The Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) authorities have no scope to extend time for shifting tanneries from the capital’s Hazaribagh to Savar Tannery Estate as per legal notice that was served on Wednesday to 28 tannery owners, said an official yesterday. “We have stated everything in the legal notice. There is no scope to extend time further as the BSCIC had earlier issued 27 reminder letters to factory owners in the past,” Project Director of Savar Tannery Industrial City, Abdul Qaiyum told The Independent yesterday. At least 10 tannery owners have started construction work in Savar after receiving the legal notice, he said in reply to a query.
“If all the tannery owners start their construction work at Savar Tannery Estate site within the stipulated period—then, the authorities concerned may consider allowing a few more days on humanitarian ground to relocate their factories,” the officials said. He further said that the main objective of the government is not to cancel the plots of the factory owners—but the owners have to relocate their factories within the stipulated period considering the dire necessity due to the health and environment concerns. “No leaders of Bangladesh Tanners Association or individual came to us with a request for extension of time. We are steadfast on the government decision over the relocation of the tanneries as per the legal notice,” he said in reply to another query. The BSCIC authorities, on Wednesday, served legal notices to 28 tannery owners, asking them to relocate their factories from Hazaribagh to Savar Tannery Industrial City within 72 hours or face closure. The move came after Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu on Sunday gave a 72-hour deadline for relocation of the tanneries and ordered the serving of a legal notice.