News from Bangladesh-Updates and Discussion
- Thread starter TopCat
- Start date
South Asian Media Net
New move to retrieve stolen money
Monday, March 15,2010
DHAKA: The United States has tracked an amount money laundered out of Bangladesh, the central bank chief said Sunday, reports bdnews24.com.
Atiur Rahman, the Bangladesh Bank governor, however, refused to divulge any further details including the amount of money sent out illegally. Rahman was briefing the press at Sonargaon Hotel on his recent tour of the US. He accompanied Law minister Shafique Ahmed and attorney general Mahbubey Alam to the US on an official visit.
While the governor returned at the weekend, Ahmed and Alam have stayed back apparently to gather more information on the issue. An initiative was taken during the caretaker government regime to retrieve the laundered money, but the move didn't succeed.
The present government, after coming to power last year, has made renewed efforts to recover illegal money from abroad. There are allegations of money laundering against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's sons Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Coco and Giasuddin Al Mamun-Tarique's business partner.
The governor said they had sought help from the US authorities to get membership of Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units during the visit and requested them to include Bangladesh as their member.
"Once we become a member we will be able to access their anti-money laundering information bank. They can also help us by giving information on 'terrorist financing'," Rahman said.
In 1995, a group of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) met at the Egmont Arenberg Palace in Brussels and decided to establish an informal group.
The meeting resulted in the birth of Egmont group, which now has 117 members. Its goal is to facilitate international cooperation on financial activities.
The FIUs meet regularly to find ways to cooperate, especially in the areas of information exchange, training and the sharing.
New move to retrieve stolen money
Monday, March 15,2010
DHAKA: The United States has tracked an amount money laundered out of Bangladesh, the central bank chief said Sunday, reports bdnews24.com.
Atiur Rahman, the Bangladesh Bank governor, however, refused to divulge any further details including the amount of money sent out illegally. Rahman was briefing the press at Sonargaon Hotel on his recent tour of the US. He accompanied Law minister Shafique Ahmed and attorney general Mahbubey Alam to the US on an official visit.
While the governor returned at the weekend, Ahmed and Alam have stayed back apparently to gather more information on the issue. An initiative was taken during the caretaker government regime to retrieve the laundered money, but the move didn't succeed.
The present government, after coming to power last year, has made renewed efforts to recover illegal money from abroad. There are allegations of money laundering against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's sons Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Coco and Giasuddin Al Mamun-Tarique's business partner.
The governor said they had sought help from the US authorities to get membership of Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units during the visit and requested them to include Bangladesh as their member.
"Once we become a member we will be able to access their anti-money laundering information bank. They can also help us by giving information on 'terrorist financing'," Rahman said.
In 1995, a group of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) met at the Egmont Arenberg Palace in Brussels and decided to establish an informal group.
The meeting resulted in the birth of Egmont group, which now has 117 members. Its goal is to facilitate international cooperation on financial activities.
The FIUs meet regularly to find ways to cooperate, especially in the areas of information exchange, training and the sharing.
Every criminal activity must be punished and no State money should be allowed to be swindled by the small sons of a big President. The two gems of Begum Zia have jointly destroyed the image of their own father and have almost destroyed a great political Party, BNP.
Their illicit money must be sought after to refurbish the State coffer of a poor country. This money must not be allowed to buy votes oin the next election.
Al-zakir
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2008
- Messages
- 8,612
- Reaction score
- -8
- Country
- Location
Very disturbing. Please read the Activities around eden college. What's the hell is going on here. Awamis real dirty character has exposed.
::Welcome to Daily Naya Diganta::
The Daily Sangram || Oldest bangla daily newspaper
::Welcome to Daily Naya Diganta::
The Daily Sangram || Oldest bangla daily newspaper
South Asian Media Net
Tk 946cr surplus on less spending
Wednesday, March 17,2010
DHAKA: The first six months of the current fiscal year saw a budgetary surplus of Tk 946 crore, due to low expenditure, increased foreign assistance, and high revenue income.
The information was revealed by Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday when he was reporting to the parliament the fiscal year's first six months' trends in government income and expenditure, with an analysis of the state of the economy.
It was the first time in the country's history that a government submitted a half-yearly budgetary report to the parliament.
The report said the corresponding period of the last fiscal year saw a budget deficit of Tk 6,129 crore, and the estimated total deficit for the current fiscal year was fixed at Tk 34,358 crore in the annual budget.
The government has Tk 12,000 crore cash in hand even after repaying bank loans of a huge amount of Tk 11,108 crore in cash as well during the period.
Mentioning that the placing of the half-yearly budgetary report to the parliament was the first of its kind in the country, the finance minister said through the move the government conformed to the Public Finance and Budget Management Act 2009. He hoped that the move will ensure the government's budgetary accountability.
While presenting the report, he referred to the budget he placed in the House in June last year saying, "The budget was not based on emotions or over ambition, rather it was prepared in light of the reality, with the resoluteness of our objectives."
"As I am presenting the half-yearly progress report to the great parliament, I feel that we have been able to live up to our promises," he added.
According to the report, in the first six months of FY 2009-'10 the total revenue collection was Tk 35,553 crore which was 15.7 percent higher on the corresponding period of FY 2008-'09. The total revenue collection target this fiscal year is Tk 79,461 crore, which the finance minister hopes to reach in the remaining months.
He however said the government is considering shortening the list of tax exempted items, for increasing revenue collection.
For quick disposal of tax related litigations, the government is considering setting up a dedicated bench in the High Court, and introduction of alternative dispute resolution, the minister added.
Budgetary spending in the first six months of the current fiscal year was 6.1 percent lower than in the same period of the last fiscal year, according to the report.
In the July-December period of the current fiscal year, expenditure was Tk 34,607 crore out of the total budget of Tk 113,819 crore for the entire year. The expenditure during the same period of the last fiscal year was Tk 36,868 crore.
Explaining the reasons for low budgetary spending, the report said the government spent less on farm subsidy, payment of interest, food procurement, and employment programmes.
In the July-December period of the current fiscal year, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation also did not spend money on subsidy. Moreover, the additional spending due to the declaration of the new pay scale for government officials was not included in the first six months' accounting.
Development expenditure however increased in the first six months of the current fiscal year on the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.
The expenditure for annual development programme increased by 42.2 percent to Tk 8,807 crore compared to the last fiscal year's corresponding period.
The size of ADP is Tk 30,500 crore for the entirety of the current fiscal year, of which the government could spend 29 percent in the first six months.
The finance minister said the progress in ADP implementation was significantly higher than other years', due to the present government's initiatives, its dedication to work, and efficient financial management.
In the first six months of the current fiscal year inflow of foreign assistance increased by 368 percent to Tk 5,161 crore, while in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year it was Tk 1,101 crore.
The finance minister in his speech described the current state of the country's macroeconomy including the export-import situation, and inflation.
Muhith said in June 2009 the point-to-point inflation was 2.3 percent, which increased to 8.5 percent in December of the same year.
Under the impacts of price hikes on the international market, and due to increase in remittance flow and foreign currency reserves, the inflation showed an upward trend, he said adding, several measures were put in place including unhindered supply of commodities, to contain inflation.
Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) Research Director Zaid Bakht said the surplus in the budget has both good and bad sides. The good side is that the revenue earning is close to the target. The bad side however is that the government could not spend the money, he added saying, as a result the people were deprived of the benefits they could have got.
Bakht said implementation of ADP was higher than in the last year's corresponding period, but it was still only 29 percent of the government target set in the annual budget.
He also said sales of government savings instruments soared significantly, contributing to the high implementation of ADP, one of the bad sides of which is that in the future the government expenditure on account of payments of interests will go up.
Tk 946cr surplus on less spending
Wednesday, March 17,2010
DHAKA: The first six months of the current fiscal year saw a budgetary surplus of Tk 946 crore, due to low expenditure, increased foreign assistance, and high revenue income.
The information was revealed by Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday when he was reporting to the parliament the fiscal year's first six months' trends in government income and expenditure, with an analysis of the state of the economy.
It was the first time in the country's history that a government submitted a half-yearly budgetary report to the parliament.
The report said the corresponding period of the last fiscal year saw a budget deficit of Tk 6,129 crore, and the estimated total deficit for the current fiscal year was fixed at Tk 34,358 crore in the annual budget.
The government has Tk 12,000 crore cash in hand even after repaying bank loans of a huge amount of Tk 11,108 crore in cash as well during the period.
Mentioning that the placing of the half-yearly budgetary report to the parliament was the first of its kind in the country, the finance minister said through the move the government conformed to the Public Finance and Budget Management Act 2009. He hoped that the move will ensure the government's budgetary accountability.
While presenting the report, he referred to the budget he placed in the House in June last year saying, "The budget was not based on emotions or over ambition, rather it was prepared in light of the reality, with the resoluteness of our objectives."
"As I am presenting the half-yearly progress report to the great parliament, I feel that we have been able to live up to our promises," he added.
According to the report, in the first six months of FY 2009-'10 the total revenue collection was Tk 35,553 crore which was 15.7 percent higher on the corresponding period of FY 2008-'09. The total revenue collection target this fiscal year is Tk 79,461 crore, which the finance minister hopes to reach in the remaining months.
He however said the government is considering shortening the list of tax exempted items, for increasing revenue collection.
For quick disposal of tax related litigations, the government is considering setting up a dedicated bench in the High Court, and introduction of alternative dispute resolution, the minister added.
Budgetary spending in the first six months of the current fiscal year was 6.1 percent lower than in the same period of the last fiscal year, according to the report.
In the July-December period of the current fiscal year, expenditure was Tk 34,607 crore out of the total budget of Tk 113,819 crore for the entire year. The expenditure during the same period of the last fiscal year was Tk 36,868 crore.
Explaining the reasons for low budgetary spending, the report said the government spent less on farm subsidy, payment of interest, food procurement, and employment programmes.
In the July-December period of the current fiscal year, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation also did not spend money on subsidy. Moreover, the additional spending due to the declaration of the new pay scale for government officials was not included in the first six months' accounting.
Development expenditure however increased in the first six months of the current fiscal year on the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.
The expenditure for annual development programme increased by 42.2 percent to Tk 8,807 crore compared to the last fiscal year's corresponding period.
The size of ADP is Tk 30,500 crore for the entirety of the current fiscal year, of which the government could spend 29 percent in the first six months.
The finance minister said the progress in ADP implementation was significantly higher than other years', due to the present government's initiatives, its dedication to work, and efficient financial management.
In the first six months of the current fiscal year inflow of foreign assistance increased by 368 percent to Tk 5,161 crore, while in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year it was Tk 1,101 crore.
The finance minister in his speech described the current state of the country's macroeconomy including the export-import situation, and inflation.
Muhith said in June 2009 the point-to-point inflation was 2.3 percent, which increased to 8.5 percent in December of the same year.
Under the impacts of price hikes on the international market, and due to increase in remittance flow and foreign currency reserves, the inflation showed an upward trend, he said adding, several measures were put in place including unhindered supply of commodities, to contain inflation.
Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) Research Director Zaid Bakht said the surplus in the budget has both good and bad sides. The good side is that the revenue earning is close to the target. The bad side however is that the government could not spend the money, he added saying, as a result the people were deprived of the benefits they could have got.
Bakht said implementation of ADP was higher than in the last year's corresponding period, but it was still only 29 percent of the government target set in the annual budget.
He also said sales of government savings instruments soared significantly, contributing to the high implementation of ADP, one of the bad sides of which is that in the future the government expenditure on account of payments of interests will go up.
Al-zakir
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2008
- Messages
- 8,612
- Reaction score
- -8
- Country
- Location
Jamaat will publish a list of dailies linked with RAW, Mossad
Recalling the past he said Awami League (AL) never branded Jamaat leaders when they together launched political movement
Wednesday March 24 2010 11:11:14 AM BDT
Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed said that his party would publish a list of the newspapers, which were linked with Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and Indian intelligence agency RAW, reports UNB.
Mojaheed was speaking at a press conference at the party office Tuesday.Has said none should undermine Islam or the Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (SM) in a bid to oppose his party. "We do not consider that opposing Jamaat meant opposing Islam," he added.
Recalling the past he said Awami League (AL) never branded Jamaat leaders when they together launched political movement. "But we became rajakars to the Awami League when we joined politics with BNP."
Answering a question Mojaheed claimed that they were not involved in any illegal activities in 1971. "We have not done any crime for which we are accused of. It had been well proved by the designer of independence Sheikh Mujibur Rahman."
He denounced misquoting Jamaat Leader Rafiqul Islam by a section of the press. It was done with a motive to undermine his party, he added.
Referring to the burning of the effigy of Jamaat chief Matiur Rahman Nizami he said it was an anti-Islamic act. Jamaat never makes an effigy and burn it to demonstrate anger against anyone.
http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=310395
Recalling the past he said Awami League (AL) never branded Jamaat leaders when they together launched political movement
Wednesday March 24 2010 11:11:14 AM BDT
Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed said that his party would publish a list of the newspapers, which were linked with Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and Indian intelligence agency RAW, reports UNB.
Mojaheed was speaking at a press conference at the party office Tuesday.Has said none should undermine Islam or the Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (SM) in a bid to oppose his party. "We do not consider that opposing Jamaat meant opposing Islam," he added.
Recalling the past he said Awami League (AL) never branded Jamaat leaders when they together launched political movement. "But we became rajakars to the Awami League when we joined politics with BNP."
Answering a question Mojaheed claimed that they were not involved in any illegal activities in 1971. "We have not done any crime for which we are accused of. It had been well proved by the designer of independence Sheikh Mujibur Rahman."
He denounced misquoting Jamaat Leader Rafiqul Islam by a section of the press. It was done with a motive to undermine his party, he added.
Referring to the burning of the effigy of Jamaat chief Matiur Rahman Nizami he said it was an anti-Islamic act. Jamaat never makes an effigy and burn it to demonstrate anger against anyone.
http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=310395
AL men snatch bid documents
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Front PageAL men snatch bid documents
Tender for 22 Sirajganj roads cancelled
Our Correspondent
Sirajganj LGED office in Sirajganj yesterday suspended the bidding process for construction works of 22 roads as ruling party men snatched tender documents from a peon of LGED at Baoitara on Sirajganj-Belkuchi highway.
Abdur Rashid Mian, executive engineer of LGED, told The Daily Star, Today's tender process has been suspended following the snatching incident of tender documents at Baoitara.
The decision came after the Awami League activists snatched 61 of 74 bidding documents from Golam Mostafa, a peon of LGED.
Police and local sources said yesterday was the date scheduled for submitting tender documents for construction works of 22 roads.
Witnesses said Mostafa was going to Sirajganj LGED office with the tender box having 74 bidding documents in it after completion of bidding documents submission at Belkuchi UNO office.
When contacted, KM Hossain Ali Hasan, general secretary of district AL said, No one from AL was involved in the snatching incident.
Earlier in the morning, at least 10 people, including contractors, were injured as AL men attacked them during submission of the tender documents at Sirajganj LGED office.
The AL men, who took position on the premises of the LGED office since the opening of the office, swooped on the contractors and their associates when they went there to submit bidding documents, contractors complained.
The injured were admitted to Sirajganj Sadar Hospital and local clinics.
Jillar Rahman, a contractor of Solonga, said AL cadres beat us and obstructed us from submitting tender documents in the tender box.
But on-duty policemen did not help the bidders, he alleged.
LGED Engineer Abdur Rashid Mian said they placed tender boxes at different places including the offices of DC, SP, Sadar UNO, Rajganj UNO, Belkuchi UNO and Natore LGED office.
The bidders had scope to drop their bidding documents in other places, he added.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Front PageAL men snatch bid documents
Tender for 22 Sirajganj roads cancelled
Our Correspondent
Sirajganj LGED office in Sirajganj yesterday suspended the bidding process for construction works of 22 roads as ruling party men snatched tender documents from a peon of LGED at Baoitara on Sirajganj-Belkuchi highway.
Abdur Rashid Mian, executive engineer of LGED, told The Daily Star, Today's tender process has been suspended following the snatching incident of tender documents at Baoitara.
The decision came after the Awami League activists snatched 61 of 74 bidding documents from Golam Mostafa, a peon of LGED.
Police and local sources said yesterday was the date scheduled for submitting tender documents for construction works of 22 roads.
Witnesses said Mostafa was going to Sirajganj LGED office with the tender box having 74 bidding documents in it after completion of bidding documents submission at Belkuchi UNO office.
When contacted, KM Hossain Ali Hasan, general secretary of district AL said, No one from AL was involved in the snatching incident.
Earlier in the morning, at least 10 people, including contractors, were injured as AL men attacked them during submission of the tender documents at Sirajganj LGED office.
The AL men, who took position on the premises of the LGED office since the opening of the office, swooped on the contractors and their associates when they went there to submit bidding documents, contractors complained.
The injured were admitted to Sirajganj Sadar Hospital and local clinics.
Jillar Rahman, a contractor of Solonga, said AL cadres beat us and obstructed us from submitting tender documents in the tender box.
But on-duty policemen did not help the bidders, he alleged.
LGED Engineer Abdur Rashid Mian said they placed tender boxes at different places including the offices of DC, SP, Sadar UNO, Rajganj UNO, Belkuchi UNO and Natore LGED office.
The bidders had scope to drop their bidding documents in other places, he added.
Al-zakir
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2008
- Messages
- 8,612
- Reaction score
- -8
- Country
- Location
Recently Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association election held and BNP-Jamat panel won. Good Job. 
Text in Bangla. If some one find the english version than please post it.
http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2010/03/26/24492
The reasons behind awamis loss.
http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2010/03/27/24642
Text in Bangla. If some one find the english version than please post it.
http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2010/03/26/24492
The reasons behind awamis loss.
http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2010/03/27/24642
Last edited:
Al-zakir
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2008
- Messages
- 8,612
- Reaction score
- -8
- Country
- Location
Public anger rising over enhanced load shedding
Power distributors introduce 2-hour outage every 2 hours
Monday March 29 2010 00:59:57 AM BDT
The 2-hour load shedding after every two hours introduced across the country on Saturday has been received with criticism and resentment from different sections of power consumers.(UNB)
Power distribution agencies-DESCO, DPDC, REB, PDB and WZPDC - introduced the system at the behest of the highest policy makers replacing load shedding at every alternative hour.
The severe cut in power supply was necessitated as the generation stands at 3700-3800 MW against the demand of more than 6000 MW.
The power officials said they have received complaints and resentment against the new system of load shedding. "Now, many peoples are giving their negative reaction to two-hour load shedding system. Because, it creates more sufferings to them," said a top official of DPDC which controls electricity distribution in major part of the capital city.
He said many people use standby generators. They now face troubles in running generators for two hours at a stretch. Many business houses are to close transactions for long two hours affecting their business, he added.
Business people are not taking the new system positively as it leads to more hazards. Bangladesh Shop Owners Association Secretary General SA Quader Kiron expressed sharp resentment. "Definitely, this is a bad decision as it is harmful to the business. This is not acceptable as people are not habituated with long two-hour load shedding."
Kiron is worried at reported government plan of complete cut in power supply in urban areas from 12 midnight to 6 am. "This will be ridiculous if really the government moves in that direction, because after whole day labour and frequent load shedding, people want a good sheep after midnight."
FBBCI vice-president Abul Quasem Ahmed said the new load shedding system might be a temporary matter. "But we want complete free from load shedding situation for the sake of our business."
For the last couple of months, many areas across the country including the capital, have been facing severe load shedding as the gap between the supply and demand of electricity is widening fast with the onset of summer.
Power Secretary Abul Kalam Azad conveyed the new decision to the top officials of the distribution agencies at a meeting at the Power Division on Thursday last.
Sources close to the meeting told UNB that when they were reviewing the situation Azad was summoned to the Prime Minister's Office. He was directed to introduce two-hour load shedding at every two hours instead of one-hour after every hour.
Azad returned to the meeting and asked them to follow the new directive. He however said the new system is temporary for one week to see the public reaction.
"If the people welcome, then it will continue for the rest of the time. But if it creates any resentment among the consumers, the decision will be reviewed," he told the officials.
The officials were also given the idea that the policy makers feel that load shedding in every alternative hour is creating a bad impression among the public.
http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=310928
Power distributors introduce 2-hour outage every 2 hours
Monday March 29 2010 00:59:57 AM BDT
The 2-hour load shedding after every two hours introduced across the country on Saturday has been received with criticism and resentment from different sections of power consumers.(UNB)
Power distribution agencies-DESCO, DPDC, REB, PDB and WZPDC - introduced the system at the behest of the highest policy makers replacing load shedding at every alternative hour.
The severe cut in power supply was necessitated as the generation stands at 3700-3800 MW against the demand of more than 6000 MW.
The power officials said they have received complaints and resentment against the new system of load shedding. "Now, many peoples are giving their negative reaction to two-hour load shedding system. Because, it creates more sufferings to them," said a top official of DPDC which controls electricity distribution in major part of the capital city.
He said many people use standby generators. They now face troubles in running generators for two hours at a stretch. Many business houses are to close transactions for long two hours affecting their business, he added.
Business people are not taking the new system positively as it leads to more hazards. Bangladesh Shop Owners Association Secretary General SA Quader Kiron expressed sharp resentment. "Definitely, this is a bad decision as it is harmful to the business. This is not acceptable as people are not habituated with long two-hour load shedding."
Kiron is worried at reported government plan of complete cut in power supply in urban areas from 12 midnight to 6 am. "This will be ridiculous if really the government moves in that direction, because after whole day labour and frequent load shedding, people want a good sheep after midnight."
FBBCI vice-president Abul Quasem Ahmed said the new load shedding system might be a temporary matter. "But we want complete free from load shedding situation for the sake of our business."
For the last couple of months, many areas across the country including the capital, have been facing severe load shedding as the gap between the supply and demand of electricity is widening fast with the onset of summer.
Power Secretary Abul Kalam Azad conveyed the new decision to the top officials of the distribution agencies at a meeting at the Power Division on Thursday last.
Sources close to the meeting told UNB that when they were reviewing the situation Azad was summoned to the Prime Minister's Office. He was directed to introduce two-hour load shedding at every two hours instead of one-hour after every hour.
Azad returned to the meeting and asked them to follow the new directive. He however said the new system is temporary for one week to see the public reaction.
"If the people welcome, then it will continue for the rest of the time. But if it creates any resentment among the consumers, the decision will be reviewed," he told the officials.
The officials were also given the idea that the policy makers feel that load shedding in every alternative hour is creating a bad impression among the public.
http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=310928
Al-zakir
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2008
- Messages
- 8,612
- Reaction score
- -8
- Country
- Location
Awami League lawmakers wary of crises
Govt may deploy army to manage water, shut fertiliser factories to save power
Monday March 29 2010 01:42:33 AM BDT
Hasan Jahid Tusher
Senior Awami League leaders, who were left out of the party's central committee, yesterday suggested that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urgently resolve priority issues including crises of power, water and gas.(The Daily Star)
They also advised that Hasina, also the AL president, pay more attention to maintaining law and order across the country.
The suggestions came after a meeting of the AL parliamentary board that primarily picked two candidates -- Maj (retd) Jashim Uddin and Nurunnabi Chowdhury -- for April 29 by-polls in Bhola-3 constituency.
AL leaders Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Kazi Zafarullah, Obaidul Quader, Syed Ashraful Islam and premier's adviser Dr Alauddin Ahmed were present at the meeting.
Abdur Razzak and Suranjit Sengupta could not attend the meeting. Razzak is now out of the country while Suranjit is ill.
They said power should be saved from various sources to ease the ongoing power crisis.
Since the government would not be able to generate more power within a short time, fertiliser factories across the country should be shut for at least 15 days to save electricity, they said.
There will be no shortage as the government has enough stock of fertiliser, said the AL leaders.
The premier would direct the ministry concerned to issue a notice on the matter in a couple of days, said a source.
"We requested the premier to take immediate steps to ease the sufferings of the people who voted us to power," said a senior party leader wishing anonymity.
"The leader [Sheikh Hasina] said she is aware of the sufferings of people especially in the city due to power, water and gas crises. She is concerned about it," the AL leader said.
Another source said the prime minister might decide to engage army personnel to help ease water crisis in the capital.
The party president asked them to help the government to resolve the crises.
Hasina and other party leaders expressed frustration over the pro-AL panel's setback in the polls to the Supreme Court Bar Association and Dhaka University Syndicate.
They blamed lack of coordination in both cases.
On awarding nomination, AL deputy office secretary Mrinal Kanti Das said the nomination for the by-polls would be finalised after scrutiny.
http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=310979
Govt may deploy army to manage water, shut fertiliser factories to save power
Monday March 29 2010 01:42:33 AM BDT
Hasan Jahid Tusher
Senior Awami League leaders, who were left out of the party's central committee, yesterday suggested that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urgently resolve priority issues including crises of power, water and gas.(The Daily Star)
They also advised that Hasina, also the AL president, pay more attention to maintaining law and order across the country.
The suggestions came after a meeting of the AL parliamentary board that primarily picked two candidates -- Maj (retd) Jashim Uddin and Nurunnabi Chowdhury -- for April 29 by-polls in Bhola-3 constituency.
AL leaders Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Kazi Zafarullah, Obaidul Quader, Syed Ashraful Islam and premier's adviser Dr Alauddin Ahmed were present at the meeting.
Abdur Razzak and Suranjit Sengupta could not attend the meeting. Razzak is now out of the country while Suranjit is ill.
They said power should be saved from various sources to ease the ongoing power crisis.
Since the government would not be able to generate more power within a short time, fertiliser factories across the country should be shut for at least 15 days to save electricity, they said.
There will be no shortage as the government has enough stock of fertiliser, said the AL leaders.
The premier would direct the ministry concerned to issue a notice on the matter in a couple of days, said a source.
"We requested the premier to take immediate steps to ease the sufferings of the people who voted us to power," said a senior party leader wishing anonymity.
"The leader [Sheikh Hasina] said she is aware of the sufferings of people especially in the city due to power, water and gas crises. She is concerned about it," the AL leader said.
Another source said the prime minister might decide to engage army personnel to help ease water crisis in the capital.
The party president asked them to help the government to resolve the crises.
Hasina and other party leaders expressed frustration over the pro-AL panel's setback in the polls to the Supreme Court Bar Association and Dhaka University Syndicate.
They blamed lack of coordination in both cases.
On awarding nomination, AL deputy office secretary Mrinal Kanti Das said the nomination for the by-polls would be finalised after scrutiny.
http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=310979
Al-zakir
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2008
- Messages
- 8,612
- Reaction score
- -8
- Country
- Location
Khaleda rallies party for anti-govt move
Mon, Mar 29th, 2010 8:34 pm BdST Dial 2324 from your mobile for latest news
Chittagong, Mar 29 (bdnews24.com) -- BNP chairperson and leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia, addressing a sea of supporters in Chittagong on Monday, rallied her party leaders and activists to prepare for an anti-government movement.
"Today is a warm-up rehearsal. Get ready for movement," she told a grand rally at Chittagong Laldighi ground, her first since the December 2008 national election.
She said her party, the main opposition, would launch the movement after holding a series of political rallies in each division to drum up support for an anti-government campaign.
In her 66-minute address to a gathering of thousands at the port city, the first of the divisional rallies, Khaleda listed the "failures" of the Awami League-led government.
"They've not fulfilled any (election) pledge made to the people. They're busy fulfilling commitments to foreigners."
Khaleda termed the agreements signed with Delhi, during prime minister Shiekh Hasina's visit to India earlier this year, "anti-liberation" and "against sovereign interests".
She urged all "freedom fighters" irrespective of opinion and party affiliation to unite against the agreements.
Bangladesh and India signed three agreements during Hasina's India visit in January—one on Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters, one on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons and one on Combating International Terrorism, Organized Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking. The two countries also signed MOUs on Cooperation in Power Sector and a Cultural Exchange Programme.
In a joint statement issued by the two countries, Bangladesh agreed to allow the neighbour to have access Chittagong and Mongla ports
The opposition leader warned the government against implementation of the accords with India and against any move to allow "the neighbouring country" to use Chittagong port.
She asked her supporters: "I want to know from you whether Bangladesh will remain a sovereign nation or will it be a rent-dependent one. Are you ready to give transit to another country?"
Khaleda also rejected recent statements by prime minister Sheikh Hasina, regarding lack of power generation during the past BNP-led government, as "false and fabricated".
"She (Hasina) resorts to falsehood while abroad and presents fabricated information in parliament."
The BNP chief said during her last 2001-2006 administration, the BNP-led government added 1515 megawatts of power to the national grid. "But the prime minister said we didn't add even one watt of power."
bdnews24.com/sm/sr/rah/2040h
Khaleda rallies party for anti-govt move | Politics | bdnews24.com
Mon, Mar 29th, 2010 8:34 pm BdST Dial 2324 from your mobile for latest news
Chittagong, Mar 29 (bdnews24.com) -- BNP chairperson and leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia, addressing a sea of supporters in Chittagong on Monday, rallied her party leaders and activists to prepare for an anti-government movement.
"Today is a warm-up rehearsal. Get ready for movement," she told a grand rally at Chittagong Laldighi ground, her first since the December 2008 national election.
She said her party, the main opposition, would launch the movement after holding a series of political rallies in each division to drum up support for an anti-government campaign.
In her 66-minute address to a gathering of thousands at the port city, the first of the divisional rallies, Khaleda listed the "failures" of the Awami League-led government.
"They've not fulfilled any (election) pledge made to the people. They're busy fulfilling commitments to foreigners."
Khaleda termed the agreements signed with Delhi, during prime minister Shiekh Hasina's visit to India earlier this year, "anti-liberation" and "against sovereign interests".
She urged all "freedom fighters" irrespective of opinion and party affiliation to unite against the agreements.
Bangladesh and India signed three agreements during Hasina's India visit in January—one on Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters, one on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons and one on Combating International Terrorism, Organized Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking. The two countries also signed MOUs on Cooperation in Power Sector and a Cultural Exchange Programme.
In a joint statement issued by the two countries, Bangladesh agreed to allow the neighbour to have access Chittagong and Mongla ports
The opposition leader warned the government against implementation of the accords with India and against any move to allow "the neighbouring country" to use Chittagong port.
She asked her supporters: "I want to know from you whether Bangladesh will remain a sovereign nation or will it be a rent-dependent one. Are you ready to give transit to another country?"
Khaleda also rejected recent statements by prime minister Sheikh Hasina, regarding lack of power generation during the past BNP-led government, as "false and fabricated".
"She (Hasina) resorts to falsehood while abroad and presents fabricated information in parliament."
The BNP chief said during her last 2001-2006 administration, the BNP-led government added 1515 megawatts of power to the national grid. "But the prime minister said we didn't add even one watt of power."
bdnews24.com/sm/sr/rah/2040h
Khaleda rallies party for anti-govt move | Politics | bdnews24.com
Last edited:
Al-zakir
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2008
- Messages
- 8,612
- Reaction score
- -8
- Country
- Location
Jamaat calls for martyrdom
Thu, Apr 1st, 2010 9:43 pm BdST
Dial 2324 from your mobile for latest news
Bogra, April 1 (bdnews24.com) Jamaat-e-Islami called upon its members to prepare for ultimate sacrifice through martyrdom.
Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mojaheed, secretary general of the fundamentalist party, told a party meeting in Bogra on Thursday that they would have to rid themselves of their weaknesses.
"One must be ready to embrace martyrdom without hesitation."
In the context of a war crimes tribunal process advancing on the back of strong government resolve, Mojaheed gave his party men four recommendations.
He said that activists should remain loyal to the party under all circumstances.
Mojaheed told Jamaat men that preparations had to be taken within the organisation as well as within their families.
This former social welfare minister said that the men should have strong faith on the almighty above all because only that could deliver them.
"Attacks and lawsuits will not be enough to stop Jamaat."
Earlier on March 31 Mojaheed told the press in Dhaka that no Jamaat leader was involved in any war crime during the Liberation War in 1971 and there is no way they may be labelled as 'war criminals'.
He also declared to continue legal battle against the war crime charges.
Mojaheed claimed that India was instigating the government to go after Jamaat, which is also a major ally of the main opposition BNP.
"India apprehends that only the military and the Jamaat could prevent Bangladesh from becoming a proxy for India."
Jamaat calls for martyrdom | Bangladesh | bdnews24.com
Thu, Apr 1st, 2010 9:43 pm BdST
Dial 2324 from your mobile for latest news
Bogra, April 1 (bdnews24.com) Jamaat-e-Islami called upon its members to prepare for ultimate sacrifice through martyrdom.
Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mojaheed, secretary general of the fundamentalist party, told a party meeting in Bogra on Thursday that they would have to rid themselves of their weaknesses.
"One must be ready to embrace martyrdom without hesitation."
In the context of a war crimes tribunal process advancing on the back of strong government resolve, Mojaheed gave his party men four recommendations.
He said that activists should remain loyal to the party under all circumstances.
Mojaheed told Jamaat men that preparations had to be taken within the organisation as well as within their families.
This former social welfare minister said that the men should have strong faith on the almighty above all because only that could deliver them.
"Attacks and lawsuits will not be enough to stop Jamaat."
Earlier on March 31 Mojaheed told the press in Dhaka that no Jamaat leader was involved in any war crime during the Liberation War in 1971 and there is no way they may be labelled as 'war criminals'.
He also declared to continue legal battle against the war crime charges.
Mojaheed claimed that India was instigating the government to go after Jamaat, which is also a major ally of the main opposition BNP.
"India apprehends that only the military and the Jamaat could prevent Bangladesh from becoming a proxy for India."
Jamaat calls for martyrdom | Bangladesh | bdnews24.com
Skies
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2009
- Messages
- 4,094
- Reaction score
- 1
- Country
- Location
Dear M_Saint bro,
Since we do not have our own good international forum and also there is a lack of Bangladeshis in PDF for Bangladesh Section so we do not want that any of our countrymen will ban/suspend though I understand your grief, concern and excitement about the misrule going on. But we know that tolerance is better than ban/suspend. And a dedicated man like you should not be suspended/banned just for only excitement. And I’m giving emphasis on the number of Bangladeshis in PDF because here we can get many members from India, PK and others to discuss, and I consider the Bangladesh Section in PDF as a complementary of our own defence forum. And I want at least around 10 Bangladeshi regular members in PDF who will give suggestions to solve the problems of BD and make creative ideas for BD instead of criticize only.
*Sorry if you get anything wrong in this post. Regards.
Since we do not have our own good international forum and also there is a lack of Bangladeshis in PDF for Bangladesh Section so we do not want that any of our countrymen will ban/suspend though I understand your grief, concern and excitement about the misrule going on. But we know that tolerance is better than ban/suspend. And a dedicated man like you should not be suspended/banned just for only excitement. And I’m giving emphasis on the number of Bangladeshis in PDF because here we can get many members from India, PK and others to discuss, and I consider the Bangladesh Section in PDF as a complementary of our own defence forum. And I want at least around 10 Bangladeshi regular members in PDF who will give suggestions to solve the problems of BD and make creative ideas for BD instead of criticize only.
*Sorry if you get anything wrong in this post. Regards.
Al-zakir
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2008
- Messages
- 8,612
- Reaction score
- -8
- Country
- Location
A Government in Turmoil! A Country in Meltdown!
Monday April 05 2010 23:26:26 PM BDT
By Arif Ahmed
We are a country at the brink of meltdown literally. The power crisis has now reached levels were fertilizer plants have closed, businesses are collapsing, farmers are losing crops and life in Bangladesh is becoming unbearable. We are now reading that thousands of people went out on demonstrations and attacked the upazila office of the West Zone Power Distribution Company at Bhanga on Saturday afternoon and Palli Bidyut Samiti office at Alfadanga on Friday night demanding power supply. SM Kobad Hossen, 50, a resident of Alfadanga, said they had received power hardly for two hours a day for a few days! Is this right Prime Minister! This is the start of more demonstrations to come!
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday promised to ensure electricity for all within 2020. Referring to the election manifesto of Awami League she said the government is working with a target of increasing power generation by 7000 MWs by the year 2013 and by 20,000 MWs by 2021. Under this programme, agreements have been signed for producing electricity from rental power stations at private initiatives at the first phase and for generating 1,000 MWs power at public sector. "Construction of these power stations is going on at a faster pace," she added.
Can we afford to wait for 2020! No. Sure the Government is hiring power stations to meet power demand, but whatever happened to the building of power stations under a public / private development initiative â the reality is that no private enterprise is going to invest significant sums in building power stations when there is no certainty as to as power will be generated!
What is also missing from the political rhetoric is the means of feeding these rental power stations â we are running short of gas and the current country coal production is nothing short of an embarrassment to a Government that has been in power for well over a year. For a year now we have heard nothing but political words!
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said measures were taken to import Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Qatar to resolve this crisis. She said further "We are also considering with importance diversification of energy." That the present government is actively considering installing nuclear power plants to meet the increasing demand of power. In this regard, a team will be visiting Russia soon.
Does the Prime Minster realise the time frames for getting a nuclear power plant up and running and the costs involved! Does the Prime Minster understand that businesses and farmers cannot afford to install solar heating power systems! Does the Prime Minster realise that other countries are suffering from power shortages and so expecting to rely on the importation of overseas produced power is not a solution.
We are now a country that is on the verge of civil war with a Government that is unable or unwilling to act. Bangladesh is sitting on masses of coal reserves â enough to meet the countries power needs for many decades, by which time the energy world will be a different place (and Bangladesh will be a different place). Asia Energy is ready to mine Phulbari and has completed all preparation work. Yes, there will be local inconvenience, but even the people of Phulbari would accept that we must all work for the greater good of our nation. It is now a matter of working with the people of Phulbari to relocate people fairly and humanely.
The Finance Minister's realistic conclusion to go for open-pit coal mining published last week was seen by many to be a break through of common sense! We breathed a sigh of relief that our plight for energy was over. Asia Energy's proposal can no longer be ignored and must be put to the top of the political agenda.
Please Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, come live in the real Bangladesh world were business are fighting for survival, farmers are losing crops and your Bangladeshi people are melting in the heat of the day. Is this a country that can encourage international business investment? Bangladesh is not a country welcoming foreign investors.
The time has now come for the Government to move forward on the mining of coal at Phulbari in the most efficient manner or accept defeat as a political party that can lead the country, and let others with more ambition for Bangladesh and its people govern the country.
Prime Minister, the Bangladeshi people are speaking. They want power and they want power now. Finalise the coal policy and start mining Phulbari. This is the key solution to our countries power crisis and the means for you to restore faith in your Government.
http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=312248
Monday April 05 2010 23:26:26 PM BDT
By Arif Ahmed
We are a country at the brink of meltdown literally. The power crisis has now reached levels were fertilizer plants have closed, businesses are collapsing, farmers are losing crops and life in Bangladesh is becoming unbearable. We are now reading that thousands of people went out on demonstrations and attacked the upazila office of the West Zone Power Distribution Company at Bhanga on Saturday afternoon and Palli Bidyut Samiti office at Alfadanga on Friday night demanding power supply. SM Kobad Hossen, 50, a resident of Alfadanga, said they had received power hardly for two hours a day for a few days! Is this right Prime Minister! This is the start of more demonstrations to come!
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday promised to ensure electricity for all within 2020. Referring to the election manifesto of Awami League she said the government is working with a target of increasing power generation by 7000 MWs by the year 2013 and by 20,000 MWs by 2021. Under this programme, agreements have been signed for producing electricity from rental power stations at private initiatives at the first phase and for generating 1,000 MWs power at public sector. "Construction of these power stations is going on at a faster pace," she added.
Can we afford to wait for 2020! No. Sure the Government is hiring power stations to meet power demand, but whatever happened to the building of power stations under a public / private development initiative â the reality is that no private enterprise is going to invest significant sums in building power stations when there is no certainty as to as power will be generated!
What is also missing from the political rhetoric is the means of feeding these rental power stations â we are running short of gas and the current country coal production is nothing short of an embarrassment to a Government that has been in power for well over a year. For a year now we have heard nothing but political words!
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said measures were taken to import Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Qatar to resolve this crisis. She said further "We are also considering with importance diversification of energy." That the present government is actively considering installing nuclear power plants to meet the increasing demand of power. In this regard, a team will be visiting Russia soon.
Does the Prime Minster realise the time frames for getting a nuclear power plant up and running and the costs involved! Does the Prime Minster understand that businesses and farmers cannot afford to install solar heating power systems! Does the Prime Minster realise that other countries are suffering from power shortages and so expecting to rely on the importation of overseas produced power is not a solution.
We are now a country that is on the verge of civil war with a Government that is unable or unwilling to act. Bangladesh is sitting on masses of coal reserves â enough to meet the countries power needs for many decades, by which time the energy world will be a different place (and Bangladesh will be a different place). Asia Energy is ready to mine Phulbari and has completed all preparation work. Yes, there will be local inconvenience, but even the people of Phulbari would accept that we must all work for the greater good of our nation. It is now a matter of working with the people of Phulbari to relocate people fairly and humanely.
The Finance Minister's realistic conclusion to go for open-pit coal mining published last week was seen by many to be a break through of common sense! We breathed a sigh of relief that our plight for energy was over. Asia Energy's proposal can no longer be ignored and must be put to the top of the political agenda.
Please Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, come live in the real Bangladesh world were business are fighting for survival, farmers are losing crops and your Bangladeshi people are melting in the heat of the day. Is this a country that can encourage international business investment? Bangladesh is not a country welcoming foreign investors.
The time has now come for the Government to move forward on the mining of coal at Phulbari in the most efficient manner or accept defeat as a political party that can lead the country, and let others with more ambition for Bangladesh and its people govern the country.
Prime Minister, the Bangladeshi people are speaking. They want power and they want power now. Finalise the coal policy and start mining Phulbari. This is the key solution to our countries power crisis and the means for you to restore faith in your Government.
http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=312248
Al-zakir
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2008
- Messages
- 8,612
- Reaction score
- -8
- Country
- Location
Water, power shortage prompts people to take to streets
Almost all parts of the city continued to face 10 to 12 hours of power outage in the sweltering heat.
Wednesday April 07 2010 09:34:37 AM BDT
Water and power shortage has hit hard the city which forced residents in different areas to go out on demonstrations on Tuesday.
The residents demanded immediate steps for uninterrupted supply of water and power as they had to remain awake for supply water at night and also could not sleep in the sweltering summer heat.
Residents of Mohakhali on Tuesday blocked a road stretch for an hour demanding water supply. The blockade caused heavy traffic congestion in the area. Residents of posh Gulshan area in the evening also sat at a meeting to chart out their course of action to get supply water.
Power crisis in the city has, meanwhile, aggravated over a few days although five fertiliser plants have been closed to divert more gas to power plants as a number of power units went out of operation for technical faults.
Witnesses and the police said more than 400 people, holding pitchers and buckets, had taken to the streets in front of Titumir College about 11:00am.
The demonstrators alleged they had not been getting supply water for four days. They called off their blockade on assurances from the water supply agency that the matter would be resolved soon.
The authorities hoped that the supply water situation would improve after the army officially starts helping Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority in easing the persisting water crisis in the capital from today.
A cabinet meeting on March 29 decided to deploy army men in aid of WASA on April 1 to ensure smooth supply of water in city areas facing shortage.
The Dhaka WASA now produces 185 crore to 190 crore litres of water a day whereas the demand has increased to 225 crore litres in recent days because of increase in temperature.
Residents living on Gulshan Road 24 /30 alleged they had not been getting water over three weeks.
�Our daily life has become miserable as we have not received supply water for three weeks and we keep facing frequent power outages,� Asif Ibrahim, a director of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and resident of the area, told New Age after the meeting at the New King�s Kitchen restaurant at Gulshan.
�We are making preparations for a signature campaign and will submit a memorandum to the WASA authorities to press home our demand for the installation of a deep tube well,� he said.
Anwar Hossain, a resident of Shewrapara in the city, told New Age they could not sleep throughout the night as they had to wait for supply water. �We get water for only an hour or two at night. We pass sleepless nights as we do not know when we will get water. Sometimes we get water at 1:00am and sometimes at 4:00am.�
Sarwar Alam, a government official who lives at Khilgaon in Dhaka, said he could not sleep properly because of power outage. �Usually I go to bed at 11:00pm and wake up at 6:00am to go to office. But these days, we face four hours of power outages between 11:00pm and 6:00am. It is difficult to sleep in the sweltering heat without power,� he said.
Power outages in the city have also increased as two 210MW units of the Ghorashal power plant and a 225MW unit of the private Meghnaghat power plant had been out of operation for a few days.
Because of the closure of such large power units, there was little improvement in the power generation despite the closing of five fertiliser plants.
Almost all parts of the city continued to face 10 to 12 hours of power outage in the sweltering heat.
The power secretary, Abul Kalam Azad, told New Age on Tuesday they could not get power up to their expectations after the closing of fertiliser plants as some large power units had tripped.
�As many of our power plants are very old, some of the units often go out of operation. We hope that the situation will improve in three to four days,� he said.
Power generation has hovered around 3800MW against a peak demand for 5,500MW�6,000MW for two days.
The Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited, which covers Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur, Tejgaon, Moghbazar, Dhaka (south) and Narayanganj, has a demand for 1,200MW but gets about 650MW.
The Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited, which covers Mirpur, Shyamali, Gulshan, Badda, Dhaka (north) and Tongi areas, gets about 300MW�350MW against the demand for about 585MW.
http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=312561
Almost all parts of the city continued to face 10 to 12 hours of power outage in the sweltering heat.
Wednesday April 07 2010 09:34:37 AM BDT
Water and power shortage has hit hard the city which forced residents in different areas to go out on demonstrations on Tuesday.
The residents demanded immediate steps for uninterrupted supply of water and power as they had to remain awake for supply water at night and also could not sleep in the sweltering summer heat.
Residents of Mohakhali on Tuesday blocked a road stretch for an hour demanding water supply. The blockade caused heavy traffic congestion in the area. Residents of posh Gulshan area in the evening also sat at a meeting to chart out their course of action to get supply water.
Power crisis in the city has, meanwhile, aggravated over a few days although five fertiliser plants have been closed to divert more gas to power plants as a number of power units went out of operation for technical faults.
Witnesses and the police said more than 400 people, holding pitchers and buckets, had taken to the streets in front of Titumir College about 11:00am.
The demonstrators alleged they had not been getting supply water for four days. They called off their blockade on assurances from the water supply agency that the matter would be resolved soon.
The authorities hoped that the supply water situation would improve after the army officially starts helping Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority in easing the persisting water crisis in the capital from today.
A cabinet meeting on March 29 decided to deploy army men in aid of WASA on April 1 to ensure smooth supply of water in city areas facing shortage.
The Dhaka WASA now produces 185 crore to 190 crore litres of water a day whereas the demand has increased to 225 crore litres in recent days because of increase in temperature.
Residents living on Gulshan Road 24 /30 alleged they had not been getting water over three weeks.
�Our daily life has become miserable as we have not received supply water for three weeks and we keep facing frequent power outages,� Asif Ibrahim, a director of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and resident of the area, told New Age after the meeting at the New King�s Kitchen restaurant at Gulshan.
�We are making preparations for a signature campaign and will submit a memorandum to the WASA authorities to press home our demand for the installation of a deep tube well,� he said.
Anwar Hossain, a resident of Shewrapara in the city, told New Age they could not sleep throughout the night as they had to wait for supply water. �We get water for only an hour or two at night. We pass sleepless nights as we do not know when we will get water. Sometimes we get water at 1:00am and sometimes at 4:00am.�
Sarwar Alam, a government official who lives at Khilgaon in Dhaka, said he could not sleep properly because of power outage. �Usually I go to bed at 11:00pm and wake up at 6:00am to go to office. But these days, we face four hours of power outages between 11:00pm and 6:00am. It is difficult to sleep in the sweltering heat without power,� he said.
Power outages in the city have also increased as two 210MW units of the Ghorashal power plant and a 225MW unit of the private Meghnaghat power plant had been out of operation for a few days.
Because of the closure of such large power units, there was little improvement in the power generation despite the closing of five fertiliser plants.
Almost all parts of the city continued to face 10 to 12 hours of power outage in the sweltering heat.
The power secretary, Abul Kalam Azad, told New Age on Tuesday they could not get power up to their expectations after the closing of fertiliser plants as some large power units had tripped.
�As many of our power plants are very old, some of the units often go out of operation. We hope that the situation will improve in three to four days,� he said.
Power generation has hovered around 3800MW against a peak demand for 5,500MW�6,000MW for two days.
The Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited, which covers Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur, Tejgaon, Moghbazar, Dhaka (south) and Narayanganj, has a demand for 1,200MW but gets about 650MW.
The Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited, which covers Mirpur, Shyamali, Gulshan, Badda, Dhaka (north) and Tongi areas, gets about 300MW�350MW against the demand for about 585MW.
http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=312561
