Mode of BDR mutineers’ trial

Govt to send reference to President for seeking Supreme Court opinion

UNB, Dhaka

The government will send a reference to the President Sunday to seek the Supreme Court's opinion as to which law should be applied for the trial of BDR mutineers, as there have been dilemmas in choosing between military and normal laws of the land.Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed disclosed this to reporters on Wednesday after an inter-ministerial meeting held at the Law Ministry.The decision to seek the Supreme Court's opinion was taken on July 27 as the government could not reach a consensus on fixing the law to try the mutineers of the Feb 25-26 terrible mutiny at the BDR Headquarters and its spillover revolt in different camps of the paramilitary border force across the country.According to available figures a total of 75 people, including 57 army officers who were the commanding officers of the BDR, one army sepoy, two family members of army officers, 8 BDR jawans and 7 civilians were killed during the mayhem. Barrister Shafique said a draft of the reference was prepared in today's meeting and it will be sent to the President Sunday.In reply to a question he hoped that the President would send the reference to the Supreme Court the same day to give its opinion.There are differences of opinion as to whether the mutineers be tried under regular laws, the BDR Act or the Army Act. The reference will be sent in accordance with article 106 of the Constitution. The article says if at any time the President deems a question of law has arisen, or is likely to arise on an issue of public importance, he may refer the matter to the Appellate Division for its opinion. Chaired by Barrister Shafique Ahmed, the meeting was attended by Law Secretary, Home Secretary, Defence Secretary, Attorney General, Additional Attorney General and BDR Judge-Advocate General.

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Muhith expresses concern over slow investment

UNB, Dhaka

The government has been cautioned of a possibility that the private sector might try to turn projects under public-private partnership (PPP) into Publicly Financed Private Projects (PFPP).Speakers at a roundtable here on Wednesday raised the concern along with other budget implementation issues while the government is busy formulating a guideline for the PPP.Addressing the meeting, Finance Minister AMA Muhith dispelled the concerns over implementation of Annual Development Programme (ADP), PPP, revenue targets and deficit financing.He, however, expressed concern over slow investment and infrastructure bottlenecks as the downside risks of development.Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) organized the roundtable titled "Delivering on Budget FY2009-10: A set of Implementation Issues" at the CIRDAP auditorium.Former Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam, senior bureaucrats, former bureaucrats, economists, academics, civil society members and representatives from private sector took part in the discussion, moderated by CPD chairperson Prof Rehman Sobhan.CPD distinguished fellow Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya presented the keynote paper discussing issues relating to budget implementation from the macroeconomic perspective. CPD reminded that implementation of the budget remains dependent on the overall state of good developmental governance of the country.The Finance Minister expressed concern over the stagnant investment scenario and wondered as to why investment is not taking place in the country although the "fear factors" have been removed by now."There are some uncertainties over the global recession and poor energy and power situation," he, however, said.In response to an apprehension over releasing the stimulus funds, he said Bangladesh Bank would soon make available the data in this regard. He added that the government would review the budget after six months and reallocate the funds, if necessary.Muhith said the government would also review the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) for three years keeping in mind the goals of the 5-year plan now under preparation."The biggest task now is inspiring the administration and the people to help implement the budget."

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