|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
| Home | |
|||
|
|
|||
Head lines World Bank’s concern over abduction of businessmen STAFF REPORTER, The Independent The World Bank (WB) Country Director Christine I. Wallich has expressed her concern over rising incidents of abduction of industrialists and businessmen in the country. "Industrialists and businessmen of the country are being kidnapped frequently. This casts a shadow over Bangladesh’s investment climate," Wallich told the inaugural session of a WB-sponsored workshop yesterday. Poor infrastructure, governance and financial system, as the WB local chief observed, are affecting the country’s buoyant economic growth, considered essential for employment generation and poverty reduction. WB and Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) arranged the day-long workshop on Improving Investment Climate in Bangladesh yesterday at a city hotel. The inaugural session was also addressed by President of BEI Farooq Sobhan and World Bank’s Clive Harris. Ensuring improved law and order is a ‘real challenge’ for Bangladesh, Wallich said, adding that the country must carry out reforms in the police administration. The WB Director referred to the cases of South Africa and Mexico, saying the law and order record of those two countries was once not so impressive, but introduction of modern criminal justice system had changed the overall situation now. Replicating the experiences of the above countries, Bangladesh can change its law and order situation, considered one of major roadblocks to increased investment. Dwelling on infrastructure, Wallich identified power, telecommunications and ports are the majors concerns and suggested for reforms in these areas. "Reforms in power, telecommunications, transport and ports are critical to ease the bottlenecks hindering private enterprise in Bangladesh," she said. She also underscored the need for enhancing the efficiency of Chittagong port, saying delay and congestion in this port are imposing big costs on business firms. Referring to the contribution of small and medium enterprises to the economy, the WB official suggested for easy access to credits so that these firms could drive the engine of growth and create jobs. While presenting the survey findings, Farooq Sobhan said power tops the list of infrastructure concerns in Bangladesh and added that firms continue to face high costs from power outages and long waits for new connections. Generating capacity remains low relative to other developing countries in East and South Asia. "While Bangladesh had about 0.03 kilowatts of capacity per capita, India had 0.1 per cent, Pakistan 0.12 and China 0.21," according to the survey report. The survey was conducted in 2002 on a 1001 manufacturing firms in Bangladesh. Referring to the vulnerability of SMEs, Sobhan said these firms had to pay higher bribes and deal with government inspections than their larger counterparts. On telecom sector, the BEI chief suggested for privatisation of the government agency BTTB for the medium term. Sobhan also said that firms viewed regulation and corruption as a serious and endemic problem showing a dismal picture of weak governance. "Particular attention should be focussed on the reduction of cumbersome procedures, informal payments and a large burden of inspections at the Customs and Tax administrations," Sobhan suggested. Iodized salt does not contain iodine KAMRAN REZA CHOWDHURY, The Independent Most of the brands of iodized salt sold in the country do not contain iodine although consumers buy them at exorbitant rates and the Government and the UNICEF have been providing the producers technical and logistic support to manufacture ‘iodized’ salt. According to a study funded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and carried out by the Institute of Public Health (IPH), one brand of salt fulfilled all the criteria of tests. The test parametres are: content of sodium chloride—96 per cent (at least), moisture—5 per cent (highest), insoluble matters—0.1 per cent (highest) and presence of iodine—at least 50 ppm (in factory) and at least 20 ppm (in packet). About 400 samples were collected in the middle of last year by the IPH workers from different factories, including Majhirghat in Chittagong and Islampur of Cox’s Bazar districts, where most of the salt factories are located. Besides, samples were also collected from different retail shops across the country. The final report would be prepared and made public soon, sources said. But, the content of sodium chloride in the samples is the highest 94 per cent and the quantity of insoluble matters varied between one per cent and over two per cent. The percentage of moisture of most of the samples was above 10 per cent. The IPH officials said no manufacturers follow the guidelines of the existing Salt Act, which states that the producers must print the percentage of the contents on the pack with its manufacture and expiry dates, because, iodine might evaporate within six months since the final packing. High presence of insoluble matters like carbonate coupled with higher level of moisture are also depriving the consumers of getting the accurate weight of salt, IPH official said. The retail customers purchase one kilogram pack of salt at Tk 10 to Tk 12 depending upon the brands. One company sells a 750-gram pack at Tk 15. Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) sources said that all of the 267 registered salt manufacturers were given salt iodization machines worth about Tk 7.5 lakh (each machine). Besides, the Government and the United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) give them potassium iodate (KIO3) at a subsidised rate. The iodate is imported from Chile and the manufacturers purchase it from BSCIC at the rate of Tk 1,244 per kg. "Iodization of salt is going on successfully in Bangladesh albeit we cannot strictly monitor the activities of the producers because of some limitations," A K M Mostafizur Rahman, a Project Director of the BSCIC told The Independent yesterday. He, however, admitted that some of the producers were not mixing iodine with salt properly. The project director said that in Islampur and Majhirghat, one can buy a pack of one kilogram salt at Tk 6.5 to Tk 7. "The retail sellers are making huge profit by selling iodized salt," Rahman said. The officials of BSCIC, which is supposed to oversee the iodization of salt, said that on an average the manufacturers are to spend 12 paisa to 15 paisa for iodization of one kilogram salt. They conceded that the manufacturers could not mix iodine properly because of lack of their sincerity as well as efficiency. The higher moisture and insoluble matters help them to deceive customers in weight. The total consumption of salt in the country is around 760,000 metric tons per year and each producer, on an average, manufactures about 15,000 metric tons per annum, the corporation sources said. "If a manufacturer can save the cost of iodine, he/she can earn lakhs of taka per year. Again, there is no pricing policy for the salt manufacturers. So, it is very difficult to prevent the producers and retailers from taking higher prices," one official said. Arsenic menace takes serious turn in Jessore OUR CORRESPONDENT, JESSORE, The Independent Sept 1 : Arsenic contamination has taken a serious turn in Abhoynagar upazila of the district recently. Presence of arsenic beyond permissible limit has been detected in the water of about 3,300 tube-wells at different villages in Abhoynagar upazila of the district. Symptoms of arsenic-related diseases have been found on the bodies of 145 persons. Despite red marks the people of the affected villages are compelled to drink the water of the red-marked tube-wells as they have no other alternative source of safe drinking water. It is learnt from sources in the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) that the Padakkhep Manobik Unnayan Kendra, an NGO, conducted a survey at the villages under eight unions of Abhoynagar upaila and in the areas under Noapara pourasabha during the last three months under the guidance of the Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation and Water Supply Project. The survey team tested the water of 19,068 tube-wells out of the total of 99,494. Of them the water of 3,300 tube-wells contained excessive quantity of arsenic. According to a report of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the tolerable limit of arsenic is 0.1 gram per litre of water. But according to the DPHE the tolerable quantity of arsenic is 0.5 miligram per litre of water. Samples of water collected from the tube-wells of different villages under Abhoynagar upazila contained an average of 12 milligrams of arsenic pre litre of water. It is learnt from a source in the DPHE, Abhoynagar upazila that 310 tube-wells out of the total 1.643 of Prembag UP contain arsenic beyond tolerable quantity. A total of 191 tube-wells out of the 1,619 of Shiddhipasha UP, 117 out of the 971 tube-wells of Paira UP, 143 tube-wells out of the 1,225 of Chalshia UP, 564 tube-wells of Sridharpar UP, 244 tube-wells out of the total of 1,695 of Baghatia UP, 102 tube-wells out of the total of 1,166 of Shurorara UP, 53 tube-wells out of the total 768 of Sundali UP and 1,377 tube-wells out of the total of 7,694 tube-wells under Noapara Pourasabha contain arsenic beyond the tolerable limit. All the tube-wells have been red-marked. The NGO authorities and the officials of the DPHE had advised the people of the localities not to drink the water of the red-marked tube-wells. But in absence of any source of pure and arsenic-free water they are compelled to drink the forbidden water risking their lives. Although the water of over 3,000 tube-wells under a single upazila has been contaminated with arsenic poison, no steps have so far been taken by the government to sink deep tube-wells to ensure supply of arsenic-free water for the people of the arsenic affected areas. Meanwhile, the Noapara unit of Rotary Club has claimed that the organisation has sunk six deep tube-wells so far. A competent source in the Upazila DPHE told that efforts were on to sink deep tube-wells in the arsenic affected areas on an emergency basis by the government to mitigate the sufferings of the people under the upazila. OUR CORRESPONDENT, COMILLA,The Independent Sept 1: Glowing tributes were paid to National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam through the observance of his 27th anniversary of death in a befitting manner by various socio-cultural organisations here. Comilla district branch of Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad arranged a discussion meeting in the evening of August 27 on Farida Biddyatan Girls School premises in the town with the president of district unit of the Parishad and noted writer and researcher Professor Shantanu Kaiser. The discussion was addressed by Professor Subir Kumar Chakraborty, Zahirul Hoque Dulal and Javed Hussain. The discussion was followed by songs of Nazrul and recitation from the poems and the prose writings of the poet. The musical soiree was conducted by Mita Paul, Manashi Shadhu and ABM Khurshid Alam and were participated by Chandana Chanda, Humayun Kabir, Shukanta Chakraborty, Lovely Sinha, Anamika Dey, Sharifa Akter, Shafi Azmin, Smriti Das, Panna Bhowmik, Pradeep Das, Lopa Datta, Rina Roy, Maitri Paul, Ranu and Laxmi Das. Abdul Malek, Srabani Roy Chowdhury, Nusrat Rashid and Mousumi Roy Chowdhury read out from the writings of the poet. Musical instruments were played by Shuvendu Chakraborty, Nayan Chakraborty and Rajib Saha. The programme was presented by Nikhil Roy, General Secretary of the organisation. Nazrul Parishad, Comilla organised a two-day long programmes to mark the occasion. The programmes included placing of wreaths at the memorial sculpture of the poet, Milad Mahfil, discussion meeting and cultural function. In the morning of August 27, people from all walks of life placed wreaths at the memorial sculpture of Kazi Nazrul Islam. General Secretary of Nazrul Parishad, Advocate Rostam Ali, Secretary of the District Cultural Complex, Professor Hasan Imam Fatik, District Cultural Officer, Bashirul Anwar, Jamil Ahmed Khondoker, Humayun Kabir Majumder also attended the programme. On August 28, a discussion meeting was held at Comilla Zila Parishad auditorium with President of Nazrul Parishad and Deputy commissioner of Comilla Tariqul Islam in the chair. Vice-president of Nazrul Parishad, Comilla Principal Amir Ali Chowdhury, Professor Shanti Ranjan Bhowmik, Professor Anwarul Huq and Mamun Siddique spoke on the occasion. General Secretary of Nazrul Parishad, Comilla Advocate Rostam Ali conducted the function. Later a cultural function was held. Artistes of district Shilpakala Academy participated in the cultural function. PM asks people to keep vigil against 'a party' Staff
Correspondent, The Daily Star PM asks people to keep vigil against 'a party'
Photo: STAR Without referring to the main opposition Awami League (AL), she said a party is out to create lawlessness through killings and other criminal activities. "They [the party] are killing people and blaming others to create unrest. They do not love the country...They make malicious statements about it abroad," she said. The BNP chairperson was addressing a mammoth rally at Paltan Maidan in the city yesterday afternoon before leading a colourful procession to mark the 25th founding anniversary of the party. Tens of thousands of people thronged the rally venue. BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and city BNP President and Mayor of Dhaka Sadeque Hossain Khoka also spoke on the occasion. Khaleda said they (a party) are engaged in anti-Bangladesh campaign abroad and have long been telling foreigners that Bangladesh is a fundamentalist and communal country and minorities are being repressed here. But neither the people of Bangladesh nor the foreigners believe those false statements. The prime minister said the world community now portray Bangladesh as a moderate Muslim democratic country and that its image has brightened despite those evil campaigns. Khaleda said the then president Ziaur Rahman founded the party when democracy and rule of law were trampled and fundamental human rights, freedom of press and freedom of speech were denied by the government immediately after the independence. Ziaur Rahman restored multi-party democracy, rule of law, freedom of press and independence of the judiciary and devoted himself to the welfare of people and development of the country, she recalled. The prime minister said BNP has earned love of the people and a permanent place in their hearts. That is why the party was elected and re-elected to serve the nation and the country, she added. Khaleda recalled that Ziaur Rahman had implemented massive development programmes within a short time and gained popularity and credibility both at home and abroad. The people had accepted his 19-point programme because it ensured their development and welfare, she added. "We are following the path of Zia and implementing his 19-point programme," Khaleda said. She narrated her government's achievements. Khaleda said BNP is a party of the people and only this party can save them against all odds. "The country needs BNP and I strongly believe it has come to stay permanently." Earlier, the BNP chairperson inaugurated the silver jubilee celebrations by releasing colourful balloons to the tune of "Prothom Bangladesh, Amar Shesh Bangladesh". She later led a big procession that paraded different city streets. Thousands of people joined it carrying banners and portraits of Zia and Khaleda and sheaf of paddy. Many were on horse-drawn carriages and in colourful dresses. Ministers, MPs, BNP Standing Committee members and senior leaders of the party and its front organisations also took part in the procession. Juba Dal President Barkatullah Bhulu and General Secretary Moazzem Hossain Alal came to the rally venue on an elephant. Staff Correspondent, The Daily Star The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) will go online as part of efforts to increase transparency and accountability in administration through e-governance, PMO sources said. A project, Development of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) System for the Prime Minister's Office, is now being implemented to this end. Under the project, a VSAT (very small aperture terminal) is being installed to connect the PMO with the World Wide Web. Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is likely to inaugurate the ICT system this week, the sources added. When the system is introduced, the premier will have direct access to the 'feedback pages,' where people from all walks of life will be able to put their comments on government activities, an official said. "This will bring transparency in government activities," he added. Officials at the PMO will also be able to send and receive e-mails from their domains and there will be a website with people's access to it. A private farm, DNS, is implementing the project on a turn-key basis. DNS will roll out a high speed internet and data connectivity for the PMO via satellite, said M Atiqul Ahsan, chief operating officer of the company. Establishment of e-governance will help increase efficiency and transparency in government activities and cut corruption and irregularities, said a top official of the Ministry of Science and Information Communication Technology. He also said a Tk 18.61 crore plan to connect all the 52 ministries and divisions via internet as part of establishing e-governance is now under consideration of the Planning Commission. The ICT has been declared a thrust sector. CARE survey reveals grim picture of education, health Despite decades of development, the inhabitants of the Southeast region of the country are still struggling to get access of basic services, says a survey report of CARE. The Southeast Livelihoods Baseline Survey, conducted in 800 households of eight upazilas under Chittagong and Cox's Bazar districts, focused primarily on education, health and debt burden of the people living in the region. According to the survey, only five per cent of the 'always poor' households have completed class five despite increases in school enrolment after the introduction of the food for education programme. The 'always poor' category also suffer from food insecurity for at least seven months of the year. Sixty-three per cent of them reported that they suffer regularly from various diseases and miss, on an average, nine working days in a month. Despite efforts to upgrade medical services, only 26 per cent of the 'always poor' group continue to use government or NGO health care services, and spend most of their loan-credit on healthcare. The survey reveals that the 'always poor' group spends 146 per cent of their net asset value in replaying loans, while they continue to owe 167 per cent of their net asset value to loan-agencies. However, access to union parishads has increased due to current restructuring. About 30 per cent of all households receive services from union parishads. Early marriage, dowry and gender-abuse were pointed out as significant factors that continue to hold back women development in the region. Dr Tim Frankenberger, president of TANGO International, presented the report at a seminar at BRAC Inn in the city yesterday. CARE Country Director Steve Wallace inaugurated the seminar while Loretta Payne and Tony Hill facilitated the discussion. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
| About us | Bangladesh | Success Stories | Documents | SEMP | Links | News | Partners | Environment | Tech.Info | |
|||
|
© Copyright and
Fair Use . SDNP Bangladesh holds the ©
copyright to its publications and web pages but |
|||
BNP
Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan clap at
the inauguration of a rally celebrating the party's 25th founding
anniversary, left, and Khaleda, right, leads a procession at Paltan
yesterday.