Staff Correspondent

Calling upon the authorities concerned to stop the mud-sending game, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has said that those responsible for permitting businesses at Green Cozy Cottage on Bailey Road cannot evade accountability for the fire incident.

FBCCI Senior Vice President Amin Helali made the remarks on Saturday after visiting the ill-fated building that caught fire on 29 February, resulting in the tragic death of 46 people.

“Our economy is moving forward collectively but discipline is not being fully protected in many sectors in the same manner. We need to address the issue of sunning the way of the mud-sending game,” he said while talking to reporters beneath the badly damaged building.

Criticizing those who blame the businessmen of the building for the fire, he argued that the authorities have completed their responsibilities by issuing notices to stakeholders and now, they are holding them responsible for the fire incident.

The blame-shifting game should be stopped, he said pointing finger at the regulatory authorities, Amir Helali said, adding that the authorities have legal jurisdiction to take action against such irregularities.

He also raised questions about how the businessmen obtain certificates to operate their businesses in the building, who permits them and what have they done over the years.

“It is not a time to engage in blame games with each other. We are habituated to digging out faults in each other whenever a major accident takes place in the country. We will have to come out of such a mentality and the authorities concerned will have to work collectively to address the issues,” he said.