Oct 12, V7N- Since its inauguration in 2019, Jhalakathi Bisik Shilpanagari has remained largely vacant, with 56 out of 79 plots unoccupied for nearly five years. Despite this, allegations of corruption in plot allocations have emerged, particularly concerning the Ministry of Industry, which has reportedly allotted plots to bankrupt companies.

According to sources from the Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), the Ministry has allocated 25 plots to a bankrupt company named Fortune Invention and Technology, bypassing recommendations from the district BCIC and ignoring established rules. These plots remain empty, while three entrepreneurs who had applied for six additional plots did not follow through. Their allotment was canceled in January this year after they sought to relinquish the plots last year.

Documents from the District BCIC indicate that six additional plots are vacant, and 19 plots have been allocated to 15 entrepreneurs as of June this year; however, none have initiated any visible activities. Local residents report that all 56 plots are unoccupied, resulting in a lack of employment opportunities for the unemployed population in the area.

The establishment of the Padma Bridge has not spurred industrial and commercial growth in this southern district. It has come to light that Fortune, which received 25 plots in Jhalakathi BSIC Industrial City, has recently been categorized as 'Z' by the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). Furthermore, on September 1, BSEC formed an inquiry and investigation committee to investigate past irregularities, corruption, and manipulation in the capital market.

Mizanur Rahman established the Fortune Shoes factory in 2012 after land allocation from Barisal BC. However, the factory has also succumbed to bankruptcy. When asked about the rules governing the allocation of 25 plots to a single entity in Jhalakathi BC, Industrial City Officer Al Amin stated that no such provisions exist. He noted that the BCIC had not recommended the application, deeming the allocation unreasonable per BCIC policy. Even the Bisic head office opposed this allocation, yet the Ministry of Industries formed a separate committee led by Joint Secretary Zakir Hossain to approve the 25 plots. Following the committee's recommendation, the Secretary of Industry allotted the plots on April 22 this year, disregarding BCIC's stance.

To secure the allotment of these plots, 4 crore 70 lakh Taka has been allocated in 12 installments, with the company paying two installments as a 10% deposit.

On the surface, only seven factories are operational within the Bisik Industrial City. Entrepreneurs from these factories expressed their insecurity about working there. At night, there are no lights illuminating the area, creating a ghostly atmosphere, and reports of drug-related activities arise in the evenings. According to the authorities of Sundarban Polymer, they began production two months ago but initially had to deal with theft of electrical wires worth three lakhs from the factory. They later incurred expenses of about four lakh Taka to purchase their own electricity line.

Ali Asghar Nasir, the deputy manager of Jhalkathi Bisik Industrial City, stated that he was not present during the allotment of the plots to Fortune. He also mentioned that the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police have been informed to address issues related to theft and drug activities in the area.

END/AMI/RH/