spent weeks deciding on its strategy to remove the socialist president.

-AFP

UK

Cambridge removes African cockerel statue A Cambridge University college has removed a bronze statue of an African cockerel from display following a campaign by students amid an increase in activism against symbols of Britain’s colonial past.

Jesus College said it was taking down the statue known as “Okukor” from the former kingdom of Benin. Last month, Jesus College’s student union passed a motion that said the statue was looted by British troops in 1897 during a punitive expedition.

-AFP

EUROPE

Balkan countries shut borders Macedonia, Croatia and Slovenia – three of the countries that lie between Greece and the preferred refugee destinations in northern Europe – all announced on Wednesday that their borders were now shut. Several hundred thousand asylum-seekers have used this route to reach countries such as Germany since it became popular last summer.

-THE GUARDIAN

AFRICA

Nigeria, Switzerland sign pact to return looted $321m Nigeria and Switzerland have signed an agreement that paves the way for the return of more than $300m confiscated from the family of the Nigeria’s former military ruler, Sani Abacha, the office of Nigeria’s vice president said on Tuesday.

Laolu Akande, a spokesman for the Nigerian government, said under the terms of which Switzerland will award Nigeria $321m acquired by the Abacha family.

-REUTERS

ANALYSIS

Sanders upset heats up Democratic race n Tribune Desk Bernie Sanders’ surprise but narrow win over Hillary Clinton in Michigan raised the intensity level between the Democratic presidential contenders before their eighth head-to-head debate on Wednesday night in Florida.

Clinton remains the leader by far in delegates needed for the party’s nomination. But Michigan gives Sanders a big industrial state victory.

Clinton and Sanders face a winner-take-all Florida primary on March 15. But the candidates will be speaking to a much wider audience of voters in the delegate-rich states of Missouri, Illinois, Ohio and North Carolina, which also host Democratic contests that day.

Florida, which doesn’t reliably vote for one party or another, has 99 Democratic delegates at stake Tuesday. It has chosen a Democrat, President Barack Obama, in the most recent two presidential elections, and a Republican, George W Bush, twice before that — including in the election drama of 2000, when the Supreme Court decided the race in Bush’s favour.

Sanders’ win in Michigan came largely as a result of his drive to cast trade deals as “disastrous” for working-class Americans. Expect more such talk ahead of the contests in other Midwest industrial states Ohio and Illinois on Tuesday.

Sanders has come under criticism for saying in the last debate that “when you’re white, you don’t know what it’s like to be living in a ghetto, you don’t know what it’s like to be poor.” He made it sound as if only non-whites live in poverty.

Sanders, who has tried to make progress with black voters, later said he only meant that many white people aren’t aware of the pressures and police oppression facing black Americans. l

STATES

DEMOCRATS

REPUBLICANS

Hillary Clinton

Bernie Sanders

Donald Trump

Ted Cruz

Marco Rubio

John Kasich

Ben Carson*

Iowa

23

21

7

8

7

1

3

New Hampshire

9

15

11

3

2

4

0

South Carolina

39

14

50

0

0

0

0

Nevada

19

15

14

6

7

1

2

Alabama

44

9

36

13

1

0

0

-

-

11

12

5

0

0

Arkansas

22

10

16

14

9

0

0

Colorado

28

38

-

-

-

-

0

Georgia

72

28

40

18

14

0

0

Massachusetts

46

45

22

4

8

8

0

Minnesota

29

46

8

13

17

0

0

Oklahoma

17

21

13

15

12

0

0

Tennessee

42

22

33

16

9

0

0

Texas

145

74

48

104

3

0

0

Vermont

0

16

8

0

0

8

0

Virginia

61

33

17

8

16

5

3

Louisiana

35

12

18

18

5

0

0

Nebraska

10

14

-

-

-

-

0

Kansas

10

23

9

24

6

1

0

Kentucky

-

-

17

15

7

7

0

Maine

7

15

9

12

0

2

0

Puerto Rico

-

-

0

0

23

0

0

Hawaii

-

-

10

6

0

0

0

Idaho

-

-

12

20

0

0

0

Michigan

58

65

25

17

0

17

0

Mississippi

29

4

24

13

0

0

0

745

540

458

359

151

54

8

Alaska

Total

Source: REAL POLITICS PLEDGED DELEGATE COUNT

* Ben Carson quits race

INSIGHT

Trump wins deal another blow to GOP establishment n Reuters, Detroit Republican front-runner Donald Trump racked up primary wins in the big prize of Michigan as well as Mississippi and Hawaii on Tuesday, brushing off a week of blistering attacks from the party’s establishment and expanding his lead in the White House nominating race.

Trump’s convincing win in Michigan restored his outsider campaign’s momentum and increased the pressure on the par-

ty’s anti-Trump forces to find a way to stop the brash billionaire’s march to the nomination ahead of several key contests next week.

The brash billionaire built his victories in Michigan, in the heart of the industrial Midwest, and Mississippi in the Deep South with broad appeal across many demographics. He won evangelical Christians, Republicans, independents, those who wanted an outsider, according to exit polls.

Trump said in several TV interviews on Wednesday he was

drawing new voters to the Republican Party and the establishment figures who are resisting his campaign should save their money and focus on beating the Democrats in November.

The results were a setback for rival Ohio Governor John Kasich, who had hoped to pull off a surprise win in neighbouring Michigan, and for US Senator from Florida Marco Rubio.

US Senator from Texas Ted Cruz won the party’s primary in Idaho.

The Michigan victory sets Trump up for a potentially deci-

sive day of voting next week. On March 15, Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Missouri and North Carolina - like Michigan, states rich in the delegates who will select their party’s nominee at July’s Republican National Convention - cast ballots.

The Republican contests in Florida and Ohio award all the state’s delegates to the winner.

If Trump could sweep those two states and pile up delegates elsewhere next week, it could knock home-state favourites Rubio and Kasich out of the race and make it tough for Cruz to catch him. l

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

BD V NED

INSIDE

Professional Tigers mean their words Cricket press conferences are generally considered as the most boring event in world sports.

“Taking it game by game or focussing on one game at a time” is a common reply of a Bangladesh cricketer at the moment. PAGE 26

Bangladesh's Tamim Iqbal goes big during the ICC World T20 match against the Netherlands in Dharamsala yesterday AP

It would be fair to say Ronaldo enjoys playing in the Champions League. The tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 90 goals, Ronaldo netted a competitionrecord 11 times in this season’s group stage and added one in either leg against Roma. PAGE 28

Riding on Tamim Iqbal’s unbeaten 58ball 83, Bangladesh, despite a poor show, were propelled to a fighting score against the Netherlands yesterday in their 2016 World Twenty20 first-round opener. A matured Tamim was extremely sensible and guided his team off the ditch, despite the challenge of the unfamiliar conditions.

Below are the excerpts of the southpaw from his post-match media session yesterday:

How did the pitch play?

Reactions to Maria’s positive drug test Five-times grand slam champion Maria Sharapova’s failed drug test at this year’s Australian Open provoked a flurry of reaction from athletes. While most expressed shock and some sympathy for the Russian tennis player, others were less charitable. PAGE 29

Total (7 wickets; 20 overs)

153

NETHERLANDS INNINGS Myburgh b Nasir Barresi c Sabbir b Al-Amin Cooper b Shakib Borren c Nasir b Shakib T Cooper c Sunny b Al-Amin Merwe c †Mushfiq b Mashrafe Seelaar not out Mudassar run out van Beek not out Extras (b 5, lb 11, w 1)

R 29 9 20 29 15 1 7 14 4 17

Total (7 wickets; 20 overs)

145

B 29 11 15 28 18 3 8 5 3

Bowling Taskin 4-0-21-0, Al-Amin 3-0-24-2, Sunny 2-0-10-0, Nasir 2-0-24-1, Mahmudullah 1-0-8-0, Mashrafe 4-0-14-1, Shakib 4-028-2-7.00 Result: Bangladesh won by eight runs MoM: Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh)

Mashrafe promises Found new ways of scoring runs, says Tamim improvement Uddin Khan n Minhaz from Dharamsala

5 things we learned from Real v Roma

R B 83 58 15 13 15 15 5 7 10 9 0 2 3 7 7 5 8 4 7

Bowling Mudassar 4-0-31-0, van der Gugten 4-0-21-3, van Meekeren 4-0-17-2, van der Merwe 3-0-28-1, van Beek 4-0-43-0, Borren 1-0-9-1

NBR offers tax exemptions The National Board of Revenue has offered a set of incentives in the form of income tax exemptions to organisers and participating countries in the recently concluded ICC U19 World Cup 2016 in order to promote and facilitate the growth of sports in Bangladesh. PAGE 27

BANGLADESH INNINGS Tamim not out Soumya c Barresi b van Meekeren Sabbir lbw b van der Merwe Shakib c Myburgh b Borren Mahmudullah b van der Gugten Mushfiqur b van der Gugten Nasir c Mudassar b van Meekeren Mashrafe c Cooper b Gugten Sunny not out Extras (lb 4, w 3)

It wasn’t the easiest wicket to bat on.

Earlier, it was holding on and it was also spinning. I had to take my time and set myself before playing big shots. I tried to bat long and stay calm, didn’t want to push too hard. That was my plan and I got success.

You are considered a big hitter but recently you are seeming to play more consciously. Your thoughts?

I’ve been talking a lot about my approach with the team management and senior players on how to go about in T20 cricket. I wasn’t doing justice to my talent. I wasn’t scoring too many runs in this for-

mat honestly. So I had to find new ways to score runs in T20s and I’ve been quite successful at home and in Dubai (Pakistan Super League). Just wanted to bat that way. I tried to be more calm and not try to hit too hard early. If everything goes well, my chances of success increase.

It has been a while since you last scored a T20I fifty. Were you desperate to get one yesterday?

I wasn’t frustrated as I wasn’t playing too many games anyway. Was only playing four or two games a year. I’ve been playing for Bangladesh for the last 10 years but have played only 44 T20Is. That’s not a lot. But I wasn’t that successful. There’s always time to learn. The last six months have been good in T20s. I’m happy that I am carrying the form to the World [T20] as well.

Did you plan for a hundred when you crossed fifty and was going great guns?

No there was not any plan to be honest. I was thinking about the team total, we needed 150 runs on the board. That would have created a chance for us.

Our pacers did a brilliant job, especially Taskin [Ahmed], he was unplayable. The win has come through a united effort. I did my part with the bat and the bowlers did theirs. It made me really happy. l

n Minhaz Uddin Khan from Dharamsala

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza credited opener Tamim Iqbal and his bowlers for the narrow eight-run win against the Netherlands in their ICC World Twenty20 firstround opener yesterday. The veteran pacer hoped that the Tigers would improve in their second game against Ireland tomorrow.

Asked to bat first, Bangladesh would have been in big trouble had Tamim not taken up the responsibility of propelling the innings. Later, the Netherlands made a controlled start only to be denied by the Bangladesh pacers in the death overs.

The Dutch needed 42 runs off their last four overs when Mashrafe, along with Taskin Ahmed and Al Amin Hossain broke the momentum of the chase to seal victory. The 17th over, bowled by Mashrafe, went for only three runs and was no doubt the turning point of the game.

“I thought six-seven runs in that over would have been good. We wanted them to chase some 15 to 20 runs in the last over of the game. We succeeded in executing that plan.

I thought it will be better if I bowl the 17th over because I was being able to read the wicket well and also the opposition batsmen. So I decided to bowl that over,” Mashrafe informed following the match yesterday.

The trouble with batting was the failure to read the wicket on the day, said Mashrafe.

“Tamim was outstanding on the day. I thought the wicket would be quick and bouncy but it was the opposite.

It was hard to play the shots. The condition was totally different to what we had expected. It was really hard to be honest and thanks to the Almighty we have been able to overcome that. I hope we will be more confident in the next game,” said Mashrafe. l

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TOUR TIDBITS THE BATTING HORROR SHOW Bangladesh ended up posting 153 runs on the board against the Netherlands, courtesy opening batsman Tamim Iqbal’s unbeaten 58-ball 83. Tamim’s knock though did not erase the horror batting display exhibited by almost all the Tigers batsmen. The southpaw had to literally fight it out alone as none of the batsmen were able to survive in the middle. Bangladesh tend to depend on their top five batters in the Twenty20 format and when the majority fail, it does become a source of concern.

On the day, Shakib al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim’s dismissals could have proved to be costly.

Experienced campaigners Shakib and Mushfiq departing for five and nought respectively will worry the team management. One hopes the duo will roar back to form sooner rather than later.

TAMIM ALL THE WAY The left-hander missed out on the majority of the Asia Cup T20. He was on paternal leave and joined the team for the last two games of the competition – against Pakistan and India – but was unable to fire with the bat. It all changed yesterday however, as he went back to his regular run-scoring ways. When most of the batters failed against the Associate bowling attack, Tamim took up the responsibility and guided his team to a challenging total. He hammered the Dutch attack to all parts of the ground, blasting half a dozen fours and three sixes en route to his fourth fifty in the shortest format.

SUPPORTERS IN DHARAMSALA TOO Bangladesh are playing away from home for the first time since the 2015 World Cup down under. During this time, they recorded several wins against the powerhouses, thus paving the way for grand celebrations throughout the country. Support for the Tigers in Dharamsala though was expected to be missing, given the remote location of the venue. The expectation however, turned out to be wrong as almost 1000 fans in Bangladesh colours thronged the stadium to support their beloved team. The crowd included Bangladeshi students studying in India and expatriates but the majority of the supporters travelled to India. Bangladesh Cricket Supporters Association had the biggest gathering, including of course the two fans clad in Tigers colours. l MINHAZ UDDIN KHAN From Dharamsala

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan bowls against the Netherlands yesterday amid the picturesque scenery of Dharamsala. The venue is surrounded by mountains and hills and stands more than 4000 feet above sea level ICC

Professional Tigers mean their words Uddin Khan n Minhaz from Dharamsala Cricket press conferences are generally considered as the most boring event in world sports. It doesn’t matter how critical the questions are; the majority of the answers are always diplomatic.

“Taking it game by game or focussing on one game at a time” is a common reply of a Bangladesh cricketer at the moment.

A recent experience by this correspondent however, has changed the perspective, at least a little.

The night before Bangladesh’s first game in the World Twenty20 against the Netherlands here, a few Tigers cricketers along with some supporters, mostly the players’ family and friends were gossiping around a bonfire in the team hotel.

TODAY'S MATCHES Group B 3:30PM, 5th Match

Scotland v Zimbabwe 8:00PM, 6th Match

Afghanistan v Hong Kong Maasranga TV, Gazi TV, Star Sports 1

If the Tigers progress from the qualifying round, they will face Pakistan in their first match of

the second round in Kolkata this Wednesday.

The fans were planning how to catch the game at the Eden Gardens when a Bangladesh opening batsman said, “Let us qualify first.”

The cricketer instantly received support from his team mates.

In reply, a supporter explained the cricketers that a fan will never have a similar mindset to that of the player and it is good to have the difference.

It was realised that the incident is one of many changes in attitude that the Bangladesh cricketers have adopted in recent times. In the past, there have been ample occasions when the Tigers’ professionalism came into question.

However, this particular incident indicates that the Tigers are now serious not only on the field but also off it. l

Captains of women Twenty20 cricket teams, (L-R) India's Mithali Raj, Sri Lanka's Shashikala Siriwardene, Ireland's Isobel Joyce and Bangladesh's Jahanara Alam pose with the winner's trophy during a media interaction ahead of their ICC World Twenty20 2016 in Bangalore yesterday AP

WHAT HE SAID

PETER BORREN Netherlands captain

DISAPPOINTMENT Pretty sure the changing room is absolutely gutted at the moment. We talk about getting into a position where any team can win the game and I am pretty sure with four overs to go in this game, we were probably in the box-seat.

And the 17th over from Mashrafe bin Mortaza was probably the one that’s killed us I think. Two overs and the big wickets of Roelof van der Merwe.

Very disappointed to have got us into a position where we should have won the game and not close it out. Obviously credit to the Bangladeshi bowlers.

Taskin [Ahmed] hardly missed a yorker.

But in saying that, very disappointing not to win having been in that situation.

TAMIM’S KNOCK He played pretty sensibly. I think he adjusted to the conditions pretty well.

If you look at the scorecard, if Tamim bats 20 overs he would like to have got a hundred. But he played a bit of a lone hand. The fact that they were losing wickets at the other end did not go his way in making runs. He didn’t get a lot of support for a guy to bat through the innings. I think he showed a lot of maturity and deserved man-ofthe-match in a game where not many actually scored runs. It was a mature innings which probably won them the game in the end.

–MINHAZ UDDIN KHAN

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WT20 BYTES 11th Bangla Channel Swimming today The 11th edition of the Bangla Channel Swimming will be held today morning at the 10-mile long Bangla Channel in Bay of Bengal, Teknaf. Ever since the late scuba diver and veteran photographer Quazi Hamidul Hoque established the competition in 2006, it has been taking place on a regular basis in the last 10 years. A total of seven participants will take part in this edition, including English Channel swimmer Ritu Kedia of India. The others are renowned swimmer Lipton Sarkar, Everest conqueror Musa Ibrahim, Moniruzzaman, Parvez Rashid, Shamsuzzaman Arafat and Shahadat Hossain. The marathon will start from the Teknaf fisheries jetty and conclude at the Saint Martin’s Island jetty.

–TRIBUNE REPORT

34th National, AgeLevel Gymnastics begins today The 34th National and Age-Level Gymnastics Championship will get underway at the National Sports Council gymnasium today. A total of 160 gymnasts from 20 different district sports associations and services teams will take part in the four-day competition.

–TRIBUNE REPORT

India-Pakistan T20 match shifted over security worries The World Twenty20 match between arch rivals India and Pakistan has been shifted from the northern Indian hill town of Dharamsala at the last minute after Pakistan expressed security concerns, organisers said yesterday. International Cricket Council Chief Executive David Richardson announced that the hotly awaited clash on March 19 would be shifted to Kolkata in eastern India, hosts of the World T20 which kicked off this week.

–AFP

Struggling Sri Lanka to play with ‘freedom’ Newly-appointed Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said yesterday the struggling islanders would benefit at the WT20 from being free of the burden of expectation that usually surrounds the side. The defending champions have slumped to eighth in the T20 rankings and come into the WT20 in India following a disastrous showing at the Asia Cup. Few commentators have given them much hope of successfully defending their title in the sixth edition and that’s something Mathews welcomes.

–AFP

NBR offers tax exemptions for ICC U19 WC organisers, participating countries n Syed Samiul Basher Anik The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has offered a set of incentives in the form of income tax exemptions to organisers and participating countries in the recently concluded ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2016 in order to promote and facilitate the growth of sports in Bangladesh.

Exemption of income tax and deduction of tax at source have been offered by the income tax wing of the NBR under several forms of earnings in a circular signed by NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman on February 28.

Bangladesh hosted the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2016 from January 27 to February 14, and 16 countries participated in the tournament.

The countries are South Africa,

New Zealand, Pakistan, England, Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, West Indies, India, Scotland, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Canada, Fiji and Nepal.

The NBR authorities offered tax exemptions for earnings of non-resident Bangladeshis employed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), ICC Development International (IDI) Limited and ICC’s associate organisations during the tournament as representatives, agents, officials, staff and media workers.

The earnings eligible for tax exemptions include salary, allowance, gratuity, daily allowance and refundable costs, the circular said.

The NBR also exempted income tax to players, coaches, trainers, doctors and officials of any participating country, except Bangladesh, on any income including match

fee, prize money or any other reward received during the tournament.

The ICC, IDI and ICC’s associate organisations were exempted from any income including commercial sale of title and income eligible for refund that they received in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the ICC’s local organising committee were also offered the special tax privilege on any income given by the ICC or the IDI after the end of the tournament. The types of income include dividend, service charge, royalty or any other earnings.

The BCB, local organising committee of the ICC, associate organisations of the ICC and the participating countries were given the tax exemption facility on the import of all products required for the tour-

Manchester United, Liverpool renew rivalry in Europa League n AFP, Paris

FIXTURES v v v v v v v v

Anderlecht Sevilla Tottenham Braga Leverkusen Valencia Man United Lazio

Oman stun Ireland at World Twenty20 n AFP World Twenty20 debutants Oman stunned Ireland by two wickets in a thrilling last-over finish on Wednesday with lower-order batsman Aamer Ali’s 32-run blitz achieving the target with two balls to spare.

Oman openers Zeeshan Maqsood and Khawal Ali provided a 69-run opening stand only to see the middle-order give it away with the side reeling at 90 for five after 14 overs.

Aamer, who hit five boundaries and a six in his 17-ball stay, then stitched a crucial sixthwicket stand with Jatinder Singh as Irish medium-pacer Max Sorensen failed to stop 14 runs from the last over.

It was indeed a great achievement for the Sultan Ahmed-led side, which mostly consists of Indian and Pakistani expats.

“We were trying to get boundaries every over. We have done a lot of hard work before coming to the World Cup, and finally it has paid off,” 37-year-old Aamer Ali told cricinfo.com through a translator.l

Eternal rivals Manchester United travel to Liverpool in the Europa League last 16, first leg on Thursday in a battle of English football’s two most successful sides.

United have won the English title a record 20 times, twice more than Liverpool, but the Reds have the edge abroad, having been crowned European champions on five occasions to United’s three.

The Anfield encounter will mark the first time the teams have faced off in European competition, with the two Premier League giants combining to lift 17 continental trophies.

Winning the Europa League appears the best chance for either side to compete in next season’s Champions League, with both United and Liverpool languishing outside the top four in England.

The Red Devils won both Premier League meetings this season, following up a 3-1 win at Old Trafford in September with a 1-0 victory on Merseyside in the reverse fixture. l

Donetsk Basel Dortmund Fenerbahce Villarreal Athletic Bilbao Liverpool Sparta Prague

nament.

In addition, the local organising committee of the ICC in Bangladesh or the BCB was exempted from deduction of source tax on salary paid to any Bangladeshi resident from the fund given by the ICC or IDI. Usually, a person responsible for making any payment classified as “salaries” shall deduct tax, at an average rate, on the amount at the time of making such payment, according to Section 50 of the income tax ordinance 1984.

The NBR has provided special tax exemption facilities for Bangladesh Cricket Board to hold international tournaments such as Asian Cup and Under 19 Cricket competition in line with the prime minister’s policy to promote sports, culture and tourism in the country, said NBR Chairman Nojibur. l

BRIEF SCORES

Manchester United's Bastian Schweinsteiger practises during a training session at Manchester United Training Ground yesterday REUTERS

IRELAND 154/5 (20 OV) Wilson 38, Stirling 29, Ansari 3/37 OMAN 157/8 (19.4 OV) Zeeshan 38, Khawar 34, Aamer 32, McBrine 2/15 IRELAND won by 2 wickets MoM: Aamer Ali (Oman)

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WOLFSBURG v GENT

Wolfsburg 1-0 Gent Schuerrle 74 Wolfsburg win 4-2 on aggregate 48 Possession (%) 52 17 Total attempts 7 5 on target 2 6 off target 4 6 blocked 1 0 against woodwork 0 6 Corners 1 2 Offsides 3 0/0 Yellow/Red 0/0 13 Fouls committed 16 16 Fouls suffered 12 478 Passes 561 412 completed 491

REAL v ROMA

Real Madrid 2-0 Roma Ronaldo 64, Rodriguez 68 Real Madrid win 4-0 on aggregate

55 Possession (%) 38 Total attempts 11 on target 15 off target 12 blocked 0 against woodwork 11 Corners 2 Offsides 1/0 Yellow/Red 7 Fouls committed 9 Fouls suffered 622 Passes 557 completed

45 11 4 5 2 1 7 0 1/0 9 6 440 375

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo attempts a shot at goal during their Champions League Round of 16, second leg match against Roma at the Bernabeu on Tuesday AP

Five things we learned from Real Madrid v Roma 1. Ronaldo can’t stop scoring

It would be fair to say Ronaldo enjoys playing in the UEFA Champions League. The tournament’s alltime leading scorer with 90 goals, Ronaldo netted a competition-record 11 times in this season’s group stage and added one in either leg against Roma to help Madrid to a 4-0 aggregate victory. The Portuguese’s latest strike came on his record 57th knockout stage appearance just when Real needed it most.

2. Madrid win ugly

The hallmark of champions, they say, is grinding out victories when not at your best – which is exactly what the Merengues did. With Roma sensing a comeback despite a 2-0 first-leg deficit, the Italian side were the better team for large periods of the opening hour. Madrid struggled to gain a foothold, grateful for a combination of profligate finishing and fine goalkeeping, before the hosts’ stars stepped up.

3. Mohamed Salah a shining light

On another night the Egypt winger would have stolen the headlines.

His dynamic performance was a joy. His neat footwork and electric pace helped him exploit space vacated behind attacking full-back Marcelo. It caused problems for Zinédine Zidane’s men all evening.

Unfortunately for the visitors, Salah did not have his shooting boots on, missing two gilt-edged opportunities.

4. Keylor Navas proves unbeatable

Maybe not the biggest name in Madrid’s glittering squad, yet Costa Rican international Navas is having a stellar campaign. The custodian has saved his side on numerous occasions and is yet to concede in eight Champions League matches, sitting behind only Jens Lehmann (853) in minutes played without conceding in the competition. He conjured outstanding stops to deny Florenzi, Manolas and Perotti.

Q2: Which venue will host the 2016 T20 World Cup final?

Ans: Kolkata Mumbai Dharamsala Q3: Which edition is the 2016 T20 World Cup? Ans: 4th 5th 6th

Totti’s name was greeted with applause from all corners before kickoff. The 39-year-old was later afforded something reserved for only a select group of opposition players when taking to the field on 74 minutes: a standing ovation from the Madrid crowd. “He deserves the applause for his career,” coach Spalletti observed. “The Bernabéu is a stadium that has always known how to recognise great players.” l

Terms & Conditions:

Prizes: (First Round)

The lucky winners among all the participants who have answered correctly will be selected in an official lottery and will have their picture published in the newspaper. v Answers must be sent in only the coupon (photocopy will not be accepted). v Quiz coupon should be submitted in the Dhaka Tribune newspaper address. v No one affiliated with Dhaka Tribune and Walton will be able to participate. v Coupon submission deadline March 13, 2016. v A person can send as many coupons as he/she wants. v Walton-Dhaka Tribune T20 World Cup should be written on top of the envelope.

1st prize 2nd prize 3rd prize 4th prize 5th prize

v

Q1: Who won the last T20 World Cup in 2014?

Ans: Sri Lanka India Australia

5. Bernabéu salutes Totti

Name...................................................................................................

Father's Name.....................................................................................

Address...............................................................................................

Phone/Cell...........................................................Age.........................

Dhaka Tribune, F.R.Tower, 8/C, Panthapath, Sukrabad, Dhaka – 1207.

: Walton Refrigerator (11.5 CFT) 01pcs : Walton LED Television 24” 01pcs : Walton Microwave Oven 01pcs : Walton Blender 03pcs : Walton Rice Cooker 05pcs

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

Reactions to Sharapova’s positive drug test n Reuters

The responses are exactly what i am talking about. Everything based on illusion and lie driven by the media for over 20 yrs. Beyond unfair.”

Five-times grand slam champion Maria Sharapova’s failed drug test at this year’s Australian Open provoked a flurry of reaction from athletes, on social media and beyond.

While most expressed shock and some sympathy for the Russian tennis player, others were less charitable.

TENNIS GREAT MARTINA NAVRATILOVA ON TWITTER

“Hold your horses everyone - about Maria - I don’t have all the facts, I hope it’s an honest mistake, stuff was legal as far as I know till 2015.”

WORLD NO. 1 SERENA WILLIAMS

“Most people were surprised and shocked by Maria, but at the same time, most people were happy that she was upfront and very honest.

It showed a lot of courage to admit to what she had done and what she had neglected to look at in terms of the list (of banned drugs) at the end of the year.”

When asked if Sharapova was being punished more harshly than male athletes who have faced scandals, and if that suggested a double standard, Williams said: “In sport and in life, there’s always a double standard, always, and I think that’s something that everyone knows. Whether it’s a race thing or a sex thing, there’s always been a double standard.

“However, this is a different thing and I think that, as Maria said, she’s ready to take full responsibility and I think that showed a lot of courage and a lot of heart.”

CURRENT DANISH PLAYER CAROLINE WOZNIACKI

“When we take any medication, I think we double and triple and quadruple check. Sometimes, even things like cough drops or nasal sprays can be on the list. So I think, as athletes, we always make sure there’s nothing in it that can put us in a bad situation.”

FORMER PLAYER JAMES BLAKE ON TWITTER

“Wow. Classy of @MariaSharapova to hold a press conference for this and admit making a mistake. Definitely agree that have to be aware though.”

AMERICAN SPRINTER AND OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST ARIES MERRITT AT THE USOC MEDIA SUMMIT IN BEVERLY HILLS

“As an athlete it is your responsibility to always know what’s being placed on the banned list. Period.

We are informed through USADA or the USTAF what’s on the banned list. They send us an email.

“I can’t speak for USA Tennis, I can’t speak for USA Golf but I know in my sport we are sent emails that tell us what is on the banned list and every year we have to take a USADA course and that course gives us the link to everything that is banned.

“There is no excuse.”

SEVEN-TIME GRAND SLAM SINGLES CHAMPION JUSTINE HENIN

“Some questions still have to be asked and it’s very difficult at the moment to give an opinion. What I

Russia says repeatedly warned athletes about Sharapova drug n Reuters, Moscow Russia’s athletics federation, facing exclusion from the Rio Olympics over previous doping scandals, said yesterday it had repeatedly warned athletes and coaches not to take meldonium, the banned substance used by tennis player Maria Sharapova.

Since former world number one Sharapova admitted using meldonium, Russian sports officials have said a number of other competitors have taken the substance, which is used to treat diabetes and low magnesium, and more names could emerge.

So far none of the Russian sports people named have been involved in track and field, but if any are found to have used the drug it would set back what is already an uphill struggle by Russian athletics to prove it is tackling doping in time for the Rio Games in August this year.

In an announcement entitled: “To the attention of sports people and coaches,” the Russian athletics federation, or ARAF, said it was reminding people in the sport yet again that meldonium is on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned list.

“The ARAF has on multiple occasions warned sports people, coaches, and support staff that, since Jan. 1 this year meldonium is included in the list of the banned substances.” l

can say is it’s not good for the game.

“Rules are important, rules have to be respected so that’s the thing we can say today. But I am still a little bit sad about all of this.”

RUSSIAN FORMER WORLD NO. 1 MARAT SAFIN

“The situation is pretty difficult but I think there is a lot we still have to understand. It can be a mistake.

But it depends how they (investigators) take it and how they feel about the situation.”

FORMER WORLD NO.1 JENNIFER CAPRIATI ON TWITTER

“I’m extremely angry and disappointed. I had to lose my career and never opted to cheat no matter what. I had to throw in the towel and suffer.

“I didn’t have the high priced team of drs that found a way for me to cheat and get around the system and wait for science to catch up.

CURRENT AMERICAN PLAYER RYAN HARRISON on TWITTER

“Maria handled that so well. In my opinion, honest mistake from a great champion”

FORMER TOP 10 PLAYER AND COACH BRAD GILBERT

“Still stunned that nobody on Shazza team checked new list from WADA, players are responsible but this is big time oversight on team as well.”

AUSTRALIAN PLAYER MATT EBDEN

“Doesn’t look that innocent for Sharapova or whoever else took it, this Meldonium stuff but who knows?”

BRITISH OLYMPIC HEPTATHLON BRONZE MEDALLIST KELLY SOTHERTON

“I’m pretty sure if this was a track and field athlete they’d be getting a much rawer deal than Sharapova. However it is what it is. #Sharapova” l

DAY’S WATCH CRICKET GAZI TV, MAASRANGA TV, STAR SPORTS 1 ICC World T20 2016: Qualifiers 3:30PM Scotlanad v Zimbabwe 8:00PM Hong Kong v Afghanistan

STAR SPORTS 4 9:35AM Irani Cup 2016: Day 5 Mumbai v Rest of India

FOOTBALL TEN SPORTS UEFA Europa League 12:00AM Basel v Sevilla 2:00AM Athletic v Valencia

TEN ACTION UEFA Europa League 12:00AM Dortmund v Tottenham 2:00AM Liverpool v Man United

TEN CRICKET UEFA Europa League 2:00AM Villarreal v Leverkusen

SONY SIX 1:45AM Scottish Premiership Motherwell v Dundee United

BADMINTON STAR SPORTS 4 6:00PM Yonex All England Open Round 16

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

Rockstar reveries

Performances recall highlights from Joy Bangla Concert

n Promiti Prova Chowdhury “The Joy Bangla concert provided us with the ideal environment to perform. With an excellent venue, crowd and sound system, we enjoyed every bit of our time on stage.”

“After the widespread use of smartphones and the Internet, the younger generation keep themselves submerged in everything else but history. I think this is a good initiative to educate them about our history in a manner which is enjoyable to them.” – Emil, vocalist, Shunno Highlight of Shunno’s performance: Joy Bangla, Banglar joy

“Loved the concept and the arrangement. Young Bangla is executing wonderful youth-based initiatives one after another. I appreciate what they are doing for the youth. Loved the presentation

by Prachyanat.”

“We composed the track ‘Dhushor Manchitro’ in 1998 on the occasion of the International Mother Language Day. We played two lines of ‘Amar bhaier rokte rangano’ in the middle of the song. We initially chose to perform it in the concert before, but this time around, we sang that part as well.” – Tipu, drums and percussion, Warfaze Highlight of Warfaze’s performance: Dhushor manchitro

“The experience was overwhelming. Every year, we get to listen to the monumental speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on television and other media. However, listening to it at the concert gave me goosebumps. I am honoured to be part of the moment.” “‘Dhono dhanno pushpo bhora’ is a very meaningful song to us.

It was the first time for me, and I was extremely nervous on stage.

Thankfully, it went well and I am lucky to have performed the song there.” – Zohad, vocal, Nemesis Highlight of Nemesis’ performance: Dhono dhanno pushpo bhora

“We may not have seen the Liberation War, but we’ve definitely heard the historic March 7 speech. The words of honesty and transparency clearly distinguish Bangabandhu from the leaders of our present time.”

“Fakir Lalon Shah talked about creating a world where everyone is seen as equal, irrespective of their caste and creed. A similar tone was present in Bangabandhu’s powerful speech.

With our performance, we took an oath to create a beautiful motherland.” – Thein Han Maung (Titi), drummer, Lalon Highlight of Lalon’s performance: Purbo digonte shurjo uthecche

“Joy Bangla concert is arguably the biggest musical event of the country. The way the event has been organised, with excellent presentation and tight security, it has become unique in the context of our country.”

“Loved the performance by Prachyanat. It recreated various historic events of the 1971 Liberation War. The purpose of enlightening the youth about the history of our independence was fulfilled successfully.” – Ziaur Rahman, bassist, Shironamhin Highlight of Shironamhin’s performance: Mora ekti phul ke bachabo bole juddho kori l

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

PUTTING SAFETY FIRST COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

PAGE 13

$2BN INDIAN DEAL SIGNED FOR DEV PROJECTS PAGE 15

ROCKSTAR REVERIES PAGE 31

Building code in limbo Showkat Kallol and n Asif Shohel Mamun

People in Dhaka watch partial solar eclipse during yesterday’s sunrise. Science group Anusandhitsu Chakra arranged the observation of eclipse. The photo was taken at 6:30am RAJIB DHAR

'Massive funding needed to be prepared for earthquakes' More funds are needed to raise awareness and to retrofit earthquake vulnerable buildings in Dhaka city, says Mahbuba Nasreen, the director of Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability studies at University of Dhaka. In an interview with Dhaka Tribune’s Asif Showkat Kallol and Shohel Mamun on the occasion of Disaster Management Preparation Day, she says media should run more content on tremor awareness and less political talk shows How did the disaster management issue come forward?

We have formulated a national disaster management strategy step by step from experiences of natural disasters like floods, cyclones and tsunami. Disaster management concerns were raised at first during the 1988 and 1990 floods. The Pakistan-era flood dams began to show faults. In 1993, the government created the Disaster Management Bureau along with a flood action plan. Standing Orders on Disasters (SODs) were created in 1997, in which we defined the role of every person during and after a disaster.

But a complete disaster programme only began in 2004 funded by British development agencies. Other donors came in later.

Where are we in terms of managing earthquakes?

Our main challenge is to get trained volunteers to affected areas in the city after an earthquake. Machines and motor vehicles will not reach those areas. The government has

already trained 60,000 professional volunteers. Underground gas lines will also be a severe problem, making the earthquake situation worse. Nepal's big earthquake had minimum impact because people use cylinder gas there. Massive funds are required to build up a system for automatic gas and electricity shutdown in densely populated earthquake prone areas.

Is it true that a mid-level earth earthquake can destroy 60% of Dhaka?

Yes, it is true. A mid-level earthquake will destroy 60% of Dhaka's

infrastructure and cause a great loss of life and property due to the high construction and population density here. Unplanned industrial and urban growth has made us vulnerable. We are now trying to build houses and infrastructure under the Detailed Area Plan. We have already identified the earthquake-prone buildings in and around Dhaka. Many public buildings are on this list.

disaster management programmes will get funding. Fund crisis at the Disaster Management Ministry is chronic due to low budget allocation. There are funds available in the climate change programmes under the Environment Ministry.

If the two ministries work together, some of the crises could be solved.

Is retrofitting of vulnerable buildings the main challenge for the government?

We do not have enough earthquake awareness. The media, especially electronic media, has to play a big role in creating awareness on the situation. TV channels are busy running political talk shows but they do not talk about this life and death issue. Some development partners issue funds to raise awareness on earthquakes. But we need big awareness programmes. One good thing is that disaster management issues were included in the primary and secondary curricula along with teachers’ training modules from 2013. l

Retrofitting of vulnerable buildings is a major challenge because it is expensive. Massive funds will be needed for this. If the buildings are not safe, what good will awareness do?

Do the country’s disaster management programmes have enough funds?

A comprehensive disaster management programme was completed recently but it is unclear how future

Is awareness of disaster management in the country, especially earthquake, enough?

For eight years now, the upgraded building code has been stuck in an argument between two ministries while building and construction safety in the country goes unchecked, resulting in frequent accidents and earthquake vulnerability.

Since 2008, the Law Ministry's Law and Legislation Division has been pushing back against the Public Works Ministry's efforts to get its draft of Bangladesh National Building Code vetted without the formation of a regulatory body.

The ministry is against a separate body enforcing the building code, despite the laws stipulating a Bangladesh Building Regulatory Authority.

The gazette notification on the building code was issued on November 15, 2006. Later, in 2008, the Public Works Ministry undertook the project “Upgrading of Bangladesh National Building Code,” costing around Tk2.87 crore. At the end of the project the ministry sent a proposal to the Law and Legislation Division for vetting but the division has returned it twice so far.

The division asked the ministry to create a separate building code authority.

Housing and Public Works Minister Eng Mosharraf Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday different authorities would implement the building code instead of an independent authority.

“These authorities know their work and how to monitor buildings according to their guidelines... It would be time consuming to form a separate authority for the building code,” he said.

According to the Public Works Ministry's meeting minutes, the code is now enforced by the Local Government Division, Rajuk, Chittagong Development Authority, Rajshahi Development Authority and Khulna Development Authority.

The minutes also show that former public works secretary Muhammad Moinuddin Abdullah was unwilling to create the building regulatory authority as per the Legislation Division's insistence.

Experts on the other hand, are advocating for a separate commission to enforce the code. Building code expert and Buet civil engineering Prof Mahedi Ahmed Ansary said: “If bureaucrats control the regulatory body, the building code will not be properly implemented.” l

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