Banner Advertiser

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

[ALOCHONA] Successful bridge management



Successful bridge management
 
 
A crack across the width of the north lanes of Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge is visible on the foreground while the expansion joint that had been disjointed on November 18 last year is seen half mended behind the crack, the photo was taken a few days after the expansion joint had come apart.
 
 


__._,_.___


[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

[ALOCHONA] Ershad’s trial a must to deter future attempts at extra-constitutional takeover



Ershad's trial a must to deter future attempts at extra-constitutional takeover

Selina Akhter, mother of the late Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Milon, tells New Age
by Shahidul Islam Chowdhury

DEPOSED military dictator HM Ershad needs to be prosecuted and punished for usurping state power, to deter recurrence of extra-constitutional takeover in the future, so says Selina Akhter, mother of Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Milon.
   Dr Milon, the then join secretary general of the Bangladesh Medical Association, was shot dead on the Dhaka University campus on November 27, 1990; he was on his way to attending an anti-Ershad meeting. The killing is believed to be orchestrated by the autocratic ruler, to foil the mass upsurge for democracy that eventually led to Ershad's downfall.
   
'The government needs to arrange for the trial of Ershad, to deter extra-constitutional takeover of state power in the future,' Selina said in an exclusive interview with New Age on Tuesday. 'The trial is also essential for democratic politics to flourish in Bangladesh.'
   
Selina, a retired college teacher, said Ershad should also be prosecuted and punished for the political killings during his illegal rule, including that of his son, and was critical the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party for defaulting on their promise to do so although both these parties alternated in power since the fall of his autocratic regime.
   'It is indeed unfortunate and regrettable that the two parties that were in the forefront of the anti-autocratic movement, which resulted in the fall of the Ershad regime in the first week of December 1990, should now hobnob with him and, in the process, expose their inherent weakness that they are incapable of winning elections without his support,' she said.
   
The politically conscious and democratically oriented sections of society need to raise their voice against such hobnobbing by the Awami League and the BNP with Ershad, Selina said.
   Following are the excerpts of the interview:
   
   Your son, Dr Shamsul Alam Khan, was in the forefront of the movement against the autocratic regime of Lieutenant General (retired) HM Ershad. Did he talk about the movement with you?
   We would have discussions about the anti-Ershad movement at the dining table almost every day during those years. When doctors and other professionals joined the movement towards the end of 1990, Ershad set up a medical camp with doctors from the army at Suhrawardy Udyan, apparently to show that the government could still provide health care to the people without the cooperation of civilian physicians.
   
I remember telling Milon, who was then the joint general secretary of the Bangladesh Medical Association, that they should remain alert so as to not lose the people's support for the movement. He told me that they were very much alert about the government's scheme. Milon told me that he was confident about the success of the movement as the people, including professional such as engineers, doctors and journalists, were behind it.
   
   Dr Milon was killed in November 1990 at a time when the autocratic regime was trying desperately to contain the movement. Do you think Ershad had a hand in the killing?
   Beyond any doubt. A bullet of a .303 rifle, which is generally used by law enforcers, was found in Milon's body. It was a proof that the individual who had shot Milon dead was on the government's payroll, and it is impossible for a law enforcer to open fire without clearance from the higher authorities.
   
   Was the trial of Milan's killing held?
   A member of the medical association filed a case about the killing. The trial was, however, suspended as some witnesses were declared 'hostile'.
   
   Where does the case stand now?
   We have tried several times to revive the case. Eminent jurist Dr Kamal Hossain assured me that he would look after the case for trial. Some Awami League leaders, including Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin (now a Dhaka city lawmaker), also assured me that the trial would be held. The entire process was, however, suspended after Ershad had joined the Awami League-led alliance.
   
   The Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party demanded trial of Milon's killing during the anti-Ershad movement. Both these parties have come been in power since Ershad's fall in December 1990. What has been their role vis-à-vis trial of Milon's killing?
   After Milon's death, top leaders of both the parties demanded trial of, and punishment for, the perpetrators and masterminds of the killing. However, they hardly took any initiative to hold the trial when in power.
   
   Many people, including Milon, were killed during the movement against Ershad. Do you demand trial of all the political killings of that period?
   Certainly. I am waiting to see the trial of Milon's killing. Many people, including (labour leader) Tajul (Islam) and some students, were killed for their involvement in the anti-autocracy movement. The government should hold trial of these killings. But it will remain a difficult task if we (family members of the dead persons) alone demand trial.
   The government needs to arrange for the trial of Ershad, to deter extra-constitutional takeover of state power in the future. The trial is also essential for democratic politics to flourish in Bangladesh.
   
   The Awami League and the BNP were in the forefront of the movement against Ershad. In the past 20 years, however, both the parties seem to have been engaged in a rat race to win over Ershad's support. How do feel about it?
   It is indeed unfortunate and regrettable that the two parties that were in the forefront of the anti-autocratic movement, which resulted in the fall of the Ershad regime in the first week of December 1990, should now hobnob with him and, in the process, expose their inherent weakness that they are incapable of winning elections without his support.
   I don't understand why they (Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina) would need to join hands with him (Ershad) forgetting their movement against him.
   Ershad's presence in Bangladesh politics will only hinder the efforts to ensure democratic growth of politics. The burgeoning democracy here will be threatened if he is allowed to participate in political activities; in fact, the government should impose a ban on his political activities as a military can never play a role in democratic growth of politics.
   Moreover, Ershad has made it clear that he was and is an opportunist. He will leave the Awami League-led alliance without hesitation if he sees signs of the BNP coming back to power.
   
   Do you think the politically conscious and democratically oriented sections of society need to raise their voice against the mainstream political parties forming and maintaining alliance with Ershad?
   It will be essential to keep political clean. At the same time, the trial of all political killings during Ershad's regime will remain elusive unless the people raise their voice in demand for the trial.
   
   Ershad had military takeover legalised by parliament. The High Court in a recent verdict on the fifth amendment to the constitution condemned the military rule and recommended that the persons involved in grabbing power through martial law should be suitably punished. But the government as well as parliament has neither condemned military takeover nor taken steps to punish anyone for declaring martial law. What is your comment as a citizen?
   I do not understand, as I don't have a law background, why trial on charges of extra-constitutional takeover of power and killing cannot be held under existing laws.
   The law minister said holding Ershad's trial would not be possible unless a new law is enacted. If the minister's statement is true, why are they not taking any measures to enact a new law? What is their problem if Ershad is punished?
   
   You have been persistent in your demand for trial of Ershad. But Ershad has recently claimed that he cannot be tried on charges of declaring martial law and the persons who demand his trial are wrongheaded. How do you react to his statement?
   I shall continue to demand Ershad's trial no matter what he says. The people need to unite and raise their voice to realise the demand.
   
   Ershad made the comment after a 35-minute one-to-one meeting with the prime minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina at her office. People believe his comments were influenced by the conversations they had at the meeting. What do you think?
   There is a question in people's mind as to why he would make the statement unless there was a discussion on the issue with the prime minister.
   
   The Supreme Court suggested enactment of a law to contain attempts to declare martial law. Do you think that attempts to declare military rule can be prevented through taking legal measures alone?
   Taking legal measures is one option. But democracy here will remain vulnerable unless the people become united and take collective measures to strengthen democracy.
   
   What role the people in general, the professionals, the workers and the students in particular need to play to thwart attempts at military takeover and make democracy sustainable?
   The people need to raise their voice against all autocratic governments and undemocratic systems here, no matter which party is in power.
   Unfortunately, we cannot do it due to several shortcomings including lack of quality in political leadership. We need to discover new and young political leadership. We also need to create an atmosphere that helps young patriotic political leadership to emerge.
   We also need to go door-to-door and motivate people so that the military rulers cannot mobilise support for themselves.
   
   Do the politicians and the court in general and the democratically-oriented section of the groups in particular need to play any role?
   In fact, they are the key persons in these efforts to thwart attempts at military takeover and undemocratic rule in the country.
   The politicians need to play a leading role and make sacrifices to strengthen the democratic process as well as to protect democracy so that the people's right to elect their government is not stolen in extra-constitutional and undemocratic ways. They also need to motivate the people to play their due role in protecting democracy.
   The court that declared military rule illegal could instantly punish Ershad, the only living military ruler. They can declare any move to takeover power through extra-constitutional means illegal anytime.
   But it will be impossible for them to discharge the responsibility if they become isolated from the people.
   
   What do you do currently?
   It is unbearable to live with memories of Milon's death. I still try to unravel the mystery surrounding his death as his killers are still alive and continue to hobnob with powerful politicians. Ershad tried to visit me to offer support. But I declined.
   Milon's friends and sisters have set up Boyoshshee Kalyan Samiti, a non-profit social welfare organisation, to keep me busy. With individual donations, we are now running an old home for the helpless and isolated elderly people to provide them with mental support and also medical treatment. We are trying to involve them in social activities irrespective of their caste, creed and religion so that they do not feel alone in society. Boyoshshee however requires the government's support to expand the programme including establishing a hospital for the elderly people.

http://www.newagebd.com/2010/sep/16/oped.html



__._,_.___


[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

[ALOCHONA] Bangla Blog on 9/11 Conspiracy



Bangla Blog on 9/11 Conspiracy:
 
 
Thanks
 
Raihan



__._,_.___


[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

[ALOCHONA] FW: Saudi Columnist: Secularism The Only Option For Saudi Arabia



               I have a;ways been saying that secularism is about equal rights of individuals uner conrtitutional law.
 
Secularization of the Saudi judicial system will be implemented when we give the concept of the law preference over the concept of the fatwa. 
 








Subject: Saudi Columnist: Secularism The Only Option For Saudi Arabia



If you are having trouble viewing this email click here.
 
MEMRI - The Middle East Media Research Institute
 
Special Dispatch|3224 |September 12, 2010
Saudi Arabia/Democratization and Reform in the Arab & Muslim World
 

Saudi Columnist: Secularism – The Only Option For Saudi Arabia

 


In a highly unusual article in the Saudi daily Al-Wiam, Saudi columnist Ahmad 'Adnan called for the secularization of Saudi Arabia and for the separation of religion and state. He said that there is no contradiction between secular and Islamic values, and that secularization in the country would prevent the Islamists from imposing their views and would ensure equal treatment for all Saudi citizens. He also discussed the conflict between the liberals and the Islamists in Saudi Arabia, which has been widely covered by the media, particularly on the issue of mixing of the genders.[1]
Following are excerpts from 'Adnan's column:
[2]
 

"The Modern State, by Its Very Essence, Cannot be Anything but Secular"

"The discussion of secularization in Saudi Arabia sometimes looks like a type of madness; many fatwas accuse secularists of unbelief, and ban secularism, claiming that it is a regime that does not act in accordance with shari'a, or that it is a satanic regime. They do so because the sites holy to Islam are within the borders [of this country], and because the establishment of the [Saudi] state was based on an alliance between the religious institution and the political institution. But in the present circumstances, and considering the uncertainty of Saudi future, the cultural and political elite in the country may find that this madness [i.e. secularism] has, with time, become a necessity of reality... 
"Thee elements have served as catalysts in the discussion on secularism as a necessity in Saudi Arabia: a) [Saudi] Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal's March 2010 statement to The New York Times that Saudi Arabia is 'breaking away from the shackles of the past,' and 'moving in the direction of a liberal society'; b) a media report about a Saudi citizen who was granted political asylum in New Zealand after he converted to Christianity; and c) the ongoing struggle between liberals and Islamists in the Saudi press and media...
"The discourse about the secular option means the following: advancing the political and religious institutions' independence from each other, and differentiating between religious standards and political standards... The modern state, by its very essence, cannot be anything but secular. The talk about completing [the process of] building the state and its institutions, or instituting reforms, means drawing closer to secularism. Drawing away from intentions for reform and for building [the appropriate] institutions means drawing away from secularism... which aims to free the social structure from its bonds but not from its values, and to ensure justice and equality for all citizens."

Saudi Arabia Must be a State with Religious Sites, but Not a Religious State

"In Saudi Arabia, where the political regime is based on the implementation of the Koran and the Sunna, secularism is aimed at actualizing values that are drawn from the Koran and the Sunna, or that [at least] do not contradict them – that is, justice, guarantees of citizen's freedom, and civil and security rights. The basis of the regime's legitimacy is the satisfaction of the citizen and his acceptance of its authority. Accordingly, secularizing [this regime's] foundation will form the basis for a real social compact between the political regime and the citizens.
"Saudi Arabia should be referred to as Al-Harmain
[that is, the land of the two holy places, Mecca and Medina] from a religious perspective [only], not from a political perspective. That is, Saudi Arabia [as a state] is not the Al-Harmain state, but a [state] in which Al-Harmain exists – and within that state, the Al-Harmain is subject to special laws that must not be applied to other areas...
"If the Saudis are charged with spiritual responsibility because Al-Harmain are within its boundaries, then they must emphasize the tolerance of Islam and its culture, [Islam's]
interaction with the zeitgeist; its integration with human rights and women's rights, and its alliance with democracy and civil [values]. Unfortunately, however, we see that the religious institution in Saudi Arabia plays the opposite role – and there are all too many examples of this. This is a negative reflection on the image of Islam in the world, and it holds back progress, modernization, and openness in the country."

"Secularization … will be Implemented when We Give the Concept of the Law Preference Over the Concept of the Fatwa"

"Secularization of the Saudi judicial system will be implemented when we give the concept of the law preference over the concept of the fatwa. If we set aside the limitations and instructions appearing in the Koran, we will find that most of the rules implemented in Saudi Arabia are man-made, or do not appear in the Koran or in the Hadith... Some are cunning and say that this or that [state] law does [in fact] appear in the Koran and Sunna, or that it does not contradict them. They do not understand that law – [which is anchored] in supreme values [that stem from] the principles of truth and justice – will never contradict the Koran and the Sunna. It is inconceivable for a state to be run only by the implementation of Koranic punishments...
"Religious jurisprudence is ultimately a human effort [that can be] either right or misguided, and it is amendable. The structure of the state institutions and the complexity of their function forces them to turn to man-made laws that need to be legislated by experts, and must satisfy the citizen. [This is done] with respect for the laws of Islam concerning personal status... and with consideration for the requirements of reality and its innovations... 
"The secularization of Saudi education means giving the citizen the freedom, and the right, to determine what kind of religious education his children will receive, and at what level [of piety]. Thus, the regime is freed from conflicts with minorities, [such as] Ismailis and Shi'ites, and from conflict with the Sunni schools of thought that do not follow the practices of the official Hanbali school..."

The Role of the Elite in Advancing Secularism

"Most unfortunately, the Saudi elite is being swept away by the populist tendency to condemn and renounce secularism. Therefore, this elite is asked to correct its misconceptions regarding secularism, particularly because secularism is not [totally] absent from Saudi public life. It [made inroads] via the pan-Arab movement and the leftist movement in the 1950s and 1960s, and today it has considerable influence through... the liberal movement. 
"One result of the renunciation of secularism is the media-cultural battle currently underway among the [various] streams of thought in Saudi Arabia. Its most recent manifestations are the liberals' and Islamists' reciprocal attacks over the issue of the call for gender mixing; over the issue of [Saudi cleric] Dr. Muhammad Al-'Arifi's declaration of his intention to visit Jerusalem; over the issue of [the call by Saudi] preacher Yousuf Al-Ahmad [to raze the Mecca mosque in order to rebuild it so men and women are separated]... These wars have been dominated on both sides by sordid, hostile language, because of each side's fear that the political establishment will heed the calls of the other side.
"The propaganda in favor of the idea of secularization in Saudi Arabia does not mean a desire to repress the conservative or Islamist movements. It is a solution [aimed at] preventing the conservatives from forcing their views on others. The secular state is a state that serves as arbiter [between two sides], and is not biased towards a particular side. At the same time, it bans any movement from forcing its position on the other. This demands two fundamental things: a) freedom for the individual to choose his belief and to exercise his rights unmolested, and b) equal rights and obligations for all citizens under the law. Neutrality does not mean a policy of appeasement... It is the state's commitment to assure its citizens the right to live, believe, and express their opinion...
"The negative image of secularism that is widespread in Saudi Arabia is obvious, and stems from the circumstances in which the state was established, and from its clerics' social, cultural, and political standing. This image must be handled with a research approach, not [by way of] preaching. In order to arrive at the desired development, the reform program must be completed, the Islamic religious discourse must be renewed, towards genuine reconciliation with [such concepts as] the state, citizenship, rule of law, freedom, and human and women's rights, and advocacy for the values of common sense and the scientific doctrine..."
 

[1] For a long time in Saudi Arabia there has been an ongoing jurisprudential dispute over whether a man and a woman can be in close proximity without them being considered "alone together," which is banned by shari'a. Many fatwas on this matter have been issued; some have been perceived in the country as bizarre or extremist: for example, a fatwa by senior Saudi sheikh 'Abd Al-Rahman Al-Barak permitting the killing of anyone allowing mixing of the genders (islamlight.net, February 22, 2010); a fatwa issued following the allowing of gender mixing at King 'Abdallah University for Science and Technology (KAUST); and Sheikh 'Abd Al-Mohsin Al-'Obikan's fatwa permitting a woman to breastfeed a man who is not a close relative so that they can work together or be in close proximity for other reasons (alarabiya.net, May 21, 2010; see also MEMRI Inquiry and Analysis No. 626, " Controversy in Saudi Arabia over Fatwa Permitting Breastfeeding of Adults," July 28, 2010, http://memri.convio.net/site/R?i=5Rnj4swT0YnQfSPz1Htewg..).
[2] Al-Wiam (Saudi Arabia), May 5, 2010.

Tree imagePlease remember the environment before printing.

For assistance, please contact MEMRI at memri@memri.org.
The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) is an independent, non-profit organization that translates and analyzes the media of the Middle East. Copies of articles and documents cited, as well as background information, are available on request.
MEMRI holds copyrights on all translations. Materials may only be used with proper attribution.
MEMRI
P.O. Box 27837, Washington, DC 20038-7837
Phone: (202) 955-9070
Fax: (202) 955-9077
www.memri.org
UNSUBSCRIBE | DONATE | CONTACT US
















 
 






















__._,_.___


[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

Re: [ALOCHONA] Sugar tax withdrawn to check price hike



why not? major portion of the margin (retail price - mill gate price) goes to the politicians, which remained protected! and the tax amount is reduced from government which is to be spent for people!! eventually, people received lower price at the expense of their return from the government!!!

--- On Thu, 9/2/10, Isha Khan <bdmailer@gmail.com> wrote:

From: Isha Khan <bdmailer@gmail.com>
Subject: [ALOCHONA] Sugar tax withdrawn to check price hike
To:
Date: Thursday, September 2, 2010, 8:31 AM

 
Sugar tax withdrawn to check price hike: Effective 15 September
 
Dhaka, Sep 1 (bdnews24.com)—The government has decided to withdraw import tax on non-refined sugar in a bid to keep its price at tolerable level. In addition, the import tax on refined sugar will also be reduced, a government statement said on Wednesday.

The Tk 2,000 tax on each tonne non-refined sugar will be off from Sep 15, while the other tax on refined sugar, Tk 4,000, will be reduced to Tk 2,000.

Sugar traders' association president Anwar Habib welcomed the government move. He said, "We requested the government to withdraw the taxes on sugar." He also assured that there was no chance of a price hike after the Eid due to the initiative. Currently, sugar is sold at Tk 43 at mill gate, Tk 45 in the wholesale and Tk 47 in the retail markets, Anwar added.



__._,_.___


[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

[ALOCHONA] Re: [Dahuk]: No problem with Tipaimukh Dam: Bangladesh official



They can say
"No problem with Tipaimukh "
"No problem with Farrakka"
'No problem with Tinbigha'
"No problem with Talpotti"
'No problem with BSF killings'
 
But we, people of Bangladesh have problem.

From: Faruque Alamgir <faruquealamgir@gmail.com>
To: dahuk@yahoogroups.com; notun_bangladesh@yahoogroups.com; wideminds <WideMinds@yahoogroups.com>; alochona <alochona@yahoogroups.com>; Md. Aminul Islam <aminul_islam_raj@yahoo.com>; Anis Ahmed <anis.ahmed@netzero.net>; Ayubi <s_ayubi786@yahoo.com>; Sonar Bangladesh <sonarbangladesh@yahoogroups.com>; history_islam@yahoogroups.com; serajurrahman@btinternet.com; farhadmazhar@hotmail.com; zoglul@hotmail.co.uk
Sent: Sat, August 7, 2010 12:15:25 AM
Subject: Re: [Dahuk]: No problem with Tipaimukh Dam: Bangladesh official

Friends

This Bhua Islam must be the direct descendent's of Jagat Seth/Umi Chand/Rai bollobh/Mir Modon/Mir Jafar/ AGA Chou/Muita Rohomon/mohfoz anom/abm moza/abood kon and many Paa Chata HINDU  STAANI concubines.

Faruque Alamgir

On Mon, Aug 2, 2010 at 5:47 PM, Isha Khan <bdmailer@gmail.com> wrote:
 

No problem with Tipaimukh Dam: Bangladesh official
 

SHILLONG, July 31: Bangladesh today made it clear that it has no problem with the proposed construction of the 1500 mega watt Tipaimukh Hydroelectric project in Manipur if India does without harming its environment and jeopardizing rights of its citizens.

"Bangladesh has no problem with the construction of the project if the Government of India can do without harming and keep in mind grievances we have already expressed," Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board chairman Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam said speaking to Imphal Free Press here.

The Bangladesh official (Islam) is in Meghalaya's capital Shillong attending the "Empowering North East Summit" jointly organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the Meghalayagovernment at Hotel Pinewood.

"There is cynicism in our people that construction of Tipaimukh dam would pose negative impact on our environment and jeopardize our rights. But if the Indian government can do by keeping all these problems in mind and without harming, there will be no problem," Islam said.

The stand taken by Bangladesh to accept the project with condition as expressed by Islam, assumed significance days after the assurance made by Union Minister of State for Water Resources, Vincent H Pala who endorsed the stand of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tipaimukh that "India would take Dhaka into confidence before going ahead with the project, so as not to hamper the friendly Indo-Bangla ties."

However, though India's government- owned NHPC Limited had already floated a joint venture company with the government of Manipur and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Limited on April 28 last for implementation of the 1500 MW Multi-Purpose Project, Pala also maintained that views of the local indigenous people will be also taken into confidence before going ahead with the project.

The project would be located 500 meters downstream of the confluence of the Tuivai and Barak Rivers in Manipur's Churachandpur district just 100 km off from Amalshid border of Jakigang of Sylhet district of Bangladesh and is likely to affect two major rivers of Bangladesh, namely the Surma and the Kushiara and another 60000 Manipuri people who depend on the river for livelihood and other activities.

Bangladesh government had sent a team of experts and diplomats to assess the impact of the proposed dam on the livelihood of its citizen living downstream.

Bangladeshi experts estimated that the massive dam will disrupt the seasonal rhythm of the river and have an adverse effect on downstream agriculture and fisheries.

According to the Bangladeshi experts and environmentalists, the dam would have adverse impacts on the ecology, environment and economy of the northeastern region of Bangladesh. The proposed dam falls at the confluence of Indo-Burma, Indo-Malayan and Indo-Chinese biodiversity hotspot zone.

These areas are characterized by the presence of a large number of plant and animal species, like tiger, hillock gibbon, hornbill, turtle, dolphin etc. many of which are not seen or seldom witnessed in other parts of the world.

The Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Project (ACTIP) consisting of local people of the affected area of the project have strongly opposed the construction of the dam.
ACTIP has also termed the signing of the MoU as "undemocratic" accusing the Manipur government of going ahead with the project without taking the local people's consent.

Apart from ACTIP several organisations like Citizens Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD), Committee on Land and Natural Resources (COLNAR), Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organisation (SIPHRO) and others are protesting against the project on the ground that the Tipaimukh dam would have adverse impact on the environment and socio-economic lives of the local people living near the project area in the states of Manipur, Assam and Mizoram.

http://mizoramexpress.com/index.php/2010/08/no-problem-with-tipaimukh-dam-bangladesh-official/

Open debate on Tipaimukh Dam:

http://mizoramexpress.com/index.php/2010/06/open-debate-on-tipaimukh-dam/

Tipaimukh Dam Project: The Final View:

http://mizoramexpress.com/wp-content/uploads/Tipaimukh-Ruonglevaisuo-300-x-190-200x126.jpg





__._,_.___


[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

Re: [ALOCHONA] Loan from Delhi raisesbillion dollar questions



So you are working with Indian government? How will you make sure " M. Shahidul Islam" will end up with a heavier pocket? Will that "Generosity" help average Bangladeshis or Bangladesh's interest as a nation?

As stated before, Bangladesh has a "Love-hate" relationship with India. We also have "Trust issues" with India. India made plenty of promises before but kept few of her liking. Currently we received more water than we need from certain India states. Soon we are going to have water shortages when we are going to need water to support small farmers of this country---courtesy of India. We have many "Pesky" issues like this. IMHO we can solve them if we have a sincere partner in India.

Now coming back to this loan agreement. We are supporters of this initiative and some critics as well. Critics are saying the majority of the proposals are targeted at streamlining transition facilities for India. This will include water bodies, roads and railways. Since most of these initiatives are targeted to protect Indian interests, why can't India give this money as "Grant" instead of burdening people of this country by counting this as "LOAN"? The other  major concern comes from those who are worried about security and sovereignty  of Bangladesh.

Then we have our own problem of inefficiencies and corruption.

I think these are legitimate concerns and needs to be addressed. This sort of mega projects should be supported by public as long people have a clear idea about our long term goals. What Dipu Moni and couple other ministers did in a press conference was absolutely inadequate to reassure people of this country.

We need to have a clear picture about transparency  and ROI  [ Return  on investment ]  timeline as well. Since we have vibrant media and internet technology, our government should use technology to connect with common people to gain support for "Nation building" projects like these.

-qr







-----Original Message-----
From: ANDREWL <turkman@sbcglobal.net>
To: alochona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, Aug 31, 2010 4:38 am
Subject: [ALOCHONA] Loan from Delhi raisesbillion dollar questions

 
Okay, okay, we will make sure this loans serves your pocket also.

--- In alochona@yahoogroups.com, Isha Khan <bdmailer@...> wrote:
>
> Loan from Delhi raisesbillion dollar questions
>
> *M. Shahidul Islam*
>
> The $1 billion loan agreement signed with India on August 7 begets some
> billion dollar questions: Whose interest will it serve and whether the fund
> was at all needed. Cynicism has exacerbated by the loan coming at a time
> when it is least needed; over $500 million of ADB, IMF and other
> source-loans lying idle in the government's coffer.
> Decoding the mindset of policy makers in Dhaka and Delhi has become a
> futile exercise since the coming to power of the AL-led regime in early
> 2009. While any definitive answers to such questions will remain unanswered
> for obvious reasons, a glance at the targeted projects where the borrowed
> money will be spent may provide some valuable clues to unearthing the real
> motive behind this unprecedented economic collaboration between the two
> South Asian neighbours.
>
> *Whose interest?*
> Of the 14 projects for which the predominance of the borrowed $1 billion
> is slated for spending, over 76 per cent of the fund is earmarked for the
> (1) construction of Ashugonj port and dredging of navigation route leading
> to Tripura border, (2) upgrading of railway tracks and purchase of railway
> locomotives and oil tankers to transport Indian goods across the border, (3)
> construction of bridges astride Indo-Bangladesh border, including over the
> Bhairab and the Feni river connection Tripura, (4) construction of
> Ramgar-Subrom land port and the connecting roads, and, (5) construction of
> Bheramara-Bahrampur 400 KV inter- connected lines at a cost of $150 million,
> to name but a few.
> The agreement stipulates that the pipeline projects must incur 85 per
> cent of the costs by procuring goods and services from India only, and, the
> consultants hired for advising must be from India too. That alone will
> divert back 90 per cent of the fund to India.Add to this .50 per cent
> penalty for non-completion of any project, 1.75 per cent annual interest and
> .5 percent commitment fee per annum. The entire venture has little or no
> value added dividend for Bangladesh, excepting an estimated $25 million or
> so that is expected to come annually from custom fee and the allied levies
> that are yet to be decided.
>
> Simply put: Delhi will plan, fund and complete all these strategically
> important projects inside Bangladesh with materials from India, to serve
> India's interest, while the cost incurred is a loan to Bangladesh which the
> country may not be able to pay off within the stipulated 20 years time
> frame. Besides, the loan's conditionality is so stringent that the negation
> of any future government to comply with the projects' completion will not
> absolve the nation from paying the interests and the penalties during the 20
> years amortization period.
>
> As well, the 1.75 per cent interest is too high, compared with the loan
> transactions occurring at public and private levels anywhere in the world;
> due to the recession-battered prime landing rate being either zero, or at
> best one per cent in the leading economies of the world. More disturbing is
> the 20 years payment deadline, which covers only half of the payment
> time-line usually offered by major international financial institutions
> while the stipulated interest rate is seven times of what the IMF loan
> charges, .25 per cent at best.
>
> *Why policy- shift?*
> Despite that, our finance minister is on record for accusing the
> opposition BNP of lying, as the latter insisted on not to sign the loan
> accord in consideration of upholding national interest. The gala and the
> glittering of the signing ceremony had also dwarfed the potential of an
> economic and geopolitical disaster this particular loan is sure to bring
> upon our nation.
>
> The finance minister is not alone in touting the issue as an epoch -
> making economic bonanza. Prior to Dhaka consenting to inking the agreement,
> few in the nation took pain to study the economic and the arithmetical
> rationale for doing so, especially at a time when the decision to borrow
> from external sources marked a radical shift from existing policies which
> proved successful over the decades by reducing debt-dependency on external
> sources, often phenomenally.
>
> We also feel numb as none among the policy makers even bothered to ask,
> why Dhaka needed $1 billion credit from India when its debt-GDP ratio stood
> at all time high, over 32 per cent of the GDP, or well over $50 billion, of
> which public debt alone rose by over $2 billion since the coming to office
> of the AL-led regime in late 2008 (Source: CIA fact sheet). Bangladesh bank
> data also reveals, total government borrowing was Tk. 597.9 billion in FY
> 2007, out of which Tk. 522.0 billion (87 percent) came from domestic sources
> while the net flow of public borrowing from external sources remained nearly
> stagnant in FY06-07, and declined further subsequently.
>
> *Deadly geopolitics*
> Such compelling economic rationales aside, India's generosity remains
> questionable; the loan coming to Dhaka at a time when India itself is
> bleeding under a slew of catastrophic afflictions spurred by a lingering
> recession, accelerated centrifugal drives spearheaded by insurgents from
> Kashmir to Mizoram to Assam, and the widespread public discontent created by
> a combustive mix of mass unemployment and hyper inflation which Delhi seems
> totally unable to tackle.
> Some observers say, this is hardly a micro-managed regional bonhomie to
> bolster fraternity with a smaller neighbour in crisis. Faced with
> unprecedented domestic crisis, Delhi had to display some geopolitical
> acrobatics to deflect attention outward and the scheme fitted neatly with a
> Machiavellian design to turn Bangladesh into an economic and military
> hinterland that has been in the making since Delhi decided to join the
> US-led anti terror bandwagon in 2001.
> They say, ever since, Delhi has been on the driving seat in Dhaka while
> irritating silence and procrastination remained our national hallmark amidst
> the gradual but systematic enfeebling of the nation by (1) rendering the
> armed forces impotent, and, (2) bludgeoning the economy through orchestrated
> destruction of the main export sector, the RMG.
>
> This line of analysis jibes well with the desperation Delhi felt lately
> as it witnessed, helplessly, Nepal turning into a Maoist state, Sri Lanka
> drifting away toward China and the Pakistani success in checkmating Delhi in
> Afghanistan amidst successive Taliban victory in the battles against the
> India-allied NATO forces. They say as most of the earmarked projects involve
> land and marine connectivity between India's north east with the mainland
> via Bangladesh, our nation is being turned into a virtual India corridor.
> This constitutes serious compromises of our territorial integrity and
> sovereignty.
>
> http://www.weeklyholiday.net/front.html#02
>



__._,_.___


[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___