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CONTRACT LACKS TRANSPARENCY
Doubt looms over suspicious Chevron deal
Faisal Rahim
The allegation that the gas compressor installation contract awarded to international oil company Chevron Bangladesh has many irregularities and lack of transparency need to be clearly investigated to assure the public that nothing has been done wrong under it.
It is very important because certain quarters in the Petrobangla has initially broken the news to the ministry under an ambiguous name demanding investigation into it.
Suspicion over deal
There are several serious allegations in the anonymous letter which merit a through investigation and Petrobangla's subsequent refusal to take up this investigation acting on instruction of the Energy Division further heighten suspicion...[ FULL STORY ]
Delhi wants to control Dhaka's telecom to dominate NE India
Moinuddin Naser in New York
India has become desperate to capture the Bangladesh's telecommunication system and to build up a fibre optic network by using the Cox's Bazar submarine cable to connect India's seven sisters in the Northeast India. In this connection the Indian Telecom companies Bharti Airtel and Reliance Communications have already submitted a joint proposal to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). Thaindia news, a web based news media reported about the development centring the Bangladesh's communication system...[ FULL STORY ]
PRESIDENT SHOULD FORM COMMISSION
Graft allegations deserve judicious handling
M. Shahidul Islam
The already wobbly political edifice, characterized by opposition's seeming unwillingness to join the parliament and the deteriorating governance, is bound to become further dysfunctional if public officials are allowed to seek with impunity illegitimate personal gains through bribery, extortion, graft and other forms of kickbacks...[ FULL STORY ]
B.F.U.J., D.U.J. SLAM MINISTERS' THREATS
Journalists raise voice against attack on media
Special Correspondent
Expressing concern over the recent spurt in attacks on the press in different parts of the country, leaders of the journalist community on Tuesday demanded of the government to stop threatening and attacking newsmen for carrying out their professional duty.
The demand came as ministers of the present government and ruling party leaders threatened newsmen and a number of the media persons even came under attacks in different parts of the country...[ FULL STORY ]
Maoists ready for talks with Delhi
Special Correspondent
Concluding a three-day nationwide general strike in the Himalayan state of Nepal, the UCPN (Maoist) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said last Tuesday that his party was ready to hold "decisive talks" with India and not with the current "puppet government" to solve the country's prevailing political deadlock.
The three-day strike announced by his party as part of the third phase of protest programme to uphold "civilian supremacy". Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Popularly knows as Prachanda, said he has no hopes of ending current deadlock through dialogue with the political parties in Nepal's coalition government as they act as per the "orders from Delhi"...[ FULL STORY ]
INDIAN CONCERN DEEPENED
Maoists consolidating grassroots
bases in Nepal
Shamsuddin Ahmed
Disquieting reports are emanating from Nepal. After enforcing 3-day countrywide general strike (December 19-21) the powerful opposition UCPN Maoist party announced its 4th phase of movement focusing on protection of independence and against external interference in Nepal's internal affairs. Nepal's Maoist chief Purshpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda has been accusing India of orchestrating the fall of his government in May last and installing what he call "a puppet" UML-NC alliance government of Madhav Kumar Nepal...[ FULL STORY ]
Extrajudicial killing has to stop
Amanullah Kabir
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told the parliament that her government would not allow any extrajudicial killings but these were continuing in the country without any break. The elite force RAB, in particular, paid little heed to the prime minister's public assurance which appears to have only rebounded within the four walls of the parliament building. It is understood that no follow-up action was taken in this regard by the prime minister's office...[ FULL STORY ]
Restrictions on TV talk shows?
Holiday Report
A set of new restrictions are likely to be imposed on Television talk shows to make it more congenial and innocuous.
Showing intolerance to any dissident voice, the new guidelines resembling those of the emergency period, is aimed at restricting recalcitrant and non-cooperative guests in the talk shows.
There should not be any dissident voice in the talk shows that may cause "misunderstanding" among the viewers and create negative image of the government. There can only be constructive criticism.
Talk shows shall put priority on the issues relating to development , education, culture and economy of the country. ..[ FULL STORY ]
UGC to work for quality education in private sector
Abdur Rahman Khan
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has been sanctioned with a fund of taka 681 crore to be disbursed to the universities for enhancing the quality of higher education in the country,
The five-year fund created in May 2009 is aimed at providing broadband Internet facilities, modernising the university libraries, training the teachers and conducting research programmes at university level...[ FULL STORY ]
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