DoE fines Ferdous Steel Tk5 lakh for operating illegally

CHATTOGRAM Aug 19: The Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Industries has been fined Taka 5 lakh by the Department of Environment (DoE) on Wednesday for dismantling the vessel MT Rasi without renewing environmental clearance at its yard in Sitakunda, Chattogram.

The regional office of the Department of Environment (DOE) Chattogram imposed the fine following a hearing after an inspection of the yard, where nine workers died in a toxic gas leakage while dismantling the vessel on August 14.

In the notice the DOE mentioned that the Ferdous Steel was carrying out ship-breaking operations without renewed environmental clearance.

For this reason, DOE has fined Taka 5 lakh under the Environmental Damage Assessment method.

The department directed the company to deposit the amount with the government within seven working days. It also ordered the yard not to resume ship-breaking activities until it obtains renewed environmental clearance.

The hearing was held in the presence of a representative of the yard’s owner, who admitted to the violation mentioned the DOE office under the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (amended in 2010).

The unauthorised cutting constituted a punishable offence, making environmental damage recoverable under Section 7 of the law.

The company retains the right to appeal the order within 30 days under Section 14 of the Act and Rule 27 of the Environment Conservation Rules, 2023, provided it deposits 25% of the compensation through an e-challan to the designated appellate authority.

The DOE warned that failure to comply with the directives would lead to legal action, including filing a case against the company with the appropriate court.

The action came five days after the accident at the yard, where nine workers died from suspected hydrogen sulphide gas while dismantling MT Rasi.