The office of State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam issued a detailed clarification on the asset management of the minister.
The clarification was published on Tuesday following reports published on various media outlets regarding the assets.
According to the statement, Shahe Alam’s privately owned Roma Auto Rice Mill was sold at Tk 42 crore before the national elections as part of a business restructuring process. The statement also provides comprehensive information on the assets disclosed in his election affidavit.
The information was released in a press statement signed by Ashraful Islam Faisal, Information and Public Relations Officer at the State Minister’s office.
The statement says that, according to the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission for the 13th National Parliamentary Elections, Mir Shahe Alam owns 1,824 decimals of lands and has interests in 12 business entities.
It further states that after assuming office as State Minister, he formally withdrew from the ownership and management of his family businesses to avoid any conflict of interest. Subsequently, the shares, management responsibilities, and overall operations of the businesses were transferred to other members of his family, who are now responsible for running the enterprises.
The statement notes that the well-known Mir family of Shibganj Upazila in Bogura has long been engaged in agriculture, industry and various commercial ventures, alongside managing inherited family assets.
The businesses listed in the affidavit include Roma Auto Rice Mill, Ruposhi Rice & Pushti Mills Limited, Ruposhi Flour Mill, Mir Simanta-Diganta Filling Station, Mir Laboni-Sunat Filling Station, Mir Diganta Trading Agency, Uttar Bangla Overseas Limited, Ruposhi Agricultural Farm, Ruposhi Fish Farm, Ruposhi Concrete Bricks Factory, Ruposhi Mini Cold Storage, and Ruposhi Livestock Farm.
As part of the business restructuring, Roma Auto Rice Mill was sold for Tk 42crore through a registered deed on February 2. The buyer is businessman Rabiul Alam of Ganeshpur village in Mokamtala, Shibganj Upazila, Bogura. According to the statement, the new owner has taken full possession of the mill along with all its assets and operations.
Referring to a recent report published by a media outlet, the statement claims that the affidavit was presented only partially. While the affidavit discloses 1,824 decimals of land and 12 business entities, the report mentioned only 31 decimals of land, which, according to the statement, does not reflect the full picture of the State Minister’s declared assets.
The statement also rejects claims that the State Minister recently purchased 242 decimals of land in his personal capacity. It says that the land in question was acquired in the name of Ruposhi Rice & Pushti Mills Limited, not in the personal name of Mir Shahe Alam. It further adds that since assuming office, he has had no personal involvement in the management or business operations of the company.
Emphasizing the importance of responsible journalism, the statement says that news reports should present complete and accurate information. It warns that false or incomplete information can create confusion for individuals, families, society and the state, and urges media organizations to verify facts before publishing reports.
The statement also says that under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the current government has ensured an environment for independent and responsible journalism. However, it adds that deliberately misleading or distorted reporting is undesirable and calls on all stakeholders to act responsibly.
JB/IF
