News in Brief

Indian ex-CEC to join workshop on its polls in Dhaka March 24
Diplomatic Correspondent

Former chief election commissioner of India Dr SY Quraishi will attend an open house workshop on “India's General Elections – 2014” at the capital's Cirdap auditorium on March 24, said an Indian high commission press release.
Organised by Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, the workshop will be chaired by Executive Director of Ain o Salish Kendra Sultana Kamal.
The workshop will be held ahead of the 16th Lok Sabha (general) elections in India scheduled to be held from April 7 to May 12.

DoE fines three factories  Tk 1.2cr
Our Correspondent, Savar

The Department of Environment fined the authorities of three factories in Dhaka and Gazipur Tk 1.2 crore on Tuesday for running those violating the DoE orders.
In Dhaka, Bangladesh Dresses Ltd (Unit-2) at Rajfulbaria in Savar was fined Tk 80 lakh for dumping untreated liquid into the river Turag while Bangladesh Dyeing and Finishing Industries Ltd at Karnapara was fined Tk 20 lakh for not having effluent treatment plant.
In Gazipur, Saika Steel Industries Ltd at Tongi was fined Tk 2 lakh for polluting air, says a DoE press release.
The DoE summoned the authorities of the factories at its Dhaka headquarters and after a hearing Director (Enforcement) Alomgir Hossain awarded the fine.
During the hearing, the authorities sought an apology and pledged a commitment to taking preventive measures to refrain from damaging the environment.

EU envoy visits projects in Sylhet
Diplomatic Correspondent

Ambassador William Hanna, head of delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, has visited Sylhet division to see the progress of a number of the EU funded projects in the region, says a press release.
The visit covered an array of projects ranging from capacity building of tea plantation workers to soil fertility to technical and vocational education and training for young people in the informal sector in the country.

Girl found dead at house in Savar
Our Correspondent, Savar

A four-year-old girl was found dead yesterday while sleeping beside her mother in their house at village Mozidpur in Savar municipality, on the outskirts of the capital.
The deceased was Jannatul Ferdous, daughter of Shahjahan Rubel and Taslima Akhter.
Shahjahan said he found Taslima sleeping with their daughter in the bedroom after he had returned from work in the afternoon. He called Jannatul but she did not respond.
He also alleged that Taslima smothered her.
However, Taslima told police that she had been sleeping all day as she was not feeling well and did not know what really happened.
The body with no visible injury was sent to Dhaka Medical College morgue for an autopsy. Police is interrogating the couple. The cause behind the death could not be known immediately.

'Increase Aus, Aman cultivation'
Staff Correspondent

Agriculturists have urged the farming communities to increase Aus and Aman rice cultivation throughout the country for a long term benefit and sustainable development.
They made the call at a workshop on strategic plan for increasing Aus and Aman cultivation held at Bangladesh Rice Research Institute in Gazipur yesterday, says a BRRI press release.
Department of Agricultural Extension Director General Md Abu Hanif Mia, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council Executive Chairman Dr Md Kamal Uddin and Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation Chairman Md Jahir Uddin Ahmed, were, among others, present.