The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Council of Advisers yesterday expressed its surprise over the finding of an inquiry committee that detected a 17-year gap between an important Government decision on land use in a reserved area and publication of gazette to carry out the task.

The report submitted by a two-member inquiry committee, headed by Director General of Environment Directorate, said the government had decided in 1990 not to set up any establishment at eight moujas within the periphery of Bhawal National Park in Gazipur district but the gazette, in this regard, was published in 2006, after 17 years.

In the meantime, various establishments, including industries were set up there by influential quarters and political big wigs.

The Council of Advisers at the meeting held at the Chief Adviser's Office yesterday discussed the matter and asked the authorities concerned to re-examine the issue.

The meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair directed the Environment Directorate not to issue fresh certificates to set up new establishment there.

Briefing journalists, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim said the two-member committee formed earlier identified the areas in three classes, those include 'red' where establishments were set up by grabbing government land, 'yellow' by grabbing government land partially and 'green' where establishment were set up by individuals on their own land.

The matter will be discussed again by the Council of Advisers later for taking the next course of action, the Press Secretary said.

The Council of Advisers approved the Grameen Bank Ordinance (Amendment) 1983 allowing its operation throughout Bangladesh with priority to rural areas.

The meeting discussed the Rules of Business (Amendment) on the basis of second interim recommendation of Regulatory Reform Commission in details and asked the Cabinet Division and the Ministry of Law to submit it again before the Council of Advisers' meeting after re-examination.

Fahim Munaim said the Chief Adviser appointed two more Special Assistants to CA and gazette notification has already been published in this regard.

Of them, Mahbub Jamil, with the rank and status of a cabinet minister, was given the charge of the ministries of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Industries and Youth and Sports while Manik Lal Samaddar, with the rank and status of a state minister, the ministries of Fisheries and Livestock and Science and Information and Communication Technology, he said.

Replying to a question, he hinted that one or two more special assistants to the Chief Adviser are likely to be appointed. But it depends on the willingness of the Chief Adviser, he said.

He said AF Hassan Ariff was given the charge of the Ministry of Land in addition to the Ministry of Law while Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury was given the charge of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs in addition to Primary and Mass Education.

All Advisers, except the Finance and Primary and Mass Education advisers, and newly appointed special assistants to the Chief Advisers attended the meeting.