No gas, electricity to Hazaribagh tanneries after Dec 31, Industries Minister Amu says

The government has warned tanneries of disconnecting utility connections such as gas and electricity after Dec 31.

Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu said on Sunday that tanneries would be moved from the capital's Hazaribagh area by the end of the year.

He stated that the tanneries would be moved from the capital’s Hazaribagh area to Savar by Dec 31.

"Gas and electricity supply will be suspended from Jan 1 to those factories which fail to meet the deadline."

Tanneries in Hazaribagh have been urged repeatedly over the past few years to shift to the Leather Industrial City in Savar on the outskirts of Dhaka for the hazards they impose on human health and environment. They have so far not complied with the directives.

 The minister explained, though, that the tanneries could not be shifted till date because of “some problems.”

Visiting the BSCIC (Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation) leather industrial city, he declared the government’s intention of cancelling the registration of factories which are yet to begin the process of shifting.