HC hearing Yunus’ petition
Prof Muhammad YunusStar Online Report
Hearing on Muhammad Yunus’ writ petition challenging the legality of a central bank order removing him as managing director (MD) of Grameen Bank is in progress at the High Court.
The hearing began at 2:00pm at the HC bench of Justice Momtaz Uddin Ahmed and Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore.
The same bench earlier allowed the microcredit pioneer to file a supplementary petition to submit more information on the same matter.
Pending the hearing on his writ petition challenging the legality of his removal, the High Court heard the supplementary petition first.
Earlier, while counsels of the petitioner and defendants, lawyers and journalists were waiting for the hearing to begin at 11:00am, Deputy Attorney General Karunamoy Chakma told the Daily Star that Justice Momtaz Uddin Ahmed informed him that the hearing on the petition would begin at 2:00pm.
Justice Momtaz quoted Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore to be saying that he could not reach the court on time as he was caught in traffic jam.
Dr Yunus reached the court premises at around 9:00am, our correspondent covering the development reported from the High Court.
Yunus was unceremoniously relieved of his duties on Wednesday through a Bangladesh Bank letter sent to Grameen Bank Chairman Khondoker Muzammel Huq.
The central bank said Yunus failed to seek its approval when he was reappointed as the managing director in 2000, violating one of the statutes of the partly state-owned Grameen Bank.
Grameen however maintained that his position was legal.
Prof Yunus on Thursday filed a writ petition challenging the central bank order that removed him from the post of Grameen Bank MD as the wider international community showed its displeasure at the way the Nobel Prize winner for Bangladesh was treated.
The bench on Thursday fixed Sunday for giving order on Yunus' petition.
With Yunus’ forced exit, the microfinance institution's journey of over 30 years enters a different stage. He had started his lone campaign to provide loans to the poor, who had always been overlooked by the traditional banks, from his home village of Jobra in Chittagong. Defeating all sceptics, he not only proved that the poor are bankable, but he could turn it into an international movement. Countries across the world, including the USA, China, and India embraced his model of microfinance.
Foreign diplomats in Bangladesh sharply reacted to the government's move and none of them took it positively. They said they never thought that the government could make such an extreme move against an internationally reputed personality like Yunus.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh in Dhaka James Moriarty on Thursday said the United States is deeply troubled by the government removing Yunus from Grameen Bank and termed it “an unusual way to handle a Nobel Laureate”.
The government move surprised many of Grameen’s borrowers, who dubbed him the pathfinder in elevating them from poverty.
Economists with huge policy-making experience denounced the way the government decided to remove Yunus from the Nobel Prize winning Grameen Bank.
‘Friends of Grameen’, a newly established group headed by Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland, who denounced the ‘new attempt of destablisation against Professor Yunus’ also expressed concern.
রবিবার, ৬ মার্চ, ২০১১
S Africa 38/0 chasing 171
S Africa 38/0 chasing 171
South Africa's Peterson celebrates taking the wicket of England's captain Strauss during their ICC Cricket World Cup group B match in Chennai. Photo: Reuters
South Africa scored 38 without any loss after ten overs replying to England’s 172 runs in Group B match of ICC Cricket World Cup at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Chennai Sunday.
Earlier, a quadruple success by South African spinner Imran Tahir preceded by Robin Peterson's early removal of the openers restricted England to 171 runs in 45.4 overs.
England’s batsman IJL Trott and RS Bopara knocked brilliant half centuries.
Imran Tahir captured four wickets while RJ Peterson grabbed three and M Morkel took two and Dale Steyn took one wicket.
Earlier, England captain Andrew Strauss won the toss and elected to bat first.
Placed fourth in the group after a shock defeat to Ireland Wednesday, England's collective morale and confidence are probably at their lowest despite assertions to the contrary from some players.
South Africa, on their part, have enjoyed a comfortable start to their campaign with an easy win against the West Indies and followed it up with a crushing defeat of the Netherlands.
England team: AJ Strauss, KP Pietersen, IJL Trott, IR Bell, RS Bopara, MJ Prior, MH Yardy, TT Bresnan, GP Swann, SCJ Broad and JM Anderson.
South Africa team: GC Smith, HM Amla, JH Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, F du Plessis, MN van Wyk, RJ Peterson, M Morkel, DW Steyn and Imran Tahir.
South Africa's Peterson celebrates taking the wicket of England's captain Strauss during their ICC Cricket World Cup group B match in Chennai. Photo: Reuters
South Africa scored 38 without any loss after ten overs replying to England’s 172 runs in Group B match of ICC Cricket World Cup at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Chennai Sunday.
Earlier, a quadruple success by South African spinner Imran Tahir preceded by Robin Peterson's early removal of the openers restricted England to 171 runs in 45.4 overs.
England’s batsman IJL Trott and RS Bopara knocked brilliant half centuries.
Imran Tahir captured four wickets while RJ Peterson grabbed three and M Morkel took two and Dale Steyn took one wicket.
Earlier, England captain Andrew Strauss won the toss and elected to bat first.
Placed fourth in the group after a shock defeat to Ireland Wednesday, England's collective morale and confidence are probably at their lowest despite assertions to the contrary from some players.
South Africa, on their part, have enjoyed a comfortable start to their campaign with an easy win against the West Indies and followed it up with a crushing defeat of the Netherlands.
England team: AJ Strauss, KP Pietersen, IJL Trott, IR Bell, RS Bopara, MJ Prior, MH Yardy, TT Bresnan, GP Swann, SCJ Broad and JM Anderson.
South Africa team: GC Smith, HM Amla, JH Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, F du Plessis, MN van Wyk, RJ Peterson, M Morkel, DW Steyn and Imran Tahir.
2 more months sought for Aug 21 probe
2 more months sought for Aug 21 probe
This grenade was left abandoned on Bangabandhu Avenue on the August 21, but the ones that had exploded left blood on the street. Photo: File Photo
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Sunday sought two more months to complete further investigation into one of the two cases filed in connection with the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in 2004.
The CID so far got more than 18 months in six phases to complete the investigation into the case filed for killing 23 people, including Ivy Rahman and injuring scores in the attack.
Judge Fozila Begum of Second Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court will hear the petition on Monday.
CID's Special Superintendent of Police Abdul Kahar Akand, also investigation officer of the case, submitted a petition before the court seeking two more months as he could not complete the probe by the stipulated time given by the court.
Earlier on November 22 last year, the same court granted three and a half months to the CID, which will expire on Monday.
Another case filed under the Explosive Substances Act remained pending with the other court.
This grenade was left abandoned on Bangabandhu Avenue on the August 21, but the ones that had exploded left blood on the street. Photo: File Photo
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Sunday sought two more months to complete further investigation into one of the two cases filed in connection with the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in 2004.
The CID so far got more than 18 months in six phases to complete the investigation into the case filed for killing 23 people, including Ivy Rahman and injuring scores in the attack.
Judge Fozila Begum of Second Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court will hear the petition on Monday.
CID's Special Superintendent of Police Abdul Kahar Akand, also investigation officer of the case, submitted a petition before the court seeking two more months as he could not complete the probe by the stipulated time given by the court.
Earlier on November 22 last year, the same court granted three and a half months to the CID, which will expire on Monday.
Another case filed under the Explosive Substances Act remained pending with the other court.
Take step to cancel bail of 3 grabbers, HC asks Bogra cops
Take step to cancel bail of 3 grabbers, HC asks Bogra cops
The December 7, 2010 photo shows workers are digging in the premises of Mahasthangarh, one of the oldest archaeological sites of Bangladesh, for the building of a multi-storey complex. Photo: Star Star Online Report
The High Court on Sunday directed the Bogra police to pray to the local court to cancel the bail of three people, who are allegedly involved in grabbing the land of Mahasthangarh archaeological site.
They are Khokhon Sarkar, Sajub Sarkar and Saiful Islam.
The HC bench of AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and Justice Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain also ordered the police to pray to the lower court for placing them on remand in this connection.
The court said if the lower court rejected the remand prayer, they will have to apply to the higher court for their remand.
Superintendent of police of Bogra Humayun Kabir, Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mokazzem Ali of Shibganj Police Station and OC of Sadar Police Station Khalequzzaman on Sunday appeared before the bench as per its earlier order.
They told the court that they had arrested Khokon, Sabuj and Saiful on charge of grabbing the archeological heritage and prayed for their remand to a Bogra court.
But they were released on bail as the court granted them bail rejecting their remand prayer.
The SP told the court that he is not capable to discharge function as a member of the committee formed earlier to recommend ways to protect the historical archaeological site and its adjacent mosque and shrine because he remains busy with his other official work.
After hearing his statement, the bench deleted the name of the SP from the committee and replaced him by the chief executive officer of the district council of Bogra.
The bench fixed April 6 for further orders on this issue.
The bench also directed the police to ensure security of the Bogra correspondents of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo and custodian of Mahasthangarh Archaeological Museum Naheed Sultana and their family members.
Hasibur Rahman Bilu of The Daily Star, Milon Rahman of the Prothom Alo and Custodian Naheed Sultana on March 2 appeared before the court and said some people involved in land grabbing in the name of developing the shrine are threatening to "punish" them through mobile courts by filing false cases.
On the same day, the same bench summoned the SP to appear before it on Sunday to explain why the people, who are allegedly involved in grabbing the archaeological site, were not placed on remand.
The December 7, 2010 photo shows workers are digging in the premises of Mahasthangarh, one of the oldest archaeological sites of Bangladesh, for the building of a multi-storey complex. Photo: Star Star Online Report
The High Court on Sunday directed the Bogra police to pray to the local court to cancel the bail of three people, who are allegedly involved in grabbing the land of Mahasthangarh archaeological site.
They are Khokhon Sarkar, Sajub Sarkar and Saiful Islam.
The HC bench of AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and Justice Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain also ordered the police to pray to the lower court for placing them on remand in this connection.
The court said if the lower court rejected the remand prayer, they will have to apply to the higher court for their remand.
Superintendent of police of Bogra Humayun Kabir, Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mokazzem Ali of Shibganj Police Station and OC of Sadar Police Station Khalequzzaman on Sunday appeared before the bench as per its earlier order.
They told the court that they had arrested Khokon, Sabuj and Saiful on charge of grabbing the archeological heritage and prayed for their remand to a Bogra court.
But they were released on bail as the court granted them bail rejecting their remand prayer.
The SP told the court that he is not capable to discharge function as a member of the committee formed earlier to recommend ways to protect the historical archaeological site and its adjacent mosque and shrine because he remains busy with his other official work.
After hearing his statement, the bench deleted the name of the SP from the committee and replaced him by the chief executive officer of the district council of Bogra.
The bench fixed April 6 for further orders on this issue.
The bench also directed the police to ensure security of the Bogra correspondents of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo and custodian of Mahasthangarh Archaeological Museum Naheed Sultana and their family members.
Hasibur Rahman Bilu of The Daily Star, Milon Rahman of the Prothom Alo and Custodian Naheed Sultana on March 2 appeared before the court and said some people involved in land grabbing in the name of developing the shrine are threatening to "punish" them through mobile courts by filing false cases.
On the same day, the same bench summoned the SP to appear before it on Sunday to explain why the people, who are allegedly involved in grabbing the archaeological site, were not placed on remand.
Sustained gunfire breaks out in Libyan capital
Sustained gunfire breaks out in Libyan capital
A rebel inspects a destroyed weapons dump near Benghazi March 5. Photo: ReutersAP, Tripoli
Heavy machine-gun fire erupted early Sunday in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, including in the neighbourhood of Moammar Gaddafi's residence.
Frequent bursts of gunfire and car horns could be heard around the city, beginning at 5:30am. and lasting for several hours, but it was not immediately clear who was firing. An Associated Press reporter said the gunfire was heard near the vast complex where the Libyan leader lives, although it was not known if he was in Tripoli.
A government spokesman, Abdel-Majid al-Dursi, told the AP that the gunfire was celebratory, claiming that government forces had retaken the oil port of Ras Lanouf, in central Libya. But residents of Ras Lanouf said Sunday that the opposition remained in control of the port.
Opposition forces took the port on Saturday and pushed toward Gaddafi's hometown, even as government forces in tanks rolled into Zawiya, the opposition-held city closest to the capital, in a seesaw for both sides in the bloody battle for control of Libya.
The rival successes signaled an increasingly long and violent battle that could last weeks or months and veered the country ever closer to civil war.
The crisis in Libya has distinguished itself from the other uprisings sweeping the Arab world, with Gaddafi unleashing a violent crackdown against his political opponents, who themselves have taken up arms in their attempt to remove him from office after ruling the country for more than 41 years. Hundreds have been killed.
Gaddafi has drawn international condemnation for his actions. President Barack Obama has insisted that Gaddafi must leave and said Washington was considering a full range of options, including the imposition of a "no-fly" zone over Libya.
With the Gaddafi regime's tanks prowling the center of the city of Zawiya, west of Tripoli, residents Saturday ferried the wounded from the fierce fighting in private cars to a makeshift clinic in a mosque, fearing that any injured taken to the military-controlled hospital "will be killed for sure," one rebel said after nightfall.
Rebels in the east advanced from their eastern stronghold toward Sirte, setting the stage for fierce fighting with pro-Gaddafi forces who hold sway in the tribal area.
Western leaders focused on humanitarian aid instead of military intervention, and the Italian naval vessel Libra left from Catania, Sicily, for the rebel-held port of Benghazi in eastern Libya, with 25 tons of emergency aid, including milk, rice, blankets, emergency generators, water purifying devices and tents. It is due to arrive early Monday.
The storming of Zawiya, a city of some 200,000 people just 30 miles (50 kilometers) west of Tripoli, began with a surprise dawn attack by pro-Gaddafi forces firing mortar shells and machine guns.
"The number of people killed is so big. The number of the wounded is so big. The number of tanks that entered the city is big," the rebel in Zawiya said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he feared government reprisal. The rebels vowed to keep up the fight in the city.
A rebel inspects a destroyed weapons dump near Benghazi March 5. Photo: ReutersAP, Tripoli
Heavy machine-gun fire erupted early Sunday in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, including in the neighbourhood of Moammar Gaddafi's residence.
Frequent bursts of gunfire and car horns could be heard around the city, beginning at 5:30am. and lasting for several hours, but it was not immediately clear who was firing. An Associated Press reporter said the gunfire was heard near the vast complex where the Libyan leader lives, although it was not known if he was in Tripoli.
A government spokesman, Abdel-Majid al-Dursi, told the AP that the gunfire was celebratory, claiming that government forces had retaken the oil port of Ras Lanouf, in central Libya. But residents of Ras Lanouf said Sunday that the opposition remained in control of the port.
Opposition forces took the port on Saturday and pushed toward Gaddafi's hometown, even as government forces in tanks rolled into Zawiya, the opposition-held city closest to the capital, in a seesaw for both sides in the bloody battle for control of Libya.
The rival successes signaled an increasingly long and violent battle that could last weeks or months and veered the country ever closer to civil war.
The crisis in Libya has distinguished itself from the other uprisings sweeping the Arab world, with Gaddafi unleashing a violent crackdown against his political opponents, who themselves have taken up arms in their attempt to remove him from office after ruling the country for more than 41 years. Hundreds have been killed.
Gaddafi has drawn international condemnation for his actions. President Barack Obama has insisted that Gaddafi must leave and said Washington was considering a full range of options, including the imposition of a "no-fly" zone over Libya.
With the Gaddafi regime's tanks prowling the center of the city of Zawiya, west of Tripoli, residents Saturday ferried the wounded from the fierce fighting in private cars to a makeshift clinic in a mosque, fearing that any injured taken to the military-controlled hospital "will be killed for sure," one rebel said after nightfall.
Rebels in the east advanced from their eastern stronghold toward Sirte, setting the stage for fierce fighting with pro-Gaddafi forces who hold sway in the tribal area.
Western leaders focused on humanitarian aid instead of military intervention, and the Italian naval vessel Libra left from Catania, Sicily, for the rebel-held port of Benghazi in eastern Libya, with 25 tons of emergency aid, including milk, rice, blankets, emergency generators, water purifying devices and tents. It is due to arrive early Monday.
The storming of Zawiya, a city of some 200,000 people just 30 miles (50 kilometers) west of Tripoli, began with a surprise dawn attack by pro-Gaddafi forces firing mortar shells and machine guns.
"The number of people killed is so big. The number of the wounded is so big. The number of tanks that entered the city is big," the rebel in Zawiya said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he feared government reprisal. The rebels vowed to keep up the fight in the city.
Anti-graft hope hinges on JS
Anti-graft hope hinges on JS
Parliamentarians, civil society warn against changes to ACC law without proper consultation
Emran Hossain
Amendments without having the opinion of the experts and stakeholders will weaken the Anti-Corruption Commission law, parliamentarians and civil society members said.
They made the observations after the government last week placed a bill in parliament proposing some changes to the ACC law.
The government, which enjoys two-thirds majority in parliament, is expected to pass the amendments unopposed, while ACC Chairman Ghulam Rahman is still in the dark about the proposed changes.
The bill, tabled on Monday, is now awaiting scrutiny at the parliamentary standing committee on law, justice and parliamentary affairs ministry.
“Abrupt amendments without proper consultation with the experts and the people likely to be affected by the law will make the law worse instead of strengthening it,” said noted jurist Dr Kamal Hossain.
Dr Kamal, who was a member of parliament in 1972-75, explained that one of the most important aspects of making an effective legislation is to review public opinion and talk to people who know about the issue well.
“Otherwise, more will be lost than gained,” he added.
Akbar Ali Khan, former adviser to caretaker government, said, “The effort to amend the law is unnecessary and it is the politicians' overreaction to the activities of the last caretaker government.”
He said had parliament wished to gauge public opinion or discuss the matter, it would have organised a public hearing on it before sending it for scrutiny.
Workers Party President and lawmaker Rashed Khan Menon said the amendment proposals were wrong, particularly the provision of mandatory prior permission before bringing corruption charges against public servants.
“Elected representatives and government officials are the main people involved in administrative and political corruption. Limiting the ACC's power to move against them would render the commission ineffective,” said Menon.
Underlining the necessity of discussion in parliament, Awami League presidium member Abdur Razzak said this is why the presence of the opposition is necessary in parliament.
He, however, gave reasons for the provision requiring permission to file cases against public servants. “Public servants deal with many secret matters of the state. Filing graft cases against them might put those at risk.”
Former law minister and BNP lawmaker Moudud Ahmed has no sympathy for the ACC, which he said, was used as an agent of the last caretaker government.
“It is a one-party parliament as we are not attending. Now it is up to the government to decide over the ACC's fate,” added the senior BNP leader who stands accused in a corruption case filed during the last caretaker government rule in September 2007.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed concern over the proposed amendments.
“The government is encouraging corruption. The amendment is nothing but a bid to avoid punishment in future for the corruption they are now involved in,” he said.
The opposition will protest the amendment inside and outside parliament, he added without saying when they are going to join parliament.
Suranjit Sengupta, chief of the parliamentary standing committee on law, justice and parliamentary affairs ministry, could not be reached for comments as he was not in the country.
Former law minister Abdul Matin Khasru, a member of the committee, said, “It is premature to make comments when the matter is not yet examined. Neither has it been placed before the standing committee for discussion.
“Criticism helps us move in the right direction and points out our mistakes. Our purpose is to eliminate corruption by formulating an appropriate law. We will rectify mistakes, if found.”
Regarding the mandatory prior permission, standing committee member Fazle Rabbi Mia said, “Any bill can be tabled. The committee would decide after discussion what its fate would be.”
He also mentioned that the committee should talk to all stakeholders before making any decision over the amendments.
Meanwhile, Transparency International has sent a “policy brief” to the standing committee with an 18-point demand and opinions of the ACC chairman, former caretaker government advisers, civil society members and legal experts.
Earlier in October 2009, the anti-graft body expressed strong reservations about six amendments proposed that year. It even met Law Minister Shafique Ahmed asking him to consider their observations before amending the law.
The proposed changes provoked an outcry among civil society members and anti-corruption stakeholders.
The government maintains that it is committed to making the law stronger and pro-people. But in reality, it has included all the amendments that the experts said would compromise the independence and effectiveness of the commission.
Parliamentarians, civil society warn against changes to ACC law without proper consultation
Emran Hossain
Amendments without having the opinion of the experts and stakeholders will weaken the Anti-Corruption Commission law, parliamentarians and civil society members said.
They made the observations after the government last week placed a bill in parliament proposing some changes to the ACC law.
The government, which enjoys two-thirds majority in parliament, is expected to pass the amendments unopposed, while ACC Chairman Ghulam Rahman is still in the dark about the proposed changes.
The bill, tabled on Monday, is now awaiting scrutiny at the parliamentary standing committee on law, justice and parliamentary affairs ministry.
“Abrupt amendments without proper consultation with the experts and the people likely to be affected by the law will make the law worse instead of strengthening it,” said noted jurist Dr Kamal Hossain.
Dr Kamal, who was a member of parliament in 1972-75, explained that one of the most important aspects of making an effective legislation is to review public opinion and talk to people who know about the issue well.
“Otherwise, more will be lost than gained,” he added.
Akbar Ali Khan, former adviser to caretaker government, said, “The effort to amend the law is unnecessary and it is the politicians' overreaction to the activities of the last caretaker government.”
He said had parliament wished to gauge public opinion or discuss the matter, it would have organised a public hearing on it before sending it for scrutiny.
Workers Party President and lawmaker Rashed Khan Menon said the amendment proposals were wrong, particularly the provision of mandatory prior permission before bringing corruption charges against public servants.
“Elected representatives and government officials are the main people involved in administrative and political corruption. Limiting the ACC's power to move against them would render the commission ineffective,” said Menon.
Underlining the necessity of discussion in parliament, Awami League presidium member Abdur Razzak said this is why the presence of the opposition is necessary in parliament.
He, however, gave reasons for the provision requiring permission to file cases against public servants. “Public servants deal with many secret matters of the state. Filing graft cases against them might put those at risk.”
Former law minister and BNP lawmaker Moudud Ahmed has no sympathy for the ACC, which he said, was used as an agent of the last caretaker government.
“It is a one-party parliament as we are not attending. Now it is up to the government to decide over the ACC's fate,” added the senior BNP leader who stands accused in a corruption case filed during the last caretaker government rule in September 2007.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed concern over the proposed amendments.
“The government is encouraging corruption. The amendment is nothing but a bid to avoid punishment in future for the corruption they are now involved in,” he said.
The opposition will protest the amendment inside and outside parliament, he added without saying when they are going to join parliament.
Suranjit Sengupta, chief of the parliamentary standing committee on law, justice and parliamentary affairs ministry, could not be reached for comments as he was not in the country.
Former law minister Abdul Matin Khasru, a member of the committee, said, “It is premature to make comments when the matter is not yet examined. Neither has it been placed before the standing committee for discussion.
“Criticism helps us move in the right direction and points out our mistakes. Our purpose is to eliminate corruption by formulating an appropriate law. We will rectify mistakes, if found.”
Regarding the mandatory prior permission, standing committee member Fazle Rabbi Mia said, “Any bill can be tabled. The committee would decide after discussion what its fate would be.”
He also mentioned that the committee should talk to all stakeholders before making any decision over the amendments.
Meanwhile, Transparency International has sent a “policy brief” to the standing committee with an 18-point demand and opinions of the ACC chairman, former caretaker government advisers, civil society members and legal experts.
Earlier in October 2009, the anti-graft body expressed strong reservations about six amendments proposed that year. It even met Law Minister Shafique Ahmed asking him to consider their observations before amending the law.
The proposed changes provoked an outcry among civil society members and anti-corruption stakeholders.
The government maintains that it is committed to making the law stronger and pro-people. But in reality, it has included all the amendments that the experts said would compromise the independence and effectiveness of the commission.
Quick power bid clicks
Govt's unsolicited rental projects to spell some relief by April; contractors behind schedule by few weeks, some fail
Sharier Khan
The government's drastic bid to meet power demands during the upcoming irrigation season thorough unsolicited "quick" rental power plants appears successful to a great extent, although some of these deals have flopped.
The Power Development Board (PDB) forecasts a dozen power plants with 1,100 megawatt power generation capacity would come into operation between March and April when the power demand for irrigation surge to an unmanageable height.
Despite these new additions, there still will be around 1,000 MW of load-shedding during March-April. Another 300 MW power would be added to the national grid by July.
Already four such plants started operation and are supplying 350 MW of power to the national grid. Another 70 MW gas-fired unit set up by British company Aggreko started test run from February 21 in Brahmanbaria and is currently running the full capacity test. The plant is likely to go commercial within a couple of days.
Sources in PDB say out of 18 unsolicited rental power deals signed last year to add nearly 1,500 MW power by April, at least 16 would be successful. But most of them would miss their original deadlines. Some deadlines will be missed due to contractors' inefficiency, while some will be missed because of PDB's delay in handover of land or necessary infrastructure to the contractors.
The sources add if the government could award all of these unsolicited contracts to genuine entrepreneurs, the nation could have expected an early relief from load-shedding. Earlier in November, the cabinet purchase committee approved five other power contracts totalling another 487 MW capacity. But none of these unknown local contractors later appeared to sign the contracts.
These defaulting companies are GG Waver (200 MW), Cambridge (90 MW), APR Energy (50 MW), EQ Capital (48 MW) and Wintara (99 MW).
Industry insiders say all of these five deals were pushed by some ruling party parliamentarians. Soon after the purchase committee approved their contracts, these companies went to various business groups to sell out their projects and make easy money, they add.
These flops aside, PDB has been positive about some contractors which have been trying hard to live up to their promises. British company Aggreko, which is the only real "rental" power company among all involved in the business in the country, has so far closely lived up to its promises. It has, however, fallen behind schedule with two gas-based projects in Brahmanbaria and Ashuganj mainly because PDB had some difficulties in handing over land to the company in time.
Summit and its sister concern KPCL have also made significant progress with their projects in Madanganj and Khulna but would still fall behind the schedule by two to five weeks.
The IEL Consortium Associates that is setting up a plant in Meghnaghat and also helping Dutch Bangla Power to build another one in Siddhirganj is also expected to launch their plants close to its deadlines. The IEL made expected progress in its Meghnaghat project. But PDB, which was supposed to avail the power evacuation system for this project on February 20, could not do so till now. The PDB expects to avail this system in mid-March. This delay would affect the IEL launching schedule.
Powerpac Mutiara, Acorn Infrastructure, Northern Power Solution, Sinha Power have made good progress with their projects in Keraniganj, Julda, Katakhali and Amanura, but all of them have fallen two to four weeks behind the schedule.
Two power companies Hyperion and Max Power have not made distinctive progress and it is likely that these companies might end up paying huge penalties to PDB. All the contracts outline a penalty clause under which the defaulter company would pay PDB $500 per megawatt per day for failure to launch on time.
The majority of these power projects will run on furnace oil and some on diesel as the country is facing serious gas supply crisis. Gas-fired power costs half of that produced by furnace oil-fired power. Furnace oil-based power generation is environmentally hazardous, but it costs half of that produced by diesel.
Four of them will operate on natural gas which is now available with PDB as some large power plants have gone under long-term repair work.
"We are now working on the oil supply system to ensure uninterrupted oil supply and storage," said PDB Chairman Alamgir Kabir. He added even if some power contractors fail, the quick rental power schemes would bring a major relief to the country by June this year.
Later this year, some public sector peaking power projects would commence operation. By the end of this year, PDB expects to put almost an end to the long-standing regime of load-shedding.
Sharier Khan
The government's drastic bid to meet power demands during the upcoming irrigation season thorough unsolicited "quick" rental power plants appears successful to a great extent, although some of these deals have flopped.
The Power Development Board (PDB) forecasts a dozen power plants with 1,100 megawatt power generation capacity would come into operation between March and April when the power demand for irrigation surge to an unmanageable height.
Despite these new additions, there still will be around 1,000 MW of load-shedding during March-April. Another 300 MW power would be added to the national grid by July.
Already four such plants started operation and are supplying 350 MW of power to the national grid. Another 70 MW gas-fired unit set up by British company Aggreko started test run from February 21 in Brahmanbaria and is currently running the full capacity test. The plant is likely to go commercial within a couple of days.
Sources in PDB say out of 18 unsolicited rental power deals signed last year to add nearly 1,500 MW power by April, at least 16 would be successful. But most of them would miss their original deadlines. Some deadlines will be missed due to contractors' inefficiency, while some will be missed because of PDB's delay in handover of land or necessary infrastructure to the contractors.
The sources add if the government could award all of these unsolicited contracts to genuine entrepreneurs, the nation could have expected an early relief from load-shedding. Earlier in November, the cabinet purchase committee approved five other power contracts totalling another 487 MW capacity. But none of these unknown local contractors later appeared to sign the contracts.
These defaulting companies are GG Waver (200 MW), Cambridge (90 MW), APR Energy (50 MW), EQ Capital (48 MW) and Wintara (99 MW).
Industry insiders say all of these five deals were pushed by some ruling party parliamentarians. Soon after the purchase committee approved their contracts, these companies went to various business groups to sell out their projects and make easy money, they add.
These flops aside, PDB has been positive about some contractors which have been trying hard to live up to their promises. British company Aggreko, which is the only real "rental" power company among all involved in the business in the country, has so far closely lived up to its promises. It has, however, fallen behind schedule with two gas-based projects in Brahmanbaria and Ashuganj mainly because PDB had some difficulties in handing over land to the company in time.
Summit and its sister concern KPCL have also made significant progress with their projects in Madanganj and Khulna but would still fall behind the schedule by two to five weeks.
The IEL Consortium Associates that is setting up a plant in Meghnaghat and also helping Dutch Bangla Power to build another one in Siddhirganj is also expected to launch their plants close to its deadlines. The IEL made expected progress in its Meghnaghat project. But PDB, which was supposed to avail the power evacuation system for this project on February 20, could not do so till now. The PDB expects to avail this system in mid-March. This delay would affect the IEL launching schedule.
Powerpac Mutiara, Acorn Infrastructure, Northern Power Solution, Sinha Power have made good progress with their projects in Keraniganj, Julda, Katakhali and Amanura, but all of them have fallen two to four weeks behind the schedule.
Two power companies Hyperion and Max Power have not made distinctive progress and it is likely that these companies might end up paying huge penalties to PDB. All the contracts outline a penalty clause under which the defaulter company would pay PDB $500 per megawatt per day for failure to launch on time.
The majority of these power projects will run on furnace oil and some on diesel as the country is facing serious gas supply crisis. Gas-fired power costs half of that produced by furnace oil-fired power. Furnace oil-based power generation is environmentally hazardous, but it costs half of that produced by diesel.
Four of them will operate on natural gas which is now available with PDB as some large power plants have gone under long-term repair work.
"We are now working on the oil supply system to ensure uninterrupted oil supply and storage," said PDB Chairman Alamgir Kabir. He added even if some power contractors fail, the quick rental power schemes would bring a major relief to the country by June this year.
Later this year, some public sector peaking power projects would commence operation. By the end of this year, PDB expects to put almost an end to the long-standing regime of load-shedding.
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