Vol. 5 Num 320 Thu. April 21, 2005       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan National International Culture General Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives Today's Index Front Page People pay Tk 6,796cr in bribes a year People pay corrupt officials and employees of 25 service sector institutions an estimated Tk 6,796 crore a year in bribes, according to Transparency International Bangladesh, a chapter of the Berlin-based   Border tension simmers down following talks The border tension brewing since Saturday's Akhaura skirmishes has simmered down following discussions between Dhaka and New Delhi at diplomatic and other planes, said Foreign Minister M Morshed Khanyesterday.   Hospitals filled with diarrhoea patients The spread of diarrhoea in the city and other parts of the country has sharply increased in the last weak, triggering a sudden influx of patients into city hospitals.   ACC finally adopts draft organogram The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has finally succeeded in drafting an organogram overcoming a prolonged stagnation due to internal conflicts and legal loopholes since its inception five months ago.   Satkhira Ahmadiyyas under renewed threat Ahmadiyyas of Jyotindranagar in Satkhira, still smarting from the shock of Sunday's attack, came under renewed threat yesterday when religious zealots asked the Satkhira superintendent of police (SP)to   Hot spell to run until April 23 The heat wave is likely to continue until a nor'wester along with rainfall sweeps through the country between April 23 and 26, meteorology department officials said yesterday.   Govt friendless for wrong foreign policy The main opposition Awami League (AL) yesterday said the present government has become friendless in the international arena due to its wrong ful foreign policies.   Quaiyum, nine other BNP leaders charged The police yesterday submitted a chargesheet under the Explosive Act accusing 10 leaders of the ruling BNP of the January 27 grenade attack in Habiganj that killed former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria.   ADB urges govt to make ACC effective soon A visiting top ADB (Asian Development Bank) official yesterday requested the government to make the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) effective as soon as possible, as the donor agency took it as a positive   Pak bank GM, others charged with locker embezzlement A client of National Bank of Pakistan yesterday charged the bank's general manager (GM) and other officials with embezzling around Tk 46.5 lakh from a locker he rented with the bank.   Disqualified bidder bags power plant contract The Cabinet Purchase Committee yesterday approved awarding a contract to set up a 90 MW combined cycle power plant in Fenchuganj to a disqualified and lone bidder.   Graft-ridden RPCL shakes off govt stakes The board of Rural Power Company Ltd (RPCL), set up by Rural Electrification Board (REB), sacked its chairman representing the government stakes in the company on Sunday.   Tata to invest now $2.5b in Bangladesh Indian industrial giant Tata Group submitted its feasibility study report on an investment proposal in Bangladesh to the Board of Investment (BoI) yesterday, showing interest to increase their investment   Govt to make petrol, octane prices equal The government has decided to increase the price of petrol to make it equal to octane price as a measure to check adulteration, sources said.   EC meets today on security steps The Election Commission (EC) will hold a high level meeting today to chalk out full-proof security measures for ensuring free and fair Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) polls on May 9th.   Tremor jolts Ctg A tremor of light magnitude jolted Chittagong and its adjoining areas on Tuesday night. The tremor, measuring 4.56 on the Richter scale, began at 8:04pm and lasted for 26 seconds.   US congressman told of sincere govt probe Bangladesh Ambassador to Washington Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury briefed Congressman Barney Frank on Tuesday on the progress made in investigating the killing of SAMS Kibria and reaffirmed the government's   Knocking down illegal structures...   Khaleda urges people to resist trouble-makers Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday urged people to make politically ineffective those who always try to harm the country and its people by perpetrating the politics of destruction.   Whatmore stays with Tigers for two more years Bangladesh cricket coach Dav Whatmore put pen to paper yesterday confirming his association with the Tigers for another two years leading up to the 2007 World Cup.   Sound mixer Mobin killed in road crash A leading sound engineer died and three members of a popular music band of the country were injured in a road crash on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway at Chouddagram in Comilla in the early hours yesterday.   New Pope sets out his priorities Pope Benedict XVI pledged to work towards Christian unity and dialogue with other faiths as he set out the priorities of his pontificate in his first homily Wednesday, saying he had been surprised byhis   Saber relieved of charges A Dhaka court yesterday relieved Saber Hossain Chowdhury, political secretary of Awami League (AL) chief Sheikh Hasina, of charges of attacking then leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia's motorcade on   AL candidate boycotts polls After a series of clashes, Awami League (AL)-backed commissioner candidate for ward No 63 of Dhaka City Corporation boycotted the election, alleging gross irregularities yesterday. Business Money laundering thrives on legal loopholes A number of fully foreign-owned companies and joint ventures having negligible capital base are taking advantage of the weaknesses in the Companies Act 1994 to indulge in money laundering, officials at   Govt mulls lifting PSI system The government is considering discontinuing pre-shipment inspection (PSI) system by this year to stop 'harassment' of businesspeople , National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Khairuzzaman Chowdhury said   Dhaka becomes more cost competitive for investment Dhaka has become a little more cost competitive for investment, reveals the latest survey by Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO).   Asian, African ministers talk trade partnership Thai, Foreign ministers from Asia and Africa held talks in the Indonesian capital Wednesday with the aim of drafting an agreement on a strategic alliance ahead of a weekend summit of leaders from both   Bush eyes interim China step on currency US President George W Bush said Tuesday that China was considering taking an interim step toward easing its rigid currency regime and that Washington wants action as soon as possible.   BGMEA seeks duty-free access to China Bangladesh Garment Manu-facturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has asked China to provide Bangladeshi garments with duty-free access to its market.   United Leasing approves 60pc dividend, 100pc bonus share United Leasing Company Ltd has declared 60 percent dividend and 100 percent bonus share for its shareholders for the year 2004.   Prime Finance okays 20pc cash dividend Prime Finance and Investment Limited, a local financial institution, has approved a 20 percent dividend for its shareholders for the year 2004.   National Bank to collect AKTEL subscribers' bills Subscribers of AKTEL mobile phone will be able to pay their monthly bills through the branches of National Bank from now on.   SME fair raffle draw held Raffle draw of the coupons of SME Fair 2005 was held yesterday at the FBCCI conference room in Dhaka.   Shoppers World mall joins Dutch Bangla Bank merchant network Shoppers World, a shopping mall in Dhaka, has joined the 'point of sale' (POS) merchant network of Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd recently.   WTO farm talks break down on technical issue Agricultural talks at the World Trade Organisation broke down Tuesday over the question of how to calculate customs duties, a technical issue that divides exporting and importing countries.   New Zealand, Thai businesses to benefit from trade pact New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said Tuesday that a new economic pact between her country and Thailand will boost business and lead to more jointly exported products.   China Q1 economy grows faster than expected China's economy expanded 9.5 per cent in the year through the first quarter, faster-than-expected growth that will put pressure on Beijing to further tighten investment and credit curbs.   Local co teams up with Tommy Mia to produce food items A local company yesterday announced that it will use cooking expertise of master chef Tommy Mia to produce food items for domestic and international markets.   Malaysian auto sales hit record high Malaysia's vehicle sales rose 21.6 percent year-on-year in March to an all-time high of 50,558 and are likely to accelerate as consumers rush to buy in anticipation of higher car prices, reports saidWednesday. Sports Football: Muktis' fatal loss Muktijoddha Sangsad's hopes of moving into the second phase of the AFC Cup were effectively over when they lost 2-1 to Nebitchi FC of Turkmenistan in a crucial Group A match at the Bangabandhu National   Cricket: Sylhet secure 2nd spot Rajshahi failed to celebrate their one-day title in the Ispahani Sixth National Cricket League when they suffered a seven-wicket defeat to Sylhet in a low-scoring last round game at the Sylhet Stadium   Cricket: A wonderful experience Habibul Bashar said that it was a wonderful experience for him to play in a charity match for Univer-sity of the West Indies' Vice-Chancellor's XI against South Africa at St Augustine earlier this week.   Cricket: Sachin to play Oval game Indian star batsman Sachin Tendulkar has agreed to play in the Asia XI against the International XI here at The Oval on June 20 in a charity game largely to help rebuild lives devastated by the Tsunami   Cricket: Surprise relief behind the stumps? Cricket lovers could be in for a surprise when the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announces the 16-member Test squad for the tour of England at Chittagong today.   Football: U-19 cricketers' fifth in a row The Bangladesh under-19 cricket team continued their winning spree in their tour down under when they registered a massive 130-run victory over QAS squad in a limited-overs game at Meryborouzh yesterday.   Football: Fed Cup final round from today The final phase of the Tibet 20th Federation Cup football tournament starts today with popular giants Abahani and Mohammedan looking forward to put an end to their wretched start to the season.   Cricket: Third Test starts today For South Africa, in particular, and the West Indies, the third cricket Test, beginning on Thursday, is crucial.   Football: UEFA to get tough European football's governing body UEFA has vowed to crack down on trouble-makers following a season of violence highlighted by Inter Milan's Champions League fiasco.   Cricket: Imran sings Inzy song Pakistan cricket legend Imran Khan Wednesday said Inzamamul Haq had matured as skipper during the tough cricket tour of India matured and helped his young side meet the challenge by his own example.   Football: Mourinho's no-show! Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho on Tuesday cancelled his sports talkshow in his native Portugal just one day after it debuted because he said comments he made on the programme were misquoted by the world's   Cricket scorer fighting for life A young cricket scorer Md. Mahbubul Haque Shaheen is in need of urgent kidney transplant but financial constraint is preventing him from availing what could be a life-saving treatment.   Handball: Big win for BIT Six matches of the Sunnydale 3rd mini boys' handball tournament were held yesterday at the Dhanmondi Women's Sports Complex.   Football: Women booters lose last match The Bangladesh women's football team ended their campaign in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Under-17 Football Championship with another defeat but this time, they went down fighting to Metropolitan New policy to encourage small power plants The energy and power ministry has drafted a policy to award contract to anyone without any competition to set up small power plants ranging from 10 megawatts to 50 megawatts.   Evolve tech to fight salinity problem Experts at an agricultural planning meeting yesterday underscored the need for augmenting food production in saline-prone zones in the country and called for providing farmers with technologies to combat   'Punish all responsible for tragedy' Speakers at a rally yesterday demanded exemplary punishment to the persons responsible for the garment factory collapse at Savar that claimed heavy loss of lives.   Tasnuva held in US for illegal stay The case of Tasnuva Hayder, a Bangladeshi teenage girl detained by US authorities in New York, is a consular matter and a case of illegal stay, the foreign ministry said yesterday.   'Create alternative jobs for tobacco workers' The government must create alternative employment opportunities for bidi and cigarette industry workers or repeal the anti-tobacco law, hundreds of tobacco workers demanded at a rally in the city yesterday.   Minority issue discussed LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday said United States has been extending cooperation in the developing activities of Bangladesh.   UGC chairman seeks security from home ministry In the face of repeated threat over telephone demanding toll, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof M Asaduzzaman yesterday sought security from the home ministry.   Garments employee murdered A garments employee, stabbed by a gang of hoodlums at Pallabi in the city, died at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) in the early hours of yesterday.   AL leaders seek vote for Mohiuddin Awami League central leaders Suranjit Sengupta and Obaidul Kader yesterday joined polls campaign for party leader and Nagorik Committee-backed mayoral candidate ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury in the Chittagong   Proper investigation demanded Leaders of the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Chittagong unit, yesterday demanded proper investigation into the murder of bus driver Ashraf Ali, which took place on October 1, 2004.   Hasina greets new Pope Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has congratulated Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany on his election as the 265th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.   SC stays AL leader Manik's bail Responding to a government plea, the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday stayed for two weeks the operation of the High Court (HC) order that had granted bail to former Awami League lawmaker Mohibur Rahman Manik   1,713 more held Police arrested 1,713 more people on various charges from different parts of the country in the last 24 hours as of 6.00am yesterday. National 2 bank managers suspended for ‘connivance’ Sarder Hasibur Rahman, Manager of Daulatpur branch of Sonali Bank and Mohammod Mizanur Rahman, its manager at Daulatpur College Road branch have been suspended for their alleged connivance in a big financial   Golapganj OC closed, all cops to be withdrawn Golapganj thana Officer-in-charge Md Abul Quashem and Second Officer Md Yunus Miah were withdrawn and closed to the district police line Tuesday night in view of deterioration in law and order in theupazila   Sour tomato in sultry summer Bangladeshis will soon relish locally produced flavoury and slightly sour tomato in summer sultry days, thanks to the innovation by scientists of Bangladesh Agriculture research Institute (BARI) at Joydebpur.   Japanese envoy happy on progress of work Days are not far away when Bangladesh will be self-sufficient in agriculture and other rural sectors, Japanese ambassador in Bangladesh Hari Godi has said.   Hiking at Habiganj forest Participants at a trail hiking at Satchuri Reserved Forest in Habiganj on Sunday stressed on the need for creating more job opportunities for local people with a view to stopping illegal felling of trees   Rare sympathy bears fruit A teenaged domestic help secured junior scholarship in class five. This was possible because of the sympathetic attitude of her master's wife.   Diarrhoea kills 5 in Patuakhali Diarrhoea claimed five lives in two upazilas last week. The two upazilas are Galachipa and Kalapara. Three persons were killed in Galachipa upazila and two persons were killed in Kalapara upazila.   JCD man, BCL activists held by Barisal Rab Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested one JCD and two BCL activists from Jhalakati town Tuesday night for alleged extortion.   Vow to create awareness about AIDS An advocacy and view exchange meeting on HIV/AIDS was held at Brahmanbaria Zila Parishad auditorium in the town yesterday. Point-Counterpoint Corruption, budget deficit and price instability Inflation is a result of "too much money chasing too few goods." Nobel Laureate economist Milton Friedman argued, "Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon.   Saddam's security apparatus and a state visit While the deposed Iraqi President Saddam Hussain is awaiting trial in a jail in the country which he ruled ruthlessly for 24 long years, one may naturally wonder how he could last so long as head of state Culture Carving a place on the small screen “Eight years back, I went to the Sundarbans with the unit of Shundari for shooting," reminisces popular actor Azizul Hakim. "We had some very exciting experiences while shooting.   Romance galore Rofique Ahmed, whose exhibition began at the Divine Gallery in the city recently, has amalgamated the style of various Bangladeshi art teachers, and those in Vadodara, India, where he did his Masters.   Anthony Quinn: The story of a star Anthony Quinn, the Irish-Mexican actor, is remembered for his powerful film roles such as Zorba the Greek, Lawrence of Arabia and his portrayal of Zeus in the TV serial Hercules. General JU body to probe JCD factional clash The Jahangirnagar University (JU) authorities yesterday formed a six-member committee to investigate the Monday's clash between the two factions of Jatiyatabdai Chhatra Dal (JCD) that left at least 26   Massive programme to make Dhaka city greener soon The capital city is going to have a greener look soon with the government implementing a massive 'Green Dhaka' programme.   French journo gets bail A foreign documentary film-maker, who was arrested by the BDR while entering Bangladesh from India crossing the border illegally at Bhomra on April 14, was granted bail by a magistrate here yesterday.   Three killed by lightning Three people were killed by lightning when a severe nor'wester lashed different areas in the district last night.   Chinese crew member killed A crew member of a Chinese cargo ship was killed on Tuesday night after he met with an accident in the Chittagong port. International Leaders welcome new Pope Presidents, religious leaders and many of the world's 1.   Iraq violence rages on At least two Iraqis were killed on Wednesday in triple blasts in the capital as politicians attempted to end a stalemate over a new government that many fear could play into rebel hands.   Vote on Bush UN nominee delayed In a setback to President Bush, Republicans on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday were forced to delay a vote on John Bolton's nomination as UN ambassador to examine new allegationsagainst   Israeli army begins to remove equipment from Gaza The Israeli army began removing equipment from bases in the Gaza Strip Wednesday in preparation for the pullout from the territory as Prime Minister Ariel Sharon warned the withdrawal would be followed   Pakistan will not allow IAEA to inspect nuke facilities Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said Wednesday he would never allow foreign inspectors into the country to examine its nuclear facilities.   All night party in new Pope's hometown Residents of the picturesque Bavarian hometown of the new Pope Benedict XVI sang and danced into the early hours of Wednesday fuelled by free beer in a raucous celebration.   42 injured after quake hits Japan's island An earthquake measuring 5.   Legal challenge to threaten Britain's election date A legal challenge to postal voting, which could potentially delay Britain's May 5 election, will be launched on Thursday, as senior civil servants prepared to discuss the problem, reports said. Editorial Editorial: Tension on the border It is a supreme and unfortunate irony that just as the peace process between India and Pakistan has been termed by both sides as 'irreversible,' and India has entered into rapprochement with its old rival   Editorial: Misadventurers arrested Ninety young people, purportedly on their way to Greece, were picked up in Chittagong by a navy patrol team on April 17.   Pacific Commander's exposé It seems that everybody except the relevant persons in Bangladesh has indubitable intelligence on the doings of the militants in this country, that have turned, or are in the process of turning, Bangladesh   President Musharraf's two victories -- on points April 16 saw two victories of President Pervez Musharraf -- partial and questionable from the common man's viewpoint. Letters to Editor Trapped in intrigue? Bangladesh is truly trapped in international intrigue, according to a seminar in Dhaka (DS 4/4/). It is neo-colonialism; the United States is initiating the British ghost of the Empire era.   Pakistani visa Previously, the Pakistan High Commission used to issue 25 to 40 Visitor and Business Visas per day.   Ekushey and Islam It is about a report "Ekushey tradition broken" published in The Daily Star of 22 February.   Reflections on "Baishakh" The Cadet Colleges Club arranged various programmes on the 1st day of "Baishakh", 1412. Everything was well programmed, well organised, disciplined, well attended and thoroughly enjoyable.   Need for effective local government Local government is a hotly debated issue in Bangladesh. Union Parishad elections have been held on a regular basis but still UPs are regarded as an ineffective institution.   Rab I do not like to add one more comment on Rab. However, I want to express my opinion regarding the response so far given by the government.   © thedailystar.net, 2005. All Rights Reserved.