A total of 19 trade organisations (TOs) have faced the music for breaching rules and regulations.
Commerce ministry has cancelled the registration of the TOs of different sectors in the more-than-one-year period, according to ministry sources.
For a period of enforced idleness and non-compliance of rules and regulations, the TOs were considered dormant and their registration has been removed, they said.
When asked, a senior ministry official said, "We remind organisations repeatedly of following government rules and directives. If they don't comply, the authorities concerned cancel their resignation/licence."
According to the Trade Organisations Ordinance-1961, the Directorate of Trade Organisations of the ministry approves any licence or registration for local chambers, associations and owners' societies.
All types of associations and chambers, including the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI), also have to seek registration from commerce ministry to run their activities.
Last year, the government cancelled the ordinance through enacting a new trade association law.
There are three types of trade organisations. They are mainly formed as limited liability companies under the Companies Act-1994.
They represent various business, industry, trade and service sectors with a licence.
Currently, there are 877 such organisations, including the apex trade body FBCCI, 441 associations, seven metro chambers, 64 district chambers and two upazila chambers.
Besides there are 19 women's chambers, 35 joint chambers and 153 groups or associations of various sectors.
What is more, there are 154 organisations as per section 28 of the Companies Act.
The authorities concerned usually serve show-cause notices on any delinquent entities for not having any office within six months after registration or licence, holding any annual general meeting (AGM), submitting audit reports or tax returns for two consecutive years.
In case of any unsatisfactory reply, the Director General (DG) of Trade Organisations declares the particular organisation as dormant.
The DG, however, gives scope for rectification.
If there is no progress yet, the DG suggests that the government cancel the licence of that entity.
According to the sources, the licences of some entities have been cancelled for their failure to adhere to the process properly even after giving sufficient time.
However, several farms went to the court against the decision.
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