The Jatiya Sangsad yesterday played host to some lively remarks about vulgar film posters.

"It’s difficult to understand from the posters and banners displayed at some cinema halls if the actresses are at all wearing something. It's a matter of great embarrassment for us when we come across these posters accompanied by our family members especially women." Awami League lawmaker Haji Mohammad Selim said.

Selim then wanted to know from state minister for information Prof Abu Sayeed if any step would be taken to stop publication of such posters. As another AL MP Mirza Azam raised the same question, Deputy Speaker Abdul Hamid said smilingly. "Why do you look at those posters?"

Abu Sayeed admitted that such posters were on display at cinema halls and other public places. He said only the decent posters get the nod but a section of unscrupulous businessmen in the film industry circulate tempered posters. He added posters of two films — Amma-jan and RangaBou — have been banned for vulgarity.

Several BNP lawmakers ridiculed the government for the delayed announcement of sighting of the Shawal moon.

Given the floor to ask a question to the state minister for information, Shahidul Islam said, "The minister is very efficient as he could succeed in broadcasting the news of moonsighting through BTV at 10 pm (January 18)."

"It’s not his affair but the religion minister’s." pointed out the Deputy Speaker.

"But it was his (Prof Sayeed) TV that dished out the news." said Shahidul.

Mashiur Rahman of BNP said that Abu Sayeed showed the Eid moon at the 10 O’clock bulletin of BTV. But the Chair corrected him that it was the news of moon-sighting, not the moon itself. .

Mashiur also asked Abu Sayeed if the .BTV would stop excessive coverage of the "be-gum-golams" (meaning the prime minister and her cabinet colleagues).

Before the minister could re-a, the Deputy Speaker asked ether there had been any such practice during the past regime.

“It has now increased 10 times." shouted Abdul Wahab of BNP.

An apparently embarrassed Abu Sayeed responded, "It's not a question to be answered." But later he claimed that the BTV coverage of the present prime minister was much less than that of her predecessor. Khaleda Zia.

The Deputy Speaker pronounced ’Sircar' while allowing the floor to BNP lawmaker Jamiruddin Sircar. But another BNP MP. Joynal Abedin Faruk, told the Chair, "He is Sarkar, not Sircar.”

"Is it so?" wondered the Chair.

"No. no. I'm Sircar," protested Jamiruddin Sircar and spelled the word.

"Then, I was correct and your party colleague misguided me," said a relieved Deputy Speaker.

At this stage, Jamiruddin cited the example of P.C. Sircar, the world famous magician.

Distress safety system in ships being examined

From Staff Correspondent

CHITTAGONG. Feb 1: The Mercantile Marine Department here today started examining installation of Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) in ships before giving clearance for voyage in international maritime routes, official sources said.

The Department issued clearance to two foreign vessels for voyage from Chittagong port after checking the GMDSS yesterday. These are a Singapore flag carrying vessel, Kota Chaya, and a Saint Vincent flag carrying vessel, Prosrich.

The GMDSS is an electronic device for satellite communication with the shore from any part of the sea in case of danger.

The time limit for installation of GMDSS in ships expired yesterday as per an earlier decision'of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the sources Informed.