Demand to stop anti-pollution drive irresponsible, immoral: TIB
Dhaka, June 15 (UNB) - Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has strongly condemned the demand of a section of business leaders to stop anti-pollution drives, saying that it is illegitimate, irresponsible and immoral.
In a statement on Friday, TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said it is extremely deplorable and ridiculous that a section of business leaders raised such illegal, irresponsible and unethical demand so shamelessly in public.
“We request the Minister of Environment and Forests as well as the DoE officials to absolutely ignore the demand and redouble efforts and capacity to enforce the relevant laws, rules and regulations without fear or favour,” he said.
“Any failure to bring law-breakers like polluters to justice will not only promote a culture of impunity but also lead to total destruction of whatever prospect of sustainable life and livelihood remains in the country,” he added.
A section of business leaders in steel mills, re-rolling mills, plastic factories and brickfields at a discussion organised by FBCCI in the city on Thursday demanded a halt to anti-pollution drives so that they can continue their activities without any hindrance.
Environment and Forests Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and DoE officials were present at the meeting.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman said Bangladesh has already been ranked as one of the worst victims of environmental degradation and climate change. Bangladesh had succeeded in drawing the attention of the global community for support to national efforts to face the enormous challenges.
However, if the government yields to illegitimate demands of powerful business people in steel mills, re-rolling mills, plastic factories and brickfields uniting under the banner of FBCCI, Bangladesh will not only ignore the key prerequisites to ethical and sustainable business, but also lose faith of the international community about the government’s commitment to control pollution of our own environment, particularly the river and water resources, he said.
He said it was deceitful to claim loss of business and employment due to pollution control. The reality is just the opposite – businesses will flourish further, economy will grow faster and more sustainable, generating higher income and employment if anti-pollution standards are met.
In a statement on Friday, TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said it is extremely deplorable and ridiculous that a section of business leaders raised such illegal, irresponsible and unethical demand so shamelessly in public.
“We request the Minister of Environment and Forests as well as the DoE officials to absolutely ignore the demand and redouble efforts and capacity to enforce the relevant laws, rules and regulations without fear or favour,” he said.
“Any failure to bring law-breakers like polluters to justice will not only promote a culture of impunity but also lead to total destruction of whatever prospect of sustainable life and livelihood remains in the country,” he added.
A section of business leaders in steel mills, re-rolling mills, plastic factories and brickfields at a discussion organised by FBCCI in the city on Thursday demanded a halt to anti-pollution drives so that they can continue their activities without any hindrance.
Environment and Forests Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and DoE officials were present at the meeting.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman said Bangladesh has already been ranked as one of the worst victims of environmental degradation and climate change. Bangladesh had succeeded in drawing the attention of the global community for support to national efforts to face the enormous challenges.
However, if the government yields to illegitimate demands of powerful business people in steel mills, re-rolling mills, plastic factories and brickfields uniting under the banner of FBCCI, Bangladesh will not only ignore the key prerequisites to ethical and sustainable business, but also lose faith of the international community about the government’s commitment to control pollution of our own environment, particularly the river and water resources, he said.
He said it was deceitful to claim loss of business and employment due to pollution control. The reality is just the opposite – businesses will flourish further, economy will grow faster and more sustainable, generating higher income and employment if anti-pollution standards are met.
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