PM orders taking back mills, factories
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday directed the Textiles and Jute Ministry officials to reclaim the jute mills and factories which had been sold or privatised during 2009-2013 when the embattled Posts and Telecommunications Minister Abdul Latif Siddique was in charge of the ministry.
The ministry should take necessary steps to reclaim the mills and industries from private entrepreneurs who have failed to resume their operation as they had promised, the PM said while exchanging views with the ministry officials in the capital's Bangladesh Secretariat.
The premier also said no state-owned industry will be leased out or sold from now on.
Hasina's directives came following recommendations made by a high powered committee of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
The PMO committee found out that Latif, who was sacked yesterday over his derogatory comments on hajj and Prophet Muhammad (SM), sold 47 state-owned jute mills and factories in 2009-2013 either without inviting tenders or in non-transparent ways. It recommended that the government should reclaim them and take action against those involved in the underhand dealings.
Considering the ministry's failure on many occasions to win the mills back due to insincerity of the officials concerned and weakness of the lawyers, the prime minister suggested the ministry engage prominent lawyers to win legal battles in the courts.
She also asked the ministry officials to find out ways to allocate tracts of unused government lands to private entrepreneurs who are inclined to process and further develop jute products, thus ensuring the best use of lands.
Citing Bangladeshi scientists' success in decoding genome sequencing of jute, Hasina said her government has always promoted the jute sector by providing adequate funds for research on jute and will continue to do so to innovate more improved varieties of jute and high quality to bring back its past glory.
Referring to enactment of a new law to make use of jute bags mandatory for packaging, the premier asked the ministry to procure modern machineries so that quality of jute products can be improved.
Against the backdrop of rising demand for jute products worldwide what with an increased awareness of environment-friendly products, she suggested producing high quality sarees, suit pieces, curtains and carpets and other products from jute to capture the market abroad.
Textiles and Jute Minister Mohammad Emaz Uddin Pramanik and Secretary Phani Bhoushon Choudhury also spoke on the occasion.
State Minister for Textiles and Jute Mirza Azam told The Daily Star that the premier directed officials concerned to rebuild jute and silk mills under public-private partnership projects.
“The government will provide the land and private companies will build the mills, and the government will have shares and managerial authority,” he said.
He said the ministry will take measures shortly, adding that they have already won legal tangles over five mills.
Asked whether legal actions would be taken against Latif Siddique, the state minister said the PMO report has been sent to the law ministry.
“If the law ministry suggests, we will request the Anti-corruption Commission to investigate into the allegations,” he said.
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