The Week That Was
Education and Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman addresses the first biennial conference of Bangladesh Economic Association, Chittagong Chapter at Theatre Institute, Chittagong (TIC) auditorium on Saturday (left); Members of Jono Uddog, an environmental organisation of the port city, light candles at Chittagong Shaheed Minar on Wednesday in memory of those who were killed in the devastating landslides in Chittagong on June 11 in 2007.Photo: STAR
Call to maintain eco balance of CtgSpeakers at a meeting of Khelagar, Chittagong Metropolitan committee, urged the government to take steps to maintain the ecological balance of Chittagong for the greater interest of the port city and its dwellers. They alleged that natural beauty of Chittagong is being damaged due to many anti-environment activities, including rampant hill cutting and water pollution, and urged all to resist such activities. Khelaghar, Chittagong President Dr AQM Sirajul Islam presided over the meeting. Vice presidents M Nasirul Haque and Ashish Sen, General Secretary Ripan Barua, and executive committee members Prof Shib Prasad and Shabana Banu spoke at the meeting. 'Save rain trees'
An agricultural scientist urged the government to help develop integrated research approach to save the century-old rain trees perishing all over the country due to a complex disease. He called for making efforts involving plant pathologists, soil scientist physiologists and environmentalist to find out the reasons and remedy to this problem. Prof Dr Md Amin Uddni Mridha, an agricultural scientist of Plant Pathology and Microbiology of Chittagong University (CU), made this call at a press conference at the university on Thursday. Referring to the research findings carried out at plant pathology laboratory of the university Prof Mridha said the plants are dying due to fungal infection either from the top of the plants called die-back or from the root zones by the soils pathogens called root-rots, aggravated by soil and environmental pollution, prolong draught and genetically erosion. Some postgraduate students working at plant pathology laboratory are dealing with the problem. But, it is difficult to find out an easy and effective method to control the disease through short research programme by the postgraduate students, he said. “The affected plants must be removed partially or fully. Partial removal may be done for retaining the scenic view and heritage in important places like CRB in Chittagong and some areas in Dhaka. Complete removal may be done to reduce the risk of contamination in healthier plants. Simultaneously, fungicidal spray can be used for protection. Planting material may be collected from resistant strains of the plant for future plantation,” said Prof Mridha. Speed-breaker demanded
Speakers at a view exchange meeting on Friday called for erecting speed-breakers on the roads in front of different schools, colleges, madrasas and children parks in the port city. “Increasing number of death in road accidents has become a matter of concern for the citizens in Chittagong,” they said at the meeting organised by Chittagong Conscious Citizen Movement. Faruk-e Azam Bir Pratik chaired the meeting held at the auditorium of Friends Club. Former Chittagong District Bar Association president Ibrahim Hossain Babul, Chattagram Zila Krira Sangstha (CJKS) General Secretary Hafizur Rahman, Shop Owners' Association President Md Shahabuddin, Chittagong Union of Journalists (CUJ) Joint Secretary Ratan Kanti Debashish and freedom fighter Syed Abul Bashar spoke among others. They urged the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) to take stern action against the drivers and helpers who used to break traffic rule in the city. BASIC Bank opens ATM Booth
BASIC Bank Limited opened its first ATM booth in the port city expanding its ATM service outside Dhaka on Thursday. While inaugurating the booth in the MM Tower on CDA Avenue at East Nasirabad, Managing Director AH Iqbal Hossain said hundred percent state owned bank always emphasises rendering banking service as per the demand of its clients. The bank achieved operating profit of Tk 132 crore with classified loan comprising 3.25 percent of it in 2007. The bank that started with a paid up capital of only Tk 8 crore now has paid up capital over Tk 294.79 crore, he said. The bank has so far provided the government cash dividend of Tk 53.80 crore and income tax of Tk 279.10 crore, he added. BASIC Bank Limited signed an agreement with IT Consultant Limited to offer its clients Q-Cash ATM facilities through 86 booths, he said. Senior officials of the bank were also present at the inaugural function. Non-govt teachers demand 20pc DA
Bangladesh Teachers-Employees Oikya Parishad, Chittagong regional unit leaders submitted a memorandum to the education adviser demanding 20 percent dearness allowance for the teachers and employees of private educational institutions. The Parishad leaders handed over the memorandum containing six-point demand to Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman at Theatre Institute, Chittagong (TIC). Zillur came here to attend a seminar of Bangladesh Economic Association, Chittagong chapter as the chief guest on Saturday. The demands include reconsidering decision on cancelling MPOs for several schools and colleges, withdrawal of annual performance evaluation certification system for secondary teachers, cancellation of the workforce structure of 1995, inclusion of the teachers appointed in the vacant posts in the MPOs keeping the number of allocated classes unchanged. Parishad Chittagong regional unit Convenor AKM Abdul Wahab Chowdhury, Prof Md Abdul Hye, Chief Coordinator Sunil Chakrabarty, Coordinator Prof Mohammad Jahangir were present while handing over the memo to the education adviser. The education adviser assured the Parishad leaders of considering their demands, says a press release. CU SCF executives
A 13-member committee of Samajtantrik Chhatra Front (SCF) Chittagong University (CU) unit was formed at its 12th council at Dost Building Office on Wednesday. Pranabesh Chakrabarty and Kolin Chakma were elected president and general secretary of the new committee. Other office-bearers are Vice President: Mezbah Uddin, Organising Secretary: Mukta Bhattacharya, Office Secretary: Prabal Majumder, Finance Secretary: Bijoy Kumar Das, Publicity and Publication Secretary: Sajidul Haque, Library Secretary: Liton Bhowmik, School Secretary: Samir Mallik and Assistant Secretary: Sumon Majumder. Members of the executive committee are Mizanur Rahman, Kamrun Nahar and Utpal Kumar Sarker. SCF General Secretary Nikhil Das, Vice President Fakhruddin Kabir Atique, Office Secretary Mehedi Hasan Tamal, School Secretary Saifuzzaman Sakan and CU unit immediate past president Kanchan Sarker and general secretary Zamir Uddin Rassel spoke at the council.
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