Rajshahi chamber in limbo
Our Correspondent | Sunday, 17 April 2011
Our Correspondent
RAJSHAHI, Apr 16: The activities of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry remained stalled for a long time due to intense grouping-lobbying and filing of a number of cases against rival groups. It is alleged, RCCI leaders are now busy trying to retain their leadership and authority at all costs without considering the interest of the traders of Rajshahi. Sources said, the feud among the leaders of RCCI is so intense that no party wants to give any concession to the other. On February-1 this year, the Ministry of Commerce postponed the election of RCC Executive Committee and appointed Dewan Abdus Salam, Additional District Magistrate, as its Administrator. After receiving charge, Dewan Abdus Salam ordered to close all bank transactions of RCC and a trade group welcomed him with floral wreaths. The appointment of Dewan Abdus Salam was protested by Chamber President Abu Bakker Ali who vowed to take legal action against the appointment. However, newly the appointed RCC administrator announced to hold election of RCC within 120-days and to hand over the power to the elected representatives. But, he has become so frustrated with the groupings and lobbying that he expressed his inability to perform the additional duty. As a result, the Ministry of Commerce appointed former Director of RCC Ziaul Haque Tuku as the new Administrator of RCC on March 31. Challenging the appointment of Ziaul Haque Tuku, another former Director of RCC Khandker Hafizur Rahman filed a writ petition with the High Court. As a result, uncertainty loomed once again on holding election of RCC.
RAJSHAHI, Apr 16: The activities of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry remained stalled for a long time due to intense grouping-lobbying and filing of a number of cases against rival groups. It is alleged, RCCI leaders are now busy trying to retain their leadership and authority at all costs without considering the interest of the traders of Rajshahi. Sources said, the feud among the leaders of RCCI is so intense that no party wants to give any concession to the other. On February-1 this year, the Ministry of Commerce postponed the election of RCC Executive Committee and appointed Dewan Abdus Salam, Additional District Magistrate, as its Administrator. After receiving charge, Dewan Abdus Salam ordered to close all bank transactions of RCC and a trade group welcomed him with floral wreaths. The appointment of Dewan Abdus Salam was protested by Chamber President Abu Bakker Ali who vowed to take legal action against the appointment. However, newly the appointed RCC administrator announced to hold election of RCC within 120-days and to hand over the power to the elected representatives. But, he has become so frustrated with the groupings and lobbying that he expressed his inability to perform the additional duty. As a result, the Ministry of Commerce appointed former Director of RCC Ziaul Haque Tuku as the new Administrator of RCC on March 31. Challenging the appointment of Ziaul Haque Tuku, another former Director of RCC Khandker Hafizur Rahman filed a writ petition with the High Court. As a result, uncertainty loomed once again on holding election of RCC.