DHAKA:  Industries Minister Dilip Barua Tuesday asked the traders running dangerous chemical industries to remove their factories from the old part of the capital by August 17.

“The government will not extend the date any further,” the Minister said addressing a discussion meeting, as chemicals fuelled fire into a fatal conflagration recently.

Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) organised the discussion titled “The Present Situation of the Industries of Old Dhaka”.  

The businessmen, however, said the announcement by the government panicked the traders and the import of chemicals shrank.

They urged the government to make a list of dangerous chemicals and provide the entrepreneurs separate area for relocating.

In response, the Minister said that the government had granted two months time while the taskforce formed to conduct drive did not start functioning.

“The government did not harass you. Now you should fulfill our expectations,” Barua said, adding that the government did not want to take any risk over life and property of the people.

He dismissed the demand of the traders as “illogical”. “The government will not do business. So why it should offer you separate land or place for such business?”

State Minister for Law Advocate Kamrul Islam was also present while BCI President Shahedul Islam chaired the function.

BDST 2230 HRS, AUGUST 3, 2010.