FBCCI board meets today to amend polls-related rules
Wednesday, 6 June 2007
FE Report
The Board of Directors of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commercial (FBCCI) will hold a meeting Wednesday (today) to discuss matters relating to changes that are required for framing organisational rules in order to prevent loan defaulters or those convicted for crime from contesting its election.
The caretaker government has asked the FBCCI to amend its rules to bar the loan defaulters and criminals from participating in its election.
Mir Nasir Hossain, president of the FBCCI, welcomed the government instruction while talking to newsmen after a meeting with a delegation of National Defense College (NDC) Tuesday at the Federation Bhaban.
"We need to give a 21-day time prior to calling extraordinary general (EGM) meeting which is needed to bring amendment to the organisational rules," he said.
"We will discuss the issue with the Ministry of Commerce," he said.
Earlier, the Commerce Ministry Monday directed the FBCCI to take necessary measures to take steps for the required amendment in the organisational rules of the apex body under rules-8 (1) (B) of The Trade Organisations Ordinance 1961 'within 15 days' after the issuance of the ministry's letter.
Under the prohibitory order, loan and tax defaulters and persons convicted in criminal or corruption cases or in criminal offence like moral turpitude, if five years are not passed after their release, will not be eligible to participate in FBCCI election.
As per the rule, if FBCCI fails to amend rules according to the directive within the timeframe, the government can issue Amendment Order through gazette notification under Rule 8(2), said the commerce ministry in its letter.
Regarding discussion with the delegation, FBCCI president: the NDC delegation, as part of their training course, meets the apex trade body leaders every year to discuss economic affairs.
The FBCCI president also welcomed the government decision on whitening of the untaxed money.
He, however, differentiated the black money from untaxed money.
Replying to a question, he said: "We are working with the government to curb the prices of the essentials."
A 41-member delegation of the NDC, headed by Lieutenant General Tayeb Muhammad Zahirul Alam, held the meeting with the apex trade body leaders.
The members of the delegation included 14 officers from Bangladesh Armed Forces of the rank of major general/ brigadier general, colonel or equivalent and 10 civil officers of the rank of joint secretary and equivalent and 17 foreign members from China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, and Sudan.
Besides, Mohammad Ali, vice president, Dewan Sultan Ahmed, second vice president, Abdur Rouf Chowdhury, director of the FBCCI, were present at the meeting while Secretary general Syed Jamaluddin of the apex trade body presented a paper on activities of the FBCCI.