DHAKA: Not a single tannery of the total 155 was moved from capital’s Hazaribagh to Savar though the 72-hour ultimatum of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu for shifting the tannery has crossed ten days ago.
After the expiry of tannery shifting deadline, as many as 133 tanneries’ owners were served with legal notice in phases and Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) authorities are sending notices to more factories.
On last January 10, industries minister said that if the tannery owners fail to shift their factories to Savar within the stipulated 72-hour time, their factories will be closed.
Even, their allotments at Savar will be cancelled, he added.
It may be mentioned here that the tannery owners were given repeated ultimatums earlier on many occasions but they did not comply with the instruction.
BSCIC sources said the tannery owners, however, have responded to notice, seeking time from three months to one year to shift their factories.
However, BSCIC has setup an environment-friendly industrial park on 199.40 acres of land on the bank of river Harin Dhara in Baliarpur union of Savar, on outskirts of the capital city.
In that hub, a total of 205 plots have been allotted to 155 tannery units under Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leathergoods & Footwear Exporters' Association (BFLLFEA).
So far, 155 tanneries, now located at Hazaribagh, will be shifted to that plots.
The project involving Tk 1,078.71-crore will expire in next June.
BSCIC sources further said that out of 155, so far 142 tanneries will be given notices while 13 will be left behind in this process as cases remain against them.
However, it is learnt that after the minister’s ultimatum most of the tanneries have started shifting process except from five to seven in number.
Government will go for actions against them, who will fail to start shifting process within January 25.
BFLLFEA president Mahiuddin Mahmud Mahin told banglanews that most of the tanneries have started shifting works after receiving legal notices. Owners are sincere to go to Savar but it will take time in shifting.
He said that many will go there within six months.
President of Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA) Shahin Ahmed said that most of tannery owners have answered the BSCIC notices and sought more time in shifting factories to Savar.
“Moreover, the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) is still not ready there. At this stage, what we will do there? However, at least 50 tanneries will go to Savar within next six months,” he added.
CETP project director joint secretary Abdul Qaium told banglanews, “The construction of CETP is nearly complete. We will go for trial run between January 27 and January 31”.
“After that government will take stern measure, if the factory owners fail to shift factories to Savar from Hazaribagh,” he warned.
However, after spot visit to the tannery industrial city it was found that service roads, power lines and gas lines are not sufficient in the area.
On the other hand, the owners have done nothing visible there. Some have only constructed the boundary walls.
BDST: 1747 HRS, JAN 23, 2016
Shahjahan/RS/RR
