Health services for the poor
November 20, 2008
At a time when health service in Bangladesh is out of the reach of the poor, Grameen Healthcare Trust and Saudi German Hospital Group of Saudi Arabia are going to establish social business hospitals in the country to bring health services to the poor and disadvantaged people. The proposed business combine will be dedicated to providing primary and secondary healthcare to the people especially to the poorest and the most disadvantaged.
State protection of industries?
November 19, 2008
Because of various reasons, businesses and industries in Bangladesh are facing a decline over the last 2 years and so, are demanding protection of various sorts from the State. Most of these reasons for the decline are beyond the control of our State such as the sudden rise and fall of fossil fuels,
Energy to be most critical challenge for future government: Roundtable
November 18, 2008
Politicians representing major parties on Saturday said, they were expected to detail out proposals on energy sector in their election manifestos as experts described the issue as likely to be a critical challenge for the next elected government.
Human rights in international law and Islamic law
November 17, 2008
Introduction: The title apparently shows the purpose and significance of the article. The object of the instant article is to make comparison between the Islamic Human Rights and International Human Rights with a view to distinguish between the moral and legal basis of both The Islamic Human Rights and International Human Rights.
Hasina-Khaleda talks meaningless without participation of all political parties in election: Wahid Uddin
November 16, 2008
Economist Wahid Uddin Mahmud on Saturday said the much-talked about dialogue between BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina would be meaningless if participation of all political parties in the forthcoming parliamentary election is not ensured.
Five agencies move to hike power tariff by 12.5-20pc
November 15, 2008
The Dhaka Power Distribution Company has applied to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission for an increase in power tariff by 14.7 per cent on an average at the consumer level. Four other agencies will propose 12.5 to 20 per cent increase in prices by the next week.
The move of the agencies to increase tariff for general consumers across the country followed the commission’s approval in September of 16 per cent increase in tariff for the electricity the agencies buy from the Power Development Board for supply to consumers.
As the commission will make a decision on the power price increase in 90 days after the submission of the applications, if the applications are accepted, consumers may need to pay higher tariff for power from February.
The newly formed Dhaka Power Distribution Company, which took over the Dhaka Electric Supply Authority, on Wednesday applied to the commission seeking an increase in electricity price for households by 10 per cent for the use of 0–100 units, 15.31 per cent for 100–400 units and 15.34 per cent for 400 units and above.
The distribution company, which supplies power to parts of the city and parts of Narayanganj, also proposed about a 15.40 cent increase in the price for commercial and industrial uses.
The Dhaka Electric Supply Company, Rural Electrification Board, Power Development Board and West Zone Power Distribution Company will also apply to the commission by the next week for a 12.5 to 20 per cent increase in power tariff, officials said.
DESCO supplies electricity to central and northern parts of the city and Tongi, REB to rural areas through 70 Palli Bidyut Samitis, the west zone distribution company to the south-western districts and the power board, which mainly generates electricity, to some district towns and Chittagong city through its distribution arms.
DESCO officials said the board of the company on Thursday approved a proposal for a tariff increase by 12.5 per cent on an average. The company will submit an application to the commission this week.
As per the DESCO proposal, the price of electricity for households will be increased by 10 per cent for the use of 0–100 units, 14.29 per cent for 100–400 and 14.19 per cent for 400 units and above. For commercial use, the price will be increased by 14.15 per cent and for industrial is 14.13 per cent.
REB officials said its board will make a decision on a proposal to increase tariff by 18–20 per cent, based on the condition of Palli Bidyut Samitis. ‘After the board approval, we will submit an application to the commission seeking a decision,’ said an official.
The west zone distribution company will propose a price increase of around 19–20 per cent while the power board may propose an increase of around 15 per cent.
Officials of the agencies said they had decided to propose the tariff increase to offset losses they were incurring after the price increase at the distribution agency level with effect from October 1.
The regulatory commission, however, earlier asked the agencies to take steps to reduce system loss to offset losses.
The commission will now, after a preliminary meeting with the agency officials and stakeholders, first make a decision on whether the applications of the agencies will be accepted.
If accepted, the commission will hold open public hearing for the agencies to justify their proposal while the stakeholders will give their opinions on the proposal.
The commission will make a decision on the power price increase within 90 days from the date of submission of the application, said commission officials.
Source: New Age
Politicians forget election manifestoes after coming to power: Speakers
November 12, 2008
Politicians, educationists, bureaucrats and experts on Tuesday said the political parties will have to be committed to make parliament effective whether they win in the elections or not.
They alleged that leaders of political parties give commitment in their manifestos that they will do everything for the welfare of the people before election but after coming to power they forget everything and start looting state properties and in misappropriating money in many ways.
They were discussing a roundtable meeting on “Election Manifestoes of Political Parties” held at the National Press Club yesterday. TIB Chief Muzaffer Ahmed, Prof Anwar Hossain, Asif Nazrul, Journalist Syed Abul Maksud, Badiul Alam Mazuder, Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury and Former Secretary Abul Kalam Azad took part in the discussion.
Muzaffer Ahmed said considering the situation of rural poor people, the political parties will have to prepare their election manifestoes as around six crore voters out of 8.15 crore live in the villages.
“The political parties cannot avoid the interest of rural people as they elect the political parties to form the government. The political party which will form the next government will have to ensure smooth supply of diesel, seeds, fertiliser to the farmers. Side by side, the next elected democratic government will also have to control the abnormal price hike. And these will have to be included in their election manifestoes,” TIB Chairman said.
Replying to a query, Muzaffer said, “In the past I had no confusion over holding of parliamentary election on time and at present I am very much confident that the general poll will be held on December 18 as per government announcement as there is no alternative to holding election to restore democracy in the country.”
Referring to the impact of climate change, he said, the people of the country will lose one third of total land due to climate change within 2030-50. “To protect the country and its people, the next government will have to take long term plans. Otherwise, a disastrous situation will turn people landless.
Historian and Professor of Dhaka University Syed Anwar Hossain said the political parties will have to include a clear stand in their manifestoes regarding militancy and student politics. “The political leaders will also have to refrain from undemocratic attitude and politicisating all sectors,” he added.
Replying to a query, political analyst and Dhaka University teacher Asif Nazrul said if any fresh confusion is created among the people about holding of parliamentary election on time centering the arrest of Saifur Rahman, Matiur Rahman Nizami and Ali Ahsan Mojaheed, the government should take effective steps immediately to defuse the tension in order to hold the parliamentary election on time.
Source: The Bangladesh Today
HC asks govt to retest all brands for melamine
November 11, 2008
The High Court has directed the government to test samples of all brands of powdered milk on the shelves in the laboratories of Dhaka University, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and BSTI, and submit the reports to the court.
The court also directed the government to publish the reports in the media to enable the people to make an informed decision on buying powdered milk.
Three-pronged diplomacy involving Myanmar, China and SKorea defuses tensions over Bay
November 10, 2008
An imminent confrontation between Bangladesh and Myanmar over controversial oil and gas exploration in the Bay of Bengal could be averted following a three-pronged diplomatic maneuvering approaching China and South Korea.
Dhaka turns world’s second megacity by 2015: planners
November 9, 2008
Dhaka will be the world’s second largest megacity by 2015 in terms of population, say urban planners. “Dhaka ranks 206th among 215 cities by life standards,” M Rahmatullah, adviser to the Bangladesh Institute of Planners, said on Saturday.