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27 landless families who had been living in the area for over 50 years have been forced to leave
did not give any details. On the other hand, RAB brushed away the allegations of intimidation. The Dhaka Tribune reporter visited the area, Porabari village, on Monday. It is around seven kilometres from Gazipur intersection, near the Porabari Bazar, and only a 5-minute walking distance from Dhaka-Mymensingh highway. It is green, verdant, peaceful village. A pond named Botgachiar Pukur is at the centre of the area. A lot of mango, banana, jackfruit, litchi, Shishu and eucalyptus trees were seen in the area. The gazette issued on March 5 said: According to the Forest Law of 1927, the land was declared as a reserve forest through gazette notifications of
A cow grazes on the land that was acquired to set up a training school for the RAB forces in Porabari of Gazipur. The photo was taken yesterday
Agonising wait
According to the data from Rodzali, if it was the missing plane it would have flown for 45 minutes and lost only about 5,000 feet in altitude. There was no word on which direction it was headed and still no clue what happened aboard, prolonging the agonising wait for news for hundreds of relatives of those on board. A position 200 miles northwest of Penang, in the northern part of the Strait of Malacca, would put the plane roughly south of Phuket and east of the tip of Indonesias Aceh province and Indias Nicobar island chain. Indonesia and Thailand have said
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INSIDE
News
3 The prosecution yesterday completed its part of closing arguments against war crimes accused Motiur Rahman Nizami seeking highest punishment for the ring leader of collaborators.
Nation
6 Students of Nachol Madhabpur High School in Chapainawabganj fear they have to suffer a lot in the coming days as the summer season is nearer.
International
8 EU member states have agreed the wording of sanctions on Russia, including travel restrictions and asset freezes against those responsible for violating the sovereignty of Ukraine, according to a draft document seen by Reuters.
Op-Ed
11 While the entire Bangladesh banking industry is struggling with inefficiency and graft, many are thinking: How do we ensure the migration of best practices to Bangladesh banking?
NOTICE
Dear readers: starting this week, we shall be printing our Avenue T lifestyle supplement on Saturday instead of the usual Thursday
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DEEP SEA PORT AT SONADIA
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
Harun-or-Rashid, a tailor, said: One day they [RAB members] came to my house and beat me up in front of my wife and children. They threatened me with dire consequences if I did not leave the area immediately. The non-government educational institute, Shah Sufi Fosi Uddin High School, was established in 1995. Around 650 students are studying there now. The school has two buildings one is a two-storied one, and the other is single-storied. There is a playground in front of the school. It is also used for Eid congregations where people from Baorait, Uttor Santra and Porabari villages gather every year. But the one-storey building and half of the ground have fallen under RABs acquisition. Headmaster Sanaullah Sarkar said: The RAB authorities verbally told us that they will not acquire this land permanently. But few days ago, we wanted to cut a tree which the school authorities planted a couple of years back. We wanted to make some chairs and tables for the students but they [RAB] did not allow us to do it. Now we are concerned about the existence of the school. Some 10 RAB personnel are now staying in the area in a house which was made by Abul Kalam Azad, former managing director of Bangladesh Tea Board. He said: I bought this land in 1978. When the forest department claimed it to be government property, I went to the court. The High Court gave the decision in my favour. Now I am waiting for the Supreme Courts decision. Azad claimed that the RAB personnel went there all of a sudden and acquired his house without any notice. I had a farm with 25 Australian cows.
They untied those cows and scattered them all over the village. After searching, I found only five of them. Wing Commander ATM Habibur Rahman, director of RABs legal and media wing, said: We wanted some land from the government to establish the school and they gave us this land. Ask them why they did so. About the intimidation by RAB personnel in the acquired area, he said: We did not receive any such allegations. While talking to the Dhaka Tribune over phone, Chief Forest Conservator Yunus Ali first claimed that the area was not reserved forest, it is acquired by the government. As the reporter read out the full gazette, he started stammering. He said: As the government is satisfied with the RAB, it gave them permission. He declined to make any further comment on the issue. Md Nurul Islam, the Gazipur deputy commissioner, said he and his office did not have anything to do with the issue. He came to know about it upon receiving a copy of the gazette notification. Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmad, country representative for IUCN Bangladesh, told the Dhaka Tribune: This reserved forest has already been disturbed. It has already shrunk in size. Any permanent infrastructure is harmful here. The Border Guard Bangladesh authorities early last year took over 40 acres in Coxs Bazars Rajarkul range and started developing it without prior permission from the forest department. Of the land, 36 acres fall within the purview of a reserve and the rest under a protected forest area. Former environment and forest minister Hasan Mahmud termed the land allocation a special consideration of the government. l
Red flags are erected near some date trees in front of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban to mark the areas designated for the proposed metro rail tracks. The photo was taken yesterday NASHIRUL ISLAM
goes along the eastern side of Jatiya Sangsad Avenue. The officials told the premier that they did not have the original plan of the building and it would cost Tk85 lakh to get a copy from architect Luis I Kahns son. Such a cost should not hold up the project, Hasina told the officials and ordered the Department of Architecture to get the copy as soon as possible. We have suspended the construction of the fence until we get the original copy of the master plan, Selim Khan, executive engineer of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, told the Dhaka Tribune.
Meanwhile, the public works department has already marked a straight line with red flags from the northern side of Sangsad Avenue to the southern end of the parliament premises. The line is around 30 feet inside the proposed fencing point.
According to the Parliament Secretariat sources, the public works department has assessed that the existing boundary wall on the eastern side has encroached at least 30 feet of the Sangsad Avenue, which should have been 150 feet. At present, the road is 120 feet. Starting in Pallabi of Mirpur, the proposed metro rail route is set to cross along
the eastern side of the Sangsad Avenue and take a left-turn near Ispahani Eye Hospital and head toward Sayedabad. Environmentalists and architects raised concerns over the construction of the metro rail project for alleged violation of Kahns design. An official of the Parliament Secretariat said the technical experts on the metro rail project would examine the site and go for construction of the infrastructure upon instruction from the prime minister who would examine the original plan. One of the largest legislative complexes in the world, the parliament building comprises 215 acres of land. It was inaugurated on January 28, 1982. l
said though Khoka would be dropped from the committee his strong grip over it would remain ever strong as no other competent city leaders came to the limelight in more than a decade. When contacted senior leaders refused to comment but expressed their grievances saying Khoka was trying to linger the reconstitution of the committee by making his announcement public. Those who are involved in corrupt politics only they can say like this. He made the announcement to conceal his failure, Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, a standing committee member said. Earlier on February 10, Khaleda slammed the city unit leaders for not taking to the street. When I was evicted from my cantonment residence nobody then opened fire on you but you were not seen on the streets. You have
failed, Khaleda blamed the city leaders. Khoka at a press briefing said he did not want to stay in the committee and requested the BNP chairperson to reconstitute the city committee. I do not want to carry on with the responsibility anymore. I requested Netri (Khaleda) to reconstitute the committee and she will take initiative soon. When I was in jail I sent a message to Madam (Khaleda) to do so with either Mirza Abbas or Abdul Awal Mintoo putting at the helm of the city unit, Khoka said. I believe in democracy. As I am a loyal activist of the party, I do not want the party to remain stagnant and thats why I will carry on with the role of convener till the reconstitution of the committee, he said. On criticism from inside and outside the party for poor performance of city leaders on the street, Khoka defending
himself said: Those people have poor knowledge about politics. Some of our party leaders are making such statements and playing blame game. I think it is not proper party politics. Explaining why they failed to build up any resistance on the instruction of the party chief he said: We fought against Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan and autocratic Ershad. This time the government was harsher than even the government of that time. We could not wage any movement because of killing and abduction. It was Khokas trick to share the blame of failure on senior leaders, a senior leader told the Dhaka Tribune. The city unit was formed on May 14, 2011 with Sadeque Hossain Khoka as its convener and Salam the member secretary. It was asked to form the ward and the thana-level committees within six months. l
Missing jet may have strayed toward Andaman Sea Violence escalates
PAGE 1 COLUMN 5
their militaries detected no sign of any unusual aircraft in their airspace. The position is hundreds of miles west of the point where the Boeing 777200ER dropped off air traffic control screens. Malaysia has asked India for help in tracing the aircraft and New Delhis coastguard planes have joined the search. Authorities however are continuing to search around both locations at the last known position of the plane over the Gulf of Thailand and around the radar plotting site where the Malacca Strait meets the Andaman Sea. In total, the search is over 27,000 square nautical miles (93,000 sq-km), an area the size of Hungary. Until now, there has been no confirmed sighting of the plane or any debris. A dozen countries are helping Malaysia in the search, with 42 ships and 39 aircraft involved, Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said.
Malaysia has been criticised for giving conflicting and confusing information on the last known location of aircraft. Earlier yesterday, Air Force Chief Rodzali had denied saying military radar had tracked MH370 flying over the Strait of Malacca. Vietnam briefly scaled down search operations in waters off its southern coast, saying it was receiving scanty and confusing information from Malaysia over where the aircraft may have headed after it lost contact with air traffic control. Hanoi later said the search was back on in full force and was even extending on to land. China also said its air force would sweep areas in the sea, clarifying however that no searches over land were planned.
Confusing information
In the absence of any concrete evidence to explain the planes disappearance, authorities have not ruled out anything. Police have said they were investigating whether any passengers
or crew on the plane had personal or psychological problems that might shed light on the mystery, along with the possibility of a hijacking, sabotage or mechanical failure. The airline said it was taking seriously a report by a South African woman who said the co-pilot of the missing plane had invited her and a female companion to sit in the cockpit during a flight two years ago, in an apparent breach of security. Hugh Dunleavy, the commercial director of Malaysia Airlines, however, told Reuters there was no reason to blame the crew. We have no reason to believe that there was anything, any actions, internally by the crew that caused the disappearance of this aircraft, he said. The Boeing 777 has one of the best safety records of any commercial aircraft in service. Its only previous fatal crash came on July 6 last year when Asiana Airlines Flight 214 struck a seawall on landing in San Francisco, killing three people. l
PAGE 1 COLUMN 3
failed in at least 50 seats. The BNP Jamaat coalition also failed to manage its rebel candidates. Candidates of both the Awami League and the BNP and rebels were busy carrying out last moment polls campaign with allegations and counter allegations of violation of electoral code of conduct. The polls campaign will end tonight. Although the EC was thinking of sending letters to the political parties, especially the ruling party ministers and MPs, asking them not to influence the local body polls, it did not as of yesterday, a senior EC official told the Dhaka Tribune seeking anonymity. The commission observed that most incidents of violence occurred in areas where there were ministers and MPs. We are keeping watch on the situation. The commission asked the authorities concerned to take stern action against anyone violating electoral laws and to keep an eye on the situation, Election Commissioner Mohammad Abu Hafiz told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday. About writing to the political parties, he said the EC would observe the
third phase of polls and then make a decision on this. Meanwhile, the EC postponed the election in Shreepur upazila of Gazipur as violence flared up in the upazila. The High Court also stayed the polls in Fenchuganj upazila. At least 15 Awami League activists were injured in attacks by the supporters of BNP-backed candidate in Fulgazi upazila of Feni. The attackers vandalised the election office of the Awami Leaguebacked candidate and set fire to two cars. Army and other law enforcement agencies, including Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action Battalion, police and Ansar, would be deployed from today in the upazilas to maintain law and order during the polls. A total of 1,119 candidates are contesting the polls in 81 upazilas. Of them, 419 are vying for chairman posts, 423 for vice-chairman posts, and 277 for women vice-chairman posts. A total of 76,216 law enforcers will be deployed in 5,444 polling stations in 81 upazilas where 35,331 polling booths have been set up. A total of 13,185,013 voters 66,00,131 male and 65,67,832 female will cast their votes in the polls. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sits for a photo session with members of the joint governing body of the National Defence College and the Defence Services Command and Staff College at Dhaka Cantonment yesterday
PMO
A DMP employee installs CCTV cameras at an Uttara intersection yesterday as part of the beefed up security measures surrounding the T20 World Cup SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN
er told the Dhaka Tribune. The bench of Justice Mirza Hussain Haider and Justice Khurshid Alam Sarkar gave the order. On February 16, the bench had issued a ruling seeking explanations as to why the provision of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) for declaring an uncontested candidate winner in parliamentary poll should not be declared unconstitutional. It passed the order in response to a writ plea filed on December 17 by Jatiya Party Vice-Chairman Khandker Abdus Salam. The cabinet secretary, the law secretary, the chief election commissioner
and the Election Commission secretary were asked to reply to the ruling in 10 days. However, they had not replied yet, lawyer for the petitioner Hassan MS Azim told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday. The petition said: The [RPO] provision is also contrary to the constitution as it inherently possesses the scope of arbitrary and discriminatory use of the election process by the political parties and, thereby, gets their choice of candidates declared by the Election Commission to have been elected avoiding participation of the people. A total of 153 lawmakers were elected unopposed in the 10th parliamentary election held on January 5. l
n Tribune Report
Five senior lawyers have been asked to present their opinion as amici curie on a writ petition that sought specific guidelines for appointing judges of the High Court. The lawyers are Dr Kamal Hossain, Barrister Rafique-Ul Huq, Moudud Ahmed, Rokanuddin Mahmud and Ajmalul Hossain QC. They would place their opinion in their convenient time. The bench of Justice Mirza Hussain Haider and Justice Khurshid Alam Sarkar passed the order. Hassan MS Azim, lawyer for the petitioner, told the Dhaka Tribune that the court on June 6, 2010 sought explanations from the government as to why specific guidelines should not be framed for the appointment to bring transparency and competitiveness in the process. The matter would be in cause list for hearing after vacation that starts from tomorrow until March 31, he said.l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
A jubilant woman shows a victory sign in Dhanmondi yesterday after collecting her ticket for a concert that will celebrate the T20 World Cup DHAKA TRIBUNE
n Tribune Report
The High Court yesterday ordered the director general of the immigration and passport office to issue a machine readable passport to BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed within 48 hours. The bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice ABM Altaf Hossain gave the ruling on a writ petition filed by the BNP leader as he was not given a passport in 72-hours after applying on February 24. Last Thursday, the court issued a directive, which was made absolute yesterday. l
WEATHER
Garment worker Momena, who was injured in the Rana Plaza collapse, addresses a programme marking the International Womens Day at the National Press Club yesterday
NASHIRUL ISLAM
PRAYER TIMES
Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha 4:54am 6:09am 12:08am 4:27pm 6:07pm 7:22pm
Source: IslamicFinder.org
DHAKA TRIBUNE
News
DU student torture case DU students protest move to make Bangla, linguistics departments equal deposition recorded
n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu
A Dhaka court yesterday recorded the deposition of Dhaka University student Abdul Kader, against former OC Helal Uddin, in a case filed against the police official for torturing Kader, then masters student of biochemistry. Metropolitan Magistrate Alamgir Kabir Raj recorded the statement and fixed April 6 for next prosecution witnesses. During the deposition, Kader described before the court how Helal brutally tortured him in custody and implicated him in false cases. Helal was present before the court during the recording. According to the statement, some plainclothes policemen held him in Segunbagicha on July 16, 2011 while he was returning to his dormitory, Fazlul Huq Hall, from a relatives house at Eskaton. Later, Helal took him to his office room. Helal beat up Kader severely to make a confessional statement. As he denied to give confessional statement, Helal hacked him below his knee with a sharp weapon. Then, police lodged two separate cases against him one for robbery and another for possessing illegal firearm. He was also shown arrested in another false case filed with Mohammadpur police station for carjacking. Teachers and students of DU and people from different walks of life protested the torture. He was freed on bail on August 3, 2011, after 18 days of his detention. The court also acquitted him from the cases. Later, police submitted charge sheet before the court against Helal. l
n DU Correspondent
Students of Bangla department of Dhaka University staged demonstration in the campus yesterday protesting the recent decision jointly taken by the Ministry of Education and University Grants Commission (UGC) regarding approval of isometric status of linguistics students to that of Bangla. Earlier yesterday morning, education ministry sent a letter to the Bangla Department saying DU linguistics department and Bangla Department were now equivalent and linguistics students could be considered for the post of teacher at Bangla department. Around 500 students of Bangla Department started demonstration boycotting classes and brought out a procession from the pedestal of Aparajeyo Bangla
which marched different streets of the campus. Then the agitated students held a protest rally at the base of Aparajeyo Bangla denouncing the decision adopted by education ministry and UGC. Speakers at the rally said: We (students of Bangla) have to face exams amounting to 3000 marks to complete our degree in Bangla. To the contrary, linguistics students have to face only 100 marks of examination related to our course. Of course the two courses cannot be counted as equal. We will never comply with education ministrys decision. They urged the Education Minister to withdraw the decision as early as possible and announced to form a human chain at Aparejeyo Bangla today. The agitated students also announced to wage tougher programmes if their rational demands were no met
immediately. When contacted with Prof Shoumitro Shekhor, faculty member of Bangla Department said the students of the two departments have to follow different types of syllabi, so it is not a wise decision by the UGC and Education Ministry. S M Sadik, a masters student from Bangla department told the Dhaka Tribune that it was a ridiculous decision by the authority and we want immediate cancellation of that decision. Meanwhile, teachers of the Bengla Department and Prof Emeritus Anisuzzaman also expressed their solidarity with the protesters. Two departments, Bangla and Linguistics, are important in their respective sectors, so UGC should not bring any undue change in the course and curriculum of the subjects, said Prof Anisozzaman. l
Minister for Cultural Affairs along with other guests are seen at the inaugural function of the two-day dialogue titled Creative BangladeshHard Skills and Soft Skills at a city hotel yesterday. The British Council has organised the event MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Nation
Police were trying to trace the call phone call and arrest those unknown kidnappers to recover the missing youths
Anik hurriedly informed her that unidentified people riding on a motor vehicle at Sakokati rickshaw stand asked them to show the way to Sharikal and they became senseless after that. They found that they were taken hostage by those unknown people when they regained sense. Anik switched off the phone telling hurriedly that he secretly called her mother and those people might their hear conversation, the IO said. Police were trying to trace the call phone call and arrest those unknown kidnappers to recover the missing youths, he said. l
A kitchen market is set up on the premises of Kamarol Government Primary School, hampering educational activities
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Repair of Upazila 2,00,000.00 Resource Centre(URC) under Boalmari Upazila, Dist. Faridpur Date Time Place : 20/03/2014 : 11.00 AM : Ofce of the undersigned
03 Last date, time & places of Date : 06/04/2014 selling tender document Time : 5.00 PM Places : a) ofce of the undersigned b) ofce of the Executive Engineer, LGED, Faridpur c) Ofce of the Upazila Engineer, LGED, Alfadanga, Faridpur. 04 Last date, time & place of receiving tender Date : 07/04/2014 Time : 1.00 PM Places : a) ofce of the undersigned b) ofce of the Executive Engineer, LGED, Faridpur c) Ofce of the Upazila Engineer, LGED, Alfadanga, Faridpur. Date Time Place : 07/04/2014 : At 3.00 PM : Ofce of the undersigned.
n CU Correspondent
A student was killed falling off from the rooftop of a one-storied madarasa building at Patiya upazila in Chittagong yesterday afternoon. The deceased, Md Khokon, 12, son of Osi Ahmed, of Dakbarunpara at Anwara upazila, was a class IV student at Shah Akbariya Dakhil Madrasha at Hayidgaon of the upazila, said police. Khokon was slipped accidentally while he was walking alone on the rooftop of the madrasa building and fall down around 2:30pm, said Sub-Inspector Jahirul Islam, officer-in-charge of Chittagong Medical College Hospital police outpost. Later, the student was rushed to upazila health complex and shifted to CMCH in critical condition where the on duty doctors of doctors pronounced his death, he said. l
06 Only Tenderers enlisted in the districts under LGED Region, Faridpur (Dist: Faridpur, Rajbari, Gopalgonj, Madaripur & Shariatpur) are eligible. 07 According to the Gazette published of PPR-2006, Rules No.24 Clause 19(Revised) The Tender Price should not be more. 08 Than 5% (Five Percent) less or 5% (Five Percent) above than the Ofcial Estimated Cost. Failing which the tender shall be rejected. 09 Tender shall be valid for a period of 60 days after tender opening and must be accompanied by the tender security specied above. Interested tenderers may obtain further information from the ofce of the undersigned and purchase the tender documents in cash/treasury chalan/bank draft form the places mentioned above. The tenderer or their authorizes representatives are allowed to attend the opening of tenders. The authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all the tenders with assigning any reasons whatsoever. Upazila Engineer LGED, Boalmari Faridpur
GC-28/14(10"4)
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Juris
7
JURIS QUOTE
n Abdullah Al Arif
In Bangladesh, we have a vast number of archaeological sites and monuments, mostly belonging to the medieval period. Paharpur Buddhist Vihara of Naogaon, Lalbagh Fort of Dhaka, Shait-Gumbad Mosque of Bagherhat, Kantanagar Temple of Dinajpur and the historic city of Sonargaon near Dhaka are the major archeological sites in Bangladesh. Department of Archeology is the concerned authority for the preservation, presentation and promotion of our glorious cultural heritage. At present the department owns 448 heritage sites. Many of these archeological sites and monuments are at stake due to lack of proper preservation and management.
Laws are generally found to be nets of such a texture as the little creep through, the great break through, and the middle size are alone entangled in.
William Shenstone English poet (1714 1763)
Article 24 of the constitution of Bangladesh says that the state shall adopt measures for the protection against disfigurement, damage or removal of all monuments, objects or places of special artistic or historic importance or interest. We also have the Antiquities Act, 1968 that provides the modes of protection and preservation of things which are part of our national history and heritage.
Antiquity
The law terms the archeological sites and monuments as antiquities. They include: l Any ancient product of human activity, movable or immovable, illustrative of art, architecture, craft, custom, literature, morals, politics, religion, warfare, science or of any aspect of civilisation or culture l Any ancient object or site of historical, ethnographical, anthropological, military or scientific interest l Any other ancient object or class of such objects declared as an antiquity by the government.
Immovable antiquity
Immoveable antiquity means an antiquity of any of the following descriptions: l Any archaeological deposits on land or under water l Any archaeological mound, tumulus, burial place or place of interment, or any ancient garden, structure, building, erection or other work of historical, archaeological, military or scientific interest l Any rock, cave or other natural object of historical, archaeological, artistic or scientific interest or containing sculpture, engraving, inscription or painting of such interest, and includes any gate, door, window, panelling dados, ceiling, inscription, wall-painting, wood work, iron work or sculpture or other thing which is attached or fastened to an immovable antiquity
NASHIRUL ISLAM
Advisory committee
rector may prescribe from time to time. Any persons contravening this provision shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both.
The law provides for an advisory committee to be constituted by the government consisting of a director, who shall also be its chairman, two members of parliament and three other persons having special knowledge of antiquities.
Export of antiquity
If any question arises whether any product, object or site is an antiquity within the meaning of the law, it shall be referred to the government and the government shall decide the question after consultation with the advisory committee.
Where the director has any information on the discovery or existence of an antiquity of which there is no owner, she/he shall take such necessary steps for the safe custody, preservation and protection of the antiquity.
No person shall export any antiquity except under a licence granted by the director for the temporary export of antiquities for the purpose of exhibition, examination or treatment for preservation. One can export antiquities in accordance with agreement with foreign licensees for archaeological exploration and excavations within the term of their licences. Moreover, the director may give licence for the export of antiquities which are not of a unique nature in exchange for antiquities of any foreign country. All antiquities the export of which is prohibited under the law shall be deemed to be goods of which the export has been prohibited under section 16 of the Customs Act, 1969 and all the provisions of that Act shall have effect accordingly, except that the antiquity in respect of which the provisions of that Act have been contravened shall be confiscated where confiscation is authorised under that Act.
with a licence granted by the director. A licence under this provision, in respect of any land shall not be granted to any person other than the owner of the land except in accordance with the terms of an agreement with the owner. Any such agreement may contain the following terms and conditions: l The restriction of the owner's rights in respect of the use and occupation of such land l The compensation or any other consideration to be paid to the owner l Any other matter connected with the use of the land for the purpose of such excavation A licence under this provision shall not be refused to an owner if he undertakes to carry on the excavation in such manner that it will not result in the loss of archaeological or historical material which in the national interest should be preserved. Whoever contravenes the provisions shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
RIO SHUVO
NOTICE BOARD
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If any person counterfeits, or commits forgery in respect of any antiquity with intent to commit fraud shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both.
Dealing in antiquities
No person shall transport an antiquity from one place in Bangladesh to another with the object of exporting it in contravention of the law. Whoever violates the provision shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine, or with both.
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Dhaka Tribune
No person shall deal in antiquities except under and in accordance with a licence granted by the director and every dealer shall maintain a register in such manner and form as the di-
No person shall make any excavation on any land for archaeological purposes except under and in accordance
Subject to the provisions of this Act the public shall have a right of access to any immovable antiquity maintained by the government. l
n Juris Desk
he concept of equality for women is traditionally understood to mean the right to be equal to men. This becomes problematic when it is extended to the understanding that women must be treated exactly like men if they are to gain equality with men. It implies that women must be treated according to male standards, obscuring the ways in which women are different from men and how they will be disadvantaged because of these differences. Initiatives for the realisation of womens rights need to compensate for or cater to the difference, disparity or disadvantage, rather than a one size fits all approach. It means taking into account the ways in which women are different from men, and ensuring that these differences are acknowledged and responded to by state measures toward achieving equality. Furthermore, real equality goes beyond formal (de jure) equality women and men must be equal in fact (de facto) as in law.
The concept of substantive equality arose out of the recognition that formal equality may not be sufficient to ensure that women enjoy the same rights as men. An ostensibly gender-neutral policy, while not excluding women per se, may result in a de facto discrimination against women. It does not consider: l Sex or biological differences whereby, for example, women bear children, not men. l Gender differences or socially-created differences
resulting in norms and assumptions about women and mens roles in society, and their capability and need. This in turn influences both policy-making and its implementation. Differences between women and men whether based on biological (sex) difference or socially created (gender) differences results in womens asymmetrical experience of: l Disparity, and l Disadvantage
The Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) promotes the substantive equality model and consolidates two central approaches to equality: l Equality of opportunity in terms and access to the resources of a country, to be secured by a framework of laws and policies, and supported by institutions and mechanisms for their operation. l Equality of results upon access and opportunity, toward achieving real change for women. State parties to CEDAW have a responsibility to ensure the practical realisation of rights, and are thus obliged to show results.
BIGSTOCK
Approaches that take into account differences between women and men may not all be immediately favourable to women. In fact, they could be discriminatory in effect, if not in intention. To be able to intervene effectively in favour of womens equality, it is important to have a conceptually sound understanding of what or why differences exist between women and men. There are two ways of responding to gender differences in policy or approach: l The protectionist approach which, while recognising differences, seeks to curtail or curb womens activities or freedoms with the rationale that the aim is to protect women from harm or wrongdoing. This approach does not challenge gender discrimination, but reproduce it in the guise of protecting women. l The corrective or substantive approach which recognises that in order to redistribute benefits equally between women and men, measures to promote womens rights must transform the unequal power relations between women and men in the process. There should not only be equal opportunities for women but also equal access to those opportunities. The substantive equality approach recognises that women and men cannot be treated the same, and for equality of results to occur, women and men may need to be treated differently. The challenge is to know when to take note of difference, and to decide on appropriate measures for different treatment that will facilitate equal access, control and equal result. Such measures will have to be assessed to ensure they promote autonomy rather than protection or dependency. This has to be done without compromising the claim for equal rights and equality as a legal standard. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
World
No solutions in sight as Syria war EU approves framework and wording for sanctions on Russia enters fourth year
n Reuters
EU member states have agreed the wording of sanctions on Russia, including travel restrictions and asset freezes against those responsible for violating the sovereignty of Ukraine, according to a draft document seen by Reuters. The seven-page document describes in detail the restrictive measures to be taken against Moscow if it does not reverse course in Crimea and begin talks with international mediators on efforts to resolve the crisis over Ukraine. If approved by EU foreign ministers at a meeting on Monday, they would be the first sanctions imposed by the European Union against Russia since the end of the Cold War, marking a severe deterioration in East-West relations. Member states shall take the necessary measures to prevent the entry into, or transit through, their territories of the natural persons responsible for actions which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, reads Article 1 of the document. The second article covers assets held in the European Union and states that all funds and economic resources belonging to, owned, held or controlled by those responsible for actions which have undermined Ukraines integrity shall be frozen. The document was approved by what is known as a silence procedure after no EU member states raised objections to the wording by 1100 GMT on Wednesday, officials said. EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels on Monday and are expected to formally sign off on the restrictions, unless there is a dramatic change of course by Russia. That seems unlikely, with no indication of any de-escalation in Crimea. A referendum in Crimea on Sunday is expected to see the region vote in favor of secession from Ukraine to join Russia, adding weight to calls for an international response. European officials have indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, will not be on the list, so that channels of communication can be kept open and further escalation is possible at a later date. Instead the list - an annex to the sanctions document seen by Reuters - is expected to focus on targets close to Putin in the security services and military establishment as well as on prominent members of the Russian parliament. The annex shall also contain, where available, the information necessary to identify the natural or legal persons, entities or bodies concerned, reads the sanctions framework. With regard to legal persons and entities, such information may include names, place and date of registration, registration number and place of business. The EU and United States are coordinating on imposing the restrictions and have encouraged other countries, including Canada, Japan, Turkey and Switzerland, to take similar measures to maximize the impact. If Russia does not respond to the pressure, the EU has said it is prepared to take further steps, probably involving an arms embargo and other trade-related measures. It could also apply sanctions on Putin himself. l
While the EU has agreed the wording for its sanctions, it is still working on the names of those to be targeted. Discussions took place in London on Tuesday, when officials from Britain, the United States, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Japan and elsewhere met to discuss the issue. My understanding is that there was detailed discussion of names at the meeting, an EU official said. No definitive list has been drawn up, but it will be ready by Monday.
A Syrian flag flutters outside a military barrack in the devastated Baba Amr neighbourhood of Homs on May 2, 2012
AFP
n AFP, Paris
The Syrian conflict has claimed more than 140,000 lives, nearly half of the population is displaced, the rebellion has been hijacked by jihadists and President Bashar al-Assad is still firmly in the saddle. As the war rages into its fourth year and with no diplomatic and military solutions in sight, world powers appear at a loss as to how to deal with what has now joined the alarming club of intractable conflicts, according to Chatham House think tank researcher Christopher Phillips. And as the international community shifts its focus onto the crisis in Ukraine, the dragging conflict which has pitted Assads traditional ally Russia against the West now risks being put aside. Its quite tragic that Ukraine is happening at this moment when Syria can ill-afford to have attention elsewhere but it is almost inevitable that the longer it goes on, the more people will be distracted and begin to view Syria as something that cant be fixed, Phillips said. Peace talks in Geneva in January and February that for the first time brought representatives of the regime and the opposition to the table together failed to yield concrete results. US Secretary of State John Kerry, one of the main players in Geneva, defended the talks by asking: How many years did the Vietnam talks take? How many years did Dayton take in Bosnia-Herzegovina?.
But there is a rising feeling that it will take years for the crisis to be resolved. To further complicate matters, the West has become increasingly wary of the opposition after the emergence of Al-Qaeda-linked Islamist fighters in its ranks. Infighting and factionalism within the moderate wing of the opposition has not helped either. The West wants neither Assad nor the Islamists, a European diplomatic source said.
There is a rising feeling that it will take years for the crisis to be resolved
Western nations have also been alarmed by the growing number of jihadists from their countries going to fight in Syria whom they fear could pose huge security threats if they returned as battle-hardened veterans.
The longer the war is going on and the more the sort of Al-Qaeda type groups have emerged in the opposition-held northern parts of Syria, the more it has become a security concern, Phillips said. Thats why its begun to prompt some to say: Well actually we should accept Bashar al-Assad in power and actually support his government indirectly to contain that sort of security
threat of Al-Qaeda and so on, he said. And weve already heard reports of Western intelligence agencies contacting the Syrian regime about a sort of joint counter Al-Qaeda strategy in Syria, Phillips added. Assads ouster was an unwavering Western demand at the start of the crisis in 2011 but he appears to have strengthened his position following a September deal under which Damascus agreed to destroy its chemical arms arsenal. Assad has said he will likely run for elections scheduled in mid-2014. On the military level, neither the regime backed by Russia and Iran nor the opposition, which is armed by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, appear close to victory. Analyst Daveed Gartenstein-Ross told the US Senate recently the most probable scenario was that the conflict would last for a decade. Given the failures of both diplomacy and war to date, it seems likely that Syria will remain divided between the Assad-controlled west and a mix of competing rebel factions in the east, said Anthony Cordesman from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Adam Baczko, a researcher at the Paris-based Noria think tank, warned of security threats particularly as the West had handed over the keys to regional actors and recalled the huge humanitarian crisis that resulted from the conflict. For the United States, Syria is far away, for us it is at our border, he said. l
Protestors hold newspapers bearing a picture of the crying mother of Berkin Elvan on the day of his funeral in Ankara
AFP
DHAKA TRIBUNE
World
Structural disintegration?
The lack of wreckage or black box transmission has led to another speculation that the plane may have disintegrated mid-air. However, experts say while structural disintegration has been behind some previous aircraft disappearances, new planes use better materials, technology and maintenance schedules.
Explosion on board?
The presence on board of two suspect passengers travelling on stolen passports fuelled fears of a terrorist attack. But it was later revealed they were probably just Iranian migrants, but CIA Director John Brennan said a terror link had not been totally ruled out.
Hijacking?
The absence of debris around the intended flight path, the possibility that the flight turned back, and conflicting reports over whether the plane was spotted by Malaysian military way off course have added to the speculation of a hijack, which has still not been ruled out by investigators. Malaysia Airlines says that all its aircraft are equipped with the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) system which puts out information about location and airspeed but has so far declined to release whatever data it got from flight MH370.
Technical difficulties?
The sudden disappearance could also point to a technical problem that could have led to a rapid descent. Reports from the Malaysian authorities that the jet may have made a sharp turn west before it lost contact, possibly pointing to the pilots struggling to rectify a problem, have bolstered this theory. To me that (the veer) suggests there was a stall. That doesnt mean you lose your engines. It means that youre losing your air flow over your wings, sufficient speed to keep theplanein the air... it would lose altitude really dramatically,
Students lighting candles to pray for the passengers on the missing plane in Zhuji, in Chinas Zhejiang province Meanwhile, Malaysian air force chief General Rodzali Daud attempted to explain why the search zone had been expanded, telling the press conference that military radar detected an unidentified object early Saturday north of the Malacca Strait off Malaysias west coast. He said that the reading, taken less than an hour after the plane lost contact over the South China Sea, was still being investigated and they were not able to confirm it was MH370. The confusion has fuelled perceptions that Malaysian authorities are unable to handle a crisis on this scale, and infuriat-
AFP
ed relatives gathered in Beijing and Kuala Lumpur as they endure an unbearable wait for news of their loved ones. Frustrations boiled over in Malaysia, with the countrys active social media and some press outlets turning from sympathy for the families of relatives to anger over the fruitless search. l
Pilot suicide?
While rare, there have been cases in the past of pilots crashing planes to take their own lives. Some experts opined that a suicide bid is possible and if thats the case, there might not be a lot of debris because theplanewould have come down in relatively structural integrity. l
n AFP, Islamabad
Indias home minister yesterday vowed to exact revenge for a deadly ambush by Maoist rebels, as undercover agents tried to track down the attackers in their forest hideouts. The way our soldiers have lost their lives, we will definitely take revenge for this, Sushilkumar Shinde told reporters on a visit to the central state of Chhattisgarh, a day after the attack which left 16 dead. Shinde said members of Indias National Investigation Agency (NIA) had already taken up positions inside the thick forests where the rebels are believed to have taken refuge. On Tuesday morning, some 200 rebels in the south of Chhattisgarh ambushed a security patrol which was on a mission to open a road in a heavily-forested area, sparking a gun battle that lasted for three hours. Eleven members of the national paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed, along with four members of the state police force and a civilian. The attack has heightened fears of unrest in the Maoists stronghold in the build-up to the nationwide elections which begin in early April. Chhattisgarh will vote in three phases, on April 10, 17 and 24. The Maoists, who have been described by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as the countrys most serious internal security threat, have been fighting since 1967 for a communist society by toppling what they call Indias semi-colonial, semi-feudal form of rule. l
Avalanches have caused some of the heaviest tolls for the Indian and Pakistani armies
The statement from the Pakistani military said four soldiers were killed when 26 troops came under a huge flow of snow late on Tuesday night near the northern district of Astore, about 155 kilometres from Skardu. The statement added that, despite extreme weather condition, 22 soldiers were evacuated through heroic efforts by rescuers. The Pakistani military provided no further details. On the Indian side, dozens were evacuated from high-risk areas Wednesday, after avalanches killed two Indian army soldiers camped in the Kargil region and another three Nepalese laborers working near the heavily militarised Line of Control (LoC). Another five people were killed when dozens of homes crumpled under the weight of snow in the south-
Pakistans top religious body has declared the prohibition of child marriage incompatible with Islam and demanded that the government amend its laws, prompting outrage from human rights activists. The Council of Islamic Ideology, which was formed in 1962 to advise parliament on the compatibility of laws with Sharia, also ruled that a man does not need permission from his wife if he wants to marry another woman. Tahir Ashrafi, a member of the body told AFP yesterday that Pakistans Prohibition of Child Marriages Act, which stipulates the age of marriage at 16 for women and 18 for men, was not in accordance with Islamic teachings. There is no specific age limit for marriage in Sharia, he said. Sharia says an individual can marry when he or she reaches puberty and puberty cannot be defined by age, adding: Family members can marry a child if they think he or she has reached puberty. Islam allows to marry four women so there is no question of asking the consent of first wife if a man wants to marry a second time, he said. Activists have called on parliament to ignore both recommendations, terming them a violation of womens fundamental rights. Zohra Yusuf, chairperson of the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said the rulings were against the spirit of the religion. She questioned why laws against child marriage, which have been in place since the country was created, were being reviewed now. l
WITHOUT DOCTORS
Raduan, left, helps her ailing mother Noor Jahan to steady her weak body at their living room in The Chaung village in north of Sittwe, Rakhine state, Myanmar. Conditions of living and healthcare in the impoverished village have reportedly detereorated after Doctors Without Borders was expelled from Myanmar over allegations of creating tensions in the violence-scarred region AP
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DHAKA TRIBUNE
Editorial
LETTER OF THE DAY
Letters to
the Editor
he claim by the state minister for power and energy, that the country is no longer experiencing even a single second of load-shedding, is at odds with the difficult realities that many Bangladeshis face every day. Reports suggest that a significant number of households and industries are still experiencing a significant amount of loadshedding, or at least enough to noticeably disrupt both domestic life and business operations. This claim strains credulity, and seems particularly unnecessary given the fact that it has placed a high, and welcome, priority on increasing the countrys generating capacity. The minister acknowledged that 62% of the people were getting electricity, but added that while electricity supply disruptions may occur for maintenance reasons, the country was free from the sort of power outages that could be classified as load shedding. Such an exaggerated claim on part of the government is damaging to its credibility. Voters may welcome the governments promise that, by 2021, the entire country would have access to electricity. However, if claims which seem implausible are made by senior politicians, this decreases the peoples faith in promises made by public officials. We need to acknowledge the reality that load-shedding is indeed still a problem. Denial will not deliver more power. The government should encourage more transparency so that accurate data on the electricity shortage we face is available to all. Only then can we approach the problem fruitfully and realistically.
India or Pakistan?
March 7 Sam As much as I enjoy cricket, I dont think picking sides in a cricket match has much to do in the creation of a saint or sinner. And I am yet to know of a significant religious tradition where any kind of pathological hatred is a criterion for sainthood. Mr Kabir rightly points out the absurdity of equating something rather inconsequential like sports team support with something as sublime as patriotism. Muntasir N Chowdhury Would just like to point out, a few members of the crowd did get booed off the gallery when the socalled Bangladeshi souls were showing their support for Pakistan during the Bangladesh-Pakistan game. Ronnie Im a lifelong sports fanatic and a huge cricket fan (though Test cricket not ODIs and T20s remains my mainstay in the sport). I have always liked a lot of individual Pakistani players, their highly attractive attacking flair and outsize talents. I normally support the Pakistan team against everybody (except Bangladesh ;-) ). Alas, Pakistani teams are also notorious for their chronic blow-outs in form and results. :-) There was a time, not too long ago, when our national team was a poor spectacle in international cricket, because they were scarcely competitive at all losing all the time, and losing badly. And it was obvious how many of our fans, as much out of despair for our lack of success, as admiration for superior sides, simply took to lustily cheering for either India or Pakistan as their adopted proxies for Bangladesh. Its exceedingly silly, though, to conflate the support of the average Bangladeshi cricket fan for Indian or Pakistan teams with necessarily any sort of political or emotional leanings with those countries, per se.
Be Heard
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takeholders have been making concerted efforts to improve safety standards in the RMG sector. The Accord and Alliance initiatives are a tangible sign of commitment by major brands to the future of the industry in Bangladesh. It is important for the industry that stakeholders, particularly the government, BGMEA and BKMEA and international buyers, work in co-operation to keep ensuring progress on improving safety. Clearly, long-term thinking is needed by all stakeholders to ensure necessary that upgrades are adequately financed. If done correctly, a combination of improved standards, better retrofitted factories and more modern purposebuilt sites will help to raise productivity and ensure long-term competitiveness and sustainability. This requires a mixture of effort and investment by all the stakeholders involved. For example, the government can help factory owners ensure the speedy development of planned industrial zones. Likewise factory owners can work with stakeholders to improve training programs for workers to increase the quality and volume of outputs. Even so, with so much of the finance and dynamism of the industry being dependant on overseas buyers and retailers, it is also incumbent on them to listen to factory owners concerns about paying for improvements. They should use the stakeholder initiatives to agree that improvement plans factor adequate time and sufficient pricing to allow improvements to be implemented. With concerted efforts, all stakeholders, most of all the factory workers themselves, will benefit from long-term investments being made to ensure the improvement and growth of this crucial sector.
It is important for all stakeholders to ensure necessary upgrades are adequately financed
PEANUTS
CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1 Wander off (5) 4 Eternal city(4) 7 Land measure (3) 8 Vehicle (3) 9 Conjecture (5) 12 At hand (4) 13 Acknowledged rank (7) 15 Insane (3) 16 Newt (3) 18 Place for pigs (3) 19 Edge (3) 21 Remembers (7) 24 Fruit (4) 26 Hackneyed (5) 27 Tree (3) 28 Adults (3) 29 Expensive (4) 30 Vital organ (5) DOWN 1 Droops (4) 2 Unauthorised school absentee (6) 3 Stagger (4) 4 S African currency unit (4) 5 Metal-bearing rock (3) 6 White heron (5) 10 Result of addition (3) 11 Fixed gaze (5) 14 Decree (5) 17 Waver (6) 18 Not hollow (5) 20 Spoil (3) 21 Bring up (4) 22 Peruvian capital (4) 23 Transmitted (4) 25 Extinct bird (3)
SUDOKU
YESTERDAYS SOLUTIONS
Crossword
How to solve Sudoku: Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no numberrepeating.
Sudoku
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Op-Ed
11
recent ad by American Apparel has given rise to much debate and heat. It features a model, topless, in a pair of jeans, with Made in Bangladesh, printed over her bare chest. According to fashion magazine Elles website, the models name is Maks, and shes a Bangladesh-born merchandiser whos been with American Apparel since 2010. The description continues: She doesnt feel the need to identify herself as an American or a Bengali and is not content to fit her life into anyone elses conventional narrative a justifiable stance that anyone has and should have the freedom to take.
to those in the US. Many could argue that wouldnt make sense as the pair of jeans was not made in Bangladesh, but really, which part of the ad conveys a sensible message? Had Maks gone on to model as a Bangladeshi/Bengali, the ad would still have more relevance to the message it carries; but with the way it has been portrayed, it appears to be a mere collaboration of the three facts which were lost in transition: A topless model, a topless model who does not want to be put within the confines of a cultural identity, and a pair of jeans made in the US. Three facts that connect at no point except for the page where the ad has been portrayed.
BIGSTOCK
It would be unfair to attach a whole countrys label to any statement, let alone such a controversial one
n Mamun Rashid
hile the entire Bangladesh banking industry is struggling with increasing non-performing loans, burglary, fraud, and a lack of efficient people, many are thinking: How do we ensure the migration of best practices to Bangladesh banking? When the new private sector commercial banks (PCBs) were allowed in the early 80s, most of their CEOs and senior management came from stateowned commercial banks. The trend continued till the mid or late 90s. These people, as usual, were known large private sector clients of those banks and afterwards, the sponsors of the new banks. They played a major role in expanding the countrys trade finance business. However, their focus was never on business process re-engineering, the establishment of a robust risk management culture, developing a delivery platform, integrated distribution channel, or even large project finance. For obvious reasons, the central bank emerged as the only change driver in the Bangladesh banking sector. Reform programs initiated and supported by the development partners through the central bank brought in some visible change in the way those banks handled classified loans, charged interest rates to the clients, and maintained coverage against risk assets. However, information technology, modern management practices, human resource development, and governance did not get much priority in their laundry list. During the implementation phase of the financial sector reform project
(FSRP), a few senior managers in the state owned banks, the central bank, and the finance ministry got trained in the global banks. When those senior managers later joined the private sector commercial banks, the market could see some changes in the way risk is being managed and cross-border trade is carried out. The tail end of the 90s and early 2000s saw a few dynamic young individuals with global outlook mostly from the foreign banks operating in Bangladesh join the private sector commercial banks.
brought in a lot of confidence among the private sector commercial bank directors/sponsors to attract more senior managers from foreign banks to join in decision-making roles in their banks. And this now almost became a one way traffic. Commercial banks started to gradually embed change in their growth strategies. Along with them, mid and junior level officials in those local banks also started to put in their efforts to ensure a better human resources policy, centralised processing,
We must invite young, energetic, capable people with banking experience to run the show
I would say the pressure for change started from there. Their spree for change was kick-started by the few second-generation foreign-educated entrepreneurs in their bank boards. This was further supported by the few at the central bank, who came from either the development partners or the foreign bank itself. The core risk management guideline, put up with the help of mostly the executives working for the global banks, worked as equity in the entire change process. With the fall of ANZ Grindlays Bank, the closing of American Express Bank, Banque Indosuez, and some other foreign commercial banks, the market saw some good human resources available. The success of the change process in Eastern Bank (erstwhile BCCI)
improved service delivery platform, a much improved and well-coordinated risk management process, an alternate product delivery and distribution channel, and more importantly relationship banking. We have reasons to celebrate the success of the first phase of change management process in Bangladesh commercial banking. With more customised client solutions building, automated teller machines (ATMS), credit cards, mobile cash (M-cash), large project loans, offshore banking, cross-border financing, spur in retail, and SME banking, Bangladeshs banking sector is poised to integrate well with the global banking system. Centralised processing, higher investments in information technology,
service delivery platform and a bigger pool for training and development of the people are commanding the agenda of the commercial banks boards. CEOs of many of our banks spent considerable years in foreign banks. Many of their deputies also come from foreign banks. All of them may not be world class, or may not have clear visibility about the destination, but they know the importance of a people-centric policy, IT driven solutions, better risk management, and establishment of retail banking or transaction banking to diversify risk and introduce efficiency to the system. While the Bangladesh banking system is going through a trying time now, many owners and directors of PCBs are thinking about attracting seniors from global banks to join them in the next possible opportunity. They have reconciled within themselves that change is going to be the only constant in banking, and we must invite young, energetic, capable people with home-and-abroad banking experience to run the show. Though we have yet to see seniors from foreign banks driving the change process in state-owned banks and bring in visible changes, there and many other developing countries, the scenario may change there too, and soon. A success transfer is underway, and must continue its journey into excellence. People with global banking experience should be more identified in the development process of Bangladeshs banking industry and beyond. Ways could be many, but best answers come only from a few. l Mamun Rashid is a business professor and financial sector entrepreneur.
In this age of globalisation, national and cultural identities have become much more fluid in definition and have allowed individuals to make choices about such issues. Maks thus has the right and reason to not want to fit into a particular national or any other identity. The website then goes on to quote American Apparel as saying: Maks was photographed in the High Waist Jean, a garment manufactured by 23 skilled American workers in Downtown Los Angeles, all of whom are paid a fair wage and have access to basic benefits such as healthcare.
Lost in transition
The controversy, if you ask me, is not in Maks being topless, but in the statement on her toplessness that reads Made in Bangladesh. This implies, at first glance, that being topless is a Bangladeshi norm which it is not. So the question that arises is: Where and how is Bangladesh relevant to any of this? The only way in which it is remotely connected to this ad is through Maks Bengali origin which she does not want to be attached to. So, doesnt putting her up as a model with the statement defeat the whole purpose of both the ad and her realisation about her identity? American Apparel also shared information about how the pair of jeans was made by 23 American workers who are paid a fair wage and have access to certain facilities. If the ad is trying to bring to focus the fact that the manufactures of these jeans have all the benefits Bangladeshi workers dont, thats a fair point and in fact, much needed to evoke conscience in our garment industries. But that has absolutely no relevance to a girl posing top-naked, showing her bare breasts. If the line Made in Bangladesh had to go anywhere in the ad at all, it might as well have been on the pair of jeans as that would draw comparison between the status and condition of Bangladeshi workers
The ad is also likely to trigger a discussion on freedom a womans freedom to flaunt her body, American Apparels freedom to portray their models the way they want to, etc and these are all very reasonable arguments. But why attach a countrys label to it? This is not about being progressive or conservative, feminist or chauvinist, this is a clear violation of a countrys peoples sentiments. A country is not just one person or one girl and their ideologies of freedom and identity. A country is full of different people, different sentiments, and different ideologies. It would be unfair to attach a whole countrys label to any statement, let alone such a controversial one. In todays world, with movements such as FEMEN that stage topless protests to convey their message, it has become very easy to associate feminism to such activities and/or statements. This, in turn, can potentially imply another association: If you dont support a womans right and freedom to be naked in public, you are not progressive enough which is dangerous. Being liberal should focus more on ones stance on a topic than on how they choose to express it. And most importantly, being liberal should include being liberal enough to respect, if not understand, the opposing view. I fully support a womans right to be naked in public, but it must be looked at in context. This ad is blatantly associating a half-naked woman to Bangladesh a whole country, a whole culture, and that creates a misleading and insensitive message.
This ad seems too desperate to make a statement and even that statement conveys no message
To sum it up, this ad seems too desperate blindly desperate with an aim solely to make a statement and even that statement conveys no message. There is a difference between being progressive and being patronising, one that American Apparel clearly fails to see. l Syeda Samira Sadeque is Staff Reporter at the Dhaka Tribune.
We can only imagine how traumatic this ordeal must be for the family members. No words can be solace for them
By being accessible and communicative, Malaysian authorities have dispelled rumours, but at the same time addressed public concerns as much as possible. What touched me most was the high level of empathy and engagement by not only the minister but every other civil and military official.
for the passengers, crew, and family members, while we stand by Malaysia, Malaysians, and Malaysia Airlines in this difficult time for all of you, in fact, for all of us. God bless us, and bring us some good news, please. l Ifti Rashid is a political and security analyst. Progress, or just patronising?
WIKIMEDIA
12
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Entertainment
n Shadma Malik
Tareque Masud Cultural Centre staged a technical show of their first production Ashchorjo Sundor Ei Beche Thaka, a play adapted from The Game by Louise Bryant, at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on March 11. The cultural organisation, a tribute to the late filmmaker Tareque Masud, plans on staging the premiere show on April 4 at the same venue
based on their talent on dancing, singing, acting, drawing, recitation, quiz competitions, storytelling ability (primary) and extempore speech (secondary). The talent hunt will start from March 28 and the 7 divisions of the country are further divided into 25 zones. Scholarship amounting to Tk10lacs or a car shall be awarded to every best all-rounder of the two groups. Each of the four runner ups of the grand finale will be awarded scholarships of Tk1lacs. Other prizes in different categories include 100 computers to be distributed in schools, 42 gold, silver and bronze medals and numerous other attractive prizes are waiting for the winners of every round, regional and national. l
of the fact that he can act as well as sing. Bollywood currently has a whole lot of young blood and when asked who he considers as a competitor from among the likes of Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, Ayushmann said: There is no competitor as such. I think my biggest plus point is that I am both an actor and a singer. As far as Ranbir Kapoor is concerned, he is my senior and I like his work, added the multi-faceted talent, who was earlier a video jockey. l
Sport
DHAKA TRIBUNE
13
0 0 3
DAYS TO GO
14 Wenger slams
15 Sammy secures
SCORECARD
United Arab Emirates innings
Amjad Ali c Mushf b Reza Asif c Mominul b Mahmudullah Khurram Khan* b Farhad Reza SP Patil b Abdur Razzak Anwar c Tamim b Al-Amin Amjad Javed b Rubel Hossain Rohan Mustafa not out V Shetty run out (Mahmudullah) Extras (b 1, lb 1, w 3) Total (7 wickets; 20 overs) 19 31 44 1 19 6 13 4 5 142
Farhad Reza (C) celebrates taking a wicket with teammates during Bangladeshs World Twenty20 warm-up game against UAE at Fatullah yesterday
MUMIT M
FoW 1 32, 2 63, 3 70, 4 115, 5 124, 6 128, 7 142 Bowling Al-Amin 4 0 25 1, Rubel 4 0 17 1, Mahmudullah 2 0 19 1, Farhad 2 025 2, Shakib 4 0 28 0, Nasir 1 0 11 0, Razzak 3 0 15 1,
Bangladesh innings
Tamim Iqbal c & b Rohan Anamul c Amjad b Guruge Shakib c Rohan b Guruge Mushfiqur* c Silva b Shazad Nasir Hossain b Amjad Javed Mominul c Shazad b Javed Mahmudullah not out Farhad Reza not out Extras (lb 1, w 2, nb 2) Total (6 wickets; 18.5 overs) 43 0 9 27 15 4 29 14 5 146
FoW 1 2, 2 17, 3 75, 4 82, 5 10, 6 112 Bowling Guruge 4 0 25 2, Silva 3 0 30 0, Amjad 4 0 25 2, Kamran 3 1 20 1, Rohan 3.5 0 36 1, Khurram 1 0 9 0 Players per side 15 (11 batting, 11 fielding) Bangladesh won by 4 wickets
Afghanistan v Netherlands
BRIEF SCORES
We are taking every match seriously and we are trying to work out on our mistakes
because as you know we dont have such big hitters like (Keiron) Pollard so the first six overs are always important for us, said Tamim before adding that he is fully fit now and expects to be available for the coming matches. On the other hand, UAE skipper Khurram Khan, who was also the highest scorer for his side with 44 runs, was happy with his teams performance. I think its a wonderful performance to be honest as you know Bangladesh is an experienced side and they are in the international cricket for long time. Taking them almost to the last over was a huge achievement for us and we have a lot of positives from this game, he said. l
comfortable batting unit in front of the Irish bowlers as Gyanendra Malla (47) top scored in their 137/7. Later, Ireland chased the target in 19.1 overs with five wickets to spare with skipper William Porterfield leading the side with a 35-ball 38.
Netherlands v Afghanistan
Afghanistan: 150/7 in 20 overs (Nabi 40, Shafiqullah 39, Karim 39, Malik 3/28) Netherlands: 86 all-out in 12.3 overs (Swart 20, Aftab 4/25, Hamza 3/16) Afghanistan won by 35 runs (D/L)
Tamim Iqbal plays a pull shot during Bangladeshs World Twenty20 warm-up game against UAE at Fatullah yesterday MUMIT M
14
Fifa prepares fresh tickets launch
Footballs world governing body FIFA on Tuesday geared up for a fresh launch of World Cup ticket sales from Wednesday, with 345,000 up for grabs for 60 of the 64 matches. The tickets go on sale in what is the second window of the second sales phase from 1100 GMT although the opening match in Sao Paulo, the final in Rio and the semi-finals in Belo Horizonte and Sao Paulo are already sold out. The sales allocation is on a first-come, first-served basis, FIFA said on its website, predicting very high demand through to the close of sales on April 1. AFP
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Sport
Bayern Munich's midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (L) scores against FC Arsenal during their Uefa Champions League last 16 second-leg match in Munich, on Tuesday
AFP
RESULTS
Bayern Munich
Schweinsteiger 54
1 1 4 1
Arsenal
Podolski 57
Atletico Madrid
AC Milan
Kaka 27
I expect more of great managers, they dont need to resort to claims like that, said the Dutch winger. I dont want to have to defend myself against remarks like that. Bayern boss Pep Guardiola was pleased that his side restricted Arsenals
scoring chances only a Olivier Giroud header and Podolskis thunderbolt truly troubled the hosts defence. But Bayerns honorary president Franz Beckenbauer criticised the holders for a lack of creativity. In the end, itll be like Barca: unwatchable. They will pass the ball back even on the goal-line, moaned the former West Germany World Cup winning captain and coach. But Guardiola, whose side are looking to go 50 Bundesliga games unbeaten against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, had a different take. We were able to minimise our errors, we played intelligently and at a very high level, I am very satisfied, said the Spaniard. Arsenal had a chance in the first half,
but we wanted to control the game and we succeeded. Apart from the goal, which might have been whistled as a foul, but nothing happened. Podolski shoved Bayern captain Philipp Lahm off the ball before his second-half equaliser, but the Germany star said his challenge was legitimate. The ref didnt blow his whistle, so the matter is closed, said Podolski. We can discuss these little aspects over and over again, but at the end of the day, we are out. Its always difficult coming back from 2-0 down against one of the best teams in the world. Their second goal in the first-leg killed us a bit. Were out and now we need to focus on the Premier League and Cup. l
FIXTURES
Porto (POR) Basel (SUI) Razgrad (BUL) Tottenham (ENG) Alkmaar (NED) Lyon (FRA) Sevilla (ESP) Juventus (ITA) v v v v v v v v Napoli (ITA) Salzburg (AUT) Valencia (ESP) Benfica (POR) Anzhi (RUS) Pilsen (CZE) Betis (ESP) Fiorentina (ITA)
Atletico Madrid's Brazilian-born forward Diego da Silva Costa celebrates after scoring against AC Milan during their Uefa Champions League quarter-final second leg match at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on Tuesday AFP
Elsewhere, the 2011 Europa League winners Porto, who recently sacked coach Paulo Fonseca in response to their unsatisfactory form in the Portuguese Super League, could find life tough against Napoli. Benitez also won the UEFA Cup in 2004 with Valencia, the Spanish club who go to Bulgaria this week to face surprise package Ludogorets Razgrad, who have already beaten PSV Eindhoven and Lazio this season. Lyon host Czech champions Viktoria Pilsen, AZ Alkmaar face Anzhi Makhachkala, and Swiss champions Basel, semi-finalists last season, take on Salzburg, who have won 14 consecutive games, including beating Ajax over two legs in the last round. l
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Sport
15
SCORECARD
England M. Lumb lbw b Santokie A. Hales c Simmons b D.J. Bravo M. Ali lbw b Santokie E. Morgan c Simmons b Badree J. Buttler c Sammy b Santokie R. Bopara c D.J. Bravo b Santokie L. Wright not out T. Bresnan c Ramdin b D.J. Bravo Extras (b-1,lb-3, w-1) Total (7 wickets, 20 overs) 4 40 5 3 67 14 7 7 5 152
QUICK BYTES
Roman Sana of Bangladesh finished 7th scoring 650 out of720 among the 56 archers in the qualification round of the 1st Asian Archery Grand Prix in Bangkok yesterday. However, Emdadul Haque Milon, the top ranked archer of the country finished 8th scoring 648, Sheikh Sajib was positioned 29th scoring 626 and Prennoy Murong scored 572 to finish 51st. Sana, Sajib and Milons score of 1924 saw Bangladesh finish fifth among the 13 countries at the team event. Women archers Mathui Pru Marma totaled 622 of 720 to finish 15th among 43 archers while Beauty Roy was 26th scoring 588, Shyamoli Roy grossed 569 to finish 31st. Bangladesh womens finished 7th amongst the 11 teams totaling 1272. In the mixed doubles, Roman Sana and Mathui Pru Marma scored 1272 to finish 8th. Tribune Desk
B r e s n a ns double-strike in removing Marlon Samuels and Andre Russell off successive balls in the 17th over lifted the prospect of a tight finish. However Sammy, in partnership with Dwayne Bravo, killed off Englands chances and allowed the home fans in another full-house at Kensington to savour the rarity in recent times of a West Indies series victory. l West Indies' Darren Sammy leaps to celebrate after the West Indies won their second T20I against England at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown on Tuesday REUTERS
Fall of wickets 1 13 (Lumb), 2 21 (Ali), 3 26 (Morgan), 4 102 (Hales), 5 137 (Buttler), 6 143 (Bopara), 7 152 (Bresnan). Bowling Badree 4 0 16 1, Santokie 4 0 21 4, Samuels 2 0 17 0, Rampaul 3 0 30 0 (1w), Sammy 1 0 17 0, D.J. Bravo 4 034 2, Russell 2 0 13 0. West Indies D. Smith c Bresnan b Dernbach 30 C. Gayle b Bopara 36 M. Samuels c Hales b Bresnan 28 L. Simmons c wkpr Buttler b Wright 19 A. Russell c Hales b Bresnan 2 D. Sammy not out 30 D.J. Bravo not out 8 Extras (w-2) 2 Total (5 wickets, 18.5 overs) 155 Fall of wickets 1 48 (Smith), 2 75 (Gayle), 3 111 (Simmons), 4 116 (Samuels), 5 116 (Russell). Bowling Bresnan 3.5 0 51 2, (1w), Dernbach 3 0 30 1 (1w), Tredwell 4 0 27 0, Bopara 4 0 10 1, Parry 2 0 17 0, Wright 2 0 20 1. West Indies won by 5 wickets West Indies lead 3-match series 2 0
SCORECARD
Clemon Naryanganj Academy 153/6 in 20 overs (Rony 85 (63, 6X5, 4X4), Emon 0, Sumit 5,Masum 2, Sumon 9, Sarif 12, Rajon 13, Shahjahan 6*, Azim 1/29, Tarek 1/23, Khairul 1/16, Milon 1/27, Rasel 2/23. Body Line Academy 113/10 in 18.3 overs (Rana 8, Pappu 3, Tomal 0, Antu 1, Ali 21, Milon 8, Tarek 1, Rasel 54, Nazrul 0, Khairul 4, Azim 11. Masum 2/6, Rony 4/19, Ashraful 3/16) Result Clemon NCA won by 40 runs
DAYS WATCH
Sony Six NBA 2013 14 5:30AM Boston v New York 8:30AM LA Clippers v Golden State Ten Cricket 12:15PM West Indies v England 3rd T20 Ten Sports Uefa Europa League, R 16 12:00AM Ludogorets v Valencia 2:00AM Juventus v Fiorentina 4:00AM Indian Wells 2014 Quarter Finals Ten Action UEFA Europa League, R 16 12:00AM Porto v Napoli 2:00AM Tottenham v Benfica Ten HD UEFA Europa League, R 16 12:00AM Basel v Salzburg 2:00AM Sevilla v Real Betis
Clemon Naryanganj Cricket Academy captain Sharif receives the 4H Group Cricket trophy from the chairman of the 4H Group Mamunur Rashid Chowdhury at the City Club Ground yesterday COURTESY
Ismail Hossain, the head of marketing of Ispahani Group speaks at the press conference of Corporate Badminton yesterday COURTESY
Dell, the champions of the Smart Cricket League celebrate their triumph with the chief guest state minister for telecommunications Junaed Ahmed Palak at the Kalabagan Club ground recently COURTESY
16
n Kailash Sarkar
A mobile court yesterday busted and sealed off a fake cancer hospital run by a number of doctors, officials and employees of the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH) and Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Mohakhali of the capital. The court also sentenced two employees of the hospital named Doctors Chamber to two years in prison and fined them Tk2 lakh each. In default, they would have to suffer another three months in jail. Convicts Beauty Begum, 38, and Shahadat Hossain, 24, were sent to jail while a total of 12 patients, who had been undergoing treatment at the hospital, were admitted to the NICRH for proper treatment. The convicts said a person named Tayabur Rahman, along with Mahbub-ul-Alam and Nayan Hasan, had been running the hospital with the assistance of two NICRH doctors Golam Mostofa and ARM Rafiqul Islam. The mobile court found prescriptions and other documents that showed involvement of the two with the hospital. The convicts also disclosed that Mahbub Alam, a leader of the ward boys at the NICRH and Abul Hasan, a stenographer at the DGHS, were the key people of the fake institution. They said they would entice NICRH patients
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Back Page
into getting admitted at the hospital, saying the service offered would cure their cancer rapidly. Executive magistrate AHM Anwar Pasha who led the mobile court told the Dhaka Tribune: During primary interrogation, convicts Shahadat and Beauty admitted that some unscrupulous NICRH and DGHS staff teamed up to run the hospital. The magistrate said during the drive, they had found Beauty, having no expertise or training, applying chemotherapy to patients. The hospital neither had any registration nor any doctor, said Pasha, adding: At least three doctors, six nurses and three cleaners are manda-
tory to operate a 20-bed hospital, but the hospital, with only four cabins and 18 beds, had no doctor, technician or nurse. He said after the hospital was sealed off, all 12 patients were shifted to the NICRH. They were identi ied as Lalu Miah, Abul Hashem, Kabir Hossain, Maleka Begum, Abdul
Karim, Nur Begum, Md Golam Mostofa, Parul Akhter, Jahanara Begum, Bul Hossain, Altaf Hossain and Kashem Miah. Speaking about the fake hospital, patient Kabir Hossain of Jhalakathi said: I visited Dr ARM Rafiqul Islam over a month ago but he suggested
me to get admitted to Doctors Chamber, saying there was no vacant seat at NICRH at the time. Ive been taking treatment here for the last one month. The doctors would visit me twice a day in exchange for Tk 2000 a day while I was charged Tk 300 for seat rent per day. Besides, we were
asked to purchase medicines from Mayer Doa medicine shop located on the ground floor of the building, said Kabir. In the last 30 days, my expense stood at Tk 30,000. Major Md Asif Kuddus, a deputy director of RAB-1, and Dr Yogesh Chandra Roy accompanied the mobile court. l
Father of Mohiuddin Ahad, who was picked up by men identifying themselves as RAB members, breaks down in tear as family members formed a human chain in front of the National Press Club yesterday to press authorities for finding his whereabouts NASHIRUL ISLAM
Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207. Phone: 9132093 94, Advertising: 9132155, Circulation: 9132282, Fax: News-9132192, e-mail: news@dhakatribune.com, info@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com
Patients lie in bed at a makeshift illegal cancer hospital busted yesterday by a mobile court at Mohakhali. Right, a patient assisted by a relative leaves the fake hospital after the RAB drive
Local food importers searching for new sources following Ukraine crisis
Wheat price jumps 15% following the trouble in the east European country
n Kayes Sohel
Worried over the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, Bangladeshi importers are now searching for new sources across the globe to purchase food grains, mostly wheat, to meet the local demand. Despite the peak season for importing food grains from the troubled east European country, all the advance sale offers has almost been halted due to the unrest. As a result, the countrys food grain importers are not being able to place any purchase order to import any product from Ukraine. Bangladesh imports a large volume of wheat from Ukraine, which is up to 30% of the total imported wheat while two other grains--oil seed and yellow peas -- are also imported from Ukraine, according to the importers. Now Ukrainian and Russian traders are not offering any advance sale, said Abul Bashar Chowdhury, chairman of Masud & Brothers, a Chittagong based-company, which has long been purchasing grains from Ukraine. Following Ukraine crisis, local importers are also fretted over rising prices of wheat, oil seed and yellow peas in the global market. Since the beginning of the tension in Ukraine, prices of wheat jumped by 15% to US$360 a tonne, yellow peas rose to $410 a tonne from nearly $370 and oil seed to $600 a tonne from $530, according to the local importers. Ukraine was the fourth biggest seller of corn in last year and is set to be the sixth largest wheat supplier in 2014. As the global grain prices are peaking up faster, we are now looking for new sources for purchasing our products to meet the local demand, said Chowdhury. The prices of agricultural outputs
A tractor makes pits next to a check point in Chongar, Ukraine blocking the entrance to Crimea recently. Spreading out from the road by the checkpoint there is a perfect row of holes dug into the earth, each about half-a-metre wide, in what looked like the first steps of installing a border fence. Signs nearby warned of mines and were marked "Stop! Danger to Life!" with a skull-and-crossbones. In Chongar, lives have paused lately due to fear of any possible violence AFP in Ukraine are also rising as its farmers held back grain to protect themselves against the countrys falling currency. Almost all the deals are short-term, which badly hinders the flow of trades, as they are not at all committed to maintain the supply chain now, he said. Though it is the right time to purchase food grains, traders from both Russia and Ukraine - have almost halted their offer. As a result, we are unable to place any purchase order. Usually, exports from Ukraine and Russia begin in June-July, each year. But brokers normally start contacting with the potential buyers well before the period start (January-February) for advance sales. Prices of wheat for delivery in coming May rose by 6% to $6.38 a bushel on the Chicago Board of Tradethe biggest rise for almost 18 months, according to Mohammad Ali, another food importer at Imam Group. Corn for delivery in May rose by up to 3.7% to a six-month high of $4.81, he said. Under the prevailing condition, we are looking for new sources but it is really difficult for getting competitive alternative sources especially for wheat procurement. Bangladesh government, however, has no contract with the Ukraine side on the wheat deal, according to food department sources. Buyers across the globe are worried whether the Ukraine will keep up its large exports of wheat and corn following Russias occupation of the Crimean region. Commodity price moves up since Russia alarmed the Western world by stepping up its military presence in Crimea, a peninsula at Black Sea, but mainly in the soft commodities of wheat and corn, where prices have in the past week risen 9% and 8% respectively. According to the New Zealand based financial service provider ANZs commodities desk, Russia and Ukraine long referred to as the bread basket of Europe - are forecast to export 26.5mn tonnes of wheat in the 2013-14 marketing season, accounting for 17% of world supply. And in case of corn, Ukraine itself is a top five corn producer, meeting about 16% of global supply. l
tor issued a show cause noticeto CityCell asking why its license should not be cancelled following its failure to pay Tk255.3 crore as dues. BTRC had issued the notice under the Telecommunication Act asking the operator to explain the matter within 30 days. Later on, the mobile operator held meetings with the high-ups of the government and subsequently, the Citycell got more time for paying the dues for 2G renewal fees only if they deposit the unpaid amount of the revenuesharing and other charges. Citycell has claimed that they are yet to get the full spectrum, which BTRC allocated to them and thats why they will not pay the full money for it. BTRC allocated 10 Megahertz spectrum for us for 15 years but we are getting only 6.5 Megahertz even after two years, a senior executive informed. Citycell renewed its 2G license on August 2012 and received the license to operation for the next 15 years. The operator had 13.65 lakh subscribers till the end of December last year. l
While talking with the Dhaka Tribune, Pradip Kumar Dutta didnt answer to the question if any additional security steps were taken after the Kishorganj incidence in January. Rather, he talked about the insurance coverage of the vaults and relocation of branches as part of security efforts. Sonali Bankcancelled insurance policy for its vault safetyafter the governments instruction as premiums were costing huge amounts to the bank, said Pradip Kumar Dutta said. He said letter was to the government to revive insurance coverage, and the matter had been discussed with Sadharan Bima Corporation too. As far as insurance coverage is concerned, the insurance on the money deposited at the vaults has to be covered completely. Sonali Bank MD said to ensure vault security they would need torelocate many branches and it involved a long process. We have already begun it (relocation process). But for this interim period, we will have to increase securityguards. Under the structural security measures set by Bangladesh Bank, banks are to set up security-tested
B3 COLUMN 5
B2
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Stock
DSE GAINERS Company
Closing (% change) 9.94 9.83 9.60 9.21 7.94 6.78 6.23 6.07 5.69 5.64
Samorita Hospital -A Eastern Cables-Z Hakkani P& Paper -B Apex SpinningA Standard Ceramic -A Republic Insu.-A Monno Ceramic -B Samata LeatheR -Z Anlima Yarn -A Eastern InsurA CSE GAINERS Company Eastern Cables-Z Apex SpinningA Samorita Hospital -A Hakkani P& Paper -B Kay & Que (BD) -Z Aziz PipesZ Samata LeatheR -Z CVO PetroChem RL Z Standard Ceramic -A Republic Insu.-A
Average (% change) 9.28 11.30 7.76 8.64 6.39 6.14 5.66 7.29 6.23 4.69 Average (% change) 9.52 7.61 9.72 7.52 8.60 7.33 7.00 5.70 7.84 6.08
Closing average 103.98 149.92 32.51 102.88 49.65 45.48 36.00 30.04 26.07 40.88
Closing 105.10 150.90 33.10 104.30 50.30 45.70 35.80 29.70 26.00 41.20
Daily high 105.10 151.10 33.20 105.00 51.10 47.00 36.60 30.80 27.00 42.50
Daily low 92.00 143.30 31.00 98.00 43.00 40.00 31.00 29.00 23.00 37.00
Turnover in million 24.272 16.356 2.715 17.449 1.317 16.720 7.842 0.826 3.053 1.683
Latest EPS 2.74 1.40 0.28 1.85 1.06 3.03 0.38 -0.04 0.80 2.60
Latest PE 37.9 107.1 116.1 55.6 46.8 15.0 94.7 -ve 32.6 15.7
Closing (% change) 9.94 9.69 9.27 7.67 7.43 7.33 7.14 7.11 7.10 6.50
Closing average 147.42 103.61 103.69 32.30 18.95 20.50 29.96 887.91 49.77 45.72
Closing 149.30 106.40 103.70 32.30 18.80 20.50 30.00 889.00 49.80 45.90
Daily high 149.30 98.10 104.30 33.00 19.00 20.50 30.80 892.00 49.90 46.30
Daily low 142.00 103.00 100.00 30.10 18.80 20.50 28.60 885.00 49.50 43.80
Turnover in million 0.486 0.166 1.452 0.598 0.038 0.010 0.375 1.021 0.075 0.297
Latest EPS 1.40 1.85 2.74 0.28 -0.89 0.59 -0.04 -4.06 1.06 3.03
Latest PE 105.3 56.0 37.8 115.4 -ve 34.7 -ve -ve 47.0 15.1
(-) 0.26% (+) 0.34% (+) 0.03% (-) 0.23% (-) 0.41% (-) 0.41%
Traded Issues Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis) Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis) Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis) Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.) Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)
Average (% change) -8.92 -9.44 -7.43 -3.80 -3.95 -2.56 -2.84 0.34
Closing average 25.13 28.12 29.42 7.60 23.59 52.57 45.58 100.53
Daily high 26.70 28.80 29.30 7.50 24.20 54.00 47.00 105.00
Daily low 24.80 27.90 28.70 7.40 22.00 50.00 42.20 93.00
Turnover in million 60.001 5.258 0.071 0.019 18.554 33.585 2.910 37.420
Latest EPS 3.66 4.15 -5.96 0.44 1.10 1.12 3.04 2.42
AB Bank - A
CSE LOSERS Company Eastern Bank - A UCBL - A Islami Ins.BD A Safko Spinning-A Prime Islami Life -A IFIC Bank - A Prime Finance-A PragatiLife Insu. -A
-3.81
-0.74
28.24
27.80
29.00
26.50
10.870
1.65
17.1
Closing (% change) -9.94 -9.78 -9.37 -5.23 -5.00 -4.49 -4.49 -4.41
Average (% change) -9.23 -8.80 -9.31 -5.07 -2.52 -3.36 -6.15 -4.08
Closing average 28.33 25.19 30.00 29.03 112.10 32.18 23.64 229.50
Daily high 29.00 26.60 30.00 29.20 112.10 32.80 24.00 229.50
Daily low 28.10 24.90 30.00 29.00 112.10 31.80 23.30 229.50
Turnover in million 0.193 19.712 0.030 0.784 0.011 1.766 2.630 0.115
Latest EPS 4.15 3.66 1.60 1.14 4.95 4.33 1.10 2.38
AB Bank - A
-3.46
-0.07
28.12
27.90
29.40
27.70
0.885
1.65
17.0
ANALYST
Marginal selling pressure in some mid cap scrips, especially bank sector, pulled down the market at the later part of trading
DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Padma Oil Co. -A BSC A Meghna Petroleum -A Square Pharma -A Olympic Ind. -A BD Submarine Cable-A
Grameenphone-A
DSE Million Taka 398.54 153.65 73.52 447.35 288.67 968.05 8.86 430.38 443.71 2.72 36.41 85.43 22.13 227.42 31.88 78.12 205.46 264.54 48.07 292.02 0.71
% change 8.84 3.41 1.63 9.92 6.40 21.48 0.20 9.55 9.84 0.06 0.81 1.90 0.49 5.05 0.71 1.73 4.56 5.87 1.07 6.48 0.02
Million Taka 40.70 12.29 3.48 28.14 25.69 71.34 36.00 52.51 3.01 3.17 7.98 2.79 18.86 3.58 2.21 8.83 31.09 7.35 54.12 0.04
CSE
% change 9.85 2.97 0.84 6.81 6.22 17.27 0.00 8.71 12.71 0.73 0.77 1.93 0.68 4.57 0.87 0.53 2.14 7.52 1.78 13.10 0.01
Million Taka 439.24 165.94 77.00 475.49 314.36 1039.39 8.86 466.38 496.22 5.72 39.58 93.41 24.92 246.28 35.46 80.32 214.29 295.62 55.42 346.13 0.75
Total
% change 8.93 3.37 1.56 9.66 6.39 21.12 0.18 9.48 10.08 0.12 0.80 1.90 0.51 5.00 0.72 1.63 4.35 6.01 1.13 7.03 0.02
Southeast Bank-A Square Textile -A Delta Life Insu. -A UCBL - A LankaBangla Fin. -A
CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company BSC A
Volume shares 1,297,637 362,075 740,033 714,993 713,391 620,318 591,441 548,287 514,000 2,450,080
Value in million 448.32 230.88 213.56 206.08 159.13 137.61 126.93 121.64 121.01 115.47
% of total turnover 9.95 5.12 4.74 4.57 3.53 3.05 2.82 2.70 2.68 2.56
Daily closing 349.30 638.75 287.70 288.20 223.20 221.40 214.30 223.20 235.10 47.70
Price change 3.53 2.57 0.74 1.09 1.50 1.56 0.70 4.15 0.94 4.15
Daily opening 337.40 622.75 285.60 285.10 219.90 218.00 212.80 214.30 232.90 45.80
Daily high 350.00 644.75 292.00 294.00 225.70 227.00 216.60 225.50 236.60 48.00
Daily low 308.50 623.00 260.90 278.30 205.00 200.00 202.00 214.30 225.00 45.10
Daily average 345.49 637.66 288.58 288.23 223.06 221.83 214.61 221.85 235.43 47.13
Volume shares
Prepared exclusively for Dhaka Tribune by Business Information Automation Service Line (BIASL), on the basis of information collected from daily stock quotations and audited reports of the listed companies. High level of caution has been taken to collect and present the above information and data. The publisher will not take any responsibility if any body uses this information and data for his/her investment decision. For any query please email to biasl@bol-online.com or call 01552153562 or go to www.biasl.net
Padma Oil Co. -A Square Pharma -A BD Submarine Cable-A UCBL - A Square Textile -A LafargeS Cement-Z Jamuna Oil -A Beach Hatchery -A Singer BD -A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Grameenphone-A Beximco Pharma -A Meghna Petroleum -A Delta Life Insu. -A
65,840 116,505 83,448 103,700 782,662 109,400 249,000 47,953 309,296 42,812 252,488 37,600 148,945 24,243 26,850
Value in million
41.96 40.35 24.02 23.01 19.71 12.68 11.73 11.31 9.81 9.50 8.23 8.07 7.84 7.00 6.93
% of total turnover
10.37 9.97 5.94 5.69 4.87 3.13 2.90 2.79 2.42 2.35 2.03 1.99 1.94 1.73 1.71
Daily closing
639.00 349.80 288.50 221.90 24.90 114.10 47.50 235.90 31.70 222.20 32.30 214.40 52.00 288.30 256.80
Price change
2.93 3.71 1.02 1.56 -9.78 -1.64 3.49 1.46 5.67 3.45 -0.62 0.70 -1.70 1.12 -1.12
Daily opening
620.80 337.30 285.60 218.50 27.60 116.00 45.90 232.50 30.00 214.80 32.50 212.90 52.90 285.10 259.70
646.00 350.40 289.30 225.30 26.60 117.50 47.90 237.80 32.30 226.00 33.10 216.50 53.50 292.00 261.30
622.00 341.00 285.50 212.00 24.90 113.00 46.00 234.00 30.20 215.00 32.20 213.70 51.10 286.00 255.60
Daily average
637.30 346.33 287.87 221.93 25.19 115.91 47.11 235.89 31.72 221.98 32.61 214.70 52.60 288.72 258.01
DHAKA TRIBUNE
Business
B3
dering, Yan says, but its a major tool. Macau is a prime gateway for this activity. It is the only place in China where casino gambling is legal, and so Chinese gamblers bring vast sums of money here. Because Macau is administered separately from the mainland, there are restrictions on how much currency mainland Chinese can take into the gambling haven. But gamblers find ways of skirting currency controls when they cross into Macau. And much of the money these mainlanders ostensibly take to Macau for gambling, Chinese authorities believe, is actually going abroad into bank accounts. Any steps to clamp down on UnionPay cashback transactions would likely rattle Macau, because the cash also feeds the casino sector on which the territorys $43.6bn economy overwhelmingly depends. Macau is now the worlds biggest gambling hub, with revenues seven times those of Las Vegas. Last year, gambling revenue rose 19% to $45.2bn. Nearly 40% of that went to the government in taxes. Beijing is particularly concerned about the role of this capital flight in the countrys endemic government corruption scandals. An internal research report in 2008 by the PBOC identified UnionPay cards as one of the main tools for corrupt individuals to facilitate cross-border transfer of funds. The central bank report said the practice was growing rapidly. Many card users follow their money abroad. Since the mid-1990s, an estimated 16,000 to 18,000 Communist party officials, businessmen, CEOs and other individuals have disappeared from China, according to a separate PBOC report prepared in 2008 - taking with them some 800bn yuan ($133bn). But the practice isnt limited to corrupt officials. The ubiquitous UnionPay card, with its instant access to piles of cash, has made the task of whisking money out of China far easier for ordinary Chinese. l
ties also fear the UnionPay conduit is being used by corrupt officials and business people to send money out of the country. Its unclear why the central bank, the Peoples Bank of China (PBOC), hasnt cracked down harder on the practice, although the documents Reuters reviewed show the bank was aware it had become a growing problem. Industry experts point to a weak enforcement culture in China, a reluctance to hurt Macau financially with 80 percent of the citys revenues drawn from gambling, and a willingness to tolerate some capital flight - especially if it can be tracked through names on bank cards. Moreover, the rapid growth of UnionPay, including the spread of its terminals at retail stores across the world, is playing a key role in Chinas strategy for making the yuan a global currency. No one knows for sure how much Chinese money is being channeled il-
legally into Macau. Tam Chi Keong, an assistant professor at the Macau University of Science and Technology, puts the total at HK$1.57tn ($202bn) a year through various channels.. Tam says his estimate is based on his analysis of Macaus finances and interviews with gambling industry participants. A senior UnionPay executive said the Shanghai-based company has long been aware of the payment card abuse in Macau and elsewhere, but was limited in its ability to act. Thats because the primary responsibility lies with authorities in Macau or any other country where the fraud is taking place, he said. The problem you are talking about has existed for several years, said the executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity. We have continuously taken measures.
become one of the biggest card brands and payment networks in the world, accepted in 142 countries. There are more UnionPay cards in circulation now than any other brand - 3.53 billion, or nearly a quarter of the worlds total, according to the industry newsletter, the Nilson Report. Visa remains the world leader by transaction value with $4.6tn in card transactions in the first half of 2013; UnionPay was second with $2.5tn. If UnionPay poses a problem for Chinese authorities, it is a problem of their own making. The card brand is often seen as an arm of Chinese state policy. UnionPay was established in 2002 by the PBOC and the State Council or Cabinet. Its founding shareholders were 85 Chinese banks, led by the five biggest state-owned banks. Former senior PBOC officials still fill the companys top ranks, including UnionPays current chairman, Su Ning, and its
Workers assemble the front bumper of Toyota's Aqua compact hybrid vehicle on the assembly line of the Kanto Auto Works plant in Kanegasaki, Iwate prefecture, about 500km north of Tokyo AFP that dont jack up wages. The government will react in some way against firms which are uncooperative with our policy of creating a virtuous economic cycle, he told reporters. Tabloid newspaper Nikkan Gendai compared Amaris comments to the aggressive tactics of Japans notorious yakuza gangsters. Hideshi Nitta, a labour relations manager at top business lobby Keidanren, said firms recognised the need to reverse years of tepid growth. For the economy to grow sustainably, (Japan) needs to create a virtuous
doors with steel wall around the vault space of the banks. The floors and roofs of around the vaults also have to be certified by an engineer. As part of technical security measure, there must be an alarming system round the clock along with a closedcircuit television camera at the vaults. There should be an uninterrupted
connectivity between the banks central information system and the vaults security system. Automated fire extinguishers also must be set up into the vaults. An amount of around Tk16.4 crore was looted from Kishoreganj Sadar branch of Sonali Bank in Januarywhile more recentlyanother burglary hit a Bogra branch of the state-owned bank looting over Tk30 lakh. l
BASIC Bank Limited participated in School Banking Conference-2014 at Chittagong for building awareness among the school going children to develop their savings habit and introduce them with banking services. The Bangladesh Bank governor, Dr Atiur Rahman distributed the BASIC school banking gift bags among the school going children at BASIC Banks stall recently
A school banking conference was held in the Bangladesh Bank colony ground in Chittagong recently. Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Dr Atiur Rahman was present as chief guest in the conference and visited the stall of Pubali Bank Ltd in the presence of Pubali Banks DMD, Saiful Alam Khan Chowdhury and GM, Syed Abdul Mazid
Bangladesh IT Talent Contest 2014 held on Tuesday to develop skilled manpower. Overseas Employment attended the award giving ceremony of the contest as chief guest at DIU auditorium
Real estate developer, Sheltech celebrated its 26th anniversary yesterday. Sheltech chairperson Engr Kutubuddin Ahmed, founder-MD Dr Toufiq M. Seraj and director (development) Tanvir Ahmed have cut a cake to mark the anniversary
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Engineer Christoph Amma demonstrates "Air Writing" with a sensor wristband at the 2014 CeBIT computer technology trade fair in Hanover, central Germany. Developed by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, the sensor attached to the wrist records hand movements and a computer system captures the signals and translates them into text. Great Britain is partner country of the fair considered as the world's biggest high-tech fair running from March 10 to 14 AFP
service. Tencent acquired a 20% stake in Chinese restaurant listing platform Dianping.com in February and started offering dining coupons through WeChat. Its latest deal, announced this week, sees Tencent take a 15% stake in Chinese online direct sales company JD.com, in a bid to better compete with e-commerce giant Alibaba. Overseas expansion plans Founded in 1998 in the southern
boom town of Shenzhen, Tencent is one of Chinas largest Internet companies and rivals Alibaba and domestic search engine Baidu. Now the firms founder and CEO Pony Ma is putting high hopes on expanding WeChat abroad, budgeting $200m for overseas marketing last year and hiring football superstar Lionel Messi for advertisements. State media quoted Ma as calling the service Chinas most hopeful product in terms of internationalisation.
But global concerns about cybersecurity could put a damper on its ambitions, analysts say. Before former US National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowdens revelations of widespread electronic surveillance by the organisation, Washington and Beijing traded accusations of cyberspying for months. US lawmakers have expressed worries over the security of telecommunications equipment sold by Chinese firms such as Huawei and ZTE, which
Asian trade
n AFP, Singapore
The seeds of Brazils current predicament were sown during the good years. Thanks to strong demand for its soy and iron ore from China, plus smart fiscal management and social welfare policies under Rousseff s predecessors, Brazil has managed to pull some 35 million people out of poverty since the mid-1990s. It also became a top market for foreign automakers, retailers and telecom companies. But economists say that, generally speaking, Brazil sold too many cars during the boom while not building enough roads. That is, it channeled too much of the windfall toward consumption and not enough on investment. The result is an economy now plagued by infrastructure bottlenecks and low productivity - and, thus, high inflation and slow growth. Rousseff, who took office in 2011
Oil prices fell in Asian trade yesterday ahead of the weekly US stockpiles report that will give an indication of demand in the worlds biggest economy. New Yorks main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for April delivery, dipped 61 cents to $99.42 in afternoon trade, and Brent North Sea crude for April eased 27 cents to $108.28. The US Department of Energy will release its report later in the day and analysts expected inventories to have risen two million barrels in the week ending March 7 as the severe winter weather draws to an end, leading to weaker demand for heating oil. Kelly Teoh, managing director at IR Resources, said that with the Ukrainian crisis and the cold winter weather in the US easing, investors would focus on
economic data from the United States and China. In the short term, a lot of it has to do with (uncertainty over) the US economy ... and China showing a slowdown, Teoh told AFP. Beijing said Saturday it had seen an unexpected trade deficit of $22.98bn in February as exports dived, fuelling fears about growth in the Asian economic giant. Investors are also keeping an eye on political developments in oil-producer Libya after the countrys parliament ousted Prime Minister Ali Zeidan. The vote of no-confidence in parliament came after a North Korean tanker laden with oil from a rebel-held terminal in eastern Libya broke through a naval blockade and escaped to sea despite the governments threats to block it by force if necessary. l
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