‘Don’t cut utility lines for bills’

The FBCCI has demanded a halt to the ongoing drive to snap utility connections of businesses for not paying up bills until the political situation gets normal.

The apex trade body made the demand in media statement issued following a board meeting on Sunday.

The statement said: “Businesspeople want a business-friendly environment to smoothly run their affairs much as the same way the politicians demand level-playing field for their political activities.”

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry said they would soon send a memorandum to the Prime Minister to press their six-point charter of demand. The demands include an end to ‘harassment of businessmen for defaulting on payment of VAT, duty and tax’.

The FBCCI expressed concern over the volatile political situation.

The Opposition is enforcing countrywide strikes and blockades one after another for holding of the next parliamentary polls under a non-party caretaker administration.

The agitations are compelling the businesses to keep their shutters down.

The government, however, is advancing with its plan to stage the election on Jan 5 amid the Opposition’s boycott.