'If you don’t cooperate, you will be replaced'

Labour and Employment Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan today questioned the effectiveness of government officials in Chattogram in managing the rising commodity prices. "If you don’t cooperate, you will be replaced," he warned while addressing officials from various departments during a meeting held at Chattogram Circuit House this morning.

Asif, who also serves as the youth and sports adviser, expressed frustration over the lack of proactive efforts by the taskforce responsible for market monitoring and the consumer rights directorate. He noted that while the commerce secretary had sent him a report summarizing the taskforce’s three-day nationwide operations, there was minimal mention of Chattogram's activities.

"I received no report detailing how many operations you conducted or the amount of work you have done. The commerce secretary's report mentioned Chattogram for only one day, with no details for the remaining two days," he said.

The adviser criticized the officials for their lack of cooperation, stating, "Your non-cooperation is causing stagnation," and warned of strict actions if the situation does not improve. He further mentioned that following a revolution, systems often don't function as they previously did, but the interim government has been trying to maintain order with the expectation of cooperation from officials.

"We will dismantle the current system if needed. We will make new appointments and bring in fresh personnel to take over these positions," Asif stated.

Labour Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman, Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Tofayel Islam, and Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam were also present at the meeting.

Later in the day, the adviser participated in a views-exchange meeting with business leaders, workers' representatives, and officials from Chittagong Port Authority and Customs House, organized by the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) at their conference room. The meeting was chaired by CCCI Administrator Muhammad Anowar Pasha.

Prior to the meeting, tensions flared when pro-BNP businessmen forcibly removed former chamber director Mahfuzul Hoque, a pro-Awami League businessman, from the venue.