Outgoing BGMEA chief blames EPB for illegal bldg

FE Team | Published: April 19, 2019 00:23:14

Blaming the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) for construction of their building in the middle of the Hatirjheel canal, outgoing president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) says they will go for legal action against it if necessary, reports UNB.
"We had sought land to the then Prime Minister near Sonargaon Hotel for (construction) of a BGMEA building. But (the) EPB gave us a land in (the middle of) Hatijheel canal which was a mistake. We bought the land for Tk 51.7 million but didn't realise where the land was actually allotted and that was another mistake," Siddiqur Rahman said.
The BGMEA chief made the remarks while speaking at an exchange of views meeting with journalists at the new BGMEA building at Uttara.
"It's natural that I would feel sad as we used the Kawran Bazar's office for around 14 years. I used the office for three years and seven months as the BGMEA president," he said replying to a query.
The BGMEA chief said they built the new building at Uttara following all the rules and regulations.
When his attention was drawn to the issue of seeking time from the court for demolishing the Karwan Bazar building, he said: "As the current BGMEA president, I didn't seek any time for demolishing the building. If anyone sought time, we want him/her to face punishment," he said.
Earlier in the day, a legal notice was served on BGMEA President Siddiqur Rahman requesting him to withdraw a petition filed with the Supreme Court seeking a one-year time for demolishing the building, constructed illegally in the middle of the Hatirjheel canal.
Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Manzill Murshid served the notice asking him to withdraw their petition in three days.
Claiming that their business is now facing many challenges, Siddiqur urged the government to provide five per cent cash incentive for the garment industry in the upcoming national budget.
"We've raised 51 per cent salary for workers. Our total cost has increased by 25-30 per cent. However, buyers haven't raised product prices," he said.
He also urged the National Board of Revenue to exempt the garment sector of VAT and automate the customs audit.