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Up to 1,500 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have been stranded at Jeddah airport for up to two days following the cancellation of a Biman Bangladesh flight.
   Biman authorities said the flight was cancelled owing to ‘technical trouble’ of a plane.
   The officials of Bangladesh’s national flag carrier said the stranded pilgrims would return home within the next two
   to three days as two more
   additional aircraft will fly to Jeddah Sunday night.
   ‘Yes, there was a problem with the flight schedule since one of our aircraft had technical trouble,’ Zahed Kuddus, Biman’s managing director and chief executive officer, told the news agency Sunday night.
   ‘In addition to our two 747 planes, we are sending two more DC 10 aircraft tonight (Sunday night) to Jeddah to carry back the stranded pilgrims,’ said Kuddus Sunday night.
   The managing director said all four aircraft with passengers on board would return Monday.
   ‘I hope the stranded Hajj pilgrims will be able to return home in the next two to three days,’ he said.
   Those stranded, many of them elderly, have been facing discomfort and distressing conditions, one of the stranded passengers told the news agency from Jeddah.
   ‘About 1,000 hajjis were forced to camp out on the floor of the airport because of the cancelled flight,’ Mostofa Azad Chowdhury, member of Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industries, told the agency by telephone.
   ‘In addition, about 500 passengers have been stranded at the airport since Friday.’
   He alleged that the Biman office in Jeddah did not manage hotel facilities for the passengers.
   ‘According to international practice, airlines must bear the expenses of hotel, foods and transport facilities of passengers if any flight is cancelled for technical reasons,’ he pointed out.
   ‘Elderly men and women have been forced to wait on the floor in the chilling temperature because Biman has not managed hotels for us,’ he said.

Cold weather accompanied with the dense fog continued sweeping the northern region of the country for the past one week, paralysing normal life in the areas.
   The sun was not visible in the past few days in the areas close to the Himalayan range spreading over the northern districts of Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Rajshahi and Rangpur for the dense fog.
   The meteorological department said the prevailing situation should not be branded as cold wave as the minimum temperature was still above the mark of the usual winter cold.
   ‘The cold is being felt as the sun remained hidden beyond dense fog,’ said the on-duty weather officer at the Dhaka Met Office. ‘The fog began thinning from Sunday noon and it would be thinner in a couple of days,’ he said.
   The country experienced the lowest temperature between 13.5 degrees Celsius and 13.7 degrees Celsius in the past three days.
   The Met Office also said with the reduction of fog, the night temperature would begin falling in the next week in the northern and central regions, especially in the districts of Jessore, Rajshahi, Kushtia and Sylhet.
   Dense fog disrupted traffic in the northern region as vehicles on all routes had to keep their headlights on till noon.
   Ferry services on different routes, including those on the Paturia-Daulatdia route, were also disrupted in the past few days, causing immense sufferings to passengers and traffic congestion.
   Meanwhile, the number of patients suffering from cold-related diseases, such as pneumonia, asthma and respiratory complications, increased in the upazila and district level hospitals, including Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, hospital sources said.
   The income of day labourers and rickshaw-pullers has fallen sharply as they have been interned by the biting cold while the poor old men and women are being the worst victims.
   Sales of second hand clothes in the areas went up. People from the low income group, however, found the price almost double of what it was in the past years.
   Woolen sweaters, which sold at Tk 200 to Tk 250, are now being sold at Tk 350, reports New Age Correspondent in Panchagarh.
   Mizanur Rahman, a trader of second hand clothes in Panchagarh, said they were selling the clothes at high price because they had to purchase them at a high price in Sayedpur and Dhaka.
   Government has started distribution of winter clothes among the cold-stricken people. The Panchgarh district administration has distributed 2,611 blanket and warm clothes.
   Muhammad Munir Hossain, deputy commissioner of Panchagarh, distributed 200 blankets and warm clothes among the people at Railstation, Nimnagr, Tulardanga and Talma under Panchagarh municipality Saturday night.
   New Age Correspondent in Rangpur reports people living in the char areas along the Teesta and Dharla rivers of the region became more vulnerable without warm clothes.
   Jagjis Rhaman, the district relief officer, said they had sought 25,000 blankets from the relief and disaster ministry but they received only 9,000 blankets and they already distributed 4,980 pieces.
   Sources in the Rangpur Civil Surgeon office said pneumonia and cold diarrhoea broke out in the district. About 500 children contracted pneumonia and cold diarrhoeas treated in eight upazilla health complexes.

Alleging conspiracy in engaging the World Bank in the multi-donor trust fund, a rights group has demanded suspension of the lender-driven process to formulate climate change strategy and action plan until the next elected government takes office.
   The Equity and Justice Working Group, in support of the demand, said at a press conference on Sunday that the government of Bangladesh should be in charge of the fund meant for addressing the effects of climate change in this country.
   The group argued the lending agency which was one of the culprits behind the deterioration of the environment should not be entrusted with the responsibility of operating the climate changer fund.
   ‘Since the elections are knocking at the door and a new political government is about to assume office, opportunities should be given to the elected authorities to prepare the action plan. It may take a year to prepare such an important national document,’ said Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, referring to the 80-day deadline fixed by the UK government in September to redraft the action plan.
   The Rights group leaders, at the conference at the National Press Club, came up with their demand and observations before concluding a three-month campaign on sensitising the public and political opinions against the involvement of the WB in the management of the multi donor trust fund.
   They criticised the interim government for agreeing with the WB’s management authority on operating the fund initially floated with the contribution from the UK Department for International Development and also the Bangladesh government during the climate change conference in London in September.
   ‘Giving the responsibility to the WB to operate the fund is tantamount to privatising the country’s governance. Someday the lending agency may say, “Privatise your national budget and authorise us to deal with it”,’ said Mohammad Shamsuddoha, general secretary of the Equity and Justice Working Group.
   Campaign leaders, including AHM Bazlur Rahman of EquityBD and Quazi Farooque of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh, claimed that they had endorsement by the leaders of the major political parties for the campaign.

The council of advisers of the caretaker government Sunday finally approved the Supreme Court Judges (Remuneration and Privileges) Ordinance 2008 to provide them dearness and rest and recreational allowances.
   Following approval of the ordinance the SC judges will get 20 per cent dearness allowance like government officials and employees and rest-and-recreational allowance in an amount equal to their basic salary after every three years. The perks will have retrospective effect from July 1, 2008.
   A meeting of the council of advisers with the chief adviser, Fakhruddin Ahmed, in the chair also approved proposed amendment to the Pure Food Ordinance 1959 aiming to ‘well protect the public health and control quality of various food items’.
   Following the amendment, instead of LGRD minister, health and family welfare minister would be chairman of the National Food Safety Advisory Council.
   The meeting also approved a proposal for amendment to the Society Registration Act 1860. As a result, different fees, including society-registration fee, have been increased to Tk 2,500 from the existing amount of Tk 250.
   It extended the relaxation period of conditions for attaining specific educational qualifications by registered unqualified primary school teachers through competence test for another six months till July 31, 2009.
   The extension was made following stay order from the High Court on holding the competence test. So, the teachers would get the portion of government subsidy on their salary during this time.
   After the meeting, chief adviser’s press secretary Syed Fahim Munaim told newsmen that the meeting also approved a proposal that Bangladesh would ratify the setting up of South Asian Regional Standards Organisation.
   The meeting finally approved the National Poultry Development Policy Guidelines 2008 aimed at boosting production of meat and egg to meet national demand for protein.
   It also approved in principle amendment to the Company Act 1994 and sent back the National Shrimp Policy 2008 for further examination.
   Members of the advisory council attended the meeting at the Chief Adviser’s Office. Cabinet secretary, chief adviser’s press secretary and secretaries of ministries concerned were also present.

Sector commanders of the country’s war of independence on Sunday called on the people to boycott the war criminals through ballots in the forthcoming national elections.
   The people must not vote for those who unleashed mass killing, robbed and raped women during the independence war in 1971, they said while addressing a rally in Faridpur.
   The Faridpur unit of the Sector Commanders’ Forum organised the rally at Kabi Jasim Uddin Hall in the town to gather people’s resentment against Jamaat secretary general and BNP-led alliance candidate Ali Ahsam Md Mujahid contesting for Faridpur-3 constituency.
   Sector commander Major General KM Shafiullah (retrd) said Mujahid had collaborated with the Pakistan occupation forces in conducting mass killing.
   The people must boycott him through ballots in the ensuing national elections scheduled for December 29, he added.
   Women, who represent 50 per cent of the total votes, could play a key role in rejecting the war criminals contesting the elections, Shafiullah observed.
   He said Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had granted mercy only those who joined the Razakar, Al-Badar, Al-Shams as collaborators of the Pak forces but did not commit any major crime.
   ‘But Sheikh Mujib did not forgive those helped the occupation forces to commit major crimes like mass killing, looting and rape,’ he added.
   Sector commander Major General CR Datta said we could not hold trial of war criminals even after 37 years of the country’s independence and also failed to bring all the freedom fighters under one platform. He called on the people get united against the anti-liberation forces being inspired with the historic speech of the Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman.
   Maj Gen. Masudur Rahaman (retrd) Bir Protik, Captain Shahabuddin, Bir Uttam, columnist Harun Habib, Lieutenant Harunar Rashid Bir Protik, Oahiduzzaman Helal Bir Protik and sector commander Abu Yusuf Chowdhury, among others, took part the discussion.

The British high commissioner in Dhaka, Stephen Evans, on Sunday hoped the government would take all necessary steps to ensure peaceful campaigns and security and safety of political leaders in connection with the December 29 elections.
   Evans also said his government was waiting to work very closely with a democratically elected government.
   He came up with the views after he had met the foreign affairs adviser, Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, in the ministry.
   Evans declined to make any comments on media report regarding the reported threat to the Awami League president, Sheikh Hasina, saying, ‘I’m not in a position to comment on particular press report.’
   He, however, said, ‘I hope the authorities will take necessary steps so that all can campaign forward peacefully which will lead to free and fair polls for the establishment of a democratically elected government.’
   Evans appreciated the efforts of the caretaker government and the Election Commission in ensuring elections in a free and fair manner. He also said the holding of elections with 85 million people on the electoral roll was a challenging task and authorities were doing everything to hold credible elections.
   Evans said, ‘Of course, we will have the opportunity to listen to the views of domestic and international observers.’ He said Britain would work very closely with the next democratically elected government.

The Awami League on Sunday urged the caretaker administration to take necessary steps to strengthen security for the party president, Sheikh Hasina, a day after a news item headlined ‘6-member team out to kill ex-Bangladesh PM Hasina’ had been published in newspapers.
   The party also viewed this threat could be a conspiracy to foil the ninth parliamentary elections, scheduled for December 29, and termed it an attack on democracy and independence.
   While briefing newsmen, The Awami League’s election steering committee co-chairman HT Imam urged all including the law enforcement agencies, party leaders and activists to remain alert following a threat by the militants to the party’s media centre at Dhanmondi.
   ‘We informed the caretaker government of our fears in writing and the government assured us of taking necessary steps in this regard,’ Imam said. He, however, said the election campaign of Sheikh Hasina would not be hampered following the threats.
   Imam, also a former cabinet secretary, criticized the attack on Jannat Ara Henry, the Awami League-led alliance candidate for the Sirajganj 2 constituency saying the attack was planned. Imam req-uested all candidates of the alliance to remain alert to such attacks.
   He also accused some BNP-led alliance candidates of violating the electoral code of conduct and urged the Election Commission to take steps against them.
   Imam also requested the commission to set up a cell to expedite the process of taking action in connection with code of conduct violation.
   The Awami League’s media centre coordinator Quasem Humayun and Hasina’s deputy press secretary Nakib Ahmed attended the briefing.

Election campaign for the upcoming ninth parliamentary election will be banned from midnight of December 27 to December 29.
   After Saturday (December 27) midnight, none can be allowed to hold or attend any meeting or rally in any parliamentary constituency, an Election Commission press release said on Sunday.
   The ban will remain enforced up to 48 hours after completion of the casting of votes on December 29, it added.

The Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad on Sunday urged the Awami League president Sheikh Hasina to withdraw the AL’s candidate for Chittagong 9 from the race for the greater interest of the ‘grand’ alliance as the constituency had been given to the JP for contest in the December 29 polls.
   ‘The Awami League candidate [Absarul Amin Chowdhury] cannot contest the polls for the constituency as the Jatiya Party candidate Morshed Murad Ibrahim has been named the grand alliance nominee’, he said while addressing separate wayside rallies in Chittagong.
   The former president addressed rallies at Badamtali, Dewanhat, Naya Bazar, Sagarika Bazar, Nasirabad CDA Avenue and Panchlaish in the morning to campaign for the JP candidate for Chittagong 9.
   Ershad said the AL and the JP had forged unity to contest the polls and form government jointly adding that the ‘grand’ alliance would build a developed Bangladesh if the people voted it to power.
   The JP chairman said he had implemented many development projects in Chittagong when he was the country’s president and urged the electors to vote for ‘grand’ alliance nominee Morshed for further development of the port city.
   Ershad also addressed rallies at Hathazari bus stop, Fatehabad School ground, Bangla Bazar crossing and Baluchhara in the afternoon to campaign for ‘grand’ alliance candidate for Chittagong 4 (Hathazari), acting chairman of JP Anisul Islam Mahmud.

The Bangladesh Rifles recovered a revolver from Charbhabanipur under Shibganj upazila in Chapainawabganj on Sunday morning.
   Tipped off, BDR personnel of the Monoharpur border outpost raided the area and recovered the firearm from a mango orchard in an abandoned state. None was arrested.

The Election Commission has extended the deadline for submission of nomination papers by a day to December 22 and scrutiny to December 23 for Noakhali 1 constituency, an official said on Sunday.
   ‘The commission at a meeting has set December 22 for the deadline of nomination submission. The last date for scrutiny of nomination papers has also been extended to December 23,’ Farhad Ahmed Khan, senior assistant secretary at the EC Secretariat, said to the news agency.
   The last date for withdrawal of nomination which is December 27 and the voting day, January 12, would remain unchanged, he said. The decision came after acting Ganatantri Party president Md Afzal appealed to the EC on Saturday to extend the deadline for submission of nomination papers by another week.
   The EC announced a fresh schedule on December 14 for election to the constituency following the death of Ganatantri Party president Nurul Islam.
   Nurul Islam, the Awami League-led alliance’s nominee for the seat, died after suffering critical burns in a fire at his home on December 4. His son also died in the incident.

The government will amend the ‘The Breast Milk Substitute (regulation of marketing) Ordinance, 1984 with the provision for sentencing any offender to five years’ in jail and with Tk one lakh as fine instead of two years’ in jail.
   To take sterner actions against those who are importing unregulated milk powder that poses a threat to public health, the amendment is necessary, said the officials of the health and family welfare ministry.
   ‘An offender will be sentenced to two years’ imprisonment with the penalty of Tk one lakh initially and for repeating the offence an offender will be sentenced to five years’ imprisonment as per the amendment’, said Dr Fatima Parveen Chowdhury, director of the Institution of Public Health and Nutrition, which is the authority to give registration to the formula milk products.
   She said that the final draft of the amendment was now lying with the law ministry for vetting.
   As per the amendment, a company has to write the slogan ‘there is no substitute to breast-feeding’ along with the name of the brand on the product.
   The size of the font to be used for the slogan should not be less than half the size of the font for the brand’s name.
   Earlier, some companies used to inscribe the slogan but the size of the font was so small that it was not noticeable, said officials of the IPHN.
   The Bangladesh Breast Feeding Foundation and the Consumer Association of Bangladesh worked with the government’s IPHN to bring amendments to the ordinance.
   The Breast Milk Substitute Ordinance, 1984 states that nobody is allowed to promote the use of any breast milk substitute or give any impression that the substitute is better than breast-milk, which will amount to an offence. The Ordinance has also made it mandatory to inscribe ‘there is no substitute to breast-feeding’ on the package of the substitute.
   But the traders and the company owners frequently violate the rule. After the amendment no one should take the risk of violating the rule, said Fatima Parveen.
   In 2007, a study by the IPHN revealed that five formula milk companies in the country were posing a serious threat to infants’ health by marketing the unregistered, substandard baby milk.
   The companies include the SB Distribution Ltd, Mega International, M/S Rahman & Brothers, Paramount Business Ltd, and the Global Health Limited, which were selling 13 products in different brand names.
   The study also found some companies marketing their products with false registration numbers on their containers.
   ‘These companies are doing a crime by exposing the infants to health hazards and by evading the taxes,’ said Fatima.
   The government has forbidden the sale of the imported Chinese milk after the international media reported that melamine was found in the milk powder. Over 62,000 children have already fallen sick in China after consuming this milk.
   The breast milk substitute ordinance was promulgated in Bangladesh in 1984 and the first amendment to it was brought in 1990.

The Workers Party of Bangladesh on Sunday vowed to strengthen the left alternative political forces outside the two big political parties, the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, to establish the rights of the people.
   The party’s general secretary Saiful Huq at a briefing in its central office in Dhaka announced the manifesto for the December 29 general elections.
   Arrest of essential goods price increase, food security, measures against corruption, poverty eradication and employment topped the list of the party manifesto.
   The party will take special measures for the development of agriculture and industry sectors, education, health, equal rights of women, rights of the minorities and safeguard of the national wealth, Saiful said.
   The party is contesting the elections from within the Awami League-led alliance for six constituencies with the symbol of spade.
   It urged supporters to cast their vote in favour of the party candidates and the candidates nominated by Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal and the Communist Party of Bangladesh.
   The party also called on the activists not to vote for corrupt people, black money holders, criminals and war criminals.
   Central leaders including Bahnishikha Jamali, Abdus Sattar Mojumder, Bahrane Sultan Bahar, Zuran Ali Jewel and Apolo Jamali attended the briefing.

The interim government on Sunday transferred two joint secretaries and extended the contractual appointment of a physician as a project director.
   Directorate of Technical Education director Md Khairul Alam has been made director general of the directorate, and member of the National Housing Authority and Md Tajul Islam has been transferred to the posts and telecommunications ministry as joint secretary.
   The contractual appointment of Samanta Lal Sen as project director of the burn unit project at Dhaka Medical College Hospital has been extended by two more years. He was earlier appointed as project director on a contractual basis for two years.
   The establishment ministry issued separate gazette notification to the effect.

Bangladesh Betar will broadcast sixty-hour programme on election from 6:00pm on December 29 and continue till the announcement of the election results.
   The Betar through its 14 medium wave centres across the country and one short wave (internal) will broadcast programmes continuously, including news bulletin in every one hour, a press release said on Sunday.
   It will broadcast special election bulletin in every 30 minutes from 7:15pm on December 29.
   Besides, flush bulletin will be aired from its temporary studio at the Election Commission office.

A consignment of three-lakh pen with indelible ink has reached Dhaka Sunday from Mumbai, India.
   The pen procured with the financial assistance of the UNDP will be used in the ninth parliamentary election on December 29 to mark on the thumbs of the voters after exercising franchise, Election Commission officials said.
   Earlier, the EC used locally produced ink for this purpose.