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LOCAL GOVT. ELECTION
Khaleda says it's attempt to install chosen people
Abdur Rahman Khan
The detained BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has said the incumbents, though they do not have any constitutional mandate to conduct local polls, are out to do so, and that too under emergency, only to install people of their choice in public offices. A former prime minister, Khaleda Zia made the statements Tuesday while talking to her lawyers in a special court in the Jatiya Sangsad premises. But the caretaker government (CG) appears to be adamant with its plan to hold the local government elections ignoring demand of the political parties for complete withdrawal of emergency power rules and a national elections first...[ FULL STORY ]
MISMATCH BETWEEN CREDIT DEMAND, SUPPLY
Banks' liquidity shortage panic businessmen
Faruque Ahmed
Soon after the announcement of the new budget of Taka 30,000 crore with major focus on bank borrowing, the country's business community has expressed concerns over liquidity shortage in commercial banks to finance new investments...[ FULL STORY ]
Controlled democracy the ultimate goal?
Amanullah Kabir
The government strategists have chosen the local body elections time stretching over three months from August to October when the political situation remains a jig-saw puzzle for the people. If the depoliticised local body elections could be conducted successfully, it is likely to give the caretaker government the leverage to hold the national polls in December without the participation of the two former prime ministers. By then, the two leaders would perhaps have been convicted for the crime they being tried now...[ FULL STORY ]
POLITICS: BACK TO SQUARE ONE?
CEC wants conformist beliefs to go
Mohammad Ali Sattar
This is not for the first time that a man of wisdom (this time it is the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr.A. T. M. Shamsul Huda) felt the necessity of change in the country's political culture. Dr.Huda, who is respected by many, shows genuine concern when he emphasizes on these matters. That he is not all very comfortable with certain government decisions is evident from his media appearances. An independent Election Commission is still in the cold. His recent remarks that about the need of changing political culture to establish democracy speaks only of the grave situation prevailing in politics. To this end he stressed on the importance of shunning the conformist ideas and beliefs to improve the lot of the people...[ FULL STORY ]
SHARIF BROTHERS IN TROUBLE
Political manipulation in Pakistan
Jonaid Iqbal
If economics drives politics, as they are saying these days, then you can get a fairly good picture of Pakistan from the rise and fall of the Karachi Stock Exchange, the largest bourse of the country. Some people say the Karachi Stock Exchange is often manipulated in favour of the moneyed guys...[ FULL STORY ]
Israel training to attack Iran
Peter Hirschberg in Jerusalem
Israeli defence experts were not surprised by a New York Times report over the weekend that the Israeli air force had recently conducted what appeared to be a rehearsal for an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities...[ FULL STORY ]
POLITICS OF MINUS ONE
CG wins over Hasina, AL to prepare for election
M. Mahtabuddin
For quite some time the military-backed Caretaker Government (CG) had been trying hard to reach an understanding with the Awami League (AL) for the success of the dialogue and general election. Now it appears that the CG has succeeded in doing so. As a result, Sheikh Hasina was released from prison on 11 June and was allowed to proceed to the US. Now the ball is now in CG's court...[ FULL STORY ]
GLIMPSES OF THE GREAT
Vallabhbhai Patel
K. Z. Islam
Thirteen years older than Nehru and only seven years younger than Gandhiji, Vallabhbhai Patel (1875-1950) came from peasant stock. He possessed considerable organizing ability and an ample measure of ruthlessness. To be the boss of the party machine came naturally to him. That was the type of work Nehru shunned. He also left the field open for Patel to be the Chairman of the Congress Central Parliamentary Board until independence. This gave Patel a hold on the party machine...[ FULL STORY ]
Assam minister Bora held with bribery charge by CBI
Nava Thakuria in Guwahati
It was appalling news for the people of Assam, where one of its active state ministers was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials few weeks back in New Delhi with the charges of offering bribe to an officer to get rid of a murder case. But more shocking news for the media persons was the involvement of a Guwahati-based reporter in the episode, who was also picked up the investigation agency...[ FULL STORY ]
FAT GENERATION OF CHINA
Childhood obesity causes alarm
Tang Yuankai
Ding Wei, an elementary school girl student in Beijing, is growing faster in weight than in height. One month ago, Ding celebrated her 11th birthday. Standing 1.3 meters tall, she now weighs 55 kg, heavier than her mother Xing Hong...[ FULL STORY ]
UNDUE HASTE, LIMITED DISCUSSION CAN'T BRING CHANGE
Redefining our tourism administration
Shahabuddin Ahmad
The Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) was established in November 1972 by a Presidential Order. From 1973 it started functioning under the Ministry of Commerce. Subsequently it was brought under the control of the Ministry of Civil Aviation & Tourism from 1975. Initially the BPC showed progress in organising the abandoned units relating to tourists accommodation, arrange rent-a-cars and coaches, print and distribute tourists literature and films, organise international meetings and conferences in Dhaka in a limited way and invited foreign travel writers for promoting the image of Bangladesh abroad for attracting tourists...[ FULL STORY ]
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