UNB, Dhaka :
The Prime Minister Office (PMO) on Wednesday issued a warning that if anyone is found guilty of spreading negative propaganda against the country’s garment sector will face stern actions as per the existing law of the land.
“As per the current law, the government will take stern actions against those to be found guilty (of spreading negative propaganda),” PM’s special assistant Mahbubul Hoque Shakil said as he came up with the government warning at a press conference at the PMO briefing room.
The press conference was organised to inform all about the steps taken by the government and other agencies after the Rana Plaza tragedy that took place on April 24 last year.
The issue of negative propaganda came in the limelight when BGMEA president Atiqul Islam, who was present at the press conference, said some local NGOs and labour organisations will organise demonstrations in different parts of the developed countries where the foreign people will wear Bangladeshi shirts with their inside out, and shout slogans to boycott Bangladeshi RMG products.
Talking about it, Shakil said such negative propaganda will affect the country’s garment industry, and its workers will be the worst victims then.
Replying to a question about the alleged mismanagement of the PM’s Relief and Welfare Fund, he said the Fund operates with the highest transparency and accountability.
BGMEA president Atiqul Islam requested the media people to extend their cooperation in helping out the RMG sector.
About the treatment of the injured workers of Rana Plaza, he said the BGMEA will continue the treatment of the injured people, no matter how much time it takes.
Reading out a written statement, Shakil said after the Rana Plaza collapse a number of 2,438 people had been rescued alive while the number of dead bodies was 1,1117. Besides, he said, 18 people died in different hospitals.
He also mentioned that the government handed over 844 dead bodies to their family members and buried 291 dead bodies at Jurain Graveyard after collecting their DNA samples.
Describing various government steps taken for the victim workers, he said that Savar police lodged a case against the Rana Plaza owner and arrested the accused.
He said, Rajuk filed separate cases against the owner of the building, executive engineer and assistant engineer of Savar municipality.
“The responsible persons have been arrested. Besides, 11 cases have been filed under the labour law. Investigations into these cases are at the final stage and soon the charge-sheet will be submitted,” Shakil said.
