বিয়ের ফল

শালা, শ্যালিকার হৈ হুল্লায় ঘুম ভেঙে গেল। বিছানা ছেড়ে ড্রয়িং রুমে গিয়ে দেখি এলাহী কারবার। মেঝেতে মৌসুমি ফলের ছড়াছড়ি। আম, তরমুজসহ অনেক রকমের ফল গ্রাম থেকে পাঠিয়েছেন শ্বশুরমশাই। কাজের বুয়াকে সঙ্গে নিয়ে ঢাকায় যত আত্মীয়স্বজন আছে সবার জন্য আলাদা প্যাকেট করতে করতে বউ আদেশের সুরে বলল, জলদি ফ্রেশ হয়ে নাও। এরপর সব আত্মীয়ের বাসায় দিয়ে বাজার করে আনবে। কত দিন পর ওরা বেড়াতে এলো।
মনে মনে বললাম, এক মাসও হয়নি ওরা ১০ দিন থেকে গেল! কিন্তু মনের কথা মনেই থেকে গেল। শালা-শ্যালিকার সঙ্গে হালকা রসিকতা করে ফ্রেশ হয়ে বাসা থেকে বের হলাম। সারা দুপুর ঢাকার যানজটের সঙ্গে যুদ্ধ করে আত্মীয়স্বজনের বাসায় ফল বিতরণ শেষে কাঁচাবাজারে ঢুকে তেল, মসল্লা, গরুর মাংস কিনে মুরগির দোকানে গিয়ে মিজাজ চরমে উঠল। গেল সপ্তাহে কিনেছি ১৭০ টাকা দিয়ে, এক সপ্তাহের ব্যবধানে ২০০ টাকা! বউকে এসএমএস দিলাম ‘গরুর মাংস কিনেছি মুরগি না এনে ডিম আনলে চলবে না!’ মিনিট খানেক না যেতেই বউয়ের ফিরতি এসএমএস ‘গর্দভ কোথাকার, রুমা গরুর মাংস খায় না জান না?’ শ্যালিকার জন্য মুরগি কিনে কাঁচা মরিচের কথা মনে পড়তেই মরিচ বিক্রেতার কাছে গেলাম। দাম শুনে বললাম, একটু কম হয় না? দোকানির উত্তর, কম দামে মরিচ গাছ কিনে লাগান। তাহলে ফ্রিতে খাইতারবেন।
মরিচওয়ালার কথার ঝালে আর কিছু না বলে মানিব্যাগ বের করে দেখি ২০ টাকা আছে। ২০ টাকার মরিচ নিয়ে দুই হাতে দুই ব্যাগ নিয়ে হেঁটে হেঁটে বাসায় পৌঁছালাম বিকাল ৫টায়। ড্রয়িং রুমের সোফায় শরীর এলিয়ে বসতেই বউ গ্লাসে করে শরবত নিয়ে এলো। বলল জানু, নতুন একটা রেসিপি পেয়েছি পত্রিকায়। তরমুজ, পাকা আম আর কাঁচা মরিচ মিকশ্চার মেশিনে দিয়ে তোমার জন্য নিজ হাতে নতুন রেসিপির শরবত বানিয়েছি।
মরিচের কত দাম জান? আর তুমি তো জান মরিচ আমার সহ্য হয় না। তুমি খেয়ে ফেল। এরপর শুধু আম আর তরমুজ দিয়ে শরবত বানিয়ে দাও।
মরিচের দামটাই দেখলে! তুমি আমাকে একটুও ভালোবাস না! তোমাকে ভালোবেসে এত কষ্ট করে বানিয়েছি আর তুমি মরিচের ভয়ে খাবে না। লাগবে না তোমার খাওয়া। আমিও খাব না। সব বেসিনে ফেলে দেব।
মুখে আঁচল গুঁজে অনন্যা কিচেনের দিকে হাঁটা শুরু করতেই উঠে গিয়ে আঁচল ধরে সোহাগ ভরা কণ্ঠে বললাম, আরে তোমাকে একটু ক্ষেপাচ্ছিলাম। এত ভালোবেসে আমার জন্য বানিয়েছ, খাব না কি করে ভাবলে? দাও দেখি, মজা করে খেয়ে নেই!
পলকেই অনন্যার মুখে হাসি ফুটে উঠল! বউয়ের ভালোবাসা মেশানো অদ্ভুত রেসিপির ঝাল শরবত দম বন্ধ করে খেয়ে ফেলার ঘণ্টাখানেক পর থেকেই টয়লেটের সঙ্গে সম্পর্ক হয়ে গেল। ফলাফল, মৌসুমি ফলের ঝাল শরবত খেয়ে ভালোবাসার পরীক্ষা দিতে গিয়ে ২ দিন অফিসেও যাওয়া হলো না। প্রিয় বন্ধুর বিয়ের অনুষ্ঠানেও উপস্থিত থাকতে পারলাম না।
বিয়ের অনুষ্ঠানে থাকতে পারিনি। তাই ব্যস্ততা সত্ত্বেও অনন্যাকে সঙ্গে নিয়ে বউভাত অনুষ্ঠানে গেলাম। 
লক্ষ্য করলাম অনন্যা আমাকে চোখে চোখে রাখছে। সুন্দরী কোনো মেয়ের দিকে দ্বিতীয়বার তাকালেই অনন্যার মুখের ভাব পাল্টে যাচ্ছে। বউকে কীভাবে বোঝাই যে চারপাশে এত সুন্দরীর আনাগোনা থাকলে চোখের আর কী দোষ!
—অ্যাই, অ্যাই তুমি ওই মেয়েটার দিকে একটু পর পর তাকাচ্ছ কেন?
—আমার কী মাথা খারাপ নাকি যে তুমি পাশে থাকতে অন্য মেয়ের দিকে তাকাব?
—কী বললা, কী বললা? এর মানে আমি পাশে না থাকলে তুমি অন্য মেয়েদের ড্যাব ড্যাব করে দেখ? তাই তো বলি তোমার মাঝারি সাইজের চোখ দিন দিন এত বড় হয়ে যাচ্ছে কী করে!
—কী বলছ এসব! ভালো করে দেখ। আমার চোখ আগের মতোই আছে।
—যে চোখ ঘরের বউ রেখে রাস্তাঘাটে অন্য মেয়েদের দেখে পরান জুড়ায়, তাকাব না ওই বেহায়া চোখের দিকে।
—শোন, রাস্তায় বেরুলে পকেটমার, ছিনতাইকারী, মলম পার্টি, চকোলেট পার্টি, কখন না আবার গাড়ি গায়ের ওপর উঠে যায় ইত্যাদি আতঙ্কে এতটাই আতঙ্কিত থাকতে হয় যে কোনো মেয়ের দিকে তাকানোর সময় কোথায়?
—এই তো ধরা খেলে। পকেটমার, ছিনতাইকারীদের ভয়ের কারণেই তাকানোর সময় পাও না। যদি এসব ভয় না থাকত, তাহলে তুমি ঠিকই তাকাই তা। এখানে তো আর ভয় নেই। তাই সুযোগ পেয়েই তাকানো শুরু করে দিয়েছ। ভণ্ড কোথাকার!
—আরে এটা তো কথার কথা। তোমাকে বোঝানোর জন্য উদাহরণ অর্থে বলেছি। শোন, অনুষ্ঠান শেষে তোমাকে নিয়ে শপিংয়ে যাব!
—বুঝি, আমি সবই বুঝি। আমাকে ঘুষ দিতে চাচ্ছ! যেন আমি এ বিষয় ভুলে যাই! গুষ্টি কিলাই বউ ভাতের, শপিংয়ের। বাসায় চলো। আজকে তুমি আমাকে রান্না করে খাওয়াবা। এটাই তোমার শাস্তি।
অনন্যার চেহারার দিকে তাকিয়ে আর কিছু বলার সাহস পেলাম না। কত সহজেই না বুঝে ফেলল ঘুষ হিসেবে শপিংয়ে নিয়ে যাওয়ার কথা বলেছি। আফসোস, বউ জাতির মাথার ঘিলু বেশ কাজ করলেও বাঙালি জাতির মাথার ঘিলু কাজ করে না। তাই তো নিজেরা ঘুষ দেয়, ঘুষখোর নেতাদেরও ভোট দেয়। এ জাতির যুবকরা ভর্তি ফি বাড়ানোর প্রতিবাদে গাড়ি ভাংচুর করতে পারে, চাকরি নেয়ার সময় লক্ষ লক্ষ টাকা ঘুষ দিতে পারে। পারে না শুধু ঘুষখোর নেতা ও তাদের পদলেহীদের পা ভেঙে হাতে ধরিয়ে দিতে। এই দেশের মন্ত্রী নামে আবুল হলেও ঘুষ কেলেঙ্কারি ধামাচাপা দিয়ে দেয় জনগণকে আবুল বানিয়ে।
—এমন করে কী ভাবছ? কী বলেছি কানে যায়নি?
অনন্যার গলার স্বর আরও একটু উঁচু হওয়ার আগেই তড়িঘড়ি করে রিপনের কাছে গিয়ে চলে যাচ্ছি বলতেই অবাক হয়ে বলল, তোর সমস্যা কিরে? বিয়েতে আসিসনি, অসুস্থ ছিলি। এখন তো সুস্থ। চলে যাচ্ছিস কেন?
—সবই বিয়ের ফল দোস্ত। এখন আমি বললেও বিশ্বাস করবি না। এক বছর সংসার কর, তখন বুঝবি দিল্লিকা লাড্ডু যে খায়নি সে পস্তাতে পারে, কিন্তু যে খেয়েছে সে কেন পস্তায়!

US navy secy calls on PM

Visiting US Secretary of the Navy Raymond Edwin Ray Mabus Junior made a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday evening. 

The Prime Minister at the meeting emphasised strengthening the relation between the navies of the two countries, her Deputy Press Secretary M Nazrul Islam said. 

She said the Bangladesh Navy had become more important since the victory against Myanmar in maritime boundaries case and that the navy had been told to extract the resources at in the maritime boundaries. 

The US secretary also emphasised increased cooperation between the forces. 

8 Ansars withdrawn over bidi factory shootout

Authorities on Sunday withdrew eight Ansar members hours after two workers were killed and 10 others injured in a shootout at the Akij Bidi Factory Ltd in the district. 

Ansar's Kushtia Sadar Adjutant Hossain Ali confirmed their withdrawal order four hours after the shootout took place at the factory at Hosenabad in the district's Doulatpur upazila. 

"Eight on-duty Ansars have been withdrawn for opening fire on a demonstration. Measures will be taken on the issue following investigation," he told . 

Two workers were killed and three others were bullet-hit as the Ansar members opened fire around 1:30pm while workers of the bidi factory were demonstration demanding a raise in their salary and payment of their arrears. 

Police said the deceased were identified as 'Mintu', 38, and 'Raqibul' 22. The three bullet injured are 'Poresh', 'Humayun' and 'Moni'. 

Doctors declared Mintu and Raqibul dead around 2pm at the Upazila Health Complex after they were taken there. The injured were also being treated there. 

Daulatpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sheikh Lutfar Rahman told bdnews24.com the Ansar members opened fire as the agitation was 'going out of control'. 

The factory's workers' leader Sukhen Sarker, however, told, "Some outsiders attacked our peaceful demonstration. Shots were fired from inside the factory gate when the workers protested. Two were killed." 

He demanded justice along with compensations for the victims. 

Earlier, Ansar's Kushtia District Commandant Shah Alam had claimed the on-duty Ansars had shot in the air to disperse the agitating workers following 'order of the Bidi factory manager to tame the situation'. 

Though he had rejected that the workers were killed by the bullets shot by Ansars, they were withdrawn in the afternoon. 

Shah Alam had said the workers joined their pre-scheduled rally carrying 'sharp weapons' and became 'furious' at one point of negotiation with their employer over pay hike. 

Meanwhile, Kushtia Superintendent of Police Mofizz Uddin Ahmed and other high level officials visited the scene in the afternoon. 

Mofiz Uddin said the situation was under control and additional police forces have been deployed to avoid any untoward situations. 

No night flights for 6 months

Flight operations at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport will remain suspended for eight hours daily for six months from November this year due to repair works of the runway, Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh has said. 

CAAB's Safety and Regulation Division Director Wing Commander S M Nazmul Anam told bdnews24.com repair works of the runway would start from Nov 1 and would continue until Apr 30. 

"During these six months, flight operations will remain suspended from 10pm to 6am. But during the Hajj season operations will remain suspended from 1:30am to 8am," he said. 

Anam said the international air carriers have already been notified of the decision. 

"We informed them five months ago so that they can reschedule their take-off and landing timings and the passengers do not face any trouble." 

We hope this would not cause much trouble, he added. 

But people having knowledge on the issue said that it would definitely create trouble for the passengers when flight operations at a major airport remain suspended for eight hours daily for six months. However, they said the runway repair would bring some benefits. 

Former board member of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines Kazi Wahidul Alam told, "There will be no flight operations for one-third of a day and most of the international airlines land here in Dhaka around midnight or afterwards. So, there is every possibility of a chaotic situation at the airport." 

"It is not clear whether the authorities have any plan to avoid possible disorder and passengers' sufferings. I think it would have been better if they have consulted the foreign airlines before taking such decision." 
When his attention was drawn to this CAAB Director Nazmul Anam said, "If we don't repair the runway it may cause accident, so it is urgent. We've informed all the airlines five months earlier so that they can plan accordingly." 

"There could be some rush if two or more flights land around the same time. So the people who work at ground handling, immigration, customs and other sections will have to be more active. And since, flights would not be operating at night, the work schedule of the employees would be rearranged." 

He added that a plan would be finalised by August to this end. 

Meanwhile, the renovation work of the airport would start from Aug 1. 

CAAB said that following the implementation of the Tk 5.3 billion renovation project with assistance from by the Danish government, Shahjalal Airport would be upgraded to category-2 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)'s airport grading. 

It signed a deal on July 11 with Danish contractors Munck Asphalt to carry out the modernisation project. 

DSE opens week low

Dhaka Stock Exchange key index ended Sunday's trade 163.81 points lower triggering protests by the retail investors. 

The DGEN closed 3.93 percent down at 4001.14 points on the week's opening day. 

Shares and mutual funds worth around Tk 1.38 billion changed hands with prices of 14 issues gaining, 243 declining and one remaining unchanged. 

The continuous fall in prices triggered a 2-hour-long protest by the retail investors that started around 1pm. 

The DSE benchmark index had ended Thursday's trade 87.25 points higher. 

Ghulam Azam led anti-liberation forces

A prosecution witness told the first war crimes tribunal of Bangladesh that Jamaat-e-Islami guru Ghulam Azam had led the anti-liberation forces during the 1971 War of Independence. 

Testifying as the second witness of the prosecution, Mahbub Uddin Ahmed, a sub-divisional police officer in 1971, was given the rank of a captain by the commanding officer of sector 8 Abu Osman Chowhdury. 

Mahbub Uddin then fought in the Liberation War as a sub-sector commander. He led a small squad of freedom fighters to give the guard of honour to Bangladesh's first government, known as the Mujibnagar Government, which took oath in Meherpur on Apr 17, 1971. He was also awarded the Beer Bikram, the third highest gallantry award. 

The three-judge International Crimes Tribunal–1, set up to deal with crimes against humanity during the 1971 war, indicted former Jamaat guru Azam on five charges including conspiracy, incitement and abetment on May 13. 

The former freedom fighter said that he came to know from a number of collaborators during 1971, belonging to the Razakar, Al Badr, Al Shams etc that parties like Jamaat-e-Islami and Muslim League, which had competed and lost against the Awami League in the 1970 elections, were collaborating with the Pakistani Army to thwart the liberation efforts. 

He said that as leader of Jamaat-e-Islami's East Pakistan unit Ghulam Azam and his associates were in commanding positions of the auxiliary forces that stood against the Liberation War and backed Pakistan army. 

Prosecutor Zead-Al-Malum conducted the deposition and wrapped it up by lunch, ahead of his full day's deadline set by the tribunal chief, Justice Mohammad Nizamul Huq. 

At the second tribunal, Jamaat number two, Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed, saw his petition to review the court's indictment order turned down. 

The first prosecution witness against another Jamaat leader, assistant secretary general Mohammad Kamaruzzaman also completed his deposition before lunch. 

Hamidul Haque, a former vice president of Mymensingh's Anandamohan College student council, said Kamaruzzaman had led the Al Badr in the greater Mymensingh area as its commander and was responsible for their atrocities. 

Japan to 'wait and see' Padma steps

Tokyo would 'wait and see' what Dhaka was doing regarding the corruption allegations raised in the Padma bridge project before taking a final decision about its finance, Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh Shiro Sadoshima has said. 

"There are allegations out there and you [Bangladesh government] have to deal with it," Sadoshima said while exchanging views with diplomatic correspondents at the National Press Club on Sunday. 

Japanese decision would depend on the steps taken by the Bangladesh government related to 'governance and corruption', he added. 

The envoy however said he expected 'good news' from Tokyo on constructing metro rail project. 

On June 29 WB cancelled its promised loan of $1.2 billion for the $2.9 billion Padma bridge project alleging corruption. Japan's JICA has committed $400 million for the project. 

Sadoshima said Japan was committed about the fund, but could not do anything alone, adding it would not be possible for them to provide the amount the World Bank was suppose to lend for the project. 

"We are discussing the financing issue among ourselves as our taxpayers would raise question about our spending." 

"Bangladesh's position in CPI (corruption perception index) is not recommendable," he added. 

The envoy however believed that the Bangladesh government was looking for the truth about the corruption allegation. 

He also said that Bangladesh was sincere in formulating policies about 'governance, integrity and corruption' and when these policies would be in place, it would bring good result. 

The Japanese envoy said the source of financing was important to keep the cost at a 'reasonable' level so that people can avail the service. 

Otherwise, it would put financial burden on the government, he added. 

Political stability 

The envoy said the democratic system in Bangladesh was not functioning properly and from the investors' point view, it was 'not a good thing'. 

"I hope the political situation is less violent in the coming years." 

He, however, said Tokyo had confidence in Dhaka adding that the Japanese investment was growing in Bangladesh. 

DU strike called on Jul 19

A group of students of Dhaka University on Sunday called a strike for Jul 19 as authorities failed to announce a date to hold DUCSU (Dhaka University Central Students' Union) polls within the deadline given by them. 

The platform's spokesperson Nur-e-Alam Durjoy told reporters that they had to call the strike as the university authority did not announce date for the DUCSU polls. 

The protesting students' platform – Shikhkharthi Odhikar Moncho – had given the university administration a 72-hour deadline to announce date for the DUCSU polls. 

They had earlier announced to put rooms of the Vice Chancellor and the Pro-Vice Chancellor under lock and key if they fail to announce the date. 

Around noon, the demonstrating students locked rooms of the VC and the Pro VC. But the top officials of the university administration were not in their rooms. 

The students threatened to go on a large-scale demonstration if the authority failed to announce DUCSU polls date after this. 

The Dhaka University students had been demonstrating under the non-political platform's banner for long. They had also moved the court to this end. 

The last election to DUCSU was held on July 6, 1990. 

Two bidi factory workers shot dead

Two Bidi factory workers were killed and three others were bullet-hit on Sunday as members of Bangladesh Ansar opened fire on a demonstration demanding pay hike at the Akij Bidi Factory Ltd in Kustia. 

According to Daulatpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sheikh Lutfar Rahman the shooting took place around 1:30pm while workers of the factory were staging a demonstration at Hossenabad demanding a raise in their salary and payment of their arrears. 

The deceased were identified as 'Mintu', 38, and 'Raqibul' 22. The three bullet injured are 'Poresh', 'Humayun' and 'Moni'. 

Eight others also got injured and all were being treated at the Upazila Health Complex. 

Ansar's Kustia District Commandant Shah Alam told the on-duty Ansars shot in the air to disperse the agitating workers following order of the Bidi factory manager. 

However, he rejected that the workers were killed by the bullets shot by Ansars. 

He said the workers joined their pre-scheduled rally carrying 'sharp weapons' and became 'furious' at one point of negotiation with their employer over pay hike. 

Akij Bidi is one of the largest brand of Bidi, hand-rolled cheap cigarette consumed by law-income group smokers. 

Yaba trader' Amin Huda jailed for 79 years

A Dhaka court on Sunday sentenced businessman Amin Huda and one of his associates to 79 years in prison in two cases for manufacturing and selling banned club drug Yaba. 

Judge Motaher Hossain of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 also fined the duo Tk 75.5 million. 

Public Prosecutor SM Rafiqul Islam told that though the court sentenced them for a 79-year jail term, the accused would have to serve only 28 years in prison. 

The court also directed law enforcers to destroy the confiscated drugs and raw materials, Islam added. 

Rapid Action Battalion detained the duo on Oct 25, 2007 during a drive. The law enforcers had also seized around 5 kilograms of Yaba tablets, raw materials needed to manufacture the banned synthetic drug, chemicals and machineries and VOIP tools. 

Two cases were filed against them the following day with Gulshan Police Station under the Narcotics Control and Special Power acts. RAB Sub-Inspector Jahidul Islam submitted three separate charge-sheets against the duo on Nov 27, 2007. 

The court framed charges against the accused in the two cases on Jan 16 and 30 the following year. A total 38 people testified for the state and the court on Jul 1, 2012 rejected bail plea of the duo and sent them to jail. 

Oral test to recruit college principals

The government has decided to introduce oral tests in appointing principals and vice-principals in the government colleges what authorities has said in a bid to 'avoid lobbying and nepotism'. 

Additional Secretary (College) of the Education Ministry, Mohammad Mofizul Islam, told that a three-member scrutiny committee had prepared a list of 'eligible' candidates from among the educational cadres for filling two vacant posts. 

He said the Education Ministry would hold oral tests of the candidates from the list and appoint principals and vice-principals. 

The Additional Secretary said that a meeting would be held at the Education Ministry on Jun 21 to finalise detail of the oral test. 

Now, principals and vice-principals are directly appointed at colleges and madrasas through Education Ministry from among the educational cadres. But this type of appointments allowed scope to raise allegations of lobbying and nepotism, according to sources. 

There are a total of 264 government colleges, 4 government madrasas, 14 teachers training institutes, 16 commercial colleges, 5 higher secondary teachers' training institutes and a government madrasa training institute in the country. 

No position of vice-principal had been created at 16 commercial institutes and 60 colleges. 

Education Ministry Joint Secretary Mohammad Ahsanul Zabbar said a total 278 aspirants has applied for principal and vice-principal posts and provided 10 types of information following a ministry circular. 

He said a 'fit list' was being prepared from among the candidates. 

Zabbar hoped the oral tests would certainly put an end to allegations of 'lobbying'. 

The ministry officials said professors or teachers with equal designations could apply for the post of principal while a professor, associate professor or teachers with equal designations was eligible for the post of vice-principal. 

They said the enlisted teachers with designation of associated professor or equivalents would be given posting as the vice-principals at the colleges under C, D and E category. 

They would be appointed at the A and B category colleges after carrying out their duties for two years, they added. 

Private tuition of own students barred

From now on, teachers at schools, colleges and madrasas will not be able to provide coaching and private tuition services to students of their own institutions. 

But they can take extra classes in exchange for a fee at the schools under the 'Guidelines-2012 to stop teachers from doing coaching business in educational institution.' 

The new rules were finalised at a meeting of the Ministry of Education on Thursday. 

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid told reporters after the meeting, "Although the teachers cannot tutor their own institution's students, they can provide tuition to maximum 10 students a day from other institutions at their homes," he added. 

The Minister said the teachers can charge not more than Tk 300 from a student in the metropolitans, Tk 200 in the districts and Tk 150 in Upazilas and unions for the extra tuition. The teachers would not be able to force the students to take part in the extra classes, he said. 

However, 10 percent of the money will be used to meet school costs, he added. "School authorities will manage the spending." 

Grants under Monthly Pay Order (MPO), for the teachers and institutions violating the rules will be cancelled, Nahid said. 

A committee had been formed to find who runs such 'coaching trade', where and how, he said. "They have submitted the report. The guidelines have been finalised in line with their proposals." 

Education Secretary Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury said the guidelines would be published as a notification soon. 

Several chiefs of educational institutions and educationalists were present in the meeting, he said. 

Monitoring Committee 

Panels will be formed in upazilas, districts and divisions to monitor whether the guidelines are being adhered to, the Secretary said. 

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education and the Intermediate and Secondary Education Boards, Bangladesh would work along with the local administrations to form the committees, he said. 

Upazila Nirbahee Officers (UNOs) will head the panels in upazilas, Additional Deputy Commissioners (Education) in districts and Additional Divisional Commissioners in divisions, he said. 
"Large-scale campaign will be conducted to stop coaching trade. The students will have to be alert. The guardians will have to monitor whether the school authorities and the teachers are doing their duties properly," Nahid said. 

"We'll try to inspire ethics among teachers through several trainings." 

Nahid said it was the first move to stop 'coaching trade'. "The loopholes in the guidelines will be found during implementation. We'll plug them then." 

Asked what will happen with the independent coaching centres, the minister said, "Teachers of government institutes won't be able to be involved with such coaching centres. Another guideline to stop such coaching centres is underway." 

There have been criticisms about the current education system allowing coaching centres and tuitions. Allegations are there that some teachers and coaching centres are involved with 'admission trade'. 

The High Court had issued a rule last year barring teachers of schools under MPO programme and registered schools from taking classes in coaching centres. 

BRAC Univ recalls Dickens

The Department of English and Humanities of BRAC University on Thursday organised a day-long conference titled 'Remapping Dickens for the Contemporary World' to celebrate the bicentenary of birth of the author. 

Various academic papers on different dynamics of the author and his works were presented in the morning session while the afternoon session highlighted his influence on current students into writing fiction and capturing photos of the street children of Bangladesh. 

Prof Firdous Azim, Chairperson of the Department of English and Humanities, presented a paper, titled 'Dickens in his own time and latter adaptations and critical examinations of his works as well as the relevance of his realistic approach towards socio-economic conditions of the world today'. 

Prof Azim talked about how Dickens' novels upheld the Victorian social scene in juxtaposition with the Victorian bourgeoisie ideologies. 

"His representation of the working class documented the sufferings the industrial revolution had brought to them, often making him a social commentator, complimenting his contemporary journalist, Henry Mayhew's documentation of the London labour and London poor," she believes. 

Her paper gave the audience a holistic understanding of Dickens' context and helped them gain insight into his resonances today. 

The second half of the day awarded the winning students, who participated in the writing and photography contest based on the street children of Dhaka. 

This part of the conference acknowledged the influence of Dickens' Oliver Twist on their writing and photography in capturing their social reality. 

Organisations working with the street children of Dhaka like UNICEF, UCEP and JAAGO also took part in this session to give the audience a better understanding of their condition today. 

UGC finds admission tests 'questionable'

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has termed the quality of written tests for admission to first year Honours courses 'questionable' and 'expensive' and recommended bringing about several constructive modifications in the tests. 

It also thinks that the admission process in the private universities must be more transparent and on the basis of merit and relevant rules. 

UGC in its annual report for 2010 made as many as 35 observations and recommendations. Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid placed the report in parliament on Monday night. 

"Currently, the admission test for first year Honours courses in the country's higher educational institutions is very much expensive and the quality of the admission tests is also questionable." 

Pointing out that a student has to sit for 6-10 admission tests in the present system, it said that coaching centre-based education was chipping away at the edifice of the education system and destroying merit and growth of intelligence and creativity of students. 

UGC also expressed its concern over the students, who go abroad for higher education, but do not return after completing the end of their studies. "As a result, the nation is being deprived of their services and innovative researches at MPhil and PhD levels are also being hampered," it said. 

The commission also raised questions about the education quality of graduates from a number of private universities. 

The report said it was essential to hold regular meetings after forming syndicates in private universities, and to observe intensely whether the academic and administrative activities were are being held as per the Private University Act. 

"There are differences on admission and tuition fees, teachers' salaries and allowances and other issues in the private universities since most of them have no specific guideline on their earnings and expenditure." 

It said that the budgetary allotment in the research sector of the universities was needed to accelerate research activities and upgrade it to world standards. 

Stating that prolonged session jams were hampering academic activities and career of students in some of the public universities, the report said that both students and guardians were facing financial troubles due to this. "On the other hand, it's causing massive abuse of public resources." 

The report said that academic and administrative activities in the public universities were being hampered due to the influence of student politics and other reasons. 

Public university teachers taking up part-time teaching in private universities and consultancy job in organisations was also hampering academic activities in the public universities, the UGC report said. 

"It is essential to formulate a policy in this regard," it observed. 

The report also recommended forming expert panels to recruit teachers through transparent examinations and class demonstration system and by according priority to merit, competence and skilfulness. 

It said that a total of 58,170 students got admitted in 29 public universities, excepting the National University and the Open University, against their capacity of 56,192 seats in 2010, though 51,037 seats lay vacant in the National University. 

In 2010, the number of students in 31 public universities, including the National University and the Open University, and their subsidiary colleges and madrasas was about 1.74 million while it was 220,752 in 51 private universities. 

The proportion of male and female students in the public universities was 1.5:1. 

Public varsity teachers to retire at 65

Parliament on Sunday passed 'Public University Teachers (Retirement) (Special Act) Bill-2012' into law by fixing a general retirement age-limit of 65 years for teachers of all public universities. 

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid raised the bill on the concluding day of the ongoing Parliament session on Sunday. 

The bill was passed by voice vote as the opposition lawmakers' demands for bringing amendments to the bill, seeking people's opinion on it and sending the bill to a committee for scrutiny were cancelled. 

The bill was tabled in parliament on Jun 25. 

The new law lays down that all public university teachers will now on retire after completion of 65 years of age. 

The country has 33 public universities currently. 

"The retirement age for teachers at Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi and Jahangirnagar Universities is 65 years, while it's 60 years for the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and other public universities. So, the proposal to raise the retirement age bar to 65 years for all university teachers is logical." 

On May 18, Vice Chancellors of different public universities had a meeting with the President at Bangabhaban with the proposal to fix a general retirement age of 65 years. The President had consented to their proposal. 

Gazipur-4 seat declared vacant

Parliament Speaker Abdul Hamid declared Gazipur-4 constituency vacant a day after the elected member of parliament of the constituency, Tanjim Ahmed, popularly known as Sohel Taj, resigned. 

On Sunday, soon after parliament started proceedings of the last day of the ongoing session, the Speaker informed the House about the Gazipur-4 seat falling vacant. 

"MP Tanjim Ahmed Sohel Taj of Gazipur-4 constituency submitted a letter of resignation to me in the afternoon of July 7. His constituency fell vacant after that," said Hamid. 

"I have accepted his resignation as it was filed in accordance with law. Parliament is being informed about it in line with the Section 178 (3) of the House proceedings act," he added. 

Sohel Taj submitted his resignation letter as per Article 67 (2) of the Constitution on Saturday. 

Extra jobs shed as per law: GP

Grameenphone has claimed it has shed some excess jobs as part of its efforts to reorganise the business and that those leaving are being given severance benefits as per the law. 

Bangladesh's largest mobile-phone operator by subscription clarified its position after some employees demonstrated before its headquarters in Gulshan's Bashundhara on Sunday morning on hearing the news of their job loss. 

According to the authorities, the agitating staff stopped colleagues from entering the GP House. The management sat with the demonstrators at noon. 

"Talks are going on and efforts are on to resolve the issue through dialogue," the company's Chief Communications Officer Kazi Monirul Kabir told reporters around 3:30pm. 

The official said rules were followed in serving 48 employees with termination notices. 

"At Grameenphone, jobs are terminated in line with the law and telecom regulator BTRC and the telecommunication ministry have been notified," Kabir said. 

He maintained that the job cuts were part of the ongoing restructuring of operations. "Those who fail to pass the test are retrenched in accordance with the law." 

The 48 did not come through the test, he further said. "They were served with notice as per law and they were on leave since." 

"They prevented other employees from entering the office when they could not enter the office (Sunday) morning." 

He claimed the morning agitation was joined by some outsiders. Those who could not come to office had to work online, he added. 

Asked whether GP will shed more jobs, Kabir said, "Grameenphone does not make job cuts targeting its employees. Telecom industry is a dynamic industry where technologies are changing every moment." 

The restructuring would give GP flexibility to adopt to new technologies, he suggested. 

"And so, employees undergo training and those failing to pass the test after training have to go," he explained. 

Apart from shedding extra manpower, fresh appointments are also made to man new technologies, the Chief Communications Officer said. 

Responding to the allegation that those in the senior management do not lose their jobs, Kabir said, "From the high officials to a general staff all must go through the same process. Taking a look into the last few years will show that many high officials [had to leave]." 

He said the company axed 150 jobs in the last one year. 

When asked whether there was any employees' association in Grameenphone, he said, "We have received an e-mail from association regarding the matter. (Majority stakeholder) Telenor's law provides of association but that has to be done through talks with the authorities." 

The terminated employees staged their protest programme under the banner of Grameen Phone Employees Association. 

Identifying himself as the General Secretary of the Association, Shafiqur Rahman Masud said they had five demands to place before the authorities. 

They alleged the terminations were 'unethical' and they were informed about the decision only verbally. 

Their other demands include announcement of a reasonable annual increment, proper compensation for the terminated employees, payment of arrears including 5 percent benefit and trial of those behind "all illegal activities of the company". 

BTRC Chairman Zia Ahmed had talks with Grameenphone Chief Executive Officer Tore Johnsen following the agitation. 

Ahmed told reporters the company was advised to move slowly before making any decision and asked to ensure that the situation was calmed down. 

He said in a letter BTRC asked the company to clarify four specific points including its appointment process and organogram. The company was also asked to give the regulatory body a list of people currently appointed against the managerial position and above. 

BTRC has also asked for service regulations of the company, a copy of Employment Restructuring Policy and details about the process of review of its employees. 

Grameenphone has been asked to provide the information by July 11. 

Sylhet MC College hostel on fire

Clashes between pro-government Bangladesh Chhatra League and opposition-backed Islami Chhatra Shibir activists of Sylhet MC College has resulted in an arson of over a hundred rooms of a dormitory. 

Police reports confirmed that more than 10 students have been injured in the Sunday evening's conflict. 

Sylhet's largest college, MC College, has over 200 rooms in five buildings. 

College Principal Dhiresh Chandra Sarker told reporters that 42 rooms in four buildings had been completely burned in the fire and at least 70 other rooms had been damaged. 

All the possessions of students in those rooms have been reduced to ashes. 

Victims of the clash include Chhatra League members Jewel and S R Rumel along with MC College Chhatra Shibir President Monawar Hossain and member Jahangir Alam. 

They have been admitted to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. 

Officer-in-charge of Shah Paran Police Station Enamul Manwar said the clash began as Chhatra League activists tried to take control of Shibir-dominated dormitories. 

Chhatra League activists fled once Shibir members counter-attacked. Later on, around 7:30pm, Chhatra League again attacked the dormitories. 

All five dormitory buildings were set on fire soon afterwards. 

Police rushed to the scene and attempted to control the situation while firefighters tried to douse the blaze. 

Currently, the situation is under control and many police officers have been deployed, the OC said. 

Fire service chief Parimal Kundu told bdnews24.com that almost 80 percent of the fire had been brought under control and efforts were continuing to extinguish the fire completely. 

ICT allows day-long quizzing of Quasem Ali

The first war crimes tribunal of Bangladesh on Sunday allowed a day's interrogation of Jamaat-e-Islami policymaker Mir Quasem Ali, said to be among the main financiers of the party. 

Set up to try crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War, the three-judge International Crimes Tribunal – 1 had ordered Quasem Ali's arrest on Jun 17 upon an application of the prosecution. 

The first prosecution witness, Mozaffar Ahmed Khan, against Jamaat assistant secretary general Abdul Quader Molla, was cross-examined on Sunday. Defence counsel Mohammad Ekramul Huq is expected to get through his questioning within the first-half of Monday. 

Head of a media company that runs a daily newspaper and a television station, Mir Quasem Ali is also the founder of Ibn Sina Trust which runs a number of institutions including a hospital. 

In response to an application for three days' interrogation, tribunal Chairman Justice Mohammad Nizamul Huq allowed one day at a safe home, where a counsel and a doctor would also be present, but in a separate room. 

Quasem Ali is accused of leading crimes such as torture and murder during the Liberation War in 1971 in Chittagong as the local head of the vigilante militia Al Badr, which is largely said to be responsible for numerous atrocities on civilians along with the other such militias like the Razakar and Al Shams. 

Quasem Ali, according to the prosecution, went on to feature as the number three of the national Al Badr command structure during the Independence War. 

The Jamaat leader is alleged to have forcibly taken over the Mahamaya Bhaban, renaming it as Dalim Hotel, where the vigilante militia confined and tortured people suspected of being sympathetic to the liberation forces. 

The Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, which was then called Chhatra Sangha, is widely alleged to have mobilised the vigilante groups that actively collaborated with Pakistanis to thwart the liberation efforts. 

The tribunal ordered that the prosecution should notify the defence at least two days ahead of their desired date of interrogation. The order also directed the prosecution to submit a progress of the investigation against Quasem Ali by Aug 12, or submit the formal charge against him. 

Defence counsel Tajul Islam had opposed the prosecution's application for interrogation saying that the prosecutors could not show any appropriate reason that warranted interrogation. 

Time Limit 

The leading counsel for the Jamaat leaders facing war crimes charges, Abdur Razzaq, kicked off the day's proceedings with a plea that the tribunal recall its unsigned order setting time limits on witness testimony and cross examination. 

Noting that the counsel had travelled to many other places and was familiar with the provisions of other such tribunals, Justice Huq told Razzaq, "This law is available everywhere and this process applied." 

Razzaq cited other cases from Sierra Leone and former Yugoslavia that took up to three or four years to complete. He said that there was no reason, however, to believe that there was an unreasonable delay as far as Ghulam Azam's case was concerned. "It has only begun." 

Justice Huq said, "The order is not regarding that case. It will apply to both the parties and all the cases." 

Razzaq continued with his reservations about the order the tribunal had passed on Thursday, saying that if international standards were indeed the norm then the court would not be concerned with public opinion. 

"I believe you have not been briefed about the matter appropriately. You will see what we said when you get the order," said Justice Huq. He continued to reassure the senior defence lawyer that there would not be any prejudice to the defence. "We shall look after the matter." 

Razzaq again pointed out that if the counsels ever tried to waste the court's time then the tribunal would stop them.

Justice Huq explained that from now on, the tribunal would set the time for cross-examination and examination of witnesses. 

"But sometimes there are difficult witnesses and the same question has to be repeated twice," said Razzaq. 

"It is not that we will sit here with our ears sealed and eyes shut. In such cases you will certainly be given due consideration," said Justice Huq. 

This, however, failed to reassure the defence counsel who still pleaded that the court recall its order. 

Justice Huq ended the matter with a simple, "Sorry." 

The court then moved on to the cross-examination of Sayedee's war crimes investigator ASP Mohammad Helal Uddin. The tribunal chief was quick to remind senior defence counsel Mizanul Islam that the investigator had been stuck with the cross-examination for a long and it should be wrapped up soon. 

"I am not setting a time limit yet, but do take a mental preparation to get through it quickly." 

The counsel replied that he was not wasting the tribunal's time, neither was he asking irrelevant questions. 

The cross-examination has been adjourned till Thursday till which time the stenographer would be on leave. 

VAT bill proposes 15pc tax on imports

 
Finance Minister AMA Muhith has placed Value Added Tax, 2012 Bill before parliament to expand the scope of VAT, supplementary duty and turnover tax, and simplify the process. 

The bill was sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance for further scrutiny for one month. 

The bill proposed 15 per cent VAT on taxable products and imports under destination principles, and establishment of an authority to implement the laws. 

The destination principle is a concept of international taxation which allows for VAT to be retained by the country where the taxed product is being sold. They are collected on imports and rebated on exports. 

The bill also proposed three per cent turnover tax. 

The rate would be zero if the product is meant for export and if the imported products sent outside Bangladesh without using in the country. 

Products imported under back-to-back Letter of Credit (L/C) and supplied under finance lease will be exempted from VAT. 

The minister said various distortions had intruded the existing VAT 1991 and those came in the way of implementing a standard taxation system. 

It is needed to have a business- and revenue-friendly system incorporating international best practices, Muhith said. 

VAT Authority 

The proposed authorities will comprise officials including the Chief Commissioner, Commissioner (VAT), Commissioner (Appeal), Commissioner (LTU), and the Director General of the Central Intelligence Cell. 

The National Board of Revenue has authorised the VAT Commissioners to perform any duties, however, the board would have the authority to amend or reverse any decision taken by them. 

Any official of an Assistant Commissioner's rank or above could enter any business premises and search and examine records and documents. 

If anybody violates the law, the VAT officials could confiscate goods and settle the disputes. 

The VAT officials would issue a notice for hearing while confiscating goods or imposing any penalty. 

The Commissioner or the chief commissioner would have the authority to deal with products worth over Tk 2 million, while Assistant Commissioners would handle products worth Tk 1.5-2.0 million. 

For Joint Commissioners, the range would be Tk 1.0 million to Tk 1.5 million and for Deputy Commissioners Tk 0.5-1.0 million. 

The revenue officials would deal with products valued below Tk 0.2 million. 

All the information and documents would be kept confidential under the Right to Information Act, 2009. 

When passed, the bill would replace the present VAT Act, 1991. 

The Penalty 

As per the proposals, dishonest taxpayers would have to face maximum penalty of one year's imprisonment and/or the entire tax amount by way of penalty.