Tanneries must move to Savar unconditionally: Dilip Barua
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
FE Report
Industries Minister Dilip Barua Tuesday urged the tannery owners to shift their units immediately and without any condition from the city's Hazaribag area to the new tannery park at Savar.
He also emphasised quick installation of the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) at Savar, as the tanners have been demanding it to start shifting the immensely hazardous industry.
The minister said these in a meeting with the leaders of tannery industry, and Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) and local government officials at Savar.
"It is mandatory to shift the industry, as we will be lagging behind if we continue our operation at Hazaribagh," Abdul Hye, general secretary of Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA), said.
If the authorities concerned do not take realistic steps urgently, the industry would collapse, he added.
"We need Tk 45-50 billion to relocate the industry and thus stop environment pollution," Rezaul Karim Ansari, president of Bangladesh Finished Leather Goods Association, said.
The tannery sector leaders demanded the government's intervention in directing the banks to help them repay their loans. They also expressed concern for delay in installing the CETP at Savar.
"If the High Court does not extend its order, our losses will increase to a great extent," the leaders added.
On June 23, 2009 the High Court ordered all tanneries at Hazaribag to quit the area by February 28, 2010. It also made installation of ETPs mandatory for all units by June 2010.
Kamrul Islam, state minister for Law, Dewan Zakir Hussain, secretary of Ministry of Industries, Syed Manjur Elahi, former adviser to the caretaker government, and Shahjahan Ali Sarder, director (project) of BSCIC, among others, were also present in the meeting.
Industries Minister Dilip Barua Tuesday urged the tannery owners to shift their units immediately and without any condition from the city's Hazaribag area to the new tannery park at Savar.
He also emphasised quick installation of the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) at Savar, as the tanners have been demanding it to start shifting the immensely hazardous industry.
The minister said these in a meeting with the leaders of tannery industry, and Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) and local government officials at Savar.
"It is mandatory to shift the industry, as we will be lagging behind if we continue our operation at Hazaribagh," Abdul Hye, general secretary of Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA), said.
If the authorities concerned do not take realistic steps urgently, the industry would collapse, he added.
"We need Tk 45-50 billion to relocate the industry and thus stop environment pollution," Rezaul Karim Ansari, president of Bangladesh Finished Leather Goods Association, said.
The tannery sector leaders demanded the government's intervention in directing the banks to help them repay their loans. They also expressed concern for delay in installing the CETP at Savar.
"If the High Court does not extend its order, our losses will increase to a great extent," the leaders added.
On June 23, 2009 the High Court ordered all tanneries at Hazaribag to quit the area by February 28, 2010. It also made installation of ETPs mandatory for all units by June 2010.
Kamrul Islam, state minister for Law, Dewan Zakir Hussain, secretary of Ministry of Industries, Syed Manjur Elahi, former adviser to the caretaker government, and Shahjahan Ali Sarder, director (project) of BSCIC, among others, were also present in the meeting.