The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industries Ministry at a meeting yesterday decided to reopen three fertiliser factories within the shortest possible time.
The committee also recommended taking steps in the coming budget to reopen the closed industries and for readjustment of existing VAT and tax structure to protect the interests of local industries.
The meeting was held at the committee room of the industries ministry at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban with Chairman of the committee Tofail Ahmed, also former industries minister, in the chair.
Committee members Kamal Ahmed Majumder, Md Ali Asgor, Md Meraj Uddin Mollah, Muhibur Rahman Manik, Anwarul Ashraf Khan, Jahid Malek and SM Abdul Mannan attended the meeting. Industries Minister Dilip Barua was present in the meeting on a special invitation.
The meeting formed a three-member subcommittee headed by Kamal Ahmed Majumder to probe reported irregularities in Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation. Its two other members are Anwarul Ashraf and Jahid Malek.
It also recommended restarting of different projects of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) initiated by the government from 1996 to 2001 and regularising the officers and employees engaged in the projects.
The projects include creation of self-employment through small and cottage industries, women entrepreneurs' development programme, poverty alleviation through income-generating programmes, revamping rural economy through the development of rural industries and apiculture.
The meeting also decided to hold meetings at different industries and corporations under the ministry in phases.
Industries Secretary Dewan Zakir Hossain and chiefs of different industries and corporations were also present.