30 June, 2016

SECOND EDITION

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

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Ashar 16, 1423, Ramadan 24, 1437

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 4, No 68

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

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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

|

Ashar 16, 1423, Ramadan 24, 1437

|

Regd No DA 6238, Vol 4, No 68

|

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

Highway costs exorbitant n Shohel Mamun Unusually high construction costs are set to impact three upcoming highway projects in Bangladesh.

While the World Bank recommends that construction of a new four-lane highway should cost Tk17 crore per kilometre, estimated cost in one project alone could go as high as Tk118 crore per kilometre.

Also, compared to the recommended Tk11 crore cost for fourlane upgrades, Bangladesh will be spending around Tk54 crore on an average for its projects.

These are extremely steep numbers considering that European countries spend equivalent to Tk28 crore to construct each kilometre of highway.

Experts, however, argue that excluding facilities and land acquisition expenditures, the actual construction cost in most Bangladeshi projects should not exceed Tk20-22 crore per kilometre.

But such low costs are not the case in several upcoming highway projects.

The new 53km Dhaka-Mawa four-lane highway, construction for which will begin at the start of next year, is expected to cost the

Finance Bill passed n Asif Showkat Kallol Finance Bill 2016 was passed in parliament yesterday, cutting tax at source on export to 0.70% from the proposed 1.5% for the fiscal year 2016-17.

“Considering exporters’ demand, foreign exchange earning and the present economic situation, I am requesting finance minister to reduce tax at source rate on all exports to 0.70%,” Prime Minister and Leader of the House  PAGE 4 COLUMN 1

SEHRI & IFTAR

Ramadan June 24 30 25 1 July 26 2 July

Sehri – 3:42 3:43

Iftar 6:53 6:53 6:54

Source: Islamic Foundation

IS suspected after Istanbul airport blasts kill 41 n Reuters

Construction of the four-lane Dhaka-Tangail Highway in progress government around Tk6,252 crore – or Tk117.96 crore per kilometre.

Two other four-lane upgrade projects will also see their construction begin next year with funding from the Asian Development Bank.

The 157km Rangpur-Hatikumrul four-lane upgrade project cost is Tk8,175 crore (Tk52.07 crore per kilometre); for the Dhaka-Sylhet four-lane upgrade project, the total cost is Tk12,665 crore (Tk56.4 crore for each kilometre).

All cost estimates are way above World Bank’s recommendations.

According to the global bank’s research, low and middle income countries should spend around Tk17 crore per kilometre for a new

Turkish investigators pored over video footage and witness statements yesterday after three suspected Islamic State suicide bombers opened fire and blew themselves up in Istanbul’s main airport, killing 41 people and wounding 239.

The attack on Europe’s third-busiest airport was the deadliest in a series of suicide bombings this year in Turkey, part of the U.S.led coalition against Islamic State and struggling to contain spillover from neighboring Syria’s war.

President Tayyip Erdogan said the attack should serve as a turning point in the global fight against terrorism, which he said had “no regard for faith or values”. U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned it in separate phone calls with Erdogan, his office said.

Five Saudis and two Iraqis were among the dead, a Turkish official said. Citizens from China, Jordan,

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Is this GDP growth sustainable? n Jebun Nesa Alo The Awami League-led 14-party Alliance government is aiming for a growth rate of 7.2% in the coming fiscal year, after having achieved 7.05% last year.

But stagnating private sector investment and poor employment generation are a cause for concern.

Some experts warn that this level of growth is not sustainable.

Private sector investment as a share of GDP declined to 21.78% in FY2015-16 from 22.07% the previous fiscal year, according to Bangladesh Economic Review 2016.

The number of new jobs generated from projects registered with the Board of Investment dropped to a decade low of 146,353 as of February 2016, against 226,411 generated in FY2014-15.

The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), a local think tank, found that the projected acceleration of GDP growth was largely driven by

the hike in public salaries.

“It is likely that the boost will last one more year when the second adjustment is made in the new government pay scale,” the report said.

But new employment generation was unlikely to pick up in light of the slowdown in private investment, the analysis found.

“GDP growth is calculated mainly on the basis of consumption. The government wage hike raised the consumption level. Various mega projects also contributed to growth,” Khondaker Golam Moazzem, additional research director at CPD, said.

But the fast GDP growth was nothing to celebrate, he warned.

“The growth is not sustainable.

The government must increase private sector investment to foster quality growth and job creation,” he said.

Government expenditure for consumption as a share of GDP saw

a significant increase to 5.89% in the outgoing fiscal year, compared to 5.40% in the previous fiscal year.

The ratio was 5.34% in FY2013-14.

Although private investment declined significantly, public investment as a share of GDP rose to 7.6% in 2015-16 from 6.82% the year before.

But Golam Moazzem said the budget, which strongly focuses on mega projects that will not likely be completed this year, would not attract private investment.

Former commerce minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury questioned the cost and time overruns which seemed to plague the big ticket projects.

“The cost of the Padma Bridge was initially $3 billion. Now it has gone up to around $7 billion and will eventually stand at $9 billion,” he said.

“The cost of a four-lane road is Tk13 crore in China, Tk11 crore in India but in Bangladesh the gov-

ernment has shown the cost to be Tk54 crore,” he added.

The CPD analysis showed that of the 233 projects completed in FY2013-14, only 14.2% projects were completed on time and within budget, the lowest level since FY2000-01.

About half of the completed projects experienced time overruns, the highest number since FY2000-01. These time overruns led to a 51% increase in average cost of completed projects, the highest in eight years, according to the analysis.

Meanwhile, a slump in credit demand has caused excess liquidity in the banking sector.

Mohammed Nurul Amin, managing director of Meghna Bank said lower government borrowing from the banking system had contributed to excess liquidity.

He said continuing political uncertainty would dampen investment. l

Alerts issued against Mitu’s killers Mizanur Rahaman, n FM Chittagong

The police yesterday issued alerts to all airports and land ports so that the five suspected killers of SP Babul Akter’s wife Mahmuda Khanam Mitu could not leave the country.

The fugitives are police informant Kamrul Shikder alias Musa Shikder, Nabi, Rashed, Kalu and Shahjahan, said police sources. Their names were mentioned by Motaleb Mia alias Wasim and Anwar in their confessional statements given on Sunday.

Even though the police sources have confirmed that Musa is already in custody, the Chittagong Metropolitan Police commissioner dismissed the claim.

CMP boss Iqbal Bahar yesterday said the airports and the land ports were given the photos and other particulars of the suspected killers. l

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Highway costs exorbitant four-lane highway, and Tk11 crore to upgrade a two-lane highway to four-lane.

Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary MAN Siddique told the Dhaka Tribune that the project expenditures were higher in Bangladesh because U-loops, flyovers, underpasses, intersections, bridges, drains etc were included in the project costs.

Talking about the upcoming highway projects, Siddique said: “These roads should be international standard.”

But even international road projects require significantly less money than what it costs here in Bangladesh.

It takes more than double the money to construct a single kilo-

metre of highway in Bangladesh than in Europe, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has found.

In a 2014 report, the UNECE said European countries at the time spent equivalent to Tk28 crore per kilometre to construct a four-lane highway, and Tk20 crore for a twolane highways on an average.

Even neighbouring countries such as India and China spend only a little compared to what Bangladesh will be spending for the upcoming projects.

According to India’s 12th fiveyear plan for 2012-17, the cost for each kilometre of four-lane highway should be equivalent to around Tk9-10 crore, and Tk5-6 crore for two-lane roads including

IS suspect the cost of land acquisition.

Meanwhile, China’s five-year plan reads that the estimated cost of four-lane highways should be equivalent to Tk12-13 crore per kilometre, while the cost for twolane is fixed below Tk10 crore.

The main reason for the high costs in Bangladesh, experts say, is corruption; but prices are also pushed up by high import duties on construction materials, lack of experience and expertise.

According to World Bank findings, companies in Bangladesh paid officials up to 15% of the contract value in exchange for award of the contract. Such corrupt methods more than often hiked the costs.

Shamsul Haque, a professor of civil engineering at Buet, said:

“Bangladesh is a heavy costing country for such highway construction works. Corruption, mismanagement, crisis of cost calculation expertise are the main causes of high construction costs.”

However, there are examples of highway projects being completed for considerably less amount of money.

The 70km Joydebpur-Tangail four-lane project costs Tk2,884 – or a per kilometre cost of Tk41.2 crore; the 192km Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane upgrade project costs Tk3,794.29 crore – or a per kilometre cost of Tk19.73 crore; the 87.18km Joydebpur-Mymensingh four-lane upgrade project costs Tk1,815.12 crore – or a per kilometre cost of Tk20.82 crore. l

raw materials and machinery for pharmaceuticals industry should be set at a rational level.

She said such benefits will be given to special types of refrigerators and humidity chambers used in health services sector.

Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah presided over the session during the passage of the Finance Bill through voice votes, which made amendments to income tax, VAT and customs duties. Most lawmakers attended the session.

On June 2, the bill was tabled in the Parliament while proposing national budget for the FY2016-17.

In his concluding speech, finance minister proposed some major changes to finance bill before its

passage.

He said tax and duty benefits will continue on import of machinery and rides for construction of amusement parks.

Muhith proposed raising income tax rebate on investment in some specific sectors by individuals to 25% from proposed 20% for the new fiscal year and setting rebate ceilings at 10%, 12% and 15%.

For multinational companies, he proposed to consider changing income year to January-December from July-June of any fiscal year.

The minister proposed the changes so that the multinational companies can keep their accounts consistent with their mother companies. l

Finance Bill passed Sheikh Hasina told the Parliament during budget discussion yesterday.

She also requested Finance Minister AMA Muhith to cancel the proposed 15% value added tax on house rent of companies providing Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES).

Prime minister said the VAT should be lifted considering ITES companies’ contribution to implement Digital Bangladesh vision, employment generation and increasing of foreign investment in the IT sector. Currently, the ITES firms pay 9% VAT on house rent.

She also said 1% customs duty on import of capital machinery should be continued and benefit on

import of some other machinery should be extended for the sake of industrial expansion.

Sheikh Hasina said the benefits will discourage false declaration of import, helping to significantly reduce evasions of revenue.

She also asked finance minister to continue with duty exemption and rebate facilities for essential commodities including edible oil, sugar, lentil, onion and garlic in new fiscal year.

Prime minister said duty on raw materials of different information technology related products like SIM card, smart card, server bank and fiber optic cable will be reduced.

She said tax on import of some

Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Iran and Ukraine were also among the 13 foreigners killed.

One attacker opened fire in the departures hall with an automatic rifle, sending passengers diving for cover and trying to flee, before all three blew themselves up in or around the arrivals hall a floor below, witnesses and officials said.

Video footage showed one of the attackers inside the terminal building being shot, apparently by a police officer, before falling to the ground as people scattered.

The attacker then blew himself up around 20 seconds later.

“It’s a jigsaw puzzle ... The authorities are going through CCTV footage, witness statements,” a Turkish official said.

The Dogan news agency said autopsies on the three bombers, whose torsos were ripped apart, had been completed and that they may have been foreign nationals, without citing its sources.

Broken ceiling panels littered the kerb outside the arrivals section of the international terminal.

Plates of glass had shattered, exposing the inside of the building, and electric cables dangled from the ceiling. Cleanup crews swept up debris and armed police patrolled as flights resumed.

“This attack, targeting innocent people is a vile, planned terrorist act,” Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told reporters at the scene in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

“There is initial evidence that each of the three suicide bombers blew themselves up after opening fire,” he said. l

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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

PM blames BNP for secret killings n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has accused the BNP of being involved in recent “secret killings” and of “instigating militancy” to destabilise the country.

The prime minister brought the allegation yesterday while taking part in the discussion on proposed budget for 2016-17 fiscal year.

She said there was no room left for militants in the country.

Hasina said her government has directed all law enforcement agencies to bring all criminal masterminds and those involved in subversive and violent acts under the purview of law and to initiate legal

state-managed drama to hide the real fact behind the terrorist attack on the college teacher.

About the proposed coal-based Rampal plant near the Sundarbans, the prime minister said there was no possibility of environment pollution in the Sundarbans area.

She said her government ensured proper waste management systems of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and Rampal coal-based power plant before the projects were initiated.

There was no possibility of a repetition of a Chernobyl disaster as more sophisticated nuclear power plants were being built now, she said.

steps against them.

The prime minister criticised the BNP chairperson for raising questions about the killing of militant suspect Ghulam Faizullah Fahim in an alleged gunfight with police.

“The militant was caught red-handed by locals while attacking a college teacher of Madaripur.

He was later killed in a crossfire or any other means… But why does Khaleda Zia shed crocodile tears?”

Fahim was killed on June 18 in an alleged gunfight with police hours after he was placed on a 10-day remand on charges of attempting to murder the Madaripur teacher.

BNP chief Khaleda alleged that Fahim had been killed in a

“I do not know why they [those opposing Rampal] are against the power plant. Coal is being used for filtering water, but they are advocating that coal will pollute water and environment,” she said.

Highlighting her government's various steps for the country's development, she said investment had increased 44% in the country and more relaxed policies were being adopted to attract more investment.

About government’s success in power sector, the prime minister said some 73% people are now under electricity coverage and hoped that 100% people will enjoy power supply by 2021. l

ERD to get expert training on climate change n Abu Bakar Siddique With an aim to build the capacity of government officials on climate change issues, the government yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) to initiate knowledge based programmes under “Learning Hub Events.”

Under the MoU, ICCCAD will facilitate different knowledge sharing programmes including seminar and symposium, on monthly basis, with the collaboration of Economic Relations Division (ERD) of Planning Commission and IIED. According to the MoU, one of major the objectives of the initiative is “to raise awareness among policymakers of the opportunities and risks associated with climate change and socio-economic development of a country.”

It also aims to build the capacity of policymakers to assess the relevance of climate change in developing policy.

Another core objective of the agreement is to gather and share relevant knowledge and lessons derived from cross-country experiences on particular development issues to formulate a framework for better policy making approach on climate change.

ERD Additional Secretary Shamima Nargis and ICCCAD Director Dr Saleemul Huq signed the MoU at a ceremony yesterday at the Planning Commission. l

Smoke billows out of Uttar Badda’s BTI Premier Plaza where a massive fire broke out around 3am yesterday. Firefighters fought the blaze for several hours before finally being able to put it out in the morning. No major injuries were reported DHAKA TRIBUNE

Agrani Bank MD sacked n Jebun Nesa Alo

TEMPERATURE FORECAST FOR TODAY

THUNDERSHOWER WITH RAIN THURSDAY, JUNE 30

Hamid was found involved in providing loans violating rules and misusing his power to renew loans, said a senior executive of the central bank.

The job contract of Hamid was supposed to end on July 10 this year. The Finance Ministry has already sent a letter to the Agrani Bank board to form a search committee to find a new MD. Hamid's mischief first came to light when the central bank inspection team in 2014 found that Agrani Bank disbursed around Tk300 crore in loan to Moon Group for the construction of three buildings, a loan which the group transferred to other sectors without constructing the buildings.

Bangladesh Bank has dismissed Syed Abdul Hamid, the managing director of state-owned Agrani Bank, over loan irregularities.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir signed the letter of his removal yesterday at the last hour, he confirmed to the Dhaka Tribune. A letter is likely to be issued to the bank's board today.

Earlier in the day, Hamid attended a hearing held at the central bank over the allegations. He could not give satisfactory reply, sources said.

When contacted, Hamid told the Dhaka Tribune that he had not received any letter or any information about his removal.

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Later, the central bank started an in-depth investigation and found Hamid's involvement in loan irregularities worth Tk792 crore. l

Khulna

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Barisal

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

TOMORROW SUN RISES 5:15AM

36.7ºC Rajshahi

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25.0ºC Rangamati

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PRAYER TIMES

TIB: Passport service tops corrupt sector list n Abid Azad Passport services was the most corrupt sector in Bangladesh last year followed by law enforcement agencies and government- and MPObased education sector, according to a latest TIB survey.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) released its “Corruption in Service Sectors: National Household Survey 2015” report at its Dhanmondi office yesterday.

According to the survey, only 23 out of 100 people managed to receive passport service without facing any corruption.

Of the respondents, 77.7% reported corruption in passport sector, 74.6% in law enforcement agencies, 60.8% in government- and MPO-based education sector, 60.1% in Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), 53.4% in land administration, 48.2% in judicial service and 37.5% in health service.

Besides, 36.1% of the respondents said they faced corruption in local government administration, 31.9% in electricity, 25.8% in agriculture, 18.1% in tax and duty, 11.9% in gas, 7.8% in insurance, 5.3% in banking, 3% in NGO and 17.1% in other sectors.

The survey was conducted from November 2014 to October 2015 on fifteen sectors that are mostly connected to people's daily life.

According to the report, 67.8% households had to face some sort of corruption while 58.1% had to pay bribes to acquire services.

Around 71% households identified that the main excuse for demanding bribe was “Service could not be reached if bribes will not be given.”

The survey found that prevalence of corruption was higher – 69.5% – in rural areas than 62.6% in the urban areas. In rural areas, 59.6% people had to pay bribes compared to 53.4% in urban regions. l

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Fajr: 3:53am | Zohr: 1:15pm Asr: 5:15pm | Magrib: 7:03pm Esha: 8:45pm Source: Islamic Foundation

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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Consumers suffering as outsiders dominate PDB office Seizel, n Ashrafuddin Mymensingh At least 33,000 consumers of the Power Distribution Board (PDB) at Gaforgaon upazila in the district are suffering a lot as the outsiders dominate the official activities with the support of some unscrupulous officials.

According to local sources, there are six posts of meter-reader in the place 26 in the office. Of the six, only two were appointed. Between the two, one is staying in Mymensingh town another is staying near the office.

The meter-reader who is staying in the district town had appointed 16 outsiders locally known ‘gettist’

with the help of some officers to read meters of the consumers.

The sources said the officers made the bill with the information provided the outsiders.

The consumers alleged that the meter-readers (gettist) did not make the bill in proper way.

When they went to read the meter, demanded bribe from the consumer. If anyone disagreed, his bill amount reached more than three times than legal.

We are always shaken with a fear to guess the amount of the ghost bill, the consumers also alleged.

Alongside making ghost bill, these outsiders are involved with giving illegal connection of power line, meter tempering and chang-

ing criteria of the clients. By doing this unethical business, they earn a lot of money which is their main source of income.

When visited recently the office, it was found that the outsiders gathered there behind the officers for making the ghost bill.

Rafiqul Islam, of Kurshpur village, said he got the paper of bill before connection power line.

Abdur Rahman of Hathikhola village said he had got the bill in the gape of 5-6 months and he had to pay fine for this.

Everyday many consumers have to go to the PDB office to correct the bill as the outsiders had made it according to their wish not for giving the bribe.

Daylabourer Abdul Malek of Rouha village said he used a fan and two electric-tubes. The meter reader demanded bribe to him. As he did not meet up the reader’s demand. He had to pay a bill of 130 unit electricity.

Rice mill owner Shahidullah said his current reading was 2529 unit but the bill was made of 5100 unit.

When contacted, Anwaruzzaman, executive engineer of Gaforgaon PDB office said if anybody found guilty, measures would be taken against him.

Fakruzzaman, chief engineer of Mymensingh PDB office, said: “Its a national issue.”

“Due to staff-shortage, the anomalies are going on in many PDB offices,” he also said. l

UP chairman hacked to death n Zahirul Islam Khan, Madaripur A union parishad member (UP) was hacked to death by unidentified miscreants at Tota Beparir Kandi village, Shibchar upazila, Madaripur on Tuesday night.

Family sources said a gang of miscreants attacked Mithu Bepari, 35, a member of Kathalbari UP in the upazila, when he was talking with local people in front of his residence around 8:30pm.

He was taken to Shibchar Upzila Health Complex where he died.

Police also arrested one Raja Miah, a neighbour of the deceased, over suspicion of his involvement in the killing. l

Eid shopping gets momentum in Rajshahi city as Eid-ul-Fitr gets closer. A baby seems to choose a dress from a display at Supura Silk in city’s BSCIC area yesterday AZAHAR UDDIN

Mother-daughter reunion after 16 years Hedait Hossain Molla, n Md Khulna Shikha and her mother have not been able to see each other for 16 years as she went missing from Mirpur in Dhaka at the age of eight.

At last they met each other yesterday with the help of Bangladeh Enforcement Human Rights (BSEHR).

According to the BSEHR sources, Shikha, daughter of late Giasuddin at Hossenpur Pumdi village in Kishoreganj went to Dhaka in 2000 with Tuli Begum, a neighour of her, and took the work of domestic servant in a house in Mirpur where she was tortured several times.

As she could not bear the torture, she fled the home. A constable found her and sent her to his native home. She was also tortured by the family members of the constable and fled the house.

Meanwhile, Tuli died and Rahima Begum, mother of the unfortunate girl, had been looking for her many places in Dhaka and several other places of the country over the years.

On the other hand, after fleeing the house of the constable, she went to local bus station to get the bus to her village. But, mistakenly she got on a bus of Khulna where she met a female worker who brought her to a Abul Hossain in Tuitpara Paiper mor area.

Tuli has grown up in the family of Abul. He said he could know about the parents’ name of Shikha and her village home.

“Recently, I had announced about the girl in the loudspeaker in local mosque as I could not reach her to her address,” he said.

On information, Advocate Mominul Islam, co-ordinator of (BSEHR) contacted with Abul and rescued the girl. l

Man to die for killing ex-wife in Rajshahi n Tribune Desk

A tribunal yesterday sentenced a man to death for killing his ex-wife and three others to life term imprisonment in the murder case in Bogra.

The condemned convict is Sohel Ibne Karim, 35, son of Abdul Karim of Adamdighi upazila of Bogra district. He was tried in absentia and fined Tk50,000.

According to the prosecution, Sohel used to torture Shirin Akter, 23, daughter of Azizur Rahman of Adamdighi upazila, for dowry and Shirin returned to her parent’s house following an altercation over the issue and divorced him on August 12, 2012. l

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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Charge sheet over Kunio Hoshi killing case soon BNP leader Biplob and three Jubo Dal leaders may be excluded from charges n Liakat Ali Badal, Rangpur Investigation in the murder case of Japanese citizen Hoshi Kunio is about to close, as police are going to press charge sheet against suspects soon.

According to a highly-placed source at Rangpur police, eight members of the Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) will be indicted in the killing case.

BNP leaer Rashedun Nabi Khan, three Jubo Dal leaders and Hoshi’s business partner Hira might be excluded from charges as their involve-

ment in the killing case had not been found during investigation, said the sources.

Kunio Hoshi, 65, was gunned down in broad daylight by unidentified miscreants in Kachu Alutari area of Kawnia upazila, Rangpur on October 3, 2015.

After the killing, top government officials had claimed that workers of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami were involved in the killing.

Police then arrested eight people, including local BNP leader Biplab and Hoshi’s business partner

Hia, in connection with the killing.

Biplab, Hira and the three Jubo Dal leaders were put on remand for several times, but no clue of the killing could not be ascertained from them.

The killing case has taken on a new dimension after JMB commander Masud Rana, 40, was arrested on December 9, 2015. He also made a confessional statement before a Rangpur court saying that he himself shoot Kunio.

Later, police arrested another JBM man identified as Eshak. He

also gave confessional statement before a court.

Golam Faruk, director inspector general of police, Rangpur range recently said police had completed investigation into the killing of Kunio Hoshi and they would submit a charge sheet by the end of this month.

Officer-in-Charge of Kaunia police station Kader Zilani told the Dhaka Tribune that police would submit charge of the case anytime.

“Eight members of the JMB will be indicted in the killing case,” he added. l

FAHIM KILLING CASE

Two placed on two-day remand

n Asaduzzaman, Satkhira Two people were place on a twoday remand in connection with killing of Fahim, who has been killed for one kilogram of beef by his co-villagers at Kushkhali, Satkhira recently.

A court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Mohibul Hasan passed the order following a petition filed by investigation officer of the case Sub-Inspector Abul Kalam.

Eight-year-old Fahim Ahmed, son of Malaysia immigrant Monirul Islam of Mrigidanga village of Sadar Upazial who used to live with her mother at his maternal grandfather’s house at Kushkhali village, was killed as one kg of beef was abandoned by dog.

Four people were arrested in connection with the killing.

The arrestees are Mujibur Rahman of Kushkhali village, his wife Safura Khatun, sons Ibharim Hossain and Israfil Hossain.

The four arrestees in this connection gave confessional statement to police stating the horrible incident.

The accused have already confessed that Mujibur bought one kg of beef from a local bazaar and gave Fahim to make reach it to his house. Fahim kept the beef on a van in front of his house as he found nobody at home. Later, Mujibur’s family members found beef was being eaten by a dog. The they beat him mercilessly, leaving him dead.

Police found Fahim dead on June 15, two days after he went missing. l

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2,100 telephone lines disconnected in Dhaka

n Tribune Desk About 2,100 telephone lines of the Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) in different areas of Dhaka were disconnected due to snatching of its underground cable.

Nearly 900 BTCL clients of Uttar Shahjahanpur, Shaheedbag, Malibag and Kamalpur areas have been out of connection, as the underground cable was snatched on Malibag-Rajarbag-Kamalapur road during the development work of Mogbazar-Malibag flyover, said a BTCL press release yesterday.

Besides, around 1,200 connections are remained disconnected in Nandipara, Madartek and Goran areas for cutting off another underground cable on Goran-Madartek road during the development work of WASA. The BTCL is working for the reinstatement of the disconnected telephone lines and expecting to make those active soon.

BTCL authority regretted to its valued customers for the unexpected inconvenience, the release added. l

Errant businesses fined Tk24 lakh in Chittagong n Anwar Hussain, Chittagong

The Rapid Action Battalion conducts a drive in the port city’s Kalurghat area yesterday and fines Thai Foods for producing foods items in an unhygienic environment RABIN CHOWDHURY

Two killed in mob beating n Tribune Desk

Two people have been killed in two separate incidents of mob beating in Gazipur and Jaipurhat.

In Gazipur, an alleged robber was beaten to death and two others injured in a mob beating while they were allegedly fleeing after a robbery attempt in Pubail College Gate area on Tuesday night.

Identity of the deceased could not be known immediately. The injured people were sent to Shaheed Tazuddin Ahmed Medical College Hospital.

Officer-in-Charge of Jaidevpur

police station Rezaul Hasan said a gang of robbers numbering 15-20 stormed into an aluminum factory named ‘Green Design Solution’, in the area and tried to loot valuables taking some factory workers hostage around 9:30pm.

Hearing screams of workers, neighbouring people rushed to spot and caught three of the robbers while they were trying to flee from the spot, reports Gazipur correspondent.

Then, the agitators gave them a good beating, leaving one of the robbers dead on the spot.

The body was sent to Shaheed

Tazuddin Ahmed Medical College Hospital morgue.

Meanwhile, an alleged cattle thief was beaten to death by local people in Birnagar area, Panchbibi upzila, Jaipurhat.

Police said a gang of burglars entered the house of a schoolteacher in the early hours of yesterday and stole three cattle from there.

When they were fleeing from the spot, local people managed to catch one of them and thrashed him in which he died on the spot. But identity of the deceased could not be known immediately, according to our Jaipurhat correspondent. l

Two separate mobile courts yesterday fined three foods factories and a salt factory with Tk24 in the city’s Kalurghat and Yakub Nagar areas.

Sarwar Alam, executive magistrate of Rapid Action Battalion, conducted the mobile court in Kalurghat area and fined Meridian Chips, Thai Foods and BSP Food Factory with Tk21 lakh for producing foods items in an unhygienic environment, not maintaining quality control and not having Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute license.

“Meridian Chips were producing food items without maintaining any quality control. The workers of Meridian Chips were found producing foods without gloves.

The errant company was fined with Tk6 lakh while BSP Food and Thai Food were found producing foods items in an unhygienic environment and they were fined with Tk8 and Tk7 lakh respectively.” said the RAB magistrate.

The other mobile court led by Ruhul Amin, executive magistrate of Chittagong district administration, fined a salt factory with Tk3 lakh. The errant salt factory named Ms Malek & Sons was caught red-handed for cheating in weight and packaging the salt in an unhygienic environment. l

DT

8 World

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

SOUTH ASIA

Pakistan extends Afghan refugee registration deadline

Pakistan has extended by 6 months a deadline for Afghan refugees to register with the government, a refugee official said on Wednesday, a day before the deadline was set to expire. The announcement came soon after police have arrested at least 500 Afghan refugees in a north-western border province and deported as a security risk. -REUTERS

INDIA

Indian SC to examine Muslim triple talaq law Amid vehement opposition from Muslim religious groups to any possible changes of triple talaq law, the Indian Supreme Court on Wednesday said it would examine if the practice violated fundamental rights of Muslim women. The validity of triple talaq will be examined on the touchstone of constitutional principles and precedents, it added.

-HT

CHINA

China urges caution over US missile deployment Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday urged South Korea to pay attention to China’s concerns about the deployment of the US THAAD missile defence system to the country. China and Russia have urged the United States to back off, saying THAAD’s deployment could also affect their security. -REUTERS

ASIA PACIFIC

US, South Korea, Japan hold first anti-North Korea missile drill

South Korea, Japan and the US held an unprecedented trilateral missile defence exercise on Tuesday, aimed at countering the growing threat from nuclear-armed North Korea which denounced it as a military provocation. The trilateral exercise included a ballistic target tracking operation to test the Aegis anti-missile systems used by the US and its two key Asian allies.

-REUTERS

MIDDLE EAST

Russia, Turkey to restore cooperation on Syria Russia and Turkey will most likely resume cooperation in resolving the Syrian crisis after the leaders of the two nations agreed to restore ties in a telephone conversation earlier on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Miniser Sergei Lavrov said. Lavrov also said that he would discuss the Syrian crisis and other issues with his Turkish counterpart on the sidelines of a regional summit in Russia’s Sochi on Friday.

-REUTERS

US to remove Thailand from human trafficking index Washington, DC/ n Reuters, Bangkok The US has decided to remove Thailand from its list of worst human trafficking offenders, officials said, a move that could help smooth relations with Bangkok’s military-run government.

The upgrade, confirmed by a US official in Washington and a Bangkok-based official from an international organisation with direct knowledge of the rankings, would mark a rare boost for US-Thai relations. Ties between the countries have flat-lined since the Thai military seized power in a 2014 coup that Washington strongly condemned.

It also comes as President Barack Obama works to forge a united front among wavering Southeast Asian countries against China’s pursuit of its territorial claims in the South China Sea. Bangkok has protested publicly to Washington that it should be removed from the lowest ranking on the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, which is due to be released on Thursday.

The report is expected to cite improvements in Thailand’s efforts to combat human trafficking, especially in its vital multibillion-dollar seafood industry, the US official said.

The upgrade would put Thailand on a so-called “Tier 2 Watch List” and remove it from the rating for countries with the worst human-trafficking records, known as Tier 3.

Major General Sansern Kaewkamnerd, spokesman for the Thai premier’s office, said the upgrade shows Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha had stuck to his pledge to fight human trafficking in response to international criticism.

“The international community will see that what the prime minister told the international community he would do, he did,” Sansern said.

Thai Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said the upgrade to Tier 2 Watch List did not mean Thailand will stop tackling trafficking issues.

“Even though we will be moved to Tier 2 we need to keep solving this problem,” said Prawit.

The report organises countries into tiers based on trafficking records: Tier 1 for nations that meet minimum US standards; Tier 2 for those making significant efforts

THE HORRID JOURNEY, STEP BY STEP Small boats from Cox’ Bazar, Maheshkhali, Teknaf, Kutubdia carry illegal migrants to cargo boats waiting off the coast of Teknaf Cargo boats carry 200-300 migrants and transfer them to larger ships at sea near the Shita Pahar area of Myanmar From Shita Pahar, Ships carrying 500-600 illegal migrants and drop them off the coast of Satun province in Thailand, and sometimes also near the Andaman Islands and Aceh province in Indonesia

Teknaf Shita Pahar

Illegal migrants are marched or carried in fish trucks to Padang Besar in Songkhla province of Thailand After the final confirmation of the ransom money is received, the migrants are sent into Malaysia across the border from Padang Besar

Andaman Islands

THAILAND

Aceh, Indonesia

Off coast Thailand

Padang Besar

MALAYSIA Infograph: Dhaka Tribune

to meet those standards; Tier 2 “Watch List” for those that deserve special scrutiny; and Tier 3 for countries that are not making significant efforts.

Thailand was downgraded to the lowest ranking in June 2014 just weeks after the military seized power.

Thai officials were incensed last year when Malaysia was upgraded from Tier 3 but Thailand was not, and even human rights advocates agreed that Bangkok had made a greater effort to curb human trafficking than Kuala Lumpur had.

In this year’s report, the State Department has opted to keep Malaysia at the higher ranking it received last year, according to the US official.

US State Department spokesman John Kirby declined to comment on the tier rankings: “We will not comment on the contents of this year’s report until after the report is released,” he said.

The junta has repeatedly vowed to crack down on human trafficking, particularly in its multi-billion-dollar seafood industry.

Thailand is the world’s

third-largest seafood exporter, and much of the labour the fishing industry employs comes from neighbouring Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

Ties between the countries have flat-lined since the Thai military seized power in a 2014 coup that Washington strongly condemned Thailand recently reformed its anti-trafficking laws and introduced a system to track fishing vessels, part of what it called “comprehensive and irreversible” measures to clean up its supply chain and curb illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.

But rights groups say millions of migrant workers remain vulnerable to abuse in the fishing sector and other Thai industries. Inves-

tigations by news organisations and rights groups have exposed widespread trafficking and abuse, sparking fears of a consumer backlash in the West against Thaisourced seafood.

The Obama administration has been unsettled by China’s warming ties with the Thai junta, which has sought to counterbalance the cooling of its traditionally strong US relationship, US officials say.

An investigation published last August found that senior diplomats repeatedly overruled the US State Department’s anti-trafficking unit and inflated the grades of 14 strategically important countries, including Malaysia. The State Department denied any political considerations but US lawmakers raised questions about the report’s credibility and called for reforms.

The TIP report matters to Thailand’s generals not only because the US appraisal could affect a key industry. The junta, widely criticised at home and struggling to kick-start a sluggish economy, also is keen to boost its record for tackling issues that previous, civilian governments did little about. l

9

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Europe launches reform brainstorming after Brexit shock n Reuters, Brussels Hoping to stave off a broader political crisis after Britain’s shock decision to leave the EU, European leaders agreed on Wednesday to spend the next nine months developing proposals for an overhaul of the bloc amid deep divisions between its members.

The problems have fuelled the sense that elites in Brussels and other European capitals are ineffective and out of touch with the concerns of ordinary people.

Last week, the anger bubbled over in Britain’s Brexit vote, which threw six decades of closer European integration into reverse and raised fears of a domino effect on the continent, where anti-EU, xenophobic parties are on the rise.

EU leaders, who met on Wednesday without Britain, agree that change is needed. But they also know that time is required to get the remaining 27 members behind a common European initiative due to a deep divide over what lessons to draw from Brexit.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, speaking to reporters at the end of the summit, said it was unrealistic to consider radical changes, such as moving towards a fiscal or political union, in the current environment. These would require changes to the EU’s Lisbon Treaty and more referendums, which leaders are desperate to avoid.

DIVISIONS AND TENSION AFTER BREXIT Far right wants referendum on EU membership

SCOTLAND Voted to stay in the EU First Minister says new referendum on Scottish independence “likely”

Some parties want EU membership terms renegotiated

SWEDEN

UNITED KINGDOM

NORTHERN IRELAND

Tensions

DENMARK

Founding member of European Union

NETHERLANDS

Voted to stay in the EU Sinn Fein (pro-EU) wants a referendum on uniting Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic Fears of a return to border controls between the two Irelands

SLOVAKIA

FRANCE

Gibraltar Voted overwhelmingly to stay in the EU Madrid wants to regain control of the British enclave

Existential

The period of “political reflection” will start in earnest in mid-September at a summit in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. Some EU leaders have said the goal is to reach a set of proposals by March of next year, the 60th anniversary of the EU’s founding Rome Treaty.

The period mirrors the one that followed French and Dutch rejections of a European constitution in dual referendums in 2005.

Merkel came to power the same year and led negotiations on the

SPAIN

Calais (FRANCE)

Local politicians are questioning a deal reached with Britain to stop migrants crossing the Channel to England more modest Lisbon Treaty.

But the current crisis is more existential for the EU because of the Brexit vote, which in one fell swoop deprives the bloc of one of its only economic and political heavyweights.

Years of crisis have also left deep scars among member states and there is very little agreement about what the changes should entail.

Politicians in France and Belgium have suggested that a core of like-minded member states press ahead with deeper integration in a

Brussels

European summit June 28-29 The 6 EU founding states want Britain to start the EU exit process soon London wants to go at its own pace

“multi-speed” Europe.

And German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble appears to favour stricter budget rules, an idea that would infuriate southern European countries which are struggling to cope with high unemployment after years of austerity.

The influx of migrants has fuelled populist, anti-immigrant parties like the National Front in France and Freedom Party in Austria, which have cheered the Brexit vote and called for referenda across Europe. l

INSIGHT

Facebook’s political influence under microscope n Reuters As the US presidential campaign heats up, Facebook Inc is going out of its way to show its neutrality - an increasingly urgent matter for the social network as evidence of its power continues to emerge.

Recent studies have shown the site has extraordinary influence.

According to research scheduled to be published in August in the Journal of Communication, when people tagged their friends on Facebook in voting reminders, turnout increased by 15% to 24%.

During US presidential primary elections this year, a Facebook reminder that informed people when their state’s voter registration deadline was approaching and provided a link helped produce a surge of nearly 650,000 new voter registrations in California alone, according to California Secretary of State Alex Padilla.

In the UK, a Facebook reminder days before the deadline to register to vote on whether the country should exit the European Union led to 186,000 people registering online to vote.

Facebook is eager to show that its political involvement is limited to seemingly neutral activities such as encouraging voting. The company this week released some of the guidelines that govern its all-important News Feed - the place most people see postings on Facebook and has pushed back hard against recent allegations of political bias in its “Trending Topics” module.

At the same time Facebook has embraced its role as a “new town hall” for politics, hosting events and helping candidates more effectively leverage their platforms, said Katie Harbath, Facebook’s global politics and government outreach director.

Her team helps candidates by answering their questions and

providing advice, such as how to use Facebook Live and how to increase engagement on their pages.

Echo chamber

Still, concerns about Facebook’s role in shaping political attitudes are unlikely to abate anytime soon.

Some people object even to voter-registration drives. Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, for example, alleged this week that Google and Facebook were trying to encourage a “remain” vote in Britain’s referendum on European Union membership by encouraging voting, asserting that media users are disproportionately youthful and pro-Europe.

A more common complaint is that Facebook and other social networks serve as an echo chamber of ideas and beliefs, as users decide which people and pages they will follow and customise their News Feed.

DT

World

Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg with US President Barack Obama REUTERS A 2015 study in Science showed that Facebook users tended to interact and click on content that was more in line with their ideological views. Adam Mosseri, vice president of product management for News Feed, said the team tries to help users find new pages to follow, though he did not cite any specific efforts aimed at encouraging people to diversify their feeds. l

USA

US, Russia blame each other for maritime incident Washington and Moscow on Tuesday accused each other of conducting dangerous maritime maneuvers after two warships sailed closely past each other in the Mediterranean Sea earlier this month. Russia’s defence ministry said the USS Gravely crossed the path of the Russian frigate Yaroslav Mudry on June 17, coming dangerously close.

A US defence official later gave a completely different account, saying the Russian ship had deliberately maneuvered to approach the USS Gravely.

-AFP

THE AMERICAS

UN observers in Colombia to plan for peace process The first UN observers deployed to Colombia to monitor the integration of Farc guerillas and recover their weapons have arrived in Bogota, the government announced Tuesday. The 23 officials arrived Monday following the signing of a historic bilateral ceasefire and guerilla disarmament agreement between the government and the FARC in Havana last week.

-AFP

UK

UK appoints official to head EU divorce unit Britain has appointed Oliver Robbins, a senior official at the interior ministry, to head the unit that will help negotiate an exit from the EU. Robbins, Second Permanent Secretary at the Home Office, will move to his new role as head of the EU unit on July 4.

-REUTERS

EUROPE

‘EU 27 agree no single market for UK’ EU leaders agreed Wednesday that Britain cannot have access to the single market after leaving the union without accepting the bloc’s rules on free movement, president Donald Tusk said.

The 27 EU leaders will also hold a summit - without Britain - in Bratislava on September 16 to discuss further the fallout from Britain’s decision to leave the bloc, he added.

AFP

AFRICA

UN: 4.8m S Sudanese face severe food shortages Up to 48 million people in South Sudan face severe food shortages in coming months, the highest level since a conflict erupted more than two years ago, UN agencies said on Wednesday. Clashes have continued to flare in South Sudan even though warring factions signed a peace deal in August last year.

-REUTERS

DT

10

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

World

Mars is waiting for you!

These posters inviting people to join Nasa’s Mars settlement mission were originally commissioned for an exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center in 2009. Last year in October the world’s pioneering space agency released its plan to create Earth independent colonies in Mars by the 2030s.

11

DT

World

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Anti-Trump movement preparing fight at GOP convention n Tribune International Desk

The "dump Trump" movement is gaining followers among delegates to next month's Republican National Convention, an effort that could tarnish Donald Trump's coronation even if it ultimately fails, reports the Associated Press.

Several hundred Republican delegates are organising to oppose Trump at the convention. That's not enough delegates to topple Trump. But it's more than enough to create turmoil at an event that is typically used to bring a political party together in support of a presidential candidate.

There could be floor fights over convention rules and the party's platform. And instead of a coronation, the roll call to nominate

Trump could be an opportunity for delegates to voice their displeasure on national television.

Some delegates are appalled that their party would endorse a candidate who has publicly insulted women and a reporter with disabilities. Many were alarmed by his incendiary remarks following the Orlando massacre, and some were distressed by his assertion this month that a Mexican-American judge couldn't fairly preside over a Trump civil case.

Trump dismisses attempts to deny him the nomination, noting he will have more than enough support at the convention to win the nomination and control the proceedings.

He has noted correctly that he received far more votes, won many more states, and collected nearly three times as many delegates as his closest rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

The dump Trump group faces

A protester holds up a sign outside a Donald Trump campaign rally in Houston REUTERS another obstacle: It has no candidate to challenge Trump.

Some veteran Republican strategists and Republican National Committee members expressed resignation about the effort and predicted it will factor little in the convention proceedings.

Trump has 1,542 delegates, including 1,447 who are required by party rules to vote for him on the first ballot at the convention, according to the Associated Press count.

People in the Cruz camp say there is no organised effort on their part to encourage delegates loyal

to the senator to oust Trump. But they aren't discouraging a delegate revolt, either.

The entire convention will vote on the rules adopted by the 112-member rules committee. It would take 28 votes by committee members to issue a minority report, which would also get a vote on the convention floor.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker said Tuesday that delegates should be free to vote their conscience at the convention.

"I think historically, not just this year, delegates are and should be able to vote the way they see fit," Walker said. "We'll see how things go between now and the convention as to what the next steps are.

I'm not going to speculate now only because you all know the situation may change by this afternoon, let alone between now and the convention."

Walker has endorsed Trump. l

DT

12 Business

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

TOP STORIES

Revenue collection crosses target n Syed Samiul Basher Anik

Big cheer for jute goods makers The budget for fiscal year 2016-17 finally brought smile to jute goods manufactures as the government has reduced the tax at source to 0.70% from the proposed 1.50%.

PAGE 13

NA leaders meet with trade threats, Brexit on their minds The leaders of the United States, Canada and Mexico gather yesterday to stress the importance of trade at a time of mounting international doubts about the benefits of globalization.

PAGE 14

Media firms lose control of news as tech platforms rise When allegations emerged that Facebook was skewing its trending news stories, many learned about it... on Facebook.

PAGE 15

Capital market snapshot: Tuesday DSE Broad Index

4,470.3

0.4% ▲

Index

1,100.7

0.5% ▲

30 Index

1,751.2

0.6% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

5,862.5

50.8% ▲

Turnover in Mn Vol

141.1

21.4% ▲

All Share Index 13,693.6

0.3% ▲

30 Index

0.4% ▲

CSE

Selected Index

12,622.9 8,331.5

0.3% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

241.2

25.1% ▲

Turnover in Mn Vol

11.2

44.9% ▲

Defying all uncertainties, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has successfully managed to mobilise an amount higher than its revised target of Tk1,50,000 crore for the outgoing fiscal year 2015-16 with a day still to go.

The authorities have already collected around Tk154,784 crore revenue against its revised target of Tk150,000 crore set for FY201516. That means, the authorities have surpassed the downsized target of around Tk4,784 crore by July to June of this fiscal year, according to the latest provisional data.

During the period, the customs wing has collected around Tk44,855 crore against the target of Tk42,500 crore, Value Added Tax wing collected over Tk55,684 crore against the target of Tk54,064 crore and income tax wing collected over Tk54,244 crore against the target of Tk53,436 crore, the data shows.

The revenue collection grew by 14.06% from the revenue earning of FY14-15. The customs wing posted highest 17.01% growth while VAT wing 13.61% and income tax wing 12.18%.

Revenue collected by NBR, however, remained far behind from the original target as the government

REVENUE COLLECTION OF FY2015-16 (IN TK CRORE) Revenue source

Target 2015-16

Collection 2015-16

Rate of achievement (%)

Collection 2014-15

Growth over last FY

Import Duty 42,500

44,854.85

105.54

38,333.37

17.01%

Local VAT

54,064

55,684.41

102.99

49,013.53

13.61%

Income Tax

53,436

54,244.67

101.58

48,353.80

12.18%

150,000 1,54,783.93

103.19

1,35,700.70 14.06%

Total

COLLECTION AGAINST TARGET FROM FY2009 TO FY2016 (AMOUNTS IN TK CRORE) Revised Target

1,60,000

1,50,000/1,54,784 (provisional) 1,35,028/1,35,701 1,25,000/1,20,820

1,40,000 1,20,000

1,12,259/1,09,152

1,00,000 80,000

Collection

92,370/95,059 75,600/79,403 61,000/62,042

60,000 40,000 20,000 0

0

9-1

200

1

0-1

201

2

1-1

201

3

2-1

201

4

3-1

201

5

4-1

201

6

5-1

201

Source: NBR

in April reduced NBR’s revenue collection target by 15% from the original target of Tk1,76,370 crore due to slow growth of collection and poor results of different economic indicators.

Although many quarters doubted that the NBR would not be able to mobilise even the revised target, however, revenue officials were always very hopeful about meeting the revised collection target.

They said: “Intensified efforts to realise due from different stateowned enterprises and settlement of cases through Alternative Dispute Resolution helped NBR to achieve the target.”

During the FY’15-16, NBR has established claims over an additional amount of Tk13,000 crore which will come through book adjustment from the Finance Division as arrear revenue from state-owned Petrobangla, they said.

In addition, an increased surveillance on taxpayers and bringing effectiveness to the Large Taxpayers’ Unit (LTU) also helped the authorities to reach the target, they added.

While placing the budget for upcoming fiscal year 2016-17, Finance Minister AMA Muhith expected that the NBR would collect Tk1,60,000 crore revenue exceeding its target through demonstration of great efforts in FY15-16.

NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman said: “The revenue dialogue with stakeholders, appointing eligible person in right position in right time, involving the public representatives in revenue collection process, and satisfactory results in pending revenue collection and resolving the pending cases have led to the success.” l

Foreign aid pledges mark 68% rise in first 11 months of this fiscal year n Kayes Sohel Foreign donors have committed to Bangladesh a total of $4.76bn as assistance in the first 11 months of outgoing fiscal year, a figure which is more than 68% higher than that received a year earlier, official data shows.

In the same period last fiscal year, the country received $2.83bn aid pledge from its development partners.

Economic Relations Division (ERD) data released yesterday showed that out of figure pledged during the July-May of FY2015-16, development partners committed $4.23bn as concessional loans and $529.43m as grants.

In the FY2014-15, the amount of loans was $2.43bn and grants $393.36m.

During the July-May period of this fiscal year, foreign loan disbursement also increased over 9% to $2.88bn from $2.63bn last year. Of the total credit

disbursement, the development partners had disbursed concessional loans worth $2.46bn and grants worth $423m.

In FY2015-16, the country set a target of getting loans and grants worth $4.36bn from development partners. The target was $3.3bn in the last fiscal year.

Of the targeted loans and grants, the government estimated $4.31bn worth of funds as project aid and $50m as food aid.

However, aid utilisation has still remained a challenge for the government agencies as they fail to utilise the external assistance timely. The slowdown caused the unused foreign assistance to bubble up in the pipeline.

As a result, the total unutilised concessional foreign aid swelled to nearly $19bn until March this fiscal as the government agencies failed to use the resources due to their perceived inefficiencies.

Foreign aid — in the forms of loans and grants — has been one

of the key components of the country’s national budget since 1972.

Although the country has over the years cut its dependence on external aid, it still needs a substantial amount to execute major basic and social infrastructure projects such as construction of bridges and power plants, providing education stipends and health services.

Development analysts said

with the internal revenue falling short of expectations, the government banks on foreign aid to keep its budget deficit down to a manageable 5% of gross domestic product.

World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Russia, Chinese government, Islamic Development Bank and India are Bangladesh’s top development partners. l

Exporters hail 0.7% tax at source n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

Export-oriented business community has welcomed the government decision on reducing the tax at source to 0.7% from the proposed 1.5% for the next fiscal year.

The government yesterday reduced the tax at source on export for all exporters to 0.70% from the proposed 1.5% for the next fiscal year 2016-17 in the wake of hectic lobbying from different stakeholders.

By reducing the proposed tax at source the government once again has proven itself businessfriendly The decision was taken during the passage of the Finance Bill 2016 after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested Finance Minister AMA Muhith to make some amendments to the proposed budget yesterday at the Parliament.

“By reducing the proposed tax at source to 0.7% for the exporters, the government once again has proven itself business-friendly,” Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB) president Abdus Salam Murshedy told the Dhaka Tribune.

He also thanked the premier for her bold steps in favour of business community.

Salam, however, said it would be better if the government retains the present rate, arguing that the leather sector requires special attention as it is going through relocation.

He termed the leather sector one of the major export earners.

Business people, however, expressed concern over whether they would be able to gain competitive edge in the global markets.

They argued that the government of competitive countries is providing incentives and policy support for their exporters to grab more marker share.

“India and Pakistan, the two close competitors of Bangladesh, are offering incentives to their exporters to encourage investment and to grab more market share,” BGMEA senior vice-president Faruque Hassan told the Dhaka Tribune.

If the exporters can capture more market share, it will help boom other industry like backward linkage, he said. It would be better for the exporters if the government kept the existing tax at source rate at 0.6%.

“Since the prime minister urged the finance minister to set the source tax at 7%, I think we should accept it,” he added. l

DT

13

Business

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Big cheer for jute goods makers n Syed Samiul Basher Anik

The budget for fiscal year 2016-17 finally brought smile to jute goods manufactures as the government has reduced the tax at source to 0.70% from the proposed 1.50%.

Although the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had proposed to reduce the tax at source rate on all the exports at 0.70%, she did not mention anything about the jute makers.

However, the income tax wing of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) yesterday issued a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) that said the rate was fixed at 0.60% for the jute makers, which will remain effective till June 30, 2019.

Not only the reduced tax at source, but the jute product exporters will also enjoy corporate tax at a reduced rate from the next fiscal year till FY20.

“Definitely, it’s a good measure to bring back the ‘Golden Era’ of the jute sector and we are thankful to the government for considering our case,” Md Rashedul Karim Munna, convenor of Bangladesh Jute Diversion Manufacturers and Exporters Association, told the Dhaka Tribune.

There are lots of opportunities for the jute sector, which could help the government’s plans of product

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visits a stall at a jute goods fair on March 6 in Dhaka. She in the Parliament yesterday proposed to reduce tax at source to 0.70% on export, making jute goods manufacturers happy BSS diversification, a need of time to enlarge export basket, said Rashedul.

He also urged the government to provide more policy support for the development of jute products diversification.

In first 11 months of the current fiscal year ends today, Bangladesh earned US$823 million exporting jute and jute goods products, which is 3.6% higher compared to $794 million in the same period a year ago.

According to another SRO of NBR issued yesterday, the government has allowed corporate tax rate for jute product exporters at 10% for company taxpayers. The rate will be the highest 10% for taxpayers other than companies.

The reduced corporate tax rate will be effective for next four fiscal years- FY’2016-17, FY’2017-18, FY’2018-19, and FY’2019-20, according to the SRO of revenue authorities.

‘Cut in interest rate necessary to revive stock market’ n

Tribune Business Desk

Bangladesh Bank Chief Economist Biru Paksha Paul yesterday said interest rate is necessary to be reduced in a bid to revive the ailing stock market. ‘’Higher interest rate of banks and saving instruments push the stock market investment down,’’ he said, while addressing an open forum discussion held at the Board of Investment headquarters.

The discussion on ‘’The State of Bangladesh’s Economy: Recent Budget and Looming Challenges’’ was organised by BOI.

Biru Paksha Paul presented his keynote speech at the discussion which was chaired by SA Samad, executive chairman of BOI. He said the stock market has always significant contribution to the country’s economy, but in Bangladesh, the market is slump for a long time. ‘’It is very important that the stock market can never be up amid the high interest in the financial market,’’ he said.

When people are getting 12% returns from their savings instrument investment, why then will money go to the stock market? the econo-

mist posed a question.

If returns from stock market are even 15%, it will not attract investors as such type of investment would be risky.

So if investors do not get more returns from the market, then investment will not flow to the shares, he said.

In his keynote speech, the economist said: “Though Brexit from European Union posed some challenges to our economy, we will not be affected much.”

He said British Pound Sterling collapse seems to be temporary and may not hurt exports severely. l

The government usually provides such tax related benefits for flourishing any promising sector.

Earlier, the readymade garment exporters have enjoyed the reduced corporate tax rate at 10% from 2005 to 2014 under special consideration. The government, however, aligned the tax rate with the regular rate of 35% from 20142015 fiscal year, and also finally set the tax rate at 20% for RMG makers for FY2016-17. l

Fortune Shoes gets IPO nod n Tribune Business Desk The capital market regulator, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), yesterday gave clearance to Fortune Shoes Limited to raise almost Tk22 crore through initial public offering.

The regulator in a statement said the company will issue over 2.2 crore ordinary shares. The offer value of each share is Tk10.

Its Earning Per Share (weighted average) is Tk1.22 and Net Asset Value Tk17.62, according to its audited report as of February 2016.

The regulator also approved proposal of the Dhaka Stock Exchanges for appointment of its new Managing Director KAM Majedur Rahman. l

Bangladesh, Microsoft sign cyber security deal today n Tribune Business Desk The government and Microsoft will sign an agreement today (Thursday) for ensuring cyber security in the country.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is going to sign the deal on behalf of the government.

Microsoft will assist Bangladesh

to keep its cyber space secured from any kind of probable threats and attacks under the agreement.

State Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Tarana Halim said: “The agreement is the outcome of my visit to Microsoft office in Singapore few months back which has actually paved the way of working jointly in the field of cyber space.”

“Microsoft will inform us (Posts

and Telecommunications Division) about any probable cyber threat as per the agreement and then we will work together to defuse any such threat,” she added.

Terming the agreement a great success in the field of cyber security in Bangladesh, the state minister said: “Microsoft has the mechanism in globally to keep strong vigil on probable cyber threat and attack.”

Although Microsoft global offices will do the job, she said: “It will also empower Bangladesh office to move ahead in fighting against cyber terrorism.

“Not only we would get forecast of any possible threat, but also get the opportunities to develop local human resources in the field of cyber space from the expertise of Microsoft.” l

DT

14

Business

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

NA leaders meet with trade threats, Brexit on their minds n Reuters, Ottawa

The leaders of the United States, Canada and Mexico gather yesterday to stress the importance of trade at a time of mounting international doubts about the benefits of globalization.

The three nations belong to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Tuesday vowed to renegotiate or even scrap if he wins power.

Trump says free trade has been

disastrous for American workers, costing countless thousands of jobs and depressing wages. Similar complaints were heard in Britain ahead of a shock referendum vote last week to leave the European Union and its own free trade area.

“We’ve seen around the world many examples of protectionism, of concern, of stepping away from trade agreements,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters on Tuesday, stressing the need for more rather than less cooperation.

CORPORATE NEWS

Brummer & Partners Asset Management (Bangladesh) Ltd has recently signed an employee banking service agreement with BRAC Bank Limited, said a press release. The bank’s head of retail sales, Kyser Hamid and Muallem A Choudhury, principal adviser of Brummer & Partners Asset Management (Bangladesh) Ltd have signed the agreement

Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited has recently organised an Iftar Mahfil for the representatives of foreign exchange houses in Bangladesh, said a press release. The bank’s managing director and CEO, Mohammad Abdul Mannan was present at the program as chief guest

National Bank Limited has recently held its 33rd annual general meeting, said a press release. The bank’s chairperson, Zainul Haque Sikder presided over the meeting

Partex Star Group has recently donated 2,000 umbrellas to the Office of Additional Police Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (traffic), said a press release. COO (Cx-1) of Partex Star Group, Mohammad Quamruzzaman handover over the umbrellas to Mohammad Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, additional police commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (traffic)

“Better partnerships are a path to prosperity and that’s a compelling example that we want to showcase at a time where unfortunately people are prone to turning inwards, which will be at the cost of economic growth and their own success.”

Trudeau, US President Barack Obama and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto will meet in Ottawa and are scheduled to hold a news conference at 3 pm (1900 GMT). The leaders, known informally as the Three Amigos, usually meet about once a year.

“We anticipate that leaders will spend a significant time talking about trade, for example, how to facilitate trade by automating our borders,” US National Security Council official Mark Feierstein told reporters on Tuesday.

The trio will also discuss Britain’s so-called Brexit vote, which wiped more than $2tn off global equity markets and dealt a huge blow to the EU. “The president will obviously want an opportunity to discuss ... how we may be able to coordinate our efforts to insulate ourselves to

the extent possible,” said Feierstein.

Earl Wayne, Obama’s former ambassador to Mexico, said that amid increasing criticism of NAFTA, leaders had to find a better way to explain that up to 14 million US jobs depend on trade with Canada and Mexico.

“That’s a hard story to tell,” he told reporters. “There is a lot of skepticism, and it’s easier to sell the negative arguments.”

The three men will also pledge to produce 50 percent of their nations’ electricity from clean energy by 2025. l

DT

15

Business

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Media firms lose control of news as tech platforms rise n AFP, Washington

When allegations emerged that Facebook was skewing its trending news stories, many learned about it... on Facebook.

That underscored the rapid shift in media - not only is news moving from print to digital, but Facebook, Google and other tech platforms are increasingly becoming the main gateways for information.

Technology and social media firms are increasingly playing a role in filtering and delivering news, often with automated feeds, algorithms and “bots” designed to determine the most relevant articles.

That means the news industry is rapidly losing control of the news along with the revenue that goes with it, underscoring the profound changes in the journalism world.

“In the past 18 months, companies including Facebook, Apple, Twitter, Snapchat, and Google have moved from having an arm’s length relationship with journalism to being dominant forces in the news ecosystem,” said a June report by

based on how often their users click on stories.

Global trends are similar. A survey across 26 countries by Oxford University’s Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism found 51% of respondents indicating they use social media for news, with 12% using it as their main news source.

Facebook was by far the most important source, used by 44% in the total survey.

Quality of news Technology and social media firms are increasingly playing a role in filtering and delivering news, often with automated feeds, algorithms and ‘bots’ designed to determine the most relevant articles AFP the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University.

“By encouraging news publishers to post directly onto new channels, such as Facebook Instant Articles and Snapchat Discover, tech companies are now actively involved in every aspect of journalism.”

As newspapers’ financial woes deepen, most revenue from online

news in the United States is going to five big tech companies, a Pew Research Center survey released in June found.

The poll underscored a changing relationship between readers and the news: unlike traditional newspapers where editors determine the most important stories, social platforms are “crowdsourcing” feeds

While some see the development as a democratization of information, a number of analysts say it can dramatically alter the quality of news.

News organizations are necessarily joining the wave of social news even if it means a loss of editorial control, says Dan Kennedy, journalism professor at Northeastern University.

“You really have no idea what people are going to see and it may be more likely readers will see something rather trivial from your news organization rather than major news,” he said.

Nic Newman of the Reuters Institute said in a blog that its survey found “strong concerns that personalized news and more algorithmic selection of news will mean missing out on important information or challenging viewpoints,” but noted that “young people are more comfortable with algorithms than with editors.”

When a former Facebook contractor accused the platform of suppressing conservative viewpoints earlier this year, around one in six Americans learned about it on Facebook itself, according to a survey by the news site Morning Consult.

The allegations set off an internal investigation that found no bias, but Facebook said it would take steps to ensure neutrality nevertheless.

The news selection process at Facebook is largely “machine-based,” chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg says.

“We’re a tech company, we’re not a media company,” she recently told a Washington forum. l

DT

16

Ramadan Special

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

started acting like one. I had to accomplish my goals to make my mother proud and in order to do so I needed to forgive myself and move forward,” shared Sharmin.

If there is anything one can take away from Sharmin’s story it is the fact that all we have is now.

Do not hesitate to seek forgiveness and forgive because no one knows if you will live to see tomorrow.

Do not allow yourself to live a life full of regrets. Hatred, anger and acrimony – be it towards yourself or someone else - will only propel you into a seemingly ceaseless black hole of frustration and despondence.

“The sublime month of Ramadan is not exclusive to fasting, Ibadah, paying Zakat. It is a 30 days long course, teaching us the ways to attain the virtues that cultivate taqwa; forgiveness being among the distinguishing features of this month,” says Sultana Khan, a Hafiza and an Islamic teacher at Jannatul Banat Madrasah. “In fact, in one Hadith it is written that Ramadan is a month whose beginning is mercy, whose middle is forgiveness and whose end is freedom from hellfire. Any of the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan could be Laylat alQadr, rendered in English as the Night of Decree. On this powerful night the blessings and mercy of Allah are abundant making it the preeminent time to beseech Allah

Forgiveness Harnessing the true spirit of Ramadan

n Nashshaba Nawaz

T

he emphasis exerted on the significance of the eleven lettered word – forgiveness - is amplified during the sacred month of Ramadan. This is not only done to encourage people to mould themselves into ideal, virtuous servants of Allah but also to put forward their foot along the path of spiritual elevation.

People are in no short supply of educative platforms as television networks, radio stations, online websites, mosques, all host informative sessions where reputable Imams preach the need to seek forgiveness from Allah the Al-Ghafur (The All-Forgiving), from those who we have wronged and to be amongst the forgiving.

Even though answers to questions like “Why Forgive?” and “How to Forgive?” have been discussed elaborately many a times, we rarely hear about the thought process or the emotional journey associated with liberating the fraction of our soul overcast with anger and resentment - in other words, forgiving. We asked a few people to share their experiences about forgiveness and their feelings throughout the process.

“One of my classmates used to always bully me and insult me whenever possible,” says Zakir, a tenth grader. “I used to waste an ample amount of time thinking about the witty comebacks I should have made or the ways in which I should have mortified him. One day, I witnessed my bully crying while being berated by his father and decided to videotape the entire thing and make a meme about it when I returned home. To my surprise, I could not click upload. There was an ongoing internal battle between my ego and conscience. A part of me wanted to inflict the same humiliation he caused me while the other felt empathy. After a sleepless night of contemplation, I deleted the video. I never knew how strong I was until I had to forgive someone who was not sorry and accept an apology I never received. I did not waste time harbouring negative energy anymore, rather utilised it for my own personal development from that day onwards.”

“Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned” is a famed quote by Buddha. Like Zakir, one’s journey to spiritual

PHOTO: BIGSTOCK

Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned

upliftment and self-satisfaction will consist of difficulties and various hardships, including injustice at the hands of others.

The finest souls are those who overlook their pain and halt themselves from hurting others.

“My heart ached incessantly, yearning to hug my mother and lock her into my arms forever to once again feel the warmth and love emanating from her body, assuring me that everything was going to be alright. But I could only hold onto her saree to get a whiff of her distinctive smell that never fails to comfort me and sob

convulsively,” says Sharmin, a business graduate who has lost her mother to an accident. “I could never forgive myself for blurting out the words ‘I hate you’ or ‘You know what? Maybe I will finally be able to live peacefully once you die’ in anger during several arguments. After she passed away I would lock myself in my room and refuse to eat anything. One day, my sister barged into my room fed up of my behaviour and explained how our mother did not give birth to us to be weak and crumble. She raised strong women and it was high time I

for forgiveness and cleanse our hearts of grudges and rancour by forgiving others.”

“Who spend (in the cause of Allah) during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good” – Surah Ali’ Imran (3:134). In light of the approach of Eid ul-Fitr and the culmination of the holy month of Ramadan let us pray to Allah Almighty that He makes us among those who are forgiven by Him and bestow upon us the strength to graciously extend forgiveness to others. l

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Feature

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Eid shopping guide The 101 on where to find your perfect Eid outfit

PHOTO: BIGSTOCK

n Nashshaba Nawaz Eid is one of the few excuses that allow us to dress extravagantly in traditional attire. It is preceded by by people shopping excessively.

Shops and streets are abuzz as heaps of people pour into every possible store in search of that “perfect” outfit, be it for themselves or for their loved ones.

Shopping can seem like a chore when you have been doing it for hours without any food or water, especially when you have toddlers or moody adolescents nagging, whining and inquiring repetitively about the time they’ll be leaving for home.

Shopping smartly is not an option but a necessity in this day and age when standing still in one place has become difficult due to constant shoving and pushing of others. So don’t waste time in one place only to return home disappointed and empty-handed.

Be it clothes, accessories, shoes, bed-sheets, kitchen utensils or decoration pieces, the following guide will give you a run down of places you should shop at depending on what you’re inclined

towards as a person. Your mother maybe an energetic shopaholic but you maybe a couch potato repelled by the idea of stepping out into the scorching heat.

Hit the malls If you’re not interested in the enervating task of running from one place to another to get all the elements needed to pull together your look but prefer the satisfaction accompanied with shopping in person, then large shopping malls will act as one-stop platforms. The intense heat and never-ending traffic can take a toll on the best shopaholics. Such malls are home to a sundry of shops showcasing an assortment of clothes, accessories, homeware and a miscellaneous collection of objects. You can buy your desired stiletto heels, embroidered kurta, all under the same roof. Perfect haunts would be Jamuna Future Park (Bashundhara), Gulshan Pink City (Gulshan), Shoppers World (Gulshan), Bashundhara City Shopping Complex (Panthapath), Eastern Plaza Shopping Complex (Shanti Nagar), Metro Shopping

Mall (Mirpur) and Rapa Plaza (Mirpur) Get on the online shopping bandwagon If you are the type of person that wants to avoid any form of physical exertion associated with shopping and dodge awkward small-talk with over-friendly sales person then online shopping sites and Facebook pages is your ticket to relief. Instead of rummaging frantically through racks of clothes you could simply type in the name of the item you’re looking for in the search bar. An array of clothes of your preference will pop up on your screen within a fraction of a second. Which is more alluring?

Spending an hour in a shop and spending an extra five minutes to muck up the courage to ask the sales person the cost of the item you’re holding only to discover it is way out of your budget or sitting in your air-conditioned room wearing your pajamas with your purchase only a click away. From Facebook you can find a few picks from Opal Fashion Wear, Sparkling Emotions.

You can also find high end options from Aarong and Daraz.com and

Shopping smartly is not an option but a necessity in this day and age when standing still in one place has become difficult due to constant shoving and pushing of others

mid-ranged items from Kaymu.

If those don’t float your boat, try PriyoShop.com, BdHaat.com and Bagdoom.com One for them all If bargaining is not one of your strong suits then retail palaces filled with lust-worthy delights are your go to pit-stop. Want to steal that outfit worn by the unexceptionally beautiful runway model? High-end boutiques roffer unique pieces that leave you

gazing wistfully. But rest assured these pieces cost an arm and a leg so your wallet may look like it’s been hitting the gym after exiting the store. Here are some stores that leave you staring at the stunning and elaborately crafted dress draped on mannequins through their windows Anokhi, O2, Mayasir, Reluce, Cat’s Eye, Pride, Moon’s Boutique, Mansha, Noir, Wood & Pecker, Aarong, Vasavi, Jatra Bangladesh Limited, Zaara and Stylesell l

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18

Feature

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Intensive care in hospital practice

n Dr Raquib Anwar An Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a specially staffed and equipped, separate and self-contained area of a hospital dedicated to the management and monitoring of patients with life threatening conditions. It provides special expertise and the facilities for the support of vital functions and uses the skills of medical, nursing and other personnel experienced in the management of these problems.

Intensive Care Unit in the Hospitals Houses Level 3 care (intensive care) patients as defined by the Intensive Care Society of the UK. At least, a minimum of one to one proportion of care is required, though a greater than one to one (1:1) nurse to patient ratio may may be needed to safely meet the needs of some critically ill patients. Many unstable patient requiring various simultaneous nursing activities and complex therapies used in supporting multiple organ failure can not be managed without more than 1:1 ratio of care. Intensive care should not be confused with Level 2 care, which is High Dependency Unit.

ICU care is given to patients needing advanced respiratory monitoring and support. If patients need less than 24 hour’s short term, routine postoperative ventilation who are otherwise well with no other organ dysfunction, do not fall into the category of those requiring level 3 care eg fast track cardiac surgery patients.

However, if ventilation support exceeds 24 hours, or other significant organ dysfunction develops, such patient’s required level of care move into category level three. Patients needing monitoring and support for two or more organ systems, one of which may be basic or advanced respiratory support will also fall under ICU care so will the patients

with chronic impairment of one or more organ systems sufficient to restrict daily activities (comorbidity) and who require support for an acute reversible failure of another organ system.

Now let us look at the situation of intensive care in Bangladesh.

Starting the first ICU facility at the National Institute of CardioVascular Disease in Dhaka in 1980 the number of ICU facility has steadily climbed up in number but unfortunately without the benefit of any regulatory body monitoring and regulating the standards and activities of such units. And

not surprisingly there is severe paucity of information regarding the number, bed strength, facilities, strength of medical and nursing staffs, and cost benefits of these ICUs, so that relevant recommendation regarding quality of management can be made.

A study published in the Ibrahim Medical College Journal demonstrated that 90% of the ICU beds are located in the capital city of Dhaka and only 10% of them belong to Public Health Care facilities. 40% of the ICU beds had no ventilators and 60% of ICU beds had less than 1:1 patient

Not only is care in ICU expensive but it also brings on huge financial burden for families

nurse ratio. So at least more than one half to three quarter of the beds are not truly ICU beds though patients are being charged for intensive care by the hospital authorities. However, other qualitative research against the backdrop of this quantitative analysis show that the medical and nursing staff working in private hospitals’ ICU either have misconception consequent on ignorance or deliberately tended to mislead researchers on the availability of equipment in their hospital ICU. The other very contentious issue in the Intensive Care Unit across Bangladesh is the quality of those equipment and the policy adopted and framework followed for their maintenance. Nurses and other staff rarely had formal training running those machines, they learnt by experience and death due to mechanical failure is not unheard of. The equipment did not go through routine servicing or calibration and a fault was detected only when it transpired and not surprisingly many a fault may have continued undetected for considerable time, adversely effecting treatment.

But adverse events are not limited only to problems with mechanical equipments as demonstrated by Tonima Afroze in her research paper on Patient Safety Regarding Medical Devices at ICUs in Bangladesh.

Instead it spans over triviality of identification of patient to miscommunication, application

of wrong medication, use of unsafe blood, blood products and ultimately to failure of system design and operations. Infection control protocol and guidelines are mostly non-existent and hand washing, the basic procedure for infection control, is hardly practiced.

Adverse outcomes have devastating consequences on patient and families. Not only is care in ICU expensive but it also brings on huge financial burden for families. Adverse outcomes leading to death and disability of patients may bring ruinous financial, social and psychological consequences.

It is imperative that regulatory framework and regulatory governing body overseeing the quality of ICU care in Bangladesh is well established and becomes effectively functional to safe guard the interest of patients and their families protecting them from devastation. It is about time that evidence based clinical practice, clinical audit (for analysing quality of patient care), risk management, adverse incidence reporting and prompt response to patient complaints and the culture of Continued Professional Development are incorporated in our health system without delay. Many of these would require investment in effective human resource development but many would require change of attitude, working philosophy and culture.l

Professor Raqibul Mohammad Anwar is a practising Colorectal Surgeon at RAHETID, a global partner organisation of the Royal College of surgeons of England in Road 106, Gulshan 2, Dhaka. He also works for Bart’s and The Royal London Hospital in England, he is a retired Colonel in the Royal Army Medical Corps of the British Army and a Convener of Examinations and an Ambassador of the Royal College of surgeons of England

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DT

Biz Info

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

| hospitality |

| hospitality |

Eid offers at Amari

Eid reinvigoration package at the Westin

Enjoy more attractive treats than ever for a group of four people or more at Amari. Join them to enjoy an exotic Asian buffet with four live kitchens for a minimum group of four guests or more, enjoy special room rate with some exclusive offer first time ever.

Dining offer Amari’s buffet consists of a variety of Asian and international cuisines plus live kitchens means there’s always something for everyone. Rotisserie, authentic Indian kebabs, naan, sizzling Chinese cusine, made-to-order

stir fry, exotic Japanese items, delightful desserts and their most popular BBQ station.

Book a group of four or more for lunch or dinner from EID day till July 10 and enjoy buffet lunch at Tk1499++ per person and dinner buffet at Tk1999++ per person.

With SCB, AMEX, BRAC, NBL, NRB & PRIME bank cards enjoy free buffet for your partner.

Room offer Enjoy special room rate at Tk10,999 (net) all inclusive for single or double occupancy.

Room package includes 25% discount on food only at Amaya food gallery and Cascade, 30% discount on Breeze Spa treatment, SPA treatment voucher worth Tk1,000, Tk1,000 worth Amaya food gallery meal voucher which cannot be used with any other discount offer.

Room offer applicable for Bangladeshi national and expatriates residing in Bangladesh only from July 4 to July 9.

For more information contact 01878499999; 0255059620; 01878422222 and 01777796444. l

| e-commerce |

Daraz and Kaymu announce merger Daraz and Kaymu, the two leading e-commerce companies in Bangladesh, have agreed to join forces in order to enhance the value proposition to customers and sellers and accelerate growth.

Post merger, both platforms will remain active with their current brand names, but the new entity, Daraz Group, will integrate the operations under one banner. Daraz and Kaymu have built unique expertise in their respective business models, and the decision to operate the two entities together will give the group a 360 degree ownership of the e-commerce market in Bangladesh.

Daraz will continue to operate as a B2C (Business-to-Consumer) marketplace for brands and original products, with premium fulfillment and value-addedservices to help professional sellers scale their business.

Daraz will continue to provide

its customers with seven day return policy for its wide range of original, quality products from local and international brands.

Kaymu will continue to operate as an open marketplace for smaller businesses and individuals to interact directly with customers through a community based trading platform.

Bjarke Mikkelsen, co-CEO Daraz Group, said: “Daraz and Kaymu have both built successful operations in their respective markets. The merger is now the next step to offer our sellers the best possible solutions to grow their online business, and to start

capitalizing on the synergies between the platforms.”

Benjamin de Fouchier, managing director Daraz Bangladesh said: “We are very excited to start building an integrated platform with our colleagues from Kaymu. There are numerous synergies we can exploit to take the business to the next level.”

Quazi Zulquarnain Islam, managing director, Kaymu Bangladesh, said: “By uniting Kaymu’s expertise in C2C and Daraz’ best-in-class B2C operations we will be able to achieve more together than we could ever imagine individually.”l

In celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr, the Westin Dhaka brings three special room packages from the July 1 to July 16, 2016.

The packages will let guests enjoy the five star hospitality and dining experience of the Westin Dhaka at an unthinkable price during the Eid vacations.

“Rejuvenation” offers one deluxe room with buffet breakfast and dinner for two at Seasonal Tastes and it is priced at Tk11,111 (net). With “Pay 1 Stay 2,” guests pay for one deluxe room night and get to stay the next night absolutely for free. Buffet breakfast for two at Seasonal Tastes is also included with the package and the package is priced at

Tk16,666 (net). With “Pay 2 Stay 3” guests pay for two deluxe room nights and get to stay the next night absolutely free. The package includes breakfast for two at Seasonal Tastes, a free spa voucher and the package is priced at Tk22,222 (net).

For all the packages, guests will get a 40% discount on buffet lunch at Seasonal Tastes, complimentary swimming pool and gym usage and latecheckout till 6pm.

The offer is not to be missed and guests will have to make reservations early by calling +88029891988. Also, the packages are only available for Bangladeshi citizens and expats residing in Bangladesh. l

| meals |

Embrace the spirit of Ramadan with Zafran Restaurant

During Ramadan, Zafran restaurant brings three Iftar platters for foodies including the Tandoori platter. It consists of different types of mouthwatering kebabs and tandoori dishes. Dates, fruits and lemonade will be complimentary additions to the meal. To know more log onto www.facebook.com/zafran.restaurant.bd/ l

DT

20 Editorial

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

TODAY

The problem of private investment In the final analysis, it is not too difficult to conclude that Bangladeshi businesses face significant challenges in accessing adequate funds to invest. There are greater problems on the supply side than there are on the demand side PAGE 21

Children of a lesser India That the Indian Union does not acknowledge the financial year that started on the first of Boishakh is a democratic deficit and not any deficit in a calendar system PAGE 22

You need six eyes in Dhaka Every time I walk the streets of Dhaka, I see vehicles on the wrong side of the road barrelling towards me like inebriated bulls PAGE 23

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.

REUTERS

World must come together for Istanbul

Y

esterday’s suicide bombing attack on Istanbul’s main international airport, which resulted in the deaths of at least 41 people, and 239 people being injured, is a terrifying reminder of how much terrorism has corrupted public peace and safety.

Reports so far claim that the attackers came up to the x-ray scanners and opened fire before detonating the bombs which were strapped to their bodies. At the same time, different bombs went off in different parts of the airport.

This is a terrifying scene to behold, even in this day and age.

Istanbul Ataturk airport is a major destination not only for visitors to Turkey but also serves as a major global hub for people from all over the world. Tens of thousands of Bangladeshis fly through Turkey on their way to the UK or the US. The fact that the attack took place at an airport is doubly concerning. Firstly, the fact that these terrorists were able to go up to such an important transit destination, despite all the security provisions such a place might have, only serves to remind us of how far these terrorists are willing to go.

If such major airports are targets, anyone at any place is in danger. Furthermore, it is outside the government’s scope to ensure safety and security when a citizen is endangered on foreign soil.

The world must come together to do whatever it can to ensure that these attacks don’t continue to disrupt an already diminishing sense of peace, and that no more lives are taken by those who wish to separate us with hatred.

We must remember Istanbul and strive towards a future where such a terrible incident is not allowed to repeat itself.

We must remember Istanbul and strive towards a future where such a terrible incident is not allowed to repeat itself

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DT

Long Form

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

The problem of private investment Encouraging the development of a bond market would help. This is the concluding part of yesterday’s long form

Private businesses have no comparable avenue of bypassing the banking sector other than the stock market

n Nofel Wahid

P

rivate investment in Bangladesh is largely financed by domestic savings.

Since domestic savings has remained constant at around 2122% of GDP over the last decade, private investment as a share of GDP has changed little over the same period.

But the government is able to utilise foreign savings, mainly international remittance, to finance its public investment. So why can’t the private sector do the same?

Maybe there is a supply-side problem, after all.

The inability of businesses to access remittance savings to finance private investment is entirely a supply-side problem involving the banks.

Very little of the remittance sent

by Bangladeshis working abroad is saved by recipients in banks.

Moreover, when remittance recipients do look to save, they tend to buy national savings certificates issued by the government.

In the fiscal year 2014-15, the government initially aimed to borrow Tk26,500 crore through the sale of national savings certificates, but ended up borrowing close to Tk35,000cr

(approximately 2.5% of GDP).

National savings certificates are financial instruments that allow the government to access and borrow funds without going through the banking system.

Since there is no functional corporate bond market in Bangladesh, private businesses have no comparable avenue of

saved their money in banks, private businesses would struggle to access those savings because banks do not lend without holding collateral against their loans.

Data from the Bangladesh Bank indicates that 57.5% of all loans provided by banks in 2015 were secured against real estate held as collateral.

REUTERS

to securitise loans has depreciated significantly, and may continue to do so.

In situations like that, businesses face a credit crunch, similar to what was witnessed during the global financial crisis.

In the case of Bangladesh, the situation is made worse by the repeated occurrence of large

In the final analysis, it is not too difficult to conclude that Bangladeshi businesses face significant challenges in accessing adequate funds to invest. There are greater problems on the supply side than there are on the demand side

bypassing the banking sector, other than the stock market.

This explains why the government is able to access remittance savings to finance its public investment while the private sector is limited to utilising domestic savings intermediated through the banking sector to finance its investment.

Bangladeshi banks are a one-trick pony Even if remittance recipients

Publicly available data on the Bangladeshi real estate industry is hard to find but there is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that real estate prices have fallen notably in recent years.

With real estate prices down, it should come as no surprise if banks are unwilling to lend to private businesses for long-term investment.

It is difficult for banks to justify higher lending when the value of the primary underlying asset used

lending fraud and default which has led banks to tighten credit standards significantly.

Even as lending interest rates have fallen markedly in recent years, tightening credit standards have made it difficult for businesses to borrow money from banks.

Developing a bond market can be a suitable supply-side solution In the final analysis, it is not too difficult to conclude that Bangladeshi businesses face

significant challenges in accessing adequate funds to invest. There are greater problems on the supply side than there are on the demand side.

An effective solution to this supply-side problem may involve the government taking policy and regulatory action to encourage the development of a corporate bond market.

This may require the government to enact strong bankruptcy laws, establish dispute resolution mechanisms, and develop regulations for liquidation of assets.

Such initiatives to develop a strong corporate bond market would enable businesses to borrow directly from savers without having to rely on the banking sector, while also providing adequate protection for creditors and investors.

An even simpler first step may involve enabling the secondary trading of government bonds, the national saving certificates mentioned earlier.

It would help to establish a transparent benchmark price for bonds which is essential to the development of a vibrant and liquid corporate bond market. l Nofel Wahid is an economist. This article previously appeared in orthonomi.com.

22

DT

Opinion

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Children of a lesser India Why does India continue to ignore the significance of the Bengali calendar?

n Garga Chatterjee

A

pril 14 of the Gregorian calendar was the first day, the first of the month of Boishakh, of the year 1423 in the Bangla calendar (Bangabda). The night before, around 11pm, when I was returning home, I found police barricades blocking many streets leading up to the holy seat of Ma Kali of Kalighat in Kolkata.

I live in the neighbourhood, and I know what was up. Like every year, many business-people, traders, and those who have to maintain accounts, were bringing a brand new fat accounts book (called Haalkhata or Jabdakhata) to be blessed by the holy mother.

The whole area, especially the approach to the Ma Kali temple at Kalighat was very busy. The thick crowds would continue till the late hours of the night, for the daybreak would usher in a new

of myths that are invented by nation-states and then projected back into the past -- the shape and size of these types of civilisational contintuity claims are typically dictated by contemporary political needs, imaginations, yearnings, and anxieties.

The government financial year in the Indian Union starts on April 1 and ends on March 31.

Canada, Hong Kong, Myanmar, New Zealand, and South Africa use the April 1 to March 31 financial years system for various purposes.

Clearly, it is not crop patterns or anything tied to the citizen’s practises within these widely geographically separated entities that unites them.

The root of the unity is the British crown -- which created these political entities and ruled them, in the past and in some cases, at present too. What is also common is that in all these entities, the present administrative

Pohela Boishakh, or April 14?

That the Indian Union does not acknowledge the financial year that started on the first of Boishakh is a democratic deficit and not any deficit in a calendar system. The lack of acknowledgement is related to classifying whole classes of citizens as lesser people year and with that, a new financial year. A new financial year means a time for renewal, of recalculating starting inventory for traders.

Thus, in Choitro, the last month of the previous year, there are steep discounts and selling activity in order to clear inventories as much as possible, so as to start the new financial year with minimal carry-overs in inventory. Thus, in Bengal (West and East), Odisha, Tripura, Assam, Manipur, Mithila, Nepal and other areas of eastern South Asia, which have a midApril New Year, this is the season of sales and price-cuts.

This goes by the contemporary name of Choitro Sale. The midApril New Year is also shared by several other peoples in this part of the world -- most notably in Cambodia, Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Kerala, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Myanmar. These are all homelands of rice-growing people with cultural and civilisational links going back many centuries.

Crop styles and harvest cycles similarities among people represent real civilisational continuities. They are quite different from the “ancient and continuous civilisation” type

system has continuity with British rule in terms of governance -- all these entities have undergone transfer of power to natives and not capture of power by natives.

Unsurprisingly, the government financial year of the UK runs from April 1 to March 31. None of the UK’s two close neighbours -Ireland (succcessor of the Irish free state formed after violent anticolonial struggle against English rule) and France -- has a similar financial calendar.

In fact, worldwide, a plurality of nation-states uses the Gregorian calendar year as the financial year for most purposes, but even then there is huge heterogeneity, including major financial powers that do not follow the Gregorian calendar year as the financial year.

In short, financial years vary widely across the world, and this has not created any trouble in trade, commerce and international transactions. In the USA, which has many states, some individual states have a different financial year system than the federal government.

Thus, even when a stupendous majority speaks the same language, professes some form

of Christianity as religion and are of White-Caucasian ethnic origin, there is space for diversity.

Own needs take precedence over over-arching structures of uniformity. That is a sign of democratic deepening, of people’s convenience mattering before any other reason.

Global uniformity or homogeneity are not positive values unto themselves. If anything, they are inimical to the development of the full potential of those who are different from the dominant. That colonisation and standardisation or homogenisation based on the coloniser’s preferred practise is something we live with after decades of decolonisation tells us that transfer of power is one thing, liberation is quite another.

A majority of the people among most ethno-linguistic nationalities in the Indian Union are associated with agriculture. Add to that the class of small traders, and you have a huge proportion indeed. An entity like India, put together by the British, continues to follow an alien financial year, divorced from the needs and convenience of the people.

BIGSTOCK

People never were and never are consulted about such fundamental decisions. Of course, there is “acknowledgement” of the “traditional,” which is the respectable way of saying something is out-dated.

But when a tiny minority gets to decide on the datedness of the practise and lifestyle of the stupendous majority, it is a symptom of democratic deficit.

The hope is that, through years of coercion, the majority will come around to reason. Such systems treat citizens as infants and not as human beings equal to the elite set.

Many things which are standard in the Indian Union are also “traditional,” just that it is someone else’s, typically the coloniser’s or the Hindi belt’s tradition.

Scotch is the traditional local brew of Scotland with a lot of money and government support put in to its filtration and standardisation process to make it the aspirational drink that it is today. Still, Scotch is Scotch and Mahua (local brew from Mahua flowers in large areas of Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh) is “traditional.”

Governments are supposed to support people’s already existing skills and practices, so as to help them fulfil their aspirations and potentials, not create conflicts between people’s practises and government’s ideology. When such conflicts happen, and government fiat takes precedence, it means most people are discounted as full citizens.

That the Indian Union does not acknowledge the financial year that started on the first of Boishakh is a democratic deficit and not any deficit in a calendar system.

The lack of acknowledgement is related to classifying whole classes of citizens as lesser people -- those who use their own month systems, those who are literate in their mother tongues only (funnily, that is the case for most white English speakers who are considered greater if not the greatest people).

Just like if English became the language of all people of the world it would cause unprecedented shrinkage in the world of past, present and future knowledge, similarly, suppressing people’s own practises only destroys creative forces, sucks energy out of life and business, inhibits the economic, cultural, and political swaraj that all sovereign political entities claim to have achieved.

While sovereign political entities like the Indian Union may celebrate decolonisation by putting 15 vernacular languages on their banknote, their order is determined by the English alphabet order. A for Assamese.

B for Bangla. That is the deep structure. Hence, in Bengal, Boishakh 1 is not just Boishakh 1.

It is increasingly a cultural marker day that “falls” in the middle of April. l Garga Chatterjee is a political and cultural commentator. He can be followed on twitter @gargac.

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Opinion

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

You need six eyes in Dhaka Two just isn’t enough for this crazy city

Your eyes do no deceive you: That is an actual elephant on a Dhaka street

Every time I walk the streets of Dhaka, I see vehicles on the wrong side of the road barrelling towards me like inebriated bulls. Often, while crossing the road, when I find my left to be totally safe and try to take that first step, another vehicle zooms past from the right side

n Mushfique Wadud

I

t was only recently that I discovered that one needs at least six eyes to remain functional and somewhat safe on the streets of Dhaka. Along with the two regular eyes, two more are needed on the back, and another two on the top of your head.

Without six eyes, there is every chance one may get into a fatal accident, get mugged, or, worst case scenario, get killed by construction material falling from above, not unlike the old Bugs Bunny cartoons.

Every time I walk the streets of Dhaka, I see vehicles on the wrong side of the road barrelling towards me like inebriated bulls. Often, while crossing the road, when I find my left to be totally safe and try to take that first step, another vehicle zooms past from the right side. Vehicles come from both the front and back on the single lane, even though there is a lane dedicated to the other side.

This happens so frequently and on so many roads that any newcomer visiting Dhaka might think that running on the wrong side of lane is legal, every motorist

blessed by the Dhaka Metropolitan authorities to flout the rules as they wish.

A few days ago, this situation was isolated to just the roads, but now, quite a few vehicles seem to believe that the road extends to the sidewalks as well.

Dhaka-dwellers are quite infatuated with driving their vehicles on the wrong side, so much so that many times they ply the wrong side, even when the right lane is completely free.

I witnessed a double-decker bus running on the wrong side in Gulshan the other day, even

DHAKA TRIBUNE

when the lane it was supposed to run on was vacant. Hell, some of them even feel proud for using the wrong side.

When discussing the issue of vehicles taking the wrong lane, it’s worth noting that our ministers, and most government high-ups, tend to outperform everyone.

Newspapers often publish photographs in which vehicles belonging to ministers and highranking civil service officials, and even law-enforcement officials (oh the irony!) are seen taking wrongside of the road.

Time and again, these photos are published in newspapers, people get angry, but in the end, nothing is ever done about the issue.

Don’t get confused, it’s not like Dhaka has a dearth of problems that I’m harping on about this one specific issue. Of all the large-scale construction work that are underway in Dhaka, very few of the contractors are taking proper safety measures for their construction sites, sites that are actually death traps.

Often, pedestrians are killed on Dhaka’s streets as heavy stones or bricks fall from the construction sites. Which is why we need two other eyes to look overhead.

The eyes over our head are necessary for another Dhaka problem: Muggers here are very innovative. They snatch away cellphones from the rooftop of a CNG auto-wheeler through holes cut on the CNG’s ceiling. If only these geniuses were hired to rethink how our roads work.

It seems that two eyes are not enough when navigating the mire that is Dhaka, at least if you want to live while doing so. I used to think that things will eventually improve, but in the last couple of months, I have learned to abandon such wishful thinking.

Things are getting worse day by day. We either need to evolve to becoming six-eyed monstrosities like I mentioned, or quit this city for good.l Mushfique Wadud is a journalist currently working in the development field.

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24 Sport

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

TOP STORIES

The thankless life of a referee At the end of the Copa America final on Monday, the tournament officials who were handing out the medals and trophies hugged a smiling Brazilian referee Heber Lopes.

His two red cards effectively killed off the contest. PAGE 26

BCB pays CCS, Kalabagan CA The BCB has paid the players of Dhaka Premier League clubs Kalabagan Cricket Academy (KCA) and Cricket Coaching School (CCS) their dues on Wednesday, a week after the deadline it had issued for payments to be made had passed. PAGE 27

‘Southgate set to be England manager’ England under-21 coach Gareth Southgate looks likely to be put in temporary charge of the national team after the resignation of Roy Hodgson following the side’s Euro 2016 exit, British media reported on yesterday. PAGE 28

Berdych battles to four-set win Tomas Berdych battled the elements and a gritty display by his unseeded Croatian opponent Ivan Dodig before sealing a 7-6(5) 5-7 6-1 7-6(2) win. The 10th-seeded Czech served for the match when play resumed after being called off previous day. PAGE 29

Ronaldo-Lewandowski face off for Euros semifinals slot n AFP, Marseille Two of Europe’s most prolific marksmen go head-to-head as Robert Lewandowski aims to end Cristiano Ronaldo’s dreams of landing an international trophy when Poland meet Portugal in a Euro 2016 quarter-final clash on Thursday.

Ronaldo is just one goal away from even more European championship history by matching French legend Michel Platini’s record mark of nine goals in the finals.

The Real Madrid star has already become the first player to score in four Euros and broken the competition record for appearances.

At 31 Ronaldo is unlikely to get a better chance for international glory with the winners in Marseille facing a semi-final clash against his Real Madrid teammate Gareth Bale and Wales or Belgium.

Despite a double against Hungary to save Portugal’s blushes to sneak through the group stage in third place, Ronaldo has yet to catch fire in France.

A flat display and post-match rant against Iceland in Portugal’s opener was followed by a missed penalty in a stalemate against Austria.

He was also kept quiet for 117 minutes a dull last 16 clash with Croatia, but his only effort on goal led to the breakthrough as Ricardo Quaresma headed home after Danijel Subasic parried Ronaldo’s effort.

“We’ll always have a chance.

We’ve got the best player in the world - Ronaldo - and the likes of Nani, Quaresma and Joao Mario,” said Portugal defender Jose Fonte.

Portugal were criticised for their negative approach against Croatia as for the first time in Euros history no team had a shot on target during the regulation 90 minutes.

However, Fonte insists Fernando Santos’s men don’t care how they play as long as they make the last four.

“If we have to play bad and win, I’ll do it. As a team you want to play good football and win games but sometimes you can’t.”

Poland goalkeeper Wojciech

Szczesny laughed off suggestions Ronaldo is not on top form, but said he has also been impressed

by Bayern Munich’s 35 million euro ($38.5 million) recruit Renato Sanches after the 18-year-old came off the bench to win manof-the-match against Croatia.

“Portugal are a great team, they are not just Cristiano Ronaldo and some say he is not playing his best. I would still love to have him in my team,” said Szczesny.

“Besides Cristiano, I am impressed by Renato Sanches. Undoubtedly we have a big task ahead of us on Thursday.”

Lewandowski is yet to find the net in four games in France, but kept his cool to convert from the spot as Poland progressed to their first major quarter-final for 34 years with a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Switzerland.

“We are not worried about Robert, not at all,” said Poland assistant boss Hubert Małowiejski.

“Of course he felt some pain after that match, but there is not even the slightest bit of doubt he will be ready for Portugal.”

Portugal have fitness concerns

over Raphael Guerreiro, Andre Gomes and Joao Moutinho, so wonder kid Sanches looks certain to start for the first time in the tournament.l

QUARTER-FINAL

V POLAND

PORTUGAL

Stade Vélodrome 8pm local time (1am BST) * Bangladesh standard time

HEAD-TO-HEAD PORTUGAL

8 10 4 3 3 13 9

POLAND FIFA Ranking

Matches Played Wins Losses Draws Goals scored Goals against

27 10 3 4 3 9 13

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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

From the other side, it is Iceland who only can make it possible to hold a non-winner final.

After coming second in their group, they continued their fairytale to pull off the shock of the tournament by sending England crashing out in the second round

Belgium have shown some real instinct to win this time when they convincingly beat Hungary in the second round

AP

Are we braced for a new champion? n Fazley Rabbi Moon There has been too much criticism about the imbalance in the qualification process in the first ever 24team Euro 2016 knockout stage.

But after the number of teams were narrowed down to eight, it is obvious that we are going to see a team in the grand finale that has never won the championship.

As it is, we have Poland, Portugal, Wales and Belgium on one side and among these teams only two have had experience of playing a Euro final though they lost in both the occasion. On the other hand of the draw, there are heavyweights Germany, Italy and France and newcomers Iceland, except whom the rest share 11 Euro finals and six trophies among them.

Among those who haven’t won, Portugal and Belgium have the best chance to put their name on the trophy. Portugal had their best Euro campaign in 2004 as hosts when the Lius Figo-led ‘golden generation’ flew through the tournament but had to face a setback in the final against the super-defensive Greece. This time Portugal’s campaign is centred around Cris-

tiano Ronaldo who rescued them in their final group game against Hungary and also set up the late winner againts Croatia in the second round. Nani also showed flashes of inspiration and the easy draw is giving them high hope to play another final.

Belgium, who lost to West Germany in their only final in 1980, have shown some real instinct to win this time when they convincingly beat Hungary in the second round. They have begun to live up

to potentials with the midfielders Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Axel Witsel shining in recent matches. Romelu Lukaku has continued to lead the attack and looked sharp. Toby Alderweireld and Thomas Vermaelen have marshalled a defence that has not conceded in their last three games with the impressive Thibaut Courtois largely untroubled in goal.

Poland largely depends on their robust defensive line as their misfiring attackers have posed little

threat. Adam Nawalka’s team has let in just a single goal all tournament, an extreme bicycle kick by Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri in their second round game which they eventually won in a shootout. It was only the second game in 2016 in which they have conceded a goal. Yet Robert Lewandowski, the top scorer in qualifying with 13 goals, only made two attemptes on goal so far.

Wales, in their debut Euro, have been boosted into the quarterfinals

QFs LINE-UP THURSDAY, JUNE 30 At Marseille

POLAND

PORTUGAL

FRIDAY, JULY 1 At Lille

WALES

BELGIUM

SATURDAY, JULY 2 At Bordeaux

GERMANY

ITALY

SUNDAY, JULY 3 At Paris

FRANCE

ICELAND

on the shoulders of Gareth Bale, the world’s most expensive player.

Bale has scored three goals to help his team top their qualifying group and is now the joint top scorer. Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey's midfield partnership has delivered a stable base to feed Bale.

From the other side, it is Iceland who only can make it possible to hold a non-winner final. After coming second in their group, they continued their fairytale to pull off the shock of the tournament by sending England crashing out in the second round.

Their limitations are reserved deep-rooted and their energetic defence, led by Ragnar Sigurdsson, has been rock solid, with a lot of credit also going to a truly a team effort. Their Swedish coach Lars Lagerback has infused his side with a level of organisation and self-belief that will have convinced them that they can catch the hosts France offguard in the quarterfinal.

Old champions France, Germany and Italy will definitely post a hard fight with their experience but this will be good opportunity for the world to see a new champion holding the trophy at the finale podium. l

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Sport

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The thankless life of a referee n Shishir Hoque At the end of the Copa America final on Monday, the tournament officials who were handing out the medals and trophies hugged a smiling Brazilian referee Heber Lopes.

His two red cards in the first half effectively killed off the contest between Argentina and Chile.

The embrace seemed misplaced to someone watching it from Bangladesh, where match officials are treated poorly when they make an error and are hardly ever praised even when they have a good game.

Cricket and hockey umpires and football referees have it bad in Bangladesh. They are not paid well, there is very little respect and at times it becomes a life-threatening exercise. It all equates to very little in job satisfaction.

A bad decision can lead to a silent suspension that is often ignored in the media. During the recently concluded Federation Cup Abahani Limited-Brothers Union quarterfinal, linesman Harun-ur-Rashid allowed a controversial goal that earned him a suspension. He was not seen in any game fro the rest of the tournament.

The referee Mizanur Rahman suffered the same fate, in addition to the humiliation while leaving the ground with supporters abusing them non-stop.

During the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League match between Abahani and Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club, umpries Gazi Sohel and Tanvir Ahmed were at

Apart from officiating in FIFA and AFC matches occasionally in the last two years, Mohammad Jalal Uddin has a full-time job in Dhaka University where he is assistant director in the physical education department RAJIB DHAR the wrong end of Abahani’s wrath after a stumping decision wasn’t given. In an unprecedented move, both umpires didn’t officiate in the game due to “illness”, such was the pressure on them.

Three seasons ago after Mohammedan had lost a football league game, a group of supporters trying to attack referees through a group of at least 10-12 policemen.

But the life of a referee outside

the pitch can be different than the hapless individual we sometimes see in the pitch.

Mohammad Jalal Uddin has been officiating football’s Premier League matches and other professional tournaments for nine years.

He is doing it for the love of the game and the sense of adventure he gets during the 90 minutes on the pitch. His financial life doesn’t depend on his job as a match official.

Apart from officiating in FIFA and AFC matches occasionally in the last two years, Jalal has a fulltime job in Dhaka University where he is assistant director in the physical education department. A referee usually gets Tk 2000 for each game which is much less than what Jalal earns from his full-time job.

“I love the game of football. I enjoy refereeing a football match.

That is what keeps me going in

this job. The more interesting and hard-fought the game, the more I enjoyed it,” said Jalal, at his office in Dhaka University.

Hailing from Chakaria Upazila in Chittagong, Jalal was once a professional footballer. After completing his primary and secondary education in Chittagong, he captained the Dhaka University football team. He also played handball and athletics.

He played as a defensive midfielder and was a key member in the Sheikh Russel team during their rise from Second Division to top-flight football.

After retiring as a player, Jalal did his first referee’s course in Chittagong in 2004. He started officiating B-League matches in 2007 since then he has again been a familiar face in domestic football. He is now the general secretary of Bangladesh Football Referee’s Association.

Interestingly, Jalal said that he feels no pressure while refereeing in matches involving popular clubs like Mohammedan and Abahani.

Asked if he received any threats during his refereeing career, he replied, “The fans only shouted, sometimes even uses bad language during the game. Things are normal once I leave the venue. They sometimes greet me outside.”

“I don’t receive such threats but sometimes club officials called me and requested me to give a kind look at some particular players who had received yellow cards before. I always asked them to teach their players first to be alert, not me.” l

Usha thrashed by MSC, set for tomorrow’s finale against Mariners n Tribune Report

Mohammedan forward Rasel Mahmud Jimmy (R) hits to score against Usha Krira Chakra during their Green Delta Premier Division Hockey league match at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

The heroic of star forward Rasel Mahmud Jimmy helped Mohammedan Sporting Club earn a 5-3 victory over Usha Krira Chakra in the Green Delta Premier Division Hockey league at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium yesterday.

Jimmy alone scored five goals including a hattrick which not only gave the Black and Whites the victory but also provides a new calculation in the title race. Usha, the joint champions of last edition, now have 38 points from 15 matches while Mohammedan have 32 from same number of outings.

With yesterday’s result, Mariner Youngs Club stayed solely at the top of the table for the first time playing same number of matches.

The new leaders now have two point more than Usha.

The title will be decided on Friday when Usha will face Mariners in their final match of the league.

Usha have no alternative than to win if they want to retain the title

With yesterday’s result, Mariner Youngs Club stayed solely at the top of the table for the first time playing same number of matches. The new leaders now have two point more than Usha while a draw would be enough for Mariners to clinch their first ever league title.

Jimmy put Mohammedan ahead with only three minutes into the clock with an angular hit after Sal-

man Hossain broke Usha defence from the right side. Asaduzzaman equalised the margin for Usha in the 25th minute from first penalty corner of the match.

Jimmy netted two more goals in the 29th and 31st minute to complete his hattrick and put Mohammedan in driving seat. Asaduzzaman reduced the margin from another penalty corner six minutes later but Jimmy scored again in the 42nd and 61st minute to seal the victory. Asaduzzaman also scored hattrick when he converted another PC a minute before the stipulated time.

Meanwhile in the day’s other match, Abahani defeated Bangladesh Sporting 6-2. Kasif Ali, Shakeel Abbasi, Razib Da, Sheikh Md Nannu, Rumman Sarkar netted one apiece for the Sky Blues while Belal and Prince scored one each for Bangladesh SC. l

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QUICK BYTES Austria captain Fuchs quits int’l football at 30 Austria captain Christian Fuchs announced his retirement from international football at the age of 30 on Wednesday, one week after the team’s group-stage elimination at Euro 2016. Fuchs, who made his debut in a 4-1 defeat by Croatia 10 years ago, made 78 appearances, scoring a single goal against Greece in 2010. Austria, who had previously taken part in the finals only as cohosts in 2008 when they qualified automatically, were seen as dark horses when they arrived in France.

–REUTERS

Montella appointed new AC Milan coach Sampdoria coach Vincenzo Montella was on Tuesday appointed as the new coach of AC Milan on a two year contract, the Serie A side announced. The 42-year-old Italian succeeds Cristian Brocchi, who has fulfilled the role as caretaker boss since Sinisa Mihajlovic was sacked in April. Milan finished last season in seventh, missing out on a place in Europe. “The club is convinced that the brilliant system of play of the new rossoneri coach will be the basis of a fruitful and positive partnership,” the club declared in a statement.

–AFP

Newcastle swoop for Belgian keeper Newcastle United snapped up goalkeeper Matz Sels for a reported fee of £4.5 million (5.4 million euros) from Belgian side Gent on Wednesday. The 24-year-old, voted goalkeeper of the year last season in Belgium, signed a five-year contract and becomes Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez’s first summer signing, as the Spaniard looks to freshen up his squad after relegation from the Premier League. “I am really pleased to welcome Matz to the club,” Benitez said. “He’s a fantastic goalkeeper and many top clubs have been interested in signing him.

–AFP

Phelps aims to ‘let loose’ in 200m fly final There was a new face among the thousands who turned out to see Olympic superstar Michael Phelps at the US Olympic swimming trials on Tuesday -- his baby son, Boomer.

“Boomer was up there tonight, yeah,” said Phelps, whose fiancee, Nicole Johnson, brought the little one to the CenturyLink Center. “I’m hoping he was awake for my race.” Phelps won his 200m butterfly semi-final in 1:55.17 to grab the top seed for Wednesday’s final ahead of Pace Clark (1:57.27), Tom Shields (1:56.35) and training partner Chase Kalisz (1:56.48).

–AFP

Jaj Bhuiyan Group became the new title sponsor of upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) which is scheduled to kick off on July 25. The signing ceremony between Jaj Bhuiyan Group and Saif Global Sports Limited, who owns the right of BPL, took place at the BFF House yesterday COURTESY

BCB pays CCS, Kalabagan CA n Cricinfo The BCB has paid the players of Dhaka Premier League clubs Kalabagan Cricket Academy (KCA) and Cricket Coaching School (CCS) their dues on Wednesday, a week after the deadline it had issued for payments to be made had passed.

Players from Victoria Sporting Club and Brothers Union, however, remained unpaid and were in the dark leading into the Eid holidays.

The board paid the KCA players 30% and the CCS players 52% of their total payment, completing the 60% they were supposed to be paid by June 9, when the league’s first phase ended. The BCB had instructed the clubs to pay the players 30% of their full payment before the start of the league, the next 30% at the end of the first phase, and the remaining 40% six weeks after the end of the Super League on June 22.

Players and officials from Abahani Limited, Gazi Group Cricketers, Kalabagan Krira Chakra, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, Legends of Rupganj, Prime Bank Cricket Club and Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club confirmed they had received 60% of their payment, and were awaiting the rest in the next five weeks. Some of the Mohammedan Sporting Club players were waiting for the second installment but most of the players had been paid the amount due.

CCS captain Rajin Saleh said he received a check from an officer of CCDM, the BCB standing committee that runs the capital’s leagues.

He said he received 52% of his total payment from the board, in addi-

tion to the 8% he had received from CCS during the league.

“The BCB has paid the CCS players today,” Rajin said. “We are quite relieved because now we have at least the first 60% of the payment.

We will tell the club that if they pay us another 10%, we will let go of the remaining money.”

KCA captain Mahmudul Hasan also confirmed that many of his team-mates had received cheques from the board. BCB director Jalal Yunus said the BCB considered paying players from these two clubs first because of their plight

players had not been given the remaining money.

“The payment issue with Victoria and Brothers is unlikely to be resolved before Eid. The clubs told the BCB that they would pay the players but so far the players haven’t been paid,” a BCB official said. “I think the board will wait until after Eid before paying the players.”

Brothers Union batsman Shahriar Nafees said they were owed 30% by the club. “The Brothers Union club authorities have assured us that they are going to pay us as

“The payment issue with Victoria and Brothers is unlikely to be resolved before Eid. The clubs told the BCB that they would pay the players but so far the players haven’t been paid,” a BCB official said during the league. He also said that KCA and CCS would have to reimburse the BCB the full amount it paid on behalf of their clubs.

“We have paid players from these two clubs as they have suffered the most during the league,” Yunus told ESPNcricinfo. “We have informed both clubs that they have to reimburse the BCB the exact payment. Otherwise we will have to take action against them.”

However, the BCB and the players from Victoria and Brothers Union remained unaware about their payment. ESPNcricinfo learned that the clubs had told the board that they would make the payment themselves, but as of June 29 the

soon as they have funds,” he said.

“The BCB too have told us that they will do all they can to get the clubs to pay us. We also prefer that the clubs pay us. It has become quite difficult for many of the players, because Eid is coming up.”

The situation is most difficult for the Victoria players. On June 14, they wanted to meet the BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury but were stopped by their club president Nisar Uddin Ahmed Kazal’s promise that they would be paid up to 60% by the next day. The payment was not made and it prompted the BCB president Nazmul Hassan to give the clubs the 72-hour deadline on June 19. l

Kohli lauds benefits of conditioning n Reuters, New Delhi Virat Kohli was not satisfied with being an average cricketer and the India test captain says that a desire to reach the next level was his motivation for improved conditioning.

The 27-year-old is widely considered to be the fittest cricketer in the Indian side, complementing his batting with razor-sharp skills in the field.

Kohli admitted he initially did not have the fitness to be the world’s best batsman.

“I wanted to explore a new side of my body to take me to the next level because I never wanted to be average,” he told reporters.

“I wanted to (be) best in the world. So I always had that mindset but never had the physical ability.”

Kohli has often been lauded for the effort he puts into his fitness regime and he feels it has also improved his fielding as well as given him confidence.l

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Sport

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Higuain’s most catastrophic misses Gonzalo Higuain had the opportunity to decide Sunday’s Copa America final against Chile, but missed. Argentina later lost the final on penalties. Despite having scored hundreds of goals during his career this is not close to the first time the Argentine has faltered when it mattered most. In fact he has a long record of doing so for Real Madrid, Napoli and with Argentina. Here is a collection of his biggest misses in key moments.

Instead, Lazio scored minutes later.

The miss Madridistas won’t forget

Real Madrid fans will never forget Higuain’s horrible miss in the last 16 of the Champions League against Lyon in 2010. The forward went past the keeper and was left with an open goal but still managed to miss it. With that goal Los Blancos would have taken a 2-0 lead, instead the game ended 1-1 and they were eliminated.

A World Cup final miss

With the World Cup 2014 final tied at 0-0, the Argentine came alone with Manuel Neuer in the German goal. But once again he failed to get his shot on target. A goal there would have made Argentina world champions, instead Germany went on to win the title after a goal during extra time.

Out of the Copa del Rey after missing a one-on-one with Pinto

An open goal in the dying moments

A mistake from Gerard Pique gave Higuain a free pass as he was left with only Jose Pinto to beat but he couldn’t even get his shot on target.

The game ended in a 2-2 draw and Real Madrid were knocked out of the Copa del Rey in 2012.

In the last minutes of the Copa America final 2015 against Chile Ezequiel Lavezzi served Higuain a golden opportunity to score the decider. He only had to get the ball over the line, but failed once again.

The miss against Dortmund in the Champions League semi-final

Los Blancos had three clear chances in the first minutes of the Champions League semifinal against Borussia Dortmund in 2013.

The first of those chances being Higuain coming on on one with Roman Weidenfeller, but the

The Copa America Centenario

Madrid striker shot the ball straight at the keeper. Real Madrid were later knocked out as Dortmund progressed to the final.

Germany desperate to rewrite history against Italy n Reuters, Evian Germany are determined to snap their tournament losing streak to Italy dating back almost half a century when the two meet in a Euro 2016 quarter-final on Saturday in Bordeaux, players said on Wednesday.

The world champions have lost to Italy in every single tournament knockout match they have played against them, starting from a 1970 World Cup semi-final.

They also lost the 1982 World Cup final, a 2006 World Cup semi-final in Germany and a Euro 2012 semi-final to them.

The Germans, four times World Cup winners like the Italians, have also met Italy on four occasions in group stages of tournaments, drawing every time and failing to record a single win over them.

“We have matured and developed but we know that everything is possible,” Germany’s goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke told reporters. “We know we have to bring a top performance but we are

ready, ready to rewrite history.”

Germany, who have won just eight of their 33 encounters against Italy since 1923, have yet to concede a goal in their four matches of the tournament and, after winning the 2014 World Cup, are deservedly among the title favourites in France.

Central defender Mats Hummels played in the losing semi-final in Warsaw four years ago but said he was not interested in what happened in the past.

“I played only once against them (in a tournament),” he said, “In friendlies I think we drew twice 1-1 and then won 4-1 (in March).

The recent past since 2012 proves we can keep up with them but Italy are just like us, a tournament team.

“As for the past I don’t know what to say if a team failed to win in the 1980s or so.”

The Germans will need a tight defence against the surprisingly attack-minded Italians but they will also have to break past their solid backline that has let in just one goal so far. l

4. Causing Napoli to miss out on the Champions League

Napoli played Lazio for the third position in the Serie A table that

would guarantee a spot in the Champions League. The Argentine missed a penalty that would have seen the Partenopei take a 3-2 lead.

The last episode of Higauin fails came this Sunday. In the Copa America final against Chile.

Higuain had the 1-0 at his feet as a defensive misstake saw him alone with Claudio Bravo. But once again his effort did not end up in goal.

Argentina then lost the final on penalties. l

Southgate set to be England temporary manager, media say n Reuters, London England under-21 coach Gareth Southgate looks likely to be put in temporary charge of the national team after the resignation of Roy Hodgson following the side’s Euro 2016 exit, British media reported on Wednesday.

“Southgate is believed to have already been asked whether he is prepared to take over on a temporary basis and has indicated that he is,” the Daily Telegraph said.

A three-man Football Association (FA) panel has begun the job of finding a successor to Hodgson, who resigned in the wake of England’s humiliating 2-1 defeat by Iceland in the last 16 of the European Championship on Monday.

British media said that opened the way for former England centre-half Southgate.

“The Football Association is prepared to make Gareth Southgate interim England manager for the start of their World Cup qualifying campaign,” the BBC reported.

The prospect of a delay has intensified speculation that Frenchman Arsene Wenger could take the

post in the long term.

Wenger is the final year of his contract with Arsenal and was reported to be open to the idea of talking to England’s football authorities about the job, but the FA may be unwilling to wait a year for the 66-year-old who has always maintained that he would never break a contract.

Other names linked with the job include Bournemouth manag-

er Eddie Howe, possibly in tandem with former England international Steven Gerrard, Hull City’s Steve Bruce, former England manager Glenn Hoddle and Italian Claudio Ranieri, who won many admirers by steering Leicester City to their first Premier League title last month.

The FA would have to move quickly to secure Ranieri, who is expected to sign an improved contract with Leicester next month. l

England’s Tom Heaton, Ross Barkley, Marcus Rashford and Nathaniel Clyne arrive back at Manchester Airport on Tuesday REUTERS

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Sport

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Berdych battles to four-set win at rain-hit Wimbledon n Reuters, London Tomas Berdych battled the elements and a gritty display by his unseeded Croatian opponent Ivan Dodig on Wednesday before sealing a 7-6(5) 5-7 6-1 7-6(2) win.

With the rain cutting a swathe through the programme for the sec-

ond day running, the 10th-seeded Czech served for the match when play resumed after being called off with him leading 4-1 in the fourth set the previous day.

But in damp windy conditions that gradually turned to steady drizzle and led to play being called off on all but one of Wimbledon’s

Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych serves to Croatia’s Ivan Dodig during their men’s singles first round match at Wimbledon yesterday AFP

DAY’S WATCH FOOTBALL SONY SIX 1:00AM Euro 2016: QF1 Poland v Portugal

CRICKET STAR SPORTS 2 11:30PM Natwest T20 Blast 2016 Kent v Sussex

SONY SIX 6:20AM Caribbean Premier League T20 Trinbago Knight Riders v St Lucia Zouks

TENNIS STAR SPORTS 1 6:00PM Wimbledon Championships 2016

other outside courts, Dodig broke serve and saved two match points before taking the match to a tiebreak. But Berdych, runner-up to Rafael Nadal at the All England Club in 2010 and contesting his 52nd consecutive grand slam, steadied his nerves to take the breaker 7-2 when he forced a back-

hand error from Dodig.

The Czech, vocal in his criticism of how French Open officials managed rain interruptions at Roland Garros earlier this month, next plays unseeded German Benjamin Becker.

Meanwhile, number three seed Agnieska Radwanska eased through her rain-delayed first-

round match at Wimbledon on Wednesday, beating Ukraine’s Kateryna Kozlova 6-2 6-1.

Radwanska, who reached the final in 2012, has never lost a firstround match on the Wimbledon grass and she kept up that record, sealing victory on her third match point.l

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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

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Lady Gaga:

an outlaw in China

n Showtime Desk China’s Communist party added Lady Gaga to a list of “hostile” foreign forces banned by the party after the singer met the Dalai Lama.

The American pop singer, who has sold over 27million copies of her albums, met the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader on Sunday during the US Conference of Mayors in Indianapolis, for a discussion on the need for kindness and compassion. A video of the 19-minute encounter — in which the pair pondered on issues such as meditation, mental health and how to detoxify humanity — was posted on the singer’s Facebook account.

The meeting triggered an angry reaction from Beijing, which has attacked the spiritual leader by tagging him as a “wolf in monk’s robes.” The Chinese propaganda department issued what’s being called, “an important instruction” banning any mention of the “Poker face” singer from party-controlled news outlets, as well as ordering to take her music down from Chinese websites.

For the second time in her career, the pop star has been banned by the communist country. The Dalai Lama, who fled into exile in March 1959, insists he is merely seeking greater autonomy from the Chinese rule for Tibetans.l

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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

ArtistSpread launched n Showtime Desk World’s leading music and home entertainment label Sony DADC and the official marketing and distribution partner of Sony DADC in Bangladesh, Creinse Limited, have launched “ArtistSpread,” a unique regional and global music distribution platform for Bangladeshi artists.

Under this platform, Bangladeshi musicians and performers will be able to choose among three paid distribution service platforms to distribute their content to India and the global scene across 200 distribution platforms encompassing online, telecom, streaming, e-commerce and retail distribution, as relevant.

ArtistSpread is the biggest music distribution platform for Bangladeshi artists regionally and globally under the endorsement of Sony DADC. ArtistSpread will facilitate Bangladeshi artists to

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Showtime penetrate the Indian market through a basket of distribution platforms such as leading Indian online and streaming platforms, Indian Telecom VAS offerings, leading Indian e-commerce platforms and music retail stores. Physical albums will also be produced from the manufacturing plant of Sony DADC and released under Sony DADC brand for sale in leading Indian music chain stores and outlets. In addition, ArtistSpread will also create opportunities for music collaboration projects with Indian and global artists.

Moreover, as value added service for all Bangladeshi artistes who subscribe to the ArtistSpread platform, there will be a facility to register with the biggest live events companies in India. This will give Bangladeshi artists some much needed exposure to the Indian music and event management community to help create live events opportunities.

Regarding the initiative, the managing director of Creinse, Rabeth Khan said, “Here, an artist not only gets a random launch pad and distribution network, it’s a Sony launch pad, the only such network in Bangladesh that ensures regional and global spread across all channels – Retail, E-Commerce, TELCO, Streaming and Digital.

ArtistSpread will enable Bangladeshi artists to create a market for them in India.”

Rajat Kakar, managing director of Sony DADC said, “there is tremendous amount of musical talent in Bangladesh and in recent years, we have witnessed a growing interest in India towards music emanating from there. With ArtistSpread we hope to channelise this talent and create a platform for bringing the best from Bangladesh to the world in conjunction with our able and professional partners – Criense.

We hope to be the catalyst that ignites the Bangladeshi music industry.” l

K G Subramanyan passes away

Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain

Legendary artist K G Subramanyan breathed his last yesterday, in Baroda at the age of 93. Born in 1924 in a village in Kerala, Subramanyan is regarded as one of the pioneers of modern art in the subcontinent.

The master studied art under heavyweights such as Nandalal Bose, Ramkinkar Baij and Benode Bihari Mukherjee while studying in Shantiniketan.

K G Subramanyan was awarded the prestigious Padma Vibhushan in 2012. l

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Govt mulls limiting number of cars for a family Al-Masum Molla n Mohammad and Shohel Mamun An upcoming legislative provision will restrict families from owning more than a fixed number of cars, a move that can be seen as a desperate attempt by Bangladesh government to improve the existing traffic situation in the country’s metropolises.

The matter was disclosed by Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday at the Jatiya Sangsad.

In reply to a query, he told parliament that the provision has been included in the Road Transport Bill 2016, which will soon be tabled in parliament for voting.

However, the minister did not reveal the details of the provision such as the maximum number of cars a family can own.

If passed, the bill will replace the existing Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1983.

In February this year, the minister told parliament that the government is planning to set a ceiling for the number of private cars a single family can have, with an aim to ease Dhaka’s crippling traffic congestion.

At a press conference on October 20 last year, Obaidul Quader said: “We have found that one particular family uses 12 private vehicles for its family members, which leads to traffic congestion. So the

number should be controlled.”

Before the press conference, the Road, Transport and Bridges Ministry held a discussion where experts suggested incorporating a provi-

In the last five years, around 85,000 new cars were registered sion in the draft act which will give a family permission for only two cars. If they want to get more cars, the family will need permission from the authorities concerned

and also pay compound VAT or tax for approval.

A meeting with stakeholders and experts had also recommended that the government should limit the number of vehicles not only for a family but also for non-government and government organisations. Taxes will be imposed on organisations for each extra vehicle they want to use beyond the government’s approval.

Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary MAN Siddique yesterday told the Dhaka Tribune: “After getting the approval for the road transport act, the ministry will fix the number of cars a family can own by examining the practi-

cal situation of the traffic. Then the decision will be disclosed through a circular.”

Other nations have regulations to control the number of cars on roads. They fix the number of cars for families, companies and organisations. However, no such act exists yet in Bangladesh to support the government in its efforts to manage the number of vehicles on the roads.

Every day, the BRTA registers an average of 100 vehicles. Road capacity, however, does not increase.

As a result, traffic congestion increases and is now out of control.

In the last five years, around 85,000 new cars were registered. l

IITs to open door for Bangladeshi aspirants n Tribune Desk Behold HSC examinees!

For those who already have given up hope to nail a slot at the top-tier engineering schools in the country due to limited number of seats, the Indian government brings you a chance to take even a better route from next year!

From now on, aspiring Bangladeshi students who wants to study engineering, can take entrance test, commonly known as joint engineering examination (Advanced), for Indian top engineering schools in overseas test centres from next year, and if selected, they can even enroll at globally highranked Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

At present, foreigners can only join IITs as exchange students.

The details of the plan are yet to be revealed but the Hindustan Times (HT) reported quoting sources in the Indian Human Resources Development (HRD) Ministry, which oversees the tests and selection process, that the entrance exams will take place in Saarc countries except Pakistan and a number of coun-

tries in Africa.

The ministry had in January decided that IITs would offer some seats to foreign students on supernumerary basis, which means seats will be added to accommodate overseas students.

To get the plan going, former JEE (Advanced) chairpersons will visit schools in the target countries to gauge students’ interest in IITs, which enjoy a good standing globally.

“Fieldwork for the examinations in the countries will start by August,” HT quoted a HRD ministry official as saying.

There is a fierce competition to get into IITs in India though. More than 1m aspirants appeared for the JEE main examination this year.

The outreach programme will be conducted in Saarc countries, Ethiopia, Singapore and Dubai.

“An outreach programme informing about the IITs, their strength, and the common entrance exam will be taken up by the Indian missions working in close conjunction with the IITs,” the ministry official said while talking to HT. l

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